General Grading Information

St. John Fisher University operates on a semester basis with final examinations at the close of each semester.

These grades indicate passing work:

• Outstanding: A, A-
• Good: B+, B, B-
• Satisfactory: C+, C, S
• Passing: C-, D+, D, D-

These grades indicate work below the passing standard:

• Failure: F
• Unsatisfactory: U
• Failure due to excessive absence: FA

To earn credit, a student must repeat and pass the course in which a grade of “F,” “FA,” or “U” has been received.

Other grades:

• Audit: AU
• Incomplete: I
• Withdrawal: W
• Grade Forgiveness: FE

Calculating the Grade Point Average (GPA)

• A: 4.00 points per credit
• A-: 3.70 points per credit
• B+: 3.30 points per credit
• B: 3.00 points per credit
• B-: 2.70 points per credit
• C+: 2.30 points per credit
• C: 2.00 points per credit
• C-: 1.70 points per credit
• D+: 1.30 points per credit
• D: 1.00 points per credit
• D-: 0.70 points per credit
• F: 0 points per credit

The grade point average is calculated by dividing the total number of grade points by the total number of graded credits attempted. Thus, a student who has attempted 60 credit hours and has accumulated 120 grade points would have a grade point average of 2.00 or a “C” average. Failures are included in the calculation of the grade point average until the course has been repeated and passed.

Dean’s List

Each semester, a list of students who have excelled academically is produced. To be eligible, a student must have:

• A 3.50 or higher term GPA
• No grade lower than “C”
• At least 12 undergraduate credit hours earned in residence in addition to credits earned S/U
• No grades of “U”, “UA”, or “I”

The Dean’s List students will be identified at the end of each semester when academic standing is determined and again at the end of the six-week Incomplete grade period. Students with approved ADA Accommodated Part-Time status are eligible for the Dean’s List as long as they meet all Dean’s List criteria, even though they may not carry full-time credit loads. Students engaged in student teaching during a semester may be eligible to be named to the Dean’s List provided they receive the grade of “S” for student teaching, obtain a grade no lower than “B” in a regular course (if they are enrolled in one), and have been on the Dean’s List for two semesters prior to their student teaching semester. All students with approved incomplete grade extensions or in Study Abroad or Washington Semester Programs are eligible for the Dean’s List when their grades are submitted as long as the incomplete grades did not first change to grades of “F” or default grades.

Honors in Major

In order for the statement “with honors in (major)” to be added to a transcript, the student must:

• Qualify and be awarded a bachelor’s degree, cum laude, or higher
• Complete an honors project approved by a faculty supervisor, the department chair, and the provost and present and defend the project at a colloquium
• Declare the intent to develop an honors project prior to the beginning of the senior year

See individual departments for additional requirements.

Audit Grade

The grade of “AU” is assigned to students who have officially registered to audit a course. With permission of the instructor, any student may register to audit a course. Although the student does not earn credit, the course appears on the student’s transcript with the grade “AU.” Students must choose between credit and audit by the date published in the academic calendar. At the time of approval for the audit, the instructor and student will agree upon the amount of work the student is required to complete and the nature of the student’s participation in the course and the assignments. Generally, an auditor listens to the lectures, reads the material, writes brief quizzes, and may participate in class discussions. Courses which require ongoing, active participation in the work of the course, such as Independent Study and Elementary Foreign Language, are not open for audit. The current per-credit tuition charge applies to audited courses.

Note: Non-matriculated students who wish to audit a course should consult with the Center for Career and Academic Planning.

Incomplete Grade

The grade of Incomplete (I) is used ONLY when required assignments are not completed due to serious circumstances which are clearly beyond the student’s control. The instructor, after consultation with the student, submits an Incomplete (I) grade. The final grade must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office by the published Incomplete grade deadline date* found on the academic calendar. Therefore, missing coursework should be submitted to the instructor in advance of the Incomplete grade deadline. If the final grade is not submitted by the Incomplete grade deadline, the Incomplete grade will be converted to a Failing (F) or Unsatisfactory (U) grade as appropriate. The instructor and students can review their outstanding Incomplete grades in Fish ‘R’ Net until the Incomplete grade is resolved. An extension of the Incomplete grade may be requested by the instructor and approved by the department chair, using the online Grade Change form.

Note: A student may not graduate from St. John Fisher University with an incomplete grade on his/her record.

*The Incomplete grade due deadline is six (6) weeks from the Friday of final exam week for the term.

Withdrawal Grade

The grade “W” is assigned administratively when a student withdraws from a course within the appropriate time frame as published in the academic calendar. The grade of “W” may be requested by the provost or school dean when there is evidence presented before the end of classes to show that the student is compelled to withdraw for a non-academic reason, such as a serious health emergency or call to military service. The withdrawal grade does not affect the grade point average. After the deadline date to withdraw from a course has passed, all appeals for late grades of “W” must be directed to the Committee on Academic Standing.

