Academic Life

COLLEGE OF COMMERCE AND FINANCE

Dean Dr. Thomas Monahan...........................BAR 102.....4331

Associate Dean: Dr. Matthew Liberatore........................BAR 102....4390

Assistant to the Dean Ms. Sally N.Macbeth............................BAR 102....4331

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

Dean Dr. Robert D. Lynch...........TOL 131......4940

Assistant Dean Ms. Lynda Capuzzi...........TOL 131......4944

COLLEGE OF NURSING

Dean Dr. M. Louise Fitzpatrick, R.N......................SMA 1st...4909

Assistant Dean Ms. Rose M. O'Driscoll, R.N.................... SMA 1st...4905

Program Directors Undergraduate Program Dr. Andrea Hollingsworth Graduate Program Dr. Claire Manfredi Continuing Education Dr. Lynore DeSilets

SCHOOL OF LAW

Dean Mark A Sargent, J.D. ............................ GAR113.... 7007

Associate Dean for Academic Affairs Doris Brogan, J.D.

Associate Dean for Administration TBA Associate Dean for Information & Services William James, J.D., M.S.L.S.

ACADEMIC OFFERINGS

For complete detail regarding degree offerings and academic regulations for each college or school please refer to the following publications: Villanova University Catalog for Undergraduate Full-Time Studies Arts & Sciences - Enchiridion:A Student Handbook Engineering - College of Engineering Student Handbook Law School - School of Law Student Handbook Nursing - College of Nursing Undergraduate Handbook 

ACADEMIC CALENDAR - undergraduate studies

ACADEMIC POLICIES

For your convenience, the following academic policies are reprinted here. However, in academic matters, this handbook is considered subordinate to the applicable University Catalog, academic handbook, or most current communication from the college dean.

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY AND PLAGIARISM

As a community committed to the Augustinian ideals of truth, unity and love, Villanova University prides itself on maintaining the highest standards of academic integrity and does not tolerate any form of academic dishonesty or misconduct. Dishonesty (including plagiarism) in any assignment, test or examiniation is punishable by the grade of F and is to be reported, through the deans, to the Vice President for Academic Affairs. A second offense will result in the dismissal of the student from Villanova University.

In addition, each student who takes an examination is expected to sign the following statement, which is printed on the official University examination booklets.

I___________(your name) have not had any unsanctioned prior access to this examination and will conduct myself in an honest manner in regard to all aspects of this examination. Unless authorized by the course professor, I will not discuss the contents of this examination, in general or specific terms, until the examination is administered to all students.

CODE OF ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

Academic integrity is vital to any university community for many reasons. Students receive credit for doing assignments because they are supposed to learn from those assignments, and the vast majority do so honestly. Anyone who hands in work that is not his or her own, or who cheats on a test, or plagiarizes a paper, is not learning, is receiving credit dishonestly and is, in effect, stealing from other students. As a consequence, it is crucial that students do their own work. Students who use someone else's work or ideas without saying so, or who otherwise perform dishonestly in a course, are plagiarizing or cheating. In effect they are lying. Such dishonesty, moreover threatens the integrity not only of the individual student, but also of the university community as a whole.

Academic integrity lies at the heart of the values expressed in the University's mission statement and inspired by the spirit of Saint Augustine. When one comes to Villanova, one joins an academic community founded on the search for knowledge in an atmosphere of cooperation and trust. The intellectual health of the community depends on this trust and draws nourishment from the integrity and mutual respect of each of its members.

The following are some rules and examples regarding academic dishonesty. Since academic dishonesty takes place whenever anyone undermines the academic integrity of the institution or attempts to gain an unfair advantage over others, this list is not and cannot be exhaustive. Academic integrity is not simply a matter of conforming to certain rules; it must be understood in terms of broader academic purposes of a Villanova education.

1. Cheating:

While taking a test or examination, students shall rely on their own mastery of the subject and not attempt to receive help in any way not explicitly approved by the instructor; for example, members shall not try to use notes, study aids, or another's work.

Such cheating includes trying to give or obtain information about a test when the instructor states that it is to be confidential. It also includes trying to take someone else's exam, or trying to have someone else take one's own exam.

2. Fabrication:

Students shall not falsify, invent, or use in a deliberately misleading way any information, data, or citations in any assignment.

This includes makingup or changing data or results, or relying on someone else's results, in an experiment or lab assignment. It also includes citing sources that one has not actually used or consulted.

3. Assisting in or contributing to academic dishonesty:

Students shall not help or attempt to help others to commit an act of academic dishonesty.

