Regulations, Policies, Rights, & Responsibilities

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 Academic Regulations

The following academic regulations were in effect for all undergraduate students at the time of printing. Changes go into effect periodically and are published in the IPFW Student Handbook. The academic regulations are arranged as follows:

Definitions

Certain terms have very specific meanings in these regulations. These terms are defined as follows:

Academic record. Each student’s IPFW cumulative record is maintained by the registrar in accordance with these academic regulations. Your IPFW academic record is the sole basis upon which all questions relating to such matters as grades, graduation requirements, academic standing, and scholastic recognition are resolved. Since official transcripts are produced using Indiana University and Purdue University procedures, your official transcript may, as noted in these regulations, vary somewhat from your IPFW academic record.

Credit. The semester hour is called the “credit hour” or “hour.” Credit can be resident credit or transfer credit, as described below:

Resident credit. This is credit earned at IPFW or at another campus of the university through which you are enrolled at IPFW. There are two types of resident credit-course credit and special credit. Each is defined as follows:

Course credit. This is resident credit you earn on the basis of your enrollment in, and satisfactory completion of, courses.

Special credit. This is resident credit awarded by IPFW and based on factors other than your enrollment in and satisfactory completion of courses. There are three types of special credit:

Credit by examination. This credit is awarded on the basis of your achievement on a divisional or departmental proficiency examination.

Division/department credit. This is credit for a course offered by a division/department and granted on the basis of substantially equivalent experience. Only the director/chair of the division/department that offers the course is authorized to award this type of credit.

Achievement credit. This credit is granted on the basis of your achievement on a nationally administered, college-level examination.

Transfer (nonresident) credit. This is credit earned from another university (other than IPFW or another campus of the university through which you are enrolled at IPFW). Transfer credits are evaluated by Admissions and accepted as transfer credit if completed at a regionally accredited institution with a grade of C- or better. Designations of plus and minus that accompany these grades will be disregarded in the evaluation of this credit.

Credit accepted as transfer credit will be equated to IPFW course numbers (or classified as “undistributed” if not equivalent to IPFW courses), and posted to your academic record at the time you matriculate or re-enter IPFW. The academic-record entry includes the name of the transfer institution, the years you attended, and the individual courses accepted for transfer. Your IPFW college/school/division or department determines how credit earned at other institutions, and accepted by IPFW, applies to your plan of study. The dean/director or chair of your IPFW college/school/division or department may request an adjustment of transfer-course equivalencies.

Student classification. This is a system for classifying undergraduate students who have been regularly admitted to IPFW.

The Registrar may establish additional classifications to serve IPFW’s record-keeping needs. Thus, your official transcript may show somewhat different codes.

Beginning student. This is a student enrolling in college courses for the first time, or a student who has completed a small number of credits while in a temporary admission status, most often while still a high school student.

Advanced placement. This is the admission of students to courses beyond the first course or courses in an established sequence, but without granting credit for earlier courses in the sequence.

Substitution. This is the replacement of a course required in a program with another course specified by the college/school/division or department that established the requirement.

Excusing. This is the replacement of a course required in a program with an equal number of credits from other courses not specified as “required.” Such an excuse requires approval of the school/division or department that established the course requirement.

Work not scheduled for a regular fall or spring semester. This is course work offered during a summer session or during a period of time that differs from a regular 16-week semester, and that is equivalent in content, contact hours, and credit value to course work offered during a regular semester. Because the length of the course differs from the regular semester, all deadlines and time periods will be prorated.

Intensive course. This is a course that meets for extended class times but for fewer weeks than the course would meet in a standard summer session.

Pass/not-pass option. This is an enrollment option that generally limits course grades to P (pass) and NP (not pass). You may use the option to take only elective courses with limited concern for the grade. You may not elect this option for more than 20 percent of the credits required for graduation or in courses for which you have already earned a grade. Under the P/NP option, Indiana University students who earn a grade of D or F have that grade recorded on their official transcripts. Purdue University students who earn a grade of D or F have a grade of NP recorded on their official transcripts.

Auditor. This is a student who enrolls in a course, attends class, and pays full fees, but does not receive a grade or credit for the course.

Cheating. This is dishonesty of any kind with respect to examinations, course assignments, or alteration of records.

Plagiarism. This is a form of cheating in which the work of someone else is offered as ones own. The language or ideas thus taken from another may range from isolated formula, sentences, or paragraphs, to entire articles copied from printed sources, speeches, software, or the work of other students.

Grade-point average (GPA). This is a numerical calculation or report of grade averages. IPFW, Indiana University, and Purdue University GPAs are based on a four-point system with grades of A equated to 4.00 points, grades of F equated to 0.0 points, and other grades scaled accordingly (see 11. Grades).

NOTE: Prior to June 1993, Purdue University transcripts and related Purdue University records were computed on a six-point scale (A = 6.00) rather than the four-point scale (A = 4.00) used by IU and IPFW. Since June 1993, all IU, Purdue, and IPFW GPAs are computed using the same four-point scale (A = 4.00).

 English Language Proficiency

 The language of instruction at IPFW is English. Therefore, your ability to read, write, speak, and understand English is vital to your academic success.

Prior to admission, the Admissions office shall  determine which prospective undergraduate students have a native language other than English. All students whose native language is not English must submit proof of English proficiency. The most common way of demonstrating English proficiency is through test scores on standardized exams, such as TOEFL, IELTS, and the Michigan Test. Other standardized and national exams may be considered as proof of English proficiency; the English Department, in consultation with the Admissions office and International Student Services, will determine the admissibility of these exams on a case-by-case basis.

All such students who do not have transfer credit for an English composition course that carries credit toward graduation shall be identified as ESL students and shall be required to submit scores on the TOEFL or an equivalent test approved by the department of English and Linguistics.

ESL students shall be admitted with the condition that they achieve appropriate competency levels in English composition.

Based upon English proficiency standardized exams’ scores, the Department of English and Linguistics shall determine which ESL students need ESL instruction. Students who are found to be exempt from ESL course requirements shall be subject to the regular English placement-testing and course-completion requirements descried in these regulations. Other ESL students shall:

1. Be admitted only to the Mastodon Advising Center unless they score the equivalent of 550 or above on the TOEFL-Paper, 79 or above on the TOEFL-Internet, 6.5 or above on the IELTS, or 80 and above on the Michigan Test and meet the admission requirements of a degree-granting academic unit. Students admitted in this fashion to the Mastodon Advising Center shall not be eligible for admission to another academic unit until they have completed ESL-related requirements.
2. Enroll in the appropriate ESL course each semester until the requirement is satisfied.
3. Complete the prescribed series of ESL courses within their first 36 credits at IPFW.

The Mastodon Advising Center shall have authority to alter any student’s registration if these requirements are not being met.

 Advanced Credit

You can establish advanced credit in any of five ways:

College Board advanced-placement program. You can establish college credit based on an exam taken after completion of a high school advanced-placement course. The test score necessary to support an award of credit varies depending on the test subject. Specific information is available from IPFW Admissions or at www.ipfw.edu/admissions/credits/ap.shtm.

International Baccalaureate Program. For participants in the IB Program, an award of 3-8 credits will be made for each high-level examination passed with a score of 4 or above. IPFW Admissions will award undistributed credit in the appropriate disciplines until specific credit equivalencies are established by IPFW departments. No credit will be awarded for performance on subsidiary-level exams.

College-Level Examination Program (CLEP). This program evaluates nontraditional college-level education.

A guide to CLEP credit available at IPFW can be obtained from Admissions or at www.ipfw.edu/admissions/credits/ap.shtm. No credit is awarded for general examination performance.

Education while in U.S. military service. If you are a Purdue University or Indiana University student who (1) took foreign-language courses in service schools; (2) took courses from the Community College of the Air Force; or (3) is an Indiana University student who (a) completed courses that appear in the Evaluation of Educational Experience in the Armed Forces. You may be eligible for credit. Twelve credits are granted for completion of Officers Candidate School. Each college/school/division determines whether credit for military service is applicable to the degrees it sponsors.

Directed credit/credit by examination. For information about “testing out” of courses, see 5. Special Credit, Credit for Military Service, and Excess Undergraduate Credit.

Modern foreign languages placement tests. If you begin foreign-language study in a second semester or higher course in French, German, or Spanish, you may be eligible for special credit for the courses below your placement level. You must apply for this credit through the Department of International Language and Culture Studies (LA 267, 481-6836); it is not granted automatically.

 Transfer Credit

For general limits on credit transfer, see Degrees.

To transfer credits to IPFW, you must request that every college or university you have attended send an official transcript of your work to Admissions. IPFW accepts credits only from academic programs at institutions accredited by regional accrediting associations and only for courses in which you earned grades of C- or better. Courses from institutions not holding regional accreditation may be reviewed by the academic department in which the course is taught. Specific IPFW degree programs may impose additional criteria. Grades do not transfer.

Changing between IPFW programs. To change from one IPFW academic program to another, you must complete the appropriate forms and secure the approval of the IPFW college/school/division offering the program to which you want to change. If the change affects your university affiliation (IU or Purdue), the registrar will notify Admissions, which will transfer all of your previously earned IPFW credits to the records system of your new university.

If you are a re-entering student who has not enrolled at IPFW during the previous 12 months, or if you are returning to IPFW after having attended another institution, you must specify your intended academic program on the appropriate re-entry or transfer-admission form. You must then submit this completed form to Admissions for evaluation.

Credit transfer between IPFW programs. When you change from one IPFW degree or certificate program to another, the college/school/division to which you are transferring will report to the registrar the status of every course you have taken. Each course you have completed, regardless of the grade you earned, will be classified into one of the following two categories:

• courses that are required for, or applicable to, your new program or which are substantially equivalent to, and are acceptable as, substitutes for such required courses.
• courses that are not applicable to your new program.

Grades you have earned in any courses that can satisfy a degree requirement, other than a “free elective,” may not be deleted from the calculation of your cumulative GPA.

 Special Credit, Credit for Military Service, and Excess Undergraduate Credit

Credit by division/department examination. Opportunities for earning undergraduate credit by division/department examination are encouraged in order to expedite the education of qualified students. Toward this end, each academic division/department establishes procedures to consider candidates and to administer and grade such examinations. Each division/department also keeps a list of the principal courses available for credit by examination and test schedules if known.

You may request an examination for credit for a course if the course is available for credit by examination and if no grade in the course other than a grade of W or NC has been awarded. The examination will be at least as comprehensive as those given in the course, and will be graded satisfactory (performance comparable to that expected of a student who receives an A, B, or C in the course), or unsatisfactory. The registrar will record results of satisfactory performance on your academic record; no academic record entry will be made for unsatisfactory performance.

Achievement credit. Credit or transfer credit for nationally administered examinations (except the International Baccalaureate Program) will be awarded only after approval by the IPFW division/department that offers courses in the subject area.

Credit for military service. Each college/school/division determines whether credit for participation in military service may be applied toward a degree.

Excess undergraduate credit. A senior with a GPA of 3.00 or better may, with written permission from both an authorized graduate advisor and the instructor(s) involved, enroll in up to 9 credits in excess of the requirements for graduation, in courses intended for use in a graduate program. Permission, if given, will be noted on forms supplied by the registrar, who shall make a transcript notation of the special status of these credits. Instructors will impose graduate-level standards in these courses.

 Placement Tests

Placement procedures. Students should complete the following procedures as soon as possible after admission to IPFW. Students completing these procedures shall be notified of the test results and their implications in a timely fashion.

English. A regularly admitted beginning student is allowed to register for classes only after completing the appropriate placement procedure. Any other student is allowed to register for classes beyond the session in which the first 12 credits are completed at IPFW only if the student has (1) completed the appropriate procedures; or (2) established credit in an entry-level English course.

Mathematics. A regularly admitted beginning student is allowed to register for classes only after completing the appropriate placement procedure. Any other student is allowed to register for classes beyond the session in which the first 12 credits are completed at IPFW only if the student has (1) completed the appropriate procedures; or (2) established credit in an entry-level math course.

Students who place in developmental math must complete the appropriate developmental course(s) in their first 24 credits of IPFW course work, with the exception of developmental math for those students enrolled in a certificate or associate degree program that does not require math.

Reading. A regular admitted beginning student is allowed to register for classes only after submitting one of the following:

1. SAT test score above 450 on the verbal test
2. ACT test above 19 on the individual reading test
3. Scoring above the lowest 15 percentile (determined by national norms) on the IPFW placement test

Students who do not meet at least one of these requirements will be required to complete a reading course as specified by the Department of English and Linguistics and approved by the College of Arts and Sciences during one of the student’s first two enrollment periods.

Foreign language. If you studied Spanish for two or more years in high school and wish to continue to study that language, you may enroll in the Spanish 113 course, recommended unless you graduated from high school five years or more prior to enrolling at IPFW. The 113 course is equivalent to the second semester of the first year, but incorporates a review of what is studied in Spanish 111. No placement test is required for enrollment in 113. Students who graduated from high school five years or more prior to enrolling at IPFW may start their study of Spanish over by enrolling in 111, or they may take a placement test to determine whether they might be successful in 113. French and German do not offer 113 classes, so a placement test is important to determine whether students who have had some French or German in high school should begin in 111 or 112.

If you completed three or more years of high school French, German, or Spanish, you are urged to take the foreign-language placement test in order to determine where you place. Call 260-481-6600 to schedule a free foreign language test.

If you studied French, German, or Spanish at a college or university and have transfer credits, please contact the Department of International Language and Culture Studies (LA 267, 260-481-6836) before enrolling in additional classes in that language.

English as a second language. If you have been designated as an ESL student, see 2. English Language Proficiency.

 Registration and Course Assignment

Registration procedures. You must register for courses in accordance with procedures and guidelines prescribed by the registrar.

Your initial registration for each term must occur according to the timetables for registration established for each semester/session and published in the IPFW Student Handbook. In most cases, you will register for classes at your college/school/division or department office, the registrar’s office, or via the Web registration system.

Academic load. The following maximums apply to your enrollment at IPFW:

Limit with special permission. Your academic load may not exceed 18 credits in a regular semester or 8 credits in a summer session unless unusual circumstances exist and you have been granted special permission by your academic advisor.

Absolute maximum in any academic session or intensive course. You will not be allowed to register for a class, or combination of classes, that generates more than 1.5 credits per week. You will not be allowed to register for more than one intensive course at a time. Courses for which you register as an auditor are included in the calculation of your academic load.

Enrollment Status/Course Load. For most purposes, undergraduate students are considered to be full-time students when enrolled in 12 or more credits during a semester and part-time students when enrolled in 11 or fewer credits during a semester.

Course prerequisites and corequisites. Before you begin a course, you must have satisfied all prerequisites and corequisites or secured the instructor’s or sponsoring division/department permission. At the request of the instructor or the division/department through which a course is offered, the registrar may withdraw you from a course for which you have not satisfied all prerequisites and corequisites.

Auditing. You may enroll as an auditor during the first week of the semester by noting “auditor” (A) in the appropriate space on your registration form or drop/add card, and by completing the normal registration procedures established by your division/department. Regular course fees will be assessed. You may not enroll as an auditor if you have been dismissed from IPFW.

You will be assigned a grade of W or NC and will not receive academic credit for a course in which you enrolled as an auditor. However, under the rules of a division/department examination, you may later be allowed to earn credit for a course you have audited.

Schedule revisions and late registration. After your initial registration, you may revise your schedule in accordance with the policies listed below. In all cases, you must submit the completed schedule-revision (drop/add) form with appropriate signatures to your division/department or the registrar’s office. All schedules and deadlines are prorated for courses not meeting for an entire 16-week semester. An academic advisor’s approval may be required to process a course addition or withdrawal at the registrar’s office.

Addition of a course. You may add a course after your initial registration by submitting a completed schedule-revision (drop/add) form (with the appropriate signatures) to your division/ department, to the registrar’s office, or via the Web registration system.

Withdrawal from a course. Subject to the time limits below-and in the absence of any allegation that you are guilty of academic dishonesty in the course-you may officially withdraw from a course by presenting a schedule-revision (drop/add) form with appropriate signatures to your division/department, to the registrar’s office, or via the Web registration system.

During Weeks 10-16, a course may be dropped and a grade of W assigned if you receive approval of your academic advisor and your dean/division director, after the latter has consulted with the instructor. Such drops will not be approved if sought because of your poor performance in the course.

After the end of the Week 16, a course may be dropped only by following the change-of-grade procedure.

