Policies

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Academic Honesty

The following statement of principles is excerpted from the University’s FPS #11, “Procedure for Handling Violations of Academic Honesty by Undergraduate Students at Hofstra University.” The complete policy, including a partial list of violations, procedures for handling violations, and the right of appeal, can be found in the Guide to Pride.

Hofstra University places high value upon educating students about academic honesty. At the same time, the University will not tolerate dishonesty, and it will not offer the privileges of the community to the repeat offender.

It is the responsibility of the faculty not only to share knowledge, but also to communicate understanding of, and respect for, the process and ethics by which knowledge is produced. Faculty are obligated to promote awareness of, and to educate all students about what constitutes academic honesty. Faculty should provide students with helpful sources of information on the subject such as the Hofstra Writer’s Guide, the New College for Interdisciplinary Studies’s Writing Program Manual, and Web sites covering issues related to academic honesty. Faculty can disseminate this information through a variety of media, including course outlines and handouts, discussions regarding acceptable classroom behavior, and explanations of grading policies and the consequences of dishonesty. Faculty are also asked to encourage students to take advantage of structured opportunities to learn about academic honesty such as workshops offered by the Center for Teaching and Scholarly Excellence or by the Writing Center. And, faculty should teach by example, with instructors’ teaching materials including appropriate citations. Such educational efforts will foster a cooperative climate that deters instances of academic dishonesty.

To assure impartiality in the classroom, instructors should provide students with an explicitly stated grading policy. Such a grading policy may also include an academic honesty policy, which provides for specific penalties for certain academic honesty violations.

When deciding how and when to disseminate the ethics and processes by which knowledge is produced, faculty are encouraged to use their judgment and to confer with their colleagues in arriving at a conclusion as to what constitutes a reasonable penalty that is neither too harsh nor too lenient.

To ensure that the University appropriately responds to students who repeatedly violate the principles of academic honesty, it is incumbent upon faculty to report all violations by completing the “Report Form on Violations of Academic Conduct.”

The academic community assumes that work of any kind - whether a research paper, a critical essay, a homework assignment, a test or quiz, a computer program, or a creative assignment in any medium - is done, entirely and without assistance, by and only for the individual(s) whose name(s) it bears. If joint projects are assigned, then the work is expected to be wholly the work of those whose names it bears. If the work contains facts, ideas, opinions, discoveries, words, statistics, illustrations, or other elements in any media form (including electronic) that are beyond the assumption of being common knowledge, these must be fully and appropriately acknowledged, following a prescribed format for doing so. They may be acknowledged through footnotes, endnotes, citations, or whatever other means of accreditation is acceptable according to the format prescribed in that particular field of study.

Students bear the ultimate responsibility for implementing the principles of academic honesty. Students must understand that it is not enough to identify the source of quoted material; it is also necessary to indicate when one is paraphrasing (restating in other words) material found in a source. Thus, the use of other’s ideas as well as their words needs to be acknowledged.

Academic Leave of Absence, Withdrawal, or Maintaining Matriculation Policy

The following policy pertains to full-time undergraduate students ONLY:

Hofstra University requires full-time undergraduate students in the fall and spring semesters to register for courses, maintain matriculation or take a leave. Students who fail to take one of these steps will be automatically withdrawn from the University.

Academic Leave of Absence-Full Time Undergraduate Students

An academic leave is an official notification to the University, by a full-time, degree-seeking undergraduate student who has completed at least one semester, that the student is temporarily stopping attendance at Hofstra for a minimum of one full fall or spring semester. Matriculated students who will not be attending Hofstra for a fall or spring semester, but who intend to return to Hofstra, must either file an academic leave or maintain matriculation request. Failure to notify the University of this intent will result in withdrawal from Hofstra and the loss of academic leave benefits.

To request an academic leave, students will need to access their portal account at my.hofstra.edu, click the Hofstra Online tab, then select from the registration menu “Academic Leave/Withdrawal from the university” and complete required fields.

Academic leaves can be used for:

• Permanent disability
• Military service
• Religious mission
• Foreign aid service of the federal government
• Health other than a permanent disability
• Family or personal reasons
• Financial reasons
• Academic reasons
• Other reasons as appropriate

A leave may be extended at the written request of the student if approved by the Center for University Advisement. If the student remains unregistered beyond the approved leave period without prior notification, the student is considered to have withdrawn from the University and must apply for readmission. An academic leave typically may not exceed three consecutive fall and spring semesters.

