CHAPTER 7/ACADEMIC POLICIES
AFFECTING STUDENTS
Revisions accepted by the General Faculty 5-10-05
7.1 / Student Academic Integrity
7.2 / Class Policies
7.21 / Class Lists
7.211 / Use of Cell Phones in Class
7.23 / Student Attendance
Obligation--Absence Letters
7.3 / Examination Policies
7.31 / Special Examinations and Re-examinations
7.32 / Make-up Examinations
7.4 / Grading Policies
7.41 / Basis of Grades
7.411 / Definition of Grades
7.42 / Midterm Grade Reports
7.43 / Final Grade Reports
7.431 / Finality of Grades
7.44 / Change of Grades - Undergraduate
7.45 / Change of Grades - Graduate
7.46 / Grade Replacement
7.5 / Court of Academic Appeals
7.51 / Procedures for Academic Appeals - Undergraduate
7.6 / Withdrawals
7.7 / Incompletes
7.71 / Incompletes - Undergraduate
7.72 / Incompletes - Graduate
7.8 / Teaching Loads
7.9 / Student Access to Faculty - Office Hours
7.1 / Statement on Student Academic Integrity
The following statements
on academic honesty, including definitions of what constitute
violations of classroom standards, are published in the Catalog:
Opportunities for learning at Wichita State University involve the students' rights to express their views and to take reasoned exception to the views of the faculty; to examine all questions felt to be appropriate to a course of study; to be protected from improper disclosure of their views and beliefs; to be examined in a fair and impartial manner; and to be treated with dignity and respect. Students are responsible, however, for learning the content of any course of study outlined by their instructors, regardless of any views or judgments privately held and for demonstrating their attainment in an honest manner.
Students who compromise the integrity of the classroom are subject to disciplinary action on the part of the University. Violations of classroom standards include:
1. Cheating in any form, whether in formal examinations or elsewhere,
2.Plagiarism, using the work of others as one's own without assigning proper credit to the source,
3. Misrepresentation of any work done in the classroom or in preparation for class,
4. Falsification, forgery or alteration of any documents pertaining to academic records,
5. Disruptive behavior in a course of study or abusiveness toward faculty or fellow students.
A standard of honesty, fairly applied to all students, is essential to a learning environment. Students violating such standards must accept the consequences, and penalties are assessed by appropriate classroom instructors or other designated persons. Serious cases may result in discipline at the college/school/University Libraries or university level and may result in suspension or dismissal. Students accused of abridging a standard of honesty may protect themselves through established academic appeal procedures and are assured of due process and the right of appeal from accusations or penalties felt to be unjust.
WSU Policies & Procedures, Student Code of Conduct: http://webs.wichita.edu/inaudit/ch8_05.htm
7.21 / Class
Lists
WSU Policies and Procedures
http://webs.wichita.edu/inaudit/ch2_04.htm
The first official class list is available on the first day of classes, and on the 20th day. Students whose names are on the class list are officially registered. If a student's name does not appear on the list, he or she should be advised to contact the Registrar's Office immediately. Only students who are officially enrolled are permitted to attend class. Class lists are also available on Shocker One Stop.
7.211 / Cell Phones Use in Class
WSU Policies and Procedures --
http://webs.wichita.edu/inaudit/ch2_14.htm
Preamble:
As a state educational institution of Kansas,
Wichita State University must be concerned about the appropriate usage of state
resources and about the safety of its employees and others who perform services
for the University. With the increasing prevalence of cellular phone usage,
this policy statement is intended to provide information and guidance about
University expectations regarding such usage.
Policy Statement:
1. Usage of a state-provided cellular phone is a privilege and is provided to improve University operations and service and to enhance operating efficiencies. It is intended that a state-provided cellular phone be used for business purposes only.
2. Use of a state-provided cellular phone should not be a primary mode of communication, but should be used only when such usage is the most cost-effective way to conduct state business. The telephone card provided by the University is the preferred method for long distance communications.
3. Justification for a state-provided cellular phone is left to the determination of department heads or budget officers with the understanding that regular audits by the state of Kansas are to be expected. No University employee may approve his/her own service plan for a state-provided cellular phone.
4. More than minimal personal usage of a state-provided cellular phone without advance written authorization from the appropriate Vice President or the President is not allowed. Employees must confirm review of the monthly statement by signing the final page of the statement/invoice and will reimburse the University for all additional charges resulting from personal calls.
5. Misuse of a state-provided cellular phone will result in revocation of its use and forfeiture of the cellular phone.
6. Excessive use of a personal cellular phone for personal business during work hours is considered outside an employee’s scope of employment.
7. Employees are not expected to use a personal cellular phone for official University business. Employees will not be reimbursed for the cost of using a personal cellular phone for official University business without the advance written authorization of the appropriate Vice President or the President.
8. Anyone operating a state-owned vehicle should not use a cellular phone while operating such vehicle.
9. Anyone using potentially hazardous equipment while working for the University should not use a cellular phone while operating such equipment.
10. Violation of this policy will be grounds for disciplinary action, up to and including termination. Such disciplinary action will be taken in accord with applicable University policies.
Implementation:
This policy shall be included in the WSU Policies and Procedures Manual
and shared with appropriate constituencies of the University.
The Vice President and General Counsel shall have primary responsibility for publication, dissemination and implementation of this University policy.
Effective Date:
June 6, 2003
Revision Date:
May 7, 2004
7.22 / Instructor Attendance Obligation
WSU Policies & Procedures
http://webs.wichita.edu/inaudit/ch2_04.htm
An instructor is obligated to meet classes at the scheduled time unless prevented by illness or unavoidable absence from campus. Anticipated absence from class must be reported to the department chair or the dean of the college/school/University Libraries prior to the meeting of the class; unanticipated absences must be reported upon the instructor's return to campus.
7.23 / Student Attendance Obligation
WSU policies & Procedures
http://webs.wichita.edu/inaudit/ch2_04.htm
Students are expected to attend all classes in which they enroll, and faculty members are expected to monitor attendance. In cases of excessive absences, instructors may report the student's absence to the dean of the student's college/school/University Libraries.
7.3 / Examination
Policies
The following statements
on examination policy reflect current general understandings and
practices.
7.31 / Special Examinations and
Re-examinations
Special examinations and
reexaminations are given only in exceptional circumstances. A student registered with the Office of Disability services may request a
special examination.
http://webs.wichita.edu/?u=disserv&p=/index
7.32 / Make-up Examinations
Students are allowed to make up major examinations, including the final
examination, upon establishment of reasons for missing the examination
satisfactory to the instructor.
7.34 / Final
Examinations
Evaluation of student
performance in a course should involve a major demonstration of
mastery of the course material. This is traditionally
accomplished through a final examination, although some
instructors adopt alternatives to a final examination, such as a
written paper in lieu of a final examination. Final examinations
are given according to a schedule prepared by the Registrar's
Office and published in the Schedule of Courses. A copy of the
final examination schedule, together with a statement of the
rules relating to final examinations, is sent to all faculty
members several weeks before the final examination period. Final
examinations are governed by the following rules:
1. The maximum time allowed for a final examination is as follows: 1-hour course, one hour; 2-hour course, two hours; 3-, 4-, and 5-hour courses, three hours. (In order to use three hours for the examination it would be necessary to start or continue one hour before or after the scheduled time.)
2. No final examination, or portion thereof, may be given at any time other than scheduled, unless such change is approved by the dean of the college/school/University Libraries and a classroom is available. A changed time would be approved only if it occasions no conflicts for any of the students involved.
3. No student may be required to take more than two final examinations on one day. Arrangements for a rescheduled final examination must be made by the student prior to the scheduled examination.
