Academic Regulations and Policies

Readmission

In special cases, a student who was dismissed may petition a faculty committee, through the head of the appropriate academic program, for readmission. Because petitions must be submitted sufficiently in advance of the semester or session to which readmission is sought, students must consult with the appropriate academic program head as early as possible.

Religious Observances

Indiana University respects the right of all students to observe their religious holidays and makes reasonable accommodation, upon request, for such observances. Refer to the Indiana University Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct for details. Visit www.dsa.indiana.edu/code to view a copy on the web.

Satisfactory/Fail Courses

A number of IU South Bend courses are offered with an S/F (Satisfactory/Fail) option. For a given semester, the course is graded either S/F or with regular letter grades (A, B, C, D, F). All students in the course must be graded under one or the other options. A grade of S cannot subsequently be changed to a regular letter grade, nor can a regular letter grade be changed to an S. S/F graded courses are not counted as part of a student’s Pass/Fail option. S/F graded courses are noted in the Schedule of Classes. A grade of S is not counted in computing GPAs; the grade of F is included.

Second Degree

Normally the holder of a bachelor’s degree who wishes to pursue further education is encouraged to become qualified for admission to graduate study. In certain cases, however, a student is admitted to candidacy for a second bachelor’s degree. When such admission is granted, candidates normally must earn at least 30 additional credit hours in residence and meet the requirements of the academic program in which they are candidates.

Semester Load

A typical full-time undergraduate academic load is 12 to 18 credit hours with an average of approximately 15 credit hours for the fall or spring semesters. Full-time enrollment in either the fall, spring, or summer semesters is a minimum of 12 credit hours.

An undergraduate student expecting to carry more than 18 credit hours should have a CGPA of B (3.0) average or have earned a B (3.0) average in the last full semester.

Social Security Number

Students or applicants are advised that the requested disclosure of their Social Security number to designated offices is voluntary except in regard to the financial aid application. Students have the right to refuse disclosure of this number or request its removal from records without penalty. The student’s Social Security number is not disclosed to individuals or agencies outside Indiana University except in accordance with the Indiana University policy of release of student information.

Student Record Access

An implicit and justifiable assumption of trust is placed in the university as custodian of personal data submitted by a student entering the university or generated during enrollment. This mutual relationship of trust between the university and the individual student requires that such data be held in confidence. The university responds to requests for confidential data (that is, information not normally available to the general public) in compliance with the amended Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974.

Indiana University’s annual notification of student rights |

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords students certain rights with respect to their educational records. These rights include:

1. The right to inspect and review the student’s educational records within 45 days of the day the university receives a request for access. Students should submit to the registrar, dean, head of the academic department, or other appropriate official, written requests that identify the record(s) they wish to inspect. The university official makes arrangements for access and notifies the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained by the university official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.
2. The right to request the amendment of the student’s educational records that they believe are inaccurate or misleading. Students may ask the university to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading. They must write the university official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading. If the university decides not to amend the record as requested by the student, the university notifies the student of the decision and advises the student of his or her right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedure is provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing.
3. The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s educational records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. One exception which permits disclosure without consent is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the university in an administrative, supervisory, academic or research, or support staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel and health staff); a person or company with whom the university has contracted (such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent); a person serving on the Indiana University Board of Trustees; or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an educational record to fulfill his or her professional responsibility. Upon request, the university may disclose educational records without consent to officials of another school in which a student seeks or intends to enroll. Finally, public information may be released freely unless the student files the appropriate form requesting that certain public information not be released. This form is available at the Office of the Registrar. Public information is limited to name; address; telephone; major field of study; dates of attendance; admission or enrollment status; campus; school, college, or division; class standing; degrees and awards; activities; sports; and athletic information.
4. The right to file a complaint with the United States Department of Education concerning alleged failures by Indiana University to comply with the requirements of FERPA.

Tobacco-Free Campus

IU South Bend is a tobacco-free campus. Indiana University has determined that all campuses will be smoke free in order to promote the health and well-being of employees, students, and others on campus.

In brief, the policy for IU South Bend states that the use and sale of tobacco and tobacco products is prohibited on university owned-, operated-, or leased-properties. The parking lots and garage owned by the university are included in the ban. However, the use of tobacco products in personal vehicles is allowed, provided users make a reasonable effort to contain smoke and smoking materials inside the vehicle.

Work Done at More Than One Indiana University Campus

Students who plan to earn a degree through a degree-granting program on one Indiana University campus and who plan to take a substantial number of hours on one or more of the other Indiana University campuses in partial fulfillment of degree requirements must have their programs of study approved in advance by the degree-granting program. The residency requirement must be met on the campus where the degree-granting program is located.