UNIVERSITY STUDENT RECORDS POLICY 

The University of Southern Colorado’s practice in regard to student record keeping and access is based on the provisions of the Privacy Rights of Parents and Students, Section 438 of the General Education  Provisions Act, as amended (P.L. 93-380), also known as the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1975 (FERPA), or the Buckley Amendment.  For specific details, contact the Registrar, Administration Building, Room 201. 

ACADEMIC CONDUCT 

Any use of unauthorized assistance in preparing materials which students submit as original work is considered cheating and constitutes grounds for dismissal.  Instructors use practical means of preventing and detecting cheating, but the responsibility for  maintaining academic integrity and avoiding dishonest scholarship rests with the student.  Any student judged to have engaged in cheating may receive a reduced grade for the work in question, a failing grade in the course, or any other lesser penalty which the instructor finds appropriate.  Academic dishonesty violates the Student Code of Conduct (see Student Life section of this catalog) and subjects students to the university disciplinary procedure. 

CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR 

The classroom instructor is responsible for setting standards for all classroom conduct, behavior and discipline.  Only enrolled students, administrative personnel and persons authorized by the instructor are 
permitted in classrooms and other instructional areas during scheduled periods.  University policy and Colorado state law also prohibit all forms of disruptive or obstructive behavior in academic areas during scheduled periods or any action which would disrupt  scheduled academic activity.  Use of classrooms and other areas of academic buildings during non-scheduled periods is permitted only in accordance with university practices.  Anyone in unauthorized attendance or causing a disturbance during scheduled academic  activity may be asked to leave.  If a person refuses such a request, he or she may be removed by the University Police and is liable to legal prosecution. 

CATALOG REQUIREMENTS 

Students may graduate under the catalog requirements for the year in which they are first enrolled, provided they complete graduation requirements within a continuous period of no more than 10-years.  If a student withdraws or is withdrawn for any reason from the university and is subsequently readmitted after an absence of two or more semesters, re-admittance will be governed by the catalog current at the time of readmission.  Any exceptions to the policy must have prior approval from the associate provost.  Students should obtain and keep a copy of the catalog under which they enter or are readmitted. Students may also elect to follow any subsequent catalog. 

TIME LIMITATION ON CREDIT 

Any college credit earned more than 10 years before the date of admission or readmission is not applicable toward the degree desired unless it is approved by the chair of the department offering the course(s) [or equivalent(s)].  General education credit earned more  than 10 years before the date of admission or readmission must be approved by the Director of Admissions and Records. 

CLASSIFICATION OF STUDENTS 

Classification of students is based on semester credit 
hours earned as follows:

Graduate Student See the Graduate Studies section for classification information. 

Unclassified 

An unclassified student is defined as one who has made no commitment to earning a degree.  An unclassified student may be classified as degree-seeking when and if admission status is determined.  Students under suspension, or those denied regular  admission, are not eligible to enroll as non- degree students. Additional information on unclassified students is contained in the Admission section of this catalog. 

Degree Plus 

A non-degree seeking student who has completed a baccalaureate degree. 

Auditor 

A student who has been permitted to enroll in a course for which he or she will receive no credit.  Auditors determine their own attendance, take no examinations, receive no grades, do not participate in classroom discussion except as permitted by the instructor and earn no credit.  They pay the same tuition and fees as persons enrolled for credit.  An auditor may not be reclassified to receive credit in the course after the final date for adding courses.  In place of a grade, students receive the symbol NC (no credit) on their transcripts.  Students wishing to register as auditors must declare their intention at registration and may not seek credit in the course after the drop period for the course has expired.  Likewise, a student may not change his or her regular enrollment to auditor (no credit) status after the end of the drop period.  Auditor (or no credit) forms are available in the Office of Admissions and Records. 

Persons 65 years of age or older, or 62 and retired, may audit courses without paying tuition on a space-available basis.  Permission of the instructor is required in all cases. 

FULL-TIME / HALF-TIME ENROLLMENT STATUS 

Enrollment status (full-time, half-time) is determined by the number of credit hours which the student has completed or is pursuing for the term in which the certification is requested.  (The following schedule for enrollment status may differ from the full-time/part-time schedule as recognized by the financial services area.)  Credit hour requirements for enrollment verification (i.e., health insurance, auto insurance, loan deferments) are as follows: 

Contact the Office of Admissions and Records for certification of enrollment status, level (class), grade point average and term(s) of attendance. 

GRADES AND THE GRADING SYSTEM 

Awarding of Grades 

Grades are earned by students and awarded by faculty.  Grade changes can only be made by the instructor with the approval of the department chairperson and the dean of the school. 

The Grading System 

The quality of a student’s work is appraised according to letter grades and grade point averages.  The University of Southern Colorado grading system includes the following grades: A, B, C, D, F, S, U, IN, 
W, WN, NC, IP. 

A -Excellent achievement

credit given, 4 grade points per semester credit hour. 

B- Above average

C-Average achievement

D-Below average achievement

F-Failing work

S-Satisfactory

U-Unsatisfactory

W-Withdrawal

WN-Administrative withdrawal/withdrawal for non-pay-ment

IN-Incomplete

IP-In Progress

NC-No credit

Grade-point Average Computation

Earned grade points are computed by multiplying the point value of A, B, C, D and F grades earned by the number of credit hours of the course(s) in which the student was enrolled.  A student’s semester GPA is calculated by dividing total grade points by total credit hours attempted.  A student’s cumulative GPA is calculated by dividing all grade points earned by all credit hours attempted.  Earned grades of S, U, W, WN, IP, IN and NC are not computed in the grade-point  average.  For purposes of computing a student’s grade-point average only USC hours are used. 

