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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Registration and Add/Drop

  • When do I register for the next semester?

    For the Fall: returning students register in April. For the Spring, registration is in November. Watch your email for detailed instructions on how to register for the upcoming semester–information on the date and time you can begin registration will be included in this email. For general registration dates, refer to the Academic Calendar.

  • When is the last day to Add/Drop?

    Refer to the Academic Calendar for important dates and deadlines.

  • How do I Add/Drop classes in 1600grand?

    During the Add/Drop period: in 1600grand select Enter Registration under the Registration header. Select Register for Classes. Select the current term in the Terms Open for Registration drop down box. You can Add/Drop courses using the actions drop down box and submit button in the bottom-right. All course Adds require instructor authorization (registration override). Contact the instructor of the course for a possible registration override. If you are granted a registration override, you must take action in 1600grand to process and complete the registration. Until you do so, you are not registered in the course. Click here for a 30 second video.

Validation

  • What is Validation?

    Validation is a process by which you resolve any outstanding holds that prevent your ability to make registration changes for a specific semester. The most common validation holds are: (FI)–outstanding Student Accounts balance and (AD)–off-campus address.

  • When is Validation?

    Validation generally starts when the related holds have been added to your record. You will receive and email from Macalester Registrar announcing the start of validation. Review your holds on 1600grand and take the required action to resolve the hold. It is important to check back during this time as new holds may be added. Validation ends with the last day to Add/Drop a course for the semester (see the Academic Calendar for important dates). If you fail to validate your registration by the deadline, your registration will be dropped and you will lose your status as a student.

  • Where can I take action to Validate my registration?

    The most common offices involved with Validation includes: Financial Aid, Student Accounts, Health and Wellness, and the Registrar’s Office.

  • What are the Validation Holds?

    A Validation Hold will prevent you from making any registration changes and keep you from validating your registration. See Registration Holds for additional details and contact information on resolving a validation hold.

  • How do I resolve a Validation Hold?

    See Registration Holds for contact information on a specific validation hold. If you have a FI (See Student Accounts Office) hold, this means that you have an outstanding balance on your student account. Contact Student Accounts as soon as possible to resolve this hold. If you have an AD (Contact Update: Off Campus Addr) hold, you can update your off campus (OC) address in 1600grand. Other holds—view the Action Needed column for more details.

1600grand and Contact Information

  • How can I find out my network password in order to log onto 1600grand?

    You will need to contact the ITS Help Desk at 651.696.6525.

  • My parents moved. How do I let you know my new home address and phone number?

    You can complete the Macalester–Student Address Update and/or Student Cell (SC) Phone Update Google Form. You may also come by the Registrar’s Office and ask for a change of address form that you can fill out.

  • What is “Directory Restriction?” How do I get my information restricted? Or get the restriction removed?

    Certain information is publicly available unless you request that it be otherwise.  For instance, if someone (an insurer, an old friend, a current or potential employer, or anyone who might be curious) calls up and asks if Johan Smith is a student at Macalester, we can confirm or deny that and provide whatever information is available on the college directory, which might include your e-mail address and telephone number.  If you are on Directory Restriction, then we will not release any information regarding your status at Macalester.  We cannot answer questions about you if you are on Directory Restriction, unless it is for internal Macalester use.

    Do you want your directory restriction removed?  Come into the Registrar’s Office and let us know.

Majors, Minors, Concentrations

  • Declare a major, minor, or concentration

    See your chair or program director to declare a major, minor, or concentration. They will make a note on your Degree Works record and the Registrar’s Office will process the declaration.

    You should declare your major as soon as you know what it will be, but you will be required to declare one once you will reach 64-credits. You will not be allowed to register for classes for the first semester of your Junior year until you have declared a major.

  • Exceptions in Degree Works

    Degree Works tracks your degree progress and requirements–you will want to keep it up-to-date. If you are making changes in the courses that you want to use in fulfilling your major, you can speak to your chair or program director about an exception, such as using a topics, transfer, or study away course for a requirement. A note will be entered in Degree Works and the Registrar’s Office will process the exception.

  • Dropping a major, minor, or concentration

    Notify us by email and include the following: your name, Mac ID#, and program to be dropped.

