Registration
The Office of the Registrar maintains the official academic records of all students and course registrations for currently enrolled students. Students are encouraged to contact the Office of the Registrar with questions concerning academic policies and procedures of their current registrations or academic records.

CHANGE OF STUDENT INFORMATION
Change of local, permanent, and emergency contact addresses; name; or other information affecting the student's permanent academic record may be requested in the Office of the Registrar.

CLASSIFICATION OF STUDENTS
The classification of a student is based upon the number of semester hours earned. The classifications are:

FRESHMAN:
Through 29 semester hours
SOPHOMORE:
30-59 semester hours
JUNIOR:
60-89 semester hours
SENIOR:
90 semester hours or more, including a minimum of 20 semester hours of course work at the 3000/4000 level.
GRADUATE:
A student admitted to a graduate program and completing work at the graduate level.
SPECIALIST:
A student admitted to a specialist program and completing work at the specialist level.
DOCTORAL:
A student admitted to the doctoral program and completing work at the doctoral level.
NON DEGREE-SEEKING STUDENT:
A student who currently is not a candidate for a degree or diploma.

DEADLINE DATES
Each student should be aware of the deadline dates in the current official academic calendar as published in the Catalog and as revised and published each semester in the Course Planning Guide. The academic calendar contains deadline dates for admission applications, changes in residency status, class registrations, fee payments, grade forgiveness options, pass/fail options, course scheduling changes (drop/add), course withdrawals, standardized test registrations, thesis and dissertation submissions, and graduation applications.

Graduate students also should obtain from their colleges and departments a detailed list of deadlines for the programs in which they are enrolled.

DIRECTORY/STUDENTS, STAFF, FACULTY
The University publishes an annual Campus Directory which includes a campus locator and the names, addresses, telephone numbers, and departmental affiliation for faculty, staff, and students. Copies are provided for distribution to the student body, faculty, and staff. Additional copies may be obtained at the Information Center, UWF Bookstore, Ticket Office, Cashier's Office, Registrar's Office, and Nautilus Card Office.

Students may inform the University in writing if they choose to prevent publication of directory information. Appropriate forms for such action are available in the Office of the Registrar (see Confidentiality of Student Records).

FLORIDA RESIDENCY FOR TUITION PURPOSES
To qualify as a Florida resident for tuition purposes, the student (dependent or independent) must be a U.S. Citizen, permanent resident alien, or a legal alien granted indefinite stay by U.S. Immigration, and must have established legal residence in Florida for a least one year. Students who do not meet this basic criteria cannot be classified as residents for tuition purposes. Questions regarding residency status upon initial application to UWF should be directed to the Office of Admissions. Questions regarding a change in residency status after enrollment should be directed to the Office of the Registrar.

Change of Residency Status
A student who has been classified as a "non-Florida resident for tuition purposes" at the time of application, and wishes to be considered for reclassification as a "Florida resident for tuition purposes," should file with the Office of the Registrar a "Request for Change of Residency" form, with copies of full documentation attached. The request and documentation must be submitted prior to the first day of classes for any given semester.

This request for reclassification is also required for students who are active duty or discharged members of the Armed Forces who wish to change from non-Florida or temporary Florida resident to Florida resident status.

Living in or attending school in Florida will not, in itself, establish legal residence; i.e., full-time students working part-time jobs may have difficulty in establishing residency. Residency in Florida must be for the purpose of establishing a permanent home and not merely incidental to enrollment at an institution of higher education. The burden of proof of permanent residence lies with the student.

Students who depend on out-of-State parent(s) or guardian(s) for support are presumed to be legal residents of the same state as their parents or guardians. These students will not be reclassified as Florida residents for tuition purposes.

Residency Documentation
In addition to being a U.S. citizen, permanent resident alien, or legal alien granted indefinite stay by INS, a student must provide the following documentation prior to the first day of classes for any given semester:

