To withdraw from the University, the same rules apply as for withdrawal from a course. Students forced by illness or other hardship to withdraw from the University after the deadline may petition for a grade of “WP” from the Provost.

See the Financial Information section of the catalog for the Refund Policy. Students who drop out of college for more than eighteen months, not including summer school, must fulfill the requirements of the catalog in effect when they re-enter.

The Office for Accessibility at Limestone University is dedicated to opening doors of equal opportunity to individuals with disabilities. We assist students who self-identify with documented disabilities by determining their eligibility for services through an interactive, collaborative process between the student and Accessibility staff, and then working together to determine reasonable accommodations and services. Students who have a disability which may impact academic performance should register with the Accessibility Office prior to the beginning of each semester to ensure accommodations are in place when classes begin. Documentation should be sent directly to the Accessibility Office, Limestone University, 1115 College Drive, Gaffney, SC, 29340. For more information or to discuss documentation requirements, please contact Accessibility at (864) 488-8377 or limestone.edu/equity-and-inclusion/accessible-education-services. There is never a fee for accommodations.

Proctoring software and testing centers are used to ensure testing security and integrity. Below is information about proctoring for Day Students and Online Program students.

DAY STUDENT PROCTOR INFORMATION

In general, Day students who may need to have tests proctored are to be tested by the Limestone University Testing Center staff. Arrangements for such tests are made directly by the course professor with Testing Center staff. However, on occasion, due to extenuating circumstances, such as a disability, tests may be proctored by an approved, properly qualified individual other than the professor or the Testing Center staff. Approval may be sought from the office of accessibility and/or academic affairs.

ONLINE STUDENT PROCTOR INFORMATION

For Online courses, remote proctoring software is used to monitor students while taking an exam. This program requires the use of a webcam and microphone (internal or external). There are also computers that can be reserved to use the software at our regionally located Student Success Center locations. The software will record audio and video during the exam, so students should make sure to follow the guidelines set by their instructors while testing. Students should select a quiet, private space for testing. When accessibility issues or extenuating circumstances arise, the student may work through the office of accessibility and/or academic affairs for a different proctoring solution.

Day Campus

Students are expected to attend all classes. When a student’s absences exceed twenty percent (20%) of the total number of scheduled class periods in the semester or session, the student may be assigned a grade of F at the end of the class.

Hybrid Classes Attendance Policy: “Students are expected to attend all classes. Attendance will be taken on both face-to-face meeting days and online days. The mode of contact for online days is determined by the instructor. It could be an email, assignment, discussion, etc. When a student's absences exceed twenty percent (20%) of the total number of scheduled class periods in the semester or term, the student may be assigned a grade of F at the end of the class.”

Online Campus

Students are expected to communicate with the professor frequently. In the Online Program, students are required to contact their instructor once a week. That mode of contact is determined by the instructor. It could be an email, assignments discussion, etc. If after two weeks a student fails to have any activity in a course, the student may be assigned a grade of F at the end of the course

Military Students

Limestone will excuse students from attending classes or engaging in other mandatory activities, including tests or examinations, in order for students to fulfill their military obligations. This exception applies to any student required to attend or participate in military service, duty, training, or disaster relief efforts, and applies without distinction to a student's status as a member of the active component, reserve component, or National Guard.

Students whose absences are excused may not be penalized for their absence and must be allowed to complete all missed assignments or take missed tests or examinations within a reasonable time of their return. Limestone shall determine what constitutes a reasonable time to make up the assignments, tests, or examinations missed by reason of military service on a case by case basis, taking into account the individual student's schedule and academic responsibilities.

1. Statements of Beliefs. Honesty in personal and academic matters is a cornerstone of life at Limestone University. Students are expected to achieve on their own merits and abilities, to exercise integrity in all their affairs, and to refrain absolutely from lying, cheating, and stealing.
2. Responsibility. The responsibility for maintaining honesty in academic life is shared by students, faculty members, and University administrators.
   1. Student responsibilities:
      1. Students are responsible for conducting their own academic affairs in an honest manner.
      2. Students are responsible for the behavior of fellow students to the following extent:
         1. a student who is aware of dishonest behavior on the part of a fellow student(s) in an academic setting should feel an obligation to make a report of academic misconduct,
         2. a student who makes a report of academic misconduct is not obligated to be involved in the matter in any way after making the report. The identity of the student making a report of academic misconduct shall be protected,
         3. a report of academic misconduct by a student may be made in conversation or in writing, to the faculty member responsible for the class,
         4. the intent of the report of academic misconduct is to alert the faculty member that academic misconduct may have occurred.
         5. A faculty member shall investigate a student report of academic misconduct and, if he/she finds evidence of academic misconduct, charge the student(s) as appropriate, and report the case to the University Ombudsman for further review.
   2. Faculty responsibilities:
      1. Faculty members have a responsibility to communicate to students both their own beliefs, policies, and procedures relating to academic misconduct and those of the University. This communication must be presented to students in writing and included in a course syllabus.
      2. Faculty members have a responsibility to be aware of the potential for academic misconduct, to take reasonable precautions to discourage it, and to respond promptly and consistently to reports and accusations of academic misconduct when they occur.
      3. A faculty member has a responsibility to report all cases of academic misconduct to the University Ombudsman for review.
   3. Administration Responsibilities:
      1. University administrators have a responsibility to respond to reports, accusations, and appeals of academic misconduct consistently and promptly.
      2. University administrators have a responsibility to uphold the policies and procedures of the University with regard to academic misconduct.
3. Defining academic misconduct. Academic misconduct may include but is not limited to the following:
   1. plagiarism, or the failure to properly credit the work of another person, thereby allowing others to assume that the work is original,
   2. copying another student’s work,
   3. collaborating by allowing another student to copy work which has been created by the collaborating student himself/herself,
   4. purchasing a paper from services or from other students and submitting it as one’s own work,
   5. submitting work as the student’s own which has been created, in part or wholly, by another individual,
   6. doing work for someone else and submitting the work under a name other than your own,
   7. submitting the same paper for multiple classes without the approval from each instructor,
   8. cheating
      1. Copying from the paper of another student.
      2. Allowing other students to copy from work that is not their own or aiding them in doing so.
      3. Referring to any materials that the instructor has not specially authorized for use during a test or assignment.
      4. Inappropriately obtaining the contents of an examination.

4. Procedures for accusations of academic misconduct

1. An accusation of academic misconduct may be made by a faculty member based on his/her own observation and evidence or the report of a student, faculty or staff member. An accusation identifies a specific student(s) by name and accuses the student(s) of a specific act(s) of misconduct.
2. If the faculty member finds sufficient evidence of guilt, an accusation of misconduct must be reported to the student within 7 calendar days of the detection of the alleged incident of misconduct and the case reported to the University Ombudsman.

Undergraduate Students

• If the incident is a first offense, the faculty member will impose his/her own penalty. Appropriate penalties might include but are not limited to:
  • A failing grade on the test, activity, or assignment.
  • A failing grade for the course.
  • A requirement that the test, activity, or assignment be retaken or resubmitted.
• If a student is guilty of a second instance of academic misconduct, the University Ombudsman will impose the penalty of a non-replaceable F for the course in which the violation occurred.
• If a student is guilty of a third count of academic misconduct, the student will receive a non-replaceable “F” for the course in which the violation occurred and will be permanently suspended from the University without the possibility of readmission.

Graduate Students

• If the incident is a first offense, the faculty member will impose his/her own penalty. Appropriate penalties might include but are not limited to:
  • Assign a failing grade on the test, activity, or assignment.
  • Assign a failing grade for the course.
  • Require the test, activity, or assignment be retaken or resubmitted.
  • The faculty member may recommend to the University Ombudsman the penalty of a non-replaceable F for the course in which the violation occurred.  The University Ombudsman may approve or disapprove of the recommendation.  If disapproved, the faculty member will assign a lesser penalty.
• If a student is guilty of a second instance of academic misconduct, the student will receive a non-replaceable  "F" for the course in which the violation occurred and will be permanently suspended from the University without the possibility for readmission.

An accusation of academic misconduct must be addressed by the University Ombudsman in consultation with the faculty member within 20 working days of the receipt of the accusation.

