Class Attendance
Students are expected to attend all regularly scheduled classes, labs, and other course-related activities. However, on some occasions students may need to be absent. Instructors are privileged to establish reasonable absence regulations, which should be clearly stated at the first class meeting. The suggested norm for a semester is twice the number of classes per week. This means that a student would be permitted four absences in a class that meets every Tuesday and Thursday, and six absences in a class that meets every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. When unavoidable absences occur, the student should explain the circumstances as soon as possible to the instructor, who will judge the validity of the excuse.
The instructor is expected to determine when the number of absences has reached the level where any additional absences would prevent the student from attaining the objectives of the course. This judgment should be communicated to the student with the warning that any further absences will result in an automatic dismissal from the course and a grade of "FX."
Making Changes
Change in Registration: Once registration has been completed, the student must follow the program of studies shown on the official registration form. No change or deletion of courses will be approved after the first full week in any semester.
Change in Curriculum: A student desiring to change from one field of concentration to another must present a petition to be approved by the appropriate dean.1 Juniors and seniors must also receive the approval of the chair of the department in which they wish to enroll. The correct form is available in the office of the Registrar. The student must then meet in full the academic requirements of the new curriculum and must make up all deficiencies in the core curriculum.
A student who interrupts matriculation for more than one complete calendar year is bound by the regulations in force at the time of readmission.
Each student is responsible for the preparation of a program of studies in conformity with the requirements and course prerequisites in force in the student’s division of instruction at the time of matriculation.
Change in Name, Address, and Phone: It is the responsibility of each individual student to notify the college of any change of name, address, and/or phone number. Change-of-address forms are available in the Registrar’s Office.
Withdrawal
Withdrawal from Course: A student wishing to withdraw from a course must submit a course withdrawal form to the Registrar's office after it has been signed by the instructor and the departmental or freshman advisor, as well as by a financial aid counselor if the student receives financial aid and by a counselor from COPE if the student is involved in programs through that office. The instructor indicates either approval or disapproval of the student's request to withdraw. An instructor might disapprove withdrawal if there is evidence of academic dishonesty. In cases where the instructor disapproves of the withdrawal, permission to withdraw is determined by the associate dean of the student's school in consultation with the instructor of the course. Requests for withdrawal are not granted automatically, nor are they denied automatically.
The deadline for withdrawal without academic penalty is the end of the twelfth week of each Fall and Spring semester. See the Official Calendar. Summer sessions have their own deadlines for withdrawal. Consult the Summer Session course schedule for details. Withdrawal from a course results automatically in a notation of "W" (withdrawal) for the course. Failure to submit the withdrawal form results automatically in a grade of "FX" (failure due to excessive absence) being entered on the student's record. A grade of "D" (failure) will be entered for graduate courses.
Ordinarily, no student will be allowed to withdraw from any course after the deadline. However, in extreme circumstances, a student may request a late withdrawal with the Associate Dean of his/her school. Before such a request can be granted, the student must submit to the appropriate Associate Dean written documentation explaining the reasons for requesting a late withdrawal. The Associate Dean will confer with the instructor of the course. In all requests for late withdrawal, the final discretion to grant it resides with the relevant Associate Dean. Withdrawals will not be granted during Finals Week.
Withdrawal from the college: A student desiring to withdraw from the college must consult the Director of Student Retention, who will forward the petition to the appropriate associate dean. In the case of freshmen, a parent or guardian must indicate approval of withdrawal by signing the withdrawal form. The official date of the student's withdrawal is the date on which the petition is received and approved by the appropriate dean. A student withdrawing from the college at any time during a semester without proper authorization fails all his/her courses for that semester.
Examinations
One purpose of examinations is to benefit students. Examinations make more memorable the structure and materials of the course, satisfy the need for definite goals, and provide an opportunity to exercise knowledge and skill in the subject. They are experiences in which students can learn about the subject and themselves.
In their syllabi, instructors specify examinations of a kind and number that are, in their judgment, appropriate to the needs of the students and to the objectives and conditions of the course. Final examinations are required in every course and are administered during final-examination week at times and places scheduled by the Registrar.
Academic Misconduct
Faculty and students alike have rights and responsibilities for learning, teaching, and scholarship within the entire college community. Academic functions are characterized by reasoned discourse, intellectual honesty, mutual respect, and openness to constructive change. Individuals must remain active in avoiding violations of academic ethics. Infractions do occur, however. In order to show all persons how infractions are handled in a way that respects rights and punishes violators, Canisius College publishes this statement concerning academic misconduct.
Prohibited Actions: The following categories of academic misconduct are prohibited:
1. Cheating. Cheating includes, but is not limited to:
a. giving or receiving answers or using any materials or aids pertinent to examinations
or course assignments without permission of instructor;
b. any alteration of academic records;
c. unauthorized possession of examinations.
2. Plagiarism. Plagiarism is offering the work of someone else as one’s own. This may range from isolated formulas, sentences, or paragraphs to entire articles copied from books, periodicals, speeches, or the writings of other students. Honesty requires that any work or materials taken from another source for either written or oral use must be acknowledged. Any student who fails to give credit for ideas or materials obtained from another source is guilty of plagiarism.
