2011-2012 Undergraduate Academic Catalog

Page 32 2011–12 Undergraduate Catalog Introduction Admissions Academic Information Academic Departments Course Descriptions Financial Information Appendix Index Repeating Courses While adjusting to academic life at Cedarville, some new students earn grades they consider to be unsatisfactory. Consequently, any first year freshman students who earn an unsatisfactory grade in their first two regular semesters of enrollment may repeat the course at Cedarville University before the end of their fourth semester of enrollment. Under this freshman repeat policy, the cumulative GPA will be recalculated using the second grade instead of the first. A similar policy applies to a transfer student. Under the transfer repeat policy, courses taken during the first semester of attendance may be repeated within the succeeding two regular semesters. The cumulative GPA will be recalculated using the second grade instead of the first. Under these repeat policies, any course may be repeated. Although the first grade is no longer calculated into the cumulative GPA, the course and grade information does remain on the student’s transcript. In all other cases when a student repeats a course, both grades are calculated into the cumulative GPA. However, credit hours for a repeated course may count only once toward the credits needed for graduation. Academic Honors Dean’s Honor List Until final awards are announced at commencement, the highest academic honor possible to attain at Cedarville University is to be included on the dean’s honor list. This list of high-ranking students is published at the end of each regular semester. Lists are not published following the summer sessions. The requirements for the dean’s honor list are as follows: 1. A student must have a 3.75 GPA or higher for the semester. 2. A student must have no grade for the semester lower than a “B.” 3. A student must carry a minimum of 12 semester hours, excluding CR hours. Exceptions are made for those enrolled in field experiences or internships granting credit/ no credit, provided they take at least two regularly graded courses. 4. A student must complete every course being taken by the end of the semester when grades are turned in by the faculty. Dean’s List Published at the end of each regular semester, the dean’s list is issued with the following requirements: 1. A student must maintain a 3.50 average for the semester. 2. A student must be carrying at least 12 semester hours, excluding CR hours. Exceptions are made for those enrolled in field experiences or internships granting credit/ no credit, provided they take at least two regularly graded courses. 3. A student must complete every course being taken by the end of the semester when grades are turned in by the faculty. Graduation with Honors Upon recommendation of the faculty, a student who earns a GPA of at least 3.5 will graduate “with honor”; one who earns a GPA of at least 3.75 will graduate “with high honor”; and one who earns a GPA of at least 3.9 will graduate “with highest honor.” A student must be in residence at least two full years (61 semester hours) to qualify for graduation with honors. Hours earned by examination (test-out) do not count as hours in residence toward graduation with honors. The cumulative GPA at the end of the fall semester prior to spring commencement is used to determine recognition for graduation with honors at commencement. However, actual graduation with honors, as recorded on the final transcript, includes grades from all subsequent academic terms required to complete degree requirements. Additional Academic Awards Two prestigious awards are given to selected graduates each year during commencement. These awards are listed below: The Faculty Scholarship Trophy This award is given to the graduating senior(s) with the highest cumulative grade point average. Eligibility must include 90 semester hours taken at Cedarville University completed within six regular semesters. The President’s Trophy This award is given to a graduating senior on the basis of scholastic ability, character, leadership, and sportsmanship. Withdrawing From the University Proper withdrawal from the University begins in the office of the registrar, where the student completes an official withdrawal form. Refund requests should be submitted to the cashiers office after the official withdraw process has been completed, and all appropriate adjustments to the student’s registration has been completed. A student’s ID card and residence hall key must be returned to the office of the registrar on the last day the student is on campus. No student should leave Cedarville University without completing proper withdrawal through the office of the registrar. Student transcripts will be marked with the appropriate grade once withdrawal is complete in accordance with the established University policy. (See Adding and Withdrawing from a Course.) Withdrawal for Military Reasons Students serving in reserve units of the armed forces may be called up to active duty during an academic term. Students who withdraw up to the end of the fourth week of the semester will receive refunds according to the following schedule: Tuition: 100% Room: prorated on a per diem basis Board: prorated on a per diem basis Fees: 0 Students who withdraw after the fourth week of the semester may file a request for “permanent incomplete.” This classification provides students the opportunity to complete the coursework upon returning to the University without having to pay tuition again. Forms may be picked up in the office of the registrar. Approval for the awarding and removal of the entry “permanent incomplete” resides with the academic vice president. Refunds for room, board, and fees will be disbursed according to the previously mentioned schedule. To initiate the withdrawal procedure, students are to bring a copy of their orders to the office of the registrar and obtain the appropriate forms. Withdrawals will be processed according to the standard procedures listed in the University catalog. Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act Cedarville University complies with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (the Buckley Amendment), which is designed to protect the privacy of educational records, to establish the right of students to inspect and review their records, and to provide guidelines for the correction of inaccurate or misleading data through informal and formal hearings. The University has adopted a policy that explains in detail the procedures followed for compliance with provisions of the act. Copies of the policy are available in the office of the registrar and the student life office.