This includes situations in which one student copies from or uses another student's work; in such situations, both students are likely to be penalized equally severely. (If the assisting student is not enrolled in the particular course, the Hearing Panel will formulate a suitable and equivalent penalty.) Students are responsible for ensuring that their work is not used improperly by others. This does not include team projects where students are told by their instructor to work together.

4. Plagiarism:

Students shall not rely on or use someone else's words, ideas, data, or arguments without clearly acknowledging the source and extent of the reliance or use.

The most common way to acknowledge this reliance or indebtedness is to use footnotes or other documentation. It is the students' responsibility to show clearly when and where they are relying on others - partly because others may wish to learn from the same sources from which the original writer learned. Since this indebtedness may be of many kinds, some definitions and examples of plagiarism are listed below.

A. Using someone else's words without acknowledgmnet. If you use someone else's words, not only must you give the source, but you must also put them within quotation marks or use some other appropriate means of indicating that the words are not your own. This includes spoken words and written words, and mathematical equations, whether or not they have been formally published.

B. Using someone else's ideas, data, or argument without acknowledgment, even if the words are your own. If you use someone else's examples, train of thought, or experimental results, you must acknowlege that use. Paraphrasing, summarizing, or rearranging someone else's words, ideas, or results does not alter your indebtedness.

C. Acknowledging someone else in a way that will lead a reader to think your indebtedness is less than it actually was. For example, if you take a whole paragraph worth of ideas from a source, and include as your final sentence a quotation from that source, you must indicate that your indebtedness includes more than just the quotation. If you simply put a page number after the quotation, you will lead the reader to think that only the quotation comes from the source. Instead, make clear that you have used more than the quotation.

The examples above constitute plagiarism regardless of who or what the source is. The words or ideas of a roommate or of an encyclopedia, or notes from another class, require acknowledgment just as much as the words or ideas of a scholarly book do. Introductions and notes to books also require acknowledgment.

The examples above constitute plagiarism even if you simply forget to include a reference, forget that you used a certain source, or forget that you found certain ideas or a certain argument or certain data in a source. You are responsible for taking careful notes on sources. Notes must clearly identify the information you have obtained and where you acquired it, so that later you can acknowledge your indebtedness accurately. Do not look at a source without having something handy with which to take such notes.

You need not provide footnotes for items that are considered common knowledge. What constitutes common knowledge, however, varies from academic field to academic field, so you should consult with your instructor. In general, the harder it would be for someone to find the fact you have mentioned, the more you need to footnote it.

5. Multiple submission of work:

Students shall not submit academic work for a class which has been done for another class without the prior approval of the instructor.

In any assignment, an instructor is justified in expecting that a certain kind of learning will be taking place. Handing in something done previously may preclude this learning. Consequently, if a student hands in work done elsewhere without receiving his or her instructor's approval, he or she will face penalties.

6. Other forms of Dishonesty:

Acting honestly in an academic setting includes more than just being honest in one's academic assignments; students are expected to be honest in all dealings with the University. Certain kinds of dishonesty, though often associated with academic work, are of a different category than those listed above. These kings of dishonesty include (but are not limited to) the following:

A. Misrepresenting oneself or one's circumstances to an instructor (for exmple, in requesting a makeup exam or a special due date for an assignment, or in explaining an absence).

B. Forging parts of, or signatures on, official documents (including both university documents, such as drop-add slips or excused absence slips, and relevant outside documents, such as doctors' notes).

C. Taking credit for work in a team-project even when the student has made little or no contribution to the work of the team.

D. Stealing or damaging library books.

E. Unlawfully copying computer software.

These serious offenses will be handled by the University's disciplinary procedures.
CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS

1. A professor will normally provide at the beginning of each semester, an outline of the lectures, activities, assignments, and grading system appropriate to the course.

2. Examinations - final examinations are given in every course at the time and place designated. Special permission is necessary to resolve conflicts in schedules. A student has a conflict if two of his/her examinations are scheduled at the same time or if three of his/her examinations are scheduled on the same day. In the event of a conflict in examination schedules, the student must request in advance a special examination to be given by one of the instructors in accordance with the following directions. Extraordinary difficulties encountered in effecting such an arrangement will be resolved by the deans of the respective colleges. Guidelines: a. group departmental examinations take precedence, b. major or required courses should take precedence over electives, c. regular courses should take precedence over repeat courses.

Absence from a semester examination, except for a conflict, requires written permission from the instructor, and the student must present it, countersigned by the dean of the college, at the time of the make-up examination.

Credit by Examination may be gained three ways; a. advanced placement program, b. departmental examinations, c. college level examination program.

