SCHOOL OF ART AND DESIGN
FOUNDATION STUDENT REGISTRATION
FALL SEMESTER 2009
Please read the following carefully before pre-registering for your Fall Semester classes. While this process can be confusing for the first-timer, the following suggestions will help answer most of your questions. To get started, assemble and read the following information:
1. The Student Handbook. This document will become an important source of information throughout your next four years at Alfred University. For easy reference, you’ll want to print out a hard copy and study the sections that discuss BFA Degree Requirements, Typical Program, and Humanities Requirement. (online at Student Advising Handbook)
2. Information sent to you from the Alfred University Registrar’s Office. Including: Undergraduate Class Schedule, Custom-printed registration Planning Form with Name, ID#, and Alternate PIN, Instructions for a first-time login to BannerWeb, Web Registration Guide 2008 (Web Registration Guide 2009).
Questions__________________________________________________________________________________
How do I register and use BannerWeb?
All students register online on the BannerWeb site. Refer to the instructions for a first-time login to BannerWeb that was part of your information packet from the Registrar. You will also need the other information from that mailing to fully register. If you did not receive an Information packet please contact the Registrar’s office at 607-871-2123 or e-mail registrar@alfred.edu.
What is a typical Program for Freshman Year?
Foundation Art (101&102) 16 credits (8 per semester)
Art History (3 two credit courses ARTH 120, 130, 140) 6 credits
English (101 or 102) 4 credits
Humanities (2, 100 or 200 level only) 8 credits
What are the BFA Requirements?
A minimum of 128 credits are required for graduation from Alfred University with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Art and Design. You are encouraged to track your own progress toward graduation by keeping records based on successful completion of course work. You can review your progress toward graduation on the Banner system.
The total of 128 credits must be distributed as follows:
Studio 72
Writing 4
Humanities 8
Other academics 13
Art History 17
Electives 14
Senior project 0
Total 128
PHED 4 (additional PHED credits may not be used toward elective requirement.)
Total 132
So how many credits should I take?
The Student Advising Handbook suggests that a minimum of 30 credits be completed by the end of the first year. A normal load is 16 credits, but students have the option to take as little as 12 or up to 18 credits depending on their abilities, schedule and outside activities. If a student chooses to take 14 credits in the Fall they will be required to complete at least 16 in the Spring for a total of 30 to register as a sophomore. Additional tuition is charged for more than 18 credits and must be approved by the Dean, unless the student is in the Honors Program.
How do I pre-register for the Foundation Program?
All students accepted into the BFA Foundation Program must pre-register for 8 credits of Foundation l (10676-ART101-001). Go to BannerWeb, follow the instructions and begin by adding this course! Students will be assigned specific sections once they arrive on campus. After you add this course you will have a total of 8 credits for pre-registration.
What’s the Foundation Schedule?
The Foundation Program meets every morning, five days per week. On Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday studio classes start at 8:00 until 11:00 am. On Wednesday mornings, the entire freshman class gets together for group activities, films, field trips, lectures and discussions from 9:00 until 11:15 am. When you are planning your schedule keep in mind that your Academic and other courses will need to be scheduled around these time slots.
What about Art History?
Refer to either your paper copy or the Alfred website for the Class Schedule Listing for Fall 2008. You will notice that the Art History course numbers start with ARTH 12_, ARTH13_ or ARTH14_. Each of these courses are worth 2 credits. To complete the Art History requirement for the first year you must take one class beginning with each of those prefixes for a total of 6 credits. You will take one course one semester and the other two during the other semester. All course numbers are offered each of the two semesters and do not need to be taken in numerical sequence. It is very important that you complete all three of these courses before the end of your freshman year, since you will not be able to take them again until you are a Junior.
The Art History courses meet for only 7 weeks or one half semester, so two may be taken in one semester. The Class Schedule Listing indicates which half of the semester each course meets. It is not recommended that you take two of these courses at one time. Please be aware of this when scheduling.
After you add your Art history for Fall Semester you will have 10-12 credits for pre-registration.
What about my English and Humanities Requirements?
With few exceptions, all students must take one English course and one Humanities course in their first year. Both courses are assigned 4 credits and should not be taken in the same semester. It makes no difference which semester you choose to take one or the other, although if writing has not been your strength you may want to consider taking it first as it will help your success in other classes.
Refer to page 5 of the Student Advising Handbook for the chart that will help you determine which English level you are required to take. The choice is English 101 or English 102. Check the Class Schedule Listing for these offerings and times.
Again check page 5 of the Student Advising Handbook for information that defines the options for your Humanities course requirement. Choose one that seems interesting and exciting. Again check for schedule conflicts.
At this point you may have scheduled yourself for 14-16 credits. One thing to remember is that you will need a total of 30 credits at the end of the Spring Semester.
What if I am interested in the Art Education Program? Students interested in Art Education will not need to register for any special classes at this time.
What if I am a Transfer or Honors student? Transfer and Honor students may wish to make adjustments or additions to their schedule. Advice is available by calling Billie Burns. She can be reached at burns@alfred.edu or at 607-871-2441.
Are there other options that I might consider?
The University has many 2 credit offerings that are attractive to students. Many Foundations students take courses in the Performing Arts including Music, Dance, and Theater. Spend some time looking over the course offerings for Fall 2008. Sign up for something that really interests you! This is the time to explore new things or build on skills that you have begun to develop. If you are thinking about study abroad, then you might want to learn more about a specific country or take a language! And remember, you don’t have to do it all in the first semester, you have four years!
I have a question that you haven’t answered, who can I talk to?
For questions related to the on-line registration system and BannerWeb contact the Registrar’s office at 607-871-2123 or e-mail registrar@alfred.edu. For questions related to School of Art advising contact Billie Burns at burns@alfred.edu or at 607-871-2441.
You may also take a moment and visit the Alfred University, School of Art and Design website at http://art.alfred.edu. There you can access lots of information about your school!
