Questions and Answers
The CMPS Student Success Policy
and 4-Year Plans
What
is the “Student
Success Policy”?
Am I required to submit a “Four
Year Plan”? What will happen if I
don’t?
How do I design my “Four Year Plan”?
How often do I need to design my plan?
What if I am a double major?
I am a double major, but one of my majors is outside CMPS.
Do I have to submit a plan?
What if I don’t submit my plan?
What if my plan is not acceptable to my advisor?
What if I alter my schedule after meeting with my advisor?
What if I am not making academic progress as defined
by this policy?
How do I submit my plan to my advisor?
What is the “Student
Success Policy”?
The College of CMPS’ expectations and
policies are designed to promote success
of all CMPS students and to ensure timely
progress towards graduation. The main components
of the policy are that 1. Students, in consultation
with their departmental advisors, develop
an individual plan for timely completion
of their major(s) and revise their plans
in a timely manner as circumstances change
and 2. Students are expected to complete
their major(s) within four years. Each academic
year students in CMPS are expected to successfully
complete four courses of 3 credits or more
required specifically for their major(s),
and satisfy three CORE requirements (outside
of mathematics and sciences, Professional
Writing and Advanced Studies) until requirements
are satisfied.
Am
I required to submit a “Four Year Plan”?
What will happen if I don’t?
If you are were a freshman starting at
the University of Maryland in the fall
of 2005 or later, you are required to submit
a “Four
Year Plan” outlining the classes you
intend to take on your way toward graduation.
Your advisor(s) will need to review your
plan with you each semester during your mandatory
advising meeting(s). Without a current, reviewed
plan your advisor cannot lift your registration
block for your next semester at Maryland,
and you won't be able to register until your
plan has been reviewed. (If you have more
than one major, you will be required to satisfy
mandatory advising for all majors with mandatory
advising requirements.)
How
do I design my “Four Year Plan”?
You must create your “Four Year Plan” using
an online system called “GStation” (Graduation
Station) by going to http://gstation.umd.edu.
After you login using your directory ID and
password, go to the “User Guide” under
the “Main” drop-down menu. The “User
Guide” will walk you through the steps
for creating your “Four Year Plan”.
Before you logon to GStation to
create your plan, it’s a good idea
to do some homework first! Take a look at
the templates on this website: http://www.cmps.umd.edu/undergraduate/4yearplan.htm.
GStation includes similar templates you can
use to begin creating your plan. You will
need to modify the template based on your
particular situation. CAUTION: Be careful
when moving courses to different semesters.
You should verify that courses you plan to
take will be offered in semesters you plan
to take them. You should also keep the basic
rule in mind that you are expected to successfully
complete four courses of 3 credits or more
for your major and three CORE requirements
per year. If you have more than one major,
you will need to start with one template
and add courses for the second major to that
template to create your individual “Four
Year Plan”. Don’t forget to include
things like electives or double major requirements
too.
How often do I need
to design my plan?
Students are responsible to begin each
semester with a current reviewed plan.
Since it is required that you meet with
your advisor before registering each semester,
you should have a current (or updated)
plan ready each semester. If you make a
plan that doesn’t
change, you can continue to use your originally
reviewed plan.
What if I am a double
major?
If you are a double major, begin with an
available template and add courses for your
second major to create your individual “Four
Year Plan.” You should design only
one plan for both majors, and submit this
plan to both of your advisors for their review.
I am a double
major, but one of my majors is outside
CMPS. Do I have to submit a plan?
Yes. If you are a double major, but one
of your majors is not in CMPS, you still
should submit a plan, including both majors,
to your CMPS advisor. See your advisor
in the major outside CMPS for their college’s
requirements.
What
if I don’t submit my plan?
If you don’t submit your plan, you
can’t register for your next semester.
No incoming freshman (starting in fall 2005
and later) is exempt from this requirement.
What if my plan
is not acceptable to my advisor?
If you have a plan that is not feasible,
your advisor will ask that you do some more
work on it. You will be given some time to
work out the kinks and then resubmit your
plan.
What if I alter
my schedule after meeting with my advisor?
It’s always best to discuss any changes
with your advisor first. However, we understand
that courses may not be available to you,
as you might have expected. Or students may
decide to change one CORE for another. If
you are not making big changes and courses
still count for the same thing that you listed,
there is not really a problem. During your
next advising session, you can discuss those
changes with your advisor. However, keep
in mind that if you are making fundamental
changes, it’s best to discuss these
with your advisor. Failure to do so may cause
your plan to be reviewed by the Dean’s
Office.
What if I am not
making academic progress as defined by
this policy?
Students will have their progress reviewed
by the Dean if: (i) with CORE not fulfilled
they do not complete three courses required
specifically for their major(s) with a grade
of "C" or better and pass at least
two CORE requirements (outside of mathematics
and the sciences) in the previous academic
year, or (ii) with CORE fulfilled they do
not complete four courses required specifically
for their major(s) with a grade of "C" or
better in the previous academic year. These
students will be required to present for
approval a plan for timely completion of
all remaining degree requirements. Finally,
students whose progress is reviewed by the
Dean are not eligible to continue in CMPS
without a current approved plan.
How do I submit
my plan to my advisor?
You must submit your plan via the Internet
by using GStation. You will be able to design
and create up to five (5) academic plans,
but you may only submit one plan to your
advisor for review. You logon to GStation by
using your Directory ID and Directory Password.
Directions for its use: By selecting “Main” on
the menu row across the top of GStation,
you will find a “User Guide” for
directions about inputting information. You
have also received a hardcopy of the guide
via the US Postal Service sent during the
spring of 2006. Letters will be sent out
to all freshmen (who started in the fall
of 2005 and on) during the spring 2006 semester
including this guide.
Students may e-mail cmpsque@deans.umd.edu with general questions.
Students may also send e-mails to individual advisors, or call for an appointment. Student requesting a Dean's exception to policy should first discuss the exception with their departmental advisor. After meeting with an advisor, forms for request may be picked up in 3400 AV Williams Building.
For more information or to schedule an appointment call (301) 405-2677.
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