download .pdf - Park University

ACADEMIC ADVISINGAcademic advising is an integral part ofthe academic program of Park University.Advisors are full-time faculty or staff. Theadvisors serve as a central academic resourceand mentor of Park University students. Eachstudent has an advisor who provides guidancein academic planning and who is available forcounseling on academic and related issues andconcerns. Each student is expected to workclosely with his/her advisor in the design andpursuit of a coherent course of study shaped byhis/her goals and interests and by Universityand departmental requirements.Academic advising at Park University isviewed as a cooperative educational partnershipbetween advisor and advisee, grounded inmutual respect and a common commitmentto student growth and success. The advisor/advisee relationship respects the autonomy andintellect of each student and acknowledgesthe broader developmental and educationalcontexts within which academic advising occur.Although advisors and advisees worktogether in all areas related to academicplanning, academic decision-makingresponsibilities, including the responsibilityfor meeting each of the graduationrequirements of the University, rest ultimatelywith the student. Primary responsibility fortimely, effective use of the academic advisingsystem also remains with the student.Academic advisors are responsible forproviding their advisees with appropriate,accurate information concerning the academicpolicies, programs, procedures, and resourcesof the University. Advisors also assist adviseesin defining, developing, and pursuing aneducational plan consistent with theiracademic, career, and life goals, including theselection of an academic major consistent withtheir interests and abilities within the broaderliberal educational curriculum. Adviseesare encouraged to meet regularly with theiradvisors in order to realize the full educationalpotential of the advising program. Morespecifically, each student shall work carefullywith his/her advisor to structure an appropriatecourse schedule, based on the student’s shortand long-term academic objectives as well ashis/her career interests and goals.In addition to ongoing general discussionsconcerning academic planning and scheduling,career goals, and academic progress, students andadvisors will want to discuss at least the following:• Taking less or more than a standard load(twelve credit hours in a given semester or sixcredit hours in a given term)94• Dropping a course in progress• Changing the schedule in any way• Selecting and declaring a major or minor• Changing a major or minor• Study abroad opportunities• Internship possibilities• Going on leave or withdrawing from theUniversity.ACADEMIC GRIEVANCESAND GRADE APPEALSstudent who believes that he/she has anA academic grievance must first discuss theconcern with the faculty member in charge ofthe course in which the concern has arisen. If amutually satisfactory resolution is not reached,the student must then take the matter to theappropriate Department Chair or CampusCenter Academic Director. If no resolutionis reached at that level, or if the DepartmentChair or Campus Center Academic Director isthe faculty member named in the first instance,the concern should be taken to the appropriateacademic Dean. The decision of the Dean willbe considered final. Students may petitionthe Vice President for Academic Affairs onlyin instances where he/she feels due process orUniversity policy was not followed.GRADE APPEAL POLICY1. All grade appeals must be initiated within30 calendar days of the end of the term inwhich the grade to be challenged was recorded.2. The student bringing the appeal must firstdiscuss the issue with the faculty member whoassigned the grade.3. If a mutually satisfactory resolution isnot reached in conversation with the facultymember, the student must discuss the issuewith the appropriate Department Chair orCampus Center Academic Director.4. If, after discussions with the facultymember and the Department Chair or CampusCenter Academic Director, a resolution hasnot been reached, the student may file withthe respective academic Dean a formal gradeappeal.5. All students intending to file a formalgrade appeal must do so within 60 calendardays of the end of the term in which the gradeto be challenged was recorded, and must usethe Grade Appeal Form available at www.park.edu/current.6. Students must submit the completedGrade Appeal Form and any supportingdocumentation to the academic Dean. CampusCenter Academic Directors forward suchappeals to the Associate Dean of PDL, who will