3. Obtaining without permission, manipulating, or interfering with any academic work of another student.
4. Buying or selling term papers, examinations, or other written assignments, or any part of them.
5. Aiding or abetting the conduct in sections (1) to (4).
6. Attempting to engage in any of the conduct in sections (1) to (5).
Procedures for Handling Academic Misconduct:
1. A faculty member may charge a student in his/her course with academic misconduct. After the student has been informed of the charge and the evidence upon which it is based and has been given an opportunity to present a defense or explanation, the faculty member shall issue a finding and impose a penalty within the course.
2. The student may accept the penalty or appeal. The student may appeal the finding or the penalty to the chair of the faculty member’s department within ten calendar days. Each party will present his case to the chair, who will then render a decision.
3. The student and the faculty member may accept the decision of the chair, or either of them may appeal the matter to the appropriate academic dean within ten calendar days. (The appropriate academic dean is the dean of the school in which the course is offered.) Each party will present his case to the dean or his designate, who shall then render a decision.
4. At either stage of appeal, the chair, the dean, or his designate may dismiss the charge, affirm the charge and penalty, or affirm the charge but change the penalty.
5.At any time after a student has been charged with academic misconduct, but before the dean or his designate has rendered a final decision, the student may request the college. Ombudsman to facilitate an informal resolution to the problem. The resolution may include a penalty. After a student has been charged with academic misconduct, he/she may request the assistance of another member of the college community in presenting an explanation or defense to the faculty member, chair, dean, or his designate.
Penalties: The penalties that may be imposed upon a student found responsible for academic misconduct include, but are not limited to, the following
If consultation with the dean of the student's school reveals no prior offense:
1. The student’s grade in the assignment or examination in question will be an "F" ("D" in Graduate Division). At the discretion of the instructor, the assignment or examination may be repeated in a different form.
In addition:
2. The student may receive a failing grade in the course.
3. The instructor may devise a penalty appropriate to the circumstances.
If a prior offense is on record:
1. The course grade should be an "F" ("D" in Graduate Division).
2. The student’s dean may impose a penalty outside the course, including the recommendation of suspension or expulsion. The Vice President for Academic Affairs makes all final decisions regarding suspension or expulsion for reasons of academic misconduct.
Record Keeping:
1. In all instances of academic misconduct in which a final penalty has been imposed, the person imposing the penalty shall notify the dean of the student’s school for inclusion of the matter in the student’s confidential file. This file enables the dean to determine when a student has engaged in more than one act of academic misconduct. Academic misconduct files are maintained in the office of the Registrar.
2. After a student graduates, the confidential file concerning the misconduct shall be destroyed. However, if the student is expelled for academic dishonesty, the file will be retained.
Academic Forgiveness Policy
This policy is intended to assist former Canisius College students whose grade point average is below 2.0. It is to be used to assist students that have reapplied to the college and demonstrate personal growth and motivation to accomplish their educational goals. This policy will allow for up to thirty (30) credit hours of course work with grades of F or FX to be removed from the calculation of the grade point average.
A period of not less than five years must have passed prior to the student’s readmission to the college. The student must submit a petition for academic forgiveness with the application to the college. The appropriate associate dean will meet with the student, review the petition, and make a recommendation. No acceptance decision will be made without the recommendation of the associate dean, after the review of the petition.
The admissions office will then process the application and notify the student of the decision. Once the associate dean has made a recommendation, a memo will be sent to the registrar’s office indicating that the student has been approved for academic forgiveness. The memo will list the courses that should be removed from the student’s academic record. Each course will have an "X" listed after the course number. This will indicate the course is part of the academic forgiveness policy. A notation will also appear on the transcript indicating the student was approved for academic forgiveness.
The student must maintain a minimum semester average of 2.50 and a minimum grade point average of 2.00. The student must meet with the department chair of the intended major. The department chair will review the academic record and make recommendations about what courses from five or more years ago will count toward completion of current major requirements. The student must take a minimum of ten (10) courses at Canisius College to be eligible for a degree. The student will be required to meet with the appropriate associate dean at least twice during the first semester. Progress reports will be required for students during their first semester after academic forgiveness is granted.
An agreement between the associate dean and the student will be completed in writing. The agreement will outline all the requirements for the student to be approved for academic forgiveness. This will also include but not be limited to the minimum semester and grade point average requirements, the required appointments for progress review, and course restrictions or limitations for the first semester. Failure of the student to meet the forgiveness agreement will result in automatic dismissal from the college.
Mathematics Placement Exams
Placement exams: The Department of Mathematics and Statistics, in conjunction with Academic Development, gives placement exams to incoming freshmen during summer orientation. Two exams are offered: a two-part Basic Algebra Test (BAT) and Intermediate Algebra and Trigonometry Test (IATT). A careful reading of the student’s file, especially noting high school math courses taken, grades received, math SAT exam, and intended major, dictates which of the two exams are given. In very general terms, students with 3 years or less of high school math and no indication of any interest in pursuing a science degree are given the BAT. The first part (20 questions) of the BAT tests arithmetic (fraction operations, signed numbers, percentages) while the second part (30 questions) covers elementary algebra (most of New York State’s Course I). Subscores from the two parts are reported on the Academic Development Placement Recommendation Form. Students with 4 years of high school math and/or an interest in the sciences are given the 45-question IATT.
