Student Independent Study (ISP) Information

Step One – Develop an ISP or Senior Project

  • Does this planned ISP connect with your Concentration or current study? Although this connection is not required, this parameter may make a difference when faculty members must decide if they can sponsor an ISP.
  • Is ISP worth college credit? Any topic or experience may be appropriate for an ISP if the relevance to intellectual development, reflection, and connection making are clearly articulated as part of the ISP. ISP credits should not be arranged for experiences that do not include an avenue for reflection and meaning making.
  • Is this ISP for FAIR 401A - your senior project? Does it relate to your concentration and does it use the knowledge you've gained in your concentration major?
  • Are you seeking credit for work or an experience you have already completed? Fairhaven does not give credit for prior work unless there is significant current work being done as reflection on the previous work.
  • How many credits are you proposing? You should understand the time commitment you are making when proposing an independent study. (Approximately 3 hours per week through the quarter for each credit assigned.)
  • Are you using the ISP to “avoid" taking a scheduled class? ISPs are not appropriate as a vehicle to avoid taking a scheduled class or to avoid particular topics in a scheduled class.
  • How many other ISP credits are you taking this quarter and why do you want to do this ISP now?  
  • Does your program rely too heavily on ISPs to develop your area of study? No more than 25% of a concentration major should be ISPs. If your concentration contains more that 25% ISPs, this needs to be approved by the chair and the dean.
  • Are you proposing this ISP simply to “fill" empty credits, or is it a genuine interest area?
  • Would this ISP be more appropriate if scheduled at another time in your plan of study?
  • Have you done work in this area before? This question can help you and your faculty sponsor determine the appropriate level for the ISP (200, 300 400). For projects at the upper division level, the proposal should be clear about the critical perspectives you are bringing to the project.
  • Why have you chosen this faculty sponsor for this ISP?
  • Have you thought carefully about how this sponsor can help? Are there other faculty who have greater expertise in this area of study?
  • Can ISP credit be granted for courses taken outside of Fairhaven? Sponsoring credit for structured courses outside FAIR/WWU can be appropriate, using these same guidelines, as long as credit is not being earned elsewhere for the same course.
  • Is this an individual ISP or a group ISP? Sometimes ISPs can be held in a group format if multiple students are completing the same project. Consider the organization of the ISP and who will organize the group should it be a group ISP. 

You will use the six ISP elements listed below to develop a proposal. The proposal will be discussed with your faculty sponsor. You can still bring questions to a faculty member but have an outline of your ISP ready for a meeting. A final proposal will be developed into a narrative under 4,000 characters (not only words but characters).

An ISP proposal should contain the following information: 

Course Description 
  • Why are you doing the ISP? What do you hope to learn? What problems will you explore? What questions will guide this exploration? Can you describe your present position regarding these problems, these questions? If this is a group ISP, each person will be expected to complete the same outcomes unless they chose to write their own proposal with a different course description. (Students are limited to 4,000 characters in the final ISP submission.)  
Qualifications
  •  Generally, readiness to undertake the ISP implies some background, preparation, knowledge or experience in the area or related areas to be studied. However, exploratory ISPs may be undertaken for which you have little or no specific background; in such instances, you should take special care to identify appropriate resources. What background, knowledge, preparation or special abilities do you possess that will help you in undertaking this project: include books read, courses taken, experiences outside of school.  
Resources
  • It is the responsibility of the student to seek and access adequate resources to undertake the project. These may include a bibliography, other institutions, faculty at Fairhaven or elsewhere, other knowledgeable or skilled persons. What sources and resources do you intend to use, including:
  • Bibliography
  • Faculty at Fairhaven and elsewhere
  • Other institutions and agencies
  • Other knowledgeable or skilled persons?
Demonstration of Learning
  • The study must involve a demonstration of the learning accomplished, to be made available to the sponsor—and, if desired, to a larger audience—in some concrete, accessible form. Such might include a critical or analytical paper, a work of art or creative writing, some experimental data and conclusions, a public performance, an examination or oral interview, and the like. This demonstration will serve as one basis for the sponsor’s evaluation.
  • In what way do you plan to keep track of and demonstrate your learning?
  • What arrangement should you make with your sponsor for reporting the progress of your work?
  • Is the product you’ve chosen appropriate to the level and sophistication of the proposal?
Expectations of Student and Faculty
  • Describe what you and your faculty sponsor have agreed to regarding your expectations in relation to this ISP.
Evaluation Criteria
  • Upon finishing the project, you will complete a written evaluation of it for your sponsor. This should include evaluation of the extent to which the intentions stated in the original proposal were realized, the issues addressed and the important questions answered. It will assess developments undertaken during the course of the study according to their educational value.
  • By what criteria will you evaluate your work?
  • What will be the focus of your evaluation? 

If this is a group ISP, all students will have the same course level and credit load unless they choose to submit separate proposals with different descriptions related to their different credit and course level.

Credits

Each credit proposed for an ISP implies at least three hours of work per week of the quarter on that project.  

