2012-2013 Seminary Programs Academic Catalog
47
informed. (Adapted with permission from the
Crown College Handbook and the Student’s
Guide to Public Communication for the University
of South Carolina by William M. Strickland.)
readmission
If four or more consecutive semesters have
elapsed since enrollment, a student must com-
plete the full application procedure. If fewer than
four consecutive semesters have elapsed, no
application procedure is necessary, but clearance
from the University Admissions Office is required.
Students may contact the University Admissions
Office for information on gaining clearance. If a
student is not enrolled at CIU SSM for two con-
secutive semesters, degree requirements are
based on the catalog in effect at the time of
readmission.
records and Privacy rights
records:
The registrar maintains a cumulative
permanent record for each student on a semester
by semester basis, showing courses taken, cred-
its earned, grades received and grade points
accumulated. The student has access to an
online report on academic work at the end of
each semester. In addition, the faculty advisor
keeps a current record of progress toward com-
pletion of the program.
student assessment for institutional
improvement
: In order for CIU SSM to assess
and improve its academic programs, periodic
measurements of student perceptions and intel-
lectual growth must be obtained. Students may
be required to participate in one or more evalua-
tive procedures, including examinations in general
academic development and/or the major field of
study. Data obtained through evaluative measure-
ments are pooled and used solely to improve the
quality of the educational experience of future
generations of students.
student Privacy rights:
The Family Educational
Rights and Privacy Act (Buckley Amendment with
which Columbia International University fully com-
plies), protects the privacy of the educational
records, establishes the right of students to
inspect these records and provides guidelines for
the correction of inaccurate or misleading data
through informal hearings. Student records
include financial accounts and financial aid
records, Ministry Skills Development assignments
and evaluations, grades, veteran affairs and
Student Life Department files. The student has the
right to file complaints concerning alleged institu-
tional failure to comply with this Act. Copies of the
institutional compliance policy are available in the
Office of the University Registrar.
CIU designates the following categories of stu-
dent records as public “Directory Information” and
may use its discretion in disclosing the following
data: name, postal address, email address, tele-
phone number, photographs, dates of attendance,
classification, prior institution(s) attended, major
fields of study, awards, honors, degree(s) con-
ferred (including dates), past and present partici-
pation in officially recognized sports and activities
and place (not date) of birth.
Forms requesting the withholding of “Directory
Information” may be obtained from the Office of
the University Registrar and must be returned
prior to the first day of the second full week of
classes. A request to withhold any category of
information will result in withholding of all
“Directory Information.” Unless this form is filed,
approval for disclosure of “Directory Information”
is assumed.
registration
Entering students register for courses following
notification of acceptance to CIU SSM. Upon
acceptance, an online ID and password are
mailed to the student’s home address. Prior to
registering, students receive instructions on the
registration process and guidance concerning a
course of study from a faculty advisor. For return-
ing students, registration materials are available
online during the posted preregistration period
and at the beginning of each term. Preregistration
usually begins in the eleventh week of the preced-
ing semester. All financial obligations must be met
before a student may register.
transcripts and diplomas
Graduates are issued a diploma bearing the cor-
porate name, Columbia International University.