4.18 Policies and Procedures for Undergraduate Degree Requirement Compliance Certification
On a timely basis, the Faculty Senate Academic Policy Committee shall initiate the resolution for granting undergraduate degrees to candidates approved by the faculty of academic departments or programs and the Academic Deans of the respective Colleges or School.
4.18.1 Registrar
4.18.1.1 The Registrar shall provide, on a semi-annual basis and by major, data on degree plan exceptions and substitutions processed by its office. The report shall be provided to the Provost, the Academic Deans, and faculty members of each academic department or program.
4.18.1.2 The Registrar shall provide, on a semester basis, to each Academic Dean and academic department or program a list of undergraduate degree recipients.
4.18.2 Colleges or School
4.18.2.1 Academic Deans shall provide, on a semi-annual basis and by major, data on exceptions exclusively processed by their respective office. The report shall be provided to the Provost, academic departments or programs, and faculty members.
4.18.2.2 Academic Deans shall compile a preliminary list of undergraduate students who have been cleared for graduation. The preliminary list shall be submitted by the Dean's office to each academic department or program for review by its faculty members. Degrees shall be granted only to those students whose names appear on the preliminary list, have successfully completed the last semester, and have met the degree requirements. Exceptions must be approved by the Academic Dean in accordance with the policies and procedures established herein.
4.18.2.3 Each College and School shall have a college-wide Undergraduate Degree Requirement Compliance Committee (preferably one representative from each academic department or program) elected by its full-time faculty members that will:
- solicit input from departments/programs and provide guidelines for approval of exceptions, including those exceptions relegated to the Academic Dean's office;
- approve or disapprove requests for exceptions of the following types:
- waiver of grade point average requirement(s) for graduation;
- grade replacements for non-freshman courses;
- waiver of time limits for catalogs and courses;
- waiver of number of credit hours required for a major, a minor, or a degree;
- other major deviations from degree program requirements as defined by the Committee;
- review and evaluate data provided by the Registrar on, but not limited to, the following activities:
- waiver of the three (3) time repeat rule;
- "W" given after the drop date including withdrawals from the University;
- grade changes;
- waiver of course or program prerequisites;
- mediate complaints and grievances filed with the Committee concerning degree program compliance procedures; and
- monitor the compliance process with regard to academic Rules and Regulations.
4.18.3 Academic Departments or Programs
4.18.3.1 The preliminary list of undergraduate degree candidates submitted by the Dean's office to the academic departments or programs shall be subject to review by the respective department or program faculty members.
4.18.3.2 Each academic department or program shall have one or more faculty members serving as undergraduate academic advisors, who will be responsible for providing academic counseling and advice. Written guidelines and policies should be developed regarding prerequisite waivers, course substitutions, and the use of "independent study" courses to satisfy degree requirements. The content should then be reviewed by department faculty, the College Undergraduate Degree Requirement Compliance Committee, and the Dean of the College or School. Once the guidelines and policies are approved, they should be distributed to the undergraduate students.
4.18.3.3 The undergraduate academic advisor shall screen requests for exceptions to be submitted to the College Undergraduate Degree Requirement Compliance Committee.
4.18.3.4 The undergraduate academic advisor and the Department Chair shall approve course prerequisite waivers.
4.18.3.5 The undergraduate academic advisor, Department Chair, and the Academic Dean shall approve course substitutions.
4.18.3.6 Substitution of an independent study course for a non-free elective or manual driven course in a degree program is subject to approval by the Departmental Curriculum Committee.