General Academic Information

Degrees

Rocky Mountain College offers two baccalaureate degrees - the bachelor of arts degree and the bachelor of science degree. Other degrees include the associate of arts degree, the master of accountancy, the master of physician assistant studies, and the master of educational leadership.

The Semester Plan

College credit is offered on a semester basis. Courses offered in the summer session meet more frequently and for a longer period of time at each meeting. Enrollment is always for a semester or a summer session except in the case of a special workshop.

Course Hours

In general, a course for one semester hour of credit meets for a 50-minute period once a week for the semester. For each class session, the student is expected to spend at least two hours in preparation. In studio, laboratory, or activity courses, at least two hours of attendance is required weekly for one semester hour of credit. In the case of seminars or independent study courses, less class attendance may be required and a proportionately larger amount of time spent in preparation.

For regularly enrolled students, the usual class load is 15 to 16 semester hours per semester.

Levels of Courses

It is recommended that students take courses at the level of their class standing (freshman 100-level, sophomore 200 level, junior 300-level, senior 400-level) provided that specific prerequisites have been met. Taking a course two levels or more above or below the level of class standing is not permitted, except with the approval of the instructor. All courses are further classified as either lower-division, upper-division, or graduate-level. The former are courses numbered 100 to 299; upper-division courses are those numbered 300 to 499. Courses numbered 500 to 699 are graduate level. A minimum of 40 semester hours must be completed in upper-division courses, at least twelve of which must be in the student’s major. If a student chooses a minor, six upper-division credits must be completed in the minor.

RMC Freshman Experience (RFE)

The concept of the RMC Freshman Experience (RFE) grew from research compiled by Rocky Mountain College professors Dr. Ron Cochran and Dr. Jay Cassel, who concluded that Rocky Mountain College students who associated with small groups enjoyed more academic and social success during their first year of college than those who did not. These findings suggested that small learning communities would benefit incoming freshmen. As a result, the RFE was established and is required of all new freshmen. Incoming freshmen choose from a variety of RFE groups ranging from six to eight semester hours and typically limited to around 20 students per RFE group. The discipline-specific courses from which students may choose often fulfill a general education requirement.

Faculty teaching the courses within each RFE group develop their classes together and attend each other’s courses. Students meet with their cohorts for both classes, which are frequently scheduled back-to-back, allowing flexibility for shared activities.

The primary RFE goals are to challenge students to think across disciplines, to use the liberal arts as a catalyst for improving writing, to create a sense of academic community, to engage in classroom activities that encourage collaboration in small groups, and to be exposed to campus policies and resources. In addition to the RFE, freshmen are required to attend an orientation seminar called Campus Compass designed to assist new students in adjusting to college. These seminars are taught by a variety of staff members, thereby providing freshmen access to student service personnel and exposure to college policies and resources

Regular Courses

All regular course offerings are listed in this catalog. Courses cross-listed at a lower-division and upper-division level may be taken only once for credit unless otherwise noted. The course schedule is available on CampusPortal and in the office of student records. Courses for which there is small demand are typically offered alternate years or on demand. A course designated as on demand will be offered when there is sufficient number of students requesting the course, usually five or more, and if suitable arrangements can be made. Students should plan their schedules carefully with their advisors to take required courses when they are offered. The course schedule is subject to change.

Special Courses

Guidelines: Special courses use the following workload standards for a credit: 45 hours of student time for each semester hour; or completion of certain prescribed amounts of work or readings, determined at the beginning of the course.

The faculty member in charge is responsible for evaluating the student through oral or written tests, through the presentation of a paper or completed project, or by any other sound means of evaluation.

All special courses are to be taken seriously as academic courses based on advanced planning. They are to be completed by the end of the semester or term when they are started, just as regular classes. Incomplete grades will be given only under unusual circumstances and with the instructor’s consent. See “grades” under “academic policies” in the “academics” section of this catalog.

Note: Under special circumstances a student may take a regular course by arrangement with a member of the faculty if the student is legitimately unable to attend the regular class sessions and has the instructor’s approval. In this case the student should enroll in the course under its regular number, not under directed reading or any other special course number. The guidelines for special courses, however, must be followed when regular courses are taken by arrangement.

Special Topics 180, 280, 380, 480, 580, 680

Faculty members may arrange, with the approval of the Academic Vice President, to offer under a special topics number courses not regularly listed in the catalog.

