Student Handbook

2009-2010

College of Engineering and Applied Sciences

College of Arts and Sciences
www.wmich.edu/step
Welcome
Letter from the CEAS Dean
Dear Fellow Bronco,
Welcome to Western Michigan University and the College of Engineering
and Applied Sciences, and congratulations on your new job (your WMU
application was a job application). You’ve embarked on a great career
that will be exciting and challenging. You are among individuals who will
expect the very best from you and encourage you to strive for excellence.
Learn your way around and get involved. Ask questions of your peers,
the staff, and faculty. When you see an opened door, walk through it.
When you see a closed door, knock on it and it will open. Remember that
the faculty and staff are here for your success.

The best advice I can give you is summed up by the following

two statements:
1. Go to class, every class. There is something to be gained from
going to class. If you are unsure of something, ask a question. If it all
seems like a waste of time, ask a question to expand your knowledge.
2. Turn in your work, all of it. It’s amazing how much you can
accomplish by doing. It may look easy when shown, but the proof is
in the doing. Your chosen career requires you to learn by doing. Work
hard and you will be rewarded with 40+ years of career satisfaction and
advancement.

If you follow these two rules, you will do well. It’s hard not to when you
are committed to stay current in your field and do your job!
If you do find yourself not doing well in a class, remember this advice:
like the class. Students rarely do poorly in a class that they like. They
give it top priority when studying. They listen intently to instruction, read
carefully and work diligently. They interact with their peers in the class
helping others and themselves in the process.
Being part of WMU and the college is a great opportunity to grow
intellectually. You will be able to grasp new ideas and concepts, be able
to learn new procedures and methodologies, be able to synthesize and
create. Later in your career you will reflect upon your performance here
at Western and be amazed by all that you accomplished in a relatively
short time. Improve yourself, improve the world. Have fun, take risks.

Anthony J. Vizzini, PhD, PE

Dean, College of Engineering and Applied Sciences
Letter from the STEP Principal Investigator

Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)

are the driving forces for innovation that have improved the
social and economic well-being of society. STEM careers are
challenging, exciting, and interesting. By enrolling in Western
Michigan University, you are beginning a journey to join a pro-
fession that is dedicated to improving the lives of people.

Historically, the first year of college poses the most challenge

to college students in STEM majors. That is why WMU has
implemented STEP, to help foster the attitudes, discipline, and
habits of learning so you can successfully make the transition
to college. WMU is one of the few universities awarded grants
from the National Science Foundation’s STEM Talent Expansion
Program (STEP) to support this Learning Community project.

Each STEP Learning Community consists of about 22 students

with a faculty mentor who will organize a series of co-curricular
activities to help you learn about the STEM professions. Most
STEP Learning Communities will have students enrolled in the
same 3-to-5 courses together—organized by either mathemat-
ics placement or by the program of study—to provide a natural
built-in study group and study hours. Some Learning Com-
munities will have students enrolled in the same 2-to-3 courses
together because of advance placement and transfer credits.

We believe being part of STEP will not only enhance your

learning and study skills, but it will also provide a small com-
munity of new friends with similar goals and challenges. Take
advantage of the resources provided by STEP to increase your
chance of success at WMU.

Edmund Tsang, Ph.D.

Principal Investigator, WMU-STEP
Associate Dean for Undergraduate
Programs & Assessment
College of Engineering and Applied Sciences
Contents

About STEP.................................................. 5
Academic Resources
Advising.................................................... 6
Academic Support....................................... 7
Planning.................................................... 8
Events Calendar............................................ 10
Mentors....................................................... 12
Parkview Floor Plans..................................... 16
Parkview Campus Bus Route.......................... 18
Student Organizations................................... 20
How is College Different than High School?...... 23
Frequently Asked Questions........................... 24
Notes.......................................................... 25

4
 About Us
The first year of college in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math
(STEM) programs is often very difficult for students. STEP has been
developed to provide you with as much help as you may need and choose
to utilize to be successful.
The main components of the STEP program are:

● Learning Communities - Led by a faculty member who has

volunteered to serve throughout the year as a mentor.
● Cohort Groups - Placed into the same core classes with ~24
other students helps you meet your peers and form study groups.
● Co-curricular Activities – Learning communities participate
together in professional and social events outside the classroom.

WMU-STEP Directory
Visit the STEP web site
Principal Investigator for important information,
Edmund Tsang updates and resources at
Office: CEAS C-250
www.wmich.edu/step
Phone: (269) 276-3249
Email: edmund.tsang@wmich.edu

STEP Program Director Student Interviews and Project Evaluator

Dana Butt Cynthia Halderson
Office: CEAS E-209 Office: SAMPI, 3213 Wood
Phone: (269) 276-3316 Phone: (269) 387-3791
Email: dana.butt@wmich.edu Email: cynthia.halderson@wmich.edu

This material is based upon work supported by the National Science Foundation under
Grant No. 0336581. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations
expressed in this material are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily
reflect the views of the National Science Foundation.

5
Academic Resources
Advising........................... 6
Academic Support.............. 7
Planning........................... 8

269.276.3270

Advising
www.wmich.edu/engineer/
undergraduate-advisors

Office: E-102
Parkview Campus

CEAS Advising Office Directory

Director Advisor
Ms. Sandy Blanchard Rebecca Scheffers
CEAS E-109 CEAS E-103
Phone: (269)276-3258 Phone: (269) 276-3268
Email: sandra.blanchard@wmich.edu Email: rebecca.scheffers@wmich.edu

Administrative Assistant Advisor

Mrs. Pearl Devries Ms. Kimberly DeVries
CEAS E-102 CEAS E-102
Phone: (269) 276-3260 Phone: (269) 276-3267
Email: pearl.devries@wmich.edu Email: kimberly.devries@wmich.edu

Career Advisor
CEAS E-118 Phone: (269) 276-3263

College of Arts & Sciences Advising Directory

Biological Sciences Chemistry

Ms. Tammi Roberts Dr. Donald Schreiber
3447 Wood Hall 3142 Wood Hall
Phone: (269) 387-5617 Phone: (269) 387-2856
Email: tammi.roberts@wmich.edu Email: donald.schreiber@wmich.edu

6
 Academic Support
STEP Student Success Center - Open most evenings from
6-11 p.m. Check www.wmich.edu/step/students for information.

Academic Skills Center - Located in Moore Hall. Provides

tutoring as well as an excellent Writing Center to help with your
papers. See www.wmich.edu/asc/ for services and schedules.

Math Tutoring Lab - Located in Rood Hall. Check

www.wmich.edu/math/TutorLabs for information.

Physics Tutoring Lab - Visit www.wmich.edu/step/students

for information.

CEAS Computer Lab - Located in C block on Parkview campus.

Visit www.wmich.edu/engineer/cae for information.

Use the resources available to make your first year easier.

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Planning
Important Dates

Oct. 1, 2009 - Make an appointment with your advisor to

sign up for Spring ‘10 classes and discuss academic issues.

Jan. 1, 2010 - Apply for financial aid.

Feb. 1, 2010 - Make an appointment with your advisor to

sign up for Summer/Fall ‘10 classes and discuss academic
issues.

Plan ahead to stay ahead.

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One-Year Academic Plan
Fall 2009

Course CRN Course Title Credits

Total
Spring 2010

Course CRN Course Title Credits

Total
Summer I - 2010

Course CRN Course Title Credits

Total
Summer II - 2010

Course CRN Course Title Credits

Total

9
Events/Important Dates
First-Year CEAS Students

Date/Time Event Place

Sept 12
Saturday STEP Kick-off Goldsworth
5:30 pm Cookout Valley Pond

Sept 25
Friday Engineers Week Fall Parkview
2:30 pm Program Campus

Oct 1 See advisor for Parkview

Thursday Spring 2010 scheduling Campus

Oct 6 Presentation by
Tuesday Parkview
WMU Engineering
8:00 pm Campus
alumus Bill Hynes
Oct 8
Thursday Internship and Parkview
TBD Co-op Panel Campus

Oct 22
Thursday Parkview
CEAS Career Fair
TBD Campus

Dec 8
Tuesday Fall 2009 Senior Parkview
All Day Design Presentations Campus

Feb 1 See advisor for Parkview

Monday Fall 2010 scheduling Campus

Feb 16
Tuesday Engineers Week
Fetzer Center
TBD Dinner

April 20
Tuesday Spring 2010 Senior Parkview
All Day Design Presentations Campus

10
 Information

Fun, food, and friends to get the year started!

