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2006-07 PLU Catalog

Academic Policy and Procedures


Students are expected to be familiar with the academic procedures of the university. The procedures of greatest importance to students are listed in this section of the catalog. Additional information about these procedures is available in the Office of the Registrar and the Office of the Provost. 

Academic Integrity


Both the value and the success of any academic activity, as well as the entire academic enterprise, have depended for centuries on the fundamental principle of absolute honesty. The university expects all its faculty and students to honor this principle scrupulously.

Since academic dishonesty is a serious breach of the universally recognized code of academic ethics, it is every faculty member's obligation to impose appropriate sanctions for any demonstrable instance of such misconduct on the part of a student.

The university's policy on academic integrity and its procedures for dealing with academic misconduct are detailed in the Student Handbook at www.plu.edu/print/handbook.

Academic Responsibilities and Deadlines


It is the responsibility of each undergraduate student to know and follow the procedures outlined in this catalog and to abide by the established deadlines.

Advising


The university expects that all students will benefit from assistance in planning academic programs consistent with their educational goals. Both to help students make their initial adjustment to the academic load at PLU and to provide counsel throughout their academic careers, the university has established a network of faculty and administrative staff advisors as well as an Academic Advising Office.

Academic Advisors


All students enrolled in degree programs have advisors whose overall responsibility is to guide academic progress. Until students have attained junior standing, they are required to meet with their advisor (and receive a current Registration Access Code) prior to registering for an upcoming term. In their work with individual students, advisors often work closely with and refer students to personnel in a number of student services offices. At the time of entry, each first-year student is assigned an academic advisor, usually according to interests expressed by the student.

Students who wish to explore the general curriculum before choosing a major program are assigned to exploratory advisors (professional advisors in the Academic Advising Office or especially trained faculty or administrative staff) who will help them to make educational plans appropriate to their interests and talents. All academic advisors are supported by educational planning workshops and by resources available through the Academic Advising Office.

Transfer students who are ready to declare their major are assigned to a designated transfer advisor in each department or school. Transfer students who wish to explore educational goals are assigned an academic advisor in the Academic Advising Office.

Progress toward general university requirements can be accessed by the student and the advisor online via the Curriculum, Advising, Program Planning (CAPP) report available on Banner web. In addition, advisors receive an advising file for each student they advise.

Major Advisors

Upon formal declaration of a major, students are assigned faculty major advisors within the major department, which in many cases will replace the current academic advisor. Major advisors guide students' progress toward their chosen degree goals. Students are always welcome to see a professional academic advisor in the Academic Advising Office in addition to their major advisor. Students and advisors are expected to meet regularly, though the actual number of meetings will vary according to individual needs. Students are responsible for meeting with their advisor who serves as an academic guide as students make choices and determine their educational goals.

Academic Standing Policy


The following terms are used to describe academic standing at PLU. Academic standing is determined by the Committee for the Admission and Retention of Students, which reserves the right to review any student's record to determine academic standing.

Good Standing

All students enrolled at the university are expected to stay in good academic standing. Good standing requires a semester grade point average of 2.00 or higher for the immediate past semester and satisfactory academic progress.

Academic Warning

Students whose most recent semester grade point average was less than 2.00, whose cumulative grade point average is 2.00 or higher, and whose academic progress is satisfactory are placed on academic warning and sent warning letters. Students whose cumulative and semester grade point averages are below 2.00 at the end of their first semester at PLU are also placed on academic warning. Academic Warning is noted on the transcript.

Academic Probation

Students other than first semester students are placed on probation if their cumulative grade point average falls below 2.00, or if they have been on warning in the previous semester and have failed to return to good academic standing, or (at the discretion of the Committee for the Admission and Retention of Students) if they have failed to maintain satisfactory academic progress. Probationary students must meet with the director of advising before the tenth day of a probationary semester to draw up a plan for improving their academic work. Academic probation is noted on the transcript. Failure to satisfactorily complete each course attempted in a probationary semester may result in dismissal from the university. Failure to complete includes withdrawals, incompletes, and grades of E or F.

Continued Probation

Students whose cumulative grade point averages are still below 2.00 after a probationary semester, but whose last semester grade point averages are above 2.00 and who are otherwise in good standing, may be granted one additional semester of probation at the discretion of the Committee for the Admission and Retention of Students. Such students must participate in the probationary semester program. Failure to satisfactorily complete each course attempted in a probationary semester may result in dismissal from the university. Failure to complete includes withdrawals, incompletes, and grades of E or F.

First Academic Dismissal

Students not in good standing at the end of a probationary semester are dismissed from the university. They may apply for reinstatement by petitioning the Committee for the Admission and Retention of Students (in care of the director of advising). If the petition is approved, the reinstated student is on probation and must participate in the probationary semester program. If the petition is denied, the student may petition again after one semester unless otherwise informed. Students are dismissed for academic reasons after each fall and spring semester.