Independent Study 299

Offered to freshmen or sophomores only by initiation of a faculty member and approval of the Academic Vice President. Its purpose is to allow work outside of the regularly offered course schedule in exceptional circumstances.

Field Practicum 291, 391

All programs may offer a field practicum for 1 to 3 semester hours, with the possibility of being repeated up to a total of 12 semester hours. There must be a faculty evaluation of the student’s performance, with a statement of the evaluation to be kept with the student’s records. Practicum courses are graded on a pass/no pass basis.

Directed Reading 399

Directed reading courses are authorized for each program, to be offered at the discretion of the instructor and subject to the approval of the academic vice president. Each professor offering directed reading is responsible for providing a reading list or series of study questions, or a syllabus to the student, so the course is indeed directed reading, not just reading. This course may be taken for 1 to 3 semester hours.

Internship 450:

An internship offers a learning experience in a workplace setting for juniors and seniors in any major. To be eligible for an internship, a student must have a cumulative GPA of at least 2.00 and a major GPA of at least 2.25. All internship credits required by a major may be completed for a letter grade; additional internship credits up to a total of 12 may be completed on a pass/fail basis and applied toward a degree. Internships should be related to the student’s major or minor area of study and are arranged among a faculty member, the student, and an employer with assistance from the career services office. In majors that do not require an internship, a maximum of 3 credits of internship may be completed for a letter grade; additional internship credits up to a total of 12 may be completed on a pass/fail basis and applied toward a degree. A completed internship learning contract is required prior to registration. Contracts and more information about internship requirements are available from the career services office.

Seminar 490, 590, 690

Many academic programs offer a seminar as a capstone course carrying two to three semester hours of upper-division credit. Admission is restricted to juniors and seniors or master program students.

Independent Study 499, 599, 699

The purpose of Independent Study 499 is to allow a superior student to devise and pursue independent study in an area agreed upon in consultation with a faculty member who will supervise the study, subject to approval of the Academic Vice President. In order to qualify for such study, a student must:

1. major or minor in the program,
2. be a junior or a senior or master program student, and
3. carry a GPA of at least 3.00. Each independent study is 1 to 3 semester hours.

Nontraditional Credit

Recognizing that valuable learning often takes place outside the classroom, the College offers the opportunity to obtain academic credit for nontraditional learning experiences within certain guidelines. Nontraditional credits are not accepted in transfer from another institution and may apply to no more than 31 semester hours for a baccalaureate degree or 15 semester hours for an associate’s degree.

Nontraditional credit is posted on the transcript after successful completion of one semester of full-time enrollment. Students may apply for non-traditional credit up to the end of their second term of attendance at Rocky Mountain College for work completed prior to enrolling at the college.

Applications after the second term of attendance will not be accepted; non-traditional credit will not be granted for work done while enrolled at Rocky Mountain College.

Non-traditional credits granted are indicated on student transcripts with a grade of “P.” There is a $40/credit transcripting fee. In all cases of nontraditional credit, it is the responsibility of the student to provide sufficient evidence to clearly show that he or she has earned the credit. For further information concerning the application process for non - traditional credit, including guidelines for the specific materials that need to be submitted for each type of non - traditional credit, and associated fees, contact the office of student records (657-1030). Details about the types of nontraditional credit that can be earned at Rocky Mountain College follow.

Challenge of a Course

Students may challenge courses not previously taken. Approval of the faculty in the discipline and the Academic Vice President must be obtained, and written notification of successful challenge must be filed with the office of student records. A challenge of a course involves a process whereby faculty members can effectively evaluate the student’s knowledge and skills in the content area. Examples of methods faculty may use to evaluate a challenge include exams, having the student write a paper or give a presentation, and/or having the student demonstrate skills in relevant activities.

CLEP and DANTES

Rocky Mountain College recognizes, for college credit, successful completion of one or more of the general examinations or subject examinations of the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP). Credit may also be earned through the Defense Activity for Traditional Educational Support (DANTES) program. Any CLEP or DANTES examinations for credit must be completed by the end of the second semester of enrollment at Rocky Mountain College. More information is available at the student records office (657-1030).

Credit for Military Experience and Training (non-ROTC course work)

Credit is evaluated based on the American Council on Education (ACE) recommendations for credit for military experience. Students should submit their information to ACE for evaluation. Once the ACE evaluation is returned, it should be brought to the office of student records who will then evaluate the ACE recommendations and make determinations about which credits will transfer to Rocky Mountain College and how those credits will count toward graduation requirements.

