IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING YOUR ITV/ASYNCHRONOUS COURSES
General Information
Welcome to the University College, we support students and faculty using technology for teaching and learning. We hope your experience will be a positive one. This guide is intended to briefly introduce you to important policies, procedures, dates, and telephone numbers. Detailed policies are included in the Student Handbook of your campus of registration. If you have any further questions, please call our knowledgeable Teleservice staff at 1-800-868-7000. They will be happy to assist you.
If you have any questions or run into difficulty, you will be best served by first contacting your local ITV Site Coordinator or regional Center Director. You are encouraged to raise your concerns as soon as they come up so that staff may intervene as early as possible.
E-mail/Blackboard & other online Accounts
Many courses now require students to send and receive e-mail between the instructor and other students in the class. Therefore, the University of Maine System (UMS) creates e-mail accounts for all students.
Any e-mail we send to you will go to the @maine.edu address that is automatically created. However, you will not be able to send or receive e-mail at your new account until it is activated. The eight-character key you will use to activate your account is highlighted on the attached registration confirmation.
To activate your account, and to find out what your e-mail address is, go to www.maine.edu/activate.html You will need your student id (social security number) and the activation key located to the right of your name and address on your registration. PLEASE REMEMBER TO TYPE YOUR KEY IN CAPITAL LETTERS!
Your e-mail address is also used to gain access into Blackboard found at www.courses.maine.edu as well as the computers at University College sites and campuses.
If you have any questions, please call the Teleservice University College at 1-800-868-7000 or the UNET Technical Support at 1-800-696-HELP (4357)
Students enrolled in classes that use WEB CT or FirstClass should contact the Orono Technical Support at 1-877-947-4357.
Accommodation Requests
Students with appropriately documented disabilities may be eligible to receive a variety of accommodations. Call our Teleservice staff at 1-800-868-7000 for the name of the Counselor or Student Services Coordinator at your University College campus. Advance notice, preferably 30 days, is required to make timely accommodation arrangements.
Help for Technical Problems
If there is a problem with transmission or reception during class and a local staff member is not available, please call the UNET Technical Support University College at: 1-800-696-HELP (4357).
As with any technology, there may be times when the transmission is interrupted or down. In the event of technical difficulties, a tape of the class will be sent to the site the next business day.
If you are in a course which uses computer conferencing and/or e-mail and need assistance, you have several choices: you may consult the blue manual at your location, call Technical Support at 1-800-696-HELP (4357), ask your Site Coordinator for help, or check with your closest University College for days and times of free workshops.
Tests, Quizzes & Assignments
A staff member will be available in your building, if not in your classroom, at all times. Classes in which an exam or quiz is being administered will have an on-site proctor. The proctor will collect exams, quizzes, or assignments and return them to the professor for grading. When turning in assignments, it is a good idea to make a copy of your work before submitting it. Please take the time to put your name, course number, and site on all papers to expedite their return to the correct location.
If your online class requires you to take onsite exams, please go to www.learn2.maine.edu/exam to sign up for a testing site in your area.
Books and Course Materials
Books, syllabi, & course materials, for all University of Maine System distance learning courses are available for purchase either in person or ordered from the University of Maine at Augusta (UMA) Bookstore. When purchasing your books, be sure to ask for the appropriate course pack for your classes. Syllabi are not available at sites or University College campuses and must be ordered from the UMA Bookstore.
To place an order, you can reach the UMA Bookstore at 1-800-621-0083 or online at www.umabookstore.com or fax 1-800-243-7338 or purchase them in person. You may pay by check, money order, or credit card (MC/VISA/ or DISCOVER).
Videotapes of Classes
Local site staff videotape all classes received at your site (except for Compressed Video courses - see below). Tapes are usually kept for half of the semester only so students should plan accordingly.
Due to copyright and administrative issues, most tapes must be viewed at your campus, site, or University College.
Please contact your site of University College for viewing information.
Compressed Video Students
If you take a course via compressed video, please note that these classes are NOT TAPED so they are not available for viewing at a later date. Keep this in mind as you plan your schedule for the semester.
Library Services
MARINER provides access to books, articles, Web sites, and other on-line information resources for students, faculty, and staff of the University of Maine System. Every ITV location is equipped with computers that can access MARINER. Your Site Coordinator or University College staff can help you find books and resources through this system. Students planning to use MARINER should obtain a library card. To order a card and/or receive a brochure outlining library services, call the library toll free number, 1-800-339-READ (7323).
Academic Calendar
Most courses follow the academic calendar of the broadcast campus. Please check your course syllabus for important dates.
Add/Drop and Withdrawal Policies
Because the add/drop policies vary throughout the University of Maine System, consult your local University College or campus for add/drop information. You will receive a copy of the appropriate campus policy at the time of payment or in your billing statement.
Attendance
Attendance sheets are left in your classroom folder. It is your responsibility to sign in at every class.
Students Who Stop Attending Classes
To officially withdraw from a course, you must submit a completed withdrawal form or call our Teleservice Center 1-800-868-7000. Neglecting to do so may result in a failing grade on your permanent record. In most regions, students must withdraw during the first half of the semester to receive a “W”. After this time a “WP” (withdraw passing)’ “WF” (withdraw failing,), “E” (failure), “L” (student left) grade may be assigned by the instructor. The “E”, “WF” and “L” grades all compute as failing grades. Please check with your campus of registration for further information.
Snow & Class Cancellation Policy
Except for rare instances, the University College will remain open. Be aware of the location from which your course is being broadcast. On a storm day, listen to MPBN which will announce ITV origination campuses that are closed. For information on site and University College closings listen to your local radio station, or call 1-800-868-7000. If a course is being broadcast but your site is closed, contact your Site Coordinator the next day to arrange to view the tape.
Telephone Numbers:
General Information (Teleservice University College)
1-800-868-7000
UNET Technical Support University College
1-800-696-HELP (4357)
Computing Assistance
1-800-696-HELP (4357)
Bookstore
1-800-621-0083 or 621-3128
Library Services
1-800-339-READ (7323)
Student Services Concerns (Chris LeGore)
1-800-868-7000
TTY
1-800-919-4454 or 621-3477
Best Wishes for a successful semester!