S E C T I O N  IV

ACADEMIC PROCEDURES AND REGULATIONS

 

4.0                   ACADEMIC PROCEDURES AND REGULATIONS
4.1                   COURSES
4.1.1                SYLLABUS
4.1.2                RESPONSIBILITY FOR SYLLABUS
4.1.3                EDUCATIONAL POLICIES

    4.1.3 A                CHANGES TO BE APPROVED BY EPC

    4.1.3 B                TENTATIVE APPROVAL BY EPC

    4.1.3 C                REPORTING COMMITTEE ACTIONS

4.1.3.1             USE OF "PREREQUISITE"

4.1.3.2             ADDING, REVISING, AND DELETING COURSES
4.1.3.3             CHANGE IN GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
4.1.3.4             DELETION OF COURSES
4.1.3.5             GUIDELINES FOR ONE WEEK COURSES
4.1.3.6             BA/BS DEGREE DESIGNATION

4.1.3.7             COURSE AUTOMATIC DELETE POLICY  

4.1.4                SPECIAL TOPICS COURSE POLICY

4.2                   CLASS SCHEDULES, REGISTRATION, AND CLASS LISTS
4.2.1                SCHEDULES
4.2.1.1             REGULAR SCHEDULE
4.2.1.2             EVENING CLASSES
4.2.1.3             SUMMER SESSION
4.2.1.4             WINTER SESSION
4.2.1.5             INDEPENDENT STUDY COURSES
4.2.1.5.1          INDEPENDENT STUDY, SPECIAL PROBLEMS, AND PRACTICUMS
4.2.1.5.2          REGULAR COURSES ON INDEPENDENT STUDY OR COVERAGE BASIS
4.2.2                ADVANCE REGISTRATION
4.2.3                CLASS LISTS
4.3                   CHANGES IN STUDENT SCHEDULES: "DROP AND ADD"
4.3.1                ADDING COURSES
4.3.2                WITHDRAWAL FROM COURSES
4.4                   CLASSES
4.4.1                SIZE OF CLASSES
4.4.2                FACULTY ATTENDANCE
4.4.3                STUDENT ATTENDANCE

4.4.3.1             Disables Student Syllabi Statement

4.4.4                FINAL EXAMINATION POLICY

4.4.5                ORDER IN THE CLASSROOM
4.5                   TEXTBOOK, SOFTWARE, AND MATERIALS REQUISITIONS
4.6                   FIELD TRIPS AND STUDENT ACTIVITY TRIPS
4.7                   OFF-CAMPUS COURSES AND STUDY TOURS
4.7.1                RESPONSIBILITY OF FACULTY MEMBER
4.7.2                PROPOSAL
4.7.3                FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS
4.7.4                TUITION CHARGE AND FEES
4.7.5                CORRESPONDENCE
4.7.6                WAIVER OF LIABILITY
4.7.7                FINAL REPORT

4.8                   CONTINUING EDUCATION POLICY

4.9                   GRADING SYSTEM

4.9.1                EXTRA-INSTITUTIONAL LEARNING - AWARDING CREDIT  

4.10                 STUDENTS

4.10.1              POLICY STATEMENT FOR STUDENT PUBLICATIONS AND BROADCAST MEDIA

 

4.0 ACADEMIC PROCEDURES AND REGULATIONS (revised 12/13/02)

4.1 COURSES

4.1.1 Syllabus A detailed syllabus for each course shall be prepared by the instructor, distributed in print/or electronic form to enrolled students, and placed on file in school offices. The syllabus will normally include information regarding the instructor's policies regarding attendance, participation, submission of work, and grading (including the elements comprising the course grade); the goals or objectives related to mastery of the course content; and any other information pertinent to the conduct of the course.

        a.     Policies governing the construction of syllabi:

                All syllabi must include the following components

- Course number, title, description and course objectives as approved by EPC

- A description of the purpose of the course with respect to meeting goals of the major, minor, or general   education program, as appropriate

-Course requirements

-Methods of evaluating student work and how these are used to achieve a grade

- Nature of course content reflected in an outline of topics or a course schedule

 

A copy of the current syllabus for a course must be filed with the appropriate school dean in each semester the course is taught.

 

b.    Policies governing the distinctions between graduate and undergraduate level work. In some instances students may meet in the same class period for courses    offered at different levels – graduate and upper level undergraduate.  In these instances, separate syllabi will be provided for each level.  These will clearly differentiate the different level and amount of work expected and the different criteria for evaluation and grading.

 

4.1.2 Responsibility for Syllabus It is the responsibility of each faculty member to provide the syllabus and to update it each time the course is taught. It is the responsibility of the respective School Dean to collect the syllabus and maintain it on file.

 

4.1.3 Educational Policies (Approved at General Faculty Meeting 10/17/2003; revised 6/24/2004)

4.1.3 A Changes to be Approved by EPC

The following types of changes must be submitted to the EPC for approval:

                a.  Deletion of major

                b.  Deletion of minor

                c.  Changes in the requirement of a major

                d.  Changes in the requirements of a minor

                e.  Addition of new courses

                f.  Deletion of courses

                g.  Changes in names of academic programs

                h.  Renumbering of courses

                i.  Changes in course titles

                j.  Revisions of course content descriptions (other than editorial)

                k.  Changes of credit hours for a course

 

4.1.3 B Tentative Approval by EPC

That during the periods when the College is not in session, the EPC may give tentative approval to matters presented in proper form (i.e., to initiate a single offering of a course).  However, final approval of such requests lies with the General Faculty, meeting at its next regular session.

