University Policies and Procedures
Academic Classification
Undergraduate students are classified based on the number of hours earned through the preceding academic term. The following schedule dictates classification:
| 0-29 semester hours: | Freshman |
| 30-59 semester hours: | Sophomore |
| 60-89 semester hours: | Junior |
| 90 or more semester hours: | Senior |
Applied Music
Students who wish to register for a course in Applied Music must obtain permission from the School of Music. Once obtained, a course "call number" will be assigned, allowing the student to register through WRS.
Audit
Students who audit a course must be regular in attendance. 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 January 18, 2008.
Campus Post Office
University policy requires that every enrolled student be assigned a campus post office box. The policy further states that official correspondence from the University to an enrolled student will be routed through the campus post office. It is essential, therefore, that students check their campus post office boxes at frequent intervals.
The University is aware, however, that certain categories of students - interns, student teachers - may not have access to the campus. During the academic term when a student is enrolled as an intern or student teacher, University mail can be forwarded to that student's temporary address. The student must notify the Appalachian Post Office, in writing, requesting that his or her mail be forwarded.
Class Attendance
It is University policy that a student is expected to attend every meeting of his or her classes. If an absence from class should prove necessary, regardless of the reason, the student will be held accountable for all academic activities missed due to the absence. A faculty member may, at his or her discretion, include class attendance as a criterion in the determination of final grades. NOTE: A STUDENT WHO DOES NOT ATTEND A CLASS DURING ONE OF ITS FIRST TWO MEETINGS MAY LOSE HIS OR HER SEAT IN THAT CLASS. (IF A CLASS MEETS ONLY ONE TIME PER WEEK-E.G., A LAB OR AN EVENING CLASS-THE STUDENT MUST ATTEND THE FIRST CLASS MEETING OR RISK LOSING HIS OR HER SEAT.)
Drop-Add
A student can, without limit or penalty, add courses, drop courses, or change the sections of courses through the published "Drop-Add" period-i.e., through the first five days of a fall or spring semester.
An undergraduate student is allowed to drop a cumulative total of no more than four (4) courses after the published "Drop-Add" period. (The phrase "cumulative total" should be understood to mean a total of four drops over the student's undergraduate career at Appalachian, excluding summer terms.) A student who wishes to drop a course after the published "Drop-Add" period must do so by no later than the ninth week of the semester-for the spring 2008 semester by no later than March 26, 2008.
A course can be added after the published "Drop-Add" period only for exceptional circumstances, and requires the written permission of the instructor, chairperson and dean.
Graduation
Undergraduate and graduate students who expect to complete degree requirements at the end of the spring semester, 2008 must file an application for graduation (and teacher certification, if applicable) by no later than February 15, 2008. Undergraduate applications should be submitted to the Registrar's Office; graduate applications should be submitted to the Graduate School. Note: students receiving federal loans through the University must attend an "exit" interview prior to graduation. Information regarding the "exit" interview will be mailed to the student during the academic term in which he or she plans to graduate.
Immunization
The State of North Carolina requires, by statute, a record of immunizations for every student enrolled in a post-secondary educational institution. New students at Appalachian have been sent the appropriate medical form with their acceptance letters. Returning students, if uncertain about whether a record of immunizations is on file, should contact the University's Student Health Services (telephone number: 262-3100). FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE UNIVERSITY WITH THE REQUIRED RECORD OF IMMUNIZATIONS WILL RESULT IN BEING ADMINISTRATIVELY WITHDRAWN FROM THE SPRING SEMESTER, 2008.
Incomplete Grades
When a student receives a grade of incomplete, he or she has, at the discretion of the instructor, a period of up to one semester to complete the coursework.
Maximum Academic Load
Undergraduate students may register for more than 18 semester hours only with written permission from their dean. A graduate student may register for no more than 15 semester hours; a graduate student with an assistantship may register for no more than 12 semester hours.
Notice Concerning the Inspection and Release of Student Records
Appalachian State University complies with all provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA). The full statement of the University's policy is available in the Office of the Registrar.
Within the limits prescribed by FERPA, students have the right to inspect and challenge the contents of their education records. Access to education records is coordinated through the Registrar's Office. Students who wish to inspect their records should contact that office between the hours of 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday.
The University routinely releases to the public ONLY "Directory Information," as follows: the student's name; local telephone listing; University post office box number; E-mail address; academic classification; enrollment status during a particular academic term (i.e., full-time or part-time); field(s) of study; dates of attendance; degrees, honors and awards received; participation in officially recognized activities and sports; weight, height, athletic statistics and photographic representations of members of athletic teams. Any student who wishes to have the above Directory Information withheld must complete and sign the appropriate request form in the Registrar's Office. To be effective during the spring semester, such requests must be made by January 12.
