Western New England College
A to Z
Being on a college campus is sometimes like being in an unknown land. What follows is a glossary of terms that may help with understanding the language of education at Western New England College.
Academic Advisor
Professional staff or faculty who provides academic guidance for degree-seeking students. Advisors help to create a plan for graduation; discuss options to supplement what is being learned in classes; and, discuss possible career plans or graduate/professional school options.
Academic Support Center
Organized under the Office of Freshman and Transfer Students, this student support unit is specifically designed to provide academic and personal support to all students in navigating the demands of college life. Staff also seeks to engage students in the development of an assortment of coping skills in the completion of these degree programs, and conditions delivery of tutoring and other academic support services. Staff also act as resources for faculty and administrators.
AHLC (Alumni Healthful Living Center)
This building houses the gym, wellness facilities, weight training and athletic training facilities, Health Services, and the Athletic Administrative Offices, including coaches.
ALD (Alpha Lambda Delta)
This organization is an academic honor society for first year students. Students are elected to this national society on the basis of grade point average, 3.5 at the end of the first semester or first year.
Bear
The College mascot is a Kodiak bear. Named the Golden Bear, a replica stands proudly outside the Campus Center and can be found as the costumed mascot at many athletic events. The Bear symbolizes strength and courage. Go Golden Bears!
Bursar
The administrative function of the College that manages billing and payments for student tuition and other fees.
CAB (Campus Activities Board)
Social and educational activities are planned through this programming arm of the Student Senate. The Campus Activities Board sponsors a wide variety of activities including such traditional events as Family and Friends Weekend.
Catalogue
Publication that contains general information about admissions, financial aid, student life, policies and procedures, course descriptions, degree requirements, etc. It is the academic contract between the College and student, and typically coincides with date of first entry.
Chair
The head of an academic department. This individual is responsible for maintaining the integrity of the applicable academic program(s) and for developing the schedule of classes in the specific department.
Credit Hour
A unit of credit earned for taking a course depending on classroom contact hours. Most courses carry 3 credit hours, which means the class meets 3 hours per a week.
Credits Attempted: Credit hours tallied for all enrolled classes beginning the first day of the semester and including those added during the drop/add period.
Credits Earned: Credit hours completed for all coursework at Western New England College as well as approved transfer credit hours; excludes credit hours for courses in which a grade of F or I was earned.
C-Store
A “Convenience” store operated by Aramark food service, which is located in the Campus Center. Merchandise includes grocery and personal care items pertaining to a student’s lifestyle.
CCGS (Cooperative Colleges in Greater Springfield)
Refers to a collective group of colleges in the greater Springfield area. One of its principal benefits is to permit students to take one course per semester at one of the other colleges that is not otherwise offered at the home institution.
Cupola
Refers to the unique structural fixture mounted atop Deliso Hall. Also refers to the name of the College yearbook.
Dean
A college administrator who leads a specific school or other administrative unit. This individual oversees academic support and or degree programs, faculty or staff and works to assure a quality educational outcome for his/her specific school or specialized area.
Dean’s List
This designation demonstrates notable academic achievement at the level of 3.30 GPA for the most recently completed semester. A list is published each semester.
Degree Audit
A specific accounting of degree requirements. Used for registration advising and for tracking degree requirements. Reflects courses completed and in progress as these apply to General Education, School, and Major/Minor requirements.
Degree Program
Courses necessary for completion of a degree in a specific field. Some courses may count as credit toward graduation requirements, mainly general electives, but do not necessarily apply to the major field of study.
Donuts
The nickname for three circular residence halls known as Plymouth Complex. Each of the 60 suites opens into a central courtyard (the doughnut hole) and primarily houses sophomore students.
Drop/Add
The predetermined period of time at the beginning of each semester for dropping or adding classes after initial enrollment in the course. Students need to have appropriate authorization to change a class schedule once confirmed.
Early Registration
The practice of registering for classes for the following semester during the previous semester. By registering early, students have a better chance of getting the courses and sections that they prefer. Students should check with their advisor for any possible restrictions that are in effect.
