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Graduate Student Pledge

California State University, San Bernardino
Graduate Student Pledge

As California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) is in the process of transforming from a quarter-based system to a semester-based system starting fall 2020, the University commits to a partnership with graduate students that promotes a successful transition. CSUSB pledges that there will be:

Quality of Academic Programs
The faculty will work collaboratively to ensure intellectual rigor, the quality of the academic programs, and the centrality of these programs to the academic mission of the university.

Transparency in Communications with Students
CSUSB will communicate collaboratively, regularly, and clearly with students regarding the decisions and outcomes of the semester conversion process. This will be accomplished through the academic graduate programs and the use of tools such as face to face meetings, the CSUSB website, advising, and social media.

Informed Advising
Graduate program coordinators/advisors and graduate program faculty will receive extensive professional learning opportunities regarding the Quarter to Semester (Q2S) process and strategies to support student progress towards timely graduation. 

Capitalizing on this knowledge, these individuals will collaborate with students to modify Graduate Approved Program Plans for timely graduation on the semester system.

Advising tools will be developed to inform students of the transition of courses from quarter to semester.

No loss of Academic Progress
Students will not lose earned academic credit as the campus moves from a quarter to a semester calendar.

Quarter units will be converted to semester units as follows:
                        Number of quarter units X 2/3 = Number of semester units
                        Example: 90 quarter units X 2/3 = 60 semester units

No Increased Cost for Degree Completion*
Student tuition and fees under the semester system will not be greater than they would be under the quarter system for a two-semester academic year.

The total full-time cost of two semesters equals the full-time cost of three quarters.

Students have equal responsibility to learn and understand the Q2S procedures and requirements.  To fulfill their part in this semester conversion pledge, CSUSB students are expected to do the following:

Participate in Advising
Graduate students will collaborate with graduate program coordinators/advisors and graduate program faculty to develop graduation plans which will indicate how the remaining quarter units will be fulfilled with semester classes.

Students will meet regularly and follow plans developed with a graduate program coordinator/advisor or graduate program faculty.

Fulfill Degree Requirements
Students will meet minimum grade, grade-point average, and graduation requirements for their program.

Students who are unable to fulfill these expectations may delay their time to graduation.

*California State University system-wide tuition fees may be adjusted as deemed necessary and authorized by the Board of Trustees.