BS FAQ:: School of Family and Consumer Sciences

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is my Academic Advisor?
The FCS Academic Advisor in Family and Consumer Sciences is Mrs. Rose Myers-Bradley, 1044 Klehm Hall, 217/581-5310, rmyersbradley@eiu.edu. She will help you plan your schedule for each semester. Mrs. Bradley will assist students with any academic advisement problems and will be able to direct students to other resources they may need. Students should remember, the advisor is just that--an advisor. It is the student's responsibility to keep himself/herself informed about the requirements, policies and regulations. Advisement files are sent to Mrs. Bradley after students declare the FCS major and have met the FCS Admission Criteria.

What is the Academic Advising and Assistance Center?
The Academic Advising and Learning Assistance Center, located at 2100 9th Street Hall, 581-2313, is for all beginning freshmen and all students with undeclared majors, and pre-business students. In addition to serving these specified groups, the Center serves all undergraduate students by providing assistance concerning academic policies and procedures. The Center will counsel both currently enrolled students and prospective students. The Assistance Center is a RESOURCE that can offer help to all students as they make decisions about current academic programs and as they relate to future career goals.

What is the Academic Assessment and Testing?
Academic Assessment and Testing is located at 2100 9th Street Hall, 581-5986.
The staff of Academic Assessment and Testing sponsors a Test Taking Skills Workshop each semester. Included in this are topics such as: Test Anxiety, Studying for Tests, and Taking Tests. Watch the Eastern News and bulletin boards for specific dates, or call Testing Services.

What is academic probation and/or warning?
Academic Probation/Warning means that your cumulative GPA has gone below a 2.0. You should always check your grades on the PAWS system after each semester especially if you have had some problems with your courses. If on probation or warning, freshmen and sophomores must earn a GPA of 2.10 or better during the next semester. Juniors and seniors must earn a GPA of 2.25 or better during their next semester.

How do I apply for graduation?
When an FCS major reaches 60 semester hours, they are encouraged to apply for graduation through the PAWS system.

Following are details that you need to know before completing the online forms:

The major is Family and Consumer Sciences. The degree will be a B.S.(Bachelor of Science) The option is: Dietetics, Family Services, or FCS in Business. If the option you have selected is FCS in Business, the area of concentration will be one of the following:
Hospitality Management
Merchandising
Consumer Affairs
The FCS in Business area must declare the Business Administration Minor. Other minors should also be declared if appropriate.

A degree audit will be mailed to you from the Dean's Office 2 to 3 weeks after you apply for graduation. Requirements for receiving a Bachelor's degree and other graduation requirements remaining will be listed on the checklist. If you do not agree with the audit or have a question, see your academic advisor immediately.

Where can I go for additional information on career planning and placement?
Career planning should begin for students from the first day at EIU. Some avenues to utilize include the Placement Office - making an appointment with a counselor at 581-2412 and attending Student Association of Family and Consumer Sciences membership meetings. Also discuss careers with faculty members. Read articles and books about careers. Become acquainted with the myriad of resources on careers available to you in Booth Library; ask a librarian for assistance in the reference room. Use one or more shadowing experiences to help in making career decisions. Also, there is a Career Library in Placement Services. In addition, SIGI+ is available (a career decision-making software package) in the Counseling Center.

Career Services offers assistance to students in: choosing a major or career option; career library resources; workshops/seminars on effective resume/cover letter writing, interviewing skills, and job search techniques; on-campus interviews, 4-5 career fairs hosted yearly; and on-line registration placing your resume on the web for referrals to employers. Fall/Spring hours are M-F 8-4:30 with evening hours by appointment only. Summer hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Contact Linda Moore, for more information on campus interviews at (217) 581-2412 or (217) 581-6396 or lmmoore@eiu.edu

Campus Interviews Must be registered with Career Services (11 Student Services). Sign up at Career Services two weeks prior to the interview at 11 Student Services Building, phone 581-2411. Upcoming interviews of interest are mailed to all department chairs for posting. Vacancies are listed with Placement Services and will be posted in various departments.

Where do I go to change my name and/or address?
Be sure your local and home phone number and addresses are correct each semester. You will need to notify the Records Office and the Housing Office concerning any changes. Notification can be made to the Housing Office online at Housing Office. Students need to go to the Records office in person to make the necessary changes. Please do so as soon as possible so that we are able to contact you in case of an emergency.

Where can I go for questions about commencement?
Questions about cap and gown, diploma covers, and the commencement ceremony should be referred to the commencement office, 581-6892.

Can I take a class at the community college over the summer?
If you wish to take a course over the summer, check with your academic advisor first to make sure the course transfers. Log into the EIU Records Transfer equivalency page for further information.

How do I drop a class?
If you wish to drop a class, see your academic advisor first. (We'll check to see how it would affect your graduation date). You can drop a class through the PAWS system.

What is the Electronic Writing Portfolio and who has to complete it?
The Electronic Writing Portfolio is a graduation requirement for all students following a 2000 or later catalog. Students submit essays to their Electronic Writing Portfolio each year after completion of an approved Writing Intensive course. Electronic Writing Portfolio. Writing Intensive Courses.

What is the FCS Admission Criteria?
Criteria for Admission to the School of Family and Consumer Sciences major includes the completion of 15 semester hours of work taken at EIU or at another institution of higher education and a minimum of 2.0 cumulative grade point average.

Where can I find the Financial Aid office?
Financial Aid questions must be answered by that department. Contact them at 581-3711 or go to their website at http://www.eiu.edu/~finaid/.

What is the Foreign Language Requirement?
The foreign language graduation requirement is met by the completion of two years of the same language in high school (with an average grade of �C� or better) or the completion of the second level of a language at the college level. Questions should be addressed to the Records Office, 581-3512 or http://www.eiu.edu/~records/.

How can I figure my grade point average?
Students should check their grades and cumulative GPA on PAWS at the end of each term. Here is a link to assist with figuring your grade point average. Calculate GPA.
Where can I find information about graduate school? For information on Master's (Graduate) programs, contact the graduate school at 581-2220 or check out their website at http://www.eiu.edu/~graduate/. For the M.S. in Family and Consumer Sciences, contact Dr. Frances Murphy, FCS Acting Graduate Coordinator, 4110 Lumpkin Hall, Phone: 217-581-6997, e-mail: flmurphy@eiu.edu, click here to view the site. Master of Arts in Gerontology See Dr. Jeanne Snyder, MA in Gerontology Graduate Coordinator, 2056 Klehm Hall, Phone: 217-581-7843, E-mail: jrsnyder@eiu.edu, http://www.eiu.edu/~ma_geron.

If I am an international student, where should I go first?
Inquiries regarding International Student enrollment should be directed to International Programs, 581-2321 or http://www.eiu.edu/~interntl/index.html.

Where do I go for FCS internship information? Dr. Mary Lou Hubbard is the FCS Internship Coordinator. Her office is located in 2016 Klehm Hall, 581-2410. You can link to the internship packets and forms here: click here to view What is KONu (Kappa Omicron Nu)? Kappa Omicron Nu Honor Society recognizes and encourages excellence in scholarship, research, and leadership in Family and Consumer Sciences. Invitations to eligible undergraduate and graduate students are mailed in the early part of Fall and Spring Semester. Where can I find information about off-campus courses? Call the School of Continuing Education at 1-800-446-8918 or check for courses in the off-campus schedule. Where do I start if I am interested in pursuing a teaching certificate after I graduate with a bachelor's degree? Jeff Duck in the College of Education and Professional Studies handles post-baccalaureate teacher certification. His number is 581-5728 and e-mail is jaduck@eiu.edu. Where do I get information for the Proficiency Examination? Proficiency Examination -- See current catalog for latest information on proficiency exams. NOTE: Not all courses have proficiency exams available. Successful completion of a proficiency exam meets the requirement and semester hours of credit for that course. Procedure for completing a proficiency exam - The student must: Pick up application in Records Office, 119 Main. Contact instructor(s) of the course to make arrangements for taking the exam. Obtain approval of the department chairperson where the course is offered. Pay non-refundable fee of $10.00 per semester hour of credit to be earned. What is the Reading Center? The Reading Center is located at 1320 Buzzard Hall, 581-7898. The Reading Center offers assistance to those who recognize a need for guidance and practice with essential reading and study skills. Help is given to students in developing flexibility in reading rate, in improving comprehension, in increasing speed of reading and in practicing efficient study habits. Individual and group testing is conducted by faculty and graduate assistants. What do I do if my PIN (PAC) number won't work for Registration? Call registration for assistance at 581-3831 or go to http://www.eiu.edu/~registra/pawsprob.htm.

Should I repeat a class?
If you fail a required course, you must repeat it as soon as possible. You may also choose to repeat a course in which you received a D. For other information concerning repeating a class, see your advisor or consult your catalog. You must repeat courses that are pre-requisites for other courses as soon as possible.

What scholarships are available?
School of Family and Consumer Sciences scholarship applications will be posted on the FCS website (www.eiu.edu/~famsci/) in September of each year. Recipients are notified in early fall and an awards ceremony is held later in teh fall semester. Students receive scholarship money from the Foundation Office and it generally goes right into the student's account.

What is SAFCS (Student Association of Family and Consumer Sciences)?
The Student Association of Family and Consumer Sciences is a student member section on campus of the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences. One of the largest student affiliates in the nation, it provides networking opportunity with professionals in the field. Meetings related to options are held monthly; additionally, special functions at the local and state level are available. See the graduate assistant in charge of SAFCS in Klehm Hall Room or visit their website for information on how to be a member and get involved with SAFCS.

What should I do if I forgot to return my textbooks?
Call textbook rental service at 581-7484.

Where can I obtain a copy of my transcript?
Transcripts can only be obtained from the Records Office. Call 581-3511 for more information or log on to http://www.eiu.edu/~records/.

Where can I obtain a copy of my transcript?
Where do I send my transfer credits?
The Records Office handles all transfer course work. Transcripts should be mailed to: Records Office, EIU, 600 Lincoln Ave., Charleston, IL 61920.

Who do I call if I do not understand my tuition bill?
Call the cashier's office at 581-3715.

Where can I go for tutoring?
Many of the departments on campus offer tutoring for those students having difficulty in some of their courses. For further information concerning tutoring, contact your instructors, or see an advisor in the Academic Assistance Center. Sometimes the problems that students encounter are not as large as they initially appear. All instructors schedule regular office hours so that they may be available for students who need help. Please feel free to make an appointment with him/her when needed. (Pursue this as soon as you need help--waiting enlarges the problem!)

What and where is the Writing Center?
The Writing Center is located in 301 Coleman Hall, 581-5929. The Writing Center is a tutoring service for all students at Eastern. While they do not proofread papers, they will answer questions, offer suggestions, and help make the work of writing a little easier. Students may call the Center for an appointment or just walk in. Students who are aware of weakness in their writing and wish to improve can come in for a "checkup" and regular tutoring sessions; or, if you have a question about a specific writing assignment, you can also use the Center. Students are especially welcome to come into the Center to work on papers; they have study carrels, hot coffee, dictionaries, and help the minute you need it. Students receive individual help and no grades. The Center is open Monday - Thursday, 9-3 pm, Friday, 9-1 pm & some evenings.

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