Narrative:
Academic policies at Troy University adhere to principles of good educational practice and are accurately published to all constituencies; therefore Troy University is in compliance with this Comprehensive Standard.
Troy University’s academic policies adhere to principles of good educational practice
Troy University’s academic policies adhere to principles of good educational practice within context of the institution’s mission that follows:
For example, the Troy University undergraduate grading system ( Table 1) and graduate grading system ( Table 2) are similar to those used by other member institutions in Southern Regional Education Board states.
TABLE 1: Undergraduate Grading System
Grade
Description
Credit
Grade points per credit hour
A
Excellent
Yes
4
B
Above Average
Yes
3
C
Average
Yes
2
D
Below Average
Yes
1
F
Failure
No
0
FA
Failure due to excessive absences
(Calculates as an F in the GPA)
No
0
I
Incomplete
No
0
P
Pass
Yes
0
AU
Audit
No
0
W
Withdrawal prior to the published deadline
No
0
WP
Withdrawal passing
No
0
WF
Withdrawal with academic penalty
(Calculates as an F in the GPA)
No
0
DR
Dropped course prior to the published deadline
No
0
DP
Dropped course passing
No
0
DF
Dropped course with academic penalty
(Calculates as an F in the GPA)
No
0
NG
No grade reported by faculty at end of term (awarded by registrar)
No
0
TABLE 2: Graduate Grading System
Grade
Description
Credit
Grade points per credit hour
A
Excellent
Yes
4
B
Above Average
Yes
3
C
Average
Yes
2
D
Below Average
Yes
1
F
Failure
No
0
AU
Audit
No
0
DF
Dropped course with academic penalty
(Calculates as an F in the GPA)
No
0
DP
Dropped course passing
No
0
DR
Dropped course prior to midterm
No
0
FA
Failure due to excessive absences
(Calculates as an F in the GPA)
No
0
I
Incomplete
No
0
IP
Thesis or Clinical Research in Progress
No
0
NG
No grade reported by faculty at end of term (awarded by registrar)
No
0
P
Pass
Yes
0
W
Withdrawal prior to midterm
No
0
WF
Withdrawal with academic penalty
(Calculates as an F in the GPA)
No
0
WP
Withdrawal passing
No
0
Continuing, Troy University’s academic policies are designed to facilitate learning. For example, the University’s withdrawal process includes an exit interview with an official at the student’s home location. This exit interview provides an opportunity for the University to identify the student’s obstacle to continuing his or her education and to assist the student in returning to the University if appropriate.
In addition, Troy University both practices and publicizes its commitment to continual improvement of educational programs as evidenced in the 2008-09 Undergraduate Catalog, p. 15:
Institutional Assessment of Student Academic Performance
Troy University is committed to the continual improvement of its educational programs. The University periodically conducts assessments of student outcomes, therefore a student can expect to participate in academic outcomes assessment activities during his or her time of enrollment.
Complete information regarding assessment is provided in the reports for Core Requirement 2.5 and Comprehensive Standard 3.3.1.
Academic policies are developed, approved and implemented with input from faculty members
As stated in the Faculty Handbook, the University’s academic policies, like curricular changes, are subject to approval of the Undergraduate Academic Council and the Graduate Academic Council. The membership of these committees is made up of elected, voting representatives from the five academic colleges; therefore faculty members are directly responsible for establishing and changing academic policies.
For example, in spring 2006, the Associate Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Studies, the Associate Provost and Dean of the Graduate School, and the University Registrar recognized the need for clarification in the University’s incomplete grade policy. Following development and review (the report for Comprehensive Standard 3.4.1 provides a complete analysis of procedures for changing or creating new academic programs and policies), a revised policy was presented on to both the undergraduate and graduate academic councils. The minutes of the Undergraduate Academic Council for March 16, 2006, and the minutes of the Graduate Academic Council for March 16, 2006, demonstrate faculty input and approval of the change to this academic policy, and a 2006-07 Undergraduate Academic Catalog excerpt demonstrates the publication of the revised policy.
Publication of academic policies
Troy University publishes its academic policies to its constituent groups as follows:
The consistency among policy statements in these publications is confirmed with each edition. For example, an ad hoc Faculty Handbook Review Committee appointed by the Executive Vice Chancellor / Provost completed a comprehensive, line-by-line review of the Faculty Handbook in spring 2008 resulting in approval by the Board of Trustees in May, 2008.
In addition, to ensure accuracy and consistency, each of the above policy documents is assigned an individual coordinator charged with tracking and making changes subject to the approval of the appropriate senior vice chancellor or the chancellor.
Publication
Coordination hierarchy
Undergraduate Catalog
Undergraduate Catalog Editor, with approval of the Associate Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Studies, with approval of the Executive Vice Chancellor / Provost
Graduate Catalog
Associate Provost and Dean of the Graduate School, with approval of the Executive Vice Chancellor / Provost
Student Handbook
Dean of Students, with approval of the Senior Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Administration
Faculty Handbook
Faculty Handbook Editor, with approval of the Executive Vice Chancellor / Provost
ePolicy Manual
Executive Assistant to the Chancellor, with approval of the Chancellor
Prior to publication, all print and Web-based documents receive rigorous review to ensure accuracy. The annual review and publication process for the undergraduate catalog is described briefly below as an example of this review process.
Annual Undergraduate Catalog Content Review Process
Annual Undergraduate Catalog Content Review Process
In conclusion, Troy University’s academic policies adhere to principles of good educational practice, receive review and approval by faculty members, and are subject to rigorous review prior to publication. Therefore, Troy University is in compliance with this Comprehensive Standard.
Last Updated: 08/26/2008
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