Policies and Procedures - Course Catalogs

COURSE CATALOGS

Policies and Procedures
(2010 Catalog)

The standards herein are applicable to all undergraduate students at the University and constitute the basic authority and reference for matters pertaining to University academic regulations and records management. Enrollment in the University is a declaration of acceptance of all University rules and regulations.

Confidentiality of Education Records

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 is a federal law that grants students the right to inspect, obtain copies of, challenge, and, to a degree, control the release of information contained in his or her education records. The act and regulations are very lengthy, and for that reason SMU has issued guidelines that are available at the Registrar’s Office FERPA website (www.smu.edu/ferpa). Policy 1.18 of the University Policy Manual, accessible at www.smu.edu/policy, also discusses this law.

In general, no personally identifiable information from a student’s education record will be disclosed to any third party without written consent from the student. Several exceptions exist, including these selected examples: 1) Information defined by SMU as directory information may be released unless the student requests through Access.SMU Self Service that it be withheld; 2) Information authorized by the student through Access.SMU Self Service may be released to those individuals designated by the student; and 3) Information may be released to a parent or guardian if the student is declared financially dependent upon the parent or guardian as set forth in the Internal Revenue Code. For more information, visit www.smu.edu/ferpa.

Enrollment

When students enter their school of record and into a specific degree program, they are assigned an academic adviser. Students should consult with the adviser for course scheduling, schedule changes, petitions, degree requirements and other such academic concerns. Advisers normally will have established office hours. The offices of the academic deans monitor progress and maintain official degree plans for all students in their schools. Students should schedule conferences with staff in the dean’s office upon admission to the school and prior to their final term to ensure that they are meeting all general education and graduation requirements.

Each fall, spring and summer term has an enrollment period during which the formal process of enrollment in the University is completed. Prior to each enrollment period, the Office of the Registrar will publish enrollment instructions.

To assist new and readmitted students in making a comfortable, satisfying transition to University academic life, programs of academic advising, enrollment and orientation are conducted in May or June, July, August and January.

Information concerning the programs is distributed by the Office of New Student Orientation and Student Support.

Each student is personally responsible for complying with enrollment procedures and for ensuring the accuracy of his or her enrollment. Students are expected to confirm the accuracy of their enrollment each term. Students who discover a discrepancy in their enrollment records after the close of enrollment for the term should immediately complete an Enrollment Discrepancy Petition. Petition instructions are available at www.smu.edu/registrar. Petitions are to be submitted to the record offices of the appropriate academic deans within six months of the term in which the discrepancy appeared. Petitions submitted later than six months after the discrepancy may not be considered.

Academic Advising Policy

Academic advising is an important process for each undergraduate student at SMU. Each student must meet with the assigned academic adviser prior to enrolling for an academic term. At this time, the adviser will assist the student in planning majors and minors, understanding Degree Progress Reports and scheduling courses that will count toward graduation requirements. After the initial required advising session, the student is encouraged to seek assistance from the adviser when considering whether to add or drop courses.

For an effective advising relationship, the student must be prepared when meeting with the adviser. The student must initiate the advising appointment. Prior to the meeting, the student should obtain through Access.SMU a Degree Progress Report that provides detailed information concerning completion of degree requirements.

The student should also be familiar with different academic programs of interest. The adviser will give assistance to the student, but the student has the final responsibility for the accuracy of the enrollment, the applicability of courses toward the degree requirements and academic performance. Students are assigned an academic adviser by their academic dean. A student who enrolls without first meeting with the assigned academic adviser may be subject to sanctions including, but not limited to, the following: cancellation of the term enrollment and restriction from the self-service enrollment functions.

Student File Number
The University assigns each student an eight-digit SMU identification number. The student should furnish the SMU ID number on all forms when requested, because it is the primary means the University has to identify the student’s academic records and transactions related to the records.

Stop Enrollment/Administrative Withdrawal
Insufficient or improper information given by the student on any admission or enrollment form – or academic deficiencies, disciplinary actions and financial obligations to the University – can constitute cause for the student to be determined ineligible to enroll or to be administratively withdrawn.

Transfer Courses From Other Institutions
Once students have matriculated at SMU, they may transfer no more than 30 hours to SMU from accredited colleges and universities.

Credit may be awarded for college courses a student takes prior to matriculation at SMU, including courses a student takes before graduating from high school, if the courses meet the criteria for transfer work outlined in Transfer Admission Criteria found in the Admission to the University section of this catalog. Credit may be denied for educational reasons.

To ensure in advance that a course taken at another college or university will transfer and that proper credit will be awarded, the student taking the course should obtain prior approval from the following people: the chair of the department and academic dean of the school at SMU that normally offers the course, the adviser and the student’s academic dean. Petitions for pre-approval of transfer work are available in the schools’ records offices. Students who fail to get prior approval for transfer work may petition later for transfer credit, but they have no assurance that it will be awarded. In either case, permission may be denied for educational reasons.

Official college transcripts are required for all college-level work attempted, regardless of transferability. Students are responsible for making sure a transcript of all transfer work attempted is sent to the Registrar’s Office immediately following completion of the work.

Students who complete more than 30 transferable hours after matriculating can designate which of their courses apply to the 30-hour limit. Students may change the designation of the courses. Students should make these transfer-credit designations in consultation with their records offices.

SMU Credit Requirement
University policy requires that of the 122 minimum required term hours for a degree, at least 60 hours must be earned as SMU credit. In other words, 60 hours must be completed through enrollment at the SMU Main Campus, SMU-in-Plano and SMU-in-Taos; at SMU Abroad programs and in SMU-approved international programs; and by test and other credits awarded by SMU departments as SMU courses. Credit hours earned in venues not listed above that are applied toward the 122 minimum will be recorded as transfer credits.

