2002-2003 Undergraduate Catalog
Indiana, Pennsylvania 15705
Note: Please see individual college sections for policies pertaining only to particular colleges and majors.
In order to be classified as full-time, undergraduate students attending any regular academic year semester must be currently enrolled in at least 12 semester hours.
During the IUP summer session, a student must be enrolled in a total of 12 semester hours during the entire summer in order to be classified as a full-time enrollee.
Full-time classification for students enrolled in instructional periods which do not conform to the regularly scheduled academic sessions will be based upon the number of enrolled semester hours during that period of enrollment (e.g., 1 semester hour in one week of instruction would equal the minimum full-time certification standard).
For
purposes of designating students by class, the following credit-hour
classification ranges are used:
Freshmen 28
semester hours or less
Sophomores 29-56 semester hours
Juniors
57-90
semester hours
Seniors
91 semester hours or more
Class designations are based on credits earned rather than credits attempted. Persons holding a degree and working for a second baccalaureate degree may be classified as seniors.
A normal semester hour load is 15-17 semester hours. A student who wishes to schedule 18 or more semester hours must obtain approval from the dean of the college in which he/she is registered; approval will be predicated upon various criteria such as the student’s demonstrated competencies, total courses, and specific conditions. If approval is granted, the dean will set the credit limit and make the appropriate computer entry. A student is responsible for paying a per-credit fee at the current tuition rate for each credit beyond eighteen.
The university registration system, University Records and Scheduling Assistant (URSA) on the web, is characterized as one of continuous registration. From the student’s initial registration time for a given semester through the end of the drop/add period, a few days into the semester (except for specified restricted times), a student may modify his/her schedule to the extent that classes are available or permission to register for a closed or restricted section has been granted and entered into the computer system. Deadlines for the opportunity to drop or add sections can be found in the academic calendar at the website www.iup.edu/registrar. Each student is responsible for making appropriate computer transactions to ensure schedule accuracy. Note particularly that, while the department may enter permission to register for a section, the student must complete the actual registration transaction on URSA.
Courses taken by students prior to college admission under the Advanced Placement Program of the College Entrance Examination Board may be recognized by the award of college credit or by exemption from required subjects. Those who earn a grade of 3, 4, or 5 in the Advanced Placement Examination will be granted credit toward the number of credit hours required for graduation.
For students who have had other unusual opportunities for instruction or have advanced in a given field, an opportunity to gain credit and/or exemption from a course is afforded through examinations. University Testing Services in the Career Services Office (302 Pratt Hall) offers credit options through the College Level Examination Program (CLEP).
Students have an opportunity to gain exemption or credit through successful completion of comprehensive examinations by requesting from the academic department an exam as a substitute for completing all the usual requirements of the course.
A student who passes an exemption examination will be exempt from taking that course in his/her academic program. When a student receives credit for a course by examination, the credit will be applied to graduation requirements just as though the course had been taken. If a student is granted exemption only from a course, he/she will be permitted to take a free elective in place of that course. This enables the student to specialize further, correct weaknesses outside the major field, build knowledge in an ancillary area, or be introduced to an entirely different area.
Courses for which credit or exemption are awarded by examination will not be used in the determination of grade-point averages.
Students may apply for an internship if they have completed 57 semester hours and have at least a 2.0 GPA. Internship sites are normally located within a 500-mile radius of the campus. Overseas placements are located near an IUP center. Internships are available in state and federal offices; businesses at the local, state, and national level; state-related agencies; corporations; and foundations.
Students may apply for a co-op if they have completed 30 semester hours and have at least a 2.0 GPA. Two experiences are required. Sites are national and international. Placements parallel those of the internship program.
Because internships are viewed as an integral part of the student’s academic program, students who are interested in specific internship programs should consult with the internship advisor in the department of their major. A maximum of 12 semester hours is applicable to an undergraduate degree program from any combination of co-op and internship experiences.
