Academic Integrity

Honor Code: Cedar Crest College students should uphold community standards for academic and social behavior in order to preserve a learning environment dedicated to personal and academic excellence. Upholding community standards is a matter of personal integrity and honor.

Individuals who accept the honor of membership in the Cedar Crest College community pledge to accept responsibility for their actions in all academic and social situations and the effect their actions may have on other members of the College community.

Academic Standards of Integrity: Incumbent from the Honor Code, academic integrity and ethical behavior provide the foundations of the Cedar Crest scholarly community and the basis for our learning environment. Cedar Crest College expects students to set a high standard for themselves to be personally and intellectually honest and to ensure that other students do the same. This standard applies to all academic work (oral, written, or visual) completed as part of a Cedar Crest education. The process of responding to instances of behavior that violate the Cedar Crest Academic Standards of Integrity is managed by the Associate Provost, in conjunction with instructors and Department Chairs.

Academic misconduct

Cedar Crest College considers the following acts, but not only the following acts, to be breaches of its Academic Standard of Integrity. Cedar Crest College reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to define what constitutes academic misconduct. Examples of academic misconduct include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Cheating. During the completion of an academic assignment (e.g., quizzes, tests, examinations, artistic works, presentations, or papers), it is dishonest to use, have access to, or attempt to gain access to any and all sources or assistance not authorized by the instructor.
2. Plagiarism. Plagiarism is the act, intentional or not, of misrepresenting the work, research, language, or ideas of another person (published or unpublished) as one’s own. An assignment or part of an assignment that fails to acknowledge source material through an appropriate academic discipline’s citation conventions for quotation, paraphrase, and summary also constitutes plagiarism.
3. Collusion. Collusion is the collaboration of two or more individuals in either giving or receiving assistance not authorized by the instructor for the completion of an academic assignment.
4. Falsification. Falsification is the misrepresentation of academic work or records. Falsification includes but is not limited to: the fabrication of research, scientific data, or an experiment’s results; providing false information regarding an academic assignment, including reasons for absence, deadline extension, or tardiness; the tampering with grade or attendance records; the forging or misuse of college documents or records; or the forging of faculty or administrator signatures. An assignment, or part of an assignment, submitted for academic credit in one course and resubmitted by the student for academic credit in another course without both instructors’ permission also constitutes falsification.
5. Sabotage. Sabotage is the act of hindering another student’s (or students’) ability to complete an academic assignment. Destruction of college property (e.g., library holdings, laboratory materials, or computer hardware or software) may constitute sabotage.
6. Impersonation. Impersonation is the act of a person pretending to be a student during the completion of an academic assignment; impersonation also includes the act of a student soliciting another person to assume that student’s identity for the completion of an academic assignment.
7. Other Forms of Academic Misconduct. The forms of academic misconduct defined above are not exhaustive, and other acts in violation of the Cedar Crest Honor Code or Academic Standard of Integrity may be deemed academic misconduct by an instructor or by the college.

Response to Academic Misconduct:

Students who breach the academic standard of integrity—as set forth in the types of academic misconduct specified in the Faculty Handbook, Book 4.B.2.a. — are subject to sanctions imposed by the Academic Integrity Review Board. Such sanctions can range from, but are not limited to, the expectation to redo an assignment, a reduction in grade for an assignment or course, or the failure of an assignment or course. Extreme cases of academic misconduct, as determined by the provost or the board of trustees, may result in suspension or expulsion from the college, or the withholding, denial or rescinding of academic degrees.  In cases in which the sanction for a violation of the Academic Standard of Integrity is a final course grade of “F”, the student may be removed from the course upon entry of a final grade of “F” by decision of the Academic Integrity Review Board, in consultation with the course instructor. If a student withdraws from a course, before or after being found responsible for academic misconduct in that course, a sanction of grade of “F” for the course will supersede the “W.”

The process of responding to instances of behavior that violate the Cedar Crest Academic Standards of Integrity is managed by the Associate Provost, in conjunction with instructors, and department chairs or program directors. The initial response to academic misconduct rests with the individual instructor who is entitled to consider the student’s degree of academic experience and any prior instances of academic misconduct in the student’s time at the College, when determining the penalty for the offense. Instructors encountering a case of academic misconduct may consult with the Provost’s Office to determine if the student has committed acts of academic misconduct on other occasions prior to recommending a sanction. All instructors who determine that a student has breached the academic standard of integrity must report the incident to the Provost’s Office using the Report of Academic Misconduct and attach relevant evidentiary documentation as appropriate. All reported incidents of academic misconduct will be held on record by the Provost’s Office. Upon submission of a Report of Academic Misconduct, the Associate Provost will review the report and student’s history to determine appropriate action according to the following:        

1. For offenses which are deemed to be minor violations, in consultation with the submitter and the Department Chair or Program Director, the Associate Provost will notify the student of the misconduct charge and the procedure to appeal the charge(s) and sanction(s).  Students who wish to appeal the charges or sanctions for first-time, minor offenses, must submit their appeal in writing to the Provost’s Office, which will convene an Academic Integrity Review Board to hear the appeal.
2. For offenses which are deemed to be significant violations, in consultation with the submitter and the Department Chair, the Associate Provost will notify the student of the misconduct charge and convene an Academic Integrity Review Board to hear the case.

An Academic Integrity Review Board will be convened to hold a hearing to review student appeals of minor offenses, and to review all significant violations. Each Academic Integrity Review Board will be comprised of two faculty members and one student representative. Board hearings will be scheduled no more than 45 days after the report is submitted.

When convened, the Academic Integrity Review Board will offer the accused student the opportunity to address the Board as well as offer evidence or other information pertinent to the alleged violation. The Academic Integrity Review Board may also choose to invite other related parties, including the original submitter, Department Chair, or Program Director, to address the Board. After a hearing is held on a specific matter, the Academic Integrity Review Board will determine the student’s responsibility for the violation. If the student is found responsible, the Board will determine the appropriate charge(s) and sanction(s). 

The Academic Integrity Review Board will issue a written determination and students will be notified of the Board’s decision by the Associate Provost within 7 days of the hearing. Students who wish to appeal the Board’s decision may do so in writing to the Associate Provost. If the student is not satisfied with the decision of the Associate Provost, the student may submit a Student Complaint in accordance with the Student Complaint policy.

