IN THIS ISSUE
- Academic Related News
- Additional Opportunities and Programs
- Important Upcoming Dates
- Upcoming Campus Events
Academic Related News
Overloads
Remember students can take up to 19 hours without needing an overload. While the normal course load for students is still 14-18 hours, you are able to enroll in up to 19 hours. However, before you start enrolling in that many hours, I would urge you to ask yourself do I really need that extra course? Could I be spending time doing community service, volunteer work, research, etc., that I will not have time to do if I am taking 19 hours.
Continuing students may carry 20-21 hours, if they have a cumulative gpa of 3.20 or better. To register for 22 or 23 hours, a minimum of average of 3.50 is required. Any schedule of more than 19 hours require's dean's approval. Graduating seniors may be approved for overloads if they need such a schedule to graduate at the end of the semester in question.
If you meet the requirements to overload and you want to add a class now, you can email me your request. Please include how many hours you are requesting, the class that you want to add and why. I may be able to approve your request online.
Did you take Summer Classes off campus
If you have taken a summer class off-campus, make sure to request that an official transcript be sent to the Office of Undergraduate Studies. We cannot post any transfer credit until we receive a final official transcript. It should be sent to
Office of Undergraduate Studies
Sears 357
10900 Euclid Ave
Cleveland, OH 44106-7028
Changing an Incomplete Grade
If you received grades of I (incomplete) for any courses from the spring semester, you are expected to make the work up as quickly as possible. The amount of time allowed by a professor for making up an incomplete should be consistent with the length of the your absence(s) in the spring semester. The latest deadline by which work must be completed and grades reported is Friday, November 7. Petitions for extensions may be considered by the Deans Committee in the Office of Undergraduate Studies only in cases where there are valid extenuating circumstances and a petition with appropriate supporting documentation has been submitted prior to November 7 . Incompletes not completed by the deadline and for which no extension has been approved, will be converted to F grades.
New Majors and Minors
Women's and Gender Studies
Women;s and Gender Studies can now be a stand alone major. In the past, it was only available as a second major for the B.A.
Minor in Film
The English Department has introduced a new minor in film. The minor is very flexible, designed to accommodate both busy student schedules and a wide range of possible interests in the cinema.To see the required and elective courses, visit the film minor website.
Minor in Computer Gaming
The Electrical Engineering & Computer Science Department has introduced a new minor in computer gaming. Visit the EECS department for details to declare the minor and to to get details on the required courses.
Maintaining Academic Good Standing
As you enter your second year, the requirements to remain in academic good standing are a little different from your first year. Make sure you are aware of the new requirements. Remember that there is a gpa and credit hour component to maintaining academic good standing. Following the first year, the requirements for good standing for full-time students are:
- a semester grade point average of 2.00 or higher and
- a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 or higher and
- a minimum of nine credit hours earned each semester and
- at least 24 credit hours earned at Case over two consecutive semesters of full time enrollment
Retaining Your Scholarship
The retention standards for merit based (All Full tuition, Trustee's, President's and Provost's) scholarships are different from the first year.
At the end of each academic year (June), the records of all scholarship recipients are reviewed. To have a scholarship renewed for the following academic year, a recipient is expected to satisfy two requirements:
- A minimum number of hours earned after enrolling at Case. For second year students the requirement is 54 hours by the end of the second year. This does not include AP/IB/transfer or Pre-College Scholar credit earned prior to enrollment at Case.
- A minimum cumulative scholarship gpa of 3.00. Remember the scholarship gpa includes all grades. If the Repeat Option was used in any class, the original grade in the course is also calculated into the scholarship gpa.
For a Provost's Special Scholarship, students must remain in academic good standing (See page A-81 of the 2006 Student Handbook to see the good standing regulations).
For complete scholarship retention information, see page A-83 in the 2006 Student Handbook.
Undergraduate Studies Extended Office Hours
The Residential Undergraduate Studies Satellite (R.U.S.S.) offices are located in Wade and Fribley. You can stop by R.U.S.S. and meet with a dean for quick advising information and academic resources. RUSS is open from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Monday – Wednesday for walk-in advising appointments.
ADDITIONAL OPPORTUNIES AND PROGRAMS
Annual Fall Convocation
Case Western Reserve University officially opens each academic year with its Annual Fall Convocation; this year the tradition will double as the launch of the university's 2008-2009 Year of Darwin and Evolution.
