Webinar 2: Preparing for Academic Advising at Orientation Summer 2025
The transcript below has been edited to put the answer to a question directly below it. Any answer that has a header with the time was not answered in the chat and the answer was added during the editing process.
00:19:42 Stephanie Auwaerter: New Student Checklist /orientation/checklist/index.php
00:19:54 John: Mindy, you are blurry on the screen
00:20:20 Stephanie Auwaerter: Replying to "Mindy, you are blurr..."
We are having some camera issues this evening. Sorry
00:20:32 Mindy Miley: Reacted to "Mindy, you are blurr..." with 😊
Probably for the best LOL :)
00:21:50 Stephanie Auwaerter: Academic Advising and Planning Center - New Student Information
/advising/new-and-prospective-students/index.php
00:22:53 Christine Lynn: If your student is honors - is the process similar?
00:24:03 Stephanie Auwaerter: Replying to "If your student is h..."
Honors students have a meeting on the first day and then have individual appointments on day 2
00:22:56 Jean Marie: Are Arch students included with the honors group?
00:23:19 Stephanie Auwaerter: Replying to "Are Arch students in..."
ARCH students are seen by the Academic Advising and Planning Center (Karen's office)
00:24:29 Mary Ellen Dippolito: How does this work for the students going to the last orientation in August?
00:24:55 Stephanie Auwaerter: Replying to "How does this work f..."
The students attending orientation in August will do virtual advising and registration on July 23.
00:24:39 Jessica Stone: What about students out of state who are not doing this early orientation
00:24:41 Candace Mooney - 229186: My daughter is a transfer student and just one day on June 27 to confirm?
00:25:13 Stephanie Auwaerter: Replying to "My daughter is a tra..."
Correct - transfer orientation is one day
00:24:56 Michelle Shiller’s iPhone: We are out of state tuition, definitely on the 4-year track
00:25:14 Mary Ellen Dippolito: Replying to "How does this work f..."
Do they need to schedule that?
Stephanie Auwaerter: They do not need to schedule it. Students will receive an email in early July about their time on July 23.
00:25:26 Candace Mooney - 229186: Thank you and parents join but just one is allowed?
00:25:27 Karen Hauschild: Yes, Transfer student Orientation is one day. Advising and registration activities happen in that one day. They will receive their schedule when they check in for orientation.
00:26:08 Stephanie Auwaerter: Replying to "My daughter is a tra..."
Advising and Registration is just for students.
00:26:38 Stephanie Auwaerter: Replying to "My daughter is a tra..."
If you have questions after the student has their schedule, you and the student can talk to the advising office
00:26:27 Robert Rogers: also wondering if those attending the last orientation have a competitive disadvantage for class registrations?
Stephanie: We open spots in classes at every session so students can have a equitable chance for courses. Students also need to have an open mind regarding what types of classes they will be taking and the times.
00:26:34 Gaelen Adam: Am I right that kids in the Aug 14 orientation have this advising session in July?
00:28:41 Stephanie Auwaerter: Replying to "Am I right that kids..."
Correct - July 23 in a virtual setting
00:26:55 Stephen rosebrough: If know Major: Nursing/Public Health. Will she be able to meet with an advisor that will guide with correct courses?
00:28:27 Stephanie Auwaerter: Replying to "My daughter is a tra..."
The advisors are familiar with many majors and will be able to help them
00:27:07 Kiani Wallerstein: Will athletes meet with their advisor or the other advisors at orientation?
00:28:57 Stephanie Auwaerter: Replying to "Will athletes meet w..."
The athletes will meet with advisors in the athletic dept
00:27:07 Ed Silva: Are incoming Freshmen going to be able to consult their academic advisor prior to orientation?
Stephanie: Due to the number of sessions we have this summer, they won’t be able to chat with their advisor before orientation but they have two days to work with them and can also ask questions after their orientation session
00:27:48 Joey cipollone: My son is going to do 12 credit hours however with having to take the FYE course in FALL could that class be an added class to the 12 credits? Is it a lighter class? And how many credits is it?
Stephanie: The FYE class can be three to six credits (depending on which one he selects). It would be added to the 12 hours he currently wants to take. I don’t think any of our classes are light.
00:29:13 Stephanie Auwaerter: Stephanie Auwaerter auwaerters@cofc.edu
00:29:22 Stephanie Auwaerter: Orientation questions orientat@cofc.edu
00:29:40 Tricia Pool: My son would like to change his major, should we talk to someone before we arrive so we are getting the classes for the new major?
00:30:41 Stephanie Auwaerter: Replying to "My son would like to..."
All students come in undeclared so it is OK that he is interested in a new major
00:29:42 becky Kilfoy school nurse OJRSD: Can you speak to class availability for those orienting later in July/august?
Stephanie: We open spots in classes at every session so students can have a equitable chance for courses. Students also need to have an open mind regarding what types of classes they will be taking and the times.
00:29:53 Stephanie Auwaerter: Replying to "i did not receive on..."
please email me at auwaerters@cofc.edu and I can send it to you. Please include your student's name in the email.
00:29:56 Stephanie Tompkins Senn’s iPhone: What if we applied without test scores?
Stephanie: the math placement score can be created without that information
00:30:34 Mindy Miley: Replying to "is that email going ..."
We email the student's CofC email about a variety of things. Most information for parents we put in our parent platform (The CofC Parent & Family Experience)
00:30:44 Joey cipollone: Do they have to take a math the first year?
Stephanie: It will depend on their major. Their academic advisor will let them know.
00:30:44 becky Kilfoy school nurse OJRSD: My daughter is environmental studies, there are 2 tracts. Can she choose/change at orientation after talking with advisor
Stephanie: Students come in undeclared and can change at orientation and other times during their four years at CofC (but they should talk to an advisor if they change after the freshman year as it may affect how long it will take them to complete CofC)
00:30:55 Nicole N: My daughter will be in the orientation on June 16/17. I have not recieved the orientation email that was referenced. What email should I contact? Thanks.
Please email me auwaerters@cofc.edu with your student’s name and I’ll
00:30:57 Jessica Stone: Are students who are attending the last orientation and attending the one day virtual session next month at a disadvantage in terms of getting into classes they want?
00:33:18 Stephanie Auwaerter: Replying to "Are students who are..."
We are holding seats in classes for students attending the virtual session so they can have equal opportunity.
00:31:05 suzielong: For Orientation in August: And therefore course selection July 23, is there a different process.?
00:32:48 Stephanie Auwaerter: Replying to "For Orientation in A..."
Yes. A virtual process. We'll have Karen talk about it in a minute.
00:31:18 Brandi Nolan: We requested transcripts to be sent. Is there a way to verify the college has received them?
00:31:39 Stephanie Auwaerter: Replying to "We requested transcr..."
email admissions@cofc.edu to check
00:31:20 Stephanie Auwaerter: Replying to "My daughter will be ..."
please email me at auwaerters@cofc.edu with your student name
00:31:27 Jean Marie: If AP test score won't be available till July will my student be able to register for a class during June orientation that the AP score/class would be a pre-req for?
00:32:26 Stephanie Auwaerter: Replying to "If AP test score won..."
If the class is a pre requisite, they would add the class after the AP scores have come in.
00:33:09 Candace Mooney - 229186: Replying to "is that email going ..."
Thanks Mindy and Stephanie, where is the parent platform we can join. My daughter is not super communicative and I don't see that I got an email either on the orientation for June 27 and can email you after the webinar.
00:34:08 Mellissa’s iPhone: What date was the email sent last week that has the parking info for Monday/Tuesday orientation?
00:34:26 Stephanie Auwaerter: Replying to "is that email going ..."
We have not sent an email out for June 27 yet. Email mileym@cofc.edu about getting added to the parent platform
00:35:05 Mindy Miley: Replying to "is that email going ..."
parking info for orientation: /parking-transportation/guests.php
00:35:09 Lori Faye Fischler: Have you discussed the Impact program and who takes that program and how it impacts classes?
00:35:58 Laurian: Where can students see available classes and times offered? Is it possible to see this before orientation?
00:36:16 Tess Prebich: Have orientation June 19/20. Where is the schedule?
00:37:29 Mindy Miley: Orientation schedule: This is a general schedule - you will follow the schedule you get at check in /orientation/schedule.php
00:36:32 Jessica Stone: Does it help for the virtual advisor mtg have them come with a class wish list since they don’t get the double session that the earlier session kids get?
