Academic Regulations

UNIVERSITY CATALOG POLICY

Catalog Governance

HONOR COMMITMENT & ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

The institution is under the supervision of the Board of Trustees. The academic programs in all schools are governed by the faculty. The student government constitution is largely administered by the students themselves.

Statement of Academic Integrity and Student Code of Conduct

Lenoir-Rhyne University (“LR”) has established policies and regulations to support and encourage its educational mission. As elsewhere in society, these policies and regulations are founded on the mutually accepted concepts of freedom and responsibility and are based on the assumption that members of the LR community are interdependent. It is each student’s duty to protect the rights of other students, to fulfill their personal educational objectives, and to maintain high standards of personal and academic conduct.

Honor Pledge

Students will receive and review the honor pledge, learn and understand the meaning, and commit themselves to upholding the statement of academic integrity and nonacademic conduct. LR’s honor pledge states:

Lenoir-Rhyne University is an academic community that expects the highest standards of honesty, integrity and personal responsibility. As members of this community, we are accountable for our actions and creating an environment of mutual respect and trust.

On my honor, I pledge:

• That I will maintain high ethical standards of personal and academic conduct.
• That I will take responsibility for my personal and academic behavior.

From this day forward, my signature on any university document, including academic assignments, is a confirmation of this honor pledge.

The Academic Integrity System

All contributors to LR-students, faculty, staff and administrators-are charged to support and cultivate the principles established in the honor pledge and statement of academic integrity. Students have a duty to ensure that they understand and abide by the expectations and standards established in each course or academic activity. In the absence of such understanding, it is the student’s responsibility to seek additional information and clarification.

Violations of the Academic Integrity Code, including suspected violations, fall under the jurisdiction of LR’s Student Code of Conduct and are subject to the rules and guidelines established in the Student Handbook.

Lenoir-Rhyne University seeks to cultivate continually a learning community in which integrity may flourish. To these ends, the university seeks to define academic dishonesty, to establish standards and expectations of action and to develop and utilize consistent and reasonable processes for adjudication of any violations of these values.

The Lenoir-Rhyne University Student Handbook has the full Academic Integrity System policies and procedures in the event there is a violation of these policies.

CREDIT SYSTEM

Course Designation

Classification

Student classification is determined by the total number of credit hours completed as indicated below:

Credit Limitations

1. Students may only earn up to 4 hours in directed study towards degree requirements.
2. Students may only earn up to 3 hours of class assistantship towards the 120 hours required to graduate.
3. Applying any credit for earned classes older than 10 years towards graduation requirements requires approval of the dean of the college of the major.
4. Students may not major and minor in the same discipline.

FIELDS OF STUDY

Major Field of Study

Each degree candidate selects a major field of study and completes a minimum of 30 credits in the major with a minimum grade point average of 2.0. Students must declare a major by or during the spring semester of their sophomore year. The specific courses required within each major are listed on the following pages with descriptions of the majors and the courses. Upon approval of the student’s advisor and respective college dean, course substitutions may be made for major course requirements.

Minors

Students may select an academic minor(s) in areas other than the major field. Successful completion of at least 18 credits with a minimum of 2.0 grade point average is required. Students must complete at least six credits in their minor at Lenoir-Rhyne University. Students may not minor in the same field as their major (e.g., both a major and minor in psychology is not allowed).

Adding Double Majors or Minors

Students may complete a second major or a minor in another field beyond their primary major field; students may not double major or add a minor in the same field as their primary major. If a student wishes to complete a second major or a minor in a field that shares similar course requirements with the primary major, that student must successfully complete these common courses and all other requirements for both programs. All residency rules must be met.

Subsequent Lenoir-Rhyne Baccalaureate Degree

A student with a baccalaureate degree from Lenoir-Rhyne University may receive a second baccalaureate degree provided it is in a different major by meeting all degree requirements with the following stipulations:

1. All General Education requirements are considered to be met.

2. All major and any minor requirements as outlined in the catalog in effect at the time of readmission for the second degree must be completed.
3. Upon recommendation of the advisor and approval of the dean, courses taken during the first degree may be used for the second baccalaureate degree.
4. A minimum of 12 hours in the major and 6 hours in the minor must be taken in residence at Lenoir-Rhyne.

Second Degree at Lenoir-Rhyne University with first degree from another university

Students who have earned a previous baccalaureate degree from an institution other than Lenoir-Rhyne University may complete another baccalaureate degree by meeting all degree requirements with the following stipulations.

