Frequently Asked Questions

Campus Resources

Q. How do I find my way around campus?

A. There are seven buildings on campus (you should come in and check them out before classes start):

• The Campus Center has the One Stop for paying bills, registrar (course selection & grades) and financial aid. It also has all the student organizations offices and the food court.
• The Wheatley Building (Building #010) is mainly for classes and faculty offices
• The McCormack Building (Building #020) is mainly for classes and faculty offices; it also has the theater on the second floor and the Beacon Fitness Center on the first floor.
• The Science Center (Building #080) is mainly for science classes and faculty; it also has the math department, the computer science department and the language labs.
• The Healey Library (Building #090) is not only the home for the library and all its resources, but the computer labs are located on the 3rd floor and on the Upper Level.
• The Clark Athletic Center has the ice rink, basketball court and swimming pool.
• The Quinn Administration Building (Building #110) houses some campus administrative offices but also Health Services, the Parking & Transportation Office and the Customer Service Center.

Q. How do I figure out the room numbering system?

A. Here's how to interpret the coding -- the first number is the building, the second is the floor number, and the third is the actual room number or auditorium or conference room name.

Q. Why are there "LL" and "UL" floors in the elevators?

A. "LL" is the Lower Level parking garage; "UL" is the Upper Level parking garage. In the Quinn Administration Building on "UL", you can also find the Parking & Transportation Office and the Quinn Cafeteria.

Q. What are the computer kiosks around campus used for?

A. The kiosks are there for student use. You can use the kiosks to find lots of information to help you navigate through the university. For instance, you can find classroom locations. The Schedule of Courses do not contain classroom listings. To locate a class, navigate to the "course listing" selection from the main screen. You can choose courses from one of several information boxes such as "department", "course number" or schedule number." Entering combinations of the info requested will take you to the course sought and the location of the "first class meeting." The quickest way to search for a course is by the "schedule number." If you have already visited that room and the course is not being taught there, check under the course main department office for further information. The kiosks also have the updated list of "closed courses."

Q. How do I make a call from a campus phone?

A. Campus phones can only be used to call an on-campus phone number. To dial a campus number, you only dial the last five digits of the office number you are calling. For instance, the phone number for the Financial Aid office is 617.287.6300. However, if you are dialing that number from a campus phone you only dial the last five digits, or "76300".

Q. How can I get a UMB student email account?

A. Students can obtain a UMB email account from the Customer Service Office on the Upper Level of the Quinn Building, or log onto webmail.umb.edu to activate your account.

Q. Where can I access a computer?

A. Computers for general student use are located on floors UL and 3 in the Healey Library.

Q. How do I get a library card and barcode?

A. Bring your student I.D. to the Healey Library where it will be validated for use as a library card.

Tuition/Financial Aid

Q. How do I pay my bill?

A. When it's time to pay your bill for each semester, the Bursar's Office is where you do it. The Bursar is the University's equivalent of the bill collector. You receive a bill for the upcoming fall semester in July or August. This bill is based on the number of courses you're officially registered for (if you're a CPCS student, however, you are automatically considered full time). For the spring semester, you should be getting a bill in December or January. The Bursar's Office accepts cash payments, personal checks, and credit card payments (MasterCard, Visa and Discover).

Q. What happens if I don't pay my bill on time?

A. If you do not pay your bill on time, you will be assessed late payment fees, and late re-registration fees (as your classes may be dropped, depending on the length of time you are delinquent in payment). The Bursar's Office will ultimately put a hold on your account, and you will be unable to register for future courses and/or obtain transcripts.

Q. When do I receive my financial aid?

A. Your financial aid should be reflected on your bill. If it has not been credited to your account as of the due date of the bill, you are still financially responsible for the bill. In other words, you must pay the bill on time, then get reimbursed once your financial aid has been applied.

Q. When will I get my excess check?

A. Full-time Undergraduates: If the gift aid (grants, scholarships and waivers) exceed billed charges by $300. A $300 check will be available the second day of classes and all other excess checks will be disbursed during the second week of classes.

