Academic Policies and Procedures

Academic Advising of the Undergraduate

Mission

Advising at Rockhurst University establishes personal relationships between students and advisors to engage students in the development of meaningful educational plans consistent with their academic, personal, and professional goals. As an integral part of the transformative experience, advisors should encourage students to explore opportunities in the areas of learning, leadership, service, and the pursuit of justice.

Goals of Advising Program

Rockhurst University academic advising supports the institutional goal of transforming lives.

Through the advising process, students should be able to:

1. Clarify individual values and career goals.
2. Take ownership of their education by developing suitable educational plans, selecting appropriate courses, choosing programs of study, and locating educational opportunities.
3. Evaluate their progress toward educational goals and university requirements.
4. Share responsibility in the advising process.
5. Utilize University resources, such as: The Learning Center, Greenlease Library, Campus Ministry, Career Services, Counseling Center, Rock Stop, etc.

First Year Advising Outcomes:

• Students establish working relationships with their advisors
• Students can access information about campus resources
• Students can identify information about the Rockhurst University Core requirements
• Students know how to access information about majors and minors
• Students understand registration policies, procedures, and deadlines
• Students can use Rockweb to run degree evaluations, and access grades, class schedules, and financial information
• Students can locate and use the Rockhurst University Academic Calendar

Roles and Responsibilities

Academic Advising is a system of shared responsibility. While we outline specific roles and responsibilities here, the ultimate responsibility for making decisions about educational plans and life goals rests with each student.

Students are responsible for:

• Accessing the Rockhurst catalog to learn about academic programs and policies
• Checking the academic calendar to be aware of important dates and deadlines
• Using the on-line course schedule to plan for each semester
• Setting up and maintaining a Rockweb account
• Meeting with their assigned academic advisor (required at least once a term)
• Arranging and preparing for meetings with their advisor
• Using degree evaluations to monitor their academic progress
• Submitting paperwork to appropriate offices (transcripts of all college coursework, add/drop forms, declaration of major forms, degree applications, etc.)
• Maintaining and regularly checking Rockhurst email account (many official notices and announcements will be sent via email)
• Providing current contact information
• Making decisions about their academic career

Advisors are responsible for:

• Helping advisees understand student responsibilities
• Understanding and explaining graduation requirements
• Being reasonably available to advisees
• Preparing for meetings with advisees
• Assisting advisees to define/assess and develop realistic goals and plans
• Using degree evaluations to monitor progress of advisees
• Reviewing their advisees’ mid-term grades
• Maintaining advising records
• Being familiar with campus resources
• Making referrals when appropriate

In addition to advisor responsibilities, Advising Directors are responsible for:

• Assigning advisors to students
• Coordinating the distribution of advising materials
• Serving as a resource to students and advisors
• Updating advisors on curriculum changes
• Providing regular training and support for advisors
• Evaluating advising process (program) regularly

Institutional Standards

Academic Year

The Rockhurst University academic year is divided into two semesters, Fall and Spring, of approximately 15 weeks each, and Summer semesters variable in length. Semester-length as well as accelerated sessions are offered during the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters.

Credit Hour

The semester credit hour is the basic unit of academic credit used by Rockhurst University. The semester credit hour at Rockhurst University is defined as 50 minutes of faculty classroom instruction time per week for 15 weeks (no less than 750 minutes or 12.5 hours total per credit hour), and a minimum of two hours of student preparation time outside of the classroom each week. An equivalent amount of work is required for other academic activities at Rockhurst University including laboratory work, internships, practica, studio work, and other academic work leading to the award of credit hours.

The measure of instructional contact time may be adjusted to reflect different formats of study or lengths of academic sessions. These adjustments are reflective of the intended student outcomes and established equivalencies of the credit hour set by Rockhurst University and reasonably reflect the requirements established by the Department of Education Program Integrity Regulations published October 29, 2010.

Enrollment Status and Normal Study Load

Full-time status as an undergraduate student at Rockhurst University is defined as a minimum enrollment of 12 semester hours during a regular Fall, Spring, or Summer semester. An undergraduate student is considered to be attending full time if the minimum 12 semester hours is taken over the course of multiple sessions within a regular semester. Half-time status as an undergraduate student is enrollment in six to eleven semester hours during a regular Fall, Spring, or Summer semester. Undergraduate enrollment status is considered to be less than half time if the student is enrolled in less than six semester hours during a regular Fall, Spring, or Summer semester.

Although the minimum number of semester hours for undergraduate full-time status is 12, the normal study load for full-time students is 15 to18 semester hours per semester, varying with the student’s curriculum and scholarship record. In order to graduate in four years, a student must average 16 semester hours each Fall and Spring semester. Study load is different from Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress. See the Financial Aid section of this catalog for more information.

No student may register for more than 18 semester hours without permission of the appropriate dean. Permission to register for more than 18 semester hours normally will not be granted to a student whose quality point average is below B (3.0).

Course Policies

Course Numbering System

Courses are identified by a title and a designation. The title is usually self-explanatory. The first two letters of the designation indicate the discipline or program in which the course is offered. The first number approximates the course’s level. Undergraduate courses are numbered from 0100 to 4999. Courses numbered from 0100 to 0999 are remedial in nature. These courses count toward graduation hours, but may or may not fulfill specific requirements. Courses numbered from 1000 to 1999 are lower-division courses intended primarily for students in their first year of post-secondary work and are generally basic or introductory. Courses numbered from 2000 to 2999 are lower-division courses but may indicate a somewhat greater degree of academic achievement as found at the sophomore level. They are intended primarily for sophomore students. Courses numbered from 3000 to 3999 are more advanced upper-division offerings and are intended primarily for junior students. Courses numbered from 4000 to 4999 are also more advanced upper-division offerings and are intended primarily for senior students. Courses numbered 5000 and above are graduate-level courses.

In this catalog, departments, programs and course descriptions are listed alphabetically within the section for each school or college. The number in parentheses following the course number and title indicates the semester credit hours that the course usually carries.

Cross-listed courses are those courses taught at the same time in the same classroom and listed by more than one department, for example Global Studies and Political Science GS 3300 (PS 3300). Students should enroll for courses with the designations for which they wish to earn credit. See below for additional information on courses co-listed for both graduate and undergraduate credit.

Note that in the undergraduate programs, course numbers ending in -940, -960, -970-979, and -990 have been assigned specific uses across all departments and programs for upper-division (3000- and 4000-level) courses. General descriptions for these course numbers are given here. Some specific applications are provided within individual department
or program course listings.

Students wishing to enroll in courses with the designations indicated in the following listing should confer with their advisor at the time of pre-registration and initiate the required paperwork.

XX _940. Senior Capstone. Independent and collaborative research into major focus area; written/oral/artistic presentations required to demonstrate mastery of major area of study. Required to fulfill major.

XX _960 Seminar. A course for upper-level students in a department which involves significant individual study or research by each student leading to the presentation of the work. Various department restrictions may be applied (senior status, majors only, specific prerequisites, etc.) If the seminar has a common theme required of all participants, such theme may be reflected in the title, but is not required. Thus, a seminar in which all participants present a paper on a topic concerned with ecology may be listed on the transcript as: BL 3960 Seminar: Ecology. A seminar in which students may freely elect a topic would be listed simply as: BL 3960 Seminar.

XX _970-979. Practicum or Internship. Used to designate those courses with substantial experiential component, generally under the direct supervision of a member of the department faculty. Responsibility for assessment and grading rests with the supervising faculty member even though recommendation of any cooperating agency or company may be relied upon substantially in making the assessment. On the transcript the course may be titled to designate the nature of the practicum experience. Department and instructor approval required. An approved internship study form must be on file in the Registrar’s Office prior to (or concurrent with) enrollment in this course option.

XX _990 Independent Study or Research. Guided study or research on some aspect of the field generally culminating in preparation of a major essay or report. Various department restrictions may be applied. Department, instructor, and Dean’s approval required. The transcript will reflect the topic of the research or study. For example: PY 3990 Research Experience I: Identity and Spirituality. Students can request independent studies with the approval of the department chair. An approved independent study form must be on file in the Registrar’s Office prior to (or concurrent with) enrollment in this course option.

XX_xxxxR Readings. “R” at the end of the course number designates enrollment for a standard course listed by a department, but taught on individual arrangement during an academic period when the course is not available in the regular schedule; the readings course follows the syllabus of the regular course. Departmental approval and approval of the instructor is required and an approval form must be on file in the Registrar’s Office prior to (or concurrent with) enrollment in this course option. On the student permanent record (transcript), the standard course number will be listed with an “R” at the end. The standard title will remain the same.

XX_xxxxS Special Topics. “S” at the end of the course number designates new or occasional courses which may or may not become part of the department’s permanent offerings; courses capitalizing on a timely topic, a faculty member’s particular interest, an experimental alternative to existing courses, etc. Prerequisites are established by the department as appropriate for the specific course. The course title will be shown on the student transcript.

Corequisite, Prerequisite, and Concurrent Courses

Courses listed in the catalog which are required to be taken prior to enrollment in other courses are referred to as prerequisite. Courses required to be taken during the same semester are corequisite. Courses which may be taken optionally during the same semester are considered concurrent.

Courses Listed for Both Graduate and Undergraduate Credit

Courses co-listed as both undergraduate and graduate courses:

• are listed as 4000- and 6000-level courses respectively; require that those students taking the course for graduate credit complete additional work at an accelerated level appropriate for graduate credit; and that the additional work required for graduate credit is reflected in the course syllabus.

A maximum of eight (8) hours of courses co-listed as both graduate and undergraduate, but taken as graduate credit, can be accepted toward a graduate degree at Rockhurst University.

Undergraduate students enrolled in such co-listed courses (whether for graduate or undergraduate credit) pay undergraduate tuition rates; graduate students pay graduate tuition rates for such courses.

Undergraduates Taking Graduate Courses for Undergraduate Credit: Graduate course offerings (courses numbered 5000 and above) may be taken for undergraduate credit only with the approval of the instructor of the course and the concurrence of the appropriate dean. Undergraduate students enrolling in courses for graduate credit will pay undergraduate tuition rates for such courses.

Undergraduates Taking Graduate Courses for Graduate Credit: Undergraduate students who meet the following criteria may take up to nine (9) credit hours of 6000-, 7000-, or 8000-level graduate courses for graduate credit at Rockhurst University.

The student should:

• be of senior standing, and
• have a GPA of 3.0 or better, and
• have approval from the instructor of the course, and
• have approval from the appropriate Dean or his or her designee.

Courses taken for graduate credit at Rockhurst University as an undergraduate student can count either toward the undergraduate degree or toward the graduate degree, but cannot count toward both degrees. Upon enrolling in the course, the student must identify whether the course credit hours should count toward the undergraduate or graduate degree. This decision cannot be reversed at a later date. Undergraduate students enrolling in courses for graduate credit will pay undergraduate tuition rates for such courses.

Credit for Non-Traditional Work

Advanced Placement Tests

Rockhurst grants advanced placement and/or credit to high school graduates who have proved their competence by their scores on the Advanced Placement Tests administered by the College Entrance Examination board. Scores of 4 or 5 may result in the granting of college credit and a score of 3 will allow consideration of advanced placement in the subject. A student wishing to have Advanced Placement Test results evaluated for credit should submit official score reports to the Office of the Registrar if not previously submitted to Admissions. (See “Note .”) See also “Placement and Course Equivalencies for Advanced Placement Tests” on the Rockhurst University website.