Program focusing on the future of wind energy.

Make an appointment with your advisor to

plan out your Spring schedule.

“What Engineers Do, Hybrid Vehicle Technology,

and a Few Thoughts on Life”

A networking and educational opportunity to learn what

students are doing to obtain co-ops and internships and
what they have learned from their experiences.
The annual career fair hosts 70-100 employers
from local, regional, national and international organizations
to promote co-ops, internships and full-time positions.
A conference that showcases the work of graduating seniors.
Students are required to complete a capstone project
that puts into practice what they have learned.

Make an appointment with your advisor to

plan out your Fall schedule.

This dinner program is held each year to celebrate the

profession of engineering and promote student
interest in engineering careers.
A conference that showcases the work of graduating seniors.
Students are required to complete a capstone project
that puts into practice what they have learned.

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Mentors
Ikhlas Abdel-Qader
Dept: Electrical and Computer Engineering
Office: CEAS A-242
Phone: (269) 276-3146
Email: ikhlas.abdelqader@wmich.edu

Osama Abudayyeh
Dept: Civil and Construction Engineering
Office: CEAS C-253
Phone: (269) 276-3252
Email: osama.abudayyeh@wmich.edu

Betsy Aller
Dept: Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
Office: CEAS F-227
Phone: (269) 276-3354
Email: betsy.aller@wmich.edu

Raja Aravamuthan
Dept: Paper and Chemical Engineering, & Imaging
Office: A-224
Phone: (269) 276-3507
Email: raja.aravamuthan@wmich.edu

Steven Butt
Dept: Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
Office: CEAS E-227
Phone: (269) 276-3356
Email: steven.butt@wmich.edu

Jerrie Fiala
Dept: Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
Office: CEAS F-225
Phone: (269) 276-3359
Email: jerrie.fiala@wmich.edu

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Tycho Fredericks
Dept: Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
Office: CEAS E-223
Phone: (269) 276-3360
Email: tycho.fredericks@wmich.edu

Tarun Gupta
Dept: Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
Office: CEAS E-220
Phone: (269) 276-3361
Email: tarun.gupta@wmich.edu

Karlis Kaugars
Dept: CAE Director
Office: C-222
Phone: (269) 276-3276
Email: karlis.kaugars@wmich.edu

Andrew Kline
Dept: Paper and Chemical Engineering, & Imaging
Office: CEAS A-220
Phone: (269) 276 3516
Email: andrew.kline@wmich.edu

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Mentors
Tracey Moon
Dept: Advocacy Office for Transfer Students
and Military Affairs
Office: CEAS E-102
Phone: (269) 387-2745
Email: tracey.moon@wmich.edu

Peter Parker
Dept: Paper Engineering, Chemical Engineering
and Imaging
Office: CEAS A-221
Phone: (269) 276-3519
Email: peter.parker@wmich.edu

Troy Place
Dept: Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
Office: CEAS F -220
Phone: (269) 276-3366
Email: troy.place@wmich.edu

Kapseong Ro
Dept: Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering
Office: CEAS G-242
Phone: (269) 276-3412
Email: kapseong.ro@wmich.edu

Tammi Roberts
Dept: Biological Sciences
Office: 3447 Wood Hall
Phone: (269) 387-5617
Email: tammi.roberts@wmich.edu

Donald Schreiber
Dept: Chemistry
Office: 3142 Wood Hall
Phone: (269) 387-2856
Email: donald.schreiber@wmich.edu

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Tom Swartz
Dept: Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
Office: CEAS F-224
Phone: (269) 276-3376
Email: thomas.swartz@wmich.edu

Edmund Tsang
Dept: Associate Dean
Office: CEAS C-250
Phone: (269) 276-3249
Email: edmund.tsang@wmich.edu

Slobodan Urdarevik
Dept: Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering
Office: CEAS F-215,
Phone: (269) 276-3364
Email: slobodan.urdarevik@wmich.edu

