Student Orientation Advising and Registration (SOAR)

After you have been admitted to Kennesaw and before you registrar for class you will experience Orientation and Advisement.

SOAR will help new freshmen and transfer students make the transition to KSU. The Orientation sessions provide an opportunity for new students to meet and interact with current KSU student leaders, faculty and staff. You will also learn about the services and educational programs offered. As a participant in Orientation you are granted a priority registration time before Phase II Registration. You receive information about dates, times and locations of orientation from the Counseling and Advising Program Services (CAPS) after you are accepted for admission. Call CAPS (770) 423-6600 if this hasn't happened.

As an F-1 international student you will have mandatory Port of Entry sponsored by the Office of International Student Retention Services. You must attend to avoid having a “hold” put on your registration. Contact this office at (770) 499-3313 and ask to speak to the Coordinator.

Read the front section of the Schedule of Credit Courses for detailed information on registration, course selection, class location etc. Once you have read the information, make an appointment to talk to your academic advisor.

Do not register for any courses without seeing an academic advisor. They will make sure you take the appropriate courses. As an international student you must be a full time student to stay in status. This means a minimum of 12 semester hours if you are an undergraduate and 9 semester hours if you are a graduate student. Remember, as an F-1 student you are allowed ONE (1) opportunity to drop below full course load and take six (6) course credit hours. For more information check Chapter 4 Immigration Under F-1 Student Visa. The advisor-student assignment list is posted near each College Office and in the Registrar's Office in the Administration Annex. Make sure you see the International Advisor before dropping any courses.

At KSU, each Department at the undergraduate level and each School at the graduate level handles its own Academic Advisement. Academic Advisors help you decide which courses to take and in which order to take them. You can find more information about classes and advisement in the Schedule of Classes booklet published each semester. It is available in the Registrar's Office.  If you are undecided about a major, the CAPS center will advise you.

Classroom Protocol

Names

First or given names are used in the US more frequently than anywhere else. The last name is the family name. If they are about the same age or status people may call each other by their first names immediately after they meet.

When you meet someone who has a title like "Professor," "Doctor," "Ambassador," "President," or "Dean," it is correct to use that title and the person's last or family name. Any one faculty, staff, administrator, whoever with a doctorate can be addressed as "Doctor." If invited to address someone by their first name you may do so. If it makes you feel disrespectful you can say Miss or Mr. before saying the first name. "Ms" pronounced "Mizz" is increasingly used for both married and unmarried females. In the classroom if you feel uncomfortable calling your instructor by the first name you can use a title and their last name. If you don't know whether someone is married it is appropriate to us "Ms." Some married women may get upset if you call them Miss and some single women may get upset if you call them Mrs. This is one more reason why saying "Ms." is safer.

If you don't know how to address a person you can follow these general rules:

• Address people of your own approximate age and status by their first name.
• If the person is older use Mr., Mrs., Miss or Ms. and the last name. Ask them "What shall I call you?" or "How shall I address you?"
• If someone appears uncertain about how to address you say, "You can call me..."

Be patient with people in terms of helping them pronounce your name. Just like some sounds are new to you there will be sounds that are new to others. Most people do not/will not intentionally mispronounce your name. Have you ever noticed how embarrassed and apologetic people become when they mispronounce a name?

Signatures

Get in the habit of using your official name when you write your signature. Signing abbreviations of your name can be confusing. If you want to use a nickname, a name that refers to some physical characteristic, a personality trait or a shortened version of one's given name, make that part of your name. For example, if your name is Charmayne B. Richardson and your nickname is Charlie, Bell, Rich or Richard include that in your signature, Charmayne "Charlie" B. Richardson.

This is also helpful for instructors and other people who come in contact with you to know your full name and your nickname. Imagine what would happen if someone called to get a reference on you using your proper name and the person giving the reference only knew you by a nickname? They would say they didn't know that person. You would lose out. Some international students may use nicknames because people have trouble pronouncing their birth names. Being called by a nickname can indicate you are viewed with respect and affection.

Alphabetical Order

You may notice the instructor calling the names in alphabetical order. If you are expecting Denzel Washington to come before Warren Moon, you will be very confused. Typically in the US unless otherwise stated, alphabetizing is done by the first letter of the last name, not the first letter of the first name.

The Date

If you use numbers to write the date, remember the order is month/date/year NOT date/month/year. For example October 7, 2005 is 10/7/05, not 7/10/05.