Information about these is available through your academic college.

3. Class Attendance:

Freshman class and laboratory attendance is compulsory except as noted below: approved athletic participation, approved field trips, certified serious illness, death in the immediate famity, or approved placement activities. The Student Absence Card, available from the dean's office, must be presented to the dean no later than 4:30 pm on the day the student returns to classes. Excused absences allow the student to make up tests and do not count toward a failure in the course. Absence from class does not release the student from the work.

First year students should complete the excused absence request form in their dean's office and receive from the dean's office either an "excused" or "rejected" absence card. If a student was at the Health Center, the Health Center will issue the "excused" absence card.

A freshman will receive a grade of XF (failure) whenever he/she has been absent unexcused once more than double the number of weekly meetings for the course.

For sophomores, juniors, and seniors the individual instructor sets the attendance regulations for the course section the instructor teaches. It is the responsibility of the upper class student to present an explanation of absence and supportive evidence to the faculty member, who has the responsibility of deciding whether the absence should be excused. Questions raised by either the upper class student or the instructor concerning attendance should be referred to the chairpersons of the department offering the course.

4. Plagiarism - dishonesty in any assignment, test or examination is punishable by the grade of F and is to be reported, through the deans, to the Vice President for Academic Affairs. A second offense will result in the dismissal of the student from Villanova University.

DROP AND ADD PROCEDURES

1. Drop/Add - students will be notified of the more restrictive Drop/Add policy through their college dean.

2. Authorized withdrawal from a course must occur during the first 5 weeks of the semester. Freshmen are allowed the opportunity to withdraw (WX) from courses up to nine (9) weeks after the commencement of classes, acknowl- edging that the time to complete their degree may be extended and that they have informed their parents, where appropriate. After this period of time, the dean of the college is the final authority for granting or refusing the exception based on the documentation presented. If a student stops attending a course without an Authorized Withdrawal, a grade of Y will be assigned. This computes into the quality point grade as an F.

3. Change of major must be approved by the dean of the college having jurisdiction over the program the student wishes to enter.

4. Withdrawal from the University is granted by the dean of the appropriate college.

GRADING

1 . Grade reports are computed at the middle of each semester and at the end. These reports are mailed to each student. Mid- term grades are not a part of the permanent record.

2. Definition of grades;

At the beginning of each semester, as part of the course syllabus, every faculty member will explicity declare, in writing criteria for grading to students in his or her courses and, during the semester, will provide as much information as possible with respect to an individual student's progress and the evaluation of the final grade assigned:

A is the highest academic grade possible; an honor grade which is not automatically given to a student who ranks highest in the course, but is reserved for accomplishment that is truly distinctive and demonstrably outstanding. It represents a superior mastery of course material and is a grade that demands a very high degree of understanding as well as originality or creativity as appropriate to the nature of the course. The grade indicates that the student works independently with unusually effectiveness and often takes the initiative in seeking new knowledge outside the formal confines of the course
A-
B+
B is a grade that denotes achievement considerably above acceptable standards. Good mastery of course material is evident and student performance demonstrates a high degree of originality, creativity, or both. The grade indicates that the student works well independently and often demonstrates initiative. Analysis, synthesis, and critical expression, oral or written, are considerably above average.
B-
C+
C indicates a satisfactory degree of attainment and is the acceptable standard for graduation from college. It is the grade that may be expected of a student of average abiity who gives to the work a reasonable amount of time and effort. This grade implies familiarity with the content of the course and acceptable mastery of course material; it implies that the student displays some evidence of originality and/or creativity, and works independently at an acceptable level and completes all requirements in the course
C-
D+
D denotes a limited understanding of the subject matter, meeting only the minimum requirement for passing the course. It signifies work which in quality and/or quantity falls below the average acceptable standard for the course. Performance is deficient in analysis, synthesis, and critical expression; there is little evidence or originality, creativity, or both.
D-
F indicates inadequate or unsatisfactory attainment, serious deficiency in understanding of course material, and/or failure to complete requirements of the course.
N Incomplete: course work not completed.
P Pass: Assigned in Pass/Fail courses.
SP Satisfactory Progress.
WX Approved withdrawal without penalty.
W Approved withdrawal with penalty.
F (Or F#) Failure: Assigned in Pass/Fail courses.
AU Audit.
Y Unofficial withdrawal from course (or for freshmen, failure for excessive absences).
NG (Or Blank): no grade report.

While composing their grade criteria, faculty will seriously consider the official University grade definition guidelines and will incorporate them as appropriate to the nature of the course.

