Academic Policies & Procedures

Freedom of Expression: Students are free to take reasoned exception to the views offered in particular courses of study. They may, however, be required to know thoroughly the particulars set out by the instructor, but are free to reserve personal judgment as to the truth or falsity of what is presented. Knowledge and academic performance should be the norms by which students are graded.

Gonzaga University is committed to supporting and protecting academic integrity in all aspects of what we do.  Our Academic Integrity Policy was developed with that commitment in mind.  We encourage all students, faculty and staff to familiarize themselves with the policy.

A complete copy of Gonzaga's Academic Integrity policy can be found on the Provost's website.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

The Higher Education Amendments of 1992, and the Washington State Higher Education Coordinating Board, require that a student receiving federal and/or state assistance must demonstrate satisfactory academic progress (SAP). In general, SAP is defined as "proceeding toward successful completion of degree requirements."

Full-time students who are eligible for, and receiving, financial aid must successfully complete twelve (12) credits with a minimum GPA of 2.00 each semester. Students who fail to achieve this criterion are placed on Financial Aid Probation and may lose all financial aid if their academic performance does not reflect satisfactory progress during the next semester. Additionally, State of Washington financial aid recipients who are enrolled full-time are required to successfully complete at least six (6) credit hours per semester or risk immediate suspension of state aid. Please note that current financial aid awarding procedures reflect the expectation that undergraduate students enrolled on a full-time basis will complete their degree requirements in eight semesters.

The policies and procedures governing SAP and its relationship to financial aid are available from the Financial Aid Office, Crosby, lower level. Students with additional questions regarding this policy are invited to inquire at the Financial Aid Office.

Satisfactory Academic Progress for Veterans

Veterans failing to achieve minimum standards of academic progress are placed on probation for the following semester and notified via email by the University's Veterans' Advisor. Should satisfactory academic progress not be achieved by the following term, certification of veteran benefits will be suspended and the VA Regional Processing Office will be notified. Certification of veteran benefits can resume once satisfactory academic progress standing is attained.

Good Academic Standing, Unsatisfactory Academic Progress, Probation, and Academic Dismissal

Students are on Academic Probation whenever the term and/or cumulative GPA falls below a 2.00. To be in Good Academic Standing with the University, students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.00 as determined at the end of every semester, beginning with the completion of the student's second regular (non-summer) semester at Gonzaga University. Good Academic Standing is required for all graduating students, and it may impact a student's ability to receive financial aid, scholarships, or to represent Gonzaga in extra-curricular activities.

Any student on academic probation will have their student status reviewed by the Committee on Academic Standing. The conditions of academic probation are specified in a letter to the student from the Committee. Students are expected to comply with all stipulations made in the letter and any additional requirements placed upon them as a result of academic probation.

Students on academic probation, regardless of their academic standing, may be subject to academic dismissal from the University. A notation of "Academic Dismissal" will appear on transcripts. Dismissed students have an opportunity for appeal. Directions for this process are indicated in the dismissal letter sent to the student.

Those receiving financial aid may also be subject to Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Probation and/or Suspension, which may result in additional financial consequences.

For further information contact the Office of Advising and Academic Assistance.

Audit grading option (AU grade assigned): Auditors are students who register for a course under the Audit grading option by signing the audit form in the Registrar’s Office. Regular tuition is charged. Activity courses (e.g., physical education, music, art, etc.) are not permitted to be taken under the Audit grading option. Auditors will not be allowed access to individual instruction, to equipment, or to supplies in conjunction with the course. Once a course is registered for under the Audit grading option, students who fail to attend the class according to the regular attendance requirements of the class are liable to receive a "V" grade at the discretion of the professor.

1. Registration is available through Registration Period III which is the add/drop period. The auditor registers for a lecture method course under the Audit grading option and pays tuition based on this option and course credits. A designation of "AU" is recorded on the auditor’s academic transcript if the auditor satisfactorily attended the course. An "AU" on a student’s transcript reflects no academic credits earned and indicates that the person has received exposure to the course content for an academic semester/term. The "AU" designation does not apply toward meeting degree requirements.
2. A professor may assign a "V" grade for unofficial withdrawal when attendance is unsatisfactory.
3. Under this option, audited course credits are not counted toward meeting full-time credit requirements for financial aid, student loans, VA benefits, etc., although standard tuition is paid for the credits. Auditors should be very cautious about registering using the 'Audit' grading option.

Gonzaga’s standard policy on absences stipulates that the maximum allowable absence is two class hours (100 minutes) for each class credit. For three-credit classes, the maximum absence is, therefore, six class hours (300 minutes). Classes scheduled to meet for more than 50 minutes have more than one class hour for each meeting; for example, a class which meets for 75 minutes has one and one-half class hours for each scheduled meeting. Instructors may report absences to the Registrar’s Office, which will in turn notify the students. The grade given for excessive absences is a “V,” which has the same effect as “F” (Fail) and is counted in the GPA. This outcome can be appealed to the Dean of the College/School in which the course is offered. Faculty are encouraged to work with individual students to ensure academic success.

Gonzaga University presumes that students have sufficient maturity to recognize their responsibility for regular class attendance. It is because illness or other good reasons may prevent attendance, and because the intensive nature of some courses dictates that attendance may be a factor in the student evaluation process, that Gonzaga University has this policy on absences. Individual instructors are not required to enforce the University Class Attendance Policy, but may do so at their own discretion. Therefore, students should check with the syllabus for each course to confirm the instructor’s specific attendance policy, which should be clearly delineated within each syllabus. No instructor may enforce an attendance policy that is more restrictive than the standard university policy.

