Policies/Definitions

Academic Amnesty

The goal of academic amnesty is to respond to the academic needs of matured individuals as they develop newly identified potential. Through the application of academic amnesty, the student’s prior academic record can be excluded from current work under certain conditions.

Eligibility

The student must:

1. be an undergraduate, full-time or part-time, degree-seeking student at one of the universities in the South Dakota Regental system.
2. not have been enrolled in any Regental university for a minimum of three calendar years (nine (9) consecutive terms including fall, spring, and summer) prior to the most recent admission to the home institution. Exceptions may be granted in rare cases only by the Board of Regents Senior Administrator upon recommendation by the Vice President for Academic Affairs.
3. have completed a minimum of twenty-four (24) graded credit hours taken at any Regental university with a minimum grade point average of 2.0 for the twenty-four (24) credit hours after the most recent admission to the home institution.
4. not have earned a baccalaureate degree from any university.
5. not have been granted any prior academic amnesty at any Regental university.
6. submit a formal Academic Amnesty Petition to his or her home university following the procedures established by that university.

Conditions:

1. Academic amnesty does not apply to individual courses. Academic amnesty may be requested for either (a) all previous post- secondary education courses, or (b) all previous post-secondary education courses at a specific institution, or (c) a specified time period not to exceed one academic year (fall/spring).
2. Academic amnesty, if granted, shall not be rescinded.
3. Courses for which academic amnesty is granted will:
   
   1. remain on the student’s permanent record.
   2. be recorded on the student’s undergraduate transcript with the original grade followed by an asterisk (*)
   3. not be included in the calculation of the student’s grade point average because no credit is given.
   4. not be used to satisfy any of the graduation requirements of the current degree program.
4. Academic amnesty decisions will be made by the student’s home institution and will be honored by all other institutions within the South Dakota Regental system.
5. Universities outside of the South Dakota Regental system are not bound by the academic amnesty decisions made by the South Dakota Regental system.
6. Regental graduate programs and graduate professional schools may consider all previous undergraduate coursework when making admissions decisions.

The form to appeal for academic amnesty can be found at the following URL:  registrar.sdsmt.edu/docs/145192.pdf

Academic Calendar

Institutions of higher education, under control of the South Dakota Board of Regents, shall operate on a common academic calendar with common periods during the summer term and the fall and spring semesters at each institution when classes are not in session. Academic calendars shall be designed a minimum of two years in advance with annual extensions recommended to the Executive Director by the Council of Presidents and Superintendents no later than the May meeting.  Academic Calendar 

Academic Freedom (Student) Rights

The School of Mines and the South Dakota Board of Regents have a longstanding commitment to protecting those freedoms of inquiry and learning that are essential to the expansion of knowledge and the correction of error. This includes protections for student freedom in learning. In its relevant parts, Board of Regents policy, which applies to the School of Mines and to all other public universities, provides the following:

1. To secure student freedom in learning, faculty members in the classroom and in seminar should encourage free and orderly discussion, inquiry and expression of the course subject matter. Student performance may be evaluated solely on an academic basis, not on opinions or conduct in matters unrelated to academic standards.
2. Students should be free to take reasoned exception to the data or views offered in any course of study and to reserve judgment about matters of opinion, but they are responsible for learning the content of any course of study for which they are enrolled.
3. Each institution shall establish an academic appeals procedure to permit review of student allegations that an academic evaluation was tainted by prejudiced or capricious consideration of student opinions or conduct unrelated to academic standards. These procedures shall prohibit retaliation against persons who initiate appeals or who participate in the review of appeals.
4. Students are responsible for maintaining standards of academic performance established for each course in which they are enrolled. www.sdbor.edu/policy/1-Governance/documents/1-11.pdf.

The School of Mines policy implementation of item C above reads as follows:

Academic Recognition for Undergraduate, Part-Time Students

Undergraduate, part-time students taking fewer than 12 credits per term may be designated for academic recognition for part-time students at the end of the fall and spring terms. The academic recognition for part-time students designation is determined by the home university. The academic recognition for part-time students designation does not appear on the transcript.

To be awarded the academic recognition for part-time students designation, students must meet the following guidelines:

• Students must have completed at least 12 credits hours prior to the current semester at one or more Regental institution.
• The student must have earned at least 3 and up to 11 credit hours of 100-699 level courses during the term.
• Students must achieve a System Term GPA of at least 3.50.
• Students with F, I, U, RI or RU grades are not eligible regardless of System Term GPA attained.

Academic Terms Defined

The School of Mines operates a fall, spring, and summer term. Fall and spring shall operate on a semester basis. Summer term begins the day after spring semester ends and continues until the day before fall semester begins.

A semester shall consist of a minimum of 15 weeks. The number of class days in a given semester shall be inclusive of those days set aside for registration, assessment/performance testing and final examinations but exclusive of holidays and days set aside for new student orientation. New student orientation may be concurrent with or prior to registration.

Academic guidelines require that all courses offered for credit must involve a minimum of 15 contact hours over 3 instructional days for each credit hour awarded.

Courses offered by distance education should have equivalent standards, rigor, student outcomes, substance and assignments as courses offered by face-to-face means. Distance education courses may be scheduled on a semester basis and require that students complete learning experiences on a particular timeline (i.e. each week). The required length for a distance education course is determined by course expectations and scheduling. The student will conclude the course upon completion of course requirements. Typically, a one credit hour course lasting for a semester equates to 45 hours of effort by the student.

Add/Drop (Courses) Period

The drop/add period is the time period during which students may adjust their academic schedule for the term without financial or academic consequences. The last day of the drop/add period for a course is designated as the census date for that course and is the official date for enrollment reporting. The end of the drop and add period for standard and non-standard courses offered in a semester shall be the date the first 10 percent of the term ends or the day following the first class meeting, whichever is later. When calculating 10 percent of the term, breaks of five or more days are not included when counting the total number of days but Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays are. Student registrations can only be added to courses after the end of the drop and add period by approval of the chief academic officer of the university.

Adding Courses Deadline

1. Students may add daytime or night courses to their schedules through the first 10 percent of the term. When calculating 10 percent of the term, breaks of five or more days are not included but Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays are. This date is listed in the Academic Calendar , which is on the inside front cover of this catalog.
2. In exceptional circumstances, students may add daytime or night courses with the permission of the instructor and the department head responsible for the student’s proposed additional course, through the 15th day of classes.
3. Students wishing to add daytime or night courses beyond the period specified above must file a written appeal with the Vice President for Academic Affairs/Provost (or their designee); the appeal must be signed by the student and approved by the instructor of the course involved and the student’s advisor.
4. Students may add summer term courses through the first 10 percent of the term. When calculating 10 percent of the term, breaks of five (5) or more days are not included but Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays are.
5. In extreme circumstances, students may add summer school courses after this period with permission of the instructor and the Vice President for Academic Affairs (or their designee).
6. No student will be permitted to attend any class unless he/she is registered and listed on the class attendance roll.
7. Following fee assessment, the students are required to pay for all additional tuition and fees at the Student Accounts/Cashier’s Office. Failure to pay may result in students being dropped from the sections that they added. It is the responsibility of the instructor in each class to check the class roll carefully during the first few weeks of each semester to be certain that all students attending a given class are listed on the class roll. Any student whose name does not appear on the class roll should not be permitted to attend that class and should be referred to the Office of the Registrar and Academic Services promptly for clarification of his or her status.
8. Students can add and drop courses by using WebAdvisor, a web interface to the Colleague Student Information System.

