STUDENT SERVICES
Academic Advising
Each degree-seeking student is assigned to a faculty member to assist in planning academic programs; to provide guidance in personal, academic, and professional development; and to foster interaction among students and faculty.
The University Advising Center provides advising for General Studies requirements for freshman/sophomore students. The Center also provides a system which alerts new freshmen and sophomores of potential academic problems. Students are notified by letter of unacceptable progress and urged to meet with their advisors to discuss possible remedies.
All degree-seeking students are assigned faculty advisors by the department housing the program in which the student is majoring. Students should contact the chairperson of the major department to obtain the name of their academic advisor.
Advising for College of Business students is available in the College of Business Office of Student Support (OSS); for College of Education students, advising is available through the College of Education Advising Center.
Teacher Education Student Services (TESS) is the central campus office for all student information relating to teacher education. This office admits students into teacher education programs and into student teaching, distributes certification applications, and makes recommendations for certification
Admissions
Bookstore
CENTERS
Career Center
Students are encouraged to use the Career Center early in their stay at UWF while making career decisions. In order to interview with employer representatives their senior year, students must complete placement registration. It is especially important that all teacher candidates register and develop the credentials required by education employers.
Cashier
Check Cashing
Child Care
Clubs and Organizations
The Office of Student Activities maintains the official roster of all registered student organizations. For an up-to-date list of organizations, contact the Office of Student Activities.
Cooperative Education
Counseling - Personal and Vocational
Deans' Offices
The Dean of the College of Business coordinates all academic degree programs offered by the College of Business. The dean's office also supervises the Center for Economic Education and UWF's Small Business Development Center. Academic advisement for the B.A., B.S.B.A., M.B.A., and for the undergraduate minor in business is handled by personnel in the Office of Student Support.
The Dean of the College of Education oversees the programs and units housed in the College of Education and the University-wide teacher education program. The dean's office recruits students and monitors student progress from admission to graduation and beyond.
The Dean of the College of Science and Technology coordinates all academic degree programs offered by the College of Science and Technology. In addition to the academic departments, the College includes research centers in marine biology, environmental diagnostics, and computer science.
Disabled Student Services
Financial Aid
Food Services
Food is available in all areas on a cash basis and with a Nautilus Card. A variety of specials offering significant savings on meal costs are available to both resident and nonresident students. Detailed information about campus dining may be obtained by contacting the Office of Food Services.
Health Services
The Health Center staff includes an R.N./Health Education Coordinator specializing in information programming for University students.
Students may purchase the school health and accident insurance policy to provide extended coverage for themselves and dependents. All international students are required to purchase insurance coverage.
Housing Office
Two-student Rooms--The two-student rooms provide comfortable semiprivate accommodations. Each room has access to local phone service, vending machines, laundry facilities, and cable TV. Community cooking facilities are available in north campus buildings.
Student Apartments--Student apartments accommodate two students. Family apartments accommodate two adults and no more than one child and are offered on a 12-month lease agreement when rented at the beginning of the fall semester.
Single Room--A limited number of rooms are available for students seeking maximum privacy. The rooms are offered on a 12-month lease agreement when rented at the beginning of fall semester. A limited number of single rooms are available.
Reservation Procedures--Since space is limited and priority of assignment is based upon the date of the housing application, prospective students are urged to make application for housing as early as possible.
The housing reservation procedure is separate from the admission process. For further information and a housing contract, please contact the Office of Housing.
OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING
Mentors
Orientation
Registrar
Skill Improvement Centers
The Writing Skills Laboratory offers exercises, diagnostic and skills tests, and instruction in grammar and usage, mechanics and sentence construction. The lab also offers other services such as the essay bank, paper critiques, informational and instructional handouts, and the Grammar Hotline. Services are available to any student approximately 40 hours a week, including some evening hours. For more information contact the English department.
Student Activities (University Commons)
The University Commons, as the student center for The University of West Florida, houses services and operations including student life offices, food services, bookstore, information desk, banking, event tickets, and student lounges.
Student Affairs
Student Success Programs
The Student Success Learning Center provides free tutorial assistance for students enrolled at the University. Individual and group tutoring is available. Special tutorial assistance is provided for students preparing for the CLAST, ACT/SAT, GRE, GMAT, and LSAT. In addition to computerized tutorial assistance, there are a variety of academic and study skills software programs available.
Minority Retention Services are designed to increase the retention and graduation rates of minority students. Minority retention activities include academic support services, tutorial assistance, counseling, cultural, and other activities.