Elective
A course chosen because of academic interest but which does not count toward the general education requirements or, school requirements or major/minor field requirements. A varying number of electives are often required to meet requirements for a degree.
E2Campus Messaging
When there are special or emergency alerts, students, faculty, and staff who are registered will receive e-mail and cell phone text message that details the nature of the alert. All members of the college community are encouraged to register for this service.
FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act)
A federal law designed to provide students with greater access to and control over information contained in their educational records. This law prohibits the release of certain information without express written consent from the student. Public information may be shared at the College’s discretion and is defined in the catalog. Students may elect to allow sharing of other information with parents and/or other family members by filing a special form for this program.
Financial Aid
Federal, State, College, and private funds which help students pay for college. Financial aid can be in the form of grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study programs, and can come from both external and college sources. An annual application is required. Awards dispersed on a variety of factors including parent and student income and expected contributions.
First Year Seminar Assistant
First Year Seminar Assistants (FSA’s) assist faculty in the delivery of a course designed to assist new students with the academic and personal adjustment to college.
First Year Program (Experience)
The First-Year Program at Western New England College seeks to lay the foundation for student success. Through intentional construction of a personal support network and other initiatives, the First Year Program prompts students to embrace intellectual challenge, acquire a sense of place, engage social connections and develop educational purpose.
Freshman Focus Program
Education is more than what takes place in the classroom. Each fall, the Office of Freshman and Transfer Students sponsors a series of presentations intended to promote personal development. These programs deal with such topics on self-esteem, goal setting, relationship violence, life skills and celebrating diversity.
General Education Requirements
There is usually a collection of courses regarded as basic studies or foundation courses. Courses in this category typically include English, Math, Physical Sciences, History, Social Sciences, and Humanities which most students are required to complete for graduation.
GPA (Grade Point Average)
The average of your course grades, based on a 4.0 scale.
Cumulative: Grade point average that includes all coursework the student has attempted to date at the college.
Major: Grade point average only for specified courses within a student’s declared major.
Semester: Grade point average that includes only the coursework for a specific semester at the College.
HLC (Alumni Healthful Living Center)
Also known as AHLC, this building houses the gym, wellness facilities, weight training and athletic training facilities, Health Services, and the Athletic Administrative Offices, including coaches.
HMA (Housing Management Application)
The online housing program through which students select their roommate(s) and choose their specific housing assignment for the next academic year, as well as any reassignment during an academic year. Detailed information is available on the Residence Life website.
Hold
A student is not permitted access to his/her academic account for purpose of registration for future classes or adjustment of current courses until specific requirements are met. Requirements include but are not limited to document submission, financial commitments to the College, and health records.
Humanities
Humanities courses typically include subjects such as literature, philosophy, culture studies, language and the fine or performing arts.
ILP (Integrated Liberal and Professional courses)
These courses are structured to combine knowledge and perspectives from two different academic disciplines.
Interdisciplinary
Courses based on perspectives from two or more academic disciplines and which integrates those disciplines in examining solutions and problems, etc.
Internship
This is an opportunity that provides hands on experience in a field of study; may be required by some majors, optional for others. Typically includes academic credit and may be paid or unpaid depending on the policy of the internship sponsor.
Java City Café
These two coffee bars are located in the Campus Center and D’Amour Library offering coffees, lattes, smoothies and baked goods.
LaRiv (LaRiviere Residential Living and Learning Center)
A suite – style residence hall for sophomore students that promotes the concept of learning communities. Students are selected based on common purpose and shared interest, and develop programs and events that relate to a particular theme. The building is named for Alfred and Marian LaRiviere who are long time benefactors of the college.
LBC (Learning Beyond the Classroom)
Learning Beyond the Classroom is a unique aspect of the general education requirement for a degree. It includes the completion of two experiential learning activities along with a written reflection on the defined learning objectives.
Life Skills Study Coach
This position is specific to the needs of a first year student athlete. Each first year student athlete is assigned to a mentor who has successfully balanced the academic and athletic demands of college life.
Major
A concentrated field of study in which a student earns a degree. A major typically requires 36-42 credits in a single academic discipline.
