Policies/Definitions

All academic policies listed herein are based on applicable South Dakota Board of Regents policies (referenced as SD BOR Policy) or Academic Affairs Council Guidelines (referenced as AAC Guidelines) and procedures. As such, readers should review the referenced policy and/or guidelines for more specific information when applicable.

Academic Amnesty

Eligibility:

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 postsecondary institution for a minimum of three consecutive terms including only Fall and/or Spring prior to the most recent admission to the home institution. Exceptions may be granted in rare cases only by the Board of Regents Vice President for Academic Affairs upon recommendation by the Vice President for Academic Affairs;
3. have completed a minimum of 24 graded credit hours taken at any Regental university with a minimum grade point average of 2.0 for the 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 their home university following the procedures established by the 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 Academic amnesty, if granted, shall not be rescinded.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: www.sdsmt.edu/Academics/Registrar/forms/

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 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. (See SD BOR Policy 1:1).

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.

Placement Testing - ACCUPLACER

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 College Board Accuplacer test, which is administered at South Dakota universities such as the School of Mines or online via remote proctor. The Accuplacer 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 Accuplacer test should sign up for and attend an Accuplacer Day by going to the New Student Checklist from the Mines homepage or contact the Testing Center at 605-394-2428.

Students will need to take all or part of the Accuplacer 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 have a Math Index Score below 1150.
3. They have a Math Index Score of 1150 or higher and are seeking higher math placement than College Algebra.
4. They have a Math Index Score of an 1150 or higher and want to challenge their course placement. Students are permitted to take Accuplacer twice and have the option of taking the higher of the two scores. Be advised 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.
5. They scored 17 or less on their ACT English.

Accuplacer 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 Accuplacer test area. See section on Math Index Score and math placement below.

Math Index Score

Alcohol and Drug Policy

SD Mines adheres to the SDBOR Alcohol and Drug Policy found in the SD BOR Alcohol and Drug Policy (see SD BOR Policy 3:4) which states the following is prohibited: The unauthorized manufacture, sale, possession, use, or consumption of alcohol, marijuana, or controlled substances by students…The unauthorized possession of any drug paraphernalia.  Please note that being in the presence of alcohol is considered a violation of the SD BOR alcohol policy.  The complete alcohol and drug policy can be found in the SDBOR Student Code of Conduct. The Community Standards Office is responsible for enforcement of the SD BOR Code of Conduct, including the Alcohol and Drug Policy. Residential students should consult the Residence Life Handbook for further information on alcohol and drugs in the residence halls.

Anti-Harassment Policy

It is the policy of SD Mines 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. SD Mines 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. 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: https://www.sdsmt.edu/Academics/Registrar/Forms/

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 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 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: https://www.sdsmt.edu/Academics/Registrar/Forms/

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

The South Dakota Board of Regents has clearly defined those acts that constitute violations of academic integrity (SD BOR Policy 2:33 - Student Academic Misconduct and SD BOR Policy 3:4 - Student Code of Conduct). These acts include, but are not limited to cheating and plagiarism; full definitions are found in the above referenced policies. These acts of dishonesty violate the ethical values the university works to instill in all members of the campus community. The instructor of record for each course is responsible for clarifying the academic integrity standards for that course within the course syllabus.

Academic Misconduct Process

The process for resolution of academic misconduct cases is determined by SD BOR 2:33. The Community Standards Office is responsible for the adjudication of all academic integrity cases.

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:

0 to 6 credits per semester - Less than half-time
6 to 11 credits per semester - Half-time
12 or more credits per semester - Full-time

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

Community Standards

Through its rigorous academic programs and co-curricular activities, SD Mines is committed to developing informed and responsible scientists and engineers who behave ethically, value a global perspective, and accept the duties and responsibilities of citizenship.

Policies & Sanctioning

As a student at SD Mines, you are responsible for abiding by policies provided by the SD Board of Regents (BOR), the university, and specific departments/areas as applicable to your situation. As such, it is important for you to be familiar with where policies are posted. The following links provide you access to policies which govern your conduct as School of Mines students.

• Community Standards Office
• University Policies
• BOR Policies
• Student Code of Conduct
• Academic Misconduct Policy

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/.

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 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 and department heads.  To be eligible for a course overload, students must have completed at least 30 semester hours of college credit with a minimum GPA of 2.7.  With advisor and department head approval, students may request up to 21 total credit hours per semester.  Overloads in excess of 21 total credit hours in a semester or requested prior to completing 30 semester credit hours are discouraged but may be requested and must be approved by the Provost/Vice President for Academic Affairs or his or her appointed designee.

