INDEX

According to the Faculty Handbook (Chapter II, Section II), the basic mission of the University is instruction of students; therefore, the procedures for curriculum modification are most important and should be clear.

The basic and most important unit in determining curricula is the academic department. Departments recommend their own departmental courses and programs after careful consideration by the faculty of that department. Each department should have a representational curriculum committee involving faculty and undergraduate students (and graduate students, if there are graduate programs in that department).

Each college/school shall have a curriculum committee to carefully consider changes to courses, programs, policies, or structures within or affecting that college/school. This curriculum committee should include faculty and undergraduate students (and graduate students, if there are graduate programs in that department).

In addition, the Graduate School, the Teacher Education Council, and the Core Curriculum Committee shall each carefully consider changes to courses, programs, or structures within or affecting their programs. These curriculum committees shall include faculty, undergraduate, and graduate students.

COMMENT: The ad hoc committee chose not to define the total make-up of departmental curriculum committees, the Graduate School Curriculum Committee, the Teacher Education Council, and the Core Curriculum Committee. It did, however, want to suggest that each of these groups should be representational of all areas that its decisions would impact.

The Academic Policies and Procedures Committee is the final committee to carefully consider changes to the University's curriculum, policies, and structures. (A thorough explanation of the policies and procedures pertaining to this committee follows in section “C. Academic Policies and Procedures Committee.”)

The Provost and the Chancellor shall communicate to the University in a timely fashion their decisions on proposals and motions involving changes in academic policies, programs, or structures.

GUIDELINE I

COMMENT: Committee members present at this meeting believed that the original Guidelines in the 1990 document reflected the responsibility for and protected the role of faculty with regard to development of curriculum. The committee members present acknowledged that structural changes might have an impact on curriculum development.

Any proposal for changes in a department's courses or programs must first be acted upon by the department before being submitted to the college advisory council. Any proposal for changes (excluding course changes within existing programs) in a college’s or school’s programs or structures must first be acted upon by the faculty of the college or school concerned before being presented to the Academic Policies and Procedures Committee. After a proposal for curricular or structural change has been acted upon by a college or school and after the dean of that college or school has submitted the proposal to all other necessary groups, the dean may then present the proposal to the Academic Policies and Procedures Committee.

GUIDELINE II

Recommendations for changes in general academic policies or academic programs must be submitted to the Academic Policies and Procedures Committee by any of the following:

Department, program, college, or school
Faculty Senate
Student Government Association
Graduate Student Association
Council of Deans
Council of Chairs

COMMENT: The changes include the addition of Graduate Student Association and Council of Chairs.

If the proposal does not originate out of a specific academic department, it must go through one of the bodies listed above.

GUIDELINE III

The Academic Policies and Procedures Committee is, in most circumstances, the final recommending body to the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and the Chancellor. Faculty and student members on this committee serve as representatives for the faculty and students, respectively.

GUIDELINE IV

If a proposal for changes in a department's curriculum is not approved by that department, the group initiating the proposal may appeal (within 90 days after rejection) first to the advisory council of the college to which that department belongs. If the proposal is rejected by the college or school, the group may appeal (as above) to the Academic Policies and Procedures Committee.

When a departmental proposal is not recommended by other necessary groups, the department may appeal to the Academic Policies and Procedures Committee (within 90 days after rejection).
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B. THE ACADEMIC POLICIES AND PROCEDURES COMMITTEE

Members on Committee: The faculty membership of AP&P shall not exceed fifteen and shall come from tenure-track faculty and include at least one faculty member from each college or school with additional members based on a proportional FTE faculty distribution. The student membership shall include one undergraduate student from Student Government Association and one graduate student from the Graduate Student Association. The ex officio non-voting membership of AP&P should include one person from each of the following areas: Library, Registrar, Instructional Technology Services, Provost’s Office and Enrollment Services.

Faculty membership should reflect an equitable distribution on a sliding scale, among the existing schools and college. The data that supports the distribution should be reviewed annually.

The chair of AP&P shall be elected from the faculty membership. The chair is a non-voting member. The seat vacated by the chair shall be replaced by a faculty member from the same college or school as the chair. The term of chair is for three years and is renewable. The chair shall receive quarter reassigned time per semester.

Report To: The Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.

Areas of Responsibility: The major area of responsibility shall be the curriculum. Other areas are: advanced placement; graduation requirements; appeals concerning academic matters from any college, department, member of the faculty or students, and matters referred to it by the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs or the Chancellor.

Operating Procedures for the AP&P Committee:

1. Proposals to be considered by the Academic Policies and Procedures Committee must be agenda-ready and in the hands of the members of the committee at least twenty-five (25) calendar days prior to each monthly meeting. Agenda-ready means that the proposals have been approved by all necessary groups except the AP&P Committee.

2. Proposals to be presented to the AP&P Committee should be submitted using the format for the approved AP&P Proposal Form. Hotlink to form

3. Committee meetings are limited to two hours in length unless a vote to extend is passed. In the event of a backlog of Committee business, a second meeting is to be called for that month.

4. Voting on proposals is by voice vote or by a show of hands and recorded on an individual tally sheet. Proxy representation for the purpose of voting is NOT permitted.

