TOOLS, TIPS & LINKS FOR SUCCESS

You want to succeed and we want to help you help yourself! There are several tools and resources that you can use.

Click on any one in the list at right or scroll down the page to see them all.

• Academic Advancement Center
• Academic Advising
• Career Services
• Catalog
• Communicating with Advisor & Instructor
• Dates to Know
• DARS (Degree Audit Reporting System)
• Disability Services

• E-mail, OAK ID and Netiquette
• Institutional Equity
• Judiciaries
• LIbrary
• Quick Links to Campus Services
• Software
• Stress and Exams
• Student Writing Center
• Veteran's Benefits

Academic Advancement Center
Academic Advancement Center (AAC) offers support services that help Ohio University undergraduates to reach their academic goals. Tutoring services, academic skill development, and academic guidance are provided through credit courses as well as individual and group study sessions. For study tips, visit the Interactive Study Tips Web site

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Academic Advising
Ohio University recognizes academic advising to be a central element of the educational experience of its undergraduate students. Advising is a collaborative relationship for which advisors and students share responsibility and through which students create sound educational plans consistent with their academic, career and personal goals. Students are responsible for being prepared for advising sessions, and for understanding University and major requirements.

Advisors are responsible for being accessible and responsive to students, and for providing accurate, timely information. Advisors also assist you with selecting courses for graduation, understanding degree requirements, and interpreting University policies and procedures. Your advisor is your primary contact at Ohio University and if they cannot answer your question, they can refer you to the appropriate person or office. Get to know your advisor well. They are your #1 resource! 

It is important to remember to:
• PLAN EARLY. Contact your advisor BEFORE registration begins, or shortly thereafter.
• PLAN AHEAD. Plan not only for current quarter classes but for several quarters beyond.

Your advisor is Kelly Czack. You can reach her at Czack@ohio.edu or at 740.593.2917. Kelly's office hours are typically 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday - Friday.

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Career Services
The Office of Career Services provides assistance with making career decisions, exploring major and career options, attending career fairs, and conducting effective job searches. Our staff is committed to providing comprehensive career development to all Ohio University students and alumni as well as offering programs and services to assist employers with their human resources and college relations needs. We encourage you to explore our Web site: www.ohio.edu/careers/ and view the many resources available to assist you in your job search.

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Catalog, Undergraduate
The Ohio University Undergraduate Catalog is your official source of University policies and procedures. The complete online catalog is available at www.catalogs.ohio.edu. Use the online catalog search feature to help find information quickly.

The catalog in effect for the quarter in which you first complete coursework at Ohio University becomes your University and Major Program Catalog of Entry. This catalog defines the University-wide and college-level academic requirements you must complete and academic policies you must follow for the next five years. 

The Undergraduate Catalog includes the following:

• University-wide policies, procedures, and services
• Colleges level policies, procedures and information
• Your major with required courses
• Course Descriptions

YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR KNOWING AND FOLLOWING CURRENT UNIVERSITY WIDE, COLLEGE, AND DEPARTMENTAL REQUIREMENTS AND PROCEDURES.

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Communicating with your Advisor and Instructors
Communicating professionally (clearly and politely) and developing relationships with your academic advisor and each professor/instructor are important to your academic success and excellent preparation for developing work relationships after college.

Understanding another person’s perspective is essential for successful communication and relationship-building. Your advisor/professors have many advisees/students and wide-ranging responsibilities beyond advising and teaching – researching, writing grants, serving on committees, contributing to professional conferences, as well as living personal lives. Your time and your advisor/professor’s time are valuable – mutual respect is the key.

General Guidelines

• Contact your academic advisor and every instructor regularly.
• Read each course syllabus carefully; know your instructor’s policies and procedures.
• Read e-mails and Blackboard postings from your advisor/instructors carefully and follow all instructions.
• Utilize office hours if the instructor gives you specific time to contact him/her and work within those times.
• Make appointments in advance and then make sure you contact the advisor/instructor if you need to reschedule. Do not leave them wondering why you did not call.
• Follow up on advisor/instructor recommendations and advice.
• Write a thank-you note or e-mail after helpful interactions.

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Dates to Know

University Offices Closed - Classes not in session

Fall 2008
Sept. 1, Mon. • Labor Day holiday
Nov. 11, Tues. • Veterans Day holiday
Nov. 27, Thurs. • Thanksgiving Day holiday
Nov. 28, Fri. • Columbus Day holiday observed
Dec. 25, Thurs. • Christmas Day holiday 
Dec. 26, Fri. • Presidents’ Day holiday observed 
Jan. 1, Thurs. • New Year's Day holiday

Winter 2009
Jan. 1, Thurs. • New Year’s Day holiday
Jan. 19, Mon. • Martin Luther King Day

Spring 2009
May 25, Mon. • Memorial Day holiday

Summer 2009
July 3, Fri. • Independence Day holiday observed

Calendar, Academic 2008-09
Fall 2008-09

Winter Quarter 2008-09

 Spring Quarter 2008-09

Summer Session 2008-09

For a complete printable Academic Calendar, visit the University Registrar’s Web site.