Academic Practices

Syllabus

The typical first day of class involves getting a syllabus from your instructor. This syllabus is your class guide. It is the plan for that particular professor's course. It tells you the official course name, the instructors name and telephone number, instructors classroom expectations, schedule of readings, due dates for assignments, the date of midterm and/or final exams, whether it is open book, outlines the responsibilities of the student and the grading criteria of this particular instructor. Please take time to read this syllabus on your own if the instructor does not go over it in class. You will be responsible for turning in your assignments when they are due, on time. The instructor does not have to remind you about due dates. If you do not receive a syllabus ask for one. Each instructor has their own syllabus, tests, grading criteria or text books they may use, even if they teach the same class.

One of the items you might see on the syllabus is a statement about class participation. In your country the classroom behavior could have involved avoiding eye contact, not initiating conversation, avoiding disagreements, deferring to the teacher's judgement, nodding when you don't really understand instead of asking questions that would make things clear, remaining silent instead of risking giving a wrong answer and hesitation to express your personal opinions. It is very important that you participate in class discussions. How else, aside from tests and reports, would your teacher know you've read the material and are prepared for class? It is not a sign of disrespect to speak up and participate. It is expected!

It is also expected that you will come to class prepared. Keep up with your reading assignments. It is good to read ahead but don't fall behind in your studies. If this happens don't panic, get back on schedule. If you are a student your job is to be the best student you can be.

It is important that you be on time for class. You will find that your professors start on time. Sometimes you may wake up and not feel like attending class. Ignore these kind of feelings. Get up and go to class!! Every class. Every day. Once you start missing class it easily becomes a pattern. You did not come this far to not go to class!! What would they say and/or think back home if they knew you had an opportunity to get an education but you came over here and got lazy and irresponsible? Some instructors take a percentage of your grade off for poor attendance.

Once you get to class put your "critical thinking" skills into practice. This is your ability to form individual opinions, ask questions and challenge course material. It is okay to ask your instructor questions in and after class. If you have detailed questions consider making an appointment with your instructor during their office hours. If there are no office hours on the syllabus still ask for an appointment. Don't wait until the last minute to get help.

Just as there are expectations instructors expect you to meet you should also have expectations. Expect to be treated fairly, expect to not be belittled or ridiculed, expect to not feel uncomfortable in class. Sometimes innocent things can happen so don't always assume the worse.

If you have a concern about something that happened in class talk with the instructor. If for whatever reason you don't feel comfortable talking to the instructor on your own come see the Coordinator of International Student Retention Services for help.

Assessment Methods

During the semester the instructor may test you by giving homework assignments, class projects, term/research papers, quizzes, midterm and /or a final exam. All term/research papers must be typed. If you don't have a computer go to the computer lab on the 4th floor of the Burruss Building, the Lifelong Learning Center, the CARC (Cultural Awareness and Resource Center), the Nursing Building, Science Hall, Willingham Hall or the Global Village to use one. You have to supply your own diskettes.

The test you will take can be in different forms:

• True or False - Choose one
• Fill in Blanks - Write the correct answer
• Short Answer - Write correct Answer
• Identification - Pick correct answer
• Matching - Put correct answer with question
• Essay Questions - Write a detailed response
• Multiple Choice - Pick the best answer
• Take Home - Do the work on your own at home. You can use notes, textbooks etc.
• Open Book - you take the test in class and can use your notes and/or textbook.

Grade Scale

The grades are on a 4.0 scale.

A = 4.0 - Excellent.

B = 3.0 - Good. Graduate students must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA.

C = 2.0 - Average. Undergraduate students must maintain a 2.0 GPA to stay off probation.

D=1.0 - Poor.

F=0 - Failing.

W = Student withdraw from class with a passing mark. This grade will not be included in the GPA. Before withdrawing from a course all international students have to consult the F-1 Advisor.

WF = Student withdrew with a failing grade. The F will be averaged into the GPA.

GPA = Grade Point Average is computed by multiplying credit hours by the class numerical grade and then dividing total credits into the total grade points.

EXAMPLE:

3 credit course X 4.0(A) =12 grade pts.
3 credit course X 3.0(B) = 9 grade pts.
6 credits total, 21 grade pts. total
6 divided by 21 = 3.5 GPA

Academic excellence is recognized and rewarded at KSU. If you have at least 9 semester hours and a 4.0 grade point average (GPA) you will be on the President's List. When your GPA is 3.5-3.99 you have made the Dean's List. Congratulations on both honors.

