Policies

Attendance

Students are generally expected to attend class sessions. Specific attendance requirements may be set by the faculty in the syllabi of individual courses.
If a student must drop all of his/her courses in any given quarter, that student must have a written request for a Leave of Absence (LOA) on file in the Academic Support and Records Office. Petition forms are available in the office or you can fill out our online form. Appropriate drop & program fees will be charged. Nonattendance in any quarter, other than Summer, is cause for administrative discontinuation.

Leaves of Absence (LOA)

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 should be made on the Online LOA form or filled out and sent to your respective program office.

A leave of absence will be granted only for a specified period of time and normally not for more than one year (granted one quarter at a time). 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 coursework has yet been completed. A leave of absence is NOT required for those students who do not attend summer quarter.

Completion Requirements

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

Drop Policies

Always check the Academic Calendar for the most current drop dates.
Special drop policies apply to one-unit courses ().

Tuition Refunds

Refund schedule is found at the right of the page. The date on which a student formally withdraws or drops a class will be the effective date on which any refund of tuition will be determined, not the last date of attendance by the student.
Students who fail to drop a course, even if they do not attend, or fail to notify the University of his/her intent to withdrawal, regardless of the reason, will be responsible to pay all tuition and fee charges reflecting on the account once the withdrawal/drop is processed. Informing your Dean, academic department, or your instructor does not constitute withdrawal.

SCU tuition insurance plan

To protect yourself and your family against financial loss due to an unexpected medical condition, please refer to the Dewar's website for information on the tuition insurance plan offered by SCU.

Refund of tuition will be calculated according to the following schedule:

• 100% if course dropped by 5:00 pm on the Friday* of the first week of classes
• 50% if course dropped by 5:00 pm on the Friday* of the second week of classes
• 25% if course cropped by 5:00 pm on the Friday* of the third week of classes
• No further refunds after the third week

All dates/schedules are subject to change by the University, without notice.

* Students without registration holds may have until 11:59 pm on Sunday, if dropping courses via eCampus. Please note: the University cannot be held responsible for website outages.

Any association/course fee will not be refunded after the first week of the quarter. The registration fee is non-refundable once initial registration is made.

One-Unit Drop Policies

To drop a one unit course, a student may drop the course during the first week of the quarter. After the first week, a students may drop a one-unit course by requesting in writing up until two days prior to the beginning of the course. Up until two days before the course, a student is eligible for 100% tuition refund (less any fees). If the drop occurs after this and on the first day of class, a student is eligible for 50% tuition refund (less any fees). A student is not eligible for a tuition refund if the drop occurs after the first day of class.

Leaves of Absence

If a student must drop all of his/her courses in any given quarter, that student must have a written request for a Leave of Absence on file in the Graduate Business Programs office. Petition forms are available in the office. Appropriate drop and program fees will be charged. Nonattendance in any quarter, other than Summer, is cause for administrative discontinuation.

Graduate Student Responsibilities

It is the responsibility of each student to notify the Graduate Business Program office of any changes regarding his/her: e-mail, address, phone number, academic career changes, and all correspondence regarding 'incomplete' and/or alternate course completion plans as arranged with any instructors.

Please contact the Graduate Business Programs Office at 408-554-5485 or your Program Team, mba@scu.edu or msprograms@scu.edu

The grading system is as follows:

C-minus (C-) is the minimal passing grade. A grade of F is given for performance that insufficiently demonstrates academic and professional competence.

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. 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.

Academic Standing

To qualify for the MBA or MS degrees, 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 MS degree 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 at Santa Clara in order to graduate.

A hold (also known as a ‘service indicator’) is placed on a students account to communicate important student information to various departments on campus. Some holds are for informational purposes only, while others suppress University services such as registration and the issuance of diplomas & transcripts.

Here is a listing of holds a student may see on his/her account:

Graduate business students at Santa Clara University shall acknowledge receipt and review of the Honor Code by ensuring the Graduate Business Programs office has a signed copy of his/her signature on the policy below.

