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Undergraduate Catalog 2001-2003

Academic Regulations and Procedures

Application for Admission | Registration | Late Registration | Adding and Dropping Courses 
Leave of Absence and Readmission | Tuition, Fees, and Other Expenses | Academic Standards 
Requirements for Graduation | Academic Honors | Graduation Policies and Procedures 
Undergraduate Programs of Study | Financial Aid


Application for Admission:

Students are encouraged to apply for admission well in advance of the term they wish to begin attending Aurora University. This is especially important if a student will be attending full-time as a residential student, since residence hall space is limited. In the case of transfer students, all academic transcripts must be received by the University before an application can be processed.

Application files must be completed no later than ten working days prior to the first day of the term. Otherwise, admission to the University may be delayed until the next term, at the discretion of the Vice President for Enrollment. Admission to specific professional programs may be limited; therefore, early application is recommended.


Registration:

Advisement: 
As soon as an application for admission has been approved, students are notified and asked to contact the Office of Academic Advisement to make an initial appointment with an advisor. Registration and orientation days are provided in June as a convenience to new students planning to enter in the fall term. However, new students may complete the advisement process and register at any time during the regular advisement periods for any term.

The advisement period begins the sixth week of each term for the following term. Advisement appointments are taken in order of class rank, with seniors advising and registering first in order to help them get into classes required for graduation. All degree-seeking undergraduates are required to consult with an academic advisor before registering for classes.

Registration: 
As soon as the advisement appointment is completed, a student may register at the Office of the Registrar. All accounts with the Student Accounts Office must be up to date. Students must be in compliance with the State of Illinois immunization requirements.

Students-at-large may register by mail. Registration forms and information are supplied in the Aurora University Course Bulletin, published each term by the Office of the Registrar.

Payment of Tuition and Fees: 
Tuition and fees are assessed in accordance with approved policies. Payment is due by the first day of class, unless approval has been given to participate in a University-approved installment or deferred payment plan or corporate billing agreement. Details are provided in the Course Bulletin and on the registration form. Grades and transcripts are issued to students in good financial standing.

Student I.D. Cards: 
Students are issued an Aurora University photo identification card after registration. The card must be re-validated every term and must be surrendered upon withdrawing from the University. The I.D. card is required for the use of University facilities and services and for free or reduced-price admission to paid events on campus. There is a $15 fee for replacement of lost or damaged I.D. cards.

Taking Courses at Other Schools: 
Once a person matriculates at Aurora University they may only transfer additional coursework from other schools after filing a "Petition for Prior Approval" and receiving approval from the Registrar. Contact the Office of Academic Advisement or Registrar's Office for additional information.

Council of West Suburban Colleges Consortium: 
Courses taken at other schools in CWSC (North Central College and Benedictine University) may be applied to Aurora University programs without violating the AU residence requirement. Cross registration is permitted with permission of the other school and in accordance with terms of an agreement among all member schools. Cross registration is available during the regular academic year (fall, winter, and spring terms). Tuition is paid to the home school and grades are recorded at the home school without the necessity of applying for a transcript.

Through this program, degree-seeking students at each of the member schools has access to an unusually broad selection of academic offerings and scheduling options. Contact the Registrar's Office for information and registration forms.


Late Registration:

The normal registration period ends with the closing of the Registrar's Office on the last University business day preceding the first day of the term or the first day of a class that officially begins at some point other than the beginning of a term. Students may late register only during the first 10% of the term and before the class has met for 10% of the published contact time. Specific deadlines are published in the Course Bulletin or may be obtained from the Office of the Registrar. It is the responsibility of a late-registering student to make up missed class work, and students are permitted to late register only with the understanding that their grades may be affected by work that cannot be made up.


Adding and Dropping Courses:

Changing Courses: 
Once a student has registered for courses, he/she must file a Change of Course Petition at the Office of the Registrar to either add or drop a course. Courses may be added only during the official late registration period. No course may be dropped after the end of the ninth week of classes in ten-week terms or the tenth week of classes in eleven-week terms (prorated for summer terms).

Refunds: 
During regular terms, a 100% refund of tuition is provided through Monday following the second week of the term; no refund is provided thereafter. Refunds for summer-session classes and for classes not meeting in accordance with other regular term calendars are provided in accordance with refund schedules provided by the University Comptroller. Refunds are in all cases governed by the actual date of filing of a written drop notice (signed letter or signed Change of Course Petition) in the Office of the Registrar.

