Academic Regulations and Procedures

Requirements for Graduation

In addition to the program requirements, the following requirements must be met for graduation:

Coursework & GPA Requirements

For graduation, an undergraduate student must complete one of the departmental major courses of study stated in the catalog of record and must achieve a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 2.0 and a minimum grade point average of 2.0 in all coursework in the major. jor coursework at The Citadel. Students majoring in education must achieve a cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.50 and a grade-point average of at least 2.50 on all professional education courses; and must have on file in the Registrar’s Office at The Citadel passing scores for the appropriate PRAXIS II and Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) Examinations. Courses used to calculate the grade point average in the major are found in the degree program requirements.

EUGS 101 Introduction to The Citadel Experience

All students must complete EUGS 101  in their first semester at The Citadel. This one-credit-hour online introductory course provides an overview of services offered by The Citadel as well as an overview of The Citadel’s three Core Values of Honor, Duty, and Respect. Undergraduates are required to complete EUGS 101  within the first two semesters enrolled at The Citadel, preferably in the first semester. Those who do not pass EUGS 101  within the timeframe will not be allowed to register for the next semester until the course is completed and the student passes with a “C” grade or better.

Protection of Minors

The Citadel is committed to the safety of all individuals in its community. The College has particular concern for those who are potentially vulnerable, including minor children, who require special attention and protection. Our online training requirement establishes guidelines for those in the college community who may work or interact with individuals under 18 years of age, with the goal of promoting the safety and wellbeing of minors.

All degree-seeking undergraduate students who enroll in Citadel course(s) are required to successfully complete the Citadel’s protection of minors training module at the beginning of their enrollment. Cadets, Veteran Day students, and Active Duty students complete the online module their first semester (fall or spring) at The Citadel. Training is coordinated by The Commandant’s Office for Cadets, and the Veteran Success Center for Veteran Day and Active Duty Students. All other undergraduates complete the training module through their participation in EUGS 101 . Any undergraduate student who has completed equivalent training in the last five years may provide a copy of their certificate of completion by uploading it through the compliance office at compliance@citadel.edu. Undergraduates who do not complete the training module (and EUGS when required) within the first two semesters, fall and/or spring term, of enrollment will not be allowed to register for the next semester until proof of completion is presented to the compliance office.

Dress Code Policy for Veteran Students and Fifth-Year Day Students

All veteran students and fifth-year day students are expected to be cleanly and neatly dressed. This is particularly important as they serve as role models for other students on campus. Proper dress is business casual clothing (e.g., khaki pants or denim jeans and a collared shirt/polo shirt for males and denim jeans/slacks/skirt and a collared shirt/polo/blouse for females). Jeans that are frayed, patched, or contain holes are unacceptable. Additionally, shoes must be worn at all times. Specific types of clothing (e.g., frayed or torn jeans, jean shorts, running shorts, PT shorts, cut-off shorts, warm-up clothes, bathing suits, beach cover-ups, tank tops, halter tops, tube tops, flip flop shoes, etc.) are not proper attire for the classroom, library, or other academic areas. During the summer sessions, faculty and staff follow a more relaxed dress code, and a similar approach to the dress code will apply to students.

Additional Dress Code requirements apply primarily to cadets with Day Student Status:

1. Regulations pertaining to body piercing and tattoos are the same as those for members of the Corps of Cadets.
2. A broken uniform is unattractive anywhere, but it is especially unsuited for a military college campus or classroom. Portions of cadet uniforms are not, therefore, to be worn by non-cadets or cadets with day student status.
3. Students’ hair (males and females) will be neatly trimmed and styled, as will mustaches and sideburns, if applicable.
4. Students will wear business attire when members of the Corps of Cadets are required to appear in full dress or white uniforms.

For students who violate these dress code rules, and who are not in compliance with minimal standards for personal appearance, the following protocols will apply:

1. For a first offense, a student will be required, upon direction of a campus authority, to leave campus until such discrepancies are corrected.
2. For a second offense, a student who fails to adhere to the dress code policy will be required to meet with the Associate Provost of Enrollment Management shortly after the violation occurs. In this meeting, the student will be educated on the policy and asked to sign a formal, written agreement of future compliance with the dress code. The Associate Provost has the option of applying additional sanctions should it be deemed necessary to gain compliance.
3. Additional violations of the dress code will result in progressively punitive measures up to suspension from the institution as per the Student Code of Conduct.

The Citadel Student Honor Code

Honor Code Statement: It is the responsibility of all community members to promote, abide by, and enforce the following honor code: “A Citadel student (e.g. graduate, undergraduate, or veteran/active duty) does not lie, cheat, steal, nor tolerate those who do.”

Every student (which includes undergraduates, graduate students, day veterans, fifth-year day students, and all active duty students) must uphold the honor code as well as The Citadel’s Core Values of Honor, Duty, and Respect. Each student is required to represent themselves honestly in all college business matters and on all documents. Each student does their own work and refrains from any form of academic dishonesty, including plagiarism and cheating. In personal conduct, each student acts in a professional and ethical manner and refrains from any form of disrespectful behavior to any other member of The Citadel community.

In addition to students enrolled in degree programs and certificates, or as part of a joint program with other institutions, this honor code is also applicable to transient students and cadets who enroll in courses during the summer.

Definition of Terms:

In general, four types of conduct fall under the honor code: lying, cheating, stealing, and the toleration of those who engage in any of these activities.

1. Lying. Defined as any attempt to deceive, falsify, or misrepresent the truth in any matter involving college business. This includes but is not limited to matters involving academic standing, participation in courses, financial information, or any false statements to faculty, staff, administrators, or university officials.
2. Cheating. Defined as taking or attempting to take, or otherwise procure intellectual property in an unauthorized manner; selling, giving, lending, or furnishing to any unauthorized person by a student enrolled in that course, material which can be shown to contain the questions or answers to any exam from any course offered at The Citadel. Academic Dishonesty also includes plagiarism, including fabricating, forging, or falsifying laboratory results or reports, or using work from other courses or from previous assignments for a current class.
   
