Academic Policies and Procedures

General Information

Catalog

Students must meet the degree requirements of the catalog in effect the semester/term they began coursework and were admitted to that degree program. Students may opt to select a later catalog for a year in which they were enrolled. Changing to a later catalog must be officially requested through the Office of the Registrar. Students have a one semester grace period to assess the changes in their new requirements during which they may return to their original catalog. After the grace period the change in catalog year is irreversible. Other than the degree requirements, students must adhere to the academic requirements, policies and procedures in place in the current catalog. Such requirements include but are not limited to course pre-requisites, minimum grades for transfer work, probation and suspension requirements, etc. Statements in the catalog are for informational purposes and should not be considered as the basis for a contract between students and the university. Information regarding any changes in degree programs, graduation requirements, or academic policies is made available by the appropriate academic units. An interrupted enrollment of two semesters requires students to reapply for admission and to re-enroll under subsequent catalogs.

Student Responsibility and Academic Advising

The university honors its published academic policies and programs, including required courses for graduation. The student is responsible for his or her program, including meeting the published requirements and deadlines. The university assists the student in making appropriate decisions by providing academic advising. However, the decisions made in the academic advising process are those of the student.

Transfer Credits and Concurrent Enrollment

1. A maximum of 6 semester credits may be transferred into graduate programs. Some degree programs limit transfers to elective credit only. Consult the appropriate program section of the catalog. Students are responsible for all material covered on the comprehensive examination as required by specific graduate degrees.
2. Students who wish to transfer prior coursework must petition for transfer within one semester after achieving regular admission.
3. The course work must be taken at a regionally accredited institution.
4. The course work must be graduate level and/or accepted in a graduate degree program. Correspondence and extension courses are not transferable.
5. Credit is not awarded for experience, including fulfillment of prerequisite requirements.
6. A grade of no less than 3.000 "B" must have been earned in the course presented for transfer for all graduate degrees. Credit or Pass coursework is not transferable.
7. The course work must be relevant to the degree program.
8. Transfer of course work to fulfill required courses is not advised. Please see specific programmatic sections for additional information.
9. The course work must have been taken within seven years of completion of the degree program for which the course is being requested for transfer credit.
10. Official transcripts must be submitted.
11. If the credits accepted in transfer are not the equivalent of semester units, additional coursework must be taken to complete degree credit requirements.
12. After admission to a graduate program, a concurrent enrollment petition must be submitted to the academic department and approved prior to enrollment in coursework at another institution.
13. Requests for transfer of military course work will be considered as fulfilling prerequisites and elective requirements only (no core courses) for those programs which accept military credit. Course work must meet all other transfer requirements.
14. In the event that the content of one or more of the required courses is waived but the coursework is not accepted in transfer, the student must select a substitute with the approval of the program director or designee for additional credits.

Attendance Policies

Class attendance policies are determined by each instructor and shall be included on the course assignment sheets distributed at the beginning of each term. The university recommends as a minimal policy that students who are absent 20% of the course should be failed. Students who do not attend the first class meeting of a course in which they are registered may be administratively dropped, unless they make arrangements with the instructor prior to the first day of class.

Address Change

Students must notify the university of any change in their address and phone number. Such changes may be made via WebAdvisor, student's chapman email, or at the Office of the Registrar.

Degree Requirements

Admission to the Degree Program

Admission is based upon possession of a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution and the fulfillment of requirements as specified for each program.

Undergraduate Prerequisites for Graduate Programs

Broad program prerequisites and specific course prerequisites are intended to improve the educational experience of the learner. The university recognizes that educational differences exist among individuals and encourages graduate students to work closely with their academic advisors to plan for personal needs and academic excellence.

1. Students must complete all prerequisites within the first year of graduate coursework at Chapman University. Prerequisites should be completed within the first semester of enrollment.
2. Students may not enroll in any course which specifies a prerequisite unless the prerequisite has been completed.
3. Students may not enroll concurrently in the prerequisite for a course and the course which specifies the prerequisite (unless the Graduate Catalog permits concurrent enrollment).
4. A grade of "C" or higher is required in all coursework used to fulfill prerequisites.