  • What is a concentration?

    Concentrations are a collection of courses across departments and/ or programs. A current list of concentrations can be found here: Academics.

Grades, GPA, Dean’s List

  • How do I view my grades?

    Grades are available in 1600grand. Refer the Academic Calendar for dates grades are available to students.

  • Incomplete grades

    A Course Completion Agreement form is required between the student and instructor. This form must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office by the last day of classes.

  • When is the last day to finish my incomplete work?

    Fall semester: incomplete work is due no later than the first day of classes of the Spring semester. Spring semester: incomplete work must be done on or before July 1. The instructor may require an earlier completion date.

  • Midterm J grades

    A J grade is assigned only during midterm grading. It means that the instructor for the course did not have enough information to assign you a midterm grade.

  • How do I get credit for Music lessons/ensembles?

    To receive credit for ensemble or private instruction participation, you must take the same class in two consecutive semesters. Take African Music Ensemble in two consecutive semesters and you get the credit for both at the end of the second semester. You can earn a maximum of eight credits through ensemble and private instruction—additional participation is noted on your record, but not for credit. Completed credit counts in the GPA. Study away does not disrupt a sequence.

  • How is my GPA calculated?

    The GPA is calculated by dividing total grade points by the number of semester hours attempted on the regular grading system. Transfer work does not factor in the GPA.

  • Dean’s List

    To be eligible for the Dean’s List a student must have been registered as a full-time, degree-seeking student and may not have been on a study away program. Furthermore, a student must have achieved a semester grade point average of at least 3.75, twelve or more credits on a regular (A, A-, B+, etc.) grading option, no grades below C-, and no withdrawal or incomplete grades for the semester. Grades for activity, practicum, and technique courses in dance, music, and physical education are not factored into eligibility for the Dean’s List. In addition to the requirements above, designating more than 1 course as S/SD/N per semester will make you ineligible for the Dean’s List.

Credit Load, Audits, January/Summer

  • Credit overload

    Full-time registration is between 12- and 18-credits. Credit overloads are charged per credit for any credit(s) beyond 18.credits (see Tuition and Fees for current rates). Students cannot exceed 20-credits in either Fall or Spring terms.

  • Course audit

    Students may audit one class per semester. Instructor approval is required and the registration must be completed by the Add/Drop deadline. Audited courses will appear on your transcript with a grade of “AU.” It is the student’s responsibility to establish expectations for the class with the instructor.

  • January credits

    Students may register for either a 1– or 2–credit sponsored program, independent study, or internship in January with required permission.

  • Summer credits

    Macalester does not offer summer classes. Students may register for a sponsored program, independent study, or internship with required permission.

Transcripts, Verifications, Replacement Diplomas

  • Transcripts

    View our Transcripts page for details.

  • Enrollment verification

    Current students (requires access to 1600grand) may retrieve an enrollment verification for current and past terms from the National Student Clearinghouse. On the Student tab of 1600grand, navigate to the “Order Enrollment Verification” box.

    If you don’t have access to 1600grand, please download and print an enrollment verification form by clicking this link (will open as a .pdf). You can submit that in person, through the mail, by fax or email to [email protected]. This form must include your written signature. Our contact information is at the top of the form.

  • Degree verification

    Unlike transcripts or verifications of enrollment, we can verify that you graduated from Macalester without a signature—degree information is directory information. Give us a call, write us a note or send us an e-mail requesting verification that you did indeed graduate from Macalester College and we’ll take care of that for you.

  • Certify my diploma/Apostille?

    Contact us at [email protected] for assistance with this process.

  • Replacement diploma

    You may request a replacement diploma via Parchment for $30.00. Once your order is processed you will receive an immediate digital diploma followed by a mailed hard-copy diploma 7-15 business days later. It is not possible to order a digital or hard-copy only—it is a package deal! If you are unable to place an order online using Parchment, you can mail in a written request and payment ($30.00 US check or cash) to the Registrar’s Office at the address at the bottom of this page.

  • Name change: academic record

    Check our Names policy page.