Stephanie: They will have time to create the list after they chat with the advisor. They will take a break between getting advised and registering so they can think about the list.
00:36:47 Gaelen Adam: If we bought a computer, should we wait until orientation to set it up? Does CofC have software for students?
Stephanie: You don’t have to bring a computer to orientation and there isn’t any specific software
00:37:44 suzielong: Can anyone else join IMPACT program? Who qualifies for this?
Stephanie: You are not able to join the IMPACT program. Who is put in the program is decided by the Office of Admissions
00:38:37 becky Kilfoy school nurse OJRSD: Still wondering about class availability for those orienting in late July.
00:39:02 Karen Hauschild: Classes are rolled out by different departments throughout the summer.
00:39:22 becky Kilfoy school nurse OJRSD: Thank you!!! Understood.
00:39:46 Lori Faye Fischler: How do we see classes offered?
00:39:55 Lori Faye Fischler: Before orientation
00:40:11 Karen Hauschild: Your student will see them in the Registration Tools in MyPortal during orientation.
00:40:01 Lynn Greto: Does new student checklist have laptop requirement listed ( other than “no Chromebook “)?
00:41:15 Stephanie Auwaerter: New Student IT computer checklist https://help.charleston.edu/technology-resources/
00:40:13 Joey cipollone: How do they know what kind of gen ed science to take or gen ed history to take etc.?
00:41:58 Stephanie Auwaerter: Replying to "How do they know wha..."
The academic advisor will help them on the first day learn that information
00:40:57 Christy's iPhone: If you have declared a major is there an opportunity to meet with faculty in your department during orientation?
00:41:30 Stephanie Auwaerter: Replying to "If you have declared..."
Is your student a freshman or transfer?
00:42:01 Christy's iPhone: Replying to "If you have declared…"
Freshman, hoping to double major
Stephanie: Students will have an opportunity to meet with faculty during orientation during the meta major meetings
00:41:35 Stephanie Tompkins Senn’s iPhone: There don’t seem to be a lot of rooms left. Will there be enough room for everyone?
00:42:30 Stephanie Auwaerter: Replying to "There don’t seem to ..."
Residence Hall has enough rooms for students who applied before May 1
00:42:21 suzielong: Do students meet with an advisor from their school during orientation? For example , a student in education program?
00:42:42 Jessica Stone: Are students meeting with their specific advisor at these sessions or someone from the team and then they meet with their actual advisor later
00:44:01 Stephanie Auwaerter: Replying to "Are students meeting..."
After they declare, they will meet with majors from their advisor. At orientation, students work with the academic advising center
00:42:48 P Brian Fisher: I am a prof here. First, the orientation team is the best in the biz. You are all very fortunate. Some quick tips that I advise my students on:
- Have students familiarize themselves with degree works and the reqs before and during orientation, but also keep abreast of their progress.
- Take gen eds up front. Get them out of way.
- Take a least one course of direct interest.
- Take one course of that is challenging.
- Be careful about taking more than one challenging course in one semester (generally gen Des aren’t in the challenging category).
- Take adv of the Fistr year experiences.
- The biggest shift in students over the last decade or more is self-responsibility. So, encourage them to take control of their own progress and be accountable is a big step in the first year. I hope that helps.
00:43:13 Karen Hauschild: Students will have an opportunity to meet with faculty from their academic department during orientation but they will not necessarily be advised 1:1. Our advisors are cross-curricularly trained.
00:44:28 Wendy: where can they look at First Year Experience options?
00:45:00 Mindy Miley: Replying to "where can they look ..."
/first-year-experience/courses/index.php
00:45:45 Joey cipollone: my son took English 101 and English 151 dual enrollment. will he have to take English 110?
Stephanie: the Registrar’s office will need to evaluate his transcript to determine if the classes he took meet our English 110 requirement. Please make sure he has sent his official transcript from the college he took the courses with to CofC.
00:45:49 kglick: what test score on AP applies for credit
00:46:09 Karen Hauschild: We will talk to your students about AP/Dual Enrollment credit when we see them for advising on Day 1.
