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Academic Information

STUDENT RECORDS

University policy relating to student records complies with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), as amended. Accordingly, the University may release directory information to any person on request, unless a student requests in writing that directory information be kept confidential. A student’s directory information is designated as follows:

1. Name
2. Address, telephone number (campus, local, and/or permanent), e-mail
3. Date and place of birth
4. Dates of attendance, full-time/part-time status, major field of study, classification, expected graduation date, degrees, and honors received
5. Photographic image
6. Most recent previous educational institution attended
7. Participation in officially recognized activities, including intercollegiate athletics
8. Name, height, and weight of participants on intercollegiate athletic teams

During the registration period and throughout the academic year, students may request in writing, through the Student Records Office, that directory information be kept confidential. Once filed, the request remains in effect until the beginning of the next academic year, or a shorter period, if designated by the student.

Certain records are excluded by law from inspection, specifically those created or maintained by a physician, psychiatrist, or psychologist in connection with the treatment or counseling of a student. Parents’ financial information, including statements submitted with scholarship applications, is also excluded by law from inspection. Third parties may not have access to educational records or other information pertaining to students without the written consent of the particular student about whom the information is sought.

Former or current borrowers of funds from any Title IV student loan program should note carefully that requests for nondisclosure of information will have no effect on preventing Santa Clara University from releasing information pertinent to employment, enrollment status, current address, and loan account status to a school lender, subsequent holder, guarantee agency, U.S. Department of Education, or an authorized agent.

Students have the right to inspect and review their educational records at the following offices:

1. Official academic records, including application forms, admission transcripts, letters of acceptance, and a student’s permanent academic record are on file and maintained in the Student Records Office.
2. Working academic files are also maintained by the deans in their respective offices.
3. Records related to a student’s nonacademic activities are maintained in the Office of Student Life.
4. Records relating to a student’s financial status with the University are maintained in the various student financial services offices.

Students have the right to request the amendment of their educational records to ensure that they are not inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of a student’s privacy or other rights. Students may direct complaints regarding academic records to the dean of the college or school in which they are enrolled or to the University registrar. In addition, students have the right to file with the U.S. Department of Education a complaint concerning alleged failures by Santa Clara University to comply with the requirements of FERPA. Written complaints should be directed to the Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Ave., S.W., Washington, D.C. 20202-5920. Detailed information can be found on the Family Compliance Office Web site: www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/index.html. Copies of Santa Clara University’s student records policy are available from the Student Records Office, Walsh Administration Building.

CAMPUS SECURITY AND CRIME STATISTICS ACT

The U.S. Department of Education requires universities that receive Title IV funding to disclose certain information, including institutional graduation rates, athlete graduation rates, financial assistance awarded, and crime statistics. Information presented in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act is made available to assist current and potential students and employees in making informed decisions regarding their attendance or employment with Santa Clara University. To view the Santa Clara University reports, please go to the Campus Safety Services Web site at: www.scu.edu/SCU/Departments/PublicSafety/crime%20reports.htm. A paper copy of the annual crime statistics report may be obtained by writing to Campus Safety Services, Santa Clara University, 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA 95053.

ACADEMIC REGULATIONS

Student Responsibility

The student is personally responsible for knowing all of the academic regulations in the MBA or MSIS Program. Failure to understand these regulations and requirements does not relieve the student of responsibility. The student is responsible for resolving any holds placed on his record. The most recent bulletin can be found at www.scu.edu/bulletin/business/. Hard copies are available in the Graduate Business Programs Office. Updated information and requirements can be found at the academic support and records Web site at http://www.scu.edu/business/graduates/current-students.

Student Conduct

All members of the University community have a strong responsibility to protect and maintain an academic climate in which the fundamental freedom to learn can be enjoyed by all and where the rights and well-being of all members of the community are protected.

Engaging in any form of academic dishonesty, such as plagiarism (representing the work or ideas of others as one’s own without giving proper acknowledgment), cheating (e.g., copying the work of another person, falsifying laboratory data, sabotaging the work of others), and other acts generally understood to be dishonest by faculty or students in an academic context will subject the student to disciplinary action. Further information on the University’s student conduct code may be found in Section 17 of this bulletin.

Attendance

Students are generally expected to attend class sessions. Specific attendance requirements are set by the faculty in the syllabi of individual courses and are binding. Students should select courses carefully in a quarter when an unavoidable absence is necessary.

Completion Requirements

The requirements for the MBA or MSIS degree must be completed within six years of admission, including leaves of absence.

Academic Standing

To qualify for the MBA or MSIS degree, a student must maintain an overall grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 in all work taken in the Leavey School of Business. A grade of C- is considered a minimum passing grade in each course. A grade of F is considered a failing grade, and the units will not be counted toward graduation requirements.

