What resources and services are the university providing to students who need tutoring or extra learning support in an online environment?
The University’s Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL) has arranged a series of online supplemental instruction sessions that will be conducted synchronously via Zoom following the established Spring 2020 SI Schedule. See the Keep Learning website for details. For courses that have offered tutoring previously, these tutoring services will in many cases continue online. We recommend that you speak with your course instructor for additional support and information.
What resources are the university providing to students who need help with writing papers in an online environment?
The University’s Writing Center has arranged a series of live chat and correspondence appointments to help students with writing. Please visit the Writing Centers website for more information and step by step instructions for reserving an appointment.
Is UNDERGRADUATE course grading going to change due to the COVID-19 crisis?
The university has passed a Z and P grade option for undergraduate courses taken during the COVID-19 emergency. The changes will allow undergraduate students to choose to change a grade of C or better to a Z grade, and to change a C- or D to a P, or Passing, grade. Please note that Z and P options are available to students only after faculty post final course grades when the course is completed. The Z grade and P grade are counted toward course credits, but not included in calculating a students’ GPA. Z grades are NOT used in determining whether a student qualifies to graduate with academic honors.
The proposal adopted by the university included an amendment to allow the School of Pharmacy to opt-out of these changes. Thus, undergraduates in the School of Pharmacy may not have this grade option.
Full details can be found on the Keep Learning site.
What does it mean that neither Z nor P grades count against a student’s GPA, but a Failing Grade would still register on a student’s transcript?
A student may choose to change a C or better grade to a Z during the week after final letter grades are submitted. A student may choose to change a C- or D grade to a P during this week also. Both the Z and P will NOT count in the calculation of the student’s GPA and the student will receive credit. However, a student receiving an F will not receive credit and the F grade will count toward the GPA calculation.
Here are 3 sample scenarios:
Student A
Class 1: A
Class 2: A-
Class 3: B+
Class 4: B
In this case, the student liked all of the grades and did not opt to cover any of them. All count in the GPA.
Student B
Class 1: Z (covering a C)
Class 2: Z (covering a B-)
Class 3: Z (covering a C)
Class 4: P (covering a C-)
In this case, the student wanted to utilize our Pass/Fail option, and none of these grades will affect the GPA.
Student C
Class 1: Z (covering a B-)
Class 2: A-
Class 3: B+
Class 4: Z (covering a C)
In this case, the student opted to cover only two of the grades, so only the A- and B+ will factor into the GPA.
Full details can be found on the Keep Learning site.
Who should I speak with for academic advising?
First-year students are encouraged to contact their advisor in the Center for Student Success and First-Year Experience. Undergraduates beyond the first-year should seek their School or College academic advising office. Please go to the Keep Learning website for contact information to these advising offices.
The following are school specific instructions:
- College of Liberal Arts: Our Student Services office is your resource center for all questions regarding advising in the College of Liberal Arts. Please reach out to us at libartsadvising@olemiss.edu.
- School of Applied Sciences: Our Coordinators of Student Recruitment, Advising and Retention will be available for appointments via Zoom, FaceTime, phone and email. Applied Sciences Student advisors may be contacted directly.
- School of Business advising: Advising information and pre-advising forms are available online.
- School of Journalism and New Media: Students can find out who their advisor is by logging into MyOleMiss or sending an email to jour-imc@olemiss.edu. Please look over your IMC degree sheet (PDF) or Journalism degree sheet (PDF) to prepare for your advising meeting.
- School of Pharmacy: contact Chelsea Bennett at cdwelch@olemiss.edu to schedule a virtual advising meeting.
Will my courses have final exams?
Consult with your individual course instructors for how final exams will be administered.
How can I get academic support?
The Keep Learning website includes resources and support for academic tutoring, supplemental instruction sessions, and online Writing Center resources.
How can I access library resources?
The J.D. Williams Library encourages students to use their online services, which can be found on their home page. They are maintaining a page on their site reflecting changes their hours and policies during this time.
The chat service “Ask a Librarian” is available online Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Contact umladmin@go.olemiss.edu or 662-915-7091 with questions.
I have a disability. What resources are available?
The transition to remote learning can introduce additional complications to students having disabilities. If you are having difficulty participating in one or more of your classes due to a disability, we encourage you to reach out to Student Disability Services for assistance. Please go to the Keep Learning site where you can send a message directly to the Student Disability Center and also access all their contact information. Their staff will work with your instructor to find ways to accommodate your disability so that you may continue to participate.
How will course registration occur for Fall 2020?
The university has not made any changes to the current registration schedule.
Will the university be having Intersessions and Summer Session?
At this time, the university has not made any changes to the Intersession or Summer Session 2020 schedules. We will share information as it becomes available.
My internship program has stopped. What about my internship credit?
Please speak with your academic department advisor about internship credit and interruptions with internships. The university will be allowing greater flexibility with our late withdrawal policy.
My study abroad plans have changed. Who should I speak with?
The Study Abroad Office has been in direct contact with spring 2020 study abroad students about the spring semester. All summer study abroad programs have been cancelled through August 2020. Fall 2020 programs are proceeding as planned and any changes will be communicated directly to fall 2020 applicants. Contact the Study Abroad Office for details at abroad@olemiss.edu.