Academic Information and Policies

The purpose of this policy and procedure is to provide Champlain College students the opportunity for additional review of the facts pertaining to an academic decision affecting them. Procedures are designed to provide objective and fair treatment (as provided specifically in the procedures) of both students and faculty and to resolve disputes in a timely manner.

An academic grievance is a claim that a specific academic decision or action that affects the student’s academic record or status has violated published policies or procedures. The assignment of grades is not generally considered a justifiable grievance under this policy unless published policies or procedures have been violated. Only the Provost (Chief Academic Officer) has the right to file an administrative grade change should a grievance involving a grade be accepted.

PROCEDURES

  1. A student who believes that they have been aggrieved must first attempt to seek an informal resolution with the other party involved in the dispute.
  2. Disputes that are not resolved directly between the parties involved may be brought to the appropriate Dean’s office responsible for the course. The Dean/designee will seek to reach an informal resolution between the parties.
  3. If the matter is not resolved, then the student may choose to initiate the formal resolution process within the timelines established by this procedure.
  1. Student academic grievances must be specified in writing to the Dean/designee, along with supporting evidence that clearly identifies the cause of the grievance in relation to the definition of academic grievance included in this policy.
  2. The second party to the dispute must also provide the Dean/designee with a written account of the matter in dispute.
  3. The Dean/designee will reach a resolution by either holding an individual hearing or establishing an academic grievance committee where both parties participate, together or separately, to investigate the claims and counterclaims. All parties shall be given access to all submitted documents and treat them with confidentiality. The administrator who facilitated the informal resolution process will not hear the case or be on a committee in the formal resolution process.
  4. In instances when an academic grievance committee is convened, it will be composed of three faculty members and two students typically but not necessarily from within the division, but exclusive of those associated with the student, instructor, or program involved in the dispute.The academic grievance committee will make a recommendation to the Dean.
  5. Each party will make a presentation regarding his or her position. Each side is permitted to bring one support person (non-participating) to the hearing with advance notice to the Dean/designee.
  6. The Dean will inform the student and the faculty member in writing of the decision. If the Dean recommends a grade change, the decision shall be sent to the Provost for approval and implementation.
  7. The Dean’s decision may be appealed to the Provost by the student or the instructor, but only on the grounds of procedural violation. If an appeal is filed, the Provost or their designee may sustain or deny the appeal, may remand the matter for reconsideration by the Dean and/or rehearing by a third party, or may take other steps as the Provost deems appropriate.

TIMELINE

  1. The formal academic grievance process must be initiated by submitting written notification to the Dean no later than thirty (30) academic/business days after the student is notified of the action under dispute.
  2. The Dean must convene a formal hearing within ten academic/business days of receipt of the grievance, or as soon as practicable.
  3. The Dean must communicate the decision to the student and the faculty within ten academic/business days after the meetings have occurred or as soon after as practical.
  4. If the student or instructor wishes to appeal on procedural grounds to the Provost, notification must be made in writing within five academic/business days of the Dean’s written notification of decision.
  5. The grievance shall be resolved no later than the last day of final examinations in the following semester.

Latin Honors and Awards

Trustee Scholar: A designation awarded to students who attend Champlain College full-time and maintain a 4.0 average for two consecutive semesters.

President’s List: A designation awarded to students who attend Champlain College full-time and achieve a semester average of 4.0.

Dean’s List: A designation awarded to students who attend Champlain College full-time and achieve a semester average of 3.50 or better.

Graduation Honors: Latin distinctions are given to graduating undergraduate students with the following minimum cumulative grade point averages:

Summa Cum Laude: 3.80 average
Magna Cum Laude: 3.65 average
Cum Laude: 3.50 average

Divisions may award additional honors recognizing academic, service and career development achievements. Conduct records may be accessed in the determination of these awards.

Academic Honesty

Introduction

In addition to skills and knowledge, Champlain College aims to teach students appropriate ethical and professional standards of conduct. The Academic Honesty Policy exists to inform students and faculty of their obligations in upholding the highest standards of professional and ethical integrity. All student academic work is subject to the Academic Honesty Policy.

It is the student’s responsibility to understand and comply with College-wide policy as well as to ensure that any assigned work-including examinations, tests, quizzes, term papers, reports, themes and other exercises conform to a strict standard of academic honesty.

Any attempt to deceive a faculty member or to help another student to do so will be considered a violation of this standard.

Instructor’s Intended Purpose

The student’s work must match the instructor’s intended purpose for an assignment. While the instructor will establish the intent of an assignment, each student must clarify outstanding questions of that intent for a given assignment. It is the responsibility of the student to understand and follow the intent articulated by the instructor. For example:

Unauthorized Assistance

The student may not give or get any unauthorized assistance in the preparation of any work. Group-work contexts often need extra clarification. For example, sharing work without explicit authorization to do so is a violation of the Academic Honesty Policy. Students in doubt about the instructor’s expectations should seek clarification, or assume that the work must be completed individually.

Authorship

The student must clearly establish authorship of a work. Referenced work must be clearly documented, cited, and attributed, regardless of media or distribution. Adequate documentation must articulate the resources, and even sources of inspiration, directly employed in the creation of a work. Even in the case of work licensed as public domain or Copyright, (See: http://creativecommons.org/) both Faculty and the student must provide attribution of that work in order to uphold the standards of intent and authorship. Professional and Academic practice provides guidance about how to properly cite, reference, and attribute the intellectual property of others. For general examples, see Section 1.6.

Declaration

Online submission of, or placing one’s name on, an exam, assignment, or any course document is a statement of academic honor that the student has not received or given inappropriate assistance in completing it and that the student has complied with the Academic Honesty Policy in that work. Contributing to or obtaining material from an online assignment repository is considered a violation of academic honesty that can result in disciplinary action.

Documentation

In essence, the Academic Honesty Policy poses the following questions to all students:

On each assignment, students are expected to isolate their authorship. This means that the Faculty member can precisely identify the student’s work. Documentation should embrace direct references, indirect references and background resources as required by the instructor. The Academic Honesty Policy requires the student to declare and document authorship.

Consequences

Any violation of the Academic Honesty Policy, as determined by the instructor, may result in sanctions. The instructor may also impose a sanction on the student that varies depending upon the instructor’s evaluation of the nature and gravity of the offense.

Possible sanctions from the instructor include but are not limited to, the following:

  1. Requiring the student to redo the assignment;
  2. Requiring the student to complete another assignment;
  3. Assigning a grade of zero to the assignment;
  4. Assigning a final grade of “F” for the course.

A student may appeal these decisions according to the Academic Grievance Procedure. This policy is not exclusive, and in addition to course-based penalties, students may be subject to additional sanctions at the college level, particularly offenses considered egregious. For students who are repeat offenders, additional sanctions may be required as a result of the College’s Conduct Review Process for conduct that violates both this policy and the standard described in section 2 of the College’s Standard of Conduct.

Academic Probation and Academic Dismissal

The College will place on academic warning any matriculated student who, after attempting 12 or more credits, fails to achieve either a cumulative GPA (CGPA) of 2.0 or a term GPA of 2.0. Students who fail to achieve a CGPA of 1.80 after attempting 12 credits or who fails to achieve a CGPA of 2.0 after attempting 30 credits will be subject to dismissal.

Academically dismissed students wishing to take courses as non-degree students may do so only with permission of their Program Dean.

Academic Renewal

Under the specific circumstances outlined in this policy, unsatisfactory course grades may be coded so that they do not adversely impact the student’s CGPA. The following conditions apply to the Academic Renewal policy as a whole:

  1. Academic Renewal will be granted only once
  2. All courses and grades will appear on the student’s transcript with the addition of a code indicating Academic Renewal where appropriate
  3. Academic Renewal will not be used to alter a student’s record for financial aid qualifications, scholarships or other purposes not outlined below
  4. Only the Registrar’s Office, in consultation with division Deans, as appropriate, will make the change to the student’s record
  5. This decision applies only to academic status and there may be additional financial aid implications

Students who are returning to Champlain may be eligible to have course grades eliminated from their CGPA calculation using the following criteria:

  1. The student has not attended Champlain College in the past three years, and has been readmitted to a degree program
  2. All courses in which a student earned less than a “C-” will no longer be used to calculate either the student’s overall CGPA or the credits earned toward graduation

Current students who have chosen to change majors may be eligible to have course grades eliminated from their CGPA calculation. The following conditions must apply:

  1. The student must request that Academic Renewal be applied at the time of the change of major. (Changing from an associate’s program to a bachelor’s program does not constitute a change of major.)
  2. The student must retain grades from any course in which they earned a “C-” or better
  3. The student must retain any course or specific elective type that is required in the new major (exclusive of technical and business focus electives)
  4. All courses not retained in the above points 2 and 3 will no longer be used in the calculation of the student’s overall CGPA or graduation credits
  5. The student must stay enrolled in the new major. If the student elects to change back to the original major, the Academic Renewal will be reversed

Attendance

Students are expected to attend all their classes. Not doing so may jeopardize their academic success. If illness, accident or similar circumstances make it impossible for a student to attend classes, the student should notify the appropriate faculty member(s). Instructors provide a written class-attendance policy that states the consequences for absences. A student’s lack of attendance does not result in an automatic withdrawal from a course and a grade for the course will be assigned. Students must officially withdraw by the deadline using the Voluntary Course Withdrawal policy described below.

Champlain College requires students in courses online to demonstrate participation by Day 8 of the course. “Participation” means that a student has completed a discussion post or submitted an assignment on or after the start date of the course. If a student does not complete a post or an assignment by Day 8 of a course, the student will be automatically removed from the course(s) and their financial aid adjusted accordingly.

Audit Policy

Champlain College permits the auditing of courses, at a reduced rate, for individuals who wish to participate in courses simply for their own enrichment. Students auditing a course may attend all class sessions and participate in class discussions.

Academic work will be neither reviewed nor graded by the faculty. No credit will be issued for any course taken as an audit. Graduate courses, Core courses, and other courses designated by academic divisions may not be taken as audits.

Audits will be permitted only on a space-available basis. Audit registration begins one week prior to the start of the course. A student may change a course from audit to credit or credit to audit only during the first 10 days of the semester. Once courses have begun, no refunds are issued for credit-to-audit changes. Additional charges will be applied for changes from audit to credit.

Change of Major

Requests for change of major should start with the student’s current faculty advisor. Final approval of change of major requests rests with the division Dean responsible for the new program or that Dean’s designee. Change of major requests will not be accepted during the last week of classes or during final exam week.

Changes in Courses or Schedules (Add/Drop Period)

A student may add or drop courses, or change from one section to another of the same course during the first five days of each semester. After that time period, students may change sections or add a new course only with the permission of the course instructor and appropriate Dean, or designee, after reviewing the student’s likelihood of success.

Class-Related Behavior

Each instructor is authorized to maintain an in-person and/or online learning environment (including, but not limited to, classroom, laboratory, library, faculty office, etc.) that facilitates effective teaching, learning and safety. Through their class-related behavior, students should demonstrate that they are preparing seriously for the professional and/or corporate environments in which they will work after leaving the College. The College includes electronic communication in its definition of class-related behavior to include, but not limited to, email, video conference, telephone meetings, and activities in Canvas (or other platforms) related to each course.

Examples of inappropriate, disruptive class-related behavior include, but are not limited to, the following:

Disruptive and disrespectful behavior on the part of any student will not be tolerated. Learning spaces that may involve a potential safety hazard to students under certain circumstances may inherently require that students adhere strictly to safety protocols, in addition to observing normal behavioral expectations.

