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Frequently Asked Questions

Starting college and planning your degree program can be a bit overwhelming. Here are answers to common questions:

Getting started

How do I get an IU East Bulletin?
You will receive one at New Student Orientation. If you have misplaced your bulletin, you can purchase another one at the bookstore in Whitewater Hall. It's also accessible online.
How do I get my student ID?
Once you have registered for classes, you can take your course confirmation printout to Campus Life, in Springwood Hall, room 107, and they will take a photo for your ID. You can usually pick it up a day later.
How/when do I get my parking permit?
Your parking permit will come to you in the mail, after the Bursar (Student Accounts) has confirmed your registration. Make sure IU has your current mailing address! You can check or update your address on PeopleSoft/SIS via OneStart, the student transaction environment, a Web-based service for IU students, faculty, and staff that provides secure access to student information.
Does security provide escorts at night?
IU East is a safe campus that is regularly patrolled by police officers. However, it is always a good idea to take safety precautions such as security escorts to parking areas or campus buildings. This service is available any time day or night by calling campus police at 765-973-8429.
How do I know where my class meets?
Your course confirmation will include information about the time, days, and location of your classes. The building codes are the same ones that are used in your Schedule of Classes (WZ is Whitewater, ML is Middlefork, etc.) If you're still unsure, you can stop by the Academic Advising Center and we'll help you find your way.
How do I apply for financial aid?
Contact our Office of Financial Aid at 765-973-8206. It is ultimately your responsibility to complete the process, but the Office of Financial Aid can help you from start to finish. They can help you apply for state and federal funds, as well as scholarships specifically for IU East students.

Advising and Advisors

What is academic advising?
Starting college, or finding your way through a challenging class, can be as frustrating as it is exciting. Your academic advisor is available to help you make sense of the college environment.
Your academic advisor can answer questions about academic programs offered at IU East. We can provide information about educational options, program requirements, and policies and procedures. We can also refer you to other support services on campus.
Our main goal is to help you succeed academically. If you have an academic question, ask us; if we don't know the answer, we can usually find someone who will.
Do I have to see my advisor to register for classes?
Most IU East students are required to meet with their advisor prior to registering for classes. As a new student, you are required to meet with your assigned advisor through your first 24 credit hours. Students placed on academic probation, or returning from academic suspension, are also required to meet with their advisor. Once you complete 24 credit hours, it depends on your major; some divisions do not have mandatory advising for juniors or seniors.
What can I expect of my advisor? What should he or she expect of me?
Your assigned academic advisor keeps regular office hours during the week. Your advisor can:
  • Help you to identify educational interests or career goals
  • Help you to select appropriate courses
  • Help you to register for classes
  • Review the current IU East Bulletin and Schedule of Classes with you
  • Review academic policies and procedures with you
  • Answer your academic questions
  • Refer you to support services on campus
  • Connect you with faculty
  • Help monitor your academic progress
In the Academic Advising Center, we expect you to:
  • Learn the name and office location of your advisor
  • Schedule appointments in advance and come prepared with your preferred courses and/or questions
  • Become familiar with general education requirements, graduation requirements, and degree program requirements
  • Consult with your advisor regarding changes in your schedule or to drop/add classes
  • Consult with your advisor when you experience academic difficulty
  • Consult with your advisor regarding changing your major, transferring to another college, or withdrawing from college
How many classes should I take?
See Planning Your Semester.
How many classes do I take to be "full time"?
A student is considered "full time" if they take at least 12 credit hours; this is usually four classes.
What is a semester?
Indiana University's academic calendar is based on semesters. This is similar to schools across the country. A semester typically lasts 14 to 16 weeks. We have a fall semester (August to December) and a spring semester (January to May). We also offer summer courses in an intensive format: classes typically last six or ten weeks in the summer sessions.
How do I contact an instructor?
Check your syllabus for the class; usually instructors will include a phone number or an e-mail address. You can go to IU's Find People You can also contact the academic division office and ask for contact information. If you don't know what division to contact, check with your advisor.
What should I do if I have to miss a class?
Talk to your instructor about your absence ahead of time to find out about any academic consequences. You should also make arrangements to acquire the information or assignments you will miss. If you miss class due to an emergency, contact your instructor as soon as possible so that the instructor can help you catch up. Do not ask, "Did I miss anything?" Most instructors are personally and professionally attached to the topics they teach, so everything they cover in class is important. If you missed class, you missed something.
How do I add a class if it's full?
Classes now have a 'waitlist' for those students who want to get into a closed or full class. You will automatically be put into your waitlisted class(es) if/when a seat becomes available. In certain circumstances, you may contact the instructor to see if he or she is willing to give you an "override." It is usually up to the instructor to allow students into a course once it's full. Sometimes the size of the classroom will not allow for an override; this is true in classes like science labs and computer classes. You can also try to attend the first day of class and ask that day; sometimes other students don't attend or drop after the first day of a class. You can also watch for openings on "Schedule of Classes" available through OneStart during the first weeks.
How do I drop and add classes?
If you have already paid the fees for your classes, you and your advisor will complete a Schedule Change Form, obtain a signature from the Financial Aid Office and one from the Bursar's Office, and then take the form to Student Records, WZ 116. If you drop a class after the first week, you will not get all of your money back; there are different refunds based on when you drop a class. Check the inside cover of your Schedule of Classes for important drop dates.
You can drop and add online via OneStart through the last day before classes begin in a new semester. After classes begin, you must obtain and completea "Change of Schedule" form at any of the IU East campuses in person. Advisors will not complete these via voice-mails or telephone calls.
I'm having trouble in one of my classes. What do I do?
Talk with your instructor as soon as possible (see How to Talk to Faculty). You can also visit Tutorial Services in Springwood Hall. They have wonderful resources available to students, including a math lab, writing lab, reading lab, tutors, hotlines, and more. Their services are free to IU students. It is important to seek help as soon as possible—trying to "figure it out later" usually leads to frustration and failure.
Can I get a tutor? Do I have to pay for a tutor?
Tutors are available through Tutorial Services, and their resources are free to IU East students. Call 973-8431 for more information.
My instructor/advisor suggested that I be tested for a learning disability. How do I do that?
You will need a referral to Student Support Services; your advisor can arrange this for you.

