General Information

Certain University policies and regulations affecting most students are included in this Catalog. Other regulations are set forth in various materials provided to all new students. In general, students are expected to meet the University's academic requirements, attend classes regularly, conduct themselves as responsible members of the community, and meet their financial obligations to the University and to the residence groups to which they are assigned.

Support for Academic Success

The University provides many services to support the academic success of its students. Several of those programs are described below.

Academic Advising. The deans of the schools and colleges assign advisors to help students meet their academic goals and complete degree requirements. Although the advisor is responsible for making appropriate academic recommendations, students are responsible for their own academic progress.

Meeting regularly with an advisor helps students anticipate and solve problems before they become serious. Advising includes:

• Describing the goals of higher education, the aims of disciplinary and interdisciplinary study, and the reasons for academic requirements including minimum scholastic standards.
• Describing registration procedures, courses, faculty interests, educational opportunities and degree programs;
• Helping the student plan semester by semester registration including tentative and final plans of study;
• Referring the student to appropriate sources for information and specialized services.

Students and advisors should know the academic requirements published in the University Catalog, and departmental plans of study.

Before registering, students consult with their advisors. The University tries to meet the students' requests where course selections conform with University rules and where resources permit.

Academic Center for Exploratory Students. The Academic Center for Exploratory Students is the University of Connecticut's enrollment program for the following populations: students who want to explore the University's academic opportunities before deciding on a field of study; students who plan to transition from one college or major to another; and students who plan to apply to one of the University's Junior-Senior schools (Education and Pharmacy). Some will designate an interest in one of the academic majors offered within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. The goal of the Academic Center for Exploratory Students is to pair every ACES student with an appropriate major(s) and assign him or her to a school or college as early as possible in the academic career. Each ACES student is assigned an ACES advisor who will work with the student until he or she declares a major and moves to one of the University's schools or colleges. The advisors at ACES, along with advisors from the university's schools and colleges and all of the University's student support services, work to ensure that both students and academic programs reach their full potential. The ACES advisors work with students to discuss their goals, interests, and strengths and to pursue their academic interests accordingly.

* Read an Advance article about the Academic Center for Exploratory Students. (Photo by Melissa Arbo)

Calculus Center. The Calculus Center is open to students who need assistance with calculus. This includes the courses Mathematics 112-210. The purpose of the Center is to help students with specific questions about their work. Any UConn student in any discipline is welcome to visit the Center with questions concerning calculus. Students need not be currently enrolled in a calculus course.

The Calculus Center is staffed by graduate students, working in the areas of actuarial, applied, and pure mathematics. The facility, located in MSB 119, provides a quiet place to study, and during certain hours, one-on-one and small group tutoring is available. Please contact the Mathematics Department for scheduling information or check this web page: http://www.math.uconn.edu/undergraduate.

Career Services. Career Services assists students in identifying strengths, interests, and special talents, all of which are important in identifying career goals. Establishing goals provides a focus for both career and academic planning. Through internship and cooperative education opportunities, students are encouraged to continue their education and prepare for either employment or graduate school opportunities.

Center for Academic Programs. The Center for Academic Programs (CAP) increases access to higher education for high-potential students who come from underrepresented ethnic or economic backgrounds and/or are first-generation college students.  CAP prepares students for successful entry into, retention in, and graduation from a post-secondary institution through its four constituent programs: Educational Talent Search, Gear Up and Upward Bound provide programming to increase middle and high school students' college access and retention; Student Support Services provides programming to facilitate students' retention in and graduation from the University of Connecticut.  CAP designs and implements these programs in accordance with guidelines set forth by its funding bodies, including the University, the U.S. Department of Education, and other programs which promote educational opportunity for all. Questions should be directed to Bidya Ranjeet, Director of Student Support Services at Bidya.Ranjeet@UConn.edu.

* Read an Advance article about students from CAP who traveled to South Africa.
(Photo Courtesy of the Center for Academic Programs)

Center for Students with Disabilities. The Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) offers comprehensive services. Please refer to "Students with Disabilities" in the "Admissions" section of this Undergraduate Catalog.

