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Frequently Asked Questions

Registration FAQ's

Q. How do I get my PIN Number?

A. You receive your PIN from your academic advisor after you have been advised. If you do not know who your advisor is, please contact the department of your major. If you are undeclared, please contact Academic Support and Advising. You will receive a new PIN number each semester. Summer and Interim terms do not require a PIN. Graduate students, Nursing Majors and Business Juniors and Seniors do not require a PIN for any term.

Q. How do I register for a closed course or a course with pre-requisites?

A. Contact the instructor of the class prior to registering and ask them to release you in to the course. Once they have done the release on URSA, you will need to go to the Student Tab of URSA, Add/Drop courses and enter the CRN directly into the worksheet.

Q. I have been released by my professor, but still cannot register. What do I do?

A. Make sure you are entering the CRN number directly into the worksheet and not searching for the class. The class will still show closed in the class search even if you have been released into it.

Q. What is a link error? How do I register for a lecture course with a required lab?

A. A link error indicates that the course you are trying to register for requires a lab. You must enter the lecture and the lab at the same time during the registration process. You are not able to register for one without the other.

Q. How do I clear a hold?

A. You may check URSA for any holds on your record and then contact the department which has placed the hold.

Q. How do I register for a time conflict?

A. A time conflict form can be obtained at the Registrar's Office, the department or online. This form must be signed by the instructors of the classes having the time conflict and returned to the Registrar's Office for processing.

Q. What should I do if I have been attending a class but have never registered for it?

A. Obtain a Petition to Extend the Add Deadline either online or from the Registrar's Office and have the instructor verify that you have been attending the class since the drop deadline by signing and dating the petition and returning it to the Registrar's Office for approval.

Q. How do I withdraw from a course past the deadline?

A. You will have to contact the Registrar's Office and provide documentation as to why you missed the deadline. An exception will be made only for extenuating circumstances.

Q. What is an overload?

A. For financial aid and enrollment verification purposes, full-time enrollment is 12 credits for undergraduates and 9 credits for graduate students. For health insurance verification and tuition charges, all students with 9 credits are considered full-time. More than 18 credits for undergraduates and 17 credits for graduate students in considered an overload. Students may request an overload by submitting a signed Overload Request form to the Registrar's Office.

Q. Why can't I see my class on blackboard?

A. Classes are not available on blackboard until the first day of class.

Q. How do I register for a variable credit class?

A. Certain couses may be taken for variable credit as stated in the course notes. Once you register for the course and you are taken to your course summary page, you may click on the credit hours (highlighted in blue) to change the number of credit hours.

Q. How do I completely withdraw from the University?

A. Contact the Registrar's Office in Carter Hall 3002 or call 351-2231. A withdrawal form will be completed and tuition will be calculated according to the time of the semester.

Q. How do I register for a directed study or a non-scheduled course?

A. This is an opportunity for you to receive credit for an individualized investigation under the direct supervision of a UNC faculty. The directed study forms are available in the departments, the Registrar's Office or online. The form must be signed and returned to the Registrar's Office for processing.

Q. What do I do if I am a returning student?

A. If you have not attended UNC in the last twelve months, you should complete the Student Information Form and submit it for processing. This will update your registration information. You should then contact either the department of your declared major or Academic Support and Advising if you are unsure of your major. You will be advised and assigned a PIN number which you will need for registration.

Q. How do I register as an unclassified graduate student?

A. An unclassified graduate student is a student who has earned a BA degree and is not pursuing a degree at UNC or is awaiting acceptance into the Graduate School. You need to complete the Student Information Form and submit it online or you may complete this form in person at the Registrar's Office. On campus students must also submit immunization records to the Health Center before registering on URSA.

Q. How do I audit a class?

A. When you audit a class you are expected to attend the course. You do not have to do the work or take the tests. Tuition is charged for audited classes are those classes are not eligible for COF. Please contact the Registrar's Office at 351-2231 to register.

Q. Can I register as a senior citizen?

A. If you are a senior citizen (over 60) you may register at no cost (excluding lab fees) for lecture courses for no credit. This must be done in person at the Registrar's Office.

Q. What is the Aims Co-operative Agreement?

A. All students who are enrolled in 12 on-campus credits and paying full-time tuition at UNC or Aims Community College are eligible to take one undergraduate class (maximum 5 credits) at the other school during the corresponding term without additional tuition charges.

Q. Can I register as a High School Student?

A. You may register through the Post Secondary Enrollment Program by contacting the Admission Office or as a Gifted Student if applicable. The Admission Office will complete the form that is taken to the Registrars' Office for processing. A special registration date is assigned for high school students.

