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The SoE Hub FAQs and Forms

The following FAQ is for students in the Class of 2026

Academic Year 2022-2023

 

After your first year, it is not recommended to utilize this advice; it may be inaccurate to your needs and may cause problems for your degree completion. You should refer to your Faculty Advisor for all academic, scheduling and registration questions or concerns. You can find your Faculty Advisor's name and information on SIS and DegreeWorks. You can also find additional contact information for all faculty and staff by signing into the RPI Directory.

 

Head to the SoE Advising Hub Website

Quick Links to Campus Resources

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions: Table of Contents

 

 

 

Quick Links

RPInfo (Rensselaer's Directory): log in to find all RPI community members - faculty, staff, etc.

The Registrar's Office: Academic policy and procedures, final exam schedules, forms, etc.

Registrar's Forms: Transfer Credit, Change of Major, Pass/No Credit, etc.

The Academic/College Catalog: be sure you use the drop down menu to select your Catalog year

The Academic Calendar: Important Dates and Deadlines

Transferring Credits to RPI: AP, IB, College Course, etc.

4-Year Plan Major/Cohort-Specific Templates

 

 

Academic Advising during a Pandemic

 

What’s different?

You know have the option for virtural appointments! All virtural appointments are hosted through WebEx. Your appointment confirmation email from OnceHub will include a link to your SoE Hub Advisor’s WebEx room. Your advisor will let you in the room once they are ready to begin. If you do not see a link in your confirmation email, reach out to your SoE Hub Advisor. 

During in-person appointments, we do require that masks are worn (please save snacks and drinks for later).

Your SoE Hub Team will also be creating new resources and support systems to manage learning in a pandemic world.
Visit The Hidden Curriculum for online resources, and pay close attention to all emails from your SoE Hub Advisor.

 

What’s the same?

Everything else! The SoE Hub is holding the same weekday office hours as always. There will still be a 4-Year Plan and SAM Meeting requirement in Spring semester to ensure you are on track. And, of course, you will still have easy access to your team of experienced and caring advisors in the SoE Hub!

 

We're here to help!

There are many challenges that come with learning during a pandemic. Come to your advisor for support with online learning, organizing your week to prioritize your studies while still taking care of yourself and your mental health, staying connected to campus, and any other challenges that arise during this time.

Do not hesitate to ask for help!

 

 

What does the SoE Hub do?

 

The SoE Hub advises engineering students during their first year at Rensselaer.

Experience staff advisors will guide you through your first few registrations, help you understand requirements for degree completion, and discuss adding or changing majors and/or minors. Each student is assigned to a Hub Advisor based upon their major, and is able to access their advisor for support through appointments and walk-ins, or by phone and email.

Your SoE Hub Advisor will prepare you for the transition to your faculty advisor after your first year at Rensselaer. We will ensure you are comfortable with the tools that you will need for course planning and success through The Hidden Curriculum, and work with you to develop a 4-Year Plan. 

 

 

Why do I have a Hub Advisor and a Faculty Advisor?

 

SoE Hub Advisor: First Two Semesters at Rensselaer!

  • The Advising Hub will offer academic support to students through their first year.
  • Our team helps support the transition into college learning, and understanding the responsibilities of joining Rensselaer as young, academic professionals.

 

Faculty Advisor: Third semester until graduation!

Students will transition to a faculty advisor for their third semester, enabling a deeper connecting to your major's department in the School of Engineering. The faculty advisor will then contribute to the student’s academic success by offering valuable perspective on internships, research, graduate school and job prospects, in addition to graduation requirements.

 

 

When is the SoE Hub open? And where is it?

 

Office Hours: Weekdays, 9 a.m. to noon, 1 to 4 p.m.

Location: 3306 Jonnson-Engineering Center (JEC), inside the Ansell Louge (look left when you walk into the lounge)

 

 

Can I just stop by to see my advisor?

 

Please do not drop into The Hub.

During this pandemic, we remain appointment based for your safety and ours! 

 

Thank you for understanding! We hope to return to our Walk-In Hours in upcoming semesters. 

 

 

How do I prepare for a meeting with my Academic Advisor?

 

Ask yourself, why are you making an appointment?

  • Select courses you are planning to take next semester.
  • Develop your 4-Year Plan.
  • Use the transfer course guide on SIS to find summer courses.

 

 

How do I find out who my SoE Hub Advisor is?

 

Your Hub Advisor will be assigned to you based on your major! Please, look for an email from The SoE Hub in August 2022 for their contact information. 

Through the Summer 2022, you will work with all SoE Hub Advisor to prepare for your first registration! 

 

Just as curriculum may change, Hub Advisor assignments can change for each new cohort. 
We will let you know who your Advisor is! No worries! Just be sure you check your RPI email. 

 

 

Registrar Forms

 

Where to find them?

You can always find the most updated Registrar forms on their website.

 

How to fill them out?

