The General Studies Program

Philosophy of the General Studies Program
The Metropolitan State College of Denver seeks to prepare its graduates for a lifetime of learning, which, in our changing and complex society, requires focused expertise (such as that provided by a major area of study) and the ability to communicate with and learn from experts in other fields. Undergraduate education fosters the critical thinking necessary for the exploration of unfamiliar disciplines and for the synthesis of learning, and exposes students to the richness and variety of the intellectual universe.

State Guaranteed General Education Courses
Certain of MSCD’s General Studies courses are approved as state guaranteed general education courses. This designation means that the course is transferable to general education or to electives at all Colorado public institutions and all undergraduate degree programs. General Studies courses not identified as guaranteed state transfer are also eligible for transfer to other institutions of higher education. Even if a state guaranteed course is selected, students need to select their General Studies courses with care. There is a Colorado core framework that restricts the number of state guaranteed courses that can be taken and applied to general education. In addition, certain statewide articulation agreements require specific General Studies courses. The six credits of composition, ENG 1010 and ENG 1020, will be acceptable anywhere in the state. With the exception of the sciences, students are advised to take only one state guaranteed course in each category below to maximize applicability for general education at another institution. For details go to http://www.state.co.us/cche/gened/. State guaranteed general education courses are designated with a GT for Guaranteed Transfer. The rest of the code indicates the part of the core to which the course applies.
GT–AH1 Arts
GT–AH2 Literature
GT–AH3 Ways of Thinking
GT–CO1 Intro. Writing Course
GT–CO2 Intermediate Composition
GT–HI1 History
GT–MA1 Mathematics
GT–SC1 Physical and Life Sciences
GT–SS1 Economic and Political Systems
GT–SS2 Geography
GT–SS3 Human Behavior and Social Systems

General Studies Information
Students must use a single catalog to meet all degree requirements, including those in the General Studies, major and minor. Some changes in General Studies requirements have been made retroactive. As a consequence, many General Studies requirements and policies described in this Catalog may be followed by students using earlier catalogs.

General Studies Goals
The General Studies Program is designed to help graduates achieve the following competencies:

MSCD students should be able to:

1. Write and speak with clarity;
2. Read and listen critically;
3. Draw conclusions from quantitative data;
4. Recognize faulty reasoning;
5. Organize ideas; and
6. Communicate with experts in other disciplines and learn from them.

MSCD students should:
7. Have an open attitude toward different approaches to problems;
8. Have an informed awareness of the principal human achievements in history, arts and letters, society, and science; and
9. Be introduced to the basic methods, knowledge, problems or attitudes characteristic of a field.

Structure of the General Studies Program
The General Studies Program is structured to foster the development of skills and to encourage students to use their mastery of skills to explore knowledge in a variety of disciplines. The General Studies Program provides two levels of experience:

Level I-Skills
Level I courses provide students with the basic skills of reading and listening critically, recognizing faulty reasoning, drawing conclusions from quantitative data, organizing ideas, and writing and speaking with clarity.

Level II-Breadth of Knowledge
Level II courses introduce students to the basic methods, knowledge, problems or attitudes characteristic of a field, encourage in students an open attitude toward different approaches to problems, enable students to communicate with experts in other disciplines and learn from them, and cultivate in students an informed awareness of the principal achievements in history, arts and letters, social science, and science. In addition, in Level II courses students will continue to develop their skills in language and mathematics.

Distribution and Credit Requirements
To complete their General Studies Program, students must take approved courses that fulfill the following distribution and credit requirements:

*A transfer course or courses of at least 2 semester hours judged to be similar in skill development and content to a Level I course will satisfy an individual Level I course requirement. Equivalency will be determined by the department offering the Level I course.
**One-hour deviations in the Level II categories may be allowed.
***A student's completed General Studies Program must contain at least 33 semester hours.

Basic Rules:

• Only approved courses may be used to satisfy the General Studies requirements. A current listing of these courses is published in this section, in the General College Requirements brochure, and in the Course Descriptions section of this Catalog.
• General Studies courses need not be counted toward General Studies requirements. They may be taken as electives or to satisfy requirements in the major or degree program.
• Departments or programs may specify, by prefix and number, some General Studies courses in addition to courses required for the major or a professional credential.
• Courses taken using the pass-fail option cannot be counted for General Studies.

Level I Requirements: Composition, Mathematics and Communication

Freshman Assessment: Reading, Writing and Mathematics Placement Exams
First-time college students are required to complete the reading, writing and mathematics placement examinations (see Reading, Writing and Mathematics Placement Examinations). Examination results serve as the basis for academic advising. To increase their opportunity for success, students may be required to take courses below the level of the first-year courses offered by MSCD. Degree-seeking students who are diagnosed as needing remedial course work have at their disposal basic skills courses offered through the Community College of Denver. Students are responsible for completing remedial course work no later than the end of the freshman year (i.e., within the first 30 semester hours matriculated as a college student). Students should be aware, however, that no credit is given for courses that are below the college level. Also, please see page 24 of this Catalog.

Placement Test Prerequisites
Students must have a passing score on the appropriate placement test before they will be allowed to register for Level I General Studies courses in English, mathematics and reading. Exceptions will be made for students who have earned at least a grade of "C" in the community college course specified by the department. The Assessment Center administers the placement tests. Students should consult an advisor in the Advising Center for guidance in selecting the appropriate Level I courses.

COMPOSITION REQUIRED COURSES (minimum 6 semester hours)

(“AO” indicates that the course is available online.)

Rules: Composition Requirement

• Students must complete the ENG 1010 requirement within their first 30 semester hours at MSCD and the ENG 1020 requirement within their first 60 semester hours. These requirements may be postponed only if approved in writing by the English Department.
• Students must demonstrate the adequacy of their writing skills in the placement exam before enrolling in ENG 1010. Those students whose writing skills are inadequate will be counseled on how to improve those skills. Students may be required to complete additional coursework.
• Students will have satisfied the Level I composition requirements if they:
  • satisfactorily complete ENG 1010 and 1020, or
  • pass a CLEP (ENG 1010 only) or AP examination approved by the English Department, or
  • transfer equivalent courses.

MATHEMATICS (minimum 3 semester hours)*

Rules: Mathematics Requirement

• Students will take the mathematics placement exam to determine their abilities to calculate with fractions, decimals and percents, and to know and use elementary geometrical formulas. Those whose skills are inadequate are required to complete college arithmetic coursework before enrolling in a Level I mathematics course. Some courses have additional requirements.
• Students must complete the Level I mathematics requirement within their first 30 semester hours at MSCD. This requirement may be postponed on an individual basis if the postponement is approved in writing by the Mathematical and Computer Sciences Department.
• Students will have satisfied the Level I mathematics requirements if they:
  • pass a mathematics course that has been approved for Level I mathematics credit (see courses listed above), or
  • pass a CLEP or AP examination approved by the Mathematical and Computer Sciences Department, or
  • successfully complete a mathematics course for which a Level I mathematics course is a prerequisite, or
  • transfer an equivalent course.

