University College

Kate Krause, Ph.D., Interim Dean
University Advisement and Enrichment Center, Room 265
MSC06 3680
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001
(505) 277-9302

Associate Dean for Interdisciplinary Programs
Rosalie Otero, Ph.D.

Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies
Tracy Skipp, Ed.D.

University College is the administrative unit that includes the following interdisciplinary academic programs: University Honors Program, Native American Studies, Aging Studies, Water Resources Program, and the Water Research Institute Program. University College offers an interdisciplinary degree called the Bachelor of University Studies Program. There are currently more than 8,500 students enrolled in University College with an additional 1,200 students enrolled in the Bachelor of University Studies program. Thus, the two main missions of University College are to function as an academic home for incoming students and to provide an administrative structure for several important interdisciplinary programs.

University College is the port of entry for almost every beginning student at The University of New Mexico and is committed to helping students engage in academic life and succeed in attaining admission to a College, an undergraduate education, and a degree. In order to accomplish this goal, University College has developed a plan to provide every first and second year student with three essential foundations for success: Basic Skills Development, Effective Instruction, and Pro-Active Student Support. The plan is aimed at providing crucial services (for orientation and proper initial testing and placement), introductory course work (to enable students to quickly acquire the fundamental skills and tools for academic success) and experienced advisement (for development of majors, careers and course schedules). University College has recently developed innovative pedagogical and curricular approaches to first-year studies at The University of New Mexico including Freshman Interest Groups, Freshman Learning Communities, College Success Seminar, and Living and Learning Communities. University College has a programmatic approach to lower-division education which emphasizes affirming diversity, promoting creative and engaged teaching, and learning and nurturing and sustaining community within the University. University College seeks to work closely with the Ethnic and Student Support Centers in Student Affairs to address the multiple challenges faced by first and second year students. The mission of University College is to ensure that access to education is realized through a coordinated plan for student engagement and success.

Dean’s List/Honor Roll

University College recognizes University College students who demonstrates academic excellence by issuing a Dean’s List and Honor Roll each semester.

The Dean’s List of University College honors students who achieve a minimum semester grade point average of 3.5 with a minimum of 12 credit hours completed in graded courses (not CR/NC). Under University policy, Dean’s List honors are recorded on the student’s individual academic transcript.

The University College Honor Roll honors consistently superior academic performance. Students who maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.25 or above for all University of New Mexico work will be placed on the Honor Roll. Students are not eligible for this award until they have completed at least two semesters and at least 24 credit hours at The University of New Mexico.

University College may post the Dean’s List and Honor Roll for public viewing. Such awards are considered “directory information” and may be released without the student’s written consent unless the student has previously requested that “directory information” be withheld. Students who wish to have directory information withheld should refer to the section of this catalog related to “Access to and Confidentiality of Student Records” for policies and procedures.

For more information about these awards in University College, call (505) 277-2631; walk in to the University Advisement and Enrichment Center Suite 105; or e-mail at uac@unm.edu.

Probation, Suspension, Dismissal

Students enrolled in University College are placed on probation at the end of any semester in which the cumulative grade point average on the University of New Mexico work falls below 2.00.

Students on probation are liable for suspension at the end of any semester in which the cumulative grade point average does not rise to 2.00 or better.

Students placed on probation may be continued on probation, if they substantially raise the cumulative grade point average and are making reasonable progress in meeting degree requirements. “Substantially raise the cumulative grade point avera” is defined as earning a semester grade point average of at least 2.5. “Reasonable progress” is defined as at least one-half of the student’s course load being courses (exclusive of Introductory Studies courses) which apply towards the student’s major, minor or group requirements. If these conditions are not met, the student is suspended from the University of New Mexico.

The first suspension is for one semester. The second suspension is for one year. The third suspension is for five years. While suspended, students may take correspondence courses through the University of New Mexico Continuing Education to raise their grade point average. Students are reminded that a maximum of 30 credit hours of the University of New Mexico correspondence courses may be applied toward a degree.