Second Academic Dismissal

A readmitted student who fails to attain a 2.00 cumulative grade point average in the semester after reinstatement, but whose semester grade point average is above 2.00, may be granted one additional semester of probation at the discretion of the Committee for the Admission and Retention of Students. If a semester grade point average of 2.00 is not earned in the probationary semester, or if a student fails to achieve a 2.00 cumulative grade point average after a second probationary semester, the student is dismissed a second time and may not apply for reinstatement until one full semester has passed, and then only if new evidence is presented indicating the student's probable success. This rule also applies to a readmitted student who attains good standing and is then dismissed a second time for academic reasons.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

Satisfactory academic progress is defined as completion of at least 75 percent of the credit hours attempted in an academic year. Failure to complete includes withdrawals, incompletes, and grades of E or F. The Committee for the Admission and Retention of Students reserves the right to review for academic status those students who fail to maintain satisfactory academic progress. The committee shall regularly identify such students, review their records, consider extenuating circumstances, and decide whether or not the students shall be placed on academic probation.

Eligibility for Student Activities

Any regularly enrolled, full-time student (12 semester hours or more) is eligible for participation in university activities. Limitations on a student's activities based upon academic performance may be set by individual schools, departments or organizations. A student on academic probation is not eligible for certification in intercollegiate competitions and may be advised to curtail participation in other extracurricular activities.

Midterm Advisory Letters

In the seventh week of each fall and spring semester, instructors may choose to send warning letters to students doing work below C level (2.00) in their classes. No transcript notation is made, and academic standing is not affected.

Class Attendance


The university assumes that all registered students have freely accepted personal responsibility for regular class attendance. Course grades reflect the quality of students' academic performance as a whole, which normally includes regular participation in the total class experience and is evaluated accordingly. Absences may lead to a reduction of a student's final grade. In the event of unavoidable absence, students are expected to inform the instructor. Assignment of make-up work, if any, is at the discretion of the instructor.

Classifications of Students


First-year: Students who have met first-year entrance requirements.

Sophomore: Students who have satisfactorily completed 30 semester hours.

Junior: Students who have satisfactorily completed 60 semester hours.

Senior: Students who have satisfactorily completed 90 semester hours.

Graduate Student: Students who have met graduate entrance requirements and have been accepted into the Division of Graduate Studies.

Non-Matriculated Undergraduates: Undergraduate students who attend part-time for a maximum of nine semester hours but are not officially admitted to a degree program.

Non-Matriculated Graduate Students: Graduate students who attend part-time for a maximum of nine semester hours but are not officially admitted to a degree program.

Course Load


The normal course load for undergraduate students during fall and spring semesters is 13 to 17 semester hours per semester, including physical education. The minimum full-time course load is 12 semester hours. The minimum full-time load for graduate students is eight semester hours. A normal course load during the January term is four semester hours with a maximum of five semester hours.



Credit by Examination


Students are permitted, within limits, to obtain credit by examination in lieu of regular enrollment and class attendance. No more than 30 semester hours may be counted toward graduation whether from the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) or any other examination. Exceptions to this rule for certain groups of students or programs may be made, subject to recommendation by the Educational Policies Committee and approval by the faculty. Credit by examination is open to formally admitted, regular-status students only and does not count toward the residency requirement for graduation.

To receive credit by examination, students must complete a Credit By Examination Registration Form available on the display wall located across from the Student Services Center, obtain the signatures of the respective departmental dean or chair plus instructor and arrange for the examination. The completed form must be returned to the Registrar's Office by the add/drop deadline for the appropriate term.

CLEP subject examinations may be used to satisfy general university requirements as determined by the Registrar's Office. CLEP subject examinations may be used to satisfy requirements for majors, minors or programs as determined by the various schools, divisions and departments.

CLEP general examinations are given elective credit only.

CLEP examinations are subject to recommendations by the Educational Policies Committee and approval by the faculty.

Official CLEP transcripts must be submitted for evaluation of credit.

The university does not grant for college-level general equivalency diploma (GED) tests.

Credit Restrictions


Credit is not allowed for a mathematics or a foreign language course listed as a prerequisite if taken after a higher-level course. For example, a student who has completed Spanish 201 cannot later receive credit for Spanish 102.

Repeating Courses


An undergraduate may repeat any course. The cumulative grade point average is computed using the highest of the grades earned. Credit toward graduation is allowed only once. Students should be aware that repeated courses are not covered by financial aid funding and cannot be counted towards full time status for financial aid. Students should consult the Financial Aid office before repeating any course.