If a faculty or staff member receives a report of academic misconduct, he/she shall inform the faculty member teaching the course of the report. If the teaching faculty member finds sufficient evidence of guilt, an accusation of misconduct must be made to the student within 7 calendar days of the detection of the alleged incident of misconduct and the case reported to the University Ombudsman at the same time.

5.  Appeals

Both the accused student and the faculty member responsible for the class or activity have the right to appeal

1. An accused student may appeal:
   1. Suspension for a third violation of academic integrity.
   2. The findings of an Appeals Committee.
2. A faculty member may appeal the findings of an Appeals Committee.
3. All appeals must include a rationale.
4. Appeals of suspension for academic misconduct shall be made in writing to the University Ombudsman within 10 working days of the date of the suspension letter from the University Ombudsman.
5. The University Ombudsman, upon receiving any appeal, shall act as Chair and assemble an Appeals Committee. The Appeals Committee shall meet within 10 days of the receipt of an appeal.
6. No faculty member or academic administrator shall serve on an Appeals Committee if any have been involved in reviewing the case previously.
7. An Appeals Committee shall be chaired by the University Ombudsman and shall be comprised of 2 faculty members and 2 students. The 4 members shall have voting rights and the Chair may elect to vote in the event of a tie. 
8. An Appeals Committee shall consider evidence that will be presented with the accused student in attendance.  Evidence includes but is not limited to:

• testimony from student or faculty accusers or other individuals directly involved with the incident,
• physical evidence, such as notes or samples of student work.

1. An accused student may present evidence on his/her own behalf, have a non-participating representative from the campus in the proceedings. If the accused agrees to a meeting time and date with the Appeals Committee and then fails to attend the meeting or be present by conference call, the Appeal Committee will rule in the absence of the student.
2. The Chair of the Appeals Committee shall rule on the relevance and admissibility of evidence.
3. After hearing the evidence the Appeals Committee shall vote on the guilt or innocence of the accused student.
4. The decision of the Appeals Committee shall be communicated to the accused student and to the faculty member, and the Provost by the Chair of the Appeals Committee.
5. If either the accused student or the faculty member responsible for the class is unsatisfied with the findings of the Appeals Committee, he/she may make a final appeal in writing to the Provost within 10 days of the Appeals Committee decision.
6. The Provost, upon receiving an appeal of an Appeals Committee decision, shall have the authority to act individually, to review written records, to interview involved parties, and to arrive at a resolution he/she deems appropriate. He/she will respond in writing within 10 days of the receipt of an appeal.  The decision of the Provost is final.
7. All information and proceedings related to an accusation of academic misconduct, including written material, physical evidence, shall be confidential and all participants, including administrators, faculty members, and students should refrain from any discussion of that information. A written record of the Appeals Committee proceeding, including proceedings, evidence, and all other relevant materials shall be preserved as required by law.

Selection of members of the Appeals Committee

1. The faculty shall elect two full-time faculty members and one alternate member for the Appeals Committee for each academic year.
2. Student members of an Appeals Committee for a specific case shall be appointed by the Chair of the Committee from a pool of five students recommended for each academic year by the Student Success.
3. A faculty member or a student may decline to serve on an Appeals Committee or may be disqualified by the Chair if he/she is involved in the case.
4. In the event that a full-time faculty member declines to serve, is disqualified, or is unable to serve for any other reason, the alternate faculty member will serve for that case.
5. Terms of office for faculty members on the Appeals Committee shall be one academic year. A faculty member shall serve two consecutive terms, except that an alternate member may be elected as a regular member in the succeeding year.
6. In the event that an Appeals Committee cannot be constituted due to deferrals and/or disqualification, the Provost shall have the authority to select special members, 2 faculty members, sand 2 students, and the committee thus selected shall be empowered to hear the case.
7. In the event that a full committee of four cannot be empanelled, a group of fewer than four may constitute an Appeals Committee. If no students are willing or able to serve, a committee comprised of faculty members only may be empowered by the Provost to hear the case.

Grades are no longer mailed but are available on the JICS Portal (a secure website available from the Limestone.edu main website). Grades may be reviewed approximately one week after the class has ended. Grades will not be released to a student verbally or otherwise. Grades are never released over the telephone.