Q. Where can I find a job on campus?

A. Federal Work-Study (FWS) and Institutional (CC) Student Employment positions are all located on the web (www.jobtrak.com). (FWS positions are limited to students who have been awarded FWS eligibility by Financial Aid Services.) Call the "Contact Person" in the position listing to apply for jobs that interest you. Once you have you have been offered and have accepted a position, complete the appropriate paperwork at the Student Employment Office. If you are eligible to participate in the Federal Work-Study (FWS) Program, please remember that you must be on the FWS payroll by the end of the second week in October. Otherwise, your FWS eligibility will be canceled.

Q. What do I do if my financial aid does not cover my bill?

A. Visit the Financial Aid Services Office and speak with a counselor to determine all financial aid options have been explored or the Billing Information Office to discuss payment plan options.

Q. Is financial aid available for international students?

A. No, at least not through the University or the state of Massachusetts, but there are some scholarships and bank loans offered by private sources.

Academics

Q. I've taken my math placement test, but I don't want to take a math course my first semester. How long are the placement tests good for?

A. Once you've taken the placement exams the results are only good for one year--which means that if you placed into a certain math class, you have to take the class within a year or you'll have to re-take the test.

Q. I'm a transfer student. Why didn't my transfer credit evaluation reflect my most recent semester coursework?

A. All students must arrange with the previous institution to have a final official transcript forwarded to the Undergraduate Admissions Office. Course work will be evaluated, added to the transcript if appropriate, and a new evaluation sent to the student.

Q. How do I know if a class is really full?

A. Check with the department office or simply go to class if you cannot get an appropriate response through the touch-tone system, or your UMass Wise schedule.

Student Life

Q. Where can I get my Student ID and semester sticker?

A. If you are a new student, and need to have your ID picture taken, you will need to go to the Student Life Office with another form of valid picture ID (license, passport, etc.). If you are a registered student and have an ID and just need the validation sticker for the current semester, you can obtain a sticker at the ID Office, Office of Student Life

Q. Where can I rent a locker?

A. You can rent lockers from Student Life; they will let you know where around campus lockers are available. The fee for the fall semester rental is $8, and the academic year (fall and spring semesters) is $13. Students need to provide their own lock!

Q. How do I go about joining a club?

A. Check out the Office of Student Life and the Student Senate Office for information about club activities.

Language Laboratory

Q. Where is the Language Laboratory?

A. The Language Laboratory is located in the Science/3rd floor/ 0133. Hours: Mon-Thurs 9 a.m.-10:00 p.m., Friday 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Closed weekends and holidays. Tel: 617-287-5970.

Q. Who uses the language lab?

A. Students enrolled in three credit language courses which require a language lab for the fourth credit hour, and any student who pays the language lab fee of $25.00.

Q. How can I find out which programs to use for my language lab?

A. Your course syllabus will list the materials you are required to study but you may browse and use anything available from the lab's library of materials. The lab also posts all course syllabi with lab assignments on its bulletin board and web site.

Q. What languages can I study in the lab?

A. Chinese, ESL, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish, and American Sign Language

Q. Are the lab materials available for home study?

A. A library of audio cassettes, audio CDs, and computer software programs are available in all languages. Generally, copyright rules restrict the use of these materials to the language lab. However, when you register for a lab you receive a blank audio cassette which you may use throughout the semester to copy material on for home use.

Miscellaneous

Q. I think I'm coming down with the flu. Can I see a doctor?

A. Any fee-paying student, undergraduate or graduate, full or part-time, may utilize Health Services programs. Health Services is supported by required health fees for all students who are part time or higher. Visit Health Services on the 2nd floor of the Quinn Administration Building.

Q. How do I change my address?

A. Newly admitted students should complete the Name/Address Change form in the Undergraduate Admissions Office. Continuing students can go on-line or go to the Registrar's Office.