Course Participation Confirmation

Early engagement is key to succeeding in class and graduating on time. To encourage participation and to follow governmental rules and regulations regarding federal financial aid, instructors are asked to confirm student course participation, generally within the first two weeks of the start of class.

What is Course Participation Confirmation?

Confirmation of participation is a process by which instructors report to the university that a student is engaged in their course. This is not a subjective judgment on the perceived quality of participation; you are not being "graded" on it. It is simply a question of whether students are participating.

Participation can include:

Joining discussions on Canvas
Handing in homework
Taking a quiz
Attending class
Participating in a class study group or on a group project

What can I do to prepare for course participation?

Understand your schedule: Is your class at set times, or in-person? You can find an overview here: wayne.edu/registrar/schedule
Know your class locations: Check maps.wayne.edu and make sure you have enough time in your schedule to travel from one location to another, or have a designated study area set up for online and hybrid classes.
Stay informed: Keep an eye on your WSU email and check for updates on the WSU homepage, wayne.edu

How does Wayne State University confirm participation?

Your instructor will verify your participation early in the semester. It is important to go to each class meeting to ensure that your participation is confirmed.

What's a PIN, and what do I do with it?

Your instructor may provide a Personal Identification Number (PIN) to confirm your participation. If they do, go to Academica and click Student Resources. Click Course Participation Status, find the class for which you received a PIN, and type it in. Your instructor will be notified to confirm your participation.

How do I know if my instructor has confirmed my participation?

Go to Academica and click Student Resources > Course Participation Status. You'll see the list of the courses you're registered for, along with the status of each course. If you're confirmed (Green), there's nothing else you need to do.

What happens if I don't participate or if my participation is not confirmed by my instructor?

If your instructor does not confirm your participation, Financial Aid will adjust your aid based on the number of credit hours confirmed, meaning your aid package could be reduced. If you have already received a refund based on the credits for an unconfirmed course, you may end up with an account balance that must be repaid. For more information, see Receiving your aid

I have been participating, but my instructor hasn't confirmed it yet. What should I do?

You can check your status of your confirmations online in Academica. If you have been participating, but it is not yet indicated (Yellow), it is important to reach out to your instructor and ask that they confirm. Otherwise, your financial aid disbursement may be delayed or recalculated.

What if I'm not able to be here during the first two weeks?

In the future, you should plan on attending class when it starts. However, if circumstances keep you from physically attending at the start of the semester, you must reach out to your instructors immediately and work out arrangements to interact with course material in those opening weeks.

What if I'm having difficulty in a class?

Talk to your instructor. Your instructor is key to your success. Follow up with them on any questions you have or material you do not understand. Your instructors are happy to help, so take advantage of office hours or send an email. You will find your instructor's WSU email in your class schedule and on Canvas.
Reach out to your academic advisor. Your advisor can help you with tips on studying, advice on approaching course material, and how to ask your instructor for help. They can also steer you to other resources, such as:
- Supplemental Instruction and Tutoring Your course may have a supplemental instruction module or tutors may be available to help.
- Student Disability Services It's possible some sort of accommodation might help you succeed. SDS can help with this.
Check your WSU email every day. You will receive many important messages from your professors and fellow students. It is your responsibility to keep up with them.

Questions?

Information for Instructors