Hello Math and Data Science Majors,
I hope you are doing well as start the month of April. This week, I’d like to share some thoughts on why scheduling advising meetings or attending drop-in advising is often more effective than addressing concerns through email.
When we meet in person or over Zoom, we can engage in a two-way conversation that fosters real-time discussion, immediate clarification, and a deeper understanding of the topics at hand. This dynamic interaction helps to avoid misunderstandings and allows us to address questions more thoroughly. Additionally, discussing issues face-to-face can lead to more creative solutions and a clearer path forward, as we can collaborate, ask follow-up questions, and adjust our plans immediately based on feedback. This approach not only enhances communication but also allows for more personalized support. Lastly, advising meetings provide the opportunity to build stronger relationships, ensuring that both parties are aligned on goals and expectations.
With the high volume of email that I have been receiving in addition to having a fuller calendar of meetings, it is going to take me longer to respond to email messages than normal. This means that scheduling a meeting or coming to drop-ins could results in a faster answers to your questions. Additionally, some questions are good uses of email, and some questions are not good uses of email. For example, asking if a specific course can be taken for a specific requirement within your degree is a good use of email. On the other hand, asking what courses can be taken for a general education requirement or what classes you should take for next semester is not a good use of email.
Above all, I want to answer your questions and provide support during your time at UNL. In my opinion, scheduled and drop-in meetings are the best way for me to be able to do that, and emails are just for the briefest of connections.
Digital Learning Commons (DLC) Testing Center
Before we jump into class registration again, I want to share some information that I learned about the Digital Learning Commons (DLC) Testing Center. The DLC is currently at capacity, and students are struggling to be able to register for any times to take exams. Part of this capacity issue is the fact that students are signing up for exam times and not showing up. If you have made a reservation you do not intend to keep, please cancel it instead of simply not showing up. When you cancel, you create space for another student to take an exam, but when you simply don’t show up but keep the reservation on the books, this is not possible.
Class Registration
Monday, March 3rd was the start of registration for the Summer 2025 semester. The Office of the University Registrar has a lot of helpful information about registering for classes at https://registrar.unl.edu/student-resources/registration/. Here is an overview of important information about registration for the Summer 2025 and Fall 2025 semesters.
Summer 2025
Registration: Monday, March 3, 2025–Sunday Prior to First Day of Classes
Late Registration: First day of classes to 1–3 days after.
Registration for summer courses is on a first-come, first-served basis with no class priority for all summer sessions. The Schedule of Classes are contingent on approval of budget and adequate enrollment. Summer is treated as one term for record keeping purposes. Summer financial aid is something that you apply for through MyRed after enrolling in summer classes.
Fall 2025
Priority Registration: Monday, March 24–Tuesday, April 8, 2025
Open Registration: Wednesday, April 9–Sunday, August 24, 2025
Late Registration: Monday, August 25–Tuesday, September 2, 2025
Priority registration is when students may begin enrollment for the following academic term. Registration appointment times are assigned to avoid overloading the registration system during the high demand period. Appointment times are available through MyRED approximately two weeks before the beginning of priority registration. Before priority registration, students may access the “Enrollment” section of MyRED to place classes in their shopping cart, but the enrollment process cannot be completed until the designated appointment time.
Appointment times are assigned to eligible students based on their current class level (completed hours). Appointment times are distributed randomly within each class level each term from earliest to latest. The priority class levels are:
Graduate Students: Open Enrollment Now
Seniors (89 credit hours or more): Open Enrollment Now
Juniors (53-88 credit hours): Open Enrollment Now
Sophomores (27-52 credit hours): Now to Thursday, April 3rd
Freshmen (0-26 credit hours): Friday, April 4th to Tuesday, April 8th
Priority Registration is not open to students who will be new, first-time freshmen, new transfer students, Nebraska Now students or unclassified (e.g., students-at-large and visiting students) undergraduate students. Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 financial aid starts with completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), and I would strongly encourage you to complete the FAFSA now if you haven't already done so.
I am committed to your academic success and want to ensure you have the support you need - especially during the early stages of your college journey, when you’re experiencing academic challenges, or going into the final stage of your college experience. If you have required advising, you should have a hold placed on your Summer 2025 and/or Fall 2025 course registration.
Newsletter Feedback
If you ever have questions or feedback about anything in the weekly newsletter, please let me know by shooting me an email. Sometimes, it is difficult for me to know if these emails are actually being read and/or found useful.
Best wishes, Doug
Spring 2025 Advising Schedule
I will taking in-person, Zoom, and phone meetings in 45-minute blocks from 8:30 am to 12:15 pm and 1:15 pm to 5:00 pm every weekday when I am not taking Zoom drop-in advising meetings. I will also be taking Zoom drop-in advising meetings on Mondays and Fridays at 10:00 am to 12:00 noon. Zoom drop-in meetings are being coordinated by the College of Arts and Sciences with a schedule and a link to the Zoom room available at https://cas.unl.edu/drop-in-advising-schedule.
You can schedule a meeting with me by using the Student Success Hub via this link, by calling the College of Arts and Sciences Academic and Career Advising Center at 402-472-4190, by calling me at 402-472-4319, or by emailing me at dpellatz@unl.edu. You can find instructions for how to access and schedule meetings in the Student Success Hub system here.
Math Department Events
The Math Department has many upcoming events that might be of interest to you along with a weekly (or almost weekly) colloquium series. A listing of all upcoming Math Department events can be found at https://events.unl.edu/math/upcoming/.
CAS Student Spotlight
Do you want to be featured by the college? Share your story by filling out this quick web form and show others why Mathematics is for you. Showcase all the opportunities and experiences you are gaining with your Mathematics major.