  *A transfer course or courses of at least 2 semester hours judged to be similar in skill development and content to a Level I course will satisfy an individual Level I course requirement. Equivalency is determined by the department offering the Level I course.

COMMUNICATIONS (minimum 3 semester hours)*

Rules: Communication Requirement

• Students must complete the required Level I communication course within their first 30 semester hours at MSCD.
• Students will have satisfied the Level I communication requirements if they:
  • pass an approved Level I communication course (listed above), or
  • pass a CLEP or AP examination approved by a department offering a Level I communication course, or
  • transfer an equivalent course, or
  • transfer a second semester, four- or five-semester hour foreign language course or a more advanced language course that is taught in a language not offered at MSCD, or
  • pass or transfer an advanced foreign language course that is taught in the foreign language and that has MSCD's FRE 1020, GER 1020 and SPA 1020 or equivalent coursework, or more advanced coursework as a prerequisite, or
  • pass or transfer an advanced public speaking course for which MSCD's SPE 1010 or a comparable course is a prerequisite.

Students who have satisfied the communications requirement using the advanced foreign language course or the advanced public speaking course must place that course in the Level I communications requirement slot. Level II General Studies courses used to satisfy the Level I communications requirements cannot also be counted in the Level II category.

*A transfer course or courses of at least 2 semester hours judged to be similar in skill development and content to a Level I course will satisfy an individual Level I course requirement. Equivalency is determined by the department offering the Level I course.

LEVEL II REQUIREMENTS
Courses approved to satisfy the Level II requirement are distributed among four categories. The categories, together with the minimum number of semester hours a student must accumulate to satisfy this requirement, are given below. One-hour deviations in the General Studies Level II categories may be allowed, provided the student has completed at least 33 semester hours of General Studies courses.

Level II Categories

Rules: Level II Requirement
Prerequisites: Level II General Studies courses have at least the following prerequisites or corequisites, and some courses have additional prerequisites (see the Course Descriptions section in this Catalog).

• Historical and Arts and Letters:
  • Courses numbered 1000 to 1990: minimum performance standard scores on reading and writing preassessment placement tests
  • Courses numbered 2000 to 2990: satisfaction of the Level I mathematics course requirement and either ENG 1010 or the Level I communication course requirement
  • Courses numbered 3000 and above: satisfaction of all Level I General Studies course requirements
• Natural Science and Social Science:
  • Courses numbered 1000 to 1990: minimum performance standards scores on the reading, writing and mathematics preassessment placement tests
  • Courses numbered 2000 to 2990: satisfaction of the Level I mathematics course requirement and either ENG 1010 or the Level I communication course requirement
  • Courses numbered 3000 and above: satisfaction of all Level I course requirements
• Students may not use courses having the same prefix as their major discipline or crosslisted with their major discipline to satisfy the Level II requirements.
• Students may use courses having the same prefix as their minor discipline or crosslisted with their minor discipline to satisfy General Studies requirements. However, a minimum of 18 credits must be used only in the minor and not for General Studies. Deviations from the Catalog requirements require approval of the minor department, and some departments require that more than 18 credits be used only in the minor. Please contact the minor department for additional information.
• Students may not apply more than 8 semester hours of credit with the same course prefix to the Level II requirements.
• Students may use either prefix for a crosslisted course, i.e., one designated XXX (YYY). They must select the prefix they wish to use at registration; the selection may not be changed later.
• History majors must take three extra semester hours at Level II in the social science, arts and letters, or natural sciences categories in lieu of the three hours in the historical category.
• History majors may not use courses that are crosslisted with history courses for General Studies.

HISTORICAL (minimum 3 semester hours)*
Historical courses aim to impart a broad knowledge of history with emphasis upon the major forces, persons and events that have shaped the modern world.

History majors must take three extra semester hours at Level II in the Social Sciences, Arts & Letters, or Natural Science categories in lieu of the three hours in the Historical category. History majors may not use courses that are crosslisted with history courses for General Studies.

*A one-hour deviation in the General Studies historical requirement may be allowed, provided the student has completed at least 33 semester hours of General Studies courses.

Please note: "mc" indicates that the course is also approved as a multicultural course; "AO" indicates that the course is available online.

 ARTS & LETTERS (Minimum 6 semester hours)*
Arts & Letters courses impart a broad knowledge of important works and major schools of thought from at least two centuries. They also provide a foundation for critical evaluation within the discipline.

*A one-hour deviation in the General Studies arts and letters requirement may be allowed, provided the student has completed at least 33 semester hours of General Studies courses.

Please note: "mc" indicates that the course is also approved as a multicultural course; "AO" indicates that a course is available online.

SOCIAL SCIENCES (Minimum 6 semester hours)*
Social Science courses aim to explore the formation, behavior and interaction of various social, cultural, political or economic groups and institutions.

*A one-hour deviation in the General Studies arts and letters requirement may be allowed, provided the student has completed at least 33 semester hours of General Studies courses.

Please note: "mc" indicates that the course is also approved as a multicultural course; "AO" indicates that the course is available online.

NATURAL SCIENCE (Minimum 6 semester hours)*
Natural Science courses provide an opportunity for students to experience the systematic formulation and testing of hypotheses and to learn the importance of accurate observation and measurement. Students will differentiate among fact, speculation, evidence, inference, belief, theory, law and generalization.

*In order to receive General Studies credit, both BIO 1080 and 1090 must be successfully completed. This is true also for State Guaranteed General Education credit.
**CHE 1100 and CHE 1150 must be successfully completed to receive General Studies credit.
***Successful completion of CHE 1850 and either CHE 1800 or 1810 will result in 6 hours Natural Science General Studies credit. Successful completion of all three courses will result in 10 hours of General Studies credit. CHE 1800 is a prerequisite for CHE 1850. CHE 1850 has a corequisite of CHE 1810.
*A one-hour deviation in the General Studies natural science requirement may be allowed, provided the student has completed at least 33 semester hours of General Studies courses.

Please note: "mc" indicates that the course is also approved as a multicultural course; "AO" indicates that the course is available online.

Additional Graduation Requirements

Multicultural and Senior Experience Course Requirements
In addition to completing the General Studies requirements, a student must complete a three-hour Multicultural course and a three-hour Senior Experience course, or selection of courses, to be awarded a bachelor's degree from MSCD. The Multicultural course does not require three hours as a separate category and can be taken in the major, minor or as an elective. The rules pertaining to those requirements and the courses that will satisfy those requirements are described below.

MULTICULTURAL GRADUATION REQUIREMENT (Minimum 3 semester hours)
Multicultural courses are designed to increase students' appreciation and awareness of the American culture and the diverse cultures which contribute to it. Multicultural educational offerings examine the interactions of values and beliefs, traditions, identities and cultural contributions of women and racial and ethnic groups in the United States: African American, Asian American, Hispanic American and Native American. Students may use the course to satisfy General Studies, major or minor requirements if the course is approved for that use. If the course is used for General Studies, the Level II General Studies restrictions remain in effect, e.g., no courses with the major prefix may be used.

