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Academic Policies and
Procedures
UNDERGRADUATE INFORMATION
GRADUATE INFORMATION
Undergraduate
Information
The following pages contain academic regulations and other information of
interest to all students pursuing an undergraduate degree at Binghamton.
In addition to the all-University regulations discussed here, regulations
specifically pertaining to the various schools at the University appear
in the school sections later in this Bulletin. All students are expected
to be familiar with the regulations in this section and in the section for
the school in which they are enrolled, and are responsible for their observance.
For interpretations of these regulations or for answers to questions about
specific points of academic policy, Harpur College students should consult
the Academic Advising Office, and those enrolled in the School of Management,
Decker School of Nursing, School of Education and Human Development, or
the Watson School should consult the school's dean's office.
Students whose circumstances or aspirations are not covered by standard
academic policies, or who wish to request exceptions to standard policies,
may seek a waiver by filing a petition in their dean's office (Academic
Advising Office, for Harpur College students). If the initial petition is
not resolved to their satisfaction, they may appeal according to guidelines
available in each dean's office. To aid students with their appeals, the
Student Association provides an ombudsperson.
Undergraduate General
Education Program
Convinced that there are several areas of knowledge and experience that
ought to be central to the academic experience of every Binghamton University
undergraduate student, Binghamton has adopted a comprehensive General Education
curriculum. This program is foundational, that is, it is a lower-division
program that will normally be completed by the end of the second year of
coursework. Through the establishment of this curriculum, the faculty encourages
students to investigate the variety of subjects taught at Binghamton and
to broaden their horizons by taking a wide range of classes. The intended
result is that students will shape their curricular goals in the context
of several broad areas of learning. These are:
Category 1: Language and Communication (one course)
Both in the professions and the workplace in general, the exchange of ideas
is predicated upon proficiency in communication, particularly written communication.
Discipline-based Writing Emphasis courses are lower-division courses in
any of the departmental or divisional courses at the university that emphasize
writing as a process of revision and require a minimum of 20 pages of writing.
They include courses in which the writing is done in a language other than
English. At least 50 percent of the course grade is based on student writing.
Category 2: Creating a Global Vision (two courses)
The complexity of the modern world demands that students attain a heightened
awareness both of the plurality of cultures that have contributed to the
making of the United States and to the interdependence of the cultures of
the world.
A) Pluralism in the United States courses consider three or more cultural
groups in the United States in terms of their specific experiences as well
as their relationships with one another. Each course takes substantial account
of at least three of the following: African Americans, American Indians,
Asian Americans, European Americans, and Latino Americans.
B) Global interdependencies courses consider how various regions of the
world influence and interact with one another.
Category 3: Science and Mathematics (two courses)
Students need to have an understanding of the methods of investigation typical
of the natural sciences and must be able to make individual observations
and quantitative measurements in a hands-on environment. In order to have
the experience of discovery through the use of logic and reasoning, students
also need to study mathematical methods and reasoning.
A) Laboratory science courses emphasize the formulation and testing of hypotheses
and the collection, analysis, and interpretation of data. Each course includes
a minimum of 10 laboratory meetings, exercises, field studies, or practica.
B) Mathematics/reasoning courses include any course in the Mathematics Department
numbered 220 or above, any course in the Computer Science Department numbered
140 or above (except CS 205), and include other courses such as those in
logic or statistics that have a substantial and sufficient content of mathematical
methods and reasoning. Appropriate advanced placement credit may be used
to satisfy this requirement.
Category 4: Aesthetic Perspective (one course)
Through aesthetic experience, students gain an expanded sense of culture,
a greater appreciation of the diverse ways in which human beings express
themselves, and deeper insight into the role of the imagination in the creative
process.
Aesthetic perspective courses permit students to engage in the study or
practice of forms of artistic expression in such fields as cinema, music,
the visual arts, theater, and literature. Courses in aesthetic theory are
also appropriate.
Category 5: Physical Activity/Wellness (two credits)
Exercise, body awareness, and wellness are essential components of a healthy
and productive lifestyle. The dictum we follow is "a sound mind in
a sound body."
A) Physical activity courses devote at least 50 percent of their time to
the performance of physical exercise designed to develop one or more of
the following attributes: neuromuscular skill, muscular strength and endurance,
cardiovascular endurance, and flexibility.
B) Wellness courses deal with such topics as diet and nutrition, physical
development, substance abuse, human sexuality, relaxation, or physical,
mental, and emotional fitness. Their focus is on developing a healthy lifestyle
rather than on simply providing information about the human body.
The requirement may be fulfilled in any of the following ways:
1. Completion of a one-credit (or more) physical activity course and a one-credit
(or more) wellness course.
2. Completion of a one-credit Physical Activity/Wellness course and one
of the following:
one-credit activity course;
one-credit wellness course;
one-credit activity/wellness course.
3. Completion of a two-credit (or more) course which combines activity and
wellness.
Note: Physical activity and wellness components may be combined to create
physical activity/wellness courses.
RESTRICTIONS AND EXCEPTIONS
· The General Education requirement will be waived for all transfer
students with an associate's degree or with junior standing (defined as
57 completed credit hours). Transfer students with fewer than 57 hours of
credit will have to meet the overall General Education requirement but may
use appropriate transfer credits to satisfy particular course requirements.
The determination of which transfer credits satisfy General Education requirements
will be the responsibility of the evaluator of transfer credit in each of
the undergraduate schools.
· General Education courses may also be counted as satisfying college
and major requirements.
· Certain courses are designated as meeting the criteria for more than
one of the General Education categories. When a course is so designated,
students may use it to satisfy only one of the General Education course
requirements. There is a single exception to this rule: discipline-based
writing emphasis courses may also satisfy one other General Education requirement.
· General Education courses may not be taken pass/fail, unless that
is the mandatory grade option in the course (as is the case, for example,
with physical education courses).
· Since the General Education program is intended to foster a shared
educational experience in the students' first two years at Binghamton, advanced
placement credit may not be used to satisfy General Education requirements.
The one exception is the mathematics/reasoning requirement: advanced placement
credit may be used to fulfill this requirement.
· For all General Education requirements a "course" is understood
to be four credits. There are exceptions to this rule: 1. Transfer courses
that earned three credits at the student's original school. 2. Physical
activity/wellness courses. The specific credit hour criteria for these courses
are defined above. 3. Two-credit laboratory science courses and one credit
laboratory courses which have a four credit pre- or co-requisite.
SUMMARY OF GENERAL
EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS
(Courses that satisfy General Education requirements will be so designated
in the Schedule of Classes each semester.)
1. Discipline-based writing: composition (C)* 4 credits
2. American pluralism course (P) 4 creditsd
3. Global interdependencies course (G) 4 credits
4. Science laboratory course (L) 1-4 credits
5. Mathematics/reasoning course (M) 4 credits
6. Aesthetic perspective course (A) 4 credits
7. Physical activity/wellness half-course (Y, S, B)** 2 credits
TOTAL 25-28 credits
* The code letter attached to a course in the Schedule of Classes means
that this course fulfills the particular General Education requirement listed.
** (Y=activity; S=wellness; B=both)
Determination of
Graduation Requirements
Graduation requirements for the undergraduate schools on the Binghamton
campus are listed in the individual school sections of this Bulletin. In
general, matriculated students follow the requirements for graduation listed
in the Bulletin current at the time they are admitted. However, students
who interrupt enrollment for three or more consecutive semesters (not counting
summer sessions) are governed by the Bulletin in effect when they are readmitted.
Exceptions are made for students eligible to continue at Binghamton who
are forced to leave because of involuntary recall to military service.
With the departmental advisor's consent and approval from the dean's office
(Academic Advising Office for Harpur College students), students may elect
a later Bulletin under which to fulfill the degree requirements; they may
not elect an earlier Bulletin nor use a combination of requirements from
different Bulletins.
No Bulletin more than 10 years old may be used under any circumstances.
Should a student maintain continuous enrollment under a Bulletin older than
10 years, the Bulletin under which degree requirements are to be completed
is determined by the dean's office (or Academic Advising Office) in consultation
with the student's departmental advisor.
Previously non-matriculated students who then matriculate are governed by
the requirements of the Bulletin in effect at the time of their matriculation.
When courses required in older Bulletins are no longer offered, or in other
special cases, course substitutions may be made with the approval of appropriate
department chairs, departmental advisors, or deans.
Changes in regulations concerning grading systems, withdrawals, academic
actions, attendance at other institutions, etc., may be made by appropriate
University governing bodies; they become effective on the date specified
in the legislation. The University reserves the right at any time to make
changes deemed necessary in the regulations, fees, courses, or programs
described in this Bulletin, and to cancel any course if registration does
not justify its continuance or if qualified faculty members become unavailable.
Residence Requirements
To receive a degree, students in the Decker School of Nursing, School of
Management, or Harpur College must take at least 7-1/2 courses (30 credits)
while in residence at their school. These 7-1/2 courses must be the last
7-1/2 courses toward the degree, unless students petition the appropriate
dean's office (or Academic Advising Office) and obtain in advance an exception
to this rule. Watson School students must also take at least 30 credits
in residence, of which half (15 credits) are Watson School courses; exceptions
to this policy may be made only by petition to the school's Academic Standards
Committee. Students in the School of Education and Human Development must
take at least eight courses while in residence at the school. These courses
do not have to be the last eight courses toward the degree.
Classification of Students
A student must pass a minimum of 24 credits to be classified a sophomore;
57 credits to be classified a junior; and 88 credits to be classified a
senior. For this purpose, incompletes are counted as credits passed.
