Academic Policies

Academic Integrity

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to maintain the highest standards of honesty in their college work; violations of academic integrity are serious offenses. Students found guilty of any form of academic dishonesty - including, for instance, forgery, cheating, and plagiarism - are subject to disciplinary action.

When a faculty member suspects a student of academic dishonesty, the faculty member should first consult the student about the suspected violation.

After this consultation, if the matter appears to be a violation, the faculty member is responsible for gathering the pertinent and necessary information and reporting the violation to the Director of Academic Programs.

The Director of Academic Programs then meets with the student, confirms the violation, and determines the appropriate sanction depending on whether it is a first, second or third violation.

A first violation typically results in a grade of zero for the assignment in which the violation was found. In addition to this sanction an educational component through the library typically accompanies a first violation.

A second violation typically results in suspension for a semester. The suspension may occur at any point during the semester and will result in the student being withdrawn from all classes and removed from the residence halls. The student remains responsible for all fees associated with the semester. Readmission to the college is possible after the suspension period.

A third violation will result in suspension, and typically dismissal, from the College. Dismissal entails the same aspects of separation from the College as suspension; however, readmission is not possible. A dismissed student is permanently excluded from the College and forfeits all rights and degrees not already conferred at the time of dismissal.

Students may appeal decisions regarding academic integrity policy violations and sanctions. Appeals will be considered on the basis of: procedural errors that unfairly and/or materially affected the outcome of the case; actions taken that are arbitrary, unreasonable or unsupported by the evidence; or, new information that was not available at the time of the original decision.

1. Appeals must be written and sent to the Director of Academic Programs. After ensuring the appeal includes all of the relevant facts pertinent to the decision, and articulates a rationale for appealing, the Director will send the appeal to the Academic Standing Committee.

2. The Academic Standing Committee, minus the Director of Academic Programs, is the final body responsible for acting on the appeal. If the Committee finds no grounds for the appeal the violation and sanction stand.

Forgery

Forgery includes the alteration of college forms, documents or records, as well as the signing of such forms or documents by someone other than the proper designee.

Cheating is the dishonest or unauthorized use of materials for academic work. Examples of cheating include:

*Copying another’s papers or notes during an exam
*Talking about a test or looking at another’s paper during an exam
*Altering a graded exam or paper without informing the instructor and resubmitting it for re-grading
*Gaining unauthorized access to past exams from a course
*Removing tests from a classroom or office without prior consent
*Discussing an exam you have taken with other students, either from your class or from another section of the same course, who have yet to take that exam
*Providing false or exaggerated excuses to postpone due dates
*Lying to an instructor or college official to improve your grade or to get special privileges
*Submitting work done in another class without prior permission of both instructors
*Having another person do your work for a course (including unauthorized collaboration)

Plagiarism is the unacknowledged use of another person’s work (words, ideas, data, etc.) in a graded or published piece or in a speech. The following are examples of plagiarism:

*copying all or parts of another person’s paper, article, or notes and representing it as your own
*submitting a paper copied in full or in part from one purchased from a paper writing service or obtained electronically
*failing to fully cite (author, article title, book or journal, page number, date of publication) each instance where you have incorporated another’s ideas or quoted words into your own written or oral work.

While instances of forgery and cheating are often clear cut, cases of plagiarism can be more complicated. Plagiarism can be intentional, as when a student knowingly submits as one’s own work a purchased paper, or a paper that was written entirely or in part by another student. But plagiarism may also be the result of misuse of sources, which occurs when writers cite information incorrectly or incompletely. In this case, the author may make a good faith effort to acknowledge the sources, but because this is a learning process, a student author may make errors in documentation and integrating quotes and paraphrases into their own work. While unintentional, the misuse of sources is still plagiarism. It is very important, therefore, for students to make sure they understand how to properly cite sources, to take advantage of the research and writing assistance provided by staff in the library and the MAX Center, and to confer with their instructors when they are unsure if they are using sources appropriately.

Procedures and Sanctions

When a faculty member suspects a student of academic dishonesty, the faculty member should consult the student about the suspected violation.

1. After this consultation, if the matter appears to be a violation, the faculty member is responsible for gathering the pertinent and necessary information and reporting the violation to the Director of Academic Programs.

2. The Director of Academic Programs then meets with the student, confirms the violation, and determines the appropriate sanction depending on whether it is a first, second or third violation.

a. A first violation typically results in a grade of zero for the assignment in which the violation was found. In addition to this sanction an educational component through the library typically accompanies a first violation. For additional information about this module see the associated link on the library’s website, www.macalester.edu/library/academicintegrity.

b. A second violation typically results in suspension for a semester. The suspension may occur at any point during the semester and will result in the student being withdrawn from all classes and removed from the residence halls. The student remains responsible for all fees associated with the semester. Readmission to the college is possible after the suspension period.

c. A third violation will result in suspension, and typically dismissal, from the College. Dismissal entails the same aspects of separation from the college as suspension; however, readmission is not possible. A dismissed student is permanently excluded from the College and forfeits all rights and degrees not already conferred at the time of dismissal.

Students may appeal decisions regarding academic integrity policy violations and sanctions. Appeals will be considered on the basis of: procedural errors that unfairly and/or materially affected the outcome of the case; actions taken that are arbitrary, unreasonable or unsupported by the evidence; or, new information that was not available at the time of the original decision.

1. Appeals must be written and sent to the Director of Academic Programs. After ensuring the appeal includes all of the relevant facts pertinent to the decision, and articulates a rationale for appealing, the Director will send the appeal to the Academic Standing Committee.

2. The Academic Standing Committee, minus the Director of Academic Programs, is the final body responsible for acting on the appeal. If the Committee finds no grounds for the appeal the violation and sanction stand.

Additional Information and Resources

Students can learn more about how to document sources and how to avoid plagiarism from writing resources on the MAX (Macalester Academic Excellence Center) website and from the Library website.

Faculty may find Defining and Avoiding Plagiarism:  The WPA (Writing Program Administrators) Statement on Best Practices, a useful resource in creating assignments and developing strategies to help students understand and learn to avoid plagiarism.  The statement is available at http://www.wpacouncil.org/positions/WPAplagiarism.pdf.