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Degree Audit Reporting System (DARS)
A DARS report is issued to currently enrolled students each quarter for priority registration by your advisor. This report includes your Registration Access Code (RAC) and your registration access time. This report helps in determining requirements for graduation by showing progress toward completing those requirements. You may view your DARS report online by accessing the Office of the University Registrar Web site, www.ohio.edu/registrar, and selecting MyDARS under Online Services.

Special Note Concerning Hours and Grades on the DARS Report: Your official Ohio University transcript lists all courses you have taken or are taking at Ohio University, the grades you have earned, and your official grade point average (GPA). These totals are used to determine graduation rank, graduation with honors, financial aid and scholarship eligibility, fees, and total hours earned at Ohio University that may be applied toward graduation from any of the colleges.

Your DARS report shows how these courses and grades apply to the graduation requirements for a particular program. Most of the time the total hours attempted (HA), hours earned (HE), and grade point average (GPA) displayed in the General Graduation Requirements section of your DARS report will match those on your transcript. However, legitimate differences may exist. For example, some colleges have limits on such things as the total number of physical education activity hours that can apply toward degree requirements, and some do not. Some have limits on other categories, such as the number of technical elective credits and number of hours with grades of "CR" that can count toward graduation. Also, there are limits on the total number of hours in developmental courses and the total number of hours with P (pass) grades. All of these count in the total number of hours earned at Ohio University on your transcript, but they may or may not count toward graduation depending upon the program you are completing and other limitations. DARS reflects these idiosyncrasies for each individual program counting only the hours and grades that are appropriate for that program, thereby giving you an accurate statement of your progress toward completing graduation requirements for that particular program.

Sometimes discrepancies can exist because students take courses they should not take (for example, Math 163A after passing Math 263A and B). In this case, DARS deducts the credit and grade for Math 163A but Math 163A will still show on the transcript.

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Disability Services
The Office of Disability Services facilitates services and reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities in order to make Ohio University programmatically and architecturally accessible. The office offers confidential consultation about disability questions and concerns for all members of the campus community. For questions about services available, visit www.ohiou.edu/equity/disabilityservices/.

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Institutional Equity
You may have a documented disability or suspect that you have a disability that interferes with your academic performance. Getting the support that you need can be crucial to your academic success. The Office for Institutional Equity provides services and accommodations for students with:

1. ADD/ADHD
2. Chronic Illnesses
3. Hard of Hearing/Deafness
4. Learning Disabilities
5. Mobility Impairments
6. Psychological Disabilities
7. Visual Impairments/Blindness

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E-mail (Your OAK Account) and E-mail Etiquette

When you first are admitted to Ohio University, you will receive an OAK ID. Please follow the instructions in your acceptance letter to activate your OAK ID. If you lose your activation letter or have other questions about your OAK ID, please call the Service Desk, (740) 593-1222. For more information, visit: the Office of Information Technology.

It is imperative that you know your OAK ID and password, as many Ohio University services use these to authenticate access.

Your Ohio University OAK e-mail account should be activated upon admission to the University. You will receive detailed instructions on how to access your e-mail in your acceptance materials.

Student OAK accounts include:

1. 100MB of e-mail storage
2. Spam and Virus Filtering
3. 200 MB of drag-and-drop, password protected network storage for personal files and folders
4. The option to create a personal Web site

You OAK ID and password are the key to numerous online services, including:

1. Class registration and schedules
2. Online billing statements and payment options
3. Grade Reports
4. Free Software Downloads
5. Access to online classes

To keep in touch with professors and classmates, you need to use your Ohio University e-mail account. Please check your OAK e-mail regularly for official University correspondence. Many Ohio University departments and professors depend on OAK e-mail for both announcements and assignments. We do not recommend forwarding your OAK account.

If you have problems accessing your e-mail or have questions, call the Service Desk, (740) 593-1222.

Netiquette (E-Mail Etiquette)
When you write an e-mail to your advisor/instructor:

• Always include a clear Subject Heading at the top (this helps the person to know the e-mail is not spam).
• Include your full name and PID number at the end.
• Reread your e-mail before you send it – is it well-written (grammar, spelling, punctuation)? Is your purpose clear?  Is your tone polite and respectful?
• Do not use IM-speak or emoticons (smiley faces, etc).
• Never write in all caps (in e-mail terms, it represents shouting).