Prior Learning Assessment Programs
IUP offers several methods for earning university credit for college-level learning gained through work and life experience. Through the Office of Career Services, the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) offers standardized examinations in general and specific subjects. In addition, departmental examinations are also available in specific areas on a limited basis.
Where examinations are not available, portfolio assessment may provide the student with the opportunity to present evidence of learning for evaluation by a university faculty member. Through portfolio assessment, work and life experiences are evaluated to determine their appropriateness and applicability for university credit. Credits earned through prior learning assessment may not be applied toward university residency requirements for awarding of degrees. In addition, no more than one-half of the semester hours required for a student’s major may be earned by CLEP, departmental examination, and portfolio assessment. Contact the School of Continuing Education for information regarding portfolio assessment.
Policy
IUP has authorized a policy for assessment of prior learning that took place outside traditional classrooms in a procedure known as Portfolio Assessment. It is particularly designed for adults with extensive documentable knowledge from work experience, travel, independent study, or other out-of-class experiences.
Principles
Credit awarded through portfolio evaluation must conform to specific course titles listed in this catalog. Credit awards for general broad areas (block credit) will not be permitted.
In order to request a portfolio assessment, the student must be currently enrolled at IUP. Credit awarded must be intended for use as part of a degree or certification program.
Each department will determine the maximum number of semester hours to be awarded for prior learning for its major. In no case will more than one-half of the major be earned through CLEP, challenge examinations, and other forms of prior learning assessment.
Semester hours earned through portfolio assessment may not apply as residency credit for the purpose of awarding degrees.
Semester hours earned through portfolio assessment may be awarded only as regular course credit.
If a related examination is available through CLEP or if a challenge examination has previously been established for the course, a portfolio assessment of those semester hours will not be accepted.
Acceptance of portfolio assessment credits by the department will be indicated by the signature of the chairperson of the department offering the course. The dean of the appropriate IUP college and the dean of the School of Continuing Education must also indicate approval.
Students may qualify solely for undergraduate credit—not graduate credit.
The title of the course, the semester hours, and the indication that credit was earned through Portfolio Assessment will be recorded on the academic record.
Portfolio Evaluation: Procedures
1. Student meets with the assistant dean for Credit Programs in the School of Continuing Education to determine the feasibility of earning semester hours through portfolio evaluation. Standard outlines of related courses are provided to student.
2. Preliminary Application Form - Student must
provide a resume and answer the following questions:
a. What have you learned that relates to this
course?
b. Where and when have you learned it?
c. What documentation do you have that
supports the claim?
3. A handbook to assist students in compiling a portfolio will be printed. It will show how to relate to the written portfolio learning gained through work experience, independent study, and other experiences. Evidence of learning through documentation of experience, completion of a project, and written examination will be explained. If there is sufficient demand, a workshop will be conducted to assist students.
4. Fees:
Application
Fee per Assessment: $15.00
Assessment Fee: one-half the current rate of tuition per credit for each credit requested; to be paid when portfolio is submitted for evaluation.
5. The application will be submitted to the assistant dean for Credit Programs. Upon approval, the chairperson of the department offering the course will be requested to suggest the name of a faculty member to the dean of the college for approval.
6. The faculty member will meet with the student to determine the technique of assessment or a combination of techniques to be used, including interviews, documentation, observation of performance, examination, etc.
7. After the portfolio has been prepared by the student, it will be submitted to the dean of the School of Continuing Education for review, then forwarded to the appointed faculty member for assessment.
8. The faculty member will evaluate the portfolio, then make a recommendation for or against the award of credit and the amount of credit in the form of a letter, which must be approved and countersigned by the chairperson of the department offering the course. The portfolio will be forwarded to the dean of the college which oversees the student’s curriculum to approve and verify that the course will be accepted as part of the student’s program. Finally, the portfolio is sent to the assistant dean of the School of Continuing Education, who will notify the student and the registrar.
