Scholar Expectations 2019-20
By fulfilling specific requirements and striving toward supplemental expectations, Scholars will maintain annual eligibility for financial and programmatic support. Scholar requirements are designed to assist Scholars in fostering an inclusive community of Scholars, building a personal support network for college success, and developing knowledge and skills for lifelong success.
Recently accepted to Cal Poly? Visit New Scholars (2020-21) to learn more about next year's expectations for new Scholars.
*Scholar requirements are subject to change each academic year. Current Scholars will be notified via email when expectations for Academic Year 2020-21 are available to review and your annual Program Agreement is available to complete digitally.
As of 3/17/2020, program expectations (listed below) have been adjusted to align with Cal Poly's response to COVID-19.
Housing
Year 1 Scholars
*UPDATED 3.17.2020*
In alignment with Cal Poly's response to COVID-19, we are waiving the on-campus housing requirement for the remainder of the 2019-20 academic year. Year 1 Scholars residing on campus as of 3/13/2020 have met their housing requirement for the year. At this time, current Year 1 Scholars are still expected to reside in the Year 2+ Scholars residential learning community during the 2020-21 academic year.
In alignment with Cal Poly's response to COVID-19, we are waiving the on-campus housing requirement for the remainder of the 2019-20 academic year. Year 1 Scholars residing on campus as of 3/13/2020 have met their housing requirement for the year. At this time, current Year 1 Scholars are still expected to reside in the Year 2+ Scholars residential learning community during the 2020-21 academic year.
To avoid charges for spring quarter, housing must be canceled by April 6, 2020. Please review the Housing and Dining section of Frequently Asked Questions pertaining to COVID-19 for additional details.
Required
- Reside in the designated Year 1 Scholars residential learning community while enrolled during the academic year*
- Complete the housing application for the Year 2+ Scholars residential learning community during the specified timeframe (typically early winter quarter)
Encouraged
- Engage and participate in the residential learning community by attending events and meeting your Scholar neighbors
*Exceptions to residing in the Scholars residential learning community include:
-
Reasonable accommodations as determined by the Disability Resource Center
Additionally, limited exceptions will be granted for Scholars with extenuating life circumstances. To inquire about a possible exemption, please email cpscholars@calpoly.edu.
Year 2 Scholars
*UPDATED 3.17.2020*
In alignment with Cal Poly's response to COVID-19, we are waiving the on-campus housing requirement for the remainder of the 2019-20 academic year. Year 2 Scholars residing on campus as of 3/13/2020 have met their housing requirement for the year.
To avoid charges for spring quarter, housing must be canceled by April 6, 2020. Please review the Housing and Dining section of Frequently Asked Questions pertaining to COVID-19 for additional details.
Required
- Reside in the designated Year 2+ Scholars residential learning community while enrolled during the academic year*
- Engage and participate in the residential learning community by attending events and meeting your Scholar neighbors
*Exceptions to residing in the Scholars residential learning community include:
-
Reasonable accommodations as determined by the Disability Resource Center
-
Employment as a Resident Advisor/Multicultural Advisor in University Housing
Year 3+ Scholars
Encouraged
- Reside in an environment conducive to success on or off-campus. One option includes residing on campus in the Year 2+ Scholars residential learning community (pending availability).
New Transfer Scholars
Encouraged
- Reside in an environment conducive to success on or off-campus. One option includes residing on campus with other transfer students in the Transfer and Graduate Community.
Workshops and Events
Year 1 Scholars
*UPDATED 3.17.2020*
In alignment with Cal Poly's response to COVID-19, Scholars may waive one (1) workshop or event from their total participation requirement.
- Scholars enrolled during spring quarter will have opportunities to attend virtual workshops or events hosted by Cal Poly Scholars.
- Scholars not enrolled during spring quarter with additional participation required after waiving one (1) workshop or event should email cpscholars@calpoly.edu to discuss next steps.
Required
- Participate in two (2) workshops or events hosted by Cal Poly Scholars
Encouraged
- Participate in university, department, academic college, and club workshops and events that support your personal and professional interests and goals
Year 2 Scholars
*UPDATED 3.17.2020*
In alignment with Cal Poly's response to COVID-19, Scholars may waive one (1) workshop or event from their total participation requirement.