Counseling Program for Intercollegiate Athletes. Student athletes commit a large percentage of their personal time to University-sponsored athletic activities. For this reason, the University recognizes the need for a support program to assist student athletes in achieving their academic goals. Counselors meet regularly with student athletes and also serve as liaison between a student's academic advisor, coach, and academic support personnel. Tutors and study hall are provided as required. 

Dean of Students Office. Dean of Students (DOS) Office serves in the capacity of ombudsman for the campus community, chief advocate for students, organizational home for all campus judicial matters, and administrator of campus policy and student status changes. The DOS Office seeks to promote positive growth experiences for students through the development of leadership, dispute resolution, and self-advocacy skills. The DOS Office also functions in a leadership role in building community around campus and in establishing expectations of student conduct. As part of its expanded role, the DOS Office will enhance the student experience and address issues of retention through ongoing assessment, analysis, interpretation, and response to changing student needs. Perhaps most importantly, the DOS Office has established itself as "the place to go when you don't know where else to go."

Engineering Diversity Program. The Engineering Diversity Program (EDP) provides academic support and outreach activities designed to increase the number of African-American, Hispanic, Native American, Puerto Rican and women engineering students.

Bridge is a free summer program designed to prepare talented underrepresented populations and women for the first-year experience as an engineering student.

Project Elevate provides group study sessions and supplemental instruction for freshmen and sophomores by utilizing undergraduate and graduate peer tutors and facilitators.

Pre-engineering is a pre-college Saturday morning engineering enrichment opportunity for 7th,8th and 9th grade students.

Multiply your Options is a one-day conference designed to introduce mathematics, science and engineering careers and female role models who have chosen these careers to middle school girls.

Faculty of the Future provides financial support to encourage undergraduate engineering students to pursue graduate school by connecting them to research opportunities.

First Year Experience. The First Year Experience offers opportunities for new students who are (a) looking for a way to get a head start on academic success, (b) seeking support to explore specific academic interests while still meeting core curriculum requirements or (c) having difficulty making the transition to a university setting, overwhelmed by a large campus or, academically challenged and possibly on academic probation.

Knowing the "smart" way to approach academic and personal challenges can make a big difference in the undergraduate experience at a university. FYE University Learning Skills (ULS) (INTD 180), a one-credit seminar, brings students together weekly to interact and adjust to the new expectations they will be facing at UConn. A team of faculty, professional staff, and advanced undergraduate students who know their way around have designed each ULS. New students learn about University resources and facilities, enhance their academic and interpersonal skills, and work on time management issues. In addition, students will get to know a faculty member, a professional staff person, and an advanced undergraduate to whom they can turn for advice and support in the future.

FYE Faculty-Student Seminars (INTD 182) which meet for one hour per week, involve guided research, writing, and provide plenty of opportunity for participation. The faculty who teach the seminars enjoy working closely with students and help participants enhance their ability to engage actively in the academic life of the University and to learn independently.

* Read an Advance article about the First Year Experience. (Photo by Dollie Harvey)

Learning Disabilities. Through the University of Connecticut's Program for College Students with Learning Disabilities  (UPLD), students with specific learning disabilities may receive support services including direct instruction in learning strategies and assistance in arranging appropriate accommodations. To access services, students must refer themselves to UPLD and provide documentation that meets the University's Guidelines for Documentation of a Specific Learning Disability which are available at: http://www.upld.uconn.edu or in the University's Policies and Procedures Regarding Students with Disabilities at: http://www.csd.uconn.edu. For information about services, students may contact Dr. David R. Parker, Director, University Program for College Students with Learning Disabilities, University of Connecticut, Center on Postsecondary Education and Disability, 249 Glenbrook Road, Unit 2064, Storrs, CT 06269-2064; voice (860) 486-0178; website: http://www.upld.uconn.edu. Documentation should be current and comprehensive, and clearly indicate a specific learning disability based upon actual test scores and other pertinent data.