Under the authority of this Class-Related Behavior Policy, an instructor may require that a student leave the learning space if the student is disruptive and does not heed a verbal or written first warning. In the online environment, an instructor may use their discretion to delete inappropriate posts. Return of the student to the learning space may require a written pledge by the student to abide by the rules of expected class-related decorum or safety.

Continued inappropriate conduct or safety violations may be grounds for dismissal from the course in question for the remainder of the semester. If an instructor determines that a student should be dismissed from a class for the remainder of the semester with a failing grade due to their class-related behavior, the instructor will provide to the student a written notice of that decision, which shall include a statement that the student may appeal the decision through the Academic Grievance Procedure.

In addition to action taken by instructors under the authority of this Class-Related Behavior Policy, action may also be taken separately by the Office of Student Conduct under the College’s Conduct Review process, if a student’s class-related conduct may constitute a violation of the Champlain College Standard of Conduct.

Class Recording Policy

Students may use a recording of a class for their own academic purposes. They may not share, replicate, or publish the recording, in whole or in part, or use the recording for any other purpose, without the written approval of the instructor. This includes the dissemination of the recording via private or public email and/or social media. This Class Recording Policy balances the legitimate uses of classroom recording, the intellectual property of the faculty, and the privacy of individual students and faculty. Failure to adhere to the Class Recording Policy may be regarded as a violation of Champlain College’s Standard of Conduct.

Commencement Ceremony - May Participation

Bachelor’s and associate’s degree candidates who have completed all of their degree requirements may participate in and have any appropriate academic honors announced at the Commencement ceremony. Bachelor’s degree candidates within 8 credits of meeting all program requirements and associate’s degree candidates within 4 credits of meeting all program requirements are eligible to take part in the ceremony as non-graduating participants. All participating undergraduates must also have an overall cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher. Students who wish to participate in the commencement ceremony as non-graduating participants must have a plan to complete the degree within two semesters. This plan must be filed with and approved by the Registrar.

Non-graduating participants are ineligible to have Latin honors designated in the program; to have Latin honors announced during the event; or to have their name listed in local media until they have successfully completed their remaining academic program requirements.

Diploma Name

On the graduation application, each student has the opportunity to write their name as they would like it to appear on the diploma. The College reserves the right to approve all diploma name requests.

Core Curriculum

The Core curriculum is an intentionally integrative general education curriculum, and traditional undergraduate students are required to take a pair of courses each semester. A student who wishes to withdraw from one of the two Core courses during that time when a student may withdraw without penalty will be required to sign a statement indicating that s/he is aware that, in order to remain on track in the Core, s/he will have to make up the Core course(s) during the summer at his/her own expense. Non-attendance is not a valid reason to request withdrawal from one of the required Core courses.

  1. In a given semester, a student must take both Core courses appropriate to that semester (e.g., COR 110 and COR 115 are co-requisite courses for first- year, first-semester students)
  2. All Core curriculum courses in a given year must be completed with a passing grade before a student may enroll in any of the Core courses in any of the subsequent years. COR 110 , COR 115 , COR 120 and COR 125 are prerequisites for any second-year Core course; four 200-level Core courses are prerequisites for any third-year Core course; and all the third-year Core courses are prerequisites for the fourth-year college capstone course unless an exception is granted by the Dean of the Core Division. (Most often, exceptions are granted in the case of illness or an unusual study abroad situation.)
  3. In the first year, a student must pass COR 110 before taking COR 120 and must pass COR 115 before taking COR 125 .
  4. Makeup courses at the 200 level will be available only in the summer session. All traditional students must take (or receive approved transfer credit) for two Fall 200-level Core courses and two Spring 200-level Core courses. Students who fail a 200-level Core course must successfully complete an appropriate 200-level Core course during the appropriate Champlain summer session before going on to the third-year Core courses. The course does NOT have to be the identical course as the course the student failed, but it must be from the same semester. Each summer, the Core Division will offer two Fall semester 200-level Core courses in the first summer session and two Spring semester 200-level Core courses in the second summer session.
  5. In the third year, course pairs (COR 310 /COR 320 and the two COR 330 courses) may be taken in either semester to accommodate study abroad demands
  6. All students matriculated in undergraduate degree programs must be enrolled in the Core courses sequenced for their catalog year each term that they are at Champlain College. Students who intend to transfer are not exempted from this requirement, but are encouraged to consult with the Dean of the Core Division to discuss how to maximize transfer credits awarded by the receiving institution.

Course Load and Credit Hours

To be considered full-time, a student must enroll in courses totaling at least 12 credit hours per 15-week semester. Students making changes that affect their full-time status should first check with the Financial Aid Office to determine the effect of such changes on aid eligibility.

Normally, one unit of credit is based on 15 hours of classroom instruction and 30 hours of homework per semester. To be considered full-time, a student must enroll in courses totaling at least 12 credit hours per 15-week semester.

Approval will be required for students who wish to take more than 18 credits during the fall or spring semester. If the number of credits desired is 18-20, and the cumulative grade point average (CGPA) is at least 3.0, students should consult with the Registrar’s Office to request permission. Students with a CGPA of less than 3.0, or with a desired number of credits greater than 20, must obtain the written permission of the Dean of their professional program.

Approval will be required for students who wish to take more than two courses or 7 credits (whichever is greater) in a single summer session. Students who have a CGPA of 3.0 or higher should consult with the Registrar’s Office to request approval. Students who have a CGPA of less than 3.0 or who want to take more than 9 credits in a single session must obtain the written permission of the Dean of their professional program.

One Credit Courses

Champlain College offers a number of one (1) credit courses. These courses will follow a distinct meeting pattern: either once a week for 50 minutes for the full fifteen (15) week semester or twice a week for 75 minutes for five (5) weeks. Divisions will work with the Registrar’s Office for dates to schedule these courses.