 

4.1.3 C Reporting Committee Actions

The following topics should go before the faculty for discussion and vote:  new majors, major modifications in programs, or policy changes.  Recommendations concerning individual course, changes in number or course description are to appear in the committee report and may be discussed and subsequently brought to a vote.  The EPC will make individual decisions as to how borderline cases should be handled.

 

4.1.3.1 Use of "Prerequisite" Prerequisite is used to indicate a course which absolutely requires the prior completion of another course, and that in addition to prerequisite, the following designations be used when and as appropriate: Strongly recommended, recommended, consent of instructor.

 

4.1.3.2 Adding, Revising, and Deleting Courses A proposal for adding, revising, or deleting a course is developed within the school concerned.

1. The School Dean shall complete the proposal form, which is available from the Registrar or the Vice President and Dean for Academic Affairs.

2. The School Dean submits the proposal to the Educational Policies Committee for approval.

3. If approved by the Committee, the recommendation is reported to the General Faculty.

 

4.1.3.3 Change in General Education Requirements If a proposal to add or delete a course involves a change in a specifically listed general education requirement, it must have the recommendation of the Educational Policies Committee and will be reported to the General Faculty through the committee report. If no objection to the change is voiced, either during the faculty meeting itself or to the chairperson of the Educational Policies Committee during the 15-day period following the faculty meeting, said change will be considered approved. If an objection is raised, approval will require a majority vote of the faculty.

 

4.1.3.4 Deletion of Courses To delete any course which is not specifically listed to fulfill any general education requirement from a   program's curriculum, the School Dean will inform the Vice President and Dean for Academic Affairs of the proposed deletion from the program's curriculum. The Vice President and Dean for Academic Affairs will, in turn, inform the Educational Policies Committee of the proposed deletion, which will report the same through the committee report at the next meeting of the General Faculty. In the absence of any objection raised by a member of the faculty to the proposed deletion, the deletion will be accomplished on the 16th day after said meeting of the General Faculty. If an objection to the deletion is voiced, either during the faculty meeting itself or to the chairperson of the Educational Policies Committee during the 15-day period following the faculty meeting, the proposed deletion will require a majority vote of the faculty for approval.

 

4.1.3.5 Guidelines for One Week Courses Guidelines for all courses that are compressed into a period of one week must be approved by the Educational Policies Committee. The rigor of a one-week course should be comparable to that of a course taught throughout a typical 15 week semester. These courses should have the proper amount of contact hours. If a course normally requires extensive reading, laboratory work, or practice in developing certain skills, the instructor should explain how this work can be accomplished in just one week. If a course is logically divided into units when taught during a typical semester, the comparable one-week course should also show these logical units.  Courses must have an extended period for reflection and analysis included within the course to ensure that students are engaged in course learning activities for a minimum of one-week per course credit hour.

 

4.1.3.6  BA/BS Degree Designation  Designations for B.A. or B.S. degrees for majors will be determined by each program.  Programs desiring both B.A. and B.S. degrees for a major or programs desiring to change in designation for the major must submit a proposal to the EPC which  delineates the curricular differences between the programs.  This policy will be effective with the implementation of the new general education requirements.

 

4.1.3.7  Course Automatic Deletion Policy The Registrar will, once a year, provide EPC with a list of all courses not taught in the preceding five years.  The EPC will then report the courses out to the faculty as deleted.

 

4.1.4 Special Topics Course Policy That special topics course or workshop must have subtitles and may be offered only twice.  Prior to any offering, the designated course must be submitted to the EPC for approval on the Special Topics/Workshop Course Approval Form.  For such a course to be offered more than twice, it must become a regular course with a permanent course number through submission to the EPC in the appropriate format on the Course Change Form.  For courses offered on a rotation basis that extends beyond three years, a statement to that effect must be added at the end of the course description.  Such courses will not be deleted from the Catalogue. [Effective beginning with Summer 1999 course offerings.]

 

4.2 CLASS SCHEDULES, REGISTRATION, AND CLASS LISTS

4.2.1 Schedules

4.2.1.1 Regular Schedule Course schedules for the following year are prepared by School Deans, in cooperation with the Registrar and the Vice President and Dean for Academic Affairs. Distribution of responsibilities for determining course offerings is indicated below.

Responsible Party Responsibility

School Dean   -  Develop course schedules which identify staffing based on

  • the institutional budget model
  • the number of faculty
  • the number of students expected for each course
  • the need for the course in General Education
  • the need for major and minor programs
  • commitments for evening sections
  • faculty assignments for other activities (e.g., coaching, honors, supervision)
  • use of adjuncts (only as pre-approved in writing by the Dean)

 

- Submit schedule to Registrar

- Registrar Identify/resolve time and room conflicts

- Generate a faculty load report

- Submit schedule and report to Vice President and Dean for Academic Affairs/Associate Dean for Academic Affairs

- Vice President and Dean for Academic Affairs/Associate Dean of College Review schedule and load report

- Approve or, if a problem exists, confer with the School Dean and indicate the nature of problem

- School Dean  - Generate a solution (in consultation with school faculty)

