Navigating Webcat: A Comprehensive Guide for University of New Hampshire Students and Faculty

The University of New Hampshire (UNH) utilizes Webcat as a central online portal for students and faculty to manage academic information, registration, and advising. This article provides a detailed tutorial on how to use Webcat effectively, covering essential functions and processes.

Accessing Class Lists and Student Information (For Faculty)

Faculty members can leverage Webcat to access class lists and student information, streamlining administrative tasks and enhancing communication with students.

Login to Webcat: Begin by logging into Webcat using your UNH credentials.
Faculty Services Tab: Navigate to the "Faculty Services" tab.
Class Lists: Access to class lists is restricted to the officially assigned instructor(s) of the course.
Student Information: The system grants access to student information only for those enrolled in the faculty member's course or listed as an assigned advisee.
Additional Data: If more comprehensive student data is required beyond what Webcat provides, faculty can request access to the BANNER Student Information system.

It is crucial to remember that all student data is protected under FERPA regulations, ensuring student privacy and data security.

Major/Program Declaration or Changes

Webcat simplifies the process for students to declare or change their major or program.

Student Initiates Request: Students initiate major or program change requests directly through Webcat.
Routing and Approval: Once submitted, the request is electronically routed to the designated academic department for review and approval.
Minor Declaration: No departmental or advisor approval is needed for a student to declare a minor; the declaration is automatically processed upon submission.
Declaration Deadline: Students must declare a minor before the end of their junior year and prior to applying for graduation.

Registration Overrides

A registration override is a special permission granted by an academic department, enabling a student to register for a course despite restrictions such as unmet prerequisites, class capacity limits, major restrictions, or other enrollment limitations.

Override Authority: Registration overrides can only be granted by the Primary Instructor of the course.
Timing: The override must be entered into Webcat before the student attempts to register.

Registration Override Instructions (with Screenshots):

Login to Webcat
Select Faculty Services
Select Student Menu
Select View Student Schedule
Search for student by name or ID number
Click Submit to search
Click Submit again to confirm the student selected
Select Registration Overrides (below the schedule displayed)
Select Override type from drop down menu
Select Course the override permission is for, verify and click Submit
Permission granted displays under Current Student Overrides

Registration Access Codes (RAC/AltPIN)

Registration Access Codes (RACs), also known as AltPINs, are unique codes required for Durham and Manchester undergraduate students to register for courses in Webcat each term.

Purpose: Advisors provide RACs to students during academic advising appointments. This ensures a guided discussion about course planning and progress toward degree completion.
Advisor Access: Advisors can view and release RACs through the advising tools within Webcat.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Advisors:

Login to Webcat
Select Faculty Services
Select Advisor Menu
Select RAC Distribution
Select Term
Search for Student by name or ID number
Click Submit to select student
The students RAC information will display
Select Assign RAC (this will release the RAC to the student)
A confirmation page will display stating RAC Assignment recorded

Submitting Final Grades

Webcat is the platform for faculty to submit final grades for their courses.

Incremental Submission: Grades do not need to be entered all at once. Faculty can submit grades incrementally and return to the system at any time before the deadline.
Grade Changes: Changes to grades can be made in Webcat up until the final grade submission deadline. A special grade report is not required for these changes.
Alphabetical Order: Grades are listed in alphabetical order for ease of entry.
Unused Fields: Do not enter any information in the “Last Attend Date” or “Attend Hours” fields.
Frequent Submissions: Submit selections frequently to avoid timeouts, which can result in lost data. A message "The changes you made were saved successfully" will appear upon successful submission.
Incomplete Grades: If grades are not ready for all students, leave them set at “NONE” until the grade is available.
CRN Selection: To select another CRN, scroll to the bottom of the page and click on “CRN selection,” then click “Final Grades” on the menu.
Logout: Upon completion, log out of Webcat.
Reviewing Completed Rosters: When returning to a completed roster for review without making changes, click the “Submit” button to exit. The system will display the message: “There are no changes made to the final grades or attendance hours. No changes were made to the database.”

Final Grade Change Process:

The final grade change process is used to submit a grade change after the Office of the Registrar's final grade deadlines have passed.

