Nov 06, 2023

News/Notes for Undergraduate Advisors: Registration Questions and Tips | AI and Academic Advising | Iowa Seal of Biliteracy Clarification

Please review these items to assist with your work with advisees as well for professional/personal information - or if appropriate to pass along to your students. Registration Questions and Tips | AI and Academic Advising | Iowa Seal of Biliteracy Clarification | Academic Advisor Portal | Institutional Academic Advising Vision & Mission Statement Registration Questions and Tips

Registration Questions and Tips

What are the undergraduate degree minimum total hours requirements for graduation? (Information from 2023-24 UNI Catalog: https://catalog.uni.edu/generalinformation/undergraduateinformation/)
- 120 semester hours - Bachelor of Arts | Bachelor of Arts - Teaching | Bachelor of Applied Science | Bachelor of Social Work | Bachelor of Liberal Studies
- 120 semester hours - Bachelor of Science
  - Note: This is a change from a 126 semester hours requirements effective with the 2023-24 catalog
- 122 semester hours - Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree
What is the Foreign Language Competency Requirement?
- See the Foreign Language Competency Requirement for graduation in the Undergraduate Information and Degree Requirements section (see item D) of the UNI 2023-24 catalog
- The following UNI course sequences will satisfy the foreign language competency requirement:
  - ASL 3190 American Sign Language (ASL) I & ASL 3195 American Sign Language (ASL) II
  - CHIN 1001 Elementary Chinese I & CHIN 1002 Elementary Chinese II
  - FREN 1001 Introduction to French Language and Culture I & FREN 1002 Introduction to French Language and Culture II
  - SPAN 1001 Elementary Spanish I & SPAN 1002 Elementary Spanish II
  - Additional language credit options may be offered, or be transferred to meet this UNI requirement.
What if a course/section has closed? The student should...
- Check for another open section of the same course.
- Register for a different course that satisfies the same or a different degree requirement.
- Ask for approval from the instructor and/or the academic department.
  - Contact List for Approvals for Closed Classes/Late Adds
- Keep the original course section in their shopping cart! They may be able to add to their schedule if a seat(s) open after they register.
Tips for Students
- Enroll in course sections for the term/semester at or as soon as possible after their assigned registration date/time
- Complete all three online steps in the registration process ending with the Finish Enrolling button to confirm their classes!

AI and Academic Advising

At the UNI Advising Network meeting on Thursday, November 16, 2023 at 8:30 a.m. via Zoom, Dr. Jonathan Chenoweth will be speaking on AI and its impact on academic advising and uses by academic advisors.
In advance of this meeting, Dr. Chenoweth invites input of questions and information through this google form about generative artificial intelligence and its impact on our students and our work at UNI to help shape the conversation at this meeting
The questions asked on this form (may answer any or all three)
- What would you like to know about AI?
- How do you see AI impacting your work & life, or the work & lives of your students?
- What do you need, or what do you want to tell me?
You are also encouraged to share any thoughts/challenges/scenarios that would help Dr. Chenoweth better understand the situations academic advisors are facing now or that is anticipate in the future

Iowa Seal of Biliteracy Clarification

The purpose of the Iowa Seal of Biliteracy is to recognize graduating high school students who have demonstrated proficiency in English and at least one other world language.
Students who have earned the Seal of Biliteracy (as noted on their official high school transcript) will satisfy UNI's world language requirement.
- Note: The Office of Admissions does not add college credit for language classes based on a high school transcript with the seal.
Guidance for Students:
- For Spanish - A student should contact Dr. Juan Carlos Castillo. They must take SPAN 3006 Spanish for Heritage Speakers class to gain credit.
- For French or Chinese - A student should contact Elizabeth Zwanziger for French and Penny Wang for Chinese. The department will determine the credit awarded and will work with the student to complete the Credit By Exam Application (with proper signatures) and be submitted to the Office of the Registrar.
Please note that duplicate credit will not be awarded if the student has already received credit via AP, IB, CLEP or dual enrollment.
For more information go to the College Credit webpage from the Office of Admissions.

Academic Advisor Portal

The Academic Advisor Portal is a centralized point for campus-wide UNI faculty and staff academic advisors, as well as student success partners, for information and resources to enhance work with students and further expand professional development.
Highlights of the portal include: Advisor Toolbox - including scheduling and registration resources | Academic Advisor FAQs | UNI Advising Network | News, Information & Announcements

Institutional Academic Advising Vision & Mission Statement (revised Spring 2016) [See Academic Advising Mission, Vision, Goals & Outcomes webpage]

Vision Statement: UNI aspires to create the best possible advising experience for each student.
Mission Statement: Academic Advising is a critical component of the teaching and learning environment at UNI. Advising is a personalized educational experience, empowering students to explore, articulate and achieve their academic, career and life goals.