- Resubmit schedule and report

- Vice President and Dean for Academic Affairs/Associate Dean for Academic Affairs - Approve or, if a problem exists, confer with the School Dean and indicate the nature of problem

- Submit schedule to Registrar

- Registrar Generate and distribute the Master Schedule

- Register students

 

The Vice President and Dean for Academic Affairs/Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and the School Dean shall review enrollments after the first run during registration periods. The Vice President and Dean for Academic Affairs/Associate Dean for Academic Affairs shall request, or the School Dean may provide, a rationale for retaining individual courses and sections experiencing low enrollments. When staffing assignments are affected, the Vice President and Dean for Academic Affairs/Associate Dean for Academic Affairs will consult with the School Dean and faculty members of the affected programs. Staffing changes will be submitted to the Registrar by the School Dean with the Dean's approval. (This may serve to identify faculty to teach Senior Symposium, participate in grant writing, etc.)

 

Tri-College Exchange Program Under the terms of an agreement among Lynchburg College, Randolph-Macon Woman's College, and Sweet Briar College, if a course needed by a full-time undergraduate student is not being offered in his or her college, but is available in another of the colleges, the student may enroll for it in the other college without payment of extra fees. Forms are available in the Office of the Registrar.

 

4.2.1.2 Evening Classes Courses offered in the evening may be taught by the regular College faculty as an integral part of their teaching responsibility. In some cases this will be part of the regular teaching load; in others it will be an additional class for which special arrangements are made.

Courses meet two evenings a week for 75-minute periods or one evening a week for two 75-minute periods. Schools are expected to schedule appropriate courses in the evening from time to time in order to enable part-time students to complete degree requirements.

 

4.2.1.3 Summer Session Faculty members who wish to offer courses in the summer should confer with their School Deans about possible schedules. In consultation with School Deans, the Vice President and Dean for Academic Affairs and the individual designated as Director of Summer School plan the summer program. Actual employment of a faculty member depends upon the development of enrollments in his or her classes. Minimum enrollments are announced prior to each summer session. In cases where fewer than the minimum number enroll in a class, it may be offered if the instructor agrees to accept a pro-rata reduction in pay and if the offering is approved by the Dean's Office.

 

NOTE:  Instructors teaching winter or summer session courses may not “pro-rate” the actual contact hours required by the course based on the rationale of reduced enrollment in the class.

 

4.2.1.4 Winter Session The calendar normally provides for an interval between December 26 and the beginning of the second semester to permit the scheduling of a "winter term" when courses of up to three hours' credit may be scheduled. The term is optional both for faculty and students. Tuition and compensation are similar to that for a term of the summer session.

 

NOTE:  Instructors teaching winter or summer session courses may not “pro-rate” the actual contact hours required by the course based on the rationale of reduced enrollment in the class.

 

4.2.1.5 Independent Study Courses At times it may be appropriate to offer special work or reading courses on an individual basis in order to permit specialized study, to overcome schedule conflicts or when a needed course is not otherwise being offered.

 

4.2.1.5.1 Independent Study, Special Problems, and Practicums. The student must obtain a form from the Registrar, complete it in cooperation with the instructor, obtain all the needed approvals, and return it to the Registrar.

 

4.2.1.5.2 Regular Courses on Independent Study or Coverage Basis. Courses offered on a regularly scheduled basis the year prior or subsequent to the time desired may not be covered on an independent basis. Exceptions will be made by the Vice President and Dean for Academic Affairs only in extraordinary cases. The appropriate form is available in the Registrar's Office and must be completed and approved before the student may register.

 

Students taking such courses may expect general direction from the faculty member, but must be willing to assume responsibility for obtaining and completing assignments.

 

No extra financial consideration is offered the faculty member for such courses during the regular academic year. A faculty member supervising an independent study, independent coverage, or internship for three credit hours in the summer session will receive one-eighth the normal compensation for a fully-enrolled course. Only those students who pay tuition will be counted in the enrollment in independent study, independent coverage, and internships for determining faculty compensation.

 

4.2.2 Advance Registration. To facilitate advanced planning, registration normally is held during March or early April for both semesters of the next regular session. This is coupled with a two-week student advising period in which the student plans course selections in advance and submits choices to an adviser for review. The emphasis is upon the student assuming personal responsibility for his or her program with the benefit of the adviser's counsel.

 

During the announced registration period, faculty are expected to be available to students for advising. On completion of the advising interview the student is responsible for submitting the proposed schedule to the Registrar's Office.

 

The Registrar's Office distributes copies of each student's schedule to the student and adviser. Preliminary class lists are distributed to the instructor, School Deans, and Vice President and Dean for Academic Affairs for information and review.

 

A registration day is set aside at the beginning of each semester to accommodate late entering students and to enable other students to change schedules where necessary. Detailed instruction sheets for all categories of students are prepared and distributed with copies to the faculty members for the registration period.

 

School Deans are expected to have representatives available for the entire registration period.

 

4.2.3 Class Lists. Shortly after registration, alphabetical class lists are distributed to all faculty members and School Deans. At the close of the drop/add period, new class lists reflecting all changes made during the change period are forwarded to all faculty members. Students not appearing on these lists should not be permitted to continue to attend class unless written permission from the Vice President and Dean for Academic Affairs or the Registrar is obtained or a properly executed course change form is processed.