Developmental Mathematics Courses: Placement in MAT 001 or MAT 002 indicates serious weaknesses in the student’s background. Since the admission requirements for Canisius mandate a minimum of 3 years of high school mathematics and since failing the Basic Algebra Test shows the student lacks function knowledge of even first year high school mathematics, the student must take and pass MAT 001 and/or 002 before signing up for ANY AS VII courses. All students in MAT 001 and 002 will be retested the first day of class to confirm their placement, and if they do well this requirement will be waived. No exceptions can be made without prior permission from the chair of mathematics and Statistics or one of the deans.
Grades
Grades inform students of the level of performance they have achieved in a course. Grades are means whereby students may come to know and appreciate their capacities and abilities. Instructors are responsible for specifying the performances required in their courses; students are responsible for meeting the requirements specified.
Grades earned by students at Canisius College reflect:
1. The extent to which the requirements specified in the course syllabus have been met.
2. The degree to which the requirements completed exhibit mastery of the subject or skills which are the object of the course.
3. Other criteria specified by the instructor at the beginning of the course, criteria such as, but not limited to, attendance at lectures or other course functions, projects voluntarily undertaken in excess of specified requirements, correct use of oral or written English, and contribution to discussion or other course activities.
Grades earned by undergraduate students include the following:
A
A– —Superior performance.
B+
B —Good performance.
B–
C+
C —Adequate performance.
C–
D —Poor, but passing, performance.
F —Failing performance.
FX —Failure due to excessive absences or unauthorized absence from the final examination.
P —Passing. The description of the Pass/Fail program is given later in this chapter.
Grades authorized by the deans include the following:
W —Authorized Withdrawal from a course. The description of withdrawal procedures is in a preceding section of this chapter.
I —Incomplete. The description is in a later section of this chapter.
Final course grades cannot in normal circumstances be altered after they have been recorded by the Registrar. The appropriate dean’s permission is required if a final grade is altered. Final grades are issued by mail at the conclusion of each semester by the Registrar.
Students who are dissatisfied with their grade in a course may repeat the course once (exceptions may be approved by the appropriate associate dean in consultation with the department chair). In such cases both grades will be entered in the student’s record, but, for the purpose of computing cumulative G.P.A.’s, only the second grade will be used for the calculation.
Incomplete Grade: : A student who, for serious and well-defined reasons, has failed to fulfill all requirements of a course or has failed to take the final exam may petition an instructor to request, from the appropriate Associate, a grade of "I," indicating "Incomplete Performance."
Only the appropriate dean may grant an Incomplete grade.
Only the appropriate dean may grant an Incomplete grade. It will not be granted to a student whose only reason is excessive absence during the semester or failure to complete the work of the course before the close of the semester without an exceptionally good reason. Examples of such good reasons might be prolonged illness or hospitalization during the semester, serious illness at the time of the final examination, or other unusual circumstances.
An Incomplete grade, when granted, is merely temporary and will automatically be changed to an "FX" grade if a final grade is not submitted to the appropriate Associate Dean, who then forwards the grade change to the Registrar's office within six weeks after the close of final examinations.
A student who has received an "Incomplete" grade is ineligible for the Dean's List.
Grade Grievance Procedure
Occasions may arise when a student does not agree with the grade he/she has received in a course. When this happens, the question of whether the grade should be reconsidered is addressed in two stages.
A. The initial stage in the grievance procedure is as follows:
1. The student first contacts the course instructor to discuss the grade in question within four weeks of the start of the semester (regular academic session) immediately following that in which the grade was awarded. If the instructor agrees that the grade in question was inaccurate, a grade change is processed by the instructor.
2.If the student and the instructor cannot agree on the appropriateness of the grade in question, the student may the chair of the instructor’s department, in writing, within ten working days after the meeting with the instructor. If a mutually agreeable decision is made mediation conducted by the chair, the instructor will submit the agreed-upon grade and the process is completed. If there is no outcome that is mutually acceptable to the student and the instructor, the process may continue. If the instructor is also the chair, then Step 2 is omitted and the process goes to Step 3.
3. The student may appeal the decision to the appropriate dean’s office within ten working days after the mediation process is complete. The dean shall collect written views/and other pertinent material from the involved instructor, student, and chair, as well as consult with any other individuals deemed necessary. The dean shall render the decision whether the grade should be reconsidered.
4. The decision of the dean to reconsider or not to reconsider the grade in question is final. If the decision is to reconsider the grade, the procedure outlined in Part B below is followed. If the decision is not to reconsider the grade, the original grade cannot be changed. Cases which are referred to the procedure in Part B can be withdrawn only with the consent of the student, instructor, department chair, and dean – and after first informing all parties involved.
B. The final stage in the grievance procedure is as follows:
1. If the dean feels that the reconsideration of the grade in question is appropriate, a panel of tenured faculty who have not been involved in the process described above is formed from the department in question.
The panel must be formed within ten days of the dean’s decision. If the department does not have a minimum of four members, it will be expanded to include all the tenured members of the departments within the division (Natural Science, Social Science, Humanities, or Business) of which the department in question is a member.
2. A three-member panel will be selected as follows. The dean, faculty member, and student involved will each select one member of the panel from the designated pool.
3. The panel will review all appropriate material and make a determination about the grade change. This review must be completed within thirty days of the formation of the panel. The panel has the authority to assign a grade for the course in question. That grade may be the same grade as assigned by the instructor or a higher or a lower grade, according to the panel’s judgment. The student and the instructor will be informed of the panel’s decision and, when applicable, the authorized grade change will be submitted to the Registrar.