When students are required to be absent from class for activities sanctioned by the University, the University should help students resolve these conflicting commitments. Students who will be absent related to University-sanctioned activities are responsible for providing to faculty written documentation of the travel dates from the University staff directing or advising the activity. This documentation should be provided as far in advance as reasonably possible (ideally at the beginning of the semester). On receipt of proper documentation, instructors should make efforts to both satisfy the course objectives and meet the students’ needs due to absences related to University-sanctioned activities.

The University Class Attendance Policy may be modified for qualified students with documented short- or long-term disabilities. For more information or case consultation, contact the Disability Access Office.

Addendum to University Class Attendance Policy

Approval of University-Sanctioned Activities

Any group wishing to have activities sanctioned under the scope of the University Class Attendance Policy must submit their rationale in writing to the Provost’s office for approval. That submission must include written support from the chief administrator of the division wherein the activity is housed (e.g. Academic Dean, Athletics Director, Associate Provost for Student Development, etc…). A list of university-sanctioned activities will be maintained by the Provost’s office. Modification of this list will take place as needed at the Provost’s discretion and will not require amendments to the University Class Attendance Policy. The University staff responsible for directing or advising approved activities must provide written documentation of potential student absences as outlined in the University Class Attendance Policy.

Religious Accommodations for Students Policy

Religious Accommodations Request Form

FAQ Religious Accommodations Policy

 

Undergraduate students who register but decide not to attend the University should obtain a Complete Withdrawal form from the Registrar's Office. The withdrawal process requires approvals and an interview with a professional in the Registrar's Office. Tuition adjustments are based on the date a University official is notified by the student that he/she wishes to withdraw. The tuition adjustment schedule for a complete withdrawal is posted in the Students Accounts and Financial Aid Offices. Refunds for room and board will be prorated throughout the semester. Financial aid funds will be refunded in accordance with University and governmental regulations.

Graduate students are instructed to contact the Registrar’s Office regarding any withdrawal from the University whether it be an individual course withdrawal or a complete withdrawal. 

A student can repeat any course with another course of the same designation, in an effort to improve the GPA. The original course and grade will remain recorded on the student’s transcript but will not be counted into the student’s GPA. The cumulative credits and GPA will be adjusted to reflect the last credits and grade earned. Courses for which a student received a grade carry no quality point value, such as W, (X prior to 1996), and AU may be re-taken in subsequent semesters; these grades are not included in the course repeat policy jurisdiction. Courses retaken as an independent study or directed reading do not qualify under this policy. Only courses re-taken at Gonzaga University qualify to improve the GPA.

Academic departments are permitted to have more restrictive policies regarding repeating and/or withdrawing from courses. Students are advised to work carefully with their academic advisors and departments regarding these departmental policies.

Students in good academic standing may petition their school’s Dean to take more than the maximum of eighteen credits. There is an additional tuition charge for these extra credits. Students in the Honors Program, the Comprehensive Leadership Program, the Hogan Entrepreneurial Leadership Program or in ROTC , however, with the approval of the respective Program Director, may take extra credits without charge.

Students should contact professors or academic departments prior to the first class session if they plan to be absent. If a student misses the first class meeting without notifying the instructor or academic department, the student may be dropped from the course at the discretion of the instructor and provided that the course is closed. Professors will report absences to the Dean, who, upon approval, will notify the Registrar’s Office to drop students from course sections. For further information about unexcused absences, please refer to Gonzaga’s “Class Attendance Policy.”

Final examinations are held at the end of each semester, and, at the option of the instructor, examinations are held at mid-semester. Final examination times are listed for each semester on the Registrar's Office web page. Students making their travel arrangements for the end of each semester must take into account these final examination times.

Final examinations or their equivalent can be administered by instructors only on the day at the time indicated in the Final Exam Schedule; any exceptions to this procedure must have the explicit approval of the appropriate Dean.

Students must maintain standards of academic performance set forth by the University if they are to receive the certificate of competence implied by course credits and degrees. The instructor is the usual and competent judge of these matters. Students must be protected against the rare case of unjust grading and evaluation. Allegations of unfair or prejudiced grading may be brought to the attention of and reviewed by the department Chair, by the Dean of the appropriate school and, if necessary, by the Provost, whose decision is final.

Students who are pursuing a bachelor’s degree at Gonzaga and must interrupt their education for a period of not more than one year may be eligible for a leave of absence (LOA) from the University. To be eligible for a LOA, a student must have a minimum G.P.A. of 2.00 in the preceding fall or spring semester and a cumulative grade point average of 2.00 or higher, as well as obtain approval from the Office of the Registrar and Student Development. LOA request forms can be found in the Registrar's Office. Students are not eligible to reside on campus, attend classes, or participate in regular campus activities during their absence. Students who attend another school during their LOA will have that status voided and they must apply for readmission to the University. The LOA will not extend beyond one academic year. Students who wish to return to the University after the termination date of their LOA must apply for readmission to the University.

Any LOA request completed by a student while allegations of misconduct are pending will have their LOA status revoked.

Students who have been suspended through the Resolutions Center do not qualify for a LOA and must apply for readmission to the University.