Responsibility to One's Education
To ensure a comprehensive and authentic education, the student is responsible for planning his/her academic program and progress, and for evidencing academic performance with honesty and integrity. Intended learning cannot be evidenced if one misrepresents the work of others as his/her own. While the University encourages students to assist one another (e.g. tutoring; group projects), the student is accountable for work submitted to meet his/her requirements. Faculty members and advisors are available to assist the student in program planning and in academic achievement. The student has accountability for meeting course, degree and graduation requirements.

Academic Policies
Policies and procedures related to academic courses and programs can be found in the respective Undergraduate Catalog and Graduate Catalog. The student uses and continues to follow the catalog which includes the term of degree entry.

Academic Honesty - Student Responsibilities
Academic honesty is expected and required in all academic work. Each student shall be honest in his or her academic work and shall support the honesty of others. In accordance with the academic honesty policy, activities such as, but not limited to which are prohibited, include:
• Giving or receiving unauthorized aid on a quiz or examination
• Taking an exam or doing homework assigned for another student, or arranging to have it done
• Plagiarism (submitting the work and/or ideas of others without giving proper credit)
• Falsifying data or other results
• Using material, information or sources specifically and legitimately restricted by the instructor
• Sabotaging the work of others
• Altering academic records.

Academic Honesty - Faculty Responsibilities
Academic honesty is expected and required of each faculty member in teaching, research and publication activities. The faculty member also has a special responsibility to foster an academic environment in which habits of academic honesty are developed, supported and encouraged. The faculty member is expected to be a model of academic honesty in his/her own behavior. The faculty member will promote a situation of fairness wherein all students have equal access to information and are evaluated under appropriately identical conditions. With respect to teaching activities, the faculty member must conduct each course in such a manner as to provide a situation of free and open inquiry in which academic honesty is encouraged and academic dishonesty is penalized. In course syllabi, the faculty member must explicitly indicate the specific way in which he/she will deal with violations of academic honesty within the context of that course. The faculty member should indicate in course syllabi specific forms of behavior, beyond those described in this statement, which he/she proscribes and regards as evidence of dishonesty within the context of that course.
Frequent or gross acts of dishonesty may result in disciplinary actions issued by the Dean of Student’s Office.

Download the Academic Honesty Policy at www.ben.edu/ahp.

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Grade Appeal Process
First, discuss the incident with the faculty member, bring forward any facts or circumstances that might be pertinent to the faculty member’s evaluation and decision.

If not satisfied with the outcome, either the student or the faculty member must seek consultation with the Department Chair, College Dean and finally the Vice President for Academic Affairs, in that order.

At each step, the consultations should be an open discussion of the facts and values related to the incident in a collegial atmosphere. The goal should always be a mutual agreement on the values, behaviors and sanctions involved in the incident that support high standards of honesty.

Academic Services - Student Success Center
Krasa Center, Room 012, Phone: (630) 829-6340.

The Student Success Center provides supportive assistance to students who seek to sharpen basic skills, enhance understanding of a particular subject matter and develop effective approaches for test preparation and tackling assignments. Assistance is available in a variety of formats, including one-on-one, peer sessions, courses, etc.

In addition to learning assistance, the Student Success Center administers academic accommodations pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, serves as advisor to the student senate, operates all new student orientation programs and provides comprehensive career development services.

Academic Services—New Student Advising Center—Academic Advising
The New Student Advising Center (NSAC) office was established to work specifically with incoming freshman, transfer and adult undergraduate students. NSAC will help foster responsible decisionmaking in students so that they can make well-informed choices as they develop meaningful academic plans compatible with their educational and life goals.

Academic Services - Academic Advising
With the exception of new freshman faculty members serve as academic advisors and assist students in planning career goals, identifying institutional resources and in meeting degree and graduation requirements. The student is required to meet with and obtain his/her advisor’s signature for most academic-related matters. A student has final accountability for meeting degree and graduation requirements via self advising.

Academic Services - Work/Life Experience Credit
Academic credit can be earned through non-academic experiences of the same degree of competence as that for the particular course for which credit is sought. For information contact the respective program coordinator or chair.

Class Participation - Attendance and Absence
There is no university-wide policy governing class attendance. However, students are expected to attend all classes. During the term, students should notify instructors of individual circumstances surrounding their enrollment status: health, family emergencies and University business. Guidelines on attendance are found in course syllabi.

