IMPORTANT INFORMATION
for
All ESF Students
March 2009
E-MAIL: This bulletin is sent to all students via their ESF e-mail address (@syr.edu). It is your responsibility to check your ESF email address on a regular basis.
ADDRESS CHANGES: It is also your responsibility to make sure that the College has a current and accurate address for you. You may update your address on the My ESF portal.
CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT AND JUDICIAL PROCEDURES: The Code of Student Conduct and Judicial Procedures are always available on the web at
http://www.esf.edu/students/handbook or in hard copy in 110 Bray Hall. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with these documents.
SUNY MANDATE REGARDING STUDENT HANDBOOK: To assure that all SUNY students are aware of their rights and their responsibilities as members of the academic community, each student must receive the campus Student Handbook. Each student must also positively affirm that they have received the Student Handbook. This affirmation must be made at least one time during a student’s enrollment at a SUNY institution. Students who do not affirm that they have received the Student Handbook will not be permitted to register for future semesters until they have met the requirement. Stop by the Student Life Office, 110 Bray Hall, to pick up a copy of the Handbook and the affirmation form. Fill out and sign the form and return it to 110 Bray Hall.
REGISTRATION
For all currently enrolled students
REGISTRATION: Advising Week is March 30–April 3. Please schedule a meeting with your advisor/major professor during that time. Registration instructions are available on the web at
www.esf.edu/registrar. Registration is April 6-14.
PENALTY FOR LATE REGISTRATION: All continuing students eligible to register who do not do so by April 14 will be assessed a $40 fee for late registration. This will be enforced! (Graduate Students: If you even think you might be here in the fall, register for classes to avoid the late fee. If you complete your degree over the summer, be sure to cancel your registration through proper channels to avoid tuition/fees liability.)
LATE DROP/ADD FEES: There will be a $20 add fee for every course added after the Last Day to Add date of 9-8-09. There will be a $20 drop fee for every course dropped after the Last Day To Drop date of 10-28-09.
***GRADUATE STUDENTS ONLY***
GRADUATE STUDENT REGISTRATION: Graduate students must be registered for at least one credit hour each semester, excluding summers, from the first semester of matriculation until all degree requirements have been completed. Students are required to register for at least one credit in the summer if they will complete all requirements during that time. Graduate students who fail to register for the Fall 2009 semester by September 8, 2009, will be withdrawn from graduate study and will be required to reapply for admission to return to matriculation status.
GRADUATE STUDENT ASSISTANTSHIPS/ FELLOWSHIPS: Graduate students who hold an assistantship and/or a tuition scholarship must be in a full-time status each semester while holding such an award. Usually registration for nine credits equates to full-time status for a student holding an assistantship.
Graduate students not holding an assistantship are considered full time if they are registered for at least 12 credit hours each semester.
***INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS ONLY***
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS: All immigration inquiries and F-1 and J-1 student document requests should now be directed to ESF’s Coordinator of International Education, Carolyn Salter (Office of International Education; 302 Bray Hall;
cmsalter@esf.edu). Seminars and back-up support for ESF immigration will still be provided by the Slutzker Center for International Services. The Office of International Education is currently working on developing an expanded website with immigration information and document request forms at:
http://www.esf.edu/international/. More links and information will be added over the course of the next few months.
As you begin registering for courses for next semester, please remember that as an international student you must enroll in a full-time course load or authorized equivalent in order to maintain valid immigration status. If you will be less than full-time and qualify for the
Certification of Full-Time Status, please be sure to file it prior to the start of the new semester; this Certification must be filed every semester a student qualifies for it. Please be aware that failure to maintain full-time enrollment status every semester may result in the termination of your SEVIS record. For additional information about full-time course load equivalencies and to obtain the Certification of Full-Time Status, please access:
http://www.esf.edu/international/status.htm.
If you will not complete your academic program by the end date indicated at item 5 of your I-20 (F-1 status) or item 3 of your DS-2019 (J-1 status), you must apply for an I-20 or DS-2019 extension two weeks prior to your document expiration date. Please email Carolyn Salter at
cmsalter@esf.edu for additional information and to obtain the extension request form.
