RULES

AUDIT ENROLLMENT (COURSE VISITOR)
You may audit, or visit, a class without enrolling in it for a grade. There are certain restrictions on your participation. You must process an Audit Enrollment Request Form, whether or not you are concurrently enrolled for regular course work. Please complete the audit form and follow the instructions on the form.  Also, space must be available in the class you wish to audit. The following restrictions apply:

1. Your participation in the class is restricted, including classroom recitation. Course handouts, tests, and other materials may not be available to you. Laboratory privileges are not included.

2. If you want credit for the course, you must enroll for and repeat it as a regular course and pay the regular tuition.

3. Your name does not appear on class rosters or on grade sheets.

4. As an auditor, you do not go through regular admission or enrollment procedures for that course.

5. If you're an undergraduate student taking 12 or more hours per term, you may audit one three-hour course at no additional charge. Audit fees are nonrefundable.

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SCHEDULE CHANGES
The University Calendar lists the deadlines for adding courses, dropping courses without grade record, and changing sections for each term.  You are encouraged to see your adviser when making changes to your schedule.  It is the responsibility of the student to be sure that all deadlines are met.  You may drop a course with a grade of W (withdrawal) through approximately mid-term.  You may not drop a course after the deadline date listed in the University Calendar.

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WITHDRAWAL
If you decide to withdraw from the University before the end of the term or session, you first must notify your school's dean in writing. The dean will advise you on the withdrawal procedures that apply to your situation. In order to be withdrawn from the University, you must get clearance from the offices of your academic dean and the Registrar. A grade of W will be recorded in each course in which you were enrolled. You must follow the prescribed procedures to make your withdrawal official. No refunds can be made unless you do. Notifying your instructors does not make your withdrawal official, nor does non-attendance of classes. If you withdraw on or before the fifth day of regular classes, your enrollment will be canceled. Courses and grades are not recorded for canceled enrollments. You may receive a refund of tuition and fees according to the schedule listed in the Financial Information Bulletin. The amount of the refund is determined by the effective date of the withdrawal. In the case of a medical withdrawal, you will receive a daily pro rata refund of tuition and fees. (Check withdrawal procedures for dates)

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STOP ENROLLMENT AND ADMINISTRATIVE WITHDRAWAL
You may be deemed ineligible to enroll or be administratively withdrawn from the University if you give insufficient or improper information on any admission or enrollment form. In addition, action may be taken if a student has shown academic deficiencies, requires disciplinary action, and/or does not meet his or her financial obligations to the University.

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NAME CHANGE
Students who have a change in name after their last enrollment at SMU or a change from the name submitted on their application for admission must provide his/her original social security card or the form issued by the Social Security Administration. No enrollment or records services can be accomplished for a student under a name different from their last enrollment without the above documentation. All grade reports, transcripts, and diplomas are issued only under the person's legal name as recorded by the University Registrar.

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ADDRESS AND TELEPHONE CHANGES
Students:
Students should verify, and update as appropriate using Access.SMU, their address and telephone information.  University policy requires all students to provide both a current Home address and a current Mailing Address. Your Mailing Address is your "local" mailing address -- your SMU PO Box number or Dallas area address, unless you're a distance education student.  It is possible for students to also provide a Billing address, if it differs from their Home address. After you login to Access.SMU, click on Personal Information then Addresses.  

The university is committed to having cellular telephone numbers on file for all students, with the understanding that some students do not have a cellular telephone and some students do not wish to provide their cellular telephone number.  Cellular telephones are one way students might be contacted in the event of a campus emergency.  Routine business might also be handled using the student’s cellular telephone number.

Undergraduate students whose parent's address and/or telephone information changes, please refer to the section below for PARENTS. 

Students who have questions regarding their address and telephone information should contact Steve Boykin at jboykin@mail.smu.edu. Be sure to include your full name and  SMU ID number.

Alumni:

Alumni who have questions regarding their address and telephone information should log on to http://www.peruna.net/

Parents:
Please send your updated information to records@smu.edu. Click here for information that needs to be included in your email.

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CLASS ATTENDANCE
Regular class attendance is required. At the beginning of each course, the instructor announces policies regarding how class attendance affects a student's standing in the course. These policies may include dropping a student from the course for non-attendance after a certain number of absences (with a $25 administrative drop fee). Reasons for an absence should be submitted to the instructor immediately.