Change of pass/not-pass (P/NP) option. Prior to the end of the fourth week of an academic semester (or equivalent period during a summer session), you may add or remove the P/NP option for a course by obtaining the signature of the course instructor or an academic advisor next to the appropriate notation on the schedule-revision (drop/add) form, and by processing the form in the registrar’s office (Kettler Hall, 107).

Change of auditing option. The regular audit deadline is  the end of the first week of an academic semester (or equivalent period during a summer session). During the first week of the semester you may change from audit to credit status or credit to audit status by obtaining the signature from your academic advisor next to the appropriate notation on the schedule-revision (drop/add) form, and by processing the form in the registrar’s office (Kettler Hall, 107).

The late audit deadline is the end of the sixth week of an academic semester (or equivalent period during a summer session). During weeks two through six (or equivalent during a summer session), you may change from audit to credit or credit to audit status by obtaining the signature or written acknowledgment from your instructor, academic advisor and a representative from the financial aid office on the “Petition for Late Audit” form, and by processing the form in the registrar’s office (Kettler Hall, 107). Note: Audited courses do not count in enrollment status (full-time, half-time, etc.) and may have an impact on financial aid eligibility and loan repayment deferment. (Effective Fall 2013)

NOTE: All deadlines and time periods will be prorated for courses offered during a period of time that differs from a regular 16-week semester.

Withdrawal from the university. Withdrawal from the university is accomplished by withdrawing from each course in which you are enrolled.

Withdrawal for military service. Any student called to active military duty may present a copy of their military service orders and (1) withdraw from all courses and receive a 100 percent refund of tuition and fees at any time during the semester through the end of final examinations or (2) with the permission of each instructor, receive an Incomplete or final grade in the courses taken. Such requests and documentation may be presented by the student or other responsible party who has the student’s permission to make the request. Refunds of fees will not be made if the student receives a grade and credit for the course, and all refunds will be adjusted as required by financial aid regulations. If a withdrawal is processed after the first  week of classes, the grade of W will be assigned.

Withdrawal for personal circumstances. Students who seek to withdraw from IPFW after the ninth week of classes based on personal circumstances should contact the dean of students for guidance about the process.

 Attendance

You may not attend a class (1) before completing official registration procedures, (2) after officially withdrawing from the class, or (3) after your registration has been canceled.

You are expected to attend every meeting of the classes in which you are registered. Work missed during absences may be made up if permitted by the instructor. At the beginning of the academic session, each instructor will provide a clear statement to all students regarding his or her policy for handling absences.

If you must report your class attendance in order to satisfy requirements of financial aid sponsors, you must present the sponsor’s certification form to each of your instructors. Each instructor will certify your attendance by completing the form. Unless you have made a prior agreement with your instructor, he or she will not be obligated to certify your attendance for more than the most recent class.

Discontinuing class attendance and not fulfilling course requirements is regarded as an unauthorized withdrawal and will result in your receiving a grade of F.

Academic Honesty

Policy. Academic honesty is expected of all students. You are responsible for knowing how to maintain academic honesty and for abstaining from cheating, the appearance of cheating, and permitting or assisting in another’s cheating.  Your instructor is responsible for fostering the intellectual honesty as well as the intellectual development of students, and for applying methods of teaching, examination, and assignments that discourage student dishonesty. If necessary, your instructor will explain clearly any specialized meanings of cheating and plagiarism as they apply to a specific course.  Your instructor will thoroughly investigate signs of academic dishonesty, take appropriate actions, and report such activity properly to prevent repeated offenses and to ensure equity.

Procedures. An instructor who has evidence of cheating will initiate a process to determine guilt or innocence and the penalty, if any, to be imposed.  During an informal conference within 10 business days of discovering the alleged cheating, your instructor will inform you of charges and evidence and allow you to present a defense. Your instructor will make an initial determination after this conference. You may be assigned a grade of Incomplete (I) if the matter cannot be fully resolved before course grades are due in the registrar’s office.

Reporting. During the period in which you are permitted to drop courses, the instructor will inform the registrar promptly of any allegation of cheating, so that you cannot withdraw from the course. The instructor who makes an initial finding that academic dishonesty has been practiced will impose an academic sanction. Then, within 10 business days, the instructor will supply a written report to you, the chair of your department, the dean or director of your college/school or division, and the dean of students. The report will summarize the evidence and penalties assessed.

Appeal. If your course grade is affected by the penalty, you have the right to appeal the penalty imposed by an instructor in accordance with the grade-appeals policy Grade Appeals.

 Final Examinations

Next-to-last week. No instructor may schedule an examination-comprehensive or non-comprehensive-except for laboratory and practicum courses, during the week preceding the last week of a fall or spring semester.

Final week. With the exception of courses classified as individual instruction, clinic, studio, practice teaching, or research and those offered for 0 credits, each class is expected to meet for a two-hour session during the last week of each fall or spring semester. The two-hour session is to be used for (1) a final examination; (2) a last, non-comprehensive examination; (3) submission of an out-of-class examination or assignments; or (4) a regular class meeting.

Conflicts. If you (1) are scheduled to take more than two final examinations in one day, (2) have conflicting final examinations, or (3) are scheduled to take a state, national, or professional licensing examination, you may contact the instructors involved prior to the last week of a fall or spring semester to obtain appropriate rescheduling. If you and the instructors cannot agree upon a rescheduling, the vice chancellor for academic affairs shall investigate and issue a binding schedule.

Absences. If you miss a final examination because of an emergency, you must contact the instructor as soon as possible. If you miss a final examination, you may receive a grade of F for the course.

 Grades

Basis of grades. Your instructor is responsible for explaining to you, preferably in writing at the beginning of an academic session, the course requirements and grading system to be used. You will be assigned a grade in each course at the close of the session. You are responsible for the completion of all required work in each course by the time of the last scheduled class meeting or other deadline set by the instructor, unless you have officially withdrawn from the course, or unless you and the instructor have agreed that a grade of Incomplete (I) is warranted. Note: Plus/Minus grades may be assigned beginning fall 2008.

Semester Grades. The following grades may be assigned:

Pass/not-pass (P/NP) option. The P/NP grade option provides a limited opportunity for you to take “free electives” with minimal concern for the grades you earn. You must fulfill the same requirements as others enrolled in courses for which you elect this alternative. Instructors are not advised that you have registered for their courses under this option.

Your use of this option is subject to the three general limitations listed below. However, your college/school/division or department may impose additional restrictions.

• You may not elect this option for courses that fulfill specific graduation requirements other than total number of credits (i.e., only for “free-elective” courses).
• You may not elect this option for more than 20 percent of the credits required for graduation.
• You may not elect this option for any course in which you have already earned a grade of A, B, C, D, or F.

If you earn a grade of A, B, or C under this option, it will be changed to a grade of P by the registrar and posted to your transcript. However, if you are enrolled at IPFW as an Indiana University student, grades of D or F that you earn under this option will be posted to your transcript without change. If you are enrolled at IPFW as a Purdue University student, grades of D or F that you earn under this option will be changed by the registrar to a grade of NP and will be posted to your official transcript as a grade of N. Grades of P and NP (or N) are not used in the computation of your GPA.

Incomplete. A grade of I may be granted to students (1) who are unable to complete specific course requirements for clearly unavoidable, nonacademic reasons (such as extended illness or relocation) and (2) whose work has been of passing quality up to that time. A grade of I will not be considered as an alternative to an anticipated low grade in a course. Certain IPFW colleges/schools/divisions or departments impose additional limitations on the use of I grades.  An instructor who reports a grade of I must provide the registrar’s office with a form specifying (1) the reason for the incomplete, (2) the requirements for completing the course, (3) the grade earned for the course to date, and (4) the specific time limit, not to exceed one calendar year, allowed for completing the course.  An instructor may change the incomplete to a regular letter grade if requirements for completion of the course are not met within the time specified. Given extenuating circumstances, the initial time limit may be extended for a period not to exceed one additional calendar year if approved by the instructor and the instructor’s dean/division director, and if the registrar’s office is notified before the expiration of the original time limit.  The registrar’s office changes the I to a grade of IF unless you graduate or remove the incomplete within the time allowed. If you are enrolled at IPFW as an Indiana University student and receive an IF grade, a grade of F is recorded on your official transcript. If you re-enroll in the same course while the I is still on your record, and the course is not repeatable for credit, the original grade of I remains on your official transcript.  If you transfer resident credit for a course in which you received an incomplete, you will have the grade of I recorded on your academic record for up to one calendar year from the date of admission to IPFW. At the end of this period, if you have not graduated or provided evidence that the incomplete has been replaced with a permanent grade, the registrar’s office will change the incomplete to IF.