- Scholars enrolled during spring quarter will have opportunities to attend virtual workshops or events hosted by Cal Poly Scholars.
- Scholars not enrolled during spring quarter with additional participation required after waiving one (1) workshop or event should email cpscholars@calpoly.edu to discuss next steps.
Required
- Participate in three (3) workshops or events hosted by Cal Poly Scholars
- Participate in university, department, academic college, and club workshops and events that support your personal and professional interests and goals
Year 3 Scholars
*UPDATED 3.17.2020*
In alignment with Cal Poly's response to COVID-19, Scholars may waive one (1) workshop or event from their total participation requirement.
- Scholars enrolled during spring quarter will have opportunities to attend virtual workshops or events hosted by Cal Poly Scholars.
- Scholars not enrolled during spring quarter with additional participation required after waiving one (1) workshop or event should email cpscholars@calpoly.edu to discuss next steps.
Required
- Participate in three (3) workshops or events hosted by Cal Poly Scholars
- Participate in university, department, academic college, and club workshops and events that support your personal and professional interests and goals
Year 4+ Scholars
*UPDATED 3.17.2020*
In alignment with Cal Poly's response to COVID-19, Scholars may waive one (1) workshop or event from their total participation requirement.
- Scholars enrolled during spring quarter will have opportunities to attend virtual workshops or events hosted by Cal Poly Scholars.
- Scholars not enrolled during spring quarter with additional participation required after waiving one (1) workshop or event should email cpscholars@calpoly.edu to discuss next steps.
Required
- Participate in two (2) workshops or events hosted by Cal Poly Scholars
- Participate in university, department, academic college, and club workshops and events that support your personal and professional interests and goals
New Transfer Scholars
*UPDATED 3.17.2020*
In alignment with Cal Poly's response to COVID-19, Scholars may waive one (1) workshop or event from their total participation requirement.
- Scholars enrolled during spring quarter will have opportunities to attend virtual workshops or events hosted by Cal Poly Scholars.
- Scholars not enrolled during spring quarter with additional participation required after waiving one (1) workshop or event should email cpscholars@calpoly.edu to discuss next steps.
Required
- Participate in three (3) workshops or events hosted by Cal Poly Scholars
- Participate in university, department, academic college, and club workshops and events that support your personal and professional interests and goals
Academic Achievement
Year 1 Scholars
*UPDATED 3.17.2020*
In alignment with Cal Poly's response to COVID-19, academic advising requirements for Cal Poly Scholars have not changed.
- These interactions may be completed virtually during spring quarter 2020.
Required
- Participate in and pass the UNIV 100 course for first-year Scholars
- Engage in three (3) academic advising interactions with assigned Mustang Success Center advisor
- Maintain a 2.0 minimum cumulative GPA
- Scholars with a GPA of ≤ 2.3 and/or on Academic Probation (AP) or Disqualified (DQ) will have additional advising and/or participation requirements from Cal Poly Scholars, University, and/or academic colleges
- Set a personal goal of 2.75 GPA or higher
- Reach out to advisors for academic resources and support
Year 2 Scholars
*UPDATED 3.17.2020*
In alignment with Cal Poly's response to COVID-19, academic advising requirements for Cal Poly Scholars have not changed.
- These interactions may be completed virtually during spring quarter 2020.
Required
- Engage in one (1) academic advising interaction with assigned Mustang Success Center advisor
- Maintain a 2.0 minimum cumulative GPA
- Scholars with a GPA of ≤ 2.3 and/or on Academic Probation (AP) or Disqualified (DQ) will have additional advising and/or participation requirements from Cal Poly Scholars, University, and/or academic colleges
- Set a personal goal of 2.75 GPA or higher
- Reach out to advisors for academic resources and support
Year 3 Scholars
Required
- Maintain a 2.0 minimum cumulative GPA
- Scholars with a GPA of ≤ 2.3 and/or on Academic Probation (AP) or Disqualified (DQ) will have additional advising and/or participation requirements from Cal Poly Scholars, University, and/or academic colleges
- Set a personal goal of 2.75 GPA or higher
- Reach out to advisors for academic resources and support. Key reasons to meet with academic advisors include:
- Planning for registration, including reviewing flowcharts and course sequences
- Exploring academic support and planning resources including tutoring, study tips, etc.
