Academic Information
Meredith’s curriculum begins with an innovative general education program that gives every student a firm foundation in interdisciplinary study, world citizenship and scholarly research. To build upon that base, Meredith students may choose from more than 60 majors and concentration. This section offers an overview of academic life at Meredith. For more details, contact the Office of the Vice President for Academic Programs, or consult your undergraduate or graduate catalog.
Academic Probation/Suspension
To continue enrollment at Meredith, students are expected to maintain satisfactory progress toward graduation. Satisfactory progress means maintaining at least the minimal expected quality point ratio or grade point average (QPR or GPA). A student is considered to be making minimal progress if she has earned at the end of any semester the appropriate quality point ratio indicated below:
| Total Hours Attempted | Minimum Expected Meredith QPR |
| 1–16 | 1.500 |
| 17–25 | 1.700 |
| 26–59 | 1.800 |
| 60–89 | 1.900 |
| 90 and above | 2.000 |
If a student fails to achieve minimum progress, she will be placed on academic probation for the following semester. A student who remains on academic probation after two consecutive semesters without meeting the minimum Meredith quality point ratio will be suspended for the following semester. (See College Catalogue for further information).
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919-760-8341
Each degree-seeking student is assigned a faculty advisor to provide guidance on academic concerns, major requirements, and registration for classes. Should students have questions, they may consult Academic & Career Planning for advice and counsel. Academic & Career Planning is located on second floor of Park Center.
Academic advisors assist students in their consideration and clarification of educational goals.
Academic & Career Planning office provides major checksheets on their website, [www.meredith.edu/acp] as an additional resource in major requirements.
Each student is ultimately responsible for her own academic plan.
Advisors, Student
Student advisors are upper–class women who have been selected and trained to assist freshmen in working through transitional issues that new students may encounter, particularly during the first few weeks of school. Adult and Transfer student advisors assist new adult and transfer students. A chief student advisor and chief adult and transfer student advisor are selected through an application process to lead the student advisor team. Student advisors must have a 2.4 GPA and cannot concurrently hold a major campus office without permission from the FYE office. Students with concerns about their student advisors and students who are interested in becoming student advisors are encouraged to contact staff in the First Year Experience Office located on the first floor of the Park Center. Application deadlines for student advising positions are listed in The Student Planner.
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Student Appeals in Connection with Academic Policies:
For (1) through (3), a typed statement signed by the student which outlines the academic policy being appealed and the reasons for making the appeal must be provided. Any required forms must also be completed (see items marked ‘form’). In addition, if the reasons for making the appeal involve medical issues, documentation from the appropriate officials(s) must accompany the appeal.
The decision to grant or not to grant the request made through an appeals process is final and the appeal may not be requested again by the student or others acting on her/his behalf.
1. Committee on Academic Status and Progress (Registrar, Dean of Students, Director of Admissions, Vice President for Academic Programs, one Academic Dean, Faculty Member); forms are available in and submitted to the Office of the Registrar.
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Appeal of Probation Requirements
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Appeal of Academic Suspension
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Appeal of Dismissal from 23+ Program
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Appeal of Dismissal from non-degree program
2. Academic Deans of Schools
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Appeal of deadline for withdrawing from an individual course
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Appeal of deadline for adding or dropping of an individual course
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Appeal of deadline for changing grade status of a course
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Appeal of denial of substitution/off-campus credit for major requirement
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Appeal of scheduled time for an individual student’s final exam
3. Vice President for Academic Programs
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Appeal of restriction to register for no more than 19 semester hours (Form available in and submitted to the Office of the Registrar)
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Appeal of deadline for withdrawing from multiple courses
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Appeal of tuition refund policies
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Appeal of overall graduation requirements such as completing at least 24 of the last 30 semester hours at Meredith.
4. Grade appeals and other academic grievances must follow the process outlined in the student handbook – contact instructor first, department head next, dean of school next, then the vice president for academic programs.
Each student is expected to be regular and prompt in her attendance at all classes, conferences, and other academic appointments. Regular attendance is vital for the student, the professor, and her classmates to benefit from sharing and thinking in the classroom. Each student must accept full responsibility for class preparation, announcements, and assignments missed because of absence.
The student is responsible for contacting her professors regarding any absence. The faculty will be notified by the Office of the Dean of Students in the event of a death in the student’s immediate family (parents, spouse, siblings, children) or the hospitalization of a student. The effect of class attendance on the grade will be clearly specified in writing by each instructor at the beginning of the course.