5. A quorum for the transaction of business shall consist of two-thirds majority of members of the Committee. Decisions shall be by a simple majority of the votes cast.

6. The order of consideration of proposals before the Committee is to be rotated among the colleges and schools.

7. The appropriate dean's office is to send a copy of an agenda-ready proposal presented to the Committee to each department listed as being affected by the proposal.
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C. CURRICULUM APPROVAL PROCESS FLOW CHART

Flow Chart

D. SPECIFIC ACADEMIC ISSUES

Absences from classes and class attendance

General attendance policy

1. It is the policy of Appalachian State University that class attendance is considered to be an important part of a student's educational experience. Students are expected to attend every meeting of their classes, and are responsible for class attendance. No matter what bases exist for absence, students are held accountable for academic activities, and faculty may require special work or tests to make up for the missed class or classes. Faculty, at their discretion, may include class attendance as a criterion in determining a student's final grade in the course. On the first day of class, faculty must inform students in writing of their class attendance policy and the effect of that policy on their final grade. If class attendance is to affect a student's final grade, a statement to this effect must be a part of the course syllabus distributed to each student.

NOTE: A student who does not attend a class during one of its first two meetings may, at the discretion of the academic department, lose her or his seat in that class. Further, if a class meets only one time per week-e.g., a laboratory or an evening class-the student must attend the FIRST meeting of that class or risk losing her or his seat.

2. A syllabus is to be prepared for each course and distributed at the first of the semester. The syllabus should include the following: an explanation of course goals and objectives, the name of the text and any other materials required of each student, the instructor's office hours, an explanation of how the grade is to be determined, and an explanation of any additional reading, papers, projects and examinations which the instructor expects to give or assign.

3. Syllabi for courses taught in the present and previous semester should be on file in the departmental offices and should be made available to students who request them. These syllabi would indicate the structure of courses as they are being or have been taught.

4. If a student does not regularly attend an audited course, the instructor may request an administrative withdrawal grade to be assigned. The instructor should provide documentation to the Registrar’s Office with the recommendation.

5. The Student Health Services DOES NOT write medical excuses for students who miss a class for illness or injury. However, faculty may call Health Services at (262-3100) to verify the day and time the student was seen. The nature of the student’s illness or problem will not be divulged unless the student has signed the appropriate release of medical information.

6. Classes prior to vacation end with the student's last class prior to vacation - rather than all classes ending at 5:00 p.m. (April, 1989 AP&P Minutes)

b. Attendance policy relating to participation in university sponsored activities

As an integral part of the academic program at Appalachian State University, the University sponsors and otherwise supports co-curricular programs, athletic programs, and other out-of-class activities such as field trips. Participation in such activities occasionally requires a student to miss one or more class meetings.

A student who expects to miss one or more class meetings because of participation in a University - sponsored activity has several responsibilities: The student (in person) will notify the instructor in advance of any absence; the student is expected to complete all work missed by making up the work in advance or by completing any compensatory assignment that may be required by the instructor; the student is expected to maintain satisfactory progress in the course; and the student (otherwise) is expected to maintain satisfactory attendance in the class if so required. In the event that a student anticipates that participation in a University - sponsored activity will require missing more than 10% of the class meetings, the student is required to discuss this matter with his or her instructor at the beginning of the semester and may be advised to drop the course.

If the above responsibilities are met, it is expected that the instructor will excuse the absence and permit the student to make up missed work in whatever manner the instructor deems appropriate.

c. Emergency absences

When a student is out of town and unable to return to campus due to hospitalization, death in the family, or other extenuating circumstances, the student or the student’s parents may contact the Office of Student Development to request that professors be notified as to the reason for the absence. This notification is conveyed to the appropriate departmental office as a matter of information only and does not serve as an official excuse for class absence. Only individual faculty members make this determination, and documentation may be requested by the faculty members. The Office of Student Development does not provide this service when notification is received after the absence has occurred. Also, if a student is in town, that student is responsible for notifying the individual faculty members that she/he will be missing class.

(Updates approved AP&P 02/05/97)
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Academic Load

Undergraduate: An undergraduate student usually takes from 15 to 18 hours a semester. In special situations, an undergraduate student may take more than 18 hours a semester. To do this, the student must have prior approval of the dean of the college in which she/he is enrolled or the Director of General Studies if she/he has not declared a major. Registration for less than 12 hours places the student on part-time status.

An undergraduate student must take 12 semester hours during a regular semester (and if in summer school, six semester hours each session) in order to be a full-time student.

An undergraduate student taking a program leading to teacher licensure is required to student teach at least one semester in the area and at the level for which the student has been preparing. Student teaching will consist of full-time teaching activities under the guidance of a competent and experienced teacher, and usually occurs during one of the student’s last two semesters. The student must formally apply for admission to teacher education and be fully admitted at least one full semester, excluding summers, prior to student teaching, and must have met all student teaching prerequisites before being allowed to student teach. Students must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher to student teach. The student will earn 12 semester hours of credit for student teaching. Student teaching is not permitted during the summer.

