buff parent 101 october newsletter
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West Texas A&M University Advising Services
Student Success Center – Classroom Center 110 • WTAMU Box 60868 • Canyon, TX 79016 • 806-651-5300 • 806-651-5274 (fax)
WTAMU Advising Services
2| www.wtamu.edu/advising
Students at West Texas A&M University
receive midterm grades for their courses after
completion of the sixth week of the semester.
Students may check their midterm grades on
their Buff Advisor and WTClass accounts, but
these grades will not appear on the student’s
transcripts.
Midterm grades are released to give
students feedback on their performance on the
courses. These grades are often early indicators
of the students academic progress and help
determine if the study habits applied are
effective. Also, midterm grades help the
students determine if it is necessary to drop the
course.
WTAMU does not release grades to parents
unless the student has authorized it. Such
policy complies with the Family Educational
Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) which
prohibits disclosure of student records and
information without written student consent.
Midterm grades on all core and developmental
courses are due on October 18.
BUFF PARENT 101 | 3
What is a GPA?
The grade point average (GPA) is the
average of all the student’s grades. A
GPA can be calculated for a term or can
be calculated cumulatively for all terms
the student has been enrolled at the
University.
How is a GPA calculated?
To calculate the GPA for a semester, first
multiply the number of credit hours for
each course times the numerical value
of the grade (“A”=4. “B”=3, “C”=2,
“D”=1, “F”=0). For example, a 3-hour
English course with a C grade will be
calculated as 3 (credit hours) X 2
(numerical value of the grade), this will
give you a grade point for the class.
Once this is done for all courses, divide
the total number of grade points by the
number of credit hours. The total num-
ber is the GPA value.
How can students get their GPA?
A student can obtain an official GPA by
logging into his/her Buff Advisor
account. However, for calculation
purposes, they can use the WTAMU
GPA Calculator tool on the University’s
website.
Share this link with your student:
www.wtamu.edu/gpa
College can be more challenging than high school and
some students have a more difficult time realizing the
changes that need to be made in their study habits. As
a parent or family member, you must remember to be
supportive of your student. There is still time to
improve. Encourage your student to study in advance,
use a planner, avoid all-nighters, and remind him/her
that no one performs at their best after cramming.
If your student is not satisfied with their mid-term
grades, they can get help! Encourage them to :
Talk to their professor
Use the Math Lab, Science Lab, Writing Center or
Supplemental Instruction
Use one-on-one tutoring
Log in to Smarthinking
If your student’s midterm grades were satisfactory,
encourage them to keep up their study habits and finish
the semester strong.
4| www.wtamu.edu/advising
What is academic advising and greenlighting?
Academic advising is a vital process that helps students map out a plan for academic success to en-
sure that their academic goals are met. Through advising, students have the opportunity to talk to
knowledgeable professionals who are interested in their personal, professional and, most
importantly , academic plans. During advising, the academic advisor will “greenlight” the student.
This process will make the student eligible to register through Buff Advisor.
Who is my student’s advisor?
Students with fewer than 30 hours or undecided majors must visit Advising Services to speak
with and advisor.
The advisors for students with 31-60 hours is determined by departmental preferences. Some
majors visit Advising Services while others visit their academic department.
Students with more than 60 hours have an advisor in their academic department.
Some programs, regardless of completed hours, require that all the students in their major be pre-
advised in the department before being “greenlighted” in Advising Services.
Why should students see an advisor?
All students are encouraged to make an appointment with their advisor to talk about classes for the
Winter Session and Spring 2014 semesters. A student MUST be “greenlighted” in order to register.
Who should my student contact for advising and greenlighting?
Students can call Advising Services at 806-651-5300 to make an appointment with one of our advi-
sors. Our staff will also let the students know if they need to be pre-advised or if they need to visit
their academic department instead.
BUFF PARENT 101 | 5
Cindy Barnes
Rebekah Bachman
Brandy Carr
Alyson Cantu
Herschel Neal
Patricia McCormick
Evelyn Yerger
Nancy Garcia
In addition to seven full-time advisors, there are 12 faculty fellows. These are professors or former professors who dedicate
a portion of their time to advising students in the advising services office. Listed below are these faculty fellows and their
home academic department.
Dr. Jeffry Babb—Computer Information Systems Dr. Collette Loftin – Nursing
Dr. Mo Cuevas— Social Work Dr. Melody Loya—Social Work
Dr. Ted DuBois—Music Elizabeth Moore—Plant and Soil Science
Rick Haasl—Sports and Exercise Science Dr. Enyonam Osei-Hwere—Mass Communications
Dr. Monica Hart—English Dr. Sue Park— Retired dean of the College of Arts and Humanities
Vicki Hartin—Nursing James Rutledge—Education
Advising Services
WTAMU Box 60868
Canyon, Texas 79016-0001
Questions to ask your student:
How did your midterm exams go?
Have you been advised and greenlighted?
What are your grades so far?
Do you know how to calculate your GPA?
Have you talked to your instructors about
your progress in the courses?
Are you checking your e-mail every day?
Graduate students/ Seniors November 1, 2013
Juniors November 6, 2013
Sophomores November 11, 2013
Freshmen November 18, 2013
New Students November 25, 2013