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 to students the right to inspect, to obtain copies, to 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 to students in the Division of Enrollment Services. Policy 1.18 of the University Policy Manual, accessible on SMU's Intranet, also discusses this law.

In general, no personally identiable 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 sends a written request to the Registrar that it be withheld; and (2) information may be released to a parent or guardian if the student is declared financially dependent upon the parent or guardian as defined by the Internal Revenue Service Code. A parent or guardian wishing to have access to a student's education records must provide to the University Registrar a completed Declaration of Student Dependency form, available in the Registrar's Office.

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 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.

The Fall, Spring, and Summer Terms each have an enrollment period during which the formal process of enrollment in the University is completed. Prior to each enrollment period the University 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.

Each student is personally responsible for complying with enrollment procedures and for the accuracy of his or her enrollment. Students are expected to conrm 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 on the Web at www.smu.edu/registrar. Petitions are to be submitted to the University Registrar within one year of the term in which the discrepancy appeared. Petitions submitted later than one year after the discrepancy may not be considered.

STUDENT FILE NUMBER

A student's SMU identification number is an eight-digit number assigned by the University. Students also are asked to provide their Social Security numbers. The SMU ID number or Social Security number should be furnished on all forms when requested, as they are the primary means for identifying 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 deciencies, 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 are limited to no more than 15 hours for transfer to SMU from accredited colleges and universities. Any course to be transferred must have the prior approval of the chair of the department and dean of the school at SMU that normally offer the course, the adviser, and the student's dean. These approvals must be obtained by students prior to taking any such courses. Permission may be denied for educational reasons.

Petitions to attend another college or university during the summer must be completed and approved in advance to ensure that proper credit is awarded. Petition forms are available in the Undergraduate Offices. Students are responsible for making sure a transcript of all transfer work attempted is sent to the University Registrar immediately following completion of the work.

NAME CHANGE

A student who has a change in name after his or her last enrollment at SMU, or a change from the name submitted on his or her application for admission, must provide 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 the person's legal name as recorded by the University Registrar.

MAILING ADDRESSES, TELEPHONE,
AND E-MAIL ADDRESS

Undergraduate students are expected to provide a current home mailing address, local mailing address, billing address, local telephone number, parents' home address, and parents' telephone number to the University. Undergraduates are issued an e-mail address by the University. This is the only e-mail address maintained by the University.

Official correspondence may be sent to any of the student's mailing addresses or e-mail address. It is the student's responsibility to provide updates to their mailing addresses to the University and to regularly check both their mailing and e-mail addresses for correspondence from the University.

Students who have a change in any of their addresses or telephone numbers should update this information using SMU's Web services, Access.SMU, or report the change in writing to the University Registrar. Forms for this purpose are available from the University Registrar and academic deans' offices.

TRANSCRIPT SERVICE*

A transcript is an official copy of the official permanent academic record maintained by the University 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 University 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 course work was taken.

Transcripts are $8 per copy. Additional copies in the same request mailed to the same address are $3. Additional copies mailed to different addresses are $8 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.

Transcripts should be requested in person, by mail, or by fax. Telephone and e-mail requests are not accepted. No partial or incomplete 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.

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.

* 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.

MANDATORY DECLARATION
OF MAJOR

Students officially declare their major when they have made a rm 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 required 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.

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 dean of the school in which they are currently enrolled. A part-time student who wishes to transfer from the Division of Education and Lifelong Learning to a degree-granting school must meet all standard University admission requirements. Students can change their academic program at any time during a term. The program change is effective on the date received and processed. However, changes must be made at least three weeks prior to enrollment for a term for the change to be effective for that enrollment.

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 pre-pare 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 University Calendar. Schedule-change forms are initiated in the office of the student's academic dean or adviser and must be completed for all courses added or dropped and for all section changes. A student may drop a course with a grade of W (Withdrew) through approximately midterm. The specific deadline is listed in the University Calendar.

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

WITHDRAWAL

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 their 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.

Reduction of tuition and fees is based on the schedule listed in the publication Financial Information: Southern Methodist University and is determined by the effective date of the withdrawal. Students receiving financial aid should refer to the Financial Information section of the catalog.

The enrollment of students who withdraw on or before the fifth day of regular classes as listed in the 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. P>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; Dean of Student Life, or Vice President for Student Affairs.

Students who live in University housing must obtain clearance from the Office of Housing.

