VIRGINIA TIDEWATER CONSORTIUM (VTC) EXCHANGE PROGRAM

The purpose of cross-registration is to provide opportunities for enriched education programs by permitting students at any of the eleven Virginia Tidewater Consortium institutions participating in the program to take courses at any other VTC institution.

Effective October 1, 2012, the signature of a course department's chairperson must be obtained if the ODU equivalent of the course you are planning to take at the host institution is offered at ODU during the same semester you are planning to take it elsewhere. Even if the offered ODU sections do not fit with your course schedule, are not offered online, or are closed, you must still obtain the course department chairperson's signature.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Which institutions participate in cross-registration?
Old Dominion University students may take undergraduate courses at any of the following Consortium host institutions: Christopher Newport University (Newport News), Eastern Shore Community College (Melfa); Eastern Virginia Medical School (Norfolk), Hampton University (Hampton); Joint Forces Staff College (Norfolk), Norfolk State University (Norfolk); Paul D. Camp Community College (Franklin); Regent University (Virginia Beach), Thomas Nelson Community College (Hampton); Tidewater Community College (all campuses); and Virginia Wesleyan College (Norfolk).

2. Am I eligible to participate in cross registration?
Cross-registration is limited to degree-seeking students with cumulative ODU GPA of 2.00 or better (graduate students must have a GPA of 3.0 or better) who are eligible for registration. If you do not yet have an ODU GPA, you cannot cross-register.

3. How many credits can I take via cross-registration?
Cross-registration is limited to 30 credit hours.

4. Can I use cross-registration courses for grade forgiveness?
No. Courses taken through cross-registration cannot be used for grade forgiveness, nor will grade forgiveness apply to any course taken via cross-registration.

5. What if I decide to drop/withdraw from my cross-registered courses?
Students must notify both institutions if dropping or withdrawing from a course, and must follow the drop/withdrawal regulations at both ODU and the host institution. ODU drop/withdraw deadlines are published in the academic calendar.

6. Can I add a course to the cross-registration form?
No. If you wish to add a class after you obtain the required signatures on the form, you will need to complete a new cross-registration form for the additional course(s).

7. Do I need to obtain a chairperson's signature?
As of October 1, 2012, the signature of a course department's chairperson must be obtained if the ODU equivalent of the course you are planning to take at the host institution is offered at ODU during the same semester you are planning on taking it elsewhere. Even if the offered ODU sections do not fit with your course schedule, are not offered online, or are closed, you must still obtain the course department chairperson's signature.

Cross registration in major courses also requires the permission of the department chair.

8. Which tuition rate will I pay, and to whom do I pay tuition?
You will pay ODU tuition rates for the cross-registered course, and you will payments to the ODU Finance Office for the course, just as you would for your normal courses at ODU.

9. Will these courses count toward my financial aid at ODU?
Yes, the credits count toward your financial aid at ODU.

10. How will cross-registered courses appear on my ODU transcript?
All cross-registered courses will appear (and remain) on your ODU transcript with a course number ending in "29." For example, if you take a course at TCC Portsmouth that is the equivalent of ODU's English 110C, the course will show on your transcript as follows: ENGL 129 TCCP-English Composition I.

Cross-Registration Policies and Procedures -- Steps to complete the cross-registration form

NOTE:
Please complete the form at ODU prior to registering at the host institution.
If you are cross-registering at a TCC campus, please list on the form the campus at which you will register, and take your signed form to THAT campus for processing after we have processed it at ODU. This will allow for a smoother exchange of grades at the end of the semester.

1. If you meet eligibility requirements, pick up a cross-registration form at the ODU Registrar's Office. Please ensure that you meet eligibility requirements and do not have any registration holds on your record.
2. Complete the top portion of the form with your personal information. Then complete the chart with the host institution's course information.
3. Take the form to your advisor for signature. At this time, please discuss with your advisor the course you're planning to take at the host institution to make sure it will meet your degree requirements.
4. Obtain the course department chairperson's signature if necessary (please see question #7 above). In many cases, you will need this signature.
5. Return the form to the Registrar's office at ODU. We will sign it and register you in a placeholder course at ODU. This placeholder course allows us to attach your grade to your ODU transcript at the end of the semester, and allows ODU tuition to be assessed.
6. Take the signed form to the Registrar's office at the host institution. They will sign it and attempt to register you for the course you wish to take at the host institution.
7. If the registration is successful, please return the white copy of the signed form to the Registrar's office at ODU. Please notify ODU if you are unable to register for the course at the host institution, or if you drop or withdraw from your course at the host institution during the semester.
8. The host institution is responsible for reporting your grades to ODU at the end of the semester.

Additional policies:

• Cross-registration is generally limited to courses not available to students at the home institution during the current semester.
• When a student enrolled at a home institution cross registers at a host school, the credit is earned at the home institution and the grade will be posted on the student's home transcript. A host institution will not issue a transcript to a cross-registered student.
• The grading system of the home institution applies to the cross-registered student.
• Tuition will be charged by the HOME institution for a cross-registered course (e.g., ODU students pay ODU tuition rates for cross-registered courses, and make payment to the ODU Finance Office for the course, as you would for your normal courses at ODU). The student assumes all costs of transportation, books, materials, lab fees, applied music fees, etc.
• Students will be governed by the administrative rules and regulations of the host institution while in attendance.
• A Tidewater Consortium Student Cross-Registration Form must be completed and signed by the appropriate individuals at the home and host institutions. Where necessary, the student will certify that she or he has met course prerequisites.

The Tidewater Consortium Student Cross Registration Form is not available online. Students can obtain the form in the Office of the University Registrar, 116 Rollins Hall.

More information is available at the VTC website.