   The term cheating includes, but is not limited to: 1) the use of sources beyond those authorized by the instructor for written assignments; 2) the use of any unauthorized assistance in taking exams or quizzes; 3) the unauthorized acquisition of tests or other academic material belonging to a faculty or staff member or a student.
   
   The term plagiarism includes, but is not limited to, the use of published or unpublished work of another person without full and clear acknowledgement. It also includes the unacknowledged use of materials prepared by another person or agency engaged in the selling of term papers or other academic material.
    
3. Stealing. Defined as taking without authority, personal, government, or college property.
4. Toleration. Defined as the failure to report a case of lying, cheating, or stealing as defined above to the proper Honor Council authorities.

Academic Integrity Policy and Procedures:

Absolute integrity is expected of every Citadel student in all academic undertakings. Academic integrity is grounded on the concept of honesty with respect to the intellectual efforts of oneself and others. A student’s submission of work for academic credit indicates that the work is the student’s own. Students are responsible for knowing what constitutes violations of the Academic Integrity Policy. Examples of violations of the Academic Integrity policy include, but are not limited to the following:

• Plagiarizing or representing the words, ideas, or information of another person as one’s own without documentation;

• Giving or receiving, prior to an examination, any unauthorized information concerning the content of that examination;

• Using, without authorization of the instructor, notes, books, prompts, or other materials, or receiving verbal assistance to aid in answering questions on an examination; • Giving or receiving substantive aid during the course of an examination;

• Asking or permitting another person to take a test or engage in other academic work; or taking a test or engaging in academic work for another, whether voluntarily or for hire, in conjunction with class work or for admissions purposes;

• Violating personal property rights (for example, stealing or attempting to steal tests, keys, or grade books);

• Fabricating data in support of laboratory or fieldwork;

• Engaging in other acts of academic misconduct.

While academic integrity is a shared responsibility, it is incumbent upon the student to abide by the academic integrity requirements. It is the responsibility of the faculty member to inform the student of any atypical academic integrity requirements.

Violations of the Academic Integrity Policy: 

A. When a faculty member suspects or has been informed that a student may have violated the Academic Integrity Policy, the faculty member should inform the student in writing within ten working days of discovery. Some situations may require more time; however in no case should this written notification be delayed by more than one month. Written notification should include the allegation and a suggested time, place, and date for a meeting of the student, the professor, and Department Head or Associate Dean of the school in which the alleged violation took place. If the faculty member making the allegation is the Department Head or Associate Dean of the school in which the alleged violation took place, the meeting should include the student, the faculty member, and Dean of that school.

B. After this meeting, if the faculty member decides that no violation occurred, the matter will be dropped. If the faculty member decides that a violation has occurred but that only a grade penalty is warranted, the student may be assigned an “F” for the work in question, or, in more serious cases, an “F” in the course. If it is determined that a more serious penalty is warranted, or if the student does not accept the grade penalty offered, the accusation will be remanded to the Dean of the school in which the alleged violation occurred. If that Dean participated in the meeting with the faculty member and the students, the matter is referred to the Associate Provost.

C. Upon receiving the allegation, the Dean of the school where the alleged violation occurred or the Associate Provost will appoint a threemember hearing board comprised of two faculty members from outside the program of the accused student, and a currently enrolled student of the same student classification, but outside the program of the accused student. The hearing will be convened within two weeks from the date the hearing board receives the case. If circumstances preclude meeting this deadline, the accused will be so informed in writing. A minimum of seven days’ notice will be provided the student prior to the hearing. The accused student may be assisted by another student, not to exceed two. No legal counsel is allowed. The student and/or the student’s advisor may crossexamine all witnesses and the accuser. A tape recording of the hearing, which will be closed, will be made. Upon conclusion of the hearing, the hearing board will vote and report its findings and recommendation to the Dean of the school in which the alleged violation occurred or the Associate Provost.

D. Upon reviewing the recommendation, the Dean of the school where the alleged violation occurred or the Associate Provost will either exonerate the student; impose a sanction less than suspension, dismissal or expulsion; or recommend a sanction of suspension, dismissal, or expulsion to the Provost. If the sanction is not suspension, dismissal, or expulsion, the student may appeal this sanction to the Provost who makes the final decision. If the sanction is for suspension, dismissal, or expulsion, the Provost will review the case and the process that has been followed and make the final decision on removal of the student from The Citadel for a violation of academic integrity. The student may appeal that decision to the President of the College.

Appeals of Violations of Academic Integrity:

Students who have been found guilty of a violation of academic integrity where the punishment is suspension, dismissal, or expulsion shall be entitled to petition an Academic Integrity Board of Review to hear an appeal provided the petition is submitted to the Office of the President within five working days after receiving notice of the findings of the Provost, and provided the petition states the grounds on which the appeal is based. An Academic Integrity Board of Review is established by the President. An Academic Integrity Board of Review will consist of a dean, who serves as chair; a department head; a senior member of the faculty; and a non-voting recorder. Once established, an Academic Integrity Board of Review will be furnished the record of the original proceedings and will evaluate the petition of appeal to determine if any of these grounds have been met:

• new evidence has been found since the individual was found guilty;

• the individual’s rights were not protected;

• there was a procedural error during the trial.

If after considering the petition of appeal, the Academic Integrity Board of Review determines that the request for appeal sets forth reasonable grounds for appeal and agrees to hear the appeal, the accused student and advisor (another student or a member of the permanent faculty or staff, not to exceed two) will be present during the formal portion of the hearing, which will be taped. Oral arguments from the student or advisor will be heard and will normally be limited to 30 minutes each. In addition, the accused or advisor will have the opportunity to question any witnesses called by the Academic Integrity Board of Review. The formal appeal hearing will be taped, and the tape will become part of the record of the Academic Integrity Board of Review. The findings of the Academic Integrity Board of Review will be transmitted to the President in the form of sealed, confidential written recommendations, with appropriate justifications.