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Classification
Students are classified according to the following number of credit hours:
| Freshman | 1–25 hours credit |
| Sophomore | 26–59 hours credit |
| Junior | 60–89 hours credit |
| Senior | 90–above hours credit |
Committees with Student Representation
Many academic departments at Meredith have advisory committees that include students in their membership. Also, a majority of College standing committees have student members.
Jenny Spiker, Director, 760-8538
www.crc@meredith.edu www.crc-raleighcolleges.org
Full-time students at Meredith College, North Carolina State University, Peace College, Shaw University and Saint Augustine’s University can take approved courses on each others’ campuses for free during fall and spring semesters. Start with approval from your advisor, check our schedules on the college websites and get registration details from Meredith’s Office of the Registrar. Also be alert to other ways the CRC campuses collaborate on special projects. Suggest ideas to the CRC office on the Meredith campus.
Exams
If a student’s semester exam schedule includes more than two exams within a 24-hour period, she may request to reschedule the third exam. For more information, click here.
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Experiential Learning
Through the Cooperative Education and internship programs at Meredith, a student can gain experience in one or more work environments before graduating. These experiences allow her to learn more about herself and work, to assess a career-related application of her major and predict if she will enjoy it, and to determine for herself additional courses or skills that she may need to achieve her career goals. Cooperative Education is coordinated through Academic & Career Planning. Internships are administered through academic departments. For further information, contact your academic advisor or Academic & Career Planning (760-8341).
Grade Point Average
Each student has her grade averaged in two ways: a Meredith average and an overall average. Each semester hour with a grade of A carries four quality points; B, three; C, two; D, one; F, none. The grade point average or quality point average is calculated by dividing the number of quality points earned by the number of semester hours attempted, whether passed or not. A course that is repeated does not count toward additional hours attempted in calculating the quality point ratio. (Also, see Academic Probation/ Suspension)
Grading System
Each course receives one official semester grade, an evaluation of the entire work of the student during the semester. Grades are made available to the student through WebAdvisor. For further information on the grading system see “Grading System” in the College Catalogue.
Graduate and Professional Studies
Sylvia Horton, Graduate Admissions, 919-760-8508, hortons@meredith.edu
Graduate programs for men and women are coordinated through the John E. Weems Graduate School. A Master of Business Administration is offered by the School of Business. The School of Education, Health, and Human Sciences offers a Master of Education, and Master of Arts in Teaching and a Master of Science in Nutrition. The Master of Education program offers concentrations in elementary education, reading, AIG, special education (general curriculum), and English as a second language as well as add-on licensure options in English as a Second Language (ESL), AIG, special education (general curriculum), and reading. The Master of Arts in Teaching program offers elementary education and special education (general curriculum). The Master of Science in Nutrition and post-baccalaureate Dietetic Internship are also offered through the School of Education, Health, and Human Sciences.
MBA www.meredith.edu/graduate/mba
Master of Education http://www.meredith.edu/graduate/education
Master of Arts in Teaching http://www.meredith.edu/graduate/education
Master of Science in Nutrition http://www.meredith.edu/graduate/nutrition
Dietetic Internship http://www.meredith.edu/graduate/nutrition
To receive information on these programs, call (919) 760-8423 or e-mail graduate@meredith.edu, specifying which program brochure you would like to receive.
Paralegal Program
Marisa Campbell, Director, 919-760-8354, campbellma@meredith.edu
The Paralegal Program is an American Bar Association approved and North Carolina State Bar qualified professional certificate program for women and men who have previously earned a bachelor’s degree in any discipline. Admission is competitive. The program can be completed in two semesters in the evening. Call 760-2855, e-mail paralegal@meredith.edu or visit http://www.meredith.edu/graduate/paralegal.
Pre-Health Post-Baccalaureate Program
Dr. Francie Cuffney, Director, 919-760-2879, cuffneyf@meredith.edu
Meredith’s Pre-Health Post-Baccalaureate program is designed for individuals with a baccalaureate degree who are interested in enhancing their credentials for re-application to medical school or preparing to enter a healthcare field through medical school or any other allied health program. http://www.meredith.edu/graduate/pre-health/index.php
Didactic Program in Dietetics
Dr. Susan Fisher, Director, 919-760-8079, fishers@meredith.edu
Dietetics is a challenging profession that applies the science of food and nutrition to the health and well-being of individuals and groups. The Meredith College Didactic Program in Dietetics (DPD) is a science-based program that is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Education in Nutrition and Dietetics (ACEND) of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics (the Academy). Successful program completion enables you to compete for placement in accredited dietetic internship programs (DI), a required step in becoming a registered dietitian (RD). http://www.meredith.edu/graduate/nutrition/didactic_program/program_overview.php
Five Plus Program Special Education –
Erin Culpepper, 919-760-8316, barrower@meredith.edu
NOTE: This is a program for undergraduates interested in starting graduate MAT courses during their senior year.]
