Home | Undergraduate Catalog 2012-2013 | Academic Policies

Academic Policies

In this section

Grades

The Major

Academic Standing

Academic Standards Policy

Testing

Graduation

General Policies

Independent Study, Internships, and Experiential Learning

Academic Integrity, Plagiarism, and Cheating

Academic Freedom

Up one level

Undergraduate Catalog 2012-2013

This chapter covers the College’s general academic policies and policies that govern the academic standards and requirements to maintain matriculated status and to qualify for a degree.

Grades

Grading Symbols

The following grading symbols are used:


Grade	Identification	Quality Points per Credit
A	Excellent		4.0
A-			3.7
B+			3.3
B	Good		3.0
B-			2.7
C+			2.3
C	Satisfactory		2.0
D	Passing		1.0
F	Failing/unsuccessful completion of course		0.0
P	Pass		-
W	Withdrew with no penalty		-
WA	Administrative Withdrawal		-
WN	Never Attended		0.0
*WN	Never Attended		-
WU	Withdrew Unofficially (counts as failure)		0.0
INC	Incomplete (temporary grade)		-
AUD	Auditor		-
Z	No grade submitted by instructor		-
PEN	Grade Pending		-
FIN	Failure (changed from Incomplete)		0.0

A brief explanation of the grades receiving no quality points follows:

F	No credit is received for a course in which the student is assigned a grade of F. If a student wishes to receive credit for the course, it must be repeated with a passing grade; however, the F remains on the transcript (see section on Repeating Courses).
P	Course requirements have been satisfied. This grade is used only for specially designated courses and for courses taken at another college for which a student receives advanced standing.
W	Students may withdraw without academic penalty from any course up to the end of the ninth week of the semester (see College calendar for date); a grade of W will be assigned. After that date, students may petition the instructor and the chairperson for permission to withdraw until the last day of classes. Consult the Office of the Registrar for the procedures to be followed when withdrawing from a course. If these procedures are not followed, students may receive a penalty grade of WU. In cases of illness, students may apply to the Medical Office for a medical withdrawal. Under no circumstances will a W be assigned after the last day of classes without positive action by the Committee on Course and Standing or its designee.
WA	Students not in compliance with the New York State immunization requirement receive the grade of WA. This grade carries no academic penalty.
WN	Never Attended. No credit is received for a course in which this grade is assigned, it is equivalent to a grade of F.
*WN	Never Attended. This grade carries no academic penalty.
WU	An unofficial withdrawal results in a grade of WU. No credit is received for a course in which this grade is assigned; it is equivalent to a grade of F.
INC	The grade INC is a temporary grade assigned when, in the instructor’s judgment, course requirements are not completed for valid reasons. Recipients of INC are required to complete all assignments before the end of classes during the succeeding semester. Students should not register a second time for a course in which an INC is given. Rather, arrangements should be made with the instructor to complete the remaining work. If a student registers again for a course in which an INC was awarded, the INC will become a FIN and the course will appear a second time on the student’s transcript with the grade earned.
FIN	If a grade of INC is not changed before the last day of classes of the succeeding semester, it will automatically be changed to a grade of FIN. If the required work is not completed for continuing valid reasons, the course instructor may grant an extension. Such extensions shall not exceed a period of more than two years beyond the original due date of the uncompleted work.
AUD	Students may audit courses for which they are registered by presenting a written statement to the Registrar declaring their status as auditors within the first three weeks of the semester. This statement must be countersigned by the instructor of the course. No credit is received for an audited course.
Z	An administrative symbol assigned when no grade has been submitted by the instructor.
PEN	The pending grade is used in the first semester of a two-semester course.

Pass/Fail Grading Option

Undergraduate matriculated students of the College of Staten Island have the option to elect a Pass/Fail grade with the following restrictions:

Students may not elect the pass/fail option for any courses satisfying general education, pre-major, major, minor, or certification requirements.
Academic departments may exclude additional courses and may prohibit pass/fail courses from being used as prerequisites for degree requirements.
Courses taken on permit at other institutions and independent study courses may not be taken on a pass/fail basis.

Credit Maximum: The student may not elect more than eight credits (8) total as Pass/Fail. The total number of P grades on a transcript may not exceed 90 credits. This includes all credits transferred from other institutions.

Grading and Grade Point Average: For courses taken as Pass/Fail, letter grades “A through C” are converted to P; letter grades of D and F are converted to F. A pass “P” grade is not counted in the student’s grade point average. A fail “F” grade is counted in the student’s grade point average.

Prerequisite Academic Standing: A student must be matriculated, with sophomore, junior, or senior standing. Transfer students must have completed a minimum of 12 credits at the College of Staten Island. To elect this option, the student must have a GPA greater than or equal to 2.25.

Deadlines: Students must elect the pass/fail option each semester by the “last day to withdraw from course(s) without a grade of “W” as listed in the academic calendar for that semester. Students may not elect the pass/fail option retroactively. Once the election of pass/fail has been made, the student may no longer choose to receive a letter grade other than P/F for the course.

Grade Appeals

Students wishing to appeal a grade other than WU or FIN must do so within 60 school days following the end of the semester*. Appeals must be submitted in writing to the chairperson of the department in which the course was offered. Upon receipt of the appeal, the chairperson shall direct the student to discuss the issue with the instructor who assigned the grade. If the issue remains unresolved, the student may request a review by the Department Committee on Grade Appeals.

This Committee on Grade Appeals shall review all information presented by the student and shall meet with the instructor. The committee shall render a decision within 30 days after the student requested the grade review by the committee because the student and instructor had not resolved the matter. If the committee upholds the appeal by a vote of 3-0, the chairperson shall change the grade to reflect the decision of the committee. If the committee does not uphold the student, there is no further appeal within the College.

In all deliberations on grade appeals, the burden shall be on the student to prove that a violation of the College’s regulations occurred or that the instructor’s own stated criteria for grading, which shall have been enunciated at the beginning of the semester, have not been followed. Students needing advice on the procedure may consult an academic and personal counselor.

Students wishing to have a WU or a FIN grade changed to a grade of W must file a written petition supported by documentation to the Committee on Course and Standing.

*Summer and winter session months are not included in the 60 day appeal deadline.

Grade Point Average (GPA)

The grade point average (GPA) is determined by dividing the total quality points earned by the total number of credits attempted. All credits for which the student is officially registered after the change of program period of each semester shall be considered “attempted credits,” except where the grades carry no penalty (i.e., grades of W, WA, INC, AUD, and PEN). For example:


Course	Grade		Credits			Quality Points per credit		Total Quality Points
ENG 111	A		3	x		4	=	12
COR 100	B		4	x		3	=	12
ART 100	C		3	x		2	=	6
ANT 100	D		3	x		1	=	3
PED 190	F		1	x		0	=	0
	Total Credits		14		Total Quality Points				33
GPA	=		Quality Points	=	33		=		2.36
		Total Credits Attempted					14

Students may calculate current and prospective grade point averages using the GPA Calculator.

Transcripts and Grade Reports

At the end of each semester, students earn grades that reflect academic work undertaken. Students may access their transcript records and review semester grades in eSIMS via the CUNY Portal (www.cuny.edu).

Students may request copies of their transcripts online at www.csi.cuny.edu/registrar/transcript.html (see Fee Schedule). To be official, transcripts must be signed and sealed by the Registrar.

The Major

Declaration of Major

Each matriculated student in the College is recorded in the Registrar’s Office as enrolled in a specific curriculum or major leading to a degree. Students are responsible for informing the Registrar of their specific curriculum or major. Assignment of an academic adviser is based upon this official listing. All students who have completed 60 credits and have passed all three CUNY Assessment Tests who expect to receive a bachelor’s degree from the College should declare a bachelor’s degree major. Students who have completed fewer than 60 credits may also declare a bachelor’s degree major provided they meet the following criteria: have passed or are exempt from the three CUNY Assessment Tests and have successfully completed 12 credits at or above the 100 level and have a GPA of 2.00 or above.

In addition, individual departments may modify this policy for entry into their curricula as follows:

The department may require a chairperson’s approval before a student with fewer than 40 credits may choose a major in
that department.
The department may require a GPA greater than 2.0 for entrance into its major.
The department may require minimum grades in specific courses before a student may choose a major in that department.

Change of Major

Students who wish to change their major or whose academic advisement plan or transcript shows that they are recorded incorrectly in a major should file a Declaration/Change of Major formm with the Registrar’s Office. This can be done online at www.csi.cuny.edu/registrar/forms.php4. There is no fee.

Credits toward the Major

All courses listed as major requirements, including courses that apply toward concentrations, specializations, or options, are counted toward completion of the minimum credits meeting requirements for the major. Credits for pre-major courses are not included.

GPA in the Major

The GPA in the major is calculated in the same manner as the overall GPA using only the courses that fulfill major requirements: all courses listed in the major requirements, including courses in concentrations, specializations, options, and all courses taken in the discipline other than those in the pre-major. Students are required to achieve at least a 2.0 GPA in their core or major requirements in order to earn an undergraduate degree. Some programs require a GPA higher than 2.0.

Second Major

Students who wish to declare a second major should file a Declaration/Change of Major form with the Registrar’s Office. This can be done online at www.csi.cuny.edu/registrar/forms.php4. There is no fee.

Academic Standing

Credit Load

Students may attend full-time or part-time as either matriculated or non-degree students. They may attend day, evening, or weekend sessions in any combination.

A full-time student is one registered for 12 or more equated credits in a semester; six must be degree credits (three in the case of first-time freshmen). Equated credits are generally the same as degree credits except for courses below the 100 level. In courses below the 100 level, equated credits are equivalent to the contact hours of the course.

Students with less than a 3.0 (B) average and/or fewer than 30 credits who wish to take more than 18 credits must request permission. The Registrar’s Office, 2A, Room 110, will direct such students to the appropriate office. Students on academic warning or probation may not register for more than 14 credits per semester. In the summer sessions, they may not register for more than a total of nine credits (two courses plus PED 190).

Class or Standing

Class, or standing, as freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior is determined by the number of credits completed:

Lower Freshman	0-14.9 credits completed
Upper Freshman	15-29.9 credits completed
Lower Sophomore	30-44.9 credits completed
Upper Sophomore	45-59.9 credits completed
Lower Junior	60-74.9 credits completed
Upper Junior	75-89.9 credits completed
Lower Senior	90-104.9 credits completed
Upper Senior	105-120+ credits completed

Standing is sometimes listed as a course prerequisite.

Dean’s List

A matriculated undergraduate student, full-time or part-time, merits inclusion on the annual dean’s list by: (a) for full-time, attaining a GPA of 3.5 or above during the preceding academic year, provided at least 12 credits were earned in the fall semester and 12 credits were earned in the spring semester; (b) for part-time, attaining a GPA of 3.5 or above over the last two academic years, provided at least 24 credits were earned during that period. Only credits earned at the College of Staten Island will enter the computation. Students who have received a grade of F, WN, WU, or INC during the period under consideration are not eligible.

Committee on Course and Standing

The Committee on Course and Standing is chaired by the Vice President for Academic Affairs or a designee; and its membership consists of the Registrar and one member of the faculty from each instructional department. In addition to reviewing student records, the Committee considers student appeals related to readmission, and graduation.

Students can petition the Committee through an appeals counselor in the Division of Student Affairs. The appeals counselors, whose names are available through the Registrar’s Office, will advise the students in the preparation of their petition, which will then be referred to the Committee.

Minimum GPA

Students are expected to maintain a minimum GPA of 2.0 (C) throughout their academic careers at the College. Whenever a student’s GPA falls below 2.0, the student’s record will be reviewed by the Committee on Course and Standing. Students must achieve a GPA of 2.0 in the courses in the core or major requirements; some majors require a higher minimum GPA.

Midterm Warnings

Students with an excessive number of absences and students with grades of D or F in 200- or lower-level courses receive midterm warnings. Students receiving a warning are expected to consult their course instructor; they may also wish to consult their faculty adviser.

Academic Standards Policy

At the end of each semester, students must meet the following academic standards:

Credits attempted	Minimum Grade Point Average
0-12	1.50
13-24	1.75
25-above	2.00

Academic Warning

Students with 0 to 24 credits attempted will be placed on academic warning if they meet the academic standards (above) but fail to achieve a 2.00 grade point average.

Academic Probation

Students will be placed on academic probation if their grade point average falls below the minimum grade point average for the number of credits attempted : 0-12 attempted credits, 1.50 grade point average; 13-24 attempted credits, 1.75 grade point average; 25 credits-above, 2.0 grade point average.

Students on academic probation who meet the College’s academic standards at the end of the probation semester will be removed from academic probation. Students on academic probation will not be dismissed but automatically continued on probation as long as they achieve a grade point average of 2.5 or better in both the fall and spring semesters immediately prior to dismissal or a grade point average of 2.75 in either of those semesters until they have reached the required minimum grade point average. Students who fail to achieve the minimum 2.5 grade point average for any semester while on probation will be dismissed.

Students on academic warning or academic probation may not register for more than 14 credits a semester. Summer session students may not register for more than a total of nine credits in the summer session (two courses plus PED 190).

Academic Dismissal

Students who do not meet the academic standards outlined above at the end of the probation semester will be dismissed from the College.

Readmission after Academic Dismissal

Students dismissed from the College for failure to meet the standards set forth in this policy may apply for readmission after a separation from the College of at least one fall or spring semester. Students who apply for readmission after this separation period must have their application reviewed by the Committee on Course and Standing. Students wishing to apply for readmission should obtain information from the Counseling Center, Building 1A, Room 109.

Testing

CUNY Assessment Tests

Each undergraduate student must successfully complete The City University of New York Assessment Tests in reading, writing, and mathematics unless exempted. All students, including transfer students, must take the tests before they may register for the first time as matriculated students.