Student Success Mentoring links participating students with faculty, staff, administrators, and student mentors. Community professionals also serve as mentors for University students.
University Student Support Services Program is a federally funded program that provides academic support services for University students. Support services include tutoring, developmental advising, peer counseling/advising, career planning, cultural and social activities, motivational workshops, and mentoring with faculty, staff, and community professionals. This program serves minority and other low-income, first generation students (their parents have not completed a bachelor's degree).
The College Reach Out Program is funded by the State Department of Education, and provides a pre-collegiate program to serve minority and other disadvantaged students in grades 6-12. Services and activities are designed to improve the educational motivation and preparation of participating students. Services and activities take place during the academic year and during the summer. Students in grades 8-12 have the opportunity to live on campus during the summer. Graduating seniors participate in a summer program, which offers sponsored institute, college credit courses.
EXCEL is a program for academically promising students, supporting the University's commitment to the success of students. This is an alternate admissions program that provides summer enhancement courses, developmental advising, tutoring and other support services, designed to prepare and enhance the academic performance of participating students.
Testing Office
Specific scores on the CLAST are required for the award of the A.A. and bachelor's degrees. The CLAST is offered once a semester and requires advance registration.
International students are required to take the Michigan Test of English Language Proficiency and the Michigan Test for Aural Comprehension prior to initial registration. The Testing Office administers the tests on campus each semester on registration day. Contact the Testing Office for information concerning tests.
Veterans Services
The office also monitors the academic progress of students receiving DVA educational benefits. Students who receive DVA benefits are subject to stricter academic regulations and should be aware that auditing courses, enrollment status, withdrawals, repeating courses, changing degree programs, adding majors and minors, grade forgiveness, and other actions may affect eligibility for educational benefits.
Academic Progress
Undergraduate Standard: Students with a semester grade point average (SGPA) or cumulative grade point average (CGPA) below 2.0 will be placed on VA academic probation. If at the end of the next semester, SGPA is above 2.0, but the CGPA remains below 2.0, the student will be continued on VA academic probation for one additional semester. If, at the end of the second semester of VA academic probation, the student's CGPA is below 2.0, the DVA will be notified of the student's unsatisfactory progress. Likewise, if a student is placed on VA academic probation one semester, and both the SGPA and the CGPA are below 2.0 the second semester, the DVA will be notified of the student's unsatisfactory progress. However, a student who receives consecutive SGPAs below 2.0 will be continued on VA academic probation if their CGPA remains at least 2.0.
Graduate Standard: Students with a SGPA or CGPA below 3.0 will be placed on VA academic probation. If, at the end of the next semester, SGPA is above 3.0 but the CGPA remains below 3.0, the student will be continued on VA academic probation for one additional semester. If, at the end of the second semester of VA academic probation, the student's CGPA is below 3.0 the DVA will be notified of the student's unsatisfactory progress. Likewise, if a student is placed on VA academic probation one semester, and both the SGPA and the CGPA are below 3.0 the second semester, the DVA will be notified of the student's unsatisfactory progress. However, a student who receives consecutive SGPAs below 3.0 will be continued on VA academic probation if their CGPA remains at least 3.0.
Benefit Reestablishment: Benefits may be reestablished only if there is reasonable likelihood that the student will be able to attain and maintain satisfactory progress for the remainder of the program. Based upon correspondence from the student's major department chair, a recommendation will be made to the DVA.
Advance Payment
Class Attendance
Courses for which VA will not pay
Educational Objective
Off-Term Courses
Reporting Requirements
In order to prevent overpayment and subsequent indebtedness to the federal government, it is important to notify the Office of Veterans Affairs immediately of changes that may affect the student's eligibility for benefits.
Tuition Deferment
STUDENT ACTIVITIES, CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS
Intercollegiate Athletics
The Argonauts compete in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II and Gulf South Conference. Championship playoff opportunities are provided in each sport. Each team plays a full schedule of competition with schools throughout the southeastern United States, and many institutions from the midwestern and eastern sections of the country visit UWF in the spring.
The University sports facilities include a field house (3,000 capacity), twelve lighted tennis courts, lighted baseball park (1,500 capacity), two lighted softball fields (800 capacity), and a lighted polyurethane track which encircles the varsity soccer field (500 capacity).
Music Activities
Recreation and Sports Services
The intramural sports program provides competition and recreational activities including team, individual, dual, and co-recreational sports events. More than 50 events--basketball, flag football, soccer, softball, special events, turkey trot, volleyball--are offered annually.
