Table of Contents
If there is a topic/subject that you were hoping to find, but did not, go to the faculty
resource page and click on the link to request the addition of an item(s).
15 to Finish
3 week attendance report
21st Century Scholar
Absence from Class
Academic Advising
Academic Calendar
Academic Dismissal
Academic Integrity
Academic Probation
Academic Program Inventory
Academic Renewal
Academic Standing
Accreditation
Adding a Class
Adding Courses
Administrative Withdrawal
Advanced Placement
Advising Notes
AP
Appeal
Application for Graduation
Armed Services
Assessment Plans
Athletes
Attendance Reporting
Auditing a course
Baccalaureate Degrees
Banner
Biennial Review
Blackboard
Bookstore
Bursar
CAAC
Caleb Mills Award
Calendars
CAPS Manual
Career Center
Carnegie units
Catalog
Center for Student Success
Certificate
Change of Grade
Change of major
Cheating
Class Attendance
Class meeting times
Class Overrides
Class rank
Class standing
CLEP
Code of Conduct
College Challenge
Commencement
Community Engagement
Computer Help Desk
Conditional Admit
Controller
Course Cancellation
Course Evaluation
Course Numbering System
Course Placement
Course Repeat
Course Substitution
Credit hours
Credit Load
CRN
Cross-listed courses
Cumulative Grade Point Average
DARS
Dashboards
Dean’s Exception
Dean’s List
Declaring a major
Degree audit
Degree Maps
Degree worksheet
DegreeLink
DF
Disability Services
Dismissal
Distance learning
Double Majors
DP
Dreiser Award
Dropping a Class
Dual Credit
Dual Degrees
English as a Second Language
English Course Placement
Ethics and Social Responsibility
Evaluation of Transfer Work
Exploratory
FAC
Faculty Senate
Faculty ID
Faculty Portfolio
FAD
FERPA
Field Trips
Final Exams
Financial Aid
Fine and Performing Arts
First-year seminar
Foreign Language
Foundational Studies
Four year plans
Freshman Composition
Global Perspectives
Good Standing
Grade Appeal
Grade Point Average
Grade Report
Grades
Graduate Council
Graduation
Graduation Application
Graduation Procedures
Graduation Requirements
Graduation with Honors
Handbook
Help Desk
Historical Studies
HLC
Holds
Honors Graduation
Honors Program
Hours Attempted
Hours Earned
Hybrid course
ICHE
Identification Cards
Indiana Commission of Higher Education
In Progress Grades
Incomplete Grades
Information Technology
Interim Grades
International Baccalaureate
International Services
Internships
ISucceed
ISuccess
Junior Composition
Laboratory Science
Laptop requirement
Laptop scholarship
Laptop syllabus language
Last Date of Attendance
Late Course Add
Late Course Drop
Late Registration
LEAP
Learning Communities
Leave of Absence
Literary Studies
Major
MAPS
MapWorks
Math Center
Medical Amnesty
Missed classes
Medical Withdrawal
Midterms
Military
Minor
MySAM
NCA/HLC
NFO
NSO
NX Grade
Office Hours
Office of Information Technology
Official Transcript
Online courses
Overload
Pass/Fail
Passing Grade
Placement Test Portal
Plagiarism
Pre-law
Pre-Med
Pre-Professional Programs
Priority Registration
Probation
Promotion and Tenure
Proof of Student Status
Quality Points
RAVE
Readmission
Registrar
Registration
Registration Holds
Registration Overrides
Remedial Coursework
Remedial Grades
Renewal
Repeating Courses
Sabbatical
SAP
Scholarships
Semester classification
SEVIS
Sexual Harassment
strategic initiative
Strategic plan
Student Appeal
Student ID
Student Outcomes Assessment
Student records
Student Success
Student Support Services
Study Abroad
Study Skills
Study Week
Study Week Violations
Summer school
Supplemental Instruction
Sycamore Express
Sycamore Graduation Guarantee
TEC
Tenure
Testing Center
Transcript
Transcript Holds
Transfer Credit
Transfer evaluation
Tuition Calculator
TurnItIn
Tutors
UDIE
Undecided major
University College
University Handbook
Unsatisfactory/Satisfactory
UP
Veterans
Web Proxy
WF
Withdrawal
WP
Writing Center
XA
XB
XC
XD
XF
15 To Finish
15 to Finish is a state program to encourage students to stay on track for on-time
degree completion. All undergraduate degree maps from 2014-15 and on in MySAM
have a link to the state 15 to Finish web https://studentaid.ssaci.in.gov/15ToFinishIN/
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3 week attendance report
We have a Federal requirement to determine and verify that students are indeed
attending classes to ensure that Federal Aid is correctly distributed. When the data
from the 3 week attendance reports show that a student is not attending all of
his/her classes, the student is administratively withdrawn for the term. When a
student is reported at Never Attended on only some of the classes, the list is
provided to Associate Deans for follow-up with academic advisors.
Accurate reporting of attendance is important. If a student is reported as Never
Attended in all but one class, the student is not with administratively withdrawn
and will likely earn an F in all classes and owe the university full tuition – which can
impact the student in the long-term. So while it may be tempting to just change
everyone to attending quickly and hit submit, please know that this information is
used and faculty are certifying that the information submitted is correct.
In distance courses, logging in to the class does not indicate attendance. Students
have to complete an assignment and/or have meaningful interaction with the
faculty.
The options for attendance are Never Attended (you have never seen this student in
the class) or Attended (even if there have been significant absences).
