2004-06 IUPUI Campus Bulletin

Academic Policies

Student’s Responsibility

It is the responsibility of the student to be aware of all published academic regulations.

Grades

Division of Labor Studies instructors may assign plus and minus grades. Letter grades carry the following grade points:

A and A+	4.0
A–	3.7
B+	3.3
B	3.0
B–	2.7
C+	2.3
C	2.0
C–	1.7
D+	1.3
D	1.0
D–	0.7
F	0.0

Grade Point Average

Grade point averages (GPAs) are computed by multiplying the grade points for the letter grade received by the number of credit hours for each course, adding these points, then dividing by the total credit hours. The GPA of a student who has earned a C+ and a B, each in 3 credit hour courses, would be computed as follows: (2.3 x 3) + (3.0 x 3) = 15.9

15.9 ÷ 6 (credit hours) = 2.65 GPA

Incompletes

If a student is not in attendance during the last weeks of a semester, the instructor may report a grade of Incomplete (I)—indicating that the course work completed is satisfactory but that the entire course has not been completed—if the instructor believes that the absence was beyond the student’s control; if not, a grade of F is assigned. Incompletes are given only under rare circumstances. These circumstances do not include being ‘‘tied up,’’ ‘‘getting behind,’’ etc. The grade of I is normally given only when the student has completed three-fourths of the course work. The grade of I will be removed from the student’s record once the required course work has been satisfactorily completed. The student is expected to make up the uncompleted course work by the end of the next regular semester, or earlier if stipulated. Incompletes not removed within the time specified by the instructor of the course automatically change to an F one calendar year after the Incomplete was given.

Pass/Fail Option

Students who are working toward a bachelor’s degree and are in good standing (i.e., not on academic probation) may take up to eight elective courses on a Pass/Fail basis (no letter grade assigned). A Pass/Fail course may not be used to satisfy any of the area requirements, nor may it be counted as part of the student’s course requirements. Pass/Fail courses may, however, be used to meet the 300- to 400-level course requirement. Decisions to take courses Pass/Fail must be made no later than the seventh week of classes for regular sessions and no later than midway through any summer session. A grade of P is not counted when computing grade point averages. A grade of F is computed. A grade of P cannot be changed later to a grade of A, B, C, or D.

Academic Standing and Progress

1. Grades of D+ or lower may apply only as elective credit. Courses in which such a grade is received may not be used to fulfill Division of Labor Studies or major areas of learning course requirements.
2. A student who fails to maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.0 over any successive 12 credit hour sequence is placed on academic probation.
3. If the academic deficiency resulting in probation is not made up in the subsequent 12 credit hours in which the student is enrolled, the student is subject to dismissal from the university.
4. Students admitted on a provisional basis may be dismissed if they fail to achieve a minimum GPA of 2.0 during the first 12 credit hours of course work completed.
5. Students who fail to execute timely withdrawals from classes jeopardize their academic standing and run the risk of receiving failing grades. Students who do not properly add courses to their schedules risk not receiving credit for course work completed.
6. The completion of 0 to 25 credit hours signifies freshman class standing; 26 to 55 credit hours, sophomore; 56 to 85 credit hours, junior; and 86 or more credit hours, senior class standing.

Academic Probation

Students are automatically placed on academic probation when their cumulative grade point average for a full-time semester or a 12 credit hour unit of work falls below 2.0. Their course work (and that of students who have been admitted on probation) will be evaluated upon completion of an additional 12 credit hours at Indiana University. Students are removed from probationary status if their grade point average of these 12 credit hours increases to at least 2.0 and if their cumulative grade point average increases to at least 2.0. If the cumulative grade point average remains below 2.0, probationary status continues for another 12 credit hour unit of work, during which time the cumulative grade point average must be raised to at least 2.0.

Dismissal

Students are dismissed from the university when they have ceased to make satisfactory progress toward the degree. Students are dismissed whenever their grade point average for a full-time semester or a 12 credit hour unit of course work falls below 1.0 and their cumulative grade point average falls below 2.0. Probationary students are dismissed if their grade point average for the additional 12 credit hours of course work falls below 2.0. Students whose probationary status has been continued for a second 12 credit hour unit of course work and who fail to achieve a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0 after completing this unit are also dismissed.

