STUDENT SERVICES AND PROGRAMS

HOUSING AND RESIDENCE LIFE
(www.housing.uncc.edu)

University residence halls, suites, and apartments offer students a variety of living arrangements. Four high-rise residence halls house a combination of either two students in each room or single rooms. Each room is equipped with dressers, study desks, chairs, and closets or wardrobes. Each floor has a central lounge, plus study and seminar rooms. Two elevators service each air conditioned building. Each building also contains an office for the full time professional staff (Residence Coordinator), student mail boxes, a vending area, a lounge, and a laundry room. A meal service contract is required in the high-rise residence halls.

In the majority of suite housing, two students share a double room and four students share a bath and a den area. A very limited number of suites are available in Squires Hall that house either two or four students but all in private bedrooms. Charles F. Lynch Hall (formerly Cypress Hall) for freshman students in Learning Communities houses four students in either single or double bedrooms. All buildings housing the suite communities also require a meal service contract, except Squires Hall.

On campus apartments offer students a more private living environment and require a more self reliant lifestyle. Each apartment is a four bedroom unit, with one student assigned to each bedroom. The four students share a bathroom area and kitchen complete with appliances and a living/dining space. A meal plan is optional, allowing students the experience of buying and preparing their own food, if they so desire.

Our newest housing addition is Greek Village, which opens in 2007. Fourteen fraternities and sororities will be housed in the new Greek Village. Each house will have a chapter room and kitchen for common use and will hold 28 or 14 members. This area will serve as a centerpiece for the Greek Community.

For information about summer housing, please contact the Housing and Residence Life Office.

Students who plan to live on campus should apply as soon as possible, as assignments are made according to a combination of factors including: date of application, community preferences, roommate requests, space availability, class year, and building/room preferences. Application for housing may be made online at www.housing.uncc.edu following the student’s admission to the University. A $100 deposit is required with the application.

Housing facilities designed specifically for students in wheelchairs are available. Wheelchair students who receive confirmation of residential space have priority in assignment to these facilities as long as the University is able to offer space. It is extremely important that the housing application is received before all space is committed so that his priority for assignment to appropriate facilities can be exercised. Students utilizing wheelchairs may be considered for priority status on the waiting list on the basis of (1) the date of application and (2) the degree of utilization of wheelchair equipped facilities as compared to the proportion of wheelchair students who apply.

Assignment to a disability accessible housing space requires documentation of the disability and special needs in accommodations by the Office of Disability Services. Documentation must be provided to Disability Services when the housing application is submitted and no later than June 1. The University does not assume any responsibility for the provision of attendants for students with disabilities. Such arrangements are entirely the responsibility of the individual student and should be established well in advance of the time the services are to begin.

DINING
(www.auxiliary.uncc.edu/dining/diningservices.htm)

Students living in Sanford, Moore, Holshouser, Scott, Hawthorn, Hickory, Cedar, Sycamore, Oak, Lynch, and Witherspoon Suites must have a dining service contract. Freshmen may choose from one of several Traditional Meal Plans especially designed to meet their needs. Upper-classmen living in Sanford, Moore, Holshouser, Scott, Hawthorn, Hickory, Cedar, Sycamore, Oak, Cypress, and Witherspoon Suites may select any of the Traditional Meal Plans or Declining Balance Meal Plans designed for students living in these areas. Traditional Meal Plan meals, lunch and dinner, are offered in the Resident Dining Hall (RDH) or the Crossroads Café. Declining balance plans can be used as cash at any dining services facility on campus.

A current list of meal plan options may be obtained from the Dining Services Office (Cone Center) or the Meal Plans, 49er Card, and Insurance Office located in the Auxiliary Services Building. Information can also be found online at www.auxiliary.uncc.edu.  

During the period of occupancy, UNC Charlotte will provide meals according to the plan selected, with the exception of no meals being provided during fall break, Thanksgiving break, winter break, and spring break.

Dining service contracts are binding for one semester. Cancellations can be made only under special circumstances (e.g., withdrawal from the University or moving to an on-campus apartment) and only upon the approval of the Office of Meal Plans, 49er Card, and Insurance. Students may make meal plan changes during the registration period, which lasts through the first day of classes. The first change will be at no charge, however, an administrative charge of $25 will be assessed for each subsequent change. Students living in required areas, Sanford, Moore, Holshouser, Scott, Hawthorn, Hickory, Cedar, Sycamore, Oak, Lynch, and Witherspoon Suites, may make changes again during the two days of housing room change on a pro-rata basis. No other changes may be made after this time, unless the student moves from required housing. Students living in apartments and off-campus may make changes and cancellations on a pro-rata basis until fall/spring breaks. NO CHANGES OR CANCELLATIONS MAY BE MADE AFTER FALL/SPRING BREAKS. (Exceptions must be approved by the Dining Services Administrator.) All changes and cancellations must be made in the Meal Plans, 49er Card and Insurance Office, 148 Auxiliary Services Building.

Resident students in apartments and commuter students may purchase any of the Traditional or Declining Balance Meal Plans. Students may also elect to purchase Optional Dining Account in the Dining Services/ID Office, located in the Cone University Center, or in the Meal Plans, 49er Card and Insurance Office, located in the Auxiliary Services Building, by using credit cards, checks or cash.

Anyone may purchase individual meals at either of the boarding cafeterias (RDH and Crossroads Café) using cash, Declining Balance, Optional Dining Account, or 49er Account. Vending machines are located throughout the campus and several locations have microwave ovens for heating items. Students applying for on-campus housing may also apply for their meal plan at the Housing web site online at www.housing.uncc.edu/assignments.

