All new freshmen receive an academic planner in the fall. Students living on campus will receive theirs on Thursday, August 31 when they move in. Students living off campus will receive theirs on Friday, September 1 at Phase II Orientation.

Jacqueline Bonneville
Coordinator of New Student Orientation

Do we need to send our final transcript?

Yes, final, official transcripts are required from high schools and colleges where there is attempted college coursework.

Transcript requests were sent to high schools in late May, however, not all schools will send them without a student's written authorization. If a final, official high school transcript is not on file by mid-August, we will send a follow-up request directly to the student.

If you took college coursework during high school, you were sent a transcript reminder letter and transcript request form in late May. If the transcript was not here by your orientation date, you met with an Admissions Office staff member prior to registering for classes and you were provided with an additional transcript request form. If you have not sent that to the college you received credit through yet, please do so as soon as possible.

Joey Bohl
Assistant Director of Admissions

When am I supposed to set up an appointment with my academic advisor?

It is advised that new students make some contact with their advisers once they arrive on campus and classes have started. On Friday, September 1 during Phase II Orientation you will attend an Advising Meeting. Specific department procedures for making advising appointments will be discussed at that time.

Jacqueline Bonneville
Coordinator of New Student Orientation

Are all job options posted on the Eau Claire Web site?

Yes, most available on -campus jobs are posted on the UWEC Web site. There is no other place on campus where jobs are posted. However, if you are interested in working in a specific office you should check with the people there too.

Bonnie Isaacson
Financial Aid Counselor

When can we begin to apply for jobs?

You can apply for jobs at any time now. Each of the job postings will indicate how the employer wishes to be contacted. I would encourage you to apply for jobs as soon as possible because many positions are being filled now and many will be completely filled by the time classes begin.

Bonnie Isaacson
Financial Aid Counselor

If I have workstudy, does my job have to apply directory toward it, or could I just apply my earnings toward workstudy as I go?

When you are awarded workstudy, that figure is the amount of money that you are eligible to earn up to throughout the semester. You will be paid an hourly rate and on a bi-weekly basis. You are not given the total amount of workstudy at the beginning of the semester, but you earn it throughout the semester. The money is yours to use as it would be for any job that you work (for example Pizza Hut or Wal-Mart).

Your earnings will be directly deposited into your checking or savings account (you must have an account established at a bank before you begin work). Employers will try to calculate how many hours you can work so that your workstudy is spread throughout the semester. You may "borrow" from the fall semester into the spring semester allocation of workstudy, however, the balance at the end of the spring semester does not carryover into summer or the next school year.

Bonnie Isaacson
Financial Aid Counselor

Is there daily mass at the Newman Center and is it open regularly during the school day?

There is no daily mass, but there is a quiet place for prayer and reflection that is open during the week.

Hopefully the Newman Center Web site will be helpful in answering any more of your questions.

How do I sign-up for a meal plan?

Go to the Blugold Card Office homepage and click on "Sign Up for your Fall 2006 meal plan" it will ask for your user name and password and then you will be able to choose what meal plan you want. If you have further questions, please call our office at 715-836-4070 and we would be happy to help you out.

Janet M. Wittrock
University Centers

I would like to know more about the meal plan because I was unable to attend the information session.

You will be defaulted to the 7 meal plan, if you want something else you need to go online and choose a different meal plan. You must do this by September 8. Please call our office, 715-836-4070 and we can answer more specific meal plan questions for you.

Janet M. Wittrock
University Centers

Do I have to deposit money onto my meal plan account or does it get added to my student bill?

You do not have to deposit money to your meal plan, the cost of the meal plan is included in your student bill, along with fees, tuition, room and board.

Janet M. Wittrock
University Centers

I live four hours from Eau Claire and I have to have my car at school because my parents won't pick me up and take me back when I need to go home. What do I do if I don't get a parking permit?

The letter sent notifying applicants of the lottery results will outline a couple additional ways to secure parking. If a student does not have a need such as a job off campus then either the Bollinger Waiting List or the private parking lot which rents per month would be an option. Distance from Eau Claire alone is not a need that will be considered for the need based application process.