3. Pass/Fail regulations which apply to all colleges: a. Pass/Fall is shown on the transcript but not included in the quality point average. Credits for courses with Pass grades are included in credits earned. b. Failures need not be repeated, c. P is equal to the grade D or better. d. Student must opt for P/F within the time frame indicated in registration information each semester.

Each college may have additional regulations governing the pass/fail option. This information is available from the college dean.

4. In addition to passing all required courses, a cumulative quality point average of at least 2.0 is necessary for graduation. The quality point average is determined by big the number of credits for each course limes the quality points earned, and dividing the total quality points by the total credit hours attempted.

5. Rank in class is determined by the cumulative quality point average. No student will be ranked who is not carrying the equivalent of 12 credit hours. Only credits earned within Villanova University or in formally approved inter-institutional programs will be considered. Credits earned at other colleges are not counted in the quality point average.

6. Academic Probation - The Academic Standing Committee, at the end of any given semester, may take the following action: subject to probation or dismissal - all students with less than a 2.0, subject to dismissal - seniors with less than a 2.0, juniors with less than a 1.95, sophomores with less than a 1.80, freshmen with less than a 1.60.

Satisfactory progress toward the degree, as delineated above, is not to be equated will being a student in good standing. A student in good standing is one who has a cumulative quality point average above 2.0.

Normally a student on academic probation will be allowed only one semester to achieve the required quality point average. While on academic probation, a student's course load is limited to five courses (4 in the College of liberal Arts and Sciences) and is not eligible to participate in extra or co-curricular activides.

7. Dean's list (full-rime students only) - To qualify, a student must have a semester average of 3.25 in the College of Engineering, 3.5 in the College of Nursing, 3.5 in the College of Commerce and Finance, and a 3.5 in the fall and spring semesters of the academic year in the College of liberal Arts and Sciences with no non-passing or missing grades on the *semester(s) report.

8. Graduation - a. Residence requirement for graduation - final 30 hours of an academic program at Villanova. b. Graduation honors - summa cum laude (3.90), magna cum laude (3.75), cum laude (3.50), and the final 60 hours of an academic program at Villanova, taken for a grade.

9. Transcripts - official transcripts are available by applying in person or by writing to the Office of the Registrar. There is currently no charge for this service. Normally, requests can be processed within two weeks of the notification date.

10. Each faculty member has on file in the department office a list of office hours set aside for student advisement and consultation. Students are encouraged to meet with faculty members at these times, or by arrangement, to discuss their progress in courses and to develop more effective strategies for mastering their discipline.

PATENT AND COPYRIGHT

In the interest of advancing the scholarly activity of our commutity, promoting academic integrity, and support both individual and institutional interests, the University has established patent and copyright policies which govern the recognition, disclosure, publication, and distribution of discoveries made in the normal course of activities at the University. Students, staff, and faculty are both protected and bound by these policies. Complete copies of patent and copyright policies are available from the Office of Research and Sponsored Projects, 101 Tolentine Hall, 519-4420.

STUDENT RECORDS POLICY

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act provides that certain information from student records is "Directory Information" and may be released without the consent of the student, unless the student indicates that he/she does NOT wish such information released.

In accordance with the Act, Villanova University hereby gives notice that the following shall be considered "Directory Information" and may, at the discretion of the Registrar's Office, be made public without the student's consent:

the student's name, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, major field of study, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received, the most recent previous educational agency or institution attended by the student, and other similar information.

An individual student may request that any or all of the above information be kept confidential, except that such information may be released in accordance with other provisions of law. Students wishing to keep any or all of the above information confidential must inform the appropriate office in writing at the rime that the office originally seeks the information.

For additional details on academic policies and procedures, refer to the University Catalog.

ACADEMIC SUPPORT SERVICES

COMPUTING & INFORMATION SERVICES (UNIT)

The Office of University Information Technologies provides data and voice communication, computing services and access to remote computing and information services over the INTERNET; offers non-credit seminars and workshops on popular computer software, and in the use of the Villanova phone system; publishes a monthly newsletter BYTELINE to inform the University community about existing and new services, and maintains hardware systems which include over 2500 networked PCs and 40 Novell networks.

Student laboratories are located in Bartley, Mendel, Tolentine and St. Marys halls as well as various departmental locations. These labs are open 24 hours per day, during selected times of each semester. Resident students who own a computer can connect to the campus network from their rooms.

UNIT supports the following software packages: Microsoft Windows, Wordperfect, LOTUS 1-2-3, QuatroPro, SPSS, SAS, and ORACLE 7.0, among others. Location: 63 Mendel Hall, 519-4400.

CONTINUING STUDIES

The Office of Continuing Studies offers non-credit seminars and many certificate programs. Through convenient evening and weekend times, one can complete cost effective programs for professional advancement. Undergraduate and graduate students are welcome to enroil in these programs.

Certificate in Management skills program A.B.A. Approved Paralegal Program
Certificate in Marketing Communications, co-sponsored with the Business Marketing Association
Certificate in Professional Human Resource Management, co-sponsored with the Society for Human Resource Management
Certificate in Alcohol and Drug Counseling
Fundamentals of Fund Raising, co-sponsored with the National Society of Fund Raising Executives
Certificate in Payroll Administration, co-sponsored with the American Payroll Association
Project Management Training, co-sponsored with The Project Management Institute.

Location: 102 Vasey, 519-4303 Hours: M-F 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, and evening hours as posted.

INTERNATIONAL STUDIES

The Office of International Studies provides the following academic programs and services to all Villanova students regardless of majors, minors or concentrations:

Programs:
Area studies in Africana Studies, Arab and Islamic Studies, Irish Studies, Latin American Studies, and Russian Area Studies
Villanova summer programs at Al al-Bayt University, (Mafraq, Jordan) Bethlehem University (West Bank, Palestine), East China Normal University, (Shanghai, China), Universidad de Cadiz (Spain), Universite de Bourgogne (France), University College Galway (Ireland), Siena (Italy), Universita degli Stui di Urbino (Italy), Universiad Catolice de Valparaiso (Chile), The Megiddo Expedition, (Tel Megiddo, Israel).
Overseas placements in universities and colleges in Africa, Asia, Erope, Latin America and the Middle East.
Overseas internships, work/study, and service learning programs in all regions of the world

Services: Peer and faculty counseling in preparation for overseas study in the major, minor, concentration or core requirements for the summer, semester, or year; all students must be full-time sophomores or juniors, free of academic or disciplinary probation, have a current GPA of 2.75 or better, and the approval of the Chair of the major department.
Advisement and counseling on direct enrollment, placement by a sending institution, or participation in one of Villanova's student exchange programs in Arts & Sciences, Commerce & Finance, Engineering, or Nursing.
Participation in the Fall and Spring "Study Abroad Night", "Career Days", the "Study Abroad Fair", and the Spring student publication, Passages.

Location: 415 - St. Augustine Center, 519-6412
Hours: M-F 9:00 am to 5:00 pm.

LEARNING SKILLS

The study skills counselor in the University Counseling Center assists students with assessing present study habits and designing methods for improvement including rime management, building and extending comprehension skills, preparing for and taking exams, organizing and writing papers.

The Leaning Lab features instruction for reading rate and vocabulary improvement, GRE/GMAT review, and other self-help programs.

Services are available to all students at all levels of achievement. Individual appointments or group presentations can be arranged by calling the Counseling Center. Location: University Counseling Center - 106 Corr Hall, 519-4050 Hours: M-F 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

LIBRARY SERVICES

The Falvey Memorial Library is Villanova's gateway to print and electronic information resources and services. Its more than 700,000 volumes, 3,800 current periodical subscriptions, approximately 140 electronic indexes, full-text electronic journals and extensive microfilm and audiovisual collections support the informational and research needs of the Villanova community. The Falvey Library homepage on the World Wide Web provides access to many services and resources as well as describing policies and procedures of the library. The Falvey homepage is attessible at: http://www.villanova.edu/library.

A friendly, knowledgeable staff provides reference, interlibrary loan, instructional media, circulation, reserve materials, cataloging and acquisition services. Reference librarians answer specific questions, suggest appropriate sources, assist in the formulation of search strategies, and offer instruction in the use of electronic resources. Interlibrary Loan makes available the resources of libraries throughout the country. Instructional Media Services offers viewing and listening stations for films, CDS, tapes, as well as transparency, lettering, and production services.

A current University ID is needed to borrow library materials, to gain access after 5:00pm on weekdays and all day Saturday and Sunday. Possessions may be inspected upon leaving the library, entering implies consent that this inspection may occur.

The library is a smoke-free building. Food and drink policies are posted throughout the building. Drinks may be taken anywhere in the building using the Falvey drink mug. Theft and mutilation of materials is a violation of the Code of Student Conduct and subjects one to sanctions.

Inquire at the Circulation Desk for more specific information about library use, or at the Reference Desk for information about library services and the collection.

Hours differ during vacation periods and final exams. For current hours
call 519-4292. To reach the Circulation Desk, please call 519-4270.

MATHEMATICS LEARNING AND RESOURCE CENTER (MLRC)