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Academic Standards

Attendance
Full participation is expected of all students and is necessary to fully benefit from and succeed in the College’s program of study. All students are expected to attend classes regularly and promptly, and for the duration of the scheduled instructional time. Individual instructors will decide the optimum time for taking attendance and may penalize for lateness or absence.

Absences from class may result in a lowered grade or an “F” in the course, depending on the attendance policies stated by the instructor on the syllabus. It is the responsibility of the student to arrange with his/her instructor(s) to make up all missed work within the semester in which the course is taken. Failure to do so will also affect the student’s grade. In cases where the faculty member has not articulated unique course policies regarding absences and their penalties, the following shall apply:
One unexcused absence will result in five points being subtracted from the final grade; two absences, the points are doubled to subtract an additional ten points for a total of fifteen; and with three absences, subtract an additional fifteen points for a total of thirty points from the final grade.  At that point a written warning is issued.  An additional unexcused absence results in a grade of “F”.

In the event that absences are the result of extraordinary, documented circumstances and are numerous enough that it is impossible for the student to qualify for advancement, the student may be advised to withdraw from the course. If the course is required for the degree, the student will also be required to repeat the course in a subsequent semester.

Students who withdraw from a course or the College must do so through the Registrar’s Office. Non-attendance does not constitute an official withdrawal.

Grade Point Average and Minimum Grade Requirements
All matriculated students receive academic evaluations at the end of each semester; those who fall below a 2.00 GPA during the semester, will be placed on academic probation the following semester. In order to make satisfactory progress and remain in good standing, a student must achieve at least a cumulative 2.0 GPA after two semesters, following one probationary semester.

Students are also required to achieve a minimum of “C-” in each of those courses that require that a minimum grade be met in order to proceed to the next level of required coursework. Minimum grade requirements are noted on the students’ planning sheets, in the course descriptions and program grids in this catalog, and on individual course syllabi. Please note that a passing grade below “C-” in any of these classes will count as elective or general studio credits, but will not satisfy the degree requirements of the specific course.

Mid-term Warnings
Students are given “warning” notices of grades that are falling below a grade of “C” at mid-term, giving the student 7-8 weeks to improve the grade.

Probation
Students who are placed on probation (under 2.0 GPA) for the semester and fail to remove themselves from probation by achieving a 2.0 GPA at the end of the following semester (resulting in not making Satisfactory Academic Progress) are subject to dismissal at the discretion of a panel headed by the Dean. Exceptions due to extenuating circumstances may extend probation one additional semester. A student who is on academic probation may be subject to a reduced and adjusted program of studies. Students with Financial Aid should note that their financial aid will be affected by a Probationary status that continues for two consecutive semesters. Students should refer to the section on Financial Aid Eligability in the catalog (page 82) and consult with the Director of Financial Aid.

Dismissal
If dismissed, a student may submit a written appeal to the Dean. If the appeal is granted by the Dean, and the student does not achieve a 2.0 cumulative GPA at the end of one additional semester, the student will be dismissed automatically, without appeal or review.  A student may apply for re-admission through the office of the Registrar after a one-year absence from the College by demonstrating satisfactory academic progress of a 2.0 or higher GPA during two consecutive semesters at another accredited institution.

Readmission
Students who have previously attended the College as a matriculated student, but either separated from or were dismissed from the College, may apply for readmission. The Readmission process is conducted through the Office of the Registrar requiring final approval from the Office of the Dean, and does not require the student to repeat the initial admission process.
A request for Readmission as a degree candidate requires submission of a completed Readmission Form, available in the Office of the Registrar, and a payment of a $55.00 fee. The recommended dates by which the Readmission fee should be paid are June 1 for the fall semester and November 1 for the spring semester. The office of the Dean, the academic department chair, and the Student Billing Office must endorse the readmission prior to registration. The major department reserves the right to require transcripts, letters of recommendation, and an additional portfolio review. Credit for courses taken seven or more years prior to the date of readmission will be re-evaluated in conjunction with degree programs currently offered. Academic chairs may choose not to accept courses regardless of when they were completed for credit toward the degree based on the student’s level of performance in the course and its applicability to the program’s current requirements. Final determination on the Application for Readmission will be made by the Dean of the College. A decision on readmission applies only to the semester listed on the reapplication. If the student is accepted and does not return for that semester, the student must reapply.

In the event of dismissal, an application for readmission will not be entertained until a full academic year has elapsed. Readmitted students will carry the cumulative GPA that was in place at the completion of the last semester attended at Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts. Please also note that previous censure from the Academic Progress Committee will apply to all readmitted students.