The sports club program provides specialized sports instruction and extramural competition. Established clubs include Aikido, Badminton, Cheerleading, Dance, Fencing, Goju Karate, Kenpo Karate, Lacrosse, Mountain Biking, Rock Climbing, Sailing, Scuba, Men's and Women's Soccer, Sports Officials Association, Swim, Men's and Women's Volleyball, and Water Ski.
UWF's Olympic-size natatorium is open to students seven days a week. Programs include lifeguarding, water safety, intramural events, swimming and hydrofitness water aerobic classes, and swim club. Masters competitive swim team, scuba instruction, swim lessons for infants through adults, and whirlpool and dry sauna are available.
The Fitness Center, located at the south end of the Field House, has machines as well as free weights. The Center includes equipment by Body Masters, Life Fitness, Paramount, StairMaster, and Universal. Fitness supervisors can assist in designing a workout program to fit your individual needs.
The open recreation program makes access and checkout of athletic and recreational equipment available to all students, faculty, and staff upon presentation of a valid Nautilus Card.
Student Government Association
Student Publications
University Ambassadors
University Theatre
STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Grievances
Prohibition of Harassment
Guidance, support, and assistance concerning sexual harassment are available from designated on-campus advocates. Any students believing that they have been harassed may bring a complaint to the equal opportunity coordinator.
Use of Instructional Space and Resources
Students may not attend classes--including use of instructional space, facilities and equipment--for which they have not paid fees or from which they have withdrawn.
The Office of Admissions administers the application and admission/readmission process for all degree-seeking and non degree-seeking students, and assists prospective students in securing information about UWF. The office conducts outreach and visitation programs in high schools, community colleges, and at other locations; serves as the University's liaison with the State's 28 public community/junior colleges; coordinates campus tours for prospective students; and awards merit-based scholarships to entering students.
PENSACOLA CAMPUS
The Bookstore offers textbooks, school supplies, general books, magazines, class rings, and snack foods to its customers. The Bookstore also has an extensive line of emblematic clothing and gift items. Educationally priced software is available for purchase with current University identification. Services include book buy-back, special ordering of books, and film processing. The Bookstore accepts MasterCard, Visa, and Nautilus cards.
Course books at the Fort Walton Beach Campus and Eglin Air Force Base Center are sold at the bookstores operated at the centers by the Okaloosa Walton Community College Bookstore.
The University Career Center provides career service and publishes the Placement Bulletin for students and alumni seeking interviews for employment in education, business, government, and industry. The office can help students prepare résumé's, offers career advice, and has information concerning requirements for governmental employment. A library of employer and occupational information is available.
The Cashier's Office receives all payments from students for student fees, housing, library fines, parking fines, student loan payments, child care fees, and other miscellaneous payments. This office also distributes all student financial aid. Cashiers are also located at the Fort Walton Beach Campus.
The Bank of Pensacola has a branch bank in the Commons. In addition to many commercial banking services, the bank offers check cashing to faculty, staff, and students. The University Bookstore will cash personal checks for amounts of up to $25 above the cost of any purchase of $2 or more.
Child care is available through the Educational Research Center for Child Development on a fee basis for children of students, faculty/staff, and alumni. Regular enrollment is open to children who are six months old through kindergarten age. Age range is extended through ten years during the summer semester. While students are given priority in placement, prospective students are urged to make application for child care as early as possible. When classes are in session, the center is open 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday. The center is staffed by professionals in the field of education and provides a broad range of learning experiences for each child and opportunities for research, internships, and supervised teaching experiences for University students.
Involvement in extracurricular activities is a vital part of student life at The University of West Florida. The University officially registers nearly 100 student organizations in six categories: special interest, academic interest, professional societies, religious organizations, Greek life (fraternities and sororities), and honor societies. These clubs and organizations extend learning from the classroom into real-life situations as students learn to plan events, develop budgets, promote activities, and manage other people through delegation.
Coop students gain firsthand experience in their intended career fields by incorporating periods of paid employment into their degree programs. They may either alternate terms of theoretical study with terms of professional practice or parallel study and work assignments in the junior and senior years. This course of action provides students with tools for important career decision-making and a head start in their chosen professions.