Additional information about how to complete the 3 Week Attendance Report is
available at:
http://www.indstate.edu/registrar/Instructions_3WeekAttendance.htm
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21st Century Scholar
The 21st Century Scholar program is a scholarship program offered by the State of
Indiana. Students who meet certain criteria have the opportunity to enroll in
middle school. They commit to remaining drug and alcohol free and to maintain
academic success. The full award will pay for 100% of tuition and mandatory fees.
ISU has a large percentage of 21st Century Scholars. It is important for students to
understand their responsibilities to maintain the full scholarship for all four years,
which includes earning 30 credits each year.
The Center for Student Success provides resources and assistance for ISU 21st
Century Scholars http://www.indstate.edu/cfss/programs/century_scholars/index.htm
Additional information is available on the state website http://www.indstate.edu/registrar/Instructions_3WeekAttendance.htm
Absence from Class
Faculty set their own attendance policies. Departments and colleges may have some
basic requirements or expectations. The catalog states that students are expected to
attend all classes. Students who know of necessary absences should consult with
their instructors before the absence. Students who miss classes are not excused
from their obligations to their instructors. The faculty is expected to provide
students with an opportunity to meet class commitments when the absences are for
good and proper reasons. Further, instructors are expected to maintain attendance
records and are required to report attendance information to the Office of
Registration and Records (three week attendance reporting and last date of
attendance for final grading). Only students who are advised by a Student Health
Services staff physician to remain at their place of residence for medical reasons will
be given, upon their request, a statement attesting to the absences because of
medical reasons.
Class attendance during study week is expected.
Missed Final Examination.
No student shall be excused except for illness or a conflict with a legitimate
University activity, in which case the faculty member may require that the excuse be
approved by the appropriate academic dean. Students are required to make up a
missed final examination before the course grade is given. Other examinations and
quizzes are given at the discretion of the faculty member. A faculty member may
elect not to require a final written examination but is obligated to hold the class in
session during the scheduled final examination time period. (University Handbook
310.1.4.1)
Field Trips.
Field trips can be an integral part of the course requirements and may enhance
students’ education. To avoid undue conflicts and interruptions in other classes,
faculty members are urged to follow procedures:
A. Inform the students of the field trip(s) early in the semester so that they
may plan for their absence(s).
B. Provide students with forms containing destinations, purpose of the trip,
dates, hours leaving from and returning to the campus, and the faculty
member’s signature.
C. Send list of students’ names with the information in #2 above to the
appropriate dean and insert information concerning the field trip in
“Academic Notes” at least one (1) week before the trip.
D. It is further suggested that faculty members should not arrange a field
trip during the last five (5) class days of the semester or during finals
week. Students on field trips are not excused from assigned work in other
courses and are responsible for consulting with faculty members before
the planned trip.
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Academic Advising
Academic Calendar
The Academic Calendar is created about 2 years in advance and approved by the
Faculty Senate and the Board of Trustees. We are currently approved as a 16-week
semester institution by US Department of Education. The calendar is built to balance
both faculty and student needs and will change slightly from year to year. The
academic calendar can be found at:
http://www.indstate.edu/academicaffairs/calendar.htm
Other academic-related calendars include:
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Final Exam Schedule – available at
http://www.indstate.edu/registrar/FacultyAndStaff.htm
Registration Schedule – available at
http://www.indstate.edu/registrar/PriorityRegistrationDates.htm
Schedule of Classes – available at
http://prodinteract.indstate.edu/pls/prod/bwckschd.p_disp_dyn_sched
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Academic Dismissal
Students who meet the following criteria will be academically dismissed unless
exception is provided by the dean of the relevant college on a case-by-case basis:
1. First-term students who earn a term grade point average of less than .85;
2. Freshmen who are on probation and earn a term grade point average of 1.7
or less;
3. Sophomores who are on probation and earn a term grade point average less
than 2.0;
4. Juniors and seniors who are on probation and earn a term grade point
average less than 2.2.
Students who have been academically dismissed should expect to stay out of classes
for one academic semester (following a first dismissal) and one academic year
(following a second dismissal), after which such students should petition their
academic dean to return to classes. Deans will retain the discretion to provide
exception to NOT academically dismiss on a case-by-case basis. No student may
return to classes after a third academic dismissal.
It should be pointed out that some programs may have requirements above the
minimum University retention standards.
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Academic Integrity
Academic Integrity is important at ISU for both students and faculty. Section 2.0 of
the Code of Student Conduct covers academic policies for students. The code defines
academic integrity and misconduct including cheating, plagiarism, falsification,
multiple submissions, facilitating academic dishonesty, violation of professional and
ethical standards, and misuse of academic resources and intellectual property.
Faculty should be clear on their syllabus regarding class and departmental policies
of repercussions related to issues of academic integrity. Additionally, instances of
violations should be reported to the
ISU Website for Academic Integrity
Faculty are also expected to conduct themselves with full academic integrity as
defined in the Faculty and Staff Principles of Conduct in the University Handbook
(Section 501.1).
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Academic Probation
If a student’s cumulative grade point average is less than 2.0, the student will be
placed on academic probation. Students on academic probation will not be
permitted to take more than 13 credit hours. Students who are on academic
probation are strongly encouraged to repeat courses in which deficient grades were
received during the next semester (or the next time the course is offered).
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Academic Program Inventory (API)
The Academic Program Inventory lists the degree programs that ISU has been
approved to offer by the Indiana Commission of Higher Education. The Academic
Program Inventory includes the approved CIP code, and indicates if the program is
approved as a distance offering. ISU’s API is available on the Academic Affairs
Curriculum website.