Retaking Courses Previously Failed—FX Policy

Undergraduates who have retaken a course previously failed may, upon request, have only the second grade in that course counted in the determination of their grade point average. The student’s transcript records both grades; the original grade is marked FX. This option may be invoked for a total of three courses or 10 credits, whichever comes first.

Cheating and Plagiarism

Cheating on examinations or other course work, alteration of records, or illegal use of examinations is considered dishonesty. Anyone who permits or helps others to cheat is as guilty as the persons assisted. Plagiarism is the presentation of the work of another as one’s own. Honesty requires that ideas or materials taken from another source be fully acknowledged. The language or ideas taken from another may range from isolated formulas, sentences, or paragraphs to entire articles copied from books or from the writing of other students. The work of others should be clearly identified, generally through the use of quotation marks and footnotes.

A faculty member who suspects cheating or plagiarism initiates the process of determining guilt or innocence. No action is taken before the student has been informed of the charges and has had an opportunity to reply. This process may result in disciplinary action and dismissal from the university.

For further regulations, refer to the Indiana University Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct, which can be obtained from the School of Continuing Studies.

Academic Forgiveness Policy for Former IU Students

Students with academic deficiencies (a cumulative grade point average that has fallen below 2.0 [C]) in course work done at Indiana University may be admitted to the Labor Studies Program on probation. The student must achieve a minimum grade point average of 2.0 for all courses taken at Indiana University before and after admission to the program in order to obtain a degree. Students who have been dismissed from another academic unit of Indiana University may not be admitted to the Labor Studies Program until at least one calendar year has passed from the date of dismissal. A student prevented from attaining a cumulative 2.0 grade point average because of poor performance in an IU semester that was completed five or more years before enrollment in the Labor Studies Program may ask the Division of Labor Studies to strike the records. All credit earned during this one semester is also removed from the internal grade point average by the Division of Labor Studies under this forgiveness policy. In general, such a request is granted automatically, particularly when the student would fail to graduate because of one poor semester.

A similar request may be made for the forgiveness of a poor semester completed at Indiana University within five years prior to admission to the Labor Studies Program. Approval of such requests is usually dependent, however, on the successful completion of 12 credit hours in the Labor Studies Program. Because all credit earned during the forgiven semester is removed from the grade point average, students are advised to consult with their counselor concerning the advisability of this procedure. If granted, all courses and grades remain on the transcript. Forgiveness is internal to Labor Studies only.

This policy is designed to avoid placing an excessive burden on students who, in the past, have made a poor start at Indiana University. It is not intended to permit students with chronically poor performance in the university to stay in school, nor to raise false hopes for students who are not making progress toward a degree.

Academic Forgiveness Policy for Students Dismissed from Other Institutions

Students who have been dismissed from another postsecondary institution may not be admitted to the Labor Studies Program until at least one calendar year has passed since the date of the dismissal. University regulations require that the admissions office indicate any deficiencies in grade point average (average grade below 2.0 on a 4.0 scale) at another institution on the credit transfer report. Indiana University’s policy is to calculate a student’s grade based only on course work done at Indiana University. These grades must be at least average, or C, quality (2.0 on 4.0 scale) in order to earn a degree. If the cumulative grade point average from another institution is below 2.0, however, the student is admitted on probation.

Graduation

All schools and colleges establish certain academic requirements that must be met before a degree is granted. Advisors, directors, and deans will help a student meet these requirements, but the student is responsible for fulfilling them. At the end of the course of study, the faculty and the Board of Trustees vote on the conferring of the degree. If requirements have not been satisfied, the degree will be withheld pending adequate fulfillment. For this reason, it is important that students become acquainted with all regulations, remain currently informed, and keep track of their own progress. Degrees are awarded every December, May, and August. Students expecting to graduate must file written notice of intent, citing the degree and expected date of graduation, with the appropriate Division of Labor Studies office at least three months prior to graduation.

