catalog 07-08 edited:05-06 catalog.qxd - Westminster College

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catalog07-08edited:05-06catalog 9/26/2007 2:27PM Page32The Freshman ExperienceAll entering freshmen participate in the College’s distinctive “FreshmanExperience” which features New Student Days as well as a “WestminsterSeminar,” which continues throughout the semester. New Student Daysbegin approximately four days before all classes begin and provide anopportunity for new students to meet classmates, learn the rules, expectationsand traditions of the College and begin the transition to campuslife. During the Westminster Seminar, students work closely with a facultymember, upper-class student mentors and a small group of new students.Organized around student interests, the seminars are integrated by commonobjectives and shared readings. The seminar is designed to helpstudents read analytically, think critically and communicate effectively.The Freshman Experience also involves students in field trips, serviceprojects, concerts and lectures at Westminster College and occasionalmeals in the home of the faculty member who serves as the seminarleader. In addition to teaching the course, each seminar leader serves asacademic advisor for students in their seminar and remains in thatcapacity until the students declare majors.Health Professions ProgramSince a substantial number of students are interested in careers in thehealth professions, Westminster College supports a Health ProfessionsProgram (HPP). With guidance and support from the College’s MedicalProfessions Advisory Committee, students interested in the health professionshave access to career counseling, academic advising and preprofessionalexperiences intended to prepare them for the additionalsteps needed for careers in medicine, dentistry, osteopathic medicineand veterinary medicine.Typically, Westminster students major in a natural science in preparationfor a career in the medical professions. In recent years though, anumber of Westminster graduates entering professional schools includestudents whose majors were English and history. Medical, osteopathicand dental schools usually do not stipulate a specific undergraduatemajor as a prerequisite for admission but expect a solid background inscience that is obtained by taking eight hours in general biology, physics,chemistry and organic chemistry.Professional schools typically base their admission decisions on theapplicant’s level of academic achievement, scores on the appropriateadmission test, results of personal interviews, recommendations by theapplicant’s undergraduate professors or the Medical ProfessionsAdvisory Committee and extracurricular activities.Leadership CertificationConsistent with the College’s Mission Statement, the LeadershipCertification program recognizes selected students who have demonstratedtheir leadership capabilities. Students who are accepted in thisprogram must complete leadership and service-learning academicrequirements, participate in leadership workshops, demonstrate reflectiveand high quality participation in campus events, provide communityservice, and serve in a campus leadership position in an acceptable manner.A final reflective essay is required of all candidates. Certificationrequires that the student meet all other requirements for graduation.Additional information can be obtained from Dr. David Humphrey,Director of the Center for Leadership & Service in collaboration with theLeadership Studies Minor coordinator.Legal Professions ProgramWestminster College has historically graduated a significant number ofstudents interested in careers in law and related areas. To support theundergraduate preparation of these students, the College has created apre-law minor as well as the Legal Professions Program (LPP) coordinatedby a faculty member. Students in legal studies and related careerfields are encouraged to contact the Director at their earliest opportunityto obtain academic advising and pre-professional support. The Directoris assisted by the pre-law advisors who work closely with students,advising them regarding their academic programs, administering practiceLaw School Admission Tests (LSAT) and writing committee lettersof recommendation to law schools. A special concern of the advisors andthe College is that graduates who become lawyers are able to view thesystem of law in its historical, political and philosophical context.Students planning to attend law school are urged to join Westminster’schapter of Phi Alpha Delta, the international law fraternity, to completethe pre-law minor and to take, as juniors, Westminster’s LSAT preparatorycourse.Student Exchange System MMACUWestminster College is a member of the Mid-Missouri AssociatedColleges and Universities (MMACU). The association’s student exchangesystem allows Westminster students to take undergraduate courses freeof additional tuition charges at Lincoln University, Stephens College,William Woods University and the University of Missouri-Columbia. TheMMACU student exchange system has various restrictions and participationrequires the approval of the college Registrar.
catalog07-08edited:05-06catalog 9/26/2007 2:27PM Page33A C A D E M I CP O L I C Y A N DP R O C E D U R E SAcademic AdvisingWestminster College regards academic advising by full-time faculty as animportant part of the undergraduate experience. Entering freshmen aretypically paired with the faculty member who leads their WestminsterSeminar; this individual serves as their advisor and continues in thiscapacity until the student declares a major. Upon declaring a major, studentsare advised by a faculty member in their major department. Thestudent and advisor consult on a periodic basis in regard to the student’sacademic program, schedule of courses and academic progress. Theadvisor is the first person a student should contact for assistance with anacademic or personal problem. If necessary, the advisor will refer thestudent to other persons on campus.Academic Warning, Probation, and DismissalAcademic Warning:A student is placed on academic warning when he or she has a cumulativeor semester grade point average (GPA) that falls below 2.0. As a 2.0is required for graduation, the academic warning status is intended togive students notice that their academic success is in eventual jeopardyunless their grades improve. Students on academic warning may beoffered special support services.Academic Probation:A student is placed on academic probation when his or her academicprogress is insufficient enough to necessitate a final warning prior to dismissal.Students are put on academic probation when they fail to meet aspecified minimum standard with respect to their cumulative GPA. Theapplicable standard varies with the number of hours the student hascompleted and is given in the table below.Hours CompletedStandards for Academic ProbationMinimum Acceptable GPA0 to 29.9 1.6530 to 59.9 1.8560 or more 2.00To be removed from academic probation, a student must demonstratethat he or she is capable of meeting the graduation requirement of a2.00 cumulative GPA. This is demonstrated by completion of a semesterof at least 12 credit hours with a GPA of 2.00 or better and by raising hisor her cumulative GPA to at least the minimum acceptable level.Students on academic probation will be offered special support services.When a student is placed on academic probation, continued on probation,or removed from probation, an appropriate notation is made on thestudent’s transcript, and the student and his or her advisor are notified.Students on probationary status must meet with the Vice President andDean of Student Life or Associate Dean of Faculty to discuss a plan fortheir future academic progress. Unless permission is granted during thisplanning, probationary students may not participate in the following:• College athletic competition• Fraternity or sorority recruitment, rush, or pledge ship• Officer duties in any student organization• Other co-curricular or extra-curricular activities that mayimpede their academic progressIf part of a student’s plan includes restrictions on co-curricular involvement,the student may appeal to the Senior Vice President & Dean ofFaculty for further consideration.Academic Dismissal:Students not making satisfactory progress towards a degree are subjectto academic dismissal. Students become subject to dismissal by failing tomeet the probation GPA standards above for two consecutive semestersor by earning a GPA of 1.0 or less in any single semester.Extenuating circumstanceswill be considered before a final decision to academicallydismiss a student. Positive or negative evidence of academic effort, contributionto the campus community, or other outside circumstances maybe considered. Students have the right to appeal their dismissals to theSenior Vice President and Dean of Faculty. Academic dismissal is notedon the student transcript.Any student who has been dismissed for academic reasons and whoseeks to return to Westminster College must apply for readmission.Applications for readmission are not usually accepted until at leasta year after the student was dismissed, although in exceptionalcircumstances an application for readmission may be considered after
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