PARKING AND TRANSPORTATION
(www.parking.uncc.edu)

Parking is the responsibility of Parking & Transportation Services, located in the Facilities Operations/Parking Services Building (#23 on the campus map). Parking on campus requires the purchase and display of a University parking permit or payment at meters or in the visitor decks. Night Permits for evening-only students are available by the semester or by the year. Permits do not guarantee a parking space will be available, nor do they reserve a specific parking space, lot or deck. Copies of the Campus Parking Rules and Information are available from the Parking & Transportation Services office and online. For information on fees for motor vehicle registration and parking, see the section on Financial Information in this Catalog.

Campus Shuttle Transportation began in 2006 and is available Monday – Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Fridays from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. when classes are in session. Buses are provided by Parking & Transportation Services through the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) and run to all areas of campus to provide safe, reliable transportation from residence halls and parking lots to academic buildings and campus services. Schedules and maps are available online at www.parking.uncc.edu.  For additional information please contact the Parking & Transportation Services Office at 704-687-4285.

The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) provides bus transportation from the Square in Uptown Charlotte and from Southpark (via Eastland Mall and the apartment complexes along Barrington Drive, Routes 29 & 39). Service is provided on a regular schedule connecting with established routes throughout the city. Brochures containing detailed information regarding routes, schedules, and fees may be obtained in the Parking & Transportation Services Office, or by calling the Charlotte Transit Authority at 704- 336-3366. Fees are set by Charlotte Transit and are subject to change.

SAFETY
(www.police.uncc.edu)

Police and Public Safety services to the University community are provided 24 hours a day, seven days a week. University Police Officers are sworn, North Carolina State Certified Law Enforcement Officers.

The Administrative Offices of Police and Public Safety are located at the new Facilities Management and Police Building on Cameron Boulevard near Mary Alexander Road; the Police Telecommunication Center is still at its existing location in the King Building on campus. This agency is responsible for crime prevention, enforcement of laws and regulations, protection of life and property, preservation of peace, apprehension of criminals, and Lost and Found property.

Nearly 200 emergency "Blue Light" telephones are located throughout the campus to report suspicious activities, to summon police or medical assistance, and to request safety escorts (available 24 hours a day). Additionally, departmental representatives can conduct personal safety presentations to various audience sizes and are interested in working with students on academic, civic, and other projects related to law enforcement and community concerns.

Occupational Safety and Health, Accident Prevention, Life Safety, and Workers’ Compensation are the concerns of the Safety and Environmental Health Office in the Department of Human Resources. It is the responsibility of this office to promote occupational safety and environmental health on campus, investigate accidents, conduct safety inspections of all facilities and operations, maintain all reports required by the N.C. Department of Labor, and generally work to reduce the risks of illness or injury in the University community.

EDUCATIONAL SERVICES

LIBRARY
(www.library.uncc.edu)

The J. Murrey Atkins Library, located near the center of the campus, is a state-of-the-art facility that houses a collection that includes one million bound volumes and extensive education, audiovisual, document and microform collections. Some highlights include:

• Member of ASERL (the Association of Southeastern Research Libraries).
• Largest research library in the Southern Piedmont region.
• One million volumes and one million microfilm/fiche.
• Approximately 250,000 volumes circulate each year.
• Current subscriptions include 33,000 periodicals, most accessible electronically.
• Nearly one million patrons annually enter its doors.
• State-of-the-art information technology includes wireless network and 250 public computer stations.
• Over 50 wireless laptops available to use both in and out of the building.
• Live online help with Ask-A-Librarian service.
• Library instruction facilities include several electronic presentation and computer equipped classrooms.
• U.S. Government Depository receives 70% of government publications.
• U.S. Patent and Trademark Depository Library.
• NASA Educational Resource Center for Teachers.
• Houses Curriculum Instructional Materials Collection (CIMC).
• Information Commons supports research, presentation, production, instruction, and individual and small-group study.
• Special Collections includes rare books and manuscripts, oral, photographic and written materials related to the history of the greater Charlotte region and the University archives.
• Xerox copy center, the Faculty Center for Teaching and e-Learning (FCTeL) and Information & Technology Services (ITS) are located in the Library building.
• Displays of university-owned art, historical materials, and memorabilia.
• Full-time security staff and electronic monitoring.

COMPUTING
(www.labs.uncc.edu)

Information and Technology Services (ITS) manages the campus voice and data networks, centralized servers, University-owned PCs, operating systems, and software to support teaching and learning, research and business processes. The campus has a robust data network that connects over 500 servers and approximately 6000 computers. Forty-five percent of the campus features wireless network access. ITS maintains and supports the University’s core administrative systems, performs application development, and administers and supports all of the University’s central server resources. ITS provides development, consulting, and support services for the University web presence, its portal (49er Express), the University’s e-learning system, and facilities and services in support of the University’s research mission.

Student Computing is a unit within Information and Technology Services that works to ensure that students have access to computer equipment, software, and information needed to support their general academic efforts at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. Student Computing manages the general-use computer labs in Barnard Computer Commons which are open 24/7. The labs house over 130 Internet-connected computers which provide access to email, network disk space, and a variety of application programs. All currently enrolled students are provided an email account, 49er Express account, and Novell account. Student Computing provides technical support through the Technical Support Center in Barnard, an online helpdesk tool located at http://helpdesk.uncc.edu, and via the student helpline at 704-687-6400. Visit www.labs.uncc.edu for more information.

WRITING

Through the Writing Resources Center (WRC), assistance is provided primarily for undergraduates and graduate students who want to become more effective writers. The center is staffed by graduate and undergraduate writing consultants who work with writers at all stages of the writing process: prewriting, focusing, organizing, revising, and editing. Programs include one-on-one and group consulting; online writing consultants for distance education students; classroom presentations; and library and internet research.