Address Changes

If a change in student location occurs during a student’s enrollment period, the student is required to notify the Registrar’s Office of the change in location within 30 days of this change.

For students in professional licensure majors/programs, a change in state location could impact the ability to obtain a license in the student’s new state.  Students should consult with their academic advisor in their major/program for professional licensure information for their new state location.

Assessment of Students for Field Placements

Students enrolled in programs which require the completion of a field practicum or clinical experiences shall be subject to an assessment by the Graduate Program Director and/or explicitly designated faculty teaching in the program. The purpose of the review is to assess whether the candidate possesses the interpersonal skills, maturity of judgment, and demeanor to work with the public in a professional setting. This assessment, along with other appropriate indicators of student character and performance, are to be utilized as the basis for determining whether a student should be permitted to register for a field placement.

Class Attendance

College policy states that regular attendance at classes is expected of all students, regardless of whether attendance is a factor in a student’s grade for a particular course. If attendance is used to compute the final grades for the course, that fact must be reflected in the course syllabus. For courses requiring a final exam, students are required to attend the exam on the day and time scheduled by the Registrar’s Office.

Class Cancellation because of Inclement Weather

In every situation, both individual and institutional, the decision to cancel classes should be taken very seriously. The reputation of the institution and the integrity of the academic program rely on every class being conducted according to the schedule; as well, there are financial ramifications for students and their employers whenever a class is not held.

When predictions of severe weather warrant closing the College or delaying the opening of the College, every attempt will be made to announce this decision at least two hours in advance, to accommodate those faculty and students who come to campus from a distance. This information may be obtained from any of the following sources:

• Inclement Weather Hotline (610-606-4629)
• Television stations: WFMZ TV 69, WNEP TV 16
• Radio stations: WODE FM 99.9, WCTO FM 96.1, WLEV FM 100.7, WAEB FM 104.1, WAEB AM 790, WEST AM 1400

Classroom Protocol

Cedar Crest College maintains a classroom and learning environment dedicated to scholarly, artistic, and professional inquiry. The College’s community of learning is founded upon the intellectual freedom of students and faculty in pursuit of knowledge and understanding. Such an environment depends upon the insights of scholarly disciplines, as well as a respect for the global diversity of viewpoints and cultural backgrounds.

The college expects students to conduct themselves in a manner that best realizes their own and other students’ education. Appropriate classroom behavior includes, but is not limited to, the expectations for students: to attend and be prepared for all classes, to arrive and leave on time, to treat the faculty members and other students with respect, to refrain from any activities within the classroom that do not directly pertain to the business of the class, to use language that is respectful and non-abusive, and to otherwise refrain from any behavior that disrupts or jeopardizes the learning environment as determined by a reasonable faculty member. Academic programs or individual faculty members may establish additional behavioral policies for their courses, including those which take classroom behavior into account for a student’s academic evaluation.

If a student would like to bring a guest to class, permission must be secured from the instructor prior to that class time.

Faculty members are entitled to respond to disruptive student behavior. Responses can range from a verbal warning to requiring the student to leave class. Faculty may further choose to treat dismissal from class as an absence, for the purposes of attendance policies. If a student refuses to leave when requested, the faculty member is to call Campus Security and have the student removed. Unless it should be necessary to protect oneself, the faculty member should not make any effort or threat to remove the student physically. If the faculty member desires that the expulsion extend beyond the class period or that it be permanent, the faculty member must first notify the chair of his or her department, and then make such a request to the Provost prior to the beginning of the next meeting of that class. If the Provost concurs, the student is to be notified of procedures by which she may appeal. Under some circumstances, some disruptive classroom behavior may warrant dismissal from the College.

Course Registration

Course registration is available to graduate students in good financial standing with the College. If a student is not financially eligible to register, the student may not register online or with a completed registration form in the Registrar’s Office until that hold is removed.

Dismissals and Re-admissions

Matriculated students who fail to achieve a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 after each semester may be subject to dismissal procedures. Policies pertaining to the re-admission of students also vary across graduate programs. Please consult each program’s Graduate Student Handbook for specific details.

Drop/Add Period

A student may add a course only during the first week of the course, space permitting. A student may drop a class during the drop/add period, or prior to the start of the class without the drop appearing on the student’s transcript. Dropping one or more classes may affect a student’s satisfactory academic progress requirement for receipt of financial aid; the student should contact the Student Financial Services Office for information.

Policies pertaining to course withdrawals after the end of official drop/add period vary across graduate programs. Please consult each program’s Graduate Student Handbook for specific details.

Employer Tuition Reimbursement Benefits

If a student’s employer provides tuition reimbursement after the student completes his/her course(s), the student may apply to defer his/her payment to the College until payment is provided by the employer. Students are responsible for requesting grade reports or transcripts from the Registrar’s Office to submit for employment payment. Deferred tuition must be submitted to Student Financial Service no later than four weeks after grades are available.

To be eligible for tuition deferment, the student must complete an Employer Tuition Benefit Application. In addition, each semester the student must submit a Tuition Deferment Form prior to the semester due date. It is the student’s responsibility to notify the College of any change in employment or benefits. Students are responsible for payment in full of all tuition, whether or not reimbursement is ever received from the employer. If payment is not received by the tuition deferment due date, students will be charged a $200.00 late fee per month. All forms are available through Student Financial Services, via e-mail request to or through the College’s website.

Fee Assessments

Full-Time Graduate Activity Fee, per semester $20

Part Time Graduate Activity Fee, per semester $20


Full-Time Technology Fee, per semester $125

Part-Time Technology Fee, per semester $75


Accident/Health Insurance (per year) $ TBD

Graduation Fee: $150

Transcripts available online only at https://www.parchment.com/u/registration/32827/institution

Key Replacement Fee $50

Failure to return mailbox key at check out (minimum) $50

ID Replacement $20

Vehicle Registration/Parking Permit No Charge
Returned Check Fine $35

Damage Fines Assessed by Director of Housing/Facilities

Library Fines Assessed by Library
& Safety
Traffic Violations: Assessed by Campus Security
Late
Registration Fee $30

EZ Payment Plan Enrollment Fee (per semester) $25

EZ Payment Plan Late Fee (per month) $55

Full-Time Student Late Payment Fee (per month) $200

Part-Time Student Late Payment Fee (per month) $100

Tuition Deferment Late Fee (per month) $200

Note: The College reserves the right to change the fees and charges when necessary. Breakage of laboratory equipment is assessed to the student responsible and must be paid by the close of each term.

