-
- first, to the instructor involved;
- then, to the chair of the department in which the course is offered;
- and finally, using the Judicial Affairs Office, the student may appeal to the appropriate academic dean. The Judicial Affairs Office will work with the student to prepare the final appeal and will submit the appeal on behalf of the student.
Academic Disqualification Standards
For all matriculated students, the following chart outlines the scholarship standards and review procedure. First semester matriculated students should note that at the end of the first marking period of attendance, they will be disqualified if their semester average is below 1.01. Such individuals will be required to have at least one semester away from the College before appealing for reinstatement consideration.
Grade reports for students are marked "Academic Disqualification" with a mandatory semester off or "Academic Disqualification" subject to review according to the following grade point average guidelines.
Cumulative
registered
credit hours* |
Disqualified
with cumulative
average below
|
Mandatory semester
off before appeal if
cumulative grade
point average is |
Subject to internal
review** if cumulative
grade point average is |
| 1st semester of attendance |
1.01 |
All |
No review |
| Through 30 |
1.76 |
1.50 or lower |
1.51-1.75 |
| Through 45 |
1.86 |
1.60 or lower |
1.61-1.85 |
| Through 60 |
1.96 |
1.70 or lower |
1.71-1.95 |
| 61 or more |
2.00 |
1.80 or lower |
1.81-1.99 |
* The computation of the "Cumulative Registered Credit Hours" is defined as the total credit hours of all marking periods in which a student was registered. The computation of "Cumulative Registered Credit Hours" for transfer students includes the total number of transfer credit hours which apply to their Oswego degree program.
**Instructions for students in this category would accompany grade reports - review procedure in January may differ from that used in June.
Previously Disqualified Students
A written appeal process is possible for previously disqualified students. Materials must be requested from the appropriate Dean’s Office and the appeal filed by June 1 for Fall semester consideration or by December 1 for Spring semester consideration.
Reinstatement subsequent to disqualification is never automatic and the enrollment situation in specific majors and for the College in general may be factors in reinstatement decisions. A decision to reinstate a student will be conveyed in writing and will include the conditions under which the student is allowed to return to the College for a specific semester.
Procedures for Students Placed on Academic Warning
Students placed on Academic Warning, according to either of the standards defined above, will receive grade reports stamped "Academic Warning." Students on Academic Warning are urged to see their advisors within the first three days of classes.
Procedures for Part-Time Matriculated Students (Degree Candidates)
Special explanations are necessary for part-time matriculated students because the Registered Credit Hour Standards often do not apply. Part-time students carry fewer than 12 semester hours during a marking period. Therefore, the academic status of part-time matriculated students will be determined as follows:
1. Satisfactory progress toward the degree
Any part-time student who is permitted to register is considered to be making satisfactory progress toward the degree.
2. Academic Warning
Regardless of the number of semester hours carried during a marking period, if the GPA earned for that period is less than 2.00, the part-time student will be placed on academic warning.
3. Academic Disqualification
Academic disqualification for part-time students will be determined on the basis of their cumulative GPA for the total number of semester hours for which they have registered.
Procedures for Non-Matriculated Students (Non-Degree Candidates)
Non-matriculated (non-degree) students are subject to the following scholarship standards:
1. If, at nine semester hours of cumulative registered credit hours, the student’s cumulative index is 1.75 or lower, no additional registration is possible except with the approval of the Director of Extended Learning.
2. If, at 15 semester hours of cumulative registered credit hours, the student’s cumulative index is below 2.0, no additional registration is possible except with the approval of the Director of Extended Learning.
3. At 21 semester hours of cumulative registered credit hours, no additional registration is possible except with the approval of the Director of Extended Learning provided that the student’s cumulative GPA is 2.0 or better.
Notification Procedures
1. It is the responsibility of students to ascertain their status in each course at mid-semester.
2. It is the responsibility of each student to notify parents or guardians and academic advisors of midsemester deficiencies (D+, D, D-, or E grades).
3. Semester grade reports of students placed on academic warning are stamped Academic Warning.
4. It is the responsibility of students placed on academic warning to contact their academic advisors after receiving notice of this standing for mandatory readvisement before classes begin for the next semester.
5. Grade reports of students who are disqualified will be stamped: Disqualified-Subject to Review or Disqualified-Mandatory Semester Off. Return to Academic Policies.
Grading and Grading Options
Grading System
Letter grades assigned by instructors are used to indicate the quality of student achievement. The use of plus (+) and minus (-) grades is optional with the instructor.
A, A- – Outstanding
B+, B, B- – Above Average
C+, C, C- – Average
D+, D, D- – Below Average
E – Failure
H – High Honors------Internships are graded H, S or U.
S – Satisfactory------Grades of S or U are used for evaluating student teaching.
U – Unsatisfactory
P – Passing------Achievement in courses taken under the Pass-Fail option is indicated by P or F.
F – Failure
Inc – Incomplete**
IP – In Progress*
NG – No Grade Transcripted this Semester***
WP – Withdraw Passing---WP, WF, or WN are used when a student petitions to withdraw from a course after the last day to drop a course.
WF – Withdraw Failing
WN – Withdraw without Grade
Z - Instructor did not submit a grade
* A mark of IP (in process or progress) may be submitted by an instructor for students enrolled in thesis courses, research projects, and for courses in which a form of evaluation from off-campus is missing (e.g. GST courses, field placements or departmental internships). A mark of IP may be carried on a student’s transcript for a maximum of 4 semesters (without requesting extensions). At the end of the fourth semester, a grade must be submitted , or the IP automatically becomes an E grade.
