Advising and Registration

Each student in the University system study is assigned a school adviser. Students meet with their advisers during the orientation and registration periods preceding each semester and prior to pre-registration periods to review their academic progress and to plan their course of study.

ELC- BIU means Establishment Lebanese of commerce affiliate to Bircham International University
Students with problems or questions are encouraged to meet with their advisers during regularly scheduled office hours throughout the semester. Advisers welcome the opportunity of helping students to gain the maximum benefit from their educational experience at the University system at ELC-BIU affiliate.

Once fees have been paid and the academic adviser's approval of course selections have been given, students register for their program of study. Any student who fails to register at the scheduled time must pay a late registration fee of $50. New students who register after the drop/add deadline are limited to four courses. All current students may pre-register for courses for the semester following the current term.

Study Abroad students admitted for the following semester and former ELC-BIU affiliate students being re-admitted for the following semester may also pre-register.

All pre-registration must be confirmed from the first day of Orientation week to the first day of classes. Pre-registrations, which remain unconfirmed after 5pm on the first day of classes, will be cancelled and students affected will have to re-register.

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Student Classification

Full-time student
A student in an AA, BA or BS degree program, carrying at least nine credits. A graduate student taking at least three courses or the equivalent.

Study abroad student
A student matriculated for a degree in another college or university who is admitted for a semester or an academic year. BIU Lebanese Delegation issues a transcript recording all work undertaken during the semester or year and, assuming appropriate prior arrangements, the credits are applied to the degree given by the student's own institution.

Part-time student
A student in an AA, BA or BS degree program who takes fewer than nine credits in any semester. A graduate student who takes fewer than three courses in any semester or quarter.

Non-degree student (occasional)
A student wishing to register for courses, and who has not been admitted as a degree student, may do so with the permission of the school teaching the course(s). Normally, such a student will be part-time (one or two courses). The registration process requires a non-degree student to complete the front and back pages only of the admissions application and submit it to the Office of Admissions. A non-degree student is not normally allowed to accumulate more than 15 credits without applying for degree status. The Dean of Admissions may require non-degree students to sit for appropriate placement tests in mathematics and English.

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Leave of Absence

Students who wish to withdraw from the BIU-ELC Affiliate may apply to the Director Advising for a leave of absence of up to one calendar year. Normally, students applying for a leave of absence should be in good academic, social, and financial standing.

Approved leaves of absence provide students with the right to return to the university without applying for re-admission. Students who are granted a leave of absence for medical reasons may be required to provide documentation from their health-care provider that they are medically fit to resume their studies.

Approved leaves of absence provide students with the opportunity to pre-register for a future semester or summer session during the normal pre-registration period, provided they are in good financial standing. They also allow students to continue under the same graduation requirements that were in force when they began their leave.

Students who fail to return from a leave of absence within one calendar year must apply for re-admission. If they are re-admitted, they will be governed by the graduation requirements in effect at the time of re-admission.

Note: For purposes of leaves of absence only, "good academic standing" may include academic probation. However, if a student on academic probation applies for a leave of absence, the Academic Standards Committee may need to determine whether that student is a candidate for dismissal. Academic dismissal takes precedence over leave of absence.

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Cancellation of Courses

The BIU-ELC affiliate reserves the right to cancel or replace courses for which there is insufficient enrollment. Study Abroad students are advised to indicate at least ten course preferences on their application form (five first choices plus five alternatives) in case they are unable to take one of their first choices due to scheduling conflicts or full or canceled courses.

Course Load

The normal load for a full-time student is five courses (15 credits) each semester. The minimum for a full-time student is three courses (nine credits); the maximum is usually six courses (18 credits). Normally, only students with an overall grade point average of B (3.0) are permitted to carry six courses. Most courses offered by the University carry three credits.

Adding and Dropping Courses

Students may drop or add courses each semester without penalty within five days of the start of classes. Classes missed through this process are counted as absences for the purpose of the attendance policy. After this period, if students wish to withdraw from a course, they must complete a withdrawal form and receive a W on their transcript. Withdrawals must be made before the announced deadline. Failure to do so will result in a grade of F for the course. Please note that it is the student's responsibility to process the appropriate withdrawal form.

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Auditing Courses

A full- or part-time student may choose to register for a course on an audit basis. The student is normally expected to attend and to participate in all class activities, assignments and assessments, except for the final examination, which is optional. As an auditor, the student will not receive a final grade or credit for the course. His or her record will show a grade of AU for audit. The following regulations apply to registering for a course as an auditor.

• A student must obtain his or her adviser's approval in order to audit a course
  
• A student may change his or her status in a course between audit and credit no later than the end of the drop/add period; no status changes will be accepted after this time
  
• A student taking a course for audit will be subject to the same course fees as those taking the course for credit (including tuition and laboratory or materials fees or the cost of theatre tickets)
  
• A student taking a course for audit will be subject to the usual course load policies, that is, a course being audited will be counted toward the total maximum allowed number of courses
  
• If a course becomes oversubscribed, students registered as auditors may be subject to deregistration
  
• Audited courses may not be used to satisfy pre-requisite, major, degree or Masters Degree exemption requirements.
  

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Attendance Policy

The orderly progress of an educational program depends on the full cooperation of students and Professors. Regular attendance and active participation in classes are an essential part of the academic process. No excuse for absence will exempt a student from the completion of all work in a course. The student assumes the responsibility for requesting assistance from instructors for making up missed work.

Lower Division

Attendance is required and recorded in all courses. Students who accumulate more than the permitted number of absences, regardless of the reason, in any lower division course must withdraw from the course or they risk receiving an F grade.

• In 50-minute per session courses, students may not have more than six absences;
  
• In 75-minute per session courses, students may not have more than four absences;
  
• In 2.5-hour per session courses, students may not have more than two absences.

In the summer sessions, students may not have more than two absences due to the intensive nature of the classes. Students in the Foundations Program who miss more than three classes may be withdrawn from the entire program.

Note: If a student misses the first two sessions (or the first 2.5-hour session in courses that meet once per week) of any course, the instructor has a right to withdraw the student from the course.

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Independent Study

Independent study, offered to juniors and seniors, is defined as an individual library or laboratory research or creative arts project under the direct sponsorship of a full-time school member. Independent study requires traditional academic work involving reading, writing and experimental or special projects. To arrange for an independent study course, the student must find a school sponsor, define the project and obtain approval prior to the end of the preceding semester. The Dean must approve the project in order for the student to register for the course and, if the student is a visiting student, approval for transfer credit must be obtained in writing from the home institution. Approval will be based on a written application on forms, which are available from academic secretaries or the Office of the Registrar. It will require evidence of:

• The academic merit of the study;
  
• The availability of resource material;
  
• The student's own capacity to undertake the work, including a copy of the student's transcript. Normally, the student must have a 3.0 GPA.
  

Students who need assistance may discuss their proposal with the appropriate Department Chair, Program Director or Dean. Once approved, the student will normally meet with his or her instructor once each week for one hour, although in some instances the nature of the subject matter may dictate less frequent meetings of longer duration. However, the minimum number of tutorial hours in any given semester must be 15. The course is graded and normally carries three credits.

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Academic Assessment and Progress

In order to provide frequent evaluations of student progress, essays, periodic tests and examinations are required in all courses. Major papers are expected at junior and senior levels.

Written work

The BIU-ELC affiliate is committed to 'Writing across the Curriculum' as a means of enhancing the learning process and developing students' communications skills. The writing of papers has several important objectives. The student will:

• Develop a clear focus for independent reading in areas of special interest;
  
• Learn to think and write clearly and precisely;
  
• Judge his or her progress based on the instructor's comments and evaluation.
  

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Grades

Grades are assigned by instructors at the conclusion of every semester. They are numerically calculated on a grade point average (GPA) scale.

A grade point average is calculated each semester and recorded on the student's transcript. A cumulative grade point average, including all courses taken at ELC BIU, is also calculated. The GPA is determined by first calculating the quality points for each course (multiply the credits for the course by the quality point value for the grade received in the course). Next, determine the GPA by taking the sum of the quality points for all courses taken and dividing by the total credits attempted. Transfer credit is not included in this calculation. A separate GPA is computed for a student taking a subsequent degree.

Students receive two grade point averages at the end of every semester, their grade point average for the semester and their cumulative grade point average, which indicates their overall performance in all semesters attended at ELC BIU. Grades of P (Pass), I (Incomplete), AU (Audit) and W (Withdraw) are also assigned, but they are not used in computing grade point averages.

The grade of 'Incomplete' is awarded only with prior approval of the Academic Standards Committee or for the international internship. An instructor will assign a grade of F to course work or examination requirements not met and then calculate the final grade for the course in the usual way. Students who believe that they have a legitimate reason for missing a final examination or failing to complete course work may petition the Academic Standards Committee for a make-up examination or an extension to course work deadlines. Where such an appeal is upheld, an interim grade of 'Incomplete' will be assigned and the final grade for the course will be revised by the instructor upon completion of the course requirements.

Any student who is granted an 'Incomplete' by the Academic Standards Committee must complete all outstanding work by the end of the following semester. Therefore, incomplete work for fall semester must be completed and submitted by the last day of final examinations in May and incomplete work for spring and summer must be completed by the last day of final examinations in December. Failure to meet the set deadlines will result in the 'Incomplete' reverting to the original grade submitted by the faculty member or an F if no grade was submitted.

If no grade is submitted by the announced deadline for an independent study or final research project/essay, and an 'Incomplete' has not been awarded by the Academic Standards Committee, the Registrar will assign a grade of F for the course.

If a graduating student is awarded an 'Incomplete' grade in any course or fails to submit all work for a final research project/essay or independent study by the last day of final examinations, he/she may not receive a degree dated that semester. All work must be completed by the end of the following semester, and the degree will be conferred at that time.

W (Withdrawal) is used when a student has dropped a course after the first week of classes and before the final week of classes. The responsibility for processing the withdrawal lies with the student who must complete and file a withdrawal form with the Registrar. The deadline is well publicized each semester and is firm. After that date an F grade is recorded.

If a student is awarded a grade of F in a course because of academic dishonesty, he/she may not subsequently withdraw from that course. However, the normal policy for repeating a course applies (see below).

Grades reported to the Registrar are considered final and may be changed only if the instructor reports in writing to the appropriate Department Chair or Program Director that an error has been made in computing or recording a grade. The Chair or Director will inform the Registrar of the grade change. Under no circumstances will a change of grade be considered after one year from the time the grade was issued.

A student has the right to appeal a particular grade he/she has received in a course. He/she should approach the faculty member who will explain how the grade was calculated. If this is unsatisfactory, the student has a right to appeal to the Department Chair or Program Director; whose decision is final.

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Repeating a Course

A student may repeat a course in which he/she has received a grade of F. The failing grade will remain on the student's transcript even if the course is repeated and passed. If the course is repeated and passed, the passing grade will be recorded on the transcript and only this grade (not the original F) will be used in computing the cumulative grade point average. A notation of NC, indicating 'no credit', will be entered on the transcript next to the original grade of F. In exceptional cases, and only with the permission of the Academic Standards Committee, a student may repeat a course for which credit has been awarded. Such a repeat may occur only once and the second grade earned is used for the GPA.

Declaration of Major

Students are given the opportunity upon application to indicate an area of interest for study by choosing one of the majors offered at ELC BIU. Students who indicate one of these will be registered in that major upon entry. Students not declaring a major upon application will be categorized as undeclared majors.

Following entry, students may declare or change their major at any point. A completed 'Declaration of Change of Major' form must be returned to the office of the Director of Academic Advising. At this time, if necessary, a new adviser will be assigned and both the old adviser and the new adviser will be informed of the changes. Students, who have not done so, will be asked to declare a major upon completion of 60 credits.

Students will normally follow the major requirements in effect at the time they declared or changed to the major in which they will graduate

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Double Majors

A student may complete the requirements of two majors and receive one degree with these two majors. If one of the majors is for a Bachelor of Arts degree and the other is for a Bachelor of Science degree, the student may choose which degree to receive. The student's transcript will indicate one degree conferred with two majors and the student will receive one diploma with two majors. Students completing two majors may require more than 120 credits for their degree.

Second Degree

A student who completes the requirements for an ELC BIU degree may continue for a second degree in a different major by completing at least 30 additional credits and all the requirements for the new major. The student's transcript will list each degree and its date of award and the student will receive two separate diplomas. In order for the second degree to be validated, the student must complete an additional 45 credits (rather than 30) in the Upper Division with at least 36 credits in the department of the major.

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Academic Standing

Students in good academic standing are those whose cumulative grade point average is at least C (2.0).

Academic Probation and Dismissal: Degree Candidates
If at the end of any semester, a full-time degree student attains a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of less than 2.0, the student will be informed of this by the Academic Standards Committee and placed on academic probation.

A warning is issued at mid-semester to students not doing satisfactory work, at least C (2.0), in two or more courses. Copies of the form go to the student and the faculty adviser. The warning is not a part of the student's permanent record. It is simply a formal notice of deficiency.

Students are limited to at most four courses per semester while on academic probation. If the student's GPA is still below 2.0 at the end of the next semester of attendance, the student may be dismissed from the university, or may be allowed to continue on academic probation (if significant academic improvement has been made). Failure to raise the student's GPA to at least 2.0 by the end of a second semester on academic probation will almost certainly result in dismissal from the university.

Students who have been admitted to the university on academic probation are limited to at most four courses per semester. If the student's GPA is below 2.0 at the end of the first semester of attendance, the student may be dismissed from the university, or may be allowed to continue on academic probation if in the judgment of the Academic Standards Committee the student is capable of significant improvement. Failure to raise the student's GPA to at least 2.0 by the end of a second semester on academic probation will almost certainly result in dismissal from the university.

The Academic Standards Committee will inform students of the following:

• The student is in jeopardy and may be dismissed if his or her Grade Point Average is below 2.0 for two consecutive semesters;
  
• The student will be restricted to four courses per semester until she or he is no longer on Academic Probation;
  
• The student will remain on Academic Probation until his or her cumulative grade point average reaches 2.0 (C);
  
• The student on Academic Probation must report during the semester to his or her Academic Adviser or to the Director of Academic Advising.
  
