Frequently Asked Questions

What will my student experience at FOCUS Orientation?

F.O.C.U.S. 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 to get the group together periodically throughout the first year. During 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 access to email and the 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?

There are many local hotels that are happy to accommodate Hatter families.

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, which is located on Amelia Ave. 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 help desk, which is 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, which include:

Exposure to a variety of people that students may never have had the opportunity to meet before.
A chance to learn outside of the 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 Office 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 campus community.

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

If your student is sick, he/she should go to Student Health Service, 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. to noon and 1 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. In case of an emergency, please call public safety at 386-822-7300 or 911.

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

Public Safety can be reached 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 University 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. These services are free of charge.

Do parents receive progress reports?

At the midpoint of the semester, reports are sent to students who are earning below a C in any of their courses. These reports can be viewed on My Stetson, 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 My Stetson. 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 GPA

The following is a list of minimum GPA's ordered by earned credit hours:

1-26 hours: 1.5
27-60 hours: 1.6
61-90 hours: 1.7
Greater than 91 hours: 1.8

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

How does my student register for classes?

The registrar's office has a detailed class registration page that covers registering for classes and provides tips and tricks to make registration easier.

What can I do if my student cannot register for a required course?

The student can email 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 wait 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 to a major 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 biology major, 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, which works with each student on an individual basis.

Who does my student notify if our financial situation changes?

Your student should visit Stetson One Stop in Griffith Hall and speak to them about the situation. There may be something they can do once they have evaluated the situation fully by evaluating projected income for the coming year. Contact the Office of Financial Aid at finaid@stetson.edu or 800-688-7120 for more information.

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 University also has an Academic Success 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 or with the Office of Housing and Residential Life at reslife@stetson.edu or 386-822-7201.