Academic Policies

• Policies and Procedures Affecting Both Undergraduates and Graduates
  • Knowledge of University Policies
  • Student Requests and Appeals
  • Honor System and Code
    • Honor Code
  • Registration and Attendance
  • Examinations and Grades
    • Final Examination Policies
    • Absence from Final Examination
    • Grading Policies
    • Grading System
    • Grade Point Average
    • Additional Grade Notations
    • Grade Reports
    • Change of Grade
    • Appeal of Grade
    • Pending Grade Appeal
  • Degree Conferral Policies
    • Degree and Certificate Programs
    • Definitions of Degree Components
    • Catalog Requirements for Degrees
    • Application for Degree
    • Commencement
• Undergraduate Policies
• Graduate Policies

Policies and Procedures Affecting Both
Undergraduates and Graduates

Knowledge of University Policies

Each student is responsible for knowing the rules, regulations, requirements, and academic policies of the university. The catalog is the normal repository of policy statements, but corrections, changes, or interpretations can be promulgated by other means, including electronic publication. When the university or one of its academic units makes changes in course requirements, grading procedures, and/or the level of qualitative performance expected of its students for acceptance into particular programs, academic standing, or graduation, the changes apply to all students enrolled in the university at the time of the implementation of the change and thereafter. Students have certain choices regarding the set of degree requirements under which they graduate, as detailed in the section Catalog Requirements for Degrees.

The Special Collections section of the Fenwick Library has a copy of all previous catalogs (which may not be checked out but may be photocopied) for use by staff and students. A student in doubt concerning an academic matter should consult a faculty advisor or dean.

Student Requests and Appeals

A student who wishes to request an exception to published academic regulations or to appeal decisions involving the application of academic regulations to a program of study may do so by submitting a petition to the head of the unit in which the student's program is housed (the department chair, institute director, school or college dean) or his/her designee. Appeal of Grade is a separate process described in the section Examinations and Grades. The process to appeal an Honor Committee decision is described in the section Honor System and Code.

Appeals of Academic Procedures

The University Academic Appeals Committee is the final locus for appeal of decisions regarding late withdrawal, late add, suspension, and dismissal for academic reasons. At its discretion, the committee may choose to review other individual cases that are relevant to the application of university-wide policies. Note that this committee is not charged to hear grade appeals or appeals of Honor Committee decisions. The committee consists of five faculty members, including at least one member of the Faculty Senate, and the provost (or designee) who serves in an ex officio, nonvoting capacity.

The student's appeal must first be adjudicated by the unit (such as college or school) in which the student's program of study is housed. A student who believes that the decision rendered at this level is unfair may appeal to the provost for referral to the committee. The committee hears cases only where procedural irregularities are clearly demonstrated or demonstrably questionable application of university policies to an individual case is shown.

The burden of proof rests with the student, and the student must provide clear and convincing documentation to support the contention that the decision was unfair. If the provost believes that the student has sufficient cause, the case is heard by the committee. The committee decision is final.

The provost is responsible for maintaining appeals records, determining whether students have just cause, and ensuring that complete documentation is available for all committee members. The committee normally meets at least twice each semester to ensure timely action regarding its cases. The committee communicates its decision to the student, the relevant unit, and the provost.

Ombudsman for Student Academic Affairs

The ombudsman for student academic affairs is appointed by the provost to listen to student academic concerns, provide advice and referrals, and assist students with resolving academic conflicts. The ombudsman does not overturn academic actions but may recommend academic policy changes, where appropriate. The office is located in Student Union I, Room 302, at (703) 993-3306.

Privacy of Student Records

The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) is a federal law which affords students certain rights with respect to their education records. Specifically, it affords students the right to 1) inspect and review their education records, 2) request the amendment of inaccurate or misleading records, and 3) consent to disclosure of personally identifiable information contained in the student's education record. George Mason University strives to fully comply with this law by protecting the privacy of student records and judiciously evaluating requests for release of information from those records. FERPA authorizes the release of "directory information" without the student's prior consent under certain conditions set forth in the act. George Mason University has defined its "Directory Information" in accordance with the law.

Public Notice Designating Directory Information

George Mason University designates the following three categories of student information as public or "directory information." * Such information may be disclosed by the university without the student's prior consent under the conditions set forth in the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA).

1. Publication in future George Mason University student directories of name, address, telephone number, major, and e-mail address.

2. Bio-demo information including address(es), telephone number(s), and date and place of birth. Also includes publication information.