At the end of the suspension period, a student must apply for readmission to University College with a written petition addressed to the Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies. All petitions for readmission or revocation of suspension must be received by the University College Advisement Center no later than one week prior to the start of the semester in which the student wishes to return.

Second Chance Program

The Second Chance Program is designed to give students the opportunity to redirect their academic lives. It allows students who normally would be suspended for at least one semester to continue at UNM under conditions that encourage cultivation of a new personalized program for academic achievement.

A major goal of the Second Chance Program is for the student (and advisor) to identify the origins of the academic difficulty. Once that is accomplished, the student can build a long-term plan for academic success in cooperation with his/her advisor. As such, it is not merely an opportunity for the student to take more classes without “sitting out” a suspension period. Rather, it is an opportunity for the student to make meaningful changes in his/her approach to classes and career while improving academic standing. The program has strict eligibility requirements, and very specific expectations for student participants.

Eligibility requirements for the Second Chance Program

Student must be recommended by the Academic Standing Committee (as noted in the suspension letter)
Student must apply and complete a self-assessment before an initial visit with a University Advisement Center advisor.
Student must enroll for no more than two academic courses in the next semester.

Admission Requirements and Academic Regulations

All undergraduate, non-degree undergraduate and non-degree graduate students who are admitted to the University but have not yet met the requirements to enter their desired degree-granting college are admitted to University College (UC), and advised by the University Advisement Center (UAC). UAC is responsible for regulating and administering the University Academic policies and procedures. UAC works collaboration with advisement centers to assist students in the formulation of their academic directions, goals, and plans. All students in University College are required to meet with a UAC academic advisor every semester prior to registration.

Students in UC will receive a hold on their academic account each semester. The purpose of the hold is to ensure that students are meeting with an academic advisor, and are taking the courses needed to transfer to their degree-granting colleges in a timely manner. Students who are unsure of their academic interests or who wish to explore several possible programs of study, should meet with an academic advisor in UAC. The advisor will help the student explore interests and abilities, discuss academic strengths and weaknesses, and explain the applicable university regulations and policies.

Students with an area of interest or a definite major in mind should also meet with that departmental advisor as well as their appropriate college or program advisor. This will ensure that they obtain current curriculum and admissions information. Although these students may be directed to a college advisement center for course advisement, UAC maintains their records and is responsible for their general academic oversight. University Advisement Center is responsible for their advisement until they are admitted to their intended degree-granting college or until they are no longer eligible to enroll in one of the admissions categories supervised by this office.

Students who have earned 26 credit hours and have not met the requirements to transfer into their degree-granting colleges are required to meet with a pre-major advisor at University Advisement Center.

Admission to Degree-Granting Colleges

The minimum requirements for transfer from University College to any other University of New Mexico degree-granting college or school are:

Twenty-six hours of earned credit acceptable to that
college.
a. A grade point average of at least 2.00 on all hours attempted; or
b. A grade point average of at least 2.00 on all hours attempted in the previous two semesters of enrollment, provided that if fewer than 26 hours were attempted in the previous two semesters, a grade point average of at least 2.00 shall be required on all work attempted in as many previous consecutive semesters as are necessary to bring the student’s hours attempted to at least 30. (See definition of grade point average in this catalog.)

NOTE: Most colleges and schools have admission requirements beyond the minimum noted above. In many instances a grade point average much higher than a 2.00 minimum is required. In addition, most of them also have specific course requirements before students are admitted to their program. For information on admission requirements of a particular degree-granting college or school, students should refer to the admission regulations set forth in the section of this catalog devoted to that college or school.

Students should apply for transfer to a degree-granting program as soon as they meet the admission requirements for the college or school of their choice. Transfer is not automatic. Students must initiate the transfer process at the college or school of their intended major. If the student is admitted to the college, the transfer will take place at the end of the semester (or summer session) during which the student files for transfer and is accepted by the degree-granting unit. If a student does not meet the requirements by the end of the semester in which the transfer application is filed, the transfer petition becomes invalid and the student must later re-petition for transfer.

Associated Departments

Bachelor of University Studies

Aging Studies

Student Academic Choices

Introductory Studies

University Honors Program

Water Resources Program