Academic Program
The programs and courses offered at the College of Arts and Science are designed for students who attend classes offered during the day on a full-time basis. A full-time schedule normally consists of 16 points per term, or 32 points per year, which enables a student to complete the entire program of 128 points in four years. Minimal full-time status entails completing at least 12 points per term or 24 points per year. Students who wish to attend part time should obtain permission from the Office of the Associate Dean for Students. Such status will be granted only when there is good and sufficient reason for part-time study. Failure to complete a minimum of 24 points per year jeopardizes a student’s full-time status and his or her eligibility to receive financial aid.
Students in good academic standing may register for more than 18 points per term with the approval and clearance of their academic adviser. Students on academic probation, however, who wish to register for more than 18 points per term must obtain the prior approval of the Committee on Academic Standards, as must any other student wishing to register for more than 20 points.
Change of program: To make any changes in their program, including dropping or adding courses given in other divisions of the University, students must access Albert via NYUHome at home.nyu.edu or file a Change of Program form in the Student Services Center, 25 West Fourth Street.
Adding courses: The deadline for the adding of a course or a section is the end of the second week of the semester. The deadline applies to any course added by a College of Arts and Science student and to any College of Arts and Science course added by students from other divisions. The adding of any course or section after the end of the second week is generally allowed only when the student is changing levels within a discipline—for example, from a French or mathematics course to a higher- or lower-level course in the same discipline. The addition is permitted only with the written approval of both the instructor and an adviser in the College Advising Center.
Withdrawing from courses: Students are expected to maintain a full-time program as described above. Occasionally, they may withdraw from a course if, because of reasons beyond their control, they cannot continue. Courses dropped during the first three weeks of the term will not appear on the transcript. Those dropped from the beginning of the fourth week through the ninth week of the term will be recorded with a grade of W. After the ninth week, no one may withdraw from a course. Students who are ill or have a serious personal problem should see, call, or write to an adviser in the College Advising Center, College of Arts and Science, New York University, Silver Center, 100 Washington Square East, Room 905, New York, NY 10003-6688; 212-998-8130.
Complete withdrawals: Students who wish to withdraw from all their courses must make an appointment for an interview with an adviser in the College Advising Center.
A student who withdraws officially from all courses in a term may register for the following term. If the student is unable to attend the College during the term following the withdrawal, he or she should request a leave of absence from an adviser in the College Advising Center. For more information, see “Attendance,” below.
Auditing: Matriculated students in the College may audit (i.e., attend lectures without intending to receive credit) any course in the College with the consent of, and under the conditions established by, the instructor and the department. Auditors may not preempt space required for registered students. Courses cannot be audited as a means of satisfying requirements for an incomplete grade or as a means of changing a previous grade.
A student cannot register as an auditor, and audited courses will not appear on the student’s official transcript. Special (nondegree) students may not audit courses.
Attendance
Although the administration of the College does not supervise attendance of classes, it supports the standards imposed by instructors.
Students who, in the judgment of the instructor, have not substantially met the requirements of the course or who have been excessively absent may be considered to have withdrawn unofficially and may be given the final grade of F. See “Withdrawing from courses,” above.
RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS AND ATTENDANCE
New York University, as a nonsectarian institution, adheres to the general policy of including in its official calendar only certain legal holidays. However, it has also long been University policy that members of any religious group may, without penalty, absent themselves from classes when compliance with their religious obligations requires it. In 1988, the University Senate affirmed this policy and passed a resolution that elaborated on it as follows:
- Students who anticipate being absent because of any religious observance should, whenever possible, notify faculty in advance of such anticipated absence.
- Whenever feasible, examinations and assignment deadlines should not be scheduled on religious holidays. Any student absent from class because of religious beliefs shall not be penalized for any class, examination, or assignment deadline missed on that day or days.
- If examinations or assignment deadlines are scheduled, any student who is unable to attend class because of religious beliefs shall be given the opportunity to make up that day or days.
- No adverse or prejudicial effects shall result to any student who avails him/herself of the above provisions.
Credit
CREDIT FOR ADVANCED PLACEMENT EXAMINATIONS
The College participates in the Advanced Placement Program of the College Entrance Examination Board. Students who have taken Advanced Placement exams while in high school should have the Educational Testing Service in Princeton forward their official scores to the Office of Undergrad-uate Admissions, 665 Broadway, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10012-2339. No credit is given for AP tests taken after the completion of high school. In most subjects, if the score received is 4 or 5, credit will be granted. If such credit is granted, students should not retake that course for credit in the College. If they choose to do so, they will automatically lose the Advanced Placement credit. For more information, see the “Advanced Placement Equiva-lencies” chart in the Admission section of this bulletin.
