Graduate Academic Regulations

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, Admissions, 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 admissions, 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.

Institutional Review Board

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. More information may be found on LEO. 

Lake Erie Online (LEO)

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 schedules, grades, and academic transcripts; check financial aid information; make payment arrangements; download course materials, and more.

Registration Dates

Dates of registration are published in the Academic Calendar as established by the Office of Academic Affairs. 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

The dates by which adding, dropping and withdrawing may take place are listed in the published academic calendar. The calendar is available from the Registrar’s Office or on the Lake Erie College website at https://www.lec.edu/registrar-academic-calendar/

Changes in enrollment or registration after formal registration period has ended will be permitted only by exception by Late Action Petition 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

Courses dropped within the first week of a semester will not appear on official reports; courses officially dropped after the 1st week of the semester will be marked as “W” (official withdrawal). If a student withdraws from a course after the first week of classes, but prior to the last withdrawal date published in the final schedule for that semester, a “W” (official withdrawal) is assigned. However a student may not receive a grade of “W” to avoid the consequence of a breach of academic integrity. A grade of “W” comes with no academic penalty or prejudice.

For courses scheduled less than a semester in length, equivalent periods of registration changes will be established by the Registrar and published in the final schedule for the semester.

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 this grade under the Grading System. A student who withdraws from a course without following the formal procedures will automatically receive the grade of “F.” Tuition fees paid by a student authorized to withdraw are returnable 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.

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. 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 Bursar’s 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 Admissions.

Administrative Course Withdrawal

Administrative Course Withdrawal (ACW) is used to withdraw students from courses in which they are not actively participating or are unable to successfully complete. 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 non-participation in course activities. For this purpose, non-attendance is considered to be the equivalent of two weeks of class time for a full semester course (or one week of class time for a seven week course) OR completing less than 60% of the coursework at any point after the start of the third week of classes.  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.

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 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.

Academic Advising

Graduate students are encouraged to consult with advisors or faculty of your degree program before each registration. You are required to fulfill the special requirements of the particular degree program in addition to the general requirements stipulated by the college. Contact the dean of your school to find your advisor or look at LEO on-line to determine which advisor has been assigned and schedule an appointment.

Academic Credits

Academic Credit

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 and outside preparation they require.

Academic Reports

Reports of final grades are available via the Lake Erie Online (LEO), secure portal at the end of each semester. Grades are not sent by mail.

Student Course Load

Six semester credits per semester is considered a minimum full-time load for a graduate student at Lake Erie College.

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 Registrar’s Office in advance of registration. 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.

Additional Master Degree

Students who have already earned a master’s degree at Lake Erie College or any other accredited institution and desire to earn a second master’s degree must complete an additional minimum of 25% of the semester credits needed to fulfill the curriculum of the additional master program. A Lake Erie College degree cannot be awarded twice; that is, a student can receive only one master of business administration, one master of professional studies, one master of education and one master of science in physician assistant studies.

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 student must sign the form, obtain the instructor’s signature and return the signed form to the Registrar’s Office. The Registrar shall then enter an “I” grade and furnish the student with a copy. 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 Graduate Council or appropriate Faculty Committee. 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 Academic Standards Committee of the Faculty. 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” are assigned when a student is administratively dismissed, suspended or expelled. Withdrawal grades do not factor into the grade point average calculation.

Grade Point Average

Grade point averages are computed under the following point system:

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

• 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.
• The total number of points earned is then divided by the total number of credit hours attempted. The following grades do not affect the GPA: W, P, FR, AU (Audit).

The following grades do not affect the GPA: W, 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” and no credit will be earned. 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 Registrar’s Office for additional details.

Repeat Course Policy

A graduate student may repeat a course previously taken at Lake Erie College under these restrictions:

The program must not have restrictions in place for the student or the course that will prevent the student from repeating. Graduate students can repeat a single course for grade improvement only once. A course may be repeated only if a grade of B- or lower was earned.

Graduate students will be limited to a maximum total of two repeats across the program.

Lake Erie College’s Grade Appeal Policy for Graduate Studies

Lake Erie College’s grading policies reflect the quality of performance and achievement of competency by students who complete one or more courses. Students have the right to ask instructors for an explanation of any grade received. A final grade appeal should not be entered lightly by a student nor lightly dismissed by an instructor. It is the responsibility of the instructor to assign a final grade. Student have the right to submit a formal grade appeal when they believe that a final grade is inaccurate.

Students have the responsibility of providing documentation that establishes sufficient grounds for changing a grade. “Sufficient grounds” are defined as credible, documented evidence that a grade was assigned in error, based on miscalculation, inconsistent application of grading criteria, bias, or other demonstrable deviation from stated course policies or institutional academic standards. Within this appeals procedure, course grades can only be changed by the instructor after the grade appeal process is completed. Should the Graduate Council rule against the grade appeal, the student may appeal the ruling to the provost of the college within three business days of notification of the decision. Upon completion of the process, the college’s registrar will be notified in writing of the decision and will take any course of action necessary.

Lake Erie College Grade Appeal Policy for Graduate Studies Protocol

1. Students receive a grade that they determine requires an appeal. 

2. Students must first contact the faculty member issuing the grade in a professional attempt to resolve the issue. Students are to contact the faculty member “immediately” upon receiving the final grade for the course.  In this scenario, “immediately” refers to within 24 hours of the original notification of their final grade.

3. If the issue is not resolved to the students’ satisfaction, the student has the right to appeal to the Graduate Council of Lake Erie College.

• The student must submit a formal letter of appeal along with any relevant documentation to the Office of the Registrar. The appeal must clearly state the basis for the request and provide sufficient grounds for a               grade change. “Sufficient grounds” are defined as credible and documented evidence of grading error, miscalculation, inconsistent application of grading criteria, bias, or a violation of stated course or institutional           academic policies. Upon receipt of the appeal, the registrar will then send the appeal documentation & letter to the Chair of the Graduate Council within three business days of receipt.
• The Chair of the Graduate Council will acknowledge receipt of the informational packet and distribute the informational packet to the other members of the Graduate Council by close of business of the day the                 informational packet was received.
• The Chair of the Graduate Council or a designated committee member will contact the professor of the class in question and request any relevant documentation regarding the student as it relates to the appeal               and author an opinion of the matter being discussed.  The professor must provide the requested information to the Chair of the Graduate Council within three business days of the notification.  If a professor is no           longer employed by the college or is not available, the dean of the respective school will assume responsibility for any necessary course of action regarding a student’s appeal of a grade. Upon receipt of all                     documentation, the Chair of the Graduate Council will convene a meeting of the Graduate Council.  The meeting will be scheduled within three business days of receipt & the meeting will be convened no later than       five business days of initial receipt of notification.

4.The Chair of the Graduate Council will send correspondence to each committee member stating the date and time for the meeting.  The meeting will be held at a designated area of Lake Erie College and a Google            Meet option will be made available.  The committee will be sent the information packet for their review.  

• Upon the meeting being called to order, the Chair of the Graduate Council will review the materials with  the committee and open the floor for discussion.  
• When the discussion is closed a vote will be taken.  Decisions of the committee shall be determined by a majority vote of the members present.  
• All members present will have a vote.  The exception is if the grade appeal is from a student that is enrolled in the Physician Assistant Program.  Traditionally one committee member is a professor or staff member of the Physician Assistant Program.  They will abstain from voting but offer their opinion in the matter for the consideration of the committee.  
• If there is a tie in the voting, the dean of the respective school will cast their vote as a tiebreaker within two business days of notification.
• The final decision of the committee will be sent to the registrar’s office for any processing and student correspondence.

5. If the committee is unable to convene at the scheduled date and time, the Chair of the Committee will contact the provost and request that the vote be completed via electronic mail.  The Chair of the Committee will provide clear instructions on voting and the deadline to submit their respective vote. 

6. Should the Graduate Council rule against the grade appeal, the student may appeal the ruling to the provost of the college within three business days of notification of decision.  The provost will make the final ruling within three business days of the appeal.  The provost will notify the Graduate Council of their decision.  Upon completion of the process the college’s registrar will be notified in writing of the decision and will take any course of action necessary. 