A one-hour deviation in the Multicultural requirement will be allowed for courses judged to be similar in content to an existing Multicultural course. Equivalency will be determined by the department offering the Multicultural course.

*Variable course prefixes, e.g., ANT, CJC, ENG, PSC, RDG, SOC, SPE, WMS.

SENIOR EXPERIENCE GRADUATION REQUIREMENT (minimum 3 semester hours)
The Senior Experience course provides a culmination of the undergraduate experience, allowing students to synthesize their learning, using critical analysis and logical thinking. Students may use the course to satisfy major or minor requirements if the course is approved for that use. Students should consult with their advisor and check prerequisites. Students must complete a Senior Experience course at the end of the undergraduate program and must take the course or courses at MSCD. Senior Experience courses have the following minimal prerequisites: satisfaction of all Level I and Level II General Studies course requirements and senior standing. In some cases students may need to take two courses to satisfy the requirement.

mc - This course will also satisfy the Multicultural requirement; "AO" indicates that the course is available online.

Assessment Examinations and Other Activities
In their senior year, students may be required to participate in an assessment of their general education. The faculty has determined educational goals or outcomes that it wants graduates to achieve. A copy of those goals and the methods by which their achievements are measured can be obtained from the department offices.

ACADEMIC POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

Semester Hours Credit
Course credit is based on units designated as semester hours. One semester hour or one base contact hour equals a minimum of 750 minutes; this translates to a minimum of 15, 50-minute class hours per semester. Time required for class preparation is not a consideration in the calculation of course credit. A three–semester hour course will require six to nine hours of work each week outside of class. Omnibus courses involving laboratory work give one semester hour of credit for each two, three or four hours of scheduled work in the laboratory during a week. Internships require a minimum of 2,250 minutes for each hour of credit.

Course Load
The average course load per 16-week semester is 15 or 16 semester hours. Students who are academically strong may take up to 18 semester hours during fall and spring semesters and up to 12 semester hours during the summer semester. During fall and spring semesters, students with cumulative MSCD grade point averages (GPAs) of 3.25 or higher may take 19 or 20 semester hours and those students with GPAs of 3.50 or higher may take 21 semester hours for fall and spring semester or 14 semester hours for the summer semester. Students must have completed at least 15 semester hours at MSCD. Authorization for overloads for students without these qualifications must be obtained from the student's major department chair and appropriate dean. Forms are available in the department or deans' offices.

Student Classification
Students are classified according to the number of semester hours of credit earned: freshmen fewer than 30; sophomores 30 or more, but fewer than 60; juniors 60 or more, but fewer than 90; seniors 90 or more.

Declaring/Changing a Major
Applicants to The Metropolitan State College of Denver may indicate their intended major on the MSCD Application for Admission. Degree-seeking students who wish to change a major must complete a Declaration/Change of Major form, which is available from the major department or from the Academic Advising Center. Non-degree-seeking students who wish to declare a major must first change to degree-seeking status by completing a Change of Status form with the Registrar's Office.

Curriculum, Advising, and Program Planning (CAPP)
CAPP produces a Compliance Report that is an advising tool to be used by students and their advisor throughout the students’ academic career at MSCD. Students with declared majors and/or minors should discuss their progress towards completion of their major (minor) program with their faculty advisor. They should have a CAPP Compliance Report run no later than the start of the senior year. CAPP Compliance Reports can be run in the student’s major department. Approved adjustments to the CAPP Compliance Report should be submitted as soon as possible by the department to the Office of the Registrar. Degree-seeking students must apply for degree candidacy by completing an Application for Graduation in the Office of the Registrar at the start of their final semester.

Selection of Catalog for Requirements
Students must use a single MSCD catalog to meet all their degree requirements, including the General Studies, major and minor requirements. Students must select a degree Catalog in effect while they are enrolled at MSCD unless they are transferring from a regionally accredited Colorado community college, provided that the degree Catalog contains their complete program of study. Students not enrolling for three consecutive semesters or more are governed by the Catalog in effect upon their return. For effective dates of Catalogs, students should consult their academic advisors. All degree programs must adhere to overriding current policies at MSCD.

Students transferring from a regionally accredited Colorado community college may complete degree requirements using an MSCD Catalog in effect while enrolled at the community college, subject to the following conditions:

• The degree Catalog selected does not predate the current catalog by more than three years.
• The degree Catalog selected may have been in use at any time from the time the student was continually enrolled* at a regionally accredited Colorado community college to the semester for which the student is enrolling in MSCD.

*Continuous enrollment is defined as not interrupting enrollment for three or more consecutive semesters (one calendar year); summer is counted as a semester. Continuous enrollment must be maintained from the period of the designated MSCD Catalog to the point of MSCD degree completion.

Graduation
Degree-seeking students formally declare their degree candidacy by filing an Application for Graduation with the Office of the Registrar just prior to their anticipated semester of graduation, but no later than the deadline stipulated in the Academic Calendar section of this Catalog and on MSCD's website (http://www.mscd.edu/academic/acal.htm). The Application for Graduation should be filed only by students who intend to complete all degree requirements by the end of the upcoming semester and should be filed in consultation with the student’s major department. If a student does not graduate, they must re-submit another Application for Graduation for the semester they intend to graduate.

Diplomas and Commencement
Students who have met all requirements for graduation are granted diplomas at the end of the semester for which they are degree candidates. Diplomas may be withheld because of indebtedness to the College. Completion of two majors does not result in two degrees or diplomas. A formal commencement ceremony is held at the end of the spring and fall semesters. Summer graduates are invited to attend the following fall commencement. For commencement information, call 303-556-6226.

Transcripts of Records
An official transcript is a certified copy of a student's permanent academic record. Transcripts are free. There is a charge for faxed transcripts. Transcripts will be released by the Registrar's Office upon formal written request by the student. Transcripts will also be issued to firms and employers if written authorization is received from the student. Requests should include the student's full legal name as recorded while attending MSCD, student identification number, last term of attendance, number of copies desired, and to whom and where transcripts are to be sent. Transcripts may be withheld because of indebtedness to the College or for other appropriate reasons. Transcripts from other institutions that are on file in the Registrar's Office will be issued upon signed request by the student. A charge of $5 per request is assessed for this service. Students from other institutions taking MSCD courses under the state college system or interinstitutional registration programs must request transcripts from their home institution.

Falsified Transcripts and Diplomas
Altering, modifying, tampering with, or in any way falsifying an official Metropolitan State College of Denver transcript or diploma is a crime. The College has implemented multiple measures to detect such conduct. To protect the integrity and value of a Metro State degree, the Attorney General will vigorously prosecute those who commit these crimes through the criminal justice system.

In addition, students found responsible for falsifying an official MSCD transcript or diploma, will face a College judicial hearing and appropriate sanctions may be imposed, including suspension, dismissal and loss of credit, which could affect the student's permanent record.

