University of Rochester

Parents Buzz

Introducing the College Center for Academic Support

By Suzanne J. O’Brien

Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies
Director, College Center for Academic Support

We know that it isn’t always easy for students to put their hands on what they need when they need it, so we’ve designed the College Center for Academic Support (CCAS) to help. The primary mission of CCAS is to provide information and guidance that will enable our undergraduate students to identify and achieve their academic goals. We also clarify information and interpret policy for parents, faculty, staff, and others. Services are provided to students from the start of freshman orientation through the end of senior year and often beyond.

There are many ways to access the services of CCAS. The staff of trained professional advisers is available every day. Students can make appointments to see them, or make use of our walk-in hours that are also available in our office in Lattimore 312. That personal connection is the best, and I encourage students to make the effort. But, if e-mail is their preferred mode of communication, sending a query to cascas@mail.rochester.edu will get a speedy reply. Much information is also available at www.rochester.edu/College/CCAS, including an “Adviser’s Handbook,” advice on courses for those considering medical school, and more. We also have an Academic Services Counter where students can ask questions, add or drop a course, or declare the S/F option. (Students may take one elective course each semester on this Satisfactory/Fail option as long as they declare it by the deadline. They’ll receive an “S” and full credit for grades of D- and better, and an “F” and no credit if they fail; neither the “S” nor the “F” is computed in the grade point average.)

What exactly can CCAS do for your student? Often working alongside a student’s assigned pre-major or major adviser, we advise undergraduate students on clusters, degree audits, program planning, and adding and dropping courses, as well as providing overload and underload approval. We also advise pre-med students; lead and coordinate a review of all eligible students’ records each semester to monitor their progress towards their degree; oversee most of the College’s certificate programs as well as the Simon School’s new Business minor; evaluate transfer credit for prospective and admitted transfer students and all continuing undergraduate students; and supervise all independent study projects, including internships, for credit. We also run the University Tutoring Program. (Students who want to do better may decide, after talking to one of our advisers, to request a tutor; they are carefully screened graduate and upperclass undergraduate students.)

Freshmen in particular may have questions about their Advanced Placement credit, may want to request a tutor, or may be thinking about taking a summer school course. Upperclassmen may be thinking ahead to the possibility of the Take Five Scholars or KEY programs (both provide a tuition-free fifth year), or applying for a Fulbright scholarship. What we like to say -- because we believe it -- is that Academic Support is the single best place to come for academic or academic-related questions or concerns. When we refer students elsewhere, it’s because they’ll get more appropriate help elsewhere.

So no matter what academic questions your student might have, encourage them to be in contact with CCAS. Although the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act restricts our ability to discuss any personally identifiable information with parents about their sons or daughters without their written consent, we are happy to talk about the policies and procedures that may be affecting you or your student. Parents should always feel free to call.

Phone: (585) 275-2354

Fax: (585) 275-2190

E-mail: cascas@mail.rochester.edu

Web site: www.rochester.edu/College/CCAS/