Semester conversion for Kate Gleason College of Engineering Students

Continuing our blog series highlighting different bodies of students around campus, this week my research took me to KGCOE. If you are a KGCOE students and will not be graduating by the end of summer 2013 this means classwork and co-ops done before the end of summer 2013, you are effected by this transition and will need to complete an IAP. Here is what else I have discovered:

Most students in KGCOE will take five courses per semester. Typically students will range from 15 to 17 credits per semester, the number of credits depends on labs in ones schedule. Another note is that some classes will be worth four credits instead of the typical three on semesters.

In terms of co-op, KGCOE students will be required to complete two semesters of co-op and two summers of co-op.

The number of classes students have left to take will be effected by their own personal IAP. Departments within KGCOE have been reaching out to students via their RIT e-mail. If students have not heard from their department, it is OK to stop into their office and set up an appointment.

A message from KGCOE, "March 15th is our target date to have all student's IAPs done and delivered. If your department has already reached out to you, please meet with them before the end winter quarter."

Your IAP will outline when you will be in classes and when you will be on co-op. It is beneficial for students to follow this schedule so we have enough classroom seats and co-op opportunities for all.

Students will NOT be able to register for fall semester until they have their IAP meeting.

Semester Conversion for Athletes

With the semester conversion just a few months away it is time to start thinking about your fall semester 2013 schedule. For everyone at RIT, the system will be a change. Over the next few blog posts, we are going to be pushing out important information for different bodies of students to consider.

This week we will be discussing the important things to consider when making your schedule if you are a campus athlete:

• Unlike in the quarter system when fall athletes were only impacted with one quarter and could take classes at different times during the winter and spring, there will be less flexibility due to the two semesters. Spring athletes unlike the current system will only have to think about one enrollment rather than their current two. Winter athletes will arguably be the most impacted because of the fact that both semesters will be affected. Winter athletes will have to talk through class options with their advisors and coaches.

• Another important thing to consider if you are an athlete is co-op. Fall athletes will look into not going on co-op during fall quarter and have to discuss with coaches and advisors options for spring due to spring season/training. The reverse will be true for spring athletes. Winter athletes will have to work hand in hand with their coaches and advisors to develop a plan that will work for them.

All coaches are different, some will work with athletes missing preseason, postseason, or select practices during the week. Other coaches have a harder time working around student schedules. Athletes, you know your coaches and if you do have a problem sit down with the advisors specific for athletes to work through issues.

Each athlete will be affected differently; however, it is important to talk with your advisors and coaches to work through your individual plans.

The Conversion Impact Claim

New information has been released about Semester Conversion! 

Do you as a student think you will financially be impacted by the conversion? You may be eligible to initiate a Conversion Impact Claim.  But what is a Conversion Impact Claim? According to RIT, " A Conversion Impact Claim is a process initiated by an eligible transition student who believes that he/she has been financially harmed by RIT's transition to semesters."  We as a semester conversion team encourage all students to read the Conversion Impact Claim.

A few highlights from the document (taken directly from the document): 

RIT will review Conversion Impact Claims until fall semester 2015 begins.

The following are NOT eligible:

1. First time, full-time freshman class of 2012 and beyond and transfer students entering in 2012-13 and beyond. These students have been admitted into RIT under semester program requirements.
2. Transition students who, at time of the preparation of their IAP [Individual Advisement Plan for transition to semesters] have not declared a major or who are enrolled in The University Studies Program.
3. Part-time students who will complete their degree requirements in the semester calendar.
4. Students with IAP holds who neglect to comply with the University's request for all students transitioning to semesters to complete an IAP with their advisor during 2012-2013.
5. Undergraduate and graduate students who complete their quarter degree requirements prior to the fall semester of 2013.

There are also circumstances beyond RIT's control which are specifically excluded for consideration with regard to the University Pledge. Such situations include, but are not limited to:

• Living expenses (i.e. room and board), transportation expenses, medical insurance, or any other expenses that a student may incur as necessary to remain matriculated at RIT. These expenses, whether payable to RIT or otherwise, are not deemed to be subject to the University Pledge
• Students' inability to find and/or complete a required co-op work assignment, regardless of reason.
• Loss of non-institutionally funded financial aid, whether due to enrollment status (full-time or part-time) or expiration of scholarship/student aid benefits.
• Loss of income from waived co-op terms.

For more information, students are encouraged to check out the full document at: http://www.rit.edu/conversion/students_impact.php

If students have any questions regarding this issue they are encouraged to contact their advisor, department, or ask questions on any of the Semester Conversion social media channels and we can point them in the right direction! 

Changes in your Academic Program

Everyone is who not graduating prior to September 2013 will be effected by semesters.  Some students have gone above and beyond to avoid being on campus after the conversion but for those that will be here for this monumental strategic move for RIT here are some of the changes you will experience.

Your academic program may be shifting in one of the following ways:

• a reduced number of credits to graduate (1 semester credit = .67  trimester credit)
• Remember 1 semester credit will still equal 1 hour of class time.
• More 3 credit classes will be offered
• They average student will take five three credit courses per semester

Out side of your academic program campus changes will be made including:

• The new SIS system
• The billing schedule, though students  will still be paying the same amount on semesters as they would on quarters, they will be making larger payments at single periods of time (Totals will be divided by 2 rather than 3)
• There will be a 3 week intersession of classes in January
• This will be a fast paced class time which students can take a class to get ahead or catch-up on studies.
• Course withdrawal dates will be shifted to fit the longer semesters.
• Other academic policies will be modified as well.

Stay tuned for more information on:

• Your program on quarters and semesters
• Minors
• Double Majors
• Dual Degrees

What does that hold on my account mean?

You may or may not have noticed a new hold on your student account in Student Center.  You may have freaked out a little bit or you may not have cared, well I am here to say not to worry.

First off, this is what the hold looks like:

 Click on details to see more.  This is the next screen you will see:

Now you may be questioning what Advising means or questioning what this hold means.  This hold has been put on your account due to the semester conversion.  In previous posts, I have mentioned I.A.P.s, this post is an Individual Advisement Plan hold.  It does not limit you from enrolling in classes for the winter or spring quarters; however, if you do not meet with your advisor before Fall 2013 Semester Enrollment (in approximately April 2013), you will not be allowed to enroll in classes.  Only your advisor can remove this hold.

You will need to see your advisor prior to the conversion; in order to, guarantee that you stay on track and graduate on time.  For those students graduating at the end the 2012-13 year, this hold does not apply to you.  For those not graduating this year, your advisor will be contacting you over the course of the next few months to set up an appointment.

You can bring any questions and concerns to this meeting and you and your advisor can sort through them together.

It is also important to remember, the IAP hold does not restrict you from registering for Winter and Spring classes, it will restrict you from registering for Fall Semester classes.  If you can not enroll in Winter Classes you may have a different hold on your account.  These holds could include a dean's hold, another advising hold, or a financial hold.  These holds will need to be resolved prior to enrollment and have nothing to do with semester conversion.

All students that were new to RIT this fall will have an advising hold on their account to talk over their next quarter schedules.  These two advising holds are different.  One is Academic Advising (IAP) and the other is Advising Required and if you have both, you will need to see your advisor to remove the winter quarter registration hold.

If you have any questions about holds you can email your advisor, stop into student services, or contact us on our Semester Conversion Facebook or Twitter.

Semester's Bring: Optional Classes on Breaks

RIT,

Do you want to:

• Engage in research projects with faculty?
• Participate in a shortened study abroad experience?
• Catch up with classes?
• Get ahead in classes?
• Take unique electives?
• Take co-curricular courses?

But do not have the time with the quarter system?

Well these things may not have been possible on the quarter system but with the semester conversion this will all be possible.  The optional January Intersession will provide students with all of the above opportunities.  The intersession will run during the winter break between the Fall Semester and the Spring Semester and will last three weeks.

It is important to remember this session will be completely optional, as well as, the ten week summer term.

More information will be released regarding the 2013-14 intersession in the future.

What Will Co-Ops be like in Semesters?

Cooperative Education, is one of the programs that defines Rochester Institute of Technology students.  Co-op provides students with required work experience and gives RIT student their competitive advantage when they enter into the workforce.  But some students are worried that with the upcoming switch to semesters, the co-op program is going to be less of an RIT staple.  Don't worry, co-ops are still going to be incorporated into school requirements, just a little differently.  Below is a list of the following co-op requirements throughout RIT (provided by the different colleges).

B. Thomas Golisano College of Computing and Information Sciences

Computer Science – Two semesters and one summer
Game Design and Development – Two summers
Information Security & Forensics – Two summers
Information Technology – Two summers
Medical Informatics – Two summers
Networking and System Administration – Two summers
New Media Interactive Development - Two summers
Software Engineering – Two semesters and one summer

College of Applied Science and Technology (those that require Co-op)

Computer Engineering Technology - 2 semesters and 2 summers
Civil Engineering Technology - 2 semesters and 2 summers
Electrical Engineering Technology - 2 semesters and 2 summers
Electrical Mechanical Engineering Technology - 2 semesters and 2 summers
Environmental Sustainability, Health & Safety - 2 semesters and 2 summers
Manufacturing Engineering Technology - 2 semesters and 2 summers
Packaging Science - 2 semesters
International Hospitality and Service Management - 2 semesters and one summer

College of Imaging Arts and Sciences

Undergraduates in two different degree programs in the College of Imaging Arts and Sciences are required to participate in cooperative education.

