Only eight weeks left to meet graduation deadlines
Studying for finals, finding housing, graduation preparations and registering for next semester are among the headaches waiting for students when they return from spring break.
One of the concerns already coming to a heavy boil for many is finding a place to live for the next academic year.
Current students hoping to live on-campus next year can register from now to the beginning of the next school year, said Joan Schmidt, associate director of Residence Life.
However, current students have until May 1 to get first pick at living arrangements before registration is made available to incoming freshmen and transfer students.
Schmidt said another concern for students currently living on campus is having their rooms cleared out and reorganized by April 26, which is Residence Life Order Day.
"If they have lofts, they need to be taken down. Beds need to be put together, carpets taken out, desks put into the original location," Schmidt said. "We do it early so students aren't disturbed during exam week."
On campus or off, students will need to concern themselves with registering for classes and graduating at some point.
"Fall registration begins on March 23," said academic adviser Amy Faber. "That starts with graduate students and seniors, and then it starts to work its way down (depending on credit hours)."
Students looking for advice on classes may want to schedule an appointment with an academic adviser soon after break, as appointment times will become scarce shortly after the class schedule book for fall semester is released on March 17, she said.
"Right now, I would say most advisers' calendars are pretty open," Faber said. "Students could get an appointment within a couple of days, but that starts to fill up quickly."
Also, students who want to withdraw from classes have until March 27.
"At this point, to withdraw from a class, you have to obtain a withdrawal card," Faber said. "It does require your instructor's signature, and then the signed card must be submitted to the Student Service Court in the UC by 5 p.m. on the 27th."
There is still time for pre-graduation audits, a point of procrastination for many upperclassman.
"I might be a little worried about an audit," said South Haven junior Lauren Bennett. "I should probably do it sooner rather than later."
Pre-graduation audits are available year-round, including summer, but students hoping to get audited this academic year are running out of time.
"We do schedule somewhat in advance, so if a student were to call today for a pre-grad audit, we would be scheduling for the week of April 5, so it's approximately a month wait," said Assistant Director of Undergraduate Academic Services Linda Gillingham.
Hopeful December graduates have until April 15 to apply for graduation, which includes a final audit from Undergraduate Academic Services.
studentlife@cm-life.com
