Student Handbook

1. Introduction
2. Academic Information
3. Applied Music
4. Building Information and Policies
5. Concerto Competition
6. Curriculum Information
7. School Organization
8. Student Recitals
9. Health and Safety

Appendices

Last updated February, 2013

I. Introduction

This handbook is provided by the faculty and administration of the School of Music as an aid and guide to your university experience.  We hope that we have anticipated questions and provided answers that will enable that experience to be productive and positive.

The policies and procedures contained in this handbook may change from year to year as curricula and other aspects of musical life change.  You are encouraged to review the handbook on a regular basis so that you are familiar with the aspects of your particular degree program that require your attention.

Students in the School of Music are expected to conform to a high standard of academic integrity and maturity.  It is your responsibility to read this handbook and the Graduate Catalog or Undergraduate Catalog thoroughly and make sure that your degree program is completed according to the stated requirements.

If you have questions and are unable to locate the answer in this handbook, please ask for assistance.  This handbook is not intended as an authoritative document concerning academic policy and does not supersede the Graduate and Undergraduate Catalogs or other official university publications.

University Communications

 Important communication is sent to students via regular mail and e-mail, and the university uses official student addresses on file and NIU-provided z-account e-mail addresses for these communications.  No other e-mail address is used, so you must check your NIU mail regularly. The university is phasing out the use of written communication in favor of e-mail, so this is very important.

Verifying Address(es)

 It is extremely important that the University Office of Registration and Records has your current permanent and local addresses and telephone numbers on file.  We invariably have students who experience problems because NIU has mailed important information to them at a non-current address.  To check your current personal data, logon to MyNIU.  You can also check/change information in person at Registration and Records (Williston 220) or via the telephone (815)753-0681

Accessing z-account e-mail

 Students can access their NIU z-account e-mail account from anywhere with Internet access by using the Student Webmail (NetMail) interface.  You will be prompted to enter your "User Name" (your Z-id) and your Novell account password.  If you do not know your Z-id or password, there are links on the Student Webmail site to help you.

Forwarding z-account e-mail

 You can forward your NIU e-mail to another account (e.g., yahoo, gmail) but it is not recommended.   Your NIU mail is the only address to which important information will be sent and accessing it directly is the best way to insure that you will receive such mail.  Information on account forwarding can be found at http://www.its.niu.edu/its/email/forwarding_student_email.shtml

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II. Academic Information

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1. Absence from Class
2. Academic Advising
3. Academic Integrity
4. Academic Overloads/Registration Policies
5. Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching
   
   
6. Change of Major/Emphasis
7. Change of Private Instructor
8. Convocation & Honors Convocation
   
   
9. Declaring a Major in Music
   
   
10. Faculty Evaluation
    
    
11. Grade Appeal
12. Graduate Recital/Thesis/Composition/Final Project
13. Graduate Students' Final Term/Comprehensive Examination
    
    
14. Incompletes
15. Independent Studies
16. International Student Employment
17. Internships
    
    
18. Late Drop/Add
    
    
19. Minimum “C” Requirement
20. MUSC 99 - Recital Attendance
    
    
21. NIU Grading System
    
    
22. Piano Proficiency
23. Prerequisites and Corequisites
    
    
24. Registering for classes on the Internet
25. Repeating a Course
    
    
26. Sponsored Admission Advisement
    
    
27. Third Enrollment
28. Transfer Evaluation

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III. Applied Music

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1. Area Requirements/Juries
2. Brass
3. Ensembles
4. Guitar
5. Harpsichord
6. Jazz Studies
7. Organ
8. Percussion
9. Piano
10. Strings
11. Voice
12. Woodwinds

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IV. Building Information and Policies

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1. Choral Music Library
2. Concert Hall Pianos
3. Damage and Theft
4. Duplicating and Copying
5. Harpsichord Usage Policies
6. Hours
7. Instrumental Music Library
8. Keys
9. Lockers
10. Lost and Found
11. Music Stands
12. Parking Permits
13. Phones
14. Piano Practice Rooms
15. Policy on Smoking, Food, Drinks and Alcohol
16. School Instruments
17. Use of Rehearsal Spaces

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V. Concerto Competition

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1. Eligibilty
2. Audition Procedures
3. Selection of Judges
4. Expectation of Soloists
5. Audition Dates

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VI. Curriculum Information

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1. General Education Requirements
2. General Education Checklist
3. Master of Music Specializations Check Lists
   1. Music Education
   2. Performance - Instrumental
   3. Performance - Keyboard
   4. Performance - Vocal
   5. Individualized - Choral Conducting
   6. Individualized - Composition
   7. Individualized - Theory
   8. Individualized - Computer Music & New Media Technology
   9. Individualized - General
   10. Individualized - Jazz Studies
4. Performer's Certificate
5. Undergraduate B.A. and B.M. Degree Emphases Check Lists
   1. Bachelor or Arts in Music (B.A.)
   2. Composition (B.M.)
   3. Music Education - Instrumental (B.M.)
   4. Music Education - Instrumental+Jazz Studies (B.M.)
   5. Music Education - Vocal (B.M.)
   6. Performance - Instrumental (B.M.)
   7. Performance - Classical Guitar (B.M.)
   8. Performance - Jazz Studies (B.M.)
   9. Performance - Jazz Guitar (B.M.)
   10. Performance - Keyboard (B.M.)
   11. Performance - Vocal (B.M.)
6. Teacher Certification Check List

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VII. School Organization

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1. Administration, Area Coordinators, and Staff
2. Community School of the Arts
3. Faculty
4. Fine Arts House
5. Graduate Assistantships/Tuition Waivers
6. MCL - Music Computer Lab
7. NIUCMS - NIU Computer Music Studios
8. NIU Libraries
9. Scholarships
10. Student Committees and Organizations
    

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VIII. Student Recitals

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1. Scheduling a Recital
2. Cancellations
3. Time Slots
4. Length of Recitals
5. Programs
6. Audio/Visual Requirements
7. Tape Recording/CDs
8. Recital Course Registration
9. Miscellaneous

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IX. Health and Safety

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Appendices

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1. Accompanist Request Form (pdf)
2. Advising Form (pdf)
3. Concerto Competition Audition Form (pdf)
4. Graduate Student Schedule Change Request Form (pdf)
5. Guidelines for Good Writing (pdf)
6. Guidelines for Writing Music Research Papers (pdf)
7. Independent Study Request Form (pdf)
8. MUSC 699-799 Information Form (pdf)
9. Procedures for Appealing Allegedly Capricious Semester Grades of Undergraduate Students
10. Procedures for Appealing Allegedly Capricious Semester Grades of Graduate Students
    
11. Recording Request Form (pdf)
12. Research Involving Human Subjects
    
13. Scholarship Application Form (pdf)
14. Scholarship Recommendation Form (pdf)
15. Senior Recital Registration Form (pdf)
16. Student Recital Request Form (pdf)
17. Undergraduate Student Schedule Change Request Form (pdf)
18. University Policies for Grades of Incomplete 
19. Waiver of Confidentiality Form (pdf)
20. Waiver of Prerequisite or Corequisite Request Form (pdf)

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