ACADEMIC REGULATIONS
Proper discharge of all duties is required at Clemson University, and
a student's first duty is his/her scholastic work. All students should
be thoroughly acquainted with these basic requirements.
CREDIT SYSTEM
The semester hour is the basis of all credits. Generally, one recitation
hour or two-three laboratory hours a week for a semester constitute a semester
hour. Thus, in HIST 172 Western Civilization 3(3,0), as this subject is
listed in the Courses of Instruction section of this catalog, the
student takes three semester hours. When the course is completed satisfactorily,
three credit hours are entered on the student's record. The notation "3(3,0)"
means that the course carries three credits, has three clock hours of theory
or recitation per week, and no laboratory hours. CH 101 General Chemistry
4(3,3) carries four semester hours, has three hours of theory and a three-hour
laboratory period.
Credit Load
Except for an entering freshman who is restricted to the curriculum requirements
of his/her major, the credit load for an undergraduate must be approved
by the class advisor. The class advisor will approve a credit load deemed
in the best interest of the student based on such factors as course requirements,
grade-point ratio, participation in other activities, and expected date
of graduation.
For fall and spring semesters, the maximum number of hours in which
a student may enroll is 21, and 15 hours is the maximum credit load for
those on probation. Permission of the student's academic advisor is required
for all registration in more than 21 hours, or 15 hours for those on probation.
Enrollment in summer is limited to three credit hours in Maymester, seven
credit hours in first summer session, and seven credit hours in second
summer session. Enrollment in additional credit hours must be approved
by the student's academic advisor.
Students are not permitted to enroll in courses with overlapping class
times.
Full-Time Enrollment
In fall and spring semesters, enrollment in 12 or more credit hours
is considered full time. Combined enrollment in 12 or more hours in Maymester
and first and second summer terms is considered full time for the summer.
Enrollment in fewer than 12 credit hours is part time.
Advanced Placement and Credit by Examination
In addition to earning credit by the usual method involving classroom attendance,
a student may receive credit toward his/her degree by completing a course
successfully by examination only. Freshmen
interested in exempting some elementary courses in this manner should
participate in the College Board Advanced Placement Examination program
and have the results of these tests sent to Clemson.
Certain departments will also grant credit for successful completion
of College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) subject examinations which
are administered by the College Board.
Enrolled students may earn credit by means of a special examination
without the necessity of class attendance subject to the following requirements:
1. The applicant must present evidence that he/she has received training
or taken work which is approximately equivalent to that given in the course
at Clemson for which an examination is requested.
2. The applicant must not have previously failed or audited the course
at Clemson.
3. The applicant must apply in writing for the examination; the request
must be approved by the instructor, chair of the department in which the
course is taught, and the Enrolled Student Services Office. Application
forms are available in the Enrolled Student Services Office, 104 Sikes
Hall.
Credit (CR) will be awarded for acceptable work in lieu of letter grades
in recognition of college-level achievement as determined by College Board
Advanced Placement Examination, International Baccalaureate Program, College-Level
Examination Program subject examination, institutional special examinations,
and similar instruments.
Transfer Credit
For Clemson students, coursework completed with a grade of C or better
at other regionally accredited institutions, including correspondence courses,
telecourses, and appropriate exemption credit, will be evaluated for transfer
in terms of equivalent courses included in the Clemson curriculum of the
student's choice. This does not guarantee that all courses taken at other
institutions will be accepted for transfer. The acceptability of each course
or exemption will be based on an evaluation by the faculty concerned. Coursework
earned at different institutions will not be joined to equate with one
Clemson course. No course taken at a nonbaccalaureate-degree granting institution
may be used as an equivalent or substitute for any 300- or 400-level Clemson
course. Relative to continuing enrollment, graduation, and transcripts,
only grades earned at Clemson are used in computing the student's grade-point
ratio. Grades earned in qualifying transfer courses will be used in calculating
the student's grade-point ratio for the South Carolina Life Scholarship
awards.
Learning experiences including, but not limited to, military service
schools, non-collegiate sponsored instruction, work related experiences,
etc. will not be evaluated for transfer; however, enrolled students may
request credit by examination for any non-transferable learning experience.
For additional information, see Advanced Placement and Credit by Examinationabove.
The student should obtain approval of each course prior to scheduling
the class. By obtaining advance approval, the student is assured of receiving
proper
credit at Clemson upon satisfactory completion of the course. Information
and forms relative to this approval may be obtained in the Enrolled Student
Services Office, 104 Sikes Hall.
Learning Experiences
All "for credit" learning experiences conducted with organizations other
than accredited higher education institutions must be regularly supervised
by appropriate members of the Clemson University faculty or staff. The
student must be enrolled at the time the credit is generated, and the level
of credit (grade) is the responsibility of the faculty member(s) in the
discipline from which the grade originates.
External Education Experiences
In all "for credit" external educational programs which Clemson University
may have with professional, vocational, technical, clinical, and foreign
study, the agreements are to be agreed to through signature of the Provost
and the President. In such cases, learning experiences for which credit
is awarded must be under the ultimate control and supervision of Clemson
University.
GRADING SYSTEM
The grading system is as follows:
A--Excellent indicates work of a very high character, the highest
grade given.
B--Good indicates work that is definitely above average, though
not of the highest quality.
C--Fair indicates work of average or medium character.
D--Pass indicates work below average and unsatisfactory, the
lowest passing grade.
F--Failed indicates that the student knows so little of the subject
that it must be repeated in order that credit can be received.
I--Incomplete indicates that a relatively small part of the semester's
work remains undone. Grade I is not given a student who made a grade
F
on his/her daily work. The incomplete grade is calculated as an F
in the student's grade-point ratio until the work is made up and a final
grade is assigned. Students are allowed thirty days after the beginning
of the next scheduled session, excluding summers and regardless of the
student's enrollment status, to remove the incomplete grade. Normally,
only one extension for each I may be granted, and this under unusual
circumstances. The extension must be approved in writing by the instructor
of the course and the chair of the department in which the course was taken.
The extension will indicate the nature and amount of work to be completed
and the time limit. (Students under this policy are prohibited from removing
the I by repeating the course.) A letter grade of I converts
to F unless the incomplete is removed within the time specified.
W--Withdrew indicates that the student withdrew from the course
or was withdrawn by the instructor after the first two weeks of classwork
and prior to the last seven weeks of classes, not including the examination
period. Proportionate time periods apply during summer and other shortened
sessions. Each undergraduate student is allowed to withdraw or be withdrawn
with a grade of W from no more than 17 hours of coursework during
the entire academic career at Clemson University. Transfer students may
withdraw from no more than 12 percent of the total work remaining to be
done in the chosen undergraduate curriculum at the time of transfer to
Clemson University up to a total of 17 hours of coursework, whichever is
fewer. Partial credit for courses cannot be dropped. A student who exceeds
these limits of hours or who is enrolled during any part of the last seven
weeks of classes shall have final grades recorded. A student may
withdraw from the University subject to the restrictions above. Additionally,
pending approval from the provost or the provost's designee, students may
withdraw from Clemson University one time only during their academic careers
prior to the final seven weeks of classes (proportionate time periods apply
during summer and other shortened sessions), without reduction from their
allotted W hours. Any variance from these restrictions must be approved
by the provost or the provost's designee and must be requested within 90
calendar days (exclusive of summer vacation) of the date of the last exam
for the term. The student must document the circumstances supporting the
request. For financial aid purposes, enrollment is defined and satisfactory
academic progress levels are established as of the last day to register
or add classes. Withdrawal can negatively impact financial aid eligibility
if a student does not complete a sufficient number of hours. Details are
available in the publication Financing Your Clemson University Education.
