Section II. Academic Issues | Spalding University Student Handbook

Section II. Academic Issues

Section II. Academic Issues

This section of the catalog outlines grading policies including process for disagreement with assigned grade, the policies on academic and professional integrity and procedures for instances of a possible breach, and appeals procedure regarding academic and professional integrity decisions.

Contents


Undergraduate Grades

In addition to the material in this section, please see the Pass/Fail Policy. Please note that "plus and minus" grades (e.g., A-, B+) are not recorded. Only the letter grade will appear on the transcript and be used to calculate the GPA.

A (4 quality points) indicates work of excellent quality: a superior grasp of the content of the course, initiative in doing work considerably beyond ordinary assignments, originality in attacking problems, and ability to relate the knowledge of the course to other knowledge.

B (3 quality points) indicates work of high quality: a very good grasp of content, initiative in doing some work beyond the ordinary assignments, and above-average ability to apply principles intelligently.

C (2 quality points) indicates work of acceptable quality: a grasp of the essentials of the course, the satisfactory completion of work assigned, and an average ability to see relationships and to make applications.

D (1 quality point) indicates grasp of only the minimum essentials of a course: passing, but indicates work that is not satisfactory at the college level.

F (0 quality points) indicates failure to master the minimum essentials of the course or failure to follow official procedure for withdrawal from class.

W indicates approved withdrawal from class, in accordance with published university policies. See the University's Withdrawal Policy for more information.

 

I indicates that a student's achievement in the course has been satisfactory but, for some good reason, the work is incomplete and permission has been given to complete the work within a given period (not to exceed 90 days, except EESM 090 and MATH 104 not to exceed 120 days). A contract between the student and the faculty member, stipulating the work to be completed and the date on which the work must be completed, must be filed with the registrar. If the work is not completed within the time stipulated, a grade of F is recorded. Students should note that the grade of I is given only in cases of emergency and not as a matter of convenience to the student. Any extension of the three-month period for course work completion requires the written approval of the Provost.

 

X indicates course work that has not been completed because of the nature of the study. Only academic courses that have an internship or practica as the primary course content are eligible for this category. If the work is not completed within 12 months of the initial assignment of the X grade, a grade of F is recorded. Any extension of the 12-month period for course work completion requires the written approval of the Provost.

 

AU indicates that the student has audited the course. Audited courses carry no grade, have no earned credit hours, and do not count in the student's GPA.

 

Undergraduate Academic Status: Required Grade Point Average

A student's academic status is determined by the cumulative Spalding grade-point average (GPA). A candidate for a degree must gain not only the number of credits required, but also quality points equal to at least twice the number of credits earned (i.e., at least a 2.00 Spalding GPA). A student with a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or higher is designated as being in "Good Academic Standing."

 

Quality points indicate the grade of work done and are computed as follows:

 

each credit hour with a grade of A gives 4 quality points

each credit hour with a grade of B gives 3 quality points

each credit hour with a grade of C gives 2 quality points

each credit hour with a grade of D gives 1 quality point

each credit hour with a grade of F gives no quality points.

Under certain circumstances, a student may repeat a course in an attempt to improve the grade. See Repeating a Course for further information.

 

Academic standing is defined by a student’s cumulative Spalding Grade Point Average (GPA) as it correlates to the number of attempted hours. Any student whose cumulative Spalding GPA is equal to or above the minimum requirement, as shown on the scale below, is considered to be in Good Academic Standing.

 

after 12 attempted credit hours, if the cumulative Spalding GPA is 1.70 or above

after 24 attempted credit hours, if the cumulative Spalding GPA is 1.80 or above

after 36 attempted credit hours, if the cumulative Spalding GPA is 1.90 or above

after 48 attempted credit hours, if the cumulative Spalding GPA is 2.00 or above

At the recommendation of the Council on Undergraduate Retention, a student whose cumulative Spalding GPA is lower than the Academic Good Standing requirement at the end of any 18-week academic term (or the equivalent in the Adult Accelerated Program) may be placed on probation. If the cumulative Spalding GPA exceeds the minimum requirement after 12 additional credit hours earned at Spalding, and all other conditions of probation have been met, the Council on Undergraduate Retention may choose to remove the student from probation. If the cumulative Spalding GPA is still below the minimum requirement after 12 additional credit hours earned at Spalding, the Council on Undergraduate Retention may choose to suspend the student for up to twelve weeks. During this time, the student will be subject to the requirements of the Students On Suspension (SOS) program. Any student successfully completing SOS will continue on probation. Any student failing to meet the conditions of suspension is subject to automatic academic dismissal.

 

A student on probation is required to adjust his or her course load as required by the Council. The individual courses to be carried will be determined by the student's academic advisor.

Any student whose cumulative Spalding GPA falls below the minimum requirement, as shown on the scale below, is subject to automatic academic dismissal.

after 21 attempted credit hours, if the cumulative Spalding GPA is below 1.25

after 32 attempted credit hours, if the cumulative Spalding GPA is below 1.50

after 48 attempted credit hours, if the cumulative Spalding GPA is below 1.65

after 64 attempted credit hours, if the cumulative Spalding GPA is below 1.75

after 80 attempted credit hours, if the cumulative Spalding GPA is below 1.90

after 96 attempted credit hours, if the cumulative Spalding GPA is below 2.00

The Council on Undergraduate Retention has the discretion to academically dismiss, for any reason, any student whose cumulative Spalding GPA has been lower than the minimum requirement for Good Academic Standing (even if higher than the minimum shown on the scale above) for a minimum of six months.

 

After at least two calendar years have passed since the date of the dismissal action by the Council on Undergraduate Retention, an academically dismissed student may apply for readmission. The application for readmission must give evidence of how the student has prepared to improve his or her grade-point average. The application must be submitted to the Admissions Committee. If the application is approved, the student will be readmitted on probation and must comply with any stipulations made by the Admissions Committee. Within a period of time specified by the Committee, and after the student has earned at least 12 credit hours, the student must attain the cumulative Spalding GPA for the appropriate class level. All appeals of academic status shall be made to the Admissions Committee at least two weeks prior to the first day of classes in which the student wishes to be readmitted.

 

Graduate Grades

The interpretation of grades in graduate work is as follows. Please note that "plus and minus" grades (e.g., A-, B+) are not recorded. Only the letter grade will appear on the transcript and be used to calculate the GPA.


A (4 quality points) indicates work of excellent quality: a superior grasp of the content of the course, initiative in doing work beyond ordinary assignments, originality in problem-solving, and ability to relate the knowledge of the course to other knowledge.

B (3 quality points) indicates work of acceptable quality for the graduate level: a grasp of the essentials of the course, the satisfactory completion of the work assigned, and average ability to see relationships and to make applications.

C (2 quality points) indicates grasp of only the minimum essentials of the course: it is passing but indicates work below the level acceptable for a graduate student. Students who earn a grade of C may be dropped from their program.

F (0 quality points) indicates failure to master the minimum essentials of the course or unauthorized withdrawal from a course. One course grade of F in a graduate program is cause for automatic dismissal from the program and the University.

 

I indicates that the student's achievement in the course has been satisfactory but, for some good reason, the work is incomplete and permission has been given to complete the work within a given period (not to exceed three months). A contract between the student and the faculty member, stipulating the work to be completed and the date on which the work must be completed, must be filed with the registrar. If the work is not completed within the time stipulated, a grade of F is recorded. Students should note that the grade of I is given only in cases of emergency and not as a matter of convenience to the student. Any extension of the three-month period for course work completion requires the written approval of the Provost.

 

X indicates course work has not been completed because of the nature of the research or study involved. Only courses including internship, practica, or dissertation as the primary course content are eligible for this category. If the work is not completed within 24 months of the initial assignment of the X grade, a grade of F is recorded. Any extension of the 24-month period for coursework completion requires the written approval of the Provost.

 

Graduate Academic Status

An overall average of B (3.00) is required for a graduate degree. The lowest grade for which credit is given in a graduate course is C. In upper division undergraduate courses taken for graduate credit, a graduate student must earn a grade of B or A to receive graduate credit. In addition to the above requirements, students who earn five credits or more in a single graduate course at the grade graduate level of C, will be automatically dismissed from their program and the University, as will students who earn one grade of F in any one course. Students who earn a grade level of C in two graduate courses in a program of study, regardless of the total credit hours, will automatically be dismissed from their program and the University. Individual graduate programs may have more stringent requirements that govern academic status. In those instances, the more stringent criteria apply.

 

For students in the Master of Fine Arts in Writing Program to remain in the program, evaluations of Credit Awarded (AWD) must be received at the end of each semester. If an evaluation of Credit Not Awarded (NOC) is received, one semester may be repeated one time. All tuition and appropriate fees are required. If at the end of the repeated semester the student does not receive Credit Awarded, the student is not allowed to continue in the program. Failure in a second course results in automatic termination. It is the student's responsibility to determine how a Credit Not Awarded evaluation may or may not affect financial aid through student loans.

 

For information on procedures for student complaints and grievances regarding academic issues, see Professional and Academic Decisions: Student Appeal Procedures.

 

 

Undergraduate/Graduate Policies

 

Assigned Grade and Disagreement with Grade Assigned 

In instances where a student disagrees with a grade given on an assignment or class, the following procedure will be followed.

 

Procedure

Faculty members have the right and obligation to determine student grades in light of the student responsibilities and assignments specified in the course syllabi. If a student disagrees with a grade, the student will engage in the following process prior to initiating a formal appeal procedure.

 

Within 5 business days of the reception of the grade, the student will raise the matter with the faculty member. This investigation may include, but is not limited to, a review of the course expectations and the use of available resources to analyze the paper or assignment. It is normative that the faculty member and student have a conversation to discuss the student’s differing opinion. If a face to face meeting is not feasible due to schedule or distance, a phone or e-mail conversation will be attempted. All e-mail communication will be directed to the student’s Spalding e-mail address; the Spalding e-mail address is the official address for all communication from Spalding University. (Each attempt should be documented by the faculty member. After the third attempt at contacting the student without response, the process will move forward without this conversation.) If the conversation is held, it is to include:

Student’s perspective

Faculty member’s rationale for grade given

Clarification of possible consequences of grade

1.1. If the aforementioned conversation is held, within 2 business days of such, the faculty member will write a confirmation that the conversation occurred, with a copy given to the student. If given in person, the student will sign a form confirming the conversation occurred. If the meeting is not in person, an email confirmation of the meeting will be sought. (Refusal of the student to sign does not prevent the progression of the process.) This confirmation will only acknowledge that:

 

the student and faculty spoke of the concern, and

the student had an opportunity to express her/his perspective

1.2 If student contact is attempted three times without response, and no conversation with the student can occur, the faculty member will render a decision about the issue based on all other available information.

 

The faculty member will make a decision and communicate the final grade to the student in writing within 5 business days of the interaction with the student through email or mail.

NOTE: In instances when a student earns a course grade that prohibits the continuation in a course sequence, the student will not register or attend sequential classes. In instances where the grade results in termination from a program/dismissal from the University, the student will not register or attend any further classes and will be withdrawn from current courses.

 

Copies of all documentation will be retained on file in the School of the responsible faculty member for three years.

 

Policy on Academic Integrity

Characteristics of academic integrity include fairness, respect for others, personal responsibility, and proper recognition and acknowledgement of resources used in all educational activities. In order for this diverse community of learners to fulfill its mission of shared exploration, creativity, and justice, all members must feel free to participate in an atmosphere of trust. A goal of the University is for the concept of integrity to become a habit of the mind and a reality in performance, enriching and guiding all members of the community. Members of the Spalding University community will demonstrate a high standard of integrity in all areas of academic work and university experiences. Faculty are held to high expectations of integrity through professional and disciplinary practices and through policies outlined in the Faculty and Employee Handbooks. In this same spirit, students who breach the University's Policy on Academic Integrity are subject to disciplinary action.

 

Students, faculty and staff have the duty to report any instance of academic dishonesty to the appropriate authority (i.e., faculty member, dean, chair, program director, etc.). Penalties for academic dishonesty may vary or be more stringent in particular academic units.

 

Definition "Academic dishonesty" includes academic lying, stealing, or cheating for the purpose of affecting one's grade, course credit, or status, including but not limited to the following:

 

Submitting another person's work as one's own and misrepresenting assigned work as the product of one's sole independent effort;

Fabricating work and/or resources as authentic material;

Submitting work for more than one course without the prior approval from each faculty member involved;

Plagiarizing (i.e., using verbal, written, or visual representations of ideas, works, phrases, paragraphs, or entire documents by others as though the work were one's own);

Conducting research that does not comply with the established university policies (see the Policy on the Use of Human and Animal Subjects);

Fabricating or falsifying data;

Assisting student(s) in engaging in academic dishonesty;

Using any unauthorized assistance in completing quizzes, tests, or examinations, or specific course assignments/projects;

Acquiring, without permission, any academic evaluative or testing materials;

Influencing or attempting to influence through the use of bribery, threats, or any other means of coercion, any Spalding University official, faculty member, graduate student, or employees responsible for processing grades, evaluating students, or maintaining records;

 

Unethical activities related specifically to professional standards and practices (i.e., expectations regarding internships, practica, externships, clinical field placements, etc.). These violations are governed by individual school or program policies and guidelines and the Policy on Professional Integrity for graduate students and students in professional education programs.

 

Procedure for Instance of a Possible Breach in Academic Integrity

Students, faculty and staff have the duty to report any possible instance of academic dishonesty to the appropriate authority (i.e., faculty member, program director, Chair, Dean, etc.). When a faculty member (responsible for the course, program, etc.) becomes aware of a possible instance of academic dishonesty, she or he is responsible for initiating the following procedure:

 

Within 5 business days, the faculty member will investigate the matter thoroughly. This investigation may include, but is not limited to, a review of the student’s file and the use of available resources to analyze the paper or assignment. It is normative that the faculty member and student have a conversation to discuss the faculty member’s discovery and to provide the student with an opportunity to present an explanation. If a face to face meeting is not feasible due to schedule or distance, a phone or e-mail conversation will be attempted. All e-mail communication will be directed to the student’s Spalding e-mail address; the Spalding e-mail address is the official address for all communication from Spalding University. (Each attempt should be documented by the faculty member. After the third attempt at contacting the student without response, the process will move forward without this conversation.) If the conversation is held, it is to include:

Faculty member’s rationale for concern of academic dishonesty

 

Student’s response

Clarification of possible consequences

1.1. If the aforementioned conversation is held, within 2 business days of such, the faculty member will write a confirmation that the conversation occurred, with a copy given to the student. If given in person, the student will sign a form confirming the conversation occurred. If the meeting is not in person, an email confirmation of the meeting will be sought. (Refusal of the student to sign does not prevent the progression of the process.) This confirmation will only acknowledge that:

 

the student and faculty member spoke of the concern, and

the student had an opportunity to express her/his perspective

1.2 If student contact is attempted three times without response, and no conversation with the student can occur, the faculty member will render a decision about the issue based on all other available information.

 

Faculty Decision:

2.1 If the faculty member determines there has been no incidence of academic dishonesty, no further action is required, other than written notification to the student that no action will be taken.

 

2.2 If the faculty member determines there has been an incidence of academic dishonesty, within 5 business days of the conversation with the student (or after the third failed attempt at contacting the student for this conversation), the faculty member will write a formal document articulating her/his findings and sanctions. Copies of this document will be given to the student, in person with signature verifying receipt or via registered mail with delivery confirmation requested. Further, copies will be disseminated to the student’s program director and the student’s file. A copy will be retained, also, by the faculty member.

 

Sanctions that may be imposed by the responsible faculty member include the resubmission of the relevant assignment, a lowered or failing grade for the assignment, and/or a lowered or failing grade for the course, as may be delineated in each college/school's printed sanctions policy.

Each individual School’s/College's sanction policy will vary, based upon individual course requirements and/or specific program level standards and may be more stringent in some Schools based upon their external professional accreditation standards and regulatory requirements for the discipline.

NOTE: In instances when a student earns a course grade that prohibits the continuation in a course sequence, the student will not register or attend sequential classes. In instances where the grade results in termination from a program/dismissal from the University, the student will not register or attend any further classes and will be withdrawn from current courses.

 

Copies of all documentation will be retained on file in the School of the responsible faculty member for three years.

All disciplinary actions taken will be reported to the Provost and recorded in the student’s official file in the University Registrar’s Office.

 

 

Policy on Professional Integrity

Undergraduate and graduate students in professional programs must act in accordance with the standards, ethics, and conduct of their profession when fulfilling any of their program requirements (e.g., practicum, externship, internship, research work) and while performing any work or activities related to their profession (e.g., a job or an assistantship).

 

Exhibiting inappropriate, dishonest, and/or unprofessional behavior according to standards set in and for the student's professional discipline may be cause for dismissal from a program. The University reserves the right to make final decisions on sanctions and dismissals related to ethical/professional misconduct.

 

Procedures for Instances of Possible Breach of Professional Integrity

Students, faculty and staff have the duty to report any possible breach of professional integrity to the appropriate authority (i.e., faculty member, program director, Chair, Dean, etc.). When a faculty member (responsible for the course, program, etc.) becomes aware of a possible breach of professional integrity, she or he is responsible for initiating the following procedure:

 

Within 5 business days, the faculty member will investigate the matter thoroughly. This investigation may include, but is not limited to, a review of the student’s file, the use of available resources to analyze the allegation, including possibly speaking with the initiating complainant. It is normative that the faculty member and student have a conversation to discuss the possible breach of professional integrity and to provide the student with an opportunity to present an explanation. If a face to face meeting is not feasible due to schedule or distance, a phone or e-mail conversation will be attempted. All e-mail communication will be directed to the student’s Spalding e-mail address; the Spalding e-mail address is the official address for all communication from Spalding University. (Each attempt should be documented by the faculty member. After the third attempt at contacting the student without response, the process will move forward without this conversation.) If the conversation is held, it is to include

Faculty member’s rationale for concern of professional misconduct

Student’s response

Clarification of possible consequences

1.1. If the aforementioned conversation is held, within 2 business days of such, the faculty member will write a confirmation that the conversation occurred, with a copy given to the student. If given in person, the student will sign a form confirming the conversation occurred. (Refusal of the student to sign and/or date the note shall not prevent the progression of the decision.) If the meeting is not in person, an email confirmation of the meeting will be sought. This confirmation will only acknowledge that:

 

the student and faculty spoke of the concern, and

the student had an opportunity to express her/his perspective

1.2 If student contact is attempted three times without response, and no conversation with the student can occur, the faculty member will render a decision about the issue based on all other available information.

 

Faculty Decision:

2.1 If the faculty member determines there has been no incidence of professional misconduct, no further action is required, other than written notification to the student that no action will be taken.

 

2.2 If the faculty member determines there has been an incidence of professional misconduct, within 5 business days of the conversation with the student (or after the third failed attempt at contacting the student for this conversation), the faculty member will write a formal document articulating her/his findings and sanctions. Copies of this document will be given to the student, in person, with signature verifying receipt or via registered mail with delivery confirmation requested. Further, copies will be disseminated to the student’s program director and the student’s file. A copy will be retained, also, by the faculty member.

 

Sanctions that may be imposed by the responsible faculty member include a formal apology; a resubmission of the assignment, and/or a lowered or failing grade for the course, as may be delineated in each college/school's printed sanctions policy. More severe sanctions shall be referred immediately to University administration.

Each individual School’s/College's sanction policy will vary, based upon individual course requirements and/or specific program level standards and may be more stringent in some Schools based upon their external professional accreditation standards and regulatory requirements for the discipline.

NOTE: In instances when a student earns a course grade that prohibits the continuation in a course sequence, the student will not register or attend sequential classes. In instances where the grade results in termination from a program/dismissal from the University, the student will not register or attend any further classes and will be withdrawn from current courses.

 

Copies of all documentation will be retained on file in the School of the responsible faculty member for three years.

All disciplinary actions taken will be reported to the Provost and recorded in the student’s official file in the University Registrar’s Office.

 

 

Academic and Professional Decisions: Appeals Procedure

 

Professional and Academic Decisions: Student Appeal Procedure

If the student disagrees with a faculty member’s findings and decision regarding a grade assigned or the outcome of an investigation into breaches of professional and/or academic integrity, the student may file an appeal using the steps below.

 

Within 5 business days following the confirmed delivery of the faculty member’s written documentation of her/his decision, the student will submit written documentation of the appeal to the faculty member's immediate supervisor or designee, usually the School Chair (or College Dean if the Chair is the faculty member involved in the case) who, within 2 business days, will share it with the involved faculty member. The faculty member will then submit a written response to her/his supervisor within 5 business days.

 

Within 5 business days of the receipt of the faculty member’s response to the student appeal, the supervisor or designee will render a decision to either uphold the sanction or rule in favor of the appeal. This decision will be placed in writing and sent to the student and faculty member either through registered mail with delivery confirmation or in person, with a signature verifying receipt.

If the student desires to grieve further, within 5 business days of confirmed delivery of the supervisor’s written decision, the student will request in writing that all documentation be forwarded to the next supervisor in line, usually the Dean of the College or designee. The student may add further information if pertinent to the appeal. The Dean’s or designee’s decision in the matter will be final and will be rendered within 10 business days of the receipt of the final appeal. In cases where the Dean may be a part of the complaint, the final decision will be rendered by the Provost or designee.

 

Copies of all documentation will be maintained on file in the School of the responsible faculty member for 3 years.

 

All disciplinary actions taken will be reported to the Provost and recorded in the student’s official file in the University Registrar’s Office.

 

NOTE: All appeals must be completed within 45 business days of the initial discovery/disagreement as described in the pertinent policy (Professional Integrity, Academic Integrity, or Disagreement in Grade Assigned.)