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Frequently Asked Questions

Housing and Dining

Where’s the best place to live my first year?
Anywhere! It all depends on the student. The first choice to make is whether or not to live in University Housing or Private Certified Housing. After that, you should decide what hall fits you best. But if you don’t get your first choice, don’t worry. All the halls provide similar services, social life, and are relatively the same distance from campus. Here are links to University and Private Certified, respectively: http://www.housing.illinois.edu/

I’m packing. What should I bring?
Everyone needs different items. Be sure to communicate with your future roommate, especially on those larger things. Here is a guideline for possible things to bring from Housing: http://www.housing.illinois.edu/Future/Incoming/

What meal plan is the best?
The best meal plan for you depends on what type of eater you are and where you live on campus. Students living in Private Certified Housing have a separate meal plan than students living in university housing. That being said, you may choose between Classic Meals, Café Credits, or a combination of both. Classic Meals are those served in the dining hall during standard breakfast, lunch, and dinner times. Café Credits are used for a la carte locations. For more specific information regarding meal plans see this Housing website: http://www.housing.illinois.edu/Current/Dining

How can I change my meal plan?
During the fall semester, you may change to any meal plan until roughly two weeks after the first day of class for the semester. After that time, your meal plan may not be changed again until the spring semester 2011. To check your meal plan balance and to buy extra credits, go to this Housing link: https://apps-s.housing.illinois.edu/MyBalances/

Academics

Where, when and how do I buy books?
Every student does this process differently. Books may be pre-ordered, picked up before classes, or bought after classes start. There are three bookstores on campus:

Another option is the Illini Book Exchange: http://www.illinibookexchange.com

Also, some students prefer to purchase used books online.

Do I need to bring a computer?
This is a personal choice. It is not necessary for the average student. Not only do most residence halls have computer labs, there are also labs located in libraries and various other buildings throughout campus (www.cites.illinois.edu/ics/labs.html). If you are purchasing a computer, check with your department first. Some majors would benefit from certain computers over another. The department requirements are listed online: http://www.cites.illinois.edu/newtocampus/deptrecs.html The option to purchase computers from the University is an option, as well. The Illini Flash Drive (http://union.illinois.edu/flashdrive) or the Illini Apple Center (http://www.illiniapplecenter.com/) will fit your needs, depending on your preference. For other technical questions, CITES is the place to go. You can even chat with the CITES help desk online: http://www.cites.illinois.edu/help/

How can I prevent my computer from being stolen?
These are the recommendations made by CITES to protect your computer from theft:

  • Register your laptop with CITES. It only takes a few minutes, and if your laptop is ever stolen, CITES will have the information to help you retrieve it. See CITES page to register your computer: http://www.cites.illinois.edu/security/register/
  • Never leave your computer unattended whether it be in your dorm room while you step out for a minute or at the library where you will only be gone for a minute.
  • Use a computer cable lock. Make sure you use it correctly, follow the lock instructions and secure your laptop to a large object, one that a thief could not carry out as well.
  • Always use a password on your computer and back up your files in case your computer is ever stolen you won’t loose your information and a thief does not have access to it as well.

Other safety tips for your computer:

How do I drop a class?
Check with your advisor first!!! When considering dropping a class, consider your “full-time” status as a student, as you can drop classes after the final date to add classes. Also, make sure the class you are dropping is not a requirement or pre-requisite to a future requirement.

Undergraduate students may drop a course without academic penalty during the first eight weeks of instruction in a term. See the OAR website for exact dates. A college or department may place an advising hold on an undergraduate student whom they wish to talk with prior to adding or dropping a course. For all students, a grade of W (withdraw) or F (fail) will be assigned to a course dropped after these deadline dates. See your academic department for extenuating circumstances regarding the need to drop a course.

Students drop classes through the UI-Integrate Self-Service system. See instructions: http://registrar.illinois.edu/registration/help_drop.html

How can I test out of a class?
This depends on the requirements for your college and major. Students may test out of courses through high scores in some high school courses. Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), ACT/SAT scores and advanced level courses can all earn students college credit. See Admissions to determine where you may receive college credit: http://admissions.illinois.edu/academics/placement.html. Further, students who have attended another college or have taken courses at another college, including community college, may be able to receive credit for those courses. U.select works in conjunction with the University of Illinois to determine your course equivalencies. See: https://www.transfer.org/uselect/login.htm to compare your courses and submit them to the university for approval.

Do I have to take any placement and/or proficiency Exams? What are they?

Placement Exams:
The purpose of UIUC Placement Testing is to find out what your level of knowledge is in a subject so that we can recommend a particular UIUC course that will continue your studies where you left off.

Proficiency Exams:
You take a "proficiency test" to show whether you have mastered the material so well that it’s as if you had taken the UIUC course itself. A high score on a proficiency exam might earn you course credit which would be posted to your academic record.

All new first-year students are required to take the ALEKS math placement exam. Many times, first-year students will also be required to take chemisty and foreign language exams as well.