CREDIT FOR COURSES AT THE COLLEGE
To receive credit for a course, the student must register before attending, meet the requirements for attendance, and satisfactorily complete all examinations and assignments prescribed by the instructor. For exceptional students, most departments also offer independent study. The College does not permit students to register as auditors.
RESTRICTIONS ON RECEIVING CREDIT
A student who has earned credit for a course may repeat it once (a “W” obtained on first registration for a course does not count in these calculations). Students may not repeat courses in a designated sequence after taking more-advanced courses; however, the sequencing of courses is determined by the departments. Students with questions regarding the repetition of courses or course sequences must consult with the particular department offering the course. When a student repeats a course, no additional credit will be awarded. Both grades will be recorded, but only the latter will be computed in the grade point average and have credit awarded. No course can be taken for a grade more than twice. Students should be aware that certain graduate schools, including dental, medical, and law schools, will count both grades for a repeated course in the average.
A limited number of credits may be earned by those in the military services who take correspondence courses in colleges approved by the United States Armed Forces Institute. Students may not be registered at another university at the same time that they are registered in the College of Arts and Science.
CREDIT FOR COURSES AT OTHER SCHOOLS AND DIVISIONS OF NEW YORK UNIVERSITY
Courses may be taken in the New York University Graduate School of Arts and Science; 1000-level graduate courses may be taken as described in the departmental sections of this bulletin, and 2000-level graduate courses may be taken with written approval of the instructor. If graduate courses are applied toward the completion of requirements for the baccalaureate degree, no advanced credit is allowed for them in the Graduate School of Arts and Science.
It is also possible for students to take courses in other undergraduate divisions of New York University and to have credits for these courses applied to the degree in the College.
Students may take a total of 16 points in other divisions, including any courses for particular minors approved by the College. Transfer students should note that credits for non-liberal-arts courses (e.g., business, applied art, speech) taken at another institution count as part of the 16 points. The following exception applies: Students are permitted to take up to 24 points in other divisions to complete their program, as prescribed, if they are formally matriculated in one of the following combined degree programs: secondary education; the B.A./D.D.S. program; or the accelerated B.A./M.P.A. or B.S./B.E. program.
Please note that restrictions apply. Courses in other divisions that duplicate the contents of a College of Arts and Science course do not count toward the College degree. For details, students must check with an adviser in the College Advising Center before registering for any courses in other divisions. If a course is not approved, students will not receive credit for it. Independent study or internship courses taken in other divisions of the University do not count toward the College degree. If such courses are taken at schools outside the University, the credit will not transfer to the College.
Also excluded from credit toward the degree are any courses taken in the School of Continuing and Professional Studies once a student is registered in the College.
Credit for Internet and online courses will not be counted toward the B.A. degree.
SUMMER SESSION
Once admitted to the College, students must take all courses here, including those they need or wish to take during the summer. Exceptions are granted only rarely and only for good academic reasons. Requests for a waiver should be made by submitting a petition to the Academic Standards Committee, Silver Center, Room 909B.
Information about NYU summer course offerings is available during the preceding fall and spring terms, as is information about dormitory facilities available to students who usually commute.
Examinations and Grades
CREDIT FOR TRANSFER STUDENTS
Students are allowed to transfer up to 64 credits to the College. Credits based on semester hours are accepted from other institutions at face value and are not altered when they are transferred into the College. Quarter hours will be converted to semester hours to determine the number of credits transferable to the College of Arts and Science. Credits based on semester hours will be transferred at face value to NYU. Non-liberal-arts credits are not always transferable. Only credits for course work taken with a grade of C or better will be transferred. Courses taken for a pass/fail grade will not transfer to the College.
CREDIT FOR NON-NYU STUDY ABROAD
Credits based on semester hours (similar to schools in the United States) are accepted from institutions abroad at face value and are not altered when the credits transfer into the College. Often credits from institutions abroad must be adjusted or converted to correspond to the College’s requirements for awarding credits. Approval to participate in a non-NYU study abroad is only obtained by completing an academic proposal. The packet of information required to complete the proposal is available at the Office of the Associate Dean for Students, Silver Center, 100 Washington Square East, Room 909B. When students receive approval to participate in a non-NYU program abroad, the courses they will take are approved and the number of transfer credits they will receive are specified.