Grades for Dropped Courses: 
Courses dropped with 100% refund do not appear on the student's permanent record. Thereafter, and through the next-to-the-last week of the term (tenth week of an eleven-week term and ninth week of a ten-week term and prorated for summer terms), a grade of "W" (withdrawal) is posted. After this date no withdrawal will be allowed. No drop petitions will be accepted during the final calendar week of the term. Drop petitions must be filed in the Registrar's Office by the conclusion of the ninth calendar week or it's equivalent for shorter sessions.


Leave of Absence and Readmission:

If a student has been admitted to Aurora University and must interrupt their course of study for more than one term (excluding summer), they must file an approved Leave of Absence form with the Registrar in order to be able to resume studies under the catalog in effect when they first entered. There is a time limit of three consecutive terms, excluding summer, for this privilege. Filing a Leave of Absence form also means that the student does not need to reapply for admission if the return is within two calendar years, a maximum of six academic terms, excluding summers.

If a student has been absent from Aurora University for more than one term without filing a Leave of Absence form, or a Leave of Absence has expired, the student should contact the Office of Admission and Financial Aid for information on applying for readmission. Official transcripts from any colleges or universities attended since the last enrollment at Aurora University must be complete before admittance.


Tuition, Fees, and Other Expenses:

Tuition: 2001-2002 Academic Year (Fall, Winter, Spring terms):

NOTE: Rates may differ for certain off-campus programs. Please consult the appropriate program director or consult information provided for that program.

Room and Board: 2001-2002 Academic Year (Fall, Winter, Spring terms):

General Fees:

NOTE: Tuition and fees are subject to change without prior notice. Please consult the Course Bulletin each term, or contact the Student Accounts Office for questions or information on current tuition, fees, room, board and other rates.

NOTE: Tuition and housing deposits are refundable until May 1 for Fall entrants. For Winter and Spring Terms, tuition and housing deposits are refundable until first day of class for the term. Tuition deposits for Summer Term are refundable until the end of the 100% refund period.


Academic Standards:

All undergraduate students must achieve a minimum term GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale to remain in good standing. Those achieving a term GPA of less than 2.0 are placed on Academic Warning. Following a second term (not necessarily consecutive) below 2.0, a student may be dismissed from the University by action of the Admissions, Standards, Scholarship and Financial Aid Committee. The Board may also impose conditions on a student's continued enrollment. If dismissed for poor scholarship, a student may not be readmitted to the University until at least one calendar year later, after filing for re-admission to the Board.

Individual majors and programs may have additional or more stringent academic standards for retention of students in the major or program. These standards are incorporated in the University Academic Regulations and are available to students through the office of each program.


Requirements for Graduation:

  1. Completion of University General Degree Requirements*:
    (Note: No more than 6 semester hours may be from any one department when presented for completion of General Degree Requirements).
  2. Completion of the major requirements (with no grades lower than C) for an approved major.
  3. Completion of at least 120 semester hours of work with a GPA of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale, including at least 52 semester hours at a senior college.
  4. Completion of at least 30 semester hours, including the last 24 semester hours in the degree, at Aurora University, and including at least 18 semester hours in the major.
  5. Every Aurora University baccalaureate degree requires the completion of a minimum of 30 semester hours numbered 300 or above. Of these 30 semester hours, 15 semester hours must lie within the major, and 15 semester hours must be completed at Aurora University.
  6. For transfer students - 6 semester hours at 300-400-level in addition to associate's degree (A.A. or A.S.).

*Incoming first year students, entering Fall 2002 will be required to meet Aurora University's new general education requirements for graduation. The total number of hours required for graduation is not affected. The schedule of specific courses required will be available for Fall 2002 advising.


