UAF uses e-mail to communicate with students on many important matters. E-mail is often the only way some information is distributed, so it is important that you regularly check your university e-mail address or forward mail from your UAF address to an address you check frequently. The university automatically assigns each student an official UAF e-mail account when the student enrolls (except students whose primary registration is through Bristol Bay, Chukchi, Interior-Aleutians, Kuskokwim or Northwest campuses). If you have multiple UAF e-mail accounts, you should forward them to the one you check most often. You are responsible for knowing -- and, when appropriate, acting on -- the contents of all university communications sent to your official UAF e-mail account.

If you want to receive university communications at a different e-mail address, you need to forward e-mail from your assigned UAF account to an e-mail address of your choice. You can easily do this online at www.alaska.edu/google/.

To receive information about early registration for the next semester, and to receive other important information, be sure your current addresses are updated in the Registrar's Office. Your current mailing address may be updated on the web at http://uaonline.alaska.edu, or through the Registrar's Office. To forward your e-mail address, see the paragraph above.

Registration entitles you to reservations in the classes you want. However, you must begin attending classes on the first day of instruction or you may lose your place, regardless of whether or not you have paid tuition and fees. Not attending class and not paying tuition and fees will not remove your financial obligation to the university. If you do not plan to attend, you must drop your classes within the 100% refund period to avoid assessment of tuition and fees. The university will not initiate a drop for non-payment.

Now you can easily check your progress toward graduation with DegreeWorks, our web-based degree audit software. DegreeWorks tells you how far you've come and how far you need to go to reach your graduation goals. DegreeWorks will enable you to:

• View your progress toward your degree
• Run a degree audit on your program
• See how all completed courses apply to graduation requirements
• See any outstanding degree requirements still needed
• View the status of your petitions or departmental memos
• Determine how courses may be used toward a different major

Students can log into their DegreeWorks records via UAOnline at http://uaonline.alaska.edu. Select DegreeWorks under Student Services and Account Information.

Students applying for graduation will be provided an official degree audit evaluation once graduation application processing begins.

If you expect to finish your degree during the following semester, you must complete a Graduation Application and pay the graduation application fee of $50. The late fee is $80. The form is available at the Registrar's Office or at www.uaf.edu/reg/forms/graduation.pdf. Graduation application deadlines are listed at right. Plan ahead!

• Fall graduation application due: Oct. 15.
• Spring graduation application due: Feb. 15
• Summer graduation application due: July 15

Early applications can be submitted to receive a degree audit prior to your last semester. Contact the Graduation Office at 474-7523 for information.

UAF catalogs are available from the admissions office and online at www.uaf.edu/catalog/.

Blackboard is an Internet-based course management tool used by many UAF instructors to offer additional classroom resources, such as lecture notes, PowerPoint slides, handouts, or online quizzes. Blackboard also provides a discussion forum, a virtual classroom, and links to Elluminate Live! where students and instructors may work together in real time. Students connected to the Internet may access course materials on Blackboard 24/7 regardless of location. For more information about Blackboard, please visit http://classes.uaf.edu. For Blackboard-related questions, please call the OIT Support Center at 450-8300, or e-mail helpdesk@alaska.edu.

The Bookstore is located in Constitution Hall. Products available include UAF clothing, insignia gift items, general and Alaska books, study aids, school and art supplies, calculators, technology, snacks and sundries.

Bookstore hours

• Monday - Friday: 7:45 a.m. - 6 p.m.
• Saturday: noon - 5 p.m.

How to buy textbooks

The Bookstore website at www.uaf.edu/bookstore/ has instructions on how to order your textbooks and have them delivered directly to you.

Questions? We're here to help you!

• Phone: 474-7348
• Fax: 474-7739
• E-mail: fybook@uaf.edu
• Web: www.uaf.edu/bookstore/

The University of Alaska Fairbanks is committed to equal opportunity for students with disabilities. Students with disabilities are encouraged to contact the director of Disability Services, 208 Whitaker, at 474-5655 or 474-1827 (TTY). If you need accommodations at UAF, you should contact the director as early as possible in the admission process and provide documentation of the disability for which you are seeking accommodations.

During the intake process, the director will review the documentation you present to determine your eligibility for accommodations. All disability services are free of charge and available to all students with permanent and temporary disabilities, regardless of the number of credits taken.

Curb cuts and ramps have been installed at UAF. Almost all campus buildings contain accessible restroom facilities and elevators. The library and museum are accessible, and the swimming pool is equipped with a hydraulic lift. Accessible living accommodations are available through Residence Life. Many assistive technologies are available at Disability Services and in the Assistive Technologies Laboratory at Rasmuson Library.

MyUA is an Internet portal, which is a customizable website for students, staff and faculty at UAF and throughout the university system. Accessible from UAF's home page, the portal requires a single user ID and password for accessing many UAF and other university online information sources and services. Once you are logged in to the portal, information specific to you will be displayed. You will have access to various online resources, including UAOnline, Blackboard, a web calendar system, personal and university announcements and more. For more information contact MyUA@uaf.edu.