**A mark of Inc is submitted by an instructor only if a student is unable to complete course requirements for reasons beyond the student’s control. If the course requirements are not completed by the end of the sixth week of the following semester, incompletes automatically become E grades.
***Students expelled or suspended as a result of disciplinary actions will have an NG notation in the place of a grade on every course for which they are registered at the time of the expulsion or suspension, and the credits will count in the total attempted credits. The NG notation will become a permanent part of the students’ academic records (transcripts). Students with NG grades need to apply for readmission and have the dean of student’s approval before they can register again at Oswego. If the student is readmitted to the College, the courses with NG can be repeated; the NG notation, however, will remain part of the academic history.
Repeating D or E Grade Courses
Students may elect, with advisor approval, to repeat a course in which a grade of D (D+, D, D-) was earned. In certain majors, however, D grades are not acceptable. The following outlines the requirements in those majors.
1. Students who wish to earn a major (BFA or BA) or a minor in Art must earn grades of C- or better in all courses credited to the major or minor (core, elective, and cognate courses).
2. Majors within the Business Administration program must earn grades of C- or better in all courses credited to the major (core, elective, and cognate courses). In addition, at least a 2.0 cumulative average in the core and elective courses is required.
3. Majors in Computer Science and Information Science are required to earn a grade of C- or better in all core and cognate courses. The minimum C- grade is not required in the major elective courses, however.
4. Majors in Economics are required to earn a grade of C- or better in all core courses.
5. Majors in Adolescence Education and Childhood Education must repeat professional education, cognate, and concentration courses in which a grade lower than C- is earned. Students earning less than a C- will be offered advisement intervention before repeating the course. A course may not be taken a third time without approval of the Department.
6. Majors in Wellness Management must earn grades of C- or better in all courses credited to the major (core, elective, and cognate courses). Students earning less than a C- will be offered advisement intervention before repeating the course. A course may not be taken a third time without departmental approval.
7. Industrial Training and Development majors must have no grade below C- and must earn an index of 2.00 or better in the professional courses Ted 202, Ted 305, as well as in Tel 393 and another systems laboratory course.
8. Majors and minors in Modern Languages and Literatures must earn a grade of C- or better in specific courses. Consult the departmental listings for the precise policy.
9. Psychology and Human Development majors must earn a grade of C- or better in all core courses.
10. Public Justice majors must earn grades of C- or better in the five required core courses and a cumulative average of at least 2.0 in the major elective courses.
11. Technology Education majors must have no grade below C- and must earn an index of 2.50 or better in all professional education courses (i.e. Ted 201, 206, 306, 414) as well as in three systems laboratory courses.
12. Vocational Teacher Preparation majors must earn a grade of C- or better in all courses credited to the Professional Education sequence.
Courses in which a D grade was earned may be repeated. However, credit hours are earned only once for the same course. Courses for which an E grade was received must be repeated if they are required for the student’s degree program, minor program, or if they must be repeated as part of a student’s mandatory readvisement or condition of reinstatement following disqualification. Other E grade courses may be repeated at the option of the student.
Transcript notations for repeated D and E grades are as follows. When the course is repeated at Oswego by a student who is in good standing, credit hours, letter grade and quality points earned will be used in computing a new cumulative average. The previous D or E grade will remain on the transcript; however, the transcript will be annotated to indicate that the course has been repeated. When the course is repeated at any other college or university, only credit hours are transferred. The student’s GPA will not reflect the repeated course grade, although the student’s transcript is annotated to indicate that the course has been repeated and the effect of the earlier D or E grade is removed from the GPA.
Students must obtain approval to take course work off-campus. See the heading Approval for Off-Campus Study in the Catalog for additional information. Return to Academic Policies.
Repeating C Grade Courses
Courses in which grades of C (C+, C, C-) or better were earned cannot be repeated. Should a student repeat such a course in violation of this policy, then (1) the original grade will not be altered in any form, (2) the new grade will not be used to recompute the semester or cumulative GPA, and (3) no additional semester hours will be added to the student’s total. Return to Academic Policies.
Transfer Credit: D Grades
Credits from courses in which a grade of "D" was earned transfer directly to Oswego undergraduate programs. Students in specified departments, however, must earn at least a C- in those courses transferred to meet a core, cognate or major elective requirement. Transfer students should review the following specific programs carefully to comply with departmental policies on D grades: Biology, Business, Computer Science, Childhood Education, Adolescence Education, Human Development, Industrial Training and Development, Information Science, Psychology, Public Justice, Technology Education, and Vocational Teacher Preparation. Thus, if a D grade was previously earned, the course may have to be repeated to satisfy requirements in the major programs listed above. At the graduate level only grades of A or B are transferable. Return to Academic Policies.
Final Exam/Last Exam Policy
All courses will involve some form of comprehensive evaluation; final examinations are an integral part of this procedure in many cases. For every course requiring a final examination, the day and hour scheduled for this purpose must be used, and the examination must be limited to that specified period of time. All evening courses, in which final examinations are to be given, will hold the examination during final exam week at the day and hour of the regular class meeting.
The last examination of the semester in a course must be given during the final exam week at the scheduled time. During the last week of class, examinations may only be given if there is also a comprehensive examination given during the scheduled final examination period. Return to Academic Policies.
Pass-Fail Policy
The primary purpose of the Pass-Fail option is to afford juniors and seniors an opportunity to explore course work in areas outside of their regular degree requirements without the direct application of the normal letter grade scale to their grade point average. A course selected under the provisions of the Pass-Fail option, as outlined below, is assigned a grade of Pass (P) if the student earns a final grade of D- or above. The student is assigned a Fail (F) if the student earns an E for the course.
