To: Faculty/Staff on the Quarter System
From: N. John DiNardo, Ph.D., Senior Vice Provost for Academic Affairs
Subject: Academic News and Key Policy Reminders for the Winter Quarter 2011 - 2012
Date: 6 January 2012
Welcome to the Winter Quarter at Drexel!
- Winter Quarter classes begin on Saturday, January 7 for Saturday Scholars
- Winter Quarter classes begin on Monday, January 9 for all other full-time and part-time students
Please review news, key policies, and dates for the upcoming quarter.
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS
CRITICAL DATES
IMPORTANT POLICY REMINDERS
KEY POLICIES & PRACTICES
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS
New Classroom Suite - One Drexel Plaza Garden Terrace
This Fall we welcomed more new Drexel students than we ever have. To accommodate the incoming student body we have constructed a beautiful new classroom suite in the Garden Level of One Drexel Plaza. In addition to classrooms, study space is also available.
To visit the new location, please take the 3101 Market St. entrance (to the left just before the Drexel labeled railroad trestle on Market Street). Make sure you have your Drexel ID to gain entrance into the space. Follow the signs to the end of the hall and take the stairs in front of you down 2 flights. When you reach the bottom of the stairs, take a left turn and follow the hallway, taking another left at the end of the next hallway until you see the sign and double door entrance to the Garden Level Classrooms. A navigation map is available at Registrar's website.
Course Withdrawal
Withdrawing from courses may impact a student's academic progression and financial aid awards. Before withdrawing from class, students are urged to review the impact of withdrawal on their program plan, particularly if withdrawing from critical pre-requisite courses. Students should also contact the SRC/Financial Aid Office to determine the potential consequences of withdrawal on fulfillment of federal financial aid criteria. Further information on federal financial aid criteria can be accessed at Drexel’s Satisfactory Academic Progress policy.
International Students and Course Withdrawal
According to federal regulations, international students must always maintain full-time status. The University Registrar reports as part-time, undergraduate students who fall below 12 credits and graduate students who fall below 9 credits. Therefore, undergraduate international students who fall below 12 credits; and graduate international students who fall below 9 credits due to course drop in weeks 1 and 2 will be reported to USCIS as “Out of Status” immediately following the adjustment period, by the office of International Students and Scholars Services (ISSS).
International students are advised to coordinate with the Office of International Students and Scholar Services (ISSS).
DegreeWorks - Powerful Degree Audit Tool
DegreeWorks is a web-based academic advising system for degree audit and course planning. DegreeWorks assists students in reaching their academic goals and better understand degree requirements by providing a clear picture of courses required and courses completed. All undergraduate students have had access to DegreeWorks since September 2008 and graduate students have had access since September 2010.
Students, faculty and professional advising staff access DegreeWorks through DrexelOne. There are graphic advising worksheets within DegreeWorks showing options for all requirements, helping students and advisors determine academic progress and providing information to help with registration decisions. Students contemplating major changes can run what-if scenarios to see how completed courses apply to other majors.
DegreeWorks provides access to multiple services through hyperlinks: SRC, Drexel BlueLine, Term Master Schedule, AskDrexel, DegreeWorks help, catalog pages and lists of Writing Intensive Courses.
For more information, please visit the Quick-Start Guide to DegreeWorks.
Reserved Seating
The Reserved Seating capability enables departments to "reserve" a certain number of seats in identified classes for those students who absolutely need to take the class, such as graduating senior majors in a field. By reserving "seats" in courses for special cases, departments can ensure that no one will be "closed out" of a course that they need or that is required for progression in their academic plan.
Wait-listing for Courses at Capacity
Colleges can identify courses for which they want to implement wait-listing. When students register into a wait-listed course which has reached capacity they will be placed on a waitlist and notified by email of their placement on the waitlist. As more students are added to the list, a new section may be created at a time that best accommodates student schedules. Students will be notified that they have indeed been added to the newly created course by email. This capability will enable departments and colleges to better anticipate and plan for course schedule needs each term.