7.4 / Grading
Policies
WSU Policies and Procedures --
http://webs.wichita.edu/inaudit/ch2_01.htm
7.41 / Basis
of Grades
All grades are determined
by the instructor. The instructor, however, has an obligation to
announce to the class at the beginning of the semester the basis
for evaluating student performance. The right of students to
protection against improper academic evaluation is set out in
Article I, Section 2, of the Student Bill of Rights. Allegations
of improper academic evaluation may be pursued through an
academic appeals process, which ultimately involves a hearing
before the Court of Academic Appeals Committee. If a decision of
the court calls for a change of grade, the Registrar's Office is
so advised, authorizing an official change.
7.411 / Definition
of Grades
The grading system
utilized at Wichita State University employs five basic letter
grades, defined in the Catalog as follows:
A Distinguished achievement. Credit given; four credit points per semester hour.
B Superior achievement. Credit given; three credit points per semester hour
C Average achievement. Credit given; two credit points per semester hour.
D Below average achievement. Credit given; one credit point per semester hour.
F Failing work. No credit hours earned toward graduation; zero credit points per semester hour, but counted as a course attempted and completed and included in computation of grade point average.
Courses numbered below 100 do not carry credit toward a Wichita State University degree and are graded Credit/No Credit (Cr/NCr). In addition, students may elect Cr/NCr during a special transition semester, and certain credit courses are designated in the course description in the Catalog as Cr/NCr. These grades are defined in the Catalog.
7.42 / Midterm
Grade Reports
Midterm grade reports ("downs") are an essential part of the process of
identifying students who need academic help. In order for this
identification process to succeed, and to improve the student
retention rate, it is important that an instructor have a
sufficient basis for evaluation of student performance by the
midpoint of a semester. Shortly before the midpoint of a
semester, each instructor receives a grade report form to be used
in reporting students whose performance is below the C level. In
addition to D, F, or I grades, one or more explanation codes may
be marked. The due date for the Midterm Grade Report is set by
the Academic Calendar.
7.43 / Final
Grade Reports
During the week prior to the
beginning of final examinations, grade report forms are distributed to the
departments and by the departments to instructors. The list contains the names
of students enrolled in the class and indicate in the grade area
any students who have withdrawn after the second week of the
semester and students enrolled in the course on an audit status.
The instructor circles the appropriate grade in ink, signs each
page at the bottom, returns the grade list to the Registrar's
Office by the due date listed at the top. Grade reports may be submitted on line through SOS or hand-carried to the Registrar's
Office but must not be sent through campus or U.S. mail. Due dates based
on the final examination date are necessary for the timely
recording of grades on the student's transcript.
7.431 / Finality
of Grades
The grades assigned by an
instructor to any quiz, scheduled examination, or final
examination are final. An instructor may correct errors in
calculating or recording a grade. Grades may be challenged by
students through the academic appeals process.
7.44 / Change
of Grades -- Undergraduate
Request for Change of
Grade forms are used to remove grades of incomplete and to
correct instructor errors in grading or reporting of a grade. A
grade change may be initiated by an instructor at any time during
one calendar year following assignment of a grade. An explanation
of the nature of the error that necessitates the change of grade
is required. Request for Change of Grade forms are transmitted
through the instructor's dean to the Registrar's Office. Change
of a grade assigned more than one year earlier may be authorized
upon petition by the instructor to the University Admissions and
Exceptions Committee.
7.45 / Change of Grades -- Graduate
WSU Graduate Catalogue ---
http://webs.wichita.edu/?u=GRADSCHOOL&p=/Publications/gradcatalog/
7.46 / Grade
Replacement
The grade replacement
policy follows:
1. A grade (A,B,C,D, or F) received at the completion of a repeated class will automatically replace all previous grade(s) (A,B,C,D, or F) received for that course in the computation of the student's cumulative grade point average. A W or I grade will not replace a previous grade in the computation of the student's cumulative grade point average.
2. The option of repeating a course for the purpose of grade replacement may only be used for five (5) different courses by a student during the student's academic career at WSU or any other university.
3. Grades received in courses taken at another institution may not be used to replace grades in courses taken at WSU.
4. Grades for all attempts at a course will appear on the student's transcript, and a course which has been repeated will be designated as such by placing an R begore the grade which was received.