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Academic Renewal
Academic Renewal is an option for those students who have had five or more years
pass between the last term of attendance at ISU and current term of admission. If
Academic Renewal is granted, the following conditions apply:
1. Academic Renewal is granted only after completion of a minimum of 12
credit hours with a grade point average of 2.00 or higher;
2. Academic Renewal can occur only once, and it is irreversible;
3. ISU transcript will indicate that Academic Renewal has been granted--"D's"
and "F's" will show on my transcript but not count in the GPA in the same
manner as repeated courses. The recorded ISU cumulative GPA will start
from the semester of readmission to ISU (for graduation with honors, all
courses, even those that have undergone Academic Renewal, will be
incorporated in the honors GPA);
4. All academic requirements in place at the time of re-admission must be met;
5. The Academic Dean (or the Dean's designate) will review the previous record
and determine the applicability of ISU courses that carry a grade of "C" or
higher to the program of study;
6. The hours accepted for use from the current program will appear as part of
the total hours earned but will not count as attempted hours for my GPA;
7. The student must successfully complete at least 30 semester hours of course
work at ISU following current re-admission.
Applications for Academic Renewal are available from the registrar’s office.
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Academic Standing
The cumulative grade point average (CUM GPA) is used to determine a student’s
academic standing at the end of every term and the student’s eligibility for
continued enrollment. A student can be determined to be in Good Standing,
Academic Probation, or Academic Dismissal.
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Accreditation
Indiana State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the
North Central Association (NCA/HLC). We are regionally accredited. Additionally, a
number of academic programs and colleges participate in specialized national
program accreditation and recognition. A list of all accreditors can be found at
http://www.indstate.edu/accreditation/
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Adding a Class
Students can add classes to an upcoming term at any point after their priority
registration period begins until the deadline to add a class. Students add classes
through the portal. A manual drop/add form can be completed when signatures are
necessary to enroll a student in a class (closed class, waived prerequisite or
corequisite, registration beyond student credit hour limit). Students who require a
PIN number will need their PIN number to add a class.
A student with a hold on his/her account may not be able to add a class.
There are fees for changing classes beyond the priority registration period.
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Adding Courses
Students can add classes to an upcoming term at any point after their priority
registration period begins until the deadline to add a class. Students add classes
through the portal. A manual drop/add form can be completed when signatures are
necessary to enroll a student in a class (closed class, waived prerequisite or
corequisite, registration beyond student credit hour limit). Students who require a
PIN number will need their PIN number to add a class.
A student with a hold on his/her account may not be able to add a class.
There are fees for changing classes beyond the priority registration period.
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Administrative Withdrawal
A student can be withdrawn from a term by certain academic departments. The
Office of Student Conduct and Integrity when a student fails to obey University
policies, fails to comply with procedures, or has been suspended or expelled from
the institution.
Administrative withdrawals are also performed when a student is academically
dismissed at the end of a semester or term and has registration for a future
semester/term. In that case, the student is administratively withdrawn from the
future semester(s)/term(s).
An administrative withdrawal will also be completed if a student is reported as
Never Attending for all classes on the 3 Week Attendance Report.
The grading and refund policies, which apply to voluntary withdrawals also apply to
administrative withdrawals.
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Advanced Placement (AP)
Advanced Placement (AP) is a program created by the College Board that makes it
possible for high school students to take college-level curricula followed by a
standardized test.
Public Law 91 (PL91) in Indiana became effective in March 2010. PL91 requires the
following:
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
All Indiana public colleges and universities (including all two and four year
institutions and accompanying satellites) must award college credits that
count towards a degree for Indiana secondary school students that earn a
score of 3 or higher on College Board’s Advanced Placement (AP) exams and
matriculate to one of the public, higher education institutions.
Indiana public colleges and universities may require a score higher than 3 to
award credits for a course that is a requirement for a student’s major; if a
university chooses to do so, it must still award a student elective credits that
count towards his/her overall degree requirements to graduate from college.
The current list of AP equivalencies at ISU is listed at
http://www.indstate.edu/testing/list.pdf
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Advising Notes
MySAM (degree audit and degree mapping tool) provides a place for advisors to
leave advising notes. It is recommended that advisors place notes in the notes
section so any future advisors or administrators can see interactions and
instructions that took place with advisors, history of visits or missed appointments
can be seen, and students can also view any specific instructions. Anyone who has
access to the student record (including the student) can read the advising notes, so
it is important to be clear and appropriate in the message left there. Only the person
who placed the note can edit or remove the note. Notes can also be placed on the
degree map (on courses, terms, and the map itself) for those notes that are specific
to the degree map.
Notes appear on the notes tab and at the bottom of the worksheet.
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Appeal
There are multiple types of appeals for faculty and for students – so you will need to
scroll to find all the information you may need.
Student Appeals
Grade Appeals
The University Handbook holds the University policy for grade appeals
(Section 323.1). All policies within colleges and departments must fit within
the university policy. The policy is also stated in the catalog:
Basis for Appeal. A student may appeal a grade granted by any instructor of
any course. The student may appeal the grade based on one or more of the
following:
1. An error in the calculation of the grade.
2. The assignment of a grade to a particular student by application of more
exacting or demanding standards than were applied to other students in
the same section of the same course, in the same semester, with the same
instructor.
3. The assignment of a grade to a particular student on some basis other
than performance in the course.
4. The assignment of a grade by a substantial departure from the
instructor’s previously announced standards for that section of that
course.