Violation of Honor Code for Behavioral Actions

All students at The Citadel are responsible for conducting themselves in a manner that helps enhance an environment of learning in which the rights, dignity, worth, and freedom of each member of the academic community are respected. Violations of Citadel policies, rules or regulations, or federal, state, or local law may result in a violation of the Code of Student Conduct and imposition of sanctions.

This Honor Code establishes the expectations for student conduct in the Citadel community. The Code, therefore, proscribes the types of behavior that adversely affects the school community, and the resulting actions that may be taken to both educate students about behavioral expectations and to protect The Citadel’s community.  Students accused of non-academic integrity related violations will be brought up in front of an institutional Honor Council.

Honor Council Composition:

Faculty: Six members; one from each Academic School and one from the Library. Honor Council members are appointed by Graduate Council and serve three-year terms.

Students: Two members appointed by The Citadel Student Government Association.

Chair: A faculty member elected by members of the Council. Calls meetings, ensures procedures are followed, and is non-voting but casts the deciding vote in the event of a tie.

Training of Honor Council Members: All members are required to participate in a workshop/training seminar on Citadel Honor Code and procedures. Note: this training should be similar in nature to what cadet honor court members receive on procedures and content.

Procedures:

Any student, faculty member, or administrator may charge a student with an honor code violation. All accused students participating in Honor Council hearings are guaranteed the following rights during a hearing:

1. The right to a representative. In all college hearings and boards in which a student faces suspension, dismissal or expulsion, the student may be represented by up to two student representatives. Representatives must be students in the same academic program as the student facing disciplinary action, i.e., graduate students or undergraduate students may not serve as representatives for cadets, nor may cadets serve as representatives for graduate or undergraduate students. Representatives may participate in the board or hearing, including speaking directly to the board or hearing officer and questioning witnesses.
2. The right to question all witnesses. In cases where the complainant is an alleged victim, accommodations may be made.
3. The right to present evidence and call witnesses.
4. The right to decline making any statements or answering questions. In doing so, the Council may draw inferences, either positively or negatively, from such a refusal.
5. The right to an audio copy of the hearing upon written request.
6. The right to appeal the decision of the Honor Council.

Honor Council Hearing Procedural Guidelines:

All student conduct hearings shall be conducted according to the following guidelines except as provided below:

1. Hearings will be conducted in private.
2. The complainant, accused student, and their representatives, if any, shall be allowed to attend the entire portion of the hearing at which information is received (excluding deliberations). Admission of any other person to the hearing shall be at the discretion of the Honor Council Chair.
3. In hearings involving more than one accused student, the Honor Council Chair, at his or her discretion, may permit the hearings concerning each student to be conducted either separately or jointly.
4. The complainant and the accused student have the right to be assisted by a representative of his or her choosing. Representatives must be students in the same academic program as the student facing disciplinary action, i.e., graduate students or undergraduate students may not serve as representatives for cadets, nor may cadets serve as representatives for graduate or undergraduate students. Representatives may participate in the board or hearing, including speaking directly to the board or hearing officer and questioning witnesses.
5. The complainant and the accused student may arrange for witnesses to present pertinent information to the hearing. Witnesses will provide information to and answer questions from the Honor Council.
6. Pertinent records, exhibits, and written statements may be accepted as information for consideration during the hearing at the discretion of the Honor Council Chair.
7. All procedural questions are subject to the final decision of the Honor Council Chair.
8. After the portion of the hearing concludes in which all pertinent information has been received, the Honor Council shall determine whether the accused student is in violation of the Non-Cadet Honor Code.
9. The determination shall be made on the basis of a preponderance of the evidence–whether it is more likely than not that the accused student violated the Honor Code. Formal rules or process, procedure, and/or technical rules of evidence, such as those applied in criminal or civil court, are not used in these proceedings.
10. There shall be a single audio recording of all student conduct hearings (not including deliberations). Deliberations should not be recorded. The record shall be the property of The Citadel. If an accused student, with notice, does not appear for a hearing, the information in support of the charges shall be presented and considered even if the accused student is not present.

Hearing Protocol:

1. Introductions of the participants in the hearing
2. Chair or Administrator reviews hearing process and procedures
3. Chair or Administrator confirms charges and statements of responsibility
4. Complainant/university calls witnesses
   1. Complainant asks questions of witnesses
   2. Board/Administrator asks questions of witnesses
   3. Accused student asks questions of witnesses
   4. All parties have opportunity to ask any additional questions
5. Accused student calls witnesses
   1. Accused student asks questions of witnesses
   2. Board/Administrator asks questions of witnesses
   3. Complainant asks questions of witnesses
6. All parties have opportunity to ask any additional questions to accused student and/or complainant
7. Deliberations by Board - Student will be notified of the decision in writing via university e-mail, with a hardcopy sent by registered mail, within three business days.

Range of Sanctions:

Note: This list is not exhaustive and may be modified to meet particular circumstances in any given case. All sanctions become a part of student’s official record. Final appeals of Honor Council rulings are made to the President. The procedure for appeals is found in the campus policies and procedures manual.