4. The decision of the panel may be appealed by the original instructor or the student to the Vice President for Academic Affairs only in the following extraordinary circumstances:
a. The grade grievance procedure was not followed.
b. Prejudice was manifested against either the student or the instructor.
c. New, relevant information was introduced.
The appeal must be brought within thirty days of the panel’s decision. The burden of proof for the appeal rests with the individual bringing the appeal.
5. If the Vice President for Academic Affairs believes that the decision of the panel should be reviewed, a three-member appeal panel will be appointed from the pool of tenured faculty as described in Step B-1. The Vice President, the faculty member, and the student involved will each select one member. No member of the original panel may serve on the appeal panel. The appeal panel will follow the procedure in Step B-3, including completion of its task within thirty days of the formation of the panel.
The decision of the appeal panel is final.
Pass-Fail Program
Seniors and juniors are eligible to elect one course each semester for which they will receive a grade of either "Pass" or "Fail." The purpose of this plan is to enable upperclassmen to take more difficult courses than they would normally take for fear of lowering their quality-point average.
The program is as follows:
1. Juniors and seniors who have completed at least 30 hours at Canisius may elect one course each semester, not to exceed a total of four courses in their college careers, for which they will receive a recorded grade on their transcript of either "Pass" or "Fail."
2. This course must be outside the student’s major field and may not serve to satisfy any of the requirements in the core curriculum.
3. Within one week after the semester begins, the student must file a request for "Pass-Fail" grading. Application forms may be found in the office of the appropriate dean. If the dean grants permission for a course to be taken pass-fail, grades will still be assigned for all work done during the course and on the final examination. A final grade will be sent to the Registrar. If this grade is "D" or above, the Registrar will record a pass for the course on the student’s transcript; otherwise, he will record a failure.
4. Having received permission to take a course on the "Pass-Fail" option, a student may request in the last week of classes to withdraw from the option and receive a conventional letter grade. A form for this request is available in the office of the appropriate dean. A student who withdraws from the "Pass-Fail" option receives the letter grade assigned by the instructor.
5. A student attaining a grade of Pass will receive full credit for this course.
6. If a student elects to receive pass or fail in a course, this course will not be counted in the quality-point average. The student must carry at least four courses to be eligible for this program. Part-time students, however, are eligible with fewer than four courses.
7. This plan is entirely optional. A student may or may not elect to take advantage of it.
Courses at Other Colleges
Students matriculating at Canisius should plan to complete all their coursework at the college. The rationale for this policy rests in the mission and philosophy of the college and in its concern for the essential unity and integrity of all aspects of the curriculum: the college core, major requirements, and free electives. Permission to take courses at other colleges during the regular and Summer sessions is granted by the appropriate associate dean, who will consider all aspects of the student’s request, including the quality and level of the proposed course and its role in the student’s program. Courses intended to fulfill major requirements must also be approved by department chairs. Permission to take courses at other colleges must be requested on the appropriate form and in advance of taking the course.
Generally, the following guidelines apply:
1. Students are ordinarily limited to one course at another institution for every ten courses taken at Canisius.
2. Junior- and senior-level Core Curriculum and major course requirements are not
transferred from community colleges.
3. Courses taken at a four-year college/university will be accepted only if they are offered at a comparable level at Canisius (i.e., freshman-sophomore level/junior-senior level).
4. Students who live outside the greater Buffalo area may receive more lenient consideration in taking a summer course at another college. However, the dean may recommend a cassette course as a preferred option if he/she considers it more appropriate than the off-campus course.
5. No more than one of the two Area Study requirements within a specific area can be taken at another college.
Study Abroad
The college manages undergraduate study abroad partnerships with
o Belgium – University of Antwerp3
o Canada – Laval University
o France – Catholic University of Lille
o Germany – University of Dortmund
o Ireland – National University of Ireland, Galway
o Japan—Sophia University
o Mexico—Universidad Iberoamericana Universidad Michoacana de San Nicholas de Hidalgo
o Spain—University of Oviedo
o Sweden—University of Uppsala3
o United Kingdom—University of North London
Students interested in study abroad should begin planning early in their college experience so that preliminary coursework and language study can be completed in advance. Students should confer with the Study Abroad office located in the International Student Programs office (Frisch Lower Level 005, extension 2784) and with their academic advisor to discuss the options.
In keeping with the college’s policy on "Courses at Other Colleges" (p. 12), students who wish to study at the universities listed above must study through the Canisius programs.
Students who wish to study at other foreign universities or in other countries than those listed should confer with the International Student Programs office.
Credit by Examinations
Students who are applying for admission or who are presently in attendance may obtain credit for previously completed examinations sponsored by the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) of the College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB) or by the New York State College Proficiency Examination Program (CPE). The minimum acceptable grades for these exams are "Pass" for exams graded Pass/Fail, "C" for exams with letter grades, and 50 on exams graded on a standard score scale of 20 to 80. Credit is not awarded for the CLEP general examinations. Credit in appropriate subject area exams is granted by the Registrar’s Office after the student has matriculated at the college. However, not all CPE and CLEP exams are acceptable as transfer credits. In addition, credits to be used in fulfilling departmental major requirements must first be approved in writing by the department chair.
