Academic Information

Academic Advising

Academic advising is provided to all ADU students. Advisors assist with setting academic goals, interpreting academic policies and procedures, course selection, registration, and personal development. Advisors may refer students to additional resources as needed.

All students are assigned an academic advisor upon acceptance to ADU. Students must contact their academic advisor prior to the beginning of each trimester for course selection and approval and to monitor progress toward their educational and career goals.

Academic Appeal

Should a student have an academic grievance concerning a grade or other matters concerning a particular course, he or she should follow the appeal procedure outlined below:

1. The student should discuss the grievance with the instructor involved no later than five business days after the incident prompting the grievance.
2. The instructor must respond to the student within five business days of the appeal.
3. If the grievance is not resolved, a written statement should be submitted to the department chair no later than ten business days after the instructor’s response. The chair will then speak with the instructor involved and reply in writing to the student within five business days of receiving the student’s written statement. In departments where there is a program director, and when it is appropriate, the written statement may be submitted to that individual. The program director will respond within five business days of receipt of the statement. If the matter is not resolved, the student may appeal in writing to the department chair who will respond within five business days.
4. If a resolution has not been reached, the student may request that all materials concerning the grievance be given to the Senior Vice President for Academic Administration. This individual will then review the grievance materials and return a written decision within ten business days of their receipt. The decision of the Senior Vice President for Academic Administration is final.

Should a student have an academic grievance concerning a decision of his or her academic program, he or she should follow the appeal procedure outlined below:

1. The student should discuss the grievance with the department chair no later than five business days after the decision prompting the grievance.
2. The department chair must respond to the student within five business days of the appeal.
3. If resolution has not been reached, a written statement should be submitted to the Senior Vice President for Academic Administration no later than ten business days after the chair’s response. This individual will then speak with the department chair and reply in writing to the student within ten business days of receiving the student’s written statement. The decision of the Senior Vice President for Academic Administration is final.

Academic Dismissal

A student is subject to academic dismissal when any one of the following occurs:

• Failing to meet the requirements of the probationary admission status.
• Failing to achieve a cumulative GPA of 2.00 after being placed on academic probation for two trimesters.
• Earning a GPA below 1.00 during any trimester.
• Displaying a high degree of academic irresponsibility in matters of course attendance or class assignments.
• Displaying a high degree of academic dishonesty (see the Academic Integrity section).

To petition for readmission, see the Readmission after Academic Dismissal section. Please be aware that if readmission is granted, additional admission documents may be required by the Office of Enrollment Services.

Academic Evaluation

The following grading system records students’ achievements and computes their progress:

Where relevant, the following designations are also used:

¹ This designation is given at the initiative of the instructor when he or she is unable to submit a final grade.
² Students must apply for an incomplete grade prior to the end of the trimester (see the Fee Schedule section for charges).

Academic Honors

Academic Honors

The Academic Honors List is published each trimester identifying students who have earned a trimester GPA of 3.00-3.49 and have no grade below a “B” (3.00) on at least 12 hours of University-level work.

Dean’s List

The Dean’s List is published each trimester identifying students who have earned a trimester GPA of 3.50-3.99, and have no grade below a “B” (3.00) on at least 12 hours of University-level work. The Senior Vice President for Academic Administration notifies students selected for this list.

President’s List

The President’s List is published each trimester identifying students who have earned a trimester GPA of 4.00 on at least 12 hours of University-level work. The President notifies students selected for this list.

Academic Integrity Policy

The commitment to high Christian principles and values expressed in ADU’s statement on ethics calls for academic integrity to be foundational to ADU in all its operations. Students are expected to adhere to the ethical and professional standards associated with their programs and academic courses. Unethical or unprofessional behavior will be treated in the same way as academic misconduct.

Ethical and Professional Behavior

Students are expected to adhere to the ethical and professional standards associated with their programs and academic courses. Such standards are generally communicated to students by instructors and are available through publications produced by professional organizations. Unethical or unprofessional behavior will be treated in the same manner as academic dishonesty.

