Table of Contents

If there is a topic/subject that you were hoping to find, but did not, go to the faculty resource page and click on the link to request the addition of an item(s).

15 to Finish3 week attendance report21st Century Scholar

Absence from ClassAcademic AdvisingAcademic CalendarAcademic DismissalAcademic IntegrityAcademic ProbationAcademic Program InventoryAcademic RenewalAcademic StandingAccreditationAdding a Class Adding CoursesAdministrative WithdrawalAdvanced PlacementAdvising NotesAPAppealApplication for GraduationArmed ServicesAssessment PlansAthletesAttendance ReportingAuditing a course

Baccalaureate DegreesBannerBiennial ReviewBlackboardBookstoreBursar

CAACCaleb Mills AwardCalendars

CAPS ManualCareer CenterCarnegie unitsCatalogCenter for Student SuccessCertificateChange of GradeChange of majorCheatingClass Attendance Class meeting timesClass OverridesClass rankClass standingCLEPCode of ConductCollege ChallengeCommencementCommunity EngagementComputer Help DeskConditional AdmitControllerCourse CancellationCourse EvaluationCourse Numbering SystemCourse PlacementCourse RepeatCourse SubstitutionCredit hoursCredit LoadCRNCross-listed coursesCumulative Grade Point Average

DARSDashboardsDean’s ExceptionDean’s ListDeclaring a majorDegree auditDegree MapsDegree worksheetDegreeLinkDFDisability ServicesDismissal

Distance learningDouble MajorsDP Dreiser AwardDropping a ClassDual Credit Dual Degrees

English as a Second LanguageEnglish Course PlacementEthics and Social ResponsibilityEvaluation of Transfer WorkExploratory

FACFaculty SenateFaculty IDFaculty PortfolioFADFERPAField TripsFinal ExamsFinancial AidFine and Performing ArtsFirst-year seminarForeign LanguageFoundational StudiesFour year plansFreshman CompositionFTE

Global PerspectivesGood StandingGrade AppealGrade Point AverageGrade ReportGradesGraduate CouncilGraduationGraduation ApplicationGraduation ProceduresGraduation RequirementsGraduation with HonorsGrant Development

Handbook

Help DeskHistorical StudiesHLCHoldsHonors GraduationHonors ProgramHours AttemptedHours EarnedHybrid course

ICHEIdentification CardsIndiana Commission of Higher EducationIn Progress GradesIncomplete GradesInformation TechnologyInterim GradesInternational BaccalaureateInternational ServicesInternshipsISucceedISuccess

Junior Composition

Laboratory ScienceLaptop requirementLaptop scholarshipLaptop syllabus languageLast Date of AttendanceLate Course AddLate Course DropLate RegistrationLEAPLearning CommunitiesLeave of AbsenceLiterary Studies

MajorMAPSMapWorksMath CenterMedical AmnestyMissed classesMedical WithdrawalMidterms

MilitaryMinorMySAM

NCA/HLCNFONSONX Grade

Office HoursOffice of Information TechnologyOfficial TranscriptOnline coursesOverload

Pass/FailPassing GradePlacement Test PortalPlagiarismPre-lawPre-MedPre-Professional ProgramsPriority RegistrationProbationPromotion and TenureProof of Student Status

Quality Points

RAVEReadmissionRegistrarRegistrationRegistration HoldsRegistration OverridesRemedial CourseworkRemedial GradesRenewalRepeating Courses

SabbaticalSAPSCHScholarshipsSemester classificationService learning

SEVISSexual Harassmentstrategic initiativeStrategic plan Student AppealStudent IDStudent OrganizationsStudent Outcomes AssessmentStudent recordsStudent SuccessStudent Support ServicesStudy AbroadStudy SkillsStudy WeekStudy Week ViolationsSummer schoolSupplemental InstructionSycamore Express Sycamore Graduation Guarantee

TECTenureTesting CenterTranscriptTranscript HoldsTransfer CreditTransfer evaluationTuition CalculatorTurnItInTutors

UDIEUndecided majorUndergraduate researchUniversity CollegeUniversity HandbookUnsatisfactory/SatisfactoryUP

Veterans

Web ProxyWFWithdrawalWPWriting Center

XAXBXCXDXF

15 To Finish

15 to Finish is a state program to encourage students to stay on track for on-time degree completion. All undergraduate degree maps from 2014-15 and on in MySAM have a link to the state 15 to Finish web - https://studentaid.ssaci.in.gov/15ToFinishIN/

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3 week attendance report

We have a Federal requirement to determine and verify that students are indeed attending classes to ensure that Federal Aid is correctly distributed. When the data from the 3 week attendance reports show that a student is not attending all of his/her classes, the student is administratively withdrawn for the term. When a student is reported at Never Attended on only some of the classes, the list is provided to Associate Deans for follow-up with academic advisors.

Accurate reporting of attendance is important. If a student is reported as Never Attended in all but one class, the student is not with administratively withdrawn and will likely earn an F in all classes and owe the university full tuition – which can impact the student in the long-term. So while it may be tempting to just change everyone to attending quickly and hit submit, please know that this information is used and faculty are certifying that the information submitted is correct.

In distance courses, logging in to the class does not indicate attendance. Students have to complete an assignment and/or have meaningful interaction with the faculty.