As an institution of higher education rooted in the Jesuit tradition, Santa Clara University is committed to creating and sustaining an environment that facilitates students' academic, personal, and ethical development. This commitment balances freedom of individual choice and expression with the expectation that individual members of the community will:

• Be honest
• Demonstrate self-respect and respect for others
• Demonstrate respect for the law and University policies, procedures, and standards

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., using unauthorized resources or assistance on coursework, copying the work of another person, falsifying data, sabotaging the work of others, and the unauthorized use of electronics, media, or data), or other acts generally understood to be dishonest by faculty or students in an academic context will subject the student to disciplinary action. Every student is required to sign the honor code and adhere to its conditions.

Academic Integrity

The University is committed to academic excellence and integrity. It is the student's responsibility to do his/her own work and to cite sources of information, whether paraphrased or quoted. For assistance in identifying when something should be cited, see, for example, www.plagiarism.org. In addition, course syllabi commonly elaborate on the specifics of academic integrity appropriate for the individual class. The final responsibility for assigning grades remains with the instructor of the course. If the student wants to withdraw from the course but the instructor's signature is required, the instructor is within his/her rights to sign or decline to sign an approval of the withdrawal.

LSB Academic Integrity Protocol

The Leavey School of Business is committed to academic excellence and integrity. Students are expected to do their own work and to cite any sources they use. A student who is guilty of a dishonest act in an examination, paper, or other work required for a course, or who assists others in such an act, may, at the discretion of the instructor, receive a grade of "F" for the course. In addition, a student found guilty of a dishonest act may be subject to sanctions, up to and including dismissal from the University, as a result of the student judicial process as described in the Graduate Business Programs Bulletin. A student who violates copyright laws, including those covering the copying of software programs, or who knowingly alters official academic records from this or any other institution is subject to similar disciplinary action.

Allegations within the Context of a Course

These procedures are intended to protect the integrity of the instructional program and of student academic achievement. Any member of the Santa Clara University community with a suspicion or evidence of academic dishonesty of some kind as described in the Student Conduct Code (e.g., plagiarism, falsification of data, misrepresentation of research, or the use of prohibited materials during an examination, and other acts generally understood to be dishonest by faculty or students in an academic context) may initiate an allegation of student academic dishonesty. The following describes procedures for resolution by due process.

If the allegation arises within the context of a course or academic assignment, its resolution begins with the instructor responsible for that course or assignment, who informs the student of the suspicion. If the instructor judges on the basis of available evidence that an academic violation has occurred, the instructor applies an academic sanction and notifies the student of the reason for the academic sanction. The instructor decides on the severity of the academic sanction (e.g., refusal to accept an assignment, "F" on the particular assignment, or "F" for the entire course). The instructor will report in writing to the department chair, to the Dean of the Leavey School of Business (who may delegate this to the appropriate administrative resource in the Leavey School of Business), and to the Office of Student Life what violation of academic integrity has occurred and what academic sanction has been applied. The Office of Student Life will pursue the matter as a violation of the Student Conduct Code through the University judicial process. This process is not intended to limit academic freedom.

Appeal Process for Academic Sanctions

If, after discussion with the instructor concerning the academic sanction applied, the student wants to challenge the instructor's decision, the student will contact the chair of the department in which the course is offered. If the instructor is the department chair, then the appeal is made to the dean of the school or college in which the course is offered or his/her designate, and the dean or designate refers the case to the chair of a closely related department.

The department chair hearing the appeal has the option to convene an ad hoc panel if he or she believes that the complexity of the case warrants doing so. The student suspected of committing academic dishonesty has the right to bring a support person whose only role is to accompany the student to the hearing. The panel will include two full-time faculty members from the department in which the course was offered, one full-time faculty member from a closely related department, and two students who are trained student judicial board members. Staff in the Office of Student Life will arrange for the participation of the student panel members. The charge of the panel is to study all previously considered and newly developed evidence, review statements of all parties concerned, interview all parties concerned, and make a recommendation to the department chair.

The parties involved have the right to file an objection to the appointment of a particular faculty member or student to the ad hoc panel. This objection must be based upon a belief that the named faculty member or student is unable to conduct an impartial evaluation and therefore will not review the case in an impartial manner. The objection is filed with the chair hearing the appeal who will make a ruling on this objection. If necessary, the chair will then appoint a different faculty member or student.