In addition to the customary program, convocation keynote speaker and common reading author David Quammen will kickoff a year-long series of events celebrating Charles Darwin's life, his work and the diverse ways in which evolutionary theory continues to influence research and thought in numerous fields.
Convocation begins at 4:30 p.m. August 28 in Severance Hall. A light reception and book signing follows on Freiberger Field. Register online by August 25.
Coffee, Tea and a Tip at ESS
On Wednesday mornings, from 8:15-9:45, students are encouraged to stop by ESS in Sears 470 for Coffee, Tea and a Tip. Students can pick up a free cup of coffee or tea, a snack, and an academic tip to help get them through the day.
Prepare, Practice, Presentation
ESS has created a series of workshops called Prepare, Practice, Presentation: Workshops to help students prepare and practice presentation skills. They are going to be held on Tuesday and Friday afternoons. Check out the ESS website for dates, times and locations.
Emerging Leaders Program- Become a Mentor
The ELP Mentoring Program provides participants with more opportunities to develop a foundation of leadership and allows mentors to leave their mark on the Case Western Reserve University community by developing a valuable connection with its newest members.
ELP Mentor Applications are due September 8th.
Learn about the Co-Op Program
You are invited to attend the Cooperative Education Information Session on Tuesday, Sept 9th at 12:30 in Nord Hall Room 310. Learn about how the Co-op Program can enhance your education and hear from students who have completed a co-op. Sophomore year is the time to start thinking about co-op and how it will fit into your curriculum. Bring your questions and curiosity!
Cookies and beverages will be served - you are welcome to bring your lunch.
Resources and Academic Support for Second Year Students
Tutoring Services for Second Year Classes
If you find yourself either wanting to reinforce material presented in class or seeking guidance in understanding material, there are two excellent services available to you. You may want to consider attending SI (Supplemental Instruction) sessions taught by your peers or signing up for a Peer Tutoring appointment.
SI sessions are available for many courses, but these may be most relevant to you as a second year student: BIOL 121, BIOL 214 and 216 CHEM 223, PHYS 115, PHYS 122 and 221. The SI Session schedule is available here.
Peer tutors are your fellow students who have been nominated by your professors and trained by ESS to work with you on an individual and/or group basis in many undergraduate courses. Peer tutors can help you clarify course content and assignments, connect class notes and readings, and help you practice problem solving. Additionally, peer tutors can help you reinforce what you already know, model new ways of learning, monitor your progress over several sessions, and prepare you for addressing specific questions with the professor.
You can schedule up to five hours or tutoring each week at no cost with at least one-day notice. Search peer tutoring availabilities and schedule appointments at tutortrac.case.edu.
Need better time management and study strategies?
If you made a resolution to be a better student this fall, then stop by ESS (Sears 470) or call 368-5230 to set up an appointment with an ESS staff member. We have some ideas on how you can maximize your study time! You’ll receive personalized study recommendations that match your learning style and semester course load. It’s free; it’s easy; stop by to set up an appointment!
SAGES Writing CREW
The SAGES Peer Writing Crew can assist you at any stage of the writing process, whether you are generating ideas, composing a first draft, revising, or responding to an instructor's comments.
The Crew members are undergraduates who have proven themselves as writers in their SAGES seminars. They include students from the College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Engineering, and the Weatherhead School of Management.
You can connect with the Crew in three different ways:
- AOL Instant Messenger. Sunday through Thursday, 9 p.m. to 11 p.m., a Crew member is available on AIM (screen name SAGESWritingCrew) to answer your grammar questions, help you formulate a thesis, or offer general writing advice.
- E-mail Dropbox. You can submit a paper electronically and ask for a Crew member's feedback. Just send your paper to sageswritingcrew@gmail.com as an attachment. Please type your full name in the subject line, and include it in the attachment as well.
- One-to-One Tutoring. Crew members meet with students individually in Wade Commons and elsewhere on campus. You can make an appointment at tutortrac.case.edu with one-day advance notice or try for a walk-in appointment during office hours.
Beyond Typing: The Students' Guide to Writing
For the next best thing to an appointment, check out the Crew's online handbook, Beyond Typing: The Students' Guide to Writing. The guide offers advice on every stage of the writing process, answering the questions that students most often ask about writing successful academic papers. View the online handbook.
Leadership Journey Series
The Leadership Journey Series consists of presentations and workshops for the exploring, engaged, focused, and transitional leader. Participation in the series is free of charge and registration is not required. Each semester a new series of lectures, presentations, and workshops will be offered to respond to the changing needs of a student leader.