The PolarExpress card is your permanent official University of Alaska Fairbanks identification card. It is more than an ID card. You can deposit money in your PolarExpress card balance and use it to pay for goods at all Dining Services locations, vending machines, photocopiers, the Wood Center counter and the bookstore. You will be using your PolarExpress card for:

• Photo identification
• Dining services
• Residence hall access
• Library access
• Student labs access
• Photocopiers and laser printers
• Vending machine access
• Student Recreation Center
• Student Health Center
• Admission to university events
• Voting
• Fairbanks North Star Borough bus access (MACS)

The PolarExpress card office is located in 203 Eielson Building. Please bring valid photo identification when you stop in to have your picture taken for your new PolarExpress Card.

PolarExpress office hours:

• Monday - Wednesday, and Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• Thursday, 8 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
• Call 474-7657 for hours during registration.

Validity

Your PolarExpress card is valid for two years after your last affiliation with the university. All privileges are eliminated upon departure from the university, with the exception of Bear Bucks and Munch Money access. Holders who return to the university system within two years and no longer have their PolarExpress card must purchase a replacement card.

Returning students

Your PolarExpress card will be updated when you register. There is no need to come to the PolarExpress office to have it activated. If your card does not have your UA ID number printed in the lower right-hand corner, please bring it to the PolarExpress office to exchange it for a new one at no charge. Cards that do not display a UA ID number will no longer work in the PolarExpress system.

Replacement cards

There is a $15 fee for the first replacement card, $20 for the second, $25 for the third and so on. If your card is lost, stolen or damaged, you must report it immediately by calling 474-7657 to deactivate your card. Come to the office at 203 Eielson for your replacement card. If you locate your card after reporting it lost, you must come to our office to reactivate it.

To protect your privacy, the University of Alaska will assign you a student ID number that is different from your social security number (SSN). Your student ID number, rather than your SSN, will be used to identify your educational records. You will be able to access your new student ID number when you log on to UAOnline.

However, UA is required to obtain your SSN for federal financial aid and tax reporting purposes. The Privacy Act Notice, Section 6109 of the Internal Revenue Code, requires you to give your correct SSN to persons who must file information returns with the IRS to report certain information. The IRS uses the numbers for identification purposes and to help verify the accuracy of your tax return. For more information please refer to IRS code 6050S.

To use the secure web admissions application your SSN is required. (This will assist us in avoiding duplication of student records.) If you do not wish to provide your SSN using the web application you may download, complete and mail in an undergraduate or graduate student application.

Supplemental Instruction (SI) is an academic assistance program that utilizes peer-assisted study sessions. SI sessions are regularly scheduled, informal review sessions in which students compare notes, discuss readings, develop organizational tools and predict test items. Students learn how to integrate course content and study skills while working together. Students who attend SI sessions have been shown to improve course grades as well as overall grade point averages. For more information, contact the Academic Advising Center (509 Gruening), 474-7806 or visit www.uaf.edu/advising/.

Transcript services within the Registrar's Office is responsible for the distribution of your official academic records. Official transcripts are printed on special security paper and include an official signature and seal of the university. They are released in sealed envelopes. An official transcript becomes unofficial once the issuing envelope has been opened.

The National Student Clearinghouse is the University of Alaska provider for online transcript requests.

Order online

You can order an official transcript by visiting www.getmytranscript.com or through the "Transcript Request" link at UAOnline. This is a secure site that enables you to electronically submit your request (a major credit card and current e-mail address is required). Transcripts ordered through this site are sent out via regular first class mail within 7 - 10 business days for $7 per copy. Allow for longer processing times during peak periods at the beginning and end of each semester. No Priority, FedEx or Express mailing services are available through this site.

You may check the status of your transcript request through the www.studentclearinghouse.org.

In person, mail or fax

If you prefer to use our Official Transcript Request form, print the form at www.uaf.edu/reg/forms/Official_Transcript.pdf or visit the Registrar's Office in Signers' Hall. A completed request, with your signature and payment, is required at the time of your submission. Normal processing time is 7 - 10 business days, but at the end of each semester and during peak registration times the process may take longer. Rush service is available for an additional fee. All requests for official transcripts must be submitted in writing and include dates and places of attendance, social security number, date of birth, current telephone number and address. If you have attended more than one unit of the University of Alaska, you can use this process to order all your UA transcripts at once.

Unofficial transcripts

You may obtain a free unofficial transcript online at http://uaonline.alaska.edu or through the Registrar's Office for $3 per copy (www.uaf.edu/reg/transcripts/unofficial.)

UAF is a state-approved institution and committed to serving its veterans. If you are qualified and want to use your veteran's benefits under Chapters 30, 31, 32, 35, 1606 and 1607, please see the Veterans' Services representatives, located in the Financial Aid Office, 101 Eielson, to complete the necessary paperwork.

It is recommended that you submit VA education benefit forms at least 60-90 days prior to the start of a semester, due to the 30-45 day processing time required by the VA regional office. It is also advisable to seek additional financial aid and/or a payment plan through the Business Office (474-7384) if needed. In addition, any changes of enrollment must be reported to the Financial Aid Office immediately. Questions or concerns may be directed to 474-7256, toll free at 1-888-474-7256, or by e-mail to financialaid@uaf.edu.