The last day on which the grade of “W” can be assigned is indicated in the academic calendar. Withdrawal forms submitted to the Registrar’s Office after this date will be assigned a grade of “F.”

When a student withdraws on or before the last day for “withdrawal without academic record,” the course does not appear on the transcript.

Note: Students who have a repeated pattern of withdrawals from some or all courses in a semester will be reviewed by the Undergraduate Committee on Academic Standing and may be placed on an Academic Success Plan.

Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory Grading

To encourage students to enroll in courses for which they might be reluctant to register on the basis of the traditional grading system, a student may elect to take courses on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory (S/U) basis.

Any course may be taken S/U except:

• Courses in the major department (some internships may be taken S/U).
• Courses outside the major department, which are specifically required for the major.
• Honors courses for students in the University Honors Program.

Credit is earned only by the grade of “S,” which is given for work equivalent to a “C” or higher. A grade of “U” is given for work which merits a grade below “C” and no credit is earned. Neither the “S” nor the “U” grade is included in the calculation of the grade point average.

No more than four courses may be taken using the S/U grading option. First-year students may not take a course S/U, sophomores may take one course per semester; juniors and seniors may take two courses per semester. If a student enrolls in a course S/U and subsequently changes to traditional letter grading prior to the deadline or withdraws, the course will not be included in the four-course S/U limit. Courses graded solely as S/U are not included in the four-course limit.

A student electing S/U grading may designate a minimum acceptable grade “A” through “C.” If the earned grade equals or exceeds this minimum grade, then the actual earned grade will be recorded on the transcript and computed in the GPA. This does not change the course’s S/U basis, and the course counts toward the maximum of four. The student shall declare an intention to be graded S/U by the deadline published in the academic calendar.

To be considered for honors, a student must have earned at least 54 credits beyond those earned S/U (except for those courses only graded S/U, such as Student Teaching and some Internships). Transfer students should be aware of this requirement when considering the decision to take a course S/U.

Repeating Courses

A course may be repeated as many times as desired. When a course is repeated, the original grade is not removed from the student’s record, but will be excluded from the GPA. The most recent grade is calculated in the GPA even if the second grade is lower than the first grade earned. If a previously passed course is excluded and the most recent grade is a failing grade, the previously earned credits are lost. When a student repeats a course in which any passing grade has been earned, additional credits are not earned for the course. The S/U option is not available for the repeat of a failed course.

In Core, all 1299 Research-Based Writing courses are repeats of each other; all Data Analysis courses are also repeats of each other. Students may repeat one of these core requirements to achieve a better grade, but additional credits are not earned for this repeated course if a passing grade was originally earned. Any student considering a repeat of a Learning Community course for any reason must consult with the associate dean of the School of Arts and Sciences for advisement. Failure of one or both courses in a Learning Community necessitates a special course arrangement for completion of this core requirement.

Note: Repeated courses cannot be used to achieve the full-time status required for TAP funds.

Grade Reporting

Final grades are available at the end of each semester on the University website. Mid-semester grades are available through the mySJF portal for students enrolled in 100 and 200-level courses.

Parental Access to Grades

The University does not routinely send reports of final grades to parents. Information, including grades, concerning dependent students as defined by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 may be released to parents upon request. To obtain a grade report, parents must submit to the Registrar’s Office a written request citing the specific information desired and stating that the student is a dependent.

The Registrar’s Office will verify the dependency of the student in question with Student Financial Services or the parent can submit a copy of the most recent tax return that shows the student is claimed as a dependent. If documentation exists proving dependency, a grade report may be sent to the parent(s) and the student will be notified. If dependency cannot be proven, the grade report will not be released.

Academic Amnesty

In recognition of the various paths students take in pursuit of their undergraduate degrees, St. John Fisher University has developed a policy of academic amnesty that provides eligible students with the opportunity to renew their studies at Fisher by beginning their cumulative averages anew. The program is available to all students who attend Fisher in matriculated status for a period of time, then do not take Fisher classes, either matriculated or non-matriculated, for a period of four consecutive calendar years (eight academic semesters). Not every student will be served well by selecting to participate in the academic amnesty program.

For those students who do elect to take part, credit will be lost for every previous Fisher course taken in which a grade below “C” was obtained. Credits earned in courses in which grades of “C” or above were obtained will be retained as “Previous Fisher Credit” and will be treated the same as transfer credit. No courses or grades will be removed from the transcript of participating students; however, their Fisher cumulative GPA will begin “anew” upon their return.

Each student requesting academic amnesty will be required to complete at least 30 credits in residence at Fisher after returning to the University. Academic honors will be based on at least 60 credits for grades taken at Fisher after the student returns with academic amnesty.

Students who elect academic amnesty will have a statement placed on their transcripts indicating that academic amnesty was requested and granted. Students will have until the end of the Drop/Add period of the second consecutive semester they are in attendance at Fisher, after their return, to apply for the amnesty program. Once the student completes the form to request academic amnesty, the request cannot be revoked.

Questions regarding academic amnesty should be directed to the Registrar’s Office.

Grade Forgiveness Policy

The Grade Forgiveness Policy gives students the opportunity to remove from GPA calculation “F” grades in courses that were taken as part of the requirements for a previous major. The GPA-excluded courses remain on the student’s academic transcript.

Eligibility: In order to be eligible for the policy, the student must change majors. The change can be from 1) a declared major to a different declared major, 2) a declared major concentration to another major concentration, 3) an undeclared major to a declared major, a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree to a Bachelor of Science (BS), or BS to a BA, or changing to a different catalog year (and the degree requirements for that catalog year).

The earliest a student can utilize the forgiveness policy is the first semester following the change of major. Students cannot remove credits from GPA and credit calculation in the same semester in which the major change was completed.

A student must meet with a Career and Academic Planning Advisor (CCAP) to initiate and complete the grade forgiveness process.

Limitations on eligible courses:

• Students can elect to remove up to 18 credits from GPA and credit calculation.
• Grade forgiveness will only be considered for courses or credits that
  • are taken at St. John Fisher University;
  • are specifically required by the previous major, and are not required for the new major; and
  • have received a grade of F or FA
• Grade forgiveness will not be considered for:
  • courses taken solely to complete Core requirements or liberal arts electives;
  • courses required for an academic minor; or
  • any course in which a failing grade (F) is earned as the direct penalty for academic dishonesty.
• A student can choose to remove courses from more than one previous major, provided none of the courses are required for the new major, and the total number of removed credits does not exceed 18.
  • Any credits that were removed from GPA and credit calculation will be reinstated should the student return to the previous major.
  • If a student later wishes to bring a previously removed course grade and credits back into GPA and credit calculations, they may appeal to the Committee on Academic Standing to do so.
  • The course grades that are removed from GPA calculation will remain on the student’s academic transcript, and will include a notation that the grade has been removed from GPA calculation.
  • A course failed more than once would only be counted once in the total of 18 credits allowed.
  • Grades cannot be removed from GPA calculation once a degree is conferred, but students can remove courses from their GPA calculation at any time prior to degree completion.
• Students should consult with the Office of Student Financial Services to discuss any aid-related implications.

Transcripts

Official transcripts of the St. John Fisher University record can be ordered by each student. Unofficial transcripts may be printed directly from Fish ‘R’ Net. No transcript will be issued for students whose accounts with the University are unsatisfactory. For more information, visit the Registrar’s Office’s Request a Transcript page.

It is expected that students will attend all course-related activities. The attendance policy for a course is outlined on the course syllabus.

Absences, for any reason, do not relieve the student from responsibility for completing the essential requirements of a course. Whenever possible, it is the student’s responsibility to discuss an anticipated absence with the faculty. For unexpected absences, the student should contact the faculty as soon as possible to discuss a plan for the missed coursework.

Extended Absence

If a student is absent from classes for three days or more due to extenuating circumstances (including illness, death in immediate family), the student or designee should notify the Center for Career and Academic Planning. Once notified, the Center will share the report with faculty and appropriate University staff. If the absence exceeds one week, documentation may be required.

When possible, the student and faculty are encouraged to work collaboratively to outline a plan to make up the missed course work or to find equivalent ways for the student to complete the essential course requirements without compromising course standards. A professor may suggest that it is in the student’s best interest to withdraw from a course, but it is ultimately the student’s decision whether or not to withdraw. If the student decides to withdraw, the student must follow through by dropping the course through Fish ‘R’ Net by the published deadline. If the student withdraws from all enrolled courses in a semester, the online Withdraw from University form must be completed.

Repeated Absence

Where an instructor judges that repeated absence from a course has prevented a student’s satisfactory achievement, a grade of “FA” (failure due to absence) for that course may be submitted. Repeated absence is sufficient cause for suspension.

Late Arrivals

No instructor is obligated to admit a student to class who arrives late. A late arrival may be considered an absence.