An academic leave cannot be used if the student will be attending another institution. An academic leave does not constitute a leave of absence per federal aid definitions. Please see below for information on the financial aid implications of not registering for a fall or a spring semester.

Academic Leave Benefits

An academic leave typically:

• allows students to return to Hofstra without reapplying through the Office of Admission (although specific programs may have different requirements - students should speak with their adviser);
• may allow the student to proceed under the requirements of the Undergraduate Bulletin with which they were admitted;
• may allow students to maintain eligibility for institutional aid; and
• may allow a student to receive a housing assignment upon return from an academic leave, if the student was a resident before the leave and if the student is returning to full-time status.

If a student is on probation when the leave is approved, the student remains on probation upon their return to the University.

Returning From an Academic Leave

Students must register for courses at Hofstra before the end of their academic leave. Students whose leaves expire without course registration will be withdrawn from the University.

Withdrawal From the University

A withdrawal indicates that a student has permanently stopped attending the University. Registration for future semesters will be contingent upon reapplication to the University under admission standards at that time. Students readmitted to the University must follow the Bulletin under which they were readmitted. Please refer to the section Withdrawal From the University.

Implications of an Academic Leave or Withdrawal

Financial Aid and Tuition Refund

For the purpose of financial aid, the University processes students with an academic leave as withdrawn students. The effective date of separation from the University is:

• the date the student files a written request for the withdrawal from the University;
• the date the student files an academic leave if the leave is to commence immediately; or
• the first day of the semester of the requested academic leave if the leave request is for a future semester.

Students requesting an academic leave for a semester in progress will be completely withdrawn for the semester and receive a grade of W for each course in which the student is registered for that semester. Students receiving any form of financial aid must discuss the leave with the Financial Aid Office to understand the implications of stopping attendance at Hofstra. Refunds will be processed in accordance with the University’s policy and published refund schedule.

International Students

International students must discuss their intent to file for an academic leave or withdrawal from the University with the International Students Office prior to filing the online form to fully understand the implications of a leave or withdrawal on their visa status and eligibility to remain in the United States.

Service Member Readmission

Hofstra University is sensitive to the fact that our students may leave the University in order to perform military service, and encourages those students to complete their education degree once that service has ended. Qualified U.S. Service Member students who seek to take a leave of absence to perform such service must give advanced notice of service to the Office of Student Financial Services & Registrar, unless military necessity prevents this. If such notice is not provided, the student will have to provide sufficient documentation that the student performed such service, upon seeking readmission.  The student must contact the Office of Admission to submit a readmission application.  A Service Member student who is readmitted will be readmitted with the same academic status as when he/she last attended so long as there is no disqualifying event, such as a dishonorable or bad conduct charge, and the length of absence does not exceed the established time period for such leave (generally five years). 

University Services and Access

Students who are on academic leave or who withdraw from the University will no longer have access to certain physical and electronic resources and University discounts.

Maintaining Matriculation

Maintaining matriculation is to be used by students in academic pursuits that do not include registration for classes. Students maintaining matriculation are considered “registered” at the University. Examples of academic pursuits include, but are not limited to, work on a thesis, completion of coursework where a grade of incomplete was received, approved study abroad and approved visitation at another institution. Students on Hofstra approved study abroad or approved visitation at another institution are required to maintain matriculation.

Application for Graduation

Every candidate for graduation must file an application for graduation in the Office of Academic Records by May 1 for December graduates and October 1 for May graduates. August candidates must file by March 1. There is a fee for late filing. See Tuition and Fees  in this Bulletin.

All requirements applicable toward the degree must be completed and on record in the Office of Academic Records by the end of the first week of June for May degrees, the end of the first week of January for December degrees, the end of the first week of September for August degrees.

A degree can only be awarded to a student who has maintained a satisfactory record of conduct and has paid all University fees.

Attendance

Although it is the student’s responsibility to attend classes, each department establishes its own policy concerning student absences from class. If for some reason a student will be absent for one continuous week or longer, it is advisable to inform each instructor.

Auditing Policy

The privilege of auditing courses is not available to students currently enrolled at Hofstra or at other institutions of higher education. Additionally, students admitted to professional schools may not audit Hofstra courses in preparation for their enrollment at those institutions.

Auditing of undergraduate courses is made available to individuals not enrolled in any institution of higher education as a service to enrich their knowledge in a particular area, upon payment of 50 percent of the regular part-time undergraduate tuition.