The summer session at Appalachian is composed of various terms of different lengths; therefore, the academic load for a student is based upon the length of study in weeks. The terms range from 10 weeks for the entire semester, to two 5-week terms which are primarily for the undergraduate programs, and two 4-week terms for graduate and teacher education programs. In addition to the major terms, 3 and 2 week terms are used for some graduate level courses. The maximum undergraduate course load for the various terms is shown below. Students wishing to take hours in excess of the maximum load per term must obtain written permission from their dean.

Term Periods Maximum Academic Credit for

Undergraduate Students

10 weeks 12 hours

5 weeks 6 hours per term (7 hours when a

course carries 4-hours credit)

4 weeks 6 hours per term

3 & 2 weeks 1 course per term

Graduate: The maximum course load for a graduate student during the regular academic year is 15 hours per semester for a student without an assistantship, and 9-12 hours for those holding assistantships. For each summer session, the course load maximum is six semester hours for a four-or-five week term and 1 course per 3 & 2 week terms. Graduate students may not earn more than 12 hours for the entire summer.

For full-time resident credit, graduate students must be registered for a minimum of nine semester hours.

The maximum load for graduate students during the regular academic year and the summer session is outlined below.

Academic Year

Full-time without assistantship . . . . . .15 hours

Full-time with assistantship. . . 9 to 12 hours

Summer Session

4 & 5-week terms . . . . .. . . . . . . . 6 hours

3 & 2-week terms . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 course

A graduate student may not earn more than 12 hours for the entire summer.

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Academic Standing (Probation and Suspension policy)

Undergraduate: To continue at Appalachian in good academic standing, a student must earn, as a minimum, the following cumulative grade-point average (GPA) at the end of the semester indicated:

Cumulative GPA

Semester 1 1.50

Semester 2 1.75

Semester 3 1.90

Semester 4 (and thereafter) 2.00

NOTE: For the purpose of academic standing, a student who enters Appalachian as an undergraduate transfer will have the credit hours accepted from other collegiate institutions converted to semesters in residence at Appalachian. The conversion ratio is fifteen to one: i.e., fifteen semester hours of transfer credit is equivalent to one semester in residence.

Failure to earn a grade-point average indicated above will automatically place the student on academic probation during the semester that follows. (The grade-point average at Appalachian is computed only on the basis of coursework taken at Appalachian; i.e., grades earned on coursework taken at other collegiate institutions or by correspondence will not be computed in or allowed to affect the grade-point average at Appalachian.)

While on probation, however, a student will, within the limits prescribed below, be allowed to continue:

An undergraduate, whether admitted as a freshman, a transfer, or a special (non-degree seeking) student, will be allowed to enroll for a maximum of two (2) academic terms while on probation.

The dean of a college or school or the Director of General Studies can attach specific requirements before enrollment on probation is approved. These requirements may include special advising sessions, a limitation on the number of hours for which the student may enroll the requirement that certain courses be repeated, enrollment in developmental courses, etc.

If a student uses the two terms of academic probation mentioned above, but again fails to earn a cumulative grade-point average sufficient to place her or him in good academic standing, that student will be automatically suspended from further enrollment at Appalachian. At that point, the student's only recourse is to enroll during the University's summer terms until such time that the grade-point average places her or him in good academic standing. (A summer term does not count as a semester in residence for the purpose of computing academic eligibility. Undergraduate students in academic difficulty--probation or suspension--may always attend Appalachian during the summer.)

Students may apply for readmission under specific “Forgiveness Policies.”

Graduate Suspension & Dismissal: Graduate students who fail to maintain a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.00 may not be permitted to reregister as degree candidates without the written recommendation of the advisor and the approval of the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research (see Probationary Status). Normally, degree candidacy is discontinued for the student who has received as many as four grades of C, and if a graduate student receives a grade of “F” or “U’, the student may not continue in Graduate School unless the advisor submits in writing an acceptable recommendation to the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research. In no case may a graduate student be permitted to repeat more than one course to improve the grade, and the student who receives a second grade of (F, @F, U, or WF) may not continue toward the graduate degree under any circumstances.

Graduate credit accepted in fulfillment of the requirements for a graduate degree shall average not lower than 3.00, and no credit toward the degree shall be granted for a grade of (F, @F, U, or WF). Course work reported "Incomplete" must be completed within the following semester of the official ending of the course. The grade of D is not given in Graduate School. A grade of F or U is assigned to a student who arbitrarily discontinues meeting a class or who withdraws without making proper arrangements with the Registrar’s Office.

(Updates approved AP&P 10/12/94)

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Admissions Policies - Exceptions

Appalachian has adopted an admission policy for adults who may or may not meet the University’s usual admission requirements. The policy provides for a degree of flexibility in evaluating secondary or collegiate work taken at least three years prior to intended entry. The policy has two pertinent stipulations. First, in the event the applicant did not finish secondary school, yet could have graduated prior to 1990, she/he would be required to complete successfully the high school equivalency examination. (Any student who could have graduated from high school after 1990 must meet the UNC Minimum Admission Requirements if she/he is less than 24 years of age at the time of applying.) Second, students with prior collegiate work would receive credit toward graduation in a manner consistent with the University’s normal transfer policy. As part of the screening process, applicants being considered under the three-year policy may be requested to appear for an interview.