1. General Education is considered met.
2. All major and any minor requirements must be completed satisfactorily.
3. A minimum of 25% of the hours required for the degree must be taken in residence at Lenoir-Rhyne.
4. A minimum of 12 hours in the major and 6 hours in the minor must be taken in residence at Lenoir-Rhyne.

REGISTRATION OF COURSES

Registration for each semester takes place in the previous semester during the advising and registration time set forth on the academic calendar. Holds are placed on all students’ records to prevent registration prior to meeting with their advisor. Students must meet with their advisors prior to their registration time to have their advising hold removed in order to access the system.  The registration system opens for individual students on a rolling basis based on the number of completed, earned credit hours (not including the student’s current in-progress hours). Once the system opens, it will remain open throughout the entire add/drop period.

Students with registration holds should review the Lenoir-Rhyne Student Handbook for more information.

Advisor

Each student at Lenoir-Rhyne University is assigned an advisor who is either a faculty member from the college of the student’s major or a professional advisor in BEAR Central. Students who have not yet declared a major will be assigned to a professional advisor in BEAR Central. Students are encouraged to seek the counsel of their advisor concerning matters and course selection related to their academic major each semester as a part of the registration process. Academic advisors may evaluate students’ situations and, if necessary, refer students to other campus counseling personnel or resources for specific advice and information.

Course Load and Overload

To be considered full-time, students must take at least 12 hours but may take up to 18 hours without permission during each fall or spring semester. Any course load above 18 hours is considered an overload. Students may seek permission for an overload from the dean of the college of their major.

In order to graduate with a minimum of 120 credit hours in eight semesters, students must average 15 credit hours each fall and spring semester. Taking fewer hours in fall and spring semesters may require summer school or additional semesters to complete degree requirements.

A student wishing to take an overload in the fall or spring semester must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 and receive approval from the dean of the college of the major. An overload above 21 credit hours is not allowed.

There is no additional cost for taking up to 21 credit hours in a fall/spring semester.

In the summer term, students may take up to 12 credit hours across the whole summer but may take no more than 9 credit hours in any one mini-term.

Add, Drop and Withdrawal

Drop/Add Policy
Students may adjust their course schedule during the drop/add period, which is the first five calendar days of each fall/spring term. For summer terms, specific drop/add dates are published on the academic calendar. A course that is dropped during this period will not be listed on the transcript. Courses may not be added after the first week of the term without instructor and dean approval.

Students are responsible for ensuring all required drop/add paperwork is completed and submitted on time. Forms may be obtained from the Registrar’s Office website. Failure to complete the entire drop process may result in a failing grade (F or U) on the official transcript and will result in full financial responsibility for tuition and fees.

Withdrawal from a Course
A student  may withdraw from a course after the drop/add period but no later than the 60% point of the term (e.g., the ninth week of the fall/spring semester [or equivalent period in a summer/mini term]). The exact deadline in each given term is published on the academic calendar. It is important to note that withdrawing from a course after the drop/add period still counts towards a student’s billable hours.

Withdrawals after the drop/add period and before the 60% point of the term

Students may withdraw from a cumulative total of no more than five (5) courses graded with a “W” after the published drop/add period. The cumulative total includes all withdrawals over the entire undergraduate career, excluding summer terms, withdrawals for extenuating circumstances and when fully withdrawing from the university. Once all five withdrawals have been used, no additional withdrawals may be approved except for documented extenuating circumstances.

Before finalizing their decision, students are strongly encouraged to consult their faculty advisor, financial aid officer, the assistant athletic director for compliance (if they are student athletes) and BEAR Central to fully understand the academic, athletic and financial implications of withdrawing.

After the 60% point of the term, course withdrawals are only allowed under extenuating circumstances, which include but are not limited to documented medical issues, death in the immediate family, and military deployment and require approval of the appropriate campus office. An approved late withdrawal for extenuating circumstances will result in a grade of “WE,” and the grade will be notated on the official transcript. A grade of “WE” has no influence on the student’s cumulative GPA and is not counted in the 5 allowed withdrawals. Appropriate forms may be obtained from the Registrar’s Office website, and it is the responsibility of the student to ensure that the appropriate paperwork is completed and filed when withdrawing from a course. Failure to complete the entire withdrawal process may result in a failing grade (F or U) on the official transcript in each enrolled course in question. Courses withdrawn after the drop/add period still count towards a student’s billable hours.

