Academic Regulations and Policies

Academic Integrity

Jarvis Christian University students and faculty are responsible for maintaining an environment that encourages academic integrity. Students and faculty members should report an observed or a suspected case of academic dishonesty immediately to the faculty member in charge of an examination, classroom, laboratory research project, or other academic exercise.

The value of an academic degree is contingent upon the integrity of the work performed by the student for a degree. It is imperative that students be responsible for maintaining high standards of individual honor in scholastic work. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, falsification, and collusion:

Cheating includes:

1. Copying the paper of another student, engaging in any written, oral or other means of communication with another student, or providing aid to or seeking aid from another student when not permitted by the instructor;
2. Using material during an examination or when completing an assignment that is not authorized by the person giving the examination or making the work assignment;
3. Attempting to take or taking an examination for another student, or allowing another student to take an examination for oneself;
4. Obtaining, using or attempting to acquire by any method the whole or any part of an un- administered examination or work assignment.

Plagiarism is the presenting of another person’s work as one’s own. It includes paraphrasing or summarizing the works of another person without acknowledgement, including submitting another student’s work as one’s own. It is the responsibility of the student to protect his or her own work.

Falsification is misrepresenting material or fabricating information in an academic exercise or assignment.

Collusion is the unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing written work that a student offers for credit. To avoid providing the opportunity for collusion, faculty should establish clear guidelines for students when engaged in cooperative learning activities.

Process:

If a student fails to maintain academic integrity, the faculty member is responsible for initiating the following procedure within 7 days of the incident:

1. Notify the student(s) in writing of the breach of academic integrity. This notification should include:
   1. Course number, section, and title;
   2. The student work in question and the date it was submitted;
   3. A brief description of how the student breached academic integrity.
2. File a report with the Office of Academic Affairs and a copy to the appropriate Department Chair. The report should include:
   1. Faculty name;
   2. Course number, section and title;
   3. Student name and identification number;
   4. Date of the offense;
   5. Collected evidence and documentation of incident;
   6. Copy of the written notification issued to the student.

Once the report is filed, the Office of Academic Affairs will schedule a meeting with the student(s), faculty member, and Department Chair regarding the situation within 72 hours (three working days) at which time both faculty and student will present their case. If a breach of academic integrity is found, the student(s) will be issued a written warning from the Office of Academic Affairs and the following course of action will be taken:

• For the first offense, the student will receive a grade of “0” for the assignment or exam;
• For the second offense, the student(s) will receive an F* for the course indicating on their transcript that a breach of academic integrity has occurred;
• For the third offense, the student(s) will receive an F* in the course indicating on their transcript that a breach of academic integrity has occurred and be suspended for one academic semester;
• For the fourth offense, the student(s) will receive an F* in the course indicating on their transcript that a breach of academic integrity has occurred, and will be permanently expelled from the University.

Offenses of academic integrity are cumulative throughout the student’s academic career at Jarvis Christian University. A student may not drop any course in which a violation of academic integrity is pending against the student. If the student is found not responsible for the violation, he or she may drop the course with a “W” appearing on the academic record.

Students who wish to appeal an academic penalty must notify the Vice President for Academic Affairs in writing within 72 hours of the decision. The notification should include:

1. Student name and identification number;
2. Course number, section, title and Faculty name;
3. Date of the offense;
4. Current academic penalty;
5. Reason for appeal.

The case will then be referred to the Academic Integrity Subcommittee of Academic Affairs* and a hearing will be scheduled within 10 days. All academic integrity cases must be resolved within six weeks of the purported offense.

*This committee will consist of five voting members: two faculty members (one from different disciplines), three students (one representative from the Student Government Association and two students from a pool of the population at large that has been nominated by faculty members). The Vice President for Academic Affairs will serve on this committee as an ex officio member. (Faculty and students will serve a term of one semester). Meetings will be scheduled as needed to address pending cases.

Minimum Academic Standards

During any given semester, students must meet the minimum academic standards established at Jarvis Christian University. That is, students must maintain a cumulative and semester GPA of 2.0 when enrolled in 12 or more semester credit hours, not including activity or remedial courses. Failure to meet these standards will result in the status of Academic Warning, Academic Probation, Academic Suspension, or Academic Dismissal.

NOTES

1. “Term” includes all sessions or semesters on the college’s academic calendar (fall, winter, spring, summer, adult education terms (semesters)).
2. Regular term(s) refer to fall and spring semesters.
3. GPA is an acronym for grade point average refers to the average of the earned hours at Jarvis Christian University.
4. “Good Standing” means that the student maintains a cumulative and term GPA of 2.0 or higher.

Academic Warning

A student will be placed on Academic Warning for the immediate following term (semester) in which the student enrolls if he/she fails to earn a term and maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.1 or higher or fails to complete 67% of the total attempted credit hours for that semester. For students placed on Academic Warning, the following actions apply:

2.1.1 an Academic Warning hold will be placed on the students account for registration;
2.1.2 the student must meet with the Academic Success Coach (previously titled “SAP Coordinator”) to review their course schedule and are restricted to enrolling in 13 semester credit hours; and
2.1.3 the student must sign a contract, enrolling in and adhering to the “Bulldog Student Success Program” until the student returns to good academic standing.

Students placed on Academic Warning can be restored to good academic standing when the student earns a term AND cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher and passes 67% or more of the total credit hours for that term and/or subsequent terms. A student shall remain on Academic Warning status if the term or cumulative GPA is below 2.0 for no more than two semesters. After two regular semesters with the standing of Academic Warning, the status will automatically change to Academic Probation.

Academic Probation

A student will be placed on Academic Probation if he/she fails to a) earn a cumulative GPA of 1.50 and complete at least 67% of the first 30 credit hours attempted or b) earn a cumulative GPA of 1.75 and complete at least 67% of 31 or more hours attempted (not including activity or remedial courses). For students placed on Academic Probation, the following actions apply:

1. an Academic Probation hold will be placed on the students account for registration;
2. the student must meet with the Academic Success Coach (previously titled “SAP Coordinator”) to register for their courses and are restricted to enrolling in 13 semester credit hours;
3. the student must sign a contract, enrolling in and adhering to the “Bulldog Student Success Program” until the student returns to good academic standing; and
4. the student may not hold appointed or elected office in any student organization and may not participate in intercollegiate competition.

Students placed on Academic Probation can be restored to good academic standing when the student earns a term and cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher and passes 67% or more of the total credit hours attempted. If the student fails to do so, he/she is suspended for the following regular term.

Academic Suspension

First Academic Suspension

If a student fails to earn a term GPA of 2.0 and pass 67% or more of the total credit hours attempted while on Academic Probation (not including activity or remedial courses), the student will be academically suspended the following regular term (semester). If there are extenuating circumstances, students may appeal for reinstatement to the Committee on Academic and Financial Aid Appeals and to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. A student who has been suspended is prohibited from enrolling in any credit courses offered for one regular term and any mini-terms, to include winter and summer terms. If the student has pre-registered for an upcoming term, he/she will be automatically dis-enrolled.

For students with GPA’s of 0.0, the Committee on Academic and Financial Aid Appeals may elect to bypass the standing of Academic Probation and place students with 30 or more attempted credit hours on Academic Suspension with consultation and approval of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.

If reinstated, in addition to any special conditions imposed by the Committee on Academic and Financial Aid Appeals, students are reinstated to the Academic Probation status and must meet the actions under Academic Probation.

If denied reinstatement, a student may reapply for admission after the suspension period. If admitted, the student will be placed on Academic Probation. If a student fails to earn a term GPA of 2.0 and pass 67% or more of the total credit hours attempted while on Academic Probation (not including activity or remedial courses) after two consecutive regular terms (semesters), the student will be academically suspended, recommended for Academic Dismissal to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs and may not permitted to continue enrollment at Jarvis Christian University.