Course Requirements

1. Credits completed for a baccalaureate degree cannot be accepted for graduate degree credit.
2. Undergraduate or graduate courses completed to fulfill prerequisite requirements cannot be accepted for graduate degree credit.
3. Credit is not awarded for experience, including fulfillment of prerequisite requirements.
4. All degree course work must fulfill graduate course work requirements; for example, graduate students enrolled in any courses in which undergraduates are enrolled must complete additional course requirements to receive graduate credit.
5. At least eighteen credits must be in course work at the 500-600 level.
6. The minimum number of credits required for a master's degree is thirty. Most degrees require more (see the individual degree programs).
7. Each student is issued a degree program in accordance with the catalog degree requirements as stated in the student's official program evaluation in WebAdvisor. No changes may be made in this program without advance approval of the program director and the dean of the school.

Grade and Quality Requirements

Degrees and credentials are granted on evidence of intellectual growth and development rather than solely on the basis of formal course credits. Fulfillment of the minimum course requirements set forth cannot, therefore, be regarded as the sole requisite of a degree or credential.

Residency Requirement

A minimum of twenty-four credits in the degree program must be completed at Chapman University for all graduate degrees. For specific program requirements, please refer to the appropriate program section. These credits do not include courses taken to fulfill prerequisite requirements. Students in credential programs are required to complete a minimum of two-thirds of the program at Chapman.

Grade Point Average

The following are university guidelines; some programs specify more stringent policies. Please refer to appropriate program section.

1. Students are expected to maintain a 3.000 "B" or higher in all course work toward a degree or a credential at Chapman University.
2. A cumulative grade point average of 3.000 "B" based on all course work applicable to the graduate degree or credential is required, excluding prerequisite courses.

Change of Program Policies

1. Students wishing to add or change their program of study must submit a completed Application to Graduate Studies to the Office of Admission. Additional transcripts and an intent form are not required for a change or addition of program.
2. To be eligible for a change of program, students must have a cumulative 3.000 grade point average, no grade below a "C" in Chapman University graduate course work, and approval of the department requested for change or addition.

Students requesting a change of program are required to meet all readmission policies/procedures as indicated in the Graduate Catalog, prior to completing course work.

Second Master’s Degree

The following regulations govern the earning of a second master's degree from Chapman University:

1. The second master's degree may be awarded only in a distinctly different area, i.e., the student would not be awarded two master's degrees in education in differing areas of emphasis.
2. The student must meet all specific requirements for the second master's degree not already satisfied by the first.
3. The student may not use more than twelve credits of the first master's degree to satisfy the requirements for a second master's degree at Chapman.
4. In addition, a minimum of twenty-four non-duplicated credits must be taken for the second master's degree.

Second Emphasis Area

Students completing a second emphasis area within one master's degree program may not use previously completed course work for one emphasis to fulfill the requirements of a second emphasis.

If a comprehensive examination is required for the second emphasis area, the student will be required to complete the examination for each emphasis.

Advancement to Candidacy

Advancement is required for some degree programs. Please consult the appropriate program section of the catalog for specific requirements. It is the responsibility of the student to submit an application for Advancement to Candidacy to the program's department office.

Comprehensive Examination

1. Specific degree programs require master's degree candidates to pass a comprehensive examination as part of the degree requirements.
2. This examination requires the ability to coherently and analytically integrate knowledge gained from course work and to relate it cogently to different situations or applications. Successful completion of course work does not alone assure the candidate of passing the comprehensive examination.
3. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.000 "B" and have completed all prerequisite courses with a grade of "C" or better to meet the minimum eligibility requirements to take the comprehensive examination. Each program has specific eligibility requirements which must be fulfilled prior to the date of the examination. Please consult the appropriate section of the catalog.
4. An application form must be submitted and a fee paid by the student to their Academic Department to take or repeat a comprehensive examination. In addition, if the examination is not taken on the date for which the student applied, a new application must be submitted. Applications must be received by the student's Academic Department on or before the posted deadline date. Deadline dates are in the university calendar. The comprehensive examination may be repeated after an interval of not less than three months, subject to additional conditions the degree program may impose.
5. Students have multiple opportunities to take the examination within the seven-year period in which all degree requirements must be completed. After the second failure, examination preparation requirements are to be specified, such as auditing or repeating course work, etc.
6. Students must have successfully passed the comprehensive examination to be eligible to participate in the commencement ceremonies.
7. Students with comprehensive examination or thesis options may not switch to a different option once begun.

The Master’s Thesis or Project

The thesis or project is a requirement of some of the master's degree programs.

Students writing a thesis or project as part of their master's degree will work closely with their faculty advisor who will arrange for a review committee. Programs that offer a thesis option require an oral defense of the thesis with the review committee. Please observe the printed deadlines for submitting an Intent to Graduate form when your thesis/project is near completion. Two copies of the completed thesis (three copies if a bound personal copy is being requested; see number 5 below) should be brought to the library for binding and distribution. A final grade for the thesis course will not be issued until after submission of the thesis for binding.

1. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.000 "B" to meet the minimum eligibility requirements to enroll in the thesis/project option.
2. A thesis committee (minimum of three) must be appointed.
3. A thesis/project defense/critique/oral examination is required. A document, signed by all members of the committee, attesting to the satisfactory completion of the thesis/project requirement, including the defense/ critique/oral examination, must be provided to the Office of the Registrar. The document must specify the grade that the student is to receive, and an official grade report must be attached for the registrar's office to record the grade.
4. Two bound copies of theses/creative writing projects or film/video projects are required.
5. Students must pay a binding fee if they would like a bound personal copy of the thesis. Receipt from cashier's office indicating binding fee has been paid must be provided to the library. (See fee section of the catalog.)
6. Students must have completed all the thesis/project requirements, including the defense/critique oral examination, to be able to participate in commencement ceremonies.
7. Students with comprehensive examination or thesis options may not switch to different option once begun.

Contact individual department for specific thesis/project and comprehensive examination requirements.

Time Limitation

All requirements for graduate degrees and credential programs, including courses accepted for transfer credit from other institutions, must be completed within a seven-year period. To request an extension, a student must submit in writing a petition for an extension of the seven-year limit to the Office of the Chancellor. The student's program advisor must submit a written statement of support for the petition.

Registration and Course Information

Academic Load

A full academic load for graduate and credential students, other than EMBA students, is defined as nine credits per regular semester as well as summer session. First year EMBA students have a full academic load at eight credits per semester. For second year EMBA students, the fall semester full academic load is eight credits while the spring semester full academic load is nine credits. A full academic load for interterm is three credits; students may take up to a maximum of four credits

Individually Directed Courses

Reading and Conference Courses

Reading and conference courses are offered only when absolutely necessary to matriculated senior or graduate students. The courses may be taken only for the purpose of meeting graduation or credential requirements by students who could not meet the requirements because of circumstances beyond their control. They are not offered to resolve scheduling conflicts with other classes, or work, or to complete a schedule.

To enroll in reading and conference courses, students must submit a completed reading and conference form (available in the Office of the Registrar) with the signatures of their academic advisor, department chair of the course, and course instructor. After receiving approval, the student must submit the completed form to the Office of the Registrar. A minimum of five hours of instruction for each credit is required for reading and conference courses.

Individual Study and Research ("Independent Study")

Individual study and research is offered to students to research particular topics that are not provided for by regular curriculum offerings.

To enroll in individual study and research courses, students must submit a completed Individual Study form (available in the Office of the Registrar) with the signatures of their academic advisor, department chair, and the course instructor. After receiving approval, the student must submit the competed form to the Office of the Registrar. Students should spend 40 to 50 hours in instruction and research for each credit of individual study.

Administrative Drop

Students who do not attend a class meeting of a course in which they are registered may be administratively dropped, unless make arrangement with the instructor prior the first day of class. Students who do not attend the first two weeks of class(es) will be administratively dropped from the course(s) identified by the instructor as not having attended. Students should contact the instructor if a possible error has been made regarding an administrative drop.

Add/Drop

During official registration dates, students may initially register for courses, add courses, or drop courses via WebAdvisor in accordance with their priority registration access. Being placed by an instructor on the course roll does not constitute being officially registered for the course. Students can officially register only through WebAdvisor or at the Office of the Registrar. After the semester/term add deadline students may not attend courses without being officially enrolled in the course.

If a course is dropped during the first two weeks of the semester (see academic calendar for corresponding dates for summer and interterm), no record of the course is posted to the student's transcript. Students who officially drop or withdraw from a course between the third and the tenth week of standard semesters will receive a W on their transcripts indicating the withdrawal. Students cannot drop a course beyond the tenth week of the semester. It is the student's responsibility to withdraw officially form a course or all courses. Failure to attend a course does not constitute a withdrawal. Students who stop attending courses without officially withdrawing will receive a grade of "FW" failure to withdraw, which is calculated the same as an "F" grade.

Pass/No Pass

Students may select Pass/No Pass as a grading option at the time they initially register for courses via WebAdvisor. Certain courses require letter grades only, while certain courses allow only Pass/No Pass as the grading option. Such restrictions are noted in the course description.

Undergraduates may take up to six semester credits per year on a Pass/No Pass basis, excluding interterm courses and courses offered only on a Pass/No Pass basis. Students should consult with the department chair regarding the choice of "P/NP" grading for courses in the major.