  1. Documentation of independent status according to the Federal Income Tax Code (petitioners under the age of 24 will be required to submit a copy of their parents' current IRS return to establish they are not claimed as dependents),
    or
    Documentation of dependent status according to the Federal Income Tax Code and documentation that your parent, legal guardian (court appointed), or adult relative (resided with for 5 years), has resided in the state of Florida for the previous 12 months with the intent of establishing a permanent home (requires copy of current IRS return from parent, legal guardian or adult relative and the residency statement and supporting documentation submitted will be that of the parent, etc.),
    or
    Documentation of being the spouse of someone who has resided in the state of Florida for the previous 12 months with the intent of establishing a permanent home (requires the marriage certificate, the residency statement and supporting documentation of the spouse, plus a photo copy of the student's Florida driver's license, voter registration, or vehicle registration);
    and
  2. Documentation establishing legal residence in Florida (must be dated at least one year prior to the first day of classes of the semester for which resident status is sought):
    1. Proof of purchase of a permanent home in Florida in which the student has resided for at least one year prior to the first day of classes,
      or
    2. Proof that the student has maintained residence in Florida for the preceding year (e.g., rent receipts, canceled checks or notarized statement from a landlord);
    and
  3. Documentation establishing bona fide domicile in Florida which is not temporary or merely incidental to enrollment in a Florida institution of higher education. The following documents will be considered evidence of domicile even though no single criteria will be considered as conclusive evidence of domicile:
    1. Florida voter registration,
    2. Florida driver's license,
    3. Florida vehicle registration,
    4. proof of real property ownership in Florida (e.g., deed, tax receipts),
    5. Florida occupational license,
    6. Declaration of Domicile,
    7. letter on company letterhead from an employer verifying permanent employment in Florida for the 12 consecutive months before classes begin,
    8. proof of membership in or affiliation with community or State organizations or significant connections to the State,
    9. proof of reliance upon Florida sources of support, or
    10. any other factors peculiar to the individual which tend to establish the necessary intent to make Florida a permanent home and that the individual is a bona fide Florida resident, including the age and general circumstances of the individual.
  4. No contrary evidence establishing residence elsewhere.

Special Categories for Temporary Florida Residency

  1. Members of the U.S. Armed Forces on active duty stationed in Florida and their spouse and dependents.
  2. Full-time instructional or administrative employees of Florida public schools, community colleges, or institutions of higher education and their spouse and dependents.

FINAL COURSE EXAMINATIONS
Final course examinations consist of 150 minutes of classroom instruction for courses taught in Term A. Exams are scheduled during the week of final exams of the fall and spring semesters and during the last week of classes of the summer semester (see the academic calendar). Final exams are listed on students' registration schedules. Final examinations may be scheduled on Saturday.

MAILING OF GRADES
Grades are mailed first class to the student's local address by the Office of the Registrar as soon as possible after the close of each semester. Grades will not be issued for students who have outstanding financial obligations to the University.

PREPARATORY COURSES
Entering freshmen who have scored below State determined minimums on the E-ACT or R-SAT exams are required to take preparatory courses at a community college in the appropriate areas before they may register at UWF for courses in those areas. Students must complete preparatory courses prior to or during their first 12 semester hours. Students scoring below the following minima will be required to take preparatory courses:

Test Math Prep Writing Prep Reading Prep
E-ACT Math 16 English Usage 16 Reading 16
SAT Math 400 Verbal 340
R-SAT Math 440 Verbal 420
CPT Math 72 English 83 Reading 83

R-SAT is the recentered SAT (effective April 1995) and E-ACT is the Enhanced ACT. CPT is the College Placement Test.

Typically, the student is notified of this requirement by mail prior to orientation and registration. It is important for students taking preparatory courses to realize that, although the courses are required, the preparatory courses carry no college credit and do not count either toward the 60 semester hours required for upper division status or toward the 120 semester hours required for graduation. The Office of Admissions must be provided proof of a student's successful completion of a preparatory course before the student can continue enrollment beyond 12 semester hours at UWF.

REGISTRATION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
The Course Planning Guide provides a list of courses offered at both on- and off-campus locations. Students should obtain a copy of the schedule for registration instructions. Course offering information is also available via the World Wide Web UWF:

http://uwf.edu/registrar
Degree-seeking students are also responsible for arranging appointments with their assigned academic advisors prior to registration. Degree-seeking students must have their advisor's signature on the registration form. Appointments can be made through the advising centers, academic departments, or for off-campus students through the staff of the Fort Walton Beach Campus and Eglin Center.

Proof of measles (rubella and rubeola) immunization must be on file in the Health Center before students can register for classes.

The Nautilus Card is required for students registering for the Pensacola campus courses.

Audit Grading Option
Students who have been admitted to the University may choose to audit a course by marking an "X" in the type-grade column on the "Registration Schedule" at the time of registration.

Students may register for a course as an audit before the end of the drop/add period. Students may change from the audit to the conventional letter grade system on or before the end of the tenth week of a fall or spring semester (see academic calendar for summer semester and short term dates).