Program Load
The term "full-time student" is applied to a person carrying 12
or more credits. Full-time students attending Harpur College, the School
of Management, the Decker School, or the School of Education and Human Development
normally enroll in four courses each semester. Watson School students are
considered full-time if they register for 12 or more credits each semester.
All courses, except where indicated in this Bulletin, carry four credits.
Those carrying four credits also carry the assignment of a minimum of one
or two hours per week of independent or tutorial work under the guidance
of the faculty, outside of regularly scheduled classes. Outside reading
and study are required to complete classroom assignments. Students are also
expected to meet several times each semester with the instructor to obtain
supervision and periodic evaluation of work done outside of regularly scheduled
classes.
There is no rigid pattern of class meetings. In such courses as beginning
languages and sciences, a course may have classes and laboratory sessions
five or six hours a week. Other courses may meet three or four hours a week.
As noted above, however, time spent in the classroom is only a part of the
student's workload. In general a "course" represents the pursuit
of a skill or a body of knowledge that engages approximately 25 percent
of the formal academic effort of a full-time student during the semester.
Undergraduate students are allowed to register for no more than 18 credit
hours (not including physical education courses), unless they have filed
an academic petition form for an overload. Petitions to register for an
overload are considered on an individual basis when submitted to the appropriate
dean's office or to the Academic Advising Office.
Attendance
Students are expected to attend all scheduled classes and laboratories.
An instructor may deny a student the privilege of taking the final examination
or of receiving credit for the course, or may prescribe other academic penalties,
if the student misses more than 25 percent of the total class sessions.
Excessive tardiness may count as absence. In cases of excessive absence,
the instructor may request the appropriate dean's office or the Academic
Advising Office to investigate.
Transfer of Summer and Visiting Student Credits
Once students are matriculated at Binghamton University, they may obtain
credit toward graduation for courses taken at other institutions. Harpur
College students wishing to have these courses count toward their major
and all students in Decker, Watson, Management, or the School of Education
and Human Development should submit a "Petition to Take Courses at
Another Institution," approved by their appropriate school or department,
to the Academic Advising Office before taking the course(s).
Adjustments are made in the transferred credits when the credit system at
the other institution is different; e.g., credits taken under a quarter
system, rather than a semester system, are transferred to Binghamton at
two-thirds of their quarter-credit value. In general, credits may be transferred
only if they were earned for courses that are essentially theoretical rather
than practical in nature (e.g., not practice teaching or typing courses),
and if the student received a grade of C- or better, or the equivalent (C
or better for students in the School of Management).
These guidelines apply to courses taken at other institutions during the
summer, correspondence courses, study-abroad courses sponsored by other
units of the State University of New York, and courses taken through the
Visiting Student Program (which involves a semester or a year of study at
one of many participating public and private schools in New York State).
Students participating in study-abroad programs sponsored by American universities
not a part of the State University of New York system, as well as students
studying for a time at a foreign university, should first petition to transfer
the credits they plan to earn. Upon completion of the program, a transcript
or official grade statement should be sent to the Academic Advising Office
or the appropriate dean's office.
Program Planning
For students in Harpur College who have not formally declared a major field
of concentration, the Academic Advising Office provides assistance in program
planning. In addition, some schools at Binghamton assign faculty advisors
to help entering students formulate their programs of study.
When students have formally declared a major field of concentration and
have been accepted for specialized study, they are assigned a faculty advisor,
if one has not been assigned previously. Thereafter, programs of study are
prepared in consultation with that major faculty advisor. Harpur College
students are encouraged to continue to consult the Academic Advising Office
regarding all-college requirements and other general matters.
Progress Toward Degree (DARS)
All undergraduate students at the University receive a Progress Toward Degree
report from the Degree Audit Reporting System. This report is sent each
semester to students prior to Advance Registration (course request period)
by the Office of the University Registrar. The report shows the students
what program requirements have been completed and what requirements are
remaining for their degree. If students have questions regarding the Progress
Toward Degree report, they should consult with a professional advisor in
their school or with their major departmental advisor.
Also a Progress Toward Degree report can be obtained at any time by a student
going to the Registrar's Office (SW-119) and ordering one. Overnight service
is provided for this request and there is a $2 fee for this service.
Double Degree Program
A student may earn two degrees in very different fields by completing a
significant amount of work (typically 30 credits) beyond that required for
one degree and satisfying requirements for both programs. Harpur College
offers combined programs of study with the School of Management, the Decker
School of Nursing, and certain programs in the Watson School. To learn more
about requirements and application procedures, contact the Academic Advising
Office or the appropriate dean's office.
Course Offerings
Courses are listed under the individual school sections of this Bulletin.
The date given after the course title indicates the academic year in which
the school expects to offer the course; however, course offerings are contingent
on availability of faculty, classroom and laboratory space, and sufficient
enrollment. The Schedule of Classes, published prior to advance registration
and regular registration, is the final list of courses for each semester.
Changes to the schedule made after publication may be viewed on-line via
the BUSI system.
Course Numbering
and Prerequisites
All Binghamton University undergraduate schools use a course-numbering system
from 100 through 499. While each school may define the tiers more specifically,
all schools define 100-299 as lower division and 300-499 as upper division.
Harpur College numbering system:
100-199 Introductory courses, normally with no prerequisites, open to all
students.
200-299 Intermediate courses, with or without prerequisites.
300-399 Intermediate courses, normally with prerequisites.
400-49 Advanced courses with specific course prerequisites.
Professional schools' numbering system:
100-199 Lower-division introductory courses, no prerequisites, open to all
students.
200-299 Lower-division intermediate courses, with or without prerequisites.
300-399 Upper-division intermediate courses, intended primarily for juniors
and seniors, with prerequisites (courses, class standing, or special permission).
400-499 Upper-division advanced courses, intended for seniors, with specific
course prerequisites.
Within these levels, certain numbers are set aside to indicate particular
learning experiences: -91 indicates a teaching practicum course; -95, an
internship; -97, an independent study; -98-99, honors or thesis work.
Program planning must include the early identification of and registration
for prerequisites to courses that the student intends to take at a later
time. All prerequisites are included in the course descriptions that appear
elsewhere in this Bulletin. When there are special reasons, students may
register for a course without having completed the prerequisites, provided
they first obtain the consent of the course instructor.
Registration and Changes
in Program
There are three formal registration periods for each major semester (fall
and spring): The course request period (advance registration) occurs during
the mid-portion of the semester prior to classes starting; the last two
weeks of a semester is on-line, end-of-semester registration for an upcoming
semester; and there is a brief on-line registration period prior to the
start of classes for students who may have missed one of the two earlier
periods. Only eligible students may participate. All student registration
activity is done by students using the Binghamton University Student Information
(BUSI) system from the Information Centers located around campus and in
the residence halls. Also, students may access the system through personal
computers with a modem or the World Wide Web (http://www.binghamton.edu/).
Students cannot be registered if they have an outstanding financial delinquency
with the University. Students are not officially registered until all tuition
and fees are paid or arrangements for such payments have been approved by
the Student Accounts Office. Students who have not made financial arrangements
with the Student Accounts Office by the first day of classes are subject
to a late registration fee.
In addition to registration activities, Binghamton University also conducts
an add/drop period during each semester. Students may add a course to their
schedule during the first two weeks of classes prior to the announced add
deadline. During the first nine weeks of classes, before the announced drop
deadline, students may 1) drop a course without having a grade recorded;
2) change a course from credit to audit status; 3) change grading options
for individual courses. These policies apply to courses offered on a full-term
basis. Add and drop deadlines for courses offered for a half-semester or
less are adjusted accordingly.
All course adds or drops after the deadline dates require academic approval
of the dean's offices and an associated late fee. Such late requests should
be made on the Late Add/Drop Petition Form obtained from dean's offices
or Academic Advising. Students must cite extraordinary circumstances to
justify a late drop, that is, circumstances beyond their control and beyond
their ability to foresee. Poor judgment or academic incompetence does not
qualify as an extraordinary circumstance.
Binghamton University Student Information (BUSI) System
All students at Binghamton University have access to an on-line, information
service through the Binghamton University Student Information (BUSI) system.
There are approximately 60 computer terminals located at several Information
Centers around campus and in the residence halls. Students may also use
the Computer PODS and can dial into the system on personal computer with
a modem. Students may check their current schedule of classes to verify
which courses they're registered for, check their grades, check their final
examination schedule, check to see whether they have any financial obligations
to the University, register for classes, and change grading options. Additional
features will continue to be added to the BUSI system.
Credit by Examination
Credit for knowledge gained outside the classroom may be obtained by passing
tests prepared by the New York State Education Department (Regents College
Examination Program or RCEP) and the College Entrance Examination Board
(College-Level Examination Program or CLEP). Students may apply certain
credits earned through published subject examinations, including those offered
as transfer credit, toward fulfillment of degree requirements. University
credit may be given for subject tests only, not for general examinations
under CLEP.
Students may count up to 32 credits of external examination credit toward
the degree. In addition to RCEP and CLEP, this total also includes credit
earned through Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, U.S. Armed
Forces Institute/Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Services
(USAF/DANTES), all forms of credit by examination from other institutions,
and credit through correspondence.
Unless a department files a different recommendation, four all-college or
elective credits are granted to enrolled and registered students with a
grade of C or higher in each CLEP and RCEP subject examination. Acceptance
of these examinations for major credit is governed by the policy of the
school and/or department. Credit for external examinations is awarded through
the Academic Advising Office.
Grading Systems
At the end of each semester, students are sent a grade report by the Registrar's
Office. For a discussion of the grading system used in each undergraduate
school, please see the school sections in this Bulletin. Under appropriate
circumstances, students may take undergraduate courses in any of the schools
at Binghamton University. Courses are usually graded according to the offering
school's grading system; e.g., a course offered by the School of Management
is graded using that school's system, and a Harpur College course is graded
according to the Harpur system. However, if students petition the instructor
for an exception, they may be graded according to the system in use at their
home schools. (Thus, a student majoring in Harpur College who takes a School
of Management course must petition the instructor and the Academic Advising
Office in order to be graded according to the Harpur College system.) Petitions
should be submitted by the deadline for change-of-grading option. Students
should realize that not only do grading systems differ from school to school,
but the various schools also have their own policies on taking courses in
the other Binghamton University schools and on petitioning for grading options.
These grading systems are described in this Bulletin in the introductory
section of each school. Students wishing to register a complaint about alleged
unfair grading procedures should speak with their instructor or the appropriate
department chair.
Notation of Incomplete
A notation of incomplete, rather than a grade, may be reported by the instructor
when a student has not been able to complete a course for what, in the instructor's
judgment, is a compelling reason. The submission of an incomplete means
that a student has made a substantial commitment to the course, but some
remainder of the work must still be accomplished before an evaluation can
be made.
Students must determine with the instructor what work is necessary for completion
of the course and when the work must be submitted.
Ordinarily all Incomplete notations must be replaced with grades by the
end of the next semester, whether or not the student is in college. Incomplete
notations change to an F grade at the end of the next semester unless an
official extension has been filed with the Registrar's Office. It is the
student's responsibility to initiate a request for an extension, having
reached agreement with the instructor for an alternate completion date.
The appropriate form, Request for Extension of Incomplete Grade in an Undergraduate
Course, may be obtained from dean's offices or the Registrar's Office.
Rules Governing
Academic Life
Academic Integrity
The faculty assumes that themes, term papers, studio work, results of laboratory
experiments, examinations, and computer-generated material submitted by
the student represent the student's own work. The presentation for academic
credit of the same work in more than one course is prohibited, unless a
joint project receives the express and prior consent of the instructors
involved. The following remarks are intended to clarify this for all students:
Cooperation in Preparing Course Material
Cooperative study of course work is one of the legitimate ways to master
a subject. Joint discussion of problems is, therefore, encouraged. Sometimes
instructors encourage collaborative methods of learning, including peer
review of papers. This too can be a productive way of mastering material
and promoting one's writing abilities. Students should be aware that wherever
such learning results in an instructor's evaluation, they are responsible
for acknowledging their membership in the group fostering their learning.
Written Work
Much course work is assigned to students individually rather than in groups.
In carrying out such assignments, a student may ask others for criticism
of a piece of writing. Effective learning is often fostered by cooperation
and assistance. Nonetheless, such assistance should never be so complete
or so detailed that the piece of writing becomes more the work of the person
assisting than of the student. That would be a form of misrepresentation.
Similarly, a student may occasionally feel the need for preliminary aid
in understanding the principles involved in various problems and the methods
to be used in solving them (for example, in mathematics and foreign language
courses). Such aid is legitimate, but in every case the student must be
responsible for the preparation and presentation of assignments. Without
these precautions, the student may unwittingly become involved in collaborative
work so extensive that it may be considered plagiarism.
Laboratory Experiments
Although students may be permitted or required to cooperate with one or
more other students in a laboratory experiment, many experiments are to
be done by the students independently, and all require some independent
work. For students to submit the results of another's experiment as their
own, or to accept unauthorized help in an experiment, constitutes academic
dishonesty.
Credit
All sources of assistance-published or unpublished-are to be scrupulously
acknowledged in every piece of writing and in oral reports.
Academic Dishonesty
Academic dishonesty refers to acts of plagiarism, cheating, and falsification
of research data. Plagiarism is taking and passing off as one's own the
ideas, writings, computer-generated material, etc., of others: that is,
the incorporation into one's written or oral reports of any unacknowledged
published, unpublished, or oral material from the work of another. It is
the right of the faculty member to whom such reports are submitted to decide
whether plagiarism has been committed. Obviously, no faculty member makes
such a determination without evidence. Factors contributing to that determination
include the degree of dependence on unacknowledged outside material, inadequate
acknowledgment, or the presence of misleading references. In any particular
course, students should contact the individual faculty member for information
about acceptable and appropriate methods of acknowledgment.
Cheating is using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information,
or study aids in any academic exercise.
Falsification of research data involves the intentional misrepresentation
of circumstances, procedures, participants, and/or results of research projects.
For additional information on what constitutes plagiarism, contact the Writing
Center, LN 1209.
Adjudication
Cases of alleged plagiarism, cheating, and falsification of research data
reported by faculty members are referred to the appropriate committee for
adjudication, e.g., the Harpur College Academic Honesty Committee.
Academic Grievance
Procedures
If a student has a complaint about a grade or other academic grievance,
the first step is to talk to the instructor involved. If the matter is not
settled satisfactorily, the student should contact the department chair
or division director about the complaint and submit the complaint through
the formal grievance procedure established by the department. The department
decision may, if the student still feels aggrieved, be appealed to the appropriate
dean.
Copyright Law
Students should be aware that copyright laws cover photocopying and other
reproductions of materials. Students should contact faculty members or library
staff for information regarding these laws.
Classroom Discipline
Any instructor may exclude from attendance any student who, in the instructor's
judgment, has seriously impaired the class's ability to achieve the objectives
of the course.
The student may appeal the instructor's action to the department or school
via the department's grievance procedure. If the student is not satisfied
with the ruling or recommendation emerging from the grievance hearings,
an appeal may be brought to the appropriate dean.
Attendance in Classes
Students are expected to attend all scheduled classes, laboratories, and
discussions. Instructors may establish their own attendance criteria for
a course. They may establish both the number of absences permitted to receive
credit for the course, as well as the number of absences after which the
final grade may be adjusted downward. In such cases it is expected that
the instructor stipulate such requirements in the syllabus and that the
syllabus be made available to students at or near the beginning of classes.
In the absence of such statements, instructors have the right to deny a
student the privilege of taking the final examination or of receiving credit
for the course, or may prescribe other academic penalties if the student
misses more than 25 percent of the total class sessions. An instructor may
deny a student the privilege of taking the final examination or of receiving
credit for the course, or may prescribe other academic penalties, if the
student misses more than 25 percent of the total class sessions. Excessive
tardiness may count as absence. In cases of excessive absence, the instructor
may request the Academic Advising Office or other appropriate school office
to investigate.
Access To University Records
The Freedom of Information Law (Public Officers Law, Article 6), effective
January 1, 1978, provides rights of access to University records, except
those that fall within one of the nine categories of deniable records [section
87(2)].
Written application for examination and copying of accessible records must
be made on the approved forms to the Records Access Officer, Office of University
Relations, Couper Administration Building 141, during regular business hours.
Appeals of a denial of requested information may be taken within 30 days
to the SUNY Office of Governmental and University Relations in Albany.
Student Records
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), commonly
known as the Buckley Amendment, provides students with access to their files
and assures them of the confidentiality of their records. Undergraduates'
main academic files are kept in the University Registrar's Office. Graduate
records are kept in the Office of the Vice Provost for Graduate Studies
and Research. The University is not required by legislation to make available
to students files kept in the Public Safety Office, University Counseling
Center, or Student Health Center. Students with files in these offices should
contact the appropriate office with any questions.
There is to be no oral or written release of personally identifiable information
from any student's educational record without the signed and dated consent
of the student, except to:
a. authorized University personnel defined by the person responsible
for the file as having a reasonable need to know
b. state and federal education authorities to whom information must
be made available by statute and/or for the audit of federal programs
c. organizations and educational agencies involved in testing, administering
financial aid, or improving instruction, provided the information is presented
anonymously
d. accrediting agencies
e. appropriate persons to comply with a court-ordered subpoena, in
which case an attempt is made to notify the student in advance
f. appropriate persons in the case of emergency
g. University counsel
Information printed in the University Directory and information routinely
released to the public, such as Commencement listings, election results,
and rosters of athletic teams, is regarded as public or "directory
information'' and, as such, may be released without student consent.
The following information is defined as directory information and can be
routinely released unless specified differently by the student:
Name
Local address and telephone number
Home address and telephone number
Class level
Degree information (including any associated majors, certificates,
or minors)
Dates of attendance
Students should be aware that even though they may request and receive directory
exclusion status, it is a federal requirement that the University promptly
provide lenders and guarantee agencies with any information it has regarding
the last known address, surname, employer, and employer address of a borrower
who attends or has attended the University.
Information which is not classified as directory information and cannot
be released to third parties without written consent of the student includes
(but is not limited to) the following:
Grades
Grade-point average
Student course schedules (including class name, meeting times, and
meeting places)
Financial aid information
Student identification number (usually Social Security number)
Third-party sources requesting to know a student's course schedule for "emergency
purposes'' should be referred to Public Safety. Public Safety will attempt
to ascertain the nature of the emergency and contact the student with the
message.
Other Information Regarded as Public
Other information occasionally released in a routine manner to appropriate
representatives of various media for publicity purposes includes:
a. Awards and academic degrees awarded at Binghamton University
b. Participation in recognized University activities (election outcomes,
membership in athletic teams, participation in plays, etc.)
c. Personal information on members of University athletic teams (height,
weight, high school, etc.).
In addition, individual course schedules are posted for student convenience
outside the Registrar's Office (Student Services Wing 119). This information,
used heavily by students at registration time in checking the accuracy of
their own schedules, is listed by student identification number and displays
current course schedule. The listing does not identify students by name
or address.
Students with questions about their records or wishing to withhold their
name from the University Directory should contact the Registrar's Office
(x6087).
