The Freshman Handbook and its companion pages on the Freshman Web site are sources of placement information and advice for incoming freshmen. Portions of the information found in the Freshman Handbook prior to 2010 are now published on line only. This online text includes "Special Academic Programs and Preregistration" (formerly Chapter 8 in the Freshman Handbook) and the academic program descriptions formerly contained in Chapter 9. Freshmen have access to this material in May exclusively on the Freshman Web site.
The Handbook and its related Web pages are prepared in the Yale College Publications Office during the winter so that they can be made available to matriculants in the spring. Late in the fall term, you will receive an e-mail request to review your department's material on the Freshman Web site. Corrections are due to the editor in early December. Because the academic program information for freshmen is collected and edited before most departments finalize their curriculum for the following year, you are encouraged to keep your material for the freshman Web site brief and general, and to refer students to the YCPS where appropriate. Bear in mind that students will have access to full program information in the online YCPS by July 31.
Specifics about placement tests, departmental meetings, and other freshman orientation events do not appear in the freshman Web site’s descriptions of academic programs. That information is published in the Calendar for the Opening Days of College, edited later in the academic year and available to students in late July.
If your department plans to make substantial changes to your major or to your freshman programs for 2012–2013, please note this when you submit your changes in December. It may be possible to include such changes on the freshman Web site in the spring after the Course of Study Committee has approved them.
Questions regarding the Freshman Handbook may be addressed to the editor, Shalane Hansen, Yale College Publications, 246 Church Street, room 201, 432-9171.