Final grade report. Your complete record for the session and your cumulative GPA are reported to you, your major department, and your college/school/division.

Changes of grade. An instructor who discovers within 30 days of the grade-processing deadline that a grade reported for you was in error,  he or she must promptly submit to the registrar a statement, countersigned by the instructor’s department chair or division director, of the circumstances of the error and of the change to be incorporated in future GPAs. Correction of errors after this time requires the additional approval of the instructor’s dean/director.  The registrar will inform you, the department chair/division director, and the dean of the change of grade.  You may seek a change of grade through the grade-appeals procedure Grade Appeals.

You may retake any course. Unless the course is described in this Bulletin or its supplement as repeatable for credit, credit will be given only once for a repeated course, and only the most recent grade earned will be incorporated into cumulative GPA calculations.

 Grade-Point Averages

A grade-point average (GPA) is a weighted average of all credits for which a GPA-related grade (A, B, C, D, F, IF) has been assigned. The three GPAs used at IPFW are defined and computed (and rounded to two decimal places) as follows: Semester GPA is computed using only those credits for which you are assigned a GPA-related grade for the specified semester.

Cumulative GPA is computed using all credits for which you are assigned a GPA-related grade, with the exception of credits earned in those courses that have been repeated and are not repeatable for credit. All credits earned at IPFW or at another campus of IU or Purdue for which a grade of A, B, C, D, F, or IF was assigned are applicable.

Cumulative GPA is computed using credits for which you are assigned a GPA-related grade in only those courses that fulfill a graduation requirement, with the exception of credits earned in those courses that have been repeated and are not repeatable for credit. If you are pursuing more than one degree program, your cumulative GPA will be determined by the academic unit through which you register.

All applicable credits earned at IPFW or at another campus of IU or Purdue for which a GPA-related grade was assigned are included if they were received for courses that fulfill a graduation requirement.

Note: Prior to June 1993, Purdue University transcripts and related Purdue records were computed on a six-point scale, (A = 6.00) rather than the four-point scale (A = 4.00) used by IU and IPFW. Since June 1993, all IU, Purdue, and IPFW GPAs are computed using the same scale (A = 4.00).

 Academic Standing

Good standing. For purposes of reports and communication to other institutions, and in the absence of any further qualifications of the term, you are considered in “good standing” unless you have been dismissed, suspended, or dropped from IPFW and not readmitted.

Academic recognition. At the conclusion of each fall or spring semester (but not any summer session), the registrar indicates which students are eligible for the following academic recognitions:

Semester Honors List for (1) having at least 6 credits included in the semester GPA, (2) achieving at least a 3.50 semester GPA, and (3) achieving at least a 2.00 cumulative GPA.

Dean’s List for (1) having at least 12 credits included in the cumulative GPA, (2) having at least 6 credits included in the semester GPA, (3) achieving at least a 3.50 cumulative GPA, and (4) achieving at least a 3.00 semester GPA.

If you have earned academic recognition for either of the two previous semesters, your achievements will be recognized at the annual Honors Convocation and appropriately noted on your academic records.

Recognition of completion in the Honors Program. If you are certified by the Honors Program Council as having completed the requirements of the Honors Program, an appropriate academic record notation is made.

Academic probation, dismissal, and readmission. The following probation, dismissal, and readmission criteria are minimums for IPFW; academic units may set higher standards that become effective upon publication in the Bulletin or its supplement. If you are dismissed from a program for failure to meet the higher standards imposed by an academic unit, you must be accepted into another program before registering for a subsequent academic session.

Probation. You are placed on probation and are so notified by the university whenever your fall or spring semester GPA or your cumulative GPA at the end of any fall or spring semester is less than a 2.0.

• If you are on academic probation and your cumulative GPA is less than 2.0 but your semester GPA is greater than or equal to 2.0, you will remain on probation.
• If you are on academic probation and your semester GPA is less than 2.0 but your cumulative GPA is greater than or equal to 2.0, you will remain on probation.

An appropriate notation will be made on your academic record. Any grade change will require recalculation of your probation status.  Academic standing will not be assessed in summer sessions.  You are removed from probation at the end of the first subsequent fall or spring semester in which your semester and cumulative GPA are greater than or equal to 2.0.  A student who wishes to appeal an academic probation standing should contact the academic department of their major for guidance in the appeal process.

Dismissal. If you are on probation, you will be notified of dismissal by the university if, at the end of any fall or spring semester, your semester and cumulative GPA are both less than a 2.0.  An appropriate notation will be made on your academic record. Any grade change will require recalculation of your dismissal status.  A student who wishes to appeal an academic dismissal standing should contact the academic department of their major for guidance in the appeal process.

Readmission. If you have been dismissed from IPFW or any other campus of Indiana University or Purdue University, you may not enroll at IPFW until one fall or spring semester has passed.  All readmissions are into probationary status and are subject to stipulations in effect as a condition of readmission. Readmissions shall be reported to the Registrar, and an appropriate entry shall be made on the student’s academic record. A student who is academically dismissed for a second time is not eligible to enroll for at least one year.  A student dismissed by this policy must apply to the appropriate office or readmission committee. A fee is assessed for processing the readmission application. Readmission is not guaranteed.

 Degrees

Colleges/schools/divisions may impose stricter requirements than those listed in this section, but they may not waive the following minimum standards. Provided these minimum standards are satisfied, adjustments to any degree requirement may be made by the unit establishing that requirement.

Degrees offered. For completion of undergraduate plans of study of at least 60 credits, associate degrees may be conferred. For completion of undergraduate plans of study of at least 120 credits, bachelor’s degrees may be conferred.

Requirements for degrees. If you enter a degree, certificate, or premajor program, you will be required to fulfill the requirements published in the Bulletin current at the time of entry or re-entry to the university.

The primary reasons for a student to be required to meet the requirements of a subsequent bulletin include:

• Re-entry to IPFW (after a one year period of non-enrollment)
• By request with the written acknowledgment of the academic advisor
• When required by accreditation, a department may require students to complete the curriculum defined by the most current bulletin.

Any student who remains continuously enrolled or admitted to the university will be required to meet the requirements of the Bulletin of the term of entry or re-entry to the university unless the student chooses to change to a subsequent Bulletin with the written acknowledgment of the academic advisor.  Any student who is not continuously enrolled due to a period of deployment to serve in a branch of the armed services may meet the requirements of the Bulletin of the most recent entry or re-entry to the university.  Any new requirement for a degree, certificate, or premajor program may not be imposed on currently enrolled students in these programs if it would increase the number of credits or the number of semesters required for completion of the program.  The college/school/division/department committee in charge of curriculum matters may refuse to accept as credit toward graduation any course that was completed 10 or more years previously. Former students will be notified of all such decisions upon re-entering or when the credit is determined to be unacceptable.

To earn any associate or bachelor’s degree at IPFW, you must satisfy the following four requirements:

1. You must complete, by resident credit or transfer credit, the plan of study underlying the degree, including
   • For an associate degree, registration in and completion of at least 32 credits of resident course credit, including at least 15 credits in courses applicable to the major.
   • For a bachelor’s degree, registration in and completion of at least 32 credits of resident course credit at the 200-level or above, including at least 15 credits at the 300-level or above in courses applicable to the major.
2. Normally, you must complete the entire final year at IPFW. However, with the approval of your college/school/division and if you have satisfied the resident credit requirement, you may complete the remaining requirements in another approved college or university.
3. You must establish a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or better.
4. You must register, either in residence or absentia, as a candidate for the desired degree during the academic session immediately preceding its conferral.

Double majors and double degrees. The academic unit sponsoring your programs shall certify your completion of each degree and any second major that you may have completed.

Double major. If you complete all the requirements for more than one program, you will be awarded a degree with a double major if (1) the requirements are completed at the same time; (2) the programs are offered by the same college/school/division and the same university at IPFW; and (3) the programs lead to the same degree, where “the same degree” means a B.A. (IU or Purdue), B.F.A., B.S. (Purdue only), or a B.S.C., etc.

Double degree. If you complete all requirements for more than one program, you will be awarded two degrees if the above requirements for a double major are not satisfied, except that Purdue University students who complete requirements for a second major leading to the same degree as originally earned shall have this major noted on their transcripts but shall not receive a second degree.

Graduation with distinction. To be a candidate for the bachelor’s degree with distinction, you must have a minimum of 65 resident credits included in the computation of your cumulative GPA. To be a candidate for an associate degree with distinction, you must have a minimum of 35 resident credits included in the computation of your cumulative GPA. The required GPA, calculated each spring as outlined below, also applies to degrees for the following summer sessions and fall semester.  In each college/school/division, the minimum cumulative GPA for graduation with highest distinction from an associate’s or bachelor’s degree program shall be at least 3.95 (A = 4.00).  In each college/school/division, the minimum cumulative GPA for graduation with distinction from an associates’s or bachelor’s degree program shall be at least 3.80 (A = 4.00).

Conferring of degrees. Degrees may be granted at the close of each academic session.

 Minors

You may earn a minor by providing your division/department verification of your acceptance into the minor program, a statement of the minor program requirements, and by successfully completing those requirements.  Completion of any minor requires a minimum of 12 credits, including at least 6 resident credits at the 200 level or above. Your division/department will certify your completion of the minor requirements as your degree certification is being processed.  Minor certification shall be based on completion of the minor program requirements in effect for the bulletin of your current degree program.  Concurrent with the completion of your degree requirements, the Registrar will make an appropriate entry on your transcript to denote completion of the minor. No entry will be made on your transcript if the minor is not completed by the time you are certified for graduation.

 Transcripts

If your record is not encumbered for any reasons described herein, you will (upon application to the registrar and payment of any prescribed fee) be entitled to receive an official transcript of your complete record, including any major(s) and minor(s).

Note: The registrar’s office is the only university office authorized to issue official transcripts. All requests for these documents must be directed to that office.

 Encumbrances

If you are in arrears to IPFW, you are not eligible to receive transcripts or diplomas. The clearance of all financial obligations by the Friday before Commencement will be essential for graduation. If you clear the obligation later, the diploma will be released.

 Grade Appeals

The grade appeals policy applies to all students enrolled at IPFW. It can be used by any student who has evidence or believes that evidence exists to show that a course grade was assigned or a similar evaluation was made as a result of prejudice, caprice, or other improper condition such as mechanical error.  In appealing, the student must support in writing the allegation that an improper decision has been made and must specify the remedy sought. The student should seek the assistance of the dean of students in pursuing the appeal. During an appeal, the burden of proof is on the student, except in the case of alleged academic dishonesty, where the instructor must support the allegation. The student may have an advisor or friend present during all meetings with faculty members, administrators, and/or committees; he or she may advise the student but may not speak for the student during the meetings.  Grades may be changed only by a university authority upon the decision of the grade appeals subcommittee or by the instructor any time prior to the decision of the grade appeals subcommittee.

Appeal deadlines. An appeal must be initiated no later than the fourth week of the fall or spring semester immediately following the session in which the grade was assigned. A final decision at each step must be reported within 30 calendar days of the filing of an appeal at that step, provided that this deadline falls within the regular academic year (fall or spring semester). If the deadline falls during the summer, the decision must be reported within 30 calendar days of the start of the fall semester. Each successive step in the appeals procedure must be initiated within three calendar weeks of the completion of the prior step.

Steps in the Process of a Grade Appeal

Step 1. Course instructor: The student makes an appointment with his or her instructor to discuss the matter. If the instructor is unavailable, the department or program chair shall authorize an extension of time or allow the student to proceed to Step 2. If the chair is unavailable, the dean of the college or school shall authorize the extension.

Step 2. College/school/department/program: If the matter has not been resolved at Step 1, the student makes an appointment with the chair of the department or program offering the course, who may make an informal attempt to resolve the appeal. If the appeal is not resolved informally, the chair will direct the student procedurally in making an appeal to the college, school, department, or program committee. Only one committee shall hear the appeal in Step 2. The student filing an appeal shall have the opportunity to be heard in person by the committee.

Step 3. Grade appeals subcommittee: If the matter has not been resolved at Step 2, the student makes an appointment with the dean of students, who will direct the student procedurally in submitting the case to the grade appeals subcommittee.

College/school/department/program appeals procedure. Each college, school, department or program will establish appeals procedures that provide for a committee of three or more faculty members responsible for hearing grade appeals related to courses listed or administered by that college/school/department/program if those appeals have not been satisfactorily resolved between the student and the instructor or informally by the department chair. The procedures established by each college, school, department or program shall provide for each case to be heard by only one such committee. The procedure shall provide the opportunity for the student to be heard in person and for the decision to be reported in writing to the student and the instructor. A copy of each unit’s procedures will be given to the vice chancellor for academic affairs, to the dean of students, and to students, upon request.

Grade appeals subcommittee. This subcommittee shall consist of nine members elected from among the Voting Faculty according to procedures specified in the Bylaws of the Senate.  Before hearing the details of a case, the subcommittee will decide by majority vote whether to consider the appeal and will report its decision in writing within 30 calendar days. The bases for a decision to consider an appeal may include (but not be limited to) a finding that (1) improper procedures have been followed by university employees at earlier steps of the appeal; (2) new information is present; or (3) the instructor has declined to accept the college, school, department, or program committee’s recommendation.  No member of the subcommittee may take part in an appeal involving a course or instructor from the member’s department or program. Members should also recuse themselves from cases in which they have potential conflicts of interest, personal involvement, schedules that will interfere with hearing the appeal in a timely manner, or other disqualifying causes. From those members remaining, the chair will elect the five-person hearing panel. The panel members will elect a chair who will be responsible for making arrangements related to the case.  If the case is to be heard, the hearing will take place within 30 days of the decision to hear the appeal, or within 30 days of the start of the fall semester, whichever is applicable. Each member of the panel will vote on whether the appeal is valid, and if so, on what remedy should be provided. If the panel, by majority vote, finds in favor of changing a grade, the chair shall report this finding to the registrar and to the parties listed below. The decision of the panel is binding on all parties and may not be appealed.

Reporting of subcommittee and panel decisions. The subcommittee and each panel shall report its finding and actions to the student; the college, school, department, or program from which the appeal came; the instructor; the chair of the student’s department; the dean or director of the student’s school or division; the dean of students; and (in the case of a panel decision) the chair of the grade appeals subcommittee.

 IPFW Policies

The following IPFW policies were in effect for all undergraduate students at the time of publication. Changes go into effect periodically and are published in the IPFW Student Handbook. The policies are arranged as follows:

 Admission

You must be admitted to IPFW before you are eligible to register for classes. Admission applications may be obtained from the Admissions office (Kettler 111, 260-481-6812 or 800-324-IPFW) or online at ipfw.edu/admissions. IPFW admissions counselors are available to help with your selection. Please call the Admissions office for a personal appointment.  Program-specific admission requirements may be imposed by schools/divisions and departments. Any such requirements become effective when published in the Bulletin or appropriate supplementary publications. Applicants should be aware that certain criminal convictions may result in ineligibility for admission to certain programs of study.

Basic skills. As an applicant for regular admission to IPFW, you should already possess the following basic-level skills in reading, writing, and mathematics:

Reading. You should be able to identify the main and supporting ideas in moderately complex texts, identify the authors’ purposes, and evaluate the logic, accuracy, and value of their writing. You should be able to recognize implications, inferences, and assumptions and to integrate information from your experience or reading with new information.

Writing. You should be able to write short (500-700 words) argumentative and expository essays and should have some familiarity with research and documentation. Your essays should be clearly organized and demonstrate an ability to develop a thesis through argumentation and evidence. You should display no major errors in spelling, syntax, punctuation, and usage.

Mathematics. You should be able to demonstrate arithmetic numeracy and mastery of the content of a substantial first-year high school algebra course and a high school geometry course. You should be able to use problem-solving strategies and translate word problems into mathematical expression; to recognize relationships between variables in graphs; and to identify one-, two-, and three-dimensional figures, and use the formulas that yield the dimensions, area, or volume of the figures.