Policy on Students, Faculty, and Staff and Religious Observance

To extend protection to students, faculty, and staff when their religious observances or “holidays of conscience” (to include the official observance of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday) may conflict with academic and work responsibilities and to reasonably accommodate individuals’ religious obligations and practices without penalty, based on good faith of all persons concerned, St. John Fisher University has established the following policy and procedures:

• No student, faculty, or staff member will be dismissed from or refused admission or employment at St. John Fisher University because he or she is unable to participate in any examination, study, or work requirements because of his or her religious obligations and practices.
• St. John Fisher University will accept the responsibility of making available to each student who is absent from school because of his or her religious obligations and practices an equivalent opportunity to make up any examination, study, or academic work requirements that may have been missed because of such absence on any particular day or days. No fees will be charged to the students for costs incurred by the University’s provisions of special classes, examinations, or academic work requirements.
• Faculty members who miss classes because of their religious obligations and practices will work with their department chairs to assure that the classes will be conducted and the coursework carried on during such absence on any particular day or days. Staff members will use a vacation day or days for such absence.
• In effecting the provisions of this policy, the University’s administration and faculty agree to exercise the fullest measure of good faith and agree that no adverse or prejudicial effects will result to any student, faculty, or staff member who avails himself or herself of the institution’s policy on religious observances.
• St. John Fisher University requires students to notify their instructors, and faculty to notify their chairs, in writing, no later than the fifteenth day after the first day of the semester of each class scheduled for a day on which the student or faculty member will be absent. Staff members will follow the normal procedure for notifying their supervisors when they will be absent because of their religious obligations and practices.
• St. John Fisher University will annually publish this policy on students, faculty, and staff members and religious observance in the University Catalog, and in the Employee Handbook, and the dates for notification in writing mentioned in the above paragraph will be printed in the semester academic calendar.

Many departments offer opportunities for experiential learning, which can serve to enhance a student’s overall academic program. The goals of experiential learning can be fulfilled by courses such as internships, practicum, and fieldwork. These credit courses enable students to work in an area related to their academic or career interests and use their knowledge and skills in an actual work experience. Since students will be expected to blend theoretical and practical approaches in experiential courses, these courses may include traditional academic assignments such as readings or research to complement the practical work experience.

• Departments establish clearly defined minimal requirements for participation in credit-bearing internships.
• Credit-bearing experiences require registration and tuition payment in the semester in which the internship is done.
• The mechanism for evaluation of the student’s performance will be set by the department. This could include: a journal of work accomplished and a log of meetings with the professor and work supervisor; the work supervisor’s evaluation; and a post-experience report describing the relationship to courses taken, new skills acquired, and problems encountered.
• Registration for an off-campus experiential learning, including internships, practicum, and field work, requires departmental permission. The process for enrolling in student teaching follow the policies set up in the Student Teaching Handbook published by the School of Education.
• A student may register for only one experience each semester. A student cannot receive credit in two programs for the same internship experience (i.e., a single internship can only fulfill the requirements of one internship course).
• Depending on departmental policy, a student may be limited in the number of experiential credits they may fulfill program requirements. All internship and other experiential courses in a given department, whether or not they fulfill major/minor requirements will be used in computation of the major or minor GPA if the students in the course receive a letter grade. S/U courses do not count in the GPA.
• Fisher Sponsored Transportation to Placement Sites: Students are ultimately responsible for finding their own transportation to off-campus placement sites.  Nevertheless, subject to availability, budgeting limits and other transportation demands,  St. John Fisher University will endeavor to provide transportation to off-campus programs for students who live on campus.  Fisher has no liability for any transportation method used by any student, other than transportation on official Fisher vehicles.  Please plan accordingly.

Course-Related Off-Campus Experiences and Liability

All procedures described herein apply to students engaged in internship, fieldwork, practicum, clinical, student teaching, and all other forms of classroom-based off-campus experiences, whether in schools, hospitals, clinics, community programs and agencies, or corporate settings. More detailed information concerning the expectations of students is outlined in the appropriate course syllabus.

Professionalism

Students are expected to exhibit appropriate professional dispositions in their classes, class-related off-campus experiences, and in their interactions with others. Dispositions are identified as the values, beliefs, and professional ethics of the student’s discipline that influence behaviors toward others and affect student learning, motivation, and development. Dispositions are guided by the beliefs and attitudes related to the Fisher Creed and the values of goodness, discipline, and knowledge. Professionalism involves, among other things, personal responsibility, reliability, respect for others, effective interpersonal relationships, valuing diversity, and ethical behavior including honesty and integrity.

Students are expected to demonstrate professional behaviors, both on and off campus. Students who exhibit inappropriate behavior in course-related off-campus experiences may be directed to counseling with the program director or recommended for removal from the experience.

Registration Guidelines for Internship, Practicum, Fieldwork

The student should be aware of the minimal requirements for participation in off-campus experiences in the department. These may include class and/or major restrictions, course prerequisites, minimal GPA requirements, and instructor approval.

The student and coordinator verify that the student meets the minimal course requirements.

The student and coordinator will agree on the number of credits for the experience if the credits are variable. Note: there should be a reasonable expectation that required hours for the number of credits can be completed during the semester barring unforeseen circumstances.

Both the student and coordinator should be aware of the extended registration deadlines for experiences of fewer than 3 credits. Note: if the experience is begun late in the term, the student may not be allowed to earn credits beyond that which could be completed in the time remaining in the term.

Expectations

Prior Approval

Students must obtain prior approval from the designated department or program coordinator before registering for any course-related off-campus experience. This approval pertains to both the number of credit hours for the experience and actual site. To be placed in a course-related off-campus experience, a student must be in good academic standing.

Time Frame for Completion

Students are expected to complete their required hours, as outlined in the syllabus, during the semester in which they are registered. The dates published by the Registrar’s Office are the official dates of the semester. The only exception applies when a student requests and receives an “Incomplete” grade in the course from the instructor. In this situation, the student must develop a plan for completion with the faculty instructor within the six-week deadline for removal of “I” grades. The insurance coverage under the University’s liability policy would extend to those on-site activities required to complete the course.

Note: If a student wishes to continue at the placement site after the completion of the course, he or she will have to be hired in some capacity by the site or register as a volunteer. He or she will not be covered by the University’s liability insurance, will not receive supervision from the faculty, and cannot use the additional hours to meet the requirements of subsequent courses.

Liability Insurance

Students registered in course-based off-campus experiences are covered by the University’s general liability insurance. In addition, students in professional programs will be covered by the University’s professional liability policies.

In specific courses or academic disciplines in which standardized examinations are not available, students may obtain credit for a St. John Fisher University course by satisfactorily completing a testing procedure developed by the appropriate department of the University. Faculty may accommodate students with a specific need for this type of testing but are under no obligation to do so. Examinations are written tests but may also involve oral examination, laboratory demonstration, or the satisfactory completion of a major essay.

These are not placement examinations but are designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate knowledge gained outside of the traditional classroom environment. This program is not meant to alter the traditional educational orientation of the University. Therefore:

• Only matriculated students who have earned 30 credits in residence may apply for credit by a St. John Fisher University examination.
• Credit for the examination will count toward meeting the residence requirement. The examination grade will appear on the transcript at the end of the semester in which the examination is taken.
• An unsuccessful attempt will be recorded as an “F” grade and will be calculated into the GPA until the examination is repeated and passed or the course is taken. If unsuccessful, the examination may be repeated once, after a six-month waiting period.
• The fee for the examination for one three-to-four-credit-hour course will be the equivalent of the current charge for one undergraduate credit and must be paid prior to taking the examination.

Completion of the Application for Undergraduate Credit by St. John Fisher University Examination is required at least two weeks before the exam may be taken, and is available in the Registrar’s Office. The form requires verification by the registrar; documentation of fee payment and approval of the examiner; approval of the chair of the department in which the examination will be taken; and approval of the appropriate School dean.

A student may not receive credit for successful completion of an examination if he or she has taken and passed the same examination or course (or its equivalent) or a higher-level course in the same subject area or has ever audited or enrolled in the course at St. John Fisher University. Exceptions may be made at the discretion of the chair of the department in which the exam is to be taken.

Credit for a maximum of two courses may be earned by St. John Fisher University examination. Exceptions to this limit require approval of the provost or the provost’s designee.

Note: Students who have studied successfully in a school where primary instruction was conducted in a language other than English will not receive credit by examination in that language at the 111/112 level. Exceptions may be made at the discretion of the Department of Modern Languages and Cultures.

A student must be officially registered to earn credit for a course in the semester in which credit is sought. Registration is complete only when the student has officially registered and satisfied all financial obligations to the University or has made satisfactory financial arrangements with Student Accounts. New students course-register prior to the first day of classes; returning students course-register during the current semester for the following semester. All financial obligations must be met prior to the first day of classes, and until they are, registration is not complete. The deadlines for late registration are found in the academic calendars.

Registration takes place in November for the spring semester, and April for the summer and fall semesters using Fish ‘R’ Net. This process generates a tuition bill for which payment is due approximately three weeks before the semester begins.

Undergraduate Students Petitioning to Take Graduate Courses

Students matriculated in undergraduate programs at St. John Fisher University may be eligible to take graduate classes at the University. Students interested in pursuing this option should meet with the chair to discuss their interest, qualifications, and plans to pursue the graduate degree. If deemed appropriate, the student must complete the appropriate Petition to Take Graduate Classes form. If approved, the undergraduate student may take up to two graduate courses (maximum six credits).

To be eligible to enroll in a graduate course, undergraduate students must have an undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.00 or higher and have completed at least 90 undergraduate credits. These courses carry graduate credit and are taken in addition to those required to earn the baccalaureate degree at St. John Fisher University. Participation does not guarantee acceptance into the graduate program after completion of the baccalaureate degree. Registration will be on a space-available basis and is determined the week before classes begin.

For students already attending full-time as undergraduates (12 credits or more) and paying the prevailing full-time tuition, the tuition charge for the graduate courses will be waived. Students attending part-time (11 credits or less) will pay the prevailing per-credit graduate tuition for the graduate course. Exception: Matriculated undergraduate nursing students may petition to take an approved GNUR graduate course for undergraduate credit. The completed course will appear on the undergraduate transcript until the graduate program is begun, at which time the course(s) will also appear on the graduate transcript. For further information on this program, contact the Wegmans School of Nursing Office.

Change of Course/Course Withdrawal (Drop/Add)

No change of course is permitted after the last date for such change as listed in the semester academic calendar. Students may withdraw from courses without record through the fourth week of the semester. See the academic calendar for specific dates. Students may withdraw from courses without penalty of “F” but with a grade of “W” through the ninth week of the semester. See the academic calendar for specific dates. Tuition and other appropriate charges will be fully assessed in keeping with the published University Refund Policy.

Note: Withdrawal or course change after the published calendar deadline is not guaranteed and will be considered by the dean and/or the Committee on Academic Standing. Tuition and other appropriate charges will be fully assessed in keeping with the published University Refund Policy.

Withdrawal of Course Offerings

The University reserves the right to withdraw, without prior notice, any course offering. University, departmental, and academic requirements are also subject to change.

Withdrawal from the University

Withdrawal from all courses in a semester should be considered only for serious reasons. A student withdrawing from the University must inform the registrar in writing of his or her intention and leave all affairs with each department concerned (Office of Residential Life, Office of Student Conduct, Library, Student Financial Services, Athletics Department, Student Accounts) in a satisfactory condition. A student must officially submit the online Withdrawal Request Form to complete the withdrawal process. Final grades will be issued in compliance with the academic calendar. Failure to officially withdraw may result in grades of “F” and “FA” being assigned. Tuition and other appropriate charges will be fully assessed in keeping with the published University Refund Policy.

Note: Students will not be able to withdraw from their last class using Fish ‘R’ Net. Dropping the last class is considered a withdrawal from the University and the online Withdrawal Request Form must be completed.

Withdrawals for military or medical reasons are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

A student who withdraws and is away from the University for more than four calendar years from the semester of last attendance will be held to the degree requirements in place at the time the student returns to St. John Fisher University.

A student on leave who does not return at the end of a leave will be withdrawn from the University as of the date the leave began. If enrollment has been discontinued for more than two semesters, but less than two years, a student must contact the Office of Transfer and Graduate Admissions to complete a modified re-admission process. If enrollment has been discontinued for more than two years a student must repeat the full admission process.

Upon admission, a student is a candidate for the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree in the major for which he or she indicated a preference. Entering first-year students must fulfill all the requirements for graduation contained in the St. John Fisher University catalog in effect in the year in which they enter the University. Transfer students must fulfill the requirements for graduation in effect when their transfer credit is evaluated. If academic requirements change, students may choose any single subsequent catalog to satisfy their graduation requirements. University-wide policy changes (such as the Core) with specific implementation dates may be exceptions. It is the student’s responsibility to know and fulfill all the requirements for the declared degree and major.

Academic advice is offered to all students through first-year seminar, departmental and program advisors, as well as the Center for Career and Academic Planning. Ultimately, the final responsibility for knowing and meeting all graduation requirements rests solely with the student.

Catalog

Students will be approved for graduation based on the degree requirements outlined in the University catalog they are following. First-year students follow the catalog that is published in the fall semester they enter the University. Transfer students follow the catalog under which their transfer credits were evaluated. Note: Transfer students who enter in the fall semester follow requirements in the previous year’s catalog.

Catalog information is available in Fish ‘R’ Net, and, unless changed, the online degree evaluation will be based on the entering catalog. Students may stay with the catalog under which they entered the University or choose to follow any subsequent catalog in place while they are in attendance. A change in catalog is a serious decision since it will affect the major, minor, and degree requirements. Core Requirements will remain unchanged. A change of major, concentration or minor does not result in a change of catalog unless requested by the student. A request to change a student’s catalog must be made on the online Academic Program Change form submitted to the Center for Career and Academic Planning.

Students who are away from the University for more than four calendar years will be readmitted under the degree requirements outlined in the current University catalog. Readmitted students continue to follow the Core Requirements in effect during their first period of attendance.

Bachelor’s Degree Requirements

To earn a bachelor’s degree from St. John Fisher University, the student must:

• Complete a minimum of 120 credits and have no incomplete grades.
• Earn a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.00 for all courses taken in residence and for all courses taken in residence for the major and minor, unless otherwise specified.
• Satisfy the residency requirement by earning at least 30 credits at St. John Fisher University. At least 30 of the last 36 credits must be earned in residence, unless waived in individual cases by the Academic Standing Committee. In addition to credit hours earned at St. John Fisher University, credits earned in approved study abroad programs will be considered in residence. Credits earned through St. John Fisher University’s Credit by Examination are considered in residence.
• Satisfy the degree requirements of the declared major. At least one-half of the required credits in the major must be completed in residence unless this requirement is waived in writing by the department chair and the provost or his designee.
• Complete the appropriate Core Requirements. Core requirements are determined by the semester that a student begins study at St. John Fisher University and not by the catalog that a student may be following.
• First-year students who enter the University in the fall of 2020 or after, and transfers who enter the University in the spring of 2021 or after, and who are pursuing B.A. degrees, must demonstrate proficiency in a foreign language at the 112 level. See Language Proficiency Requirement below.
• Complete the courses required for the declared minor. A minor is required in all B.A. degree programs.
• File an Application for Graduation. Students who qualify for graduation must notify the Registrar’s Office by completing the online graduation application. Submission of this form initiates an administrative process in which the student’s record is reviewed with regard to program requirements for graduation and potential difficulties. Notification of the availability of the online application will be sent to students using their Fisher email accounts. Failure to apply on time may result in a delay in graduation. St. John Fisher University confers degrees three times per year, in May, August, and December.

Note: A student who has been certified as a graduate will be allowed to remain in attendance at St. John Fisher University in matriculated status only if pursuing a second degree.

Liberal Arts and Sciences Requirements

The Board of Regents of the State of New York has established minimal credit requirements in the liberal arts and sciences for the bachelor’s degree:

• At least 90 of the credits for the B.A. degree must be in the liberal arts and sciences.
• At least 60 of the credits for the B.S. degree must be in the liberal arts and sciences.

At St. John Fisher University, the following courses are not considered to be in the liberal arts and sciences: accounting, accounting law, cybersecurity, finance, human resources, management, marketing, nursing, education, as well as certain computer science, interdisciplinary, criminology and criminal justice, and sport management courses. Certain courses transferred to Fisher in other disciplines, such as arts, communication, and computer science may not be accepted as liberal arts courses; consult with the Registrar’s Office in doubtful cases.

B.A. Language Proficiency Requirement

All B.A. candidates, including transfer students, must demonstrate proficiency in a language other than English at a level equivalent to one academic year of college-level language instruction. This level of proficiency provides basic communication skills in a second language as well as knowledge of the cultures connected to the language.

Students are strongly advised to complete this requirement during their first year at Fisher to avoid problems with retention of language structures.

Students may fulfill this requirement by choosing one of the following options:

• Complete with a “C” or better Elementary II (112), or above, in a language other than English offered at Fisher.
• Complete with a “C” or better the equivalent of a second semester course in a language other than English at another college or university.
• Complete with a “C” or better the equivalent of a second semester course in a language other than English through a study abroad program approved by Fisher.
• Score the equivalent of the second semester level on the University’s Language Placement/Proficiency Exam page. No credit is awarded for taking this exam. Fisher also offers its own Credit by Examination through individual academic departments.
• Achieve a qualifying score on a related Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), College Level Exam Program (CLEP) exam or other credit-by-examination sources accepted by Fisher. Consult the AP, IB, and CLEP Scores page or contact the Registrar’s Office for further information.
• Achieve a qualifying score on an approved language proficiency test through ACTFL. Contact the modern languages and cultures department chair for specific information on this.

Students who have achieved proficiency in a language are encouraged to pursue a minor or major in languages, or to study a new language.

Dual Degrees

Students may receive degrees in two distinct academic disciplines. Official recognition of such dual degrees will be made on the transcript of a student who has met all the requirements set by the two academic departments and the liberal arts requirements for each degree as established by the State of New York. In addition, a student desiring to obtain dual degrees will be required to complete a minimum of 30 credits beyond the credits used for the first degree. In the case of a student pursuing both a B.A. and a B.S. degree, the minor required for the B.A. degree may not be in the discipline of the major for the B.S. degree. In the case of a student pursuing two B.A. degrees, a minor is required for each degree. The two minors must be in separate fields and distinct from either major.

Graduation Honors

Students certified as graduates who have consistently maintained a high average and have successfully completed all requirements for the bachelor’s degree will have the degree awarded cum laude (with honors). To be considered for such honors, a student must have earned at least 54 credits (in addition to credits earned S/U) in residence. Courses which are only graded S/U may be counted as part of the 54 credits required to be taken “for grade” in the determination of graduation with honors as long as the course fulfills a major requirement.

