Advising

Successful completion of an engineering degree requires that you make a series of informed decisions about your future. Advisors are here to help you make the best possible choices in order to help you achieve your educational goals. Academic advising is one of the most important services offered at KU. Advising is not just scheduling classes for the following semester. It also involves discussions about career goals and progressing towards academic and career success.

The advising process is a two way street. When you meet with an advisor you should have some idea of the requirements for your degree interest, bring appropriate resources and materials, be prepared to clarify your interests, abilities and goals and be prepared to ask questions.

Enrollment

Current KU students enroll for their courses twice per academic year. Enrollment for the Fall term begins in late March . Students planning to enroll will first need to meet with an advisor to have their Engineering Advising Hold released. Please review the Advising Procedures, below, for your degree program

When can students start enrolling in courses for Fall 2012?

Students should check online in their Student Services Center to see when their “enrollment appointment” is scheduled. First, logon to Enroll & Pay with your online ID and password. Click on the Enrollment Dates link below the Student Center menu. This is the time the Registrar’s Office allows you to log in to Enroll & Pay and enroll in your classes. You can also access hold information that has been placed on your record. Any holds (advising, parking, library, immunization, etc.) will need to be cleared before you will be permitted to enroll.

Enrollment appointments are scheduled on a staggered basis based on your level: Generally, seniors are first, then juniors, sophomores, and finally freshman. You have up until the start of the next semester to make changes to your schedule, but remember, classes will fill up quickly. Students who have gone through advising can begin enrollment on this schedule: Honors students and student athletes — March 29

Honors students and student athletes — March 29
Seniors (90+ hrs) — April 3
Juniors (60-89 hrs) — April 6
Sophomores (30-59 hrs) — April 11
Freshman (0-29 hrs) — April 17

Advising Procedures

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Aerospace Engineering

In order to sign-up for advising, you will need to follow the steps below:

Refer to the Enrollment Guide on the Registrar’s website.
Find out who your adviser is by looking at the list on the board outside the AE office, 2120 Learned Hall.
Sign-up for an advising appointment on the calendar on your adviser’s door. Adviser office numbers are located next to the Aerospace office door.
Review the Undergraduate page for current students on the AE website for required and recommended courses.
Before your advising appointment, prepare these forms and bring them to your advising appointment:
1. Print your ARTS form from Enroll and Pay
2. Fill out a Course Selection Form (in pencil)
3. Take a course plan worksheet if desired
Just prior to your appointment, stop by the AE office and ask for your file.
After your advising appointment, return your file and your approved Course Selection Form to the front desk in the AE office. If you would like a copy of your Course Selection Form, please make a copy before turning in your form and file.
Your advising hold will be released by the end of the day that you return your approved Course Selection Form.
Log-in to Enroll & Pay to enroll for selected courses as soon as your enrollment date and time allow you to do so.

If you have any further questions, please contact Amy Borton (785) 864-4267 or aborton@ku.edu

Chemical Engineering and Petroleum Engineering

In order to sign-up for advising, you will need to follow the steps below:

Refer to the Enrollment Guide on the Registrar’s website.
Find out who your adviser is by looking at the list on the board outside the C&PE office, 4132 Learned Hall.
Sign-up for an advising appointment on the schedule outside of your adviser’s door.
Review the undergraduate page for current students on the C&PE website for required and recommended courses.
Just prior to your appointment, stop by the C&PE office, 4132 Learned, and ask to check out your file.
After your advising appointment, return your file and your approved Course Selection Form to the front desk in the C&PE office. You will receive a copy of your Course Selection Form.
Your advising hold will be released within 24 hours during main advising time.
Log-in to Enroll & Pay to enroll for selected courses as soon as your enrollment date and time allow you to do so.

If you have any further questions, please contact Gerri Wetzel (785) 864-4965 or gwetzel@ku.edu

Civil Engineering and Architectural Engineering

In order to sign-up for advising, you will need to follow the steps below:

Refer to the Enrollment Guide on the Registrar’s website.
Civil Engineering: Find out who your adviser is by looking at the list on the board outside the Structures Office, 2142 Learned Hall.
Architectural Engineering: Find out who your adviser is by looking at the list on the board outside the main office, 2150 Learned Hall.
Sign-up for an advising appointment on the calendar on your adviser’s door.
Review the Undergraduate page for current students on the CEAE website for required and recommended courses.
Bring a Course Selection Form to your advising appointment
Civil Engineering: After your advising appointment, return your signed Course Selection Form to the Structures Office in 2142 Learned Hall.
Architectural Engineering: After your advising appointment, return your signed Course Selection Form to the front desk at 2150 Learned Hall.
Your advising hold will be released by the end of the day that you return your signed Course Selection Form.
Log-in to Enroll & Pay to enroll for selected courses as soon as your enrollment date and time allow you to do so.

Civil Engineering students: If you have any further questions, please contact Reta Solwa (785) 864-3826 or rsolwa@ku.edu
Architectural Engineering students: If you have any further questions, please contact Carol Jo Sloan (785) 864-3766 or cjsloan@ku.edu

Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering and Computer Science

Advising is scheduled for Tuesday, March 27, and Wednesday, March 28.
In order to sign-up for advising, you will need to follow the steps below:

Refer to the Enrollment Guide on the Registrar’s website.
Find out who your adviser is by checking your email or visiting the EECS Office in 2001 Eaton Hall.
Go to your adviser’s office door and sign-up on the schedule sheet; if you feel that you need more than 15 minutes with your adviser to talk about more than your Fall schedule (for example; transfer credit, long-term degree planning, career advice, etc.), please feel free to sign up for two consecutive time slots.
Review the Handbook for required and recommended courses. It is located on the Undergraduate page for current students on the EECS website.
Bring an Academic Planning Form to your advising appointment.
After your advising appointment, you will then turn the Academic Planning Form in to the front desk at the EECS Office (2001 Eaton) and your Engineering Advising Hold will be released.
Log-in to Enroll & Pay to enroll for selected courses as soon as your enrollment date and time allow you to do so.

If you have any further questions, please contact Maureen Altman (785) 864-4485 or maltman@ku.edu

Note: Please be aware that the department sets aside these two days for enrollment advising appointments. If you absolutely cannot meet during your adviser’s available times on those days, then please send him/her an email to schedule an appointment at some other time.

Engineering Physics

In order to sign-up for advising, you will need to follow the steps below:

Refer to the Enrollment Guide on the Registrar’s website.
Find out who your adviser is by following the guidelines:
1. If your last name begins with A-K then Professor Steven Hawley is your assigned adviser.
2. If your last name begins with L-Z then Professor Chris Fischer is your assigned adviser.
Contact your assigned adviser to make an appointment.
Review the undergraduate page for current students on the EPHX website for required and recommended courses.
Your advising hold will be released by your adviser after your appointment.
Log-in to Enroll & Pay to enroll for selected courses as soon as your enrollment date and time allow you to do so.

If you have any further questions, please contact Steve Hawley (785) 864-5098 or sahawley@ku.edu

Mechanical Engineering

Advising is scheduled for specific days.

In order to sign-up for advising, you will need to follow the steps below:

Refer to the Enrollment Guide on the Registrar’s website.
Sign-up for an advising appointment in the Mechanical Engineering office in 3138 Learned Hall.
Specific days have been set aside for advising:
1. Athletes - March 26
2. Honors students - by appointment
3. Juniors and seniors - March 28
4. Freshmen and sophomores - April 4
Review the Undergraduate page for current students on the ME website for required and recommended courses.
Your advising hold will be released by the end of the day after your advising appointment.
Log-in to Enroll & Pay to enroll for selected courses as soon as your enrollment date and time allow you to do so.

If you have any further questions, please contact Professor Robert Umholtz (785) 864-2984.

Undecided Engineering

In order to sign-up for advising, you will need to follow the steps below:

Refer to the Enrollment Guide on the Registrar’s website.
Refer to the Enrollment Guide on the Registrar’s website (www.timetable.ku.edu).
Sign-up for an advising appointment in the Dean’s Office, Eaton Hall, room 1.
Before your advising appointment, review the curriculum for a few majors of interest and have an idea of some courses you would like to enroll in for Fall 2012
Your advising hold will be released within 24 hours.
Log-in to Enroll & Pay to enroll for selected courses as soon as your enrollment date and time allow you to do so.

If you have any further questions, please contact Nicki Lutz (785) 864-2931 or nlutz@ku.edu.

Frequently Asked Questions for Advising

Q: What is the “Engineering Advising Hold” that appeared on my record? Why do I have it?

A: The School of Engineering has a mandator advising policy. This means that you will be required to meet with your assigned adviser each semester before you are allowed to enroll in classes. The School of Engineering requires advising each semester to ensure you stay on track for graduation. Advising is your opportunity to connect with a mentor in your field. Use this resource.

Q: How do I find out who my assigned adviser is?

A: Contact your department office. The administrative assistants in each area have a list of adviser assignments for each student. Undecided students should come to the Dean’s Office for advising.

Q: Where is my department office?

Aerospace – 2120 Learned
Architectural or Civil – 2150 Learned
Chemical or Petroleum - 4132 Learned
Electrical, Computer Engineering or Computer Science – 2001 Eaton
Engineering Physics – 1082 Malott
Mechanical – 3138 Learned
Undecided – 1 Eaton

Q: How do I set up an advising appointment?

A: Contact your department office. Each department does it a little differently, some have you sign up with an adviser outside their door, while others will have you come for a group session. There are specific dates for advising, so plan ahead to get your appointment time set up.

Q: What will happen at my advising appointment?

A: You will discuss the courses that you need to take for the upcoming session. In addition, you can ask questions about the field of engineering you are going into, about internships, and any struggles you are having with your current classes.

Q: How do I get my hold released?

A: The department assistants (or sometimes select faculty) will release your hold after your appointment. This can sometimes take a day or so, so you must plan ahead.

Q: When do I enroll?

A: You need to log into Enroll & Pay and look at your "appointment time" in the student center. This day and time is your first opportunity to enroll in classes. You have up until the start of the next semester to make changes to your schedule, but remember, classes will fill up quickly.

Q: I’ve had my advising appointment and hold released, but I’m having trouble getting into a class I need. What do I do?

A: First, you need to go to the department offering the course (Math department for MATH, Civil Engineering for CE, etc.). Often, departments just need to open up a few more spots. If you have trouble getting the classes you need, come to the Dean’s Office for help.

Q: What if I don’t like my adviser?

A: Often, you’ll need to stick with this person. The world is full of different personalities and a big part of the field of engineering is working well in groups and adapting to overcome challenges. Your assigned adviser might not be your favorite professor, but you should try to approach the situation as a professional. Occasionally, a change can be made. See your departmental office for help.

Q: What do I need to do for advising?

A: Students need to review their curriculum guide or undergraduate catalog before the appointment. You should have a good idea what you think you need to take. Look at the spring 2010 schedule online at www.classes.ku.edu to see when things are offered. If it looks like there are conflicts, be prepared to ask about this. Come to this meeting with a list of what you’d like to take, and a list of questions for your adviser. Most importantly, be on time.

Q: I just changed my major or I want to change major, who do I meet with?

A: Contact the department that you are changing into for advising. You’ll need to let the administrative assistant know that you have recently changed your major so they can request your admission materials from the Dean’s Office. If you haven’t yet completed the paperwork, you can do so in the Dean’s Office.

Q: I want to plan ahead, when is advising each semester?

A: Advising is always right after fall break and spring break each semester. The Registrar’s Office publishes the classes that will be offered around this time each year to www.classes.ku.edu.

Q: I want to talk about more than just next semester. I’d like to make a plan to graduate. How do I this?

A: During the main advising time of each semester it can be tough for the offices to see all of the students. Do your upcoming semester planning with your adviser during the regular advising session, and then ask when you could come back to do more planning for future semesters.

Q: I just met with my adviser, and he/she says that I have an error on my ARTS form. What do I do?

A: There is a “Report ARTS Error” form that you can fill out. These errors will be reviewed in about 2 weeks and corrected if needed. You need to come to the Dean’s Office to fill out this form.

Q: I want to take courses at another school this summer to transfer back. How do I do this?

A: You need to first identify the course you want to take and where you want to take it. Then, you’ll want to use the University’s credit transfer systemto see if KU will accept the course. If KU will accept the course, your next step is to complete a Tentative Evaluation of Credit(TEC) form in the Dean’s Office. The Director of Academic Services will check the course to make sure it meets your degree requirements. If approved, hold onto the TEC until you return to KU as your proof that the course will transfer. After you’ve completed the course, you need to have your official transcript (with grade) sent to KU’s Office of Admissions so it can be put on your record.