In this remote environment, you should be able to fill out forms online. If you have trouble with the Adobe “fillable” forms, please print out the form, fill it out completely/correctly, and scan the document to be emailed. If you do not have access to a scanner, you can download the free “Adobe Scan” app from your app store. This app will allow you to scan any document and email it from your phone as a PDF.

For support filling out any Registrar Form, please use this resource: Registrar Forms YouTube Playlist

 

What forms need my Advisor's Signature?

  • Authorization Form: if you are looking to “Credit Overload” only
  • Minor Approval Form
  • Pass/No Credit Request Form
  • Transfer Credit Approval Form

If you are unsure you can find your Advisor's name and contact information in SIS or DegreeWorks. 

Need to find someone's contact information? Use the RPI Directory!

 

Where to send the completed and signed forms?

Once you correctly fill out forms and collect appropriate signatures, you should email to your SoE Hub Advisor and the Registrar’s Office: registrar@rpi.edu

 

 

Am I required to meet with my advisor to register for courses?

 

Yes! Once each year, during the spring semester, you are required to meet with your academic advisor to discuss your course planning.

This is called the Student-Advisor Meeting (SAM). Until you meet with your advisor, you will have a SAM Hold on your account. This hold will prevent you from registering for courses. To remove your SAM Hold, your advisor must approve of the courses that you are planning to take next semester and/or your 4-Year Plan. Remember, the SAM hold will occur in the spring semester, meaning you won’t be able to register for your fall semester classes without having the SAM hold removed by your advisor!

As a first year student you will meet with your SoE Hub Advisor. After that, you must meet with your faculty advisor.

 

When should I meet with my Advisor?

  • Fall Semester: within the month of October
  • Spring Semester: within the month of March

 

Remember, each advisor has hundreds of advisees! Around registration, Consultation Month included, it will be harder to make an appointment. Make your SAM appointment early, even weeks ahead of time, or email your advisor about your course planning. Do not wait until the last minute to reach out, as it's likely that you will not find a free appointment time.

Read all emails from your SoE Hub Advisor for additional support during this busy time.

 

 

How do I resolve a SAM Hold?

 

What is a SAM Hold? 

  • Mandatory meeting with your advisor, called a Student-Advisor Meeting (SAM).
  • Typically, you will have a SAM Hold in your Spring semester. (Spring Admits, your SAM will occur in Fall semesters). 
  • Until you meet/connect with your advisor you will have a Registration Hold and be unable to register for courses.

 

Requirements of a SAM Hold?

  1. Schedule a meeting with your Advisor (think early! Each SoE Hub Advisor is working with hundereds of students)
  2. Prepare your personalized 4-Year Plan (complete at least the first three semesters, and a plan for all your HASS requirements)
  3. Your Advisor will review and provide feedback, as needed. You may need to make changes to your plan before your SAM Hold can be removed.

 

What if my advisor's schedule is full?

  1. Email your Advisor your personalized 4-Year Plan (complete at least the first three semesters, and a plan for all your HASS requirements)
  2. Your Advisor will review and provide feedback, as needed. Allow your Hub Advisor at least one week to respond.
  3. You may need to make changes to your plan before your SAM Hold can be removed.

     

     

     

    How can I track my degree progress?

     

    DegreeWorks allows you to track your degree progress.

    • You can access DegreeWorks through your Student Menu on SIS.
    • If you are still learning how to use DegreeWorks, check out: DegreeWorks, Rensselaer

     

    If you have questions about your DegreeWorks profile, reach out to: degreeworks@rpi.edu

     

     

    How do I change my major or add/declare a minor/dual?

     

    Step One: Develop a 4-Year Plan using templates provided by the SoE Hub

    • You may find that you will need to stay for an additional semester(s), or even find that you would now be ahead of schedule.
    • By working with an advisor on your 4-Year Plan, we can ensure that you are looking at all program requirements.

     

    Step Two: Fill out the Registrar's “Change of Major” form.

     

    Step Three: Once you complete the form, please email it to Dana, chichd@rpi.edu

    • Dana will collect all the signtures needed and assign you to your new faculty advisor, before sending the form to be processed
    • You will recieve an information with your new advisor information, but you will see their name and contat information on SIS/Degreeworks

     

     

    Can I declare an engineering major, even if I am currently a student in another School?

    Absolutely! Check out the process above, and reach out to Kristin. 

    Kristin will help you develop a 4-Year Plan based on the engineering major(s) you are interested in. 

    bergek@rpi.edu

     

     

    I want to transfer credits from another college. What is the process for this? Is it different for summer courses?

     

     

    I'm a parent and would like to know about my child's grades, class attendance, or another issue. Will an advisor talk with me?

    By law, college professionals are restricted on what they can communicate to parents without the consent of their student.
    You may find more information here:

    However, you are always welcome to reach out to your student's advisor and we will support you to the best of our ability.

     

     

     

    Other questions? Please reach out! soehub@rpi.edu 

    Head to the SoE Advising Hub Website!