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FERPA - Confidentiality Of Education Records And Directory Information
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (also known as FERPA and/or The Buckley Amendment of 1974), as amended, protects the privacy of student education records and affords students attending postsecondary institutions certain rights with respect to their education records. Education records are defined as all records that contain information which is directly related to a student and that are maintained by an educational agency or institution or by a party acting for the agency or institution. Among these rights are:

    • Right to access, inspect, and review education records with
      certain restrictions.
    • Right to challenge the content of education records.
    • Right to consent to the disclosure of education records with
      certain restrictions.

In general, no personally identifiable information from your education record is disclosed to a third party without your written consent. Exceptions include:

    • Information defined by SMU as Directory Information may be
      released unless the student requests that it be withheld.   

SMU defines the following student information as Directory Information under FERPA:

    • Personal data which includes a student’s name, address (home & mailing) telephone (home & mailing) and e-mail address (campus (SMU assigned));
    • Enrollment data which includes the student’s academic program (school of record, degree objectives, major(s), minor(s), expected graduation date), academic level (classification), current enrollment status (full, half, part time, etc.), attendance dates, degrees and awards received, and previous education (all past school(s) and/or institution(s) attended);
    • Participation data which includes the student’s participation in university recognized activities and sports.

Other information in the student’s education records that is not listed in the above definition is not considered as SMU “directory information” and is not released to a third party without the student’s written consent. To restrict the release of directory information, a student must file FERPA related form – Student’s Restrict Directory Information Request. The student must submit this form in person to the University Registrar’s Office. A valid picture id is required for identification. This declaration is valid until written revocation by the student and/or the student graduates from SMU and/or the student’s academic program is discontinued for lack of enrollment for two full terms.

    • Information may be released to a parent or guardian if the student is declared financially dependent upon the parent or guardian as defined by Section 152 of the Internal Revenue Service Code. Parents/guardians must submit the FERPA related form – Parent’s Declaration of Student’s Dependency to Obtain Student Education Records (must be submitted each year parent(s)/guardian(s) declare that the student is a dependent).
    • A student may declare Dependence on his/her parent(s)/guardian(s) or may declare Independence from his/her parent(s)/guardian(s). On this same form, a student may also specifically designate any person(s) to whom he/she authorizes SMU to release education records. The student must submit the FERPA related form – Student’s Declaration of Dependence or Independence Education Records Release Request.

The student must submit this form in person to the University Registrar’s Office. A valid picture id is required for identification. This declaration is valid until written revocation by the student and/or by the named person(s).    

    • A student may declare independence from his/her parent(s)/guardian(s) and specifically restrict access to his/her student education records voiding any declaration of dependency filed by his/her parent(s)/guardian(s). The student must submit the FERPA related form – Student’s Declaration of Independence to Restrict Education Records Request. The student must submit this form in person to the University Registrar’s Office. A valid picture id is required for identification. This declaration is valid until written revocation by the student.

    • A student may release education records and/or other specified nformation to a specifically identified individual/party or class of parties for a specified purpose of release. The student must submit the FERPA related form – Student’s Consent for SMU to Release Information to Student’s Specified Third Party. The student must submit this form in person to the University Registrar’s Office. A picture id is required for identification. A separate release must be filed for each individual request.
    • University officials/faculty/employees with legitimate educational interest in the education records and a bona fide need to know the information to carry out their assigned duties.
   • Schools in which a student seeks or intends to enroll.
   • Federal, State, or local authorities conducting audit, evaluation, or enforcement of education programs.
   • Financial Aid eligibility determination.
   • Organizations conducting studies on behalf of educational institutions.
   • Accrediting organizations to permit them to conduct their accrediting functions.
   • Compliance with a judicial order or subpoena (with reasonable effort to notify the student).
   • Health and/or safety emergency only to those with a need to know.
   • Results of a disciplinary hearing concerning a student who is an alleged perpetrator of a crime of violence and who is found to have committed a violation of the institution’s rules or policies.
   • Disclosure to parent/guardian of a student under 21 years of age if the institution determines that the student has committed a violation of its drug and alcohol rules or policies.

All SMU students are considered independent of their parents unless the student or parent provides a written statement to the University Registrar that the student is dependent. The University Registrar’s Office can answer your questions concerning this policy. A copy of these guidelines is available in the Office of the Dean of Student Life. The policy on Family and Educational Rights and Privacy Act at SMU can be found at http://www.smu.edu/policy/S1/ferpa.html. This policy lists whom to contact to seek access or amendment of education records. Details of The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, The Buckley Amendment of 1974, and all other amendments to date may be found at the US Department of Education website: http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html.

Complaints of alleged violations may be addressed to:

Family Policy Compliance Officee
US Department of Educationn
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-5920

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STUDENT FILE NUMBER
A student's SMU identification number is an eight-digit number assigned by the University. The SMU ID number should be furnished on all forms when requested, as it is the primary means for identifying the student's academic records and any transactions related to the records.

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MANDATORY DECLARATION OF MAJOR
Students officially declare their majors when they have made a firm choice and have met the specific program entrance requirements for their intended school and department. Most students declare majors during their sophomore year. To continue studies at SMU, students must qualify for and declare a major by the time they complete 75 term hours, including credits by examination and transfer credits.

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CHANGE OF ACADEMIC PROGRAM
Undergraduate students who want to change their academic program - that is, transfer from one school to another within the University, change their degree objective, or change their major or minor - first should apply to the dean of the school in which they are currently enrolled. Part-time students who want to transfer from the Division of Evening and Summer Studies to a degree-granting school must meet all standard University admission requirements. Students can change their academic program at any time during a term; the program change will be effective on the date it is received and processed. However, changes must be made at least three weeks before enrollment for the next term in order for the changes to be effective for that enrollment.

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CONCURRENT DEGREE PROGRAMS
Students can earn two degrees simultaneously from two schools within the University with the approval of the academic dean of each school. Since the requirements of each degree must be fulfilled, students should meet early with advisers in both schools to prepare a proposed plan of study and complete all necessary forms.

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ENROLLMENT FOR NO-CREDIT
You may enroll in a course for "no-credit" after following regular admission and enrollment procedures. You pay the regular tuition and fees, participate in class activities, are listed on class rolls, and receive a grade of NC after course work is completed. You must state in writing no later than the 12th day of classes (fourth day during summer term) that you want to take a course for no-credit. Permission of the instructor or department is required. This enrollment is different from audit enrollments, for which no enrollment or grade is recorded.

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TRANSFER COURSES FROM OTHER INSTITUTIONS
Once students have matriculated at SMU, they may transfer no more than 15 hours to SMU from accredited colleges and universities. To ensure that a course taken at another college or university will transfer and that proper credit will be awarded, the student taking the course should obtain prior approval of the following people: the chair of the department and dean of the school at SMU that normally offers the course, the adviser, and the student's dean. Students who fail to get prior approval for transfer work can petition later for transfer credit, but they have no assurance that it will be awarded. In either case, permission may be denied for educational reasons.

Students are responsible for making sure a transcript of all transfer work attempted is sent to the University registrar immediately following completion of the work. Forms for requesting transfer credit are available in the Undergraduate Offices.

Credit may be awarded for college courses a student takes prior to matriculation at SMU, including courses a student takes before graduating from high school, if they meet the criteria for transfer work outlined in the Transfer Admission Criteria section of this catalog. Credit may be denied for educational reasons.

Official college transcripts are required for all college-level work attempted, regardless of transferability.

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ACADEMIC PROGRESS
All undergraduate students are required to make regular and satisfactory progress toward their degrees. Graduation in four years, which is the University norm, depends upon the accrual of at least 30 academic term hours per year and the maintenance of a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0. SMU's academic probation and suspension policies define the minimum standards by which a student's academic progress is measured. Failure to meet the University's minimum acceptable standards of academic or disciplinary performance can result in probation, suspension, or dismissal. For more information regarding disciplinary action, see the Undergraduate Catalog.

 ACADEMIC PROBATION This is a stern warning that satisfactory progress toward graduation is not being made. A student on probation is still considered in "good standing" for certification purposes and is eligible to enroll. Probationary warnings are not listed on a student's permanent academic record.

ACADEMIC SUSPENSION AND DISMISSAL. These are involuntary separations from your SMU school of record. A suspension is effective for a specified period of time; a dismissal is permanent. A suspended or dismissed student is not in good standing in his or her school of record and is not eligible to enroll as a student in that school during the suspension or dismissal period. Academic suspensions and dismissals are listed on the student's permanent academic record.

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NOTICE OF SPECIAL TOPICS
Students enrolling in special-topic courses such as Directed Research, Private Study, Directed Readings, etc., may request to have the subject of their course noted on their transcripts. You can make the request by filling out a Notice of Special Topic form, which can be obtained from the instructor and must be submitted to the Office of the University Registrar before the last day of classes for the term.

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CLASSIFICATION OF STUDENTS
First-Year……………0-29 term hours earned
Sophomore…………..30-59 term hours earned
Junior………………..60-89 term hours earned
Senior………………..90 or more term hours earned
Non-Degree………….Not pursuing a degree
Graduate Enrolled in a graduate program

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TERM-HOUR LOADS
The value of courses is measured by the term hour (i.e., one lecture hour or three laboratory hours per week for a term of approximately 16 weeks, including final examinations). Usually, each lecture hour requires a minimum of two hours of preparation on the part of students. Undergraduates must get their dean's approval to enroll for fewer than 12 or more than 18 hours per term. Consult the "University Registration and Academic Records Standards" section of your Undergraduate Bulletin for information about the minimum and maximum loads for your school. For undergraduates, a full-time load in the fall or spring terms and in the Summer Session is 12 hours. Those enrolling for fewer than 12 hours are designated as part-time students. The normal undergraduate enrollment for each of the regular terms is 15 term hours. An undergraduate student enrolled in an engineering co-op course is considered full-time. For graduates, a full-time load in the fall or spring terms and in the Summer Session is 9 hours. Persons enrolling for fewer than 9 hours are designated as part-time students. A student enrolled in an engineering co-op course is considered full-time. A graduate student who is not enrolled for the required number of hours may still be certified as a full-time student if he or she is enrolled for 6049 or 8049 or in other special situations recognized by the Academic Dean and Provost. This may apply to you if you are working full time on completion of a thesis, dissertation, or performance recital requirement; enrolled in an internship program; enrolled as a third-year theater major working on the completion of required production projects; or have an instructor appointment as part of a teaching fellowship.

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GRADES
The grade is determined by the instructor of the course.

Grade………………………..Points Per Term Hour
A…..Excellent Scholarship……....4.00
A-....Excellent Scholarship.............3.70
B+…Good Scholarship……....….3.30
B…..Good Scholarship……….....3.00
B-....Good Scholarship………......2.70
C+….Fair Scholarship……….…..2.30
C...…Fair Scholarship…………...2.00
C-…..Fair Scholarship……..........1.70
D+…..Poor Scholarship……….....1.30
D……Poor Scholarship……….....1.00
D-…..Poor scholarship…..........….0.70
F……Failure………………..…....0.00
P,CR..Pass, Credit………………..*
I…….Incomplete…………………*
NC….No Credit Received………..*
W.…Withdrew…………………..*
X……No Grade Received in Registrar's Office
* Grades not included in grade point average

You may receive a grade of incomplete (I) in a course if you have completed the majority of the course requirements with passing grades but for some justifiable reason, acceptable to the instructor, you have been unable to complete all of the course requirements. Before an I is given, the instructor should stipulate in writing to you and to the University Registrar the requirements and completion dates to be met and the grade that will be given if the requirements are not met by the completion date. The maximum period of time allowed to clear an incomplete grade for an undergraduate course is 12 months. If the Incomplete grade is not cleared by the date set by the instructor or by the end of the 12-month deadline, the I will be changed by the University Registrar to the grade specified by the instructor or to an F if no alternate grade is specified. The grade of I is not given in lieu of an F, W, or other grade, each of which is prescribed for other specific circumstances. If a student's work is incomplete and has not been of passing quality, an F will be given. The grade of I does not authorize a student to attend the course during a later term. Graduation candidates must clear all incompletes prior to the deadline listed in the Official University Calendar. Failure to do so can result in removal from the degree candidacy list and/or conversion of the I to the grade indicated by the instructor at the time the I was given. A failure is graded F. After such a grade, credit may be obtained only by repeating the course. The grade of D represents performance below average expectations. Students receiving a D in a course that is a prerequisite to another course should consult their adviser about repeating the course so they will be adequately prepared for work in the course that follows. The grade of W can be recorded only if an official drop or withdrawal process has been completed during the term of enrollment. (A W is the only grade that can be recorded if the student has officially dropped courses from the schedule or withdrawn from the University.) An official drop/withdrawal is final, and the grade of W may not be revoked or changed. 