A student may not withdraw from a course in the current semester for any reason after the final day of the semester.

A student who ceases to attend class prior to the end of the academic term and does not officially withdraw from the class will receive a failing grade (F or U) in each enrolled course in question.

Withdrawal from the University

There are several reasons why a student might need to withdraw from the university (i.e., cease enrollment in all courses). Before finalizing their decision, students are strongly encouraged to consult their faculty advisor, financial aid officer, the assistant athletic director for compliance (if they are student athletes) and BEAR Central to fully understand the academic, athletic and financial implications of withdrawing. These financial consequences of withdrawing after the drop/add period will vary based upon the official date of withdrawal (see Refund and Withdrawal Process in the Financial Information section of the catalog). It is imperative that the entire withdrawal process is completed prior to the student’s departure. Failure to complete the process could result in failing grades and responsibility for full tuition and fees for the semester.

Should the final decision be to officially withdraw from the university, students must complete the appropriate paperwork with BEAR Central. The official date of withdrawal is defined as the date on which the student initiates contact with university officials.

In considering withdrawal from the university, be advised of the following:

       During the Drop/Add Period (typically the first five days of class for fall/spring [equivalent time period in summer/mini terms]; see academic calendar for exact dates)

• The class schedule is completely dropped from the academic record.
• Proof of registration will not appear on the student’s official transcript.
• The student is eligible for a full refund of any payment made for the semester.
• Any federal financial aid must be returned.

       After Drop/Add and Before the 60% Point of the Term (for fall/summer with equivalent time period in summer/mini terms; see academic calendar for exact dates)

• The student will notify BEAR Central as a part of the course withdrawal form.
• A grade of “W” will appear on the official transcript.
• The return of financial aid and charges to the student account are based on the official withdrawal date. See the Financial Information section of this catalog.

      After the 60% Point of the Term (see academic calendar for exact dates)

• Withdrawals after this time are permitted only in cases of documented extenuating circumstances (which include but are not limited to, medical issues, death in the immediate family, military deployment).
• Students must submit a university withdrawal request with documentation to the Dean of Students Office for approval.
• If late withdrawal is approved, a grade of “WE” will be notated on the official transcript. A grade of “WE” has no influence on the student’s GPA.
• A student who ceases to attend all classes prior to the end of the academic term and does not officially withdraw from the term will receive a failing grade (F or U) in each enrolled course in question.

A student may not withdraw from the university in the current semester for any reason after the final day of the semester.

Auditing a Course

Auditing courses will be permitted only on the presentation of a written request stating the reason for the request no later than the end of the drop/add period. This written request must be signed by the university registrar and approved by the instructor. Once a course is selected for audit, it may not be changed back to a credit-earning course. The student will not be given a letter grade or receive credit for the course. A grade of “AU” will be placed on the transcript.

Certain courses involving active student participation (e.g., laboratory courses, physical education activity courses, internships, independent studies) may not be taken under audit.

The student must follow the regular requirements for registration and class attendance. Students must pay regular tuition and fees for audited classes. The hours of the audited course will be counted toward course load and are subject to the overload rules.

Directed Study

Juniors, seniors and graduate students may take regular Lenoir-Rhyne University courses on an individual basis but only in instances of extenuating circumstances. Approval of the professor, college dean and provost is required. Junior and senior students with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 may register for a maximum of one directed study per term and only when it is impossible for them to take the course at the time it is normally offered. General education courses, introductory courses, activity courses and courses offered every semester may not be taken as a directed study. Registration for directed study courses must be completed by the end of the normal drop/add period. LR Online students may not register for a directed study course that is not part of their major.

Independent Study

Juniors, seniors and graduate students may take (under the guidance of a faculty member) courses designed to explore an area of interest which is not normally taught in the Lenoir-Rhyne curriculum. To be eligible to register for an independent study course, students must have completed at least two courses in the discipline(s) represented in the study. In addition, a cumulative GPA of 2.5 for undergraduates and 3.0 for graduate students is required.

Taking Courses at Other Institutions

Dual Enrollment

Students enrolled at Lenoir-Rhyne University may not take courses at another institution during the fall or spring semesters. Exceptions to this policy must be approved by the university registrar prior to the beginning of the term. Without prior approval, dual-enrolled courses from other institutions may not be counted to meet Lenoir-Rhyne requirements. Policies related to maximum course load apply in cases of dual enrollment.

