Academic Advising
A faculty adviser is assigned to each entering student. This faculty member is also the instructor in one of the student’s first semester courses. The adviser is available to explain program options and planning, to discuss graduation requirements, and to assist with pre-registration. Every student is urged to consult an adviser during each semester to review the student’s program, progress and plans.
Although the student may request a change of adviser at any time, generally the student retains the adviser until declaring a major. At that time the student requests an adviser in the department in which the major is declared. Each department assists its junior and senior advisees in planning their programs of study.
The advice of the faculty adviser does not constitute a promise or a contract ensuring a student’s graduation on schedule or the completion of specific requirements. The responsibility for understanding and meeting degree requirements rests entirely with the student.
Declaration of Major
To ensure the student’s in-depth understanding of at least one area of knowledge, the requirements for a departmental or major concentration must be fulfilled.
To satisfy this requirement, the student must select not later than the end of the Spring semester of the sophomore year a department or program in which to concentrate. Early declaration is possible (and encouraged) for majors that require a carefully planned program of study. Registration for the junior year is not permitted until a major declaration has been filed with the Registrar’s Office. Declaration of the major is made through the Department Chair and by filing with the Registrar.
Amount of Work to Be Carried
A normal load is 16 hours per semester. A student must carry 12 semester hours to be full-time. Full-time tuition covers 12 though 19 semester hours. A student who wishes to carry more than 19 semester hours must request permission to overload by petitioning the Assistant Provost for Academic Services. The 20th credit triggers the first percredit overload charge, with each additional credit generating an additional fee.
Registration
A student is expected to register for the next semester during the designated registration period. The registration dates are published in the University Calender and the Master Schedule each semester. Under certain circumstances, approved by the Registrar, a student may register during the first week of classes. The university reserves the right to cancel classes having low enrollments at the end of the registration period.
Change of Registration
A student may add/drop normal 15-week courses according to the following schedule:
Note: Courses that meet for fewer than 15 weeks have different deadlines. Please consult the Master Schedule for appropriate dates.
All changes must be filed with the Registrar’s Office on an Add/Drop form before the specified dates. Credit or grades may not be adjusted on the academic record unless the appropriate forms have been correctly filed before the deadline. Changes of registration that occur after the first day of the semester do not qualify a student for a refund of tuition or overload fees.
Auditing Courses
Auditing courses is permitted if a petition to audit is first approved by the professor whose course it is to be audited and then by the Registrar’s Office. The student must also agree in writing not to expect credit for the audited course at any future time. The student is not required to take examinations and is not given a grade (instead of a grade, the mark of "L" will appear on the student's transcript). Verification of auditor’s status must be confirmed by the instructor of the course prior to entry on the student’s permanent record. Permission to Audit forms are available in the Registrar’s Office. A traditional student who audits a course is billed for one credit of overload fee for the course.
Repeating Courses
If a student repeats a course, the credit value and grade received from the last registration is used to compute the grade point average. Only the credits earned from the last registration count toward the graduation requirement of 130 semester hours, major requirements, or other requirements. A student’s transcript shows both the original grade for the course and the grade earned when the course was repeated. Only academic work that has been taken at Wittenberg is repeatable and it can be repeated only with a Wittenberg course.
Degree Audit
A degree audit is a computerized review of each student’s course transcript matched against the university’s requirements for a degree. Except for progress in some majors and residency requirements, it tells the student’s standing relative to graduation at a given moment. A degree audit is available online. Other than faculty advisers and university officials, third parties cannot receive copies. An audit is a planning aid only. Its accuracy is not guaranteed, and it cannot be considered a promise or a contract between the university and the student. The student is responsible for reporting printed audit errors to the Registrar. The responsibility for understanding and meeting degree requirements rests entirely with the student.
Transferring Courses
Credit for course work taken at any institution accredited by an agency approved by the U.S. Department of Education, including distance-learning courses, may be applied toward the completion of a Wittenberg program, subject to review by the Registrar, the Director of General Education, and/or the Chair of the Department in which the credit is requested.
Although the grades granted for the transfer work appear on the transcript, they are not calculated into the GPA.
An enrolled student who completes a course at another institution in mathematics, computer science, or statistics (including Management 210 and Psychology 107) will receive transfer credit at Wittenberg only if the student has met the prerequisites for the course at Wittenberg.
