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Dear Bobcat parent and family members,
There are just six weeks left in the term, and they are jam-packed. There's an unmistakable and intense energy on campus in April as deadlines approach for students' assignments, projects and presentations. And we all wonder where the semester has gone.
One of the deadlines that I want to give you a heads-up about is related to registration: The last day to drop a course with a W grade is April 17. If your student needs to withdraw from a course, they should reach out to their advisor as soon as possible to be sure they complete any withdrawals before that deadline - note that withdrawals can take 3-5 business days to process. The website for the Office of the Registrar provides more information.
Dropping a course this late in the semester is not uncommon, but keeping the W's to a minimum is the goal. It's important for students to bear in mind that dropping a course may impact their financial aid. They can contact Student Accounts or the Office of Financial Aid Services with questions.
There's also a ton of events happening this time of year that students have been working toward, including the MSU Student Research Celebration to be held on April 25. This year's event celebrates 30 years of outstanding undergraduate research at MSU. The event will bring together students from programs across our university to present their work. Making research accessible to any interested student is a priority in our MSU strategic plan, and this event is always a rewarding opportunity to see what students are doing in the realm of discovery.
In addition to the university-wide event, your student's department or program may be holding a colloquium of its own. Encourage your student to attend or participate in these events. They are excellent opportunities to build fluency in research topics, practice public speaking and make connections across departments.
Is your student considering staying in Bozeman for the summer or thinking about taking a few summer classes? Summer Session at MSU is an excellent way to catch up or leap ahead or to explore new subjects in a smaller class setting. Online offerings are also available, so your student can continue making progress toward their degree from just about anywhere.
Summer classes take several formats, including six-week and 12-week courses, as well as the Bobcat 4x4, which has classes that meet four days a week for four weeks. This fast-paced format immerses students in content and provides the added flexibility of a condensed course.
Plus, MSU is once again offering its Summer Edge program, which extends non-Montana resident students a tuition discount of over $1,000 for a three-credit course. To see a list of courses available to your student during Summer Session, check out the Schedule of Classes. Information about financial aid for the summer can be found at montana.edu/summer/finaid.html.
If your student needs on-campus housing during Summer Session, they can visit University Student Housing's webpage to see their options. Summer housing is on a first-come, first-served basis, and students must take at least three credits to be eligible.
Speaking of housing: If your student is planning to move off-campus for the next school year, we recommend they check out the Off-Campus Student Life website or stop into their office in the Strand Union Building.
Take care,
Matthew R. Caires
Dean of Students