SFS AR (Accounts Receivable) Hold Policy

Students who have an outstanding balance (student account balance, missing financial aid paperwork, parking fines, etc.) will have an AR hold placed on their account, this also includes missing payments from third party payers.  This hold will prevent registration, schedule changes, and the release of transcripts, receiving diplomas, view grades and remaining registered for future semesters.

Depending on the type of payment, holds will be removed within 24-48 business hours.

If you are paying by check, it may take 7-10 business days to clear.  At that time your AR hold will be removed.

Students who are financially clear may register for classes, add/drop classes, move into student housing, and/or request a transcript.

Payment Due Dates and Late Fee Policy

All student account charges must be paid in full by the tuition due date before the start of each enrollment period. Students are not permitted to attend classes, occupy residence halls or use meal plans to eat in the dining hall unless full payment has been remitted or payment arrangements have been approved through Student Financial Services. Students who are not in good financial standing with the College will not be eligible to receive diplomas, transcripts, view grades, or register/remain registered for future semesters. Information about and assistance with financial aid, financing resources, and payment plans are available through Student Financial Services.

Failure to make payments by the due date will result in an assessment of a late fee.  Your financial responsibility will remain until full payment is received.  Not receiving a student invoice does not alleviate you from your financial obligation to the College.

Reminder that all students can view their ebills online through Transact Integrated Payment portal (fka Cashnet). Ebills can be viewed by logging into my.cedarcrest.edu under quick links; select Student Financial Services, select Transact Integrated Payment (fka Cashnet) and then click Go to Transact Integrated Payments.

Financial Aid and Loans

All students applying for financial aid must complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) between October 1st and May 1st for the following academic year. Student can complete the FAFSA application online at www.studentaid.gov. A FSA ID, which is a username and password, (available through a link from the FAFSA website) is required for students and parents(s), if applicable, to file and sign the FAFSA application online. Filers should obtain an FSA ID prior to completing the FAFSA application, as the FSA ID serves as an electronic signature. Assistance with the FAFSA filing process is available through Student Financial Services.

Graduate students who are at least half time in graduate courses are eligible for various types of educational loans made available through the federal government. The following is a list of these federal loans. For additional information, please contact Student Financial Services. Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans: (Graduate and Undergraduate students) These loans are available to students regardless of need; however, interest accrues while the student is enrolled in school. Principal is deferred while the student is enrolled at least half-time and options are available to pay interest monthly, quarterly or to allow capitalization upon repayment. To apply, students must complete the FAFSA.

Direct Grad PLUS Loans

Graduate students who are credit approved may borrow up to the cost of attendance for the period of enrollment, minus other estimated financial assistance received for that period. Direct Grad PLUS Loans are subject to credit review; however, a Direct Grad PLUS applicant who has an adverse credit history may be able to obtain the loan with an endorser who does not have an adverse credit history. To apply, students must complete the FAFSA and should utilize all Federal Direct Stafford Loan eligibility for the period of enrollment needed prior to applying for a Direct Grad PLUS Loan.

Financial Aid Policy

To be eligible for financial aid, a graduate student must be accepted, matriculated, and enrolled for a minimum of six credits per semester. All graduate students applying for financial aid must complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) between October 1st and May 1st for the following academic year. The FAFSA can be completed online at www.studentaid.gov. Cedar Crest’s FAFSA code is 003243. Applicants selected for FAFSA verification are required to submit an IRS Tax Return transcript (available at www.IRS.gov or 1-800-908-9946) if the student did not utilize the IRS Data Retrieval Tool on the FASFA, W-2 forms and a Department of Education Verification Worksheet (this form is available from the Student Financial Services page on the my.cedarcrest.edu portal).

The academic year for all tuition, room and board as well as institutional, federal and state financial aid is defined as two fifteen-week Fall and Spring semesters followed by an optional trailing fifteen-week Summer semester which includes a May/Summer I and Summer II session. The Spring semester includes an optional 2-3 week Winter session. This same academic year applies to students enrolled in programs which require attendance in the Winter and Summer sessions; however, depending upon sequence of entrance and/or semester course enrollment, a trimester policy for federal and state financial aid may be required. Students must contact Student Financial Services to determine which federal and state requirements apply to their program of study.

Full or part-time students are not required to maintain continuous enrollment to remain eligible for financial aid; however, students returning after a period of time will be reviewed for eligibility before financial aid is granted.

Full-Time and Part-Time Status

Generally, nine credit hours per semester constitute a full-time load for graduate students. The federal government defines full-time as six credits per semester, which is included in the Financial Aid information.  Individual graduate programs determine full-time and part-time credit loads. Students should consult the specific program handbook. 

General Regulations

All student charges must be paid in full by the invoice due date before the start of each semester. Students are not permitted to attend classes, unless full payment has been remitted or a payment plan has been prearranged with Student Financial Services. Students who are not in good financial standing with the College will not be eligible to receive diplomas, transcripts or register for future semesters. The Trustees of the College have the right to adjust tuition charges and fees when necessary.

Grades and Grade Points

A = 4.0 quality points 

A- = 3.7 quality points 

B+ = 3.3 quality points 

B = 3.0 quality points 

B- = 2.7 quality points 

C+ = 2.3 quality points 

C = 2.0 quality points

C- = 1.7 quality points 

D+ = 1.3 quality points 

D = 1.0 quality points 

F = 0 quality points

The GPA is computed at the completion of each academic semester and summer session for those courses taken at Cedar Crest College. Total quality points for each course are calculated by multiplying the number of course credits by the quality points for the grade earned. The average is calculated by dividing the total credits attempted into the total quality points earned. Credits earned by examination or by transfer from another institution are not computed into the Cedar Crest GPA.