1. Expulsion-Permanent forced withdrawal from The Citadel. Although this may be imposed as a first offense for serious cases, it is usually imposed after other disciplinary methods have not achieved desired results. In all cases in which expulsion is appropriate, the Associate Provost of Enrollment Management will submit documentation and findings to the President of the college for final disposition. The President may elect, at his discretion, to impose another penalty. The student will be notified of the President’s decision, and that decision is final. A student’s suspension or expulsion will be noted on his or her transcripts.
2. Dismissal-Forced withdrawal from The Citadel for two semesters.
3. Suspension-Forced withdrawal from The Citadel for one semester. In instances of both dismissal and suspension, students may not visit campus or participate in any campus- related activities. An exception to this rule is if the student is seeking clarification of his or her academic record and a physical visit to campus is required.
4. Reprimand-Written notice to student that behavior was unacceptable and that further issues could result in suspension or expulsion.
5. Restriction-Loss of privileges including but not limited to parking on campus, access to university facilities, etc.
6. Course Withdrawal-From the course in which the offense occurred.
7. Grade Change-Only for cases involving academic integrity. Such a sanction must be approved by the Provost or the Associate Provost of Enrollment Management.
8. Restitution-Reimbursement for physical damages or loss of property.

Appeals:

Grounds. An appeal does not provide a second forum in which to present the case. Appeals deal only with how a decision has been reached and not with the decision itself. The following are the exclusive grounds for all disciplinary and academic appeals:

1. That the hearing officer or board failed to provide due process;
2. That significant information has been discovered since the board or hearing, which would probably change the result, but which could not, in the exercise of due diligence, have been presented to the board or hearing.

A review by the President is not considered an entitlement but is within the scope of authority of the President. This is the final appeal at the institution and if applicable, all imposed sanctions are implemented after the President issues his decision.

Title IX at The Citadel

Title IX of the U.S. Education Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”) is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs and activities. The Citadel does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education programs or activities that it operates including admissions and employment.

Under Title IX, discrimination on the basis of sex can also include sexual harassment which is defined as conduct on the basis of sex that satisfies one or more of the following:

1. An employee of the College conditioning the provision of education benefits on participation in unwelcome sexual conduct (i.e., quid pro quo); or
2. Unwelcome conduct that a reasonable person would determine is so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to the institution’s education program or activity; or
3. Sexual assault (as defined in the Clery Act), dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking as defined in the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).

Any person may report sex discrimination, including sexual harassment (whether or not the person reporting is the person alleged to be the victim of conduct that could constitute sex discrimination or sexual harassment), in person, by mail, by telephone, or by electronic mail, using the contact information listed for the Title IX Coordinator, or by any other means that results in the Title IX Coordinator receiving the person’s verbal or written report. Such a report may be made at any time (including during non-business hours) by using the telephone number, electronic mail address, or by mail to the office address listed for the Title IX Coordinator. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries related to Title IX: Valerie Mercado, Title IX Coordinator; 171 Moultrie St, Bond Hall 369, Charleston, SC, 29409; 843-953-6881; vmercado@citadel.edu.

The Citadel Policy https://www.citadel.edu/root/title-ix provides information on The Citadel’s grievance procedures, including how to report or file a complaint and how The Citadel will respond.

Inquiries can also be made to the Assistant Secretary. The Assistant Secretary contact information is U.S. Department of Education, Office of Postsecondary Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, S.W., Washington, DC 20202, Main Telephone: 202-453-6914.

NCAA Regulation Related to Campus Sexual Violence

In compliance with the NCAA regulations related to campus sexual violence response, The Citadel has adopted Memorandum 2-029: Annual Disclosure Requirements For Compliance With The NCAA Board of Governors Policy on Campus Sexual Violence. This policy outlines the disclosures required of all incoming, continuing and transfer student athletes. The policy can be viewed at:

https://www.citadel.edu/root/images/policies/disclosure-requirements-for-compliance-with-ncaa-board-of-governors.pdf

Academic Standards

Catalog of Record

The catalog bearing the number of the academic year in which undergraduate students enter The Citadel will be their catalog of record for matters of academic policy.

When a student is readmitted after an absence of at least three academic semesters (summer sessions will not be considered as semesters for this purpose), the catalog bearing the number of the academic year in which the student is readmitted will be the catalog of record for matters of academic policy and graduation requirements. However, upon recommendation of the Registrar with approval by the Associate Provost, a different catalog year may be assigned.

Class Attendance

Regular attendance is required of all Citadel students, and the attendance record maintained by the instructor is official. In case of absences due to illness or other circumstances beyond their control, students should notify the instructor as soon as possible.

Online Course Attendance Policy

Distance education (online) students are subject to The Citadel’s attendance policy. Attendance in a distance education (online) course is defined by active participation. Logging into Canvas does not qualify as sufficient evidence of attending as per federal financial aid guidelines, and nonattendance may affect financial aid and/or veterans’ benefits. Completion of tests, submission/completion of assignments, and participation in discussion forums are activities used to document enrollment. (Note: logging into the course does not qualify as participation and will not be counted as meeting the attendance requirement). Students who have not documented enrollment and participation by the end of the official drop/add period will be administratively dropped from the roll as “never attended.”  Students who fail to maintain active participation throughout a distance education (online) course also may be administratively dropped after the official add-drop date without the possibility of reimbursement. For this purpose, an unexplained absence from the course for more than two weeks is considered “non-participation

Confidentiality of Student Records

The Citadel maintains and discloses information from student records in accordance with the provisions of the “Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974” (FERPA), as amended. This law requires that educational institutions maintain the confidentiality of student educational records. The Citadel accords its students all rights under the law. FERPA coverage applies to all educational records that contain a student’s name, social security number, or other personally identifiable information, in whatever medium, to include electronic form. No one outside of The Citadel shall have access to nor will the institution disclose any information from a student’s educational records without the written consent of the student except in compliance with the provisions of Federal and State law.

Educational records may be disclosed to personnel within the institution who have a legitimate educational interest, to parents of students who are dependents as defined by IRS standards, to persons or organizations providing students financial aid, to accrediting agencies carrying out their accreditation function, to persons in compliance with a judicial order, or in an emergency, to persons in order to protect the health or safety of the student or others.