Second Academic Suspension

Following a regular term suspension or an approved appeal from the first academic suspension, students are reinstated to Academic Probation. If a student fails to earn a term GPA of 2.0 and pass 67% or more of the total credit hours attempted while on Academic Probation (not including activity or remedial courses) after two consecutive regular terms (semesters), the student will be academically suspended, recommended for Academic Dismissal and not permitted to continue enrollment at Jarvis Christian College. If there are extenuating circumstances, students may appeal for reinstatement to the Committee on Academic and Financial Aid Appeals.

Academic Dismissal

Following the second Academic Suspension, if a student fails to earn a term GPA of 2.0 and pass 67% or more of the total credit hours attempted while reinstated to Academic Probation (not including activity or remedial courses) after two consecutive regular terms (semesters), the student will be academically suspended, recommended for Academic Dismissal and not permitted to continue enrollment at Jarvis Christian University. A student who has been academically dismissed is prohibited from enrolling in any credit courses offered for one academic year. If the student has pre-registered for an upcoming term, he/she will be automatically dis-enrolled.

Academic Standing Appeal

Academically suspended students may appeal the suspension by filing a written petition within 14 days of the dated notification letter to the University Registrar. If the student has also been suspended from financial aid, the student is only required to file one appeal within the designated timeframe. The student must write a professional letter and demonstrate the following for approval:

• reasonable cause as to unusual reasons for failure and/or extraordinary personal circumstances;
• evidence of capability for success; and
• an objective plan to ensure success toward obtaining a degree.

Procedures

Actions by the Registrar’s Office

When students are placed on Academic Warning, Academic Probation, Academic Suspension, or Academic Dismissal, the status will be permanently indicated on the student’s academic record (transcript).

Actions by the Committee on Academic and Financial Aid Appeals

At the end of each semester, the standing Committee on Academic and Financial Aid Appeals will review and take action on the record of every student whose semester or cumulative GPA is below 2.0. The Committee may recommend to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs that a student be suspended, dismissed, or placed on Academic Warning or Probation. All students will be notified via college email and mail within three weeks of the ate that “final grades” are due. However, all students are responsible for monitoring their own academic record and performance and failure to receive the notification does not nullify the academic standing action.

Class Attendance

Students are expected to attend all meetings of their classes at Jarvis Christian University, arrive at the designated beginning time for the class, and remain until the designated dismissal time for the class.

Authorized absences are granted for students who are approved by the Office of Academic Affairs as official representatives of the University (class field trips, University-sponsored workshops, musical performances, and intercollegiate sports participation).

In any course offered during the fall or spring semester, faculty are authorized by Jarvis Christian University policy to fail or to recommend that students withdraw whose total absences exceed the equivalent of two weeks. Students must withdraw from the class by the assigned date or receive an “F” for the course. For example, no more than three (3) absences are allowed, per semester, in a class meeting three times a week (i.e., Monday/Wednesday/Friday), no more than two (2) absences are allowed, per semester, in a class meeting twice a week, and no more than one (1) in a class meeting once a week. Specific standards for a summer course are stated in the course syllabus.

Unauthorized absences on dates published for examinations result in loss of those examination grades. All unauthorized absences and instances of tardiness are subject to the penalty published in the course syllabus.

Students absent from class for any of the reasons listed below may, at the discretion of the instructor, receive an excused absence by presenting the proper documentation as indicated in the Table below:

Reason - Documentation

Personal illness or illness of immediate family member - Physician’s Statement

Death in immediate family - Funeral program

Performance of co- or extra-curricular obligations to the University (travel with athletic teams, class field trips, conferences, seminars, fine arts performance, etc.) - Written statement from sponsor including a coach or choir director that specifies the activity the student participated in and the date of the activity; or notice from either the Office of Academic Affairs or Student Affairs.

Class Rosters

Class rosters are computerized. Faculty members are to verify that the names of all students attending class appear on the class rosters by generating an updated computerized roster list for each class meeting during the ADD/DROP week.