Students are exempted from taking the CUNY Assessment Tests in reading and writing if their verbal score on the SAT is 480 or higher; if their verbal score on the ACT is 20 or higher; or if their score on the New York State Regents Examination in English is 75 or higher. Students are exempt from the Math CUNY Assessment Test if their mathematics score on the SAT is 500 or higher; if their mathematics score on the ACT is 21 or higher; or if their score on the New York State Regents Examination in Mathematics A or Sequential II or III is 75 or higher; or by scoring 80 or higher on any of the new Regents examinations(Integrated Algebra, Geomery, Algebra 2 and Trigonometry) and successfully completing Algebra 2 and Trigonometry or a higher level course. However, all students must take Part III of the COMPASS Mathematics Test for placement into appropriate mathematics courses.

External, non-CUNY transfer students who have completed a course in English composition of 3 credits or more with a minimum grade of C at another institution are exempted from the CUNY Assessment Test in reading and the CUNY Assessment Test in writing provided that the students are transferring from United States-accredited colleges or universities. External transfer students who have completed a mathematics course of at least 3 credits with a minimum grade of C are exempt from CUNY Assessment Test in mathematics. However, all transfer students must take Part III of the COMPASS Mathematics Test for placement purposes. External transfer students with foreign credentials are subject to the CUNY Assessment Tests upon entry.

Students admitted to associate’s degree programs who fail one or more of the tests are expected to complete the remedial courses that qualify them to enter college-level writing and mathematics courses and pass all three CUNY Assessment Tests in one year, which may include, in addition to semesters, a pre-freshman and a post-freshman summer immersion course and a winter intersession workshop. Students for whom English is a second language (ESL students) have two academic years to pass the CUNY Assessment Tests in reading and writing. The tests are administered at the end of every academic intervention that students complete (remedial or ESL courses, summer immersion, January intersession, or tutorial workshops). Students who do not pass the CUNY Assessment Tests within this time limit will be dismissed from the College.

Students may not enroll in college-level English or mathematics courses until the appropriate test has been passed. In addition, some courses require passage of one or more of the tests as prerequisites. A passing score on the CUNY Assessment Test in Reading is a prerequisite to all courses at the 200 level or higher.

All students required to take Part I and Part II of the COMPASS Mathematics Test and who fail both Part 1 and Part II must complete a pre-freshman math immersion course.

No associate’s or bachelor’s degree will be awarded unless proficiency has been demonstrated.

COMPASS Reading Test

Students who fail the COMPASS Reading Test on entrance are required to take the appropriate 0-level reading course in their first semester.

CUNY ACT/Writing Sample

Students who score 6 on the CUNY/ACT Writing Sample Test on entrance are required to take the appropriate 0-level writing course within their first 12 equated credits. Students who score 5 or below on the C/AWST on entrance are required to take the appropriate 0-level writing course within their first eight equated credits.

COMPASS Mathematics Test

Students who have not passed each of the first two parts of the COMPASS Mathematics Test are required to take the appropriate 0-level mathematics course.

All students required to take Part I and Part II of the COMPASS Mathematics Test and who fail both Part 1 and Part II must complete a pre-freshman math immersion course.

Placement Examinations

Placement examinations are offered by the Department of Biology and the Department of World Languages and Literatures. These examinations determine placement at the appropriate course level. Students entering the Health Sciences programs in which BIO 150 Human Anatomy and Physiology I is a pre-major requirement must take the Biology Department Placement Examination. Students are referred to the Testing Office for information.

See the section on Attendance Policies for information on the special attendance policies that apply to 0-level courses.

Graduation

Application for Graduation

In order to be considered for graduation, students must file an application with the Registrar. The deadlines to apply for graduation are March 1 for the spring and the summer term and October 1 for the fall term. There is no fee for this application. Students may apply online from the College’s Website at www.csi.cuny.edu/registrar/graduation or they may apply in person at The Hub located in Building 2A, Room 106. Students must have completed a minimum of 34 credits to apply for an associate’s degree; 94 credits must be completed to apply for a baccalaureate degree. Bachelor’s degree candidates who have completed a second major or a minor and wish it to appear on their transcript should list the second major or minor on their application for graduation.

Students who have graduated but wish to take additional credits beyond the degree will be changed to the non-degree status and will be charged the higher non-degree rate per credit unless they have filed for a second degree prior to the first day of classes. A change from non-degree to degree status on or after the first day of classes will not take effect until the next semester for tuition billing purposes. Non-degree students are not entitled to state or federal financial aid including federal loans.

Requirements for Graduation

Bachelor’s degree programs require a minimum of 120 credits with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (C). Some Bachelor’s degree programs require more than the minimum credits and GPA; please consult the specific degree program for details. Associate’s degree programs require a minimum of 60 credits with a minimum grade point average of 2.0 (C). Some Associate’s degree programs require more than the minimum credits and GPA; please consult the specific degree program for details. All degree programs require at least a 2.0 grade point average in the core or major course requirements to qualify for the degree. Some majors require a grade point average above 2.0. Please consult the specific degree program. If a student earns an INC in the semester that they expect to graduate, regardless of whether the INC course is needed for graduation, he/she may not graduate. The student may postpone the graduation to the next semester at which time a final grade must be received by the last day of classes for that semester, otherwise the grade will be changed to an FIN and will negatively affect the graduating GPA as well as cumulative GPA. If the student does not wish to postpone the graduating semester, a grade for the INC must be submitted by the conferral date. Once a student has been granted a degree, grade changes for courses taken in semesters prior to receiving the degree are not permitted. The successful completion of all general education and core or major requirements is required for graduation. All students must pass the three CUNY Assessment Tests.