Grade forms are prepared on the basis of the class lists distributed at the end of the drop/add period.

 

Faculty members are responsible for notifying the Registrar's Office of discrepancies in the class lists.

 

4.3 CHANGES IN STUDENT SCHEDULES: "DROP AND ADD"

4.3.1 Adding Courses (See Catalogue). During the first week after classes start, a student may add a course by obtaining a drop/add form from the Registrar's Office, getting the permission and signature of his or her adviser, and the permission and signature of the instructor of the course which is being added. This drop/add form is returned by the student to the Registrar's Office where the change in schedule is noted.

 

Instructors should feel free to refuse admission to students who make changes during this period if the class is filled, if material has been covered which will be difficult to make up, or for any other good reason. The fact that the student presents a drop/add form does not necessarily mean that the Deans or Registrar are advising such a change. If a difference of opinion exists, the factors are considered and resolved by the Vice President and Dean for Academic Affairs.

 

4.3.2 Withdrawal from Courses (See Catalogue). A student who fails to attend the first hour of a class may be dropped from the class, and he or she must process an "Add Form" to be readmitted. A student who later wishes to drop a course must consult with his or her adviser and submit a completed drop/add form with the adviser's signature to the Registrar's Office.

If a student drops a course within three weeks after the beginning of the semester, the course will be deleted from the academic record.

 

If a student drops a course after three weeks but within six weeks, he or she shall receive a grade of "W", and the course will not be counted as work undertaken. Withdrawal from a course after six weeks results in a grade of "W" if the student is passing the course at the time of withdrawal, and a grade of "F" if he/she is failing at the time. After the tenth week of classes, a student may not withdraw from a course. The Dean or the Registrar, with the concurrence of the faculty member involved, may waive an "F" assigned at time of withdrawal if there were unusual conditions surrounding a withdrawal from classes.

 

4.4 CLASSES

4.4.1 Size of Classes Classes in the regular program are ordinarily not offered for fewer than ten students in undergraduate (100-400 level) courses, nor for fewer than seven students in dual-level (500) or graduate (600) courses. With the consent of the Vice President and Dean for Academic Affairs, exceptions may be made for good reason.

 

4.4.2 Faculty Attendance. Whenever a faculty member finds that it will not be possible to meet a class, the faculty member should assign a project for the class during his/her absence or have a colleague meet the class. If, because of illness or some other unavoidable reason, the faculty member cannot give prior notice to the class, the School Dean or a member of the school should be notified in order that notices may be posted to inform students that the class will not meet. In any case, the School Dean should be kept informed of absences by the faculty members. Faculty members are expected to meet all of their assigned classes at the designated times including class periods immediately before and after scheduled holidays. Absence by a School Dean should be made known to the Vice President and Dean for Academic Affairs.

 

4.4.3 Student Attendance. Regular attendance, preparation for classes, and the prompt performance of assignments are obvious duties expected of students.  Each instructor will inform students of the attendance policies in effect for each class.  A statement about attendance policy will comprise a portion of the course syllabus.  The policies regarding absences from any particular class are established by the faculty member teaching that class, except that an absence due to participation in official College activities such as field trips and athletic events, may not themselves be counted against the student. For any absence, either excused or unexcused, it is the responsibility of the student to make up to his or her own satisfaction and that of the faculty member involved all work missed and to communicate with the faculty member regarding such makeup. When possible, assignments should be ascertained in advance of the absence for the convenience of both the faculty member and the student. It is always the student's responsibility to inform the faculty member of the reason for any absence.

 

When a student's total number of absences or the number of consecutive absences indicate that some problem may exist concerning the course, the faculty member may communicate directly with the student or may consult with the Office of Advising and Learning Development.

 

Students who find while away from the campus that they must miss several days of classes should report this to the Office of Advising and Learning Development, which will inform the appropriate faculty members.

 

The Office of Student Affairs does not routinely verify absences, but will assist in cases of family and personal emergencies.

 

The Wellness Center is not authorized to issue excuses for absences from classes. The matter is to be settled between the student and the faculty member concerned. However, the Wellness Center will provide verification of treatment when this is requested by a faculty member.

 

The Wellness Center does not issue any statements about illnesses which were not treated there, nor does it issue statements about time missed from classes before treatment began in the Center. A student who is treated by a physician other than the College Physician, and who is absent because of such illness, may bring a statement from the physician providing treatment, present it to his or her instructors, and then file it in the Wellness Center.

 

If the majority of a student's instructors so recommend, the Vice President and Dean for Academic Affairs may immediately place a student on probation for generally unsatisfactory classroom performance and/or excessive class absences. A student who does not attend classes for a prolonged period of time without legitimate reason may be dropped from the College.

 

4.4.3.1 Disables Student Syllabi Statement

The College will make reasonable accommodations for persons with appropriately documented disabilities.  Students should notify the Support Services Coordinator located in Academic and Career Services on the second floor of Hall Campus Center and provide documentation of their disability in order to be considered eligible for accommodation.  Students are encouraged to do this as soon as possible prior to or at the beginning of each semester so their needs can be arranged in a timely fashion.  Accommodations are effective as of the date of the Accommodations Memo students receive to distribute to their instructors.  Accommodations are not retroactive.

 

4.4.4 Final Examination Policy. The assessment of student learning at each and every level of instruction is a significant component of good teaching practice. A comprehensive final examination is useful not only for determining what the student has learned in a course and forming a sound basis for a grade which reliably reflects that learning, but it can also provide useful feedback to the instructor for reevaluating the effectiveness of the course's content, delivery style, pedagogy, structure, and measurement techniques. Moreover, since courses are a complement to programs, the final examination also helps to determine if the course is meeting the academic goals of the programs of which they are a part.

 

The giving of a final examination is optional; however, where a final examination is not given, an alternative assessable exercise or assignment, appropriate to the nature of the course, should be given. In either event the relative importance of the examination, exercise, or assignment in determining the total course grade lies with the instructor.

    Examination Schedule

    Six days of examinations

    Three examination periods in each day

    The final examination schedule will include 16 three hour exam periods (previously 18)  

    divided over six days and beginning at 9:00 a.m., 2:00 p.m., and 7:00 p.m., with the 

    7:00 p.m. period to be used for classes occurring at 4:30 p.m. or later.  The last exam

    period will begin at 9:00 a.m. on day six. 

 

4.4.5  Order in the Classroom  Faculty members have the responsibility and the authority to maintain order in the classroom and may ask students to leave the classroom if necessary to maintain order.

 

4.5 TEXTBOOK, SOFTWARE, AND MATERIALS REQUISITIONS

Faculty members are responsible for placing orders for textbooks, software, and other course materials. The Textbook Manager will indicate procedures to be followed.

 

4.6 FIELD TRIPS AND STUDENT ACTIVITY TRIPS

Faculty members who wish to arrange for field trips for appropriate observation or study should gain approval for such trips with the School Dean. Any required field trips in connection with courses should be announced at the beginning of the course and listed on the course syllabus.

 

4.7 OFF-CAMPUS COURSES AND STUDY TOURS

4.7.1 Responsibility of Faculty Member The College encourages courses and special projects of high quality to be conducted away from the campus during summer session and during winter term between the first and second semesters. It is understood that study abroad courses and special projects serve to enhance the curriculum of traditional on-campus programs.  It is the responsibility of the faculty member in charge, in consultation with the Study Abroad Coordinator and the Faculty Liaison for Study Abroad, to assure that each program is administered in a way to be academically and financially sound. Planning for such courses and special projects should begin twelve to eighteen months in advance of the program's start date.

 

4.7.2 Proposal In each case the faculty member who intends to conduct such a program submits a proposal including a narrative and a financial plan that fully discloses any trip expenses paid for by a third party provider, if one is used.  This proposal must be submitted to the Study Abroad Coordinator and the Faculty Liaison for Study Abroad a minimum of nine months prior to the program's start date.  (If the program involves a new course, the course must be submitted for approval to the School Dean and then to the Educational Policies Committee and to the faculty in the usual manner.)  Following the approval of the Study Abroad Coordinator, the Faculty Liaison for Study Abroad, and the School Dean, the proposal is submitted to the Vice President and Dean for Academic Affairs who may then arrange a meeting with the faculty member or members concerned.  Summer term study abroad courses must meet all submission deadlines as detailed by the Associate Dean for inclusion in the summer schedule of classes and the College study abroad web page.

 

4.7.3 Financial Arrangements The general policy for faculty compensation for leading summer and/or winter term study abroad trips will be as follows:

1.     For the first year a course/program is offered, 60% of the tuition revenue generated will be used for the direct expenses of the program including the instructor's salary and travel expenses (the amount allocated for salary may not exceed $6000.00 or the equivalent of twice the stipend for one summer school course plus $1000).

2.     For subsequent years in which a course/program is offered, 50% of the tuition revenue generated will be used for the direct expenses of the program including the instructor's salary and travel expenses (the amount allocated for salary may not exceed $5000 or the equivalent of twice the stipend for one summer school course).

 

4.7.4 Tuition Charge and Fees  The tuition charge to the student is at the same rate as given in the Summer Bulletin of the College for the current year. Other fees may be added as necessary and desirable to cover travel, room, board, special facilities, materials and other special expenses. All student fees should be paid prior to registration.

 

4.7.5 Correspondence Any written correspondence and promotional material (flyers, brochures, handouts) about the study abroad experience should be submitted to the School Dean, Vice President and Dean for Academic Affairs, Faculty Liaison for Study Abroad, and the Study Abroad Coordinator.  Faculty are required to inform the Study Abroad Liaison and the Study Abroad Coordinator of any scheduled meetings and/or briefing sessions which relate to the study abroad experience.  Any other correspondence which makes reference to program costs to prospective participants or which might be construed as involving  any contractual commitment must be submitted to the Faculty Liaison for Study Abroad, Study Abroad Coordinator, and the Business Office for approval at least five days before mailing or  distribution.

 

4.7.6  Waiver of Liability    All students who participate in an off-campus project or study abroad trip must sign a waiver of liability.  Forms are available from the Study Abroad Coordinator and the Faculty Liaison for Study Abroad.  It is the faculty member's responsibility to distribute these forms to the participating students and to file signed copies of the document with the Study Abroad Coordinator.

