Student Guide - Academic Life
Academic integrity policy
The Apostle Paul said in Philippians 4:8; “…brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things” (NAS).
Academic integrity is a mandate given in the Word of God. As Pentecostal Christians we must pursue holiness in all areas of our lives and thus consider academic integrity as having primary importance in our walk with the Lord.
Academic dishonesty is defined as - intentional plagiarism, cheating, fabricating or attempting to help others to be dishonest which includes, but not limited to, roster fraud and attendance deception. Academic dishonesty also includes intentionally or knowingly helping, attempting to help, or soliciting another to commit an act of academic dishonesty.
The following guidelines are offered to help the student understand the full picture of academic integrity and communicate the seriousness with which violations are taken.
North Central University views plagiarism as a serious offense. In addition, it is against the broader rules of scholarship within the North American scholarly community to use the ideas or words of another person without giving that person credit. Whether the other source is a textbook, another book, an article, a friend, a website, etc., students should indicate clearly that another source has been used, and precisely what elements of the work being submitted are drawn from that source.
Ignorance or lack of clarity about what precisely constitutes plagiarism is not an excuse. All work submitted while a student at NCU must be one’s own.
Plagiarism is defined as “intentionally or knowingly representing the words or ideas of another person’s as one’s own in an academic exercise” (UM Policy and Procedure Manual, 2003).
· Direct quotations must be identified by quotation marks or appropriate indentation, and must be cited in a footnote or endnote. · Prompt acknowledgement in the body of the exercise is required when material from another source is paraphrased or summarized, in whole or part, in one’s own words. Then conclude with a footnote or endnote identifying the exact reference. (UM Policy and Procedure Manual, 2003) Fabrication is “intentionally falsifying or inventing any information or citation on any academic exercise” (UM Policy and Procedure Manual, 2003), therefore: “Invented” information may not be used in any laboratory experiment or classroom exercise. Roster Fraud and Attendance Deception is intentionally or knowingly signing or otherwise indicating another student’s presence in a class when he/she is, in fact, not present. This is a form of “fabrication” or lying and constitutes academic dishonesty. Students must not change and resubmit previous academic work without prior permission from the instructor (UM Policy and Procedure Manual, 2003).
Dicipline Policies
Any violation of the academic integrity policy will result in disciplinary action fitting to the gravity of the offense. More serious offenses may result in the failure of the course and extreme cases may result in dismissal from the University. Compounding the situation by lying, further dishonesty, or other problems, may result in more serious consequences. All incidents of violations of academic integrity will be kept on record in the Registrar’s office.
Multiple Offense Procedures
If a student commits multiple offenses of academic dishonesty (same violations or combination), the Registrar’s office notifies the professor, the Academic Integrity Committee and the Vice President of Academic Affairs that the student has violated the Academic Honesty Policy a second time. The student then meets with the Academic Integrity Committee and a decision is made concerning disciplinary measures.
If it is determined a student violated the Academic Integrity Policy twice within a course, an “F” for the course will be given and a meeting of the Academic Integrity Committee is convened to determine possible further consequences. If a student commits academic dishonesty in a different course, he/she must meet with the committee. Redemptive discipline for the student can vary from reinstatement to the issuing of warnings or dismissal from the University. The Vice President of Academic Affairs must approve the committee’s decision before the University acts on it. If a student is dismissed, he/she is not able to return for one entire semester following the dismissal. The student has the right to appeal to the Academic Affairs Committee.
Appeals will only be accepted if it is based on error(s) committed by the professor(s) and/or Academic Integrity Committee in the process or procedure outline in this policy.
Academic Integrity Committee
The Academic Integrity Committee consists of the Registrar (or designee), one faculty member, and one representative from the Student Development department. The Registrar, who will act as voting chairperson, appoints the committee members.
Class Attendance
One and two hundred level courses will be restricted to an attendance policy. There are no excused absences for any purpose. An excessive absence from a class means that the student has missed 25% of the class periods and therefore will be dropped from the class. If this occurs within 10 weeks of starting the course, a grade of "W" will be placed on the student's transcript no credit is given. After 10 weeks, a grade of "F" will be placed on the transcript. This may be effective at any point during the regular term of the course. Being late to class four times is equivalent to one absence.
Attendance in three and four hundred level courses is left to the discretion of the professor and will be stated in the syllabus. Classes will not be disturbed to give students messages except in the event of death or serious illness. Please contact the office of the Vice President of Academic Affairs for approval to contact a student during class time.