5. The assignment of a grade by a substantial departure from the written
departmentally approved standards for a course.
Informal Appeal. All students must follow the informal appeals process
for questioning grades prior to engaging the formal appeal. In so doing,
they are to, where possible, seek out the instructor for a face-to-face
conversation. The instructor is encouraged to listen to the entirety of the
student’s case and then to consider whether the current grade is
appropriate. Should no resolution occur, the student is required to
contact the department chairperson. The chairperson is required to meet
with the student one-on-one, to seek a conversation with the instructor
one-on-one, and then is highly encouraged to meet with the two together.
Students must initiate their informal appeal within 30 working days of
the posting of the grade. Should no resolution occur, the student may
choose to engage the formal appeal process.
Filing a Formal Appeal. A formal appeal is made in writing to the dean of
the college of the instructor, hereafter referred to as “the dean.” When filing
an appeal, a student must specify the basis of the appeal and do so within 30
working days of the conclusion of the informal appeal. The student must
indicate one of the following:
1. The instructor is unable or unwilling to communicate with the student on
the appeal and the informal appeal could not proceed.
2. No resolution resulted from the informal appeal process.
The contents of the appeal should include as much of the relevant
physical or electronic record as is possible for the student to collect. If the
second basis (differential standards) is asserted, the student should
provide a list of the names of other students and specific assignments so
that a review of the relevant materials and appropriate comparisons can
be made.
Verification of the Appropriateness of the Appeal. An instructor “cannot
respond” if she/he has died or has suffered a debilitating physical or mental
condition. For appeals to grades submitted by instructors who have been
terminated, resigned, or retired, it is the dean’s responsibility to manage the
notification process. In doing so, the dean shall make three separate attempts
at contacting the instructor within 30 days with the last attempt being in
writing via registered letter to the last known address. If after ten working
days of the dean’s receiving of the registered letter receipt, the instructor still
refuses to discuss the grade appeal, the dean shall convene the Grade Appeal
Committee.
If an instructor has denied the grade appeal after having met with the
department chairperson, the dean must review the materials and discuss the
matter with the student. The dean may choose to discuss the matter with the
instructor, the chairperson, or both. If the dean cannot create a resolution
satisfactory to the instructor and student, the dean shall convene the Grade
Appeal Committee.
Direct link to the university policy http://www.indstate.edu/adminaff/docs/323%20Grade%20Appeal%20Poli
cy.pdf#323.1
Student Conduct and Integrity
The Office of Student Conduct and Integrity has a detailed process of
hearings and sanctions for those student violations under the Student Code
of Conduct. The appeal process for these decisions is available on the web at
http://www.indstate.edu/sci/link2-process/index.htm
Student Concerns about Rules and Regulations
The ISU Ombudsperson is available for all students to help with navigating,
understanding, and addressing concerns about university rules and
regulations. Please refer students to the Ombudsperson for help with issues
that may not seem to have a direct resolution.
Other Student Appeals
A student who would like to appeal a particular policy can also contact the
office/college/library that manages that particular policy and the student
appeal will be routed through to the appropriate decision maker.
By section 245.6.2.2 of the University Handbook, a student or group of
students may bring a grievance not falling within the authority of a
college/library directly to the Executive Committee of the University Faculty
Senate or may appeal a grievance to the Executive Committee after avenues
of relief within the college/library affected have been exhausted.
Faculty
The University Handbook addresses the various appeal processes and procedures
for faculty appeals. The appropriate section of the Handbook is referenced below.
Reappointment, Promotion and Tenure Appeal
Section 305 of the University Handbook addresses the process and
procedures for appealing any decisions related to reappointment, promotion
and tenure.
Sabbatical
Section 335.6 of the University Handbook addresses the process and
procedures for appealing any decisions related to sabbatical leave
applications.
Biennial Review
The current biennial review process and procedures (include appeals) can be
found on the Faculty Resource website http://www.indstate.edu/facultyresources/
Faculty Grievances
Section 245.6.2.1 of the University Handbook states:
A member of the University Faculty or a group of faculty members
may bring a grievance not falling within the authority of a
college/library directly to the Executive Committee of the University
Faculty Senate or may appeal a grievance to the Executive Committee
after avenues of relief within the college/library affected have been
exhausted.
The constitution of each college/library will also have the process for faculty
grievance within the unit.
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Application for Graduation
Undergraduate students are asked to apply for graduation 2 semesters before their
planned date of graduation. This allows time to correct any problems with the
students’ courses prior to the expected graduation date. Students should apply by
October 1 for May and August graduation and February 1 for December graduation.
Undergraduate students apply online at
http://www.indstate.edu/registrar/UndergradGraduationApplication.htm
Graduate students should apply by October 1 for December graduation, February 1
for May and August graduation. A PDF graduation application is available at
http://www.indstate.edu/gradexpress/graduation-apply.htm and must be
submitted to the School of Graduate and Professional Studies.
Attending the commencement ceremony is not the same as graduation.
Students are responsible to update their own graduation date. For students in
MySAM, there is a field that will show if a student has applied for graduation and the
term.
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Armed Services
ISU is an approved veteran benefits institution and we have a veteran services office
to help answer questions of students who are receiving veteran’s benefits.
http://www.indstate.edu/veterans/
ISU also has a military activation policy
http://www.indstate.edu/academicaffairs/military_activation_policy.htm
ISU is also hosts Air Force ROTC (AFROTC).
http://www.indstate.edu/afrotc/
Army ROTC is available through Rose Hulman.
http://www.goarmy.com/rotc/schools/rose-hulman-institute-of-technology.html
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Assessment Plans
ISU programs actively monitor the quality of their academic programs through
student outcomes assessment. As part of this process, all programs have an
assessment plan on file with the Office of Accreditation and Assessment.
http://www.indstate.edu/assessment/
All faculty are responsible to ensure that assessment plans are current and followed.
