the fordham college at rose hill freshman advising program

frequently asked questions

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Freshman Advising  |  The Core Curriculum  |  Courses and Credits  |  AP, IB, and Courses Taken While in High School  |  Absences  |  Add/Drop, Course Withdrawal, and Pass/Fail  |  Academic Integrity Policy and Tutorial  |  Midterm Grades  |  Academic Resources  |  OASIS, Course Registration and PINs  |  Final Exams  |  Final Grades and Grade Appeals  |  Leave of Absence and Voluntary Withdrawal  |  Major and Minor Declaration  |  Graduation Requirements  |  Summer Courses and Courses Taken at Other Universities  |  Service Learning  |  Internal and External Transfer  |  Pre-Health and Pre-Law  |  Study Abroad  |  Language Requirement  |  Freshman Seminars  |  Scholarships and Financial Aid  |  Disability Services

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• Since first-year students have broad and special advising needs, the Freshman Dean of Fordham College at Rose Hill annually recruits faculty to assist formally in the advising process. Each advisor is assigned approximately 16 freshmen with whom he or she meets at regularly scheduled times throughout the academic year. Before meeting with their advisees, the faculty advisors attend a training session on the program. The first meeting between advisor and students takes place during Freshman Orientation, at which time the students receive their class schedules.
• Advising sessions are used to discuss specific topics, among them: the college bulletin, study skills, time management, academic integrity, course scheduling, and major selection. Each semester, all faculty are required to submit midterm grades for freshmen. In FCRH, these grades are distributed by the freshman advisors at an advising session. At that time the advisor also arranges individual meetings with the students to review the grades. Freshmen are also encouraged to meet with their advisors as problems or questions develop during the year. Freshman advisors in Fordham College at Rose Hill continue to advise their students until the student declares a major, which normally occurs in the spring semester of their sophomore year.

• The name of your advisor will appear on your schedule on OASIS.  For further information, you can also contact Mr. Ted Harvey, Office of the Dean (Keating 302, eharvey@fordham.edu, 718-817-4730).

• If you misplaced your advisor’s and/or FASA’s contact information, contact Mr. Ted Harvey, Office of the Dean (Keating 302, eharvey@fordham.edu, 718-817-4730), or download the Faculty Advisor Contact Sheet.

• If you misplaced your Orientation packet that contains the list of meeting dates, times, and locations, contact Mr. Ted Harvey, Office of the Dean (Keating 302, eharvey@fordham.edu, 718-817-4730), or download the Spring 2008 Group Advising Schedule or the Faculty Advisor Contact Sheet. 

• Not necessarily. Your freshman advisor will remain your advisor until you declare a major.  At that point, you will be assigned a major advisor who will help you negotiate both the requirements for the major as well as those for graduation.

• The core curriculum consists of 17-21 courses drawn from nine disciplines and/or families of disciplines. It is integrated in such a way as to provide students with an exciting, stimulating educational experience. The core curriculum provides all students with the liberal arts background that will prepare them for the challenges and opportunities of the future.  To assess your progress with the core curriculum, download the Core Curriculum Checklist.

• If you have questions regarding the core curriculum, you should speak with your freshman advisor, or your Class Dean, Dr. Robert Parmach, Acting Assistant Dean for Freshmen (Keating 302, parmach@fordham.edu, 718-817-5720). 

• All freshmen must take five 3 or 4 credit courses each semester of their freshman year. The exception is for students taking both Intro Bio I lecture and lab (BIRU1403/1413) and Gen Chem I lecture and lab (CHRU 1321/1331) during the fall term; these students may take a total of four courses – excluding labs – in the fall only, and resume a typical five course load in their spring semester.
• With few exceptions, sophomores also take five courses each semester; juniors and seniors take four courses each semester.

What counts as a course? 

• In order for a course to count toward the graduation requirements, it must be more than two credits. Thus, labs, symposia, and tutorials that are offered for 1 or 2 credits do not count towards the course requirement for graduation.