Should a student be in attendance and not appear on the computerized class roster, the faculty should (a) have the student double check his/her schedule to ensure correct enrollment in that course; (b) if a currently printed student schedule indicates that the student is currently enrolled in the course and does not appear in the electronic version of the faculty’s roster, the student should be referred to the Office of the Registrar, the Office of Financial Aid, and/or the Business Office to resolve the reason for not appearing on the faculty’s class roster.

Students who have not reported to class by the end of the ADD/DROP period (12^th day of class) will be reported by the faculty to the Office of the Registrar by the end of business on the 12th day of class for deletion of said non-attending student from the faculty roster.

All holds are to be resolved before the 12^th day of class. Should these matters not be resolved by the 11th day of class, the student will not be registered for that academic semester.

Classification of Students

Students at Jarvis Christian University are classified by type and by semester hours satisfactorily completed.

Classifications by type are:

1. Full-time student: One enrolled for twelve or more semester hours.
2. Part-time student: One enrolled for fewer than twelve semester hours.
3. Special student: One who is not a candidate for a degree or certification.
4. Transient/Visiting student: One who is enrolled as a degree-seeking student at another college or university and intends to transfer credit back to their home institution.

Classification by semester hours satisfactorily completed are:

1. Freshman: 30 or less semester hours completed.
2. Sophomore: 31-60 semester hours completed.
3. Junior: 61-90 semester hours completed.
4. Senior: 91 or more semester hours completed.

Distance Education Policy

Jarvis Christian University is committed to providing students from diverse backgrounds high quality distance education opportunities that are consistent with its mission and role. The distance education policy adheres to established best practices, including those outlined by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) and the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB). Following these best practices, the University employs both asynchronous and synchronous learning technologies and delivery formats to offer a variety of courses and programs to include internet, satellite, wireless communication devices, audio conferencing, or other technologies as a part of the distance learning course or program. In the delivery of instruction through distance education, the University insures the academic freedom of the faculty. All content, supplemental materials, technologies, and delivery formats are the property of Jarvis Christian University.

Credit Hour Load

A minimum of 12 and a maximum of 18 semester hours of class and laboratory work, exclusive of band or choir, constitute a normal load for a full time student during a semester. A student who a normal load or an overload during the preceding semester and earned a “B” average may be permitted to carry a maximum load of 19 semester hours. A student who has an over-all average of “B” may, under exceptional circumstances, be permitted to carry an overload not to exceed 21 semester hours during the final semester of the senior year.

Credit Hour Policy

Jarvis Christian University defines a credit hour in accordance with the federal definition: “… a credit hour is an amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that is an institutionally established equivalency that reasonably approximates not less than (except as provided in 34 CFR 668.8(k) and (l)*):

1. One hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out-of-class student work each week for approximately fifteen weeks for one semester or trimester hour of credit…or the equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time; or
2. At least an equivalent amount of work as required in paragraph (1) of this definition for other academic activities as established by the institution, including laboratory work, internships, practicums, studio work, and other academic work leading to the award of credit hours.

An equivalent amount of work is required in courses and academic activities where direct instruction is not the primary mode of learning, such as online and hybrid courses, laboratory work, independent study, internships, practicums, studio work, etc. Credits will be awarded on the basis of documented learning objectives, expected learning outcomes, and student workload expectations within a specified period of academically engaged time.

Application of the Credit Hour Policy by Course Type

1. For face-to-face or traditional instruction: The completion of one credit hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two credit hours of out-of-class student work each week for one semester (15 weeks); or
2. For online, hybrid, and accelerated courses: The completion of an equivalent amount of faculty instruction and student work, as stipulated above in paragraph (1), that may occur over a different amount of time; or
3. For other academic instructional activities: The completion of an institutionally sanctioned academic activity (e.g., externship, practicum, internship, independent study, studio work, laboratory work, and fieldwork) that is equivalent to the amount of work stipulated in paragraph (1), that may occur over a different amount of time.