Academic Standing

Undergraduate students at KSU are classified into levels based on their number of earned credit hours:

• Freshman = 0-29 credit hours
• Sophomore = 30-59 credit hours
• Junior = 60-89 credit hours
• Senior = 90+ and above

Kennesaw State University confers two degrees:

• Bachelors - awarded after completion of undergraduate program
• Masters - first degree awarded at graduate level

The Doctorate - the highest degree conferred; 2nd degree awarded at graduate level; is not offered at KSU.

As a student you will be held responsible for the information in the KSU catalog. You are governed by the rules, regulations and requirements of the catalog in effect when you enroll. Read it. Read all of it. Read it often. If you don't understand any part of it come to the Office of International Student Retention Services and ask to speak to the Coordinator.

Regents Test

In order to ensure that students obtaining a degree from Kennesaw possess a certain minimum level of reading, writing proficiency and math every student must take the Regents Test. It must be taken in the first enrolled semester after earning 30 credit hours if it has not already been taken.

If your mother tongue is other than English, you must first attempt the regular Regents Test. If this attempt is unsuccessful, you may take a test designed for international students. If you need help preparing for the test, contact the Director of the English As A Second Language (ESL) Program in the University Studies office.

The KSU undergraduate catalog has extensive information about the Regents Test. Make sure you read it. If there is something you don't understand, again as always, see the Coordinator of International Student Retention Services in the Office of International Student Retention Services (OISRS).

Graduation

You are ready to graduate when you have:

1. Completed the required General Education Courses.
2. Completed all courses in the major and the Georgia General Assembly Requirement with a "C" or better.
3. Completed a minimum of 123 semester hours with a 2.0 or better.
4. Completed at least 39 semester hours of upper division work.
5. Completed the required KSU semester hours.
6. Passed the Regents Test.

The Undergraduate Catalog gives detailed graduation information. If there are still questions after reading this information, see the Coordinator of International Student Retention Services.

Letters of Recommendation

As you near graduation there are many things to consider. Do you plan to go to graduate school or work? Throughout your years at Kennesaw it is hoped you registered and stayed in touch with The Career Services Office. They bring employers on campus so you can be interviewed.

Whether you go to school or work you will need letters of recommendation and/or references. This is where the relationship you have established with different faculty and staff members will come in handy. You can ask them to be your reference. Before making this request first ask them if they can give you a favorable recommendation. If they don't feel they can then you need to ask someone else. You only want good recommendations. In some cases the person may tell you to write it and let them sign it. Don't be offended. They may not have time to do it but they want to help you out. It is also a way to see how you view yourself and what is important to you. Don't be bashful about doing this. If you can't write a positive recommendation about yourself why should you expect someone else to be able to do it?

If you have not been consistent in the name you use this is where it might cause you problems. The potential employer or the graduate school admissions office may know you by a name other than what you have been called on campus. Be consistent. If you are using a nickname, sign it along with your given name as explained in the "Names" section of this chapter.

DID YOU KNOW …

... The African country of Rhodesia was named after Cecil Rhodes an English entrepreneur? Prime Minister of Cape Colony in South Africa in the late 19th century and creator of the South African diamond syndicate he one time controlled 90% of the world's diamond supply. In 1902 at his death his will stipulated a great part of his fortune was to be used to establish a foundation to encourage the pursuit of higher education. Today this money funds the Rhodes Scholarships.

... Alexandre Gaustave Eiffel , the designer of the Eiffel Towel also designed the inner structure of the Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor?

... The color combination with the strongest visual impact is black on yellow? Next, black on white, yellow on black, white on black, dark blue on white and white on dark blue.

... The short-term memory capacity for most people is between 5 and 9 items or digits? This is one reason telephone numbers are 7 digits long.

... John Hancock signed his name in extra large letters on the Declaration of Independence so King George III, notoriously poor-sighted could read it without glasses?

... Cleopatra who was married to her own brother, Ptolemy, tested the efficacy of her poisons by giving them to slaves?

... Natural gas has no smell? The artificially added odor is so people will be able to identify leaks.

... Firemen have the most dangerous job in America?

... Rubber is one of the ingredients of bubble gum? This is the substance that allows the chewer to blow a bubble.

... The only manmade structure visible from space is the Great Wall of China?