Academic Integrity sample syllabus statement:

Students are expected to maintain the highest standards of honesty in their college work; violations of academic integrity are serious offenses. Students found guilty of any form of academic dishonesty – including, for instance, forgery, cheating, and plagiarism – are subject to disciplinary action. Examples of behavior that violates this policy, as well as the process and sanctions involved, can be found on the Academic Programs website, http://www.macalester.edu/academicprograms/academicpolicies/academicintegrity/.

Advising and Course Registration

Adding Courses

A student may add a course at the start of the fall or spring semester by obtaining the written or on-line permission of the instructor of the course. Transactions must be completed by the published deadlines, whether on-line or by returning the properly signed form to the Registrar’s Office.

Academic Advising

Through a strong faculty advising system, the College assists students in making informed curricular decisions. Students begin with advisors who usually are their instructors in first year courses. After students select a major, they may change to an advisor in that department or program. Information about faculty advising is available from the Academic Programs Office.

Academic Standing

The College monitors the academic performance of every student in order to offer support and services to those not making satisfactory academic progress. Students are expected to earn their degree within a four-year period. The Academic Standing Committee of the faculty conducts this review at the end of term. After the Academic Standing Committee has reached its decisions at the end of a term, a student’s status will normally only be reconsidered by the Committee in cases where an action has been taken which prevents a student from re-enrolling in the College and there has been a change to the student’s academic record. Probationary status is never a part of a student’s public record unless the student gives authorization to release this information.

Academic probation is intended as an indication a student is not making the expected progress toward the completion of a Macalester Bachelor of Arts degree. Every effort is made through faculty advisors, the counseling services of the Health and Wellness Center and the MAX Center to provide assistance to students who are placed on academic probation.

As a result of the Academic Standing Committee’s review of student records, a student may be placed on one of the categories of probation listed below. In addition to specific term performance guidelines, the Committee also takes into consideration a student’s classification, the cumulative grade point average and any prior probationary status in determining the appropriate category of probation.

Academic Warning. Students with a term grade point average between 2.00 and 2.50 and/or at least one NC grade in a course carrying two or more credit hours may be placed on Academic Warning if the Academic Standing Committee sees reason to be concerned about their level of achievement.

Academic Probation. Students with a term grade point average below 2.00 and/or two or more NC grades in a course carrying two or more credit hours will be placed on Academic Probation. Additionally, students with a persistent pattern of poor grades and/or course withdrawals may be placed on Academic Probation if the Committee is concerned the pattern will impede timely completion of the degree. Students on Academic Probation are not eligible to participate in internships. Students may apply for study away while on probation; however, approval to participate is conditional. See the Off-Campus Study Handbook for details on eligibility and process.

Strict Academic Probation. Students will be placed on Strict Academic Probation when they are liable for academic probation for a second consecutive semester or when the Committee considers their record to indicate serious academic difficulties that warrant the addition of specific criteria to be met during the next semester. These criteria usually are: a term grade point average of a least 2.00 and no grade lower than C-; registration as a full-time student taking twelve or more credit hours; no grades of Incomplete. A student on strict academic probation is ineligible to practice or compete in intercollegiate athletics, to hold an elected office or a leadership position in a student organization, to undertake a role in a major music or theatre production or forensic activity, or to register for an internship. A student may submit an application for study away while on strict probation, but any approval would be subject to the condition of getting off strict probation during the semester preceding study away. A student who is approved for study away who falls into strict probation between the time of approval and the program start date will have approval revoked.

Suspension. A student will be suspended from the College for failure to meet the criteria established for removal from Strict Academic Probation. Additionally, students are suspended for one or two semesters after two consecutive semesters on academic probation or strict academic probation unless the Academic Standing Committee finds that this action would not be appropriate. Under exceptional circumstances, the Academic Standing Committee may suspend students from the College without first placing them on probation. This action is typically taken when the Committee is concerned about the student’s current ability to be successful.

Students who wish to return after a suspension must apply for readmission to the College. In order for a student to be readmitted, the Academic Standing Committee expects to see evidence the student is ready to return and have a successful experience. Shortly after receiving a suspension letter, students are expected to work out a plan with either the Dean of Students or the Director of Academic Programs for how they will provide this evidence of readiness to return. In most cases students will attend another institution of higher education during their suspension period and earn grades that demonstrate their ability to perform successfully in an academic environment.

Dismissal. A student is subject to dismissal from the College whenever, in the view of the Committee, the level of scholarship is so low as to make the completion of a Macalester degree unlikely.

Students should be aware that maintaining good academic standing does not automatically insure continued financial aid eligibility. Refer to the financial aid section of this catalog for information.

Appeals of suspensions are typically based on procedural grounds, although other extenuating circumstances may be considered. Appeals should be made in writing to the Provost through the Director of Academic Programs by the deadline stated in the letter. The Provost may or may not choose to hear the appeal. The Director of Academic Programs will inform the petitioner and all concerned College officials of the results of the Provost’s determination. The decision of the Provost is final.

Attendance and Absences

Attending class is a basic necessity for student learning and intellectual growth at Macalester College. While implementation requires the professional judgment of faculty and staff, and assumes student responsibility in ensuring that their academic goals are not negatively impacted by their college-sponsored co-curricular activities, this policy specifies guidelines for addressing class attendance and absence issues. Questions about this policy should be directed to the Dean of Students or Director of Academic Programs.

Attendance in Classes: The faculty recognizes the importance of regular attendance in all courses. Attendance policy in classes, however, is left to the discretion of the individual faculty, except in the cases of College-authorized absences.

College-Authorized Absence for College-Sponsored Activities:

a. Absences from classes and, if necessary, from the campus are authorized for students who, as individuals or members of athletic teams or other organized groups, represent the College in college-sponsored activities. The following groups are included in this category: (1) members of properly authorized varsity and junior varsity athletic teams participating in scheduled intercollegiate competitions; and (2) participants in college- sponsored, co-curricular activities led by faculty and/or staff (not including student organizations). Though such absence for college-sponsored activities is authorized by the College, faculty and staff leading such activities should make every effort to ensure minimal disruption of student class attendance.

b. The names of students involved in such organized activities shall be reported to the Dean of Students by the faculty or staff supervisors of the college-sponsored activities well in advance of each event necessitating absence from classes. This report will describe all necessary information, including dates of absences and the specific purpose of the activity. The Dean of Students shall then certify to faculty teaching courses with students participating in the college-sponsored activity, as far in advance of the absence as practical, College authorization of absence for students involved. It is still a student’s responsibility to notify faculty of any impending class absences.

