University Policies

Academic Credit for Non-Traditional Learning Experiences

Dakota State University allows degree-seeking students who are currently enrolled to earn academic credit for non-traditional learning experiences when those experiences are equivalent to coursework provided at Dakota State University. DSU will evaluate and record credit for the non-traditional learning experience of degree-seeking students currently enrolled at Dakota State University or graduates of Dakota State University seeking enhanced certification, licensure or employment opportunities.

Credits earned through validation methods other than nationally recognized examinations (AP, CLEP, etc.) is limited to a maximum of 30 hours of credit for baccalaureate degrees and 15 hours of credit for associate degrees. Credits earned through nationally normed exams are not included in this maximum credit count.  Validation of military credit is limited to an additional 30 hours of credit for baccalaureate degrees and an additional 15 hours of credit for associate degrees. These maximum credit limits apply, regardless of the number of majors in which the student is enrolled. If credit by examination is accepted, the permanent record will show the equivalent course name and a grade of EX for the specified number of credits. If credit is accepted by another form of validation, the grade will be S for the specified number of credits. No entry will be made on the record if the examination is failed. The examination results will not be included in calculation of either the semester or the cumulative grade point averages. Credit earned for non-traditional learning experience will not meet degree residency requirements. If a student has not successfully completed a course (a grade of D or F) credit for prior learning/work experience cannot be used to gain credit for the failed course.

Dakota State University cannot guarantee that credit earned for non-traditional learning experience at DSU will transfer to other institutions, since institutional practices/policies vary.

Advanced Placement (AP)

Credit for work accomplished in high school through the Advanced Placement program of the College Examination Board will be awarded, based on the approved exams and scores noted in the university catalog under “Advanced Placement”. Advanced placement examinations do not meet the writing intensive or globalization requirements for general education.  South Dakota public university system will only accept Advanced Placement scores recorded within five years from the time a student seeks credit by examination.

1. Students complete the Advanced Placement test administered by their high schools and request that the scores be reported to Dakota State University.
2. AP sends scores to the students and to DSU’s Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs. The Vice President’s Office notifies the Registrar of the exam results and, if the scores meet or exceed DSU’s standards, the Registrar enters the credit for the examinations on the students’ academic record. (Nothing is entered on academic record if the AP scores do not meet DSU credit standards.)

* Retroactive credits for FREN 101 , FREN 102 , and FREN 201  earned if FREN 310  is completed with a grade of “C.”

** Retroactive credits for FREN 101 , FREN 102 , and FREN 201  may be earned if an appropriate upper-division course is completed with a grade of ‘C’ or above.

* Retroactive credits for GERM 101, 102 and 201 earned if 311 or 312 is completed with a grade of “C” or better.

** Retroactive credits for GERM 101, 102 and 201 may be earned if an appropriate upper-division course is completed with a grade of “C” or above.

* Retroactive credits for SPAN 101 , SPAN 102  and SPAN 201  may be earned if SPAN 311  or SPAN 312  is completed with a grade of “C” or better.

** Retroactive credits for SPAN 101 , SPAN 102  and SPAN 201  may be earned if an appropriate upper-division course is completed with a grade of “C” or above.

+ Course credit will not be awarded to students entering the system with qualifying scores after June 2014.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

Students may take CLEP (College Level Examination Program) exams to earn credit for specific courses. A listing of specific course equivalencies and minimum scores follow the procedure.

The CLEP program has a long-standing policy that an exam may not be retaken within a six-month period. This waiting period provides the student with an opportunity to spend additional time preparing for the exam or the option of taking a classroom course.

1. Students contact the Office of Institutional Effectiveness & Assessment (OIEA) (Heston Hall, 256-5101) for CLEP information and to schedule an appointment.
2. Students pay the appropriate test fee and complete the computer-based exam. Military personnel and eligible civilian employees and spouses can complete the CLEP exams at DSU without paying the exam fee. Please contact the OIEA at 256-5101 for more information on CLEP testing for military.
3. The Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Assessment provides an unofficial score report to the student and electronically submits the test results to Educational Testing Services. ETS sends the official results to the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs. The Vice President’s Office notifies the Registrar and the student of the official exam results and, if the score meets or exceeds DSU’s standards, the Registrar enters the credit for the exam on the student’s transcript. (Nothing is entered on the transcript if the CLEP score does not meet DSU credit standards.)

CLEP examinations do not meet the writing intensive requirements for general education.

CLEP Test Equivalencies

Department Credit-by-Examination

In subjects for which there is no equivalent CLEP examination, students may petition to challenge college coursework via a departmental credit-by-examination. A grade of “C” or better is required on the exam to earn course credit.

DSU credit will be granted only for passing scores earned the first time each subject department credit-by-exam is taken. If a student earned a grade of D or F in a course, a departmental credit-by-exam cannot be used to gain DSU credit for that course.

1. Students discuss the proposal with the dean of the college that offers the course. With the approval of the dean, students complete the “Application for Credit by Examination” form available through the Enrollment Service office or web site. Current costs for challenge exams are noted in the university catalog under Tuition, Fees, Housing and Board costs.
2. The dean approves the student request, works with the faculty member to set very specific standards for earning the credits (test, essay, project or demonstrating abilities) and makes arrangements for administering the exam. This request must be approved by the dean by the deadline for withdrawal from a full-semester course, which is published in the Academic Calendar.
3. The faculty person identified on the form administers and grades the exam and the exam results are reported to the dean, prior to the end of the academic term in which the grade will be recorded.
4. The dean notifies the student and the Registrar of the outcome. Only successful exams are noted on the student’s academic record.

Dual-credits for High School Courses

The South Dakota Board of Regents has established agreements with colleges and universities whereby the South Dakota regental universities will accept high school, dual-credit courses for transfer. All other high school courses for which students received college credit will not be entered as transfer credit, or given equivalent credit, unless validated by an Advanced Placement or CLEP score that meets Board of Regents guidelines for acceptance of credit, the college credit is granted by a university with which the Board has a dual credit agreement, or the college credit is granted by an institution accredited by the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP).  For a list of the universities and colleges that the university system has agreements with go to http://www.sdbor.edu/services/academics/DualCredit/default.htm.

High school dual credit courses taken at any of the six regental universities within the state of South Dakota (either on campus, online or at university centers) are recorded on the official college transcript of the student.  Therefore, the courses transfer as any college coursework would, without the need for additional testing such as CLEP or Advanced Placement.

Credit For Prior Learning/Work Experience

Requests for credit via prior learning/work experience must directly correspond to academic coursework offered by Dakota State University. The experiential learning must be fully described and documented by the student in writing to indicate the direct correspondence or equivalence to specific university course(s). Requests should be evaluated by external supervisors, if appropriate, and by University officials in light of the student’s educational objectives.

1. Students prepare a cover memo to the Vice President of Academic Affairs, stating the course(s) for which he/she would like to receive prior learning credit. In addition to the memo, the student’s application for prior learning should include:
   1. Transcript for the course(s) (either an original or a copy) that includes the course prefix, number, title and date of enrollment;
   2. Course syllabus;
   3. Name of instructor;
   4. Any course projects that seem appropriate;
   5. Statement/memo from the student’s DSU advisor, indicating the student and the advisor have discussed the student’s application and the advisor agrees that prior learning credit is appropriate for this student in this major; and
   6. $50 per transcript processing fee

In cases where the prior learning application is based on experiential learning, rather than completed coursework, the student is expected to put together a portfolio that demonstrates this experience. This document should include:

2. Student memo plus documentation is submitted to the Vice President for Academic Affairs;
3. A faculty committee is appointed to review the application and reports its recommendation to the college dean, who forwards the recommendation to the Vice President for Academic Affairs;
4. Enrollment Services, the student, and advisor are notified by the Vice President for Academic Affairs of the committee’s recommendation.

Military Credit

Military credits are evaluated according to guidelines set forth by the American Council on Education and published in the Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services. Dakota State University has been approved as a Servicemembers Opportunity College and is listed in the SOC Guide for use by military personnel.

Students requesting evaluation of military work should provide a copy of the course evaluation done by the American Council of Education (ACE) or an official copy of DANTES transcript to the Registrar.

DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST)

Developed by The Chauncey Group International LTD., a subsidiary of the Educational Testing Services (ETS), the DSST program provides an opportunity for students to receive college credit for the knowledge acquired outside the traditional college classroom. Currently, thirty-seven DSSTs are offered in the subject areas of business, physical science, humanities, social science, and applied technology. For more information, contact the Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Assessment at 605-256-5101 or e-mail assessoffice@dsu.edu

DANTES (DSST) Test Equivalencies

International Baccalaureate  

The South Dakota Board of Regents has established guidelines for accepting International Baccalaureate credits. 

Academic Honors

Undergraduate, full-time students may be designated for the President’s Academic Honors List at the end of the fall and spring terms. The President’s Academic Honors list is determined by the home university and is based on a student’s total course registrations for academic credit for the term from any Regental university.  The President’s Academic Honors List designation does not appear on the transcript.

To be awarded President’s Academic Honors designation, students must meet the following guidelines:

1. Students must have earned a minimum of 12 credit hours during the term in courses numbered 100-699.
2. Students much achieve a System Term GPA of at least 3.50.
3. Students with F, I, U, RI or RU grades in the term are not eligible regardless of System Term GPA attained.

Undergraduate, part-time students taking fewer than 12 credits per term may be designated for academic recognition for part-time students at the end of the fall and spring terms.  The academic recognition for part-time student designation is determined by the home university.  The academic recognition for part-time student designation does not appear on the transcript.

To be awarded the Academic Recognition for Part-Time Students designation, students must meet the following guidelines:

1. Students must have completed at least 12 credit hours prior to the current semester at one or more Regental institutions.
2. The student must have earned at least 3 and up to 11 credit hours of 100-699 level courses during the term.
3. Students must achieve a System Term GPA of at least 3.50
4. Students with F, I, U, RI or RU grades in the term are not eligible regardless of System Term GPA attained.

Academic Integrity

Basic Standards

Registration at Dakota State University requires adherence to the University’s standards of academic integrity. The following examples represent some basic types of behavior that are unacceptable:

1. Cheating: using unauthorized notes, study aids, devices, or information on an examination; altering a graded work and resubmitting the work for re-grading; presenting another person’s work as your own. Cheating also includes aiding and abetting academic dishonesty, for example: (a) providing material, information, or other assistance to another person with knowledge that such aid could be used in any of the violations stated above, or (b) providing false information in connection with any inquiry regarding academic integrity.
2. Plagiarism: submitting material that in part or whole is not entirely one’s own work without attributing those same portions to their correct source.
3. Fabrication: falsifying or inventing any information, data or citation; presenting data that were not gathered in accordance with standard guidelines, defining the appropriate methods for collecting or generating data, and failing to include an accurate account of the method by which the data were gathered or collected.
4. Obtaining an Unfair Advantage: (a) stealing, reproducing, circulating or otherwise gaining access to examination materials prior to the time authorized by the instructor; (b) stealing, destroying, defacing or concealing library materials with the purpose of depriving others of their use; (c) unauthorized collaboration on an academic assignment (d) retaining, possessing, using or circulating previously given examination materials, where those materials clearly indicate that they are to be returned to the instructor at the conclusion of the examination; (e) intentionally obstructing or interfering with another student’s academic work or (f) otherwise undertaking activity with the purpose of creating or obtaining an unfair academic advantage over other students academic work.
5. Falsification of Records and Official Documents: altering documents affecting academic records; forging signatures of authorization or falsifying information on an official academic document, grade report, letter of permission, petition, drop/add form, ID card, or any other official University document.
6. Unauthorized Access to computerized academic or administrative records or systems: viewing or altering computer records, modifying computer programs or systems, releasing or dispensing information gained via unauthorized access, or interfering with the use or availability of computer systems or information.

Procedures

Once a faculty member suspects a student of academic dishonesty, or another student reports an act of academic dishonesty, there is a defined process for proceeding. By following the procedure, both the student(s) and faculty member(s) concerned are protected. The faculty member’s responsibilities and the student’s rights are specified below.

The Process

1. Each faculty member has the responsibility and authority to deal with instances of academic dishonesty occurring within his/her classroom/laboratory setting. The faculty members’ responsibility begins with the course syllabus. In the syllabus, each faculty member must include his or her academic integrity policy and the implication of violating that policy OR reference the Trojan Handbook code of conduct. If a faculty member has reason to believe that a violation has occurred, he/she will evaluate the available evidence, which may include meeting with the student(s) involved, in an effort to reach a finding. If the faculty member finds the student(s) guilty of academic dishonesty, he/she will take appropriate action to impose whatever action or corrective measures he/she deems appropriate, as specified in the syllabus. Any action taken in regard to academic dishonesty is at the discretion of the faculty member but cannot exceed those actions or corrective measures specified in the syllabus.
2. As with any academic action, the student has the right to appeal the actions or corrective measures imposed by the faculty member. (See related DSU Policy 03-30-00). As indicated above, it is the obligation of every faculty member to inform students at the beginning of each course of the objectives, requirements, performance standards and evaluation procedures for the course. This information should be incorporated into the current course syllabus and provided in writing or via the course web site to students. If a student believes that the action / corrective measure imposed by the faculty member was inappropriate, he/she may appeal the action / corrective measure by filing a formal appeal, following the process outlined below.
3. Referrals to the Academic Integrity Board may be made either by the student or faculty member involved. If a student appeals the action/corrective measure imposed by a faculty member, they must file the appeal within two weeks of their notification by the faculty member. Faculty members may refer cases to the Academic Integrity Board by sending a referral dossier to the Chair. The dossier should include a memo detailing the nature of the case, a copy of a written statement of the specific academic integrity violation sent to the student, as well as any relevant student work and source documents.
   The Academic Integrity Board will schedule a review of the case within one week of receiving the appeal. The board will evaluate the appeal and recommend a course of action to the Vice President for Academic Affairs. This recommendation may include: overturn the action / corrective measures, agreement with the faculty members’ course of action / corrective measures, or further action against the appealing student(s) up to and including suspension from the university.
4. If additional sanctions are imposed on the student, then the student may appeal the committee’s decision to the Vice President for Academic Affairs.
5. The Vice President for Academic Affairs will be the final arbiter in any dispute of academic honesty.
6. All findings of the Academic Integrity Board will be forwarded to the Vice President/Dean of Student Affairs. The Vice President/Dean of Student Affairs will be the depository of information for the Board. The findings of the Board may be used in Disciplinary Board Hearings at the discretion of the Vice President/Dean of Student Affairs. However, actions taken by the Disciplinary Board will not be available for the Academic Integrity Board. Therefore, while the findings of the Disciplinary Board hearings are not available to the Academic Integrity Board, the findings of the Academic Integrity Board do become part of the student’s overall disciplinary record.
7. Students charged with academic dishonesty may not change their registration in a course in which the charge is pending, or in which a finding of academic dishonesty has been made.

Student Rights and Responsibilities

The enforcement of academic integrity lies with the general faculty of Dakota State University. In all cases involving academic dishonesty, the student charged or suspected shall, at a minimum, be accorded the following rights.

1. Prompt investigation of all charges of academic dishonesty, to be conducted, in so far as possible, in a manner that prevents public disclosure of the student’s identity. Such investigation may include informal review and discussion with an official of the school prior to bringing a charge, provided that such review does not compromise the rights of the student in the formal process.
2. The faculty member will provide the student with a written statement of the specific academic integrity violation and the action/corrective measure that will be taken by the faculty member.
3. The student will have two weeks from the date of formal notification in which to file an appeal.
4. The student will be provided an appeal hearing or meeting with the Academic Integrity Board at which time the student involved may be heard and the accuracy of the charge determined.
5. At any stage of the proceedings, the student may be accompanied by a fellow student, a faculty member, or another individual of the student’s choosing. This person may not take part in the proceedings except as a witness if that individual testimony is deemed relevant by the Academic Integrity Board. The student must speak on his or her own behalf.

Faculty and Administrative Responsibilities

In order to implement these principles of academic integrity, it is necessary for the administration and faculty to take certain steps that will discourage academic dishonesty and protect academic integrity. Those steps include:

1. Examination security-Each faculty member or college office should safeguard examination security.
2. Testing Procedures-Faculty should take all feasible efforts to secure the testing area.
3. Instructors should inform students of the academic requirements of each course. Such information may appropriately include (a) notice of the scope of permitted collaboration, if any; (b) notice of the conventions of citation and attribution within the discipline of the course; and (c) notice of the materials that may be used during examinations and on other assignments.

Sanctions

All proven cases of academic dishonesty will be penalized as appropriate under the circumstances. Any sanctions imposed by the Academic Integrity Board, beyond those actions/corrective measures imposed by the faculty member per the course syllabus, may only be imposed following a hearing by the Academic Integrity Board and the conclusion of the student’s appeal process. The student should be notified in writing of any sanction imposed by the Academic Integrity Board and that written notification should include the board’s rationale for imposing the sanction. Any student appearing before the Academic Integrity Board a second time and found guilty a second time should expect the Board to recommend the highest level of sanction, which is expulsion from the university.

Sanctions include:

1. A letter of reprimand.
2. A defined period of academic probation, with or without the attachment of conditions.
3. A defined period of academic suspension, with or without the attachment of conditions.
4. Expulsion from the university.

Academic probation and academic suspension appeals will be directed to the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

Academic Probation/Suspension

Minimum Progression Standards

Minimum progression standards and related actions are based on the student’s cumulative grade point average and system term grade point average.

1. A student with a cumulative grade point of 2.0 or better is considered to be in good academic standing.
2. If a student’s cumulative grade point average falls below 2.0 in any academic term (i.e. fall, spring, summer), the student is placed on academic probation the following term.
3. While on academic probation, the student must earn a system term grade point average of 2.0 or better.
4. When a student on academic probation achieves a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better, the student is returned to good academic standing.
5. A student on academic probation who fails to maintain a system term grade point average of 2.0 or better is placed on academic suspension for a minimum period of two academic terms.
6. Students on academic suspension will not be allowed to register for any coursework at any Regental university except when an appeal has been approved by the Regental university from which the student is pursuing a degree. An approved appeal granted by one Regental university will be honored by all Regental universities. Also refer to policy 2:3.3.G Suspended Students.
7. Only Academic Suspension will be entered on the student’s transcript. Academic probation will be noted in the internal academic record only.

Progression and graduation are contingent on satisfactory performance on the Proficiency Examination. Refer to BOR policy 2:28.

All students seeking admission to Dakota State University with less than a 2.0 cumulative grade point average or who do not meet regular admissions standards will be reviewed by the Student Readmission Committee, which determines admissibility and sets any special requirements for admission or readmission.

Readmission

A student placed on academic suspension may re-enroll only upon successful petition for readmission to the Student Readmissions Committee. The expectation of the university is that a student placed on academic suspension will sit out at least two academic terms. However, the Student Readmission Committee is empowered to grant immediate reinstatement. Students readmitted from academic suspension enter on academic probation unless they have completed coursework, at another institution, which moves their cumulative GPA above the 2.0 minimum requirement. Students which the committee recommends for readmission must maintain 100 percent class attendance. Classes missed as a result of illness or emergency circumstances must be reported to his/her instructors at the first opportunity. Students who maintain less than regular class attendance will be administratively suspended. The committee may also specify the courses to be taken and the maximum number of credit hours to be carried by the student during the first semester of readmission.

When petitioning for readmission from academic suspension, the burden of proof rests with the student.  The student will be given an appeal hearing if he or she can demonstrate extenuating circumstances that had significant, negative impact upon the student’s ability to study, attend classes, and complete assignments.  At the committee meeting, the student will be expected to 1) candidly discuss the circumstances that contributed to the academic suspension, 2) provide a plan for overcoming any obstacles to future academic success, 3) demonstrate a firm commitment to repairing your academic record, and 4) provide documentation in support of all claims of extenuation.  Please remember that the burden of proof rests upon the student, and not than with the committee.  Therefore, the student should be prepared to answer any / all questions committee members might have at this meeting, and to offer documentation in support of all important claims of extenuation.

A student who has been readmitted on academic probation from academic suspension and who does not maintain good academic standing may not petition for immediate reinstatement.

Assessment and Testing

Entry Level Assessment/Placement Testing

The Board of Regents has developed a standardized placement process to ensure that entering students are placed into math and English courses most appropriate for their ability and background. The requirements can be found in BOR Policy 2:7 Baccalaureate General Education Curriculum and BOR Policy 2:26 Associate Degree General Education Requirements.

All entering students seeking an associate or baccalaureate degree must provide valid ACT scores (within the last five years) or must take the Enhanced ACT COMPASS or the College Board Accuplacer examination in the areas of writing skills, mathematics and reading. All non-degree seeking students enrolling in English and mathematics courses must provide Enhanced ACT scores or must take the ACT COMPASS or the College Board Accuplacer examination in the areas of writing skills and mathematics

Students enrolled prior to spring 2000 who have already been placed into their initial mathematics and English coursework, and transfer students who have completed equivalent general education coursework in English and mathematics are exempt from this requirement.

Students transferring within the Regental system will be allowed to transfer their placement test scores and continue their sequence of courses in English and/or mathematics.

For more information on the placement process for entering students, see www.dsu.edu/academics/assessment

Pre-General Education Courses

Based on entering students’ Enhanced ACT score or their ACT COMPASS examination, students may be required to take pre-general education courses. Pre-general education courses include ENGL 033 , MATH 021 ,

Students placed in pre-general education courses must enroll in and complete the courses within the first 30 regental credit hours attempted. If a student does not complete the pre-general education course(s) within the first 30 credit hours attempted, a registration hold is placed on the student’s record. During the next 12 credit hours attempted, the student must enroll in and complete the pre-general education course(s).

If the pre-general education course(s) is not completed within the first 42 regental credit hours attempted, the only course(s) in which a student may enroll is the pre-general education course(s); and the student’s status is changed from degree seeking to non-degree seeking.

Transfer students entering with 42 or more credit hours, who are still in need of pregeneral education coursework, are required to enroll in the necessary pre-general education coursework during their first 30 credits attempted in the regental system.

Students who are placed into MATH 021  are expected to successfully complete both MATH 021  with a grade of “RS” and MATH 101  with a grade of “C” or better before enrolling in MATH 102 . However, a student who performs exceptionally well in MATH 021  may petition the VPAA to bypass MATH 101  and enroll in MATH 102  as their next mathematics course. These students must sit for the COMPASS Math placement exam and earn scores that meet or exceeds the placement score necessary for enrolling in MATH 102 .

Credit hours for the pre-general education courses are included in the total number of credit hours attempted. The grades assigned for courses numbered less than 100 will be RS (remedial satisfactory) and RU (remedial unsatisfactory).

General Education Assessment/Proficiency Testing

It is the policy of Dakota State University to assess the general education component of the curriculum on an annual basis. The assessment process is intended to evaluate the general education curriculum and to determine if the general education goals have been met. (Goals are listed under graduation requirements.)

General education assessment activities will be completed during the first two weeks of November and again during the last two weeks of March. Students complete exams covering reading, writing, math, science reasoning, information literacy and technology skills.

1.  Requirement
Satisfactory performance on the proficiency examination is required for all students seeking a baccalaureate or associate degree from the South Dakota Unified System of Higher Education. To be eligible to receive an associate or baccalaureate degree from a Regental university, students must fulfill the proficiency examination requirement as specified within this policy. Enrolled students who have already earned a baccalaureate degree are exempt from this requirement.

2.  Criteria for Test Eligibility

1. Baccalaureate
   1. Degree-seeking students registered for credit.
   2. Completion of 48 passed credit hours at or above the 100 level. Students will sit for the examination during the first semester in which they become eligible in terms of passed credit hours.
2. Associate
   1. Degree seeking students registered for credit.
   2. Completion of 32 passed credit hours at or above the 100 level. Students will sit for the examination during the first semester in which they become eligible in terms of passed credit hours.

3. Waivers
       A.  Baccalaureate and Associate degree seeking students may be exempted from the proficiency examination requirement by
       meeting the following conditions.
             1) Earn a Composite score of 24 or higher on the ACT; OR

             2) Earn a verbal-mathematics score of 1250 or higher on the SAT; OR

             3) Meet the ACT College Readiness Benchmarks established for each of the equivalent sub-scores including; OR

                      a. Reading - 22

                      b. English - 18

                      c. Mathematics - 22

                      d. Science Reasoning - 23

            4) Earn an Associates or Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited postsecondary institution in the United States;

       B. To be eligible for the exemption, student ACT/SAT scores must be obtained prior to their first semester of postsecondary
       enrollment, either within or external to the Regental system

4.  Deferments
Students who meet the eligibility requirements but, due to extenuating circumstances, are unable to sit for the examination may petition the Vice President for Academic Affairs for a deferment prior to the test date or no later than the final day of the semester in which the examination should have been taken. Students granted deferments will sit for the examination during the next administration following the end of the deferment.

5. Consequences of Noncompliance
Failure to sit for the examination as scheduled, whether initially or following a deferment, will result in denial of subsequent registration at all regental institutions. Students who have been denied registration due to failure to take the proficiency examination may apply for readmission after two academic terms (fall, spring, or summer). If readmitted, they must sit for the examination during the next administration. Failure to do so will result in immediate administrative withdrawal.

6.  Retesting
Students are required to perform satisfactorily on all components of the examination. Students failing to achieve the minimum proficiency level on one or more of the components will be allowed the opportunity to retest. Students failing to test satisfactorily in the fall must retest no later than the following fall’s administration, and students failing in the spring must retest no later than the following spring’s administration. In the interim, students may continue to enroll in courses.

When first sitting for the examination, students must take the examination as a whole. When retesting, however, students will take only those components on which a satisfactory score was not achieved. Students who must retest on one or more components may retake each one up to two times within the time frame allowed as outlined above. All retests must be taken during the regularly scheduled test administration periods in the fall and spring.

As preparation for retesting, students are required to develop, in collaboration with the development plan advisor, a development plan for remediation to be completed within one year.

7.  Appeals for Certification of Proficiency by Alternate Methods
Students failing to achieve the minimum satisfactory proficiency level as provided in section 6 above may appeal to an institutional review panel for certification of proficiency using alternate methods. Such certifications must be confirmed by the senior administrator of the Board of Regents.

8.  Unsatisfactory Performance on the Retest
Students who do not achieve the minimum satisfactory proficiency level on the retest will be denied subsequent registration at all regental institutions. Application for readmission will be contingent upon satisfactory performance on the proficiency examination. Students may arrange for retesting during any subsequent administration of the examination. Students may apply to retest at any regental institution. Students who perform satisfactorily on the retest will be allowed to register for the next term.

9.  Transfer Students
Transfer students are subject to and must meet the proficiency examination requirements. Transfer students within the South Dakota Unified System of Higher Education are subject to the policy as outlined above. For students who have been denied registration due to failure to take the proficiency examination, applications for readmission will be filed with and resolved by the receiving institution.

10.  Proficiency Examination Fees
Each university is authorized to charge students fees to cover the cost of retesting.

11.  Reasonable Accommodations
Each institution shall give students prior notice that it will provide reasonable accommodations for test takers in keeping with institutional practices implementing the South Dakota Human Relations Act of 1972, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act. (Refer to Board of Regents Policy 1:19.)

12.  Classes Missed During Test Administration
Participation in the proficiency examination as scheduled constitutes a university excused absence. The university will supply each student with a notice to that effect. Students required to participate in the proficiency examination process may not be penalized in either their courses or in official university activities. Students required to participate in the proficiency examination will be allowed to make up any class events, including quizzes and exams, given during their absence. Students must be assured equity by being given make up exams, quizzes/assignments of equivalent content and expectations and within a reasonable time of the excused absence.

General Education Course Requirements/Proficiency Testing

All students must complete 30 hours of system-wide general education courses in their first 64 credit hours.

The following 18 credit hours of the System General Education Requirements must be completed in the first 48 credit hours. Completion of these courses prepares students for the proficiency exams.

Students in the Health Information Management and Respiratory Care programs should follow the recommendation of their advisor or the program director when planning their schedules.

Major Field Assessment

All students enrolled in associate and baccalaureate degree programs and teacher certification programs are required to participate in major field assessment. Students who have not participated in the major field assessment will not graduate.

Major field assessment activities will be completed during the fall and spring semesters.

Candidates for graduation from teacher education programs will complete their major field assessment in education during the semester of student teaching.

Class Attendance

A student is expected to be present for all scheduled class sessions. If a class is missed, it is the student’s responsibility to make up any assignments/projects for those missed classes. Students who are on academic probation must have 100% class attendance. Students on academic probation who fail to maintain 100% class attendance will be administratively suspended from the university.

A student who participates in an off-campus event sponsored by the institution (including, but not limited to, athletic events and club-sponsored trips) is expected to speak with his/her instructors prior to his/her class absence. The student is responsible for all material covered in class during his/her absence, as well as assignments given out during missed classes and assignments due during travel.

Final Exams

All courses must have a final examination activity. To determine your final exam schedule: find the final exam schedule on the DSU website and the time slot that corresponds with the weekly schedule for a class. The final for that class will be given in that time slot. PLEASE NOTE: Courses delivered other than face to face may schedule their final evaluation activity during the last, regularly scheduled class period or during finals week at the regular class time. Check the class syllabus to verify the time of the final exam.

The Vice President for Academic Affairs prepares the fall and spring final week schedule. The most current exam schedule is available to students in the semester schedule or through Enrollment Services on-line at www.dsu.edu/academics/academic-calendar.aspx

No student will be required to participate in more than three evaluative activities on any one day of the final week. Permission to reschedule a final evaluative activity should be sought before mid-semester if at all possible. The student, after consulting with his or her advisor, should petition the dean(s) responsible for the course to be changed by completing the “Request to Change Final Week Schedule” form which is available in the college offices or online at  www.dsu.edu/academics/forms.aspx. The dean(s) will coordinate and approve the necessary rescheduling.

Any changes or deviations in the schedule for an individual student must have advance approval of the dean in whose college the course is taught.

Grading Policy

The following letter symbols indicate the quality of student academic achievement:

Grade Point Average Definition

The following grade point averages are calculated each academic term (Fall, Spring, Summer).

Institutional GPA - based on credits earned at a specific Regental university. Utilized to determine if degree requirements have been met and to determine Honors Designation at graduation.

System Term GPA - based on credits earned at any of the six Regental universities within a given academic term (Fall, Spring, Summer). Utilized to determine minimum progression status.

Transfer GPA - based on credits earned and officially transferred from an accredited college or university outside the Regental system. When a letter grade that normally calculates into the grade point average exists for a non-academic course (e.g. credit earned via examination), if will be included in the transfer GPA.

Cumulative GPA - based on all credits earned by the student (transfer credit plus system credit). Utilized to determine minimum progression status and to determine if degree requirements have been met and to determine Honors Designation at graduation

When a course has been repeated for credit, all attempts will be entered on the transcript but the last grade earned will be used in the calculation of the cumulative grade point average.

Grade Point Average

Any course in which a grade of A, B, C, D, or F is earned is used to calculate the grade point average. Each grade is worth a specific number of honor points: A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, F=0. The number of honor points earned for each class is computed by multiplying the points given for the letter grade by the hours of credit in the course. The total number of honor points earned is then divided by the total number of credit hours attempted (includes only those classes in which grades of A, B, C, D, F were earned). The result is the cumulative grade point average.

Example:

Grade Reports

Final grades will be reported for all students. Final grades are available to students on-line, generally one week after the end of the semester. Each student receives information on how to access his/her grades in the mail prior to the end of their first semester at DSU. That access information remains current as long as the student is enrolled at any Regental institution. Students needing a record for employer reimbursement can print the unofficial transcript online.

Repeating a Course

A student may repeat any course to improve the course grade. A student is allowed a total of 3 takes for undergraduate courses (001-499) for which credit is counted toward graduation once. The student must petition the Vice President for Academic Affairs for permission to take an undergraduate course more than 3 times. The Audit (AU) grade is the only grade that does not count as a take of a course. All other grades, including a withdrawal (W) count as a take of a course. (see BOR Policy 2:4) All completed courses remain on the student’s transcript but only the last grade earned will be counted in the cumulative grade point average. (see BOR Policy 2:5-11). Please refer to BOR Policy 2:8 and BOR Policy 2:10 for additional information on grade point average calculations, academic amnesty and repeated enrollment in the same course.

Independent Study

Students interested in independent study must obtain permission to register for independent study coursework from the dean’s office. A syllabus for that particular offering must be approved by the dean of the college prior to the scheduled beginning of the offering.

Military Credit

(See Non-Traditional Learning Credit)

Grade Appeal Process

It is the obligation of each instructor to inform students at the beginning of each course of the objectives, requirements, performance standards and evaluation procedures for the course. This information should be in writing and incorporated into the current syllabus for the course. (See Academic Integrity policy for issues dealing with academic dishonesty.)

If a student believes that the final grade assigned in a course was inappropriate, he/ she may appeal that grade by filing a formal grade appeal within 15 days of the start of the next academic session.* Appropriate grounds for a grade appeal include:

1. Assignment of a grade on some basis other than the student’s performance and participation in the course, or
2. Evaluation of his/her work, using more stringent or demanding criteria than were applied to other students in the class, or
3. A major departure from the instructor’s published or announced standards for assigning grades.

* Academic sessions include fall, spring and summer terms. Students who wish to challenge an action taken in a spring term must bring their challenge during the immediately following summer term if they enroll during summer; otherwise, they may bring their challenge in the following fall term.

To begin the appeal process, the student should detail his/her concerns in writing to the instructor and should request a meeting with the instructor to discuss the matter. The official Grade Appeal Form (found on the DSU web site or at the college office) should accompany the student’s letter to the instructor. This meeting between the instructor and the student should be scheduled as soon as possible after the written notice is received. It may be conducted in person, by phone, or via e-mail. The instructor should provide his/ her decision on the grade appeal to the student within two weeks of student’s letter to the instructor. The instructor’s decision should be provided in writing to the student and should be accompanied by the official Grade Appeal Form.

If the student feels the issue has not been resolved, he/she may ask the dean of the college offering the course to act as a mediator. This request for mediation must be made in writing to the dean within two weeks of the student’s notification by the instructor. The student’s written request for mediation should include copies of the original documentation provided to the instructor by the student, the signed Grade Appeal Form, the student’s written notification from the instructor, and any additional pertinent information.

The dean’s role in the grade appeal process is to mediate the matter in consultation with the instructor and the student. This mediation should occur as soon as possible after the written notice is received. The dean should summarize the outcome of this mediation for the student and the instructor within two weeks of the student’s written request to the dean. The dean’s summary should be provided in writing to the student and the instructor and should be accompanied by the official Grade Appeal Form.

If the student feels the issue has not been resolved, he/she may ask the Vice President for Academic Affairs to refer the issue to a review committee. This request must be made in writing to the Vice President of Academic Affairs within two weeks of the student’s notification by the dean. The student’s written request for review should include copies of the original documentation provided to the instructor by the student, the signed Grade Appeal Form, the student’s written notification from the instructor, the student’s request to the dean and the dean’s notification to the student and the instructor. The Vice President of Academic Affairs should appoint a committee of three faculty members and two students to review the appeal and make a recommendation for resolution of the issue to the Vice President for Academic Affairs. The committee should reach a decision within two weeks of notification appointment. This decision should be provided in writing to the student and the instructor by the Vice President for Academic Affairs within 1 week of receipt from the committee.

Grade Deletion (Academic Amnesty)

It is the policy of Dakota State University to allow qualifying students to remove coursework from the calculation of their grade point averages (GPA) according to the following process if the student:

1. Is an undergraduate, full-time or part-time, degree-seeking student at one of the universities in the South Dakota Regental system.
2. Has not been enrolled in any post secondary institution for a minimum of three consecutive terms including only Fall and/or Spring terms prior to the most recent admission to the home institution. Exceptions may be granted in rare cases only by the Board of Regents Vice President for Academic Affairs upon recommendation by the Vice President for Academic Affairs.
3. Has completed a minimum of 24 graded credit hours taken at any Regental university with a minimum grade point average of 2.0 for the 24 credit hours after the most recent admission to the home institution.
4. Has not earned a baccalaureate degree from any university.
5. Has not been granted any prior academic amnesty at any Regental university.
6. Has submitted a formal Academic Amnesty Petition at his/her home university following the procedures established by that university.

Academic amnesty does not apply to individual courses. Academic amnesty may be requested for either: a) all previous post-secondary education courses or b) all previous post-secondary education course at a specific post secondary institution or c) a specified time period not to exceed one academic year (Fall/Spring) completed at any post-secondary institution(s). If academic amnesty is granted, it shall not be rescinded.

Courses for which academic amnesty is granted will:

• Remain on the student’s permanent record
• Be recorded on the student’s undergraduate transcript with the original grade followed by an asterisk (*).
• Not be included in the calculation of the student’s grade point average because no credit is given.
• Not be used to satisfy any of the graduation requirements of the current degree program.

Academic amnesty decisions will be made by the student’s home institution and will be honored by all programs within the home institution, and will be honored by all other institutions within the South Dakota Regental system. Universities outside of the South Dakota Regental system are not bound by the academic amnesty decisions made by the South Dakota Regental system. Regental graduate programs and graduate professional schools may consider all previous undergraduate course work when making admission decisions.

Students considering academic amnesty are urged to discuss the process with their advisers. Students applying for academic amnesty under this policy must complete the “Grade Deletion Application” form, located in the College office, or online at www.dsu.edu/academics/forms.aspx , which requires the student’s signature as well as the signature of the student’s adviser. The form is then submitted to the DSU Registrar for review. The student and academic advisor are notified of the outcome by the Registrar.

Transfer Credits

Academic courses completed for credit at institutions accredited by a regional association are acceptable for transfer.

1. Academic courses will be transferred as meeting graduation requirements if the courses parallel the scope and depth requirements for the degree or if the courses meet electives required for the degree. Credit will not be given for duplication of courses.
2. For the purposes of this policy, an accredited institution is a United States institution holding accreditation from a regional or national institutional accrediting agency recognized by the US Department of Education. 
3. Undergraduate courses considered for transfer are subject to all BOR policies and any conditions for validation that may be prescribed by the accepting institution.  When a university evaluates and accepts the transfer of undergraduate credit under the provisions of this policy these courses will be recorded and equivalencies granted using the following guidelines:
   A.  If there are specific undergraduate courses at the university evaluating the credit, these specific courses should be used when granting equivalencies.
   B.  If the academic discipline is available at the university evaluating the credit, but there is no discipline equivalent course, use the discipline prefix and the appropriate course level (100 for Freshman, 200 for Sophomore, 300 for Junior and 400 for Senior).
   C.  If the academic discipline is not available at the university evaluating the credit, use the GEN prefix and the appropriate course level (100 for Freshman, 200 for Sophomore, 300 for Junior and 400 for Senior).
4. Undergraduate transfer of academic courses received from accredited United States colleges and universities. 
   A.  All undergraduate transfer courses and all transfer grades (whether the grades are passing or not passing) must be recorded and an equivalency specified by the Regental university, calculated into grade point averages according to the Regental grade scheme, and recorded on the student’s academic transcript.
   B.  Remedial courses (as identified on the sending institution’s transcript) received in transfer are recorded, transcripted, and assigned an equivalency at the receiving university but do not calculate into grade point averages. 
   C.  Transfer grades not existing in the Regental grading scheme will be equated to the Regental grading system. (Refer to BOR 2:10, Use of Grade Point Averages). 
   D.  In any subsequent evaluation, equivalencies for system common courses and system general education courses will not be changed. Equivalencies for unique courses may be changed. In subsequent evaluations, grades previously recorded cannot be changed.
   E.  The university-specific degree requirements determine if the courses transferred are applicable to the student’s degree program at that university and if they meet the minimum grade criteria.
   F.  Orientation, Life Experience, General Educational Development Tests, and high school level courses are not recorded as transfer credit nor are they granted equivalent credit.
        1)  High school courses for which students received college credit will not be entered as transfer credit, or given equivalent credit, unless validated by and Advanced Placement or CLEP score that meets Board of Regents guidelines for acceptance of credit. The college credit is granted by a university with which the Board has a dual credit agreement or the college credit is granted by an institution accredited by the National Alliance of Concurrent Enrollment Partnerships (NACEP).
5. Undergraduate transfer of technical courses received from accredited United States colleges and universities
   1. University discretion is permitted in acceptance of courses. Courses considered for transfer are subject to all BOR policies and any conditions for validation that may be prescribed by the accepting institution.
   2. When the courses are accepted for transfer, equivalent courses are recorded on the transcript but the grade earned at the technical institute is not recorded or calculated into the grade point averages.
   3. In any subsequent evaluation, equivalencies for system common courses and system general education courses will not be changed. Equivalencies for unique courses may be changed, re-evaluated, or inactivated. Additional equivalencies may be added and evaluated.
   4. The university-specific degree requirements determine if the courses transferred are applicable to the student’s degree program at that university and if they meet the minimum grade criteria.
6. Graduate transfer courses received from accredited United States colleges and universities
   1. All graduate transfer courses and transfer grades judged to be acceptable by the evaluating university, are recorded and evaluated by the Regental university, calculated into grade point averages according to the Regental grade scheme, and recorded on the student’s academic transcript.
   2. If transfer credits are judged acceptable; these courses will be recorded, and equivalencies granted, using the following guidelines:
      1. If there are specific equivalent graduate courses at the university evaluating the credit, these specific courses should be used when granting equivalencies.
      2. If there are no equivalent graduate courses at the university evaluating the credit, these courses will be recorded, and equivalencies granted, using the following guidelines:
         1. If the academic discipline is available at the university evaluating the credit, but there is no discipline equivalent course, use the discipline prefix and the appropriate course level (500/600 for masters programs and 700/800 for doctoral programs).
         2. If the academic discipline in not available at the university evaluating the credit, use the GEN prefix and the appropriate course level (500/600 for masters programs and 700/800 for doctoral programs).
   3. Transfer grades not existing in the Regental grading scheme will be equated to the Regental grading system.
   4. In subsequent evaluation, all equivalencies may be re-evaluated, inactivated, or changed. Additional equivalencies may be added and evaluated. In subsequent evaluations, grades previously recorded cannot be changed.
   5. The university-specific plan of study requirements determine if the courses transferred are applicable to the student’s degree program at that university and if they meet the minimum grade criteria.
7. Transfer courses received from accredited post-secondary technical institutes
   1. An academic course is defined as a course that is equivalent to a Regental general education requirement at the 100 or 200 level.
   2. A technical course is defined as a non-academic course that meets the technical program requirements for a diploma, certificate, or Associate of Applied Science degree.
   3. South Dakota Technical Institutes
      1. Transfer of academic courses from South Dakota post-secondary technical institutes is governed by BOR policies 2:25, 2:26, 2:27, 2:28, and 2:31.
         1. Transfer grades not existing in the Regental grading scheme will be equated to the Regental grading system.
         2. In any subsequent evaluation, equivalencies for system common courses and system general education courses will not be changed. Equivalencies for unique courses may be changed.
      2. Academic courses taken under articulation agreements in effect between July 1, 1999 and June 30, 2005 will be transferred according to those agreements.
      3. Effective Fall 2005, transfer of technical course credit hours from South Dakota post-secondary technical institutes only occurs as part of a program to program articulation agreement approved by the Board of Regents and South Dakota Board of Education.
         1. The transfer of technical course credit hours occurs as a block of credit hours upon completion of requirements for the university articulated program.
         2. The CR grade is used for the block of technical course credit hours.
   4. Other Technical Institutes
      1. University discretion is permitted in acceptance of academic courses. Academic courses considered for transfer are subject to all BOR policies and any conditions for validation that may be prescribed by the accepting institution.
         1. When the academic courses are accepted for transfer, equivalent courses are recorded on the transcript.
         2. In any subsequent evaluation, equivalencies for system common courses and system general education courses will not be changed. Equivalencies for unique courses may be changed, re-evaluated, or inactivated. Additional equivalencies may be added and evaluated.
         3. The university-specific degree requirements determine if the academic courses transferred are applicable to the student’s degree program at that university and if they meet the minimum grade criteria.
      2. Transfer of technical course credit hours from non South Dakota post-secondary technical institutes only occurs as part of a program to program articulation agreement approved by the Board of Regents.
         1. The transfer of technical course credit hours occurs as a block of credit hours upon completion of requirements for the university articulated program.
         2. The CR grade is used for the block of technical course credit hours.
8. Undergraduate and graduate credits received from United States colleges or universities that are not accredited.
   1. University discretion is permitted in acceptance of courses. Courses considered for transfer are subject to all BOR policies and any conditions for validation that may be prescribed by the accepting institution.
   2. When the courses are accepted for transfer, equivalent courses are recorded on the transcript but the grade earned at the non-accredited institution is not recorded or calculated into the grade point averages using the following guidelines:
      1. If there are specific equivalent courses at the university evaluating the credit, these specific courses should be used when granting equivalencies.
      2. If there are no equivalent courses at the university evaluating the credit, these courses will be recorded, and equivalencies granted, using the following guidelines:
         1. If the academic discipline is available at the university evaluating the credit, but there is no discipline equivalent course, use the discipline prefix and the appropriate course level (500/600 for masters’ programs and 700/800 for doctoral programs).
         2. If the academic discipline is not available at the university evaluating the credit, use the GEN prefix and the appropriate course level (500/600 for masters’ programs and 700/800 for doctoral programs).
   3. In any subsequent evaluation, equivalencies for system common courses and system general education courses will not be changed. Equivalencies for unique courses may be changed, re-evaluated, or inactivated. Additional equivalencies may be added and evaluated.
   4. The university-specific degree requirements determine if the courses transferred are applicable to the student’s degree program at that university and if they meet the minimum grade criteria.
9. Courses submitted in transfer from post-secondary technical institutes that are not accredited will not be accepted. 
10. Undergraduate and Graduate Courses from Post-secondary Institutions outside the United States
    1. Courses considered for transfer are subject to all BOR policies and any conditions for validation that may be prescribed by the accepting institution.
    2. When the courses are accepted for transfer, equivalent courses are recorded on the transcript but the grade earned at the sending institution is not recorded or calculated into the grade point averages using the following guidelines:
       1. If there are specific equivalent undergraduate or graduate courses at the university evaluating the credit, these specific courses should be used when granting equivalencies.
       2. If there are no equivalent courses at the university evaluating the credit, these courses will be recorded, and equivalencies granted, using the following guidelines:
          1. If the academic discipline is available at the university evaluating the credit, but there is no discipline equivalent course, use the discipline prefix and the appropriate course level (500/600 for masters’ programs and 700/800 for doctoral programs).
          2. If the academic discipline is not available at the university evaluating the credit, use the GEN prefix and the appropriate course level (500/6700 for masters’ programs and 700/800 for doctoral programs).
    3. In any subsequent evaluation, equivalencies for system common courses and system general education courses will not be changed. Equivalencies for unique courses may be changed, re-evaluated, or inactivated. Additional equivalencies may be added and evaluated.
    4. The university-specific degree requirements determine if the courses transferred are applicable to the student’s degree program at that university and if they meet the minimum grade criteria.
11. Credit Received Through Validation Methods
    1. Credit earned through validation methods other than nationally recognized examinations is limited to a maximum of 30 hours of credit for baccalaureate degrees and 15 hours of credit for associate degrees.
       1. Validation of Military credit is limited to an additional 30 hours of credit for baccalaureate degrees and an additional 15 hours of credit for associate degrees.
    2. Credit for college level courses granted through nationally recognized examinations such as CLEP, AP, DANTES, etc., will be evaluated and accepted for transfer if equivalent to Regental courses and the scores are consistent with Regental policies.  Such credits are only valid if transcripted by a university within five years of the student taking the examination.  Regental institutions shall honor credits from nationally recognized examinations transcripted to meet degree requirements at a non-Regental institution.
       1. If credit received through validation is applied as elective credit, it may only be applied at the 100 or 200 level.
       2. Credit received through validation may apply to System General Education Requirements and Institutional Graduation Requirements.
       3. Credit received through validation may not apply to writing intensive requirements.
    3. When validation credits are accepted, equivalent courses are recorded on the transcript but are not calculated into the grade point averages.
    4. In any subsequent evaluation, equivalencies for system common courses and system general education courses will not be changed. Equivalencies for unique courses may be changed, re-evaluated, or inactivated. Additional equivalencies may be added and evaluated.
    5. The university-specific degree requirements determine if the validation credits accepted also are applicable to the student’s degree program at that university.
12. When a course has been repeated for credit, all attempts will be entered on the transcript but the last grade earned will be used in the calculation of the grade point averages.
13. Total transfer credit for work at a junior, community college (2 year), and/or two-year technical college may not exceed one-half of the hours required for completion of the baccalaureate degree at the accepting institution. Students who have completed more than the acceptable semester hours of junior, community or technical college work may apply completed, transferable courses to specific course requirements and thereby may not be required to repeat the courses. The semester hours of credit for those additional courses may not be applied toward the minimum credit hours required for the degree.
14. System general education requirements successfully completed at the sending South Dakota Regental institution will be accepted towards meeting these requirements at the accepting South Dakota Regental institution. In any subsequent evaluation of any transfer or non course work, equivalencies for system common courses and system general education courses will not be changed.
15. Evaluations of courses will be made by the appropriate institutional officials at the time of admission by comparing descriptions, content, and level of courses completed with those at the accepting institution.
16. Each institution will develop and maintain a procedure for the appeal of transfer credit decisions.
17. A Regental internal transfer process occurs when an undergraduate course is used on a converted credit basis to meet graduate plan of study requirements at Regental universities or when graduate credit is used on a converted or actual credit basis to meet undergraduate degree requirements for a Regental accelerated program. Refer to BOR policy 2:8.3.A and 2:8.3.B.