Pass-Fail option forms may be obtained from the Registrar’s Office, the appropriate Dean’s Office, or www.oswego.edu/registrar.
1. Only juniors and seniors (full-time or part-time) and non-degree students are eligible to elect the Pass-Fail option. Pass-Fail credit for non-degree students counts as general elective credit toward a degree program, if the student ultimately matriculates.
2. Students may request the Pass-Fail option for no more than one course in any marking period, which includes any regular semester, or Summer Session. Students may take a maximum of four (4) courses (or 12 credit hours) on a Pass-Fail basis during their entire degree program.
3. Excluded as Pass-Fail option courses are those in the following categories:
-
courses in the student’s academic major or concentration,
-
professional education courses,
-
courses used to satisfy general education requirements in specific areas,
-
courses used to satisfy cognate requirements,
-
courses in the student’s academic minor.
4. A student must have at least a 2.0 cumulative grade point average to apply for a Pass-Fail option.
5. In terms of the provisions of the College Scholarship Standards, a Pass-Fail course is considered to be "completed course work." A grade of Pass (P) constitutes "satisfactorily completed course work" as defined by the College Scholarship Standards.
6. A student may file a Pass-Fail option under advisement at final registration or during the official add period. The form must be approved by the student’s advisor. No Pass-Fail option request for semester (or quarter) courses are considered after the add deadline for semester (or quarter) courses.
7. The instructor of the course is not informed that the student has filed a Pass-Fail option for the course. When the instructor submits a letter grade for the student, the registrar will convert it to a Pass (P) or Fail (F) grade.
8. A student who has fewer than 12 credit hours of grades computed in the grade point average for any semester is not eligible for the President’s List or the Dean’s List honors. A Pass-Fail course is not computed in the grade point average.
9. Because the Pass-Fail option is voluntarily elected by the student, it will not be removed in response to a subsequent student request. Return to Academic Policies.
Auditing of Courses
General Policy - Audit
A person is permitted to audit courses without credit if the instructor of the course determines that the person has an acceptable reason for auditing, that the person has sufficient academic background to benefit from the course, and that there is room in the class. The extent of an auditor’s participation in class is determined by the instructor. A Permission to Audit Form, available in the Office of the Registrar, signed by the instructor, should be submitted to the Office of the Registrar. For Oswego students, audited courses are not entered on their transcripts. Return to Academic Policies.
Senior Citizens - Audit
Recognizing the commitment of the College to the senior citizens in this geographic area, the College has established the following guidelines for senior citizens who desire to audit any credit course given on or off the College campus. For purposes of this policy, a senior citizen is defined as a person 60 years of age or older.
A senior citizen desiring to audit a credit course must complete an Audit Form for Senior Citizens in consultation with the Division of Extended Learning, Campus Center. Upon approval by the appropriate department chair, the senior citizen will be informed of the procedure for class admission. It is understood, however, that privileges may be limited by the availability of class space. It is also understood that the audit privileges will not regularly be extended in all studio and laboratory courses.
There is no fee or any charge levied by the College for the audit privilege. Text books or other related materials may be purchased at the prevailing student price. Senior citizens should register as an auditor during the late registration/add period at the beginning of each semester.
Noncredit courses may not be audited as they are not state supported. Senior citizens may, of course, register for such courses upon payment of the regular fees. Return to Academic Policies.
College Policy on Intellectual Integrity
I. Preamble
Intellectual integrity on the part of all students is basic to individual growth and development through college course work. When academic dishonesty occurs, the teaching/learning climate is seriously undermined and student growth and development are impeded. For these reasons, any form of intellectual dishonesty is a serious concern and is therefore prohibited.
Also basic to the teaching/learning process in college course work is the authority of the course instructor to assign a grade to indicate the quality of student achievement.
STATEMENT ON INTELLECTUAL INTEGRITY
The State University of New York at Oswego is committed to maintaining rigorous intellectual standards and the highest level of academic integrity. The production of original work by all members of the College community is an essential component of the educational experience of students. Faculty and professional staff as leaders and role models must adhere to the highest standards of academic honesty in scholarship and professional practice. Students' work must be the product of individual effort and an unambiguous reflection of the mastery of required knowledge and skills mandated within a program of study.
The College recognizes that promoting intellectual integrity in higher education is a multifaceted process. A learning climate where honest behavior is fostered by the formal and informal conventions of the institution is foundational. Students are made ready for the demands of citizenship and the assumption of roles of responsibility within the larger community by assuming personal responsibility and accepting accountability for their actions while still citizens of the more restricted, but no less demanding, community of scholars. We seek to build character not merely prescriptively but by providing students the opportunity to authentically practice intellectual honesty like the many other behaviors that are mastered here.
The pursuit of academic honesty can be organized around three guiding principles. First, all members of the College community should be held to the highest standards of honesty and personal responsibility. Secondly, the expectations for intellectual integrity should be clearly articulated, as should the consequences for violation of these standards. Finally, all members of the College community are entitled to due process when the honesty of their intellectual efforts or products is called into question.
II. Definitions of Intellectual Dishonesty, Cheating, and Plagiarism
A. In an academic community, one critical outcome of intellectual dishonesty is that the instructor is prevented from knowing the truth with respect to the student's level of mastery of course content. Further facilitation of learning and accurate evaluation of student achievement is thereby jeopardized. Intellectual dishonesty can take many forms. Examples of intellectual dishonesty include making up or falsifying data, etc. It may also take the form of intellectual carelessness, which, while not intentionally deceptive, has the same outcome and may be treated as academic dishonesty.