Within The Citadel community, only those members, individually or collectively, acting in the student’s educational interests are allowed access to student educational records. These members include the Board of Visitors, Faculty, and personnel in the Offices of the President, Provost and Dean of the College, Associate Provost of Academic Affairs, Associate Provost of Enrollment Management, Registrar, and Vice President for Finance and Business Affairs. Directory information about a student may be disclosed at the discretion of The Citadel without the consent of the student unless the student has notified the Registrar within two weeks of the beginning of the academic year (fall semester) that the student refuses to allow the disclosure of such information. Any student desiring to keep directory information confidential must give notice at the beginning of each academic year and the notice is valid only for that year.

Course Cancellation

It occasionally becomes necessary to cancel a course. The Citadel reserves the right to cancel any course for which there is insufficient enrollment. This cancellation may be done without notice. Students affected by a course cancellation will receive due consideration and notification by the department offering the course. If no other satisfactory arrangements can be made, the student will receive a complete refund of all tuition and fees paid.

Professional Conduct

Responsibility for professional conduct rests with students as adult individuals and as members of The Citadel community. Students are expected to conduct themselves as responsible adults. All members of the campus community are expected to use reasonable judgement in all aspects of campus life and activity and to show due concern for the welfare and rights of others. Students must adhere to all federal, state, and local laws.

The Citadel protects freedom of action and speech, so long as the exercise of this freedom is not of an inflammatory or demeaning nature and does not interfere with the operation of the College. The Citadel’s Conduct Policy prohibits the possession of drugs, destruction of property, making false statements of emergencies, physical or verbal abuse, or harassment of any sort.

Students who violate the rules and regulations of The Citadel are subject to expulsion or lesser sanctions. These rules and regulations are published in “Regulations for Non-Cadet Students for Fall and Spring Semester and All Students, including Cadets, for Summer School,” which can be found online at: http://www.citadel.edu/root/images/BOV/Policies/03-107-regulations-for-non-cadets.pdf

The Provost or designee is responsible for administering the disciplinary conduct code for Students unless they reside in the barracks during Summer School, in which case the commandant is responsible for discipline.

Final Degree Conferral Policy

The Citadel officially awards degrees three times a year. Degree conferral occurs at the conclusion of the Fall semester, at the conclusion of the Spring semester, and at the conclusion of the Summer term. The conferral date is the date which will be posted on the diploma and on the official transcript.

Students must fill out a Graduation Application. Students may stay enrolled at The Citadel only as long as needed in order to complete graduation requirements or four years by request of a SCCC student. Students who do not complete degree requirements as anticipated by the end of the semester/term will earn their degree as of the next degree conferral date, provided successful completion of all requirements.

The Registrar’s office is in contact with students regarding diploma issuance. Diplomas are not released until the Registrar’s office confirms final degree requirement clearance. Students cannot remain enrolled at The Citadel after degree requirements have been completed unless they apply as a non-degree seeking student or to a new degree program. The conferral date will be the last day of the fall semester, last day of the summer term, and the day of commencement for the spring semester.

Grades

Only letter grades are given to evaluate an undergraduate student’s progress. The following definitions of letter grades are applicable:

1. “A” represents superior attainment on the part of the student.
2. “B” represents work that is clearly above the average, but not superior.
3. “C” represents average attainment on the basic standards set for the course.
4. “D” represents minimum attainment of the basic standards.
5. “F” represents failure.
6. “W” represents withdrawal from a course prior to the official deadline which is indicated in the college calendar and is no earlier than the Wednesday following the midterm grading period. Beyond that point, students will receive the grade of “F” should they fail to complete the course or complete it unsuccessfully. Under extenuating circumstances, the grade of “W” may be awarded after the established deadline to withdraw from a course. Such an action is taken only upon the recommendation of the instructor and requires the concurrence of the Dean responsible for the student’s academic program. Supporting evidence is the responsibility of the student and must be submitted in writing to the responsible Dean.
7. “I” The notation of “I” (for Incomplete) is used in instances when course requirements have been very nearly met but for authorized reasons (illness, injury, family emergency, etc.) cannot be completed during the current semester. To be eligible for the grade of “I,” students’ work must be satisfactory at the time they are forced to terminate participation in the course. Unsatisfactory work will result in a failing grade. The grade of “I” must be cleared during the next semester in residence or within one year, whichever comes first, or the “I” becomes an “F.” The summer session will not be considered a semester in this case. Students may not officially enroll in a course in which they currently have an “I.” An extension of time due to extenuating circumstances may be authorized by the Dean responsible for academic program upon the recommendation of the instructor. The removal of the incomplete is the responsibility of the student. The grade of “IP” is assigned for courses in which requirements are not expected to be met in one academic term.
8. “IP” The grade of “IP” must be removed in the next full semester, or the “IP” becomes an “F”. The summer session will not be considered a semester in this case. Under extenuating circumstances, an extension may be awarded by the Associate Provost of Academic Affairs with the recommendation of the instructor. The removal of the “IP” is the responsibility of the student. Students may not enroll in a course in which they currently have an “IP”.

No numerical symbol, bracket, or percentage is assigned the equivalent of any grade. Arbitrary distribution of grades according to some formula or curve is not permitted. However, by means of departmental supervision and consultation between instructors, every effort is made to obtain consistent standards within the department.

Any change of grade deemed necessary by the faculty member concerned must be based on instructor error and made within one month after the beginning of the next semester in attendance following the recording of the grade. In no case will a grade be changed after one month into the second semester after it was awarded. The summer session will not be considered a semester in this case. After grades in a course have been submitted to the Registrar’s Office, every request for a change of grade must be approved by the department head and the Dean responsible for the academic program. Grade reports are available at the end of each semester and summer session.

