Instructions and Tips for Using CLAWS

The Cougar Local Academic Web Site allows students to view course offerings, register, drop/add classes, check grades, schedules, and room numbers, view course history, and pay tuition online.

Getting your CLAWS account. All admitted students, after their first registration at SXU, receive usernames and passwords for I-Mail, Saint Xavier's official Web-based e-mail system, as well as for CLAWS. Approximately two weeks after your initial registration for classes or freshman orientation, you will receive a letter via USPS mail with your I-Mail account information.

Follow the instructions in the letter carefully for viewing your SXU e-mail, accessed at http://mail.sxu.edu. Once you log on to your e-mail account, you will have a message from the sender "Datatel" which will contain your separate temporary password/PIN for your CLAWS account (your username for both I-Mail and CLAWS will be the same).

Importance of checking I-Mail regularly. Aside from your CLAWS account information, your I-Mail account will receive many official notices from University administrative offices, staff, and faculty. Therefore, it is very important that you check your I-Mail on a regular basis to help ensure you are receiving this information. You may also forward your I-Mail messages to another e-mail account of your preference. For additional assistance with I-Mail, view the Information Services I-Mail Web pages.

Accessing and using CLAWS. Once you have received your CLAWS password via I-Mail, you may visit the CLAWS Web site. Click on the "Students" link to access the student menu. Because CLAWS will require you to create your own alphanumeric password upon initial login, you will need to select the "Change password" function on the menu, log in with your temporary PIN, and follow the instructions for making the change.

After creating your new password, you may simply follow the other menu links to navigate your account. Help and instruction links are posted on the site. Remember to click "Log Out" at the top of the page when finished, especially if you are using a shared computer, to avoid others accessing your academic information.

Registration approval. While students with CLAWS accounts may register from any computer on the Internet, all students must obtain registration permission from their academic advisors prior to registering for Fall and Spring courses (approval not required for Summer term, except for education students).

Be sure to discuss your new schedule with your advisor in advance of registration week, so he or she can submit an electronic approval "flag," allowing you to sign up for classes. You do not need additional online approvals set if you wish to add/drop classes for the same term.

Please also note that current students are not allowed to register for Fall and Spring before their appropriate registration day during registration week. Seniors (90+ earned semester hours), athletes in season, and students with disabilities are allowed to register on Monday; juniors (60+ s.h.) on Tuesday; sophomores (30+ s.h.) on Wednesday; freshman (<30 s.h.) on Thursday.

Friday begins the open registration period and continues until the beginning of the new semester. Current students are allowed to register after their registration day has passed.

Note on in-person registration. Current students are strongly encouraged to register via CLAWS; however, students may still register in person at the Office of Records and Registration during limited hours (1:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. during registration week). CLAWS registration access is available from 8:00 a.m. - Midnight.

If you have trouble. Please direct technical questions to the Office of Information Services. You may contact the IS help desk at (773) 298-3291 or visit WAC S-121. Specific questions related to CLAWS may be e-mailed to claws@sxu.edu. IS staff can assist you if you cannot access or did not receive your I-Mail or CLAWS accounts. You may need a current SXU I.D. card to get assistance.

Academic policy-related questions involving CLAWS may be directed to the Office of Records and Registration and/or Advising and Educational Services.