Alcohol and Drug Policy

Policy

The South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and the South Dakota Board of Regents (4:27 Drug Free Environment and 3:4 Student Conduct Code) are committed to providing a drug free environment.

Furthermore, the School of Mines prohibits the possession of empty alcoholic beverage containers of any kind. Likewise, being in the presence of alcohol or other illicit substances, whether on campus or in the School of Mines managed residences, is also prohibited.

BOR alcohol and other drug policy violations are cumulative throughout a student’s enrollment at South Dakota Board of Regents institutions (they stay on the student’s discipline record and are transferable). The alcohol and other drug policy violations are not cumulative between academic years.

This policy does not replace nor restrict the Student Conduct Code (3:4) or the Drug Free Environment policy (4:27) as established by the South Dakota Board of Regents.

Procedure

Any employee violating this prohibition shall be subject to appropriate disciplinary action, which may include termination of employment.

Students found in violation of the School of Mines policy for alcohol and other drugs may or may not also be in violation of BOR policy concerning alcohol and other drugs (BOR Policy 3.4.2.B.16). Interpretation is at the discretion of the student conduct administrator on a case by case basis. In the event a student is found responsible for a second violation of the School of Mines Policy IV-A-03 within the same academic year, it will be considered a violation of BOR Policy (3.4.2.B.16.) automatically.

Recognized student organizations are expected to report underage drinking at their sponsored events or on their property to the student conduct administrator for remedial action with individual students. Failure to report via the campus student conduct process may result in action being taken against the student organization.

At a minimum, students who violate the School of Mines alcohol or other drug policy will be sanctioned as follows:

1. 1^st violation-a $50 fine, completion of the Choices interactive journal; if under 21, parental notification will include a copy of the letter of sanction being sent to the student’s parent/legal guardian.
2. 2^nd violation-a $100 fine, completion of a brief alcohol assessment and any recommended consequences from the assessment, one-year disciplinary probation; if under 21, parental notification.
3. 3^rd violation-probable suspension for at least a semester; in extenuating circumstances, student may stay enrolled but must complete an approved treatment program; if under 21 parental notification.

Anti-Harassment Policy

It is the policy of South Dakota School of Mines and Technology that harassment not be tolerated. It distracts the harasser, the victim, and others from the tasks of the workplace and academic environment; it undermines morale and the psychological well-being of the victim; and it leads to expensive litigation and to possible liability. The university has no tolerance for harassment, whether it occurs on or off campus, during or after normal business hours, at work-related social functions, or during business-related travel. Any employee or student violating this policy will be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination or dismissal. The South Dakota School of Mines and Technology Anti-Harassment policy IV-A-20, the South Dakota Board of Regents Sexual Harassment policy 1:17, and the South Dakota Board of Regents Human Rights Complaint Procedure 1:18 can be reviewed in their entirety at: http://sdmines.sdsmt.edu/hr/rules, or contact the Affirmative Action Officer/Title IX-EEO Coordinator in the Human Resources Office.

Attendance Policy

Every student is expected to attend each lecture or laboratory session for which he or she is scheduled. The faculty has allowed no system of authorized “cuts.” A student who fails to attend classes regularly must satisfy such requirements as the instructor in a course may prescribe.

Audited Courses and Registrations for No Credit

The outside preparation of auditors is entirely voluntary. Their participation in classroom discussions and examinations, and the minimum attendance requirements are subject to arrangements with the instructor of the course being audited. Failure to meet these arrangements will be cause for changing the grade in the course from “AU” to “W.” An auditor is allowed neither credit nor a grade for the course even if the auditor satisfactorily passes the final examination of the course. An audited course cannot count toward the definition of a full-time load for purposes of securing financial aid nor for establishing eligibility to compete in intercollegiate contests. An audited course may not be used to qualify for a reduced tuition rate, but will be counted toward any upper limits on the number of credit hours a student may carry, and will be counted in determining requirements for paying campus fees.

A course taken for no credit but with a grade will be treated the same as an audited course except that the student will be expected to prepare and participate in the course to the same extent as all other students. The grade awarded will not be counted in the student’s grade point average.

The request to audit a course or to enroll with no credit must be made at the time of the drop and add period by written petition to the Office of the Registrar and Academic Services. The petition has no effect on the tuition charges for a course.

The form to request an audit can be found at the following URL:  interact.hpcnet.org/sdsmtforms/audit.htm

Undergraduate Pass-Fail Option

1. Any undergraduate student with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 at South Dakota School of Mines and Technology is eligible to elect one free elective course per semester on a pass or fail basis. Courses taken under the Pass/Fail option cannot be used to satisfy the sixteen (16) credit hours of humanities/social science requirement for the bachelor of science degree.
2. The student shall notify the Office of the Registrar and Academic Services in writing of his or her request that the course be graded on a pass or fail basis. Only the Office of the Registrar and Academic Services and the student’s advisor are to be notified of the intention of the student to be graded on a pass or fail basis. A student will have the option during the drop and add period of each semester to change from pass or fail to traditional grading, or vice versa.
3. The instructor will report the student’s grade based on the college’s regular grading system. If a grade of “D” or better is recorded, the student will receive a “Satisfactory,” a grade of “U” will be recorded as a “Fail,” and the “U” grade will count in calculating credits attempted.
4. Credits earned under this option may be used toward a student’s graduation requirements, if appropriate and applicable, but only if a grade of “S” is recorded. A passing grade will be recorded as “S” and will not be used in the calculation of the student’s GPA. A course taken on a pass or fail basis will not be converted, after a grade has been recorded, to a traditional grade for the purpose of improving a GPA.
5. The pass or fail option shall apply only to the student’s first registration in a course.

The form to request the pass/fail option can be found at the following URL:  interact.hpcnet.org/sdsmtforms/passfail.htm

Campus Clearing Policy

All graduating students are responsible for return of all college property, library books, keys, etc., and payment of all financial obligations to the college before their diplomas will be released.

Catalog of Graduation for Undergraduate Students

• The catalog of graduation begins with the summer term and ends with the subsequent spring term. 
• Every student is required to have a catalog of graduation.  New and transfer students are assigned the catalog in effect at the time of their initial enrollment at the university from which they are seeking a degree.  Students may elect a catalog of graduation that is later than their initial catalog but may not elect a catalog of graduation that is earlier than their initial catalog.
• In order to receive a degree, a student must meet the program requirements listed in his/her catalog of graduation.
• Students who discontinue enrollment at any Regental university for more than two consecutive semesters are assigned the catalog in effect at the time of their re-enrollment as their catalog of graduation.
• Students are considered to be in continuous enrollment for purposes of the catalog of graduation so long as any break in enrollment at any Regental university is for two or fewer consecutive semesters (excluding summer) and students maintain their degree seeking status at the same Regental university.
• Students who change their degree seeking status from one Regental university to another Regental university are assigned the catalog of graduation that corresponds to the term they are admitted to their new degree granting university.
• Students who are not currently enrolled and who petition to graduate based on coursework previously completed at a Regental university are assigned the catalog in effect during the term they wish to graduate. 