Are you a rising senior interested in special education? If you want to teach students with mild to moderate disabilities in grades K-12, you could get started on graduate courses as an undergraduate senior.
Meredith College now offers the 5+ Program for women and men who are rising college seniors interested in a graduate program leading to teaching licensure in special education (general curriculum). Qualified seniors take two graduate courses in the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program - one in the fall, the other in the spring of senior year. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree and successfully meeting admissions criteria to the MAT program, you complete the degree as a graduate student.
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The Honors Program challenges the academically gifted and ambitious student to develop into her full intellectual potential through deep learning experiences and other special opportunities intended to engage the mind. Each year, academically qualified students are invited to interview for a position in the Honors Program. Additional students with outstanding academic performance in their first semester at Meredith may apply and interview for the opportunity to join the program at the beginning of their second semester. The honors curriculum spans the four-year undergraduate experience and is well integrated into the entire academic program. Benefits of Honors include a learning community of students who share goals and interests, use of the Honors Lounge, access to special Honors classes and speakers, opportunities to attend state and national conferences, as well as local cultural events and an annual Honors Weekend trip, and recognition on the transcript and at graduation.
A student is expected to take honors work each year. She would typically take at least two honors classes during the freshman year, including the honors writing course, an honors lab science, and perhaps an honors elective. In subsequent years an Honors student will take honors colloquia in addition to completing honors in her major as well as an honors thesis. Honors students must maintain a minimum overall grade point average of 3.25.
Interested students (including transfer and 23+ students) are invited to express their interest to the Honors director, Dr. Brent Pitts, by writing to honors@meredith.edu. For more information, visit www.meredith.edu/honors.
Learning Center
The Learning Center provides free, one-on-one tutoring to currently enrolled Meredith students. The tutors are Meredith students who have excelled in their coursework and have been trained to assist their peers. Accounting & economics, foreign languages, mathematics, psychology, science and writing are subjects for which students can find assistance every semester; help in other subjects varies. The Learning Center Web site provides details of subject offerings, of open & holiday hours, and of online resources for students. To schedule a 30-minute appointment, visit www.meredith.edu/learn and click on “Appointments.” (Non-native speakers of English and students registered with Disability Services qualify for additional time.) The Learning Center is located in 122 Jones Hall.
Leave of Absence or Withdrawal from the College
A student wishing to withdraw from all of her courses prior to the end of the semester consults with her advisor and submits a completed withdrawal form to the Dean of Students office to withdraw from the College, or to the Office of the Registrar to request a Leave of Absence from the College (if she plans to return within one calendar year). These forms can be found on the Office of the Registrar website (www.meredith.edu/registrar) or in the Offices of the Registrar (123 Johnson Hall) or Dean of Students (2nd floor Park Center). Tuition, fees and financial assistance adjustments are determined based on the date the withdrawal form is received in the Dean of Students office or the leave of absence form is received in the Office of the Registrar.
Students who withdraw or request a leave of absence from the College in the first 5 days of the semester, during the add/drop period, will be dropped from all of her or his classes. Classes that are dropped within the first 5 days of the semester (during the add/drop period) do not appear on an academic transcript. Classes dropped after the first 5 days of the semester and before the “last day to drop a class with a “W” are dropped with a grade of “W”. The grade of “W” on the academic transcript will indicate withdrawal from a course. A grade of “W” does not affect a student’s GPA or earned hours. A grade of “W” is included in the calculation of attempted hours for academic standing and financial assistance eligibility. The deadline to withdraw or request a leave of absence from the College and receive grades of “W” is the “last day to drop a class with a grade of W” as published in the academic calendar.
Students who cease attendance in registered classes and fail to turn in either the withdrawal form or the leave of absence request will receive the calculated final grades earned at the end of the semester.
