Graduate/University Policies

Graduate Students are governed by the policies of the University, Graduate Council and their academic programs. It is the responsibility of the graduate student to comply with these policies and procedures and all applicable graduate program requirements that govern the individual program of study. Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning administers academic policies and procedures and enforces graduate degree requirements which are determined by the Graduate Council and are applicable to all graduate students.

Program Policy

Undergraduates in graduate courses

Upper-division undergraduates with appropriate credentials, permission of their academic adviser and the department offering the course, may enroll in 500-level graduate courses and use them toward their baccalaureate degrees. The student must complete the Permission for an Undergraduate Student to Enroll in a Graduate Course form and submit to Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning for final approval.

Courses completed for graduate credit and used to satisfy baccalaureate degree requirements may not also be used in the future to fulfill the requirements of a graduate degree. Undergraduate students considering a graduate course should consult with their adviser well in advance of the semester.

An undergraduate student enrolled in a graduate course is subject to all university regulations affecting undergraduates. The university, by allowing a student to earn graduate credit while still an undergraduate, makes no guarantee of the student’s admissibility to any graduate program.

Undergraduate students, who receive financial aid and do not intend to use the graduate course to satisfy their baccalaureate degree requirement, must be enrolled in a minimum full-time credit-hour load (12 credit hours) of undergraduate courses that apply to their approved degree program in addition to the graduate course(s). Graduate courses that students use toward their baccalaureate degree are counted in this minimum 12 credit hours.

Reserved graduate credit

Up to 12 credits of 500-level graduate coursework, completed by an undergraduate at Oakland University, may be applied to a graduate program if the courses were not used to fulfill the baccalaureate degree requirements. The courses must be applicable to a select graduate program, approved by the faculty adviser, graduate committee on instruction, and Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning. Credit earned more than six years before a master’s degree is to be granted may not be used to fulfill the degree or program requirements.

The difference between undergraduate tuition and graduate tuition will be assessed at the time credits are transferred to the graduate academic record. The Transfer Credit Request for Oakland University Courses form is available on the Web site www.oakland.edu/gradstudy.

Reserved undergraduate credit

Up to 12 credits of 400-level advanced undergraduate coursework, completed by an undergraduate at Oakland University, may be applied to a graduate program if the courses were not used to fulfill the baccalaureate degree requirements. The courses must be applicable to a select graduate program, approved by the faculty adviser, graduate committee on instruction, and Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning. Credit earned more than six years, before a master’s degree is to be granted, may not be used to fulfill the degree or program requirements.

Transfer Credit Request for Oakland University Courses forms are available on the Web site www.oakland.edu/gradstudy.

Previous graduate degree credit

In no case will credit earned in one master’s degree program be transferred to satisfy the requirements of a second master’s degree or graduate certificate program. However, the faculty adviser may review the courses completed in the previous master’s degree to determine Oakland University course equivalency. Those courses found equivalent to Oakland University courses which satisfy degree requirements in the second master’s program may be eligible for course waiver. See the Course Waiver/Substitution section of the graduate catalog.

Doctoral degree programs, which define the minimum credit hours as coursework beyond the baccalaureate, may permit students who have previously earned a master’s degree from Oakland University or another regionally accredited university, to reduce the credits required for the doctoral degree up to 32 credits. This policy does NOT pertain to post-master’s doctoral degree programs, where an earned master’s degree is required in advance of admission to the program. Students should refer to individual graduate program standards and requirements for details.

Transfer credit

With the approval of the faculty adviser and Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning, selected credits for prior graduate coursework earned at another accredited U.S. college or university may be transferred to count toward an Oakland University degree. The student must have earned graduate level credit in the course according to the institution at which the course was taken. Students must complete one semester in their graduate program at Oakland and be in good academic standing (not on probation or limited standing) before the Transfer Credit Request can be given final approval. Students should be prepared to provide the graduate program adviser a catalog copy of the course description from the former institution and/or a course syllabus.

To receive consideration for graduate work completed elsewhere but not used toward another degree, the student must:

1. submit official transcripts to Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning;

2. request transfer credits for graduate credits earned from an accredited institution that carry a grade of 3.0 (B) or better;

3. request transfer credits for credit earned within 6 years of the time the OU degree will be conferred;

4. request transfer credits for courses labeled “graduate” and numbered 500 and above;

5. not request transfer credits for courses graded pass/fail, credit/non-credit or satisfactory/unsatisfactory

Oakland University does not provide transfer credit for life experience, credit by examination, independent study courses or noncredit courses.

The total number of graduate credits transferred may not exceed nine, and no more than one credit will be awarded per week of instruction (i.e., a 4-credit course must meet a minimum of 14 hours per week for four weeks—a minimum total of 56 class hours or 47 clock hours of instruction).

The Transfer Credit Request form is available on the Web site www.oakland.edu/gradstudy. Approved graduate transfer credit will appear on the student’s official transcript.

Course content

It is recognized that some students may have taken courses at another university that are equivalent in level and content to core or required courses in a graduate program. Under these circumstances, with graduate program approval, a core or required course requirement may be waived, allowing the student to substitute a more advanced graduate course which does not duplicate earlier academic content learning in the same area. Similarities in course titles do not necessarily mean the courses have similar content. To be justified as a waiver, the course should have the equivalent content and skill level as the course required for the Oakland University graduate program.

An approved waiver of content does not reduce the total number of credit hours needed to satisfy program requirements. Waiver of content is approved for academic study of the subject. It is not approved for experiential background in the subject area. It should be noted that not all graduate programs permit waiver of content for core course requirements.

Course waiver/substitution

Students admitted to a graduate program are expected to complete the program requirements according to the Oakland University Graduate Catalog. On occasion, a required course in a graduate program may not be available or may no longer be offered due to program changes. With advance approval from the faculty adviser, graduate program, and Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning, the student may request a course requirement be waived and another Oakland University course substituted. The determination of courses suitable for substitution rests with the graduate program.

When there is just cause for the substitution, the student must submit a Course Waiver/Substitution Petition form to their faculty adviser and obtain all approvals for the course substitution prior to enrolling in the proposed course. A course substitution is not a statement of equivalency between two courses; it is a singular substitution for one student. Approval of a course substitution does NOT override any other enrollment criteria such as prerequisites.

Repeating graduate courses

Graduate students, with the permission of the program faculty and Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning, may repeat a course up to two times. The original grade for the course will remain on the student transcript, but the last numerical grade earned in the course will be used in computing the grade-point average. The repeat course must be graded the same (numeric or pass/fail) as the first course attempt. A graduate student who fails the repeat check in Banner* must complete the Petition to Repeat a Course and obtain approval from their program faculty. The time required to review the petition and provide final decision varies by each graduate program. A graduate student should plan in advance to be assured the petition is approved BEFORE the intended semester of enrollment. The graduate program committee will forward the completed petition to Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning, 520 O’Dowd Hall. A repeat override will be entered into Banner for approved petitions. Filing of this form is the responsibility of the student.

* When a student attempts to register through SAIL for a course with a course repeat rule, Banner will check current registration and Banner academic history for that student. If the student meets the course repeat requirements, registration is permitted. If the student fails the course repeat check in Banner, registration is denied.

Time limit for completing degree

Graduate certificate and master’s degree

Credit earned more than six years before a graduate certificate or master’s degree is to be granted, may not be used to fulfill the degree or program requirements. This means, for example, that a course taken in Fall 2007 may be used to satisfy graduate certificate or degree requirements until the end of the Fall 2013 semester.

Clinical or practice focused doctoral degree

Time limits for clinical or practice focused doctoral programs are found within the program descriptions. Doctoral students with credits earned more than seven years before the degree is granted must request an extension from the academic dean and Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning.

Ph.D. degree

The time limit for completing a Ph.D. degree policy requires a student to achieve candidacy within six years from the first course enrollment in the Ph.D. degree program. After being advanced to candidacy, a student is expected to complete the remaining degree requirements within four years (including the dissertation defense). The maximum time limit for completing a Ph.D. degree is no more than 10 years from the term of the first course enrollment in the doctoral program.

Extension of time to complete degree

Graduate certificate and master’s degree

A student who fails to complete all requirements for the graduate certificate or master’s degree within 6 years may petition his or her graduate program for an extension of time to complete the outstanding requirements. The student must submit the Request for Time Extension to Complete Master’s Requirements form to their graduate program.

The maximum extension of time is two years; however, some graduate programs may reduce the maximum period of extension.

The graduate program forwards the completed Request for Time Extension to Complete Master’s Requirements form to Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning. Approved requests must include an updated Plan of Study and revalidation or denial of Oakland University courses that will be more than six years old at the time of graduation.

Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning will communicate in writing the final decision to the petitioner with a copy sent to the student’s graduate program.

International students should first contact the International Students and Scholars Office to discuss program extension regulations monitored through SEVIS.

Clinical or practice focused doctoral degree

A student who fails to complete all degree requirements within seven years may petition his or her graduate program for a one-year extension of time in which to complete the outstanding requirements. The student must submit the Extension of Time to Complete Degree request form to their graduate program.

The graduate program will forward the completed Extension of Time to Complete Degree request form to Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning. Approved requests must include an updated Plan of Study, a time table listing specific goals to be accomplished at various points during the extension period and revalidation or denial of Oakland University courses that will be more than seven years old at the time of graduation.

Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning will communicate in writing the final decision to the petitioner with a copy sent to the student’s graduate program.

International students should first contact the International Students and Scholars Office to discuss program extension regulations monitored through SEVIS.

Ph.D. degree

A student who does not achieve candidacy within six years will be placed on academic probation and subject to dismissal from the Ph.D. program unless the program petitions Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning to grant a Leave of Absence or request an extension because of extenuating circumstances. If a leave of absence is granted to a doctoral student in precandidacy status, the time limitation for completing coursework and passing comprehensive exams will be extended by the same time as the length of the approved leave.

A doctoral student, advanced to candidacy who has not completed the degree within 10 years, must request an extension, with the support of the department, the Academic Dean and Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning.

A student advanced to candidacy who exceeds the maximum time limit of 10 years from the term of the first course enrollment in the Ph.D. program may be returned to precandidacy status OR placed on academic probation and subject to dismissal from the program.

Revalidating Oakland University overage courses

Often the knowledge content of courses completed eight years and beyond is no longer current enough to be considered relevant toward the degree. Therefore, graduate credit earned more than eight years prior to the date on which the degree is to be granted may not be applied to meet graduation requirements. It is possible, however, that out-of-date Oakland University credit may be revalidated, subject to departmental and Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning approval.

To revalidate out-of-date Oakland University credit, the student must submit an Extension of Time to Complete Degree form. It is the responsibility of the student submitting the request to document how he or she has brought his or her knowledge up to date for each course that was taken beyond eight years. This may include documenting the following: relevant work activities, professional development or continuing education credits, conference attendance, special readings or the passing of qualifying or comprehensive examinations.

In cases where activities have not occurred or where documentation does not exist, it is the responsibility of the adviser to specify how the student will update his or her knowledge in the specific course area(s) for each course completed beyond eight years. The adviser may propose the student register to repeat Oakland University course(s), pass a competency examination for Oakland University course(s), OR be assigned special activities, such as seminars or additional readings in specific course areas. The proposed special activity must include an evaluation of student mastery and be assigned a grade through competency credits.

Course competency credit

Competency examinations are offered by some departments and, with the approval of Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning, can be used to revalidate out-of-date Oakland University credit which is beyond the six-year time limit. Students should consult their advisers for specific information and approval. Students must register during the normal registration period. University legislation stipulates that the examination must be taken not more than six weeks after the close of registration.

Academic Standing

The policies and requirements published in the Graduate Catalog represent minimum standards adopted by the Graduate Council for academic standing. In the event that a graduate program adopts standards higher than set forth in the catalog, the graduate program standards will take precedence over the relevant sections of the catalog.

Good academic standing

To be in good academic standing, a graduate student must meet both the standards set by the degree program in which the student is enrolled and those set by the Graduate Council.

1. The graduate student must make satisfactory progress toward fulfilling degree requirements, including the completion of critical degree milestones as set forth by the applicable degree program and by the Graduate Council.
2. The graduate student must maintain an overall grade-point average of 3.0.
3. The graduate student admitted to a graduate program with limited standing must complete the academic requirements specified in the written offer of admission within three academic terms (fall-winter; summer excluded).

All graduate students are expected to remain in good academic standing throughout the entire course of their graduate program.

Academic progress

Graduate program units conduct a review of all graduate students’ academic progress in order to identify problems, evaluate chances of successful completion, and encourage timely progress. Expectations include successfully completing critical non-course academic milestones, within the time limits defined by university regulations, graduate council policies and graduate programs.

A student making inadequate progress is placed on academic probation and provided a clear, written explanation of the problems, along with specific recommendations to remedy problems in a timely fashion.

Grade-point average

Academic probation

The purpose of placing a student on probation is to allow the student time to correct deficiencies. Students identified as not meeting the academic standards and/or requirements for good academic standing must be provided with written notice by the program, which includes acknowledgment of receipt by the student with a copy to Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning, of their deficiencies, corrective measures, a time line for completion, and the consequences of not removing the deficiencies.

The decision of a graduate program to remove a student from an internship, practicum, clinical site, or service-learning placement must be appealed within the academic unit.

These academic procedures should be followed PRIOR to a graduate program recommendation to dismiss a student from a degree program. In doctoral programs, advancing candidacy is used to evaluate students in the degree program prior to becoming a candidate for the degree.

Academic dismissal

The graduate program may recommend academic dismissal for unsatisfactory academic performance, lack of academic progress toward degree or failure to meet graduate program requirements within established time limits. Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning, in consultation with the graduate program, may also recommend a dismissal for these reasons.

Dismissals for student behavioral issues or academic conduct are covered by separate policies and procedures.
 

Ph.D. Student Policy

Doctoral education has two stages. During the first stage (precandidacy) a doctoral student enrolls in preliminary coursework to prepare for advanced research. A student who successfully completes this coursework (excluding dissertation credits) and meets program requirements, usually including comprehensive (qualifying) examinations, is advanced to the second stage (candidacy).

Time to degree

The maximum time limit for completing a Ph.D. degree is no more than 10 years from the term of the first course enrollment in the doctoral program.

The Time Limit for Completing a Ph.D. Degree policy requires a student to achieve candidacy within six years from the first course enrollment in the doctoral program. After being advanced to candidacy, a student is expected to complete the remaining degree requirements within four years (including the dissertation defense).

Time to candidacy

A student who does not achieve candidacy within six years will be placed on academic probation and subject to dismissal from the doctoral program, unless the program petitions Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning to request an extension because of extenuating circumstances. A student advanced to candidacy who exceeds the maximum time limit of 10 years from the term of the first course enrollment in the doctoral program may be returned to precandidacy status OR placed on academic probation and subject to dismissal from the program.

The Continuous Enrollment policy remains in effect through the entire Ph.D. program. Should circumstances arise that may cause an interruption in graduate study, the student must apply for a Leave of Absence. If a Leave of Absence is granted to a doctoral student in precandidacy status, the time limitation for completing coursework and passing comprehensive exams will be extended by the same time as the length of the approved leave. A doctoral student, advanced to candidacy, who has not completed the degree within 10 years, must request an extension with the support of the department, from the Academic Dean and Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning.

Each doctoral program has its own unique requirements, including time lines, for which the student is responsible. These include the monitoring and evaluating of progress toward the degree. A student not making adequate progress may be dismissed from the doctoral program based on recommendation of the department, approval by the Academic Dean and Graduate Study.

Some financial aid has its own requirements concerning time and/or credits per semester. The student is responsible for adhering to these requirements. Some agency and graduate assistantship eligibility may have course-load requirements that exceed the minimum registration requirements while working on the dissertation (e.g., Veterans Affairs, Immigration and Naturalization Service for international students, and federal financial aid programs). Therefore, it is the student’s responsibility to register for the appropriate number of credits that are required for funding eligibility and/or compliance as outlined by specific agency regulations under which they are governed.

A doctoral student who does not maintain continuous enrollment and has NOT been granted an official leave of absence is subject to termination of admission to the program based on recommendation of the department, approval by the Academic Dean and Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning.

Doctoral residency requirement

All doctoral programs have residency requirements. Students are advised to consult the appropriate section of this catalog that pertains to their particular degree program. All doctoral students are required to register for at least one credit of coursework every fall and winter semester after their admission to a program. In cases where the student has completed all of the formal coursework for the degree, the student may register for doctoral or dissertation research. The student must be registered for the semester in which they defend their dissertation.

Continuous enrollment

The continuous enrollment policy for doctoral students requires continuous registration of graduate students for at least one credit hour each semester in the academic year to maintain an active graduate student status. This includes semesters in which the comprehensive, preliminary or qualifying examination is taken, defense, and each subsequent term (fall and winter) until the degree requirements are met and the dissertation is submitted to Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning.

Continuous enrollment is met by registration in a graduate-level course relevant to the student’s academic program. Doctoral students who have completed required credits toward their degree may register for GCE 800. This course will be assessed at the “graduate continuous enrollment” rate (equivalent to one credit at the current graduate tuition rate and will not count toward the degree.

Should circumstances arise that may cause an interruption in graduate study, the student must apply for a Leave of Absence. A student on official Leave of Absence is not required to pay tuition for GCE credits, but the student is NOT entitled to any services from the university during the leave, including demands upon faculty or adviser time, or receipt of fellowship, assistantship or financial aid.

Some agency and graduate assistantship eligibility may have course-load requirements that exceed the minimum registration requirements of the Continuous Enrollment Policy (e.g., Veterans Affairs, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for international students, and federal financial aid programs). Therefore, it is the student’s responsibility to register for the appropriate number of credits that are required for funding eligibility and/or compliance as outlined by specific agency regulations under which they are governed.

Doctoral students who do not maintain continuous enrollment and have not been granted an official Leave of Absence are subject to termination of admission to the program based on recommendation of the department and approval by the Academic Dean.

Leave of absence

Doctoral students who are considering a Leave of Absence should seek immediate guidance from their adviser or doctoral committee chairperson. Whenever possible, the request should be made in advance of the anticipated leave or as soon as possible after commencement of an emergency leave. Requests for Leave of Absence will not be granted retroactively. Students who are absent beyond the end of an approved Leave of Absence will be required to apply for readmission to the program.

A student granted a Leave of Absence will have his or her time-to-completion of degree extended by the amount of time granted in the leave of absence. A student on official Leave of Absence is exempted from the requirements set forth in the Continuous Enrollment Policy. While in this status, students are not entitled to any services from the university, including demands upon faculty or adviser time, or receipt of fellowship, assistantship or financial aid during their authorized leave. Leave of Absence Request forms are available through Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning www.oakland.edu/gradstudy.

Admission to doctoral candidacy

Preliminary or Qualifying Exam

The Preliminary or Qualifying Examination serves as the last major step toward the Ph.D. degree, except for the completion and defense of the dissertation. The purpose of the examination is to determine the readiness of a pre-candidate to perform dissertation research. Successfully completing preliminary coursework (excluding dissertation credits) and passing the examination constitutes formal Admission to Candidacy. The preliminary examination is distinct from the oral defense of the dissertation project.

Oral Defense of Dissertation

When dissertation research involves human subjects, experimental animals, recombinant DNA, or the use of radioactive substances, special approval is required, as explained under the section Protective Research Standards.

After the student has completed all other requirements for the Ph.D., including the writing of a dissertation, the committee will approve an oral defense of the dissertation to be scheduled. The examining committee will inform Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning in advance of the date, time, place, and dissertation title for the public presentation. Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning will publicize the defense on the Web site www.oakland.edu/gradstudy.

Further research, analysis, or rewriting may be required by the committee as a result of discussions arising during the defense.

A student must be registered in the term of the oral defense of the dissertation and in good academic standing.

Submission of Dissertation

After the examination committee has approved in writing the successful defense of the dissertation, the student submits three (3) approved copies to Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning. The dissertation must comply with the University format standards as published in the “Guide to the Preparation of Theses and Dissertations.”

University Microfilms International (UMI) publishing requirement

Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning requires every doctoral dissertation to be published for the purpose of archiving the significant work of Oakland University graduate students.

Doctoral students completing a dissertation are required to publish their dissertations through UMI (a division of Proquest) and to pay the appropriate publishing fee. Publication of the doctoral dissertation through UMI is a graduation requirement for all Oakland University Ph.D. candidates. Dissertations that have been approved for publication by the Thesis/Dissertation Coordinator can only be submitted to UMI by Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning.

Survey of Earned Doctorates (SED)

Doctoral students must participate in the Survey of Earned Doctorates by submitting the online SED questionnaire during the dissertation final approval meeting with the Thesis/Dissertation Coordinator. SED is a long-standing national survey of doctoral students conducted by the National Opinion Research Center (NORC) at the University of Chicago for the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, and other supporting institutions. Student personal data remains confidential.

Credit and Course

Credit

At Oakland University, the unit of credit is the semester hour. A credit (credit hour) is defined as one class hour per week or its approved equivalent requiring a minimum of two hours of preparation per week carried through a semester.   No more than one graduate credit will be awarded per week of instruction.

Course load

The University considers full time for graduate students as enrollment in 8 credits in each fall and winter semesters. Graduate Assistants are required to register for at least 8 credits each semester of their appointment.

The maximum number of credits for fall and winter semester is 12 credits. No graduate student may register for more than 12 credits, without written authorization. Students may request an exception to University policy by completing the online form Request to Exceed Maximum Credits.

Course numbering system

Oakland University assigns a three-digit number to courses according to the level of the course.

• Courses numbered 100 to 299 are introductory or intermediate undergraduate courses and cannot be used toward a graduate degree.
• Courses numbered 300 to 499 are advanced courses primarily for undergraduates. A graduate student, with the approval of departmental adviser, may use a maximum of 12 credits of 400-499 courses taken at Oakland University toward a graduate degree.

Some graduate programs adopt standards that set a credit limit less than the 12 credit maximum. In such cases, the graduate program standard will take precedence over the graduate catalog.

In a limited number of approved interdisciplinary degree programs, graduate credit may be granted for up to12 credits in select courses numbered 300-499. These courses may NOT be in the students’ major field of study.

• Courses numbered 500 and above are primarily for graduate students. Qualified undergraduates may enroll in a class numbered 500 to 599 provided they have obtained written permission to do so from the department or school offering the class.
• Courses numbered 600 and above are restricted to graduate students.
• Courses numbered 700 and above are primarily for doctoral students, but qualified master’s students may enroll provided they have obtained permission from the department or school offering the class.
• Course numbers followed with the letter suffix “N” (500N and above) are identified as non-degree graduate courses in which a student earns graduate credit. These courses are approved by an academic department in accordance with University policy and governance for graduate credit courses. Such course offerings are most often aimed at upgrading skills and maintaining licensure and do not meet the requirements for credit toward a graduate degree at Oakland University.
• A course number suffix of “C” indicates that a course is offered for Continuing Education units (CEU). These non-degree, non-credit courses have no restrictions.

Slash courses (400/500)

Slash courses (400/500) are courses simultaneously offered at both the upper-division undergraduate level and graduate level within the same department. Students requiring undergraduate credit register for the 4xx number and those requiring graduate credit register for the 5xx number. Only 400-level undergraduate courses may be slash listed with 500-level graduate courses.

Slash courses must provide students who are enrolled for the 500-level credit with education and training that satisfies all of the following conditions. Approval of slash-courses will be contingent on meeting the following requirements:

• The courses must contain the same title, credits, description, prerequisites and grade options;
• Credits for slash courses must be the same for both course components;
• Slash courses must provide two separate syllabi, undergraduate and graduate, each clearly differentiating learning outcome criteria for 400-level and 500-level credit;
• Students enrolled for the 500-level credit component must present work that is significantly more rigorous in both depth of study and methodology (analysis, synthesis and evaluation of knowledge or skills) contrasted to the students enrolled for the 400-level credit component;
• When making qualitative evaluations of students, the instructor must hold students enrolled for the 500-level credit component to a standard higher than those students enrolled for the 400-level credit component;
• A distinctive statement must be included at the end of the catalog course description that identifies the 400-level and 500-level course as a slash course;
• Students may not register for one course (SYS 569) if the other course has been completed (SYS 469).

Grading

Graduate grading system

To qualify for a graduate degree, a student must have an overall average of at least 3.0 in all courses taken at Oakland University as a graduate student. No grade below 2.0 may be applied toward a graduate degree. Many programs have more stringent grade requirements for credit and retention. Specific information may be found under the appropriate program area of this catalog. The graduate grading system, implemented fall 1984, is described below.

1. The basic graduate grading system at Oakland University is a 32-point system of numerical grades of 0.0 and 1.0 through 4.0 by tenths and non-numerical grades of (W), (I), (P), (U), (S), (R), and (Z).
    
2. The meanings of non-numeric grades are as follows:
   
   
   1. The W (Withdraw) grade is assigned by the registrar if a student withdraws officially from a course or all courses between the end of the no-grade period and the last day for withdrawal specified in the Schedule of Classes each term.
       
   2. The I (Incomplete) grade is temporary and may be given only after the cut-off date for use of the (W) grade. It is used in the case of severe hardship beyond the control of a student that prevents him or her from completing course requirements. Coursework to remove an (I) grade must be completed during the first eight weeks of the next semester (fall or winter) for which the student registers unless a student-initiated extension is approved by the instructor and the Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning. If course requirements are not completed within one year and no semester has been registered for, the Incomplete (I) grade shall become permanent. A student who wishes to receive an Incomplete (I) grade in a course must present a Student Request for Incomplete (I) Grade form to the instructor by the day of the scheduled final examination. This form, which indicates the instructor’s willingness or unwillingness to grant the (I) and the schedule he or she sets for completing the term’s work, is available in department offices.
       
   3. The P (Progress) grade is a temporary grade that may be given only in a course that cannot be completed in one semester. Prior approval must be obtained from the appropriate committee on instruction and the Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning for each course in which (P) grades are to be assigned. The (P) grade is given only for satisfactory work. (P) grades must be removed within two calendar years of the date of assignment; otherwise the (P) converts to a permanent Incomplete (I) which remains on the transcript.
       
   4. The S (Satisfactory) grade is given in certain selected courses and is meant to imply 3.0 or better. Courses in which S/U grading is used must be approved by the appropriate committee on instruction and the Executive Director of Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning, who will notify the registrar.
       
   5. The U (Unsatisfactory) grade is given to graduate students only when a course is graded S/U and implies a non-passing grade of less than 3.0.
       
   6. The SP (Satisfactory Progress) grade is a permanent grade that may be given only in selected research courses. The grade of (SP) is given for satisfactory progress made toward completion of a thesis, dissertation or doctoral project. Courses in which (SP)/(NP) grading is used must be approved by the appropriate committee on instruction and the Executive Director of Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning, who will notify the registrar.
       
   7. The NP (Unsatisfactory Progress) grade is a permanent grade that may be given only in selected research courses. The grade of (NP) is given for unsatisfactory progress made toward completion of a thesis, dissertation or doctoral project.
       
   8. The R grade is a temporary grade assigned by the registrar in the absence of a grade from the instructor or in the case of the award of an inappropriate grade.
       
   9. The Z grade is assigned upon registration for a course as an auditor. The student’s declaration of intention to audit is required at the time of registration, and it is understood that no credit for the course is intended that term. An audit registration for a course is permitted only during the late registration period each term. Permission of the instructor to audit and admission to the university are both required before such a registration will be permitted. Regular tuition applies to all courses.
       
3. All grades and marks assigned will appear on a student’s transcript. However, only numerical grades are used in computing the student’s grade-point average.

Incomplete (I) grade contract

An instructor may award an incomplete grade to a student whose work in a course has been qualitatively satisfactory, but who is unable to complete some portion of the work required because of illness or other circumstance beyond the control of the student.

Student responsibility

A student who wishes to receive an Incomplete (I) grade in a course must present a Student Request for Incomplete (I) Grade Contract to the instructor AFTER the cut-off date for awarding a (W) grade. The Incomplete (I) grade is offered entirely at the instructor’s discretion as a temporary measure for extenuating circumstances beyond the control of the student.

Instructor responsibility

In awarding the temporary grade of Incomplete (I) for graduate courses, the instructor must complete the Student Request For Incomplete (I) Grade Contract submitted by the student requesting the Incomplete (I) grade. The contract will specify the work remaining to be completed. It must be signed by the instructor and the student and maintained by the department offering the course. The student is responsible for providing a copy of the contract to the Executive Director of Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning. An Incomplete (I) can remain in place on a student’s transcript for a maximum of one year.

Appeal of final grade

The evaluation of academic work is the prerogative of the instructor and the rules for determining final course grades should be established by the instructor and given to the students in a course syllabus at the beginning of the semester. All final course grades assigned by instructors are considered final, except Incomplete (I) and Progress (P) grades.

The assignment of final course grades requires an appeal procedure to ensure that the rights and responsibilities of faculty and students are properly recognized and protected. The grade appeal procedure is not to be used to review the judgment of an instructor in assessing the quality of the student’s work.

No changes to a final course grade will be approved on the basis of course improvement or re-examination.

Time line to appeal a final grade

A student who believes grounds exist for an appeal of a final course grade must complete the appeal process within the semester time limits specified in the table below AND within the time limits specified in the various steps below. These time limits represent the maximum time limit for a student to appeal a final course grade. In the event that a graduate program publishes more stringent time limits, the graduate program time limits will take precedence. Once the appeal process is initiated, the burden of proof is on the student. Written verification of each step below is critical.
 

Step 1 – Informal discussion with instructor

Student responsibility

Students who have questions about final grades for the semester are required to contact the instructor who issued the final course grade by e-mail or in writing to request a review of the grade.

STEP 1, an informal conference with the instructor, must be initiated no later than 10 working days after final grades are posted on SAIL to determine if an error has been made.

If the instructor is on leave, on sabbatical, or is not currently on the faculty during the time range stipulated in STEP 1, the student should contact the chair of the academic department that offered the course.
 

Instructor responsibility

The instructor must respond to the student within 10 working days of being contacted by the student and explain to the student how the grade was determined. If an error was made in calculating the grade, the instructor submits a Grade Change Request to the Office of the Registrar modifying the final grade.

If a resolution with the instructor is not reached (STEP 1), the student can initiate a Formal Grade Appeal Review (STEP 2). The grade appeal procedure is not to be used to review the judgment of an instructor in assessing the quality of the student’s work. The burden of proof, however, rests with the student to demonstrate that the grade decision was made on the basis of any of the following conditions:
 

Step 2 – Formal appeal
Chair of the academic department

Student responsibility

The STEP 1 review MUST be concluded before the student can initiate the Formal Grade Appeal Review.

The request for a Formal Grade Appeal Review of a final course grade must be submitted to the chair of the academic department that offered the course no later than 10 days after contact with the instructor.

The student must identify one of the three reasons permissible for the grade appeal review, and submit the Grade Appeal form, along with the following documentation:
 

Since the written appeal will be the basis for the Grade Appeal Review, the student should ensure that it is clear, complete, and inclusive of all documentation the student wishes to have considered in the appeal process. It is the student’s responsibility to present written evidence that the instructor made an error or acted arbitrarily or capriciously in assigning the grade.
 

Chair responsibility

STEP 1 review MUST be concluded before the student can initiate the Formal Grade Appeal Review.

The chair of the academic department will discuss the Formal Grade Appeal with the instructor. In departments that have a committee charged with the responsibility of hearing student grade appeals, the chair may refer the matter to the committee. The role of the chair is to ensure procedural process; it is not to re-grade the work completed by the student for the course.

If the instructor is also the chair of the academic department, the dean of the school (or the dean’s designee) will discuss the Formal Grade Appeal with the instructor.

The chair of the academic department and the instructor of the course must review the Formal Grade Appeal before the Official Withdrawal date in the semester subsequent to the semester the final grade was posted in SAIL.
 

At the conclusion of this review, a written and dated decision must be provided to the student. If the student does not receive a response from the chair by the Official Withdrawal date, the student may advance their written grade appeal to the next level.
 

Step 3 – Formal appeal
Dean of the school offering course

Student responsibility

A student who does not believe their final course grade concerns were resolved in review with the chair of the academic department (or academic department committee) may advance their written grade appeal to the dean of the school (or the dean’s designee) that offered the course.

The request for a Formal Grade Appeal of a final course grade must be submitted to the dean of the school that offered the course no later than 10 working days after the written decision of the chair of the academic department.

Dean responsibility

The dean may utilize any resources available to resolve the grade appeal before the end of the semester class date. When appropriate, the dean shall convene a committee to review the case. Within the structure provided by the dean, the committee shall design its own rules of operation and select a chair other than a faculty representative from the department concerned.

If feasible, the committee should meet with the student and the instructor together in an attempt to resolve the difference. The committee shall consider all aspects of the case before making its recommendation. The committee shall make a written report with recommendations and provide copies to the dean. The dean shall make a final decision after full consideration of the committee’s recommendation.

The dean must provide a written, dated decision to the student, instructor and chair of the academic department before the end of the semester class date. The decision of the school dean is final and ends the grade appeal process for the student; there is no higher level of appeal.
 

Protective Research Standards

Protection of human subjects

All research projects involving the participation of human subjects, use of identifiable private information or use of materials of human origin must be submitted for review by the Institutional Review Board for the Protection of Human Subjects (IRB) before the research can be conducted. This requirement includes all research, from low-risk (exempt) investigations such as surveying people on the street about their favorite television shows to high-risk (expedited or full board) studies like clinical trials of experimental medical treatments. Applications are submitted online through the Research Application Manager (RAM) version 2.0 (see “Online Application for Conducting Research” section). All students conducting research must have an Oakland University faculty sponsor. The student and faculty sponsor are jointly responsible for contacting the IRB and for keeping abreast of the approval process as it pertains to the study. To access the Human Subjects Tutorial, click on Compliance Tutorial link on the Research Web page. For more information about human subjects review and to access the Oakland University Guidelines for Research Involving Human Subjects, click on Human Subjects link on the Research Web page or contact Judette Haddad at
(248) 370-4898 or haddad@oakland.edu. 

Protection of animal subjects

Research using vertebrate animals must have the approval of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) and be conducted according to university guidelines. Applications are submitted online by full-time faculty members through the Research Application Manager (RAM) version 3.0. For more information click on Animal Care Use link on the Research Web page or contact
Cliff Snitgen at (248) 370-4441 or snitgen@oakland.edu.

Biosafety

All research, teaching and testing at Oakland University involving recombinant DNA, infectious agents, materials of human origin, and/or cultured cell lines must be approved by the Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBC). Approval is obtained through submission of biosafety research applications. Applications are submitted online by full-time faculty members through the Research Application Manager (RAM) version 3.0. To access different biosafety training tutorials, click on Compliance Tutorial link on the Research Web page. For more information, click on the Biosafety link on the Research Web page or contact Dominic Luongo, biosafety officer at (248) 370-4314 or luongo@oakland.edu. 

Radiation Safety

Radioactive material (including machinery producing ionizing radiation) can only be used by authorized Oakland University permit holders or under the supervision of a permit holder. User permits are issued by the Radiation Safety Committee (RSC) only to full-time Oakland University faculty members or principal investigators. All others must work under the supervision of a full-time faculty member. To access the Radiation Safety Tutorial, click on the Compliance Tutorial on the Research Web page. For more information click on the Radiation Safety link on the Research Web page or contact Dominic Luongo, radiation safety officer at
(248) 370-4314 or luongo@oakland.edu.

Academic Records and Technology

Transcripts

Academic records are maintained in the Academic Records Office, 102 O’Dowd Hall, (248) 370-3452.

Transcripts for current students may be requested via the SAIL system. Select Student Services & Financial Aid, then Student Records, then Request Printed/Official Transcript. You must provide a complete mailing address for the recipient of the record.

Requests are also accepted by writing to: Transcript Request, Office of the Registrar, Oakland University, 2200 North Squirrel Road, Rochester, Michigan 48309-4490. Requests should include the name under which the student attended, the student’s Oakland University student number, the date the student last attended, date of degree (if applicable) and the address to which the transcript is to be sent. Students whose enrollment was completed prior to 1987 must mail or fax a transcript request form, available online at http://www2.oakland.edu/registrar/transcripts.cfm. The mailing address and fax number are included on the form.

Transcripts will not be issued for students who have delinquent indebtedness to the university or who are delinquent in repaying a National Direct Student Loan (NDSL), a Perkins Loan or a Nursing Student Loan (NSL).

There is no transcript fee at Oakland University.

Address and name changes

Oakland University students may submit their address changes online through the secure SAIL system using the Personal Information Link. The SAIL system allows convenient 24/7 online access from anywhere with an internet connection as well as keeping your information safe and secure through our password protected system. Online address changes through the secure SAIL system is the university’s preferred way for students to submit their address changes.

The student academic record is under the name provided at the time of admission. All name change requests must be in person. To process a name change, a driver’s license and either a marriage license, a Social Security card or a court order that reflects the new name are necessary.

Grizzly ID and PIN

To begin using computing resources at Oakland University, you need a Grizzly ID number. The Grizzly ID is included in the offer of admission letter and a random PIN assigned. To protect the security of the Grizzly ID, the random PIN is NOT included in the letter. Students must go to the OU Reset PIN Web page and provide select confidential data on the Web page before creating a new six-
digit PIN.

Forget PIN?

If you forget your PIN, you can reset it to any six digits by going to the OU Reset PIN Web page. If you cannot complete the process online, please contact the Office of the Registrar, 101 O’Dowd Hall, (248) 370-3455.

OU e-mail

Oakland University automatically creates an e-mail account for each active student. The e-mail account is one of several directory services provided under the NetID Account profile. Students can begin to use their e-mail account by obtaining their NetID and password at https://ouca.oakland.edu. Student e-mail accounts will be deleted if a student has not registered for one year.

Students are responsible for checking and reading their Oakland University e-mail according to University policies. Many important announcements are delivered to the student e-mail account. University policy requires that all students regularly check their university e-mail and be responsible for messages sent using this system (http://www2.oakland.edu/audit/POLICY1160.htm).

Computing resource policy

Student access to university resources comes with responsibilities. To keep the network safe, OU maintains a detailed computing policy that you must follow. The following top 10 list provides only the highlights. For more information, refer to the full policy.

• Sharing and downloading movies, music, games and software that you don’t own and/or without permission of the owner is a violation of university policy as well as copyright and federal law.
• Important OU information will only be delivered to your OU
• e-mail account.
• Using e-mail or any IT tool to harass, intimidate or bother someone is not acceptable. If someone asks you to stop, you must comply.
• You are responsible for maintaining your computer. That means you must install anti-virus software, maintain system patches and use appropriate system protection like a firewall.
• Limited game playing on university computers is OK as long as it does not disrupt or limit resources for others.
• Sharing your IDs and passwords is not a good idea; you are responsible for what happens from your account. Sharing also puts you at risk of identity theft.
• Using the Internet for research can be useful, but copying material from Web sites without properly citing your sources is plagiarism. As you surf for information, keep track of the sites you visit so you can properly cite the sources in your assignment.
• Political campaigns, commercial advertising campaigns and personal businesses cannot be run using university computing resources.
• You must have prior approval to install wireless network devices in your campus residence.
• Breaking the rules can result in a variety of consequences, depending on the offense. Consequences may include disconnection from the network or referral to the dean of students for appropriate judicial processing.

The student is responsible to understand and follow the entire IT policy.

Tuition and Residential Charges

Tuition

The Oakland University Board of Trustees reserves the right to change any and all tuition rates when circumstances make such a change necessary. Tuition rates quoted in this catalog are from the Fall 2009 semester. The current tuition rate chart can be found on the Student Business Services Web site at www.oakland.edu/sbs or in the online Schedule of Classes at www.oakland.edu.

Senior Citizen tuition discount program

Michigan residents who are senior citizens may participate in Oakland University’s Senior Citizen Tuition Discount Program.

• Non-matriculated (non-degree seeking) Michigan residents 60 years of age or older receive a 50% reduction in tuition.
• All courses may be taken for credit or audit.

Eligible applicants must submit a completed admissions application form to either the undergraduate or graduate admissions office. The Undergraduate Admissions Office is located in 101 North Foundation Hall, and the Graduate Admissions Office is located in 160 North Foundation Hall.

Students register for classes online through SAIL or in person at the Registration Office, 100 O’Dowd Hall. With written permission of the instructor, students may also register to audit a course for
non-credit during the late registration period for each semester or session. Late registration fees will be waived for such students. The Office of the Registrar provides a list of eligible students to Student Business Services which applies the Senior Citizen Tuition Discount for each eligible student.

Course competency by examination charge

Students who have been approved to update Oakland University credit, which is beyond the six-year time limit, must register for course competency examination credit. The course competency by examination charge will be assessed $34 per credit.

Refund of tuition

Students who withdraw from Oakland University or drop courses that reduce their total credit load may be eligible to receive a refund of tuition. Failure to drop or withdraw formally will result in forfeiture of any refund. Official drops and complete withdrawals from all courses must be submitted either in person or by certified mail to the Registration Office, 100 O’Dowd Hall, or by fax,
(248) 370-3461. Students may drop courses or withdraw from Oakland University up to the last day of official withdrawal as published in the Schedule of Classes and the Office of the Registrar Web site at www.oakland.edu/registrar. See Adjusting courses (add and drop). The date that notification is received in the Registration Office determines the applicable refund. A specific schedule of refunds, with qualifying dates, is published each semester and session in the Schedule of Classes and the Office of the Registrar Web site at www.oakland.edu/registrar. Information regarding the method of calculating refunds for financial aid recipients can be found in the current Focus on Financial Aid pamphlet, which is provided to financial aid recipients and available to others upon request. Refund checks will be mailed approximately two weeks after a withdrawal has been filed with the Registration Office (with the exception of September and January when refunds are held until after the date of record for release).

Expelled or suspended student refund policy

When a student is expelled or suspended from the university for disciplinary reasons (either academic or non-academic), the date of the disciplinary violation will be used to determine whether the student is entitled to a refund of any tuition according to the current University Tuition Refund Schedule. Additionally, residence halls and apartment room and board charges will be pro-rated on the student’s room check-out date.

Residency Classification

For University purposes, “domicile” is defined as the place where an individual intends his/her true, fixed and permanent home and principal establishment to be, and to which the individual intends to return whenever away. Upon admission to the University, a student is classified either as a Michigan resident or a nonresident based upon information relating to the student’s domicile. A determination of Michigan domicile is required for in-state tuition rates to apply, except as stated below. An individual whose activities and circumstances, as documented to and found by the University, demonstrate that the individual has established a Michigan domicile will be classified as a resident. An individual whose presence in the state is based on activities or circumstances that are indeterminate or temporary, such as (but not limited to) educational pursuits, will be presumed not to be domiciled in Michigan and will be classified as a nonresident. To overcome a presumption of nonresident status, a student must file an Application for Reclassification of Residence Status and document with clear and convincing evidence that a Michigan domicile has been established. The burden of proof is on the applicant.

Evidence of domicile

Certain circumstances, although not controlling, support a claim of domicile. Other circumstances create a presumption against domicile.

Circumstances supporting a claim of domicile include:

• Dependence upon a parent domiciled in Michigan as demonstrated by permanent employment and establishment of a household in the state;
• Employment of the student or the student’s spouse in Michigan in a full-time, permanent position, and that employment is the primary purpose for the student’s presence in Michigan;
• Residence with Michigan relatives who provide more than half of the student’s support including educational costs. This necessarily means that no non-Michigan resident claims the student as a dependent for income tax purposes.

The fact that certain indications of domicile may apply to a student does not mean that the student automatically will be classified as a resident or that the student is relieved of the responsibility for filing an application. See Residency application process below.

Circumstances that do not in themselves support a claim of domicile include:

• enrollment in high school, community college or university;
• employment that is temporary;
• employment in a position normally held by a student;
• ownership or lease of property;
• presence of relatives in the state, except as described above;
• possession of a Michigan driver’s license or voter’s registration;
• payment of Michigan income or property taxes;
• the applicant’s statement of intent to be domiciled in Michigan.

In cases where the university determines that an applicant has not demonstrated establishment of Michigan domicile, unless substantial and new information arises that clearly demonstrates the establishment of domicile, the university will require the applicant to document one year of continuous physical presence in the state as one of the criteria for determining eligibility for resident classification in any subsequent application. The year of continuous presence is never the only criterion used for determining resident eligibility, and, in itself, will not qualify a student for resident status. In documenting the year of continuous physical presence in Michigan, the applicant will be expected to show actual physical presence by means of enrollment, employment, in-person financial transactions, health care appointments, etc. Having a lease or permanent address in the state does not, in itself, qualify as physical presence. A short-term absence (summer vacation of 21 days or less, spring break and break between fall and winter term), of itself, will not jeopardize compliance with the one-year requirement. In determining the effect of a short-term absence, the nature of the absence will be assessed to determine whether it is contrary to an intent to be domiciled in Michigan.

Presumption of domicile

Certain circumstances create a presumption of domicile. However, the presence of such a circumstance does not mean that the student will be classified automatically as a Michigan resident or that the student is relieved of the responsibility to file an application. These circumstances include:

Dependent students

A student is presumed to be a dependent of his or her parents if the student is 24 years of age or younger and has been primarily involved in educational pursuits or has not been entirely financially self-supporting through employment.

(a) Residents

The following applies only if the student has not taken steps to establish a domicile outside of Michigan or any other action inconsistent with maintaining a Michigan domicile.

• A dependent student whose parents are domiciled in Michigan is presumed to be eligible for resident classification.
• A dependent student whose parents are divorced is presumed to be eligible for resident classification purposes if one parent is domiciled in Michigan.
• A student who is living in Michigan and is permanently domiciled in Michigan does not lose residence status if the parents leave Michigan, provided: (i) that the student has completed at least the junior year of high school prior to the parents’ departure, and (ii) that the student remains in Michigan, enrolled as a full-time student in high school or an institution of higher education.

 (b) Non-residents

A dependent student whose parents are domiciled outside the state of Michigan is presumed to be a nonresident.

Absences from the state

Individuals domiciled in Michigan immediately preceding certain types of absences from the state may retain their eligibility for resident classification under the following conditions:

• An individual domiciled in Michigan for 5 years just prior to leaving the state for less than one year may return to the university as a resident for admission and tuition purposes.
• An individual domiciled in Michigan at the time of entry into active missionary work, Peace Corps or similar philanthropic work does not lose eligibility for resident classification as long as he or she is actively and continuously performing philanthropic work and continuously claims Michigan as the state of legal residence for income tax purposes. Dependent children of such an individual also are eligible for resident classification provided: (i) that they are coming to the university directly from high school or they have been continuously enrolled in college since graduating from high school, and (ii) that they have not claimed residency elsewhere for tuition purposes.
• An individual who is domiciled in Michigan immediately preceding an absence from the state for full-time enrollment in school or for a medical residency program, internship or fellowship does not lose eligibility for resident classification provided that the individual has maintained significant ties to the state during his or her absence (e.g., parents still in the state, payment of state taxes, active business accounts), and that the individual has not claimed residency for tuition purposes in another state.

Resident status of aliens

Notwithstanding the above, except for those aliens holding a permanent resident visa, the only aliens eligible for consideration for classification as a resident are those who are on a visa other than a student visa; and who are engaged in permanent employment in the United States; and whose employer has filed or is in the process of filing for permanent resident status on behalf of the alien. An alien will be eligible for consideration if the alien’s parents or spouse meet(s) the alien requirements above and dependent status also exists.

Application of in-state tuition rates in special circumstances

Regardless of domicile, in-state tuition rates apply to the following persons:

• Graduate students who hold an assistantship or fellowship awarded through Oakland University;
• Students employed in Michigan in full-time, permanent positions;
• Students admitted to approved on-line degree or certificate programs; and
• Students who are active duty members, or the spouse or dependent child of an active duty member, of the Armed Forces of the United States, while that active duty member is stationed in Michigan and during the student’s continuous enrollment in the academic degree program in which he or she is enrolled if that active duty member is transferred to an active duty location outside Michigan; or if the student is the child of an active duty member of the Armed Forces of the United States who was stationed in Michigan but is transferred to an active duty location outside Michigan within the one-year period preceding the student’s initial enrollment and the student continues to live in Michigan.

Appeal process

Any student desiring to challenge his or her initial residency classification may appeal the determination to the Residency Reclassification Appeals Office, 101A O’Dowd Hall,
(248) 370-3455. The Associate Registrar makes the initial determination of residency. The Registrar is the second level of appeal and the Residency Reclassification Appeals Committee is the third level of appeal. The committee convenes only as necessary. The determination of the Residency Reclassification Appeals Committee is final.

Residency application process

It is the student’s responsibility to apply for admission under the proper residency classification. If a student indicates Michigan resident status on the admissions application and the admissions office questions that status, the student will be classified as a nonresident and notified of the need to file an Application for Reclassification of Residence Status with the Residency Appeals Office. The fact that a student’s claim to residency for university purposes is questioned does not necessarily mean that he or she will be ineligible for resident status; it simply means that the student’s circumstances must be documented and reviewed. Failure on the part of admissions staff to question a student’s claim to resident eligibility does not relieve the student of the responsibility to apply and register under the proper residency classification. Furthermore, the university may audit enrolled or prospective students at any time with regard to eligibility for resident classification and may reclassify students who are registered under an improper residency classification.

The presence of any of the following factors will result in an initial classification as a nonresident:

• Out-of-state employment within the last three years;
• Living out of state at the time of application to the university;
• Attendance or graduation from an out-of-state high school (applies if the individual is 24 years of age or younger);
• Attendance or graduation from an out-of-state high school and involvement in educational pursuits for the majority of time since graduation from high school.

Residency reclassification documentation

The following are required:

• a completed application,
• a written, signed statement explaining why Michigan is one’s true home,
• a letter from the employer of the family member providing the major support for the student, stating the family member’s position title, when the Michigan employment began, and, for aliens, the status of any application for permanent residency; and
• documentation of the Michigan home (lease or home purchase document) must be included.

Applicants also are responsible for providing any other documentation necessary to support their claim to resident eligibility. Additional documentation may be required by the university.

Misrepresentation and falsification of information

Applicants or students who provide false or misleading information or who intentionally omit relevant information in any document relevant to residency eligibility may be subject to legal or disciplinary measures including revocation of admission or expulsion. Students improperly classified as residents based on this type of information will have their residency classification changed and may be retroactively charged nonresident tuition for the period of time they were improperly classified.

Residential service charges

 Residence halls and apartments are financially self-supporting. Housing charges, including room and board, reflect the actual cost of operation and are established by the Oakland University Board of Trustees. The 2009-2010 rate for double room and board is $7,350, and is for fall and winter combined. Single room charges, if available, are an additional $640. Residence halls offer three meal options:

Block 285 Plus 50 Plan

Students selecting this plan can enjoy:

• 285 meals each semester in Vandenberg Dining Center;
• three meal transfers per week in Pioneer Food Court;
• 50 declining balance points (meal dollars) per semester to purchase food at any Chartwell’s food facility on campus.

Block 210 Plus 100 Plan

Students selecting this plan can enjoy:

• 210 meals each semester in Vandenberg Dining Center;
• three meal transfers per week in Pioneer Food Court;
• 100 declining balance points (meal dollars) per semester to purchase food at any Chartwell’s food facility on campus.

Block 150 Plus 250 Plan

Students selecting this plan can enjoy:

• 150 meals each semester in Vandenberg Dining Center;
• 250 declining balance points (meal dollars) per semester to purchase food at any Chartwell’s food facility on campus.

University Student Apartments are available for single students who are at least 20 years old. Students can select from 2-bedroom, 3-bedroom (handicapped accessible), or 4-bedroom apartment styles. The 2009-2010 academic year rate for a 4-bedroom apartment is $5,825. Students living in the apartments are not required to have a meal program. Voluntary meal plans are available for purchase.

A $100 non-refundable down payment is due with all housing contracts. This down payment will be credited against the first housing payment. Students who sign a housing contract are committing to a binding agreement for the contract period. The housing charges may be paid in full at registration or paid in installments as specified in the Schedule of Classes.

If students withdraw from Oakland University, room and board charges are refunded on a prorated basis less penalty charges as described in the terms and conditions of the contract. Formal notice of withdrawal must be given to the Housing Office.

Enrollment

Add courses

Prior to the first day of classes, students may add courses without faculty signature by using SAIL Web registration. Beginning with the first day of class for a semester, students must have an add/drop form signed by the faculty member teaching the course. Students may secure the appropriate form from the Registration Office or from the academic office of the area in which they are enrolled. Students should then bring the signed form to the Registration Office, 100 O’Dowd Hall.

Drop courses

After registration, students may drop a course via SAIL Web, by fax or by certified mail at any time for a given semester until the semester begins. After classes begin, students may withdraw from courses via SAIL Web, by fax or by certified mail until the last day withdrawals are accepted.

Restrictions and holds

Students may not register for classes if their student status has been restricted and holds placed on their records for failure to pay, to submit complete application forms or to satisfy admission or retention conditions.

Withdraw from all courses

Graduate students wishing to withdraw from all of their courses for a given semester must officially withdraw for the semester. Simply notifying faculty or ceasing to attend courses does not relieve students from the obligation of officially withdrawing.

To officially withdraw, students must submit an Official Withdrawal Form at the Registration Office, 100 O’Dowd Hall, by certified mail, fax or by SAIL Web. Information about each option is provided in greater detail in each term’s Schedule of Classes, or at www.oakland.edu/registrar.

Resignation from the university

A graduate student wishing to terminate his or her graduate student standing with the university may do so by submitting a letter to Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning. Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning will cancel the student’s admission status, effective the date the letter is received. If the student is registered for classes at the time of his or her resignation, Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning will ask the Office of the Registrar to withdraw the student effective the date of the resignation. The University Refund Policy applies for resignation after the first day of classes. If a refund is due, it will be mailed to the student.

A graduate student, who after resigning from the university later wishes to return to a graduate program, must reapply for admission. The former student is subject to all graduate admission general and program requirements. Should the student be admitted to a graduate program, he or she may be required to repeat previously completed courses (see time limits for relevant degree or certificate programs).

Enrollment and degree verification

Oakland University has authorized the National Student Clearinghouse to provide degree and enrollment verification. Students may access the National Student Clearinghouse through the secure SAIL system. Once in SAIL students can select from a number of services that include:

• Obtain Enrollment Certificates for Current or Historical Enrollment;
• View all enrollment information on file;
• View lender information;
• View a listing of companies requesting information about his/her enrollment;
• View Loan Locator information.

Veteran enrollment certification

Students receiving Veterans Affairs (VA) education benefits must complete a request for enrollment certification with the Office of the Registrar at the beginning of each semester. Students must have all eligibility documents on file with that office, as well as an academic plan of work. Students receiving benefits must report promptly all changes in enrollment. Students on probation for two consecutive terms cannot be certified for benefits. For further information, please contact the certification official at the Registrar’s Office, 101A O’Dowd Hall, (248) 370-4010 or veterans.oakland.edu.

Prerequisite course checking

Graduate programs continue to expand the number of course prerequisites that are automatically confirmed by the Banner SAIL system at the time of registration. When a student attempts to register through SAIL for a course with a prerequisite rule, Banner will check current registration and Banner academic history for that student.

• If the student meets the prerequisite requirements, registration is permitted.
• If a student fails the prerequisite check in Banner, an error message “Prereq and Test Score Error” is returned and registration is denied.

A graduate student who fails the prerequisite check in Banner, but believes the prerequisite course has been satisfied, must obtain approval for a prerequisite override from the chairperson of the department offering the course (Prerequisite Override Form). 

In most cases the form is approved by the department chairperson, but in some cases approval is required by the faculty teaching the course or a student’s faculty adviser. Once the form is completed and approved it should be brought to Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning, 520 O’Dowd Hall. Approved forms will be reviewed and a prerequisite override entered into Banner. A student is then able to register for the course in Banner Sail.

Billing and Payment

Non-payment and de-registration policy

All registrations for a given semester are considered to be temporary and tentative, based on satisfactory academic progress and total satisfaction of all financial obligations to the university. Oakland University will reverse the future semester registration of any student, if the student has a delinquent account balance from a prior semester. For more information, please see the De-Registration Policy link on the student Business Services Web site at www.oakland.edu/sbs.

Late penalty payment

Payment in full of the total balance due will avoid assessment of a 1.5% monthly late payment fee. Student accounts must be paid in full by the established due dates in order for students to be eligible to register during the next registration period. Transcripts, diplomas, or other statements of record will be withheld, and students will be ineligible to enroll and/or continue to be enrolled in future terms until the obligations have been fulfilled. If an account is not paid in full by the end of the semester, it will be referred to an outside collection agency that will report it to the Credit Bureau.

Non-dischargeable educational benefits

Oakland University (“University”) may provide, extend or advance funds, credits and/or other financial accommodations to students, to be applied toward their tuition and/or charge, with the understanding that students will re-pay those amounts. All such amounts, other than scholarships, fellowships, stipends and/or tuition waivers, are loans and/or educational benefits which students must repay to the University together with late payment charges as established by the University. In consideration for allowing students to attend classes, students agree to repay the University for those loans and/or educational benefits and acknowledge that their repayment obligation is not dischargeable in bankruptcy.

Taxpayer identification numbers

University requirement to collect Taxpayer Identification Numbers (SSN/TIN)

The University is required to collect a student’s SSN/TIN for various reasons:

• Students applying for any form of on-campus employment.
• Students must provide an SSN/TIN when they apply for financial aid.

The Taxpayer’s Relief Act of 1997 was passed by the Congress and signed into Federal Law by the President in 1997 to offer the American taxpayers some relief if they made payments during the tax year to a qualified university. Part of this law is a requirement that the university receiving such payments report annually to the taxpayer and the Department of the Treasury the taxpayer’s identification number (for individuals, this is their social security number), the taxpayer’s name, qualified tuition and charges billed and grants or scholarships received, and the student’s enrollment status. This information is to be reported regardless of the taxpayer’s intention to actually take a credit or deduction under this law. The university must therefore receive your TIN before it can conduct billing and receipting transactions with you. You can find more information about this law on the Web at www.nacubo.org/edtaxcredits.xml or by going to the Internal Revenue Service site www.irs.gov and refer to the “Tax Regs” section. This public law is in the Internal Revenue Code, Section 6050S.

You may use an IRS Form W-9S to submit this information. This form may be obtained at www.irs.gov. Please submit your completed form W-9S to Student Business Services: