Undergraduate Academic Policies

Registration and Academic Calendar

Academic Calendar and Course Scheduling

The calendar for the academic year is divided into two semesters, each fifteen weeks long. Courses normally meet in regularly scheduled sessions, two or three times per week throughout the semester. Exceptions occur when justified by educational objectives or special methods of instruction. Seminar, laboratory, studio and independent study courses are scheduled in order to provide the kind of experience called for by the nature of the work.

Registration Dates

Dates of registration are published in the Academic Calendar as established by the Registrar. Registration for currently enrolled students takes place during the preceding semester. Students are expected to have the approval of their faculty advisor. Transfer students entering Lake Erie College for the first time select courses in consultation with an assigned advisor. Students may register for courses following the registration calendar set by the Registrar and at any time after obtaining advisor approval.

Registration Changes

Changes in enrollment or registration after formal registration for classes will be permitted only through the Registrar’s Office. This applies to courses dropped or added. No courses may be added or dropped after the first calendar week of classes (weekday or weekend). The change or withdrawal process will not be considered complete until the Schedule Change Form is received in the Registrar’s Office.

Withdrawal from a Course

A student withdrawing from a course at any time after the drop and full refund period as defined by the academic calendar through the ninth week of classes will have a letter “W” recorded on the transcript. While a “W” is recorded on the student’s transcript, it is not considered in computing the grade point average.

No withdrawal will be permitted from a course after the end of the ninth week. Under certain circumstances an “Incomplete” grade may be appropriate. See information about Incomplete grades under Grading System.

Tuition and fees paid by a student authorized to withdraw are refundable only as indicated under “Refunds” in the Tuition and Fees section of this catalog.

A student with extenuating circumstances may request a late withdrawal by completing a late action petition. Petition forms are available in the Registrar’s Office.

Administrative Course Withdrawal

Administrative Course Withdrawal (ACW) is used to withdraw students from courses in which they are not actively participating. This process may be initiated by any administrator, faculty, or staff member associated with a course and requires approval by the dean of the school in which the course is housed in order to be processed.

Course instructors may request that a student be administratively withdrawn from courses for non-attendance or nonparticipation in course activities. For this purpose, non-attendance is considered to be 10 class periods of failure to attend or completing less than 60% of the coursework. This policy may implemented after the second week of the semester. Students withdrawn by a course instructor will receive a WF (Withdrawal Failing) for their course grade. Students may appeal course grades in accordance with the grade appeal process.

Withdrawing from a course can impact financial aid/scholarships, Veteran benefits, housing, and athletic eligibility. Student’s are responsible for ensuring standing with appropriate offices around campus. No refunds for deposits, lab fees, or other course related material will be issued in the event of an ACW. Tuition will be assessed in accordance with the institutional refund policies.

Students who are administratively withdrawn from all of their courses may be withdrawn from Lake Erie College. Students who are withdrawn from Lake Erie College will need to apply for readmission when they are ready to return.

Student Course Loads

Twelve credit hours per semester is considered a full-time load. Credit hours above 18 are considered to be an overload and incur additional tuition charges. Thirty credit hours during the year or fifteen credit hours per semester would be required to complete degree requirements in four years. Students taking more than 20 credits for fall or spring semester or more than 12 hours for summer term (local and transfer/ transient) must have advisor and dean approvals and have a minimum 2.50 cumulative grade point average. The Undergraduate Credit Hour Overload Approval Form is available in the Registrar’s Office.

Catalog in Force

Requirements for graduation are based on the catalog in effect during the student’s first semester at Lake Erie College as a fully matriculated, degree-seeking student. A student may elect to complete CORE and major requirements under a subsequent catalog but must use a single catalog and not a combination of catalogs. Students may not choose previous catalogs when making a catalog change. Exceptions may be necessary when changes in certification or licensure standards mandate changes in College programs. Course substitutions may be necessary when courses are deleted or changed which results in significant alteration of course content. Students who withdraw from Lake Erie College to attend another institution or have not taken courses for four consecutive semesters and subsequently return must complete the requirements of the catalog in force at the time of re-entry. Students who have attended another institution after leaving Lake Erie College must also reapply for admission to the College as a transfer student.

Academic Advising

Academic Advising: advising@lec.edu

Every student at Lake Erie College is assigned a faculty advisor within his or her major area of study. Advisors will assist students with formulating educational goals or career plans, explaining College policies, and selecting courses each term. Each student is required to meet with his or her advisor each term prior to registering for classes online through LEO. Students who are still exploring possible majors will either have a representative from the Office of Academic Advising or a designated faculty member assigned as their advisor.

LAKE ERIE ONLINE (LEO) is a secure online registration/information system available to all Lake Erie College students. Using this system, students can register for classes; view their schedule, grades, or academic transcripts; review financial aid information; make payment arrangements; download course materials, and more.

Grading

The Grading System

A = 93% and above
A- = 90-92.99%
B+ = 87-89.99%
B = 83-86.99%
B- = 80-82.99%
C+ = 77-79.99%
C = 73-76.99%
C- = 70-72.99%
D+= 67-69.99%
D = 63-66.99%
D- = 60-62.99%
F- = 59.99% and below
I = Incomplete

Faculty members may award an “I” grade (Incomplete) only when the examination or coursework has not been completed because of illness or other circumstances beyond the student’s control. Students requesting an Incomplete must initiate the process with the instructor to create a written statement of the work to be completed and the time limits for its completion. The instructor initiates the approval process of paperwork. The Registrar shall then enter an “I” grade. The Registrar has the discretion to accept email documents to replace signatures.

All work must be completed within the stated deadline or by the fourteenth week of the following semester. An extension of this deadline must be approved by the Academic Standards Committee of the Faculty (ASC). The “I” grade will be removed when the instructor submits a final letter grade within the established deadline. No student shall graduate from the college with an Incomplete unless permission is granted by the ASC. For the purposes of determining Academic Standing, the “I” grade will be treated as an “F” grade in calculating cumulative grade point average. This calculation will not show on the student’s official academic record.