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• To apply community standards for conduct consistently and equitably.
• To administer hearing procedures that afford due process, that are just, and that balance the rights of accused and complaining parties.
• To provide opportunities for growth and development for offending students.

Throughout Ohio University's judicial process, due process protections are provided. Ohio University not only meets but exceeds due process protections required by law. Ohio University provides:

• An established code of conduct that details Ohio University's expectations for student conduct.
• Written notice of charges when students are accused of violating Ohio University's policies.
• A procedural interview during which charges, evidence, rights and options are discussed with students or student organizations accused of misconduct.
• A hearing for a further exploration of the facts and circumstances of the case in the event that the accused denies the charge.
• An established standard of proof: preponderance of evidence.
• Two levels of appeal.

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Library
Alden Library offers a variety of services online and by phone. Helpful reference staff can answer your questions, help you find a book, and show you how to use online databases for journal articles. Many other online services are available for distance learners. Please visit Off-Campus Library Services for more information.

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Quick Links to Campus Services and Contact information
Academic Advancement Center
Advising: E-mail Kelly Czack
Bursar
Campus Events Calendar
Career Services
DARS
Financial Aid and Scholarships: E-mail: butlerl@ohio.edu
Institutional Equity/Disability Services
Lifelong and Distance Learning

Relationship Managers:
Carissa Anderson – Washington State Community College and Hocking College: andersc3@ohio.edu
Jody Van Winkle – Columbus State Community College and Sinclair Community College: vanwinkl@ohio.edu
Kelly Czack – Lorain County Community College and Cuyahoga Community College: czack@ohio.edu

Registrar
Student Writing Center
Undergraduate Catalog
University College
University Library
University Switchboard: 740.593.1000
Web Registration

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Software

The University offers free downloads of selected applications and steep educational discounts on many more. For a complete list of available software, visit the Office of Information Technology Web site and select “Software & Downloads”.

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College can be a stressful experience for students. Many students are trying to work, raise a family, go to school, earn good grades, participate in extracurricular activities, and have a little fun too. There is increasing pressure to do well academically, which some students cope with by turning to drugs, alcohol, over-eating, over-sleeping, or a combination of these and other negative activities. Overindulging in anything can be very harmful to students’ well-being and education.

Fortunately, there are positive ways to deal with stress:

1. Take care of yourself physically – eat healthy, get enough sleep, exercise.
2. Develop relaxation techniques
3. Improve your time management – make quarter and weekly schedules and daily to-do lists. Prioritize your activities.
4. Have a support system
5. Manage your emotional response – distinguish between big things and little things. Realize that getting angry or upset over little things is not healthy for you and that you can control your response.
6. Understand that stress is part of normal everyday life. Some stress is unavoidable but you can control your response.

Usually the most stressful times during the quarter are around the 4th or 5th week of the quarter and during final exam week. Many students suffer from test anxiety, which can negatively impact the student’s health and grades. Here are some positive ways to deal with test anxiety:

• Stay caught up with your reading and check in online everyday.
• Study in advance, beginning a week or more in advance to review. Don’t wait until the last minute to study for a test.
• Cramming the night before an exam usually only leads to more stress.
• Get a good night’s sleep before exam day.
• Get to know your instructors. E-mail the instructor specific questions about things you don’t understand from the reading and/or assignment.
• Utilize academic resources like the Academic Advancement Center to help you develop good study, test preparation and time management skills. Recognize what knowing and understanding the material means. Just because you’ve highlighted or looked at your notes several times doesn’t mean you really know and understand the material.
• Discover the learning techniques that work best for you. The Academic Advancement Center can help you with this.
• Understand that different types of exams – multiple choice, essay, problem-based – are better suited to different study techniques as well as different test-taking approaches.
• If you haven’t already completed the READI, E-Learning Readiness Indicator, give it a try. The results will help you determine your learning style and provide you with tips on how to improve your study skills to succeed.

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Assistance is available at any stage of the writing process, from understanding the assignment to looking at a revised draft. You can get help with developing the thesis or main idea, organizing or developing ideas, the bibliography, grammatical issues or any other writing concerns.

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Veterans Benefits
Students who wish to receive Veterans Education Assistance should contact the Registrar Staff Offices, for the purpose of certifying eligibility. For more information regarding Veterans Education Assistance, call (740) 593-4186 or veteransaffairs@ohio.edu.

Undergraduate students must register for at least 12 quarter hours for full benefits.

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Congratulations! You've finished the tour.

Send a note to your advisor, Kelly Czack, to let her know you've completed reviewing this info. Include your name in the e-mail.
Kelly also can help with any questions you still have.

czack@ohio.edu