Open University

The Open University Program provides an opportunity for students who have not been admitted to the university, or who have been denied admission or disqualified, to enroll in online state-support courses, based on faculty permission. This program is not intended for degree-seeking students and does not meet financial aid requirements. Open University is not available if you are eligible to enroll as a state-support student, or if you are a non-resident of California who was enrolled for the previous term as a regular matriculated student. If you are enrolled as an Open University student and decide to apply for admission to the university, you must meet all regular admissions requirements.

Permission of the instructor is required to register as an Open University student. For off-campus students, Continuing Education will check space availability and request the faculty permission for you. Other criteria may be established by the department or college. If more information is needed, Continuing Education will contact you. Adding courses after the registration deadline requires the permissions of the instructor, department chair, and college dean. Any debts to the University or registration holds must be resolved before registration can take place. A student ID card will be mailed to you once your registration is complete. For more details concerning refund policy, unit load, and student health services read below.

Step 1. Talk to an Advisor
It is strongly recommended that you talk to an advisor before attempting to register for any classes.

Step 2. Request your Course(s) to begin Registration Process
Please submit your Fall 2008 course request between the dates of 8/4/2008 and 9/19/2008. During this time, we are only able to process requests for the Fall 2008 semester.

If today's date falls between the dates stated above, please contact Nancy Park nepark@csuchico.edu or 530-898-6105. Requests are honored in the order they are received. Students granted permission to enroll must pay before accessing the online course materials.

Spring classes begin on January 21, 2009. The semester ends May 22, 2009.

Step 3: Space Availability and Faculty Permission
Continuing Education will check if there is space available, and if so, will seek faculty permission for you. If there is space, and the faculty allows your enrollment, and you do not have any university holds, you will be notified that you are eligible to take the course via email. Your payment will be requested at that time by Visa or MasterCard (credit or debit), or by check. Payment must be received before your registration can be processed. If you choose to pay by check, we cannot process your registration until your check arrives at the Continuing Education Office.

Step 4: Registration/Fee Payment
The final deadline for payment of fees is Friday, Febuary 20, 2009 for any online classes offered during the spring 2009 semester. Fees are $175 per unit. Any debts to the university or registration holds must be resolved before registration can be completed.

Late Adds
Classes added after Febuary 20, 2009, require: (1) the approval of the instructor, the department chair, and the college dean; (2) a "serious and compelling reason; and (3) full payment, including a $10 late fee per class. Contact Continuing Education as soon as possible at 530-898-6105 to add a course.

Step 5: Student Identification (ID) Card:
You will receive an off-campus student ID card within 2 weeks of registering for your online course if you haven't already been issued one. This ID entitles you to a number of services on the CSU, Chico campus, such as library privileges and WildcatMail (e-mail account).

Step 6: How do I Access my Online Class?
Go to the Portal Account Tools web page. You will set up your Portal account using your 9-digit student ID number (which will be on your enrollment verification form) and your date of birth. Once you have established your Portal account, the Portal will automatically provide you with access to the courses in which you are enrolled. First, click on "WebCT Vista" under Online Course Resources. If you have any problems using the portal, just use the toll-free number for Student Computing help, 1-800-780-4837, and the technical staff there will help you. Many instructors should have instructional materials available one week prior to the start of the semester.

Step 7: Be Prepared for Class:
If a syllabus is posted, review the course outline and booklist. Approximately two weeks before classes start, you can purchase your books online through the CSU, Chico Associated Students Bookstore.

Disqualified Students and/or Students Who Have Been Denied Admission

If you have been disqualified and/or denied admission at CSU, Chico you will need to complete a petition form. Once you request your courses on this Web site, the petition form will become electronically available to you. Continuing Education will request the permissions required for the appropriate Instructors/Chairs and adviser in the Academic & Advising Services Office.

Refund and Drop Policy

A 65% refund (minus $5) will be granted to those who have faculty permission to drop by the fourth Friday of the semester -- for spring 2009, this is Friday, Febuary 20, 2009. A completed request to drop must reach the Center for Regional and Continuing Education (e-mail or call 530-898-6105) no later than 5:00 p.m. Febuary 20, 2009. No refund will be granted after that date. Continuing Education will request faculty approval for you to drop, complete a change of program (COP) form, and complete a refund form (if the faculty approves the drop). You will be mailed a copy of the COP approving the drop or contacted if the faculty does not approve the drop. After the fourth Friday of the semester additional approvals of the department chair and college dean are required for the drop. Continuing Education will request these additional approvals, mail you a copy of the COP if approved, or contact you if your request is not approved.

Maximum Units Toward a Degree

The maximum amount of Open University units which may be applied toward an undergraduate (B.A. or B.S.) degree is 24 units. The maximum number of units which may be applied toward a Masters degree is 9 units. If you are planning to pursue a master's degree, please refer to the department office of the appropriate major for the unit limit. Graduate students will also need to enroll adjunctly to continue graduate status. Contact Continuing Education (e-mail or call 530-898-6105) for these forms. Note: Master's Study (699) courses cannot be taken through Open University.

Student Health Services

If you are an Open University student taking 6 or more units you may have access to student health services for $120 per semester. You may pay in person (Kendall Hall 212), through the mail (SFIN-Cashiering, CSU, Chico, Chico, CA 95929-0999), or over the phone, 530-898-6347 (if paying by Mastercard or Visa). The deadline for the Student Health Fee is Febuary 20, 2009, or the fourth Friday of each semester.

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