Frequently Asked Questions About Permanent Withdrawal

Are you thinking of withdrawing from the Robert D. Clark Honors College?

Please, say it isn't so! Let us help you!

How can I get some help in making this decision?

• You can always ask any faculty member to meet with you to discuss your progress. Office hours are on the CHC web site
• Have you talked to your advisor? Do you know who your advisor is? Search the CHC web site.
• Or stop by the CHC Office in 320 Chapman Hall and the staff can help you locate someone to talk to.

Why is it important for me to stay in the College?

• Employers say a well rounded liberal arts background is very important on potential employees' résumés. They're looking for the wide breadth of knowledge obtained from liberal arts programs such as CHC.
• Graduate schools and employees give significant weight to Honors College applicants.
• The CHC curriculum will prepare you well for the rigors of graduate work, medical school or law school.

Should I consider a Temporary Withdrawal?

• You should fill out a Temporary Withdrawal Form the term before you leave.
• This is used for a one or two terms or full academic year withdrawal.
• Be sure your study abroad credits will be applied to your UO coursework by meeting with the Office of International Studies/Study Abroad

• If you are experiencing a medical or personal situation of a temporary nature and need someone to talk to, you can contact the UO Counseling Center or UO Health Center.
• Ask your CHC advisor for advice on how to handle the academic side of your situation.
• If you plan to reduce the number of credit hours you are taking at UO, you could lose scholarship funds or financial aid. Make sure you check with Office of Financial Aid before deciding.
• Sometimes you simply will not be able to continue your UO coursework for a short period of time.

File the CHC Temporary Withdrawal Form. This approach will allow you to easily return to your CHC studies when things improve. It can be used for a one year absence from the college.

I'm having temporary financial problems right now, is there any way CHC can help?

• You may need to file an amended FAFSA or apply for additional loans. Contact the Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships to research these and other options available to you.
• You can consider withdrawal from the university for one year. File a CHC Temporary Withdrawal Form with our office. You will also need to visit Academic Advising.
• If you plan to reduce the number of credit hours you are taking at UO, you could lose scholarships or financial aid. Make sure you check with Office of Financial Aid before deciding.
• In extreme circumstances, you can contact Kate Kevern in the CHC Office to see if you qualify for a CHC fee-remission scholarship.

I'm not sure I understand the CHC fees?

• The fees are explained on the CHC Website
• You received a letter, with your acceptance letter to the Clark Honors College, explaining the CHC fee structure. That letter is in your student file. Stop by the CHC office if you would like to review this information or talk to someone.

Am I right in thinking CHC requires so many more courses?

CHC students don't take a lot of extra classes, they simply take different ones. All UO students must take general education requirements. The CHC curriculum fulfills all of the University's general education requirements with small, discussion-centered honors college courses, and approved UO courses. Remember: The term "HC Minor" is not a true minor. That term is used for administrative purposes only.

• For detailed information pertaining to the UO General Education Requirements and the courses that can be used for satisfying the multicultural requirement.
• For detailed information pertaining to the Clark Honors College Curriculum
• For details pertaining to your specific major, contact your department advisors.

General Grand Total = Clark Honors College requires about two additional courses.

If you would like to use a checklist to work out how many CHC requirements you still need to complete, go to this CHC web site and again, check in with a CHC faculty member to review your progress.

If I do have to withdraw, how will it affect my General UO Graduation Requirements?

• If students leave the Clark Honors College, they must complete the UO writing requirement.
• If they have taken HC 221, 222, and 223 with a B or better as the grades, they can petition to be waived out of WR 121.
• The completion of the CHC thesis is the way CHC students fulfill the state system's two-course writing requirement. If a student leaves CHC before completing the thesis, the second course required for UO graduation is WR 122, 123 or, by petition only, another course.
• Many students come into the University with AP credits that waive WR 121.
• For other UO requirements, check with Academic Advising.

My choice of major requires a lot of coursework on top of my required CHC credits. Is this true?

• Some majors do require extra coursework. For example, if you are a music, architecture or science major you will be taking more credits. With careful planning, many CHC students have excelled in these majors and have graduated from CHC. Please visit your CHC and major advisors if you need help in planning your schedule.
• Look at the coursework comparisons listed above. You'll notice that the general UO graduation requirements are pretty much the same.

I really don't understand the thesis process very well.

• Sit down with a CHC faculty member or CHC Office staff person to discuss your concerns. In particular, the College has a Thesis/Academic Coordinator who can help you at any time.
• We often hold Thesis Question and Answer Sessions that you could attend. Check the CHC Newsletter for when these are held.
• Each term there is a Thesis Orientation - a short one-day workshop that provides answers to many students' questions. Plus you get one credit for taking this course - and a free lunch!

I have all my coursework done but I don't have time to write up the thesis.

• You can continue to write the thesis without enrolling in UO classes. Of course, we don't want this to go on forever but it often helps to know you can take a little extra time.
• Your UO email account is good for one full term after the last active term you were enrolled. You also have an extra term of UO library privileges and by writing a letter, we can extend that one more term.
• Remember that if you start a great new job right after your defense, you may never get around to submitting your final thesis.

If my Primary Advisor isn't working out or I think I need to change my topic, what should I do?

• Try to deal with this type of problem early in the thesis process.
• Let the CHC faculty serve as your mediator. Schedule an appointment with faculty or staff.
• Notify the CHC Office of the change.

I don't feel very connected to the CHC community and don't feel like I fit in. What can I do?

• The CHC Student Association (CHCSA) offers a wide array of activities that will help you to meet other CHC students and get involved in some fun activities.
• Talk with other students in your CHC classes about forming study groups.

What do I do if I've considered all of the above and I still wish to do a Permanent Withdrawal from CHC?

1. Fill the Permanent Withdrawal Questionnaire and Withdrawal forms.
2. Schedule a meeting with Associate Dean Louise Bishop
3. Bring the completed forms back to the CHC Office.

1. This meeting plus the submission of the completed, signed Permanent Withdrawal Form and the Withdrawal Questionnaire must be completed and the forms returned in to the CHC Office by Monday of the second week of class for the term you want the withdrawal to take effect and to have the resource fee refunded.
2. If you miss the deadline, you will have to pay the fees and the withdrawal will take effect for the next term.

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