Tag: Academic Policies and Procedures

Adding/Dropping Classes

Courses for which a student is enrolled at the conclusion of the Add/Drop period will be used to determine attempted courses for the Course Completion Rate. Therefore, if it is necessary to adjust one’s class schedule, it is best to do so during the Add/Drop period of the semester. Courses that are dropped after conclusion of the Add/Drop period will show a recorded grade of W, WN, or WF. This will be counted as an unsuccessfully completed course, thus lowering the student’s completion rate.

Students may use Self-Service to add or drop classes up until the last day to add a class in accordance with the academic calendar. After the last day to add a course, if a student wishes to drop a course, students must complete the online drop form that is available on the AARO Campus Office page. 

Students who drop classes during the first seven business days of classes (see Academic Calendar for specific dates) are not charged for the drop. After the seventh day, dropped classes are charged on a sliding scale and those courses will receive a grade of “W”, “WN”, or “WF”.

The academic calendar offers specific tuition reimbursement information. The last day to withdraw from a course is on the Friday of the thirteenth week of classes. No exceptions to this deadline will be made.

The College reserves the right to cancel or change classes, instructors, and schedules; to revise tuition and fee structure; and to amend College policies for the efficient operation of the College. Students are notified by the Academic Advising and Registration Office of any course changes.

Complete Withdrawal

When a withdrawal occurs (cancellation of all courses for which a student was enrolled at conclusion of the Add/Drop period of a semester), there are no successfully completed courses for the semester. This will lower your Course Completion Rate and can result in suspension and/or loss of financial aid eligibility if you already had a low course completion rate or there are consecutive withdrawals over a number of semesters.

See the Satisfactory Academic Progress policy for information on how financial aid is calculated for withdrawals.

Code of Student Conduct

The Code of Student Conduct is in place to ensure students are aware of the behavior expected of them as members of the CCS community. The purpose of this Code is to create an environment that fosters civility, personal responsibility, and mutual respect of others and their differences.

Any student who commits a violation of the Code of Student Conduct is subject to disciplinary sanction, up to and including dismissal from CCS. The following actions/behaviors shall constitute violations of the Code of Student Conduct:

  1. Violating published CCS policies, rules, or regulations including, but not limited to, the policies on nondiscrimination, sexual harassment, smoking, drugs/controlled substance and alcohol.
  2. Violating federal, state or local laws on CCS premises or while in attendance at CCS sponsored, approved, or supervised events/programs or committing off-campus violations of federal, state or local law that adversely affect CCS, the pursuit of its objectives and/or a CCS community member (defined as, but not limited to: administrators, faculty, staff, students, guests, visitors, vendors or contractors).
  3. Committing acts of sexual assault (stranger, date, or acquaintance rape), or other forms of coerced sexual activity.
  4. Engaging in acts of physical abuse and/or actions that intimidate, harass, threaten, coerce, or otherwise endanger the health and safety of one’s self or another.
  5. Engaging in disorderly conduct or fighting, which is defined to include, but is not limited to, behaviors which are viewed as intoxicated, lewd, indecent, obscene, slanderous or threatening to others.
  6. Interrupting or disturbing the day-to-day academic and operational functions of CCS or committing intentional acts that obstruct, disrupt, or physically interfere with the use of CCS premises, buildings, or passages.
  7. Possessing, duplicating, or using keys/IDs to any CCS building or facility without authorization by appropriate CCS officials or committing an act of unauthorized entry into or use of CCS buildings or facilities by use of key, ID card or force.
  8. Engaging or participating in acts of unauthorized possession, use, removal, defacing, tampering, damage, or destruction of CCS owned or leased property, equipment, computer programs, or materials, or that of any CCS community member.
  9. Posting, affixing, or otherwise attaching unauthorized written or printed messages or materials, e.g. posters, signs, handbills, brochures, or pamphlets. Posting, affixing, or otherwise attaching authorized afore mentioned materials on or in unauthorized places including but not limited to trees, shrubbery, sidewalks, buildings, and lawn areas without permission from the appropriate CCS official.
  10. Engaging or participating in unauthorized possession or use of explosives, firearms, dangerous weapons, or other hazardous objects or substances. Weapons, explosives, and other hazardous objects or substances covered by this regulation shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
    • all handguns, rifles, and shotguns;
    • all longbows, crossbows, and arrows;
    • all knives having a blade length of three inches or more that are not solely used for the purpose of creating art or for the preparation and eating of meals;
    • all BB guns, pellet guns, air/CO2 guns, blow guns, paint guns, splat balls and altered toy guns;
    • all fireworks;
    • all explosives, laboratory chemicals, dangerous compounds, gunpowder, firearm ammunition, and flammable petroleum fuels;
    • any martial arts weapons, e.g., numb chucks and throwing stars;
    • any substance that is considered poisonous:
    • any item used as a weapon in the commission of a crime; and
    • any operative animal trap or other device that is used to ensnare animals.
  11. Committing acts of arson, creating a fire hazard, or possessing or using, for purposes other than academic, inflammable materials or hazardous substances on CCS property, or failing to properly store, use, clean-up and dispose of hazardous substances that have been approved for academic use.
  12. Committing acts that endanger the property of CCS (including but not limited to altering or misusing any firefighting equipment, safety equipment, or emergency device).
  13. Making false reports of a fire, bomb threat, or other dangerous condition; failing to report a fire, or interfering with the response of CCS or municipal officials to emergency calls.
  14. Failing to comply with the directions of CCS officials acting in the performance of their duties and/or failing to positively identify oneself to a CCS official when requested to do so. The preferred form of identification shall be a current, valid CCS identification card.
  15. Aiding and abetting another person in committing an act that violates the Code of Student Conduct.
  16. Committing acts of dishonesty including but not limited to the following:
    • engaging or participating in cheating, plagiarism, or other forms of academic dishonesty (students committing acts of academic dishonesty are also subject to academic sanctions).
    • furnishing false information to any CCS official/office or outside source regarding CCS or a CCS community member.
    • forging, altering, or misusing any CCS document, record, or instrument of identification.
    • tampering with the election of any CCS-recognized student organization.
    • attempting to represent CCS, any recognized student organization, or any official CCS group without the explicit prior consent of the officials of that group.
  17. Gambling on CCS property or engaging in unauthorized canvassing or solicitation.
  18. Engaging in acts of theft, misuse or abuse of the CCS computer network, including but not limited to:
    • unauthorized entry into a file, to use, read, or change its contents.
    • unauthorized transfer, deletion or storage of a file(s).
    • unauthorized use of another person’s login/password.
    • use of computing facilities/networks to interfere with the work of another.
    • use of computing facilities/networks to send inappropriate or obscene messages.
    • use of computing facilities/networks to interfere with the normal operation of CCS.
  19. Possessing, distributing or being under the influence of cannabis (marijuana) or any State or Federally controlled substance except as expressly permitted by law.
  20. Possessing, distributing or being under the influence alcohol except as expressly permitted by law and CCS policy.
  21. Engaging or participating in abuse of the campus judicial system, including but not limited to:
    • falsifying or misrepresenting information before a CCS official.
    • disrupting or interfering with the orderly conduct of a judicial proceeding.
    • instituting a judicial complaint knowingly without cause.
    • attempting to discourage an individual’s proper participation in, or use of, the judicial proceeding.
    • attempting to influence the impartiality of a CCS official prior to, during, and/or after a judicial proceeding.
    • harassing (verbal or physical) and/or intimidating a CCS official prior to, during, and/or after a judicial proceeding.
    • failing to comply with the sanction(s) imposed under the Code of Student Conduct.
    • influencing or attempting to influence another person to commit an abuse of the campus judicial system.
  22. Planning, directing, or committing acts of hazing, defined as any activity which willfully or recklessly endangers the physical or mental health of an individual or subjects an individual to ridicule, embarrassment, or unlawful activity for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in, an officially or unofficially recognized group or organization.
  23. Committing violations of rules and regulations duly established and promulgated by other CCS departments.
  24. Desktop (non-portable) vaporizers are not permitted to be used inside CCS Academic Facilities or Residence Halls. Portable vaporizers are permitted to be used in common areas of the building provided that the do not create a distraction or nuisance to the educational environment or other CCS community members.
  25. The deletion or destruction of digital files, another student’s artwork or college property is prohibited. Students must refrain from altering work that does not belong to them, regardless of the date the piece was created or location.