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Athletes
ISU is a Division I school and is part of the Missouri Valley Conference.
The Athletic Academic Services provides support to student athletes and faculty.
Their website is available at:
http://www.gosycamores.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=15200&ATCLID=20
5388108
Students in MySAM are identified as athletes in the information portion of the
worksheet:
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Auditing a course
ISU does permit students to audit courses, but it is at the discretion of the faculty
member. Students who wish to audit a course for no credit do so for the purpose of
hearing and seeing only; they do not have the privilege of participating in class
discussions, laboratory work, or field work. They do not take tests, submit term
papers, or receive grades. Students who audit a course will not appear on the class
rolls or grade rolls, and no notation of the audit will be made on the student’s
transcript. A valid admission to the university is required. The Permission to Audit
form must be authorized by the instructor and department chairperson which offers
the course on or after the first day of classes (not before). A student may not
transfer from audit to credit or from credit to audit. There is a $5 per credit hour
auditing fee.
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Baccalaureate Degrees
ISU offers a number of different baccalaureate degree options. The general studies
requirements for all degree options are same; however, some degrees (such as the
BA in the College of Arts & Sciences) may have additional expectations beyond the
major courses. By state legislation, all baccalaureate degrees cannot exceed 120
credits without permission of the Indiana Commission of Higher Education.
BA
BS
BFA
BM
BME
BSW
BAS
Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Fine Arts
Bachelor of Music
Bachelor of Music Education
Bachelor of Social Work
Bachelor of Applied Science
It should be noted that some of the official documentation of the state and the
Higher Learning Commission state the degree of AB/BS – this indicates the option of
a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science.
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Banner
Banner is a comprehensive computer information system that contains information
on courses, students, faculty, staff, and alumni. Components of the Banner system
include student, financial aid, finance, and human resources. Banner provides
information to users through either internet-based forms or through MyISU (the
Portal).
Through the badges in MyISU, most faculty can access the majority of what they
need through Banner Self-Service.
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Biennial Review
Blackboard
ISU currently uses Blackboard as its learning management system (LMS). It is
encouraged that all faculty use this tool to post grades for students and provide
access to course resources, at a minimum. A blackboard course is generated for all
courses on the class schedule, although it is not activated until the faculty member
does so.
Blackboard courses can be accessed through MyISU (the Portal) or through a link on
the main page of the Office of Information Technology, or on the University
homepage.
Blackboard support is provided by the Office of Information Technology,
Instructional Tools Support.
http://www.indstate.edu/oit/students/distance.php
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Bookstore
ISU has a contract with Barnes & Noble as the university bookstore. The bookstore
is located just off-campus on Cherry and 4th Streets. The bookstore collects
textbook orders from faculty every fall and spring for the next semesters and
manages ISU’s data for federal compliance on textbook orders (the Higher
Education Act requires universities to post required textbooks at the time students
register). Students may choose to purchase books wherever they want, but faculty
are obligated to not advertise or encourage book orders from other locations unless
the bookstore indicates it is unable to stock a particular item.
Faculty and students should be aware that the return policy at the bookstore is
much more favorable to students than if they purchase their materials online.
Additionally, students should be encouraged to not open shrink-wrapped bundles
until they are sure they are staying in a course because that may make course
materials unreturnable.
The bookstore provides the following options for textbooks:
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New books (have the potential for buyback)
Used books (have the potential for buyback)
New rentals (returned at the end of the term)
Used rentals (returned at the end of the term; offers the most cost savings
to students)
eTextbooks
eText rentals
When faculty place their book orders through Faculty Enlight, faculty can select the
appropriate types of books for their classes.
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Bursar/Controller
The Office of the Bursar is a division under the Vice President of Business Affairs.
The Office of the Bursar is concerned with the payments related to student accounts.
http://www.indstate.edu/bursar/
The Office of the Controller is a division under the Vice President of Business Affairs.
The Office of the Controller works to ensure efficient and effective financial
management of the institution.
http://www.indstate.edu/controller/index-controller.htm
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CAAC
CAAC is short for the Curriculum and Academic Affairs Committee of the Faculty
Senate. It is one of the standing committees of the faculty senate and is organized as
per the Bylaws of the Constitution of the Faculty of Indiana State University (found
in the University Handbook in Section 246). CAAC reviews proposed new and
proposed changes to undergraduate curricula and has province over the policies of
the university library, all courses of instruction, and changes in academic units.
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Caleb Mills Award
The Caleb Mills Distinguished Teaching Award is the University's recognition of our
most distinguished teachers. Excellence in teaching is the criterion that will be
considered in making the awards.
Any tenured faculty member teaching a minimum of 15 semester hours or 24
contact hours at ISU during the immediate preceding summer, fall, and spring
semesters of the current academic year is eligible for consideration. Full-time
faculty, students, alumni, or administrators may make nominations for this award. A
maximum of 4 awards are given each year.
http://indstate.edu/academicaffairs/calebmills/index.html
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Calendars
There are a number of calendars at ISU.
The Academic Calendar and the related academic schedules (found in another
section).
The Campus Calendar which details events on campus.
The Residence Hall Association has an event calendar.
There is also the personal calendaring system within Outlook and the class
calendar/tasks inside Blackboard.