In order to maintain an atmosphere that is conducive to education and learning for all students, proper classroom etiquette must be observed. For this reason, babies and children will not be allowed in the classrooms, and other disruptions such as cellular phones, audible pagers, hand-held video games, personal computer games, and personal organizer games are also considered inappropriate for the classroom.
Grade Change Policy
Grade changes will be accepted by the Registrar's office only in cases of documented clerical error, miscalculation or by appeal as a result of extenuating circumstances. A faculty member cannot reassess material and submit a new grade. Reevaluation of a student's performance is not to be considered a legitimate reason for a change of grade. A student may appeal a grade with the faculty member involved through the end of the semester immediately following the one in question.
Probation/Dismissal/Readmission
Students who fail to earn the minimum cumulative grade point average will be put on academic probation (see school catalog). Students who remain on probation for a second semester may be terminated for low academic performance. Students on academic probation may not qualify for financial aid.
The maximum academic load for students on academic probation is 12 credit hours. Students qualifying for Minnesota State Grants must take 15 hours. Students who have been dropped from the University for academic probation are allowed to reapply after one semester and to return with the permission of the Admissions Committee. The petition to return must present specific evidence that the student is now able to successfully complete college course work. Ability to successfully complete college course work may be documented by completing a minimum of 6 credit hours at an academic institution other than North Central University with a minimum GPA of at least 2.0. Students who return under these provisions will be registered on probation.
Non-Discrimination Policy
It is the policy of North Central University not to discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color or national origin in its educational programs, admissions, activities, or employment practices. Inquiries regarding compliance with Title IX of the 1972 Education Amendments (sex discrimination) may be directed to Cheryl Book, Title IX Coordinator at NCU.
Private Student Records
North Central University, in compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (with amendments effective January 1, 1976), provides that information contained in the student's permanent educational record be made available to the student while not released to others, including his or her parents and/or spouse, without the consent of the student, unless the student is claimed as an income tax dependent. The only exceptions are staff members, administrative officers, and faculty who have a legitimate professional right to the material.
Academic and citizenship records are kept private and available only to University personnel except: 1) for the purpose authorized by the student; 2) in case of legal compulsion; 3) in a situation where the safety of persons or property is involved; or 4) when the Vice President/Academic Affairs deem necessary to make appropriate referrals to personnel on and/or off campus.
All requests for access to educational records shall be presented in writing to the administrator of the office that maintains the records, as listed below under "Locations and Types of Information." That office shall respond to any such request within ten days and shall specify the time and manner in which records may be inspected. The administrator shall provide any necessary explanation or interpretation of the records. Copies of any records, except academic transcripts and test scores, may be obtained at the copying rate then current.
Location and types of information
The following offices maintain biographical information and certain types of data as specified below:
Admissions - Test and inventory results, application for admission, and copies of correspondence
Business Office - Financial records
Financial Aid Office - Financial aid data
Registrar's Office - Academic transcripts, registration materials, term cumulative GPA, graduation information, health records
Student Life Office - Housing information, chapel attendance records, discipline files, student activities
Student Success Center - Tutoring services and academic assistance
Total Withdrawal Refund Policy
Students who find it necessary to withdraw from the University should go in person to the Student Life office to begin the process. The process includes completing a Withdrawal Form and meeting briefly with a Student Development staff member. The Withdrawal Form walks the student through the necessary offices to obtain signatures and complete paperwork. Returning keys and identification cards is also part of the process. To finish the process the student returns the completed form to the Student Life office. The date the paperwork for the withdrawal begins is the date used to determine refunds to the student and return of financial aid.
Although it is preferred that a student follow the previous procedure, if necessary, a student may call, e-mail or fax the Student Life office to initiate withdrawing from the University. To withdraw from North Central University, a student MUST completely fill out a Student Withdrawal form provided by the Student Life office.
If a student is new to NCU and eligible for federal and/or state financial aid, the Department of Education requires a Pro Rata schedule of refund to be used to determine refund amounts to be paid back to the financial aid programs and to the student. If a student has previously attended NCU and is eligible for federal and/or state financial aid, the Department of Education requires a Federal schedule of refund to be used to determine refund amounts to be paid back to the financial aid programs and to the student. North Central University’s Institutional Refund Policy for all students who are not eligible for federal and/or state financial aid is exactly the same as the federal schedule of refund.