Grade Changes/Academic Appeals

DEANS’ LIST 

All undergraduate students, including those enrolled in continuing education classes and those enrolled in a second baccalaureate degree program, are eligible for the Deans’ List in a given semester provided they: 

• achieve a minimum semester grade-point average of 3.500 

• be degree-seeking 

• earn at least 12 credit hours at the University of Southern Colorado,  and 

• receive no grade of “incomplete” 

The Deans’ List is generated and published fall and spring semesters. 

GOOD ACADEMIC STANDING 

The academic standing of all students is reviewed two times each year, at the end of fall, and spring semester.  Students must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.000 or higher to remain in Good  Academic Standing. 

ACADEMIC PROBATION 

Students are placed on academic probation at the end of any semester (excluding summer) in which the cumulative grade-point average falls below 2.000.  

Academic Probation status is noted on the Grade Report. In addition, students receive a letter (Notification of Academic Probation Status) from the Provost.  At this point, students are strongly encouraged to develop an Academic Improvement Plan (AIP) in collaboration with staff from the USC Learning Center. 

Please note: If the cumulative grade point average of any student on academic probation does not improve the next semester, that student may be subject to Academic Suspension. 

ACADEMIC SUSPENSION 

Students on academic probation are subject to academic suspension if, at the end of the spring semester, the cumulative grade-point average falls below the minimum levels indicated below: 

For purposes of measuring hours attempted, the number of hours used shall be the total of transfer credit hours accepted by USC and the number of hours attempted at USC, excluding W’s.  For purposes of computing grade-point averages, only USC hours are used. (Transfer students must be in good standing at the institution last attended and have at least a 2.000 cumulative grade point average.  If not, the records will be reviewed and a recommendation on admission will be made by the admissions committee.) 

Students placed on Academic Suspension cannot re-enroll at the University for a period of two consecutive semesters (excluding summer) EXCEPT BY SPECIAL PERMISSION. 

Students placed on Academic Suspension who successfully appeal their suspension can return to the university on a Conditional Reinstatement. 

Students on Conditional Reinstatement status will remain under the guidelines of the catalog in effect at the time of their regular admission.  
Students on Academic Suspension who re-enroll at the University within two consecutive semesters (excluding summer) also will remain under the requirements of the catalog in effect at the time of their regular admission. 

Students on Academic Suspension who stay away from the University more than two consecutive semesters (excluding summer) following their notice of formal academic suspension must (a) be readmitted to the University, and (b) adhere to the requirements of the catalog in effect at the time they are readmitted to the University. 

Appeal Process for Academic Suspension 

Students who want to appeal their Academic Suspension are responsible for initiating the process by submitting an Appeal Letter. The Appeal Letter must address two issues: (1) why the Academic Suspension is being appealed, and (2) what the student will do to make an improvement in academic performance. 

Appeal Letters requesting Conditional Reinstatement for the subsequent fall semester must be post-marked no later than 5:00 PM on June 15.  Failure to submit Appeal Letters within this prescribed time line results in academic suspension for two consecutive  semesters (excluding summer). 

A class hour consists of 50 minutes.  One class hour per week of lecture or discussion for a semester earns a maximum of one credit hour.  Two or three class hours a week of laboratory activities for a semester earn a maximum of one credit hour.  The number of credits  awarded for a given course is determined by the number of lecture or laboratory hours spent each week in class and is authorized in accordance with guidelines of the Colorado Commission on Higher Education.  Instructional activity is broadly categorized into three  categories: Type A, Type B and Type C by the Colorado Commission on Higher Education (CCHE) as published in its Policy for Reporting Full-time Equivalent Students. 

I. Type A Instruction 

Type A instruction is defined as consisting of “...those methods in which the consumption of faculty resources is reasonably concrete and measurable.” In these instances, the criteria are established in terms of a faculty Base Contact Hour. The Base Contact Hour is a minimum of 750 minutes (this translates into a 50 minute period for 15 times).  Type A instructional activities are audit; private instruction; lecture; recitation, discussion, and seminar; laboratory (vocational and technical; academic and clinical); physical education and recreation activity courses; studio (art and music) and field instruction.

II. Type B Instruction 

Type B instruction is defined as consisting of “...those methods where the measurement of faculty resource consumption by students is less definitive and will vary depending on the activity.  The activities  occurring in these areas are, therefore, defined in a “contractual relationship” between faculty and students.” Examples of Type B instruction are independent study/special or independent project;  Master’s thesis research project and practicum, student teaching, internship, and cooperative education. 

III. Alternative Delivery Methods 

These are courses delivered in non-traditional formats, including but not limited to, tele-courses, self-paced instruction assisted by educational technologies, interactive video, telephone lines, computer based or computer assisted instruction, correspondence, videotapes or CD-Rom, Internet or Intranet, multimedia, etc...  The credit hours for courses utilizing these alternative delivery methods shall be assigned based upon the equivalency or similarity of the course content’s scope and depth and the course’s evaluation methods to the same or similar courses currently offered at USC.  Lecture courses delivered on-campus and also delivered via interactive video to approved off-campus sites are subject to Type A contact hour requirements for the lecture course and shall be counted as Type A instruction. 

IV. Type C Instruction 

These are activities that may generate credit, but the credit cannot be reported for FTE reimbursement.  The activities involve relatively little faculty resource consumption or are considered as a student service. 
Included in Type C instruction is credit by exam and credit for prior learning of life experience. 

