TRUMBULL COLLEGE DEAN’S NOTES: January 16, 2024
I hope you all had restful break and are doing well on this first day of classes! I’m truly grateful for the break I had. We went to England soon after finals period ended and had an amazing time. It was my first time visiting, so a lot of the trip was spent with family (my two sisters-in-law live in Birmingham with their families – between them, Sahej has 5 boy cousins). We also did some sight-seeing in London, went for afternoon tea and I was able to reunite with one of my best friends from grad school and her family! In addition to taking our household, including my mother-in-law, we also took my parents, who celebrated their 50th anniversary there. We usually just chill at home for winter break, which is always lovely, but this trip was extraordinary, and I hope we can do it again soon!
As we start the Spring term, please note that weekly Dean’s notes will now resume, and this issue is full of a lot of useful information and pertinent deadlines. I can’t emphasize enough how important it is to at least take a quick look through our once per week e-mail. There are a lot of folks on campus who send RC deans blurbs, since we send out these weekly newsletters. I know these e-mails are often long, but please know that they’re organized into sections and that you should scroll all the way to the end to make sure you don’t miss anything. Unless there’s an academic deadline or something else that’s particularly urgent, Alice and I truly only send ONE e-mail per week, typically on Monday.
Add/Drop is a busy time for me. I try my best to be available and responsive, but I need some help from you (my appointments for tomorrow are already booked solid): 1) Please take note of my OPEN ZOOM HOURS (see below), 2) Please %20alice.kustenbauder@yale.edu">cc Alice on e-mails, particularly those with academic questions, 3) If you have a bunch of questions, it’s much faster to meet with me rather than waiting for an e-mail response, and 4) Stop by the office – Alice can answer many academic questions…and we have snacks! Thanks, and have a wonderful week!
JUNIORS and students in their 5th term of enrollment: Please scroll down for info about the FroCo application (due Jan 22nd and a FroCo info session tomorrow Wednesday, Jan 17th at 6pm in the Fellows Lounge).
Meeting with me – please take note of my OPEN Zoom hours (below)
To make an appointment, please use the Calendly scheduling tool, https://calendly.com/dean_c. Please reach out to Alice with any scheduling issues. For in-person meetings, please come to the office. We’re right here in Trumbull G104, which you can access across from Entryway A or through Entryway G. Zoom meetings (including open Zoom office hours) will be through my Zoom page: https://yale.zoom.us/my/skchandhoke.
My OPEN ZOOM office hours for each week are listed on the top of my Calendly page. When you click on the Zoom link, you will be placed into a waiting room. I will speak to students (one-on-one) in the order they “arrive”. My upcoming open hours are TODAY, Tuesday, January 16th (10am-noon & 2-4pm), Wednesday, Jan 17th (11am-noon) & Friday, Jan 19th (10am-noon).
ACADEMICS
Course Enrollment during Add/Drop
The University Registrar’s Office has a helpful website devoted to course registration, at registration.yale.edu. The “FAQs” and “Important Dates” are particularly useful! There are even video tutorials for using your registration worksheet!
During the Add/Drop period, you may add courses (if the course is open or you have permission to enroll) and drop courses within Yale Course Search without a fee. The Add/Drop period ends at 5pm EST on Tuesday January 23rd - the courses listed on your registration worksheet at that time will constitute your fall course schedule.
Note: Canvas Worksheets and Registration worksheets are different! The Canvas worksheet – while useful for planning purposes – does not enroll you in courses. It only allows you to see the announcements and assignments of those courses during the Drop/Add period. To enroll in a course, you must include it on your registration worksheet … and make sure that all green checkmarks are turned into black checkmarks before the end of Add/Drop. Read more in the Registrar’s FAQ on distinguishing the two worksheets and understanding the icons on your registration worksheet.
A list of Sc courses without prerequisites may be found at http://science.yalecollege.yale.edu/academics/faculty-resources/science-courses-without-prerequisite.
A list of QR courses without prerequisites may be found at http://science.yalecollege.yale.edu/academics/courses/qr-courses/qr-courses-without-prerequisite.
