In 1998, through the Information Technology Project (ITP), Clayton State University became one of the first public universities in the nation to require all of its students to have and use notebook computers.  This innovative and exciting approach to learning has been dubbed “ubiquitous mobile computing.”  Electronic communication between faculty and students and among students has become the normal way of doing business at Clayton State University.  Over the past five years, ITP has developed into an unqualified success in its most important measure–the improvement of the teaching and learning process. 

      In short, it is the policy of Clayton State that every student own or have ready, on demand access to a notebook computer to use for academic assignments and communications.  This will often, but not always, require taking the computer to class. 

Notebook Computer Policy

For hardware and software specifications and additional details, go to the University's ITP Choice website (www.clayton.edu and click ITP-Choice).

1.  Computer Access. Each Clayton State University student is required to have ready access throughout the semester to a notebook computer that meets faculty-approved hardware and software requirements for the student's academic program. Students will sign a statement attesting to such access.

·          A student has a variety of options for “access.”   Student ownership of an appropriate computer will be the most common approach, but a student may also lease, rent, or share a notebook computer that meets minimum requirements as long as the student has regular, unrestricted access to the machine.

·          For students who choose ownership, a list of vendors of notebook computers is provided to all students on the University's ITP Choice website.  Note the "Preferred" vendor status next to some of the vendors' names.  Vendors are given preferred status only after training and authorizing the Clayton State University help desk (the HUB) to perform in-warranty repairs on notebook computers purchased by Clayton State University students.  Use of a Clayton State University preferred vendor is not required.

2.   Standard Software.  The notebook computer that the student has ready access to must include the Clayton State University standard software load (MS Office 2000 Professional) plus additional software needed for the student’s major program.

·          Clayton State University will make the standard software load available to currently enrolled students as part of the $38.00 technology fee.  It will be the student’s responsibility to bring the notebook computer to the help desk (the HUB) to obtain the software.

·          Additional software necessary for specific courses and/or programs will be available for purchase from the Clayton State University Campus Store and/or other vendors.

3.   Internet Access. Each Clayton State University student is required to have ready access to  the Internet (World Wide Web) and to use a Clayton State University e-mail address.

·          Each student will be responsible for making his or her own arrangement with an Internet Service Provider (ISP) such as AOL, Juno, Bell South, or Yahoo.  No specific ISP is considered preferred by Clayton State University although students are cautioned to pay careful attention to the ISP’s reputation for reliability and customer service.

·          Clayton State University will provide each student with an e-mail address through the Clayton State University electronic post office.  The student will be responsible for monitoring this address on a regular basis for official communications from Clayton State University faculty and administrators.

4.   Computer Skills. Students will be responsible for having or obtaining basic computer skills including e-mail, Web surfing, and word processing.  Higher level skills will be expected for many courses.

·          Clayton State University will make training opportunities in basic computer skills available to students for no additional cost. 

·          Through a variety of means including free workshops, fee-based workshops, for-credit computer courses, and modules in courses, Clayton State University will make training opportunities available in the computer skills necessary for the student’s chosen program.

·          Clayton State University will provide a computer help desk (the HUB).  The HUB will assist students with software problems.  The HUB will assist with hardware problems only if the machines are under warranty and the HUB is certified by the vendor to service those machines.

Academic Advisement

      Academic advisors, usually faculty members in the program, are available for each of the programs of study offered by the University. Advisement is optional or required depending on major and/or stage of program.  In addition, students who have not selected a program of study will be assisted in the Office of Counseling & Career Services. Students required to take Learning Support classes must be advised by a Center for Academic Assistance advisor regardless of major. 

      Faculty advisors maintain regular office hours during the academic term to encourage student conferences whenever questions arise or further information is needed.  Students are strongly urged to see their advisors well in advance of registration for classes.  Details are provided in the Schedule of Classes booklet each semester.

      Although academic advisement is available at Clayton State University, each student is responsible for knowing and for fulfilling the curriculum requirements of a program of study and the graduation requirements of the University as explained in this catalog, in the semester Schedule of Classes, and in any supplements to this catalog.

Declaring and Changing Majors (Programs of Study)

      Students should declare their major programs of study as soon as possible since the choice of major may affect recommended or required course choices in the Core Curriculum as well as in the major field itself.  Major declarations must be filed with the Registrar by paper form or by online process.  Majors are listed in the chapters for each school of the University.

      A student must submit a Change of Major form (available online or in paper form) to the Office of the Registrar as soon as possible after deciding to make a change.  Making the change quickly will help the student to be advised properly and will also prevent delays in the registration process.

Undecided  Students (Undeclared)

      Students who are undecided about their programs of study should follow the general guidelines for Areas A-E of the Core Curriculum until they have selected a program of study.  Please note that some choices in Areas A-E of the core may be influenced by choice of major.  Special assistance is available to undecided students in the Office of Counseling & Career Services. The office offers academic planning information, referrals to appropriate departments on campus, assistance with time management and study skills, and intervention strategies for students experiencing academic difficulty.

Schedule of Classes

      A Schedule of Classes is published in paper form and on the University's website each semester (www.clayton.edu).  Instructions on how to register are included in this schedule.  Registration is accomplished online using the Clayton State University system known as the DUCK (Digital University Campus Kiosk).

     Classes are scheduled at a wide variety of times during the day, evening, and, to a lesser extent, on weekends.  The University endeavors to schedule classes at convenient times, but due to resource constraints the times that individual courses are scheduled are necessarily limited.  Students may have to adjust their personal situations to take classes when they are offered.

      Students are responsible for all information published in the Schedule of Classes.  Policy and program changes that occur during the academic year are announced in the semester Schedule of Classes.

      Various departments of the University publish tentative advance schedules to assist students in their planning for future terms.  Every effort is made to implement the current and future schedules as published, but circumstances such as staffing, funding, enrollment, and program changes may result in some changes.

Activity Period

    At midday on Tuesday and Thursday there is a period during which no classes are scheduled.*  This activity period is heavily used to schedule organization meetings, speakers, and other student activities, and students are strongly urged to take advantage of this time.  Student activities are also scheduled at other times, but they may conflict with some classes.

*     There may be a few classes, mainly, but not necessarily exclusively, off-campus clinicals, scheduled during the activity period.

Prerequisites and Corequisites

      Many courses are listed as having prerequisites, corequisites, or absolute corequisites.  See the Course Descriptions chapter of this catalog for definitions and specific listings. In exceptional circumstances, a dean, associate dean, or department head may grant a waiver of a prerequisite or corequisite.  Faculty members are not permitted to waive prerequisites or corequisites on their own.

      In most cases, the University's computer system (the DUCK) is programmed to block a student's registration for a course if he or she has not satisfied the prerequisite or corequisite requirements.  However, this computer blocking is not perfect, and students are personally responsible for complying with the prerequisites or corequisites for a course even if they are not electronically blocked from registration.  Students who register for courses for which they do not qualify are subject to removal from the course and are responsible for any problems that may result, including the loss of course credit and fees.

Drop/Add  and  Changing  Schedules

      Each semester the Schedule of Classes specifies a date as the last day to register for classes or to change schedules through the drop/add process.   After this date, the student’s class schedule becomes official and can be changed only by official withdrawal (see below). Students are obligated to pay tuition and fees for all courses registered for as of the end of Drop-Add.  See the Financial Information chapter and the semester Schedule of Classes for refund policies.

Course  Overload

      Students may schedule up to 18 hours per semester (15 in the Summer) without special permission.  A student who wishes to accelerate his or her study by taking more than 18 hours in a semester (or 15 in the Summer) must have a written overload request approved by the dean or associate dean of the school of the major.  In general, a student must have been at Clayton State University for at least two semesters and have achieved an overall B average before an overload will be approved although the dean/associate dean may make exceptions in special circumstances.  (Note: Audited courses count in load for purposes of this policy.)

Cross-Registration in the Atlanta Regional Consortium for Higher Education (ARCHE)

      The Atlanta Regional Consortium for Higher Education (ARCHE) is a group of colleges and universities in metropolitan Atlanta. Clayton State students may take courses from member institutions on a cross-registration basis. Cross-registration courses are considered transfer credit.  It is usually more advantageous to the student to take a course by cross-registration than by transient status because cross-registration fees are paid to Clayton State rather than to the institution offering the course.  (The Integrative Studies program has special provisions for cross-registration; see the Arts & Sciences chapter of this catalog.)  For more information and regulations about how to cross–register, contact the Registrar’s Office in the Student Center Building, 770-961-3504.

Auditing Courses

      Students may choose to take courses on an audit basis.  Courses that are audited are assigned a grade symbol of V, and no credit toward graduation is awarded.  To audit courses, students indicate their intention at the time of registration.  Requests to change to audit status will not be accepted after the drop/add period.  All regular fees apply to audited courses.

      Courses taken on an audit basis will not be used for certification for financial aid, Social Security, or Veterans’  Administration benefits.

      Students may not receive credit for courses in which they were registered as auditors unless they repeat the course for credit.

      Many courses at Clayton State University are offered online as well as on campus.  In online courses the majority of the instruction is delivered by online computer connection via the Internet.  The Internet may be supplemented by television, video conferencing, or other distance learning methods.  Use of this technology allows the University to offer learning experiences that are more convenient for many students. 

      Courses offered via online instruction are identified in the Schedule of Classes each semester.  Additional fees will accompany online courses with video components.

Nature of Online Courses

      Online courses are often attractive for students who cannot conveniently attend on-campus courses. Students can take all of their courses online for a given semester, or they can mix online and on-campus sections. It is important to keep in mind, however, that even though online courses offer schedule flexibility, the total time commitment and academic expectation for an online course is the same as it is for a traditional on-campus class.  Some courses are offered as “partial online,” “web enhanced” or “hybrid” meeting that they mix online and on-campus components.             

      Although routine classroom attendance is not required for online courses, some physical presence is required on campus for orientation, testing, and, in some cases, "hands-on" experiences (labs, clinicals, observations, etc.). In addition, some online courses may have additional, optional, or required, on-campus sessions for discussion and/or review. For details, please consult the official Schedule of Classes each semester and the online syllabus for each course.

Registration for Online Courses

      To take an online course, students must be admitted to the University by the normal process and be eligible to register for credit courses, including having met all prerequisites and/or corequisites. Details about registration are published each semester in printed and online versions (www.clayton.edu).

      Students should not register for online courses unless they are already thoroughly competent at sending and receiving e-mail, navigating the Internet, and using Windows-based programs.  No class time will be spent on basic computer instruction.   Students may be required to complete Computer Skills for Online Instruction (Clayton State University 1010) or Introduction to WebCT (Clayton State University 1011) before registering for some online courses or during the first weeks of the semester.  Also, students should be aware that taking online classes requires excellent time management skills and good self-discipline.

Course Materials

      Printed texts, special software, or other supporting material needed for online courses can be obtained in person from the Campus Store or online at www.Clayton State Universityestore.com. Many research resources are available online through GALILEO, but some projects may require on-site library work at Clayton State University or elsewhere.

Online Courses with Video Components

      Some online courses include some instruction provided via television or video tapes and are called "online courses with video components." Some of the content for these courses is broadcast over satellite in cooperation with GPTV. If students do not have access, they can still take these courses by obtaining the videotapes from the Clayton State University library circulation desk and playing them at their convenience. There is an additional course fee for online telecourses to cover Clayton State University’s costs for broadcast and distribution rights.

Important Information about Getting Started in an Online Course

      When students register for an online course, they MUST communicate with the instructor by the semester payment deadline.  This communication may take place in person during the required Orientation Session.  If the Orientation Session will be held after Drop-Add, the student MUST contact the instructor by e-mail before the end of Drop-Add.

      If a student does not attend the Orientation or make contact with the instructor by the end of Drop-Add, that student will be considered a “No Show” and will encounter the consequences explained in the semester Schedule of Classes.

      The instructor’s e-mail address and information about orientation sessions are usually included with the appropriate course listing in the Clayton State University Schedule of Classes or on the Online Instruction Website. If students have difficulty contacting their instructor by e-mail, they should call the school that offers the course (Arts & Sciences, 770-961-3420; Business, 770-961-3410; Health Sciences, 770-961-3484; Information & Mathematical Sciences, 770-961-3636; Technology, 770-361-3415).

On-site Attendance Requirements

      All of Clayton State University's online courses require physical attendance for orientation and examinations unless a special exception has been established.  In addition, as mentioned above, some courses that are delivered substantially online also require attendance at Clayton State University (or other sites) for the purposes of review, discussion, laboratories, practica, or other activities that necessitate direct "hands-on" or "face-to-face" experiences. Please note the explanations with each course in the Schedule of Classes and pay careful attention to information in course syllabi.

      Important Note: If an on-site meeting of an online course conflicts with the time of another course, it is the student’s responsibility to notify both instructors well in advance so that arrangements can be made to accommodate the conflict.

Courses marked by the       in the Course Descriptions chapter of this catalog are currently offered as online courses. (Subject to change.)

WITHDRAWAL FROM COURSES

      All registrations are final and students are obligated to pay tuition and fees as of the end of the drop-add period.  A grade symbol will be placed on the transcript for all courses in which the student is registered as of the end of the drop-add period. (See the grading system heading later in this chapter.) 

      Students who wish to receive a grade of W (withdrawal) or, in certain circumstances, WF (withdrew failing) must act in accordance with the policies and procedures explained here and in the semester Schedule of Classes.

Official Withdrawal Form Required.  A student desiring to withdraw from a specific class, multiple classes, or all classes must submit an official withdrawal form to the Office of the Registrar.  The form can be submitted on paper (Registrar’s Office, STC 216, 770-950-5110) or online (www.clayton.edu).  Students are strongly advised to print the confirmation of an online withdrawal.

A withdrawal is not official and will not appear on the transcript unless the official form is properly submitted.  Although it is good practice to discuss withdrawal intentions with instructors and other University Officials, the student must be aware that such discussion (whether oral or written) does not constitute official withdrawal.  If a student attends class and then quits coming but does not submit an official withdrawal form, the student will be assigned a grade of F.  

“No show” Policy.  A registered student who has failed to attend class (in person or by electronic equivalent) by the final payment deadline for the term, is considered a “no show.”  The “no show” student will be administratively withdrawn and will not be reinstated.  The “no show” student is obligated to pay for all registration in effect at the end of drop-add even though he or she did not attend.  Proportional refund will be made to students who are “no show” in all classes.  No refund is made to students who are “no show” in one or more classes but who have attended other classes.  See the Financial Information chapter of this Catalog and the semester Schedule of Classes for additional details.

Withdrawal before Midterm:  A student who completes the official withdrawal process prior to the published midterm date for the term of enrollment will be assigned a grade of W (withdrew) regardless of the reason for withdrawal or how the student is performing in the class.  A grade of W does not figure in GPA, but it may have implications for continued financial aid eligibility. (Consult the Financial Aid Office.)

Withdrawal after Midterm: As noted above, prior to midterm a student may withdraw for any reason whatsoever and receive a grade of W.  However, withdrawal after midterm is subject to academic penalty (accountability) as follows: A student who completes the withdrawal process after the published midterm date for the term of enrollment will be automatically assigned a grade of WF (withdrew failing) unless a hardship exception is granted. (See below for hardship request procedure.)  A WF counts in GPA just like a grade of F. 

Hardship Withdrawal Policies: A student desiring to be considered for a hardship withdrawal must complete the official withdrawal process and submit a Hardship Withdrawal Request Form to the dean of the school of the student’s major. The Hardship Request form may be obtained from the Registrar online (www.clayton.edu) or in person (STC-216).  Call 770-960-5110 to obtain a form if in person or online is not feasible.

To be eligible for hardship withdrawal, a student must have met ALL of the following conditions:

1.    experienced an emergency or other unanticipated hardship that makes continuation in the course or courses ill-advised,

2.    been passing the course at the time that the emergency or other hardship arose,

3.    acted responsibly by notifying his or her instructors or other University officials about the hardship situation as soon as possible after it arose, and

4.    filed the hardship request with the appropriate dean as soon as it is feasible to do so.  Hardship requests that are not filed in a timely manner are subject to denial even if the student was passing and the hardship was legitimate.

      Hardship withdrawal does not involve special consideration for refunds.  Any refund due will be granted in accordance with the refund regulations and schedule printed in the semester Schedule of Classes booklet.

      For purposes of this policy, “passing” is defined to include not only recorded grades but also satisfactory progress toward course assignments (papers, reports, projects, etc.) that have not yet actually been graded at the time the hardship arises.  The dean’s office will contact the appropriate faculty member(s) to determine the student’s status.

      “Hardship” refers to an unexpected event or circumstance beyond the student’s control that directly interferes with the student’s ability to continue to make satisfactory progress in class(es).  This generally includes, but is not necessarily limited to, serious illness or accident of the student or a close relative that requires the student’s extended attention, unavoidable and unexpected job change or change of job assignment that conflicts with class, or significant disruption of family life that prevents regular class progress.  The following sorts of cases do not constitute “hardship”: getting behind in class due to taking on more than one can handle; doing poorly in class due to inadequate background, difficult material, or poor time management; taking extensive time away from class for a personal situation that could have been expeditiously handled with a minimum of class interference.  The dean may request documentation of the hardship.

      A student should contact the dean of the school of his or her major or the Associate Provost (770-961-3538) for questions about hardship withdrawal.

Withdrawal From Learning Support Courses

      All of the regulations listed above for withdrawing from any course also apply to Learning Support courses.  In addition, regulations provide that a student required to take Learning Support courses may not withdraw from a Learning Support course and remain in any course numbered 1000 or higher.

Returning University-Owned Equipment:  A student who withdraws from all classes for a term is no longer considered an enrolled student.  The individual must immediately return any University-owned equipment that may have been issued to the student.  The withdrawal process is not complete until all equipment has been properly returned.

GRADING SYSTEM

      Every course listed on a student’s official semester schedule as of the end of Drop-Add will be listed on the student’s permanent record with some grade designation or symbol, even though the student may not complete the semester‘s work.

      The following grades are calculated into grade point average (GPA):

                                                                                Numerical

Grade Symbol                                                      Equivalent

A                   excellent                                              4.00

B                   good                                                     3.00

C                   satisfactory                                          2.00

D                   minimum passing*                           1.00

F                   failure                                                   0.00

U                   unsatisfactory                                     0.00

WF                                                                              withdrew, failing**           0.00

*In many cases, D grades will not count toward graduation; see the specific program for details.

**See the heading above for details on withdrawal policy.

      The following grade symbols show on the transcript but are not included in the determination of the grade point average:

S —        Satisfactory.  Indicates satisfactory completion of a course graded on a “satisfactory/unsatisfactory” basis. Use of S/U grading is limited to certain laboratory, clinical, activity, and field-based courses. Hours earned with a grade of S may count toward graduation, but they do not affect grade point average.

I —          Incomplete.  Indicates that a student was doing satisfactory work, but due to non-academic reasons beyond the student’s control, the student was unable to meet the full requirements of the course.  The I is appropriate only when the unfinished requirements can be clearly delineated and constitute a relatively small part of the course; otherwise withdrawal is appropriate. It is the responsibility of the student to initiate the request for an I by contacting the relevant instructor, department head, associate dean, or dean in a timely manner before the end of the term or session. The assignment of an I requires the written approval of the dean or associate dean of the school.  To remove an I and convert it to a grade, the student must contact the instructor (or department head or associate dean or dean if the instructor is unavailable) in a timely manner and arrange to complete the course requirements. (An individual who has an I pending but is not otherwise enrolled may not retain possession of University-owned equipment, and the individual has access to campus facilities and services only to the extent necessary to complete course requirements.)   A grade of I that is not converted to another grade during the next semester of attendance or within one calendar year (whichever comes first) will automatically be changed to the grade F.

W —       Withdrew.  Indicates that a student withdrew before midterm or withdrew after midterm but with hardship approval.  (See the heading above for details on withdrawal policy.)

V —        Audit.  Indicates that a student audited a course.  Students may not change from audit to credit status or vice versa.

K —        Credit by Examination/Experience.  Indicates  that the student was given credit for the course  via  a  credit  by examination or experience program (CLEP, AP, or other proficiency exam).

IP—        In Progress.  This applies only to Learning Support courses.  The  student is required to repeat the course.  A grade of IP counts as an attempt for purposes of Learning Support suspension.

NR—      Not Reported. This symbol indicates a grade was not reported to the Office of the Registrar.  It is a temporary grade and will be changed by the Registrar upon certification of actual grade by the appropriate dean or associate dean.

Grade  Point  Average  (GPA)

      The scholastic standing of a student is expressed in terms of GPA, which is calculated by dividing the total number of quality points earned by the total number of semester credit hours attempted in courses numbered 1000 or higher at Clayton State University.  Following is an example:

                                       Semester                   Grade

                                          Credit                   (numerical                      Quality

Course                         Hours                  equivalent)                      Points

ENGL           1102              3                          B          (3)                           09

MATH          1231              3                          C          (2)                           06

PSYC           1101              3                          A         (4)                           12

SCI               1111/L           4                          C          (2)                           08

HIST             2110              3                          D          (1)                           03

                                            16                                                                      38

38 ÷ 16 =  Grade Point Average of 2.38

      Clayton State University normally calculates two types of overall grade point average:  Regents’ and Institutional Standing.

1.     Regents’ Grade Point Average

        The Regents’ Grade Point Average (sometimes called cumulative GPA) is the average of the grades in all courses (numbered 1000 or higher)* attempted at Clayton State University.  Regents’ GPA is used to determine whether a student is eligible for academic honors.

2.     Institutional Grade Point Average

        The Institutional Grade Point Average is the average of the grades in the most recent attempts of all courses (numbered 1000 or higher)* attempted at Clayton State University.  Institutional GPA is used to determine the following:

a.     academic standing status (good standing, warning, probation, and suspension); and

b.     eligibility for graduation.

NOTE:  Learning Support grades, earlier attempted grades, and transfer grades may be considered in GPA for such purposes as evaluation for program admission or consideration for academic awards and scholarships.

* Grades in Learning Support courses are not calculated in any GPA.  Grades in transfer courses are not calculated in Regents’ or Institutional GPA.

Course Repeat Policy

      Clayton State students may repeat any course subject to the “three tries rule.”   All attempts will be recorded on the transcript, but only the most recent attempt will count toward graduation and be included in institutional GPA.  This policy provides an opportunity for a student to raise his or her GPA by re-taking a course and earning a higher grade, but students must be aware that the most recent grade will count even if it is lower.* **

Three tries rule.  A student who has withdrawn or earned a less than satisfactory grade a total of three times in a course at Clayton State will not be allowed to take that course again.***  This rule applies to the following grades: F, U, D, WF, and W.  (Grades of W granted for military withdrawal or “no show” do not apply to this rule.  Grades of W granted for health or other hardship reasons do apply.)  Students must be fully aware that this rule may have the effect of preventing them from graduating in a given major if they exhaust their three tries in a required course.

a)    Transfer Attempts.  The “three tries rule” applies to courses taken at previous institutions also except that a student transferring in to Clayton State will be granted one additional try at Clayton State University even if the student had exhausted his or her three tries at the previous institution.

b)    Transient Restriction.  Transient or cross registration permission will not be granted to a Clayton State University student to take a course for which the student has already exhausted two of the three tries allowed under the three tries rule.

c)       Program Restrictions.  Some majors may have stricter course repeat policies.  In some cases, a cumulative or program GPA, rather than institutional GPA, may be used to determine eligibility for program admission, graduation, or license eligibility.  Consult the appropriate school/college chapter of this Catalog and other program materials for details.

d)       Appeals.  Appeals for exceptions to the “three tries rule” must be directed in writing to the dean or associate dean of the school/college of the student’s major (A&S for undeclared).  Exceptions are granted only in very special and limited circumstances.

*     Semester courses that are directly equivalent to quarter courses will be considered repeats.  Similar courses that are substituted but not directly equivalent are not considered  repeats.  Some courses (Selected Topics, Independent Study, Internship) provide for repeats for credit.  In such cases, all grades count in GPA.

**   This repeat policy does not apply to courses numbered less than 1000, which are controlled by Learning Support regulations explained elsewhere in this Catalog.

***  Students who have already had two or more tries in a course at Clayton State University before this policy went into effect (Fall 2003) will be granted one more try.

Grade and Academic Appeals

      Students wishing to file an appeal of a grade or other academic action must first attempt to work out the matter informally with the appropriate instructor.  If that is not satisfactory or if the instructor cannot be contacted, the appealing student must contact the relevant department head or associate dean.  The appeal must be initiated as soon as possible. The appellant must put his or her case in writing and supply documentation unless the matter is resolved informally before an official appeal is filed.  Written appeals should be directed to the relevant department head or associate dean with a copy to the dean.  The department head/associate dean in consultation with the dean will provide the appellant with a written answer.  Students may appeal the school/department-level response by submitting a written statement to the Associate Provost.

      Appeals initiated more than one semester following the time that the dispute arose will not normally be considered.  (This “statute of limitations” will not be extended unless there is clear and convincing evidence that it would not have been reasonable to expect the student to have raised the appeal in a more timely manner.)

      Full details about the appeal process are contained in the Student Handbook, which can be obtained from the Office of the Vice President for Campus Life or via the University homepage.  Students with questions about the academic appeal process should contact the Associate Provost (770-961-3538).

ACADEMIC STANDING

Good Standing

      The academic standing of a student is determined on the basis of the number of degree-credit semester hours attempted at Clayton State University plus transfer hours.  GPA is based on Clayton State University only.

Semester Hours                                           Minimum Acceptable

Attempted at Clayton State University                                      Institutional GPA for

Plus Transfer Hours                                     __Good Standing__

0-20                                                                        1.70

21-45                                                                     1.90

46 and above                                                       2.00

Academic  Warning

      A student will be given an Academic Warning if at the end of any semester his or her institutional or term GPA falls below 2.00 but the student is not subject to probation or suspension.  Although students on “warning” remain in good standing, they should be aware that once below 2.00, a student’s grade point average is very difficult to raise without making course grades of A and B. Without immediate improvements, academic probation may result.  (Important note: depending on grades, it is quite possible to go directly to probation without first receiving an academic warning.)

Academic  Probation: 

1.   Academic Probation (not Learning Support)

Any student whose institutional GPA falls below the minimum acceptable GPA of 2.00 (or less than 2.00 for students with fewer than 45 hours as indicated in the chart under the Good Standing heading above) will be placed on academic probation. Probation students are urged to consult the Office of Counseling and Career Services and may be required to see special advisors.  Students on probation must be aware that they will be suspended if unsatisfactory performance continues. See the suspension policy below.

Note for transfer students:  Depending on performance at their previous institution(s), transfer students may be placed on academic probation at the time of admission.

2.   Learning Support Academic Probation

Any student required to take a Learning Support course will be placed on Learning Support probation if he or she fails a Learning Support course the first time he or she takes it. (Note: Attempts at Learning Support courses are cumulative within the University System of Georgia.) See the Learning Support Requirements heading later in this chapter for full details.

Academic Suspension and Dismissal

1.   Academic Suspension (not Learning Support)

A student will be placed on academic suspension and barred from enrollment for the upcoming semester if at the end of any semester all of the following criteria apply:

(a) the student is on Academic Probation,

(b) the student‘s institutional GPA is below the minimum acceptable level for Good Standing as indicated in the chart above, and

(c) the student’s GPA for the term just completed is below 2.00.

Consequences of First suspension: The first academic suspension bars enrollment for a minimum of one semester. A student who desires to return to the University following at least one Spring or Fall semester (not Summer)* out must submit a written appeal for reinstatement to the Center for Academic Assistance (Library, lower level).  The appeal will be evaluated by the appropriate administrator, and a personal interview may be required.  The decision will be based on previous academic performance and a determination of whether there is strong indication that the reasons for the suspension have been ameliorated and are not likely to be repeated..  Reinstatement is not automatic. The student may be required to perform certain remedial activities prior to reinstatement.  If reinstated, the student will be on academic probation.  The student may be required to consult a special counselor/advisor prior to registration.  A reinstated student may have his or her enrollment restricted in total hours or other ways until he or she achieves an institutional GPA of 2.00 or higher.**

*     Summer Semester does not count as a semester out for suspension reinstatement purposes.  If the student has been out of Clayton State for more than one year, the student must also apply for readmission.

**   In rare cases involving exceptional circumstances a student may be granted restricted reinstatement without being out the normal one semester.

Consequences of Second suspension:  The consequences of and appeal provisions for second suspension are the same as for first suspension except as follows:

(a) the minimum period of exclusion is two semesters (Fall and Spring, summer does not count toward the exclusion period)

(b) a student desiring reinstatement must also apply for readmission.

(c) appeals for reinstatement will be held to a higher standard

(d) if the student has earned no grades of C or higher since the first suspension, then the second suspension constitutes dismissal and the consequences of dismissal apply.

Special note for transfer students:  Suspensions (or equivalent) at previous institutions count in the total for purposes of this policy, so it is possible for a transfer student’s first suspension earned at Clayton State to constitute a second or higher suspension for purposes of consequences.

Consequences of Dismissal:  Any student receiving a third academic suspension will be dismissed from the University and barred from further enrollment.  However, after at least three full calendar years out of the University, a dismissed student may petition for readmission. A student seeking readmission following dismissal must complete a regular Clayton State University Application for Readmission form and an admission appeal form. The appropriate forms must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar by the deadline for application for admissions for the semester for which the student is seeking readmission.  The petition will be evaluated by the Admission Appeals Committee and will not be granted unless there is clear and compelling evidence of the likelihood of academic success upon readmission. If readmission is granted, enrollment will be on a restricted basis. A readmitted student will be on academic probation and will be immediately dismissed again if his or her semester and institutional GPA fall below 2.00.

2.    Learning Support Suspension

Students who fail to complete Learning Support courses within the number of attempts specified by the Learning Support policies explained elsewhere in this chapter will be dismissed from the University for a minimum of three years.

In truly extraordinary cases in which there is highly compelling evidence of the likelihood of success if one more attempt is granted before the three-year period begins, students may appeal the suspension.  Appeals must be filed with the Director of the Center for Academic Assistance. Appeals will be evaluated by the Admission Appeals Committee. The committee may restrict the enrollment of a student if readmitted.  Following the three-year period of suspension, a student may re-apply to the University and file an appeal with the Admission Appeals Committee; readmission is not automatic.

Major Program Probation and Suspension.

The academic standing, probation, suspension, and dismissal policies above apply to the University as a whole.  Individual programs may have additional progression, probation, suspension, and dismissal policies that are stricter than the University-wide policies.  Consult the school/college chapters of this Catalog and other program materials for details.

LEARNING SUPPORT REQUIREMENTS

      Learning Support courses are taught by full- and part-time faculty members of the Center for Academic Assistance.  Offices are located downstairs in the Library Building.

Who is Subject to Learning Support Requirements and Advisement?   As indicated in Chapter Two (Admissions Information), students in the limited and non-traditional admission categories must take the entry examination (COMPASS) to determine if they will be required to take Learning Support courses, i.e. any course numbered below 1000.  Students who score high enough on the placement examination will be exempted from some or all Learning Support courses; students whose scores indicate the need for remediation will be required to take the appropriate courses.  Any combination of the following may be required: READ 0099, ENGL 0099, MATH 0096, MATH 0097, MATH 0099, and CSOR 0098.  Once it is determined that a student is required to take Learning Support courses, the regulations in this section apply.

Who is not Subject to Learning Support Advisement?

a)  The prerequisite for MATH 1101 is MATH 0099 or an appropriate score on the math placement test given upon admission.  Some students who are granted regular admission to the University score below the prerequisite level on the math placement test (Accu-placer).  In such cases, the student has the option of taking MATH 0099 or of engaging in an intensive self-remediation plan and then re-testing.  The great majority of students in this situation choose to take MATH 0099 to fulfill the MATH 1101 prerequisite.  Such students are advised by their regular advisor and not by Learning Support faculty.

b)  Students required to take Learning Support courses who are majoring in a certificate program* are advised in the School of Technology rather than by Learning Support advisors.  The Technology advisor will consult with Learning Support advisors as appropriate. 

*   Exception:  Students in the Information Technology and Paralegal Studies certificate programs must be advised by Learning Support advisors if they have Learning Support requirements.

Learning Support Regulations. The Learning Support Program of the Center for Academic Assistance offers college preparatory instruction in certain critical basic skills areas–written and oral communications, mathematics, and reading–as well as personal development and study skills. (See the Learning Support courses in the Course Descriptions chapter of this catalog.) Learning Support courses are not applicable to any degree programs offered by the University; however, they do constitute prerequisites that Learning Support students must satisfy before they are fully accepted into degree or certificate programs.

      Students required to take Learning Support courses are subject to the following regulations:

1.     Students who are required to take Learning Support courses must do so during their first semester of enrollment and continue taking them for each subsequent semester of enrollment until all requirements have been completed (exited).

2.     Students who are required to take Learning Support courses must take CSOR 0098, College Skills Orientation, in the first semester of enrollment.  (Students whose only Learning Support requirement is MATH 0099 or those who have appropriate transfer credit may petition the Director of the Center for Academic Assistance for exemption from CSOR 0098.)

3.     Students who successfully complete (exit) all Learning Support requirements can schedule graduation-applicable courses during the next semester of enrollment. Some students may be allowed to schedule some graduation-applicable courses while also taking Learning Support courses.

4.     Students who are required to take READ 0099 must exit the reading area before they enroll in any courses in the Core Curriculum (Areas A-F).  Students who are required to take Learning Support math and/or English are restricted from many but not all Core Curriculum courses.

5.     Students who are required to take Learning Support courses must complete all required Learning Support content areas (English, mathematics, reading) before they earn 20 semester hours of graduation-applicable credit. Students who have not done so by that point may enroll only in Learning Support courses until all content area requirements are complete.

6.     Students required to take Learning Support courses may not drop or withdraw from Learning Support courses and remain in any course numbered 1000 or higher.

7.   After students have passed all other requirements for their required Learning Support courses, they must then pass the exit examinations (currently COMPASS) for the required content areas.  In other words, a student is not allowed to take the exit examination unless he or she has satisfactorily completed all course work up to that point.  A student who does not pass an exit examination in a content area must repeat the course regardless of the grade earned in other course requirements.

Learning Support Suspension.  Students who are required to take Learning Support courses have a limited number of attempts to pass and complete courses in content areas.  An “attempt” is any course enrollment that results in a grade other than W or V.  (For purposes of this policy, an IP is considered an attempt.)

Mathematics:  Students are allowed a maximum of three attempts to pass the MATH 0096/MATH 0097) MATH 0099 sequence subject to the following conditions:

·          Students who begin in MATH 0096 or MATH 0097 and do not exit this level in two attempts will be suspended from the University and will not be allowed to attempt MATH 0097 again or take MATH 0099.  (Note: MATH 0096 includes all material from MATH 0097 but begins at a more basic level.)  After at least one semester of suspension, students may appeal for one attempt to take and exit MATH 0099.  This will constitute the third and final Learning Support math attempt prior to a three-year suspension.  Appeals to take MATH 0099 following suspension due to failure to exit MATH 0096/0097 must be directed to the Director of the Center for Academic Assistance, who will approve the appeal only if the applicant has participated in substantive mathematics remediation during the semester(s) of suspension and can demonstrate compelling evidence of a high likelihood of success in exiting MATH 0099.  Such evidence will include, but not necessarily be limited to, the score earned on a required mathematics re-entry test.  Students who are unsuccessful in this attempt of MATH 0099 will be suspended for three years.

·         Students who begin in MATH 0099 and do not pass the course in two attempts will not be allowed a third attempt and will be suspended for three years unless an appeal for a third attempt is granted.  Appeals for a third attempt must be directed to the Director of the Center for Academic Assistance and will be reviewed by the Admission Appeals Committee.  Appeals are approved only when there is compelling evidence of a high likelihood of success in the third attempt.  Students who are unsuccessful in this attempt of MATH 0099 will be suspended for three years.  

English, Reading, and College Skills: Students are allowed a maximum of two attempts in each of the following courses: ENGL 0099, READ 0099, and CSOR 0098.  Students who do not exit within two attempts will be suspended for three years.  Appeals for a third attempt prior to the three-year suspension may be directed to the Director of the Center for Academic Assistance and will be reviewed by the Admission Appeals Committee.  Appeals are approved only when there is compelling evidence of a high likelihood of success in the third attempt.  Students who are unsuccessful in this attempt on appeal will be suspended for three years.  

Period of Suspension:  Following the three-year period of suspension, a student may re-apply to the University and file an appeal with the Admission Appeals Committee; readmission is not automatic and is only granted when there is strong evidence of a high likelihood of success upon readmission.

NOTE: Attempts are cumulative across colleges and universities in the University System of Georgia. The limit on number of attempts also applies to students who volunteer for Learning Support courses.

NOTE: It is possible to be in good academic standing according to GPA and still be suspended by Learning Support regulations.

NOTE: In highly extenuating circumstances students may appeal for a fourth attempt but such appeals are very rarely granted.

The Honors Program

      A limited number of qualified students are admitted to the Clayton State University Honors Program, which offers special sections of classes and other activities. See Chapter Twelve for additional information.

Deans’ List

      A student with a semester average of 3.60 or higher who is in good academic standing will be placed on the Deans’ List for that semester.  Students who take only physical education courses are not eligible for the Deans’ List.  Students who are taking any course numbered lower than 1000 are ineligible for the Deans’ List.

Graduation With Honors

      To qualify for graduation with honors, students must meet the following requirements:

a.     attain the Regents’ Grade Point Average specified for the given level of honors on all work attempted at Clayton State University; and

b.     attain the grade point average specified for the given level of honors on the Regents’ Grade Point Average calculated on all college courses attempted at Clayton State and all other institutions attended, including accepted and non-accepted transfer credit.

Baccalaureate Degree

Summa cum laude                                                     3.90 - 4.00

Magna cum laude                                                       3.70 - 3.89

Cum laude                                                                    3.50 - 3.69

Associate Degree

High Honors                                                                 3.75 - 4.00

Honors                                                                          3.50 - 3.74

NOTE: Graduation with Honors is officially calculated on all grades up to the point of graduation.  However, Honors announcements at the commencement ceremony are normally based on grades earned through the last semester prior to graduation.  Students participating in the ceremony who think that their final semester’s grades will qualify them for Honors may file a petition for Honors calculation prior to the ceremony.  Contact the Registrar for details.

Honors  Convocation

      During the latter part of Spring Semester of each year, an Honors Convocation is held to recognize those students from all disciplines who have achieved overall records of academic excellence.