A detailed listing of charges that are refundable, charges that are considered totally expended at the time of registration, and deadline dates for percentage refunds are distributed to all students prior to coming to NCU. Additional copies of the Refund Policy are available, upon request, from the Financial Aid office.
Academic Grievance Procedure
The faculty member is the main voice regarding course policies, expectations, or grading. Students who feel they are treated unfairly in their academic experience should make every effort to resolve the issue with the faculty member. If a student has made every effort to resolve the issue with the faculty member, but still has not been able to resolve to their satisfaction then he should make an appointment to see the department chair. Only after working the issue through with the Faculty member the appropriate department chair should a student contact the Vice President of Academic Affairs. If the Faculty member is the department chair, the student should feel free to raise questions with the Vice President of Academic Affairs. The Vice President will then provide students with information to resolve an academic grievance.
Academic Catalog
Students are also subject to policies set forth in the North Central University Academic Catalog. Students may refer to this publication for additional information.
Student Success
Center
The Student Success
Center is located on the
second floor of Miller Hall and includes the following services free of charge
to current students. For more information please refer to the North Central
website or Academic Catalog.
Academic Support Services: North
Central University is committed to providing optimal educational opportunities
for all students. The Student Success Center exists to assist students in
maximizing their learning, and equip them with the required skills necessary to
function within an academic community and the communities they will enter in
the future.
Academic
Services Offered:
One-on-one consultation to
assess how the SSC can meet your needs
Tutoring in general education
subjects
Academic Coaching program
Assistance in braking through
writer’s block
Proofreading and feedback for
class papers
Assistance when studying with a
learning disorder
Study groups and test
preparation strategies
Learning & Study Skills
Inventory assessment
Study Skills courses
Exam proctoring services
Life calling & Career Placement:
Career Development counseling is
available to all NCU students to assist them in developing the skills and
resources needed to obtain employment.
Services include one-on-one counseling with a professional counselor,
academic advising and direction, administration of career inventories and
computer programs, assistance with resume writing and interview skills, and
exploring options available in the work force.
Placement Services are an exciting new addition to the Student Success
Center and is available to both current students and alumni. The placement
office is geared towards matching student with employer and vice versa;
creating a centralized service that provides customer satisfaction to both
current students looking to transition into the workforce, and constituents who
contact NCU looking for employees. The
strategic placement of this service within the SSC allows for access and
referral to other support services to ensure a student’s education is what it needs
to be when he or she is ready to graduate.
It also closes the circle of success from his or her freshman year and
orientation to the senior year of transitioning into the world of work. The
following is an example of a few of the services students can expect to engage
in through the placement office: job & career fairs, assistance in
professional portfolio design, networking and self-promotion skills for
employment, data collection of job leads and current postings, overseeing and
coordination of on campus interviewing for the hiring of NCU students, and
assisting students in finding a job in the field of their study
post-graduation.
Students with Disabilities
North Central
University is committed to providing optimal educational opportunities for all
students, including those enrolled or admitted who have disabilities under
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation act of 1973 and the Americans with
Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).
College policy provides for reasonable accommodations to be made
for students with disabilities on an individual and flexible basis. It is the responsibility of student with a
disability to seek available assistance and make their needs known to the
Student Success Center. In order to
determine accommodations for special needs, North Central University asks
students to submit a recent (within the last three years) professional
assessment that documents the disability.
Personal Development Counseling
Counseling is provided
in a relational context and is intended to offer the safety and support needed
for healing and growth. This shared
counseling experience involves both therapist and student contributions to its
overall effectiveness. Our counselors are committed to providing a safe, confidential,
and non-judgmental environment.
Professional personal
development counseling at North Central University is a free and confidential
service provided by the Student Success Center for all current NCU
students. All counselors in the
counseling center are academically trained and experienced in counseling, and
are Christians upholding Biblical standards in their practice. Appointments with a counselor can be
confidentially scheduled by calling x5000.
Some common reasons
for seeing a counselor include:
Life purpose and direction
Making better decisions
Adjusting to college
Self-defeating behaviors
Studying more effectively
Low self-confidence
Questions concerning
relationships
Puzzling or distressing
emotional issues
Confidentiality
Counseling records are
kept by the Student Success Center and are not accessible to other North
Central faculty, staff, parents or other members of the community without the
student’s written authorization.
Counseling records are not included in a student’s college file. Confidentiality is maintained for all clients
as mandated by federal and state laws for mental health counseling.