After reviewing all relevant materials and information, including the recommendation of the ad hoc panel when one is convened, the department chair will consider all evidence available, confer with all parties concerned, inform all parties of her or his recommendation regarding the alleged violation, and report the recommendation to the student, to the Dean (who may delegate this to the appropriate administrative resource in the Leavey School of Business), and to the Office of Student Life. However, final responsibility for assigning grades remains with the instructor of the course. Decisions may only be appealed to one level above the instructor. All proceedings are intended to be confidential. If the student wishes to withdraw from the course, the instructor's approval is required for the withdrawal process. The instructor may refuse to approve of the withdrawal and assign an appropriate grade.

University Judicial Process

When the Office of Student Life receives the report, the assistant dean will meet with the student to discuss the relevance of the violation to the Student Conduct Code. Whether further judicial sanctions are applied or not, the report of academic dishonesty will remain on file in the Office of Student Life for the remainder of the student's enrollment at Santa Clara University. The student involved has the right to include a statement as part of these files.

If it is ruled that the student committed an academic integrity violation, the Office of Student Life will administer a judicial sanction that would range from a letter of warning to expulsion from the University. The severity of the judicial sanction depends on the severity of the circumstances, including the student's judicial history and previous academic integrity violations.

Allegations Outside a Course

If the allegation involves a situation outside the context of a course, resolution begins with the Office of Student Life. The assistant dean will confer with all parties concerned. After hearing all evidence and conducting further investigation as needed, the assistant dean will either hear the case or refer it to a judicial board in accordance with the University Judicial Process. The outcome of the hearing will be communicated to those involved.

September 2014

Statement of Responsibilities and Standards of Conduct

For the most current information on the student conduct code and all policies and procedures regarding the student judicial system, please refer to the Office of Student Life website at .

The goal of Santa Clara University is to provide students with a general education so that they will acquire knowledge, skill, and wisdom to deal with and contribute to contemporary society in constructive ways. As an institution of higher education rooted in the Jesuit tradition, the University is committed to creating and sustaining an environment that facilitates not only academic development but also the personal and spiritual development of its members. This commitment of the University encourages the greatest possible degree of freedom for individual choice and expression, with the expectation that individual members of the community will:

• Be honest.
• Demonstrate self-respect.
• Demonstrate respect for others.
• Demonstrate respect for the law and University policies, procedures, and standards; their administration; and the process for changing those laws, policies, procedures, and standards.

In keeping with this commitment, this Statement of Responsibilities and Standards of Conduct and related policies and procedures have been formulated to guarantee each student’s freedom to learn and to protect the fundamental rights of others. There can be no rights and freedoms if all who claim them do not recognize and respect the same rights and freedoms for others. In addition to the laws of the nation, the state of California, and the local community, the University administration has established policies, procedures, and standards deemed necessary to achieve its objectives as a Catholic, Jesuit university.

All members of the Santa Clara community are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that is consistent with the goals of the institution and to demonstrate respect for self, others, and their property. Students living off campus are members of this community, and as such are representatives to the community at large. In this regard, students living off campus maintain an equal measure of accountability to the values and expectations of all members of this community as identified in the Student Conduct Code.
Whether living in or traversing through the neighborhood, or parking in the street, students are expected to adhere to the same high standards of conduct and behavior that are consistent with the students’ developing role as responsible and accountable citizens, and that reflect well upon the Santa Clara University community.