Grade-Point Average Computation

In computing the undergraduate grade-point average, grades are weighted as follows:

The grade-point average for any semester is determined by dividing the total number of quality points earned by the total number of hours for which the following grades were received: A, B, C, D, or F.

The cumulative grade-point average on which graduation, academic probation, and academic discharge are based is determined by dividing the number of quality points earned at The Citadel by the number of quality hours attempted at The Citadel. The number of quality hours for this purpose includes all credit hours attempted at The Citadel for which the following grades were received: A, B, C, D, or F. The number of quality points earned includes all quality points associated with quality hours earned at The Citadel. The Citadel does not award plus and minus grades for the undergraduate programs.

Dean’s List and Gold Star

The Dean’s List is a recognition given to undergraduate students who have earned 12 or more semester hours excluding Pass-Fail hours whose semester grade-point average is 3.200 or higher, with no grade of “I” and no grade below “C.” A Dean’s List certificate will be awarded to students who meet the requirements for Dean’s List for the work in a semester. Dean’s List is not issued for the summer semester.

Gold Stars are awarded to those students on the Dean’s List who have made a grade-point average of 3.700 or higher for the work of a semester. A Gold Star Recognition certificate will be awarded to students who meet the GPA requirements. Gold Stars are not issued for the summer semester.

Change of Grade

After grades in a course have been submitted to the Registrar’s Office, a change of grade will be considered only in cases of instructor error. The change of grade must be made within one month after the beginning of the next semester following the recording of the grade and must be approved by the head of the instructor’s department/school and by the appropriate school Dean. A grade change may not be based on work submitted after final grades have been submitted.

Taking or Repeating Courses to Improve the GPA/Grade Replacement

A student may not take or repeat a course which is taught at a lower level than or serves as a prerequisite for a course which the student has already completed. Courses may be repeated under the following conditions:

1. No course may be repeated once a grade of “B” or higher has been earned.
2. If a course is repeated, the last grade of record is used to determine whether course requirements for graduation have been met.
3. If a previously passed course is repeated, the hours may be used only once toward meeting requirements for total hours passed.
4. When courses are repeated under the conditions described above, the original course grade will be replaced by the newer grade when calculating students’ Grade Point Averages (GPA’s), quality hours, and earned credit hours. Both the old and new grades will appear on students’ transcripts, but only the newer grade will be used in calculating GPA’s. It is the student’s responsibility to complete the grade replacement form to initiate this process.
5. The maximum number of hours for which Grade Replacement will be allowed over the course of a student’s undergraduate career is 16. If a student repeats more than 16 hours of credit, both the old and the new grade will be used to calculate the student’s Grade Point Average (GPA), quality hours, and earned credit hours.
6. For the purpose of determining graduation honors (e.g., cum laude, etc.), both the old grade and the new grade will be used in making the GPA calculation to determine honors eligibility.
7. Students are not eligible for grade replacement after they have completed their degree program.
8. Once grade replacement has been required and applied, it cannot be reversed.

Academic Forgiveness

Any undergraduate student who has been separated from The Citadel for 48 or more consecutive months is eligible to apply for Academic Forgiveness. Upon readmission, a student seeking to apply for Academic Forgiveness must first complete 24 hours at The Citadel with a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher on those 24 hours in order to apply for Academic Forgiveness.

To apply for Academic Forgiveness, a readmitted student who has met the minimum GPA requirement on 24 hours must make a formal written request for an academic “fresh start” and must meet in person with the Associate Provost for Academic Affairs to discuss that application.

If a student is granted Academic Forgiveness, then all previous coursework completed at The Citadel will be treated as transfer credit (i.e., as pass/fail coursework) for the purpose of computing the student’s cumulative Citadel GPA; in addition, courses which the student previously passed at The Citadel with a grade of “D” will continue to be counted in the student’s total earned hours and will not have to be repeated. All previous grades will remain on the student’s permanent record, but they will not be computed in the student’s GPA. The transcript will contain this notation: “Academic Forgiveness was granted as of (date of readmission); grades earned at The Citadel prior to this date are not included in this student’s GPA calculation.” Students who have been granted Academic Forgiveness will not be eligible to receive graduation honors (e.g., cum laude, etc.).

Pass-Fail

Undergraduate students with cumulative grade-point average of 2.0 or higher may elect to take elective courses on a Pass- Fail option. Normally, no more than one course may be taken under this option each semester. A student may take the Pass-Fail option only on courses which meet elective requirements. Students may not change their decision to take a course on the Pass-Fail basis after the first two weeks of the term. Courses completed on the Pass-Fail option carry graduation credit, but quality points are not awarded. These courses are not included in grade point ratio computations. Instructors report grades as usual, A through F. The Registrar’s Office translates grades as follows:

• The grades of “A” through “C” as “S” (satisfactory, pass-for credit)
• The grades of “D” or “F” as “U” (unsatisfactory, fail-no credit)
• Students desiring to take a course on the Pass-Fail option should contact the Registrar’s Office.

Pass-Fail Courses

For certain courses, such as internships, workshops, professional development courses, etc., a grade of pass or fail may be appropriate. Students taking courses of this nature need to discuss such arrangements with their advisor. Quality points will not be awarded for pass or fail work, and performance that is barely adequate (C+ or below) will not receive credit.

Grade of “I”

Incomplete “I” grades must be made up during the term following the recording of the grade. A grade of “I” received in the fall term must be made up by the end of the following spring term. A grade of “I” received in either the spring or summer term must be made up by the end of the following fall term. An extension of time not to exceed one additional term may be authorized for extenuating circumstances by the appropriate dean. Grades not made up within the authorized time limit will convert to a grade of “F,” and such courses will be included in calculating the GPA.

Cumulative Grade-Point Average

In addition to completing all specific program requirements, in order to remain in good academic standing, The Citadel requires undergraduates to maintain a 2.0 GPA.

