Academic Regulations

Rights and Responsibilities of Students
Enrollment, Withdrawal and Transcripts
University Calendar
Course Numbering
Final Examinations
Grades and the Grading System
Catalog Expiration Date
Commencement
Diplomas

RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF STUDENTS

Student Status

Definition of a Student

Any person actively pursuing a course of study is considered to hold student status. For the purposes of these and other regulations, a student is further defined as one who is currently enrolled at the university or has completed the immediately preceding term and is eligible to enroll for the next term.

Duration of Student Status

In the broadest context, an individual is termed a student of Pittsburg State University from the time of admission in any status to the university until such time as formal association with the university ceases.

Undergraduate Students

Students enrolled exclusively in undergraduate courses will be considered undergraduate students.

Graduate Students

Students enrolled exclusively in graduate courses and who possess a baccalaureate degree will be considered graduate students.

In cases where a student is enrolled in both undergraduate and graduate courses and possesses a baccalaureate degree, he/she will be considered a graduate student. In cases where the student is in his/her last semester of undergraduate enrollment and does not possess a baccalaureate degree, the student will be considered an undergraduate.

Educational Equity

Pittsburg State University is committed to a policy of educational equity. Accordingly, the university admits students, grants financial aid and scholarships, conducts all educational programs, activities and employment practices without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, ancestry, or disabilities.

Access to Higher Education

In accordance with Kansas statutes and policies of the Board of Regents, the university is open to all persons who qualify according to the Pittsburg State University admission standards.

These standards are defined and made available in the undergraduate and graduate section of this University Catalog.

Rights Under FERPA

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords students certain rights with respect to their education records. They are:

1. The right to inspect and review the student's education records within 45 days of the day the University receives a request for access. Students should submit to the registrar, dean, head of the academic department, or other appropriate official, written requests that identify the record or records they wish to inspect. The University official will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained by the University official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.
2. The right to request the amendment of the student's education records that the student believes are inaccurate or misleading. Students may ask the University to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading. They should write the University official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or mislead-in. If the University decides not to amend the record as requested by the student the University will notify the student of the decision and advise the student of his or her right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing.
3. The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student's education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. One exception which permits disclosure without consent is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the University in an administrative supervisory, academic or research, or support staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel and health staff); a person or company with whom the University has contracted (such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent); a person serving on the Board of Trustees; or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility. Upon request, the University discloses education records without consent to officials of another school in which a student seeks or intends to enroll.
4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by Pittsburg State University to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is:
   
   

   Family Policy Compliance Office
   U.S. Department of Education
   600 Independence Avenue, SW
   Washington, DC 20202-460

Privacy Rights of Students

The university from time to time publishes several bulletins, lists, brochures, catalogs, directories, yearbooks, annuals, guidebooks, news releases, sports information, honor rolls, etc., containing information that specifically identifies students and information about them. The university is authorized to publish, and will publish, such Directory Information, collectively or individually, unless a student within a reasonable time after the start of the semester notifies the Student Privacy Office (Registrar, 103 Russ Hall) in writing that all of the categories listed below (designated Directory Information) should not be released without prior written consent. The following information is considered Directory Information.

1. Student name
2. Address
3. Telephone listing
4. Parents and next-of-kin information
5. Hometown address
6. Date and place of birth
7. Full or part-time status
8. Marital status
9. Classification
10. Class schedule
11. Major and minor field of study
12. Student advisor
13. Dates of registered attendance
14. Nature of any degrees granted and dates conferred
15. Previous educational institutions
16. Participation in officially recognized activities and sports
17. Sports-weight and height of athletic team members
18. Awards received
19. E-mail address
20. Photograph

Dishonesty in Academic Work

Academic Misconduct

Academic misconduct by a student shall include, but not be limited to, giving or receiving of unauthorized aid on examinations or in the preparation of notebooks, themes, reports or other assignments; copying work from the internet; or knowingly misrepresenting the source of any academic work.

An instructor may, with due notice to the student, treat as unsatisfactory any student work which is a product of academic misconduct. If an instructor deems other judicatory action for academic misconduct by a student to be advisable, or if a student wishes to protest a grade based upon work judged by an instructor to be a product of academic misconduct, the case shall be reported to the dean of the college in which the course is offered, who may refer at the departmental level where feasible, appropriate mechanisms for acting upon such reports. Such mechanisms may include mediation by the chair of the department in which the student is enrolled. Failing this resolve, cases may be referred to the Academic Honesty Committee.

