Grading System and Quality Points
The course grades reported and recorded in the Office of the Registrar are as follows. The corresponding number of quality points per credit hour is also indicated.
| Grade |
Quality Points/Cr. |
| A |
Excellent |
4.000 |
| A- |
3.700 |
| B+ |
3.300 |
| B |
3.000 |
| B- |
2.700 |
| C+ |
2.300 |
| C |
2.000 |
| C- |
1.700 |
| D+ |
1.300 |
| D |
1.000 |
| D- |
0.700 |
| F |
Failure |
0.000 |
| I |
Incomplete |
— |
| IP |
In progress |
— |
| W |
Authorized withdrawal |
— |
| S |
Satisfactory |
— |
| U |
Unsatisfactory |
— |
Grade Requirements
Grade Point Average Requirement
All students, degree and non-degree seeking, must maintain a grade point average of 3.000 (B = 3.000) in all graduate work undertaken at Valparaiso University. A new grade point average is calculated with the completion of each graduate degree at Valparaiso University, unless a student is enrolled in two graduate degree programs simultaneously.
A student whose cumulative grade point average falls below 3.000 will be dismissed from graduate studies if a 3.000 grade point average is not re-established within a one semester time-frame after receiving notification from the Graduate Office. If a student completes 9 credit hours or more in the summer, this will be counted as the semester in which the grade point average should be improved for continuation in the program.
Students in the Master of Science in Physician Assistant (MSPA) program are graded on an S/U basis. All courses and summative assessments listed in the MSPA catalog entry must be completed with a grade of S. For the MSPA only, a grade of S is equivalent to a B (3.000) or higher. Progression policies for MSPA are outlined in the Physician Assistant Studies .
Low Grade Policy
Grades A through C generate semester credits and quality points in meeting degree requirements, but no more than three credit hours of C or C+ may be counted toward meeting degree requirements. Grades of C- and below do not constitute credit toward the degree, but are included on the student’s transcript and are calculated into the student’s official cumulative grade point average, unless the exact course number and title is repeated.
A student who receives a grade of C+ or lower in a second course is placed on academic probation and receives an official notice from the Graduate Office. The student must replace one of these grades within one academic year or will be dropped from the program. Receipt of a third grade of C+ or lower will result in dismissal from the graduate program.
Degree-seeking students who need to replace a grade of C+ or lower may do so by repeating the course. Only one course with a grade of C+ or lower may be replaced by retaking the course, and no course may be repeated more than once. The course may be repeated only at Valparaiso University and permission to do so must be obtained from the student’s advisor, department chair, and the respective college dean. Students must re-take the course when it is next regularly offered, rather than waiting to re-take the course in future semesters. If the course needing repeating is required and not available in the term in which the student is scheduled to graduate, the student may petition to re-take the course as an independent study using the same course number. The low grade policy for MSPA students is outlined in the MSPA Program Student Handbook and the Physician Assistant Studies .
Course Repetition Policy
The credits, grade, and quality points received when the course is repeated shall be used in determining credits and the cumulative grade point average for graduation. The student’s transcript shall record both grades, original and repeat. A grade of W shall be excluded from this policy. Course repetition and grade replacement policies for MSPA students are outlined in the MSPA Student Handbook, which is incorporated here by reference. For all students, policies on low grades, repeating courses, and replacing grades begin anew after completion of each graduate degree.
Grades of S/U
Graduate students in programs earning quality points may not use the S/U grading option, except in courses in which the option is indicated as part of the catalog course description. For courses graded on an S/U basis, the student’s work is considered satisfactory if the grade is comparable to a B- or higher. Course credit hours with grades of S count toward graduation but are not used in computing the student’s grade point average. Course credit hours with grades of U are not counted toward graduation nor are they used in computing the student’s grade point average. For determining academic deficiency, a grade of U is equivalent to a grade of C+ or lower. For the MSPA program only, a grade of S is comparable to a B (3.000) or higher. A grade of U is equivalent to an F (0.000).
Incomplete Grades
The grade I (Incomplete) may, at the discretion of the instructor, be given to a student whose completed work in a course indicates the probability of passing the course but who has failed to complete a segment of the assigned work of the course because of circumstances beyond the student’s control.