Preparing for Registration (For Students)

Adequate preparation ensures a smooth and successful course registration experience. Students should follow these steps before the registration period begins:

Check Assigned Registration Date and Time: Assigned registration dates and times are based on class standing, earned credits, and academic level. These dates are published on the Master Academic Calendar.
Check for Account Holds: Review your account for any holds that may prevent course registration. To do this, log in to Webcat, select "Registration," then "Registration Information," "Prepare for Registration," and select the relevant term. Carefully review any information highlighted in red. (Refer to the ‘Account Holds and Guidance’ section below for more information about specific holds and contacts.)
Check Academic Standing Status: Ensure your academic standing is in ‘good standing’ for registration eligibility on the same Webcat page as in step 2.
Meet with Academic Advisor: Schedule a meeting with your assigned academic advisor to discuss academic progress, plan course selections, and review degree requirements.
Get Registration Access Code (RAC)/AltPIN: Undergraduate students on the Durham and Manchester campuses will receive a RAC/AltPIN from their academic advisor to complete registration in Webcat. Graduate School, CPS Online, and Non-Degree/Continuing Education students do not require a RAC/AltPIN.

How to Register for Courses

Course registration begins and ends on specific days and times based on class standing and level. After courses begin, any changes to a student's course schedule are processed as adds, drops, or withdrawals.

Read also: History of the Block 'M'

Dropping or Withdrawing from Courses

Drop Period:

Students may drop a course during the designated drop period via Webcat or by consulting with their academic advisor. Courses dropped within this timeframe will not appear on the student's academic transcript. Drop deadlines are available on the Master Academic Calendar.

Login to Webcat
Select Registration
Select Registration Information
Select Register for Classes
Select Term (e.g., Fall 2020)
If applicable, enter RAC/Alt PIN (Registration Access Code) select and Continue
In the Summary Block select Drop/Delete from Action drop-down menu
Select Submit

Withdrawal Period:

After the regular course drop period, a course withdrawal period begins. Withdrawal from a course during this period is recorded on the student’s transcript with a grade notation of "W". The "W" grade is not included in GPA calculations.

Pass/Fail Grading Option

Undergraduate students may choose the Pass/Fail grading option for certain courses. A "Pass" (P) earns credit but does not affect GPA, while a "Fail" (F) does not earn credit. The Pass/Fail grade is recorded on the student's transcript.

Variable Credit Courses

Some courses are offered for a range of credits (e.g., 1-4 credits). These are known as variable credit courses.

Error Messages and Guidance

Webcat provides error messages to guide students during registration. Common error messages relate to prerequisites and credit load policies.

Read also: Legacy of Fordham University

Credit Load Policies: Credit load policies designate the maximum number of credits students may register for in a semester or at designated periods during registration. These policies vary for:

Undergraduate Degree Students
Graduate Degree Students
Continuing Education (Non-Degree Seeking) Students

Prerequisites: Prerequisites are courses that must be successfully completed before enrolling in a subsequent course, as outlined in the course catalog and schedule. Students who fail a prerequisite to a course for which they are registered must drop the course. This policy applies to both degree and non-degree students.

New Student Checklist

The New Student Checklist helps new undergraduate students complete their enrollment and prepare for their first semester at UNH. While the specific timeline is geared towards students starting in the fall, many tasks are relevant for spring enrollees as well. Many checklist tasks require logging in with UNH credentials.

Key Checklist Items:

UNH ID Card: Provided by the Campus Services Office. Used for identification, meal plans, dorm access, and Wildcat transit.
NH Residency Form: Required for all in-state students to be eligible for in-state tuition.
FAFSA: Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as early as possible to apply for financial aid.
New Student Orientation: Required for all incoming First-year and Transfer students.
Health Forms: Upload required health forms, including the Immunization Form and Tuberculosis Questionnaire, to the myHealth&Wellness portal. A Consent to Treat Minors Form is needed for students under 18.
Roommate Groups and Housing Selection: New first-year students who meet the housing application deadline will self-select their own on-campus housing. Students will receive a timeslot which indicates the day and time that they can log in to choose their space. If you or your financial aid overpay your account, you may be able to request your refund online.

Roommate Group Formation:

All roommates must have an active housing application.
On the Roommate Groups page, click Create Group and then enter a Group Name, password, and group size (this should match the number of beds in the room you are hoping to select).
Search for your roommates by clicking Search for Roommates by Details and send an invitation.
Webnames are on the main page of your portal. You will need your planned roommate(s) webname(s)!
The roommate(s) will then need to log into their application and accept your invitation to join the group.
Once you have filled all your roommate spaces and the roommates have accepted the invitation, your group is done.

Final Transcripts: Ensure your high school or college sends your final transcripts to UNH.

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