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At the close of a semester/session or upon completion of a class, the instructor reports a final grade indicating the quality of a student’s work in the class. Deadlines for grade submission are distributed by the University Registrar. Once grades are submitted to the University Registrar, they are final and cannot be changed unless evidence of an error can be presented or a formal grade appeal process is completed in accordance with Ohio University’s official grade appeal policy (see “Grade Appeals” below). Grades cannot be changed by arranging to complete additional work.

A course for which a grade has been assigned by a faculty member will not be removed from the student’s academic record without approval of the University Review Panel and the instructor (see Policy 12.050, “Canceling Registration, Dropping Classes, and Withdrawing” and the Faculty Handbook).

Graduate-level courses (5000 and higher) may not be taken under the pass/fail option.

Repeating a Course

Repeating a course is to complete a course more than once for credit. This can be done only with repeatable courses, which are designed to be taken multiple times (e.g., thesis credits 6950, dissertation credits 8950). Some departments place a limit on the total number of credits that may be earned in a given repeatable course.

Grade Appeals

The instructor assigned to a class has full responsibility for grading, subject to the appeal process described in this section. In unusual circumstances (e.g., death, incapacity, or indefinite accessibility of the instructor), the department chair (or school director) is responsible for the final grade, subject to appeal by the student to the dean as described in this section.

A student appealing a grade must make a concerted effort to resolve the matter with the instructor of the course. Failing such a resolution, the student may appeal the grade to the department chair. The chair must attempt a resolution acceptable to both the student and the instructor but does not have the authority to change the grade. The department chair may enlist departmental grievance procedures to assist in resolving the grade appeal at the departmental level. If the resolution at the departmental level is unsuccessful within the semester following submission of the grade and the student wishes to appeal, the chair shall forward the appeal to the dean of the college or action. If the chair is the instructor, the student appeals directly to the dean.

In cases not involving academic misconduct, the burden of proof for a grade change is on the student. If the dean concludes that the student has insufficient grounds for an appeal, there can be no further appeal by the student. If the dean concludes that sufficient grounds do exist for an appeal, the dean shall appoint a faculty committee of five members to consider the case. If a majority on the committee decide that the grade should be changed and the instructor does not accept the recommendation, the committee can authorize the university registrar to change the grade. The decision of the committee is not subject to further appeal. In appeal cases in dean is the instructor, the role of dean will be assumed by the Provost. In those appeal cases involving courses taught by faculty from more than one college, the Dean of University College will review the appeal and, if necessary, appoint the appeals committee.

In cases of academic misconduct, both the student and instructor must document their allegations and refutations in writing, including any supporting material (e.g., copies of the student’s work, copies of other materials used but not referenced in the student’s work, etc.) relevant to the case.  Such written evidence will be reviewed in accordance with the grade appeal process followed by the college or unit.

Complete information on the rights and responsibilities of students and faculty relative to grade appeals is available at the Office of the Ombudsperson (ombuds@ohio.edu), If you need assistance in understanding the grade appeals process or in preparing a grade appeal(s), contact the Ombudsperson, Baker University Center 501, 740.593.2627. The office will be of greatest assistance if you make contact early in the process.

Program Dismissal Appeals

A student may appeal dismissal from an academic program through the chairperson of the department to the associate dean of the academic college.

Graduate accumulative grade point average (GPA) includes all graduate courses taken at Ohio University. Conferral of a graduate degree or certificate requires an accumulative graduate GPA of at least a 3.0 – GPA cannot be “rounded up” to achieve a 3.0. No course with a grade below C (2.0) may be used to satisfy any graduate degree or certificate requirement. Taking a graduate-level course a second time does not remove or replace a grade from a previous attempt.

Students taking courses in post-baccalaureate or non-degree status must adhere to the same standards of work as degree and certificate students.  Note: undergraduate students taking graduate courses through OHIO Honors, departmental honors, or Honors Tutorial College will have graduate courses count toward their undergraduate GPA unless they have applied for and received permission to take graduate courses for graduate credit.

Individual graduate programs, schools, departments, or academic colleges may establish standards more rigorous than those in this section. For example, programs may set minimum grade expectations for courses, or programs may consider academic progress based on work done as part of the active program exclusive of previous graduate work.