Learning Resource Center. The center, located on the first floor of the Homer Babbidge Library, provides support for Storrs and Regional students who are working with academic information technology. Their help desk is staffed by Student Educational Technology Assistants who are trained to offer basic support for campus academic information technologies. They help students with WebCT,
E-portfolio, Huskymail, PeopleSoft's Student Administration module and the new Computer Technology Competency general education requirement.

* Read an Advance article about the Learning Resource Center. (Photo by Melissa Arbo)

Office of National Scholarships:. The Office of National Scholarships (ONS) recruits and mentors high achieving students to compete for prestigious national and international scholarships, including the Rhodes, Marshall, Goldwater and Udall scholarships.  The ONS raises student and faculty awareness of scholarship opportunities, networks with faculty members to identify promising prospects, and works with qualified and committed individuals in the process of preparing their submissions.  Interested students should learn about these scholarships as early as possible in their UConn careers because competitive applications require consistent leadership experience, community engagement or research involvement throughout students' undergraduate careers. Interested students should visit the web site for more details: http://www.ons.uconn.edu.

Pre-College Enrichment Program (PCEP). PCEP is a Health Professions Partnership Initiative with the University of Connecticut Health Center, Wesleyan University and Central Connecticut State University. PCEP is designed to increase the number of disadvantaged and underrepresented students enrolled in medical, dental and biomedical sciences, allied health, nursing, and pharmacy programs. The program is a six-week, non-credit pre-collegiate summer residential experience that integrates an extensive introduction to college-level mathematics, English, biology and chemistry with seminars related to the health professions and clinical experiences at the UConn Health Center. A study skills course focusing on problem solving, test taking, orientation to the University and freshman resources is also a part of the pre-collegiate experience.

Quantitative Learning Center. The Q Center offers peer tutoring for lower-level mathematics, statistics, physics and chemistry and is staffed by undergraduate and graduate tutors. Tutoring is free and available throughout the semester Sunday through Thursday 4 - 8 p.m. in the Center for Undergraduate Education, Room 130. No appointment necessary. For more information, please visit http://www.qcenter.uconn.edu or call 486-1961.

* Read an Advance article about the Quantitative Learning Center.

Student Health Services. The Department of Health Services provides primary level health care (medical and mental health). Treatment for non-life threatening conditions is available.  Because of certain limitations, some medical and mental health problems may be referred elsewhere for diagnosis and/or treatment.  Services include infirmary (inpatient) and outpatient medical care rendered by physicians, Registered Nurses and Nurse Practitioners. Women's Clinic and assault crisis services are available.  Other services include laboratory, x-ray, physical therapy, allergy clinic, pharmacy, HIV testing, nutritional services and health promotion.  Mental Health/Counseling services include evaluation, crisis intervention, medication and individual and group therapy sessions provided by clinical therapists and psychiatrists. Services are available to all properly registered Storrs students who have paid the General University Fee or who pay fees for credit bearing courses through the Division of Continuing Studies and present a valid student ID card.

Health Services requires the submission of health history forms and enforces mandated immunization and tuberculosis testing requirements.  All full-time undergraduates are also required to submit information attesting to health insurance coverage via an on-line submission process.  Those who fail to submit this information may be charged and automatically enrolled in the university sponsored plan.

Health Services is open seven days a week (24 hours on weekdays) and provides a telephone Advice Nurse/Mental Health service on weekend nights when the building is closed. Further information is available at (860) 486-4700 or  www.shs.uconn.edu.

* Read an Advance article about the Student Health Services.

Study Abroad/Study Away. The Study Abroad/Study Away Office is responsible for developing and administering academic programs abroad and in the U.S., including the National Student Exchange (NSE). The University of Connecticut offers a wide variety of programs abroad for students of liberal arts and professional schools in the following countries: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, England, France, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Hungary, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Mexico, The Netherlands, Nova Scotia, Poland, Portugal, Russia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand and Vietnam, and the Semester-At-Sea program. Some of the overseas programs require language proficiency, some offer intensive language study starting at the beginning level, while others provide core courses taught in English in combination with language study.