Description of the Credit Hour Policy by Instructional Activity

Accelerated Sessions: Courses offered within a timeframe that is less than the standard 15-week semester, but are the same as standard semester courses. The content and learning outcomes are the same. Accelerated courses meet the minimum contact hour requirement within the specified timeframe.

Lecture/Seminar: A course in which the instructor’s primary emphasis is on transmitting knowledge or information, explaining ideas or principles, and/or modeling skills. In some courses, students may be expected to participate in classroom activities by means appropriate to the subject matter, such as discussion, performance, skill development, etc. A semester credit hour is earned for fifteen, 50-minute sessions of direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of student preparation time outside of class per week throughout the semester. A typical three-credit hour course meets for three, 50-minute sessions or two, 75-minute sessions a week for fifteen weeks. Most lecture and seminar courses are awarded 3 credits.

Laboratory: Practical application courses where the major focus is on “hands-on” experience to support student learning (use of equipment, activities, tools, machines generally found in a laboratory. Labs give students first-hand experience in developing and practicing skills, translating theory into practice, and developing, testing, and applying principles. 1- 2 Laboratory credits represent a minimum of 1 hour per week of lecture or discussion plus a minimum of 2-4 hours of scheduled supervised or independent laboratory work.

Studio: Courses taught as applied study on a private or semi-private basis. Students receive anywhere from 1-2 credits for applied music courses. Private instruction ranges from 30 to 60 minutes with independent practice as prescribed by the instructor.

Internship/Field Experience/Student Teaching: Courses developed for independent learning and the development and application of job related or practical skills in a particular discipline. These courses allow for observation, participation, and fieldwork, and are generally offered off- campus. Internship time includes a combination of supervised time by approved experts outside the college, student assignments, and supervised evaluations by a college instructor and internship/field supervisor.

• 3 credit hour internship - ranging from 112.5 to 150 hours throughout the semester
• 1 credit hour internship - ranging from 50 to 100 hours throughout the semester
• 12 credit hour field experience/student teaching - ranging from 350 to 500 clock hours in alignment with accreditation associations.

Independent Study: Undergraduate or graduate directed study in an area of special interest not readily available through conventional course offerings. The student works with a chosen faculty member who approves the student’s individualized plan of study and supervises his/her progress. An independent study may be project-oriented, research-oriented, and/or focus on directed readings and writing in the area of interest. The terminology used by program may vary (e.g., independent study, individual study, directed study, problems, undergraduate problems, graduate problems, research problems, honors problems, senior honors research, reading and research for honors, readings, directed readings, etc.). Credit hours are assigned based on the amount of activity associated with the course, faculty supervision, and amount of student outside work.

Hybrid: A course is considered hybrid (or blended) when it is composed of both online learning and classroom learning and incorporates the best features of both environments to meet the learning objectives of the course. No less than 51% of the course is to be scheduled as face-to- face, and no more than 49% of the course is to be scheduled as online. For a three-credit course, no less than 76.50 minutes (1.275 hours) a week can be scheduled face-to-face and no more than 73.50 minutes (1.225 hours) per a week can be scheduled online equaling a total of 150 minutes of instruction per week.

Online (Asynchronous): Courses where “instructors and students do not meet in the same space”. Regardless of mode of instruction, courses should be consistent in terms of quality, assessment, learning outcomes, requirements, etc. as courses offered face-to-face with the same department prefix, number, and course title. Faculty must demonstrate active academic engagement through interactive methods, including but not limited to, interactive tutorials, group discussions, virtual study/project groups, discussion boards, chat rooms, etc. Simply logging on, either by faculty or students does not constitute active student learning. Credit hours assigned to a course delivered online must equal the number of credit hours for the same course delivered face-to-face.