Graduation and persistence rates. Graduation and persistence-rate information for IPFW is available at ipfw.edu/offices/registrar/consumer/

IPFW Admission requirements. All applicants must have earned a high school diploma (not a certificate of completion or non-standard curriculum) or a GED. Some of the university’s degree and certificate programs have admissions requirements in addition to the general campus requirements. These program-specific requirements are explained in Parts 4 and 5 of the IPFW Bulletin and cannot be waived.  IPFW Admission requirements can be found at ipfw.edu/admissions/requirements/

IPFW Admission classifications are the following:

1. Regular admission to your program of choice
2. Admission with Recommendations to your program of choice. You will be provided with information about the IPFW academic resources available to you to ensure your academic success.
3. Admission with Conditions will be offered to you if you do not meet requirements for admission with recommendations. You will be required to meet prescribed academic requirements to support your academic success.

Minimum requirements for admission with conditions are:  1. Indiana Core 40 high school diploma (or similar college preparatory diploma from high schools in other states); 2. Top 80% class rank and GPA of 2.39-2.0; 3. SAT total scores of 1120 or above and no subject score below a 380 or ACT above 16 or above and no subject score below a 15.

Applicants for undergraduate admission are classified into one of the following admission categories:

1. Beginning freshman. If you have never attended a college as a degree-seeking student, you must submit an application, a high school transcript or GED scores, and an application fee. Unless you graduated from high school more than two years prior to applying for admission, you must also submit SAT  or ACT scores.

• To have your SAT  scores sent to IPFW, use code number 1336.
• To have your ACT scores sent to IPFW, use code number 1217.

If you are a high school student, you should apply to IPFW as soon as possible at the beginning of your senior year. Priority consideration will be given to applications received by:

August 1 for fall semester, December 15 for spring semester, May 1 for summer session I, June 15 for summer session II

If your application and supporting materials are received after these deadlines, you may be advised to pursue regular admission for a subsequent semester.

If you are a high school senior completing graduation requirements at the end of your seventh semester, you must meet all regular admission criteria listed below in order to enroll in the spring semester. If you have not met all requirements, you may be considered for admission for the following fall.

2.  Recent high school graduates.  Indiana high school graduates must have earned a Core 40, Core 40 with Academic Honors, or Core 40 with Technical Honors diploma.  (This is a typical college preparatory curriculum including a minimum of four years of English, three years of mathematics (algebra, geometry, advanced algebra), three years of social studies, three years of laboratory science and two years of foreign language.)  SAT or ACT scores are required and class rank and GPA are considered.

For admission to programs in engineering or in the College of Health Sciences refer to requirements in the current IPFW Bulletin.  bulletin.ipfw.edu

You may be offered regular admission to the program of choice, admission with recommendations, admission with conditions or be denied admission to the university.

3.  GED graduates.  You must submit an official copy of your GED text scores. If you scored 58 or above on the GED you will be offered regular admission to your program of choice, if you scored 57-54 you will be offered admission with conditions, if you scored 53 or lower you will be denied admission and recommended to the IPFW-IVY Tech Crossroads program.

4.  Returning Adults.  If the applicant graduated from high school or earned a GED more than two years prior to applying for admission and have not attended another college, an official copy of the high school transcript or GED scores must be submitted.  Class rank and GPA, academic subjects passed and SAT/ACT scores, if either test was taken while in high school, or GED scores will be considered to make an admission decision.  You may be offered regular admission to the program of choice or required to take additional English and mathematics testing as prescribed for final determination of admission status which could be admission with conditions or denial of admission.

5.  Transfers.  If you have attended college but never attended IPFW, IU, or Purdue, an application, official high school transcript and official transcripts from all colleges attended must be submitted.  A cumulative GPA of 2.0 at the most recent college attended is required as well as a grade of C or above in college level English composition and college level mathematics courses.  You will be offered regular admission, admission with recommendations or admission with conditions based on your GPA. If college records are more than five years old, the high school transcript will be reviewed.

6. Intercampus transfer from Indiana University or Purdue University. If you are currently attending, or have attended, another IU or Purdue campus and want to transfer temporarily or permanently to IPFW, you must submit an application, an unofficial transcript from your IU or Purdue campus, and official transcripts from any colleges attended since your enrollment at IU or Purdue. No application fee is due.

7. Re-entry. If you previously attended IPFW but have not registered for classes at IPFW for more than one year, you must submit an application and official transcripts from any colleges attended since your enrollment at IU or Purdue. No application fee is due.

Since your re-entry may be subject to the approval of the specific division/department you wish to re-enter, several working days may be required to process your application before you can register for classes.

8. Special high school-Collegiate Connection. If you are a high school junior or senior ranking in the top half of your class, you may take up to 24 credits as a dual credit temporary student through the Collegiate Connection Program.  Contact the Collegiate Connection Office at 260-481-5478  for more information.  You must submit an application and high school transcript.  No application fee is required. You are not eligible for federal or state financial aid but may qualify for financial assistance through the Collegiate Connection Office.

9.  Special college graduate.  If you have a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution and wish to take undergraduate courses but do not plan to pursue another undergraduate degree, you may take up to 24 undergraduate credits as a temporary student.  You must submit an application but need not submit an application fee or additional documentation.  You are not eligible for financial aid.

10.  Guest.  If you want to become a visiting student from another college outside the IU or Purdue systems, you may enroll temporarily at IPFW for up to 24 credits.  You must submit an application an an official transcript from your home institution.  No credits will be evaluated for transfer to IPFW.  No application fee is due.  You are not eligible for financial aid.

Institutional, state, and federal financial aid is not available to special adult students, graduate nondegree students, special high school students, and guest students.  These are temporary/nondegree-seeking classifications.

Regular admission of a temporary student. If you are admitted in temporary (non-degree) status, you may apply for regular admission for a subsequent semester. After you have earned 24 credits in temporary status, you may register for additional credits only after you apply for and are granted regular admission. If you are granted regular admission, your academic advisor will determine which of the courses you completed as a temporary student may be applied to satisfy the requirements of your degree program. An application fee will be charged.

Appeal of an Admission Decision. To appear an admission decision you must submit a written statement to the IPFW Admission Appeals Committee explaining how, regardless of past academic performance, you are now prepared to be successful in university studies. The statement must be typed and no longer than one page. Your name, address and contact information must be included. The decision of the committee will be sent to you in writing.

Mailing address: Appeal Committee, IPFW Office of Admissions, 2101 E. Coliseum Blvd., Fort Wayne, IN 46805
FAX number: 260-481-5450
Email: ask@ipfw.edu

Readmission. If you have been academically dismissed from IPFW or any IU or PURDUE campus you must apply for readmission.  You will find readmission information in this Bulletin in Regulations  “Regulations, Policies, Rights & Responsibilities”, under Academic Regulations”, Section 13-“Academic Standing”.

 Academic Renewal

This option may be available to you under the following conditions:

• You have not registered for classes at IPFW or any other campus of Indiana University or Purdue University for five or more calendar years; and
• The college/school/division through which you re-enter IPFW provides this option for eligible students.

If you are eligible for the academic-renewal option, a participating college/school/division may exclude from the calculation of your cumulative GPA grades you previously earned that are considered to be below “passing.” However, both these grades and the courses in which they were earned will remain on your official academic record.  You must request this option; it must be exercised during the re-entry semester and can be employed only one time per student. For additional information, please contact the college/school/division that offers the degree you are seeking.

 Affiliation with Indiana University or Purdue University

IPFW is a campus of both Indiana University and Purdue University. If you are enrolled at IPFW as an Indiana University student and transfer to another campus of Indiana University, all credits and grades you have earned will be retained on your academic record. The same is true if you are enrolled at IPFW as a Purdue University student and transfer to another campus of Purdue University. However, if you change your university affiliation when transferring from IPFW to another campus, courses completed at IPFW will be treated as transfer credit.

 Residency

Resident student status for fee purposes. When you are admitted to IPFW, you are classified by Admissions as a resident or nonresident of Indiana. This classification is determined by rules established for all IPFW students by the trustees of Purdue University. If you are classified as a nonresident student, you must pay nonresident fees as shown in the schedule of fees.  Among other criteria, resident student status for fee purposes requires all independent students who enter or re-enter Indiana to be domiciled in the state for 12 consecutive months before the first day of classes of the semester or summer session for which reclassification may be sought. If you think you are classified incorrectly, you may apply for resident student status. To appeal your residency classification, go to the following Web site and print off the application and instructions:

ipfw.edu/offices/registrar/policies/residency.html

When complete, return the form to IPFW Registrar, 2101 E. Coliseum Blvd., Fort Wayne, IN 46805-1499.

