Some Things to Know About

The Red Book

The Red Book is the official catalog for CPCS. It contains the current degree requirements and the CPCS academic policies.

 

Students will receive a "paper copy" of the requirement and policy sections of the Red Book through their Critical Learning Seminar. The entire Red Book is also posted on line at the Student Support page of the CPCS website (www.cpcs.umb.edu)

 

Instructional Activities Book

The Instructional Activities book lists and describes all the courses that are being offered in a given semester. It also has the academic calendar and lists classroom assignments, etc. You will be given one of these books at Orientation. The book is published at the end of each semester with information for the coming semester.

 

Student Support Web-Page

The Student Support web-page is a great place to get useful and up-to-date information specific to student needs. It has links to instructions for the different student systems. It will list any last-minute changes in classes. It provides a whole bunch of useful information. Check it out and make a point to use it during the semester to stay on top of what's happening.

 

Yellow Pages

The Yellow Pages list which faculty evaluate which competencies, so you can identify faculty evaluators if you're thinking of doing a competency independently or through prior learning. The Yellow Pages also list contact information on all the faculty at CPCS. The Yellow Pages are included in the Instructional Activities Book. (Hint: It's the yellow section).

 

Student ID

At the start of the semester, you should get a student ID The number assigned to you will be known as your UMS number.. . When you have your ID, you should take it to the Healey Library and get it coded so that you can use the library.

 

Password

All students will receive a Number that you will use to access your records on the University WISE and CPCS on-line systems. You will then, be given a password. Your Critical Learning instructor should give you your during the first two weeks of the semester. If you misplace yours or don't get one, check with the Office of Student Services.

e-mail

We strongly recommend that all students set up an e-mail account, if you don't have one already. We use e-mail a lot to communicate with students, and you will find it a handy way to communicate with faculty, staff and other students. The University provides a free e-mail account to all students. Information on how to access that will be sent to you by the Registrar's Office, but it's also fine to use your current e-mail address. It makes sense to use one that you'd normally check anyway. At Orientation, we will ask you provide us with your e-mail address on the Registration worksheet. We use this listserv to keep you informed of happenings at the College and important deadlines.

 

Faculty mailboxes and offices

If you need to leave materials or messages for faculty, you may do so in their mailboxes. The boxes are located in the Faculty Support Office, Wheatley 4 - 148A. Faculty office locations and office hours, emails, and phone numbers are also posted outside this office, by the copier.

 

Faculty offices are located on the third and fourth floors of the Wheatley Building. When you want to meet with a faculty member, the simplest thing to do is use the sign-up sheet most instructors post on their office door. Or you can phone or email to schedule a conference. Don't show up without warning and count on finding the faculty member available, even during her posted Office Hours (she may have scheduled appointments with other students).

 

Your classes

Almost all CPCS classes are held in the Wheatley Building . The Instructional Activities book lists the classroom assignments for each course. W stands for Wheatley, the first number tells you what floor the class is on, the last numbers tell you what room on that floor. For example: W-1-053 means that the class meets in Wheatley, 1st floor, room 53.

 

Some computer classes meet in computer labs in the Healey Library. Lab assignments are posted on the bulletin board outside Student Services.

 

Room changes

Sometimes there are last minute classroom assignment changes. Room changes or last minute class scheduling changes are always posted on the Student Support web page and outside of the Student Services Office on the big bulletin board. If you can't find a class you're looking for, it's good to check there.