The options for attendance are Never Attended (you have never seen this student in the class) or Attended (even if there have been significant absences).

Additional information about how to complete the 3 Week Attendance Report is available at: http://www.indstate.edu/registrar/Instructions_3WeekAttendance.htm

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21st Century Scholar

The 21st Century Scholar program is a scholarship program offered by the State of Indiana. Students who meet certain criteria have the opportunity to enroll in middle school. They commit to remaining drug and alcohol free and to maintain academic success. The full award will pay for 100% of tuition and mandatory fees.

ISU has a large percentage of 21st Century Scholars. It is important for students to understand their responsibilities to maintain the full scholarship for all four years, which includes earning 30 credits each year.

The Center for Student Success provides resources and assistance for ISU 21st Century Scholars - http://www.indstate.edu/cfss/programs/century_scholars/index.htm

Additional information is available on the state website - http://www.indstate.edu/registrar/Instructions_3WeekAttendance.htm

Absence from Class

Faculty set their own attendance policies. Departments and colleges may have some basic requirements or expectations. The catalog states that students are expected to attend all classes. Students who know of necessary absences should consult with their instructors before the absence. Students who miss classes are not excused from their obligations to their instructors. The faculty is expected to provide students with an opportunity to meet class commitments when the absences are for good and proper reasons. Further, instructors are expected to maintain attendance records and are required to report attendance information to the Office of Registration and Records (three week attendance reporting and last date of attendance for final grading). Only students who are advised by a Student Health Services staff physician to remain at their place of residence for medical reasons will be given, upon their request, a statement attesting to the absences because of medical reasons.

Class attendance during study week is expected.

Missed Final Examination. No student shall be excused except for illness or a conflict with a legitimate University activity, in which case the faculty member may require that the excuse be approved by the appropriate academic dean. Students are required to make up a missed final examination before the course grade is given. Other examinations and quizzes are given at the discretion of the faculty member. A faculty member may elect not to require a final written examination but is obligated to hold the class in session during the scheduled final examination time period. (University Handbook 310.1.4.1)

Field Trips. Field trips can be an integral part of the course requirements and may enhance students’ education. To avoid undue conflicts and interruptions in other classes, faculty members are urged to follow procedures:

A. Inform the students of the field trip(s) early in the semester so that they may plan for their absence(s).

B. Provide students with forms containing destinations, purpose of the trip, dates, hours leaving from and returning to the campus, and the faculty member’s signature.

C. Send list of students’ names with the information in #2 above to the appropriate dean and insert information concerning the field trip in “Academic Notes” at least one (1) week before the trip.

D. It is further suggested that faculty members should not arrange a field trip during the last five (5) class days of the semester or during finals week. Students on field trips are not excused from assigned work in other

courses and are responsible for consulting with faculty members before the planned trip.

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Academic Advising

Academic Calendar

The Academic Calendar is created about 2 years in advance and approved by the Faculty Senate and the Board of Trustees. We are currently approved as a 16-week semester institution by US Department of Education. The calendar is built to balance both faculty and student needs and will change slightly from year to year. The academic calendar can be found at:

http://www.indstate.edu/academicaffairs/calendar.htm

Other academic-related calendars include:

Final Exam Schedule – available at http://www.indstate.edu/registrar/FacultyAndStaff.htm

Registration Schedule – available at http://www.indstate.edu/registrar/PriorityRegistrationDates.htm

Schedule of Classes – available at http://prodinteract.indstate.edu/pls/prod/bwckschd.p_disp_dyn_sched

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Academic Dismissal

Students who meet the following criteria will be academically dismissed unless exception is provided by the dean of the relevant college on a case-by-case basis:

1. First-term students who earn a term grade point average of less than .85;2. Freshmen who are on probation and earn a term grade point average of 1.7

or less;3. Sophomores who are on probation and earn a term grade point average less

than 2.0;4. Juniors and seniors who are on probation and earn a term grade point

average less than 2.2.

Students who have been academically dismissed should expect to stay out of classes for one academic semester (following a first dismissal) and one academic year (following a second dismissal), after which such students should petition their academic dean to return to classes. Deans will retain the discretion to provide exception to NOT academically dismiss on a case-by-case basis.  No student may return to classes after a third academic dismissal.

It should be pointed out that some programs may have requirements above the minimum University retention standards.

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Academic Integrity

Academic Integrity is important at ISU for both students and faculty. Section 2.0 of the Code of Student Conduct covers academic policies for students. The code defines academic integrity and misconduct including cheating, plagiarism, falsification, multiple submissions, facilitating academic dishonesty, violation of professional and ethical standards, and misuse of academic resources and intellectual property.

Faculty should be clear on their syllabus regarding class and departmental policies of repercussions related to issues of academic integrity. Additionally, instances of violations should be reported to the

ISU Website for Academic Integrity

Faculty are also expected to conduct themselves with full academic integrity as defined in the Faculty and Staff Principles of Conduct in the University Handbook (Section 501.1).

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Academic Probation

If a student’s cumulative grade point average is less than 2.0, the student will be placed on academic probation. Students on academic probation will not be permitted to take more than 13 credit hours. Students who are on academic probation are strongly encouraged to repeat courses in which deficient grades were received during the next semester (or the next time the course is offered).

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Academic Program Inventory (API)

The Academic Program Inventory lists the degree programs that ISU has been approved to offer by the Indiana Commission of Higher Education. The Academic Program Inventory includes the approved CIP code, and indicates if the program is approved as a distance offering. ISU’s API is available on the Academic Affairs Curriculum website.

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Academic Renewal

Academic Renewal is an option for those students who have had five or more years pass between the last term of attendance at ISU and current term of admission. If Academic Renewal is granted, the following conditions apply:

1. Academic Renewal is granted only after completion of a minimum of 12 credit hours with a grade point average of 2.00 or higher;

2. Academic Renewal can occur only once, and it is irreversible;3. ISU transcript will indicate that Academic Renewal has been granted--"D's"

and "F's" will show on my transcript but not count in the GPA in the same manner as repeated courses. The recorded ISU cumulative GPA will start from the semester of readmission to ISU (for graduation with honors, all courses, even those that have undergone Academic Renewal, will be incorporated in the honors GPA);

4. All academic requirements in place at the time of re-admission must be met;5. The Academic Dean (or the Dean's designate) will review the previous record

and determine the applicability of ISU courses that carry a grade of "C" or higher to the program of study;

6. The hours accepted for use from the current program will appear as part of the total hours earned but will not count as attempted hours for my GPA;

7. The student must successfully complete at least 30 semester hours of course work at ISU following current re-admission.

Applications for Academic Renewal are available from the registrar’s office.

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Academic Standing

The cumulative grade point average (CUM GPA) is used to determine a student’s academic standing at the end of every term and the student’s eligibility for continued enrollment. A student can be determined to be in Good Standing, Academic Probation, or Academic Dismissal.

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Accreditation

Indiana State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association (NCA/HLC). We are regionally accredited. Additionally, a number of academic programs and colleges participate in specialized national program accreditation and recognition. A list of all accreditors can be found at http://www.indstate.edu/accreditation/

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Adding a Class

Students can add classes to an upcoming term at any point after their priority registration period begins until the deadline to add a class. Students add classes through the portal. A manual drop/add form can be completed when signatures are necessary to enroll a student in a class (closed class, waived prerequisite or corequisite, registration beyond student credit hour limit). Students who require a PIN number will need their PIN number to add a class.

A student with a hold on his/her account may not be able to add a class.

There are fees for changing classes beyond the priority registration period.

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Adding Courses

Students can add classes to an upcoming term at any point after their priority registration period begins until the deadline to add a class. Students add classes through the portal. A manual drop/add form can be completed when signatures are necessary to enroll a student in a class (closed class, waived prerequisite or corequisite, registration beyond student credit hour limit). Students who require a PIN number will need their PIN number to add a class.

A student with a hold on his/her account may not be able to add a class.

There are fees for changing classes beyond the priority registration period.

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Administrative Withdrawal

A student can be withdrawn from a term by certain academic departments. The Office of Student Conduct and Integrity when a student fails to obey University policies, fails to comply with procedures, or has been suspended or expelled from the institution.

Administrative withdrawals are also performed when a student is academically dismissed at the end of a semester or term and has registration for a future semester/term. In that case, the student is administratively withdrawn from the future semester(s)/term(s).

An administrative withdrawal will also be completed if a student is reported as Never Attending for all classes on the 3 Week Attendance Report.

The grading and refund policies, which apply to voluntary withdrawals also apply to administrative withdrawals.

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Advanced Placement (AP)

Advanced Placement (AP) is a program created by the College Board that makes it possible for high school students to take college-level curricula followed by a standardized test.

Public Law 91 (PL91) in Indiana became effective in March 2010. PL91 requires the following:

All Indiana public colleges and universities (including all two and four year institutions and accompanying satellites) must award college credits that count towards a degree for Indiana secondary school students that earn a score of 3 or higher on College Board’s Advanced Placement (AP) exams and matriculate to one of the public, higher education institutions.

Indiana public colleges and universities may require a score higher than 3 to award credits for a course that is a requirement for a student’s major; if a university chooses to do so, it must still award a student elective credits that count towards his/her overall degree requirements to graduate from college.

The current list of AP equivalencies at ISU is listed at http://www.indstate.edu/testing/list.pdf

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Advising Notes

MySAM (degree audit and degree mapping tool) provides a place for advisors to leave advising notes. It is recommended that advisors place notes in the notes section so any future advisors or administrators can see interactions and instructions that took place with advisors, history of visits or missed appointments can be seen, and students can also view any specific instructions. Anyone who has access to the student record (including the student) can read the advising notes, so it is important to be clear and appropriate in the message left there. Only the person who placed the note can edit or remove the note. Notes can also be placed on the degree map (on courses, terms, and the map itself) for those notes that are specific to the degree map.

Notes appear on the notes tab and at the bottom of the worksheet.

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Appeal

There are multiple types of appeals for faculty and for students – so you will need to scroll to find all the information you may need.

Student Appeals

Grade Appeals

The University Handbook holds the University policy for grade appeals (Section 323.1). All policies within colleges and departments must fit within the university policy. The policy is also stated in the catalog:

Basis for Appeal. A student may appeal a grade granted by any instructor of any course. The student may appeal the grade based on one or more of the following:1. An error in the calculation of the grade.2. The assignment of a grade to a particular student by application of more

exacting or demanding standards than were applied to other students in the same section of the same course, in the same semester, with the same instructor.