W = Withdrawal

Withdrawal grades are assigned when a student withdraws from a class during weeks two through nine of the semester. Grades of “W” may also be assigned when a student is administratively dismissed, suspended or expelled during the semester. Withdrawal grades do not factor into the grade point average calculation.

Grade Point Average Calculation

Grade point averages are computed under the following quality point system A = 4.0 points

A- = 3.7 points
B+ = 3.3 points
B = 3.0 points
B- = 2.7 points
C+ = 2.3 points
C = 2.0 points
C- = 1.7 points
D+ = 1.3 points
D = 1.0 points
D- = 0.7 points
F = 0.0 points

The grade point average (GPA) is determined in the following manner:

1. The total number of points earned is calculated by first multiplying the point-value of each grade by the number of credit hours of that grade earned and then totaling the results of all grades.
2. The total number of points earned is then divided by the total number of local quality credit hours attempted. A 2.00 cumulative grade point average is required for graduation.
3. The following grades do not affect the GPA: W, WP, WF, P, FR, AU (Audit).

Audit Policy

Degree-seeking students may audit one course per semester and must inform the Registrar’s Office of their intent at the time of registration. The tuition and fees are the same for an audited course as they are for a graded course. The course will show on the student’s transcript as “AU”. Alumni may audit one course per semester at the level of the degree they received from Lake Erie College. The cost is the per credit hour College Fee. Senior citizens may audit one course per semester for a nominal fee. Please contact the Bursar’s Office for the exact amount.

Pass/Fail Policy

In certain courses, performance is evaluated as Pass (P) or Fail (FR); grade point averages are not affected by such grades. A grade of Pass is equal to a grade of “C” or higher. Only elective courses may be taken Pass/Fail, with some exceptions; exceptions include internships and educational field experiences, at the discretion of the department. Elective courses specified within the major cannot be taken Pass/Fail.

The following conditions apply to the Pass/Fail option:

1. Students must be in good academic standing (2.0 cumulative GPA).
2. Freshmen may not choose the Pass/Fail option.
3. Students must choose the Pass/Fail option at the time of registration. Changes are not allowed after the second week of classes.
4. Students may choose no more than 12 semester hours on a Pass/Fail basis.
5. Faculty members will not be officially notified by the Registrar’s Office when a student has chosen the Pass/Fail option for their course.
6. Students taking a course on a Pass/Fail basis must complete the same course assignments as students on a traditional grading system and receive a grade of C (not C-) or better to be assigned a grade of Pass. The Registrar’s Office will convert the grade submitted to a “P” or “FR” as appropriate.

Grade Appeal

Under ordinary circumstances, faculty members reserve the right to give the final grade to a student. To change a final grade, there must be compelling and justifiable reasons to implement a grade appeal process.

1. Students must first contact the faculty member issuing the grade in an attempt to resolve the issue. Students must contact that faculty member immediately upon receiving the final grade for the course.
2. If the issue is not resolved to the student’s satisfaction, he or she must appeal to the Dean of the area.
3. If the issue is still not resolved to the student’s satisfaction, he or she must appeal in writing to the Academic Standards Committee (ASC) within 30 days of receiving the grade.
4. The student must present compelling specific reasons in writing in order for ASC to initiate further action. Some of the specific reasons include, but are not limited to: clerical error not acknowledged by the faculty member, harassment, change in grading standards during the term and gross incompetence.
5. ASC will contact the faculty member in question in order to provide a platform for him or her to present the rationale for the grade in question.
6. If ASC believes that the “probable cause” warrants further review, then a grade appeal process will follow. A Grade Appeal Committee will be formed.
7. The student must provide to ASC all relevant information for determining the final grade, including written assignments, attendance, papers, etc., in advance.
8. The Grade Appeal Committee will inform the Provost of their recommendation. The Provost will inform the Registrar, faculty member and student of any changes in a timely fashion.
9. The faculty member may make the grade change at any time in this process and must notify ASC of doing so.

The Grade Appeal Committee shall be composed of the following:

• A member of ASC
• A member of the faculty within that discipline or a similar discipline, appointed by ASC
• Faculty member outside of the discipline, appointed by ASC
• The president of the Student Government Association or a delegate selected by the President of SGA

Repeat and Forgiveness Course Policy

A student may repeat a course up to two times for which he or she earned a grade of C- or lower. In the case of a repeated course, only the higher grade of all attempts at Lake Erie College will be used to calculate the cumulative GPA. The course must be taken at Lake Erie College to receive grade forgiveness in the GPA calculation. Grades from all course attempts will appear in the student’s academic record. Credit hours for a repeated course, or its equivalent, will apply only once for the purposes of meeting graduation requirements. Only credit hours earned from a first course attempt will count for progress towards degree requirements.

Individual programs or schools may have additional policies regarding course repeats and a student should check with his or her program or school for those specific policies.

GPA calculation for Latin honors at the time of graduation reflects the student’s complete academic record, including all grades of courses that have been attempted. Repeating a course can impact a student’s Federal Financial Aid. In order for a repeated course to count for federal financial aid purposes, students can only repeat a previously passed course once (a total of two attempts). If a student enrolls in the same course for a third time, this course will not count towards enrollment for financial aid purposes. This rule applies whether or not the student received aid for earlier enrollments in the course. This rule does not apply to failed courses. Courses that are repeatable for degree credit per the academic catalog are also excluded from this rule. Examples: Equine studies riding classes, private music lessons and dance courses.

See the Financial Aid Office for additional information.

Academic Reports

Reports of final grades are available via the Lake Erie Online (LEO), secure portal at the end of each semester.

Midterm Grades

Midterm grades are submitted for all classes and reported as a letter grade or Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory.
Freshmen and College Credit Plus students require letter grades to be reported at midterm.