***UNDERGRADUATES ONLY***
UNDERGRADUATE MINORS: Students who wish to be admitted to a minor must submit a petition for admission to the Office of Instruction and Graduate Studies prior to early registration.
NOT REGISTERING FOR FALL? If you do not intend to register for the 2009 Fall Semester, please notify the Office of Student Life, 110 Bray Hall, in writing, prior to May 1, 2009.
RETURNING: If you plan to leave for a period of time and wish to return to ESF in the future, you should contact the Office of Student Life, 110 Bray, at least one month prior to your anticipated return to file the necessary forms.
PROGRAM OF STUDY CHANGES: Requests to change your program of study should be initiated in 110 Bray before the advising period begins.
***ALL STUDENTS***
PAYMENT OF TUITION & FEES AND DISBURSEMENT OF FINANCIAL AID: Payment of tuition and fees for the Fall 2009 semester will be due by August 28, 2009. Disbursement of financial aid refunds will take place in the Business Office, 103 Bray, during the week of August 31, 2009. Registration of students who do not pay their bills by the due date or make satisfactory payment arrangements with the Bursar’s Office will be subject to cancellation.
FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS: All financial obligations (i.e., outstanding tuition & fees, outstanding short-term loans, SU room & board contracts, parking tickets, library books, breakage, etc.) must be paid prior to the April registration period or your registration will be blocked.
FINANCIAL AID
FINANCIAL AID: All students are reminded that their financial aid is based on full-time enrollment. If you do not enroll as a full-time student, your aid will be adjusted.
2009 SUMMER JOBS THROUGH THE WORK-STUDY PROGRAM: If you are interested in working on the Main Campus or any of the regional properties (Cranberry Lake, Newcomb, Wanakena, Tully, or Thousand Islands Biological Station) during the summer of 2009, you must apply by completing the appropriate financial aid application on-line at
www.FAFSA.ed.gov. Many job opportunities exist for students at these locations, but apply early! The Summer Federal Work-Study Program Student Data Form 2009 can be completed online at http://www.esf.edu/financialaid/sumfwsapp.asp. Any applications received after March 1 will be processed contingent on funding and job availability. Work-Study Information Sessions will occur in March. Summer job interviews will begin in April.
FINANCIAL AID—NYS RESIDENTS may be eligible for TAP (Tuition Assistance Program). You must complete a Renewal FAFSA or an actual FAFSA application. Students completing the FAFSA on the WEB will be able to complete a TAP application online. If inquiring about your TAP status, please contact them at:
www.hesc.com or 1-888-NYSHESC.
Students are encouraged to apply for other financial assistance using the FAFSA on the web at:
www.fafsa.ed.gov or the FAFSA on the web worksheet which is available in 113 Bray. The FAFSA must be filed through the Federal Processing center by March 1 to meet the College deadline. Applications received after March 1 will be processed accordingly. A photocopy of ALL completed forms should be retained for your information.
Satisfactory Academic Progress: All students who receive Federal, State or ESF aid (Pell, Work‑Study, NDSL/Perkins, SEOG, Stafford, TAP, Pulp and Paper Scholarships) must maintain satisfactory academic progress to be eligible for their aid. Further information is available in the Financial Aid Office or from the College catalog.
FEDERAL WORK‑STUDY PROGRAM – Those of you who have been granted W‑S for the summer, please make sure the Student Data Form is returned to Room 113 Bray. Assignments for the summer will be made in April and early May; assignments for the academic year will be made in the fall.
JOB LOCATION SERVICE ‑ If you are interested in work but are not eligible for W‑S, you may register a Student Information Form with the Coordinator of the Job Locator Service, 113 Bray.
VETERANS' BENEFITS – All students who receive veterans' benefits and who plan to continue their education here should see Ray Blaskiewicz, 111 Bray, before the end of this semester.
EXAMS/GRADES
FINAL EXAM SCHEDULE ‑ for Spring 2009 is available on the Registrar’s home page at
http://www.esf.edu.registrar.
ACADEMIC STANDARDS COMMITTEE ‑ will meet in early June to consider the academic records of students who have not maintained the minimum academic standards required by the College. Students who are suspended will be notified by Federal Express. Failure to file an accurate address with the Registrar or failure to accept delivery of a probationary or suspension notice does not exempt a student from meeting the terms of a letter of probation or suspension.
SUMMER SCHOOL INFO
A. SUMMER 2009 PROGRAMS AT WANAKENA AND CRANBERRY LAKE BIOLOGICAL STATION ‑ If you have questions about the Wanakena program, contact Chris Westbrook via e-mail at westbrook@esf.edu. If you have questions about the session at Cranberry Lake, see Dr. Alex Weir, 353 Illick Hall.
B. SUMMER SCHOOL AT SU ‑ You will not be able to register through ESF for courses taken this summer at SU or UC. (Exception: Grad students in a concurrent degree program at SU‑‑see the ESF Registrar for procedure to follow.) However, if you desire to take courses at SU or UC, you should fill out an "Approval for Summer Work at SU" form available in 111 Bray. This form will be utilized in lieu of a petition and will permit you to obtain prior approval for specific coursework to be taken during the summer. The forms should be filled out with all required signatures and delivered to the Registrar's Office, 111 Bray, prior to the end of the spring semester. You will then register directly with SU or UC and must pay the tuition specified for your Summer Session(s).
C. If you plan to attend a summer session ANYWHERE OTHER THAN ESF OR SU and expect to transfer the credits to ESF, you must file a petition through your faculty advisor. Failure to do so risks the loss of credit for summer work.
D. If you are an undergraduate and wish to take an Independent Research Problem (XXX 498) during the summer, you should fill out a "Request for Summer 498" form available in 111 Bray. This form requires the signature and approval of the instructor, your advisor, and your program director, and will enable us to track summer registration and grading.
E. GRADUATE STUDENT SUMMER 2009 REGISTRATION – To register for summer courses, take your completed, signed S.C.O.R.E. form to the Registrar’s Office, 111 Bray Hall, by May 8, 2009. Students who expect to complete degree requirements during the summer, including students completing defense of thesis or dissertation and GPES students fulfilling professional (internship) experience requirements, must register for appropriate credits as approved by their major professor and pay tuition and fees.
STUDENTS LOOKING TO STUDY ABROAD
The newly-created Office of International Education (302 Bray Hall) provides resources and support to students who are interested in studying abroad as part of their ESF academic program. Please access:
http://www.esf.edu/international/studyabroad/default.htm for additional information regarding the eligibility requirements and to download the
Study Abroad Request Form; ESF approval must be obtained prior to applying to a study abroad program.
MISCELLANEOUS INFORMATION
2009 SPRING BANQUET - Saturday, April 18 – Convention Center at the OnCenter Complex
HEALTH INSURANCE: It is strongly recommended that all students obtain adequate health insurance. If you are covered by your family’s insurance, keep the information with you in case of emergency. If you need supplemental insurance, a student health insurance policy is available through the S.U. Health Service, 111 Waverly Avenue or
www.haylor.com/student.
HEALTH INSURANCE, INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS: SUNY has instituted a mandatory health insurance policy for international students and scholars. The cost for students is estimated to be at least $400 for the Fall of 2009. This fee must be paid by all international students at the beginning of the fall semester unless evidence of equivalent coverage is presented to the Business Office, 102 Bray Hall.
GRADUATION DETAILS
MAY/AUGUST 2009 BS/BLA CANDIDATES ‑ If you expect to graduate in May or August of this year, you should fill out an Undergraduate Application for Graduation available outside Room 111 Bray. If you do not complete this form by April 11, your name will not appear in the Commencement Program. You should also have a graduation status check with Ray Blaskiewicz, 111 Bray. Don't wait until the last week of classes or after you leave school to find out whether or not you are eligible to graduate!
The “Graduation Guide” was sent to all students with an expected degree completion date of May or August 2009. If you did not receive it, you should verify your address and/or expected degree completion date with the Registrar's Office, 111 Bray Hall, and pick up a copy of the newsletter in 110 Bray.
GRADUATE STUDENTS—What Paperwork is Needed to “Complete Degree Requirements”?
All students who matriculated in graduate degree programs as of fall 2006 were charged a one-time graduation fee. Students who matriculated in Spring 2007 and thereafter were charged the graduation fee upon matriculation to a degree program.
MLA and MPS Degree Upon successful completion of coursework and Faculty requirements:
· Diploma Form (green)
MS Degrees Upon successful completion of thesis defense and capstone seminar:
· Submission of thesis to ProQuest via the on-line format and payment of archival fees. See http://dissertations.umi.com/esf/
· Thesis binding fee ($35/copy)
· Diploma Form (green)
Doctoral Degree Upon successful completion of the dissertation defense and capstone seminar:
· Submission of dissertation to ProQuest via the on-line format and payment of archival fees. See http://dissertations.umi.com/esf/
· Dissertation binding fee ($35/copy)
· Diploma Form (green)
· Survey of Earned Doctorates
The deadline for completion of theses or dissertation defenses is April 28, 2009. The Office of Instruction and Graduate Studies must receive your paperwork no later than May 3, 2009 for May graduates and no later than August 13, 2009 for August graduates. If you want your name included in the May Convocation program, you must complete degree requirements and submit all paperwork to OI&GS by April 25, 2009.
ESF DIPLOMAS for May degree recipients will be mailed in early July. Candidates should not interpret this time lag as affecting their graduation dates. The graduation date this year is May 10, 2009. Undergraduate students who graduate on that date will be able to receive official transcripts showing the degree and date without delay unless they are on hold for outstanding debts to the College. Graduate students should verify that all paperwork has been filed with the Office of Instruction & Graduate Studies.
COMMENCEMENT WEEKEND 2009
Degree candidates, their parents, families, and friends, as well as all members of the College community, are invited to attend these events.
Wednesday, May 6:
· Convocation Rehearsal: at 3:30 p.m., Marshall Auditorium followed by a Champagne Toast sponsored by the Alumni Association.
Thursday, May 7:
· Senior Celebration: at 9 p.m.-1:00 a.m., OnCenter – See SU Commencement Calendar of Events for additional details. Free for graduating seniors, $10 for guests.
· Commencement Rehearsal: at 10 a.m., Carrier Dome, enter Gate D
Saturday, May 9:
· ESF Spring Convocation: at 1:00 p.m., Landmark Theatre, downtown Syracuse. Caps and gowns are required. Admission tickets are NOT required.
· Dinner in the Dome: at 7:00 p.m., Carrier Dome. Cash Bar, buffet dinner and dancing. Admission tickets ARE required. See SU Commencement Calendar of Events for additional details and reservation form.
Sunday, May 10:
· For our advanced degree candidates and their families: A continental breakfast will be served at 7:30 a.m. in the Alumni (Nifkin) Lounge, immediately followed by the Higher Degree Ceremony at 7:45 a.m.. Admission tickets are NOT required. Academic attire is required of all participants.
· For our undergraduate students, their families and the college community: A continental breakfast will be served beginning at 8:00 a.m. in Bray Hall Rotunda. Admission tickets are NOT required.
· Commencement: at 9:30 a.m., Carrier Dome. All candidates participating in Commencement are required to wear academic attire. Procession from Marshall Hall 8:45 a.m. Admission tickets are NOT required.
Watch The Knothole and bulletin boards on campus for any changes. Additional information about Commencement events can also be found in the February 2009 “Graduation Guide” or online at
www.esf.edu/students/graduation/ .
CAREER SERVICES
CAREER SERVICES – The Career Services Office offers various personalized services, programs and resources to guide in developing the skills necessary in advancing through ESF and entering into a rewarding career. Searching for full-time employment, connecting with employers and posting your resume can all be accomplished on our new web based career management system,
. You can set-up your account today for free by going to
http://esf.erecruiting.com/er/security/login.jsp. Other useful career resources can be found on our website,
http://www.esf.edu/career/. The Career Services Office is open daily from 8-4:30pm and can be reached at 470-6660 or by Email at
careers@esf.edu.
