Course Registration
Each term, the university publishes a schedule of course offerings and a timetable for registration. The university reserves the right to modify the schedule of course offerings—courses offered, sections, class meeting days and times, and instructors – and to modify individual student schedules, consistent with providing students the opportunity for timely completion of degrees.
Returning students may register for classes at scheduled times during each semester’s registration period. New students will register at any times designated on the registration schedule. Students will receive credit only for those courses in which they are properly enrolled, and they will receive grades in all courses unless proper withdrawal procedures are followed.
Course Add/Drop
The add/drop dates for all terms are published each semester by the Registrar and are located on the Academic Calendar posted on EagleNet. All schedule changes must be approved by the student’s academic advisor. Students may add a class though the first 5 days of a regular term and may drop without a ‘W’ during the first 10 days. After the 10th day, all dropped classes will receive a grade of W. No class may be dropped after the last day for withdrawal published on the Academic Calendar.
Academic Leave of Absence
An Academic Leave of Absence may be granted to students who find it necessary to take time away from their studies to participate in a study abroad program (credit or non-credit), in a guest matriculate program at another University, or in an approved non-credit internship, or for military service.
To be granted a leave of absence, a student must be in good academic standing. Students wishing to request a leae of absence must contact the Office of Administrative Services or Office of Academic Affairs for the request from. The request a leave of absence the student must submit a Leave of Absence form before the last class day of the semester prior to the planned leave of absence to include a specified date of return. (see University Catalog)
Voluntary withdrawal from the University
Students withdrawing from University of the Ozarks must meet with OAS to complete the official withdrawal process. (see University Catalog) Failure to formally withdraw will result in failure in classes for which you are registered. All students that withdrawal must re-apply for admission to return to the University.
Academic Advising
Upon enrollment at the university, students will be assigned a staff or faculty advisor and will be notified of their advisor by email. For first-year students, the advisor will be the Ozarks Experience instructor.
Once a student has selected their major, they are responsible for choosing their advisor. Students meet with their advisor prior to registration to plan or confirm their class schedule. A Declaration/Change of Major and/or Change of Advisor may be accomplished by the discipline advisor through the appropriate online form.
Selecting a Major
Students should formally declare a major and minors required by the LENS curriculum by the end of their sophomore year. The advisor, along with career services, can aid in the process of selecting a majors and minors
University Grades
University grading policies are published in the University Catalog published on the University website.
Grade Change Requests
All grade changes must be submitted by the faculty and approved as stated in the Employee Handbook.
Grade Appeal
Students have the right to appeal an official grade within one year of the posting of the grade. The grade appeal policy is published in the Employee handbook (Policy 1205) and in the University Catalog. Students appealing a grade must submit an official letter of appeal to the Chief Academic Officer at oaa@ozarks.edu. This formal letter must include information to support a claim for grade change.
ACADEMIC STANDING
At University of the Ozarks, we stand behind our support for students to attain degree completion in 4 years. Typically, that means they should complete 15 semester hours each semester to reach the minimum requirement of 120 hours in 8 semesters. The key to staying on track for on-time graduation is making satisfactory academic progress and maintaining a cumulative GPA at or above 2.00.
Academic Good Standing is evaluated at the end of each regular semester. If students do not achieve the minimum requirements during any semester, they will be placed on academic warning, academic probation, or academic suspension as outlined in the University Catalog.
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
The Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) requires institutions of higher education to protect the privacy of students. Under this act students have the right to (1) inspect and review their educational records, (2) request an amendment to their records to ensure that they are correct and that there has been no violation of privacy, (3) consent to the disclosure of information to other individuals or entities, (4) file a complaint with the Family Policy Compliance Office and (5) obtain a copy of the University’s policy. University of the Ozarks respects the privacy of its students; therefore, the agents and employees of the University adhere strictly to FERPA.
DIRECTORY INFORMATION
FERPA provides that the University may designate directory information to be released to third parties. Directory information is released at the discretion of the University. Students are given an opportunity to decline the release of directory information. University of the Ozarks defines directory information to include student’s identification photograph, name, University email address, enrollment status, college level, majors and minors, dates of attendance, degrees conferred, awards received, academic honors, educational institution attended, participation in officially recognized activities or athletic teams and weights and heights of athletic team members.
STUDENT RECORDS
Students’ academic, financial or student conduct records may be released to the faculty advisors and other University personnel whose official responsibilities require the above information on a “need to know” basis. Students may grant permission for the University to release academic, financial or student conduct records to other individuals. Parental access to student records will be allowed by the University if the student is claimed as a dependent for tax purposes. The University will also notify parents of conduct in which the students’ health and safety is a concern.
THIRD PARTIES
Students’ records, such as transcripts, will not be released to third parties without the students’ written consent. Parental access to student records will be allowed by the University if the student is claimed as a dependent for tax purposes. Official transcripts are requested through the National Student Clearing House. Official transcripts and diplomas will not be released if the student has a financial obligation to the University.
NATIONAL STUDENT CLEARING HOUSE
The University discloses non-directory information on all students to the National Student Clearing House.
POSTING OF GRADES BY FACULTY
The public posting of grades either by a student’s name, student identification number or social security number without the student’s written permission is a violation of FERPA. Even with names obscured, student identifier numbers are considered personal identification information. Therefore, the practice of posting grades by social security number or student identification number violates FERPA. The returning of papers via an “open” distribution system, e.g. stacking them on an open table, is a violation of a student’s right to privacy, unless the student submits a signed waiver to the instructor for such purpose. The instructor must keep the waiver on file in order to avoid institutional or personal liability.
FACULTY SENDING GRADES VIA E-MAIL
There is no guarantee of confidentiality in transmitting information electronically via campus e-mail or through the Internet. Faculty who wish to send grades to students via e-mail need to understand that if there is an unauthorized release of grades to someone who is not a school official, the institution is in violation of FERPA if the student whose grades are disclosed filed a complaint with the Family Policy Compliance Office. Moodle and the CAMS Student Portals, however, are secure sites where students can access their grades electronically. Submission of grades through CAMS is also considered to be a secure transmission.
GRADE INFORMATION IN LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION
Written permission of the student is required if any information included in the recommendation is an “education record” (Grades, GPA, and other non-directory information). Personal observations about the student are acceptable comments that can be included in the recommendations without the student’s written permission.
QUESTIONS
Questions concerning access to a student’s records or FERPA should be directed to the Office of Academic Affairs. Students declare their FERPA designations online during their first semester. Students may make changes online at any time.