Academic Standing

Classification Status

Student classification is based on total credit earned and is updated at the beginning of each semester.

Freshman: 0 - 29 total semester credits
Sophomore: 30 - 59 total semester credits
Junior: 60 - 89 total semester credits
Senior: 90+ total semester credits

Academic Standing

Academic standing for any given term is assigned at the close of the semester. Changes in academic standing are effective as of the official date grades are due according to the published academic calendar. Grade changes, including posting of grades from incompletes, made after the first Friday of the proceeding semester WILL NOT change the academic standing assigned. Students who earn a cumulative or semester GPA less than 2.00 will be notified as to their new academic standing.

The possible academic standing under a cumulative or semester GPA less than 2.00 are: Academic Warning, Academic Probation, Academic Suspension, and Academic Dismissal. Students not on Academic Probation, Academic Suspension or Academic Dismissal are considered to be in Good Academic Standing. Students in the College Credit Plus program may have additional requirements as set by the state program.

Academic Probation, Suspension and Dismissal

Academic Warning

Academic Warning provides the College a chance to intervene early when a student is having academic difficulties.

Academic Warning is assigned to a student who meets any of the following:

• a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or higher and a semester GPA between 1.00 and 1.99
• does not pass 50% of their courses (including Withdrawn courses)

During the two weeks of classes in which the student is under Academic Warning status, the student will meet with a designated college official to make a plan for academic success which includes a frank discussion of the student’s ability to complete the requirements for graduation from their chosen major.

Upon completion of the semester in which the student was placed on Academic Warning, the student will

• have earned a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher and will be in Good Academic Standing
• have maintained a cumulative GPA of 2.0 and a semester GPA between 1.00 and 1.99 but continues with an Academic Warning status

Academic Probation

Academic Probation is more serious than Academic Warning. A student who fails to achieve a required level of academic success could ultimately lead to suspension or dismissal from the College. Academic Probation is assigned to a student who meets any of the following:

• has a current cumulative GPA between 1.00 and 1.99
• has earned a first semester GPA between 0.01 and 0.99

To ensure academic success, the following will be implemented:

• student will meet with their academic advisor and designated college official throughout the semester to monitor academic performance. Failure to do so may result in an extension of the probation period, or academic suspension
• recommendations to attend workshops to improve academic performance
• student will be limited to a maximum of 13 credit hours
• student will be restricted from participating in extracurricular intercollegiate athletic competitions, equestrian competitions, fine arts performances, and leadership positions with College-recognized student organizations

Upon completion of the semester in which the student was placed on Academic Probation, if the student

• has earned a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or higher, they will be returned to Good Academic Standing
• has earned a semester GPA of 2.00 or higher, but their cumulative GPA is between 1.00 and 1.99, the student will remain on Academic Probation
• Note: If a student has been on probation for a total of three semesters, consecutive or nonconsecutive, they may be placed on academic suspension or be dismissed

Academic Suspension

Academic Suspension is an indication that the student cannot achieve academic success at Lake Erie College after going through multiple interventions.

Academic Suspension is assigned to a student who meets any of the following:

• has been on probation for a total of three semesters, consecutive or nonconsecutive, they may be placed on academic suspension or be dismissed
• has earned a semester GPA between 0.01 and 0.99 after their second semester of enrollment
• documented evidence of egregious academic integrity incident(s)

When a student has received their first Academic Suspension status, the student is encouraged to attend another institution of higher learning for a semester and obtain a cumulative GPA 2.0 or higher. To be reinstated back into Lake Erie College, the student is required to submit a written letter and official transcripts to the Academic Standards Committee stating why they should be reinstated to the College. A detailed academic plan must be given. The Academic Standards Committee will evaluate the request and inform the student at least one week prior to the beginning of classes. If a student has been granted reinstatement by the Academic Standards Committee, then the student will be placed on Academic Probation status. If a student is placed on Academic Suspension for a second time, they will be allowed to go through the process a second time. The student should follow the appeal processes as set in the notification letter.

Academic Dismissal

Academic Dismissal is assigned to students who exhibit poor academic performance at the collegiate level. Academic Dismissal is assigned to a student that meets any of the following:

• could not meet the obligations set forth after a second Academic Suspension and a second readmission. A student cannot be suspended a third time
• has earned a cumulative or semester GPA of zero (with exceptions for veterans)
• documented evidence of egregious academic integrity incident(s)

When the student is dismissed from the College, all incomplete (“I”) courses are changed to a “W” for academic withdrawal, and the student is fully withdrawn from classes. While the student cannot enroll for future semesters once dismissed, the student is permitted to follow the appeal process as set in the notification letter.

Academic Credit

Overview

The standard academic unit at Lake Erie College is the semester hour. Courses are assigned semester hour values to reflect the differing amounts of classroom contact, laboratory or studio activity and outside preparation they require.

Credit from Other Institutions

Students may register for courses at other institutions. If such courses are to become part of the program through which the student plans to meet the degree requirements of the College or requirements for certification for teaching, the student must file a transient student form with the Academic Advising Office in advance. Credit hours earned in such courses do not count towards residency hours. Grades earned in such courses are included in the student’s record but are not included in the computation of the grade point average. Such registration cannot be retroactive. Students must be in good academic standing to receive approval for transient work. International students may have additional restrictions applied. If the course equivalent is being offered by Lake Erie College in the term requested, students are not allowed to take the course at another institution.

