Academic Standards: Academic Alert, Probation, Suspension, Dismissal
At the conclusion of each semester, all student grades are reviewed by the Registrar's Office. Any student experiencing academic difficulty (semester or cumulative grade point average below 2.0) is reviewed by the Academic Standards Committee for appropriate action. The following policy is adhered to in usual situations.
Students whose semester grade point averages fall below 2.0 but whose cumulative grade point averages remain at 2.0 and above for any given semester are given academic alerts. These official academic alerts are considered official warnings to recipients that continuation of such performance may lead to academic probation.
Seniors, juniors, and sophomores with cumulative grade point averages below 2.0 will be placed on academic probation. Freshmen with cumulative grade point averages below 1.7 are placed on academic probation. Two consecutive semesters on academic probation will result in academic suspension or academic dismissal. All students on academic probation are limited to twelve credits per semester while on probation and are required to sign and adhere to a prescribed probationary contract. Failure to adhere to the prescribed conditions of the probationary contract will result in immediate academic suspension or academic dismissal.
Any student with a 0.0 semester average will be subject to automatic academic dismissal.
Students may be dismissed for academic reasons following review of semester grades by the Academic Standards Committee. Students may be suspended rather than dismissed if the Committee judges that extenuating circumstances have been the cause for poor grades.
Students placed on academic suspension may, upon signing a Probationary Contract with an Advisement Counselor, continue studies after the lapse of one regular (fall, spring) semester; those who have been dismissed may apply for readmission after the lapse of two regular semesters. Such students who then again are placed on probation must earn removal by the end of one semester or be subject to suspension or dismissal.
Students affected by the academic standards are contacted by the Academic Affairs Office and directed to meet with an Advisement Center representative. Counselors, academic advisors, and the Academic Skills Center staff work with students having academic difficulties to help solve problems that may be affecting their grades.
If a student wishes to appeal a decision or policy of the Academic Standards Committee, he/she may do so by appeal to the appropriate college dean. The initial appeal must be in writing within 14 calendar days of notification or by the end of the first week of the next semester (whichever comes first) and state, in specific terms, the student's case for appeal.
Attendance
Regular attendance is expected at all classes and academic activities related to a course (for example, field trips) unless otherwise specified. Medaille College subscribes to the “Guidelines on Students and Religious Observance” adopted by the Commission on Independent Colleges and Universities. Absence does not excuse a student from course work and responsibility. Excessive absence is detrimental and it may affect certain types of financial aid. Discontinuance of attendance does not constitute an official withdrawal.
Course Syllabus Policy
At the beginning of every course, the instructor distributes a written course syllabus to all students taking the course. The syllabus describes the objectives and content for the course and the method by which students' work will be evaluated for grades. Make sure you keep all of your syllabi so that you may refer to them throughout the semester.
The Evaluation of Students' Work
An evaluation system is required for each course. Examinations are ordinarily part of the evaluation system, but alternative methods of overall evaluation may be employed. At the first class period of the semester or module, the instructor will inform students through the course syllabus of the type of evaluation system that will be used for that course throughout the semester.
Academic Decorum
Medaille College does not tolerate sexual or racial harassment of students or employees by College faculty, staff, or students. Students are legally protected from such activity by both state and federal legislation and are asked to report any occurrence to the Academic Affairs Office without fear of recrimination.
The College does not tolerate immature or abusive behavior in the classroom setting. Upon receipt of a written complaint from the instructor, the Vice President for Academic Affairs may immediately remove the student from the class. The Vice President for Academic Affairs (or appropriate college dean) and the Dean of Students will review the evidence and render a final decision within 30 days.
Academic Integrity
Medaille College expects all students to complete their academic assignments with honesty and integrity. Students who engage in any form of academic dishonesty (e.g., plagiarism on an essay, cheating on a test, forging a signature or an entire college document) will be dealt with severely, with penalties ranging from an F on an assignment to failing a course or even academic suspension.
Students should consult their Student Handbook for full details on the college's policy and procedures for handling formal charges of academic dishonesty. The full policy is also on the College Web site.
Academic Grievance Procedure
Should a student wish to resolve an academically related conflict with an instructor, the Academic Grievance Procedure should be followed. The student should attempt to resolve the conflict directly with the instructor, if possible. If the conflict cannot be resolved between student and instructor, the student should bring the problem to the chairperson of the instructor's department. If still not resolved, the contact the appropriate college dean in writing. The decision of the Vice President for Academic Affairs (or his/her designee) is final for all academic matters.
Grade Appeal
Students wishing to appeal a final grade in a course must do so in writing within 60 days of the semester's grade report. This written appeal should be directed to the instructor of the course in question; then, the instructor's department chairperson and, thereafter, the Vice President for Academic Affairs or the appropriate college dean.
Course Prerequisites
Students who for extraordinary circumstances wish to register for a course without the required prerequisite(s) should first consult with their advisor regarding the viability of this action. Students pursuing such action do so at their own risk and upon registration must complete the Course Prerequisite Disclaimer Form available in the Registrar's Office.
Course Numbering
Course numbers indicate the following:
100-299 undergraduate, lower division courses,
primarily for freshmen and sophomores
300-499 undergraduate, upper division courses,
primarily for juniors and seniors
500-599 graduate, primarily foundation courses
600-699 graduate, advanced courses
Placement
The following are overall placement results from the graduating class of 2003 (based on responses from 68% of the 2003 graduates):
Graduates employed 95%
Graduates enrolled in further schooling 14%
Total overall placement 97%
Information regarding completion rates and other student data is available upon request from Medaille College's Office of Institutional Research and Planning.