Honors and Awards
The College annually recognizes students who show outstanding leadership and service to the College and community, excellence in scholastic achievement, and outstanding personal character and integrity. Due to wide variation in definition and interpretation of class rank, by policy the College does not rank its students or graduates. Recognition of students includes:

The President's Award (one senior); the Special Service Award for Academic Affairs (one senior) and for Student Services (one senior); Outstanding Student Awards (seniors from each school); Who's Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges (seniors); American Association of University Women (AAUW) Award (senior woman). Other awards include Special Service Award for Exceptionally Challenged Students, Student Government Assembly Award, Charles W. Fisher Award and the Colorado Engineering Council Award.

Information and applications for these awards are available in Central Classroom Building, room 313. Awards are presented at the annual banquet the night before graduation.

In addition to annual awards, students with outstanding academic achievements are recognized by being named on the College's Honor Lists. The President's Honor List carries the names of students who, at the time of computation, have achieved a cumulative GPA of 3.85 or higher. The Provost's Honor List carries the names of students who, at the time of computation, have achieved a cumulative GPA of between 3.50 and 3.84, inclusively. Computation will occur initially when the student has completed between 30 and 60 hours at MSCD, then again between 60 and 90 hours, and finally after more than 90 hours. Posting of the award occurs within the first two weeks of the following semester. Questions should be directed to the Office of Academic Affairs at 303-556-3040.

Graduation honors are awarded to students who have demonstrated superior academic ability in their baccalaureate degree while attending MSCD. Honors designations are determined according to the following criteria:

• Summa Cum Laude - Top five percent of graduates within each school with cumulative MSCD GPA of no less than 3.65.
• Magna Cum Laude - Next five percent of graduates within each school with cumulative MSCD GPA of no less than 3.65.
• Cum Laude - Next five percent of graduates within each school with cumulative MSCD GPA of no less than 3.65.
• To determine each honor's category, GPAs for the previous spring semester graduates are arrayed in rank order. This rank ordering is then used to determine the honors recipients among the following fall, spring and summer graduates.
• To qualify for graduation honor recognition, a student must have completed a minimum of 50 semester hours of classroom credit at MSCD prior to the term of graduation.
• Courses completed during the term of graduation and transfer credits are not considered when determining honors.

Honors designations are added to the student's official academic record; no other notification will be sent. For additional information regarding graduation honors, contact the Office of Academic Affairs at 303-556-3040.

Grades and Notations
Grades
Alphabetical grades and status symbols are as follows:

A - Superior - 4 quality points per semester hour attempted
B - Above Average - 3 quality points per semester hour attempted
C - Average - 2 quality points per semester hour attempted
D - Below Average but Passing - 1 quality point per semester hour attempted
F - Failure - 0 quality points per semester hour attempted
(Grade)# - Preparatory - 0 quality points per semester hour attempted

Notations
AP - Advanced Placement
CC - Continuing Correspondence Course
CL - CLEP
EX - Credit by Exam
I- Incomplete
NC - No Credit
NR - Not Reported. No grade was reported by the faculty by the deadline to submit grades. Student must see faculty for an explanation or assignment of grade. Courses taken through interinstitutional registration are normally assigned the "NR" notation until grades are received and posted to the academic record. Students who receive a "NR" notation on their final grade report may be severely impacted. Financial aid, enrollment status, veterans' status and probation/suspension depend on students receiving all their grades.
P - Pass
PL - Portfolio Assessment
PP - PEP Exam
S - Satisfactory (limited to internships, practicums, field experience courses and workshops)
SA - Study Abroad - credit
SE - Satisfactory/Education (limited to ECE 4390, EDS 4290, EDU 4190, EDU 4590, SED 4190 and SED 4500)
SN - Study Abroad - no credit
U – Unsatisfactory (equals “F” and computed in GPA)
UE – Unsatisfactory/Education (equals “F” and computed in GPA)

I (Incomplete)

The Incomplete (I) notation may be assigned when a student, who was achieving satisfactory progress in a course and who had completed most class assignments, is unable to take the final examination and/or did not complete all class assignments due to unusual circumstances such as hospitalization. Incomplete work denoted by the Incomplete “I” notation must be completed within one calendar year or earlier, at the discretion of the faculty member. If the incomplete work is not completed within one year, the “I” notation will convert to an “F.”

Graduating seniors may not graduate with an “I” on their MSCD academic record if:

• the course in which the “I” was assigned is required for graduation, or
• a D or F assigned for that course would result in an overall GPA less than 2.00.

The “I” notation may not be given for a self-paced course. If a student does not complete a self-paced course within the semester s/he enrolled in the course, s/he must re-enroll in the course in order to complete it.

If a student receives an "I" in an online class, the instructor should contact Instructional Technology who will add the student to the online course roster so that the student will be able to logon to the course. This must be done by the instructor each semester the student continues to work on the course.

In order for an “I” to be changed to a letter grade, the incomplete work must be completed for the course for which the student originally registered. The student should not re-enroll for the same course unless his/her intent is to retake the entire course. In this case, the student will pay tuition and fees.

NC/Withdrawal (No Credit)
The No Credit (NC) notation is not a grade. It may indicate withdrawal from the course or course repetition. (The NC should not be confused with a schedule change during the first 12 days of the fall or spring term [8 days for the summer term]. During this period a student may drop a course, and it will not appear on the student's academic record.)

The "NC" notation may be used in self-paced courses to indicate that the student has not completed the self-paced course(s) and requires additional time to increase the student's proficiency. In this case, to earn credit the student must re-register for and pay tuition and fees for the course in a subsequent term. Deadlines as described in this section apply.

• The following minimal standards shall be required throughout the college and shall be a part of all school, department, and individual faculty policies. The following is for full term classes for fall and spring semesters. Specific NC deadlines for full-term classes for fall, spring and summer semesters are published in that term's class schedule. Prorated deadlines are available from the Office of the Registrar and the Student Accounts office for "part-of-term" classes. "Part-of-term" classes are those classes which have start and/or end dates different from those of full-term classes. The "NC" notation is available to students for full term classes in all instances from the 12th day of the term through the fourth week of classes for fall and spring semesters. The period during which students may request an NC without the faculty member's signature will be established for summer, part-of-term and weekend courses based on percentages of the term. Deadlines for weekend and "part-of-term" classes are available from the Office of the Registrar and from the Student Accounts office. The deadline for requesting an NC without faculty approval for full-term classes is published in the class schedule for each term.
• During this period, students may request an NC ONLY through the voice response system, calling the same number that is used for registration and to retrieve grades. NCs are not available through the web registration system.
• Students reducing their course load between the beginning of the fifth and the end of the tenth week of full term classes during fall and spring semesters may receive an "NC" notation for each course provided faculty approval is granted and indicated on the request form by the faculty member's signature or the department chair's signature in the case of the absence of the faculty member who is the instructor of record. NC request forms with the instructor's signature for full term classes are due to the Office of the Registrar by the deadline noted in the class schedule for any given term. Part-of-term NC deadlines are available from the Office of the Registrar or the Office of Student Accounts.
• Additional restrictions regarding assigning the "NC" notation may be set by each school, department, and/or faculty member for the period between the beginning of the fifth and the end of the tenth week of the semester (or proportional time frame). Such additional restrictions should be included in the instructor's class outline and policies which are distributed to all students on the first day of class.
• Student requests for an "NC" notation in a given course will not be granted after the tenth week of the fall and spring semester or after the published date for summer term for full-term classes (or after the part-of-term deadlines for requesting an NC with the signature of the faculty member) unless the request is approved by the faculty member, the department chair and the dean. The "I" notation may be used during this period, provided the conditions specified in the "I" explanation above apply.
• Proportional time frames are applied for part-of-term courses, weekend courses, workshops and summer terms. These deadlines are available from the Office of the Registrar or the Office of Student Accounts. Deadlines for full-term summer classes are published in the class schedule.
• A written policy statement describing the use of the "NC" notation will be given to each student for each class in which the student enrolls.