Summer School Approval

Students considering summer school enrollment at other institutions must request prior approval from the university registrar to ensure transferability. Approval forms are available in the Registrar’s Office and online. Students who wish to use financial aid must speak with the Office of Financial Aid prior to enrollment.

Only courses completed with a grade of C/2.0 or better will transfer back to Lenoir-Rhyne University for credit; however, the grades earned will not count towards the LR cumulative grade point average.

ALTERNATIVE CREDIT TYPES

Credit by Examination

Lenoir-Rhyne University recognizes that some entering students may have had:

1. Classroom course experiences above the secondary level (at a technical institute, armed forces school, etc.) that are equivalent to Lenoir-Rhyne University courses, but for which transfer credit is not feasible, and/or
2. Secondary school experiences which indicate they possess knowledge and skills equivalent to Lenoir-Rhyne University courses, and/or
3. Personal learning experiences in areas related to Lenoir-Rhyne University courses.

For these reasons, Lenoir-Rhyne University makes available an opportunity for students to obtain credit for certain courses in its curricular offerings through credit by examination.

Certain courses do not lend themselves to credit by examination and, therefore, academic programs will determine those courses for which the credit by examination option is not available. Generally, credit for internship, directed study, research, field experience, and honors courses is not possible by credit by examination. Also, no physical education activity courses are available for credit by examination. A current, complete list of Lenoir-Rhyne University courses allowed as credit by examination option will be available in the offices of the registrar and provost. This list will be updated periodically.

Students must file an application for credit-by-exam (available at: http://registrar.lr.edu/forms), pay the $200 fee and obtain permission in advance from the dean of the college of the course and the provost. A minimum 30-day waiting period will exist between the date of application and the administration of the examination. Results from the examination will be reported to the provost and then to the university registrar. Applications must be made no later than mid-term of any semester, and no applications will be accepted later than the withdrawal date of the student’s next to last semester.

Credit-by-exam in 100-level courses must be completed by the end of the sophomore year or by the end of the first year for transfers. Additionally, the following rules apply:

• No more than 16 hours may be taken in a student’s degree program as credit-by-exam,
• No more than 8 hours in the major may be taken as credit-by-exam,
• No more than 8 hours in any one semester may be taken as credit-by- exam.
• Credits earned by credit by examination do not count as courses taken in residence.
• Students may not earn credit-by-exam for any course already attempted at Lenoir-Rhyne.

Students who demonstrate competencies at a level consistent with that necessary to earn a grade equivalent of at least a C/2.0 in the course(s) shall receive academic credit (indicated as a CR on the transcript), but no letter grade for the course is given, and, thus, the grade point average will not be affected. A failed exam may not be repeated. A student who fails a credit-by-examination for a specific course may later enroll in that course with no penalty.

Advanced Placement

Lenoir-Rhyne University participates fully in the Advanced Placement Program, awarding placement credit for examination scores of 3, 4, or 5. The letter grade of satisfactory will be assigned to accepted advanced placement scores.

The Advanced Placement Program is administered by the Office of the Provost, the Registrar’s Office and the colleges concerned.

Scores of 3 or better on the following Advanced Placement examinations will be accepted and credit awarded for the specific Lenoir-Rhyne University courses as shown below. Scores must be mailed from the College Board to be acceptable.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

Lenoir-Rhyne University accepts the standardized tests offered through the College Entrance Examinations Board’s College Level Examination Program (CLEP). Periodic review of available CLEP exams will be made by the faculty. Students may contact the College Board to find the nearest exam site.

The College Level Examination Program is administered by the Registrar’s Office, the Office of the Provost, and the colleges concerned.

Generally, scores of 50 or above are accepted for credit. Credit will be indicated by grade of “CR” assigned to accepted CLEP tests. Scores must be mailed from the College Board to be acceptable.

International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program is a rigorous pre-university course of study that meets the needs of the highly motivated and academically gifted secondary school student. The program allows its graduates to fulfill requirements for the various international systems of education.