Military Veterans
Drexel is committed to expanding resources for students who have served in the armed forces. The University's new Veteran Student Resources page offers a listing of opportunities available to military veterans. The site can be accessed at drexel.edu/src/about/veterans/.
CRITICAL DATES
Academic Calendar 2011 - 2012
The Academic Calendar provides detailed information regarding important academic deadlines; critical SCDC/Co-operative education dates; and University holidays in particular. Please note the following academic deadlines:
Winter Quarter Classes Begin
- Saturday, January 7, 2012 for Saturday Scholar students
- Monday, January 9, 2012 for all other full-time and part-time students
Winter Quarter Classes End
Quarter Term Courses
Course Add/Drop
- Friday, January 20 by 5:00 PM with Academic Advisor Assistance
- Sunday, January 22 by 11:00 PM via Drexel One
Classes During Co-op
- Registration for students on Co-op for the Winter quarter is open from January 3 until the end of the add/drop period. It is important to understand the guidelines that apply to the Classes during Co-op policy so that you do not incur additional charges to your bill
Course Withdrawal
- Friday, February 17 by 5:00 PM
Students should have an assessment of their performance by the end of Week 5 and before the course withdrawal deadline. Students should be aware of financial aid policies when considering drop and withdrawal (see Satisfactory Academic Progress policy).
Accelerated Courses
Course Add/Drop
Term A
- Friday, January 13 by 5:00 PM with an Academic Advisor (Part of Term A)
- Sunday, January 15 by 11:00 PM via Drexel One (Part of Term A)
Term B
- Friday, February 17 by 5:00 PM with an Academic Advisor (Part of Term B)
- Sunday, February 19 by 11:00 PM via Drexel One (Part of Term B)
Course Withdrawal
Term A
- Friday, January 27 by 5:00 PM
Term B
- Friday, March 2 by 5:00 PM
Saturday Scholars
Course Add/Drop
Term A
- Friday,January 13 by 5:00 PM with an Academic Advisor (Part of Term A)
Term B
- Friday, February 24 by 5:00 PM with an Academic Advisor (Part of Term B)
Course Withdrawal
Term A
- Friday, January 27 by 5:00 PM
Term B
- Friday, March 9 by 5:00 PM
Midterm Grades / Early Warning System
The Early Warning System is a system by which the University identifies freshmen students whose satisfactory academic performance (achievement of grades of “C” or better) in critical freshman courses is in jeopardy. Professional academic advisors outreach to Freshmen identified through this process to provide just in time support and guidance. The success of this initiative is dependent upon the submission of midterm grades by faculty for students earning a grade of C minus (“C-”) or lower at the midpoint of the quarter. We are asking that midterm grades (or at the very least, midterm examination grades) for students earning a C minus (“C-”) or lower in the following courses be uploaded into Banner no later than Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 5:00 PM.