Religious Policies
A student whose religious obligation conflicts with a course requirement may request an academic accommodation from the instructor. Students must make such requests in writing by the end of the first week of the class. Upon receiving such a request, the instructor will offer reasonable academic accommodations, whenever feasible, and communicate this to the student. However, the course requirements listed in the syllabus remain in effect if accommodations cannot be offered.

School Closings
Due to weather conditions or other extenuating circumstances, it may be necessary to cancel classes. For day classes, all decisions to cancel all classes will be announced by 6:00 a.m. and by 3:00 p.m. for the cancellation of evening classes. All such announcements will be given to local radio stations for public announcement and the University switchboard.

Grades
Grading is by letter (A–F) with numerical quality point equivalents. See the University Catalog for details. The system of grading, quality points, is described as follows:

A		Excellent (4 points)
B		Good (3 points)
C		Satisfactory (2 points)
D		Passing (1 point)
F		Failure (0 points)
I		Incomplete (not calculated in G.P.A.)(See policy regarding incomplete grades
W		Withdrawal (not calculated in G.P.A.)
X		Deferred (not calculated in G.P.A.)
IP		In Progress (not calculated in G.P.A. until replaced with the final grade at the conclusion of the course.)

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Special Opportunities - Service Learning
Service learning experiences (academically-based) are available within some academic courses and through independent study. For information, contact the respective instructor, department program or your academic advisor.

Special Opportunities - Study Abroad
Benedictine University encourages qualified students to take advantage of the educational opportunities available in many fine study abroad programs, under the aegis of United States accredited universities or sponsored by Benedictine University itself.

Study abroad is particularly encouraged for students in the Scholars, International Business and Economics, and International Studies programs; for students pursuing a major or minor in a foreign language; as well as students who wish to enhance their study of a modern foreign language.

Special Opportunities - Foreign Language Study Abroad and Internships
All majors and minors in foreign languages are strongly encouraged to spend at least a summer, and preferably a semester, abroad in a country in which its language is the one the student has been studying. Students may substitute language immersion experiences with study abroad. This experience is vital in that it gives the student the opportunity to observe, firsthand, the culture he or she has been investigating at Benedictine University. It also provides real-life intensive language exposure and practice that simply cannot be replicated in the classroom. Benedictine students have access to a variety of internships and university study programs through accredited institutions. The Foreign Language faculty, in cooperation with the Study Abroad Program coordinators, will assist each student in selecting the program best suited to his or her needs and interests. Costs for these programs are generally comparable to costs for an equal length of time spent studying at Benedictine University.

Academic Eligibility and Status - Athletic Participation
Benedictine University is in compliance with NCAA–Division III Regulations as stated in each annual release of NCAA Operating Bylaws. To be eligible to represent Benedictine University in NCAA intercollegiate athletic competition, a student-athlete must satisfy each of the following requirements:

• Satisfactory Academic Standing
  Satisfactory Academic Standing for all Benedictine students is a 2.00 Cumulative G.P.A. as determined at the end of each semester. Students that do not meet Satisfactory Academic Standing are ineligible for athletic competition.
  
  
• Satisfactory Academic Progress New Freshmen
  A first year, new freshman, must complete a minimum of 9 semester credit hours, including developmental credit, in the first semester of attendance to participate in the following semester.
  
  
• Enrollment Status
  Every student-athlete must be enrolled as a full-time degree seeking student during the season of participation:
  
  • As an undergraduate degree-seeking student, a minimum of 12 semester hours must be maintained during the season of participation.
    
    
  • As a graduate degree-seeking student, a minimum of 9 semester/quarter hours must be maintained during the season of participation.
    
    
  • The only waiver to the full time enrollment policy is for students who are approved for degree conferral at the end of that term of athletic participation. Only in this exception, part time degree seeking students are allowed to participate in intercollegiate athletic competition.
• Transfers/Returning Undergraduates An undergraduate degree seeking student must earn a minimum of 24 semester credit hours in the two semesters of attendance immediately preceding the semester of athletic participation. Summer school enrollment may be included in progress if the summer term enrollment is completed in the summer term immediately prior to the term of athletic participation. External developmental credit with a final grade of “C or better” may be included although it may not be transferable.

  OR,

  An undergraduate degree seeking student must average a minimum of 12 semester credit hours per full-time semester in attendance. Full disclosure of all prior collegiate work must be submitted at the time of degree entry for an eligibility check.

• Graduate Students
  A graduate degree seeking student must average a minimum of 9 semester/quarter hours per fulltime term in attendance.
  
  
• Seasons of Competition
  The student-athlete must complete his/her four seasons of participation during the first 10 semesters in which the student is enrolled in at least a minimum full-time program of degree seeking studies.