Minimum Credits in Residence Requirement

To obtain a degree, associate’s or baccalaureate, from the College of Staten Island, students must earn a minimum of 30 credits through courses taken at the College. To qualify for a bachelor’s degree from the College, students must also earn at least half (50%) of the credits required for the major through courses taken at the College. To obtain a One-Year Certificate from the College of Staten Island, at least half (50%) of the required credits must be earned in courses taken at the College.

En Route Associate’s Degree

The associate’s degree will be awarded to matriculated students who have neither applied for nor been awarded the AA, AS, or AAS degree but who have completed all of the degree requirements including at least 30 credits earned in residence at CSI. Students meeting these requirements in their last semester of their baccalaureate program will not be considered for an en route degree and should apply for an associate’s degree in addition to their bachelor’s if they so desire. Students who meet the requirements will be notified of their eligibility for the degree and given the opportunity to decline. Students who wish to do so must decline the en route associate’s degree no more than 30 calendar days after it has been awarded.

Graduation with Honors

Undergraduates who meet the qualifications will receive the associate’s or bachelor’s degree summa cum laude, magna cum laude, or cum laude as follows:

Cumulative GPA of at least 3.90: summa cum laude

Cumulative GPA of at least 3.75: magna cum laude

Cumulative GPA of at least 3.50: cum laude.

Students who have completed all of the requirements for the bachelor’s degree may graduate with honors in their major provided they meet the requirements of the department as explained in the section on Degree Requirements.

Second Degree Requirements

To receive a second baccalaureate degree or a second associate’s degree from the College of Staten Island, students must complete a minimum of 30 credits in addition to the number of credits required for the first degree.

The “Grandfather” Clause

Requirements in this Catalog were approved effective summer/fall 2012.

For Major and Minor Requirements, the “Grandfather” clause provides protection from changes in degree requirements for students who maintain continuous enrollment in a program, curriculum, major, or minor.

However, when a student chooses a new program, curriculum, major, or minor, the student must satisfy the degree requirements for the program, curriculum, major, or minor in which he/she enrolled that are in effect in the semester in which the change was effective. Additionally, if a student does not attend the College for four consecutive fall and spring semesters, the student must satisfy the degree requirements in effect in the semester of their readmission.

For general education requirements only, the “Grandfather” clause provides that for ten years after the initial date of matriculation in which a student received a grade for at least one credit, a student may follow the general education requirements in effect the year of that initial matriculation. Students who do not have a break in attendance of more than four consecutive fall and spring semesters may continue to follow the general education requirements in effect the year of the initial matriculation even if that is more than ten years ago.

However, students who do not attend the College for four consecutive fall and spring semesters and who matriculated and received a grade for at least one credit more than ten years before the semester of readmission must follow the general education requirements in effect the semester of readmission.

Students may choose to follow the set of requirements for either general education or for their program, curriculum, major, or minor in effect at the time of their graduation by requesting to do so in writing to the Registrar.

General Policies

Attendance Policies

The College has different attendance policies for regular courses and for remedial courses.

Regular Courses: A student who is absent for more than 15 percent of the class hours in the semester will be assigned a grade of WU (withdrew unofficially), subject to the discretion of the instructor. Fifteen percent equals eight hours for a course that meets four hours a week, six hours for a course that meets three hours a week. A student who does not attend a course at all will be assigned a grade of WN (never attended).

Remedial Courses: (all remedial courses in reading, writing, mathematics, and in English as a Second Language): A student who is absent seven or more hours (in a course meeting four hours a week) will receive a grade of WU (withdrew unofficially), unless excused by the instructor. A student who is absent four or more hours (in a course meeting three hours a week) will receive a grade of WU (withdrew unofficially), unless excused by the instructor. A student who does not attend a course at all will be assigned a grade of WN (never attended).

Both policies give instructors discretion to permit fewer or more absences. Some instructors enforce strict attendance policies; others are more liberal, believing that the consequences of frequent absences are low grades. Instructors will include their attendance policies in their syllabi and explain these policies at the beginning of the course.

Withdrawal from College and Leave of Absence

Students who leave the College before the end of a term must file an official withdrawal request. Failure to do so will result in WU grades for all courses in progress, and the result will be a negative impact on the grade point average. Students intending to withdraw from the College must see a counselor and complete the required forms. There is no fee. Registration materials for the semester following withdrawal will be sent automatically. There is no formal leave of absence from the College for undergraduates.

Readmission

Undergraduate students who do not register for a semester and then decide to return must file an application for readmission to qualify for a priority registration appointment. Generally, readmission is routine. Students requesting a change in curriculum or major may be subject to a review of qualifications. To qualify for early registration, application for readmission must be filed by the deadline specified in the academic calendar published in the Semester Information. Students who do not apply for readmission by the deadline may be readmitted and register during the walk-in registration dates published in the Semester Information. Students who have been academically dismissed by the College will be readmitted only upon successful appeal to the Committee on Course and Standing. Applications may be filed online at www.csi.cuny.edu/registrar/forms.php4.

Repeating Courses

Remedial courses: Students may repeat a given remedial course only once.

Passing Grade: Students who receive a passing grade in a course (D or better) sometimes wish to repeat the course in the expectation of improving the grade. If a course is repeated, both grades will remain on the student’s transcript and both grades will be computed in the student’s grade point average, but the student will receive credit only once for the course. For example: a student takes HST 100 for three credits and receives a D, then repeats the course and receives a B. The transcript will list HST 100 with the grade of D for the first time and with a grade of B for the second. The student will receive a total of three credits for HST 100, not six, but the three credits of D and the three credits of B will be calculated in the student’s grade point average. The repeated course may not count toward the 12 credits required for full-time and TAP status unless the Catalog states that the course must be repeated.

Failing Grade: An undergraduate student may repeat up to 16 credits of failed courses; if the subsequent grade is C or higher, this subsequent grade will be included in the calculation of the cumulative GPA. The failing grade(s) will not be included (although the course and the grade remain on the record). The cumulative GPA will be used in determining if College admissions, progress, and graduation standards have been satisfied. F grades will be used in calculating the GPA for graduation honors and may affect the determination of admission to specific programs and progress in specific majors. If the subsequent grade is a D, both the original F and the subsequent D will be included in the GPA calculation.

This policy is subject to the following limitations:

The course in which the failing grade was received must have been originally taken after September 1, 1984 and repeated after September 1, 2002. Courses repeated between September 1, 1990 and August 31, 2002 will be governed by the policy in the 2001-2002 Catalog.
No more than 16 credits of failing grades may be recalculated in the above manner.
The 16-credit limit applies cumulatively to courses taken in all CUNY colleges.
If two or more failing grades have been received for the same course and a grade of C or better is subsequently earned, all of the failing grades may be recalculated, subject to the 16-credit limit.
The repeated course must be taken at the same college as the initially failed course.
The failing grades remain on the academic record.
The regulation applies to undergraduates only.

Auditing a Course

A student may audit a course by registering for the course and presenting a written statement of intent to audit the course, signed by the instructor, to the Registrar within the first three weeks of class. The Registrar will record a final grade of AUD, effective at the end of the semester. Once the declaration to audit has been made, the student may no longer choose to receive credit for the course. The regular tuition and fee schedule applies to audited courses.

Undergraduate Students in Graduate Courses

Undergraduate students with 90 or more credits and a 3.0 GPA may be granted permission to register for a graduate course for undergraduate credit. Permission is required from the course instructor and the coordinator of the graduate program offering the course; and must be noted on the registration form.

Permission to Take Courses at Other Colleges

Students wishing to take a course at another college must receive permission in advance if the course is to be credited toward a degree at the College of Staten Island. Permission to take courses at other colleges is granted only to currently enrolled matriculated students. Applications for permit, which require the approval of the department chairperson and the Registrar, are available in the Registrar’s Office. Tuition for courses taken on permit at other CUNY colleges must be paid at the College of Staten Island during the regular registration period. The Bursar’s receipt for this registration, together with the approved permit form, will enable students to register at another CUNY college. Tuition and fees for a course taken on permit at a non-CUNY school must be paid directly to the host school. Courses taken on permit will be transferred to CSI with the grade assigned by the host college.

Students on permit must request that a transcript be sent from the host college to the Registrar at the College of Staten Island. A student who registers for permit courses but who is unable to complete the course registration at the host college should officially withdraw from the permit course(s) promptly. The University refund schedule applies to dropping permit credits unless the student presents a letter from the host college that the student was unable to register for the permit courses.

Independent Study, Internships, and Experiential Learning

Current matriculated students may arrange independent study and internships in most of the fields of study in the College’s curriculum. To arrange for such courses, students must take the initiative in approaching faculty sponsors and in defining the project. Independent study and internship forms are available in the Registrar’s Office. Independent Study undergraduate courses are numbered 591-594 and Internships are numbered 595-598. Both are awarded one to four credits.