For this information and more information regarding specific exams, talk to you college advisor or visit: http://cte.illinois.edu/testing/placprof/main.html

What if I want to transfer colleges or change my major?
Every college has different requirements and processes for this. There is no guarantee for every transfer or change of major. In general though, if you want to change your major: You are required to stay in your major of admittance for the entirety of your first year. Second semester of your first-year, you may be allowed or have room to take classes that pertain to your desired major, but will not be allowed to officially change. Check with your advisor before taking these classes though or attempting to change majors. If you want to transfer colleges: Work with your own college and the college you hope to transfer into. Both will be able to help with the possible transfer. All colleges require students to submit an Inter-Collegiate Transfer form that can be obtained at your college office.

Campus Resources

Where can I get help with my résumé?
The Career Center on campus offers many resources to students including help with your résumé. They offer drop in résumé and cover letter critiques Monday through Friday at the Career Center office (East side of Wright and Green St.) as well as at a variety of other campus locations. See the Career Center for times and other locations: http://www.careercenter.uiuc.edu/services/resume.php. Here are some helpful tips for getting your résumé started: http://www.careercenter.uiuc.edu/guides/resume.php

Should I bring my car?
Student parking on campus is limited, expensive, and often frustrating. Therefore, we do not recommend first-year students bring cars to campus. The local Mass Transit District (MTD) provides extensive busing that serves both the campus district and Champaign-Urbana community. Most students would agree that campus transportation is readily available and hassle free. The mandatory Campus Transportation Fee covers the cost for using the bus system. Students simply need to show their i-card to ride. Bus routes and schedules are available on the MTD website: http://www.cumtd.com/.

Many students also utilize bicycles, skateboards, push/kick scooters, and skates to get around campus. If all else fails, you can walk—most people do. Specific information on campus parking is available on the Parking Department’s website at http://www.parking.illinois.edu/.

I decided I do need to bring my car. Where can I park?
There are parking lots around campus that rent spaces. Visit the Parking Department’s website for prices and locations (http://www.parking.uiuc.edu/).

I’m having a visitor. Where can they park since I don’t have a spot?
There is metered street parking throughout Champaign-Urbana. Temporary parking spots may also be rented through the Parking Department. Visit their website for information (http://www.parking.uiuc.edu/visitorparkinginfo.htm).

How will I get around this large campus?
Students usually walk. Bicycles are also very popular. The campus has 4.7 miles of bicycle paths, and nearly 14,000 bicycles are registered to campus. You can register your bicycle with Campus Parking located at 1110 W Springfield Ave. on the second floor. To do so, bring your bicycle make, model, color, serial number, and University iCard. Also, the Mass Transit Disctrict (MTD) operates routes specific to campus.

How do I find MTD bus routes?
The MTD website has a lot of helpful information regarding the transit system on campus. CUMTD.com has a map of the bus routes as well as a build your route system. All you need to know is where you are and where you are going and MTD will tell you which bus to take and when. Check out the MTD StopWatch system. MTD will text message you when your bus is getting close. For these and other CUMTD features, check out http://www.cumtd.com/

Is campus safe?
Yes, our campus is relatively safe, but it is not crime free. Our campus district is served by three full-fledged police departments: the University of Illinois Police Department, The Champaign Police Department, and the Urbana Police Department. Each department works tirelessly to protect and serve our campus community. Students also have a role to play in ensuring their safety on campus. Click on the URL that follows for important campus safety suggestions provided by the University of Illinois Police Department: http://www.police.illinois.edu/universitypolice/campussafety.html.

While on the Police Department’s website be sure to read about the SafeWalks and SafeRides programs. They are great alternatives to walking alone, especially at night. We also recommend becoming familiar with the bus service provided by the local Mass Transit District (MTD). Their web address is www.cumtd.com. MTD service is included in the mandatory Campus Transportation Fee, so U of I students may ride all MTD buses without additional charge. The i-card also serves as a bus pass. Students simply display their i-card upon boarding the bus. The Division of Public Safety also offers a Self-Defense course, RAD, Rape Aggression Defense System. The course is for women only and focuses on the natural abilities of women to defend themselves. For more information see: http://www.police.illinois.edu/universitypolice/rad.html

I have insurance already; do I need to pay the Health Service Fee?
Yes. The Health Service Fee is MANDATORY for all full-time students. The Health Service Fee is not associated with the University Student Insurance plan. The Health Service Fee exclusively supports access to campus based health services. Specifically, the Health Service Fee supports the salaries, programming, utilities, and general expenses for the McKinley Health Center and the Counseling Center. Here is a list detailing the difference between the Health Service Fee and student insurance: http://www.mckinley.illinois.edu/general/insurance_faq.htm

Can I waive the University’s student health insurance plan?
Yes. Student Health Insurance can be waived, assuming your current health insurance meets the University’s requirements. Many students choose to keep the Student Insurance as a secondary insurance. For more information, contact the Student Insurance Office (http://www.si.illinois.edu/)

