Transcripts and Release of Educational Student Records || Acceptance of Transfer Credit
Correspondence, Extension, CLEP or PEP Credit || Advanced Placement || International Baccalaureate
Registration and Schedule Changes || Academic Advising || Grading, Evaluation and Academic Progress
Graduation || Student Responsibilities
UNCA Catalog: Table of Contents

Academic Regulations and Procedures

The regulations and procedures that govern and regulate the academic activities and progress of students at the University of North Carolina at Asheville are divided into six categories: 1) Transcripts and Release of Educational Student Records, 2) Acceptance of Transfer Credit, 3) Registration and Schedule Changes, 4) Grading, Evaluation and Academic Progress, 5) Graduation and 6) Student Responsibilities.

Transcripts and Release of Educational Student Records

In order to comply with federal regulations, the University of North Carolina at Asheville has adopted institutional policies and procedures to be followed with regard to the disclosure of information from the education records of current and former students. The student record policy of the University of North Carolina at Asheville conforms to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (Public Law 93-380). Copies of Public Law 93-380 may be found in Ramsey Library and the Registrar's Office. This policy gives a student the right to inspect his or her educational record within a reasonable length of time, to ask for interpretations, and to request that any inaccuracies be corrected. Education records are in the custody of the Registrar. The original and two microfilm copies of the UNCA transcript are kept permanently. All other documents are destroyed six years after graduation or after the student has failed to re-enroll at the University for six consecutive years.

Copies of the student's official UNCA transcript are released only on the written request of the student and only after all obligations to the University, financial and otherwise, have been fulfilled. Requests for transcripts should be made to the Office of the Registrar. A free copy of the UNCA transcript will be sent to each student following graduation; there is a $2 charge for all other copies. Transcripts are issued within one week of receipt of the written request, except during the beginning and ending weeks of each semester, when more processing time may be required. Transcripts received from other schools are the property of the university and are not copied or released.

Grades cannot be released to parents or guardians without the written permission of the student. Special forms to send additional copies of grades are available in the Registrar's Office and must be completed every semester for which a student wishes to send grades to family members. There is no charge for duplicate grade reports for parents.

With the exception of directory information, the university does not permit access to or the release of education records without the written consent of the student, with the exception of the following: (a) to UNCA officials, including faculty, who require such records in the proper performance of their duties; (b) in connection with the student's application for or receipt of financial aid or Veterans Administration benefits; (c) to organizations conducting studies for educational and governmental agencies (in which case individual students are neither identified nor identifiable); (d) U.S. government agencies as listed in Public Law 93-380; (e) parents of a dependent student as defined in the Internal Revenue Code of 1954; (f) accrediting agencies; (g) to comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena; and (h) appropriate persons in connection with an emergency if the knowledge of such information is necessary to protect the health or safety of a student or any other person.

Directory information is defined as: student's name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, date and place of birth, entrance status, classification, major field of study, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received, (including Dean's List, Chancellor's List and scholarships) and the most recent educational agency or institution previously attended by the student. Students who do not wish their information released outside the university or published in the campus directory must give written notice to the Registrar's Office.

The University of North Carolina at Asheville assigns the Social Security number as the Student Identification Number. Should any student object to this practice, he or she may submit a written request to the Registrar. A non-identifiable number will be assigned.

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Acceptance of Transfer Credit

Transfer Credits

The university will accept for transfer credit those courses completed with a grade of C or better taken at regionally accredited undergraduate institutions and determined to be compatible with the university's programs. Courses submitted for transfer credit are evaluated by the Registrar's Office and, in cases of doubt, equivalency may be determined by the chairs of appropriate departments.

Courses from regionally accredited two-year colleges will be evaluated in the same manner as those from four-year institutions, except in the case of specific administrative agreements with two-year colleges. Students with 60 or more credits from two-year institutions must earn a minimum of 60 additional credits at four-year institutions. Students who have accumulated 60 or more semester hours at all institutions attended may not earn additional hours at a two-year college. Applied courses, whether technical or methodological (except in the fine arts), are not transferable unless they are approved by the chairs of the appropriate departments.