Dual Credit

Students who were jointly enrolled in college courses (from regionally accredited institutions) while attending high school may receive college credit provided the work falls within the Rockhurst curriculum guidelines. There is no limit on the  number of dual credit hours which may be counted toward the 128-hour graduation requirement for the undergraduate degree. There is no limit on the number of dual credit hours which may be earned through the Rockhurst University Advanced College Credit Program (ACCP). However, a student may earn no more than 11 hours of ACCP credit in any given semester from Rockhurst University. Official college transcripts should be submitted for admission for evaluation of this credit. There is no limit on the number of hours accepted toward the degree for college credits earned during high school if taken from regionally accredited institutions.

International Baccalaureate Credit

Rockhurst University recognizes the rigorous course of studies undertaken by high school students enrolled in approved International Baccalaureate programs. Therefore, high school students enrolled in higher-level International Baccalaureate courses are entitled to consideration for the granting of college credit for these courses. A score of 5 to 7 on the higher-level examinations will result in the granting of college credit equivalent to the lower division courses published in this catalog. A score of 4 will allow the student consideration for advanced placement in a given subject, but will not warrant the granting of college credit. A student wishing to have International Baccalaureate test results evaluated for credit should submit official score reports to the Office of the Registrar if not previously submitted to Admissions. (See “Note .”) See also “Placement and Course Equivalencies for International Baccalaureate Examinations” on the Rockhurst University website.

College Level Examinations

Rockhurst University enables students who have had advanced courses in high school and have done well in them to proceed at a faster pace in college and to take advanced work more quickly. For this purpose, those who wish, may take Subject Level Examinations in various areas of the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) administered at centers throughout the United States during the year. General CLEP Examinations are not accepted. A student wishing to have CLEP test results evaluated for credit should contact the Educational Testing Service for official score reports and submit them to the Rockhurst University Office of the Registrar if not previously submitted to Admissions. (See “Note .”) See also “Placement and Course Equivalencies for College Level Placement Examination Program” on the Rockhurst University website.

Note: Students who achieve acceptable scores may be granted exemption from requirements and/or credits up to a maximum of 32 semester hours from Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, CLEP, or other non-traditional work. There is no limit on the number of hours accepted toward the degree for college credits earned during high school if taken from regionally accredited institutions.

Transfer Credit Policies

Rockhurst University accepts transfer credit under the following guidelines:

1. Institutions must be accredited by a higher education regional accrediting association.
2. A maximum of 64 hours can be transferred from two-year junior or community colleges.
3. Coursework must have a minimum grade of “C-” achieved in order to be accepted. Coursework accepted with a minimum grade of “C-” may not be used to satisfy upper-division major or minor requirements.
4. Coursework with a grade of Pass, Credit, or Satisfactory will be accepted only with documented evidence that such grades are at least equivalent to a minimum “C-” grade.
5. Credit hours, not grade points, are counted toward Rockhurst degree programs.
6. Practicum, cooperative education, field experience, internship, etc. are not accepted.
7. Correspondence work is accepted only under special circumstances, and with prior approval of the academic dean.
8. Transfer coursework attempted after enrolling at Rockhurst must be pre-approved in order to count toward the student’s Rockhurst degree program. Pre-Approval of Transfer Credit forms are available from the Registrar’s Office.

For institutional accreditation reasons, the University is required to have on file official transcripts from all institutions of higher education a degree-seeking student has attended, whether or not the credit is applied to their Rockhurst degree program.

Rockhurst University reserves the right to reject course work from institutions not accredited through North Central Association of Colleges and Schools or other accrediting associations as determined by the Registrar’s Office. Such course work is not accepted for transfer or satisfaction of degree requirements at Rockhurst University.

Grade Policies

Undergraduate Grading System

The University uses the following system of grading to designate a student’s scholarship rating as determined by the combined results of examinations and class work. The quality point value for each grade is also shown as follows:

Final Grades

It is the student’s responsibility to meet the requirements established for each course taken at Rockhurst University. It is the course instructor’s responsibility to establish course requirements for grades as part of the course syllabus and to evaluate students fairly according to the standards established. For more information, see Policy for Review of the Final Grade in Other Academic Policies.

Grade-Point Average

Grade-point averages at Rockhurst University are calculated on the basis of hours attempted and quality points earned. Courses taken on a pass/no pass basis are not computed in the grade point average. With the exception of graduation honors, the grade point average is calculated using Rockhurst University coursework only. See also Graduation Honors .

Viewing Grades

Currently-enrolled students may view their midterm and final session or semester grades on Rockweb in a secure environment directly through Rockhurst myCampus Portal https://my.rockhurst.edu, or Rockweb http://rockweb.rockhurst.edu with a Personal Identification Number (PIN) obtained from Computer Services. Final grades are available for viewing after the close of the academic session or semester.

Midterm grades, issued for undergraduate students, are progress reports only and do not affect the student’s GPA. Midterm grades provide an opportunity for students and advisors to discuss academic progress.

Incomplete Grade Policy

Students are encouraged to complete courses during the assigned semester. A grade of “I” (Incomplete) may be assigned only for serious reasons by the course instructor. Failure to complete course work within six weeks after the close of the semester will result in a grade of “F”. Any exceptions to this policy require approval of the appropriate Dean. The initiative in arranging for the removal of the “I” rests with the student. Instructors cannot issue grades of “W” (Withdrawal).

Change of Grade

Changes of original grades must be made within six months of the assignment of the original grade and require the approval of the appropriate Dean.

Grade Requirements for Undergraduates

The standard denoting the minimum requirement for satisfactory academic progress is a grade-point average of 2.00.

Grade-point averages are computed on the basis of points earned and hours attempted. The quality point values assigned to each letter grade are shown in the section regarding the grading system.

A candidate for a degree must earn the required number of credit hours, attaining the minimum standard of a C (2.00) average. It should also be noted that a C grade (2.00) is required in EACH COURSE presented to satisfy the upper-division major, minor, and related area requirements. Grades of C- will not satisfy the requirement.

Failure in 40 percent of class work in any semester renders a student liable to dismissal for poor scholarship. Exception to this rule is made only for weighty reasons and with the approval of the Academic Board.

Academic Board

The Academic Board approves, for individual undergraduate students, exceptions to the curriculum which do not fall under the changes reserved for departments/programs. In addition, the Academic Board reviews the academic record of each student whose grade point average falls below 2.00 either cumulatively or for the most recent term.

Without special approval by the Academic Board, no student will be eligible for academic reinstatement to the University whose cumulative grade point average is below C (2.00). After a final dismissal from the University, a student is not eligible for academic reinstatement.

Probation

An undergraduate student who falls below the published quality requirements of the University may be placed on academic probation by the Academic Board (see Grade Requirements for Undergraduates .) Probation normally indicates that the student’s status is provisional for the period of one or two semesters, and the student may be automatically dismissed if final grades do not meet required levels of good academic standing: specifically, students must receive passing grades in 61% or more of their completed credits in any one semester and maintain a 2.00 cumulative GPA. In unusual cases a higher grade point average may be required, as specified by the dean or the Academic Board.

Repeated Course

A course may be repeated by a student, with the knowledge that all grades will be posted on the student’s permanent academic record, regardless of grade. Only the grade received in the most recent enrollment will be computed in a student’s quality points and grade point average and count toward their degree program. This formula only applies to those courses that are not designated as repeatable. Some courses are designated as repeatable and will count toward the student’s degree program and will be computed in their grade point average.

Transcripts of Academic Records

The transcript of the permanent academic record reflects all credit work attempted at Rockhurst University and transfer credit which has been accepted to fulfill Rockhurst degree requirements. The student is the only person with the authority to request a transcript of their academic record. There is a fee for transcripts with an additional fee for same-day service. Rockhurst University has authorized National Student Clearinghouse (NSC) to provide students with the ability to order transcripts online. This service is available to current and former students 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Students are encouraged to use NSC to order transcripts as the request can be tracked and the service charge costs less. Current and former students with a Rockhurst ID number and password may order their transcript through NSC using http://rockweb.rockhurst.edu. Former students who do not have their Rockhurst ID and password may order their transcript through
NSC at www.studentclearinghouse.org. All transcripts ordered through NSC are processed through the Office of the Registrar. Students may also order their transcript in person at the Office of the Registrar, by mail or by fax. A complete description of the transcript ordering process is available on the Registrar’s webpage http://www.rockhurst.edu/academics/ registrar/transcripts. No transcript, official or unofficial, will be issued to a student who is delinquent in financial or other obligations to the University. Currently-enrolled students with a personal identification number (PIN) obtained from Computer Services may view their unofficial Rockhurst transcript on Rockweb http://rockweb.rockhurst.edu or through
Rockhurst myCampus Portal https://my.rockhurst.edu/web/mycampus/home.

Undergraduate Honors and Awards

The University recognizes outstanding academic merit with a variety of awards and honors:

• Dean’s List Honors. Full-time students whose grade point average at Rockhurst through the end of the fall semester of the current academic year was 3.5 or above are awarded Dean’s List Honors. Students who have Incomplete grades or who have not taken final exams are ineligible for Dean’s List Honors. Highest Honors are awarded to those students in the Dean’s List category who have earned the highest grade point average. In computing highest honors, the average of all college work or only Rockhurst work, whichever is lower, is used. To be eligible for highest honors, students must have completed at least half of the total degree hours at Rockhurst.
• Graduating Senior Dean’s List Honors. Awarded to all graduating students whose cumulative grade point average at Rockhurst was 3.5 or above as of completion of the fall semester for the commencement ceremony held in May. Honors recipients are listed in the commencement program.
• Graduation Honors. A candidate for a degree who has a grade point average of 3.5 graduates Cum Laude; one who has an average of 3.7 graduates Magna Cum Laude; and one who has an average of 3.85 and above graduates Summa Cum Laude. In computing undergraduate graduation honors, the average of all college work or only Rockhurst work, whichever is lower, is used. These honors are announced at commencement. Graduation honors announced for May and August graduates at the commencement ceremony are based on the cumulative grade point average at the end of the fall semester and may change based on graduation semester totals.
• Senior Gold Medal. This award is presented annually by the President of Rockhurst University to the highest ranking graduating senior. Rank is computed as explained under Graduation Honors above, however, for the Senior Gold Medal recipient, the calculation is based on the graduation semester cumulative grade point average. To be eligible for the senior gold medal, a student must have completed at least half of his/ her total 128 hours earned toward their degree at Rockhurst.

Special Awards

• The American Institute of Chemists Medal, presented annually by the Kansas City Section of the American Institute of Chemists to the outstanding graduate in the Department of Chemistry, selected by the faculty of the department.
• The Bourke Extemporaneous Speaking Medal, the gift of Dr. T. S. Bourke, awarded annually to the student who is judged best in extemporaneous speaking.
• The Robin Bowen Leadership Award. This was first awarded in 2009 in honor of Robin Bowen, a leader at Rockhurst University and among the occupational therapy profession. The purpose of this award is to recognize a Master of Occupational Therapy graduate student who exhibits superior leadership skills during his/her time in the Department of Occupational Therapy Education program.
• The Father Aloysius Breen English Award, given annually by the English faculty to the senior English major who has shown the greatest achievement throughout all four years.
• The Ted Calfas Award, established by his family, friends, and co-workers at Armco Steel, in memory of Theodore N. Calfas, a graduate of the Evening Division and parent of a Rockhurst alumnus.
• The Donna J. Calvert Award for Outstanding Professionalism and Communication. This award recognizes a student who exhibits superior professional behaviors and communication skills while in the Physical Therapy Education Program. Dr. Calvert was a co-founder of this program and served as a professor in the department from 1983-2003.
• The Barbara Clemence Award is given in honor and remembrance of Barbara A. Clemence, President and Dean of Research College of Nursing, 1985-1992, to students who demonstrate quiet strength and a willingness to be a risk-taker, as well as exhibiting insightfulness and a team player mentality.
• The Delta Sigma Pi Award. This annual award is presented to the student(s) with the highest GPA in the Helzberg School of Management.
• The Distinguished Service Award. Awarded to the graduating senior who has made significant contributions to Research College of Nursing through leadership and service.
• The Dowling Oratory Medal, founded by Mrs. Frank P. Walsh, in memory of Rev. Michael P. Dowling, S.J., founder and first president of Rockhurst University, awarded for the best oration in the annual oratorical contest.
• The Ignatian Outstanding Student Teaching Award. The Department of Education awards the Ignatian Outstanding Teaching Award to undergraduate and graduate students who actively seek opportunities to promote Ignatian pedagogy. This award is presented to the education student who goes beyond the mastery of the skills and understandings normally found in the well-informed and competent student. They truly reflect and pursue the “Magis.”
• The Charles M. Kovich Dramatist Prize, an annual prize for excellence in dramatic writing awarded each spring to the Rockhurst University student who submits the best original script for stage or screen. The award is named in honor of Charles M. Kovich, Ph.D., Rockhurst professor of English, and administered by the Walter J. Ong Society for English Study (the Rockhurst University English Club).
• The Lampe-Loescher Award, created by Gerald N. Lampe, PT, and Georgia Lou Loescher-Junge, PT, original members of the Physical Therapy Advisory Group, is given annually to a graduating physical therapy student. The award recognizes the student who exemplifies exceptional leadership and service while in the physical therapy program and who demonstrates the potential for exceptional leadership and service to the profession.
• The William V. Longmoor Award, given in honor and remembrance of Mr. William V. Longmoor, consistent friend and supporter of nursing education at Research College of Nursing, to the graduate of the nursing program selected by the College of Nursing faculty as best exemplifying the standards and aims of Research College of Nursing.
• The William A. Luby Medal, in honor of a prominent Kansas City mathematics scholar and author, is awarded by department faculty to an outstanding student in mathematics, computer science or physics.
• Missouri League for Nursing Outstanding Graduating Student Nurse. This award is presented to the graduate who best fulfills the criteria of leadership potential, interpersonal skills and continuing professional growth as determined by the Research College of Nursing faculty.
• The Michael D. O’Connor Medal in Psychology is presented to the senior student who is judged to have contributed most to the personal and intellectual growth of other students in the department. The award also recognizes in an important way a long-term friend and faculty member of the University, Professor Michael O’Connor.
• Outstanding Student Leader. Any officer (chairperson, vice-chairperson or their equivalent) of officially recognized clubs and organizations at Rockhurst University are eligible for this award, with the exceptions of Student Senate President and Social Activities President. The student leader must accept and fulfill responsibilities; use an appropriate mix of authority and participation; maintain high standards or commitment/ performance by the group; encourage team work; engage a leadership style to the organization, its membership and purpose; delegate authority and appropriate follow up; while achieving personal and organizational goals.
• Jane Rues Service Recognition. The purpose of this award is to recognize Master of Occupational Therapy graduate students who exhibit an exemplary commitment to service while in the Occupational Therapy Education Program. The student recipient will have completed a minimum of 60 hours of service. This may include but is not limited to service which meets the requirements of the program, service as a member of a professional occupational therapy association, and service with community organizations.
• The Scrivener Medal, awarded annually to members of the graduating class who have made outstanding contributions to Rockhurst University in the area of publications, particularly during their junior and senior years. Recipients of the award are selected by faculty moderators of student publications and by the appropriate dean.
• Dr. Reva R. Servoss Chemistry Prize was established in 1996 by Dr. Servoss, who taught in the chemistry department for more than 30 years. This endowed fund is dedicated to young women who, like Dr. Servoss, seek to appreciate and master the study of chemistry through desire and hard work. Preference is given to female sophomores who have a declared major in chemistry.
• The Linda Z. Solomon, Ph.D., Memorial Award, established by friends and family to honor Dr. Solomon’s passion for Speech-language pathology. The award provides support for a second year graduate student in communication sciences and disorders to attend the national convention of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
• The Ellen Spake Award for Outstanding Leadership. This award recognizes a student who exhibits superior leadership skills during his/her time in the Physical Therapy Education Program. Dr. Spake was one of the co-founders of the Department of Physical Therapy Education and was a member of the PT faculty from 1983 to 2012 (serving as department chair from 1983 to 2003).
• The Rev. Robert F. Weiss, S.J. Award honors Fr. Weiss, President of Rockhurst College from 1977 to 1988. This award is presented to the graduating senior of the Research-Rockhurst nursing program who demonstrates the values of integrity and personal caring for others that were modeled consistently by Father Weiss during his years at Rockhurst.
• The Barbara Wynne Outstanding Biology Student Award honors graduating seniors majoring in biology who have demonstrated academic achievement and service to the department. It is named for a biology major who died shortly after her graduation from Rockhurst.

Honor Societies

• Alpha Psi Omega. Alpha Psi Omega was organized as a theatre honor society for the purpose of providing acknowledgement to those demonstrating a high standard of accomplishment in theatre and providing a wider fellowship for those interested in theatre. Founded in August of 1925, Alpha Psi Omega was built upon the desire to develop talents in all aspects of theatre, to foster the cultural values theatre develops, and to encourage cooperation and collaboration among other member chapters. Nominations are limited to participation in at least two areas in show production and a minimum GPA of 3.0. This is the Phi Eta Cast.
• Alpha Sigma Nu Jesuit Honor Society. Alpha Sigma Nu is a national honor society for men and women. The group was organized to honor students of Jesuit colleges and universities who have distinguished themselves in scholarship, loyalty and service to the University. A limited number of juniors, seniors, and graduate students are selected for membership each year. The society offers its services to the University, particularly in an effort to stimulate intellectual interest and accomplishment.
• Beta Beta Beta. TriBeta is a national honor society with more than 430 chapters throughout the world. The Pi Epsilon chapter is active at Rockhurst, and invites any students interested in biology to consider membership. Activities are designed to stimulate interest, scholarly attainment, investigation in the biological sciences, and to promote the dissemination of information and new interpretations among students of the life sciences. In addition to campus activities, students may attend regional and national conventions.
• Beta Gamma Sigma. Beta Gamma Sigma is the honor society serving business programs accredited by AACSB International-The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Membership in Beta Gamma Sigma is the highest recognition a business student anywhere in the world can receive in a business program accredited by AACSB-International. Invitation for membership is limited to: undergraduate B.S.B.A. students who rank in the upper seven percent of the junior class or upper ten percent of the senior class; and Executive Fellows M.B.A., M.B.A., and dual degree DO/MBA students who rank in the upper twenty percent of their graduating class.
• Kappa Delta Pi. The International Honor Society in Education was organized to recognize excellence in education. Kappa Delta Pi elects those to membership who exhibit the ideals of scholarship, high personal standards, and promise in teaching and allied professions. Kappa Delta Pi is an honor society of, about, and for educators. Selection as a member of Kappa Delta Pi is based on high academic achievement, a commitment to education as a career, and a professional attitude that assures steady growth in the profession.
• Phi Alpha Theta. Phi Alpha Theta, the National History Honor Society, was organized at the University of Arkansas in 1921. Its purpose is to promote the study of history through the encouragement of research, good teaching, publication, and the exchange of learning and ideas among historians. Phi Alpha Theta seeks to bring students, teachers, and writers of history together both intellectually and socially. Students who achieve excellence in the study of history, have completed a minimum of 12 semester hours in history, and maintain a strong overall academic record are eligible to join. National and regional Phi Alpha Theta conferences provide students with the opportunity to present papers they have written and to meet distinguished historians.
• Phi Lambda Upsilon. Phi Lambda Upsilon was founded in 1899 as an honorary chemistry society. It was the first honor society dedicated to a single scientific discipline. The Beta Phi chapter is active at Rockhurst and counts as a part of its membership students majoring in chemistry or biochemistry who have met the chapter and national qualifications. The aims and purposes of the Society are summarized in its constitution: the promotion of high scholarship and original investigation in all branches of pure and applied chemistry.
• Phi Sigma Tau. Phi Sigma Tau is an international philosophy honor society for undergraduate students. Founded in 1930, it fosters academic excellence as well as philosophical interest. In addition to providing a means of awarding distinction to students with scholarly achievement, the Society also promotes interest in philosophy among the general collegiate community. The National Society publishes an official journal twice yearly. The Missouri Beta Chapter here at Rockhurst hosts an annual dinner honoring initiates, and sponsors regular campus-wide discussion on timely philosophical subjects. The chapter selects those students who show advanced philosophical abilities and who can demonstrate the significance of philosophy in Jesuit education and its overall primacy in liberal education.
• Pi Delta Phi. Pi Delta Phi is the National French Honor Society, founded in 1925. The purpose of the Society is to recognize outstanding scholarship in the French language and its literatures, to increase the knowledge and appreciation of Americans for the cultural contributions of the French-speaking world, and to stimulate and encourage French and francophone activities. Students are nominated in recognition of their academic achievement. Honorary members are faculty and community members recognized for their strong support of French cultures. Pi Delta Phi publishes a newsletter and offers study abroad awards.
• Psi Chi. Psi Chi is the International Honor Society in Psychology. It was founded in 1929 for the purpose of encouraging, stimulating, and maintaining excellence in scholarship and advancing the science of psychology. Students who are making the study of psychology one of their major interests and who meet the minimum national and chapter qualifications are invited for membership into Psi Chi each year. Members are expected to becomed actively engaged in research, either with a faculty mentor or in a lab at a nearby institution. Psi Chi members present their research project at local and regional conferences.
• Sigma Delta Pi. Sigma Delta Pi is the National Collegiate Hispanic Honor Society. The purposes of this society are: to honor those who excel in the study of Spanish language and Hispanic literature and culture; to encourage college students to acquire a deeper understanding of Hispanic culture; to foster friendly relations and mutual respect between Spanish and English speaking nations; and to serve its membership in ways that will further the goals and ideals of the Society. Students are nominated in recognition of their academic achievement. Honorary members are faculty and community members recognized for their strong support of Spanish culture. Sigma Delta Pi publishes an official journal twice yearly and offers scholarships to study during the summer in Spain and Ecuador, and stipends to study abroad during the summer with a program in a Spanish speaking country.
• Sigma Tau Delta. Consisting of more than 800 active chapters, the International English Honor Society, founded in 1924, confers distinction upon students of the English language and literature and seeks to facilitate its members’ academic, professional, and personal growth. Members have the opportunity to share their interests in literature and linguistics with like-minded peers, participate in rewarding intellectual and service activities, and be recognized for their accomplishments. Each year, the Honor Society assembles for a national convention, publishes creative arts and critical journals, and sponsors numerous awards and scholarships.
• Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing. Sigma Theta Tau International is the nursing honor society founded in 1922. The mission of the society is to provide leadership and scholarship in practice, education and research to enhance the health of all people. It supports the learning and professional development of its members who strive to improve nursing care. Membership is by invitation to selected senior, accelerated and graduate students who demonstrate excellence in scholarship and to nurse leaders exhibiting exceptional achievements in nursing. There are nearly 500 chapters on college campuses in the United States and 24 other countries.
• Theta Alpha Kappa. Theta Alpha Kappa is a national honor society founded in 1976 for those involved in the academic pursuit of religious studies and/or theology. The society’s primary purpose is to honor academic excellence in these fields. TAK grants awards to members who have achieved the high standards of their discipline. The society publishes a journal every year in which students may submit articles. Students who meet the membership qualifications are encouraged to become part of this national society.

Degree Requirements

Catalog Requirements: Progress Toward a Degree

Although requirements are subject to change without notice, as a general rule, and whenever possible, students may elect (1) to comply with the new requirements or (2) to remain under the requirements set forth in the catalog in effect when they began their studies (provided they have maintained continuous enrollment). Students who do not maintain continuous enrollment must satisfy the academic requirements of the catalog under which they re-enroll. Students who initially declare or change their major may be bound by the regulations for the new major that are in effect the semester when they declare or change their major and officially begin studies in that program.

Declaring a Major

To provide organization, intensive work and a comprehensive grasp of a field of knowledge, each student must elect a field of concentration on which most of the work of the upper division (courses numbered 3000-4999) will center.

Before a student may be accepted as a major in a specific area, the student should be in the process of completing at least 60 hours of course work and have a grade-point average of at least 1.85. Some programs require a higher GPA for admission, therefore the student should consult the appropriate section of the catalog. The 60 hours of completed course work should include the lower division (courses numbered 1000-2999) requirements of the liberal core as well as the lower division prerequisites of the proposed major. Declaration of major forms are available in the Registrar’s Office, the Registrar’s Office website (www.rockhurst.edu/registrar), Dean’s offices, or from academic advisors.

Once a student declares a major, the Registrar’s Office sends a degree audit to the student and their academic advisor. This record shows exactly where the courses taken fit into the academic program, and is used to track the student’s progress toward degree completion.

Specific Degree Requirements

Rockhurst University offers baccalaureate degrees through the College of Arts & Sciences, the School of Graduate and Professional Studies, the Helzberg School of Management, and Research College of Nursing. See Programs of Study  section for a listing of all degrees offered by each college/school. Although each school may have additional degree requirements specific to particular programs, every undergraduate degree received at Rockhurst University must meet the following minimum institutional requirements:

1. Minimum of 128 semester hours, including the Liberal Core and academic major requirements, with at least 64 hours from a regionally-accredited four-year institution.
2. Minimum of 30 hours of upper-division coursework, of which at least 18 but no more than 42 hours are in the major discipline, and which includes at least 12 hours of related upper-division coursework. The curriculum in interdisciplinary programs may include 30 credit hours of coursework from several disciplines in lieu of the minimum of 18 hours in one discipline and 12 hours in a related area.
3. Minimum 2.00 (C) overall GPA; minimum grade of C or above in each of the minimum 30 hours of upper-division coursework. A C grade (2.00) is required in EACH UPPER-DIVISION COURSE counted toward fulfillment of the major; this includes the 12 hours of related upper-division coursework. (Grades of C- are not accepted to fulfill this requirement.)
4. The completion of the prescribed courses in the Liberal Core as described in the “Curriculum” section of the Catalog for degrees offered in the College of Arts and Sciences, School of Graduate and Professional Studies, Helzberg School of Management, and Research College of Nursing.
5. Successful completion of major requirements (see individual programs).
6. Successful completion of senior comprehensive exam or equivalent if department requires such an exam.
7. Qualifications:
   1. Maximum of 8 hours of activity credit.
      Note: Beginning Fall 2010, varsity sports physical education activity courses are no longer accepted toward the degree for both incoming and continuing students.
   2. Maximum of 6 hours of practicum, cooperative education, field experience, internship, etc. (Student teaching hours may exceed this maximum.)
   3. Maximum of 64 transfer hours from an accredited two-year college.
   4. Maximum of 32 non-traditional hours earned by exam (CLEP, AP, IB, military training).
   5. Maximum of 42 hours of upper-division coursework in the academic major.
   6. At least 30 hours of coursework must be completed at Rockhurst.
   7. Research College of Nursing requires that a minimum of 15 hours be completed at Rockhurst and a minimum of 15 hours be completed at Research.
   8. Half of the upper-division hours required for the major, and half of the minimum 12 hours of upper-division related coursework, must be earned at Rockhurst.
   9. The last 30 hours of coursework must be completed at Rockhurst.
8. Even after the requirements for a degree have been fulfilled, the University still reserves the right to deny the degree if, in its judgment, the objectives of the University have not been adequately realized in the candidate.

See individual departments for specific major, minor, and certificate requirements.

Requirements for Earning a Second Degree

1. The completion at Rockhurst of a minimum of 30 additional semester hours above the hours completed for the first degree. At least 18 of these 30 hours must be in the major. These additional 30 hours must be taken beyond all hours earned for the previous degree. If a student successfully completed courses required in the major for the second degree while pursuing the first degree, those classes may count toward the second degree with departmental approval. In that case, the student must take additional upper-division hours to equal the number of hours required for the major.
2. At least one-half of the major and one-half of the related courses must be completed at Rockhurst.
3. The completion of requirements as stated in numbers 2 through 8 in the previous section.
4. Students may not earn two of the same degree concurrently, for example, a B.A.; but they may earn two different degrees concurrently, for example, a B.A. and a B.S. or B.S.B.A.

Requirements for Earning More than One Major

1. The two majors may be in different degree programs. If the majors are in different degree programs the student shall designate one as a primary major and shall then receive the degree corresponding to the primary major.
2. All requirements for both majors must be met.
3. Each major may be accepted as fulfilling the related hours requirement of the other major, subject to approval.
4. The requirements for both majors must be fulfilled at or before the awarding of the degree.

Minors

A minor is a structured concentration of courses consisting of upper-level courses totaling between 12 and 20 semester hours. Rockhurst University offers minors in a number of different areas. These minors can be declared when the declaration of major is filed, but must be declared at the time of filing for degree candidacy. Advice on course selection should be sought early from a faculty member in the intended minor area. The specific requirements for minors are outlined in this publication immediately after the description of the major for those disciplines that offer them. Lower-division courses are required in addition to the minimum 12 upper-division hours. Students who elect to complete a minor must complete the requirements for both the major and the minor by the time the degree is granted. Both the major and the minor will be indicated on the student’s permanent academic record (transcript), but tracks within majors and minors are not recorded on the permanent record.

Students in the College of Arts and Sciences and School of Graduate and Professional Studies have the option to complete a minor or to complete the “related area” requirement, but they do not need to do both. Students earning their degrees in the Helzberg School of Management or Research College of Nursing must fulfill all degree requirements specific to those degrees, with the option of adding a minor area. Courses completed to fulfill Liberal Core requirements may also fulfill minor requirements where appropriate. Students may complete more courses in the minor area than are specified for the minor.

Students who elect to complete a minor must satisfy certain requirements. Some academic areas allow students, in consultation with a faculty member in the appropriate discipline, to choose from a list of approved courses to fulfill minor requirements. Other minors are more prescribed in nature. Students should refer to the appropriate section of this Catalog and confer with an appropriate advisor.

In general, the requirements for minors are:

1. More than one-half of the upper division hours in the minor must be completed at Rockhurst University.
2. All of the upper-division courses required for the minor must be completed with grades of C or better. (A grade of C- will not satisfy this requirement.) Some minors may have higher GPA requirements.
3. Students cannot earn a major and a minor in the same area, nor can they apply specified upper-division courses required by a major toward a minor. Students may count Liberal Core courses not used for the major toward their minor.

Certificates

Certificates may be earned by non-degree seeking students or by currently enrolled degree seeking students. Certificate guidelines and standards will apply equally to both groups.

Where appropriate, certificate programs meet industry, professional society, and accreditation standards. Certificate programs require no less than 15 upper-division credit hours. A minimum grade of “C” is required in each course in order to be awarded a certificate at Rockhurst University. The final two-thirds of the total credits required for the certificate must be earned at Rockhurst University.

Degree Candidacy

Undergraduate Degree Applications are available from the Registrar’s Office and the Registrar’s Office website (www.rockhurst.edu/registrar). Students must file their degree applications in accordance with the deadline published by the Registrar in the Academic Calendar at the Rockhurst University web site. The deadline is during the semester before the student’s graduation: September 30 for May or August graduation; March 30 for December graduation. Students who file their degree applications after the published deadline will be assessed a late fee. Failure to meet the deadline date may affect a student’s participation in commencement and/or receipt of diploma. Once the applications are received by the Registrar’s Office, a review is made of the student’s academic record to ensure that they have met the requirements of the degree the student seeks.

Other Academic Policies

Undergraduate Attendance Policy

Rockhurst University students are expected to attend classroom and laboratory sessions regularly. It is believed if they are not present they will not benefit fully from the educational opportunity being offered. Tardiness may be recorded as an absence at the discretion of the professor. Classes missed as a result of delayed registration are also recorded as absences. When the total hours of class time missed exceeds twice the number of credit hours assigned to the course, a student may be assigned a grade of “F” at the discretion of the professor for “excessive absences.” Thus, in a course that is worth 3 credit hours, the student may be assigned an “F” when more than 6 hours of class time have been missed, or when 8 hours of class time have been missed in a 4 credit hour course (i.e., 7 absences in a 3 credit hour class that meets 50 minutes Monday/Wednesday/Friday for 15 weeks, or 1.5 absences in accelerated classes that meet 4 hours once a week for 8 classes, etc.).

Faculty should clearly communicate to the students their expectations and policies regarding attendance at the start of each academic session in all classes that they are teaching. Students should familiarize themselves with each individual professor’s expectations and policies on attendance at the beginning of the semester (since these may vary from one faculty member to the next), and clarify any concerns or questions they might have about attendance with their professors.

On Location Policy

Rockhurst University also supports learning experiences afforded by involvement in cocurricular activities, such as student leadership conferences, athletics, theater competitions, etc. Often these co-curricular activities require students to represent Rockhurst University and to be “on location” somewhere off campus for both the participation in the event as well as travel to and from the location. The following guidelines refer to Rockhurst University’s expectations for both students and faculty regarding “on location” activities that result in student absences and missed class work. The “on location” policy only applies to those authorized co-curricular activities that have been approved by the respective Dean’s offices and verified to the faculty members impacted.

Student Expectations

A Rockhurst University student engaged regularly in approved co-curricular activities which will necessitate missing classes is expected to do the following:

1. Inform each of his/her instructors about his/her participation at the beginning of the academic semester, indicating which classes will be missed.
2. Agree to an appropriate procedure for obtaining the missed class notes and other coursework.
3. Recognize that authorized absences for co-curricular activities do still count towards the total absences allowed in a course, and absences allowed under the “excessive absence” policy (as noted above in the Undergraduate Attendance Policy) are not considered “in addition” to those granted to students who participate in authorized activities (i.e., if a student knows that 4 classes will be missed for athletic events, this does not mean they are allowed a total of 10 absences in a 3 credit hour MWF class).
4. Understand that absences are “authorized” only when they are documented by the appropriate dean’s office. The “on location” policy does not extend to include practice time, team meals, or departure preparations prior to the time a team, group, or student is expected to leave on a trip.

