Academic Regulations and Procedures

Academic Advising

Each new student is assigned an academic advisor who will assist in planning an academic program and in discussing academic goals and progress. The initial assignment is made, wherever possible, on the basis of academic interest. A student may change advisors with the consent of the new advisor. The online Academic Advisor Change Request can be accessed in MyOWU under Student Links and on the Office of the Registrar forms page.

Admission

Students interested in admission to Ohio Wesleyan should contact the Office of Admission for information. Contact the office by phone (800-922-8953), email (owuadmit@owu.edu), or on the web (https://owu.edu/admission/).

What Are Your Entrance Requirements?

The Admission Committee has determined that a college preparatory course of study in high school will best prepare students for academic success at OWU. Minimum requirements include 4 years of English, 3 years of social science, 3 years of math and science, and 2 years of foreign language study (3 years recommended).

Ohio Wesleyan is test optional. It is your decision whether you want to include your standardized test scores with your application. We will consider all student applicants - regardless of test score submission - for both admission to the University and merit scholarships. More about test optional.

Admission to the University is offered on a selective basis. To be considered for admission, candidates must submit an application, official high school or GED transcript, a personal essay and a summary of school and community activities. OWU requires that applicants have earned either a diploma from an accredited high school or the GED Certificate prior to enrolling at the University. Students who have been homeschooled should consult with the Office of Admission.

Applicants must be beyond the age of compulsory school attendance in Ohio to be admitted as a regular student. In Ohio, compulsory education laws require children between the ages of 6 and 18 to attend school. The laws make some exceptions, including if the student received a high school diploma before the age of 18. See http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/3321.

Successful candidates for admission typically rank in the top quarter of their high school classes, have earned a minimum B average in their academic course work, and have demonstrated involvement and leadership in school or community organizations. 

Advanced Placement (AP)

Ohio Wesleyan University makes provision for students of unusual ability or preparation who desire to accelerate the time required to earn a degree. For this reason, students who plan to enter Ohio Wesleyan are encouraged to take the Advanced Placement (AP) examinations of the College Board. Advanced Placement and / or college credit may be granted in relation to scores earned and departmental standards. Students who have completed Advanced Placement examinations should have their official results sent to the Office of the Registrar - Transfer Specialist (transfer@owu.edu) for evaluation.

For details on how your Advanced Placement scores translate to college credit at Ohio Wesleyan, consult our Website and the College Board’s Advanced Placement AP Credit Policy Search Tool.

Advanced Levels (A Levels)

Ohio Wesleyan University recognizes Advanced Level (A Level) examinations for academic credit. Students who receive a B or higher on an A Level examination receive one unit of credit towards graduation. Credit for grades of a C or a D and credit for specific courses at OWU is awarded at the discretion of the department. Students who have completed Advanced Level examinations should have their official results sent to the Office of the Registrar - Transfer Specialist (transfer@owu.edu) for evaluation.

For details on how your Advanced Level scores translate to college credit at Ohio Wesleyan, consult our Website and our TES Public View Tool (search for Cambridge Assessment in the institution search field).

International Baccalaureate (IB)

Ohio Wesleyan University recognizes academic work taken toward the International Baccalaureate (IB) and grants course credit for specific performance levels on the higher level courses. Note: standard level courses are not eligible for credit. Students who have completed International Baccalaureate higher level courses should have their official results sent to the Office of the Registrar - Transfer Specialist (transfer@owu.edu) for evaluation.

For details on how your International Baccalaureate scores translate to college credit at Ohio Wesleyan, consult our Website and our IBO University Profile and Credit Policy (especially the Credit / Advanced Standing tab).

Examinations for Placement and / or Credit

Examinations for placement in a foreign language course will be administered without charge during Summer Orientation and at other times specified by the department. No college credit is granted, and the examinations may not be repeated.

Examinations for college credit in other courses may be taken by any student during the first semester of the freshman year without charge. Arrangements to take such examinations should be made with the appropriate academic departments. After the first semester of the freshman year, examinations for credit will be subject to the procedures stated in the following paragraph.

Examinations for credit in any course except those meeting basic requirements may be taken within the first four weeks of a semester at the request of any student who, in the opinion of the department concerned, is qualified for such an examination. Application for a proficiency examination must be filed in the department no later than the third week of the semester. The examination will be comprehensive and can be expected to include any of the materials normally covered in the course. It will be read by at least two faculty members, and a subsequent report will be made to the Office of the Registrar. If the student’s performance is at least C-, the Registrar will enter appropriate credit on the student’s academic record, and the student will be billed an additional fee for the application of credit to the record. The credit will be entered as “S” and will carry no credit points. No record will be made of failure in such examinations. The proficiency examination is not to be used to change a grade previously received in a course. Upper class students may not attempt proficiency examinations in courses numbered 100-249.

Examinations for credit in professional work or foreign studies that a student has pursued outside the usual, accredited college framework may be taken without charge. Arrangements should be made with the appropriate departments, and evidence of completion of the work must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar.

Registration in Courses

In order to complete a degree in four years, a student must average 8.5 units of credit each year. Enrollment in four full-unit courses and 4.25 total credits is the normal academic load for a regularly enrolled student, and full-time students must be enrolled in at least 3.25 units of credit. A non-degree student with fewer than 3.25 units of credit per semester shall be designated as a special or part-time student. Such students will pay the per course tuition fee for this registration, but they will not be required to pay other general and miscellaneous fees nor be eligible for the services that these fees support.

Unit of Credit Full-or Part-Time Enrollment

Ohio Wesleyan’s unit of credit is defined as equivalent to 3.70 semester hours or 5.55 quarter hours.

After the completion of 16 units, part-time non-degree students must apply and qualify for admission to the University. If the student is admitted as a degree candidate, further enrollment must be on a full-time basis. Students seeking an exception to this policy must petition the Academic Status Committee.

Course Overload

Students in good academic standing (cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher) may enroll for as many classes as they and their academic advisor agree are appropriate up to a maximum of 5.50 units. Students who wish to exceed the 5.50 unit maximum must petition the Academic Status Committee before registering for an overload. Any additional tuition and fees assessed for exceeding the 5.50 unit maximum are the student’s responsibility and cannot be waived.

Students on academic notice or warning (less than 2.0 cumulative grade point average) are limited to a maximum of 4.50 units. Students on academic notice or warning who wish to exceed the 4.50 unit maximum must petition the Academic Status Committee.

Change of Schedule

Specific deadlines for adding, dropping, or withdrawing from courses are published on the Academic Calendar. Note that deadlines differ for full-semester, first-module, and second-module courses. 

Students may add or drop courses through the Self-Service portal until the published Add / Drop Deadline for the semester / term / session but must maintain a load of 3.25 to 5.50 units (unless they have successfully petitioned Academic Status Committee for permission to be enrolled either part-time or with an academic overload).

Students may withdraw from courses through the Change of Schedule Request form until the published Withdrawal Deadline for the semester / term / session. Withdrawn courses are transcripted with a “W” as the final grade and are not calculated into the GPA.

Once the Withdrawal Deadline has passed, students may request a withdrawal by submitting a petition to the Academic Status Committee. Permissions will be based only on extenuating circumstances beyond the students’ control. Instructors will submit final grades of “WP” (withdrawn with passing work) or “WF” (withdrawn with failing work) based on the instructors’ evaluations of the students’ work prior to the withdrawal. Courses with grades of “WP” and “WF” are not calculated into the GPA.

Students may not withdraw from classes for any reason during the last four class days of any semester or half-semester module.

No tuition will be refunded for withdrawals.

Attendance

Students waiting to be admitted to a course may be given the places of those who are not present on the first day of class. A student who fails to attend a class during the first five days of the semester and who fails to utilize the procedure for dropping a course will receive a grade of “F” in that course, and no student may claim credit in any course unless the student has been officially enrolled as shown on the student’s schedule in self-service or on a change-of-schedule form on file in the Office of the Registrar.

Instructors will grant excused absences to students who miss class in order to participate in University-sanctioned functions such as theatrical and musical performances, field trips associated with classes, and intercollegiate athletic contests. Students so excused will be expected to meet all course requirements. This policy in no way removes the instructor’s right to determine the conditions under which the work missed by the student is to be made up, if such is possible. It is the responsibility of the student to inform the instructor in advance of such absences and of the sponsor to provide written verification of the student’s participation.

Auditing

A full-time student at Ohio Wesleyan may audit a course with the permission of the course instructor. Persons not enrolled at the University may audit a lecture course (not laboratory, studio, or computing courses or service courses in physical education) by completing the Application to Audit a Course. The instructor’s permission is required, and there is a fee for auditing except for senior citizens 65 years of age or older (see Fees ).

Regular students may not audit a course and then attempt a proficiency examination for the same course.

Reports and Grades

The University places upon each student the responsibility to inform parents or guardians about the student’s academic progress. Final grades are issued electronically to the student and academic advisor through the Self-Service portal. Students may provide others access to their grades through the Self-Service portal using the Shared Access function in their Profile.

Grades

At the end of the semester, grades are issued on a four-point scale as shown below. This scale went into effect beginning Fall 2006 semester.

Other grades are: W (withdrawn), WP (withdrawn with passing work), WF (withdrawn with failing work), CR (credit by examination, credit but no grade is computed in semester or cumulative average), S (satisfactory, credit but no grade is computed in semester or cumulative average), I (incomplete), T (transfer credit, credit but no grade is computed in semester or cumulative average), U (unsatisfactory), and WVR (waiver, no credit and no grade is computed in semester or cumulative average).

Midterm Estimates

Students receive midterm estimates for full semester courses taken at Ohio Wesleyan falling within the normal academic calendar with the exception of the summer session. Estimates give students an overview of their academic status at mid-semester. Appropriate midterm estimates are as follows:

Credit / No Entry

Credit / no entry allows students to take a course for credit but without receiving a grade. This option may be relevant when a student wishes to explore an area of interest outside of a major or general education requirement. The credit / no entry option may be selected by students for no more than four courses (two half-unit modules in the same department may be counted for one course) in the 34 units required for graduation. No more than one credit / no entry may be taken in any semester, and credit / no entry courses may not be taken in the major area of study nor in any courses to be used for the general education / core competency requirements. Courses taken on a credit / no entry basis may be counted in the minor at the discretion of the department or program under which the minor is offered.

Students must elect the credit / no entry option by the Thursday of the second week of classes of any semester, and approval of the academic advisor is required. The student will receive a regular letter grade in the course, and this grade will be converted to the credit / no entry notation. If the grade earned is C- or higher, the student will receive a grade of S (credit) on the transcript. If the grade is D+ or lower, no formal entry of the course will be made on the transcript.

If the student receives credit for the course (C- or higher), the student may request that the grade be included in the cumulative grade point average by emailing the Office of the Registrar. Such requests must be filed no later than the first ten days of the semester following the one in which the credit / no entry enrollment was taken. These courses will still count in the total number of credit / no entry allotted to each student.

Repeated Courses

Students may repeat any regular course at Ohio Wesleyan University in which the grade was D+ or lower. Students may not repeat any course in which they have received a grade of C- or higher. The transcript will record the grade each time the student takes the course. Only the second (last) grade will be counted in the cumulative grade point average even though the last grade could be a lower grade than one received earlier. If a student repeats a course for which the grade was C- or higher, only the original grade earned will be counted in the cumulative grade point average.

Students who repeat a course by taking that course on a credit / no entry basis the second time will have their record adjusted in the following way. If credit is earned the second time, the initial grade will be removed from the grade point average only if that grade is D+ or lower.

Credit will be granted only once for satisfactory completion of any Ohio Wesleyan course. A course being repeated will count as a normal course for the purposes of computing tuition charges and determining a student’s academic load.

Courses such as Directed Readings, Independent Studies, Internships, and Tutorials cannot be repeated to replace a grade.

Failures

Any course(s) that a student fails will not be counted toward graduation nor the units required for graduation.

Incomplete

The temporary grade of I (Incomplete) is given when the student, for reasons beyond his or her control, cannot finish the work in a course. Such reasons should be limited to serious medical problems or a major personal or family crisis. Verification of these circumstances may be required by the instructor. The pressures of a semester’s work load or the desire to do additional work in the course are not sufficient reasons for giving an incomplete.

The student and the instructor assume joint responsibility for the removal of the incomplete. The student should make arrangements with the instructor to specify in writing which work is eligible to complete, along with how and when. The student must complete the remaining work by the end of the third week of the next semester, excluding the summer session. The instructor is responsible for reporting the course grade to the Registrar by the end of the fifth week of that semester. Extensions of these time limits can be granted only through approval of a petition to the Academic Status Committee. Should the student fail to complete the work within the specified time, the instructor may assign a grade on the basis of work completed. Unless an extension has been granted, the grade of F will be assigned to all incompletes not removed by the end of the fifth week of the next semester. A student who receives an incomplete during the final semester of enrollment will not be graduated until the I is removed.

Academic Residence Requirement

All Ohio Wesleyan University students must earn a minimum of 8.5 units of the 34 units required for the bachelor’s degree in residence. Residence credit is defined as any credit earned through regular enrollment in Ohio Wesleyan University coursework. With approval, credit toward the academic residence requirement may also be earned through OWU’s International and Off Campus Programs (IOCP) partnerships, through formal arrangements with other accredited institutions, or through contractual relationships approved by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).

Further, as a residential university, we require full-time enrolled students to reside on campus unless they meet one of the outlined criteria of exception. (See Residency Requirements and Room Assignments in the Student Handbook.)

Academic Status Policy

Ohio Wesleyan University’s commitment to student success includes policies and practices to ensure students consistently progress towards degree completion in a timely manner. The Academic Status Policy outlines requirements for all students to maintain good academic standing. The policy will further outline the conditions that may result in a student being placed on Academic Notice, Academic Warning, Academic Suspension, and Academic Expulsion from Ohio Wesleyan. Students who fall below good standing will be required to complete identified actions to meet or exceed requirements for good status. 

These statuses (with the exception of Academic Expulsion) are designed to provide students the opportunity for academic progress. OWU faculty and staff are deeply committed to working with students to give them the best opportunity to return to Good Academic Standing so that they can be successful in achieving their academic goals.

Please note that in order to remain eligible for federal, state, or institutional financial aid, students must meet criteria for Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) consistent with federal guidelines. These criteria are independent of the Academic Status Policy described below. If you have questions about the SAP criteria, please contact the Office of Financial Aid.

Good Academic Standing

This status applies to any student whose cumulative GPA is at least 2.00.

Academic Notice

This status applies to 1) any student whose cumulative GPA is between 1.00 and 1.99 at the end of their first semester at Ohio Wesleyan; 2) Any student whose cumulative GPA falls from 2.0 or higher to between 1.00 and 1.99. 

• The Academic Notice status starts the Fall or Spring semester immediately following the student’s most recent semester of enrollment.

• Students placed on Academic Notice may continue to register for and enroll in classes provided other University requirements have been satisfied (e.g., no financial holds).

• Students on Academic Notice will be required to complete identified academic and other forms of support/recovery strategies specified in communications outlining their current academic status.

• A status of Academic Notice may not be appealed.

Academic Warning

This status applies to 1) Any student whose cumulative GPA is below 2.00 at the conclusion of their semester of Academic Notice; 2) Any student whose cumulative GPA falls below a 1.00 for the first time; 3) Any student who successfully appeals an Academic Suspension or who returns to OWU following Academic Suspension.

• The Academic Warning status will start the Fall or Spring semester immediately following the student’s most recent semester of enrollment.

• Students placed on Academic Warning may continue to register for and enroll in classes provided other University requirements have been satisfied (e.g., no financial holds).

• Students on Academic Warning will be required to complete identified academic and other forms of support/recovery strategies specified in communications outlining their current academic status.

• Students on Academic Warning may be required to complete additional interventions to demonstrate their progress towards improvement.

• A status of Academic Warning may not be appealed.

Academic Suspension

This status applies to 1) Any student whose cumulative GPA is below 2.00 at the conclusion of their semester of Academic Warning; 2) Any student whose cumulative GPA falls below a 1.00 and who has been placed on Academic Warning during any prior semester. 

• The Suspension status will start the Fall or Spring semester immediately following the student’s most recent semester of enrollment.

• Students placed on Academic Suspension will not be able to enroll or participate in Ohio Wesleyan academic, co-curricular, athletic, and/or University-sponsored experiences or activities for one full Fall or Spring semester. 

• Students placed on Academic Suspension may retain their Ohio Wesleyan email in order to communicate with and plan their return with identified University resources.

• During the Academic Suspension period, students are eligible to register for courses for the subsequent semester after meeting with their Academic Advisor provided other University requirements have been satisfied (e.g., no financial holds). These students will be placed on Academic Warning status upon their return to Ohio Wesleyan.

• An Academic Suspension may be appealed on the basis of verifiable extenuating circumstances and/or significant academic progress. Students who successfully appeal an Academic Suspension will be placed on Academic Warning the following semester. 

Academic Expulsion

Any student whose cumulative GPA is below 2.0 after having been previously Academically Suspended will be reviewed by the Academic Status Committee to determine academic status, which may include Academic Expulsion. Academic Expulsion is a final and permanent separation from the University and cannot be appealed. 

Academic Integrity Policy

Introduction

Scholarly work in every discipline involves collaboration with others and the use of others’ thoughts, work, and experimental results, published and unpublished. Academic integrity refers to the ethical principles and policies that determine how we work and interact with one another to complete scholarly work in an academic setting. Failure to follow these principles and policies constitutes academic dishonesty. 

The university’s policy on academic integrity is about more than defining and punishing academic dishonesty; this policy forms the foundation for mutual trust in our community of learners by fostering collaboration and respect for the work of others. Practicing academic integrity also promotes your own intellectual growth while instilling values and behaviors that are highly sought after by employers. Every member of our community is responsible for upholding the principles of academic integrity.

Student Responsibilities

Every student is to uphold the principles of academic integrity and follow university policy. Student responsibilities include:

• Knowing and following the Ohio Wesleyan University Academic Integrity Policy. Ignorance of the policy will not be considered an excuse or mitigating factor in proceedings of the Academic Conduct Review Board. 

• Understanding what constitutes academic dishonesty as outlined in this policy. Students are also responsible for understanding course syllabi and other written documentation provided by instructors regarding expectations of academic integrity as it applies to specific courses. 

• Knowing when collaboration or the use of AI is permitted, and when it is not. Handing in a paper, lab report, or take-home exam written in whole or in part by AI or a member of one’s collaborative group, except when given explicit permission to do so by the instructor of the course, is an act of academic dishonesty.

• Asking instructors clarifying questions about academic integrity as it applies to their courses, and making use of campus resources such as the Sagan Academic Resource Center and Writing Center when they need support to overcome academic challenges. 

• Supporting a culture of academic integrity on campus. Aiding and abetting other students’ dishonesty is a serious breach of academic integrity and is itself punishable as academic dishonesty.

Instructor Responsibilities

Every instructor is to uphold the principles of academic integrity and follow university policy. Instructor responsibilities include:

• Knowing and following the Ohio Wesleyan University Academic Integrity Policy. Instructors should follow the principles of academic integrity in their own work and conduct.

• Providing clear instructions to students in course syllabi or other written documentation about academic integrity in their courses. Guidelines for collaboration (students working with others on written projects, oral presentations, revisions, labs, or other course work) and the use of artificial intelligence (AI) may differ across discipline, course, and assignment, so it is imperative that instructors explain to students what academic integrity looks like in their course.

• Creating a culture of academic integrity on campus, in which honesty is encouraged, dishonesty is discouraged, and integrity is openly discussed.

Types of Academic Dishonesty

Collaboration and the use of other’s work is a cornerstone of the academic enterprise. In fact, building on and responding to the ideas of others to stimulate and develop your own thinking is a core part of the learning process. Academic integrity requires that we frankly and fully acknowledge the contributions of others to our own work. Almost all types of academic dishonesty described below undermine or invalidate fruitful collaboration in our academic community. 

CHEATING: using or attempting to use unauthorized, prohibited, or unacknowledged materials in any academic exercise. 

• Examples of cheating: looking at another student’s work during a test, bringing an answer sheet to the test, submitting homework borrowed or taken without permission from another student

• Examples of cheating with AI: generating the answers to a take home exam, generating answers to questions during a class discussion

FABRICATION: inventing or falsifying information for an academic exercise.

• Examples of fabrication: inventing data for an experiment you did not do, altering data to obtain a desired result, making reference to sources you did not use in a research paper

• Examples of fabrication with AI: generating an entire paper or substantial portion of a written assignment, generating a list of sources without reviewing the source material 

PLAGIARISM: using the words or ideas of another writer without attribution so that they seem as if they were your own. 

• Examples of plagiarism: copying work not written by the person taking credit for it, rewriting work with only minor changes, summarizing work without acknowledging the source

• Examples of plagiarism with AI: passing off AI-generated text or ideas as your own work, generating a summary or paraphrase without acknowledging the source

ELECTRONIC DISHONESTY: using computer or network access inappropriately, in a way that affects a class or other students’ academic work. 

• Examples of electronic dishonesty: using someone else’s account to send and receive messages, breaking into someone else’s files, knowingly spreading a computer virus, sharing the work of another student or the instructor on social media without permission, posting online or sharing copies of exams or course materials without permission with or without the intent of financial gain

• Examples of electronic dishonesty with AI: using AI to complete work when it was expressly forbidden or using AI in ways other than those allowed by the instructor for that course or assignment

FACILITATING ACADEMIC DISHONESTY: helping another to commit an act of academic dishonesty.

• Examples of facilitating: making your work available for another student to submit as their own whether exactly as is or in altered form, allowing another student to copy your answers on an exam

MULTIPLE SUBMISSIONS: submitting work you have done in previous classes as if it were new and original work. Instructors expect that you are producing new work for each class, though they may occasionally be willing to allow you to use previous work as the basis for current work. Students must obtain written permission from the instructor of the current course if they want to submit a work that was originally created for another course or purpose. 

OTHER: The types of academic dishonesty listed above are not exhaustive. Instructors may explain in their syllabi other types of academic dishonesty relevant to the work in particular disciplines or particular courses.

Academic Conduct Review Board

The sole duty of the Academic Conduct Review Board (ACRB) as outlined in section 2.2.14 of the Faculty Handbook is to, “Hear and rule on alleged cases of academic dishonesty according to procedures and policies in the Academic Honesty Policy.” The process for reporting and determining the outcome of academic dishonesty cases is outlined in the next section.  All details of ACRB proceedings, including the identity of the instructor and student, are confidential. After the conclusion of ACRB’s proceedings, if an outcome is imposed, that information may be disclosed in specific and limited circumstances (e.g., transcript notation, notification of suspension to academic advisors, when the information is required for admission to honors societies).  

The ACRB consists of three faculty chosen by faculty vote, two students chosen through WCSA, and an administrator from Academic Affairs (who chairs the ACRB but has no vote). In instances involving a possible conflict of interest (e.g., the instructor of record is a member of ACRB), the faculty alternate, elected by the faculty, will serve as a substitute with voting power. If the conflict of interest involves one of the two student members, the administrator from Academic Affairs will ask WCSA to select an alternate who will serve as a substitute with voting power.

Overview of Process

All cases of academic dishonesty must be reported and resolved through the following process.  Instructors may not impose a course-specific outcome for academic dishonesty outside of the process described below.

This process is intended to be educational and collaborative. It provides instructors and students the opportunity for candid conversation about the importance of academic integrity to the University community. The goal is not only accountability, but also learning and growth.

Instructor Review 

When an instructor suspects a violation of the Academic Integrity Policy has occurred, the instructor will arrange a meeting with the student to discuss the alleged violation and supporting evidence. If an instructor leaves the university for any reason (e.g., the end of an adjunct appointment, resignation, retirement) before the academic integrity process is complete, the appropriate Department Chair will assume responsibility for continuing and concluding the process.  

During this meeting:

• The instructor and student will discuss the circumstances of the alleged allegation.

After this meeting:

• The instructor will complete a brief electronic report describing the alleged violation and course-specific outcome.  Examples of potential outcomes are described in the “Outcomes” section below.  

• The completed report will be sent electronically to both the student and the ACRB administrator from Academic Affairs.

• The student will have two (2) business days from the time the form is sent to respond. The report will require the student to indicate whether they take responsibility for the alleged violation. The student may also indicate if they believe the proposed course-specific outcome is inappropriate.  

Records for first offenses will be kept for five (5) years. The violation will not become part of the student’s permanent record unless a student is found responsible for a second offense.

ACRB Review 

If the student has a prior violation, ACRB will review the case to determine whether an outcome beyond the instructor-imposed outcome is warranted. Additional outcomes will be determined by the number and magnitude of prior violations. Potential outcomes are described in the “Outcomes” section below.   

ACRB will also hear cases under the following circumstances:

• The student contests either the charge or the course-specific outcome (see below).

• The student accepts responsibility, but the instructor believes the violation merits an outcome greater than failure in the course.

• After being contacted by the instructor, the student does not meet with the instructor within five (5) business days.  

• The student does not respond to the charge after an initial meeting within two (2) business days (see above).

• The student has previously been found responsible for at least one Academic Integrity violation.

Student Contests the Charge and/or Outcome

If, on the electronic form, the student contests the charge or course-specific outcome, the instructor will be asked to submit supporting documentation. The Academic Affairs administrator will also request from the student their account of the incident and supporting documentation. The student will have ten (10) business days from the request to submit the requested information. The ten (10) day period begins when the request is sent to the student, not when the student reads the request. If the student does not submit the relevant information, the instructor’s charge and outcome will stand.

Standard of Evidence

Allegations of violations of the Academic Integrity Policy will be evaluated by ACRB using the preponderance of the evidence standard. According to this standard, a student will be found responsible if evidence demonstrates that it is more likely than not that a violation occurred.

When a Student is Found Not Responsible by ACRB

If a student is found not responsible for the alleged violation by ACRB, any instructor-imposed penalties will be removed.

Outcomes

Regardless of other outcomes, all students found responsible for a first-time violation of the Academic Integrity Policy will complete an educational intervention.

Instructor-Imposed outcomes

Instructor-imposed outcomes include, but are not limited to:

• The opportunity to redo the assignment for partial credit

• A zero on the assignment

• Referral to an academic resource for skills enhancement (e.g., Writing Center, Library, Quantitative Skills Center) 

• Lowering of the final course grade

• A failing grade in the course

ACRB-Imposed Outcomes

In addition to instructor-imposed outcomes, ACRB may assign outcomes including, but not limited to:

• Referral to an academic resource for skills-enhancement (e.g., Writing Center, Library, Quantitative Skills Center) 

• Completion of reflective paper on academic integrity

• Assignment of a zero on the assignment, if a less severe grade outcome was imposed by the instructor

• Lowering of the final course grade

• A failing grade in the course

Suspension

Suspension for the following semester will be considered for repeat violations and/or for violations that affect a significant aspect of the student’s academic course work. Examples include, but are not limited to: 

• Submitting the same work from a prior semester without permission

• Dishonesty during an exam by using unauthorized materials (using unauthorized materials, accessing online information, using a calculator without permission) 

• Using AI to complete a graded problem set or other assigned homework (e.g., written reflections, discussion board posts) 

If a student is suspended for a violation of the Academic Integrity Policy, a transcript notation to that effect will be made and will remain for one year following their graduation or separation from the University and will be automatically expunged by the Registrar at that time.

Expulsion

Expulsion after the current semester will be considered for repeat violations (typically more than 2) and/or for violations that affect major or essential aspects of work done to meet course requirements. Examples include, but are not limited to: 

• Using AI to generate a major course assignment when AI is prohibited

• Fabricating data by making up or intentionally altering material

• Coordinated cheating efforts involving multiple students

• Students and the instructor will be notified electronically of the outcome of ACRB’s review process.

If a student is expelled for a violation of the Academic Integrity Policy, a transcript notation to that effect will be made and will remain for three years following their expulsion and will be automatically expunged by the Registrar at that time. 

Students and the instructor will be notified electronically of the outcome of ACRB’s review process.

End-of-Semester Violations

When suspected violations happen at the end of the semester, the instructor should make every reasonable effort to meet with the student either in person or virtually before the semester ends.  If the student is unavailable, the instructor should assign a grade of Incomplete and schedule a meeting with the student as soon as possible, but no later than the end of the second week of the following semester.

If the instructor meets with the student before the end of the semester and the case moves on to ACRB review, the case may be heard by a subcommittee of ACRB composed of the Academic Affairs administrator and at least one faculty member.  

In very rare cases (e.g., a graduating senior), a case may be resolved by the Academic Affairs administrator and the Provost (or the Provost’s designee). In these situations, an expedited timeline may be followed to ensure prompt resolution.

Appeals

Either the instructor or the student may submit a request to the Provost to consider an appeal of the proceedings of the Academic Conduct Review Board through a brief electronic report. If the Provost is the instructor of record for the class in question, appeals will be heard by the Associate Provost. Requests for appeal may only be made on the following grounds:

• There is new evidence, unavailable at the time of the ACRB decision, that could substantially impact the original outcome. A summary of this new evidence and its potential impact must be included.

• There was a procedural error that can be shown to have affected the outcome of the ACRB decision.

• Outcomes imposed are grossly disproportionate to the violation(s) committed.

Dissatisfaction with a decision and/or outcome is not grounds for an appeal. The appeal must be submitted within five (5) business days from the date ACRB’s decision letter is sent. 

The instructor or student making the request should indicate the grounds on which they are appealing and provide relevant documentation and evidence with the request. The Provost will review all material from the original ACRB review in addition to the information provided with the appeal request and make a ruling. The Provost ruling may 

• Agree with the findings of the ACRB, in which case all applied penalties stand;

• Disagree with the findings of the ACRB, in which case the Provost will either determine the appropriate outcome to apply or find the student not responsible and remove applied penalties, both those imposed by ACRB and the instructor. 

The Provost’s ruling is final and cannot be appealed. 

Concerns Raised by Staff or Students

If a staff member who is not the instructor of record or a student believes that a specific instance of academic dishonesty has occurred, they should notify the instructor of record for the relevant course. The instructor of record will determine the appropriate course of action. 

Course Withdrawal

While an academic integrity violation is being investigated, the accused student may not withdraw from that course. Additionally, a student may not withdraw from a course in which that student has been found responsible for a violation of the Academic Integrity Policy.  

Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed at least every five years by the Provost’s Office and ACRB to ensure it continues to serve the educational mission of Ohio Wesleyan University.

Approved by the faculty April 20, 2026

Academic Grievance Policy

Membership in the Ohio Wesleyan community requires a devotion to the highest principles of academic and personal integrity, a commitment to maintain honor, and continuous regard for the rights of others. There can be no rights without individual responsibility. 

Ohio Wesleyan assumes that its faculty is composed of mature and conscientious individuals, committed to teaching and learning as a career and a profession. Each teacher is presumed to develop and use methods and techniques which enhance learning and which best fit his or her personality and subject matter area. At the same time, the instructor is expected to abide by the general principles of responsible teaching, which are commonly accepted by the academic profession. 

Students are free to take reasoned exception to the data or views offered in any course of study. While they may reserve judgment about matters of opinion, they are responsible for learning the content of any course in which they are enrolled. 

In the event of an academic grievance, all parties involved are referred to the Joint Statement on Rights and Freedoms of Students and the Complete Text of Endorsements by Sponsoring Organizations, which have been adopted by the Wesleyan Council on Student Affairs, the Faculty, and the Board of Trustees. They are also referred to in the statement on academic honesty and plagiarism, which are discussed below. 

Grievance Procedure

Any student who is convinced that his or her academic performance has been treated in a prejudicial or capricious manner or evaluated by criteria other than those appropriate to the course has the right to file an academic grievance. In some cases, the student may believe that direct pursuit of the alleged violation could result in prejudicial treatment of his or her case or in jeopardizing his or her relations with the faculty member or department involved. If this is so, the aggrieved student is urged to seek the advice of his or her academic advisor or other faculty member. As a result of these discussions, the student may ask a faculty or administrative staff member, not to include the President, the Provost, the Associate Provost or the Division Chairs, to act as intermediary in the case. Should that person agree to act as intermediary, the same procedure should be followed as when students are acting on their own behalf (outlined below). It is understood that by their nature, some complaints cannot be pursued, or pursued to a final solution, without the student’s name being known to the faculty member or department involved. 

In order to preserve academic freedom and still provide an avenue for appeal for a student who seeks redress of an academic grievance, the following procedure is established. The discussion and resolution of a problem between a member of the faculty and a student or students will follow these steps: 

1. The student should make an appointment to discuss the grievance with the professor involved. The student must provide appropriate documentation of the grievance. If the grievance is not resolved, the student may proceed to step 2.
2. The student should now make an appointment with the chairperson of the department involved. Again, the student should provide appropriate documentation of the grievance. The chairperson should ask the professor to provide rebuttal material, if appropriate. In cases where the chairperson is the instructor involved in the grievance, another full-time faculty member in the department, the student’s academic advisor, or another faculty member may serve in this mediating capacity. If the grievance is not resolved to the satisfaction of the student and the faculty member involved, the student may proceed to step 3.
3. The student should make an appointment to discuss the grievance with the Division Chair overseeing the course. This step must be initiated by the end of the fifth week of the semester immediately following the one in which the grievance arose. The student should provide appropriate written documentation of the grievance, including the results of steps 1 and 2. The written documentation should be provided to the Division Chair at least one day in advance of the appointment to discuss the grievance. The Division Chair will investigate the complaint by obtaining data and statements from all parties involved and will attempt to resolve the grievance by mutual consent of the student and faculty member. 

If the case cannot be resolved based on the information available, the Division Chair will convene an advisory committee of two faculty members, preferably with little or no prior knowledge of the grievance. The student will select one other faculty member. The faculty member may be from the department involved or from related disciplines. Each party may exercise one peremptory challenge. The committee shall decide the outcome of the complaint with the advice of the Division Chair, who will then notify the student and faculty member. In cases where a change of grade is deemed appropriate, the Division Chair shall initiate the change of grade at the Registrar’s office and will notify the student, the faculty member, and the chairperson (or other mediator) that he or she has done so. The grievance will normally be resolved by the last day of the semester in which the grievance has been filed. 

The decision of the committee is final, and no further appeal procedure exists within the University. (Updated April 2026)

Responsibility for Meeting Requirements

Students are ultimately responsible for their own academic progress and for meeting all degree, major, and minor requirements and must review their Degree Audit with their Faculty Advisor a minimum of once a semester. Students must submit their Graduation Application (Notification of Intent to Graduate) no later than the start of their next-to-last semester. This application affirms that the student has carefully reviewed their Degree Audit with their Faculty Advisor to identify requirements remaining for graduation and to develop a plan for how to complete them. Approval of the Graduation Application does not guarantee that the student will graduate by the requested term, as the student must still satisfy all requirements published in the Catalog and tracked in Degree Audit in order to graduate.

Students who have at least 32 total completed and in-progress units toward graduation at the Spring semester withdrawal deadline will be eligible to participate in the Commencement Ceremony in May. Students declare their intention to participate in Commencement via the Graduation Application (Notification of Intent to Graduate) which must be submitted no later than the start of their next-to-last semester.

Note: While Ohio Wesleyan University’s annual Commencement Ceremony honors and celebrates the accomplishments of the graduating class, it is important to distinguish between Commencement and Graduation. Although closely related, the two are not synonymous. Graduation refers to the formal completion of all degree requirements as verified by the Office of the Registrar resulting in the conferral of the academic degree. Commencement is a ceremonial event that acknowledges students’ anticipated achievements.

Participation in the Commencement Ceremony does not guarantee graduation as some anticipated summer graduates may ultimately need additional time to fulfill remaining requirements. Conversely, a student may complete all degree requirements and graduate without attending the Commencement Ceremony.

Final Examination Policy

In any particular course, the course instructor determines whether or not a final examination is appropriate and to be given. Such determination shall be announced in class early in the semester.

1. It is the intent of the University that its students receive a full 15 weeks of instruction per semester, and that any in-class final examination be given only on the day, and at the time, officially scheduled by the Office of the Registrar during the period set aside for this purpose.
2. Any assignment(s) that may substitute in a course for an in-class final examination shall be turned in at the time of the officially scheduled final examination for that course.
3. Final examinations in class shall be no more than three hours in duration.
4. Exceptions to a. and b. above may be necessary because of the early deadline for spring semester seniors expecting to graduate. Under this circumstance a final examination may be given at a time outside the official schedule at the mutual convenience of the instructor and seniors involved. In no case shall such an examination conflict with or overlap other regularly scheduled class or laboratory hours of the seniors.
5. No course examination given during the 15-week semester shall overlap or conflict with regularly scheduled classes or laboratories.

Although special examinations are to be avoided, unforeseen circumstances may make them necessary. In such a case, a special final examination may be given after approval is granted by the Academic Status Committee and the course instructor.

Exceptions to this policy shall be cleared in advance through the Office of Academic Affairs.

Leave of Absence

A leave of absence may be granted to a student who wishes to interrupt, but not permanently discontinue, enrollment at Ohio Wesleyan. Leaves of up to one academic year may be granted for personal, medical, or emergency reasons. Requests for leaves of absence must be made in writing and submitted to the Office of the Registrar.

In the semester preceding their return to the University, students on leaves of absence will be eligible to participate in such procedures as pre-registration for classes and room drawing for housing assignments along with students who are regularly enrolled.

To be eligible for a leave of absence, the student must be in good academic, financial, and social standing and the request must be received prior to the start of the term in which the student plans to take leave. Students who have been dismissed for any reason from the University are not eligible.

While on a leave of absence, the student’s registration deposit ($300) will be retained by the University. If the student does not return to full-time enrollment, he or she will forfeit the registration deposit. The leave may be in effect for one academic year.

Withdrawal from the University

Students who find it necessary to withdraw from the University should report to a staff member in the Office of the Registrar. A student voluntarily withdrawing by Thursday of the second week of classes of a semester will have no record made for that semester’s enrollment. After Thursday of the second week of classes of a semester and through the tenth week, grades of W will be recorded for each course. After the tenth week, grades will be “WP” (withdrawn passing) or “WF” (withdrawn failing). Withdrawal within the last week of classes or during final exams will result automatically in marks of F in all courses. Grades of W, WP, or WF are not counted in computing a student’s cumulative average, but will appear on the student’s permanent record. See the Expenses section of this Catalog for the refund of tuition policy.

Reinstatement

A student who leaves the University for academic or nonacademic reasons, except when on a leave of absence or on a University-approved and sponsored academic program elsewhere, should apply for reinstatement through the Office of the Registrar. An application form will be given or mailed to the student upon request to the Office of the Registrar. The reinstatement application must be returned to the Office of the Registrar at least one and a half months prior to the semester in which the student wishes to be reinstated.

Upon receipt of the student’s formal application for reinstatement and all other information pertinent to the decision-making process concerning reinstatement, the Academic Status Committee will determine whether the student will be reinstated. The decision of the Committee is final and cannot be appealed except in the case of procedural error. If a student’s petition for reinstatement for a given semester is denied, that student may again apply for reinstatement for a future semester when the student has a stronger case to support his/her reinstatement.

A student who has been expelled from the University for any reason is not eligible to apply for reinstatement.

Classification of Students

Ohio Wesleyan students are classified according to the number of graduation units completed. These classifications are:

Transfer Credit Policy

General Transfer Credit Requirements

Courses completed at other institutions of higher learning will result in transfer credit at Ohio Wesleyan when the following guidelines are met:

1. The institution must be accredited by a regional accrediting association (or equivalent for international institutions of higher learning).
2. The student’s performance in the course must be Satisfactory (that is, C- or better).
3. Transfer credit is calculated as a ratio of the Ohio Wesleyan Unit (equivalent to 3.7 semester hours or 5.55 quarter hours).
4. The grade from the transfer institution will not appear on the Ohio Wesleyan University transcript and will not be counted in the cumulative grade point average.

General Education / Core Competency Transfer Credit

Courses that are transferred and applied toward General Education / Core Competency degree requirements must be substantially equivalent to a comparable Ohio Wesleyan course in terms of content and rigor. General Education / Core Competency evaluations are performed by the Office of the Registrar. Materials used to make this determination may include course title, credit hours, level, description, syllabi. Transfer equivalencies used by peer institutions may also be considered. Previous approvals will be added to OWU systems and be applied to future requests, streamlining the transfer credit process for future applicants and giving prospective applicants a clearer picture of how their courses could fit into an OWU degree.

Students who have completed courses deemed equivalent to ENG 105, CNX 100, and Core Competencies worth at least 0.7 OWU units with grades of C- or higher will receive transfer credit.

Students who have completed courses in four or more disciplines/subjects at an accredited higher education institution after graduating from high school will receive a waiver for CNX 100.

Completed associates degrees from colleges in the Ohio Transfer 36 program will be recognized at Ohio Wesleyan. Students will not need to complete additional general education requirements at OWU after providing proof of graduation, with the exception of the OWU Connection experience.

Major or Minor Transfer Credit

In order for courses to transfer and apply toward major or minor requirements at Ohio Wesleyan University, they must be substantially equivalent in terms of content and rigor to a comparable OWU course for that major or minor. Materials used to make this determination typically include course title, credit hours, level, description, and (when ambiguity is present) syllabi.

General Transfer Credit

In cases where a transfer course is not deemed equivalent to a specific Ohio Wesleyan course, the student will be awarded general credit. Lower-level courses (those considered below a 250-level course at OWU) are transferred as UC 900 (or similar) and count toward the 34 minimum credits required for graduation. If they are 0.7 units or higher, they will also count toward the whole-unit degree requirements. Upper-level courses (those considered 250-level course or above at OWU) are transferred as UC 950 (or similar) and count toward the 34 minimum credits required for graduation. If they are 0.7 units or higher, they will also count toward both the whole-unit and upper-level degree requirement.

International Transfer Credit

Students who have completed college coursework for credit at institutions outside of the U.S. must send official transcripts to World Education Services or one of the other organizations listed on this page for a formal review of transfer equivalences.

Minimum Credit Hours

To meet Higher Learning Commission (HLC) accreditation standards, students who transfer to Ohio Wesleyan must earn a minimum of 8.5 units of the 34 units for the bachelor’s degree at Ohio Wesleyan University itself, through OWU’s International and Off Campus Programs (IOCP) partnerships, through arrangements with other accredited institutions, or through contractual relationships approved by HLC. (See Academic Residency Requirement.)

Student-Initiated Courses

Student-initiated courses are available in accordance with the following procedures:

Prior to the course’s being listed in the pre-registration schedule, two faculty members who judge the content to be within their areas of competence and the student coordinator(s) shall file with the Registrar signed statements that they agree on the content of the course, on the format of the course, and on evaluation procedures for the participants in the course.

Although the student coordinator(s) should share in evaluating the course, the grading and therefore the issuing of credit remains the responsibility of the two faculty sponsors. They should follow the normal procedures for grading as outlined in this Catalog. It is assumed that to fulfill this function effectively, the sponsors will attend the class sessions on a regular basis.

The course syllabi and reading lists are to be filed with the Office of the Registrar at the time of the submission of the grades. Student evaluations of each course are to be filed in the Academic Affairs Office.

A special designation for these courses shall be determined in consultation with the Registrar. All new courses in the program must have the prior approval of the Committee of Academic Programs. Funding for student-initiated courses may be obtained through the Academic Affairs Office.

Petitions

Exception to academic regulations, procedures, or policies will not be granted unless where warranted by documented, extenuating circumstances. In such cases the student must file a petition with the Academic Status Committee. These petitions are available in the Office of the Registrar or on their website under Forms. Petitions regarding a specific course must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar by the end of the fifth week of the following semester. Please also see the section on the University’s Academic Grievance Policy.

FERPA Rights and Privacy

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, commonly referred to as FERPA or the Buckley Amendment, was passed by federal legislators to require educational institutions and agencies to conform to fair practices regarding the release of information about students.

This means students have the right to know that information is collected about them; to know what data are collected; to know the data will be used only for the purposes for which they are originally collected; to be able to correct, amend, or qualify those data; and to be assured the individuals responsible for the data will ensure appropriate use of the information.

Some pieces of information have been defined by the college as “directory information” and may be released without the written consent of the student unless the student has filed an annual request via email to registrar@owu.edu by August 1.

Examples of items defined by Ohio Wesleyan as directory information include name, addresses (including email), telephone numbers, date and place of birth, degree, major, and minor fields, academic advisor, participation in activities, classification (such as first-year, sophomore, junior, or senior), dates of attendance, anticipated or actual graduation date, Class of 20YY designation, degrees and awards received, most recent educational agency or institution attended, weight and height (for athletes), and photographs.

Communications concerning academic notice, warning, suspension, or dismissal will be sent to the student and custodial parents. 

Certain other educational records may be released to parents only if the student requests in writing that the parent receives a copy of the student’s record or if the parent submits evidence that the student is declared as a dependent on the parent’s most recent Federal Income Tax Form. Students who wish their parents to have access to their final grades must complete the Online Release of Information.

Certain individuals at the college are permitted to have access to all records on individual students without student permission. These individuals include members of the faculty and staff acting in the student’s educational interest and within the faculty member or staff’s need to know that information; clerks and secretaries responsible for the maintenance of the data; officials at other schools at which the student may enroll; and federal, accrediting, and research agencies, providing the materials are not identified by individual.

Other information and records are wholly exempted from access by students. Such information includes records in the sole possession (in other words, not a part of a general folder or collection) of a professor, physician, counselor, psychologist, psychiatrist, or administrative staff member; financial information about parents; and recommendations for which the student has waived access.

For additional details, see our Website.