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Transfer Student Newsletter: October 2006

Message from Dean Papovich

I hope that you are well settled into your courses and are beginning to feel at home in the University. In order to get to know you, I have called in quite a number of new students over the last few weeks. But I'd like to get to know more of you. Therefore, if you have not already done so, please make an appointment to stop in for a visit. You do not need to have a problem or concern to come in.  Please call 924-3353 or stop by Garrett to schedule a mutually convenient time.

REMEMBER: THE LAST DAY TO WITHDRAW FROM A CLASS IS WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 18. THE COLLEGE HOLDS STRICTLY TO THIS DEADLINE. THE INSTRUCTOR'S SIGNATURE IS REQUIRED ON A WITHDRAWAL FORM (available in Garrett Hall) FOR YOU TO WITHDRAW FROM A CLASS.

Spring 2007 Course Selection

Advising for course selection for the spring semester will occur for College students from October 23 through November 3. Since conferring with an advisor is central to the selection of courses, only those College students who consult with their advisors will be able to participate in priority course selection for the spring.  See your advisor; don't lose priority for selecting courses for the spring.

Before your advising appointment, go to ISIS Online and print a copy of your VISTAA report to take with you to your meeting. If you have forgotten your advisor's name, it will be on your VISTAA form.

To Participate in Priority Spring Course Selection:

1) If you are a second-year student and have not yet declared a major, you will need to schedule an appointment to meet with your faculty advisor between October 30 and November 3 to discuss your academic plans and progress. At that meeting you will obtain your advising code number. This number will allow you priority access to the ISIS course enrollment system.

If you are interested in applying for transfer to the McIntire School of Commerce, you may also wish to confer with Rebecca Leonard, Assistant Dean for Student Affairs at the Commerce School (924-3865).

2) If you have declared a major, you should follow the instructions provided by your major department. In general, students need to make an appointment to see their major faculty advisor between October 23 and 27. If you are a third-year student who has not yet declared a major or completed a major deferral form, you should do so promptly. If you are unable to do so, please make an appointment to see Mr. Papovich soon.

3) If you have officially deferred declaring a major, you should meet again with the Undergraduate Director of the department or program for advice about spring courses. Obtain a note saying that you have been advised and come to Garrett Hall to obtain your access code for priority course selection.

Before meeting with your advisor, you should consult the online spring COD -- available no later than October 20 at COD web site.

Many departments provide amplified course descriptions for the next semester. Check departmental offices or web sites for these helpful guides. As you consider courses for the spring, be sure to attend to any remaining area requirements. Do not delay fulfilling CLAS requirements, especially the First Writing and the Foreign Language requirements. Check the College area requirement web site.

While you must meet with your faculty advisor to receive your access code number to participate in priority spring course selection, you should also feel free to confer with Mr. Papovich. If for some reason you do not yet have an advisor, you should make an appointment to see Mr. Papovich between October 23 and November 3.  He will be available for extended office hours during the weeks of spring course selection. Please call 924-3353 or 924-3351 should you wish to schedule an appointment.

Every year some new students discover that they have been blocked by Student Health for failing to submit a completed medical form or for not having the appropriate immunizations. Be sure to check ISIS to see if you have been blocked by Student Health. If so, contact them promptly so that you won't lose priority for spring course selection.

Finishing the Semester

The last half of the semester always flies by, and if you have gotten off to something less than your usual strong performance, you may be interested in the following.

1) The withdrawal deadline is October 18. If you wish to withdraw from a class, you must complete the course withdrawal form available here in Garrett Hall. If you wish to withdraw below 12 credits, you may do so after meeting with Mr. Papovich and completing a petition detailing the reasons for your request. Reducing your course load below 12 credits will result in an Academic Warning. You can read more about this College rule on the College's web site. (Reducing your course load below 12 credits does not usually affect financial aid. Contact the Financial Aid office if you have questions.)  

The College will not approve requests to withdraw after October 18.

2) If you need additional help with your course work you should confer with your instructor. You may also try the following resources:

Looking Ahead

The University provides a range of other services in which new transfer students are often interested.