An I (incomplete) received in one semester or short term, or during one of the summer sessions, must be removed by the beginning of the official examination period of the next succeeding semester or short term, or it automatically becomes a grade of F. The student’s deadline for submitting the outstanding work to the instructor shall be one week before that date. Once an I grade becomes an F, the student loses the option of completing the course work, and must retake the course and pay the appropriate tuition. A student with two or more incompletes may be denied further registration until the incomplete grades are removed.
Students who are completing incomplete coursework, but are not registered for coursework in a given term or semester, must complete a Request for Campus Affiliation in order to maintain active student status and access to campus resources.
Authorized Withdrawal
Authorized withdrawal from a course or from the University within the published deadlines gives the grade of W to each course withdrawn. This mark carries no credit. Only in exceptional cases, such as prolonged or serious illness, will the respective college dean permit a student to withdraw from a course without a grade of F after the end of the seventh week of the semester or after the third week of a summer session.
Transfer Credits
All coursework taken elsewhere to be applied to a Valparaiso University degree must be approved in advance. Forms are available online (valpo.edu/registrar/forms).
Transfer of Credits
Appropriate graduate coursework (e.g., from an institution meeting accreditation requirements) may be accepted for transfer credit towards a graduate degree with the following stipulations: No course presented with a grade of less than B (3.000) will be accepted for transfer. Transfer credits may not be used to meet 600-level course requirements, except in the Master of Science in Nursing program or the M.Ed./Ed.S. School Psychology program, without the approval of the dean of the respective college. Petitions for exception to this rule must be submitted for review by the dean of the respective college.
Transfer credits of S (satisfactory) or P (passing) will be accepted toward fulfilling graduate degree requirements only if a comparable grading requirement/option is given for an equivalent course at Valparaiso University. Normally, courses critical to a degree program (e.g., internships, practica) must be completed at Valparaiso University. Exceptions to these requirements must be approved by the college dean.
Currency of Credits
All graduate courses earned prior to the date of admission are subject to evaluation for currency in the knowledge base of the discipline. Credits earned more than five years prior to admission shall not be accepted toward a master’s degree unless approved by the college dean in consultation with the appropriate dean, chair, or director.
Number of Credits Transferrable
A maximum of 6 semester hours of transfer credit from an accredited graduate institution will be accepted for graduate degrees in Analytics and Modeling, Arts and Entertainment Administration, Cyber Security, Digital Media, Education, English Studies and Communication, Health Administration, Information Technology, International Commerce and Policy, International Economics and Finance, Sports Administration, Sports Media, TESOL, and 9 credits for graduate degrees in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Education (Initial Licensure- General Track), and Nursing programs. Students in the Master of Business Administration Program may transfer up to 18 credits from another graduate program with approval. Greater than 9 credits of courses previously taken at Valparaiso University for the Master of Science in Nursing Program may apply to the BSN to DNP Program upon approval from the Assistant Dean of Graduate Nursing, but a maximum of only 9 credits can transfer from another institution. Students in the M.Ed./Ed.S. School Psychology program may transfer up to 21 credits with no more than 9 fulfilling 600-level requirements.
Transfer of Credits for Workshops
Graduate coursework offered in workshop format by Valparaiso University will generally be accepted for credit toward a master’s degree with the following limitation: a candidate may not submit more than a total of 6 credits of workshops or six one-credit courses to fulfill degree requirements.
Transfer credit is subject to all of the restrictions that apply to short-term classes and workshops offered by Valparaiso University (see above). With the exception of study/travel, only graduate courses that meet a minimum of one calendar week will be eligible for credit transfer. In addition, workshop courses that carry two semester credits must meet for a minimum of two calendar weeks. All requests for transfer credit must be in writing and will be evaluated by the dean of the respective college. Forms for transfer of credit are available on the Graduate Office website.
Previous Valparaiso University Coursework
A course previously taken for undergraduate credit at Valparaiso University or elsewhere cannot be taken again as a graduate course for graduate credit.
Credits used to fulfill requirements for one degree may not be used toward another degree unless explicitly permitted as part of a dual degree program (see Academic Programs ).