Students interested in a U.S. study away experience may attend one of the 176 different institutions in the U.S. that are part of the NSE.

Students who enroll in approved study abroad/away programs continue to earn University of Connecticut credits that can be used for graduation requirements, and many of the programs offer courses that can be counted towards their major and the minor in International Studies. The office works closely with academic departments throughout the University to ensure approval of the courses. While away, students remain registered at the University of Connecticut and are therefore eligible for their normal financial aid.

In addition to the academic coordination of the NSE and the forty officially sponsored overseas programs, the Study Abroad/Study Away office provides counseling services to all students wishing to study abroad/away and maintains a library of foreign study reference materials and catalogs of NSE member institutions.

* Read an Advance article about the Study Abroad Program .

Student Success (Institute for Student Success) . To facilitate the development and success of each student, the ISS provides specialized assistance designed to help students enhance their abilities to succeed academically. Some students who enter the university face a greater challenge of successfully negotiating the academically rigorous demands of this institution than others. UConn isn't just harder than high school, it's fundamentally different. For that reason, academic success requires students to make major adjustments in their study-related skills, strategies, and attitudes. Students are taught techniques which help them to better prepare for and take examinations, improve memory and concentration, motivation, reading and writing skills, and how to manage stress.

The Writing Center. The Writing Center provides students with one-to-one help with their writing. Staff work with writers at every point in the writing process. Writing Center Tutors are available to assist students who need help writing and revising essays, generating or organizing ideas, or understanding the readings required for writing assignments.

* Read an Advance article about the Writing Center. (Photo by Stephanie Gagliardi)

UConn American English Language Institute (UCAELI). UCAELI offers a full service intensive English program for students of English as a second language.  Courses are designed to prepare students for academic work and professional pursuits.  Fifteen week sessions are offered each fall and spring and an eight week session is offered in the summer.  A TOEFL preparation course is offered each session as is the Institution TOEFL exam.  An English Proficiency Certificate, accepted the by Admissions Office in lieu of the TOEFL score of 550, can be issued to qualified students.  The majority of students in the program study full-time (22 hours per week); however, individual courses are also open to UCONN degree-seeking students.  With permission, advanced students may elect to take UCONN credit-bearing courses in combination with their UCAELI courses.  Tutoring and customized courses can be arranged. 

UConn Connects. The UConn Connects Program, one of the most successful student support programs at the University, serves undergraduate students who are on academic probation. By matching each student with a facilitator (recruited from the ranks of student, faculty, and staff), the program helps students locate and utilize the resources, skills, and personnel who can help transform academic struggle into academic success. Through mutually agreed upon meetings, students and their facilitators work on time management, study skills, and a wide range of other issues crucial to academic achievement at the University. Facilitators are kept abreast of program offerings, tutoring assistance, and other resources of value to their students.

* Read an Advance article about the UConn Connects Program.

The Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) provides research-related opportunities and information to students interested in engaging in independent or collaborative research with faculty members and research professionals. Research is defined very broadly by the Office of Undergraduate Research so that it includes scholarship and creative work. The OUR helps students find research opportunities with UConn faculty in virtually every discipline offered by the University. Interested students may begin an undergraduate research experience as early as their first year on campus. Funding for student research and scholarship is also provided by the OUR through two grant competitions. Students may apply for OUR grants during the academic year to cover research expenses or travel associated with research. The Summer Undergraduate Research Fund (SURF) funds student research projects occurring during the summer months. The OUR also sponsors and coordinates Frontiers in Undergraduate Research , the annual spring poster exhibition that showcases students' accomplishments and productivity as researchers. The Office of Undergraduate Research promotes student opportunities for scholarship beyond UConn through listings of internships, summer research placements, and funding sources on its website. For more information, please visit the website at http://ugradresearch.uconn.edu/

* Read an Advance article about a student project sponsored by the Office of Undergraduate Research . (Photo supplied by Matthew Billard)

Academic Records

Graduation Rate. The Student Right to Know Act 1990 requires each institution to make available the graduation rates, within six years, of entering freshmen classes. For the University of Connecticut Fall 1999 entering freshmen, the graduation rates by the summer of 2005 were: entered at Storrs is 72%; entered at a regional campus 42%. Non-graduates may have completed degrees at other institutions.

