First-Year A&S Student Fall 2020 FAQ

In response to COVID-19 and its impacts to CU Boulder, the campus has prepared a Roadmap to Fall 2020 that addresses concerns of both undergraduate students and graduate students. We have compiled answers to frequently asked questions specific to the needs of both first-year and all undergraduates in the college.

Most accurate information updated as of July 27, 2020

Academic Questions

Will first-year students register themselves in fall classes?

The majority of first-year students will be pre-registered into some courses by July 20th. The exact number of courses in which students are pre-enrolled in will vary by major. Students will complete their fall schedule and make any necessary scheduling adjustments during their enrollment appointment. Students are encouraged to connect with their assigned advisors to discuss the impact of making scheduling changes. 

The adjusted enrollment appointments for first-years students are scheduled in two-day periods during the July 20th-31st enrollment window.

  • Fall 2020 enrollment appointments: July 20-21; July 23-24; July 27-28; July 30-31.

  • New dates for enrollment appointments were sent to students’ @colorado.edu email by the New Student and Family Programs Office. 

  • Registration access opens at 8:30 a.m. and closes at 4:30 p.m. Mountain Standard Time (MST) each day.

  • Starting on Aug. 3 through the end of the add/drop deadline all new students will be able to make scheduling adjustments:

    • Fall 2020 Add Deadline: Sept. 2.

    • Fall 2020 Drop Deadline: Sept. 9.  

Will students still have enrollment windows or will all first-years be automatically enrolled in the same courses?

Many students will be pre-enrolled into some courses by mid-July. The number of courses in which students will be pre-enrolled will vary by major. New dates for enrollment windows have been sent to students’ @colorado.edu email by the New Student and Family Programs Office. 

The adjusted registration enrollment windows for FY students are scheduled this summer in two-day periods start in late July:

  • July 20-21; July 23-24; July 27-28; July 30-31  8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (MST)

  • The pre-registration process will be completed before the first enrollment window opens

  • On August 3rd all new students will be able to make scheduling adjustments and this access will remain open until the end of the add/drop period.

Students can work with their assigned advisors to see if making changes is appropriate.

 

What will my fall course schedule look like?

A typical first-year schedule in the College of Arts and Sciences includes a range of major-specific, general education, exploratory and elective courses. Work with your advisor to find a balanced schedule that accomplishes your academic goals.

What about AP and IB exam scores?

CU Boulder expects to receive AP and IB scores mid- to late-July, and the Admissions Office will post any AP or IB earned college credit to student records by the end of July.

What if I need to revise my course schedule after the earned AP or IB credit posts to my student record?

Students will be able to adjust their course schedules during their respective enrollment window and again during the open enrollment period which starts on Aug. 3. Schedule an appointment with your academic advisor via Buff Portal Advising for assistance.

Will there be an option to change my enrolled classes?

With the exception of the required 1 credit hour, pass/fail course titled ARSC 1520: Health, Society and Wellness in COVID-19 Times, students will be able to adjust their pre-registered courses as academically appropriate during their enrollment window and/or starting Aug. 3 through the end of the add/drop period. Students should be aware that there may be limited in-person options to choose from. Please consult with an academic advisor, if contemplating any course changes.

Can I change my major or college over the summer?

Students wishing to change majors can log into their application status page and submit a major change request form. If you are requesting a major change for a second time, please contact your admissions counselor. 

Students desiring to change from one college or school to another will need to contact the Admissions Office to determine eligibility. Please note that major changes and college changes are not guaranteed.

What if I want to change colleges after I have received my housing assignment and class schedule?

First, contact the Admissions Office to see if you are eligible to change colleges; if approved, contact the Housing Office for guidance.

Cohorting Questions

What is a cohort?

Cohorts are groups of students within the residence halls, typically organized by college or other affiliated groups, to support safety and academic community. 

For Fall 2020, nearly all first-year students in the College of Arts and Sciences will live in Baker, Libby, Sewall, Kittredge West, Smith, Stearns West and Williams Village East. All residence hall assignments are made by Housing.

Is there any recourse to switch my cohort?

If you have a question about your housing or room assignment, please contact the Housing Office.

When will I find out my housing assignment and cohort?

The Housing Office will be notifying students throughout the summer, with all students receiving their room assignment on or before Aug. 3. See the Housing FAQ for more information.