The Counseling Center provides a comprehensive range of professional services to students and spouses who have personal, vocational, marital, social, or educational problems. The center is staffed by both clinical and counseling psychologists and offers individual counseling, group workshops, skill-building seminars, and special outreach services. All services are free of charge. Information regarding all counseling contacts is confidential. The center is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday-Friday.
The Dean of the College of Arts and Social Sciences coordinates all academic degree programs offered by the College of Arts and Social Sciences, the General Studies Curriculum, and the University Advising Center. The College encompasses the disciplines in the arts, humanities, and social sciences.
This program provides students with needed support services. Services include auxiliary aids, note takers, tutors, and interpreters. Contact the Office of Disabled Student Services for information or assistance.
The Financial Aid Office coordinates a comprehensive array of scholarships, grants, part-time employment, and loans available through federal, state, and University funds to students. All awards are dependent upon availability of funds and demonstration of financial need, unless otherwise indicated.
Food services are provided in the University Commons at the cafeteria and Rathskeller. Catering service for special functions is also available.
The Student Health Service provides medical care and health information for currently enrolled students and dependents. The University physician holds a clinic each class day. Students requiring medical attention at other times may be seen by the nurse on duty or referred to their family physician or to the emergency room of one of the area hospitals. Services are available on a walk-in or appointment basis. A minimal fee is charged for dependents' visits. Minimal charges are assessed for laboratory procedures for students and dependents.
ON-CAMPUS STUDENT HOUSING
Student housing consists of 23 small residence halls arranged in clusters among the academic buildings. Special facilities for the disabled are provided.
Information concerning off-campus housing is available from the Office of Housing. This service is offered as a referral agency only.
University mentors work as peer advisors to incoming lower-division students during orientation and throughout the fall semester. They help new students get acquainted with the University, provide a support base that eases adjustment, augment information provided by advisors, and refer students to appropriate University services.
Each semester Student Affairs sponsors an orientation for new lower-division students. Students who have completed fewer than 45 college credits are required to participate in this orientation/academic advising/registration program on the UWF campus. Parents of new students are also encouraged to attend an orientation session. Orientation lasts two days and is designed to acquaint students with the University and to facilitate the students choice of courses, registration, and completion of other necessary procedures. During orientation, student mentors meet as peer advisors with incoming freshmen. New students receive information about orientation by mail after they have been admitted.
The Office of the Registrar maintains the official institutional permanent academic record on which are listed courses, grades, and credits of students enrolled at UWF. The office establishes registration procedures for students and publishes the University Academic Calendar.
The Mathematics and Statistics Improvement Laboratory provides individual tutorial instruction for students who need help in any mathematics or statistics course. It is staffed by mathematics or statistics undergraduate and graduate majors. For further information contact the math department.
The University offers diverse opportunities for participation in extracurricular activities and encourages the development of student-interest groups and activities. The Office of Student Activities coordinates all campus activities and organizational programs, and maintains a complete schedule of activities, and is responsible for general management of the University Commons.
The Office of Student Affairs is responsible for a wide range of student services and provides information concerning student life.
The Office of Student Success Programs is responsible for the administration of programs designed to increase the enrollment, retention, and graduation rates of students. The office provides academic support services for students enrolled at the University, and pre-collegiate programs are provided for middle and high school students.
The University Testing Office administers a broad range of tests and inventories, including State and national testing programs such as the American College Testing Program (ACT), Scholastic Assessment Tests, Graduate Record Examination (GRE), Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), College-Level Academic Skills Test (CLAST), Florida Teacher Certification Examination, and others. Testing for local, State, and national agencies is also scheduled as needs arise.
The University of West Florida is approved by the Federal Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) for the education of veterans, active duty personnel, reservists, and eligible dependents under current law. More than ten percent of UWF students receive educational benefits from the DVA. UWF's Office of Veterans Affairs is part of the Registrar's Office, not the DVA, and is located on the Pensacola campus in Building 18, Room 167. This office is the main point of contact for students receiving benefits from the DVA. It has a professional staff augmented by veteran peer counselors to assist in providing information about entitlements, filing claims to the DVA, and certifying enrollments at the University. Clients may receive peer counseling for personal and academic concerns, as well as referrals to appropriate University and community agencies.
University academic standing is discussed in the academic policies section of this Catalog. Students receiving veterans benefits are held to stricter requirements set forth below.
Advance payment of DVA benefits may be available to new students and those students who were not enrolled in the previous semester. Application should be made through the UWF Office of Veterans Affairs no later than 35 days before the first day of classes of the affected semester.