During the spring and fall semester, the auditor shall have the option of converting the courses from a noncredit to credit basis at any time prior to the end of the third week of classes or the first week of a summer session. Permission of the instructor, payment of adjusted tuition and fees, and meeting of all University admissions conditions are required prior to such conversions. For admission to undergraduate courses, apply to the Center for University Advisement.

It is not the policy to permit either Hofstra or non-Hofstra students to audit graduate courses.

Bulletin of First Registration

Undergraduate students are expected to satisfy those requirements specified in the Bulletin of their year of first registration at the University. Students who have no record of attendance at Hofstra University for a period of 15 months or more must follow the requirements set forth in the Bulletin in effect when they are readmitted. Any student, however, may elect once during his or her undergraduate studies, to follow all the requirements specified in a subsequent Bulletin, provided the Office of Academic Records is notified prior to the semester of graduation. No exceptions regarding the requirements set forth in any Bulletin may be made by the students or by the faculty without the written approval of the dean of the academic unit or of the provost. This policy refers to academic requirements such as degree and major requirements. Other procedures and policies, such as the grading system, may be changed through the University’s governance process. However, students will be notified (by placing notices in our student newspapers and by any other methods and media applicable) of any significant change at least a year in advance of its implementation.

Change of Program

Students will be permitted to make program changes in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Semester Planning Guide.

Class Standing

An undergraduate student credited with 24 semester hours will be ranked as a sophomore; with 58 semester hours, a junior; and 88 semester hours, a senior. Students will be ranked at the beginning of each regular fall and spring semester.

Effective September 1, 2011: An undergraduate student credit with 30 s.h. will be ranked as a sophomore; with 60 s.h., a junior; and with 90 s.h., a senior.

Classroom Code of Conduct for Students

Faculty Policy Series #50 can be found here.

Commencement

Commencement programs are conducted twice each year, in December and in May. Summer candidates are invited to the December exercises and are listed in that program. Information regarding programs is automatically mailed to candidates about six weeks before commencement.

Completion Ratio Requirement

The completion ratio is arrived at by using the number of credits attempted and the number of credits completed. The University will place on academic probation any student (other than students with fewer than 30 semester hours attempted), accumulating UWs, Ws, or NRs as the following percentages of total attempted semester hours:

• more than 40% of between 30 and 59 attempted semester hours
• more than 33% of between 60 and 89 attempted semester hours
• more than 26% of 90 or more attempted semester hours

Students failing to complete 75% of their current attempted semester hours during a semester that they are on academic probation will be dismissed from the University.

Credit for Prior Learning

This program permits students to seek undergraduate credit for college-level knowledge that has been acquired in nontraditional ways. An interested student should first apply to the Coordinator of the Prior-Learning Program, HCLAS Dean’s Office. If the Coordinator approves the application, the appropriate department(s) will be requested to assess the student’s knowledge. The method of assessment may be decided by department policy or may be determined after consultation with the student. Credits which may be earned in this program are restricted by the following conditions:

1. Credit is awarded for particular courses or elective areas of study offered at Hofstra; credit is not awarded for life experience in general.
2. Prior-learning credit is normally granted with the Pass grade. If a letter grade is necessary to meet graduation requirements, or if the student wishes to apply this credit toward major requirements, special permission of the department in which the course is given and the approval of the appropriate academic dean must be obtained.
3. Credits earned in the Prior-Learning Program may not exceed 50 percent of the required number of major credits, may not exceed 50 percent of the required number of minor credits and may not exceed a total of 60 credits in a baccalaureate degree. The total allowed for an associate degree is 30 credits. On the average, however, six credits have been awarded.
4. Prior-learning credits granted in other institutions may not be transferred to Hofstra except in cases where a formal agreement exists between Hofstra and the other institution.
5. Credit will be entered on the student’s record only after a minimum of 18 semester hours with at least a 2.0 average in residency at Hofstra have been completed. These 18 credits may not be counted toward a student’s last 30 semester hours in a degree program.
6. Credits earned under this program may not be considered credits taken in residence at Hofstra.

The total semester hours earned under Credit by Examination, Credit for Prior Learning and other written standardized testing programs may not exceed 60 credits. There is a fee for earning credits in this program, see Tuition and Fees .

Credit by Examination for Standardized Testing Programs

A student may earn up to 30 semester hours of course credit by taking standard written examinations such as the College-Level Equivalency Program (CLEP); such standardized tests are not given at Hofstra. For credit to be granted, the student must have taken the examination prior to the start of their junior year, and scores must be in accordance with the scoring guidelines that have been established by the Office of Admission in consultation with departments. No credit is awarded for standardized test program exams taken in foreign language or business.

