Step 9: Learning the Lingo
Here is a glossary of important terms and names that new students should become familiar with:
What is the academic calendar?
The college academic calendar is based on the semester system, usually a fall and a spring term of 15 weeks each. There is also a summer session which runs either 4, 6, or 8 weeks. The calendar is published in the college catalog and on the website. It lists start and end dates of each semester, holidays, and important registration and advising times and dates. back to top
What is an academic hold?
An academic hold is a restriction placed on a student's record that does not allow them to register for classes, or in some cases, have transcripts released. To have the hold removed, students must contact the office which placed the hold and clear their account. The most common holds are B1, which denotes the Business Office (217/581-6446); C1, which is the Continuing Education office (800-446-8918); W2, which concerns the writing portfolio (217/581-6056); and T2, which denotes Textbook Rental Service (217/581-3626). If students are unsure why a hold is on their record, they can contact The School of Continuing Education at 800-446-8918 or 217/581-5114. back to top
What is an Advising Checklist?
A required form to be completed by all degree and certificate students and signed by their advisors in the first semester of enrollment which lists required courses and planned schedule for future semesters. The advising checklist is the ticket to registering for the correct courses for subsequent semesters. back to top
What is Alpha Sigma Lambda?
A national honor society for adult students earning an undergraduate degree with a G.P.A. of 3.2 or higher. ASL website back to top
What is an associate's degree?
A degree awarded by many institutions after approximately 2 years (4 semesters) of attending classes full-time and successfully completing them. back to top
What is a bachelor's/baccalaureate degree?
A degree awarded after approximately 4 years (8 semesters) of attending classes full-time and successfully completing them. Specific requirements back to top
What is the College Catalog?
The catalog is the offical periodic publication of the college that contains all the relevant information about Eastern Illinois University. The catalogue contains descriptions of all programs and courses, information regarding college policies, financial aid and student services. back to top
Online undergraduate catalog
Online graduate catalog
What is the college Course Schedule?
The class schedule is published online before the start of each semester. It includes the listing of all classes offered with the days, times, classroom, campus, and instructor for each section identified, the semester's calendar, and a list of the registration dates and instructions. back to top
What is a credit – CR (semester hour - SH)?
A standard measure of the amount of instructional time required to successfully complete a course. (For example, ENG 1001G, Composition and Literature, is a 3 Credit Hour course, which usually means that it will meet for 3 hours each week. For the length of each class session and lab hours, if any, be sure to check with your advisor or a faculty member regarding specific courses.) back to top
What does it mean to drop?
Students need to access PAWS to drop courses up to the final drop dates as specified in the academic calendar.
back to top
What is the G.P.A.?
The G.P.A. is a student's grade point average. At the end of each semester, students receive grades in every course in which they were enrolled. Grades represent various levels of accomplishment. Except for developmental courses, grades carry certain "grade points" which are numerical expressions used to determine each student's academic standing. Students receive a G.P.A. and a cumulative (all semesters) G.P.A. The following table lists the grades used and their corresponding grade points. back to top
|
Grade
|
Grade Points
|
Definition
|
|
A
|
4.0
|
Excellent
|
|
B
|
3.0
|
Good
|
|
C
|
2.0
|
Satisfactory
|
|
D
|
1.0
|
Poor
|
|
F
|
0
|
Unsatisfactory
|
|
I
|
0
|
Incomplete
|
|
P
|
0
|
(for CEU courses only)
|
|
W
|
0
|
Withdrawal
|
|
U
|
0
|
Audit
|
A-F
Academic Standard Grades. A letter grade of "A" through "F" indicates a student's performance in terms of the quantity and the quality of that work performance. Only these grades are considered in the determination of a grade point average (GPA) for a student.
I
Incomplete. May be awarded by an instructor only when a majority of course requirements and assignments has been successfully completed. The "I" grade is a deferred grade, neither passing nor failing, on the official transcript. Arrangements must be made with the instructor to complete the work.
IP
In progress. Grades are not yet posted because the class is still in progress.
P
Passing. "P" is used for students enrolled in non-credit courses. The CEU is a measurement (one unit equals 12.5 class contact hours) nationally recognized by business, industry and professional organizations for evaluating an individual's effort toward professional growth. When "P" is used, it may reflect performance at any of the passing levels (A, B, C, D). Permanent records of CEUs are kept by the Office of Continuing Education programs.
W
Withdrawal. "W" is used for students who formally withdraw from a course. Students who withdraw through the Registrar's Office by the deadline found on the Academic Calendar receive no grade for the course.
U
Audit. "U" is used for students wishing to take a credit course for no credit. Students must pay the regular fees and audit status must be requested from the instructor within the first week of the start of class. The audit student will receive no credit and a grade of "U" and may not change to a credit basis. The student may in succeeding semesters take for credit any course he/she has previously audited. Audit courses will be reflected on the student's record as "U."
What is a graduate course?
A graduate course is for students who have earned a bachelor's degree and are now pursuing a Master's degree. Generally, graduate courses are numbered 4750 and above. back to top
What is a hybrid class?
A combination of class delivery types, which may include face-to-face, technology delivered or videoconferencing instruction. back to top
What is ILLINET?