The Writing Project (WP) focuses on developing K-12 writing teachers using three interconnected components that are based on the National Writing Project model: 1) the summer invitational institute, 2) continuity programs for teacher consultants in the project, and 3) inservice programs with local school districts. The WP offers inservice teacher educataion as well as opportunities for K-12 teachers to conduct classroom-based research. Working in conjunction with the College of Education, the WP provides leadership in teacher education.

ATHLETIC SERVICES

The Charlotte 49ers Athletic Academic Center provides assistance to all Charlotte varsity student-athletes to achieve academic and personal success at the University by providing support services designed to meet their unique needs and insuring the student athlete’s compliance with all National Collegiate Athletic Association, Atlantic 10 Conference and University regulations. Academic advisors provide academic advising services, priority registration, tutorial services, supervised study sessions, a computer lab, résumé writing assistance, a life skills program, and academic recognition.

CONTINUING EDUCATION

The Office of Continuing Education, Distance Education/Extension, and Summer Programs. Recognizing that learning must be a lifelong activity, the University provides opportunities for adults to pursue their continuing education through degree-related studies and special non-credit programs.

Non-credit short courses, seminars, workshops, and conferences for adults are offered through Continuing Education. Specific programs are provided each year for the continuing professional education of accountants, architects, managers in the public and private sectors, engineers, psychotherapists and counselors, teachers and other school personnel, and information specialists. UNC Charlotte also offers special lectures and forums in the arts, sciences, humanities, and public policy for the personal enrichment of all interested citizens.

Through Distance Education/Extension, courses for academic credit are offered at off-campus sites to serve citizens who live beyond easy commuting distance from the campus. Options for delivery include sending a UNC Charlotte faculty member to an off-campus location to teach a course in person, using one of two state-wide interactive video networks to link a UNC Charlotte faculty member on the campus in Charlotte with students attending class at remote locations throughout the state, and delivering courses online via the Internet. In addition, the University has the ability to deliver educational programming over Cable Channel 22, which is the channel reserved for the University by the local cable service.

During the summer, the office schedules a variety of credit and non-credit programs, including academic enrichment camps for youth, on the campus and at approved off-campus sites.

Contact the Office of Continuing Education, Distance Education/Extension, and Summer Programs at 704-687 8900 or visit www.ceesp.uncc.edu for specific information about the programs offered.

The Office of Adult Students and Evening Services (OASES) serves as a principal resource for adult and nontraditional students. Services include general education advising and referrals, acceptance of tuition payments, and assistance with forms and parking requests. Students can pick up and/or drop off information to be delivered the next day. OASES offers extended hours to serve students in Barnard 106 from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Thursday; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday; and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday. Programs include re-entry open houses, orientations, adult student scholarships, the Alpha Sigma Lambda Honor Society, the Non-Traditional Student Organization (NTSO), the Adult Mentoring Program for Students (AMPS), and the 49er Finish Program. Visit www.oases.uncc.edu or call 704-687-2596 for more detailed information.

ACADEMIC SERVICES
(www.academicservices.uncc.edu)

The Academic Services organization at UNC Charlotte enriches the academic community by offering a broad range of initiatives promoting student success, ensuring access, and enhancing the educational experience of all students. Through transition programs, learning communities, career services, experiential learning, university-wide honors, disability services, tutorial programs, and initiatives for underrepresented students, Academic Services cultivates life skills critical to successful graduation and global citizenship. Addressing the needs of a diverse student population, Academic Services utilizes an integrated student-centered approach which reinforces rigorous academic expectations and encourages student engagement from the time of enrollment through graduation.

MULTICULTURAL ACADEMIC SERVICES
(www.aims.uncc.edu)

The Office of Multicultural Academic Services is committed to providing quality academic support services that foster the recruitment, retention and graduation of all students, especially underrepresented students at UNC Charlotte. Multicultural Academic Services provides advising primarily to freshmen, sophomores, and transfers through structured programs. In addition, Multicultural Academic Services offers support for students interested in reaching the doctoral level of study.

University Transition Opportunities Program (UTOP). UTOP is a summer academic program designed to facilitate the transition from high school to the University for students from typically underrepresented populations by involving a limited number of incoming freshmen in a rigorous collegiate experience prior to fall semester enrollment. Seven hours of credit are awarded for successful completion of UTOP coursework, which consists of English Composition, Supplemental English, and Freshman Seminar. These students have the option of participating in a one-year Learning Community in which students are engaged in coursework and activities that emphasize liberal arts education and diversity, campus connections, and growth and development. Participants continue to enroll in classes together and share living/learning environments during the fall and spring semesters.

Student Advising for Freshman Excellence (SAFE). The goal of SAFE is to facilitate the transition from high school to college of all incoming underrepresented freshmen. Through orientation sessions, academic advising, academic issues workshops, mid-semester evaluations, student advising, individual and group tutoring, co-curricular and social activities, and weekly meetings with student counselors, SAFE empowers students to acquire the skills necessary for academic success and the establishment of rewarding careers. Some students are eligible to participate during the sophomore year.

Transfer Resources for Advancing the College Experience (TRACE). TRACE assists transfer students from underrepresented populations in making a smooth transition into UNC Charlotte by identifying campus resources, providing academic support, and acting as advocates. The TRACE program provides services related to orientation, retention, career advisement, academic advising, and learning assistance.

Producing Readiness of Diverse University Cohorts in Education (PRODUCE). UNC Charlotte is one of the eight schools in the University of North Carolina system that has received a Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP) National Science Foundation Grant to: (1) improve the quality of the learning environment for underrepresented students in science, mathematics, engineering and engineering technology; (2) increase the number of underrepresented students graduating with degrees in science, mathematics, engineering and engineering technology; and (3) develop and implement effective techniques of attracting talented underrepresented students who would otherwise not choose science or engineering as a career. PRODUCE participants receive faculty and peer mentoring, peer tutoring, opportunities to attend professional meetings/conference, internships, and scholarships.