Enrollment and Registration Policies
Students should confer frequently with their advisors. This is especially important at the beginning of their degree program, at the time of filing for candidacy, and when applying for graduation. Students normally need to have the permission of their advisor to complete registration for each term. Unless otherwise noted, at least half of the credits for any degree program must be taken at the 600 level or above.
All work for the master’s degree must be completed within a period of five calendar years from the date of admission into the program. A student may petition for a maximum of one extension of up to five years. Students who have not been registered for one year or more are considered inactive. In some instances, the student may have to reapply to the program. To reinstate active status, students must complete a readmission form and receive approval of the college dean.
Policy on Auditing Courses
An admitted graduate student may register in a course as an auditor only with the permission of the advisor and the chair of the department offering the course. An auditor may not be admitted to the final examination and is never granted credit for the course audited. Auditors are charged the same rate as the regular tuition for the course.
Course Intensification
Upon consultation with an academic advisor and instructor, and with the approval of the program director, department chair, and college dean, students may propose in writing a special project for earning one additional credit in a 3-credit course in which they plan to enroll. The course intensification option may not be used more than once by a graduate student and is not available in some programs.
Credit Hours
A credit hour (abbreviated Cr. in lists of courses) represents one hour of recitation or lecture, or two or more hours of laboratory, each week for one semester. If time outside the laboratory is required to prepare laboratory notes or reports, two hours may be equivalent to one period of class work. Drawing, studio work, and other courses demanding no outside preparation require a minimum of three hours for one credit hour. See specific course descriptions for the exact number of hours required.
Petitions
It is to the student’s advantage to adhere to published requirements and regulations. A petition for approval to deviate from requirements must be made to the college dean.
Academic Prerequisites
Certain courses may be taken only by students who have had previous training in the same subject. The extent or level of such preparation is usually stated in the course description. Unless otherwise noted, these statements refer to college or graduate level work.
Course Load
To be considered full time, a student must register for 9 credit hours in the fall or spring semesters and 9 credits across both summer sessions. With the exception of the College of Business, a student may not register for more than 12 credit hours during fall or spring semesters, unless a petition to overload has been approved by the college dean. A student may not register for more than 6 credit hours in a single summer session, and no more than 12 credit hours across the entire summer, all sessions combined, unless a petition to overload has been approved by the college dean.
Students enrolled in the Master of Business Administration program may not register for a combined total of more than 15 credit hours for each semester (consisting of two terms) in which they are enrolled without special permission from the MBA program director and the dean of the College of Business.
Change of Schedule
Regular courses may be added or dropped (with no grade recorded), and sections may be changed up to the deadline published in the University Calendar . For academic grading policies and tuition refunds, the date on which the Office of the Registrar receives the request is recorded as the official drop date.
Students may withdraw from a regular course with a grade of W (withdrawal) between the course drop deadline and the deadline published in the University Calendar . All registration changes, including withdrawal from a course, occur in DataVU. The course withdrawal deadlines for all regular and short courses are published in the University Calendar . The request must be approved by the dean of the respective college. After this period, students receive an F if they withdraw from a course unless a petition to the college dean is approved because of special circumstances, such as serious or prolonged illness. Students who withdraw from courses after the first week should read the regulations in this catalog concerning grades of W and F. Notifying only the instructor of an intent to add or drop a course does not constitute an official enrollment or withdrawal.
Absence from Class
All students are expected to attend every one of their classes unless their absence has been approved by the instructor or the appropriate dean. Absence from class is primarily a matter between the student and the instructor of the class. It is the students’ responsibility to discuss with their instructors the reason for their absence and to learn what makeup work may be required. If a student recognizes at some point in the semester that it will be difficult to complete the semester in one or more of the registered courses due to specific circumstances beyond the student’s control, it is the student’s responsibility to talk with the program director and/or advisor, as well as instructors, about the best course of action (e.g., Incompletes, Withdrawal, consideration of leave of absence for future semesters). Pursuant to discussions and decisions made at this level, appropriate graduate student forms must be completed.
In the event of an emergency, and with the student’s permission, the Graduate Office will communicate with relevant University faculty and staff regarding a student’s need to be absent from class. In most situations, however, it is expected that the student will be responsible for communicating with all necessary parties. The notice communicated by the Graduate Office does not constitute an excused absence since this is determined at the discretion of the instructor.