ILLINET is the online library resource that is part of the Illinois Library Network. It provides all students, faculty and residents with online access to essential library and information resources. back to top
What is an incomplete?
An incomplete may be awarded by an instructor only when a majority of course requirements and assignments has been successfully completed. The "I" grade is a deferred grade, neither passing nor failing, on the official transcript. Arrangements must be made with the instructor to complete the work. back to top
What is a major?
The subject or career field that serves as the area of concentration in the student's study program for a degree. For a bachelor's degree, students must commonly earn about one-fourth of their credits in the major. Earning a 4-year degree requires declaring a major, unless you are a BGS student. back to top
What is a Master's Degree?
A Master's Degree is a post-graduate degree, and is usually the equivalent of 2 years or 4 semesters of intensive study. back to top
What is a minor?
A minor is a prescribed set of courses in a subdiscipline of a major or closely related discipline. The goal is to allow the student to develop some depth of understanding in that discipline or area of study. back to top
What is Oasis?
(Organization of Adult Students, Informal and Supportive) This non-traditional student support group is sponsored by the School of Continuing Education. For more information, visit here; call 581-8582; or Nancy Crone at njcrone@eiu.edu. back to top
What is PAWS?
Paws is an on-line system which enables students to access a variety of information via the Internet. Through PAWS students can securely:
• Review status at EIU
• Register for classes
• View grades
• Transcript Evaluations
• Review the financial aid status
Paws can be found at: http://www.eiu.edu/paws/
What are the Policies and Procedures?
The policies and procedures can be found in STEP 11. It is designed to introduce the students to various college policies and programs. back to top
What is a prerequisite?
A prerequisite is a skill or class required for entry into a class or program of study. back to top
What is a semester?
A semester (sometimes called a "term") is one-half of an academic year. The semester system divides a school year into two parts, usually a fall and a spring term of 15 weeks each, and a summer term of 4, 6, or 8 weeks. back to top
What is a syllabus?
A syllabus is a summary or outline distributed by an instructor that states the main topics to be discussed in the course. It usually includes deadlines for assignments, class policies, and grade standards. Students are expected to abide by and follow the syllabus carefully. back to top
What is technology delivered?
A course in which all learning and assignments are done via the internet. It is also known as an internet or online course, or a virtual classroom. back to top
What is a transcript?
A transcript is an official record of your academic history. It shows the courses you have taken, grades received in those courses, and your semester and cumulative grade point averages. Transcripts are available through PAWS, or by as mail as requested from the records office at 1220 Old Main or at: http://www.eiu.edu/~records/transcript/order.html
What is an undergraduate?
An undergraduate is a student who has not yet earned a four-year bachelor's degree. Generally, undergraduate courses are numbered 1000 through 4000. back to top
What is a waitlist?
When the registered number of students reaches the maximum capacity for a class, a student wishing to register must place their name on a waitlist. If space becomes available, they will be added to the class. back to top
What is WebCT?
WebCT is a tool that enables instructors to develop entire on-line courses, or publish materials that supplement existing courses. Technology delivered courses are through WebCT. back to top
What does it mean to withdraw?
A withdrawal is a release from enrollment. During a Fall or Spring Semester, a student may withdraw from a course by 4 p.m. on the deadline listed on the academic calendar and not receive a grade.
A student who wishes to drop a course or to withdraw from the College should follow the official procedure outlined below. Students who do not officially drop courses or withdraw from the College or fail to complete courses satisfactorily may be subject to probation, suspension or dismissal.
An informal conversation with an instructor or with college personnel does not constitute withdrawal. The student can initiate withdrawal from the college in writing on an official withdrawal form or by letter. Failure to attend class is not an acceptable method of either dropping or withdrawing. This will result in a failing grade of "F" on the student's permanent transcript and can seriously affect future reinstatement or transfer to another college.
To withdraw from a class, a student should either:
1) Access PAWS to drop the course
2) submit an Add/Drop Form by 4:00 on the deadline listed on the academic calendar. Call for a form.
3) e-mail the School of Continuing Education at offcmpus@eiu.edu or fax to 217-581-6697 by 4:00 on the deadline listed on the academic calendar.
A student may request a late/retroactive withdrawal through the course instructor when a documented illness or extraordinary circumstance prevents withdrawal from a course by the established deadlines. Failing a class is not an appropriate reason to seek a late/retroactive withdrawal. Students who are failing a course should follow the “Repeating Courses” policy stated in the catalog.
The Registration Office will forward all appeals of the Registrar's determination of Late/Retroactive Withdrawal to the Appeal Committee, whose decision is final.
A student who wishes to withdraw completely from the University before the end of a semester or summer term should drop all classes using PAWS or contact the Registration Office. The Registration Office shall notify appropriate departments and agencies of the withdrawal. The student is responsible for making sure all obligations to the University have been met.
Notice of intention to withdraw should be made in person, although a letter addressed to the Registration Office declaring intention to withdraw and postmarked within the stated period is deemed equivalent to notice submitted personally.
Procedures for submitting/responding to late/retroactive withdrawals requests are available at http://www.eiu.edu/~registra/retro.html