Students in the Photographic and Imaging Technologies program which includes both the Biomedical Photographic Communications and Imaging and Photographic Technologies options will be required to complete one summer co-op.

Students in the Media Arts and Technology program in the School of Print Media will be required to participate in co-op as follows: Either two summer sessions, or one semester and one summer session, or one semester and one intersession period.

E. Philip Saunders College of Business:

Undergraduate students must have a co-op experience based on the policies outlined below:

1. One semester of full-time employment or a minimum of 560 hours.
2. Two summer terms of full-time employment, where a summer term is at least 8 weeks or a minimum of 280 hours.

With Director of Student Services approval, a study abroad experience may be used to satisfy a maximum of 280 hours of co-op experience.

College of Liberal Arts (that require co-op)

Advertising and Public Relations – one summer
International Studies – one semester or summer co-op or internship or study abroad experience
Journalism – one summer
Museum Studies – one summer co-op or internship
Communication – one summer
Psychology – one summer
Public Policy – one summer co-op or internship
Sociology/Anthropology – one summer co-op or practicum experience

Kate Gleason College of Engineering

All undergraduates in the Kate Gleason College are required to participate in cooperative education. The requirement includes two semesters and two summers. 

Students who will be at RIT through the conversion will be working with their advisors to develop their individual advisement plans over the next year to keep them on track for graduation.  These IAPs will incorporate Co-Op requirements into them, so that a student with 2 quarter co-ops left to complete, can transition that requirement into the semester system.  RIT is here for their students in this transition and if you have any questions contact your academic department or write to us through our Facebook (RIT Semester Conversion) or Twitter Page (@RITConversion).

Semester Conversion is Coming

Rochester Institute of Technology is converting to semesters on August 26th, 2013.  The university will be preparing for the switch to semesters over the next year.  This blog was set up by the Semester Conversion team to answer questions and give out information that will help students prepare for the conversion and make sure they stay on track and graduate on time. 

In the next year (2012-13 academic year) it will be extremely important for students to meet with their advisors and set up an Individual Advisement Plan (I.A.P.).  These plans help prepare students for the switch to semesters because classes and requirements are going to be shifting within majors as we switch from quarters to semesters.

The IAP will include a break down of the requirements students will need to take (classes and co-op included) in order to graduate on time. 

Your academic adivsor will be contacting you over the course of the next academic year to sit down and talk about your I.A.P. (students do not need to initiate these meetings).  These meetings will allow you to ask questions and plan out your remaining career at RIT.  This IAP is not a binding agreement but a draft of what students should follow in order to graduate on time as planned.

Stay tuned for more information!

Get to Know: Courtney Tennant

Hey RIT community, my name is Courtney Tennant and I transferred in enough credits coming out of high school in 2010, that I am currently a 4th year new media marketing major in Saunders College of Business with a mass media communications minor.  I will be graduating next May (a year early) and continuing on with the 4 + 1 MBA program.

I am currently completing my double block Co-Op with the RIT GeneSIS project.  I have just been hired to work on the Semester Conversion project, as well as, at Accelerate Media in downtown Rochester part-time. 

I have been working with Twitter (@courtnettennis) for the past few years but began using it on a daily basis when I came to RIT because as anyone in SCB knows, any Social Media is crucial in the business world, especially in New Media Marketing.  I am also on Facebook and LinkedIn: Courtney Tennant.

I came to RIT in I guess a non-traditional RIT fashion because I went through the college selection process with basketball on my mind.  As the time came to choose a school I looked at schools from the academic standpoint and where I would be happiest if I didn't have basketball, RIT was the place for me.  On my 2nd visit on Accepted Students Day, RIT became the clear choice for me from the moment I stepped on campus.  I could really see myself growing as a person and in the 2 years I have been here I have changed and grown into the more adult version I strive to be.

I am originally from Cortland, NY so just about two hours down the highway but for me that distance was perfect because my family and I are extremely close and they are still able to attend most of my games and be my biggest support system when the stress of RIT arises. 

I am really excited about helping you learn all about Semester Conversion and hope to make your transition to semesters a smooth one.  My goal is to prepare you for the upcoming changes and help you stay on track and graduate on time, Individual Advisement Plans (IAPs) will come in handy for this. And as I learn new information about the conversion (which becomes available everyday) I will pass it on to you.