5. Credit for a repeated course will only count once toward meeting degree requirements.
6. This policy will be effective for all students for repeated classes taken beginning with Fall 1994.
Adopted by the Faculty Senate
10/93
Accepted by the President 10/93
7.5 / Court of Academic Appeals Committee
WSU Policy and Procedures
http://webs.wichita.edu/inaudit/ch2_03.htm
The Court of Academic Appeals was established in 1967 by vote of the University faculty to assure academic due process for undergraduate students who feel they have been treated unfairly in the classroom. The court's jurisdiction includes any disputes between students and faculty that cannot be settled within the framework of the student-faculty relationship, including unfairness in grading or in an instructor's charges of plagiarism, cheating, and similar offenses. The Court of Student Academic Appeals is composed of three tenured faculty members and two student members. Decisions of the court are final and carry the power to change a grade. The appeals process for Graduate students may be found at: http://webs.wichita.edu/depttools/depttoolsmemberfiles/gradschool/Catalogue/4g-geninfo0405.pdf
7.51 / Procedures for Academic Appeals for Undergraduate Students
1. Students should make
every effort to resolve problems with the instructor before
filing an appeal. A student must file an appeal within one
semester after the grade is assigned
(excluding summer). (The Court reserves the
right, in exceptional circumstances, to suspend this rule.)
2. The student shall pick up an appeal form in the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs or his/her designee. The complainant should meet with the Vice President for Student Affairs to determine: (a) whether opportunities for resolving the problem with the instructor have been exhausted, and (b) whether the problem is resolvable through existing University procedures other than the Court of Academic Appeals.
The Vice President for Student Affairs may indicate that a case is inappropriate, but students maintain their right to appeal if they wish to do so.
3. The student should make an appointment with the SGA Student Advocate for assistance in: (a) resolving the case, and/or (b) preparing the appeal.
4. The completed appeal is returned by the student to the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs for distribution along with a copy of the Procedures of the Court to the faculty member named in the appeal, and to the department chair and dean. This will be the instructor's dean, not the student's, though they may in some cases, be the same.
5. The faculty member named in the appeal will submit a written statement on the case to the department chair. After reviewing the case, the department chair should form a judgment and/or attempt to resolve the issue without exerting pressure on either the instructor or the student.
The department chair should indicate on the form: (a) a recommendation to sustain the instructor's decision, (b) a recommendation that the appeal be sustained, (c) a statement that the issue cannot be resolved at this level. Space is available on the appeal form for these comments.
6. After the department chair has made a recommendation, the case is referred to the appropriate academic dean. After reading the appeal and the recommendation of the department chair, the dean may clarify issues by discussing the matter with the student and instructor.
The dean should indicate a recommended action and return the appeal form to the Vice President for Student Affairs who will submit it to the chair of the Court.
7. The chair of the Court will, after receiving the case, inform the student and the instructor in writing of its receipt and request from each a written statement and any additional information the Court might need. This information must be received by the Court within two weeks. The instructor and the student may visit with the Court chair or write to the Court about questions of procedure.
8. The instructor and student will be notified in writing no less than seven days in advance of the projected date of the hearing along with information pertaining to the exact time and place of the hearing. The Court should establish the time for a hearing only after both the student and faculty member have been contacted and have indicated they can attend the hearing at that time. If the faculty member is not on campus during the semester of the hearing, only the student need be called prior to the establishment of the time of the hearing.
9. These procedures will be followed in an actual hearing:
a. All hearings are closed.
b. Members of the Court will be faculty and students who have no connection with either party involved in the appeal.
c. Hearings will be kept as informal as possible. A taped transcript of the hearing but not the deliberations will be made. These tapes will be maintained for one year. The tapes and all written material will be treated as confidential information.
d. The instructor and student are expected to appear at the hearing. If the student does not appear for the hearing, the case will not be heard. If the faculty member does not wish to appear, the case will be heard.
e. The student and faculty member may be represented by counsel from the University community but not by an attorney.
f. Either party may ask members of the University community (students, faculty, staff) to present testimony relevant to the case.
g. The instructor and the student will have access to the written statements of each other at least seven days prior to the hearing. These statements will be treated as confidential material.
h. Relevant class records are to be made available to the Court upon request.
i. After opening statements by both parties, each will have the opportunity to question the other during the hearing, subject to academic decorum.
j. Members of the Court may question both parties to the dispute as well as those persons presenting testimony in the case.
k. When questioning is finished, both parties, counsel and witnesses, if any, will be excused.
l. Decisions of the Court are based on a majority vote.
m. For conducting business, a quorum consists of four members of the Court.