Credit  Hours

      Credit for study at Clayton State University and at all institutions in the University System of Georgia is measured quantitatively in semester hours.  One semester credit hour presumes one hour (actually 50 minutes) in class per week plus about two hours (100 minutes) outside of class in study, review, project preparation, and related activities. Most courses are three credit hours, meaning that the class will normally meet 150 minutes per week and that the student should normally plan to spend an additional 300 minutes studying, reviewing, and preparing.  A laboratory or activity period of two or three clock hours is normally considered the equivalent of one class hour, since extensive out-of-class preparation is usually not required.

      This rule of thumb for time management will, of course, vary from student to student and course to course depending on student background and course content.  Although many studies have shown that the amount of time that a student spends on task is a critical factor in determining the likelihood of success, students should remember that success in a course is ultimately measured by the degree of mastery of educational objectives, not just by the time invested.

      Online courses, including telecourses and Web courses, are also measured by semester hours, but the in-class/out-of-class calculation is obviously not the same.  Although the delivery method is non-traditional, the general calculation of spending about 150 minutes per week on task per semester credit hour is still a useful rule of thumb. See the Online Instruction heading earlier in this chapter.

Full-time and Part-time Status

      Clayton State University welcomes both full-time and part-time students.  Students scheduling 12 or more hours of credit per semester are classified by the University as full-time students for fee payment purposes; those with fewer than 12 semester hours of credit are classified as part-time students.  This definition of “full-time” is derived from the semester credit hour calculation as explained above.  Since each three-hour course should take about 450 minutes per week of a student’s time in class and out of class, a student who takes twelve semester hours (four three-hour courses) should be spending approximately 1,800 minutes (30 clock hours) per week on college work.  The time required for a fifteen-semester-hour load should be roughly equivalent to a forty-hour work week.  This calculation will help students plan their time to balance school, work, and personal responsibilities.

      In order to stay on track for graduation in one, two, or four years, depending on the program of study, a student must complete at least 30 credit hours per calendar year.  Typically, this involves two 15-hour semesters with a summer off but many variations are possible.   (Some programs will require more hours to stay on track.)  Students who attend during Summer Semester can take fewer hours in fall and spring to stay on track, or they can take additional summer hours and speed up graduation.  To meet their personal needs, many students choose to extend their programs and take fewer hours per semester.  Outstanding students may accelerate their timetable by taking course overloads with approval.

Junior and Senior Standing

      Courses numbered in the 1000s and 2000s are considered lower division courses.  Courses numbered in the 3000s and 4000s are considered upper division.

      Some courses may have junior standing or senior standing as a prerequisite.  Junior standing constitutes 60 degree credit hours completed; senior standing constitutes 90 degree credit hours completed.  In certain circumstances, the junior or senior standing prerequisite may be waived by the dean of the school that offers the course.

Policy on Class Attendance and “No Shows”

      Being prepared for class in advance and participating on a regular basis is a vitally important ingredient for academic success.  Research continually shows that poor attendance and/or limited participation usually results in low grades.  However, because the delivery mode, content, assignments, and other particulars for each class section vary so widely, Clayton State University does not specify an official campus-wide attendance standard except to ascertain “no shows” at the beginning of a term.  (See the “no show” policy under the withdrawal heading earlier in this chapter.)  After the “no show” period, attendance records are not maintained except to the extent that an individual instructor may keep records for the purposes of his or her own classes.  The attendance policy for each course will be stated in the syllabus; it is your responsibility as a student to inquire of the instructor if you have any questions.

Special note for online courses: Actual physical attendance in the classroom is limited (or in some cases non–existent) for online courses, but time on task and active, regular participation is just as important to success as it is in traditional on-campus classroom courses.

Credit by Examination or Experience

      Clayton State University recognizes that learning can take place in a variety of settings other than the traditional classroom.  Within guidelines established by the University, credit may be earned for some classes by examination or experience.  These non-traditional sources of credit include nationally recognized standardized tests, certain military training, selected professional certifications, and in some cases, special examinations developed at the University.

      Credit by examination is available for a number of national programs, including the following:

•   Advanced Placement Program of the College Board (AP).   In some basic courses, Clayton State University accepts an AP grade of 3 for credit.  Grades of 4 or 5 are required for some other courses.  The current required scores are posted on the Registrar’s web page (www.clayton.edu). Students seeking credit must have their official scores sent directly from AP to the Office of the Registrar.  (The University does not accept scores forwarded by high schools.) Additional information and a list of examinations are available from the Office of the Registrar.

•   College Level Examination Program (CLEP). Clayton State University awards credit for several CLEP subject examinations.  Some programs may limit CLEP credit.  (The University does not accept the CLEP general examination.) CLEP examinations are administered by the Testing Center approximately once per month.  Scheduled times and other information are available in the Center (LIB-141).

•   Credit by examination for lower division course work may be awarded to nurses and dental hygienists who have passed the applicable state licensing examination and have valid Georgia license.  Additional information is available from the School of Health Sciences (BHS-61).

•   Certified Professional Secretaries Examination  (CPS).  Clayton State University awards credit for the CPS examination program.  Information is available from the School of Technology (TEC-211).

•   Students are issued block credit for certain Emergency Medical Services courses by virtue of National Registry Paramedic Certification and/or National Registry EMT Intermediate Certification.  Additional information is available from the School of Technology (TEC-211).

      Credit by examination or experience may be available for a number of other programs, including the following:

•   As a Servicemembers Opportunity College (SOC) institution, Clayton State University accepts Armed Forces training (including DANTES and USAFI).  The University consults the American Council on Education (ACE) Guide and considers its credit recommendations.  Clayton State University, however, reserves the right to determine the appropriateness of military training for credit at the University.  Students seeking credit for Armed Forces experience and training must supply documentation (including but not necessarily limited to the DD-214) to the Office of the Registrar for evaluation.

•   In certain instances, credit by examination is available through validation of previous registered nursing experience and nursing specialty certification.  Additional information can be obtained  through the  School of Health Sciences (BHS-61).

•   Other Clayton State University programs may develop validation examinations and procedures in order to grant credit for competencies learned in non-academic courses.  

      Information about possible credit by examination or experience is available in the appropriate academic school or in the Testing Center (LIB-141).

The following regulations apply to credit by examination or experience:

1. Credit by examination or experience may be awarded only in areas that fall within the regular curricular offerings of the University, and any credit awarded must be appropriately related to the student’s current educational goals.

2. A student must meet all prerequisites for a course before credit by examination or experience can be awarded for that course.