Students are encouraged to be enrolled in full time course load (12+credits) prior to enrolling in a one credit course.

Credit Hour

Champlain College is responsible for regulating and maintaining standards related to the awarding of credit hours for student work consistent with national standards. The College operates on the semester credit system using the standard Carnegie unit of 750 minutes of instruction per credit hour (2,250 minutes of instruction for a standard, three-hour course).

At least an equivalent amount of work as outlined above for other academic activities as established by the institution including laboratory work, internships, practica, studio work, and other academic work leading to the award of credit hours.

Contact Hours

A unit of measure that represents an hour (50 minutes) of scheduled instruction given to students.

Studio courses in the Bachelor of Fine Arts programs and in the Bachelor of Science in Game Art and in Game Design programs meet for a minimum of 1.5 to 2 hours per credit, or require that students do and document equivalent hours of work in campus labs and studios.

Course Waivers and Course Substitutions

Substitutions for required courses must be authorized by the Dean (or designee) responsible for the course in question. Students may consult with the Registrar’s Office if they are unsure who should approve a course waiver. In all cases of waiver or substitution, the appropriate divisional representative will notify the Registrar’s Office at the time of the decision. The Registrar’s Office will then make the appropriate changes to the student’s record.

Champlain College offers examinations in Calculus that can result in waiver of a course requirement for MTH 230 (Calculus I.) When a course is waived, the course requirement is considered met, but credits are not awarded. Additional information can be obtained from academic specialists or faculty advisors.

Course Withdrawal

It is the student’s responsibility to officially withdraw from a course. Students enrolled through the traditional college wishing to withdraw from a course must complete a Course Withdrawal form. This form is available online or from the Registrar’s Office. The form must be signed by both the student and their faculty advisor. The withdrawal becomes effective the date the form is received by the Registrar’s Office. Failure to formally withdraw may result in failing grades, reduction in financial aid and academic dismissal from the College. Deadlines for withdrawing without academic penalty are strictly enforced. Contact the Registrar’s Office for specific dates.

Students may withdraw from a full semester (15-week) course through the 11th week of the semester and receive a grade of “W,” which is not calculated in the GPA. After the 11th week, individual course withdrawal is not permitted.

In addition to the above, there are instances in which the College may administratively withdraw a student. These instances include, but are not limited to, violations of the College’s Standard of Conduct, Class Related Behavior Policy, disciplinary problems, or damaging the College’s relationships with internships or project sites. A grade of W will be assigned and the student will need to retake the course if it is a program requirement.

Course Withdrawal without Academic Penalty

15-week course withdraw by end of 11th week
12-week course withdraw by end of 9th week
10-week course withdraw by end of 7th week
7-week course withdraw by middle of 5th week
6-week course withdraw by middle of 4th week
5-week course withdraw by middle of 3rd week

Cross-Registration Agreements

All arrangements to take courses at any institutions with cross-registration agreements require permission of the Dean of a student’s professional program.

Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA)

A student’s CGPA is calculated by multiplying the credit hours for each course by the grade point per credit hour of that course as determined by the final grade. For example, a 3-credit-hour course in which a student receives a “B” (3.0 grade points per credit hour) will equal 9.0 grade points for that course. The cumulative grade point average will then equal the total grade points divided by the total number of credit hours. Grades earned in transferred courses are not used in CGPA calculations.

Curriculum Changes

The College reserves the right to adjust the curriculum and course content whenever such adjustments are academically appropriate and approved by the administration. The curriculum requirements in effect during the catalog year in which the student enters will remain in effect for that student unless the changes have no material effect on the student’s graduation date, or the student wishes to pursue a more recent set of requirements.

Degree Requirements - Bachelor’s

To be eligible for a bachelor’s degree from Champlain College, a traditional undergraduate student must meet the following requirements:

  1. Matriculate into a Champlain College traditional baccalaureate major and satisfactorily complete all its specific requirements;
  2. Earn at least 120 credit hours, 45 of which must be earned at Champlain College. In addition, of the last 60 credits required for the bachelor’s degree, 30 must be earned at Champlain College. Individual programs may require specific courses to be completed here as described in the Transfer/Advanced Standing section that follows;
  3. Achieve an overall cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of at least 2.0 in courses completed at Champlain College;
  4. Satisfactorily complete all InSight requirements;
  5. Apply for graduation by submitting an application for graduation form by early February for May graduates; early July for August graduates; and early November for December graduates. The Registrar’s Office will notify all eligible graduates.

Majors

A major is a compilation of courses designed to give proficiency in a specific area within an academic discipline. This is considered the student’s primary field of study. Major courses of study are comprised of a minimum of 39 credits. Students should be able to demonstrate a significant level of prowess within their discipline upon program completion.

Double Majors

A double major requires careful planning and sequencing of courses and the endeavor will very likely require additional time to complete both programs. Students who wish to pursue a double major must first consult with their faculty advisor to obtain approval. Students must fulfill all the requirements of both programs, and there must be a difference of at least 24 credits between the two programs. Upon completion, one bachelor’s degree will be granted, and the transcript will list one degree and both majors.

Students wishing to complete two majors leading to two different bachelor’s degree types (e.g. BA, BS, BSW, BFA, BSBA) must obtain approval from their faculty advisor and the Registrar’s Office. Students must fulfill all the requirements of both programs and the two programs must have at least 24 credits difference between them. Upon completion, two bachelor’s degrees will be granted and the transcript will list both degrees and majors.

Combined Bachelors-Masters (CBM) Programs

Program Definition

Selected Champlain College graduate programs offer a Combined Bachelors- Masters Program (CBM.) This program option is designed for exceptional undergraduate students to begin earning up to twelve graduate level credits while completing their undergraduate degree at Champlain.

