1. Revisions to undergraduate academic probation/dismissal policy

The provost’s office has revised policies for undergraduate academic probation in light of newly clarified Federal Financial Aid rules. The newest element to the policy is the College Academic Alert, which is a registration hold within each college.

The new standards will first be used this May and impacts requirements undergraduate students must meet in order to remain enrolled and retain eligibility for student financial aid.

The Federal Department of Education has long required that all institutions utilizing Title IV federal student financial aid maintain a policy regarding Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) that dictates students’ eligibility to receive federal funds. At Marquette, students who fail to meet minimum academic requirements also fall under the Required to Withdraw for Academic Reasons (RWAR) policy. With these revisions, the criteria for RWAR and SAP are now standard among all the undergraduate colleges at Marquette.

Three categories of academic censure will now be utilized by the colleges to address concerns regarding undergraduate students’ lack of academic progress toward a degree:  the newly created College Academic Alert, Academic Probation; and Academic Dismissal (RWAR.)

  • The College Academic Alert will impact students who are making satisfactory progress overall, but not in their particular college or major.
  • Students will continue to be placed on academic probation according to the guidelines and timelines of the individual colleges. Probation status does not impact eligibility for financial aid.
  • Students who fall below minimum cumulative GPAs will be RWARed and lose eligibility for aid. The financial aid SAP audit that is mandatory after each term will now be closely aligned with the RWAR policy of the university and both will require a student-initiated appeal process that is managed by the college offices.

This policy will apply only to undergraduates. Graduate and professional programs have each agreed on appropriate policies for their students with the Office of Student Financial Aid.

The full policy is available online. Additional questions can be directed to Georgia McRae, registrar, at 87596.

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2. Law School to hold information session

The Law School will hold an information session for prospective students Friday, Feb. 3, in Eckstein Hall. The session will cover admissions, financial aid, curriculum, intellectual and student life, and information from current students.

The session begins at 11:45 a.m. and lasts approximately one hour, followed by a brief tour. Register online.

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3. Department of Psychology to hold colloquium

The Department of Psychology will hold a colloquium Thursday, Feb. 9, at 3:30 p.m. in Cramer 087. Dr. Stephen Guastello, professor of psychology, will present “Cognitive Workload and Fatigue.”

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4. Library happenings featured in spring newsletter

Raynor Memorial Libraries’ spring semester newsletter has been posted. Newsletter features include new staff appointments, collections news, upcoming events and lectures, a new online copyright tutorial, an advanced search feature in MARQCATplus, greetings from the dean and more.

The newsletter also includes the January to April schedule for the Saint John’s Bible on permanent display in the Raynor Library Prucha Archives Reading Room. Each weekday when classes are in session, pages are turned to a new illuminated scripture.

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5. Applications due for Morris K. Udall Scholarship

Sophomore and junior students who have been actively involved in environmental work, Native American health or tribal policy, and plan for a future in one of these fields are encouraged to apply for the Morris K. Udall Scholarship by Monday, Feb. 6.

The Foundation anticipates awarding 80 merit-based scholarships of $5,000 and 50 honorable mention awards in 2012. For more information about the scholarship and to advance an application, contact Jame Schaefer, associate professor of theology, at 8-3742.

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6. FAFSA applications due Feb. 15

Marquette students must complete and submit their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) every year to be considered for assistance. The Office of Student Financial Aid recommends having the FAFSA filed and submitted no later than Feb. 15, so it is processed and sent to Marquette by the March 1 Priority Deadline.

The student and one parent will need their own federal PIN to electronically sign the FAFSA, which is completed and submitted online. Students can apply for a federal PIN or request a duplicate online.

If the FAFSA is received by Marquette after the March 1 Priority Deadline, financial aid could be reduced or eliminated due to limited funding. Any required documents must also be submitted to Marquette Central within 30 days of the student's initial request for missing documents. Missing documents are listed on CheckMarq.  Questions can be directed to Marquette Central at 8-4000.

