Tusculum College believes that learning is an intimate process best supported on a personal basis between teacher and student and that no environment nurtures this process more completely than a small college community.
All students are assigned an advisor by the coordinator of advising. Advisors are either faculty, staff with faculty status, or selected staff members. In order to establish close personal contacts, each advisor typically works with 15 to 20 advisees.
All students enrolled in Extended Freshman Orientation (OREN 105) will be advised in their first year by their block one orientation instructor. After the first year, if the student has decided upon a program of study, an advisor will be assigned from that area of study. If the student is undecided about a major, the coordinator of advising will assign an advisor from a pool who work with those who are still exploring their major. Once a major has been declared, the student will normally be reassigned to an advisor from the group working with that major. All students meet with their advisors on the first day of every block.
Dismissal occurs when a student has been unsuccessful during the probationary semester following an Academic Suspension in remedying the cause of the probation. Dismissal is ordinarily a final revocation of eligibility to return to the College.
Cheating and plagiarism are violations of Ethics of Social Responsibility-one of the competencies that we have identified as essential to the Civic Arts. Plagiarism is a form of academic dishonesty. It consists of knowingly presenting in writing or in speech the intellectual or creative work of others as if it were one's own. This includes:
The effect of cheating within a community is to destroy the environment of honesty and trust on which the community depends. A dishonest performance diminishes the achievement of those who have worked hard and demonstrated real mastery of a subject. For this reason you are encouraged to confront peers who violate the standard of honesty by any form of cheating or plagiarism and, if necessary, to report their behavior to an appropriate authority (instructor, director, or authorized college agency or body). No one but you can know if you should take the kind of action just described.
SANCTIONS:
Stage 1
In a case of unintentional or doubtful plagiarism, the student receives a written warning from the faculty member. Whether the student receives an "F" for the assignment is up to the faculty member.
Stage 2
This stage is for an offense after warning or for a first offense in which the student knowingly and willfully engages in academic misconduct. The penalty is automatically an "F" in the course. The action is reported to the Admissions and Standards Committee. The student is warned in writing of the consequences of a future Stage 3 offense.
Stage 3
Depending on where the student started (with unintentional or intentional violation), Stage 3 is for a second offense in cheating or a second or third offense in plagiarism. The penalty is an "F" in the course and suspension or expulsion from the College - a matter that is recorded on the student's transcript. Most students suspended for academic misconduct may not be readmitted until one calendar from the date of their suspension. Most accredited institutions will deny admission to a student currently on suspension.
A student will be placed on academic probation for his/her next term of enrollment if he/she fails to meet any standard as outlined above for any term. In no case may a student remain on academic probation for more than two consecutive terms. Students on academic probation must:
At the end of a term on academic probation, if a student fails to meet retention standards he or she will be placed on academic suspension. However, if the student has earned at least a 2.0 grade point average on at least 12 hours of completed coursework during the most current term, he or she will not be suspended, but will remain on academic probation for a second term.
Any student who has been suspended due to academic performance will not be eligible to re-enter the college until one term of suspension has been completed. All students will be identified for potential suspension following the spring term and final determination of suspension will be determined prior to the beginning of the fall term. Residential College students may use the summer term on probation or suspension to raise their total cumulative grade point average to the level required for good standing. Students on probation or suspension are allowed to transfer hours to Tusculum from other accredited institutions to improve their grade point average provided they have received prior approval of this coursework from the Office of the Registrar. Only students who have been on probation for two consecutive terms may be suspended following the fall term. All appeals must be made in writing to the Admissions and Standards Committee. No student may return to the college in a fall or spring term either part-time or full-time without following the appeals procedure outlined in his or her suspension letter.
Classes may be scheduled from 8:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., while science course laboratories sessions may extend until 4:00 p.m. The typical morning class is scheduled between 8:30 and 11:30. The typical afternoon class is scheduled between 12:30 and 3:30. Naturally, when field trips are scheduled, the trip may extend beyond these hours. Course syllabi will identify any additional class meeting times.
Students may add or drop classes for which they have registered. For courses already in progress (that is, the class has met at least one time), students may add or drop during the advising period on the first day of the course. All students are required to meet with advisors during the advising period to handle schedule adjustments and other academic matters. The registrar cannot accept drop/add forms without the signature of the advisor, instructor and Division Chair, which can be obtained each block at the required first-day meeting. Exceptions to this procedure must be authorized by the Admissions and Standards Committee and affected professors. Dropping a course without authorization automatically results in a grade of "F."
A student placed on academic suspension or academically dismissed may appeal to the Admissions and Standards Committee. The appeal must be prepared in writing and be accompanied by appropriate support of documents. Reasons that may be acceptable for appeal consideration are:
Tusculum College participates in the AP, CLEP, and the DSST Programs. These programs allow a student to receive course credit without participating in the course by successfully completing a standardized examination. Only official scores coming from an authorized testing center will be evaluated. Credit for exams appearing on transcripts from other colleges will not be evaluated. A maximum of 30 semester hours of credit earned through these examinations may be applied to the total number of semester hours required for graduation. Tusculum College grants credit for satisfactory scores made on AP, CLEP, and DSST exams providing the following have been met:
For purposes of athletic eligibility, a student athlete in good standing is one who meets all of the academic standards of Tusculum College. If, however, a student is placed on probation for failure to meet standards then the student will be considered in good standing if a deliberate effort is made to correct the deficiency. The student must submit a course of action to the Director of the Learning Center by the end of the first week of their probationary semester. The Admissions and Standards Committee must approve the plan to determine that the requirement of a satisfactory effort is being made. This plan must be coordinated with the student's advisor. Possible ways to get the needed help are regular tutorial sessions with a faculty member, organized study hall, and/or regular sessions at the Learning Center. Students who do not submit and execute a plan for correcting their deficiency will not be eligible for intercollegiate athletics. Failure to execute the plan adequately will jeopardize eligibility for future seasons. Athletes on probation must report weekly to the administrative assistant to the athletic director with a signed statement from their source of help indicating their attendance and progress. The administrative assistant will notify the advisor, athletic director, coach, and faculty athletic representative of all students who fail to comply with these requirements. Students should check with a compliance officer for additional standards.
Prior to his passing after a heroic struggle with leukemia in September 1992, Bruce G. Batts was the founding director of the Warren W. Hobbie Center for the Civic Arts. His vision, creativity, careful thinking, determination, and concern for others were crucial factors in launching the major changes that continue to shape Tusculum College today. It was Bruce who first suggested the name "Commons" for the newly developed core curriculum. It was Bruce who worked diligently to assist in finding sources of funding for the important innovations taking shape here. It was Bruce from whose frequent essays and thoughtful conversations members of the community learned to think more deeply about goals and methods in transforming the College.
With the Bruce G. Batts Medal Tusculum College perpetuates the memory of this outstanding pioneer and honors a graduating student who has demonstrated to a high degree the qualities that characterized Bruce and, in fact, qualities which well represent the Civic Arts: consistent civility in dealing with others, a high level of scholarship and careful thinking, and a strong pattern of service to others.
Students are responsible for all work from the first day of class and are expected to attend all meetings of the class for which they are registered. Absence for whatever reason, including participation in a college-sponsored event, does not relieve a student from responsibility for any part of the work covered in the class during the period of absence. During a block, students may miss up to three classes to participate in college-sponsored events without penalizing their grade. Students who miss more than three classes, without instructor approval, will fail the course. Students should refer to specific course syllabi for additional attendance policies.
For administrative purposes, the following criteria are used in determining the class in which a student is placed:
| Credit Hours Earned | Class |
| 0-28 | Freshman |
| 29-60 | Sophomore |
| 61-91 | Junior |
| more than 92 | Senior |
Students wishing to earn the Bachelor of Arts degree may be allowed to take one correspondence course a year in their major only if the course will not be offered at Tusculum College during the period in which the student will be fulfilling graduation requirements. A student may take a total of two correspondence courses to fulfill teacher certification requirements if Tusculum does not offer those courses in an acceptable time frame. B.A. students taking correspondence credit must receive prior permission from the Registrar and department chair.