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. The University reserves the right to review student conduct that occurs on and off campus when such behavior is inconsistent with this expectation and the Student Conduct Code. The following acts subject students to disciplinary action:

1. 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. (Law students, refer to School of Law code.)
2. Illegal use, possession, or distribution of drugs. The use or possession of equipment, products, or materials that are used or intended for use in manufacturing, growing, using, or distributing any drug or controlled substance. Possessing, concealing, storing, carrying, or using any drug paraphernalia as defined in California Health and Safety Code § 11364.5, including, but not limited to, objects intended for use or designed for use in ingesting, inhaling, or otherwise introducing marijuana, cocaine, hashish, or hashish oil into the human body. A reported violation of this section will result in the confiscation and immediate disposal of drugs and drug paraphernalia by University officials
3. Falsification or misuse, including non-authentic, altered, or fraudulent misuse, of University records, permits, documents, communication equipment, or identification cards and government-issued documents
4. Knowingly furnishing false or incomplete information to the University, a University official, or judicial hearing board in response to an authorized request
5. Disorderly, lewd, indecent, or obscene conduct; excessive or prolonged noise; behavior that interferes with the orderly functioning of the University, or interferes with an individual’s pursuit of an education on University-owned or controlled property or during an authorized University class, field trip, seminar, competition or other meeting, or University-related activity
6. Detention, physical abuse, or conduct that threatens imminent bodily harm or endangers the physical well-being of any person, including harm to self
7. Nonconsensual physical contact of a sexual nature such as sexual misconduct, sexual assault, and rape
8. Destruction, damage, or misuse of University property or the property of any other person or group
9. Theft or conversion of University property or the property of any other person or group
10. Hazing, harassing, threatening, degrading language or actions, including stalking, or any practice by a group or individual that degrades a student or employee, endangers health, jeopardizes personal safety, or interferes with an employee’s duties or with a student’s class attendance or a person’s educational pursuits
11. Intentional obstruction or disruption of teaching, research, administration, disciplinary procedures, or other University activities; or obstruction or disruption that interferes with the freedom of movement, both pedestrian and vehicular
12. Possessing, concealing, storing, carrying, or using any real or simulated weapons (including toy guns). The definition of weapons includes, but is not limited to, firearms (including BB/pellet, Airsoft, and paintball guns—regardless of whether they are disassembled), knives (switchblade, double-edged, hunting-style [fixed- blade] of any length, throwing, folding [pocket-style with a blade that locks into place], and knives with blades of 2.5 inches in length or greater), explosives (including, though not limited to, fireworks and firecrackers), ammunition, dangerous chemicals, or any other dangerous weapons or instruments, or chemicals as defined by, though not limited to, California State Law except if expressly authorized by University policy or procedure (see “Housing and Residence Life Policies” for information that pertains to Residence Life). A reported violation of this section will result in the immediate confiscation and disposal of real or simulated weapons by University officials
13. Unauthorized entry into or use or defacement of University facilities, including residence halls and other buildings and grounds, including unauthorized entry into or presence in or on a University building; unauthorized erection or use on University property of any structures including specifically but not limited to tents, huts, gazebos, shelters, platforms, and public address systems; or unauthorized use of University property for dances, concerts, assemblies, meetings, sleeping, cooking, or eating if said activity interferes with the operation of the University or surrounding community
14. Publication, posting, or distribution through the use of University resources (e.g., computer networks, telephone lines, e-mail services, Internet connections), or at authorized University activities of material that violates the law of libel, obscenity, postal regulations, the fair use of copyrighted materials, or any law or statute or University policy
15. Failure to comply with a reasonable request or order of a University executive or other authorized official(s); refusal or failure to leave such premises because of conduct prescribed by this code when such conduct constitutes violations of this code or a danger to personal safety, property, or educational or other appropriate University activities on such premises; or refusal or failure to identify oneself when requested by a University official provided the official is identified and indicates legitimate reason for the request
16. Possession, consumption, sale, or action under the influence of alcoholic beverages by persons under the age of 21; furnishing alcoholic beverages to persons under the age of 21; consumption of alcoholic beverages in a public place (all areas other than individual residences, private offices, and scheduled private functions); excessive and inappropriate use of alcoholic beverages (See also “Alcohol Policy Within the Residence Halls” on page 27)
17. Misconduct in which a student is detained, arrested, cited, or otherwise charged with violations of local, state, or federal laws that materially or adversely affect the individual’s suitability as a member of the Santa Clara University community
18. Tampering with, removing, damaging, or destroying fire extinguishers, fire alarm boxes, smoke or heat detectors, emergency call boxes, and other safety equipment anywhere on University property; creating a fire, safety, or health hazard; or failure to respond to fire alarms, evacuate buildings during alarm activation, or respond to the directions of emergency personnel
19. Any behavior that disrupts or causes disruption of computer services; damages, alters, or destroys data or records; adversely affects computer software, programs, systems, or networks; or uses data, computer systems, or networks to devise or execute any scheme to defraud, deceive, extort, or wrongfully obtain money, property, or data

Students who are alleged to have violated the Student Conduct Code may be subject to disciplinary action and, if applicable, may also be subject to criminal prosecution.

