Select a row below to access information and resources within our campus and community designed to assist first-generation college students.
Academic Adviser - College staff or faculty member who assists students (advisees) with course selection, developing an academic plan, and providing advice regarding careers and/or graduate school.鈥�
鈥疉cademic Standing - Educational standing of a student based on his or her grade point average (GPA). Academic standing can be computed at college level, school level, or major level.鈥�
Accreditation - The oversight of a university, college, or academic program by one or more outside organizations. Accreditation organizations certify that an institution is following certain guidelines and policies.鈥�
鈥疉djunct Faculty -鈥� a professor who teaches on a limited-term contract, often for one semester at a time, and who is ineligible for tenure.鈥��
鈥� Alumni - Graduates of a college or university.鈥�
鈥疉ssociate Degree - Requires completion of a minimum of 60 credit hours of academic work and is considered the first level of college degrees.鈥�
Bachelor's Degree - Requires the completion of a minimum of 120 credit hours of academic work, sometimes including a concentration in one or more academic majors.鈥�
Class Standing - Refers to a student's official year in school 鈥� first-year (freshman), sophomore, junior or senior 鈥� based on the number of college credits completed.鈥�
鈥疌ommencement - 骋谤补诲耻补迟颈辞苍鈥�&苍产蝉辫;
鈥疌oncentration - An area of specialization, focusing on a core number of classes in a very specific field. In some majors, students need to choose at least one concentration.鈥�
鈥疌ourse Catalog - Official list of programs and courses offered at a college or university that outlines critical information about admissions and academic requirements.鈥��
鈥疌ourse Load - The number of credit hours for which a student is enrolled in a given semester.鈥�
Course Name/Number - A cataloging system that contains a series of letters and numbers to designate a course by the department that teaches it and the academic level. For example, ENGL 150 is a freshman-level course taught in the English department.鈥�
Course Section - When the same course is offered multiple times in the same semester, each course is designated with a section number. For example, ENGL 150-001, ENGL 150-002, etc.鈥�
鈥�CRN - Course Reference Number. Used to specify each particular section of a course.鈥�
鈥疌redit Hour - A unit of measurement that determines the amount of class time required each week of a term. In a typical semester system, a 3-hour class requires classes to meet in three 50 minute sessions or two one hour and fifteen minute sessions.鈥�
Dean - The top administrator and academic officer within a college or school.鈥�
Dean's List - A high academic honor that is awarded each semester based on student GPA.鈥�
Degree Audit - An evaluation of a student's progress (courses completed, grades received) in his or her degree program (majors and minors).鈥�
Department Chair - A faculty member who manages an academic department, and typically the person to see when a student is having scheduling problems or issues with a particular faculty member.鈥�
Elective Course - A course that is not required for any major, minor, or general education requirements, but used to fulfill the credit hours required for a degree. Most degree programs allow for at least a few elective courses.鈥�
Extracurricular activities - Groups you belong to outside of class, such as sporting teams, clubs and organizations.鈥�
FAFSA - Free Application for Federal Student Aid. A form completed by current and prospective college students (undergraduate and graduate) in the United States to determine their eligibility for student financial aid.鈥�
FERPA - Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. Federal law that protects the privacy of student education records.鈥�
Final Exams - A comprehensive and cumulative (final) exam that often represents all of the topics from a class and take place the final week of the semester (i.e., the week after week 15 in fall and spring semesters).鈥�
Financial Aid - Money that is given or lent to students in order to help pay for their education.鈥�
Freshman/First-Year Student - Undergraduate student who has earned fewer than 30 credit hours.鈥�
Full-Time Student - A student who is enrolled in at least 12 credit hours during a given term.鈥�
General Education - Set of required curriculum/courses that all students are required to take, including courses in math, English, science, communication, culture, society, etc.鈥��
Grade Point Average (GPA) - A numeric measure of a student's class performance in a given period or over a number of credits.鈥�
Grant - A form of financial aid from a non-profit organization (such as the government) that you do not have to repay.鈥�
Hold - A hold (or registration hold) can be placed on a student鈥檚 account due to academic dismissal, not fulfilling required faculty advising, a disciplinary problem, money owed to the University, failure to return library books and/or other supplies, or non-compliance with housing and health center regulations.鈥�
Incomplete Grade - A temporary grade that faculty can award a student who, for reasons outside his or her control (illness, death in family, etc.) cannot complete all coursework and assignments in a given term. Students have one semester following the incomplete to complete the course requirements.鈥�
Interdisciplinary Studies - Programs, majors, minors that use a combination of classes from two or more academic disciplines, often to compensate for not having the resources for a complete program.鈥�
Internship - An opportunity for students to gain critical real-world hands on experience in their chosen field of study.鈥�
Lab/Laboratory Class - Learning environment in which hands-on work is completed, typically in science and foreign languages. Is often tied to a lecture portion of a course.鈥�
Lecture - A class session in which the instructor speaks on a specific topic or topics during class.鈥�
Loan - A form of financial aid that you must repay.鈥�
Major - A concentration of courses that is a student's primary course of study. Students must major in a subject while in college.鈥�
Mid-Term Exams - An exam given toward the middle of the term. Often used to establish mid-term grades.鈥�
Minor - A secondary course of study, typically with a concentration smaller than a major, that a student chooses to enhance his or her major or simply to pursue a subject of interest.鈥�
Office Hours - The days and times that college faculty set aside to meet with students enrolled in their classes. Traditionally these take place in the instructor鈥檚 office (not in the classroom).鈥�
Pass/Fail Option - Some colleges offer an option to take a small number of courses 鈥� typically free electives that do not count to a major or core educational requirements 鈥� to be taken as pass/fail (instead of granting the typical letter grades).鈥�
Placement Tests - Tests used by the institution to gauge a student鈥檚 level of proficiency in a subject area in order to place him/her in the appropriate level of coursework. Sometimes a student can exempt courses by doing well on placement tests.鈥�
Plagiarism - A major form of academic dishonesty that occurs when a student uses the words of another person without attribution, passing them off as their own.鈥�
Postsecondary - Refers to all educational programs after high school, including technical schools, community colleges, and four-year colleges and universities.鈥�
Practicum - A course designed to provide students with supervised practical experience in which students apply the materials learned in their coursework to the actual situation. An example is student-teaching for education majors.鈥�
Prerequisite - A course that is required to be taken and passed prior to registering for another course. A number of upper-division courses often have prerequisites.鈥�
Probation - The academic status of a student when their GPA falls below a 2.0.鈥�
Provost - The senior academic officer of a college or university.鈥�
Registrar - An administrator and office on any college campus who oversees such things as registration, storing academic credit records, maintaining academic audit sheets, and dealing with transfer credits from other colleges.鈥�
Registration - When students enroll (register) for classes for an upcoming academic term.鈥�
Rubric - A scoring guide used to define what is expected and what will be assessed to evaluate an assignment.鈥�
Study Abroad - College coursework that students take outside the U.S., providing a great opportunity to experience foreign cultures and travel.鈥�
Study Groups - Studying with a group of friends, which can be a fun and rewarding study method.鈥��
Syllabus - A document (which some students and faculty see as the binding agreement for a course) provided at the beginning of a term that outlines the key elements of a course, including things such as learning objectives, assigned readings, major assignments, test and quiz information, and other requirements or expectations of the course.鈥�
Synchronous classes - Synchronous learning is online or distance education that happens in real time, often with a set class schedule and required login times.鈥� This means that you, your classmates, and your instructor interact in a specific virtual place at a set time. In these courses, instructors commonly take attendance, same as they would in a lecture hall. Common methods of synchronous online learning include video conferencing, teleconferencing, live chatting, and live-streamed lectures that must be viewed in real time.鈥�
Transcript - Official record of a student's academic work showing dates attended, courses taken, grades earned, and credits received. Transfer Credit: College credit earned at one college or university and applied and accepted for credit at a different school.鈥���
Transfer Student - Student who attends one college but decides to leave that school and apply for admission to a different college or university. The student then transfers some (or in rare cases, all) credits from old school to new school.鈥�
Tutoring - An option offered to assist students who need assistance in a particular subject.鈥�
Tuition - Tuition is the amount paid for each credit hour of enrollment.鈥� Tuition does not include the cost of books, fees, or room and board.鈥� Tuition charges vary among colleges and are dependent on such factors as resident or out-of-state status, level of classes enrolled in (lower, upper or graduate division), and whether the institution is publicly or privately financed.鈥�
Undecided Student - A student who enters college with an undeclared major.鈥��
Undergraduate Student - College student who is pursuing an associates or baccalaureate degree.鈥��
Upper Division Course - An undergraduate course that is designed for and taught at the junior or senior levels. Upper-division courses are numbered 300 or 400.鈥�
Withdrawal - Typically refers to the dropping of a course (or all courses) for which a student is registered in a given term. These courses will show up as a 鈥淲鈥� (withdraw) on the students transcript.鈥�
Work-Study - A Federal financial aid program providing part-time employment to students based on the financial need of students and available jobs within the university.鈥�
Writing Center - Writing consultation provided free of charge to all students either face to face or online.鈥�
Academic Support:
Harvey Knowledge Center: one-on-one and small group consulting, seminars and other tools and resources to help you boost your academic success. 4th floor McConnell Library.
McConnell Library: access the library, archives and get help with citations and research.
Retention Services: advances a student centered culture of individual success and academic persistence through collaborative and proactive initiatives.