Check out the Fall 2008 Schedule of Events
Undergraduate Research- Never to Early to Begin
According to Professor Schiraldi, form Macromolecular Science and Engineering, there is no better way to ensure a position in a premium graduate school than to conduct research for an extended time. Graduate school is all about learning how to become a top notch research professional - prospective graduate advisors are going t o invest up to half a million dollars in a graduate research, and a proven track record of success at the undergraduate level pretty much clinches the deal. In addition to the career implications of conducting undergraduate research, exposure to one's field at the invention level is widely believed to improve performance in traditional classroom courses as well.
Many departments offer undergraduate research opportunities for their majors. The SOURCE Office is a great place to begin exploiting how to become involved on undergraduate research and creative endeavors.
Several departments offer credit for doing research, including Macromolecular Science (see Prof. Schiraldi for more information), for research contacts in other departments, contact the department or the departmental representatives for more information.
Important Upcoming Dates
| Classes Begin |
August 25 |
| Labor Day-NO CLASS! |
September 1 |
| Late Registration and Drop/Add End |
September 5 |
| Fall Break |
October 20-21 |
| Midterm Grades Due |
October 20 |
| Deadline for Removal of Spring 2008 "I" grades |
November 7 |
| Deadline for Class Withdrawal |
November 7 |
| Academic Advising for Spring 2009 Begins |
End of October |
| Registration begins for Spring Begins (by class) |
November 10 |
| Last Day to Submit Pass/No Pass (online form) |
December 5 |
| Last Day of Classes |
December 5 |
| Reading Days |
December 8, 12 |
| Final Exams Begin |
December 9 |
| Final Exams End |
December 17 |
| Final Grades Due |
December 19 |
Click here fore a complete 5 year academic calendar.
UPCOMING CAMPUS EVENTS
Second Year Tailgate Party
Second Year Experience (SYE) Tailgate, Location - Village at 115 behind House 4, Saturday September 13 at 12:00 pm. Come and support the Case Football team as they take on The University of Rochester. Come out to show your Spartan spirit. Come and enjoy the a great cook out with all of the fixings! Kick-off is 1:05pm.
Case for Community Day
The Sixth Annual Case for Community Day will be held on Friday, September 19, 2008.
Sponsored by the Center for Community Partnerships, the event is designed to dedicate a half-day of community service for the entire campus. From arts & crafts with youth and seniors, landscaping projects, administrative assistance to an assortment of campus drives – there is an opportunity for everyone to participate. In addition, the university will launch the 6th annual Charity Choice campaign to help raise funds for worthy organizations comprised of Charity Choice agencies: United Way, Community Shares and Earth Shares.
Check out the Case for Community Website for more details and a list of projects available.
Saturday College (SatCo)
SatCo offers unique non-credit, no-tuition courses which are held for one weekend during each academic semester. The courses are open to all Case students, faculty, staff, and alumni, as well as community members. Most programs have no charge, however a few programs may have a fee, such as skydiving, Lolly the Trolley, etc.
Case offers Saturday College (SatCo) programs on a wide range of subjects, including:
- Jewelry Making
- Financial Workshops
- Ultimate Frisbee
- Capoeira (Brazilian Martial Arts)
- Swing Dancing
- Rock Climbing and more ....
Support Your Fellow Student Athletes
From football to soccer to volleyball, many of your friends are competing on varsity athletic teams. Show your Spartan spirit and come out and cheer for them! Check out the Athletics web site for a complete listing of schedules.
Community Hour
The University Community Hour is scheduled every Friday during the fall and spring semesters from 12:30 to 2 p.m. No required academic activities of any type may be scheduled during this period. The University Community Hour facilitates student and faculty attendance at campus-wide gatherings and special events, especially those that foster community building at Case Western Reserve University. See the schedule for more information on topics and locations.
Public Affairs Discussion Groups
The Center for Policy Studies at Case hosts a public affairs discussion group Friday's at 12:30 pm in the Inamori Center in Crawford Room 9 (basement). Discussions run the gamut of topics from medical issues to the environment to the courts. The discussion this week is on Finding a Cure: The Case for Regulation and Oversight of Electronic Health Record Systems.
This is a great way to learn about issues that are of interest to you as you move forward in your college and professional career as well as to meet other people interested in similar topics.
For more information about these and other Center for Policy Studies programs, please visit the Center for Policy Studies website.
Family Week-end
Family Weekend 2008 is scheduled for Friday, November 7 - Sunday, November 9.
Registration will be available mid-September. For more information visit the Family Week-end website.
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