Students are expected to attend all sessions of courses for which they are registered. Each instructor determines when a student's absences have reached a point at which they jeopardize the student's success in a course. When absences become excessive, the student may receive a failing grade for the course. If attendance is a part of the grading criteria, that policy should be included in the individual faculty member's class policies and outline and distributed to students on the first day of class.

Students who withdraw from a course or courses because of the death of an immediate family member, serious illness or medical emergency, or employment changes beyond the control of the student may file a Tuition and Fees Appeal Form through the Office of Student Accounts. In these cases, the student is still required to obtain an NC for each course s/he is withdrawing from according to the guidelines above. If the student is incapacitated and unable to contact his/her instructor(s), the student or her/his representative, may contact the Office of the Registrar, the academic department chair, or the dean for assistance in contacting the faculty and requesting withdrawal as indicated by the NC notation.

Computing Grade Point Average/Quality Points
The number of quality points awarded for a course is determined by multiplying the number of semester hours for that course by the quality point value of the grade received. The cumulative GPA is calculated by dividing the total number of quality points by the number of semester hours attempted.
To be eligible for a degree, a candidate must have a minimum number of quality points equal to twice the number of semester hours attempted in addition to meeting other prescribed requirements. The following notations have no effect on the GPA: AP, CC, CL, EX, I, NC, NR, P, PL, PP, S, SA, SE, SN.

Pass-Fail Option
The pass/fail option encourages students to venture out of their major and minor fields and thereby broaden their educational experience. A student must declare interest in the pass/fail option no later than the twelfth day of classes for fall and spring, the eighth day of classes for summer or the second day of classes for parts-of-term of any semester (see the Academic Calendar on MSCD's website (http:www.mscd.edu/academic/acal.htm) for specific deadlines) by contacting the Office of the Registrar and completing the Request for Pass/Fail Option. Once approved, the request for the pass/fail option is irrevocable. A student who requests the option and later is declared ineligible will receive written notification from the Office of the Registrar.

Students who have completed at least one MSCD course with at least a 2.00 cumulative GPA may choose to be evaluated for a certain course on a pass/fail basis rather than by a letter grade. Major, minor, General Studies and other courses required for a degree and courses for teacher licensure may NOT be taken on a pass/fail basis. Self-paced courses may NOT be taken under the pass/fail option. Maximum graduation credit for pass/fail courses is 18 credit hours earned in no more than six courses and limited to one course per semester or part-of-term. Course work must be graded to determine if it is pass or fail.

The "pass" grade (P) has no effect on the GPA; the "fail" grade is equivalent to the grade of "F." The "pass" grade (P) is equivalent to the grade of D or better. Pass/fail courses are under the same "NC" guidelines and deadlines as other courses in the institution which are those established college-wide and those which are established by individual school and department regulation.

The instructor will assign and record the pass/fail grade on the final grade list that identifies students electing and eligible for pass/fail grading. Some institutions do not accept credit in transfer for courses in which a "pass" grade is given. Therefore, students who plan to transfer or take graduate work should determine whether the institution of their choice would accept the credit before registering for courses under the pass/fail option.

Repeated Courses (Last Grade Stands)
A student may repeat any course taken at Metropolitan State College of Denver regardless of the original grade earned. Only the credit and the grade for the last attempt of the course will remain on the student's official academic record. The grade(s) for all prior attempts will be changed to the "NC" notation unless a permanent F has been assigned. Repeated courses must carry the same title, course number and semester hours. To make a course change, the student must reregister and pay the full tuition for the course in question, complete the course earning a letter grade, and complete the Last Grade Stands form in the Office of the Registrar. Otherwise, the grade change will be made administratively at the time of degree evaluation. Credit duplication involving transfer, interinstitutional, or state college system courses may be treated differently from the above procedures (see number 4 below). A FAILING COURSE GRADE ASSIGNED AS A RESULT OF ACADEMIC DISHONESTY IS CONSIDERED A PERMANENT "F" AND CANNOT BE CONSIDERED UNDER THIS POLICY. A student may not repeat a course and request "last grade stands" after the completion of an MSCD degree which includes the course in question. Specifically:

1. In all cases except for grades assigned for academic dishonesty the grades of all but the last entry of the particular course will be changed to an "NC" (no credit, withdrawal) notation. The NC notation does not affect the credit total and GPA.
2. The determination of course equivalency will be made by the Office of the Registrar in consultation with the academic department.
3. If the student does not request that the previous grade(s) of a course be changed to an "NC" after the course is repeated, the changes will be made at the time of graduation evaluation. The Last Grade Stands Policy cannot be used after the student graduates from the College for courses taken prior to the date the degree is awarded.
4. Students who have earned a degree at MSCD and subsequently take additional courses or work towards a second degree may use last grade stands for courses for which the original enrollment is after the first degree is awarded.
5. The same policy is applied when a course taken at another institution and transferred to MSCD is later repeated at MSCD. The transferred credit is then revoked.
6. An exception to this policy occurs when a student takes a course at MSCD, then repeats the course at another institution and returns to or is still in attendance at MSCD. In this case, since the course is not repeated on the MSCD records, the MSCD course will not be changed to an "NC," but rather, the transfer credit will be disallowed.
7. The Last Grade Stands policy applies only to MSCD courses. Courses taken under the Interinstitutional/Consortium or "pooled" programs do not qualify for consideration under this policy. However, this policy does apply to a UCD course if repeated through the MSCD/UCD pooled program.
8. Courses repeated prior to the Summer Quarter of 1971 are not affected by this Last Grade Stands policy. A grade in a course taken prior to the Summer Quarter, 1971 and repeated after Summer, 1971 may be changed to an "NC" notation with the use of the grade exception form.
   