Former undergraduate Appalachian students may re-enter by means of one of two forgiveness policies. These policies will permit the student’s former cumulative grade-point average to be removed thereby allowing the student, upon returning, to begin a new grade-point average.

a. If the student has not attended Appalachian for a minimum of three (3) years

(including summer school), she/he will be re-admitted to the University if

coursework earned at other collegiate institutions during the period of absence from Appalachian has a minimum overall grade-point average of 2.0 (on a 4.0 scale). OR the student has not taken coursework at any other collegiate institution.

If the student has not attended Appalachian for a minimum of (1) year (including summer school), she/he must have earned a minimum of 30 new semester hours of transferable credit from other collegiate institutions since her or his last attendance at Appalachian. The grades earned at the other institutions will be averaged with the grades earned previously at Appalachian and the combined average must be a 2.0 (on a 4.0 scale).

A former undergraduate student may be readmitted under a forgiveness policy ONLY ONCE during her or his academic career. At no time during the “stop out” period shall the student be dually enrolled at Appalachian and at another institution.

These policies are designed for readmission to the University and do not override specific grade requirements of individual colleges and/or departments. Students returning to the University under a forgiveness policy must apply through the Office of Admissions and must complete a minimum of one year in residency (30 semester hours) beyond the date of their readmission.

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Advanced placement program, College level examination program, Defense activity for non-traditional education support, International baccalaureate

Appalachian participates in the Advanced Placement Program, the College Level Examination Program (SUBJECT TEST ONLY), the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support, and the International Baccalaureate Program. Students who have demonstrated their achievement on specific tests in any of these programs may have their test results submitted to the University Testing Center for consideration with regard to placement into advanced courses and for college credit. All students are encouraged to take these tests and to submit their scores for evaluation.

Students may also qualify for advanced placement and course credit by taking departmental tests in their areas of extensive specialization. Based upon these test results, the amount and nature of the credit granted is determined by the committee on academic policies and procedures and the pertinent department of instruction.

Test scores submitted from testing programs will remain valid for only ten years.

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Auditing Courses

Students enrolled at the University or students admitted with satisfactory records of experience and education may enroll for specific courses as auditors. Students, who audit courses must register in the Registrar’s Office, pay regular fees, are regular in attendance, but will not receive grades or credit. A “Request to Audit” form is available in the Registrar’s Office. It must be completed by the student, approved by the faculty member teaching the class, and submitted to the Registrar’s Office by no later than the end of the “Drop-Add Period” indicated in the published “Schedule of Classes.”

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Awarding degrees posthumously

Over the years, there have been times when members of our Senior Class have died prior to graduation. The following criteria and procedures will be used in the awarding of degrees posthumously.

Minimum Criteria:

1. Student must have been within 30 semester hours of

graduation.

2. Student must have been in good standing at the

University.

3. Students must have had an overall GPA of 2.0.

Procedure:

1. The Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Development/Dean of Students advises the family or member of the Appalachian community of the possibility of such an awarding.

2. The family and/or member of Appalachian State University faculty or administration makes the request to the Registrar.

3. The Registrar sends this request to the Chair of the appropriate department (one in which the student was majoring) for consideration by the faculty in that department.

4. Department Chair makes this recommendation to the Dean of the College.

5. Appropriate Dean makes this recommendation to the Provost.

6. Provost makes this recommendation to the Chancellor.

7. Upon approval by the Chancellor, the Dean and the Registrar are notified.

8. The Registrar orders the diploma.

9. The Chair of the Department notifies the family and sets up a private ceremony on the day of graduation (or as soon thereafter as possible). The Dean of the College presents the diploma.

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Catalog Adoption

A new catalog is issued biennially. While course offerings are fairly continuous from year to year, the faculty reserves the right to make changes in curricula, degree requirements and academic policies. The information in any given catalog is, therefore, usually valid only for the two-year period of its issue, and is superseded by subsequent issues. Any interested person should consult the most recent issue of the University catalog for current information about the instructional program.

Any changes in degree requirements do not, however, affect a student already enrolled in a degree program. In those rare cases where specific required courses are no longer available, the dean's office will identify suitable substitutes which do not increase the overall credit requirements. All students may elect to graduate in accordance with the degree requirements as recorded in the catalog that is current at the time of their first registration or any subsequent edition (provided the student is enrolled during a period in which the catalog is in force) except that any catalog chosen must not be more than six years old. Students electing to graduate under a new catalog must meet all requirements of the catalog under which they wish to graduate subject to the exception noted above for those cases when specific courses are no longer available. In order to change the catalog under which they intend to graduate, students must notify the office of the dean of the college in which they are enrolled or the Director of General Studies if they have not declared a major. Graduate students will need to notify the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research of their intent to change catalogs.

An undergraduate student returning to Appalachian under a University “Forgiveness Policy” must graduate under the catalog in force at the time they re-enter. (Subsequent catalogs are acceptable.)

Changes in academic policies become effective for all students on the date approved for implementation.

All graduate students may, and usually do, elect to graduate with the degree requirements in force during the time of their first registration at Appalachian, provided that they graduate within seven years of date of entry.