Bridge to the Doctorate (BTD). The Bridge to the Doctorate Program funded by a grant from the National Science Foundation, seeks to broaden the participation of underrepresented students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). It provides tuition and fees, health insurance, and a stipend for a selected number of underrepresented students in STEM graduate programs. In addition, the program participants receive advising and mentoring from graduate faculty, opportunities to conduct and present scholarly research, and attend professional meetings and workshops.

A related yet independent program from AIMS is the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program. This federally supported program is designed to increase the number of low-income and first-generation college students who earn doctoral degrees and teach in colleges and universities. Participants are usually juniors and seniors who work with faculty mentors on research projects and attend other scholarly activities related to pursuing a graduate education. The intent of the program is to introduce students to the rigors of graduate study. Additional details about the program can be found online at www.mcnair.uncc.edu.  

DISABILITY SERVICES
(www.ds.uncc.edu)

The Office of Disability Services works with departments across UNC Charlotte to ensure that educational programs and campus facilities are accessible to individuals with disabilities. Disability Services counselors meet with qualified students to determine and provide reasonable and appropriate accommodations that support the student’s educational goals.

Assistive technology is available to students with disabilities in the Office of Disability Services, centralized computer labs, Atkins Library, and in other departments on campus. Service animals assisting individuals with disabilities are permitted to all facilities on campus. Prescriptive devices, devices of a personal nature, or personal attendant care are the responsibility of the student. Specific accommodation questions should be directed to a Disability Services counselor.

The Office of Disability Services supports a culturally rich, inclusive, and accessible campus environment by providing disability related education and consultation to faculty, staff, and the community.

HONORS COLLEGE
(www.honorscollege.uncc.edu)

The Honors College at UNC Charlotte offers academically talented, enthusiastic, motivated students many of the personal and intellectual advantages of a small liberal arts college within the diversity of a large university. The emphasis is on seminars, intensive reading, writing, and discussion in which reasoned self-expression and critical thinking are valued and rewarded. The Honors College is comprised of several distinct programs, each with its own standards for admission and requirements for graduation. Unique enrichment opportunities; including scholarships, study abroad, community service, executive shadowing, special lectures, and individualized senior projects are also available. Some exceptionally talented students are enrolled in more than one program. An honors residence option is also available for all students in the Honors College.

The Business Honors Program (BHP) provides students with access to a range of opportunities designed to stimulate their thinking and broaden their exposure to topics related to business issues.

Students majoring in the Belk College of Business must complete an Application for Admission to the Business Honors Program and conduct an interview with the Director or Assistant Director. Admission to the program is based on the student's demonstrated Honors potential (determined by examining GPA, SAT scores, courses completed, academic and other distinctions, and other factors) and availability of space in the program. If the GPA of a student admitted to the program drops below that required for graduation for two successive semesters, the student will be dismissed from the program.

Students in the Business Honors Program must complete a minimum of 18 semester hours including BUSN 3780 and 3790, nine hours in business honors sections, and three hours from the University Honors Program. Once students are admitted to Business Honors they are required to complete all business honors sections offered unless they receive permission from the Assistant Director of the Business Honors Program. Honors courses cannot be repeated.

Students in the Business Honors Program are required to participate in a minimum of 50% of the extra-curricular activities and events offered by the Program during the academic year.

To graduate with "Honors in Business," a student must complete the required Honors courses, submit an application for Honors Candidacy at least two semesters prior to graduation, receive a grade of A in BUSN 3790, and present a GPA of at least 3.3 overall and 3.3 in all Honors courses for which a grade was assigned.

The North Carolina Teaching Fellows Program provides $26,000 four-year scholarships annually to 500 high school seniors from across the state. In turn, students must participate in a rigorous and unique four-year teacher preparation program and teach for four years in the public schools of North Carolina. At UNC Charlotte, the NC Teaching Fellows Program fosters scholastic achievement and professional leadership through personal attention and enrichment experiences. Teaching Fellows participate in special activities to complement their involvement in the regular teacher education program. UNC Charlotte’s Teaching Fellows Program features a variety of exciting enrichment experiences such as activities designed to build leadership activities, retreats focused on interpersonal and team building skills, weekly seminars on relevant and timely educational issues and trends, cultural events, community service projects, multicultural/diversity activities, opportunities to participate in the University Honors Program, and early and continuous field experiences in NC public schools. NC Teaching Fellows at UNC Charlotte also benefit from the special guidance of a full-time campus director, an academic advisor, and faculty members in the Colleges of Education and Arts and Sciences. Teaching Fellows are housed in the Honors residence hall and receive priority registration. For more information, visit online at http://education.uncc.edu/tfellows.

The University Honors Program. Open to talented and highly motivated students of all majors, the University Honors Program (UHP) is designed to challenge and broaden the intellectual growth of UNC Charlotte’s most gifted students. The purpose of the University Honors Program curriculum is to provide intellectual excitement for students, to complement traditional disciplinary learning, to encourage concerned, globally-aware citizenship, and to provide a unique social and intellectual mix for both students and faculty. Interdisciplinary courses fit the theme, "Issues for Human Survival in the 21st Century," and are designed to confront political, religious, economic, ecological, gender, race, justice, and human rights related issues and their impact on the global community and the human condition. Through its core courses, cultural enrichment opportunities, a strong commitment to citizenship and service, and an individually designed senior project, honors students have a unique opportunity to customize their honors curriculum to meet their own specific goals. To stimulate discussion and faculty-student interaction, all University Honors Program classes are restricted to a small class size with program permission required for enrollment.