Grade-Point Ratio
In calculating a student's grade-point ratio, the total number of grade
points accumulated by the student is divided by the total number of credit
hours attempted at Clemson during the semester, session, or other period
for which the grade-point ratio is calculated. For each credit hour, the
student receives grade points as follows: A-4, B?3, C-2, D-1. No grade
points are assigned for grades F, I, P, or W.
Pass/Fail Option
Juniors or Seniors enrolled in four-year curricula may take four courses
(maximum of 15 credit hours), with not more than two courses in a given
semester on a Pass/Fail basis. Transfer and five-year program students
may take Pass/Fail courses on a pro rata basis. Only courses to be used
as electives may be taken optionally as Pass/Fail.
Letter-graded courses which have been failed may not be repeated Pass/Fail.
Registration in Pass/Fail courses will be handled in the same manner
as for regular enrollment. Departmental approval must be obtained via approval
form and returned to the Registrar's Office in accordance with the University
calendar for adding courses. Instructors will submit letter grades to the
Registration Services Office. These grades will be converted as follows:
A,
B,
C
to P (pass); D, F to
F (fail). Only
P
(minimum letter grade of C) or F
will be shown on a student's
permanent record and will not affect the grade-point ratio.
If a student changes to a major which requires a previously passed course,
and this course has been taken Pass/Fail, he/she may request either to
take the course on a letter-graded basis, the P be changed to C,
or substitution of another course.
In the event limited enrollment in a class is necessary, priority will
be given as follows: majors, letter-graded students, Pass/Fail students,
and auditors.
Dropping Classwork
A subject dropped after the first two weeks of class-work and prior to
the last seven weeks during the fall and spring semesters is recorded as
W--Withdrew.
Proportionate time periods apply during summer sessions.
Mid-term Grades
Once, near mid-term, but no later than two days before the last day students
can drop courses without receiving final grades, instructors of every undergraduate
course shall make available for each student (a) that student's ranking
to-date in that course or (b) that student's course grade to-date, relative
to the grading system stated in the course syllabus. More frequent feedback
is strongly encouraged.
Both student and instructor are to recognize that this feedback reflects
the student's performance up to that point in time, and as such, that student's
final course grade may change based upon subsequent coursework performance(s).
The policy includes all undergraduate courses and applies to all terms,
including Maymester and summer sessions.
Final Examinations
The standing of a student in his/her work at the end of a semester is based
upon daily classwork, tests or other work, and final examinations. Faculty
members may excuse from final examinations all students having the grade
of A on the coursework prior to the final examination. For all other
students, written examinations are required in all subjects at the end
of each semester, except in certain laboratory or practical courses in
which final examinations are not deemed necessary by the department faculty.
Final examinations must be given on the dates and at the times designated
in the final examination schedule.
Grade Reports
Students may use the Internet, telephone, or the campus computer network
to access their end-of-term grades. Final grade reports are mailed to undergraduate
students on academic probation and to other students upon request. Request
forms are available in the Offices of Enrolled Student Services and Registration
Services.
Continuing Enrollment Policy
At the end of any enrollment period, a notice of academic probation shall
be placed on the grade report of an undergraduate student if his/her cumulative
grade-point ratio is below 2.0, which is the minimum necessary for graduation.
In the event that a student is placed on academic probation, notification
to that effect will be placed on the grade report for that session in which
the student's academic deficiency occurred and for each session the student
remains on probation. The student who clears probation by returning to
the graduating academic requirement (2.0) will have notice to that effect
placed on the grade report for that session. No notation concerning probation
is placed on the student's permanent record.
A student on academic probation will be subject to suspension or dismissal
at the end of the spring semester if his/her cumulative grade-point ratio
is below the minimum cumulative grade-point ratio (MCGPR). Students entering
Clemson University for the first time will not be subject to suspension
or dismissal until they have attempted coursework at Clemson for two semesters,
fall or spring, (not necessarily consecutive enrollment). The MCGPR is
2.0 for students with credit levels (CL) greater than or equal to 95 hours.
For students with credit levels less than 95 hours, the MCGPR is given
in the table below. CL in the table is the student's credit level, based
on all credits taken at Clemson, plus any advanced standing received from
transfer credits and credits based on approved examination programs.
Students have several options to avoid suspension or dismissal after
the spring semester. One option is to pass at least 12 credit hours and
earn a 2.2 or higher semester grade-point ratio in the spring semester.
Another option is to enroll in summer session(s) and have regular enrollment
reinstated immediately if the summer school work brings the cumulative
grade-point ratio above the MCGPR or if the student passes a minimum of
12 credit hours and earns a 2.2 or higher grade-point ratio during Maymester,
first, and/or second summer sessions. The final option to avoid suspension
or dismissal is to appeal to the Appeals Committee on Continuing Enrollment
at the end of the spring term or second summer session. This committee
meets approximately one week after final examinations in the fall, spring,
and second summer session. Students should contact the Office of Undergraduate
Academic Services for a schedule of meeting dates. Appeals must be in the
Office of Undergraduate Academic Services no later than three days prior
to the Appeals Committee meeting. An appeal must include a letter from
the student giving a complete explanation of his/her poor academic performance.
To the extent possible, verifiable documentation should also be included.
Students are strongly encouraged to submit a letter of recommendation directly
to the chair of the Appeals Committee on Continuing Enrollment from the
appropriate department chair (or designee) or academic advisor stating
support of the student for continued enrollment in that department. Appeals
will be granted only in the most exceptional cases, and a student will
be allowed to continue on an appeal only once prior to dismissal. Students
who return on a successful appeal must meet the conditions specified by
the Appeals Committee on Continuing Enrollment.
When a student is suspended or dismissed for academic reasons, ineligibility
to continue officially commences on the first day of classes of the very
next semester (fall or spring, as appropriate) immediately following the
decision of ineligibility. Suspension is for one semester only and the
student is guaranteed readmission the following term.
A student who has been dismissed may file a petition for readmission
with the Appeals Committee on Continuing Enrollment after one calendar
year. If this petition is denied, the student may file subsequent petitions
for readmission after any intervening term of enrollment. Dismissed students
who are readmitted and again fail to meet the requirements for continuing
enrollment will be permanently dismissed and may not appeal to continue.
This continuing enrollment appeals process is separate from the unsatisfactory
academic progress appeal with Student Financial Aid. Students subject to
suspension or dismissal must be allowed to continue enrollment before submitting
a satisfactory academic progress appeal for financial aid eligibility.
Further information on satisfactory academic progress is available in the
Financial
Information section of this catalog and in the publication
Financing
Your Clemson University Education.