Course levels

Group or individual independent study may be taken at the 200, 300, or 400 level, depending on the student’s background or abilities and the nature of the study.

  • FAIR 200 - ISPs at this level are exploratory, and can be used to venture into fields in which you have not yet developed any expertise.  
  • FAIR 280 – This is a lower-level practicum or internship in which a student is learning through practical involvement outside of the classroom.
  • FAIR 300 - ISPs at this level assume some prior learning in the field, and a growing comfort with the vocabulary of the discipline. The proposal should include a clear statement of the critical perspectives you will bring to the activity.  
  • FAIR 400 - ISPs at this level assume significant prior learning in the field and facility with the vocabulary of the discipline. In addition to the guidelines for the 300 level ISP, a proposal at this level should indicate how you will bring multiple perspectives to your study, which may include the critical contexts in which the activity takes place, e.g. contested issues in scholarly literature or political controversies in the community.
  • FAIR 401A - Senior Project: Independent study required of students completing an Interdisciplinary Concentration. Sponsorship and prior approval of Concentration chair is required. Senior projects may encompass advanced or intensive internships or practice.
  • FAIR 480 – This is an upper-level internship directly related to a student’s coursework and study. Students will apply prior knowledge and bring multiple perspectives to their internship, including critical thinking and application of theory. 

Students should meet a faculty sponsor with an ISP proposal around the start of registration for the corresponding ISP quarter. The ISP approval process can take at least a week to complete once it is submitted into the OnBase system so starting the development process early is important.

Step Two – Submit Proposal in OnBase

Once your proposal has been discussed with your chair and they feel it is ready for official approval, submit the ISP into the OnBase system using the steps below.

Access OnBase

Submit a New ISP Request

Watch this video to see how a new student ISP proposal is submitted into the system.

Submit a New ISP Request in OnBase Instruction Video

Submit a New ISP Request in OnBase Instruction Video Summary

  • Purpose: Instructions for submitting a new Fairhaven ISP (Independent Study Project) proposal into the OnBase system.
  • Before submission:
    • Students must complete Step One — develop the ISP and meet with a faculty sponsor.
    • Best to begin this process at the start of registration for the intended quarter (about two months before the ISP begins).
    • Student and faculty sponsor must agree on proposal terms before submission into OnBase.
  • Accessing the submission portal:
    • Go to fairhaven.wwu.edu/student-independent-study-isp-information.
    • Link is also available in Web4U under “Student Registration.”
    • On the Fairhaven page, scroll to “Step Two – Submit Proposal” and click “Submit a Proposal into OnBase System" - locate the “Access OnBase" header - click “Create a New ISP Request." This will take to the OnBase portal.
    • Sign in using WWU authentication.
  • OnBase Form Instructions:
    • Follow on-screen instructions:
      1. Fill in the form.
      2. Add notes.
      3. Save a draft or submit.
    • 20-minute time limit — draft text in another program first.
    • Proposal limit: fewer than 4,000 characters (including spaces and punctuation).
    • Senior projects: Title must begin with “Sr Proj:”
  • Completing the form:
    • Check status (initially shows “Not Submitted”).
    • Review student info (name editable; email and W# not editable).
    • Select:
      • Term for ISP.
      • Course number (pre-agreed with faculty sponsor).
      • Faculty member (system pulls info automatically).
      • Number of credits.
    • Answer required yes/no questions:
      • Is this a senior project?
      • Does this ISP involve international travel?
      • Is this a group ISP? (If yes, additional registration steps provided.)
      • Will you need Fairhaven facilities? (List which ones in proposal if yes.)
      • Are you a Fairhaven College student?
  • Proposal section:
    • Enter a title (max 30 characters).
    • Type or paste proposal text (auto-stops at 4,000 characters).
  • Adding notes:
    • Optional — used for side details (e.g., “Let’s meet weekly on Zoom”).
  • Submitting or saving:
    • Choose to submit to the faculty sponsor (final submission) or save as draft to edit later.
    • If saved as draft, follow instructions from the “Edit a Draft or Returned ISP Request” video to complete submission later.
  • Example action:
    • The video example chooses “save draft” and click “save form.”

Edit a Draft or a Returned ISP Request

Watch this vide to see how a student edits a draft ISP or a Returned ISP. *Most important note - always use the "save changes" button after making any edits.