Transfer Evaluation Appeal Procedure

A student who has transferred to Lake Erie College will receive a copy of his or her transfer credit evaluation soon after being officially admitted to the College. The student should review this evaluation immediately to be certain that all credits earned at other colleges and universities have been considered. It is the student’s responsibility to send to the Lake Erie College Registrar’s Office an updated copy of any transcript listing credits that were not completed at the time of the student’s original transcript evaluation. Credits will not be applied until an official transcript is received by the Registrar’s Office. A student who desires to challenge Lake Erie College’s award of transfer credit must follow the procedure below:

1. Contact the transfer evaluator to attempt to resolve the matter. The transfer evaluator will confer as necessary with the Provost.
2. If the student and the evaluator cannot resolve the matter, the student may appeal to the Dean who oversees the subject matter involved.
3. If resolution does not occur at the Dean level, the student may make a formal written appeal to the Academic Standards Committee. A student has six months from the date of the transfer evaluation in which to appeal the award of transfer credit.

Cross-Registration

Full-time students can broaden the scope of their educational opportunities through a system of cross registration. Students in good academic standing may enroll in no more than one course per semester at any of the participating Northeast Ohio institutions providing the course is not currently offered at Lake Erie College. Participating students pay Lake Erie College tuition for the course and are responsible for transportation costs, laboratory fees or any special course fees required by the host institution. Cross-registration credit is considered resident work and is counted as Lake Erie College credit for purposes of the senior residency requirement. The cross- registration program does not apply to summer sessions and students will not be allowed to register for independent study or tutorial courses. For further information, students should contact the Registrar’s Office.

Academic Honesty & Classroom Expectations

Class Attendance

Regular attendance at all classes is important to the progress of the student. Classes are usually small in size which gives every student an opportunity to make a contribution in each class session. The exchange of ideas and the give-and-take of discussion are vital parts of the educational process. It is therefore important and necessary that students avail themselves of the opportunities afforded by the class sessions. Careful preparation for class is an important part of the total program. Instructors are usually willing to help a student with makeup work when the reason for class absence is reasonable and unavoidable. At the beginning of each semester, each instructor should inform students of all class requirements. Failure to attend the first class may cause a student to be dropped from the course at the discretion of the instructor. Freshmen are required to attend all classes. Students on academic probation must attend all classes by order of the Academic Standards Committee.

Missed Class Policy

Students are expected to attend all classes and complete all assignments and/or examinations as assigned and posted. Circumstances occasionally dictate that students will miss class due to one of these main categories: 1.) personal/medical reasons; 2.) government- required activities, such as military assignments, jury duty, or court appearances; 3.) participation in College sponsored activities, approved by the appropriate College authority, such as academic field trips, and special events connected with coursework; intercollegiate athletic competition and associated travel; Equestrian competition and travel.

It is the responsibility of each instructor to decide what weight (if any) shall be placed on unexcused absences in the computation of final course grades and so noted in the syllabus. It is the responsibility of each instructor to identify in his/her syllabus the methods (written, e-mail, and/or voice mail) by which any unexpected student absences should be communicated. Each instructor should provide students with at least two of the aforementioned methods as options to communicate any absences. The taking of class attendance is at the discretion of the instructor.

Students are responsible for complying with the missed class policies of their instructors. Students bear the responsibility of notifying the instructor of a planned absence by one of the methods provided by the instructor. In the event of an emergency or an unavoidably short notice of absence, the student must present the instructor with an approved written excuse upon the student’s return to class. It is strongly recommended that the student use two of the three aforementioned methods (email, writing, or voicemail) to ensure that the instructor is properly notified of the planned absence. For absences related to a College sponsored competition/activity the responsible College personnel should notify instructors as soon as possible of anticipated activity. In addition, the student is responsible for communicating with his/her individual instructors.

Students are responsible for all material covered in classes they miss, even when their absences are excused as defined above. Students must make arrangements with instructors to complete missed assignments, labs, examinations or other course requirements.

Academic Integrity Expectations

Statement of Academic Integrity

Students who submit academic work that is not their own expression or creation are betraying the academic mission of the College. This constitutes academic dishonesty and is treated as a serious matter at Lake Erie College. Although individual faculty members determine what consequences students will face for academic dishonesty in their classes, college deans and/or the Office of Academic Affairs of the College are authorized to take additional action, including expulsion, when warranted.

Examples of academic dishonesty include, but are not limited to:

• Plagiarizing or representing the words, ideas or information of another person as one’s own and not citing proper documentation
• Falsifying or misrepresenting research or laboratory data or observations
• Cheating on an exam
• Referring to or displaying any unauthorized materials inside or outside of the testing location during an examination
• Submitting another student’s work as one’s own
• Impersonating or representing another student, or having another person represent you in any manner
• Using unauthorized computers, phones, calculators, technology, etc.

Students are responsible for knowing what constitutes academic dishonesty. Students who are uncertain about what constitutes plagiarism or cheating should seek the professor’s advice. While academic integrity is particularly the responsibility of the student, faculty members also have a responsibility. A statement of academic integrity will be in the course syllabus. Students should refer to faculty guidelines regarding what materials and procedures are authorized for use in the preparation of assignments or examinations (e.g., the use of a calculator, computer, text materials, etc.). Lake Erie College supports academic integrity by providing resources for student success. Some of these resources include Grammarly.com, the Writing Center, library resources, and Academic Learning Center tutoring.

Academic Dishonesty Procedure

There are three levels of academic dishonesty incidents: Minor, Major, and Egregious. The Office of the Registrar will track reports of academic dishonesty and report instances of more than one minor incident and all cases of major and egregious instances. In cases where there are differences of opinion, either the dean of the course or the Dean of Student Academic Success my take the matter to the Provost for consideration.

1. MINOR INCIDENT

The faculty member will discuss the incident with the student and submit to the dean of the school for the course an Academic Dishonesty Documentation Form, with a copy to the student, indicating the incident as minor. The dean of the course reviews the information and then submits the form to the Registrar’s Office for data tracking purposes only. A single minor incident will not impact the standing of a student or adversely affect the student’s record; however, more than one minor incident will result in elevating the infraction to the major level.