Academic Advisement

The mission of DSU’s academic advising program is to promote student success by providing formal and informal guidance to assist students in the development of  meaningful educational plans, which are compatible with their life goals, empower students to accept responsibility for their own education and aid students professional  development. Consistent with the commitment of DSU to personalize education, an academic advisor is assigned to each degree-seeking student.

Students with declared majors are assigned a faculty advisor who has been specifically designated to assist such students. New students are encouraged to meet with their advisors during the first four weeks of the first semester of study in order to get acquainted and discuss career and educational plans. Thereafter, students meet on a regular basis with their advisor to review midterm grades, assess progress and discuss pre-registration procedures for the next semester. The university encourages continual communication between faculty and students to enhance the advisement process. Each student is responsible for knowing and meeting degree and graduation requirements as listed in the appropriate catalog. More information on academic advising can be found in the online advising handbooks found on the DSU portal.

Americans with Disabilities

It is the policy of Dakota State University to comply with all federal and state requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and other similar statutes and regulations as promulgated federally and by the State of South Dakota. Dakota State University does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the employment activities. The Vice President for Business Administration has been designated to coordinate compliance with the non-discrimination requirements contained in Section 35.107 of the Department of Justice regulations. Information concerning the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the rights provided thereunder are available from the ADA Coordinator, Keith Bundy. (Telephone: 605-256-5121).

The university does not discriminate on the basis of disability in the admission process or in access to programs or activities. To this end, the university has formed a committee (ADA Educational Programs Committee) whose purpose is to help ensure individuals with disabilities have the full benefit of education programs offered by the university in compliance with the above laws. This policy is part of the university’s total response to the Americans with Disabilities Act. (See DSU Policy 1-02-00)

Procedures:

1. An individual with a documented disability wishing academic accommodations to programs and/or services must contact the ADA Academic Coordinator, Keith Bundy, Lower Level of Trojan Center (Telephone: 605-256-5121). www.dsu.edu/student-life/disability-services/index.aspx.
   Documentation must be no older than three years from the date of application/request for program modifications. Documentation will consist of medical or other diagnostic documentation of disability or limitations.
2. A formal written application for consideration of an academic accommodation must be submitted along with professional documentation of the disability as soon as possible prior to the time the accommodation is needed. It is recommended that, when applicable, requests be filled on initial admission to the university. No action can be taken by the university until the formal application and documentation are provided. Upon receipt of the completed application, the ADA Academic Coordinator, together with a university consultant, will make decisions on requests for common learning and testing accommodations.In all other requests for accommodations, the chair of the ADA Educational Programs Committee will schedule a meeting of the ADA Educational Programs Committee for no later than ten working days after receipt of application. Each applicant will be handled and reviewed individually. The applicant will be notified in writing of the meeting place, date and time. The applicant may elect to attend the meeting if he/she so chooses.
   1. The purpose of the meeting with the ADA Educational Programs Committee is to discuss appropriate and reasonable accommodations to be recommended to the university administrator(s) responsible for effecting the accommodations. The committee, the applicant, and experts or advocates requested to be present by the committee or the applicant will discuss the request for accommodations and evaluation of documentation, if any, provided by a university consultant. The goal is to reach agreement on the type and extent of accommodations to give the student appropriate access to classroom information and tests that measure their knowledge without fundamentally altering the program. The resulting recommendations and minutes of the meeting will be forwarded to the vice president or designee for final approval and action. If the applicant elects not to meet with the committee, the committee makes recommendations based upon the applicant’s written application, documentation, and other submitted material. The student is notified of the committee’s decision by the chair.
   2. If the requested accommodations would result in a fundamental alteration of the service/program and/or requirements for the university, the committee will declare the need for further review of the request. The minutes of the meeting, without recommendations for accommodations, will be forwarded to the Vice President for Academic Affairs or his/her designee for further review and action. The Vice President for Academic Affairs or designee will make a final decision regarding program or service modifications and prepare a written statement to the student on the decision and the reason for the decision within ten (10) working days after receiving the minutes of the meeting. Copies of official minutes, letters of notification and all documents, including the original application, professional documentation, and related correspondence, will be filed with the ADA Academic Coordinator, declared personal and confidential, and thereafter communicated only to those who have a need to know, in accordance with the Family Rights and Privacy Act. Files will be maintained during the student’s enrollment and destroyed three years after the individual’s official affiliation with the university as a student.
3. The Vice President for Academic Affairs or his/her designee will notify faculty and/or other university personnel who will be responsible for implementing the accommodations within ten (10) working days of the decision so as to ensure that the accommodations are in place for the individual at the earliest possible time in a new semester or new setting. If the documentation received suggests an accommodation, DSU will implement the recommended accommodation until such time that it is determined by the ADA Educational Programs Committee that the academic program is altered by said accommodation. Faculty/university personnel are required to maintain the confidentiality of the process, to strictly adhere to the officially designated accommodations, to share any problems or concerns only with their administrator or the Vice President for Academic Affairs or his/her designee, and to support the student’s full and equal participation in the program or service.
   