After initial registration in a course, in order to change the grading basis (e.g. to "P/NP") students must submit a change of grading system form to the Office of the Registrar by the end of the 10th week for fall and spring semesters (see academic calendar for corresponding dates for interterm and summer semesters). Changes in grading basis cannot be done via WebAdvisor. Once a course is graded students cannot request a change in grading option.

A student who satisfactorily completes a "P/NP" course will receive a "P" grade. Credit will be granted, however no grade points are assigned, and it is not computed in the grade point average. "P" grades are equivalent to a "C" grade or higher.

A grade of "NP" (no pass) will be given when the requirements for credit in the course have not been satisfied at the level of "C" or higher. "NP" grades are given for "C-" and below. No credit is granted, no grade points are assigned, and the "N/P" is not computed in the grade point average.

Students who take a course Pass/No Pass and cease attending part way through the semester and fail to officially withdraw from the course will receive an "FW" grade. "FW" is computed in the grade point average as an "F."

Course Audit

Students may audit a class if they choose to do so. No credit is earned from audited classes. A grade of "AU" is assigned to audited classes, which is not used in computing the grade point average. Course requisites are enforced in determination of registration eligibility for the course. Audit fees may be assessed. It is strongly recommended that students confer with their advisor prior to officially auditing a course.

No preregistration is allowed for courses taken as audit. Students must use the official registration form and obtain the faculty member's signature to register for a course as audit or change to audit status; deadline for such transactions is the same as the add/drop deadline for regular courses for all terms. Course requirements such as homework, exams and papers are not graded by the instructor for students who are auditing a course.

Incompletes

The grade of Incomplete may be assigned by an instructor if a student, through circumstances beyond his or her control, has not completed a small portion of a course by the conclusion of the term. The student must request in writing the grade of Incomplete and must propose a date acceptable to the faculty member by which the missing work will be completed. A grade of Incomplete may not be assigned in order to give a student a chance to do more work to improve a grade.

The deadline for removal of an Incomplete is one year from the first day of the term in which the Incomplete was recorded, unless a shorter period of time is specified by the instructor. In certain circumstances where the student must attend the class to fulfill the remaining requirements, and when the course is not offered every semester, at the instructor's discretion the deadline for removal of the Incomplete will be one year from the end of the term in which the Incomplete was recorded. The deadline determined by the faculty member must be specified on the Incomplete Form which is submitted to the Office of the Registrar. A copy must also be provided to the student.

Complete Withdrawal, Leave of Absence, Readmission

Withdrawal Procedures

Students must withdraw officially from coursework either through WebAdvisor or the Office of the Registrar before the end of the tenth week of a standard semester (see academic calendar for deadline dates). Students who stop attending courses without officially withdrawing will receive a grade of "FW", failure to withdraw, which is calculated similar to a "F" grade. Students who drop all courses and discontinue studies during the semester must also notify the dean and either request a Leave of Absence or officially withdraw from the program.

Only well-documented requests for tuition refund based upon extenuating circumstances beyond the control of the student (e.g., medical/ psychological, death in the family, or other family crisis, etc.) and with the support of the relevant faculty member(s) will be approved. Tuition refunds require the approval of the Chancellor.

Leave of Absence

If, for acceptable reasons, students find it necessary to interrupt progress toward their degrees for more than one semester (interterm and summer sessions do not constitute a semester), a leave of absence may be granted. A leave permits students to retain the right to elect requirements in effect at time of the leave or to adopt those in effect at time of re-entrance. Requests for Leave of Absence Forms are available at the appropriate Dean's Office. All complete forms should be submitted to the appropriate Dean's Office for review. (Students wishing to leave during a semester prior to the end of the withdrawal period must also officially drop all coursework, either via WebAdvisor or at the Office of the Registrar). The Dean's Office will notify the Office of the Registrar whether or not the leave application is approved. Minimum requirements for a leave of absence:

• A student must be in good academic standing.
• The petition must be approved by the program director and dean of the school.
• The petition must state clearly and completely the reasons for the leave.
• Leaves may be granted for a maximum of two years (normally one year with a possible renewal of one additional year). Failure to return after the specified time is considered withdrawal from the school. Retroactive leaves are not permitted.
• A leave of absence does not supersede the policy that all requirements for a degree must be completed within a seven-year period.

Readmission

Students who have broken enrollment for a period of more than one semester are required to apply for readmission (interterm and summer sessions do not constitute a semester). Students returning from an absence of four years or more are required to submit a new set of official transcripts and current admission examination scores. All students are held to the admission requirements in effect at the time of their return.