Cheating (Academic Integrity) Policy

High standards of academic honesty and intellectual integrity are essential to the success of our students and the institution. The campus community will not tolerate acts of dishonesty in any academic activities at School of Mines. Such acts jeopardize not only the individual student, but also the integrity and dignity of the institution and its members.

The South Dakota Board of Regents has clearly defined those acts that constitute violations of academic integrity (BOR Policy 3.4.2.B.1). These acts include, but are not limited to, cheating, fraud, plagiarism, or knowingly furnishing false information within the academic arena. These acts of dishonesty violate the ethical values the university works to instill in all members of the campus community.

Faculty and administrators should consistently communicate the importance of academic integrity and ethical principles to our students. In addition, all members of the campus community should take reasonable steps to anticipate, deter, and confront acts of dishonesty in all areas of academics - research, assignments, and exams. The instructor of record for each course is responsible for clarifying the academic integrity standards for that course within the course syllabus.

The consequences for any act of academic dishonesty shall be at the discretion of the instructor of record, subject to due process as outlined in BOR policy 3.4.3A. Sanctions may range from requiring the student to repeat the work in question to failure in the course. To ensure fairness to all involved and to conform to South Dakota Board of Regents policies, sanctions may be imposed only in accordance with the following procedure. In the following, the term “student conduct officer” refers to the person appointed by the senior student affairs officer to consider cases of academic dishonesty, as described in BOR Policy 3:4. Among other responsibilities, the Student Conduct Office is expected to maintain university-wide records on all actions related to student academic dishonesty.

An instructor who intends to hold a student accountable for an act of academic dishonesty must provide written notification to the student and the Student Conduct Office within ten working days of the time the alleged violation becomes known to the instructor. The written notification must include a description of the alleged violation, the sanction(s) the instructor intends to impose, a statement notifying the student that he or she may request an informal meeting with the instructor, and a statement describing the student’s due process rights. This notice may be in the form of an email or the instructor of record may use the Academic Integrity Reporting Form available on the School of Mines website.

Resolution of the allegation may be achieved in one of three ways:

1. The student admits responsibility and accepts the consequence(s) in writing. There shall be no subsequent proceedings.
2. The student requests a meeting with the instructor of record within 10 working days of receiving the notification or within the first 10 working days of the following semester, whichever is appropriate. At the request of either the student or the instructor of record, a student conduct officer may be present. The purpose of the meeting would be to dispose of the matter through mutual consent by the parties involved. If mutual agreement can be reached, there shall be no subsequent proceedings. If mutual agreement cannot be reached, the matter is referred for formal disposition.
3. The matter is resolved through formal disposition and therefore referred to the Student Conduct Office. Please refer to BOR Policy 3:4 for specific procedures that will be followed for formal disposition.

Classification of Undergraduate Students

All undergraduate students will be assigned one of the following admissions categories:

1. Regular: An admitted, enrolled student, who is pursuing a degree at the School of Mines.
2. Special: An enrolled student who has not been admitted, and is not pursuing a degree, will be permitted to accumulate more than thirty (30) hours only on an exceptional basis. Special students do not qualify for federal student aid or institutional scholarships.

An Admissions Office review is required in order for a student to move from one admissions category to another.

Freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior classification of undergraduate students is based on accumulated credits for courses passed:

0 to 29.99 credits - Freshman
30 to 59.99 credits - Sophomore
60 to 89.99 credits - Junior
90 or more credits - Senior

A full-time undergraduate student is defined as a student who is enrolled in at least twelve (12) credit hours during an academic term. An academic term is defined as fall, spring, and summer. A student on a cooperative education assignment who is registered for CP (Co-Op) credit shall be considered to have full-time status.

See the graduate student general information  section of this catalog for the definition of a full-time and half-time graduate student.

COMPASS Placement Exams (English and Mathematics)

A mandatory placement procedure for mathematics and English is used at all Regental universities in the state. The instruments and criteria used for other mandatory placement are at the discretion of each institution.

The ACT is the required initial test used to place students who attend a South Dakota regental university into their mathematics and English courses. A student can be placed in classes via the ACT sub-scores for math and English, or, for more accurate placement, using the ACT COMPASS test, which is administered at South Dakota universities such as the School of Mines. The COMPASS test is administered on a computer and takes approximately 30 to 40 minutes for each section (math, writing, and reading). Students who need to take the COMPASS test should sign up for and attend a COMPASS Day (dates are listed below) by going to the New Student Checklist from the Mines homepage or contact the Registrar and Academic Services Office at (605) 394-2400.

Students will need to take all or part of the COMPASS test if:

1. They have not taken the ACT within five years from date of enrollment and have not taken and passed any college level English or math courses.
2. They scored above 24 on their ACT math.
3. They scored a 24 or less on their ACT math and want to challenge their course placement. Students have the option of taking the higher of the two scores, but are warned that a deficiency warrants serious contemplation and students should consider the class that best reflects the requirements of math success. At School of Mines, advanced math, especially calculus, is a mainstay in the curriculum, regardless of major.
4. They scored 17 or less on their ACT writing.

COMPASS results are designed to assist the institution in placing students into appropriate math and English courses or, if necessary, into developmental or preparatory courses. We caution students that successful completion of a high school course (e.g., trigonometry) does not guarantee that this course has been mastered at the college level. Placement is confirmed by passing the appropriate COMPASS test area.

Computer and Network Usage Guidelines and Policy

Students, faculty, staff and others affiliated with School of Mines are provided access to computing and networking services for use in academic pursuits and other activities that advance the goals of the institution.

All computer users must be properly registered and authorized through Information Technology Services (ITS). In accepting authorization to use computing or networking services, a user agrees to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws and all regulations and policies of both the university and the Regents of the state of South Dakota.

Individuals should guard their electronic identity. Choose secure passwords, and never reveal them to anyone. Individuals can be held liable for activity carried out by others using their accounts. Keep all passwords and access mechanisms secure and private. Facilities and network services are provided for use only by account holders, not their family members or friends.

Theft, misuse, or other abuse of computing or networking services will not be tolerated and may result in loss of computer and/or network privileges, disciplinary action, criminal or civil prosecution.

To connect to the wireless network, we require a wireless equipped laptop and Windows XP/Vista operating system. Instructions on how to connect are located on the ITS website: http://its.sdsmt.edu.

All guidelines and terms of use apply to ALL computer usage, wireless as well as wired desktop and laptop.

Unacceptable activities include, but are not limited to:

• Unauthorized file access or file transfer;
• Use of another individual’s identification, password, or account;
• Use of computing or networking facilities that interferes with the work of another student, faculty member, or university official, or with the normal operation of computers, terminals, peripherals, or networks at the university or elsewhere;
• Making, acquiring, or using unauthorized copies of computer software or violating terms of applicable software licensing agreements;
• Use of computer or network systems that result in violation of copyright law;
• Running, installing, or distributing any program intended to damage or to place excessive load on a computer system or network;
• Attempting to circumvent data protection schemes through any mechanism, including unauthorized access or tampering with security;
• Electronically posting or distributing materials resulting in any violation of existing laws, regulations, or university or Regental policies;
• Attempting to monitor or tamper with another person’s electronic communications, or reading, copying, changing, or deleting another person’s files or software without the explicit agreement of that person; and
• Providing access to computer accounts, Internet connectivity, electronic mail, or other significant services to persons not authorized for use of School of Mines facilities, resources, or network services. For example, students with computers hosted on the residence hall network may not permit family or friends to use these services. Although these guidelines cover most aspects of the policy, a full copy of the current university policy on acceptable use of computing and network resources may be found at: http://its.sdsmt.edu/student/8408/.

Conduct Policy

South Dakota School of Mines and Technology subscribes to the widely recognized traditions and lawful missions of tax-supported higher education in the United States. These traditions and missions work to: (1) develop students to well-rounded maturity, physically, socially, emotionally, intellectually, and vocationally; (2) develop, refine, and teach ethical and cultural values; (3) teach the practice of excellence in thought, behavior, and performance; (4) teach principles of patriotism, civil obligation, and respect for the law; and (5) transfer the wealth of knowledge and tradition from one generation to the other. The regulations established by the Regents, faculty, or administration, have been developed to enhance the opportunities for fulfilling the above purposes. Students are expected to adhere to and support such policies.

In general, students are expected to conduct themselves as responsible citizens at all times and to uphold all federal, state and local laws. Conduct that is held detrimental to the college community (composed of students, faculty, staff and administration) may result in disciplinary action.

The Regents for the state supported institutions of higher learning in South Dakota have formulated the following policy statement relating to student conduct and behavior:

The attendance of a student at one of the higher education institutions under the jurisdiction of the Board of Regents is a voluntary entrance into the academic community. By such act the student assumes obligations of conduct and performance imposed by the institution. The constitutional rights of students will not be abridged by action of the academic community. The institutions may discipline or expel the student from the academic community for any intentional act, which disrupts or prevents the accomplishment of any lawful mission, process, or function of the institution or in order to secure compliance with the obligations of conduct and performance imposed. (Regents Policy Manual, Sec. 10.1.2. June 1990)

Complete details of current policy regarding student conduct, responsibilities, and disciplinary sanctions will be found in the student code of conduct brochure. A Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities and the Board of Regents Policy on Student Conduct was adopted in January of 1995. Adopted policy serves as a basic set of guidelines for students, faculty members, and administration. School of Mines judicial process provides all members of the student body with the facilities for appeal and adjudication.

Admission and enrollment in the university obligates the student to be familiar with and to abide by the standards and the rules and regulations of the university as well as the laws of the various levels of government. Students should be aware of and familiar with such laws, rules, and regulations with respect to their status on the campus, as defined in the student code of conduct. The student code of conduct is printed annually and is available to students at registration or upon request and online. Changes in some of these rules may be desirable from time to time, and student cooperation and participation in bringing about changes through appropriate channels is encouraged. However, violations of existing regulations will not be condoned and disciplinary sanctions may be imposed for such violations.

The policies and procedures listed in this section were established by the South Dakota Board of Regents and/or South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. For further information regarding policies in this section, please contact one of the Vice President’s Offices at the university or visit: http://sdmines.sdsmt.edu/sdsmt/policies.

Cooperative Education Program

A partnership with business, industry, and government agencies, the Cooperative Education Program provides students with opportunities to apply their classroom learning to “real world” work experiences in industry. Co-op students are hired by employers to work in positions related to their major. Minimum GPA and other co-op eligibility requirements vary among employers. Interested students should contact the Career Center or their department’s Cooperative Education Coordinator. Students are responsible for securing their own co-op positions and are encouraged to register with the Career Center for assistance with identifying and applying for co-op opportunities. After accepting a co-op offer, students are to inform the Career Center of their co-op employer, salary, and dates of employment.

During their co-op work experience, students are expected to apply knowledge learned in the classroom and to grow professionally through development of their interpersonal, communication, teamwork, and workplace etiquette skills.

1. Academic Credit: 1 to 3 credits. Prerequisite:.Permission of instructor. Credit is available for each semester or summer work experience upon approval by the departmental Cooperative Education Coordinator. Students must satisfy departmental requirements in order to earn credit for their co-op. Requirements include a written report of the work experience and an employer’s evaluation of work performance. Because the work performed by a student working full-time while on co-op is equivalent to the workload of a full-time student, a student on co-op who is registered for CP credit shall be considered to have full-time status.
2. Administration:.The Cooperative Education Steering Committee is comprised of the departmental Cooperative Education Coordinators, the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, and the director of Career Center. The committee is responsible for developing cooperative education industrial or business experiences; assisting students with identifying co-op opportunities; maintaining contact with cooperative education employers; and conducting an on-going evaluation of the program. For additional information, contact the director of Career Center (605) 394-2667 or visit: http://careers.sdsmt.edu/.

Course Numbering System

Tuition for courses numbered 000 through 499 will be assessed at the undergraduate rate for all students.

Pre-College Courses

001-099 Pre-college, remedial skills, special improvement (non-degree credit)

Undergraduate Courses

100-199 Freshman level
200-299 Sophomore level
300-399 Junior level
400-499 Senior level (may be dual listed with 500 level graduate course)

Tuition for courses numbered 500 through 899 will be assessed at the graduate rate for all students.

Graduate Courses

500-599: Entry level graduate (may be dual listed with a 400 level undergraduate course and may include limited enrollments by undergraduates)
600-699: Graduate level (undergraduate enrollment only by exception)
700-799: Graduate level (Graduate students only)
800-899: Doctoral and post-doctoral level (Doctoral and post-doctoral students only)

Experimental Courses

Experimental courses can be offered for a maximum of two (2) times before formal approval is received, but they must be reported through the system curriculum approval process.

Course Overloads

A normal student load is 18 credit hours or fewer. An overload is a course load in excess of 18 credit hours.

To register for an overload, students must consult with their academic advisors. Student requests for overload enrollments should be submitted in writing to their college dean (or equivalent) at their “HOME” institution to grant the approval for registration in credits beyond the overload status. This approval will normally be granted based on a student’s exceptional past academic experience.

The form to request a course overload can be found at the following URL:  registrar.sdsmt.edu/docs/66199.pdf

Course Retake Policy

The registration retake policy defines how many times a student may register for (take) a course.

The retake policies approved by the BOR are as follows:

1. A student will be allowed a total of three takes for undergraduate courses (course numbers of 001 to 499) for which credit is only counted toward graduation once. The student must petition in writing to the Vice President for Academic Affairs to be permitted to take an undergraduate course more than three times.
   
   Students wishing to appeal must complete the Application for Academic Appeal form that is available at the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs or can be downloaded from: http://sdmines.sdsmt.edu/studentlife/forms. At the undergraduate level only the LAST attempt (take) of the course will count toward graduation and into the grade point average calculations.
2. A student will be allowed a total of two takes for graduate courses (course numbers of 500 or above) for which credit is only counted toward graduation once. The student must petition the graduate dean for permission to take a graduate course more than two times.
3. A student will be allowed unlimited takes for an undergraduate or graduate course for which credit toward graduation may be received more than once (e.g., Cooperative Education, Independent Study, Thesis). All takes will count into grade point average calculations. Individual departments/majors may limit the number of credits allowed toward graduation in certain courses. Students should check with their advisor.
4. The Audit (AU) grade is the only grade that will not be counted as a take of a course. All other grades, including Withdraw “W” grade, will count as a take of a course.
5. Transfer courses and non-courses (CLEP, credit by exam) will also count as a take of a course.
6. The count for retakes will begin with courses in which students are enrolled fall 2003. Takes of a course prior to fall 2003 will not be counted.

