Graduate School of Arts and Social Sciences

Additional policies specific to the Graduate School of Arts and Social Sciences:

Lesley University affirms the right of all students to obtain quality academic services. To protect these rights the university provides grievance procedures.

Definition of a Grade Grievance

A grievance is a complaint made by a student that the university and/or a specific faculty member has interpreted or applied the academic policies of the school in violation of a specific policy and that such interpretation or application has adversely affected his/her interest as a student. Any complaint of this nature which cannot be resolved informally shall be subject to resolution in the following manner.

Grade Grievance Review Process

Level I: Faculty-Student Meeting

A formal complaint may be filed only after informal steps have failed to resolve the issue. At that time the student will request in writing an appointment with the instructor. The request for a meeting must be made within two (2) weeks of the alleged violation. The written request must be accompanied by a written statement fully describing the complaint and indicating that redress for a grievance is sought.

The instructor will assign the earliest convenient date for a meeting. This date will be within one (1) week after the instructor receives the request. This time line is contingent on faculty contractual responsibilities. At that meeting, the student and the instructor will attempt to resolve the grievance mutually.

Within ten working days of the meeting, the instructor will reply in writing to the student's written statement and the meeting results. The instructor will describe either the concluded resolution or the reasons for not being able to reach an agreement.

If Level I does not provide a mutually satisfactory resolution to the complaint, the student may appeal the Level I decision by utilizing Level II.

Level II: Faculty-Student-Associate Dean Meeting

The student will commence Level II by preparing a brief written description of the complaint and of the Level I outcome. The student will request, in writing, a meeting with the Associate Dean. This request must be delivered to the Associate Dean, accompanied by the written description of the complaint and Level I outcome, within two (2) weeks after the conclusion of Level I.

A copy of the student's letter and description will be forwarded, by the student, to the instructor at that time.

Upon receipt of the written request for a Level II meeting, the Associate Dean will assign the earliest convenient date for the meeting. This date will be within one (1) week after the request has been received. The Associate Dean will inform the student in writing of the time and place of the meeting.

The Associate Dean, the student, and the instructor, if possible, will attempt to resolve the grievance mutually. The Associate Dean will undertake an informal investigation of the factual elements of the complaint and will review any University policies which may be applicable. The Associate Dean will involve the instructor to the extent deemed necessary in order to resolve the grievance.

The associate dean will complete Level II by replying in writing to the student's written description within two (2) weeks following the Level II meeting. If possible, the Associate Dean's reply will cover the issue(s) in the written description of the complaint.

If Level II does not provide a mutually satisfactory resolution to the complaint, the student may appeal the Level II decision by utilizing Level III.

Level III: Mediation Committee

The student will commence Level III by preparing a brief written description of the complaint, of the Level I outcome, and of the Level II outcome.

The mediation committee will consist of three people from the Lesley University community. One person will be appointed by the Associate Dean. One person will be appointed by the student. The third person will consist of the Lesley University Dean of Students, or designee from the Office of Student Life and Academic Development. The Dean of Students, or designee, will chair the committee.

The student will forward the written description to the Associate Dean with a request to be heard by a mediation committee. This request will be in writing and will include the name of the student's appointment to the mediation committee. The written request will be delivered to the Associate Dean within two (2)weeks after the conclusion of Level II.

The Associate Dean will deliver the student's written request to the Dean of Students within five (5) days of receiving the request. The mediation committee will convene at the earliest convenient date for all concerned. The student will be notified in writing of the time and place of the meeting. The meeting will take place within two (2)weeks of receipt by the Dean of Students of the student's written request.

The mediation committee will meet individually with the student and the instructor. The committee will undertake a formal investigation of the factual elements of the complaint and will review any university policies which may be applicable.

The committee will make a recommendation for resolution of the grievance in a written report, which will also set forth the facts of the complaint and cover the procedures of the committee meeting. This written recommendation will be delivered to the school Dean within one (1) week after the mediation committee's final meeting.

The school dean will review the report and make the final decision concerning resolution of the grievance. The Dean will inform the student in writing of that resolution within one (1) week of receipt of the committee report.

If the committee's recommendations are not followed, the school Dean will indicate in writing to the student the concerns which caused him or her to override the recommendations.

The decision of the Dean of Graduate School of Arts and Social Science will be final.

In off-campus programs, students may need to substitute alternative measures in lieu of the meetings and timeline as stated. This would be arranged at the discretion of the school Dean.

CLASS ATTENDANCE

In order to maintain the academic integrity of our programs and to meet course learning objectives for all class members, students are expected to attend all class meetings and to participate fully.

In exceptional circumstances when students need to be absent from class, they should discuss with faculty, in advance, any portion of a class meeting they cannot attend. Faculty members reserve the right, in consultation with their academic units, to set specific attendance requirements for their courses, which may include no absences. This applies to all models of delivery including institutes, residencies, workshops, etc. Faculty members establish expectations as part of their syllabus regarding family or medical emergency and “milestone” circumstances that may necessitate student absence from class. Absence from class diminishes the learning community and may have an adverse effect on a student’s grade.

In setting their attendance requirements, faculty members will be guided by the following standards:

Weekly Model: If a student is absent for more than six (6) hours of class time, the academic consequences will be determined according to the policies of the academic unit in which the student is enrolled. Missing more than nine (9) hours of weekly class meetings will result in a grade of administrative withdrawal (AW) on the student’s transcript. The class needs to be retaken and tuition repaid.
Weekend Model: When missing any class time up to the equivalent of one full day over the two weekends, students are responsible for contacting the professor in advance (or as soon as possible afterwards) to discuss the nature of the family or medical emergency or “milestone” circumstance. The professor will determine whether the course attendance expectations will permit makeup work and/or whether there may be an adverse effect on the final grade. Missing more than the equivalent of one full day over the two weekends will result in a grade of administrative withdrawal (AW) on the student’s transcript. The class must be retaken and tuition repaid.

Serious family or medical emergency and significant “milestone” circumstances may warrant exception to these requirements and will be considered on a case-by-case basis in consultation with the academic unit. The professor has full discretion regarding making up assignments missed, including those completed in and out of class, as well as specific course content (i.e., videos, reflections, discussion, readings, etc.).

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POLICY FOR REVIEW OF ACADEMIC PROGRESS FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS AT LESLEY

The faculty of Lesley University is dedicated to providing graduate students a high-quality educational experience designed to meet students' academic, personal and professional goals. In turn, the University expects students to maintain the academic and professional standards established for its programs of study. These standards apply to all aspects of graduate programs of study, whether on-campus, off-campus or on-line, and including courses, internships, practica, and research-related activities. Each School reserves the right to suspend or dismiss at any time any student who, in the opinion of School officials, does not achieve and maintain required academic or professional standards. In case of dismissal students remain responsible for any outstanding financial obligation to the University for tuition or other indebtedness.

Failure to meet these standards may result from, but not be limited to, such deficiencies as: more than three (3) credits of “C+” or below or “F” in pass/fail courses; six (6) credits of incompletes (INC); poor performance in theses, integrative projects, practica or internships; or specific deficiencies in areas deemed essential to the student’s preparation.

Academic Notification

If a student is not meeting program academic or professional standards, then the division in which the student is matriculated will initiate an intervention designed to assist the student, that may lead to an academic review process. The following describes the academic review process:

Level I Academic Review Committee

An academic review committee meets with the student (in person or via teleconference), and may include a faculty member, the student's academic advisor and the division or program director. The committee will review the student's progress in the program and the areas of concern. After careful review, the committee will make recommendations to address these concerns. The recommendations will be forwarded to the Dean of the School or his or her designee, who will inform the student in writing within ten (10) working days. The committee may recommend probation with specific conditions or dismissal. (The Dean or designee will contact the Senior Associate Registrar to request a "hold" on the student's registration should it be recommended by the Review committee.)

Level II Appeal to the Dean

If the student disagrees with the recommendations and believes that there is additional information that was not available to the committee and therefore not considered by the committee, she/he may submit this information in writing to the Dean within ten (10) working days of receipt of the recommendations. The Dean of the School will review the recommendations of the committee and all documentation considered by the committee. The Dean will notify the student and the committee of her/his decision within ten (10) working days, excluding holidays and Lesley University vacation days.

Level III Appeal to the Provost

A student may appeal the decision of the Dean if she/he disagrees with the decision and if she/he can demonstrate the availability of new information or evidence that is potentially significant and was not available during the investigation. Student appeals must be submitted in writing to the Provost within ten (10) working days of receipt of the decision of the Dean. In consideration of the appeal, the Provost will review all documentation and, as deemed necessary by the Provost, consult with the student, appropriate faculty and administrators. The Provost will render a decision within ten (10) working days, excluding holidays and Lesley University vacation days. The decision of the Provost is final within Lesley University, and there is no further appeal available.

Meeting the Conditions of Probation

When the student has met the specified conditions outlined in the Dean’s letter the division will notify the Dean to lift probation status. If the student does not meet the conditions within the specified time frame, the division may recommend another review.

GRADE REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATING STUDENTS

For graduate degree students at the Master's, C.A.G.S., or Ph.D. levels a grade of "B-" or better in all core or required courses must be received in order to count towards degree requirements. A student must re-take core or required courses for which a grade of "C+" or below was earned.

Graduate students may earn a maximum of three (3) credits of "C+" grades in elective courses and have these credits apply towards degree requirements. A grade of "C" or below in elective courses is considered a failing grade and will not be applicable toward degree requirements. Elective courses maybe be repeated or another elective course may be added as a substitute. All grades will be recorded on a student's transcript.

When a student repeats a course in order to improve the grade earned, while the grade of the first course will appear on the transcript, only the second grade will be counted toward the number of credits completed and will be used in computing the cumulative average. The exception is if a student receives a grade of "F."

To be eligible for a Ph.D., C.A.G.S., or Master's degree, a student must satisfactorily complete all requirements of the specific degree program with a minimum average of 3.0 quality points (based on a 4.0 scale.) Only courses numbered 5000 or above are accepted toward graduate degree programs. Students enrolled in graduate programs must complete their degree requirements within seven (7) years from the year of their first course, whether taken as a degree or non-degree student at Lesley University or another regionally accredited institution. Courses completed earlier than seven (7) years from the anticipated date of graduation will not be accepted. The Ph.D., C.A.G.S., and Independent Study Master's degree programs have different requirements that are detailed in the Graduate and Adult Bachelor's Programs Academic Catalog.

Students should contact their Faculty Advisor if they have questions about their degree requirements.

Policies

STUDENT GRADE GRIEVANCE POLICY