Exceptions to the deadline will be considered upon appeal for medical or other documented emergencies and must be appealed to the Vice President for Academic Programs (104 Johnson Hall) to whom the student will provide documentation demonstrating her inability to withdraw by the designated deadline. Acceptable documents include, but are not limited to, medical records, a letter from a treating physician or counselor, or documentation of a family medical emergency.
A student who withdraws or receives an approved leave of absence from the College and lives on campus is expected to vacate her residence within 48 hours or through arrangement with Residence Life. She must also return her Meredith College laptop if one was issued during her attendance. If the student has appealed the drop deadline, the time to vacate her residence and return her laptop begins when the decision concerning her appeal is communicated to her.
A student who has withdrawn from the College must submit an application for re-admission to re-enter the College. A student who receives an approved leave of absence will remain an active student and does not need to reapply for readmission to return to the College if returning within one year of her approved leave.
Leave of Absence Eligibility
A currently enrolled student may request from the Office of the Registrar a leave of absence for up to one year without having to apply for readmission as long as she is in good academic, social, and financial standing at Meredith. See the College Catalogue. If a student should decide to take college work elsewhere while on leave, she must apply for off-campus credit through the Office of the Registrar at Meredith. A student on leave of absence who does not re-enroll within the allotted leave time will be officially withdrawn from the College. After any withdrawal or noncompliance with the leave policy, a student must follow the readmission procedure described in this section of the Handbook.
A student is in good academic standing if she will not be on academic probation at the end of the term in which she applies for the leave of absence. She is in good social standing if she is not on social probation and if there is no Honor Council case pending that would involve probation, suspension, or expulsion. To be in good financial standing, a student must have paid all tuition, fees, and other charges in the accounting office, and returned her laptop.
Opportunities for Academic Enrichment
In building the total program of study, many students take advantage of one or more of the special opportunities listed below to pursue specific academic interests. These opportunities afford a variety of learning experiences. Contact information can be found in the College Catalogue.
Capital City Semester, program of intensive seminars in North Carolina government and politics.
Cooperating Raleigh Colleges, Meredith belongs to the CRC consortium with the other Raleigh colleges: North Carolina State University, William Peace University, Saint Augustine’s College, and Shaw University. While enrolled at Meredith, a student may take classes at any of these other institutions.
Marymount Manhattan College, opportunity for study in New York City.
Meredith Study Abroad, a summer session abroad offering up to a full semester of credit for approximately the same price as attending Meredith for a semester including transportation costs.
Overseas Travel/Study Abroad Programs, arranged within departments and in consultation with the director of study abroad.
Special Studies, may be proposed by students or faculty in all departments.
Independent Study, involves a minimum of guidance and truly autonomous study, e.g., biology or chemistry lab research.
Directed Individual Study, study planned with guidance of instructor, e.g., historical research.
Group Studies, special topic course not already in the curriculum, e.g., Women’s Studies.
Community Internship, field experience with supervision, e.g., interior decorating, graphic design, hospital work.
Service Learning, service experience with an academic component and reflection.
United Nations Semester at Drew University, classes in Madison, NJ, and observation seminar sessions at the United Nations.
Undergraduate Research Program, one-on-one study and research with a Meredith faculty member.
Washington Semester at American University, study and research on the federal government level in Washington, D.C.
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Plagiarism is the dishonest use as one’s own of another’s words, thoughts, ideas or organization. Honest work in no way precludes using another’s work; it simply requires that in all instances such use be properly acknowledged.
Plagiarism results when a student copies from another student’s paper or from books and other print or online sources and fails to acknowledge such borrowing.
Whether source materials are quoted directly or are paraphrased, all such borrowing must be acknowledged clearly in the final paper or oral report through the use of footnotes or source tags.
If a student discovers that she has made a mistake in acknowledging sources in a paper already submitted, she should make this error known to her instructor.
A plea of ignorance will not be accepted as an excuse by the Honor Council.
As the educational purpose of papers differs from classroom to classroom, it is the joint responsibility of the instructor and the student to clarify what constitutes plagiarism in keeping with the purposes outlined for a particular paper. Each instructor should state specifically the extent and limits of available sources a student may employ in writing her paper. A student who is uncertain about an assignment and sources to be used should consult with her instructor for clarification before completion of the paper.
(Please note that the use of one’s own old high school or collegiate papers is discouraged, but if used, must be acknowledged as a source.)