Credit Hours Definition

The amount of academic work scheduled or “carried” by a student is measured in terms of credit hours. A credit hour is three hours of in-class time and preparation combined per week for one (1) semester. A recitation or lecture is scheduled as one fifty-minute period plus two (2) hours of preparation for an average student per week per credit hour. Each credit hour of laboratory work is scheduled as one-hundred-ten to one-hundred-seventy (110 to 170) minutes per week. Laboratories scheduled for two (2) hours per credit hour are expected to require one (1) hour of work outside of the scheduled time per week per credit hour.

Credit Received through Validation Methods

Advanced Placement Program (AP)

Entering freshman students who have completed an honors course in high school and who have taken and successfully passed appropriate College Entrance Examination Board Advanced Placement test with a score of 3, 4, or 5 may receive course credit. The South Dakota Board of Regents policy on specific courses for which credit is given and other requirements are found at the following URL: www.sdbor.edu/services/academics/documents/AP_guidelines_000.pdf

College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

The South Dakota Board of Regents and its universities encourage high school student to pursue rigorous academic programs and to take advantage of opportunities available to them to earn college credit. The College Board’s College Level Examination Program (CLEP) provides an opportunity to earn college credit. Colleges and universities award college credit for satisfactory performance on the CLEP examinations. Satisfactory performance on CLEP examinations can reduce the cost of college education by reducing the number of credits a student must take to complete the degree. CLEP tests may be retaken only following a lapse of six months. South Dakota Board of Regents policy on specific courses for which credit is given and other requirements are found at: http://www.sdbor.edu/policy/2-Accademic_Affairs/documents/2-5.pdf.

International Baccalaureate (IB)

School of Mines recognizes the rigor of IB courses and the IB Diploma Program and encourages students to complete higher level courses and exams when ready. Students who complete higher level courses and exams and obtain a score of five (5) or above will be considered for advanced placement credit in the corresponding courses. South Dakota Board of Regents policy on specific courses for which credit is given and other requirements are found at: http://www.sdbor.edu/policy/2-Accademic_Affairs/documents/2-5.pdf.

Credit by University Examination

The School of Mines faculty has adopted a policy to permit college credit by university examination. Any student enrolled in the college who has studied a subject independently or who has completed equivalent college level course elsewhere for which he or she is unable to get a transcript acceptable to this institution may request a special examination to establish credit under the conditions specified below:

1. The student must consult his or her advisor and the head of the department in which the course is offered, who will conduct a preliminary survey of the work in which the student claims to be prepared and will determine whether an examination is warranted, what topics it should cover, and what credit may be expected.
2. After determining eligibility to take an examination the candidate pays a per-subject fee at the Office of Student Accounts/Cashier’s Office and then secures the appropriate form from the Office of the Registrar and Academic Services.
3. If the student successfully completes the examination, the permanent record will show “Credit by Examination” with a grade of “EX”. No entry will be made on a permanent record if the examination is failed.
4. Credit by examination is not permitted if the student has previously completed the course for collegiate credit.

Credit by Other Validation Methods

Credits earned through validation methods other than nationally recognized examinations (that is, university administered tests and verification like military credit or prior learning) are not allowed:

1. To exceed 32 credits for baccalaureate degrees
2. To exceed 16 credits for associate degrees
3. If the student previously visited or is currently registered for the class
4. For any graduate level courses (exception for some programs). 

Dean’s List Designation

Undergraduate, full-time and part-time students may be designated for the Dean’s List at the end of the fall and spring terms. The Dean’s List designation is determined by the home university and is based on a student’s total course registrations for academic credit for the term from any Regental university. The Dean’s List designation does not appear on the transcript.

According to the South Dakota Board of Regents policy, undergraduate full-time students must meet the following guidelines to be awarded Dean’s List designation:

• Students must have earned a minimum of 12 credit hours in courses numbered 100-699 during the term.
• Students must achieve a System Term GPA of at least 3.50.
• Students with F, I, U, RI, or RU grades are not eligible regardless of System Term GPA attained. 

Dropping a Course Deadline

Please see “Date for a Grade of W” for information about dropping a course.

Dual Degrees (Double Major)

The School of Mines does not have double majors per se but does award dual degrees.  To obtain a dual degree, a student is required to complete a minimum of 32 additional semester credits of subjects designed by the second degree department.  This is either 130 credits plus 32 for two engineering degrees or 120 credits plus 32 credits for a combination of engineering and science degrees.  

The degree candidate is asked to file a Statement of Intent with the Registrar and Academic Services (RAS) Office as soon as a decision regarding two degrees is reached. 

For students who are working on dual undergraduate degrees, for Federal Student Aid purposes and especially for those who are receiving assistance from the Federal Pell Grant program, you are advised to so order the completion of your undergraduate degrees so that you finish them in the same semester.  Whether or not a student applies for graduation, once a student has completed their first bachelor’s degree, they are no longer eligible for Pell Grant, Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (SEOG) and other potential Federal Aid programs currently available or available in the future.  If you have questions, please schedule an appointment with David Martin or Erin Richards in the Financial Aid Office.

Dual Use of Credit

Many high school students complete college-level courses while enrolled in high school. School of Mines encourages talented high school students to extend their educational background in this manner. South Dakota law provides that students in grades 10, 11 and 12 may enroll in higher education as a special student in a course or courses offered with the school district’s approval, and these courses may be applied to high school graduation requirements. See - Admission   procedures for further information.

Enrollment in Courses

1. Undergraduate Courses (001-499)
   
   1. All undergraduate and graduate students enrolling at Regental universities in courses numbered 001-499 shall be admitted as undergraduate students (either-degree seeking or non-degree seeking) and registered at the undergraduate level. For all undergraduate and graduate students enrolling at Regental universities in courses numbered 001-499, the courses shall be recorded on the transcript at the undergraduate academic level and included in the calculation of all undergraduate grade point averages.
   2. When an undergraduate course is used on a converted credit basis (transferred for one level to another) to meet graduate plan of study requirements at Regental universities, the course shall be recorded on the transcript at the undergraduate academic level with the credit hours approved for the course and then duplicated at the graduate level through an internal transfer policy (Refer to BOR policy 2:5.16). At the undergraduate level, the credit is included in the calculation of the undergraduate institutional grade point average and the undergraduate cumulative grade point average at the full credit rate. At the graduate level, the credit is included in the calculation of the graduate institutional grade point average and the graduate cumulative grade point average at the converted credit rate (transferred for one level to another).
   3. Undergraduate courses required as prerequisites in preparation for registration in graduate courses shall be recorded on the transcript at the undergraduate level and will not be duplicated at the graduate level because the courses are not a part of the Regental graduate plan of study.
2. Graduate Courses (500-899)
   