Graduate Assistantships

Graduate assistantships are designed to promote the educational goals and objectives of a master’s program by providing students with opportunities to actively participate in a range of instructional, research, and other campus activities which serve to promote mastery of knowledge in their chosen field of specialization. For certain assistantships, a graduate student must be enrolled for at least 6 credits per semester. For further information, please consult the graduate program descriptions.

Graduate Degree Requirements

Degree requirements for graduate programs are established by Graduate Program Directors in consultation with the Chair of the department in which the program is to be housed (if appropriate), the Graduate Program Committee, and the Provost. Curricular requirements and academic policies vary across graduate programs. Faculty and students should consult each program’s Graduate Student Handbook for specific details.

Graduate Student Handbooks

Graduate Program Directors are responsible for preparing a Graduate Student Handbook that clearly specifies the curricular requirements and academic policies pertaining to their respective programs. Each Director also is responsible for ensuring that each graduate student enrolled in their program receives a copy of the handbook. Directors are encouraged to require students to sign a verification of receipt form to document that they have received a copy of the handbook. By signing this form, students acknowledge their responsibility for familiarizing themselves and understanding the information presented in the handbook. Students are encouraged to contact the Director of their program if they have questions regarding the provisions of the handbook.

Graduate Student Organization

The Graduate Student Organization is a student-led association which serves to enrich the educational experience of graduate students at Cedar Crest by promoting opportunities for students to develop professionally, socially, and academically. The Graduate Student Organization also represents the interests of graduate students before the faculty, administration and Trustees of the College when it comes to any matter that affects the graduate student body in the realm of either academic affairs or student life.

All graduate students who are matriculated in a graduate program offered at the College, are members of the GSO. This includes both part-time and full-time students. Additional information pertaining to the organization can be obtained from the Office of Student Affairs or from GSO Representatives in each department.

Housing

Limited housing may be available for graduate students in accordance with the Gender Inclusive Housing Policy and by approval of the director of community standards and residence life. Graduate housing is currently provided in Curtis Hall, which is both a residence hall and an administrative building where offices are located, and classes are held. Up to 63 residents live in Curtis Hall, with 21 spaces allocated for graduate students in a separate wing. The graduate wing is traditional in style, with double rooms, a community bathroom and shared kitchenette/lounge space.

For information on graduate student housing, please contact the office of residence life at or 610-606-4603.

Incompletes

A temporary grade of Incomplete (I) is only given to a student who is doing passing work in a course but who, for reasons beyond the student’s control, is not able to complete the course requirements by the deadline for submitting grades. At least 75% of the assigned work for the class must have been completed before a grade of “I” can be requested.

A grade of “I” is not entered on a student’s permanent record. Ordinarily, coursework must be completed within the first six weeks after the last day of final examinations. If the instructor does not turn in a grade within the six-week period, a grade of “F” will be recorded for the course. If the instructor subsequently wishes to change the grade, s/he should follow the procedure for change of grade indicated below.

Independent Study

The purpose of an independent study is to enable a student to investigate a topic not covered in depth in regularly scheduled classes. It is generally assumed that the student has the necessary academic background and skills to pursue intensive scholarly work on the topic independently. Such work requires initiative, commitment to scholarship, excellent academic and study skills, and familiarity with the subject under study. The role of the instructor in such a course is primarily for consultation, advisement, and possible collaboration. Before proposing an independent study, the student should have explored other avenues for receiving instruction or course credit, including a course substitution chosen in consultation with the student’s advisor and/or the Director of the graduate program in question.

The student should discuss the following aspects of the course organization with the faculty member:

• Learning objectives
• Reasons for pursuing the independent study
• Relevance to the student’s academic program
• Schedule of meetings with the instructor
• Assignments and other work to be submitted
• Assessment and grading procedures

A student must prepare a proposal explaining these aspects of the learning experience and any other relevant information. The student must submit the proposal and an independent study form to the Graduate Program Director. The student also must receive approval from the Department Chair of the faculty member who will be supervising the independent study. The proposal and the independent study form bearing all required signatures must then be submitted to the Registrar’s Office for approval.

Independent studies are charged at the current day per-credit rate, unless otherwise noted. A faculty member who agrees to supervise an independent study receives compensation at the per-credit rate established for independent studies. Policies pertaining to the total number of independent study credits a student may receive vary across graduate programs. Please consult each program’s Graduate Student Handbook for specific details.

Intellectual Property Rights

It is the policy of Cedar Crest College to create an environment that encourages the generation of new knowledge by faculty, staff, and students, and facilitates the transfer of useful inventions and writings to society. To motivate the development and dissemination of intellectual property, the College seeks to ensure that the creators receive proper credit and financial rewards for their work.

For purposes of this policy, the term intellectual property includes any patentable invention, any copyrightable subject matter, or valuable technology. It also includes works of art, inventions or creations that might normally be developed on a propriety basis because copyright or patent protection is not available. This policy applies to any full-time or part-time student, regardless of whether the student receives financial aid from the College or from outside sources.

A student retains all rights to intellectual property created solely by herself. This includes rights to articles, and other writings of which the intended purpose is to disseminate the results of student research or scholarly work. A student also retains all rights to popular nonfiction, novels, poems, musical works, dramatic works including any accompanying music, pantomimes and choreographic works, pictorial, graphic and sculptural works, motion pictures and other similar audio-visual works, and sound recordings. The use of college-owned computers and other facilities in the preparation of such works does not alter this provision, though other College policies may limit such use or require reimbursement to the College.

In cases where the College provides funding or facilities for a particular student research project that are in excess of those normally available to students working in that area, the College may choose to act as a sponsor for that research and therefore own the rights of such property. Where student research is subject to an agreement between an external sponsor and the College that restricts the disposition of rights to intellectual property, the rights will be handled in accordance with that agreement. If a student is employed by the College specifically for the purpose of working as a research assistant, the College retains the rights of such property.

Issues not covered by any of the above provisions are subject to the policies which apply to the intellectual property rights of faculty and staff at the College.

Leave of Absence

Students wishing to take a leave of absence from a graduate program must submit a written request to the Director of the graduate program in question. The granting of the requested leave is at the discretion of the Director based upon the procedures and criteria established for that program.