Pre-Registration
Pre-registration is the process of requesting space in classes for the next term. It is open only to students who are in a prescribed program of study at Meredith such as a degree or teacher licensure program. Pre-registration is held during the last half of the prior semester. No payment is required for class reservation, but payment must be made by the stated due date to avoid deregistration. Information on the pre-registration process is available from the Registrar’s office immediately after midterm recess.
Progress/Midterm Report
Midway into each semester, instructors provide the Office of the Registrar with progress/midterm reports for those students whose performance in class indicates work below a “C” average. Not a permanent grade, this report is an indication of the student’s progress thus far in the current semester. Midterm progress reports are available on WebAdvisor. A student’s faculty advisor will also be notified of any progress/midterm reports available for his or her advisees.
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Readmission
A degree-seeking student who was previously enrolled at Meredith but who did not complete the semester immediately preceding the term she wishes to enter must apply for readmission. Exceptions are students on a valid leave of absence and those visiting another institution with the approval of Meredith College. Re-admission is not guaranteed, and such students will be required to follow a contract outlining specific and unique conditions designed to help them be successful.
Records, Access to
FERPA, the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, is a federal law requiring Meredith College to protect the confidentiality of student educational records. Meredith College has adopted the policies outlined below to comply with the law, inform students of their privacy rights, and to maintain the protection of student educational records.
Although student educational records are protected, Meredith College is not required to protect information that is classified as “directory” information. Meredith College has the right to release the following directory information without a student’s prior consent:
- Name, address, telephone number, and e-mail address
- Date and place of birth and country of citizenship
- Dates of attendance, academic major, degrees and awards received
- Institutions attended
- Weights and heights of athletic team members
- Participation in sports and activities
- Student photographs
- Academic Advisor(s)
All students who would like their directory information to be protected under the same FERPA guidelines as those used for educational records should submit a written request to the following offices: registrar’s office for undergraduate students, graduate office for graduate students, and School of Education for licensure only students. This written request must be submitted to the appropriate office by the 20th classroom day of the fall or spring semester. It is not retroactive.
Meredith College is permitted by law to release and share your student educational records without your prior consent to the following parties:
- Meredith College employees with a legitimate educational purpose
- Officials of other schools in which the student seeks admission
- Appropriate persons in connection with a student’s application for, or receipt of, financial aid
- Federal or state officials as defined in paragraph 99.37 of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974
- State and local officials authorized by state statute
- Organizations conducting studies for, or on the behalf of, Meredith College for the purpose of assisting in accomplishing the College’s stated goals
- Organizations conducting studies for schools the student has attended
- Accrediting organizations, to carry out their functions
- Parents of a dependent student as defined in section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 (Written consent may be allowed from either of these separated or divorced parents subject to any agreement between the parents or court order. In the case of a student whose legal guardian is an institution, a party independent of the institution, appointed under state and local law to give parental consent, may be allowed to do so).
- In compliance with judicial order or subpoena
- Appropriate persons in connection with an emergency if such knowledge is necessary to protect the health or safety of a student or other person
NOTE: With the exception of Meredith College employees who have been determined by the College to have a legitimate educational purpose, all individuals and agencies who have requested or obtained access to a student’s record (other than directory information) will be noted in a record which is kept with each student’s educational records. A request must be in writing stating the purpose of the request. This record will also indicate specifically the legitimate interest that the person or agency had in obtaining the information. If the legitimate educational purpose of a request is in question, the matter will be referred to the president of the College for adjudication.
Meredith College will comply with FERPA to protect student educational records from unauthorized access.
Definitions
Education Records are those records, files, documents and other materials which (1) contain information directly related to a student; and (2) are maintained by Meredith College or by a person acting for the College.
Records are information recorded in any medium, including, but not limited to, the following: handwriting, print, electronic media, tapes, film, microfilm, and microfiche. Educational records do not include: (1) personal notes, (2) records available only to law enforcement personnel, (3) employment records, unless the student’s status is a condition of employment or (4) medical and psychiatric records (these are accessible by the student’s physician), (5) directory information previously defined.
School officials or employees are persons employed by the College, elected to the Board of Trustees or employed by or under contract to the College to perform a special task, such as an attorney or auditor or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks. Legitimate educational purpose is the performance of a job-related task related to a student’s education, performance of a task related to the discipline of a student, or providing a service or benefit related to the student, or student’s family, such as health care, counseling, job placement, or financial aid.
Students are persons who are or have been enrolled at Meredith College. Applicants who do not enroll or who are declared ineligible to enroll have no inherent right to inspect their files. Whenever “student” is used in reference to personal rights, an eligible parent of a dependent student has similar rights.
