Academic Common Market Programs

• Certain majors at Virginia Tech are included in the Academic Common Market (ACM) inventory. Students from participating states who are enrolled in an ACM major may be eligible for the in-state tuition rate, provided the student has applied for, and received, certification through his/her state Academic Common Market coordinator. Students should be aware that eligibility to participate in the ACM program is contingent on continued full-time enrollment and progress toward their approved ACM program. Students who do not maintain full-time enrollment and are not making progress toward their approved ACM program will not receive the in-state tuition rate and may be subject to retroactive charges. For additional information on ACM majors and eligibility, students may contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, the Office of the University Registrar, or visit www.registrar.vt.edu.

Academic Eligibility Policy

• Continued enrollment at Virginia Tech is a privilege that is granted as long as the student is making satisfactory progress toward a degree.

For all students enrolled fall 2000 and later

• Beginning in summer 1997, the minimum standard for academic good standing is a cumulative GPA of 2.00. Academic probation is imposed when the cumulative GPA is less than 2.00; academic probation is lifted when cumulative GPA is at least 2.00. Academic performance will be reviewed at the end of each regular semester (fall and spring).
• A student on probation:
  1. may take no more than 16 credits per semester;
  2. may be required (at the discretion of individual colleges) to consult with an advisor before beginning a probationary semester, and to sign an academic contract acknowledging his/her performance is not meeting university standards and stating what actions she/he is committed to taking to improve performance.
• First suspension will be imposed whenever one of the following occurs:
  1. A student on academic probation has a cumulative GPA less than 2.00 for the first 2 semesters (fall, spring) of enrollment; or
  2. A student has 2 consecutive semesters thereafter with a cumulative GPA below 2.00.
• First Suspension (Fall): A student who is placed on first academic suspension at the end of fall semester will be suspended from continued enrollment through the end of the following spring semester. Note: Students placed on first academic suspension at the end of fall semester are eligible to return the subsequent first summer, second summer, or fall semester.
• First Suspension (Spring): A student who is placed on first academic suspension at the end of spring semester will be suspended from continued enrollment through the end of the following fall semester. Note: students placed on first academic suspension at the end of spring semester may NOT enroll in the immediately following summer session.
• A student must earn a minimum 2.00 semester GPA the first semester back and raise the cumulative GPA to at least 2.00 by the end of the second semester back or earn a 2.50 GPA for every semester following the suspension until cumulative GPA is 2.00 or greater. A student will be placed on second academic suspension for failure to meet returning performance requirements.
• Second Suspension (Fall): A student who is placed on second academic suspension at the end of fall semester will be suspended from continued enrollment through the end of the following fall semester. Note: students placed on second academic suspension at the end of fall semester may NOT enroll in the immediately following summer session.
• Second Suspension (Spring): A student who is placed on second academic suspension at the end of spring semester will be suspended from continued enrollment through the end of the following spring semester. Note: students placed on second academic suspension at the end of spring semester may NOT enroll in the immediately following summer session. The same returning performance requirements apply for second suspension as for first suspension.
• Final Suspension: A student will be permanently dismissed for failure to meet returning performance requirements after a second academic suspension.

Accreditation

• Virginia Tech is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (1866 Southern Lane, Decatur GA 30033-4097: telephone: 404/679-4501) to award doctoral, master's, bachelor's, and associate's degrees.
• Program accreditation within the various colleges of the university as follows:

American Assembly of Collegiate Schools of Business
Accreditation Association of Marriage and Family Therapist
Accreditation Commission for Programs in Hospitality Administration
Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology
American Chemical Society
American Council for Construction Education
American Dietetics Association
American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences (all undergraduate programs)
American Psychological Association (Clinical Psychology or Ph.D. program level only)
American Society of Landscape Architects (B.LArch. only)
American Society of Planners
American Veterinary Medical Associations Council on Education
Foundation for Interior Design Education and Research
National Association of Schools of Theatre (B.A. and M.F.A. degree programs)
National Architectural Accrediting Board
National Council for Accreditation of Colleges of Teacher Education
National Institute of Food Technologists lists the Department of Food Science and Technology as one of 40 departments in the U.S. and Canada offering this
Society of American Foresters
Society of Wood Science and Technology
Virginia State Department of Education