Student Grade Appeal Procedure
If students have reason to question the validity of a grade received in a course, they must make their request for a change before the end of the second week of the semester following the completion of the course (the following fall semester in the case of the spring semester). The Grade Appeal Guidelines can be obtained from the students' respective deans. It is the responsibility of the student to initiate a grade appeal within the time limit, and to follow the procedures specified for grade appeals in the current Student Handbook. The handbook may be obtained from the Office of Student Services. All decisions of the Grade Appeal Committee will be reviewed by the associate vice president for academic affairs.

Warning/Probation/Suspension Policy
Academic Satisfactory Progress/Good Standing
A student is deemed to be making satisfactory progress toward his or her academic goal if the student maintains a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher. This student is deemed to be in academic good standing with the institution. However, other academic standards may apply to specific programs. A student must satisfy those other academic standards in order to be deemed in academic good standing with that program. See information on the program of interest to determine specific standards for that program.

Academic Warning Status
A student in good standing whose cumulative GPA falls below 2.0 will be on academic warning status with the institution during his or her next semester. A student will be removed from this warning status and returned to good standing if he or she achieves a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 at the end of his or her semester on warning status. More restrictive standards may apply to certain programs or schools. See information on the program of interest.

Academic Probation
A student who fails to achieve a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 at the end of his or her semester on warning status will be put on academic probation with the institution during his or her next semester at MSCD. A student will be on academic probation as long as he or she has a cumulative GPA below 2.0, but is making progress toward good standing as explained below and has not been on academic probation for more than three semesters. Other conditions may apply to given programs or schools. See information on the program of interest.

A student is removed from academic probation and is in good standing the semester after achieving a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0.

During any semester that a student is on academic probation, the student must make progress toward good standing with the institution by taking all of the following actions:

• achieve a semester GPA of 2.2 or higher
• register and complete a minimum of 3 but no more than 12 semester hours (3 to 6 semester hours for summer semester)
• take required activities as negotiated with the director of Student Intervention Services (may include certain classes, repeated courses, tutoring or other activities)

While on academic probation, a student may pre-register for the first semester following the academic warning status semester, but is prohibited from pre-registering any other semester. For subsequent academic probation status semesters, a GPA of at least 2.2 must be verified prior to registration.

Academic Suspension
A student on academic probation not making progress toward good standing will be prohibited from registering for one calendar year from the date of suspension. Appeal of suspension for this reason will be submitted to the director of Student Intervention Services. The director of Student Intervention Services will then deliver the appeal materials to the Student Academic Review Committee, which will review the appeal and notify the student of its decision. A student may appeal a suspension only two times in his or her academic career at the College.

A student making progress toward good standing, whose cumulative GPA remains below a 2.0 after three or more semesters on probation, will have his or her academic progress reviewed each semester by the Student Academic Review Committee. The committee will determine whether the student should be placed on suspension. In both cases, the decision of the Student Academic Review Committee is final.

Any student returning to the College after the one-calendar-year suspension must reapply and will be re-admitted on academic probation with the institution. For these students, all probation rules outlined above will apply.

A student who is suspended for a second time will be readmitted only if he or she has successfully completed an associate degree program from a community college after suspension from MSCD or can demonstrate to the Student Academic Review Committee that chances for successful completion of an educational program are greatly improved.

Contact Student Intervention Services at 303-556-4048 for further information.

Withdrawal/Emergency
Students who must withdraw from all classes during a semester due to a serious personal or medical emergency should contact the Student Accounts Office, CN 110, 303-556-6188 for assistance and information on emergency withdrawal procedures.

Students who must withdraw from all classes during a semester due to a military or state call to action should contact Veterans’ Services, CN 105, 303-556-2993 for assistance.

STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Policies and Procedures
Generally, the policies and procedures contained in this Catalog must be followed by students officially enrolling for the 2003 fall semester and the 2004 spring and summer semesters.

The procedures and/or policies contained in this section are subject to change as the College deems necessary. If you have a problem, please check with the appropriate office. An abbreviated version of the policies and procedures are contained in this section. For the complete Student Rights and Responsibilities, you may access the web at http://www.mscd.edu/~themet/Handbook02_03/content/standards.html#standards1 to confirm the policies and/or procedures you need to follow.

Exceptions (B.A.S.E.)
Students may appeal to the Board of Academic Standards Exceptions (B.A.S.E.) to request a variance from college academic requirements. Valid reasons for variances must accompany all petitions, and the petitions must be signed by the appropriate dean and department chair. For more information, contact the Office of Academic Affairs, 303-556-3040.

Academic Honesty
Students have a responsibility to maintain standards of academic ethics and honesty. Cases of cheating or plagiarism are handled within the policies of Academic Affairs in accordance with procedures outlined in the MSCD Student Handbook.

Conduct of Students
MSCD policy provides students the largest degree of freedom consistent with good work and orderly conduct. The Student Handbook contains standards of conduct to which students are expected to adhere. Information regarding students' rights and responsibilities, including the student due process procedure (the procedural rights provided to students at MSCD before disciplinary action is imposed), is available in Tivoli 311, Central Classroom 313, or via the web at: http://www.mscd.edu/~themet/Handbook02_03/content/standards.html#standards1.

Student Conduct Code
The Student Conduct Code is not intended to replace existing procedures related to:

• Discrimination or sexual harassment
• Grade appeals
• Requests for exceptions to academic policies
• Appeals for tuition and fee reduction
• Disputes relative to financial aid awards
• In­state tuition classification

For any other matters that are not included above, contact the Office of Student Life. It is a resource for accurate information and advocacy on behalf of the students of the College. Student Life personnel can advise and assist students with unusual circumstances, or with problems not addressed in the Student Handbook or College Catalog, for example.

Respect for Rights of Others
The student assumes certain obligations of performance and behavior while attending MSCD. Based on this premise, reasonable policies, procedures and regulations have been developed to guarantee each student's opportunity to learn and to protect the fundamental rights of others. MSCD students neither gain nor lose any of the rights and responsibilities of other citizens by virtue of their student status.

As members of an academic community, students are expected to conduct themselves in a mature and responsible manner. Students should try at all times to promote a sense of cooperation and civility within the College and work to build an atmosphere which will be most conducive to the goals of higher education within the institution.

Students, while within College facilities or while participating in College­sponsored activities (on-campus and/or off-campus), are expected to comply with College rules and regulations and with the regulations of off­campus sites.

Freedom of Speech
Students shall have the right to assemble, to select speakers and guests, and to discuss issues of their choice. An invitation to a speaker shall not imply endorsement of the speaker's views by either the student organization or the College.

Information about student views, beliefs and political associations shall not be used to the detriment of students and their institutional standing.

The right of peaceful protest is granted within the College community. The College retains the right to assure the safety of individuals, the protection of property, and the continuity of the educational process.

The student press shall be free of censorship and shall provide editorial freedom. The editors and managers shall not be arbitrarily suspended because of student, faculty, administration, alumni, or community disapproval of editorial policy or content.

All student communications shall explicitly state on the editorial page or in broadcast that the opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the College and/or members of the College.