COURSE LOADS AND OVERLOADS 

Enrollment in more than 18 credit hours in a given semester is defined as an overload.  Both resident and extended studies (continuing education) courses are counted in the credit-hour total. 

Students who have earned 15 or more semester credit hours and have a grade-point average of 3.000 or greater are eligible to enroll for an overload. 

Overloads must be authorized by student’s faculty advisor and department chair (or dean if the advisor is the department chair).  Both signatures are required.  Appeals may be made to the dean of the college of the student’s major.  Under no circumstances may a student enroll for more than a total of 25 semester credit hours in a single semester. 

CREDIT BY EXAMINATION 

A student may earn a maximum of 30 hours of credit by examination towards the minimum semester hours required for graduation regardless of the source type, (i.e., CLEP/DANTES, International Baccalaureate, advanced placement, and/or in-house departmental  exams).  Types and methods of earning credit by examination are as follows: 

I. Advanced Placement 

The University of Southern Colorado participates in the Advanced Placement Program of the College Entrance Examination Board. Under the program, outstanding secondary school students may take certain college-level courses in their own high schools.  Students who have taken the Advanced Placement Examination and who have received scores of 3, 4, or 5 will be granted university credit as well as advanced placement. 

USC credit is awarded and posted on the transcript without a grade, is counted toward graduation, and may be used to fulfill specific requirements.  For more information, please contact the Office of Admissions and Records. 

II. College Level Examination Program 

Credit earned by the student on these exams will be accepted by USC and posted on the transcript provided the student submits an official CLEP/DANTES score report and has scored at or above established 
benchmarks.  If CLEP/DANTES credit is recorded on the student’s transcript from another institution, it will be accepted in transfer provided the credit is not duplicated from another source.  If a student has already earned college credit in an area before taking CLEP/DANTES exams, the latter credit will be considered duplicate and will not be accepted.  Please contact the Office of Admissions and Records for additional information. 

III. International Baccalaureate Diploma Program 

The University of Southern Colorado recognizes and encourages high school students to participate in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program.  The University recognizes the IB program as a rigorous pre-university course of study for highly motivated secondary students.  Students who successfully complete the IB program and examination(s) are eligible to receive credit and advanced placement standing at USC. 

To receive university credit, a student must take the IB exam(s) and request that the scores be sent to USC Office of Admissions and Records.  Upon receipt of the scores, an evaluation for credit will be performed by the appropriate academic department.  The student will be notified by mail of the evaluation results in approximately two to four weeks. 

A score of 4 or better on the IB exam(s) will receive between 3 -10 credits for most examinations.  The credit will be posted on the student’s permanent record/transcript.  Please contact the Office of  Admissions and Records for additional information. 

IV. Credit by Examination (In-house subject area 
exams) 

Departmental faculty shall identify those undergraduate courses, if any, for which students may earn credit by examination. 

If a student is successful in challenging a course, the title of the course, credit hours and notation of credit by examination will be recorded on the student’s permanent record/transcript. (Unsuccessful attempts are not recorded on the transcript.) The credit hours earned by examination do NOT count in the student’s load for the semester or in the calculation of the student’s grade point average. 

The non-refundable fee for credit earned by examination is $50 per course.  Application forms for credit by examination are available from the Office of Admissions and Records. 

A student may earn credit by examination in any of the approved courses subject to the following conditions:

• the student has not previously earned credit in the course at USC, has not previously failed a challenge exam for the course, or has not  previously failed the course itself; 

 the student has approval of the appropriate department chair (with appeal rights to the dean) to take the challenge examination; 

•  the student’s performance on the examination is at the level of B or better; 

• The student is currently accepted for admission to USC or is enrolled and in good academic standing at the time the examination is  administered; 

• the student does not use the challenged course to satisfy the residency requirement for graduation; and 

• the student satisfies any and all additional criteria as specified by the department. 

V. General Education Test-Out Policy (In-House) 

All courses satisfying general education requirements have a test-out procedure.  The student does not receive a grade or credit for the course, nor does the test-out appear on the transcript. 

Students wishing to test out of a course should contact the chair of the department offering the course.  A student who successfully completes the test-out examination with a grade of B or better satisfies that  particular general education requirement. 

General education test-out examinations are free of charge. 

FINAL EXAMINATIONS 

Final examinations are not to be scheduled at times other than those published in the semester course bulletin.  In some courses a final examination may not be appropriate to the material; however, classes meet through the period scheduled for the final examination. 

FACULTY RECORDS 

All faculty members keep appropriate records (such as grade books or sheets) of each student’s progress in every course offered for university credit.  The records are in addition to the final grade reports which are submitted to the Office of Admissions and Records at the end of each term.  Records are retained by the faculty member’s department for one year.  They are treated in confidence by the faculty member and chair of the department. 

REPEATING COURSES 

An undergraduate student who has received a low grade in a course at USC can improve her/his cumulative grade point average by repeating that course at USC and earning a higher grade.  The first two times a course is repeated, only the higher grade and credit earned are computed into the student’s grade-point average, provided the student has requested a re-computation of grade-point average by the Office of Admissions and Records.  The previously attempted courses and grades remain in the academic record but are not computed in the overall average.  However, if a student elects to repeat a course more than two times, all grades earned thereafter will be computed in the grade-point average. 

Transcripts contain an appropriate entry indicating that the course has been repeated and the grade-point average has been recomputed.  If a student fails a course twice, only one failure is computed into the  grade-point average.  Students are discouraged from repeating those courses for which a grade of C or better has been earned. 

If a student transfers a course to USC from another institution and subsequently repeats the course at USC, only the credit and grade points earned at USC will be allowed.  Students should be aware that some academic departments place limitations on repetition of courses for majors and/or minors. 

CLASS SCHEDULE CHANGES 

Students are encouraged to secure advisor approval for all schedule changes. When students do not secure such approval, they assume full responsibility for their progress toward meeting degree requirements. 

Students are responsible for processing schedule changes during the drop/add period.  Under no circum-stances shall the instructor assume this responsibility on behalf of the student. 

Continuing students are strongly encouraged to take advantage of the pre-registration process in order to obtain the class schedule which best meets their needs. 

Adding Courses 

Courses may be added to a student’s schedule during the drop/add period, as specified in the class schedules.  Course additions must be processed through the Office of Admissions and Records. 

Addition of Independent Study and Continuing Education 

A resident student may enroll in independent study and continuing education courses only if the addition of such courses will not cause his or her program to exceed the maximum load allowable. 

Dropping Courses 

Courses may be dropped from a student’s schedule through the drop/add period as specified in the semester course bulletin without a record of the dropped course appearing on the student’s permanent  record.  Courses must be dropped officially through the Office of Admissions and Records.  Short or mini-courses may be dropped in the same manner before 15 percent of the course duration has passed. 

Withdrawing from Courses 

WITHDRAWAL FROM THE UNIVERSITY 

To withdraw officially from the university, students must file a withdrawal form with the Office of Admissions and Records. 

Students who withdraw after the end of the drop/add period are not refunded full tuition and fees.  To withdraw officially from the university, students must file a withdrawal form with the Office of Admissions and 
Records.  Withdrawals will not be processed after the last scheduled class day of the semester.  Students residing in the residence hall also must check out at the housing office. 

Retroactive Withdrawal 

Students may request that all grades in a previous semester be retroactively removed and replaced by entries of W on the transcript if they have experienced, during that term, health and/or personal problems so severe that they could not reasonably have been  expected to complete the semester satisfactorily.  The requests must be submitted with documentation of the problem to the Associate Director of Records within one calendar year from the end of the semester for which retroactive withdrawal is being sought.  With the  approval of the Associate Director of Records, the transcript will be changed with a notation of the retroactive withdrawal and the effective date. 

Military Withdrawal 

EXPERIENTIAL CREDIT COURSES

Through cooperative education, internships, field experiences and laboratory research, students in many degree programs have the opportunity to expand knowledge and apply theory in real-life situations.  All experiential credit courses occur under the direction of an academic instructor and are included in the regular university curriculum.  In some cases, such courses are required for majors.  All such courses require registration, and payment of tuition, carry credit, are listed in the catalog and include a planned program of activities outlined in the course syllabus.  The grading system is the same as the system used for regular courses. Supervised work-experience courses are approved for inclusion in veteran’s class schedules under Veterans Administration Regulation 14265. 

Credit for Life Experience 

Some students may seek academic credit for previous out-of-school work experiences in which the job responsibilities were similar to experiences offered in university-sponsored internships and other programs.  Credit for such experiences may be given if the following conditions are met: 

1) The experience must be directly similar to the content of internships, field courses and/or laboratory courses in the regular curriculum; 

2) The student must describe in writing the nature of  the experience and what he or she learned  through it; 

3) The experience and learning also must be documented by the student’s on-the-job supervisor.  Documentation must include a  detailed account of the nature, frequency and  duration of the duties; and 

4) A paper integrating the experiences with subsequent or concurrent classroom instruction  must be submitted and approved. 

The maximum number of credit hours allowed for life experiences is six.  Any amount over six must be approved and justified by the appropriate dean to the provost.  Credit for life experiences is granted only for experience gained within 12-years from the date the degree is expected to be awarded.  Credit for life experiences is subject to the approval of the department chair and the dean of the college in which credit is requested. 

Change of Major 

All changes of major must be made through the Office of Admissions and Records with the approval of the appropriate department chair. 

CLASS ATTENDANCE 

Students are expected to attend all classes for which they are enrolled unless excused by the instructor.  No extensions of vacation periods are given to students regardless of the location of their homes. Non-attendance of classes caused by late registration is considered the same as absence.  Students are not allowed to attend classes for which they are not properly enrolled unless permitted by the instructor.  The university does not have a policy permitting a specific number of cuts or absences from class.  Each instructor establishes an attendance policy for his or her classes and must inform students in writing of the policy at the beginning of the term. However, the student’s grades shall not be affected negatively solely due to absence from class because of participation in university-sanctioned events.  Such university-sanctioned activities may include, but are not limited to:  intercollegiate competition, participation on the forensics team, and field trips.  Class absence due to university-sanctioned participation does not in any way excuse students from completing class preparations, assignments, examinations, or projects. 

Although students may drop classes on their own initiative within time lines established by policy, faculty members have the right to drop students for non-attendance. 

TRANSCRIPTS OF CREDIT 

Official transcripts are issued by the Office of Admissions and Records at the written and signed request of the student.  The non-refundable fee for each official transcript is $5.  Transcript fees must be prepaid before official transcripts will be released. Acceptable methods of payment are cash, personal check, money order, VISA, MasterCard and Discover.  Special fees are charged for special handling (overnight, FedEx, Priority). 

All accounts with the University of Southern Colorado must be settled before an official transcript can be issued.  Transcripts are processed as rapidly as possible and are usually issued within three working  days from the date the signed request is received in the registrar’s office. Students should allow extra time for issuance near the end of semester.  Official transcripts on file from other institutions cannot be relinquished.  USC does not accept E-Mail transcript requests. 

FAXING OF TRANSCRIPTS 

A pre-paid $10 fee is required for a transcript to be faxed to a destination within the United States; the charge is $15 for a transcript faxed outside the country.  Since faxed transcripts are considered as working (unofficial) documents only, the fax will be followed up by an official (hard copy) version to follow by first class mail within three to four working days.  In the event that the student is not eligible to receive an official transcript, i.e., outstanding accounts receivable balance, etc., only the (unofficial) faxed copy can be provided for the above fee. 

HOW TO ORDER A TRANSCRIPT 

Signed transcript requests should include the following 
information: 

• Student’s full name (including maiden or other  name if applicable) 

• Student ID number
• Date of birth 
• The last term the student was enrolled at USC
• Instructions on whether the current semester 
• grades are to be included (this is important when a 
   transcript is ordered near the end of a term) 
• The complete name and address of the agency, 
   school or individuals to whom transcripts are to be sent.
• The student’s signature (This provides USC with 
   the necessary authorization to release  the transcript to the designee.) 

NOTES: 

Transcripts do not include Upward Bound, GED, ACT, SAT, GRE or college class rank information. 

• If someone other than the individual named on the transcript has been authorized to pick up the document in person, they must provide a signed release from the person named on the transcript. 

Payment 

If payment is to be made by credit card, please provide type (VISA, MasterCard or Discover), credit card number, expiration date, name of card holder, address of card holder and daytime phone number. 

If the order is for a faxed transcript, the following 
information is also needed: 

    1) The fax number and name of the person to 
        whose attention the transcript is to be sent 

    2) The name and address to which the 
        subsequent official, hard copy transcript will be
        mailed. 

GRADUATION LIST 

The official graduation list is prepared each term by the Office of Admissions and Records from the official Graduation Planning Sheets. Students will not be eligible to graduate unless their names appear on the list as approved by the Faculty Senate during the graduation term. 

COMMENCEMENT 

Commencement ceremonies are held twice each year, at the end of both the fall and spring semesters. Participation in these ceremonies is based on the understanding that all degree requirements will have  been completed that term (summer graduates exempted).  The official commencement brochure for each ceremony will contain only the names of those students eligible to graduate that particular semester.  Students must participate in the commencement ceremony closest in time to their actual graduation date. (Tentative spring and summer graduates are eligible to participate in the spring ceremony. Likewise, tentative fall graduates are eligible for the fall ceremony.) Any exceptions must be approved by the Provost. Candidates must appear in official academic regalia at commencement exercises. 

Graduation with Honors 

There are three levels of University (baccalaureate degree only) scholastic honors at graduation: summa cum laude, magna cum laude and cum laude.  A minimum of 30 semester hours must be earned at USC for a student to be considered for these honors. 

To graduate summa cum laude, a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.900 is required; for magna cum laude, a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.750 is required; and, for cum laude, a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.500 is required. 

All academic course work completed at regionally accredited institutions will be used in the grade point average calculation towards honors. 

While honors will be listed in the commencement pro-gram for those who may reasonably anticipate them, the listing in the program is not a guarantee of receiving honors.  The listing and reading of cum laude status for degree candidates are based on the grade point aver-ages achieved at the beginning of the student’s final semester.  The official honor awarded, based on the final grade point average, will be noted on the student’s diploma and transcript. 

DIPLOMAS 

Diplomas are dated and awarded to graduating students each semester (fall, spring and summer) upon graduation clearance of each student.  The fall and spring commencement dates and the last day of the summer term are the dates recorded on diplomas and on the transcripts for all students fulfilling degree requirements within a degree granting period.  The diploma is imprinted with the name of the degree awarded and the student’s major. Minors or emphases are not printed on the diploma.  Diplomas will be mailed to graduates approximately six to eight weeks after the end of the term in which the degree is conferred.  Replacement diplomas may be issued for a specified charge upon a request from the original holder who certifies to the loss or damage of the original document. 

PRIVACY RIGHTS OF STUDENTS/DIRECTORY 
INFORMATION 

The university from time to time publishes several bulletins, lists, brochures, catalogs, directories, yearbooks, annuals, guidebooks, news releases, sports information, honor rolls, etc., containing information which specifically identifies students and information about them.  The university is authorized to publish, and will publish such directory information,  collectively or individually, unless a student, by the end of the second week of classes, notifies the student privacy office (Office of Admissions and Records, Administration Building, Room 201) in writing that any or all of the categories listed below (designated directory information) should not be released without prior written consent. 

The following information is considered directory 
information: 

• student name 
• address 
• telephone number
• date and place of birth
• classification 
• major field of study 

participation in officially recognized activities and sports ·weight and  eight of athletes 

• dates of attendance 
• degrees granted and dates conferred
• awards received 
• most recent previous educational agency or 
  Institution attended 
• full or part-time status 
• e-mail address 
• photos 

The university may, however, disclose personally identifiable information from the educational records of a student as provided in section 99.31 of the Student Right to Know Campus Security Act of 1990 without the written consent of the parent or the eligible student if the disclosure is: 

1) other school officials such as administrators, supervisors, faculty, staff or on-campus law enforcement unit personnel within the educational institution who are determined to have legitimate  educational interests; 

2) officials of another school or school system in which the student seeks or intends to enroll, subject to the requirements set forth in section 99.34 of the Act; or 

3) subject to the conditions set forth in 99.31-99.35 of the Act. 