3. **Name and academic information including disclosure of name, dates of attendance, class, previous institutions, major field of study, awards, honors (including dean's list), degrees conferred including dates, past and present participation in officially recognized sports andactivities, and physical factors (height and weight of athletes). Also includes bio-demo and publication information.

Currently enrolled students may withhold disclosure of directory information under FERPA. To withhold disclosure, students must present a photo ID in person at the Registrar's Office, 416 Enterprise Hall, and complete the Request to Prevent Disclosure of Directory Information form. The form may be submitted at any time throughout the year and will immediately affect prospective disclosures. George Mason University assumes that failure on the part of any student to specifically request the withholding of a category of directory information indicates individual approval for disclosure. Former students may not place a new request for nondisclosure of directory information on their education records; however, they may request its removal.

Requests to withhold a student's information from the campus directory must be submitted to the Registrar's Office by 5 p.m. on Friday of the first week of classes of the fall semester.

* Please note: Photo images from ID cards are no longer deemed to be directory information. Photo images from ID cards will not be released to third parties without the student's consent except as authorized by FERPA. ** Students who elect this category must conduct all university business in person with a photo ID card; those at a distance must submit a notarized request. Such students' names will be published in the commencement program unless the students request exclusion in writing. Students in this category are eligible to use interactive voice response (telephone) and other electronic systems, such as MasonLink, for transactions including registration that are protected by a personal identification number (PIN).

Student Identification Card

After registering, each student should obtain a university photo identification card. It must be presented to use the library services and is required for admission to university events and when using university facilities after normal operating hours. It is not transferable and is validated each semester after payment is made for classes; validation stickers are sent by mail. Questions may be directed to the Photo ID Office at (703) 993-1004.

Change of Status and Address

Each student is required to notify the Registrar's Office of any change in local home address and telephone number, permanent address, or legal name. Addresses may be updated over the Internet using Mason OnLine as well as in person. When a student's legal name is changed, the Registrar's Office requires a certified copy of documents authorizing the change. Such documents may be kept in the student's permanent file.

HONOR SYSTEM AND CODE

George Mason University shares in the tradition of an honor system that has existed in Virginia since 1842. The Honor Code is an integral part of university life. On the application for admission, students sign a statement agreeing to conform to and uphold the Honor Code. Therefore, students are responsible for understanding the provisions of the code. In the spirit of the code, a student's word is a declaration of good faith acceptable as truth in all academic matters. Therefore, cheating and attempted cheating, plagiarism, lying, and stealing of academic work and related materials constitute Honor Code violations. To maintain an academic community according to these standards, students and faculty must report all alleged violations of the Honor Code to the Honor Committee. Any student who has knowledge of, but does not report, an Honor Code violation may be accused of lying under the Honor Code.

The Honor Committee is independent of the Student Government and the university administration. It is made up of students selected by the student body and has the primary duty of espousing the values of the Honor Code. Its secondary function is to sit as a hearing committee on all alleged violations of the code.

At the beginning of each semester, faculty members have the responsibility of explaining to their classes their policy regarding the Honor Code. They must also explain the extent to which aid, if any, is permitted on academic work. The complete Honor Code is printed below.

Honor Code

To promote a stronger sense of mutual responsibility, respect, trust, and fairness among all members of George Mason University, and with the desire for greater academic and personal achievement, we, the members of George Mason University, have set forth the following code of honor.

1. The Honor Committee
   
   

   The Honor Committee is a group of students elected from the student body whose primary and indispensable duty is to instill the concept and spirit of the Honor Code within the student body. The secondary function of this group is to sit as a hearing committee on all alleged violations of the code.

2. Extent of the Honor Code
   
   

   Duties of the Honor Committee:

   The Honor Code of George Mason University deals specifically with cheating and attempted cheating, plagiarism, lying, and stealing.

   1. Cheating encompasses the following:
      1. The willful giving or receiving of an unauthorized, unfair, dishonest, or unscrupulous advantage in academic work over other students.

      2. The above may be accomplished by any means whatsoever, including but not limited to the following: fraud; duress; deception; theft; trick; talking; signs; gestures; copying from another student; and the unauthorized use of study aids, memoranda, books, data, or other information.

      3. Attempted cheating.

   2. Plagiarism encompasses the following:
      1. Presenting as one's own the words, the work, or the opinions of someone else without proper acknowledgment.