FINAL EXAMINATIONS
When final examinations are missed because of illness, a doctor’s note must be presented to the instructor, who may give a grade of Incomplete. See below for an outline of procedures for taking makeup examinations.
MAKEUP EXAMINATIONS
As noted under “Grades,” below, a student who cannot take the final examination in a course at the regularly scheduled time may be given the grade of Incomplete. The student must discuss the reasons for missing the examination with the instructor and, in the case of illness, must submit a doctor’s note to the instructor. The student must ask the instructor to give a grade of Incomplete. Incompletes are not awarded automatically. The time and place of any makeup examinations are set by the instructor or the department.
Incomplete grades received because of a missed final examination must be removed within the semester following the one in which the Incomplete was received. In the case of students who are out of attendance, such grades must be removed within one year after the end of the course concerned. A grade of Incomplete that is not removed within this time limit becomes an F and is computed in the average. (Regarding the removal of Incompletes received for missed work other than final examinations, see under “Grades” and “Incompletes,” below.)
GRADES
Students may obtain their final grades for each semester over the telephone or on the Web by means of a personal identification number. The parents or guardian of a student who is a minor (under 18 years of age) may, on a written request to the Office of the University Registrar, obtain the student’s grades at any time.
The following symbols indicating grades are used: A, B, C, D, P, F, and W. The following symbol indicates incomplete work: I. Only grades of A, B, C, D, or F earned while matriculated in the College, or earned in any of the College’s courses (courses prefixed by “A” or “V”) while matriculated in another division of New York University, are computed in the average. The following grades may be awarded: A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, F. In general, A indicates excellent work, B indicates good work, C indicates satisfactory work, and D indicates passable work and is the lowest passing grade. F indicates failure. The weights assigned in computing the grade point average are as follows:
A = 4.0
A- = 3.7
B+ = 3.3
B = 3.0
B- = 2.7
C+ = 2.3
C = 2.0
C- = 1.7
D+ = 1.3
D = 1.0
F = 0.0
Computing the grade point average: The grade point average can be obtained by determining the total of all grade points earned (quality points) and dividing that figure by the total number of credit hours completed (quality hours).
For example: A student who has completed 8 points of A (4.0), 4 points of B (3.0), and 4 points of C (2.0) has a grade point average of 3.25. This is obtained by adding 8 (points of A) x 4.0 (point value of A), 4 (points of B) x 3.0 (point value of B), and 4 (points of C) x 2.0 (point value of C), which totals 52 (the total of all grade points earned), and then by dividing 52 by 16 (the total number of credit hours completed). This gives the grade point average of 3.25.
Once a final grade has been submitted by the instructor and recorded on the transcript, the final grade cannot be changed by turning in additional course work.
To appeal an assigned grade, the student should first consult with the instructor who assigned the grade to discuss the grading requirements for the course and how the grade was determined. If the student is not satisfied with the outcome of the discussion and wishes to appeal the grade further, a formal written appeal should be submitted to the chair and/or director of undergraduate studies in the particular department. An independent review of the grade will be undertaken by the department. All of the student’s work will be reviewed to clarify how the grade was determined and to ensure the grade is consistent with the academic guidelines and policies of the department. The decision of the department in matters related to a course grade is final.
In the case of a course that has been repeated, only the second grade, whether higher or lower, is computed into the average. The initial grade, however, remains on the transcript.
The grades for courses taken abroad in one of New York University’s programs or at one of the exchange sites are recorded on the transcript and are also included in the grade point average. The grades for graduate and professional courses taken at other divisions in the University are included in the grade point average, provided that permission to enroll is obtained prior to registration for the courses.
Not included in the undergraduate grade point average are grades for the first year of professional courses taken by those students in the three-year accelerated dental, law, or medical programs; grades for work done at institutions other than New York University (except for exchange sites abroad); and grades for work done in courses that are not prefixed with an “A” or a “V” while enrolled in another division of New York University.
P: The grade of P (Pass) indicates a passing grade (A, B, C, or D) in a course taken under the pass/fail option. It is also used to indicate nongraded courses. The grade of P is not computed in the average. The grade of F under the pass/fail option is computed in the average. For more information and procedures to obtain the pass/fail option, see the section “Pass/Fail Option,” below.