Kimberly O'Kelly
Coordinator Parking and Transportation

Can I still add and drop classes online before school starts?

Yes, you can add classes online from now through the first five days of classes. You can drop classes online for the first ten days of classes.

Jacqueline Bonneville
Coordinator of New Student Orientation

Can I take online classes during the summer?

Yes, although there is not currently a wide range of classes offered online. The summer class schedules come out early during Spring semester.

Jacqueline Bonneville
Coordinator of New Student Orientation

Can I bring a toaster?

Toasters may not be used in students' rooms. If students have them, they may only be used in building kitchenettes.

Deb Newman
Associate Director of Housing

I heard a rumor that Sutherland Hall was going to be air conditioned. My daughter is assigned to Sutherland and has asthma so that would be good for her health. No one at Orientation could tell me if that rumor was true.

We are not installing air conditioning in Sutherland. We are, however, upgrading the heating systems and replacing windows this summer. However if you need special accommodations due to your asthma, you should contact the housing office at 715-836-3674.

Deb Newman
Associate Director of Housing

What appliances are allowed in the dorm room and what appliances are not allowed?

Approved appliances:

Air cleaner
Blender
Coffeemaker
Hand mixer
Hot air popper
Humidifier
Iron
Juicer
Vacuum Cleaner
Vaporizer

Generally anything with an open heating element is definitely not allowed. Below are a few of the appliances we list as not being allowed:

Air conditioner
Air pizza cooker
Carousel rotisserie
Deep fryer
Electric blanket
Electric griddle
Electric mattress pad
Electric skillet
Electric wok
Fondue pot
Fry Daddy
George Foreman grill
Halogen lights
Halogen make-up mirror
Indoor/outdoor grill
Oil lamp
Pizza oven
Potpourri simmer pot
Rice cooker
Roaster oven
Sandwich maker
Slow cooker/crock pot
Space heater
Toaster
Wafflemaker

If they have other items they would want to know about, they may want to contact us (715-836-3674).

Deb Newman
Associate Director of Housing

When are students who are not living on campus (commuting) able to rent or purchase books for fall classes?

Students can pick up their textbooks beginning Monday, August 14, 2006.

Janet M. Wittrock
University Centers

When are we able to get our books for classes and are they included in the price of our tuition?

You are able to pick up textbooks beginning Monday, August 14, 2006. Yes, you rent your textbooks, however, you might have to buy a lab manual for a science class or a paperback for an English class.

Janet M. Wittrock
University Centers

I took AP tests and got good scores. I received a letter in the mail that states I have received nine credits for those tests. Do those credits actually get put on my college transcript? I will get actual credit for them won't I?

Yes, you will receive credit for them. They are already on your transcript, although they appear as " credit by exam estimated credits." They will be added into your credit total once you start classes. To obtain a transcript, sign on the "MyBlugold" as you did to register. Click on "My Info." Then click on "Request for Degree Audits, Transcripts." Request a transcript and it will be emailed to your UW-Eau Claire email account.

Debbie Gough
Director of Advising and New Student Initiatives

If we are nervous about the transition from high school to college, what are some things we can do to help?

Hopefully Orientation was some help in preparing for your transition. You will also want to spend some time reading your Orientation binder so you are fully aware of all the services offered here on campus. If your fears are academic you'll want to note the section on the Academic Skills Center (page 40-41) and page P-9 through 14 in your binder. If your fears are social, I would encourage you to become fully engaged in Phase II Orientation and CUBEFest right when you step on campus this fall. You are sure to meet a lot of people.

Jacqueline Bonneville
Coordinator of New Student Orientation

Related Links:

Orientation for Freshmen

FAQs from the Orientation Evaluations Academic Planner

Admissions

Advising

Financial Aid/Jobs

Getting Involved

Meal Plan

Parking

Registration

Residence Halls

Textbooks

Testing

Transition

FAQs from the Orientation Evaluations

Academic Planner