An Academic Honesty Committee is appointed yearly by the Vice President for Academic Affairs. This committee shall consist of seven members, four to be selected annually by the Faculty Senate Executive Committee to represent the university faculty and two chosen from the incoming senior class by the Student Government Association and one from the graduate student body by the Graduate Student Association to represent the student body.

The Academic Honesty Committee will use such rules of procedure as established for all due process hearings at the university. (See "Discrimination Grievance Procedure for Students" section in The Student Handbook.) The committee may receive complaints from the deans, investigate accusations, and render findings for admonition, warning, censure and reduction of grade.

The objectives of the Academic Honesty Committee are: to allow instructors to refer, and students to appeal, cases involving academic dishonesty whenever conditions warrant such action to provide a hearing whereby due process prevails in which any case concerning academic dishonesty may be heard.

More than one sanction may be imposed upon a student for the same offense or offenses. A judgment in each case will be rendered in writing to all parties concerned, including the chairperson of the department and the dean of the college, and reports made to the Academic Affairs Committee once each semester.

If a party to a charge of academic misconduct or to a protest of a grade judged by an instructor to be a product of academic misconduct is unsatisfied with the resolution of the matter at the college level, he or she may seek review by the university Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Every instructor shall make clear, at the beginning of each course, his or her rules for the preparation of classroom assignments, collateral reading notebooks, or other outside work, in order that his or her students may not, through ignorance, subject themselves to the charge of academic misconduct.

The following sanctions may be imposed upon a student for academic misconduct by the Academic Honesty Committee:

Admonition: An oral statement that his or her present or past actions constitute academic misconduct.

Warning: An oral or written statement that continuation or repetition, within a stated period of actions which constitute academic misconduct, may be the cause of a more severe disciplinary sanction.

Reduction of Grade: Treating as unsatisfactory any work which is a product of academic misconduct. Reduction of grade may include the awarding of an F in the course. Other sanctions which may not be imposed by the committee are as follows:

Disciplinary Probation: Exclusion from participation in specified privileges or extracurricular activities for a period not exceeding one school year.

Suspension: Exclusion from classes and other specified privileges or activities for a definite period not in excess of two years.

Expulsion: Termination of student status for an indefinite period. The conditions of re-admission, if any, shall be stated in the order of expulsion. Because such actions may be taken only by the University Discipline Committee, the Academic Honesty Committee may forward recommendations for action to the Vice President for Student Affairs, who will convene the University Discipline Committee.

Any student shall have the right to appeal to the president of the university the findings and/or recommendations of the Academic Honesty Committee.

Financial Obligations

Pittsburg State University adopted the following practices concerning any student who has an outstanding obligation to the university. (1) The student will not be permitted to enroll for a new semester if he has an outstanding obligation due the university for a previous semester. (2) The student may not obtain a transcript nor have a transcript sent to any party if he has an outstanding obligation due the university. Students wishing to appeal a financial obligation decision may do so as outlined in the Office of Academic Affairs Memorandum 81-10.

Instructional Rights and Responsibilities of Students

Students have the right to know the goals, objectives, regulations, and grading practices of the course in which they enroll at the beginning of the course.

Students shall be free to take reasoned exception to the data or the views offered in any course of study but they are responsible for learning the content of any course in which they are enrolled.

Students have protection through orderly procedure against improper academic evaluation. Procedures for exercising the right of appeal are defined by the institution and made available to all members of the academic community through departmental chairpersons.

Class Attendance and Absence

Class Attendance

Students at Pittsburg State University are expected to attend class regularly and participate fully in the activities of that class under the guidance of a university instructor. The instructor is responsible for setting and communicating to the students the attendance requirements for each class.

Class Absence

Students are responsible for clearing their absences with each instructor. The Office of Student Affairs will maintain, as a source of reference, a list of students missing classes for university activities. The Office of Student Affairs will notify instructors of unusual circumstances of health or family problems if absences are in excess of three days.

If, in the judgment of the instructor, a student has been excessively absent from class, the instructor may report this to the Office of the Registrar, who shall withdraw the student from class and shall notify the student. An instructor may withdraw a student from a class at any time during the semester. If a student is withdrawn beginning with the 12th week of class, the student shall receive a grade of F.

Absence Due to Military Leave

Students are expected to schedule military training duty at times other than those that conflict with academic work.

