Academic & Advising Services

1. How do I declare my major?
2. What do I need to bring to an advising appointment?
3. I'm a new transfer student, how do I proceed?
4. How do I find out my NetID and USF ID?
5. I'm a Senior, any advice?
6. What other type of assistance is available to students?
7. What if I need an Academic Plan (for ARC petitions)?
8. What if I need a form signed?
9. If I just have a question, can I get an answer over the phone?
10. I just need a permit for class. Do I need to see an advisor?
11. How do I print a Degree Audit?
12. What if I need a certain class and it is not appearing on the class schedule search?
13. What if a class that I need is closed?
14. I have a hold on my registration. What does this mean and how do I get it removed?
15. How many times can I drop classes?
16. What if I want to take more than 18 credit hours per semester?
17. How do I "cross-enroll" or apply as a "transient student"?
18. How do I apply for graduation?
19. I've applied for graduation. Now what do I do?

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1. How do I declare my major?

The appropiate forms may be found at: http://www.bcs.usf.edu/currentstudents/undergradforms.cfm completed forms may be turned in to MHC 1145.

2. What do I need to bring to an advising appointment?

Just yourself! Your current SASS report will be printed for you.

3. I’m a new transfer student, how do I proceed?

Be sure to declare the major through on-line transfer student orientation and follow the instructions. Prior to making an appointment with an advisor, new Gerontology transfer students are required to:

• Review the on-line PowerPoint presentation.
• Attend an information session. The New and Transfer Student web page has the information and links you need to do all of this.

4. How do I find out my NetID and USF ID?

• To get your NetID, go to Academic Computing http://www.acomp.usf.edu/
• To find your USF ID, go the OASIS https://usfonline.admin.usf.edu/pls/prod/twbkwbis.P_WWWLogin login screen, and enter your SS# as your User ID. This will allow you to log in and see your USF ID. Keep the USF ID handy as you will be using it a lot!

5. I’m a Senior, any advice?

It is extremely important that you request from your advisor a “Major Check” of required courses in the semester before you expect to graduate. If you wait until you are already enrolled in your final semester and expecting to graduate, it will be too late to offset requirements that you may have overlooked.

6. What other type of assistance is available to students?

• First year students experiencing personal problems should contact Counseling and Wellness Center at (813) 359-4254
• Students experiencing test anxiety have trouble studying or pass the CLAST, in need of career or personal counseling or with learning disabilities should contact Counseling Center for Human Development at (813) 974-2831.
• Academic Computing (813) 974-1222 - LIB 618.
• Academic Support and Accommodations for Students with Disabilities (ASASD) (813) 974-4309.
• Advocacy Program, (Abuse, stalking, sexual battery, harassment) (813) 974-5756.
• Career Center(813) 974-2171 – SVC 2088.
• College of Behavioral and Community Sciences, (813) 974-1944 – MHC 1145
• Office of the Registrar, (813) 974-2000 – SVC 1034.
• Student Health Services, (813) 974-2331 – SHS 100.
• Student Judicial Services, (813) 974-9443, RAR 234.
• Student Learning Commons (813) 974-9281 LIB 206

7. What if I need an Academic Plan (for ARC petitions)?

Academic plans for students who have been academically dismissed will be handled by a face-to-face advising appointment. Our advisor will only advise academically dismissed students for one semester at a time. The student must make an advising appointment before registering each semester.

8. What if I need a form signed?

Not all forms require an advisor’s signature. Forms may be obtained online or in the School of Aging Studies. They may be obtained on the Registrar’s Office website listed under Forms on the right hand side of the page. http://www.registrar.usf.edu/

• Cross enrollment/Transient Student Forms- If you are taking any lower-level course (2000 level or lower) at another school this form should be signed in the College of Behavioral and Community Sciences (MHC 1145)
• Graduation Application - This form does NOT require department or academic advisor approval (even though the form indicates that it does). Take the completed form to MHC 1145.
• ARC petitions for late drop/add. You must see the Undergraduate Advisor (813-974-9740) for a departmental stamp. Completed ARC petitions along with the Instructor's Documentation Form should be turned in at MHC 1145.
• Time conflict - Obtain a signature from both instructors involved in the time conflict and leave the form in MHC1145.