Student Retention
Valparaiso University is committed to helping all students who are enrolled in graduate programs progress satisfactorily to degree throughout the duration of their studies to graduation. Furthermore, we strive to help students learn and perform at the best of their abilities by providing academic and student resources and supports. We encourage graduate students to communicate with Academic and Student Services directly when there is an identified need or question related to continuation in the program. When students submit withdrawal forms, they are invited to schedule a personal appointment with a representative of Academic and Student Services to discuss the purpose of the withdrawal and what, if anything, might be possible to prevent discontinuation in the program.
Appeal Procedure
Written appeals of administrative decisions regarding students’ admission, program, or completion of degree requirements may be filed with the dean of the respective college for presentation to the Graduate Educational Policy Committee.
Temporary Leave from Studies
Leave of Absence
At the end of a semester, a student who has completed at least one full semester of full-time work (9 credits) in residence and who is in good academic standing may apply for a leave of absence. A leave of absence requires approval of the academic advisor and the academic dean. The necessary form may be completed online through the Office of the Registrar.
All leaves must be requested before the beginning of the semester in which they are to take effect. An approved leave of absence cannot exceed 180 days in any 12-month period. Leaves are not granted to students who withdraw from the University during a semester.
Students on leave may return to Valparaiso University without formally applying for readmission, provided they resume attendance on or before the 180 days following the start of the leave of absence. Students should contact the Graduate Office Academic Services team for re-registration details and must submit the appropriate forms to reactivate their graduate student status. Students who are unable to return from a leave may need to reapply for admission to their program by submitting a complete set of application materials. The Office of the Registrar should be contacted for information pertaining to a military leave of absence.
Appeal for Readmission After Dismissal
A student who has received formal notification of dismissal from a graduate program may petition for readmission, usually after having discontinued their studies for a semester or longer. Using guidelines provided in the dismissal letter, the student must submit to the college dean a written request for the appeal, prior to the start of the semester in which the student hopes to be readmitted and within the policy guidelines for degree completion. It is understood that in special circumstances, immediate review by the Appeal for Readmission Committee (comprised of three graduate faculty and two graduate students) may be necessary. If a decision to readmit is rendered by the committee, it will usually be on a non-degree seeking status. After re-establishing good academic standing, the student may apply for readmission to degree-seeking status.
Campus Affiliation
Students who are completing incompletes or will be on a leave of absence for a semester must complete a Request for Campus Affiliation in order to maintain active student status and access to campus resources. A Campus Affiliation request must be made for each semester as needed.
Independent Academic Work
Independent Academic Work
With the permission of the chairperson of the department concerned and of the respective dean, a student may earn up to six of the minimum credits required for a degree by means of independent study and research projects. No students may apply for permission to undertake an independent study project until they have satisfactorily completed a specified number of credit hours approved for their master’s degree program (12, unless otherwise noted).
To register for an independent study project, a student must complete the Independent Academic Work form for approval.
Students who wish to register for an independent study or research project during the summer may do so. However, because such courses normally require an extended period of study, research, and reflection, and because students need to arrange for a faculty sponsor, students are strongly encouraged to arrange their independent study or research project during the spring and to begin work as soon as possible. These courses will be officially registered for the full summer or second summer session to permit the maximum time for completion.
An offered undergraduate-only or regularly scheduled graduate class may not be taken as a graduate level independent study unless a petition has been submitted and approved by the respective college dean prior to registration.
All independent studies and research projects must be approved by the college dean prior to registration.
Master’s Thesis
The Master’s Thesis typically requires that students register for two sequential semesters of credit: one semester of pre-thesis coursework involving research and writing, followed by one semester of thesis writing, editing, and defense. Students planning to complete a Master’s thesis should review the relevant Graduate Catalog requirements for registering for pre-thesis and thesis coursework in their specific academic program. In some cases, the number of credits may be modified by the appropriate Program Director or Department Chair. Students should also consult academic program requirements and guidelines for specific minimum grades in prethesis coursework, as well as GPA and GRE score requirements that must be met before registering for thesis coursework.
Students should refer to the GRADUATE OFFICE THESIS MANUAL on the Graduate Office website for more details and guidelines. The approved thesis should be deposited to ValpoScholar in accordance with Thesis Manual guidelines.
