ADVISING

The undergraduate catalog states, “Academic advising is an educational partnership between a faculty member and a student whose goal is the student's academic, personal, and professional success. Advisors and advisees collaborate to help students achieve their aims. Advisors explain policies, identify resources, and give advice; however, students are ultimately responsible for making the decisions that will keep them on track.”

As a student, you will be assigned an advisor in your major. Your advisor is listed on RamPortal. Get to know your advisor, stop by, ask questions. Chatting with your advisor is an opportunity to know them outside the customary class environment. Advisors are there to help you and have your best interests at heart. They will discuss academic but sometimes also personal matters such as challenges, successes, fears, and long-term goals. Please don’t hesitate to involve your advisor with concerns or issues.

If you have a concern about your advisor (they are not responding to emails etc.) please contact the dept chair.

This is the most important point about advising. You, the WCU student, are ultimately responsible for your course schedule and when you take your classes. Your advisor only advises. You need to be aware of the requirements to graduate and are wholly accountable for the coursework chosen. Therefore, check and double check the requirements and pre-requisite coursework. Follow the guidance record/course record forms provided in the following section and consult with your advisor.

Responsibilities of the Academic Advisor include:

  • exploring with students their individual interests, abilities, and goals.
  • recommending courses that meet the various degree requirements.
  • identifying resources that may be of value to students and making appropriate referrals.
  • communicating academic policies and procedures as they relate to the needs of students.

Responsibilities of the Student in the Academic Advising relationship include:

  • meeting with your advisor at least once per semester (and more as needed).
  • being aware of important, relevant deadlines and then meeting them.
  • reviewing university policies and procedures as needed, getting required signatures.
  • creating an academic plan for your remaining semesters.
  • understanding the requirements for the major and minor(s) (if applicable).
  • following the general education requirement.
  • having knowledge of the undergraduate catalog
  • examining your academic record and degree progress report for accuracy EACH semester.
  • saving all academic advising and course registration related documents and communications.
  • being aware of prerequisites for the course you plan to take.
  • recognizing the need for student resources and services on campus and using them.

Scheduling classes for the next semester

To schedule the next term’s courses on RamPortal, your advisor must “lift the hold” on your account. They will do this after consulting with you on your classes. This could be a face-to-face meeting, on Zoom, or via email. The actual one-on-one advising process does vary between advisors. Often advisors will ask you to plan a tentative schedule for next semester and update your course record sheet. Once your advisor lifts the hold, schedule at the designated day and time (“enrollment appointment”). Do not wait or some classes may become full. Your enrollment appointment is listed on RamPortal.

Your advisor may ask request the following:

  1. a current printout or electronic copy of your degree progress report from RamPortal,
  2. an updated course record sheet,
  3. your proposed schedule of courses for the next semester.

Failure to bring these items may cause your meeting to be rescheduled.

Registration occurs on RamPortal.

Degree Audit

The degree audit lists all requirements you must fulfill in order to graduate. It is the “official” record of your degree progress. Degree requirements are listed as “not satisfied” or “satisfied.” When all requirements are listed as satisfied, you graduate. Currently enrolled courses and scheduled/planned courses are listed as “satisfied” even though they are not yet completed. When completing general education requirements, consult the Degree Audit or Undergraduate Catalog for a listing of what classes qualify. For example, not all history classes fulfill gen ed requirements. SPECIAL NOTE: Fall 2024 is the first time that we are using the Degree Audit system (since we changed to RamPortal). The Dept suggests that you also keep a physical copy of your advising sheet with which to keep track of your degree progress.

Adding, Dropping or Withdrawing from a Course

Use RamPortal to add and drop classes during the add/drop period. The course must have available seats and all prerequisites met. After the add/drop period is over, you may withdraw from a class up until approximately the 9th week of classes. A “W” will appear on your transcript. If necessary, contact your advisor for counsel prior to adding or dropping a course. Students that do not officially withdraw from or drop a course can expect to receive an “F” for the course and are financially responsible to pay for it. Please refer to the academic calendar for the last day of course and session withdrawal.

Adding a Closed/Full Class

During the add/drop period, continually scan RamPortal for open seats since other students may drop classes. You may contact the instructor of the closed class asking for permission to add. If the faculty member consents, they will email the department secretary who will add you. Faculty are under no obligation to add students to full classes, it is at their discretion and is typically reserved for high-need circumstances beyond a student’s control. Overloading a class does dilute educational quality.

Adding a Minor

First, discuss your plans with your advisor. Consider any additional requirements and time will be involved in adding minor. Once you decide to add a minor, you can do this via RamPortal. You may add more than one minor; however, doing so might add time to your degree completion. Minors must be completed when your degree is conferred, you cannot come back after graduation to complete unfinished minor classes.

Changing a Major

First, discuss your plans with your advisor. Consider any additional requirements and time will be involved in changing your major. You can meet with or transfer to a special program in Exploratory Studies that will allow you to work on meeting any entrance requirements for your new major. Once you decide to change your major, you can request a change of major through your RamPortal.

Policies Related to Practicum and Student Teaching For Health and Physical Education Majors

Candidates must have met all requirements to enroll in Practicum by July 15th. This policy allows the Clinical Experiences Office enough time to place you in a local school. Candidates may not contact individual schools or teachers about field placements. During the student teaching semester, candidates may not enroll in additional classes due to the intense demands of student teaching.

*HPE Students: Exceptions can be given under these conditions: a) minimum 3.25 GPA and b) all professional education and specialized methods courses are completed. Only general education classes are acceptable with the approval of the Department Chairperson. A candidate may take no more than 3 additional credits while student teaching.

Graduation

Graduating does not automatically happen after you have completed all degree requirements. Candidates must apply after having earned 90 credits through RamPortal. When a candidate applies for graduation, a Graduation Analyst in the Registrar’s Office reviews the academic record to ensure completion of general education requirements; candidates are notified via email and through an advisor comment posted on their Degree Audit. The Department reviews for all major & certification related coursework. It is the responsibility of each candidate to respond to these reviews and to complete all requirements.