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CAPS Manual
The Curriculum Approval Procedures (CAPs) Manual gives the policies and
procedures for all changes to the curriculum. The manual is developed and
approved by CAAC.
http://www.indstate.edu/academicaffairs/caps2013/
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Career Center
The goal of the Career Center is to provide service to students alumni related to
career decisions, employment and workplace expectations. The Career Center also
houses Student Employment.
The Career Center will work with faculty on class presentations, internships, majorrelated programs, professional skill certificates, etc.
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Carnegie Units
The standard Carnegie unit is defined as 120 hours of contact time with an
instructor—i.e., one hour of instruction a day, five days a week, for 24 weeks, or
7,200 minutes of instructional time over the course of an academic year.
In most public high schools, course credits are still largely based on the 120-hour
Carnegie-unit standard.
Indiana State University has adopted the Federal Credit Hour definition: A credit
hour is an amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified
by evidence of student achievement that is an institutionally-established
equivalency that reasonably approximates not less than:
(1) one hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of 2
hours of out-of-class student work each week for approximately fifteen
weeks for one semester or trimester of credit, or ten to twelve weeks for
one quarter hour of credit, or the equivalent amount of work over a
different period of time; or
(2) at least an equivalent amount of work as required in paragraph (1) of this
definition for other activities as established by an institution, including
laboratory work, internships, practica, studio work, and other academic
work leading toward the award of credit hours.
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Catalog
Each year, ISU publishes two online catalogs – one for undergraduate and one for
graduate. The catalogs not only contain the currently approved programs and
courses, but also policies that govern students. Archived catalogs from previous
years are also available.
Students are admitted under a catalog year and are required to follow the
curriculum and policies in the catalog of the year they matriculated. Students can
change to a later catalog year (the process is the same as the change of major), but
can’t move to an earlier catalog than their matriculation year.
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Center for Student Success
The Center for Student Success provides free services to ISU to help them be
successful. These services include:
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The Math and Writing Center
Disabled Student Services
Athletic Study Program
Supplemental Instruction
Free tutoring
The LEAP program
First-Generation Faculty mentoring
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Certificate
ISU offers certificates targeted at specific audiences, often persons seeking
specialized knowledge and abilities for employment. Certificates stand alone as selfcontained educational experiences, though they may be pursued in conjunction with
a traditional degree. They are housed within existing academic units and consist of
existing courses. The following policies also apply to certificates that are linked to
external organizations.
All certificates:
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Have clearly stated student learning outcomes that are different from the
outcomes of a major or minor.
Consist only of credit-bearing courses.
Generally consist of 12-18 credits, but never more than 29 credits
(including prerequisites).
Include at least 50% of their credits from ISU courses.
May contain up to 12 credit hours that apply to an ISU degree program.
Require admission to the University.
May be earned by degree-seeking students, as well as those not pursuing
a ISU degree. Guidelines and standards for performance are identical for
both groups.
Are entered into Banner and appear on University transcripts.
Appear in the undergraduate and graduate catalogs
Use the same forms and go through the same approval process as other
academic programs at the university.
Must be approved by the Indiana Commission of Higher Education.
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Change of Grade
Occasionally things happen and a final grade must be changed for a student. If the
end of final grading has not happened, you are still able to make the change of grade
in the portal. If it is after the end of final grading, faculty must work with their
departmental administrative assistant and/or department chair who will access the
change of grade form in Argos. The reason for the change of grade must be noted on
the form and signed by the chair and the Dean’s office.
A change of grade after a student has graduated is more problematic in that the
student record must be re-opened to change the grade. If any transcripts have been
sent to employers or graduate schools, new transcripts will be need to be resent.
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Change of Major
Newly admitted students can change their major with the Office of Admissions.
Enrolled students need to begin the process of making a change of major with the
Dean’s office in the college of their intended major.
Arts & Sciences - http://www.indstate.edu/saa/Majors.htm
Scott College of Business – Student must see the Student Services Office in person
Bayh College of Education - http://coe.indstate.edu/ess/changemajor.htm
College of Technology http://technology.indstate.edu/tss/changeofmajorminor.htm
College of Nursing, Health and Human Services https://indstate.qualtrics.com/SE/?SID=SV_9Z8zuHc3U17XE4Q
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Cheating
Section 2.0 of the Code of Student Conduct covers academic policies for students.
The code defines academic integrity and misconduct including cheating, plagiarism,
falsification, multiple submissions, facilitating academic dishonesty, violation of
professional and ethical standards, and misuse of academic resources and
intellectual property.
Faculty should be clear on their syllabus regarding class and departmental policies
of repercussions related to issues of academic integrity.
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Class meeting times
Faculty are expected to meet with their classes during the posted class meeting
times that are on the class schedule. Exceptions to meeting times need approval of
department chairperson and unanimous concurrence of students.
Faculty can take advantage of resources in student affairs, the Career Center, and
the library to schedule “substitutes” in the event of a planned absence.
Time for Teaching Assignment can be found in Section 310.1.1.4 of the University
Handbook.
Policy regarding Class Meeting times can be found in Section 310.1.1.5 fo the
University Handbook.
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Class Overrides
There may be times when a student is given the authority to register for a class
when they are not permitted to register via their portal. Below describes the errors
students see when registering, who has authority to override the restriction and
how the student should be entered into the system if it is deemed appropriate.
Following these processes can allow students to register in the portal and eliminate
much of paper registration.
