Note: These are basic and general descriptions of USM policies. For complete and detailed explanations of policies, check the USM catalog (www.usm.maine.edu/catalogs/) or contact your SB advisor.
ADD/DROP QUESTIONS:
Q: I want to drop a class. I have 12 credits now and if I drop a class, I will only have 9 credits. Will this affect my financial aid package or sports eligibility?
A: Very likely. Call the Financial Aid Office (www.usm.maine.edu/~fin/) at 780-5250 or the Athletic Department at 780-5430.
Q: What is the latest date I can drop a class and still get a full refund?
A: Once the semester begins, a period of two weeks is permitted to drop a class without financial penalty. In the summer, the drop period is only one day (http://www.usm.maine.edu/summer/geninfo/tuition/refund/). Drop forms are available in 113 Luther Bonney.
Q: When is the latest date I can withdraw from a class to get a “W” to appear on my transcript?
A: You should see your advisor to receive the withdrawal form and then get the form signed by your professor. A student dropping a course after the second week through the eighth week of classes will receive the grade notation of “W.” Check out the academic calendar (www.usm.maine.edu/reg/calendar.html) for more information.
Q: What happens if I miss the withdrawal deadline to have a “W” appear on my transcript?
A: If you have missed the deadline to withdraw, you will receive the grade you earn for the class. The W notation may be assigned after the eighth week under unusual circumstances if so determined by the instructor and the dean. You should talk to your advisor about this if you feel such circumstances may apply to you.
CAMPUS SERVICES:
Q: I need help learning to take better notes and prepare for exams. Where do I go?
A: The Learning Center (www.usm.maine.edu/lap/) in 253 Luther Bonney Hall, 780-4228, on the Portland campus and the Costello Sports Complex, 228-8224, in Gorham offer free study skill building workshops and one-on-one assistance. Contact them for a schedule.
Q: I have a hold on my account. How do I find out more information about this?
A: Contact the Student Billing Office (www.usm.maine.edu/buso/) at 780-5200, 110 Corthell Hall in Gorham and 118 Payson Smith Hall in Portland.
Q: I have questions about my career choice. What should I do?
A: Stop by the Career Services Office (www.usm.maine.edu/csce/) on the first floor of Payson Smith Hall in Portland, and check out their resources or make an appointment with one of their career counselors, 780-4220.
Q: I am not able to register for classes because my immunizations are not current. What can I do?
A: Contact University Health Services (www.usm.maine.edu/health/) at 780-4504 or stop by their offices located next to the Woodbury Campus Center in a modular unit on the Portland campus.
Q: I need a tutor for my math class. Where do I go?
A: The Learning Center (www.usm.maine.edu/lap/) in 253 Luther Bonney Hall, 780-4228, on the Portland campus and the Costello Sports Complex, 228-8224, in Gorham. Tutors are free for USM students.
CATALOG RELATED QUESTIONS:
Q: Do I have to declare a minor?
A: You can declare a minor/concentration anytime before you graduate. However, in order for you to be confident you are meeting the requirements of the minor/concentration, you should meet with an advisor and complete the necessary forms early.
Q: Where can I get a copy of the current college catalog?
A: At the USM Bookstore, Admissions Office, Advising Services or the current catalog is listed online: www.usm.maine.edu/catalogs/
Q: I want to get two bachelors degrees. How do I do this?
A: A second bachelor’s degree may not be granted a student until he/she has completed an additional year of college work, as represented by a minimum of 30 semester hours beyond the requirements for the first degree.
Q: I want to minor in something outside of the School of Business, how do I find out more about it?
A: The USM catalog (www.usm.maine.edu/catalogs/) has minor requirements listed for some departments. You should go to the department office and make an appointment with an advisor to find out about their requirements for a minor and how to register for it.
Q: How do I get on the Dean’s List?
A: At the end of each semester, full-time, undergraduate degree students (12 credits or more) with grade point averages of 3.2 or above will be placed on the Dean’s List. Part-time students who complete a total of at least 12 credits for the year by the end of the spring semester will also be eligible for the Dean’s List if the 12 credits average 3.2 or above.
Q: How many credits do I have to earn to be a sophomore….junior…senior?
A: Sophomore 23 credits, Junior 53 credits, and Senior 83 credits
Q: What are the minimum GPA levels I need to maintain to advance and remain in good standing at USM?
A: For the minimum GPA levels to remain in good standing, please review your USM catalog. The minimum GPA level varies according to the number of credits you have attempted. SB students need a 2.33 GPA minimum in order to enroll in 300-level or above courses and a 2.33 minimum GPA in order to graduate.
Q: What courses can I take pass/fail?
A: Up to 18 credits of general electives may be taken pass/fail but no more than six hours may be taken pass/fail in any one semester. You cannot take any of the following courses pass/fail: courses taken to satisfy the Core curriculum, University honors program, major, or minor requirements.
Q: I got an “F” in a course. What happens to my GPA if I re-take the course?
A: When a student repeats the same course, the initial grade remains on the transcript, but only the later grade is used in computing the grade point average or for credit. A course may be repeated only twice without needing special permission from the department in which the course is offered.
MAJORS/MINORS:
Q: I want to change my major. How do I do this?
A: See your current advisor and obtain their signature on a “change of major” form. You may want to check with the department you are trying to change into if you have met their admission requirements.
Q: I want to change my major into business or accounting. How do I do this?
A: You must have a 2.33 GPA or above, have met math and English proficiency requirements, and have taken at least 15 credits at USM to be eligible to declare your major within the School of Business. If you have met the above requirements, see your current advisor and obtain their signature on a “change of major” form. Bring the form to 113 Luther Bonney Hall and schedule an appointment to meet with a School of Business advisor.
GRADUATION QUESTIONS:
Q: How do I know if I have met the requirements to graduate?
A: Make an appointment with your advisor to review your student record sheet and confirm what courses you have remaining to complete the degree.
Q: How do I apply to graduate?
A: You can pick up a copy of the application to graduate in the SB office or Registrar’s Office or it is available at www.usm.maine.edu/reg/degreapp.html.
Q: I want to march in the May graduation ceremony, but I still have some credits
to complete my degree. What do I do?
A: Students can march in commencement with some credits outstanding to complete
their degree. Contact the Registrar's Office for approval, 780-5230.
Q: I want to take my last 5 classes to complete my degree at another university.
Can I do this?
A: Unless special permission is granted by the dean of the school, the work
of the senior or final year must be completed at USM.
REGISTRARS OFFICE:
Q: I need an official copy of my transcript. Where do I get it?
A: The Registrar's Office, 113 Corthell Hall, 780-5230, on the Gorham campus
and 119-122 Payson Smith Hall, 780-4631 on the Portland campus.
Q: I need a letter to my employer stating the classes I am registered for
this semester. Where can I get this?
A: The Registrar's Office,113 Corthell Hall, 780-5230, on the Gorham campus
and 119-122 Payson Smith Hall, 780-4631 on the Portland campus.
Q: Where can I get a copy of the academic calendar?
A: At the Registrar's Office or online.
REGISTRATION QUESTIONS:
Q: How do I get my RAN number and what is an RAN number?
A: A RAN number is a registration authorization number and it is used to
enable you to register using IVR, Interactive Voice Response Service, 780-5800.
You need to make an appointment with your advisor to get your RAN number
each semester.
Q: How do I know what courses to register for next semester?
A: Review your USM catalog and your student record sheet to determine what
classes you have remaining. A copy of your student record sheet may be
obtained from 113 Luther Bonney Hall with proper ID. Make an appointment
(780-4020) with your advisor to review and verify requirements.
Q: When will I be able to register without a RAN number?
A: When you are full-standing in your business or accounting major. This
occurs when you have 53 or more credits, computer proficiency, and have
met the GPA major requirements for your catalog.
Q: I am not a matriculated USM student but I would like to take a School
of Business course. How do I register for it?
A: Registration for non-degree seeking or special students occurs after registration
for matriculated students. The dates for registration can be obtained from
the Registrar's Office or by calling the SB office, 780-4020. You will still
need to meet all requirements and prerequisites for each course you wish
to register for. You should make an appointment with an SB advisor and bring
a copy of your transcript and syllabi from any course prerequisites that
you have completed outside of USM.
Q: Does USM have any on-line courses?
A: USM does have a selection of on-line courses. Contact the Distance Education
Office at 780-4540 for more information.
SCHOOL OF BUSINESS SPECIFIC:
Q: My advisor told me as a business/accounting major I need computer proficiency.
What does that mean?
A: You can demonstrate computer proficiency by successfully passing the School
of Business Computer Proficiency Exam (information by calling 780-4020) or
by earning a grade of C- or better in ABU 190-Spreadsheets and Problem Solving.
Q: I would like to do an internship in the School of Business. What is my
first step?
A: Make an appointment with your advisor to discuss the whether you meet
the requirements and to discuss the process. You must be a junior with a
GPA of 2.5 (ACC) or 2.33 (BUS) or above to participate in a school internship.
Q: I am an undergraduate business or accounting major and I would like to
take an MBA or MSA course. Is that allowed?
A: Only admitted MBA/MSA students are allowed to take graduate business courses.
For more information, please contact the SB graduate program manager, Alice
Cash.
TRANSFER QUESTIONS:
Q: I am a current student and I want to take a class at another university.
How do I transfer in those credits?
A: School of Business students must have advance permission from the school
to take courses at an institution other than USM. See your advisor.
Q: I want to take a business or accounting course at another university
and then have the credits transferred to USM. How do I do it?
A: Always have the class pre-approved for transfer before taking it! You
will need a copy of the current course syllabus. Give this syllabus to a
SB advisor and they will forward it to the appropriate professor for review.
If given approval, you will be notified.
Q: I am a transfer student and I don't understand why some of my classes
did not transfer into USM?
A: You should contact the Transfer Admissions office at 780-5340 to discuss
why classes did not transfer. If it was an accounting or business class,
contact your SB advisor.
Q: I took a business or accounting course at another university and wondered
why it transferred in to USM as an ACC 1XX course or BUS 1XX course?
A: You were not given a direct USM course equivalency for the course. If
you would like to challenge this, you will need a copy of the syllabus for
the course in question. Give this syllabus to a SB advisor and they will
forward it to the appropriate professor for review. If given a direct equivalency,
you will be notified.
School of Business
113 Luther Bonney Hall
Portland, ME 04104-9300
(207) 780-4020