      2. Borrowing the sequence of ideas, the arrangement of material, or the pattern of thought of someone else without proper acknowledgment.

   3. Lying encompasses the following:

      The willful and knowledgeable telling of an untruth, as well as any form of deceit, attempted deceit, or fraud in an oral or written statement relating to academic work. This includes but is not limited to the following:

      1. Lying to administration and faculty members.

      2. Falsifying any university document by mutilation, addition, or deletion.

      3. Lying to Honor Committee members and counsels during investigation and hearing. This may constitute a second charge, with the committee members who acted as judges during that specific hearing acting as accusers.

   4. Stealing encompasses the following:

      Taking or appropriating without the permission to do so, and with the intent to keep or to make use of wrongfully, property belonging to any member of the George Mason University community or any property located on the university campus. This includes misuse of university computer resources (see the Responsible Use of Computing Policy section in the "General Policies" chapter). This section is relevant only to academic work and related materials.

3. Responsibility of the Faculty

   Professors are responsible, to the best of their ability, for maintaining the integrity of the learning and testing process, both in the classroom and outside of it, and for fostering conditions of academic integrity. Faculty members may actively proctor examinations in situations that they believe warrant it.

   To alleviate misunderstandings, all professors are required to delineate at the beginning of each semester what constitutes a violation of the Honor Code in their classes. This should include an explanation of

   1. the extent to which collaboration or group participation is permissible in preparing term papers, laboratory exhibits or notebooks, reports of any kind, tests, quizzes, examinations, homework, or any other work;

   2. the extent to which the use of study aids, memoranda, books, data, or other information is permissible to fulfill course requirements; and

   3. guidelines on what constitutes plagiarism, including requirements for citing sources.

      All professors are encouraged to send the Honor Committee a written copy of their Honor Code policies, which are kept on file. These requirements should also be stated before each test, examination, or other graded work to clarify what is permissible.

      Faculty members who witness an Honor Code violation should proceed as outlined under Procedure for Reporting a Violation.

4. Responsibility of the Students

   Students should request a delineation of policy from each professor if none is given at the beginning of each semester. Students should also request an explanation of any part of the policy they do not understand. Students are responsible for understanding their professors' policies with regard to the Honor Code. Students are also responsible for understanding the provisions of the Honor Code.

   As participating members of this community, all students have the duty to report to a member of the Honor Committee, within the prescribed time outlined under Procedure for Reporting a Violation, any violations of the Honor Code. This duty is important not only because it enforces the Honor Code, but also because it gives all students the opportunity to express their respect for personal integrity and an honest academic community.

5. Procedure for Reporting a Violation

   All students or faculty members witnessing or discovering a violation of the Honor Code should enlist, wherever and whenever possible, one or more corroborating witnesses to the overt act. The accuser(s) (student, faculty, or staff), within 15 working days from date of realization, notifies the Honor Committee.

   The Honor Committee will, within five working days, mail a letter of accusation to the suspected party. This letter is addressed to the accused student's current mailing address listed with the Registrar's Office. The letter informs the suspected parties that they have five Honor Committee working days to contact the Honor Committee office and make an appointment to see the committee chair, who advises them of their rights and options. The Honor Committee begins an investigation, which does not involve a presumption of guilt on the part of the accused. Any member of the George Mason University academic community who knows of but does not report an Honor Code violation may be accused of lying under the Honor Code.

6. Counsel for the Accused and Accuser

   Counsel for the accused and accuser may be provided by any member of the George Mason University student community, including members of the Honor Committee, but not including students of the School of Law.

7. Appearance of Witnesses

   The Honor Committee may require any member of the university community to appear as a witness before the committee at the time of the hearing. All requests for such appearances are issued by the chair of the Honor Committee, or by the counsel appointed to that case. The appearance of the accuser is required.

8. Verdict

   To find a student guilty of an honor violation, there must be a four-fifths majority vote (four to one) for a verdict of guilty. Clear and convincing evidence must be presented to find the student guilty.

   A student may not be tried more than once for the same offense except when an appeal is granted.

9. Penalty

   If the accused is found guilty of an honor violation, the Honor Committee determines the nature of the penalty by majority vote.

   The Honor Committee is not restricted to one kind of penalty but determines one commensurate with the seriousness of the offense. Typical of the range of penalties that may be given are the following:

   1. Oral reprimand: An oral statement to the student given by the chair of the hearing. No entry is made on the student's scholastic record.