Applying for Your Degree

• Undergraduate students who satisfy graduation requirements for two curricula concurrently may request recognition of the second major on their transcripts; however, only the primary major will appear on the diploma.
• Students may earn a second bachelor's degree (and diploma) by earning a minimum of 30 additional credit hours in residence with a minimum 2.0 GPA on all work attempted. All specific requirements must be met for each degree program, including attainment of the 2.0 GPA for all courses in the major.
• All students must apply for a degree during the first semester of their junior year. The application for degree can be found on Hokie SPA under the Degree Menu. Once students have completed the application, they should generate a Degree Audit Report (DARS). The DARS report will help students to be fully aware of all degree requirements which remain to be completed. This report can also be generated through the Hokie Spa.
• Traditionally, degrees are conferred upon candidates who are present in person to receive them at the Commencement ceremony in May. Candidates may have their degrees conferred in absentia if they cannot be present at Commencement for good reason. To arrange for this, a candidate must indicate to the University Registrar either via Hokie SPA or in writing to be excused from the Commencement ceremony.
• In addition to the traditional Commencement, other "Degree Conferral Dates" have been established for each May to May year. These dates (fall, first summer, or second summer) appear on the diplomas of qualified graduates. The degree conferral dates fall on the last day of final examinations (last day of term) for first summer session, second summer session and fall semester.
• No commencement ceremonies are conducted at the end of the summer sessions, but graduates may attend the fall ceremony after completion of degree requirements. They may also request permission from the department to "walk through" the spring Commencement ceremony. Diplomas are not disbursed.
• Completion of degree requirements is determined after the final grade reports are available. Degrees are regarded as having been conferred on the appropriate conferral date upon determination by the University Registrar that degree requirements have been met. All course enrollments and attendance obligations must have been completed on or before the degree conferral date.
• With the exception of spring, diplomas for the "Degree Conferral Dates" are ordered after course work completions are established. Diplomas are distributed either by mail or in person to graduates who appear in the Office of the University Registrar, or at the next Commencement ceremony, if available.

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Center for Academic Enrichment and Excellence

• The Center for Academic Enrichment and Excellence (CAEE) provides academic support for all undergraduate students at Virginia Tech. Within this mission, CAEE provides:
  • learning assistance for undergraduate students;
  • learning support to the teaching mission of the University; and
  • support to special student populations.
• Through a number of programs, the CAEE offers free academic support services to students who want to improve their academic skills, who are excelling and want to enrich their educational experiences, and who are making the transition from high school to college. The CAEE also provides student employment opportunities.
• The professionals in the Center for Academic Enrichment and Excellence are committed to helping students succeed. Come visit us in 122 Hillcrest Hall (231-4133) or 110 Femoyer Hall (231-5499) to see what we have to offer. Visit our website for additional information and to see a schedule of our events.

Combination Degrees

• The bachelor's degree will be awarded to a student who has satisfactorily completed three years of undergraduate work in an appropriate curriculum and the first year of work in an accredited medical, dental, veterinary, or law school, or medical technology program (biology majors only), or physical therapy program (biology majors only), provided the student fulfills the requirements for the three-year program as follows:

• At least two of the three years of pre-professional work, including the third year, in residence at the university.
• A minimum of 90 semester hours undergraduate work, i.e. pre-professional school credit.
• University core curriculum requirements plus 18 of the 30 hours required in the major during the three-year, pre-professional work program. A department may require more than 18 hours of course work in the major.

Degree Programs

• Virginia Tech offers four-year degree programs leading to a bachelor of arts, science, or fine arts degree. Also offered are five-year bachelor of architecture and bachelor of landscape architecture programs. Virginia Tech also offers graduate work in 63 fields of study leading to master's degrees and in 51 fields leading to the doctorate. The professional doctor of veterinary medicine is offered through the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine, located at Virginia Tech.

Field Study, Independent Study, Special Study, and Undergraduate Research

• Virginia Tech offers several types of courses that can be tailored to the needs of individual students or specific groups of students. Students develop a plan of work to reach particular objectives, obtain approval of both the department and a faculty member who will supervise the work, and work with them to arrange hours and credits.
• By allowing students to pursue topics in which formal courses are not available, these programs provide greater academic flexibility for undergraduate students at Virginia Tech. They also provide students an opportunity to assume a greater share of the responsibility for their own education, outside the traditional classroom environment.
• Students must submit an official approval form prior to registration. In most cases, the student's first contact for an independent study, field study, or undergraduate research course is the department offering the course. Registration is through the student's dean's office. Special study courses are set up by the department, and the student registers through web course request. Some colleges and departments have restrictions on eligibility to register for these courses, and limit the number of hours that can be used toward graduation.
• Field Study (X964) courses are work experiences approved by some departments and are selected to augment traditional classroom activities. The student is evaluated on the knowledge and skills acquired as a result of the experience. Emphasis is placed on the academic and practical value of the work.
• Independent Study (X974) courses generally involve extensive reading and tutorial sessions with the faculty supervisor and also may involve written papers. The subject of Independent Study usually is a continuation in greater depth of a topic covered in a regular course, allowing students to study topics of particular individual interest.
• Special Study (X984) courses are designed for a group of students, rather than for a single individual. This type of course may be used to study a timely topic, one in which there is current, but not necessarily lasting, interest. It also may be used to launch an experimental course before the course is incorporated into the regular curriculum.
• Undergraduate Research (X994) courses are individual research projects carried out by students under faculty supervision. The student defines the research topic, proposes a methodology, carries out the research, and writes a report.

Graduation Requirements and Degree Conferrals

• A student must complete all courses with at least a minimum 2.0 GPA for all hours attempted. In addition, a student must present an equally satisfactory record in courses attempted in the major and/or any minor. The number of credit hours required varies from one major curriculum to another. Virginia Tech reserves the right to modify requirements in the student's program if necessary. The approved requirements in effect for a student's graduation in a given calendar year apply. Said requirements must be approved two years prior to their effective graduation date. All students earning degrees from Virginia Tech must have earned a minimum of one-fourth of the credit for their respective degrees from this institution. The senior year, with a minimum of 27 hours, must be completed in residence, or 27 of the last 45 hours must be completed in residence, provided that only approved courses taken in absentia are transferred to complete requirements.

Language Study Requirement

• By the time they graduate from the university, students must meet a language study requirement. The minimum requirement may be met in high school by completing 2 units of a single foreign or classical language. Some majors in the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences may require 3 units. The requirement also may be met after admission by one of the following:

1. Earning six (6) semester hours of college-level foreign or classical language credit or American Sign Language. Such credits are in addition to that number normally required for graduation in a students.
2. Receiving credit by examination for a foreign or classical language or American Sign Language. The credit by examination option is available only to students who have gained knowledge of a foreign language without the benefit of formal training. This privilege is intended to recognize informal non-academic learning experience and is not offered to a student who has had regular classroom instruction in that foreign language. (Contact the Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures for more information.)

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Honor Code and Honor System

• The Virginia Tech Honor Code is the university policy that defines the expected standards of conduct in academic affairs. The Honor System is the university student body charged with disseminating information about the Honor Code to the university community and enforcing the Honor Code.
• Violations of the Honor Code in academic affairs include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Cheating: Cheating includes the actual giving or receiving of any unauthorized aid or assistance or the actual giving or receiving of any unfair advantage on any form of any academic work, or attempts thereof.
2. Plagiarism: Plagiarism includes the copying of the language, structure, ideas, and/or thoughts of another and passing off same as one's own original work, or attempts thereof.
3. Falsification: Falsification includes the statement of any untruth, either verbally or in writing, with respect to any circumstances relating to one's academic work, or attempts thereof. Such acts include, but are not limited to, the forgery of official signatures, tampering with official records, fraudulently adding or deleting information on academic documents such as add/drop requests, or fraudulently changing an examination or other academic work after the testing period or due date of the assignment.

• A student who has doubts about how the Honor Code applies to any graded assignment is responsible for obtaining specific guidance from the instructor before submitting the assignment for evaluation. Any student accused of an alleged violation of the Honor Code is guaranteed certain basic rights, including being considered innocent until proven guilty. The complete "Constitution of the Honor System" is available from the Honor System Office (333 Squires Student Center) and is posted on the Virginia Tech home page at www.honorsystem.vt.edu.

