Smith
Site: https://www.smith.edu/academics/registrar/course-registration#guidelines
Students must discuss with their Academic Advisor whether they are eligible to take a FCC course. If they are, they will be given a code for BannerWeb (Their SPIRE) to gain access to the Smith registration portal for FCC courses. An application must be printed from BannerWeb and submitted by the mentioned deadline. The form may also need to be signed by the instructor (TTA) and submitted to the Smith College Registrar. Once the Smith Registrar has approved the prospective member for taking Music 566 then begins the process of applying for Band in SPIRE. They will be issued a NetID (like our emails) and will be able to access SPIRE to sign up for band.
NOTE: Students may only register for two courses at any other FCC institution and must already be registered for 8 credits at Smith College.
NOTE: First year students must receive approval from the Class Dean before being allowed to enroll.
Amherst
Site: https://www.amherst.edu/academiclife/registrar/fivecolleges/five_college_request
Students must submit a placeholder class (UM_COURSE_REG) on ACData (their SPIRE) as well as beginning the application for a FCC course. The form must be printed (from the site above) and submitted as a paper form during the registration window for the upcoming semesters courses. A FCC Course Request must also be filled out online (available at the above site). All advisors must sign off on these forms or the request will be denied. Once the Amherst Registrar has approved the prospective member for taking Music 566 then begins the process of applying for Band in SPIRE. They will be issued a NetID (like our emails) and will be able to access SPIRE to sign up for band.
NOTE: No more than two FCC courses may be taken per semester, and students should inquire about how much credit will be received.
NOTE: First semester Amherst students are not able to register for FCC courses and must get prior approval from the Dean of their College/Major to override this process.
Hampshire
Site: https://www.hampshire.edu/central-records/five-college-course-registration
Students must complete and sign an agreement form on The Hub (Their SPIRE) and print the form at that location. The form may have to be signed by the instructor of the course (TTA) as well as being accompanied by emails from faculty showing your eligibility. This form must be returned to Central Records by the deadline listed. Once Central Records has approved the prospective member for taking Music 566 then begins the process of applying for Band in SPIRE. They will be issued a NetID (like our emails) and will be able to access SPIRE to sign up for band.
NOTE: Students will receive letter grades as consistent with UMass Amherst Grading Policy. NOTE: Students must abide by the UMass academic calendar and rules regarding courses. NOTE: First semester students must receive faculty (TTA) approval during the registration period and fill out any FCC forms required.
Mount Holyoke
Registration: Students must request to register for MUSIC-566 through https://my.mtholyoke.edu by going to students -> course registration and bill payment -> registration -> request registration in a five college course -> UMass -> then finding the course under the music section. After requesting the course it will go to the MHC registrar to approve it. (Note: Some classes require instructor permission but band doesn’t) Once it is approved it will show up on your transcript like any other course. (Note: You cannot take more than two five college classes at once)
Special registration for freshman: Typically first years at MHC aren't allowed to take 5 college courses their first semester. You have to email the first-year dean and the registrar to get special permission to register and prove you have everything set up.
Band camp housing: There are always a couple of days in between when band camp housing ends and when we can move into our own dorms. So you need to secure housing for that time. But when everyone has housing you are just like a UMass student.
Meals during band camp: You'll get a meal card from some ad staff member (I think summer recruiter?)
Food during the school year: Through your college you can request a meal swipe exchange card where you put in your class and meals you are requesting (ex: monday dinner, tuesday dinner, etc.) into a form and they will give you a meal card where you can swipe into any dining hall or grab-and-go for that meal. (Sometimes the worker will give you a hard time if they don't know what it is but I've never been denied).
Transportation: (If you don't have a car and will be taking the bus) It takes a while (35 minutes from MHC) to get to campus. Adding on walking to the band building and being early enough to get down to the fields with your equipment, it takes a much larger chunk out of your day than it would a typical UMass student. You need to plan your other courses during the fall to make sure they don't run too late. If you have a required class that will make you late, just communicate with whoever's in charge of your section and you can work it out (for example all MHC labs are 1:30-4:30pm so I have to be late sometimes).
Games: (again only applies if you don't have a car) The 38 (MHC to UMass) bus doesn't run earlier than 10am on weekends so you need to have someone pick you up that morning or somewhere to stay the night before.