Quarter Term Courses
| ANAT 101 |
ANAT 102 |
BMES 126 |
BUSN 102 |
CHEM 101 |
CHEM 102 |
| CHEM 103 |
CHEM 111 |
CS 121 |
CS 122 |
CS 161 |
CS 171 |
| CS 172 |
ENGL 101 |
ENGL 102 |
ENGL 103 |
FASH 241 |
HIST 162 |
| HIST 163 |
INFO 101 |
INFO 102 |
INFO 108 |
INFO 110 |
INFO 151 |
| INFO 152 |
MATH 100 |
MATH 101 |
MATH 102 |
MATH 108 |
MATH 110 |
| MATH 121 |
MATH 122 |
MATH 123 |
MATH 180 |
MATH 181 |
MATH 182 |
| MATH 200 |
NURS 300 |
NURS 301 |
PHYS 100 |
PHYS 101 |
PHYS 102 |
| PHYS 122 |
SE 102 |
VSST 101 |
VSST 102 |
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Online Courses
| ACCT 116 |
ANTH 101 |
BIO 162 |
BUSN 111 |
CAT 200 |
CHEM 111 |
| COM 150 |
CT 200 |
EDUC 101 |
EDUC 105A |
EDUC 105B |
EDUC 105C |
| EDUC 120 |
EDUC 121 |
ENGL 101 |
ENGL 102 |
ENGL 103 |
INFO 101 |
| MATH 100 |
MATH 181 |
MATH 182 |
MATH 183 |
NFS 101 |
PHIL 105 |
| PSCI 100 |
PSCI 110 |
PHYS 151 |
PSY 101 |
PSY 140 |
SOC 101 |
| SOC 115 |
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Assessment of Student Progress
In order for a student to make a reasonable decision regarding course withdrawal, it is important to provide information regarding their performance before the withdrawal deadline. It is critical that every instructor make certain students are apprised of their performance in courses by the end of the fifth week of classes (i.e., by Friday, February 10, 2012). Courses should be structured accordingly; graded quizzes, exams, lab work, essays, etc. should be returned to students by the end of the fifth week and should provide a sufficient basis on which they can usefully gauge their standing in the course.
Instructors for accelerated sessions are also asked to abide by this practice by providing information - such that all of their students will know where they stand in the course - by the end of the second week of the accelerated session.
International Students and Course Withdrawal
According to federal regulations, international students must always maintain full-time status. The University Registrar reports as part-time, undergraduate students who fall below 12 credits and graduate students who fall below 9 credits. Therefore, undergraduate international students who fall below 12 credits; and graduate international students who fall below 9 credits due to course drop in weeks 1 and 2 will be reported to USCIS as “Out of Status,” immediately following the adjustment period, by the office of International Students and Scholars Services (ISSS).
International students are advised to coordinate with the Office of International Students and Scholar Services (ISSS).
Due Dates for Final Grades
- For classes with enrollment less than 50 grades will be due 48 hours after the final exam
- For classes with enrollment of 50 or more: grades will be due 72 hours after the final exam
Grades for non-graduating students are to be submitted by Wednesday, March 28, 2012 at noon (Please see the Final Examination and Final Grade Submission policy below).
IMPORTANT POLICY REMINDERS
Absence from Class
Students are first encouraged to review the class absence policy as established in their course syllabus. The syllabus provides important information to students to guide their decisions about absence from class. Please be sure to review the University's absence policy which includes protocol for absences for University-sponsored activities, religious observances, medical illnesses, and extended absences. Please review the full Absence from Class policy.
Please note that the Drexel Health Center will not provide notes to excuse absences for students missing class due to their visit to the Health Center, or to excuse class absences due to most common illnesses. The Health Center will also not provide notes to excuse absences for medical conditions which were not treated at the Health Center. Please be sure to review the Medical Notes policy which includes criteria for excused absences.
Class Cancellation due to Unexpected Instructor Lateness or Absence
On rare occasions, instructors may be delayed or unable to attend a class due to unforeseen circumstances. In the event that an instructor does not appear in class due to an unexpected delay and has not notified class of his/her expected arrival time, class is cancelled after 15 minutes of the scheduled start of class. Please review the full Class Cancellation policy.
Audit Option
The Audit Option provides undergraduate and graduate students the opportunity of attending a course, but carries no credit and no standard letter grade. Participation in the course will be evidenced by the "AUD" grade designation on the transcript. The "AUD" grade designation does not affect a student's GPA. Please review the full Audit Option policy.
Quarter / Semester Credit Conversion
When converting credits from semester to quarter or vice versa the following conversion can be used: 1.0 semester credit = 1.5 quarter credits.
Senior Final Exam Exemption Policy Discontinued
The Senior Final Exam Exemption Policy is no longer in effect. Therefore, all senior students are required to participate in final evaluations in their graduating quarter.