Course work to be taken through international education programs sponsored either by Wittenberg University or by other accredited institutions must be approved by the Office of International Education at Wittenberg prior to enrollment in the program.
Grades are reported for all study abroad programs (including affiliated domestic programs) as they are transmitted to the Registrar. The grades are shown on the transcript but not calculated in the GPA.
Transfer credit is not accepted for courses in which the content has already been included in previous credit on the record. Transfer credit is also not accepted for a course taken at an institution affiliated with the Southwestern Ohio Council for Higher Education if the course is available at Wittenberg.
Also, work taken at another institution does not count under the repeat rule; i.e., the grade earned at the other institution does not replace the grade earned at Wittenberg.
Advanced Placement (AP)
Superior students have the option of receiving advanced placement. Advanced placement is generally based on scores received on standardized examinations in such subjects as English, foreign languages and mathematics. Advanced placement and credit are granted for a grade of 4 or 5 on any Advanced Placement Examination of the College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB). Based on departmental recommendations, advanced placement and/or credit is granted for a grade of 3. Neither placement nor credit is granted for a grade of 2 or 1.
International Baccalaureate
The International Baccalaureate (IB) is an internationally recognized program that enables students to follow a special curriculum and take specific examinations to fulfill secondary school graduation requirements. Students may earn advanced placement for IB Higher Level examinations on which they earn scores of five, six, or seven. To receive credit, students should submit IB transcripts to the Admissions Office.
Notification of placement and/or credit is made soon after a student’s arrival on campus.
Internship and Independent Studies
A student may earn credits by participating in internship opportunities or independent studies supervised by a faculty member. In order to participate in either of these opportunities, the student must have completed the sophomore year and be in good academic standing with a cumulative grade point average of 2.000 or better. The student must fill out the appropriate form with the supervising faculty member, secure all necessary signatures and submit the form by the semester deadline for adding courses. Independent Study forms are taken to the office of the Assistant Provost for Academic Services for final approval. Internship agreement proposals are approved in the office of the Assistant Provost for Off-Campus Programs. A student must register for an internship experience during the period the internship is completed. Credit will not be granted for an internship completed in a prior semester. A total of 16 semester hours of credit through a combination of internships, independent study, and/or senior thesis is permitted. A maximum of eight hours of internship credit is possible.
Placing Out
A student may request to place out of any required course or any prerequisite course in the curriculum by taking and passing an examination. To gain permission to take the examination, the student should present reasonable evidence of preparation to the department responsible for the course.
Credit by Examination
A student may also acquire credit by examination. However, a student may not receive credit for any course that includes content for which a grade has already been received (including NC or F) or that was audited officially or unofficially.
The chair of the department and the instructor of the course in which credit is to be earned must approve the student’s petition to attempt credit by examination. The petition must also be approved by the Assistant Provost for Academic Services. After all approvals are granted, the student must then pay the appropriate fee (cost of one overload credit) before taking the exam. The grade for the examination appears on the student’s transcript.
Cross-Registration
A student registered for 12 or more credits may cross-register for a course offered by a member of the Southwestern Ohio Council for Higher Education (SOCHE). The student may register only for courses that are not offered at Wittenberg. There is no additional billing as long as the student’s total credits for the semester remain below 20. Registration forms are available in the Registrar’s Office.
The Class Day
A typical four-semester-hour class meets three hours per week, normally in one of three patterns: three 1-hour (MWF), two 1.5-hour (TTh), or one three-hour period. A few classes may be held on a daily basis. Some schedule additional laboratory periods.
Attendance
Each Wittenberg student is expected to attend class except for reasons of ill health, of travel mishaps, or of illness or death in the family. From time to time legitimate educational activities or participation in university-sponsored co-curricular activities may result in student absences. In such cases, the faculty or staff members planning these activities should weigh carefully their educational benefits.
A student’s absence from class due to any of these circumstances is considered excused. Nonetheless, each student is expected to meet the academic responsibilities for each course, even though excused from class. Faculty members are expected to cooperate in helping the student to meet these responsibilities.
The Health and Counseling Center provides written verification of illness only when the university physician orders hospitalization or strict bed rest for a specific affliction.