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7. Self-directed retreat offered during Lent

Campus Ministry will sponsor the Lenten Retreat in Daily Life, a self-directed retreat designed for busy people. In addition to an opening and closing prayer service, students will meet weekly with a spiritual director throughout the six weeks of Lent.

Registration is now available and must be completed by Monday, Feb. 13.

Additional information can be found online or by contacting Annie Devine, assistant director of Campus Ministry, at 8-3689.

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8. Orientation staff applications available

Staff applications for fall 2012 Marquette Preview and New Student and Family Orientation are now available online. Informational sessions will be held Wednesday, Feb. 15, and Thursday, March 1, at 3 p.m. in AMU 111. Applications for team leaders are due Monday, Feb. 20, and applications for group discussion leaders and program assistants are due Tuesday, March 20. All interested students who will graduate after May 2012 are encouraged to apply.

Contact Julie Murphy, coordinator for new student programs, at 8-5769 for more information.

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9. Win prizes by attending Career Services Center events

As part of Career Services and Kohl’s Winter Career Kick-off, students who attend at least four CSC events in February will be registered in a drawing for prizes. The Reverse Career Fair, Kohl’s Retail Site Visit and Practice Interview Day all require students to register in advance.

Prizes include an iPad, MU Padfolios and $10 Qdoba Gift Cards. Winners will be notified when the drawing takes place on Thursday, March 1.

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10. Campus Ministry to hold "voluntary simplicity" discussion group

Campus Ministry will offer another “Voluntary Simplicity” discussion group this semester. An informational meeting will be held Monday, Feb. 6, at 8:30 p.m. in AMU 252.

The voluntary simplicity discussion group will explore the dimensions of living a more simple and intentional life. Five sessions will be held throughout the semester at no cost.

For more information, contact Gerry Fischer, associate director of Campus Ministry, at 8-3687.

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11. First symposium on Africana studies to be held

The Office of the Provost and the College of Arts and Sciences will sponsor “Race and Global Institutions: A Symposium in Africana Studies at Marquette,” Friday, Feb. 17, from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. in Raynor Library Suites B&C. This event will highlight three recent books published by faculty across the disciplines. These works ask large questions about how racial formations influence global institutions such as education, religion and capitalism. Each presenter will speak for 15 minutes on the genesis and aim of their book, and the final hour will be dedicated to questions and group discussion.

More information on the event and summaries of the authors and their works can be found online.

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12. Women's basketball hosts PINK OUT

The Marquette women’s basketball team will host its seventh annual PINK OUT in support of breast cancer awareness Saturday, Feb. 4, at the 7 p.m. game against Pittsburgh in the Al McGuire Center.

There will also be a health fair sponsored by United Healthcare, the Center for Health Education and Promotion, Association of Marquette University Women and Marquette University’s Ethnic Alumni Association in the concourse beginning at 6 p.m.

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13. Marquette in the News delivers university media coverage to your inbox

The Office of Marketing and Communication monitors local, state and national media coverage involving Marquette University. OMC distributes via e-mail a collection of the top news stories about Marquette and members of the university community every Thursday afternoon. Marquette community members who would like to be added to the distribution list should e-mail Marquette in the News. To stay informed of all Marquette mentions in the news, or to track a specific facet of the university, sign up for news alerts through a search engine like Google or Yahoo. These services provide news alerts based on customized keyword searches.

Go to https://www.google.com/alerts and enter "Marquette University" or whichever university unit you would like to track.

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14. Free group fitness classes on Friday

The Department of Recreational Sports is offering free group fitness classes tomorrow, Feb. 3.

The classes are free to members. The cost is $2 for faculty and staff who are non-members.

• Spin at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. at the Rec Center
• Cardioblast at 1 p.m. at the Rec Center
• Zumba at 4 p.m. at the Rec Center
• Zumba at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. at the Rec Plex

For more information, call the group fitness office at 8-6979 or contact Shannon Bustillos, assistant director of recreational sports, at 8-7778.

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