Academic Misconduct

The Student Code of Conduct  prohibits all forms of academic misconduct. Academic misconduct refers to dishonesty or deception in fulfilling academic requirements. Academic misconduct includes:

• Cheating
• Plagiarism
• Unpermitted collaboration
• Forged attendance (when attendance is required)
• Misrepresentation of facts in order to gain an academic advantage
• Fabrication (e.g., use of invented information or falsification of research or other findings)
• Using textbooks, technology, or other materials not approved by the instructor
• Knowingly permitting another student to plagiarize or cheat from one’s work
• Submitting the same academic work for credit more than once unless specifically authorized by the instructor of record

Note: An instructor may impose a grade penalty for academic misconduct and/or file a student conduct referral.

In cases of academic misconduct, a faculty member has the authority to administer a failing grade. If an instructor who has accused you of plagiarism lowers your course grade, you may appeal this grade first through the instructor, then the department chair or school director, and then the dean of your college. In cases of academic misconduct both the student and teacher must document their allegations and refutations in writing, including any supporting material (e.g., copies of the student’s work, copies of other materials used but not referenced in the student’s work, etc.) relevant to the case. Such written evidence will be reviewed in accordance with the grade appeal process followed by the college or unit.

The faculty member also has the discretion to refer your case to the director of the Office of Community Standards and Student Responsibility for resolution under the Student Code of Conduct. A student or student organization found to have violated the academic misconduct offense will be subject to the full range of sanctions including reprimand, disciplinary probation, suspension, or expulsion from Ohio University.

Please note that the Office of Community Standards and Student Responsibility does not have the authority to modify a grade given by an instructor.

If you wish to appeal the decision of the Office of Community Standards and Student Responsibility, such as suspension or expulsion, you can request that the matter be reviewed by the university appeal board. Details of appeal procedures are included in the Student Code of Conduct online at  https://www.ohio.edu/communitystandards/ .

Further information on academic misconduct is available from the Office of Community Standards and Student Responsibility.

Degree Revocation

Academic honesty is a core value of Ohio University. Degrees awarded may be revoked by the President of Ohio University in accordance with Ohio University’s policies and procedures.

Class Attendance Policy

The weight given to class attendance in determining your grade is an academic matter; thus, all instructors are responsible for their own attendance policies. Although your instructor will state specific attendance requirements during the first week of classes each semester, the University does expect you to attend and participate in classes regularly.

Excused Absences. Although instructors’ policies govern how excused absences will be handled in their classes, certain absences are considered legitimate by the University. These include illness, death in the immediate family, religious observance, jury duty, and involvement in University-sponsored activities.

If you are returning to class after a legitimate absence, you can expect your instructors’ assistance (makeup work, excused absences, recalculation of the student’s grade based on remaining work) within the limits of their established attendance policies. There are occasions when the size or the nature of the course makes it necessary to limit the number of excused absences or the availability of makeup work, particularly for examinations or such special events as field trips or outside speakers. Such limitations should be explained in the instructor’s attendance policy at the beginning of each course.  If you are involved in University activities that may conflict with your class schedule, check with your instructor as early as possible to make satisfactory arrangements.  You may document reasons for your absence as follows:

If you are participating in an authorized University activity (departmental trip, music or debate activity, ROTC function, or athletic competition), you can obtain notification from the sponsoring office.  If you are in the military reserves and reserve training (including reasonable travel time to training locations) may fall upon class days, a letter from the commander of your military reserve unit showing the date of the absence and the reason for it will serve as prior notification. If you visit OhioHealth O’Bleness Memorial Hospital, Ohio University Campus Care, or other health care facilities, you can ask for and receive official notification to verify to your instructors that you have visited these health care centers on a specific day. However, it is your responsibility to request and obtain such notification. It is assumed that, whenever possible, you will visit the health service as an outpatient without missing class.  

If your grade has been affected by a legitimate absence or absences that your instructor does not excuse, you may appeal through the normal grade appeal process (first through the instructor, then the department chair or school director, and then the dean of your college). If satisfaction is not achieved through this process, the dean may appoint a faculty committee of five members, including the chair or director of the department or school in question, to consider your case and render a decision. The decision of this committee is not subject to further appeal.

Visiting

You must be a registered student to attend classes at Ohio University. If you are a full-time student, you also have the privilege of visiting classes for which you have not registered specifically if you obtain the instructor’s permission ahead of time.

Classroom Privacy

Observation and evaluation of any classroom (including online) by any observer or evaluator requires prior notification and mutual agreement of the class instructor and the observer or evaluator and notification of all students in the class.

Recording of classroom activities by any electronic means, by students, other faculty, University administrators, or others, requires permission of the instructor. All students in a class must be informed if permission has been given for a class to be recorded.