3. The assignment of a grade to a particular student on some basis other than performance in the course.

4. The assignment of a grade by a substantial departure from the instructor’s previously announced standards for that section of that course.

5. The assignment of a grade by a substantial departure from the written departmentally approved standards for a course.Informal Appeal. All students must follow the informal appeals process for questioning grades prior to engaging the formal appeal. In so doing, they are to, where possible, seek out the instructor for a face-to-face conversation. The instructor is encouraged to listen to the entirety of the student’s case and then to consider whether the current grade is appropriate. Should no resolution occur, the student is required to contact the department chairperson. The chairperson is required to meet with the student one-on-one, to seek a conversation with the instructor one-on-one, and then is highly encouraged to meet with the two together. Students must initiate their informal appeal within 30 working days of the posting of the grade. Should no resolution occur, the student may choose to engage the formal appeal process.

Filing a Formal Appeal. A formal appeal is made in writing to the dean of the college of the instructor, hereafter referred to as “the dean.” When filing

an appeal, a student must specify the basis of the appeal and do so within 30 working days of the conclusion of the informal appeal. The student must indicate one of the following: 1. The instructor is unable or unwilling to communicate with the student on

the appeal and the informal appeal could not proceed.2. No resolution resulted from the informal appeal process.

The contents of the appeal should include as much of the relevant physical or electronic record as is possible for the student to collect. If the second basis (differential standards) is asserted, the student should provide a list of the names of other students and specific assignments so that a review of the relevant materials and appropriate comparisons can be made. 

Verification of the Appropriateness of the Appeal. An instructor “cannot respond” if she/he has died or has suffered a debilitating physical or mental condition. For appeals to grades submitted by instructors who have been terminated, resigned, or retired, it is the dean’s responsibility to manage the notification process. In doing so, the dean shall make three separate attempts at contacting the instructor within 30 days with the last attempt being in writing via registered letter to the last known address. If after ten working days of the dean’s receiving of the registered letter receipt, the instructor still refuses to discuss the grade appeal, the dean shall convene the Grade Appeal Committee.If an instructor has denied the grade appeal after having met with the department chairperson, the dean must review the materials and discuss the matter with the student. The dean may choose to discuss the matter with the instructor, the chairperson, or both. If the dean cannot create a resolution satisfactory to the instructor and student, the dean shall convene the Grade Appeal Committee.

Direct link to the university policy - http://www.indstate.edu/adminaff/docs/323%20Grade%20Appeal%20Policy.pdf#323.1

Student Conduct and Integrity

The Office of Student Conduct and Integrity has a detailed process of hearings and sanctions for those student violations under the Student Code of Conduct. The appeal process for these decisions is available on the web at http://www.indstate.edu/sci/link2-process/index.htm

Student Concerns about Rules and Regulations

The ISU Ombudsperson is available for all students to help with navigating, understanding, and addressing concerns about university rules and regulations. Please refer students to the Ombudsperson for help with issues that may not seem to have a direct resolution.

Other Student Appeals

A student who would like to appeal a particular policy can also contact the office/college/library that manages that particular policy and the student appeal will be routed through to the appropriate decision maker.

By section 245.6.2.2 of the University Handbook, a student or group of students may bring a grievance not falling within the authority of a college/library directly to the Executive Committee of the University Faculty Senate or may appeal a grievance to the Executive Committee after avenues of relief within the college/library affected have been exhausted.

Faculty

The University Handbook addresses the various appeal processes and procedures for faculty appeals. The appropriate section of the Handbook is referenced below.

Reappointment, Promotion and Tenure Appeal

Section 305 of the University Handbook addresses the process and procedures for appealing any decisions related to reappointment, promotion and tenure.

Sabbatical

Section 335.6 of the University Handbook addresses the process and procedures for appealing any decisions related to sabbatical leave applications.

Biennial Review

The current biennial review process and procedures (include appeals) can be found on the Faculty Resource website - http://www.indstate.edu/facultyresources/

Faculty Grievances

Section 245.6.2.1 of the University Handbook states:

A member of the University Faculty or a group of faculty members may bring a grievance not falling within the authority of a college/library directly to the Executive Committee of the University Faculty Senate or may appeal a grievance to the Executive Committee after avenues of relief within the college/library affected have been exhausted.

The constitution of each college/library will also have the process for faculty grievance within the unit.

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Application for Graduation

Undergraduate students are asked to apply for graduation 2 semesters before their planned date of graduation. This allows time to correct any problems with the students’ courses prior to the expected graduation date. Students should apply by October 1 for May and August graduation and February 1 for December graduation. Undergraduate students apply online at http://www.indstate.edu/registrar/UndergradGraduationApplication.htm

Graduate students should apply by October 1 for December graduation, February 1 for May and August graduation. A PDF graduation application is available at http://www.indstate.edu/gradexpress/graduation-apply.htm and must be submitted to the School of Graduate and Professional Studies.

Attending the commencement ceremony is not the same as graduation.

Students are responsible to update their own graduation date. For students in MySAM, there is a field that will show if a student has applied for graduation and the term.