   1. All undergraduate and graduate students enrolling at Regental universities in courses numbered 500-899 shall be admitted as graduate students (either degree seeking or non-degree seeking) and registered at the graduate level. For all undergraduate and graduate students enrolling at Regental universities in courses numbered 500-899, the courses shall be recorded on the transcript at the graduate academic level and included in the calculation of all graduate grade point averages.
   2. When a graduate course is used on a converted (transferred for one level to another) or actual credit basis to meet undergraduate degree requirements for a Regental accelerated program, the course shall be recorded on the transcript at the graduate academic level with the credit hours approved for the course and then duplicated at the undergraduate level through an internal transfer policy (Refer to BOR policy 2:5.16). At the graduate level, the credit is included in the calculation of the graduate institutional grade point average and the graduate cumulative grade point average at the full credit rate. At the undergraduate level, the credit is included in the calculation of the undergraduate institutional grade point average and the undergraduate cumulative grade point average at the converted (transferred for one level to another) or actual credit rate.
3. Undergraduate Students Taking Graduate Courses
   Undergraduate students who have completed a minimum of 90 credit hours may enroll in a limited number of 500 level courses. The Vice President for Academic Affairs may grant an exception for enrollment in a 600 level course. The student shall pay graduate tuition and the courses shall be recorded on a graduate transcript. These graduate courses may apply to an undergraduate degree.

Excused Absences for School Sponsored Events

The faculty recognizes extracurricular activities to be a valued component of student development and education. When an activity results in a classroom absence, the faculty members have agreed to accommodate students involved in these activities in accordance with this policy.

Procedures:

1. Students who participate in recognized activities will notify their instructors prior to the absence.
2. Students will be given the opportunity to make-up any exams missed in the course of the absence.
3. Students will consult with their instructors regarding the make-up/submission of other graded activities that will be missed as a consequence of the absence.
4. Recognized activities are those determined by the advisor of the sponsoring School of Mines organization or the coach of the involved athletic team. If there are any questions, the advisor or coach should consult with the Vice President for Student Affairs or Athletic Director.
5. All other arrangements (if allowable) for absences not covered under this policy must be decided through consultation between the faculty member and the student, and/or under the guidelines of the class syllabus of the instructor.
6. Unresolved issues may be taken up following the established School of Mines Grievance Procedure for Students Policy III-A-31.

Recognized activities under this policy are determined by the School of Mines advisor/coach. Upon request or as a standard process the advisor/coach may send an e-mail notice verifying the event.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974 or Buckley Amendment

The purpose of FERPA is to protect the privacy rights of students from the indiscriminate collection, maintenance, disclosure, and release of personally identifiable student information, including information regarding student status or performance.

Under FERPA each current and former student at School of Mines has the following fundamental rights:

• The right to review and inspect the student’s education records.
• The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the student believes are inaccurate or misleading, and the right to a hearing if the request for amendment is not granted.
• The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.
• The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by School of Mines to comply with the requirements of FERPA.

Students should be aware that these rights and privileges are available to them. Formal notification regarding FERPA is provided annually. An announcement covering information designated as Public or Directory Information is included on posters, in the Family Matters, First Year Information and Commuter Connection newsletters and on the Academic and Enrollment Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act web page at: registrar.sdsmt.edu/103463/ Directory information includes the student’s name, local and permanent address, telephone listing, electronic mail address, photograph (e.g., year book photos), date and place of birth, major field of study, dates of attendance (including graduation date), grade level, enrollment status (e.g., undergraduate or graduate, full or part time), participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, degree, honors and awards received, and the most recent education agency or institution attended (previous to School of Mines). This information is critical to some obligations and services performed by the university. Students have the right to request that such information concerning them be withheld. For a full description of FERPA, information regarding the location of students’ educational records, and procedures at School of Mines for compliance with the law, please contact the Office of the Registrar and Academic Services. US government reporting requirements have been added for international students (F and J status). As a result of the regulations that became effective on January 1, 2003, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is waived for F and J students in respect to these specific reporting requirements. The regulations will be strictly enforced by the appropriate bureau(s) within the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and information will be reported electronically to DHS via Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). The consequences to students for non-compliance with the new regulations are severe. Contact the director of the Ivanhoe International Center at Ivanhoe@sdsmt.edu for more information.

Final Examination Policy

The South Dakota School of Mines and Technology provides a policy for the administration of final examinations.

The faculty, recognizing that courses and programs of instruction differ substantially and that methodologies of instruction and evaluation remain the province of each instructor, does not seek to impose any mandatory final examination policy upon the constituent faculty of this institution. However, each faculty member is hereby encouraged to give the last examination (comprehensive or non-comprehensive) during the final examination week.

A five-day final examination period shall be scheduled by the registration officer. No special individual or departmental requests will be honored in constructing the final examination schedule.

The instructor or instructors for each course shall indicate to their department head whether or not they intend to give a final examination, the number of hours for the exam, and whether additional rooms are needed for alternate seating; requests for additional rooms can be honored only if rooms are available. No additions will be permitted once the schedule has been published. All final exam requests will be due from departments at the time course registry requests are due. The final version of the exam schedule will be published in the Course Listings bulletin.

Final exams in all laboratory courses and courses of one credit or less will be given during the last regularly scheduled class period of the semester. Final examinations for evening classes meeting after 4:30 p.m. will be held at the last meeting of the class during final exam week. Final examinations for all other courses are scheduled by the registration officer according to the regular class meeting time during the semester and must be given at the scheduled time; they may not be rescheduled or given prior to the start of the final examination period. Examinations will be held in the regularly scheduled classrooms unless instructors make special advance arrangements through the registration officer.

Instructors in multi-section courses may request a “common final examination” period if requests are made in advance. Rooms must be reserved with the registration officer for such exams in order to avoid conflicts.

Final exam periods will be one hour and 50 minutes each, although instructors may request a longer final exam period (two hours and 50 minutes) if needed.

If a student is scheduled for three or more examinations on any one day, the middle examination(s) of the day shall be rescheduled for this student by the instructor(s) upon the request of the student. The student will be required to make this request between the 10^th and 15^th day of classes.

Other than those events approved by the faculty of the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, final examinations will be the only events scheduled during the week of final examinations. Students having conflicts arising from participation in such scheduled events must see their professors at least one week prior to the examinations week to determine an equitable alternative to taking the examination at the scheduled time.

Instructors will submit all grades not later than three working days after the last day of final examinations for the term.

Fall 2013 Final Exam Schedule 

Spring 2014 Final Exam Schedule 

Grade Point Average Definition

The following grade point averages are calculated each academic term (fall, spring, summer):

Institutional GPA-based on credits earned at a specific Regental university. Utilized to determine if degree requirements have been met and to determine honors designation at graduation.

System Term GPA-based on credits earned at any of the six Regental universities within a given academic term (fall, spring, summer). Utilized to determine minimum progression status.

Transfer GPA-based on credits earned and officially transferred from an accredited college or university outside the Regental system. When a letter grade that normally calculates into the grade point average exists for a non-academic course (e.g., credit earned via examination), it will be included in the transfer GPA.

Cumulative GPA-based on all credits earned by the student (transfer credit plus system credit). Utilized to determine minimum progression status, to determine if degree requirements have been met and to determine honors designation at graduation.

Calculation of grade point averages when undergraduate courses are repeated

When a course has been repeated for credit, all attempts will be entered on the transcript but the last grade earned will be used in the calculation of the cumulative grade point average (See also 2:5.11).