It is the student's responsibility to inform the instructor(s) of absence from classes prior to, or as soon as possible after, the absence. Students must check with their respective instructor(s) regarding the absence policy for each class. When a student receiving DVA benefits is found in violation of the policy, the DVA will be notified and benefits reduced accordingly.
Courses not meeting University requirements for graduation cannot be certified to the DVA for benefits payment. Although not all inclusive, the following list reflects types of courses that will not be certified to the DVA:
In order to receive educational benefits from the DVA, the student must be pursuing an approved bachelor's, master's, specialist, or doctor's degree at the University. A PDS signed by the academic advisor and the student must be on file in the Veterans Affairs Office before the end of the student's first semester at UWF. Considerable care should be taken in the development of this plan as the DVA will consider only courses listed on the PDS in determining the student's status.
Off term courses are those beginning and/or ending on other than the regular semester dates. In the semester Course Planning Guide these currently are referred to as B, C, or E, term courses. Students should be aware that the DVA review is made on a term-by-term basis, and not by semester. Taking B, C, or E term courses may affect the student's training rate for pay purposes and eligibility for break pay.
Recertification of benefits is not automatic and must be requested each semester. It is the responsibility of each student to keep the UWF Office of Veterans Affairs informed of the following.
Florida law generally provides for one semester's deferment of tuition per academic year for those students applying for or receiving veterans benefits. For further information, see the section on Veterans Fee Deferments.
Campus Programming
The Campus Activity Board presents a variety of entertainment, cultural, recreational, and educational events for the University community. The funded programs organized by the students include performing arts, film series, contemporary music and comedy, special events, and leadership training. Programs are open to UWF students, University personnel, and the Pensacola community.
The intercollegiate athletic program comprises competitive teams in eleven sports. UWF fields men's teams in baseball, basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, and tennis; and women's teams in basketball, cross country, soccer, softball, and tennis.
Music activities at the University serve both music majors and non-majors. The Collegiate Chorale is composed of students selected from the student body of The University of West Florida and Pensacola Junior College, which jointly sponsor the chorale. The Pensacola Intercollegiate Band and the UWF Jazz Band are also composed of students from PJC and UWF. Other smaller music groups exist for qualified individuals. Information can be secured about these activities from the music department.
The Department of Recreation and Sports Services provides leisure activities for students, faculty, and staff. There are five programs: aquatics, fitness, intramural sports, open recreation, and sports clubs.
The student government associations at the main campus and extension campus and centers are elected by the student body. The purposes of the student government associations are: to allow students to participate in the decision-making processes of the University; to consider and make recommendations on all phases of student life; and to serve as the principal forum for discussion of matters of broad concern to students.
The Voyager is the official University student newspaper. Serving as a principal medium for dissemination of news, information, and opinions, the newspaper is distributed at no cost to students, faculty, and staff.
The UWF Student Alumni Ambassadors serve as the official hosts and hostesses of UWF. They are student leaders volunteering their time for special campus and community activities. Ambassadors are selected by the University president and are asked to assist with dignitary visits, campus tours, recruiting trips, alumni programs, annual fund activities, and other similar events. The ambassadors wear green UWF blazers and official name badges.
All students are eligible and encouraged to participate in a varied season of full-scale productions given by the University Theatre for the entertainment and cultural advancement of the student body and neighboring communities. University students are given many opportunities for artistic growth and expression in all phases of stage production. The theatre program includes performances at the Center for Fine and Performing Arts Mainstage and Studio Theatres; the summer New Voices productions; and special productions in which professional guest artists perform with students.
Code of Student Conduct
The University seeks to provide an environment which encourages the thoughtful development of intellectual, social, and moral standards. Student conduct is expected to be lawful and students are expected to abide by all University regulations and the Code of Student Conduct, as published in the Student Handbook.
All students may bring grievances to the attention of University personnel and they will receive a prompt and fair disposition of the grievance as outlined in the Student Handbook.
Harassment is prohibited, whether on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, physical disability, marital status, or veteran status. Harassment is defined as conduct which unreasonably interferes with a student's status or performance by creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working or education environment. Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome or unsolicited sexual advance, requests for sexual favor, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.
University facilities and equipment are intended primarily for the use of the faculty and students enrolled in courses of instruction. A student who has completed registration, including the payment of fees, and whose name appears on the final class rolls, is authorized to attend classes and to use University instructional space, facilities, or equipment.
UWF Home Page
Adrienne Turner
Enrollment Services
September 20, 1996