9. The registrar will list the course title, credit, and an indication that credit was earned through Portfolio Assessment.
A group of selected faculty members act as freshman advisors for entering freshmen in their departments. In some curricula the advisors continue with the same group of advisees from year to year. In other curricula the freshman advisors remain with their advisee groups only for the students’ first year; under this program, the student is then assigned an academic advisor for the remaining years through to his/her degree in a chosen field.
Faculty advisors counsel the students on academic achievement, dropping courses, changing curriculum, student activities, study schedules, and personal problems.
For students changing majors (or minors) into the College of Education and Educational Technology or into the Eberly College of Business and Information Technology, special policies apply. Please refer to the individual college sections in this catalog for change of major policies pertaining to specific colleges and majors.
To qualify for change of major, a student must be in academic good standing (2.00 GPA) and must meet any other requirements specific to the major. Criminology majors and all teacher certification programs have requirements beyond a 2.00 GPA.
A student must apply for a change of major in the office of the dean of the college in which the student is registered if the curriculum change desired is from one department to another within the same college (for example, change from a mathematics major to a biology major) or in the office of the dean of the college to which the student wishes to transfer if the curriculum change is from one college to another (for example, secondary education major to biology major). In either case, the student will complete an application form that is available in the dean’s office. Before seeking a change of major, it is advisable that the student consult with the departmental chairpersons of both the “old” and “new” majors.
When a student changes colleges, the dean (or dean’s agent) of the college into which the transfer is sought will evaluate the student’s credits before approving the transfer. A copy of the evaluation will be made available to the student and his/her new advisor if a change of major is effected.
In cases involving students who are veterans, the dean of the college into which transfer is sought (or dean’s agent) shall give the veteran a statement of prospective approval and the effective date of the proposed changes. This statement shall also indicate the amount of extended training time the change of major will entail and the amount of credit loss, if any. The veteran shall take this statement to the veteran’s counselor at least one month prior to the effective date of the change. No transfer of curriculum shall be made by veterans until V.A. approval has been assured.
General policy at IUP permits each college to determine its own scheme for evaluating the development and progress of its major students. However, each college is expected to employ some effective procedure for such evaluation.
Several of the colleges use a procedure called “Sophomore Screening for Junior Status Approval” with the following required: All students (in such a college) enrolled in their fourth semester or who will complete 57 semester hours attempted by the end of the current semester must apply for Junior Status approval by filling out an application form by the deadline date designated and announced.
All students should check with their faculty advisors to determine which colleges use the “Junior Status” screening procedure and the criteria for Junior Status Approval.
Each faculty member shall prepare and distribute, without charge, to each student within one week of the first meeting of the class a semester course syllabus. The syllabus will be consistent with course content and catalog description, which was approved by the Curriculum Committee of the University Senate for the initial course offering or revision. Semester syllabi may be distributed in hard copy or electronically.
The semester course syllabus is a vehicle of communication to promote student academic planning and to avoid misunderstandings of course plan and requirements.
It
is recommended that each syllabus include:
a. the faculty member’s name, office location,
telephone number, and office hours
b. an outline of the course content, objectives, and prerequisites, as appropriate
c. information about the required textbook(s) with title, author, and edition, and any other required materials
d. information on the determination of grades, including the weight, types, and scheduling of evaluations, other planned requirements, and expectation for class participation
e. statement of policies and/or penalties for make-up exams and late submission of assignments
The university expects all students to attend class.
Individual faculty members may define attendance standards appropriate to each course and the consequences of not meeting those standards, within the following guidelines:
1. Each policy must be distributed in writing during the first week of the course. Normally, it is expected that the information dealing with class attendance standards will be distributed with the Semester Course Syllabus.
2. Each policy must recognize students’ need to miss class because of illness or personal emergency.
3. Each policy must define some limited level
of allowable absence, normally at least a number of clock hours equal to course
semester hours.