Academic Policies and Registration

What is Chancellor's List?
You might remember something called an "honor roll" in high school. Chancellor's List and Dean's List are IU East's honor rolls; they are the two ways we recognize our students' academic achievements.
A student is included on Chancellor's List if he or she attains a 4.0 grade point average in a fall or spring semester while taking at least 6 credit hours. Dean's List requires attaining a 3.50-3.99 grade point average in a fall or spring semester while taking at least 6 credit hours.
I have a complaint about a class/academic matter. What do I do?
Talk with your instructor. If your complaint is about the instructor, talk with the division chair. Your advisor can help you determine who you need to talk to.
What is academic probation?
The Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Services and Dean of Students will place students on academic probation if they earn less than a 2.0 GPA for a full-time semester. See Probationary Students for more information.
What is an "FX"?
The "FX" policy allows a student to replace an "F" with a better grade. You must complete the exact same course a second time, and complete the "FX" paperwork with your advisor. You can "FX" only three classes. Your advisor can tell you more about how to "FX" a class.
What is an "Incomplete" and how do I remove it?
An "I" on your transcript represents an "Incomplete" grade for a course. Instructors usually issue incompletes for students who have attended class and completed most of the course work, but require more time to finish some final assignments or projects. Typically this is due to unexpected absences toward the end of a semester due to medical or family emergencies.
To remove the incomplete grade, you must contact your instructor and make arrangements to complete the missing course work. Sometimes this means sitting in on the class again, without registering for it. You have one calendar year to have the grade changed by the instructor. After 12 months, if there is no change from the instructor, an "I" will turn to an "F".
When do I register?
Priority registration (for current students) starts in March for summer and fall semesters, and in October for spring semester. The Schedule of Classes includes information about registration dates and deadlines.
How do I register?
Students at all IU campuses now register through PeopleSoft/SIS via OneStart. At IUE, students who have completed less than 25 credits must see their advisor before a negative service indicator will be temporarily removed from their record to allow them to register on-line. For complete information about the registration process, please go to www.onestart.iu.edu.
You must login by using your IU username/password to access your records and your registration screen. If you do not already have a username/password, you can order one right on the OneStart page by scrolling down to the appropriate spot below the "Login" box.
What's the last date to withdraw from a class?
Technically, you can withdraw from a class just about any time before the final grade is submitted. However, the date you withdraw will affect what grade appears on your transcript, your financial aid, and the amount of paperwork involved. The Schedule of Classes includes information about important withdrawal dates.
What is a "total withdrawal"?
You must complete a Total Withdrawal form any time that you are dropping all of your classes for a semester (including summer sessions). The Total Withdrawal form requires signatures from your advisor, Financial Aid, and the Bursar's Office. These signatures are required to help ensure that you have information about the academic or financial consequences of withdrawing.
Even if you are dropping just one class--the only class you have that semester-- you must complete the Total Withdrawal form.
Where can I get a copy of my transcript?
As of November 1, 2004, you can access and print an informal copy of your transcript on PeopleSoft/SIS . (To If you want an official, sealed copy, please contact Student Records at 756-973-8271.
What's the last date to . . . ?
Last day to register, last day to withdraw with a full refund--there are lots of deadlines in the academic world. The Schedule of Classes includes information about these important dates. You can also check with the Registrar's office. Be sure you're looking at dates for the correct semester!