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Pre-Professional Preparation

Pre-Medical/Pre-Dental Advising

• The university maintains an office for Pre-Medical/Pre-Dental Advising, located in Hillcrest Hall. The office functions within the Honors Program, but enrollment in the Honors Program is not a prerequisite for consultation with Pre-Medical/Dental advising services.
• It should be noted that although the majority of pre-medical and pre-dental students major in a science, any major is acceptable to medical and dental schools so long as certain specific admission requirements are satisfied. Thus pre-medicine is an interest rather than a degree program. Medical schools encourage students interested in medicine to pursue broad undergraduate study in the humanities and social sciences as well as biology and the natural sciences. The national standardized Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) emphasizes facility with scientific problem-solving, critical-thinking and writing skills as well as mastery of basic biology, chemistry and physics concepts. Additional requirements include significant participation in volunteer health care activities, letters of evaluation, and an interview at the medical school. Successful candidates exhibit high levels of scholastic achievement and intellectual potential as well as motivation and humanistic concern.
• The Pre-Medical/Dental Advising office provides direct counseling and assistance to students about careers in medicine or dentistry, preparing for application to medical or dental school, and the admission process. A course, "Careers in Medicine," is available to students at the sophomore and higher level. After gaining individual volunteer experience, a limited number of students may be placed with local physicians for a one-semester two-credit preceptorship. Upon request, this office will also provide interviews and letters of evaluation.
• Core course requirements vary somewhat among the 125 accredited United States medical schools, but most require 2 semesters each of mathematics, English, biology (with lab), general chemistry (with lab), organic chemistry (with lab), and general physics (with lab). The MCAT is also required at most medical schools. Specific entrance requirements are listed in the book Medical School Admission Requirements: United States and Canada.
• The general requirements for most dental schools are the same as those listed above for medical school. The standardized Dental Admission Test (DAT) is required by most dental schools.
• The Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech now accepts 50 Virginia and 30 Maryland residents, and up to 10 at-large applicants. Specific admission requirements are discussed in the Veterinary Medicine section. Counseling sessions are available by appointment only; please call 540/231-4699 for scheduled times. For information about other veterinary medicine schools' admission requirements, students should consult the latest edition of Veterinary Medical School Admission Requirements in the United States and Canada.

Pre-Law Advising

• Law students and lawyers come from many undergraduate backgrounds, and the skills necessary to succeed in law school and as an attorney can be developed in a variety of courses across a range of disciplines. Law schools do not treat any specific course or major as a prerequisite for admission, nor do they look with special favor on applicants who have graduated from a formal "pre-law" program. Accordingly, Virginia Tech does not offer a formal pre-law major. The university does offer a top-quality education in a large number of fields, as well as counseling about law as a career, preparing for application to law school, and the law school admission process. Students are encouraged to maintain contact throughout their Virginia Tech career with the pre-law advisors on campus.
• For further information, contact the pre-law advisors in the Department of Political Science (www.majbill.vt.edu/polisci/prelaw/lindex.html); the English Department also has a pre-law curriculum: (www.english.vt.edu/Undergraduate/litandlang.htm).

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Restricted Majors and Programs

• Students should be aware that there are some academic majors and programs within the university that have strict entrance requirements or are in such high demand that they cannot accommodate all who wish to enter them. Administrators of these restricted programs must be selective in allowing students to transfer in from other majors within the university and in permitting second majors or minors. Students seeking entrance into such restricted programs should consult the appropriate department.

• Restricted programs for internal transfers are as follows:

College of Architecture and Urban Studies
Architecture
Art & Art History -- Graphic Design
Industrial Design

Pamplin College of Business
Accounting and Information Systems
Business Information Technology
Finance
Hospitality and Tourism Management
Management
Marketing
Hospitality and Tourism Management

College of Engineering
All majors

College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences
Apparel, Housing, and Resource Management
Communication
Human Development
Teaching and Learning
Music

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Selecting or Changing a Major, Double Major, or Minor