Overloads, Overlaps, Professional School Courses, and Other Petitions
Overloads & Underloads: A course schedule of 3.0 credits or a schedule of 6.0 or 6.5 credits requires Dean Chandhoke’s permission before the end of Add/Drop period (January 23rd). To request an underload or an overload, make an appointment as soon as possible. An overload request also requires the Petition For Credit Overload (Yale College), which you complete online before the end of Add/Drop (January 23rd, 5pm).
Course Overlaps: To enroll in two overlapping courses, you must petition the Committee on Honors and Academic Standing through my office. The rules governing overlaps depend on the type of courses that overlap: namely, whether they are “asynchronous” or “synchronous.” Please see below for details. But regardless of the type of course, it is always the case that:
* petitions to my office are due by the end of Add/Drop period (January 23rd, 5pm);
* no more than two courses may overlap;
* the express permission of both instructors is necessary, but not itself sufficient, for approval;
* the two final exam times, as given in Yale Course Search, may not overlap.
Synchronous/Asynchronous Overlaps
Every course must have an in-person synchronous component, such as a lecture, section, or lab. An asynchronous course (as below) refers to a course approved to have a period that does not require in-person meeting at the same time; a synchronous course refers to a fully synchronous course.
(a) Two synchronous courses may have a small and insignificant overlap in meeting times (i.e., no more than 15 minutes once per week, including travel times), with permission from the instructors of both courses, via petition to the residential college dean, so long as the final exams do not overlap.
(b) One asynchronous course may overlap with one synchronous course, including for the full class meeting time, with the permission of both instructors, via petition to the residential college dean, so long as the final exams do not overlap.
(c) Two asynchronous courses may overlap with each other, including for the full class meeting time, with the permission of both instructors, via petition to the residential college dean, so long as the final exams do not overlap.
To petition, here’s what you need to do:
1. Confirm that the final exams for the two courses are offered at different times.
2. Explain how enrollment in the two courses is possible, despite the conflict in published meeting times (refer to the information above).
3. Secure both instructors’ explicit (written) permission to take the two overlapping courses.
4. Fill out the Petition for Overlap Online Form with all of the relevant information, including the instructors’ permissions. Do not just email me the details.
Professional School Courses: A schedule with a course in a professional school requires an additional form for each course Request to Enroll in a Professional School Course (Blue Form) which you complete online before the end of Add/Drop (January 23rd, 5pm), even for second-half courses. Some Professional Schools (like SOM) may require their own form as well.
Only four professional school credits can be offered toward the 36 credit requirement; however, students may enroll in more than four credits understanding that all courses will remain on the academic record and be included in the GPA even if not offered toward the 36 credit requirement.
Courses at the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and at a Professional School cannot elect the CR/D/Fail option.
Credit for these courses on your transcript: When you put a Professional School course on your schedule, zero (0) course credits are recorded for the course until you submit your completed Blue Form and the Registrar’s Office determines the course credits for that course after that. Some courses earn 1 course credit in Yale College and some earn 0.5 course credits (most commonly in SOM and EPH). Some do not earn any credit.
Full details on registering for Graduate and Professional School courses is at https://registration.yale.edu/resource/blue-forms-graduate-school-and-professional-school-courses.
Independent Studies: (Directed Reading, Directed Research, etc. as listed by most departments). There are limits on the number that a student can enroll in during a given year and over four years. Enrolling in an independent study requires the additional permission of a Director of Undergraduate Studies. See the YCPS for details: http://catalog.yale.edu/ycps/academic-regulations/course-credits-course-loads.
Such courses may not be used to fulfill any distributional requirements.
Independent study courses, other than senior projects and certain other courses designated for A-F grading by the department offering the course, are graded Pass/Fail. Students cannot petition for a conversion from P/F to A-F; only the department or program offering the course may do so.
Double credit: If you are interested in petitioning to earn double credit in a single-credit course, please read the relevant section in the YCPS, and then consult with me. The deadline to submit this petition is Midterm, but I recommend that you do so well before that date.