   2. Written reprimand: A written censure placed in the confidential files of the Honor Committee and in the student's academic file but not made part of the student's scholastic transcript records.

   3. Nonacademic probation: Exclusion from holding or running for an elected or appointed office in any organization or activity associated with the university. Ineligibility to participate in any activity representing the university on either an intercollegiate or club level and ineligibility to serve as a working staff member of any student organization. This action is noted in the judicial administrator's file but is not made a part of the student's scholastic record.

   4. Service hours: Library or other supervised university service hours to be completed by a specific time. Upon completion, the hold on the student's records is removed.

   5. Failing grade: Recommendation in writing to the instructor for a grade of F for the work involved, or for the entire course. The student's permanent record reflects the academic evaluation made by the instructor.

   6. Recommendation of suspension from the university for one or more semesters: A student's scholastic record would read: "Nonacademic suspension from (date) to (date)." The recommendation is made to the vice provost for academic affairs.

   7. Recommendation of expulsion from the university: A student's scholastic record would read: "Nonacademic expulsion as of (date)." This penalty is recommended to the vice provost for academic affairs only in extraordinary circumstances, such as for repeated offenses.

10. Appeal

    A written request for an appeal, detailing new evidence, procedural irregularities, or other sufficient grounds that may have sufficient bearing on the outcome of the trial, must be presented to the chair of the Honor Committee within seven working days after the date on which the verdict was rendered.

    The written request is reviewed by at least three voting members who were not involved with the original case. If a new hearing is granted, no voting member from the original hearing may vote in a second or subsequent hearing of the same case.

11. Keeping of Records

    The records of the hearing are kept in the Honor Committee's files. These records include a tape or a full transcript of the hearing and all evidence presented at the hearing. If the evidence belongs to any person other than the accused, the original is returned to the owner and a copy kept with the records of the Honor Committee.

12. Composition of the Committee

    The Honor Committee is proportionally composed of students from each school and faculty advisor(s), although the latter are nonvoting members. Undecided majors, B.I.S. students, and continuing education students are considered together as a school. The total number of members is as close to one-half of one percent of the student body as possible. Freshmen are appointed in the fall to serve until the following spring election. One or more clerks appointed bythecommittee from the student body serve as aides to the chair.

    The chair of the committee is elected by majority vote of the committee members. For each hearing, five members of the Honor Committee are designated as voting members.

    A faculty hearing advisor, acting as a nonvoting member of the committee, sits with and advises the committee at all hearings. The faculty advisor and faculty hearing advisor are chosen by the Honor Committee memebers may serve during the Summer Term.

13. Eligibility of Members

    Any student who maintains a 2.0 grade point average and is in good standing with the university is eligible for the Honor Committee. A committee member must maintain a 2.0 average to continue in office.

14. Election of the Honor Committee

    The Honor Committee is elected in the spring semester. The term of office begins upon election and runs until the following spring election.

    In the fall semester the chair appoints new members to fill any vacancies that have occurred and to fill the freshman seats on the committee.

15. The Challenging and Voluntary Withdrawal of a Member of the Committee from Participation in a Particular Hearing

    An accused person who challenges the right of any member of the Honor Committee to sit in judgment on him or her must present cause to the chair of the hearing.

    The hearing committee then decides the validity of the challenge with the challenged member abstaining from voting. A simple majority decides the validity of any challenge. Asuccessfully challenged committee member must not be present during the hearing.

    A member of the Honor Committee who feels prejudiced as to the facts of the case, is a close friend or relative of the accused, or would not be able to render an impartial judgment must withdraw from a specific hearing.

16. Provision for Amendments

    Upon petition of 20 percent of the student body, amendments to or revisions of the Honor Code may be proposed for ratification. Said amendments and/or revisions are voted on by the student body as a whole. A two-thirds majority of the votes cast is necessary for acceptance of any amendment or revision.

    The Honor Committee may also propose amendments to be voted on by the student body as described in paragraph one of this section.

    Approved amendments take effect immediately for all new cases. New provisions are not applied to cases initiated prior to the amendments.

Examinations and Grades

Final Examination Policies

Final examinations are normally given at the end of all undergraduate courses. In predominantly laboratory courses, examinations may be given in the last regularly scheduled laboratory period. Scheduled final examinations may not exceed two hours and 45 minutes. Changes in location or time of inclass final examinations must be approved by the appropriate department chair and appropriate dean. Aprofessor who is considering the assignment of a take-home examination should inform the students at the beginning of the semester. Such examinations should be distributed by the beginning of the last week of classes so that students can coordinate them with preparation for other examinations. Students must not be required to submit examinations before the date of the regularly scheduled examination for a course. Final re-examinations are not permitted.

