Welcome to the 2014-2015 Academic Year; Tips for Success
Fall Classes Ready to Begin
To help you get off to a great start this semester, we are sharing some important information, along with some helpful tips, and links to more detail.
Of course, if there is something you’d like to know, please just send us an email and we’ll do our best to get an answer as quickly as possible. You may also be able to get help on our Facebook page or on Twitter.
If You Read Nothing Else
The single most important piece of information we can share is this: don’t miss the first class meeting.
This has always been important. It’s even more important given the high demand for classes we’re experiencing.
Fall 2014 Pre-Semester Checklist
Our Student Support Services team has put together an excellent pre-semester checklist that’s worth having a look at.
Waitlists and Petitioning
If you’re on a waitlist, it expires at midnight on the day the class begins. That means that on the first day a class meets, there’s no longer a waitlist.
Instead, the list is included in priority order on the instructor’s roster as a tool to help faculty with the petition process.
So, if you’re on a waitlist, you’ll need to attend the first class meeting in hopes of obtaining an add code. Likewise, if you’re petitioning a class, you’ll want to arrive early to the first class meeting. Since your name isn’t on the roster or the waitlist, you’ll want to let the instructor know before class that you’re petitioning.
Finding Classes
There’s a feature on our website called “Find Classes.” The guide is intended to help you successfully find — and enroll in — courses. (NOTE: We also have some information below about some courses with space still available.)
“Find Classes” offers an FAQ, definitions, and instructions (along with screen captures) on how to effectively use the searchable class schedule.
As you use this version of the schedule, be sure to click on the CRNs in the search results. Doing so will provide more detail about the course — including important prerequisite, corequisite, and advisory information. For instance, did you know that any student can enroll in a Dental Assisting course, but will be dropped if you’re not an applicant of that program?
Since you don’t want to be dropped, this is something to pay attention to.
Parking Grace Period
There is a one-week grace period for parking from August 25, 2014 – August 30, 2014. During this time, students may park in student spaces without a permit. Student spaces are marked with white stripes in all parking lots. Yellow stripes indicate the parking stalls are reserved for staff members.
A valid parking permit is required beginning September 1, 2014.
Please Note: Officers will enforce all other parking violations during this grace period.
Parking Permits and Photo I.D.
As mentioned above, parking are not enforced for the first week of the semester. In most cases, permits were recently mailed to students. Exceptions would be for students who registered and/or purchased the permit after the last of the new registration appointments at the beginning of this month. In either case, if you do not receive your permit in the mail by the day of your last class on campus next week, be sure to visit Line B on the first floor of the Student Center to pick it up. So, if you’re last on campus on Thursday, and you still don’t have it, go in to the office on that day so that you will be set for the following week.
Campus Photo I.D. cards will only be made for those students who arrive with:
- A “schedule bill” printout showing that the I.D. was paid for and that there are no outstanding fees due
- The fall 2014 semester sticker
- A picture I.D.
Each of these items are required. If you have not received your sticker (or stickers) in the mail, they can also be picked up at Line B. They will also make a schedule bill printout for you there. You can also print this document from inside myGateway.
A valid picture I.D., including your student I.D. card, is required when picking up items from Line B — or any student records, including schedule bill printouts, on campus.
Paying Fees
Fees are due upon registration.
There’s a short grace period to permit registration online and payment in person or by mail.
Delaying payment — even if it’s waiting for financial aid — could result in being dropped from all of your classes.
Financial Aid
The most-common question I get from students is: “When will my financial aid arrive.”
The good news is that question can be answered with a few clicks (or taps, if you’re on a mobile device).
Available Classes
Overall, classes are very full now that we are about to begin the semester.
Please note, that depending on when you’re reading this, you may be asked for an add code, even if there is still space remaining in the class. An add code will always be required to enroll in a course beginning at 12:01 a.m. on the morning the class begins. In other words, if you’re trying to add a class that begins on Monday, you can do so (space permitting) up until 11:59 p.m. on Sunday. After that, you’ll need an add code from the instructor.
Getting Help
Of course, if you need help with the registration process, of if you’re stuck somewhere in myGateway, we’ve got friendly staff who can help you out.
Here are some other tips:
Many questions are answered in our schedule of classes. You can view the class schedule and even use Acrobat’s search feature to find the answer to what you’re looking for. The document contains a list of offices, their locations and phone numbers.
Want to know where you’re going before you get on campus or even how to get here? View the current map or download a printable version. This page also contains driving directions to the college from the various freeway around the campus.
MyGateway asks for an “add authorization code” if a class is full. Each instructor is given a list of authorization codes that they may provide to students if they are able to accommodate more people in their class. How (and if) they are used and distributed is completely up to the faculty member. To get into the class, it’s most likely that you’ll need to attend the first class meeting. Show up early and let the instructor know that you’re interested in adding the class if at all possible.
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Thank You
Thanks for reading. We look forward to serving you here.