Anderson, Indiana

Academic Life

Mon, 2012-04-30 13:21 -- batch_migrate

Academic Advising

Faculty and the Academic Advising staff serve as advisers after students matriculate and until they declare a major. At that time, a faculty adviser in the department in which students plan to major helps the student select the required courses of study and plan class schedules. Although students are directly responsible for meeting graduation and other requirements, they are urged to consult frequently with their advisers.

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Academic Committee Representation

Student representation exists in each of the standing committees of the faculty except the Committee on Promotion and Tenure, the Faculty Affairs Committee, the Faculty Development Committee, the Graduate Council, the Assessment Committee, the Nominations Committee and the Barring Appeals Committee.

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Academic Credit

Anderson University's academic year is arranged on the semester system. The semester hour is the unit of academic credit and represents one 50-minute period of class work per week. Thus, a three-hour course will usually meet for one 50-minute lecture three times each week during the semester, although this can vary with laboratories or other special courses. It is assumed that students will spend two hours in preparation for each period of class time. Students who are considering taking courses elsewhere (i.e., during the summer for transfer to Anderson University) should check with the Registrar before doing so.

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Academic Integrity

Anderson University supports and promotes academic honesty and personal integrity and regards cheating, plagiarism and all other forms of academic dishonesty as serious offenses against the university community.

Cheating or academic dishonesty is defined as the "deception of others about one's own work or about the work of another." Examples of cheating include, but are not limited to:

  • Submitting another's work as one's own or allowing another to submit one's work as though it were his or hers.
  • Failure to properly acknowledge authorities quoted, cited or consulted in preparing written work (plagiarism).
  • Use of a textbook or notes during an examination without the instructor's permission.
  • Getting or giving unauthorized help on assignments.
  • Tampering with experimental data to obtain a desired result or creating results for experiments not done (dry labbing).
  • Tampering with or destroying others' work.
  • Submitting substantial portions of the same academic work for credit or honors more than once without permission of the present instructor.
  • Lying about these or other academic matters.

Students who are guilty of such academic violations can expect to be penalized. Instructors whose definition of cheating differs from that stated above have the responsibility and obligation to so inform students, in writing, at the beginning of the course. Instructors who fail to do so have no basis for disciplinary action in instances of purported student dishonesty outside the above provisions.

In all instances of academic dishonesty, instructors are urged to discuss incidents with students and, if necessary, refer them to the Dean of Students for more extensive counseling. The course instructor shall have authority to deal with instances of academic dishonesty within these guidelines:

  • Faculty members must report any student who has violated the policy on academic integrity to the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean. After two reports against a student, action will be initiated under provisions of the Judicial Code and could lead to dismissal of the student from the university.
  • The maximum assessable penalty for a first offense shall not exceed double the original value of the assignment plus no option to make up the work in question.
Alternate courses of action may include, but are not limited to:
  • Work may be redone for full or partial credit.
  • Alternate assignments may be given for full or partial credit.
  • Work may not be redone and no credit given.

Students have the right to appeal action under this policy through the regular channels as established by the grade appeal process. Grounds for appeal are:

  • Insufficient evidence of dishonesty
  • Penalties in excess of those allowed under the above guidelines
  • Provisions of grade appeal cited in the Student Life Handbook
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Academic Standards

To be in good academic standing, students must maintain these minimum standards:

Hours Earned GPA
1-29 1.6
30-59 1.8
60-89 2.0

A student may be dropped from the university at any time when excessive class absences or academic performance indicate inability or unwillingness to achieve normal progress toward a degree. Typically, however, students not in good academic standing are placed on academic probation for a maximum of two consecutive semesters.

All students on academic probation are expected to develop and sign a support contract with a designated academic official before attending classes. The contract may include, but is not limited to, study assistance; limits on participation in university sponsored extracurricular activities; limits on work commitments, housing and course loads; and stated expectations for class attendance.

At the end of each semester, the vice president for academic affairs will lead a process in which the status of low-achieving students is determined. Normally, students not achieving acceptable standards are barred from returning to Anderson University for at least one semester. Extenuating circumstances could justify the continuation of students whose cumulative grade point averages fall below the stated standards.

Barred students who wish to be readmitted must appeal through the Barring Appeals Committee. Students who are readmitted after being barred once are expected to attain a 2.00 current grade point average in the next 12 semester hours and must continue to achieve or make substantial progress toward the stated minimum standards in order to continue. If they should be barred again, it will be for a period of at least two years. Subsequent re-admission shall be regarded as a final opportunity to continue studies at Anderson University.

When pertinent, the vice president for academic affairs and dean could request that the Barring Appeals Committee review and make recommendations regarding cases. Extenuating circumstances could justify the continuation of students whose cumulative grade point averages fall below the stated standards.

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Grade Appeal

At times, students might believe themselves to be subject to unfair academic evaluation. Students with such grievances have the right to make an appeal and receive a fair hearing. The following procedure outlines the steps to be taken by a student (or a group of students) in making appeals and the manner in which complaints will be handled:

  • Step 1: It is expected that students will attempt to resolve the issue through consultation with the instructor with whom the grievance exists. This should be done during the semester at the time the grievance occurs unless it is in reference to the semester grade, final examination, or grades or other information not known before the end of the semester. In the latter instances, consultation with the instructor should occur no later than 30 days after notice of semester grades is received. Students who are no longer within the community may consult with the instructor by telephone or by letter. It is conceivable that, on occasion, extenuating circumstances may be such that it would not be feasible or advisable to register a complaint with the instructor. In such unusual circumstances, students may present their grievances directly to the dean of the college in which the course was offered.
  • Step 2: Students who are unable to reach a satisfactory agreement with the instructor or who, for reasons stated previously, have not conferred with the instructor, may file a petition (in person or by letter) with the appropriate college dean or director, requesting that the dean or director review the complaint. Such petition is to be filed within 15 days after the discussion with the instructor, or if the contact has been by letter, 15 days following the receipt of the instructor’s Anderson University Student Handbook, 2008-2009 55 Academic Policies, continued reply. In filing petitions, students must state their grievances clearly, indicate the date or dates on which they consulted with the instructor and state briefly their interpretation of the outcome of the discussion. 
  • Step 3: Upon receiving a petition for a review of a grievance, the college dean or director might seek additional information from the student (through interview or by letter) in an attempt to understand as fully as possible the nature of and the justifications for the complaint. The dean of the college or school will then confer with the faculty member and, at his or her discretion, might talk with the instructor and student together.
  • Step 4: If the dean of the college or school is unable to resolve the issue to the student’s satisfaction, he or she will ask the chairperson of the Appeals Committee to call a special meeting of the committee, to review all the information available, and to give a hearing to the student (if he or she is on campus or in the community) and also to the instructor. The committee might consult with other students who are or were in the same course and also with the department chairperson or other faculty members in the instructor’s department.
  • Step 5: When the appeals committee has made a thorough review of the case and has reached a decision about the grievance presented, it shall make its decision and recommendations known, in writing, to the student, to the instructor against whom the complaint is filed, and to the college dean or director. The committee may make appropriate recommendations regarding procedures to the instructor. If a semester grade is in question, the committee may recommend to the instructor that a change of grade be considered. In unusual circumstances, the vice president for academic affairs and dean may initiate such a change if the instructor will not do so and there appears to be compelling reasons for such action. 
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Academic Support

Center for Educational Technology

The Center for Educational Technology (CET) houses portable audiovisual equipment for classroom use and supports all installed classroom presentation technology. Students may check out equipment for class projects or arrange to have it set up in their classroom for their use. The CET asks that they be given at least four business hours advance notice for equipment setup requests. CET personnel can assist students in using production tools and facilities to create edited video programs, computer-based presentations, and audio recordings. A variety of production supplies can be purchased, including miniDV tapes, CD-R, and DVD-R media; art and photography supplies; and overhead transparency film. Call ext. 4290 for assistance or visit Decker 339.

hours: Monday-Thursday 8 a.m.-7 p.m.
  Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
  Sunday 5-8 p.m.

Kissinger Learning Center (KLC)

The Kissinger Learning Center assists students in achieving their academic goals through individual and group-oriented resources, including self-directed audio, audio-visual and computer-assisted materials. The Learning Center offers peer tutoring and study groups for many courses as well as general assistance with reading, writing and study skills. In addition, the KLC provides programmatic assistance to students admitted through the ALPHA program and programs for students with learning disabilities.

The Learning Center is located on the main floor of Nicholson Library. For more information, Teresa Coplin at ext. 4223.

KLC hours:
Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
  Evenings: Sun.-Thurs. 7 p.m.-9 p.m.

Robert A. Nicholson University Library

The mission of the Robert A. Nicholson University Library is to provide the Anderson University community with relevant information resources in support of the University's teaching-learning mission. We foster the abilities necessary in finding, evaluating, and using resources, and further, we facilitate the user's quest in independent intellectual study, discovery, and lifelong learning. The library collection includes over 285,000 books (in-print and electronic), approximately 900 periodical subscriptions, more than 50 periodical databases, a selective depository collection of United States government publications, over 700 subscriptions, and the Anderson University and Church of God Archives. Two computer labs, including the 24/7 computer lab, are located in the Library.

The Nicholson Library Catalog identifies materials located in the Nicholson Library, the Instructional Materials Center, the Archives, and other campus locations. Catalogs of other Indiana libraries are linked through the "Information Desk" of the Nicholson Catalog. The "Reserve Desk" feature of the catalog includes the full text of materials placed on reserve by various professors. The library subscribes to more than 50 periodical databases, many of which include the full text of indexed articles and electronic journals. All electronic resources are available to current AU students both on-and off-campus.

Librarians are available during most hours to assist with information and research needs. Think of the librarian as your "ultimate" search engine. An "Ask a Librarian" link is conveniently located on the Library's Web site. Class, small group, and individual instruction in research skills and strategies are available. In addition, the librarians create and maintain electronic subject resource guides for virtually every major on campus.

Need something not owned by the Nicholson Library? Materials may be borrowed from other libraries located virtually anywhere in the country. Request materials through Inter-library Loan (ILLiad) by e-mail or in person at the library's reference desk. In-person borrowing privileges are available at the Anderson Public Library and Bracken Library at Ball State University with a valid Anderson University ID. Forty-six Indiana academic libraries are members of the Academic Libraries of Indiana (ALI) consortium and allow in-person borrowing privileges with a special borrower's card. A list of member libraries and special borrower's cards are available at the Circulation Desk of Nicholson Library.

Do you have suggestions or comments? E-mail the library director or use the "Comments" link on the library's website.

  Academic-year hours: Reference assistance available:
Monday-Thursday 7:45 a.m.-midnight 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and 6-10 p.m.
Friday 7:45 a.m.-5 p.m. 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Saturday 11 a.m.-5 p.m. 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sunday 1:30 p.m.-midnight 2:30-5 p.m. and 6-10 p.m.
 
  Summer hours (may vary): Reference assistance available:
Monday-Friday
 8 a.m.-5p.m. 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday CLOSED  
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Class Attendance

It is the assumption of this policy that class attendance, by instructors and students, is fundamental to the teaching/learning process and is crucial to effective, quality teaching and learning at the university level. The AU faculty adopted the class attendance policy with this rationale in mind.

Any absence results in a loss of learning for the student. It is the student's obligation to personally notify individual course instructor(s) about any absence, in advance if possible. Students may be directly penalized only after the number of absences exceeds the number of class meeting hours per week. When a student misses more than the number of classes stated above, the course instructor determines whether to allow completion of missed work and how much work will be evaluated, including possible penalties.

This policy recognizes that the loss of participatory learning and class involvement due to class absences by students will differ depending on the particular course and instructor. For this reason, individual instructors are responsible for setting specific course policy for each class regarding make-up work sanctions for missed classes (after the student misses more than the number of class meeting hours per week), course examinations, laboratory sessions, field experiences, class presentations and special class events. Policies adopted by instructors for specific classes should be clearly documented in the course syllabus and reviewed with students at the beginning of the semester.

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Declaration or Change of Major

To officially declare and/or change a major, a Declaration of Major/Change of Major Form, available in the Office of Educational Support Services, Decker Hall 258- C, must be completed. Students entering teacher education, social work, or nursing must also file applications for admission with those departments. This procedure constitutes the official declaration of a major and is necessary before the assignment of a faculty advisor from the department in which major work is intended.

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Honor Societies

National academic honor society chapters fostering the pursuit of scholarship at Anderson University are:

  • Alpha Chi (top 10 percent of juniors and seniors maintaining a 3.7 or better GPA)
  • Alpha Mu Gamma (foreign languages)
  • Alpha Sigma Lambda (non-traditional students)
  • Delta Mu Delta (business)
  • Kappa Delta Pi (education)
  • Kappa Mu Epsilon (mathematics)
  • Phi Alpha (social work)
  • Phi Alpha Theta (history)
  • Phi Epsilon Kappa (health and physical education)
  • Phi Eta Sigma (freshman men and women)
  • Pi Kappa Lambda (music)
  • Psi Chi (psychology)
  • Sigma Tau Delta (English)
  • Sigma Theta Tau (nursing)
  • Sigma Zeta Upsilon (natural and computer sciences and mathematics)

Non-Academic, National Recognition:

  • Alpha Psi Omega dramatics
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Summer School

Summer school is a good time to catch up or get ahead on earning credit hours by taking advantage of reduced-fee structures and alternatives to traditional classroom sessions. Specially arranged courses such as reading, tutorial, Tri-S, and on line are possible. Summer school information is available in late February. Registration begins in early March. For more information, contact Dr. Aleza Beverly, dean of the School of Adult Learning and director of summer school, at ext. 4251.

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Adult Education

The School of Adult Learning was established in 1987 to provide credit, professional development and personal enrichment programs for adult and community students. In developing this program, the university acted on its commitment to provide convenient and affordable collegiate-based educational experiences for area lifelong learners. Academic, business and student services are offered to adult students during the day and evening hours.

Undergrad students of all ages may enroll in many School of Adult Learning evening courses on a space-available basis. SOAL online courses can be taken summer term.

Adult students taking credit courses are encouraged to be involved in the AU community. Adult and Continuing Education Support (ACES) is a social/academic support group for adults 25 and older. The group sponsors activities for student and family recreation, fellowship and academic success. For more information, contact Aleza Beverly, Dean in the School of Adult Learning, ext. 4251.

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Transcripts

Students seeking transcripts of their university work must present a written request to the registrar. A $3 payment must be included with the request. All non-current financial obligations, including tuition, fees for room and board and similar fees, 0utstanding phone bills, fines for lost library books, fines for judicial code violations, unpaid rent, and any and all obligations of whatever nature owed by the student to the university, must be paid before the transcript will be released.

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