Juried Student Exhibition Expectations 
The Juried Student Exhibition is held annually in the spring and is a valuable educational and professional opportunity for each student.  Thus, all students enrolled in the fall and/or spring semester of the current academic year are eligible and encouraged to submit work.  Students are only required to submit work if such is stated clearly within course.

Academic Integrity
Violations of academic integrity are considered to be acts of academic dishonesty and include (but are not limited to) cheating, plagiarizing, fabrication, denying others access to information or material, and facilitating academic dishonesty, and are subject to the policies and procedures noted within this catalog, including the Student Code of Conduct. Please note that lack of knowledge of citation procedures, for example, is an unacceptable explanation for plagiarism, as is having studied together to produce remarkably similar papers or creative works submitted separately by two students.

Process for Addressing Violations of Academic Integrity
If an instructor suspects a student of any violation of academic integrity, the following process is to be followed:

1. After an initial consultation with the department Chair where the infraction is identified and its seriousness assessed, the instructor must address the situation with the student, either in writing or in person. After having addressed the situation with the student, the instructor shall determine an appropriate course of action within his/her purview as a member of the teaching faculty. (Please refer to the “Sanctions” section of this policy for possible actions to be taken in such cases.)
2. In the case of Assignment Sanctions (see below), the instructor may submit a written summary as outlined above if he/she deems it to be warranted.
3. In the case of Course Sanctions (see below), the instructor must prepare and submit a written summary of the infraction and its penalties to the chair of the department in which the course was taught, to the student, and to the Assistant Dean who will have a copy placed in the student’s confidential file.
4. In cases where either the Assistant Dean or the instructor determines that the offense merits consideration by the Disciplinary Committee, the instructor works in conjunction with the Assistant Dean to formally refer the case to the Disciplinary Committee.

Sanctions
After consulting with the department chair, it is up to the instructor to determine how serious the offense is (based upon his/her academic standards and expectations) as it relates to the sanctions to be imposed within his or her course. Both the Assistant Dean and the instructor have the right to determine whether the offense warrants advancement to the Disciplinary Committee. The Assistant Dean must be kept apprised by the instructor of all actions taken. If it is judged that a student has violated the university’s standards for academic integrity, sanctions may include but are not limited to:

Assignment Sanctions:
(Please note that when sanctions are imposed in this manner, students become ineligible for an Incomplete or a Withdrawal from the course in which the sanctions are imposed if it is pursued as a result of the sanction.)

1. Repeating the assignment or completing an additional assignment; or
2. Failure of the assignment with no opportunity to repeat it. No points will be earned for the assignment (that is, an F will equal a “0”).

Course Sanctions:
1. Issuance of a warning or verbal reprimand with a written description of the interaction by the instructor. Copies of such reprimands must be kept by the instructor, and submitted to the Assistant Dean who will forward copies to the Student’s Confidential File and the student;
2. Failure of the class; or  
3. Referral to the Disciplinary Committee for possible actions that may include but are not limited to suspension, dismissal or expulsion. Such referral is likely in extreme or repeated cases involving a violation of academic integrity.

Appeals Procedure:
Students who wish to appeal the instructor’s sanction(s) should follow the procedure as outlined in the above under the Academic Policies section, “Academic Grievances.”
Students who wish to appeal the decision of the Disciplinary Committee should follow the procedure outlined in the Student Code of Conduct.

Standards of Academic Progress (SAP)
For students who initially enrolled between August, 1996 and August 2007

Progress Towards Degree
Students who enrolled between 1996—2007 and are following the Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree Program, requiring 132 Credits, must complete their program within 6 academic years. Students following the Three-year Certificate Program, requiring 100 credits that began in the academic year 1996/97, must complete their program within 4.5 academic years of full-time study (an academic year equals two semesters plus summer sessions).  The BFA Degree must be completed in 12 academic years of part-time study and the Certificate in 9 academic years of part-time study according to the posted schedule

Graduation Requirements
In order to meet the Standards of Academic Progress and graduate with either a certificate or BFA degree in Drawing, Illustration, Painting, or Sculpture, a student must maintain and fulfill the following requirements:

A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.0.

Completion of all course requirements.

For BFA candidates:
A minimum of four semesters (60 credits) of enrollment at the College, including the fourth and final year.

For Three-year Certificate candidates:
A minimum of three semesters (45 credits) of enrollment at the College, including the third and final year.

The completion of an additional 9 credits at the College (with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.3 in those classes) is required of students on probation in order for the Degree or Certificate to be awarded.

Participation in Commencement Exercises
Graduation is held annually in the month of May. All students who have fully completed their degree requirements in the concluding academic year are invited to participate. Students who have not completed degree requirements but wish to participate in Commencement exercises must submit a written appeal to the Office of the Dean.