Responsible Conduct of Research Background
In response to a small number of cases of scientific misconduct, the Public
Health Service and National Science Foundation have prepared regulations
to address this issue of growing concern. The regulations developed by these
federal agencies require recipients of grants to develop policies on scientific
misconduct and adopt procedures both to uncover acts of research fraud and
to examine allegations of misconduct in the conduct of research.
On the advice of the Graduate Council and its Advisory Committee for Scholarship
and Research, Binghamton University has adopted the following policies regarding
the responsible conduct of research in all fields throughout the University.
Definition
For the purposes of this policy, misconduct is defined as fabrication, falsification,
plagiarism, deception, or other practices which seriously deviate from those
commonly accepted within the scholarly community for proposing, conducting,
or reporting research and creative scholarly activity. It does not include
honest error or honest differences in interpretations or judgments of data.
Policy
Binghamton University, in order to promote the highest standards of responsible
conduct of research, shall require a timely inquiry into any written allegation
of misconduct as defined above.
The University has established a procedure to review reports of research
misconduct. The principles associated with the policy and procedure are
as follows:
1. The University shall treat all parties with justice and fairness
and shall be sensitive to each person's reputation and responsibilities.
2. Procedures shall preserve the highest attainable degree of confidentiality
compatible with an effective investigation response.
3. Procedures shall be as expeditious as possible in leading to the
resolution of the charges in a timely manner.
4. The integrity of the process shall be maintained by carefully avoiding
any real or apparent conflict of interest.
Procedure
Reports of misconduct shall be handled in a four-stage process: (1) an inquiry
to determine whether the allegation or related issue warrants further investigation;
(2) when warranted, an investigation to collect and examine all pertinent
evidence thoroughly; (3) a formal finding on the allegation; and (4) appropriate
administrative action on the matter.
1. Inquiry
a. The contact person for allegations of research misconduct is the
associate vice provost for research. Any complainant contemplating reporting
on misconduct issues may consult with the contact person under terms of
strict confidentiality. Individuals are encouraged to make this contact.
b. An inquiry shall be made into any allegation that a complainant
provides in writing to the contact person. The purpose of this inquiry is
to determine whether a full investigation is warranted. The contact person
shall submit the original written allegation along with all evidence that
may exist, a written rebuttal prepared in response to the allegation by
the person about whom the allegation is made, and any other pertinent documentation
to the Advisory Committee on Scholarship and Research of the Graduate Council
for review. The Advisory Committee shall make a recommendation to the vice
provost for graduate studies and research on whether a formal investigation
is warranted. This process must be completed within 60 days of the receipt
of the initial allegation unless an extension of time is approved by the
vice provost.
c. If the research in question was conducted with external support,
the sponsor shall be notified when there is one or more of the following:
1. an immediate health hazard
2. need to protect sponsor resources
3. need to protect human or animal subjects
4. need to protect person reporting misconduct
d. The contact person shall be responsible for securing and maintaining
written records for all allegations.
e. If a crime is alleged to have been committed, appropriate University
officials shall be informed. In cases involving federally sponsored research,
appropriate federal officials shall also be contacted.
f. Before investigation commences, the University, after administrative
and legal consultation, will determine whether and when to inform outside
granting agencies and other researchers and publishers that an investigation
is underway. Notification to federal and other outside granting agencies
for those sponsoring programs administered through the Research Foundation
of State University of New York shall be made in accordance with applicable
regulatory requirements after consultations with the appropriate Research
Foundation legal and administrative staff.
2. Investigation
a. An investigation shall commence within 30 days of the written determination
at inquiry that an investigation is warranted.
b. An investigation shall be conducted by the vice provost after consultation
with the Advisory Committee on Scholarship and Research. The vice provost
may, if appropriate, consult with other individuals possessing the required
expertise. These individuals may be from within the University or outside
it. The vice provost shall be responsible for ensuring that no real or apparent
conflict of interest exists for any individual involved in the investigation.
c. The investigation will be completed within 120 days, or an extension
must be justified by the vice provost.
3. Finding
At the conclusion of the investigation, a written report will be prepared
documenting the allegation, the response to the allegation, supporting evidence,
and a final determination. Findings will be provided to the individual accused
of misconduct and to the appropriate vice president under whose jurisdiction
that individual reports. If allegations of misconduct have been found to
be substantiated, the individual involved shall be allowed 30 days following
receipt of the findings to submit an appeal of the findings to the vice
president for academic affairs, after which the vice president shall recommend
appropriate action to the president.
4. Actions
a. Where allegations are not substantiated, the University shall take
action to clear the reputations of those falsely accused.
b. When the findings of the investigation substantiate the allegations
of misconduct, the president shall initiate appropriate action, depending
on the nature of the misconduct and the employment status of the individual
involved, and, if the research was performed with external support, shall
notify the sponsor as to the action taken. UUP-represented employees may
be disciplined according to Article 19 of the agreement with UUP or may
be subject to such other action as the president deems appropriate.
c. The research record shall be corrected if fabricated or fraudulent
information has been published. (For further information, please contact
the vice provost for graduate studies and research, x2070.)
Student Research Projects
1. Students who intend to contact private, voluntary, or governmental
agencies as part of their research in an academic project should first ask
the faculty member who assigned the project to secure permission and cooperation
from University and agency officials.
2. Students engaged in research, independent study, internships, or other
courses/projects involving human subjects must be made fully aware of their
ethical, legal, and moral responsibilities and their potential legal/financial
liabilities when participating in such activities. Students planning research
and/or course work involving human subjects should consult their faculty
advisor for project design and methodology. The University's Human Subjects
Research Review Committee reviews and must approve all research activities
involving human subjects; HSRRC approval must be obtained prior to the initiation
of the research. The Office of Research and Sponsored Programs staff provides
the appropriate review forms and guidance to initiate the human-subjects
research review process.
3. Students planning research and/or course work involving live vertebrate
animals should consult their faculty advisor for project design and methodology.
In addition, the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) must
first review and approve such projects to assure compliance with University,
state, and federal regulations regarding the humane care and treatment of
vertebrate animals. For appropriate review forms and guidance, contact the
coordinator for animal care (LN 2430).
4. Students planning projects involving the use of recombinant DNA molecules
must consult with their faculty advisor for proper project protocol. The
Institutional Biosafety Committee oversees all research on campus involving
the use of recombinant DNA molecules in order to ensure compliance with
both University and federal regulations. IBC approval must be obtained prior
to the initiation of any research involving the use of recombinant molecules.
Further information and guidelines are available from the Office of Research
and Sponsored Programs (x6136).
5. Students planning research projects involving the use of radioactive
materials must consult with their faculty advisor for proper project protocol.
The Radioactive Safety Committee oversees all research on campus involving
the use of radioactive materials. For further information, contact the Radiation
Safety Officer at x4370.
Unlawful Sale of Dissertations, Theses, and Term Papers
The following is a reproduction of section (213b) of the Education Law of
New York State which was amended June 22, 1981, concerning the illegal sale
of term papers, theses, or dissertations:
1. No person shall, for financial consideration, or the promise of
financial consideration, prepare, offer to prepare, cause to be prepared,
sell, or offer for sale to any person any written material which the seller
knows, is informed, or has reason to believe is intended for submission
as a dissertation, thesis, term paper, essay, report or other written assignment
by a student in a university, college, academy, school, or other educational
institution to such institution or to a course, seminar, or degree program
held by such institution.
2. Nothing herein contained shall prevent such educational institution
or any member of its faculty or staff from offering courses, instruction,
counseling, or tutoring for research or writing as part of a curriculum
or other program conducted by such educational institution. Nor shall this
section prevent any educational institution or any member of its faculty
or staff from authorizing students to use statistical, computer, or any
other services which may be required or permitted by such educational institution
in the preparation, research or writing of a dissertation, thesis, term
paper, essay, report or other written assignment. Nor shall this section
prevent tutorial assistance rendered by other persons which does not include
the preparation, research, or writing of a dissertation, thesis, term paper,
essay, report, or other written assignment intended for submission to such
educational institution in fulfillment of the requirements for a degree,
diploma, certificate, or course of study. Nor shall any person be prevented
by the provisions of this section from rendering services for a fee which
shall be limited to the typing, transcription, or reproduction of a manuscript.
3. Nothing contained within this section shall prevent any person from
selling or offering for sale a publication or other written material which
shall have been registered under the United States laws of copyright, provided,
however, that the owner of such copyright shall have given his authorization
or approval for such sale, and provided further that such publication or
other written material shall not be intended for submission as a dissertation,
thesis, term paper, essay, report, or other written assignment to such educational
institution within the state of New York in fulfillment of the requirements
for a degree, diploma, certificate, or course of study.
4. No person shall sell, assign, or otherwise transfer for business
or for any other purpose to any person any information and material of a
personal or private nature acquired from a purchaser of a dissertation,
thesis, term paper, essay, report, or other written assignment without the
prior consent of such purchaser. The term "information and material
of a personal or private nature'' as used in this subdivision shall include,
but not be limited to, the name of such purchaser, his address and telephone
number, the name of such educational institution, the name or number of
the course, the name of the faculty member or members for whom such written
assignment has been prepared, and any description of the research involved
or the nature of such written assignment.
5. A violation of the provisions of this section shall constitute a
class B misdemeanor.
6. The attorney general and district attorney of the county wherein
a violation of this section occurs shall have concurrent authority to investigate
and prosecute any violation of this section and any related violations discovered
during the course of such investigation.