Lenoir-Rhyne University recognizes the value of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program and the significant achievement of those students who complete the program. The IB Program is administered by the Office of the Provost, the Registrar’s Office and the colleges concerned. The university awards credit for IB work according to the following policy:

1. Lenoir-Rhyne University will award academic credit for satisfactory IB work for students who have been awarded the IB diploma and for those who have achieved a certificate for successful completion of IB subjects.
2. Academic credit will be awarded for grades of 4 or higher on Higher Level (HL) subjects and for grades of 5 or higher on Subsidiary Level (SL) subjects.
3. A maximum of six credits of Lenoir-Rhyne University course work will be awarded for Higher Level subjects in which grades of 4 or higher are achieved.
4. A maximum of three credits of Lenoir-Rhyne University course work will be awarded in Subsidiary Level subjects in which grades of 5 are achieved. A maximum of six credits will be awarded in SL courses in which a grade of 6 or 7 is achieved.
5. Additional credit may be awarded to students in the area of their extended essay if the student has written a successful essay and has received a notation of 0+, 1+ or 2+. No credit is possible for a student who receives a notation of 1-. Determination of appropriate specific credit is made by the provost in consultation with the chairperson of the department in the area of the extended essay.
6. A maximum of 30 credits of specific course work (as determined by the provost in consultation with appropriate college dean) will be awarded to the student who has qualified for and has been awarded the IB Diploma. Students who failed to achieve the IB Diploma but who have achieved certification in certain IB subjects will have the opportunity to receive academic credit for the subject as determined by the provost and the appropriate college dean.

Experiential Education

Many important student learning outcomes desired by Lenoir-Rhyne University are acquired in non-classroom settings. Broadly conceived, experiential education encompasses a wide range of curricular and co-curricular activities which assist students in their personal growth and development, provide opportunities for career exploration or develop work-related competencies.

Lenoir-Rhyne recognizes the following basic types of experiential learning opportunities:

Professional: Students serve in assigned responsibilities under the supervision of a professional while receiving appropriate instruction putting theory into practice, developing job-related skills and synthesizing knowledge, skills and values. Such areas include, but are not limited to, the fields of education, nursing, psychology, social work and Christian education.

Career Exploration: Students work in a supervised placement to perform a useful service, to analyze the career possibilities inherent in such tasks and to develop employment-related skills. The educational institution provides the means for structured reflection, analysis and self-evaluation; the agency provides an evaluation of the students’ work and career potential.

Service/Personal Learning: Students undertake a program in an on- or off-campus setting that is designed to further their personal growth and development. Such experiences include, but are not limited to, field research, outdoor or wilderness education, travel/study and other areas.

Guidelines:

1. The experiential learning activity must be associated with an academic program in a clearly defined and identifiable way and must have the advanced approval of the related academic department.
2. Learning activities must be carefully planned and supervised. Supervision will be provided by a faculty member(s) with competence in the area of the learning activity and/or, when appropriate, by a program approved, field-based supervisor.
3. The expected goals of the experiential learning opportunity must be clearly stated.
4. Student performance must be carefully evaluated by faculty and other supervisors, and assigned grades shall be noted on official transcripts. Such courses will normally be graded on a Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory basis.
5. No more than 12 credit hours in experiential learning may be counted toward the 1208 credit hours graduation requirement, except in the case of major programs (e.g., student teaching, nursing) which require more than 12 hours in experiential education.
6. Proposed additions of experiential learning courses to the curriculum must follow the regular process of endorsement by the appropriate academic college. Within the general rubrics of an approved course, specific learning opportunities may vary; therefore, records of such individual student experiences will be kept on file by the supervising faculty member.
7. No more than one credit hour will be awarded for each 35 hours of approved experiential learning.
8. Credits may not be awarded for experiential learning opportunities that do not have prior institutional evaluation and approval.
9. In the event that students desire academic credit for a type of experiential learning not related to currently approved experiential learning courses, they may undertake the following:
   1. solicit the cooperation and support of a faculty sponsor. Sponsorship reflects a belief in the legitimacy of the proposal and a willingness to supervise and evaluate the experience individually or in cooperation with other sponsors (e.g., campus or non-campus professionals).
   2. acquire necessary forms from the Office of the Provost and outline the goals to be achieved, procedures to be used, extent of activity to be pursued, and method of evaluation to be followed.
   3. submit the forms to the Office of the Provost for its approval at least four (4) weeks prior to the beginning of the learning experience.
10. Field experiences which currently exist as faculty-approved course offerings (e.g., student teaching, nursing) do not require Academic Program Committee approval. Students desiring such experiences follow the normal channels of registration.
11. The preceding guidelines do not apply to traditional laboratory experiences.

