List of active policies

Name	Type	User consent
COVID Course Engagement Policy	Site policy	All users
2021-2022 Academic Misconduct Policy	Other policy	Authenticated users
Academic Standards: Satisfactory Academic Progress Student Acknowledgement Form	Site policy	All users
Administrative Withdrawal Policy	Other policy	Authenticated users

COVID Course Engagement Policy

Summary

This Policy outlines Shaw University plans for returning to campus for Fall 2020 semester. This policy outlines the necessary requirements for engaging in the learning space during the COVID- 19 Pandemic, as well as the link to a form to complete for learners with a need for accommodations due to health concerns prohibiting them from meeting face to face.

Full policy

Dear Faculty, Staff and Students,

With less than a month before the beginning of the Fall semester, the Office of Academic Affairs cannot express how excited we are to start a new academic year with you. We also want to extend a wholehearted welcome to the Class of 2024!

In this historic era of change due to COVID 19, Shaw University continues to steadily work toward providing a safe and healthy educational experience. To help keep our campus community safe, we have made a few revisions and updates to our normal campus environment, based on guidance from Gov. Cooper’s Executive Order and recommendations from the CDC:

Course Instruction

All course instruction modes have been redesigned to function as either as a combination of face to face and online known as hybrid or online course. All courses will utilize Zoom^®. We are looking at face to face classes meeting only once a week with remote instruction on alternate days. Class meeting instructions will be provided prior to the start of class.

Seating has been adjusted in the classrooms to adhere to social distancing recommendations of 6 ft between individuals. This will limit the number of students in class together at the same time. Students must be seated as directed by faculty members, Department Heads and/or the School Deans.

I. Academic Calendar

Adjustments have been made to the Fall 2020 Academic Calendar to reflect a scheduled designed to enhance faculty and students’ abilities to enjoy a safe and engaging educational experience. This was achieved, in part, by minimizing student travel during the semester, therefore, classes will be held on Labor Day and Fall Break has been eliminated. Making these adjustments to the schedule will now allow the Fall 2020 semester to end before Thanksgiving providing a longer break between the Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 semesters.

II. Self-Monitoring Health Checks

Students exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19, should be referred immediately to the University doctors/nurses, who will arrange a COVID-19 screening. Students who are immunosuppressed or who have other conditions that heighten their risk for contracting COVID-19 should contact the Student Health Center at 919-719-6324 or 919-546-8286.

You should not report to class if you have a fever or any COVID-19 symptoms. For more information visit: https://www.shawu.edu/COVID-HealthSafety/

III. Face Mask Coverings

Face masks shall be worn properly, covering the mouth and face, and are always required while you are on campus and in any university building (other than in your dorm room). You should be reminded to not touch your face and to wash your hands frequently.

The requirement to properly wear a face mask applies to anyone and everyone on a Shaw University campus, including remote sites. All individuals:

· Must wear a face mask when entering a campus building, including a residence hall.

· Must wear a face mask in hallways, classrooms and common areas.

· Must wear a face mask whenever more than one (1) person is in an office space together.

· Must wear a face mask in outdoor settings when safe social distancing at gatherings is not possible.

IV. Classrooms

Face masks must be worn both in buildings and in classrooms. Face masks must cover both nose and mouth. No one will be permitted to remain in either the classroom or building without properly wearing a face mask covering. Incidents of non-compliance will be taken seriously and is considered a Disruptive Behavior. Please read your syllabus regarding the Disruptive Behavior policy and procedure.

V. Course Registration

Registration is still open to students. Returning students should contact their Academic Department Head or Dean to schedule a time to meet and preregister for the Fall 2020 semester. New students should have received an email with course registration information. If any new student has not received this information, please contact the Office of Student Retention or Registrar's.

2021-2022 Academic Misconduct Policy

Summary

Shaw University has created a Policy and Procedure Manual governing Academic Misconduct. This document provides information and directions on : (1) actions that Shaw University considres as Academic Misconduct (2) how to report Academic Misconduct ; (3) the process after the misconduct has been reported or identified; (4) actions/sanctions imposed for violations; (5)the appeal process; where the Academic Misconduct Policy and Procedure is published ; (6) ways to prevent and identify Academic Misconduct.

