Course Catalog

Academic Citizenship

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.

Academic Integrity

Gonzaga University is committed to supporting and protecting academic integrity in all aspects of what we do. Our Academic Integrity Policy was developed with that commitment in mind. We encourage all students, faculty and staff to familiarize themselves with the policy.

Integrity Formation

The institution’s mission statement expresses Gonzaga University's self-understanding through its Catholic, Jesuit and humanistic heritage and identity. These spiritual and intellectual traditions are expressed in the ideals of reflective and critical thought, ethical discernment, innovation, and commitment to social justice. The ideals imply a deeply held, rigorously maintained, and clearly articulated standard of academic integrity. This document presents that standard as understood by the Gonzaga University community of learners, teachers, and scholars and outlines the processes followed when these standardsare violated. The Academic Integrity Policy (AIP) applies to all faculty and students (undergraduate and graduate) at Gonzaga, except for the Law School which is
exempt from this policy but governed by their own policy.

Resources for faculty and students can be found at www.gonzaga.edu/academicintegrity.

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 department Chair, by the Dean of the appropriate school and, if necessary, by the Provost & Senior Vice President, whose decision is final.

Minimum/Maximum Course Loads

Full-Time Status: The normal course load of a regular full-time graduate student is six semester credits.

Part-Time Status: Graduate students are considered to be enrolled half-time if enrolled in three (3) to five (5) credits and less-than-half-time if enrolled in two (2) credits or less per semester. 

Good Academic Standing, Unsatisfactory Academic Progress, Probation, and Academic Dismissal

Students are on Academic Probation whenever the term and/or cumulative GPA earned falls below a 3.00. To be in Good Academic Standing with the University, students must maintain a term GPA of 3.00 as determined at the end of every semester, beginning with the completion of the student’s second semester at Gonzaga University. Good Academic Standing is required for all graduating students, and it may affect a student’s ability to receive financial aid, or to represent Gonzaga in extra-curricular activities.

Students with unsatisfactory progress, may be subject to academic dismissal from the University. A notation of “Academic Dismissal” will appear on transcripts. Dismissed students have an opportunity for appeal.

Those receiving financial aid also may be subject to Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Probation and/or Suspension, which may result in additional financial consequences.

Class Attendance Policy

Gonzaga University presumes that students have sufficient maturity to recognize their responsibility for regular class attendance.  Gonzaga University has this policy on absences because illness or other good reasons may prevent attendance, and because the intensive nature of some courses dictates that attendance may be a factor in the student evaluation process.  Individual instructors are not required to enforce the University Class Attendance Policy but may do so at their own discretion.  Therefore, students should check with the syllabus for each course to confirm the instructor’s specific attendance policy, which should be clearly delineated within each syllabus.  No instructor may enforce an attendance policy that is more restrictive than the standard university policy:

Gonzaga’s standard policy on absences stipulates that the maximum allowable absence is two class hours (100 minutes) for each class credit.  For three-credit classes, the maximum absence is, therefore, six 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” (Fail) and is counted in the GPA. Faculty are encouraged to work with individual students to ensure academic success. 

When students are required to be absent from class for activities sanctioned by the University, the University should help students resolve these conflicting commitments. Students who will be absent due to University-sanctioned activities are responsible for providing to faculty written documentation of the travel dates from the University staff directing or advising the activity. This documentation should be provided as far in advance as reasonably possible (ideally at the beginning of the semester). On receipt of proper documentation, instructors should make efforts to both satisfy the course objectives and meet the students’ needs due to absences related to University-sanctioned activities.

The University Class Attendance Policy may be modified for qualified students with documented short- or long-term disabilities and/or for religious accommodations.  For more information or case consultation, contact the Disability Access Office or, for matters related to religious accommodations, the Office of Diversity Equity & Inclusion. Additionally, students who feel that they have experienced a misuse of the University Class Attendance Policy, or who feel they have unfairly received a “V” grade, may appeal to the Dean of the College/School in which the course is offered. 

University Recording Policy

Instructors are not required to record classes. However, class sessions and meetings may be recorded for the benefit of students who are unable to attend in-person or for other academic uses such as study aids, online instruction, hybrid class settings, or other types of distance education. This policy is not intended to affect any students’ rights under both federal and state law regarding reasonable accommodations. Students requesting accommodations should coordinate with the Disability Access Office.
By remaining registered in a class at Gonzaga University, students agree that their recognizable and/or identifiable voice, name, image, or likeness may be recorded for educational purposes only. Student compliance with the terms of this policy is subject to the student code of conduct.

Definitions

Recording is defined as including, but not limited to, video, audio, screen shots, and photos.
Class is defined as any registered course or class with students through any modality, in person or via any technology.
Instructor is defined as meaning primary instructor (of record) or professor.

  1. Student Initiated Recordings

    1. Student Made Recordings
      1. Video Recording – A student may not make a recording of a class, or any portion thereof.
      2. Screen Shots or Photos – A student may take a screen shot or photo of materials used in class only if the instructor gives explicit permission to do so. Screen shots or photos are only to be used for personal educational use by the student during their enrollment in the class.
      3. Audio Recording – A student must receive explicit permission from the instructor before making an audio recording of all or any portion of a class. This recording is only to be used for personal educational use by the student during their enrollment in the class.
    2. Distribution of Class Recording – A student may not distribute or share a recording of class, or any portion thereof, to anyone in any format. This includes any digital application or platform including all social media platforms.
    3. Accessibility of Recordings – Students who are given access to any form of class recording must delete the recordings no later than the end of the semester in which the recording was made.

  2. Instructor Initiated Recordings

    1. Video, Screen Shots, Photos, and Audio Recording – Instructors are not required to make recordings. Any recording will be made solely at the instructor’s discretion. Only the instructor, or an instructor designee, may cause a class to be recorded, unless explicit permission is given by the instructor.
    2. Distribution of Class Recording – An instructor may post a recording on an internal Learning Management System (LMS) or distribute through university email to students for educational purposes only. If posted to any website, access to the recording must be restricted so that only students who are registered for the class have access.
      Faculty, administrators, and staff, other than the instructor who made the recording, do not have permission to use or share class recordings for any purpose.
    3. Accessibility of Recordings – Instructors are required to make all recordings inaccessible to students within 30 days of the end of the semester, except as necessary to assist students enrolled in that class to complete outstanding work.
    4. University Approved Systems and Software – A university approved learning management system, or university email account, must be used for uploading recordings, storing recordings, or disseminating recordings to students enrolled in the class for educational purposes. University approved software includes those provided to employees by Gonzaga Information Technology Services (ITS) and secure, third-party party providers (such as Blackboard or Canvas).

  3. Exceptions

    1. Instructors may only reuse recordings that do not show any recognizable and/or identifiable voice, name, image, or likeness of students. This includes audio and video recordings, reviews of assignments, research synopses, how-to guides, instructional videos, and any other class related materials.

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 for each semester on the Registrar’s Office web pages. 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; any exceptions to this procedure must have the explicit approval of the appropriate Dean.

Enrollment Verifications

On average, once a month the Registrar’s Office transmits enrollment data to the National Student Clearinghouse for enrollment verification of students with federal and state loans. The Registrar’s Office, upon timely notice, will also provide to any student a letter verifying his/her enrollment status to any agency. Students may print out their verification for insurance providers by accessing the National Student Loan Clearinghouse link through ZAGWEB.