Emotional/Personal/Physical/Social Support:
Center for Accessibility Services: is committed to the ongoing goal of access and inclusion so that all individuals on campus can fully participate in the university experience.鈥� CAS serves and supports students, family members and visitors seeking reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Center for Diversity and Inclusion: provides a concentrated focus on the progress, success and concerns of underrepresented populations on 澳门老奇人论坛鈥檚 campus, including African-American, Asian-American, LatinX and Native American students. Additionally, CDI offers programming and resources for faith and religion interests and the LGBTQ+ community. Heth Hall 157.
Dean of Students: personal issues or concerns related to the ability to complete a course.
Office of Institutional Equity: 澳门老奇人论坛 is committed to providing an educational and work environment free from any discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy status and veteran status.鈥� The Office of Institutional Equity forwards and monitors the University's continuing commitment to equal opportunity compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972. 314B Tyler Place, 2nd Floor [Tyler Avenue next to Subway]. To report an instance of racial or sexual discrimination or harassment or sexual assault, visit the Office of Institutional Equity webpage.
: a collaborative effort among students, staff and faculty to secure trustworthy allies and supportive, safe spaces on campus for students who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and questioning. Safe-Zone trained allies can be found across the campus and community, just look for their Safe Zone stickers.
Student Counseling Services: help with adjusting to college life, relationship or family concerns, anxiety, depression, eating disorders and many other issues you may experience, including how to help a friend who is struggling. Tyler Hall Basement.
Substance and Violence Education Services (SAVES): provides education, counseling, advocacy and support for students dealing with substance abuse or sexual violence. SAVES will also help students to help others who are struggling. Tyler Hall Basement.
Financial Support:
Career Closet: provides professional business attire to 澳门老奇人论坛 students free of charge. Russell Hall 331鈥�
Financial Aid Office: helps you plan for the cost of your college education.
Highlander Assistance Program: helps students experiencing food or housing insecurity or if they are at risk for becoming homeless. 274 Heth Hall (Dean of Students). All correspondence is confidential.
Military Resource Center: serves student veterans, active military and reserve members, spouses and military dependents. We understand that you have unique needs and responsibilities and we are here to support your academic efforts. Russell Hall, 4th Floor
Technology Support:
Contact the 澳门老奇人论坛 Help Desk with all issues relating to browsers, connection concerns, internet speed issues, access to MyMedia or MyMedia related questions and general computer concerns: 540-831-7500 (hours of operation include 9 a.m.-4 p.m. all days other than holidays)
Food Support:
The Highlander Pantry: available to all students, faculty or staff offering discreet access to free food items. Located in Heth 243
Monday, 9 - 11 a.m.
Tuesday, 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Wednesday, 9 a.m. - noon and 5 - 7 p.m.
Thursday, 5 - 6:30 p.m.
Friday, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Healthcare:
Public Transportation:
Radford General Public Fare information:
Emergency Resources:
I've had a personal set-back and need money quickly.
Parents or guardians can deposit money quickly into your RU Express account for use in a variety on on-campus and off-campus merchants.
A limited amount of money is set aside by the University for short-term loans to students who have a temporary need for money to take care of expenses related to being a student at Radford ($250 Max). Learn more about the opportunity in the Office of Financial Aid.
I have a family emergency and might need to leave school for awhile. What do I do?
Work with the Dean of Students to see if a Leave of Absence will work for your circumstance. Once a Leave of Absence is secured, absence notifications are sent for non-academic reasons to assist a family during a rare and significant event or crisis in a student鈥檚 life.
Speak with your advisor to see if an academic withdrawal would be an option for you. Any student who withdraws from the university during a fall or spring semester must apply for readmission through the Office of the Registrar.
Food Support:
): provides meals at no cost for people in need. For anyone living in Radford or Fairlawn who would like to receive homestyle meals. No questions asked. Simply come up to the door and ask for however many meals you need that day.
Helping Hands Foundation
Healthcare:
Friday: 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 - 7 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. and 1:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Sunday: 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. and 1:30 - 4:30 p.m.
Monday: 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 - 7 p.m.
Tuesday: 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 - 7 p.m.
Wednesday: 8:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. and 2:30 - 7 p.m.
Accepts most insurances
Confirm coverage with your insurance company
Coverage varies by location and service
550 North Franklin Street
Christiansburg, VA 24073
Public Transportation:
Emergency Resources:
I've had a personal set-back and need money quickly.
I am unable to afford housing, food, and/or clothing. Who can help?
is an off-campus local homeless prevention program providing a variety of services, including time-limited financial assistance to eligible people in the New River Valley who are in imminent danger of becoming homeless.
in Radford provides emergency help and shelter for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault.
Radford-Fairlawn Daily Bread, Pulaski Daily Bread Inc, and provide local assistance for students experiencing homelessness, food insecurity or is in the process of transitioning