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Section IV

Academic Policies

Academic Year

Bemidji State University functions on an academic semester system consisting of fall and spring semesters of approximately sixteen (16) weeks each, and a summer term. Credits earned during summer term may be applied toward the fulfillment of degree requirements.

Academic Status

Full-time and Part-time Status: A full-time undergraduate student is defined as one who has enrolled for a minimum of twelve (12) semester credits per semester. A full-time graduate student is defined as one who has enrolled for a minimum of nine (9) semester credits. Full-time status is required to qualify for insurance coverage and for certain federal and state financial aid programs (contact the Financial Aid Office). The Deans' List requires a minimum of twelve (12) semester credits of letter grades (A, B, C, D, or F). Semester credits audited are excluded when computing full-time status.

Exceptions and Course Substitutions

Any student who has cause to request an exception and/or course substitution to existing academic requirements must fill out the appropriate form to initiate the request. Students requesting an exception should submit a petition to the Student Programs and Admissions (SPA) Committee. Students requesting a course substitution should fill out a Course Substitution Form. The student's advisor and department chair should sign the form.

The Substitute/Transfer Equivalency Form and Academic Petition Form are available online at www.bemidjistate.edu/offices/records_registration/ (under "Forms") and at the Records and Registration Office and must be returned to that office after the appropriate signatures have been secured.

Schedule Conflicts

A student may not register for two or more courses scheduled to meet at the same time during a semester without the consent of both instructors.

Multiple Programs

See entry in "Graduation," this section.

Multiple Degrees

See entry in "Graduation," this section.

BSU Policy Statement on Academic Integrity

Bemidji State University fosters the highest standards of academic integrity and the highest regard for truth and honesty. The attempt by students to present as their own any work not actually performed by them; collusion, fabrication, and cheating on examinations, papers, and other course-related work; stealing, duplicating, or selling examinations; substituting for others in class discussions or examinations; producing other students' papers or projects; knowingly furnishing false or misleading academic information to University officials or on official University records; and altering such information on official University records are considered violations of academic integrity and destructive to the central mission of the University.

Students who violate academic integrity shall, after due process, be subject to University sanctions that may include failure on assignments and examinations and in courses, and suspension or expulsion.

Established academic integrity policies, procedures, and sanctions are communicated in classes and publications such as the student/faculty guides, and during orientation programs. For more information see the Student Handbook.

Policy of Catalog Use

Students working toward an associate or baccalaureate degree may elect to fulfill degree requirements as outlined in any one catalog in effect during the dates of registration for resident credit at Bemidji State University. Students who have not attended the University for more than five (5) consecutive years prior to re-enrolling must meet all degree requirements as outlined in the catalog in effect at the date of their re-enrollment or any subsequent catalog in effect during their dates of registration for University credit. Students admitted to the University directly from a Minnesota community college may, provided not more than two (2) consecutive semesters have elapsed since their attendance at the community college, elect to fulfill degree requirements as outlined in any BSU catalog in effect during their dates of attendance at the Minnesota community college, or any subsequent catalog in effect during their dates of registration at Bemidji State University. This provision does not apply to State Teaching Licensure requirements.

Students should decide as early as possible which catalog is to be used in meeting degree requirements, and follow the curriculum outlined therein.

Further Policy Information

For further information on policies refer to the following publications:

The Student Handbook (www.bemidjistate.edu/students/handbook/)

Annual Security Report (Department of Public Safety, Walnut Hall, 218-755-3888)

Residential Life Handbook (Residential Life, Walnut Hall, 218-755-3750)

Department and program handbooks (department and program offices)