Credit for Advanced Learning in High School

College credit is awarded for advanced work in high school through the advanced placement test of the College Entrance Examination Board and International Baccalaureate diplomas.

Advanced Placement Program

In order for credit to be granted by Rocky Mountain College, the institution must have a copy of the student’s score sheet sent directly from the College Board advanced placement program. Use 4660 as the Rocky Mountain College code.

Rocky Mountain College uses the American Council on Education (ACE) guidelines for determining the minimum score requirements for college credit on each AP exam. Although Rocky Mountain College accepts the ACE recommendation for minimum scores (which, for most subjects, is a 3), students often struggle in higher level courses at Rocky Mountain College if they do not achieve at least a score of 4 on the AP exam. Academic advisors may advise students to take the Rocky Mountain College equivalent course even though they have already received credit through AP. Students are only encouraged, not required, to take this advice.

International Baccalaureate Program

Rocky Mountain College recognizes the standards set by the International Baccalaureate program for awarding college credit. For more information about the program, link here. Contact the student records office (657-1030) for more information on how IB credits transfer to Rocky Mountain College.

Credit for Prior Learning

This category of non-traditional credit is only appropriate under restricted and unusual circumstances; it applies to situations where students can document college-level learning in disciplines for which there is no corresponding course to challenge at Rocky Mountain College or any appropriate external examination, such as CLEP or DANTES.

The academic standards committee is responsible for making final decisions about the granting of credit for prior learning; those decisions are typically made after consultation with appropriate faculty from within the College when available, or from other colleges if necessary. To earn academic credit, students are required to provide sufficient evidence to demonstrate that their learning outside of the classroom is equivalent to the content of an academic course.

Evidence is presented in the form of a portfolio and typically includes performance tests, essay examinations, and samples of student work. Interviews with faculty or outside experts may also be appropriate.

There is a fee of $200 for the development and evaluation of the portfolio. Credits granted are subject to a $39/credit transcripting fee. Students wishing to pursue this option should consult with the office of student records 406.657.1030 to begin the process.

Waivers and Substitutions of Program Requirements

In exceptional circumstances specific program requirements may be waived or substituted. If the requested waiver or substitution pertains to requirements of a student’s major or minor area of study, an exception to the stated requirements may be granted at the discretion of the faculty in the relevant discipline subject to the approval of the Academic Vice President. Waivers or substitutions related to the general education requirements are, like other exceptions to stated academic policy beyond those already noted, the purview of the academic standards committee (see academic standards committee and student appeals elsewhere in this catalog).

A waiver or substitution may be granted, for example, if a student unexpectedly does not have the opportunity to meet a program requirement because of an unavoidable conflict or because of a course cancellation. Substitutions are preferred over waivers so that the student will have an opportunity to learn most or all of the material by taking another course or combination of courses. When waivers or substitutions are approved, the student must still meet the minimum credit requirement for the major or minor – the student may need to take additional elective courses in the discipline. Students are not awarded credit for waivers. Waivers and substitutions are not appropriate in cases in which a student believes he or she has already learned the material necessary for the requirement. In such cases, the student should challenge the course (see “challenge of a course” in the non-traditional credit).

Cancellation of Courses

The College reserves the right to cancel any course at any time. Courses are sometimes canceled if enrollment is low: when enrollment is not at least six for fall or spring semester courses, or at least four for summer session courses.

International Learning Experiences

Study, Intern, Work, or Volunteer Abroad

The office of international programs helps students choose an international experience that best enhances their educational and career goals. Students may choose from semester or year-long exchange programs, short-term faculty-led programs, and courses in which students study on campus for the majority of the semester and travel abroad to culminate the experience. With good planning, an international experience will not delay graduation. The office of international programs also assists students to find internships, work, or volunteer opportunities abroad.

RMC International Exchange Programs

• Queen’s University of Belfast, Northern Ireland
• University of Ulster, Northern Ireland
• Shikoku Gakuin University, Japan
• Obirin University, Japan
• Hame Polytechnic University, Finland
• University of Gavle, Sweden
• Writtle College, England
• Yangtze University, China
• Guangxi University, China
• Guangxi Normal University, China

Academic Policies

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (20U.S.C. 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) protects the privacy of student education records. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the US Department of Education.