Courses Repeated for Higher Grades

Except as specified by department or school, any graduate-level course at Chapman may be repeated to improve the grade. The lower grade remains on the record with a notation that the course has been repeated. Only the higher grade and credit are computed in the grade point average. Other than possible exceptions related to academic integrity violations, only the higher grade and credit are computed in the grade point average. It is recommended that a course be repeated as soon as practical if it is to be taken for a higher grade. In exercising this option, a graduate student must repeat the course at Chapman University.

Grading

Grades and corresponding grade points follow:

Students dropping a course in the prescribed manner after the add/drop period and on or before the final day to withdraw from a course (as stated in the academic calendar section) will receive a "W" grade.

The "FW" grade is assigned to students who cease attending part way through the semester but who do not officially withdraw via WebAdvisor or the Office of the Registrar. "FW" is computed in the grade point average as an "F." Students who take a course Pass/No Pass and cease attending part way through the semester and fail to officially withdraw will receive the "FW" grade.

Note: By action of the Academic Council, all post-baccalaureate work must be taken for a letter grade with the exception of the following: CSP 620, 621, 622, 623, 624, 625; EDUC 582, 597, 598; ENG 590, 591; PSY 501, 688, 690, 697, 698.

Grade Points

From September, 1958 to September, 1981, grade points were awarded as follows: A= 4, B = 3, C = 2, D = 1, F = 0. Pluses and minuses were disregarded. Beginning September, 1981, grade points are awarded as follows: A=4, A-=3.7, B+=3.3, B=3.0, B-=2.7, C+=2.3, C=2.0, C-=1.7*

*Grades of this level and below are considered unacceptable work for graduate students.

Course Numbering System

Until the fall semester, 1971, lower-division courses were numbered 1 through 99; upper-division courses, 100 through 199; and graduate courses, 200 and above. Unless otherwise indicated on the transcript, courses numbered 100-199 gave graduate credits to students who were admitted to graduate standing.

Beginning in the fall semester, 1971, courses are numbered as follows:

001-099 Non-credit courses, e. g. certain remedial courses or continuing education courses not carrying credit.

100-299 Lower-division courses of freshman and sophomore level; freshman level 100-199 and sophomore level 200-299.

300-399 Upper-division courses of junior and senior level which do not give graduate credit.

400-499 Upper-division courses of junior and senior level which may give graduate credit for graduate students, depending on program.

500-699 Graduate courses for graduate students and seniors meeting specific guidelines.

700-799 Post-master's/doctoral courses.

Probation and Dismissal

Academic Probation and Dismissal

1. No grade below 2.000 "C" is acceptable toward a degree or credential, but is included in calculating the overall grade point average.
2. A student whose Chapman cumulative grade point average or overall grade point average falls below a 3.000 "B" will be placed on academic probation.
3. A student who is placed on academic probation must demonstrate reasonable progress in improving his/her cumulative grade point average to continue enrollment after one semester on probation.
4. A student on academic probation who does not achieve a semester grade point average of 3.000 "B" or higher in the first semester after being placed on probation will be dismissed.
5. A student who is placed on probation and does not achieve a Chapman cumulative grade point average or overall grade point average of 3.000 within two semesters will be dismissed.
6. A student who is placed on probation and does not fulfill the provisos of probation will be dismissed.
7. The action of dismissal will be placed on the official transcript.
8. A student who has been dismissed may not continue in coursework (will be administratively withdrawn) until an appeal is submitted to the Office of the Chancellor. No appeals will be considered if they are not received within 45 days of the notification date.
9. If the appeal is denied, the student will be administratively withdrawn effective immediately.

Academic Appeal

(See Grade Review Policy and Probation and Dismissal Policy for specific requirements.)

Each student has the right of academic appeal. For academic matters, the process normally begins with the faculty member involved, if appropriate. Appeals go to the department or program and then to the Academic Council. For non-academic matters, students should first discuss the matter with the head of the appropriate department (facilities management, business office, etc.) with appeals to the appropriate supervisor. For matters concerning disabled student services, students should contact the director of the Center for Academic Success at (714) 997-6828.

Appeal Deadlines

(See Grade Review Policy and Probation and Dismissal Policy for specific deadlines and requirements.)

Students wishing to submit an appeal must present a petition and all relevant documentation within 45 days of notification of the action the student is appealing.

Requests for additional information must be provided by the student to the university within 30 days of receipt of request; failure to provide such documentation will result in a denial of the appeal.

