Dear CICS Graduate Students,
We've received several questions about the shift to satisfactory/unsatisfactory grading and other details related to advising and registration. We know there is a lot going on, and that it might feel like information is harder to access without being able to stop by in person. We want you to know that all of us in CICS are working very hard to make sure you have the best possible experience in your classes and with registration this semester.
You should have received an official email from the university about changes being made to accommodate the shift to remote instruction. Here is a summary of some of the most recent changes that may have an immediate impact on registration plans for next semester:
Fall 2020 registration has been delayed. Staggered enrollment will begin on April 8 according to student matriculation with further information available here. Summer registration started yesterday (3/23).
All advising activities are taking place online. Master's students should contact Elizabeth Parolski to set up an advising appointment. PhD students should be in contact with their faculty advisor or, for additional support, contact Eileen Hamel at ehamel@cs.umass.edu.
The University has removed the limit on the number of courses that students can take under satisfactory/unsatisfactory grading. The full details of the announcement relating to this change are available here.
We are in the process of considering how the expanded availability of satisfactory/unsatisfactory grading will be taken into account by our graduate program. We will provide details to students before registration begins.
Eileen Hamel
Graduate Program Manager/PhD Advisor
Elizabeth Parolski
Master's Program Advisor
Christine Holbrook
Director of Academic Programs