Minor
A secondary field of study outside of the major discipline; a minimum of 18 credit hours from a selected group of courses is required. The student must formally declare the minor in order to have the transcript reflect credit work done for the minor. Normally, the minor is declared after it has been completed all coursework.
OIT (Office of Information and Technology)
The Office of Information and Technology is responsible for maintaining the College information system and Internet access. Some of the services include: email activation, ethernet card installation, and access to the student portal.
OGL (Orientation Group Leader)
Upper-class students who guide students and parents through the programs at Summer Orientation and Registration (SOAR).
Peer Advisor
Peer Advisors (PA’s) assist freshman students in the transition to college. He/she helps set up a personal success plan for each student, a set of goals pertaining to success in the first year. Peer Advisors are the first point of contact and each first year student is assigned a PA.
Prerequisites
Courses required to be taken before enrolling in more advanced courses. There are often introductory courses but may also include upper level courses as well.
President’s List
This designation demonstrates notable academic achievement at the level of 3.8 GPA for the most recently completed semester. A list is published each semester.
Provost
The chief academic officer who is responsible for faculty, degree programs and general affairs of the college that impact it’s mission. Typically serves as the chief administrative office in the absence of the President
Quad
Three freshman residence halls, Berkshire, Franklin, and Hampden are all grouped together in an area known as the Quad. Other freshman residence halls include Commonwealth Hall and Windham Hall.
Resident Advisors and Residence Managers
Resident Advisors (RA’s) are assigned to each corridor in the residence halls and serve as an immediate source of information and support for students. The Residence Manager (RM) supervises the RA’s and oversees the day-to-day life in the residence hall. The RM is typically consulted first on matters of residency concern. The RA serves to work closely with residents in establishing a sense of community, which provides an education conducive to academic progress.
Registrar
This position is integrated into Student Administrative Services and denotes the official student record keeping function of the college. Also coordinates the course registration process.
Review
This is a student produced literary magazine that represents a collection of literary works and photography authored by members of the college community.
Rock
The rock is both a symbol and place. It refers to an actual rock that carries the tradition of being painted regularly to advertise campus events. It is a privilege to paint it and sits outside the Campus Center as a collegiate (and sometimes mythical) symbol. The Rock also refers to the food court located in the Campus Center.
SAS (Student Administrative Services)
SAS administers the academic record keeping system and handles all transcript requests. SAS also handles financial aid for undergraduate students as well as billing concerns. The Registrar and Bursar are located in SAS.
Study Abroad
Opportunities where students can continue their education for a period of time in another country while making progress toward their degree at the home institution.
SI (Supplemental Instruction)
Supplemental Instruction (SI) is an academic assistance program that utilizes peer-assisted study sessions for specified courses. SI sessions are regularly-scheduled during which students can discuss readings, develop organizational study tools, and share understanding of course material.
Syllabus
A document that lists course objectives and requirements along with a schedule of lectures, readings, due dates of assignments, and exam schedule. Each instructor distributes a syllabus at the beginning of the semester.
Transfer Student Mentor
This position is aimed at providing informational support, specifically for the unique needs of transfer students. Students typically meet their mentor during summer orientation or during the first week of classes for the fall or spring semester.
Transcript
The permanent academic record of a student at the College. A transcript shows all courses taken, grades received, academic status and honors received.
VCC (Volunteer Connection Center)
Organized under Learning Beyond the Classroom, the VCC is the community service clearinghouse. Located in the Campus Center, the VCC serves to put students in touch with opportunities for giving back to the community.
U&ME (United and Mutually Equal)
United and Mutually Equal is an organization open to all students. It acts as a support group for students with diverse backgrounds and seeks to promote celebration of diversity, and social/educational enhancement.
Westerner
Refers to the student sponsored and edited newspaper. It is typically published throughout the academic year.
Withdrawal
The process for dropping one or more courses in which a student has enrolled after the drop/add period is over. Simply not attending class does not officially withdraw a student from a class. Withdrawal can also be complete and apply to the official enrollment. Complete withdrawal includes filing the designated application and meeting with the Dean of Freshman and Transfer Students or the Dean of Students.