AUDIT ENROLLMENT
(COURSE VISITOR)

Students desiring to audit (visit) a class, whether or not concurrently enrolled for regular course work, are required to process an Audit Enrollment Request form. Forms are available in the offices of the Registrar and academic deans. Space must be available in the class. The following regulations are applicable:

1. 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.
2. If credit is desired, the course must be enrolled for and repeated as a regular course, and the regular tuition must be paid.
3. The student's name does not appear on class rosters or grade sheets.
4. Regular admission and enrollment procedures are not conducted for auditors.
5. The audit fee is nonrefundable. Undergraduate students enrolled for 12 or more hours may audit one three-hour course at no charge.

ENROLLMENT FOR NO-CREDIT

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 course work. The student must indicate in writing no later than the twelfth day of classes (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 AND PROBATION,
SUSPENSION, AND DISMISSAL

All undergraduate students in the University are required to make regular and satisfactory progress toward their degrees. Graduation in four years, which is the University norm, requires the accrual of at least 30 academic term hours per year and the maintenance of a cumulative G.P.A. of at least 2.00. The University's academic probation and suspension policies define the minimum standards by which student academic progress is measured.

Failure to meet established minimum acceptable standards of academic or disciplinary performance can result in probation, suspension, or dismissal. Information regarding disciplinary action may be found in the "University Life" section of this bulletin.

Academic Probation: The status of academic probation is a stern warning to the student that satisfactory progress toward graduation is not being made. A student on probation is considered in "good standing" for certification purposes and is eligible to enroll. No entry is made on the permanent academic record.

Academic Suspension and Dismissal: These are involuntary separations of the student from the SMU school of record. Suspension is for a set period of time. Dismissal is permanent. A student is not in good standing in the suspending or dismissing school and is not eligible to enroll as a student in that school during the suspension or dismissal period. "Academic Suspension (or Dismissal)" is recorded on the permanent academic record.

Dedman College

Academic Probation: Students who earn a G.P.A. of less than 2.00 in any regular term, or whose cumulative SMU G.P.A. falls below 2.00, are placed on probation.

The probation is for one regular term (excluding interterms and summer terms). Students on probation are precluded from participation in extracurricular activities or any other campus activity which might interfere with or detract from their academic efforts. (The Dean may impose special conditions in exceptional probationary situations.) They are removed from probation status when they achieve both a term and cumulative G.P.A. of 2.00 or higher.

Academic Suspension: First-year pre-majors who have not achieved a cumulative SMU G.P.A. of at least 1.70 by the end of their second regular term at SMU will be suspended. Students transferring fewer than 15 hours from another college or university will be subject to the same requirements on their SMU work.

Second-year students who have not achieved a cumulative SMU G.P.A. of at least 2.00 and successfully completed the Written English and Mathematical Sciences Fundamentals requirements of the General Education Curriculum by the end of their fourth regular term at SMU will be suspended. Students transferring 15 or more hours from another college or university will be subject to the same requirements, at the end of their second regular term at SMU.

Upperclass students whose cumulative SMU G.P.A.s fall below 1.80, or who fail to clear academic probation after one term on probation, or who (in the case of pre-majors) upon completion of 75 term hours (including credit by examination and transfer work) are not eligible to declare a major, will be suspended. The 1.80 G.P.A. requirement will not apply to new transfer students until the end of their second regular term at SMU.

Students who are subject to suspension at the end of the spring term may petition the Office of the Dean for permission to attend the first summer session, if by so doing they could make up their deciencies. A grade-point deciency must be made up in residence at SMU. A deciency in hours may be made up through work at another institution, with prior permission from the Office of the Dean. In such cases the student must assume full responsibility for providing a transcript of the additional work by the applicable deadline.

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.

Readmission on Probation Following Suspension: Students who have been suspended once may apply for readmission to the University, but readmission is not guaranteed. In certain cases, prescribed conditions, including the completion of coursework elsewhere, must be met before a student will be approved for readmission. Students who have been readmitted to the University following suspension remain on probation and are normally allowed two regular terms within which to make up their academic deciencies and return to good standing. However, special conditions for the first term may be set in individual cases.

Academic Dismissal: A second suspension is nal, resulting in dismissal from the University with no possibility of readmission.

Edwin L. Cox School of Business

Academic Probation: A student may be placed on academic probation for one term following the term in which the SMU term, cumulative, or business G.P.A. falls below 2.00. 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 an adviser once a month, and must sign an academic probation contract.