Credits Outside Macalester

Liberal arts courses taken at regionally accredited undergraduate institutions, and comparable in content to Macalester courses will be considered for transfer. The grade earned must be at least a C-; grades of S or P must be certified in writing by the instructor of the course to be the equivalent of C- or better before that course can be transferred.

Use of transfer credit towards a major, minor, or concentration is subject to the approval of the department or program. Additional details on our credit transfer policies can be found in the College Catalog: Credits outside Macalester.

Proxy Access

Students can give parents, legal guardians, or other trusted parties access to view certain pieces of their student information online. This access is referred to as proxy access, and the person who is granted this authorization is called a Macalester Student Self Service Proxy. The student controls the entire process through 1600grand, and can add anyone with a valid email address as a proxy.

Tip: While this tool is accessible on a mobile device, it works best on a desktop or laptop. Should you have difficulty in setting up or using Macalester Student Self Service Proxy on your mobile device, please try again using a desktop or laptop before seeking assistance.

Proxy Questions

  • What should be done if the proxy forgets the PIN?

    If you cannot remember your PIN, navigate to the login page, enter only your email address, and click Forgot PIN. An email will be sent with instructions on how to reset your PIN.

  • I don’t have an old PIN or don’t know what it is.

    Old PIN is actually the action password. The system regrettably doesn’t use consistent terminology.

  • I keep getting “Invalid username/password: Logon denied” when trying to reset my password. How can I fix this error?

    Try using a different browser or clearing your browser’s cache and cookies.

  • What information can a proxy see?

    A proxy will only see the pieces of information they have been authorized to view. Students select which information pages will be viewable when they set up the account, and can grant and remove access through the Proxy Management page.

  • Can I access Billing/Payment information as a proxy?

    You will not be able to see billing information and/or pay bills while logged in as a proxy user. In order to access billing information and/or pay bills you need to be set up as an authorized user within the secure bill payment system. Your student should follow the instructions at KI 0145 1600grand: Set up Authorized user for student billing. If you have already been authorized, please follow the link in the email you received, or go to https://secure.touchnet.com/C23333_tsa/web/login.jsp and follow the instructions for Authorized Users.

  • I have multiple students at Macalester. Why do I only see information for one of them?

    The information pages that you can access as a proxy depends on the authorizations set by the student. Since each individual student can choose what information to share with their proxy, the information available for viewing may vary.

  • I am a proxy and I can’t see all of my student’s information; can you change that for me?

    The Registrar cannot change the permission settings for proxies. Only the student establishing proxy access can change the permissions that are granted.

  • Information pages I used to be able to see are no longer showing. Why?

    Students have the ability to add or remove access at any time. If the student has removed your access to that information page, it will no longer appear in the list. Alternatively, students set the “Start” and “Stop” dates for proxy access when they set up the account. If the stop date is reached, all access will be removed. If you feel you should still be able to see the pages, check with the student who set up your account. He or she can increase the “stop” date to return access.

  • I deleted my emails and need to log in to the system as a proxy. What link do I use to login?
  • What steps should a proxy take if their email address is changing?

    If a proxy would like to update their email address, they need to log in to their proxy account with the current login information, enter their new email address into the email address field, and click save. The proxy will then need to use that updated email address to log into their account in the future.

Faculty Resources: Classrooms

  • How do I reserve a classroom?

    If you need the room during official class times, Monday through Friday during the academic year, then email the Registrar’s Office. We only handle reservations for classrooms in academic buildings—for other buildings or rooms during those time frames, contact Campus Reservations ([email protected]). For reservations at any other time, one should contact Campus Reservations to reserve a room.

    Class Times – Registrar

      • Monday – Friday 8am – 4:30pm

      • Monday and Wednesday 7pm – 10pm

      • All day on Study Days and Finals

    Non-Class Times – Reservations Desk

      • Before 8am MTWRF

      • After 4:30pm TRF

      • Between 4:30pm – 7pm & after 10pm MW

      • All day on Weekends

      • All day on breaks (fall break, Thanksgiving break, spring break, summer)

    Related Policies: Reservations & Event Planning – Policies and Procedure

  • What kind of technology is in a classroom?

    Check out the A/V Services website to see which rooms have what you’re looking for—all classrooms are now “smart” classrooms.