University Honors Program (UHP) Academic Warning
Overview
The University Honors Program (UHP) requires participants to maintain a UC cumulative GPA of 3.10. Academic progress is reviewed at the end of the Fall and Spring semesters. Students who do not meet this threshold at any point after their first semester in the program will be placed on University Honors Program (UHP) Academic Warning. An official notice will be sent to the student detailing the requirements for removal from Academic Warning, which includes creation and adherence to an Academic Recovery Plan developed with support of the Honors Academic Advisor as well as a minimum of two meetings each semester with the Honors Academic Advisor.
Failure to meet the Academic Warning requirements [which includes meeting with the Honors Academic Advisor] may also lead to the administrative dismissal from the University Honors Program. Note that this does not impact your standing at UC Merced.
At the conclusion of the Academic Warning semester, students will be reviewed and, if their cumulative UC GPA meets the 3.10 minimum, they will be removed from UHP Academic Warning. Students who fail to meet the minimum GPA may remain on Academic Warning for an additional semester. UHP students may remain on Academic Warning for a maximum of two semesters. If the UHP student cannot achieve a cumulative UC GPA of 3.10 or higher after two semesters on Academic Warning, they will be administratively removed from UHP. A student may appeal for an extension. Please meet with the Honors Academic Advisor for details about the appeal process.
All UHP students will be reviewed by the University Honors Program Subcommittee prior to their semester before intended graduation. Any student that is on Academic Warning at that time may be administratively removed from UHP. Students must have a cumulative UC GPA of 3.10 at the time of graduation to graduate with Honors.
Removal from University Honors Program
A UHP student may be removed from UHP if they have:
- Been on Academic Warning for two semesters and have a cumulative UC GPA below 3.10; or
- Received a non-passing grade in an Honors Seminar [HON 001H - HON 004H]; or
- Violated University Code of Conduct [which includes Academic Dishonesty and UCM Principles of Community]
Academic Warning Appeals
Students who have been removed from the UHP may be given the opportunity to submit a written appeal. If the appeal is approved by the UHP Subcommittee, the UHP student will be allowed to remain in UHP on Academic Warning.
A UHP student who meets the criteria to be removed from UHP who does not submit a written appeal within two weeks of the Program Dismissal notification will be automatically removed from UHP. These notifications will be emailed to the student’s UC Merced email address. Note: the student will be administratively dismissed from the University Honors Program, not dismissed from UC Merced.
Appeals are reviewed by the University Honors Subcommittee to ensure that the UHP student is making adequate progress toward UHP requirements. Factors considered in appeals include improved cumulative GPA, UHP seminar attendance and participation, completion of required meetings with Honors Academic Advisor, and evidence of co-curricular intent. If an extension is approved, students may be required to complete additional requirements intended to support their success as an Honors student.
Please note: appeals/reinstatement will not be considered after the end of the first semester of the third year.
University Honors Program Reinstatement
Any UHP student administratively removed from the program may petition for reinstatment should their UC cumulative GPA increase to 3.10 or higher, and they have made sufficient progress towards UHP requirements. Students seeking reinstatement should contact the UHP Coordinator at honors@ucmerced.edu. Students petitioning for reinstatement must fill out the following form found here. Program reinstatment petitions are carefully reviewed with decisions voted on by the UHP Subcommittee.
If a student plans to return to UHP, they may be able to make appointments with the Honors Academic Advisor to discuss possible reinstatement. Other advising topics will not be discussed.