7. Whenever there shall be a violation of this section, an application
also may be made by the attorney general in the name of the people of the
State of New York to a court or justice having jurisdiction to issue an
injunction and, upon notice to the defendant of not less than five days,
to enjoin and restrain the continuance of such violation; and if it shall
appear to the satisfaction of the court or justice that the defendant has,
in fact, violated this section, an injunction may be issued by such court
or justice, enjoining and restraining any further violation, without requiring
proof that any person has, in fact, been injured or damaged thereby. In
any such proceeding the court may make allowances to the attorney general
as provided in section 8303, subdivision six of the civil practice law and
rules. In connection with any such proposed application, the attorney general
is authorized to take proof and make a determination of the relevant facts
and to issue subpoenas in accordance with the civil practice law and rules.
Additionally, the attorney general may apply in any such proceeding for
a monetary penalty of not more than 1,000 dollars per violation.
(For further information, please contact the director of academic advising,
x6305.)
Academic Progress and Standing
Academic Standing
To remain in good academic standing, students must demonstrate that they
are passing courses at a satisfactory rate to earn a bachelor's degree in
a reasonable period of time; that is, they are required to show a reasonable
rate of progress toward their degree. Students in all schools must maintain
a satisfactory grade-point average. Academic progress is reviewed at the
end of the fall and spring semesters. If students fail to maintain satisfactory
academic standing, they are subject to dismissal. For detailed discussion
of how academic standing is computed in the various undergraduate schools,
please see the individual school sections in this Bulletin.
Grade-Point Averages
Grade-point averages are computed for students in all the University's undergraduate
schools.
For the purpose of computing semester or cumulative averages, each letter
grade is assigned a quality point value as follows:
A = 4.0
A- = 3.7
B+ = 3.3
B = 3.0
B- = 2.7
C+ = 2.3
C = 2.0
C- = 1.7
D = 1.0
F = 0.0
These grade values are combined with course credit hours to produce a grade-point
average.
Repeating Courses
Students may not gain additional credit by repeating an undergraduate course
in which they received a passing grade, except where this option is specified
in the course description in this Bulletin. Harpur College students should
see the school section.
Academic Probation
and Dismissal
The Academic Standards Committee of each school may place its students on
academic probation when academic performance, as reflected in the grade-point
average, raises doubts about the students' capability to complete requirements
for the bachelor's degree. Academic probation does not imply either suspension
or dismissal, and does not preclude the students' registering or receiving
financial aid. Students on academic probation may not participate in intercollegiate
athletics. Academic probation ordinarily entails a contract with the student
to complete a specified amount of course work in a specified period of time
at a specified level of performance. Students are subject to academic dismissal
from the University by action of an Academic Standards Committee at any
time their record warrants. Students dismissed for academic reasons by an
Academic Standards Committee may apply for readmission by following the
procedures outlined in "General Readmission Policies" below. The
students must also explain in writing any extenuating circumstances that
contributed to the poor record. If readmitted, their continued enrollment
is subject to the academic standing requirements of the school. Students
dropped from a Binghamton University school may not be readmitted to another
Binghamton school without the approval of the deans of both schools.
Dropping a Course or withdrawing from the University
Students who wish their records to indicate good standing when dropping
a course or withdrawing from the University must follow formal drop and
withdrawal procedures. Mere absence from class does not constitute due notice
of drop or withdrawal. Students are advised to check the school sections
in this Bulletin for additional discussion of the regulations.
In general, undergraduates may drop a course, with the instructor's permission,
up to the published drop deadline. Such a course will not appear on the
academic record. After the drop deadline, students must have the permission
of the instructor and the appropriate dean's office (Academic Advising Office
for Harpur College students) on an approved Late Drop Petition Form to drop
the course. Students must cite extraordinary circumstances to justify a
late drop, that is, circumstances beyond their control and beyond their
ability to foresee. Poor judgment or academic incompetence does not qualify
as an extraordinary circumstance. The Late Drop Petition Form can be obtained
from the dean's offices or Academic Advising Office. If approved, the processing
of the petition must be accompanied by payment of a late drop fee.
Students wishing to withdraw from the University during a given semester
must submit a completed University Withdrawal Form to the Registrar's Office.
Students may officially withdraw from the University up to the last day
of classes for the semester. Such an action will be noted on their records
as an Official Withdrawal and, in place of a regular grade, the courses
will have the appropriate school mark for withdrawal. Students who drop
all courses without having completed an official withdrawal form will be
considered to have unofficially withdrawn and will have such a notation
posted on the academic record.
Students may be involuntarily withdrawn from the University by a staff physician
or the University Counseling Center without academic penalty. Normal channels
of appeal for such action may be initiated through the assistant vice president
and dean of students. Students are not readmitted to the University without
a recommendation from the appropriate staff physician or the University
Counseling Center. Please see the Financial Information section, above,
for policies on refunds.
General Readmission Policies
Candidates matriculated for undergraduate degrees who interrupt their education
at Binghamton University and later wish to return must be formally readmitted.
One exception is for students who withdraw from all classes during a major
(spring or fall, not summer) semester: they will receive a student data
form from the registrar permitting registration for the next semester and
need not apply for readmission. Students who leave after the end of a semester
in which any courses were completed must file for readmission, using the
readmission forms available from the Admissions Office (SW-107). Students
must complete and file the readmission form no later than two weeks before
the start of classes for the term in which they plan to return.
Non-degree/non-matriculated students may interrupt their studies for as
long as two major (fall or spring) semesters without having to file for
formal readmission. After two semesters have elapsed without enrollment,
a data form will no longer be sent, and a readmission form must be completed
no later than two weeks prior to the start of classes for the desired semester.
Please note: All students enrolled in the Educational Opportunity Program
(EOP) at the time studies were interrupted must receive clearance from the
director of EOP in order to resume their studies.
Students dismissed for academic or other reasons should contact their dean's
office (Academic Advising Office for Harpur College) or the Admissions Office
for any conditions to be satisfied before readmission is approved.
All Decker School of Nursing students must file for readmission and have
an interview at the school before re-enrolling.
In addition, returning students who require on-campus housing must inform
the Residential Life Office of their intent to return; notification must
be made by April 15 for the fall semester, and by November 15 for the spring
semester. Students requiring financial aid should notify the Student Financial
Aid and Employment Office by April 15 for the fall semester, and by November
15 for the spring semester. After the indicated dates there can be no guarantee
of housing, or financial aid, unless specifically authorized by the appropriate
office.
Student Absences for
Religious Beliefs
1. No person shall be expelled from or be refused admission as a student
to an institution of higher education for reason that he or she is unable,
because of his or her religious beliefs, to register or attend classes or
to participate in any examination, study, or work requirements on a particular
day or days.
2. Any student in an institution of higher education, who is unable,
because of his or her religious beliefs, to attend classes on a particular
day or days shall, because of such absence on the particular day or days,
be excused from any examination or any study or work requirement.
3. It shall be the responsibility of the faculty and of the administration
officials of each institution of higher education to make available to each
student who is absent from school, because of his or her religious beliefs,
an equivalent opportunity to register for classes or make up any examination,
study, or work requirements that he or she may have missed because of such
absences on any particular day or days. No fees of any kind shall be charged
by the institution for making available to the said student such equivalent
opportunity.
4. If registration, classes, examinations, study, or work requirements are
held on Fridays after 4 p.m. or on Saturday, similar or makeup classes,
examinations, study or work requirements, or opportunity to register shall
be made available on other days, where it is possible and practicable to
do so. No special fees shall be charged to the student for these classes,
examinations, study, or work requirements or registration held on other
days.
5. In effectuating the provisions of this section, it shall be the duty
of the faculty and of the administrative officials of each institution of
higher education to exercise the fullest measure of good faith. No adverse
or prejudicial effects shall result to any student because of his or her
availing himself or herself of the provisions of this section.
6. Any student who is aggrieved by the alleged failure of any faculty or
administrative officials to comply in good faith with the provisions of
this section, shall be entitled to maintain an action or proceeding in the
supreme court of the county in which such institution of higher education
is located for the enforcement of his or her rights under this section.
Official Transcripts
The complete academic records of undergraduates are maintained by the Registrar's
Office. An official transcript is a student's complete listing of all course
work taken at the University. Students may obtain copies of their transcripts,
or request that the University send them directly to other institutions,
provided the students are in good financial standing (free of delinquencies)
with the University. For a transcript to be considered official, it must
be sent to a third party; those transcripts sent directly to students will
carry the notation "issued to student."
Requests for official transcripts, accompanied by the $5 per copy transcript
fee, may be sent in writing to the Registrar's Office. In addition, students
may visit that office to make a request in person. Telephone requests cannot
be accepted. Transcript requests can be accepted via a facsimile machine
and will be treated the same as a written request, except that the transcript
fee must be promptly mailed separately to the Registrar's Office. All requests
for transcripts must include the student's name, ID number, dates of attendance,
number of transcripts being requested, a complete destination address, and
a dated signature required for release of the academic record. An unofficial
version of a transcript can be faxed to a provided number with a follow
up mailing of an official version to a provided address for a fee of $15.
The Registrar's Office fax number is 607-777-6515.
Certification of Degrees
Undergraduates should file an Application for Degree form with the Registrar's
Office (SW-119) by the drop deadline of the semester prior to graduation.
For undergraduate students who have filed an Application for Degree, their
degree certification will be completed by sending the students a graduation
check which runs against the Degree Audit Reporting System. If the degree
check indicates that requirements will NOT be complete, the student should
consult with the major department or academic advising.
Graduate students should file a Declaration of Candidacy Form with the Graduate
School. To ensure timely certification of the degree, students should file
these forms as soon as possible.
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Graduate Information
Grades
The grading system of the Graduate School applies to all graduate-level
courses offered in Harpur College of Arts and Sciences, School of Management,
the Decker School, School of Education and Human Development, and the Watson
School. Grades are on a letter scale: A through C-, pass; F, failure. Grades
of S (satisfactory) and U (unsatisfactory) may be used in a limited number
of cases, described below, for which no greater precision in grading is
re-quired. The grades of S and U are not assigned numerical value and thus
are not averaged in with other grades in computing grade-point aver-ages.