Students should plan to complete all their coursework at the college. Permission for matriculating students to take CPE or CLEP exams to fulfill degree requirements must be requested from the appropriate associate dean and will be granted only under extraordinary circumstances.
Regents College Examination
Students who are applying for admission to Canisius College or who are presently in attendance may be eligible, under unusual circumstances, to receive college credit for previous experience through the Regents College Examination program. The minimum acceptable score on the examinations is 50.
Students who have already taken such examinations should speak to the appropriate associate dean. Permission to take the examination must be obtained from the appropriate associate dean.
Credit for Extra-Curriculars
Students engaged in extra-curricular activities for which they wish to receive academic credit must prepare a written proposal to that effect and deliver it to the chair of the relevant academic department or, where no relevant academic department exists, to the relevant academic dean.
Quality Points
The quality-point average indicates the student's general scholastic average and is a measure of the quality of his or her work, just as credit hours are the measure of its extent. Points are assigned as follows for each semester hour completed:
| Grade A |
4.0 points |
Grade C+ |
2.3 points |
| Grade A– |
3.7 points |
Grade C |
2.0 points |
| Grade B+ |
3.3 points |
Grade C– |
1.7 points |
| Grade B |
3.0 points |
Grade D |
1.0 point |
| Grade B– |
2.7 points |
Grade F (and its equivalent) |
0 points |
A student's Q.P.A. is obtained by dividing the total number of quality points by the total number of credit hours carried.
Academic Standing
Academic standing is determined by the cumulative G.P.A. from the beginning of the student’s studies at Canisius. The following terms are used to describe a student’s academic standing:
1. Academic probation: When a student’s G.P.A. falls beneath the level indicated on the chart on the next page, he/she is placed on academic probation – a serious warning that the student’s academic record at the college is unsatisfactory.
It is generally not advisable for students on academic probation to take part in extracurricular activities. Varsity athletes, in addition, are governed by NCAA and regional conference regulations. Probation for two successive semesters will result in automatic academic disqualification from the college.
2. Academic disqualification: Academic disqualification results from any one of the following:
a. Falling below the G.P.A. indicated on the chart below.
b. Failing three courses in a single semester.
c. Being placed on academic probation for two successive semesters.
Disqualified students may not enroll in any division of the college and must wait at least six months before applying for readmission.
3. Good academic standing: This is a term used to determine a student’s eligibility for financial aid. A student who is on academic probation is considered to be in good academic standing. Further details may be found in the chapter on Financial Aid.
The Q.P.A. levels for academic probation and academic disqualification are given below.
| |
Academic Probation |
Academic Disqualification |
| Cumulative Q.P.A. based on |
|
|
| 0-30 credit hours |
1.50-1.99 |
below 1.50 |
| Cumulative Q.P.A. based on |
|
|
| 31 or more credit hours |
1.75-1.99 |
below 1.75 |
To be eligible for graduation, a student must have earned an overall cumulative average of 2.00.
Separation from the College
Each student’s continued registration at the college, the awarding of academic credits, and the granting of any certificate or degree are entirely subject to the disciplinary authority of the college. The college reserves the right, therefore, to enforce the regulations concerning satisfactory academic performance and, in consequence, to cancel a student’s registration, to refuse academic credits, or to deny a certificate or degree. Separation from the college may also be imposed as a penalty for any conduct which conflicts with the ideals of the college or damages its reputation and that of its students.
Transcript of Record
A student wishing a transcript of his/her record in order to transfer to another college, university, or professional school or for other purposes must make written application to the Office of the Registrar one week before the transcript is needed. In no case will an official transcript be given to a student, but, in accordance with accepted practice, it will be sent directly to the institution indicated by the student. A student can request a copy of the transcript for his/her personal use. This copy will be marked "Student’s Copy." No transcripts will be released until students have cleared all financial obligations to the college.
Policy on Student Records
In compliance with Section 438 of the "General Education Provisions Act," entitled "Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act," the following constitutes the college’s policy instructing students on the procedures available to provide appropriate access to personal records while protecting the confidentiality of these records.
A "student" is defined as one who has attended or is attending Canisius College and whose records are in the files of the college. Student records to which this policy applies do not include files retained by individual faculty/ staff members which are not accessible to any other person except a substitute designated by the faculty/staff member.
Public information is limited to name, address, email address, phone, major field of study, dates of attendance, admission or enrollment status, school or division, class standing, degrees and awards, student organizations, and sports and athletic information.
Public information shall be released freely unless the student files the appropriate form requesting that certain information may not be released. This form is available at the Registrar’s Office, Bagen 106. Public information which cannot be restricted includes name, enrollment status, degrees, and dates of attendance. All students have records in the Registrar’s Office, but, additionally, students may also have records in the following places:
- Dean of Arts and Sciences, Bagen 105
- Dean of Business, Bagen 102
- Associate Dean/Center for Adult
- Academic Services, Old Main 003
- Dean of School of Education and Human Services, Science 014
- Center for Professional Development,
- Center @ Amherst
- Office of Student Affairs, Old Main 109
- Office of Student Accounts, Health Science 202D
- Office of Financial Aid, Old Main 103
- Career Center, Old Main 016
- Student Health Center, Frisch Hall
- Office of Residence Life, Bosch Hall
- Departmental offices
A student’s educational record is open to the student, with the following exceptions:
1. Confidential letters of recommendation placed in files prior to January 1, 1975.
2. Records of parent’s financial status.
3. Employment records (see below).
4. Medical records (see below).
The employment records to which students do not have access are records kept in the normal course of business which relate exclusively to students as employees. Medical records are kept in the Student Health Center. This office rigidly protects the confidentiality of those records, but they can be reviewed by a physician or appropriate professional of the student-patient’s choice.