Graduation with Honors

Students who complete a minimum of 30 credit hours for the Associate of Science in Labor Studies or 60 credit hours for the Bachelor of Science in Labor Studies at Indiana University graduate with honors if they attain the appropriate grade point averages: 3.90, highest distinction; 3.75, high distinction; 3.50, distinction. No more than 10 percent of a graduating class may receive distinction.

Confidentiality of Student Records

Indiana University, in compliance with the General Education Provisions Act, Section 438, titled Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, provides that all student records are confidential and available only to the student and to the student’s parents, if the student is under 21 and dependent as defined by IRS standards. Students may review their records upon request and may ask for deletions or corrections of the record in a hearing process described in detail in the Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct. References, recommendations, and other similar documents may carry a voluntary waiver relinquishing the student’s right to review this specific material. The student may also release the record to others by signing a written release available in the offices that maintain records. Further details regarding the provisions of the Privacy Act and a list of offices where student records are kept may be found in the Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct.

Withdrawal from Courses

Since periods and deadlines for withdrawal from courses may vary by campus and/or school, students should check with the current campus Schedule of Classes to verify deadlines and procedures. Correspondence students should follow the deadlines and procedures in the current edition of Independent Study University Courses.

Union Education Program

The Division of Labor Studies offers an extensive noncredit program, the Union Education Program (UEP).

UEP open enrollment courses and conferences are available to workers in communities throughout the state; they are offered in local union halls, on the various campuses of Indiana University, and on the campuses of other educational institutions.

Classes usually meet weekly for 4 to 10 weeks. They are open to participants from both large and small unions, craft and industrial unions, and public- and private-sector unions. Typical topics for these classes are labor law, collective bargaining, steward training, communications, OSHA, and arbitration.

Other programs meet the educational needs of individual unions. Local or international unions may contract with the Division of Labor Studies to conduct these programs. Enrollments are limited to members of the contracting union.

There are no special entrance requirements, tests, or grades. Participants who complete a class or conference are awarded a Certificate of Achievement from the Division of Labor Studies. Upon completion of 150 classroom hours in the UEP, the participant is awarded a Certificate of Recognition. There is a nominal charge for UEP classes and conferences.

Fees and Fee Refund Policies and Schedule

Independent Study and On-Campus Courses

Credit hour and special fees are approved by action of the Trustees of Indiana University and are subject to change. Please consult the appropriate school or campus bulletin or Schedule of Classes for the current fee information and the fee refund schedule. Bulletins and appropriate class schedules are available at Division of Labor Studies offices.

Self-Acquired Competency

The fee per credit hour recorded for self-acquired competency is the fee charged per credit hour by the Independent Study Program, School of Continuing Studies, for university correspondence courses.

Fee Reductions and Financial Aid

Scholarships and Financial Aid Students can obtain information about loans and part-time employment through the financial aid office and through their school or department. Employment The financial aid office on each campus lists openings for part-time jobs in various offices and organizations of the university. Fee Courtesy Full-time employees of Indiana University and their spouses and children may receive a fee courtesy when enrolling in Independent Study courses and on-campus courses. Additional information is available from the campus personnel office. VA Benefits Veterans enrolled solely in Independent Study courses may be eligible for fee reimbursement by the Veterans Administration upon completion of courses. Veterans in an on-campus degree program may be eligible for an education allowance if at least 51 percent of their enrollment credit hours are in on-campus courses. Further information and assistance are available from Adaptive Education Services in Cavanaugh Hall or from the veterans representatives in the Office of the Registrar in Cavanaugh Hall at IUPUI. DANTES and SOC Indiana University is one of a number of universities participating in the SOC (Servicemen’s Opportunity College) program and the DANTES (Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support) program, which provide educational support for the voluntary education programs of all military departments. Members of the armed forces should consult their education officers or their nearest education center concerning individual enrollments. Interested persons may also consult the DANTES independent study catalogs for additional information about courses.

The SOC program permits the student to enroll at the university while still in service.

A representative on each campus has been named by the university. Military service personnel can obtain information from the base education officer.