Maximum Period of Candidacy

Policies pertaining to the maximum number of years that a student may qualify as a matriculated student vary across graduate programs. Please consult each program’s Graduate Student Handbook for specific details.

Official Withdrawal from Cedar Crest

In order to withdraw officially from the College, a student must complete an exit interview that starts with the Withdrawal or Leave of Absence Application on the Current Student tab on MyCedarCrest.

Official withdrawal prior to the official deadline for course withdrawal will result in all course work in progress being graded “W” (not computed into average). Withdrawal after the official deadline for course withdrawal will result in a grade of “F” for all courses.

Pass/Fail and Audit Options

Matriculated students are not permitted to enroll in graduate courses on a pass/fail basis. Students may apply to audit courses in the Pan-European MFA program, indicating such in their applications or through notice to the Program and Administrative Directors. Permission to audit a course is granted by decision of the MFA Program and Administrative Directors, according to program admissions standards that may include consultation with a faculty member working in the student’s creative genre. Auditors will complete all mentorship exchanges, workshop critiques, tutorial sessions, or other assignments that are part of the audited course. An audited Pan-European MFA course does not count toward the completion of degree requirements. Audited courses are graded S (Satisfactory) or U (Unsatisfactory). The per-credit tuition rate for audited Pan-European MFA courses shall be set each semester by the College. Students may, with permission of the faculty mentor and the MFA Program and Administrative Directors, convert an audited course to for-credit at any time prior to the end of a program term. Adjustment of tuition and fees to the level of the for-credit rate will be made where applicable. After the start of a program term, students enrolled in a for-credit Pan-European MFA course may not convert the course to audit status.

Procedure for Application and Matriculation

Matriculation is a student’s formal acceptance as a degree candidate at Cedar Crest. The date of matriculation is the first day of classes in the term in which the student is enrolled after having satisfied all matriculation requirements. Matriculation is required for any student who plans to receive financial aid and/or declare an academic major.

Students intending to complete a degree are encouraged to matriculate upon entry. The date of matriculation determines degree requirements under which the student will graduate, unless the student chooses to graduate according to provisions enacted by the faculty and stipulated in subsequent catalogs. Students who do not matriculate upon entry are required to do so depending upon the policies of the graduate program to which they are admitted. In the event that a course section reaches its enrollment maximum, matriculated students are given preference over non-matriculated students.

Withdrawal/Refund Policies

Financial Refund Policy for Students Withdrawing from Course(s)

SAGE students who drop during the drop/add period without replacing an equal number of credits in the same period, or who withdraw from courses after the end of the drop/add period, will receive an adjustment of tuition, fees (if applicable), and financial aid as required, based on the date of withdrawal, according to the following schedule:

Course Withdrawal Financial Refund Schedule:

Students must use the College’s published requirement for notification of withdrawal in order to be subject to the College’s refund policy regarding tuition/fees/other charges. Information about withdrawal procedures can be found in the Academic Policies and Services section of the Catalog or by contacting the Registrar’s office or Student Financial Services.

For Non-accelerated Courses:
Prior to first class meeting – 100% Tuition Refund
Prior to End of the 1st Week of Semester – 90% Tuition Refund (if not replacing credits)
Prior to the End of the 2nd Week of Semester – 75% Tuition Refund
Prior to the End of the 3rd Week of Semester – 50% Tuition Refund
During and After the 4th Week of Semester – No Refund

For Accelerated Courses:

7-8 Week Courses
Semester Schedule of Course Withdrawals – % Refund

Prior to First Class Meeting – 100%

After First Class Meeting – 90%

After 2nd Class Meeting – 75%

After 3rd Class Meeting – 50%

After 4th Class Meeting – None

6-9 Class Meetings
Semester Schedule of Course Withdrawals – % Refund 

Prior to the First Class Meeting – 100% 

After First Class Meeting – 75% 

After 2nd Class Meeting – 50% 

After 3rd Class Meeting – None

4-5 Class Meetings
Semester Schedule of Course Withdrawals – % Refund 

Prior to the First Class Meeting – 100% 

After First Class Meeting – 25% 
A
After 2nd Class Meeting – None

2-3 Class Meetings
Semester Schedule of Course Withdrawals – % Refund 

Prior to the First Class Meeting – 100% 

After 1st Class Meeting – None

Acadeum Online Courses
Prior to the term start date of class – 100%

After the term drop deadline (Acadeum School) – None

Military Tuition Assistance (TA) Refund Policy – Cedar Crest College

Return of Tuition Assistance: Military Tuition Assistance (TA) is awarded to a student under the assumption that the student will attend school for the entire period for which the assistance is awarded. When a student withdraws, the student may no longer be eligible for the full amount of TA funds originally awarded.

To comply with the new Department of Defense policy, Cedar Crest Collegewill return any unearned TA funds on a prorate basis through at least the 60% portion of the period for which the funds were provided. TA funds are earned proportionally during an enrollment period, with unearned funds returned based upon when a student stops attending. These funds are returned to the military Service branch.

Instances when a Service member stops attending due to a military service obligation,

the educational institution will work with the affected Service member to identify solutions that will not result in student debt for the returned portion.

15-week Course Withdraw submitted

Before or during weeks 1-2 100% return
During weeks 3-4 90% return
During weeks 5-6 75% return
During weeks 7-8 50% return
During weeks 9 40% return (60% of course is completed)
During weeks 10-15 0% return
7-8-week Course Withdraw submitted
Before or during week 1 100% return
During week 2 75% return
During week 2 75% return
During weeks 3-4 50% return
During week 5 40% return (60% of course is completed)
During weeks 6-8 0% return

Financial Refund Policies for Withdrawal/Separation from the College or Courses

It is a student’s responsibility to notify the College when it is necessary to withdraw from course enrollment (from individual courses or from all courses) for any reason. Withdrawal or Leave of Absence Notification can be made through the Registrar’s link at my.cedarcrest.edu on the College’s student web information system. Students must have a valid User ID and password to access this function. For additional information regarding Withdrawal or Leave of Absence procedures, please refer to the Academic Policies and Services section of the Catalog.

All students who withdraw from all courses during a semester or session, either by official notification to the College, or by failing to remain enrolled in courses as expected without any notification to the College are considered to have Withdrawn/Separated from the College and are subject to the Financial Refund Policy for Students Withdrawing/Separating from the College.

If a student is withdrawing from individual courses during a semester, but will continue to be enrolled in remaining courses, or receives a letter grade for any course that session, they are not considered to have withdrawn or separated from the College and may be subject to a refund of individual course charges under the Financial Refund Policy for Students Withdrawing from Course(s).

Assistance with the withdrawal process can be obtained through Academic Advising, the Registrar’s Office or Student Financial Services. Resident students must notify the Director of Residence Life whenever they plan to vacate a residence hall prior to the end of their contract period. Students who are withdrawn from the College or from housing for disciplinary reasons are not eligible for any refund, except pro-rated board, unless required by federal, state, or other regulations.

Financial Refund Policy for Students Withdrawing/Separating from the College

Cedar Crest College is required by federal regulations to determine how much financial aid was earned by students who withdraw, drop out, are dismissed, or take a leave of absence prior to completing 60% of a payment period or semester. The Title IV programs that are covered by these regulations are: Federal Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants (FSEOGs), Federal TEACH Grants, Federal Subsidized and Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Federal Perkins Loans, Federal PLUS Loans.

For a student who withdraws after the 60% period, there are no unearned funds. However, a school must still complete a R2T4 (return to Title IV) calculation in order to determine whether the student is eligible for a post-withdrawal disbursement.

The calculation is based on the percentage of earned aid using the following Federal Return of Title IV funds formula:

Percentage of payment period or semester completed = the number of days completed up to the last date the student attended or participated in an academically related activity divided by the total days in the semester. (Any break of five days or more is not counted as part of the days in the semester.) This percentage is also the percentage of earned aid.

Funds are returned to the appropriate federal program based on the percentage of unearned aid using the following formula:

Aid to be returned = 100% of the aid that could be disbursed minus the percentage of earned aid multiplied by the total amount of aid that could have been disbursed or was disbursed during the payment period or semester.

If a student earned less aid than was disbursed, the institution would be required to return a portion of the funds and the student would be required to return a portion of the funds. Keep in mind that when Title IV funds are returned, the student borrower may owe a balance to the institution.

If a student earned more aid than was disbursed to him/her the institution would owe the student a post-withdrawal disbursement which must be paid within 45 days of the date of determination of the student’s withdrawal (for grant funds) or within 180 days of the date of determination (for loan funds, which we will request approval for in writing).

The institution must return the amount of Title IV funds for which it is responsible no later than 45 days after the date of determination of the student’s withdrawal. 

Refunds are allocated in the following order:

• Unsubsidized Federal Direct Loans
• Subsidized Federal Direct Loans
• Federal PLUS Loans
• Federal Pell Grants for which a Return of funds is required.
• Federal Supplemental Opportunity Grants for which a return of funds is required.
• Federal TEACH Grants for which a return of funds is required.

If you receive (or Cedar Crest College or your parent receive on your behalf) excess Title IV program funds that must be returned, Cedar Crest College must return a portion of the excess equal to the lesser of:

1. your institutional charges multiplied by the unearned percentage of your funds, or
2. the entire amount of excess funds.

The school must return this amount even if it didn’t keep this amount of your Title IV program funds.

If Cedar Crest College is not required to return all of the excess funds, you must return the remaining amount. Any loan funds that you must return, you (or your parent for a PLUS Loan) repay in accordance with the terms of the promissory note. That is, you make scheduled payments to the holder of the loan over a period of time.

Any amount of unearned grant funds that you must return is called an overpayment. The amount of a grant overpayment that you must repay is half of the unearned amount. You must make arrangements with Cedar Crest College or the Department of Education to return the unearned grant funds.

NOTE: The federal government requires that all students make satisfactory academic progress toward a degree or certificate. Please review the Standards of Satisfactory of Academic Progress.

Treatment of Non-Title IV Aid When a Student Withdraws

Cedar Crest College follows guidelines for Title IV programs (see above) when calculating the amount of institutional and/or state aid and/or outside scholarships that you have earned up to your last date of attendance or participation in an academically related activity. The types of aid covered by this policy include but are not limited to institutional scholarships and grants, PHEAA State Grant and/or any other scholarship or grant funds.

When you withdraw during your period of enrollment the amount of non-Title IV assistance that you have earned up to that point is determined by the same specific formula used to calculate Title IV funds earned. If you receive more assistance than you earned, the excess funds must be returned by Cedar Crest College and/or you.

Once you have completed more than 60% of the period of enrollment, you earn all the aid that you were scheduled to receive for that period.

Treatment of Institutional Charges When a Student Withdraws

Cedar Crest College follows guidelines for Title IV programs (above) when calculating the amount of unearned institutional charges to be refunded. Charges eligible for refund are tuition, room, and board and overload charges.  Fees are non-refundable.  Once you have completed more than 60% of the period of enrollment, you have earned all of the charges billed for that period.

A student’s withdrawal date is:

a) The date the student began the institution’s withdrawal process or officially notified the institution of intent to withdraw; or
b) The student’s last date of attendance as documented by academically related activity; or
c) The midpoint of the period of enrollment for a student who leaves without notifying the institution.

When a Student Fails All Classes

If a financial aid recipient who has not officially withdrawn fails to receive a passing grade in at least one class during the term, the Student Financial Services Office will determine whether the student actually established eligibility for the aid originally awarded. Instructors will be contacted and asked to provide information on the student’s attendance. If the student did not begin attendance, or stopped attending during the payment period, the financial aid originally awarded will be canceled or adjusted. The Student Financial Services Office will calculate the total number of days attended based on the last documented academic related activity. In the event that this information is not available, the Federal Aid will be automatically prorated to 50% earned based on the US Department of Education (ED) Federal policy.

Repeating a Course

Policies pertaining to the issue of whether a student may repeat a graduate course, and under what conditions, vary across graduate programs. Please consult each program’s Graduate Student Handbook for specific details.