• You must earn a minimum of 124 credits in order to graduate.
• A total of 36 courses are required for graduation (35 courses for students successfully completing lecture and labs in Intro Bio I and Gen Chem I).

• Credit awarded for AP tests varies depending on the test taken and the score earned. Generally though, Fordham College at Rose Hill requires an AP score of “3” to fulfill a non-major elective course and “4” or higher to fulfill a core course.
• Fordham College at Rose Hill only accepts transfer credits for IB scores of 5 or higher. In addition, only higher level (HL) exams are accepted; Fordham does not accept subsidiary level (SL) exams.

• If you took a college-level course while in high school, in order to receive credit for the course, the course must meet all of the following requirements:
  • you took the course at the college campus
  • you received a grade of “B” or higher
  • other college students were enrolled in the course
  • the course was taught by one of the college professors
  • the course was not used towards your high school graduation requirements
  • the course is similar in content to a course given at Fordham College at Rose Hill

• You need to make sure that your test scores have been sent to Fordham University. If you are unsure whether your scores have been sent, please contact Mr. Ted Harvey, Office of the Dean (Keating 302, eharvey@fordham.edu, 718-817-4730). 
• If your scores have not been sent, you need to contact the appropriate testing organization and request that transcripts be sent directly to your class dean, Dr. Robert Parmach, Acting Assistant Dean for Freshmen (Fordham University; Keating Hall, Room 302; 441 E. Fordham Road; Bronx, NY 10458). 
• For AP test scores, contact The College Board.
• For IB transcripts, contact the International Baccalaureate Organization.

• You need to make sure that your transcripts have been sent to Fordham University. If you are unsure whether your scores have been sent, please contact Mr. Ted Harvey, Office of the Dean (Keating 302, eharvey@fordham.edu, 718-817-4730).  
• If your transcripts have not been sent, you need to contact the registrar of the university and request that transcripts be sent directly to your class dean, Dr. Robert Parmach, Acting Assistant Dean for Freshmen (Fordham University; Keating Hall, Room 302; 441 E. Fordham Road; Bronx, NY 10458). 

• Please see the Fordham College at Rose Hill Student Handbook.

• Generally, absences for reasons of religious holiday, serious illness, death in the student’s immediate family, or required participation in a University-sponsored event are, with the appropriate documentation, excused absences.

What kind of documentation is needed to validate my absence?

• For serious illness and other medical reasons, you will need to provide documentation from the Fordham Health Center or from an outside medical facility indicating why you missed class.
• For required participation in a University-sponsored event, you will need to provide documentation from the appropriate University sponsor.
• For all other reasons or with any questions, please inquire with Mr. Ted Harvey, Office of the Dean (Keating 302, eharvey@fordham.edu, 718-817-4730). 

• You should bring the appropriate documentation to Mr. Ted Harvey, Office of the Dean (Keating 302, eharvey@fordham.edu, 718-817-4730). With the Freshman Dean’s approval, an Absence Report will be sent to your professors, affirming that the absence has been documented and is therefore excused. 

• During the first week of classes, students may add and drop courses via OASIS. After the add/drop period ends, students may no longer add or drop any course themselves; students may, however, withdraw from a course without academic penalty until the withdrawal deadline listed in the academic calendar, with the permission of the class dean. 

• A course withdrawal allows students to exit a course before the withdrawal deadline listed in the academic calendar. With the appropriate permissions, a grade of W will be awarded, a grade which carries no academic penalty. After the withdrawal deadline, he or she will be awarded the grade of WF, a grade which is the equivalent of an earned F in the cumulative quality point index.

• Withdrawing from a course is a serious decision that can have major repercussions on your course plan. Thus, every student is required to obtain the permission of their class dean before withdrawing from a course. Additionally, the application for a course withdrawal must be received by the deadline listed in the academic calendar; after that date a grade of WF will be incurred.  For further information, see the Information on Course Withdrawal sheet.

• The pass/fail option exists to allow students to experiment and undertake new and difficult coursework; it allows students to get course credit for the class without receiving a letter grade. Note that no courses required to fulfill the core, a major, or a minor in any college of the University may be taken on a Pass/Fail basis; the course taken Pass/Fail must be a pure, free elective. Note that Freshmen are ineligible to take a course Pass/Fail. Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors are allowed to take one course Pass/Fail per year.