   The student will notify the ADA Academic Coordinator in the event that accommodation arrangements are not carried out in the recommended manner. Should individuals need additional accommodations, they may request a new meeting with the committee by contacting the ADA Academic Coordinator.
4. Faculty or other university personnel who are responsible for implementing accommodations for a student are encouraged to provide pertinent progress checks and make suggestions or address concerns regarding future services. Any formal evaluations must be submitted to the ADA Academic Coordinator for inclusion in the file within 10 working days of termination of the faculty’s or other personnel’s responsibility to that student. The ADA Academic Coordinator will examine all forms upon receipt and take any action deemed necessary, to include requesting another meeting of the committee.
5. The ADA Academic Coordinator will meet with all students served by this policy annually to determine if needs are being met. Individuals may be contacted to discuss their accommodations in more detail should it appear that adjustments or additional accommodations may be needed. A new meeting of the committee may be called and the process may be repeated beginning with step 2 above.
6. The decisions of the ADA Coordinator and/or ADA Educational Programs Committee and/or the Vice President for Academic Affairs may be appealed to the President within five (5) working days of receipt of the committee’s recommendation. The President will provide a written response to the appeal within five (5) working days of receipt of the appeal. The President’s decision may be appealed to the Office of Civil Rights, 10220 North Executive Hills Boulevard, 8th Floor, Kansas City, MO 64153-1367.

Appealing Academic or Administrative Decisions

Students are responsible for learning the content of any course of study in which they are enrolled. Under Board of Regents and university policy, student’s academic performance shall be evaluated solely on an academic basis and students should be free to take reasoned exception to the data or views offered in any course of study. It is DSU’s policy to allow students to appeal the decisions of faculty, administrative and staff members and of institutional committees. If a student believes that a decision made by any of these individuals or committees was inappropriate or believes that an academic evaluation is unrelated to academic standards but is related instead to judgment of their personal opinion or conduct, he/she may appeal that decision to the official who has supervisory responsibility for that individual or committee.

To begin the appeal process, the student should detail his/her concerns in writing to the appropriate official. This written statement should describe the specific act or acts which are the grounds for the appeal and should include all known information, relevant documents, names of any known witnesses, and relevant information, including a description of the appeal processes already exhausted relative to the decision.

If the student’s complaint is against a vice president, the formal appeal should be directed to the President, the highest level of procedural review within the institution.

Computing Privileges

The use of computers and related technologies, including all hardware and software is a privilege. The University’s CIO/Director of Computing Services is authorized to extend the access to the University’s computing services and related hardware and software to members of the faculty and staff; members of the student body; participants in workshops, short courses and similar approved activities and projects; or members of an entity that has contracted for the use of DSU’s computing resources.

Charges for the use of computing services may be accessed by the CIO/Director of Computing Services with the approval of the President (See DSU Policy 01-76-00 Facility Use and Rental and DSU Policy 03-62-00 Tablet repair Services/Replacement).

It is expected that all faculty, staff, students and campus guests will use any software (whether or not it is supplied by Dakota State University) only in accordance with license agreements and copyright provisions applicable to the specific software package.

All users of the University’s computing environment must comply with all pertinent DSU and Board of Regents policies and local, state and federal laws.  The use of DSU facilities by any individual whose sole purpose is to make a profit is prohibited, except as outlined in DSU Policy 01-76-00 Facility use and Rental.

Individuals who physically damage computer hardware and facilities are subject to University fines, sanctions and discipline, as appropriate and as detailed below.  (See DSU Policy 03-62-00 Tablet Repair Services / Replacement.)

All persons who use computing facilities and services provided through Dakota State University must comply with the following rules:

1. Users will comply with all provisions of software copyrights.
2. Users will utilize computing, network and video-conferencing resources only for authorized administrative, educational, research or other scholarly activities, or a project approved by the CIO/Director of Computing Services.
3. Users will abide by University directives relative to consumption of bandwidth.
4. Users will abide by the EDUC OM Code - A Guide to the Ethical and Legal Use of Software for Members of the Academic Community, which has been adopted by Dakota State University.  (http://net.educause.edu/ir/library/html/code.html)
5. Users will also abide by the “acceptable use” policy of any organization or agency whose network is accessed through the University’s computing and communication environment.
6. Users will abide by more stringent rules imposed by DSU colleges, academic programs, courses, or groups.
    

Consequences of Unacceptable Behavior

Dakota State University will take appropriate disciplinary action against any employee, student or facility user who knowingly violates any provision of this policy.  Such discipline shall not exempt the individual from applicable civil or criminal remedies available through federal or state judicial proceedings.

Dakota State University faculty, staff, students and facility users who learn of any misuse of computing facilities, hardware, software or related documentation, unauthorized information access, or inappropriate behavior should immediately notify the CIO/Director of Computing Services.  The CIO/Director of Computing Services will take immediate steps to verify the facts associated with the reported misuse and ascertain the circumstances of the reported or observed incident.

Upon notification of the misuse, the CIO/Director of Computing Services may immediately suspend the computing privileges of any/all persons involved in the incident and a report of that suspension will be provided to the appropriate institutional vice president (as indicated below) with two (2) working days of the suspension action.  Within seven (7) working days, the appropriate institutional vice president (as indicated below) must either initiate formal disciplinary proceedings or reinstate the computing privileges.  The CIO/Director of Computing Services may ask other campus personnel for assistance in preparing a report of the misuse or suspected misuse to the appropriate institutional vice president.

Any formal disciplinary action will be taken following appropriate policies including, but not limited to, BOR Policy 3:4 Student Disciplinary Code, BOR Policy 4:14 Faculty Code of Professional Conduct, BOR Policy 1:17 Sexual Harassment and/or Administrative Rules of South Dakota, 55:01:12 Disciplinary Actions of Career Service Employees, and DSU Policy 03-22-00 Academic Integrity.  The Director of Human Resources will be involved in discussions and decisions relative to formal disciplinary proceedings regarding actions of employees.

Additional notifications

• If the misuse or suspected misuse involves students or student services personnel, the CIO/Director of Computing Services shall also notify the Vice President for Student Affairs immediately.
• If the misuse or suspected misuse involves faculty or academic support staff, the CIO/Director of Computing Services should also notify the Vice President for Academic Affairs immediately.
• If the misuse or suspected misuse involves other campus staff, the CIO/Director of Computing Services should also notify the Director of Human Resources immediately.

Appeals

To appeal a disciplinary decision, students should refer to DSU Policy 03-30-00 Appealing Academic and Administrative Decision.  Faculty/staff should refer to the Board of Regents polices on grievances:  BOR Policy 4:7 (faculty), 4:8 (non-faculty exempt) or 4:9 (CSA).

Drug-Free Environment

It is the policy of Dakota State University to create and maintain a work and study environment that is free from the unlawful manufacture, distribution, possession, or use of controlled substances.

Sexual Harassment

All individuals at Dakota State University have the right to an environment free from sexual harassment. Sexual harassment is defined by the institution as unwelcome verbal or physical sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature.

Emergency School Closings

Emergency closing of the university due to weather, mechanical malfunction, or other unforeseen events will be announced by various means (Madison’s local radio station KJAM (103.1 FM or 1390 AM), local Sioux Falls television stations, DSU website and portal and through the early alert emergency notification system).