FERPA gives parents certain rights with respect to their children's education records. These rights transfer to the student when he or she reaches the age of 18 or attends a school beyond the high school level. Further information can be found here. Schools may disclose, without consent, "directory" information such as a student's name, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, honors and awards, and dates of attendance unless a student requests a "directory hold."

Rocky Mountain College asks that each student fill out a FERPA form indicating a waiver of his or her right, so that staff and faculty can speak to parents or other individuals that the student identifies on the form. A student also has the right to indicate that he or she does not waive these FERPA rights and thus does not give permission for staff and faculty to share academic information. FERPA waiver forms are available in the office of student records.

Attendance

Students are expected to be in class regularly and promptly. They are responsible for all assignments, including but not limited to written papers, quizzes, class tests, midterm tests, and/or final examinations, even when ill or representing Rocky Mountain College officially in extracurricular activities such as sporting events.

After warning students who have excessive absences (in writing) and notifying the Academic Vice President of this warning, instructors may drop such students from courses with grades of "F" by notifying the office of student records. The Academic Vice President may, by written notice, place such students on a "no-cut" basis in some classes or in all classes. If, after this notice is given, students are absent from class without adequate reason, the Academic Vice President may dismiss such students from the College. In the event students are dismissed under the terms of this paragraph, a grade of "F" will be recorded in each course for which the students are registered.

Examinations

Final examinations are given at the close of each semester. No change in the stated schedule may be made, except by the Academic Vice President. Faculty members shall report the final grade for each student missing a final examination as "F" unless the Academic Vice President has excused this absence.

Requesting a Change in the Final Examination Schedule

Students may request exceptions to the published final exam schedule in cases where adherence to the published schedule would cause undue academic hardship. For example, a student may request the rescheduling of a final exam when the published schedule would require the student to take more than two final examinations on a single day. Since the final examination schedule is published well in advance, exceptions related to personal/travel reasons will not be granted.

Requests for exceptions to the published schedule are initiated through the office of the Academic Vice President /provost, and an official request form may be obtained therefrom. Requests will be granted only upon the approval of the academic vice president and the course instructor. Completed forms indicating instructor approval must be returned to the office of the Academic Vice President /provost prior to the earlier of the scheduled examination time or the requested alternate examination time.

Dead Week

With the exception of performance and laboratory examinations, no examinations may be scheduled during the final academic week of classes. The Academic Vice President must approve any exceptions.

Course Load

A normal load is considered to be 15 to 16 semester hours. Students in good academic standing may register for up to a total of 19 semester hours with the approval of their primary academic advisor. The advisor and the Academic Vice President must approve all other overload registrations. For each semester hour over 19, a student is charged an overload fee.

Note: A student must average 15.5 semester hours for eight semesters to complete the required minimum of 124 semester hours.

Part-time Enrollment

Once a student has enrolled at Rocky Mountain College, all coursework in the major or to be applied to the degree and/or certificate must be done in residence at Rocky Mountain College. If coursework is to be done at another university or college, prior approval should be obtained from the director of advising. Courses submitted in transfer must have a grade of "C" or better.

Addition of a Course or Change of Section

Necessary registration changes, such as a change in a course or section, may be made within two weeks of the beginning of the fall or spring terms. Students may not earn credit in any course for which they have failed to register.

Withdrawal From a Course

A student may withdraw from a course with a grade of "W" up to and including the last day to drop a class as published in the academic calendar. An exception to this date occurs for classes that only meet for part of the semester. For these classes, the student may withdraw from the course with a grade of "W" up to and including the day of the 50% point in the course. After that day a student who withdraws from a course shall receive a grade of "F" in that course. (Students who officially withdraw from the College are not subject to this regulation.) It is required that both the student's advisor and the instructor concerned initial the withdrawal form obtained from the office of student records. Failure to withdraw in the official manner will result in a grade of "F." No withdrawal is official until the proper form has been filed in the office of student records.

Withdrawal From College

Students contemplating withdrawing from the College must meet with the vice president/dean of student life (or the director of degree completion, if applicable) to discuss the academic and financial implications associated with withdrawing from the College before the end of a semester. The office of the vice president/dean of student life is located in the Bair Family Student Center. Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Failure to withdraw in the official manner will result in a grade of "F" for each course.

The official withdrawal date will be the date the student notifies the vice president/dean of student life (or the director of degree completion, if applicable) of his or her intent to withdraw. If the student provides official notification of withdrawal to the College by sending a letter to the designated office stating his or her intention to withdraw, the official withdrawal date is the date the College receives the letter. The College has the option of using a later date if it has evidence of attendance by the student at an academically related activity after that date. An academically related activity includes, but is not limited to, a lecture, a lab, an exam, a tutorial, academic counseling, turning in a class assignment, or attending a study group assigned by the institution.

If a student leaves without official notification, the College will attempt to determine a last day of attendance. Although not required to take attendance, many faculty members do take attendance, thus allowing the College to document an academically related activity. If a last day of attendance cannot be identified, and the College can verify the student attended at least one class during the semester, the 50% midpoint of the semester will be used as the withdrawal date. Rocky Mountain College does not have a leave of absence policy.

Grade Points and Grade Point Average

In order to determine students' scholastic averages, grade points are awarded for each hour of credit as follows: A" – 4 points; "B" – 3 points; "C" – 2 points; "D" – 1 point; "F" – 0 points. Grades of "I," "P," and "W" are not used in calculation of the grade point average (GPA). A plus (+) or minus (-) does not change the value of the grade for calculation of the GPA.

GPA is determined by dividing the number of earned grade points by the number of attempted credit hours. The GPA is used in determining academic probation and suspension, eligibility for intercollegiate athletics, determining scholastic honors, and granting of degrees.

GPA is understood to mean cumulative GPA unless indicated for one semester. Grade point average for all uses in the college shall be based on all courses accepted in transfer and all courses attempted at Rocky Mountain College. When a student repeats a course, the most recent grade will count toward GPA calculation.

Course Grades

Grades in courses are recorded as follows: "A" – outstanding; "B" – above average; "C" – average; "D" – below average; "P" – pass; "NP" – no pass; "F" – unsatisfactory; "I" – incomplete; "X" – no grade received from the instructor, and "W" – withdrawn. All grades except "I" and "X" become a matter of permanent record.

The "I" grade is given only under unusual circumstances and with the instructor's consent. The instructor must file a completed "request for grade of incomplete" form in the office of student records before the assignment of a grade as "I" (incomplete). An "I" must be made up within one year. After one year it will be permanently recorded as an "F."

Courses may be repeated, however, the original grade is not removed from the permanent record, but is removed from the GPA calculation. The most recent grade becomes the permanent grade.

Grades not received from faculty by 10 days after the grade due date will be recorded as "F." Grades submitted to the office of student records are final and may not be changed except upon request of the instructor. No grade change can be made more than one year after the end of the semester in which the course was taken.

If a student believes that their grade is incorrect, the student should first discuss the matter with the instructor. The student has the right to appeal their case to the academic standards committee in care of the vice president for enrollment services if talking to the faculty member does not resolve the issue.

Pass/No Pass Grading Option

Junior and senior students may elect to take one course on a pass/no pass basis each semester of their last two years in residence at Rocky Mountain College. The student must indicate (to the office of student records) a decision to enter a course on a pass/no pass basis within two weeks of the beginning of the semester. Faculty will turn in letter grades to the office of student records. To receive a grade of “Pass” in this context, the student must achieve a grade of “C” or better. Students are warned that many graduate and professional schools equate a grade of “P” with a grade of “C” in determining admission to the school.

The following courses are graded on a pass/no pass basis only: COM247/447, IDS220, music recital courses (MUS020, MUS030, MUS040), varsity sports (PEH100), physical education activity courses (PAC), THR291, all practicum courses. All other courses will be graded on the regular basis (“A”, “B”, “C”, “D”, “F”), unless noted. The Academic Vice President must approve any exceptions. A grade of pass/no pass is not used in computing GPA.

Report of Grades

Mid-semester grade reports are progress reports and thus provide students with excellent opportunities to consult with instructors and advisors about problems they may be having.

Mid-semester grade reports are available on Campus Portal after mid-term break. These grades are not recorded on transcripts. Only final grades are recorded on transcripts in the office of student records.

Final grades are available on Campus Portal approximately one week after the end of the term. Students may request that grades be mailed to an address of their choice by notifying the office of student records before the beginning of finals week. Grades are mailed by request only.

Dean’s List

Students who carry a full load (12 or more semester hours) of work graded with grade points and who earn a GPA of 3.60 or higher for the semester are placed on the Dean’s List. Those with a GPA of 4.00 for the semester are recognized with high honors. Only students who complete all credits attempted for the semester are eligible for these lists.

Graduation with Honors

Honors at graduation are designated for associate of arts, bachelor of arts, and bachelor of science degrees as follows: summa cum laude, GPA 3.80 or above; magna cum laude, GPA 3.60-3.79; cum laude, GPA 3.40-3.59. An honors designation is not calculated for those earning the master's degree.

The grade point average for graduation with honors is computed on the basis of all courses attempted, both at Rocky Mountain College and at any other college. The GPA for all work taken at Rocky Mountain College must be above the level for the honor awarded.

Honors listed in the graduation program are calculated through the December prior to graduation ceremonies. Honors at the point of graduation will be noted on both the diploma and on the student's transcript.

Application for Graduation

All students intending to graduate in May during the current academic year must file an application for graduation by October 31. There is a $100 graduation application fee. Applications received after October 31 and on or before February 15 will incur an additional late graduation application fee of $25. After February 15, any student filing an application for graduation will not be allowed to participate in the graduation ceremony.

All students intending to graduate in December must file an application for graduation by April 30 of the previous academic year ($100 fee). Applications received after April 30 and on or before August 15 will incur a late graduation fee ($25). Graduation ceremonies for the academic year are in May.

Students will be permitted to participate in graduation ceremonies under the following conditions:

• Applications must be received by the respective deadline. See above for timeline.
• All coursework must be scheduled for completion by the end of the last term of enrollment. Students applying for spring graduation may complete a maximum of six credits in the summer term if a plan and enrollment documentation is submitted to the student records office by March 1.
• Student accounts must be in good standing by April 1.

Transcripts

Transcripts are available upon the student's written request to the office of student records. Each official transcript costs $7.00, which must be paid before transcripts will be issued. No transcripts will be issued within two weeks of commencement. Transcripts will not be issued for students who are not in good financial standing with the College.

Diplomas

Official diplomas are awarded upon completion of all degree requirements at Rocky Mountain College. Individuals who wish to order replacement copies of previously awarded diplomas may do so by submitting a written, signed request to the office of student records. A replacement fee of $35.00 is required along with the request.

Replacement diplomas will reflect the date in which the degree was awarded, however, it will include the signatures of current officers of the College.

Academic Standing: Probation and Suspension

Students at Rocky Mountain College are expected to make progress toward attaining their degree. The criteria for good academic standing are as follows:

IF...	THEN...
Semester GPA 1.00 - 1.75 and < 26 credits completed	Academic Probation for next semester (P)
Semester GPA < 1.00 and cumulative GPA is <2.00	Academic Suspension for next semester (S)
Semester GPA < 1.00 and cumulative GPA is > 2.00	Academic Probation for next semester (P)
Cumulative GPA between 1.00 and 2.00 and more than 27 credits completed	Academic Probation for next semester (P)
Cumulative GPA < 2.00 27+ credits completed	Academic Probation for next semester (S)
Semester GPA 0.00	Academic Suspension for next semester (S)
While on Probation and semester GPA > 2.00 and cumulative GPA < 2.00	Academic Probation continues for next semester (P)
While on Probation and semester < 2.00 and cumulative GPA < 2.00	Academic Suspension for next semester (S)

 

Note: Each major has a minimum cumulative GPA required for graduation. Check with your academic advisor.

A student may appeal an academic suspension by indicating in writing the reasons why he or she did not make satisfactory academic progress, submitting a letter of supports from a faculty member or academic advisor and submitting a plan for improvement. The appeal must be made within 15 days of notification of suspension and directed to the office of student records. The office of student records will forward appeals to the academic progress committee for review.

Students on probation must follow specific steps to remove probationary status. These include enrolling for no more than 13 credits, meeting weekly with his or her academic advisor and seeking assistance from other resources.

Suspended students may be re-admitted after one semester’s absence. Re-admission requires submission of an application for re-admission to the office of student records, and consideration by the Academic Progress Committee. If re-admission is approved, the probationary status shall be continued until good academic standing is restored.

Students may lose eligibility for financial aid while on probation. Check with the Financial Aid Office for more information.

Academic Dismissal

If a student is suspended a second time, the student is dismissed with no further opportunity to enroll at Rocky Mountain College. Probation, suspension, and dismissal are permanently recorded on the student’s transcripts.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity at Rocky Mountain College is based on a respect for individual achievement that lies at the heart of academic culture. Every faculty member and student belongs to a community of learners where academic integrity is a fundamental commitment. This statement broadly describes principles of student academic conduct supported by all academic community to be familiar with these policies.

Basic Standards of Academic Integrity

A student’s registration at Rocky Mountain College implies agreement with and requires adherence to the College’s standards of academic integrity. These standards cannot be listed exhaustively; however, the following examples represent some types of behavior that violate the basic standards of academic integrity and which are, therefore, unacceptable:

1. Cheating: using unauthorized notes, study aids, or information on an examination; altering a graded work after it has been returned, then submitting the work for re-grading; allowing another person to do one’s work and submitting work under one’s own name; submitting identical or similar papers for credit in more than one course without prior permission from the course instructors.
2. Plagiarism: submitting material that in part or whole is not entirely one’s own work without attributing those same portions to their correct source; not properly attributing words or ideas to a source even if not quoting directly; quoting from another author’s writing without citing that author’s work, including material taken from the World Wide Web, books, and/or papers; citing, with quotation mark, portions of another author’s work but using more of that work without proper attribution; taking a paper, in whole or part, from a site on the Web or a “library” of already-written papers, copying work from another student.
3. Fabrication: Falsifying or inventing any information, data or citation; presenting data that were not gathered in accordance with standard guidelines defining the appropriate methods for collecting or generating data and failing to include an accurate account of the method by which the data were gathered or collected.
4. Obtaining an unfair advantage: (a) stealing, reproducing, circulating or otherwise gaining access to examination materials prior to the time authorized by the instructor; (b) stealing, destroying, defacing or concealing library materials with the purpose of depriving others of their use; (c) unauthorized collaboration on an academic assignment; (d) retaining, possessing, using or circulating previously given examination materials, where those materials clearly indicate that they are to be returned to the instructor at the conclusion of the examination; (e) intentionally obstructing or interfering with another student’s academic work; or (f) otherwise undertaking activity with the purpose of creating or obtaining an unfair academic advantage over other students’
5. Aiding and abetting academic dishonesty: (a) providing material, information, or other assistance to another person with knowledge that such aid could be used in any of the violations stated above, or (b) providing false information in connection with any inquiry regarding academic integrity.
6. Falsification of records and official documents: altering documents affecting academic records; forging signatures of authorization or falsifying information on an official academic document, grade report, letter of permission, petition, drop/add form, ID card, or any other official College document.
7. Unauthorized access to computerized academic or administrative records or systems: viewing or altering computer records, modifying computer programs or systems,, releasing or dispensing information gained via unauthorized access, or interfering with the use or availability of computer systems or information

Due Process and Student Rights

Enforcement of the standards of academic integrity lies with the faculty and the academic division. In all cases involving academic dishonesty, the student charged or suspected shall, at a minimum, be accorded the following rights:

1. be apprised of the charge(s) against him or her;
2. be provided with an opportunity to present information on his or her behalf;
3. be given the right to appeal any decision of an individual faculty member or the Academic Progress Committee to the Academic Vice President or Judicial Council. Appeals to the Academic Vice President must be submitted in writing within 48 hours of the student being formally sanctioned.

Appeals utilizing the Rocky Mountain College judicial process should follow the procedures outlined in the student handbook.

Sanctions

All proven cases of academic dishonesty will be penalized as appropriate under the circumstances. Individual faculty members may take the following actions:

• issue a private reprimand;
• issue a formal letter of reprimand;
• reduced the student’s grade or fail him or her in the course.

All incidents of academic dishonesty will be reported to the student records director who reserves the right to forward the matter to the Academic Progress Committee for further action. The committee may take the following action:

1. define a period of probation, with or without the attachment of conditions;
2. withdraw College scholarship funding;
3. define a period of suspension, with or without the attachment of conditions;
4. expel the student from the College;
5. make a notation on the official record;
6. revoke an awarded degree; or
7. act on any appropriate combination of 1-6 above.

Faculty and Administrative Responsibilities

In order to implement these principles of academic integrity, it is necessary for the administration and faculty to take certain steps that will discourage academic dishonesty and protect academic integrity:

1. Rocky Mountain College will regularly communicate to the College community its academic standards and expectations through its institutional publications. Further, the College will encourage and promote open dialog and discussion about issues affecting academic integrity.
2. Instructors should inform student of the academic requirements of each course. Such information may include (a) notice of the scope of permitted collaborations; (b) notice of the conventions of citation and attribution within the discipline of the course; and (c) notice of the materials that may be used during examinations and on other assignments.