Grade Appeal

A student may appeal a final grade given by an instructor in cases where he or she believes the grade awarded is inconsistent with the announced grading policy. The student is responsible for initiating the procedure in the following manner:

The student must contact the faculty member in writing within two weeks of the grade assignment. This letter/email should include the following:

1. Student name
2. Identification number
3. Course number, section and title
4. Semester in which the course was taken
5. Reason for the appeal

The student and faculty member will review and explain the criteria for the assignment of grades as established in the course syllabus, as well as the student’s performance. Should the student be dissatisfied with the discussion with the faculty member, the student may take their case to the Department Chair. If after discussion with the Department Chair and faculty member, the student is still dissatisfied, the next recourse of appeal is to the Dean. If still dissatisfied the Vice President for Academic Affairs. At each administrative level of the appeal process, an attempt will be made to resolve the issue. If resolution results in a grade change, the requisite GRADE CHANGE form should be completed by faculty, signed by the Department Chair, Dean and Vice President for Academic Affairs and received in the Registrar’s Office for processing.

All grade appeal cases submitted within the two-week period after grade distribution must be resolved by the sixth week of the following semester. Failure to contact the faculty member in writing within two weeks of grade assignment voids the recourse of appeal. A record of “W” cannot be changed.

The Vice President for Academic Affairs is the final step in the appeal process for academic matters at Jarvis Christian University.

Grade Distribution

The Office of the Registrar makes mid-semester grades available to students on-line. Final grades are available to students on-line at the end of each semester. Grades are accessed on the Jarvis website through the JCU Web. Mid-semester and final grades are mailed to the parents of students who have signed an “Authorization for Receiving Grades”.

Grades and Quality Points

Each instructor assigns grades to students based on standards established as appropriate for each class. It is the student’s responsibility to comply with the criteria used in grading by instructors. Students should consult with instructors during office hours for assistance.

The class work of students will be indicated according to the following pattern scale.

This grading scale will be followed unless otherwise noted in course syllabus.

Grade of “I” (Incomplete)

A grade of “I” may be assigned as a grade under special circumstances. A grade of “I” may be assigned to allow a student who had a passing grade at the time of grade assignment to complete the course in a relatively short period of time. Guidelines for conditions warranting an “I” include:

1. Prolonged illness
2. Documented personal emergencies preventing completion of final work including examinations.
3. Extenuating circumstances that have prevented completion of final papers or projects.

The issuance of an “I” is a decision made by the instructor after conferring with the student. Incomplete course work must be completed and the “I” removed from the student’s transcript the next regular term immediately following the submission of the “I” as the grade. If the student is not enrolled in the next regular term, he/she has one calendar year from the semester the “I” was received to remove the grade. If the student fails to remove the “I” within the calendar year by the date designated, the “I” grade automatically becomes an “F”.

It is the student’s responsibility to conference with the instructor to ensure that the grade of “I” is changed when the work is completed.

The instructor of record is responsible to file the required documentation of terms of Incomplete with the Office of the Registrar within 3 working days of final grades due for the semester providing the following information:

1. Grade student had at time of grade assignment;
2. Circumstances warranting the granting of a grade of Incomplete;
3. Written guidelines of work lacking and date due;
4. Faculty and student signature and date of agreement;
5. Copy of course syllabus.

The permanent grade submitted to remove the grade of “I” must be verified by the instructor’s roll book. Change of grades must be approved by the Department Chair, Dean and the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Computation of the Grade Point Average

A student who earned the grades above, in the courses indicated, at the end of a semester, and 49 quality points, would have an average of 2.88 when the 49 quality points are divided by 17 semester hours.

Release of Transcripts

The cost of an official or unofficial transcript is payable by cash, money order, cashier’s check, PayPal or credit card. Transcripts cannot be released if account balances have not been satisfactorily settled with the University.

Official transcripts, which bear the signature of the issuing officer and the University seal, and unofficial transcripts are issued upon written request of the student. Requests for transcripts should be addressed to:

Office of the Registrar
Jarvis Christian University
Post Office Box 1470
Hawkins, Texas 75765-1470

Scholastic Eligibility for Participation in Extra-Curricular Activities

In order to be eligible for participation in intercollegiate athletics and/or any other extracurricular activity sponsored by the University, the student must possess a cumulative grade point average of “C” (2.00). Students not on academic probation, but with an average below 2.0, are limited to taking no more than 13 semester hours of coursework.