If a course is repeated, the higher grade earned is computed into the student’s grade point average. However, both grades appear on the permanent record. Repeating courses may affect a student’s satisfactory academic progress requirement for receipt of financial aid; the student should consult the Student Financial Services Office for information.

Safety and Security

Cedar Crest’s fine security record is attributable to the College’s location in a low-crime residential area, its efforts to ensure the safety of students, faculty and staff, and the cooperation of the entire campus community. Information on Campus Safety & Security policies and procedures is available to students, faculty and staff online at any time and is located at, http://www2.cedarcrest.edu/security/securitybooklet. Hard copies are also available upon request from the Safety & Security Office.

Vehicles: Cedar Crest students may have a vehicle on campus. However, all vehicles must be registered, and operators must comply with all motor vehicle and parking regulations as listed in the College student handbook. Parking and traffic regulations are distributed to all students at the beginning of the academic year and additional copies can be obtained at any time from the Safety & Security Office located in the Physical Plant Building. The regulations cover such areas as registering a vehicle, traffic and parking rules and related infractions. Vehicles may not be left on campus during summer or winter breaks.

Drugs and Alcohol: Cedar Crest College shares the concern of the medical profession and law enforcement agencies over the serious effects that can result from the use of dangerous drugs and narcotics. Cedar Crest opposes the possession and use of dangerous drugs and narcotics by its students on or off campus. The College will cooperate with the state in the enforcement of Pennsylvania state laws. It may take disciplinary action against a student who violates this law, to the extent of separation from the College. Cedar Crest College complies with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania liquor laws. All students are expected to know and abide by these laws and to follow the College procedures that support them.

Weapons: Weapons are prohibited on the campus of Cedar Crest College. It is against college policy for any person to possess or carry, whether openly or concealed, any knife, firearm, explosive or potentially dangerous weapon on College property. All federal, state and local laws regulating the possession, use and sale of weapons are in force on the Cedar Crest campus. Because Cedar Crest has a record of being a safe, secure campus with no incident having occurred that would warrant the use of armed officers, members of the campus security force do not carry firearms unless a special security event warrants such a need.

Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress

Statement of Policy

The following policy and procedures have been established as required by the Higher Education Act (HEA).  All undergraduate and graduate students applying for Title IV (federal) and institutional financial aid must meet the following standards regardless of whether or not they previously received financial aid.  Regulations require that a student maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP) towards their degree in order to receive financial aid. 

The Standards of Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy addresses your academic progress during all your semesters of enrollment at Cedar Crest College, including summer, whether or not you receive financial aid during the semesters. 

To measure progress, Student Financial Services evaluates a student’s academic record at the completion of each academic year, reviewing both the quantitative (the maximum time frame and completion rate) and the qualitative (cumulative grade point average) as a student pursues her/his degree.  Failure to meet these standards will result in the suspension of financial aid eligibility, which may include federal, state and institutional aid.

*Summer Semester: Credit hours attempted during the summer semester will be included in the calculation of SAP standards just as any other period of enrollment.

Quantitative Standards

Completion Rate: Students must maintain a minimum course completion percentage for progress each academic year of at least 67%. This is calculated by dividing the number of credits earned by the credits attempted. Credits transferred from another institution count towards attempted and earned credits.

Maximum Time Frame:   Per federal guidelines, the maximum time frame for program completion for federal Title IV funds is defined as 150% of the credits required to complete the degree or certificate program as defined by Cedar Crest. (For example: M.B.A = 36 credits x 150% = 54 credits. 54 credits are the maximum that can be attempted with federal Title IV funds.)  The maximum credit standard for graduate degree programs is based upon the minimum program credit requirements published in the Cedar Crest College Graduate Catalog.  Cedar Crest College funded aid is limited to a maximum of 10 full-time semesters.  The maximum number of credits allowed will be based upon the credit maximums for a single degree, even when a student is pursuing more than one major at one time or there is a change of academic major.

If you change majors, you are still expected to complete your program within the maximum timeframe.  In limited circumstances appeal will be considered.

• Repeated Coursework: Students may repeat a previously passed course one time if a better grade is required for the major/minor and maintain financial eligibility, assuming all other academic progress requirements have been met.  Repeated course work counts toward the 150% completion time frame.
• Transfer Credits: Credits transferred from another institution count towards attempted and earned credits.
• Audited Courses: Students do not earn any academic credit for audited courses. They do not count in the calculation of attempted credits.
• Pass/Fail Courses: These courses count in attempted and earned credits. 
• Withdrawals:   These are counted as courses attempted and count toward the maximum time frame. 

Qualitative Standards

The qualitative requirement establishes a minimum cumulative grade point average for all students to reasonably progress through their program of study.

The following identifies the minimum standards required for students to achieve and maintain satisfactory academic progress. 

• Undergraduate programs or undergraduate certificate programs require a minimum 2.0 GPA. 
• Graduate programs or graduate certificate programs require a minimum 3.0 GPA.

Cedar Crest Academic Scholarship Recipients: Students who are recipients of Cedar Crest College merit scholarships and awards must maintain full-time enrollment and GPA standards of the specific scholarship to maintain award eligibility.  Students should refer to the merit scholarship and awards section of the specific Cedar Crest Course Catalog they enrolled under (year admitted to the College) for more details.

Failing To Meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards

Students who fail to meet the Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards will lose their financial aid eligibility immediately.  They will be notified in writing by Student Financial Services.  Students may reestablish eligibility by successfully completing the required number of credits and/or by attaining the overall required grade point average by the end of the next semester without receiving financial aid.  If the student fails to meet the maximum time frame standards, the student will not receive any additional financial aid for the remainder of their degree. 

Appeal Process

A student may appeal her/his failure to maintain SAP standards for financial aid if extenuating or mitigating circumstances exist. Appeals will be considered for circumstances that include but are not limited to, death or illness of an immediate family member, medical condition, hospitalization, documented emotional distress, or any other situation beyond the student’s control. All appeals must be in written format and include the following information:

• Name, student ID and program of study
• Details of the situation resulting in the financial aid suspension
• Documentation supporting the details of the letter (e.g., death certificate, doctor’s note, hospital bill, police report, letter from academic advisor or 3^rd party)
• Plans for next term of enrollment (e.g., number of credits, change of major, academic improvement plan details, etc.)

