Improving the Retention and Graduation Rates of Undergraduates Graduation Pledge Improving the Retention and Graduation Rates of Undergraduates

What is Graduation Pledge(GP)? Incentive program designed to reward timely progress (four years) toward an undergraduate degree with monetary $$ incentives.

Who can participate in GP? Only FTIC’s (first-time-in-college students) who started at UH in Fall 2006 or summer 2006 and are admitted into specific college with declared major. After initial enrollment into UH; all coursework must be completed at UH in order to participate in GP. Any coursework completed at a junior college may not be counted towards 30 hours for GP purposes.

How does it work? Step 1: Freshman student visits with Advisor and signs the Graduation Pledge. Step 2: Advisor gives copy to student and retains a copy in student’s file. A third copy is sent to 109 E Cullen, atte: Izzy Anderson Step 3: Advisors must at the end of Spring Semester or Summer IV (if student attends such) must verify that 30 hrs were satisfactorily completed towards declared major. Step 4: This verification form must be sent to Izzy Anderson in timely manner (see deadlines).

Deadlines Starting Term Students’ Graduation Pledge Deadline Advisors’ deadline to submit students’ paperwork Summer /Fall No later than official closing date of the second long semester usually in May-see academic calendar June 1 (if student completes 30 hrs at the end of fall semester) or Sep 1 (if student attends summer school @ UH)

Continued… Step 4: Advisor will verify students’ previous 30 credits count towards declared major. Copy of approved OR disapproved verification form is sent to 109 E Cullen as soon as possible. Step 5: If student was approved, appropriate information will be forwarded to SFA for processing of grant by Provost’s office staff. If student was disapproved, student’s priority registration privileges will be deactivated by Provost’s office staff.

What happens if students want to appeal? There are no appeals or penalties for failure to complete 30 credits toward graduation within 12 months of initial enrollment. There are extenuating circumstances which COLLEGES/ADVISORS can consider at their discretion in allowing students to submit paperwork after the deadline. Provost office retains final discretion.

What if a student misses first milestone but gets back on track? Students must meet each milestone in order to progress to next level of grant, no exceptions or appeals. Once a milestone is not met, the student is no longer able to participate.

What about students with CBE, AP credits, or dual enrollment credits? Such credits are not to exceed 30 hours and are accepted ONLY if: Such credits were completed and reported prior to initial enrollment at the University scores are reported by the official reporting day of the fall semester (note it is the advisor’s responsibility to verify this) These credits go towards student’s declared major

What about students who want to study abroad? Students who study abroad must take courses that will count towards their degree. Or Make up for loss time when they return to UH by taking more hours or going to summer school @ UH.

What about..? and…and… My major is…..and my advisor is Dr. _____ but he/she doesn’t know anything about GP? See staff advisor I went to the JUMP program and have taken 12 credits each semester, can I get my $500 grant? Summer hrs at JUMP program count towards GP I came in with 30 AP/CBE/dual enrollment credits, can I get my $500 now? no I want to appeal your decision, who can I talk to? College representative/advisor I am a transfer student can I participate? No, this is only for FTIC’s. Can I go to HCC or community college to complete hrs? No, if you want hrs to count for GP you must go to UH

Who is the students’ point of contact regarding GP? Advisors

Who do advisors go to for questions? Izzy Anderson Office of Academic Program Management University of Houston 109B E Cullen Building Houston, TX 77204-2035 713/743-0648 fax: 713/743-0717 ianderson@uh.edu