Edit a Draft or Return ISP in OnBase Instruction Video

Edit a Draft or Return ISP Request in OnBase Instruction Video Summary

  • Purpose: This video shows how a student can edit a Draft ISP proposal or a Returned proposal from a faculty sponsor or the dean of Fairhaven.
  • Receiving the Proposal Link:
    • Students receive an email notification when the draft or returned proposal is ready to be edited.
    • The email contains a link to view the proposal.
    • If the email is not found, students can visit fairhaven.wwu.edu/student-independent-study-isp-information and navigate to "Step Two - Submit Proposal" and click "Submit a Proposal into the OnBase System." Find "OnBase Access," click "View ISP request Draft" to access the proposal.
  • OnBase Login:
    • Use WWU authentication to sign in.
    • Once logged in, it may direct you to the "Work Folder" view.
    • To view all ISPs, switch to "Life Cycle View," showing the status of each ISP (e.g., "student submission pending").
  • Editing the Proposal:
    • After selecting the draft, it appears in the lower part of the screen.
    • Always use the Save Changes button to save edits before submitting to the next approver.
    • The editing options include updating course information, proposal box text and notes.
    • Important: Save changes frequently, as there is a 20-minute time limit on the page.
  • Adding Notes:
    • At the bottom of the page, click on "Notes" to view and add notes.
    • Existing note text will be visible under "Note Text" after clicking on the note.
    • To add a note, click "Add," enter text in the "Note Text" box, and save.
    • After saving, the note is added to the document.
  • Submitting to Faculty:
    • After making edits, adding notes, and clicking Save Changes, submit the proposal to the faculty member.
    • Once submitted, the status will update in the "Life Cycle View" to "faculty approval pending."
    • The faculty sponsor and student will both receive email notifications upon submission.
    • After submission, the proposal can no longer be edited.
  • Final Reminder:
    • Always remember to use the Save Changes button whenever making edits.

How to Read and Add Notes

Quick video overview of reading and adding notes to a Saved or Returned Student ISP.

Read and Add Notes into OnBase Proposal Instruction Video

Read and Add Notes into OnBase Proposal Instruction Video Summary

  • Purpose: Demonstrates how to read and add notes in the OnBase system.
  • Starting point:
    • Assumes the student is already logged into OnBase.
  • Accessing ISP Proposal:
    • Click on “Life Cycle View” (left side of screen) to view all ISPs in the system.
    • Select a proposal type (e.g., labeled “student submission pending”).
    • The note access appears at the bottom of the screen.
  • Reading notes:
    • Click on the note entry.
    • The note text appears toward the bottom of the screen.
  • Adding a note:
    • Click the “Add” button at the top.
    • Type your message in the note text box (limit: 250 characters).
    • Click “Save” or “Save and Close.”
  • After saving:
    • The new note appears in the list.
    • Click “Close” at the bottom of the main ISP proposal page to exit.
    • The proposal now shows the updated number of attached notes.

The Importance of the Save Changes Button

Quick video explaining the important of using the "save changes" button after making edits to a Saved or Returned Student ISP.

Remember to Use the Save Changes Button Instruction Video

Remember to Use the Save Changes Button Instruction Video Summary

  • Purpose: The video explains the importance of using the "Save Changes" button.
  • Starting point:
    • Assumes the student is already logged into OnBase.
  • Accessing ISP Draft/Returned Proposal:
    • Students can find their proposals in the “Life Cycle View” → “Student Submission Pending” window.
  • Making Edits:
    • Open a proposal and scroll to make edits.
  • Use Save Changes button!
    • After making edits, students must click “Save Changes” to ensure updates are recorded.
    • Failing to save may result in submitting outdated or unsaved information to faculty.
    • There are Save Changes buttons at both the top and bottom of the proposal page.
  • Final Reminder: Always save changes before submitting a “Draft” or “Returned” ISP document to faculty.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How long does the approval process take?

    • Your proposal must be submitted and then approved by your faculty sponsor and the Fairhaven dean. This can take up to a week to complete and your proposal could be sent back to you at any point for updates. You will receive an email notification if you are asked to edit the document.

  • I submitted my proposal but my edits were not sent.

    • After editing a proposal, saving a draft, or having it returned in the system, you must use the "save changed" button to save edits! Always use the "save changes" button after updating a proposal.

  • Who can I contact for help with the system?

    • Email Fairhaven.CRM@wwu.edu for assistance. This email is monitored by the Fairhaven Curriculum & Records Manager.

Step Three – Register for ISP

Once your ISP is fully approved by a faculty member and the Fairhaven dean, you will receive an email with the CRN. You will need to go to Web4U registration and register for your new ISP CRN to be fully registered. 

If you are registering for two ISPs with the same course number (e.g. two - FAIR 300 ISPs), you will need to email Fairhaven.CRM@wwu.edu to help with registration because the system will not let you register for two of the same course numbers with a special override. Please include you name, W#, and unregistered ISP CRN in the email.

*Reminder, after the 5th day of classes, a $10/credit late fee is added to any registration updates including ISP registration.    
  • One person will need to register for the CRN when you receive the email with this information. Typically, this first registration will be you. Once you receive the CRN, you will then register for the course in Web4U. If you are not registering for the ISP but sending it to other students, you can give the CRN to one student for registration. 
  • After one person registers for the group ISP, all other students will need overrides in order to register. Please send all peers the CRN and tell them to email Fairhaven.CRM@wwu.edu with their NAME, W#, and CRN. Once the override is given, they will receive confirmation, and they can register for the group ISP.
  • If peers want to take the ISP for a different number of credits, they will need to submit a separate ISP proposal.

*Reminder, after the 5th day of classes, a $10/credit late fee is added to any registration updates including ISP registration.