Judicial Records Policy

The Office of Student Life maintains a hard copy file and a digital record of a student’s judicial history. Judicial records are educational records, and are thereby subject to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the University’s Student Records Policy.
The judicial record is confidential and is only shared internally with University officials in instances when the student grants permission to release the record, or there is what FERPA defines “an educational need to know” basis for the request. The judicial record is maintained throughout the student’s enrollment and thereafter as indicated below. A student’s judicial record will only be released from the hard copy file to a person or party external to the University if the student has granted permission, where the disclosure of the record is permissible under the provisions of FERPA, or where the University is required to do so by law. The digital copy of the judicial record will only be released to an external person or party where the University is required to do so by law.

Retention of Hard Copy of Judicial Records

1. The hard copy file of a student’s entire judicial history is kept for a minimum of one academic year beyond the academic year in which the date of the last violation of the Student Conduct Code occurred. When a student commits a violation of academic integrity, the hard copy file is retained for the remainder of a student’s academic career.
2. The files of any student who has received one or more of the following sanctions will be maintained for three academic years beyond the academic year in which the student’s tenure in his/her current degree program at the University has ended:
   
   Removal from University housing
   Disciplinary probation
   Deferred suspension
   Suspension
   
   
3. The judicial files of a student who has been expelled will be maintained for seven years beyond the academic year in which the student’s tenure at the University has ended.

The University reserves the right to change this policy at any time at its sole discretion.

Waitlists determine priority for enrollment in closed classes as seats become available. If you attempt to enroll in a class and it is full, most likely there is a waitlist option available that you can select. Please read this entire page carefully so that you are familiar with the waitlist procedures.

PLEASE BE ADVISED You will automatically be added to the class if a space becomes available. Therefore, you are responsible for dropping yourself from the waitlist if you decide you do not want to be in the class.

ALL DROP FEES WILL APPLY if you have forgotten to drop yourself and find you have been officially enrolled in any class from a waitlist. Students are not charged for waitlist status. Enrollment on a waitlist will not be reflected on your financial statement, unless/until you are actually added to the class.

Please note:

• You will be automatically enrolled in the class if a space becomes available. You may check your eCampus enrollment status at any time to see if you have been officially added.
• If there is a time conflict with another class you are enrolled in, the system cannot add you to the class, and you should not put yourself on the waitlist or anticipate entry into any class with a time conflict.
• If you have already enrolled yourself into another section of the same class, the system cannot enroll you from the waitlisted section. This is considered multiple enrollment in the same class.
• You must have met all course prerequisites for enrollment to be successful adding a class from a waitlist.
• Your eCampus "VIEW MY SCHEDULE" will indicate your status as either waitlist or enrolled, and your place on the waitlist.

The waitlist process will run from the time a class first fills during appointment registration until the first day of class, when all waitlists will be purged from the system, and no further waitlist process will run for that quarter.

Students must check course availability to make any last-minute changes to their schedule through their own eCampus registration access.

REMEMBER:

1. eCampus cannot choose which class you might want if you have a time conflict.
2. If you have added yourself to a waitlist, you should check your status and placement on eCampus and drop yourself from any conflicting courses in order for the waitlist to successfully process further enrollment.
3. Students must make the determination to drop any conflicting course or drop themselves from the waitlist to avoid automatic course enrollment.

Students should NOT approach instructors to gain entry into a closed class. The limits are set by classroom capacity and no registration can be processed in full classes other than through the waitlist process.

Please call the Graduate Business Programs office if you have questions: 408-554-5485