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Armed Services

ISU is an approved veteran benefits institution and we have a veteran services office to help answer questions of students who are receiving veteran’s benefits.

http://www.indstate.edu/veterans/

ISU also has a military activation policy

http://www.indstate.edu/academicaffairs/military_activation_policy.htm

ISU is also hosts Air Force ROTC (AFROTC).

http://www.indstate.edu/afrotc/

Army ROTC is available through Rose Hulman.

http://www.goarmy.com/rotc/schools/rose-hulman-institute-of-technology.html

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Assessment Plans

ISU programs actively monitor the quality of their academic programs through student outcomes assessment. As part of this process, all programs have an assessment plan on file with the Office of Accreditation and Assessment.

http://www.indstate.edu/assessment/

All faculty are responsible to ensure that assessment plans are current and followed.

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Athletes

ISU is a Division I school and is part of the Missouri Valley Conference.

The Athletic Academic Services provides support to student athletes and faculty. Their website is available at:http://www.gosycamores.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=15200&ATCLID=205388108

Students in MySAM are identified as athletes in the information portion of the worksheet:

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Auditing a course

ISU does permit students to audit courses, but it is at the discretion of the faculty member. Students who wish to audit a course for no credit do so for the purpose of hearing and seeing only; they do not have the privilege of participating in class discussions, laboratory work, or field work.  They do not take tests, submit term papers, or receive grades.  Students who audit a course will not appear on the class rolls or grade rolls, and no notation of the audit will be made on the student’s transcript.  A valid admission to the university is required.  The  Permission to Audit form must be authorized by the instructor and department chairperson which offers the course on or after the first day of classes (not before).  A student may not transfer from audit to credit or from credit to audit.  There is a $5 per credit hour auditing fee.

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Baccalaureate Degrees

ISU offers a number of different baccalaureate degree options. The general studies requirements for all degree options are same; however, some degrees (such as the BA in the College of Arts & Sciences) may have additional expectations beyond the major courses. By state legislation, all baccalaureate degrees cannot exceed 120 credits without permission of the Indiana Commission of Higher Education.

BA Bachelor of ArtsBS Bachelor of ScienceBFA Bachelor of Fine ArtsBM Bachelor of MusicBME Bachelor of Music EducationBSW Bachelor of Social WorkBAS Bachelor of Applied Science

It should be noted that some of the official documentation of the state and the Higher Learning Commission state the degree of AB/BS – this indicates the option of a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science.

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Banner

Banner is a comprehensive computer information system that contains information on courses, students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Components of the Banner system include student, financial aid, finance, and human resources. Banner provides information to users through either internet-based forms or through MyISU (the Portal).

Through the badges in MyISU, most faculty can access the majority of what they need through Banner Self-Service.

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Biennial Review

Blackboard

ISU currently uses Blackboard as its learning management system (LMS). It is encouraged that all faculty use this tool to post grades for students and provide access to course resources, at a minimum. A blackboard course is generated for all courses on the class schedule, although it is not activated until the faculty member does so.

Blackboard courses can be accessed through MyISU (the Portal) or through a link on the main page of the Office of Information Technology, or on the University homepage.

Blackboard support is provided by the Office of Information Technology, Instructional Tools Support.

http://www.indstate.edu/oit/students/distance.php

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Bookstore

ISU has a contract with Barnes & Noble as the university bookstore. The bookstore is located just off-campus on Cherry and 4th Streets. The bookstore collects textbook orders from faculty every fall and spring for the next semesters and manages ISU’s data for federal compliance on textbook orders (the Higher Education Act requires universities to post required textbooks at the time students register). Students may choose to purchase books wherever they want, but faculty are obligated to not advertise or encourage book orders from other locations unless the bookstore indicates it is unable to stock a particular item.

Faculty and students should be aware that the return policy at the bookstore is much more favorable to students than if they purchase their materials online. Additionally, students should be encouraged to not open shrink-wrapped bundles until they are sure they are staying in a course because that may make course materials unreturnable.

The bookstore provides the following options for textbooks:

New books (have the potential for buyback) Used books (have the potential for buyback) New rentals (returned at the end of the term) Used rentals (returned at the end of the term; offers the most cost savings

to students) eTextbooks eText rentals

When faculty place their book orders through Faculty Enlight, faculty can select the appropriate types of books for their classes.

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Bursar/Controller

The Office of the Bursar is a division under the Vice President of Business Affairs. The Office of the Bursar is concerned with the payments related to student accounts.

http://www.indstate.edu/bursar/

The Office of the Controller is a division under the Vice President of Business Affairs. The Office of the Controller works to ensure efficient and effective financial management of the institution.

http://www.indstate.edu/controller/index-controller.htm

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CAAC

CAAC is short for the Curriculum and Academic Affairs Committee of the Faculty Senate. It is one of the standing committees of the faculty senate and is organized as per the Bylaws of the Constitution of the Faculty of Indiana State University (found in the University Handbook in Section 246). CAAC reviews proposed new and proposed changes to undergraduate curricula and has province over the policies of the university library, all courses of instruction, and changes in academic units.

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Caleb Mills Award

The Caleb Mills Distinguished Teaching Award is the University's recognition of our most distinguished teachers. Excellence in teaching is the criterion that will be considered in making the awards.

