A Jeanne Site
A Jeanne Site
California State University, Dominguez Hills
University of Wisconsin, Parkside
Latest update: July 27, 1999
Pat on the Site.
E-Mail Corner: We Answer Your Questions
Transfer Students Who Have Passed
Intermediate Algebra and the ELM
Math Dyslexia
Two English Courses Required
Duplicate Course for Second B.A.?
Financial Aid and Transfer
Credit/No Credit for General Studies Courses
Major Credit for General Studies Courses
Opportunities Scholarships, Paper Presentations
Rules for a Kinder, Gentler Grad Check
Making Majors Work for Students
Frequently Asked Advising Questions
Related Sites: Advising Guides We Like "Learning is a spiritual experience-not a multiple
choice test."
I heard it somewhere. Pat
Advising is an integral component of university teaching that has only recently begun to be recognized as an important factor in creating a strong academic climate in which the student gets to participate as a full citizen. My thesis project focusses on establishing interactive problem-solving links for all students, faculty, and staff. The theory is based on Habermasian discourse. The positioning of this sheet in the Dear Habermas Journal means that you will have continuous access to more information on the theory that students are citizens of the academic community and should have a full voice within it. So look around the Site, and bring your questions to me.
Patricia Acone, M. A. Candidate
Question: When I entered CSUDH in the Fall semester of 1998, I had completed and passed an intermediate algebra; however, I was told, at the time, that I had to take the ELM (Entry Level Math test). Recently a fellow student told me that she had taken and passed an intermediate algebra but she does not have to take the ELM just a transfer math course or one of the choices for CSUDH's Quantitative Reasoning. I am confused.
Answer: During the Spring of 1999, new criteria were put into effect. If a transfer student has taken and passed an intermediate algebra that student DOES NOT have to take the ELM. The student will be given a "Q" code and held only for the transfer math course or one of the CSUDH general studies Quantitative Reasoning courses.
Question: I have attempted to pass the remedial math courses here at CSUDH, but have been unsuccessful. At this rate, I will either be at CSUDH forever or I will have to leave college. Perhaps I am just not college material.
Answer: As for the statement, "perhaps I am just not college material," that is absolutely untrue. Do not internalize the reasons for your not successfully passing the math at CSUDH there are other factors involved here. For example, in learning theory there is a concept called Latent Learning. Latent learning is that learning which occurs during the period of time when we are soaking up all the new information, and it is also a time when our learning is not yet easily measured by tradtional tests. After you own the new material, then you will do better on the tests. But each of us has a different latent learning curve. And each of us responds differently to tests, when we know the material only partially. Some of us don't perform well until we have mastered the concept. Others are more willing to make mistakes, and will perform, even before they have mastered the concept.
Alternative Answer: There is another possibility if you really are having great difficulties with the ELM. Do you know that there is a Learning Disability Specialist in the Health Center who tests for Math Dyslexia? This is NOT to suggest that you have such a "learning disability", but before you become thoroughly discouraged you should consider the possibility. If tests show that you are math dyslexic, then you will be able to substitute either Sociology 220, Psychology 230, Physical Education 300 or Communication 344 for the required math course. The criteria for this process is to show good faith. You can show "good faith" by indicating that you have taken and not passed math courses. I cannot be more precise than this because each person is taken on an individual basis. Sometimes you can qualify even if you have passed one of the sequences of remedial work.
The person to contact is William Hoanzl and his phone number to schedule an appointment is (310) 243-2028. Make the appointmen,t and Bill will schedule you to take the test. He will then prepare a petition with the test results and submit it to Dr. Margaret Blue, Director of the University Advisement Center and Coordinator of the General Studies Program. The test is an important factor in the consideration of substitution of courses. If you are approved for course substitution, you will no longer be identified as being on ASAP, nor will you be held to the same timeframe. You may complete the substitution at your own discretion.
Question: I was a transfer student and in talking with fellow students I understand that CSUDH requires students to take two English courses; however I was told by my advisor that I did not need to take a second English. Do I have to take another English course?
Answer: Well, the answer depends upon the situtation. If you began as a transfer student from a community college and have taken English, Speech and Logic with a grade of "C" or better you do not need a second English. This is because the community colleges do not require a second English; hence the CSU's have an articulation agreement with the community colleges not to hold students, who have followed this pattern, for a second English course.