A grade of S denotes a minimum level of academic performance equivalent
to at least a B.
For the purpose of computing semester or cumulative averages, each letter
grade is assigned a quality point value as follows:
A = 4.0
A- = 3.7
B+ = 3.3
B = 3.0
B- = 2.7
C+ = 2.3
C = 2.0
C- = 1.7
F = 0.0
These grade values are combined with course credit hours to produce a grade-point
average.
Course Credits
All courses, unless otherwise noted, are assigned four credit hours.
Graduate School
Transcripts
The official transcript of record for all students enrolled in advanced
degree programs or as non-matriculated graduate students of Binghamton University
is the transcript of the Graduate School, which provides a complete record
of all academic work attempted. Undergraduate work is indicated on a separate
undergraduate transcript. Graduate students with both undergraduate and
graduate academic records at Binghamton have the option of requesting release
only of the Graduate School transcript.
Interpretation of
Transcript Symbols
In addition to the letter grades and corresponding quality point values
described above, the following symbols may appear on official transcripts
for the Graduate School:
X - audit; no numerical credit given for the course.
I - incomplete; course not completed for reasons acceptable to the instructor.
A grade of I gives no grade points.
W - withdrawn; the student withdrew from the course following the eighth
week of the semester, and the instructor did not rate the student's performance.
A grade of W is not counted in computing grade-point averages, nor does
the course earn credit hours.
WF - withdrawn failing; the student withdrew from the course following the
eighth week of the semester, having performed at a level deemed by the instructor
to be below the minimum passing grade (C-) of the Graduate School. A grade
of WF is assigned a quality-point value of 0 in computing grade-point averages.
WP - withdrawn passing; the student withdrew from the course following the
eighth week of the semester, having performed at a level deemed by the instructor
to be at or above the minimum passing grade (C-) of the Graduate School.
A grade of WP is not counted in computing grade-point averages, nor does
the course earn credit hours.
R - registered; the student maintained required matriculated status during
the semester through continuous registration, (course number 700) or registration
in a research skills (707) course. Courses assigned R grades are not applied
toward degree progression.
S/U - satisfactory/unsatisfactory; the following limitations apply to the
use of S/U grading:
500-589-master's-level courses and seminars: S grading cannot be used for
courses numbered in this range; only regular letter grading options apply.
590, 592-596, and 598-internship or practicum courses: at the option of
the instructor (not the student), either S/U or regular letter grading may
be used.
591-college teaching of the discipline: only S/U grading may be used.
597-independent study: at the option of the instructor (not the student),
either S/U or regular letter grading may be used.
599-thesis: only S/U grading may be used.*
600-696-doctoral research seminars: at the option of the instructor (not
the student), either S/U or regular letter grading may be used.
697-independent study: at the option of the instructor (not the student),
either S/U or regular letter grading may be used.
698-predissertation research: only S/U grading may be used.*
699-dissertation: only S/U grading may be used. However, at the option of
the members of the dissertation committee, the candidate's performance on
the dissertation project may, at the time of the committee's final approval
of the dissertation, be evaluated either as pass or pass with distinction.
Such notation is forwarded to the Graduate School Office to be made a part
of the candidate's official transcript of record.*
*599, 698, and 699 registration for one credit is encouraged under campus
policy. Such registration is normally considered full time whenever the
principal supervisor confirms that the student is spending appropriate time
and effort in research. This is done by the completion of a Certification
of Full-time Status Form.
Full-Time Status
Graduate students on funding are required to maintain full-time registration.
Full-time status is defined as 12 credits per semester at level one (students
with less than 24 completed graduate credits), nine credits at level two
(students who have completed more than 24 graduate credits), or one credit
(students who have completed all coursework required for their degree and
who are engaged in a full-time commitment to research for thesis (599),
comprehensive exams (698), or dissertation (699). In such cases, the supervisor
and program director certify that the student is making a full time investment
in research.
Determination of
Academic Standing
A cumulative average of at least 3.0 is required for a graduate degree.
A graduate student who receives a grade of F may repeat the course, and
the program officers, at their option, may require the student to do so.
Course Repeat Policy
Students are permitted to repeat for credit a graduate course in which they
earned a grade of B- or lower. This option is contingent on approval by
the graduate program director and review by the Graduate School. A course
may be repeated only once. In those cases where students are on financial
support, the repeated course will be considered as part of the academic
workload.
When a course is repeated, the grade received in the second attempt is substituted
for the first in the computation of the grade-point average and in the award
of credit. However, the first grade remains on the student transcript.
Probation
According to Graduate School policies, "the minimum requirement for
continuing status in the Graduate School is the maintenance of a B average."
Students whose academic achievement falls below this standard should receive
special counseling from their faculty advisors in order to improve their
performance to satisfactory levels. In order to assure that students receive
such assistance when needed, the Graduate School has the following probation
policies:
1. A graduate student whose cumulative grade-point average falls below 3.0
may be enrolled subsequently only on a probationary status. While on probation,
the student must meet at least once each semester with the appropriate director
of graduate studies to review academic performance and progress toward a
return to good standing. A graduate student may spend a cumulative maximum
of three semesters (excluding summer sessions) on probation.
2. A graduate student whose cumulative grade-point average falls below 2.6
will be considered in academic jeopardy, as well as on probation. Students
may be in academic jeopardy for only one semester.
Student whose grade-point average would place them on a fourth semester
of probation, or a second semester in academic jeopardy, are not making
satisfactory progress toward the degree. They will normally be severed from
the Graduate School. Their continued enrollment will require the specific
endorsement of their director of graduate studies and approval by the vice
provost.
This policy, adopted by the Graduate Council on December 7, 1992, is in
effect for students admitted for fall 1993 and beyond.
Incompletes
Graduate students who receive federal or state financial aid may lose these
benefits if they take Incompletes. See the Graduate Academic Progress Charts
elsewhere in this Bulletin for information on required numbers of completed
credits.
Graduate students who are given a mark of incomplete (I) normally will have
a maximum of six months to make up the incomplete if they register in the
subsequent semester, and a maximum of one year if they do not register in
the subsequent semester. Unless the course work is completed by the student
and a final letter grade is submitted by the instructor of the course, the
mark of I will revert to the mark of withdrawn (W). Requests for extensions
of the Incomplete deadlines require the approval of the instructor of the
course and the vice provost. No extensions of incompletes will be considered
beyond the maximum allowable extension date, which is one calendar year
from when the Incomplete was assigned.
Once an incomplete has reverted to a W, no further opportunity to complete
the course is available to the student.
It is the normal expectation that, within the limits set forth above, faculty
will take no longer than one month to file a final letter grade for the
course. A grade of incomplete is automatically assigned in any course for
which the instructor has not submitted a grade.
All courses taken by graduate students, including courses numbered below
500, are subject to the foregoing policies on incomplete grades.
Residence Requirement
Regardless of the student's previous graduate experience, the minimum residence
requirement for any graduate degree is 24 credit hours. Most doctoral candidates
meet the University residence requirement before taking comprehensive exams.
Credit hours earned under any of the following rubrics normally may not
be counted toward the Graduate School's minimum residence requirement: college
teaching of the discipline (591), thesis (599), predissertation research
(698), and dissertation (699).
New and Revised Courses
Courses of instruction proposed by academic units as regular offerings within
the curriculum of the Graduate School must be approved in advance by the
Graduate Council. New course proposals must follow the information format
established by the council, and must be formally approved by program graduate
committees prior to their forwarding to the vice provost for agenda action
by the council.
In practice, the Graduate Council has delegated primary authority for action
on new course proposals to its curriculum committee. Approval of a new course
by the curriculum committee is formally noted on each agenda for regular
meetings of the Graduate Council, with the committee's approval standing
as final unless two or more council members request that formal review and
action be taken by the council.
The descriptions of courses as initially approved by the curriculum committee
or Graduate Council remain official unless and until formal revisions are
made and approved. Revisions of existing course numbers, titles, descriptions,
or credit-hour assignments may be proposed at any time by program graduate
committees to the vice provost. In cases where the vice provost believes
the revision of an existing course or courses of instruction implies substantive
changes in the academic scope or general requirements of an advanced degree
program, review by the Graduate Council's curriculum committee is required.
Program graduate committees may propose new courses as experimental, or
"X," offerings. Experimental graduate courses require the approval
of the vice provost, and may be formally offered only once. Courses offered
on an experimental basis cannot be offered a second time unless they are
formally approved as regular offerings according to the procedure given
above. Proposals for experimental course offerings must follow the information
format prescribed by the Graduate Council for regular course proposals.
The curriculum of the Graduate School is reviewed annually. Approved courses
of instruction that have not been offered within the previous four semesters
may be dropped from the curriculum by the vice provost, following formal
notice to and consultation with program directors of graduate studies.
Course Numbering
Courses numbered 400 through 499 are advanced undergraduate courses for
which graduate credit can be assigned only when a graduate student has successfully
petitioned for graduate credit. The form, "Petition for Graduate Credit
for Advanced Undergraduate (400 level) Course," must be completed and
submitted to the Graduate School at the time of registration.
In special instances, graduate credit for 400-level courses is granted by
the Graduate School, on the recommendation of the instructor and the department
chair, departmental graduate chair, or dean of the school. The student must
do additional work beyond that required for undergraduate students in the
course. Within six weeks after the start of the semester, the instructor
files with the Graduate School a statement on the nature of additional work
the student is doing in the advanced undergraduate course. In general, approval
of graduate credit for advanced undergraduate courses is limited to unique
program circumstances usually involving interdisciplinary work. Graduate
students should not expect to receive graduate credit for more than two
400-level courses.