The following procedures are to be followed for excused absences:
Grading System
The letter grades A, B, C, D, NC (No Credit), S (Satisfactory), and F are awarded by instructors and describe the student’s performance relative to the expectations of completed course work. The first four grades may be further described by the use of a plus (+) or a minus (-) sign to indicate a greater or lower level of achievement for that letter grade. Marks of I (incomplete), L (audited course work), X (satisfactory, course in progress), NR (no report), W (withdrawal), and XF (failure due to academic dishonesty) may also be given under appropriate circumstances.
Grade- Point Average
For the letter grades A, B, C, D, including any related pluses or minuses, and for the grade F, the Registrar determines a grade-point average by dividing the total number of quality points earned (semester hours for each graded course times the quality-point factor for the grade awarded) by the number of graded semester hours attempted. The following chart gives the quality points for each grade. The semester and cumulative grade-point averages reflect only course work so graded and are the averages used to determine scholastic standing, certification for selected honors, qualifications for graduation and other actions based upon a grade-point average.
| Description | Grade | Quality Points |
| Outstanding performance | A+ | 4.000 |
| A | 4.000 | |
| A- | 3.667 | |
| Good performance | B+ | 3.333 |
| B | 3.000 | |
| B- | 2.667 | |
| Adequate performance | C+ | 2.333 |
| C | 2.000 | |
| C- | 1.667 | |
| Marginal performance | D+ | 1.333 |
| D | 1.000 | |
| D- | 0.667 | |
| Failure | F | 0.000 |
| XF | 0.000 |
| Mark | Descriptor |
| S | Satisfactory, Credit Earned |
| NC | No Credit |
| I | Incomplete |
| X | Satisfactory, Work in Progress |
| L | Audited Course |
| NR | No Report |
| W | Withdrawn |
| XF | Failure due to Academic Dishonesty |
Significance of Grades and Marks
Notification of Grades
At the end of each semester, a grade report is available online or can be requested from the Registrar.
Transcripts
A permanent academic record is maintained by the Registrar’s Office for each student who registers at Wittenberg.
Wittenberg student records are administered in accordance with the Family Privacy Act of 1974.
An official transcript of the academic record is available only upon the signed, written request of the student. A telephone request cannot be accepted. The request must be accompanied by a payment of $3 per copy. Only official copies can be furnished. Normally, a transcript request is filled within three to five working days after receipt, though a longer time may be required at the end of each semester. An official transcript can be released only if the student’s account is clear of outstanding balances and university holds.
General Academic Standards
Student Classification
A student is classified according to the number of semester hours successfully completed: sophomore standing is achieved with the successful completion of 32 semester hours; junior standing, 64 semester hours; and senior standing, 96 semester hours.
Eligibility for the Dean’s List
At the end of each Fall and Spring semester, a Dean’s List announces the names of students who have earned a grade point average of at least 3.500 for a minimum of 12 graded semester hours. A traditional student who completes 12 or more graded semester hours over the summer session, with a GPA of at least 3.500 is also eligible for the Dean’s List. Further, students so honored may not have received a grade of F, NC (No Credit) or I (Incomplete) for the semester and may not have been under disciplinary probation or suspension any time during the semester. Parents receive copies of the letters of notification. See below for criteria applying to adult / non-traditional students.
Eligibility for Academic Honors
As a result of distinguished academic performance throughout their undergraduate education, graduating students may receive their degrees with academic honors. Students are awarded academic honors as follows: when the final grade-point average is between 3.500 and 3.699, the degree is conferred cum laude; between 3.700 and 3.799, magna cum laude, and between 3.800 and 4.00 summa cum laude.
Standards of Academic Progress
Students are advised to complete 25 percent (32 to 33 semester hours) of the requirements in academic courses for the degree during each academic year. To meet acceptable academic standards, the student regularly enrolled as a degree candidate must accomplish the following:
Note: The Board of Academic Standards may send informal letters of warning or concern to students when the grade-point average or status shows sings of falling below acceptable levels.
Academic Probation
A student is placed on academic probation when judged to be making less than satisfactory progress toward graduation:
A student is removed from academic probation when the semester and cumulative grade-point averages and the rate of course completion reach stated minimums. A student on academic probation may not receive a letter of good academic standing from the university.
Any student on academic probation must have the academic adviser’s approval prior to adding, changing, or withdrawing from a class. Further, the student is to meet at least twice (in addition to the pre-registration conference) with the academic adviser during the semester to discuss current academic work and related matters. The adviser reports the nature of the discussion and recommendations considered to the Board of Academic Standards using the appropriate form. The forms are initially sent to the student, who is to take them to the adviser.