Faculty Expectations

Rockhurst University faculty are asked to respect the educational value that co-curricular activities add to a student’s education. Faculty are expected to:

1. Refrain from academically penalizing a student whose absence has been authorized by the dean’s office.
2. Work with students involved in official co-curricular activities to provide a mechanism for students to receive missed information or to participate in tests, assignments or other classroom work.
3. In their academic advising role, become familiar with the information in the on-line resource “Academic Advising” located on the Rockhurst University website under academics/ academic support. In particular, a section entitled “Advising the Student Athlete” is included for faculty information.
4. Immediately notify their dean’s office when a student is believed to be abusing the policy. 

Students and faculty are asked to communicate expectations and needs clearly so that the value of classroom education is not minimized and at the same time students are still afforded the opportunities of participation in co-curricular activities.

Examinations

Major examinations in undergraduate full-term courses are held quarterly and are held at the close of the semester for all undergraduate programs. A student who has been absent from the regularly scheduled semester examination in any course, will receive a grade of “F” for the course unless the dean has been informed of illness or has granted an extension of time in advance of the examination and for serious reasons.

Academic Honesty Policy

1. Philosophical Statement:
   Rockhurst University is a learning community. Consistent with the mission and purpose and the Judeo-Christian principles the University seeks to foster within its whole community, it is expected that academic honesty and integrity guide the actions of all its members. It is the responsibility of every person in the academic community—faculty members, students, and administrators—to ensure that academic dishonesty or misconduct is not tolerated.
2. Definition
   Academic honesty includes adherence to guidelines pertaining to integrity established for a given course as well as those established by the University for conducting academic, administrative, and research functions. All forms of academic dishonesty or misconduct are prohibited. The examples given are not intended to be all inclusive of the various kinds of academic dishonesty, cheating, plagiarism, or misappropriation which may occur. Examples include but are not limited to the following:
   1. Cheating
      1. Copying, or the offering, requesting, receiving or using of unauthorized assistance or information in examinations, texts, reports, computer programs, term papers or other assignments.
      2. Attempting to change answers after an exam has been submitted.
   2. Plagiarism
      1. The appropriation of ideas, language, or work of another without sufficient attribution or acknowledgment that the work is not one’s own.
      2. Violations include but are not limited to:
         1. submitting as one’s own work material copied from a published source.
         2. submitting as one’s own work someone else’s unpublished work.
         3. submitting as one’s own work a rewritten or paraphrased version of some one else’s work.
         4. allowing someone or paying someone to write a paper or other assignment to be submitted as one’s own.
         5. utilizing a purchased pre-written paper or other assignment.
   3. Manipulation, alteration, or destruction of another student’s academic work or of faculty material.
   4. The unauthorized removal, mutilation or deliberate concealment of library or other resource material or collections.
   5. Unauthorized use of University facilities, equipment or other property, including computer accounts and files.
   6. Any other act which might give one an unearned advantage in evaluation or performance.
3. Nurturing Academic Honesty
   Faculty, administration, staff, and students are responsible for modeling and nurturing academic honesty. Faculty, especially, should strive to nurture academic honesty by citing sources in lecture and class material, thereby modeling for their students and advisees the type of precautions to be taken to ensure academic honesty. It is further expected that faculty will take reasonable actions to reduce opportunities for dishonesty through such practices as monitoring examinations or requiring sequences of an assignment to be submitted. It is further expected that each student will be informed of the definition of academic dishonesty and the processes the University will take in dealing with it.
4. Academic Dishonesty: Procedure, Penalties and Due Process
   1. Level 1—Informal Disposition
      As much as possible, a member of the faculty, staff or administration (hereafter referred to as University representative) will deal individually with suspected violations of the Academic Dishonesty Policy. Level 1—Informal Disposition constitutes the initial level of action, including resolution. The University representative who suspects that such a violation has occurred will confer with the student, present support, listen to and evaluate the student’s explanation, and then, if the student is found to have violated the Academic Honesty Policy, impose a penalty based upon the findings. Penalties relate to specific violations and may include but are not limited to:
      1. warning the student;
      2. lowering the grade of the assignment or examination or the assignment of a failing grade for the semester;
      3. requiring the student to repeat the assignment or examination;
      4. compulsory school or community service;
      5. other penalties as deemed appropriate.
         
         The student will be provided with a written Level 1 decision by the University representative within three working days of conferring with the student, addressed to the student’s last known local or permanent address on file with the University. A student who wishes to appeal the Level 1 decision must indicate her/his intent to appeal in writing within one working day of the written Level 1 decision delivered to the appropriate dean’s office.
   2. Level 2—Academic Disciplinary Board
      The Academic Disciplinary Board:
      1. may decide appeals of Level 1 decisions brought by students;
      2. may decide Level 1 cases brought by the University representative if the University representative is of the opinion the allegations are serious or warrant stricter sanctions than those available under Level 1; and
      3. on it’s own initiative, may review any Level 1 decision.

For cases involving academic departments, the Academic Disciplinary Board will be composed of the department chair, a faculty member to be appointed by the dean of the college or school within which the student is enrolled or the violation arose, and either the division chair or academic dean, or his/her designee (who serves as chair). Should the department chair be the faculty member bringing the charge(s) the appropriate academic dean will appoint a faculty substitute. For cases involving units other than academic departments (i.e. Library, Registrar’s Office, Computer Center, or other similar unit), the Academic Disciplinary Board will be composed of the director of that unit, a faculty member to be appointed by the Vice President for Academic Affairs and an appropriate member of the administration (generally a dean) who serves as chair and is also appointed by the Vice President for Academic Affairs. The composition of the Academic Disciplinary Board will avoid a conflict of interest. This may result in the Vice President for Academic Affairs appointing other University representatives in lieu of the aforementioned Board compositions. The Board may uphold, modify, or reverse Level 1 decisions.

In cases before it, the Academic Disciplinary Board will consider relevant supportive information presented by any side. Based on its evaluation of relevant supportive information before it, the Academic Disciplinary Board may impose any penalty thus far listed and in addition may recommend to the Vice President for Academic Affairs the suspension or expulsion of a student. 

Procedures before the Academic Disciplinary Board Hearing

1. Within three working days of the filing of the written intent to appeal the Level 1 decision, the student must deliver to the Academic Disciplinary board all supportive information relevant to the appeal, including any request for hearing.
2. Within three working days of receipt of the student’s relevant supportive information, the Academic Disciplinary board will notify the University representative and for cases involving academic departments, the Dean of the college or school in which the student is enrolled or the violation arose and for cases involving units other than academic departments, the Vice President for Academic Affairs. Depending upon the type of case, the Dean or the Vice President for Academic Affairs shall choose the University representative for participation at Level 2 and shall notify the Academic Disciplinary Board of the choice within three working days. Within three working days of notice of the University Representative to the Academic Disciplinary Board, that University representative must deliver all relevant information in support of the Level 1 decision to the Academic Disciplinary Board, including any request for hearing.
3. The Academic Disciplinary Board may require a hearing and the decision to hear any case is in the discretion of the Academic Disciplinary Board.
4. At least five working days before the scheduled hearing, if any, the Chair of the Academic Disciplinary Board or designee will send to the student, addressed to the student’s last known local or permanent address on file with the University, and the University representative written notice of:
   1. the alleged violation(s) to be heard;
   2. the time, date and place of the hearing;
   3. a statement of the charge(s) and documents in support of and in opposition to the charge(s).
      
      In cases where there are multiple charges, the Academic Disciplinary Board may consolidate all charges into one hearing.
5. The student may bring a faculty member of the University community with her/him as an advisor to any hearing and if so, the student must notify the Academic Disciplinary Board of the name of the advisor within one working day of the hearing. The student, however, is expected to present her/his own case in his/her own words.
6. The Academic Disciplinary Board will be responsible for maintaining a record, if any, of the hearing.
7. The Level 2 decision of the Academic Disciplinary Board may be presented orally at the conclusion of the hearing or in writing to the student, addressed to the student’s last known local or permanent address on file with the University, and to the University representative within five working days of any hearing and if there is no hearing, within ten working days of timely receipt of all relevant supportive information from the student and University representative.
8. Materials related to disposition of the charge(s) of the Academic Honesty Policy, including a summary record of any appeal process and decision(s), will be maintained in the office of the academic dean of the college or school in which the student is enrolled.

Grounds for Appeal

Below are listed the only bases upon which a student or University representative may appeal the Level 2 decision of the Academic Disciplinary Board:

1. The evidence against the student is insufficient to warrant the action taken by the Academic Disciplinary Board.
2. The decision of the Academic Disciplinary Board is arbitrary.
3. The decision of the Academic Disciplinary Board is inconsistent with existing University policy.

Appeal of the Decisions of the Academic Disciplinary Board

A student or the University representative may appeal the decision of the Academic Disciplinary Board by filing an “Intent to Appeal” with the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs within one working day of the decision of the Academic Disciplinary Board and the Vice President for Academic Affairs will notify the other within three working days of the filing of the Intent to Appeal. On notice of the filing of the Intent to Appeal from the Vice President, the Academic Disciplinary Board will forward all information related to the case to the Vice President for Academic Affairs. Absent extraordinary circumstances, neither the student nor University representative may present additional supportive information for consideration by the Vice President for Academic Affairs. Any request to present additional information must be made to the Vice President for Academic Affairs within three working days of filing of the Intent to Appeal and the request must include a substantive description of the additional supportive information. The Vice President may request additional information or a meeting with any individual regarding the charge(s). In general, the Vice President for Academic Affairs will present his/her decision to the student and University representative within five working days of receipt of information or meeting with the student or University representative. The decision of the Vice President for Academic Affairs may be presented orally or in writing addressed to the student at the student’s last known local or permanent address on file with the University and the University representative. The decision of the Vice President for Academic Affairs is final. Pending the decision of the Vice President for Academic Affairs, the student’s status as a student will remain unaltered except in cases where there are reasons relating to the emotional or physical welfare of the student or other members of the University community or for reasons involving the safety of property or the good of the University.

Time

For purposes of counting time, the day of the act will not be counted and the final day of the time period will be counted. Working day means any day the administration of the University is open and conducting business and is not as provided in the University’s Academic Calendar. Three days are added to any time period where delivery is by mail.

Policy for the Review of the Final Grade

Preface

It is the student’s responsibility to meet the requirements established for each course taken at Rockhurst University. It is the course instructor’s responsibility to establish course requirements for grades as part of the course syllabus and to evaluate students fairly according to the standards established.

Philosophy of Grade Review Policy

Rockhurst is “a learning community” which “believes in the intrinsic value of the intellectual life and in the disinterested pursuit of truth.” At the beginning of any grade review procedure all of those involved should proceed with this principle in mind: the primary goal of all proceedings will be to clarify requirements, to affirm the application of consistent standards. An atmosphere of rational discourse must always prevail.

Bases for Review

For adequate cause, a student has the right to request review of an assigned final course grade. Bases on which the student may request review include the following: the student believes that:

1. The assigned final grade does not reflect the weighted values given to required work as indicated in the course syllabus; or/and
2. The final grade does not reflect the student’s level of fulfillment of course requirements as stated in the course syllabus (for example, class attendance, level of performance on tests, number and length of papers, penalty for late work, and other academic criteria); or/and
3. The final grade is inconsistent with standards set for the course; or/and
4. The assigned final grade is based on arbitrary or nonacademic criteria.

Procedure

The student requesting review must follow the procedure set out below. Failure to follow the procedure in the given order or to comply with the time limits identified in the procedure will result in denial of the review.

Informal Procedure for Review of the Assigned Final Grade*

1. By the end of the first week of the semester following receipt of the assigned final course grade, (for courses taken in the Spring and Summer semesters, no later than September 1, and for courses taken in the Fall semester, no later than February 1), the student requests in writing (certified mail return receipt requested) review of the assigned final grade from the assigning instructor or if the instructor is not available submits the request to the appropriate dean’s office. The student and the instructor may agree to meet to conduct part of the grade review. The student should make the appointment to meet with the instructor. In writing (certified mail return receipt requested is advised, but not required) within 14 days of receipt of the request for final grade review, the instructor will respond to the student.
   
   *Note: The term “semester” is understood in a narrow sense, referring only to the first semester and the second semester of the regular academic year. The term “semester” does not refer to summer sessions or interterms. The intent is to provide a timeline allowing for possible faculty absence during the summer and during interterm.
    
2. If within 14 days of the instructor’s response the student is not satisfied with the result, the student may request in writing to the department chair (for the College of Arts and Sciences and College of Health and Human Services) or the program chair (for the Helzberg School of Management) review of the final course grade. For the purpose of information, not re-grading, the student’s request should include supporting evidence, such as photocopies of graded papers, quizzes, tests, and other work performed in the course. The student should also note the steps taken so far to review the final grade. After (a) reviewing the case with the student and (b) reviewing the case with the assigning instructor, the department or the division chair will within 14 days of the student’s request for review, advise the student and the instructor in writing her/his opinion regarding the assigned final course grade and that the informal procedure is completed. The question could be resolved with this step.

Formal Procedure for Review of the Assigned Final Grade

If not satisfied with the result of the informal procedure, the student may request a formal review of the assigned final course grade.

1. Within seven days of the response of the department or the division chair, the student presents in writing to the dean (or his/her designee) of the college or school in which the course is offered, the request for formal review of the
   assigned final course grade, including reasons justifying the review, any supporting evidence, and a list of the steps taken to date to resolve the issue.
2. Within 14 days of the student’s written request, the dean (or his/her designee) will convene a panel consisting of a full-time faculty representative of the college or school and two full-time faculty members of the same department or academic discipline as the instructor, if department or discipline size permits. The University representative will chair the panel. The dean’s office will inform the requesting student and the course instructor in writing with reply forms enclosed of the panel appointees.
3. The student and the course instructor may each object to up to two panel appointees. Any objection to a panel appointee must be lodged in writing or printed e-mail or fax with the dean’s office within seven days of notice of the panel appointees. Failure to lodge objection to a panel member will be considered as acceptance of the appointee as panel member. No other objections will be permitted by either the student or the course instructor. After exhaustion of objections, the dean (or his/her designee) will appoint any vacancy on the panel.
4. As soon as panel membership is set, the dean (or his/her designee) turns over to the chair of the panel the student request and all supporting materials the student has provided.
5. The chair of the panel does not vote on the recommendation except in the event that the two other faculty members, each of whom has one vote, are unable to reach agreement.
6. The chair will schedule a date for the review and the panel should conclude its review within ten working days of its first meeting. The panel will examine the information provided and may hold a joint conference of the panel, the student, and the instructor. The chair of the panel has the responsibility to inform the panel members, the student, and the instructor of the date, time, and place of any joint conference.
7. The panel is empowered either (a) to recommend that the instructor change the grade, (b) to recommend that the instructor reevaluate the grade according to criteria specified by the panel, or (c) to dismiss the appeal. The panel is not empowered to change the grade. The grade, which the course instructor assigned, cannot be changed by anyone but that instructor. The instructor will advise the registrar of a change in grade, if any. The panel will advise the student of a change in grade, if any.
8. The panel submits its recommendation to the student, to the course instructor, to the department/division/program chair, and to the appropriate dean (or his/her designee). On request each party will be apprised of the basis for the panel’s decision. The panel’s responsibility is thus concluded. No other review is available.
9. The grade appeal will be considered confidential and only those involved in the grade appeal including its investigation and resolution will be provided information concerning the appeal.
10. If the student chooses to make the panel’s recommendation a part of her/his permanent file, the student should instruct the dean (or his/her designee) to convey the panel’s recommendation to the registrar and the panel’s recommendation will be transmitted by the registrar’s office to graduate schools, employers, and others to whom the student requests that a transcript be sent according to the policies of the University regarding release of transcriptions, and to the department or program chair of the student’s major and the director of financial aid at Rockhurst.

Enrollment Policies

Activation of Reserve or National Guard Units

Those students who are unable to complete academic work during the academic term in which they are called to active duty as part of a Reserve or National Guard unit call-up have three options:

1. The student may choose to totally withdraw from school and be given 100% refund of all academic tuition and fees as well as student activity fees which have been assessed. The permanent record (transcript) will not reflect the withdrawal with a “W”. Students choosing this option will be granted a Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress waiver for the term. In addition, an adjustment will be made on unused portions of room and board.
2. The student, in collaboration with and approval of the instructor, may choose the use of the “I” grade (Incomplete) under appropriate circumstances. The amount of time allowed for the incomplete work will not include the active duty time spent. However, once the student has returned from active duty, the incomplete work must be completed within a reasonable period of time, which will be determined by the Vice President of Academic Affairs. At that time the
   student may elect to withdraw from the class.
3. The student may elect to complete the work in collaboration with and approval of the instructor on a shortened time frame prior to the active duty reporting date. This arrangement should be chosen only if the student is activated in the
   final quarter of the term.

In order to select one of the above options, the student must present or fax a copy of the military orders selecting them for active duty to the Registrar’s Office. For further information, contact the Registrar’s Office.

Audit

Those students taking courses for interest or the development of their own skills and not with the intention of seeking credit or a degree may enroll in courses for audit. Auditing students are not required to do course work or to take examinations but are expected to attend class regularly. Course fees for credit and audit are the same. Students may not change from audit to credit status after registration. Students may change from credit to audit status. The procedures and deadlines for withdrawal from individual classes also pertain to changes to audit status in any class. Students wishing only to audit classes should follow the same application procedures as unclassified students. Participation is on a space available basis and shall only be allowed with permission of the program chair (from the department offering the course) and the appropriate dean. Generally, students entering Rockhurst as auditors only are not eligible for institutional financial aid.

Changing Enrollment

Prior to the beginning of the semester, if a student who has registered decides not to attend they must contact the Office of the Registrar immediately in writing to withdraw. Written notification may include e-mail notification however, only through the Rockhurst student e-mail account. After classes have begun for the semester, the student will be responsible for all charges incurred prior to the date notification is given in writing to the Office of the Registrar or Office of Financial Aid (official notification date). Refunds of charges will be given according to the Tuition Refund Schedule using the official notification date. The Tuition Refund Schedule and the final date for withdrawal can be found on the Rockhurst website, www.Rockhurst.edu. In the case of total withdrawal from class, for the purposes of Title IV Aid, the date used will be the last date of attendance or the mid-term date. (See withdrawal and refund in the Financial Aid Section of this catalog).
Failure to officially withdraw from class within the Drop period will result in a failing grade.

Drop/Add Period

Students may add and drop courses anytime between initial registration in the courses and the last day of the Drop/Add Period. The Drop/Add Period is seven calendar days, beginning with the first day of class for the semester or session. In the case of late entrance to a course, the student is responsible for all assignments made prior to adding the course. To add or withdraw from a course during the Drop/Add period, the student must either obtain an official Change of Registration Request form from the appropriate dean’s office or the Registrar’s Office and submit it to the Registrar’s Office, or change enrollment on Rockweb in a secure environment directly through Rockhurst myCampus Portal https://my.rockhurst.edu, or Rockweb http://rockweb.Rockhurst.edu with a Personal Identification Number (PIN) obtained from Computer Services. If the student fills out the Change of Registration Request form, only the student’s signature is required during this time. The dates for the Drop/Add period are published in the Academic Calendar on the Rockhurst website. No credit will be allowed for a course in which the student is not appropriately registered.

Withdrawing From a Course After the Drop/Add Period

To withdraw from a course after the Drop/Add period, students must obtain the signatures of their instructor, advisor, and the Financial Aid Office before submitting the Change of Registration Request form to the Registrar’s Office. The instructor must indicate the student’s last date of attendance on the form. Whether or not the instructor and advisor recommend withdrawal, the student’s right to withdraw remains until the published deadline. See Academic Calendar,  www.Rockhurst.edu. It is the responsibility of the student to complete the course withdrawal process. Once the student has completed the withdrawal process they can confirm the change has been made through the Rockhurst myCampus Portal or by accessing Rockweb with their PIN.

The student is responsible for all financial obligations to the University up to the time of notification in writing to the Office of Financial Aid or the Office of the Registrar of their intent to withdraw (official notification date). In no case will the student receive a refund of financial assistance.

Students need to be aware that withdrawal from coursework may affect their ability to meet Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements. In order to maintain eligibility for financial assistance full-time undergraduate students are required to earn 12 hours per semester or 24 hours per year. Part-time undergraduate and graduate students are required to earn 80% of the hours they attempt. Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress is outlined in the Financial Aid section of this catalog. Among other things, withdrawal from class could also affect athletic eligibility, graduation status, insurance eligibility and immigration status. Institutional financial assistance is available for a maximum of eight semesters, athletic scholarship for a maximum of 10 semesters. Failure to attend or officially withdraw from a class will result in a failing grade. The final date for withdrawal is published in the Academic Calendar on the Rockhurst website, www.Rockhurst.edu.

Withdrawal Grade

Classes dropped during the official Drop/Add period are not reflected on the student’s permanent record. Courses dropped after the Drop/Add period are recorded with grade notations of “W” (withdrawal) or “WF” (Withdrawal Failing). The student’s failure to process course withdrawals correctly will result in a failing grade.

Complete Withdrawal from the University

A student who formally withdraws from the University on or before the last date to withdraw in a given semester will be withdrawn from all courses, except those courses that have previously been completed or have a grade of “I” (Incomplete) in that same semester. The notification to formally withdraw from the University includes the date the student notified in writing the Registrar or the Financial Aid Office of his or her intent to withdraw. If the student ceased attendance, but did not begin the withdrawal process or notify the institution concerning their intent to withdraw, the mid-point of the semester will be the official withdrawal date for the purpose of Title IV Aid. (See withdrawal and refund in the Financial Aid Section of this catalog). However, the student who fails to withdraw from the institution is responsible for financial obligations to the University based on the University’s tuition and housing refund policies. Students can initiate the formal withdrawal process in the Office of the Registrar.

If a student has registered for the next semester, and decides before the semester begins not to attend, the student must contact the Office of the Registrar immediately, in writing, to withdraw from all classes. Written notification may include e-mail notification, however, only through the Rockhurst student e-mail account. After classes have begun for the semester, the students will be responsible for all charges incurred until the student notifies in writing the Office of the Registrar or Office of Financial Aid. Refunds of charges will be given according to the Tuition Refund Schedule.