Grading System

Students are graded according to the following designations:

Grade
Points per Hour
 Credit Awarded
A
Excellent
 4.00
 Yes
A-
3.67
 Yes
  B+

3.33
 Yes
B  Good
 3.00
 Yes
B-

2.67
 Yes
C+
2.33
 Yes
C 
Satisfactory
 2.00
 Yes
C-

1.67
 Yes
D+
1.33
 Yes
D 
Poor
 1.00
 Yes
D-

0.67
 Yes
E 
Fail
 0.00
 No

The grades listed below are not used in calculating grade point averages. No grade points are earned under these designations.

Grade
 Description
 Credit Awarded
P
 Pass
 Yes
F
 Fail
 No
I
 Incomplete
 No
IP
 In Progress
 No
AU
 Audit
 No
W
 Withdrawal
 No
WM
 Medical Withdrawal
 No
NG
 No Grade Submitted
 No

Pass (P) and Fail (F) grades are awarded to students who select the pass/fail option or who are enrolled in exclusive pass/fail courses. These grades do not affect a student's grade point average.

Pass/Fail Option

The pass/fail option permits students to explore subject areas outside their known abilities by experiencing courses without competing directly with students who are specializing in those areas of study. Grades of A through C- are regarded as pass; grades of D+ through E are regarded as fail. Pass/fail grades do not affect the grade point average.






Exclusive Pass/Fail Courses

Some courses only award pass/fail grades. The goals of these courses are typically concerned with appreciation, value commitment, or creative achievement. Exclusive pass/fail courses do not meet major or university requirements without faculty approval. If a student takes an exclusive pass/fail course, the student's individual pass/fail option is not affected.

Incomplete Grades

Incomplete (I) grades indicate that students did not complete their work because of circumstances beyond their control. An Incomplete Contract is required and must be signed by the student and the instructor. To receive credit, all work must be completed and a passing grade recorded. Incompletes from Spring and Summer terms are due six weeks into the Fall Semester. Fall and J-Term incompletes are due six weeks into the Spring Semester. The earned grade is recorded immediately following the I designation (for example IB) and remains on the student record. Incomplete grades that are not completed are changed to the default grade assigned by the instructor on the Incomplete Contract. If an Incomplete Contract was not submitted or a default grade not indicated, the incomplete grade will be defaulted to an E or F grade upon expiration of the time limit for submitting grades for an incomplete from that term. An incomplete does not entitle a student to attend the class again without re-enrollment and payment of tuition.

In Progress

In Progress (IP) grade signifies progress in a course that normally runs more than one term to completion. In Progress carries no credit until replaced by a permanent grade.

Medical Withdrawal

Medical Withdrawal is entered when a course is not completed due to medical cause. A medical withdrawal does not affect a student's grade point average. See Withdrawal from the University.


No Grade

A temporary grade entered by the Registrar's Office when no grade has been submitted by the faculty member by the established deadline.

Graduation


Students expecting to fulfill degree requirements within the academic year (including August) are required to file an application for graduation with the Registrar's Office according to the following:

Degree Completion
 Bachelor's and Master's Deadline
December 2006
 May 1, 2006
January 2007
 May 1, 2006
May 2007
 December 1, 2006
August 2007
 December 1, 2006
December 2007
 May 1, 2007
January 2008
 May 1, 2007

All courses must be completed, final grades recorded and university requirements fulfilled in order for a degree to be awarded.

There are four degree award dates (end of summer session, fall semester, January, and spring semester). Degrees are formally conferred at December and May commencements. Students with January degree dates participate in the December commencement. Students with an August degree date must consult with the Registrar's Office to determine participation. The actual date of graduation will be recorded on the permanent records.

Students who plan to transfer back to Pacific Lutheran University for a degree must apply for graduation before or during the first semester of their junior year so that deficiencies may be met before they leave campus.

Time Limits


Students are expected to meet all requirements for the undergraduate degree within a six-year period. Students who remain at PLU for longer than six years must meet the requirements of the most current PLU catalog in order to earn a degree. Students who are readmitted to the university must meet the requirements of the current PLU catalog to earn a degree.

Honors


Graduation Honors

Degrees with honors of cum laude, magna cum laude, and summa cum laude are granted. A student must earn a cumulative grade point average of 3.50 for cum laude, 3.75 for magna cum laude, and 3.90 for summa cum laude (Applicable to undergraduate level only).

All transfer grades (including study abroad) are combined with PLU grades to determine honor eligibility. Physical education activity courses are not included in determining graduation honors.

Dean's List

A Dean's List is created at the end of Fall and Spring semesters. To be eligible, a student must have attained a semester grade point average of 3.50 with a minimum of 12 graded-semester hours (Applicable to undergraduates only).