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Policies for Establishing and Reviewing
Centers and Institutes
at Appalachian State University

Introduction

One important means of fulfilling the mission of Appalachian State University is through partnerships with organizations such as private or corporate sponsors, educational institutions, and federal or state agencies. A wealth of effective partnerships involving UNC institutions have been developed under the rubric of centers and institutes. Such units are usually multidisciplinary, have an important educational component, and may be established when a collection of faculty have secured long-term funding commitments to pursue unique research, public service, and/or instructional endeavors.

Centers and institutes are established within Appalachian State to strengthen and enrich multidisciplinary programs of research, public service, or instruction conducted by the faculty and staff. They also may provide undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral students with added research opportunities, facilities, and assistance, as well as enhance their involvement in public service and educational activities. Centers and institutes can also play a valuable role in the recruiting of faculty along with cross-disciplinary teaching, research and service. Centers and institutes can also have a strong positive impact on the economic development of the state by providing job opportunities, supplying technical assistance and training, fostering community development, and enhancing the transfer of new technologies.

The objective of the policies that follow is to provide a uniform framework governing the establishment, review, and discontinuation of centers and institutes at Appalachian State University. Such policies should help ensure the effective and efficient use of resources. Specific types of centers and institutes, as well as the policies and procedures pertaining to these individual categories, are defined in this document.

Definitions for Specific Categories of Centers and Institutes

Centers Versus Institutes

Both centers and institutes offer programs attracting faculty, students, and staff from various academic departments or other structured units working toward a common purpose. In practice, an institute frequently refers to an activity with a broader scope than a center . For example, an institute may create centers as separate units within its administrative structure.

Institutional Versus Interinstitutional Centers and Institutes

Centers and institutes may be either institutional or interinstitutional in nature, and may be designated as research, public service, or instructional units. They may include the participation of other institutions, agencies, or organizations, such as other colleges and universities, schools, hospitals, industry, foundations, or governmental bodies.

Institutional

Institutional centers and institutes report to the Chancellor or designee. These centers or institutes may collaborate with units or departments from other institutions for specific activities or projects, but fiscal and administrative oversight is limited to Appalachian State University. Institutional centers at Appalachian State University are subject to these policies and procedures for establishment and review.

Interinstitutional

Interinstitutional centers and institutes involve more than one campus within the UNC system for participation, including shared administrative and fiscal oversight or substantial involvement of more than one UNC institution in ongoing activities. Centers are also considered interinstitutional if the Office of the President provides fiscal and/or administrative oversight. Each interinstitutional center must designate the unit to provide administrative and/or fiscal oversight. In some cases these responsibilities may be assigned to two separate institutions or assumed by the Office of the President. The UNC Board of Governors provides oversight for all interinstitutional centers and institutes in accordance with these regulations.

Interinstitutional centers serve to promote collaboration and to minimize duplication within the University. They increase the opportunities for external funding by enhancing interdisciplinary collaborations and by facilitating access to a wider range of facilities, faculty, students, and other resources. Interinstitutional centers may also enhance outreach and public service to the citizens of North Carolina by providing a coordination of “regional sites” in fields such as small business and economic development, cooperative extension, public health, the environment, and teacher training.

The process of establishing and reviewing interinstitutional centers is not covered by this document, but instead is subject to the rules and policies of the Office of the President and the UNC Board of Governors. Those interested in planning and establishing interinstitutional centers should see UNC Policy Manual, chapter 400.5[R]. The process of establishing and reviewing interinstitutional centers involving non UNC institutions is not covered by this document.

Types of Centers and Institutes

As explained below, centers and institutes may have as their primary mission instruction, public service, or research. Centers or institutes, whatever their primary mission, may participate or assist in academic curricula in cooperation with academic units. In addition, centers or institutes may have non-academic titles for participating faculty. However, in no case may centers or institutes at Appalachian State University offer academic courses, have jurisdiction over academic curricula, offer faculty appointments, or originate promotion or tenure for faculty.

? Research: A research center or institute has research as its primary mission. Although classified as a research center or institute, such a unit may also provide instruction, training, technical assistance, or public service programs.

? Public Service: A public service center or institute has public service or technical assistance as its primary mission. Research, instruction, and training activities may also be conducted as secondary components of the mission.

? Instructional: An instructional center or institute has training or instruction as its primary mission. Although classified as an instructional center or institute, such a unit may also engage in research or public service programs.

Membership Centers or Institutes

Any center or institute may also be defined as a membership center or institute. These units receive a substantial portion of their funding from membership fees paid by corporate or other private or governmental entities to pursue research, public service, or instructional activities of mutual benefit. Membership agreements are routed through Appalachian State University using the standard internal processing forms for approvals of sponsored program requests. Once the agreement is signed and the fees have been paid by the member organization, the agreement is processed as a sponsored program award by Appalachian State University.

Purpose and Scope of Centers and Institutes

Centers and institutes must avoid unnecessary duplication within Appalachian State University. Each unit seeks to differentiate its mission, activities, and/or clientele from other Appalachian State units, and to make its facilities available to other constituent institutions for cooperative activities as appropriate. The activities of a center or institute may be funded from state appropriations, from external funds sought for that purpose, or both. Unless organized specifically in response to legislation and appropriations approved by the North Carolina General Assembly to focus on a specific state need, each center and institute is expected to demonstrate a strong foundation of non-state support to justify its establishment and continuing operation.

