Academic Regulations and Policies
Absences
From Scheduled Classes
Policies regarding absences from scheduled classes are generally determined by the instructors of the classes in which they occur. Students are expected to explain to the instructors the causes of these absences and to make up all work to the satisfaction of the instructors.
From Final Examinations
A student who fails to attend the final examination of a course and who has a passing grade up to that time may, at the discretion of the instructor, be given a grade of I (Incomplete).
Academic Integrity
Students are expected to adhere to the highest ethical standards in all of their coursework and research. Individuals violating those standards are subject to disciplinary action; such breaches could lead to expulsion of the student from Indiana University or to rescission of a degree already granted.
Academic Renewal Policy
General Considerations
The academic renewal policy encourages capable, mature, undergraduate students to return to IU South Bend after they were academically unsuccessful during an earlier attempt at higher education within the Indiana University system. This policy pertains only to undergraduate students who do not have a bachelor’s degree. Meant to apply campuswide to all IU South Bend academic units, the academic renewal option described here exists only on the IU South Bend campus and not on any other campus of Indiana University. Students who wish to apply for renewal must contact their respective academic units at the time of application for readmission. If renewal is granted, all grades earned prior to the renewal are no longer used in the calculation of the cumulative program grade point average, which is reset to zero. The university grade point average (GPA) is not reset due to the application of academic renewal. Coursework from other IU campuses can be considered for academic renewal.
Academic Renewal Policy
The academic renewal option described here is subject to the following considerations:
1. The IU South Bend academic renewal policy applies to any former Indiana University student who:
- has not yet completed a bachelor’s degree, and
- has not attended any campus of Indiana University for a minimum of the last three years (36 months).
2. Academic renewal applies to all Indiana University coursework taken prior to readmission to IU South Bend. A student seeking academic renewal may not exempt certain courses from the application of the renewal policy. Furthermore, this policy is inapplicable to any grades issued owing to academic dishonesty. As a precondition of any student receiving academic renewal, the registrar’s office formally evaluates the student’s record to identify any grades resulting from academic dishonesty.
3. Academic renewal may be invoked only once over the course of a student’s academic career at IU South Bend.
4. Because academic renewal is aimed at academically unsuccessful students, the grade point average (GPA) for the period for which academic renewal is sought should be lower than 2.0. If a student is pursuing a degree that has a minimum GPA requirement to graduate that is greater than 2.0, at the discretion of the student’s academic unit, academic renewal can be applied.
5. A student is eligible to apply for academic renewal after a probationary period at IU South Bend in which the student earns a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 2.3 for the probationary period.
a. The academic renewal probationary period begins the semester the student enrolls on the South Bend campus after not attending any campus of Indiana University for at least three years (36 months).
b. Within the limits listed below, the academic renewal probation period is defined as follows:
i. The academic renewal probationary period must be a minimum of 12 credit hours.
1. The academic renewal probationary period cannot extend beyond the semester in which the student completes their 21st credit hour.
2. The academic renewal probationary period is in full terms.
ii. Dependent on the student’s course load, more than 21 credit hours may be applied to the academic renewal probationary period.
c. Dependent on the student’s academic performance, the student’s academic unit may require more than 12 credit hours during the academic renewal probation period.
d. Academic units may require students to meet with an academic advisor prior to enrolling in course work.
e. Academic advisors may limit course selections to degree and general education requirements only.
f. Academic units may limit the number of credit hours that a student may enroll in during a single semester or session.
g. Letter grades of P or S cannot be included in the minimum academic renewal probationary period hours.
h. Grades replaced under the IU South Bend Grade Replacement Policy for credits completed during the academic renewal probation will be recalculated at their original values to determine if the student has met the 2.3 cumulative grade point average (CGPA) requirement.
6. Academic renewal does not occur automatically: a student must apply for academic renewal, and the petition must be approved by the student’s academic unit. If the petition is approved, all grades earned prior to the renewal are no longer used in the calculation of the program GPA. The GPA earned after academic renewal takes effect is subject to each academic unit’s rules regarding academic probation and dismissal.
7. Although the grades in the courses to which academic renewal is applied are not considered in calculating the GPA, the courses themselves may still be used to satisfy credit hour and degree requirements if the original grades earned are C (2.0) or higher.
8. After approval of the request for academic renewal, a student must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours (including the 12 credit hour probationary period) on the IU South Bend campus to meet the graduation residency requirement and must complete a minimum of 60 credit hours to merit graduation with academic distinction.
9. Invocation of the academic renewal option does not preclude a student from using other available, course-specific grade replacement options, subject to each academic unit’s rules and procedures and the conditions set out in the IU South Bend Grade Replacement Policy.
10. Academic renewal is available only for courses taken at Indiana University. Each academic unit retains the right to consider records of performance from other universities in determining admission to the academic unit, the granting of honors and academic distinction, and other matters.
Academic Standing
The university has established levels of competency, according to GPA and semesters completed, which determine whether an undergraduate student is making satisfactory academic progress, is on probation, probation with impact, or ineligible to continue studies.
Satisfactory Academic Progress
A student whose cumulative grade point average (CGPA) is 2.0 or higher is considered to be making satisfactory academic progress.
Probation
A student who has completed one or more IU South Bend GPA hours and has a CGPA below 2.0 is placed on probation. A probationary student remains on probation until the CGPA reaches 2.0 or higher.
Probation with Impact
A student who is on probation and fails to achieve a semester (fall, spring, or combined summer session) GPA of at least 2.0 will be placed on probation with impact. Academic units may impose additional enrollment restrictions on such students (e.g., limited to half-time enrollment).
Dismissal
A student who is on probation with impact and fails to achieve a semester (fall, spring, or combined summer session) GPA of at least 2.0 will be dismissed from the university. Students who are dismissed for the first time cannot enroll until one regular (fall or spring) semester has elapsed and must petition by the established deadline to be reinstated. Students who are dismissed multiple times must remain out of the university for at least two regular semesters and must petition by the established deadline to be reinstated.
Reinstatement
Reinstatement will be the decision of the academic unit to which the student petitions. A student who is reinstated will be on probation with impact until the CGPA reaches 2.0 or higher.
Addition of Courses/Late Registration
Undergraduate students are permitted to register late or add courses only during the first two weeks of the semester (first week in summer sessions). Students who register late or add a course during the first week of classes may register online via OneStart.
Students who wish to register late or add a course during the second week of classes must get an add slip from the Gateway Information Center or the office of their academic program and secure the signature of the instructor.
Note: Special fees are assessed for most late registrations and schedule adjustments.
Assessing Student Outcomes
Students are expected to assist in the assessment process as defined by their academic departments and the campus assessment committee. Assessment processes may include activities as varied as opinion surveys, focus groups, portfolios, and capstone courses.
- The goal of assessing student outcomes at IU South Bend is to help the university realize its mission for the student body.
- The objective of the assessment process is to involve the faculty, the students, and the community in the effort to review student outcomes.
- The purpose of assessing student outcomes is to identify program strengths and elements in need of improvement.
IU South Bend Attendance and Course Commitment Policy
Preamble
Attendance and active participation in courses are key factors for academic success. Students who do not attend their classes and who do not complete their assignments in a timely manner are less likely to successfully complete their courses.
Policy
At the discretion of the academic department, students who do not attend the first scheduled week of classes and have not made prior arrangements with their instructor may be subject to administrative withdrawal.
At the discretion of the faculty, students missing more than 50% of their class meetings, and/or who do not actively participate in their enrolled classes during the first four weeks of the fall or spring semesters, may be subject to administrative withdrawal from their courses. Students may be administratively withdrawn regardless of their class level or standing.
- Courses in which the Attendance and Course Commitment Policy applies are approved by the academic department and applies to all sections. Courses on the approved list will remain in approved status until otherwise repealed by the academic department. The Office of the Registrar will maintain and publish a list of courses that have been approved to enforce the Attendance and Course Commitment Policy.
- In courses in which this policy applies, notice of the Attendance and Course Commitment Policy, including a definition of active participation, must be included in the course syllabus. Students must be informed that administrative withdrawal may have an impact on their financial aid awards and/or student visa status.
- Faculty teaching courses in which this policy applies are encouraged to take attendance. To accommodate large lecture classes and courses taught through distance learning, submission of course assignments can be used to document attendance and participation. If faculty members choose to use coursework submissions as the primary means of documenting attendance and active participation, a statement must be included in the course syllabus. If attendance is not taken and a student is subsequently withdrawn for not submitting any assignments, the due date of the first assignment will be the last date of attendance.
- The instructor who initiates an administrative withdrawal may rescind it within one week of the original request.
- Students who are administratively withdrawn from their courses after any refund period will not be eligible for a tuition refund.
- Administrative withdrawal requests will be processed only during the periods listed below:
- first week of the fall and spring semesters
- between the end of the fourth week and the beginning of the fifth week of the fall and spring semesters
- Academic units may establish an attendance policy that is more restrictive than outlined in this policy, but administrative withdrawal will occur only during the enforcement periods.
Audit Policy
Courses may be taken on an official audit basis. No credit is given for the courses, but the audited courses are indicated on the student’s transcript. Any work required of auditors must be agreed upon by the instructor and the auditor. Any academic program has the option to exclude auditors from a particular course. Changes from audit status to credit status and vice versa can be made only with the permission of the instructor and no later than the deadline for midterm grades. Auditing students pay the same fees as credit students, and incur a program change fee beginning the second week of classes. Contact the Office of the Registrar for details on auditing procedures.