Annual Notification of Rights
Students' Education Records at General Administration of The University of North Carolina:
Certain personally identifiable information about students "education records") may be maintained at The University of North Carolina General Administration, which serves the Board of Governors of the University system. This student information may be the same as, or derivative of, information maintained by a constituent institution of the University; or it may be additional information. Whatever their origins, education records maintained at General Administration are subject to the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA).
FERPA provides that a student may inspect his or her education records. If the student finds the records to be inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student's privacy rights, the student may request amendment to the record. FERPA also provides that a student's personally identifiable information may not be released to someone else unless (1) the student has given a proper consent for disclosure or (2) provisions of FERPA or federal regulations issued pursuant to FERPA permit the information to be released without the student's consent.
A student may file with the U.S. Department of Education a complaint concerning failure of General Administration or an institution to comply with FERPA.
The policies of The University of North Carolina General Administration concerning FERPA may be inspected in the office at each constituent institution designated to maintain the FERPA policies of the institution. Policies of General Administration may also be accessed in the Office of the Secretary of The University of North Carolina, General Administration, 910 Raleigh Road, Chapel Hill, NC.
Further details about FERPA and FERPA procedures at General Administration are to be found in the referenced policies. Questions about the policies may be directed to Legal Section, Office of the President, The University of North Carolina, General Administration, Annex Building, 910 Raleigh Road, Chapel Hill, NC (mailing address P.O. Box 2688, Chapel Hill, NC 27515-2688; tel: 919-962-4588).
Pass-Fail
Undergraduate students have the option of taking one course per term on a pass-fail basis. Stipulations which limit this policy are: 1) the student must be enrolled full-time, defined as taking a minimum of twelve hours, 2) the student must be classified as a sophomore, junior, or senior, 3) the student must have a minimum cumulative grade-point average of 1.75, 4) the student will be allowed to choose this option a maximum of six times, and 5) courses which comprise the student's major, minor, or core curriculum requirements cannot be taken on pass-fail. Pass-fail forms must be submitted to the Registrar's Office prior to the close of drop-add.
Repeat Policy
The policy states, in essence, that when a course is repeated, the initial attempt can be excluded from computation in the student's grade-point average (GPA) for a maximum of five (5) different courses. The student must indicate to the Registrar's Office, in writing or through the Registrar's WEB site, which courses are to be excluded from GPA computation under this policy. Forms should be submitted no later than the last day of the final exam period in which the course is repeated.
Release of Grades
Grades can be obtained at the end of each academic term through WRS. It is a policy of the State of North Carolina, however, that the University cannot release a transcript or diploma to a student with an unpaid account. In order to comply with this policy, the University will audit the account of every enrolled student approximately two weeks prior to the end of each academic term.
Students with unpaid accounts will be so notified and expected to clear the account by the end of that academic term (defined as the last day of examinations). If a student fails to clear the account, the University will, in accordance with State policy, release neither a transcript nor (if applicable) a diploma. (Please note that a charge made against a future term- i.e., a charge made for "early registration" - does not constitute an "unpaid account" in this context.)
Service-Learning
Service-learning combines the experience of community service with an academic course. Integrated with traditional teaching methods, classes with a service-learning component allow students to serve local non-profit and/or community-based organizations.
While students apply course theory and gain hands-on experience, these organizations benefit from the work that students provide for them. Note: Grades are awarded based on the academic coursework associated with the service-learning experience (i.e., papers, presentations, etc.). For more information about service-learning, please contact the Service-Learning Coordinator at 262-2193, or visit the ACT website at www.act.appstate.edu.
Special Course Registration
Certain categories of courses-i.e., instructional assistance, specified internships, a master's thesis, independent and individual studies-require a special form for registration. If you intend to register for this type of course, contact the Registrar's Office for the appropriate form, obtain the required signatures, and submit the form during "early registration." The form must be submitted by no later than the last day to add a class.
Graduate Level Classes for Undergraduates & Non-Degree Seeking Students
Only undergraduates with senior standing (90 or more earned hours) and a cumulative GPA of 3.0+ are permitted to enroll in classes numbered 5000 or above. Non-degree seeking students must have a bachelor's degree to enroll in classes numbered 5000 or above. Students who meet these requirements should contact the Graduate School, located in John E. Thomas Hall, for a permission form. The completed form must be submitted to the Registrar's Office, during the appropriate registration period, for enrollment in the course.
