Academic Regulations and Procedures:

Attendance Policy
Attendance is mandatory at all class sessions. If a student is to be absent for any reason, he/she must discuss the expected absence with the course instructor before it occurs.

Application of Academic Regulations

1. Aurora University has traditionally allowed students to graduate under the degree requirements in effect when they entered the University if course offerings allow and if enrollment is continuous from point of entry to graduation. The University does retain the right, however, to modify the academic policies, procedures and regulations for all students. Modifications in policies, procedures and regulations normally become effective at the beginning of the term following their enactment or as specified in the approved form of the regulation. Academic policies, procedures and regulations encompass such things as grading systems, transfer of credit policies, academic fees and guidelines for applying courses toward the degree requirements.
2. Only those persons specified in an academic regulation may authorize exceptions or waivers pertaining to that policy.
   1. Academic advisors may not grant exceptions or waivers except in a capacity specified in (2).
   2. All exceptions and waivers must be made in writing, with copies provided to the student, and to all University offices and units having an interest or responsibility related to the regulation in question.

Leave of Absence Regulations and Procedures
POLICY: Matriculated students at Aurora University who interrupt their studies for more than one term, except summer, must apply for readmission to the University and to their major programs unless the absence has been arranged in advance and has received prior approval under the regulations and procedures for granting of leaves of absence.

Regulations and Procedures
Matriculated students wishing to interrupt their studies at Aurora University for more than one academic term (excluding summer) must file an approved leave of absence form with the University Registrar.

1. Leave of absence forms must include complete forwarding address, permanent address, billing address, and telephone information, the term and year when the student intends to return to the University, the student’s graduate program and academic advisor, and in the case of residential students, the signature of the Dean of Students or designee. Students holding student loans under certain federal programs are required to complete an exit interview with the Financial Aid Office.
2. The leave of absence form must be filed with the Office of the Registrar prior to the first day of the second term following the last term of the student’s enrollment, excluding summer (e.g., a student who was registered in spring term, but did not return fall term, must file the form before the first day of winter term). In the case of mailed forms, the date of the postmark shall govern.
3. The Registrar shall retain the original leave of absence forms and forward copies to the graduate program director.
4. Leaves of absence may be granted for up to two academic years (six terms, excluding summer terms); leaves may not be granted for an indefinite time period.
5. Students may return to the University earlier than the term stated in the leave of absence form upon notification of the Registrar’s Office prior to the beginning of the term.
6. Before the beginning of the advisement and registration period for the term in which a student on leave has indicated that he/she plans to return to the University, the Registrar’s Office will send a reactivation request form to the student. Upon return of a completed reactivation form, the Registrar’s Office will forward the form to the Student Accounts Office and the Financial Aid Office for clearance. Approved reactivations will then be processed, student files reactivated, and the student notified that he/she may arrange an advising appointment with their graduate program advisor.
7. Completed reactivation forms must be presented to the Registrar’s Office or postmarked before the beginning of the term in which the student is scheduled to return. Leave of absence forms for which no reactivation or extension request has been received will be cancelled at that time and students will then be subject to the regulations and procedures governing application for readmission to the University.
8. A student on leave may request an extension of a leave of absence by filing a written request with the Registrar before the beginning of the term in which the student was originally scheduled to return to the University. Consecutive terms and extensions of leave of absence may not total more than 6 terms, excluding summer.
9. Students on leave for a total of no more than one academic year (3 consecutive terms, excluding summer) may return to the University under the general degree requirements originally applied to them and complete their studies in the program in which they were enrolled before leaving according to the catalog and regulations under which they originally entered, without, however, incurring an obligation on the part of the University to provide coursework or programs that have been altered or discontinued in the interim.
10. Students returning from leave who wish to seek admission to a different program than the one in which they were enrolled before leaving may do so, subject to the catalog, regulations, and other requirements in effect at the time they return.
11. In those cases where a student has a choice between being bound by an earlier or current catalog, the student must file a form with the Graduate Program Director stating the student’s choice of catalog before the student will be allowed to re-enroll. The student must choose one catalog by which to be bound for program and graduation requirements.
12. Enrollment, whether matriculated or not, at any other institution of post-secondary education during a leave of absence from Aurora University automatically cancels all provisions of the leave of absence unless a petition for prior approval of transfer coursework is approved by the Registrar.
13. Specific deadlines for submission of materials under these regulations shall be established by the Provost.

Readmission: A student who fails to register for more than one term, excluding summer, and who has not filed an approved leave of absence form in accordance with applicable regulations and procedures must apply for readmission to the University.

Readmission/Rematriculation

1. Students applying for readmission are subject to the general admission standards of the University, the admission and progress standards of the program they seek to enter, and the catalog and regulations prevailing at the time of readmission.
2. Application for readmission is made through the Office of Admission and Financial Aid. Official academic and financial aid transcripts from all post-secondary institutions previously attended, including institutions attended prior to the student’s first admission to Aurora University, may be required at the discretion of the graduate program.

Waiting List
Although we are aware that graduate students are more limited in their course selections, there are times that classes are at maximum capacity and students are placed on waitlists. Typically the Registrar consults with the graduate program director or dean to determine the need to move students from waitlists into the actual course. The Waiting List does not operate on a first-come, first- served basis, nor do instructors have influence on the decision. The Registrar, in consultation with the graduate program director/dean makes determinations prior to the start of the term. Students authorized to add the class are contacted by telephone to confirm that they still wish to enter the class.

Auditor Status

1. Aurora University has an Auditor (AU) status for those individuals who do not wish to earn college credit for either an undergraduate or graduate course.
2. Auditing privileges may include full participation in class sessions, with the exception that instructors are not required to evaluate and grade an Auditor’s performance in a course. Instructors may determine the character of participation and requirements of auditors.
3. The tuition fee for auditing has been established at 25% of the regular tuition rate. Any additional class fees will be at the expense of the auditor.
4. Auditors must register for classes on a standby basis, with the understanding that students registering for credit have priority in the class. A decision as to whether Auditors may enter classes will be made prior to the beginning of the first class session.
5. Audited courses will be posted on a student’s permanent academic record as an audit (AU). No academic credit will be granted for audited classes now or in the future.
6. Auditors may not participate in clinical experiences, field placements and practica courses.

Visitors

1. An individual who wishes to visit only a single class session need not register or pay the stated fee, but must secure the prior approval of the instructor for each session visited.