• Undergraduate students must be enrolled in their major(s) [and minor(s)] of choice prior to the beginning of their senior year, or by the time they have 30 semester hours to complete before their graduation. Students seeking double majors must be accepted into the second major by the academic department before the university can award the second major.
• Changes from one degree program to another (i.e., changes in major) or the addition of a second major or a minor usually can be accomplished at any time prior to the senior year, simply by working with one's academic advisor and informing the head(s) of the department(s) and the dean(s) of the college(s) in question. A major (or second major) cannot be selected after the beginning of the senior year. (See section above on Selecting a Major.)
• Minors are offered by many academic departments. Refer to the section on Graduation Requirements and Degrees and to the appropriate academic department in the college chapters of this catalog to review the requirements for a minor.
• Students should be aware that changes in their, such as changing or adding majors or minors, sometimes imply extra course work, which can delay graduation.
• Twenty-five percent of the student's total hours must be taken at Virginia Tech.

Procedures to Follow When Changing or Adding a Major or Minor

• Students should submit their applications for changing majors or adding minors two weeks prior to the start of each semester's registration period. This will allow students adequate time to assess their situations before deciding to transfer and registering for the following term.
• The procedure for changing majors or adding a minor is as follows:

1. Request an "Application for Change in Curriculum" from the office of the dean of your new curriculum.
2. Follow the instructions given on the "Application for Change in Curriculum" form.

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Selection of Studies

• The regular academic year at Virginia Tech is divided into two semesters, fall and spring. Virginia Tech also offers two summer sessions. Most courses of study require eight (8) terms (i.e., semesters and/or summer sessions) for completion of the bachelor's degree requirements. Completion of the degree requirements for those students who enroll in the Cooperative Education Program, Bachelor of Architecture Program, or Bachelor of Landscape Architecture Program requires five years.
• Elective courses are chosen through consultation with the student's advisor. The dean of the college in which a student is registered has authority in such matters as substitution of courses, dropping and adding courses after deadlines, or permission to take an overload.
• Students have the assistance of faculty guidance, introductory courses, and special counseling to help them choose wisely which course of study they should take. Every effort is made to assure that all courses listed under the various department of instruction will be offered. Virginia Tech reserves the right, however, to withdraw any course for which an adequate number of students do not enroll.

Student Responsibilities Regarding Satisfactory Progress Towards Degree

• It is the student's responsibility to satisfy all course requirements as established by the faculty teaching the courses in which s/he is enrolled. It is also the student's responsibility to be aware of all major, degree, college, and graduation requirements necessary to complete his or her. Students are also responsible for satisfying all university, college, and departmental requirements for progress towards degree. (See this chapter for university requirements; consult the departmental listings in this catalog for major requirements.)

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Student Responsibilities Regarding Official Student Records

• Students are responsible for keeping and being familiar with their own records and for the accuracy of these records.
• Students receive copies of all official documents relating to their academic progress, including grade reports, approvals for Independent Study/Undergraduate Research (IS/UR), substitutions, progress toward the degree, exam deferrals, etc. These documents are sent electronically via e-mail or are mailed to the local address of the student which is on file in the University Registrar's Office. A student's failure to keep his/her address updated does not absolve the student of responsibility for matters which require notification by the university. Changes to your local address, permanent address, or parent/guardian address should be promptly updated by accessing Hokie SPA. Correct dorm addresses are established through the Student Housing Office in Eggleston Hall. If you are not sure what addresses are on file, you may check Hokie SPA for verification.
• It is the student's responsibility to check his/her current schedule of classes by accessing Hokie SPA. Errors must be corrected by the established deadline stated in the Timetable of Classes.
• Students are responsible for seeing their advisors at registration time.

Study Abroad

• Virginia Tech sponsors a wide diversity of study abroad programs to provide opportunities for the intercultural experience that is becoming important in all disciplines.
• The university's Center for European Studies and Architecture, in Switzerland, provides a unique place for undergraduate students to see and experience what they study. The facility offers a broad program in core curriculum courses and specialized programs in architecture and in business. Students study for one semester in the university's center in the small town of Riva San Vitale, Switzerland, and make field trips to other European sites to complement their classroom studies.
• Other semester/academic year programs are conducted through Tech's academic departments and other study abroad providers with over 100 universities in 40 different countries. Some of the more popular locations are Australia, France, Finland, Germany, Malta, and the United Kingdom, to name a few. In addition, the College of Engineering participates in the European Engineering Exchange (GE-3) with engineering institutions in France, Germany and Austria.
• Virginia Tech's summer study abroad programs enroll the greatest number of students. Tech has summer options in more than 25 countries, ranging from Australia to Zimbabwe, and lasting 2-6 weeks. A Virginia Tech faculty member runs each program, and students will be enrolled in Tech courses.
• Students who plan to study abroad should discuss the transfer of credits earned with their academic dean prior to leaving the Virginia Tech campus. All credits to be transferred to this university for use toward degree completion should be approved before they are taken. This is particularly true of courses completed in foreign universities for which there is no Virginia Tech equivalent.
• Most forms of financial aid may also be applied to study abroad programs, and there are several scholarships and grants available. We encourage students to contact the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid as soon as they consider studying abroad.
• For more information about study abroad opportunities, contact the Assistant Director for Education Abroad in 134 Burruss Hall (540-231-5888), or visit the University Office of International Programs website.

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Teacher Education at Virginia Tech

• The teacher education programs at Virginia Tech are based on INTASC standards and standards set forth by national professional organizations and/or state standards. They are accredited by those same organizations. The education unit is accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. There are 23 teacher education programs: 14 with both undergraduate and graduate options; 12 are graduate only. In the five-year elementary program, students are accepted into teacher education in their freshman year. In the undergraduate programs, students are accepted into professional education as juniors. Students in the graduate programs apply from Virginia Tech as well as other universities. In the 2002-2003 academic year, 179 students completed licensure programs; 609 students were enrolled in licensure programs.
• All programs have field experiences prior to student teaching in varying configurations, from school placements each year of the five-year elementary program to all-day experiences similar to student teaching in the graduate programs. All programs have a minimum of 150 hours of supervised student teaching as a requirement, although most students exceed the minimum. Nineteen full-time faculty, two part-time faculty, and 19 graduate assistants supervise field experiences for a supervision ratio of 3:6. All field experiences are supervised by both faculty and doctoral students who are content specialists in the area being supervised.
• In 2002-2003, Praxis I was required for admission into the program. Praxis II was not required to exit from programs.
• The passing rates for Praxis I and Praxis II follow:

Test	# Taking	# Passing	Institutional Pass Rate	Statewide Pass Rate
Praxis I Basic Skills:
Aggregate: Basic Skills	177	177	100%	97%
Praxis II Content Areas:
Elementary Education	42	42	100%	100%
Mathematics – Content Knowledge	20	17	85%	84%
Technology Education	12	12	100%	100%
Aggregate: Academic Content Areas (Math, English, Biology, etc.)	102	98	96%	97%
Aggregate: Other Content Areas (Career/Technical Ed., etc.)	33	32	97%	96%

Undergraduate Courses of Study

• Undergraduate courses of study leading to bachelor's degrees at Virginia Tech are listed below. In addition, many options and specialties pertaining to each academic college are described in the individual college chapters in this catalog.

Note: Students seeking teaching licensure in English, history and social sciences (geography, political science, and economics), mathematics, chemistry, biology, physics, earth science, theatre arts, music, foreign languages, and English as a second language should contact the Center for Teacher Education. For elementary education, see interdisciplinary studies, human development, or contact the Center for Teacher Education.

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University Enrollment and Academic Progress

Registration Procedures

1. Registration for continuing students is an eight-day period in the middle of each semester during which currently enrolled students may select classes for the next semester. During spring semester, students register for summer school (if they plan to attend) and for fall semester classes.
   1. The student consults with his/her departmental advisor about courses to be taken. Both should be aware of such considerations as the student's current GPA, the course load in hours and in effort required, pre- and co-requisites for courses so limited, the student's relationship to the eligibility schedule, and fulfillment of College and University Core Curriculum requirements and those for major, minor, or cognate. If the student fails to meet with his/her advisor, a hold may be placed on their registration.
   2. When a schedule is agreed upon, the student enters the course requests by accessing Hokie SPA.
   3. Overloads (more than 19 hours per semester, or 7 each summer session) require permission of the student's academic dean. The student will be scheduled for the first available 19 hours (7 in Summer) requested.
   4. The student's current class schedule may be printed by accessing Hokie SPA; the student is then responsible for verifying that he/she is in fact enrolled in the courses and sections he/she has been attending.
2. Approximately three weeks after the close of registration week, course request results are available and may be printed by accessing Hokie SPA. The web class ticket will include detailed information regarding sections which are full, conflicting, withdrawn, or restricted which explains why these sections were not added to the student's schedule. See item number six (6) below for details about why a student's course selections are sometimes ignored, or why a student's schedule might be purged or held from registration.
3. Students may adjust their schedules on a space available basis using web DROPADD, an electronic schedule adjustment program. Students should consult with their advisors before making any changes except those for convenience (usually time). Freshman Mathematics and English courses, because of the high demand, currently have restrictions on section changes. As a rule, any student who drops a 1000-level English or Math course via Hokie SPA or department will not be allowed to force-add another 1000-level English or Math course that term. A student should be aware that dropping below full-time status (12 semester hours) may jeopardize financial aid, campus housing, and graduation date.
4. A Force-Add form permits admission to a class over the desired enrollment threshold, but not over room capacity. This transaction is done with a "force-add" form available in the department offering the course, and requires the instructor's (or, in some departments, departmental) permission. Force-adds are processed by the department offering the course. Caution: The force-add transaction permits enrollment in courses with conflicting times.
5. Late Adds and Drops Adjustments to a student's schedule after the last date to carry out a specific transaction (see Hokie SPA for deadline dates) require permission of his/her own academic dean. Thus, a Business major wishing to late-drop an English course requires approval from the College of Business, not that of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences. A late-drop request based on mental or physical illness requires a recommendation from Student Health Services. Faculty cannot add or drop students from their rolls and cannot add or drop a student by including or removing his/her name on the final grade sheet.
6. Purged and Held Registrations Failure to pay tuition bills by a posted deadline (usually by the end of the 2nd week of classes) may result in the student's schedule being purged (removed from the system). A schedule may be held (made inaccessible to department staff, as well as to students using DROPADD, thereby precluding transactions of any type) for nonpayment of fees other than tuition (e.g., parking tickets), for Honor Code violations, for academic ineligibility (due to department and/or academic suspension), or for failure to make progress toward a degree. This last hold is imposed by the student's dean, while all other holds are imposed by other offices. The student should check with the office imposing the hold, as only that office is authorized to remove the hold. Billing is done by the Office of the University Bursar; contact the Bursar's Office if you have questions about your bill or do not receive a bill.

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University Honors Program

• In keeping with the university's commitment to provide educational opportunities consistent with the ability of the individual student, Virginia Tech invites a select group of students to enroll in the Honors Program. This program consists of a combination of special sections of regular courses, honors seminars, and independent study. Honors courses enable superior students to be challenged to their full intellectual capacity. The honors faculty includes Alumni Distinguished Professors, University Distinguished Professors, and members of the university's Academy of Teaching Excellence. The Honors Program represents a combination of study within departments and course work cutting across departmental lines. The program is designed both to broaden and deepen the student's intellectual powers.
• Lower division honors students may participate in honors colloquia and honors sections of regular courses. Course selection is not necessarily tied to the student's major field of study. Incoming freshmen are invited to participate on the basis of their standardized test scores and high school records. Transfer students and continuing Virginia Tech students who achieve a GPA of 3.5 or greater are invited to participate. Students remain in the program on the basis of their continued high academic performance and the pursuit of one of four honors degrees. Normally, honors sections of regular academic courses are offered in biology, political science, history, economics, chemistry, English, mathematics, and psychology. Occasionally, honors sections are offered in other subject areas as well.
• Following the freshman year, students may choose to pursue one of four honors diplomas. At this time, a student's work focuses on major interests, and part of the work is in independent study, tutorials, and undergraduate research. A student meeting the specified requirements can earn a degree as a Commonwealth Scholar, a Scholar in Health Studies, an Honors Scholar (in Honors), or an Honors Baccalaureate. Students wishing to pursue these degree options must contact the Honors Office as early in their studies as possible.
• For additional information, contact the director of the University Honors Program, 540/231-4591.

University Honors Colloquia (H3004)

• University Honors Colloquia are designed to draw together the university's finest students with the most distinguished faculty on special topics of mutual interest. All students with a minimum GPA of 3.5 are eligible to enroll in any colloquium. Classes meet once a week for two hours (3 credits).

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