The total semester hours earned under the Hofstra University Credit by Departmental Examination, Credit for Prior Learning and other written standardized testing programs may not exceed 60 credits.

Cumulative Grade Point Average

The grade point average is the index of academic performance used to determine whether the student will be permitted to continue at the University and/or graduate.

The alphabetical grades, including plus (+) and minus (-), have the following grade point values:

(Only one F grade in any one course will be included in the cumulative grade point average.)

To determine cumulative grade point average, multiply the number of semester hours of each grade earned by the grade point value for that grade. Then total the products and divide by the total number of Hofstra University semester hours attempted.

To graduate, a student must complete the number of hours required for the particular degree with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (including F’s).

D+ and D and F grades assigned to students who have elected the Pass/D+/D/Fail option are included in determining the student’s cumulative grade point average.

Dismissal

Students will be dropped from the rolls of the University after two semesters attendance if they have:

• attempted less than 25 hours and have a cumulative grade point average below 1.3;
• attempted 25-30 hours and have a cumulative grade point average below 1.5;
• attempted 31-57 hours and have a cumulative grade point average below 1.7;
• attempted 58-93 hours and have a cumulative grade point average below 1.9;
• attempted 94 or more hours and have a cumulative grade point average below 1.95.

Note that “attempted hours” include course work taken at all institutions of higher education, but that the cumulative grade point average is based on course work taken only at Hofstra University.

Students will be dropped because of poor scholarship only in May except in special cases (such as the recommendation of the Center for University Advisement, Office of Academic Records or other responsible adviser). However, students may be dropped at any time, whether currently on probation or not, when they show insufficient probability of meeting graduation requirements. All special cases will be acted upon by the Academic Records Committee. For students who entered New College for Interdisciplinary Studies prior to fall 2006, see the New College for Interdisciplinary Studies Addendum for dismissal standards.

Students who have been dropped may appeal to the Academic Records Committee only through the Center for University Advisement. After the student speaks with a representative of the Advisement Office, the Committee will review the appeal. The Committee will consider a report of the interview, the student’s total academic record, and a letter stating reasons the student believes the appeal merits consideration.

Also see Completion Ratio Requirement, in this section of the Bulletin.

Exclusion From the University

When students make application for entrance to Hofstra University, they understand and agree that the University reserves the right to exclude any student at any time for conduct or academic standing regarded by the University as undesirable, without assigning any further reason. It is understood and agreed that the University, or any of its officers or faculty, shall not be liable in any way for such exclusion.

To ensure the protection of each individual’s rights, procedures for appeal are provided by the University to assure the student fair treatment in cases of disciplinary action.

Grade Appeal Policy

Excluding the Law School and the Medical School.

It is the right and responsibility of the faculty to determine student grades at Hofstra University. An instructor’s right to determine a final grade assigned in his or her class shall be abrogated only if it is demonstrated (through the procedure below) that the final course grade was not based on the student’s academic performance in the course.

Each School and College at Hofstra shall adopt procedures consistent with the policy for appeals of final course grades given within that unit. Within these procedures a student shall appeal in writing first to the instructor (unless the instructor is no longer in residence or is otherwise unreachable). If this appeal does not resolve the issue, the student may then appeal to the Chair of the Department. The student shall be required to submit a written statement to the Chair detailing an argument for a change of final grade. The chair shall attempt to mediate a resolution, but can not change a grade. If no satisfactory resolution is achieved, the student has a right to continue the appeal process by making a formal written appeal to the Dean of the unit involved. The Dean may choose to mediate, or to immediately empanel an Ad Hoc Appeals Committee.

The Ad Hoc Appeals Committee shall be composed of three to five tenured faculty. The student must submit a written statement to the committee detailing an argument for a change of grade. The committee shall have the authority to investigate the matter fully and request material from the student and the instructor. The committee, however, proceeds from the presumption that the course grade was justified; the burden of proof shall lie with the student. If the committee members find that the grade was not based on academic performance, they may determine a new grade and submit a change of grade through the Dean’s office.

Both a faculty member and a student have the right to request a review by the Provost of the decision by the Ad Hoc Appeals Committee. In such instances, the Provost shall begin with the presumption that the Ad Hoc Appeals Committee’s determination is correct. The Provost determines if the proper procedure was followed. If he or she determines that there is cause for reconsideration, the Provost shall reconvene the Ad Hoc Appeals Committee for further consideration of the matter. In all cases the Ad Hoc Appeals Committee’s decision shall be forwarded to the student who made the appeal, the instructor involved, and the Dean and Provost.