 Student Identification Number

You will be assigned a nine-digit number typically beginning with either 900 or 999 as your student identification number. It is used to identify records within IPFW and has no significance outside IPFW. It will not be provided to external agencies or individuals except in accordance with university policy on release of student information.  You are, however, required to provide IPFW with your social security number so that IPFW can issue certain informational returns to the Internal Revenue Service and to you. You are also required to provide your SSN on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid if you desire to apply for federal or state financial aid. IPFW does not use your SSN as your student identification number, but only for those purposes required by law or governmental agencies.

 Fees and Expenses

All fees are subject to change by action of the trustees. Fees for the 2016-17 school year are shown below:

Course fees listed below (may not apply to continuing-education courses)  If you audit a course, regular course fees are assessed.

Other fees. The following fees are in addition to the course fees listed above.

• Admission application - $50
• Readmission application - $100
• Late registration fee - $8.50 per credit ($100 maximum)
• Continuing Studies - varies

Refunds. Fee assessments and/or refunds are determined as of the date forms are submitted to the registrar’s office in person or via the Web registration system, regardless of any other dates that may appear on the forms. Requests for exceptions to the refund schedule will be considered only to resolve problems that result from (1) documented errors made by university representatives, or (2) other circumstances that are clearly the responsibility of IPFW. Requests and supporting documentation must be received by the registrar’s office within the first two weeks of classes.

IPFW reserves the right to cancel courses and will refund all fees assessed. If you withdraw from a class, the following refund schedule will apply:

Note: A 100 percent refund will be allowed through the day of the first class meeting, even if it occurs after the designated period.  Any course meeting for more than eight weeks will use the refund schedule approved for fall and spring semesters.  All calendar days are counted, including weekends. If you are receiving federal Title IV financial aid (Stafford, Pell, Perkins, SEOG), and you make a full withdrawal or do not attend classes, a calculation will be made to determine the amount of unearned aid that you will be required to repay. Specific information about this calculation may be obtained at the financial aid office or at www.ipfw.edu/financial. Refunds are not transferable from one student to another. To qualify for a refund, your class withdrawal must be processed during the periods specified above. The refund schedule for off-campus credit classes offered through the Division of Continuing Studies may differ from the one above and appears in registration materials published by the Division of Continuing Studies.

Payment Options

A. Pay by Web. If you are paying by Web Check, Discover, Visa, or MasterCard, you may do this through my.ipfw.edu. Your user name and password will be required.

B. Pay by phone. If you are paying by Discover, Visa, or MasterCard, your student ID number will be required to make payment by phone. Call 260-481-6824. Have your credit card in front of you when you make the call. Avoid busy phone lines by calling prior to the deadline.

C. The after-hours drop box. An after-hours drop box is located next to bursar window no.1. You may drop your payment in the box, but it must be received by close-of-business on the payment deadline date. All check payments will be converted to an ACH electronic transaction.

D. Pay by mail. You may send either a personal check or credit card information. All check payments will be converted to an ACH electronic transaction. Please allow adequate mailing time so your payment reaches us by the payment deadline.

E. Stand in line. You may pay in person at the bursar’s office, but the lines will be long if you wait until the payment deadline. Save time by using one of the above options, or by paying prior to the deadline date.

Senior citizen fee-remission program. A waiver equal to one-half the resident tuition (to a maximum of 9 credits per semester) is available to Indiana residents who are age 60 or older, retired, not employed full-time, and high school graduates or GED recipients. The waiver does not apply to fees. This program is available only during the week prior to the start of classes and also during late registration. Additional information and applications are available from the IPFW Financial Aid office (Kettler Hall 102, 260-481-6820 or online at ipfw.edu/financial/forms).

Payment plan options. Payment plan options are available through the bursar’s office.

Payment Processing Policies

A.  Registration and drop/add changes are not official until processed at your academic division, department office, the registrar’s office, or through my.ipfw.edu. Fee assessment is based on the date these forms are processed, regardless of other dates that may appear on the forms.

B.  An e-mail notification will be sent to students who participate in all registration dates. It is your responsibility to retrieve your bill through my.ipfw.edu. You may review your class schedule through my.ipfw.edu, or you may request a class schedule from your advisor at the time your registration is processed or from the bursar’s or registrar’s office. A paper bill will be mailed only if you opt out of Electronic Consent and must be requested in person.

C.  When you register for classes, you are responsible for paying your fees unless you officially withdraw from your classes before the end of the 100 percent refund period. The university reserves the right to administratively remove you from your classes for failure to pay your fees, but you will still owe the fees for these classes. The university may also administratively remove students from future terms if current or past terms are unpaid. Late registration and re-enrollments will be assessed a late registration fee of $8.50 per credit with a maximum assessment of $100

D.  You may pay your fees by enrolling in a payment plan to pay your balance in installments. Click on the link in your e-mail notification and select Payment Plan. The payment plan will not be processed without the first payment and the application fee (non-refundable) that is due by the payment deadline. Subsequent payments not received by the due date will be subject to a late payment charge of $17.50.

E.  A $17.50 late payment fee will be assessed to delinquent accounts beginning 10 days AFTER the due date. To avoid paying this charge, accounts must be paid in full by the fee payment deadline. Students with deferred-payment contracts must keep their accounts current to avoid this fee.

F.  All classes are assessed at full fees when added, regardless of the transaction date. Drops are refunded according to the refund schedule.

G.  Web check, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa credit cards may be used to pay fees through my.ipfw.edu. Credit cards may be used to pay fees either by mail or telephone. See payment options for additional information.

H.  If you are receiving financial aid, you are responsible for accepting your financial aid award through my.ifpw.edu by the fee payment deadline to apply your financial aid award to your account. Students whose fees are to be billed to an employer or other agency must confirm these arrangements with the bursar’s office.

I.  Student credit balances of less than $1 will be held on account for 90 days.

Enrollment Certification

The registrar’s office is the only university office authorized to officially certify your enrollment status. All requests for enrollment certification should be directed to that office. Your enrollment status for a specific semester/session can be certified only after classes for that semester/session have begun and will be reported only as of the date requested.

Statement on Civility

Indiana University-Purdue University Fort Wayne is committed to the goals and ethics of academic investigation and education. The foundation of academic pursuit is the process of free inquiry, in which individuals may openly explore and express ideas. Free inquiry requires an environment that encourages open investigation, as well as the educational growth and positive social development of individuals; therefore, it is important to state explicitly the ethics that define our academic community.  Prominent among the values that define the academic community is civility, which includes mutual respect, fairness, and politeness. Membership in any community requires a concern for the common good for all who belong to that community. Each individual may possess different ideas, as well as different ways of communicating those ideas, particularly in a community as varied and diverse as a university. Because of these differences, respect and civility are integral to maintaining the quality of the academic environment and free inquiry. Respect and civility should therefore be afforded to all individuals regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, religion, family status, socioeconomic level, educational background, veteran status, or position at the university.  Because it is not possible to establish a set of rules or guidelines that will address every issue of civility, all members of the academic community are called upon to promote and value this ethic of common respect and civility. Ultimately, such a community-wide concern will assure the continuation of a free and open exchange of ideas.

 Affirmative Action, Nondiscrimination, and Anti-harassment

IPFW is committed to maintaining an inclusive community that recognizes and values the inherent worth and dignity of every person; fosters tolerance, sensitivity, understanding, and mutual respect among its members; and encourages each individual to strive to reach his or her own potential. In pursuit of its goal of academic excellence, the university seeks to develop and nurture its diversity. The university believes that diversity among its many members strengthens the institution, stimulates creativity, promotes the exchange of ideas, and enriches campus life.  IPFW views, evaluates, and treats all persons in any university-related activity or circumstance in which they may be involved solely as individuals on the basis of their personal abilities, qualifications, and other relevant characteristics.  IPFW prohibits discrimination against any member of the university community on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, genetic information, marital status, parental status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or status as a veteran. The university will conduct its programs, services, and activities consistent with applicable federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and orders and in conformance with the procedures and limitations as set forth in Purdue University’s Equal Opportunity, Equal Access and Affirmative Action policy, which provides specific contractual rights and remedies. Additionally, the university promotes the full realization of equal employment opportunities for women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and veterans through its affirmative action program.  It is essential that IPFW demonstrate its intellectual and ethical leadership by reaffirming its strong position against harassment in all forms. All members of the university community must be able to pursue their goals, educational needs and working lives without intimidation or injury generated by intolerance and harassment.  Harassment in the workplace or the educational environment is unacceptable conduct and will not be tolerated. IPFW is committed to maintaining an educational and work climate for faculty, staff and students that is positive and free from all forms of harassment, including harassment toward individuals with legally protected status for reasons of race, gender, religion, color, age, national origin or ancestry, genetic information or disability and harassment toward individuals for other reasons such as sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status or parental status. The university will not tolerate harassment of its faculty, staff or students by persons conducting business with or visiting the university, even though such persons are not directly affiliated with the university.