Final Examinations and Final Grade Submission
Unless waived by the Department Head and with the exception of laboratory courses, a final examination given during exam week is required in all undergraduate courses. Take-home exams approved in advance by the Department Head may be used and are due at the officially scheduled examination hour.
- No final examinations may be given during the last week of class
During finals week, no student is obligated to take more than two finals on any given day. Students with more than two examinations in one day may appeal to the Office of the Provost for relief. The Final Examination policy states that students must appeal to the Office of the Provost for accommodation at least three (3) days before the examination date. Students may download the appeal form and submit it to the Office of Academic Advising, Retention and Diversity in 308 Main Building. Winter Quarter 2011-2012 student exam schedules will be reviewed to provide relief as follows:
- Instructors for those courses with the lowest course number will be asked to give a special exam for the Winter Quarter 2011-2012
Final Grade Submission
- For classes with enrollment less than 50 grades will be due 48 hours after the final exam
- For classes with enrollment of 50 or more: grades will be due 72 hours after the final exam
The ability to submit grades via BannerWeb will be removed at noon on Wednesday, March 28, 2012.
Please take a moment to review the Final Examinations policy.
Grade of Incomplete (INC)
At the discretion of an instructor, the grade of "INC" (Incomplete) may be reported in place of a letter grade for any course in which the instructor deems that the work has not been completed and that the student can complete the work within an agreed upon time (which must be in accordance with University policy and the statute of limitations governing grade changes). A grade of "INC" may be entered for a student at the time grades are submitted for the course. The conditions and terms for the completion of the course are at the discretion of the instructor and are to be mutually agreed upon by the instructor and the student. It is strongly recommended that a written agreement be developed between the student and instructor to clarify expectations and process. If the grade is not submitted within one full academic year, the "INC" will turn into an "F" on the student's record and be reflected in the student’s GPA. The grade of "F" will be considered a permanent grade.
Grade Not Reported (NGR)
An NGR is recorded when an instructor does not report a grade normally. Typically, this should only be used if the student is known not to have attended the course.
This is not a grade, but a temporary indicator that requires prompt resolution leading either to the removal of the course from the student’s record or the assignment of a grade.
If a final grade is not reported by the end of the following term, an administrative grade of “F” will be reported and recorded on the student’s transcript. If the "NGR" notation is left unresolved by the last day of classes of the next term immediately following the term that the original NGR was reported, it will become an “F”. This grade will be calculated as a failure in the student’s GPA and is considered a permanent grade.
Late Add/Drop/Withdraw Form Submission After Week 6
All Add/Drop/Withdraw or late appeals will only be considered in the event of exigent circumstances. All submissions after Week 6 must be coordinated with the student’s academic advisor. All form submissions after Week 6 should be sent by the advisor to the Office of Academic, Advising, Retention, and Diversity in Main 308 or in the case of graduate students, to the office of Graduate Studies in Randell 240.
Exceptional consideration is afforded to military veterans who are called upon for active duty. Military veterans called to active duty should coordinate with their academic advisor accordingly. For a list of academic advisors, please visit www.drexel.edu/provost/advising/advisors.html.
KEY POLICIES & PRACTICES
Code of Conduct and Academic Integrity Policy
Undergraduate Students
We encourage students to review and abide by the University policy on Academic Integrity. The Academic Integrity policy is written in support of the University's strong commitment to high academic standards and integrity and has been endorsed by the Undergraduate Student Government Association (USGA). The Academic Affairs Committee of the USGA has authored a Statement of Honor, which furthers these ideals; the Statement of Honor was approved by the USGA on August 4, 2006.
As members of the Drexel University undergraduate student body, we seek to uphold a learning environment that embraces preeminent standards of education, integrity, and community. We strive to conduct ourselves in a manner that is beyond reproach, adhering to the University's Code of Conduct and Academic Honesty policies. Devoted to the principles of mutual respect, equality, and honor, we assume an obligation to serve one another.