Categories of Academic Misconduct

The following categories of academic misconduct are concerned with student actions, not student intentions. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, the following actions:

Cheating on Examinations

Cheating is using, or attempting to use, on any type of examination or evaluation, such materials, information, notes, study aids, or other assistance not specifically authorized by the instructor.

Clarification

1. Students completing such examinations or evaluations should not look at another student’s material nor use the external aids specified above unless the instructor has specifically indicated that this will be allowed.
2. Students may not take examinations or evaluations in the place of another person, nor may students allow another person to take examination or evaluations in their place.
3. Students may not acquire unauthorized information about an examinations or evaluations and may not use such information acquired by others.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism is intentionally or carelessly presenting the work of another as one’s own. Students should consult with their instructor in any situation in which the need for documentation is an issue. Students will be deemed to have plagiarized in any situation in which such work is not documented.

Clarification

1. Every direct quotation must be identified either by quotation marks or by appropriate indentation and must be properly acknowledged either by a parenthetical citation in the text or by a footnote or an endnote.
2. Material from another source paraphrased or summarized in whole or in part and in one’s own words must be properly acknowledged by a parenthetical citation in the text or by a footnote or an endnote.
3. Information which is gained in reading or research and which is not common professional knowledge must be properly acknowledged by a parenthetical citation in the text or by a footnote or an endnote.

Fabrication, Forgery and Obstruction

Fabrication is using invented, counterfeited, altered, or forged information in assignments of any type. Forgery is the imitating or counterfeiting of images, documents, signatures, and the like. Obstruction is any behavior that limits the academic opportunities of other students by improperly impeding their work or their access to education resources.

Clarification

1. Students may not steal, change, or destroy another student’s work, nor impede the work of others by the theft, defacement, or mutilation of resources so as to deprive others of their use.
2. Students may not access or use patient information in ways which violates Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations.

Multiple Submissions

Multiple submissions is the presentation of the same or substantially the same work for credit in two or more courses - work submitted for academic credit at this or another institution. Multiple submissions shall not apply when prior written approval has been given by the instructor in the current course.

Clarification

1. Students may submit prior academic work if there is substantial new work, research, or other academic endeavor involved. Prior to the submission, the student shall disclose the use of the prior work to the instructor and receive the instructor’s permission to use it.
2. Students may submit the same or essentially the same work simultaneously in two courses with prior written permission from all faculty involved.

Complicity

Complicity is assisting or attempting to assist another person in an act of academic dishonesty.

Clarification

1. Students may not allow other students to copy from their papers during any type of evaluation or examination.
2. Students may not before a scheduled examination provide substantive information about test questions or the material to be tested unless specifically authorized by the instructor to do so. This does not apply to examinations that have been administered and returned to students in previous trimesters.

Misconduct in Research Endeavors

Misconduct in research is serious deviation from the accepted professional practices within a discipline; or in carrying out, reporting, exhibiting, or reporting creative endeavors. It does not include unintended error or honest disagreement about the interpretation of data.

Clarification

1. Students may not report data dishonestly, whether by altering data, by improperly altering data, by selectively reporting or analyzing data, or by being negligent in collecting or analyzing data.
2. Students may not represent another person’s ideas, writing, or data as their own.
3. Students may not conceal or otherwise fail to report misconduct involving research, professional conduct, or artistic performance of which they have knowledge.

Computer Misuse

Any use of computers that is disruptive, including any actions violating the ADU Students Computer Use Policy is prohibited.

Clarification

1. Students may not monitor or tamper with another person’s electronic communications.
2. Students may not use the University computer systems to engage in illegal activities including, but not limited to, accessing other computer systems, exchanging stolen information, or violating copyright agreements which involve protected materials.

Misuse of Intellectual Property

Misuse of intellectual property is the illegal use of copyright materials, trademarks, trade secrets, and intellectual property.

Clarification

1. Students may not violate the University’s policy concerning the fair use of copies. This policy can be found in the ADU Academic Bulletin.

