Oct 20, 2025

News/Notes for Undergraduate Academic Advisors: Semester Dates to Observe | Registration TIQs | Philosophy & World Religions Course LookBook Spring 26 | Civic Literacy, Engagement and the Humanities Minor & UNIFI Certificate

Semester Dates to Observe
  • See details and academic and schedule adjustment deadlines at the Office of the Registrar Calendar Dates to Observe.
    • TODAY (Monday, October 20, 2025)
      • Second-Half Semester Begins at 8:00 a.m.
        • Students enrolled in section 9X (e.g. Section 90) of any course will start attending classes this week.
    • Wednesday, October 22, 2025
      • Second-Half: Last day to Add without department approval
        • The Add Form is used for adding courses. Submit in person (with a photo ID) or via email. Please send the completed form (with signatures, only if required) to registrar@uni.edu from a UNI email.
        • All forms received from personal (non-UNI) emails will not be accepted.
    • Friday, October 24, 2025
      • Second-Half: Last day to Add for credit (Student Request required to add a second-half course after this date)
      • Second-Half: Last day to change to or from Audit
      • Second-Half: Last day to Drop with No Report
        • The Drop Form is used for dropping courses once the term has begun. Submit in person (with a photo ID) or via email. Please send the completed form (with signatures, only if required) to registrar@uni.edu from a UNI email.
        • All forms received from personal (non-UNI) emails will not be accepted. 
Registration TIQs (Tips, Information and Questions)
  • As Spring 2026 advanced registration is now two weeks away for graduate students and seniors, each week through November 17 we will include semester registration TIQs (tips, information and questions) in this email:
    • UNI Foundational Inquiry (UNIFI) | General Education Policy & Procedure Reminders
      • All courses taken to meet UNIFI/General Education requirements must be taken for graded credit.
      • An Associate of Arts (AA) or an Associate of Science (AS) degree from any accredited institution of higher education shall be accepted to meet all UNIFI/General Education program requirements.
      • Students may use the following types of credit to satisfy UNIFI requirements:
        • Advanced Placement (AP) | College Level Examination Program (CLEP) | International Baccalaureate Credit (IB) | Dual Enrollment (taking college courses in high school | Iowa Seal of Biliteracy
      • Download the 2025-26 UNI Foundational Inquiry (UNIFI) Advising Guide.
    • What are special course sections to be aware of?
      • 8X (e.g. 80, 81 or 82) - First half semester (8 week) courses
      • 9X (e.g. 90, 91, or 92) - Second half semester (8 week) courses
      • SPOC - Self-paced online course
    • Winter Session Classes
      • In the Search for Classes/Class Search, Winter Classes are identified by the section 40D or 6D and a "Winter" label.
      • A student may register for a Winter session class during Spring 2026 advanced registration and are held from December 22, 2025 - January 16, 2026
      • Students are limited to a total of 4 hours of Winter Classes.
      • Winter classes will be charged in addition to any Spring 2026 courses on a student's schedule.
      • Winter classes will be billed with the Spring 2026 term. U-bills will be generated on January 2, 2026 and will be due on January 20, 2026.

Philosophy & World Religions Course LookBook Spring 26

Civic Literacy, Engagement and the Humanities Minor & UNIFI Certificate
  • The Center for Civic Education offers both a minor and UNIFI certificate in Civic Literacy, Engagement and the Humanities.
  • Civic literacy is a vital component of life and work in modern society. The acquisition of civic literacy provides students with opportunities to develop holistic habits of mind that contribute to a meaningful life as well as the practical knowledge and skills to help them navigate community life that are necessary for navigating the workplace in the 21st century.
  • The interdisciplinary minor (18 hours)
    • Helps students develop the knowledge, skills, and dispositions of civic literacy in tandem with the foundational knowledge, skills and dispositions of the humanities that support the flourishing of a democratic society.
  • The UNIFI certificate (9 hours)
    • Emphasizes training in civic literacy and the humanities that address how to contribute to the flourishing of a democratic society.
    • Introduces students to the knowledge, skills and dispositions associated with civic literacy and the humanities disciplines that prepare them for a life of meaningful engagement with democratic processes at the local, regional, national and international levels.
  • For specific information on these programs, download the informational handout from this link.
Is Your Student Questioning their Current Major?
  • Help them Pivot with Purpose by referring them to the Office of Academic Advising. Advisors offer personalized support to help students explore:
    • Major, minor, and certificate options | Reasons for changing majors (e.g., lack of interest, career goals, academic challenges) | Self-assessments like FOCUS 2 or Strong Inventory | Goal-setting and decision-making strategies
  • Encourage students to schedule an appointment or complete the Academic Discuss Your Major Options Request Form.
  • As a faculty or staff member, you can complete this referral form to start the outreach to a student considering changing their major.
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.