Students who have completed fewer than 18 units and whose cumulative GPA falls below 2.8 will be placed on academic warning. On completion of 18 units, students must maintain a 3.0 cumulative average or be placed on academic probation. Once placed on probation, the student must raise his/her cumulative GPA to the 3.0 level within the next two quarters of attendance; otherwise, the student will be disqualified from the MBA or MSIS Program. If course work for degree requirements has been completed and a GPA of 3.0 has not been achieved, the student must raise the GPA to 3.0 by completing additional course work in the graduate business school at Santa Clara in order to graduate.

A student is allowed to appeal the disqualification one time only. The appeal process begins with the student submitting a written appeal, including the steps to be taken to reestablish good academic standing. Upon approval, the student will be responsible for adhering to the plan outlined in the appeal. If, at any time, the conditions of the appeal are not met, the student will be withdrawn from all classes and required to leave the program.

Grading

The grading system is as follows:

A = 4.0	C+ = 2.3
A- = 3.7	C = 2.0
B+ = 3.3	C- = 1.7
B = 3.0	F = 0.0
B- = 2.7

The A grade indicates distinguished performance and competence; the A- and B+ ranges indicate excellent performance and competence; and a B grade demonstrates work meeting high academic and professional standards. Grades in the B- and C+ ranges are given for acceptable performance levels in a particular course but are insufficient for meeting overall performance requirements. A C- grade is the minimal passing grade. A grade of F is given for performance that insufficiently demonstrates academic and professional competence.

Repeating Failed Courses

When a student repeats a course after failing to pass it on the first attempt, the grade received on the second attempt shall replace the initial grade in the calculation of the student’s GPA upon receipt of a petition from the student. A failed course may be repeated only once. Both attempts are reflected on the student’s transcript. A course completed with a passing grade may not be repeated. A student who fails a waivable or nonwaivable required course must retake the course within 2 quarters. A student who fails an elective has the option of retaking the same course again (if offered) and the student’s GPA will be re-calculated. The student may take a different elective but it will not count as a repeated course, and the grade will not replace the grade from the failed course. The program is under no obligation to offer electives to allow a student to repeat the course that was not successfully completed.

Disputing Grades

If, after completing a course, a student receives a grade that he/she wishes to dispute, the following steps must be taken:

A student may resolve the grade issue with the instructor.

If the issue remains unresolved, the student may submit a written appeal to the appropriate department chairperson. If, after review by the department chairperson, there is still no resolution, the student may submit a formal appeal to the Dean of the Business School. If a change in grade occurs, the instructor will submit the grade change to the Graduate Business Programs Office to be recorded and posted.

Incomplete Grades

A student may receive an incomplete (I) grade if some essential portion of the course work remains unfinished after the final examination. Incomplete grades are not automatic and are authorized at the discretion of the instructor. An incomplete becomes a failure (F) unless the unfinished work is completed to the satisfaction of the instructor within three weeks after the beginning of the next scheduled quarter (not including the summer quarter) whether or not the student is registered during that quarter. It is the student’s responsibility to work with the instructor to have the incomplete removed and a grade posted.

Academic Advising

MBA students are not assigned to academic advisors. However, advising is available as needed for all students. For an appointment, call 408-554-5485. All students, especially those with questions regarding choosing courses and their academic progress, are encouraged to consult with the director of Graduate Business Programs Academic Support and Records.

Registration

For each quarter, a registration period is held to allow all Graduate Business students to enroll in classes. Students are assigned appointment times in the ecampus system during the designated registration period. Appointment times are assigned based on the number of units a student has completed and is currently enrolled in. At any time after the appointment day and time, students may register for classes. During the initial registration period, students may register for no more than 10 units. Upon completion of the initial period, students may add, drop, or swap classes up until classes begin. Students may drop classes at any time during the quarter until the designated last day to drop classes. (See Tuition Refund Policy in Section 4.)

Prior to registering for classes, students are encouraged to resolve any registration holds that have been placed on their student record. To resolve a hold, the appropriate office(s) must be contacted. To navigate the ecampus registration system effectively, students are encouraged to monitor their accounts and clear any holds. Students will not be able to add, drop, or swap any classes until their record is clear.

Once classes have begun, students may withdraw from courses without faculty approval two weeks prior to the date on which final examinations begin. After that date, the student must get written approval from the instructor. (See Tuition Refund Policy in Section 4.)

Leaves of Absence

All students who do not register by the end of the first week of any quarter of the academic year, excluding summer quarter, will be placed on the inactive list unless they have been given a leave of absence. A leave of absence request must be made in writing to the Graduate Business Programs Office or by e-mail to gbpsupportandrecords@scu.edu. If a leave of absence is requested after registration has occurred, the student is responsible for dropping all classes in addition to filing for the leave of absence.

A leave of absence will be granted only for a specified period of time and normally not for more than one year. If the approved period for the leave of absence is exceeded and the student does not contact the Graduate Business Programs Office to request an extension by the end of the first week of the current quarter, the student must reapply to the program and will be considered for readmission as a new applicant. A leave of absence will only be granted for two quarters if no course work has yet been completed.

A leave of absence is not required for those students who do not attend summer quarter.

Program Withdrawal

When a student withdraws from the University, a petition form or a letter must be submitted to the Graduate Business Programs Office. The student is responsible for dropping courses through ecampus separately from withdrawal from the University.