Policies and Procedures for Dealing with Academic Misconduct

Students suspected of academic misconduct, whether acknowledging involvement or not, shall be allowed to continue in the course without prejudice, pending completion of the disciplinary process. If the instructor must submit a final course grade before the case is resolved, then the student should be given an “Incomplete,” which will not affect his or her GPA.

1. An instructor or other staff member who suspects a student of academic misconduct or receives a complaint alleging misconduct that raises suspicion may consult the Office of the Senior Vice President for Academic Administration to learn whether there is any record of prior academic misconduct. The instructor will inform the student in writing within seven (7) days of discovering the misconduct. The instructor will include in the letter that he or she desires to meet with the student to discuss the allegation. The student must respond within seven (7) days from the date of the letter.
2. The instructor reviews all evidence, interviews any witnesses, meets with the student to discuss the allegation and to hear the student’s explanation. The instructor makes a decision regarding the allegation. The student may have an ADU faculty or staff member of choice accompany him or her to the meeting with the instructor if he or she chooses.
   
   • If the student does not respond to the notification within seven (7) days, the instructor continues with the investigation and report without the student’s input.
3. If the instructor determines that the student has not violated the policy, the student will be notified in writing within seven (7) days of meeting with the instructor whether or not the student responded.
4. If the instructor determines that the student has violated the policy, the instructor completes the Academic Dishonesty Report Form (ADRF) within five (5) days of the initial meeting with the student or from the end of the student’s seven (7) day response period. The student then has five (5) business days to respond and to attend a formal meeting with the instructor.
5. If the student fails to respond, the instructor completes the Academic Dishonesty Report Form and imposes a final academic sanction which may include referring the matter to the Senior Vice President for Academic Administration.
6. If the student responds, the student is given the ADRF and is asked to initial and sign the appropriate response. The student may have an ADU faculty or staff member of his or her choice accompany him or her to this meeting with the instructor if he or she chooses.
7. A copy of the ADRF is given to the student (if he or she responds), the Senior Vice President for Academic Administration, and the Department Chair. A copy is also given to the University Disciplinary Committee, if the matter is referred to them.
8. If the instructor takes no action within (5) five days of meeting with the student, the allegations will be considered dismissed.

The disciplinary authority of the Adventist University of Health Sciences is vested in the President, those asked by the President to act on his or her behalf, and in the committees and administrators of ADU for whom jurisdiction may be conferred for specific cases or specific areas of responsibility.

If violations of academic integrity come to light subsequent to a student’s graduation from the University, the instructor, program director, or department chair may make recommendations for disciplinary action to the Senior Vice President for Academic Administration. This action may include nullification of the degree awarded. Decisions of this nature may be appealed to the President of the University.

Disciplinary Sanctions for Academic Misconduct

Sanctions will be imposed according to the severity of the misconduct. Multiple sanctions may be imposed should the behavior call for the imposition of a more severe penalty. In all cases, the University reserves the right to require counseling or testing of students as deemed appropriate. Definitions of disciplinary sanctions include the following:

1. Academic action
   
   • May include altering a grade or assigning a failing grade for the assignment, examination, or course.
2. Disciplinary report
   
   • All academic misconduct and sanction are recorded on an Academic Dishonesty Report Form which is kept on file with the Senior Vice President for Academic Administration for the duration of the student’s attendance at the University. If academic misconduct reoccurs, the report will be taken into consideration in determining further sanctions.
3. Restitution
   
   • Students are required to compensate the University or other persons for damages, injuries or losses. Failure to comply could result in suspension or dismissal.
4. Probation
   
   • There may be specific restrictions or extra requirements placed on the student for a specified period. These may vary with each case and may include action not academically restrictive in nature, such as restriction from participation in University activities or other requirements. Disciplinary action should be consistent with the philosophy of providing constructive learning experiences as a part of the probation. A student may be required to meet periodically with designated persons. Any further misconduct on the student’s part during the period of probation may result in disciplinary suspension or dismissal.
5. University suspension
   
   • Suspension prohibits the student from attending the University. It prohibits the student from being present on specified University owned, leased or controlled property without permission for a specified period of time. Students placed on University disciplinary suspension must comply with all suspension requirements. A student seeking to attend the University after the conclusion of his or her suspension may apply for readmission to the University.
6. University dismissal
   
   • Dismissal permanently prohibits the student from attending classes at the University and permanently prohibits the student from re-enrolling at the University.