The university may also disclose personally identifiable information from the educational records of a student to appropriate parties in connection with an emergency if knowledge of the information is necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or other individuals. 

REGISTRATION 

Advisement 

All students are required to consult an academic advisor before registering for classes.  The major area assigns academic advisors. Academic advising for degree seeking students who have not selected a major, unclassified students and all first year students  (students with 0-29 credits) regardless of academic major will be handled by the Academic Advising Center, Room 236 of the Psychology Building. 

Registration Procedures 

Details on registration procedures are published in the class schedule bulletin distributed to students well in advance of each registration period. 

Payment of Tuition and Fees 

Tuition and fees are assessed in accordance with approved policies. Instructions for payment and payment deadlines are stated in the class schedule bulletins.  Specific information about tuition and fees is given in the class schedule bulletin each semester.  Contact the Office of Financial Services at (719) 549-2234, Administration Building, Room 212 for more information. 

Change of Address 

Students should keep university authorities informed of their current address.  A change in address should be reported immediately to the Office of Admissions and Records. 

Completion of Student Courses 

The university holds students responsible for completing all courses for which they have enrolled unless they obtain approval for a change in registration or file an official withdrawal.  Students not following proper course or university withdrawal procedures will receive failing grades. 

Immunization Requirement 

Colorado law requires all college students born since January 1, 1957, to be immunized against measles, mumps and rubella. 

Proof of immunity consists of: 

• Measles  -  two doses of live measles vaccine administered after 12 months of age or a blood test showing immunity to measles. 
• Mumps  -  two doses of live mumps vaccine administered after 12 months of age or a blood test showing immunity to mumps.
• Rubella - two doses of live rubella vaccine administered after 12 months of age or a blood test showing immunity to rubella. 

Prior to registration please have verified immunization records sent to Student Health Services, University of Southern Colorado, Pueblo, Colorado 81001-4901 or fax records to (719) 549-2646. 

Booster vaccinations are provided by Student Health Services free of charge if immunizations records indicate that a booster is necessary. For further information, contact the Student Health Services Office at (719) 549-2830. 

UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS 

DEGREE REQUIREMENTS 

Candidates for the baccalaureate degree must satisfy institutional and general education requirements, as well as specific requirements for a major.  Students should plan to complete the basic competency  requirements in the freshman year and should plan to complete the general education requirements in the freshman and sophomore years.  Students must file an approved graduation planning sheet with the Office of Admissions and Records before midterm of the semester prior to the semester in which they plan to graduate. 

INSTITUTIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL 
BACCALAUREATE DEGREES

 1)    Students must successfully complete a minimum of 120 semester hours of credit with an earned grade point average of 2.000 for all USC hours  attempted and included in the GPA computation.  Courses numbered below the 100-level cannot be applied toward graduation; (i.e. ENG 099,  MATH 098, 099, RDG 099).
 
2)     Students must successfully complete a minimum of 40 credit hours in upper-division courses (numbered 300-499).  Upper division credit may be earned only through a four-year institution. 

3)     A minimum of 60 semester hours must be earned from a four-year institution.  Of these, a  minimum of 30 semester hours of credit, as stated in the program of the major, must be earned in residence (courses taken from the University of Southern Colorado) with a minimum  grade point average of 2.000 for all resident hours attempted. (Both on-campus and continuing education for-credit courses are considered resident credit.) 

4)     For degree purposes, USC accepts a maximum of 60 semester hours from community or junior colleges. 

5)     For degree purposes, USC accepts a maximum of 90 semester hours from other four-year institutions. 

6)    Of the last 30 semester credits earned immediately preceding graduation, no more than 15 may be completed at other colleges or universities. 

7)    A maximum of 30 semester hours of  correspondence credit may be applied toward the baccalaureate degree. 

8)     A student may earn a maximum of 30 hours of credit by examination. 

9)    Students must successfully complete the requirements for an approved major program. In addition, they must complete one of the following: (1) a second major, (2) a minor, or (3) 20 credits outside the major field in courses not  used to fulfill general education requirements.  Some major programs may require completion of  a minor or specific related courses outside the major field. 

10)   Students must achieve a minimum grade point average of 2.000 in their major field of study.  (Some majors and programs require higher GPA’s.  Refer to specific program sections of this catalog for details.) 

11)   Students must achieve a minimum grade point average of 2.000 in their minor field of study. 

12)   Students must complete the Skills Component (English Composition I and II, Speech, Computer Usage and Mathematics) with a minimum overall GPA of 2.000. 

13)   Students must satisfactorily complete all general education Requirements as defined and explained in the General Education         Requirements section of the Academic Policies chapter of this catalog. 

14)   Candidates for the bachelor of arts degree must satisfy the foreign language requirement. 

15)   Degree candidates must file a completed Graduation Planning Sheet with the Office of  Admissions and Records the semester before they plan to graduate (check course bulletin for specific deadlines). 

16)   Degrees are issued only at the close of each semester and summer session. 

17)   Degrees will be granted only at the end of the semester during which the student completes all degree requirements. 

18)   Additional majors or minors will not be awarded or posted to a transcript after a baccalaureate degree has been granted. 

19)   Once a baccalaureate degree has been awarded, the student cannot repeat courses in order to improve the undergraduate grade point average. 

20)   Students must meet all financial obligations to the institution. 

MAJOR REQUIREMENTS 

A baccalaureate candidate must select a major and successfully complete all requirements prior to receiving a degree.  The minimum number of required semester hours varies by major but must include a departmentally approved program of at least 30 semester hours of  course work in the program of study. 

Emphasis area/option 

Certain programs of study may specify emphasis or option areas within majors.  Only the official emphasis areas will be recorded on the transcript. 

MINOR OR CREDITS OUTSIDE MAJOR/ 
GENERAL EDUCATION

In addition to a major, all students must complete a second major, a minor, or 20 credits outside the major and general education requirements.  Minors consist of a sequence of courses in a specific academic discipline which are established by the department offering the minor.  General education courses can apply towards the minor and major(s).  A double major satisfies the minor requirement.  Upon graduation, completed majors and minors are recorded on the transcript. 

DOUBLE (SECOND) MAJOR 

Students may choose to complete concurrently the requirements for two majors.  Students seeking a double major must satisfy the requirements of both majors as stated by both departments involved under a single degree program.  The single degree awarded is that  degree appropriate for the first major.  A single diploma is issued which displays both majors and both majors are recorded on the student’s academic transcript. 

After a degree has been awarded, the Office of Admissions and Records does not change the transcript to add additional majors, emphasis areas or minors. 

SECOND BACCALAUREATE DEGREE 

A second baccalaureate degree may be granted in a major area other than that in which the first baccalaureate degree was granted provided the student has met all requirements for the second baccalaureate  degree, including not fewer than 30 semester hours of University of Southern Colorado (resident) credit beyond the first degree with a minimum grade point average of 2.000.  The additional 30 hours of credit must have the approval of the department from which the second degree is to be earned.  Students seeking a second degree are eligible for the Deans’ List and for graduation with distinction. 

The additional credits required for the second degree may be completed concurrently with the credits applying to the first degree and the two degrees may be granted simultaneously, providing all requirements are completed for both degrees.  Simultaneous degrees require two separately completed degree planning sheets as well as the permission of the registrar. 

If the student possesses a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university, the general education and institutional requirements are considered complete. 

BACHELOR OF ARTS DEGREE: FOREIGN 
LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT 

Students seeking the degree of bachelor of arts must complete one of the two options listed below: 

1)     Completion of the second semester of a foreign language (course number 102). 

• Students may test out of the course. 

• Completion of a foreign language course above 102 with a grade of C or better will satisfy the requirement. 

2)     Completion of FL 100, Introduction to Comparative Linguistics, and ANTHR/ENG 106, Language, Thought and Culture. 

International students for whom English is a second language may substitute two semesters of English courses (excluding ENG 101 and ENG 102) for the foreign language requirement. 

GENERAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENT 

To help students achieve these goals, the skills component of the USC general education program is designed to give students the basic literacy, computing and quantitative skills necessary for success in their undergraduate studies and future careers.  The knowledge  component is designed to give students direct experience in the methods of thought and inquiry in three central areas of academic endeavor: the arts and humanities; the social sciences; and the natural sciences and technology. 

Through their experiences in these areas, students develop and refine their ability to 

• participate in a variety of types of critical inquiry and thought, 
• communicate clearly and effectively, 
• investigate and understand important social issues, appreciate the arts and humanities, understand the histories, cultures and experiences of the diverse populations of the United States and the world, and understand the influence of science and technology on social institutions and personal relations. 

The general education requirement for graduation includes a total of 33 semester credits in two categories: 

I. SKILLS COMPONENT

The skills components must be completed with a minimum overall GPA of 2.0.  The requirements included within this component should be completed as early as possible, preferably during the freshman year. 

A. Literacy and Communication Skills (9 credits) 

Take each of the following courses: 

B. Computing Skills (2 credits minimum) 

Take one of the following courses: 

or both of the following courses: 

or a course approved by your major program. Consult your advisor for more information. 

C. Quantitative Skills (3 credits minimum) 

Take one of the following courses: 

MATH 109 or higher (Note: MATH 360, MATH 361, MATH 463 and MATH 477 may not be used to satisfy this requirement.) 

Students who score 23 or better on the mathematics component of the ACT exam are exempted from this requirement. 

II. KNOWLEDGE COMPONENT 

Students need to take General Education Knowledge courses from the list below that meet the following criteria: six credits from two different disciplines in Humanities, six credits from two different disciplines in Social Sciences, and seven credits from two different disciplines in Science and Technology. 

Students must take one course that is designated as cross-cultural. Any of the courses taken to meet the Knowledge requirement may be used to meet the cross-cultural requirement.  Courses that meet the cross-cultural requirement have a (CC) next to their listing. 

Your major may recommend certain courses from this list.  Refer to your major’s catalog description for more information. 

(Note: Cross-listed courses count in the discipline with which they are grouped.  Courses designated by FL, FRN, GER, ITL, RUS and SPN are considered the same discipline.) 

A. Humanities (6 credits) 

Total of six credits from two different disciplines: 

                         *** 

                         ***

                        *** 

                        *** 

                        *** 

                       *** 

B. Social Sciences (6 credits) 

Total of six credits from two different disciplines: 

                       *** 

                       *** 

                       ***

                       *** 

                         ***

                         *** 

                         *** 

                         *** 

                         *** 

C. Science And Technology (7 credits) 

Total of seven credits from two different disciplines, 
including one lab credit: 

                         *** 

                        *** 

                        *** 

                        ***

                        *** 

                        *** 

                        *** 

                        ***

IV. TRANSFER STUDENTS 

The University of Southern Colorado may accept the general education requirements included in the Associate of Arts (AA) or Associate of Science (AS) degree from a regionally accredited two-year or four-
year college as a substitute for USC’s general education requirements.  Transcripts will be reviewed on an individual basis by the Office of Admissions and Records to determine if general education requirements are satisfied. 