| CL |
MCGPR |
| 16 |
1.28 |
| 17 |
1.31 |
| 18 |
1.35 |
| 19 |
1.37 |
| 20 |
1.40 |
| 21 |
1.43 |
| 22 |
1.45 |
| 23 |
1.47 |
| 24 |
1.50 |
| 25 |
1.52 |
| 26 |
1.53 |
| 27 |
1.55 |
| 28 |
1.57 |
| 29 |
1.59 |
| 30 |
1.60 |
| 31 |
1.62 |
| 32 |
1.63 |
| 33 |
1.64 |
| 34 |
1.66 |
| 35 |
1.67 |
| 36 |
1.68 |
| 37 |
1.69 |
| 38 |
1.70 |
| 39 |
1.72 |
| 40 |
1.73 |
| 41 |
1.74 |
| 42 |
1.75 |
| 43 |
1.75 |
| 44 |
1.76 |
| 45 |
1.77 |
| 46 |
1.78 |
| 47 |
1.79 |
| 48 |
1.79 |
| 49 |
1.80 |
| 50 |
1.81 |
| 51 |
1.82 |
| 52 |
1.82 |
| 53 |
1.83 |
| 54 |
1.84 |
| 55 |
1.84 |
| 56 |
1.85 |
| 57 |
1.85 |
| 58 |
1.86 |
| 59 |
1.86 |
| 60 |
1.87 |
| 61 |
1.88 |
| 62 |
1.88 |
| 63 |
1.89 |
| 64 |
1.89 |
| 65 |
1.89 |
| 66 |
1.90 |
| 67 |
1.90 |
| 68 |
1.91 |
| 69 |
1.91 |
| 70 |
1.92 |
| 71 |
1.92 |
| 72 |
1.92 |
| 73 |
1.93 |
| 74 |
1.93 |
| 75 |
1.93 |
| 76 |
1.94 |
| 77 |
1.94 |
| 78 |
1.94 |
| 79 |
1.95 |
| 80 |
1.95 |
| 81 |
1.95 |
| 82 |
1.96 |
| 83 |
1.96 |
| 84 |
1.96 |
| 85 |
1.97 |
| 86 |
1.97 |
| 87 |
1.97 |
| 88 |
1.97 |
| 89 |
1.98 |
| 90 |
1.98 |
| 91 |
1.98 |
| 92 |
1.99 |
| 93 |
1.99 |
| 94 |
1.99 |
| 95+ |
2.00 |
| The values on this table are based on the following formula: MCGPR
= 2.25 X (CL/(CL + 12)) |
Grade Protests
A student wishing to protest a final course grade must first try to resolve
any disagreement with the instructor. If unable to reach a resolution,
the student may follow the procedures listed under Academic Grievance
Committee. Grievances must be filed within 90 calendar days
(exclusive of summer vacation) of the date of the last exam for the term.
Repeating Courses Passed
A student may repeat a course passed with a grade lower than B.
If the grade is a D and the student has sufficient W hours
and sufficient Academic Redemption hours, the Academic Redemption Policy
below will apply. Otherwise, both grades will be calculated in the grade-point
ratio. In either case, credit for the course will be counted only once
toward the number of hours required for graduation. For financial aid purposes,
duplicate credits do not count as credits completed for satisfactory academic
progress. If a student repeats a course passed with a grade of B
or better, the credits attempted as well as credits and grade points earned
will be removed from the cumulative summary.
Repeating Courses Failed
A student who has failed a course cannot receive credit for that course
until it has been satisfactorily repeated hour for hour in a class; except
that in the case of corelated laboratory work, the number of hours to be
taken shall be determined by the instructor. Where separate grades for
class and laboratory work are given, that part of the subject shall be
repeated in which the failure occurs. Successfully repeating a course previously
graded F does not erase the original F grade from the student's
record. If a student repeats a course in which the previous grade was F
and the student has not exhausted his/her allotment of W hours or
Academic Redemption hours, the Academic Redemption Policy below will apply.
Otherwise, both grades appear on the record and are computed in the cumulative
grade-point ratio.
Academic Redemption Policy
The Academic Redemption Policy (ARP) allows a student to repeat up
to nine hours of coursework in which a D or F was earned
if he/she has sufficient W hours remaining. In all cases, the grade
earned in the course used to redeem the earlier course will be used in
computing the grade-point ratio and satisfying degree reqirements. When
the earlier grade is D and the second grade is F, the student
cannot use the D grade to satisfy any degree requirement.
The ARP will apply to all enrolled undergraduate students beginning
fall semester 2003. Courses taken prior to fall semester 2003 may
not be considered for academic redemption. The following conditions apply:
For students with sufficient W hours, the first nine hours of
repeated coursework will automatically be computed for academic redemption,
and these hours will be deducted from the student's W hours. If
sufficient W hours are not available, the ARP will not apply.
Both grades will remain on the transcript, degree progress report, and
other official documents. For financial aid purposes, courses repeated
under this policy resulting in duplicate credit do not count for satisfactory
academic progress.
If a student drops a repeated course during the period in which the
Academic Calendar indicates a W grade is assigned, then both the
ARP hours and W hours will be subtracted from the student's remaining
ARP and W hours.
The ARP shall apply only to courses taken at Clemson University. The
earlier course graded D or F can only be redeemed by repeating
the same course. Course substitutions are not permitted.
Students may not invoke the ARP after they have graduated. After graduation,
students may repeat coursework, but both grades will be calculated in the
grade-point ratio.
The ARP may not be applied to a course taken on a Pass/Fail basis or
to any course in which the student was previously found guilty of academic
dishonesty.
CLASSWORK
Academic Advising
Each student is assigned an academic advisor in his/her major area. It
is the responsibility of the student to consult with the advisor during
registration. The advisor will assist the student in scheduling courses
so as to fulfill the requirements of the degree program; nevertheless,
it is the responsibility of the student to fulfill the relevant requirements
of the degree. Advisors also maintain files on individual advisees to assist
in academic planning.
Course Prerequisites
Prerequisites for each course are enumerated in the Courses of Instruction
section
of this catalog. In addition to these requirements, colleges and departments
may also establish other standards as conditions for enrollment. It is
the student's responsibility to refer to individual college and curricular
in
formation for specific standards.
Class Attendance
College work proceeds at such a pace that regular attendance is necessary
for each student to obtain maximum benefits from instruction. Regular and
punctual attendance at all class and laboratory sessions is a student obligation,
and each student is responsible for all the work, including tests and written
work, in all class and laboratory sessions. No right or privilege exists
that permits a student to be absent from any given number of class or laboratory
sessions except as stated in the syllabus for each course. At the same
time, it is obvious that students have valid reasons for missing classes;
the instructors are expected to be reasonable in the demands they place
on students. In this regard, instructors must inform the students in the
syllabus required in every class what constitutes excessive absences and
the penalty, if any, for such absences. Faculty who impose penalties for
excessive absences must keep accurate attendance records.
Some students are on scholarships and/or grants-in-aid overseen by the
University Scholarships and Awards Committee. The acceptance of such scholarships
and/or grants-in-aid may require participation in events both on and off
campus. Additionally, students occasionally are required to miss class
because of participation in co-curricular activities, such as class trips,
that the faculty members note on their syllabi. The student must discuss
these activities with the faculty members whose classes will be missed
well in advance of their occurrences. The documentable absences are necessary,
and the instructor will make arrangements for those students to make up
graded work that takes place during those necessary absences. The time,
location, and nature of the make-up work will be at the discretion of the
instructor. If required, documentation will be provided to instructors
by students.
Instructors are expected to set reasonable policies in working with
those student personal documentable absences that are truly beyond the
student's control. After reviewing the reason for the absence, the instructor
at his/her discretion may allow the student to make up the graded work
missed.
All other aspects of class attendance are within the discretion of the
instructor, department, or college responsible for the course. If a student
feels unfairly treated in any attendance-related situation, the student
has the right of appeal to the Academic Grievance Committee.
First Day Class Attendance
All students are required to attend the first scheduled day of classes
and labs. Students who cannot attend the first class are responsible for
contacting the instructor to indicate their intent to remain in that class.
If a student does not attend the first class meeting or contact the instructor
by the second meeting or the last day to add, whichever comes first, the
instructor has the option of dropping that student from the roll.
Dead Days
During Dead Days, all regularly scheduled classes are conducted; however,
course testing on these days is limited to scheduled laboratory and one-semester-hour
course final exams and make-up tests. Dead Days are observed during fall
and spring semesters only. Dead Days do not apply to courses numbered 600
or above.
Auditing Policies
Qualified students may audit courses upon written approval of the instructor.
Auditors are under no obligation of regular attendance, preparation, recitation,
or examination and receive no credit. Participation in classroom discussion
and laboratory exercises by auditors is at the discretion of the instructor.
A student who has previously audited a course is ineligible for credit
by examination.
Undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in 12 or more hours may
audit courses at no additional charge. Others interested in auditing should
verify their eligibility through the Registrar's Office.
Combined Bachelor's/Master's Plan
Under this plan, students may reduce the time necessary to earn both degrees
by applying graduate credits to both undergraduate and graduate program
requirements.
To be eligible for this plan, students must have completed their bachelor's
curriculum through the junior year (minimum 94 credits) and have a minimum
overall grade-point ratio of 3.40. Information and application forms are
available from the Grad-uate School Office. Endorsements by the program
coordinator or department chair of both programs are required. If accepted,
students will be given conditional admission to the master's program pending
completion of their bachelor's degrees and submission of satisfactory GRE
or GMAT scores, if required. Combined Plan students are not eligible for
graduate appointments for financial aid until their Bachelor's degrees
have been awarded.
A maximum of 12 credits of graduate courses in the master's program
may be applied to the bachelor's program. As determined by the participating
bachelor's program, graduate courses may be applied to the bachelor's degree
as free or technical electives, or by substitution of 800-level courses
for required undergraduate courses. Under no circumstances can 600-level
counterparts of courses required in the bachelor's program be counted toward
master's requirements.
Not all programs may choose to participate in the Combined Bachelor's/Master's
Plan. Those bach-elor's programs that do participate may permit fewer than
12 graduate credits to count toward the bachelor's degree. Furthermore,
the bachelor's programs determines the acceptability of specific graduate
courses to meet their curriculum requirements, and the participating master's
programs control admission of students into their programs and their courses.
Students should consult individual academic units for specific requirements.
Enrollment in Graduate Courses
Enrollment of Clemson University seniors in any graduate course is subject
to approval by the department offering the course and the Graduate School.
This approval is required prior to registration. Approval forms are available
from the Graduate School Office in E-106 Martin Hall or on the Web.
The
total course workload for the semester must not exceed 18 hours, and the
cumulative graduate credits earned by seniors shall not exceed 12 semester
hours.
Seniors with a cumulative grade point ratio of 3.0 or higher may enroll
in 700- or 800-level courses and may use these courses to meet requirements
for the bachelor's degree; however, courses used for this purpose cannot
be counted later toward an advanced degree. Alternatively, such students
may take 600-, 700-, or 800-level courses in excess of the requirements
for their undergraduate degrees and may request that these courses be included
as a part of their graduate program if they are subsequently admitted to
the Graduate School. Courses cannot be taken at the 600 level if their
400-level counterparts are required for the undergraduate degree in the
same academic major as the proposed graduate degree.
A Clemson senior with a cumulative grade-point ratio less than 3.0 may
apply to the Graduate School for conditional acceptance. If accepted, the
student may enroll in graduate courses for inclusion in a future graduate
program, subject to approval of Form GS6. The form must be turned in and
accepted by the Graduate School before a student can register for graduate
courses.
In all cases, the credits and quality points associated with senior
enrollment in graduate courses will be part of the undergraduate record.
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS
A candidate for an undergraduate degree is a student who has turned in
a completed diploma application by the deadline prescribed in the University
calendar for a particular graduation date.
Residence Requirement
To qualify for an undergraduate degree, a student must complete through
instruction from Clemson a minimum of 37 of the last 43 credits presented
for the degree. (To qualify for the five-year professional undergraduate
degree in Landscape Architecture, a student must complete through instruction
from Clemson, a minimum of 42 of the last 48 credits presented for the
degree.)
Make-up of Incompletes Received in Last Semester
A candidate for a degree who receives one or more grades of I in
the semester immediately prior to graduation shall have an opportunity
to remove the unsatisfactory grades provided the final grades are received
in the Registration Services Office, E-206 Martin Hall, by the time grades
for candidates for graduation are due. A student who qualifies for graduation
under this regulation will be awarded his/her degree on the regular date
for the award of degrees.
Special Requirements
A cumulative grade-point ratio of 2.0 is required for graduation, and candidates
for degrees must be officially accepted in the major in which they are
applying for a degree in the term prior to application for the degree.
Candidates for degrees are required to apply for their diplomas within
three weeks following the opening of the final semester or the opening
of the first summer session prior to the date the degrees are to be awarded.
Application forms are available in the Enrolled Student Services Office,
104 Sikes Hall.
Awarding of Degrees Posthumously
An undergraduate student may be awarded a degree posthumously on the recommendation
of the faculty of the college concerned subject to the following conditions:
-
the student had at least a 2.0 grade-point ratio at time of death
-
including credits scheduled in the term in which death occurred, the student
a) had satisfied 75% of the degree requirements and b) met the residency
requirement for a degree which requires that 37 of the last 43 credits
presented for a degree be earned at Clemson.
Credit Limitation
If all work toward a degree is not completed within six years after entrance,
the student may be required to take additional courses.
Academic Honors
Honor Graduates
To be graduated with honors, a student must have a minimum cumulative
grade-point ratio as follows: cum laude--3.4, magna cum laude--3.7, and
summa cum laude--3.9.
Honor Lists
At the end of the fall and spring semesters, the following lists shall
be compiled of undergraduate students who have achieved grade-point ratios
of 3.5?4.0 on a minimum of 12 semester hours, exclusive of Pass/Fail coursework.
Dean's List--3.5 to 3.99 grade-point ratio
President's List--4.0 grade-point ratio
Honors and Awards
The University offers a number of awards for out- standing achievement
in specific fields and endeavors. Recipients are chosen by selection committees
and are announced at the annual Honors and Awards Day program or other
appropriate ceremonies. Detailed information relating to such awards is
available in the offices of the academic deans and department chairs.
ACADEMIC RECORDS
The student's permanent academic record is maintained in the Registrar's
Office and contains personal identifying information, grades, and credits.
Where appropriate, statements of a corrective nature, withdrawals, suspension
for failure to meet academic standards, suspension for disciplinary reasons,
and graduation data are added. The academic record is a historical record
of the student's academic progress.
Classification
All new students are classified as freshmen unless they have attended another
college prior to entrance. Students who have completed college work elsewhere
will be classified on the basis of semester hours accepted at Clemson rather
than the amount of work presented. To be classified as a member of any
class other than freshman, students must meet the credit-hour requirements
below:
Sophomore--minimum 30 credit hours
Junior--minimum 60 credit hours
Senior--minimum 95 credit hours
Change of Major
Any undergraduate student who meets the Continuing Enrollment Policy after
attempting 12 credit hours at Clemson University (or who is allowed to
continue by virtue of a semester 2.2 grade-point ratio on 12 earned credits
or who is allowed to continue through appeal to the Continuing Enrollment
Appeals Committee or by other authorization of this committee) may transfer
from one major to another. Any college or department which seeks an exception
to this policy must have the approval of the collegiate dean and the provost.
Withdrawal from the University
A student may withdraw from the University subject to the restrictions
in the section on WWithdrew. Students who exceed these restrictions
shall have final grades recorded. Any variance from the restrictions must
be approved by the provost or the provost's designee and must be requested
within 90 calendar days (exclusive of summer vacation) of the date of the
last exam for the term. The student must document the circumstances supporting
the request. All University withdrawals (including withdrawing from the
only course in which a student is enrolled) must be processed by the Associate
Dean of Undergraduate Academic Services. Students should report to E-108
Martin Hall. Students receiving financial aid who withdraw from the University
may have to repay significant portions of their financial aid. For financial
aid purposes, enrollment is defined and satisfactory academic progress
levels are established as of the last day to register or add classes. Withdrawing
from the University can negatively impact financial aid eligibility if
a student has not completed a sufficient number of hours. Details are available
in the publication Financing Your Clemson University Education.
Academic Renewal
The student who has not enrolled at Clemson for a period of two or more
academic years may apply to the Appeals Committee on Continuing Enrollment
for readmission under special conditions known as academic renewal. Under
these conditions, the previous credits attempted and quality-point deficit
will not constitute a liability in a new grade-point computation; however,
no credits passed or their attending quality points will be available to
the student for a degree at Clemson. The previous record will appear on
the permanent record as well as the notation of readmission under the policy
of academic renewal. Students returning under the academic renewal policy
who apply for financial aid should submit written notification of their
status to the Office of Student Financial Aid in order to update their
academic progress record. For financial aid purposes, terms enrolled in
prior to academic renewal are counted in the 12 semesters allowed for satisfactory
academic progress.
Transcripts
Official transcripts are issued only at the authorized, written request
of the student. Requests should be directed to Transcripts, 104 Sikes Hall,
Box 345125, Clemson, SC 29634-5125. Payment in advance is required and
may be made by Discover, Visa, MasterCard, Tiger Stripe, check (payable
to Clemson University), or cash. The following must be included with the
transcript request: full name (including any names used while at Clemson),
social security number, current address, date of birth, date the student
last attended Clemson, where the transcript is to be sent, and payment
of $5 per transcript. Telephone requests will not be honored. Transcript
requests are normally processed within 48 hours, but additional processing
time may be required at the end of a semester. Information is available
from the Enrolled Student Services Office at the address above or by telephone
at 864-656-2173. Official transcripts are not issued for those who are
indebted to the University.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
As members of the Clemson University community, we have inherited Thomas
Green Clemson's vision of this institution as a "high seminary of learning."
Fundamental to this vision is a mutual commitment to truthfulness, honor,
and responsibility, without which we cannot earn the trust and respect
of others. Furthermore, we recognize that academic dishonesty detracts
from the value of a Clemson degree. Therefore, we shall not tolerate lying,
cheating, or stealing in any form.
I. Academic Integrity Policy
A. Any breach of the principles outlined in the Academic Integrity Statement
is considered an act of academic dishonesty.
B. Academic dishonesty is further defined as:
1. Giving, receiving, or using unauthorized aid on any academic work;
2. Plagiarism, which includes the copying of language, structure, or
ideas of another and attributing the work to one's own efforts;
3. Attempts to copy, edit, or delete computer files that belong to
another person or use of Computer Center account numbers that belong to
another person without the permission of the file owner, account owner,
or file number owner;
C. All academic work submitted for grading contains an implicit pledge
and may contain, at the request of an instructor, an explicit pledge by
the student that no unauthorized aid has been received.
D. It is the responsibility of every member of the Clemson University
community to enforce the Academic Integrity Policy.
II. Academic Integrity Committee
The power to hear cases of academic dishonesty is
vested in an Academic Integrity Committee.
A. StructureThe Academic Integrity Committee is composed of twenty members
as follows:
1. Ten tenured members of the faculty; two members from each college
elected by their respective collegiate faculties. Faculty members will
be elected on a staggered term basis, serving for a period of two years
after initiation of staggered terms. Terms commence with fall semester
late registration.
2. Ten members of the undergraduate student body; two from each college.
Student members are nominated by the Student Body President, through an
application and interview process in the spring semester, approved by the
Student Senate, and appointed by the provost for terms of two years. Students
must have a 3.0 grade-point ratio at the time of appointment and must have
completed 30 hours by the end of the spring semester. Nominations will
be made in the spring semester with terms of service commencing with fall
semester late registration.
3. The committee is divided into four standing boards, hereafter referred
to as hearing boards, which will hear the cases of academic dishonesty.
Hearing boards convene on a weekly, rotational basis unless there are no
cases to be heard. For summer sessions, the Associate Dean of Undergraduate
Academic Services must maintain at least one hearing board to hear cases.
4. Hearing boards are comprised of two faculty members, two students,
and one chairperson. Quorum, for a hearing board, is one student, one faculty
member, and a chairperson. Decisions by the hearing board will be by majority
vote.
5. Chairpersons will be elected from within the Committee's membership.
Two chairpersons are selected from the faculty membership and two from
the student membership.
6. Before hearing any cases, a new member of the committee must undergo
a training session(s) with the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Academic
Services.
7. The Associate Dean of Undergraduate Academic Services is the administrative
coordinator of the Academic Integrity Committee.
B. Procedures
1. When, in the opinion of a faculty member, there is evidence that
a student has committed an act of academic dishonesty, the faculty member
shall make a formal written charge of academic dishonesty, including a
description of the misconduct, to the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Academic
Services. At the same time, the faculty member may, but is not required
to, inform each involved student privately of the nature of the alleged
charge.
2. When, in the opinion of the student, there is evidence that another
student has committed an act of academic dishonesty, he/she should contact
the faculty member for the course to discuss the incident. After being
contacted, if, in the opinion of the faculty member, there is evidence
that a student has committed an act of academic dishonesty, the faculty
member shall make a formal written charge of academic dishonesty, including
a description of the misconduct, to the Associate Dean of Undergraduate
Academic Services. At the same time, the faculty member may, but is not
required to, inform each student involved privately of the nature of the
alleged charge.
3. When the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Academic Services has received
a formal charge of an alleged violation, he/she will contact the student
involved privately to notify him/her of the charge and at the same time
will provide the student with a copy of the charge and a copy of the procedures
that the Academic Integrity Committee has adopted, pursuant to number 6
below. If a student is charged with academic dishonesty, he/she may not
withdraw from the course unless he/she is exonerated of the charge. If
a student is found guilty of an academic dishonesty violation and receives
a D or F grade, he/she will not be allowed to redeem that grade under the
Academic Redemption Policy.
4. After informing the student involved, the Associate Dean of Undergraduate
Academic Services will convene one of the boards of the Academic Integrity
Committee within 14 calendar days (exclusive of University holidays) of
his/her being notified of an alleged violation. (Students charged in the
spring term, but not enrolled in summer sessions, may be given a continuance
to the next fall term.) All students will be presumed innocent of a violation
until found guilty by a hearing board. Each party is responsible for having
present at the hearing all witnesses that he/she wishes to speak on his/her
behalf.
5. A charge of academic dishonesty in a course must be made within
thirty days after the beginning of the next term, exclusive of summer vacation.
If an I (Incomplete) is given in a course, the grade in the course
is considered to be final when the I is made up.
6. The Academic Integrity Committee will adopt its procedures, to be
followed by all hearing boards, prior to the first case heard by a hearing
board. In addition to providing the student with a copy of the procedures,
as stated in number 3 above, the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Academic
Services will provide a copy of the procedures to the involved faculty
member and also the hearing board members. The Associate Dean of Undergraduate
Academic Services will also retain copies of these procedures. The procedures
must afford both faculty and students the opportunity to present their
cases and the opportunity for rebuttal.
7. In cases in which there is a finding of guilt, the faculty member
may consult with the Associate Dean of Undergraduate Academic Services
to consider any past precedent established regarding academic penalties
levied in similar cases. Faculty members must inform the Associate Dean
of Undergraduate Academic Services of the academic penalty for a student
found guilty by a hearing board.
8. The Associate Dean of Undergraduate Academic Services is responsible
for notifying the registrar and all other appropriate University personnel
of the finding of guilt and the academic penalty. The Associate Dean of
Undergraduate Academic Services retains all records of academic dishonesty
cases and their findings in accordance with the University's Records Retention
Policy.
C. Penalties
1. Upon a finding of "not guilty" by a hearing board, the student's
record will not reflect the incident.
2. Upon a finding of "guilty" by a hearing board, the Associate Dean
of Undergraduate Academic
Services will notify the student and faculty member of the decision
immediately. If the offense is the first for the student, then the faculty
member has the ability to determine the academic penalty, which shall not
exceed a grade of F for the course.
3. If the finding of guilt is not the student's first offense, the
student will receive a grade of F for the course, will be suspended
from the University for one or more semesters, and may be permanently dismissed
from the University. The hearing board will determine the period for which
the student will be suspended or, if applicable, permanently dismissed.
Suspension or dismissal requires the approval of the President of the University.
D. Appeals
1. Students do not have the option to appeal a decision of guilt rendered
by the hearing board, whether it is the first, second, or any subsequent
offense. Students do not have the option to appeal the penalty determined
by the faculty member for first offenses or to appeal the grade of F
for the course given for second offenses.
2. For offenses resulting in suspension or permanent dismissal, students
have the option to present written information to the President of the
University to appeal the length of the suspension or to appeal a decision
of permanent dismissal. Students must present information in their defense,
as allowed in this paragraph, to the President within five working days
after receipt of written notification of the suspension or dismissal. However,
as stated in number 1 above, students cannot appeal a decision of guilt
rendered by the hearing board.
ACADEMIC GRIEVANCE COMMITTEE
I. General
The Academic Grievance Committee hears all grievances involving the following:
(a)allegations by an undergraduate student against a faculty or staff member
of discrimination in academics on the basis of race, color, national origin,
sex, age, religion, disability, or veterans status (except in those cases
where the grievance involves student employment); (b) grievances of a personal
or professional nature involving an individual undergraduate student and
a faculty member; (c) claims by an undergraduate student concerning the
inequitability of final grades. (The only aspects of a final grade case
that are grievable are claims by students of final grades being changed
because of personal or professional reasons. Students may not grieve issues
such as quality of instruction or the difficulty of testing, for example)
and (d) claims by an undergraduate student of unfair treatment in an attendance
related issue. In all unresolved cases, the committee makes its recommendations
to the President through the provost. All proceedings of the committee
are confidential. (For possible grievances arising from the inability to
understand teachers whose first language is not English, the student must
follow the English Fluency Policy referenced on page 2 and in the Student
Handbook.)
The Academic Grievance Committee is composed of 28 members as follows:
A. Fifteen members of the faculty; three members from each college.
Members are appointed on a stag
gered basis by the respective college deans and serve for a period
of three years. Term commences with fall semester late registration.
B. Twelve undergraduate students, nominated by the student body president,
approved by the Student Senate and appointed by the Provost for one-year
terms. Nominations should be made in the spring semester. Term of service
commences with fall semester late registration. At least one and no more
than three students shall be appointed from any one college.
C. Dean of Student Life (or designee);
D. The Dean of Undergraduate Studies shall appoint the chairperson from
those faculty members who have previously served.
II. Rules and Procedures for Academic Grievances
1. Any student filing a grievance must first attempt to resolve it by consulting
with the involved faculty or staff member for resolution. In the event
no resolution is reached, the student shall consult serially with the Associate
Dean of Undergraduate Academic Services, the department chair and dean
of the faculty member, who shall hear the grievance and act as mediators.
The Associate Dean, dean, department chair or immediate staff superior,
faculty or staff member and student shall make every effort to reach a
solution.
2. If the grievance remains unresolved, the student may bring a written
statement detailing the grievance before the Academic Grievance Committee.
The student must report to the Office of Undergraduate Academic Services
and secure a checklist form which the student will use to document the
following: (a) the dates of those consultations described in Procedure
1, above, (b) the names of those persons consulted, and (c) the signature
of the collegiate dean attesting that no resolution could be reached. (Note:
If all parties agree, the checklist may be signed and dated during the
initial consultation.) Both the written statement and the checklist form
must be delivered to the Office of Undergraduate Academic Services within
90 calendar days (exclusive of summer vacation) of the date of the last
exam for the term in which the student alleges to have been aggrieved;
or, in a case involving a protest of a final grade, the grievances must
be filed within 90 calendar days of the date of the last exam for the term
(exclusive of summer vacation) in which the student alleges that an inequitable
grade was recorded. The Office of Undergraduate Academic Services will
retain the original documents and forward a copy of the grievance to the
chairperson of the Academic Grievance Committee. In a case involving a
protest of final grade, the Office of Undergraduate Academic Services will
notify the Office of Records and Registration of the filed grievance. The
failure of a student to file a grievance within the 90-day period will
cause him/her to forfeit his/her right to file a grievance under this procedure.
(d) If a student files a grievance, the professor has 90 days (excluding
summer) to respond.
3. The documents referred to in Procedure 2, shall be delivered to the
chairperson of the Academic Grievance Committee. The chairperson shall,
upon receipt of the documents, appoint a subcommittee consisting of a chairperson
who is a faculty or staff member of the committee and at least two other
committee members, including at least one student, to investigate
the grievance. If possible, the subcommittee shall include members
who are not in the same college as the grievant.
4. The committee members appointed by the chairperson will constitute
the subcommittee to investigate the grievance. A minimum of three subcommittee
members, including at least one student member, must be present for the
subcommittee to conduct the hearing described in Procedure 7.
5. The subcommittee to investigate the grievance will attempt to gather
all information pertinent to the grievance in separate meetings with the
individuals who give information concerning the grievance; however, after
the separate meetings have been held, the subcommittee may question the
student and faculty or staff member simultaneously in one meeting. Such
a joint meeting will be held only if the subcommittee deems it necessary
for clarifying the facts.
6. The Academic Grievance Committee will, to the greatest extent possible,
handle each case in a confidential manner.
7. The hearing on the grievance will be informal and shall be closed
to the public. The chairperson shall take whatever action is necessary
to ensure an equitable, orderly and expeditious hearing. Minutes of the
meeting shall be taken, and all parties to the grievance shall be given
an opportunity to be heard. In addition, the chairperson may request the
presence of any other person who can supply information pertinent to the
grievance. Witnesses shall not be present during the hearing proceedings
except when they are called to speak before the committee. The parties
shall be permitted to question all individuals who are heard by the committee.
If any witness is unable to be present at the hearing, the chairperson
may, at his/her discretion, accept a written statement from that witness
to be presented at the hearing. The parties shall be accorded the right
to assistance of counsel of their own choice; however, counsel shall not
be permitted to participate actively in the proceedings.
8. Upon conclusion of the hearing, the subcommittee shall reach, by
majority vote, a posed solution to the grievance. The subcommittee chairperson
shall then formulate the findings in writing and seek to obtain from the
parties involved in the grievance signed acceptance for a recommended solution
to the grievance. If all parties to the grievance accept the solution posed
by the subcommittee, the matter of the grievance will be considered closed
when the solution has been implemented. Copies of the written findings
and recommended solution will be forwarded by the subcommittee chairperson
to all parties to the grievance for acceptance via return receipted certified
mail. Each party will be asked to indicate acceptance of the posed solution
by signing and returning the letter within 14 calendar days of its date.
Failure to respond within 14 calendar days will constitute acceptance.
Proper notification of the solution arrived at by the Academic Grievance
Committee will then be mailed by the subcommittee chairperson to the involved
faculty or staff member, department chair of the faculty member or immediate
superior of staff mem
ber, the involved collegiate dean, and Associate Dean of Undergraduate
Academic Services. In a case involving a protest of a final grade, the
subcommittee chairperson will also notify the Office of Records and Registration
of the solution arrived at by the Academic Grievance Committee.
9. If, after the conclusion of the hearing on the grievance, the chairperson
cannot secure acceptance of the posed solution, the grievance shall
be referred to the President of the University via the provost with
the committee's recommended solution to the grievance along with all supporting
evidence previously submitted to the Academic Grievance Committee. When
grievances are referred in this manner, the President, on behalf of the
University, shall make the final decision on the solution to the grievance
and will then notify the student, the involved faculty or staff member,
department chair of the involved faculty member or immediate superior of
the staff member, involved collegiate dean, and Associate Dean of Undergraduate
Academic Services of the University's final decision. In a case involving
a protest of a final grade, the President will also notify the Office of
Records and Registration of the University's final decision.
10. The chairperson shall keep in confidence all records pertinent to
each grievance and pass these records to the Office of the Provost for
filing. Records shall be available to succeeding chairpersons of the Academic
Grievance Committee.