Therefore, regardless of the number of transferable credits completed elsewhere, to receive an SMU degree, students must earn 60 credit hours through enrollment at SMU. For further degree requirements, students should refer to the individual school sections of this catalog.

Name Change
A student who has a change in name must provide to the Office of the Registrar his or her Social Security card or the form issued by the Social Security Administration. Enrollment or records services for the student under a name different from the last enrollment cannot be accomplished without the above documents. All grade reports, transcripts and diplomas are issued only under a person’s legal name as recorded by the Registrar’s Office.

Mailing Addresses, Telephone, E-mail Address and Emergency Contact
Each student must provide the Registrar’s Office with a current home address, telephone number, a local mailing address as well as the name, address and telephone number of a designated emergency contact. Students enrolling at SMU authorize the University to notify their emergency contacts in the event of a situation affecting their health, safety or physical or mental well being, and to provide these contacts with information related to the situation.

Undergraduate students are also required to provide their parents’ current home addresses and telephone numbers. Students who are independent may file an exception to the parent requirement by contacting the Registrar’s Office. Students are expected to keep current all their addresses and telephone numbers, including emergency contact details through Access.SMU, the University’s Web-based self-service system. Changes to parent information should be reported on the Web form found at www.smu.edu/registrar. Students may be prevented from enrolling if their information is insufficient or outdated.

The University issues all students an e-mail address. Students may have other e-mail addresses, but the University-assigned e-mail address is the official address for University electronic correspondence, including related communications with faculty members and academic units (except for distance education students). Official University correspondence may be sent to students’ mailing addresses or SMU e-mail addresses on file. It is the responsibility of students to keep all their addresses current and to regularly check communications sent to them as they are responsible for complying with requests, deadlines and other requirements sent to any of their mailing addresses on file or to their SMU e-mail.

Cell Phones
The University requests that students provide cellular telephone numbers as they are one means of communicating with students during an emergency. Cellular telephone numbers may also be used by University officials conducting routine business. Students who do not have cellular telephones or do not wish to report the numbers may declare this information in lieu of providing cellular telephone numbers. However, students may be prevented from enrolling if their cellular telephone numbers are not on file or if they have not declared “no cellular telephone” or “do not wish to report cellular number.”

Transcript Service*
A transcript is an official document of the permanent academic record maintained by the University’s Office of the Registrar. The permanent academic record includes all SMU courses attempted, all grades assigned, degrees received and a summary of transfer hours accepted. Official transcripts and certifications of student academic records are issued by the Office of the Registrar for all students of the University. Copies of high school records and transfer transcripts from other schools must be requested from the institutions where the coursework was taken. Transcripts are $12.25 per copy. Additional copies in the same request mailed to the same address are $3.50. Additional copies mailed to different addresses are $12.25 a copy. Requests may be delayed due to outstanding financial or other obligations, or for posting of a grade change, an earned degree or term grades.

To request a transcript, visit www.smu.edu/registrar, click on “Transcript Requests” and follow the instructions. Requests will be processed through the National Student Clearing House. Telephone and e-mail requests are not accepted. Students or their specified third party can pick up their transcripts at the service counter in the Registrar’s Office, 101 Blanton Building. (See www.smu.edu/registrar and “Transcript Requests” for more information.) No incomplete or partial transcripts, including only certain courses or grades, are issued. Transcripts cannot be released unless the student has satisfied all financial and other obligations to the University. Transcripts may be delayed pending a change of grade, degree awarded or term grades.

SMU is permitted, but not required, to disclose to parents of a student, information contained in the education records of the student if the student is a dependent as defined in the Internal Revenue Code.

Transcripts may be released to a third party as specified by the student on the Student’s Consent for SMU to Release Information to Student’s Specified Third Party form accessible at www.smu.edu/registrar/ferpa/forms.asp.

Mandatory Declaration of Major
Students officially declare their major when they have made a firm choice and when they have met the specific program entrance requirements for their intended school and department. For most students, the declaration of the major occurs in the sophomore year. Students are expected to qualify for and to declare a major no later than upon completion of 75 term hours, including credits by examination and transfer credits, in order to continue their studies at SMU.

* Chapter 675, S.B. 302. Acts of the 61st Texas Legislature, 1969 Regular Session, provides: Section I. No person may buy, sell, create, duplicate, alter, give or obtain; or attempt to buy, sell, create, duplicate, alter, give or obtain a diploma, certificate, academic record, certificate of enrollment or other instrument which purports to signify merit or achievement conferred by an institution of education in this state with the intent to use fraudulently such document or to allow the fraudulent use of such document.

Section II. A person who violates this act or who aids another in violating this act is guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction is punishable by a fine of not more than $1,000 and/or confinement in the county jail for a period not to exceed one year.

Change of Academic Program
Undergraduate students who desire to change their academic program – that is, transfer from one school to another within the University, change their degree objective, change their major or change their minor – first should apply to the academic dean’s office of the school in which they are currently enrolled. Students can change their academic program at any time during a term. The program change is effective on the date received, approved and processed. However, changes should be made at least three weeks prior to enrollment for a term for the change to be effective for that enrollment.

A visiting student who wishes to transfer from the Annette Caldwell Simmons School of Education and Human Development to an undergraduate program offered by Dedman College, Cox School of Business, Lyle School of Engineering or Meadows School of the Arts must meet all standard University admission requirements.

Concurrent Degree Programs
Students can simultaneously earn two degrees from two schools of the University with approval of the academic dean of each school. The requirements for each degree must be met. Students should meet with advisers in both schools at an early date to prepare a proposed plan of study and to complete the processing of all necessary forms.