W: The grade of W indicates an official withdrawal of the student from a course. Please see “Change of program” and “Withdrawing from courses,” above, for information on the regulations and procedures for withdrawing officially from courses.
I: The grade of I (Incomplete) is a temporary grade that indicates that the student has, for good reason, not completed all of the course work but that there is the possibility that the student will eventually pass the course when all of the requirements have been completed. A student must ask the instructor for a grade of I, present documented evidence of illness or the equivalent, and clarify the remaining course requirements with the instructor.
The incomplete grade is not awarded automatically. It is not used when there is no possibility that the student will eventually pass the course. If the course work is not completed after the statutory time for making up incompletes has elapsed, the temporary grade of I shall become an F and will be computed in the student’s grade point average.
INCOMPLETES
All work missed in the fall term must be made up by the end of the following spring term. All work missed in the spring term or in a summer session must be made up by the end of the following fall term. Students who are out of attendance in the semester following the one in which the course was taken have one year to complete the work. Students should contact the College Advising Center for an Extension of Incomplete Form, which must be approved by the instructor. Extensions of these time limits are rarely granted.
INDEPENDENT STUDY
Most departments offer independent study courses for students with exceptional qualifications. In these courses, the work is planned specifically for each student.
Independent study courses allow the student to work independently with faculty supervision and counsel. The courses are generally numbered VXX.0997,0998 and typically carry variable credit of 2 or 4 points each term. They are normally limited to upper-class majors but may be open to other well-qualified students. To register for independent study, a student must have written approval of the director of undergraduate studies of the department in which the course is offered. The result of the independent study course should be a paper or objective, tangible evidence of completion of the work. The individual departments may grant credit for not more than 8 points of independent study (VXX.0997,0998) for work approved in advance. In general, students are not permitted to take more than 12 points of independent study and/or internship, and no more than 8 points may be taken in any one department. Internships and/or independent study courses taken in other divisions of the University or at other universities do not count toward the College degree.
More specific information can be found under the individual departmental descriptions.
LEAVE OF ABSENCE
General Leave
If a student and an adviser agree that a leave of absence is the best way to proceed given the student’s situation, the adviser will assist in the withdrawal from the semester and extended time for a leave of absence. A student needs to complete the Leave of Absence Petition form, which can be obtained at the College Advising Center, Silver Center, 100 Washington Square East, Room 909B. Leave of absence petitions are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis throughout the academic year. A student granted a leave does not have to make a formal application for readmission as long as he/she returns to the College within the agreed-upon time (a maximum of two semesters during a student’s academic career). Students who attend another college during the leave must petition to have the credits transferred after they have been approved to return to the College. Petitions may be obtained at the Office of the Associate Dean for Students, Silver Center, 100 Washington Square East, Room 909B. Students are advised to find out how the leave of absence may affect their scholarship and financial aid award and should contact the Financial Aid Office at 25 West Fourth Street. If students are on probation when the leave is granted, they will return on probation. Students out of attendance who did not apply for a leave and who wish to return to the College may apply for readmission. (See the Admission section.)
Psychological and Medical Leave
If a student and a counselor or a physician agree that a psychological or medical leave of absence is the best way to proceed given the situation, the counselor or physician should make a recommendation to the Associate Dean for Students at the College for the withdrawal from the semester and extended time for a leave of absence. A student needs to complete the Leave of Absence Petition form, which can be obtained at the Office of the Associate Dean for Students, Silver Center, 100 Washington Square East, Room 909B. Leave of absence petitions are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis throughout the academic year. A Certification of Readiness to Return to School from a Leave of Absence form should be completed by the counselor/therapist or physician, who needs to state clearly that the student is ready to return and that NYU is a suitable environment in which to continue his/her academic work. The student must also schedule an appointment with a counselor/therapist or physician, at the NYU Health Center prior to receiving approval from the College to return. A student granted a leave does not have to make a formal application for readmission as long as he/she returns to the College within the agreed-upon time (a maximum of two semesters during a student’s academic career). Students who attend another college during the leave must petition to have the credits transferred after they have been approved to return to the College. Petitions may be obtained at the Office of the Associate Dean for Students, Silver Center, 100 Washington Square East, Room 909B. Students are advised to find out how the leave of absence may affect their scholarship and financial aid award and should contact the Office of Financial Aid at 25 West Fourth Street. If students are on probation when the leave is granted, they will return on probation. Students out of attendance who did not apply for a leave and who wish to return to the College may apply for readmission. (See the Admission section.)
