The Record, Newsletter of the Registrar

October is financial literacy month!

The cost of attending an institution of higher learning continues to climb, as does the cost of daily living. This requires students have the acumen to holistically manage their finances. In support of this objective, October will be financial literacy month. The Office of Student Finance will be including a significant amount of information on the Portal, including information on financial management strategies. For example, a budgeting sheet will be provided and students will be asked to use it for two weeks in order to monitor their spending. Freshman will receive information on working with their banking institution and building a healthy credit history. Students will also receive educational information on debt and debt management.

Students who participate in the activities presented in the Portal will be eligible for prizes. Further details will be provided in the October issues of the Record.

Enrollment report grading basis changes

Beginning fall 2006, the grading basis A-F, S/N, and AUD will no longer appear on enrollment reports.  The Senate Committee on Educational Policy (SCEP) made this recommendation to the University Senate in spring 2006. 

The language approved by the University Senate is as follows:

The Senate Committee on Educational Policy (SCEP) voted to request that the administration change the information in class lists provided to instructors. The grading system for which a student has enrolled in a course will no longer be included. The instructor will give all students a letter (A-F) grade; for those students who are enrolled S/N, the computer will automatically convert the letter grade to an S (if it is C- or above) or N (if D+ or below).

Contact Tina Falkner  at if you have questions.

Refund & drop /add deadlines for fall 2006

Don't forget to check out the drop/add deadlines for fall 2006.   Dates listed are for regular, first 7-week and second 7-week sessions.  Before a student drops a course, he or she should consider how changing course registration can affect academic goals. Dropping a course can also have an impact on a student's financial aid. One Stop Counselors are also available to answer any questions a student may have in the areas of enrollment, financial aid, billing and payments.

Non-degree students must pay in full by October 4

Non-degree students are required to pay tuition and fee charges in full no later then October 4, 2006.  For University faculty or staff taking courses as a non degree-seeking student, please submit the Academic Staff Tuition Benefit or Regents' Scholarship form to One Stop before October 4 to avoid cancellation of their courses.

Private data: don't get caught with your files open!

University policy dictates that faculty and staff who work with private data protect that data against intentional or unintentional availability or loss. This includes information stored on servers, desktops, laptops, handheld devices and portable storage devices. The University's Securing Private Data Standard outlines protective measures required for compliance. 

Stealing laptops, Blackberries and portable storage devices (often referred to as flash drives) are usually crimes of opportunity; the item is left unmonitored for a short period of time, for example. Increasingly, these devices contain private data, specifically private student data, which allows the thief access to private data. 

Increasingly, desktop computers are not a secure environment for private data. Unless precautions outlined in the policy mentioned above are adopted, you could be putting students' information at risk.  If you are storing private data, please be sure your workplace and home machines meet the standards outlined in the policy. Better yet, do not store private data on your desktop or portable devices.

If you have questions, please contact Ken Hanna at or Tina Falkner.

Classes will be held on election night   

On Tuesday, November 7, midterm elections will take place in Minnesota. All University classes will be held on that date. Instructors are expected to make reasonable accommodations for students who can only vote during class time. Students who will be late to, or absent from, class in order to vote on Tuesday, November 7 should speak with their instructor in advance of that date.

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The Record is published monthly for colleges and departments at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, by the Office of the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost. Back issues are on the Web in PDF format at http://onestop. umn.edu /onestop/Services/News_Events_and_Activities/Record.html

Please direct address changes to Ingrid Nuttall, 612-625-1064 or ingridn@umn.edu.

Ingrid Nuttall, editor Academic Support Resources 150 Williamson Hall 231 Pillsbury Drive S.E. Minneapolis, MN 55455
The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer. This publication is available in alternative formats upon request.