Academics
Frequently Asked Questions
GENERAL QUESTIONS
Q. How do I change the time and/or instructor of a class I'm registered for?
A. Get a CHANGE OF COURSE form signed by your advisor and take it to the Registrar's office.
Q. How do I drop a class I'm registered for or add a new class?
A. Get a CHANGE OF COURSE form signed by your advisor and take it to the Registrar's office. Be aware of the deadlines listed in the class schedule book. After the seventh week of classes a student may not withdraw from any classes.
Q. I need help in a class I'm taking. Where can I request a tutor?
A. Academic Development Center second floor of University Center. Also, some academic departments offer tutoring.
Q. My parents gave me an official insurance form that needs a signature. Where should I take it?
A. To the Registrar's Office, 121 University Center (behind the Food Court).
Q. I lost my cane card. Where can I get a new one?
A. I.D. Card Office is located at 111 Allen Hall (map), (Main Lobby)
Q. How can I get an official transcript?
A. At the Registrar's Office, 121 University Center (behind the Food Court).
Q. What do I do if I want to take classes at another college over the summer?
A. Go to the Center for Student Academic Services, 200 Ashe, or stop in at the Center for Freshman Advising, 112 Ashe, and pick up an equivalency evaluation form.
Q. The bookstore is out of my required text. Where else can I go?
A. Try the library for a copy on reserve or go to Book Horizons, across from the University on US 1.
Q. What should I do if I change my address?
A. Go to the Registrar's Office, 121 University Center (behind the food court).
Q. What should I do if I want to check on my progress toward graduation?
A. Look in the "MyUM" on the web or come to the Center for Student Academic Services, 200 Ashe or the Center for Frsehman Advising, 112 Ashe, to get a personalized "ACE", (academic curriculum evaluation form) and make an appointment with your advisor.
Q. Are there any additional requirements for the College of Arts and Sciences?
A. No, there are no additional requirements for admission.
Q. What is the Student Life Handbook and how do I get one?
A. The Handbook contains essential information about the University, student activities, student rights and responsibilities, and important dates and events. To get a free copy in the fall, visit either the Information Desk in the first floor of the University Center or the Orientation Center, 236 University Center, Coral Gables campus, or call (305) 284-6399.
Q. What is the Bulletin and how do I get one?
A. The University Bulletin is the guide to every program and department at the University of Miami. It includes essential information like admission and graduation requirements, financial information, and academic procedures. The bulletin is only available online. To get one please go to www.miami.edu/umbulletin/.
Q. How do I get financial aid?
A. The University offers several scholarships and assistance programs. Visit Financial Assistance Services in the Advising Center in Ashe 123 or call (305) 284-5212 or go to their website at www.miami.edu/ofas/. For information on College of Arts and Sciences scholarships, call Associate Dean Rita Deutsch at (305) 284-4333.
Q. What do I do when I think I am ready to graduate?
A. After a student has verified with the Director of Senior Advising, Marian Dahman, Office of Academic Services in Ashe 213, (305) 284-4333, that he or she is ready for graduation, the student may apply for graduation, in the Registrar's Office in Whitten University Center 121, or call (305) 284-2294, by the deadline listed in the Schedule of Classes.
COURSE RELATED QUESTIONS
Q. How do I find out my course requirements?
A. The University Bulletin outlines graduation requirements for the College of Arts and Sciences. Advisors will help clarify these, but students are ultimately responsible for meeting all requirements.
Q. When is the last day to add or drop a course?
A. The deadlines for each semester change, but it is approximately one week after the semester begins to add a course and four weeks to drop a course. Dropping classes, however, has important consequences. Students must consult their advisor to add or drop a class. Meeting the required deadline for dropping classes is the student's responsibility.
Q. What do I do if I have three final exams on the same day?
A. This is a rare occurrence, but should it happen, students must contact the instructor with the smallest enrollment immediately to reschedule. The request must be made no later than two weeks before the last class day. Students are not required to take three final exams on the same day.
Q. What do I do if I want to take classes at another college over the summer?
A. First, you must get approval of the course you want to take by submitting an Equivalency Evaluation Form, with a description of the course, to the head of the department of the course you want to take. For example, if you wanted to take an Introduction to Psychology course at a school other than the University of Miami you would submit a description from the other school to the head of the Psychology Department at the University of Miami and obtain their signature on the Equivalency Form . Second, after you have completed the course, you need to request a transcript be sent to the University of Miami's Office of the Registrar.