The University intellectual property policy is defined by Ohio University Policy and Procedure 17.001. In accordance with state law (Section 3345.44, Ohio Revised Code), patentable inventions created by Ohio University faculty, staff, and students are the property of the University if the work was supported by University funds or performed in University controlled facilities. Computer software and databases are the property of the University if created as part of University- assigned duties. The policy provides for a generous sharing of any royalties among the inventors and the relevant University units, departments, and colleges. Students are encouraged to read the complete policy and procedures or contact the Technology Transfer Office, 340 West State Street, 740-593-1778.

All research must be conducted within existing institutional, state, and federal regulations and protocols. The Office of Research Compliance is the central point of contact for researchers seeking assistance with research regulation issues. The Office provides training opportunities on research compliance topics.

Research Using Human Subjects

Any research - including masters and doctoral projects - that calls for participation by people must be approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) before the project can begin. All researchers who conduct human subjects research must complete required CITI training. More information is found on the Office of Research Compliance webpage at  www.ohio.edu/research/compliance/human-subjects.cfm .

The investigator in any research involving human subjects at Ohio University is expected to conduct any and all such experiments in compliance with Ohio University Policy and Procedure 19.052.

In summary, this policy applies to research investigations involving human subjects conducted by faculty, staff, or students at or under the auspices of Ohio University. Studies that require review include everything from clinical trials to surveys, interviews, and observation.

The purpose of the policy is to protect the rights and personal privacy of individuals, to assure a favorable climate for the conduct of scientific inquiry, and to protect the interests of Ohio University. Ohio University’s policy on research involving human subjects is in compliance with the requirements set forth in the National Research Act (P.L. 93-348) and the regulations on public welfare set forth in Part 46 of Title 45 of the Code of Federal Regulations (45 CFR 46).

Ohio University recognizes the human dignity of each member of the Ohio University community and believes each member has a responsibility to promote respect and dignity for others. The University strives to foster an academic, work and living environment that is free from harassment. The University’s goal is to provide an environment where students, faculty, and staff can thrive, and that is welcoming, and free of fear.

Ohio University will make its educational programs and employment opportunities equitably available to students and employees without discrimination on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, age, gender, gender identity or expression, mental or physical disability, or veteran status. Harassment is a form of discrimination and, therefore, harassment directed toward an individual or group, or experienced by an individual or group, violates this policy.

Harassment is defined as any conduct directed toward an individual or group based on one or more of the categories listed above and severe enough so as to deny or limit a person’s ability to participate in or fully benefit from the University’s educational and employment environments, or activities, or severe enough that it creates an intimidating, offensive, or hostile environment.

For more information about Ohio University’s policies prohibiting discrimination and sexual harassment, and for a description of Ohio University’s grievance procedures, please visit the Web page for the Office for Institutional Equity .

This card, which is validated by your registration, gives you access to campus services, including library privileges, Campus Care, meal plans, bobcat cash account, recreation facilities, athletic events, and other campus programs and services. For more information on the card and the services it provides, see  www.ohio.edu/onecard . On the Athens campus, ID cards can be obtained and replaced at the Bobcat Depot, Baker University Center 112. Each regional campus also has a designated site for issuing ID cards – check with the regional campus for details.  

The initial card is issued free of charge. Replacement of lost or damaged cards will be subject to a replacement fee. A re-enrolling student who was previously issued an ID card will be charged a lost card fee, if a new card is required due to loss of the original card.

Lost cards should be deactivated immediately by using the eAccounts system to ensure the lost card is not used to access your residence hall, meal plan, or debit accounts. Information on deactivating a lost card and obtaining a replacement can be found by logging into your account.

Cards that need to be reissued due to a change in legal name, preferred name, or PID number will be issued free of charge, provided you return your old card when the new one is issued.

Ohio University ID card replacement fees are:

• Lost or stolen card: $12
• Replacement of damaged card: $5
  (subject to change without notice)

Ohio University conducts official business through your University e-mail account. Check your Catmail account regularly for official University correspondence. Notifications of grades, schedules, and billings are sent to your University email address. Many Ohio University departments and professors depend on your University email for both announcements and assignments. We do not recommend forwarding your University email account.

To learn more, visit  https://www.ohio.edu/email .

If you have problems accessing your email or have questions, call the OIT Service Desk at 740.593.1222 or submit a request online at  https://www.ohio.edu/oit/help /.

Updating Personal Information

You must report any changes in your personal data to the Office of the University Registrar. This includes changes in name, Social Security number, and birth date. Requests for changes/corrections in name, Social Security number, or birth date must be accompanied by documentation verifying the correct information as required by the registrar’s office. These requests should be sent to Registrar Services. This can be completed in person; by mail, Office of the University Registrar, Ohio University, 115 Chubb Hall, Athens OH 45701; or by fax 740.593.0216.

Address, telephone number, cell phone number, and emergency contact information can be updated online by accessing My OHIO Student Center (which may be accessed from  My OHIO portal  - Academics tab).

NOTE: International students in F–1 or J–1 status are required to use My OHIO Student Center to update their addresses with Ohio University to meet immigration reporting requirements. For details, contact the Office of International Student and Faculty Services (ISFS), 740.593-4330.

International students holding Graduate Appointments must report official Social Security numbers to University Payroll as soon as the number is assigned.

Please note that, as a student, if you provide the University with a cell phone number (public or private) and you are an Athens campus student, you will be subscribed automatically to the emergency communication system. Athens campus students should watch their emails for additional information, including how to opt out. If you are a regional campus student, please check with your regional campus student services office for available signup for emergency communications.

Students Records Policy

Consistent with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), all of Ohio University’s policies and practices governing the collection, maintenance, review, and release of student records will be based upon the principles of confidentiality and your individual right to privacy. The specific policy can be found online at  https://www.ohio.edu/policy/12-020.html .

Obtaining Transcripts

Students can order official transcripts in one of these types:

1. Comprehensive transcript, showing all coursework and degrees at Ohio University
2. Undergraduate coursework and all degrees
3. Graduate coursework and all degrees
4. Medical coursework and all degrees

There is a fee charged for each requested transcript. Transcripts can be ordered online, by mail with a signed letter of request including payment by check or credit card, by signed FAX with payment by credit card, or in person at the Office of the Bursar. The student is required to provide his/her signature authorizing release of his/her transcript. To find out more about the various processing, application, and delivery options available and to obtain a transcript request form, go to the registrar’s Web site at  www.ohio.edu/registrar/transcri.cfm , visit Registrar Services, 1 ^st floor, Chubb Hall, call the registrar’s office, 740.593.4206, or send e- mail to  transcripts@ohio.edu .

Replacement of Diploma

To obtain a replacement diploma, provide a notarized affidavit attesting that the original diploma has been lost or destroyed, or verification of a name change, to the registrar’s office along with a request for a new diploma. In the case of a name change, you also must return the original diploma. Instructions for verifying a name change are available from the registrar’s office. There is a replacement fee. Visit  www.ohio.edu/registrar/grd.cfm  for more details.

Various state and federal laws require Ohio University to provide information and notice to students on a variety of topics. In addition, Ohio University occasionally develops statements or policies on important matters and distributes them to all students. Below is a listing of official notifications that are currently provided to students.

Notices on these topics are provided via email to all registered students as of the deadline for registration in each academic semester. Email is sent to each student’s official University email address. These notices are routinely available at the University’s website at:  www.ohio.edu/student-affairs/students/notifications .

Further, it is a student’s responsibility to know and follow current requirements and procedures at the department, school, college, and University levels, including those described in the University’s Undergraduate Catalog, Graduate Catalog, Student Housing Handbook, and University Policy and Procedures. All students are subject to the rules of behavior as outlined in the Student Code of Conduct.

• Student Code of Conduct
• Sexual Misconduct Policy
• Sexual  Misconduct , Relationship Violence, and Stalking Process and Procedures
• Statement on Sexual Assault
• University Regulations Regarding Concealed Gun Law
• Consequences for Involvement in Civil Disturbance
• Graduation/Transfer–Out Rates (Student Right to Know Act of 1990)
• Crime Awareness and Campus Security (Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act)
• Drugs and Alcohol (Drug–Free School and Community Act of 1989)
• Convictions for Certain Riot–related and Sexual Assault Offenses (Ohio House Bill 95)
• Campus Disruption (Ohio House Bill 1219)
• Voter Registration (Voter Registration Provision in Higher Education Amendments of 1998)
• Student Privacy (The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 or FERPA)
• Copyright Infringement and the Internet
• Emergency Closing of the University
• Title IX Grievance Procedures
• Emergency Text Messaging System
• Medical Emergency Assistance Program
• Letter from Dean of Students: Expectations Regarding Alcohol

Questions regarding notifications can be addressed to:

Office of the Dean of Students
Baker University Center 345740.593.1800
deanofstudents@ohio.edu