WELCOME TO

BEAR COUNTRY!
2009-2010
University of Central Arkansas
Orientation &
Registration Handbook

HELPING STUDENTS ACHIEVE

Welcome to UCA and what President Hardin likes to call, “The Center of Learning.” Our President, our
Provost, and the faculty and staff are dedicated to making certain that students at UCA are the center of
our attention and support. At UCA you will experience opportunities for success and will be supported
by programs and individuals who will have your best interests at heart. As the new freshman class of
2009 and the new graduating class of 2013 you are joining the strongest and best students in Arkansas
and the South. UCA graduates are active in all fields and endeavors around the nation and the world.
You can feel confident your choice to attend UCA has been a wise one. The mission of UCA is to pro-
vide students with the best available education possible in the twenty-first century. Student ACT scores
here are above the national average, and UCA continues to maintain one of the highest graduation
rates in the state. We are pleased that you have chosen UCA and are eager to help you in your educa-
tional pursuits.

Welcome to the Center of Learning. Welcome to success. Welcome to UCA.

Dr. Sally Roden, Associate Provost and

Dean of Undergraduate Studies

Welcome to UCA! By now, you’ve heard that
many times, but it is no less sincere. We
genuinely—and enthusiastically—welcome
you to the UCA community. You are about to
begin the best year of your life. Socially,
emotionally, culturally, and intellectually, you
will experience more in the months ahead
than you ever have before.
We are happy to be part of that adventure.
UCA is a wonderful place to live, to learn, and
to work. Take advantage of every opportu-
nity—every possibility—you encounter. The
more engaged you are, the more you will
benefit. And be sure to let us know when we
can help. The Academic Advising Center is
committed to your academic success.
Again, welcome. We hope the time you
spend at UCA will prove to be both pleasant
and profitable for you.
Welcome to the University of Central Arkansas! You
are about to begin an exciting personal journey that
will forever change your life. Whether you are a fresh-
man, transfer or non-traditional student, the Office of
Orientation is here to assist you with your transition to
college and help prepare you for the road ahead.
More than 13,000 fellow UCA students are waiting to
meet you, along with a dedicated faculty and staff
who are eager to help.
As the newest member of our community, we want
you to have the opportunity to explore all that UCA
has to offer. Countless opportunities for leadership
through the over 100 Registered Student Organiza-
tions are at your disposal. Not to mention we are
equipped with a wireless campus and state-of-the art
technology that sets us above other institutions in the
nation. Our tradition of academic excellence is seen
through the 100 major fields of study, a student to
faculty ratio of 19:1 and classrooms that provide per-
sonal attention.

No matter how involved you choose to be or what

your major is we encourage you to find your niche at
UCA. Please do not hesitate to contact the Office of
Berdie Eubank, Orientation for any questions you may have. Once
Director again welcome and congratulations on your first step
Academic Advising to a new beginning!

Lindsay Grifford
Director of New Student Programs
 TABLE OF CONTENTS
JUST CHECKING
INFORMATION FOR NEW STUDENTS 2
CPT/ FYFS 1320 3
LEARNING COMMUNITIES 4
TOP 10 REASONS APPLY FOR RESIDENTIAL COLLEGES 6
SAM COMMUTER SERVICES 7
TRANSFERRING CREDIT 8

THINGS TO DO TODAY
REGISTRATION PROCESS CHECKLIST 10
NOTIFICATION OF ARKANSAS COURSE TRANSFER SYSTEM 11
GUARANTEED EIGHT-SEMESTER DEGREE COMPLETION PROGRAM 12
PROGRAM COMPLETION PLAN CONTRACT 13
MASTER SCHEDULE 14
GENERAL EDUCATION CHECKSHEET 15
UCA STUDENTS ENROLLING IN TRANSITIONAL COURSES 16
GENERAL EDUCATION PROGRAM 17
GENERAL EDUCATION COURSE DESCRIPTIONS 18
URSA 24
ACCESSING STUDENT INFORMATION IN URSA 26
WHAT IS A COURSE SYLLABUS ACADEMIC ADVISING CENTER SYLLABUS
/ 27
ACADEMIC YEAR ADVISING CALENDAR 28

COUNTDOWN
ACADEMIC INFORMATION 30
ACT SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION 32
HOW DO I KEEP MY SCHOLARSHIP 33
THE FACTS ON GETTING A DEGREE 34
PROGRAMS OF STUDY AT UCA 35
DECLARING YOUR MAJOR/ MINOR 36
LOCAL BANKS/ LAUNDRY SERVICES 37
SUGGESTIONS FOR WHAT TO BRING 38
NOW THAT YOU’RE HERE-ACADEMIC SURVIVAL SKILLS
WHAT IS ACADEMIC ADVISING 40
HELPFUL NUMBERS AT UCA 41
UCA COLLEGES AND DEPARTMENTS CONTACT INFORMATION 42
CAMPUS MAP/ BUILDINGS AND ABBREVIATIONS 44
ACADEMIC CALENDAR 46
HOW TO MAKE AN ADVISING APPOINTMENT 48
BEEN THERE SHOULDA DONE THAT 49
TIPS FOR SUCCESS 50
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HIGH SCHOOL AND COLLEGE 54
FIRST YEAR SURVIVAL TIPS 56
STUDY TIPS 4 SERIOUS STUDENTS 57
TOP 10 TEST TAKING TIPS 58
CLASSROOM DO’S & DON’TS 59
POINTERS FROM PROFESSORS 60
CHOICES OF SUCCESSFUL STUDENTS 61
GENERAL POINTERS FOR TAKING CLASS NOTES 62

NOW THAT YOU’RE HERE-CAMPUS SURVIVAL SKILLS

CONTROL STRESS BEFORE IT CONTROLS YOU/ LIFE MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES 64
HOW COLLEGE STUDENTS HANDLE TIME MANAGEMENT 65
25 SAVING-MONEY TIPS FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS 66
MAKE SAVING FUN! 67
DEPARTMENTS AND SERVICES OFFERED 68

UCA TERMINOLOGY 87

HOMEWORK 89

MARK YOUR CALENDAR 90

REGISTRATION CANCELLATION 91

UCA ALMA MATER/UCA FIGHT SONG BACK COVER

DID YOU KNOW?

UCA archivist Dr. Jimmy Bryant (who generously provided the UCA history facts for "Did you know?"), recently
earned the title of Certified Archivist (CA) from the Academy of Certified Archivists, making him the first certified
archivist in the history of UCA. Dr. Bryant first qualified to take the Academy's certification exam and then passed it
in Baton Rouge.

There are very few certified archivists in Arkansas, and Dr. Bryant's accomplishment makes UCA one of only two
four-year universities in the state with a certified archivist as its archive director.