10. The decision and the rationale for the decision are reported in writing to each party and to the officials who reviewed the appeal by the chair of the hearing. Majority and minority opinions may be included. If the Court has suggestions for improving or eliminating the conditions which led to the case, these should be detailed in a separate letter to the faculty member with copies to his/her department chair and dean.
11. If the decision calls for a change of grade, the Office of the Registrar will be so advised; the chair of the Court will authorize the registrar to make the official change. Decisions affecting other offices will result in similar correspondence with those offices.
12. The Court does not rehear
cases.
(Current as of March 11, 1985.)
7.6 / Withdrawals
Students may, as a matter
of right, voluntarily withdraw from any or all courses and have a
W recorded for the course. After the period for voluntary
withdrawal has passed, students may withdraw with a W only if
they petition the dean of their college/school/University Libraries and the University's
Committee on Admissions and Exceptions approves their petition.
Withdrawal dates are listed in the Schedule of Courses.
Administrative withdrawal may be initiated by the dean's office of the college/school/University Libraries in which a student is enrolled, the Controller's Office, the Office of Student Affairs, or other appropriate University offices for the following reasons:
1. The student's class attendance is so poor that in the instructor's opinion full benefit cannot be derived from the course;
2. The student fails to complete successfully all prerequisites for those courses in which the student is enrolled;
3. The student violates the provisions of the student's responsibilities statement in the University Catalog;
4. The student does not comply with the terms of a provisional admission;
5. The student has unmet financial obligations to the University.
7.7 / Incompletes
The grade
"incomplete" (I) is used to give a student an extension
of time to complete course work. Incompletes are given at the
discretion of the instructor. In special circumstances the Instructor may
extend the time of the I. Credit is postponed with an I and the course
is not included in the student's grade point average until it is
completed and a regular letter grade is assigned.
7.71 / Incompletes -- Undergraduate
1. If students do not enroll at Wichita State within one calendar year
following an incomplete and if their work is not completed within that calendar
year, they must enroll in that course as a repeat during their next semester of
enrollment or the grade will be changed to F. If they do enroll in
the course again, the I is changed to W and the grade earned
during the repeat semester becomes the grade of record. (If the course is
not offered when they resume academic work, they must request that an exception
be made by the chair of the department offering the course. The
department chair may authorize a substitute course, postpone action for a
semester or authorize a grade of W.
7.72 / Incompletes -- Graduate -- http://webs.wichita.edu/?u=GRADSCHOOL&p=/Publications/gradcatalog/
7.8 / Teaching
Loads
WSU Policies and Procedures --
http://webs.wichita.edu/inaudit/ch2_07.htm
The standard teaching load normally shall be the equivalent of a 12-hour maximum, with no more than three different preparations.
7.9 / Student Access to Faculty--Office Hours
WSU Policies and Procedures --
http://webs.wichita.edu/inaudit/ch2_05.htm
All members of the faculty shall file office hours with the dean of the college/school/University Libraries not later than the beginning of the second week of each semester. The schedule of office hours should be posted at the faculty member's office and should be announced to each class. The office hours should be extensive enough to provide ample opportunity for scheduled and unscheduled conferences with students. Every reasonable effort should be made to maintain the office hours as scheduled and announced.
Wichita State University
Faculty Senate
1845 Fairmont
Box 111
Wichita, Kansas 67260-0111
(316) 978-3504
Email: bobbi.dreiling@wichita.edu