  For more information on athletic eligibility, contact the Athletics Department at (630) 829-6140.

  Academic Eligibility and Status - Probation and Dismissal
  Students are required to maintain satisfactory academic standing during their University careers. If a student fails to achieve satisfactory standing at the end of a semester (a cumulative grade point average [G.P.A.] of 2.00), that student will either be placed on academic probation during the following semester (if the term G.P.A. was at least 1.00), or will be dismissed for poor scholarship (if the term G.P.A. was below 1.00). If a student fails to achieve satisfactory academic standing at the end of the probation period, the student is dismissed from enrollment because of poor scholarship.

  Any student dismissed for poor scholarship may submit an appeal to the Committee on Academic Standing seeking a one semester reinstatement.

  Criteria that the Committee on Academic Standing will consider include:

  • Current semester G.P.A.
  • Cumulative G.P.A.
  • Likelihood that the student is capable of achieving “satisfactory academic standing” before graduation
  • Student's explanation for prior G.P.A. and plan to remedy the situation

  In the event that the Committee on Academic Standing is unable to approve the appeal for extension of the probationary period, the student’s enrollment will be terminated for poor scholarship. Such a student may be readmitted at a later time for enrollment, provided evidence is presented in which the judgement of the University indicates that there is improved potential for academic success. The period of dismissal will be for a minimum of two academic semesters. Academic semesters are Fall or Spring semesters and do not include summer school or interim sessions.

  All probation and dismissal policies apply in the same way to part-time and full-time students.

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  Academic Recognition - Dean's List and Dean's Recognition List
  There are two types of academic recognition for students who earn at least a 3.5 semester G.P.A. with at least a “C” in each course:

  • Dean's List: Full-time students
  • Dean's Recognition List: Part-time students

  Academic Recognition - Scholarships and Recognition
  In addition to the Dean’s List, students may apply for or be selected to receive various awards based on academic performance, many of which include financial aid. Awards are:

  • Grants/Scholarships*
  • St. Benedict Award
  • Humanities Scholarship
  • Program Scolarships
  • Recognition Scholarships
  * Available to returning undergraduate students. For information, refer to the Undergraduate Catalog or contact the Financial Aid Office at (630) 829-6102 or 6104.

  Academic Recognition - Awards*

  • Procopian Award
  • Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges
  • President's Award
  • Wingspread Scholars
  • University Scholar
  • Flo Grebner Instructional Assistant/Tutor Award
  • National Honor Society Awards
    
  • Department/Program Awards
    (Education, mathematics, chemistry/biochemistry/nutrition, foreign languages, social sciences, political science, psychology, physics, nursing, biology)
  • College Awards
  • Community Service Award
  • Thomas J. Dyba Leadership Award
  • Service Award
  • Lincoln Foundation Student Laureate Award
  • St. Catherine Medal Award
  * Generally awarded to graduating students.

  Financial Aid
  Grants, scholarships and loans to help students with their educational expenses may be obtained through the student Financial Aid Office. Available to students are:

  • Illinois State Scholarships and Grants
  • Institutional Scholarships and Grants
  • Perkins Loans
  • Stafford Loans
  • Federal Work Study

  Because much financial aid is granted on the basis of need, students must file a Financial Aid Form (FAFSA—Free Application for Federal State Aid). All students must reapply for financial aid each year. Financial aid includes merit-only awards and scholarships.

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  Graduation - Application for Graduation
  Students must apply for graduation by the specific dates outlined in the Master Calendar: by December for August graduation; by February for December graduation; by September for May graduation.

  Graduation - Ceremonies
  Although there are four dates for degree confirmation each year, there is only one Commencement Convocation in May. All graduates from the previous December, May graduates and the upcoming August candidates for graduation are invited to participate in the Commencement Convocation.

  Academic Records - Change of Name and/or Address
  After enrolling, name and address changes must be reported promptly in writing to Benedictine Central. All other University offices will be informed of the changes.

  Academic Records - Transcripts
  Benedictine University maintains an educational record for each student who is or has been enrolled. Academic records are housed within the Registrar’s Office. Unofficial copies of transcripts are available through the MyBenU system. Official transcripts bearing the Registrar’s signature and the University seal are $5, unless it is an urgent request for same day service, which carries a $20 fee per transcript. All requests for academic transcripts must be made in writing, with letters and faxed requests recognized as acceptable methods. Students are not entitled to receive recommendations, degrees, honors, grades or transcripts of credit until all bills are paid and National Direct/Defense Student loans and Perkins loans are in current status.
  