A Bachelor of Arts student may enroll in up to 18 semester hours of academic credit per fall, spring, or summer term without prior approval by the Registrar and without extra tuition charges. Students may register for up to two hours per Block in addition to a three or four semester hour course. Students required to enroll in Bridge will not be charged an overload fee.
All courses taken at another institution must be approved by the Tusculum College Registrar. Unauthorized course work may result in duplication of previously earned credit or denial of credit.
The Bachelor of Arts requires satisfactory completion of college work that must include the Commons courses as well as a major program of study. Elective courses constitute the remainder of the student's academic program. Many students also choose to earn a minor, although this is not a graduation requirement.
In general, the student who successfully completes a course will earn the equivalent of four semester hours of credit; 32 courses or one hundred and twenty-eight semester hours are required for graduation.
Satisfactory completion of work for graduation requires that the student earn a minimum grade point average of 2.00, or an overall "C" for all courses taken. The student must earn a minimum grade point average of 2.25 in the major program of study. All students are required to complete at least 32 of their last 36 hours at Tusculum College.
When students know what major program of study they wish to pursue, an official declaration of major form should be completed with the advisor and forwarded to the coordinator of the advising program. Accurate knowledge of students' major program intentions is used by the College to assign academic advisors, assist in accurate advising about program requirements, anticipating the need for various courses, and ensuring that graduation requirements have been met.
Students may change majors while at the College. When this happens, a new declaration of major form must be completed with the advisor, and forwarded to the coordinator of the advising program. A change of major may entail a change of academic advisor as well.
Changing majors, particularly as an upperclassman, may require additional time in order to complete all graduation requirements.
To earn the Bachelor of Arts degree, the student must
Although advisors are available to guide students in planning, it is the student's ultimate responsibility to see that all requirements for graduation are met, including Commons requirements, requirements within a chosen major program of study, and any other degree requirements applicable to individual students. Students who have completed all graduation requirements and are in good standing with the institution are eligible to participate in graduation exercises. No certification will be given until work is completed and all graduation requirements are met and approved. All graduates are expected to participate in the winter or spring commencement exercises of the college.
Degrees with distinction are granted to Bachelor of Arts students for outstanding academic performance. All collegiate level work, including work taken at other accredited colleges, will be used to determine the required average. The grade point averages required for these degrees are as follows: cum laude, 3.50; magna cum laude, 3.75; summa cum laude, 3.95.
A student who believes a course grade is not a fair reflection of his or her performance in a given class has the right to appeal that grade. She/he must, however, present this concern within one block after the grade was assigned. (If the grade is assigned during block eight, then the process will begin in the first block of the following year.) Students are strongly encouraged to begin the appeal process as quickly as possible.
Whenever possible, appeals should be made in person. If a meeting is not possible, then the concerns/questions should be listed clearly in a dated letter or memo addressed to the professor and signed by the student. The student is responsible for contacting the professor to make an appointment. If an appointment is not possible, then the student is responsible for ensuring that the professor receives the letter. If the appeal is submitted in writing, then the professor must espond in writing within 5 class days after receiving the letter. If the professor's explanation of the grade-either oral or written-is satisfactory to the student, then the matter is resolved. If the student is still not satisfied, then he/she must file a formal written appeal (including relevant documentation) to the chair of the division or the director of the school in which the class was offered. This appeal must be dated and signed by the student, and given the to the Division Chair or School Director within the second block after the grade is earned. If the professor who assigned the grade is the Division Chair or School Director then the student will appeal to another Division Chair or School Director designated by the chair of the Admissions and Standards Committee.
The Chair/Director must meet with the professor within 5 class days of receiving the appeal from the student. After discussing the appeal with the professor, the Chair/Director has 5 class days to communicate a recommendation in writing to the student, the professor, and the Chair of the Admissions and Standards Committee.
Admissions and Standards Committee. If the student is not satisfied with this recommendation, or if the professor does not follow the recommendation of the Chair/Director, then the student may at this point forward the appeal, with accompanying documentation and additional commentary, if any, to the Admissions and Standards Committee. This appeal must be submitted within the first five class days of the third block after the grade was assigned.
The Admissions and Standards Committee will render an opinion on such an appeal at the first scheduled meeting following receipt of the appeal. Petitions for late appeals may be submitted, but these appeals will be considered only if the Admissions and Standards Committee determines that extraordinary extenuating circumstances prevented the student from meeting the stated deadline(s).
Decisions made by the Admissions and Standards Committee regarding appeals are final. Students are strongly encouraged to consult with their advisors when preparing grade appeals
Example Timeline
The following example is provided as an illustration of the deadlines involved in the appeal process.
In Block 1, a student earns a grade that he/she wishes to appeal.
As soon as possible, but no later than by the last day of Block 2, the student must notify the professor, either in person or in writing, of the intent to appeal. If the appeal is in writing, the professor has five class days to respond to the student in writing.
By no later than the last day of Block 3, the student must submit an appeal to the Division Chair if the matter was not resolved satisfactorily. The chair has five class days to meet with the professor, and the Chair then has five class days to respond to the student, the professor, and the Chair of the Admissions and Standards Committee in writing.
By no later than the fifth class day of Block 4, the student must submit an appeal to the Admissions and Standards Committee if he/she is still not satisfied. The Admissions and Standards Committee will render a final decision at its next scheduled meeting.
In order to maintain consistent college-wide standards, grade changes are permitted only under special circumstances. Once a student's final course grade has been officially recorded by the Registrar, the grade may be changed only under the following conditions:
Under special circumstances, if the faculty member is absent for an extended period or is no longer employed by the College, a Grade Change Form may be submitted by the appropriate School Director or Division Chair for consideration by the Admissions and Standards Committee. Once a grade of "A" through "F" is recorded by the Registrar, it may not be changed based on work submitted or exams retaken after the completion of the course. In extreme cases of extenuating circumstances, the instructor may petition the Admissions and Standards Committee to change a grade of "A" through "F" to an "Incomplete." Such petitions must include documentation of the specific extenuating circumstances that apply.
Coursework is evaluated in the following terms:
| Grade | Quality Points Assigned | Interpretation |
| A | 4.0 per semester hour | |
| A - | 3.7 per semester hour | |
| B + | 3.5 per semester hour | |
| B | 3.0 per semester hour | |
| B - | 2.7 per semester hour | |
| C + | 2.5 per semester hour | |
| C | 2.0 per semester hour | |
| C - | 1.7 per semester hour | |
| D + | 1.5 per semester hour | |
| D | 1.0 per semester hour | |
| F | 0.0 per semester hour | |
| NR | No Grade Reported | Calculated as an "F" |
| E | No Points Applied | Excused |
| I | No Points Applied | Incomplete |
| IP | No Points Applied | In Progress |
| GP | No Points Applied | Grade Pending |
| P | No Points Applied | Passing |
| W | No Points Applied | Administrative Withdraw |
| WP | No Points Applied | Withdraw-Passing |
| WF | No Points Applied | Withdraw-Failing |
| AU | No Points Applied | Audit |
| X | No Points Applied | Drop, No Penalty |
At the end of each course, the instructor submits grades for each student. Unofficial grades are mailed to students' campus mailboxes or local address at the end of blocks 1, 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7. Official grades are mailed home to the student's permanent address at the end of each semester. Students who require a duplicate grade report should request an official transcript.
The student's official transcript is prepared by Tusculum College. The transcript will show the courses, grades, credits, and terms of instruction for each course. Requests for transcripts of coursework at Tusculum College must conform with the Family Rights and Privacy Act of 1974. This requires that all transcript requests must be submitted in writing and be signed by the student. Transcripts and grade reports will not be faxed.
There is no charge for transcripts. A transcript cannot be issued until all financial obligations have been met. Students in need of unofficial copies of transcripts from other institutions for "Portfolio Use Only" must submit a written request to the Registrar's Office.