Courses to satisfy General Education and major requirements are judged individually. They should be generally equivalent in information and methodology to courses in the university's General Education curriculum or major programs. In cases of doubt, the chairs of the appropriate departments will determine the equivalency accepted. Courses will be considered electives if they are not part of the General Education requirements or required for the major or minor.

Permission to Take a Course as a Visitor at Another Institution

UNCA students in good academic standing who wish to take courses at another accredited institution must have written permission from UNCA's Office of the Registrar prior to enrolling at another school. If a course is to be used as a General Education requirement or as an elective, only the Registrar's permission is required; if a course is a requirement for the major, written approval of the student's major department chair must be presented to the Registrar before permission can be granted. UNCA students are prohibited from being dually enrolled at another institution while attending UNCA.

Only students in good academic standing may have permission to visit another school. Students who have reached junior or senior standing (or if the courses requested will cause the student to exceed 60 semester hours) may not receive permission to visit any two-year school.

Special forms detailing additional regulations and the procedures for requesting permission to visit another institution are available in the Registrar's Office, 107 Lipinsky Hall. For more information, call the Registrar at 828/251-6575.

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Correspondence, Extension, CLEP or PEP Credit

UNCA may accept a combined total of 30 semester hours of credit for correspondence or extension courses, or for examinations of the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) and Proficiency Examination Program (PEP). In the case of correspondence credit, proficiency examinations may be required.

The CLEP general examinations are in five areas: Natural Sciences, Mathematics, English Composition and Social Sciences/History. Three semester hours of credit are awarded for successful completion of each of these general tests. In addition to receiving credit, students are exempted from certain General Education requirements. Students may take the general examinations prior to admission, but no later than the first semester in residence at any institution of higher learning. Students may also submit official CLEP/PEP scores taken at another postsecondary institution either prior to admission or within the first semester in residence. Passage of the CLEP general examinations is defined as scoring at the 50th percentile or above, which requires a score of 500 or better.

CLEP subject examinations may be taken at any time during the student's enrollment. Passage of each subject examination carries three semester hours of credit and is defined as scoring at the 50th percentile or above, which requires a score of 500 or better. CLEP subject examinations carry no credit if the student previously has earned credit (through college work or examination) in the same academic areas as the particular subject examinations. Policy regarding credit for the PEP examinations is the same as for the CLEP subject examinations.

Credit for CLEP and PEP examinations and their applicability to academic requirements are governed by the same principles which apply to transfer credits, except that a student is limited to a combined total of 30 semester hours of credit for correspondence, extension, and CLEP or PEP credit. A statement of guidelines for CLEP credit and exemption is available from the Academic Advising Office.

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Advanced Placement

UNCA academic credit of three to six semester hours will be granted to enrolled students who receive scores of 3, 4 or 5 on Advanced Placement tests offered by the College Board. The required score, amount of credit, and course waiver(s) offered are determined by the academic departments for which Advanced Placement tests are available. A schedule of credit and waivers shown below is maintained by the Office of Enrollment Services. Advanced Placement credit accepted at other post-secondary institutions is not automatically transferred to UNCA but is reviewed in accordance with this schedule.

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International Baccalaureate

UNCA academic credit and course waivers will be granted to enrolled students who have obtained the required scores on the Higher-Level IB exams listed below. No academic credit will be awarded for Subsidiary-Level IB exams, and only those Higher-Level IB exams listed below are eligible for academic credit and/or course waiver. Official IB transcripts will be evaluated by the Registrar in consultation with department chairs. IB credit accepted at other post-secondary institutions is not automatically transferred to UNCA but is reviewed in accordance with the schedule below.

