Academic Dishonesty
Academic Honors
Academic Load
Academic Probation & Suspension
Acceptance of Transfer Credits
Change of Address/ Name/SSN
Change of Grade
Class Attendance
Class Schedule Adjustments
Course Repeat Policy
Credit by Examination
Credit for Military Service
Dropping Courses
Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
Grade Appeal
Policy on Repeating Courses
Students Rights & Responsibilities
Withdrawal from the College

Academic Dishonesty
Students who choose to attend Wiley College are expected to adhere to high academic standards established to promote responsibility, trust and respect. Therefore, students are required to act with integrity. Wiley College believes that knowledge without character is perilous; therefore, the College insists on behavior above reproach in pursuit of academic excellence. The College, therefore, will not tolerate academic dishonesty or improper behavior.

Wiley College defines academic dishonesty as “an act or attempted act, of giving or obtaining aid and/or information by illicit means in meeting any academic requirements, including examinations.” It also includes any form of cheating, plagiarism, falsification of records and/or collusion. Students are expected to refrain from cheating which includes, but is not necessarily limited to, copying from another’s test or quiz paper; using supplementary materials (calculators, notes, books, etc.) not authorized by the examiner/instructor; substitution for another student in taking a test; using, buying, selling, stealing, soliciting, transporting, or removing in whole or in part an unadministered test or key information regarding same. Also, falsifying records such as alteration of grades or other records will not be tolerated.

Plagiarism and collusion will not be tolerated. Plagiarism is the submission or incorporation of someone else’s work without permission and/or appropriate acknowledgement. Collusion is collaboration with another person or persons in preparing projects, take-home examinations or tests, etc., without proper authorization.

Penalties for academic dishonesty may include:

• a warning;
• assigning an “F” for a test;
• assigning an “F” for a course;
• assigning an “F” grade for all courses enrolled in for the semester;
• assigning a status of academic probation.

Academic Honors
Students who have demonstrated exceptional academic performance are honored each spring semester by the institution. Each semester the Office of Records/Registrar publishes a roster of returning students who, in the previous semester, have earned the semester averages shown below while carrying a full load (12 hours or above):

• Presidential Scholar - grade point average of 3.80 - 4.00
  
• Dean’s Scholar - grade point average of 3.50 - 3.79
  
• Faculty Scholar - grade point average of 3.30 - 3.49

(The College has a different standard for considering a graduating student as an honors graduate; see section on graduation with honors in the College Catalog.)

Academic Load
Although twelve (12) semester hours is considered a full load, a normal academic load for a student is fifteen (15) to eighteen (18) semester hours per semester. A student may take up to 21 semester hours with the approval of the appropriate division chair, academic area coordinator, and advisor, provided that the student has maintained a cumulative grade point average of 3.5 or above and agrees to pay the excessive course load fee. Students on academic probation will be required to take a reduced load not to exceed twelve (12) semester hours. Under extenuating circumstances, a student may be allowed to take
three (3) additional semester hours while student teaching, with the approval of the Chair of the Division of Education and the Director of Teacher Education. Students enrolling in fewer than twelve (12) semester hours are classified as part-time students. A student who is classified as part-time must check with the Financial Aid Office to ensure eligibility for financial aid.

Academic Probation and Suspension
Any student who is not making satisfactory academic progress at the completion of any one semester is subject to academic probation, and remains on academic probation as long as the cumulative grade point average is less than 1.75 for freshmen and sophomores and 2.00 for juniors and seniors.

Juniors and seniors should maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.00 at the end of each semester. Failure to make satisfactory academic progress (being on continuous probation) for two consecutive semesters will result in academic suspension for one semester, and the student loses financial aid. Before financial aid can be reinstated, the student must enroll and earn at least 6 semester hours at our expense until the grade point average has been raised to the required semester standards.

Acceptance of Transfer Credits
In general, it is the College’s policy to accept course credit earned at institutions fully accredited by their regional accrediting association. Credit earned at colleges and universities that have become candidates for accreditation by a regional association is acceptable for credit in a manner similar to that from regionally accredited colleges if the credit is applicable to a degree program at Wiley College.

In addition to the above, the following guidelines are also used by the College to determine if transfer credit will be accepted:

• Credit will be accepted for individual courses for which a grade of C or better was earned.
  
• Courses must be college level and not remedial or developmental.
  
• Credit for non-traditional learning experiences such as the armed services will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and in accordance with the recommendations of the American council on Education (ACE). In awarding credit for non-traditional learning, the college will review and evaluate documents such as certificates, publication, test scores, licenses, job performance appraisals, and the like and award credit if the assessment identifies the learning as creditable, relevant and college level.

Change of Address/Name/SSN
There are two major considerations involved in implementing name changes; on the one hand, the desire to accommodate student wishes; on the other hand, the need to safeguard the integrity of the transcript. There are two additional considerations which may also factor in: state law and the configuration of your Student Information System.

A student may change their address, name, social security number by filling out a “Change of data request form” and submitting certified documentation to the Unit of Student Records.

Documentation needed:

• Certified copy of a marriage license, court order, or dissolution decree reflecting the new name in full
  
• OR, for non-US citizens: Current passport or official proof of identity, certified by a US embassy abroad or by the appropriate foreign embassy in the US

Change of Grades
All course grades except “I” grades are intended to be final and permanent. It is expected that faculty will arrive at and report final grades as accurately and precisely as the nature of the evaluation of student achievement and the grading system will permit. It is considered the faculty’s direct and personal responsibility to ensure that grades are fair and reported correctly the first time. Final grades cannot be improved by ‘make-up’ work, after the end of the term and after grades are submitted.

If an error occurs in the calculation or recording of a grade, it can be corrected using the following procedures:

The faculty of record will complete the Change of Grade Form, which must include:

• The student’s name, student number, course designation by title and number,
  semester, and the change desired.
• A statement unequivocally identifying the person who made the error, and
  explaining the nature of the error.
• An explanation of how the new grade was computed.

The form must have the signature of the area coordinator and division chair, and must be forwarded to the Vice President for Academic Affairs. Requests for grade corrections must be submitted to the Office of Records/Registrar within nine weeks of the next regular enrollment period.

No grade will be changed after twelve (12) months or after a student’s graduation except in cases where the grade is successfully appealed. Students must appeal in writing to the Vice President for Academic Affairs within six (6) months following graduation.

Class Attendance
Class attendance is regarded as an obligation. Regular class attendance is important to the attainment of the educational goals of the student and the College. Therefore, students are required to be on time and to attend classes regularly. Each instructor must keep accurate and permanent records of class attendance to support grades awarded. The attendance policy is included in the course syllabus and explained at the beginning of each semester by the instructor. Students are allowed one unexcused absence for each semester hour credit for the course. For example, if the course offers three semester’s hours of credit, the student will be allowed three unexcused absences. If the student is absent more than six times (excluding) absences due to representing the College and illness), the student then will receive an automatic “F” in the 22 course, or the student may be officially dropped by the teacher from the course. An absence due to a student representing the College is counted as an excused absence. (NOTE: All students representing the College must maintain at least a “C” average per semester.)

Absence from class, excused or unexcused, does not relieve any student of the responsibility for completing assignments. The student is responsible for arranging for make-up work with the instructor of record prior to departure from campus. The college attendance counselor notes each absence reported by the faculty and investigates the cause. Additionally, the attendance counselor works with the student to correct problems giving rise to poor class attendance.

Any student who is dropped from a course for excessive absences will be notified officially in writing by the Office of Records/Registrar after the drop has been approved by the division chair and the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Class Schedule Adjustments
Students may adjust schedules by adding and/or dropping classes or by withdrawing. Specific procedures and deadlines must be followed in making these changes. A student may drop or add a course with the approval of the advisor and division chair during the approved add/drop period designated in the academic calendar.

Course Repeat Policy
A course may be repeated at Wiley College for the purpose of improving academic standing. If a course is repeated once, the second grade replaces the first in computing the grade point average, but the first grade will not be erased. A course can be repeated to improve academic standing only once without the permission of the division chair. Financial Aid cannot be used by students to retake courses in which they have already earned a “C” or better grade. If a student chooses to take a course in which a “C” or better has already been earned, the credit hours and grade of both courses will be used to calculate the semester and cumulative averages. Courses taken to meet degree requirements are counted only once.

Credit by Examination
Academic credit may be earned by means of a departmental examination or by means of a standardized examination such as the College Level Examination Program (CLEP). Credit is not permitted for courses previously taken for credit or audit. Credit earned by examination may not be used to reduce the requirement that 25 percent of the semester credit hours required for degree completion must be earned through instruction at Wiley College.

Credit for Military Service
Veterans with at least one year of military service may be allowed a maximum of six (6) semester hours credit in health and physical education in accordance with the recommendations of the Commission on Accreditation of Service Experiences. In addition, if a veteran is seeking admission to the College’s Evening and Weekend Program, including the Organizational Management and post-baccalaureate programs, the candidate may qualify for credit for prior learning experiences. Veterans should submit official copies of service records for evaluation prior to initial matriculation.

Dropping Courses
Students shall attend classes in which they are enrolled unless they are officially dropped from the class roll by means of the official drop/add form signed by the major advisor, division chair, and registrar. (Students are advised to consult the academic calendar for specified deadline dates for dropping a course.) The student is responsible for making any adjustment in his/her class schedule. A fee will be charged for dropping or adding a course. Drop procedures must be completed by 5:00 p.m. on the deadline date specified in the academic calendar.

Failure of the student to officially drop a course will result in a grade of “F”. A course is not considered officially dropped until the student returns the signed add/drop form to the Office of Records/Registrar.

FERPA ANNUAL NOTIFICATION
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) afford students certain rights with respect to their education records. These rights are:

1. The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day the College receives a request for access. Students should submit to the registrar written requests that identify the record(s) they wish to inspect. The registrar 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 registrar, the registrar 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 is inaccurate or misleading. Students may ask the College to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading. They should write the College official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading. If the College decides not to amend the record as requested by the student, the College 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 defined as a person employed by the College in an administrative, supervisory, academic, or support position (including law enforcement unit and health services staff); a person or company with whom the College has contracted (such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent); a person serving on the Board of Trustees; 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.
   
   
4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the College 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
   400 Maryland Ave, S.W.
   Washington, DC 20202-4605
   

Grade Appeal
The grade appeal process must be initiated by the student with the instructor within nine weeks after the grade is awarded. If this attempt does not prove satisfactory, the aggrieved student may take the matter to the division chair and subsequently, to the Vice President for Academic Affairs for resolution. The appeal should be in writing, and should contain all pertinent facts including copies of papers, grades, and the like.

Policy on Repeating Courses
A course may be repeated at Wiley College for the purpose of improving academic standing. If a course is repeated once, the second grade replaces the first in computing the grade point average, but the first grade will not be erased. A course can be repeated to improve academic standing only once without the permission of the division chair. Financial Aid cannot be used by students to retake courses in which they have already earned a “C” or better grade. If a student chooses to take a course in which a “C” or better has already been earned, the credit hours and grade of both courses will be used to calculate the semester and cumulative averages. Courses taken to meet degree requirements are counted only once.

Student Rights & Responsibilities
Policies and procedures have been established to ensure that individual rights and freedoms are protected and responsibilities are understood. The College community aims to maintain standards conducive to academic, social and personal growth. Students at Wiley are expected to:

• Observe state and federal laws as well as College policies and regulations;
  
• Respect the rights and privileges of others;
  
• Be forthright and honest in all of their academic and social conduct, and
  
• Share the responsibility of maintaining an environment where individual actions do not violate the community’s welfare.

Students have both the right and the responsibility to dialogue with each other directly in a constructive manner when problems occur. Student Affairs staff will support and work with students in an effort to understand and abide by College policies.

Students are also responsible for abiding by all policies, rules and regulations contained in the Student Handbook, as well as information from other sources including the College Catalog and, where applicable, the Residence Life Handbook.

The College, however, does not attempt to use formal rules to define every unacceptable form of behavior. In situation ns not covered by specific regulations, students are expected to use common sense and conduct themselves at all times as mature, responsible individuals.

Failure to comply with College and/or residential policy may result in disciplinary action. Serious or repetitive violations of these policies could be grounds for suspension, expulsion and the termination of a student’s housing contract and may affect continued enrollment.

WITHDRAWAL FROM THE COLLEGE
When a student finds it necessary to discontinue enrollment at any time other than at the end of a semester, the student must complete a withdrawal form obtained from the Office of Records/Registrar. The student must clear all Wiley College accounts as listed on the form. When enrolled for a regular semester, a student may not withdraw during the last two calendar weeks prior to the first day of final examinations.

When a student leaves Wiley College at any time during the semester without filling out a Withdrawal Form and without clearing all accounts, the student will receive a grade of “F” in all courses. Further, the student will forfeit all rights to a statement of honorable dismissal, thereby jeopardizing re-admission to Wiley College, or transferring to another accredited institution. Proper procedure for withdrawing from Wiley includes the following steps:

• Secure and complete withdrawal form. Forms are available in the Office of Records/Registrar.
• Complete exit interview with the College Retention Counselor.
• File completed withdrawal form with the Office of Records/Registrar.