If you drop or fail a class, you will have to retake a replacement class at New Paltz, which may cost extra money and delay your graduation. However, I realize that unfortunate events do occur and I will work with you to make up the necessary class.

• If it is a class in your major, you will need to work with your academic advisor to determine how to make up this course. Major classes are NOT offered on-line, so you and your advisor will work together to reschedule the appropriate course. In the School of Business, you must earn a C- in all major classes to apply the course toward meeting the requirements of the major .
• If the class is a general education (GE) class, you can retake another course in this same category (e.g., replace Art Criticism with Art in the Western World). Under some circumstances (to be determined by Provost David Lavallee), the grade for the new GE can be used to replace the previous failing grade. On-line classes are very rarely offered in the spring semester, so these GE classes will need to taken either in the summer (if one will fit with your existing schedule) or in the subsequent fall.
• Depending upon the total number of credits that you are taking, you may have to pay extra for this course; it costs approximately $1500 for a 3-credit class. Your summer tuition payment covers 18 or 19 credits; typically you take 12 of them during the summer. Therefore, you have 6 credits remaining to cover the cost of any on-line classes taken during the year from SUNY New Paltz If you are already scheduled to take the full 18 credits, adding another course will cost additional money.
• If you have to retake a course during your final year, it could delay graduation to allow you time to finish the extra coursework.

How can I get a job on campus?

• Students are discouraged from working during the summer because of the heavy course load. However, if you believe that you can manage a part-time job with your classes, you can search for an on-campus opportunity (working off-campus is illegal). Offices that commonly hire students can be found on the Financial Aid Web site.
• In order to apply for a Social Security number, F-1 students need to either have a job offer for an on-campus job or they need to have their Optional Practical Training employment authorization card. You cannot apply for a Social Security number if you are outside the US. If you are able to obtain a job offer on campus, the Center for International Programs will help you complete the necessary paperwork to obtain your social security card.

• If you are going to complete the program in the summer, you might be eligible to apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT). This special visa allows you to work for one year in the US in your field of study. The Center for International Programs office can help with the Optional Practical Training application. Students who are graduating in the summer cannot apply for Optional Practical Training until they are in the US and no more than 90 days before graduation.
• The Career Resource Center can help you to search for internships within the U.S., but it is your responsibility to find one. Beth King, Internship and Service Learning Coordinator, can work with you to develop an appropriate resume and practice interviewing skills. Finally, there is an on-line resource called E-recruiting that can help you to find appropriate sites for internships. The School of Business also maintains a Web site dedicated to internships.

How are the residence hall assignments made?

• In Summer 2008, Students will be assigned a room in Gage Hall (while Lenape Hall is undergoing renovation). Students will receive a housing license to complete on which they can indicate their requests. The Residence Life staff will take requests into consideration when assigning rooms, but no guarantees can be made about ultimate placement.

How do I request transcripts for graduate school applications?

• You should be able to obtain an unofficial transcript via online application from Record and Registration Office. However, if you need an official transcript, you will have to request it through the Records and Registration Office (I cannot create them). The instructions for requesting a transcript can be found at the Web site of the Registrar . Unfortunately, the office is not equipped to take credit cards, so you will have to send cash or a check (in US dollars) to cover the costs of the transcript. They will mail the transcripts to the addresses you list on the form, but you should try to submit the requests as early as possible as it takes time for them to complete the process (8 – 10 business days after they are received according to the Web site).

• You have two ways of viewing your schedule prior to your arrival at New Paltz You can check my.newpaltz.edu for the current courses in which you are registered. You can also view the course listings. This listing will tell you the names and times of the various courses offered during the semester or session. You can compare the course offerings to your required courses for that term to get a sense of your schedule.

• When you arrive on campus, you are expected to pay your bill at the Student Accounts office. The Student Accounts office will accept cash, travelers’ checks, and credit cards. They will give you a receipt to indicate that you paid which you should keep in a safe place.
• There are several banks in New Paltz, including one on campus in the basement of the Haggerty Administration Building (HAB) called Hudson Valley Federal Credit Union. You can open an account there with a passport and use their ATM on campus. Other banks in town include: Bank of America, Bank of New York, Wachovia Bank, Ulster Savings Bank, M & T Bank, and Citizens’ Bank (inside Stop and Shop). You can refer to this Web site for more information and links to the banks’ Web sites.