Academic Suspension
Academic suspension occurs at the end of an academic year (except in the case of gross disregard of academic standards and responsibilities) and involves the involuntary and immediate withdrawal of the student from Wittenberg University for at least one full semester. A student is suspended as a result of any one of the following circumstances:
Appeal of Academic Suspension
The Board of Academic Standards does consider a timely letter of appeal from the academically suspended student but reverses its decision only when presented with new evidence of significant mitigating circumstances. The letter of appeal is to be typewritten and no more than two pages in length; it may include additional supportive information or give a corrective devised by the student. The Assistant Provost for Academic Services provides information regarding the appeal process. Should the appeal of academic suspension be granted, the Board of Academic Standards often stipulates a course of action specific to the student for the successful completion of future academic work. Should it be denied, the student may appeal further, but only in writing, to the Provost.
The communication to the Provost must demonstrate that the appeal did not receive a fair and an impartial hearing.
Re-admission after Academic Suspension
Academic Dismissal
If an academically suspended student is readmitted, continues to remain on academic probation and subsequently becomes liable for suspension a second time, academic dismissal results. Academic dismissal is a permanent separation from the University.
Academic Standards and Policies for Adult/Non-Traditional Students
For adult/non-traditional students, the university uses academic standards, policies, and credit requirements for academic progress and eligibility for the Dean’s List which are keyed to the pace of enrollment typical of these students. The University publishes these policies in the Faculty Manual and the School of Community Education Handbook for Adult/Non-Traditional Students.
Withdrawal During Semester
A student who wishes to withdraw from the university during a semester must apply for permission to withdraw in good standing. A withdrawal during semester form is available at the Registrar’s Office. When the withdrawal form is completed, the student should have an exit interview with a member of the Student Development staff before leaving campus.
The date of withdrawal determines the grades to be received for the courses in which the student has been enrolled:
one-five weeks: — Without Grade or Credit
six-10 weeks: — W(Withdrawn)
11-15 weeks: — F
It is the student’s responsibility to petition the Assistant Provost for Academic Services if there are circumstances that would warrant a waiver of the above policy.
Pro-rated board refunds are available through the last day the student is in residence. This refund is contingent upon surrender of the meal ID card to the meal plan coordinator, a formal check-out with the residential hall coordinator, and an exit interview with a staff member in the Office of Student Development.
Tuition charges and charges for applied music lessons are refunded according to the following schedule:
one week or less — 90 percent refund
two weeks or less — 80 percent refund
three weeks or less — 60 percent refund
four weeks or less — 40 percent refund
five weeks or less — 20 percent refund
more than five weeks — no refund
A student suspended or dismissed from the university for infringement of university regulations is allowed no financial refund of any kind for that semester.
Policies and procedures are different for the School of Community Education. Students withdrawing from SCE should contact the SCE Dean's Office for additional information.
End of Semester Withdrawal
A student who withdraws at the end of any semester is required to apply for permission to withdraw in good standing. The form is available at the Registrar’s Office. An exit interview with a member of the Student Development staff is required. The student who is interrupting attendance to study abroad or to participate in a special program may request a leave of absence.
Re-admission
Any person who has withdrawn from the college or has been asked to withdraw is eligible to apply for re-admission upon completion of a formal application for re-admission. An application form may be obtained from the Registrar's Office. The completed application must be received by at least four weeks before the beginning of the semester in which the person wishes to re-enter the college.
An adult/non-traditional student who is absent from Wittenberg for two calendar years or longer must apply for re-admission. The student is subject to the academic requirements in force at the time of return. In extraordinary cases a student may appeal to the Registrar for continuation according to older requirements.
Campus Security
Wittenberg University is committed to providing a safe living and learning environment for its students, faculty, staff, and visitors. As part of the university’s overall effort to provide important information about personal safety to the campus community, a campus security report is published annually. This publication is prepared in compliance with the requirements of the Federal Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act of 1990. The report is available electronically via the Police and Security link listed under the Services/Facilities heading on either the Fac/Staff or Current Students link on the university’s homepage. You may also request a paper copy of this report from the Campus Police and Security Department.
The following policy statements and information are included: