Comprehensive Standard 3.4.5
CS 3.4.5
The institution publishes academic policies that adhere to principles of good
educational practice. These are disseminated to students, faculty, and other interested parties
through publications that accurately represent the programs and services of the institution.
(Academic policies)
Compliance Judgment:
X
In compliance
Partially compliant
Non-compliant
The following narrative provides evidence that:



FMU publishes its academic policies.
FMU’s academic policies adhere to principles of good educational practice.
FMU disseminates its academic policies to:
> students
> faculty
> other interested parties.
Rationale:
Francis Marion University publishes academic policies on the university’s website, in the
FMU Catalog, the course schedule, the Faculty Handbook, and the Student Handbook. The
course schedule is published each semester and the FMU Catalog and Student Handbook are
published each academic year. The university’s Faculty Handbook is scheduled to be
published every two years, with annual updates on the web. Hard copies of these documents
are available to anyone by request.
The policies in these publications are subject to multiple levels of review to assure they
adhere to good educational practice. For example, proposals for policies concerning
admissions, advising, and retention must first be approved by a committee comprised of
faculty and administrators. Proposals then go to the Academic Affairs committee for their
review and approval. Once approved by Academic Affairs, a proposed policy then goes
before the Faculty Senate (Appendix 2, p. 92),1 then the general faculty, and then to the
provost for upper-level approvals and the directive to begin implementation (An Overview of
the Governance Process at FMU).2
FMU’s Catalog is updated yearly by the administrative support staff in the Provost’s Office
after changes have been approved through the appropriate committees, the faculty Senate,
and the general faculty. Personnel in the Provost’s Office verify all changes through the
minutes of the faculty meetings.
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Comprehensive Standard 3.4.5
The catalog describes policies and academic program requirements established by the
appropriate departments and approved by the faculty governance system. The catalog is
available in various locations around campus and online and distributed to all new students at
a mandatory orientation held before each spring and fall semesters. Annual catalogs are also
distributed to faculty at the beginning of each fall semester, and new faculty receive copies at
new faculty orientation.
FMU’s Course Schedule3 is printed before each pre-registration period. Included in this
publication are many academic policies—such as those for admissions, registration, fee
payments and refunds—as well as course offerings and pertinent deadlines. The Registrar’s
office sends chairs a memo with deadlines and instructions and attaches a copy of the
previous year’s schedules. Chairs and deans are responsible for creating the schedule, which
is then sent to the Registrar. It is subsequently reviewed by the Provost’s Office and returned
to the department for proofing. Once a draft of the schedule is completed, staff members
send it to the departments for correction. When this review process is complete, the
Registrar’s Office prepares the schedule for printing.
Printed copies of the course schedule are available in student housing, the university center,
academic departments, the library, and many campus offices. The open course listing is also
available online.4
FMU’s Faculty Handbook describes policies and procedures established by administrative
offices or the faculty governance system. The online Handbook is updated periodically when
changes have been approved through the appropriate committees, passed by the Faculty
Senate, and approved by a vote of the general faculty.
The Provost’s Office is responsible for revising the Faculty Handbook and verifying its
accuracy. When a newly published Faculty Handbook is available, it is distributed to all
faculty through inter-campus mail. Faculty are directed to an online source for the most
recent updates to the handbook.5
The Student Handbook is updated yearly by the Office of Student Affairs. Each spring
semester, offices review their sections of the Student Handbook to ensure accuracy and
compliance with all applicable laws and regulations.6 The printed publication is available in
the university center and in many offices around campus. The document is also available
online.7
Action Plan:
Implement the following improvements.
Maintain our ongoing practice, as is.
X
None required.
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Comprehensive Standard 3.4.5
Evidence:
The supporting documents that verify this judgment include:
1
“Appendix 2. Bylaws of the Faculty Senate.” Francis Marion University Faculty
Handbook, 2005. Francis Marion University. p. 92. Available online at:
http://images.acswebnetworks.com/2017/614/Combined_Fac_Hdbk_04_24_07.doc.
2
“An Overview of the Governance Process at FMU: The Movement of a Proposal from
Initiation to Implementation Flowchart.” Francis Marion University Faculty Handbook,
2006-2007. p. vii. Available online at:
http://images.acswebnetworks.com/2017/614/FacultyHandbook0607Body.pdf.
3
“Fall 2007 Course Schedule.” Francis Marion University. p. 1 – 16. Available online at:
http://images.acswebnetworks.com/2017/614/fall2007courseschedule.pdf.
4
“Open Class Review.” Current Students. Francis Marion University. Available online at:
http://www.fmarion.edu/enrollment/openclassreview. Accessed 1 April 2007.
5
“Faculty Handbook.” About FMU. Francis Marion University. Available online at:
http://www.fmarion.edu/about/Governance. Accessed 1 April 2007.
6
Bridges, Darryl (Vice President for Student Affairs). “Process for Updating FMU’s
Student Handbook.” Email to Lynn Hanson. 26 March 2007. p. 1. Available online at:
http://images.acswebnetworks.com/2017/614/BridgesProcessforUpdatingFMUsStudentHan
dbook4.pdf.
7
“2006-2007 Student Handbook.” Student Life. Francis Marion University. Available
online at: http://images.acswebnetworks.com/2017/83/2006_Stud_Handbook_web.pdf.
Accessed 1 April 2007.
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Comprehensive Standard 3.4.5
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