Changes in Red:

7.2.2 Predoctoral Admissions Committee

7.2.2.1 Membership. The Predoctoral Admissions Committee will consist of at least 13 members, including a Chair and a Vice Chair. Of that number, 10 or more Faculty members, proportional to the distribution of faculty in the School of Dentistry’s departments, 3 dedicated readers and 2 student members. The Dean or his/her designate, the Associate Dean for Education and Director of Admissions will serve as ex-officio non-voting members.

During the academic years of July 1, 2017 through to June 30, 2020, the Admissions Committee has been pilot testing a new model. During that timeframe, the below bylaws (7.2.2. – 7.2.2.3) are being followed.

7.2.2.2 Functions

1. Evaluate the records for all DDS applicants, and the DDS component of the DDS-PhD, to the school;
2. Support the DDS applicant interview process and recruitment of faculty;
3. Endorse the admit list from the IDP recruitment and selection process;
4. Recommend to the Faculty Council the selection of students for DDS, IDP and DDS-PhD programs;
5. Maintain a continuous record of predoctoral admissions
6. Review and develop predoctoral admissions policies and procedures, and recommend changes to the Faculty Council.

7.2.2.3 Terms

1. Faculty members shall be appointed for an initial term of 3 years, renewable for additional years by the Chair of Faculty Council;
2. Student members will be appointed for a term of 2 years, non-renewable;
3. Dedicated readers will be hired by the Associate Dean of Student Affairs on an annual basis and approved by the SOD Faculty Council. Their hiring will come with an option to renew for future years based on their performance;
4. Any member can be asked to step down by the Chair of the DDS Admissions Committee/Chair of Faculty Council.

Background:

1. Honors has been historically been awarded for 3rd and 4th year course work only. This grade has been reflected on the student transcript. However, it was recently discovered that this grading method was not an approved grade in the UCSF course regulations (SFR 775). Therefore, a proposal was presented to add H to SFR 779, Grades for candidates for the DDS Degree. This was approved by Academic Senate and Rules and Jurisdiction, and is now added to SFR 779.
   • Current SFR 779
     The grade of H (honors) is a passing grade that will be assigned for outstanding achievement.
2. Honors has not been awarded to 1st or 2nd year course work. A letter of Commendations has been sent to students that have outstanding achievement in a course. However, commendations do not get reflected on the student transcript.

FAQs

Question:
Won’t this create more competition among students?
Answer:
We already have honors and commendations, so the “competition” won’t change or increase.

Question:
Why is this necessary?
Answer:
This is a process change to eliminate commendations, which are not captured on the student’s transcripts. Additionally, this will create a consistent, equitable process allowing honors to be awarded uniformly throughout the pre-doctoral curriculum.

Request:
Update 6.3.1.5 to align with SFR 779 and also include all core DDS courses. 

SOD Regulation Update

OLD
6.3 Grades
6.3.1 In accordance with the Divisional Regulation on Grades (SFR 775, approved 30 Nov 77) the work of all students in the School of Dentistry will be reported in terms of the following grades:
6.3.1.1 Passing: P (Passed), H (Passed with Honors),: A (Excellent), B (Good), C (Fair), D (Poor) [letter grades are used in certain elective courses, and postgraduate professional and graduate courses]
6.3.1.2 Not Passing: NP (not passed), F (Failure) [letter grades are used in certain elective courses and postgraduate professional and graduate courses]
6.3.1.3 In Progress: SP (Satisfactory Progress), UP (Unsatisfactory Progress) [en 7 May 1992]
6.3.1.4 Provisional: I (incomplete), Y (not passing)
6.3.1.5 The awarding of honors is permitted only for 3rd and 4th year courses in the dental and international dental curricula. Honors performance is determined by the course chair.

NEW
6.3 Grades
6.3.1 In accordance with the Divisional Regulation on Grades (SFR 775, approved 30 Nov 77) the work of all students in the School of Dentistry will be reported in terms of the following grades:
6.3.1.1 Passing: P (Passed), H (Passed with Honors), A (Excellent), B (Good), C (Fair), D (Poor) [letter grades are used in certain elective courses, and postgraduate professional and graduate courses]
6.3.1.2 Not Passing: NP (not passed), F (Failure) [letter grades are used in certain elective courses and postgraduate professional and graduate courses]
6.3.1.3 In Progress: SP (Satisfactory Progress), UP (Unsatisfactory Progress) [en 7 May 1992]
6.3.1.4 Provisional: I (incomplete), Y (not passing)
6.3.1.5 The awarding of honors is permitted in the dental and international dental pathway core curricula. Honors performance is determined by the course chair. The grade of H (honors) is a passing grade that will be assigned for outstanding achievement. Dental elective courses are not eligible to receive honors grades.