B. Cheating: Intellectual dishonesty may take the form of cheating when one presents as one's own work the work of another. Some examples of cheating include, but are not limited to, the following:
(1) copying an examination, assignment or other work to be evaluated.
(2) inappropriate collaboration on work to be evaluated.
(3) the use of "cheat sheets," etc.
(4) buying/ selling examinations, term papers, etc.
(5) use of "ringers:" having another student take an exam; having another student write a term paper or assignment for which the student will receive credit.
(6) submitting work for which credit has already been received in another course without the express consent of the instructor.
C. Plagiarism: One particular form of intellectual dishonesty is plagiarism (i.e., the representation of another's words, thoughts, or ideas as one's own). While it is expected that a student who is engaged in writing will utilize information from sources other than personal experience, appropriate acknowledgment of such sources is required. Some examples of plagiarism include:
(1) utilizing a direct quotation without citing the source
(2) paraphrasing the ideas, interpretation, expressions of an other without giving credit; and,
(3) representing the thought of others as their own by failing to acknowledge or document sources. Sources of information should be credited or footnoted by following an English language style guide (e.g., Modem Language Association Style Sheet, The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, etc.).
III. Student Responsibilities
Each student has a responsibility to assist in protecting the integrity of the degrees which this College grants by (1) not participating, either directly or indirectly, in intellectual dishonesty in any form, (2) actively discouraging intellectual dishonesty by others, and (3) reporting to the course instructor in a timely manner any known incidents of intellectual dishonesty.
IV. Faculty Responsibilities
Each faculty member has a responsibility to assist in protecting the integrity of the degrees which this College grants by (1) informing students of the intellectual dishonesty policy and of any specific interpretation of that policy particular to a given course, (2) actively discouraging cheating or plagiarism, and (3) implementing recommended procedures for dealing with intellectual dishonesty in instances where substantial evidence of misconduct exists.
V. Procedures for Dealing with Intellectual Dishonesty
Students suspected of intellectual dishonesty shall be so informed and are entitled to an opportunity to reveal their understanding of cheating/plagiarism in a private discussion with the course instructor prior to the assessment of any penalty. The instructor or the student may choose to have a witness present for the discussion without impairing the privacy of the discussion.
Instructors who determine that a student has engaged in an act of intellectual dishonesty may impose an academic penalty, including that of a failing grade for the course on that student. The instructor may choose an alternative procedure and pursue disciplinary action through the administration of the Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities and Conduct (refer to the Student Handbook). Before taking action under this section, instructors shall consult with their department chairs and appropriate dean to discuss an appropriate penalty before informing the student of the decision in writing.
The instructor shall notify the student of the decision to impose an academic penalty and the basis for that decision. The instructor shall carbon-copy that notification to his/her dean along with the following information: the class and semester, a copy of the assignment, due date of the assignment, the work submitted by the student and evidence to support the charge of intellectual dishonesty.
The Dean’s Office will notify the student’s academic advisor in broad terms and ask that the advisor follow-up with a meeting with the student to discuss academic integrity.
The Dean’s Office will forward this material to the Office of the Provost who will maintain all such material for a period of at least one year beyond the student’s graduation or permanent separation from the college.
A student who thinks the penalty assigned by the instructor is inappropriate may appeal the penalty using the following academic appeal process:
An instructor may not impose an academic penalty and pursue disciplinary action against a student for the same act of academic dishonesty. However, when a student is involved in repeated breaches of academic integrity, disciplinary action may be initiated against that student by the appropriate dean.
In situations where these procedures cannot be followed, it is essential that the spirit of these procedures be met (e.g., extended email discussion in lieu of face-to-face meetings would be an appropriate response to distance learning classes where meetings between instructor and student could not take place).
VI. Academic and Judicial Options
The individual faculty member has the right and the responsibility to assign student grades, including academic penalties. The academic appeal process terminates in the appropriate academic dean's office. However, if disciplinary action is initiated through the Dean of Students' office it is a judgmental procedure. Thus, final authority for the determination of any penalty to be invoked for cheating through the disciplinary process rests with the Dean of Students' office. Return to Academic Policies.
Adding/Dropping Courses
Add Policy
Semester Courses
Semester courses may be added between the first day of instruction and the end of the eighth day of instruction. Open courses may be added using the myoswego registration system (myoswego.oswego.edu), except for those courses which are controlled by the instructor. For courses controlled by the instructor, a program adjustment form (add/drop form) must be signed by the instructor and submitted to the Registrar’s Office by the end of the eighth day of instruction.
Quarter Courses
Quarter courses may be added between the first day of instruction and the end of the fourth day of instruction. Open courses may be added using the myoswego registration system (myoswego.oswego.edu), except for those courses which are controlled by the instructor. For courses controlled by the instructor, a program adjustment form (add/drop form) must be signed by the instructor and submitted to the Registrar’s Office by the end of the fourth day of instruction. Return to Academic Policies.
Summer Session
Add and drop deadlines for the Summer Session are determined on the basis of the length of the specified course.
Late Add Policy
After the date specified as the last day to add either quarter (4 instructional days) or semester courses (8 instructional days), a student may add a course only if given permission by the course instructor and the dean of the college or school of the students major. All parties involved indicate their permission by signing an add form which must be delivered by the student to the Registrar’s Office. The student may be required to pay a processing fee for filing a record of this transaction after the deadline to add courses. Return to Academic Policies.