The full grade appeal policy, including timelines, can be found under Faculty Policy Series #42.

Individual grade appeal policies for the following schools within Hofstra University can be found at:

• HCLAS
• School of Comunication
• School of Education, Health and Human Services
• Frank G. Zarb School of Business

Graduate Courses Taken by Undergraduates

1. In appropriate cases, undergraduate students with senior status may be permitted to enroll in graduate courses for undergraduate credit. Written permission of the major adviser and the appropriate deans is required and should be obtained on the substitution/waiver form. Credit earned in this way will count only toward undergraduate degrees.
2. To meet unusual cases, an undergraduate student with senior status may earn a maximum of 9 hours of graduate credit. Written permission from the appropriate dean’s office must be obtained on the substitution/waiver form.
3. Provisions 1 and 2 do not apply to students pursuing dual-degree undergraduate/graduate programs.
4. Visiting undergraduate students shall not be permitted to enroll in graduate courses at Hofstra.

Hofstra University Departmental Credit by Examination

1. No more than 12 semester hours may be earned under this program. (Students who entered New College for Interdisciplinary Studies on a full-time basis prior to fall 2006 may apply up to 32 semester hours) toward the completion of degree requirements.)
2. For an examination administered by a department within the University, credit may only be earned for a course offered by that department, and must be recorded with a letter grade. A grade of C- or better on the examination is necessary for credit to be granted.
3. A student may not take credit by examination in an elementary course in a department once he/she has received credit from an advanced course in that specific area in that department.
4. Students are not permitted to apply for credit by examination for a course in which they have previously enrolled on a credit or noncredit basis unless they receive permission of the appropriate academic chairperson and the appropriate academic dean.
5. Students are not permitted to apply for credit by examination for any core or distribution course.
6. Proficiency in a foreign language required of degree candidates may not be acquired through this program or through CLEP.
7. Credits earned under this program may be considered credits taken in residence at Hofstra.
8. Credits earned do not count in the determination of a student’s full-time or part-time status.

The total semester hours earned under the Credit by Examination, Credit for Prior Learning and other written standardized testing programs may not exceed 60 credits.

Students may obtain further details and application forms from the Office of Prior Learning, HCLAS Dean’s Office. There is a fee for taking these examinations, see Tuition and Fees  .

Maintaining Matriculation

Final Semester Registration

Students who have been granted permission to complete final semester graduation requirements while not attending classes will pay the normal Maintaining Matriculation Fee and file a registration form during the regular registration period for their final semester.

Off-Campus Study

This fee applies to each fall or spring semester of study by a student at another institution, either within the United States or elsewhere.

Permission to Attend Other Colleges

Current students may not take courses at other educational institutions within reasonable commuting distance of the campus if the same or comparable course is being offered at Hofstra.

Hofstra students wishing to attend another accredited institution as visiting students must have courses approved in advance by the appropriate adviser, the dean who administers the major, and the Office of Academic Records. Students pursuing Hofstra degree programs that have distribution requirements should be aware that such requirements cannot be fulfilled by transfer credit for work undertaken elsewhere after their matriculation at Hofstra. The necessary forms can be obtained at the Student Administrative Complex, Memorial Hall. Transfer credit will be granted in accordance with the Advanced Standing Policy set forth in this Bulletin.

Students with junior or senior standing (58 or more hours) are not permitted to enroll for courses at junior or community colleges offering two-year terminal programs. (See Advanced Standing for complete requirements.)

Refund Policy

See the Tuition and Fees  section of this Bulletin.

Repeated Courses

A student may repeat a completed course, regardless of grade, for a better understanding of the subject only with the approval of the major adviser. Such a course will be listed as a Repeated Course, for which a final grade will be given. Both grades will appear on the student’s record, and both grades will count in determining the cumulative grade point average; but semester hour credit toward graduation will be given only once. The number of semester hours repeated is counted in determining the number of semester hours attempted. Degree credit is granted for the same course in physical education skills courses only twice.

However, an undergraduate may repeat a course and request that, as an exception to the rule above, only the later of the two grades be counted toward the grade point average calculation. The student is limited to a maximum of two such requests, which may be used for repeating two different courses or repeating the same course twice. Course(s) must have been taken in residence at Hofstra. In all cases the original grade(s) will remain on the transcript with a notation that it was not included in the GPA calculation. This GPA exception may only be requested during the student’s tenure as a matriculated, undergraduate student. A form available from the Office of Academic Records requesting this exception must be handed in to the Office of Academic Records no later than the end of the tenth week, or the equivalent (2/3) for courses that do not follow a regular semester schedule, of the semester or session in which the course is being repeated. The submitted form may be withdrawn up until this deadline. Furthermore, a student may also withdraw from the course up to this deadline. Once this deadline passes, the student has used up one of the two requests. If the course is no longer available when the request is made, no other course may be substituted. GPA exceptions will not be allowed when a grade in that course was given for academic dishonesty.

Semester Attendance Confirmation

Effective fall 2009, at the beginning of each semester, students are expected to log on to their Hofstra Portal Account to confirm semester attendance. Failure to confirm attendance within the first three (3) weeks of class during a fall or spring semester may result in the inability to access certain areas on the Portal (e.g., Blackboard). For terms that are of shorter duration (e.g., January, summer) the corresponding deadlines will be available online.

Semester Hour Registration Limitations

Fall & spring semesters: No student may register for over 18 semester hours without special permission of the major adviser and the dean of the academic unit.
 
January session: Students attending this session may not earn more than three semester hours of credit or four semester hours of credit if offered on that basis.
 
Summer sessions: No undergraduate student may enroll in one summer session for more than six semester hours, or if three- and four-credit hour courses - seven semester hours. For the three-week session, no undergraduate student may take more than one three- or four-credit course. Exceptions to the above may be granted when special circumstances and the student’s special capacities for the work permit. Written approval is required of the dean of the academic unit of the major or proposed major field of study.

Undergraduate Grades

Hofstra uses an alphabetical system of grades to describe the quality of the student’s work. The University reserves the right to change this system at any time. The implementation of a new system, however, will not occur for approximately one year after the change has been made and the students have been officially notified. The revised system, when printed in the Undergraduate Bulletin, applies uniformly to all students regardless of their initial date of entry. Alphabetical grades are further divided into plus and minus levels.

These letter grades, which include plus and minus where applicable, are explained below. Final grades are reported only from the Office of Academic Records.

A: Indicates that the student’s academic performance in achieving the objectives of the course was of honors level.

B: Indicates that the student’s academic performance in achieving the objectives of the course was distinctly above that required by the course.

C: Indicates that the student’s academic performance achieved the objectives of the course.

D: Indicates that the student’s academic performance relating to the objectives of the course was less than required for major or minor credit but was still sufficient to permit the student to receive full degree credit. This grade is not acceptable for major or minor course credit unless approved by the chairperson of the appropriate department. The course may be repeated in accordance with the repeated course policy.

P: Passing, not counted in determining cumulative grade point average. Courses passed with a P grade are counted, however, in the total number of credits accumulated for graduation. P is equivalent to C- or better. If in the opinion of the instructor the student’s work has not earned a C-, then a D or an F will be awarded. The P grade will be assigned for passing work in courses which are graded only on a Pass/D+/D/Fail or Pass/Fail basis and to courses taken under the Pass/D+/D/Fail option. (See Pass/D+/D/Fail Option below.)

Pr: Progress. Used normally to report the first semester’s satisfactory work in two-semester individually supervised courses, normally for seniors. This grade may be assigned only in courses previously approved for this purpose by the Undergraduate Academic Affairs Committee. Course credit toward graduation is granted. Note: UWW courses and CHEM 151 may use the Pr grade.

F: Indicates that the student’s overall academic performance failed to satisfy the objectives of the course. No semester hour credit is received for courses with an F grade. Students will not be given credit for full-year courses unless both semesters of such courses are satisfactorily completed. Passing the first semester of a year course but failing the second, the student need repeat only the second semester.

INC (Incomplete): When requested by the student, the instructor may grant, at her/his discretion, a grade of Incomplete (‘I’). An ‘I’ grade should be given only when unforeseen circumstances prevent the student from completing course work on time. As part of the normal final-grade process, the instructor must submit an ‘I’ grade on-line to the Office of Academic Records with a default grade, the grade the student will receive if the missing work is not completed. The default final grade must be a letter grade other than UW. In unusual circumstances, the faculty member may submit an ‘I’ grade without prior discussion with the student. The instructor will decide the time frame in which the student will complete the required course work. However, the deadline may not exceed the last day of the next full semester following the granting of an ‘I’ grade.* In cases where lab work is required or the student is working on an Independent Study, additional time may be granted. A student will not be allowed to attend the regular class meetings at the next offering of the course. The instructor will inform the student of the completion requirements and terms.

The instructor is required to submit a grade for the student within 30 days after the student has submitted work to fulfill the terms specified. If the instructor cannot oversee the completion of the incomplete work with the student, the instructor will arrange for oversight within the department with the Dean’s permission. If the incomplete work is not completed by the deadline, the ‘I’ grade will convert to the default grade previously submitted by the instructor.

* Students cannot graduate with any ‘I’ grade (received fall 2008 or later) on their records. Candidates for graduation requesting an ‘I’ grade will graduate at the first graduation date available (January, May, August, or December) after completion of the work. If work is not completed and the ‘I’ grade turns into an ‘F,” it may prevent graduation. A student may request, from the Office of Academic Records, the default grade to replace the ‘I’ grade prior to the set deadline to ensure timely graduation.

NR: Student’s grade has not been submitted by the instructor.

W: The student has withdrawn from the course and so notified the Office of Student Accounts in writing prior to the last day of the tenth week of the semester. For courses shorter than 15 weeks, the student has sole discretion to withdraw for the first 2/3 of the course; after 2/3 of the course has been completed, and any time before the last day of class, the student must have the instructor’s approval. If a student withdraws from a course during the first three weeks of the semester; the first week of a summer session; the first three days of the January Session; the first two weeks of a 10-11 week trimester or the first week of a mini-course, there shall be no record of course(s) on the permanent record. However, the statement “Complete Withdrawal From the University” shall be entered on the permanent record of any student who completely withdraws from the University within the time frame indicated above. Students who withdraw officially or unofficially from one or more courses after the first week of the semester, or equivalent for courses shorter than 15 weeks, will be liable for all or part of the tuition and fees associated with those courses. See Withdrawal From the University in this section.

UW: The UW may be assigned only if the student stopped attending prior to the official withdrawal deadline, and, in the judgment of the faculty member, on the last date of attendance, the student either had the potential to pass the course or there was insufficient graded work to allow for such an evaluation. Note: The UW is always the appropriate grade for the student who is registered for the course but has never attended.

Pass/D+/D/Fail Option (P or D+ or D or F): a student may elect courses on a Pass/D+/D/Fail basis during the first five weeks of the semester under the following conditions: WSC 1 & 2, distribution courses, courses taken in fulfillment of any language requirement and those courses required in the major field and any other course specified by course title or number as required for the major may not be taken Pass/D+/D/Fail. (This does not apply to courses given only on this basis.) All other courses may be taken on a Pass/D+/D/Fail basis..

Courses taken on an optional Pass/D+/D/Fail basis may not be used to satisfy distribution requirements. Note, however, that some distribution courses are given only on a Pass/D+/D/Fail basis and may be used to fulfill distribution requirements. (Distribution courses can be found in the “Hofstra College of Liberal Arts and Sciences” section in this Bulletin.)

Departments and/or degrees that are restricted by professional accreditation may, as required, exempt additional courses from the Pass/D+/D/Fail option. In no case may the total number of Pass/D+/D/Fail credits exceed 30 semester hours, nor may any credit for Pass/D+/D/Fail courses be used toward an academic minor, except for those courses given only on this basis.

Zarb School of Business courses may not be taken on a Pass/D+/D/Fail basis.

In HCLAS, and in the School of Communication, the Pass/D+/D/Fail option is restricted to 15 credits.

Students on academic probation may not elect an optional Pass/D+/D/Fail grade.

Students should obtain necessary forms from the Office of Academic Records and seek faculty advisement on possible effects of Pass/D+/D/Fail grades.

A student transferring to Hofstra with more than 30 credits graded on a Pass/D+/D/Fail basis must have the approval of the Undergraduate Academic Affairs Committee. For these students, courses graded on this basis shall not exceed fifty percent of the total credit hours required for the degree.

(The foregoing does not apply to transfer students who entered New College for Interdisciplinary Studies prior to the fall 2006 semester.)

For courses shorter than 15 weeks, the student has the sole discretion to elect the Pass/D+/D/Fail option for the first 1/3 of the course.

D+ and D and F grades assigned to students who have elected the Pass/D+/D/Fail option are included in determining the student’s cumulative grade point average.

University Probation Standards

1. Students will be placed on probation for either not meeting grade point average or completion ratio requirements.
2. Grade point average requirement: a full-time or part-time student will be placed on probation at the end of any fall or spring semester in which his or her cumulative grade point average is less than 2.0 but above the University’s minimum retention standards.
3. Completion ratio requirement: the University will also place on academic probation any student (other than students with fewer than 30 semester hours attempted), accumulating the following percentages of total attempted semester hours in UWs, Ws, or NRs:
      -  more than 40% of between 30 and 59 attempted semester hours
      -  more than 33% of between 60 and 89 attempted semester hours
      -  more than 26% of 90 or more attempted semester hours
4. Students placed on probation for low grade point averages will receive a letter from the Office of Academic Records informing them of their probationary status and warning that they must raise their grade point average to 2.0. The letter will explain the consequences of failing to raise the grade point average to 2.0 or above.
5. Students placed on probation for low grade point averages will be required to meet with an adviser in the Advisement Office as soon as possible to discuss their standing. When they meet with the adviser, they will be informed of the support services available and the average they must achieve to raise their grade point average to at least 2.0. Students will also be reminded that if their grade point average drops further, they are in danger of being dismissed from the University.
6. Students placed on probation for low completion ratios will receive a letter from the Office of Academic Records informing them of their probationary status and warning that they must complete 75% or more of attempted semester hours. The letter will explain the consequences of failing to complete 75% or more of attempted semester hours.
7. Students placed on probation for low completion ratios will be required to meet with an adviser in the Advisement Office as soon as possible to discuss their standing. When they meet with the adviser, they will be informed of the support services available and the percentage of attempted semester that must be completed to raise their completion ratios to minimum standards. Students will also be reminded that if they do not complete 75% or more of attempted semester hours, they are in danger of being dismissed from the University.
8. All students placed on probation will be required to take a course on strategies for academic success for one semester hour of non-liberal arts credit. The course will assist students in developing study skills, test-taking skills, and time-management skills. The course will also offer support services related to financial aid, relationships, and mental health issues.
9. Students must meet with their Advisement Dean in the fall or spring and must take and complete the one semester hour course (UNIV 1) during the term that probation takes effect in order to register for subsequent classes.
10. A full-time student on academic probation may carry no more than 13 semester hours in addition to the one semester hour academic success course. A part-time student on academic probation may carry no more than seven semester hours in addition to the one semester hour academic success course.
11. Students on academic probation may not elect an option Pass/D+/D/Fail grade.
12. Students will be on academic probation for low grade point averages as long as their cumulative grade point average remains below 2.0 and is above the University’s minimum retention standards. They will continue to be subject to all the requirements of students on academic probation.
13. Students will be on academic probation for low completion ratios as long as their completion ratios remain below the standards specified in point #3 above and they complete 75% or more of attempted semester hours. They will continue to be subject to all the requirements of students on academic probation.
14. When appropriate, students admitted to the University through a special academic program may be exempted from these probation criteria until they transition from the program. .

Withdrawal From a Course

Students should secure the appropriate forms from the Student Administrative Complex and return the forms to that office after notifying the instructor of the course from which they are withdrawing. Students who withdraw officially or unofficially from one or more courses after the first week of the semester, or equivalent for courses shorter than 15 weeks, will be liable for all or part of the tuition and fees associated with those courses. Please refer to, “Withdrawal From the University,” below, “W Grade,” in this section and “Refund Policy” in the Tuition and Fees section. Applications for withdrawal must be submitted in writing either in person or by mail.
A student withdrawing without official notification may not have any remission of tuition and shall receive a grade of UW. (See Grades, in this section.)

Withdrawal From the University

Should students wish to withdraw from the University during a semester or summer session, they should first secure the appropriate forms from the Office of Academic Advisement and complete the withdrawal by the last day of classes prior to the start of the designated final examination period. During the January session and the summer sessions, the designated period is the last day of classes. No student may withdraw from the University during the final examination period.

A student withdrawing in person should see an adviser in the University Advisement Office. Students unable to apply for withdrawal in person may send a letter addressed to the Office of Student Accounts, postmarked by the last day of classes. If the student does not plan to register for the following semester an official Leave of Absence form must be filed through the University Advisement Office. Students may also withdraw via the Web through the Hofstra Online Information System. Students who withdraw officially or unofficially from one or more courses after the first week of the semester, or equivalent for courses shorter than 15 weeks, will be liable for all or part of the tuition and fees associated with those courses. (See Grade W, in this section.)

A student withdrawing without official notification may not have any remission of tuition and shall receive a grade of UW. (See Grades, in this section.)