Institutional centers and institutes are established or discontinued at the discretion of the Chancellor and Board of Trustees and consistent with these policies for establishment and review. Centers and institutes may be given the authority to manage space, budget, and personnel matters.

A center or institute at Appalachian State University is responsible to the Chancellor or, by his or her delegation, to another administrative officer. The director of a campus center or institute is appointed by the Chancellor. If the director's position is that of a non-teaching administrative officer, the appointment is made in accordance with existing policies for such appointments. If a faculty appointment is involved, the regular departmental and college procedures for faculty appointments are followed. Associate or assistant directors are appointed by the director, subject to the approval of the Chancellor or a designated administrative officer of the institution.

Procedures for Authorization to Establish a Center or Institute

Proposals to Establish a Center or Institute

Proposals to establish a center or institute at Appalachian State University must include the following:

the name of the proposed center or institute;
the specific objectives and goals of the proposed unit;
the unit's relevance to the missions of Appalachian State University and its units, including the impact upon the existing academic departments, colleges/schools, and centers and institutes, along with possible duplication with existing units;
a statement about any anticipated effects of the proposed unit on the instructional programs of Appalachian State University;
the position description and name, if known, of the proposed director;
a description of any proposed advisory or policy board(s) and a description of their responsibilities;
a description of the proposed unit's organizational structure, including charts showing the proposed unit's organization and its relationship to other units within Appalachian State University;
budget estimates for the first year of operation, projections for the following four years, and anticipated sources of funding, including start-up funding;
a statement of operating needs such as equipment and library resources;
a description of immediate space needs and projections of future space needs;
any additional information necessary to support the request to establish;

Procedures for Approval of Proposed Centers or Institutes

Regardless of where a center or institute is to be established, approval of the Board of Trustees is required. Steps in the process are as follows:

For proposals within the Division of Academic Affairs, recommendation from the Dean after consultation with the college/school executive committee (associate/assistant deans and department chairs).

b. Approval by the Vice Chancellor. If the proposed center or institute is to be established at the division level rather than in a department or college, consideration must include consultation with the Council of Deans or, otherwise, the division's primary administrative advisory body.

c. Approval by the Chancellor. If the proposed center or institute is at the Chancellor level, consideration must include consultation with the Vice Chancellors and the primary administrative advisory body of the division in which the entity is to be located.

d. Approval by the Board of Trustees.

The campus process should include consideration of the following:

the proposed name of the center or institute to assure that it realistically and accurately reflects the mission, activities, and clientele of the unit;
the relevance of the proposed center or institute to the mission of the university and its units;
objectives and organization of the proposed center or institute and whether these objectives can be achieved as effectively within the existing institutional structure;
information about any similar units at Appalachian State University or in the State of North Carolina and any proposed relationships or possible overlaps with them; and
the nature of potential sources and estimated amounts of funding required to initiate and sustain the center or institute, and whether such sources and estimates are viable and realistic.

A change in the name of a previously established interinstitutional center or institute does not require Board approval, but must be requested in writing to the Chancellor. If an existing institutional center wishes to expand its scope as an interinstitutional center, a request for authorization to establish must be submitted to the UNC President in accordance with UNC Policy Manual, chapter 400.5[R]. The request must address the impact of the proposed change to interinstitutional status. Once the change in status to an interinstitutional center or institute is approved, the unit must adhere to the authority and lines of responsibility described in UNC Policy Manual, chapter 400.5 [R].

Periodic Review of Centers and Institutes

All centers and institutes at Appalachian State University are to be reviewed three years after their inception and thereafter on a rolling five year review cycle. Continuation of a center or institute is contingent upon the following process:

For centers and institutes within the Division of Academic Affairs, t he recommendation of the Dean after consultation with the college/school executive committee (associate/assistant deans and department chairs).
Approval by the Vice Chancellor. If the proposed center or institute is established at the division level rather than in a department or college, approval must include consultation with the Council of Deans or, otherwise, the division's primary administrative advisory body.
Approval by the Chancellor. If the proposed center or institute is at the Chancellor level, approval must include consultation with the Vice Chancellors and the primary administrative advisory body in which the entity is located.
Approval by the Board of Trustees.

The reporting format is included as Appendix I. The evaluation process should address the following questions with particular attention:

What is the relationship between the objectives of the center or institute and the mission of Appalachian State University?
Is current funding of the unit sufficient to continue its operation? If the unit was originally given start-up funds from the University or other granting agencies, has it been able to attract sufficient external funds to continue without major additional institutional support?
Are the unit's stated goals and objectives being met? Are the support and training of students consistent with the unit's stated goals and objectives?
What are the quality and quantity of scholarly activity by faculty, professional staff, and students as reflected in the unit's output (e.g., publications, patents, grants, contracts)?
Do current operations duplicate the efforts of other units?
Do financial audits and professional evaluations demonstrate that the unit is being managed appropriately?
Are the facilities available to the unit adequate for its continued operation?
Are the unit's clients being served? (The clients may include students, faculty, University administration, practicing professionals, the general public, the North Carolina General Assembly, or funding agencies, as may be appropriate considering the unit's mission.)

