Name Change
Students may have their names changed on official university records only after submitting an official document (marriage certificate, court record, etc.) or a notarized statement that a name change has occurred and the new name is not being used for any deceptive or fraudulent purpose. Copies of the university’s policy and a sample affidavit are available from the Office of Academic Records and Summer School.

Prerequisites and Co-requisites
Students should not register for courses until they have completed all the appropriate prerequisites or are registered for the appropriate co-requisites as noted in the university catalog. The university’s computer has been programmed to check for pre/co-requisites. Professors reserve the right to withdraw students who have not completed/registered for the appropriate pre/co-requisites for their classes.

Readmission
Students who have interrupted their attendance at SRU for any reason may resume studies at Slippery Rock University by applying for readmission to the dean in whose college they previously studied, or the Director of Retention Services (even if they will change their major after entering the university). This must be done at least one month prior to the beginning of the semester/term in which they wish to enter by completing the Request for Readmission Form. Students must submit official transcripts from all schools attended after leaving SRU before a readmission decision will be made. Credits earned at another college or university while they are not attending SRU may not be eligible for transfer to Slippery Rock University. Using a transient clearance form, students must obtain approval from their department and dean before taking the courses to ensure the transferability of credits to Slippery Rock University. Grades earned, as a transient student, will not be computed into the student’s SRU grade point average. Readmitted students are responsible for meeting all academic requirements in effect at the time they are readmitted, not at the time they were originally admitted to the university.

Records Policy
(Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, PL 93-380; and “Right to Know Law” PA PL 390)
The Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords students certain rights with respect to their education records. They are:

1. The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day the university receives a request for access.

   Students should submit to the Director of Academic Records and Summer School, dean, department chairperson, or other appropriate official, written requests that identify the record(s) they wish to inspect. The university official will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained by the university official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.

2. The rights to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the student believes are inaccurate or misleading.

   Students may ask the university to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading. They should write the university official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part(s) of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading.

   If the university decides not to amend the record as requested by the student, the university will notify the student of the decision and advise the student of his or her right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing.

3. The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.

   One exception that permits disclosure without consent is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the university in an administrative, supervisory, academic or research, or support staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel and health staff); a person or company with whom the university has contracted (such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent); a person serving on the Council of Trustees; or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks.

   A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibilities.

   Upon request, the university may disclose education records without consent to officials of another school in which a student seeks or intends to enroll.

4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by Slippery Rock University to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is:
   
   Family Policy Compliance Office
   U.S. Department of Education
   400 Maryland Avenue, SW
   Washington, DC 20202-4605
   
   Copies of the university’s policy governing the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act are available in the Office of Academic Records and Summer School, 107 Old Main. Questions concerning FERPA should be referred to the director of academic records and summer school.

Repeat of Courses
Students may attempt to improve their quality point average by repeating courses. The most recent grade earned is used in calculating the QPA even if the earlier grade was higher. If a passed course is repeated and failed (or NC), the student will lose both the quality points and credits previously earned. However, all grades will appear on the transcript. Courses in which grades of D, F, and NC were earned at Slippery Rock University may not be repeated at any institution other than another State System of Higher Education university for transfer to Slippery Rock University.

Students who repeat a course must do so using the same grading system under which they originally took the course. For example, a student who originally took a course graded A-F may not repeat the course on a P/NC or audit basis. Students may not repeat a course by using any Credit by Examination program if they originally took the course on a graded (A-F), P/NC or audit basis.

Semester Credit Load
The number of credits a student may carry is determined by the cumulative quality point average as follows:

• If the cumulative QPA is less than 2.000, students are limited to a maximum of 16 credits, inclusive of any repeat courses that are scheduled.
  
• If the cumulative QPA is 2.000 to 2.499, a maximum load of 18 credits is permitted.
  
• If the cumulative QPA is 2.500 or above, a maximum of 21 credits is permitted. An additional fee is charged for each credit in excess of 18.

Senior Citizens
Senior citizens (typically persons 62 or older, who are receiving social security or equivalent benefits) may audit courses at no cost at Slippery Rock University on a space available basis. Senior citizens must supply provide proof of retirement benefits, name, address, and social security number to the Office of Academic Records and Summer School in order to complete registration. Senior citizens may register for classes no earlier than one week prior to the start of the semester/term. Senior citizens taking courses for credit are responsible for paying all applicable fees with the exception of tuition.

Summer Sessions
Summer sessions at Slippery Rock University are scheduled over a eleven-week period as follow: Pre-session (two and one-half weeks), Session I (four weeks) and Session II (four weeks). Information on the summer sessions is made available through a special summer bulletin, which may be obtained from the Office of Academic Records and Summer School.

Testing for Advanced Placement
Students may qualify to earn a maximum of 45 credits by making satisfactory scores on tests administered through special examination programs, and thereby earn credit or be exempt from certain college courses. Students may not repeat a course by using Credit by Examination if they originally took the course on a graded (A-F), P/NC or audit basis. Credits earned by examination may not be used as part of the students’ final 36 credits to be earned at the university.