Graduate Credit for Undergraduate Courses

Graduate credit for School of Mines seniors, per faculty adopted regulations: “An undergraduate student who has senior standing at School of Mines and is ranked in the upper one-half of the class, may petition the Dean of Graduate Education on a form provided by the Office of the Office of the Registrar and Academic Services for the purpose that a course be recorded on his/her graduate record.”

The following conditions or limitations apply:

1. The student must attest that he/she is planning to continue work toward an advanced degree at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, but must understand that the university is under no obligation to credit courses so attempted toward any advanced degree until a graduate program of study has been approved.
2. The course(s) must be numbered 500-699.
3. The course(s) must not be required for his or her undergraduate degree; the hours may not count toward the 128 or 136 semester credit hours required for the Bachelor of Science degree.
4. The extra courses should not create an overload upon the student.
5. Not more than twelve (12) hours of graduate credit taken as a School of Mines undergraduate may be applied toward an advanced degree at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. Upon written justification by the head of the student’s major department, the Dean of Graduate Education may approve a minor variance from this limit.
6. Petitions from undergraduate students other than those defined above will not be accepted. (See graduate student general information  section of this catalog for graduate policy.)

Intellectual Property Statement

The South Dakota Board of Regents has developed a policy on intellectual property that sets forth the principles and procedures through which the Board will balance those interests.

South Dakota Board of Regents employees who carry out or administer such instructional, research and service activities routinely produce works or make discoveries that may be subject to legal protection as intellectual properties.

The Board recognizes and affirms the public policy principle, woven into the very fabric of the United States Constitution by its framers, that creators of intellectual properties should obtain a fair return from the fruits of their inventiveness. It also recognizes and affirms the principle that the public should have a fair return on its investment in support of such creative efforts.

For further information on intellectual property, see Board of Regents Policy 4:34. www.sdbor.edu/policy/4-Personnel/documents/4-34.pdf.

Minimum Graduation Standards

To be awarded a baccalaureate degree, an associate degree or certificate a student must at a minimum have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.

Minimum Progression Standards

Minimum progression standards and related actions are based on the student’s cumulative grade point average and system term grade point average.

1. A student with a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better is considered to be in good academic standing.
2. If a student’s cumulative grade point average falls below 2.0 in any academic term (i.e. fall, spring, summer), the student is placed on academic probation the following term.
3. While on academic probation, the student must earn a system term grade point average of 2.0 or better.
4. When a student on academic probation achieves a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better, the student is returned to good academic standing.
5. A student on academic probation who fails to maintain a system term grade point average of 2.0 or better is placed on academic suspension for a minimum period of two academic terms.
6. Students on academic suspension will not be allowed to register for any.coursework at any Regental university except when an appeal has been approved by the Regental university from which the student is pursuing a degree. An approved appeal granted by one Regental university will be honored by all Regental universities. Also refer to policy 2:3.G Probation/Suspension of Students.
7. Only Academic Suspension will be entered on the student’s transcript. Academic probation will be noted in the internal academic record only.

Progression and graduation are contingent on satisfactory performance on the Proficiency Examination. Refer to policy 2:28.

Proficiency Exams (Collegiate Assessment of Academic Proficiency - CAAP)

Satisfactory performance on the CAAP proficiency examination is required for all students seeking an associate or a baccalaureate degree from the South Dakota Unified System of Higher Education.  To be eligible to receive an associate or baccalaureate degree from a Regental university, students must fulfill the proficiency examination requirement as specified within this policy. 

Enrolled students who have already earned a baccalaureate degree are exempt from this requirement if the following conditions are met:

1. the institution awarding the degree is accredited by a United State Department of Education recognized accrediting organization;
2. the degree required the completion of a minimum of 18 credit hours of general education requirements including the requirements specified in Board Policy 2:7.3 (Lower Division Credit Hour and Course Requirements/Student Proficiencies).

Criteria for Test Elgibility

• Baccalaureate
  • Degree-seeking students registered for credit.
  • Completion of 48 passed credit hours at or above the 100 level.  Students will sit for the examination during the first semester in which they become eligible in terms of passed credit hours.
• Associate
  
  • Degree-seeking students registered for credit.
  • Completion of 32 passed credit hours at or above the 100 level.  Students will sit for the examination during the first semester in which they become eligible in terms of passed credit hours.

Deferments

Students who meet the eligibility requirements but, due to extenuating circumstances are unable to sit for the examination may petition the Vice President for Academic Affairs for a deferment prior to the test date or no later than the final day of the semester in which the examination should have been taken.  Students granted deferments will sit for the examination during the next administration following the deferment.

Consequences of Noncompliance

Failure to sit for the examination as scheduled, whether initially or following a deferment will result in denial of subsequent registration at all Regental institutions.  Students who have been denied registration due to failure to take the proficiency examination may apply for readmission after two academic terms (fall, spring, or summer).  If readmitted, they must sit for the examination during the next administration.  Failure to do so will result in immediate administrative withdrawal.

For further information on the proficiency exam, see Board of Regents Policy 2:28. http://www.sdbor.edu/policy/2-academic_Affairs/documents/2-28.pdf

Re-admission following Withdrawal

A student who has withdrawn from the university may be readmitted in that same semester by permission of the Vice President for Academic Affairs if the student has paid the appropriate tuition and fees.

Refunds of Tuition and Fees for Dropped Course(s)

A student receives a 100 percent refund of tuition and per credit hour fees for dropped courses within the drop/add period.  The drop/add period for standard and non-standard courses offered in a semester shall be the date the first 10 percent of the term ends or the day following the first class meeting, whichever is later.  When calculating 10 percent of the term, breaks of five or more days are not included when counting the total number of days but Saturdays, Sundays and holidays are.  Any course meeting during a standard semester which meets for less time than the standard semester shall be treated as a non-standard semester course for refund purposes.  No refund shall be provided for courses dropped after that time by other than administrative action.  Courses offered during summer school terms, correspondence courses, asynchronous internet courses, and all other academic calendar type courses with begin and/or end dates that are different from the officially adopted fall and spring terms are considered non-standard courses.  BOR Policy 5.7 

Registration Changes

All students will be assigned an academic advisor upon admission; thereafter, all course registrations and changes, other than withdrawal from the university, should be approved by the assigned advisor. Students may request advisor or major changes from the Office of the Registrar and Academic Services.

Software and Intellectual Rights

Respect for intellectual labor and creativity is vital to academic discourse and enterprise. This principle applies to works of all authors and publishers in all media. It encompasses respect for the right to acknowledgment, right to privacy, and right to determine the form, manner, and terms of publication and distribution.

Software Copyright Statement

The South Dakota School of Mines and Technology has obtained licenses from a variety of vendors to use their software on computers that are owned and controlled by the school. South Dakota School of Mines and Technology does not own this software or its related documentation and, in general, School of Mines does not have the right to reproduce such software or to permit its reproduction by others. Microsoft MSDN is the only exception. Please contact the ITS Help Desk for information regarding MSDN, helpdesk@sdsmt.edu.

School of Mines students, faculty, and staff shall use all software only in accordance with applicable license agreements. Centrally managed licensing agreements are on file in the Information Technology Service Office or the Business Office. Making, acquiring, or using unauthorized copies of computer software or other copyrighted materials may result in disciplinary or legal action as the circumstances warrant.