Students who are dissatisfied with the action taken on their appeal, have a maximum of 30 days after receipt of notification to request a reconsideration. Additional documentation or new information will be required.

Appeal petitions will receive a response as quickly as possible and no later than 30 days of receipt by the Office of the Chancellor.

Graduation Policies

Graduation

Application for Degree Conferral

Although a student may have completed all requirements, graduation is not automatic. Every degree candidate is required to file an application for degree conferral with the Office of the Registrar and pay the appropriate fee. If the student should fail to complete requirements by the intended graduate date, a new application for degree conferral must be filed. If the student should fail to complete requirements by the intended graduation date, the student must immediately request a future graduation date or the application will automatically be rolled forward to the next degree conferral date, but no more than twice. If a student should fail to complete requirements by the second roll forward date and has not requested the application be forwarded to a future date, then a new Application for Degree Conferral must be filed along with the appropriate fee. Chapman confers degrees for Orange campus students three times during the academic year: January 31, May 31, and August 31. All degree requirements, including but not limited to incompletes, incomprehensive examinations, thesis/projects, etc., must be completed by the last day of the month in which the degree is to be conferred.

Commencement

Formal university commencement ceremonies are held annually in May. To participate in the ceremonies students must file a participation form with the Office of the Chancellor. To be eligible, at the time of the participation form deadline students must have filed an application for degree conferral, and the student's official program evaluation must indicate that the student is on course to satisfactorily complete all degree requirements (including comprehensive examination, thesis/project) by the commencement date. Students' receiving degrees in January or at the end of the summer are entitled to participate in the following May commencement ceremonies.

Transcripts and Diplomas

No transcripts and/or diplomas are released to any student with an unpaid balance to Chapman or any Chapman-sponsored agency, including Financial aid exit interviews.

Diplomas are mailed out approximately two weeks after the date of conferral of the degree. This allows time for confirmation from the Office of the Registrar that all degree requirements have been met. Under no circumstances will a diploma be released prior to the conferral date.

Unless otherwise allowed by Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act regulations, all official transcripts are issued only via written permission of the student. Official transcript requests and information are available at www.chapman.edu/transcript.

Academic Integrity and Grade Review Policies

Faculty Rights and Procedures Regarding Student Classroom Behavior

Faculty members are responsible for ensuring an effective learning environment for all students in their classes, which encourages active student participation, including the right to raise questions and challenge information. Hence, faculty members also have the responsibility and authority to maintain appropriate student behavior. Classes are defined as including laboratories, internships, field placements, or any settings that can be designated as a learning environment, such as travel studies and field trips.

Consequently, if a student is considered to be threatening or disruptive in the classroom, behaves in a way that interferes with the learning of other students, or refuses to fulfill the academic requirements of the course, the faculty member has the right to have the student who demonstrates such behavior removed from the class, either by administrative withdrawal or by making arrangements for the student to complete the requirements in absentia.

The faculty member should immediately report the matter to his/her dean and department chair, if in a unit with a chair. The faculty member may also request the assistance of the dean of students to provide advice or to mediate the dispute.

Academic Integrity Policy

Chapman University is a community of scholars which emphasizes the mutual responsibility of all members to seek knowledge honestly and in good faith. Students are responsible for doing their own work and academic dishonesty of any kind will be subject to sanction by the instructor and referral to the University's Academic Integrity Committee, which may impose additional sanctions up to and including expulsion.

In order to safeguard the conditions under which scholarship is performed, measured and evaluated, the following will serve to define academic dishonesty, identify procedures for reporting and hearing cases involving academic integrity violations, and give suggested guidelines for sanctions according to the offense. Please see appendix 6 of the Student Conduct Code for a full description of Chapman University's Academic Integrity Policy.

Academic Integrity Violations

Academic dishonesty can take a number of forms. It includes, but is not limited to:

1. Cheating on a test or examination, which may include:
   1. Unauthorized copying from the work of another student, with or without that student's consent
   2. Using notes or other unauthorized material during a test period
   3. Giving or receiving assistance from another when it is expected the student will perform his or her own work
2. Claiming the work of another as the students own
3. Plagiarizing any paper, research project, or assignment
4. Falsely submitting material to fulfill course requirements
5. Falsifying data to show either the process or the product of scholarly examination to be different from what actually occurred. This includes falsely reporting attendance or participation in any fieldwork experience.
6. Submitting work done in one course to satisfy the requirements of another course unless both instructors agree beforehand to accept such work.
7. Forged or altered documents: This includes transcripts, add/drop forms, or any academic form which has been falsified or on which a professor's signature, or anyone else's signature, has been forged or altered.
8. Failure to report any previous academic work at another college or university is also considered a violation of academic integrity
9. Unauthorized possession or disposition of academic materials. This may include: Possessing, selling or purchasing examinations, papers, reports, or other academic work not released by an instructor

Procedures for Hearing and Investigation

The Academic Integrity Committee (AIC) is charged by the Faculty Senate under the Faculty Constitution and Bylaws to be responsible for defining academic integrity and establishing policies and procedures for reporting, hearing, and sanctioning alleged violations of academic integrity. The AIC also will make investigations and determinations of alleged violations of academic integrity policies and invoke the appropriate sanction as recommended by Chapman University's Policies on Academic Integrity. The Committee includes at least three full–time faculty members, three students, one of whom is the Associated Students Commissioner of Justice, and the Dean of Students or his/her designee (ex–officio, non–voting). The Chair will be elected from among the returning faculty members and serve on the Academic Council. Voting members are the students and faculty members. The academic integrity policy may be superseded by the policies developed by individual graduate programs.

When a faculty member suspects or has evidence of a violation of the academic integrity policy, she or he arranges a meeting of academic integrity violation with the student. In the meeting, the faculty member, the student, and an optional faculty designee of the Academic Integrity Committee are present. At the meeting, the faculty member shall present evidence in support of the charge against the student. The student shall be given the opportunity to respond and, if she or he wishes, to present evidence refuting the charge. At the conclusion of the meeting, the faculty member may either dismiss the charge, or determined if it is more likely than not that the student has violated the Academic Integrity Policy, and if so, charge the student with a violation of academic integrity. If the student is found responsible, the faculty member may impose any suitable grade punishment, including failure in the course. Thereafter, the student receives a formal letter of sanction from the Academic Integrity Committee along with information for contesting the instructor's finding and/or sanction. The student will be encouraged to contact the Dean of Students to discuss the situation prior to contesting the case.

Academic Integrity Sanctions

The usual order of sanctions for academic integrity violations is as follows:

1. 1st violation: Instructor–imposed sanction and a letter of warning from the Academic Integrity Committee. If the recommended sanction by the instructor (or the sanction imposed by the AIC) is an "F" grade for the course, the student cannot drop the course. The "F" grade is non-replaceable and cannot be eliminated by retaking the course.
2. 2nd (and subsequent) violation: Instructor-imposed sanction and AIC sanction appropriate to the nature of the violation. The AIC sanction may be a warning, a recommendation for suspension, or a recommendation for dismissal from the University.

The AIC sanction letter will be placed in the student's file in the Office of the Chancellor along with the instructor's report. A copy of the letter will also be sent to the Dean of Students. False statements made during the course of the process may result in additional sanction(s) and a referral to the Dean of Students for a Student Conduct Code violation.

Examples of academic integrity violations and recommended sanctions can be found in Appendix 6A of the Student Conduct Code.

Contesting an Instructor's Finding and/or Sanction to the AIC

If the student accepts responsibility for the instructor's charge, and the instructor-imposed sanction, then the matter is immediately resolved. If the allegation or founded violation represents a second violation of the Academic Integrity Policy, the AIC will review the case regardless of whether the student decides to contest the instructor's finding.

If the student disagrees with the finding and/or the sanction of the instructor, the student can contest the instructor's finding to the AIC within 10 business days from the date of the sanction letter. In exceptional circumstances, a student may request additional time to contest the instructor's finding and/or sanction by contacting aic@chapman.edu or by sending a letter to the Office of the Chancellor, addressed to the AIC Chair. Requests for the extensions must be made within 10 business days of the date of the sanction letter.

If the student decides to contest the instructor's finding and/or sanction, he/she must prepare a written document that includes evidence in support of his/her argument and that is thoughtful, well-reasoned, and substantive. the document must demonstrate effectively the grounds for contesting the instructor's finding and/or sanction. The option to contest an instructor's finding and be heard by the AIC is not granted automatically. Each request is considered by the AIC chair, who will evaluate whether any of the following circumstances exists.

1. Additional evidence which may have affected the instructor's decision and came to light after the sanction was imposed.
2. Clear evidence that the instructor violated the procedure for charging a student with academic dishonesty; specifically, basing the finding on incomplete or inappropriate evidence, and/or imposing a sanction that is substantially incommensurate with the violation.

The AIC chair will notify the student in writing whether or not a hearing will be held at least five business days in advance of the scheduled hearing date if a hearing is to be held. If the AIC hears the student's case, the following individuals will participate: 1. the AIC Chair and the AIC members; 2. the student; 3. any other persons called by the AIC Chair; these may include material witnesses (such as the faculty member) that the student or AIC members deem pertinent to the case. 4. the student may also invite one person to provide support (e.g., friend or family member). This support person may not speak for the student, and this individual may not be an attorney.

Should the student fail to appear before the AIC, the AIC shall have full authority to proceed in the student's absence. Any student that misses his/her scheduled hearing with the AIC forfeits the right to appeal the AIC"s decision to the Office of the Chancellor.

1. After the student has presented his/her case and all questions have been addressed, the student will be excused and the AIC will deliberate. Deliberation may result in the following:
2. A decision to uphold or overturn the initial sanction. The AIC reserves the right to modify the instructor's sanction.

A determination that additional information is needed. In this case, the decision is suspended until all necessary information has been obtained. In this case, the student will be notified within about one week.

After the AIC makes its decision, the Chair will notify the student. Decisions of the AIC are based on the standard of proof whether it is more likely than not that the student violated the Academic Integrity Policy of Chapman University.

Appeal of Academic Integrity Committee's Decision

If unsatisfied with the outcome of the AIC hearing to contest the instructor's finding and/or sanction, the student may appeal the decision of the Academic Integrity Committee to the Office of the Chancellor within five business days of the date the AIC decision letter was sent. In exceptional circumstances, a student may file a request for an extension to the appeal period by contacting aic@chapman.edu or by sending a letter to the Office of the Chancellor. Requests for extensions must be made within the appeal period.

Appeals are not granted automatically as they must be thoughtful, well-reasoned, and substantive, and must demonstrate that at least one of the following criteria exists:

1. That there was a substantive procedural error that may have prohibited the contest hearing from being conducted fairly in light of the finding and/or sanction.
2. New evidence not available at the time of the hearing has become available, and is potentially sufficient to alter a decision.

The Office of the Chancellor has the final authority on all Academic Integrity Policy violation cases.

Grade Review Policy

Professors, as experts in their fields, have the final authority in assigning student grades except for cases involving clear evidence of capricious grading or failure to follow the professional standards of the discipline. All requests for review of grade must be filed within 130 days from the date that the grade was assigned.

Faculty members may change final grades after submission to the Office of the Registrar only for clerical error. Furthermore, additional work may not be assigned to enable the student to receive a higher grade.

However, a student who believes he or she has received a grade based on capricious or unprofessional grading may appeal personally to the instructor for an explanation of the grade and for possible reconsideration. As a professional scholar and educator, the instructor should be able to explain the grading criteria, how the criteria meet the standards of the discipline, and how the individual student's grade derives from these criteria.

If after meeting with the faculty member the grade dispute is not resolved, the student may submit, via the Office of the Registrar, a written request for review by the Academic Council. The written request must state the reasons for the request and provide evidence that the student has attempted to find remedy by discussing the matter with the instructor. Specific and credible evidence that grades in the course may have been assigned capriciously or unprofessionally must be provided.

If the instructor is unwilling to meet with the student, the student may submit a written statement and supporting documentation directly to the appropriate committee. Substantive evidence must be provided to support the student's request.

The instructor will be provided a copy of the student's documentation and asked to prepare a written response.

The Academic Council will carefully review the student's documentation as well as the documentation provided by the instructor. If the council determines that there is compelling evidence of capricious or unprofessional grading, it will recommend that the grade in the course be reviewed. Upon this recommendation, the head of the smallest academic unit in which the course was offered will convene an ad hoc grade review committee. In the event that the head of the unit is the instructor whose grade is to be reviewed, the head of the next larger unit will convene the committee. This committee will consist of at least three faculty members whose disciplines are related to the course in question, excluding the instructor whose grade is to be reviewed.

If the ad hoc grade review committee finds clear evidence that the grade in question in the course was assigned capriciously or contrary to the professional standards in the discipline, then all grades in the course may be called into question. The ad hoc review committee will request in writing of the Chancellor that the instructor be removed as the instructor of record and the chair of the ad hoc committee be listed as the official instructor of record.

The ad hoc grade review committee can only change other grades if they are called into question by individual students through the petition process. If other petitions are received, the ad hoc committee will then undertake a review of those grades. Any grades assigned by the committee will be recorded in the official transcripts for the students in the course who have petitioned, if the committee determines that that the grades were unfair based on the individual reviews of each petition.

The ad hoc review committee is under no obligation to assign a grade different than that originally assigned for any individual student, including the student who initiated the first petition for a grade review.