Priority registration is intended to serve campus student cohorts experiencing unique circumstances and is intended to be used rarely. Three criteria will be considered on a case-by-case basis when priority registration status requests are reviewed.
- Federal, state, or University of California mandates that require accommodations and provisions or
- Special circumstances that require significant blocks of time for UC Merced programs involving university-sponsored representation that may interfere with class schedules (*See Note below) or
- Recruitment incentives that assist UC Merced in attracting and retaining high academic achieving cohorts.
The guiding principle used in considering and granting priority registration requests is equal and fair access. As a result, requestors must provide a strong justification (including documentation) when submitting a request.
Request Procedures:
A student cohort wishing priority registration status must submit a request to the Registrar by October 1 for spring priority registration or March 1 for fall priority registration and provide the following information:
- Cohort name and total number of participants;
- Reason for request and period/term for which priority registration is requested;
- Evidence of need for priority registration in view of the cohort's activities/unique circumstances;
- Statement of support from the requestor (typically the cohort's advisor/sponsor) including justification and documentation; and
- Contact information for the individual submitting the request, along with the staff member responsible for identifying eligible students.
A committee comprised of the Registrar, a student representative, an academic advising representative, and a Student Affairs representative reviews each request and makes a recommendation to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management, who considers the recommendation and notifies the Registrar of the outcome. The Registrar notifies the individual submitting the request of the outcome. If the request is denied, the cohort's advisor or sponsor may appeal in writing to the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs.
If the request is approved, the cohort's advisor or sponsor must document the list of students eligible for priority registration and supply the list to the Registrar a minimum of one month prior to the start of each term's registration period. Students on this document list would be allowed to register one business day prior to the start of the regular registration period. Cohorts approved for priority registration must reapply every year and the Registrar may revoke priority registration.
Current Practice
Note: Current UC Merced practice allows priority registration for:
- Students with documented special needs who require special attention in the scheduling process and who have approval each term from the Accessibility Services Coordinator. These students are allowed to register one week prior to the start of regular registration.
- Students who are current or prior members of the active duty Armed Forces, Armed Forces Reserve and State Guard (not tied to receipt of Veteran Educational Benefits). These students are allowed to register one week prior to the start of regular registration.
- Students who are Foster Youth and have approval each term from the Guardian Scholars Program Coordinator. These students are allowed to register one week prior to the start of regular registration.
- Students who are NAIA athletes.
- Students who are Regent and Chancellor's Scholars.
- Students who are Homeless Youth.
- Students who have legal dependents, including children enrolled in ECEC.
- Students who are a member of ASUCM leadership.
- Students who are SJV Prime+ BS/MD and Health Scholars.
The current practice for the seven student cohorts will continue unaffected. Other cohorts approved for priority registration must reapply every year.
*Note (See Criterion B above): For cohorts requesting priority due to special circumstances that require significant blocks of time for UC Merced programs involving university-sponsored representation that may interfere with class schedules, the committee uses these principles to determine eligibility for priority registration:
- Whether or not the student cohort regularly represents the university at or as part of officially-recognized university activities;
- Whether or not the officially-recognized university activity constrains students' ability to attend classes at different times of the day or week; and
- Whether or not the university has control over the time periods in which the activities take place (for example, practices or performances).