Any tenured faculty member teaching a minimum of 15 semester hours or 24 contact hours at ISU during the immediate preceding summer, fall, and spring semesters of the current academic year is eligible for consideration. Full-time faculty, students, alumni, or administrators may make nominations for this award. A maximum of 4 awards are given each year.

http://indstate.edu/academicaffairs/calebmills/index.html

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Calendars

There are a number of calendars at ISU.

The Academic Calendar and the related academic schedules (found in another section).

The Campus Calendar which details events on campus.

The Residence Hall Association has an event calendar.

There is also the personal calendaring system within Outlook and the class calendar/tasks inside Blackboard.

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CAPS Manual

The Curriculum Approval Procedures (CAPs) Manual gives the policies and procedures for all changes to the curriculum. The manual is developed and approved by CAAC.

http://www.indstate.edu/academicaffairs/caps2013/

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Career Center

The goal of the Career Center is to provide service to students alumni related to career decisions, employment and workplace expectations. The Career Center also houses Student Employment.

The Career Center will work with faculty on class presentations, internships, major-related programs, professional skill certificates, etc.

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Carnegie Units

The standard Carnegie unit is defined as 120 hours of contact time with an instructor—i.e., one hour of instruction a day, five days a week, for 24 weeks, or 7,200 minutes of instructional time over the course of an academic year.In most public high schools, course credits are still largely based on the 120-hour Carnegie-unit standard. 

Indiana State University has adopted the Federal Credit Hour definition: A credit hour is an amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that is an institutionally-established equivalency that reasonably approximates not less than:

(1) one hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of 2 hours of out-of-class student work each week for approximately fifteen weeks for one semester or trimester of credit, or ten to twelve weeks for one quarter hour of credit, or the equivalent amount of work over a different period of time; or

(2) at least an equivalent amount of work as required in paragraph (1) of this definition for other activities as established by an institution, including laboratory work, internships, practica, studio work, and other academic work leading toward the award of credit hours.

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Catalog

Each year, ISU publishes two online catalogs – one for undergraduate and one for graduate. The catalogs not only contain the currently approved programs and courses, but also policies that govern students. Archived catalogs from previous years are also available.

Students are admitted under a catalog year and are required to follow the curriculum and policies in the catalog of the year they matriculated. Students can change to a later catalog year (the process is the same as the change of major), but can’t move to an earlier catalog than their matriculation year.

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Center for Student Success

The Center for Student Success provides free services to ISU to help them be successful. These services include:

The Math and Writing Center Disabled Student Services Athletic Study Program Supplemental Instruction Free tutoring The LEAP program First-Generation Faculty mentoring

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Certificate

ISU offers certificates targeted at specific audiences, often persons seeking specialized knowledge and abilities for employment. Certificates stand alone as self-contained educational experiences, though they may be pursued in conjunction with a traditional degree. They are housed within existing academic units and consist of existing courses. The following policies also apply to certificates that are linked to external organizations.

All certificates:

Have clearly stated student learning outcomes that are different from the outcomes of a major or minor.

Consist only of credit-bearing courses. Generally consist of 12-18 credits, but never more than 29 credits

(including prerequisites). Include at least 50% of their credits from ISU courses. May contain up to 12 credit hours that apply to an ISU degree program. Require admission to the University. May be earned by degree-seeking students, as well as those not pursuing

a ISU degree. Guidelines and standards for performance are identical for both groups.

Are entered into Banner and appear on University transcripts. Appear in the undergraduate and graduate catalogs Use the same forms and go through the same approval process as other

academic programs at the university. Must be approved by the Indiana Commission of Higher Education.

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Change of Grade

Occasionally things happen and a final grade must be changed for a student. If the end of final grading has not happened, you are still able to make the change of grade in the portal. If it is after the end of final grading, faculty must work with their departmental administrative assistant and/or department chair who will access the change of grade form in Argos. The reason for the change of grade must be noted on the form and signed by the chair and the Dean’s office.

A change of grade after a student has graduated is more problematic in that the student record must be re-opened to change the grade. If any transcripts have been sent to employers or graduate schools, new transcripts will be need to be resent.

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Change of Major

Newly admitted students can change their major with the Office of Admissions. Enrolled students need to begin the process of making a change of major with the Dean’s office in the college of their intended major.

Arts & Sciences - http://www.indstate.edu/saa/Majors.htmScott College of Business – Student must see the Student Services Office in personBayh College of Education - http://coe.indstate.edu/ess/changemajor.htmCollege of Technology - http://technology.indstate.edu/tss/changeofmajorminor.htmCollege of Nursing, Health and Human Services - https://indstate.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_9Z8zuHc3U17XE4Q

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Cheating

Section 2.0 of the Code of Student Conduct covers academic policies for students. The code defines academic integrity and misconduct including cheating, plagiarism, falsification, multiple submissions, facilitating academic dishonesty, violation of professional and ethical standards, and misuse of academic resources and intellectual property.

Faculty should be clear on their syllabus regarding class and departmental policies of repercussions related to issues of academic integrity.

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Class meeting times

Faculty are expected to meet with their classes during the posted class meeting times that are on the class schedule. Exceptions to meeting times need approval of department chairperson and unanimous concurrence of students.

Faculty can take advantage of resources in student affairs, the Career Center, and the library to schedule “substitutes” in the event of a planned absence.

Time for Teaching Assignment can be found in Section 310.1.1.4 of the University Handbook.