Certifications. Students needing certification of enrollment or academic status for loan deferments, job procurement, scholarships, insurance, international student I.D. cards, licensing exams, admission to graduate school or other purposes may obtain the necessary documentation from the Office of the Registrar or through the use of the Student Administration System via the internet.

Official Transcript Requests. Students at Storrs and the regional campuses can request official transcripts of their academic records by writing to the University of Connecticut, Office of the Registrar, Wilbur Cross Building, Unit 4077T, Storrs, CT 06269-4077. Requests can also be faxed to the Registrar at (860) 486-4199. All requests should include full name, date of birth, Student Administration System USER ID (if known), dates of attendance, complete and accurate addresses of transcript recipients including ZIP codes, and the requester's address, telephone number and e-mail address in the event that there is a problem with the request. All requests, including faxes and email attachements, must be signed.

Request forms can be completed at the Office of the Registrar in the Wilbur Cross Building and submitted for processing. These forms are also available at the regional campus registrars' offices for mailing or faxing to the University Registrar at Storrs.

Students can request that their transcripts be sent to themselves. Note, however, that such transcripts are stamped "issued to student in a sealed envelope" and the envelope bears a similar stamp and a signature. Students are advised that some recipients will not accept transcripts that have not been sent directly to them.

For Priority/Express mail service, the request must be accompanied by a pre-paid and pre-addressed envelope(s). Carriers available are U.S. Postal Service, FedEx, DHL and UPS. All arrangements must be made by the requestor.

There are other restrictions to this service. Official transcripts may be withheld if financial or other obligations to the University remain unmet. Since official transcripts are issued on security paper they cannot be faxed . Requests are processed in the order in which they are received in one to five business days. The University cannot honor telephone or ordinary e-mail requests for transcripts.  

There is no service fee for Official Transcripts.

Unofficial Transcripts. Any student can obtain an unofficial transcript via a computer that has internet access by logging on to the Student Administration System using the unique USER ID and password.  Unofficial transcripts are also available at the Office of the Registrar at Storrs or at any of the regional campuses; however, students should call the regional campus registrar in advance to make arrangements for transcript pickup.

Student Identification

Student Administration System. Prior to first registration for classes, each student is assigned a randomly selected, unique USER ID number to be used to gain access to the Student Administration System.  An initial password is also assigned which must then be changed to another number of the student's own selection.   The USER ID and password become important tools to be used to register for classes, obtain grade transcripts and schedules, and change contact information. Questions regarding USER ID and password for this system should be referred to the Office of the Registrar.

Each student is issued a photo identification card. The card is used to obtain services such as dining, residential life, and library. It is also the identifier used to gain entrance to some campus social events. The initial card is obtained at the One Card Office, as are replacements. The One Card Office, the Bursar, and the Registrar are all located in the Wilbur Cross Building.

Net ID. Web CT and University e-mail require the use of a Net identification number and a password that are unique to those systems.  These numbers are not the same as those used for the Student Administration System.

Social Security Number. If the social security number appears incorrectly on any University document, the undergraduate student must present a social security card indicating the correct number to the Office of the Registrar.

Reporting Name and Address Changes. Undergraduate students must report any change of name and commuting or permanent address at the time such change occurs to the Office of the Registrar. Name changes require official documentation. Changes made by the Registrar's staff will update the information that appears on the University website's Directory of students' names and addresses.

Changes to current mailing address and telephone number can be made through use of the Student Administration System via the internet.