myCUC

Academic Information

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Freshman Orientation

All new students with less than 24 hours of college credit are expected to be present at CUC Preview as scheduled in the academic calendar. This program is designed to introduce the student to life at CUC and to provide placement tests.

Registration and Attendance

Registration Procedure

All students are expected to register during the periods specified in the school calendar. An outline of the registration procedure will be available at the time of registration. Registration is not official until all signatures required have been obtained, the data is entered in the computer, and a confirmation of registration is received.

Late Registration

Late registration begins on the day after the listed registration day.

Initial registration or the addition of courses is allowed up to one week after the beginning date for classes. Late registrants will be charged the late registration fee, and tuition charges are retroactive to the beginning of the semester. Students registering late may be required to reduce their class load and are expected to make up course work already missed.

Changes in Registration

Registration changes can be made only by means of an add/drop form. Changes made during the first week of classes will not appear on the permanent record unless they constitute a complete withdrawal. After the first week of classes, a fee will be charged for each add/drop voucher.

Withdrawals

Courses dropped after the first week of classes but before the withdrawal deadline will be designated W (withdrew). If a drop voucher is not completed by the deadline date and a student withdraws from a class, a grade of F will be recorded.

Audit Registration

Audit indicates registration for attendance only. A notation of AU will appear on the grade report if the student meets the audit attendance requirements set forth by the instructor in the course syllabus; otherwise, a notation of W (withdrawal) will appear. Students may not change to or register for an audit after the last day to enter classes as stated in the academic calendar found in the bulletin. The instructor's permission is required to register for an audit. Physical activity, private music lessons, and independent study courses may not be audited. Regular tuition charges and fees apply to audited courses.

Class Attendance Policy

Regular and punctual attendance at all classes and laboratories is required. Missing instruction for any reason may lower the class grade or otherwise adversely affect a student's standing in class as stated in the instructor's syllabus. A student who is not present for at least 80% of class instruction during an academic session or semester may be required to withdraw from the course. If by midterm a student has not attended a class for which he/she is registered, an administrative withdrawal will be implemented.

Class Load

Units of Credit

Credit is indicated in semester hours. Each semester hour of credit represents at least 750 minutes of class or 1500 minutes of laboratory time. Most labs will require 2250 minutes.

Full-Time Status

A student carrying 12 or more hours per semester is considered to be a full-time student.

Normal Limit

A normal study load is 12-16 semester hours. A student of exceptional ability may register for additional study with the consent of the Vice President for Academic Administration. A student placed on academic probation may not enroll for more than 13 semester hours. A course in which an incomplete still exists is considered in judging course load of the student for the following semester.

Student Missionary/Taskforce

A student missionary or taskforce volunteer may enroll for a 6 hour student missionary experience course that will ensure that student status is maintained during the period of service.

Class Standing

Students are classified according to the total number of semester hours they have completed.

Examinations and Academic Reports

Examinations

Credit is not granted in courses unless the required examinations and assignments as prescribed by the instructor are completed by the student. Adherence to the published examination schedule is expected.

Grade Reports

Progress of the student is monitored by the teacher, advisor, and the Vice President for Academic Administration or the Academic Appeals Committee. Scholastic reports will be sent to the parents of all single students unless the student specifically requests in writing that this not be done.

A grade may be changed by the teacher during the succeeding semester only to correct an error made in determining or recording the grade.

Transcripts, Grade Reports, Letters of Verification

Requests must be in writing and should give the student's name (current, and name when a student), current address, Social Security number, and year last attended. They must be signed by the student, and sent to the Records Office, Columbia Union College, 7600 Flower Avenue, Takoma Park, MD 20912-7796. FAX requests will be honored if the student's signature is included in the FAX. FERPA allows the release of transcripts to other EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS via telephone and e-mail requests from students. CUC will release transcripts to other educational institutions ONLY, upon telephone or e-mail requests from students, provided no encumbrances exist. If the request is for a rush transcript, a valid credit card number (VISA or Master Card) and date of expiration must be provided in order to charge the required rush fees. Transcript requests to ALL other entities require written and signed requests from the student, and payment in cash, by money order, or by credit card for any rush fees or long distance FAX fees.

Transcripts will not be released for students who are lacking any of the following:

1. An official final high school transcript or equivalent, or an official transcript showing previous graduation from an associate or baccalaureate degree program.
2. Official transcripts from ALL previous educational institutions.
3. Financial clearance from student accounts and financial aid offices.

