The UNC Policy Manual
400.1.5
Adopted
01/08/93
Amended 09/08/06
Amended
07/01/07
Amended
01/11/13
Amended
01/26/18
Amended 12/17/20
I. Purpose. The
University of North Carolina (UNC) System’s
policies on student success adopted by the Board of Governors direct
constituent institutions to:
A. Set academic progress and degree
attainment as primary outcomes;
B. Promote academic quality, rigor, and
integrity; and
C. Make possible “seamless” educational
opportunities across the UNC System
constituent institutions, with the North Carolina Community College System
(NCCCS), and early college high schools.
Improving retention, graduation
rates, and time to degree are important aspects of such policies. However, the Board of Governors also
recognizes that students come into the system from a number of different life
circumstances and their paths to success vary accordingly. Policies, therefore, set parameters within
which a constituent institution can best meet the needs of these diverse
student populations.
II. University-Wide Policies
A. The Board of Governors has adopted
the following policies for all institutions comprising the University of North
Carolina System except the North Carolina School of Science
and Mathematics.[1]
1.
Constituent institutions will require
no more than 120 semester credit hours for a four-year baccalaureate degree
program unless an exception is granted by a board of trustees as described in Section
400.1.5[R] of the UNC Policy Manual.
2.
Constituent institutions will follow
the credit hour limits for five-year baccalaureate degree programs as described
in Section 400.1.5[R] of the UNC Policy Manual.
3.
Constituent institutions will develop
academic policies within the regulations established by the UNC System on:
a.
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
b.
Course Adjustment Periods (“Drop/Add”)
c.
Course Withdrawal
d.
Grade Exclusion or Replacement
e.
Minimum, Maximum, and Average Course
Load
4.
Constituent institutions will
establish a student success and support structure to review and to issue
regular reports on:
a. Retention, academic progression,
graduation, and time to degree;
b. Course scheduling as it relates to
whether courses required for graduation are offered on a timely basis and with
an adequate number of sections and seats;
c. Course offerings and grade
requirements to assess if any undue additions to general education requirements
exist or if such requirements unintentionally lengthen time to graduation; and
d. The academic advisement system to
ensure students receive appropriate assistance in proceeding toward graduation
in a timely manner.
5.
Constituent institutions will be
compliant with Title IV regulations that define student eligibility for and
receipt of federal financial aid.
6.
Constituent institutions will be
compliant with the Comprehensive Articulation Agreement with the NCCCS and are encouraged
to develop policies that promote seamless transfer among schools in the
University of North Carolina System.
7. The UNC System Office shall, in consultation with faculty and staff from
the constituent institutions, establish and maintain a common course numbering
system for undergraduate lower division courses, which shall be mapped to the
unique course numbers used at each respective institution of higher education. The president shall approve regulations to
describe and implement this common undergraduate course numbering system, which
shall be established and operational by the 2022-23 academic year.
B. These policies are designed to ensure
that campus and system-wide policies and practices facilitate behaviors that
support retention and timely graduation.
III. Other Matters
A.
Effective
Date. The requirements of this policy shall be effective on the date of
adoption of this policy by the Board of Governors.
B. Relation
to State Laws. The foregoing policy as adopted by the Board of Governors
is meant to supplement, and does not purport to supplant or modify, those
statutory enactments which may govern or relate to the subject matter of this
policy.
C. Regulations
and Guidelines. This policy shall be implemented and applied in
accordance with such regulations and guidelines as may be adopted from time to
time by the president.
[1]The North
Carolina School of Science and Mathematics shall track data on student
attrition, completion rates of its high school curriculum, and high school
graduation. See G.S. 116-235.