Yale Degree Audit: Yale Degree Audit (YDA) is a tool that tracks your progress toward the bachelor’s degree. You can access Degree Audit through Yale Hub. Degree Audit displays the Yale College degree requirements that you have already completed and those that are still pending. A “Look Ahead” feature shows you how future course enrollment might apply toward your degree.
You can also confirm which courses you are enrolled in by checking your Degree Audit “Class History” (click the three dots on the upper right of the page).
If you believe that academic information in your degree audit is incorrect, contact our office.
January 16 Spring-term classes begin, 8:20am
January 19 Friday classes do not meet; Monday classes meet instead.
January 19 Last day for students in the Class of 2024 to petition for permission to complete the requirements of two majors.
January 22 Deadline to submit FroCo application
January 23 Add/drop period closes for all YC students, 5pm
January 23 Blue form submission deadline for Professional school course requests, by 5pm
January 30 Final deadline to apply for a spring-term Leave of Absence (section J, Time Away and Return).
January 30 Withdrawal from Yale College on or before this date entitles the student to a full rebate of spring-term tuition (Undergraduate Regulations).
CLASS SPECIFIC NOTES
FIRST-YEARS
First-Year Distributional Requirements: At the end of your first year (after two terms of enrollment) the student’s record must record enrollment in at least one course credit in two of the three skills categories (WR, QR, and foreign language). For a course with two distributional designations, only one or the other designation can be counted toward the distributional requirements; in other words, no double dipping. A course may, however, count toward both the requirements for a major and for a distributional requirement.
SOPHOMORES
Sophomore Year Distributional Requirement: At the end of the sophomore year (after four terms of enrollment) the student’s record must record enrollment in at least one course credit in each disciplinary area (Hu, Sc, and So) and at least one course credit in each skills category (WR, QR, and foreign language). For a course with two distributional designations, only one or the other designation can be counted toward the distributional requirements; in other words, no double dipping. A course may, however, count toward both the requirements for a major and for a distributional requirement.
JUNIORS
Junior Year Distributional Requirement: At the end of the junior year (after 6 terms of enrollment) a student’s record must show successful completion of all skills requirements: two course credits in QR, two course credits in WR, and foreign language). A course completed CR cannot count toward a distribution requirement. For a course with two distributional designations, only one or the other designation can be counted toward the distributional requirements; in other words, no double dipping. A course may, however, count toward both the requirements for a major and for a distributional requirement.
JUNIORS and students in their 5th term of enrollment: First-Year Counselor Applications are available online through January 22nd. I’ll hold a Trumbull FroCo info session (along with our current amazing FroCos) on TOMORROW, Wednesday, January 17th at 6pm in the Fellows Lounge – Entryway K (2nd floor).
SENIORS
Distributional Requirement for the degree: Successful completion of two course credits each in WR, QR, Hu, So, and Sc and completion of the foreign language requirement. A course completed CR cannot count toward a distribution requirement. For a course with two distributional designations, only one or the other designation can be counted toward the distributional requirements; in other words, no double dipping. A course may, however, count toward both the requirements for a major and for a distributional requirement.
HOUSING OFFICE
SAS Accommodations: January 25th is the deadline to request a housing accommodation from Student Accessibility Services (SAS) for the 2024-25 Academic Year. Note that the application includes a form completed by your treatment provider. If you are seeking housing accommodations for the 2024-2025 Academic Year, follow these steps:
1. Complete an SAS accommodation request form in the Accommodate system.
2. Have your current provider that you have been working with this year complete the SAS housing form and return it via email to sas@yale.edu or secure fax at (203) 432-8250. Be sure to allow enough time for your provider to complete the form by January 25th.
3. Schedule an appointment with SAS.
Questions should be directed to Student Accessibility Services (SAS) at sas@yale.edu.
Housing Intent: Monday, February 12th, 5pm is the deadline to declare your intent to live on campus or off-campus for the 2024-25 Academic year. If you do not receive the “Intent Invitation” from the Yale College Housing Office this week, please let Alice know.