Drop Policy
Semester Courses
Students may voluntarily drop semester courses between the first day of instruction and the end of the fifteenth day of instruction. To drop a course the student may use the myoswego registration system (myoswego.oswego.edu), except for those courses which are controlled by the instructor. For courses controlled by the instructor, a program adjustment form (add/drop form) must be signed by the instructor and submitted to the Registrar’s Office by the end of the fifteenth day of instruction. Courses dropped using these procedures will not appear on the student’s transcript. It is the responsibility of students to drop those courses they no longer are attending.
Quarter Course
Students may voluntarily drop quarter courses between the first day of instruction and the end of the eighth day of instruction. To drop a course the student may use the myoswego registration system (myoswego.oswego.edu) , except for those courses which are controlled by the instructor. For courses controlled by the instructor, a program adjustment form (add/drop form) must be signed by the instructor and submitted to the Registrar’s Office by the end of the eighth day of instruction. Courses dropped using these procedures will not appear on the student’s transcript. It is the responsibility of students to drop those courses they no longer are attending. Return to Academic Policies.
Summer Session
Add and drop deadlines for the Summer Session are determined on the basis of the length of the specified course.
Return to Academic Policies.
Drops at Instructor Discretion
Students who have two unexcused absences during the first two class meetings of the semester may be dropped from the course at the discretion of the instructor. The instructor or the department offering the course will notify the Registrar of this action which terminates a student’s registration in that course. However, students should not assume that they have been dropped from a class just because the first two classes were missed. It is ultimately the responsibility of students to drop a course that they are not planning to attend by the deadline published in the College calendar. Failure to do this may result in a failing grade for the course. Return to Academic Policies.
Late Drops - see course withdrawal policy
Course Withdrawal Policies-Fall and Spring Semesters
After the end of the fifteenth day of instruction through the end of the last class day of the ninth week in either the fall semester or the spring semester, a student may withdraw from a course in that semester by completing the appropriate form (a Course Withdrawal Form, which must be signed by the course instructor) and securing the signature of the dean of the school or college of the student’s major. Once the request is approved by the dean, the student must submit the completed form to the Registrar’s office by the published withdrawal date.
Appropriate fee(s) will be assessed and must be paid before processing the course withdrawal form after the published drop date.
A grade of WP will be assigned by the instructor if the student is passing the course at the time of filing of the forms; a grade of WF will be assigned by the instructor if the student is failing the course at the time of filing of the forms; a grade of WN will be assigned by the instructor if no grade has been established at the time of filing of the forms. These grades are not used to calculate a GPA, but the hours are counted as hours for which the student was enrolled that semester.
Late Course Withdrawal Policy
After the end of the last class day of the ninth week in either the fall semester or the spring semester through the last day of classes/instruction for the respective semester, if a student believes that the student’s circumstances are extraordinary (poor performance in a course is not an extraordinary circumstance), a student may petition for late withdrawal from a course for documented extenuating circumstances beyond the student’s control which occurred after the end of the last class day of the ninth week in either the fall semester or the spring semester through the last day of classes/instruction for the respective semester (e.g., change of employment hours, major illness or death in immediate family, student’s own major illness, the onset of which occurred after the last class day of the ninth week in either fall semester or spring semester).
The instructor of the course must indicate approval or disapproval of the late course withdrawal by signing the Late Course Withdrawal Form. Additionally, the documentation (e.g., a health care provider’s verification of student illness [physical or psychological] or of major illness of immediate family member; copy of obituary, listing relationship of deceased to student, letter from student’s employer) of the alleged extenuating circumstances must be received by the dean of the school or college of the student's major at the time of submission of form. The appropriate dean has final authority to approve or disapprove documented late course withdrawal(s).
Appropriate fee(s) will be assessed and must be paid before processing late course withdrawal form after the published drop date.
A grade of WP will be assigned by the instructor if the student is passing the course at the time of filing of the forms; a grade of WF will be assigned by the instructor if the student is failing the course at the time of filing of the forms; a grade of WN will be assigned by the instructor if no grade has been established at the time of filing of the forms. These grades are not used to calculate a GPA , but the hours are counted as hours for which the student was enrolled that semester. Return to Academic Policies.
Withdrawal from College
A student who finds it necessary or advisable to withdraw from the College must obtain a withdrawal form from COMPASS, the student advisement center, complete an exit interview and obtain signatures from Student Accounts, Residence Life and Housing, and Financial Aid. The form must be returned to the Registrar’s Office before the withdrawal is official. Failure to withdraw officially will jeopardize the student’s chances for readmission or recommendation by the College. No fees can be refunded without full compliance with this policy.
A student after having complied with the provisions above, may withdraw from the College during the stated withdrawal period, as published in the Official College Calendar. A grade of WP will be assigned by the instructor if the student is passing the course at the time of the withdrawal; a grade of WF will be assigned by the instructor if the student is failing the course at the time of the withdrawal; a grade of WN will be assigned by the instructor if no grade has been established at the time of the withdrawal. These grades are not used to calculate GPAs, but the hours are counted as hours for which the student was enrolled that semester.
Students withdrawing from the College after the last day of the ninth week of the semester and who have documented extenuating circumstances beyond the student’s control may be assigned grades of WP ,WF, or WN, as described above and consistent with the Late Course Withdrawal Policy. Students unable to provide such documentation will receive the letter grade awarded by the instructor based on the work submitted for the entire semester. Return to Academic Policies.
Medical Leave of Absence
A student may apply for a medical leave of absence from the College not to exceed one semester beyond the semester in which the student was last enrolled. Applications for Medical Leave of Absence should be filed, using a College Withdrawal Form, and submitted to COMPASS, the student advisement center. Documentation of medical circumstances beyond the student’s control from a physician, counselor, or therapist must accompany the College Withdrawal Form and be on file in COMPASS before the application for a leave of absence will be forwarded to the Registrar for entry into the student’s record. After the student returns from medical leave, the student’s status with the College shall be the same as that of the student’s last enrollment in the College. If the student on leave fails to return to the College at the appropriate time, the student will be administratively withdrawn from the College. The date of withdrawal will be recorded as the last day of the semester for which the medical leave was granted.