PASS/FAIL OPTION
Students may elect one pass/fail option each term, including the summer sessions, for a total of not more than 32 points during their college career. The pass/fail option is not acceptable for courses completed at other institutions.
The choice must be made before the completion of the fifth week of the term (second week of a six-week summer session); after that time, the decision cannot be initiated or changed. No grade other than P or F will be recorded for those students choosing this option. P includes the grades of A, B, C, and D and is not counted in the average. F is counted in the average.
The pass/fail option is not acceptable in the major, the minor, or any of the courses taken in fulfillment of the Morse Academic Plan requirements. Students considering the pass/fail option in their area of study or in required preprofessional courses should consult with their advisers about the effect of such grades on admission to graduate and professional schools. Students who change their majors may not be able to use courses taken under the pass/fail option to satisfy the requirements of their new majors. The form for declaring the pass/fail option may be obtained in the College Advising Center, Silver Center, 100 Washington Square East, Room 905.
PETITIONS
The Faculty Committee on Undergraduate Academic Standards will consider petitions of students to waive requirements or modify policies and regulations of the College. Students should be aware that only very exceptional cases, supported by valid and documented reasons, will be considered. After deliberation, the Committee’s decisions on such matters are final. Petition forms may be obtained in the Office of the Associate Dean for Students, Silver Center, 100 Washington Square East, Room 909B.
Placement Examinations, Analysis of Academic Progress, and Transcripts
PLACEMENT EXAMINATIONS
Foreign Languages
Testing and placement: Most entering students take a proficiency/placement test prior to their first registration in the College. SAT-style reading tests are used as proficiency (exemption) and placement instruments in French, German, Italian, and Spanish. Students who took a foreign language SAT Subject test while in high school are encouraged to present the score instead of or in addition to taking the College’s test. Written examinations are also given in Korean, modern Greek, modern Hebrew, Latin, Portuguese, Russian, and Tagalog. Testing in Japanese and Mandarin Chinese can be arranged through the Department of East Asian Studies. Testing in Cantonese can be arranged through the Department of Social and Cultural Analysis. Testing in Gaelic (Irish) can be arranged through Ireland House. Testing in Arabic, Turkish, Persian, and Hindi/Urdu can be arranged through the Department of Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies. Because these are reading examinations, students should choose to be tested in the language in which they have good reading skills.
Tests can result either in an exemption from the foreign-language requirement (see “Foreign Language” under Morse Academic Plan) or in placement into the appropriate-level course. Placement into a lower-level course means that the student must continue his or her studies of that language (or begin a new language) until completion of the intermediate level of that language. In some cases, adjustments in placement may be made during the first weeks of class.
Information on placement testing can be obtained from the Office of Academic Affairs, Silver Center, 100 Washington Square East, Room 908; 212-998-8110. Students who place at a level below that which they have completed at another college will lose transfer credit if they repeat course work at the College of Arts and Science.
Testing exemptions: The proficiency/placement test is required of all entering students with the following exceptions: students who will begin a language they have not previously studied; students whose entire secondary schooling was in a language other than English and other than those languages taught in the College; and foreign students who complete the sequence of required English courses for international students. Students in these categories should contact the College Advising Center to verify that they have satisfied the foreign-language requirement.
Quantitative Reasoning
All students who are planning to register for Quantitative Reasoning (V55.01XX) or to satisfy this MAP requirement by sufficiently high score on a test must take the Quantitative Reasoning screening/exemption test.
Chemistry
A chemistry assessment examination is given to all freshmen who intend to take chemistry.
Biology
A biology assessment examination is available to entering students to determine whether they have the qualifications for immediate placement into Molecular and Cell Biology I and II (V23.0021,0022).
ANALYSIS OF ACADEMIC PROGRESS
Via the Web (www.albert.nyu.edu), by means of their personal identification number (PIN), all students have access to their Analysis of Academic Progress as generated by the Office of the University Registrar. This is a Student Information System (SIS) accounting of completed and remaining degree requirements.