Appeal

If a student fails to notify the Registrar or Financial Aid Offices of their intent to withdraw because of circumstances beyond the student’s control, an appeal may be made to the Withdrawal Committee. The student will be expected to provide documentation of specific extenuating circumstances to the committee. At this time the recommendation of the dean will also be considered. The decision, however, to accept or reject the appeal will be at the discretion of the committee. Appeals should be sent to the attention of the Financial Aid Director who serves as the chair of the committee.

Exchange Programs

The Kansas City Area Student Exchange Program (KCASE) is a standing exchange agreement between Rockhurst University and other regional institutions. Participating institutions are Avila University, Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City Metropolitan Community Colleges, University of Missouri-Kansas City, and Park University. Rockhurst also has an independent agreement with William Jewell College. Full-time undergraduate students (enrolled in at least 12 semester hours) at one participating institution may take one additional course per semester at another participating institution without paying additional tuition. Students pay full-time tuition to their home institution and owe the other institution only such fees in addition to tuition as may be associated with the course itself (such as laboratory fees).

For Rockhurst University students, courses taken at another institution through the KCASE program must be applicable to their degree program. Taking courses through the KCASE program does not violate the final 30-hour residency rule. Rockhurst students must first obtain advisor approval in order to take courses at another KCASE institution. Grade requirements for courses taken through the KCASE program are the same as for transfer courses; the student must earn at least a “C-“. Students should have an official transcript sent to the Rockhurst University Registrar’s Office, where acceptable credit will be posted on the student’s permanent record as transfer credit. Only full-time undergraduate students may take courses under an exchange program. If an exchange course puts the student over the 18-hour full-time limit, there is no charge for the additional hours. To register for a course at another participating institution, students complete the Kansas
City Area Student Exchange Program Approval form, and the Pre-Approval of Transfer Credit form, both of which are available from the Registrar’s Office. This program is not available during the summer sessions.

Pass/No Pass Option

The Pass/No Pass registration/grading option is available to undergraduate students who are in good academic standing (a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0) and who have achieved junior status. Eligible students may exercise the option for strictly elective courses only; i.e., courses taken to fulfill core, major, or minor requirements cannot be taken for Pass/ No Pass grading. After achieving junior status, students can complete one elective course per semester for Pass/No Pass credit, and one course during the summer for Pass/No Pass credit, not to exceed a total of 12 hours. Neither a Pass nor a No Pass affects the student’s GPA, but a Pass does add credit to the total hours completed.

A student must merit “C” work or better in order to receive a Pass in a Pass/No Pass course. Thus, a grade of “C-” would result in a No Pass and the student would not receive credit for the course. The letter grade assigned by the faculty member will be converted to a Pass (P) or a No Pass (NP) in the Registrar’s Office.

The Pass/No Pass registration/grading option can be requested in the appropriate dean’s office during the period of time between the first day of classes and the last day for delayed entrance into classes. These dates are published in the “Academic Calendar” on the Rockhurst University web site. It should be noted, however, that students will be allowed only one course for Pass/No Pass status during a summer session, even though the University may offer courses in several different short terms. After the last date for delayed entrance into classes, the Pass/No Pass option cannot be granted. Students may change from Pass/No Pass registration status to a traditional status during the first 21 calendar days of the semester (or the first nine calendar days of an accelerated term). After this period, a request for a change from Pass/No Pass status to traditional grading status cannot be granted.

Registration Procedures

Complete information about registration procedures can be found online at the Rockhurst University website: www.rockhurst.edu.

Registration and Graduation Holds

Students with financial, academic, or other obligations to the University will not be allowed to register for classes until arrangements have been made to fulfill those obligations. Students with academic or other obligations to the University will not be allowed to graduate until arrangements have been made to fulfill those obligations. Academic obligations include such things as transcripts the student has not provided to the University. For institutional accreditation reasons, the University is required to have on file official transcripts from all institutions of higher education a degree-seeking student has attended, whether or not the credit is applied to their Rockhurst degree program.

Administrative Policies

Records of Academic Permissions and Exceptions to Policy

Permissions, academic board decisions and other records of exception to policy are filed with the Registrar, who maintains these along with other student records.

Access

It is the policy of Rockhurst University to provide reasonable accommodations for students defined as disabled in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and other applicable law. Students in need of accommodations must identify themselves to the Access Office and provide appropriate documentation of their disability. The Office then is able to facilitate reasonable accommodation for equal access to academic and other  University-administered programs. The Access Office is located in Massman Hall, Room 7, (816) 501-4689.

Assessment

Rockhurst University is committed to comprehensive, ongoing assessment of the institution and student learning; involving faculty, staff, and students at the course, program, and core level. All constituents are expected to participate in this process so that the institution can document its strengths and identify opportunities for improvement. Student involvement in assessment is integral to the University’s success in this endeavor, whether directly through assessment of student work in courses and programs, or indirectly through participation in course and university surveys.

Change of Address

All students should notify the Office of the Registrar immediately of any change in their address or those of their parents or guardians. In addition, international students are required by Immigration authorities to notify the International Student Officer of any change of address within 10 calendar days of that change. If the correct address is not on file, students may not receive information regarding their enrollment, financial aid, student account, graduation, and other important matters. The University assumes no responsibility for materials sent through the mail not received. Currently-enrolled students may change their address on Rockweb in a secure environment directly through Rockhurst my Campus Portal https://my.rockhurst.edu, or Rockweb http://rockweb.rockhurst.edu with a Personal Identification Number (PIN) obtained from Computer Services.

Classification of Undergraduates

Undergraduate degree-seeking students are classified as follows:

Name of Record

A student’s name of record includes the first name, middle initial or full middle name, and the family name. Nicknames should not be used. The University will change the name of a current student on its official records on request but requires satisfactory evidence of a legal basis for the change.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), as amended, is a federal law that regulates the maintenance and release of student records at educational institutions and related agencies. The purpose of the FERPA is to protect the privacy of student education records and affords students certain rights concerning their education records.

The primary rights afforded to students include: (1) the right to inspect and review education records, (2) the right to request to have the education records amended, (3) the right to consent to or prohibit the disclosure of certain information retained by the University, and (4) the right to file a complaint with the United States Department of Education if the student believes his or her FERPA rights have been violated.

Rockhurst University annually informs students of their FERPA rights through a variety of methods such as the University website, Student Handbook, and on campus at the Office of the Registrar. This policy statement sets forth the  University’s procedures for maintaining the privacy of education records, responding to request for amendments, and disclosing student records in compliance with FERPA.

Education Records

FERPA regulations governing Rockhurst University apply to the education records of current or former students. Records of an individual who applied for admission to the Rockhurst University, but never attended, are not education records under FERPA.

Education records are any records maintained by the University which are directly related to the student. An education record may include, but is not limited to, any of the following: academic records, files, biographical data, course  information, grade reports, results of certain examinations, student papers, test scores, advisory information, letters of evaluation, transcripts, admissions information, financial aid information, billing information, disciplinary records, housing records, promissory notes and copies of correspondence. Education records may be maintained in any way, including handwritten notes, print, computer media, video or audio tape, film, microfilm and microfiche.

The following documents are not education records for purposes of FERPA and this policy:

1. Records that are kept in the sole possession of the maker, are used only as a personal memory aid, and are not accessible or revealed to any other person except a temporary substitute for the maker of the record;
2. Employment records exclusively related to a student’s capacity as an employee of the University and not available for use for any other purpose, except where a currently enrolled student is employed as a result of his or her status as a student (e.g., workstudy, graduate assistantship or fellowship with the University);
3. Records maintained by the Rockhurst University Safety and Security Department solely for law enforcement purposes;
4. Medical and mental health records made, maintained or used by professionals in connection with the treatment of a student that are available only to persons providing treatment; and
5. Records that only contain information about an individual after he or she is no longer a student at that agency or institution.

Student Access

Every Rockhurst University student has the right to inspect and review his or her own education record(s), subject to the University’s procedures on the time, place and supervision of the inspection. To request education records from  Rockhurst University, a student must submit a written request to the Vice President of Academic Affairs and Student Development or Office of the Registrar and identify the record(s) to be inspected.

Rockhurst University will respond to a student’s valid request to inspect his or her education records within 45 days of the date the University receives the request. If the records that the student requests to inspect and review may not be disclosed under FERPA, the University will provide the student with a written explanation.

If the records that the student requests to inspect and review are to be disclosed under FERPA, the University will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. At the time of inspection, the student must present identification and will generally be required to review the record in the presence of a University official. If the education records of a student contain information on more than one student, the student may inspect and review or be informed of only the specific information about that student.

A student’s right to inspect and review education records does not necessarily include a right to a copy of his or her education record. A student’s request for copies of education record(s) will be evaluated on a case by case basis and, if copies are permitted, the student may be charged for the actual cost of copying the record(s).

Confidential letters and statements (e.g., letters of recommendations) will be used only for the purpose for which they were specifically intended. In some instances, a student may waive his or her right of access to confidential letters and statements contained in his or her education records. A valid waiver must be in writing and signed by the student. The University does not require such waivers as a condition for admission or receipt of any service or benefit provided to  students.

If a student chooses to waive his or her right of access to confidential letters or statements, the University will not permit the student to inspect and review such letters and statements. Instead, the student will be notified, upon request, of the names of all persons making such letters or statements. A student’s waiver may be revoked in writing at any time and the revocation will apply only to subsequent letters or statements.

Thirdparty Access to Education Records

Rockhurst University restricts thirdparty access to education records and will disclose personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records only with the written consent of the student, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. “Personally identifiable information” is information that is linked or linkable to a specific student that would allow a reasonable person in the school or its community, who does not have personal knowledge of the relevant circumstances, to identify the student with reasonable certainty. Restrictions on third-party access do not include the release or return of personally identifiable information from an education record to the party who provided or created the record.

Unless disclosure is to the actual student, the student’s consent for disclosure to a third party must be written, signed and dated, and must specify the records to be disclosed, state the purpose of the disclosure, and identify the party or class of parties to whom the disclosure may be made. Student Authorization for Release of Information forms are available from the Office of the Registrar and online. Upon request, the University will provide the student with a copy of any education records disclosed.

With limited exceptions, the University will not disclose personally identifiable information from an education record unless that party to whom the information is to be disclosed agrees to not disclose the information to any other party without the student’s consent.

Disclosure without Student Consent

Records may be disclosed without the student’s consent in the following circumstances:

6. Education records may be disclosed to a Rockhurst University official who has a legitimate educational interest in the information contained in the education record;
   For purposes of this exception, a University official is a person employed by Rockhurst University in an administrative, supervisory, academic, research or support staff position. A University official also includes members of the Board of Trustees, students serving on an official University committee (i.e. disciplinary or grievance committee), contractors, consultants, volunteers, and other outside parties to whom Rockhurst University has outsourced institutional services or functions that it would otherwise use employees to perform.
   
   A legitimate educational interest exists if the University official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her duties to the University.