Academic Honors:

  1. Academic Honors at Graduation:
    To be eligible for academic honors at graduation, students must have:
    1. A minimum of 90 semester hours for a letter grade, of which 45 semester hours must have been earned at Aurora University;
    2. A cumulative GPA at Aurora University of:
      • 3.500-3.699 to receive their degrees Cum Laude
      • 3.700-3.849 to receive their degrees Magna Cum Laude
      • 3.850-4.00 to receive their degrees Summa Cum Laude.
    3. In addition, a student who has earned a minimum of 90 semester hours for a letter grade at Aurora University and who has a cumulative GPA at Aurora University of 3.70 or above will receive the Gold Ivy Leaf Award (pin and certificate).
  2. Term Dean's List (Ivy Leaf Card):
    Students will be placed on the published Dean's List and receive an Ivy Leaf Card at the end of each term that these conditions are met:
    1. A minimum of 7.00 semester hours for a letter grade.
    2. A term GPA of 3.60 or higher.
    3. Students with a term GPA of 4.00 will be cited for High Honors on a special section of the Dean's List.


Graduation Policies and Procedures:

  1. Application for Graduation Status
    1. Each candidate must file an Application for Graduation Status with the Registrar's Office. This application is sent to students who have a total of 78 semester hours at the undergraduate level and 12 semester hours at the graduate level toward a degree at the end of the Fall Term.
    2. Applications are issued on or about December 1 and must be returned by the deadline indicated on the application together with the filing fee. Applications not received or postmarked by that deadline must be accompanied by a late filing fee. Filing fees and late fees are specified on the application and accompanying information.
    3. Absolutely no applications will be accepted after March 16 for the spring graduation.
  2. Completion of Degree Requirements
    As is always the case throughout the year, whenever degree requirements are completed, the student's official transcript is marked "Degree Requirements Met." Not having the printed diploma does not prevent the student from entering graduate school, seeking certification or applying for a job.
  3. To Receive Diplomas
    Diplomas are mailed approximately four weeks following the last day of the term in which degree requirements are completed. Students must, in order to receive a diploma: (1) apply for graduation status as noted above; (2) complete all degree requirements satisfactorily; and (3) be current in all financial obligations to the University.


Undergraduate Programs of Study:

Majors: (Leading to the BA except as noted)


Minors:
Students pursuing bachelors' degrees at Aurora University have the opportunity to explore areas of learning outside of, or supportive of, their major fields by completing a minor. A minor is not required for graduation, but is strongly encouraged. Courses used in the minor may also be used to satisfy general education requirements. At least 9 semester hours included in the minor must be taken at Aurora University. All coursework presented for a minor must bear grades of C- or better, and only one course taken on the CR/NCR (pass/fail) grading system may be applied.


Financial Aid:

Aurora University students may be eligible for financial aid from a variety of sources, including federal, state, institutional, and private organizations in the forms of grants, loans and work. In 2000-01, over $17.4 million dollars in aid was awarded to almost 1500 undergraduate and graduate students at Aurora University.

Aid is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Students are advised to file before April 15th each year. The April 15th date has been established as a priority date in order to provide quality service to the financial aid recipient. Some scholarship and grant programs may have an earlier deadline. Aid applications must be received by the Friday preceding the first day of classes each term or no institutional aid may be awarded for that term. The financial aid process must be completed by the end of your first term of attendance each academic year to assure that the financial aid will be applied to your account.

The criteria used for awarding institutional financial aid are academic performance and financial need. Aid is available for both full-time and part-time undergraduate and graduate students (depending upon availability of funds). In addition to need-based financial aid, Aurora University offers several academic scholarships including the Board of Trustees Scholarship, Crimi Scholarship, Solon B. Cousins Scholarship, Transfer Scholarship, and the Phi Theta Kappa Scholarship.

To apply for financial aid, please complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Renewal Application.

Student Employment Opportunities: 
The Office of Admission and Financial Aid and the Career Services Office assist students in locating employment, both within the University and throughout the local area. Federal Work Study (FWS) funds may be earned by working in departments on-campus or at off-campus agencies that are participating in the Community Service program. To apply for on-campus or community service employment, contact the Career Services Office or the Office of Admission and Financial Aid.

Contact the Career Services Center for further information regarding employment opportunities and workshops.

Student Work Corps: 
The Student Work Corps was developed for the purpose of providing students with a means of reducing their costs of attending Aurora University. The work program will provide students with an opportunity to learn and grow through their work experience. However, the work program is also a community effort. Aurora University students can assume a substantial amount of responsibility working an on-campus job. In turn, the campus relies extensively on its students to help provide all services essential to University operations. The Student Work Corps program can provide a learning experience by providing the opportunities to develop or improve upon a variety of skills, abilities, and habits, which are invaluable.


Posted: 11 March 2002