11. The Academic Grievance Committee shall make every reasonable effort
to resolve every grievance presented to it by the end of the semester in
which each grievance is received.
12. These procedures can be changed by the Academic Council. Such changes
shall not affect any case under consideration at the time of the change.
Notification of any changes to the procedure shall be given to the President
of the University via the Academic Council.
ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT FOR FORMER STUDENTS
It is possible that an act of academic misconduct will remain undiscovered
until after a degree is awarded. In such a case, Clemson University reserves
the right to revoke any degree based on new revelations about scholarly
issues including, but not restricted to, admissions credentials, all forms
of coursework, research, theses, dissertations, or other final projects.
I. Submission of Fraudulent Admissions Credentials
The submission of fraudulent admissions credentials in the student's application
or any other documents submitted for admission to Clemson University may
result in initiation of action under the Policy and Procedure on Revocation
of Academic Degrees.
II. Academic Dishonesty in Coursework
A. In the event that the act is alleged to have occurred within the context
of a course and is consistent with the general definition of academic dishonesty
presented in Sections I of the Academic Integrity Policy, the same procedures
in that policy
will apply except for academic misconduct listed in III below.
B. Graduate StudentsIf the resulting penalty is either the assignment
of a grade of D or F in a required graduate course, or the
issuance of any grade that causes the student not to possess a cumulative
B
average in both graduate courses and in all courses, action under the Policy
and Procedures on Revocation of Academic Degrees may be initiated.
C. Undergraduate StudentsIf the resulting penalty causes the student
to no longer have the necessary credit hours, coursework, or grade average
for receiving a degree, action under the Policy and Procedures on Revocation
of Academic Degrees may be initiated.
III. Falsification of Data and Plagiarism in Theses, Dissertations,
or Other Final Projects
Data falsification, plagiarism (as defined in the Academic Integrity Policy)
and other acts of academic dishonesty in a thesis, dissertation or other
final project are serious acts of misconduct. Allegations of this type
of misconduct may result in initiation of action under the Policy and Procedure
on Revocation of Academic Degrees.
REVOCATION OF ACADEMIC DEGREES
Preamble
Academic institutions have a critical responsibility to provide an environment
that promotes integrity, while at the same time encouraging openness and
creativity among scholars. Care must be taken to ensure that honest error
and ambiguities of interpretation of scholarly activities are distinguishable
from outright misconduct. This policy is applicable to fraudulent or other
misconduct in obtaining an academic degree which is so egregious that a
mechanism for revoking an academic degree, either graduate or undergraduate,
must be undertaken. The Clemson University Board of Trustees has the sole
authority to revoke any degree previously awarded.
Definitions
As used herein, the following terms shall apply:
A. When the degree holder was an undergraduate student:
1. "Dean" shall mean the dean of the academic college where student
was enrolled.
2. "Committee of Investigation and Recommendation" shall be composed
of the members of the standing University undergraduate Continuing Enrollment
Appeals Committee. An undergraduate student will be appointed to the Committee
of Investigation and Recommendation by the President of the Student Body
within ten (10) calendar days of notification by the President of the Faculty
Senate. Any member of the Continuing Enrollment Appeals Committee who is
a faculty member in the department which awarded the degree involved shall
not be a member of the Committee of Investigation and Recommendation for
that particular investigation. If there are fewer than three (3) non-disqualified
faculty members, the President of the Faculty Senate shall appoint additional
faculty members to bring the number of faculty committee members up to
three (3). If the President of the Faculty Senate is from the same department
that awarded the degree involved, the President-Elect of the Faculty Senate
shall appoint the additional member.
B. When the degree holder was a graduate student:
1. "Dean" shall mean the Dean of the Graduate School.
2. "Committee of Investigation and Recommendation" shall be composed
of the members of the standing University Graduate Admissions and Continuing
Enrollment Appeals Committee, except for the Associate Dean of the Graduate
School who shall not be a member of the Committee of Investigation and
Recommendation. A graduate student will be appointed to the Committee of
Investigations and Recommendation by the President of Graduate Student
Government within ten (10) calendar days of notification by the President
of the Faculty Senate. Any member of the Graduate Admissions and Continuing
Enrollment Appeals Committee who is a faculty member in the department
which awarded the degree involved shall not be a member of the Committee
of Investigation and Recommendation for that particular investigation.
If there are fewer than three (3) non-disqualified faculty members, the
President of the Faculty Senate shall appoint additional faculty members
to bring the number of faculty committee members up to three (3). If the
President of the Faculty Senate is from the same department that awarded
the degree involved, the President-Elect of the Faculty Senate shall appoint
the additional member.
Complaint
An allegation or complaint involving the possibility of misconduct can
be raised by anyone. The allegation should be made in writing to the dean.
Initial Review
The dean will conduct the initial review to determine whether or not the
allegation has merit. The dean may discuss the matter with the former student's
advisory committee (if any) and other faculty as appropriate. The dean
may also contact persons outside the University who may be able to provide
factual information on the alleged misconduct or who may otherwise have
expertise concerning issues involved in the alleged misconduct. If the
dean determines that the allegation has no merit, he/she will terminate
the investigation. If the dean determines that serious academic misconduct
is suspected, the dean will notify the President of the Faculty Senate
in writing in a confidential manner. The dean shall also notify the Vice
President for Academic Affairs and Provost of the charge but will not discuss
any details of the charge.
Committee of Inquiry
The President of the Faculty Senate shall, within (10) calendar days of
receipt of the notification from the dean, appoint three (3) faculty members
to the Committee of Inquiry and notify the President of Graduate Student
Government or the President of the Student Body, as appropriate, who shall
appoint a graduate or undergraduate student, as appropriate, to the Committee
of Inquiry within ten (10) calendar days of notification. The President
of the Faculty Senate shall also notify the degree holder of the formation
of a Committee of Inquiry.
If the Faculty Senate President is from the same department that awarded
the degree involved, the President-Elect of the Faculty Senate shall appoint
the Committee of Inquiry. The faculty members will be appointed from departments
which did not award the degree involved. The Committee will elect its chairman
from the faculty members on the Committee.
For each allegation, the Committee of Inquiry will review the complaint
and any other information provided by the dean and determine whether there
is sufficient evidence to warrant a formal charge of academic misconduct
and further investigation under this policy. While the Committee of Inquiry
shall not make a recommendation as to whether a degree should be revoked,
the purpose is to provide a review to separate frivolous, unjustified or
mistaken allegations from those requiring a more detailed and formal investigation.
The Committee of Inquiry will review the evidence and must determine that
the alleged misconduct more probably than not occurred in order for the
committee to recommend a formal charge and further investigation.
Within thirty (30) calendar days of the formation of the Committee of
Inquiry, the Committee of Inquiry will submit a written report to the President
of the Faculty Senate. If the Committee of Inquiry's report finds that
the investigation should not proceed, the President of the Faculty Senate
shall terminate the investigation and notify the appropriate persons. If
the Committee of Inquiry's report finds that a formal charge and further
investigation are warranted, the President of the Faculty Senate shall,
within ten (10) calendar days of receipt of the report of the Committee
of Inquiry, send a copy of that report to the dean and to the Committee
of Investigation and Recommendation. The President of the Faculty Senate
shall also immediately notify the President of Graduate Student Government
or President of the Student Body (whichever is appropriate) that a student
representative needs to be appointed to the Committee of Investigation
and Recommendation. The President of the Faculty Senate shall also notify
the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost of the Committee of
Inquiry's recommendation. No details of the charge will be discussed. Note:
A majority vote of the Committee of Inquiry is necessary to recommend that
a formal charge and further investigation are warranted. A tie vote means
that the investigation is terminated as stated herein.