Portal
Registration
Add Error
Closed Section
Class
Restriction
College
Restriction
Corequisite
required
Prerequisites
and Test Score
Error
Time Conflict
Maximum hours
exceeded
Academic
Standing
prohibits
registration
Term exceeds
expected
graduation term
What it means
Student cannot
register due to the
course already being
at capacity
Student cannot register
because it has been
restricted to include or
exclude certain majors
Student cannot register
because it has been
restricted to
include/exclude certain
majors
Student cannot register
because they are
required to take
another course during
the same semester
Student cannot register
due to lack of proper
previous course
requirements
Student cannot register
due to a timeframe
overlap in a course in
which they are already
registered
Student cannot register
due to the amount of
allowable hours for a
semester
Student cannot register
due to academic
dismissal
Student cannot register
due to application for
graduation term is
preceding registration
term
Who
authorizes
override
Instructor
Department
Chair of course
Department
Chair of course
Authorization process*
Email Department to process
override in banner; once entered into
banner, student will be notified by
email they can log in and register
Department enters override into
banner (SFASRPO), student will be
automatically notified by email they
can log in and register
Department enters override into
banner (SFASRPO), student will be
automatically notified by email they
can log in and register
Department
Chair of course
Department enters override into
banner (SFASRPO), student will be
automatically notified by email they
can log in and register
Department
Chair of course
Department enters override into banner
(SFASRPO), student will be
automatically notified by email they can
log in and register
Email Department to process override
in banner; once entered into banner,
student will be notified by email they
can log in and register
Instructor
Dean's Office
Dean's Office
Undergraduates can update their
graduation date (if appropriate) via the
portal. Graduates need to contact the
College of Graduate and Professional
Studies.
*If it is after the last day to add, all exceptions will need to be processed on a paper
scheduling form: http://www.indstate.edu/registrar/pdf/Scheduling_Form.pdf
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Class rank
ISU does not calculate class rank for students, by either percentile or number in
class.
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Class standing
Class standing is the designation if a student is a freshman, sophomore, junior,
senior, or graduate student. At the undergraduate level, hours to achieve class
standing are:
0-30 freshman
31-60 sophomore
61-90 junior
91 and above-senior
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CLEP
College Level Examination Program (CLEP) is a program that allows students to
demonstrate college-level achievement and earn credit through exams. CLEP is
managed through the Testing Office.
http://www.indstate.edu/testing/clep.html
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Code of Conduct
The Student Code of Conduct was revised in Spring 2014. The Code governs the
behavior of students at Indiana State University. The Division of Student Affairs and
the Office of Conduct and Integrity manages the Code and enforcement.
http://www.indstate.edu/sci/link1-code/index.htm
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College Challenge/Dual Credit
College Challenge is the title used at ISU for dual credit classes – ISU classes taken by
high school students at their high schools. These classes give students credit
towards their high school graduation requirements, plus college credit they can use
at ISU, or any other higher education institution that will accept the credit.
Departments work with the high schools to ensure equivalency.
http://www.indstate.edu/challenge/
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Commencement
The University conducts two commencement ceremonies each year -- one in May
and the other in December. Both events are held in Hulman Center on the
campus. Students are invited to participate in commencement once they have over
78 credit hours towards the undergraduate degree.
All faculty members are expected to participate in the commencement ceremonies
and shall wear the appropriate academic apparel. Academic robes, caps and hoods
may be rented through the University Bookstore. (Section 310.2.1) of the University
Handbook. Additional information about each commencement, and the link to RSVP
for participation as a faculty member, can be found at
http://www.indstate.edu/academicaffairs/commencement.htm
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Community Engagement
Community Engagement is Goal 3 for ISU in the Strategic Plan. To facilitate the
goals, the Center for Community Engagement serves as the "front door" to Indiana
State University-connecting the University to the local community.
The goal is to:
 Assist area nonprofit organizations, government agencies, and private
industry and business to develop links with Indiana State University students
and faculty;
 Create out-of-class learning experiences, including internships and servicelearning, for ISU's students and faculty; and
 Encourage and coordinate student, faculty, and employee volunteerism and
service to the Wabash Valley.
Accomplishment of this goal improves the greater good of both the University and
the Wabash Valley community through developing, supporting, and coordinating
research and experiential learning experiences.
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Computer Help Desk
The Computer Help Desk should be the first stop for everyone for needing some
computer assistance. The Help Desk tracks all interactions (makes a ticket) so that
the work can be tracked and the needs of the campus tracked as well.
There are multiple ways to contact the Help Desk. The website has a number of
FAQ’s that might eliminate the need for more contact http://supportcenteronline.com/ics/support/default.asp?deptID=4751. A call can
be placed to the Help Desk - x2910. An email can be sent - IT-Help@indstate.edu.
Or the portal badge (seen below) can be used to issue a ticket.
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Conditional Admit
A certain number of both undergraduate and graduate students are admitted
conditionally. When they are admitted, they are given the conditions that they must
meet in order to be fully admitted after the first term. For graduate students, these
decisions are made at the program level. For undergraduate students, these
decisions are made at Admissions and University College.
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Course Cancellation
When an entire course needs to be cancelled for the term, the Office of Registration
and Records (ORR) needs to be contacted. If the cancellation occurs after students
have registered for the course, the department should first contact all students to
inform them of the cancellation and their options. When the course is cancelled,
ORR removes all students from the class. If there are financial penalties to the
students because of action by the department, the department should consult with
ORR on the reasons for the cancellation and how to avoid additional costs to the
students.
