FAQ’S

Full-semester courses may be added only during the first two weeks of the semester (see SCOOP, on-line Important Dates and Master Schedule for second-half semester classes)
Half-semester courses may be added only during the first week of the course
“Change of Schedule” forms (drop/adds) are available at ACADEMIC RECORDS (ARO)
Professor of the class and student’s advisor must sign the form
Form must be returned to ARO for processing

How do I drop a class?

A class is considered “dropped” only during the first two weeks of the semester.
The course will not appear on the permanent record and will not be counted when calculating tuition free Mayterm
Follow the same procedures as for adding a class
******Students must maintain 12 hours each semester in order to be considered full-time

What happens when I change my schedule?

“Change of Schedule” forms (drop/adds) are available at ACADEMIC RECORDS (ARO)
First two weeks of the semester: The dropped course will not be retained as attempted hours and will not appear on the academic record
Courses may be added only during this time period
Third full week through last day to withdraw from a class:

Full semester classes may not be added
Any “dropped” course will be considered a “withdrawal,” will be counted as attempted hours, and will appear on the academic record as “W”
Attempted hours are included when calculating tuition free Mayterm

The professor of each class and your advisor must sign the form
******The ARO website has a listing of important dates

How many credits may I take a semester?

Eighteen hours is the maximum for a semester without a petition. Payment of an additional fee will be required for any hours over 18.

How do I declare a major?

Forms are available at ARO, from Department Chairs, or they may be downloaded from the website at http://campus.houghton.edu/edu/org/records/forms/major_minor_declaration_forms.htm

From Houghton’s home page:

Click “Current Students”
Click on “Academic Records Office”
Go to “Transcripts and Forms” and select “Forms for Students”
Click on “Major/Minor Declaration Forms”
Be sure you have the correct form as different majors/degrees have different requirements

Obtain signatures as indicated on the form
Return the form to ARO
Subsequently, you and your new advisor will each receive an updated degree audit sheet

How do I declare or change a minor after I have declared a major?

Obtain a form from ARO or the ARO website (click on “Current Students”)
It may be filled out at ARO; does not require signatures

How can I access my grades on-line?

Go to Houghton’s Home page
Click on “Current Students”
Click on “Individual Academic Record”
Log in to IQ Web (https://iqweb.houghton.edu/iqweb/)
Click on “View Grades” or “Unofficial Transcript”

How do I have my grades sent to my parents/guardian?

Fill out the release form at the ARO
Grades will then be mailed automatically at the end of each semester

What do I do if I forget who my advisor is?

Go to Houghton’s Home page
Click on “Current Students”
Click on “Individual Academic Record”
Log on to IQ Web (https://iqweb.houghton.edu/iqweb/)
Click on “Course Schedule”
Be sure the current semester is selected and click “submit”
Scroll to the bottom of the page
Your advisor is listed under credit information with your curriculum, status as part/full time, and class level

What do I do if I want to take courses at home over the summer?

Obtain a prior approval form at the ARO
Provide course descriptions to the ARO for integrative studies approval
Provide course descriptions to department chair for major, minor or concentration approval
Obtain approval signatures and submit to ARO
When course is completed and grades are posted, request an official transcript be sent to ARO

How many credits do I need to be . . . ?

. . . considered a full time student: 12 credits
. . . a sophomore: 28 credits
. . . a junior: 60 credits
. . . a senior: 90 credits

How do I figure my GPA in my major?

Follow the formula found in the Houghton Catalogue under “Quality Point Average” (page 33 in the ’06-’07 catalog) using the courses you have taken for you major to this point.
Be sure that you do not count pre- or co-requisites when figuring out your GPA for your major

Can I improve my GPA by repeating a course?

Students may only repeat courses in which they have received a “D+” or lower. When repeating a course, only the higher grade is counted in the calculation of the cumulative average. However, both courses and both grades will remain on the transcript with an indication of which course is counted. (See Academic Catalog ’06-‘07 page 33, “Repeating a Course.”)

What are the procedures for taking an Independent Study?

Go to the Houghton home page
Click on “Current Students”
Click on “Academic Records Office”
Go to “Transcripts and Forms” and select “Forms for Students”
Click on “Independent Study Procedures”
Forms are also available at ARO

How do I request a transcript?

Go to the Houghton home page
Click on “Current Students”
Click on “Academic Records Office”
Go to “Transcripts and Forms” and select “Transcript Request Information”
Transcript request forms can be obtained online or at the ARO

What are Houghton’s graduation requirements?

A student must complete at least one major and at least one minor. If a student completes two majors, a minor is not required unless it is a specific requirement of one of the majors. Candidates for BA and BS degrees must complete 124 semester hours plus one hour of First-Year Introduction (FYI) required of all first-year students. Candidates for BMus must complete 128 semester hours, plus one hour of FYI required of all first-year students. No more than 8 hours of ROTC or Theater Workshop may count towards graduation. No more than 8 hours of Horsemanship unless student is in the Recreation major with Equestrian track. Also, no more than 8 hours of applied music may count toward graduation for students who are not majoring or minoring in music. The minimum quality point average for graduation is 2.0. Grades in major, minor, and concentration courses must be “C-“ level or higher. (See Academic Catalog ’06-’07, page 27.)

How do I find a graduation check list?

Go to the Houghton home page
Click on “Current Students”
Click on “Academic Records Office”
Go to “Graduation Info” and select “Graduation Check List”

Who is eligible for graduation honors?

The faculty will select for graduation honors students of outstanding scholarship. Beginning with commencement 2010, for the recognition of cum laude, the student must have a cumulative quality point average of at least 3.5; for magna cum laude, at least 3.7, and for summa cum laude, at least 3.9. For commencements 2007, 2008, and 2009 the recognition of cum laude, the student must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.25; for magna cum laude, a 3.5; for summa cum laude, and 3.8. Students transferring from other colleges must complete 62 hours in Houghton College in order to be eligible for graduation honors. Graduation honors as published in the May commencement program are based on the cumulative record at the end of the spring (normally eighth) semester, including the valedictorian and salutatorian. In order to be eligible to be valedictorian or salutatorian in 2009 or beyond, the student must be a May grad and have earned a minimum of 90 Houghton College credits. (See Academic Catalog ’06-’07, page 35, “Graduation Honors.”)

When will I receive my diploma?

Diplomas will be mailed to the address specified on the diploma order form after all grades have been received, the date of graduation has been set, and there is no outstanding bill with the college.

What are Houghton’s residency requirements?

A student must complete at least 30 hours, one-half of the major and 18 of the last 24 hours at Houghton (except those under the senior-in-absentia privilege or those with special permission whose major or minor require them to be off campus). Other cases require a petition. (See Academic Catalog ’06-’07, page 28, “Residency Requirements”)

My parents’ insurance company needs proof of enrollment. Who do I need to contact?

Please contact Hilary Gunning at 585-567-9350 or e-mail her at Hilary.Gunning@Houghton.edu

When is the Academic Records Office open?

The Academic Records Office is open Monday through Friday 8AM to NOON and 1PM to 5PM throughout the year. ARO is generally closed for Christmas (often includes the day before and after), January 1^st, July Fourth, Thanksgiving (includes Wednesday through Friday), and Good Friday.