In the event students must attend military reserve training duty during a semester or summer session, they must receive special permission to be absent prior to completing enrollment and from each instructor whose class will be missed. Instructors are not expected to give approval if they do not wish to do so. However, if absence from classes is granted, the instructor may make appropriate assignments in lieu of the class work.

ENROLLMENT, WITHDRAWAL AND TRANSCRIPTS

Late Enrollment Fee

Students who enroll or pay fees after the last day to pay fees as listed in the Schedule of Classes will be considered as late enrollees and will be charged a late penalty fee of $15.00. Exceptions are made for enrollment in classes not scheduled to begin at the time of regular classes or enrollment delay due to university procedures as determined by the Registrar.

Addition of Courses

Changes from one course to another may be approved if sufficient reason can be given to justify the change. Such changes may be made within one week after the date of regular enrollment in a full semester, or by the end of the second day following enrollment in a summer session. On an Add card provided for this purpose, the student must obtain the signature of the faculty advisor. To make the addition of the course official, the student must present this properly signed card to the Registrar's Office. A receipt will be given the student when the addition becomes official.

Withdrawal from Courses and the University

Notice of withdrawal from the university should be made in person to the Office of The Registrar after counseling with the faculty advisor. If the student is unable to appear in person, the notice should be given by letter.

During the first ten class days, students may withdraw from classes without a notation on their academic record.

From the eleventh class day to the end of the eleventh week, a notation of W will appear on the student's academic record if the student withdraws. The W is not computed in the grade point average.

No withdrawals from courses will be accepted beginning with the twelfth week.

Students withdrawing from the university after the last day of the eleventh week will receive a W for courses the student is passing, or an F for courses in which failing work is being done. A student who does not officially withdraw from a course or from the university will be given an F grade in the course or courses concerned. These F grades will be included in the computation of the grade point average.

The dates for withdrawal from courses which run less than sixteen weeks shall be set to obtain proportionate time periods.

Exceptions to this policy may be appealed through the Student Faculty Committee of the Faculty Senate.

Enrollment as an Auditor

Each auditor must have a permit to audit from the university registrar authorized by the course instructor. A permit may be issued to regularly enrolled students, as well as students enrolled to audit only. Auditors will be charged a per credit hour fee when the permit is issued. This fee is not refundable. Persons over 60 years of age may audit, on a space available, no-fee basis. All persons who audit courses are admitted as listeners only and are not entitled to participate in class activities except as listeners. No transcript or record is made of audit enrollments.

Transcripts

The university permanent academic record of a student is a historical record of a student's academic progress at Pittsburg State University. A transcript is a certified, official copy of a student's permanent record. The transcript reflects courses and grades enrolled in by the student and recorded in accordance with academic regulations as listed in the University Catalog. The transcript cannot be altered at the request of a student to delete any part of the transcript. The entire transcript will be prepared each time a transcript is requested.

Transcripts may be requested from the Office of the Registrar. Transcripts are charged at the rate of $5.00 for mailed transcripts and $4.00 for transcripts picked up at the Registrar's office. No transcript will be provided without the student's signature for the authorization of such release. No transcript will be provided if the student has not met financial obligations to the university. Disciplinary actions are not recorded on transcripts.

UNIVERSITY CALENDAR

Calendar dates for the university, except beginning, ending, and holiday dates, which are set by the Kansas Board of Regents, are compiled by the Registrar and approved by the Faculty Senate.

COURSE NUMBERING

Pittsburg State University courses are numbered as follows:
000-099 Non Credit Courses
100-299 Undergraduate, Lower Division
300-699 Undergraduate, Upper Division
700-799 Graduate I. Primarily for graduate students, although some upper level undergraduates can enroll.
800-899 Graduate I
900-999 Graduate II

Graduate I courses are at masters degree level. Graduate II courses, except in the MBA program, are at the post-master level.

Enrollment in Upper Division Courses

Students shall enroll for courses in an orderly sequence that recognizes the interdependence and progression of the acquisition of knowledge. Therefore, students must meet prerequisites as identified by the faculty for specified courses and must meet grade point requirements for admission to upper division courses as follows:

1. Courses numbered 700-799 require 170 grade points. These courses are primarily for graduate students.
2. Courses numbered 800-899 require admission to graduate studies.
3. Courses numbered 900-999 require admission to post-master graduate studies or admission to the Master of Business Administration program.

FINAL EXAMINATIONS

Final examinations will be given according to the schedule of examinations distributed by the Registrar each semester.

No tests or major assignments will be presented during the week prior to final examination week, unless identified in the course syllabus presented at the start of the semester.

GRADES AND THE GRADING SYSTEM

Awarding of Grades

Grades are earned by students and awarded by faculty. Grade changes can only be made by the instructor with the approval by the department chairperson and the dean of the college.

The Grading System

The Pittsburg State University grading system includes the following grades: A, B, C, D, P, F, IN, W and NC.

A Excellent achievement, credit given, four grade points per semester hour.

B Above average achievement, credit given, three grade points per semester hour.

C Average achievement, credit given, two grade points per semester hour.

D Below average achievement, credit given, one grade point per semester hour.

P Passing work (equivalent to A, B, C, D achievement), credit given, zero grade points per semester hour. This grade is not used in the computation of the grade point average.

F Failing work, zero credit given, this grade is given at the end of the semester or if the student with-draws from the university after the last day of the eleventh week and is doing failing work. Zero grade points given per semester hour. Counted as a course attempted. Included in computation of grade point average.

IN Incomplete, zero credit given, zero grade points per semester hour. Temporarily recorded as a grade when a student is granted an extension of time to complete course work because course work could not be completed for reasons beyond the student's control. Credit is postponed and the course is not included in the student's grade point average. An incomplete course must be satisfactorily completed within one year from the date the IN was given. An incomplete not removed within one year shall be regarded as a failure and the IN grade will be changed to F and included in the computation of the student's GPA. Graduate independent study courses (theses, problems, readings, etc.) are excluded from the one-year regulation.

W Withdrawal, zero credit, zero grade points per semester hour. This grade is not computed in the grade point average. This grade is given under two conditions: 1) when a student with-draws from a course prior to the end of the eleventh week; 2) when a student withdraws from the university after the last day of the eleventh week and is passing.

NC No Credit, zero credit given, zero grade points per semester hour. No credit given (does not necessarily imply failure).

Grade Point Average

Earned grade points are computed by multiplying the point value of A, B, C, D, and F grades earned by the number of credit hours of the course or courses in which the student was enrolled.

When a student repeats a course, only the last grade earned is computed in the student's GPA. Grades earned on the first attempt will continue to appear on the transcript but will be marked as a repeat and will not be calculated in the GPA. Grades of P earned in "Pass-Fail" courses are not used in the computation of the GPA. Grades of F earned in a "Pass-Fail" course are used in the computation of the GPA. Grades of IN, NC, and W are not used in the computation of the GPA.

Mid-Semester Report of Low Grades

After the eighth week of the fall and spring semester, all mid-semester D and F grades are reported by the Office of the Registrar to the dean of the college having jurisdiction over the academic program in which the student is completing a major. The dean of the college informs, in writing, both the student and the student's academic advisor that the instructor has provided this mid-semester academic warning. No mid-semester report of low grades is distributed for the summer session.

Final Grade Report

At the termination of each course, a final grade report will be made by each instructor for each student. This grade report will follow reporting instructions issued by the Office of the Registrar. Grades awarded are to be only those as defined by the faculty of the university.

All grades earned by a student will be reported by the Registrar to the student, the chairperson of the student's major department, the student's advisor, and the dean of the student's college.

Grade Appeals

Final course grades are to be awarded upon criteria knowledgeable to the student prior to the assignment of the grade. If the student believes that an error has been made in the assignment or recording of a grade, the student should confer with the instructor. If such a conference does not resolve the problem, the student should use the relevant departmental student grievance procedure.

CATALOG EXPIRATION DATE

A student must complete the degree requirements of the most recent Pittsburg State University catalog in effect at the time of the student's first matriculation at any college or university, provided that the catalog has not expired. A student may also select any subsequent catalog, provided that the catalog has not expired.

This 2001-2003 University Catalog will expire at the end of the 2007 summer session for students who take their first college course fall semester 2001 or before. Those students who take their first college course after fall 2001 will have six years to complete their degree under the 2001-2003 University Catalog.

COMMENCEMENT

Public conferring's of degrees occur at commencement ceremonies held at the conclusion of the spring semester for spring and summer graduates and at the conclusion of the fall semester for fall graduates.

DIPLOMAS

Diplomas are awarded to graduating students each semester and summer session upon graduation of the student. The diploma is dated with the end of semester date. The diploma is imprint-ed with the name of the degree awarded and the student's major. Minors or emphases are not printed on the diploma. A replacement diploma may be issued upon a request from the original holder which certifies to the loss or damage of the original diploma. A charge is made for each replacement.