Procedures for Discontinuation of a Center or Institute

Appalachian State University may discontinue an institutional center or institute at the discretion of the Chancellor in accordance with campus policy. The adequacy of funding sources, the status of key faculty, and the current appropriateness of the mission, goals, or objectives of the center or institute are among the critical elements in determining whether it should continue operations. There are, of course, instances where the continuing operation of the center is of sufficient importance to warrant some additional financial assistance from the institution on an interim basis. However, if the external sources of support have been lost, discontinuation is strongly advised unless alternative long-term prospects for funding can be identified.

When it becomes necessary to discontinue an interinstitutional center or institute, the Chancellor of the administrative institution(s) should forward a written request to the President, with a copy to the Vice President for Research. The Chancellor may make this decision, in consultation with the other participating constituent institutions. After considering the recommendations of the Chancellor and the Vice President for Research, the President will notify the Chancellors of the constituent institutions that the discontinuation has been approved. If the UNC Office of the President is directly responsible for the interinstitutional center or institute, the President will confer with the affected campus Chancellors before approving discontinuation.

The “phase-out” period for institutional or interinstitutional centers or institutes that are to be discontinued shall be sufficient to permit an orderly termination or transfer of contractual obligations and to allow an effort to find alternative employment for full-time staff. Normally, the “phase-out” period shall be no more than one year after the end of the academic year in which final approval is given to discontinue the center or institute.

Exceptions to These Regulations

The President of The University of North Carolina may define exceptions to these regulations.

A PPENDIX I

R EPORTING F ORMAT FOR I NSTITUTIONAL C ENTERS AND I NSTITUTES

• Center

• Name of Center or Institute

• Year Established (mm/dd/yyyy)

• Internet Home Page URL

• Primary Designation (Research, Public Service, Instruction)

• Participating Campuses (or other entities)

• Director

• Name

• Title

• Address

• Phone and FAX Numbers

• E-mail Address

• Other Contact name

• Other email address (leave blank if none provided)

• Mission Statement

• Relevance to Institutional Missions (including involvement with instructional programs)

• Measures of Performance - Fiscal Year _______

• Personnel

• Number of FTE (equivalent) Faculty and Staff: EPA Positions ____ SPA Positions ____

• Number of FTE (equivalent) Students: Doctoral ____ Masters ____ Undergraduate ____

• Funds (actually received during specified FY)

• Direct State Appropriations: $__________

• Total External Support from Grants and Contracts: $__________

• All Other University Support (overhead receipts, cost sharing, patent and licensing revenue, University allocations): $__________

• Gifts to the Center: $__________

• Total All Sources of Support (Items 1-4 above): $__________

• Contracts and Grants Awarded to Center (numbers)

• Numbers of Awards Federal ____ Industrial ____ State ____ Other ____ Total ____

• Dollar Amounts of Awards Federal $______ Industrial $ ______ State $______
Other $______ Total $______

• Expenditures

• Total Expenditures: $___________

• Publications (numbers) Books ____ Journal Articles ____ Proceedings Papers or Reports ____ Total ____

• Technology Transfer Activities (numbers) Invention Disclosures ____ Patent Applications ____ Patents Received ____ Licenses ____

• Membership Centers Only Number of Members _____ Number of Licenses Awarded to Center Members _____

• Major Services Delivered to North Carolina (including clientele served, societal benefits, State and regional priorities being addressed, economic impact)

• Examples of Most Significant Accomplishments

• Role of Center within the UNC System

• Geographic Region Served by Center

• Duplication of Center within UNC System (if yes, please justify)

• Inter-Institutional Cooperative Activities Involving the Center

• Planned Changes for Program Improvement During Next Planning Period

• Size (personnel, space)

• Budget (include internal versus external support)

• Administrative Structure and Governance

• Mission

• Centers or Institutes Proposing Discontinuation

• Reason for Discontinuation

• Proposed Activities for Phase Out Period

• Effective Date for Discontinuation

Available at: http://www.northcarolina.edu/content.php/legal/policymanual/contents.htm .

As a preexisting entity, the Center for Appalachian Studies may offer academic courses and define its academic curricula, but may not offer faculty appointments or originate promotion or tenure for faculty.

Although it is to be anticipated that most proposals for centers and institutes will originate within Academic Affairs, the approval and review procedures prescribed herein accommodate and apply to such entities within other divisions as well.
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Chancellor’s list

The Chancellor’s list was created to provide higher recognition to those full-time students who receive a grade-point average of 3.85 or higher in any semester.

An undergraduate student who carries 12 hours or more of coursework on which grade points are computed and who attains a grade-point average of 3.85 or better is placed on the chancellor’s list of honor students for that semester.

Only those courses earning credit toward graduation will be used in determining eligibility for honors.

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Change of course

Students may add courses or change sections through the first five days of a fall or spring semester-i.e., through the end of the published “drop-add” period. Students may drop courses without academic or financial penalty through the first five days of a fall or spring semester-i.e., through the end of the published “drop-add” period. AFTER THE FIRST FIVE DAYS, A STUDENT WILL BE ALLOWED TO DROP A CUMULATIVE TOTAL OF FOUR COURSES DURING HER OR HIS UNDERGRADUATE CAREER AT APPALACHIAN. Further, a course dropped after the “drop-add” period must be dropped by the end of the ninth week of the academic term. (Note: Refund Policy: There is no refund or adjustment of charges if a course is dropped after the first five days of classes. A student who holds a tuition remission or award must pay back the entire remission or award if that student withdraws from courses.) Exceptions to this policy will require the approval of the instructor, departmental chair, and the dean of the college/school in which the course is offered. (Note: This policy went into effect during the fall semester, 1995. Courses dropped prior to fall, 1995 will not be counted in the above mentioned limit of four.)