Resources

The following institutions’ policies were the sources referred to for guidance in the creation of the Adventist University of Health Sciences Academic Integrity Policies and Procedures for Dealing with Academic Misconduct:

The University of Cincinnati
http://nursing.uc.edu/…

The University of New Orleans
http://www.studentaffairs.uno.edu/…

Rutgers University
http://academicintegrity.rutgers.edu/…

Iowa State University
http://www.public.iastate.edu/…

Central Michigan University
http://ethics.cmich.edu/…[PDF].

Academic Probation

A student is placed on academic probation when his or her trimester grade point average falls below 2.00. The student has one trimester to raise his or her GPA above 2.00. At the end of that trimester, the Academic Review Committee will review his or her status (see the Academic Dismissal section). A student on academic probation should not take more than 12 credit hours during the fall and spring trimesters or six credit hours during the summer trimester. Students on academic probation should consult with their assigned advisor regarding strategies for academic success.

Attendance Policies

Students are expected to attend all scheduled courses, laboratories, clinicals, and/or practicum. The following attendance policies are in effect:

• Regular attendance at courses, laboratories, and clinical is required.
• Failure to attend the first day of the course will result in automatic course withdrawal.
• It is the student’s responsibility to contact the instructor if class appointments have been missed.
• All arrangements for an excused absence must have the instructor’s prior approval. In the event of an emergency (e.g. illness), instructors may require official documentation or verification.
• When a student’s number of absences (excused or unexcused) for any course exceeds 20% of the total course appointments, a grade of “F” may be given for that course.
• Students are allowed to consider as excused absences up to five days off for bereavement if the death was an immediate family member (spouse, parent, sibling, child, or grandparent). Other family members, such as aunts, uncles, and cousins, are usually not in this category unless they were part of the immediate family. Additional time must be requested by the student and agreed to by the instructor. Verification must be provided at the time of the student’s return to class. All coursework must be made up within a time frame agreed upon with the course instructor.
• The student is considered to be enrolled in a course until the completed Drop/Add/Withdrawal Form is submitted to the Office of the Registrar. It is the student’s responsibility to complete these forms as soon as the decision to drop has been made.
• Failure to drop a course before the drop deadline may result in the grade of “WF” being given for the course.
• Please refer to the program handbook for additional attendance policies.

Audit Policy

Any student has the option to audit a course. An audited course does not contribute toward grade point average, does not meet degree requirements, and does not count toward residency requirements or financial aid hours. The student may participate in all aspects of a course, but will not receive a grade or trimester credit. A student who registers for an audit must do so within the drop/add period. The designation “AU” will be placed on the transcript for each audited course. Students who wish to audit a professional program course must receive permission from the department chair. The tuition rate for audited courses is listed in the Fee Schedule in the Financial Information section.

Emergency Class Cancellation

All decisions regarding emergency school closure will be made by the Adventist University Administration. Information on campus closings may be obtained from the following sources:

• Campus mass notification system
• Campus voice message system: 407-303-9798 or 407-303-7747
• Campus plasma screen displays
• University websites: www.ADU.edu, my.ADU.edu
• Local TV stations: WESH (2), WKMG (6), WFTV (9), Central Florida News (CFN 13)

Grade Point Average

A student’s grade point average, for admission, academic standing, and graduation, is based on the quality points assigned to each letter grade. Non-letter grade designations (AU, DG, etc.) do not earn quality points and do not affect the grade point average. Adventist University uses the following GPA designations:

TRIMESTER GPA
GPA for each term

AS/BS DEGREE GPA
ADU courses that meet specific degree requirements

ADU RESIDENCY GPA
All courses taken at ADU

CUMULATIVE GPA
Includes only coursework at ADU and does not include transfer credits

ADMISSION GPA
May include credits earned both at ADU and at previously attended institutions (used for University and/or program admission).