Individual Authorizations for Absence: The Dean of Students is empowered to authorize absences from classes and, if necessary, from the campus for individual students in cases of exigency. Authorized absences shall not relieve students of the responsibility of making up work that has been missed.

Provisions for Making Up Work:

a. Instructors shall be notified of all College-authorized absences and shall provide opportunity to students to make up work missed during College-authorized absences from class without penalty. If College-authorized absences total more than 10% of the course meeting time, it shall be at the discretion of the instructor whether the student may make up the missed work. College-authorized absences shall not relieve students of the responsibility of making up work that has been missed.

b. If a class will not meet at its regularly scheduled time or will have an additional class meeting outside of its regularly scheduled time, faculty should provide an alternative assignment or consideration for students unable to attend due to a College-authorized absence for a college-sponsored activity. In the event that the absence is not due to a college-sponsored activity, faculty should handle possible conflicts at their own discretion.

Auditing Courses

To audit a course, a student must register in the Registrar’s Office with the approval of the instructor. Refer to the section on Tuition and Fees in this catalog for information on additional charges (if any) for auditing an additional course. A student may only audit one course per semester. An audited course will appear on the transcript with a grade of AU. That grade is only indicative of a registration as an auditor and does not imply attendance or a particular level of success in the course.

Calendar and Credit

The academic calendar at Macalester is divided into a 14 week fall semester (September to December) and a 14 week spring semester (January to May).

Macalester courses are offered for semester credit. Most courses are offered for four semester credits, but the amount of credit may vary. Each course description in this catalog indicates the amount of credit assigned to the course. Credit policies for physical education activity courses, forensic and theater practica, music ensembles and lessons, and dance technique courses and ensembles are described in the departmental sections of this catalog, under curriculum.

Classification of Students

Normal progress toward graduation is as follows:

Class standing granted and number of semester hours for that standing: Sophomore, 32; Junior, 64; Senior, 96.

Special student classification is assigned to students not seeking a degree from Macalester.

Course Load

A student normally enrolls in courses earning 16 credits during each of the fall and spring semesters. A student may not register for more than 20 credits in a single semester. A course load of at least 12 credits is required to be considered a full-time student.

Cross-Registration (ACTC)

Associated Colleges of the Twin Cities (ACTC)

According to an agreement among Augsburg College, Hamline University, the College of St. Catherine, the University of St. Thomas and Macalester, students may take one course per semester at any one of the other four colleges tuition free, provided that the home institution has approved the course. Macalester has approved any liberal arts course offered by the other ACTC institutions as being appropriate for cross-registration. Cross-registered courses appear on the transcript of the student’s home school. ROTC courses offered at the University of St. Thomas are available to Macalester students, however registration must be done directly at St. Thomas.  Credit for ROTC is not always applicable toward the Macalester degree. The exchange does not apply to January or summer offerings for Macalester students. Students should contact the Registrar’s Office for information on registration procedures and acceptability of credits.

Minneapolis College of Art and Design

Macalester also has an agreement with the Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD) whereby students may take one course per term at that college, provided that Macalester has approved the course. Macalester students should contact the Registrar’s Office for information on registration procedures and acceptability of credit.

University of Minnesota

Deadlines

Students may not petition to extend college deadlines regarding dropping or adding a course, changing a grading option or withdrawing from a course. There will be a grace period of three working days after each deadline during which time a student may complete these transactions by paying a fine of $100. In order to help students meet registration deadlines, the Registrar’s Office will send a reminder prior to the drop/add deadline, with instructions on where to view their officially registered schedule. If the schedule is incorrect, students will still have time to drop/add. With the approval of the Dean of Students, students may obtain a medical withdrawal any time during the term.

Dropping and Withdrawing From Courses

A student may drop a course at the start of the fall or spring semester on-line or by completing the proper form available in the Registrar’s Office. Transactions must be completed by the published deadlines, whether on-line or by returning the properly signed form to the Registrar’s Office. An officially dropped course will not appear on the student’s record or transcript. Part-time students and students whose course load changes from full-time to part-time as a result of officially dropping a course are subject to the tuition refund policy described elsewhere in this catalog.

For courses where first day attendance is required, as specially noted in the class schedule, instructors have the option of dropping students who did not meet that requirement. For all courses, instructors have the option of dropping students who have not attended within the first week of classes. The Registrar’s Office must be informed by the instructor which students should be dropped for non-attendance.

A student may withdraw from a course between the end of the second and ninth weeks of classes by obtaining the signature of the instructor of the course on the proper form available in the Registrar’s Office and returning the form to the Registrar’s Office by the published deadlines. If a student officially withdraws from a course, a “W” (withdraw) grade will be recorded on the record and transcript. A “W” grade is not computed into the GPA.

If a student remains registered after the ninth week of classes, one of the grades described under Grading Options must be recorded.

Final Examinations

The following policies are observed by students and faculty with regard to final examinations:

The Registrar announces in advance a final examination schedule. In this schedule, each course is reserved a place and a designated two-hour period for a final examination.

Students may negotiate exemptions or changes in schedule with instructors whenever circumstances warrant such considerations. Students who are scheduled for three or more examinations on the same day have the option of rescheduling with their instructor one of these examinations.

Proctoring, special materials, time allotment and other matters pertaining to the actual circumstances of the examination are entirely the responsibility of the instructor.

January Offerings

Macalester students may earn up to two semester credits in independent projects, internships, or Macalester-sponsored off-campus courses. Further information about January study options is available in the Registrar’s Office.

Minimum Class Size

The College does not hold itself bound for instruction in any elective course for which fewer than five students have registered. Such classes may, however, be organized at the option of the department with approval by the Provost.

Registration and Validation

Students are required to register and/or validate (confirm previous registration) at definite times announced in advance by the Registrar’s Office. Students are responsible for accurate registration; credit can be received only in those courses for which a student is properly registered. A student is also held responsible for every course for which they register unless they officially cancel it within the stated deadlines explained below.

Registration and validation are not complete or official until fees are paid or arrangements for payments have been made with the Student Accounts Office.

Late Registration and Validation Fees: Returning students will be charged a late fee for registering after the announced times of registration. The fee for late registration is $100. Late registration will be accepted during the first two weeks of classes with the payment of the late fee. Students may not register or validate after that time except with special permission from the Registrar.

Religious Academic Scheduling Conflicts

It is the policy of Macalester College to make every reasonable effort to allow students to observe their religious holidays without academic penalty. Absence from classes or examinations for religious reasons does not relieve students from responsibility for any part of the course work required during the period of absence. Students who expect to miss classes, examinations, or other assignments as a consequence of their religious observance shall be provided with a reasonable alternative opportunity to complete such academic responsibilities. It is the obligation of students to provide faculty with reasonable notice of the dates of religious holidays on which they will be absent, ordinarily within the first fifteen days of the semester.

Repeated Courses

In cases where a course is repeated both courses remain on the record and one course (if the grade is D- or above) will be counted toward the degree; grades for both courses will be included in the GPA.

Summer Offerings

Macalester students may earn up to eight semester credits in independent study during the summer through independent projects or internships. A learning contract must accompany each registration. Summer independents and internships are available only to current Macalester students.

In addition to independent study options there are occasionally credit-bearing institutes offered by Macalester faculty. These institutes are open to non-Macalester students.

Further information about summer independent study options or summer institutes is available on the Registrar’s Office website.

As a general rule, there is no financial assistance available for summer study. In addition, no special tuition rates are offered.

Student Complaint Policy

Macalester College maintains processes for the good faith review and resolution of student academic and non-academic complaints. The College’s student complaint process will encourage informal resolution of alleged violations within the office or department involved in the complaint and allow for a formal resolution process if not resolved informally or when informal action is not allowable by federal regulations.

Full Student Complaints Policy  

Appeals

Appealing a Grade

Students who believe that they have been subjected to arbitrary or discriminatory academic evaluation by a faculty member are guaranteed the right to appeal. Arbitrary or discriminatory academic evaluation involves any or all of the following:

A. Grading on a basis clearly irrelevant to the student’s mastery of the course.
B. Grading on a basis which has not been consistently applied to all students taking the same course concurrently.
C. Grading on a basis which is not consistent with prior practices or announced policies in that course during the semester.
D. Grading that does not take into consideration or honor accommodations granted from the Associate Dean of Students, who coordinates services for students with disabilities, following the date such notification was received by the professor.

In questions of alleged improper academic evaluation, students must follow this procedure to appeal:

1. Consult with the individual faculty member. If, after this step, the student still claims arbitrary or discriminatory evaluation, the student moves to Step 2. If the concern is that the faculty member did not take into consideration or honor accommodations granted by the Associate Dean of Students, the student should consult with that Dean.

2. Visit the Director of Academic Programs, who will confer with the student, hear the student’s position, describe the appeals process and help the student to assess their options. The student should provide the Director with a written statement giving relevant facts and the reason for the appeal. If the student decides to appeal the grade further, they next contact the Associate Dean of the Faculty.

3. The Associate Dean of the Faculty makes a final determination about the appeal grounds. If the Associate Dean finds no grounds for appeal, the grade stands.

4. If the Associate Dean of the Faculty finds that the student’s grade was subject to arbitrary or discriminatory evaluation, the final grade is determined by the chair of the relevant department. If it was the chair whose evaluation is being appealed, the grade is determined by a proximate tenured faculty member chosen by the Provost, ideally from the same department but if necessary from a closely related department. The final grade may go up or down, or may remain the same after review by the chair. This decision by the chair or a proximate faculty member is final.

Appealing a Committee Decision

The faculty maintains four curricular committees to provide the first level of consideration for particular academic matters at the college. Those four committees are: Individually Designed Interdepartmental Majors (IDIM), Academic Standing (ASC), Study Away Review (SARC), and General Education Requirements (GERC). The process for appealing one of these committee’s decisions is as follows:

1. A written appeal is submitted to the Director of Academic Programs. Typically only appeals with a procedural basis will be entertained.

2. After ensuring the appeal includes all of the relevant facts pertinent to the decision, and articulates a rationale for appealing, the Director of Academic Programs will send the appeal to the authority designated in the Faculty Handbook as responsible for acting on appeals for that committee. Specifically, the authority responsible for appeals of IDIM and GERC decisions is EPAG; the authority responsible for acting on appeals of SARC and ASC decisions is the Provost.

3. The appeal decisions of EPAG and the Provost are final.

Areas of Study

Concentrations

A concentration in an interdepartmental program consists of not less than twenty nor more than thirty-two semester credits in courses drawn from a list of approved courses linked by some theme or topic.

Honors Program

The Honors Program is designed to enable seniors with demonstrated ability to undertake substantial independent work that culminates in a project of exceptionally high quality. Departments or programs that participate in the Honors Program have designed specific criteria and procedures for pursuing Honors work in their department or program. Departments and programs that have Honors programs are so indicated within their individual sections of this catalog. Detailed information about the specific expectations of the individual departments or programs is available from the departments or programs themselves or from the Director of Academic Programs. The minimum cumulative grade point average established by the College for entrance into the Honors Program is 3.30; however, some departments or programs may require a higher grade point average.

Students expecting to apply for acceptance into the Honors Program should consult with their particular department or program early in their junior year as the official application deadlines are normally during the second semester of the student’s junior year.

Students pursuing an IDIM should work with their IDIM committee to describe the procedures to be followed as well as the type of project to be completed for an Honors project. This information should be included in the original proposal for the IDIM and will be examined as part of the review of the IDIM proposal. Students in the Honors Program are invited to occasional special events and colloquia. Bound copies of the completed Honors projects are added to the library collection, and successful completion of an Honors project is noted on the student’s transcript following graduation.

Majors (Types)

To insure appropriate depth within an area or related areas of knowledge, students are required to elect among: 1) a departmental major; 2) an established interdepartmental major; or 3) an individually designed interdepartmental major. Within each of these types of majors the student is required to complete a capstone experience. The purpose of this capstone requirement is to give students experience with reading original research literature, doing original work, or presenting a performance. This requirement may be met in many ways, e.g., senior seminar, independent project, honors project. The means of completing this experience are designated by the major department, interdepartmental programs, and IDIM committees and so indicated in the catalog in the cases of departments and interdepartmental programs.

Minors

A minor in a given department consists of not less than twenty nor more than twenty-eight semester credits in courses within one department. Departments will determine those courses, and sequences of courses, which constitute the various patterns for the minor in that field.

Regulations Concerning Majors, Minors, and Concentrations

Students must file an approved plan for a major no later than the start of the registration period for the first semester of their junior year. A major plan must be filed before their registration can be completed.

When students declare a major, they will be given in writing from the department a full description of the requirements for completing that major. This will include, in addition to course work, a description of any diagnostic and evaluation processes and procedures required as part of the major. Where such processes and procedures are included, copies of representative examinations or other instruments involved will be furnished in department offices and in the library for student use. When changes in major programs occur, students already declared in that area will be permitted to complete the program under the description given them at the time of original declaration or under the new program, at their discretion.

Courses included in a major, minor, or concentration should not be taken on the S, SD, N basis, except with specific permission of the department chair. Ordinarily, if a student decides to change his or her major to a new area and already had taken courses in that area on an S, SD, N basis, the  courses will be allowed by the department, but written permission must be given by the department chair. Courses with a grade of D, D+, or D- may not be included on a plan, except with the specific permission of the department chair.

Credits outside Macalester

College Board Advanced Placement Examinations

Students who have taken the College Board Advanced Placement Examinations may be eligible for advanced placement and appropriate credit. Freshmen who wish to have their scores considered should have them sent to Macalester College. Scores of 3, 4, or 5 may result in credit or exemption. Academic departments determine which scores result in credit or exemption for their subject. Some departments require the student to discuss their scores with the department chair before a credit determination is made. A score of 2 will receive no credit, but the academic department involved may recommend some exemption. A score of 1 will receive neither credit nor exemption. Advanced Placement credit is only granted on the basis of the examination scores.

Macalester does not recognize the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) tests for advanced standing.

International Baccalaureate and General Certificate of Education

Students whose scores on Higher Level Examinations of the International Baccalaureate Program are 5, 6, or 7 receive the equivalent of four or eight semester hours of credit for each such examination. Credit is determined by the appropriate academic department on an individual basis and is subject to the limitations described in “Transfer of Credit” under the Advanced Standing Section.

International students who have not earned university level academic credit will have their advanced standing limited to no more than twenty semester credits. Those who have completed A-Level Examinations in order to earn a General Certificate of Education (GCE) receive the equivalent of eight semester credits for each A-Level Examination with a score of A, B, C, or D. No more than the equivalent of twenty semester credits can be earned in this manner.

Transfer of Credit

Liberal arts courses taken at regionally accredited undergraduate institutions, and comparable in content to Macalester courses will be considered for transfer. The grade earned must be at least a C-; grades of S or P must be certified in writing by the instructor of the course to be the equivalent of C- or better before that course can be transferred.

Use of transfer credit towards a major, minor, or concentration is subject to the approval of the department or program.

The Macalester course system is based on the semester credit. Macalester does not award more credit for transfer courses than what is awarded by the host institution for those courses, as indicated on the host’s official transcript. Therefore, semester credits will be transferred as equivalent from the host institution, and quarter credits will be converted at a ratio of six (6) quarter credits equivalent to four (4) semester credits.

No strict correlation exists between contact hours in courses taken off-campus and credits awarded by Macalester.

No more than the equivalent of one half of the semester credits required for graduation (64) may be transferred from another institution to Macalester.

No more than the equivalent of eight (8) semester credits earned through a correspondence program or through distance learning may be included among the academic credits transferred to Macalester.

Students who have attended non-accredited or non-regionally accredited institutions must have their work validated by examination or by showing competence to carry advanced work successfully. Award of credit in such cases may be delayed for one or more semesters awaiting such evaluations.

For currently enrolled students, Macalester will consider summer and January work for credit transfer.  Credits taken during a semester while on a leave of absence will be considered on a case-by-case basis according to transfer credit policies.  However, participation in a semester-long study away program, whether domestic or international will not be granted transfer credit. Students wishing to study away for a semester must apply for and receive prior approval from the Study Away Review Committee and comply with study away policies for registration and credit.

For students admitted to Macalester through the first-year admissions program, Macalester will accept for credit no more than the equivalent of twenty Macalester credits from courses earned at a college or university prior to matriculation as a First Year Student at Macalester. Summer session college credits, Minnesota Post-Secondary Education Options Program credits, International Baccalaureate credits, and Advanced Placement Program credits are included under this limitation. (The only exception to this limitation applies to students who have achieved the equivalent of twenty-four Macalester credits solely through College Board Advanced Placement Examinations.)

Credits earned through Advanced Placement Exams, International Baccalaureate or GCE A-Level examinations cannot be used to meet the college’s general distribution requirement.

College- or university-level courses must be taken directly at the college or university from which the credit is granted. Macalester will not award credit for courses which were taken in secondary school, or which were used to satisfy any of the requirements for graduation at the student’s secondary school.

ROTC is designed to prepare students to be commissioned officers in the United States military. Air Force ROTC is available to Macalester students through the Associated Colleges of the Twin Cities at the University of St. Thomas. For more information call St. Thomas at 651-962-6320 or 1-800-328-6819, ext. 6320. Navy and Army ROTC is also available to Macalester students at the University of Minnesota. For more information on Navy ROTC, call 612-625-6677. For more information on Army ROTC, call 612-625-3062. Macalester College grants credit for ROTC courses on a case by case basis.

Grade Policies

Dean’s List

The Dean’s List at Macalester College is published at the end of each semester. For fall semester, it will be published one week after the grade submission deadline. For spring semester, it will be published three weeks after the grade submission deadline. To be eligible for the Dean’s List a student must have been registered as a full-time, degree-seeking student and may not have been on a study away program. Furthermore, a student must have achieved a semester grade point average of at least 3.75, twelve or more credits on a regular (A, A-, B+, etc.) grading option, no grades below C-, and no withdrawal or incomplete grades for the semester. Grades for activity, practicum, and technique courses in dance, music, and physical education are not factored into eligibility for the Dean’s List.