Student Status

Students who are accepted into a CBM Program must continue to be enrolled as undergraduate students until the completion of their Bachelor’s degree. Upon completion of the Bachelor’s degree, participating students are then formally matriculated into their chosen graduate program. All graduate courses taken as part of an approved CBM program will be transferred into the selected graduate program at that time.

Admission

Program Participation

Course Credit

Graduate Program Matriculation

Concentrations and Minors

Concentrations and minors are structured plans of study comprised of a minimum of at least 12 credits. Successful completion of a concentration or minor is recorded on the transcript.

A concentration is a minimum of 12 credits within the student’s major discipline and allows students to gain additional focus in a specific aspect of their major area of study. Concentrations are not available in all programs and are either optional or required. Students should consult with their advisors on eligibility requirements and planning for graduation.

A minor is a minimum of 15 credits outside the specific discipline in which the student is majoring and allows students to broaden their education beyond their primary program focus.

The following circumstances may apply for concentrations and minors:

Microcredentials

A measurable academic achievement that is shorter than a degree or certificate program. Microcredentials provide academic or professional growth in a specified area. Skill and proficiency is measured by either earning academic credit or demonstrating competency in the specified area.

Threads

Threads are structured plans of study that are only available to students enrolled in the Integrative Professional Studies program. Threads provide a coherent series of courses that support programmatic depth and dimension. Students can expect to take both lower level and upper level courses in a Thread. Moreover, students will be able to combine threads and minors to build a comprehensive academic program. Threads are comprised of 24 to 34 credits.

Extended Campus Closure

Class During an Extended Campus Closure:

Champlain College takes precautionary measures to ensure that your classes can continue in a “virtual environment” even during an extended emergency such as severe weather, contagious disease, physical infrastructure failure, campus closure, or similar incident. Classes will continue, either online through Canvas, a College-provided learning management system, or through some other process.

In the event of such an emergency, students are expected to continue instructor-designated class activities, as directed by the instructor. Due to the nature of the “virtual environment,” learning activities may differ slightly from those in the on-campus version of your courses. In order for this emergency preparedness plan to be effective, students are asked to do the following:

Immediately

During an Emergency

Grade Changes

Grades submitted to the Registrar’s Office are final. Acceptable reasons for changing grades are:

Student requests for grade changes must be submitted to the faculty no later than the last day of exams one semester after the semester in which the grade was earned. Students wishing to appeal an instructor’s denial of the grade change should follow the Academic Grievance Process, located in this catalog. All faculty requests for grade changes must be documented and approved by the Dean responsible for the course.

Grades – Midsemester

In conjunction with frequent evaluations, mid-semester grades help students understand their level of progress. Faculty members submit mid-semester grades for each student to the Registrar’s Office for all 15-week courses. These grades are internal and do not appear on student transcripts.

Grade Achievement Grade Equivalent Standard
S (satisfactory) C or better A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C,
U (unsatisfactory) Passing C-, D+, D, D-
F (failing) Not passing F

Grades - Semester

At the end of each semester, faculty members submit to the registrar a final grade for each student. Some majors have minimum grade requirements for specific courses which are higher than the lowest acceptable grade in the scheme below. See individual academic programs for information.

Grade Range Achievement Grade Points
Standard per Credit Hour
A (93+) Outstanding 4.00
A- (90-92) Outstanding 3.67
B+ (87-89) High quality 3.33
B (83-86) High quality 3.00
B- (80-82) High quality 2.67
C+ (77-79) Acceptable 2.33
C (73-76) Acceptable 2.00
C- (70-72) Acceptable 1.67
D+ (67-69) Passing* 1.33
D (63-66) Passing* 1.00
D- (60-62) Passing* 0.67
F (Below 60) Failing 0.00
P Pass Not computed
NP No Pass 0.00
W Withdrawn before the 11th week of a traditional-length course Not computed
I Incomplete Not computed
IW Involuntary Course Withdrawal Not computed
AU Audit No grade or credit earned

Incomplete Work

With permission of the instructor and the Dean responsible for the course in question, an interim grade of incomplete may be assigned for a course in which the student has met all of the following criteria:

  1. Completed a major portion of the course with a passing grade;
  2. Been unable to complete course requirements before the last day of classes because of documented illness or serious circumstance beyond the student’s control;
  3. Obtained agreement from the instructor and arranged for resolution of the incomplete grade.

The following procedures apply:

  1. The written request must be made by, or on behalf of, the student by the Wednesday of the last week of classes.
  2. If an incomplete is granted by the Dean, the instructor will outline the remaining coursework and the timeline for completion. The timeline cannot be later than the end of the eighth week after the last day of final exams in the semester in which the incomplete was given, except by permission of the Dean responsible for the course.
  3. Incompletes granted as a result of academic accommodations must be verified by the Office of Accessibility.
  4. When the required work is complete, the earned grade will permanently replace the “I” grade on the transcript. If the work is not completed within the established time frame, the student will receive a grade of “F” for the course.
  5. The student is responsible for making sure that the faculty member receives all required coursework according to the established timeline.

Independent Study

Independent study is defined as a course of study designed by a student to meet specific academic needs, taken outside regular classroom hours and supervised by one or more cooperating instructors. Regular college credit is given, and regular tuition is charged.

An independent study course may be undertaken under the following conditions:

  1. Elective credits only will be given, with the number of credits (not to exceed 3) determined by the appropriate division Dean.
  2. The student must propose the course to the supervising instructor at least five weeks prior to the beginning of the semester in which the work will be completed.
  3. The student and faculty member will jointly develop a formal proposal, which must include:
    1. Reason(s) for requesting independent study in lieu of existing elective course(s)
    2. Course title, suggested level (100, 200, etc.) and description
    3. Names of instructor(s) who have agreed to supervise
    4. Number of credits to be granted, including a description of how the credit hour policies will be met
    5. Learning outcomes to be pursued
    6. Method of measuring achievement of learning outcomes
    7. Grade calculation

    Military Credit

    Champlain College grants credit for military education following the guidelines issued by the American Council on Education.