• In cases of dismissal, degree candidates have the right to appeal to the Provost.
  

Normally, except for the Foundations Program, students are only dismissed at the end of the academic year.

Academic Probation and Dismissal : Language Development Students
Foundations Program students who have not reached the level of proficiency required in English for promotion to Principles of Writing after two semesters may be dismissed from the University.

In cases of dismissal, students have the right to appeal to the Academic Standards Committee.

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Academic Recognition

Dean's List
Any degree or study abroad student who achieves a 3.4 overall grade point average in any one semester while taking a full-time course load of three or more courses will be placed on the Dean's List for that semester. This recognition of academic achievement will be reflected on the student's transcript.

Senior Awards
At the May and December graduation ceremonies, awards are given to one or more students across the academic programs that have been judged by the Deans of Business and of Arts and Sciences, in consultation with the faculty, to have made significant academic achievements.

Honors
Students graduate with honors, cum laude, magna cum laude or summa cum laude, based on credits earned at BIU as follows:

This recognition requires outstanding overall performance over the four-year degree program while placing somewhat greater emphasis on performance in the major with respect to classification of honors.

Honors Degrees
The American-validated degrees offered by BIU are all classified honors degrees. These degrees are classified by the faculty with the concurrence of an external examiner and using the following grade point averages as a guideline:

The GPA used for this honors classification is computed using the student's best fifteen upper division courses of the eighteen required, at least twelve of which are in the major field of study. The GPA in the major is the GPA for all lower and upper division major requirements, as listed in the section of this catalog on BA and BS Degree Requirements. In cases where there is a chance of courses that satisfy the major, the higher grade will be used in calculating the GPA.

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Graduation and Transcripts

Degree Students
A graduation ceremony is normally held at the end of each semester. Before students reach their last semester of studies at BIU, they must meet their faculty advisers to review their records and complete 'Graduation Check Lists.' Students are personally and fully responsible for knowing their major, proficiency and general education requirements and for knowing the number of credits earned toward their degree. At the beginning of his or her last semester, a student must complete an 'Application for Graduation' form obtainable from the Registrar. Students

BIU degrees are awarded on the first graduation date following completion of all degree requirements.

Transfer Students
All transfer students registered for the ELC-BIU BA or BS degree are required to complete a minimum of 54 upper division credits (18 courses), of which at least 45 credits (15 courses) must be taken at ELC-BIU.

Grade Reports and Transcripts
At the end of each semester or summer session, when the Office of the Registrar has processed all grades, usually four to five weeks from the last day of final examinations, a student may obtain a copy of his/her grade report from the Office of the Registrar. In addition, a grade report will be sent to the parents or guardians of all financially dependent ELC- BIU undergraduate students. Except for students who are at least 25 years old, the University assumes all undergraduate students are financially dependent on their parents or legal guardians. If a student is financially independent, the responsibility is on him/her to present, to the Office of the Registrar, documentation to that effect. Any student, who wishes to have an official copy of his or her transcript of grades sent to the registrar or admissions director of another university, or to an employer, must make the request in writing in a letter or on a form provided by the Office of the Registrar. E-mail requests are only accepted if the transcript is being forwarded to another educational institution. Official transcripts cannot be limited to partial presentation of courses and grades and cannot be issued to the student.

Confidentiality
No information or documents, with exception of grade reports to parents or guardians, referring to the student's academic or personal life (such as the student's address or a transcript of his/her record) are released to anyone outside the University without the written permission of the student. Should a student, former student, or graduate want information from his/her personal dossier to be released

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Academic Honesty

Academic honesty is fundamental to the integrity of the University community. A student who willfully gives or receives aid in tests or examinations or who plagiarizes essays or reports is subject to severe disciplinary action. Normally, a student who is found guilty of cheating during an examination or on an essay is failed in the course. A second offense in any course at any time normally results in dismissal from the University. A formal academic grievance procedure is in place in the University to protect the rights of students and faculty in disputes on academic issues. This is contained in the Guide to Academic Advising.

In most instances, a student should attempt to resolve any incident directly with the instructor, or if this is not possible, with the instructor's Department Chair or Associate Dean (School of Business ONLY). If the incident is not resolved at this level, an appeal may be made to the appropriate Dean, whose decision is final.

Committee on Academic Honesty
The primary goal of the Committee on Academic Honesty is to foster a positive learning environment. The committee is responsible for research on trends in academic dishonesty involving examinations, papers and the Internet and will regularly review the University's policy and procedures. It reports to the Academic Council on the results of its research and will propose changes in policy and procedures.

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