Grade of Incomplete Agreement for Undergraduate Courses

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PASS/FAIL OPTION
Students may take one course per term on a Pass/Fail basis. The maximum total credits with a grade of Pass that will count toward a degree is 12 hours. You must indicate your intention to take a course Pass/Fail no later than the 12th day of classes (the fourth day during summer terms) by filing a form available from your dean's office. If a course is graded Pass/Fail for all students by departmental policy, a declaration by the student is not required. A failed course cannot be repeated on a Pass/Fail basis, except for those courses designated as "Pass/Fail Only" courses. Students should consult their adviser before declaring the Pass/Fail option for any course. In general, elective courses can be taken on a Pass/Fail basis, but some courses, such as those required to fulfill the Common Educational Experience (CEE), cannot be taken Pass/Fail. Courses in the academic majors and minors also are excluded from the Pass/Fail option, but in some programs courses can be taken Pass/Fail after the minimum program requirements have been met. Other courses also may be excluded from the Pass/Fail option, including those that are necessary to meet professional accreditation standards or entrance requirements for programs such as teacher accreditation and preprofessional studies. Check with your department or adviser for more information. Business students can elect the Pass/Fail option in business elective courses only after the satisfactory completion of 48 hours of business courses on a regular letter-grade basis and of all requirements in their declared major. Under the Pass/Fail option, pass (P) grades are A, B, and C (including C-); failure (F) grades are D and F. A student who declares Pass/Fail is not entitled to know the regular letter grade earned, and a Pass/Fail grade cannot be changed to a regular letter grade or vice versa after the Pass/Fail grade has been assigned. The grade of P is not calculated in the grade point average, although the credit hours are included in the total number of hours earned. The grade F is calculated in the grade point average.

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GRADE POINT AVERAGE (G.P.A.)
The average is computed by multiplying the term hours of each course attempted by the grade points earned in the particular course and then dividing total number of grade points by the total number of hours attempted, excluding those hours for which grades are shown with an asterisk. (See the "Grades" section.)

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CHANGES OF GRADES
Grade changes for legitimate reasons, including change of the grade of I, are initiated by the course instructor and authorized by the chair and by the course dean of the department in which the course was offered. No grade will be changed after 12 months or after a student's graduation, with one exception: a grade successfully appealed will be changed, if written notice of the appeal is given within six months following graduation and, in extenuating circumstances, authorized by the academic dean and approved by the registrar.

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GRADES FOR REPEATED COURSES
You are allowed to repeat courses according to the following rules:

• Both the original grade and the repeated grade will be on your permanent academic record.

• Both grades will be included in the calculation of your grade point average and in the determination of academic probation, suspension, honors, and graduation.

The courses a student can repeat are determined by the school of record, as follows:

• Dedman College and Evening School students can repeat only courses in which the original grade was a D or F.

• Meadows School of the Arts, Edwin L. Cox School of Business, and School of Engineering and Applied Science students can repeat courses in which the original grade was a C-, D, or F. Such a course can be repeated only once.

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GRADUATION
Students must file an Application for Candidacy to Graduate form with their academic dean during the term in which they are scheduled to complete all degree requirements. Applications should be filed by the deadline date in the University Calendar. Applications cannot be accepted after the graduation date.

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COMMENCEMENT AND GRADUATION PARTICIPATION
You may participate in May Commencement or the December Graduation Ceremony if you have met the graduation requirements or the following criteria:

• You are in good standing.

• You do not have more than six hours remaining for graduation.

• You have a clear plan for completing the six hours by the next official graduation date.

• You plan to file an application for candidacy to graduate for the next official graduation date.

Students satisfying these requirements must file a petition with their academic dean to participate in Commencement. These students can participate in departmental or school ceremonies if the department or school permits such participation and if the department or school clearly indicates in the ceremonies that these students are candidates for the next graduation.

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