Q. What is the Extended Studies Program?

A. The Office of Extended Studies provides opportunities to the community, state and region by extending the resources of the University in order to promote continous learning and community services. The Office of Extended Studies offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs, certificate and licensure programs, professional development programs, independent studies and non-credit classes in communities across Colorado.

Graduation FAQ's

Q. I have done a grad check. Do I still need to apply for graduation?

A. No. Your graduation check is your application for graduation so as long as your application was accepted at the time of your graduation check, you do not need to re-apply.

Academic Records FAQ's

Q. I am a former student and need an official transcript. I do not have a Bear Number so how can I obtain a transcript?

A. All former students have been assigned a Bear Number. Transcript ordering instructions are located on our website along with instructions on obtaining your Bear Number. You may order transcripts online, by fax or by mail.

Grade FAQ's

Plus/Minus Grades

Q. Why did UNC decide to adopt the plus/minus grading scale?

A. To provide more grading flexibility and more accurately evaluate course
work.

Q. How will the plus/minus grading scale affect my GPA?

A. Plus/minus grade points will be included in term and cumulative GPA calculations starting fall 2008.  Grade Point Average could decrease or increase depending on the plus or minus grades earned.

Q. Do all faculty members have to use plus/minus grading?

A. No. Faculty can take advantage of the additional grades at their own discretion.

Q. Why is there no A+ grade?

A. A+ was not included in the "Expanded Grade" policy. The university's GPA is a 4.00 scale which automatically excludes A+. A new grade scale would need to be approved by all insitutional governing bodies to reflect appropriate A+ grade points.

Q. How will I know if my instructor is going to use plus/minus grading?

A. It will be listed in the course syllabus. All courses have a syllabus and are
required to include the evaluation method.

Q. Can I repeat a course using Grade Forgiveness if I get a C-?

A. Yes, provided both you and the course are eligible to utilize Grade
Forgiveness.  Click here for more information about Grade Forgiveness.

Q. Can I appeal my grade?

A. Yes. See the “Academic Appeal Procedure” section of the student handbook.

Q. Is plus/minus grading listed in the course description?

A. No. Only S/U (pass/fail) graded courses include grading method in the course description. Standard letter grading is the grading method for all other courses, and +/- grades are included in standard letter grading.

Q. Will grades earned prior to Fall 2008 be converted or changed to include plus or minus grades?

A. No. Plus/minus grading can be assigned only to coursework completed Fall 2008 or later.

Q. How will plus/minus grading affect my academic standing?

A. Academic standards will not change due to the addition of plus minus grading. Students who earn a GPA below 2.00 are still automatically placed on probation. Suspension decisions are based on standards available through the Academic Support and Advising Office. Contact the Academic Support and Advising office for additional information about academic standing.

Accessing Grades

Q. How do I access my grades?

A. You may view current term grades through your URSA login under the “Student” tab. Previous term grades will be on the unofficial academic transcript.   Alumni will need to contact the Registrar’s Office to request an unofficial transcript.

Incomplete Grade/UW Grade and Grade changes

Q. When should a grade of Incomplete (I) be assigned?

A. An “I” is assigned due to unanticipated circumstances the last week of the term that makes the student unable to complete course requirements within the allotted time (e.g. you missed the final examination due to sickness, an emergency in the family, etc.).

Q. When are grades of Incomplete (I) due?

A. Coursework or assignment(s) and the Special Grade Report (form used to change the grade) are due in the Registrar’s Office by the last day of the next term. Incomplete grades assigned spring term are due by the last day of summer term. Contact the Registrar’s Office for additional information or if extenuating circumstances prevent meeting the deadline.

Q. When is a grade of UW assigned?

A. A “UW” indicates an unauthorized withdrawal and is assigned only when the student has never attended the class for which he/she was registered.

Q. What is the deadline for changing a grade?

A. The Special Grade Report (request form) changing from one grade to another is due by the 10th day of the next term. Contact the Registrar's Office for additional information or if extenuating circumstances prevent meeting the deadline.

Grade Point Average

Q. How is the GPA calculated?

A. The University operates on a 4.00 grade point system. The "Standard Grading" table contains the grade point value of individual grades.

To computer a grade point average, first remove all basic skills courses (courses numbered 001-099) and all courses that carry the grades: S, U, W, UW, NR, I, NC, and grades with a period or asterisk(s). Multiply the credit hours for each remaining course by the grade point value of the grade. Total the credit hours and grade points. Divide the grade points by the credit hours.

Grade point averages are calculated to three decimal points and displayed as two decimal points rounded on academic transcripts and degree evaluations. If a course is repeated, all grades earned are used in determining the GPA. If a course is listed as Grade Forgiveness, the grade will not be used in determining the GPA. Grades received at other institutions are not included in the UNC GPA.

GPA Example: