Policies and Regulations

Academic Standing Guidelines

Graduate-Level Students
Good Standing: Any student pursuing graduate-level coursework who maintains a minimum cumulative graduate grade point average of 3.0.

Probation: Academic Probation occurs when a student's cumulative grade point average for Otterbein College graduate coursework is below a 3.0. Students placed on Academic Probation are required to meet the academic requirements of their probation and be in good standing within two terms of enrollment.

Suspension: Suspension occurs when a student earns less than a 3.0 term graduate grade point average while on Academic Probation. A student will also be suspended when failing to gain good standing in the prescribed two terms. A student may apply for readmission after remaining out of school for at least one year. Graduate level credit earned at another school while a student is under academic suspension cannot be applied toward graduation at Otterbein. All readmission applications must be submitted to the Office of Graduate Programs and acted upon by Academic Council. Other information or steps may be required prior to consideration for readmission as determined by Academic Council. Readmission is not guaranteed. A student may reapply only once.

Dismissal: Dismissal occurs when a student is suspended for the second time or when a suspended student's readmission is denied by Academic Council, dismissal is permanent.

Additional policies may apply to specific programs as outlined in the departmental catalogs.

Students Enrolled in Undergraduate Classes
Students taking undergraduate coursework should refer to the Undergraduate Course Catalog for Academic Standing Guidelines.

The Campus Life Handbook
The Campus Life Handbook is the official guide for all students of Otterbein College. Published annually by the Student Affairs Office, the handbook provides you with information you need now and throughout the academic year. A copy of the handbook is available at the Student Affairs Office by calling (614) 823-1250 and is located on the web at http://www.otterbein.edu/CLH/index.asp.

Judicial Policies, Regulations and Standards
Each student has the obligation to become familiar with the College's rules, regulations, and policies and acknowledges that he/she shall be held accountable for conduct in those violations, even in the absence of such familiarity. Judicial policies, regulations and standards are published in The Campus Life Handbook available from the Student Affairs Office and located on the web at http://www.otterbein.edu/CLH/index.asp, click Judicial Policies, Regulations and Standards.

Computer and Internet - Time/Theft/Abuse
All students must comply with Otterbein's Responsible Use of Information Technology Resources policy.

Unethical behavior will not be tolerated and includes, but is not limited to:

• Activities that obstruct usage or deny access to others
• Activities that compromise privacy
• Activities that could be considered harassment or libelous
• Attempts to gain unauthorized access to local or remote information resources
• Activities that violate copyright laws (this includes unauthorized copying and distribution of commercial software, text, graphic images, audio and video recordings)
• Activities that violate College policies and standards of conduct
• Destruction or alteration of data or information belonging to others
• Activities that violate local, state, or federal laws
• Unauthorized use of computer accounts or impersonating other individuals
• Creating, using or distributing programs intended to damage data files, application programs, system operations, or network operations
• Attempts to capture or crack passwords or break encryption protocols
• Allowing anyone else to use your account(s)
• Extensive use of resources for private or personal use
• Use of resources for commercial and/or financial gain
• Violation of licensing agreements for information resources
• Knowing or reckless distribution of unwanted mail or other messages, specifically "chain letters" and other schemes that may cause excessive network traffic or computing load
• Unauthorized extension or retransmission of Otterbein network services

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) afford students certain rights with regard to educational records and require that Otterbein annually notify students of these rights. Included are the rights to:

1. inspect and review the educational records
2. seek to have the records amended to correct inaccurate or misleading information
3. have some control over disclosure of the records
4. secure a copy of Otterbein's entire compliance policy including the locations of all educational records
5. file a complaint with the Department of Education concerning alleged institutional failure to comply with the Act

The following items are considered "Directory Information" and may be released without the student's permission. Starred items are printed in the campus telephone directory. A student does, however, have the right to withhold disclosure of any or all "Directory Information" providing a written request for such is submitted to the Student Affairs Office by September 21st every year. The request must specify which items are not to be disclosed.

*a. name
*b. address - campus and/or home
*c. telephone numbers - campus and/or home
*d. e-mail address
*e. designated year of student
*f. Greek affiliation
g. student number
h. pictures
i. date and place of birth
j. major field of student
k. degrees & awards received while attending Otterbein College
l. participation in officially recognized activities and sports
m. dates of attendance at Otterbein College
n. enrollment status
o. most recent educational agency or institution attended by student
p. high school of student
q. weight and height of members of athletic teams.

Questions or requests to obtain a copy of the College's entire FERPA policy should be directed to the Student Affairs Office. Requests to view educational records must be made in writing and should be directed to each individual campus office since the College does not maintain records in central filing location. Requests will be honored within 7 days of receipt or the next working day.

Nondiscriminatory Policy
Otterbein College is committed to providing equal educational and employment opportunity regardless of sex, marital or parental status, race, color, religion, age, sexual orientation, national origin or disability. Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any educational program or activity receiving federal assistance by the way of grant, contract, or loan. Title IV of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 is similar in its prohibition of employment discrimination on the basis of race, sex, religion, color or national origin. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990 prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals with disabilities. Equal educational opportunity includes: admissions, recruitment, extracurricular programs and activities, housing, facilities, access to course offerings, counseling and testing, financial assistance, employment, health and insurance services and athletics. Inquiries regarding compliance with any of these federal regulations may be directed to the Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Chair of the Affirmative Action Committee; the Director of Human Resources; or the Director of the Office of Civil Rights; Department of Education; the Office of Federal Contract Compliance; or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Plagiarism, Cheating and Dishonesty
It is necessary to ascertain with accuracy an individual's strengths and weaknesses in order to prepare a proper academic program for students and to evaluate their work. Thus the "high standard of personal integrity" in the classroom means that an individual will not receive credit for work which is not their own. Otterbein's policies regarding plagiarism, cheating and dishonesty may be found at http://www.otterbein.edu/CLH/index.asp and Choose Plagiarism, Cheating and Dishonesty under Judicial Violations Defined.

Social Issues Policy
Otterbein's policies and procedures regarding social issues including sexual harassment, affirmative action, campus security, substance abuse, sexual assault and sexual violence may be found at http://www.otterbein.edu/CLH/index.asp, Click Social Issues Policy under the General Information section. A copy of the social issues policy can also be obtained in the Student Affairs Office or you can request a copy by calling (614) 823-1250.