Troubleshooting Problems with MARS

• Accidental Termination of Call:
  If you are accidentally cut off from MARS before you complete your request, recall the system. You will be registered for transactions processed prior to termination. After entering your student ID and PIN, press 5 # # to list your course schedule. MARS will list the courses for which you are already registered. You may then make additions or changes to your schedule.

• Cancellation of Registration:
  Note that whether you register in person, or by MARS your entries are part of your registration record. See Cancellation of Registration for deadlines and information.

• Disconnections:
  Time limits are built into the system. If you are on the MARS line for an extended period of time you will be disconnected. Error limits are also a part of MARS. If you do not enter the correct information after the second try, MARS will disconnect. You may immediately call MARS back. You will be registered for transactions that were processed prior to being disconnected.

• Dropping:
  You may drop a course by using Action Code 3 # # with Registration/Schedule Adjustment. MARS will list all of your courses and give you the option to drop. Before dropping one course in order to register for another course, be sure to use Open Section Look-up to ensure that the course is available. Once a closed class has been dropped, you will be unable to reregister for the class. The next person on the waitlist has been given your seat.

• Schedule Adjustment:
  The first day of classes for the Spring 1998 semester is January 27, 1998. Call MARS, use Testudo, or adjust your schedule in person:
  Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.; 1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
  
  • Now through January 23rd - Student Services, Room 1101 Mitchell Building.
  • January 26th through January 29th - Main floor, Reckord Armory.
  • January 30th through February 9th - Student Services, Room 1101 Mitchell Building.

• Grade Inquiry:
  This feature of MARS provides students with semester grades as soon as they are available. Use your student ID number and PIN, and as soon as your grades are processed, they will be available on MARS, Testudo and MARS Kiosks. Grade Point Averages will be calculated in early January for the Fall semester after all final grade have been posted. NOTE: Grade reports will no longer be mailed, but official transcripts are available free of charge. See Transcript Services for additional information.

• Grading Method:
  This refers to the choice of taking a course for a letter grade (A - F), Pass-Fail, or Audit. Change the grading method for a course by using MARS Action Code 4 # #. All grading methods are not available for all courses. Additionally, there are restrictions on taking courses Pass-Fail. See the Schedule of Classes for additional information.

• Index Number:
  Unique five-digit index numbers are assigned to each section of a course. This number is located to the right of the section number in the course listings on the accompanying sheets. Index Numbers for independent study courses must be obtained from the department offering the course.

• PIN - Personal Identification Number:
  A PIN is permanent and should be used throughout your attendance at Maryland. If you misplace, forget or feel the confidentiality of your PIN has been jeopardized, you can request a new number. Come to the Registration Information Counter located on the first floor of the Mitchell Building. You will be asked to provide photo identification before a new PIN can be assigned.

• Schedule and Bill:
  Students that registered January 9, 1998 and earlier should have received a schedule, registration card and bill in the mail. Payment in full must be made no later than January 9, 1998 for students that registered by December 6, 1997 and earlier and by February 6, 1998 for students who registered between December 6, 1997 and January 9, 1998. Bill payment is due by February 6, 1998 for students registering after January 9, 1998. For more information see the Student Financial Service Center.

• Silence During Processing:
  There may be periods of silence during your call to MARS. This is normal and occurs when information is being verified or processed. Typically, the amount of silence lasts no longer than 5 seconds; however this time may increase during periods of heavy use. DO NOT HANG UP. Wait for the next set of instructions.

• Time Conflicts:
  MARS will not permit you to register for courses that conflict in time. Any exceptions require special permission from your college. To be placed on a waitlist for a course that conflicts with one you are registered for, use Waitlist Action Code 7 # #. If you call MARS and receive a course from the waitlist which creates a time conflict or causes your schedule to exceed the number of allowable credits, etc., you MUST adjust your schedule by 4:30 p.m. of the following workday. You can use MARS Drop/Add, Testudo or come in to Student Services, Room 1101, Mitchell Building. See Schedule Adjustment for additional information. Please Note: If you do not adjust your schedule, a drop will be processed on the course you received from the waitlist.

• Variable Credit
  Certain courses can be taken for a variable number of credits. MARS will prompt you for the number of credits when you register. You can change the credit level for a variable credit course by using MARS Action Code 8 # #. Anyone using the Maryland Automated Registration System for purposes other than accessing his/her own records will be in violation of University Policy.

• Waitlist Check-In
  If you are on the waitlist for a course you must check-in on the first day of classes, January 27, 1998, the mandatory check-in date. If you are still on the waitlist after this date you must check-in daily, beginning January 28, 1998 to remain active on the waitlist. Waitlist check-in is available by calling MARS, through Testudo, at MARS Kiosks, and walk-in services. See Waitlist Information for specific dates and times.