Individuals must notify the Registrar’s Office of their intention to return to the College if they were in good standing at the time of their leaves of absence. Otherwise, procedures for readmission apply as described below or in the Readmission Policy. Readmission to the College may be subject to enrollment pressures for any given semester. If the student has academically disqualified from the College, the student must apply to the appropriate academic dean for reinstatement to the College. Reinstatement is subject to the approval of the appropriate academic dean, and is required for readmission. . Return to Academic Policies.
Military Leave of Absence
A matriculated student who is called up to active duty with the military or deployed for military action is eligible for a Military Leave of Absence. A Military Leave of Absence will facilitate a student’s return to Oswego if the student wishes to return within one year of the date of discharge from active service or return from deployment.
To obtain a Military Leave of Absence, students must submit a copy of their military orders along with an College Withdrawal Form to COMPASS, the student advisement center. When discharged from active duty or back from assignment, a student can register at Oswego by contacting the Registrar’s Office, 301 Culkin Hall, and declaring their intention to return. Documentation of discharge or reassignment will be required. Students returning from Military Leave of Absence will be permitted to participate in the advance registration period with other students with similar class standing as determined by number of credit hours earned.
Students who are granted a Military Leave of Absence but do not register for classes within one year of the date of discharge or reassignment must file an Application for Readmission with the Registrar’s Office in order to re-enroll. If a student is absent from campus for more than two academic years, changes to degree requirements may apply. Return to Academic Policies.
Readmission Policies
General
Students seeking readmission to the College must apply in writing by completing the Application for Readmission form and returning it to the Registrar’s Office prior to November 1 for the spring semester and June 1 for fall semester readmission consideration. Late applications will be considered only on a space available basis.
Forgiveness Policy - Disqualified Students
At the discretion of the appropriate academic dean, this policy may be applied to disqualified students who are seeking readmission to Oswego after two or more years of absence and who cannot reenter Oswego voluntarily because of their previous academic record.
A student who has disqualified and wants to return to the College after a separation of at least two calendar years must appeal for reinstatement. After the review process is complete, the student may be given "permission to register" for up to fifteen hours of three or four credit-hour courses.
At the end of that initial semester of study (or upon the completion of twelve hours of part-time work), a student who has earned at least a 2.00 average for those approved courses must immediately:
A. Request consideration for reinstatement through the regular academic appeals process, or
B. Request reinstatement and "academic forgiveness" for the Oswego work completed prior to disqualification.
If the student chooses the "forgiveness" option, the following regulations apply:
I. All grades earned at Oswego remain a part of the transcript. However, as a result of being granted forgiveness, a student receives credit hours toward the total degree requirement for only those courses taken prior to the student’s two year absence from SUNY Oswego in which the student earned a grade of "C" or better. No courses taken before the student disqualification will be averaged in. Forgiveness of the earlier cumulative GPA allows the student the opportunity to pursue a degree without facing continuous disqualification.
II. For purposes of determining academic status (good standing/warning/disqualification/graduation), a second (recomputed) cumulative average is determined beginning with the course work completed after the minimum two-year absence.
III. In order to earn honors, the student must have completed 45 hours between the readmission to Oswego and the semester before graduation.
IV. Consultation with the Dean (or the Dean’s designee) in the College or School in which the student is majoring, is required. The Dean will notify the Registrar that approval of the "forgiveness" option has been granted.
V. The "forgiveness" option is extended only once during the student’s enrollment at Oswego. Return to Academic Policies.
Class Attendance
General
Regular class attendance is obligatory. An instructor may recommend that a student be dropped from a course for poor achievement due to excessive absence. A student who is dropped after the deadline for dropping courses may be assigned a grade of E.
Students who have two unexcused absences during the first two class meetings of the semester may be dropped from the course at the discretion of the instructor. The instructor or the department offering the course will notify the Registrar of this action. However, students should not assume that they have been dropped from a class just because the first two classes were missed. It is ultimately the responsibility of students to drop a course that they are not planning to attend by the deadline published in the College calendar. Failure to do this may result in a failing grade for the course. Return to Academic Policies.
Religious Beliefs - Absence from Class
- The following statement regarding absence from class because of a student’s religious beliefs is taken from State Education Law, paragraph 224a.
1. No person shall be expelled from or be refused admission as a student to an institution of higher education for the reason that he is unable, because of his religious beliefs, to attend classes or to participate in any examination, study or work requirements on a particular day or days.
2. Any student in an institution of higher education who is unable, because of his religious beliefs, to attend classes on a particular day or days shall, because of such absence on the particular day or days, be excused from any examination or any study or work requirements.
3. It shall be the responsibility of the faculty and of the administrative officials of each institution of higher education to make available to each student who is absent from school, because of his religious beliefs, an equivalent opportunity to make up any examination, study or work requirements which he may have missed because of such absence on any particular day or days. No fees of any kind shall be charged by the institution for making available to the said student such equivalent opportunity.
4. If classes, examinations, study or work requirements are held on Friday after four o’clock post meridian or on Saturday, similar or makeup classes, examinations, study or work requirements shall be made available on other days, where it is possible and practicable to do so. No special fees shall be charged to the student for these classes, examinations, study or work requirements held on other days.