Transferring

I'm thinking about transferring to another school. What classes should I take?
Contact the school you plan to transfer to and ask for information about the degree requirements for your intended major. With information from your other school, we can make some educated guesses about classes that will transfer. It is up to the other school to decide how IU East classes will transfer in to their programs, so ask if they have a list of classes that will transfer from IU.
Are the grades from my other school calculated in my IU GPA?
No. Credit hours transfer, but grades do not. Any course in which you earn a C- or below will not transfer in for credit hours.
How do I transfer classes from another college to IU East?
Contact our Admissions Office to complete a transcript request form. Or contact the other school, and request that an official transcript be sent to IU East's Admissions Office. The transcript must be in a sealed envelope--if you have the transcript sent to you, do not open the envelope before you turn it in to our Admissions Office.
How do I transfer classes from another IU campus to IU East?
Contact the Office of the Registrar (Student Records) at IU East to complete an Inter-Campus Transfer or call 765-973-8271.
Who evaluates my credits from another college?
All transfer evaluations are initially done by faculty teaching in the area of the transfer course. The Admissions Office coordinates the process and evaluates your credits from other schools based on faculty recommendations. You should receive a transcript evaluation in the mail when the process is complete. Sometimes teaching faculty are consulted for transcript evaluations--so someone may contact you requesting copies of course descriptions or a syllabus.

Degrees, Majors, Minors, and Certificates

My record says my school code is "UDIV." What does that mean?
"UDIV" stands for University Division. This is the school you start out in, until you choose a degree program. If you are still in "UDIV" after 24 credit hours, your advisor will work with you to choose a degree program.
What is a prerequisite?
If the bulletin lists a prerequisite (or prereq) for a class, it means that you must complete the prereq before you can enroll in the course. For example, you must complete BIOL L107 before you can enroll in Zoology; BIOL L107 is a prerequisite for Zoology.
Prereqs are not always listed in the Schedule of Classes--you must check the course description in the Bulletin/Guidebook.
Sometimes course descriptions include recommended courses, which are indicated with an "R". These courses are not required to enroll, but you are more likely to succeed in the class if you take the recommended course first.
What is an associate degree?
Associate degrees are often called "two-year" degrees. It is a minimum of 60 credit hours--so if you were to earn 30 credit hours a year (12 each semester and 6 in summers), it would take two calendar years. Many of our part-time students may take three or four years to complete their associate degree.
The IU East Bulletin has information about our associate degrees and requirements.
What is a bachelor's degree?
Bachelor's degrees are often called "four-year" degrees. These programs require a minimum of 120 credit hours, so if you earned 30 credit hours a year (12 each semester and 6 in summers), it would take four calendar years to complete a bachelor's degree. Many of our part-time students may take six years or longer to complete their bachelor's degree.
The IU East Bulletin has information about bachelor's degrees and requirements for each one.
What's a major?
"Major" is another way to say "degree program." For example, students completing education degrees have selected a "major" in education. Essentially, it's your academic focus. If you are a degree-seeking student, you are expected to choose a major by the time you complete 24 credit hours.
How do I choose a major?
This depends on your own goals. Students select their majors for all kinds of reasons: employment, personal growth, or because they really enjoy a particular topic. You need to decide why you are taking classes--this will help you choose the major that's right for you.
Talk with your advisor. She or he may have information about particular degree programs that may interest you.
If you just can't seem to make this decision on your own, make an appointment with our Office of Career Planning & Placement. They have resources to help you narrow your educational focus.
How do I change my major?
Complete a Change of Major form, available from your advisor and/or the Student Records Office. This form needs to be submitted to Student Records.
When do I have to declare a major?
Students are expected to choose a degree program once they have earned 24 credit hours.
What's a certificate program?
Completing a certificate program is a good way to learn the basics about a particular topic, like "Fundamental Business" or "Gerontology." A certificate program typically comprises five to seven classes--although you may need to complete prerequisites before you can enroll in the actual certificate courses. You can complete some certificate programs without completing an associate or bachelor's degree. The IU East Bulletin has information about certificate programs.
What's a minor?
A minor typically requires at least 18 credit hours and completion of a specific list of classes. Several of our divisions offer minors. A minor can be a great way to complement your main degree (or "major") or explore an area of interest. See the IU East Bulletin for a list of minors. Students can also access the advising sheets for each program by clicking on the "Forms" link to the left of this page.
Does IU East offer a degree in . . .?
The IU East Bulletin lists and describes our degree and certificate programs. Be sure to check with your advisor, or the academic division, about any changes in the programs since the bulletin was last published. The academic advising sheets on the "Forms" link are kept current and can help students look at program specifics.