Student records are open to members of the faculty and staff who have a legitimate need to know their contents, except where access is prohibited by special policies such as those governing medical records. The determination of those who have "a legitimate need to know" will be made by the person responsible for the maintenance of the record. This determination must be made scrupulously and with respect for the individual whose record is involved.
The college has established the following procedures enabling the student to have access to his or her record:
1.The student may see his or her record by filling out a request form at the office where
the record of interest is maintained.
2. Access is to be granted promptly and no later than thirty days from the date of the request.
3. The student may make the request in person or by mail, but the request may always be required to be in writing.
4. The student may obtain upon request copies of documents to which he or she is entitled. The college may charge for these copies.
5. The student may request and receive interpretation of his or her record from the person (or designee) responsible for the maintenance of the record.
If the student considers the record faulty, he or she can request and receive review of the case according to the established procedures on file in the Office of Student Affairs, to the end that the record will be corrected if judged faulty or in violation of privacy.
Normally, records can be released – or access given – to third parties (i.e., anyone not a member of the faculty and staff) only at the written request of the student. Without the consent of the student, releases to third parties may be given only as follows:
1. To a specific list of persons, primarily including Canisius College officials.
2. To Federal, State, and local officials as required by law.
3. To appropriate persons in an emergency situation when necessary to protect the welfare of an individual.
4. To parents of a student who is a dependent for income tax purposes.
A student may secure from the Registrar’s Office a consent form authorizing the release of specified records to specific individuals. A notification of releases made to third parties must be kept in the student’s record. This notification is open only to the student and the person in charge of the record. The third party must be informed that no release of personally identifiable data is authorized without the written consent of the student.
This policy does not preclude the destruction of any record if the college does not consider it germane. Persons in charge of records should ensure that only pertinent items are retained in student files.
Recognition of Academic Excellence
Two categories of recognition are awarded at the end of each semester. The first recognizes full-time students and the second recognizes both full-time and part-time students. In addition, students in either category who achieve a 4.00 will receive the designation "with Special Distinction." The two categories are:
1. Dean's List. Awarded to students who have attained a grade point average of at least 3.50 for the semester and have completed at least four courses of three credits or equivalent.
2. Merit List. Awarded to students who have attained a grade point average of at least 3.25 for the semester and have completed at least two courses of three credit hours or equivalent.
Students who receive an "Incomplete" grade are not eligible for the Dean's or Merit lists.
Graduation
Degrees are awarded during the annual commencement program on the date designated in the college Academic Calendar.
To qualify for the degree of Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science, a candidate must complete a minimum of 120 credit hours, the Core Curriculum requirements, and all requirements of the major. To qualify for the degree of Associate of Arts, a candidate must complete satisfactorily 20 three- or four-credit hour courses and a minimum of 60 credit hours.
Satisfactory completion of requirements means that the candidate has maintained the quality-point average indicated in the section on Academic Standing and has completed all general and departmental requirements as outlined in this catalog.
In extraordinary circumstances a student may petition the appropriate dean to be allowed to participate in graduation ceremonies even though the student will not have completed all degree requirements by the date of commencement. Before graduation, the degree candidate must settle all accounts with the Office of the Treasurer and must pay the graduation fee.
A student who completes the degree requirements in August or December and wishes to obtain his/her diploma before the next commencement should submit a diploma request form to the Office of the Registrar. Students should contact that office regarding the deadline dates for such requests.
Each student’s name should be submitted to the Registrar exactly as the student wishes it to appear on all official documents of the college.
It is the student’s responsibility to keep this file accurate. A fee of $10.00 will be assessed to reprint a diploma if the name on the new diploma is to differ from that on the official registration record of the college.
Graduation Honors:
Only students who have completed the last 60 credit hours of academic work at Canisius College are eligible for graduating with honors. The Canisius College cumulative G.P.A. determines grad-uation with honors according to the following scale:
Degree is awarded summa cum laude to those whose average is 3.80 or higher.
Degree is awarded magna cum laude to those whose average is 3.65 or higher.
Degree is awarded cum laude to those whose average is 3.45 or higher.
Awards and Prizes
The Father Francis A. O’Malley, S.J., Memorial Award is awarded to a member of the senior class for outstanding scholastic achievement throughout the four-year course of study at Canisius College.
The Father Francis A. O’Malley, S.J., Superior Scholastic Achievement Medal is awarded annually to a graduate of Evening Studies who has achieved the highest scholastic average in the four-year course of study at Canisius College.
The James M. Demske, S.J., Scholastic Achievement Award is bestowed upon a senior who has transferred to Canisius College and has completed at least 60 credit hours here. This student will have achieved an exceptionally high cumulative average while a student here.
The Alpha Kappa Psi Scholarship Key is awarded annually to the graduate in the Richard J. Wehle School of Business who has attained the highest scholastic average over a three-year period. The award is made by the Delta Tau Chapter of Alpha Kappa Psi, the oldest national professional fraternity in commerce.
