Diversity Scholars Program Overview
Program Introduction: In an effort to better serve our students’ academic and financial needs, Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMA) has developed the Diversity Scholars Program. Staff members assist students receiving a Diversity Scholarships from their first-year at the University of Idaho until graduation. Staff members provide academic and personal support to assist students by providing University of Idaho information, academic progress checks, academic support, workshops, socials, study tables, and peer mentoring. It is OMA’s goal to help increase the retention and graduation rate of our multicultural students.
Scholarships: There are multiple diversity scholarships awarded to students based on a variety of factors. These scholarships are awarded to first-year students and continuing students. These scholarships include:
- Connie Christensen
- Charles Decker
- Diversity Award
- Diversity Scholars
- Diversity Out-of-State Tuition Waiver
- Drissen, Hispanic Scholar Award
- Ruth and Royal B. Irving
- Eric McMillan Diversity Scholarship
- Multicultural Student Scholar
- Louise Slade
- State of Idaho Minority & At Risk
- Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) Diversity
Contract: Staying in the Program: Students who have been selected to participate in the Diversity Scholarship Program are privileged to have the opportunity benefit from the program’s many services. Students in good program and academic standing with the OMA’s contract must:
- Participate and contribute positively to a successful and fulfilling OMA experience
- Abide by the University of Idaho’s policies regarding drug and/or alcohol use (UI Policies, Article III).
- Be a full time student (must complete a minimum of 12 credits per semester)
- Follow the advisement of the UI-OMA staff in regards to credit load during their participation in the Diversity Scholars Program
- Participate in the UI-OMA Freshman Transition Course
- Complete appropriate study table hours and additional study time when required by UI-OMA Staff
- Meet with professors and use a Student Grade Report to secure information regarding academic progress
- Submit monthly grade reports to OMA Program Advisors
- Maintain a cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) required for ‘good academic achievement’ at the University of Idaho
- Follow all probation or withdrawal procedures if required by OMA
- Inform the OMA Office immediately of any address changes or telephone changes
- Schedule an exit interview with the UI-OMA Program Advisor or Director before withdrawing from UI
- Grant permission to the OMA staff to make use of my personal information to fulfill the institution’s educational missions
- Grant permission to the OMA staff to inform my parents or guardian about my progress and participation (by either oral or written communication)
- Grant permission to the OMA staff to consult or request any health and/or counseling professional, in the event of threat to my or others emotional and/or physical well-being
- Grant permission for my class instructors to release updated information about my progress in all classes
- Grant OMA permission to obtain my transcripts from the UI Admissions Office
- Grant permission for UI to photograph and video tape my family and I while participating in camp activities. This permission also includes allowing the use of our silhouette and other reproductions of our physical likeness for the purpose of documenting OMA activities and creating OMA advertising and/or publicity (Optional)
First-Year Diversity Scholars: All first-year and transfer Diversity Scholars will meet with their designated Multicultural Scholarship Advisor during the first two weeks of the fall semester. Scholarship requirements and expectations are uniform for all incoming Diversity Scholarship Recipients. First-year and transfer participants are expected to:
- Complete program orientation
- Attend startup check-in meeting
- Meet monthly with their designated Multicultural Scholarship Advisor
- Meet bi-weekly with their designated peer mentor
- Attend one hour of study table per week
- Complete and submit monthly grade checks
- Attend one workshop per semester
- Attend two socials per semester
- Attend one cultural event per semester
Continuing Diversity Scholars: All Continuing Diversity Scholars meet with their designated Multicultural Scholarship Advisor during the first two weeks of the fall and spring semester. Scholarship requirements and expectations are uniform for returning students. All continuing participants are expected to:
- Complete monthly meetings with their designated Multicultural Scholarship Advisor
- Attend study table hours based on their academic performance
- Complete and submit monthly grade checks based on their academic performance
- Participate in one workshop per semester
- Attend one cultural event per semester