    Military and Veteran Education Benefits

    The Veterans Services Office is part of the Office of Financial Aid. It was created to provide easy access to military and VA education, benefit information and services for our military and veteran students throughout the campus.

    Military and Veteran Education Benefits

    Champlain College is recognized as a military-friendly institution, partly because of the many military and veteran education benefit programs the College participates in. We are committed to the Yellow Ribbon Program (http://www.champlain.edu/admissions/undergraduate-admissions/financial-aid-undergraduate/military-and-veterans/yellow-ribbon-program), all the Veterans Affairs GI Bills

    (www.gibill.va.gov), VA Vocational Rehabilitation and Employment (www.vetsuccess.gov), Military Tuition Assistance and ROTC scholarships (http://www.goarmy.com/rotc.html) through our affiliation with the UVM Green Mountain Battalion.

    Military Tuition Assistance

    Military Tuition Assistance (MiTA) is funded by the Department of Defense and can pay up to 100% of tuition and fee expenses up to limits imposed by each branch of service. MiTA can be used in conjunction with Department of Veterans Affairs GI Bills, Chapter 30 (Montgomery GI Bill) and Chapter 33 (Post 9/11 GI Bill) through the “Top-Up” program to pay for tuition and fees. (http://www.champlain.edu/current-students/financial-aid-and-student-accounts/financial-aid/military-and-veterans.)

    Name Change

    Students who petition to change their name in the College’s Student Information System must present legal documentation of the name change in the form of a court document, driver’s license, Social Security card or other acceptable legal document to the College.

    Non-Matriculated Students

    With permission of the Registrar’s Office, and on a space available basis, students may enroll with non-degree status and take a maximum of 15 credits. To continue beyond 15 credits, a person is required to apply for admission to a degree program or receive approval from the Registrar to continue as a non-matriculated student under Champlain College Online. Please see Enrollment in Champlain College Online Courses - Undergraduate Policy. Students who have matriculated with the College in degree programs must complete their program of study and are not permitted to enroll as non-matriculated students at any time.

    Credit-based tuition and institutional policies for non-degree students are the same as those for degree-seeking students. Enrolling as a non-matriculated student does not guaratee access to all campus services. Students seeking matriculated status must be admitted to the College through the appropriate Champlain Admission Office. Academic achievement in courses taken as a non-degree student does not guarantee admission to the institution nor direct application to specific degree requirements.

    Champlain College partners with the State of Vermont to allow Vermont high school students to engage in Dual Enrollment. Any high school student that applies to take Dual Enrollment classes with Champlain College must provide:

    Undergraduate Students Taking Graduate Courses

    Approved students may take up to 12 credits at the graduate level toward completion of their undergraduate degree that may also be applied toward completion of a graduate program. Students who wish to pursue enrollment in a graduate program must apply for admission no sooner than the final semester of their undergraduate degree program.

    Students must submit their request to participate to their advisor. With the support of the advisor, the request will be forwarded to the Program Director of the graduate program who, in conjunction with the Program Director of the student’s undergraduate program, will determine preparedness for graduate level coursework and eligible courses for approved students.

    Students in graduate level classes are expected to adhere to the Academic Information and Policies as outlined in the Graduate College Catalog as they pertain to those courses.

    Enrollment in Champlain College Online Courses - Undergraduate

    (This policy does not apply to Summer Session)
    Undergraduate online courses offered through the College’s Division of Continuing Professional Studies (CPS) are designed to address the specific educational needs of adult students. Students who are enrolled through the traditional Admission Office of the College are not permitted to register for online courses, with these exceptions:

    1. Students who are 23 or older
    2. Education majors who are in their final semester and are student teaching
    3. Students in internships at such a distance from the College that they are prevented from taking courses on campus, with permission of the Academic Dean of Continuing Professional Studies and the Dean of their professional program
    4. Students participating in a study abroad/Champlain Abroad semester, with permission of the Academic Dean of Continuing Professional Studies and the Dean of the student’s professional program

    Exception requests will not be considered to accommodate more convenient course, commuting and/or employment schedules.

    Posthumous Degree Policy

    Champlain College may award an undergraduate degree posthumously in recognition of a student’s work and satisfactory progress toward the degree at the time of death.

    An undergraduate degree may be awarded posthumously if:

    1. At the time of death, the student was enrolled in courses required for completion of a degree or nearing the completion of work required for award of the degree;
    2. The student was in good academic standing;
    3. A favorable recommendation for award of the degree is made by the Dean;
    4. The Provost approves the recommendation to award the degree.

    Reenrollment and Readmission to Champlain College

    A student who wishes to return to Champlain College as an undergraduate student, after any separation, must contact the Registrar’s Office and complete a re-entry form.

    A student who left the College in good academic standing may reenroll after completing the re-entry form.

    A student who has been academically dismissed or left the College while on academic probation has additional requirements. They must submit the re-entry form and provide the College with new evidence of their ability to succeed academically. Readmission is neither automatic nor guaranteed, and is subject to availability in each program. Every candidate for readmission will be given full consideration. The Registrar’s Office will coordinate the readmission process with the student’s academic division.

    A student who has missed two or more consecutive semesters (not including summer) could fall under the catalog operating at the time of readmission, or could return to their existing degree requirements, or they could be required to take updated degree requirements, with the allowance of course substitutions.

    Retaking Courses

    Students may retake a course up to two times, for a total of three attempts, in order to pass the course or improve their grade in the course. Course withdrawals are counted as attempts. Students may not repeat the course simply to improve a grade if a more advanced course in the sequence has already been completed. Credit for the course will be granted only once (unless otherwise specified), and the highest grade received will be counted toward the CGPA. All grades received for a course will remain on the transcript, even though only the highest will be used in the calculation of the CGPA.

    Student Bereavement Leave

    Champlain College recognizes that a time of bereavement can be difficult for a student. Students are permited up to five (5) weekdays of bereavement leave for the death of an immediate family member. Requests for additional days must be made to the dean of the student’s division.

    Requests for bereavement leave are managed by the dean or dean’s designee at each division. The student must provide appropriate documentation of the death. When approved, the dean will notify the student and the Registrar’s Office. The Registrar’s Office will notify the faculty of the excused absences.

    While this policy excuses a student from class attendance, the student remains responsible for missed academic work. The student will work with each instructor to consider their available options and establish a plan to complete the missed coursework from their bereavement leave.

    Technology Lab and Studio Usage

    All Champlain College technology labs and studios have specific rules defining usage and a code of conduct. Some labs and studios may have additional protocols that must be followed based on usage. All Champlain College students using these facilities are required to follow this policy and accept its terms upon entry to the lab. This policy is posted publicly in each lab, and can be found under Student Resources and Policies in Canvas.

    Failure to adhere to the usage terms and code of conduct may result in disciplinary action, which could include loss of access to campus technology labs.

    Usage

    1. While a class is in session, students who are not members of that class may not use a technology lab or studio without permission from faculty.
    2. Classwork takes priority in campus technology labs and studios at all times. Students not engaged in class related work must yield their seat to those needing the computer/technology for homework if no others are available.
    3. No food is allowed in the technology labs and studios. Beverages are allowed in containers with closeable lids.
    4. All students using a technology lab or studio after 8:30PM and any time on weekends must have a working campus ID proving they have been authorized to use the space.
    5. No student shall admit another student to a campus technology lab or studio that does not have authorized access via his/her student ID.
    6. During unmonitored times, the door to the technology lab or studio must remain closed and locked.
    7. Students are not allowed to use the podium and/or projection system without consent from a faculty member.
    8. All students must wear headphones when listening to personal audio, or when working with audio that may disrupt the working environment for others.
    9. All students must be courteous to other users in the technology labs and studios. Please avoid loud disruptive behavior, and profanity.
    10. All students using a technology lab or studio are responsible for maintaining a safe, productive, and inclusive working environment for all.

    Hardware and Software

    1. All students must adhere to the User Agreement License of all software and files used in campus technology labs.
    2. All students are responsible for logging off the system before leaving to protect their accounts.
    3. Students must have prior authorization from faculty or Information Systems staff in order to upload and/or install any software files, add anything to the program launcher, or remove or relocate any software or desktop shortcuts.
    4. Students must backup/save all of their files onto removable media or an external repository. Campus computers may not be used as storage devices.
    5. If problems arise, email champsupport@champlain.edu. Include the computer number, a detailed description of the problem, and the date and time the problem occurred. Do not attempt to correct technical or facility problems yourself.
    6. Do not remove any lab or studio equipment, hardware, software, or peripherals from the lab or studio without consent of faculty and Information Systems staff.

    Transcripts

    A transcript is an official copy of a student’s permanent record with the College and cannot be changed. Transcripts are issued by the Registrar’s Office only at the written request of the student or alumnus. Written requests can be made in person, via fax or via postal mail. Requests will be honored as quickly as possible in the order of application. However, during especially busy periods (Commencement, registration, etc.) there will be delays in processing, so transcripts should be requested well in advance. Five copies of a student’s transcript will be provided free of charge. A fee of $5 will be charged for each subsequent copy.

    Official transcripts (those with the College seal) are sent only to a college or university, a state or federal agency, or an employer. Only under special circumstances will an official transcript be sent directly to the student. Unofficial transcripts for a student’s personal use do not bear the official seal of Champlain College and may be sent directly to students. Note: transcripts will be sent only when a student’s account is paid in full.

    Transfer/Advanced Standing

    All transfer applicants are required to submit official transcripts of their high school and college records. The acceptance of transfer credits is at the sole discretion of Champlain College.

    A student who transfers from another college may be awarded transfer credit of up to one-third of the total credit hours toward a professional certificate, up to 30 hours toward an associate’s degree, and up to 75 hours toward a bachelor’s degree, provided that similar required or elective courses are offered at Champlain College. Judgment of similarity is based on criteria provided by the appropriate academic division Dean or Champlain College, and judgments are made at the College’s discretion. Credit hours for transferred courses are given full value, but grades are not transferred to a student’s permanent Champlain College record and do not become part of a student’s cumulative grade point average at Champlain College. In order to be considered for transfer credit, a course must be completed with a grade of “C” or higher. For more information, please contact the Registrar’s Office.

    Transfer to Other Institutions

    Credit for courses taken at Champlain College is generally transferable to other institutions of higher education. However, because the decision of whether to grant credit for any particular course is made by the receiving institution and not by Champlain College, students should consult with officials at the receiving institution concerning the transferability of credits earned at Champlain College.

    Withdrawal from College - Involuntary

    The College reserves the right to withdraw any student for academic, safety or disciplinary reasons. Additionally, any student who stops attending all their classes may be withdrawn from the College with or without the student’s consent. If a student wishes to contest the College’s initiation of an involuntary withdrawal that is for more than a temporary period, the College will provide an appeal opportunity. The appeals procedure is specified in the College’s Conduct Review process. Submission of an appeal must include grounds for the appeal and any supporting evidence and be submitted within 5 business days of receiving the withdrawal notification, unless the student was incapacitated. Students will receive a decision within 5 business days, or as soon as possible, after the appeal has been submitted.

    Withdrawal from College - Voluntary

    It is the student’s responsibility to officially withdraw from the College. Any student withdrawing from the College begins the process by obtaining a College Withdrawal Form from the Student Affairs Office, the Registrar’s Office, the Office of Student Accounts, or the academic division offices. The withdrawal date recorded on the student’s official College record will be determined by the Registrar when the withdrawal form is received. Students may withdraw from the College through the 11th week of the semester and receive grades of “W,” which are not calculated in the GPA. After the 11th week, College withdrawal is not permitted, unless a medical withdrawal is approved. Please see the College’s Medical Withdrawal Policy.