• Students must apply for a Pass/Fail grade before the Pass/Fail deadline as indicated in the University academic calendar. In order to take a course on a Pass/Fall basis, the approval of the appropriate class dean is required.

• Please refer to the Fordham College at Rose Hill Student Handbook. 

• The Academic Integrity Tutorial is an online presentation of the key points regarding Academic Integrity. The presentation is followed by a series of evaluations that each freshman in the College must complete.

• The Academic Integrity Tutorial is accessed through Fordham University’s Blackboard site. 
• In order to access Blackboard, please refer to the Using Blackboard tip sheet.
• In order to complete the Tutorial, please refer to the Academic Integrity Tutorial Instructions. 

• For the Class of 2011, the deadline for completion of the Academic Integrity Tutorial is October 19, 2007.

What happens if I do not complete the Academic Integrity Tutorial by the deadline?

• Completion of this tutorial must be confirmed by your advisor before releasing the special three-digit advising PIN each student will need to register for the spring 2008 term.

• Your freshman advisor will notify you if the score you received is unsatisfactory. In some cases, the Tutorial will be reset and you will have to take the Tutorial again. If you have any questions regarding the score you received on the Tutorial, you should contact your freshman advisor.

• In freshman year, all full-time students receive an evaluation of their work through the middle of the semester; thus they most often represent an assessment of all the work students have completed up to the midpoint of the semester rather than a reporting of midterm examination grades. This grade is not factored into your academic record, nor does it affect your GPA. It simply indicates where you stand in the course at the midpoint of the semester. 

• Your freshman advisor receives your midterm grades and reviews them with you during your advising sessions. Additionally, parents or guardians of Fordham College at Rose Hill freshman also receive a copy of midterm grades.

• Many departments offer tutoring services.  In addition, Fordham College at Rose Hill offers the following academic resources:
  • Language Lab, located in Keating Hall, Room B25
  • Computer Labs, located in Electronic Information Center (EIC), located in the basement of Walsh Library, as well as the 1st Floor of Walsh Library
  • Writing Center, located on the east side of Dealy Hall, 5th Floor

• Current students register for classes using OASIS, Fordham University’s online comprehensive student administrative system. OASIS is an acronym standing for Online Administrative Student Information System. Students can use OASIS to check grades, register for classes, request copies of your transcript and much more.  If you need help accessing OASIS, please download the Instructions for Using OASIS.
• Incoming students pre-register by completing the form sent to them prior to their first semester.  Incoming students receive their schedules at New Student Orientation.

How do I log onto OASIS?

• In order to log onto OASIS, you will need a four-digit PIN.  Upon matriculation at FCRH, you are assigned a PIN that is the last four digits of your permanent zip code.  All students are encouraged to change their PIN through OASIS to one that is more secure.
• For further information on using OASIS, please click here.

What do I do if I forgot my four-digit OASIS PIN?

• If you changed your PIN and subsequently forgot it, you should proceed to the Help Desk on the first floor of Thebaud Hall for assistance.  You will need to present Student ID in order to receive your four-digit OASIS PIN.

• Freshmen receive their special three-digit advising PINs from their freshman advisors during their freshman advising meetings. Note that PINs will only be released following successful completion of the Academic Integrity Tutorial.

• Your freshman advisor is the only person who has access to your special three-digit advising PIN to ensure appropriate discussion of students' academic plans. If you lost your PIN, you must see your freshman advisor; the Dean’s Office will not be able to provide you with your advising PIN.

• To find out when your final exams take place, please see the final exam schedule published at the beginning of every semester online and in the Undergraduate Course Booklets. 

• Final grades will be available on OASIS once the grading period commences at the end of the semester. Final grades are not mailed home to the students or parents.

• If a student believes he or she has received an unfair grade in a course, he or she may appeal his or her grade using the academic grievance procedure outlined in the Fordham College at Rose Hill Student Handbook.