Any drops approved for exceptional circumstances will not be used in computing the grade-point average and will not be recorded on the permanent record.

During the “drop-add” period, a course may be changed from credit to audit with no academic penalty. To accomplish this, the student must obtain the necessary form from the Registrar’s Office. Permission of the instructor is required for a student to change a course from credit to audit.

Failure to complete a course that has not been officially dropped will automatically result in a grade of "F", which will be computed in the student's grade-point average.

(Updates approved AP&P 10/12/94)

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Change of major

Undergraduate students who are in General Studies will be sent information about officially declaring a major and having their records forwarded to the appropriate degree-granting college.

To make a change within one of the upper division colleges, the student should go the appropriate dean’s office to inform them of the change.

To make a change from one college to another, go to the dean’s office of the college where the new major is located. The personnel in the receiving college’s dean’s office will request the academic file from the college of the student’s previous major.

A graduate student who has been approved for admission to one graduate major but who wishes to transfer to another must request approval of the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research and the department into which they propose to transfer before the change may be made. A Change of Major request form is available in the Graduate School Office. A student not eligible to continue toward the degree in the major they where admitted, would not normally be permitted to transfer to another major.

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Classification

At the end of each semester, students are classified on the basis of semester hours. All students admitted as degree-seeking and who have earned fewer than 30 semester hours are classified as freshmen. Students who have earned at least 30 semester hours are classified as sophomores. Students who have earned at least 60 semester hours are classified as juniors. Students who have earned 90 semester hours are classified as seniors.

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Contact time

The university requires the following amount of contact time per credit hour generated. Please remember that the amount of contact time remains constant, regardless of the academic term in question.

One semester hour -- Minimum of 750 contact minutes

(15 weeks x 50 minutes)

Two semester hours -- Minimum of 1500 contact minutes

Three semester hours -- Minimum of 2250 contact minutes

Four semester hours -- Minimum of 3000 contact minutes

(Updates approved AP&P 11/01/89)

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Course examinations

All scheduled examination periods will be met at the assigned time. A final examination period is provided at the end of each semester. After the schedule for examinations has been made (i.e., after the schedule has been officially announced in the Schedule of Classes for a given semester), an instructor may NOT change the date or time of an examination without permission of the departmental chair and dean. A class which meets at an hour not provided for in the Final Examination Schedule must arrange for an examination during THE EXAMINATION PERIOD at an hour convenient to members of the class and the instructor, and with the approval of the departmental chair. Instructors determine how they will use the assigned period, but all scheduled examination periods will be met at the assigned time. A student may take an examination outside of the scheduled time only by permission of the instructor of the course. Permission is granted only in case of emergency.

A student who is absent from a final examination because of an emergency takes the make-up examination at the convenience of the instructor.

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Credit by examination

Undergraduate Students: Not all courses are amenable to credit by examination, but many are. Students who wish to challenge a regularly listed course should consult with the appropriate departmental chair. If arrangements can be made, a fee of $50.00 is charged for each examination and a receipt from the Student Accounts Office must be shown to the departmental chair before final approval can be given. If the examination is passed, credit without grade will be noted on the student's transcript. The chair will notify the Registrar's Office, in writing, to enter the credit on the permanent record and notify the cashier, in writing, to reimburse the faculty member who administered the examination. If the examination is not passed, no notation is made on the transcript. In the case of freshmen who take advanced placement examinations during the freshman orientation period, the fee is waived.

Anyone seeking credit by examination must be either degree seeking or taking courses for teacher licensure. Credit by examination cannot be used to repeat a course, nor can it be used to meet the University’s residency requirements for graduation.

Graduate Students: Upon the recommendation of a graduate student's committee and with the approval of the chair of the department in which it is listed, one course numbered 5000 and above may be challenged by examination. Grades are not recorded for credit earned by examination. Credit by examination may not be used to repeat a course.

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Credit for life experience

Persons interested should see the Coordinator of Credit for Life Experience in the Academic Advising Center.

In exceptional cases credit can be awarded for prior non-college-based learning, if the credit sought is related to the student's degree program (i.e. core curriculum, major or licensure requirements). Assessment of prior learning can commence only after a student has been admitted to the University and has declared a major.

The student will first meet with the designated academic advisor who will help in defining the areas or disciplines in which appropriate creditable learning may have occurred. Actual assessment is done by a faculty member in the appropriate academic area, for which a $100.00 fee for each area of assessment will be charged. Payment is made to the Student Accounts Office.

Note: Anyone seeking credit for life experience must be either a candidate for an undergraduate degree at Appalachian or taking courses for teacher licensure. Credit for life experience cannot be used to repeat a course, nor can it be used to meet the University’s residency requirements for graduation.

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Credit limitations

Undergraduates

A maximum of 20 semester hours of correspondence work from recognized institutions