Graduate Students
As a Drexel University graduate student and aware of the University’s mission, I commit myself to excellence in research, teaching, and service. In furtherance of that aim and because I understand that my actions affect all members of the Drexel community and my profession, I pledge to conduct myself with the highest integrity, honor, and respect in all my endeavors.
Disability Accommodations
Through the Office of Disability Resources ("ODR"), formerly known as the Office of Disability Services (“ODS”), the University provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities to ensure equal educational and employment access, including equal access to University courses, programs, facilities, services, and activities. ODR also provides resources to students with disabilities to assist them in becoming self-sufficient, independent, and successful members of the University's community and of the workplace communities they will join after graduation.
Students seeking reasonable accommodations for their disabilities must register with ODR to receive an accommodation. The staff of ODR will work closely with students to review medical documentation, assess their individual needs, and link them to the resources necessary to ensure them the opportunity to participate fully in college life. The Office of Disability Resources website can be found at drexel.edu/oed/disabilityResources/. The Office of Disability Resources is a department within the Office of Equality & Diversity.
When a Student is in Distress - How You Can Help
The Counseling Center has launched a resource for Faculty and Staff with regard to assisting a student in a time of distress.
The website includes information on:
- How You Can Help
- Some Signs and Symptoms of a Student in Distress
- Guidelines for Intervention
- How to Make a Referral to the Counseling Center
- Some Warning Signs of Substance Abuse
If confronted with distressing circumstances, students may turn to you for assistance.
Your participation in identifying and referring students who are in distress is extremely important. For details from the Counseling Center, please visit drexel.edu/studentlife/ch/CC_Info for Faculty & Staff.html.
Religious Observances
The University is committed to promoting an environment that supports cultural and spiritual diversity. It is essential that students contact their instructors at the beginning of the term for religious observance accommodation requests.
For more information, please review the Office of the Provost Statement on Religious Observances.
Working with Drexel Student-Veterans
Drexel is proud to sponsor the Yellow Ribbon Program and provide educational opportunities for military veterans across all of the University’s programs. The Office of Veteran Student Services unifies services and support, and provides mentorship for veterans. These services include the provision of: Admissions Assistance, Financing & Certification of Benefits, Academic Resources and Support Services Referrals.
The University is committed to promoting an environment that supports student-veterans at Drexel by assessing their individual needs and linking them to the services necessary to ensure the opportunity to participate fully in college life while meeting their service requirements.
To achieve this, the University takes into account the unique demands of student-veterans’ military requirements; for instance, deployment and readmission. In those instances, the University will uphold the “Higher Education Opportunity Act” (posted September 18, 2009) which is posted on the Provost’s Academic Policies web page.
Student-veterans with questions regarding how to manage their deployment requirements or other service oriented issues should consult with their School/College Academic Advisor who will assist them with the development of a plan of action.
In addition, veterans may contact Dr. Rebecca Weidensaul, Associate Dean of Students at (215) 895-2501 or rebecca@drexel.edu. For more information visit the Office of Veteran Student Services.
Promoting a Diverse and Fair Learning Environment
The mission of the Office of Equality & Diversity is to promote, support, and sustain a welcoming University environment of equality, fairness, and respect that fosters life-long learning through diversity and inclusion. The Office of Equality & Diversity is responsible for ensuring equal opportunity and compliance with University policies and federal, state and local laws prohibiting discrimination based upon race, color, religion, gender (sex), marital status, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, and any other prohibited characteristic. In addition to investigating complaints, OED utilizes various conflict resolution processes to address complaints of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation.
Students, faculty and professional staff with questions about or complaints concerning discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation should contact Michele M. Rovinsky-Mayer, J.D., Associate Vice President of Equality and Diversity at 215-895-1405 or mrovinsky@drexel.edu. The Equality and Diversity website can be found at www.drexel.edu/oed.
This message to Faculty & Staff via Drexel Official Mail was approved by
Dr. Mark Greenberg, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
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