The following definitions and policies apply:

Independent Study (numbered 591-594 in the discipline)

Independent Study is defined as an individual library or laboratory research or creative arts project under the direct supervision of a full-time faculty member. All Independent Study courses will be designated as liberal arts and sciences courses.

Internships (numbered 595-598 in the discipline)

Internships are experiences in a work situation that integrate an academic area of study with work experience. Courses designated Internships are individual, non-classroom, extended learning projects. They require an onsite supervisor as well as a full-time faculty member as project sponsor. Internships require a daily log of activities, an assigned reading list or preparation of a relevant bibliography, and a final paper that summarizes the way in which goals were achieved and demonstrates the relationship of academic material to the work done during the internship.

Internship courses are considered non-liberal arts and sciences. Internship students may not receive credit for paid employment unless they demonstrate the relationship of an appropriate body of academic material to the work required in their employment. The policy on individual Internship projects does not govern the regularly established professional internships (e.g., medical technology, communications).

Internships in professional programs may have different limits and requirements.

Policies on Independent Study and Internships

Credit for Independent Study is awarded for study or research outside normal course offerings; credit for Internships is awarded for work experience related to an academic program, not for performing a job.
Students must have at least one introductory course or equivalent experience in an area as a prerequisite to Independent Study and Internships. Independent Study students are required to spend at least three hours of work per week per credit. Internship students are expected to spend at least two hours per week per credit at the on-site location and at least one additional hour per week per credit in reading, study, and preparation.
No more than four credits will be granted for an Independent Study or Internship. Credit will be granted only once for the same or a similar work situation or placement. No more than nine credits of Independent Study and Internship coursework will be accepted toward the 60+ credits required for the associate’s degree; no more than 15 credits of Independent Study and Internship coursework will be accepted toward the 120+ credits for the baccalaureate degree. The nine-and 15-credit limits are the maximum for the combined number of Independent Study and Internship credits. Enrollment in more than four credits of coursework in Independent Study and an Internship in any given semester is not encouraged; permission will be granted only in unusual circumstances. Interships in professional programs may have different limits and requirements.
Students interested in Independent Study or an Internship must make arrangements with a full-time faculty member to sponsor the project. Internship students also require an onsite supervisor to evaluate their project. The individuals involved will sign a contract stipulating the expectations for completion of the course, evaluation criteria, and awarding of credit.
Arrangements for Independent Study and Internships must be made during the semester before the student wishes to enroll in these courses and must be approved by the faculty sponsor, onsite supervisor (where applicable), and the chairperson of the department or coordinator of the program.
For Internships, at least one onsite visit must be made by the faculty sponsor during the semester. At this time a joint conference with all participants in the project will be held for evaluation. For all Independent Study and Internship students a meeting and an evaluation of progress with the faculty sponsor is expected at least bimonthly. Internships in professional programs may have different limits and requirements.
Independent Study and Internship proposals are kept on file in the Registrar’s Office. Registration for Independent Study and Internship courses must be completed within the first three weeks of the semester.
Independent Study and Internship courses may not be used to satisfy general education requirements for any degree program. Independent Study and Internship courses may be used as electives in fulfillment of core or major requirements only if the application explicitly states that the course may so be used.

Experiential Learning

Matriculated students who have completed 15 credits may receive a maximum of 15 credits for experiential learning. This learning must be at college level; it may match the content of specific courses or not. Credit is awarded by the appropriate department after detailed assessment of the documentation provided by the student to that department. Further information is available at the Office of Registrar, Building 2A, Room 110.

Credit-by-Examination

External Agencies:

The College will grant matriculated students a maximum of 30 credits on the basis of, among others, the following: Advanced Placement Courses (AP), Regents College Examinations, American College Testing Proficiency (ACT-PEP), and College Level Examination Programs (CLEP).

The College grants credit for designated CLEP General Examinations. For CLEP introductory subject exams with separate essay test, the College requires that students take both the multiple-choice objective test and the separate essay test. Award of credit is based on performance on both parts of the subject exam. In order to receive credit, students must pass the subject examinations with a scaled score in at least the 50th percentile and minimally equivalent to a passing grade of C.

Academic departments or programs may authorize the assignment of specific course equivalents for credit-by-examination through outside agencies. Otherwise, such credits will be acceptable only as elective credits. Credits granted by examination through outside agencies will appear on student records appropriately identified by type of exam, subject, number of credits, and P (passing) grade. No credit will be awarded for a subject area examination in which the student has already taken an equivalent college course or completed a higher-level, more advanced college course. Based on faculty review and recommendations, the Office of Recruitment and Admissions monitors and coordinates the awarding of credit by examinations taken through outside agencies and the implementation of uniform College policy on credit-by-examination.

Departmental Challenge Examinations

At the discretion of academic departments or programs, students may take departmental challenge examinations to demonstrate college-level competency in courses that have not been taken at CSI (or at any other college), and for which no credit has already been received.