What will the pre-registration process look like?

The College of Arts and Sciences will pre-register first-year students into classes on the basis of their major. The number of credits students will be pre-registered into will vary by major and first-year students will have the opportunity to complete their schedules during registration windows in mid-to-late July. All first-year College of Arts and Sciences students will be pre-registered in COVID 101 (see next questions for more details).

What is ARSC 1520: Health, Society, and Wellness in COVID-19 Times? Why was I pre-enrolled into this course?

College students today are encountering a world unlike any other generation, as they seek to learn in university settings that are complex and rapidly changing. ARSC 1520: Health, Society, and Wellness in COVID-19 Times aims to help you navigate this world with knowledge and skill. We designed the course with participatory methods that engaged the perspectives and experiences of CU Boulder students to make the course material relevant to your life. This course welcomes you as an essential member of the CU Boulder community and to support your engagement in academic learning as well as individual and community wellness. 

The public health crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic has created a context of pervasive uncertainty, heightened anxiety and social isolation that overlaps with a critical time of your own learning and development. The COVID-19 pandemic also has exacerbated long standing inequalities and disparities, and recent events in the United States have laid bare historical and current realities of racism and systemic oppression. 

These challenges make starting college complicated in unprecedented ways, and they present unique opportunities for interdisciplinary and practical learning. This course provides you with perspectives on disease and society and on systemic racism and inequality from scholars in the natural sciences, social sciences, arts and humanities, education, communications and media, engineering and medicine. Engaging these disciplines to examine the complex problems of the global pandemic and systemic racism will help you build skills that you will use throughout college and beyond. 

The course also emphasizes the science and practice of community and individual wellness. You will learn practices of cooperation, compassion and anti-racism for community wellness, as well as skills relevant to emotions, relationships, common mental health concerns and learning in the age of Zoom and remote classes. 

The course will be 1 credit hour and offered through an online asynchronous modality and evaluated as pass/fail. All incoming first-year College of Arts and Sciences, School of Education and College of Media, Communication, and Information students will be automatically enrolled in this required course. The course also will be available to other CU Boulder students and the broader community.

I am an incoming freshman who is open option right now, but I am planning to declare my major after classes start. Or, I currently have a declared A&S major but I want to switch into a different major. Can I get into a pre-registered classes now that matc

Pre-registered classes will be based on a student’s declared major during the pre-registration process. Students will be able to adjust their pre-registered courses as academically appropriate during their enrollment window and/or starting on Aug. 3 through the end of the add/drop period. Students should be aware that there may be limited in person options to choose from. Please consult with your academic advisor if you are contemplating any schedule changes.

How will my campus experience look if I’m a commuter student?

Like residential students, commuters students will generally be pre-registered in COVID 101 and relevant major or open option courses.

General Tips & Guidance

Why should I come to CU Boulder in the fall?

We’re offering something better than a gap year and want you to experience the biggest societal event in a generation with your friends at CU Boulder. Fall 2020 will be more than an “online” experience.

Do you have any general tips and guidance to help me finalize my fall course schedule?

Academic Advisors are excited and eager to connect with students, and students should meet with their advisor BEFORE their enrollment window to discuss their transition to college, major and exploration ideas, and schedule for the Fall.   

Prior to the opening of your enrollment window, you should have your course registration shopping cart prepared. On the first day of your enrollment window, the registration system will open up at 8:30 a.m. (MDT). We recommend that you are in the system ready to register for your full course load for Fall promptly at 8:30 a.m. MDT. You can work with your assigned summer academic advisor if you need support.

What if I want to ask more questions or learn more as the campus prepares for Fall 2020?

There are several great resources available:

  • Your summer academic advisor is best positioned to answer questions about your individual schedule before the start of classes.  You can make an appointment with them through the Buff Advising Portal.

  • The College of Arts and Sciences advising team is hosting weekly, live and interactive webinars around all things related to registration and academic exploration!  You can join our webinars by clicking on the links below.  Please remember that the times listed are in Mountain Daylight Time.

  • The New Student and Family Programs Office is hosting webinars and coffee hours for our incoming Buff Families.

  • CU Boulder’s Housing FAQ page.

Will the A&S College Days orientation experience be in-person this year?

No, these events will be virtual this fall. In addition, departments and programs will be inviting students to virtual and/or in-person "Meet Your Major" events.