Readmission Policy after Academic Dismissal

Students not enrolled in an academic program who have received an academic dismissal from the University may petition the Senior Vice President for Academic Administration for readmission. If readmission is granted, additional admission documents may be required by the Office of Enrollment Services.

Students within an academic program who have received an academic dismissal from the Program must refer to individual program readmission policies.

Records

All medical records and disability reports are kept in a secure location on campus, separate from the student’s academic record.

Directory information may be released to the news media and other persons upon request. Such information includes the following:

• Student’s name
• Year in school (freshman, etc.)
• Major field of study
• Dates of attendance
• Degrees and awards received
• Institutions previously attended
• Photograph
• e-mail address

Students have the right to submit a written request to the Office of the Registrar to block the release of all or part of their directory information. To ensure confidentiality, this request must be completed and turned in by the end of the drop/add period of each trimester.

Students who choose to have their records released to a third party, such as a parent, must fill out a Records Release Form with the Office of the Registrar.

Repeated Courses

If a student chooses to repeat a course, the following policies apply:

• If a course taken elsewhere is repeated at ADU, the ADU course and grade will be recorded on the transcript and will be used in computing the GPA. The other course will not be transferred. Students who choose to repeat courses that have already been transferred must notify the Office of the Registrar in writing so the transferred course may be removed from their transcript.
• If the course was taken and repeated at ADU, both courses and grades will appear on the transcript. The lower grade will remain on the transcript, but the quality points will be disregarded. The higher grade will be used in computing the GPA.
• Courses taken at ADU must be repeated at ADU in order to receive grade forgiveness.

Permission to repeat a course may be limited by the policies of certain degree programs. Please consult the individual program sections of this Academic Bulletin.

Student Rights and Confidentiality of Records

The procedures for protecting the confidentiality of student records are based on the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA). FERPA affords students certain rights with respect to their education records. The rights include the following:

• The right to inspect and review the student’s educational records within 45 days of the day the University receives a request for access.

Students should submit written requests to the Office of the Registrar that identify the record(s) they wish to inspect. The Registrar will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained by the Registrar, the Registrar will advise the student of the appropriate official to whom the request should be addressed.

• The right to request the amendment of the student’s educational records that the student believes are inaccurate or misleading.

Students may ask the University to amend a record they believe is inaccurate or misleading. They should submit written requests to the University official responsible for the record, clearly identifying the part of the record they want changed and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading.

If the University decides not to amend the record as requested by the student, the University will notify the student of the decision and advise the student of his or her right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing.

• The right to file a complaint with the US Department of Education, concerning alleged failures by the University to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is: Family Policy Compliance Office, US Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20202-4605.
• The right to request that the University not disclose personally identifiable information contained in the student’s educational records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.

One exception that permits disclosure without consent is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the University in an administrative, supervisory, academic, research, or support staff position (including law enforcement, unit personnel, and health staff); a person or company with whom the University has contracted (such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent); a person serving on the Board of Trustees; or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks.

A school official has a legitimate interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.

Upon request, the University discloses educational records without consent to officials of another school in which a student seeks or intends to enroll.

Withdrawal Policy

This policy applies to students wishing to withdraw from all courses in a given trimester or from a program or from the University. Such students must:

• Obtain a Drop/Add/Withdrawal Form.
• Meet with their appropriate department representative(s).
• Meet with representative(s) from Financial Aid and/or Financial Services.
• Submit the Drop/Add/Withdrawal Form with all required signatures to the Office of the Registrar.

Students who temporarily leave the University will be given a withdrawn status if they are gone for more than two academic periods. Students who attend other institutions after leaving will be asked to provide updated official transcript(s) for evaluation upon re-entry to ADU.