Any student accepted into the University may apply to the University Honors Program. Acceptance will be based upon documents which include: a two-page application essay stressing personal successes and goals, high school rank indicative of exceptional performance, acceptable SAT scores, and a letter of recommendation. A transcript may also be required.

Entering freshmen and continuing students seeking admission to the University Honors Program should review its web page and download an application at www.uhonors.uncc.edu.  Admission to the University Honors Program is highly competitive, requiring evidence of a strong record of academic achievement, leadership and a commitment to community service.

To graduate with University Honors Distinction, students must satisfy the following requirements:

1.) Complete two courses selected from the following designated honors sections of the General Education Curriculum (6 hours):

• LBST 2101 (Hx) Western Cultural and Historical Awareness (Honors section)
• LBST 2102 (Hx) Global and Intercultural Connections (Honors section)
• LBST 2213 (Hx) Science, Technology and Society (Honors section)

2.) Complete two University Honors Program designated 3000 level three-hour topics courses. (6 hours)

3.) Satisfy the University Honors Community Service requirement by completing either LBST 2215 Citizenship, or HONR 2750 Community Service Practicum. UHP students must complete 40 hours of community service.

4.) Satisfy the University Honors Enrichment Requirement by completing either LBST 1105 (Hx) The Arts & Society or HONR 2701 Enrichment Seminar.

5.) Complete HONR 3790 Honors Senior Project, or an approved discipline-based honors thesis/project, with a grade of A.

6.) Have a minimum overall grade point average of 3.0 and a 3.2 grade point average in University Honors Program designated courses.

7.) Obtain the following endorsements:

• Approved Application for Graduation with University Honors Distinction
• Endorsement by the University Honors Program Director
• Endorsement by the University Honors Council

Honors sections for ENGL 1103 (Accelerated College Writing and Rhetoric) and HONR 1100 (Honors Freshman Seminar) are offered during the fall semester to orient entering freshmen to the philosophy and rigors of the University Honors Program. In addition, courses across a wide variety of disciplines, including Business, Architecture, Biology, Criminal Justice, Dance and Theatre, History, English, Philosophy, and Political Science, are offered to University Honors Program students on a demand basis and may be used to satisfy the University Honors Program course requirements. In every case, University Honors Program courses include strong humanities components.

University Honors Program students are encouraged to live in the Honors College Residence, located on the third floor of Witherspoon Hall, which provides an environment especially conducive to study and cooperative learning. The commons area of this floor contains a study/classroom area where honors classes may meet.

The University Honors Program, in cooperation with the Education Abroad Program, also promotes a comprehensive study abroad program, emphasizing diversity, choice, and flexibility. Some study abroad opportunities are interwoven with specially designed honors classes, while others are combined with the community service aspect of the program. Although study abroad is not required, it is strongly encouraged.

Students in the program are also part of the University Honors Program Student Association. The student-led organization organizes social events, special discussions, student mentoring, and community service projects. All UHP students are expected to attend meetings and participate in community service projects each semester in order to remain in good standing.

Academic Department Honors Program. Many academic departments also have honors programs permitting students to graduate with honors in their academic discipline. In some cases, graduation with honors within an academic discipline can be combined and coordinated with graduation with University Honors distinction. Academic departments that have honors programs include: Anthropology, Art, Biology, Chemistry, Criminal Justice, Geography and Earth Sciences, History, Languages and Culture Studies, Latin American Studies, Mathematics and Statistics, Philosophy, Physics and Optical Science, Political Science, and Psychology. Information on how to apply and graduate with honors in a specific academic discipline can be found in this Catalog under each academic discipline with an honors program. In general, discipline-based honors programs are open only to students with junior or senior standing.

UNC in DC Program. Jointly administered through the Honors College and the University Career Center, the UNC in Washington Program provides an opportunity for upper-level students from any major to work and study in Washington, D.C. For details, please see the University Career Center section in the following pages.

Pre-Healthcare and Pre-Medical School Advising. The Honors College maintains a proactive pre-health advising office to serve undergraduates seeking careers in a variety of health care professions, including, but not limited to: medicine, physical therapy, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, optometry, dentistry, occupational therapy, podiatry, and chiropractic medicine. For details, please see the “Preparation for Professional Schools” heading later in this section.

Scholarships for Advanced Undergraduate and Graduate Study. The Honors College coordinates applications for many national scholarships for advanced undergraduate and graduate study. These scholarships, including the Rhodes, the Marshall, The James Madison, The Barry M. Goldwater, the Jack Kent Cooke, the Phi Kappa Phi, and National Science Foundation Fellowships require extensive application procedures and are only awarded to the most outstanding applicants. Only students with exemplary academic records—combined with service and leadership—qualify for these highly selective graduate and, in some cases, advanced undergraduate awards. Most also require an on-campus review and institutional endorsement of completed applications.

STUDENT SUCCESS AND RETENTION
(www.ossr.uncc.edu)

The Office of Student Success and Retention is a multi-function office that works across both Academic Affairs and Student Affairs. The office provides consulting, resource materials and other support services to assist in the development and implementation of programs/initiatives designed to enhance student success and retention. The office provides assistance in the development of assessment plans for student success and retention programs and works with the Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and the Director of Assessment to track and analyze campus-wide student success and retention data. The office promotes awareness about campus-wide student success and retention programs among current and prospective students, the campus community, and the region. Additionally, this office coordinates the Learning Community programs and works with the Freshman Seminar program.

Learning Communities are small groups of students and faculty who work closely together creating a “community of learners.” Many of our programs are residential while other communities are geared toward commuter students. In either situation, Learning Community students have the opportunity to quickly make friends and develop a close relationship with UNC Charlotte faculty and staff.