00:46:16 Stephanie Auwaerter: Replying to "If you have declared..."
They will meet with an advisor in the Academic Advising and Planning Center and will meet their major advisor later in college career
00:46:43 Stephanie Auwaerter: AP credits /registrar/transfer-student-resources/test-score-equivalency/advanced-placement.php
00:46:50 Brandi Nolan: when do they declare a major?
Stephanie: Students need to declare a major by the time they have earned 45 credit hours (usually by the end of the first semester of their sophomore year)
00:46:53 Madison Richardson: If student signed up herself and three additional family members to attend, but now only one family member and student is attending, how do we get the other two removed.
00:47:17 Mindy Miley: Replying to "If student signed up..."
let us know orientat@cofc.edu
00:47:20 Stephanie Auwaerter: Replying to "If student signed up..."
email orientat@cofc.edu and we'll update the registration - Please make sure to include the student name
00:51:18 Mindy Miley: be sure to check out the fall 2025 academic calendar: /registrar/calendar/index.php#accordion-bf1c512d-e687-451b-a115-2aae87247238-1
00:52:08 Michelle Shiller’s iPhone: I do want to endorse Prof Fisher’s reco to let our kids own this, they need to….after this, they pay bills, work a more standard schedule and no longer have summer and holiday breaks, nor spring break…
00:53:34 Stephanie Auwaerter: Undergraduate catalog 2025-2026
00:54:16 Ashley's Notetaker (Otter.ai): Takeaways from the meeting 👉💬
[ ] Encourage students to check their ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø email regularly over the summer. (Mindy Miley)
[ ] Remind students to take a picture of their personalized orientation schedule and follow it during the event. (Mindy Miley)
[ ] Advise students who took math or foreign language courses at another institution to have their transcripts sent to the ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø for evaluation. (Karen Hauschild)
[ ] Encourage students admitted to the Impact Program to attend the dedicated sessions during orientation. (Stephanie Auwaerter)
[ ] Advise students not to purchase Chromebooks, as certain software may not be compatible. (Stephanie Auwaerter)
[ ] Caution parents and students against extensively browsing the course catalog before orientation, as seat availability may change during the registration process...
See full summary - https://otter.ai/u/QkqbQmZtCEzWv0ZTWEh93rObkS8?utm_source=va_chat&utm_content=wrapup_v4&tab=chat&message=81befe7d-20be-4bb9-a35e-63d4c1979de9
00:55:53 Ben and Christine Askin: Our son has a Orientation General hold? What does that one mean if you can elaborate?
00:56:51 Mindy Miley: Replying to "Our son has a Orient..."
that will be removed when your student attends orientation
00:57:43 Mindy Miley: parents@cofc.edu is where you can reach me and Stephanie :)
00:57:52 Jennifer Wetz: Lawful presence - we filed a FAFSA but our daughter still sees a lawful presence hold. Who do we talk to about this? U.S. citizen.
00:58:20 Stephanie Auwaerter: Replying to "Lawful presence - we..."
lawfulpresence@cofc.edu Make sure she has CofC listed on her FASFA
00:57:54 Diane M: What if SAT scores weren’t used in applying for math placement?
Stephanie: SAT scores are only a part of the determination of the placement score so your student will still have a score
00:57:54 Clare: Can you register for AFROTC courses with CofC or is that conducted at ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Southern?
00:58:33 Stephanie Auwaerter: Replying to "Can you register for..."
At ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø Southern
00:58:38 Brandi: Should I contact the Financial Aid Office for Unsatisfied Requirements on the Financial Aid title?
Stephanie: Yes. Their email is financialaid@cofc.edu
00:58:39 Stephanie Auwaerter: parents@cofc.edu
00:58:43 Stephanie Auwaerter: orientat@cofc.edu
00:59:57 Terriann Butler: During orientation do parents sit with their student during class selections?
01:00:26 Stephanie Auwaerter: Replying to "During orientation d..."
Students will register with the help of an advisor and you can chat with advisors later if you have questions.
01:00:14 Mindy Miley: https://cofc.campusesp.com/
01:01:28 Brian Allen (Branford, CT): What are your favorite restaurant picks?
01:01:44 Mindy Miley: Replying to "What are your favori..."
all of them!