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Academic Policies
- Academic Honesty
- Academic Probation and Dismissal
- Canceled Classes
- Conflicts Between Curricular and College-recognized Activities
- Educational Rights and Privacy Act
- Equal Opportunity Statement
- Faculty Responsibilities to Scheduled Classes
- Plagiarism
- Student Responsibilities to Scheduled Classes
- Policy on Extra Curricular Activities
Academic Honesty
At the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University, the official prohibition against plagiarism is found in the college catalog. The section titled "Academic Honesty" in the 2001-2003 catalog reads as follows:
The College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University are committed to upholding high standards of academic integrity. Acts of academic dishonesty undermine the values the learning community holds in common and directly violates the goals of a liberal arts education.
Any act of academic dishonesty is a serious offense. Such acts include but are not limited to plagiarism, cheating, intentionally damaging the work of others and assisting others in acts of dishonesty. Students discovered to have committed an act of academic dishonesty are subject to penalties initiated by the faculty member involved. Penalties can range from a reduced grade to a recommendation of suspension from the college for especially serious or repeated offenses.
The dean of each college is charged with the enforcement of this policy.
A student who believes she has been otherwise graded unfairly has the right to appeal to the department chair if discussion with the faculty member proves unsatisfactory. A student who is dissatisfied with the decision of the department chair may take her complaint to Rita Knuesel (Main 127), the dean of the college, for follow-up as she sees appropriate.
Academic Probation and Dismissal
Minimum Academic Standards
The minimum academic standards expected of Saint Benedict's and Saint John's students are as follows:
- First year: a cumulative GPA of 1.80 at the end of the first semester and a cumulative GPA of 2.00 at the end of the second semester.
- Sophomores, juniors and seniors: a cumulative GPA of 2.00 at the end of each semester.
Academic Probation
Academic probation is an identified time of concern for the student’s academic progress. Students may be placed on academic probation for a number of reasons. A student whose cumulative GPA at the end of a term falls below the minimum academic standards will be placed on academic probation. It is also possible that a student with a cumulative GPA above 2.00 may be placed on academic probation for not making satisfactory progress toward a degree (i.e. not earning at least 24 credits in the two preceding semesters or multiple F's in a single semester.)
Students on academic probation remain on probation for the entire following semester and remain eligible for financial aid during the First Probation semester. They are required to complete no fewer than 12 credits during the probationary semester. During their probationary semester students must earn grades to assure a cumulative GPA of at least 2.00 at the end of the semester. They may take no course for S/U grading, except courses offered only on an S/U basis.
There are three types of probation status:
- First Probation—Students whose cumulative GPA falls below the minimum academic standards will be placed on First Probation.
- Continued Probation—Students placed on First Probation who make significant academic progress in the following semester and are nearly off probation may be eligible for Continued Probation.
- Final Probation—This most serious level of probation is intended to be a final probation. Students will sign a contract stating specific conditions for continued enrollment at CSB/SJU. Failure to meet these conditions will result in dismissal at the end of the semester without an automatic opportunity for appeal. Students who receive multiple failures in a semester or whose cumulative GPA falls below 1.00 will be placed on Final Probation without having been placed on First Probation. Special cases will be subject to the judgment of the academic dean or the dean’s designee.
Consequences of Academic or Disciplinary Probation
The College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University students who are placed on disciplinary probation or those officially sanctioned for whatever reason may be ineligible to hold any office, representative position or to participate in varsity athletics at the discretion of the college or the university.
The College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University students who are placed on academic probation are ineligible to hold any office, representative position or to participate in varsity athletics.
Dismissal
The College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University reserve the right to dismiss students for infractions of regulations; unsatisfactory academic standing; unsatisfactory progress towards the degree; or other reasons that materially affect the health, safety, property, or welfare of the individual student, of the colleges or their processes or of other members of the college communities. The colleges reserve the right to require a student to undergo professional evaluation and treatment regarding personal health issues as a condition for continuing enrollment.
Athletic eligibility
Saint Benedict’s and Saint John’s follow the MIAC and NCAA regulations that require that students must be enrolled in 12 credits or more, be in good standing (i.e., not on academic or disciplinary probation) and be making satisfactory progress toward a degree to be eligible for intercollegiate athletic training and contests. All other regulations of the conference and association must also be fulfilled.
Any continuing student whose cumulative GPA at the end of a term falls below the minimum academic standards resulting in academic probation is ineligible (see previous section on minimum academic standards). Students on academic probation for not making satisfactory progress toward a degree (i.e., not earning at least 24 credits in the two preceding semesters) are ineligible (see previous section on academic probation). Students on disciplinary probation may be ineligible (see previous section on consequences of academic or disciplinary probation). Transfer students should consult with their coach and the faculty athletic representative before their first competition to determine their eligibility.
An ineligible student, for reason of having a cumulative GPA below the minimum academic standard, who has made significant improvement in his or her level of achievement at the end of the probationary semester and has succeeded in reducing his or her cumulative grade point deficiency, may be declared eligible by the academic dean or the dean’s designee.