Academic Suspension: A student on academic probation who fails to maintain an SMU term, cumulative, or business G.P.A. of 2.00 may 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.

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

Failure at Other Colleges: Students who are on academic suspension from other colleges will not be admitted to the Edwin L. Cox School of Business for the immediate following term. 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 2.00 cumulative or term G.P.A. 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 12 term hours and must achieve a term and cumulative 2.00 G.P.A. at the end of the term.

A student who fails to meet divisional artistic standards may be placed on academic 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 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 nal, resulting in dismissal from the University with no possibility of readmission.

School of Engineering

Academic Probation: A student may be placed on academic probation whose term or cumulative G.P.A. falls below 2.00. The minimum period of probation is one term or summer term, but the usual period is one academic year. The student remains on probation until the overall G.P.A. is 2.00 or better or until he or she is suspended. A student on probation is not allowed to serve as an officer of any organization representing either the School of Engineering or SMU. The student on probation may not participate in any extracurricular activity which will interfere with or detract from academic efforts.

Academic Suspension: A student on probation who fails to maintain a G.P.A. of at least 2.00 during an academic year 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 conditions that have been created to prevent recurrence of such work. 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 nal, resulting in dismissal from the University with no possibility of readmission.

Evening School

Academic Probation: A student who fails to maintain an SMU cumulative or term G.P.A. of 2.00 will be placed on probation. A student on probation may enroll for no more than six hours. A student remains on probation until the overall G.P.A. is 2.00 or better or until he or she is suspended.

Academic Suspension: A student on probation who fails to earn a 2.00 G.P.A. will be suspended. A student who has been suspended will not be allowed to enroll for courses during the subsequent term. After one term the student may apply for readmission.

Readmission on Probation Following Suspension: Students who have been suspended may reapply to the degree program, but readmission is not guaranteed.

Academic Dismissal: A second suspension is nal, resulting in dismissal from the university with no possibility for 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 absences. 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 WP 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 semester, preferably in writing, of the instructor's make-up 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. In order 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 semester, 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 semester'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.

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.

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.

Minimum and maximum course loads 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 fewer than 12 or more than 18 hours. Students seeking approval for additional hours must have a G.P.A. of at least 3.00 for the preceding term. During the term in which a student is to graduate, a student may enroll for as many as 21 hours regardless of the preceding term's G.P.A. In no case will credit be allowed for more than 21 hours in a term.

Edwin L. Cox School of Business. B.B.A. students may enroll for 18 hours per term provided the student's cumulative grades show satisfactory progress toward completion of the degree. Students may not exceed 12 hours in a probationary term.

Meadows School of the Arts. Students are not permitted to enroll during a fall or spring term for more than 18 hours, unless the G.P.A. for the preceding term is at least 3.00.

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 G.P.A. Regardless of the status of a student, credit will not be allowed for more than 21 term hours in a term. A student with less than a 2.00 G.P.A. for the preceding term will not be permitted to enroll for more than 12 hours.

School of Engineering. Students must have the approval of the Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Studies to enroll for fewer than 12 hours or more than 17 hours during a fall or spring term. Normally, a student must have a G.P.A. of 3.00 or higher to enroll for more than 17 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.

Evening School. There is no minimum hour requirement for students in part-time evening programs. Students must have the approval of the Director of Evening Studies to enroll in more than nine credit hours.

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 University Registrar.

 

		GRADE-POINTS PER
GRADES	DESCRIPTION	TERM HOUR
A	Excellent Scholarship	4.00
A-	Excellent Scholarship	3.70
B+	Good Scholarship	3.30
B	Good Scholarship	3.00
B-	Good Scholarship	2.70
C+	Fair Scholarship	2.30
C	Fair Scholarship	2.00
C-	Fair Scholarship	1.70
D+	Poor Scholarship	1.30
D	Poor Scholarship	1.00
D-	Poor Scholarship	0.70
F	Failure	0.00
P, CR	Pass, Credit	*
I	Incomplete	*
NC	No Credit Received	*
W	Withdrawal	*
X	No Grade Received in Registrar's Office	*

*Grades not included in grade-point average.

A student may receive a grade of Incomplete (I) if the majority 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 University 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.

A failure 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 they will be adequately prepared for work in the following course.