    Failure to formally withdraw may result in failing grades, reduction in financial aid and academic dismissal from the College. Deadlines for withdrawing without academic penalty are strictly enforced. Withdrawals after the end of the term are not permitted.

    Withdrawal from College - Medical

    Champlain College is committed to the safety and well-being of its community members and to the integrity of the living and learning environment. Our goal, therefore, is to maintain the health and safety of each individual in our community and to enable all enrolled students to participate fully in the life of the College.

    Voluntary Medical Withdrawals

    Students may take a voluntary medical withdrawal from their studies as a result of physical or mental health issues that compromise their ability to continue in an academic program. A student may request a Medical Withdrawal in a given semester until the last day of classes for that semester. To request a Medical Withdrawal, students should follow the following process:

    If the student chooses to take a voluntary Medical Withdrawal and is unable to process that request due to their medical condition, the Dean of Students or designee will assist with processing this request.

    After meeting with Student Health & Wellness, the student will obtain the necessary signatures as indicated on the form. The student will be expected to submit the form to the Registrar’s Office and move out of their residential hall within 48 hours of meeting with Residential Life. After the student submits the Medical Withdrawal Form to the Registrar’s Office, the student will be withdrawn from the College. Final grades will be determined as follows:

    The deadline to apply for a medical withdrawal is on the last day of classes of the semester. A student is not eligible to request medical withdrawal during final exams, which is after the last day of classes.

    A student’s eligibility for future semesters of federal financial aid may be impacted by a withdrawal from classes. A student should meet with the Office of Financial Aid and the Student Accounts Office to discuss how a withdrawal may impact current and future semester charges and aid. The College will review each situation in order to determine if any tuition or housing refunds apply; financial aid awards may be adjusted, in accordance with federal regulations, based on the date of the withdrawal (this applies to involuntary Medical Withdrawals as well). Any student who is granted a Medical Withdrawal will be asked to complete the Medical Clearance Re-entry Form as a requirement of returning to the College. Students will be notified of the steps that must be taken to re-enroll (see reenrollment section below).

    Involuntary Medical Withdrawal

    In instances in which a student’s mental or physical health poses a threat to others, becomes a barrier to appropriate or prescribed levels of self-care, or causes significant disruption to the activities of the College community, such students may be required to take an involuntary medical withdrawal from the College. When applicable, the student will be informed in writing of the actions that led to them being medically withdrawn and direct the student to the process for returning to campus. The student’s parent/guardian/emergency contact person may be notified that the student is in a potentially dangerous situation.

    Any student placed by the College on an involuntary medical withdrawal will not be allowed to remain on campus. The timeline for departure will depend on the nature of the withdrawal, but will be no longer than 48 hours after meeting with Residential Life and submitting the medical withdrawal form to the Registrar’s Office. This includes living in residence halls, attending classes, and participating in Champlain sponsored events.

    In circumstances when the student has not met direct threat/inpatient criteria, the Dean of Students or designee may, based upon observable/recorded behavior, still require a student to undergo an individualized psychological and/or physical assessment in order to make an informed decision regarding the student’s ability to meet the academic, social and emotional requirements of being a Champlain student. This evaluation is conducted by a member of the College’s clinical staff in consult with the student’s external clinical providers. The student will be required to sign a release that gives permission to the College’s designated clinical personnel to speak with the external evaluating health care provider and to allow for the release of any relevant medical reports as part of the assessment. If the student chooses not to engage in the process listed above, then the student will be subject to involuntary medical withdrawal and, if applicable, an immediate removal from the residence halls.

    If, following the evaluation, a medical withdrawal is deemed unnecessary, the Dean of Students or designee may impose other conditions and/or requirements which the student would be required to complete as a condition of continued enrollment at the College.

    In any instance in which an involuntary medical withdrawal is required, the Dean of Students or designee will provide written notice to the student, including the specific requirements that must be met as a condition of eligibility for re-enrollment, the timeline for initiating and completing the return process, as well as the procedure for appealing the decision. In most instances, the parent(s) or guardian(s) of the student will be included in this notice. Students are strongly encouraged to discuss the need for a voluntary or involuntary medical withdrawal with their parent(s) or guardian(s) prior to and/or during the leave process.

    Appeal Procedure

    Students have the right to appeal decisions made about voluntary and involuntary medical withdrawals. All appeals must be made in writing and sent to the Dean of Students and must specify the reasons for the appeal. An appeal of a decision must be received within two business days after the student has been informed of the decision. Appeals may be heard by an appeal officer, or by an Appeal Committee consisting of faculty and/or staff. The responsibility of the Appeals Committee or the officer hearing the appeal is to determine a fair course of action in light of evidence presented. When the appeal is complete, the matter shall be deemed fully resolved without further recourse.

    Request for Re-enrollment

    In both voluntary and involuntary medical withdrawals, the duration of the absence is typically no fewer than three to six full months, although the specific length of the leave will be based on the student’s individualized assessment. The student will complete the Medical Clearance Re-entry Form (provided to the student at the time of medical withdrawal approval by Student Health & Wellness) and provide required documentation from the treating provider as a requirement of returning to the College. This form and documentation will be reviewed and evaluated by the College’s Student Health and Wellness team, who will make a recommendation to the Dean of Students about the student’s readiness to return. Under extraordinary circumstances the college may require an additional assessment from a provider chosen by the college to ensure the student’s readiness. Students who are medically cleared to return to campus will still need to follow standard readmission policies and procedures, which are overseen by the Registrar’s Office. Please note the due dates for medical re-entry forms.

    Due date for Fall Return

    Due date for Spring Return

    Medical Clearance Reentry Form to Student Health & Wellness