• Full-time day students in good standing may request a one-semester leave of absence (renewable on written request, and at the class dean's discretion, for one additional semester). To request a leave of absence, a student must write a letter in a timely manner, preferably at least two weeks before the semester begins, to the appropriate dean, discussing the reason (e.g., illness, family crisis) for the request. The class dean, acting on a case-by-case basis, grants leave requests. During a leave of absence and at least two weeks prior to the subsequent semester, the student must inform the class dean in writing of an intention to return. The class dean will inform the Office of Academic Records each time a leave is granted and also on receipt of written notice of intention to return.

What is a voluntary withdrawal?

• Students in good standing may voluntarily withdraw from the college with the understanding that they may be considered for readmission. Readmission is subject to the discretion of the authorized dean and any conditions for readmission noted below. Upon the class dean’s acceptance of a voluntary withdrawal, refunds are governed by the schedule published in the Undergraduate Bulletin. Students who withdraw involuntarily because of disciplinary sanctions or academic deficiencies may be precluded from readmission to Fordham College and may not be entitled to tuition and fee refund.

• Deciding on a major can seem like a daunting process, but it need not be. You might begin by approaching a faculty member whose class you enjoyed, or the Associate Chair of a department whose major you would like to find out more about. You might also discuss your thoughts with your freshman advisor. Additionally, you ought to think about major selection as you register for core courses; taking a breadth of courses will provide you with insight into what topics and areas you like, and perhaps more important, into those topics and areas you do not like. Your class dean and/or major advisor can help you construct a plan that will help you prepare to make a decision.  For further information, download the Major Declaration tip sheet; see also the listing of majors and major checklists.

• A student can declare a major at any point after they have been accepted by the University. The deadline to declare a major is the second week of February during your sophomore year.
• A student can declare a minor at any point after they have been accepted by the University. The deadline to declare a minor is the fall semester of your junior year.

• To declare a major, you will need a Major Declaration form, which is available from the Dean’s Office in Keating 302. You should take this form to the Associate Chair of the department to be signed, and return it to the Dean’s Office in Keating 302 for your class dean’s signature.
• To declare a minor, you will need a Minor Declaration form, which is available from the Dean’s Office in Keating 302. You should take this form to the Associate Chair of the department to be signed, and return it to the Dean’s Office in Keating 302 for your class dean’s signature.

• In order to graduate, five requirements must be fulfilled:
  • Complete the core curriculum
  • Complete 36 courses (35 courses for students successfully completing lecture and labs in Intro Bio I and Gen Chem I)
  • Earn a minimum of 124 credits
  • Earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.000 (“C” average)
  • Declare and complete a major

• You should begin by contacting your class dean, Dr. Robert Parmach, Acting Assistant Dean for Freshmen (Keating 302, parmach@fordham.edu, 718-817-5720). You will need to fill out the “Summer Session Approval” form available in the Dean’s Office, Keating 302. See also the Summer Course Information tip sheet.  Please take note of the following:
  • In order to receive major credit for the course, you must secure approval from the Assistant Chair of the department.
  • In order to receive core and elective credit for the course, you must secure approval from your Class Dean, Dr. Robert Parmach, Acting Assistant Dean for Freshmen (Keating 302, parmach@fordham.edu, 718-817-5720). 

• You should begin by contacting your class dean, Dr. Robert Parmach, Acting Assistant Dean for Freshmen (Keating 302, parmach@fordham.edu, 718-817-5720). You will need to fill out the “Summer Session Approval” form available in the Dean’s Office, Keating 302.  See also the Summer Course Information tip sheet.  Please take note of the following:
  • Note that the course must be taken at an accredited four-year university and you must have received a grade of “C” or higher in order for the credits to be transferable.
  • In order to receive major credit for the course, you must secure approval from the Assistant Chair of the department.
  • In order to receive core and elective credit for the course, you must secure approval from your Class Dean, Dr. Robert Parmach, Acting Assistant Dean for Freshmen (Keating 302, parmach@fordham.edu, 718-817-5720). 
  • You must also bring a catalogue from the school to your Class Dean (and also to the Assistant Chairperson of the department if you are seeking major credit).
  • Finally, it is the student’s responsibility to see that an official transcript of the summer course(s) completed elsewhere is forwarded by the certifying school directly to: Academic Records, Fordham University, Thebaud Hall Room 301, Bronx, NY 10458.

