Academic and Advising Services Spring FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

About Spring Orientation

What if I have decided to declare a different major
and/or change Colleges or Schools?
Please contact your Admissions Counselor (478) 301-2650 and the Office of Academic and Advising Services at (478) 301-2078 if you hvae decided to change your major from what you originally listed on your application. This will ensure that your University records are as accurate as possible and that you receive appropriate advising during Summer Orientation.

I'm planning on declaring a pre-professional program. What do I need to know?
Great! Please attend the Pre-Professional Programs Information Breakout Session in the afternoon of summer orientation. This session provides information about the requirements for entering a pre-professional program, which are in addition to a declared major.
Please visit the Pre-Professional Information here for additional details.

Should I take the foreign language placement exam?
If you took two or more years of Spanish, French, German, or Latin in high school, then we strongly recommend taking the test. The placement exam offers the possibility to receive credit for some or all introductory classes in the tested language. Should a score fall below the standard to receive credit, you will not be penalized. This test is offered during each Summer Orientation, but is also offered during Bear Beginnings and during the first few weeks of the fall semester. For more information, check out the placement exam information here .

Should I take the math placement exam?
The math placement exam is strongly encouraged for all entering students who wish to major in any science or math field. Most of these majors require credits in a foreign language to graduate. This test offers the opportunity to exempt out of introductory math courses, such as Calculus. As with the foreign language placement exam, any score that does not meet the minimum criteria does not penalize the student. For more information, please visit the Department of Mathematics' here .

What's a FERPA Form?

FERPA stands for the Family Education, Rights, and Privacy Act, established by Congress in the 1990s. This law provides students, upon their entrance to college, full access to their files related to academic performance on campus (not inlcuding health records) and leaves the decision with the student as to whom he or she will grant access. By signing the form, students grant the right for a designee (parent or guardian, for example) to have the same access to their academic files. These forms may be filled out at summer orientation and turned in at the Information Table. The initial decision may be changed at any time by the student. Simply file a new form with the Registrar's Office. For more information, please visit the Registrar here .

So what about a student's health records then?
Student health records are covered the same way that health records at any doctor's office are. HIPAA stands for the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, established by Congress in 1996. It provides privacy protection for medical records. These are kept by the Student Health Center. For more information, please visit their here .

How do I know when to attend my academic advising appointment?
For New Students: During orientation, a time is set aside to meet with an Academic Advisor. If your major is in the College of Liberal Arts, you will come to the Office of Academic and Advising Services in the afternoon. For all other majors (College of Education, Schools of Business, Engineering, and Music), you will receive instructions for advising during your meeting with your Dean.

For Transfer Students: Please follow the instructions in your advising letter, received at check-in. Appointments are scheduled between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on the day of orientation. See the schedule for additional information.

Who is my academic advisor?
Students will meet with a faculty member in his or her major's department who is experienced in advising first-year students. This person may not be the advisor of record, but will be able to answer any questions that may arise.

Who may attend the individual academic advising appointments?
Students have the opportunity at each orientation session to meet individually with an academic advisor to learn about their career at Mercer and receive guidance in terms of the classes they will take. These meetings are an important step forward for each student as they begin to navigate their schooling at Mercer, and thus it is important for students to attend these sessions individually.

I've heard that I shouldn't take certain professors. What if one of my classes is taught by such a professor?
If you have any concerns, please speak about these with your academic advisor. All professors hired by Mercer are highly respected both in their field and as instructors.

What is a Bear Card?

The Bear Card is our name for student identification cards. These will be made on campus during your orientation session. Students may have their cards made during any day in the summer, as well. This card grants access to residence halls and holds dining dollars, meal plan meals, and Bear Bucks. Bear Bucks may be used at dining establishments on campus and around town as well as at laundry facilities, convenience stores, and other locations. Visit the Bear Card Office for more information.

What do I do about banking while at Mercer?
Many students maintain the relationship they have with a national or regional bank when they arrive on campus. Mercer University offers the opportunity to sign up for a student checking account on campus during summer orientation. Students who are interested may sign up at the time they receive their Bear Card. The processes are distinct, and students will receive a separate debit card for use with their checking account.

During the Residence Hall Tour, will I see my room?
We are able to show each of the first-year residence halls during orientation. We are unfortunately not able to show specific rooms during the residence hall tours. Residence Life staff will tour you through the halls and show you a sample room that is identical to the others in that same building. Please see Residence Life for additional information.

If I meet someone with whom I'd like to room at orientation, may we sign-up as roommates?
Residence Life does their best to accommodate all such requests. Both students should stop by the Office of Housing and Residence Life to fill out a form together that will request that they live together during the academic year. Please see Residence Life for additional information.

How do I sign up to go through Greek recruitment during orientation?
At the resource fair, and again during Greek Life's breakout session, you will have the opportunity to declare your interest in going through recruitment. Greek Life will then send you additional information over the summer. Signing up for recruitment, however, takes place after Bear Beginnings during the first week of the semester. Check your GROWL for the dates of Greek recruitment as well as Greek Life's Web site .

How do I audition for the Pep Band?
Auditions for the Mercer University Pep Band typically take place during the summer orientation sessions beginning at 3:15 p.m. in the McCorkle Music Building Band Room. Be sure to attend the morning welcome session during your orientation session for any updates. Students interested in auditioning should contact Doug Cowden, Pep Band Director as well as visit the Pep Band's Web site .