  • Consider studying abroad. Contact the International Studies Office on the 2nd floor of Minor Hall. Most transfer students find that they can fit in a study abroad term.  Mr. Papovich will be glad to confer with you if you have questions about fitting in a term abroad.                                
  • The Center for Undergraduate Excellence:  Ms. Nicole Hurd, who spoke to you during fall orientation, is the Director of the Center, located on the third floor of the new Harrison Library.  Be sure to visit their web site to learn about their various scholarships and research programs.
  • If you have not visited the University Career Services, 924-8900 (in the Carl Smith Center, Bryant Hall), you should plan to do so soon. After familiarizing yourself with the resources there, you should make an appointment to talk with one of the special advisors in UCS who work closely with College students.
  • If you are a second-year student, you should confer soon with the Director of Undergraduate Studies in the department(s) you are considering as a major. We ask you to declare your major before Spring Break. If you are having problems deciding which way to turn, let Mr. Papovich know and he will be glad to work with you to help you make your decision.
  • If you are feeling stressed about making the transfer adjustment, consider calling the Smith Center for Counseling and Psychological Services at 243-5150. They have a number of support groups as well as individual counseling and are located in the Elson Student Health Building. Their services are confidential and free.

Also, besides offering a full menu of traditional services, the University of Virginia Library provides transfer students with access to the following resources and services:

  • Real-Time Reference; Got a question? Need help? Chat online with a librarian during the afternoons and evenings. This service is available anywhere, on or off grounds; just look for "Ask a Librarian" button on Library pages, or connect directly at http://www.lib.virginia.edu/questions.html (When the service is closed, send an e-mail to , and librarians will respond to your query.)
  •  Research Tutorials: Would you like personalized, in-depth help with a research project? Schedule a research tutorial to meet one-on-one with a librarian at http://www.lib.virginia.edu/tutorial.html
  • Digital Resources: The U.Va. Library has some of the finest digital resources available anywhere. Search databases and retrieve full-text articles from the comfort of your dorm room. Locate images of manuscripts, maps, and rare documents. Download e-books for Microsoft Reader or your Palm Pilot. Borrow a digital camera and use video-editing software in the Robertson Media Center ... and much, much more.
  •  24-Hour Study Facilities: Need a quiet place to study or space to work on a group project? By huge popular demand, Clemons Library remains open 24 hours a day, Monday to Thursday, and until Midnight on Friday and Saturday. For your safety and convenience, an Escort Van departs from the Chapel every half hour, Sunday-Thursday nights from 9:00 p.m.- 5:00 a.m. 

The Library has many other services and resources to offer you; check out the Library home page for more information or simply ask! They will be happy to help you.

Area Requirements

Clarification of Requirements:

One course (including cross-listed courses such as AAS 101 and HIAF 203) may simultaneously meet NO MORE THAN TWO AREA REQUIREMENTS. It may also satisfy the Second Writing Requirement and/or count toward a first major, second major, or minor. Your VISTAA Report may incorrectly list a course as counting toward three area requirements rather than two. Be sure to check your records carefully and if you have any questions contact the College Registrar's Office (102 Garrett Hall, 924-8867) or Mr. Papovich.

Given that some courses can satisfy more than one Area Requirement, VISTAA Reports may not reflect your preferences in this regard. VISTAA is an advising document only; it is not a formal or official document. As long as you meet the degree requirements as stated in the Undergraduate Record, you need not be concerned if VISTAA reflects a different allocation of courses. VISTAA reports are through ISIS Online. Access yours often to check the accuracy of your records. If you have any questions or concerns, consult the College Registrar, your advisor, or Mr. Papovich.

Remember too that once you begin your studies here, you may not fulfill remaining area requirements with additional transfer credit. You must fulfill all remaining area requirements here at U.Va. The only exception is that students may complete the foreign language requirement by studying the language in a country where that language is native.

Useful Links

Getting More Help

Other resources containing information for Transfer Students can be found on the Transfer Student web site, where we have tried to compile information that will be helpful not only for your early days here but that may prove useful to you now and in the future as new questions arise. Also, refer to our advising links collection, a general list of online resources to serve most advising information needs.

Please feel free to call 924-3353 or 924-3351 to arrange for a convenient time to discuss any questions you have with Mr. Papovich. Alternatively, you may contact him by e-mail at . His office is located in Garrett Hall, room 211-A.

Final words from Mr. Papovich

The next few weeks will be crucial for your success.  The pace of the semester will continue to accelerate until exams arrive.  It is more important than ever to stay current with your readings and other assignments.  If you are having trouble, do not simply hope things will improve. You must act.   You must speak with your instructor(s) and advisor promptly. You must seek out tutorial assistance, form study groups, and draw fully upon your own and the Univeristy's resources.  And you must not hesitate to make an appointment to see me.   You are all capable of succeeding here.  If you are not pleased with your progress so far, now is the time to seek help and make changes.

I wish you well for the rest of the semester.

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