Early Alerts

Check for Early Alerts on Bear PAWS

Faculty are asked to submit Early Alert grades for undergraduate students earning below a 2.0 in their courses at the end of the sixth week of classes.

When are Early Alerts posted?

By the end of the sixth week of classes, students are sent an e-mail from the Registrar when the Early Alerts from faculty are processed and ready to be viewed on BearPAWS. There will also be reminders on the BearPAWS message board and the Registrar's website.

How do you access the Early Alert information?

Students must check their records on BearPAWS to find out if an Early Alert was submitted by one of their instructors.

  1. Log on to BearPAWS
  2. On the main menu, click on "Student Services and Financial Aid"
  3. Click on "Student Records"
  4. Click on "Early Alerts"

What does an Early Alert mean?

If you have a grade posted on the Early Alert screen, it means as of the sixth week of classes you were earning that grade in the course.

You have an Early Alert ~ What do you do now?

Don't ignore this warning!

Contact the course instructor and your academic advisor right away to discuss how you can improve in the class, or alternately, whether you should Withdraw from the class or choose the S/U option.

Don't know who your advisor is?

You can check on BearPAWS, on your "Course Summary" screen for your primary advisor. To find an advisor's office, phone number and e-mail, click on "Directories" at the top of the SUNY Potsdam web home page, or check with the department secretary.

Considering Withdrawal or changing to S/U?

Withdrawal and S/U forms are available in the Registrar's Office.

Find more information about Withdrawal and S/U.

Special note:

Be aware that for various reasons some instructors don't submit Early Alert grades. If you know your grade in a course is currently not satisfactory, don't wait; take steps now to investigate your options.