5. In effectuating the provisions of this section, it shall be the duty of the faculty and of the administrative officials of each institution of higher education to exercise the fullest measure of good faith. No adverse or prejudicial effects shall result to any student because of his availing himself of the provisions of this section.
6. Any student, who is aggrieved by the alleged failure of any faculty or administrative officials to comply in good faith with the provisions of this section, shall be entitled to maintain an action or proceeding in the supreme court of the county in which such institution of higher education is located for the enforcement of his rights under this section.
7. As used in this section, the term "institution of higher education" shall mean schools under the control of the board of trustees of the State University of New York or of the board of higher education of the City of New York or any community college.
Students who feel that this policy has not been fairly implemented may appeal to the appropriate department office or appropriate dean.
Athletic Team Membership - Absence from Class
1. A student who because of her/his membership on an officially sanctioned athletic team with officially scheduled competitions is unable to attend classes on a particular day or days shall because of such absence be excused.
2. Faculty and administrative officials of the institution must provide each student who is absent from school because of such competitions an equal opportunity to make up any course requirements which the student(s) may have missed because of such absence. No fees of any kind shall be charged by the institution for this opportunity. At the same time, the absent student shall not expect the instructor to repeat the entire lecture or laboratory session.
3. Coaches of each athletic team must provide the student athlete a list with dates of officially scheduled competitions. The student must give this list to faculty and to the administrative officials affected by these provisions at least one class meeting prior to the first competition, and at least one class meeting prior to any post-season competitions. It is the responsibility of the Athletic Director to see that all coaches comply with this provision.
4. It is the responsibility of the student who misses any classes under these provisions to contact the instructor of each class prior to the anticipated absence to arrange for making up course requirements affected by the provisions. It is also the student’s responsibility to inform the coaches and faculty affected by these provisions of changes to their athletic schedules at the time of the change. It shall be the responsibility of the Academic Advisor for Athletics to monitor student athletes changes of schedules and notification of coaches.
5. Faculty and administrative officials of the institution must ensure that students do not suffer unfairly because of these provisions. Students who feel that this policy has not been fairly implemented by faculty may appeal to the appropriate department office; if it is felt that no satisfaction is received there, then the student may appeal to the appropriate dean. Return to Academic Policies.
Access to Student Records
Rights Granted to Students Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974.
What records can a student see?
Under the provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, students have the right to inspect and review education records. In addition, they have a right to an explanation and interpretation of those records, including the right to a hearing to challenge the contents of such records. Requests for an explanation concerning a record should be addressed to the college official in charge of the record. Academic records, supporting documents and general education records are maintained by the Registrar, academic departments and advisors and the Dean’s Offices; records of disciplinary proceedings by the Vice President for Student Services; financial records by the Financial Aid Office; placement records by the Career Planning and Placement Office; and counseling records by the Counseling Services Center. All such records are the property of the college.
What are the records a student can’t see?
The following records are not available for student inspection: records of instructional supervisory and administrative personnel which are in the sole possession of the maker thereof and which are not accessible to other persons; records created or maintained by a physician, psychiatrist, psychologist or other recognized professional or paraprofessional which are used only in connection with the provisions of treatment of a student and are not available to persons other than those individuals providing such treatment; records and documents of a law enforcement unit, including those of the college’s University Police Department; financial records of students’ parents; confidential letters and statements of recommendation placed in a student’s file prior to January 1, 1975, or those received after January 1, 1975, for which the student has signed a waiver of his/her right to access.
Can others see a student’s records?
Information in a student’s education records will not be released to third parties without the student’s written consent, except to the following: officials of this college, including instructional staff, who have legitimate educational interests; officials of other schools in which the student seeks to enroll; accrediting organizations; parents of a student who qualifies as a dependent under the Internal Revenue Code; federal and state educational authorities and organizations conducting studies for such authorities in the areas of testing, student aid and instruction; people seeking information pursuant to a judicial order or subpoena; and appropriate people in connection with an emergency involving health or safety.
Directory information - student’s name, address, telephone number, age, major field of study, class year, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received and most recent previous educational institution attended - may be made public by the college unless the student requests the Registrar, in writing, that such information be released only upon his/her consent.
For more information on access to student records, see the college’s Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities and Conduct in the Student Handbook. Questions may be directed to the college’s Records Access Officer: Julie Harrison Blissert, Room 210, Culkin Hall, 312-2265. Return to Academic Policies.
Students may earn academic credit for independent studies and practica. Internships are graded H, S or U only. An explanation of each type of study, the eligibility requirements that a student must meet to enroll, and the maximum number of semester hours that may be earned in each type of study are outlined in the following paragraphs. No more than 21 semester hours of any combination of independent studies, internships and practica may be counted toward the hours needed for graduation. For more information on Internships and Service Learning contact the Office of Experience Based Education. Return to Academic Policies.
INDEPENDENT STUDIES
- Students of exceptional ability and promise may enroll for independent studies for degree credit provided they meet the requirements stipulated below. The term, independent study, may mean (1) independent readings, (2) independent projects, or (3) independent study for honors. Students are eligible for independent readings or independent projects if they have completed a minimum of sixty (60) hours of college credit. In addition, they must have a cumulative average of at least 3.0 in the discipline to be studied, unless the independent study is required for the completion of the major. Independent study for honors requires the completion of a minimum of sixty (60) hours and the achievement of a 3.2 cumulative average in the discipline to be studied.
In addition to the stipulated limitations for each type of independent studies, the following restrictions also apply: (1) a student may register for no more than six hours of any combination of independent studies in a given semester, (2) a maximum of 12 hours of any combination of independent studies may be counted within a major, and six hours toward a minor or concentration, and (3) a student may count no more than 15 hours of any combination of independent studies toward the hours needed for graduation.