The university community recognizes the values of student participation in cocurricular and extracurricular activities of the university. IUP has fostered this participation with an informal policy of good faith accommodation to meet overlapping demands of the curricular and extracurricular commitments.
The underlying spirit of good faith accommodation ultimately is set in the faculty member’s unabridged right to determine the terms of variance, if any, from the established course syllabus—tests, quizzes, due dates for papers or other assignments, projects, presentations, and all other course operations.
In seeking variance, the student must take the initiative to make all arrangements including validation of participation as needed. The student should generally assume that papers and such assignments should be completed and submitted before the anticipated class absence. Alternate arrangements for tests, quizzes, labs, or class participation activity (panels, simulations, presentations) should be sought sufficiently in advance to permit faculty/student agreement on the plan for completion, whether the actual completion is rescheduled to be prior to or subsequent to the anticipated absence.
Indiana University of Pennsylvania is committed to the safety and security of its students, faculty, staff, and visitors. Because of this commitment, the decision whether the university should close or remain open during periods of adverse weather conditions is based on the overall concern for the university community. In general, however, IUP’s practice will be to remain open and to conduct classes and business as usual during periods of inclement weather.
Closure of the University: Should adverse weather conditions arise or be anticipated that would make it inadvisable to operate the university on a given day, the president may, at his discretion, close the institution (i.e., cancel all classes and on-campus activities at all campuses). In the event of either a full- or partial-day closure, notification will be provided to the following radio and television stations: WDAD Radio (Indiana), WCCS Radio (Homer City), WJAC-TV (Johnstown), KDKA-TV and KDKA Radio-1020 AM (Pittsburgh), and WTAE-TV and WTAE Radio-1250 AM (Pittsburgh).
Cancellation of IUP-Sponsored Activities or Events in the Absence of University Closure: Should adverse weather conditions arise or be anticipated that would make it inadvisable to conduct an IUP-sponsored activity or event on a date when the university otherwise remains open, the sponsoring unit/department has the option to cancel or postpone the function. The sponsoring unit/department also assumes responsibility for notifying event participants of the cancellation/postponement in an appropriate and timely manner.
In the grading system, the following grades are used in reporting the standing of students at the end of each semester or session:
| Grade | Description | Quality Points |
| A | Excellent | 4 quality points/semester hour |
| B | Good | 3 quality points/semester hour |
| C | Average | 2 quality points/semester hour |
| D | Passing | 1 quality point/semester hour |
| F | Failing | 0 quality points/semester hour |
| P | Passing | 0 quality points/semester hour (for credit courses only) (See Pass/Fail policy for more information>) |
| S | Satisfactory | 0 quality points/semester hour (for zero-credit courses only) |
| U | Unsatisfactory | 0 quality points/semester hour (for zero-credit courses only) |
| Other Designations (carrying no quality points): | ||
| AUD | Audited course | |
| EXM | Examination | |
| FOL | Portfolio Assessment | |
| I | Incomplete – Student was unable to complete the coursework due to unexpected illness or personal emergency. (See I [Incomplete] Policy for more information.) | |
| L | Late Grade/Continuing Course – Student work is expected to extend beyond a given semester. (See L [Late Grade, Continuing Course] Policy for more information.) | |
| OL | Other Location | |
| Q | Total
Semester Withdrawal – Used prior to 2002 when a student had totally and
officially withdrawn from the university for a given semester. (See Total
University Withdrawal Policy for more information.) |
|
| R | Research in progress (graduate coures only) | |
| TR | Transfer | |
| XMT | Exemption | |
| W | Withdrawal – Used when a student has
elected to withdraw from a course. The “W” designation is not issued by
instructors. (See Individual Course Withdrawal Policy for more information.) |
|
| * | Grade not reported by instructor. No grade information was reported by the end of the normal grading period. | |
| Grades followed by the designations below indicate the application of a policy which has amended the student’s cumulative grade-point average. | ||
| . | Institutional Credit (credit counts toward enrollment status, but does not count toward graduation or in GPA calculation) | |
| .. | Cancelled Semester (see policy explanation) | |
| * | Fresh Start (see policy explanation) | |
Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) is determined by multiplying the semester hours for a course by the quality points received for that course. Then, the total number of semester quality points for all courses is divided by the total number of semester hours attempted.
IUP recognizes academic achievement through Dean’s Lists, Provost’s Scholars, and graduation honors.
Provost’s Scholar
Provost’s
Scholars are recognized annually. At the start of the Fall semester, any
undergraduate student who meets the following requirements is eligible to be
named a Provost Scholar:
· A current junior with a minimum of 45 semester hours earned (completed, graded) at IUP
· A cumulative GPA of 3.50 or higher
· Must not have received this award previously (recognition is given only once)
Dean’s List
Undergraduate
students receive recognition on the Dean’s List for each semester (or summer
sessions cumulatively) in which they earn at least a 3.25 GPA based on at least
12 semester hours of graded (not P/F) coursework.
Graduation Honors
Traditional
Latin honors are awarded at graduation to first bachelor’s degree candidates
with appropriate academic records. Calculation is based on all undergraduate
credits and quality points earned at IUP. Graduation honors are not granted for
second (subsequent) degrees. The distinctions are:
Cum laude - 3.25 to 3.49 cumulative GPA
Magna cum laude - 3.50 to 3.74 cumulative GPA
Summa cum laude - 3.75 to 4.00 cumulative GPA
Beginning
December, 1994, non-Latin honors are awarded to associate degree candidates.
The distinctions are:
With Honor - 3.25 to 3.49 cumulative GPA
With High Honor - 3.50 to 3.74 cumulative GPA
With Highest Honor - 3.75 to 4.00 cumulative GPA
Shortly after each semester or session, a grade report will be available to each student at the University Records and Scheduling Assistant (URSA) system at www.iup.edu/ursa.
Quality points are not counted on credits from other schools, and a student transferring from another school is held responsible for quality points only on work taken at this university.
Institutional credits are associated with remedial courses which are numbered below 100. Credits from institutional credit courses do not apply to degree requirements for graduation but are used in determining enrollment status (full- or part-time), including financial aid and athletic (NCAA) eligibility.
To help undergraduate students monitor their academic performance, faculty members will provide a warning to students with unsatisfactory performance at midterm. Using the university’s accepted grade reporting technology, faculty members will assign a midterm grade of “D” (danger or potential failure) or “F” (failure). Each semester the Registrar will establish and announce the dates for the window within which midterm grades may be posted by faculty members and read by students and advisors. The midterm grade is an advisory grade and is not a permanent part of a student’s academic history. It will not be used to determine enrollment status, dismissal, or eligibility for financial aid, housing, or athletics.
All audited courses will be identified as such on the student’s grade report and transcript. Work taken on an audit basis will not be graded and will not count toward the fulfillment of requirements for a degree to be awarded by IUP. Since semester hours attempted and quality points will not be awarded for audited courses, they will not affect the student’s grade-point average in any way. Auditors will pay normal tuition and such other fees as may be required for the course.
To audit an undergraduate course, a person must be admitted to the university and have met course prerequisites. Students wishing to audit a course for which they registered should obtain a Course Audit Form from the office of the department offering the course. Students must first register for the course before filing a course audit form. All audit processing, including revocation of previously requested audit classification, must be completed during the regular drop/add period. Copies of the completed form are returned to the Registrar’s Office, to the department chairperson, and to the student. Audit students have the same privileges as other students in all coursework. There is no limit on the number of courses which may be audited.
The purpose of pass-fail is to permit a student to take an elective course in a field of personal interest where he/she may be competing with major students in the department in which the course is offered. When scheduled, such a course shall be included in the student’s normal course load for the semester.
A student may take courses on a pass-fail basis to a total of 15 semester hours throughout his/her university career. The student is limited to one pass-fail course in any given semester during the sophomore, junior, and senior years. All courses in the student’s Liberal Studies program and courses required to meet major and minor requirements are excluded from this prerogative.
The student must declare his/her intent to choose pass-fail in a specific course no later than six weeks after the beginning of the semester or the equivalent timespan in a summer session. Once declared, this pass-fail option may not be revoked. Instructors will not be notified of the identity of pass-fail students in their courses. The grade given by the instructor will be translated to a “P” or “F” during the processing of grades.
A student shall be given academic credit without quality points for a course taken pass-fail upon receiving a passing mark in the course. The semester hours successfully completed under pass-fail (“passed”), within the overall 15-semester-hour limitation, shall be recorded as counting towards the total semester hours earned for graduation but not towards the semester-hours-attempted data used in calculation of the cumulative grade-point average. However, if a student fails a pass-fail course, he/she will receive the “F” grade and the corresponding grade-point average. An “F” earned under the pass-fail option may be repeated only under the graded option to provide the quality points to correspond to the “hours attempted” incurred with the “F.”
The summer sessions, collectively or in any combination, shall be considered a unit similar to a spring or fall semester for pass-fail purposes. Hence, a student is permitted to take only one course during the summer on a pass-fail basis.
Exceptions: Currently, there are two courses which are exceptions to the Pass-Fail Course Policy. EDUC 389 and NMDT 434 are only offered on a pass-fail basis.
The designation of I is used to record work which, so far as covered, is of passing grade but is incomplete because of personal illness or other unavoidable reasons. Changes of grade to convert designations of I must be received in the Office of the Registrar no later than the last day of regular classes preceding the final exam period in the next regular (fall/spring) semester after the I designation was assigned. The dean of the college in which the course is offered may approve an extension, provided the faculty member concurs. A faculty member assigning an I designation must complete a form indicating the work to be completed, deadlines for completion (it is not necessary to allow the maximum allowable time), and guidelines to establish the final grade. Copies of the completed form will be sent to the department chairperson, to the dean of the college in which the course is taught, and to the student receiving the I designation. To monitor I designations, the registrar shall submit to each faculty member routine semester reports of outstanding I designations.
The designation of L (Late grade, continuing course) is appropriate for cases in which student work is expected to extend beyond a given semester/session. The designation of L is not to be confused with a designation of I, which is only appropriate for individual students unable to complete their coursework because of unexpected illness or personal emergency. L designations are appropriate for:
a. Internships, practicums, field experience courses, workshops, and independent studies that, by design, extend beyond the normal end of the grading period.
b. Others as approved by the department chairperson and the dean of the college in which the course is taught. If a specific course is always eligible for L designations, the dean may grant standing approval for L designations every time the course is offered.
Faculty wanting to use the L option for eligible courses must notify the registrar two weeks prior to the end of classes so that the grades can be pre-entered. L designations which are not precoded may be given only with the permission of the department chairperson and the dean of the college in which the designation is awarded.
Instructors will convert L designations to letter grades at the end of the course. Unless an extension is obtained from the dean of the college in which the course was taught, an L designation unresolved at the end of one year will be converted to an F.
To monitor L designations, the Registrar shall submit to each faculty member routine semester reports of all outstanding L designations awarded by that faculty member. The purpose of these reports is to help inform faculty as they help students complete their coursework.
Once earned grades have been recorded, they may be changed only in the case of clerical and/or calculation error or in the event of a successful grade appeal. It is not appropriate to change a grade based upon options, such as supplemental assignments, that are not equally available to all students. The deadline for corrections of clerical and/or calculation errors is the end of the next regular (fall/spring) semester after the grade has been awarded.
A student may not normally repeat an academic course. Exceptions to this policy are:
1. Repeatable courses: Certain courses are eligible for repeat for credit and grade. These courses are advanced art studio courses, music ensembles, special topics courses (281, 481) if the topic is different, and other specifically designated courses.
2. D and F grades:
Repeat with replacement: Undergraduate students are permitted to replace the grades and quality points for courses in which they receive a D or F grade by repeating that course at IUP and filing a repeat form with the Registrar’s Office. Only six repeat-with-replacement attempts are permitted during a student’s entire undergraduate career. In calculating GPA, the new grade and quality points earned will replace the old. However, the transcript continues to document all academic work, and repeated courses are not deleted from the visual record.
Repeat with averaging: In addition to the six repeat-with-replacement options, undergraduate students may repeat other courses in which they receive a D or F grade. In these other repeat attempts, the new grade is averaged with, instead of replacing, the prior D or F grade; the credit for the D repeat counts only once. The transcript continues to indicate all repeated courses.
Course transfers: Students seeking to replace or average D and F grades must repeat these courses at IUP. If an IUP course in which a student received an F is repeated at another institution, the credit will transfer to IUP, but the original F will continue to count toward the IUP GPA. If an IUP course in which a student received a D is repeated at another university, neither the grade nor the credit will transfer.
3. Other grades: Courses in which students earned a grade of A, B, C, or P may be repeated only on an audit basis. New grades will not be assigned and additional credit will not be awarded.
This policy also applies to transfer credit. Students receiving transfer credit for an IUP course may not repeat that course at IUP. Similarly, students who have already earned a passing grade in an IUP course may not subsequently receive transfer credit for that same course.
The Cancelled Semester Policy provides for cancellation from the cumulative record of the effects of one semester below a GPA of 2.00 for the purpose of helping a student improve academic standing. The student must have been separated from the university for four consecutive semesters and the intervening summer sessions.
Semester to be cancelled refers to any semester of enrollment, whether full- or part-time. Students may elect to use an enrolled summer as their “semester” to be cancelled. The entire summer of any given year will be treated as a semester for the purpose of cancellation of grades. Cancellation removes the mathematic effect of all grades (passing, failing, withdrawals) from the semester, but there is no abridgement of the transcript. All courses and original grades remain visible on the official transcript; credit toward graduation remains for those credits associated with passing grades.
A student readmitted under this policy must meet current degree requirements and will be reviewed under current academic standards requirements applicable at the time of readmission.
This policy may be invoked only once in a student’s undergraduate enrollment in the university. While readmission may be based on the application of the cancelled semester, the transcript record will reflect this only after the student is enrolled and attending IUP. It is not a tool to qualify for transfer to another institution.
The student must apply to the college of which he/she was a member at the time of last enrollment. If a student wishes to enter a major in a college other than the one from which he/she was separated, he/she will apply to the original college, which will forward the application and related records to the new college for action. The college will inform the Office of the Registrar if the application is approved. Authorization for registration will come from that office.
A student who has been academically dismissed and separated from the university for a minimum of five consecutive calendar years may apply for readmission. Having reviewed the prior and intervening factors for evidence of potential for improved academic success, the college dean or designee may readmit the student. This policy applies to a student’s first baccalaureate degree, and a student may be readmitted under this policy only once. A minimum of 30 semester hours must be completed at IUP after a student returns to IUP under this policy.
A student who wishes to enter a major in a college other than the one from which he/she was dismissed will apply to the original college, which will forward the application and related records to the new college for action.
Conditions for a Fresh Start Record: All semester hours and grades for IUP coursework taken prior to readmission under this policy shall remain on the transcript. Upon readmission, a new cumulative (GPA) is established based upon semester hours and grades earned from the date of readmission.
Prior Record: Previously accepted transfer credits and IUP courses in which grades of C or better were earned prior to readmission will be reviewed in terms of appropriateness (applicability, timeliness) to the new degree. Those courses approved by the college dean or designee will be counted as semester hours earned and applied toward graduation in the manner of transfer credits.
Academic Standards: A student who is readmitted under the provisions of this policy shall be required to meet current degree requirements. He/she shall be academically reviewed under the policies published in the academic catalog at the time of rematriculation. A student readmitted under this policy waives the right to exercise the cancelled semester policy.
(effective Summer, 2001)
The Individual Course Withdrawal Policy provides students who are unable to complete a course with the option of withdrawing from that course. This option should be taken only after other options have been discussed with the instructor and/or the student’s advisor.
During the Fall and Spring semesters, Individual Course Withdrawals may be processed using the computer registration system between the day after the conclusion of the drop/add period and the end of the first two-thirds of the academic term. During summer parts of term, the deadline is the two-thirds point of each summer course for which the student is registered. After the two-thirds point of each semester or part of summer term, students may no longer process Individual Course Withdrawals.
A student needing to withdraw from a course after the deadline must process a request for deadline waiver through the office of the dean of his or her college. Approval of the waiver is contingent upon documentation of catastrophic circumstances preventing the student from completing the semester. If a waiver is approved, the college office will arrange for recording the "W" designation.
Since instructors inform students of their standing in class prior to the two-thirds point of the semester (Midterm Grade Report Policy), students will be able to discuss course withdrawals with instructors and/or academic advisors to assess alternatives. Students, advisors, and instructors should also understand the significant impact of course withdrawal on financial aid eligibility (percent of completion and eligibility to move to the next class level). Students are also cautioned to consider the detrimental impact of Ws in a transcript review by a prospective employer or graduate school.
The Total University Withdrawal policy provides students who are unable to complete a semester with the option of withdrawing from all classes, and thus from the university, for that semester. During the fall and spring semesters, Total University Withdrawals may be processed between the first day of classes and the end of the tenth week of the semester. During summer parts of term, the deadline is the two-thirds point of each summer course for which the student is registered.
Late Withdrawal: Any undergraduate student who needs to withdraw from the university after the deadline must process a waiver through the office of the dean of his or her college. Approval of the waiver is contingent upon documentation of catastrophic circumstances preventing the student from completing the semester. Approved waivers must be submitted to the Advising and Testing Center and attached to the Total University Withdrawal form for processing as below.
Involuntary Withdrawal: Any undergraduate student involuntarily withdrawing from the university as a result of suspension or expulsion unrelated to violations of the Academic Integrity Policy will automatically have the designation of “W” assigned to each registered course as a result of such judicial action.
Process: Undergraduate students voluntarily withdrawing from the university during the fall, spring, or summer semesters must process a Total University Withdrawal Form with the Advising and Testing Center, Pratt Hall, 724-357-4067. Once the Total University Withdrawal has been processed, a withdraw designation (“W”) will be assigned to all registered courses in the semester from which the student is withdrawing.
Readmission: Requests for readmission for academically dismissed students or first-semester and transfer students who withdraw from the university voluntarily during their first semester of full-time enrollment will be forwarded to the Office of the Dean of the college in which the student was enrolled at the time of dismissal or total university withdrawal for a decision on the student’s readmission.
Students should refer to the Readmission Policy for Students Who Withdraw from the University Voluntarily in the Admissions section of this catalog for further information about returning to IUP after processing a Total University Withdrawal. Applications for Readmission are available in the Office of the Registrar, Clark Hall, 724-357-2217.
IUP provides two options for students who are currently enrolled but called to active military duty before the end of the semester:
To process a total semester withdrawal, undergraduate students must contact the IUP Advising and Testing Center, 106 Pratt Hall, 724-357-4067, (www.iup.edu/advisingtesting or e-mail at advising-testing@grove.iup.edu) to complete the necessary paperwork to assign the course withdrawal designations and to start the process for refunds; graduate students must notify the IUP Graduate School, 101 Stright Hall, 724-357-2222 (www.iup.edu/graduate).
Any student who has elected to use this option shall be automatically readmitted for the next semester in which the student wishes to return to IUP. The student’s academic standing at the time of readmission shall remain as it was prior to the call to active military duty.