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Course Evaluation
There are a number of tools for course evaluation. Some departments and programs
will regularly utilize peer evaluations, where a colleague will observe a class and
write an evaluation that can be included in a promotion and tenure dossier. Many
department chairs will also conduct chair evaluations where a class is observed and
an evaluation is written.
Beginning Fall 2014, ISU will use a new online system for course evaluations called
MyClassEvaluation (MCE). It is an online product that automatically distributes the
evaluation to all registered students before the end of the term. Instructors have the
opportunity to add questions but not delete the university-wide questions. Students
are sent reminder emails, and instructors are sent emails showing the response rate
for their classes. The results are not available to instructors until after the final
grading deadline.
MCE can also be used for an optional midterm evaluation for instructors who want
additional feedback.
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Course Numbering System
While it has not been always followed historically, the CAPs Manual does contain the
rules for course numbering.
Courses numbered 100 and 200 are designed for students entering the university or
a program. They are generally introductory in nature and build a foundation for
more advanced courses. Courses numbered 300 and 400 are designated upper
division courses and designed for advanced undergraduates, usually in the junior or
senior year. Students must complete a minimum of 45 credits at this level in order
to graduate. Courses numbered 500 and above carry graduate credit.
There is also a “Twenty Year Rule” for re-using course numbers. Course numbers
with the same prefix may not be “re-used” until the original course has been
eliminated for twenty years. This is to avoid problems arising from duplication of
numbers for different courses on students’ transcripts and in degree audit reports.
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Course Placement
A number of courses are dependent upon students “placing” into them. ISU
regularly uses placement scores for language, math, and English composition.
Incoming students are invited to take the placement tests at either a distance before
orientation and/or when they are on campus for new student orientation. More
information about placement exams can be found on the University Testing Office
website - http://www.indstate.edu/testing/
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Course Repeat
The course repeat policy is different for undergraduate and graduate students. Both
policies are found in the respective catalogs.
Undergraduate:
Students may choose to repeat any course for grade improvement. Courses that can
be repeated for credit are not included in the policy. Only the highest grade
received for the course, taken at Indiana State University, will be included in the
computation of the cumulative GPA. The initial grade(s) and the repeat grade(s)
will appear on the student’s record. Only courses taken at Indiana State University
are eligible for course repeat. An exception can be granted by the Dean of the
relevant college on a case-by-case basis.
Graduate:
Graduate students receiving a grade of C+ or lower may retake a non-repeatable
course a maximum of one time. Once repeated, both the original and new grade will
be included in the student’s grade point average. Both grades will remain on the
student’s transcript.
It may not always be in a student’s best interest to repeat a course. The student
should consult with the major advisor and financial aid.
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Course Substitution
A program can choose to make a course substitution for a major required course.
These substitutions can then be entered in MySAM as exceptions to facilitate the
tracking of student progress. Faculty in a program cannot approve a course
substitution in another program (such as in a minor) or in Foundational Studies.
These requests need to be submitted to the appropriate individuals in those
programs.
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Credit hours
ISU uses the Federal definition of credit hours. This definition is found in the CAPS
manual.
A credit hour is an amount of work represented in intended learning
outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that is an
institutionally-established equivalency that reasonably approximates not
less than:
(1) one hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum
of 2 hours of out-of-class student work each week for approximately
fifteen weeks for one semester or trimester of credit, or ten to twelve
weeks for one quarter hour of credit, or the equivalent amount of
work over a different period of time; or
(2) at least an equivalent amount of work as required in paragraph (1)
of this definition for other activities as established by an institution,
including laboratory work, internships, practica, studio work, and
other academic work leading toward the award of credit hours.
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Credit Load
Credit Load can refer to the amount of credits a student is carrying.
An undergraduate student is considered full-time at 12 credit hours. ISU has a
blocked fee such that students pay the same tuition if they are registered in between
12 and 18 credit hours. Over 18 credits, they are considered to be on overload.
For graduate students, full-time status is generally considered to be 9 per term (18
per academic year), but because of the nature of different graduate programs, it is
possible to be considered full-time with fewer credits.
When FTE (Full-time equivalency) is calculated for the state and federal reporting,
FTE is calculated with divisors of 15 for undergraduate and 12 for graduate (e.g.
number of undergraduate credits registered divided by 15 = undergraduate FTE).
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CRN - Course Reference Number
Every course in the schedule of classes has a unique identifier called the CRN. It is a
digit number and is essentially the identifying number for every course in banner.
Students use the CRN to register. Reports are generated by CRN.
Fun fact – the first digit of the CRN indicates the term of the course. Fall CRNs all
start with a 5, Spring CRNs all start with a 1, and summer CRNs all start with a 3.
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Cross-listed courses
The general rule of thumb is that courses should not be cross-listed unless there are
compelling reasons, but in some circumstances it may be appropriate to list courses
in two or more departments (prefixes). All units involved must approve proposals of
and modifications to cross-listed courses.
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Cumulative Grade Point Average
The cumulative GPA is the overall grade point average across all semesters at a
degree level. At ISU, the term GPA and cumulative GPA are calculated only on ISU
courses (transfer work is only used to calculate Latin honors for graduation). The
cumulative GPA is calculated by multiplying the course credits by the grade value,
summing the products (this sum gives the quality points), and dividing by the
attempted credit hours.
ISU uses the following grade point values:
Grade
A+
A
AB+
B
BC+
C
CD+
D
DF
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Grade Value effective Fall
2009
4.0
4.0
3.7
3.3
3.0
2.7
2.3
2.0
1.7
1.3
1.0
0.7
0.0