Independent Readings
- This form of independent study is an independent reading program directed and evaluated by a professor, who will determine the eligibility of the student on the basis of minimum standards set by the department which are consistent with or exceed the above College standards.
To initiate the study, a student must prepare a reading list in consultation with a professor specializing in the subject area. The student should also prepare a statement on the topic and objectives of the proposed readings, the number of credit hours sought, and the methods by which the professor will supervise and evaluate the student’s work for an appropriate letter grade, A through E. When the professor has accepted the student’s proposal, it shall be submitted to the department chair for approval. Copies of the proposal are to be signed and held by the student, the supervising professor, and the chair.
Entries on the student’s transcript will be labeled "Independent Readings in. . ." and numbered 399 or 499 depending on the degree of sophistication of the readings. No student may count more than 15 hours of independent reading credit toward the hours needed for graduation.
Independent Project
- Independent work on a project or problem is directed and evaluated by a professor who will determine the eligibility of the student on the basis of minimum standards set by the department which are consistent with or exceed the above College standards.
To initiate the study, a student must prepare a written plan of study within a professor’s area of specialization. The plan of study will specify the topic, objectives, and approach of the project, the number of credit hours sought, and the methods by which the professor will supervise and evaluate it for an appropriate letter grade, A through E. When the professor has accepted the student’s proposal, it shall be submitted to the department chair for approval. Copies of the plan of study are to be signed and held by the student, the supervising professor, and the chair.
Entries on the student’s transcript will be labeled "Independent Project in. . ." and numbered 399. No student may count more than 15 hours on independent project credit toward the hours needed for graduation.
Independent Study for Honors
- To be eligible for this activity, a student must have completed at least 60 semester hours, 15 semester hours in the subject area, and have a cumulative grade point average of 3.2 or better.
Students wishing to engage in this independent academic activity must prepare a written plan of study within a professor’s area of specialization. The plan of study will specify the topic, objectives, and approach of the project, the number of credit hours sought, and the methods by which the professor will supervise and evaluate it for an appropriate letter grade, A through E. When the professor has accepted the student’s proposal, it shall be submitted to the department chair for approval. Copies of the plan of study are to be signed and held by the student, the supervising professor, and the chair.
Entries on the student’s transcript will be labeled "Independent Study for Honors in. . ." and numbered 499. No students may count more than 15 hours of independent study for honors work toward the hours needed for graduation. Return to Academic Policies.
INTERNSHIP
- An internship is the supervised placement of a student in business, industry, a social or governmental agency, or other work setting for a specified period and for an appropriate number of semester hours of credit. It is an upper division learning experience, different from both independent studies and practica. The goal of an internship is to afford students an opportunity to apply their theoretical background and skills to an experiential situation. In most instances, students will have completed the relevant theoretical course work before planning an internship experience. In those instances where that has not occurred, appropriate coursework and/or independent study should be scheduled concurrently with the internship experience. If Independent Study is prescribed, the Independent Study policy should be reviewed to ensure that the appropriate procedures/policies are followed.
In order to be eligible for an internship, a student must have completed at least 60 semester hours of college work, have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.5, and have fulfilled all other departmental prerequisites. Internships are graded "Honors," "Satisfactory," and "Unsatisfactory" (H, S, and U). Qualified students shall prepare a learning agreement for the internship with the guidance of the sponsoring professor. The proposal will include the name of the agency where the student will be placed, the name of the site supervisor, the academic objectives of the internship, the nature of the work experience, the number of credit hours to be earned, and the procedures by which the internship will be supervised and evaluated for a grade.
After the learning agreement is completed and signed by the student, the sponsor/instructor and the program director, it must be reviewed and approved by the department chair and the student’s academic advisor. As a final step in the approval process, the agreement must be submitted to the office of the dean of the student’s major or minor. Agreements should be forwarded to the Dean’s office as soon as possible after the prior advance registration period, but no later than the end of the 6th full day of classes of the semester in which the student is doing the internship. Site supervisors will be requested to sign the agreement at the time the internship begins. The copy signed by the site supervisor will be forwarded to the director of Experience-Based Education and placed in the student’s folder.
A student serving an internship will be supervised jointly by a professor from the sponsoring academic department and the professional with whom the internship is being served. The student will be required to submit a scholarly report analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating the experience. This report, together with the field supervisor’s report and, where practicable, the faculty member’s field evaluation, shall provide the primary bases from which the faculty sponsor will assign a grade for the internship.
Entries on a student’s transcript for such experiences will be labeled "Internship in. . ." and numbered 498. A student may register for no more than one internship per semester, and may count no more than 12 semester hours of internship credit toward a major or six semester hours toward a minor or concentration. No more than 15 hours of internship credit may be counted toward fulfilling requirements for the B.A., B.F.A., or B.S. degrees, and no more than 21 hours of any combination of independent studies, internships and practica may be credited toward the hours needed for graduation. Return to Academic Policies.
PRACTICA
- A practicum is a regularly scheduled course which combines a formal classroom instruction with supervised field work in a subject area. It is an upper division course, presupposing considerable background in the area, and is different from both independent studies and internships.
To be eligible for a practicum, a student must have fulfilled all departmental prerequisites. Student evaluation will be the responsibility of the faculty member teaching the practicum in consultation with the field supervisor.
A student may register for no more than one practicum per semester and may count no more than 12 semester hours of practicum credit toward the major and no more than six hours toward a minor or concentration. For more information on Internships and Service Learning contact the Office of Experience Based Education. Return to Academic Policies.