Policy regarding Class Meeting times can be found in Section 310.1.1.5 fo the University Handbook.

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Class Overrides

There may be times when a student is given the authority to register for a class when they are not permitted to register via their portal.  Below describes the errors students see when registering, who has authority to override the restriction and how the student should be entered into the system if it is deemed appropriate. Following these processes can allow students to register in the portal and eliminate much of paper registration. 

Portal Registration

Add Error

What it means Who authorizes

override

Authorization process*

Closed Section Student cannot register due to the course already being at capacity

Instructor Email Department to process override in banner; once entered into banner, student will be notified by email they can log in and register

Class Restriction

Student cannot register because it has been restricted to include or exclude certain majors

Department Chair of course

Department enters override into banner (SFASRPO), student will be automatically notified by email they can log in and register

College Restriction

Student cannot register because it has been restricted to include/exclude certain majors

Department Chair of course

Department enters override into banner (SFASRPO), student will be automatically notified by email they can log in and register

Corequisite required

Student cannot register because they are required to take another course during the same semester

Department Chair of course

Department enters override into banner (SFASRPO), student will be automatically notified by email they can log in and register

Prerequisites and Test Score Error

Student cannot register due to lack of proper previous course requirements

Department Chair of course

Department enters override into banner (SFASRPO), student will be automatically notified by email they can log in and register

Time Conflict Student cannot register due to a timeframe overlap in a course in which they are already registered

Instructor Email Department to process override in banner; once entered into banner, student will be notified by email they can log in and register

Maximum hours exceeded

Student cannot register due to the amount of allowable hours for a semester

Dean's Office

Academic Standing prohibits registration

Student cannot register due to academic dismissal

Dean's Office

Term exceeds expected graduation term

Student cannot register due to application for graduation term is preceding registration term

Undergraduates can update their graduation date (if appropriate) via the portal.  Graduates need to contact the College of Graduate and Professional Studies.

*If it is after the last day to add, all exceptions will need to be processed on a paper scheduling form:  http://www.indstate.edu/registrar/pdf/Scheduling_Form.pdf

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Class rank

ISU does not calculate class rank for students, by either percentile or number in class.

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Class standing

Class standing is the designation if a student is a freshman, sophomore, junior, senior, or graduate student. At the undergraduate level, hours to achieve class standing are:

0-30 freshman31-60 sophomore61-90 junior91 and above-senior

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CLEP

College Level Examination Program (CLEP) is a program that allows students to demonstrate college-level achievement and earn credit through exams. CLEP is managed through the Testing Office.

http://www.indstate.edu/testing/clep.html

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Code of Conduct

The Student Code of Conduct was revised in Spring 2014. The Code governs the behavior of students at Indiana State University. The Division of Student Affairs and the Office of Conduct and Integrity manages the Code and enforcement.

http://www.indstate.edu/sci/link1-code/index.htm

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College Challenge/Dual Credit

College Challenge is the title used at ISU for dual credit classes – ISU classes taken by high school students at their high schools. These classes give students credit towards their high school graduation requirements, plus college credit they can use at ISU, or any other higher education institution that will accept the credit. Departments work with the high schools to ensure equivalency.

http://www.indstate.edu/challenge/

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Commencement

The University conducts two commencement ceremonies each year -- one in May and the other in December.  Both events are held in Hulman Center on the campus.  Students are invited to participate in commencement once they have over 78 credit hours towards the undergraduate degree.

All faculty members are expected to participate in the commencement ceremonies and shall wear the appropriate academic apparel. Academic robes, caps and hoods may be rented through the University Bookstore. (Section 310.2.1) of the University Handbook. Additional information about each commencement, and the link to RSVP for participation as a faculty member, can be found at http://www.indstate.edu/academicaffairs/commencement.htm

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Community Engagement

Community Engagement is Goal 3 for ISU in the Strategic Plan. To facilitate the goals, the Center for Community Engagement serves as the  "front door" to Indiana State University-connecting the University to the local community.

The goal is to: Assist area nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and private

industry and business to develop links with Indiana State University students and faculty;

Create out-of-class learning experiences, including internships and service-learning, for ISU's students and faculty; and

Encourage and coordinate student, faculty, and employee volunteerism and service to the Wabash Valley.

Accomplishment of this goal improves the greater good of both the University and the Wabash Valley community through developing, supporting, and coordinating research and experiential learning experiences.

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Computer Help Desk

The Computer Help Desk should be the first stop for everyone for needing some computer assistance. The Help Desk tracks all interactions (makes a ticket) so that the work can be tracked and the needs of the campus tracked as well.

There are multiple ways to contact the Help Desk. The website has a number of FAQ’s that might eliminate the need for more contact - http://supportcenteronline.com/ics/support/default.asp?deptID=4751. A call can be placed to the Help Desk - x2910. An email can be sent - IT-Help@indstate.edu. Or the portal badge (seen below) can be used to issue a ticket.

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Conditional Admit

A certain number of both undergraduate and graduate students are admitted conditionally. When they are admitted, they are given the conditions that they must meet in order to be fully admitted after the first term. For graduate students, these decisions are made at the program level. For undergraduate students, these decisions are made at Admissions and University College.

