Academic advising for the fall 2011 semester at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University began Tuesday, March 1, and will continue through Friday, April 29. 

Students should contact their faculty or academic advisor to schedule an appointment to review progress toward graduation and to select fall classes.

Fall 2011 registration for all currently enrolled students is scheduled to begin Monday, April 4, and end Friday, April 29. Students who do not register during this period will have to wait until Wednesday, Aug. 10, which is the start of late registration for fall 2011. Each student registering for classes Aug. 10-23 will be assessed a $50 late registration fee.

Students may check their registration status using Aggie Access On-line. Students with registration holds will not be permitted to register for fall 2011 classes until they have satisfied all holds and financial obligations.

Faculty and academic advisors should encourage students to register as soon as possible to lock in the best possible class schedule and to ensure that they are able to register for the classes needed to progress toward graduation. In addition, remind them to complete the FAFSA (Free Application/Federal Student Aid) for 2011-2012, as soon as possible.

The Department of Political Science and Criminal Justice has launched its Undergraduate Project for Research in Political Science and Criminal Justice.

Consistent with the strategic objectives of the University and its Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), the Undergraduate Research Project (URP) is an opportunity for faculty and students to collaboratively conduct strategic research in political science and criminal justice. As such, the project prepares students for competitive research opportunities in graduate and professional school.

The first URP will focus on prison gerrymandering, for which James P. Mayes, assistant professor, is the principle investigator.

"This project is timely because it examines the impact of apportioning prison inmates to the sites of their incarceration and the subsequent redistricting formulas," Mayes said. "It also will use geographic information science (GIS) to do spatial analysis."

Research is a fundamental component of the political science and criminal justice curriculum at North Carolina A&T State University. The department's mission is to foster leadership, encourage research and graduate study and to impact public policy. Essential to achieving this mission is instilling the core values of legacy, integrity and competence.

For more information, contact Mayes at (336) 256-2127 or jpmayes@ncat.edu.

With funding from the North Carolina Department of Transportation, the Transportation Institute and the Office of Continuing Studies and Professional Development at North Carolina A&T State University are sponsoring the Construction Contractor Development Program (CCDP) for small business enterprises in the construction industry. 

CCDP consists of 12 full-day workshops that will be conducted April 2-August 20, focusing on business management and construction management training. Participants will be introduced to theoretical and practical aspects of small business management in the construction industry. The program features in-class training and self-study components designed to provide students with the opportunity to enhance current business operations while completing the program. 

Sessions will be held in the School of Business and Economics. Registration fees will include housing for one night per workshop for those businesses located 45 miles or more from campus.

For registration and further information on the Construction Contractor Development Program, call the Office of Continuing Studies, (336) 334-7607, visit the website at www.ncat.edu/~contstud.htm, or 'like us' on Facebook at NCAT CONTINUING STUDIES or NCAT eLearning. Follow us on Twitter @ContStud.