Experiential Learning Policies
Practica
Graduate students may earn academic credit for experiential learning in a practical hands-on environment. Several programs require or offer a practicum as part of their regular curriculum. Students should discuss the practicum requirements with their respective program director and/or advisor. Specific requirements, such as registration procedures or required hours, are detailed in each program’s catalog description and/or course description.
Internships
Graduate students in non-licensure programs who are required or elect to do an internship can earn academic credit for experiential learning in a practical hands-on environment. Programs requiring internship are: Analytics & Modeling, Arts & Entertainment Administration, Cyber Security, Health Administration, Information Technology, Sports Administration, Sports Media, and Teaching of English to Speakers of Other Languages. Programs providing optional internship are: Digital Media, English Studies & Communication, International Commerce & Policy, International Economics & Finance, and Liberal Studies.
The graduate student standard is generally for students to complete 100 hours of site work per 1 academic credit received. Exceptions are: Digital Media and Sports Media (80 hours per 1 credit), and Health Administration (80-100 hours per 1 credit).
Students should remain in close communication with their program advisor for specific guidelines related to internship.
Degree Completion
Degree Plan and Admission to Candidacy
To become a candidate for a degree, a student must have completed at least nine semester hours at Valparaiso University with a standing of a least 3.000 (B=3.000) and submit a degree plan approved by the advisor(s). The degree plan must be filed before the student has completed one-half of the required graduate work. Submission and approval of this plan constitutes admission to candidacy.
Application for Graduation
To receive a graduate degree or certificate from Valparaiso University, students must complete a Graduation Application online through DataVU by the deadline published in the University Calendar . Once this application has been processed, the student’s degree requirements will be audited by the Office of the Registrar, and students will be notified of any requirements they have yet to fulfill after registering for their last semester. Each student will be placed on a mailing list to receive all communications regarding commencement and Grad Finale, an event at which candidates can complete tasks in preparation for graduation related to their cap and gown, verifying diploma details, and gathering important information from several departments. Being on the mailing list will also allow the student to receive tickets for guests to attend commencement.
Students must give evidence that they have fulfilled, or will fulfill, all of the requirements for the degree, including a cumulative program GPA of 3.000. Because overall GPA and program GPA may differ, consideration will be given to the program GPA. A student’s program GPA includes all coursework taken for another degree, certificate, or personal interest. Furthermore, graded credits for the program GPA cannot exceed more than 6 credits beyond the number of credits required for the degree unless approved by the Standards Committee of the Graduate Educational Policy Committee.
All graduate degree candidates must be formally approved by the Graduate Educational Policy Committee.
Commencement
Students are strongly encouraged to celebrate their accomplishments with the University by participating in the commencement ceremony. The University conducts one commencement ceremony annually. The ceremony in May is conducted in the Athletics-Recreation Center and includes those candidates completing their requirements in the Spring Semester, Summer Session, or Fall Semester of the same year. Students who complete their work toward a degree at the end of a Summer Session or Fall Semester will be granted the degree at the end of the final academic term. Students earning a standalone certificate are not eligible to participate in the University commencement ceremony unless the certificate is earned in conjunction with a graduate degree.
Transcripts of Academic Records
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (Buckley Amendment) provides, in part, that the institution will maintain the confidentiality of student academic records. No one outside the University shall have access to, nor will the University disclose any information from, student academic records without the written consent of students, except to persons, organizations, or agencies that are permitted to receive such information under the act. For more information, please visit the Office of General Counsel online (valpo.edu/generalcounsel/policies/academic-and-student-life-policies).
Official transcripts of academic records are released only after an online request has been made. Diplomas and transcripts are withheld for students whose account with the University has not been settled in full. The University’s transcript policy may be found online at valpo.edu/transcript.
The table below outlines the cost of transcript services through Valparaiso University’s approved vendor. Other ordering options, including expedited shipping, are available in the ordering system. All orders are placed as described on the Transcript web page: valpo.edu/transcript. These prices are subject to change, but current information will be made available online on the website of the Office of the Registrar.
| $10.61 |
Official transcript delivered electronically. |
| $16.01 |
Official transcript on paper, delivered via USPS domestic first-class mail. Expedited shipping of paper transcripts is available for an additional fee. |
Honor Code
Honor Code Administration
The student-initiated and administered Honor System is a strong distinguishing characteristic of Valparaiso University. In sanctioning the Honor System, the University assumes that students are able and willing to accept the rights and responsibilities of honorable conduct both as a matter of personal integrity and as a commitment to the values to which the University community commits itself.