The supportive environment created in the Learning Communities brings students, faculty, staff, and peer mentors together with the common goal of promoting academic and social success. Communities are offered in various academic areas giving participants the opportunity to explore their interests while working in small, comfortable groups on course-related projects.

Freshman Seminars (ARSC 1000) have been offered for more than 10 years, with approximately 30 sections of the course being offered each fall. A diverse group of instructors, including Student Affairs professionals and faculty from a wide range of disciplines, teaches the course. Some sections are dedicated to specific student populations (e.g., athletes, participants in learning communities, and discipline-specific areas), but most sections are open to any new student. ARSC 1000 counts as a general elective course. The University has recently begun offering some sections in the spring semester as well.

This course is designed to help students be successful in college, specifically at UNC Charlotte. It provides information and tools to help students gain a better awareness of campus resources and services, encourages connecting to the university community, and enhances strategies for successful academic and personal growth. Throughout the course, students are encouraged to be reflective in identifying personal strengths and weaknesses and to place emphasis on team-building with fellow students.

UNIVERSITY CAREER CENTER
(www.career.uncc.edu)

The University Career Center (UCC) offers comprehensive career services designed to assist undergraduate and graduate students in all stages of career development: career decision making, career planning, career employment, and reassessment. Experiential learning (EL) is a key component and all students are encouraged to take advantage of internship, cooperative education, 49ership, and other career exploration programs. With the UCC acting as the coordinating and academic support unit for experiential learning, 60-70 percent of all students at UNC Charlotte participate in a University-sanctioned career-related experience. The Center has over 90,000 student contacts annually but still offers nine personalized Career Coaches and Advisors (and four Peer Career Assistants) who serve as liaisons to each major and the university advising center for student one-on-one meetings.

The goals of the UCC are: (1) to help all students make and act on career decisions that maximize their potential and long-term development; to enable the timely involvement of students in experiential learning programs; (2) to engage students, faculty, and employers in quality experiential learning programs; and (3) to promote receptivity to and involvement with UNC Charlotte, the colleges, and the students among individuals and organizations outside the University. The UCC serves over 7,000 area and national employers, and also has developed co-op and 49ership programs abroad. Over 50,000 jobs and internships are handled through the office each year.

Services provided by the UCC range from individual career counseling and advising; résumé and cover letter critiques; and videotaped, mock interviews; to small group workshops on such topics as résumé writing, effective interviewing, uncovering the hidden job market, and transitioning from college to the workplace. Other services include résumé referrals to employers, on-campus interviewing, career exploration through various experiential learning programs such as Discover and Career Prospector, career inventories and personal assessments, a career resources library collection, and ten major job fairs annually, including the Public Services Fair and Career Expo. The majority of services can be accessed online at www.career.uncc.edu; through the “My Future” section on the 49er Express at www.express.uncc.edu; or by registering in Campus Professional, an online database maintained by the UCC. Online UCC links such as Career Search, Vault, Career Spots, Optimal Résumé, Video Bibliographies, CareerBuilder, and E-leads are added career information tools for students. A newsletter is published each semester to inform students about workshops, programs, and employers recruiting on campus. Students are encouraged to visit the UCC and to start their experiential learning program and career planning in their freshman year or first semester at the University. The UCC has received national recognition for its “state-of-the-art” program initiatives.

Career Decision Making (PSYC 2170) is co-taught by Psychology professors and University Career Center counselors. This course helps students examine the working world in terms of labor trends, the global economy, cultures, and current work-related societal issues. Students are guided through in-depth processes and a model to examine where their skills, values, and abilities would best fit, given a better understanding of organizations and workplace expectations. Major theoretical foundations of career development (Super, Holland) and experiential learning (Dewey, Lewin, Argyvis, and Schon) and an emphasis upon engagement in EL programs are incorporated into this course. Assignments feature career research and culture analysis, personal assessments, written and oral communications, strategic development, and individual career action planning. Sophomores taking this course will be better prepared to maximize an experiential learning educational opportunity, make career decisions, understand work cultures they enter, and develop leadership and service skills.

Part-Time Employment On-Campus. Offered by the Department of Human Resources at UNC Charlotte, the Student Employment Office (200-A King Building) assists students in locating on-campus employment opportunities. The University participates in the federal Work-Study Program and attempts to match students with jobs related to their academic interests. Students are encouraged to limit employment to no more than 20 hours per week to allow for success in a full 15-18 hour course load each semester. More information, including job openings, can be found online at www.hr.uncc.edu/students.htm.  

Part-Time Employment Off-Campus. The UCC’s Job Location and Development (JLD) Program assists students in obtaining part-time, summer, and temporary employment off-campus. Some full-time jobs that do not require a degree are also listed. Job listings may be viewed online to registered students in Campus Professional.

Jobs may include career-related positions in various fields such as education, business, entertainment, engineering, graphic design, and healthcare. The JLD Program is available to help students to earn money for their academic and personal expenses during their enrollment at the University.

Experiential Learning Programs. The majority of UNC Charlotte students are expected to and do participate in University-sanctioned experiential learning programs (60-70%). Opportunities are available for both undergraduate and graduate students to receive course credit, transcript notation, or other recognition for supervised experiences in public and private agencies within the community, nationally, and internationally. These opportunities are offered through experiential learning programs including over 491 courses involving clinicals, cooperative education, internships, 49erships, and practicums. The University Career Center (UCC) is the central coordination office for most experiential learning opportunities for the campus and can provide information about the following options:

Cooperative Education. This career related professional program is available to students in the Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business, Computing and Informatics, and Engineering. Participants must have a GPA of at least 2.5 (Master’s level graduate students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0) and complete course requirements specified by their department. Transfer students must complete 12 hours at UNC Charlotte before applying to the program. Co-op students work two to three semesters either part-time or full-time (depending on college requirements) with an employer in a paid work experience. Although the experience does not offer academic credit, participants are classified as full-time students and receive transcript notation.

Internships. Internship programs provide an introduction to career options in a professionally related work experience which enables the student to apply classroom learning. This experience is usually unpaid and may offer academic credit if there is appropriate faculty supervision. Students work 8 to 12 hours a week while also taking classes. Students are encouraged to check with their academic department for further information and academic eligibility requirements.

The 49ership Program. The University Career Center sponsors a non-credit internship called a 49ership. Program participation is especially valuable for students who want career experience and do not have an internship option through their academic major. Students may participate in the program after their freshman year provided they have a GPA of 2.0 or better; graduate students must complete nine credit hours in their graduate program before making application and have a GPA of 3.0 or better. (Transfer students must successfully complete 12 credit hours at UNC Charlotte before making application.) A minimum of 80 work hours for one semester is required to complete the program. Fall and Spring 49erships are part-time. Summer 49erships may be full- or part-time. Full-time students who are in good University standing, have completed their freshman year, and have a 2.0 minimum cumulative GPA are eligible (Master’s level graduate students must have a 3.0 minimum cumulative GPA to be eligible). While it does not offer academic credit, it is noted on the student’s transcript, and students pay a course registration fee. Approval for enrollment must be arranged before the student begins the work experience. Participating employers have included Carolinas Medical Center, the District Attorney’s Office, General Electric, Walt Disney World Co., Duke Energy, Vanguard, Transamerica, and Crisis Assistance Ministries. Seventy percent (70%) of the positions in this program are compensated.

UNC in DC Internships through the UNC in Washington Semester Study and Intern Program. Students have the opportunity to study, live and work with 42 other students from 14 different UNC campuses. Three to five students from each campus are selected through a competitive process. Students spend up to 32 hours per week in internships throughout a semester and are matched with supervisors who will integrate them into the daily operation of the organization and help them define research projects and special assignments of importance to the organization. Internships often result in tangible products such as briefings, research memos, policy analyses, and working papers, as well as other valuable career related experiences. Final sites are arranged through the director of the UNC in Washington program in coordination with the University Career Center (UCC) and the Honors College. Past sites range from the White House, to Hospice and Palliative Care National Association, to Senator Obama’s office, to the Pentagon. In addition to internships, students participate in an Honors Course on the Washington Experience, as well as take an independent study. Contact the UCC for more information on application materials and deadlines. Students of any major who will be juniors or seniors during UNC in DC participation are eligible to apply. 12-15 credits are earned for Fall and Spring semesters, and 9-12 credits are earned in the Summer. Students are also eligible to apply for one of six hundred $1000 scholarships for the programs in which an Ethics Independent Study project is required.

Internships in London through the North Carolina Partnership. The Office of Education Abroad offers opportunities for students to engage in valuable internships with London organizations during an 8 week period. 35 hours a week in the summer. Ziff Davis, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, The British Museum, and Devonshire Hospital are example sites. Upon completion, students earn 3 credits. Interested students can learn more through the Office of International Programs or the University Career Center.

Service Learning Opportunities through the University Career Center. Service Learning opportunities include 49erships in non-profit and government agencies and organizations, enabling students to gain career-related and community service experience while learning about related social, civic, human service, and political issues. Students work a minimum of 80 hours per semester to complete the program. Fall and spring 49erships are part-time, and summer 49erships may be full- or part-time. Students must complete their first 30 credit hours at UNC Charlotte (transfer students must complete a minimum of 12 credit hours), maintain a minimum overall GPA of 2.0 (Master’s level graduate students must maintain a minimum of 3.0), and be a full-time enrolled student in good University standing in order to be eligible. Students pay a course registration fee for transcript notation. Employers (as well as career advisors) assist students in working toward learning objectives and will complete an evaluation on each student at the end of each term. Students receive transcript notation, but not academic credit.

The Career Prospector Program. This program involves “shadowing” professionals in various career fields, many of whom are alumni, parents, and area managers. Students are able to explore career options and academic interests by conducting informational interviews and observing professionals in the career fields of their choice. The shadowing experiences can last for one day or longer, depending on the schedules of the students and sponsors. Over 300 sponsors in various career fields participate in this program coordinated through the University Career Center.

UNIVERSITY CENTER FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
(www.ucae.uncc.edu)

Designed to improve academic performance and foster meaningful learning experiences, the University Center for Academic Excellence provides services, programs, and materials to help students develop and refine thinking skills, utilize self-management skills, and learn course material more quickly and thoroughly while earning higher grades. Services include: (1) individual consultations regarding academic concerns; (2) diagnostic assessment of learning styles and study habits/attitudes; (3) computer-assisted instruction for a variety of course subjects; (4) “Study Smarter” workshops; and (5) a library of materials with books, DVDs, video tapes, and printed handouts outlining successful study/learning strategies.

Tutorial Services. Well-trained undergraduate and graduate students provide free tutoring to University students in a variety of disciplines. Tutoring is primarily in mathematic, sciences, business, and foreign languages and emphasizes both content mastery and learning skills development. Tutors are selected based on their competence in the subject area and their effective interpersonal skills. Tutorial Services at UNC Charlotte is nationally certified through the College Reading and Learning Association, Level II.

Supplemental Instruction. Supplemental Instruction (SI) assists students in historically difficult courses, including biology, chemistry, physics, communication studies, engineering, mathematics, and business. In regularly scheduled group study sessions, trained SI Leaders help students refine the unique skills necessary for doing well in the target course. Students regularly participating in SI average one-half letter grade or higher on final course grades than non-participants.