The form to request a course overload can be found at the following URL:  www.sdsmt.edu/Academics/Registrar/Forms/

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://www.sdsmt.edu/Campus-Life/Student-Resources/Applications-and-Forms/ or https://www.sdsmt.edu/Academics/Registrar/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. (See AAC Guidelines 7.1)

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. You may not repeat an exam of the same title within three months of the initial testing date. CLEP exams may be taken to repeat F grades. The initial F grade will be used in the grade point average calculation.(See AAC Guidelines 7.3).

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. (See AAC Guidelines 7.7)

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 (See AAC Guidelines 7.4):

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.
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 30 credits for baccalaureate degrees
2. To exceed 15 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 the Academic Calendar  for “Last day to drop classes” for deadline information.

Double Major in Science Programs

An undergraduate student who wishes to qualify for a double major in two science programs must complete all requirements for both academic programs of study.  This means earning a minimum of 120 credits for one science major plus all additional unique credits for the second science major.  The System General Education requirements must be met once.  A student will receive a single diploma with both majors notated under a single Bachelor of Science degree.

The dual major option at the School of Mines applies only to science programs (non-engineering programs).  Students seeking to qualify for a second engineering degree should consult the section on Two Bachelor of Science Degrees from SD Mines.

Working on dual undergraduate degrees can have implications for students receiving Federal Student Aid and especially for those receiving assistance from the Federal Pell Grant program.  Students seeking to qualify for a dual major designation should arrange to complete them both in the same semester.  Whether or not a student applies for graduation, once a student has completed a first bachelor’s degree, he or she is 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/. 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. 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

SD MInes 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 SD Mines, 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.

Please consult the Academic Calendar  for the official 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 SD BOR policy 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 Registrar 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 SD Mines, 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 extra courses should not create an overload upon the student.
4. 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 SD Mines. 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.

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. (See SD BOR Policy 4:34)

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. Good Academic Standing: A student who meets or exceeds the cumulative grade point average requirements listed below is considered to be in good academic standing. The required GPAs are based on class level. Students who have taken more credit hours are expected to meet a higher GPA standard. 

   	Class	Credit Hour Range		GPA Standard
   	Freshman		0-29.99		1.8
   	Sophomore		30-59.99		1.8
   	Junior		60-89.99		2.0
   	Senior		90+		2.0

2. Academic Probation: If a student’s cumulative grade point average falls below the GPA standard for his/her designated class rank as listed above in any academic term (i.e. fall, spring, summer), the student is placed on academic probation for the following term.
   1. While on academic probation the student must earn a system term grade point average that meets or exceeds the GPA standard required for their class level.
   2. When a student on academic probation achieves a cumulative grade point average that meets or exceeds the GPA standard for his/her class level, the student is returned to good academic standing.
3. Academic Suspension: A student on academic probation who fails to maintain a term grade point average that meets or exceeds the GPA standard required for his/her class level is placed on academic suspension for a minimum of two academic terms.
   1. A student on academic suspension will not be allowed to enroll 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 BOR Policy 2:3, Section C.9.7. Students on Probation/Suspension.)
   2. Only Academic Suspension will be entered on the student’s transcript. Academic probation will be noted in the internal academic record only.
4. Students enrolling in the Regental system for the first time with prior credit, including internal and external transfer students and dual credit students, shall not be placed on probation by their designated home institution until they have been enrolled at a Regental university for one (1) academic term.

Name Change Policy

The Office of the Registrar accepts name changes for students who are currently enrolled and for previously enrolled students whose records are maintained in our official student information system. In order to process a name change within our student information system, we require the following:

1. A certified copy of a court order or a marriage certificate;
2. or a dissolution decree reflecting the new name in full;
3. or current passport or other government issued proof of identification.

A name change shall be processed in person using the Change of Name Form. Contact the Office of the Registrar for more information.

Please note that while the main student information system is updated immediately, not all databases that rely on information from the student information system update changes immediately.  Some update nightly, some update weekly, some update only once per semester.

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

Self-Service Banner  will list specific course information before priority registration each semester. Courses listed may be canceled for insufficient enrollment. SD Mines reserves the right to change the class schedule and adjust the individual section enrollment as necessary.

Students may register for courses using Self-Service Banner; however, if a section is closed or registration into a selected section is controlled, permission to enroll must be obtained from the academic program offering the course. Academic departments have their own processes for granting this permission. For some courses, the student must submit a completed and signed course permission of instructor form in person to the Office of the Registrar. Students may not attend classes for which they are not registered.

Students are responsible for registering properly and paying by the deadline. Students should confirm the correctness of their enrollments (including drop and add) via Self-Service Banner. Incorrect enrollments may result in academic and financial penalties.