Absence from Final Examinations

Absence from final examinations will not be excused except for sickness on the day of the examination or for other cause approved by the student's academic dean/director. The effect of missing a final undergraduate examination shall be determined by the weighted value of the examination as stated in the course syllabus provided by the instructor. If absence from a graduate final examination is unexcused, the grade for the course is entered as F.

A student whose absence from an examination is excused is assigned a temporary grade of AB. A rescheduled exam must be administered within 10 business days of the original date of the examination, at a time to be arranged between the student and the instructor, or the AB will automatically become an F.

Grading Policies

University course work is measured in terms of quantity and quality. A credit normally represents one hour per week of lecture recitation or not fewer than two hours per week of laboratory work throughout a semester. The number of credits is a measure of quantity. The grade is a measure of quality.

Grading System

The university-wide system for undergraduate and graduate grading is as follows:

	Letter Grade	Grade Points	Application of Grade
	A A- B+ B B- C+ C D F	4.00 3.67 3.33 3.00 2.67 2.33 2.00 1.00 0.00	Minimum satisfactory graduate letter grade Undergraduate grading only Undergraduate grading only Minimum satisfactory undergraduate letter grade Undergraduate grading only

Some courses may be assigned a letter grade of S (satisfactory), NC (no credit), or IP (in progress). The grade of IN (incomplete) may be given when all course requirements have been completed except for assigned papers or reports that the student has been compelled to postpone for reasons beyond the student's control. Regulations concerning incomplete grades may be found under the section Change of Grade.

Plus and minus grades are used inside the range of satisfactory performance. Grades below B (graduate) or C (undergraduate) are unsatisfactory and consist of two categories: unsatisfactory, passing (C graduate, D undergraduate); unsatisfactory, failing (F). No credit accrues from a failing grade or from an unsatisfactory, passing grade that is replaced by a retaken course. See also Repeating a Course in the section Registration and Attendance.

The separate grading system of the George Mason University School of Law is described in its catalog.

Grade Point Average

Grade points for each credit are assigned with letter grades as indicated in the preceding table. A grade point score is computed by multiplying the value of a letter grade by the number of credits for the course. For example, a student receiving an A in a three-credit course earns 12 grade points.

Three kinds of grade point average (GPA) are used at George Mason. Current GPA is the measure of academic performance in one semester, affecting both the dean's list and academic standing. Cumulative GPA is calculated on all work at George Mason University and is one of several criteria affecting academic dismissal. Degree GPA is bestowed at the time of degree conferral and is computed from courses applied to the degree.

Dividing the total grade points earned in a semester by the number of letter-graded credits attempted in that semester gives the current GPA. Similarly, dividing the number of grade points earned in all George Mason University courses by the number of normally graded credits attempted at the university gives the cumulative GPA. A degree GPA is computed at graduation on the basis of the normally graded courses the student completes at the university and includes in the degree application. This GPA is noted on the transcript, under the degree conferred. Courses not used in this calculation are noted as excluded on the transcript.

Additional Grade Notations

S/NC (Satisfactory/No Credit). An S grade (available only in courses for undergraduate credit) reflects satisfactory (C or better) work; otherwise, the student receives no credit (NC). S and NC have no effect on the grade point average. Courses normally graded in this way are annotated in their catalog descriptions. In addition, undergraduates may take up to six credits to be graded S/NC; this option applies only to electives outside the major field. See also Enrolling for Credit without Grade Points in the section Registration and Attendance.

A/B/C/NC. A student successfully completing English Composition and Introduction to Literature (ENGL 101) or Composition for Non-Native Speakers of English (ENGL 100) is graded A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, or C; a student not attaining at least C in these courses receives no credit (NC). NC has no effect on the grade point average.

IN (Incomplete). A student who is passing a course may be unable to complete scheduled course work for a cause beyond reasonable control. In such a case, the instructor assigns a temporary grade of Incomplete (IN). The student must then complete all the requirements by the end of the ninth week of the next semester (not including Summer Term), and the instructor must turn in the final grade by the end of the tenth week. Unless an explicit written extension is obtained and filed with the Registrar's Office by the faculty deadline, the grade of IN is changed to an F. Students who have filed their intent to graduate have only six weeks from date of degree conferral to resolve any INs and have the final grade recorded by the Registrar's Office. The student is responsible for submitting work to the instructor with sufficient time for evaluation.

While IN remains on the transcript, it is treated as an unsatisfactory grade in determining probation, suspension, termination or dismissal. Removal of INs from the transcript may result in retroactive elimination of probation, suspension, termination or dismissal.

IP (In Progress). Courses normally graded in this way are annotated in their catalog descriptions. In addition, when the work of BIS 490 or of a course that is graded S/NC or A/B/C/NC is not completed within one semester, a grade of In Progress (IP) is entered on the record. IP is not treated as an unsatisfactory grade. With the exception of BIS 490, IPremains on the record until the work is completed and a final grade is assigned. An IP in BIS 490 not changed to a final grade by the last day of classes of the next semester (not including Summer Term) is changed by the registrar to F.

AB (Absent with permission). A student who has received permission from the student's academic dean/director to be absent from a final examination for a cause beyond reasonable control may receive a temporary grade of AB. A rescheduled exam must be administered within 10 business days of the original date of the examination or the AB will automatically become an F. Final determination of academic status is not complete while the AB remains on the transcript.

SP (Special Provision). The grade of SP may be given by the student's dean to a student who is unable to complete the course requirements because of extraordinary long-term circumstances, such as major illness. SP has no effect on the grade point average and remains on the transcript until the work is completed and a final grade is assigned.

FA (Administrative Failure). For students reported as having never attended, or who stopped attending, a grade of FA is noted on internal documents. Official documents, including official transcripts and the grade mailer, contain the official grade of F.

Grade Reports

Semester grade reports are available over the 4GMU telephone system, (703) 993-4468. Students who wish to receive a copy of their grades must request one from 4GMU. Though grades covering the past three terms may be accessed by phone, a paper copy of grades can be requested by phone only for the most recent semester. Transcripts of all complete academic work may be ordered at any time with a written request to the Office of the Registrar.

Change of Grade

Grades in courses for undergraduate or graduate credit may be changed only under the following two circumstances and procedures.

Change from temporary to final grade. See the definitions of IN, IP, AB and SP in Additional Grade Notations for conditions and time limits. The student is responsible for submitting work to the instructor with sufficient time allowed for its evaluation.

Change of recorded final grade.Once a final grade in a course has been recorded by the Office of the Registrar, it can be changed only in cases of computational or recording error, or pursuant to a successful appeal of grade, as described below. Additional work of any type submitted to improve a grade after the final grade has been assigned and sent to the Office of the Registrar is never accepted.

All changes of final grades must be initiated, approved, and recorded by the last day of classes of the next regular semester (spring for fall grades, fall for spring and summer grades).

Appeal of Grade

Although faculty are generally the best judges of the performance of students in their classes, there may be instances when a student believes a grade is unfair. In such cases the student should ask the faculty member to reconsider the grade. If the student is not satisfied, an appeal may be made to the head of the unit offering the course (the department chair, institute director, or his/her designee). The chair (or other recipient of the appeal) should ask the student to return to the faculty member who assigned the grade for further consultation.

If a mutually satisfactory agreement is not reached, the student may request that the chair form a committee of three faculty peers of the faculty member who assigned the grade. If the chair believes the student's complaint is not legitimate, this reservation is reported to the chair's supervisor (usually the dean), and no review is conducted unless the dean believes the complaint has merit.

The faculty member or the student may challenge, and have replaced, one of the three members of the committee without giving a reason for the challenge. The committee meets separately with the faculty member and the student to explore the full particulars of the case. A nonparticipating observer of the student's choice may attend the meeting. Every effort is made to avoid an adversarial relationship.

After the committee has reviewed the case thoroughly, it issues to the chair (with a copy to the faculty member) a written recommendation including the reasons for its findings. At this time, the faculty member has an opportunity to take the recommended action, if any. If the matter is not resolved at this point, the chair considers the committee recommendation and makes a recommendation to the dean. The decision of the dean is not subject to further appeal. Ifthe dean decides that a change of grade is appropriate, and the faculty member refuses to make the change, then the dean may direct the registrar to do so.

Grade appeals are not accepted after the last day of classes of the following semester (spring for fall grades, fall for spring and summer grades).

Pending Grade Appeal

In select cases, a student may request a delay from the dean in imposing academic suspension because of a pending grade appeal that could change the student's status. Anapproved delay allows the student to register.