The Wall Street Journal Award of a desk plaque and a year’s subscription is given each year to a graduating senior who has demonstrated outstanding academic achievement in the Richard J. Wehle School of Business.
The New York State Society of Certified Public Accountants Awards are given annually as follows: Two New York State Awards are given, one to a graduating senior in accounting and one to a graduating student in the M.B.A. program inprofessional accounting. In each case the award is given to the student who has attained the highest scholastic average in accounting subjects and who is considered to be a desirable candidate for admission to the profession of public accounting.
The John T. Kennedy Memorial Award is given to the junior majoring in accounting who has the highest overall scholastic average.
The Canisius College Accounting Society Award is awarded annually to the outstanding senior accounting major.
The Bradley J. Shelp, Jr. Memorial Award represents the most prestigious honor the Department of Accounting can bestow upon an accounting student. This award is given on those occasions when the Department of Accounting identifies a senior accounting student who excels in demonstrated attributes of excellence in scholarship and service to the college.
The Matthew L. Kruse Scholarship is awarded annually to three accounting majors in their junior or senior years. The awards are based on academic achievement and demonstrated financial need and are credited to the students’ tuition.
The Financial Executives Institute Award is given to a graduating senior selected by the Accounting Department.
The Canisius College Anthropology Award for Highest Overall Cumulative G.P.A. is given to a graduating senior.
The Thalia Feldman Memorial Award in Art History is awarded to a graduating senior in Art History who has maintained outstanding academic achievement and has demonstrated leadership in furthering an understanding of the importance of the visual arts in our community.
The Canisius College Biology Department Excellence in Research Award are given to graduating Biology majors who have completed substantial research projects leading to presentation or publication in the scientific literature of their discipline.
The Tri-Beta Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Biological Sciences is given to the graduating senior with the highest G.P.A.
The Westwood-Squibb/Bristol Meyers Outstanding Research Award is given to the graduating Biology major who has completed the most significant independent research project leading to presentation or publication in scientific literature.
The Valerian A. Ruskiewicz Memorial Prizes for Distinction in Chemistry and for Distinction in Physics are awarded annually to the members of the senior class who have the highest class standing throughout their course in physics and chemistry.
The Merck Award for Recognition in Chemical Research and Distinction in Chemistry is given to the outstanding senior student in chemistry or biochemistry who has demonstrated excellence in research.
The Student General Excellence Award of the American Institute of Chemists is given for excellence in the field of chemistry.
The Student General Excellence Award of the American Chemical Society, Western New York Section, is given for general excellence in the field of Chemistry.
The Campus Ministry Award is given to a graduating senior who has contributed to the Canisius College community through participation in the events, programs, and activities of Campus Ministry.
The Classics Book Award is given for outstanding performance in Classics courses during the current academic year.
The Canisius College Communication Studies Department Academic Excellence Award is given to the graduating Communication Studies senior with the highest G.P.A. in the Communication Studies major.
The Canisius College Communication Studies Department Academic Excellence Award is given to the graduating Digital Media Arts senior with the highest G.P.A. in the Digital Media Arts major.
The Association for Women in Communications, Canisius College Chapter, Scholarship Award is given to the graduating senior member with the highest G.P.A. in the major.
The American Advertising Federation, Canisius College Chapter, Academic Excellence Award is given to the graduating senior member with the highest G.P.A. in the Communication Studies major.
The Public Relations Student Society of America, Canisius College Chapter, Academic Excellence Award is given to the graduating senior member with the highest G.P.A. in the Communications Studies major.
The Computer Science Award for Highest Overall Cumulative G.P.A. is given annually to a graduating senior.
The Computer Science Award for Highest G.P.A. in Computer Science is given to a graduating senior.
The John S. Murphy Award for Academic Excellence in Economics is given annually to a graduating senior.
The Economics and Finance Department Best Finance Student Award is given annually to a graduating senior for academic excellence in finance.
The Economics and Finance Department Outstanding Student Award is given to the graduating senior with the highest G.P.A. in the department.
The William F. Kean Award of Excellence is given to the graduating Education major with the highest academic average.
The Thomas & Camille Caulfield Award for the Student Counselor of the Year
The Donald J. Murphy Award in Elementary Education is bestowed upon a student who demonstrates excellence in three areas: academic performance, service to the college, and the promise of a successful career in elementary teaching.
The Thomas W. Fitzsimons Award in Secondary Education is bestowed upon a student who demonstrates excellence in three areas: academic performance, service to the college, and the promise of a successful career in secondary teaching.
The Special Education Award is given to the graduating senior who has maintained a high level of scholarship and demonstrates a commitment to teaching children with special needs.
The William D. Bennett Award is given to the graduating senior who demonstrates the hallmark of the late William Bennett’s life: commitment to academic excellence and teaching in multi-cultural settings.
The Charles A. Brady Award for Excellence in English is awarded to the graduating English major whose achievement in English courses and literary extracurricular involvement has been superior throughout his or her college career.
The Leslie C. Warren Award for Academic Excellence is awarded to the graduating English major who has the highest academic average for his or her college career.
The Raymond L. Girard Award for Distinction in French is bestowed annually on the graduating senior who best exemplifies the qualities of academic excellence and service in the field of French language, literature, and culture.
