Academic Advising Handbook

Registration Advising 

• Program Course Requirements
  • Advisement Transcripts
• Online Courses
• Auditing a WITC Course
  • Special Auditing Opportunities for Mature Adults
• Repeating a WITC Course
• College Orientation and Program Orientation
• Student Records
  • Family Educational Right to Privacy Act of 1974
• Student Code of Conduct
• Student Senate
• Student Organizations

Program Course Requirements

Refer to the WITC Catalog for a current listing of the courses that are required for the completion of all WITC programs and certificates. The catalog also contains a section of course descriptions, including course prerequisites and corequisites.

If a student wishes to register for a class that lists a prerequisite, they must have satisfactorily completed the prerequisite before they will be allowed to register for the course. Any waivers of prerequisites must be discussed and approved by the department Dean, Instructional Operations.

Advisement Transcripts – Prior to registration, or at any time throughout the semester, an instructor may wish to review the courses a student has taken and completed. Student advisement transcripts must be requested and printed by WITC staff having PeopleSoft access. You should contact your campus Student Services office to request advisement transcripts for any of your students.

The information on an advisement transcript can be especially helpful when you are working with the following students:

• A student who has attended WITC part-time
• A student who has enrolled with pre-program status
• A student who started classes during the spring semester in a program that does not "start" mid-year
• A student who has tested out or received some other type of advanced standing credit for courses
• A student who has taken required courses during the summer

In the above situations, the student should be made aware that they may need to attend WITC longer than the one or two years specified for their program in order to graduate.

Online Courses

Some WITC courses are offered over the Internet. For more information regarding WITC’s web-based course offerings, go to http://www.witc.edu/academics/online/index.htm.

Because these enrollment options require a student to be more self-directed than traditional classroom instruction, not every student is a good candidate for online courses. Students may complete a brief quiz entitled "Is On-line Education For You?" by visiting the following link on WITC’s web site: http://www.witc.edu/academics/online/online4u.htm.

Auditing a WITC Course

A student may choose to audit a course if they are interested in learning the course content without receiving credit or a grade. The student must indicate that they wish to audit the class at the time of registration.

Students who are auditing a class pay the same course fees as credit students. They are expected to attend class but do not complete out-of-class assignments or tests.

Audited courses do not satisfy course prerequisites or count toward eligibility for financial aid or Veteran’s benefits.

Special Auditing Opportunities for Mature Adults – Students over 60 years of age who are Wisconsin residents are eligible for special audit opportunities. These students do not receive college credits, certificates, or licensure upon course completion. Tuition is waived, however, the student must pay material and incidental fees. This special audit will apply only if space is available in the course and if the instructor approves.

Repeating a WITC Course

A student may choose to repeat a course for which they have earned a grade of "C" or lower. The second grade and credit will be used in calculating the student’s cumulative grade point average (GPA). The first grade the student received for the course will remain on the transcript and will be designated with an "R" to indicate that the course was repeated.

College Orientation and Program Orientation

Each WITC campus schedules an orientation for new students at the beginning of the spring and fall semesters. Returning students may also be included in some orientation activities. The schedule and format for orientation varies from campus to campus.

Through college and program orientation activities, the students will:

• Become familiar with the campus facilities and staff
• Become familiar with various services available to students
• Understand college policies and procedures
• Develop problem-solving strategies
• Gain knowledge of student organizations, student government, and student activities
• Gain academic survival skills
• Understand the career opportunities in their program area

Student Records

Academic records, including courses taken, credits, grades, and degrees or certificates received are kept on permanent file in the Student Services Office at each WITC campus.

Student records are confidential and are not released without the written consent of the student. The college may, at its discretion, release the information that is considered to be "directory information" in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. To see a list of this information, please refer to the current WITC Student Handbook.

If a student does not want directory information to be released to anyone, they must fill out the appropriate form in the Student Services Office. Such a request will remain in effect even after the student leaves the college, unless the student indicates otherwise.

Because instructors are often unaware that a student has filed a "do not release information" request in Student Services, it is recommended that ALL requests for student information be directed to your campus Student Services Office.

Family Educational Right to Privacy Act of 1974 (Also known as FERPA or the Buckley Amendment) – It is important for instructors to understand the provisions of this legislation in regard to the educational records of their students. Basically, this act provides students with access to information placed in their educational record. The law ensures that only school officials with a legitimate educational interest may have access to a student’s record. Permission from each student must be obtained before any other party may have access to a student’s record.

One of the most difficult situations occurs when a student’s parents call the instructor asking questions about their son’s or daughter’s progress in school. If the student is at least 18 years of age, they are considered an adult and must give written permission before this information is released, even to their parents.

The best course of action for instructors to take in any situation involving the release of student information or records is to refer these requests to your campus Student Services Office.

Student Code of Conduct

It is the responsibility of WITC students to comply with WITC policies as stated in the student Code of Conduct and obey all public laws. This compliance assures all students the opportunity of having the best possible educational experience.

Complete information regarding WITC’s student Code of Conduct can be found in the WITC Catalog and Student Handbook. Please refer to the section on "Rights and Responsibilities" for detailed information on the following topics:

• Student Code of Conduct
• Acceptable Internet Use
• Equal Opportunity Policies
• Harassment
• Sexual Harassment
• Sexual Assault
• Campus Crime Statistics
• Alcohol and Drug-free College
• Tobacco-free College

All students receive a copy of the above-mentioned student handbook. In addition, these topics are discussed with students at their campus orientation.

Student Senate

Each WITC campus has an active student governing body called Student Senate. Student Senate is made up of representatives elected from each campus program and faculty or staff advisors.

Student Senate addresses students’ issues and concerns, plans campus social activities and community service activities.

Student Senate is a great way for your students to get involved! New representatives are elected each school year.

Student Organizations

A variety of student organizations are active on each of the WITC campuses. To see a listing of what is available at your campus, go to the "News and Events" page from the WITC home page, select your campus home page, and choose the "Campus Life" link.

Student organizations can help your students to develop leadership skills and gain competence and experience in their career area. All students should be encouraged to participate in the student organizations that are available.

Some co-curricular organizations are affiliated with state and national technical student groups, such as Business Professionals of America, Wisconsin Marketing Management Association, and Vocational Industrial Clubs of America. Others are associated with professional groups in a variety of occupational fields; these include the National Association of Home Builders, Wisconsin Association of Architects, Society of Packaging Engineers, etc.

Student organizations are active throughout the year in activities including conferences, workshops, business and industry tours, skill competition events, self-improvement projects, fund raising, guest speakers, social functions, and community service events.

Students who qualify to participate or compete in a national competition or event are eligible to receive a $100 stipend from WITC to assist with travel costs. Club advisors may request travel stipends by submitting the names of qualifying students to their Campus Administrator. The College also pays registration fees for qualifying students. Additional information about student club support can be found in board policy G.156.2, Support for Students at National Conventions.

WITC student organizations must be approved and recognized by the college. Advisors are paid an annual stipend. If you have additional questions regarding student organizations, contact the Student Activities Advisor at your campus. For college policy and administrative procedure information on student organizations, please refer to WITC Board Policy D-320 and the corresponding administrative procedures.