 

4.7.7 Final Report Upon completion of the course or project the faculty member in charge must provide a written assessment of the experience including courses for academic credit.   A sample assessment instrument is available from the Faculty Liaison for Study Abroad.  A separate element of the final report should include a record of receipts and disbursements which should be submitted to the Vice President and Dean for Academic Affairs and the Business Office for final settlement of accounts.  This report is due no later than one month after the completion of the special project or course.  This information is necessary for reimbursement of travel expenses and determination of amount of stipend.

 

4.8  CONTINUING EDUCATION POLICY

Lynchburg College Continuing Education Policy and Procedures

Policy

The College mission identifies support for “graduate studies, along with programs designed to provide access to the College for adults…”   Providing life-long learning opportunities is also a mechanism for partnerships and collaborative undertakings with the community.

 

Continuing Education Defined:
Continuing Education (CE) includes any course, seminar, workshop, training session, or conference/institute offered for credit or continuing education units (CEUs) that identifies Lynchburg College, or a constituent academic or administrative unit of the college, as the sponsor or co-sponsor.  Outreach and service activities, on the other hand, may also include a variety of formally planned educational activities; however, these do not award credit or CEUs.

 

The Vice President for Graduate Studies provides coordination, development, and support for the CE activities conducted or coordinated by the faculty in academic units or staff in administrative units.  In addition, the Office maintains records for non-credit and non-CEU activities offered as outreach and service activities.

 

Outreach and Service Educational Activities

On the Outreach and Service Education Activities Report Form, any unit or individual offering non-credit or non-CEU educational activities sponsored by the College shall report the following information and send the report and copies of any program materials provided to participants to the Vice President for Graduate Studies within the week after the program is held:

  1. Title and date of program
  2. Sponsoring unit
  3. Facilitators or program presenters
  4. Description of the program
  5. Record of attendance (headcount)
  6. Statement summarizing summative evaluation of the program

 

CE Activities

Continuing education programs should be consistent with college and program goals.  CE programs may be offered to enhance professional objectives or to assist professionals in maintaining professional credentials.

 

CE courses for credit.  CE courses offered for credit will be designated as 500 level post-baccalaureate continuing education courses. It should be noted on all program materials that, while in some cases such credits may be part of program leading to a certificate, CE credits are not acceptable toward a graduate degree at Lynchburg College.  CE courses offered for credit will follow the same procedures for approval that other credit-bearing courses follow (i.e., follow EPC policies).

 

CEU programs.  While some courses/programs may be appropriate for credit, many will be specialized offerings more appropriate for CEUs.  A Continuing Education Unit (CEU) is a specific standard measure which is equivalent to 10 contact hours of educational achievement used by many universities and professional organizations under the criteria of the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET) to attest to clock hour completion of continuing education activities.  A Contact Hour (CH) is a unit of measurement that describes 60 minutes of an organized learning activity that is either a didactic or clinical experience, or self-paced learning activity.

 

All CEU bearing programs or courses must have the approval of the School Dean or Administrative Head and the Vice President for Graduate Graduate Studies.  In order to be reviewed for approval, a complete CE packet, once approved at the academic or administrative level, must be presented to the Vice President for Graduate Studies at least 30 days prior to the planned program.

 

Planning CEU Activities

Program Planning and Evaluation

All programs should be planned in response to recognized needs.  Qualified program faculty should be directly involved in developing program objectives/learning outcomes and the learning activities to facilitate participant’s ability to meet the learning objectives.  Each program should have clear and concise statements of what the learners are expected to accomplish as a result of the program.  Program planners should ensure that participants demonstrate those learning outcomes and that the program is evaluated.  Evidence of this must be kept on file with other program information.  A sample feedback form for program evaluation is attached.  Other tools for CE learner and program evaluation can be viewed in the Office of Graduate Studies.

 

Record Keeping

Information must be obtained from participants in order for Lynchburg College to keep appropriate records.  Records are maintained in the Registrar’s Office for all participants who qualify for CEU’s, whether or not they request them, for a period of ten years.  The transcript in the Registrar’s office includes:

                Participant’s name and social security number

                Title of the program

                Date of the program or program completion date if a series of sessions

                Number of CEU’s awarded

                Report of assessment results or other requirements for satisfactory completion of the program

Participants requesting CEU’s are provided with a Lynchburg College certificate that includes:

                Participant’s name

                Title of the program

                Date of the program or program completion date if a series of sessions

                Number of CEU’s awarded

If sponsored by a professional organization, other professional CEU provider information as required.

 

The certificate format can be obtained from the Vice President for Graduate Studies.

 

Following the program, the program tracking form must be completed and turned into theVice President for Graduate Studies so the Registrar’s office has the required information for record keeping.

 

Budget/Revenue

For each proposed CEU offering, the sponsoring program must include a budget as a part of the proposal. The budget must conform to the following policies:

1.  The proposed budget must include line items for revenues (i.e., fees charged) and expenses (i.e., promotion/public relations, instructional materials, printing, faculty salaries, consultant/instructor fees,  travel, other expenses) as well as descriptions/justifications for each.

 

2.  The direct expenses for the CEU offering are deducted from the income.

 

3.  The College receives 20 percent of the remaining revenue to cover overhead costs, unless there are no charges for

salary. In that case, the College does not receive a direct percentage of the income.

 

4.  Faculty salary, if any, is computed as 50 percent of the remaining revenue, not to exceed $5,000, after the expenses and College overhead portion are deducted.

 

5. Any profits remaining after all expenses (direct costs, College overhead, salary) are covered revert to the sponsoring program, center, or school.

 

Space/facilities arrangements

On campus CEU offerings must be scheduled with the events coordinator according to existing policy.

 

Off campus CEU offerings must provide documentation of the facilities arrangements. Any fees associated with the use of off campus facilities must be listed as expenses in the proposed budget.

 

Procedure for CE Program Submission and Approval

The following materials should be reviewed by the School Dean or Administrative Head (to ensure documents are complete and budget planning adequate).  Once reviewed, the checklist should be signed; the checklist and all components should then be submitted as a package to the Vice President for Graduate Studies at least 30 days prior to the planned program. 

  • Program Objectives (Learner Outcomes) & Content Outline
  • Instructional Methods
  • Methods for assessing Learner Outcomes
  • List of faculty teaching & credentials
  • Information relative to any other CEU provider involved (i.e. professional group)
  • Dates for program
  • Length of program and number of CEUs (computed according to contact hour definition in LC policy)
  • Target participant group; anticipated numbers
  • Copy of program evaluation tool to be used (one sample is attached; it may have questions added or another tool may be used)
  • Budget proposal (complete attached Budget Form)
  • Space/facilities arrangements

Checklist for Continuing Education Proposals.

 All program facilitators should complete this checklist and send it as the first page along with the program materials listed to the appropriate dean or supervisor.  Once reviewed as complete, the dean or supervisor signs the form and sends the proposal package to the Vice President for Graduate Studies who will indicate final approval and return a copy of this form to the Program Facilitator.

Included

 

 

Program Objectives (Learner Outcomes):

Clear concise statements of intended outcomes

 

Content Outline:

Matches intended outcomes

 

Instructional Methods:

Appropriate for intended outcomes

 

Assessment Methods:

Assessment methods demonstrate achievement of intended outcomes

 

List of faculty teaching & credentials

 

 

Information relative to any other CEU provider involved (i.e. professional group)

 

 

Dates for program

 

 

Length of program and number of CEUs (computed according to contact hour definition in LC policy)

 

Target participant group; anticipated numbers

 

 

Copy of program evaluation tool to be used :

Measures participants’ reactions, amount of learning,  behavior changes or other aspects of the total program

 

Budget proposal (complete attached Budget Form)

 

 

Space/facilities arrangements

 

 

 

 _____________________________________                         ______________________

Signature of Program Facilitator                                                        Date

  

______________________________________                       _______________________

Signature of Dean/Supervisor                                                           Date

  

______________________________________                       _______________________

Signature of Vice President for Graduate Studies                           Date

 

!    Approved                               !   Not Approved

 


CEU Program Budget Proposal

Event___________________________________Dates___________________________

Sponsoring program_______________________Contact Person____________________

School__________________________________Phone___________________________

 

 

Projected Income

Actual Income

Registration (  ) at ($   )

$

$

Sales

$

$

Other

$

$

TOTAL INCOME

$

$

 

Projected Expenses

Actual Expenses

Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

       Consultants

$

$

       Printing

$

$

      Postage

$

$

      Instructional Materials

$

$

     Travel

$

$

     Promotion/P R

$

$

Other expenses

$

$

TOTAL EXPENSES

$

$

College Overhead (20%)

$

$

Salary (50%, not to exceed $5,000)

 

 

Remaining revenue for program,center,school

 

 

 

 

 

CEU Program Participant List

Send this form to the Vice President for Graduate Studies within a week after the program is presented.  Make additional copies as needed.

 

 Program Title  ________________________________________________________________________

 Date/s   ___________________________

 Sponsoring program  _______________________      Number of CEUs Awarded  ________

 Program presenters  _______________________       _______________________

                               _______________________       _______________________

         

 Participant

Social Security Number

Other Certificate/ License Number

Assessment Results (S/U)

CEUs Earned*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* If CEUs vary from what is listed in header above, include those that are different in the space provided.

 

Outreach and Service Education Activities Report Form

This form should be completed by any unit or individual offering non-credit or non-CEU educational activities sponsored by the College.   Attach a copy of any program materials provided to participants and send with this form to the Dean of Graduate Studies within the week after the program is held.

 Title of program _______________________________________________________

 Date/s of program _________________________Number of attendees (headcount)    _________

 Sponsoring unit/program  ___________________________

 Facilitators or program presenters   _______________________       _______________________

                                                                _______________________       _______________________              _______________________       _______________________

  Program materials attached.

  No program materials provided.

Description of the program:  

 

 

Program Feedback Form

Session/Title:                                                                                                                                              _______________________________________________

Presenter:                                                                                                                                              ______________________________________________

Rate this session by checking the appropriate box for each item below:

                                                                            Excellent                Acceptable                Poor            NA

1.   Usefulness of content.                                  □             □             □             □             □                  □

2.   Effectiveness of presenter/s.                       □             □             □             □             □                  □

3.   Effectiveness of audiovisual aids.              □             □             □             □             □                  □

4.   Effectiveness of handouts.                          □             □             □             □             □                  □

5.   Opportunities for interaction.                      □             □             □             □             □                  □

6.   Match to your expectations from
program information.                                   □             □             □             □             □                  □

7.       Overall effectiveness.                                □             □             □             □             □                  □

 

What did you learn that you could apply in your own setting?

