A. Academic Freedom of Students

Freedom of Expression: Students are free to take reasoned exception to the views offered in particular courses of study. They may, however, be required to know thoroughly the particulars set out by the instructor, but are free to reserve personal judgment as to the truth or falsity of what is presented. Knowledge and academic performance should be the norms by which students are graded.

B. Academic Honesty

Academic honesty is expected of all Gonzaga University students. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to cheating, plagiarism, and theft. Any student found guilty of academic dishonesty is subject to disciplinary action.

Disciplinary action against a student found guilty of academic dishonesty may include, but is not limited to: (1) a failing grade for the test or assignment in questions; (2) a failing grade for the course; and/or (3) a recommendation for dismissal from the University.

A student may appeal the disciplinary action taken. The appeal shall be made in writing to the Chair of the department, or Dean if there is no Chair, of the appropriate school within 14 days of receipt of written notification of the disciplinary action taken.

Following an appeal, a final report shall be submitted to the Academic Vice President for review and possible further disciplinary action taken by the University. The Academic Vice President may direct in intermediate appeal to the Chair's Dean. Final appeal by the student may be made to the Academic Vice President.

C. Grade Appeal

Students must maintain standards of academic performance set forth by the University if they are to receive the certificate of competence implied by course credits and degrees. The instructor is the usual and competent judge of these matters. But students must be protected against the rare case of unjust grading and evaluation. Allegations of unfair or prejudiced grading may be brought to the attention of and reviewed by the dean of the appropriate school and, if necessary, by the Academic Vice President, whose decision is final.

D. Minimum/Maximum Course Loads

Full-Time Status: The normal course load of a regular full-time undergraduate student is sixteen semester credits. For academic purposes, the minimum full-time course load is twelve credits (but see the financial section of this Catalogue for definition of a full-time student in respect to tuition charges). The maximum load for students in good standing is eighteen semester credits in one semester; for students on probation, the maximum is fifteen credits or five courses.

E. Unsatisfactory Academic Progress,

Probation, and Academic Dismissal

Minimum standards of achievement for undergraduates are a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 for all credits earned at Gonzaga and a 2.00 semester grade point average for the previous semester. Students failing to achieve these minimums are automatically placed on Unsatisfactory Academic Progress Probation. Notation of "Unsatisfactory Progress" will appear on grade reports and transcripts and prompts automatic reviews.

Students who are receiving financial aid may also be subject to Financial Aid Probation; further information can be found in the Financial Aid section of this Catalogue.

The terms of Unsatisfactory Academic Progress Probation are specified in an individual letter to the student from the Committee on Admissions and Academic Standing; in general, students must curtail or discontinue all activities outside the classroom so as to improve their academic progress and they must register for no more than fifteen credits or five courses.

Students on academic probation are subject to dismissal from the University for poor scholarship. The Committee on Admissions and Academic Standing is charged with retaining only those students who can reasonably be expected to achieve at least the minimum standards of the University.

After each semester, this committee examines the grades of all students who have made unsatisfactory progress; students to be dismissed, as well as those allowed to continue on further probation, are notified of the Committee's decisions.

Satisfactory Academic Progress for Veterans: Veterans failing to achieve minimum standards of academic progress are placed on probation for the following semester and notified via letter by the University's Veterans' Coordinator. The Department of Veteran Administration will be notified should a veteran fail to achieve satisfactory academic progress subsequent to the initial probationary period and benefits will be suspended until satisfactory progress standing is attained.

F. Class Attendance Policy

Students are presumed to have sufficient maturity to recognize their responsibility for regular class attendance. Since illness or other good reasons may prevent attendance, Gonzaga University has a standard policy on absences. This policy stipulates that the maximum allowable absence is two (2) class hours (100 minutes) for each class credit. For the three credit class the maximum absence is, therefore, six (6) class hours (300 minutes). Classes scheduled to meet for more than 50 minutes have more than one class hour for each meeting; for example, a class which meets for 75 minutes has one and one-half class hours for each scheduled meeting. Instructors may report absences to the Registrar's office which will in turn notify the students. The grade given for excessive absences is a V, which has the same effect as F and is counted in the GPA.

Participation in school activities or athletics does not exempt students from this standard policy on absences. The fact that a student has met the other course requirements (such as papers) is not sufficient to change a V to a passing grade.

G. Faculty Initiated Course Drops

To provide enrollment space for others, students who do not attend first class meetings of course sections are subject to being dropped at the discretion of the professors with the approval of the dean. Professors will report absences to the dean, who, upon appoval, will notify the Registrar's Office to drop students from course sections.

Students should contact professors or academic departments if they plan to be absent the first class day of course sections.

Students who register for courses they do not attend are themselves responsible for officially dropping the courses through the Registrar's Office. The consequence of not officially dropping courses is a V (unofficial withdrawal) grade which is calculated as a failing grade and is counted in the grade point average (GPA). Students should not assume that professors will automatically initiate course drops for non-class attendance on the first class day of course sections.

Students will experience a reduction in credits when course sections are dropped for non-attendance. This may affect financial aid awards, scholarship eligibility, athletic eligibility, VA benefits, and numerous other areas related to minimum credit limits.

H. Final Examinations

Final examinations are held at the end of each semester, and, at the option of the instructor, examinations are held at mid-semester. Final examination times are listed in each semester's official Announcement of Course Offerings. Students making their travel arrangements for the end of each semester must take into account these final examination times.

Final examinations or their equivalent can be administered by instructors only on the day and at the time indicated in the Final Exam Schedule of the official Announcement of Course Offerings; any exceptions to this procedure must have the explicit approval of the appropriate dean.