Grade Change Policy

After a final grade has been submitted, a student may not be required nor allowed to turn in extra work, to redo previous work, or to otherwise make adjustments to his or her work in order to improve the final grade. The only circumstances under which a faculty member may change a final grade once it has been submitted are as follows:

1. The professor has made a calculation error; OR
2. Work previously considered missing is located by the professor, and it is clear the student turned the work in on time.

Grade Point Average

The grade point average (GPA) is calculated by the Registrar’s Office. Each grade is assigned a point value, as follows:

The GPA is calculated by dividing the total grade points by the number of semester hours attempted on the regular grading system. Grades for courses taken on the S, SD, N grading option, or courses with a grade of W, will not figure in the GPA. Grades for courses transferred to Macalester are not included in the GPA.

Grading Options for Students

For the fall and spring semesters the regular grading option is: A, A-,B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, D-, NC (no credit); the alternate grading option is S (satisfactory), SD (passing), N (no credit). The grade of S is equivalent to a C- or better. Courses taken on the alternate grading option do not compute in the Macalester grade point average. For January or summer independent study, registered at Macalester, the options are the same.
Activity Courses: S and N will be the only grades in any of the physical education activity courses, dance technique courses and forensic practicum courses. Music majors and minors will be graded on the regular grading option for ensembles and performance courses; non-music majors and minors should refer to the music department section of this catalog. Theater and dance majors and minors will be graded on the regular grading option for practicum courses; non-majors will receive S or N grades for these courses. 

Written Evaluations: Instructors may provide written evaluations of performance for those students who request them. A student who opts for a written evaluation may take the course on either grading option. A student who chooses a written evaluation is encouraged to file with the instructor a statement of his or her objectives, to aid the instructor in the evaluation. The request for written evaluation must be made at the time of grading option selection and requires the approval of the instructor. Students may request to have the written evaluations accompany transcripts, with the understanding that either all or none of the written evaluations will be sent.

S, SD, N Option Regulations: Each student is limited to one course taken under the S, SD, N option without written evaluation, in the fall and spring semesters. Courses may be taken under this option in a summer term, but each course so taken reduces by one the number of such options available to the student in the fall or spring semesters. There is no limitation on the number of courses a student may take under the S, SD, N option with written evaluation, or in activity courses. Courses taken under this grading option may not be included on major, minor or concentration plans without specific departmental approval.

Time of Selection of Grading Options: The choice of grading option is made by the student from the available options at the start of the fall or spring semester or by the published deadline for summer term. Forms must be returned to the Registrar’s Office by the published deadlines.

Incompletes

Students are expected to complete the work in each course by the deadlines established by the instructor; the final deadline for work cannot exceed the end of the final examination period for that term. However, a grade of incomplete may be awarded at the discretion of the instructor, if requested by the student, under the following conditions: 1) at least three-quarters of the required work for the course has been completed, 2) unforeseen circumstances beyond the student’s control (usually restricted to illness or family emergency) preclude completion of the remaining work for the course by the semester deadline, 3) the student is not on strict academic probation. Note that poor planning or having a lot of work to complete at the end of the term are not, in fairness to other students, considered circumstances beyond a student’s control. Faculty and students with questions about whether the conditions for an incomplete are met should consult with the Director of Academic Programs.

If the conditions for an incomplete are met, a course completion agreement form specifying the work yet to be completed must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar by the last day of classes for the semester. Both the student and the instructor are expected to sign the form. For a fall semester course, students have until the first class day of the spring semester to complete an incomplete; for a spring semester course, students have until July 1 to complete an incomplete. Students may not petition to extend the college deadline for the completion of an Incomplete, except with the approval of the course instructor and the Dean of Students. Medical reasons or family emergencies are typically the only conditions under which an extension will be granted. If the student and the professor have set a deadline for completion of the work that is earlier than the official college deadline, the faculty member may approve an extension of that deadline up to the official deadline for that term.

Students who have multiple incompletes for a term will be reviewed by the Academic Standing Committee and are subject to the College’s satisfactory academic progress rules. Students who plan to request more than one incomplete for a term are advised to consult with the Director of Academic Programs, who serves as Chair of the Academic Standing Committee. As in all matters, it is also wise for students to discuss their circumstances with their faculty advisors.

Reporting of Grades

Instructors report grades to the Registrar’s Office. Written evaluations will be reported on standardized forms provided along with the grade report forms. Copies of standard written evaluations will be provided to the student and the instructor. The original copy will be kept in the Registrar’s Office.

Transcript

For each student there is only one transcript, and all grades are recorded on it. A copy of the written evaluations for each student will be filed as a supplement to the official transcript. Students choose whether or not to include the written evaluations with transcripts they request, with the understanding that either all or none of the written evaluations will accompany the transcript.

Graduation Requirements

Commencement Eligibility

Who is eligible to participate in Commencement?  All December and January graduates, May candidates, and other candidates who are within eight credits of completing requirements may participate in Commencement.  Questions about eligibility should be directed to the Registrar’s Office.

Effective Catalog

Students are normally expected to satisfy the graduation requirements in effect at the time of their matriculation at Macalester (or readmission if they have withdrawn). If graduation requirements change after this date, students have the option of satisfying either the requirements in effect at the time of matriculation (or readmission) or the requirements in effect at the time of graduation if such a change is feasible. This provision applies only to all-college graduation requirements. See the preceding section for regulations concerning majors, minors and concentrations.

Explanations and Regulations Concerning Graduation Requirements

 All credit courses offered in fall, spring or summer terms are applicable toward the graduation requirements. Course credits may also be earned through successful completion of combinations of activity courses in forensics and music. (See departmental listings  in the curriculum section of this catalog.) Credits toward graduation are subject to limitations in certain areas, including maximum credits that may be earned in a single division or in a single discipline, as listed above, or through independent studies, as described under Independent Study .

First Year Course

Students enter Macalester with a wide range of experiences and expectations. Many have only a vague notion of what a liberal arts college is all about. It is critical for the students’ success at Macalester that they receive extra guidance during their first semester to help them adjust to Macalester’s expectations and philosophy. The First Year Course requirement is designed to help incoming students in their transition to college, specifically to the liberal arts model, and to Macalester’s academic expectations of them. All First Year Courses have a common emphasis on basic library research skills.  To instruct students in writing, every First Year Course either contributes to Macalester’s Writing General Education Requirement as a WA or WC course or requires concurrent enrollment in a WA or WC course. A critical component of the program is the role of the faculty member as advisor to the students.

General Distribution Requirements

Not all courses fulfill this requirement. Credits earned through Advanced Placement Exams, International Baccalaureate or GCE A-Level examinations can not be used to meet the College’s general distribution requirement. For courses which meet this requirement see the General Distribution Requirement section of each academic department.

Graduation Requirements Summary

1. The number of credits required for graduation will be 128. These credit hours must include:
   1. Eight (8) semester credits in courses designated as meeting the social science distribution requirement.
   2. Eight (8) semester credits in courses designated as meeting the natural science and mathematics distribution requirement.
   3. Twelve (12) semester credits in courses designated as meeting the humanities and fine arts distribution requirement; at least four (4) semester credits must be in courses in the humanities and four (4) semester credits in the fine arts.
   4. No more than ninety-six (96) semester credits in courses in any one of the four areas: social sciences, natural sciences and mathematics, humanities, and fine arts.
   5. No more than sixty (60) semester credits in courses in a single academic discipline.
   6. No more than twenty-four (24) semester hours in various types of independent study (courses numbered 601-646).
2. One (1) First Year Course completed in the first semester.
3. Four (4) semester credits earned in a course designated as meeting the Internationalism requirement.
4. Four (4) semester credits earned in a course designated as meeting the United States Identities and Differences requirement.
5. Three (3) Writing courses, designated as argumentative writing (WA), writing as craft (WC) or writing as practice (WP).  Of the three courses, at least one must be WA and no more than one may be WP.  Every student must take either a WA or WC course during the first semester of college.
6. One (1), two (2) or three (3) courses satisfactorily completed which are designated as meeting the quantitative thinking requirement. Students may take one or more courses with a Q3, Q2 or Q1 designation. A single Q3 course satisfies the requirement or students may take a Q2 course together with any other Q2 or Q1 course, or students may take three Q1 courses.
7. Proficiency in a second language equivalent to four (4) semesters of college instruction in a single language.
8. Approved major plan filed and completed.
9. A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.00.
10. At least four (4) semesters spent in residency. At least one of these must be in the senior year. Participation in off-campus study programs does not count toward satisfaction of this requirement.
11. Declaration of Intent to be Graduated form filed. Degree-seeking students must submit this form to the Registrar’s Office one year prior to the intended date of graduation.

Intent to be Graduated

All degree seeking students must file with the Registrar’s Office their “Declaration of Intent to be Graduated” form one year prior to the intended date of graduation.
The Bachelor of Arts degree is conferred at the end of the term in which the student successfully completes all graduation requirements.

Internationalism (I) Requirement

By recognizing that all lives are shaped by historical dynamics and contemporary structures that operate on transnational, international, and global levels, the Internationalism requirement contributes to preparing a thoughtful and principled citizenry that takes acount of the complexities of a global society. An understanding of theses complexities dislodges presuppositions about what is universal and what is particular, informs thoughtful consideration of how to address pressing issues, places persons and nations in context, and encourages reflection about one’s identity, agency and responsibility in the world.

Students must take at least one course devoted to the study and analysis of social, cultural, scientific, aesthetic or ethical questions that arise through transnational or international encounters, systems, economies, processes, or dynamics.

Students completing the Internationalism Requirement will be able to demonstrate two or more of the following learning outcomes:

• describe aspects of societies or cultural groups beyond the borders of the United States, using analystical frameworks;
• analyze transnational operations of discourses, structures, institutions, or practices such as diapsoras (including U.S.-based populations), development, globalization, or distributions of power and resources;
• analyze transnational or internatnional social, cultural, scientific, or aesthetic endeavors;
• evaluate ethical questions that arise through transnational or international encounters, systems, processes or dynamics.

Latin Honors

Latin honors are awarded upon graduation. To be eligible for Latin honors a candidate must have earned at least half of the number of semester hours required for graduation in courses at Macalester, and may have no more than the equivalent of one course per semester graded on the S, D, NC grading option.

The designation cum laude is based on achieving a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.65. The designation magna cum laude will be based on achieving a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.80. The designation of summa cum laude will be based on achieving a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.90.

Quantitative Thinking Requirement

Many policy debates, scientific discussions, political issues, and personal and organizational decisions involve judgments about claims based upon quantitative evidence. To critically evaluate these claims, the individual must have basic familiarity with such concepts as counting, measurement, estimation, and data analysis. Equally important is the capacity to ask and answer questions in a manner appropriate to these quantitative tools and to understand when the use of quantitative tools is or is not appropriate. The purpose of the Quantitative Thinking requirement is to ensure that students have the opportunity to develop such skills. Students will learn approaches to collecting, interpreting, and presenting information about the world based on numerical, logical, and statistical skills.

Students must take one or more courses with a Q3, Q2, or Q1 designation.  A single Q3 course completely satisfies the requirement; alternatively, a Q2 course together with another Q2 or Q1 course, or three Q1 courses, can meet the requirement. 

Q1  Fulfills the Quantitative Description goal, plus 1-2 other learning goals.

Q2  Fulfills the Quantitative Description goal, plus 3-4 other learning goals.

Q3  Fulfills the Quantitative Description goal, plus 5-6 other learning goals.

In expressing the Quantitative Description learning goal, all students completing the Quantitative Thinking Requirement will be able to:

Describe objects and/or events quantitatively in terms of their number, probability, proportion, frequency of occurrrence, price, volume, weight, etc.;

Use basic skills such as arithmetic, algebra, geometry, statistics and/or logic to examine the relationships between variables.

Depending on the skill(s) emphasized in a course satisfying the Quantitative Thinking Requirement, students may learn the following:

Visualization

Interpret common visual presentations of data (e.g., graphs, charts, maps) accurately and critically;

Create clear and accurate visual depictions of data.

Quality of Data

Locate or create data appropriate to the question being addressed;

Describe potential limits to a research study’s validity based either on how well the sample represents the total population (i.e., recognizing potential sources of biases and/or error within a data collection process) or on the fit between the study’s variables and the phenomena it seeks to illuminate (i.e., construct validity).

Association and Causation

Know the different ways that factors identified in research findings can be linked (e.g., correlation, causation);

Critically assess the strengths and limitations of research findings involving linkages between factors (e.g., identify cases where correlations might not provide evidence of causality due to “lurking” or confounding variables).

Trade-offs

Apply techniques to quantify the trade-offs associated with phenomena such as time, life expectancy, money, risk, scientific measurement, or environmental quality;

Demonstrate knowledge of the strengths and limitations of trade-off quantification as a tool for decision making.

Uncertainty

Generate and apply probabilistic information to decision-making;

Explain the limits of probabilistic information.

Estimation and scale

Use scale to place quantities in context;

Generate reasonable rough estimates based on readily available data.

Second Degree Program

Students who have completed a bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution of higher education can be admitted to the College for the purpose of earning a second bachelor’s degree. A bachelor of arts degree is awarded to such students upon the successful completion of sixty-four Macalester semester hours, and all other graduation requirements as previously listed. The general distribution and general education requirements for graduation may be partially or completely fulfilled as a result of the evaluation of courses taken while earning the initial degree.

Second Language Proficiency Requirement (SLPR)

Second language proficiency supports Macalester’s central commitments to high standards of scholarship, internationalism, multiculturalism, service to society, and global citizenship. It promotes skills and perspectives associated with many aspects of Macalester’s liberal arts aims and goals for student learning: critical thinking, effective communication, intercultural interactions, and enhanced understanding of local and international communities.

Macalester requires proficiency equivalent to four semesters of college coursework to ensure that, at minimum, students can meaningfully engage in the language and culture. For example, students will be able to initiate and sustain conversations in a culturally appropriate manner, comprehend a variety of texts, and produce written work. Second language proficiency enables students to surpass the limitations of engaging knowledge in only one language. Students proficient in more than one language can achieve more intellectual depth and access a broader range of perspectives. The study of a second language reveals perspectives, challenges assumptions, and nurtures sympathies with world views not one’s own.

Students completing the Second Language Proficiency Requirement will be able to:

• Demonstrate a level of oral writing, listening, and reading proficiency in a second language equivalent to what one would achieve in four semesters of college level instruction, as determined by the Language, Literature, and Culture Department providing instruction in the language;
• Recognize and negotiate cultural differences (e.g., customs, traditions, etiquette, taboos, histories, ideologies, institutions, and literatures) between the target culture and other cultures.

United States Identities and Differences (USID) Requirement

By recognizing that social groups and identities emerge from complex cultural, economic, political,   social and institutional processes, the United States Identities and Differences Requirement focuses on the historical origins and contemporary implications of these power-laden processes. An understanding of identities and differences provides students with particularly important knowledge about the contemporary world, as global citizens need to appreciate the nuance, complexity, and history of group differences. Inequalities in power influence identities and differences throughout the world. The United States Identities and Differences Requirement focuses on the United States as an exemplar, but the knowledge and skills that it fosters will be transferable to other national and international contexts.

Students must take at least one course devoted to the study of forms or forces that create, reflect, maintain, or contest identities of, and differences amongst, U.S. social groups (based in, for example, race, class, ethnicity, gender, language, nation, dis/ability, religion, sexuality).

Students completing the United States Identities and Differences Requirement will be able to:

• Recognize that group identities and differences are socially constructed or historically contingent;
• Examine forms or forces that create, reflect, maintain, or contest identities and differences;
• Evaluate the significance of identities and differences for life and culture in the United States.

Writing Requirement

Macalester seeks to ensure that all students receive instruction in writing that gives attention to writing as a process (writing is rewriting), and that provides students individually with feedback on the mechanics and substance of their writing.   Courses will be classified as teaching argumentative writing (WA), as providing instruction in writing as craft (WC) or as offering significant practice in writing (WP).  All students must successfully complete at least three Writing courses.  Of the three courses, at least one must be WA and no more than one may be WP.  Every student must take either a WA or WC course during the first semester of college, a requirement which may be met by a designated WA or WC First Year course.

• Students completing the Writing Requirement will be able to:

  Plan, draft, and revise a piece of prose; Demonstrate competence in the writing conventions appropriate to a genre, rhetorical context, and anticipated audience; Demonstrate appropriate use of standard written language, including clarity and correctness; Express ideas clearly using sentence and paragraph-level structures appropriate for genre and rhetorical context; Communicate others’ perspectives effectively; Integrate a student’s own ideas with those of others, where appropriate; Use evidence to support arguments, interpretations, or findings; Cite sources of evidence properly for the intended audience; Demonstrate intellectual reach.

Leaves, Withdrawals, Readmission

Involuntary Withdrawal

Involuntary withdrawal from the College may occur when a student has demonstrated behavior that threatens the health and wellness or safety of themselves or another member of the College community. The Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, in consultation with other campus partners, may place a student on involuntary withdrawal.

A student placed on involuntary withdrawal must request readmission to the College. The complete involuntary withdrawal policy may be found in the Student Handbook. Questions should be addressed to the Office of Student Affairs.

Leave of Absence

Leave of absence from the College is defined as when a student has decided not to return to the College for a period of time. In order to be eligible for a leave of absence a student must have completed their first semester at the College. The Assistant Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students or their designee may grant an initial leave of absence for up to two consecutive semesters. Leave of absence forms are available in the Office of Student Affairs and online.

Students returning from a leave of absence are responsible for adhering to all deadlines associated with financial aid, housing, etc. for the semester they plan on returning. A leave of absence does not exempt or defer a student from repayment of Macalester loans or extend the deadlines for the makeup of incompletes, if applicable.

Questions about a leave of absence should be addressed to the Office of Student Affairs.

Readmission to the College

Students are subject to apply for readmission to the College for various reasons. Any student who is required to apply for readmission will be notified at the time their enrollment is initially terminated. Readmission applications are available through the Registrar’s Office and must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office prior to July 1st for a fall semester return and prior to November 1st for a spring semester return. When a student is readmitted to the College they must then satisfy the graduation requirements in effect at the time of readmission in order to complete their degree.

Withdrawal from the College

A student may request complete permanent withdrawal from the College at any point in a term. Students should make an appointment with the Dean of Students to complete the appropriate withdrawal form. In order to obtain tuition or room and board refunds, the student must follow the policy described under the “Refunds” section of the college catalog.