Intellectual Property Rights

Policy Goals

The College for Creative Studies (“the College” or “CCS”) is committed to nurturing students’ creative and intellectual abilities. This is best done in an environment that encourages exploration and experimentation and in which artistic and academic freedom are respected and protected. As artists, designers, writers, and scholars, the College’s faculty and students continually produce creative works in the course of their academic activities. These works constitute Intellectual Property (“IP”). It is important that the rights to ownership and use of this Intellectual Property are understood by all members of the CCS community and by those members of the public who support their work. This policy explains those rights. It proceeds from the basic principles that the College’s primary responsibility is the education of its students and not the commercialization of their work, and that creators should in general retain intellectual property rights in their works subject to reasonable use rights held by various members of the CCS community. The policy is intended to promote innovation and excellence in educational and artistic pursuits, to encourage the best educational experiences for students, to allow faculty and students to reap the benefits of their own creativity, and to enable the College to celebrate the work of its faculty and students in order to promote the College to its varied constituencies.

Policy Overview

This policy covers work created at or in connection with CCS and sets forth the intellectual property rights of faculty, students, staff, and CCS in that work. It describes the categories of works subject to the policy and specifies the ownership and usage rights for each of those categories. This policy also describes when and how the ownership and usage rights applying to a particular work may be changed, typically by mutual agreement of the relevant parties.

Categories of Works

Several categories of Works that may be subject to Intellectual Property Rights are covered by this policy. “Works” refers to all designs, works of authorship, works of art, literary works, writings, student theses, inventions, software, discoveries, and other work products that may be subject to Intellectual Property Rights. The categories include the following:

  • “Scholarly and Artistic Works”—Works created by faculty or students in the scope of their respective employment or student status at the College, including instructional materials produced by faculty for use in the course of classroom and studio activities, Works of art or scholarship produced by faculty or students in the course of classroom and studio activities, and other Works created using more than a minimal amount of CCS facilities or equipment. Should a faculty member choose to leave the College, CCS retains the right to use course materials for two subsequent semesters after their departure. 
  • “Sponsored Works”—Works created by faculty or students with the sponsorship or special support of a Sponsor pursuant to a written sponsorship agreement.
  • “Commissioned Works”—Works created by faculty or students at the specific request of CCS and not in the course of their individual scholarly, academic, and artistic pursuits, including materials created for use in or as CCS publications and promotional materials, logos, graphic or other designs, commemorative items, and the like. Course description and architecture of syllabi (for example: weekly schedule, assignments, outcomes) are owned by CCS. If CCS commissions for curriculum development, the College owns the course and content within.
  • “Administrative Works”—Works created by employees in the course and scope of their employment other than Scholarly and Artistic Works, Sponsored Works, and Commissioned Works, including evaluations of student work, correspondence and memos, materials prepared in connection with work on CCS committees, materials created for use in CCS bulletins, brochures, and catalogs, and the like; and Works created by staff (including student employees) in the course and scope of their employment. Teaching material content (for example: classroom content, pedagogical content generated by the instructor – i.e. lectures, PowerPoints, videos)  is the property of the instructor.
  • “Non-Covered Works”—Works created by faculty, staff, or students outside the scope of their employment or student status at the College using minimal or no CCS facilities or equipment, without the sponsorship or support of a Sponsor, and not created at the request of CCS.

General Rules on Intellectual Property Ownership and Usage

The following explains who owns the intellectual property rights in the Works described above:

  • Faculty own the IP Rights in their own Scholarly and Artistic Works.
  • Students own the IP Rights in their own Scholarly and Artistic Works. However, in a case where the College provides resources in the development of a Work that go beyond what the College typically provides to students in their daily academic activities, the College may share in the ownership of the IP Rights in that Work.
  • Ownership of IP Rights in Sponsored Works is determined by a written agreement between the College and the Sponsor. Sponsored Projects are accepted in CCS classes only when they provide educational value and are approved by the course instructor and department chair. In cases where the College agrees to transfer to or share with a Sponsor the ownership of the IP Rights in a Sponsored Work or Works produced by students, the College will inform students of this agreement prior to the commencement of the Sponsored Project and will obtain their informed consent to the terms of the agreement. If a student is unwilling to relinquish his/her IP Rights, the College will find an equivalent class in which the student can enroll. Students should never be coerced into taking a class with a Sponsored Project or relinquishing their IP Rights. Regardless of who owns the IP Rights in Sponsored Works, students must be permitted to include the Work products in their portfolios for purposes of self-promotion, subject to certain limitations in Sponsorship agreements, such as removing company logos.
  • CCS owns all Intellectual Property Rights in all Commissioned Works and all Administrative Works.
  • CCS does not claim any ownership or use rights in Non-Covered Works.

