Academic Calendar

Academic Freedom

A. Introduction

Academic honesty is an essential part of the Saint Francis University experience. Dishonesty in any aspect of the life of the University is viewed as being incompatible with the school's moral tradition. Accordingly, Saint Francis University has prepared a policy on academic honesty that will guide students in dealing with such issues in the process of learning regardless of the course delivery method.

To provide a description of the honors awarded to Saint Francis University undergraduate students in recognition of their academic accomplishments and the eligibility requirements of each designation.

The Board of Trustees has ultimate legal responsibility for determining the appropriate rank of all faculty appointments and for promotions. The Board of Trustees may delegate to the President the responsibility for determining the appropriate rank of initial faculty appointments. Faculty recommendations concerning appropriate rank of initial appointments and concerning promotions are of the utmost importance.

Academic standing is based on semester and cumulative grade point average (G.P.A.) on all Saint Francis University courses once a student has attempted at least 12 credits. 

To insure that new locations for offering Saint Francis University courses are approved by University administration, and in compliance with government regulations and accreditation agencies.

Due to severe inclement weather the University may find it necessary to delay, or cancel classes, or may declare the classes as a required "virtual class day" in lieu of cancellation. Delay or cancellation of classes, or declaration of "virtual class day"  does not mean that the University is closed. In fact, when classes are delayed or cancelled, or when a virtual class day is in effect, operations continue.

SCOPE

This policy applies to students and faculty with respect to all graduate and undergraduate courses offered, regardless of their modality.

PURPOSE

To establish policy, procedures, and guidelines for the management of attendance for both on-ground and online students and their attendance records in accordance with state (22 PA Code) and federal regulations (34 CFR 668.22).

Students who wish to take courses for their information only may choose to audit the classes. The courses will appear on the transcript with a grade of "AD" and will not count toward any semester or cumulative totals. 

The purpose of this policy is to describe the requirements for changing or adding a major for undergraduate students.

Maintenance of the Student name or address data

Credit levels to obtain specifc class standing status

All undergraduate students must pass a comprehensive examination in their major field of study as a requirement for graduation

To provide clear and consistent practices for allowing students to register for courses through any academic consortium in which Saint Francis University is a participating member. What is an academic consortium? It is an organized group of colleges and universities that share courses under a specific agreement. When Saint Francis University participates, a student may, under certain conditions described in this policy, take courses through the consortium; a consortial course is directly aligned with a SFU course and the course will be recorded on the student transcript as the SFU course.

Explanation of specifications of a course load

The primary purpose of course reserves is to make limited supplies of library and faculty-owned materials available to students.  

Course waivers may be approved to allow a student to graduate without completing a graduation or program requirement.  Course substitutions may be approved to allow a student to use an alternative course to meet a program requirement.

Students applying through the Center for Academic Success for an accommodation to complete all or part of the semester remotely or to transfer to 100% online courses for the semester are required to abide by the procedures of the application process and the expectations for participation in University events on or off the campus for the duration of the accommodation.

Students may receive credit for a Saint Francis University course by taking an examination in place of the actual course.

Saint Francis University desires to maintain a high level of quality instruction, so it encourages faculty to grow professionally. Therefore, by its system of promotion and tenure, the University provides incentives for advancing the scholarly pursuits of the teachers and establishes a fair and equitable basis for rewarding that academic progress.

Saint Francis University also recognizes tenure as a safeguard to academic freedom and extends the security of tenure to full-time faculty who have attained the rank of Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, or Professor and who, after the satisfactory completion of a period of probation, have given clear evidence of their fitness for the academic work they were appointed to perform. Tenure may not be granted to adjunct faculty or to faculty at the rank of instructor.

The Saint Francis University Distance Education Policy Manual is intended as a resource for faculty teaching online courses at Saint Francis University (SFU). The purpose of this manual is to: 

1. detail policies and procedures specific to online courses at SFU; 
2. establish standards to meet or exceed distance education requirements at the state and federal levels;
3. ensure consistency of delivery of online courses across all SFU programs; and 
4. provide information about resources and support for faculty teaching online at SFU.

This guide was written by the Committee on Distance Education which was later merged and renamed the Contemporary Instruction, Learning, and Resources Committee. This document was approved by the SFU Faculty Senate. This guide will be accessible to faculty via my.francis.edu. 
 

Under College Aged Students Taking Courses at Saint Francis University (excludes College in High School Program and Upward Bound Bridge Students)

Endowed Chairs serve multiple needs at Saint Francis University including maintaining a faculty of distinction, encouraging scholarship among faculty and students, providing for visiting lecturers, granting financial aid to students, and generally enhancing scholarship and the teaching process.

To establish a uniform final examination schedule in order to facilitate fairness and help maximize the educational experience for students.

Policy regarding the general regulations for academic minors

Policy regarding the general requiremnets for graduation

The goal of this grade appeal policy is to establish a clear, fair process by which students can contest a course grade that they believe has been awarded in a manner inconsistent with university policies or that has resulted from calculation errors on the part of the instructor. 

Policy regarding the grading system 

To describe the University philosophy for graduate assistantships, process to secure a graduate assistant, terms of a contract, conditions for the experiential learning assignments, terms for the tuition waiver, associated and necessary information flow, reporting responsibilities, and other constraints and limitations.

Saint Francis University has established an Institutional Review Board (IRB) to review all research involving the use of human subjects and to implement institutional policies and procedures regarding such research. 

The faculty and administration of Saint Francis University believe that the public interest is best served by creating an intellectual environment whereby creative efforts and innovations can be encouraged and rewarded, while still retaining for the University and its learning communities reasonable access to, and use of, the intellectual property for whose creation the University has provided assistance.

Saint Francis University supports the development, production, and dissemination of intellectual property by its faculty members.

Interlibrary Loan provides access to materials which are not available within the collections of the Saint Francis University Library. In order to provide global access to information resources, the Library participates in the OCLC Resource Sharing network, reciprocal borrowing programs, and library consortia.

The Saint Francis University Library provides basic interlibrary loan services at no cost to University users. The library also pays the cost of postage to send books to distance education students, and the cost for the return of these books to the Library.   

This policy governing Resource Planning and Collection Development applies to the selection of all materials comprising the collections of the Saint Francis University Library.   

Philosophy

The Saint Francis University Library provides the students, faculty, and staff of Saint Francis University and members of the community at large with excellent access to information resources, support for academic programs, and also promotes intellectual freedom as described in the American Library Association's Library Bill of Rights and Freedom to Read Statement.

This Policy aims to create a successful first mathematics experience for our students

Policy regarding the matriculation process within the University

Saint Francis University (SFU) acknowledges that students may be temporarily unable to attend classes or be required to pause their studies to perform military service. SFU encourages such students to resume their education once a military service obligation has ended and adopts this policy to ensure the timely readmission of such students.

To maintain reasonable workloads, to clarify the use of overload contracts, and to ensure conditions for high quality teaching.

In accordance with the document, "Policy on Policies," 'Policies that apply to the operation of a division or departments may not conflict with university-wide policy, but may be more restrictive.

Probationary Period

Students registering for classes for the first time and for each semester must access the web based registration portal during the designated registration period.

The purpose of this policy is to define in what instances undergraduate students may enroll in graduate-level courses, how these courses are counted toward GPA calculations, how these courses are counted toward degree requirements, and limitations regarding the number of credits.

This policy relates to a student repeating courses.

Saint Francis University is committed to the highest ethical standards of integrity for its administration, faculty and student body. The University expects all research conducted under its auspices to adhere to the strictest levels of intellectual honesty.  This policy has been designed to meet the requirements of the National Science Foundation (NSF), the U.S. Public Health Service (PHS), under which the National Institutes of Health (NIH) operates, and other federal agencies. 

Resignation

Responsibilities for Promotion and Tenure

Revision of the Faculty Handbook

Students wishing to add or delete a course must access the web-based registration program to make changes to their schedules. 

This policy relates to the process of obtaining a second Bachelor's degree. 

This policy describes how indirect funds from grants will be shared by different offices and individuals in order to recognize the cost of grant administration and to encourage grant writing by faculty and others.

This policy is established to provide an appropriate framework to resolve student complaints, to maintain the integrity of the academic environment, and to ensure the rights of students in such matters are clearly ensured and protected.

The Saint Francis University Student-Athlete Missed Class Due to Athletics Participation policy establishes guidelines to deal with class attendance and class absence(s) associated with student-athletes' participation in intercollegiate athletics.  

Staff and administrators with appropriate academic qualifications may choose to teach courses for Saint Francis University

Traditional undergraduate and/or graduate students seeking to transfer their matriculation with Saint Francis University to or from matriculation through Francis Worldwide are required to submit an application for approval for this change to occur.

Saint Francis University understands the importance of providing our students with effective and efficient transcript services. A new career, entrance to Graduate School, professional certification, or other important events depend on the prompt and secure delivery of your transcript. We also understand the need to protect the privacy of student transcripts and our obligations under Federal law.

To provide clear and consistent practices for accepting graduate credit for transfer to Saint Francis University.

Scope:  

Students formally accepted and enrolled in a graduate-level program at Saint Francis University.

Saint Francis University welcomes students at the undergraduate level who have earned college credits prior to matriculation. The University recognizes the experiences and achievements individual students have gained. Academic advisors and counselors will guide individual students to maximize their learning opportunities in a flexible, supportive environment. Accordingly, this transfer credit policy describes the many opportunities individual students have to complete a Saint Francis University degree or credential and include credits or experiences completed elsewhere.

It is recommended that students contemplating withdrawal from the University first discuss this matter with their advisor or counselor. If students decide to withdraw, the Career Services' staff is available to assist them in clarifying and reaching their future goals. Information and counseling are available regarding transferring to other institutions as well as assistance in reaching new occupational objectives.