- Discussing impacts of withdrawals, Leave of Absences, CR/NC, etc.
- Interpreting academic policies and procedures
Year 4+ Scholars
*UPDATED 3.17.2020*
In alignment with Cal Poly's response to COVID-19, academic advising requirements for Cal Poly Scholars have not changed.
- These interactions may be completed virtually during spring quarter 2020.
Required
- Engage in one (1) graduation check with assigned college academic advisor (within 2-3 quarters of graduating)
- Maintain a 2.0 minimum cumulative GPA
- Scholars with a GPA of ≤ 2.3 and/or on Academic Probation (AP) or Disqualified (DQ) will have additional advising and/or participation requirements from Cal Poly Scholars, University, and/or academic colleges
- Set a personal goal of 2.75 GPA or higher
- Reach out to advisors for academic resources and support. Key reasons to meet with academic advisors include:
- Planning for registration, including reviewing flowcharts and course sequences
- Exploring academic support and planning resources including tutoring, study tips, etc.
- Discussing impacts of withdrawals, Leave of Absences, CR/NC, etc.
- Checking academic requirements for graduation
- Interpreting academic policies and procedures
New Transfer Scholars
*UPDATED 3.17.2020*
In alignment with Cal Poly's response to COVID-19, academic advising requirements for Cal Poly Scholars have not changed.
- These interactions may be completed virtually during spring quarter 2020.
Required
- Engage in one (1) academic advising interaction with assigned college advisor
- Maintain a 2.0 minimum cumulative GPA
- Scholars with a GPA of ≤ 2.3 and/or on Academic Probation (AP) or Disqualified (DQ) will have additional advising and/or participation requirements from Cal Poly Scholars, University, and/or academic colleges
- Set a personal goal of 2.75 GPA or higher
- Reach out to advisors for academic resources and support
FAFSA/CA Dream Act
All Scholars
- Complete the FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application annually by the specified date as set by the Office of Financial Aid (typically around March 1)
- Reach out to the Office of Financial Aid with questions regarding FAFSA or the CA Dream Act Application prior to the deadline for completion
Personal Responsibility and Conduct
All Scholars
- Abide by all University policies and expectations, including, but not limited to:
- University Housing resident Handbook and Community Standards Guidelines
- Office of Financial Aid policies and eligibility requirements regarding Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
- Additional policies and procedures as outlined by the respective academic colleges
- Demonstrate personal responsibility and conduct consistent with the ideals of a Scholar, including, but not limited to:
- Cal Poly’s Diversity and Inclusion Action Initiatives
- Cal Poly’s Commitment to Community
Expectations Agreement 2019-20
| Scholar Definitions | |
|---|---|
| Year 1 Scholars | New Cal Poly Scholars who are enrolled in their first academic year at Cal Poly as non-transfer students |
| Year 2 Scholars | Returning Cal Poly Scholars who are enrolled in their second academic year at Cal Poly as non-transfer students |
| Year 3 Scholars | Returning Cal Poly Scholars who are enrolled in their third academic year at Cal Poly as non-transfer students |
| Year 4+ Scholars | Returning Cal Poly Scholars who are enrolled in their fourth, fifth, or sixth academic year at Cal Poly as non-transfer students |
| New Transfer Scholars | New Cal Poly Scholars who are enrolled in their first academic year at Cal Poly as transfer students |
| Returning Transfer Scholars | Returning Cal Poly Scholars who have completed at least one academic year at Cal Poly as a transfer student |
| Cohort or Scholar Cohort | A group of Cal Poly Scholars who enrolled, for the first-time, at Cal Poly in the same academic year as either Year 1 Scholars or New Transfer Scholars (ex. Scholars who entered during the 2017-18 academic year are in the 2017 Cohort) |