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Registration and Schedule Changes

Courses are offered on a semester basis, generally meeting three hours a week. The regular academic year is divided into two semesters of 16 weeks each. Selected classes will be offered during one of two mini-terms within each regular semester. Courses offered during these terms will meet on an accelerated schedule which will be detailed in that semester's Schedule of Classes. Students who wish to register for foreign language courses offered during the accelerated terms must register for both levels one and two of the same language.

For continuing students, several days of early registration are scheduled in advance of the start of each semester. Registration for continuing students who do not register early is held at the start of each semester. New students may register at the beginning of any semester or summer term. All students register using the Web for Students registration package. This system allows students to have full access to their academic records. The Web for Students product may be accessed through the UNCA home page from any computer equipped with a web browser. An accurate listing of each semester's course schedule may also be accessed on the web.

All new students must present complete admissions credentials by the published deadline prior to the date of registration. Applicants whose credentials are not complete by this time may register late, when eligible, if they are able to complete the admissions process before the close of late registration. A late fee will be charged students who register after the close of regular registration. No student will be admitted to any class(es) after the last day of late registration.

Students who do not complete the admissions process before the close of late registration for a given term may finish the process and be admitted, if eligible, for the next scheduled term.

No person may attend class unless officially registered and cleared by the Business Office. Students who have not paid their tuition and fees by the announced deadline each semester will have their classes canceled. Students who have outstanding balances with the university will not be allowed to register until all financial obligations to the university have been fulfilled.

Students may, with written permission of their advisor(s), change their schedules without penalty during the period of late registration known as drop/add. After that time, no course may normally be added to a schedule.

Students who feel the necessity to withdraw from any course after the drop/add period should go to the Registrar's Office to obtain the necessary form. The form must be signed by the student and the advisor and submitted to the Registrar by the appropriate deadline. Students who are dropping all of their courses are exiting the university. There are special procedures for doing this. See the section on Withdrawal from the University.

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Academic Advising

Each degree-seeking student at the university is assigned an advisor to help with course scheduling, major selection, career planning and personal concerns. Advisors for students who have not chosen a major are assigned by the Academic Advising Office. When a student declares an academic major, the chair of the department assigns the student an advisor from within the department. Students usually declare a major during their sophomore year.

New freshmen, undecided transfers and freshmen transfer students are advised through the Student Transition Advising and Retention Team (START) Program. This program is designed to improve retention by making the transition to college easier and addressing the advising needs of new freshmen and transfer students. The START Program consists of faculty and administrative advisors who have been specially trained to handle the needs and concerns of entering freshmen, freshmen transfers and undecided transfer students.

The advisor-advisee relationship plays an important part in a student's academic success. UNCA's advising program is the primary source of assistance for student decision making. Advisors take a special interest in the academic, social and personal welfare of their advisees. The Academic Advising Office also supports all advisors in their endeavors with advisees.

Classification of Students

Degree-seeking students are classified according to the number of semester hours of credit earned: freshman, up to 29 semester hours; sophomore, 30-59; junior, 60-89; senior, 90 or more.

Academic Load

A normal academic course load is 12 to 18 semester hours per semester. Students wishing to register for more than 18 semester hours in any semester must have the approval of their advisor(s). The minimum number of semester hours for a full-time student is 12 for the semester. The maximum credit-hour load for summer terms depends on the length of the term and is published in the Summer Schedule of Courses.

Attempted Hours

Every course for which a student is enrolled at the end of the last day of the appropriate drop-add period receives a grading symbol and counts toward attempted hours. For a list of grading symbols, see the section on Quality Points.

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Grading, Evaluation and Academic Progress

Examinations and Evaluations

Each instructor arranges examinations in courses as appropriate. The student should receive the results of at least one evaluation by the end of the fifth week of each course.

A week at the end of each regular semester is reserved for final examinations. Classes will meet for a single 2 1/2-hour period during which an exam or other form of evaluation may be given. The schedule is publicized well in advance.

Quality Points

The University of North Carolina at Asheville uses a quality-point average system and semester hours of credit for calculating student achievement. Grading symbols used are:

A--excellent (four quality points), B--good (three quality points), C--average (two quality points), D--passing (one quality point), F--failure (no quality points), U--unsatisfactory (no quality points), X/Y--no credit, W--withdrawal, I--incomplete, IP--in progress, and S--satisfactory. X/Y, W, I, IP and S carry no quality points and are not included in the calculation of the grade-point average. (Those courses for which the faculty has approved a satisfactory/unsatisfactory (S/U) grading system are indicated in the catalog course descriptions.) The grade-point average is determined by dividing the accumulated number of quality points earned by the accumulated number of quality hours. Grade-point averages are computed to the thousandth of a point.

A grade of U earns no credit and is calculated as an F grade in the term and cumulative grade-point averages. Grades of H, G, P, F received prior to 1978 are also used in calculating grade-point averages for students currently enrolled. Grading symbols used are: H--Honors (four quality points), G--Good (three quality points), P--Pass (two quality points), and F--Fail (no quality points).

Replacement of D, F and U Grades

If a student repeats a course for which he or she has earned a grade of C or better, the new hours and quality points will not be used in the calculation of the grade-point average nor will the new hours count toward graduation requirements. If a student repeats either a failed course or a course in which he or she has received a D or U grade, only the new quality points and semester hours of credit will be used in the calculation of the grade-point average. However, if the second grade is an F, no credit is earned and both grades will be used in the calculation of the grade-point average.

A student may take advantage of this forgiveness clause for a maximum of 15 semester hours of credit. However, the student's permanent record will be a complete record of all courses attempted and the evaluations received for these attempts. This policy will apply to course credits earned at UNCA beginning with the 1982-83 Fall semester. When taking a course to replace a grade, students must comply with procedures established by the Registrar's Office by filing a Grade Replacement Form.

Incompletes

An instructor may give a grade of Incomplete (I) at the student's request, on the grounds of some occurrence beyond the student's control causing him or her to miss final examinations or some other limited amount of work at the end of the semester or term. The request must be made before the end of the last class day and must state the reason in writing or, if necessary, by telephone to be followed up in writing. If the reason is acceptable, the instructor will fill out a form stating the reason, the precise work to be made up (not an additional amount of class time), and the date due (no later than four weeks prior to the end of the term immediately following, summer terms not included). The instructor should also assign the grade to be recorded in the event that the student fails to make up the work. The form is to be signed by the instructor, with a copy sent to the student. The original copy of the approved form must then be submitted to the Registrar with the corresponding final class grade roll. If a Change of Grade Form is not submitted to the Registrar to remove the incomplete by the deadline, the default grade specified on the incomplete contract will be posted. Requests for extensions of the completion deadline will not be routinely approved. In the event of extraordinary circumstances, the instructor and student may petition the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs for consideration.

In Progress

An instructor may give an In-Progress (IP) grade to a student enrolled in a specially designated research course when the research has not been completed by the end of the semester. Following completion of the research, university procedures for changing grades will be used to replace the IP with a regular grade.

Withdrawal from a Course

A student who wants to withdraw from a course must meet with his or her advisor to review the student's record, future plans and possible effects upon graduation date, eligibility for financial aid, veteran's benefits, intercollegiate athletics and tuition surcharge. The official withdrawal date is the date on which the student submits the Permission to Withdraw from a Course form, signed by the student and his/her advisor, to the Registrar.

A student may withdraw from a semester course up to the end of the sixth week of class, and a Term I or Term II course up to the end of the third week of the class. A student who withdraws in this way will receive a grade of W for the course. W hours count as attempted hours.

Requests for withdrawal after the deadline will be accepted only in cases of extenuating and documentable circumstances. Both the instructor and the academic advisor must approve the withdrawal and explain their reasons for granting it. Final approval rests with the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Enrollment Management or his/her designee. Requests will not be considered if submitted one calendar year beyond the date the initial grade was earned.

Students who withdraw from all of their courses are exiting from the university. There are special procedures for doing this. See the section on Withdrawal from the University. Withdrawal for non-attendance is processed only at the instructor's request. It is the responsibility of each student to notify the Registrar's Office of any changes in their schedule after registration.

Withdrawal from the University

A student who finds it necessary to withdraw from the university before the end of a term must contact the Registrar's Office.

When a student withdraws after the drop/add period but before the announced deadline for withdrawal, a grade of W will be assigned for each course. The official date of withdrawal to be used for determining grades and tuition refunds is the day on which the student contacts the Registrar's Office, 107 Lipinsky Hall, and submits forms to withdraw from school. A student who withdraws unofficially will receive an F as the final grade in each course and should contact the Registrar's Office before again registering for classes.

Students who are out of school for a full academic year must complete the General Education requirements (and major requirements if they had earlier declared a major) listed in the current catalog when they return. Exceptions to the General Education requirements may be made by the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs; exceptions to the major requirements may be made by the chair of the major department with the approval of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. Forms to request either exception are available in the Registrar's Office.

Withdrawal for Failure to Attend the First Class

Students registered, but not in attendance, for the first class session of any course may be administratively dropped by the instructor. Students unable to attend the first class session should contact the appropriate instructor/department. Administrative drop is not mandatory; students who do not plan to remain enrolled in any class should drop the class through normal drop/add procedures. It is the student's responsibility to notify the Registrar's Office of any changes to their schedule.

Change of Grade

If a student or instructor discovers that an error has been made in recording a grade, the instructor must request a change of grade. The only acceptable grounds for such a change are the instructor's error in the calculation of the grade or misjudgment in the evaluation of the student's work. To change a grade, the instructor must state the reason for the requested grade change on the appropriate form, indicate the correct grade, sign it, and receive the approval of the department chair, who will sign the form. The deadline for such a request is no later than the last day of the third week of class in the semester immediately following the recording of the original grade, summer terms not included.

Non-Graded Enrollment in Courses

Students electing to participate in non-graded status for a course may do so by registering for the specific course on a X/Y (non-grade/non-completion) basis and by paying the regular tuition and fees for the course. Students who are otherwise registered in a full-time status may take a course in this manner for no additional charge.

Satisfactory completion of the course work associated with the X/Y status as defined by the instructor, shall result in the awarding of non-graduation credit (X grade) for the course. Failure to satisfactorily complete the course work shall result in non-completion (Y) grade by the instructor.

Students may register for X/Y status on a space-available basis only on the last scheduled day of drop/add. Students may change their status from regular credit to X/Y credit until the announced deadline for withdrawal.

Competency and Proficiency Examinations

Major Competency. A demonstration of competency in the major field (or, in the case of students not pursuing a traditional major program, in an area of academic concentration) is required of every degree candidate in the senior year. The departmental faculty determines the form of the major field demonstration of competency. A committee appointed by the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs will determine the form of demonstration for students pursuing interdisciplinary or individual degree programs. The demonstration of competency may take the form of a comprehensive examination that is oral, written or both; a research project; an analytical paper in which appropriate principles and methodologies are applied; or any other form established by the faculty group responsible for its administration. As a condition of graduation, any academic deficiencies or weaknesses revealed by the demonstration of competency must be corrected to the satisfaction of the supervising faculty group.

Oral Competency. A demonstration of oral competency is required of every degree candidate. The departmental faculty determine the form of the demonstration. A committee appointed by the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs will determine the form of the demonstration for students pursuing interdisciplinary or individual degree programs. As a condition of graduation, any academic deficiencies or weaknesses revealed by the demonstration of competency must be corrected to the satisfaction of the supervising faculty group.

Proficiency Examination. Any currently enrolled student may fulfill the requirement for many courses, including General Education requirements, by passing a proficiency examination. Courses such as internships, theses, research seminars, field experiences or any course that meets the departmental requirement of competency or is graded S/U are excluded from this option.

The student completes a Proficiency Examination form obtained from the Registrar and makes arrangements with the department chair in which the course is taught to take an examination covering all material in the course. Any student who is in good academic standing may request approval from the appropriate department chair to take a proficiency examination. Departments have the discretion to determine courses in which examination is appropriate. Grading will be Pass or Fail. If passed, the results will be noted on the student's transcript. The minimum number of hours for a degree will not be reduced. There is a $15 fee.

Honors Lists

At the end of each semester, the university will publish Honors Lists honoring those students who have distinguished themselves academically. Students will receive the highest honor for which they are eligible. The minimum qualifications are:

Chancellor's List. Students are qualified for the Chancellor's List if they earn a 4.0 with a minimum of 12 semester hours and have no Incomplete or IP grades.

Dean's List. The Dean's List honors those students who complete a minimum full-time load of 12 semester hours, have no grade lower than a C, have no Incomplete or IP grades, and have a GPA of at least a 3.5 for the semester.

Academic Warning

A student whose cumulative grade-point average falls below a 2.0 at the end of any semester is placed on academic warning. This is not a punishment but a way of extending help to those in academic difficulty. Students who are on academic warning will be notified by the Registrar that their schedules have been blocked and that they must see their academic advisors. Students on academic warning are limited to 14 credit hours per semester and to one course per summer term.

Academic Suspension

Because students with persistent academic difficulties may benefit from taking time off, the university imposes a suspension of one regular semester when a student fails to meet a minimum grade-point average on hours attempted at UNCA. Students must maintain a grade-point average of the following levels (or above) in order to be enrolled at UNCA:

Hours Toward Graduation (Includes transferred hours and UNCA attempted hours)	Minimum Grade-Point Average
30-44 45-59 60-74 75-89 90-104 105-119 120 and above	1.50 1.66 1.75 1.84 1.90 1.94 2.00	(required to graduate)

After the suspension, a student is eligible to re-enroll by notifying the Registrar. Students returning from suspension are limited to 14 credit hours per semester or one course per summer term. No student with fewer than 30 hours attempted at UNCA will be suspended. A student must have been on academic warning for at least one regular semester before suspension.

Academic Dismissal

A student returning after a suspension must raise the grade-point average above minimum levels within the next 24 credit hours attempted. Those who fail to do so, or at a later time fall again below the minimum levels, will be dismissed from the university.

Appeals and Reinstatement

Appeals for waiver of academic suspension must be submitted in writing to the Registrar's Office no later than three days before registration. Appeals will be heard by the Faculty Enrollment Services Advisory Committee. If a suspension is waived, the student must meet the requirements listed under academic dismissal in order to continue at UNCA.

A student who has been dismissed may, after an absence of at least one regular semester, apply for reinstatement through the Enrollment Services Office. The application must include a written statement explaining any changes in circumstances and behavior that would encourage the university to think the student's performance will improve. Considering this statement and the grade-point average, the Enrollment Services Advisory Committee may choose to reinstate students judged to have a good chance to graduate. There is no right to reinstatement.

Academic warning, suspension and dismissal apply to all classifications of students. A student who is eligible to register at UNCA is considered to be in good academic standing. This policy became effective in the Fall of 1988.

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Graduation

The university confers degrees three times during the academic year: at the end of the Fall semester, at the end of the Spring semester, and at the end of the Summer semester. Formal commencement ceremonies are held only once a year, at the end of the Spring semester. Students having degrees conferred on them in Summer or Fall semesters will belong to the class of the Spring commencement next succeeding. They are entitled to participate in the commencement exercises then, provided they give sufficient notice for their names to be included in the program. To graduate a student must:

1. Complete all General Education requirements of the catalog in effect when he or she entered UNCA as a degree-seeking student or re-entered after an absence of one academic year or more.
2. Complete all major and correlate requirements of the catalog in effect on the date the major or concentration is declared or changed, or in effect when returning after an absence of one academic year or more.
3. Complete a minimum of 30 hours in residence at UNCA if transferring from a four-year school. (The final 30 hours must be completed in residence at UNCA.) If seeking a second degree, UNCA graduates must complete 30 additional hours after the initial degree was awarded.
4. Complete a minimum of 60 hours after transferring from a two-year school.
5. Complete a minimum of 30 hours at 300-400 level.
6. Accumulate a minimum of 120 hours (more if requirements are not completed in 120).
7. Achieve at least a C (2.0) average on work attempted at UNCA, both in the major department and in the overall program.
8. Complete at least one-half of the major at UNCA if a transfer student; two-thirds of the major if a post-baccalaureate student receiving a second degree or certificate of major.
9. Apply to graduate by the published deadlines and pay commencement fee.
10. Participate in the graduation ceremonies if graduating in May, unless excused by the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.
11. Minors, though optional, are only awarded at the completion of degree requirements. Required hours for a minor vary by department from 17 to 24 hours, of which 50 percent must be completed at UNCA.

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Student Responsibilities

Academic Honesty

Any act of plagiarism or cheating is academic dishonesty. A person who knowingly assists another in cheating is likewise guilty of cheating. According to the instructor's view of the gravity of the offense, a student may be punished by a failing grade or a grade of zero for the assignment or test, or a failing grade in the course. If it seems warranted, the instructor may also recommend to the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs dismissal or other serious university sanction.

A student accused of academic dishonesty should talk with his or her instructor. In all situations where a student has been disciplined for plagiarism or cheating, the instructor is to submit to the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs a brief statement of the case; the student is to receive a copy of this document. Depending upon the severity and/or repetition of the offense, the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs may choose to impose a penalty of cancellation of graduation with honors; cancellation of scholarships; dismissal from the university; or any other penalty which he or she deems logical and deserved. A student has 10 class days to respond to this document in writing; this response is to be sent to the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs for attachment to the document submitted by the instructor.

The student may choose to contact the Faculty Conciliator, who will advise the student of his or her rights, and attempt to mediate between the student and the instructor before proceeding to bring the case before the Academic Appeals Board. If the student is satisfied with the results of this mediation, then the formal hearing before the Board will not take place. The request for this formal hearing must be made by the student within 10 class days of receiving the copy of the instructor's statement to the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.

Class Attendance

Students are responsible for regular class attendance. Faculty members are responsible for reporting to the student's advisor any student whose repeated absence from class is impairing the student's work. Students failing to attend the first session of any class may be administratively dropped by the instructor. However, it is the student's responsibility to notify the Registrar's Office of any changes to their schedule.

Student Academic Grievances

A student grievance procedure exists to serve all enrolled students of this university in the event that they judge they have been improperly or unfairly treated in academic matters. The detailed procedure may be found in the Student Handbook. It should be noted that written notice of the grievance must be filed with the Faculty Conciliator within 10 class days of the incident or of the time a student could reasonably be expected to know of the incident. In the case of grade changes, a student has until the end of the fifth week of class in the following regular semester to file a grievance.

Other Student Responsibilities

Final responsibility for scheduling and enrolling for courses required for the degree lies with the student. If a student with a disability needs an accommodation, that request must be received by the Assistant Director of Student Development prior to the start of the semester.

All students are expected to be aware of their academic status at all times and to be responsible for knowing whether they are subject to academic discipline. All students are responsible for the proper completion of their academic program(s), for familiarity with the university catalog, for maintaining the grade-point average required, and for meeting all other degree requirements, including attendance at the commencement exercises at which they will receive their diplomas. Advisors will advise and counsel, but the final responsibility remains that of the student.

Students are required to have knowledge of and observe all regulations pertaining to campus life and student deportment. They are responsible for maintaining communication with the university by keeping on file with the Registrar's Office at all times a current address, including ZIP code and telephone number.

Every student while associated with the university is expected to behave in campus and community life in a manner that will reflect credit upon the university.

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