University of Southern Mississippi New Faculty Orientation 2014

1. S.O.A.R.
not to be confused with SORE
What can it do for you???

2. Faculty Functions in SOAR
▪ Class rosters...and your teaching schedule
▪ Grades...enter current grades and initiate grade
changes
▪ Assistance…help students in need
▪ Advising tools...for advisors and students
▪ Special Permission…to add / drop
▪ Student data...what's their story
▪ Leave time…document time off

3. Is there a serial killer in my class??
Check out your class roster
Navigation: SOAR > Self Service > Faculty Center > My Schedule
Options:
Download to Excel
Email students
View photo roster
View textbook info
View exam schedule

4. Entering Grades
Navigation: SOAR > Self Service > Faculty Center
Options:
 N/A rosters
 Interim rosters
 Final rosters
 Grade Changes
Training sessions will be available for this process mid-September

5. NA Rosters
(Not Attended / No Show)
When??
▪ Following first class meeting
Why??
1. Emphasize
2. Engage
3. Encourage attendance (emails)

6. Add/Drop Important Dates
▪ August 27 – The last day to Add/Drop without
Academic/Financial penalty for full term classes
▪ August 28 – October 31 Students will receive a grade of ‘W’
on their transcript if drop/withdrawal is approved
▪ October 1 – Students should receive some type of
assessment by this date
▪ October 6 – Interim grade rosters due
WP &WF are no longer options.
For all other session dates (8W1, 8W2, etc.) see
www.usm.edu/registrar.

7. Early Alert
(Help a Student in Need)
Navigation: SOAR > Self Service > USM Self Service >
Early Alert – Faculty/Staff
When you observe a student:
▪ with emotional, psychological, or social concerns
▪ suffering academically
▪ suspect of a substance abuse issue
▪ with extreme concern about financial issues

8. Student Advising Dates
▪ October 1 – Begin Spring advisement
appointments
▪ October 20 – Enrollment appointments open
▪ Advisement can occur before or after student
registers for classes

9. Advising Tools
Navigation: SOAR > Self Service >Advisor Center
Options:
 Email advisees
 Degree Progress Report
 Planner
 ShoppingCart
 Schedule must be
confirmed
 Schedule Generator
Training sessions will be available for this process late
September

10. Advising Tools - Planner
Plan out what classes
to take each term.
Semester-by-semester
guide
Training sessions will be
available for this process late
September

11. Advising Tools – Schedule
Generator
What is this??
▪ Personalized
scheduling
▪ Classes, breaks,
preferences
▪ Engaged student
▪ Advisor suggestions
Training sessions will be
available for this process late
September

12. Advising Tools – Schedule
Must be Confirmed
Training sessions will be available for
this process throughout the term
▪ Indicates that a student
has not been advised
▪ At a certain point in the
term, classes will be
dropped for any student
with this indicator
▪ Advisors should release
this indicator following
advisement
Navigation: SOAR > Self Service >Advisor Center

13. Permission to Add/Drop
(after August 28)
Navigation: SOAR >Worklist
▪ Beginning August 28, special permission is required to add
or drop your course
▪ A student within SOAR requests permission
▪ The instructor receives an email informing you of the
request awaiting in yourWorklist

14. Student Services Center
Navigation: SOAR > Campus Community >
Student Service Ctr (Student)
One navigation
providing a wealth
of student info

15. Document Leave Time
Navigation: SOAR > Self Service > USM Self Service > MonthlyTime
and Attendance
▪ ReportVacation and Sick leave
▪ First (8) hours of illness must be counted as “Vacation” time, except
recurring illness
▪ If no leave was taken, check the box.

16. To become a SOARing expert
SOARTraining Site
o Go to SOAR homepage (soar.usm.edu)
o Click “SOARTUTORIALS” button
o Click the + button beside Faculty
Registrar’s Office Listserv
o Registrar@usm.edu
Marlissa Northrop
o Marlissa.northrop@usm.edu
o 601.266.6244