Academic Rights
Students have the right to:
1. Be informed of course expectations and requirements.
2. Be evaluated fairly on the basis of academic performance.
3. Participate in free and open discussion, inquiry, and expression, both in the classroom and in conference.
4. Receive competent instruction and advisement.
5. Expect protection against professors' improper disclosure of students' personal information, views, beliefs, and political associations when such information has become known as a result of professors' instructions, advisement or counsel.
6. Expect protection, through established procedures, against prejudicial or capricious evaluation.
7. Assess the value of a course to make suggestions as to its direction and to evaluate both the instructor and the instruction they have received.
8. Have input in College policy-making, which may include, but shall not be limited to, course scheduling distribution of night and day classes, calendar arrangements, library policy and development, grading systems, course development, and curriculum.
9. Expect instructors to conduct themselves professionally in the classroom in accordance with College policies and directives.
10. Expect instructors to maintain office hours as required by College policy.
11. Expect reasonable academic assistance from the appropriate department.
12. Be informed of academic standards expected of them in the classroom through a printed syllabus and/or course outline. Academic standards shall include, but not be limited to, classroom civility, class attendance requirements, objectives to be achieved, and the grading criteria that will be applied to a particular course of study.

Academic Responsibilities
Students have the responsibility to:
1. Inquire about course or degree requirements if they do not understand them or are in doubt about them.
2. Maintain the standards of academic performance established for individual courses and for programs of study.
3. Learn the content of any course of study.
4. Act in accordance with commonly accepted standards of academic conduct. If disruptive behavior occurs in a classroom, an instructor has authority to ask the student to leave the classroom for one class session, and report it to the Student Judicial Officer. Should such disorderly or disruptive conduct persist, the instructor should report the matter to Auraria Campus Police, the Student Judicial Officer, and the appropriate Department Chair and Dean's office.
5. Maintain academic ethics and academic honesty.
6. Pay the tuition and fees and be officially registered in order to attend a class.
7. Initiate an investigation by contacting the department chair if they believe their academic rights have been violated.

Academic Misconduct
Academic dishonesty or misconduct is a serious offense at the College because it diminishes the quality of scholarship and the learning experience for everyone on campus. In order to encourage and foster academic excellence, the College expects students to conduct themselves in accordance with certain generally accepted norms of scholarship and professional behavior. Because of this expectation, the College does not condone any form of academic misconduct.
Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to, plagiarism, cheating, fabrication, multiple submissions, collaboration, or facilitation of academic dishonesty, or knowingly or recklessly furnishing false information to the College. Academic misconduct is an unacceptable activity in scholarship, and is in conflict with academic and professional ethics and morals. Consequently, students who are found to have engaged in some form of academic misconduct may be subject to:
1. Reduction in grade, including a zero or an “F” or permanent “F” on the work in question.
2. Other academic penalties as outlined in the professor’s course requirements and expectations, and/or syllabus.
3. Disciplinary action and/or other sanctions that will be determined on the basis of the seriousness of the offense.
4. Any combination thereof.
Generally, a student’s intentions will not be the primary consideration in the determination of whether academic misconduct has occurred. A student’s intentions will usually be considered only during the process of deciding on the appropriate sanctions or penalties.

Definitions of academic misconduct include, but are not limited to:

Plagiarism is the act of appropriating another’s work. This includes, but is not limited to the following:
1. The written, artistic, or musical composition of another; or the ideas, language, or symbols of same and passing them off as the product of one’s own work.
2. The lifting of a substantial or essential portion of another’s work.
3. The unacknowledged use of materials prepared by another person or agency, including web sites, that may or may not be engaged in the selling of term papers or other academic material.

Cheating is the act of using or attempting to use, in examination or other academic work or material, information, or study aids which are not permitted by the instructor. Cheating includes, but is not limited to:
1. Using books, notes, or calculators, or copying from or conversing with others during an examination.
2. Having someone else do research, write papers, or take examinations.
3. Doing research, writing papers, or taking examinations for someone else.
4. Possession, use or distribution of tests or other academic material belonging to a member of the college faculty, staff or other students.

Fabrication is the invention or falsification of material or its source and its use as an authority in academic work. Fabrication includes, but is not limited to:
1. Inventing the data for a scientific experiment.
2. Inventing the title and author of a publication in order to use the invented publication as a source.
3. Knowingly attributing material to an incorrect source.

Academic Dishonesty Procedures, Student Conduct Code, and Judicial Process
Refer to the most current Student Handbook in the Office of Student Life for complete information. You may also access it via the web at: http://www.mscd.edu/~themet/Handbook02_03/standards.html#standards1.

Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment is a form of discrimination based on sex. It is prohibited by law and College policy. In the educational context, sexual harassment is defined as any unwelcome sexual advance, request for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when:

a. submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual's status in a course, program, activity, or educational evaluation
b. submission to or rejection of such conduct is used as the basis for educational decisions affecting that individual
c. such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's academic performance or educational experience, or of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive educational environment

Charges of sexual harassment can be based on a wide variety of behaviors, such as repeated derogatory sexual remarks, negotiation for sexual favors as a quid pro quo for grades or recommendations, or threatened or actual sexual assault. These and similar behaviors seriously undermine the teaching and learning environment and can be grounds for disciplinary action. Sexual harassment should be reported to the Office of Equal Opportunity at 303-556-2939. Sexual assaults should be reported to the Auraria Campus Police at 303-556-3271.

Written policies addressing these issues in greater detail are available from the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action in Central Classroom (CN) 315 or call 303-556-2939.

Amorous Relationships Involving Students and College Employees
College policy strongly discourages employees of the College from becoming involved in relationships of a romantic nature with students they supervise, either in a faculty-student or supervisor-subordinate situation. If such relationships exist, they must be disclosed to the College and the conflicts of interest that result must be avoided. For example, an instructor is not allowed to issue a grade to someone with whom s/he is involved in an amorous relationship, and a supervisor can not hire or evaluate someone s/he is dating. Because of the professional difficulties associated with amorous relationships, faculty and staff should avoid them entirely.

Students are strongly discouraged from seeking relationships of a romantic nature with College faculty or staff. Also, students who persist in making unwelcome sexual advances to a faculty member or college employee risk violation of College policy prohibiting sexual harassment.

Class Attendance
Attendance during the first week of class is required. It contributes greatly to teaching and learning. Some departments determine a student’s enrollment in a course based upon attendance during the first week of class. Consult the department for more information about the attendance policy for the class that you are attending. Students who drop classes are financially responsible for those classes in accordance with the withdrawal/refund policies stated in the on MSCD's website (http://www.mscd.edu).

Students are expected to attend all sessions of courses for which they are registered. Each instructor determines when a student's absences have reached a point at which they jeopardize success in a course. When absences become excessive, the student may receive a failing grade for the course. If students anticipate a prolonged absence, they should contact their instructors. If they find that they cannot communicate with the instructor, they should contact the chair of that department, who will inform the instructor of the reasons for the anticipated absence. Whenever an instructor determines that a student's absences are interfering with academic progress, the instructor may submit a letter to the department chair informing that office of the situation.