TUTORING
Advising Resources: http://advising.yalecollege.yale.edu
Sc/QR Tutoring: https://poorvucenter.yale.edu/undergraduates/stem-tutoring-programs/small-group-and-1-1-tutoring
Language Tutoring: http://cls.yale.edu/foreign-language-tutoring
Yale College Writing Center: https://poorvucenter.yale.edu/undergraduates/writing-center
Writing Partner Drop-In Hours Begin the First Day of Class. Writing Partners (Yale undergrads and graduate students who are talented writers who love helping others) can meet with you to talk through ideas or give feedback on your draft on a first-come, first-served basis. During drop-in hours, join us on the Poorvu Mezzanine (301 York St, accessible via stairs or elevator) for free snacks and a supportive work environment! Spring Drop-in Hours are:
Sunday–Thursday: 3-6pm & 7-10pm
Friday: 10am-12pm & 3-5pm
Saturday: 3-5pm
Online Appointments. You can also sign-up to meet with a Writing Partner via Zoom. Online appointments will begin the second week of classes.
Fellowship Writing Partners. Planning to apply to a scholarship or fellowship program and would like to team up with a Writing Partner as you prepare your materials? Fellowship Writing Partners have been through the process themselves and will meet with you at least three times to help plan, revise, and polish your materials! Request a Fellowship Writing Partner here.
Weekly Writing Partners. Taking a writing intensive course or working on a long-term writing project and want to meet with the same Writing Partner each week? Request a Weekly Writing Partner!
Residential College Writing Tutors. Make an appointment with a professional writing tutor. Scheduling for the Spring 2024 term is already available! Adam Reid Sexton is the Trumbull College Writing Tutor. Adam teaches three courses in the English department (The Craft of Fiction, Reading and Writing the Modern Essay, and Writing About Music) and is a Critic in the graduate School of Art. During summer 2022 he taught Writing About Music for Yale in London. Adam is also a writer; his next book, Difficult Listening, is due to be published soon.
To meet with Adam, please reserve a half-hour by logging on to https://www.yalewco.com/index.php, and be sure to email him the document you want help with by 7am on the day of your appointment. Include the instructor’s prompt, your focus for the meeting, and when the paper is due.
Adam looks forward to working with you!
Yale Academic Strategies Program/Office of Educational Opportunity
https://yaleconnect.yale.edu/PoorvuAcademicStrategies/club_signup
https://poorvucenter.yale.edu/academic-strategies-program
Our mission is to help all Yale undergraduate be active, empowered learners at Yale. Though peer academic mentoring, interactive workshops, and connections to resources, we hope to provide you with the tools that can propel you towards your goals.
STEM Navigators. Want to learn the best practices for succeeding in introductory STEM Courses? Join STEM Navigators, a mentoring network that provides you with information, events, and support to guide you through these crucial first courses. Sign up via this link: STEM Navigators sign up
Disability Peer Mentorship Program (DPMP). DPMP pairs students with peers of similar backgrounds to create networks of support for people with disabilities at Yale. The diverse experiences of disability in our community include physical & mobility disabilities, chronic illnesses, mental illnesses & psychiatric disabilities, neurodiversity & learning disabilities (including ADHD, dyslexia, autism), sensory disabilities & processing disorders (including vision impairments, blindness, and d/Deafness), and other conditions. You do not need to have a formal diagnosis to participate. Disability Peer Mentors help individual students develop critical self-advocacy skills, connect them to institutional resources, and find community around disability identity. Request a DPMP Mentor here.
First-year students can also request mentorship and guidance about Student Accessibility Resources through the SAS Peer Liaison Program.
Meet with our Learning Specialist. Have a learning difference or other condition that affects how you accomplish your academic work? We can talk with you about new approaches for meeting Yale’s academic challenges. Contact our new Learning Specialist, Geoffrey Canales (geoffrey.canales@yale.edu), for an appointment.
Individual Mentoring. Get organized for the semester by meeting with an Academic Strategies Mentor. Mentors will help you develop a weekly study routine, offer strategies for approaching complicated readings and p-sets, and help you develop a plan for prepping for those first exams. To request a mentor please email at academicstrategies@yale.edu.
