Academic Programs and Policies

Daniel Strickland, Registrar
Registrar’s Office
Palmer Hall, Station 6040
telephone: (205) 665-6040
fax: (205) 665-6042
e-mail: dstrickland7@montevallo.edu

Degree Requirements

General Education

All students seeking an undergraduate degree at Montevallo must complete a core curriculum, which includes courses in oral and written communication; literature, humanities and fine arts; the natural sciences and mathematics; history and social and behavioral sciences; and personal development.

Purpose and Goals of General Education

The core curriculum is the most complete embodiment of the University’s mission as Alabama’s publicly funded liberal arts college. In this curriculum, the University bears continually in mind the special meaning of freedom embodied in the term “liberal arts”: the arts that free or enable students to explore the perennial questions that confront every thoughtful human being-questions about nature, human nature and society, and metaphysics. The University provides opportunities to explore these questions through liberal studies in the sciences, literature, the fine arts, history, behavioral and social sciences, and philosophy. The University is committed to liberal inquiry, not only in its core curriculum, but also in its professional and pre-professional programs. In all of these, the University aims to graduate students who can bring to their vocations, their private lives, and their civic participation the habits of lifelong learning and energetic, informed reflection.

Liberal education is possible only if the student has acquired some degree of mastery and understanding of the instruments or skills through which the human mind can absorb information about the world, come to a deepened understanding of that information, and transmit that understanding to others. Accordingly, the University dedicates a substantial portion of the core curriculum to acquiring the skills and symbol systems that, because they make it possible for the mind to grasp what is not apparent to the senses, enable genuine learning.

The University of Montevallo has adopted the Essential Learning Outcomes presented below that have been developed by the Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) through consultation with hundreds of colleges and universities across the nation.

AAC&U Essential Learning Outcomes

Students should prepare for 21st-century challenges by gaining:

• Knowledge of Human Cultures and the Physical and Natural World
  • through study in the sciences and mathematics, social sciences, humanities, histories, languages, and the arts

Focused by engagement with big questions, both contemporary and enduring

• Intellectual and Practical Skills, including
  • Inquiry and analysis
  • Critical and creative thinking
  • Written and oral communication
  • Quantitative literacy
  • Information literacy
  • Teamwork and problem solving

Practiced extensively, across the curriculum, in the context of progressively more challenging problems, projects, and standards for performance

• Personal and Social Responsibility, including
  • Civic knowledge and engagement-local and global
  • Intercultural knowledge and competence
  • Ethical reasoning and action
  • Foundations and skills for lifelong learning

Anchored through active involvement with diverse communities and real-world challenges

• Integrative and Applied Learning, including
  • Synthesis and advanced accomplishments across general and specialized studies

Demonstrated through the application of knowledge, skills, and responsibilities to new settings and complex problems.

General Education Requirements-50 Credit Hours

For the most-current list of approved general education (GE) course titles, refer to the latest published course schedule (issued for Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters).

Fine Arts (maximum of 3 additional credit hours in Fine Arts)
Foreign Language
Philosophy

Biology
Chemistry
Geology
Physics

Economics
Family and Consumer Sciences
Geography
History
Political Science
Psychology
Social Work
Sociology

* Students must complete a six-hour sequence in either History or Literature. Students may complete both sequences.

For transfer purposes, courses taken to meet the general studies curriculum requirements approved by the Articulation and General Studies Committee of the State of Alabama (AGSC) will apply to UM general education requirements. The AGSC requirements are degree and program specific; therefore, some courses may not apply if a student changes programs upon or after transferring to the University of Montevallo. Students should consult an academic adviser or the Registrar’s Office concerning substitutions or the applicability of transfer credit in satisfying general education requirements. The AGSC requirements are available at any public accredited post-secondary institution in Alabama, on the UM website (www.montevallo.edu) or at http://stars.troy.edu/.

The Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs must approve any substitution or waiver of a General Education requirement.

Information Literacy Courses

The University of Montevallo is committed to enhancing student learning through an emphasis on improving information literacy skills, defined as the ability to obtain, evaluate, and effectively use information to become responsible, informed scholars and citizens. The integration of information literacy as a focus in both the General Education and major curricula supports the University’s mission. Information literacy instruction is being incorporated into the curriculum through a three-tiered developmental model that introduces information literacy at the foundational level in the General Education program; advances the skills through a designated, required course in each major; and focuses on mastery in a designated, required, upper-level course within each major.

Writing Intensive Courses

The University of Montevallo understands that for students to be successful, both in college and in their chosen professions, they need strong written communication skills. To demonstrate the University’s commitment to providing students with these skills, portions of UM’s curriculum are dedicated to the teaching of writing. In UM’s General Education writing courses (English 101  and 102  ), students practice the foundational writing skills they need to enter any major. Then, within each major’s core requirements, Writing Intensive (WI) courses help students hone their writing skills by practicing the kind of writing that is specific to each field of study. At the same time, WI courses also teach students sound writing techniques, such as planning, drafting, revising, and responding to feedback, that are applicable to any field. As students progress through their General Education and WI courses, as well as many other courses at UM that emphasize writing, they will have the opportunity to acquire the writing skills that UM considers vital to a rigorous liberal-arts education.