The following statement regarding intellectual property and the legal and ethical use of software was developed by EDUCOM, a nonprofit consortium of higher education institutions, which promotes the use of computing, networking and information resources in teaching, learning, scholarship, and research. School of Mines subscribes to the spirit of this statement, and strives to promote understanding and observation of it.

Student Appeals Policy

A procedure is provided for situations where a student feels that an institutional or Board of Regents policy affecting terms or conditions of enrollment or academic standing has been improperly applied. Students who believe that an academic evaluation has been unfairly applied should follow this procedure. The South Dakota Board of Regents Student Appeals for Academic Affairs policy 2:9 can be reviewed in its entirety at: www.sdbor.edu/policy/2-Academic_Affairs/documents/2-9.pdf

Students who wish to discuss their situation and how this process applies should consult with the Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students.

Transcript of Credits

A transcript of credits is an authentic copy of the student’s academic record from each Regental university attended. The fee is $5.00 for one copy, and $2.50 for each additional copy per request. A transcript must include all courses attempted. Transcripts are released only on written request with the signature of the individual concerned. This order must be placed in person, by mail, or by FAX to the Office of the Registrar and Academic Services. Upon graduation each student is entitled to one complete transcript of the credits earned without charge.

Undergraduate Grading System

Undergraduate grades will be assigned to the undergraduate academic level and to all courses and sections with course numbers ranging from 001 to 499. Plus and minus grades are not used.

A Exceptional
4.00 grade points per semester hour

B Above Average
3.00 grade points per semester hour

C Average
2.00 grade points per semester hour

D Lowest Passing Grade
1.00 grade points per semester hour

F Failure
0.00 grade points per semester hour

S Satisfactory
Does not calculate into any GPA

U Unsatisfactory
Does not calculate into any GPA

RI Incomplete (Remedial)
Does not calculate into any GPA

RS Satisfactory (Remedial)
Does not calculate into any GPA

RU Unsatisfactory (Remedial)
Does not calculate into any GPA

W Withdrawal
Does not calculate into any GPA, no credit granted

AU Audit
Does not calculate into any GPA

I Incomplete
Does not calculate into any GPA

IP In Progress
Does not calculate into any GPA

EX Credit by Exam
Does not calculate into any GPA

CR Credit
Does not calculate into any GPA

LR Lab grade linked to recitation Grade
O credit course

NR Grade not Reported by Instructor
Does not calculate into any GPA

NG No grade
O credit tracking course

TR Note for NSE/MEDT
Does not calculate into the GPA

Academic Amnesty*
Does not calculate in any GPA, no credit given *Letter grade followed by an asterisk indicates Academic Amnesty granted.

Incomplete Grade Request

An incomplete (I) grade may be granted only when all of the following conditions apply:

1. A student has encountered extenuating circumstances that do not permit him/her to complete the course.
2. The student must be earning a passing grade at the time the incomplete is necessitated. Anticipated course failure is not a justification for an incomplete.
3. The student does not have to repeat the course to meet the requirements.
4. The instructor must agree to grant an incomplete grade.
5. The instructor and student must agree on a plan to complete the coursework.
6. The coursework must be completed within one semester; extensions may be granted by the Vice President for Academic Affairs/Provost.
7. If the student completes the course within the specified time, the grades that may be assigned are A, B, C, D, F, S, RS, RU, or U.
8. If the student does not complete the course within the specified time, the grade assigned will be F (Failure) or U (Unsatisfactory) or RU (Remedial Unsatisfactory).

An in progress (IP) grade may be granted only when all of the following conditions apply:

1. The requirements for the course (for every student enrolled in the course) extend beyond the current term.
2. The extension beyond the current term must be defined before the class begins.
3. The instructor must request permission to award IP grades for a course from their department head, and then approval must be obtained from the Vice President for Academic Affairs.
4. A definite date for completion of the course must be established in the course syllabus.

An audit (AU) grade may be granted only when the student has elected the AU option on or prior to the census date of the term.

A credit (CR) grade may be granted only for non course credit that is not related to an examination or to equating transfer grades to the BOR grading system. This grade is not used for any Regental university courses.

An examination for credit (EX) grade may be granted only for non course credit validation obtained through a validation process. This grade is not used for any Regental university course.

A grade of NG will be used only with those course sections that are designated as Tracking/Program Sustaining (Q).

Remedial grades (RI, RS, RU) may be granted only for courses numbered 001 to 099.

S Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory (S/U) grade may be granted only when the entire course requires the S/U grade or the student has elected the S/U option on or prior to census date of the term. 

Waiver Request

In extenuating circumstances students may request that a requirement stated in the academic policies of the institution or of the South Dakota Board of Regents be waived. Examples of such requirements include, but are not limited to, the limit on the number of times a course may be attempted, the time limits on completion of pre-general education and general education courses, the academic suspension policy, the proficiency exam policy, and the change of grade from an F to a W. Students wishing to appeal must complete the Application for Academic Appeal form that is available at the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs or can be downloaded from: http://sdmines.sdsmt.edu/studentlife/forms.

Withdrawal Grades  Policy and Deadline

Undergraduate and graduate students who drop a course, or withdraw from the System, shall receive a grade of “W” if that action occurs anytime between the day after the census day for that course and the day that corresponds with the completion of 70 percent of the class days for that course. Likewise, a student who withdraws from the system during that time period also shall receive grades of “W” for all the courses in which he/she is registered.

For standard classes, the last day to receive a grade of “W” is determined by calculating 70 percent of the class meeting days in the term, counting from the first day of classes in the term and rounding up if the calculation produces a fractional value greater than or equal to 0.5.

For any non-standard course, the last day to receive a grade of “W” is based on the number of class meeting days for the course, using the method described above.

A notation of the date of withdrawal will be included on the student’s transcript if he/she withdraws from the system.

If a student withdraws from a course after the time period specified above, a grade of “F” will automatically be assigned by the Office of the Registrar and Academic Services.  (South Dakota Board of Regents Policy 5:7.2)

Withdrawal from the University

The effective date used for students withdrawing from the university is the date that the withdrawal process is initiated in the Office of the Registrar and Academic Services. This notice must be given by the student using the appropriate forms. Dates for withdrawing from the university will be proportionally adjusted for summer terms of instruction.

Complete withdrawal from the university from the day after registration day through 70 percent of the class meeting days in the term results in the assignment of “W” grades unless the professor-in-charge has previously assigned a final grade. A withdrawal from the university must be initiated in the Office of the Registrar and Academic Services and processed through the Director of Retention and Testing. A withdrawal from the university will be processed only when all courses at all Regental universities are being dropped by a student.

If a student withdraws from the university after completion of 70 percent of class days, grades of “F” automatically are assigned by the Office of the Registrar and Academic Services in all courses for which the student was enrolled unless a final grade has previously been issued by the course instructor. In the event that a final grade has not been assigned, consideration may be given to extenuating circumstances that may warrant the assignment of a grade of “W.”Should such extenuating circumstances exist, students wishing to appeal must complete the Application for Academic Appeal form that is available at the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs or can be downloaded from http://sdmines.sdsmt.edu/studentlife/forms. Such appeal must be filed within one term after the term in which the withdrawal occurred.