It is the responsibility of instructors to define what constitutes authorized and unauthorized aid in their courses. It is the responsibility of students to honor such definitions and to inquire for additional clarification if and when questions arise about possible violations of the Honor Code.
Actions that would be considered violations of the Honor Code include:
- Misrepresentation
- Using unauthorized materials during examinations
- Failing to observe examination time limits
- Plagiarism
- Willful obstruction of the educational process for others
The Graduate Educational Policy Committee is responsible for administering the Honor Code in the Graduate Office and for supervising procedures of adjudication and penalty. To this end the Graduate Educational Policy Committee establishes annually the Executive Committee, Graduate Honor Council, and the Graduate Appeals Panel.
The Executive Committee consists of three faculty members appointed by the Graduate Educational Policy Committee. The Graduate Honor Council consists of three graduate students from the Graduate Student Advisory Council and one faculty member chosen by the Graduate Educational Policy Committee. The Graduate Appeals Panel consists of three graduate students from the Graduate Student Advisory Council and two faculty members chosen annually by the Graduate Educational Policy Committee. Memberships on the Executive Committee, Graduate Honor Council, and the Graduate Appeals Panel are mutually exclusive.
Notices, complaints, or information relating to possible violations of the Honor Code should be brought to the dean of the respective college. Complaints must be received from an identifiable source. It is typically the case that grades will not be assigned to student work under question in the honor code adjudication process until the outcome of the case has been determined.
A student may not take a grade of W in a course to avoid the Honor Code process. Should the student withdraw themselves from the course they will not be able to re-register at Valparaiso University until the Honor Code Allegation has been resolved according to the procedures outlined here.
The graduate student to whom a formal complaint has been addressed (the respondent) may consent to an informal resolution made by the dean with input from the faculty member and under the review of the Executive Committee. If the student does not consent to an informal resolution, the case will proceed formally as follows in Level I. If the student chooses not to participate, the decision of the Honor Council is final.
Level I Graduate Honor Council
The formal process leading to adjudication is as follows: a graduate student who is not a member of either the Graduate Honor Council or the Graduate Appeals Panel will be appointed by the Associate Provost of Graduate and Online Education. This student (the presenter) is responsible for obtaining and presenting information and evidence which will assure an informed and fair administrative review and hearing, and which will serve the interests of the respondent, and the graduate and University communities. This may include any materials generated by the dean during an attempted informal resolution. The presenter, on referral from the Associate Provost, files formal complaint with the Graduate Honor Council and presents the information and evidence as she or he has found them. Training for the presenting student, as well as for graduate students serving on the Graduate Honor Council and Graduate Appeals Board, will be determined by the Associate Provost in consultation with the Executive Committee.
The Graduate Honor Council may choose to hear testimony from the respondent, the accuser(s), any witnesses with relevant evidence, and others that may be of assistance in reviewing the allegation. First, the Graduate Honor Council decides if there is good and sufficient evidence for a finding of Honor Code violation.
If the committee finds for an Honor Code violation, the committee then assesses a penalty appropriate to the offense, including but not limited to diversion, F in assignment, and F in the course.
Standard Penalties for Successive Violations
Following are the standard penalties for successive violations of the Honor Code at the Graduate level. Deviations from the standard penalties may be considered by the Graduate Honor Council and Graduate Appeals Panel and a lesser penalty assigned if the circumstances merit such a need. A deviation in one instance does not require a deviation from the standard penalty on future offenses. The committee should consider an informal resolution as one offense for purposes of determining the penalty for successive violations.
First Offense: See penalty discussion in Level I above.
Second Offense: Failure in the course and suspension from Valparaiso University for the following semester.
Third Offense: Failure in the course and expulsion from Valparaiso University.
A finding of “no violation” by the Graduate Honor Council is final. A finding of violation of the Honor Code, an imposed sanction, or both are appealable to the Graduate Appeals Panel.