Out-of-State fees are not assessed for audit courses. Out-of-State students changing from audit to the conventional letter grade system will be assessed out-of-State fees.

No credit is earned for an audit course.

Cancellation of Registration
Students may cancel registration prior to the last day of drop/add by notifying the Office of the Registrar. Students who cancel their registration within this time frame are not liable for tuition. Students should request a full refund of fees from the Cashier's Office, Building 20 East.

After the last day of drop/add, students must apply for withdrawal from the University by completing the appropriate forms in the Office of the Registrar. Withdrawals are not automatic (see section on Withdrawals). Standard letter grades will be assigned if a student discontinues attending classes without officially withdrawing.

Course Load/Maximum Hours Taken Per Semester
UNDERGRADUATE
A normal enrollment for undergraduates is defined as 15 semester hours per semester. To enroll for more than 20 semester hours in a semester, a student must have the written permission of the academic advisor and the chairperson of the student's major department. For certification of enrollment, 12 semester hours is considered full-time for a fall or spring semester; nine semester hours, for a summer semester.

GRADUATE
Graduate students may not enroll for more than 12 semester hours in a semester without the written permission of the academic advisor and the chairperson of the graduate program. For certification of enrollment, nine semester hours is considered full-time for a fall or spring semester; six semester hours, for a summer semester.

DOCTORAL PROGRAM
For full-time status, the University requires a doctoral student to register for a minimum of nine graduate semester hours for fall and spring semesters and six graduate semester hours for summer semester. The maximum number of hours for which a doctoral student may register in any given semester without special permission is twelve. To register for more than twelve hours, students must complete an "Ed.D. Student Petition" form. Approval from the committee chair and the College of Education Graduate Office is required.

Courses Outside Degree Programs
Unless otherwise stipulated by external accreditation agreements, students whose academic programs require courses in other disciplines shall be given the same access to those courses as majors.

Directed Independent Study
Students who wish to study or do research under the direction of a faculty member for topics or areas not detailed in regularly scheduled courses may make arrangements for such study as a directed independent study. Credit hours and requirements are determined by the director of the study. Registration requires the approval of the faculty member who will supervise the study and the student's advisor. Directed studies are available for approved subject area prefixes and levels and are designated by the last three digits of the course number. Example: ARH 4905 designates a senior level directed independent study in art history.

Drop/Add - Schedule Changes
Class schedule changes may be processed during the registration period and the scheduled drop/add period. Students may choose to change their class schedules by completing "Drop/Add" forms and submitting them to the Office of the Registrar. Advisors' signatures are required for degree-seeking students adding courses. If the drop/add results in a change of fees, the student must pay the additional fees or initiate a refund for fees in the Cashier's Office prior to the last day of fee payment (see current academic calendar for deadlines).

Dual Enrollment
Dual enrollment is a program in which academically talented students receive permission from the high school to take one or more college courses while taking the majority of course work at the high school. Eligibility for participation is determined by written agreement between each school district and the University. Students are not required to pay tuition; however, they must pay for a Nautilus Card, parking decal, and textbooks.

For further information on dual enrollment, consult the Office of Admissions.

Interdisciplinary Programs
For course registration, students enrolled in interdisciplinary programs shall be considered majors in the designated disciplines of the degree plan. These students shall be subject to the same prerequisites as other students.

Late Registration
Registration should be initiated prior to the first day of classes for any given semester to avoid the late registration fee. Students who do not register by the close of business the last day of registration, or who do not pay fees by the last date of fee payment, will be assessed a nonrefundable late fee of $50.

Non Degree-Seeking Students/Graduate Level Courses
Non degree-seeking students may enroll in a 5000-6000 level course. Many advanced courses require that the instructor grant permission to each enrolled student, including non degree-seeking students.

Pass/Fail Option
UNDERGRADUATE
At the time of initial enrollment for each semester (including the drop/add period), degree-seeking undergraduate or non degree-seeking students may elect to take a course on the pass/fail basis with the approval of the faculty advisor.