• If you plan to take or have taken a college-level course while a student at Fordham College at Rose Hill, note that the course must be taken at an accredited four-year university and you must have received a grade of “C” or higher. 
• In order to receive major credit for the course, you must secure approval from the Assistant Chair of the department.
• In order to receive core and elective credit for the course, you must secure prior approval from your Class Dean, Dr. Robert Parmach, Acting Assistant Dean for Freshmen (Keating 302, parmach@fordham.edu, 718-817-5720). 

• You need to make sure that your transcripts have been sent to Fordham University. If you are unsure whether your scores have been sent, please contact Mr. Ted Harvey, Office of the Dean (Keating 302, eharvey@fordham.edu, 718-817-4730). 
• If your transcripts have not been sent, you need to contact the registrar of the university and request that transcripts be sent directly to your class dean, Dr. Robert Parmach, Acting Assistant Dean for Freshmen (Fordham University; Keating Hall, Room 302; 441 E. Fordham Road; Bronx, NY 10458). 

• The Service Learning Program is part of Fordham University’s Community Service Program. The Service Learning Program provides students with several means by which to integrate community service experience with their academic coursework.

• To find out more about the program, contact Caitlin Becker, Community Service Program Rose Hill (McGinley 101, acabecker@fordham.edu, 718-817-4510) or Melissa Alvarenga, Community Service Program Rose Hill (McGinley 101, alvarenga@fordham.edu, 718-817-4510).

• You should begin by contacting Fr. Daniel O’Brien, SJ, Assistant Dean for Pre-Law Studies and Director of Transfer Students (Keating 321, dobrien@fordham.edu, 718-817-4712).  In the fall semester, you should contact Fr. Bernard Barry, SJ, Assistant Dean for Transfer Students for CBA (Faber 359, barrysj@fordham.edu, 718-817-0891).  In the spring semester, you should contact Steven Nasjdzionek, Assistant Dean for CBA (Faber 266, nasjdzionek@fordham.edu, 718-817-4107)
• Note that in order to transfer to CBA, you must first attend an internal transfer information session before initiating the transfer process. To find out about the dates, times, and locations of the information sessions, as well as the deadline for submitting a transfer application, contact Fr. Bernard Barry, SJ, Assistant Dean for Transfer Students (Faber 359, barrysj@fordham.edu, 718-817-0891) or Steven Nasjdzionek, Assistant Dean for CBA (Faber 266, nasjdzionek@fordham.edu, 718-817-4107).

• You should begin by contacting Fr. Daniel O’Brien, SJ, Assistant Dean for Pre-Law Studies and Director of Transfer Students (Keating 321, dobrien@fordham.edu, 718-817-4712).  You should also contact Dr. Jason Greif, Assistant Dean for Juniors and Transfer Students at Lincoln Center (Lowenstein 804, greif@fordham.edu, 212-636-7454).

• You should begin by contacting Fr. Daniel O’Brien, SJ, Assistant Dean for Pre-Law Studies and Director of Transfer Students (Keating 321, dobrien@fordham.edu, 718-817-4712).

• If you are interested in pursuing a pre-health curriculum and/or a health profession, you should contact Dr. Donna Heald, Associate Dean for Science Education and Director of Pre-Health Professions Advising (Keating 321, heald@fordham.edu, 718-817-4610).
• If you are interested in attending law school, you should contact Fr. Daniel O’Brien, Assistant Dean for Pre-Law Studies (Keating 321, dobrien@fordham.edu, 718-817-4712).

• If you are interested in the study abroad programs available, you should contact Dr. Ronald Mendez-Clark, Director of International and Study Abroad Programs (Faculty Memorial Hall 428, isap@fordham.edu, 718-817-3464)