If the grade appeal is successful, the official transcript is corrected and the student continues in classes as a student in good academic standing. If the grade appeal is not successful, the student is required to stop attending all classes immediately. No record of registration for the academic period appears on a transcript, and the student receives the appropriate refund as of the date of decision.

DEGREE CONFERRAL POLICIES

Degree and Certificate Programs

Awarding of degrees and certificates at George Mason University is in programs and at levels authorized by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia. The university confers degrees at the bachelor's, master's and doctoral levels. Some degree programs are available with variations described below and in the academic program chapters; some program variations are recorded in the student file and may be indicated on the official transcript, but others are described for advising purposes only. An academic program may include both a degree program and additional majors, minors, or certificates. The university offers no certificate program below the bachelor's level; some post baccalaureate certificates, however, may be awarded concurrently with the conferral of a bachelor's degree.

Definitions of Degree Components

Degree program, major/field: A program of study that normally requires at least 30 credits of course work in the specified field. The primary program name (degree and major/field) appears on the diploma.

Track: A second-order component of a degree program approved by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia.

Concentration: A second-order component of a degree program or a component of a track. Concentrations are approved by a school, college, or institute at the undergraduate level, or by the university's Graduate Council at the graduate level.

Certificate: A non-degree program complementary to a degree that requires at least 24 undergraduate or 15 graduate credits. Certificates are approved by the school, college, or institute at the undergraduate level, and by the university Graduate Council at the graduate level. The name of a certificate program is printed on the transcript upon completion, after the conferral of a degree.

Minor: A complement to a bachelor's degree program/major normally requiring at least 15 credits in a field other than the student's major.

Option: The choice of a thesis or nonthesis path in graduate programs.

Catalog Requirements for Degrees

All degree candidates may choose to graduate under the catalog in effect at conferral. Not all programs and program variations are available in all catalogs. For any one degree, all requirements must be met as stated in a single catalog.

Bachelor's degree candidates who have been continuously enrolled (allowing absences from Summer Terms and/or single semesters) may choose to graduate under any catalog in effect at or after their admission. Students who have been inactive for five or more years or who have attended another institution without prior approval from their academic dean/director must graduate under a catalog in effect at or after their re-enrollment. (Students who have been absent from two to nine consecutive semesters and have not attended another institution may also choose to graduate under their initial catalog.)

Master's and doctoral degree candidates who have been continuously enrolled may choose to graduate under any catalog in effect at or after their admission. However, students who have been inactive more than one year must graduate under a catalog in effect after they have been granted permission to re-enroll.

Application for Degree

All students should initially declare and then maintain an "expected graduation date" from George Mason through 4GMU. In their final semester, students who expect to complete degree requirements must confirm their intent to graduate through the university website (www.gmu.edu; select "Students," then "Graduation Processes" ) by the end of the fifth week of classes for that semester. August graduates are processed according to the deadlines for the previous spring semester. Some programs require a paper application, which is due in the Office of the Registrar eight to ten weeks after the first day of classes. Paper applications are obtained through the registrar's graduation website. Separate applications for each degree or certificate are required. Additional majors and/or minors, available in bachelor's programs only, also require separate applications and must be earned concurrently with the primary major.

For a degree to be conferred, all course work must be completed, even if the course work is not being applied to the degree. Graduate students must also complete non-course degree requirements (i.e., orals, comprehensive exam, thesis or dissertation, defense) by the stipulated deadlines. Students must have active registration status the semester or Summer Term of graduation; if all course work has been completed, a special registration must be obtained. Degree applications will not be automatically extended if graduation is postponed; students must reapply for each conferral date.

Commencement

Commencement exercises provide an opportunity for students and their families to share in the conferral of academic degrees. Students wishing to participate in commencement exercises should reserve a place for themselves in the academic procession and reserve tickets for their guests through 4GMU. The system will accept their reservation two business days after the degree application has been filed.

Bachelor's and master's candidates who declare their intent to graduate in August but who have not yet completed all degree requirements may participate in the commencement ceremony in anticipation of the completion of the degree. Their names are marked with an asterisk identifying them as candidates pending completion of all requirements. Students who have completed all degree requirements except for a required internship may participate if they will have completed the internship by September 10. Doctoral students may participate only if they have successfully completed all degree requirements including defending and submitting a signed final copy of their dissertation by the last Friday of classes in the spring semester.