15
Getting Around

16
Parkview Campus

17
Parkview Bus Route

www.wmich.edu/broncotransit/parkview/
for the CEAS bus schedule

www.wmich.edu/broncotransit/
for full the full WMU bus schedule

18
19
Student Organizations
Civil & Construction Engineering
American Society of Civil Engineers
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Osama Abudayyeh
Phone: (269) 276-3252
Email: osama.abudayyeh@wmich.edu
Student President: Britney Richmond Student President: Allison Porrett
Email: wmu_asce_cca@yahoo.com
Associated General Contractors of America
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Osama Abudayyeh
Phone: (269) 276-3252
Email: osama.abudayyeh@wmich.edu
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Ahmad Jrade
Phone: (269) 276-3203
Email: ahmad.jrade@wmich.edu
Student President: John Hannich
Email: wmu_asce_cca@yahoo.com
Computer Science
Upsilon Pi Epsilon
(Computer Science Honorary Society)
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Mark Kerstetter
Phone: (269) 276-3110
Email: mark.kerstetter@wmich.edu
Electrical/Computer Engineering
Institute of Electrical and Electronics
Engineers (Student Chapter)
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Johnson Asumadu
Phone: (269) 276-3147
Email: johnson.asumadu@wmich.edu
Student President: James Truszkowski
Email: james.w.truszkowski@wmich.edu
Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
Alpha Pi Mu
(Industrial Engineering Honorary Society)
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Bob White
Phone: (269) 276-3379
Email: bob.white@wmich.edu
Student President: Yenni Chen Email: rso_asem@wmich.edu
Email: yennichen88@gmail.com
Tau Alpha Pi
(Engineering Technology Honorary Society)
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Alamgir Choudhury
Phone: (269) 276-3357
Email: alamgir.choudhury@wmich.edu
Student President: Jordan Kimble
Email: Jordan.w.kimble@wmich.edu
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Institute of Transportation Engineers
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Jun-Seok Oh
Phone: (269) 276-3216
Email: jun.oh@wmich.edu
Email: wmu_asce_cca@yahoo.com
Red Button Games
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Karlis Kaugars
Phone: (269) 276-3276
Email: karlis.kaugars@wmich.edu
Student President: Daniel Frandsen
Email: dfrandsen@gmail.com
Eta Kappa Nu (Honor Society for
Electrical and Computer Engineers)
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Ralph Tanner
Phone: (269) 276-3162
Email: ralph.tanner@wmich.edu
Student President: Kieth Kurdziel
Email: k5kurdziel@wmich.edu
American Society for Eng. Mgt.
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Larry Mallak
Phone: (269) 276-3369
Email: larry.mallak@wmich.edu
Student President: Steven Srivastava
Society of Manufacturing Engineers
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Betsy Aller
Phone: (269) 276-3354
Email: betsy.aller@wmich.edu
Student President: Madeline McAuley
Email: madeline.r.mcauley@wmich.edu
IME Continued

Epsilon Mu Eta Society of Plastics Engineers

(Eng. Management Honor Society) Faculty Advisor: Dr. Paul Engelmann
Faculty Advisor: Dr. David Lyth Phone: (269) 276-3350
Email: david.lyth@wmich.edu Email: paul.engelmann@wmich.edu
Phone: (269) 276-3368 Student President: Joe Mydosh
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Larry Mallak Email: j5mydosh@wmich.edu
Email: larry.mallak@wmich.edu
Phone: (269) 276-3369 Institute of Industrial Engineers
Student President: Josh Wiese Faculty Advisor: Dr. Steve Butt
Email: joshua.k.wiese@wmich.edu Phone: (269) 276-3356
Email: steven.butt@wmich.edu
American Foundry Society Faculty Advisor: Dr. Tycho Fredericks
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Sam Ramrattan Phone: (269) 276-3360
Phone: (269) 276-3373 Email: tycho.fredericks@wmich.edu
Email: sam.ramrattan@wmich.edu Student President: Yenni Chen
Student President: Jason Klein Email: yennichen88@gmail.com
Email: jason.d.klein@wmich.edu

Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering

Pi Tau Sigma American Society of Heating, Refrig.

(Mechanical Eng. Honorary Society)
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Koorosh Naghshineh
Phone: (269) 276-3431
Email: koorosh.naghshineh@wmich.edu
Student President: Jay Pliskow
Email: jay.m.pliskow@wmich.edu
and Air Conditioning Engineers
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Ho Sung Lee
Phone: (269) 276-3429
Email: hosung.lee@wmich.edu
Student President: Shedrick Harrell
Email: shedrick.h.wmu@gmail.com

American Institute of
American Society of Mechanical Eng.
Aeronautics and Astronautics
Faculty: Dr. Muralidhar Ghantasala
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Kapseong Ro
Phone: (269) 276-3388
Phone: (269) 276-3412
Email: m.ghantasala@wmich.edu
Email: kapseong.ro@wmich.edu
Student President: Shedrick Harrell
Student President: Alexander Satonik
Email: shedrick.h.wmu@gmail.com
Email: alexander.j.satonik@wmich.edu

Rocket Society
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Frank Severance
Visit the STEP web site to
Phone: (269) 276-3161 get more information on
Email: frank.severance@wmich.edu CEAS student organizations.
Student President: Aaron Williams www.wmich.edu/step/rso
Email: aaron.t.williams@wmich.edu

Paper Engineering, Chemical Engineering, & Imaging

T’sai Lun (Technical Association of Graphic Arts Society

Pulp and Paper Industry) Faculty Advisor: Mr. Larry Ahleman
Faculty Advisor: Dr. John Cameron Phone: (269) 276-3506
Phone: (269) 276-3508 Email: larry.ahleman@wmich.edu
Email: john.cameron@wmich.edu Student President: Michael Doyle
Student President: Andrew Loveland Email: michael.d.doyle@wmich.edu
Email: andrew.w.loveland@wmich.edu

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Student Organizations
Paper Eng, Chemical Eng, & Imaging Continued
American Institute of Chemical Eng.
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Peter Parker
Phone: (269) 276-3519
Email: peter.parker@wmich.edu
Student President: Chase Bouman
Email: aiche.wmu@gmail.com
Interdisciplinary
Tau Beta Pi (Engineering Honor Society)
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Damon A. Miller
Phone: (269) 276-3158
Email: damon.miller@wmich.edu
Student Pres: Krisana Gutierrez Student President: Greg Ferrell
Email: tau_beta_pi_wmu@yahoo.com
National Society of Black Engineers
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Edmund Tsang
Phone: (269) 276-3249
Email: edmund.tsange@wmich.edu
Student President: Torri Garland Student President: Sarah Gerbig
Email: nsbe.wmu.president@gmail.com
Society of Women Engineers
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Ikhlas Abdel-Qader
Phone: (269) 276-3146
Email: ikhlas.abdelqader@wmich.edu
Student President: Allison Porrett Student President: Nicholas Killoran
Email: a5porrett@wmich.edu
Theta Tau (Professional Eng. Fraternity)
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Dennis VandenBrink
Phone: (269) 276-3440
Email: dennis.vandenbrink@wmich.edu
Student President: Tim Gaston Student President: William McCabe
Email: t4gaston@wmich.edu
Biological Sciences
Health Professional Society
Faculty Advisor: Tammi Roberts
Phone: (269) 387-4366
Email: healthprofessionalssociety@gmail.com
Chemistry
American Chemical Society
Faculty Advisor: Donald Schrieber
Phone: (269) 387-2856
Email: donald.schreiber@wmich.edu
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Technical Assoc. of the Graphic Arts
Faculty: Alexandra Pekarovicova
Phone: (269) 276-3521
Email: a.pekarovicova@wmich.edu
Student President: James Atkinson
Email: james.e.atkinson@wmich.edu
Computer Club
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Robert Trenary
Phone: (269) 276-3110
Email: robert.trenary@wmich.edu
Email: ccpresident@yakko.cs.wmich.edu
Society of Automotive Engineers
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Claudia Fajardo
Phone: (269) 276-3434
Email: claudia.fajardo@wmich.edu
Email: sarah.e.gerbig@wmich.edu
Sunseeker (Solar Car Racing Team)
Faculty Advisor: Mr. Abraham Poot
Phone: (269) 276-3372
Email: abraham.poot@wmich.edu
Email: nicholas.k.killoran@wmich.edu
Engineers without Borders
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Tom Joyce
Email: thomas.joyce@wmich.edu
Phone: (269) 276-3515
Email: william.t.mccabe@wmich.edu
The Bio Club
Faculty Advisor: Dr. Todd Barkman
Phone: (269) 387-5610
Email: todd.barkman@wmich.edu
Student President: Katie Lynn Walkowiak
Email: katie.l.walkowiak@wmich.edu
Visit the STEP-RSO web site
to get the full list of WMU
student organizations.
www.wmich.edu/step/rso
How is college different than high school?

College is voluntary and expensive. View college as YOUR JOB.

You manage your own time. You must decide which activities fit
into your schedule. Your goal is to graduate from college.

You balance your responsibilities.

Take control of your education and your life.

You must choose your classes and know the requirements

for your major/college. See an advisor every semester.

Classes run for 15 weeks. Always attend classes.

A lot of material is covered in one day.

You need to study 2-3 hours for every hour in class.

Plan study time into your daily schedule. Join study groups.

It is up to you to understand the material. Use all resources

available - such as tutors, study groups, office hours.

Grades on tests and major papers often provide most of your grade.
Keep up with readings and assignments to prepare for tests.

Passing is typically C or 2.0. Make every assignment a priority.

Professors expect you to utilize the syllabus for assignments and

due dates. Keep all course syllabi, and refer to them regularly.

A course may have only 2 or 3 tests in a semester. You’re

responsible for organizing the materials to prepare for a test.

Exam questions may not look like homework assignments. Learn

and study the concepts so that you can apply them on the tests.

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Frequently Asked Questions

?
Why should I see an advisor?
The advisor is here to help you get the right courses at the right time so you can make quick progress
through your chosen field. This includes not only the courses specific to your field, but also those
necessary to meet other WMU requirements, such as general education. In addition, the advisor also
helps with career advice and can provide recommendations and pointers for other services that WMU
provides, such as the study skills and counselling.

When should I see an advisor?

At least once a semester, usually just prior to registration for the next term. You will need to meet
with an advisor in the Spring to help plan your schedule for Fall ’10. You should also see your advisor
whenever you have academic questions or concerns.

How do I make an appointment to see my advisor?

Call the Engineering Advising Office at (269) 276-3270 or stop by E-120 at the Parkview Campus to
set up an appointment. Check with the Advising Office to see if your advisor has “walk in” hours. If
your advisor’s hours conflict with your schedule you can contact (e-mail, phone) him or her to set up a
special appointment.

What happens if my Grade Point Average (GPA) for Fall Semester is below 2.0?
You will be placed on Probation whenever your overall GPA falls below 2.0. If you work hard and your
combined Fall and Spring GPA (the overall GPA) is 2.0 or higher, you will be back on good academic
standing. You will be placed on Extended Probation if your GPA for Spring Semester is 2.0 or above but
the overall GPA is still below 2.0. You will be dismissed if your Spring Semester GPA is also below 2.0.
In any of these cases you should see your advisor immediately!
WMU has a policy that existing grades are replaced by the most recent course grade so it is possible
to replace poor performance in a course by retaking it and doing well. Work with your advisor to adjust
your schedule to help improve your GPA as quickly as possible.

Can I retake a course I didn’t pass at a community college?

Yes, but be aware that grades from other institutions don’t affect your GPA at WMU. If you failed a
prerequisite course you can take the equivalent course at a community college (be sure to ask your
advisor for the correct course you should take at the community college and get the grade transferred)
and proceed to the succeeding course. Your original grade remains on your transcript and is included in
your GPA computation.

What if I am struggling with a course and don’t think I can pass it?
September 14 is the last day you can drop classes without financial or academic penalty. November 9
is the last day you can withdraw from a course using GoWMU. After the withdrawal deadline, special
rules apply. In any case, you should consult your academic advisor before dropping a class! Important
things to note about dropping a course:
* If the class you intend to drop is a co-recquisite for another class, you may be required to drop the co-recquisite too.
* If you drop a class that is required in your curriculum, you may not be able to take succeeding courses, thus
delaying your progress.

What if I am enrolled in less than 12 credit hours at WMU?

To have full-time student status at WMU, you must be enrolled for at least 12 credit hours (or 6 hours
in Summer I or II). In addition to affecting tuition, student status can also impact financial aid, medical
insurance, car insurance and other items. Some financial aid and insurance programs require you to be
a full time student at to receive their services. It is your responsibility to check these items.

24
Notes

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