The grade of W cannot be recorded unless completion of 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, as the act of officially dropping/withdrawing is irrevocable.

The student's grades are available to the student through Access.SMU.

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. Only one course per term may be taken Pass/Fail.

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 ling a form available in the Office of the Dean. If a course is graded 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, courses required to fulfill the General Education Curriculum (GEC) 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 the previous term of 48 hours of business courses on a regular letter-grade basis and of all requirements in the student's declared major.

Under the Pass/Fail option, pass (P) grades are A, B, and C (including C-); failure (F) grades are 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 grade-point average, although the credit hours are included in the total number of hours earned. The grade F is calculated in the grade-point average.

GRADE-POINT AVERAGE

This average 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.

CHANGES OF GRADES

Grade changes for legitimate reasons, including change of the grade of I, are initiated by the course instructor and authorized by the chair and by the academic dean of the department in which the course was offered. If a student requests a grade change, the instructor may ask the student to ll out a "Change of Grade Request Form" which may become an official part of any further process at the instructor's discretion.

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 regular terms of enrollment. The grade from the repeated course, even if lower, will be the grade used to calculate the student's grade-point average. A course may be repeated only once under this policy, and it must be repeated within the next two regular terms (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 University 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.

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 on the student's permanent academic record. Both grades will be included in the calculation of the grade-point average and in the determination of academic probation, suspension, honors, and graduation.

The courses a student can repeat are determined by the school of record:

Dedman College and The Evening School: Students can repeat only courses in which the original grade was a D or below.

Edwin L. Cox School of Business, Meadows School of the Arts, and 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 grade-point average 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 grade-point average and hours earned.

Transfer applicants must provide transcripts for 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.

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 rst 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 complete a "Change of Grade Request Form".

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 chairperson of the department in which the course was offered (or, in the case of a nondepartmental course, to a faculty agent designated by the dean for the course). After discussing the matter with the student, and bearing in mind that the final authority in matters of academic judgement 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 for 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 species 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 during the term at the end of which they will have completed all degree requirements. Applications should be led by the deadline date in the University Calendar. Applications cannot be accepted after the graduation date.

COMMENCEMENT PARTICIPATION

Students may march in the procession in the University Commencement if they have met graduation requirements or if they have no more than six hours remaining for graduation, they are in good standing, they have a clear plan for completing the six hours by the end of the ensuing summer session, and they have led a petition for graduation at the end of that summer session. Students satisfying these requirements must file a petition in order to participate. These students may participate in departmental or school ceremonies if the department or school permits such participation and if the department or school then clearly indicates in the ceremonies that these students are candidates for August graduation.

LIMITATION OF AVAILABILITY
OF 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, requiring a minimum G.P.A. of 3.90; magna cum laude, requiring a minimum G.P.A. of 3.70; and cum laude, requiring a minimum G.P.A. of 3.50. Separate from any cum laude designation, the Edwin L. 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 also may be awarded in Dedman College and the Meadows School of the Arts. Students may also earn Honors in the Liberal Arts.

Edwin L. Cox School of Business: Three G.P.A.s will be compiled for earning the B.B.A. degree with honors: that for all academic work attempted (including that which is transferable by course content), that for academic work attempted at SMU, and that for SMU business course work attempted. Honors designation will be based on the lowest of the three averages.

Dedman College, The Evening School, and Meadows School of the Arts: Graduation honors will be based upon a student's total academic program. All academic work attempted at other colleges or universities that is equivalent to SMU work will be included in the calculation of the G.P.A. For students who have transferable work (by course content), two G.P.A.s will be calculated: that for all work attempted, and that for work completed at SMU. Honors will be based on the lower of the two averages.

Through the successful completion of a special program of study in the major deportment, a student may be awarded departmental distinction regardless of eligibility for graduation honors. The program of study normally will be undertaken in both the junior and senior years. This award is conferred by the major department on the basis of certain criteria prescribed by the department, but all programs include the minimum requirements of independent reading and research beyond the regular departmental requirements for a degree and the completion of a senior paper or research report. Further information may be obtained from the individual departments.

School of Engineering: Graduation honors will be based upon a student's total academic program. All academic work attempted at other colleges or universities that is equivalent to SMU work will be included in the calculation of the G.P.A. For students who have transferred to SMU, two G.P.A.s will be calculated: that for all work attempted, and that for work completed at SMU. Honors will be based on the lower of the two averages.