• Students who have earned a cumulative grade point average of 3.50 and have taken at least 54 credits at St. John Fisher University, as noted above, will be awarded the bachelor’s degree, cum laude.
• Students who have earned a cumulative grade point average of 3.70 and have taken at least 54 credits at St. John Fisher University, as noted above, will be awarded the bachelor’s degree, magna cum laude.
• Students who have earned a cumulative grade point average of 3.85 and have taken at least 54 credits at St. John Fisher University, as noted above, will be awarded the bachelor’s degree, summa cum laude.

Participating in Commencement

Candidates for degrees are required to submit the online Graduation Application in FishRNet by the deadlines posted below.  Students must apply for graduation to earn their degree or certificate, whether or not they choose to participate in the ceremony.  To apply to graduate:  Fish ‘R’ Net > Student Services > Student Records > Apply to Graduate.

The purpose of this application is to initiate the process of a senior audit and to develop a list of students anticipating degree conferral in a given term.  Students who fail to apply for graduation will not be reviewed for degree conferral and they will not be eligible to participate in the commencement ceremony.

Potential August and December graduates who will need no more than 15 credits to complete their degrees may choose to attend the May commencement ceremony by submitting a graduation application for May before the deadline posted above.  For those students who complete their graduation requirements after the commencement ceremony, the official date of graduation noted on the diploma and all official University records will be the graduation date at the end of the semester in which the student completes the requirements. A student may participate in the undergraduate commencement ceremony only once.

Any student graduating in May or planning to participate in the May ceremony who has not completed a graduation application prior to the deadline above must check with the Registrar’s Office.

Participating in the commencement ceremony does not indicate the completion of a degree or certificate but is to recognize the achievements for all students who apply for graduation and are within 15 credits.  Graduation is the official awarding of a degree or certificate to a student’s records after all degree requirements and proficiencies are verified as completed by the Registrar’s office.  This is otherwise known as degree conferral.

If a student is more than 15 credits away from completing graduation requirements, the student may appeal to the Committee on Academic Standing to participate in the commencement ceremony.  A student whose appeal is approved by the Committee after the commencement program has been published will not have a name printed in the program, but the student may still participate in Commencement.

Extended Absence from the University

A student who is away from the University for more than four calendar years from the semester of last attendance will be held to the degree requirements in place at the time of the student’s return to St. John Fisher University. Upon return to the University, the student’s previous coursework will be evaluated by the appropriate department chair. Depending upon the age of prior credit, the chair may require that some or all coursework be repeated.

Attending Fisher After Degree Completion

Earning a Second Degree

Individuals who have already earned a bachelor’s degree from St. John Fisher University or from another institution may apply for admission to pursue a second degree. This second degree must be in a discipline that is distinct from the major of the first degree. For example: a first degree in English with a second degree in history would be appropriate. A first degree in English with a second degree in English with adolescence education would not be appropriate. Pursuit of a second degree qualifies for matriculated status, and the student is eligible for federal and state financial aid.

Completion of the requirements for the second degree requires that the student:

• Earn a minimum of 30 credits beyond the credits earned for the first degree.*
• Complete at least half of the credits for the major at St. John Fisher University.
• Satisfy the residency requirement for the second degree.**
• Satisfy the liberal arts and science requirements (90 credits for the B.A., 60 credits for the B.S.) for the second degree.***

If the first degree was a B.S. from Fisher or any degree from another institution, and the second degree is a B.A., the student must satisfy the requirement of completing a minor in another discipline. This minor may not be in the same field as the first major or a minor that was part of the first degree. The coursework to complete the minor may be coursework taken as part of the first degree.

*Example: If the first degree was awarded with 126 credits, the minimum necessary for awarding the second degree is 156.

**If only 30 credits are required for the second degree, all 30 must be taken at St. John Fisher University. If more than 30 additional credits are required, then 30 of the last 36 credits for the second degree must be completed at St. John Fisher University.

***Students pursuing a second degree are exempted from the Fisher Core.

When the requirements are completed, the second degree is awarded and noted on the official transcript with a distinct award date. If qualified, based on the cumulative GPA, the second degree may be awarded with honors. The student must apply for graduation according to the published deadlines. A second diploma is issued.

Earning an Additional Major after Graduation

Individuals who have completed a bachelor’s degree at St. John Fisher University may return to complete the requirements for a second major. Pursuit of a second major does not qualify for matriculated status and therefore the student is not eligible for any financial aid. The decision to pursue a second undergraduate major should be carefully weighed against the benefits of pursuing this new field of study at the graduate level.

Completion of the requirements for an additional major requires that students complete at least half of the credits for the major at St. John Fisher University and as outlined in the catalog in force at the time they return to the University. When the requirements are completed, the second major is noted on the official transcript with a statement indicating the date on which the requirements were completed.

At the point in time when the requirements are completed, it is the responsibility of the student to inform the Registrar’s Office so that completion may be noted on the student’s transcript.