A college announcement to cancel all classes is made by the provost in coordination with Saint John’s University. The provost notifies the CSB Public Affairs Office (PAO). A PAO staff member notifies the media. When a severe storm is in progress in the early morning hours, announcements concerning the cancellation of college classes are made on
- KJNB-FM (99.9 cable),
- KASM-AM (1150),
- WJON-AM (1240),
- WWJO-FM (98.1),
- KNSI-AM (1450),
- KMXX-FM (94.9),
- WVAL-AM (800),
- WHMH-FM (101.7),
- KCFB-FM (91.5),
- KSJR-FM (90.1),
- KKSR-FM (96.7),
- KCLD-FM (104.7) and
- KLZZ-FM (103.7)
by 7:15 a.m. In addition, notices are posted on cable Ch. 6.
In the event that one or more classes are canceled by a faculty member(s) or the provost, the announcement will be posted in the area in which the class is scheduled. (For example: HAB, BAC, Clemens Library, Main Building, cable Ch. 6 and the buses.)
Conflicts Between Curricular and College-Recognized Activities
Recognizing the wide range of experiences which contribute to the liberal education of a student and the interaction of liberal education and human development, the College of Saint Benedict encourages students to seek educational and experiential opportunities which are above and beyond the college requirements. This policy addresses those educational experiences which are designated as college-recognized activities.
The College of Saint Benedict assumes a spirit of cooperation among students, faculty and advisers of college-recognized activities, and expects reasonable accommodations of occasional conflicts between college-recognized activities and regularly scheduled classes. To that end, the faculty supports the procedures developed that assure timely notification of faculty by students who have conflicts. When procedures are followed by both the student and the adviser, maximum consideration will be given the student.
If a conflict cannot be mutually resolved, the faculty member’s decision prevails. A student may appeal a decision to the department chair. If a decision is appealed, the student will inform the adviser or director of the college-recognized activity of the appeal.
It is the responsibility of the student to abide by the following procedures:
Activities with multiple dates
- Notify each professor in writing within the first week of class or within the first week of the college-recognized activity.
- Give the professor the official list of all student participants, and the list of dates of scheduled events. These materials are available from the adviser of the college-recognized activity.
- Make an appointment with the professor to discuss the possibility of making up the missed class work.
Special or single-time activities
- Give each professor a letter provided by the advisers of the college-recognized activity stating the purpose and time of the activity.
- Make an appointment with the professor to discuss the upcoming absence and the possibility of making up the class work.
Educational Rights and Privacy Act
The College of Saint Benedict complies with the intent of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (Public Law 93-380, Sec. 438, together with amendments thereto, codified in 20 USC Sec. 1232G) and regulations issued there-under in Title 45 code of Federal Regulations, Part 99, prescribe access to and release of post-secondary student education records in the custody of the educational institutions.
Copies of the policy may be inspected at the Registrar’s Office. Prior written consent of the student is not required for distribution of the following information which is designated as directory information available to the public.
Name, address, photo, telephone listing, date and place of birth, major field of study, participation of officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of varsity athletic teams, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received, most recent previous educational agency or institutions attended, parents’ name(s) and address(es) and such other information of like kind. A student has the right to inform the college that any or all of the above information should not be released without her prior consent. Students may withhold directory information by notifying the registrar, in writing, specifying the categories to be withheld, within 40 calendar days from the first scheduled day of class of each fall semester. Saint Benedict's and Saint John's honor the request for one academic year only; therefore, the student must file the request on an annual basis.
Any information other than the items listed above will not be released by the college without the student’s permission except as provided by law.
The College of Saint Benedict admits students without regard to race, color, age, national origin, ancestry, religion or physical impairment. Each student is assured access to all available financial assistance, facilities, activities and programs.
Plagiarism is the act of appropriating and using the ideas, writings, or works of original expression of another person as one's own without giving credit to the person who created the work. This may encompass portions of a work or an entire work. Works of original expression include but are not limited to papers, speeches, poetry, movies, videos, protected pieces of art, illustrations, and musical compositions.
Plagiarism can result from either deliberate dishonesty or ignorance of citational procedures. Deliberate plagiarism is especially serious and warrants more severe sanctions, but even plagiarism based on ignorance of procedures is a punishable offense, especially when it occurs more than once. Any student who seeks clarification on what constitutes plagiarism should consult the pamphlet "Plagiarism Explained" which is available at the SJU and CSB Writing Centers.
Plagiarism is an act of dishonesty and violates the mission and spirit of the educational enterprise at the College of Saint Benedict and St. John's University. It also violates the rights of other students.
A. A Professor proves that a student has plagiarized. The burden of proof rests with the professor; he or she must present compelling evidence of plagiarism. However, in contested cases it is the duty of the student to provide detailed information about the generative process of the work.
B. The Professor meets with the student and presents the evidence of plagiarism.
C. If the student agrees that plagiarism has occurred, a punishment is determined and a written acknowledgment is signed by the professor, the student, and a third party witness to guarantee that the student has been shown the agreement and read it. The evidence of plagiarism and the written acknowledgments are then placed in a closed file in the office of the respective Academic Dean.