Courses numbered 500 and above are graduate courses, ordinarily open only
to graduate students, primarily at the master's level; 600-level courses
are research seminars primarily for doctoral students.
Research Skills (707) Courses
The policies of the Graduate School allow students to register each semester
for 1-4 credit hours of 707, research skills. Students may enroll in 707
courses only where the faculty of the program have determined that there
are specific research skills essential to the student's degree work, and
that such skills are not remedial-that is, are not normal admission requirements
in that degree program. Research skills (707) credits taken by graduate
students may not be used to satisfy course requirements in any graduate
degree program and cannot be used in determining level 2 enrollment status.
Graduate Students in Undergraduate Courses
Courses numbered 499 or lower are not to be counted for graduate credit
without special permission of the Graduate School (see above section on
Course Numbering).
Undergraduate Students Beginning Graduate
Programs
Undergraduates who have completed all but two courses required for graduation
may register for up to two courses for graduate credit. At the time of registration,
students must designate those courses for which they wish to receive graduate
credit by filing the appropriate form in the Graduate School Office. Courses
submitted for graduate credit by such students are not counted toward their
undergraduate degrees.
Enrollment and Registration
Permission to register on days other than those designated must be obtained
from the vice provost. Students registering later than the regular registration
dates are charged a late registration fee. Students ordinarily are not admitted
to any regular classes after the first 14 calendar days of the semester.
Payment of all outstanding charges, tuition, and fees is a part of the registration
process, and a student's registration is not complete until full payment
is made. Payment or arrangement for payment must be made with the Student
Accounts Office prior to the first day of classes or, in the case of late
enrollment, at the time of enrollment. Failure to conclude appropriate financial
arrangements may result in the cancellation of the student's enrollment
in classes.
Changes in Program
Students may add a course or change course sections only during the first
14 calendar days of the semester and may drop a course without a grade being
recorded during the first eight weeks of class. Students making changes
in course enrollments (registrations) after the add/drop deadlines are assessed
a late fee for each transaction.
1. To add, drop, or change a course, students must obtain the written approval
of the instructor and the department chair or the director of graduate studies.
Signed forms are to be filed with the University Registrar's Office.
2. Students may add or substitute courses, or change credit hours for courses
carrying variable credit, without penalty within a period of 14 calendar
days from the beginning of the semester. After that date, in addition to
the normally required signatures, students must secure the signature of
the vice provost.
3. Students may drop a course without restriction through the first eight
weeks of class without a grade being recorded. If it is necessary for a
student to drop a course after the eighth week of classes, submission of
a W (withdrawn), WF (withdrawn failing), or WP (withdrawn passing) grade
is determined by the instructor (see "Grades," above).
Dissertation Registration
Candidates for the degree of doctor of philosophy must register for dissertation
(699) to maintain registration after admission to candidacy.
Doctoral students are not permitted to register for dissertation (699) credits
before they have been formally admitted to candidacy for the degree. Admission
to candidacy for any doctoral degree occurs when the student has completed
all course work and research skill requirements and has successfully passed
the required comprehensive examinations. Doctoral students who have completed
all course work for the degree, but who have not yet satisfied research
skill requirements or have not yet passed the comprehensive examinations,
must register each semester for an appropriate number of credit hours under
the rubric predissertation research (698).
Because work on the dissertation may be interrupted from time to time for
a variety of reasons, students may register for continuous registration
(700) if they are not actively engaged in research and writing during a
particular semester. When students declare inactive status, it is assumed
that only a minimum amount of faculty supervision is required for them to
maintain matriculation. Students are limited to a maximum of two years (four
semesters) of continuous registration (700) during the five-year period
following the successful completion of the doctoral comprehensive examinations.
Withdrawals
Students who withdraw from all courses for which they are registered at
the University must follow a formal withdrawal procedure if they wish their
record to indicate good standing. Mere absence from class does not constitute
due notice of withdrawal. Withdrawals are initiated with the University
Registrar's Office. No grades are recorded for students who formally withdraw
within the first eight weeks of the semester.
Continuous Registration
and Leaves of Absence
All students who have been admitted into a degree-granting program must
maintain continuous registration each semester for a minimum number of credit
hours, or must apply for a formal leave of absence. Students who do not
register and who have not been granted a leave of absence are ineligible
to return until readmitted. Graduate students are not required to maintain
matriculation during the Summer Session unless they intend to complete their
final degree requirements during this period.
Students who do not maintain registration become ineligible to return; they
must reapply, paying a new application fee. Readmission is not automatic.
Students who are readmitted are required to register for one credit for
each semester they have not registered, plus one credit for the semester
they re-enter, up to a maximum of four credits.
Graduate students in a degree program who wish to absent themselves from
their studies for a semester or two should register for one credit of continuous
registration (700). A leave of absence is granted only in exceptional circumstances,
such as illness or other unusual personal hardship, and requires detailed
justification. Leaves of absence are not granted to students working toward
a graduate degree who are absenting themselves from campus for a semester
or two to undertake thesis or dissertation research elsewhere; such students
should maintain continuous registration. Students going off-campus to fulfill
an internship related to degree requirements should similarly register for
at least one credit of continuous registration, unless the department or
school specifies a course rubric and a minimum credit-hour registration
to encompass such internship experience.
Students must be registered during the semester their degree requirements
are completed.
Leaves of absence, since they are given for personal hardship reasons, are
normally for a maximum of one year. If at all possible, requests for leaves
of absence should be submitted one month prior to the semester for which
leave is requested. When a leave of absence is granted, the period of leave
is counted against the time limitation for completing the degree.
Students who withdraw to enter military service are granted full tuition
refunds for the semester if no academic credit is received. Students required
to withdraw for disciplinary reasons are not entitled to any refund of tuition.
Students withdrawn by the University Counseling Center for adjustment difficulties
may be granted WPs (withdrawn passing) in courses in which they are currently
enrolled.
Auditing of Courses
Students who audit a course must pay tuition and are expected to attend
the course faithfully and to fulfill whatever requirements the instructor
may set. If, in the instructor's judgment auditors have not conscientiously
participated, the course will be expunged from their records.
Students taking a course for credit may not, after eight weeks, change the
registration of the course to audit. Students auditing a course may not,
after 14 calendar days, change the registration to credit.
A course taken on an audit basis may not be counted in determining full-time
status for assistantship or fellowship eligibility.
Credit by Examination
No provision exists within the Graduate School for students to receive course
credit by demonstrating proficiency through examinations. However, demonstration
of proficiency in the subject matter of a course, in a manner acceptable
to the program graduate committee, may permit the student to receive a waiver
of the requirement of that particular course. In such cases the normal procedure
is to substitute an approved elective course carrying an equivalent number
of credit hours toward the degree pursued. With the approval of the program
graduate committee, it is also possible for a student to satisfy degree
requirements with fewer than the minimum number of credit hours normally
established for the program, provided that the Graduate School's minimum
residence requirements are met, and that the total number of graduate credit
hours satisfactorily completed for any master's-level degree is not less
than 30.
Transfer of Graduate Credits from Other
Universities
Students matriculated in advanced degree programs may petition to have relevant
graduate credits earned at other institutions transferred toward their Binghamton
University Graduate School degrees. Students should submit a petition to
the appropriate department or school graduate committee, using the form
established for this purpose by the Graduate School. The petition must include
a copy of the official transcript. Credits petitioned for transfer must
not have been used to satisfy the requirements of another degree. Petitions
must be forwarded to the vice provost for final approval. If the vice provost
approves, the transferred credits will be included on the student's official
Graduate School transcript, as a single entry of total credits accepted
in transfer.
Credits for which transfer is sought must have been earned in graduate-level
courses passed with grades of at least B. Courses for which the student
did not receive letter credit will not be transferred. When courses are
approved for transfer by the Graduate School, the letter grades are not
reflected in the Binghamton University transcript, nor are they considered
in determination of the student's grade-point average. Courses taken more
than five years prior to matriculation in the Graduate School are accepted
only in rare instances. Credits earned through correspondence courses, or
through courses or experiences offered under the auspices of proprietary
schools, business or industrial training programs, or schools conducted
by federal agencies such as the Department of Defense, are normally not
considered for transfer.
Limitations on the number of credit hours that may be approved for transfer
are set by the Graduate School's minimum residence requirement of 24 credit
hours for any advanced degree. Credits approved for transfer may not be
applied toward this minimum residence requirement. For master's programs
requiring a minimum of 30 credit hours, therefore, a maximum of six transfer
credits may be applied toward the degree. When master's programs require
more than 30 credit hours, the vice provost may accept a correspondingly
larger number of transfer credits in individual cases.
Exchange Credits
When the special educational needs of a doctoral student at one SUNY institution
can best be served by taking a course for credit at another unit of the
SUNY system, the student should obtain a statement from the graduate program
director, recommending that the student be admitted to the desired course
at the institution preferred. The recommendation should state that the student
has the prerequisites for the course and that, if the course is completed
successfully, the credit for it will be accepted toward the degree. The
statement from the department chair should be approved by the graduate dean
of the student's institution. It should then be sent to the graduate dean
of the institution being visited, who clears it with the instructor of the
course and the chair of the department concerned. When approval is obtained,
the student is admitted as a special student for purposes of taking the
course requested. The student pays appropriate tuition and fees at the institution
being visited. If the student has a tuition scholarship at the home institution,
that scholarship is recognized by the visited institution. At the completion
of the course, the visited institution, on request, sends a transcript to
the home institution.
