​​Your scholarship is an investment in your experience and your future. When you accepted it, you also agreed to participate in the program and stay connected with OSOP. This page highlights expectations as a reminder; it does not replace your signed scholarship agreement.

 

 

What You Agreed To

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1. You will attend regular meetings with your advisors and Scholarship Meetings. This means you agreed to attend 3 meetings each semester.

2. You will maintain at least a (Torch 2.30, BPHS/Valedictorian 2.70, and NU Neighborhood/BHA 2.5) cumulative grade point average.

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Making Time For OSOP Meetings

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OSOP meetings bring scholarship cohorts together for connection, resources, workshops, and activities. Students who are on co-op, have class or studying abroad at the time of the meeting, do not need to communicate to OSOP about their absence. Check your email for announcements for dates, locations, and any updates. Please remember to do the following:

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• Review meeting announcements and calendar invitations.

• Plan ahead for transportation, class, work, and other commitments.

• If you cannot attend, communicate with OSOP as soon as you can.

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We know many students are balancing classes, jobs, and a high level of familial and financial responsibility, and we respect the effort it takes to manage those commitments. We ask that you show the same consideration for the time and care OSOP staff put into supporting you and your cohort. These required meetings take place just three times over the course of a semester, for about 90 minutes each. Please plan ahead, communicate early when a genuine barrier comes up, and make every reasonable effort to attend. A required meeting is a commitment to your entire cohort, and it is unfair to the students who make the effort to attend when others do not show up without an excused reason. Your scholarship is an investment in your success, and showing up is one way to honor that commitment, to yourself, your peers, and the people working to support you.

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When You Need to Miss a Meeting

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We understand that unexpected situations and important responsibilities can come up. If you have to miss a mandatory meeting, contact an OSOP Staff member, in writing, as soon as possible. An absence is reviewed based on the circumstances and the program's attendance expectations:

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• Being sick, experiencing an urgent health issue, or needing to attend a medical appointment that cannot reasonably be rescheduled.

• An unexpected emergency involving you or an immediate family member, or another serious circumstance that requires your attention.

• An academic related engagement that conflicts with the meeting and cannot reasonably be moved. (I.e co-op advisor, professor office hours, tutoring session, etc.). Please be advised that we will ask for proof of your appointment. 

• A significant situation outside your control that prevents you from attending. Reach out to OSOP so the circumstances can be discussed.

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Please note: These examples are intended as guidance, not an automatic guarantee that an absence will be excused. An OSOP staff member will review the situation in accordance with program expectations. A missed meeting may still require a make-up assignment.

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What To Do When You Cannot Attend a Meeting

 

1. Notify OSOP. Contact an OSOP staff member in writing as early as possible. If it is an emergency, reach out when you are able.

2. Share what you can. Briefly explain the conflict and let OSOP know whether you expect to miss the full meeting or part of it.

3. Follow up. Ask whether a make-up assigment or alternative activity is needed, and complete any agreed-upon next steps.

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When You Miss a Meeting

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If an absence is confirmed to be unexcused, you will be required to complete a five-page paper on an OSOP-selected topic related to your student success. The paper is typically completed in APA format, with appropriate academic writing and citations. Requiring a make-up paper for unexcused absences is a reasonable consequence that promotes accountability and fairness for everyone. Emergencies are handled with understanding; please contact OSOP so we can understand your circumstances. A work shift or scheduling conflict does not automatically make an absence excused. Contact OSOP if you have questions about the assignment, format, or due date.

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