If a student wishes to declare a program of study not officially offered by this institution, an "Independent Program of Study" may be declared.
Applicants must have at least a 2.75 GPA and have second semester sophomore standing.
Students must solicit independent program of study approval from their advisor,
the department chair, and the Admissions and Standards Committee.
An Independent Program of Study requires a minimum of 24 hours of coursework at the 300 or 400 level.
Independent Program of Study with Two Areas
Independent Program of Study with Three Areas
**Primary area must be an existing major.
The College encourages students to take advantage of the educational opportunity presented to them through practicums or off-campus experience such as internships and student teaching. This hands-on learning can be accomplished in most of the programs of study offered by the College.
A student will be removed from GPA-related academic probation at the end of the semester if he/she:
Students may repeat courses. All attempts will be recorded on the permanent record along with the grades received. For all repeated courses, only the last attempt will be used to determine GPA and hours completed for graduation. An "R" will be placed on the transcript by all courses that have been repeated. Students must indicate to the Registrar's Office at registration that they are repeating a course.
To graduate from Tusculum College, a student must have a 2.25 grade point average in the major and a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 for all work attempted. A student is subject to academic probation or suspension if the total grade point at the end of any term falls below a minimum standard which is dictated by the number of total credit hours the student has earned. The standards are as follows:
Any student that meets the above retention standards is considered in good academic standing with the College.
At Tusculum College, service is an integral part of the curriculum. As part of the Commons curriculum, all students have the opportunity to get practical experience outside the classroom and a chance to erve the community. Students acquire valuable skills in areas such as leadership, collective decision-making, communication, working in groups, and public problem-solving. Most important, students gain knowledge of their ability to work with others in order to make a difference.
On occasion, a student, in consultation with the advisor, identifies a need to take a course listed in this catalog at a time other than its regularly scheduled offering. Since this action may place a substantial burden on the College faculty, the institution seeks to keep special offerings at a minimum. To request a special offering, the student acquires the appropriate form in the Registrar's office. The Admissions and Standards Committee has established a review committee to determine whether a request is truly necessary. Upon recommendation from the review committee, the Admissions and Standards Committee then takes final action, either approving or denying the special offering request. Students must submit completed special offering request forms by the first day of the block preceding that in which the special offering is desired. Students may not receive credit for work that has not been officially approved.
Tusculum College complies with the Federal Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (the "Buckley Amendment"). It states that no academic or personal records or personally identifiable information about students will be released without their permission to persons other than those College staff members with legitimate educational interests in those records. Tusculum students have the right to inspect their records to challenge the accuracy of those records.
The Privacy Act defines requirements that are designed to protect the privacy of the students concerning their records maintained by the College. The law requires that:
President's List: The President's List includes students who have completed 12 semester hours in a four-block period earning a 4.00 grade point average.
Dean's List: The Dean's List includes students who have completed 12 semester hours in a four-block period earning a 3.50 grade point average and above.
Charles Oliver Gray Scholars List: The Charles Oliver Gray Scholars List includes students who have maintained President's or Dean's List standing for two consecutive terms.
On the 6th and 7th day of the block in which the course is taught a student may drop (with a "WP" or "WF" on the transcript) that course by:
Students may not withdraw from a course using the 6th or 7th day option more than one time per academic year except in extenuating circumstances approved by the Admissions and Standards Committee. Students withdrawing from a course should be aware that it may affect financial aid, eligibility for athletics, and graduation date. Withdrawing from a course without authorization automatically results in a grade of "F." Students may withdraw from a semester-long class (Choir, Athletic Training Clinical courses, Student Teaching, etc.) up to the first day of the third block of the course's duration.
A Bachelor of Arts student who wishes to withdraw from College should apply directly to the Dean of Students for the proper withdrawal procedure. Dropping out of classes without official withdrawal earns a grade of "F" or "NR" in each course. A grade of "WP" or "WF" will be posted for the student who properly withdraws.