Level II Graduate Appeals Panel
The following appeal process is available to a graduate student who has been found guilty of an honor code violation and penalty. The burden falls to the student to make the case for appeal. Proper grounds for appeal are as follows:
- A procedural error occurred.
- New evidence has arisen which has a direct bearing on the case within 10 academic days of notification of the hearing outcome by the chair of said hearing.
- Evidence was inaccurate or disregarded.
The following evidence is acceptable at an appeals hearing: the original case files, paperwork generated at the original hearing, the final outcome and official notice of the original hearing, grounds for appeal known and unknown to the appellant, old and new evidence, and materials generated by the Graduate Appeals Panel chair during their investigation.
The Graduate Appeals Panel decides whether the appeal has merit, and if so, then agrees to hear the case.
For its deliberations, the Graduate Appeals Panel may choose to hear testimony from the respondent, the accuser(s), any witnesses with relevant evidence, and others who may be of assistance in reviewing the allegation.
The Graduate Appeals Panel may affirm or overturn the finding of an Honor Code violation from the Graduate Honor Council. The Graduate Appeals Panel may affirm or reduce (but not increase) the penalty assessed by the Graduate Honor Council. The decisions by the Graduate Appeals Panel regarding finding of Honor Code violation and penalty are final.
The faculty of the University reserves the right to abrogate the Honor System at any time.
Student Academic Fair Practices (SAFP) for Graduate Students
I. Guiding Principles
Students are responsible for learning and demonstrating an understanding of the content and skills of any course of study in which they enroll. Furthermore, students are free to express careful and reasoned criticism of data and opinion offered in any such course.
Students are entitled to objective, professional evaluation of their academic work and professional development. Students are also entitled to fair, equitable treatment in the course of their academic relationships with members of the faculty. Members of the Valparaiso University faculty observe these criteria as part of their professional responsibilities. Misunderstandings have been, and are to be, resolved informally, in discussion between students and professors, and this manner of resolving problems and concerns continues to be deemed appropriate in this academic community.
In order to assure that students are accorded courteous, fair and reasonable treatment by members of the faculty, the following statements of principles, students’ rights and responsibilities, and grievance procedures are set forth as part of the policies and practices of the Valparaiso University Graduate Programs. Thus the document intends to be consistent both with other official statements and goals of members of the University community as published in the Graduate Catalog, Graduate Program Handbooks, and the Faculty Handbook and with rights guaranteed in the Constitution of the United States as applied in this institution.
The Statement of Students’ Rights and Responsibilities that follows outlines the rights and responsibilities of graduate students attending this University. The academic rights of students, by their definition, imply certain responsibilities of the faculty. The objectives of the procedures delineated here are intended to encourage prompt and informal resolution of both concerns and complaints and to provide recourse, when necessary, to orderly formal procedures for the satisfactory resolution of a grievance. This grievance procedure is relevant only to fair academic evaluation (as noted below) and does not pertain to appeals that may result from deviations from published requirements and guidelines in the graduate catalog for any program.
II. Students’ Rights and Responsibilities
- Students’ Rights
- Students have a right to pursue an education free from discrimination based on factors that have no bearing on a candidate’s potential academic and/or professional success.
- Students have a right to fair academic evaluation.
- Students have a right to a classroom environment conducive to intellectual freedom.
- Students have a right to be free from improper disclosure of their views, beliefs, and political association that professors or administrators may acquire in the course of their work as advisors and counselors. Such information shall be considered confidential unless the student gives permission to release the information or a law or an event requires public disclosure. Courses may require personal disclosure, as appropriate to course goals and/or the profession for which the student is being trained.
- Students’ Responsibilities
- Students have a responsibility to help maintain the academic standards established by the University by participating fully in the learning process.
- Students have a responsibility to act in a manner that does not infringe upon the rights of other members of the University community.
- Students have a responsibility to contribute to an educational atmosphere that promotes respect for learning and human dignity.
- Students have a responsibility to abide by applicable laws and discipline-specific ethical standards.
III. Student Grievance Procedures
- Definitions
- Student grievance: A student grievance shall exist when a student alleges that a faculty member has infringed upon student rights as described in Section II.A. of this document.
- Student: A student is any person who has officially enrolled for academic credit at Valparaiso University.
