Frequently Asked Questions

What will my student experience at Orientation?

FOCUS Orientation is a multi-day, comprehensive program designed to aid your student with a successful transition to Stetson University. Two upperclass students serve as mentors to a "FOCUS Group," and will continue get the group together periodically throughout the first year. During the Orientation, before classes begin, your student will take care of his/her needs such as meeting with their Academic Advisor, getting their Student ID and Parking Decal, setting up email and Internet, and maybe even purchasing books for class; all while meeting new people and learning their way around campus. Orientation is extremely beneficial and fun for all students.

Where can I stay during Orientation or when visiting campus throughout the year?

There are many local hotels that are happy to accomodate Hatter families. Download local hotel information.

Where can my student get a Parking Decal, email address and ID card?

  • Parking Decal - Your student will receive his/her parking decal in the Public Safety Office located on Amelia Avenue. The Public Safety Office can be reached at 386.822.7300.

  • Email Address- Your student can receive an email address and all online access information at our IT Center, located in the basement of the Lynn Business Center. The IT Help Desk can be reached at 386.822.7217.

  • ID Card - Your student can receive an ID card in the Meal Card office in the Commons, which is the dining hall in the Carlton Union Building. Dining Services can be reached at 386.822.8780. (The student ID Card acts as a meal card, so you may ask to be connected with the Meal Card office for more information.)

What is it like living in the residence halls?

Living in the residence halls is a wonderful experience for many reasons. Some of them include:

  • Exposure to a variety of people that students may never have had the opportunity to meet before.
  • A chance to learn outside of a classroom.
  • No day is exactly the same in the residence halls; there is always something new going on.
  • The opportunity to get involved with the entire campus, thus enhancing the student's overall collegiate experience.
  • Preparing the student for life after college in the "real world."

The Department of Housing and Residential Life is committed to providing a healthy, inclusive and safe environment that supports the growth and development of all students. The staff in the residence halls works at developing communities that promote learning, developing personal accountability, and becoming responsible members of the Stetson community.

If my student is sick, where should he/she go?

To Student Health Services, our free clinic on campus. There are a Physician Assistant/registered dietician, two registered nurses, and an administrative assistant on staff. An appointment is recommended if a student wishes to see the Physician Assistant. Hours of operation are 8:30 a.m.-noon and 1-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. In case of an emergency, please call Public Safety at 386.822.7300 or 911.

If I have an emergency, who at the university should I contact to notify my son/daughter?

Public Safety at 386.822.7300. They are available 24/7, 365 days a year.

What wellness services are available to my child while attending Stetson?

Stetson offers a Counseling Center, the Hollis Center gym and pool, and information on health and wellness with Lynn Stadelman. Chaplain Michael Fronk makes sure the university community's spiritual needs are met. All these services are free of charge.

Do parents receive progress reports?

At midterm, reports are sent to students who are earning below a C in any of their courses. These reports can be viewed on Stetson's Banner Web, a student information system accessed online. In order to log-in, you will need your student's ID and password.

How are grades distributed?

Grades are distributed via Stetson's Banner Web student information system. This allows students to access their grades from any computer connected to the Internet. Grades are not mailed home.

What does it mean if my student is on academic warning or suspension?

Warning: Any student whose cumulative average falls below a C (2.0 GPA) at the end of a grading period will be placed on academic warning. This warning will be in effect until a cumulative C (2.0 GPA) average is regained.

Suspension: A student already on academic warning will be automatically suspended from the university for a period of seven months if the cumulative grade point average at the end of any grading period falls below minimum acceptable levels.

Minimum Acceptable Grade Point Averages

  • Total Earned Hours/ Stetson GPA
    • 1-26 hours/ 1.5 GPA
    • 27-60 hours/ 1.6 GPA
    • 61-90 hours/ 1.7 GPA
    • 91+ hours/ 1.8 GPA

*Students failing all coursework during the first semester at the university will be automatically suspended.

How does my student register for classes?

The first step is for your son or daughter to meet with his or her academic advisor. A couple of weeks before academic advising begins each semester, the student should schedule an appointment with his/her assigned advisor. Most professors place a sign-up sheet outside their office door.

A week or two before advising begins, your student should have the ability to electronically access a list of all courses being offered. He/she can access this information through Banner Web, which is an electronic database accessed online at the web address my.stetson.edu. With this information, he or she should create a couple of different options for schedules they'd like to have during the next semester.

At the advising meeting, he/she should present these options to the advisor. They will discuss if the proposed schedule helps the student move forward with academic goals. A Registration Pin number will be given to the student once the advisor signs off on the agreed upon schedule.

The next step is to find out the day and time your child is able to register. This registration schedule is based upon class standing and the number of course hours already earned. Registration times are listed each semester on the Registrar's website.

On the day and time your student is to register, he/she should sign into Banner Web (your student should test sign-in ability prior to registration day). Have ready the course schedule that was discussed with the advisor. Have CRN numbers ready. The CRN number is a special code given to each course to differentiate all classes being offered at the university. The codes for each class are given in Banner Web as part of the overall course listing.

Once in Banner Web, the student should click on Student Services, then Registration, then Add or Drop Classes. He/she then will then be asked to choose the semester he/she is registering for. Once that is chosen, he/she will be prompted to enter the Registration Pin number received at the advising appointment. From there all he/she needs to do is type in the CRN numbers for all the classes he/she wishes to take in the following semester, and submit the information. It is recommended that your student sign into Banner Web a couple of minutes before registration time and perform all tasks that lead to the Registration Pin number screen. As soon as the clock changes to the designated registration time, the student will be able to enter the Registration Pin number and gain access for registration.

For more information, please go to the Registrar's website. You also may watch the Registration Video on Stetson's YouTube channel. Please note that the student in the video is selecting courses as she registers. Your child will have his/her list of courses selected ahead of time, because he/she will have chosen courses with the help of his/her academic advisor.

What can I do if my child cannot get into a required course?

The student can e-mail the professor of the course and request an Override into the class. If this is not an option, the student can ask to be placed on the Waiting List. We recommend that your student have a back-up schedule in case he/she isn't able to get the first choice of classes.

How does my student change his/her major?

If a student wishes to change amajor within the same college, he/she should go to the Dean's office of that college/school. For example, if a Political Science major in the College of Arts and Sciences wishes to change to a major to Biology, which is also in the College of Arts and Sciences, he/she simply needs to fill out a form in the Dean's office.

If your student wishes to change to a major that is housed in a different college/school, he/she first has to "check-out" of his/her current college by filling out a form from the Dean. The student then should go to the Dean's office of the college/school in which he/she wants to study, and fill out a form to declare a major. For example, if your student is a Political Science major in the College of Arts and Sciences and wishes to become a Finance major in the School of Business Administration, he/she would have to follow that process. In order to switch into the School of Music, your student must have an audition.

If my student needs to withdraw, what is the procedure and will tuition be reimbursed?

For information on tuition reimbursement, please contact the Bursar's Office. Each student is worked with on an individual basis. stuaccts@stetson.edu, 386.822-7050

Who does my student notify if our financial situation changes?

Your student should visit the Financial Aid office in Griffith Hall and speak to them about the situation.There very well may be something they can do once they have evaluated the situation fully by evaluating projected income for the coming year. Contact the office at finaid@stetson.edu or 800.688.7120.

Who should my student see if they are having any difficulty?

In Class: The student can schedule an appointment with the professor to discuss what options are available. Most areas of study have tutoring clinics and many professors are able to spend office time with a student in need of extra help. Stetson also has an Academic Resources Center which offers help in many areas such as studying techniques and time management skills.

In their Residence Hall: The student can speak with his/her Residential Assistant (RA) or with the Department of Housing and Residential Life, reslife@stetson.edu, 386.822.7201.