Academic Grievance Policies & Procedures

  The Academic Exceptions Committee (hereafter referred to as AEC) was established as a vehicle for reviewing applications for waivers and substitutions of students' graduation requirements, and then submitting committee decisions to the Associate Vice-President for Academics. (see p. 67, 1990-91 General Catalog).

  All appointed members of the committee have the right to vote. All appointments are for one academic year except for the Academic Advisor appointment which will be rotated on a semester basis.

GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS:

  No Change in the current procedures.

REQUIREMENTS FOR MAJOR AND MINOR:

  Substitutions or waivers within a student's major requirements are best evaluated by the faculty of that major. A new form is to be made for these applications and upon obtaining the following four signatures the waiver or substitution is to be accepted:

  1. Program coordinator of major
  2. Program coordinator of course/s in question
  3. Division Chair of major
  4. Division Chair of course/s


  The Academic Advisor of the major division will initiate the application process and record the results in the student's graduation plan. NOTE: ANY ACTION TAKEN WILL NOT BE OFFICIAL UNTIL THE RESULTS ARE ENTERED INTO THE STUDENT'S FILE IN THE REGISTRAR'S OFFICE. Graduation plans in Academic Advisors files are not official! Academic Advisors are responsible for communicating in writing, to the registrar, any action taken at the division level regarding student graduation plans.

  If the division/s in question can not come to an agreement and an appeal is warranted the application will be sent by the Academic Advisor to the AEC.

REGISTRATION:

  Any registration after the deadline designated in the official university calendar is considered late and will be assessed a $25 late fee. Late registration will be allowed during the first week of classes. No registration will be approved following that week.

  Continuing students that have pre-registered but classes were dropped because they had not finalized registration by registration deadline can be reinstated into available classes during the first week of term. This will be considered late registration and a $35 late fee will be charged.

ADDING AND DROPPING CLASSES:

  1. During the first week of class a student may ADD or DROP courses, with instructors' approval, without a fee.

  2. During weeks two and three of a semester a student may ADD a course, if the course instructor approves (signature), and a $10 fee/form is paid. The instructor's signature implies that the instructor approves and has informed the student as to the requirements and risks of starting the course late. No AEC review is required. No classes may be added following the third week of instruction.

  3. During the second through fifth week of a semester, all withdrawals will be graded wither as "W" or "WF" by the instructor. No AEC review is required.

  4. After the fifth week of the semester, all withdrawals will be graded with either as "W" or "WF" by the instructor. No AEC review is required.

  5. If a student or faculty member feels there are circumstances needing special consideration regarding late Add/Drop applications, then an exceptions petition can be sent to the AEC with adequate documentation and signatures. The AEC recommendations will be sent to the Associate Academic Vice President for final decision.

  6. During spring term and semester blocks the conditions covered in item 2 are for week two only, and in items 3 and 4 for weeks two and three only.

  7. Adds or drops late due to university action and not under the student's control will be allowed without fee if application contains proper justification. Determination will be subject to approval by either the registrar or AEC committee chairman, or through AEC vote when conditions prescribe.