Use Rights

Although the IP Rights in a Work may be owned by an individual, a Sponsor, or the College under this policy, others may have the right to make use of that Work or the IP rights to it. These rights are called “Use Rights” and are as follows:

  • Faculty and Students have the right to make, distribute, display, perform, and otherwise use reproductions of, and make derivative works based on, their own Works for noncommercial educational and scholarly purposes, as examples of their own work, and for purposes of exhibition.
  • Faculty also have the right to make photographic or similar representational reproductions of their students’ Works; and to distribute, display, perform, and otherwise use those reproductions for noncommercial educational and scholarly purposes and as examples of their students’ work.
  • CCS has the right to make, distribute, display, perform, and otherwise use photographic or similar representational reproductions of faculty and student Works for noncommercial purposes of education, scholarship, exhibition, accreditation, development, alumni relations, promotion, and the like; as examples of faculty and student work; and for inclusion in CCS’s permanent collection and archives.
  • A Sponsor has the right to make, distribute, display, perform, and otherwise use reproductions of, and make derivative works based on, Works for commercial and non-commercial purposes pursuant to the terms of a written sponsorship agreement.

Modification of the General Rules With Respect to Particular Works

It is anticipated that members of the CCS community may on occasion wish to modify the General Rules of this Policy with respect to specific Works, particularly in cases involving Sponsored Works. Such modification is allowed if all of the parties having an ownership interest in the Work under the applicable General Rules agree in writing to the desired modification. The burden of seeking and obtaining such written agreement is on the party seeking the modification. If all of the parties having rights in the Work under the applicable General Rules are unable to reach a written agreement, then the allocation of ownership and usage rights in the Work provided by the relevant General Rule will remain in effect.

Patent Policy

In a case where the College shares in the ownership of the IP Rights in a student’s Work, the College may, from time to time, at its own initiative or upon request, elect to pursue the registration of a patent on the Work in one or more jurisdictions, and shall do so entirely at CCS’s cost; no creators of a Work shall be charged or assessed any fees or cost in connection with that registration. In furtherance of this policy, the creator(s) of the Work may be required to execute formal paperwork relating to the registration process, and CCS shall be responsible for the costs associated with execution. CCS will share with the creator(s) of the Work any monetary proceeds that are derived from the patented Work, according to an agreement that the College will reach with the creators, prior to filing the patent application. Any third parties interested in licensing a Work for commercialization should consult the Senior Director for Corporate Relations in the Office of Institutional Advancement.

Procedures

This policy will be administered by the Academic Affairs Office. The Academic Deans will establish procedures to be adopted by CCS to ensure compliance with this policy, including a procedure for considering in a timely manner any questions, objections, complaints, or other challenges arising from or relating to this policy. We welcome any questions or concerns that you may have concerning this policy or its application.

This policy is complete and effective as of the date set out above, and may be amended from time to time in consultation with the faculty and with the approval of the President and Board of Trustees. This policy and all amendments thereto will be published on and made available through the CCS Policy Database. Amendments will be effective as of their date of publication.

Attendance

Regular class attendance is essential for learning and academic success. Students are expected to attend all class meetings, on time and for the full duration, and be prepared to work on that day’s assignment. Faculty are responsible for establishing an attendance policy for each of their classes and for outlining that policy on the course syllabus. Students are responsible for knowing the attendance policy for their class and adhering to those requirements. Exceptions to an instructor’s attendance policy should be discussed with that instructor.

CCS Students using veterans’ benefits will have attendance monitored throughout the semester for reporting purposes to the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA).

Related Forms

ABSENCE EXPLANATION FORM

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act affords students the certain rights with respect to their educational records.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords eligible students certain rights with respect to their education records. (An “eligible student” under FERPA is a student who is 18 years of age or older or who attends a postsecondary institution at any age.) These rights include:

1.  The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days after the day the College for Creative Studies (CCS) receives a request for access. A student should submit to the Registrar, a written request that identifies the record(s) the student wishes to inspect.  The Registrar will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained by the school official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.

