In Class
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Resolution of Classroom Problems
Faculty have the freedom to teach controversial topics; however, they must refrain from teaching in a biased manner. Furthermore, faculty members are required to teach relevant and appropriate subject matter.
If you believe a faculty member is acting “beyond the limits of academic freedom” you should:
A faculty member should attempt to meet with you in person and in a timely manner to discuss concerns. A faculty member may not allow your choice to address your concerns to affect your grade in his or her class.
Here's the original policy.
If you believe a faculty member is acting “beyond the limits of academic freedom” you should:
- Set up a conference with your professor to discuss your concerns and to potentially eliminate misunderstandings
- If you are uncomfortable with approaching your professor with your concerns or if you and your professor cannot agree in your meeting, you may request to conference with the head of the academic department who may act as a mediator under such circumstances. Without a head of the academic department, you may ask the director of academic affairs or assistant or associate dean to substitute.
- After you complete steps 1 and 2, you may fill out a Classroom Freedom of Expression Mediation Form , which the campus chancellor or college dean will review. After the Mediation form has been reviewed, you will meet with the campus chancellor, college dean, or a representative to discuss decisions made based on your concerns.
A faculty member should attempt to meet with you in person and in a timely manner to discuss concerns. A faculty member may not allow your choice to address your concerns to affect your grade in his or her class.
Here's the original policy.
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Advising Policy
The goals of advising are to:
1. Help you identify and reach academic goals
2. Promote your intellectual discovery
3. Encourage you to take advantage of both in-and-out-of class learning
The University Advising Council is in charge of all of advising, and two students sit on this Council to represent you.
With the help of College Contact Persons (CCPs) for advising, each College and Campus must review the effectiveness of its advising information network and come up with steps for improvement every year.
Your University Park academic college or your commonwealth campus is “responsible for providing [you] with a primary academic adviser.” The college or department will monitor your progress towards graduation and provide you with a degree audit via eLion. The college or campus can only do this, however, if “routinely contact [your] adviser each semester.” Ultimately, you are responsible for your own scheduling, program planning, and graduation time.
Here's the original policy.
1. Help you identify and reach academic goals
2. Promote your intellectual discovery
3. Encourage you to take advantage of both in-and-out-of class learning
The University Advising Council is in charge of all of advising, and two students sit on this Council to represent you.
With the help of College Contact Persons (CCPs) for advising, each College and Campus must review the effectiveness of its advising information network and come up with steps for improvement every year.
Your University Park academic college or your commonwealth campus is “responsible for providing [you] with a primary academic adviser.” The college or department will monitor your progress towards graduation and provide you with a degree audit via eLion. The college or campus can only do this, however, if “routinely contact [your] adviser each semester.” Ultimately, you are responsible for your own scheduling, program planning, and graduation time.
Here's the original policy.
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Division of Undergraduate Studies
A student may be enrolled in the Division of Undergraduate Studies for one or both semesters of his or her first year and up to a maximum of any two semesters beyond the first year.
Baccalaureate candidates who have completed more than 60 credits and associate candidates who have completed more than 30 credits are required to consult with and gain the support of the college or major which change of major is sought before admission to the division can be considered.
A student who has completed the allowed period of enrollment in the Division of Undergraduate Studies and who fails to meet the change-of-major requirements of a college and major is not permitted to continue as a degree candidate at the university until he or she meets the change-of-major requirements.
Here's the original policy.
Baccalaureate candidates who have completed more than 60 credits and associate candidates who have completed more than 30 credits are required to consult with and gain the support of the college or major which change of major is sought before admission to the division can be considered.
A student who has completed the allowed period of enrollment in the Division of Undergraduate Studies and who fails to meet the change-of-major requirements of a college and major is not permitted to continue as a degree candidate at the university until he or she meets the change-of-major requirements.
Here's the original policy.
