Norfolk State University ACCESS

Frequently Asked Questions

What is FYE?

The first year of college is the foundation upon which the entire academic experience is built. Norfolk State University views the first year of college as an essential time to help students build a solid foundation for life-long academic, personal, and career success. For this reason, the Office of the First Year Experience was established to assist students in making the transition to college, to work as advocates for first-year students, to provide academic support services to first-year students, to work with faculty to increase student retention and persistence to graduation, and to serve as a resource to all university units in serving the needs of first-year students.

The Office of The First Year Experience oversees the various activities and programs currently existing to support students; designs, recommends, and coordinates existing and new programs or initiatives focusing on the first-year experiences of new and transfer students; ensures cohesiveness in academic support services impacting new and transfer students; and assesses student outcomes as a result of first-year curricular and co-curricular programs and services.

The Office of The First Year Experience strives to:

• Assist students in making the transition to college

• Address the needs of first-time freshmen and transfer students

• Work with faculty to increase student persistence to graduation

• Work with faculty to ensure students achieve general education goals

• Serve as a resource to faculty advisors

What is ACCESS?

The Academy for Collegiate Excellence and Student Success (ACCESS ) Program is a multi-faceted comprehensive program designed to facilitate and improve student success, retention and graduation rates. Emphasis is on intrusive academic advising, which involves selecting courses, strengthening basic skills, reinforcing classroom instruction, and enhancing overall student academic, personal, and career development.

ACCESS serves as an advocate for students and provides academic support services to all students. As advocates for students, ACCESS collaborates with all units in an effort to increase student retention and to produce academically prepared professionals who are ready to contribute to their communities. For additional information, please contact ACCESS at 757-823-8507or visit us in the James A. Bowser Building, Room 118.

What services are available in the Office of First Year Experience?


	Academic Advising
	Undeclared Student Services
	Advisor Training/Development
	Intrusive Academic Advising for Special Populations
	Diagnostic Testing/College Student Inventory
	Early Academic Intervention
	Academic Probation Services
	Academic Skills Seminars
	Instructional Computer Lab
	Supplemental Instruction
	Tutoring Services
	Mentoring (female and male)
	Scholarships

What is UNI 101?

University 101 (Introduction to University Life) is a required course for all new students (first time freshman and transfer students) entering the university for the first time. The course meets one hour per week for one semester, is graded on a Pass/Fail basis, carries no credit hours, and is required for graduation. Entering transfer students who have transferred an orientation course from another institution are exempt from this requirement.

Where do I find college schedules?

Class schedules are maintained by the Registrar's Office. The Registrar's page at http://www.nsu.edu/registrar/registrar.html contains links to class schedules for the appropriate semesters, as well as other important information about policies.

The Academic Year Calendar:

The calendar for the 2006-2008 academic years is available at http://www.nsu.edu/registrar/calendars.html

Course Descriptions:

Course descriptions, as found in the printed University Undergraduate Catalog, can also be found online from the Registrar's office page or at http://www.nsu.edu/catalog/

With whom do I speak, if I have questions about financial aid?

Direct your questions about financial aid to the Student Financial Services Office at http://www.nsu.edu/financialaid/about.html or call

Financial Aid Telephone - 757.823.8381
Financial Aid Toll Free - 800-365-5517
Financial Aid Fax - 757.823.9059

Student Financial Services is located on the first floor of Harrison B. Wilson Hall.

What are the admissions procedures for first-year students?

Freshman students are admitted to the University by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. To request information please go to the Admissions website at http://www.nsu.edu/admissions. You can also call or write:

Office of Undergraduate Admissions
700 Park Avenue
Norfolk, Virginia 23504
(757) 823-8396

Do you have a mentoring program?

Yes. The ACCESS Male and Female Mentoring Programs are designed to aid in the academic, personal, professional and overall development of targeted male and female students at Norfolk State University.

Who is my academic advisor?

If you have declared a major, your academic advisor will be a faculty member from your specific department. Go to the department and inquire about your advisor. Students who are undeclared/ undecided should come to the FYE/ACCESS Department, located in the James A. Bowser Building, Room 1118 to see the Coordinator of Undeclared Students.

When should I see my academic advisor and how often?

You should see your advisor several times during the semester. At the beginning of the semester, before midterms, to pre-register, and any time you need to discuss any issues, academic or personal, that may affect your grades.

What should I bring with me when I visit my academic advisor?

A copy of your transcript(s), the University Catalog and an academic evaluation of your major/academic program.

What should I do if a class that I need is full?

Go to the department of the course in question to inquire if additional seats will be available. The registrar’s office must process an over-ride for all students who wish to register for a closed class.

What should I do if I received one or more “F” grades at mid-term?

Students are encouraged to meet with an FYE/ACCESS Academic Advisor as soon as they begin to experience difficulty in one or more classes. The ACCESS Academic Advisor will offer guidance and make recommendations or referrals to various ACCESS Academic Support Services, such as tutoring, the instructional computer lab or academic skills seminars which are designed to help students get back on track academically.

What GPA is required to avoid or lift Academic Probation (AP)?

The minimum GPA requirements vary by the number of credit hours graded and completed.

Hours Completed	Minimum GPA Required
1-29	1.7
30-59	1.8
60 – above	2.0

What should I do if I am placed on Academic Probation?

FYE/ACCESS Academic Skills Counselor is located in room 118 of the James A. Bowser Building, 1^st floor. Contact the office at 823-8507 or e-mail at access@nsu.edu

How many credits do I need to graduate?

The credit requirements vary by major. (Obtain a curriculum sheet from your major department which illustrates the year you began matriculating as a student and a 2.0 GPA.) Keep in mind, you may have completed more than 120 hours, but have not yet satisfied the minimum GPA. In this case, you would not be eligible for graduation.

How do I find out about getting academic help in one of my classes?

Visit the FYE/ACCESS office in the James A. Bowser Building, Room 118 to learn more about the tutoring opportunities available to you as well as ways to improve your college skills.

I’m having personal problems. Is there someone available that I can talk to?

If you have a personal problem, please visit the University’s Counseling Center. The Counseling Center is located in Godwin Center, room 309.

I am an undeclared student. Will I be behind in my degree progress if I don’t have a major?

No. First of all, relax. There is nothing wrong with taking some time to discover your major. A lot of first-year students are unsure about their majors, even some of those who declare.

When do I have to declare my major?

It is advisable to declare your major at the conclusion of your freshman year (at the completion of 30 credit hours). However, we know that some students require more time to explore their options. So, we recommend that students declare a major no later than the end of their sophomore year.

How many credits can I take my freshmen year and in subsequent years?

The average course load for a full-time undergraduate student per semester is 15; the minimum is 12 and no more than 19 semester hours. Students with a 3.0 grade point average or above may carry additional hours ONLY with appropriate approval. The registrar has been authorized to approve up to 21 semester hours. A course load in excess of 21 semester hours must be approved by the Dean of the School in which the student’s major is housed.

What is SpartanShield?

SpartanShield is a Web interface that allows you to access information contained in the administrative database. https://spartanshield.nsu.edu/datatel/openweb/top.html