SHSU Resources

76 Academic Terms 78 Campus / Commonly Used Terms 80 Campus Map 82 University Hotel

Academic Calendar - The Academic Calendar represents important semester-specific dates and deadlines for students officially registered for classes, academic and administrative departments, and instructors. The Academic Calendar is posted on the Office of the Registrar’s website.

Academic Dean - The administrative head of each college: College of Education, College of Business Administration, etc.

Academic Department - Department of a college dealing with a particular field of knowledge.

Academic Standing - A reflection of student performance; a student who meets or exceeds minimum GPA requirements for his/her academic unit is considered to be in “good standing,” whereas a student not meeting those standards may be place on academic “probation,” “suspension” or “dismissal.”

Add/Drop - Period during which student can make change to their course schedule by removing or adding a course; this usually takes place the first week of fall and spring terms, and the last date to add/drop is always listed on the academic calendar. Note that changes in the total number of credit hours taken for the semester can have an impact on financial aid and other matters, so always carefully consider add/drop choices.

Alumni - Individuals who have attend and graduated from particular college or university.

Blue Book - A small notebook with soft blue covers, available at the University Bookstores, that some professors require students to use when writing essay exams. If students are required to use a blue book, the professor will instruct them to bring one (or more) to the exam, or will note this requirement on the syllabus.

Credit Hour - Indicates how much work a student can expect in class (3 credit hour meets one hour, three times per week.) Meet with an advisor to find out what credit apply toward your desired degree.

Co-requisite - Specific requirements that must be met during enrollment in a given class; these may consist of labs, courses, etc.

Dean’s List - The Dean’s List is produced each semester, and is a list of those students who have high grades or meet a certain academic standard. It is the college equivalent of an honor roll.

Electives - Courses students take for degree credit that are not already required. There are major or minor electives, which are topic-specific courses students can choose from within their specific area of study that will count toward their major/ minor credit but are not specifically required; there are also non-program electives that provide degree credit for courses outside specific area of study or requirements.

FASFA - Free application to qualify for financial aid & scholarships. FERPA - The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law designed to protect the privacy of, and limit access to, student educational records. Please visit the following link to learn more:

ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco.

FGCS - First Generation Students (FGCS) -This term is used to refer to students who are the first in their immediate family to attend college: students whose parents have not attended a post-secondary educational institution.

GPA - Grade Point Average. Your GPA is an indicator of the level of academic achievement. It is used to determine academic standing and to establish eligibility for honors. The GPA is computed by dividing total quality points earned by total number of credits attempted. For example, an A in a 3-credit course is worth 12 quality points (4.0 points x 3 credits = 12 quality points). The official GPA is determined in the Office of the Registrar.

Hold - A restriction that prohibits students from functions such as registering for courses or receiving a transcript or diploma; most are not due to completing a required process or paying a financial obligation.

Major - Courses and requirements designated as the student’s primary area of specialization; this appears on the student’s transcript.

Minor - A secondary concentration of courses that often complements the Major.

Prerequisite - Specific requirements that must be met prior to enrolling in a given class; these may consist of course, test scores or enrollment in a specific program of study.

Registration - A period of time in which current students select courses for the upcoming semester; each student is given a specific date and time to register.

Semester - Instructional period of 15 weeks plus a final examination period offered twice a year (referred to as fall and spring semester); additional instructional periods including summer terms will consist of a shorter time-frame.

Study Abroad - Program in which students take courses for academic credit in a country other than one’s own.

Syllabus - A description of the course objectives, requirements, and grade policies for a specific class. The instructor will usually give students a syllabus at the beginning of the course.

Transcript - Serves as the student’s the official academic record and the university’s official record of credits and degrees awarded’ including courses taken by a student and grades received in each. Academic standings will also appear on the transcript.

Tuition - The amount of money that must be paid for classes; other fees may be assessed in addition to tuition.

ASC - Academic Success Center.

ASBO - Accepted Students and Bearkat Orientation.

CAM - College of Arts and Media.

Campus Connect - Portal located in MySam where you schedule appointments with many resources on campus, such as academic advising, academic support programs, and other resources, such as the Student Money Management Center.

CHSS - College of Humanities and Social Sciences.

CJ - College of Criminal Justice.

CJ Building - Criminal Justice Center building.

COBA - College of Business Administration.

COE - College of Education.

COHS - College of Health Sciences.

COM - College of Osteopathic Medicine.

COSET - College of Science and Engineering Technology.

Degree Works - The system that displays to students how their earned credit hours are being applied towards a selected degree plan, along with what courses and remaining credit hours are needed for graduation. As the university’s degree audit system, Degree Works is accessed through MySam.

DOSO - Dean of Students Office.

FYE - First-Year Experience.

GLO - Greek Life office.

GPAC - Gaertner Performing Arts Center.

The Hill - Sorority and Small houses.

HKC - The Health and Kinesiology Center.

Jack Shack - Jackson Shaver House.

Kattributes - Interpersonal skills that each SHSU student will obtain prior to graduation. Communication, Teamwork, Critical Thinking, Ethics & Career Ready.

LC - Learning Community.

LLC - Living Learning Community.

The LSC - Lowman Student Center.

The Mall Area - An area consisting of the Clock Tower/ fraternity letters/student organizations.

MWF - Classes held on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays. New Main - General’s Market.

Piney - Pineywoods Hall.

The Pit - The site of where Old Main use to be.

The Quad - The four main administrative building (Estill, Evans Complex, Thomason and the Administration Building).

The REC - The Recreational Sports building.

Res Life - Residence Life office.

Sam ID - The 9 digit number assigned to you upon acceptance (starts with 000).

SGA - Student Government Association.

SHV - Sam Houston Village.

TR - Classes held on Tuesdays (T) & Thursdays (R).

Username - Assigned at acceptance, typically your initials and 3 numbers.

Univ 1101 – Introduction to Collegiate Studies courses

The VC - The Visitors Center.

The SHSU Mobile App can help you find your way around campus!

Available for iPhone and Android.

BOOK TODAY!

University Hotel is located in the heart of Huntsville

and on the beautiful and historic campus of Sam Houston State University. Enjoy the convenience and comfort of onsite accommodations for visits with family members and athletic events as well as conferences, meetings, seminars or special events. Our hotel offers a wide range of popular amenities, a friendly staff, and a comfortable atmosphere where you can relax and enjoy your stay.

1610 Bobby K Marks Huntsville, TX 77341

SHSUhotel@shsu.edu | 936.291.2151 | 866.747.8466

ROOM AMENITIES

■ Microwave ■ Mini-fridge ■ Iron & Iron Board ■ Coffee Maker ■ In-Room Safe ■ Hair Dryer

HOTEL POLICIES

■ 100% Smoke Free ■ No Pets Allowed (Service Pets are Welcome) ■ Check-in | 3:00pm ■ Check-out | 12:00pm

The Texas State University System

Charlie Amato Chairman, San Antonio | Duke Austin First Vice Chairman, Houston | Garry Crain Second Vice Chairman, The Hills Dionicio (Don) Flores Regent, El Paso | Nicki Harle Regent, Baird | David Montagne Regent, Beaumont Dr. Veronica Muzquiz Edwards Regent, San Antonio | William F. Scott Regent, Nederland Alan L. Tinsley Regent, Madisonville | Amanda Lee Student Regent, Huntsville