Students are responsible for tuition payments and grades received for all courses in which they are registered unless registration is canceled administratively because of suspension, dismissal, or termination; the section is canceled; or the student drops the course before the tuition liability begins. See the Academic Calendar  or Office of the Registrar website for deadlines.

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. The proper request forms can be found here: https://www.sdsmt.edu/Academics/Registrar/Forms/

1. Courses may be added or dropped on Self-Service Banner .
2. Students may add 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 excluded but Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays are included.
3. The add/drop period is the time during which students may adjust their academic schedule for the term without financial or academic consequences. No refund is provided for courses dropped after that time, except by administrative action. 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 for the course. The end of the drop/add period for standard (those that conform to the regular semester schedule) 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. The timeline for this may be found on the Academic Calendar , by visiting the Office of the Registrar website, or the University Calendar. Students may only add courses after the drop/add period with the approval of the University Registrar and requisite academic department via the appropriate forms from the Office of the Registrar. 
4. Do not stop attending a class without dropping the course or an “F” will be recorded.
5. Students who want to drop a course who will fall below 12 credit hours should consult with Financial Aid to determine the financial aid implications.
6. 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 promptly for clarification of his or her status.

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

SD Mines 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. (See SD BOR Policy 2:9)

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 $9.00 per copy. A transcript must include all courses attempted. Transcripts are released on written request with the signature of the individual concerned or through Parchment. This order can be placed through Parchment or in person, by mail, or by FAX to the Office of the Registrar. Upon graduation each student is entitled to one complete transcript of the credits earned without charge.

Two Bachelor of Science Degrees from South Dakota School of Mines and Technology

An undergraduate student who wishes to qualify for a second bachelor of science degree must complete all requirements for both degrees granted.

To qualify for a second bachelor of science degree conferred by conferred by School of Mines, a student must complete all additional unique required courses for the second degree above the minimum 130 credits required for an engineering degree or the minimum 120 credits required for a science degree.

Additionally, a minimum of 30 semester credits must be completed above and beyond the 130 credits (required for an engineering degree) or the 120 credits (required for a science degree).  This mean 130 credits plus a minimum of 30 credits for two engineering degrees or 120 credits plus a minimum 30 credits for two science degrees.  The residency requirement of a minimum of 30 credit hours completed at the institution granting the degree applies to both degree programs.

If pursuing two (2) bachelor of science degrees simultaneously, a student must report this intent to the Office of the Registrar. This action will initiate the assignment of an advisor in each discipline.  If returning to school to pursue a second bachelor of science degree, a student should investigate possible financial aid implications by contacting David Martin or Erin Richards in the Financial Aid Office.

Qualifying for a second bachelor of science degree should not be confused with qualifying for a double major.  See section on Double Major in Science Programs.

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
For undergraduate students, does not calculate into any GPA, no credit granted prior to fall 2015.

For graduate students, does not calculate into any GPA.

WD
For undergraduate students effective fall 2015, the first six (6) dropped courses after the last day to drop and receive 100% refund. WD grades do not calculate into any GPA.

WW
For undergraduate students effective fall 2015 doing a full university withdrawal. Does not calculate into any GPA.

WFL
For undergraduate students effective fall 2015, any individually dropped course after six (6) maximum WD grades assigned. 0.00 grade points per semester hour.

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 as evidenced by the Incomplete Grade Contract.
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: www.sdsmt.edu/Academics/Registrar/forms/.

Withdrawal Grades Policy and Deadline

Effective fall 2015, undergraduate students are allowed a maximum of six (6) dropped courses with a grade of “WD,” 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. If an undergraduate student withdraws from the system during that time, a maximum of six (6) dropped courses are eligible to receive a grade of “WD.” Unless it is a corequisite laboratory course section, any following dropped courses will receive a grade of “WFL.”

Graduate students who drop a course 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 graduate 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. (See SD BOR 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. This notice must be given by the student using the appropriate forms. A withdrawal will not be finalized until a student has returned the completed form to the Office of the Registrar and it has been processed. In the instance the withdrawal form is not submitted as instructed above, the university in its discretion and in accordance with Board of Regents Policy 5:7, will determine the effective date of the withdrawal. Dates for withdrawing from the university will be proportionally adjusted for summer terms of instruction. If an undergraduate student withdraws from the university system from the day after census day through 70 percent of the class meeting days in the term, a grade of “WW” will be issued for all courses. The “WW” grade is not factored into the GPA and these courses are not included in the maximum of 6 undergraduate dropped courses with a grade of “WD.”

For graduate students, complete withdrawal from the university from the day after census 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. 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 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” or “WD.” 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 www.sdsmt.edu/Academics/Registrar/forms/.

Such appeal must be filed within one term after the term in which the withdrawal occurred.