Notification to Degree Holder
The dean shall issue in writing, within ten (10) calendar days of receipt
of the report of the Committee of Inquiry, a formal charge of academic
misconduct to the degree holder. This written notice shall detail the factual
allegations for the charge and the evidence supporting the charge. This
written notice shall also inform the degree holder that if the charges
are substantiated, the degree holder's degree could be revoked. This written
notice shall also inform the degree holder of his/her right to appear at
a hearing as stated in this policy. The dean shall also send with this
notice a copy of this Policy and Procedure on Revocation of Academic Degrees
to the degree holder. This notice shall be delivered to the accused in
person or sent by certified mail, return receipt requested.
Committee of Investigation and Recommendation
The Committee of Investigation and Recommendation shall extend to the degree
holder due process which shall, at a minimum, include the following:
1. Notice of the nature of the complaint
2. Notice of the evidence supporting the complaint
3. Notice of the hearing
4. The opportunity to present evidence, including testimony
5. The opportunity to hear the testimony against the degree holder
6. The opportunity to ask questions of all witnesses
7. The opportunity to have an attorney or advisor present at the hearing;
however, the role of the attorney or advisor shall be solely to assist
the party, and the attorney or advisor shall not be permitted to participate
actively in the proceedings.
The degree holder shall not be entitled to know the identity of the
person(s) who originally made the complaint unless that person agrees that
his/her identity can be revealed.
The chair of the Committee of Investigation and Recommendation shall
inform the degree holder of the time and date of the hearing.
The dean or his/her designee shall present the accusation against the
degree holder at the hearing and may have one additional representative
present during the hearing. Under this section the term "dean" is understood
to include the dean's designee, if such a designation is made.
The degree holder and the dean may submit written materials to the Committee
of Investigation and Recommendation prior to the hearing. The chair of
the Committee of Investigation and Recommendation shall make available
the materials received to the other party and to all committee members.
The hearing before the Committee of Investigation and Recommendation
shall be held no sooner than thirty (30) calendar days and no later than
ninety (90) calendar days after receipt of the report of the Committee
of Inquiry unless the degree holder and the dean agree to a different date.
All matters pertaining to the hearing shall be kept as confidential as
possible and the hearing shall be closed to the public. A verbatim record
of the hearing will be taken and a type-written copy thereof transcribed
and made a part of the hearing record.
The degree holder and the dean shall be responsible for having any witnesses
they wish to testify in attendance at the hearing. Witnesses will be present
only while testifying.
The chair of the Committee of Investigation and Recommendation shall
take whatever action is necessary during the hearing to ensure a fair,
orderly, and expeditious hearing. No formal rules of evidence will be followed.
If any objection is made to any evidence being offered, the decision of
the majority of the committee shall govern. Irrelevant, immaterial, or
unduly repetitious evidence shall be excluded.
The degree holder and the dean shall be permitted to offer evidence
and witnesses pertinent to the issues.
The dean shall present the case against the accused first. The accused
shall then present his/her response.
The chair will allow each party to ask questions of the other party
and will allow each party to ask questions of the other party's witnesses
at the appropriate time during the hearing as determined by the chair.
Member of the committee may ask questions of any party or any witness at
any time during the hearing.
Within fifteen (15) calendar days of the conclusion of the hearing,
the Committee of Investigation and Recommendation shall submit a written
report to the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost. The report
shall contain findings and a recommendation as to whether the degree holder's
degree should be revoked. The Committee of Investigation and Recommendation
must find clear and convincing evidence that serious academic misconduct
has been committed in order to recommend the revocation of the degree holder's
degree. If the Committee of Investigation and Recommendation does not find
clear and convincing evidence of serious academic misconduct, the Committee
of Investigation and Recommendation cannot recommend revocation of the
degree holder's degree and the matter shall be closed. Note: A majority
vote of the Committee of Investigation and Recommendation is necessary
to recommend the revocation of a degree holder's degree. This means that
a tie vote will result in the matter being closed.
At the same time that the report is sent to the Vice President for Academic
Affairs and Provost, the chair of the Committee of Investigation and Recommendation
shall send a copy of the report to the degree holder, the Dean, and other
appropriate persons involved in the process.
If the Committee of Investigation and Recommendation recommends that
the degree holder's degree be revoked, the chair shall also send a complete
copy of the hearing record to the Vice President for Academic Affairs and
Provost. The hearing record shall consist of the transcript of the hearing
and all documents that were submitted to the committee. The chair of the
Committee of Investigation and Recommendation shall label which documents
were submitted by each party when forwarding this information to the Vice
President for Academic Affairs and Provost.
If the Committee of Investigation and Recommendation recommends that
the degree holder's degree by revoked, the chair shall also send a copy
of the transcript of the hearing to the degree holder and the Dean at the
same time that it is sent to the Vice President for Academic Affairs and
Provost.
Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
If the Committee of Investigation and Recommendation recommends that the
degree be revoked, the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
shall review the hearing record and the report of the Committee of Investigation
and Recommendation. If the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
decides that the degree holder's degree should not be revoked, he/she shall
notify the degree holder, the dean, the Committee of Investigation and
Recommendation and other appropriate persons involved in the process, in
writing, within twenty-one (21) calendar days of receipt of the transcript
of the hearing, and the matter shall be closed. If the Vice President for
Academic Affairs and Provost decides to recommend that the degree holder's
degree should be revoked, the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
shall send that recommendation in writing to the President of the University
within twenty-one (21) calendar days of receipt of the transcript of the
hearing. The Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost shall send
to the President, along with his/her recommendation, the Committee of Investigation
and Recommendation's report and the hearing record. The Vice President
for Academic Affairs and Provost shall send a copy of his/her recommendation
to the degree holder, the dean, the Committee of Investigation and Recommendation,
and other appropriate persons involved in the process.
If the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost is disqualified
from reviewing the case, the Senior Vice Provost and Dean of Undergraduate
Studies shall be substituted for the Vice President for Academic Affairs
and Provost.
President
If the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost recommends to the
President that the degree holder's degree should be revoked, the President
shall transmit that recommendation along with the report of the Committee
of Investigation and Recommendation and the hearing record to the Executive
Secretary of the Board of Trustees within thirty (30) calendar days of
receipt. If the President wishes to make a recommendation, he/she shall
review the recommendation of the Vice President for Academic Affairs and
Provost, the report of the Committee of Investigation and Recommendation,
and the hearing record and forward his recommendation to the Executive
Secretary of the Board of Trustees within thirty (30) calendar days of
receiving the recommendation of the Vice President for Academic Affairs
and Provost.
Board of Trustees
The Executive Secretary of the Board of Trustees shall send to all trustees
the hearing record, the recommendation of the Vice President for Academic
Affairs and Provost, the report of the Committee of Investigation and Recommendation,
and the recommendation of the President, if any. A majority vote by the
Board of Trustees, at a duly constituted Board meeting, is required to
revoke an academic degree. The decision of the Board of Trustees shall
be final.
Guiding Principles
All actions taken by committees shall be effective by a majority vote.
All investigations, hearings, and actions shall be kept as confidential
as possible except for notice of any revocation approved by the Board of
Trustees.
A decision not to proceed at any stage of the proceedings set forth
in this policy does not necessarily mean that the original complaint was
groundless.
For good cause shown, at the request of either party and the approval
of the other, the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost shall
extend any time limit set forth in this policy. Any such time extension
shall be communicated in writing to all appropriate parties.
Administrative Action if Degree is Revoked
If a degree is revoked by the Board of Trustees, the former student's transcript
will be modified to reflect that the degree was revoked, and the former
student will be informed of the revocation and requested to return the
diploma. If the former student was enrolled in a program requiring a thesis
or dissertation, all bound copies will be removed from the Clemson University
Library. In addition, for doctoral students, University Microfilms, Inc.
will be notified and requested to take appropriate action.
Students whose degrees have been revoked may be eligible to reapply
for admission according to normal University procedures and policies in
effect at the time of reapplication.