menu

• Online registration for the Summer Enrichment Workshops
  
  
• Frequently Asked Questions for students and parents 2009 Summer Enrichment Workshops
  
  
• Summer Enrichment Workshops Home

Frequently Asked Questions for students and parents
2009 Summer Enrichment Workshops

Writing workshop: Kirk Robinson at (312) 413-2243
Math workshop: Florencio Diaz at (312) 996-3055

1.  I sent in my registration postcard for the summer enrichment workshops but I didn’t receive a letter with my schedule. What should I do?

• To confirm your registration in the workshops, contact the summer enrichment coordinators by email at summerworkshops@uic.edu.

2.  Will I have to take the placement test?

• Students interested in participating in the summer writing workshops will need to take the placement test. Testing is scheduled on a first-come first-served basis and students are encouraged to sign up as soon as possible.
• Students interested in participating in the math workshop do not need to take the math portion of the placement test though it is encouraged. The placement test gives students the opportunity to place into a higher math class than that prescribed by their ACT score.

3.  Is there a fee for retaking the placement test?

• There is a $15 fee for retaking the math portion of the placement exam.
• Students are not permitted to retake the English portion of the placement exam. 

4.  Is there anything I have to do prior to the first day of the summer enrichment workshop?

• In preparation for the summer workshops, students must attend the UIC new student orientation.
• Students participating in the writing workshop will also have to complete the placement test prior to the first workshop class.

For more information on placement testing visit the Testing Services web site at pep.testing.uic.edu.

5.  How do I reserve my orientation date?

• To reserve an orientation session, please contact the
  Orientation Program at 312-996-3271 or email ORhelp@uic.edu. The
  reservationist will offer the first available date for the respective
  academic program. Students will receive a written confirmation at
  least three weeks prior to the scheduled date.

6.  Is there a fee for orientation?

• There is a $149 fee for attending orientation. The fee includes
  meals, overnight accommodations, all program materials, and the
  services of the Student Orientation Leaders. The fee is billed to the
  student's university account shortly after the scheduled orientation
  date.
• Fee discounts are available for students who qualify. Students may
  contact the Orientation Program to apply for a reduced fee at
  312-996-3271.

7.  I am scheduled to attend UIC's new student orientation on a day
that conflicts with my workshop schedule. What should I do? 

• All new students must attend orientation prior to the start of
  the Summer Enrichment Workshop sessions on June 23.

8.  Do I have to attend orientation prior to the workshops?

• Students participating in the summer workshops must attend UIC's
  new student orientation, and should do so by June 19. Students who
  have conflicts or trouble scheduling an orientation session should
  contact Jessica Payne  at 312-996-3100.

9. I'm not living on campus in the fall. Will I have to stay overnight
at orientation?

• Yes, all students attending the freshman program must stay
  overnight at orientation. The overnight portion of the program has
  been specifically designed to allow students a chance to become
  familiar with the campus and to meet their peers. Through various
  planned academic and social activities, students will receive a
  comprehensive introduction to UIC.

For more information on orientation contact the Orientation Program at 312-996-3271 or send an email to ORhelp@uic.edu.

10.  How much do the workshops cost?

• There is no fee for the math and writing workshops. A textbook is required for the math workshop at a cost of approximately $100. It is available in the UIC Bookstore located in the Student Center East building and can be purchased on the first day of the workshop.

11.  Will these classes count against my grant(s)/financial aid?

• There is no fee for the summer workshops. Participation will not impact grants or other financial assistance.

12.  Is there funding or a stipend for books and supplies?

• No funds will be provided to individuals participating in this program.

13.  What happens if I am scheduled to attend the summer enrichment workshops and fail to do so?

• We have found that students who participate in the summer workshops tend to complete the math and writing courses required for graduation at a faster rate than those who do not participate.
• Participation in the summer enrichment workshops is voluntary and there is no penalty for non-participation. Please inform the workshop coordinator if you are scheduled to attend but decide not to participate.

14.  What if I don’t want to participate in the workshops?

• We have found that students who participate in the summer workshops tend to complete the math and writing courses required for graduation at a faster rate than those who do not participate.
• Participation in the summer enrichment workshops is voluntary and there is no penalty for non-participation.

15.  What will happen if I start the workshops but don’t successfully complete them?

• There is no penalty for non-completion. Participation in the workshops is optional and does not appear on students’ transcripts.
• Participation is encouraged for students whose math and writing skills need further development.

16.  What do I need to do if I successfully complete the summer enrichment workshops?

• During orientation, students meet with their academic advisor who assists them with course selection and registration. Individuals participating in the summer enrichment program should inform their academic advisor that they will be enrolled in this program. Advisors will recommend that students register for the course indicated by the placement exam; however, he/she will also outline other course(s) in the sequence.
• Students who successfully complete the summer enrichment program may drop the lower placement course for which he/she registered at orientation and add the subsequent course as recommended by the advisor or the English and/or math departments.

17.  What is the attendance policy for the summer enrichment workshops?

• Students participating in the summer workshops are allowed to miss no more than two class meetings (i.e. two math workshops and two writing workshops).
• Upon the third absence, the student will be dismissed from the program.
• Students who miss the first two days of the workshop are automatically dismissed from the program.

18.  Do these workshops count/will they count toward my degree?

• The workshops are developed to help students skip or pass pre-requisite developmental classes and advance toward credit-bearing courses required for graduation.
• The workshops do count in that students who finish them successfully may skip one or two developmental courses and begin taking credit-bearing classes in the fall semester.
• The workshops are optional and will not appear on students’ transcripts.

19.  How will my work in the summer enrichment workshops be graded/evaluated?

• Students will not receive grades for work completed in the summer enrichment workshops.
• Math: Students who successfully complete the math workshop will be promoted to the next class.
• Writing: Students submit portfolios of their writing at the end of the workshop. Those students who provide evidence that they are likely to succeed in English 160 earn a waiver of their original placement and may sign up for English 160 in the fall.

20.  If I pass (successfully complete) the math workshop, what will I take in the fall?

• Students who successfully complete the math workshops will be promoted to the next class. Students will need to contact their academic advisors for the exact course number. Courses vary based upon the individual college and major the student selects.

21.  If I pass (successfully complete) the writing workshop, what will
I take in the fall?

• If the students original placement is ESL 060 and the student earns a
  revised placement after the workshop, then that student will take
  English 070 or English 071 in the fall.
  
• If the students original placement is English 070 or English 071 and
  the student earns a revised placement, then that student will take
  English 160 in the fall.

22.  What happens if I do not pass (successfully complete) the math workshop?

• Some students participating in the summer workshops will be required to take the math course they initially placed into or that which was determined by their ACT score in the fall. However, those who have participated in the workshops pass the classes at a higher rate than those who do not.

23.  What happens if I do not pass (successfully complete) the writing workshop?

• Students who don’t earn a waiver must attend the course they initially placed into. However, students who participate in the summer the enrichment workshops tend to finish their required writing courses at a higher rate than students who do not.

24.  Will the summer enrichment workshops help me graduate on time?

• Perhaps. Participation in the summer enrichment workshops will help students improve their proficiency in math and writing.
• Students who participate in summer the enrichment workshops tend to finish their required math and writing courses at a higher rate than students who do not.
• Participation will increase students’ chances of successfully completing required math and English courses, significantly reducing the chance that they will have to repeat the basic, required courses.

25.  Does this count toward my GPA?

• Students are not graded on their participation in the summer workshops and the workshops will not appear on students’ transcripts. Therefore, participation will not impact their GPAs.
• Participation will increase students’ chances of successfully completing required math and English courses, significantly reducing the chance that they will have to repeat the basic, required courses.

26.  I am living in the dorms in the fall. Will I be allowed to move in during the summer workshops?

• Residence hall accommodations are not available for summer enrichment workshop participants.

27.  Is there campus housing available for summer enrichment workshop participants?

• Residence hall accommodations are not available for summer enrichment participants.

28.  Will I be able to get a bus pass (U-Pass) or I-Card to use during the summer?

• New students receive a UIC I-Card for identification purposes and access to campus facilities, and an e-mail account during orientation.
• Bus passes (U-Pass) will not be available until the fall semester begins.

29.  Will I have access to campus facilities during the summer?

• After attending new student orientation, all summer enrichment workshop participants will have access to campus facilities.

30.  How many weeks will the program run?

• The summer enrichment program will run for five (5) weeks, every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, from June 29 to July 31, 2009.

31.  Will I be able to keep my summer job and attend the workshops?

• Students taking only one workshop (math or writing) can elect to attend either the morning or afternoon class to accommodate individual schedules as availability permits.
• Both math and writing are offered in the morning from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and in the afternoon from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.
• Students taking both math and writing will be scheduled for both the morning and afternoon sessions and will be assigned to math and writing workshops as availability permits.

32.  Will the free workshops be offered in the fall?

• Enrichment workshops are offered only in the summer. Students who do not participate must attend the math and writing sections they initially placed into for the fall semester.

33.  Is there mandatory advising for summer enrichment workshop participants?

• Students will meet with their advisor during the registration portion of orientation.
• Students who have been notified of conditional advising through a support program must comply with the requirements established by that program.

34.  When I register for classes, what math/English classes should I register for?

• Students should register for the class/section they placed into or that which was prescribed by their ACT score.

35.  How was I selected for the summer enrichment workshop(s)?

• Students were invited to participate in the math workshop based upon:
  • ACT scores
  • Placement test scores
• Students were invited to participate in the writing workshop based upon:
  • Placement test scores
• Students identified by a UIC support program we invited to participate in the workshops based upon one or more of the following:
  • ACT scores
  • Placement test scores
  • High School Transcripts
  • Other aspects of the application

36.  I have a disability. Can I attend the summer workshops?

• Students who require special arrangements should contact writing workshop coordinator, Kirk Robinson, at (312) 413-2243 or math workshop coordinator, Florencio Diaz, at (312) 996-3055 prior to the start of the workshops.
• Students with a documented disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Resource Center at (312) 413-2183 to learn about the university services available to them.
  

OAA Home | UIC Home
Having problems accessing this site? Contact Webmaster
© 2009 Board of Trustees University of Illinois