In addition, USC accepts the Colorado Community College and Occupational Educational System General Education Core Transfer Program as a substitute for the university’s general education requirements for a student who is certified as having successfully  completed the core curriculum. 

Transfer students from Colorado four-year colleges or universities who have completed general education requirements with a minimum 2.000 grade point average will be considered to have fulfilled USC’s 
general education requirements.  However, only courses with grades of C or better will be accepted for credit in transfer.  It is the student’s responsibility to document that the general education requirements were satisfied at the transfer institution. 

V. READMIT STUDENTS 

Students readmitted to USC must fulfill the requirements in the general education program in effect at the time of readmission. 

VI. COURSE SUBSTITUTIONS/WAIVERS 

Substitutions and/or waivers for courses fulfilling general education requirements must be approved by the associate director of records. 

ASSESSMENT PROGRAM 

Legislation enacted by the Colorado General Assembly requires that: 

1)     institutions of higher education be held accountable for demonstrable improvements in student knowledge, capacities and skills between entrance and graduation; 

2)     such demonstrable improvements be publicly announced and available; 

3)     institutions express clearly to students the expectations for student performance; and 

4)     such improvements be achieved efficiently through the use of student and institutional  resources of time, effort and money. 

The University of Southern Colorado, in response to the aforementioned requirement, has adopted an assessment plan which contains the following provisions: 

1) the basic educational goals for all undergraduates shall be communicated to students in the form of performance expectations for all students; 

2) each department shall develop and publish specific curricular, co-curricular, and appropriate student performance expectations for students by major; 

3) information on student improvement from entrance to graduation shall be collected, used, and publicly reported; 

4) information on after-graduation performance of students shall be  collected by means of surveys of graduates, employers, and graduate/professional schools; 

5) information on student and alumni satisfaction with their education shall be collected by means of surveys and interviews; and 

6) information collected for the accountability report shall be reported annually to the State Board of Agriculture and the Colorado Commission on Higher Education and used for the purposes of  improving the quality of the educational experience at the university. 

In recognition of the evolutionary nature of an accountability and assessment program, the university acknowledges that the provisions of the plan, as they are stated in this catalog, may change at any time during a student’s residence.  The university will make reasonable efforts to inform students of any modifications to the plan. 

BASIC EDUCATIONAL GOALS FOR ALL 
UNDERGRADUATES 

The university requires all students to meet or exceed the following performance expectations: 

1) Fields of Study Goals 

Major Field 

Students shall demonstrate outcomes (proficiency) in the major by a variety of assessments specified by the faculty of the department offering the major.  Faculty will determine and publish the expected  outcomes for each major offered, and the students in the major will be provided with career planning in terms of the expected outcomes. 

Minor Field 

Students shall demonstrate outcomes in the minor by a variety of assessments specified by the faculty of the department offering the minor.  Faculty will determine and publish the expected outcomes for 
each minor offered. 

2) Intellectual Skills Goals 

Literacy Skills 

Students shall demonstrate effective skills in reading, writing, speaking and listening (public and interpersonal communication), visualizing,  computing, locating and documenting sources of information. 

Quantitative Skills 

Students shall demonstrate the ability to understand and interpret numerical and graphical data. 

3) Intellectual Capacities Goals 

Problem Solving, Logical Inquiry and Critical Analysis 

Students shall demonstrate the abilities of identifying, defining and solving complex problems through logical inquiry and creative exploration; engaging in critical analyses; testing hypotheses; and discriminating between observation and inference. 

Assessment of Basic Educational Goals 

To assess the extent to which students meet or exceed the above performance goals, the university requires that students who have completed at least 90 credit hours be subject to interviews, portfolio maintenance, or standardized tests relative to the assessment of basic educational goals. 

To assist students in preparing to meet the performance expectations stated in the basic educational goals provision of the accountability program, the faculty recommend that students: 

1) meet the institutional requirements as early as possible, preferably in the freshman year; and 

2) meet the general education requirements by the end of the sophomore year, to the extent allowed by the degree program. 

Educational Goals for Majors and Minors 

Individual departments expect students to meet or exceed performance expectations as stated in each college/school section of this catalog. 

Departmental assessment plans differ in accordance with requirements of specific disciplines; however, each plan typically includes the following information: 

            Departmental Goals 
            Expected Student Outcomes 
            General Requirements Specific 
            Requirements for Majors 
            Co-curricular Requirements (if any) 
            Outcomes Assessment Activities 

In consideration of the evolutionary nature of departmental assessment plans, departments reserve the right to modify assessment plans as appropriate and necessary.  Students will be notified of any such changes. 

Student Surveys 

The University will conduct surveys during student attendance and for a period of five years after graduation to assess the level of educational 
satisfaction.  Students are strongly encouraged to respond to these surveys and to provide other appropriate forms of feedback so that the University may use the results to continue to improve the quality of  education at USC. 

Dissemination of Results 

Assessment results will be disseminated by the departmental faculty in accordance with the department assessment plan; other results will be available in the Office of the Provost.  Assessment program inquiries may be directed to the director of assessment in care of the Office of the Provost. 

GRADUATION RATE 

Under the Students Right to Know and Campus Security Act of 1990, colleges and universities are required to publish the graduation rate of first-time undergraduate students.  This graduation rate is defined as the percentage of first-time undergraduate students who complete their bachelor’s degree, at USC, within six years of their initial enrollment. First-time undergraduate students are defined as full-time, degree 
seeking undergraduate students who enroll at the University of Southern Colorado with no previous college experien