 

Name one or two things the presenter did that helped you learn in this session.

 

Share one way this session might be improved.

 

4.9 GRADING SYSTEM

Faculty should consult the College Catalogue for a detailed description of the grading system.

 

Grades are issued at the middle of each semester for freshmen and students on academic probation. Also, notices of unsatisfactory work (D+, D, D-, F, U for S/U courses) are assigned to students where warranted. Final grades are given at the end of each semester. Both midterm and final grades are distributed to students and mailed to parents of dependent students.

The principle of academic freedom gives an instructor broad discretion in establishing the goals for a course, in establishing the criteria by which student achievement is to be assessed, and in making decisions about what a student has accomplished according to those criteria. Thus, except in unusual circumstances, an instructor's decision about a grade may not be overruled.

 

A student may, of course, request that his or her instructor review a grade for any required work for a course.

 

A student who believes a final grade is in error should first discuss the matter with the instructor. If the student fails to persuade the instructor, the student may appeal the case to the dean of the school in which the course is listed in the Catalogue. The instructor and the student shall be notified in writing of the recommendation of the school dean. A student may make a final appeal to the Office of the Vice President and Dean for Academic Affairs, who will notify, in writing, the instructor and the student of his or her decision. Other than the course instructor, only the Vice President and Dean for Academic Affairs may change a grade.

 

4.9.1  Extra-Institutional Learning - Awarding Credit  

a.)  Reliable and valid evaluation of student achievement is the sine qua non in awarding credit.  Experience, whether it be acquired at work, in social settings, in the library, at home or in the formal classroom, is in itself an inadequate basis for awarding credit.  Increased attention to evaluation procedures and techniques is necessary when learning has been attained without participation in a program of study prescribed by an educational institution.

 

b.)  Learning should be articulated, documented, and measured in the contest of the institution's role and the student's educational objective.

 

c.)  The College will evaluate extra-institutional learning and award credit only in subject-matter fields in which it has available faculty expertise, or where it can rely on nationally validated examinations or other procedures for establishing credit equivalencies.  Normally, the College will evaluate learning and award credit only in subject fields in which it offers comparable courses or curricula, though elective credit appropriately may be excepted.

 

d.)  Where applicable, the College will follow the recommendations of the American Council on Education published in The National Guide to Credit Recommendations for Non-collegiate Courses and in the Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services in so far as these relate to specific courses or examinations, though not to military occupational specialties unless these are based upon such courses and examinations.

 

4.10  STUDENTS

4.10.1 POLICY STATEMENT FOR STUDENT PUBLICATIONS AND BROADCAST MEDIA (approved 09/20/02)

 Scope of Application of Policy

This policy shall apply to any student newspaper, magazine, publication, or other media, including broadcast media, at Lynchburg College that is supported in whole or in part by College funds.  

 

Responsibility for Media

Responsibility for Lynchburg College media rests in the Board of Trustees.  The Board shall delegate authority over media through the Office of the President.  Direct responsibility under the President shall reside in the appropriate Dean or Vice President, a faculty or staff advisor and/or editor, and a student editor-in-chief (if applicable.)  In cases where the budget allocation for the media resides within an academic program and the production of the media is in whole or in part a classroom experience, the media are protected under the faculty right of academic freedom as described in the Faculty Handbook.

 

Faculty/Staff Advisor

Each publication subject to this policy shall have a faculty or staff advisor and/or editor.  The role of the faculty/staff advisor and/or editor of student publications shall be to assist the student staff in the transfer of the theories of publication/broadcast to successful, effective practice.  Details of the advisor’s and/or editor’s functions may be delineated by further policies set by the individual publication in a manner consistent with provisions of this policy statement.   

 

Submissions to Student Media

Each publication will develop individual policies on advertisements, submissions, deadlines, authorship, editing of submissions, and any other relevant criteria related to publishable material.  These policies will be posted on the publication's web site at least annually and will be available upon request from the faculty/staff advisor and/or editor.  Advertising policies must be consistent with the policies set out in The Hornet.  

 

Content

Material must not violate any postage, copyright, obscenity, libel or privacy laws.  The student editor (if applicable) shall make decisions concerning content and publication/broadcast practices in consultation with the faculty/staff advisor and/or editor.  Where disagreement between the publication’s advisor and/or editor and student editor occurs on particular content, conflicts of opinion will be resolved through the administrative structure of the academic or administrative unit housing the publication.

 

 

Freedom of the Press

The statement of student rights published in The Hornet affirms and guarantees freedom of the press.  Therefore, the prevailing legal principles of freedom of the press shall be respected with regard to all student media at Lynchburg College.  Accordingly, this policy shall be interpreted and applied in a manner consistent with the prevailing judicial interpretations of the meaning and substance of laws pertaining to the freedom of the press.

 

Disclaimer statement for reproduction in each college publication

Publications subject to this policy will print a disclaimer in the appropriate place that states that the opinions expressed in the publication are not necessarily those of Lynchburg College.  A suggested statement is below.  

 

Opinions expressed in (Name of Publication) are not necessarily the opinions of Lynchburg College.  The full text of the Lynchburg College policy on student publications is available in The Hornet.  Guidelines for submissions to (Name of Publication) may be found (location).  Submissions must not violate any postage, copyright, obscenity, privacy, or libel laws.