Students at MSCD who, because of their sincerely held religious beliefs, are unable to attend classes, take examinations, participate in graded activities or submit graded assignments on particular days shall, without penalty, be excused from such classes and be given a meaningful opportunity to make up such examinations and graded activities or assignments provided that proper notice and procedures are followed. The policies and procedures designed to excuse class attendance on religious holidays are covered in the MSCD Student Handbook.

Final Examinations
It is the general policy of the college to require final examinations of all students in all courses in which they are registered for credit, with the possible exception of seminar courses or special projects.

Equal Opportunity and Americans with Disabilities Act
The Metropolitan State College of Denver is an equal opportunity employer; applications from minorities and women are particularly invited. The Metropolitan State College of Denver does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation or disability in admissions or access to, or treatment or employment in, its educational programs or activities. Inquiries concerning the college grievance procedures may be directed to the designated MSCD officials. Inquiries concerning Title VI and Title IX may be referred to Dr. Percy Morehouse, Jr., MSCD Office of Equal Opportunity, Campus Box 63, P.O. Box 173362, Denver, CO 80217-3362, 303-556-2939. Inquiries concerning the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or 504 may be referred to Ms. Helen Fleming, Faculty and Staff ADA Coordinator, MSCD, Campus Box 47, PO Box 173362, Denver, CO 80217-3362, 303-556-8514; Mr. Kelly Espinoza, Student ADA Coordinator, MSCD, Campus Box 23, PO Box 173362, Denver, CO 80217-3362, 303-556-2761; Ms. Lisa McGill, Director Disability Services Office, Campus Box 001, PO Box 173361, Denver, CO 80217-3361, 303-556-8387. Otherwise, all inquiries may be referred to the Office for Civil Rights, US Department of Education, 1244 Speer Boulevard, Denver, CO 80204, 303-844-3723.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
Student Rights
The Metropolitan State College of Denver maintains educational records for each student who has enrolled at the college. A copy of the College's policy on student educational records may be obtained from the Office of the Registrar, Central Classroom Building, room 105. Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), 20 USC 1232g, and the implementing regulations published at 34 CFR part 99, each eligible student has the right to:

1. Inspect and review his/her educational records;
2. Request the amendment of the student's education records to ensure that they are not inaccurate, misleading or otherwise in violation of the student's privacy or other rights;
3. Consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student's educational records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent (see Nondisclosure and Exceptions); and
4. File a complaint under 34 CFR 99.64, concerning alleged failures by the College to comply with the requirements of FERPA, with the Family Compliance Office, US Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20202-4605.

Procedure for Inspecting and Reviewing Educational Records
Students may inspect and review their education records upon a written request submitted to the Registrar, Central Classroom, Room 105, or by mail to Campus Box 84, PO Box 173362, Denver, Colorado 80217-3362.

A. The request shall identify as precisely as possible the record or records the student wishes to inspect.
B. The record custodian or an appropriate staff person shall make the arrangements for access as promptly as possible and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. Access must be given in 45 days or less from the receipt of the request.
C. When a record contains information about more than one student, the student may inspect and review only the records which relate to that student.

Procedure for Amending Educational Records
A student may make a written request to amend a record.

1. In the request, the student should identify the part of the record to be changed and specify why the student believes it is inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of the student's privacy or other rights.
2. The Metropolitan State College of Denver shall comply with the request or notify the student that the college will not comply with the request and advise the student of the student's right to a hearing to challenge the information believed to be inaccurate, misleading or in violation of the student's rights.
3. Upon written request, The Metropolitan State College of Denver will arrange for a hearing, and notify the student, reasonably in advance, of the date, place and time of the hearing.
4. The hearing will be conducted by a hearing officer who is a disinterested party, but who may be an official of the institution. The student shall be afforded a full and fair opportunity to present evidence relevant to the issues raised in the original request to amend the student's education records. The student may be assisted by one or more individuals, including an attorney.
5. The Metropolitan State College of Denver will prepare a written decision based solely on the evidence presented at the hearing. The decision will include a summary of the evidence presented and the reasons for the decision.
6. If The Metropolitan State College of Denver decides that the challenged information is not inaccurate, misleading or in violation of the student's right of privacy or other right, it will notify the student that the student has a right to place in the record a statement commenting on the challenged information and/or a statement setting forth reasons for disagreeing with the decision.
7. The statement will be maintained as part of the student's education records as long as the contested portion is maintained. If The Metropolitan State College of Denver decides that the information is inaccurate, misleading or in violation of the student's rights, it will amend the record and notify the student, in writing, that the record has been amended.

Nondisclosure and Exceptions
Pursuant to FERPA, the college will not disclose a student's education records without the written consent of the student except to college officials with legitimate educational interests, to officials at other institutions in which the student seeks to enroll, in connection with providing financial aid to the student, to accrediting agencies in carrying out their functions, to federal, state or local authorities auditing or evaluating the college's compliance with education programs, to consultants conducting studies on behalf of the college, in compliance with a judicial order or subpoena, and in connection with a health or safety emergency involving the student. However, the college may release directory information without the prior written consent of the student unless within ten (10) calendar days after the first scheduled class day of each term, an enrolled student has notified the college's Office of the Registrar in writing that any or all types of directory information shall not be disclosed without the consent of the student. A request for nondisclosure will remain in effect until the student is no longer enrolled or cancels the request for nondisclosure.

A school official is a person employed by the college in an administrative, supervisory, academic or research, or support staff position; or a person elected to the Board of Trustees; or a person employed by or under contract to the college to perform a special task, such as attorney, auditor or consultant; or a student or other person serving on an official college committee or assisting a school official in performing the official's professional duties and responsibilities. A legitimate educational interest is the need of a school official to review educational records in order to fulfill that official's professional duties and responsibilities.

Directory Information
The Metropolitan State College of Denver has designated the following categories of personally identifiable information on students as directory information under section 438(a)(5)(B) of FERPA:

-name, address and telephone number
-e-mail address
-date and place of birth
-student classification
-major and minor fields of study
-participation in officially recognized activities and sports
-weight and height of members of athletic teams
-dates of attendance at the college
-degrees and awards received
-last educational institution attended

The Student Right-to-Know Act and the Campus Security Act
Graduation Rate
This report was prepared by the Office of Institutional Research at Metropolitan State College of Denver to comply with the federal Student Right-to-Know and Campus Security Act of 1990. Our latest six-year graduation rate, for the 1996 cohort of first-time, full-time students is 20.8%

Campus Crime Information
During 1999, 2000 and 2001, the following crimes were committed on campus at the Auraria Higher Education Center, serving the University of Colorado at Denver, The Metropolitan State College of Denver and the Community College of Denver:

*Forcible fondling

**One offense, two victims; business and individual

***Forcible rape-one attempted-2 completed