• The Advanced Placement Program (AP) of the College Entrance Examination Board permits high school students to earn college credits at their schools while attending high school. Students must first take an advanced placement course prior to the advanced placement exam. Scores of three or higher will normally yield college credit. High school counselors may assist in this procedure.
  
• Departments at the university offer credit by examination for some courses. Approval for these tests should be secured from the faculty advisor, instructor, and appropriate departmental chairperson.
  
• The College Level Examination Program (CLEP) is administered by The College Board. This program is open to all students who meet the eligibility criteria. Under the program, students who feel their knowledge of certain subjects is extensive may elect to take the CLEP exams, which are of two types: general and subject. The general examinations are designed to reflect the learning that ordinarily takes place in the students’ first two years of college. The subject examinations are designed to reflect the more specific knowledge which students may have acquired. General examinations each carry 6 credits. Subject examinations each carry 3-4 credits. Upon successfully passing an examination with a score at or above the American Council on Education’s recommended minimum score, students will receive credit for the corresponding course(s), which permits registration in more advanced courses. Information on CLEP is available from the Office of Academic Records and Summer School and at the following website: www.colleboard.com/clep
  
• The university also awards credit for a limited number of ACT’s Proficiency Exam Program (PEP) exams and DSST exams offered by the Armed Services. Students may contact the Office of Academic Records and Summer School for a list of acceptable PEP and DSST exams.

Transcripts
Students may obtain official transcripts of their academic records from the Office of Academic Records and Summer School by written request. Each copy costs $3.00 and written requests should include a check or money order made payable to Slippery Rock University. Students requesting that a transcript be faxed are assessed a $5.00 faxed transcript fee. Transcripts are typically processed in 24-48 hours. Students requesting “same day” service will be charged $10 per transcript ($12 per transcript if faxed). A complimentary copy of the transcript is sent to all students upon graduation. Transcripts are not released to students who have outstanding financial obligations to the university. The University only issues OFFICIAL transcripts. Unofficial transcripts do not exist.

A student’s academic transcript will indicate any disciplinary action taken that leads to separation from the institution. That is, should a student be suspended or dismissed from the university under the provisions of the Code of Conduct, a notation will be placed on the student’s transcript for the duration of the sanction. The notation will be removed upon expiration or by action of the vice president for student affairs.

Transient Student Status
Slippery Rock University students who are in good academic standing, or who are under academic probation/suspension and plan to take courses at another institution for transfer back to Slippery Rock University must complete and have approved by their advisor, chairperson and dean (if suspended) a transient student clearance form and comply with all regulations cited on that form. Credit will not be awarded for transient courses determined by the director of academic records and summer school to duplicate coursework already posted on students’ SRU records. Transient credit will be awarded for courses in which grades of “C” or better have been earned. Grades earned as a transient student will not be computed in a student’s SRU cumulative QPA. Copies of the transient student form are available in the departmental chairpersons’ offices or the Office of Academic Records and Summer School. Transient students may not take correspondence courses and credit earned by examination. Other policies governing transient status are available from the Office of Academic Records and Summer School.

Upper Division Course Work
All degrees require the completion of a minimum of 48 credit hours of upper division (typically 300 level and above) course work. Thirty-nine of the 48 credits must be at the 300 level or higher, the additional 9 credits can include any course requiring a 3 credit hour prerequisite. At least 24 of the 48 credits must be completed at Slippery Rock University.

At least half a student’s major (15 hours minimum) must consist of upper division course work.
Students with fewer than 45 credits (Sophomore II) must have the permission of the instructor to enroll in 300 and 400 level courses.

Visiting Students
Students desiring to transfer credit and grades earned at other universities in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education back to Slippery Rock University may do so as “visiting students.” Courses taken under this program are treated the same as courses taken at Slippery Rock University in computing the students’ QPA. A special form, with a list of program requirements, is available in the Office of Academic Records and Summer School and must be approved by the students’ advisor or chairperson, academic dean, and the director of academic records and summer school.

Withdrawal from the University
Students who withdraw from the university must either complete an official withdrawal form obtainable at the Office of Academic Records and Summer School, or notify the Director of Academic Records and Summer School via a signed and dated letter of their intention to withdraw.

Students will be officially withdrawn from the university on the date the Office of Academic Records and Summer School receives notification in writing of their intent to withdraw, not the last day of class attendance.

It is expected that students living on-campus will move out of their residence hall and cease eating in the university’s cafeterias immediately after withdrawing from school.

Students withdrawing from the university up to the last day of classes will be awarded withdrawal grades of “W” in all classes. Students waiting to withdraw from the university after the last day of classes (final exam week) will be withdrawn on the last day of the semester/term and will not be awarded a withdrawal grade in any class.