Structured Study Groups. Structured Study Groups (SSF) is a study system in which students from the same class work together in small groups of 4-6 members to reinforce material presented in class. The staff assists students in forming groups with the support of faculty. SSG encourages students to collaborate on common classroom tasks for deeper understanding of course material. The goal of is to have each student commit to the “pursuit and ownership” of learning to achieve personal and academic success.

The Office of Building Educational Strengths and Talents (B.E.S.T.). B.E.S.T. is a federally funded academic support program that provides intensive educational and post-baccalaureate advising, tutorial assistance, and exposure to diverse cultural opportunities to first-generation college students. The program is charged with introducing those students, as well as other select populations with lower retention and graduation rates, to the customs of higher education. To further facilitate the success of entering freshmen, the program sponsors both an early arrival program and a Freshman Learning Community.

PREPARATION FOR PROFESSIONAL SCHOOLS

Students may begin preparation at UNC Charlotte for a number of professional careers. Depending upon the professional school's requirements, the student may wish to take a degree at UNC Charlotte or to transfer after one, two, or three years.

Preparation for the following programs is offered: chemical engineering, law, and medical technology. Preparation for health professions includes dentistry, medicine, optometry, pharmacy, physical therapy, physician assistant, and veterinary medicine.

The student who plans to enter a professional school is advised to plan his/her program so that general requirements for the bachelor of arts or bachelor of science degree are met in addition to the requirements for the professional program being considered. The student planning to attend a professional school should inform his/her advisor of his/her plans. The student should become familiar with the requirements of the school that he/she plans to attend. That school, not UNC Charlotte, will determine which UNC Charlotte credits will be accepted for transfer.

Graduate and professional school entrance requires an extensive commitment and focused career choice. Certain careers required an advanced degree, and the University Career Center (UCC) can help students identify what kind of graduate study will best prepare them for the specific career of interest. The UCC offers a workshop entitled “Graduate & Professional School Searches and Your Career,” along with resources on careers in many areas of study. In addition, the career resource collection in the office contains information on preparing for the professional exams, backgrounds on the schools offering programs, and in-depth career information. Résumé critique sessions and mock interviews offered by the Center can also be geared toward graduate school admissions, based on student need. The UCC hosts a Career Expo which includes several graduate and professional school representatives seeking to attract UNC Charlotte students. Lastly, the UCC maintains lists of what graduate and professional schools past graduates have been admitted to or attended.

It is important to note that there are more application requirements for professional/graduate schools than for undergraduate schools. Application is often an extensive and in-depth process. The UCC can help you plan the applications and career development processes, which includes prior exploration of medicine, law, and various careers requiring advanced degrees through job shadowing, self assessment, career research, and internships.

The Office of Continuing Education currently offers fee-based programs that help students prepare to take the GRE and GMAT exams. Under consideration for the future is a program to help prepare students for the LSAT.

Chemical Engineering. Students seeking a program in chemical engineering should consult the Department of Chemistry for advice concerning available options. However, those students wishing to obtain the Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering degree may do so by transferring to North Carolina State University after spending two years at UNC Charlotte. To be eligible for such transfer, the student must meet the admissions requirements for transfer at North Carolina State University. After transfer, an additional two years normally will be required for the degree.

Law. The University suggests that the student planning to enter law school consider courses in such areas as accounting, business administration, business law, communications, criminal justice, debating, drama, economics, English literature and composition, finance, history, logic and ethics, mathematics, modern languages, philosophy, political science, psychology, sociology, and statistics. Preparation should include comprehension of and expression in words, the development of a critical understanding of human institutions and values, the generation of a creative power in thinking, and a working knowledge of the use of the computer in modern society. Thus, any of a number of majors, with wisely selected electives, might provide the broad educational background needed. Students planning to enter law school should contact the Department of Political Science for advising.

Pre-Law Society. The UNC Charlotte Pre-Law Society is a student pre-law organization. The Society carries on a large number of activities designed to help its members decide whether they wish to attend law school: providing sessions with pre-law advisors and attorneys; taking field trips to pre-law conferences, law schools, law offices and courts; having a guest speaker program on legal and judicial topics; and working on preparations for the LSAT. Membership in the Society is open to all UNC Charlotte students, regardless of major or year at the University. For more information, contact the Department of Political Science.

Medical Technology. The University, through affiliation with several schools of medical technology, offers programs leading to baccalaureate degrees in biology and chemistry, with training in medical technology. Students interested in this four year program should contact the Departments of Biology and Chemistry for advising.

Medicine and Dentistry. The basic requirements for entrance to most medical and dental schools in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, and Virginia are as follows:

Biology                  8 hours
General Chemistry  8 hours
Organic Chemistry  8 hours
Physics                  8 hours
English                   6 hours

Students should check with their school(s) of interest for specific requirements.

Please note that these are the common minimum requirements; additional courses may be required at the discretion of the professional school. Most students will need additional coursework and other activities to be competitive for admission. It is essential that students intending to apply to medical or dental schools consult the Pre-Health Professions Advising Office (located in the Honors College) very early in their programs.

Faculty Evaluation Committee for the Pre-Health Professions. The UNC Charlotte Pre-Health Professions Faculty Evaluation Committee consists of faculty members from the University and serves as the main recommending body for UNC Charlotte students seeking entrance to health professional careers. In order to obtain a recommendation to medical school or dental school from the committee, the student must schedule an appointment with the Pre-Health Professions Advising Office during Spring of the year in which applications are being made.

Students working toward entrance to health professional schools are advised to work closely with the Pre-Health Professions Advisor a