  Students shall have the right to privacy guaranteed by the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, as implemented by the University.

  Academic Procedures - Change of Major/Minor
  When you wish to change or declare your major/minor, you must complete the Change of Major form, available on the university website. The change must be approved by your current and new advisor and submitted to the Student Success Center. Your advisor and department chair will interview you about the change and discuss the reasons for the change with you

  Academic Procedures - Registration
  Each semester a period is set aside for registration for the next semester. All degree seeking students (including leave of absence students) may register in order by the total number of hours completed, not including hours in progress. You are assigned a specific date to register according to your earned hours. You may register beginning with your assigned date, but not before your assigned time. All traditional students are required to meet with their academic advisor and receive their advisor’s approval prior to registration. Freshmen, transfer students in their first semester and students on academic probation, must receive advisor permission to make any changes to their schedule. For all registrations, your financial account must be in good standing.

  • Student Academic Standing: Satisfactory academic standing for all students is a 2.00 cumulative G.P.A. as determined at the end of each semester (or other designated grading period). Students who do not achieve satisfactory academic standing will be placed on academic probation or dismissed for poor scholarship.
    
    
  • Enrollment Verification: For enrollment verification, all requests should be submitted to Benedictine Central for processing. All enrollment verifications are completed after the first week of the semester by an off-campus enrollment clearinghouse. All requests for auto insurance good student discount forms will be processed by Benedictine Central.
    
    
  • Course Load: The normal full-time course load is 15 semester hours. Students may register for more than 18 hours with advisor approval and the payment of the overload fee of the part-time credit rate for each hour more than 18 hours. If enrolled for less than 12 semester hours, students
    are considered as part-time, with the tuition rate per semester hour.
    
    
  • Repeating Courses: The student may wish to repeat a previously enrolled class to raise G.P.A. or earn a grade of “C or better” for required course work. The original grade will remain on your transcript, but only the most recently attempted grade will be used to calculate the G.P.A. Only course work at Benedictine University is considered an authorized repeat.
    
    
  • Add/Drop Procedure: A course may be added or dropped without entry on the transcript, so long as it is done by the specified date. Courses may be added before the second week of the semester, or before the beginning of the course, if a late modular course. Courses may be
    withdrawn, if the request is made before the completion of 80% of the course. All course withdrawals have a “W” posted on the transcript..
    
    
  • Pass/Fail Option: Pass/fail grading is only available for zero credit courses which are associated with a lecture/lab course. Pass/fail grading is not available for credit classes.
    
    
  • Auditing Courses: Students may wish to enrich their program by auditing a course with the consent of the advisor and instructor. As a visitor in the class, the student is entitled to participate in class activities to the extent the instructor permits. There is no entry on the transcript for auditing a class.
    
    
  • Incompletes: A student is eligible for an incomplete if there is satisfactory work in the class, the student is in good academic standing, and there are circumstances beyond the student’s control, such as illness, which make the student unable to complete the class as determined by the instructor. Submit an incomplete form, available on the University website, to your instructor for processing.
    
    
  • Independent Study: An independent study, under the direction of a faculty advisor, allows the student to pursue a special subject or a topic, which is of special interest. An independent study may be of variable credit, (1–3 semester hours) as defined by the academic department. A student must submit an approved independent study form (available on the University Web site) to the Registrar’s office at the time of the registration.
    
    
  • Appeal of Grades: If there is belief that there has been an error in reporting a grade, or a question or concern about a final grade, the student should first contact the instructor. Should it be necessary to carry the inquiry further, follow the grade appeal process by submitting your appeal in the following sequence: Department Chair, College Dean and the Vice President for Academic Affairs.
    
    
  • Leave of Absence: As a degree seeking student in good academic standing, you are encouraged to take advantage of the leave of absence policy when you need to interrupt your degree studies. Students are eligible to be absent for four continuous semesters (excluding summer) without registering. In addition, students may register with currently enrolled students when they wish to return. After two full years, your leave of absence will expire. A leave of absence allows students to remain on active status without needing to reapply for admission. When you decide to return to Benedictine University after expiration of the leave, or, if you fail to take a leave, you will need to apply with the Admissions Office as a re-entry student under the new catalog in effect at that time.
    
    
  • Withdrawal from Benedictine:Students may separate from the University by completing an “Exit Interview with the Student Success Center.” The date of the withdrawal is determined by the date the exit interview is completed (see General Refund Information detailed in the University Catalog).

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