If an outstanding account is paid by check, the Accounting Services office releases the transcript only after the check has cleared the bank (may take up to three weeks). To avoid delay, a money order is recommended. A rush fee of $10 is charged for 24-hour processing. Regular transcripts require one to two weeks for processing and are free. Faxing of transcripts, grade reports, or verifications of enrollment to local numbers is free. Long-distance faxes incur a $5 fee in addition to any rush fees.

Veterans' Certification Guidelines

Columbia Union College cooperates with the Veterans Administration guidelines for the certification of veterans enrolled at the college. The major guidelines are outlined below for students eligible for veterans' benefits.

Applying for benefits. Veterans should call the VA Regional Office (1-888-442-4551) to verify their eligibility and monthly entitlement. After being accepted, students who will be using VA benefits must contact the VA certifying official on campus and complete the appropriate form.

Student responsibility. The VA pays benefits only for courses that apply toward a student's degree. It is the student's responsibility to make sure that the courses he/she is taking apply toward his/her degree.

Concurrent registration. If a student registers at CUC and at another college simultaneously to take a course that will apply toward his degree, he must notify the CUC certifying official in order to get reimbursement for the class at the other school.

Notification of student classload to the VA. After the last day to register for classes each term, the certifying official will notify the VA of the classload for which each veteran is registered. A copy of the certification will be sent to the student.

Notification of change of student classload or major to the VA. The student is to notify the certifying official immediately of any change in major or class load so that the VA can be notified. Within a week after a veteran files an add/drop form with the records office to discontinue studies or to change classload, the certifying official informs the VA of the veteran's changed classload status.

Release of student records to VA Authorities. Guidelines given to the college by the US government indicate that the college may release confidential information, including grades, to officials from the VA without prior authorization from the student.

Grades and Credits

Grades

Incompletes

An Incomplete I indicates that a student's work in the course is incomplete because of illness or unavoidable circumstances and not because of negligence or inferior performance. The student requests an I grade by completing the appropriate form from the office of the Vice President for Academic Administration prior to the final examination period. Signatures of the instructor and the Vice President for Academic Administration are required. The instructor will designate on the form the time limit (not to exceed eight weeks of the next semester) as well as the grade that the student will receive if the deficiency is not removed within the time limit. Any request for an extension beyond the time period allowed must be approved by the instructor and the Vice President for Academic Administration prior to the designated deadline. A service charge will be assessed for incompletes.

Pass/Fail Courses

The course description of some courses calls for P (pass) or F (fail) grades. The grade of P must be at the C level or above. A grade of F is considered as failure and will affect the student's grade point average.

Course Repeat Policy

When a student repeats a course, both the original and repeat grades are entered on the student's permanent record; but only the repeat grade and credit are computed in the grade point average. When a course which includes a laboratory is repeated, the laboratory must also be repeated. Students are allowed to repeat a course only one time.

Correspondence Study

Credit for correspondence study completed through a regionally accredited college or university may be accepted upon approval of the Academic Appeals Committee. Such approvals for enrolled students will be granted only when they are unable to take courses already offered by the college either on campus or through the CUC External Degree Program.

Only one correspondence course at a time will generally be approved, and if pursued while in residence, the course will be considered in determining the student's class load during the semesters in which the correspondence study is in progress.

Foreign Study

Columbia Union College students have excellent opportunities to study abroad. Adventist Colleges Abroad (ACA) is a consortium of Adventist colleges and universities in North America under the auspices of the Board of Higher Education, General Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. It provides opportunities to qualified students for study overseas while completing the requirements of their programs at their home colleges. The following institutions are affiliates of ACA:

Objectives. It is expected that students will immerse themselves in the culture and life of the host country, mature socially and intellectually, and become conversant in the language. It is also hoped that, through their experience abroad, students will gain inspiration to offer more effective service in a variety of cultures.

Eligibility and Application. Prerequisites for admission to a year of study abroad through ACA are:

1. Admission as a regular student in the college for the year abroad.
2. Competence in the relevant language as determined by CUC.
3. Sophomore standing at CUC. (Exceptions may be considered on an individual basis)
4. A GPA of 3.00 in the relevant language and 2.50 overall.
5. A good citizenship record.
6. Application to the CUC admissions office.
7. Fulfillment of the financial requirement.

A summer language study program is also available.
For further details, consult the ACA coordinator.

Transfer Credits

Up to 90 semester hours earned at an accredited college or university with grades of C or better may be accepted at Columbia Union College. More hours may be transferred under unusual circumstances. A student may request to transfer courses with D grades earned at another college. Such requests will be considered on the basis of the student's academic and professional goals. The college reserves the right to reject credit earned at other institutions or require validation examinations, especially in professional programs, to meet current content requirements in specific courses.

A maximum of 70 semester hours from recognized junior colleges will be accepted. Upper division credit may be allowed for courses taken at a junior college or for courses numbered as lower division credit at another four-year college or university only if validated by the appropriate department.

Details of CUC's transfer policy are contained in the document "Transfer Policy and Non-classroom Learning Credits" approved by the Educational Policies Committee March 9, 1993.

Credit by Examination

The credit by examination policy at Columbia Union College gives students an opportunity to receive official academic credit for learning achieved in non-traditional ways. Examinations officially used by Columbia Union College to grant credit by examination are:

• College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) tests administered by the College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB)
• Advanced Placement program (AP) tests administered by CEEB to students whose secondary schools offer advanced placement courses
• DANTES subject standardized tests
• New York Regents External Degree/College Proficiency Examination Program tests
• Examinations prepared by CUC instructional departments (challenge exams).
• Certain other commercially prepared standardized examinations as approved by the CUC Academic Council.

General Policies for Credit by Examination

1. Credit earned by examination will be recorded only when the student has completed at least 12 semester hours at CUC.
2. Credit cannot be established by examination in General Education courses required specifically by name and number.
3. Credit earned by examination will be granted P (pass).
4. Maximum credit that can be earned by examination is 24 hours for baccalaureate degrees and 12 hours for associate degrees.
5. Credit granted based on a combination of portfolio and examinations may not exceed 30 hours.
6. An examination may not be taken in an area where the student has completed a more advanced course or a course with similar content.
7. Credits by examination cannot be used to meet CUC residency requirements.
8. A test can be attempted only twice with a waiting period of six months between attempts.
9. Credit by examination earned through National tests such as CLEP, AP, etc. may be transferred if an official transcript from the testing body is received by CUC and it meets the credit by examination policies of CUC. Credit earned from institutional exams is not transferrable.
10. Graduating seniors must present scores from examinations at least one term prior to the term in which they plan to graduate.

Fees for Credit by Examination

College-Level Examination Program (CLEP)

College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) tests are administered by the Education Department. Arrangements for testing must be made through that department.

There are two kinds of CLEP tests: general examinations and subject examinations. Credit for general examinations is accepted only for humanities (fine arts, 3 hours). To receive academic credit, an examination score of 50 or above is required. (A score at the 50th percentile or above is required for examination taken before July 1, 2001.) A complete list of subjects accepted by CUC is listed below:

Advanced Placement Program

The Advanced Placement program (AP) allows qualified teachers in certain secondary schools to prepare students to take AP tests.

The College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB) prepares, administers, and grades the examinations and sends the grades to the colleges specified by the candidate. They are graded on a five-point scale: 1) no recommendation; 2) possibly qualified; 3) qualified; 4) well qualified; 5) extremely well qualified.

For most courses, it is the policy of CUC to grant college credit to students with scores of 3 or better on the AP examinations. However, for credit in English, students must earn a 5 on the AP examinations. A list of subjects accepted by CUC is listed below:

Students who transfer from another institution which awarded them credit for the Advanced Placement exam will be evaluated to receive similar credit after a review of their current writing skills. Advanced Placement transcripts will be required.

Challenge Examinations

A challenge examination may be taken for course credit for the following courses:

There may be challenge tests available for additional classes.

DANTES Examinations

Credit for DANTES examinations will be awarded in accord with the "Transfer Policy and Non-classroom Learning Credits" approved by the Educational Policies Committee on March 9, 1993, and the ACE Guide to Credit by Examination.

Validation Examination

A validation examination may be required in order to validate credits from unaccredited programs or institutions or to update the contents of courses required by a department.

Waiver

Departments may waive requirements in their major, minor, or required cognate courses if the requirements of the course have been satisfied by means other than taking the required course. Such waivers must be submitted in writing to the Records office using a Modification to Student's Program form which has been endorsed by the academic advisor. Waived courses receive no academic credit, nor do they reduce the hours needed for graduation. General education requirements may be waived only by the Academic Appeals Committee, usually in consultation with the department offering the course for which a waiver is being sought.

Credit for Experiential Learning

Students who have satisfactorily completed at least 12 semester hours at Columbia Union College may apply for credit for experiential learning by submitting a portfolio, along with a non-refundable evaluation fee. Credit for experiential learning is considered only when a valid challenge examination is not available. Students must prepare a portfolio in accordance with the criteria established in the Portfolio Instruction Manual. The portfolio must show evidence of college-level student learning gained through experience which extends over a reasonable period of time and is relevant to the student's academic goals. Credits awarded for experiential learning are limited to a maximum of 24 semester hours for baccalaureate degrees and 12 hours for associate degrees. Credit granted based on a combination of portfolio and examinations may not exceed 30 hours. Experiential learning credits will be recorded as "Pass" credits. For more information, please contact the director for experiential learning.

Fees for Experiential Learning Credit

Scholastic Standing

Columbia Union College expects all students to strive for excellence in learning and in living. CUC requires students to place a high priority on their scholastic program and consistently meet or exceed the minimum academic standards required for staying in college and for graduation.

Provisions for Individual Differences

The college realizes that individual differences exist among students in their educational background, academic potential, personal growth and development, motivation, learning styles, and study habits. In view of these individual differences, Columbia Union College is committed to providing eligible students assistance in meeting the rigorous demands of obtaining a college education.

The overall progress of the students is carefully examined by the advisors, the Vice President for Academic Administration, and the Academic Appeals Committee. Appreciation and encouragement are directed toward those whose performance exhibits progress and excellence. For those who are not progressing satisfactorily, remedial measures are required. When these fail, the college advises students to terminate their studies at CUC and to re-evaluate their goals and their resources. Opportunities for re-enrollment are extended only to those who show appropriate evidence that further studies can be handled satisfactorily.

Academic Honors

At the conclusion of the first and second semesters of the school year, students who have carried a minimum of 12 semester hours and have attained the following grade point averages will be included in the honors group indicated:

3.50 Dean's List
3.25 Honor Roll

Students in the Adult Evening Program who have carried a minimum of nine semester hours per semester will be included in the respective honor groups listed above if they earn the specified grade point averages. They will be recorded at the conclusion of the first and second semesters of the school year. Honors are not recorded for summer terms.

National Honor Societies

Columbia Union College has active chapters of the six national honor societies named below. These honor societies help promote and recognize excellence in scholastic achievement, leadership, and character development. New student members who meet the eligibility requirements specified by the society are formally inducted into the society during the school year. For more information concerning the honor societies, contact the Vice President for Academic Administration.

Alpha Chi

Membership in this honor society is restricted to the top 10 percent of the members of the junior and senior classes in good academic and social standing. Other eligibility requirements must be met before membership can be approved by the various campus committees. Alpha Chi is committed to encouraging sound scholarship and devotion to truth among its members. A charter of the Maryland Delta Chapter at CUC was granted in 1984.

Lambda Beta

Lambda Beta is a respiratory care honor society formed nationally in 1984. The society strives to promote, recognize, and honor high scholarly standards and achievement in the respiratory care profession. A permanent "Roll of Excellence" is maintained for those who are accepted as members of this prestigious society.

Membership in Lambda Beta is open to students, alumni, and faculty of accredited respiratory therapy educational programs. The respiratory care program at Columbia Union College is the first in the Washington metropolitan area to induct members into the Lambda Beta Honor Society. The CUC chapter was established in 1994.

Phi Alpha Theta

The international honor society in history, Phi Alpha Theta is composed of chapters in accredited colleges and universities. The society's purpose is to promote the study of history and to encourage historical scholarship. Students who demonstrate excellence in the discipline are eligible for membership. The CUC chapter was chartered in 1965.

Phi Eta Sigma

This society was founded in 1923 to encourage high scholastic attainment among the freshmen in institutions of higher learning. All freshmen who have earned a grade-point average of 3.50 or above on a full-time academic load first semester are eligible. Recommendations of the Student Life Committee and Academic Council are required. The CUC chapter was chartered in 1985.

Psi Chi

This society was established to recognize outstanding academic excellence by student majors in psychology. Psi Chi promotes active participation in the Psychology Department while integrating knowledge with applied experience. The CUC chapter was chartered in 1989.

Sigma Tau Delta

To confer distinction for higher achievement in collegiate and professional studies in English language and literature is the purpose of Sigma Tau Delta. English majors and minors who have earned an overall grade point average of 3.25 or above, a B average in English, and have completed successfully at least two literature courses beyond the freshman requirements are eligible for membership. Approvals for membership must be granted by various committees on campus. CUC's chapter, designated as the Rho Sigma Chapter, was chartered in 1984.

Academic Probation

A student whose cumulative grade point average is below 2.00, or whose semester GPA has been below 2.00 for two or more semesters, may be placed on academic probation at the discretion of the Academic Appeals Committee. Limitations on the class load (no more than 13 hours) and on participation in extracurricular activities will be enforced. The Academic Appeals Committee specifies a time period for the deficiencies to be corrected. If the problem is not corrected within that period, dismissal procedures will be implemented.

Many students on academic probation may have excellent potential, but their performance level on tests and courses may be low due to inadequate preparation, lack of motivation, improper study preparation, or lack of discipline. The progress of such students will be carefully monitored by the department, academic counselor, and the Vice President for Academic Administration's office. The college has the right to ask these students to take remedial/developmental courses and to commit to a program of academic and personal counseling.

Ineligibility to Continue in a Program

Students are considered ineligible to continue in a major or minor program if they are not meeting the specific requirements of the program determined by the department faculty. Such students will be provided counseling regarding their choice of majors, minors, or career goals.

Dismissal Policy

Students are considered ineligible to continue their studies at Columbia Union College if their academic progress is unsatisfactory. The following table will be used in determining the status of the students:

Academic Integrity

As an institution of higher education rooted in the Seventh-day Adventist tradition, Columbia Union College is committed to the search for truth-a search that requires careful compliance with the principles of academic integrity in the discovery, clarification, and dissemination of all information. This commitment to truth assumes that each member of the campus community adhere to the highest standards of honesty and integrity in the completion of his or her academic requirements. The Academic Integrity Policy set forth below describes the responsibilities of students, faculty, and the Vice President for Academic Administration (Academic Dean). It also defines and gives examples of academic dishonesty, describes the consequences for violations of academic integrity, and provides an appeals process. Finally, the policy is intended to be both educational and redemptive.

Student Responsibilities

• Be familiar with and uphold the CUC Academic Integrity Policy and the policy of each of their instructors.
• Take responsibility to protect academic integrity in their own work and in the college community.
• Avoid both dishonest practices and the appearance of dishonesty.
• Make the necessary effort to ensure that their work is not used by others.
• Be prepared to offer verification of work and demonstrate abilities in a monitored setting.

Faculty Responsibilities

• Be familiar with and uphold the CUC Academic Integrity Policy.
• Include in every course outline academic integrity policies relating to the particular course.
• Discuss course policies on first day of each class and reaffirm the importance of academic integrity within the educational process.
• File with the Academic Dean a written report of all instances of academic dishonesty (as determined by the instructor after informal discussions with student even if resolved internally within Department) with a copy to the student (as more particularly set forth in the Procedures).

Academic Dean Responsibilities

• Chair Honor Council (as non-voting member except to break a tie vote)
• Maintain student files including all Reports of Academic Dishonesty
• Refer all multiple reports of academic dishonesty to Honor Council
• Refer all XF grades to the Registrar

Academic Dishonesty

Violations of academic integrity include, but are not limited, to the following:

Cheating: Intentionally using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information, or study aids in any academic exercise.

Examples of cheating may include but are not limited to:

Sharing answers or collaborating with another student on any academic exercise unless specifically authorized by the instructor.

Possessing unauthorized notes, study sheets, or other materials during an examination or other academic exercise.

Tampering with an examination or other academic requirement after it has been corrected, then returning it for more credit.

Stealing or attempting to steal an assignment or answer key.

Submitting substantial portions of the same work for credit in more than one course without the knowledge and approval of all instructors involved.

Plagiarism: Intentionally or knowingly representing the words or ideas of another as one's own in any academic exercise.

Examples of plagiarism may include but are not limited to:

Copying from another source without quotation marks and appropriate documentation.

Paraphrasing words, ideas, or sequence of ideas, from another source without appropriate documentation.

Using material from the Internet or other on-line service without proper documentation.

Buying or using the whole or any part of a paper from a current or graduated student, research or term paper service, or any other source not representing your own efforts.

Fabrication: Intentional and unauthorized falsification or invention of any information or citation in an academic exercise.

Examples of fabrication include but are not limited to:

Changing or attempting to change academic records without proper authority.

Altering documents after signatures have been obtained.

Forging of signatures on any document.

Obtaining unauthorized files or accounts.

Facilitating academic dishonesty: Intentionally or knowingly helping or attempting to help another to violate any provision of this Code.

Other: Any other instance that undermines or has the potential to undermine academic integrity.

Consequences: Violations of academic integrity may be imposed singularly or in any combination.

Possibilities include:

Reduction in or failing assignment grade

Reduction in course grade

XF grade (see explanation on p. 63)

Academic Suspension from school including XF grade in course (right of appeal in the following semester)

Academic Dismissal from school including XF grade in course (right of appeal after two semesters)

Academic Expulsion from school including XF grade in course (no right of appeal)

Procedures:

1. Upon instructor suspicion of academic dishonesty, the instructor shall, within ten (10) school days after discovery, hold an informal discussion with the student about the incident, try to reach resolution and, if appropriate, recommend a consequence to the student. This meeting should be promptly documented with a memo from the instructor to the student with a copy to the Academic Dean and department chair.

2. If the student elects to appeal the instructor's decision, then within ten (10) after the instructor's memo, the student shall meet with the Department Chair to discuss the incident, try to reach resolution, and, if appropriate, the Department Chair will assign the same or a different consequence. If the teacher and the Department Chair are the same individual, then this second discussion will take place with another full time faculty member in the department. This meeting should be promptly documented with a memo from the instructor to the student with a copy to the Academic Dean.

3. If the student elects to appeal the Department's decision, the student may, within ten (10) days after the Departmental memo, appeal the situation to the Honor Council.

4.The Honor Council shall promptly investigate the facts of the situation and hear formally from the student and the instructor. The student shall be entitled to one guest (which guest may not be a lawyer) at any and all appearances before the Honor Council. If the Honor Council agrees with the fact findings of the Department, it will affirm the Departmental decision. If the Honor Council disagrees, in whole or in part, with the fact findings of the Department, the Honor Council may modify the consequence to include any consequence (equal, lesser or greater than that of the Department).

5. Until a final decision has been reached (whether within the Department or by the Honor Council), the student shall remain an active member of the class in which the alleged instance of dishonesty occurred. In the event the student elects to drop or withdraw from the class, the alleged act of academic dishonesty will be pursued to its conclusion and any final consequence (including assignment of an XF grade, suspension, dismissal, or expulsion) shall be unaffected by such drop or withdrawal.

XF Grade

The grade of "XF" is intended to denote a failure to accept and exhibit the fundamental value of academic integrity. The XF grade shall be recorded on the student's transcript with the notation "failure due to academic dishonesty." The XF grade shall be treated in the same manner as a "F" for purposes of computing a grade point average, course repeatability and determination of academic standing.

No student with an XF grade on their transcript shall be permitted to run for or hold any office in any student organization or serve as a member of any campus committee.

The student may file a petition with the Honor Council to replace an XF grade with an "F". The decision to approve or deny the petition shall rest solely with the Honor Council which shall consider the following minimum criteria:

a. At the time the petition is received, at least twelve (12) months have lapsed since the XF grade was imposed or since a prior petition for the same action was denied;

b. An essay submitted by the student with the petition adequately explains why the grade should be changed; and

c. The student has not been found responsible of any other act of academic dishonesty or similar disciplinary offense at the College or any other institution.

The Honor Council is not obligated to approve any such petition.

Academic Grievance Procedure

Students who feel they have received prejudiced academic evaluation are entitled to appeal for an impartial review and reconsideration of their cases. Procedures to be followed are:

1. Students should go first to the teacher involved to discuss the matter.
2. They may next appeal to the chair of the department. If the teacher involved is the department chair, then the chair must appoint another faculty member in the department or a related department to hear the student's case.
3. If a satisfactory decision still has not been reached, the case may be presented to the Vice President for Academic Administration, after which students can appeal in writing or in person to the Academic Appeals Committee. The decision of the committee is final.
4. Any appeal of a grade must be initiated within the first semester following the awarding of the grade in question.

For grievances of a non-academic matter, refer to the Student Handbook.