Double-Degree Accounting
Students admitted to a graduate program may double-count some courses for
credit toward two degrees, within certain guidelines. A candidate for two
degrees of the same rank (e.g., master's degrees) in separate disciplines
may be allowed
to take advantage of double degree accounting in accordance with the following
guidelines:
1. For students working toward two MA or two MS degrees, no double accounting
is permissible.
2. For a student working toward an MA and an MS degree simultaneously, a
maximum of three courses (12 credit hours) may be double counted. Double
counting is similarly permissible for combinations of MA or MS degrees with
the MBA degree.
3. For PhD degrees, decisions about double-degree accounting are made on
an ad hoc basis.
4. It is normally considered inappropriate to use thesis (599) or dissertation
(699) credit hours for double accounting purposes.
Double-degree accounting requires endorsement by both program graduate committees
and approval by the vice provost.
A candidate for two degrees of the same rank in the same discipline may
be allowed to take advantage of double-degree accounting in accordance with
the following guidelines:
1. An MAT candidate who wishes to pursue, concurrently or subsequently,
an MA degree in the same discipline may claim double accounting for any
and all courses, up to a total of five, that the department regularly lists
as common to both its MA and MAT programs.
2. It is normally considered inappropriate to use MST course work for double
accounting purposes.
Policy Prohibiting Award of a Second Degree
in the Same Field
State University of New York policy states that a second degree at the same
level (e.g., master's or doctorate) can be awarded only when a significant
amount of additional course work in a very different field is completed.
Normally when a student has already earned a master's or doctorate in a
given discipline (e.g., economics, history, etc.) at either a foreign or
a U.S. institution, a second degree at the same level in that discipline
cannot be earned at Binghamton University.
Satisfactory Progress
Graduate students may be dropped from the Graduate School by action of the
vice provost, on recommendation of the departmental or school graduate committee,
if it appears that they are not making satisfactory progress toward the
degree and that it is unlikely that requirements for the degree will be
satisfactorily completed. The minimum requirement for continuing status
in the Graduate School is the maintenance of a B average.
Master's Degree
At their discretion, departmental or school graduate committees recommend
for the master's degree those candidates who have:
1. Completed at least 24 credit hours of graduate course work, exclusive
of a thesis, in residence at Binghamton University.
2. Completed a minimum total of 30 credit hours of graduate course work
presented for the degree (a maximum of six hours of transfer credit is allowed
for degree programs requiring 30 credit hours; a maximum of eight hours
of transfer credit is allowed for degree programs requiring 32 credit hours);
3. Maintained at least a B average in courses approved by the departmental
or school graduate committee and presented for the degree;
4. Fulfilled all departmental or school course requirements, with no credit
for graduate courses in which a grade lower than C- has been received;
5. Given evidence satisfactory to their examination committees, by means
of a master's examination (written and/or oral) and required papers or a
thesis, that they are familiar with basic hypotheses and techniques of their
disciplines and are competent in applying them.
Candidates for a master's degree must complete all requirements for the
degree, including thesis if required by the program, within five years after
matriculating in the Graduate School.
Doctor of Philosophy Degree
At their discretion, departmental or school graduate committees recommend
for the doctor of philosophy degree those candidates who have:
1. Fulfilled the University residence requirement;
2. Maintained at least a B average in courses approved by the departmental
or school graduate committee and presented for the degree;
3. Fulfilled all departmental or school course requirements, with no credit
for graduate courses in which a grade lower than C- has been received;
4. Given evidence satisfactory to their examination committees by means
of a comprehensive examination (written and/or oral) that they are familiar
with basic hypotheses and techniques of their discipline and are competent
in applying them;
5. Satisfactorily fulfilled the departmental or school research skills requirement;
6. Submitted a dissertation, on a topic approved by the department, that
embodies the results of original research and gives evidence of high scholarship.
Admission to PhD Candidacy
Matriculated students are admitted to candidacy for the doctoral degree
by the vice provost, on recommendation of the appropriate academic unit,
when they have passed required comprehensive examinations and met all research
skills and course work requirements, as certified by program submission
of the Admission to Candidacy Form. Within six months of admission to candidacy,
a copy of the dissertation prospectus approved by the dissertation committee
must be submitted to the department or school office.
Candidates for the degree of doctor of philosophy must complete all requirements
for the degree, including the dissertation, within five years after admission
to doctoral candidacy.
Dissertation Defense
The dissertation committee has direct charge of all matters pertaining to
the dissertation. The dissertation must have the unanimous approval of the
program before arrangements are made for the final examination for the degree.
Members of the dissertation committee serve on the examination committee,
and the dissertation chair normally serves as examination chair. The list
of examiners may include one or more faculty members outside a program,
if they were members of the dissertation committee.
Outside examiner
To the examination committee members, the vice provost, upon recommendation
from the department, adds an outside examiner as the representative of the
faculty of the Graduate School. The outside examiner is either a Binghamton
University faculty member from a related area outside the major department
or division or someone from a related discipline outside the University.
Normally, the outside examiner will have no involvement in the supervision
of a dissertation. The outside examiner's function on the examination committee
is to render an independent judgment and to assure that the dissertation
satisfies Graduate School standards.
In special circumstances, particularly when a student would benefit from
early counsel from a faculty member outside Binghamton, the department chair
or director of graduate studies can petition the vice provost to appoint
an outside examiner while the dissertation is still being written.
If the nominee is from another institution, the program officer should forward
sufficient materials so the vice provost can evaluate the nominee's academic
credentials. The vice provost then invites the nominee or another faculty
member to serve as outside examiner.
Thesis and Dissertation Preparation
For specific instructions regarding the preparation of master's theses and
PhD dissertations, students should obtain from the Graduate School Office
a copy of the Graduate School Student Handbook.
Requirements for Listing Major and Minor Fields
For advanced degree recipients, the major and minor fields of specialization
satisfactorily completed are listed on the official Graduate School transcript.
Such listings are limited to one major and two minor fields for doctoral
degree candidates, and one major and one minor field for master's degree
candidates. Minor field listings may be of two types, intraprogram and interprogram.
The listing of intraprogram minor fields is optional at the discretion of
the program graduate committee.
Intraprogram Major and Minor Fields
Intraprogram major and minor fields to be listed formally on transcripts
are normally limited to those fields of specialization listed in the program
descriptions of this Bulletin. On recommendation by a program graduate committee,
the vice provost may approve special intraprogram major and minor field
listings in individual cases. The minimum requirements for intraprogram
major and minor fields are determined for individual students by the program
graduate committee. At the time of admission to candidacy for the degree
(for doctoral students), or of recommendation for award of the degree (for
master's students), the program director of graduate studies must certify
to the vice provost that the student has satisfactorily completed the approved
major and minor specializations to be listed on the student's official transcript.
Interprogram Minor Fields
Certain departments and schools offer minor fields of specialization that
can be undertaken by students matriculated in other advanced degree programs
on campus. Each participating department's or school's program graduate
committee determines the specific requirements to be completed by students
for each minor field it offers. As a minimum requirement, however, each
approved interprogram minor must involve at least three 4-credit graduate
courses (which may include 400 level courses for which graduate credit has
been individually sought and approved). It is also normally expected that
students seeking to complete interprogram minors will have faculty members
representing those fields on their PhD guidance committees or master's advisory
committees.
Before beginning course work leading to an interprogram minor, students
must seek and obtain formal approval from the graduate committee of the
program in which they are matriculated. All course work required for an
interprogram minor must be completed prior to the student's standing for
the comprehensive examinations for the degree pursued. Interprogram minors
should be explicitly covered as part of these comprehensive examinations.
Concurrent with the recommendation of the student for admission to candidacy
(for doctoral students), or for award of the degree (for master's students),
the director of the graduate program in which the minor field is completed
must certify to the vice provost the student's satisfactory completion of
the minor to be listed on the student's transcript.
In addition to the titles of approved and satis- factorily completed major
and minor fields of specialization, official Graduate School tran- scripts
show the titles of doctoral dissertations and master's theses submitted
in partial fulfill- ment of degree requirements. All such special transcript
listings are made only at the time of completion of final degree requirements.
Completion Deadlines
For the spring semester, the deadline for fulfilling thesis and dissertation
requirements is 10 days prior to Commencement. Students completing all degree
requirements during the summer or fall semesters should contact their program
unit or the Graduate Office for deadlines.
Awarding of Graduate Degrees
When all requirements have been completed, departmental or school graduate
committees so certify to the vice provost and recommend that the appropriate
degree be awarded. Following verification by the Graduate School that all
degree requirements prescribed by the graduate faculty have been met, the
vice provost approves the award of a graduate degree.
Degrees are awarded three times each year, in January, in May, and in August.
Students who complete degree requirements in the fall semester are awarded
degrees in January; students who complete degree requirements in the spring
semester are awarded degrees in May; students who complete degree requirements
during the summer sessions are awarded degrees in August. Formal investiture
of all degrees occurs at the University's annual spring Commencement. All
students who have completed their graduate degree requirements during the
previous 12 months are invited to participate in Commencement ceremonies.
Eligible students are notified by the Graduate School Office of charges
and responsibilities to be fulfilled. Graduate students qualified to participate
are represented on the Commencement committee by a member selected by the
Graduate Student Organization; they are informed of their role in the program
by this representative.
Waiver of Regulations
and Requirements
Specified Graduate School regulations and/or program degree requirements
may be waived by the vice provost in individual instances. A petition for
such a waiver must be endorsed by the appropriate program graduate committee
and graduate program director, who append their reasons for believing that
the requested waiver would not result in a breach of the spirit of the specified
regulation or requirement.
The University reserves the right to alter these regulations and requirements
without notice, pending the publication of the next scheduled issue of this
Bulletin.
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