Student Outreach and Academic Retention (SOAR)

The Student Outreach and Academic Retention (SOAR) office is dedicated to providing personalized academic support to students who are not in good academic standing, on AES or National Merit scholarship probation, or students that desire an additional layer of academic support advising. Through individualized action plans, identifying academic and/or personal challenges hindering academic success, developing and encouraging proactive study habits, and providing appropriate campus referrals, the SOAR office seeks to proactively and positively support students encountering academic setbacks.

Academic Standing Advising

Students not in good academic standing – academic probation, academic warning, or readmitted from suspension students are required to meet with a SOAR advisor and follow a prescribed advising plan. The individualized plan will be designed to help each student improve their academic standing by addressing their specific needs including but not limited to: identifying academic challenges, improving study skills, time management skills, addressing personal issues, and appropriate campus office referrals. The goal is to help students recover and reach their academic goals.

Catalog information regarding academic standing can be found at https://catalog.utdallas.edu/now/undergraduate/policies/disciplinary-actions.

Scholarship Probation Advising: AES & National Merit

Students that have been notified of being placed on scholarship probation are required to meet with a SOAR advisor and follow a prescribed advising plan. The individualized plan will be designed to help each student improve their academic standing by addressing their specific needs including but not limited to: identifying academic challenges, improving study skills, time management skills, addressing personal issues, and appropriate campus office referrals. The goal of probation advising is to get back in good standing within the academic scholarship requirements.

Academic Support Advising

Students that feel they could benefit from having an additional layer of academic advising support during their undergraduate career can meet with the SOAR advising office. The purpose of academic support advising is to connect students with appropriate resources, enhance academic skills and empower self-advocacy throughout their time at UTD. In an individualized manner, the sessions are designed to address specific needs including but not limited to: identifying challenges, improving study skills, goal-setting, encouraging proactive academic behaviors, time management skills, addressing personal issues, and appropriate campus office referrals. The goal of academic support advising is to guide and support students in their educational endeavors.

For information regarding SOAR resources, please see:
SOAR Resource Document

Contacting SOAR

Student Outreach and Academic Retention has two locations. The main office is located in the McDermott Library (MC 1.312). The secondary location, by appointment only, is in Res Hall Southwest (RHSW 2.004).

• Fall/Spring hours: Monday – Friday, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm.
• Walk-ins are subject to availability, however, are not available during the first 4 weeks of each semester.

SOAR Advising Office Contacts

Additional Information

For information regarding probation requirements in the current catalog, please visit:
http://catalog.utdallas.edu/now/undergraduate/policies/disciplinary-actions#policy

For information about Academic Excellence Scholarship (AES) please visit:
https://www.utdallas.edu/enroll/freshman/aes/current-students/requirements/
https://www.utdallas.edu/enroll/freshman/aes/current-students/policies-and-forms/