Graduation

The Citadel is committed to making the graduation and the commencement experience a special one for its students. The following policy outlines the procedures for applying to graduate and participation in the annual Undergraduate and Graduate School combined commencement ceremony. It is each student’s responsibility to apply to graduate.

There are three graduation dates each calendar year. There is a May graduation date at the end of the spring period of instruction, an August graduation date at the end of the summer period of instruction, and a December graduation date at the end of the fall semester period of instruction.

Graduation

1. Applications for graduation are available on Lesesne Gateway, via the Student Tab. Failure to apply by the deadline incurs a late fee, may delay receipt of the diploma, and may prevent the student from participating in the commencement ceremony.
2. The graduation date is the term in which the student completes all requirements. An incomplete grade is a delay in the completion of a requirement, and the posting of the final grade determines the completion of that requirement.
3. Do not select a graduation date until you plan to meet all requirements by that date as applications are processed and diplomas are ordered based on your graduation application. If the graduation date submitted is not met, a new application will be required along with applicable fee, and the diploma will need to be reordered.
4. To be recommended for a degree, students must satisfactorily complete the program requirements and non-program requirements for the degree. Students must be free from all financial indebtedness to The Citadel.
5. Students may apply for graduation and participate in commencement during the academic year in which they are completing their degree requirements.

Participation in the Commencement Ceremony

1. Students must indicate on their application for graduation they intend to participate in commencement ceremonies. If a student does not confirm intent, they will not be permitted to participate in the ceremony.
2. All grade-point average (GPA) requirements have been met. That is, the cumulative and major grade-point averages for undergraduate students must be at least 2.000. For undergraduate Education majors, the cumulative and professional education grade-point averages must be a 2.50. Courses used to calculate the grade point average in the major can be found in the degree program requirements.
3. Undergraduate students must be no more than 15 credit hours short of meeting degree requirements.
4. Students must properly wear official regalia for the commencement ceremony.
5. Students who complete all coursework and degree requirements during the summer session following that year’s commencement exercises may participate in that ceremony or can decide to participate in the commencement ceremony the following year.
6. In some cases, students have completed their program requirements but are unable to participate in the commencement ceremony during the year they intended to graduate (e.g. military deployment, career relocation, or illness). In such cases, students may apply to graduate and participate in the next year’s commencement ceremony. Students exceeding this one year of eligibility will not be allowed to participate in the commencement ceremony.
7. Children, parents, step-parents, or grandparents who are either graduates of the Corps of Cadets, the Veterans Program, or The Citadel Graduate College may present diplomas to their children, parents, step-parents, grandchildren or grandparents at the commencement ceremony. The graduate must provide the Citadel with their full name, relationship, and graduation year before the stated deadline and for approval.

Commencement Honors

A degree summa cum laude is awarded to undergraduate students in the graduating class who have achieved a grade-point average of 3.900-4.000. A degree magna cum laude is awarded to undergraduate students in the graduating class who have achieved a grade-point average of 3.700-3.899. A degree cum laude is awarded to undergraduate students in the graduating class who have achieved a grade-point average of 3.500-3.699.

Intellectual Property Policy Preamble

The Citadel has among its primary purposes teaching, research, and the expansion and dissemination of knowledge. Products of these endeavors include the development and use of intellectual property. It is the policy of the College that its faculty, staff, and students carry out their scholarly work in an open and free atmosphere that encourages publication and creation of such works without constraint but consistent with applicable laws and College policy. This policy will be in accord with the guidelines and criteria published in The American Association of University Professors’ “Statement of Copyright” (Policy Documents and Reports. Ninth Edition, 2001, or subsequent editions).

Intellectual Property

Ownership of intellectual property will reside with the originator, whether a member of the faculty, staff, or a student, unless: (a) the property is created at the specific direction of the College; or (b) the originator has made exceptional use of College resources in creating it.

At the time when the work is directed by the College or at the time when the College makes exceptional resources available to the originator of intellectual property, the Provost and the originator will together determine ownership and will negotiate a written agreement concerning that property. These determinations will be made on a case-by-case basis.

Nondiscrimination Policy

The Citadel is committed to providing equal opportunities to men and women students in all campus programs, including intercollegiate athletics, in order to make The Citadel the best coeducational college in America.

This commitment requires that no discrimination shall occur in our admissions policies, academic programs or services, as well as employment practices on the basis of sex, race, color, religion or national origin. This policy is in accordance with Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 as amended. Inquiries concerning the application of Title IX and other nondiscrimination laws may be referred to The Citadel’s Affirmative Action Officer and Title IX Coordinator, Bond Hall, Room 369, 171 Moultrie Street, Charleston, South Carolina, 29409, 843-953-6989, or the Assistant Secretary of Education, Civil Rights Division, US Department of Education, Washington, DC 20201-2516.

Repeating a Course

Courses may be repeated only under the following circumstances:

• No courses may be repeated once a grade of “B” or higher has been earned.
• If a class in which a “C+” or “C” was earned is repeated, it may be repeated only one time.
• If a course is repeated, the last grade of record is used to determine whether course requirements for graduation have been met.
• The hours may be used only once toward graduation.
• All courses, previously passed or repeated, will be figured in the student’s GPA. No grade previously recorded is removed from the transcript.

Satisfactory Progress and Length of Academic Program

Unless otherwise stated, students are expected to complete all degree requirements within a six (6) year period from the time of registration for the first course in their program. Students who are continuously enrolled and do not finish their degree requirements in the six year time frame, student’s will be moved into the most recent catalog at the beginning of their seventh year and will be required to meet any new course and graduation requirements in the new catalog.