Schedule Changes
The deadline for adding courses, dropping courses without grade record, and changing sections for each enrollment period is listed in the Official University Calendar. Students are encouraged to seek assistance from their advisers when considering whether to add or drop a course. A student may drop a course with a grade of W (Withdrew) through approximately midterm by using the student Access.SMU Self Service. The specific deadline is listed in the Official University Calendar (www.smu.edu/registrar).

After the deadline date in the Official University Calendar, the student may not drop a class. All schedule changes must be processed by the deadline date specified in the Official University Calendar. Schedule changes are not complete for official University record purposes unless finalized in the Office of the University Registrar.

Withdrawal From the University
NOTE: Students receiving financial aid also should refer to the Financial Information section of this catalog. A student who wishes to withdraw (resign) from the University before the end of a term or session must initiate a Student Petition for Withdrawal form, obtain approval from his/her academic dean and submit the form to the Division of Enrollment Services, University Registrar. The effective date of the withdrawal is the date on which the Student Petition for Withdrawal is processed in the Registrar’s Office. Discontinuance of class attendance or notification to the instructors of intention to withdraw does not constitute an official withdrawal.

The enrollment of students who withdraw on or before the fifth day of regular classes as listed in the Official University Calendar will be canceled. Courses and grades are not recorded for canceled enrollments. A student who withdraws after the fifth class day will receive the grade of W in each course in which enrolled. Reduction of tuition and fees is based on the schedule listed in the publication Financial Information: Southern Methodist University supplement and is determined by the effective date of the withdrawal. This information is also available at www.smu.edu/registrar. The schedule can be found at www.smu.edu/bursar, or call 214-768-3417.

Medical withdrawals provide a daily pro rata refund of tuition and fees, and have conditions that must be met prior to re-enrollment at SMU. Medical withdrawals must be authorized by the medical director, psychiatric director, counseling and testing director, or vice president for Student Affairs. Authorization must be obtained no later than the University’s withdrawal date for the term. Withdrawing students living in SMU housing must check out of residence halls with Residence Life and Student Housing per established procedures.

Leave of Absence
A leave of absence is a temporary leave from the University – a kind of “time out” which may be necessary during an undergraduate career. Students may elect to take leaves of absence for a variety of reasons, including 1) medical reasons due to accident or illness, 2) family crises or other personal situation that requires an extended absence from school, 3) financial issues that may take time to resolve, and 4) academic difficulties that may best be handled by taking time to refocus on college work.

Typically, a leave of absence is for one term or one academic year. A student may extend a leave of absence by contacting his/her academic department representative.

The process to return to SMU after a leave-of-absence period can be an easy one, especially if the student has gone through the steps to file for a leave of absence and planned ahead for the return. Following SMU’s leave-of-absence guidelines helps 1) assure that the degree requirements per the catalog of record when the student initially matriculated at SMU still apply upon return, 2) assist with financial aid processing and 3) provide the support needed to successfully return to SMU and finish the undergraduate degree.

The SMU Leave of Absence Policy provides students with a formal process to “stop out” of SMU for either voluntary or involuntary reasons. Typically, a leave of absence is for a temporary departure from the institution; however, intended permanent withdrawals from SMU will also be processed under the Leave of Absence Policy. In addition, students who are participating in study-away programs that do not fall under the auspices of SMU should complete the Leave of Absence Form. The completion of this process will assist all respective offices at SMU to monitor and have a formal, centralized record of the status for all students who are not enrolled. The Leave of Absence Form and Leave of Absence Policy are available for review at www.smu.edu/registrar/leave_of_absence.asp. The University Policy Manual is available at www.smu.edu/policy.

The first step to effect a leave of absence is for the student to arrange an appointment to meet with his/her academic adviser. The adviser will then assist the student with the process.

Audit Enrollment (Course Visitor)
Students desiring to audit (visit) a class, whether or not concurrently enrolled for regular coursework, are required to process an Audit Enrollment Request Form. Forms are available at www.smu.edu/registrar under Forms Library. Space must be available in the class. The following regulations are applicable:

Classroom recitation and participation are restricted; availability of course handouts, tests and other materials is restricted; no grade is assigned and no credit is recorded; no laboratory privileges are included.
If credit is desired, the course must be enrolled for and repeated as a regular course, and the regular tuition must be paid.
The student’s name does not appear on class rosters or grade rosters.
Regular admission and enrollment procedures are not conducted for auditors.
The audit fee is nonrefundable. Undergraduate students enrolled full time for any given term (12 hours for fall and spring, six hours per summer session, or 12 hours for the full summer session) may audit one three-hour course at no charge.

No-Credit Enrollment
Enrollment for “no credit” is accomplished in the conventional manner of enrollment, with regular admission and enrollment procedures being required. The student pays the regular tuition and fees, participates in class activities, is listed on class rolls, and receives the grade of NC upon completion of the coursework. The student must indicate in writing no later than the 12th day of classes (the fourth day during summer sessions) that he or she wishes to take a course for no credit. Permission of the instructor or department is required for this type of enrollment. This enrollment is different from audit enrollments, for which no enrollment or grade is recorded.

Academic Progress

Probation, Suspension, Reinstatement, Dismissal
The University’s goal for, and expectation of, all undergraduate students is that they make regular and satisfactory progress toward their degree. There are three classifications that may apply when an undergraduate student is not making satisfactory academic progress: 1) academic probation, 2) academic suspension or 3) academic dismissal. This policy sets out the standards and procedures for each of these classifications. In addition, a student who has been suspended may seek academic reinstatement under the standards set out in this policy.