TRANSCRIPTS OF RECORD
Official copies of your University transcript can be requested when a stamped and sealed copy of your University records is required. Requests for official transcripts require the signature of the student requesting the transcript. Currently, we are not accepting requests for a transcript by e-mail.
A transcript may be requested by either (1) completing the online request form at www.nyu.edu/registrar/transcript-form.html and mailing/faxing the signature page (recommended method) or (2) writing a request letter (see below) and mailing/faxing the completed and signed letter. Our fax number is 212-995-4154; our mailing address is New York University, Office of the University Registrar, Transcripts Department, P.O. Box 910, New York, NY 10276-0910.
There is no charge for academic transcripts.
Writing a request letter: A request letter must include all of the following information:
• University ID number
• Current name and any other name under which you attend/attended NYU
• Current address
• Date of birth
• School of the University you attend/attended and for which you are requesting the transcript
• Dates of attendance
• Date of graduation
• Full name and address of the person or institution to which the transcript is to be sent
There is no limit for the number of official transcripts that can be issued to a student. You can indicate in your request if you would like us to forward the transcripts to your home address, but we still require the name and address of each institution.
Unofficial transcripts are available on Albert. If you initiate your transcript request through the online request form, you will receive e-mail confirmation when the Office of the University Registrar has received your signed request form. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the office at 212-998-4280, and a representative will assist you.
Once a final examination period has begun, no transcript will be forwarded for any student who is currently enrolled in courses until all the student’s final grades have been received and recorded. Please notify the Office of the University Registrar immediately of any change of address.
Students are able to access their grades at the end of each semester via Albert, NYU’s Web-based registration and information system. Albert can be accessed via NYUHome at home.nyu.edu.
INFORMATION ON HOW TO REQUEST ENROLLMENT VERIFICATION
Verification of enrollment or graduation may be requested by submitting a signed letter with the following information: University ID number, current name and any name under which you attended NYU, current address, date of birth, school of the University attended, dates attended, date of graduation, and the full name and address of the person or institution to which the verification is to be sent. Please address your request to Office of the University Registrar, Transcript and Certification Department, New York University, P.O. Box 910, New York, NY 10276-0910. Alternately, you can fax your signed request to 212-995-4154. Please allow seven business days from the time the Office of the University Registrar is in receipt of your request. If you wish to confirm receipt of your request, please contact our office at 212-998-4280, and a representative will assist you. Currently, we are not accepting requests for certification by e-mail.
ARREARS POLICY
The University reserves the right to deny registration and withhold all information regarding the record of any student who is in arrears in the payment of tuition, fees, loans, or other charges (including charges for housing, dining, or other activities or ser-vices) for as long as any arrears remain.
Diploma Arrears Policy
Diplomas of students in arrears will be held until their financial obligations to the University are fulfilled and they have been cleared by the Bursar. Graduates with a diploma hold may contact the Office of the Bursar at 212-998-2806 to clear arrears or to discuss their financial status at the University.
Diploma Application
Students may officially graduate in September, January, or May. The Commencement ceremony for all schools is held in May. You must apply for graduation by dialing TorchTone (212-995-4747). In order to graduate in a specific semester, you must apply for graduation within the application deadline period indicated on the calendar. (Students may view the graduation deadlines calendar and general information about graduation on the Office of the University Registrar’s Web page at www.nyu.edu/registrar.) It is recommended that you apply for graduation no later than the beginning of the semester in which you plan to complete all program requirements. If you do not successfully complete all academic requirements by the end of the semester, you must reapply for graduation for the following cycle.
Academic Standards and Discipline
ACADEMIC STANDARDS
The Committee on Undergraduate Academic Standards reviews student records throughout the academic year. All of its actions are based on the grades to date at the end of the term.
Academic alert: Students with cumulative grade point averages of 2.0 to 2.25 will receive an academic alert letter reflecting the committee’s specific recommendations for achieving an appropriate standard for academic performance.
Academic probation: Any student whose record is deemed unsatisfactory will be placed on academic probation and will be so informed by letter. A record will be deemed unsatisfactory if, in any semester, the cumulative or semester grade point average falls below 2.0 or if it fails to show steady and substantial progress toward the degree. Steady and substantial progress toward the degree entails the completion, with satisfactory grades, of more than half of the courses (and points) for which a student registers in any semester. In addition, it entails satisfactory progress in the student’s major.