Currently Identified Writing Intensive (WI) Courses

College of Arts and Sciences
Biology
BIO 106 Introductory Biology II   
BIO 307 Molecular Cell Biology  

Chemistry
CHEM 320 Analytical Chemistry   
CHEM 450 Instrumental Analysis  

English
ENG 300 Introduction to the Major   
ENG 485 Senior Seminar: A Capstone Course for English Majors  

Foreign Languages
FRN  /SPN 302  Grammar and Composition
FL 480 Senior Seminar: A Capstone Course for Foreign Language Majors  

History
HIST 310 Introduction to Historical Study   
HIST 491 Senior Seminar in History  

Mathematics
MATH 310 Foundations of Mathematics   
MATH 470 Real Analysis  

Political Science
POS 455 International Relations   
POS 475 Constitutional Law  

Psychology
PSYC 340 Cognitive Psychology   
PSYC 499 Senior Seminar in the History of Psychology: A Capstone Experience  

Social Sciences
POS 455 International Relations   
HIST 491 Senior Seminar in History  

Social Work
SWK 350 Generalist Social Work Practice   
SWK 420 Social Work Practice with Communities and Organizations  

Sociology
SOC 324 Social Stratification   
SOC 480 Development of Sociological Theory  

Speech-Language Pathology
CSD 463 Clinical Observation   
CSD 473 Introduction to Medical Speech-Language Pathology  

College of Business
Business
MG 305 Business Professional Development   
MK 351 Principles of Marketing  

College of Education
Education of Deaf and Hard of Hearing
SPED 476 Methods of Teaching Academic Subjects to the Deaf and Hard of Hearing   
SPED 482 Assessment: Deaf and Hard of Hearing  

Education - Elementary/Secondary
ED 401 Introduction to Teaching    
ED 448 Methods and Materials for Teaching Science   

Family and Consumer Sciences
FCS 291 Individual and Family Development   
FCS 402 Dynamics of Family Relationships  

Kinesiology
KNES 211 Motor Development  (for Health-Promotion and Teacher-Education concentrations)
KNES 310 Sports Nutrition  (for all KNES majors)
KNES 484 Nutrition Care Process II  (for Nutrition and Wellness Concentration)

College of Fine Arts
Art
All Art majors are required to take two 300/400-level Art History courses; all of these courses are Writing Intensive.

Communication Studies
COMS 200 Introduction to Communication Research Methods   
COMS 450 Rhetorical Criticism  or COMS 320 Communication Theory  

Mass Communication
MC 200 Introduction to Mass Media Writing   (for all MC majors)
MC 255 Media Writing Fundamentals  or MC 265 Broadcast News Writing  or MC 452 Public Relations Writing   (for Broadcast Concentration)
MC 255 Media Writing Fundamentals  (for Journalism Concentration and for Dual Broadcast/Journalism Concentration)

Music
MUS 341 Music History, Baroque/Classical   
MUS 342 Music History, 19th Century to Present  

Theatre
THEA 270 Directing I   
THEA 300 Play Analysis, Theory and Criticism  

Interdisciplinary Studies (IDS)
IDS students must complete two courses in the major that emphasize writing for the discipline; ideally these two courses will be from different disciplines. Course selection will be made with guidance and approval from the IDS Adviser and the IDS Committee.

Graduation Requirements

Responsibility for meeting all graduation requirements rests with the student. In addition to the University’s general requirements, colleges and/or departments may have additional graduation requirements as described in the colleges’ information sections of this Bulletin.

A student will not be considered a candidate for graduation unless a graduation application is submitted online to the Registrar’s Office prior to the beginning of the pre-registration period for his or her final regular semester.

The Registrar’s Office will notify graduation candidates and their academic advisers of the results of a final degree evaluation, including all remaining requirements for graduation, prior to the final academic advising and registration session.

The general requirements for graduation are:

• credit for at least 120 semester hours;
• credit for at least 30 of the last 40 semester hours required for degree completion must be earned at the University of Montevallo;
• credit for at least 30 semester hours of 300- and/or 400-level study earned at the University of Montevallo;
• completion of at least 25 percent of the credit hours required for the degree at the University of Montevallo;
• completion of at least 50 percent of the courses required for the major at the University of Montevallo;
• cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 for courses required for the major(s);
• cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 for courses required for the minor(s), if applicable;
• a cumulative institutional GPA of at least 2.0;
• a cumulative overall GPA of at least 2.0 on all courses attempted, including transfer courses; and
• completion of the required senior assessments.

When calculating the major or minor GPA, only the highest grade in each course will be used.

No more than 64 semester hours of credit from a two-year college may be applied toward degree requirements. No more than 45 combined semester hours of credit earned through Advanced Placement (AP), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), International Baccalaureate (IB), Cambridge Advanced International Certificate of Education (AICE), and military credit may be applied toward meeting degree requirements.

Although students with a financial obligation to the University may be permitted to participate in commencement exercises, official transcripts and diplomas will be withheld until all financial obligations to the University are satisfied.

Criteria to Participate in Spring Commencement

Undergraduate students who have not completed all graduation requirements by the end of spring term may participate in Spring Commencement if they:

• have 18 or fewer hours to complete with verified Summer Term enrollment at UM in all remaining requirements (including a completed transient letter, if applicable); and
• have obtained at least a 2.0 cumulative GPA.

Names of all participants will be printed in the program. Therefore, a student may participate in only one commencement ceremony.

The “degree conferred” date on the student’s diploma and transcript will correspond to one of the three dates that UM confers degrees (see Academic Calendar). All graduation requirements and financial obligations must be satisfied in order to receive the diploma.

Honors designations are determined by final UM GPA. Therefore, honors designations will not be indicated in the program for those who participate in a commencement ceremony prior to completion of all degree requirements. Appropriate honors designations will be printed on the diploma.

Any exceptions to this policy must originate with the student’s Dean and will require the approval of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Specific Degree Requirements

Bachelor of Arts

In addition to the General Education curriculum, students seeking the Bachelor of Arts degree must complete the second year course sequence (201 and 202) in French, German, or Spanish.

Completion of the foreign-language requirement is based on proficiency. Students have the opportunity to take a foreign-language placement exam to determine if they may start their language studies beyond the 101 level. A student whose level of language proficiency makes it possible to bypass one or more lower-level language classes will reduce the number of hours required to complete the language sequence but will not reduce the total number of hours required for graduation. For example, a student who places in FRN 102 as a result of the placement exam will not be required to take FRN 101 but will not receive the credit hours for FRN 101. Information about the placement exam is available from the Department of English and Foreign Languages.

Bachelor of Science

Students seeking the Bachelor of Science degree must complete a total of 18 or more credit hours in mathematics and science.

Other Undergraduate Degrees

For information about the Bachelor of Business Administration degree, refer to the College of Business secion of this Bulletin.  For information about the Bachelor of Fine Arts and Bachelor of Music degrees, refer to the College of Fine Arts section .

Second Bachelor’s Degree

Students who have previously completed a bachelor’s degree from the University of Montevallo or another regionally accredited institution may pursue a second bachelor’s degree at the University of Montevallo. Students who have completed a bachelor’s degree and are pursuing a second bachelor’s degree of the same type (B.A., B.S., etc.) will be considered as having completed the General Education requirements. Students who are pursuing a second bachelor’s degree of a different type may be required by the department offering the degree to complete additional General Education courses.

A second bachelor’s degree may be conferred when all requirements of the second degree program are completed. Requirements for the second bachelor’s degree are:

• completion of at least 50 percent of the courses required for the major at the University of Montevallo;
• completion of at least 25 percent of the credit hours required for a bachelor’s degree at the University of Montevallo;
• completion of at least 30 semester hours at the 300/400 level at the University of Montevallo;
• a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 for courses required for the major(s);
• a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 for courses required for the minor(s), if applicable; and
• a minimum cumulative overall and institutional GPA of 2.0.

Students who have formerly earned a bachelor’s degree at UM must meet the above requirements in addition to previously completed coursework. Additional coursework to meet standards including, but not limited to, course prerequisites, program accreditation, teacher certification, or graduate program entry may be required. All requirements should be reviewed with the academic adviser.

Double Majors

Students who select two majors must meet the degree requirements of both majors, including the General Education requirements. If the majors are in different degree programs, students will receive two diplomas simultaneously at graduation. The recipients’ names will be listed in the printed commencement program under both degree programs.

Teacher Certification Requirements

Students who intend to earn teacher certification should review requirements with their advisers during the freshman year. Information regarding teacher education programs is included in the College of Education section of this Bulletin and in the undergraduate Teacher Education Handbook.

Academic Regulations and Procedures

Academic Advising

Responsibilities of Students

The academic advising process is crucial to the success of a student’s University career. In planning a program of study, students should coordinate their personal goals with their academic and professional goals and should discuss long-range goals and career opportunities available in a particular major with their advisers.

Students must obtain approval from their adviser in order to register or preregister for courses. A student should meet with the adviser during the preregistration advising period and should consult the adviser prior to any change in classes, prior to a change in major or minor, immediately following any report of unsatisfactory progress, and when considering withdrawal from Montevallo.

Students are responsible for being familiar with the requirements of the University as outlined in this Bulletin and on the University’s website and should maintain copies of their personal degree plan and transfer evaluation so information regarding progress toward a degree is readily available.

Students are ultimately responsible for planning and implementing their own academic programs, and no legal responsibility rests with Montevallo. The University reserves the right to modify degree requirements, programs of study, and curricula as it deems necessary or appropriate.

Declaration of Major and Minor

The major and minor fields of study should be chosen by the end of the sophomore year. Requirements for specific majors and minors are listed under the appropriate department headings in this Bulletin. Courses for the major and minor must be selected in consultation with the academic adviser. A minor is optional except where required for a specific major.

Change of Major or Minor

To change a major, students may obtain a change-of-major form in any department office or from the Registrar’s Office. The form must be taken to the new department for approval and for assignment of an academic adviser and then to the Registrar’s Office, where the change will be recorded. To change a minor, a student should contact the Registrar’s Office.

Assignment of Academic Advisers

Advisers are assigned by the major department. However, if a student changes majors, a new adviser is assigned by the new major department when the change of major is approved. A student may change advisers within a department by consulting the chair of the department.

Degree Evaluation

Updated degree evaluations for all currently enrolled students are available by accessing CAPP through forUM at any time. Any questions concerning degree evaluations should be directed to the student’s academic adviser or the Registrar’s Office.

Academic Standards

Grades

Grading System

Grades represent the instructor’s assessment of the student’s performance on classroom and laboratory assignments as well as on essays, term papers, class participation and examinations, etc. Grades and grade points are earned and recorded as follows:

Incomplete Grades

Grades of I (Incomplete) may be given when students, because of circumstances beyond their control, are unable to complete coursework that is assigned and/or due during the last 15 calendar days (including weekends) of long semesters and/or during the last 5 calendar days (including weekends) of the May and Summer terms. It is the student’s responsibility to make arrangements to complete remaining requirements.

All incomplete work must be finished by a date determined by the instructor and not later than the conclusion of the next long semester (i.e., for Fall semester Incompletes, no later than the last day of the following Spring semester; for Spring semester, May term, and Summer term Incompletes, no later than the last day of the following Fall semester). Otherwise, an I grade automatically becomes an F.

In Progress Grades

A grade of IP (In Progress) may be assigned only in designated courses.

Repeating Courses and Grades

Students who want to receive credit for a course failed at UM must repeat the course at UM. The credit hours for every occurrence of the course are used in determining the grade-point average (GPA).

Students who want to improve a grade(s) of B or lower in a UM course must repeat the course(s) at UM. The credit hours for every occurrence of the course are used in determining the GPA. The credit hours for only one occurrence of a repeated, previously passed course are included in earned hours. See General Graduation Requirements for determining the major or minor GPA.

Transient Courses and Grades

A student must receive approval from the chair of the department, the academic adviser, and the Registrar to register for courses at another college or university. All courses taken as a transient student will be included on the student’s official transcript.

Grade-Point Averages

A student’s grade-point average (GPA) is calculated by dividing the total quality points by the total credit hours attempted for which standard letter grades of A, B, C, D, and F are assigned. Grades of AU, I, IP, NC, P, S, U, and W are not used in the calculation of the GPA.

Sample UM GPA Calculation:
Quality Points: UM Grade points multiplied by credit hours
Grade points are assigned as follows: A = 4; B = 3; C = 2; D = 1; F = 0
GPA Hours: UM Credit hours attempted for which standard letter grades are assigned
GPA: Total UM Quality Points divided by total UM GPA Hours

The cumulative institutional (UM) GPA is comprised of all applicable coursework taken at the University of Montevallo. The cumulative overall GPA represents courses transferred from other institutions in addition to coursework taken at UM. All applicable grade-point averages, quality points, and credit hours used to determine the GPA will appear on the academic transcript.

Final Grade Appeals

The University of Montevallo respects the right and professional responsibility of faculty members to assign grades based on their professional judgment of student performance.

In the event that a student believes that the final grade assigned in a course is unfair or incorrect, the student should take the following steps:

1. The student must first confer with the faculty member involved to review his or her academic work and its assessment and attempt to resolve issues informally.
2. If the student is not satisfied and wishes to continue the appeal, he or she will request a Final Grade Appeal form from the Chair of the department offering the course. This form must be completed and submitted to the department chair within 30 calendar days of the posting of final grades along with an attached written statement of the rationale/basis for the appeal and any supporting materials such as graded work and course syllabus. The written appeal must state clearly the reason(s) for the appeal of the grade and the desired remedy.
3. The Department Chair will review the documents submitted by the student and will discuss the case with the faculty member who will be given a copy of the written appeal. Within five (5) class days* of receiving the student’s appeal, the Chair will contact the student to schedule an appointment. The Chair’s decision will be rendered at the conclusion of the conference with the student or within five (5) class days* after the meeting. If the Department Chair supports the student’s appeal, the instructor will be asked to reassess the student’s grade.
4. If the Department Chair does not support the student’s appeal or the Department Chair does support the student’s appeal and the instructor refuses to change the student’s grade, the student may appeal to the Dean of the college offering the course. At the student’s request, the Department Chair will send all materials to the college Dean, who, after discussion with the Chair and the faculty member, will schedule an appointment with the student. The Dean may or may not request that the Chair and faculty member attend the conference. The Dean will render a decision at the conclusion of the conference or within five (5) class days* after the meeting. If the Dean supports the student’s appeal, the instructor will be asked to reassess the student’s grade. The decision to change the grade will remain with the instructor unless the Dean has clear, convincing, and objective evidence that the grade has not been calculated according to criteria communicated to students by the instructor.

*Class Day
A class day is any weekday in which the University is in session during the regular academic year (i.e., fall and spring semesters).

Every effort will be made to address complaints in a timely manner. However, students should be aware that action complaints filed after Spring Commencement may be delayed if the faculty member involved is not available during the summer to respond to the complaint. All appeals should be resolved by the end of the term in which they are filed.

Absence Policy

The University expects students to attend all classes for which they are enrolled. Instructors may establish specific regulations governing their classes and will provide them to their students at the beginning of each term.

Academic Dishonesty Policy

Students may not give or receive unauthorized aid in completing academic work and meeting academic requirements. Only the faculty member teaching the course can authorize assistance, use of resources, etc. If a student is uncertain about whether conduct would constitute academic dishonesty, it is the responsibility of the student to seek clarification from the faculty member prior to engaging in such conduct.

Penalties for cheating or plagiarism are determined based on the seriousness of the offense and on whether the student has a record of other instances of academic dishonesty. If the academic dishonesty pertains to an assignment in a course, the faculty member teaching the course in which the violation occurred may assign a zero on the assignment or a grade of F in the course. If the violation pertains to a non-course degree requirement (e.g., standardized examination), the student may fail to receive credit for the degree requirement for which the violation occurred. The consequences for the violation of a non-course degree requirement may be imposed by the appropriate department chair or college dean. In addition to these consequences, the faculty member or academic administrator has the right to refer the violation to the Justice Council for possible further sanctions.

The process for resolving charges of academic dishonesty is as follows:

1. The instructor responsible for the course at the time of the incident will complete an Academic Dishonesty Incident Form and inform the student of the charge and provide the student with a copy of the Incident Form as soon as possible but within 5 class days* of the assignment of the grade. The instructor will determine the appropriate grade penalty (a reduced grade on the assignment or for the course). The instructor may further recommend that the Justice Council consider the case for additional sanctions against the student.

2. If the student accepts the grade penalty assigned by the faculty member, the process outlined below is followed.

A. Copies of the incident report are forwarded to the Chair of the department in which the incident occurred, to the Dean of the college, to the Dean of Students, and to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.

B. The Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs will serve as the central recording center for all Academic Dishonesty Incident Forms. Additionally, the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs will recommend that the Justice Council consider the case (1) upon instructor recommendation or (2) if the student charged has a record of past violations of academic honesty even though the instructor did not recommend the case for further consideration.

C. If the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs forwards the case to the Justice Council for further consideration under established procedures for disciplinary hearings, the Justice Council may recommend:

1. suspension for a definite or an indefinite period of time (see UM Academic Suspension Policy);
2. expulsion;
3. additional sanctions as warranted, such as withdrawal of scholarship support;
4. appropriate notations on the student’s permanent record.

The Justice Council will forward its recommendation to the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. Upon approval of the Justice Council recommendation, the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs will implement disciplinary action and notify the student, the student’s advisor, the instructor, the Department Chair, the Deans of the college in which the incident occurred and the college in which the student is enrolled, the Dean of Students, and other appropriate parties (Registrar, Director of Housing and Residence Life, etc.) If the student who has admitted guilt wishes to appeal the additional sanctions recommended by the Justice Council, he/she may submit a formal written appeal to the Provost, whose decision will be final.

If the faculty member does not refer the case but the student wishes to appeal the grade penalty, the student may contact the Student Conduct Officer in the Office of Student Affairs. The student must begin the appeal no later than 5 class days after being notified of the academic dishonesty charge to request that the case be reviewed by the Justice Council. The process outlined below will be followed.

The Chair of the department in which the incident occurred will receive notification of the appeal from the Student Conduct Officer. The Chair will inform the faculty member of the appeal.

The Justice Council will make a determination of the validity of the charge.

A. If the Justice Council fails to find sufficient justification for the charges, it will so inform the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. The Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs will then inform the student, the instructor, the Department Chair, and the Dean. The instructor will be asked to reassess the assigned grade and will be notified that he or she may be in an untenable legal position if he or she elects not to do so. The faculty member’s reassessment of the academic penalty may or may not result in a different grade depending on the quality of the student’s performance on the assignment(s).

B. If the Justice Council finds that the charges are justified, the Justice Council will notify the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs who will in turn notify the student, the student’s advisor, the instructor, the Department Chair, the Deans of the college in which the incident occurred and the college in which the student is enrolled, the Dean of Students, and other appropriate parties (Registrar, Director of Housing and Residence Life, etc.) of the outcome of the appeal. In the case of a student appeal of a faculty-imposed penalty, the Justice Council may not impose a penalty stronger than the initial one.

*Class Days
A class day is any weekday in which the University is in session during the regular academic year (i.e., fall and spring semesters).

Every effort will be made to address complaints in a timely manner. However, students should be aware that action on complaints filed after Spring Commencement may be delayed if the faculty member involved is not available during the summer to respond to the complaint.

Academic Progress

Class Standing

Students who have completed fewer than 30 semester hours are classified as freshmen. At 30 hours, the student is classified as a sophomore, at 60 hours a junior, and at 90 hours a senior.

Good Standing

Students must have at least a 2.0 cumulative University of Montevallo grade-point average (UM GPA) to maintain academic good standing.

Maintaining Minimum Academic Progress

A student is expected to achieve consistent progress toward the attainment of a University degree. Earning the following minimum cumulative UM GPA based on total accumulated GPA hours is considered minimum academic progress:

0-29 GPA hours*, 1.5 UM GPA
30-59 GPA hours*, 1.7 UM GPA
60-89 GPA hours*, 1.9 UM GPA
90+ GPA hours*, 2.0 UM GPA
*includes transfer hours

Academic Warning

At the end of each semester, a student will be placed on Academic Warning when his or her cumulative UM GPA is below 2.0 but above the appropriate minimum academic progress standard as defined previously. A student may be removed from Academic Warning only by attaining a minimum 2.0 cumulative UM GPA. Academic Warning will be noted on the student’s academic transcript. Academic Warning does not restrict registration for a subsequent term.

Freshman Academic Warning

A first-time freshman will be placed on Freshman Academic Warning for one regular semester if his or her cumulative UM GPA is below 2.0. First-time freshmen are students with fewer than 30 earned hours with no prior enrollment at a postsecondary institution at the undergraduate level. This includes students enrolled at UM during the fall semester who first attended college during the prior summer term, as well as students who entered UM with college-level credit earned prior to graduating from high school.

Freshman Academic Warning will be noted on the student’s academic transcript. Freshman Academic Warning does not restrict registration for a subsequent term. Students placed on Freshman Academic Warning are urged to schedule an appointment with their adviser to review academic progress prior to the first day of classes in the subsequent term.

Academic Suspension

A student may not attend the University during the period of his or her suspension. Students should be aware that once they are placed on suspension from the University, they are no longer making satisfactory academic progress as required for continued receipt of financial aid. Students petitioning for reinstatement to the University under the procedure outlined in the following must apply separately to the Office of Student Financial Services in order to regain financial aid. A student may not transfer to the University any credits earned at another college or university while on suspension.

Academic suspension typically results from a student’s failure to demonstrate satisfactory academic progress; however, it is also possible for a student to be suspended as a result of academic dishonesty (see policy on Academic Dishonesty).

First-time freshmen may be placed on Freshman Academic Warning but are not subject to suspension for failure to meet minimum standards for academic progress until the end of their second regular semester at UM. Freshmen may, however, be suspended as a result of academic dishonesty. All other students are subject to suspension at the end of any regular semester when they fail to meet minimum standards for academic progress or may be suspended as a result of academic dishonesty.

First Suspension
A student who does not maintain minimum academic progress, as defined previously, will be suspended from study for one regular semester, and the suspension will be noted on the student’s official transcript. A student placed on First Suspension may attend the summer term at UM in an attempt to improve his or her GPA. If summer enrollment results in the student meeting minimum academic progress standards, the student will be permitted to enroll for the fall semester.

A student may also petition the Department Chair for his/her major to be allowed to continue enrollment in the next regular semester through the reinstatement review process. For a student who has not declared a major or who has more than one major, the Provost will determine the appropriate party to consider reinstatement.

If the student’s reinstatement petition is denied and the student does not meet standards for minimum academic progress through courses completed during the summer term at UM, the student will not be permitted to enroll in the next regular semester.

Following the one semester suspension, the student may apply for readmission and will be required to earn a semester UM GPA of 2.0 or higher on 12 or 13 semester hours (unless the Dean approves a reduced number of hours) in order to continue enrollment. The student will then be required to meet the minimum standards for academic progress in subsequent semesters.

Second Suspension
A student who returns from his or her first academic suspension and does not earn a semester GPA of 2.0 or higher on the required number of semester hours or who in a future semester fails to meet minimum standards for academic progress will be suspended for two regular semesters. A student placed on Second Suspension will be allowed to enroll in the summer term. If summer enrollment results in the student meeting the minimum academic progress standards, the student will be permitted to enroll for the fall semester.

A student may also petition the Reinstatement Committee in his or her college to be allowed to continue enrollment in the next regular semester. For a student who has not declared a major or who has more than one major, the Provost will identify the Reinstatement Committee.

If the student’s reinstatement petition is denied and the student does not meet standards for minimum academic progress through courses completed during the summer term at UM, the student will not be permitted to enroll for the next two regular semesters.

Following the two-semester suspension, the student may apply for readmission and will be required to earn a semester GPA of 2.0 or higher on 12 or 13 semester hours (unless the Dean approves a reduced number of hours) in the next regular semester in order to continue enrollment. The student will then be required to meet the minimum standards for academic progress in subsequent semesters.

Indefinite Suspension
A student who returns from his or her second academic suspension and does not earn a semester UM GPA of 2.0 or higher on the required number of semester hours or who in a future semester fails to meet minimum standards for academic progress will be placed on Indefinite Suspension and may not enroll in any term (including summer). An appeal will not be considered by the College Reinstatement Committee until the student has been out of school for a minimum of two regular semesters.

Reinstatement Petition Process

First Suspension-Appeal to Department Chair
The student must make an appointment to meet with the appropriate Department Chair to present his/her case for reinstatement no later than three (3) weekdays prior to the beginning of a regular semester. If the Department Chair denies the request, the student may appeal to the Dean. The decision of the Dean is final and will be communicated to the Registrar, the Office of Student Financial Services, Housing, and other administrative offices as appropriate.

Second Suspension-Appeal to College Reinstatement Committee
The procedure for applying for reinstatement is as follows:

1. The student must complete a reinstatement petition, available from the Registrar’s Office, and submit it to the Reinstatement Committee of the college from which he or she was suspended no later than four (4) weekdays prior to the beginning of a regular semester.
2. The Reinstatement Committee (see following description) will review the student’s petition and may require a meeting with the student. The Committee may approve the petition, may approve the petition with stipulations, or may disapprove the petition. Stipulations may include limiting the number of courses the student may take or specifying the GPA the student must earn in the next semester.
3. If the Reinstatement Committee denies the student’s petition, the student may appeal in writing to the college Dean. The decision of the dean will be final. The student may not appeal a positive decision.
4. The final decision of the Reinstatement Committee or Dean will be communicated to the Registrar, the Office of Student Financial Services, Housing, and other administrative offices as appropriate.

Reinstatement Committee
Each college will appoint a Reinstatement Committee that will be charged with reviewing petitions submitted by students pursuing majors offered by the college for academic reinstatement following a second or indefinite suspension. The Reinstatement Committee will have three members (usually department chairs).

Special Conditions
Students placed on academic warning are usually not eligible to participate in extracurricular activities; however, a student incurring warning during a period of active participation in an intercollegiate sport, theatrical production, or other officially recognized extracurricular activity in which the student represents the University (in the case of athletes, from the first scheduled game through the last scheduled game only, including playoffs) may be allowed to complete the period of participation, provided that this provision does not conflict with relevant external rules. For purposes of enforcing this policy, the beginning and ending dates of each activity are determined on a case-by-case basis.

Academic Clemency

Academic Clemency is designed for former undergraduate students at UM whose GPAs during previous enrollments make it impossible or highly unlikely for them ever to graduate. Academic Clemency offers former students the opportunity to resume their college studies with a realistic possibility of completing an undergraduate degree. Students who were suspended or expelled from UM for academic dishonesty or misconduct are not eligible for Academic Clemency. Academic Clemency may be awarded only once, cannot be awarded retroactively, and cannot be revoked. Established requirements for repeating classes, admission to, or progression in specific academic degree programs take precedence over this policy.

A former student may apply for Academic Clemency to the Dean of the college in which he or she intends to pursue a major if he or she has not been enrolled at any academic institution for at least 36 months and has not previously been granted Academic Clemency at UM. The student must earn a 2.5 GPA or higher in at least 12 hours of degree-applicable course work (approved by the dean) in the first term following readmission to UM in order for Clemency to be applied. Once Clemency has been earned, the following rules apply to the student’s academic record:

• Degree requirements will be in accordance with those in effect at the time of the student’s readmission.
• All previous academic work will remain on the student’s transcript with an appropriate notation, but the grades for previous work are not used in computing the UM grade point average. UM courses in which grades of “C” or higher were earned during previous attendance may be applied to graduation requirements. UM courses in which grades of “D” were earned during previous college attendance may not be applied to graduation requirements.
• No adjustments will be made to previously accepted transfer coursework.
• After Clemency is granted, the student’s UM GPA will be recalculated beginning with the semester in which the student was readmitted to UM through the Academic Clemency process. The student’s academic standing in previous semesters will not be changed. Policies governing satisfactory academic progress, probation, and suspension will govern eligibility for continued enrollment following readmission.
• Students who are granted Academic Clemency may not receive Graduation Honors (cum laude, magna cum laude, summa cum laude). 

Honors

Graduation Honors

Graduation honors that are designated on the transcript and on the diploma are based on the following standard:

President’s List and Dean’s List

Students who earn at least 12 semester hours and a minimum 3.8 GPA during a semester are placed on the President’s List for that term. Students who earn at least 12 semester hours and between a 3.5 and a 3.79 GPA during a semester are placed on the Dean’s List for that term. The designations appear on the transcript.

Registration

Orientation and Evaluation

The University provides freshmen and transfer students a program of orientation, advising, and academic counseling prior to enrollment. The program provides students with an opportunity to better understand academic requirements and degree programs; to consider personal abilities, interests, and talents; and to become familiar with the campus and facilities.

New students are expected to participate in an orientation session prior to beginning classes. Students entering Montevallo during a Summer Session or during the Spring Semester attend one-day registration/orientation sessions. Fall Semester transfer students attend a one-day preregistration/orientation session offered during the summer. Fall Semester freshmen attend a one-day preregistration session during the summer and return to campus for Welcome Weekend immediately prior to the beginning of Fall Semester classes. An orientation fee is required of all new students.

Students also participate in one or more evaluative activities:

• as freshmen, as part of the orientation process;
• as seniors, as a required part of the preparation for graduation; and
• at other times during the college career, as deemed appropriate by the University.

University Calendar and Credit Hours

The University operates on the semester system. The University Calendar includes Fall and Spring Semesters, and a Summer Semester that includes a May Term, two five-week terms (Summer I and Summer II), a combined Summer I and II session, and a full summer session for selected courses, which runs from the beginning of the May Term to the end of Summer II.

The semester hour (or “credit hour”) is the unit of academic measurement.

Registration Procedures

Registration procedures and dates are available on the University’s website for each semester prior to academic advising. The schedule of classes is also available on the University’s website.

Each semester students may preregister for the subsequent semester. Students who pre-register and pay by the required date (published in the class schedule) do not have to participate in regular registration. Schedules of students who do not submit payment by the payment deadline may be dropped.

GPA Requirements for Course Overloads

A new student may not take more than 19 hours during his or her first regular semester. A continuing student who wishes to take more than 19 hours, but no more than 22 hours, must have a UM GPA of at least 3.0 and must have earned a GPA of at least 3.0 in the previous semester on a minimum of 12 semester hours. A transfer student who wishes to take more than 19 hours, but no more than 22 hours, must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0. Exceptions to the required GPA must be approved by the department chair for the student’s major.

The maximum load allowed in May is four hours. The maximum load allowed in each session of the summer semester is seven hours. Any exception must be approved by the department chair for the student’s major.

Independent Study

Advanced students, with the approval of the instructing faculty member, department chair, and dean, may be afforded the opportunity to conduct under the guidance of a faculty member an independent study on a topic not covered in depth in other courses. Independent study courses are intended primarily for juniors and seniors whose academic performance indicates the ability to succeed in a less closely directed experience than a typical class offers. With the exception of extraordinary circumstances, a student may not take a regularly scheduled course on an independent study basis nor can general education credits be earned through independent study courses. The independent study must involve a significant body of work that is clearly academic in nature and that is assigned a grade by the instructor. The instructor will develop an independent study syllabus that specifies the work the student is expected to complete, the frequency of meetings between the instructor and the student, and how the student’s grade will be determined. Published academic calendar deadlines and the established grading system apply to independent studies.

Auditing Courses

Students may audit courses (i.e., without receiving grades or credit) on a space-available basis. Auditing students must register in the Registrar’s Office during the official late-registration period only. Students taking courses for credit may not change credit to audit after the drop/add period ends.

Cancellation of Courses

The University reserves the right to cancel any course. The decision is made by the dean of the college in which the course is offered.

Non-Academic Credit

The University of Montevallo does not award academic credit for non-academic pursuits such as continuing education courses, “life experience,” or any other course work taken on a non-credit basis.

Drop-Add Policy

During the drop/add period (the first week of a Fall or Spring semester, the first day of May term, and the first two days of Summer I or Summer II), a student may add a class without the professor’s permission, and a student may drop a course (without incurring a grade of W) either through his or her forUM account or in the Registrar’s Office. A course that is dropped during the drop/add period will be deleted from the student’s transcript. The student must initiate the drop process; failure to attend class does not constitute a formal drop. See the University Calendar  for specific dates and the University refund policy for details regarding tuition and fees associated with dropping a class in this time frame.

Course Withdrawal

After the drop/add period, a student may add a course only with the written approval of the professor, department chair, and college dean. If a student wishes to withdraw from a course after the drop/add period and receive a grade of W (withdrawn), she/he must do so by the final withdrawal date shown in the University Calendar  either through forUM or in the Registrar’s Office. The course withdrawal period ends at midnight on the date specified in the University Calendar, approximately 60 percent through the academic term. A grade of W does not affect the student’s GPA. The student must initiate the course withdrawal process; failure to attend class does not constitute a formal course withdrawal.

After the course withdrawal period ends, a student may not withdraw from a course except in the most extenuating circumstances. Students should note that this policy typically applies only to situations that justify late withdrawal from all courses in which the student is enrolled, not to late withdrawal from one course. See the Withdrawal for Extenuating Circumstances policy. Failure to adhere to the published course withdrawal deadline in the University Calendar does not qualify as an extenuating circumstance under this policy.

A student who is withdrawing from the final course in which she/he is enrolled in a given term may do so either in person in the Registrar’s Office or may submit a request to registrar@montevallo.edu through her/his official forUM e-mail account.

Please note that the Department of Veterans Affairs or the Department of Defense may require partial repayment if a student using veteran educational benefits withdraws from a course after the drop/add period. Students using veteran educational benefits who are considering a schedule change after the drop/add period should see the UM Coordinator of Veterans’ Affairs. There may also be consequences for other student groups such as athletes or international students. Athletes must have approval from UM’s Athletics Compliance Officer. International students must have approval from the Registrar’s Office.

Course Withdrawal for Non-Attendance

In order to comply with Federal Regulations pertaining to the proper disbursement of financial aid, students are administratively withdrawn from classes which they have “never attended” as reported by instructors. Registration adjustments are made soon after the beginning of each term so that student financial accounts are updated in a timely manner. A student who attends or participates in a class for any length of time cannot be withdrawn from that class for having never attended.

Instructors are required to submit a date of last attendance for a student who receives a failing grade (F or NC) at the conclusion of each term. These dates may be used for the purpose of adjusting student financial accounts in order to ensure compliance with financial aid regulations.

Students are ultimately responsible for their class schedules and for completing the withdrawal process within the established deadlines. No course withdrawals for non-attendance will be processed after the conclusion of the term.

Withdrawal from the University

Students intending to withdraw from the University prior to the term withdrawal deadline must submit to the Registrar’s Office a withdrawal form signed by their department chair. Students receiving financial aid should consult the Office of Student Financial Services to determine the effect the withdrawal may have on their aid. Students residing on campus should notify the Office of Housing and Residence Life of their intent to withdraw and must check out of the residence hall within 24 hours of withdrawal. Completion of these procedures results in official withdrawal from the University, and a grade of W is recorded for each course. Courses will not appear on the student’s transcript if the withdrawal is completed prior to the conclusion of the add/drop period. Students may not withdraw from the University after the term withdrawal deadline, which is published in the University Calendar in this Bulletin, unless they are approved for a Withdrawal for Extenuating Circumstances (see Withdrawal for Extenuating Circumstances). Students who do not adhere to the withdrawal procedures will receive the appropriate grade(s) posted by faculty to the academic record at the conclusion of the term.

Withdrawal for Extenuating Circumstances

In the case of prolonged illness, debilitating accident, family emergency, or comparably serious personal situations that occur after the withdrawal deadline and that are beyond a student’s control, the student may request a withdrawal for extenuating circumstances. A student seeking a withdrawal for extenuating circumstances must withdraw from all courses for that term; a partial withdrawal for extenuating circumstances will typically not be approved. If a withdrawal for extenuating circumstances is granted, the student will receive a W for any course in which he/she is enrolled with a special notation on the transcript denoting extenuating circumstances.

Process
The student must complete the Withdrawal for Extenuating Circumstances form located on the Registrar’s web page, indicating last date of class attendance, and submit the form, along with an explanation of how the situation prevents completion of the term and documentation of the circumstances (medical documentation for student or immediate family member for whom the student is responsible, death certificate of family member, etc.). All required paperwork should be submitted to the Registrar’s Office in Palmer Hall as soon as possible but no later than 30 days following the end of the term for which the student is seeking a withdrawal for extenuating circumstances.

Academic and Financial Considerations

If a student receives a Withdrawal for Extenuating Circumstances, a grade of W will be assigned for each course in which the student is enrolled.

Financial considerations and academic standing should be taken into account prior to requesting a withdrawal for extenuating circumstances. Withdrawal from college may affect a student’s eligibility for health insurance coverage under a parent’s policy. Students should be aware that they must demonstrate Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) in order to avoid academic suspension and to continue to be eligible to receive financial aid. Low grades or excessive withdrawals may affect a student’s continued enrollment at UM or the student’s ability to receive financial aid in the future. See Satisfactory Academic Progress.

Military Leave/Withdrawal

The University of Montevallo is committed to supporting service men and women of the United States and the State of Alabama. Military students may apply for a Late Start or a Military Leave of Absence (MLOA) from the University if they are called to duty and must withdraw from the semester, leave prior to the end of the term, attend training during the semester or miss the beginning of the semester due to military orders. Details are available from the Coordinator of Veterans Affairs.

Records

Transcript of Academic Record

The transcript is a student’s official permanent academic record. The handling of transcripts and the retention and disposal of student records are in accordance with the guidelines of the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers and the requirements of the Alabama University General Records Schedules.

Final grades for each term are reported to students through forUM/Banner Self Service. A printed copy of grades is available at no charge for currently enrolled students from the Registrar’s Office through the University’s website. Students who are not enrolled but who have fulfilled their financial obligations to the University may obtain their transcripts by requesting an official transcript through the University’s website. Transcript fees apply.

Confidentiality of Records

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords students certain rights with respect to their education records. They are as follows:

1. The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day the University receives a request for access.

Students should submit to the Registrar written requests that identify the record(s) they wish to inspect. The Registrar will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected.

2. The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the student believes are inaccurate or misleading. Students should write the University official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading.

If the University decides not to amend the records requested by the student, the University will notify the student of the decision and advise the student of his or her right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing.

3. The right to provide written consent before the University discloses personally identifiable information from the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.

One exception which permits disclosure without a student’s prior written consent involves to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A “school official” is a person employed by the University in an administrative, supervisory, academic or research, or support staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel and health staff); a person or company with whom the University has contracted who performs an institutional service or function (such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent); a person serving on the Board of Trustees; a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee; or a student employee assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks.

A school official has a “legitimate educational interest” if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibilities for the University.

The University may release without consent the following directory information: name, address, e-mail address, telephone numbers, major fields of study, date of birth, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of student-athletes, most-recent educational institution attended, number of current hours in which the student is enrolled, student enrollment status (i.e. full or part-time), degrees and graduation dates, anticipated degrees and graduation dates, classification (i.e. freshman, sophomore, etc.), awards and honors, dates of attendance, and class schedule, (this latter only by the Police Chief or a designee). Students wishing to withhold directory information must fill out a “Request to Prevent Disclosure of Directory Information” form, which may be obtained in the Registrar’s Office.

4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the University of Montevallo to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is:
   Family Policy Compliance Office
   U.S. Department of Education
   600 Independence Avenue, SW
   Washington, D.C. 20202-4605

Any complaints or questions should be addressed to the Registrar, Registrar’s Office, Palmer Hall, (205) 665-6040. There is also a complete copy of the University’s FERPA policy on file in the Registrar’s Office.