39-00
Acquisition of Credit
On average, a total of at least 40 hours of work planned and arranged by university faculty is required to gain one credit, in which about a third of a student’s time is to be spent in class while the remaining two thirds is to be spent during outside preparation. Formal classes are typically 12.5 hours per credit. Class attendance should be encouraged by instructors, with each such instructor using his or her judgment as to when the failing of a student on the basis of poor attendance is merited. Instructors should be reasonable regarding make-up opportunities for students but should deny students the opportunity to do so if advance notice is not provided in the event of unavoidable circumstances
A grade of “C” or higher must be earned in an examination for “credit by examination” to be awarded. “Credit by examination” is not allowable in place of any course previously completed, for which a quality letter grade has been assigned, or for credit awarded, or for credit earned through Advanced Placement (AP). Credit by examination does not result in a quality grade and is not included in the calculation of a student’s GPA.
Credit for courses completed at other institutions and graded the equivalent of an “A”-“C” at Penn State may be obtained through credit by validation when the admissions office is unable to determine the transferability of a course through other means. Credits may be transferred but grade points may not.
Credits may be accepted from post-secondary institutions that are accredited by any of the six regional accrediting commissions in the United States if:
The World Education Series is used as a guideline for providing international students with credit for college-level classes taken at secondary level.
Other Ways of obtaining credit:
Here's the original policy.
A grade of “C” or higher must be earned in an examination for “credit by examination” to be awarded. “Credit by examination” is not allowable in place of any course previously completed, for which a quality letter grade has been assigned, or for credit awarded, or for credit earned through Advanced Placement (AP). Credit by examination does not result in a quality grade and is not included in the calculation of a student’s GPA.
Credit for courses completed at other institutions and graded the equivalent of an “A”-“C” at Penn State may be obtained through credit by validation when the admissions office is unable to determine the transferability of a course through other means. Credits may be transferred but grade points may not.
Credits may be accepted from post-secondary institutions that are accredited by any of the six regional accrediting commissions in the United States if:
- The coursework is substantially equivalent to that at Penn State
- The credits from other institutions, if not already in semester hours, are converted to semester hours of credit
- Institutions outside of the United States may also count toward credit transfers as long as they are accredited by one of the six U.S. accrediting commissions or is recognized in its country as such
The World Education Series is used as a guideline for providing international students with credit for college-level classes taken at secondary level.
Other Ways of obtaining credit:
- Credit through AP examinations; the guidelines may be changed annually upon review by facult
- The College Level Examination Program (CLEP) is supported by Penn State but with limitations (total number of credits awarded cannot exceed 60 under any circumstances)
- Credit through the submission of a portfolio is allowable under specific circumstances, with credit awarded in a manner equivalent to that of transfer credit
- Educational experiences in the armed forces is also allowed upon certification by the Department of Defense.
Here's the original policy.
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Syllabus
A written syllabus must be provided to you in each course within the first ten calendar days of a semester or its equivalent. A syllabus must contain information on the following subjects: course content, expectations, course examination policy, basis for grades, and academic integrity policy for the course. Any and all changes made to the syllabus must be given to you in writing.
Here's the original policy.
Here's the original policy.
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Exams
Professors must give you written notice of exam procedures in the first 10 days of the semester. No more than 10% of a semester's grade may be assigned to you in the week before finals. If you have no final exam in a course, any whole semester integrative assignments must be due before the first day of final's week.
Conflict occurs when you are scheduled for two or more exams in the same exam period. You may file for an overload conflict if three or more finals are scheduled in one day, or your finals are scheduled in three consecutive exam periods.
No more than four evening exams per course may be assigned. Evening exams must be announced to you by the first week of the semester. If you have more than one exam scheduled in any one evening, you may reschedule one as a conflict exam. Evening exams that conflict with any University Approved Activities can be rescheduled as long as documentation is provided.
Here's the original policy.
Conflict occurs when you are scheduled for two or more exams in the same exam period. You may file for an overload conflict if three or more finals are scheduled in one day, or your finals are scheduled in three consecutive exam periods.
No more than four evening exams per course may be assigned. Evening exams must be announced to you by the first week of the semester. If you have more than one exam scheduled in any one evening, you may reschedule one as a conflict exam. Evening exams that conflict with any University Approved Activities can be rescheduled as long as documentation is provided.
Here's the original policy.