Examples that may be considered minor (for representative purposes only):

• Citing of a only a small portion of a paper or assignment
• Collaborating on a minor project or assignment when it was prohibited from doing so
• Using facts, statistics, graphs, or other illustration without proper reference in a small portion of an assignment or project

With the understanding that minor incidents might be inadvertent or honest mistakes, in order to ensure a formative process and to provide a teachable moment, the student is expected to submit to the dean, with a copy to the faculty member, a narrative with the following information:

• A description of the citation rule, policy, or technique not followed that led to the incident
• A description of how the work did not follow the rule
• A list of actions to prevent future occurrences of the infraction
• If applicable, a resubmission of the assignment with the issue corrected

Students who fail to adhere to the stipulations of a minor incident may be subject to further action; however, it is expected that the student will comply with conveying, in writing as per the above, a clear understanding of what constitutes academic dishonesty. Failure to comply with the stipulation will advance the matter directly to the major level and may lead to a review by the Provost for additional potential sanctions.

2. MAJOR INCIDENT

The faculty member will discuss the incident with the student and submit to the dean of the school for the course an Academic Dishonesty Documentation Form, with a copy to the student, indicating the incident as Major. The dean of the course will verify the nature of the incident, and submit the form and documentation to the Registrar’s Office to be placed in the student’s permanent academic record. The dean may request a registration hold be placed on the student to prompt follow up. Students involved in major incidents of academic dishonesty may be required to meet with the Dean of Student Academic Success.

Examples that will be considered major may include, but are not limited to:

• A second minor incident (more than two minor incidents will elevate the incident level to major)
• Copying from a classmate
• Using unauthorized electronics or devices for a major exam
• Falsifying data or materials on a major assignment or exam
• Plagiarizing a paper or assignment

Possible sanctions for a major incident may include, but are not limited to:

• Required participation in a workshop on ethics or academic integrity
• A paper or alternate assignment of a project related to ethics or academic integrity
• The assignment of a failing grade for the project/assignment, course, or make-up assignment ∙
• Mandated meeting with student support personnel

3. EGREGIOUS INCIDENT - ACADEMIC STANDARDS COMMITTEE (ASC) REVIEW

The faculty member will discuss the incident with the student and will submit to the dean of the school for the course an Academic Dishonesty Documentation Form, with a copy to the student, indicating the incident as egregious. The dean will submit the form and documentation to the Registrar’s Office to be placed in the student’s permanent academic record.

Students involved in egregious incidents of academic dishonesty are required to meet with the Dean of Student Academic Success. The Academic Standards Committee (ASC) will meet to review the file and determine whether to recommend an appropriate sanction, including the possibility of suspension or expulsion, and will forward the recommendation to the Provost for a final decision on the issue. The Provost will notify the Registrar and the Academic Standards Committee of the final decision, and the Registrar’s Office will record the findings. The Provost will formally notify the student of the College’s decision and include a description of the appeals procedure. If a student is suspended or expelled for academic dishonesty, the transcript will indicate “Academic Suspension” or “Academic Expulsion.” Actions that constitute egregious incidents include, but are not limited to:

• Multiple incidents, either minor or major
• Completion an exam or assignment by another party
• Clear evidence of premeditation or malicious intent
• Lack of adherence to stipulations stemming from minor or major incidents

Academic Integrity and Course Withdrawal

A faculty member may submit a final grade to the Registrar’s Office at any time during the semester as a penalty for academic dishonesty. Submission of a final grade overrides the course withdrawal dates as published by the Academic Calendar.

Appeals Procedure

A student found to be in violation of the academic integrity policy has the right to appeal.

1. The student must first contact the faculty member in an attempt to resolve the issue. Students must contact that faculty member within ten (10) business days upon receiving notification of an incident. (If the instructor is away from the College during the period of the appeal, the student may proceed directly to the dean of the school of the academic course.)
2. If the issue is not resolved to the mutual satisfaction of the faculty member and the student, then the student may appeal to the dean of the school within ten (10) business days upon receiving notification.
3. If the issue is still not resolved after consultation with the dean of the school, the student may appeal in writing to the Academic Standards Committee (ASC) within one month (30 calendar days) of receiving notification of the original academic dishonesty incident.
4. The ASC will provide the Provost with a written summary of its recommendation. The Provost will make the final decision and notify the student, faculty member, dean, academic advisor, and Registrar.

In the case of an Egregious Incident, the student may continue to attend class during the appeals process, but participation in the class does not guarantee work will be counted or a certain grade rendered. Continued participation is intended to ensure that students who have appeals granted still have an opportunity to learn the content in the course.

Expulsion Appeals Procedure:

1. A student who receives a letter notifying him or her of expulsion from Lake Erie College for academic integrity will have ten (10) business days from the date of the letter to submit an appeal to the Provost.
2. During the appeals process, the student may continue to attend class.
3. Upon completion of the appeal process, should the decision regarding expulsion stand, the expulsion is permanent. The student is responsible to pay any unpaid balances owed to the College. Failure to do so may be subject to additional charges and actions. If the expulsion takes place mid-semester, the student will not receive any passing grades for work in the course(s) that applied to academic dishonesty.
4. The Provost’s decision regarding an expulsion is final.

Institutional Review Board

Institutional Review Board

Students who are learning about and using the research process in courses or projects should understand and appropriately use Institutional Review Board (IRB) policies and procedures. The purpose of the Institutional Review Board (IRB) is to protect the rights of human and animal subjects in research. This includes making sure that vulnerable populations are protected (i.e., prison inmates, minor children, etc.) and that informed consent is maintained for participation in research. The IRB also monitors non-LEC researchers seeking to conduct research at our institution.

Through federal-wide assurance, the academic community has agreed that ALL research and grant activities at Lake Erie College must conform to the Belmont Report and 45 CFR 46, through IRB approval or exemption. The IRB functions administratively through the Office of Academic Affairs and is a standing committee of the Faculty Senate. Details regarding the process for research can be found on the LEC website.