Workshops. Our famous workshop sessions are available in person and online! Register via the YaleConnect links below. FYI: Poorvu CTL M104A is upstairs from the York Street Entrance to Sterling Memorial Library. Poorvu CTL 120 A, B, C, and 121 are the classrooms on the first floor. Questions? Contact us at academicstrategies@yale.edu.
CAREER STRATEGY
The Office of Career Strategy (OCS) offers career advising, professional school advising, employment and internship opportunities, and career development resources. The office works with students and alumni to clarify career aspirations, identify opportunities, and offer support at every stage of career development. Click the LINK ABOVE to see the opportunities and services provided by OCS.
FELLOWSHIPS AND FUNDING
Yale and outside funding options can help support research, study abroad, public service, unpaid internships, and self-designed projects, in New Haven and around the globe. Postgraduate fellowships support independent projects, graduate study, and much more. The Office of Fellowships and Funding helps students identify funding opportunities and navigate the application process. Click the LINK ABOVE to learn more.
Not sure where to begin the fellowships process? Refer to this step-by-step guide on How to Apply for Fellowships. The first step in planning a strong fellowship application is to identify your short-term or long-term personal and academic goals, which will help you determine the kind of project you want to pursue. Read about Yalies who have previously won fellowships.
STUDY ABROAD
Yale Study Abroad helps students choose from hundreds of study abroad options including Yale Summer Session Abroad, Non-Yale Summer Abroad, and Year or Term Abroad. Applications are now open for Summer 2024, Fall 2024, and Academic Year 2024-2025 Study Abroad! Apply by the deadlines below, and visit the Study Abroad website for more details and list of designated programs. All deadlines are 11:59pm ET on the date listed.
YALE SUMMER SESSION
Yale Summer Session (YSS) offers a broad range of courses, taught by Yale faculty, for Yale College credit in New Haven, online, and abroad. . Click the LINK ABOVE to learn more.
OTHER
Walden Peer Counseling. Walden Peer Counseling is one of the oldest anonymous and confidential hotline and walk-in peer counseling services in the US. Staffed exclusively by Yale undergraduates, we are available to talk about anything that’s on your mind. We are open every weekday and weekend night during the academic year when classes are in session; the hotline operates from 8pm to 8am every night. Our office, in the Welch B basement, is open from 8pm to 1am Sunday through Thursday. The number for the hotline is (203) 432-TALK (203-432-8255).
Application for the Yale University President’s Public Service Fellowship. The Yale University President’s Public Service Fellowship seeks outstanding Yale undergraduate, graduate and professional students not in their final year of study to work on projects with New Haven nonprofits and local city government. The application deadline is Friday, January 19th (5pm EST). For more information and application materials, visit the PPSF website.
* Fellowship awards range from $6,750 to $9,600 based on experience, degree pending and hours worked.
* Fellowship placements range from 8-11 weeks from the end of May through August.
* All students may apply for projects proposed by local non-profit and public sector organizations that are posted on the PPSF website.
The Yale Sustainable Food Program is hiring students for term-time positions. If you are a current Yale College student excited about food systems, ag, cooking, justice, music, storytelling, sustainability, and/or spending more time on the Old Acre in 2024, we invite your application. You can view descriptions of our opportunities here and fill out our common application here by 5pm on Sunday, February 11th.
From YC3
How to Prioritize Wellness. Join YC3 for an insightful workshop on mastering the art of sticking to your New Year’s resolutions! Discover the science behind motivation and goal setting, and unlock the secrets to sustainable success. Friday, January 19, 12-12:45pm, at the Good Life Center in Schwarzman (click to register)
From the Yale Library
Beinecke Introductory Tours for Yale College Students. Join us for a special, close-up tour of the Beinecke Library exhibition hall and courtyard-level reading and classrooms. The tour will discuss the history and architecture of the building, highlights of collections, permanent and special exhibitions, and how you can explore the collections and engage with them in the reading room. Bring your Yale ID card with you!
Friday, January 19, 2-2:45pm, Lobby of Beinecke Library, 121 Wall (click to register)
Friday, January 19, 4-4:45pm, Lobby of Beinecke Library, 121 Wall (click to register)