  1. The pass/fail option may not be used for any University or departmentally required course. Students should see their advisors for approval of courses to be taken on the pass/fail basis.
  2. No course taken to fulfill General Studies requirements, other University requirements, or which may fulfill the student's intended major may be taken on the pass/fail basis. The foreign language admission requirement may be taken on the pass/fail option. The foreign language requirement for Core Curriculum may not be taken by pass/fail (see General Education requirements).
  3. No more than six semester hours or two courses (whichever is greater in credit) per degree program curriculum may be taken on the pass/fail basis. A failed course taken on the pass/fail basis counts as part of the maximum six semester hours and is computed in the GPA. Students who student teach or enroll in courses graded only on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis may enroll for an additional six semester hours on the pass/fail basis.
  4. To be eligible for the pass/fail option, a student must be in good academic standing.
  5. Students may change from the pass/fail system in any course to the conventional letter grade system before the end of the tenth week of a fall or spring semester (see academic calendar for summer semester and short term dates). Courses changed from the pass/fail grading system to the conventional letter grade system prior to the published deadline do not count as part of the six semester hours or two courses permitted to be taken on the pass/fail basis.

GRADUATE
Graduate students may not elect the pass/fail option.

Registration Holds
A registration hold will be placed on the student record for one or more of the following reasons: academic suspension, incomplete admissions documents, financial obligations (parking tickets, library fines, etc.), administrative discipline, failure to comply with the immunization requirements, or academic advising. Students should contact the appropriate office and arrange for removal of the registration hold to register for classes, receive official transcripts, grades, and diplomas.

Senior Citizens/Florida Residents
Students 60 years or older who meet residency requirements may enroll on a space-available basis without payment of the registration fees. Course work is noncredit. Registration information may be obtained by contacting the Registrar's Office. Students must submit the tuition waiver form, registration form, and other pertinent documents to the Registrar's Office by the end of the late registration period. Senior citizen students enrolled in courses on the Pensacola campus are required to purchase a Nautilus Card and parking decal.

State Employees
Employees of the State of Florida who are classified as permanent full-time employees may be allowed to register on a space-available basis at the University for six semester hours of tuition-free courses. Admission, readmission, and registration information may be obtained by contacting either the Office of Admissions or the Registrar. Registration and tuition waiver forms should be completed and submitted to the Office of the Registrar by the end of the late registration period. Registrations will be processed on the last day of registration. Waivers may not be used for directed studies, internships, theses, and dissertations. State employees attending the Pensacola campus are required to purchase a Nautilus Card and parking decal.

Transient Student Status
Students enrolled in a degree program at another institution may register for courses at UWF as transient, non degree-seeking students. Students registering as transient students are encouraged to submit a "Transient Student" form initiated at the parent institution indicating approval of course work to be taken at UWF. "Transient Student" forms from other Florida public universities will be used by UWF in lieu of the "Non-Degree Student Classification" form and as a registration form. It is the student's responsibility to request official transcripts to be sent to the parent institution. For further information, contact the Office of Admissions.

Undergraduates Enrolling in Graduate Courses
Courses at the 5000 level may apply to either a graduate or undergraduate degree program; however, a student may not receive both graduate and undergraduate credit for the same course.

Juniors and seniors may enroll for 5000-level courses with the understanding that the courses will be included in their undergraudate program if they indicate this designation at the time of registration. Except in unusual cases, undergraduate students are restricted to 5000-level courses. Only students who have maintained a "B" average in courses numbered 3000 and above are permitted to enroll in graduate courses. For specific course requirements, students should contact the major department and refer to graduate course requirements in the Catalog.

A 6000-level course may not be included in an undergraduate program.

Undergraduate students who are within 30 semester hours of completing requirements for a bachelor's degree may enroll for 6000-level courses with the permission of their advisors and course instructors, provided their records indicate they have applied for graduate programs. Undergraduate students may register for up to 10 semester hours in graduate courses for graduate credit; permission must be granted in writing from the appropriate college dean.

Graduate level fees are assessed for all graduate level courses regardless of the student's classification.

STUDENT RECORDS
Confidentiality of Student Records
The disclosure or publication of student information is governed by the policies of The University of West Florida and the Board of Regents of the State University System (SUS) of Florida within the framework of State and Federal laws, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974. The written consent of the student is required for the disclosure or publication of any information which is (a) personally identifiable of the student and (b) a part of the educational record. However, certain exceptions to that generality, both in types of information which can be disclosed and in access to that information, are allowed within the regulations of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, as described below:

  1. Right of Privacy - Every student shall have a right of privacy with respect to the educational records. Personally identifiable records or reports of a student, and any personal information contained therein, are confidential and exempt from the provisions of Florida Statutes. The University of West Florida will not permit the release of such records, reports, or information without the written consent of the student's parent or guardian, or of the student if the student is qualified as provided in this subsection, to any individual, agency, or organization. These exemptions are subject to the Open Government Sunset Review Act in accordance with Florida Statutes. However, personally identifiable records or reports of a student may be released without the consent of the student or the parent to (or for):
    1. officials of the University with a legitimate educational interest,
    2. certain government agencies,
    3. accrediting organizations,
    4. certain financial aid matters,
    5. certain research circumstances,
    6. health and safety emergencies,
    7. a court pursuant to subpoena, and
    8. as otherwise provided by law.
  2. Subject to statutory conditions and limitations, prior consent of the student is not required for disclosure of certain types of information for:
    1. portions of the educational record for which the student has signed a waiver;
    2. portions of the educational record which are exempted by law, including records of law enforcement agencies of the University; employment records of the student within the University personal records of instructional, supervisory or administrative personnel; and alumni records related to that student; and
    3. records transmitted to another school or school system in which the student seeks or intends to enroll, since the University generally forwards these on request.
    More specific information regarding such exempted information can be obtained from the Office of the Registrar. For the complete text of the applicable statutes, refer to Florida Statutes,
  3. Prior consent of the student is not required for disclosure of portions of the educational records defined by the institution as DIRECTORY INFORMATION, which may be released via official media of the University:
      Category I
        Name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, and dates of attendance.
      Category II
        The most recent previous institution attended, major field of study, awards, honors (including deans list), and degrees conferred (including dates).
      Category III
        Past and present participation in officially recognized sports and activities, physical factors (height and weight of athletes), and date and place of birth.
      Category IV
        Class schedule.
      Category V
        Commencement program (name and degree at time of graduation).
      Category VI
        News releases (at time of graduation).
      The above information may be released or published by the University without prior written consent of the student unless exception is made in writing by the student.
  4. Request to prevent publication of directory information - Students may inform the University in writing of their desire to prevent publication of such directory information or release of such information except as required by law. Appropriate forms for such action are made available in the Office of the Registrar. Students having questions regarding the confidentiality of records or specific requests concerning their records should contact the Office of the Registrar.
  5. Rights of Parent, Guardian, or Student - The parent or guardian of any student who attends or has attended any public institution of higher education in the SUS shall have the rights noted below with respect to any records or reports created, maintained, and used by any public educational institution in the State. When a student has attained 18 years of age or is attending an institution of postsecondary education, the permission or consent required of, and the rights accorded to, the parents of the student shall thereafter be required of and accorded to the student only, unless the student is a dependent student of such parents as defined in the Internal Revenue Code of 1954. The State Board of Education shall formulate, adopt, and promulgate rules whereby parents, guardians, or students may exercise these rights:
    1. Right of access
      1. Such parent, guardian, or student shall have the right, upon request directed to the appropriate official, to be provided with a list of types of records and reports, directly related to students, as maintained by the institution which the student attends or has attended.
      2. Such parent, guardian, or student shall have the right, upon request, to be shown any record or report relating to such student maintained by any public educational institution.
      3. Copies of any list, record or report requested under the provisions of this paragraph shall be furnished to the parent, guardian, or student upon request. However, access to any report or record requested under these provisions shall be granted within 30 days after receipt of such request by the institution.
    2. Right of waiver of access to confidential letters or statements - Such parent, guardian, or student shall have the right to waive the right of access to letters or statements of recommendation or evaluation, except that such waiver shall apply to recommendations or evaluations only if:
      1. The parent, guardian, or student is, upon request, notified of the names of all persons submitting confidential letters or statements; and
      2. Such recommendations or evaluations are used solely for the purpose for which they were specifically intended.
      Such waivers may not be required as a condition for admission to, receipt of financial aid from, or receipt of any other services or benefits from, any public agency or public educational institution in this State.
    3. Right to challenge and hearing - Such parent, guardian, or student shall have the right to challenge the content of any record or report to which such person is granted access under paragraph (1), to ensure that the record or report is not inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the privacy or other rights of the student and to provide an opportunity for the correction, deletion, or expunction of any inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise inappropriate data or material contained therein.

TRANSCRIPTS
Requests for official transcripts of academic work completed at UWF must be made in writing. Request forms are available in the Office of the Registrar. A student's academic record can only be released upon written authorization by the student. A $5 fee is assessed for each transcript requested. The fee and any other financial obligations must be paid in full prior to release of the transcript.

TUITION
Tuition is payable as specified in the current academic calendar. A student is not considered officially registered until all fees (tuition, special fees, late fees, etc.) are paid in full.

UWF Home Page
Table of Contents
Adrienne Turner
Enrollment Services
June 13, 1997