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Course Cancellation

When an entire course needs to be cancelled for the term, the Office of Registration and Records (ORR) needs to be contacted. If the cancellation occurs after students have registered for the course, the department should first contact all students to inform them of the cancellation and their options. When the course is cancelled, ORR removes all students from the class. If there are financial penalties to the students because of action by the department, the department should consult with ORR on the reasons for the cancellation and how to avoid additional costs to the students.

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Course Evaluation

There are a number of tools for course evaluation. Some departments and programs will regularly utilize peer evaluations, where a colleague will observe a class and write an evaluation that can be included in a promotion and tenure dossier. Many department chairs will also conduct chair evaluations where a class is observed and an evaluation is written.

Beginning Fall 2014, ISU will use a new online system for course evaluations called MyClassEvaluation (MCE). It is an online product that automatically distributes the evaluation to all registered students before the end of the term. Instructors have the opportunity to add questions but not delete the university-wide questions. Students are sent reminder emails, and instructors are sent emails showing the response rate for their classes. The results are not available to instructors until after the final grading deadline.

MCE can also be used for an optional midterm evaluation for instructors who want additional feedback.

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Course Numbering System

While it has not been always followed historically, the CAPs Manual does contain the rules for course numbering.

Courses numbered 100 and 200 are designed for students entering the university or a program. They are generally introductory in nature and build a foundation for more advanced courses. Courses numbered 300 and 400 are designated upper division courses and designed for advanced undergraduates, usually in the junior or senior year. Students must complete a minimum of 45 credits at this level in order to graduate. Courses numbered 500 and above carry graduate credit.

There is also a “Twenty Year Rule” for re-using course numbers. Course numbers with the same prefix may not be “re-used” until the original course has been eliminated for twenty years. This is to avoid problems arising from duplication of numbers for different courses on students’ transcripts and in degree audit reports.

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Course Placement

A number of courses are dependent upon students “placing” into them. ISU regularly uses placement scores for language, math, and English composition. Incoming students are invited to take the placement tests at either a distance before orientation and/or when they are on campus for new student orientation. More information about placement exams can be found on the University Testing Office website - http://www.indstate.edu/testing/

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Course Repeat

The course repeat policy is different for undergraduate and graduate students. Both policies are found in the respective catalogs.

Undergraduate:

Students may choose to repeat any course for grade improvement. Courses that can be repeated for credit are not included in the policy.  Only the highest grade received for the course, taken at Indiana State University, will be included in the computation of the cumulative GPA.  The initial grade(s) and the repeat grade(s) will appear on the student’s record.  Only courses taken at Indiana State University are eligible for course repeat.  An exception can be granted by the Dean of the relevant college on a case-by-case basis.

Graduate:

Graduate students receiving a grade of C+ or lower may retake a non-repeatable course a maximum of one time. Once repeated, both the original and new grade will be included in the student’s grade point average. Both grades will remain on the student’s transcript.

It may not always be in a student’s best interest to repeat a course. The student should consult with the major advisor and financial aid.

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Course Substitution

A program can choose to make a course substitution for a major required course. These substitutions can then be entered in MySAM as exceptions to facilitate the tracking of student progress. Faculty in a program cannot approve a course substitution in another program (such as in a minor) or in Foundational Studies. These requests need to be submitted to the appropriate individuals in those programs.

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Credit hours

ISU uses the Federal definition of credit hours. This definition is found in the CAPS manual.

A credit hour is an amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that is an institutionally-established equivalency that reasonably approximates not less than:

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

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Credit Load

Credit Load can refer to the amount of credits a student is carrying.

An undergraduate student is considered full-time at 12 credit hours. ISU has a blocked fee such that students pay the same tuition if they are registered in between 12 and 18 credit hours. Over 18 credits, they are considered to be on overload.

For graduate students, full-time status is generally considered to be 9 per term (18 per academic year), but because of the nature of different graduate programs, it is possible to be considered full-time with fewer credits.

When FTE (Full-time equivalency) is calculated for the state and federal reporting, FTE is calculated with divisors of 15 for undergraduate and 12 for graduate (e.g. number of undergraduate credits registered divided by 15 = undergraduate FTE).

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CRN - Course Reference Number

Every course in the schedule of classes has a unique identifier called the CRN. It is a digit number and is essentially the identifying number for every course in banner. Students use the CRN to register. Reports are generated by CRN.

Fun fact – the first digit of the CRN indicates the term of the course. Fall CRNs all start with a 5, Spring CRNs all start with a 1, and summer CRNs all start with a 3.

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Cross-listed courses

The general rule of thumb is that courses should not be cross-listed unless there are compelling reasons, but in some circumstances it may be appropriate to list courses in two or more departments (prefixes). All units involved must approve proposals of and modifications to cross-listed courses.

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Cumulative Grade Point Average

The cumulative GPA is the overall grade point average across all semesters at a degree level. At ISU, the term GPA and cumulative GPA are calculated only on ISU courses (transfer work is only used to calculate Latin honors for graduation). The cumulative GPA is calculated by multiplying the course credits by the grade value, summing the products (this sum gives the quality points), and dividing by the attempted credit hours.

ISU uses the following grade point values:

Grade Grade Value effective Fall 2009

A+ 4.0A 4.0A- 3.7B+ 3.3B 3.0B- 2.7C+ 2.3C 2.0C- 1.7D+ 1.3D 1.0D- 0.7F 0.0

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