DARS


 * DARS** (Degree Audit Reporting Service) is the university's method of tracking a student's progress in their degree and major.

All advisors should have access to DARS Advisor Online Request Page, If you find you do not have access, let Sunshine know and she will take care of it. You will need to log in with your NetID and password.

All students have the ability to run DARS reports, including hypothethical "What-If" reports, through the Student Center in MyUW (it is a link called "View my DARS" under the Academic History tab.) However, many of them don't understand how to read them, and who can blame them?

Here is **an example** **of a DARS Report** -- note that there is a key to what all the codes mean at the end of the report:


 * DARS Exceptions Forms** are required to submit any exception to major requirements on an individual basis. They are also used when adding a newly created course to the list of accepted courses under any given concentration or requirement (Sunshine usually takes care of these, but if you should ever need to do one, just substitute "Any Student" for the name of the student at the top.)


 * Note:** for both majors, there are //two exceptions forms//, one for majors declaring Fall 2009 and onward, and one for the older majors.

New major forms: for all Geography requirements and Honors (Geog) for all Cartography/GIS requirements and Honors (Cart/GIS)

Old major forms: for the Geography major breadth requirements and Honors (Geog) for Geography area concentrations for the Cartography/GIS major and Honors (Cart/GIS)


 * Knowing how to fill these out** is an art form in itself. But if you follow this example you will make the Deans happy:

The date **format** is important: the year comes first and reflects the end of the academic year (so 2008-09 would be "09"), and the semesters are represented by 1 for Fall, 2 for Spring, and 3 for Summer. So, Fall 2008 would be written: 09.1, Spring 2009 would be 09.2, and Summer 2009 would be 09.3. As you can see in the example, **you should write any helpful notes in the margin** next to the item, just to make sure they know what is being substituted for what.

The forms end up in Bascom Hall, but please turn them in to Sunshine so she can make a copy first before sending them on their way to room B36.

If you have any **questions about a student's DARS report**, for example, why a certain exception isn't showing up, or is showing up in the wrong place, send a message to: dars@lssaa.wisc.edu. You will hear back from either Connie Chapman, Wanda Ashman, or Mike Pflieger.