Please read and acknowledge the 2021-2022 Shaw University Academic Misconduct Policy

Full policy

Moodle & Syllabi Version: Shaw University Academic Misconduct Policy

Moodle:

Shaw University seeks to empower students with a sense of moral purpose based on Christian principles that provide guidance for intellectual and personal growth. Paramount to this belief is academic integrity. Academic integrity is the ethical policy or moral code that governs all levels of education centered on honest and responsible scholarship. It means doing the right thing even when no one is looking.

Shaw University expects all students to maintain high ethical standards in all of their coursework. It does not condone academic dishonesty. Actions of “Academic Misconduct” that the University considers as violations of academic integrity include, but are not limited to: Cheating, Aiding and Abetting, Fabrication/ Falsification, Plagiarism and Collusion. This list is not exhaustive, therefore, other actions may be considered as Academic Misconduct.

Defining Academic Misconduct:

Cheating: The act of Cheating implies an intent to deceive. Cheating includes all actions, devices, and deceptions used in the attempt to commit this act. Cheating involves using materials, resources, or other methods during a course that are not authorized or are not the student’s own work. This definition also includes unauthorized communication of information before, during and after an academic exercise.

Examples include, but are not limited to, the following:

- Submitting of material in whole or part for academic evaluation that has been prepared by another individual(s);
- Sending or arranging for another student to take any graded exercise, quiz or test, as a substitute for himself or herself.
- Copying from another student’s paper or test.
- Buying, selling, possessing, receiving or using at any time or in any manner any materials which are not the student’s own work which are intended to be submitted for a grade.
- Using any devices (e.g., calculators, cell phones, tablets, or computers) or any materials not authorized by the instructor during a test or other academic evaluation.
- Working with another or others in completing an assignment, examination, or other academic exercise when the faculty member has required independent and unaided action
- Possessing, receiving or using a partial or complete copy of any exam which was not previously authorized by the instructor.
- Submitting data which have been altered in such a way as to be deliberately misleading
- Knowingly providing false information to the University in any manner to complete a requirement, enhance one’s academic record or achieve an unfair advantage.

Aiding and Abetting Academic Dishonesty: Aiding and abetting academic dishonesty is assisting or attempting to help another person commit an act of academic fraud or deception. Aiding and abetting others includes, but is not limited to, the following:

- Posing as another student in any course for the purpose of attendance or to submit or complete assignments or exams.
- Allowing another student to represent, copy or submit your work for a grade.
- Providing assistance to another student during an exam or on an assignment in a manner not authorized by the instructor.

The preparation and/or sale to another student items such as homework, class assignments, papers, projects and exams in an attempt to deceive with that student submitting such items as their own work.

Falsification/Fabrication: Fabrication is the action of inventing or making up something for the purpose of deception; a lie or untruth. Falsification is the altering, distorting, misrepresentation of information or records.

An example is a student signing attendance roll for one or more students who are not present.

Plagiarism: Plagiarism, a form of cheating, is presenting other people’s work such as the use or close imitation of the words, language or ideas of someone else and passing them off as one’s own. When a student puts his or her name on a report or paper or any work assignment at Shaw University, he/she is declaring ownership of that work. The student is saying that he/she has written the work and that the words and ideas contained therein are his or her own, except for the citations from outside sources, which should be documented.

Examples include, but are not limited to:

- Presenting or submitting any work which was completed by someone else (including another student) and claiming it as one’s own.
- Using another’s work from print, web, or other sources without acknowledging the source.
- Quoting from a source without acknowledging the source.
- Using facts, figures, graphs, charts, or other information without acknowledgement of the source.
Shaw University students are expected to know how to recognize and avoid plagiarism. Plagiarism is presenting other people’s work as your own. Using another person’s words, ideas or work is theft, just as surely as the theft of a car, tape player, or other tangible property. As members of the academic community students must be mindful of other people’s property. Failure to respect such property rights is considered a serious and punishable violation of appropriate conduct at Shaw University.

Collusion: Collusion occurs when two or more people work together for the purpose of deliberately misleading or deceiving others. Individuals involve can include faculty, staff, students and non-students of the University.

Reporting Academic Misconduct:

Any person who observes an instance of Academic Misconduct should report such alleged violation to the instructor of the course, Department Head or supervisor.

Any instructor who receives information regarding an instance of Academic Misconduct or who otherwise becomes aware of an instance of Academic Misconduct should report such instance to his or her department Chair.

In cases of Cheating or Plagiarism, the professor can proceed with the Informal Resolution process. All other cases are referred to the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs and an incident report is required.

Any staff who receives information regarding an instance of Academic Misconduct should report such instance to his/her area Vice President. This requires the completion of an incident report.