Failure to satisfy the conditions of probation will result in further academic sanctions and possibly dismissal from the College. The conditions usually require that the student (a) achieve a grade point average of at least 2.0 during the term he or she is on probation, (b) not receive any grade below a C or any grade of I, and (c) not withdraw from any course without securing the permission of the Committee on Undergraduate Academic Standards prior to the withdrawal. Students on academic probation are also required to have a special probation interview with an adviser in the College Advising Center in order to receive registration clearance for the next semester. More specific requirements may be imposed.
The Committee on Under-graduate Academic Standards may summon students with unsatisfactory records to discuss their problems and to determine whether and under what conditions they may continue in the College. In special circumstances, the committee may recommend to the dean that students may be granted or placed on leave for a period not to exceed two semesters.
Students on academic probation may not engage in any extracurricular activities (except for departmental clubs) and may not hold office in these clubs without the approval of the Committee on Undergraduate Academic Standards.
Students on academic probation should be aware that they are usually ineligible for financial aid.
Academic dismissal: Students who are dismissed from the College for poor academic performance will be informed via email two to three weeks after their most recent grades are posted for the enrolled semester. Students who have paid tuition for the next term at the time of dismissal will receive a full refund of tuition and fees.
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY
Community of the Mind
The College is a “community of the mind.” Its students, faculty, and staff all share the goal of pursuing truth through free and open inquiry, and we support one another’s endeavors in this regard. As in any community, membership comes with certain rights and responsibilities. Foremost among these is academic integrity. Cheating on an exam, falsifying data, or having someone else write a paper undermines others who are “doing it on their own”; it makes it difficult or impossible to assess fairly a student’s interest, aptitude, and achievement; and it diminishes the cheater, depriving him or her of an education. Most important, academic dishonesty is a violation of the very principles upon which the academy is founded. Thus, when students enter the College, one of the first things that they are asked to do is to sign a community compact, recognizing these principles of academic integrity. For this reason also, violations of these principles are treated with the utmost seriousness.
Procedures and Sanctions
The penalty for academic dishonesty is severe. The following are the procedures as approved by the Faculty of Arts and Science.
1. If a student cheats on an examination or in laboratory work or engages in plagiarism, appropriate disciplinary action should be taken. The department can take the following actions:
a) The faculty member, with the approval of the director of undergraduate studies (director), may reduce the student’s grade or give the student an F in the course.
b) If after lowering the grade or assigning an F the department believes a more severe penalty (i.e., probation, suspension, expulsion) is warranted, it can refer the case to the dean or his or her representative (associate dean for students) for further action.
2. In all cases of either (a) or (b), the director shall inform the department chair of any action in writing and send copies of this letter to the dean and to the student. The letter shall include the nature of the offense, the penalty, and the right of the student to appeal such penalty. A copy of the letter shall be kept in a confidential chairman’s file and not in the student’s departmental file. The dean’s office copy shall also be kept in a confidential file. (The professor and/or the director is encouraged to meet with the student and discuss the nature of the offense and the action taken.)
3. For cases involving a first offense at New York University, the dean shall send the student by registered mail a notice that a second offense will result in a one-semester suspension or a more severe penalty. (The student is also called in to discuss the offense and review the consequences of the disciplinary action.)
4. For cases involving a second offense, the dean shall proceed as follows:
a) Upon receiving a second director’s letter concerning a given student, the dean shall convene a three-member ad hoc committee, with no member being from the department involved, to examine the evidence. This ad hoc committee shall consider if there are reasonable grounds to believe that cheating/plagiarism has occurred and if so, shall affirm the suspension penalty. It shall report its conclusion to the dean within three business days.
b) If the committee affirms the suspension, the dean shall send the student by registered mail the suspension letter within two business days of receiving the report. The letter shall advise the student of his or her right to appeal. The student shall have two business days from the letter’s delivery to request an appeal of the suspension as provided in Section 5 (below). The suspension shall ordinarily be stayed during the pendency of appeal.
c) If the committee does not affirm the suspension, the report shall be kept on file for a one-year period.
5. The student in all cases has the right to appeal to the dean. In the event of an appeal, the dean shall elicit a written complaint from the faculty member and proceed as described above.