7. Education records may be disclosed to officials of another school, upon request, in which a student seeks or intends to enroll or is enrolled;
8. Education records may be disclosed to authorized representatives of the Comptroller General of the U.S., the Attorney General of the U.S., the U.S. Department of Education and State and Local educational authorities, but only in connection with the audit or evaluation of a Federal or State supported education program or in connection with the enforcement of or compliance with legal requirements relating to these programs;
9. Education records may be disclosed in connection with a student’s application for or receipt of financial aid, but only to the extent necessary for such purposes as determining eligibility, amount, conditions and enforcement of terms or conditions of the financial aid;
10. Education records may be disclosed to State and local officials to whom such information is specifically allowed to be reported or disclosure pursuant to State law;
11. Education records may be disclosed to organizations conducting educational studies for the purpose of developing, validating, or administering predictive tests; administering student aid programs; and improving instruction, provided the University enters into a written agreement with the organization that specifies the purpose, scope, and duration of the study and the information to be disclosed; requires the organization to destroy or return all personally identifiable information when it is no longer needed for the purpose of the study; states the time period during which the organization must either destroy or return the information to the University; and provides that the study must be conducted so as not to permit personal identification of students by third-parties;
12. Education records may be disclosed to accrediting organizations for purposes necessary to carry out their accrediting functions;
13. Education records may be disclosed to a parent of a student if the student is a dependent of the parent for income tax purposes;
14. Education records may be disclosed in response to a judicial order or subpoena. When not prohibited by the court order or subpoena, the University will make reasonable efforts to notify the student before complying with the court order;
15. Education records may be disclosed to a court in response to a legal action between the University and a parent or student;
16. In a health or safety emergency, where there is an articulable and significant threat to a student or other individuals, education records may be disclosed to any person whose knowledge of the information is necessary to protect the health and safety of the student or other individuals, if the University records the threat that was the basis of the disclosure and the parties to whom the information was disclosed;
17. Final results of disciplinary proceedings conducted by the University may be disclosed to the victim of an alleged crime of violence or a nonforcibile sexual offense;
18. Education records may be disclosed in connection with certain University disciplinary proceedings;
19. The University may disclose to a parent of a student under the age of 21 the student’s violation of any Federal, State or Local law or any rule or policy of the University governing the use or possession of alcohol or a controlled substance if the University determines that the student has committed a disciplinary violation with respect to such use or possession;
20. Personally identifiable information that Rockhurst has classified as “Directory Information” (as detailed below) may be disclosed to the public unless a hold has been placed upon the release of the information by the student; and
21. Education records may be disclosed if received under a State community notification program about a student who is required to register as a sex offender in the State.

In all other instances, personally identifiable information in education records will not be disclosed without the prior consent of the student.

Directory Information

At the discretion of the University, information designated as “directory information” may be disclosed without prior consent of the student. Directory information means information contained in an education record of a student that would not generally be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed. It includes, but is not limited to, the following:

• Student’s name
• Address
• Telephone listing
• Electronic mail address
• Photograph
• Date and place of birth
• Major field of study
• Dates of attendance
• Grade level
• Enrollment status (e.g., undergraduate or graduate; fulltime or parttime)
• Participation in officially recognized activities and sports
• Weight and height of members of athletic teams
• Degrees
• Honors and awards received
• Most recent educational agency or institution attended

FERPA permits the University to limit the disclosure of directory information to specific parties, for specific purposes, or both. In the exercise of that authority, the University may release all directory information to members of the University  family, defined as administrators, faculty, employees and trustees. Other releases will be limited to those situations in which the University, in its discretion, believes the release would recognize a student for academic or extracurricular achievement or otherwise advance the student’s career interests or when the University believes the release would serve to advance the interests and image of the University. Examples of such releases would be the disclosure of directory information to prospective employers, financial aid and scholarship agencies or registry, licensure or certification services. Another example would be the release of directory information in connection with University sanctioned alumni affairs.

The University will provide public notice of disclosure of directory information to students in attendance. The University may disclose directory information about former students without providing such notice.

Directory information may appear in public documents and may otherwise be disclosed without student consent unless the student places a hold on the release of such information. To opt out of the disclosure of directory information, a student must provide written notice to the Office of the Registrar during the first week of each academic term. A student may not use his or her right to opt out of directory information disclosures to prevent Rockhurst from disclosing the student’s name, electronic identifier, or institutional e-mail address in a class in which the student is enrolled.

Upon receipt of notice to opt out, the student’s directory information will not be released without the student’s consent. Rockhurst University will honor all requests to withhold directory information and cannot assume any responsibility to contact a student for subsequent permission to release such information. Regardless of the effect on the student, nondisclosure will be enforced until the student rescinds the decision to opt out of directory information disclosures.

Information Disclosed for Timely Warnings of Crimes

In addition to the exceptions above, Rockhurst University may provide timely warnings of crimes that represent a threat to the safety of students or employees. FERPA does not preclude the institution’s compliance with the timely warning provision of the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act—a federal law intended to provide students and their families with accurate, complete, and timely information about safety on campuses so that they can make informed decisions. Information can, in case of an emergency, be released without consent when needed to protect the health and safety of others. In addition, Rockhurst University can utilize information from the records of a campus law enforcement unit to issue a timely warning.

Recording Disclosures of Education Records

Rockhurst University will use reasonable methods to authenticate the identity of any party to whom the University discloses personally identifiable information from education records. All personnel of Rockhurst handling requests for disclosure or access to information contained in an education record will maintain a record for each request for and each disclosure of the student’s record, except recordkeeping of a request or disclosure is not required if the request was from or the disclosure was to:

22. The student;
23. A Rockhurst University official with a legitimate educational interest;
24. A third-party with written consent from the student;
25. A party seeking only directory information; or
26. A party seeking or receiving the records as directed by a Federal grand jury or other law enforcement subpoena and the issuing court or other issuing agency has ordered that the existence or the contents of the subpoena or the information furnished in response to the subpoena not be disclosed.

The record of disclosure should be kept on the Report of Request For Disclosure of Education Records Form, which indicates the name of the party making the request and what records, if any, were received; the legitimate interest in the records; any additional party to whom the records may be redisclosed; and the legitimate interest the additional party had in requesting or obtaining the information. This form should be kept with the record(s) that are disclosed. The form may be inspected by the student and the University official who has custody of the education record disclosed. Forms are available in the University’s Office of the Registrar.

Amendments to Education Records

Any Rockhurst University student who believes that information contained in his or her education record is inaccurate, misleading or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy may request that the record be changed. To request a change to an education record, a student should submit a written request to the University official responsible for maintaining the record. The request should identify the education record to be amended and the specific inaccuracy or misleading statement contained in the record. The request will be sent to the responsible person at the origin of the record in question.

Within a reasonable period of time of the University’s receipt of the request, the University will decide whether to change the record in accordance with the request. If the University decides to refuse to change the record, the student will be notified of the refusal and will be advised of the right to a hearing regarding the request.

A student has thirty (30) days following the University’s decision to request a hearing to further challenge the content of an education record. The request for a hearing must be submitted in writing to the University Office of the Registrar. Within a reasonable time of receipt of the request, the student will be notified in writing, reasonably in advance, of the date, place and time of the hearing.

The hearing will be conducted in accordance with the following:

27. A University official who does not have a direct interest in the outcome will conduct the hearing.
28. The student will have a full and fair opportunity to present evidence relevant to the issues raised.
29. The student may be assisted or represented by individuals of his or her choice, including an attorney, at his or her own expense.

Within a reasonable period of time after the conclusion of the hearing, the University will notify the student in writing of its decision. The decision will be based solely upon evidence presented at the hearing and will include a summary of the evidence and the reasons for the decision. If the University decides that the information in the student’s records is inaccurate, misleading or otherwise in violation of the privacy or other right of the student, the University will amend the record accordingly and inform the student of the amendment in writing.

If the University decides that the information in not inaccurate, misleading or otherwise in violation of the privacy rights of the student, the University will inform the student of the right to include in his or her record a statement commenting on the information and/or explaining any reasons for disagreeing with the University’s decision. Any such statement will become a part of the information contained in the education record and will be disclosed whenever the contested portion of the record is disclosed.

Complaints of Alleged Violation of FERPA Rights

Students have the right to file a complaint with the United States Department of Education concerning alleged failures by Rockhurst University to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is:

Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, S.W.
Washington, DC 20202-4605

For More Information

If you have questions about FERPA, you may visit The U.S. Department of Education’s website at http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html or contact the Rockhurst University Vice President for Academic Affairs or Registrar.

Student Right-to-Know Act Information

In compliance with the requirements of the 1990 Federal Student Right-to-Know Act, Rockhurst University makes available to all current and prospective students the graduation/ persistence rate of its undergraduate students. The following statistics are provided in the format and for the topics established by law.

Persistence Rate for the 2008 Cohort

A “cohort” is the group of students entering Rockhurst as full-time students for the first time during the same semester. The following statistics describe all students in the cohort.

Rockhurst University’s Diversity Statement

Rockhurst University is committed to fostering a diverse community and to promoting greater awareness and sensitivity to issues of diversity. This effort is an important part of educating “men and women for and with others.” The University is committed to the goal of freedom from discrimination and harassment in all its endeavors.

Rockhurst’s Jesuit mission and values call for all members of the Rockhurst community to embrace a set of values that guide our behavior toward one another. These values affirm a commitment to providing personal care for every member of our community, and a sensitivity toward the dignity and sacredness of every person. They call on members of our community to demonstrate a realistic knowledge of the world, and to find God in all things and all people, particularly in the poor and oppressed.

Based on this mission and values, all members of the Rockhurst community are expected to demonstrate the highest standards in their interaction with people of all backgrounds. This requires a community that actively displays sensitivity to differences of race, gender, age, ethnicity, national origin, culture, sexual orientation, religion and disabilities among students, faculty, administrators and staff.

All members of the Rockhurst University community are expected to embrace these values and to foster an environment that contributes to the growth and development of each member of our community.

University Communication with Students

Clear and timely communication allows students to receive information related to policies, programs, events, and other practical matters (i.e. billing, grades, etc.) affiliated with their education at Rockhurst. The University has established several key routes for communication with students including:

• Rockhurst E-mail Account: All Rockhurst students receive a University e-mail account. All e-mail communication from the University is directed exclusively to the Rockhurst electronic mailbox system. Students are expected to access their
  e-mail account on a regular basis (daily is recommended) in order to stay abreast of important and time-sensitive information. University departments, faculty, and staff will routinely use e-mail to communicate important campus, academic, and extra-curricular/co-curricular information. It is the responsibility of each student to clean their e-mail boxes to allow capacity for incoming messages (i.e. empty deleted items, keep a limited number of sent items, etc.). For further information on your Rockhurst e-mail account, please see Computer Services (Conway Hall 413; x4357; www.rockhurst.edu).
• Addresses and Phone Numbers: Students are required to maintain accurate local, billing, permanent, and emergency contact information so that attempts to communicate by the U.S. Postal System as well as phone will not be impeded. To make changes to your addresses or phone numbers of record, please visit the Rockhurst website (www.rockhurst.edu; Rockweb section under Registrar) or contact the University Registrar (Massman Hall 110).
• Campus Mailboxes: Students who live in Rockhurst’s residence halls and Townhouse Village are assigned a campus mailbox located in Massman Hall where U.S. Postal Service mail and other University communications are delivered. For
  assignment inquiries please connect with Residence Life (Massman Hall 3) and for mailbox malfunctions please speak with the Mailroom staff (Massman Hall, Lower Level).

Students’ failure to set-up, maintain, or update any of the above communication devices will not excuse them from being responsible for information and deadlines enclosed within the attempted communications by the University. Rockhurst strongly encourages students to communicate with relevant University offices regarding information needs, questions, and concerns, and welcomes new and innovative ideas for enhancing communication with the student body as a whole.