*Incident Reports will be routed through SignNow for completion and can be found on Shaw University’s Academic Affairs SharePoint Site in Forms folder

Actions and Sanctions Imposed for Academic Misconduct Violations:

I. Academic Conduct with Informal Resolution: Cheating and/or Plagiarism

A. The following sanctions may be imposed in the Informal Resolution Process:

1. A requirement that the student revise or replace the work at issue,

2. A reduced grade (including a “0” or an “F”) for the work at issue.

- For the first incident of plagiarism, the student will receive a zero, “0” for the assignment.
- A second incident of plagiarism by the same student in the same class will result in automatic expulsion from the class and a grade of F in the course. The instructor must notify their Department Head and submit an incident report to the Office of Academic Affairs. A record of students expelled from classes for plagiarism will be maintained by the Office of Academic Affairs.
- Three or more incidents of plagiarism in a student’s college career may be cause for additional disciplinary action.

II. Academic Misconduct with Formal Resolution: Aiding and Abetting, Falsification or Fabrication, Collusion that may or may not Include plagiarism:

A. These cases are referred to Hearing Boards (Academic Standards Committee and/or Student Judicial Services).

B. Additional cases which may also be referred include:

- the accused student has a prior record of Academic Dishonesty,
- the allegation of Academic Dishonesty is egregious or
- the accused student denies responsibility for the alleged violation.

The following sanctions may be imposed by the Academic Standards Committee and /or Student Judicial Services in the Formal Resolution Process:

1. Grade Reduction: A reduction in grade on the assignment, examination, or academic exercise on which the violation occurred. In cases of plagiarism:

- For the first incident of plagiarism, the student will receive a zero, “0” for the assignment.
- A second incident of plagiarism by the same student in the same class will result in automatic expulsion from the class and a grade of F in the course
- Three of more incidences of plagiarism in the same class will result in additional sanctions such as those listed below.

2. Probation: A student found responsible for Academic Misconduct may be placed on academic integrity probation for the remainder of the student’s Academic Career. In addition, one or more of the sanctions listed above may be imposed.

3. Suspension: If warranted, a student may be suspended from the university. Suspension is a separation from the university for a specified period of time, after which the student may be eligible to return.

- The length of suspension time should be no less than one week and no more than one semester.
- For the duration of the suspension, the student will not be allowed to make up the missed work. While suspended, the student shall not participate in any University-Sponsored Activities and will not be allowed on university property.

4. Expulsion: Expulsion may be imposed in the most severe cases of Academic Misconduct. Expulsion is a recommendation by the Vice President for Academic Affairs and Vice President for Student Affairs to the President. It is the permanent separation of the student from the University. When expelled, the student shall no longer participate in any University-Sponsored Activity and will be trespassed from University Premises. A disciplinary file indicating expulsion will be maintained by the Office of Student Affairs.

*Student cannot withdraw from a course in which there is a pending case of Academic Misconduct. If at the end of a semester an academic misconduct case is still under review, the faculty member will submit a grade of “I” to the Registrar’s Office.

Academic Misconduct Appeal Process:

A. Informal Resolution Cases:

Students may appeal any grade they believe is unjust. Students must appeal through

the Shaw University Grade Appeal Process. Grade Appeal form and Process can be

found in the Academic Affairs SharePoint Site in Forms folder

B. Formal Resolution Cases:

Decisions of the Hearing Board(s) may only be appealed, in writing, to the Vice

President of Academic Affairs. All decision, thereafter, are final.

Academic Misconduct Prevention and Identification: Below are strategies either implemented or being considered (explored) at Shaw University to minimize or prevent Academic Misconduct.

A. Syllabi – all Shaw University syllabi must contain a statement concerning plagiarism as well as a link to the Academic Misconduct policy.

B. Posting Academic Misconduct Policy in Moodle – Faculty will post Academic Misconduct policy on their Moodle page along with syllabi. All students must:

1.Confirm they have received and reviewed the information.

2. (Optional) Students could be quizzed on the Academic Misconduct and syllabus policies during the course orientation.

C. Certification Statement or Submission Statement

1. A Certification Statement can be included with an assignment or assessment that will require a click before the assignment or assessment can be accessed. The statement can read as follows: "I certify that all work on this assessment is entirely my own and does not violate Shaw University’s Academic Misconduct policy."

2. Through Moodle, require a Submission Statement. The Moodle administrator can define a "Submission statement", i.e., a statement where students promise the work is their own and which they must agree to before submitting their work. This may be done via Settings>Site administration>Plugins>Activity modules>Assignment. If preferred, the available default statement which may be used instead: This assignment is my own work, except where I have acknowledged the use of the works of other people.

D. Diagnostic Writing Assignment - Require a writing assignment from each student at the beginning of each semester. Through this diagnostic writing assignment, an instructors can gauge the quality of the students’ writing. For each subsequent writing assignment, instructors have a sample against which they can compare each assignment.

E. Proctoring for Online Courses - ProctorU is live proctoring that ensures that the authenticated student is indeed the same person who completes an exam.

Reporting Misconduct

- Any person who observes an instance of Academic Misconduct should report such alleged violation to the instructor of the course, Department Head or supervisor.
- Any instructor who receives information regarding an instance of Academic Misconduct or who otherwise becomes aware of an instance of Academic Misconduct should report such instance to his or her department Chair.
- In cases of Cheating or Plagiarism, the professor can proceed with the Informal Resolution process. All other cases are referred to the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs and an incident report is required.
- Any staff who receives information regarding an instance of Academic Misconduct should report such instance to his/her area Vice President. This requires the completion of an incident report.

Syllabi:

Actions of “Academic Misconduct” that the University considers as violations of academic integrity include, but are not limited to: Cheating, Aiding and Abetting, Fabrication/ Falsification, Plagiarism and Collusion. This list is not exhaustive, therefore, other actions may be considered as Academic Misconduct.

Any person who observes an instance of Academic Misconduct should report such alleged violation to the instructor of the course, Department Head or supervisor. Any instructor who receives information regarding an instance of Academic Misconduct or who otherwise becomes aware of an instance of Academic Misconduct should report such instance to his or her department Chair.

A student found to have engaged in academic misconduct may receive a zero for the assignment. A second incident can result in expulsion from the class and a grade of F in the course. Three or more incidents of plagiarism in a student’s college career may be cause for additional disciplinary action. In severe cases of Academic Misconduct, a student may be suspended or dismissed from Shaw University. Students should view the full Academic Misconduct policy in Moodle.

Academic Standards: Satisfactory Academic Progress Student Acknowledgement Form

Summary

Policy/requirement of the Department of Education’s Title IV Federal Financial Aid Academic Requirements

Full policy

Academic Standards: Satisfactory Academic Progress Student Acknowledgement Form

Please read each statement carefully. Selecting to agree to this acknowledgment indicates that you have been informed of and fully understand each policy/requirement of the Department of Education’s Title IV Federal Financial Aid Academic Requirements.

What is SAP (Satisfactory Academic Progress)?

At the end of each semester and summer session, the records of all matriculated students are reviewed to determine satisfactory academic progress. A student's academic standing at Shaw University is classified in one of four official standings:

· Good Standing

· Academic Warning

· Academic Suspension

· Academic Progression

· Academic Dismissal

If you received a letter via email about my academic Standing? What does this mean?

Students who do not meet Satisfactory Academic Progress will receive a letter from the Registrar’s Office regarding their academic performance. Specific directions are listed on the letter for students to follow. Students can contact the Office of Academic Success if they have questions about their specific academic situation.

Requirements for Federal Student Aid Recipients:

An undergraduate student’s cumulative grade point average must meet the criteria specified in the table below, and a 2.0 cumulative grade point average is required for every undergraduate student. GPAs will be reviewed at the end of each semester and summer term.
Complete at least 67 percent of all attempted credit hours - This will be reviewed at the end of each semester. The aggregate percentage of coursework attempted and passed must equal 67 percent or greater at each review. (For example: a student who has attempted a total of 12 credit hours and only earns 8 credit hours has completed 67 percent of attempted credit hours).
Complete a degree program in a maximum time frame of no more than 150 percent of the average length of the program. The maximum number of attempted hours for an undergraduate student is 180 hours.

Students who do not meet the academic requirements will receive academic sanctions. Below is the sequence of academic sanctions if the required cumulative hours and/or grade point average is not achieved.

Cumulative Credit Hours Attempted	Minimum Cumulative GPA
0 - 29	1.5
30 - 59	1.8
60 - 89	2.0
90 and above	2.0

Academic Warning

According to the table above, a student is placed on academic warning when the student’s semester grade point average and credit hours are below the minimum requirements. If a student fails to remove the sanction by the end of the following semester, the student will be placed on academic suspension. A student is required to complete an academic recovery plan through the Office of Academic Success.