If you matriculated as a first time freshman and plan to take all of your general studies at CSUDH, then you will need two English courses.
Question: I transferred from a community college in 1994 and I applied for graduation. When my graduation evaluation was completed, I was held for a second English. I thought as a transfer student from a community college that I need not take a second English. I took English 1A and Speech at the community college and Logic at CSUDH.
Answer: You must take English, Speech and Logic, all three, at the community college. Since the pattern was broken by taking Logic at CSUDH instead of at the community college you must take a second English.
Question: I plan on completing a second bachelor. One of the requirments for my first bachelor was Accounting 230 and it is also required in my second bachelor's degree. I know that I can use my lower and upper division General Studies requirements, that I previously completed, to count for my second bachelor. Might I also be able to use a lower division course that was in my major?
Answer: No; however you may be able to check with your second bachelor's department to see if you are able to complete a form to count Accounting 230 for course content. This action could possibly cause you to be short three units; however, ask your new department if it is possible to substitue another course for the three units.
Question: I am taking a Biology course at Cal Poly Pomona and I was informed by the Financial Aid Office that since I have a low GPA I cannot take this class at another campus.
Answer: Financial Aid does not care where you take a class. Somehow there has been a communication error. What Financial Aid does care about is your GPA as it reflects your class level. For example, if you are a Freshman or a Sophomore and your GPA falls below a 1.5 and it is the second time this has happened you will not be able to receive a financial aid award until you have raised your gpa above a 1.5. This ruling of no more financial aid applies to you if you are a Junior or a Senior and your GPA falls below a 2.5 for two semesters. After the first term that your gpa falls beneath a satisfactory point (depending on your class level) you will receive a warning letter. If the situation occurs for a second time you will be denied financial aid until you have raised your gpa to the appropriate level.
I am a Business Administration Major and I would like to know if I can take the Upper Division General Education courses for Credit/NC? Student
Any major with the exception of IDS/Pace may take the upper division integrative General Studies courses for CR/NC. Since IDS/Pace uses these courses for the major they must be taken for a letter grade. Remember according to the catalog any courses that are used for the major or are a pre-requisite to the major must be taken for a letter grade. Pat
You stated that you were an IDS/PACE student and you wanted to know if you could use the upper division general studies courses for both IDS/PACE and for the fullfilment of you general studies Program.
Yes, since IDS/PACE program allows courses to be double counted the upper division general studies courses can both count for your major as well as for the upper division general studies. You will however receive only three units for each of the three courses or a total of nine units, not eighteen units.
On Wed. 10 Jun 1998, Pat added the following to her project on Adacemic Advising as Teaching: Please note that this is a work in progress, that notes are drwan from indicated sources, and that quotations may not always be accurately placed in this first draft.
Leigh Shaffer's article, "Human Capital Approach to Academic Advising" from the Nacada Journal. Shaffer, at West Chester University, addresses the issue that many college students are busily preparing for the past instead of the future. Shaffer indicates that students place more emphasis on valuing a college education for its ability to prepare us for a career, failing to realize that we are in an information revolution quite similar in its impact to that of the industrial revolution. He further explains that in the industrial revolution a worker would prepare herself for a career that would last a lifetime instead of a career that in the information revolution is very likely to change many times over the ensuing years.
In 1982 Robert Naisbitt states "We are moving from the specialist who is soon obsolete to the generalist who can adapt. Further the author states that students need to realize that their major is not their career and that general education is not a waste of time and energy.
As this perception of the major relates to CSUDH undergraduate advising I would have to change that last statement to read that general education should not be a waste of time and energy.. The Nacada Journals I have been reading indicate that a general studies program should be at least twelve units. At CSUDH we have between 51-58 GE requirements. I need to explore that anomaly. The answer should lie in institutional history. It is probably different curricular development techniques that led to this. More later.
Pat with comments and submissions to the discussion.
Watch this site for the theory and updates you need to be a learning, collaborative member of the university.
IT'S OUR JOB. ASK US!
Pat at
pacone@csudh.edu.
These and other questions will be answered within the framework of advising as teaching on the Web Site Pat is building in conjunction with her Master's Project.
If there's a question you need answered, Pat.