Definitions: Academic Probation, Academic Suspension, Academic Reinstatement and Academic Dismissal

Academic Probation. Academic probation is a serious warning that the student is not making satisfactory academic progress. A student on academic probation is still eligible to enroll and is considered “in good standing” for enrolling in classes and for certification purposes. In addition, academic probation is not noted on the permanent academic record. However, a student on academic probation may be subject to certain conditions during the period of probation and will also be subject to academic suspension if he or she does not clear academic probation within the appropriate time period (usually by the end of the next term).

Academic Suspension. Academic suspension is an involuntary separation of the student from SMU. Academic suspension is for at least one regular term. The term of suspension might be for a longer period depending on the policy of the school of record or the terms of the individual student’s suspension.

The status of academic suspension is recorded on the permanent academic record. While on academic suspension, a student is not in good academic standing for certification purposes and is not eligible to enroll at SMU.

Credits earned at another college or university during a term of suspension may not be applied toward an SMU degree. A grade-point deficiency must be made up through enrollment at SMU.

Academic Reinstatement. A student who has been on academic suspension once may apply for reinstatement to SMU. If reinstated, the student may enroll in classes and is considered in good academic standing for purposes of certification. A student who is reinstated remains on academic probation until the conditions of academic probation are satisfied.

Academic Dismissal. A second suspension that is final results in an academic dismissal from the University. Academic dismissal is final, with no possibility of reinstatement or readmission. Academic dismissal is recorded on the permanent academic record. Probation and Suspension Rules Relating to General Education Requirements
(Applicable to All Undergraduate Students) Academic Probation. For all undergraduate students, a student will be placed on academic probation if he or she fails to meet the following:

For a student who enters SMU directly from high school or enters SMU with less than 15 transfer hours, the student fails to complete the written English and mathematical sciences Fundamentals of the General Education Curriculum after the completion of 45 units earned as SMU credit OR
For a part-time student or a student transferring more than 15 hours, the student fails to complete the written English and mathematical sciences Fundamentals of the General Education Curriculum after completion of 15 units through enrollment at SMU.

Academic Suspension. For all undergraduate students, a student will receive academic suspension if:

For a student who enters SMU directly from high school or enters SMU with less than 15 transfer hours, the student fails to complete the written English and mathematical sciences Fundamentals of the General Education Curriculum after the completion of 60 units earned as SMU credit OR
For a part-time student or a student transferring more than 15 hours, the student fails to complete the written English and mathematical sciences Fundamentals of the General Education Curriculum after completion of 30 units through enrollment at SMU. Students will be placed on academic probation for missing fundamentals before academic suspension for missing Fundamentals courses occurs.

Dedman College: Students With Undeclared Majors
Academic Probation. For undeclared majors, a student will be placed on academic probation if the student’s cumulative SMU GPA is below 2.0 at the end of a regular term.

When the student is placed on Academic Probation because his or her cumulative SMU GPA is below 2.0, then the student will be assigned to a designated probation counselor. Before beginning his or her next term at SMU, the student will be required to complete a self-assessment and share this self-assessment with the probation counselor, who will then work with each student to determine the appropriate academic interventions. These academic interventions can include, but are not limited to, the following:

Re-evaluation of course enrollments and pre-major objectives.
Biweekly academic counseling sessions with the probation counselor (or his/her designee).
Enrollment in courses, such as ORACLE, aimed at improving academic performance.
Undergoing appropriate medical and/or psychological assessment-evaluation, including assessment-evaluation as to the need for drug or alcohol education.
Participation in tutoring and/or study skills workshops.

The student will sign a contract that stipulates the agreed-upon academic interventions.

Academic Suspension. The student on academic probation has one, regular term in which to raise his or her cumulative SMU GPA to 2.0 or higher. If the student does not do so, the student will be placed on academic suspension, subject to the following exception:

A student may petition to the University Committee on Academic Petitions for a second, consecutive probationary term if the term GPA during the student’s first probationary term indicates academic improvement and if the student has undergone all academic recovery efforts agreed upon in the contract with the probation counselor. If a student is placed on academic suspension, the period of academic suspension is for a minimum of one regular term. Credits earned at another college or university during a term of suspension may not be applied toward an SMU degree. A grade-point deficiency must be made up at SMU.

As soon as possible after the student is placed on academic suspension, the student should contact the probation counselor if the student has any desire or intent to seek reinstatement after the period of academic suspension. The probation counselor will work with the student to determine appropriate conditions that the student should satisfy to be eligible for reinstatement. These conditions might include the completion of coursework with a certain minimum GPA.

Academic Reinstatement. A student who has been academically suspended once may apply for academic reinstatement to the University. A student is not eligible to request reinstatement until the end of the time period of academic suspension. The request for reinstatement should be submitted to the University Committee on Academic Petitions, which will make a decision on the request. Ordinarily, the decision whether to grant reinstatement will be based primarily on whether the student has satisfied the conditions set out for the period of academic suspension.

Dedman College: Declared Majors
Students who have a declared major in Dedman College and whose cumulative SMU GPA falls below 2.0 are placed on academic probation. Academic probation is for a minimum of one regular term (excluding interterms and summer terms). The dean may impose special conditions in exceptional probationary situations. Students are removed from probation status when they achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.

Academic Probation. Declared Dedman students who do not maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher are placed on academic probation. They are removed from academic probation status when they achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.

Academic Suspension. Declared Dedman students whose cumulative GPA remains below 2.0 in any regular term following a term of academic probation will be suspended. Suspension is for a minimum of one term, not counting interterms or summer sessions. Credits earned at another college or university during a term of suspension may not be applied toward an SMU degree. A grade-point deficiency must be made up through enrollment at SMU. Students who have been suspended from another school on campus are also subject to suspension from Dedman College.

Reinstatement on Probation Following Suspension. Students who have been suspended once may apply for reinstatement to the University, but reinstatement is not guaranteed. In certain cases, prescribed conditions, including the completion of coursework elsewhere, must be met before a student will be approved for reinstatement. Students who have been reinstated to the University following suspension remain on probation and are normally allowed two regular terms within which to make up their academic deficiencies and return to good standing. However, special conditions for the first term may be set in individual cases. Academic Dismissal. A second suspension is final, resulting in dismissal from the University with no possibility of readmission.

Cox School of Business Academic Probation. A student will be placed on academic probation following the term in which the SMU term, cumulative or business GPA (minimum of nine credit hours) falls below 2.0. A student on probation may enroll for a maximum of 12 hours; will not be allowed to enroll for an internship or directed study; must meet with the director of Academic Advising for the Bachelor of Business Administration Program or a designee at appropriate intervals during the term, to be determined by the director; and must attend the Altshuler Learning Enhancement Center and follow recommendations established by the L.E.C. director. Students who do not meet the requirements of probation within the first three weeks of the term will not be removed from probation even if the GPA rises to 2.0 or above.

Academic Suspension. A student on academic probation who fails to maintain an SMU term, cumulative or business GPA (minimum of nine credit hours) of 2.0 will be suspended. A student who has been suspended must petition the director of the B.B.A. Program of the Cox School for reinstatement, but this petition will not be considered until the student has been suspended for at least one full term (summer terms excluded). For example, a student suspended at the end of the spring term may petition for reinstatement for the beginning of the next spring term, but no sooner. Petitions for reinstatement must set forth clearly the reasons for the previous unsatisfactory academic record and must delineate the new conditions that have been created to prevent the recurrence of such performance. Each petition is considered individually on its own merits. After consideration of the petition and perhaps after a personal interview, the student may be reinstated on academic probation if the suspension was the student’s first. Reinstated students will be required to meet with an L.E.C. counselor during the first week of classes and follow through on recommendations from that meeting, and they must meet all other requirements of academic probation.

Academic Dismissal. A second suspension is final, resulting in dismissal from the University with no possibility of readmission to the Cox School.

Failure at Other Colleges. Students who are on academic probation or academic suspension from other colleges will not be admitted to the Cox School of Business until they are no longer on probation or suspension with their home school. Students who have received academic suspension twice from any college or university will not be admitted to the Cox School. Failure to disclose any such suspensions will be grounds for dismissal from the Cox School.

Meadows School of the Arts
Academic Probation. A student who fails to maintain a 2.0 cumulative or term GPA in a regular term will be placed on academic probation for the following regular academic term. A student on academic probation may enroll for a maximum of 13 term hours and must achieve a term and cumulative 2.0 GPA at the end of the term. A student who fails to meet divisional artistic standards may be placed on artistic probation at any time.

Academic Suspension. A student who fails to meet the terms of academic probation will be suspended for one regular academic term, after which the student may apply for readmission. A student may petition the associate dean for Student Affairs for reconsideration and may be reinstated on academic probation. A student who fails to meet divisional artistic standards may be suspended from the division at any time. Academic Dismissal. A second suspension is final, resulting in dismissal from the University with no possibility of readmission.

Lyle School of Engineering
Academic Probation. A student whose term or cumulative GPA falls below 2.0 may be placed on academic probation. The minimum period of probation is one term. The student remains on probation until the overall GPA is 2.0 or better or until he or she is suspended. A student on probation may enroll in a maximum of 13 credit hours per term during the term(s) of probation and is not allowed to serve as an officer of any organization representing either the Lyle School of Engineering or SMU. The student on probation may not participate in any extracurricular activities that might interfere with or detract from academic efforts.

Academic Suspension. A student on probation who fails to maintain a GPA of at least 2.0 during an academic term will be suspended. A student who has been suspended may petition the dean for reinstatement, but this petition will not be considered until the student has been suspended for at least one full term. For example, a student suspended at the end of the spring term may petition for reinstatement for the beginning of the next spring term, but not sooner. Petitions for reinstatement must set forth clearly the reasons for the previous unsatisfactory academic record and must delineate the new conditions that have been created to prevent the recurrence of such performance.

Each petition is considered individually on its own merits. After consideration of the petition and perhaps after a personal interview, the student may be reinstated on academic probation if the suspension was the student’s first. Academic Dismissal. A second suspension is final, resulting in dismissal from the University with no possibility of readmission.

Class Attendance

Regular class attendance is required. The instructor of each class announces at the beginning of the course policies regarding the effect of class attendance on the student’s standing in the course. These policies may include dropping a student from the course for nonattendance after a certain number of absences. All reasons for absence should be submitted at once to the instructor.

The satisfactory explanation of absence does not relieve a student from responsibility for the work of the course during his or her absence. A student who misses an announced test, examination or laboratory period in a regular course of study and has the permission of the instructor may be given an opportunity to make up the work at the instructor’s convenience. The instructor determines in all instances the extent to which absences and tardiness affect each student’s grade.

Students may be dropped by a course instructor or academic dean for nonattendance or tardiness with a grade of W until the calendar deadline to drop. After the deadline, students must remain enrolled in the course. Dedman students who miss two successive class meetings during the official add-drop period at the beginning of each term are subject to being dropped from the class. To avoid this possibility, students should contact the instructor or the department concerned immediately following such a series of absences.

A student who has a passing grade in a course at the time of the final examination but misses the examination and satisfies the dean that the absence was unavoidable may secure from the dean permission to take the examination at a time convenient for the instructor.

Excused Absences for University Extracurricular Activities
Students who participate in officially sanctioned, scheduled University extracurricular activities should be given an opportunity to make up class examinations or other graded assignments that are missed as a result of this participation or related travel. The manner in which examinations or other assignments missed as a result of these activities are to be made up is left to the discretion of each individual faculty member.

However, students should not be penalized in any way for these excused absences and should be informed by the instructor at the beginning of the term, preferably in writing, of the instructor’s makeup policy. It is the responsibility of the student to make arrangements with the instructor prior to any missed scheduled examination or other missed assignment for making up this work, and to obtain any class notes or other course material missed due to absence prior to taking any subsequent examinations or submitting any subsequent graded assignments.

This statement of University policy applies for all students. To minimize the difficulties caused for both student-athletes and their instructors by excused absences due to University-sanctioned athletic activities or related travel, the Athletic Department shall 1) make available to all student-athletes and their academic advisers prior to registration a copy of the student’s activity and travel schedule for the upcoming term, so as to facilitate the student’s enrollment in class sections that will minimize activity and travel conflicts; and 2) require all student-athletes to provide a copy of that term’s activity and travel schedule, and a copy of this Statement of University Policy, to each of their instructors at the first class meeting of the term.

Other University colleges and departments whose students also will miss classes as a result of their participation in officially sanctioned, scheduled University extracurricular activities or related travel also are encouraged to adopt similar procedures to minimize the difficulties caused by such absences.

Absence Due to Illness
SMU’s Memorial Health Center does not provide documentation for granting excused absences from class. If students are absent for illness, they should talk to their professors about how they might catch up with the material missed. If students are seriously ill and require hospitalization or an extended absence, students should talk to their professors and the Office of Student Life to decide how to deal with the interruption in their studies. To facilitate communication with their professors about their absence, students may submit the Absence from Class Form available at www.smu.edu/healthcenter.

Classification of Students

A student’s classification is determined by the number of hours earned or the degree-seeking status of the student:

First Year	0–29 term hours earned
Sophomore	30–59 term hours earned
Junior	60–89 term hours earned
Senior	90 or more term hours earned
Nondegree	not a candidate for a degree

Term-Hour Loads

The unit of measure for the valuation of courses is the term “hour,” i.e., one lecture hour or three laboratory hours per week for a term of approximately 16 weeks (including final examinations). Usually, each lecture presupposes a minimum of two hours of preparation on the part of students. Most courses are valued for three term credit hours, i.e., three lecture hours per week and an additional six hours of presumed preparation.

A full-time load in the fall, spring and summer terms is 12 hours for undergraduates. Persons who enroll for fewer than these minimum hours are designated part-time students. The normal undergraduate enrollment for each of the regular terms is 15 term hours. An undergraduate student enrolled in an engineering co-op course or enrolled for six hours of student teaching is considered a full-time student.

CAUTIONARY NOTE: Federal financial aid and some other outside agencies require 12 hours of enrollment for full-time status and do not make exceptions for co-op or student-teaching enrollments. Students on financial aid should consult a Financial Aid Office adviser regarding minimum enrollment requirements for their situation.

Minimum and maximum course loads allowed are based on the school of record:
Dedman College. Pre-majors or majors in Dedman College must have the approval of the dean to enroll for more than 18 credit hours. Note: For evening studies, students must have the approval of the dean to enroll for more than nine credit hours.

Cox School of Business. B.B.A. students may enroll for more than 18 hours per term provided their cumulative grades (SMU, all college and Cox GPAs are 2.0 or above) show satisfactory progress toward completion of the degree.

Meadows School of the Arts. Students are not permitted to enroll during a fall or spring term for more than 18 hours, unless the GPA for the preceding term is at least 3.0. During the term in which a student is to graduate, he or she may enroll for 19 hours (nine hours for a summer term) regardless of the preceding term GPA. Regardless of the status of a student, credit will not be allowed for more than 21 term hours in a term. A student with a GPA below 2.0 for the preceding term will not be permitted to enroll for more than 13 hours.

Lyle School of Engineering. Students must have the approval of the Office of Undergraduate Studies to enroll for fewer than 12 hours or more than 18 hours during a fall or spring term. Normally, a student must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher to enroll for more than 18 hours. An exception is made during the term in which a student is to graduate. Credit will not be allowed for more than 21 hours in a term.

Final Examinations

Final course examinations shall be given in all courses where they are appropriate, must be administered as specified in the official examination schedule, and shall not be administered during the last week of classes. Exceptions to the examination schedule may be made only upon written recommendation of the chair of the department sponsoring the course and concurrence of the dean of that school, who will allow exceptions only in accordance with guidelines from the Office of the Provost.

Grades

The grade of a student in any course is determined by the instructor of the course. The following grades are authorized for recording on the student’s official undergraduate academic record maintained by the Office of the Registrar.

*Grades not included in GPA.

A student may receive a grade of Incomplete (I) if at least 50 percent of the course requirements have been completed with passing grades but for some justifiable reason, acceptable to the instructor, the student has been unable to complete the full requirements of the course. At the time an I is given, the instructor must stipulate in writing to the student and to the Office of the Registrar the requirements and completion date that are to be met and the grade that will be given if the requirements are not met by the completion date. The maximum period of time allowed to clear the Incomplete grade for an undergraduate course is 12 months. If the Incomplete grade is not cleared by the date set by the instructor or by the end of the 12-month deadline, the I will be changed to the grade provided by the instructor at the time the Incomplete was assigned or to an F if no alternate grade was provided. The grade of I is not given in lieu of an F or W, or other grade, each of which is prescribed for other specific circumstances. If the student’s work is incomplete and the quality has not been passing, an F will be given. The grade of I does not authorize a student to attend the course during a later term. Graduation candidates must clear all Incompletes prior to the deadline in the Official University Calendar, which may allow less time than 12 months. Failure to do so can result in removal from the degree candidacy list and/or conversion of the I to the grade indicated by the instructor at the time the I was given.

Failing is graded F. After such a grade, credit may be obtained only by repeating the course. The grade of D represents performance below average expectations. Students receiving a D in a course that is a prerequisite to another course should consult with their adviser about repeating the course so that they will be adequately prepared for work in the following course.

The grade of W cannot be recorded unless completion of the official drop or withdrawal process has occurred by the applicable deadline during the term of enrollment. Only the grade of W may be recorded if the student has officially dropped courses from the schedule or withdrawn (resigned) from the University. The grade of W may not be revoked or changed to another grade because the act of officially dropping/withdrawing is irrevocable.

The student’s grades are available to the student through Access.SMU, Student Center.

Pass/Fail Option
Students may take one course per term on a pass/fail basis. The maximum total credits with a grade of Pass that may count toward a degree is 12 hours.

A student must indicate intention to take a course pass/fail no later than the 12th day of classes (the fourth day in summer terms) by filing a form available in the Office of the Academic Dean. After the 12th day of classes (the fourth day in summer terms), students may not change their pass/fail declaration back to a letter grade. If a department grades a course pass/fail for all students by departmental policy, a declaration by the student is not required. A failed course cannot be repeated on a pass/fail basis, except for those courses designated as pass/fail-only courses.

Students should consult with their advisers before declaring the pass/fail option for any course, as some courses may not be taken pass/fail. In general, elective courses may be taken on a pass/fail basis. With the exception of Choices for Living (Wellness), courses required to fulfill the General Education Curriculum may not be taken pass/fail. Courses in the academic majors and minors also are excluded, but in some programs courses may be taken pass/fail after the minimum program requirements have been met. (There may be other courses required to meet certain professional accreditation standards or entrance requirements, such as teacher accreditation and preprofessional studies, that may not be taken pass/fail by a particular student. The departments or advisers concerned with these requirements will make these exclusions known to the students.)

Business students may elect the pass/fail option in business elective courses only after satisfactory completion of the previous term, including completion of 48 hours of business courses taken on a regular letter-grade basis, as well as all requirements of the student’s declared major. An exception to this policy is given for courses within Cox that are designated as pass/fail only.

Under the pass/fail option, pass (P) grades are A, B and C (including C-); failing (F) grades are D+, D, D- and F. A student who declares pass/fail is not entitled to know the regular letter grade, and a pass/fail grade cannot be changed to a regular letter grade (or vice versa) after the pass/fail grade has been assigned. The grade of P is not calculated in the GPA, although the credit hours are included in the total number of hours earned. The grade F is calculated in the GPA.

Grade Point Average
A student’s GPA is computed by multiplying the term hours of each course attempted by the grade points earned in the particular course and then dividing the total number of grade points by the total number of hours attempted, excluding those hours for which grades are shown with an asterisk on the grade chart. The GPA is truncated at three decimal places.

Changes of Grades
Changes of grades, including change of the grade of I, are initiated by the course instructor and authorized by the academic chair and by the academic dean of the school in which the course was offered. If a student requests a grade change, the instructor may ask the student to provide a written petition requesting the change of grade which may become an official part of any further process at the instructor’s discretion. Changes of grades may be made only for the following authorized reasons: to clear a grade of I, to correct a processing error or to reflect a reevaluation of the student’s original work. A change of grade will not be based on additional work options beyond those originally made available to the entire class.

Changes of grades of I should be processed within a calendar year of the original grade assignment. Other changes in grade must be processed by the end of the next regular term. No grade will be changed after 12 months or after a student’s graduation except a grade successfully appealed, provided that written notice of appeal is given within six months following graduation, and in extenuating circumstances authorized by the academic dean and approved by the registrar.

Grades for Repeated Courses
Students who enter the University directly from high school may repeat up to three courses for which grades of D+ or lower were received, provided these courses were completed before or during a student’s first two consecutive regular terms following matriculation (regardless of the student’s enrollment or withdrawal). “College prep” courses completed a summer prior to matriculation are NOT eligible to be repeated under this rule. The grade from the repeated course, even if lower, will be the grade used to calculate the student’s GPA. A course may be repeated only once under this policy, and it must be repeated within the next two regular terms (regardless of the student’s terms of enrollment or withdrawal, but not counting a term of academic suspension) following the term in which the course was initially taken. Exceptions to the two-term restriction may be requested from the Office of the Registrar if the course is not taught again within that period. The student must declare which courses he or she will repeat under this policy with his or her academic dean by the 12th day of classes. Only the repeated course and not the initial credit hours count toward the number needed for graduation. Both the initial and the second grades are shown on the student’s permanent academic record. Students are cautioned that for some purposes, such as admission into an academic program, both grades may be used.

In all other cases, students will be allowed to repeat courses according to the following rules: Both the initial and the second grades will be recorded on the student’s permanent academic record. Both grades will be included in the calculation of the GPA and in the determination of academic probation, suspension, honors and graduation. Only the repeated course and not the initial credit hours count toward the number of hours needed for graduation.

The courses a student can repeat are determined by the school of record:
Dedman College. Students can repeat courses in which the original grade was D+ or below. Other requests to repeat courses can be made by petition in consultation with the academic adviser/department through the Dedman Dean’s Office.

Cox School of Business. Students can repeat only those courses in which the original grade was a D+ or below.