Academic Integrity, Plagiarism, and Cheating

Integrity is fundamental to the academic enterprise. It is violated by such acts as borrowing or purchasing assignments (including but not limited to term papers, essays, and reports) and other written assignments, using concealed notes or crib sheets during examinations, copying the work of others and submitting it as one’s own, and misappropriating the knowledge of others. The sources from which one derives one’s ideas, statements, terms, and data, including Internet sources, must be fully and specifically acknowledged in the appropriate form; failure to do so, intentionally or unintentionally, constitutes plagiarism.

Violations of academic integrity may result in a lower grade or failure in a course and in disciplinary actions with penalties such as suspension or dismissal from the College. More information on the CUNY policies on Academic Integrity can be found in Appendix iii.

Academic Freedom

The City University subscribes to the American Association of University Professors 1940 Statement of Principles on Academic Freedom, and the College of Staten Island respects academic freedom for faculty and students as well as freedom in their personal lives for all individuals in the campus community.

Undergraduate Degree & Certificate Programs

For Graduate Degree Programs and Advanced Certificate Programs please refer to the Graduate Catalog.

Accounting (BS)

African America Studies (BA)

American Studies (BA)

Chemistry (7-12) (BS)

Cinema Studies (BA)

Communications (BS)

Computer Science (BS)

Computer Science/Mathematics (BS)

Computer Technology (AAS)

Dramatic Arts (BS)

Economics (BA), BS)

Electrical Engineering Technology (AAS)

Engineering Science (AS), (BS)

Italian Studies (7-12) (BA)

Information Systems (BS)*

International Studies (BA)

Liberal Arts and Sciences (AA), (AS)

Mathematics (BS)

Mathematics/Computer Science (BS)

Mathematics (7-12) (BS)

Medical Technology (BS)

Music (BA), (BS)

Nursing (AAS), (BS)

Philosophy (BA)

Philosophy and Political Science (BA)

Physics (BS)

Political Science (BA)

Psychology (BA),(BS)

Science, Letters, and Society (BA)

Science, Letters, and Society: Early Childhood (Birth-2) (BA)

Science, Letters, and Society: Childhood (1-6) (BA)

Social Work (BA**), (BS)

Sociology/Anthropology (BA)

Spanish (BA)

Spanish (7-12) (BA)

Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (BA)

*Admissions to this program is suspended pending further review.

**Admission to this program is suspended.

Certificate Program

Modern China Studies (Certificate)

Latin American, Carribbean, American Latino/a Studies

New York State Registration

The following listing gives the title of each of the undergraduate degree programs of the College and the Program Code number under which that program is registered with the New York State Department of Education, Office of Higher Education and the Professions, Cultural Education Center, Room 5B28, Albany, NY 12230; 1.528.474.5851.

BS	Accounting	32448
BA	African American Studies	34896
BA	American Studies	34897
BA/BS	Art	34898, 02842
BS	Biochemistry	34899
BS	Biology	34900
BS	Biology (7-12)	25965
AAS, BS	Business	01585, 82436
BS	Chemistry	35002
BS	Chemistry (7-12)	25964
BA	Cinema Studies	34901
BS	Communications	90195
BS	Computer Science	34902
BS	Computer Science/Mathematics	34903
AAS	Computer Technology	01588
BS	Dramatic Arts	02847
BA/BS	Economics	34904, 34905
AAS	Electrical Engineering Technology	01601
AS	Engineering Science	01581
BS	Engineering Science	02841
BA	English	34909
BA	English (7-12)	25967
BA	History	34908
BA	History (7-12)	25962
BS	Information Systems*	22250
BA	International Studies	34906, 34907
BA	Italian Studies	33961
BA	Italian Studies (7-12)	33973
Certificate	Latin American, Caribbean, and Latina/o Studies	34976
AA/AS	Liberal Arts And Sciences	01584, 01583
BS	Mathematics	34910
BS	Mathematics (7-12)	25961
BS	Medical Technology	02856
BA/BS	Music	34911, 02845
Certificate	Modern China Studies	31930
AAS	Nursing	01591
BS	Nursing	81356
BA	Philosophy	34912
BA	Philosophy And Political Science	34913
BS	Physics	34914
BA	Political Science	34915
BA/BS	Psychology	02874,33782
BA	Science, Letters And Society	34916
BA	Science, Letters And Society (Birth-2)	35143
BA	Science, Letters And Society (1-6)	35143
BA*/BS	Social Work	20052*, 35043
BA	Sociology/Anthropology	34917
BA	Spanish	34918
BA	Spanish (7-12)	25963
BA	Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies	33905

*Admissions to this program is suspended.

The City University of New York reserves the right, because of changing conditions, to make modifications of any nature in the academic programs and requirements of the University and its constituent colleges without advance notice.