How do I get season football tickets?
There are two ways for students go get season tickets. Students can purchase Block I tickets through the student organization Illini Pride. Block I tickets are located in the end zone. Benefits to Block I include an all inclusive road trip to around 100 members and Illini Pride membership. Students can also buy a student season ticket voucher. This will allow them to trade in their voucher for tickets during the week prior to the game. http://www.athletics.illinois.edu/tickets/info/football/students.html

How do I get season basketball tickets?
There are two ways for students go get season tickets. Students can order tickets through the ticket office as either an individual or a group. However, this may not guarantee tickets since tickets are awarded based upon class standing and the years which you have purchased tickets. Students may also join the Orange Krush which requires fundraising for various charities in order to gain admittance. Orange Krush which is part of Illini Pride has seats which are located on the floor for the students who arrive earliest to games. http://www.athletics.illinois.edu/tickets/

What are the Cultural Centers on campus?
There are six cultural centers on campus, four are located on Nevada Street in Urbana (east side of the Foreign Languages Building). The other two centers are located near the quad. All of the cultural centers offer programming for ALL students to increase both knowledge of students’ own culture, as well as other cultures.

For additional information on the cultural centers and diversity education visit the Office of Inclusion and Intercultural Relations’ (OIIR) website (www.studentaffairs.illinois.edu/diversity/oiir.html).

What if I get sick and miss class or an exam?
If sick, call Dial-a-nurse at 217-333-2700 to schedule an appointment or seek advice for medical conditions. You may also visit McKinley Health Center for a walk-in appointment. (www.mckinley.illinois.edu/) After this, contact the Emergency Dean to request an absence letter.(contact information given in the next answer) to request an excusal.

What is the Emergency Dean?
The Emergency Dean provides information and follow-up services to students and families in an emergency situation. Also, the Emergency Dean acts as a resource to community and University law enforcement agencies, hospitals and crisis centers. The Emergency Dean can be reached 24-hours a day, 7 days a week by calling (217) 333-0050. http://www.odos.uiuc.edu/emergency/

Where can I get enrollment verification?
Enrollment verification is done through the Office of the Registrar. Please visit http://www.registrar.illinois.edu/transcripts/verify.html

What is FERPA?
FERPA stands for Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. For further information please visit http://www.registrar.illinois.edu/staff/ferpa_tutorial/index.html

Finances

Where do I get current tuition and fees information?
The Office of the Registrar can give you information on tuition and fees. Please visit http://registrar.illinois.edu/financial/index.html

How do I get financial aid?
To apply for financial aid, a student must complete the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) (http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/). After completing the FAFSA, students with receive their Expected Family Contribution (EFC) in the mail. The University subtracts the EFC from the cost of attendance to assess a student’s need. From there, a student will possibly be offered various loans, grants and/or scholarships. For more information, visit the Office of Student Financial Aid’s website (http://www.osfa.uiuc.edu/index.html).

I didn’t qualify for financial aid. How do I find scholarships?
There are many private companies and non-profit organizations that offer scholarships. There are websites out there to help students locate these scholarships. Some examples are FastWEB (www.fastweb.com) and Higher EdNet (www.collegezone.com).

I’m going to need a job; where can I work?
With a campus this size, there are many opportunities. A great resource is the University’s Virtual Job Board (https://secure.admin.illinois.edu/osfa/vjb/). It lists many on- and off-campus jobs. Other great resources are the Daily Illini http://classifieds.dailyillini.com and New Gazette Classifieds: http://careers.news-gazette.com/

Welcome Week & Orientation

What is Welcome Week?
Welcome Week is comprised of events aimed to help new students adjust to and connect with their new community on campus. Welcome Week occurs the first week of classes, as well as the weekend prior. Welcome Week will include the following events, as well as others that have yet to be scheduled:

  • New Student Convocation
  • Illinois Sights and Sounds
  • Late Nighter at the Illini Union
  • Campus Rec Block Party
  • Quad Day
  • I-Celebrate Taste of Nevada Street

My Summer Registration date is late in the summer; won’t all the “good” classes be gone by then?
This is not the case. Each day of registration, only a select amount of spaces in each class are released. So, even on the last day of registration, new seats are being opened. With so many classes being offered, you will be able to create a schedule that works for you. Also remember that you have time and will be able to get in more classes as you get older.

What is Freshman Orientation?
Illinois Exposed is more than clever marketing. It’s an interactive series of campus orientation workshops especially for first-semester freshman. Students who attend Illinois Exposed will learn to get involved, navigate the maze of resources available to them on campus, and have all of their questions answered in a safe and welcoming environment. Illinois Exposed sessions are offered during the first four weeks of each semester, so be sure to check one out! Come on, what do you have to lose? Get exposed!

What is Transfer Student Orientation?
Experience Illinois is a transfer student orientation program offered during the fall and spring semesters. Experience Illinois presents the opportunity to meet fellow transfer students, learn about campus resources, and become involved at the University of Illinois. Make this campus your home by getting a true Illinois experience.