Scholar Agreements & Expectations 2021-22
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.
*Scholar requirements are subject to change each academic year.
Housing
Year 1 Scholars
Required
- Reside in the designated Year 1 Scholars residential learning community while enrolled during the academic year
- If you are also participating in the Education Opportunity Program (EOP) or TRiO Achievers, you will likely only be able to select a room within those respective communities. Residing in either of those communities fulfills your Year 1 housing requirement for the Scholars program. Note: All Year 2 Scholars, including those who are also participating in EOP and TRiO Achievers, are expected to reside on-campus, and are encouraged to live in the Year 2+ Scholars Community.
- 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
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. Year 3 Scholars are welcome to continue residing on campus in the Year 2+ Cal Poly Scholars' residential learning community.
Year 4+ Scholars
Encouraged
- Reside in an environment conducive to success on or off-campus. Year 4+ Scholars are welcome to continue residing on campus in the Year 2+ Cal Poly Scholars' residential learning community.
New Transfer Scholars
Encouraged
- Reside in an environment conducive to success on or off-campus. New Transfer Scholars are welcome to reside on campus in the Transfer and Graduate Residential Learning Community (though not required).
Returning Transfer Scholars
Encouraged
- Reside in an environment conducive to success on or off-campus. Returning Transfer Scholars are welcome to reside on campus in the Year 2+ Cal Poly Scholars residential learning community (though not required).
Workshops and Events
Year 1 Scholars
Required
- Choose one of the following two options to fulfill this requirement:
- Join and participate in Scholar Mentorship Program and engage in a minimum of one (1) individual or group event with your Scholar Mentor per quarter, for a total of three (3) interactions. (Details regarding sign-ups will be shared this summer).
- Engage in a minimum of three (3) workshops / events (annually) hosted by the Cal Poly Scholars program. Approved workshops, events, and other engagement opportunities are indicated accordingly via publicity and the Scholars Event webpage.
Encouraged
- Participate in university, department, academic college, and club workshops and events that support your personal and professional interests and goals
*Note: approved workshops, events and other engagement opportunities are indicated in publicity as to how they count toward participation requirements
Year 2 Scholars
Required
- Participate in at least three (3) workshops or events hosted by Cal Poly Scholars* (annually)
- Scholars are encouraged to participate in a range of career, social and academic offerings
- Participate in university, department, academic college, and club workshops and events that support your personal and professional interests and goals
*Note: approved workshops, events and other engagement opportunities are indicated in publicity as to how they count toward participation requirements
Year 3 Scholars
Required
- Participate in at least three (3) workshops or events hosted by Cal Poly Scholars* (annually)
- Scholars are encouraged to participate in a range of career, social and academic offerings
- Participate in university, department, academic college, and club workshops and events that support your personal and professional interests and goals
*Note: approved workshops, events and other engagement opportunities are indicated in publicity as to how they count toward participation requirements
Year 4+ Scholars
Required
- Participate in at least three (3) workshops or events hosted by Cal Poly Scholars* (annually)
- Scholars are encouraged to participate in a range of career, social and academic offerings
- Participate in university, department, academic college, and club workshops and events that support your personal and professional interests and goals
*Note: approved workshops, events and other engagement opportunities are indicated in publicity as to how they count toward participation requirements
New Transfer Scholars
Required
- Choose one of the following two options to fulfill this requirement:
- Join and participate Transfer Scholar Academic Coaching offered through the Transfer Center. You will be required to meet once (1) per quarter with your Transfer Scholar Academic Coach for a total of three (3) meetings during the academic year. (Details regarding sign-ups will be shared later this summer).
- Engage in a minimum of three (3) workshops / events (annually) hosted by the Cal Poly Scholars program. Approved workshops, events, and other engagement opportunities are indicated accordingly via publicity and the Scholars Event webpage.
- Participate in university, department, academic college, and club workshops and events that support your personal and professional interests and goals
*Note: approved workshops, events and other engagement opportunities are indicated in publicity as to how they count toward participation requirements
Returning Transfer Scholars
Required
- Participate in at least three (3) workshops or events hosted by Cal Poly Scholars* (annually)
- Scholars are encouraged to participate in a range of career, social and academic offerings
- Participate in university, department, academic college, and club workshops and events that support your personal and professional interests and goals
*Note: approved workshops, events and other engagement opportunities are indicated in publicity as to how they count toward participation requirements
Academic Achievement
Year 1 Scholars
Required
- Engage in one (min.) 1:1 academic advising interaction with assigned Mustang Success Center advisor o Scholars may be referred to college academic advisors when appropriate
- Participate in SLO Days during one of the session dates listed for Cal Poly Scholars, and attend the ‘Academic Toolkit’ session with the Mustang Success Center
- Scholars with a cumulative CPSLO GPA of < 2.5 and/or on AP/DQ (Academic Probation/Disqualification) will have additional advising and/or participation requirements aligned and/or hosted by the Mustang Success Center, 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
Required
- Engage in one (min) 1:1 academic advising interaction with assigned Mustang Success Center advisor
- Scholars may be referred to college academic advisors when appropriate
- Determine and strive for a personal CPSLO cumulative GPA goal (we recommend at least 2.75)
- Maintain ‘Satisfactory Academic Progress’ (SAP) for financial aid eligibility
- A general definition of SAP is to maintain a 2.0 minimum cumulative GPA and successfully complete at least 75% of attempted units for financial aid eligibility
- Scholars with a cumulative GPA of ≤ 2.5 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 cumulative GPA of ≤ 2.5 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
- You are highly encouraged to meet with an academic advisor from your academic college at least once per year. 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
Required
- Engage in one (1) graduation check with assigned college academic advisor or retention specialist (within 2-3 quarters of graduating)
- Maintain a 2.0 minimum cumulative GPA
- Scholars with a cumulative GPA of ≤ 2.5 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
- You are highly encouraged to meet with an academic advisor from your academic college at least once per year. 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
New Transfer Scholars
Required
- Engage in one (1) academic advising interaction with assigned college retention specialist or academic advisor. 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
- Maintain a 2.0 minimum cumulative GPA
- Scholars with a cumulative GPA of ≤ 2.5 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
Returning Transfer Scholars
Required
- Engage in one (1) graduation check with assigned college academic advisor or retention specialist (within 2-3 quarters of graduating)
- Maintain a 2.0 minimum cumulative GPA
- Scholars with a cumulative GPA of ≤ 2.5 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
- Scholars are highly encouraged to meet with an academic advisor or retention specialist from their respective academic college at least once per year. 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
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
- The tenants and expectations of Mustang Way
Expectations Agreement 2021-22
| 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) |