DISCIPLINE
Students are expected to familiarize themselves and to comply with the rules of conduct, regulations, and established practices of the University and the College of Arts and Science, as stated in the Student Disciplinary Procedures and as outlined in the chapter “University Policies and Procedures” in the NYU Student’s Guide. If pursuant to such rules, regulations, or practices, the withdrawal of a student is required before the end of the term for which tuition has been paid, a refund will be made according to the standard schedule for refunds. Below is a summary of the offenses for which students may be subject to disciplinary charges by the Committee on Student Discipline:
1. False representation or forgery of academic documents
2. Deliberate destruction, theft, or unauthorized use of laboratory data, research materials, computer resources, or university property
3. Disruption of an academic event
4. Actual or threatened violence or harassment
Depending on the seriousness of the offense, the following penalties may be imposed after a hearing by the Committee on Student Discipline:
Censure: Written reprimand for violation of a specified regulation, including the possibility of more severe disciplinary sanction in the event of a subsequent violation of any University regulation within a period of time stated in the letter of reprimand.
Disciplinary probation: Suspension of privileges or exclusion from participating in extra-curricular University activities as set forth by the Committee on Student Discipline for a specified period of time.
Suspension: Exclusion from classes as well as suspension of privileges and exclusion from other activities as set forth in the notice of suspension for a definite period of time. A student who has been suspended and who is found “not guilty” shall be allowed full opportunity to make up whatever work was missed because of the suspension.
Dismissal: Termination of student status for an indefinite period. The conditions for readmission, if any are permitted, shall be stated by the committee in the order of dismissal.
If, as a result of disciplinary action, the withdrawal of a student is required before the end of the term for which tuition has been paid, a refund will be made according to the standard schedule for refunds.
STUDENT GRIEVANCE
Students in the College of Arts and Science are referred to the “Student Grievance Procedure” applicable to all the schools of New York University as found in the NYU Student’s Guide. The College adheres to all articles of the “Student Grievance Procedure” as set forth in the University Policies and Procedures section of the NYU Student’s Guide.
UNIVERSITY POLICY ON PATENTS
Students offered research opportunities are reminded that inventions arising from participation in such research are governed by the University’s “Statement of Policy on Patents,” a copy of which may be found in the Faculty Handbook or obtained from the dean’s office.
CAMPUS SAFETY
The Department of Public Safety is located at 14 Washington Place; telephone: 212-998-2222; 212-998-2220 (TTY).
New York University’s annual Campus Security Report includes statistics for the previous three years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus, in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by NYU, and on public property within or immediately adjacent to the campus. The report also includes institutional policies concerning campus security, such as policies concerning sexual assault, drugs, and alcohol. You can obtain a copy of the current report by contacting Thomas Grace, Director of Judicial Affairs and Compliance, Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs (601 Kimmel Center: 212-998-4403), or Jay Zwicker, Crime Prevention Manager, Department of Public Safety (7 Washington Place: 212-998-1451), or by visiting the following Web site: www.nyu.edu/public.safety/policies.
NEW YORK UNIVERSITY WEAPONS POLICY
New York University strictly prohibits the possession of all weapons, as described in local, state, and federal statutes, including, but not limited to, firearms, knives, explosives, etc., in and/or around any and all University facilities—academic, residential, or others. This prohibition extends to all buildings—whether owned, leased, or controlled by the University, regardless of whether the bearer or possessor is licensed to carry that weapon. The possession of any weapon has the potential of creating a dangerous situation for the bearer and others.
The only exceptions to this policy are duly authorized law enforcement personnel who are performing official federal, state, or local business and instances in which the bearer of the weapon is licensed by an appropriate licensing authority and has received written permission from the executive vice president of the University.
NEW YORK UNIVERSITY SIMULATED FIREARM POLICY
New York University strictly prohibits simulated firearms in and/or around any and all University facilities—academic, residential, or other. This prohibition extends to all buildings—whether owned, leased, or controlled by the University. The possession of a simulated firearm has the potential of creating a dangerous situation for the bearer and others.
The only exceptions to this policy are instances in which (1) the bearer is in possession of written permission from a dean, associate dean, assistant dean, or department head and (2) such possession or use of simulated firearms is directly connected to a University- or school-related event (e.g., play, film production). Whenever an approved simulated firearm is transported from one location to another, it must be placed in a secure container in such a manner that it cannot be observed. Storage of approved simulated firearms shall be the responsibility of the Department of Public Safety in a location designated by the vice president for public safety. Under no circumstances, other than at a public safety storage area, may approved simulated firearms be stored in any University-owned, -leased, or -controlled facilities.
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