Non-Credit Experiential Learning

Lenoir-Rhyne University affirms both the value and necessity of relating classroom and non-classroom learning opportunities in the quest of integrating liberal learning, vocational pursuits, and personal values. The university expects and encourages students to explore a variety of co-curricular activities as a vital aspect of their educational experience; however, students cannot expect that academic credit will be awarded for every aspect of their learning at the university. Lenoir-Rhyne does not award academic credit for participation in intercollegiate or intramural athletics, cheer leading, various student organizations and certain co-curricular activities.

The dimension of experiential education occurs in many courses offered by academic schools. Some majors include field experience and/or internships as requirements or electives. Students in consultation with faculty sponsors may devise independent studies with an experiential learning emphasis

GRADING

Grading Information

Grading in individual courses is the prerogative of the course instructor who will at the beginning of each term notify the students of the grading standards for each course.

At mid-term and at the end of each semester, grade reports containing all information deemed necessary are available for students via Self-Service and Stellic. Official academic transcripts may be withheld for failure to satisfy financial or other responsibilities on campus.

Course grades are averaged on a grade point average scale with the following values assigned to each letter grade:

To compute a grade point average, a student must multiply the credits for the course by point values for each grade received, total those point values and divide that total by the number of hours (graded courses) taken. An average of 4.00 would indicate the student received all A’s, 3.00 a B average, 2.00 a C average, 1.00 a D average and below .70 is failing work. Only courses taken at Lenoir-Rhyne are calculated in the GPA.

Incomplete Grades

Students may be given an incomplete grade ”I” if, because of sickness or other extreme necessity, some specific portion of their work remains unfinished, provided they are passing the course.

Incomplete grades (“I”) may be given if the student is unable to complete a course on time due to illness or extreme hardship. The student should have been passing the course at the time when becoming unable to complete the course in a timely manner. An “I” grade is not given when a student has stopped attending without notice, has never attended the course, did not complete all assignments to the point of hardship or will be required to retake the course to meet requirements.

The student must make up the missing work in the course by the following deadlines, unless an earlier deadline is agreed upon between the faculty and student:

              Fall “I” grade must be completed by March 15 of the following spring semester.

              Spring/Summer “I” grade must be completed by October 15 of the following fall semester.

All incomplete grades must be completed by the deadline or the “I” will be automatically changed to a grade of “F” or “U.”

Students should not register for the course in which they have an incomplete grade, or the incomplete grade will be changed to an “F” immediately.

Academic Standing is based on the academic record as it stands at the end of each semester. Incomplete grades are viewed as credits not officially earned, and no changes will be made to academic standing even if the incomplete grades are completed.

Students may not graduate with an “I” grade on the transcript.

Any change to the final grade of “F” must be done within one year of the original posting of the original incomplete grade and prior to graduation. After one year or at the time of graduation, the final grade will remain an “F.”

Pass/Fail Grades

Juniors and Seniors are permitted to register for a maximum of one course in each semester on a Pass/Fail (P/F) basis, with the proviso that such courses may not satisfy requirements in a student’s major or minor or general education. Additionally no course required in designated “Honors” requirements can be taken on a Pass/Fail basis. Courses graded as Pass/Fail may count towards elective credit for graduation only.  No more than 12 semester hours total may be taken on a P/F basis to count towards graduation requirements. The designation “Pass” is awarded only for work equivalent to a grade of C/2.0 or better. The university registrar shall be notified at the time of registration which courses, if any, are being taken on a Pass/Fail basis.

Students who change majors and who find they have already completed courses on an P/F basis which are required in the new major may (1) have the Pass grade converted to a grade of C/2.0, (2) retake the course for a grade, or (3) at the direction of the program, complete a substitute course.

Grade Substitution Repeats

Grade substitution repeats allow students to retake courses to attempt to earn a better grade. While all grades will be recorded on the transcript, the first grade will be removed from the grade point average calculation once the final grade of the retaking of the course is posted. The following rules apply:

• Only courses in which the student earned a grade of C-/1.7 or less may be repeated for grade substitution.
• Special permission must be secured from the dean of the college of the major for any repeat of a course in which the original grade earned was a C/2.0 or higher.
• Students may repeat up to 18 hours of courses for grade forgiveness. After repeating 18 hours for grade forgiveness, all grades will count in the grade point average regardless of the number of times repeated.
• A course substitution can only be used one time per course. While students may retake courses as many times as needed (unless expressly prohibited), only the first grade will be removed from the GPA calculation. Any subsequent grades from retaking the same course will count in the grade point average regardless of the number of times repeated.
• The final grade earned in a course is the official grade.
• This policy only applies to courses taken at LR and students may not transfer in a course to count as grade forgiveness of a course taken at LR.

Grade Appeals

Lenoir-Rhyne University takes seriously the concerns and academic complaints of its students. LR will provide a prompt response to all written complaints, including those challenging course grades.

A student having what they believe to be a substantive reason for a course grade appeal should, wherever possible and reasonable, attempt to discuss the problem with the instructor and reach an informal resolution.  If the student is dissatisfied with the informal resolution, is unable to reach an informal resolution, or chooses not to engage in the informal resolution process, the student should put their course grade appeal in writing (electronic or hard copy) to the college dean of the course in question no later than 30 days after the posting of final grades at the end of the relevant semester. The university reserves the right to dismiss course grade appeals that are not submitted within this time period, and any appeals made later than the mid-term of the following full semester (fall/spring) will not be considered. 

For more information on the grade appeals process, please see The Lenoir-Rhyne University Student Handbook.

Class Attendance

Dean’s & President’s List

Dean’s List

In recognition of high academic achievement, a Dean’s List is announced each semester. The Dean’s List is composed of students with a grade point average of 3.50 to 3.89, provided no grade is below a C/2.0 and the student carried at least 12 hours of letter-graded courses. Students with incomplete grade(s) at the end of the semester are not eligible for the Dean’s List.

President’s List

In recognition of highest academic achievement, the President’s List is announced each semester. The President’s List is composed of students with a grade point average of 3.90 or better, provided no grade is below a C/2.0 and provided the student carried at least 12 hours of letter-graded courses. Students with incomplete grade(s) at the end of the semester are not eligible for the President’s List.

ACADEMIC STANDING REQUIREMENTS

Academic Standing

To remain in good academic standing or return to good standing after academic alert, students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0. Failure to meet this standard will result in being subject to the Academic Alert process (see below).

Any first-semester undergraduate degree-seeking full-time student who receives a 0.0 GPA in their first term will be automatically suspended.

Academic standing is reviewed at the end of each semester (fall, spring, summer). Cumulative GPA is calculated solely on courses taken at Lenoir-Rhyne. Transfer credit does not affect the cumulative GPA at LR.

In addition to academic standing requirements, students must maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) by achieving a satisfactory ratio (67%) of earned semester hours to attempted semester hours for financial aid. For more information on the SAP regulations, see the Financial Aid section of this catalog.

Responsibility for Maintaining Good Academic Standing

Maintaining good academic standing is the student’s responsibility. The university enforces criteria for academic standing and for satisfactory academic progress. While faculty will issue grades at mid-term and at the end of each semester, students must monitor their own academic progress. 

Student academic records and progress will not be discussed with any other person except employees of Lenoir-Rhyne University with a legitimate educational interest unless a Student Disclosure Waiver is on file in the Registrar’s Office. 

Some academic programs have additional requirements beyond university-wide academic standing policies. These program-specific requirements are in additional to minimum university requirements for continuation in these particular programs. Students who do not meet these program requirements may be removed from these programs. However, removal from a program does not necessarily mean removal from the university, as long as the university standards are met.

Academic Alert and Suspension

Students who fail to meet minimum standards for good academic standing will be subject to the Academic Alert process, which consists of three progressive levels: Academic Notice, Academic Warning, and Academic Suspension.

Lenoir-Rhyne requires students to have a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 in order to remain in good academic standing and to graduate. Students are permitted a maximum of two semesters (fall and spring) with a GPA below 2.0 before facing academic suspension. These two semesters do not have to be consecutive. Summer terms do not count towards these two semesters.

Any full-time first-time degree-seeking student (in fall or spring) who earns a 0.0 GPA will be academically suspended and will be subject to those policies (see Academic Suspension policies below).

Progression of Academic Status:

1. Academic Notice - First term with a cumulative GPA below 2.0.

2. Academic Warning - Second term with a cumulative GPA below 2.0.

3. Academic Suspension - Third or subsequent term with a cumulative GPA below 2.0.

Students who face academic suspension may appeal their status and may be allowed an additional term of warning during which students must complete required benchmarks. For more information on the appeals process, contact BEAR Central. The decision for the appeal is final.

Academic Notice

Academic Warning

Students who do not meet the requirement for good academic standing for a second time are subject to Academic Warning. Students placed on Academic Warning are expected to comply with all terms of Academic Warning and should work diligently with BEAR Central and their advisor to improve their standing. These terms may include limited number of enrolled credit hours, academic success classes, academic coaching, tutoring, study hall or other interventions.