If a student receives a final grade he/she believes is incorrect, and the student wishes to appeal the grade, he/she must proceed in the following manner:

• Present and review the concern with the instructor and attempt to resolve the issues concerning the final grade. All concerns must be presented in writing.
• If the concern is not resolved with the instructor, then the student should submit an appeal to the appropriate Academic College Dean using the online grade appeal form on the Limestone University website. Appeals must be submitted to the appropriate Academic College Dean within 30 calendar days of the grade being assigned.

Grade appeals will be considered for the following reasons:

• The final grade assigned was miscalculated according to the grading scale established for the course.
• Grades were not assigned in accordance with the assignments, examinations, etc. as outlined in the course syllabus.
• Students were not treated equally in terms of the manner in which grades were calculated for the course.

A decision concerning the grade appeal will be made as soon as possible, normally within 30 calendar days of submission to the appropriate Academic College Dean.

The semester credit hour is the basic unit used by Limestone University to measure student work. One semester credit hour represents in student learning outcomes and achievement the equivalent of one classroom hour of instruction and two (2) out-of-class hours of work for 15 weeks. A three-credit-hour course traditionally represents three (3) in-class hours and 6 out-of-class hours each week for 15 weeks. Online programs (7½-week sessions) use identical student learning outcomes and course expectations as the equivalent traditional 15-week courses and represent 6 in-class hours and 12 out-of-class hours each week. Limestone University faculty assign credit hours based on an equivalent standard of work to lab work, studio work, practicum courses, and internships.

The academic standing of a student in the various courses is indicated as follows:

I Grade

"I" - A mark of "I" is requested by the student and approved by the instructor and the Dean, when due to extenuating circumstances such as illness, a student is unable to complete the work assigned in a course. It is understood that to receive a mark of "I", all completed work (minimum of 75%) in the course must collectively be at the passing level or above. The mark of “I” must be removed within 30 days from the end of term. Failure to complete required work will result in a grade of “F”. An incomplete must be requested at least one week before the class end date. Students cannot withdraw from a class after an "I" has been issued. In determining the Grade Point Average the mark of “I” (Incomplete) will not be considered.

F Grade

Any admitted student receiving a grade of F in a graduate course will be automatically placed on academic probation and will be required to repeat the course. Only the higher grade will be counted in computing the grade point average (GPA), although the lower grade will remain on the official transcript. No more than two (2) F’s may be repeated. If a student earns three F’s in the program, he/she will be dismissed from the program.

A student must have and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher after completing 6 credit hours at Limestone University to maintain good academic standing in the program. If a student’s cumulative GPA falls below 3.0, the student will be placed on academic probation. After being placed on academic probation, the student must achieve a minimum average GPA of 3.0 over the next 6 credit hours to make satisfactory progress toward good academic standing or achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.0. Probation is automatically removed once the student achieves good academic standing. If a student fails to make progress toward good academic standing, the student will be suspended from the program. Note: See Graduate Graduation Requirements – to graduate with a master’s degree from Limestone, a student must successfully complete the requisite degree program credit hours with a minimum 3.0 Grade Point Average.

Academic Suspension and Appeals

If a student fails to make progress toward good academic standing, the student will be suspended from the program. Once suspended, the student may appeal the suspension if there are mitigating circumstances. To appeal a suspension. the student must write to The Admissions/Appeals Committee for the respective academic program. The letter should be a very well written, typed letter. In the body of the letter, the student should explain why his/her Grade Point Average has fallen below the minimums, what he/she will do to ensure that the Grade Point Average will improve to meet the minimum standards, and request to be reinstated to the academic program and to receive Federal Title IV aid. A student must also complete an "Appeal of Financial Aid Consequence of Unsatisfactory Progress" and return it to the Director of Financial Aid. If a student’s appeal is denied, the student may reapply to the program after one year. The program’s admission committee makes the decision on whether to readmit the student to the program.

A student who is readmitted to the program after suspension will be on academic probation until he/she has taken 6 semester credit hours. The student must achieve a minimum average GPA of 3.0 over the next 6 credit hours to make progress toward good academic standing. If the student’s average GPA is below 3.0 for the 6 credit hours, the student will be dismissed from the program.

In the Graduate Program, students wishing to withdraw from a course must contact the professor and the Director of Graduate Program's office to submit a withdrawal form to the Registrar's office. Failure to do so will result in a grade of F. The request must be submitted prior to the course end date.

The grade of “WP” will have no effect on the student’s Grade Point Average. The grade of “WF” will have the same effect as the grade of “F”. The grade of “W” will not affect a student’s GPA. The grade will be awarded to students who withdraw from a course from the 4th day of class through the Friday after midterms or for graduate courses through the 4th week of class at 5:00 pm. After that, a grade of “WP” or “WF” will be awarded through the last day of class.

A student may receive no more than one suspension and have the opportunity to be readmitted. A second suspension results in academic dismissal from the program.

Students earning an F in a course may repeat it one time; however, if a student repeats a course in which he/she earned a grade other than an F, financial aid may not cover the tuition.

Graduate Program

Most of Limestone University's graduate classes are designed to be taken one at a time. Requests to take more than one course at a time may be submitted in writing to the Director of the respective academic graduate degree program. No more than two courses may be taken simultaneously.

To graduate with a master’s degree from Limestone University, a student must successfully complete the requisite degree program credit hours with a minimum 3.0 Grade Point Average (GPA). Any undergraduate course required to begin the program will not count toward the respective graduate program's minimum credit hours or the GPA. Limestone University may credit toward a graduate degree up to 20% of the program from another accredited graduate institution upon approval of the appropriate Program Director and/or Academic Dean. Only courses for which the student received a grade of B or higher may be transferred. Additionally, all transfer credits must meet the same program term limits as graduate credits earned at Limestone University.

Graduation with honors
To be eligible for honors at graduation a student must:

1. Complete 30 semester hours at Limestone University toward a master’s degree.
2. Attain the following Grade Point Average on all Limestone University work.

• Summa Cum Laude 3.95 to 4.0
• Magna Cum Laude 3.75 to 3.94
• Cum Laude 3.50-3.74

Limestone University Graduation Process
Limestone University holds graduation ceremonies in May and December. A student may apply for graduation up to a year in advance.

The Application for Degree
It is the responsibility of each student to complete the Application for Degree form. The Application for Degree form must be completed by February 15 for May graduation and by October 1 for December graduation.

The graduation form can be found on the LC Portal. The order form for the cap and gown is also included and must be completed as well. Once the graduation form is submitted, the registrar will review all course requirements for that student. After the review, the registrar will issue a degree audit that will contain any missing required coursework. The letter will also show the graduation day that the student has been assigned.

A graduation fee of $150, which includes application, cap/gown/graduate hood, tassel, diploma with cover and one official transcript, will be assessed to all students who have applied for the upcoming graduation. The deadline for May graduation is February 15th; for December, it is October 1st. Applications will be accepted after these dates, up to one month prior to graduation, but late applications will incur a $100 non-refundable late fee, for a total fee of $225.

If for any reason, a student does not complete his or her requirements for the assigned graduation, the application may be transferred to the next ceremony without additional fees. A student's application may be transferred only one time. After that, the student must reapply and pay a $35 fee to cover the cost of an updated diploma.

Fulfillment of Degree Requirements
Limestone University's awarding of a degree is conditional upon completed coursework with appropriate GPA, the satisfaction of all financial obligations, and compliance with university policies.

Student Responsibilities: All universities establish certain requirements which must be met before a degree is granted. These regulations concern such matters as curricula and courses, majors, and campus residence requirements. Faculty and advisors will make every effort to inform students concerning these requirements, but students themselves are ultimately responsible for being acquainted with regulations and procedures as stated in this Catalog, Student Handbook, and other official publications of the university. For these reasons, it is important for students to be familiar with these publications and remain informed throughout their university careers.

All courses authorized for graduate degree credit must be numbered according to the guidelines established by the University.  Graduate level courses will follow the below established guidelines:

500 - 599     Graduate courses.  Open to well-qualified seniors with program approval (i.e. 4+1 students).

600 - 699     Graduate courses.  Not open to undergraduate students.