Academic Suspension

Academic suspension occurs automatically at the end of the second semester when a student fails to remove the academic warning sanction. When a student receives an academic suspension, they are required to submit an academic appeal to seek readmission to the University and reinstatement of financial aid.

Academic Progression

If a student is placed on academic dismissal by the end of the semester but does not meet the GPA criteria but shows academic improvement to his/her cumulative GPA. The student is allowed to return with a second semester of Academic Suspension.

The student is obligated to meet the requirements of the University’s Academic Standards policy to remove the academic sanction and meet the additional requirements of the academic probationary period.

· The student must submit a 1-page letter discussing his/her academic progress to the Academic Standards Committee indicating his/her acceptance to return.

Academic Dismissal

A student is placed on an academic dismissal after a third semester of not meeting academic requirements. The student is required to sit out a semester and can seek readmission and reinstatement of financial aid through the academic appeal process after completing the dismissal requirements.

If you have any questions, you may contact the following departments:

Office of Academic Success at appealletters@shawu.edu

Registrar’s Office at registrar@shawu.edu

Office of Academic Affairs at academicaffairs@shawu.edu

Administrative Withdrawal Policy

Summary

Shaw University has created a Policy and Procedure to

manage administrative withdrawals for students who have stopped attending classes at

Shaw University after NR, but before the last day to withdraw from the University.

Full policy

Moodle & Syllabi Copy: Administrative Withdrawal Policy

Moodle:

I. Shaw University Administrative Withdrawal Policy

Students who cease attending all their courses for the term in which they are registered, will be administratively withdrawn from the university by the Office of Academic Affairs as outlined below:

- For students registered for the traditional 16 week fall and spring semesters – two (2) weeks consecutively of unexcused absences will result in administrative withdrawal.
- For students registered for the 6 week or 8 week accelerated terms – two (2) consecutive unexcused absences will result in administrative withdrawal.

A. Initial Notification – The Registrar’s Office will inform the student within 24 hrs of notification from the Office of Academic Affairs. The Registrar will cancel the student’s enrollment, remove a student from all of their courses, and assign grades of W* for all of their classes.

Any student who is administratively withdrawn is no longer an active student at Shaw University and must vacate the residence halls within 2 days of notification of the Administrative Withdrawal. Any student who later wishes to return to Shaw University, must follow the Readmission process as outlined on the Admissions website.

B. Appeal Process – Students who believe they have been erroneously withdrawn from the university, have 48 hours to appeal the withdrawal by contacting the Office of Academic Affairs.

C. Financial Aid Notification- If no appeal has been submitted by the student within 48 hrs of the Administrative Withdrawal notification, the Office of Registrar will notify Financial Aid of the Administrative Withdrawal. Being administratively withdrawn may have unintended consequences on a student’s financial aid eligibility. All accrued financial obligations will be the responsibility of the student.

II. Dissemination of Policy - Students will be informed of this new policy via campus wide email notification. Additionally, the policy will be included in the undergraduate and graduate catalogs, posted in the university’s Learning Management System (Moodle) and added to the syllabi for all courses.

III. Current Relevant Policies

- Shaw University Withdrawal Policy - A withdrawal from the University is defined as leaving the University by dropping all classes after having paid registration fees. Students must initiate the process by obtaining, completing and submitting a University Withdrawal form from and back to the Office of the Registrar.
- Mandatory Class Attendance – Class attendance is required for all Shaw University students. Each student is allowed as many unexcused absences per semester as the class meets per week. For example, in a three-credit hour course, which meets three times per week, the student is allowed three unexcused absences per semester. Students are allowed two unexcused absences per semester for classes that meet twice per week. For classes that meet once per week, students are allowed only one unexcused absence.

Syllabi:

Shaw University’s Administrative Withdrawal Policy addresses “unofficial withdrawals”. Unofficial withdrawals occur when a student, over a period of consecutive days or weeks, discontinues attending all classes during an academic term. Students who cease attending all their courses for the term in which they are registered, will be administratively withdrawn from the university by the Office of Academic Affairs. Students who believe they have been erroneously withdrawn from the university will have 48 hours to appeal the withdrawal by contacting the Office of Academic Affairs. Being administratively withdrawn may have unintended consequences on a student’s financial aid eligibility. All accrued financial obligations will be the responsibility of the student.