As a part of the appeals process, the student must provide information about why she/he failed to maintain SAP standards, and what has changed in the student’s situation that will allow her/him to demonstrate satisfactory academic progress at the next evaluation.  Meeting with an academic advisor to create an academic plan may be required. 

Appeals are evaluated by the Financial Aid Appeal Committee.  Students should make payment arrangements if necessary while waiting for the Committee’s decision if necessary.  The student will be notified of the Committee’s decision in writing. The decision of the Committee is final.  There is no secondary or director appeal process.  If an appeal is denied, students can only be reinstated for aid eligibility if they satisfy all deficiencies.  If an appeal is approved and the student does not fulfill the conditions of his or her probation or academic plan, the student will not be eligible for aid for any future semesters during their academic career unless the student satisfies all academic deficiencies. 

*Please note that any appeal granted by Cedar Crest College to its Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy is not applicable to the Pennsylvania State Grant program.  A separate appeal process must be completed directly with the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency State Grant Division. 

Financial Aid Probation

Students who have had an appeal approved will be placed on probation for one semester and will have their financial aid reinstated for the probation semester. If the student fails to maintain the SAP standards at the end of the semester, she/he will lose financial aid eligibility until SAP standards are met.

If a student on financial aid probation meets the terms of the probation, the student will be permitted to continue to receive financial aid for a subsequent semester.  If a student does not meet the terms of the probation, the student will lose eligibility for financial aid at that time. 

Reinstatement of Eligibility

Financial aid eligibility may be reinstated after a student meets the SAP standards, quantitative and qualitative, as defined above. Students who retain eligibility by completing required coursework must notify the Student Financial Services in order to have their progress reevaluated, and financial aid reinstated.

Description of Grades and their effect on SAP Standards:

Letter Grade	Attempted Credits	Earned Credits	Grade Point Average	Maximum Time Frame
A	Y	Y	Y	Y
A-	Y	Y	Y	Y
B+	Y	Y	Y	Y
B	Y	Y	Y	Y
B-	Y	Y	Y	Y
C+	Y	Y	Y	Y
C	Y	Y	Y	Y
C-	Y	Y	Y	Y
D+	Y	Y	Y	Y
D	Y	Y	Y	Y
D-	Y	Y	Y	Y
F	Y	N	Y	Y
PN	Y	Y	N	Y
P	Y	Y	N	Y
I*	Y	N	N	Y
W	Y	N	N	Y
NG	Y	N	N	Y
AU	N	N	N	N
PF	Y	N	N	Y
CR	Y	Y	N	Y
NC	Y	N	N	Y
EC	Y	Y	N	Y

*It is the student’s responsibility to inform Student Financial Services of all grade changes (ex. From “I” to “B”) to ensure that the SAP status is reviewed accurately.

Student Appeals Process

Student Due Process – Academic Matters

A student who has a disagreement with a faculty member about an academic matter should first attempt to resolve the matter through discussion with the instructor. If the issue is not resolved satisfactorily between the student and the instructor, the student may elect to contest the decision through the Student Complaints – Appeals Process (see below). If the issue is a dispute of a final grade received in a course, the appeal must be submitted within thirty days of the date that term grades are issued by the Registrar.

Student Complaints – Appeal Process

A student who wishes to appeal the decision of an academic matter (academic matters include disputes over grades, allegations of academic misconduct, and program dismissals) or has a specific complaint regarding a non-academic matter should address the issue in writing to the Program Director of the academic program. If the complaint or appeal involves the Program Director, the student should address the issue in writing to the Department Chair. The original complaint or appeal will be kept on file with the Program Director. The Program Director in consultation with the Department Chair and any faculty named in the complaint or appeal or the Department Chair (if the complaint or appeal involves the Program Director) will make a decision on the adjudication of the complaint or appeal to the student in writing within thirty days. This decision will be kept on file with the Program Director. If the student is dissatisfied with the decision of the Program Director or Department Chair, the student has seven days to appeal in writing to the Provost. The student should submit all correspondence along with the appeal. Upon receipt of the appeal and all correspondence, the Provost will consult with the Chair and Program Director and will have thirty days to respond in writing to the student and Program Director regarding the decision. The appeal to the Provost and the written response will be kept on file with the Provost. Decisions of the Provost are final.

Allegations of Student Academic Misconduct

Faculty who suspect academic misconduct on the part of a student should first discuss the issue with the student. If, after discussion with the student, the faculty member believes that academic misconduct occurred the faculty member must report the incident to the Provost’s Office in a timely manner using the “Report of Academic Misconduct” and attach relevant evidentiary documentation as appropriate. Contemporaneous with the submission of the reportto the Provost’s Office, the faculty member must report the incident in writing to the Program Director. This report will be kept with the Program Director. Within fourteen days of receiving the report, the Program Director in consultation with the faculty member issuing the report and the Department Chair will make a written notification to the Provost regarding the extent (if any) of the disciplinary action toward the student. The student will also receive written notification from the Program Director regarding this decision. Both the written notification to the Provost and to the student will be kept with the Program Director. Students disagreeing with the decision of the Program Director should follow the Student Complaint – Appeals Process.

Student Health Insurance

Full-time graduate students are encouraged to have medical insurance providing coverage for accidents or illness. If students do not have their own plan and want to get on the College insurance, please contact Student Financial Services.  The College provides an annual plan at a reasonable cost for full-time graduate students. Students who enroll in January are charged for a partial year’s coverage. All election forms must be submitted prior to the first day of classes. This basic plan may not cover all expenses incurred for the medical treatment of a student. It is strongly recommended that students review the coverage provided to be sure it meets their needs.

Tuition Payment Plans

The College offers the option to pay Fall, Spring and Summer semester bills through the “EZ Payment Plan” installment payment plan option which allows the semester balance due to be paid online in either two, four or five monthly installments. Students enrolled in nursing clinical rotations can enroll for a four-month payment plan by semester. A $25 enrollment fee is charged per semester. Students can self-enroll for an installment payment plan through the Student Financial Services link on my.cedarcrest.edu or contact Student Financial Services for assistance.