195 │COLUMBIA INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY 2017-2018 │ACADEMIC POLICY
After receiving the appeal, the dean will forward it to the instructor for a written response. The dean will also form a Grade
Appeal Committee consisting of the dean, as chair, the Registrar, and at least two faculty members.
The Committee will meet and may request oral clarification from either the instructor or the student at that time. The
Committee has the following options for action:
1. It may affirm the appeal and settle it by consent: i.e., the Committee may devise a mutually acceptable resolution
to the appeal.
2. It may affirm the appeal and submit a change of grade form itself. In determining the student's final grade, the
Committee will take into account all evidence of the student's academic performance in the course as well as the
implications for the student's grade of the instructor's actions.
3. It may deny the appeal, in which case the original grade stands.
The entire process from the time of the initial written appeal should not be more than one month.
Students wishing to appeal the decision of the Grade Appeal Committee may do so by submitting a written request for
review of the case to the Provost within five business days of being notified of the Committee’s decision. The Provost will
review all materials relating to the appeal, but the student may not provide new or additional material at this time. The
Provost will then render a decision, which is final and binding on all parties.
Incompletes
: Under unforeseen circumstances beyond their control (e.g. medical emergency, bereavement, or military
deployment.), students may request that a professor assign a temporary grade of “I” (Incomplete) that allows a student a
maximum of thirty (30) calendar days beyond the end of a semester to complete the remaining work for the course.
A request for an incomplete may be made during the final thirty (30) days of a semester, but no later than the final
week of the semester.
A request for an incomplete will be considered only if a student has less than 50 percent of the course requirements
outstanding.
A request for an incomplete must be accompanied by written request from the student with accompanying
documentation (e.g. a medical note).
A request for an incomplete may not involve additional work beyond the assignments listed in the syllabus.
When faculty members assign an incomplete, they must document that action on the form provided by the Office of the
University Registrar, receive approval from the dean of the college in which the course resides, and submit the form by the
grading deadline. The default grade when requesting an Incomplete is “F.” An incomplete does not carry quality points and
is not calculated in the GPA. A student need not be enrolled in order to remove a grade of incomplete. No student may
graduate with an “I” on record. Internships and practica may qualify for extensions beyond the 30 day limit, but may not
under any circumstance extend beyond one calendar year.
Graduation
Because of the life training character of CIU and its basic objective, “To know Him and to make Him known,” earning a
degree at CIU involves more than merely meeting academic requirements. Students must reflect adequate achievement of
CIU objectives (including non-academic areas such as personal morality, positive interpersonal and family relationships,
and local church involvement). Although non-academic objectives cannot be measured with complete objectivity, we believe
valid and useful assessment is possible and necessary. All programs provide significant training for vocational Christian
service. Criteria for granting a degree are designed to reflect the student’s character and competency in both general and
professional areas. To qualify for a degree doctrinally students must demonstrate an accurate understanding of basic biblical
doctrines and be in agreement with the institution’s doctrinal statement (with the exception of section 8). Students must also
demonstrate an accurate understanding of the doctrine of the inerrancy of the Scriptures and affirm belief in that doctrine.
Students will not be accepted as candidates for a degree who affirm error in Scripture or who believe in the ultimate salvation
of all people.
Applying for a Degree
: Although advisors assist students in planning their courses of study, it is the student’s responsibility
to ensure that all requirements for graduation have been met. CIU has three graduation dates per year on which diplomas
and certificates are issued: one at the end of the Summer term, one at the end of Fall semester, and one at the end of
Spring semester. Students planning to receive a degree or certificate at any of these graduations are required to submit to
the Office of the University Registrar a completed application for graduation and pay a non-refundable graduation fee by
the deadline specified. If a student fails to complete all requirements by the date set, the degree or certificate will not be
issued. A new application to graduate must be filed and another graduation fee must be paid by the deadline for the new
term of expected graduation.
Undergraduate-level:
Scholastic Honors: Students graduating from undergraduate four-year programs will receive diplomas with scholastic
honors according to the following:
Summa cum laude (highest honor) for a GPA of 3.85 or above