Academic Advisor—
The IPFW faculty or staff person assigned to assist students throughout their academic career, including course selection, university policies, major/career choices and degree completion.

Bursar — The person or office in charge of money at a college. Students pay the bursar for tuition and housing

Center for Academic
Support and Advancement (CASA)— A center housing IPFW’s academic support programs: Supplemental Instruction (SI), tutoring in the SPOT, writing support in the Writing Center, math assistance in the Math Test Center, free computer classes through the STEPS program, and more. All services are free to IPFW students.

Class Standing —

• Freshman: fewer than 30 credit hours
• Sophomore: 30—59 credit hours
• Junior: 60—89 credit hours
• Senior: 90 or more credit hours

Co-Curricular Transcript (CCT) — A program for recording awards and scholarships, community service, educational workshops and programs, leadership activities, student government, and organization involvement.

Corequisite — Courses that must be taken at the same time. In the Bulletin, listed under course descriptions, a corequisite is preceded by a “C.”

Course Reference Number (CRN) — A unique identifier for a course in any given term. It is used to register for classes.

Curriculum — Courses that make up a program of study at a college.

Dean of Students — The dean of students may be contacted regarding any problem you are experiencing. Either direct assistance or referral to the appropriate individual or office will be provided. In addition, the dean and assistant dean handle student conduct problems, advise students of their rights and responsibilities, provide assistance in pursuing grade appeals and student complaints, and serve as an advocate for students and their issues.

First Year Experience
(FYE) — An academic and social program that makes the transition from high school to college easier by helping freshmen connect with IPFW.

First Year Experience Learning Community — Two or three linked courses wherein freshmen move as a group. Communities foster shared learning, integrate different classes with each other, and contain a social element that links classroom experiences with fun and rewarding activities both on and off campus. In the Schedule of Classes and on OASIS, Learning Communities are typically marked with an “L.”

Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) — The required application for federal, state, and institutional financial aid. Indiana students must file the FAFSA before March 1
of the year the student plans to attend college to meet the priority deadline. Must be completed yearly.

General Education
(Gen Ed) — The broad-based body of knowledge colleges expect graduates to know. General education courses are part of your degree requirements.

Graduate Assistant — Graduate student who also teaches courses at IPFW. Some departments call these students graduate aides or grad aides.

Internship — Experience gained by students working at jobs on or off campus. Students get practical experience in their area
of study and often earn credits toward their degree.

IPSGA (Indiana-Purdue Student Government Association) — The official voice of the student body, pledged to uphold and safeguard the academic and individual freedom of all students on campus.

Math Test Center — The center is for students who elect to take out-of-class testing or flex-pacing
math courses.

Flex Pace — A math department option that allows students to take specified sections of MA 109 and MA 113 at their own pace. All exams are taken in the Math Test Center. This frees up additional time in class for students to get help understanding the material. Students may take up to two semesters to complete the course.

Out-of-Class Testing
(OCT) — Some sections of MA 109, MA 113, MA 153, and MA 229 are offered with out-of-class testing. All exams are taken in the Math Test Center. This frees up additional time in class for students to get help understanding the material. Students may take up to three versions of each exam. Students keep their highest score. Partial credit is not given on the exams.

Mentor — A person who gives advice, guidance, and help.

Priority Registration — The first four weeks of any registration period in which students register according to their class standing.

Prerequisite — A course that must precede your enrollment in another course. In the Bulletin, listed under course descriptions, a prerequisite is marked
with a “P.”

Resident Assistant (RA) — A student living in Student Housing who coordinates programs and activities. RAs may also help students with problems or counsel students about campus difficulties. RAs receive substantial training.

Supplemental Instruction (SI) — An academic support program that increases students’ understanding
of content. SI is attached to specified courses that are traditionally considered difficult. SI is open to all students in these courses on a voluntary basis. It is a group study environment, and students learn “how to study” as well as “what to learn." SI is part of CASA.

STEPS — Student Technology Education Programs provide mini-courses and one-on-one help with students’ computer needs. Classes are available on Endnote, PowerPoint, researching the Web, designing Web pages, and more. STEPS is part of CASA.

Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) — An office that coordinates IPFW’s programming for students with disabilities by providing free and appropriate academic aids, services, and equipment.

Syllabus — A course contract given to students at the first class of the semester that describes readings, assignments, and grading standards. It usually includes the instructor’s office hours and contact information.

Teaching Assistant
(TA) — TAs are used by the math department in the Math Test Center and to assist teachers with various classes.

The SPOT — The SPOT for Academic Success is IPFW’s tutoring center. The SPOT provides academic assistance for all IPFW students with their content classes and/or study strategies. Students are entitled to two hours of free one-on-one tutoring per subject per week. Drop-in tutoring in certain subjects is available in addition to the two hours. The SPOT is part of CASA.

Writing Center —
The center provides consultants for students to speak with about writing projects in any of their classes. The service is free to all students and is another service of CASA.