- Faculty member: A faculty member is any person at Valparaiso University holding an academic appointment.
- Grievance Resolution Process
Level I - Student and Faculty Discussion
Informal Procedure
Students must, if they have a concern or complaint, contact the faculty member involved and department chairperson (or department chair-person if the faculty member is not available) no later than the end of the first full week of classes following the semester in which the alleged grievance occurred. At this discussion level the student shall have access to the final examination or any other material that has been evaluated and that the student has not received.
If the instructor is absent from campus, the departmental chair-person or dean will have access to the appropriate documents. If at this level of information and calculation, the faculty member or student acknowledges an error, misjudgment, or unfair bias has occurred, the faculty member is expected to respond appropriately either by altering subsequent classroom practice, or by changing the student’s grade, or both. It is expected that most, if not all, problems will be resolved at this level with the assistance of the department chair, when appropriate. If a satisfactory solution is not reached at this level, the student may proceed to Level II.
Level II. Mediation Within the Graduate Office
Formal Procedure
Graduate students pursue Level II mediation through the Graduate Office, which provides an opportunity for mediation between the aggrieved student and the faculty member to whom the grievance is addressed. Within seven (7) academic days of the completion of the discussion at Level I, the student must send a letter to the dean of the respective college and a copy to the faculty member, informing the dean of the nature of the unresolved grievance and of the student’s intent to proceed with Level II. For informational purposes, the student shall also forward a copy of the letter to the chairperson of the Student Academic Fair Practices Committee (SAFPC). The student’s letter of grievance shall include at least these areas of information, but not limited to these:
- A statement of the problem or complaint
- Concrete evidence to support the student’s case
- Necessary background documentation, including written evidence that the Level I procedure has been exhausted
- A statement of the desired outcome of the grievance procedure
After the student’s letter is received in the dean’s office, the dean will proceed as follows: If informal discussion between the dean and the two parties does not resolve the issue, the dean shall then convene a committee to determine whether there is cause for further consideration of the grievance. Pursuit of an informal resolution notwithstanding, selection of the committee and notification of the hearing date will be completed within fifteen academic days after receipt of the notification.
The Committee shall consist of:
- The respective college dean (or associate dean) who chairs the meeting.
- Three faculty members, two appointed by the Associate Provost from the Graduate Educational Policy Committee and one from the Council of Graduate Program Directors. The Faculty appointment from the Council of Graduate Program Directors shall not be drawn from the program in which the student is filing the grievance. Faculty members involved in any grievance before the committee or having any other conflict of interest regarding the student shall not be appointed to the committee.
- Two student members appointed by the Associate Provost of Graduate and Online Education. Student members must be degree-seeking graduate students and members of the Graduate Student Advisory Council. Each student representative shall also have an appointed alternate. Student committee members involved in any grievance before the committee, or having any conflict of interest regarding the faculty member involved, shall not be appointed to the committee.
When the committee members convene, they have three charges. First, they must determine if there is sufficient evidence to hear the case. If so, second, they must consider the grievance and make a recommendation regarding the proposed remedy. If the committee chooses to consider the grievance, the student, the faculty member involved, and their representatives (e.g., advocate from the University community, such as an ombudsman, a counselor, a faculty member, or another student) may be invited to supply additional information for consideration as resource people for a more formal consideration of the grievance to aid in deliberations. The committee may also solicit the opinions of the dean or director and any advisory committees of the college/program in which the student is enrolled. Third, the committee will discuss the grievance and formalize their conclusions in a written recommendation to the dean adopted by a majority vote.
Upon receipt of the written recommendation from the committee, the dean will attempt to inform both parties of the decision orally within five (5) calendar days (excluding University holidays) of the meeting, and confirm the decision in writing within ten (10) calendar days (excluding University holidays). If the mediation process at Level II does not resolve the grievance, and the student intends to proceed to Level III, the student should inform the dean and follow Level III: Valparaiso University Student Academic Fair Practices Committee. For additional instructions on how to proceed with Level III of the SAFP, see the STUDENT HANDBOOK.
All committee meetings shall be private and all committee documents shall be confidential. If the student and faculty member are present, both will be given a fair opportunity to make a statement and to ask and answer questions. If present, the involved student, faculty member, and their advocates shall then be excused.
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