9. If I just have a question, can I get an answer over the phone?

Absolutely! Call Ms. Smith at (813) 974-9740

10. I just need a permit for class. Do I need to see an advisor?

Ms. Smith can help you or you can also call Amy Woodbury at (813) 974-2414 for a permit.

11. What if I need a certain class and it is not appearing on the class schedule search?

There are two reasons that a class would not appear on the schedule search:

• The class is closed.
• The class is not being offered that semester, i.e. GEY 4401 Research Methods in Gerontology is only offered fall semester.

12. What if a class that I need is closed?

If a class that you need is closed, you can periodically check on the OASIS class schedule search for an open seat. Someone is always dropping out for various reasons. If that doesn’t work you can always go to that class on the first day and try to get a seat. As first day attendance is mandatory for undergraduates, anyone not attending will automatically be dropped from the class rolls. With permission from the instructor, call the School of Aging Studies office at 974- 2414 and we will give you a closed section permit.

13. I have a hold on my registration. What does this mean and how do I get it removed?

The following are typical hold codes you will encounter:

• OB means remedial math is required
• CC means Cash Collections. You owe money to USF. It could be past due tuition, parking fines or library fines.
• IM means you have not turned in your immunization forms to Student Health Services. There phone number is (813) 974-2331.
• TC and TS are CLAST holds that is preventing you from registering until you have made arrangements with Test and Evaluation. Students who have a TS or TL CLAST need to contact Bea Smith at bsmith@bcs.usf.edu
• TL hold means the student has completed 36 or more hours of upper level class credits and not satisfied the CLAST requirement. Registration is restricted to one and two thousand level courses.

14. How many times can I drop classes?

From the time you are a freshman until you earn 60 semester hours, you are allowed to drop three courses without academic penalty—provided you do so before the drop deadline (about half-way into the term). After you’ve earned 60 hours you are allowed to withdraw from three additional courses without academic penalty. Drops during drop-add week do not count toward this limitation. Withdrawals from 5000 or higher level courses do not count toward these limits.

15. I’m not getting the grade I want and the mid-term is approaching. Should I drop this course?

If you are failing or not getting the grade you need by mid-term, generally speaking, you should withdraw before the mid-semester drop deadline. Otherwise, you will not be able to withdraw without approval from the Academic Regulations Committee (ARC),a faculty committee designed to review student requests for waivers of University Academic Rules and Procedures.

16. What if I want to take more than 18 credit hours per semester?

To take more than 18 credit hours during a semester, you need to get approval by filling out an overload form and submitting it to MHC 1145. If you have a GPA below 3.0, your academic advisor, Ms. Smith, will need to sign the form before you submit it. http://www.bcs.usf.edu/currentstudents/undergradforms.cfm

17. How do I “cross-enroll” or apply as a “transient student”?

Cross-enrollment means that you are simultaneously enrolled in at least 6 hours at USF and any number of hours at another institution. Transient study means you are attending another institution besides USF for an entire semester (you are not enrolled in any USF courses while at the other institution). These forms may be found on the Financial Aid website: http://www.bcs.usf.edu/currentstudents/undergradforms.cfm

18. How do I apply for graduation?

You apply for graduation by filling out the Bachelor’s Degree Application form which maybe found on the Registrar’s website. Look under Registrar’s Office Forms. You may submit it in person to the College of Behavioral and Community Sciences MHC 1145. Remember, your advisor does not have to sign it.

19. I’ve applied for graduation. Now what do I do?

Successfully complete your last semester! Be sure to check the USF Commencement website for instructions on where and when the ceremony will be held, how to purchase your cap and gown, etc. http://isis.fastmail.usf.edu/commencement/

Congratulations!