Student Academic Grievances

The academic grievance process of the college is reserved for the most serious alleged offenses. These matters deal not with differences of opinion, but with violations of due process; denial of individual rights; or unequal treatment/ discrimination based on sex, race, color, or national origin. Students who feel that they have an academic grievance are directed first to confer with the instructor or other individual(s) involved. Where this does not result in satisfaction or if this step is not feasible, the student should present the grievance in writing to the lowest appropriate level not involved in the grievance, department head or Dean.

If the student does not receive a response within a reasonable period of time, normally considered two weeks, a copy of the written grievance may be provided to the next higher academic level not previously involved in the grievance, i.e. the department head or the school Dean, with a request for assistance in resolving the grievance. A final appeal for satisfaction may be made to the Provost. The purpose of this process is to permit each level of the academic level of authority to have the opportunity to resolve the grievance satisfactorily. Students are encouraged to provide a courtesy copy of grievances and appeals to the Associate Provost for Enrollment Management for the record. The Associate Provost will monitor time lines and processes for compliance with procedure and will inform the appropriate level of the academic authority if procedure is not followed.

Student Appeal of Final Grade

A student will have three weeks from when final grades are released to begin this process.

1. The student presents his/her concerns in writing to the instructor and then discusses these concerns. The instructor will respond to the student within three business days. If the student’s concerns are not resolved or if the instructor fails to respond within the allotted time, the student can proceed to the next step.
2. The student presents his/her concerns in writing to the department head. (In the event the instructor is the department head, then the dean will play this role, and if the instructor is a dean, then the Associate Provost of Operations will play this role.) The student then meets with the department head to discuss these concerns. The department head will respond to the student within three business days. If the student’s concerns are not resolved or if the department head fails to respond within the allotted time, the student can proceed to the next step.
3. The student presents his/her concerns in writing to the dean. (If the student is uncertain of who the dean is, he/she should contact the Associate Provost who will direct the student appropriately.) The student then meets with the dean to discuss these concerns. If the student is not satisfied with the outcome of the discussion, the student will submit a grade appeal form and provide required material to the dean of the school within four weeks from when grades were released.
   Examples that can lead to a grade appeal include:
   1. The instructor has miscalculated a final grade.
   2. The instructor has violated the grading policies outlined in the syllabus.
   3. he instructor has violated a college or departmental policy or procedure.
4. The dean will form a grade appeal committee consisting of at least three (3) tenured or tenure-track faculty (two from the relevant academic department and one from outside the department). The dean will provide direction to the committee, including emphasizing the importance of maintaining the confidentiality of the process.
5. The dean may request materials as needed from the instructor regarding the grade appeal, including but not limited to grades, syllabus, and assignments, for the grade appeal committee.
6. The dean may request additional information from the student as needed for the grade appeal committee, as well as ask the student to craft a detailed letter about why he/she is appealing the grade. Note: The grade appeal committee does not interact with the student or instructor. Any needed materials are to be gathered and disseminated by the dean.
7. The grade appeal committee submits its recommendation to the Associate Provost. Potential recommendations that may be forwarded include, but are not limited to:
   1. Change of grade
   2. Late Withdrawal
   3. Change of grade to Pass/Fail option
   4. Opportunity to repeat class at no cost
   5. Appeal is denied
8. The Associate Provost will notify the student and instructor of the appeal decision within 15 business days of receipt of the grade appeals form. The names of the members of the grade appeal committee are not shared in the decision letter nor are they shared with the course instructor or the student.

Student Responsibility

The College and departments establish certain academic requirements that must be met before a degree is granted. Advisors, department heads, and Deans are available to help the student understand and arrange to meet these requirements, but the student is responsible for fulfilling them. If, at the end of a student’s course of study, the requirements for graduation have not been satisfied, the degree will not be granted. For this reason, it is important for each student to be acquainted with all academic, financial, and administrative requirements within the prescribed deadlines and time limits.

Transcript

A transcript is a confidential document and is released only when students make a request online at www.citadel.edu/root/registrar-transcripts. The transcript fee is based on the method of delivery. Transcripts can be sent electronically, mailed, or picked up in the Registrar’s Office. An official college transcript is one that is sent directly from The Citadel to the requestor. It bears the College’s seal, along with a date and official signature. Most colleges require the official record. Transcripts sent from other colleges to The Citadel become the property of The Citadel and cannot be issued to the student as a third party.

Leave of Absence Policy

There are many reasons why undergraduate students could miss courses in a given academic year. These include medical reasons, military deployment, temporary changes in job status, or other reasons. In an effort to better identify students in these situations, along with providing a mechanism that grants a respite from the time limits for degree completion, a leave of absence policy has been created. This policy also excludes students who have not enrolled in courses in a given semester. Since they will be recognized as “on leave,” these students will not be included in the list of students eligible to be contacted by The Citadel. The following outlines the parameters of The Citadel’s Leave of Absence Policy.

Leave of Absence Request

Students who intend to take a pause from enrolling in courses for up to three semesters in a given academic year can communicate this to the Office of the Registrar through an online web form, available at http://www.citadel.edu/registrar-forms. Students may request a leave of absence for up to three semesters in an academic year (including summer, which constitutes a single term). Students with an approved leave of absence need not reapply for admission to the College unless the leave extends beyond three semesters in a given academic year. In such cases, they must request to reactivate their student record for their program of study using the form available on the Registrar’s Office webpage mentioned above.

A leave of absence request should normally occur prior to the drop/add date. If the student’s request is made after these deadlines, a reasonable and compelling explanation for the delay must accompany the request. In such cases, supporting documentation (e.g. medical, mental health, deployment, temporary job transfer) should be provided with the request. The decision to grant the leave of absence is at the discretion of the Associate Provost of Enrollment Management. Students who request a leave of absence after the drop/add date during the semester may be responsible for at least a portion of the tuition for the classes in which they are enrolled. In such cases, students should consult with the Treasurer’s Office as well as the Office of Financial Aid to determine if their time away from campus affects their student loan eligibility.