If you have a question or complaint, or want advice, you may talk with the Director or Associate Director in the Office of Institutional Equity (Kettler Hall 110N, 260-481-6106) or with the director of Services for Students with Disabilities (Walb 113, 260-481-6657).

 Release of Student Information

The IPFW policy governing access to student records, which complies with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, is described below:

Definitions:

A record includes any data or information about you and related individuals, regardless of the media used to create or maintain the record.

Educational records include records maintained by the institution but exclude records maintained by individuals and available only to those individuals or designated substitutes (that is, “personal files”). Your educational records are located and maintained by administrators in one or more of the following offices: Academic Counseling and Career Services; Admissions; Alumni Relations; Athletics, Recreation, and Intramural Sports; Bursar; Center for Academic Support and Advancement; Continuing Studies; Financial Aid; Honors Program; Registrar; and University Police, as well as the student affairs administration and academic units.

Note: The registrar’s office is the only university office authorized to issue official transcripts and certify students’ enrollment status. All requests for such documentation must be directed to that office.

Public information consists of your name, class standing, college/school/division, major field of study, dates of attendance, degrees and awards, recognized student activities, sports, athletics information, and current enrollment status; your address and telephone number are also public information unless you have filed a registrar’s form to keep these private. Records of arrests and/or convictions are public records and thus not subject to university policy.

Note: If you wish to restrict the release of your address and telephone number, you must do so by the end of the first week of classes for a session in order to exclude this information from any student directory that may be published.

Release in emergencies. The confidentiality of all records may be broken in an emergency if deemed necessary by the severity of the emergency, the usefulness of the records, and the extent to which time is critical.

Release to you. Your records are available to you with the following exceptions: confidential letters of recommendation submitted prior to 1975; records of your parents’ financial status; records related to your student employment that are subject to other laws and are administered by Human Resources; medical and psychological records, which will be released only to a healthcare professional designated by you; and, if you signed a voluntary waiver of access, letters of recommendation related to admission, candidacy for awards, and candidacy for employment-these records may be used only for the purpose originally intended.  You may see any of your available records within 30 days after submitting a written request, either in person or by mail, and may copy any of these records, subject only to payment of any applicable copying charges. You will receive an interpretation of the record upon request, at or after the time that access is granted.  If you object to any part of your record and the responsible office will not revise the record as requested, you may request a formal hearing concerning the objection. Policies and procedures governing the hearing process will be specified by the vice chancellor for academic affairs.

Release to IPFW faculty and staff. Your records are available to members of the faculty and staff who have a legitimate need for them, as determined by the administrator of the office responsible for maintenance of the record.

Release to others. Except as specified below, your records will be released only upon completion of a consent form or letter you have signed. Any such release will include a notice that further release by the recipient is prohibited by law. A record of the release will be maintained.  Records about you will be released without your consent to your parents if you are a dependent as defined by the Internal Revenue Service; to federal officers as prescribed by law; as required by state law; to agencies or individuals conducting educational research, provided that the administrator of the records is satisfied concerning the legitimacy of the research effort and the confidentiality to be maintained by the researcher; to agencies responsible for accreditation of the institution or its programs; in response to a lawful subpoena, after making reasonable attempts to provide prior notification and opportunity for objection by you; and to institutional security officers when necessary for a criminal investigation; to a transfer student’s former college/university and to a college/university that a student is seeking to attend; to contractors, volunteers, and other non-employees performing institutional services and functions as school officials with legitimate educational interests. This includes the national student Clearinghouse, American Campus Communities, and Educational Computer Systems Incorporated (ECSI).

Retention of records. IPFW reserves the right to maintain only those records it considers useful and to set retention schedules for various categories of those records. However, the administrator responsible for each category of records will ensure that a record being challenged is not destroyed prior to resolution of the dispute.

 Parking and Traffic Regulations

Parking. You are charged a parking fee based on the number of credits you take. This entitles you to park in open parking spaces (not in spaces designated as “A” parking, green-lined spaces) in lots or garages. Parking permits for students with disabilities are available from University Police (Support Services 105). Validation from a physician or Services for Students with Disabilities (Walb 113, 260-481-6657) is required.

Traffic regulations. The operation of motor vehicles on the IPFW campus is governed by applicable state, local, and campus regulations. University police officers are empowered to enforce these statutes. Additional information is published in the Student Handbook, with complete information about IPFW parking and traffic regulations appearing in the Vehicle Regulations and Emergency Information brochure available from University Police and other campus locations.

Smoking

Smoking is prohibited in any university facility and on any university grounds.  The purpose of this policy is to provide a healthy, comfortable, and productive environment for the campus community. Accordingly, all employees, students, and visitors are expected to comply.

 Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention

Guidelines for the prevention of alcohol and substance abuse are included in the Student Handbook. Copies of the handbook are available at various campus locations.

 Ethical Guidelines for IPFW Information Technology (IT) Users

(Reprinted from IPFW Faculty Senate Document SD91-5, as amended December 13, 2010)

The IPFW Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct (hereafter, the Code) sets forth general policies and procedures governing the use of university facilities by students. Various university policies establish similar requirements for faculty and staff. The purpose of these guidelines is to interpret these policies and procedures specifically for students, faculty, and staff using the university’s IT facilities.

University IT resources are designed to be used in connection with legitimate, university-related purposes. The use of university IT resources to disseminate obscene, pornographic, or libelous materials; to threaten or harass others; or to otherwise engage in activities forbidden by the Code or university policy is subject to disciplinary action.

Intellectual property rights and responsibilities. Central to an understanding of the rights and responsibilities of IT users is the notion of intellectual property. In brief, this concept holds that materials stored in electronic form are the property of one or more rightful owners. Like any other property, electronically stored information, whether data or programs, can be stolen, altered or destroyed, misappropriated, or plagiarized. Such inappropriate activities violate the Code and university policy and are subject to disciplinary action.

Access rights and responsibilities. The use of lab, e-mail, Web, and other IT resources, including wired and wireless networks, should be focused on facilitating university-related purposes; other uses-for example, using IT resources to conduct a commercial enterprise or private business-constitute theft from the university subject to disciplinary action. Similarly, the introduction of information that interferes with the access or information of others-for example, the introduction of programs of a type commonly called “viruses” or of nonacademic, network-game simulations-is subject to disciplinary action. E-mail should not be used for junk mailings.  Junk e-mail, including chain mail, wastes system resources and the time of those who receive it. Neither should e-mail be used to forge a message so as to have it appear to come from another user. All such inappropriate uses of e-mail are subject to disciplinary action, including, but not limited to, loss of the university-sponsored e-mail account.  Certain university-controlled IT resources are openly available to all students on a first-come, first-served basis; access to other resources is limited-often only by means of posted notices-to students in certain disciplines or specified courses; access to still other resources is carefully controlled by such means as user IDs and passwords. Students are responsible for adhering to the spirit and the letter of these access controls. Violations of access rights can be interpreted under the Code and university policies as theft of university services whether or not those services have been separately billed.  Students, faculty, and staff are also responsible for ensuring the confidentiality of access rights under their control. For example, release of a password, whether intentional or inadvertent, invites misuse by others and may be subject to disciplinary action.

General rights and responsibilities. Despite access controls imposed, system failures may occasionally make it possible for students to inappropriately read, use, copy, alter, or delete information stored electronically on a university computer system. System users are responsible for not exploiting such system failures and for reporting them to proper university personnel so that corrective steps can be taken.  The university strives to maintain a quiet,environment in its computer labs in order that lab users can use their time productively and with minimal distractions. Proper use of computer resources follows the same standards of common sense and courtesy that govern the use of other public facilities. Improper use violates those standards by infringing upon others’ ability to fulfill their responsibilities.  All inappropriate uses of IT resources should be reported to proper authorities for possible disciplinary action.

  Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities, and Conduct  (updated as of 8/15/2016)