2.  The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the student believes is inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights under FERPA.

A student who wishes to ask CCS to amend a record should write the Registrar, clearly identifying the part of the record the student wants changed and specify why it should be changed.

If CCS decides not to amend the record as requested, the Registrar will notify the student in writing of the decision and the student’s right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing.

3.  The right to provide written consent before CCS discloses personally identifiable information (PII) from the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.

FERPA permits the disclosure of PII from students’ education records, without consent of the student, if the disclosure meets certain conditions found in § 99.31 of the FERPA regulations. Except for disclosures to school officials, disclosures related to some judicial orders or lawfully issued subpoenas, disclosures of directory information, and disclosures to the student, § 99.32 of FERPA regulations requires the institution to record the disclosure. Eligible students have a right to inspect and review the record of disclosures. A postsecondary institution may disclose PII from the education records without obtaining prior written consent of the student —

  • To other school officials, including faculty, within CCS whom the College has determined to have legitimate educational interests. This includes Board of Trustees, a student serving on an official committee, contractors, consultants, volunteers, or other parties to whom the school has outsourced institutional services or functions, provided that the conditions listed in § 99.31(a)(1)(i)(B)(1) – (a)(1)(i)(B)(3) are met. (§ 99.31(a)(1))
  • To officials of another school where the student seeks or intends to enroll, or where the student is already enrolled if the disclosure is for purposes related to the student’s enrollment or transfer, subject to the requirements of § 99.34. (§ 99.31(a)(2))
  • To authorized representatives of the U. S. Comptroller General, the U.S. Attorney General, the U.S. Secretary of Education, or State and local educational authorities, such as a State postsecondary authority that is responsible for supervising the university’s State-supported education programs. Disclosures under this provision may be made, subject to the requirements of §99.35, in connection with an audit or evaluation of Federal- or State supported education programs, or for the enforcement of or compliance with Federal legal requirements that relate to those programs. These entities may make further disclosures of PII to outside entities that are designated by them as their authorized representatives to conduct any audit, evaluation, or enforcement or compliance activity on their behalf. (§§ 99.31(a)(3) and 99.35)
  • In connection with financial aid for which the student has applied or which the student has received, if the information is necessary to determine eligibility for the aid, determine the amount of the aid, determine the conditions of the aid, or enforce the terms and conditions of the aid. (§ 99.31(a)(4))
  • To organizations conducting studies for, or on behalf of, the school, in order to: (a) develop, validate, or administer predictive tests; (b) administer student aid programs; or (c) improve instruction. (§ 99.31(a)(6))
  • To accrediting organizations to carry out their accrediting functions. (§ 99.31(a)(7))
  • To parents of an eligible student if the student is a dependent for IRS tax purposes. (§ 99.31(a)(8))
  • To comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena. (§ 99.31(a)(9))
  • To appropriate officials in connection with a health or safety emergency, subject to § 99.36. (§ 99.31(a)(10))
  • To a victim of an alleged perpetrator of a crime of violence or a non-forcible sex offense, subject to the requirements of § 99.39. The disclosure may only include the final results of the disciplinary proceeding with respect to that alleged crime or offense, regardless of the finding. (§ 99.31(a)(13))
  • Information the school has designated as “directory information” under § 99.37. (§ 99.31(a)(11)).  CCS defines the following as “directory information:”
  • Name
  • Dates of Attendance
  • Graduation Date
  • Major/Academic Program
  • Degrees, honors, and awards received

4.  The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by CCS to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is:

Family Policy Compliance Office

U.S. Department of Education

400 Maryland Avenue, SW

Washington, DC 20202

Information for Dual Enrolled High School Students

A student attending a postsecondary institution – at any age – the rights under FERPA have transferred to the student. However, in a situation where a student is enrolled in both a high school and a postsecondary institution, the two schools may exchange information on that student. If the student is under 18, the parents still retain the rights under FERPA at the high school and may inspect and review any records sent by the postsecondary institution to the high school.

Student Information Release Authorization

To release PII to a parent, another individual, or organization, the Student Information Release Authorization must be completed and signed. This form is available in the Academic Advising and Registration Office (AARO).

Request to Withhold Release of Directory Information

To request to withhold the release of directory information, the Request to Withhold Release of Directory Information must be completed and signed. This form is available in the Academic Advising and Registration Office (AARO).