Withdrawal from the University is not officially complete until the student clears obligations with the Bursar’s Office. Students on deferments or Federal Perkins Loans must also clear their financial obligations with the Bursar’s Office. Refund checks for approved graduate course withdrawal are issued by the Bursar’s Office. It is the student’s responsibility to contact that office and request disbursement. Allow at least two weeks after the add/drop period for processing. (See Tuition Refund Policy in Section 4.)

Readmittance

A student who does not register for any quarter, excluding summer quarter, and does not apply for a leave of absence will be placed on the inactive list. When a student is placed on the inactive list, an application for admission accompanied by a reapplication fee of $75 must be submitted. The student will then be considered for readmission on the same basis as a new applicant. The student will also be required to fulfill any additional requirements and satisfy any curriculum changes the business school may adopt during the interim period between registrations.

If the student has attended another school, all transcripts must be sent to the Graduate Business Programs Admissions Committee, Leavey School of Business, Santa Clara University, 500 El Camino Real, Santa Clara, CA 95053. All course work taken in the interim must be satisfactorily completed, and the student must be in good standing in order to be considered for readmission.

Concurrent Enrollment

A student in the MBA or MSIS Program will not be allowed concurrent enrollment in Santa Clara University’s other academic programs or at any other university. Exceptions are the J.D./MBA Combined Degree Program and courses taken elsewhere to satisfy the business calculus (OMIS 351) requirement. Once a student has enrolled, no transfer credit for coursework done at another university will be granted without permission from the director, Graduate Business Programs Academic Support and Records. Due to the nature and rigor of the MBA and MSIS Programs, a student’s full attention is required to maintain good standing in the program.

Jesuit Transfer Agreement

Students who will be leaving the Santa Clara area to pursue other work or personal opportunities may participate in the Jesuit Transfer Agreement. Under this agreement, students who have completed 50 percent or more units at SCU may attend another AACSB accredited MBA Program at one of the participating Jesuit schools and transfer units back to SCU to complete their degree.

To begin this process, the student must schedule an appointment with the director of Academic Support and Records to review their academic history and discuss the participating school’s requirements. Providing that the student is in good academic standing and has completed more than 50 percent of the degree requirements at SCU, the degree will be granted by Santa Clara University.

If a student has less than 50 percent of the units required to award an MBA degree at SCU, they may apply to a participating Jesuit school and transfer the units already earned at SCU to that institution. Under this agreement, the student transferring out of Santa Clara University is required to meet all application and admission criteria of the receiving school. Upon admission to the receiving school, students will be informed of which units will be transferred from SCU to the institution. The degree will be awarded by the receiving school.

Courtesy Students

Incoming

Students who have been admitted to the Leavey School of Business as a visiting student from another AACSB accredited MBA Program are considered courtesy students. During the application process, courtesy students will be asked to submit a list of pre-approved courses from their sending institution. Upon admission, this list of courses will be kept in the student’s file for reference during the registration period. All courtesy students will be registered for the approved classes by the Graduate Academic Support and Records Office on a space-available basis after all SCU degree-seeking students have registered.

Once registration has occurred, courtesy students will be responsible for checking their ecampus account for billing and tuition information. All bills will be sent to the SCU email address assigned to the courtesy student. Information regarding the billing process can be obtained by contacting the Bursar’s Office.

Upon completion of the courses approved by the sending institution, courtesy student records will be inactivated. Official transcripts are to be requested by the student directly from the Student Records Office.

Outgoing

Students who may need to complete their MBA program outside of SCU, and cannot take advantage of the Jesuit Transfer Agreement, may apply for courtesy student status at another AACSB-accredited MBA Program. A maximum of 6 graduate units are allowed for transfer back to Santa Clara. Courses for transfer must be pre-approved by the director of Academic Support and Records. Credit will be given for approved coursework completed with a B or better grade and upon receipt of the official transcript.

Principles for Faculty/Student Conflict of Interest

The Leavey School of Business is committed to the development of good business practices in an open and collaborative environment. The faculty make a reasonable effort to prevent conflicts of interest or the appearance of conflicts from developing with enrolled Graduate Business students. The following guidelines apply:

• The educational purposes within the classroom and University are foremost and supersede commercial interests.
• Student work is regarded as the intellectual property of the author(s), and written permission must be received prior to use outside of the classroom.
• Neither faculty nor students shall be asked to sign nondisclosure agreements for class-related work.
• Faculty and students should not expect that any discussion of general or specific economic or organizational matters, or information that is disclosed in the course of that discussion, can be considered confidential, either implicitly or explicitly.
• Faculty and students should not engage in financial or business relationships with one another while they are currently teaching and/or enrolled in a course together.

Petitions and Grievances

Requests for exceptions to Leavey School of Business policies must be made in a written petition and submitted to the Graduate Business Programs Office. Student grievances regarding courses and policies should be sent to the director of Graduate Business Programs Academic Support and Records.

Related information Student Records Office Student Right to Know Act