The Goethe Award is bestowed annually on the graduating senior who best exemplifies the qualities of academic excellence and service in the field of German language, literature, and culture.
The City of Oviedo Award for Excellence in Spanish is bestowed annually on the graduating senior who best exemplifies the qualities of academic excellence and service in the field of Spanish language, literature, and culture.
The Professor William M. Harrigan Award for Excellence in History was inaugurated in 1971 to commemorate the late Dr. William M. Harrigan, chair of the History Department from 1960 to 1968. To promote excellence in historical scholarship, the award is presented to the senior who best exemplifies the standards of scholarship, interest in history, and Christian values which Dr. Harrigan upheld.
The Edwin L. Neville Prize for Graduate Study in History is given to a senior History major or Secondary Education/Social Studies major who will pursue an advanced degree in History or social studies, preferably in Asian History.
The Rev. Nicholas J. Sullivan, S.J. Award is given for excellence in historical writing.
The International Relations Award for Global Understanding and Involvement is presented annually to the senior International Relations major demonstrating academic excellence and furthering ininternational understanding.
The International Relations Academic Excellence Award is given to the senior with the highest G.P.A. among International Relations majors.
The J. Fred Schoellkopf IV Scholarship Award is given to the outstanding student in Management studies.
The Management Academic Excellence Award recipients are selected annually from the top ten percent of senior management majors based on overall G.P.A.
The Marketing Academic Excellence Award recipients are selected annually from the top ten percent of senior marketing majors based on overall G.P.A.
The Thomas J. Schillo Scholarship is awarded annually to a senior who is judged by the Management/Marketing Department to possess the highest standards of academic excellence and personal integrity.
The Donald E. Calvert Scholarship is awarded annually to a Management/Marketing senior who displays, as assessed by the department, superlative academic skills and a commitment to professional success.
The Outstanding Management Computer Information Systems Award is presented to the graduating senior MIS major with the highest average.
The Dr. Robert Tidd Award for Distinction in Mathematics is given to a senior upon recommendation by the Department of Mathematics and Statistics.
The Dr. William M. Huebsch Award in Mathematics is given to a senior who combines excellent performance in mathematics with great promise in the teaching of mathematics. The award is named in honor of Dr. Huebsch, alumnus of the Class of 1943, who was a former chair of the Mathematics department.
The General George C. Marshall Award is given annually by the George C. Marshall Foundation to the outstanding senior ROTC cadet in Buffalo.
The Outstanding Military Graduate Award is given to the top Canisius College Army ROTC graduating senior.
The J. Clayton Murray Award in Philosophy is a designation awarded to the outstanding student in philosophy.
The St. Thomas Aquinas Award in Philosophy is given, at the discretion of the Department of Philosophy, to a student who has demonstrated exceptional achievement in satisfying the college’s curriculum requirements in philosophy.
The Rev. Edward F. Maloney, S.J. Physical Education Major Award is awarded to the graduating senior each year who best displays academic achievement, contributions to college life, participation in the Department, including sponsored activities, and demonstration of professional qualities.
The Health and Human Performance Award is made on the basis of excellence in academic performance.
The Western New York Surgical Supply Company Award for Excellence in Athletic Training is presented to the graduating senior who has demonstrated outstanding skills in all aspects of the Athletic Training program.
The Woodrow Wilson Award is given to the Political Science major who combines academic excellence with a demonstrated commitment to the community.
The Pi Sigma Alpha Award is given to the student who best exemplifies the goals and spirit of the pursuit of knowledge in political science.
The Donald L. Tollefson Annual Psychology Award is bestowed annually for outstanding scholastic and professional achievement by a senior in psychology.
The Cyril O. Schommer Prize in Religious Studies is awarded to the senior whose written work demonstrates theological insights and mastery of one of the religious studies disciplines.
The Canisius College Sociology Award for Highest Overall Cumulative G.P.A. is given to a graduating senior.
The I. Joan Lorch Award for Women’s Studies is awarded to a student who has made a significant contribution to promote women’s issues on the Canisius College campus through such activities as writing a newspaper series, performing committee work, or representing women’s issues on a governing body.
The Academia Debate Award honors the member of the graduating class who has demonstrated outstanding performance and service in the area of debate.
The Joseph E. Fronczak Prize of fifty dollars is awarded for an original poem written by an undergraduate.
The Canisius College Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Awards are given to faculty members, students, or administrators whose lives and work best represent the ideals of Dr. King.
The Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Annual Poetry Awards are given to the three top entries most closely related to the ideals of Dr. King. The competition is open to all students.
The Hearst Earning Excellence Award is a highly competitive employment program either on- or off-campus which requires undergraduate students to submit joint proposals with faculty members or off-campus professionals.
The Kristen Brady Award for Excellence in senior Honors Thesis is awarded to the student who writes the most outstanding thesis in the All-College Honors Program.
The Environmental Science Award for Academic Excellence is awarded to the graduating Environmental Science major with the highest academic for his or her college career.
The Environmental Science Award for Excellence in Research is awarded to the graduating Environmental Science major who has completed a substantial research project in environmental science leading to presentation and/or publication.
The Certified Environmental Services Award for Outstanding Research in the Environmental Sciences is awarded to the graduating Environmental Science major who has completed the most significant research project in the environmental sciences leading to presentation and/or publication.