7. All parties involved (students, professors & committee members) are expected to maintain the highest standards of professionalism and confidentiality. Case-related matters should not be discussed with anyone who is not directly involved. By adhering to these principles, we continue to uphold the strong moral and ethical values that have defined Lake Erie College for over a century.

Academic Probation and Dismissal

Graduate students at Lake Erie College are expected to maintain high standards of professionalism and scholarship in all courses. To remain in their current graduate program, students must earn grades of at least a “B-” or better. Upon the awarding of a grade of “C+” or lower in any one course the student will be placed on academic probation. Upon awarding of the second grade of “C+” or lower, the student may be dismissed from the current graduate program. The student will be informed, in writing, by the program director of any adverse action, including remediation or dismissal. All dismissal letters will address general graduate requirements or specific program requirements as reasons for dismissal. In addition, specific programs may have additional academic or professional expectations that students are expected to meet in order to maintain good standing within the program. Failure to do so may result in additional sanctions including dismissal from the program.

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 professors’ 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

Students enrolled in graduate level coursework are expected to adhere to the highest level of academic and professional integrity.  All academic dishonesty incidents will be considered as egregious.

Egregious Incident - Graduate Council 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 Graduate Council 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 Graduate Council 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.

Expulsion Appeals Procedure

A student who receives a letter of expulsion from Lake Erie College for any reason, including but not limited to, academic performance, academic integrity, and professionalism issues, will have ten (10) business days from the date of the letter to submit an appeal to the Graduate Council. In the event that the dismissal is a result of a previous appeal decision, an appeal of the expulsion may only be submitted if new evidence has been procured that would impact the decision of the Graduate Council in an earlier step of an appeal or dismissal process. All other appeals will be accepted by the Graduate Council and reviewed. It is the burden of the student to provide sufficient rationale and evidence for consideration by the Graduate Council. The Graduate Council will provide the dean of the school with a copy of the appeal and will request any pertinent information necessary in hearing the appeal from the relevant parties involved. The Graduate Council may request additional information or evidence from the student and any relevant office(s) as part of its review.

During the appeals process, the student should continue to attend class unless directed otherwise through official written notification by the college.

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 are not completed as a result of the expulsion.

The Graduate Council’s decision regarding the expulsion is final.

Graduation

Graduation Requirements

Candidates for graduation must apply by completing the required forms which are available from the Registrar’s Office. The $250 graduation fee will be assessed at the time of application approval. Application deadlines are:

May 1 for August and December graduations November 1 for May graduation

All Graduate coursework must be completed within 7 years.

M.B.A.: Complete 33 semester credits with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0
M.P.S.: Complete 33 semester credits with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0
M.Ed.: Complete 32-36 semester credits with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 and complete the required thesis.                                                                                                                          MEL: Complete 34 semester credits with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 and complete the required portfolio assessment.
M.S.P.A.S.:

• Complete 112 semester credits with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0
• Successful completion of all coursework in the didactic phase with a grade of “C-” or better
• Successful completion of all clinical rotations with a grade of “C-” or better
• Pass the Pre-Clinical Summative Examination
• Pass the final Objective Structured Clinical Examination
• Pass the Final Summative Examination
• Pass the Summative Professional Performance Evaluation
• Pass all components of a Comprehensive Student Portfolio
• Obtain signatures of proficiency for all required technical skills by the program to practice as an entry level PA
• Adhere to all behavioral, ethical, and procedural requirements outlined in the Program Handbook

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 by written request to that office. 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 unless the student has met all financial obligations to the College, returned all library materials and paid applicable fines. There may be additional fees for a rush request.

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. 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. The replacement fee is $50 U.S. 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: Diploma awarded at Lake Erie College on (date). Upon request of the awardee, this document was reissued on (date) to replace the original that was lost or destroyed.

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 http://travel.state.gov/law/info/judicial/judicial_2545.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. The student should send US $75 cash, traveler’s check or international money order for each Apostille requested, made payable to Lake Erie College. A personal check drawn on a US bank is also acceptable.

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 legally 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.