University College

Catherine Krause, Ph.D., Dean
University Advisement and Enrichment Center, Room 265
MSC06 3680
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001
(505) 277-0122

Associate Dean for Curriculum and Development
Sonia Gipson-Rankin, J.D.

Associate Dean for Liberal Arts and Integrative Studies
Tracy John Skipp, Ed.D.

University College is the administrative unit that includes the multidisciplinary degree Bachelor of Liberal Arts, the interdisciplinary degree Bachelor of Integrative Studies, and interdisciplinary academic programs in Aging Studies, Native American Studies, and Water Resources, and the Water Resources Institute.

University College is also 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. The Research Service Learning Program, providing interdisciplinary opportunities for students to earn academic credit while working with community partners, is also housed in University College. There are currently more than 8,500 students enrolled in University College with an additional 1,200 students enrolled in the B.L.A. and B.I.S. degree programs. 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 committed to providing academically rich programs that emphasize diversity, collaborative learning and community building within the context of the larger university. 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

University College recognizes students each semester who demonstrate academic excellence on the Dean’s List.

The Dean’s List 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 academic transcript.

For more information about this award 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 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 average” 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 division 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 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 participants.

Eligibility requirements

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) – http://advisement.unm.edu/. UAC is responsible for regulating and administering the University Academic policies and procedures. UAC works in collaboration with advisement centers across campus 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 receive a hold on their academic accounts 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 helps 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 to 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 that 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 grade point average of at least 2.00 on all hours attempted; or
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 credit hours were attempted in the previous two semesters, a grade point average of at least 2.00 is be required on all course 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 the required grade point average is much higher than the 2.00 minimum. In addition, most 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.