Graduation

Latin Honors

Graduation honors are given to students who have completed a minimum of 60 semester hours in residence with the following cumulative grade point averages:

3.80 - 4.00 Summa Cum Laude
3.60 - 3.79 Magna Cum Laude
3.50 - 3.59 Cum Laude

GPA calculation for Latin honors at the time of graduation reflects the student’s complete academic record, including all grades of courses that have been attempted.

Tentative (unofficial) graduation honors are noted in the December and May Commencement ceremony programs and announced at the commencement ceremonies. Tentative graduation honors for purposes of the commencement ceremonies are based on the cumulative grade point average of the prior semester of enrollment. Final honors will be determined after all grades are processed and the student’s permanent academic record is the official record.

Residency Requirement

Candidates for a degree must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours at Lake Erie College. Individual programs may have additional residency requirements that must be satisfied for degree completion.

Candidates for a degree must also complete a minimum of 20 semester hours in the declared major, 50% of the semester hours in a minor and/or concentration at Lake Erie College.

Graduation Requirements

Lake Erie College awards undergraduate degrees of Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, and Bachelor of Fine Arts. CORE requirements are the same for all bachelor’s degrees; the degree awarded is determined by the student’s major field of study.

It is the responsibility of the student to be sure that all degree and major requirements are fulfilled by graduation.

Candidates for all bachelor’s degrees must:

1. Complete a minimum of 120 semester hours of credit with a grade point average of 2.0 or higher; 30 semester hours must be taken at Lake Erie College and any additional program requirements
2. Complete the CORE curriculum as described in the academic catalog
3. Complete the requirements for the major field of study identified in the section of the academic catalog entitled Requirements for the Academic Major. A cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher in all major courses is required

Candidates for graduation must apply by completing the required forms which are available in the Registrar’s Office. The deadlines are May 1 for December graduation, and December 1 for May and August graduations.

Withdrawal from Lake Erie College

Withdrawal from the College

In as much as all students are held responsible for the observance of the College’s academic and social standards, the College reserves the right to request the withdrawal of any student whose standard of scholarship or social behavior is considered detrimental. Please refer to the Student Handbook for further information. Voluntary withdrawal becomes official only after receipt of a written statement from the student. The student’s record is then closed. Official transcripts will be made available, upon request, when the Business Office verifies that financial obligations have been met. Students who are not registered for classes for two or more consecutive semesters are considered inactive. Reactivating students need to notify the Registrar’s Office. Students who have taken coursework at other institutions during the inactive period must reapply to the Office of Admission.

Administrative Course Withdrawal

Administrative Course Withdrawal (ACW) is used to withdraw students from courses in which they are not actively participating. The process may be initiated by any administrative, faculty, or staff member associated with a course and requires approval by the dean of the school in which the course is housed in order to be processed.

Course instructors may request that a student be administratively withdrawn from courses for non-attendance or nonparticipation in course activities. For this purpose, non-attendance is considered to be 10 class periods of failure to attend or completing less than 60% of the coursework. This policy may be implemented after the second week of the semester. Students withdrawn by a course instructor will receive a WF (withdrawal failing) for their course grade. Students may appeal course grades in accordance with the grade appeal process.

Withdrawing from a course can impact financial aid/scholarships, Veteran benefits, housing, and athletic eligibility. Students are responsible for ensuring standing with appropriate offices around campus. No refunds for deposits, lab fees, or other course related material will be issued in the event of an ACW. Tuition will be assessed in accordance with the institutional refund policies.

Students who are administratively withdrawn from all of their courses may be withdrawn from Lake Erie College. Students who are withdrawn from Lake Erie College will need to apply for readmission when they are ready to return.

Involuntary Medical Withdrawal

When, in the judgment of the College, an individual’s behavior is disruptive to the educational and living environment which the College seeks to maintain, that student may be required to undergo psychological evaluation or and/or an investigation by a College Medical Withdrawal Panel for mandatory withdrawal from the College. The Medical Withdrawal Panel will consist of the Director of Accessibility Support and Counseling Services/Dean of Student Academic Success (or designee); Provost (or designee); and Executive Director for Student Life (or designee) who will chair the panel.

Mandatory psychological evaluation and withdrawal will be considered in cases where there is a threat of danger to self, others or property, or disruption of the educational process and mission of the College. If a student engages in suicidal behavior, the College will respond in accordance with the Suicide Gesture Response Policy described in the Student Handbook. The College will make every effort to work with the student involved, but reserves the right to contact the student’s parents/legal guardians or spouse.

The College may remove a student from the residence halls or from attending classes or from the campus on a temporary basis pending the outcome of an evaluation and/or hearing for a mandatory withdrawal if the student presents a risk to self, others or property. Locating an alternate place to stay, if removed from campus, is the responsibility of the student and/or their parent(s)/ legal guardian(s) or spouse.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

Directory Information

Lake Erie College may release directory information in accordance with the provisions of the law as defined in Title IX. Directory information is defined as the following relating to a student: name, address, telephone number, academic major, dates of attendance, degree earned, honors, awards, scholarships, honor societies and Dean’s Lists, officially recognized activities or sports, and height and weight of members of athletic teams. Students have the right to request Lake Erie College to withhold any or all information designated as directory information. Written request to withhold specific information must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office. Requests will be honored until revoked by the student and are not academic year specific.

It is Lake Erie College’s practice not to provide mailing lists to third parties. In rare instances, to include surveys or requests from accrediting agencies, a student’s directory information may be released to an inquirer, outside of the College, unless the student specifically requests that directory information be withheld. FERPA does not require that directory information be released - it is at the discretion of the institution.

Educational Records and FERPA

Educational records at Lake Erie College are those student records that are kept in the offices of the Registrar, Student Life, Admission, Financial Aid, Advising, Academic Affairs and in the offices housing records of individual academic programs and advisors.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974 provides access for students to their educational records; permits them to challenge the accuracy of information in those records and limits the release of such information without their explicit consent. Lake Erie College makes available to students those records that students are entitled to review. The College affirms the importance of the confidentiality of student educational records.