D. If in spite of the evidence presented by the professor the student maintains his or her innocence, the student may contact the Academic Dean and request that an appeals process be initiated. The evidence of plagiarism will be witnessed in writing by a third party before going into the closed file. The accused student will acknowledge in writing that he or she has viewed the evidence. Refusal on the part of the student to view the evidence, and/or to acknowledge having viewed it, will not prevent punishment nor prevent the case from going into the closed file. The punishment determined by the professor will stand unless and until the student is found innocent on appeal. If the student is found innocent on appeal the material will be removed from the closed file and destroyed. A student accused of plagiarism who maintains his/her innocence has the right to remain enrolled in the course while the appeal process is pending.
E. The closed file located in the Dean's office will be destroyed two years after a student has graduated.
F. The proof of guilt in a first offense does not imply any assumption of guilt when a student is accused in a future case.
Penalties for plagiarism vary according to whether the case involves a first or a repeat offense, and according to the character of the offense itself (whether resulting from ignorance or deliberate deception). If the evidence of plagiarism comes to light only after course grades have been turned in, the professor may change the course grade retroactively.
A. The penalty for a first offense of plagiarism is failure of the course in which the plagiarism occurred. This penalty may be reduced if in the professor's judgment the plagiarism was not deliberately deceptive but resulted from ignorance of proper citation procedures. However, even in cases where the penalty is reduced the evidence will go into the closed file.
B. The process of written acknowledgement and closed file described in Section I will be implemented.
A. The Dean will inform the professor in which the most recent offense occurred that this is a second offense. This will occur after the professor has presented the evidence to a third party and the student has had the opportunity either to admit to plagiarism or initiate an appeal.
B. The student is required to meet with the professor and the Academic Dean.
C. The student will fail the course in which the plagiarism occurred.
D. The student may be suspended or expelled from the college. This decision will be made by the Dean in consultation with the professor from the more recent course in which the student was found to have plagiarized.
E. The process of written acknowledgement and closed file described in Section I will be implemented.
F. If a student commits two acts of plagiarism nearly simultaneously, both of which are judged to have resulted from ignorance rather than dishonesty, at the Dean's discretion the case may be classified as a first rather than second offense.
A. The Dean will inform the professor in which the most recent offense occurred that this is a third offense. This will occur after the professor has presented the evidence to a third party and the student has had the opportunity either to admit to plagiarism or initiate an appeal.
B. The student will fail the class in which the plagiarism occurred.
C. The student will be expelled from the College.
D. The steps of written acknowledgement and closed file described in Section I will be implemented.
Student Responsibilities to Scheduled Classes
The college expects students to complete all academic responsibilities, to attend required classes and laboratories, complete class and laboratory assignments and meet all scheduled examinations. Students who do not attend class or other required academic exercises must realize the following consequences, which are left to the discretion of the faculty.
- Faculty members who include class participation in their evaluation of students’ performance would be justified in lowering their evaluation of those students who miss class.
- It may not be possible for instructors to schedule make-up exams or make-up assignments. In this matter the faculty member’s decision prevails.
Policy on Extra Curricular Activities
CSB/SJU Joint Policy on Extra-Curricular Activities and Academic Responsibilities
The College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University (CSB/SJU) recognize that a wide range of experiences contributes to the liberal education of a student and encourage students to seek extra-curricular activities that will enrich their college experience. At the same time, the two institutions uphold the primacy of the academic program. There is no necessary conflict between these two objectives.
When extra-curricular events are scheduled that conflict with academic programs, CSB/SJU expects the persons in charge of the extra-curricular event to remind the students of the priority of their academic responsibilities, students to make prior arrangements with the instructors, and faculty to make reasonable accommodations whenever possible
The specific elements of this policy follow.
Student Responsibilities:
1. Students are expected to complete all their academic responsibilities – to attend required classes and laboratories, complete class and laboratory assignments and meet all scheduled examinations.
2. Students who choose not to attend classes or other required academic exercises must realize the potentially serious consequences of their choice. For example, faculty members who include class participation in their evaluation of students’ performance would be justified in lowering their evaluation of those students who miss class.
3. Students should be aware that it may not be possible for instructors to schedule make-up exams or make-up assignments. In this matter the instructor’s decision prevails.
Institutional Philosophy and Responsibilities:
1. CSB/SJU expects those faculty and/or staff members administering extra-curricular activities to develop an awareness of the critical dates of the academic calendar and avoid scheduling activities during examination periods and other special events whenever possible. If scheduled extra-curricular activities cause more than occasional conflicts with academic programs, then steps should be initiated to review the future of this extra-curricular activity. As part of the ongoing review of this policy, unresolved conflicts should be communicated to the designated CAPS Liaison for Extra-Curricular Activities.
2. In order to accommodate extra-curricular activities, the institutions encourage faculty members to avoid scheduling single-section classes in the 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. time period. In addition, faculty should refrain from rescheduling entire classes or laboratories without compelling academic reasons.
Adopted on April 2, 2003, by the Committee on Academic Policies and Standards
Bennie Book
c/o Student Development
College of Saint Benedict
37 S. College Ave.
St. Joseph, MN 56374
Shelly Athmann