Honor Societies:

Election to the Areté Society is a special recognition of a student's commitment to the liberal arts together with a record of high achievement in relevant course work. The society was organized in 1969 by Phi Beta Kappa members of the faculty to encourage and recognize excellent scholarship in the liberal arts. Student members are elected by the faculty fellows of the society each spring. Both juniors and seniors are eligible; however, the qualifications for election as a junior are more stringent. Students must have:






The university also has chapters of a number of national honor societies on campus, including the following:

Non-Credit Informal Study


To encourage liberal learning of all kinds, above and beyond enrollment in courses leading toward formal degrees, the university offers a variety of opportunities for informal study:

Guest of University Status

Any professional persons who wish to use university facilities for independent study may apply to the provost for cards designating them as guests of the university.

Auditing Courses

To audit a course requires the permission of the instructor and is enrollment on a non-credit basis. An auditor is not held accountable for examinations or other written work and does not receive a grade. If the instructor approves, the course may be entered upon the transcript as audit. Auditing a class is the same price as regular tuition.

Visiting Classes

Members of the academic community are encouraged to visit classes that interest them. No fee is charged for the privilege. Doing so requires the permission of the instructor.

Registration Procedures


Students register by using Banner Web, an online registration system. In addition to registering, Banner Web also offers students the ability to add or drop a class, check their schedules, and access final grades. Banner Web may be accessed through the PLU home page (www.plu.edu). Students may contact the Student Services Center with registration questions.




Adding or Dropping a Course

All add or drop activity must be completed by the listed add/drop deadline for the specific term or semester. Please refer to the  Class Schedule or go online at www.plu.edu/~regi for the most current information. Students may add a course without an instructor signature only during the first five business days of a full or half semester-length class. A student may drop a course without an instructor's signature only during the first ten business days of a full semester-length class or of a half semester-length class. In most cases, adding and dropping can be accomplished using Banner Web. See the January Term and summer schedules for the add/drop periods for those terms. Any registration changes may result in additional tuition charges and fees and may also affect the student's financial aid (if applicable). A $50 Late Registration Fee is charged for any registration changes after the printed deadline dates.

Early Registration for Returning Students


Returning students will receive registration time appointments to register for summer/fall terms and for January and spring terms. Registration dates are determined by the number of hours, including transfer hours, completed by the student. Students may register for each new term or summer session on or after the designated date.

Early Registration Program for Entering Students


Early registration for entering students occurs during June or January, depending on whether students begin in the fall or spring semester. Early registration is conducted by the Advising Office. Registration materials are sent to all accepted entering students well in advance of their arrival on campus for their first semester.

Most students meet in person with a registration counselor as they register for courses. Students may also register by phone.

Withdrawal from a Course


Official Withdrawal

A student may withdraw from a class with an instructor's signature after the add/drop deadline and before the withdrawal deadline published on the calendar page of the specific term Class Schedule. Tuition is not refunded, a $50 late registration fee is charged and any additional tuition will be charged for adding any other classes. A grade of "W" is recorded on the student's academic transcript. 

If a student is enrolled in a class, has never attended and did not drop the course before the published deadline, tuition will be charged to the student's account, unless the instructor's signature has been obtained. If the student obtains the instructor's signature, tuition is not charged, but a $50 late registration fee is assessed.

The add/drop form may be obtained from the Student Services Center, filled in, instructor signature obtained, and returned to the Student Services Center by the appropriate dates that impact fee assessment. The add/drop form may also be found online at www.plu.edu/~regi.

Withdrawal from the University


Withdrawal during the term

Students are entitled to withdraw honorably from the university if their record is satisfactory and all financial obligations are satisfied. Students must complete and sign the "Notification of Student Withdrawal" form in the Student Services Center. Partial tuition refunds may be available depending on when the student withdraws. Refer to the Tuition and Fees section of this catalog for more information. Grades of W will appear on the student's transcript for the term.

Withdrawal from a future term

Students are required to notify PLU if they do not plan to return for the following term. Students are entitled to withdraw honorably from the university if their record is satisfactory and all financial obligations are satisfied. Students must complete and sign the "Notification of Student Withdrawal" form in the Student Services Center.

Medical Withdrawal

Students may also withdraw completely from the university for a term for medical reasons. The student must complete a Medical Withdrawal Petition, provide written evidence from a physician and a personal explanation to the vice president for Admission and Student Life. This must be completed in a timely manner and in no case later than the last day of a class in any given term. If granted, the grade of WM will appear on the student's transcript. Physician clearance is required prior to re-enrollment. For more information contact Student Life, 105 Hauge Administration Building, 253.535.7191 or slif@plu.edu.