Without written consent from the student, no unauthorized persons will have access to nor will the College disclose information from any student’s educational records other than that, which is classified as directory information. The exception to this would be persons or organizations providing student financial aid, accrediting agencies carrying out their accreditation duties, governmental representatives, persons acting in compliance with a judicial order and persons in an emergency acting to protect the health or safety of a student. The aforementioned exceptions are permitted under the law.

Within Lake Erie College, only College personnel acting in the students’ educational interest and within the limitation of their “need to know” are allowed access to students’ educational records.

Educational records do not include: records of instructional, administrative and educational personnel that are the sole possession of the maker and are not accessible or revealed to any individual except a temporary substitute; student health and personal counseling records; health records may be reviewed by physicians of the student’s choosing; student employment records and alumni records.

Students may not inspect financial information submitted by their parents or confidential letters and recommendations associated with admission, employment or honors. The College will permit access only to that part of the record that pertains to the student requesting access. Lake Erie College does not permit access to confidential letters and recommendations placed in a student file prior to January 1, 1975. Consent to Release Education Records forms are available in the Registrar’s Office.

Student Notification of Rights

Educational records containing personally identifiable information are confidential and will not be released to third persons, except as authorized by law.

As of January 3, 2012, the U.S. Department of Education’s FERPA regulations expand the circumstances under which your education records and personally identifiable information (PII) contained in such records - including your Social Security Number, grades or other private information - may be accessed without your consent.

First, the U.S. Comptroller General, the U.S. Attorney General, the U.S. Secretary of Education or state and local education authorities (“Federal and State Authorities”) may allow access to your records and PII without your consent to any third party designated by a Federal or State Authority to evaluate a federal- or state-supported education program. The evaluation may relate to any program that is “principally engaged in the provision of education,” such as early childhood education and job training, as well as any program that is administered by an education agency or institution.

Second, Federal and State Authorities may allow access to your education records and PII without your consent to researchers performing certain types of studies, in certain cases even when we object to or do not request such research. Federal and State Authorities must obtain certain use-restriction and data security promises from the entities that they authorize to receive your PII, but the Authorities need not maintain direct control over such entities.

In addition, in connection with Statewide Longitudinal Data Systems, State Authorities may collect, compile, permanently retain and share without your consent PII from your education records, and they may track your participation in education and other programs by linking such PII to other personal information about you that they obtain from other Federal or State data sources, including workforce development, unemployment insurance, child welfare, juvenile justice, military service and migrant student records systems.

Students and parents, if dependent for Internal Revenue purposes, have a right (with certain exceptions) to inspect educational records as defined by the applicable statute. Application to inspect educational records should be made to the Registrar. If students believe their educational records are inaccurate, they have a right to a hearing on the merits to correct these records. If the outcome of the hearing also denies the request, students have the right to file a letter of rebuttal that will be maintained as a permanent part of the educational record. Students have the right to file complaints concerning failure by Lake Erie College to comply with the Acts Office, U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare, 200 Independence Avenue, SW, Room 526-E, Washington, DC 20201. For further details concerning rights under the law, students should consult the Registrar.

General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)

The GDPR went into effect May 25, 2018. The GDPR was written to expand personal privacy rights for European Union (EU) residents. The rule:

• Applies to all organizations that possess personal data provided by people while they are residing, permanently or temporarily, in the EU
• Defines data broadly: any data that can be used to identify an individual such as genetic, mental, cultural, economic, technological or social information
• Requires valid consent to collect personal data: consent must be informed, unambiguous, freely given.
• Allows individuals the right to be forgotten

More Information

For general information, review the European Commission’s website at https://ec.europa.eu/info/law/law-topic/dataprotection_ en

If you are an EU resident or if you are calling from the EU in regards to GDPR, contact the Controller.

Transcripts/Diplomas/Legal Documents

Transcripts of Academic Records

Transcripts are furnished upon payment of a fee for each transcript issued. A request for the transcript must be made by the student, either on the regular form supplied at the Registrar’s Office or through the National Student Clearinghouse website at https://tsorder.studentclearinghouse.org/school/select. The request should show the student’s full name and student ID number and dates of attendance. For pick-up or walk-in service, the request should be filed at the Registrar’s Office at least three days before the transcript is needed. No transcript will be supplied for coursework taken at other institutions. The Registrar’s Office will not release transcripts, unofficial or official, unless the student has met all admission and financial obligations to the College, returned all library materials, athletic items, and paid applicable fines. An additional fee for a rush request may apply.

Reissuance/Replacement of Diploma Policy

Upon receipt of the original diploma, Lake Erie College will reissue a diploma for a graduate whose name has been legally changed. The reissuance fee is $50 U.S.

The reprinted diploma will carry the precise date the degree was originally awarded and the date of reissue. For practical purposes, the signatures of the officials will be of those currently in office

To protect the institution and continuity of records, the new diploma will have the following printed on its face

Original diploma awarded at Lake Erie College on (date).

Upon request of the awardee, this diploma was issued following a legal change of name.

Replacing a Lost or Destroyed Diploma Policy

To replace an original that has been lost or destroyed, the reprinted diploma will carry the precise date the degree was originally awarded and be marked duplicate diploma. The replacement fee is $50 U.S. For practical purposes, the signatures of the officials will be of those currently in office.

Procedures for Obtaining an Apostille

Authentications are often called “legalizations” or “certifications.” An Apostille is a form of authentication appropriate to countries which have signed the 1961 Hague Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents. They are often needed in adoptions, extraditions, applications for jobs or graduate programs abroad and certain business transactions. The essence of these documents is an official statement that an office-holder held a particular office at a particular time.

A more comprehensive description of the Apostille is available at: www.state.gov, keyword search: authentication https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/records-and-authentications/authenticate-yourdocument/authentications-and-apostilles.html

The listing of countries that are signatories is at: http://www.hcch.net/index_en.php?act=states.listing

In order to be able to issue authentications, the Ohio Secretary of State keeps on file the qualification document for the particular official– the swearing-in paper. Officials covered include notaries public, high level appointees such as Commissioners, members of boards and commissions, dedimus justices, legislators, Constitutional officers and certain local offices.

The proper heading for this

authentication is: APOSTILLE
(Convention de La Haye du 5 octobre 1961)

A student should write to the Registrar’s Office requesting the Apostille to be attached to a particular document, usually a transcript or statement of certification of graduation, and mention the country to which it is being sent. If a copy of a diploma is being sent, please ensure that it is as large and clear as possible and the official Latin diploma, not the English translation. Because of the labor and charges associated with the preparation of this statement, the processing fee is US $75.

Lake Erie College prepares the document normally except that the signature and embossed seal over the signature are affixed in the presence of a notary public and the local Clerk of Courts. The notarized documents are then sent by Lake Erie College, along with a check for the charges, to the Ohio Secretary of State. The package also includes a cover letter explaining the request (including the name of the country in which the Apostille is expected to be used) and a stamped envelope addressed back to the College. When the Apostille and original document are received back from the Secretary of State, Lake Erie sends the entire package onto the US Department of State (as needed) and then onto the originally requested address. The process usually takes three to four weeks.

Name Change Policy

Current Students

All currently-enrolled students may change their names on institutional records upon the production of evidence showing that the student’s name has officially changed. The following documents will be accepted as proper evidence of an official name change:

• Certified copy of a marriage license, court order, or dissolution decree reflecting the new name in full
• Especially for non-U.S. citizens: Current passport or official proof of identity, certified by U.S. embassy abroad or by the appropriate foreign embassy in the U.S.

Former Students

Institutional records will only be changed if the former student produces evidence of an official name change. No name will be changed on transcripts or diplomas except where there has been a court-ordered change of name. The following 

documents will be accepted as proper evidence of an official name change:

• Certified copy of a marriage license, court order, or dissolution decree reflecting the new name in full
• Especially for non-U.S. citizens: Current passport or official proof of identity, certified by U.S. embassy abroad or by the appropriate foreign embassy in the U.S.

N.B.: For facilitation of records, all former names will remain in the official records system to be cross-referenced.

Majors and Minors

Overview

All candidates for an undergraduate degree at Lake Erie College select a specialized area of study known as an academic major. Majors may be disciplinary, interdisciplinary or individualized in nature. It is the responsibility of the student to be sure that all degree and major requirements are fulfilled by the end of the semester in which he or she plans to graduate. Students must fulfill all major course requirements and total major credit hour requirements. Any substitutions or exceptions to this policy must be sent by petition to the dean of the school in which the major or minor exists. Requirements for each of the academic majors and minors currently offered by the College are identified in the list of Academic Majors and Minors. Complete course descriptions for all courses can be found in the Course Description section of the catalog. Four-year degree plans are available for many majors in Lake Erie Online (LEO).

The Major Field of Study

The major field of study is a carefully structured sequence of courses in a single subject or a combination of closely related subjects. Basic or introductory courses are generally not included in the major. No more than 60 semester hours in a single subject designator may be counted towards graduation. A minimum of 20 semester hours of the major field must be completed at Lake Erie College. A minimum grade point average of 2.0 in the major is required for graduation. Degree options and requirements for individual majors are specified in the section of the catalog entitled Requirements for the Academic Major. Opportunities also exist for the design of an individualized major with the assistance and approval of a faculty advisor.

Selecting an Academic Major

Students are required to declare a major before the start of their junior year (60 semester credits earned). Students entering with an associate’s degree or with 60 or more hours of transfer credit are required to declare a major upon admission. A registration hold may be placed by the Registrar’s office until a declaration is received.

Additional Majors

A student who wishes to earn additional majors must complete all the requirements of each major before graduation. An additional major cannot be earned after a student has graduated. Earning an additional major does not mean earning a second degree.

Double Degree

A student who has not yet graduated from Lake Erie College and wants to earn more than one bachelor’s degree concurrently must complete the CORE curriculum, all the major requirements for each degree program, and earn an additional 30 credit hours above the 120 minimum credits required for degree completion (150 total minimum).

Additional Bachelor Degree

Students who have already earned a bachelor’s degree at Lake Erie College or any other accredited institution and desire to earn a second bachelor’s degree are known as Post Baccalaureate students. Post Baccalaureate students must complete an additional minimum of 30 semester credits and fulfill the CORE curriculum, as well as the requirements for the major for a total of no less than 150 semester credits. A Lake Erie College degree cannot be awarded twice; that is, a student can receive only one bachelor of science, bachelor of arts or bachelor of fine arts degree from Lake Erie College. The major field of study determines the degree awarded.

The Minor Field of Study

Academic minor programs of study generally consist of a series of courses, totaling 15 to 20 credits that provide a coherent body of knowledge in either a particular discipline or in an interdisciplinary cluster. Although by design not as extensive as an academic major, the pursuit of an academic minor-while not required- will provide content knowledge and a credential in a secondary area of specialization which might well help the future graduate in terms of further postgraduate education and employment. A minimum grade point average of 2.0 and 50% of the requirements completed in residence in the minor is required for graduation.

The Concentration Field of Study

A concentration is a coordinated grouping of courses within a major representing a sub-specialization or emphasis within a major field available for students majoring in that discipline (e.g., Major: Accounting, Concentration: Forensic Accounting). A concentration requires 16 to 20 credit hours forming a coherent body of knowledge in a particular discipline or interdisciplinary cluster, and a minimum of 50% of the concentration must be completed at Lake Erie College.