\ Meadows School of the Arts and Lyle School of Engineering. Students can repeat courses in which the original grade was a C- or below. Such courses can be repeated only once.

Academic Forgiveness
Academic forgiveness permits a student to have academic work taken 10 or more years prior to the term of admission or readmission forgiven and not included in the GPA or hours earned used for actions such as the determination of admission, academic probation, suspension, honors and graduation. A student must request academic forgiveness at the time of admission or readmission. Currently enrolled students cannot request academic forgiveness. Once declared and the student has enrolled, academic forgiveness cannot be rescinded.

A student can declare academic forgiveness only for courses taken 10 or more years prior to the term of admission or readmission. The student can select the term at which academic forgiveness starts. Academic forgiveness applies to all courses taken during that term, regardless of the grade earned, and to all courses taken prior to that term.

Academic forgiveness cannot be applied to only some courses for a term or to only some terms within the forgiveness period.

Forgiven academic work taken at SMU remains on the permanent academic record. Academic forgiveness is recorded on the record. The forgiven grades are excluded from the GPA and hours earned. Transfer applicants must provide transcripts from all institutions attended including those where all work may be forgiven.

Academic Petitions and Waivers
Petitions and/or requests for waivers concerning general education requirements, graduation requirements and the evaluation of transfer work should be submitted to the Office of the Dean of the student’s school of record. Petitions and/or requests for waivers concerning a major or a minor should be submitted to the appropriate department chair or program coordinator/director for consideration.

Appeal of Grades
A student who feels that an assigned grade is other than the grade earned must first discuss the matter with the course instructor to determine if the discrepancy is caused by error or misunderstanding. At the time of the initial discussion, the student may be asked to provide a written petition requesting the change of grade.

A student who is not satisfied by the instructor’s denial of a request for a grade change, and who maintains that the original grade was capriciously or unfairly determined, may appeal to the chair of the department in which the course was offered (or, in the case of a non-departmental course, to a faculty agent designated by the dean of the school offering the course). After discussing the matter with the student, and bearing in mind that the final authority in matters of academic judgment in the determination of a grade rests with the course instructor, the chair (or faculty agent) will consult with the course instructor, who will subsequently report to the student the disposition of the appeal.

A student who is not satisfied by the disposition of the appeal may appeal the decision to the dean of the school offering the course. The dean will take action as he or she deems appropriate. A student may appeal the dean’s decision to the provost. In their actions, the dean and the provost must respect the principle that the determination of a grade rests with the course instructor.

Academic Grievance and Appeals Procedures for Students With Disabilities
The University policy for academic grievance and appeals procedures for students with disabilities is available in the offices of Services for Students with Disabilities and of the University Registrar.

Interpretation of Course Numbers
Each SMU course has a four-digit course number. The first number indicates the general level of the course: 1 – first year; 2 – sophomore; 3 – junior; 4 – senior; 5 – senior or graduate; 6, 7, 8, 9 – graduate. The second digit specifies the number of credit hours (“0” for this digit denotes no credit, one-half hour of credit, or 10–15 hours of credit; for theology courses, a “1” denotes one or one and one-half hours of credit). The third and fourth digits are used to make the course number unique within the department.

Graduation

Students must file an Application for Candidacy to Graduate form with their academic dean’s office at the beginning of the term in which they will complete all degree requirements. Applications should be filed by the deadline date in the Official University Calendar. Applications cannot be accepted after the degree conferral date. Students will be charged an Apply to Graduate fee during the term the application is filed.

Commencement Participation
An all-University Commencement Convocation is held in May for students on schedule and enrolled to complete degree requirements during the spring term. Students on schedule and enrolled to complete all degree requirements during the following summer term also may participate in the University Commencement Convocation. Students also may participate in departmental or school ceremonies following the University Commencement according to the policies of the departments or schools.

An all-University Graduation Ceremony is held each December for students completing degree requirements during the fall term. Students who completed degree requirements during the previous summer term may also participate. A student may participate once in either the May All-University Commencement Convocation or the December Graduation Ceremony for a given degree, but not both.

To participate in a ceremony a student must file an Application for Candidacy to Graduate or a declaration of Intent to Participate Form.

Statute of Limitations for Degree Plans
A student who has been readmitted to the University following an absence of more than three years will be expected to meet all current requirements for graduation.

Honors

There are three classes of graduation honors: summa cum laude, magna cum laude and cum laude. The awarding of graduation honors will be determined by minimum GPAs announced at the beginning of each academic year for each of the five undergraduate schools – Cox, Dedman, Meadows, Lyle and Simmons. The minimum GPAs generally will represent the top 5 percent, 10 percent and 15 percent of graduates in the school. Students earning a degree with majors in two or more schools will receive the highest degree honors for which they are eligible.

The minimum GPAs for each school will be determined by pooling all graduates in the school from the previous three academic years and determining the GPAs in each school that represent the top 5th, 10th and 15th percentiles. The GPA used is the lower of the student’s SMU cumulative GPA and all-college GPA (includes transfer work). The minimum graduation honors GPAs for students graduating during the 2010–2011 academic year will be announced in October 2010. Students may obtain information about minimum GPAs required in past years from their academic schools.

Separate from eligibility for graduation honors, the Cox School of Business awards special Cox Honors distinction to students who have successfully completed the requirements for the Cox B.B.A. Honors Program. Departmental Distinction may be awarded in Dedman College and the Meadows School of the Arts. Students may also earn Honors in the Liberal Arts. These honors require completion of requirements prescribed by the department or school. Further information may be obtained from the individual departments and schools.

Policies and Procedures (2010 Catalog)