Students on Academic Warning may be permitted to continue participating in NCAA athletic activities, University Club Sports, Intramural activities and other university clubs and organizations unless a specific organization has a written policy stating otherwise. Student athletes should contact the NCAA Compliance Officer for more information.

Academic Warning cannot be appealed.

Academic Suspension

Students who fail to meet criteria for good academic standing for a third time are subject to Academic Suspension and cannot enroll at Lenoir-Rhyne University during regular fall or spring semester (not including summer). Options for students who are suspended include filing a Suspension Appeal for extenuating circumstances, attending summer classes to attempt to raise the GPA to be in good standing or using the Academic Renewal policy (described below). Information on the appeal process can be found below.

Students placed on Academic Suspension may be subject to loss or reduction of Financial Aid (see Satisfactory Academic Progress and Financial Aid).

Students facing Academic Suspension may be allowed to enroll in up to nine credit hours in summer school at Lenoir-Rhyne. If they meet the criteria for good academic standing by the conclusion of the second summer session, they will be permitted to register for the fall.

Suspension Appeal

A student who wishes to appeal an Academic Suspension must contact BEAR Central and complete the appeal application packet within 14 days from the notification date of academic suspension at the end of the term. Complete appeal guidelines are found on the BEAR Central website.

The appeal decision is final.

Academic Renewal 

Students who have returned to good standing under Academic Renewal will be subject to normal academic standing policies.

GRADUATION

Graduation Application

During spring semester of the junior year, the student must complete an application for degree form in the Registrar’s Office or online. This form requests information needed to conduct the degree audit and print the diploma. Failure to complete this form could mean a delay in receiving the diploma and omission from commencement exercises.

Graduation Requirements

Residency

To graduate from Lenoir-Rhyne University, students must complete a minimum of 120 credits with at least 25% of the credit hours earned at Lenoir-Rhyne. Students transferring from two-year institutions must complete a minimum of 60 credits, including at least one-half of the major requirements, at Lenoir-Rhyne. All students must complete a minimum of 12 hours in the major and 6 hours in a minor at Lenoir-Rhyne.

“In residence” courses include all regularly taken courses registered through Lenoir-Rhyne. The following types of credit DO NOT COUNT as in residence: AP, IB, or CLEP; credit by exam; transfer credit; military credit; experiential education.

Minimum Grade Point Average

All students must earn a minimum major, minor (if applicable) and cumulative grade point averages of 2.00. Directions for how to calculate GPA are under the Grading Information section above. Only grades for courses taken at Lenoir-Rhyne are used in calculating grade point average.

• Cumulative grade point average - includes grades for all completed course attempts (unless specifically excluded by grade repeat policy) taken as a degree-seeking undergraduate student.
• Major grade point average - includes grades for all courses required for the major, including technical requirements, cores, concentrations, tracks and major electives. This also applies to approved course substitutions and all completed attempts, unless specifically excluded by grade repeat policy.
• Minor grade point average - includes grades for all courses required for the minor, including any approved course substitutions and all completed course attempts, unless specifically excluded by grade repeat policy.

Some majors/minors have higher GPA requirements for graduation, which are specified on their program descriptions.

All Incomplete grades must be resolved.

Additional Requirements

• All course and other requirements of the general education, major(s) and any minor(s) must also be met.
• Some programs require students to take a comprehensive assessment examination in their major field of study. This examination will be taken in the students’ final semester and will be administered by the programs.

Commencement Attendance

Commencement ceremonies are held in May of each year for all students who graduate at any time in the academic year. Please see the academic calendar for spring semester for the date of commencement.   

Students participating in the ceremony are required to have a cap and gown. Information about ordering graduation items, including caps, gowns, and announcements, can be found in the Commencement Handbook on the LR website (https://www.lr.edu/public-events/commencement) or at the annual Grad Fair in spring semester.

Graduation and Latin Honors

The graduating senior who earns the highest grade point average receives First Honors; the senior who earns the next highest grade point average receives Second Honors. In each case, the grade point average cannot be lower than 3.40.

A senior with a grade point average from 3.40 to 3.59 will graduate cum laude; with a grade-point average from 3.60 to 3.89 will graduate magna cum laude; with a grade point average of 3.90 or more, summa cum laude.