Q. What do I do if I have to miss a semester or a whole year?
A. If you must miss a semester or more, consult Associate Dean Rita Deutsch in Academic Services, 200 Ashe, or call (305) 284-4333.
DECLARING A MAJOR
Q. Is there a deadline to declare a major?
A. Students must declare a major by their junior year. By that time they should have taken a few preliminary courses in a field that interests them. Students are advised to choose a major during their sophomore year and begin the requirements so that they have time to decide whether to continue with the same major. The Bulletin provides all essential information about course descriptions and requirements.
Q. Do I need an advisor?
A. Students must have an advisor to guide in course selection and school requirements. Students who don't have one should visit the Office of Student Academic Services, 200 Ashe, or for freshmen, Ashe 112, at the Center for Freshman Advising. Students may also ask a professor in their major to be their advisor.
Q. How do I change my major or my School?
A. Students should consult their advisor to change their major or the Center for Freshman Advising, Ashe 112 or visit the Office of Student Academic Services, 200 Ashe. There you can obtain all necessary information and documents. Changing majors is common for freshmen and sophomores and need not cause anxiety.
RESOURCES
Q. What literature resources are available for students?
A. The Richter Library is an excellent literature resource and many departments also house departmental libraries there.
Q. How do I get involved in activities?
A. Student involvement, which is an excellent way to make friends and contacts, is available through membership in student organizations, student publications, internships, or work/study. You may pick up the "CANENECTIONS," a guide to student involvement at the Department of Student Activities and Student Organizations in room 209 at the Whitten University Center.
Q. What are some of the media contact sources available to students?
A. UM Media Contacts:
The Miami Hurricane:
News room (305) 284-2016, Business office (305) 284-4401.
WVUM (90.5 FM) University Radio Station: (305) 284-3131.
UMTV Cable Channel: (305) 284-6328.
WORK
Q. How do I work as a work/study or get a job on campus?
A. Work/study jobs are only available to students who receive financial aid because they are government subsidized. Some places on campus, however, also offer non work/study jobs. Visit Student Employment in the Rhodes House, Building 37K or call (305) 284-6441.
Q. How do I find a job after I graduate?
A. The Toppel Career Planning & Placement Center, located at 1306 Stanford Drive, provides centralized career information and referral services, including career counselors, a career library, computer databases, and on-line/internet services. For more information call (305) 284-5451.
TROUBLESHOOTING
Q. What do I do if I'm not doing well in a class?
A. First, talk with your class instructor to let him/her know that you are having difficulty. Professors who know the student's situation are generally more sympathetic to problems. Second, get advice from your academic advisor. Dropping the class may be a last resort, but may negatively affect your grades or transcript. You may repeat up to two courses once in which a "D" or "E" was earned; both the first and second grades will appear on your transcript. For more information consult your academic advisor. Consult the Handbook or Bulletin for drop dates. There are also free assistance programs for students, contact the Academic Resource Center on the 2nd floor of the Whitten University Center or call (305) 284-2800 to schedule a free tutoring appointment.
Q. What can I do if I have a problem with a department or University employee?
A. First, try to work out the problem with the individual. If the problem is with a professor and discussions aren't working, speak with the Program Director or Department Chair. The Ombudsperson Program, another recourse, is an impartial party which seeks to resolve matters by reestablishing communication between you and the other party. Call the Office of the Ombudsman at (305) 284-4922 or visit Ashe 244.
Q. What services are available to help with personal problems?
A. The University provides a wide range of free services
to help students.
Try:
1) talking with your parents,
2) talking with the Residential Assistant in your
residential college,
3) talking with an academic advisor.
Some excellent services with trained professionals include:
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the Center for Alcohol & Other Drug Education/PIER 21, Bldg. 21E, Merrick Drive, (305) 284-6120,
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the Counseling Center, Bldg. 21R, Merrick Drive, (305) 284-5511,
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the Chaplains Association, (305) 284-1920,
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the Dean of Students Office, Bldg. 21H and 21E, (305) 284-5353, and the Division of Student Affairs, 244 Ashe, (305) 284-4922.
OTHER
Q. What do I do if I have other questions?
A. If you can't find answers to your questions in the Bulletin or the Student Life Handbook, freshmen should stop by the Center for Freshman Advising, Ashe 112, (305) 284-3437, or upperclassmen, stop by the Office of Student Academic Services, 200 Ashe, or call (305) 284-4333 between 9:00 a.m.- 4:30 p.m. (E.S.T.), and someone will help you find the answers.
