RCS Resource Guide: Setting Up Student Engagement Attributes

about this guide

Course Attributes are used to explain something extra about a class in the catalog. This guide provides an overview on how to set up a class section with a specific type of course attribute, the Engagement Course attributes. Engagement Course Attributes explain a uniquely integrative educational experience. Sections will automatically inherit the engagement attributes listed at the course catalog level. If the catalog lists specific Engagement Activity and Engagement Competency attributes, all sections of the course must list those same attributes.

If the catalog lists generic TBD attributes for a course, departments may choose to list either specific attributes or generic TBD attributes for each section. If the catalog does not list engagement attributes for a course, departments may choose to offer one or more sections within a semester for engagement credit, selecting either specific or generic TBD attributes for the section. 

Ideally class setup takes place during Open Scheduling, but if changes to class setup are needed outside of Open Scheduling, then Closed Scheduling Section Request processes should be followed. 

New Update: System enhancements now apply logic-based rules to help ensure class section set-up data aligns with class scheduling best practices, and Catalog and Academic Policy. These updates may change the user experience. Warning messages will provide guidance to help resolve issues, and specific changes to the process featured in this resource guide are outlined below.
scheduling a class with engagement attributes

Step 1: Navigate to Maintain Schedule of Classes. Under the Basic Data tab, the Class Attributes are displayed.

UAccess process

 

Step 2: A section offered for Engagement needs exactly one Student Engagement Activity (SEA) and one Student Engagement Competency (SEC) course attribute.

UAccess process

 

Step 3: Select specific attributes for sections where all students will complete the same Activities and Competencies. Select generic, TBD attributes for sections where at the start of the term, each student chooses the Activity and Competency they will complete. Instructors must verify the specific Activity and Competency selected by each student when grading at the end of the semester

Choose only one SEA and one SEC. Assigning more or less than one each prevents engagement from appearing on the student’s record. 

When adding or changing 'TBD' on the class section, choose one from each column: 

Student Engagement Activity (SEA)Student Engagement Competency (SEC)
  • (CE) Creative Expression
  • (CCR) Civic and Community
  • (CP) Community Partnership
  • (DID) Diversity and Identity
  • (DI) Discovery
  • (GIC) Global and Intercultural
  • (EN) Entrepreneurship 
  • (INC) Innovation and Creativity
  • (IE) Intercultural Exploration
  • (INT) Interdisciplinarity 
  • (LE) Leadership
  • (PRO) Professionalism
  • (PD) Professional Development 
  • (SUS) Sustainability
Related processes and additional resources

Open Scheduling period is the time when department schedulers complete class section set-up. Below are links to other resource guides that may be helpful to this process, and other class section set-up data entry.

More information on system updates can be found at RCS Reimagine: Updates to Managing the Schedule of Classes

Need Help? Contact Us! 

For additional questions, you can reach the RCS team via email: rcshelp@arizona.edu or phone: 520-621-3313.

created 6/2025