3. Credit by examination or experience is not awarded for any course for which the student has previously earned credit or for which the student has already completed a higher course in sequence.  (For example, a student with credit for MATH 1113 could not earn credit by examination for MATH 1101.  The only exception to the sequence rule is for required courses in which a C or K or better is required for graduation.  In such cases, a student may use credit by examination to override a D in the first course of a sequence.)

4. Although appropriate credit earned by examination or experience may be applied to meet graduation requirements, such credit may not be used to meet the minimum number of hours required “in residence” at Clayton State University.  This regulation applies even if the credit by examination or experience is earned at the same time that the student is in residence for other courses.

5. Credit by experience must have occurred in a formalized setting  that maintains verifiable records.  In addition, the experience must be validated as equivalent to college credit  by  a  recognized  outside  entity or by an institution-required validation examination. Clayton State University does not award credit based on generalized life experience.

6. Credit by examination or experience is recorded on transcripts at Clayton State University by the symbol K. Grades of K do not alter the student’s semester, Regents’, or Institutional Grade Point Average (GPA).

Correspondence Credit

      Credit obtained through traditional correspondence courses taught through other regionally accredited colleges or universities may be counted toward graduation.  Correspondence credit is considered transfer credit, and normally a maximum of 12 semester hours of correspondence credit will be accepted in a program of study.  Currently enrolled students seeking permission to take courses through correspondence must complete a Transient Authorization Form and obtain approval from the appropriate dean and the Registrar prior to registering for correspondence work. 

Transient  Credit for Clayton State University Students

      Currently enrolled Clayton State University students in good standing who wish to attend another institution on a temporary basis to take courses that will count toward their degree at Clayton State may request to do so as transient students with the advance approval of Clayton State and the other institution.  Students wishing to take courses on a transient basis must  apply to and be accepted by the other institution as a transient student.  Prior to enrolling at the other institution, the Clayton State University student must complete a Transient Request Form (available from the Office of the Registrar) and obtain approval.  The transient request must be approved by the dean of the school offering the major and by the Office of the Registrar.  Approval or disapproval is based on the administrator’s judgment of the appropriateness to the student’s academic program.  Ordinarily, transient status is granted for only one semester although exceptions may be approved in special circumstances.  Normally, transient status is not granted for one part of a science or foreign language course sequence.

      Students who are required to participate in the Learning Support Program are not eligible for transient status until all program requirements have been completed.  Students on F-I visas are not eligible for transient status.

      (For information about coming to Clayton State University as a transient student from another institution, see the Admissions Information chapter.)

Servicemembers Opportunity College

      Clayton State University is a member of the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC) Program.  Participation in this program means that Clayton State University has shown a special interest in providing higher education options for members of the armed forces.  Clayton State University is listed in the SOC Guide, which announces to military education professionals and their thousands of potential students that the University understands their special needs and is receptive to working with them.  Contact the Office of Counseling & Career Services in the Student Center Building for additional information (770-961-3515).

Academic Renewal

      In most cases, the Clayton State University Institutional GPA will serve the needs of a student whose academic performance was weak in previous years. However, another option is available to students through the Academic Renewal Policy of the University System of Georgia. This policy allows degree-seeking students who have experienced academic difficulty to make a fresh start after an absence of five calendar years from any and all colleges or universities to have one final opportunity to earn an associate or baccalaureate degree. Former Developmental Studies/Learning Support students may apply for Academic Renewal only if they successfully completed all Learning Support requirements before the commencement of the five-year period of absence.  University System policy is as follows:

1.     All previously attempted coursework continues to be recorded on the student’s official transcript. A cumulative grade point average including all courses taken and an Academic Renewal Cumulative Grade Point Average must be shown on each Academic Renewal student’s permanent record.

a.     An Academic Renewal Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) begins when the student resumes taking coursework following the five-year period of absence once approval for Academic Renewal has been granted. The institution will place a statement on the student’s transcript indicating the Academic Renewal status and the beginning of a separate Academic Renewal CGPA.

b.     The Academic Renewal CGPA will be used for determining academic standing and eligibility for graduation.

c.     Academic credit for previously completed coursework–including transfer coursework–will be retained only for courses in which A, B, C, or S grades have been earned. Retained grades are not calculated in the Academic Renewal CGPA.

d.     To earn a degree, a student must meet the institution’s residency requirement.

2.     A student can be granted Academic Renewal status only once.

3.     Any scholastic suspensions that occurred in the past shall remain recorded on the student’s permanent record.

4.     If a student does not request Academic Renewal status at the time of re-enrollment after a five-year or greater period of absence from any college or university, the student may do so within two academic semesters of re-enrollment or within one calendar year, whichever comes first. The Academic Renewal CGPA begins with the first term following re-enrollment.

5.     Reentry into any specific degree program is not automatic.

6.     The granting of Academic Renewal does not supersede financial aid policies regarding satisfactory Academic Progress.

7.     The granting of Academic Renewal may supersede the admissions requirements of certain programs (e.g., teacher education, nursing), which require a specific minimum grade point average based upon all coursework. This decision will reside at the institutional level.

8.     Any currently enrolled student who was not enrolled at a college or university for a period of five calendar years may apply for an Academic Renewal CGPA.  The Academic Renewal CGPA for currently enrolled students begins with the first time following re-enrollment after the five-year period of absence from any college or university.

9.     United States and Georgia history and constitution requirements met prior to the granting of Academic Renewal will remain on the student’s permanent record even though the courses may not count in the Academic Renewal CGPA.

a.     Hours earned prior to Academic Renewal will count toward Regent's Test, College Preparatory Curriculum, and/or other Board of Regents policy requirements that state a specified number of hours earned.

b.     Academic Honors are calculated on the cumulative GPA, not the Academic Renewal CGPA.

Procedure: Students who wish to seek Academic Renewal must submit a completed Academic Renewal Application form to the Office of the Registrar at least six weeks prior to the semester in which the student intends to begin taking classes under the Academic Renewal Policy. Contact the Office of the Registrar for additional information.

      Clayton State offers its students the opportunity to participate in the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (R.O.T.C.) program at Georgia State University (GSU).  The courses are offered by the GSU Department of Military Science, and Clayton State University students enroll in R.O.T.C. courses through the Atlanta Regional Consortium for Higher Education (A.R.C.H.E.).  Currently all courses are offered at GSU.

      For information about registering via A.R.C.H.E., please contact the C.C.S.U. Registrar (STC–216, 770-960-5110).  For information about the Army R.O.T.C. program, please call 770-651-2276 or visit the office of the second floor of the Courtland Building on the GSU campus, downtown Atlanta.  (Clayton State University students may also participate in R.O.T.C. at Georgia Tech:  Army, 404-894-9938; Air Force, 404-894-4175; and Navy, 404-894-4771.)