Eligible parents are those who have satisfied Section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954 and who present such proof to the custodian of an educational record. Normally the proof will be a certified copy of the parent’s most recent Federal Income Tax Form.
Procedures for Accessing Education Records
Meredith College, in compliance with FERPA, permits students to have access to their educational records. Students wanting access to their educational records should file a written request to the appropriate office (i.e., registrar’s office for undergraduate students, and 23+ students, or the graduate office for graduate students). The student may ask for an explanation and/or to view a copy of any record. If there seem to be corrections needed to the educational record requested by the student, the student may submit an appeal in writing for a formal hearing. The president of the College will appoint an Appeals Committee which must meet within 45 days of the receipt of the written appeal. The committee will allow the student to present evidence to substantiate the appeal and shall render a written decision to the student within 45 days of the hearing.
NOTE: This policy does not provide for a hearing to contest an academic grade.
Exclusions
FERPA does not give students access to the following records or information:
- Financial records of parents or any information therein;
- Confidential letters and statements of recommendation which were placed in the educational record prior to January 1, 1974;
- Records to which access has been waived by the student. (This exclusion applies only if a student, upon request, is notified of the names of all persons making confidential recommendations and if such recommendations are used solely for the purpose for which they were intended.)
Destruction of Education Records
Meredith College will retain student educational records as long as information is valid and useful. Student educational records will be destroyed when the records are no longer of use to the institution. Any such records will be destroyed by means of confidential disposal.
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Registrar
See Administrative Offices Page
Meredith offers summer courses on a variety of schedules. Registration begins in January each year. More information can be seen at www.meredith.edu/summer.
Students may also take courses at other institutions during the summer. All such courses must be approved by Meredith prior to enrollment and must be followed by an official academic transcript upon completion of the course(s) before they can be added to the academic record. Approval forms for visitation courses are available in the Office of the Registrar and on the Meredith website at www.meredith.edu/registrar.
On-campus housing is available to Meredith students during the summer only to those students who are eligible for housing in the fall and spring terms and:
- Attending summer school at Meredith,
- Attending summer school at CRC institutions, with permission from the registrar to visit away,
- Working full-time on campus (40 hours per week),
or - Working as an intern or co-op student receiving credit from Meredith.
Students must vacate their rooms immediately after the completion of their summer school term, internship; job or co-op. Housing fees (including meals) are assessed each week.
Students may receive official copies of their college transcripts online or in person from the Office of the Registrar. The student’s signature and the transcript fee are required before a transcript can be released. To order online, students can visit www.getmytranscript.com. Requests cannot be accepted by phone. All services in the Office of the Registrar are contingent upon satisfactory College accounts and other College obligations.
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Undergraduate Degree Program
for Women 23+
Academic and Career Planning, 919-760-8341
Undergraduate Degree Program for Women 23+, for women over 23 who wish to begin or resume academic course work leading to an undergraduate degree, a second degree, or a second major. Course scheduling is flexible.
To learn more about the Undergraduate Degree Program for Women Age 23+ conditional admission procedures, review the criteria in the Meredith College Catalogue.
Withdrawal or Leave of Absence from the College
A student wishing to withdraw from all of her courses prior to the end of the semester consults with her advisor and submits a completed withdrawal form to the Dean of Students office to withdraw from the College, or to the Office of the Registrar to request a Leave of Absence from the College (if she plans to return within one calendar year). These forms can be found on the Office of the Registrar website (www.meredith.edu/registrar) or in the Offices of the Registrar (123 Johnson Hall) or Dean of Students (2nd floor Park Center). Tuition, fees and financial assistance adjustments are determined based on the date the withdrawal form is received in the Dean of Students office or the leave of absence form is received in the Office of the Registrar.
Students who withdraw or request a leave of absence from the College in the first 5 days of the semester, during the add/drop period, will be dropped from all of her or his classes. Classes that are dropped within the first 5 days of the semester (during the add/drop period) do not appear on an academic transcript. Classes dropped after the first 5 days of the semester and before the “last day to drop a class with a “W” are dropped with a grade of “W”. The grade of “W” on the academic transcript will indicate withdrawal from a course. A grade of “W” does not affect a student’s GPA or earned hours. A grade of “W” is included in the calculation of attempted hours for academic standing and financial assistance eligibility. The deadline to withdraw or request a leave of absence from the College and receive grades of “W” is the “last day to drop a class with a grade of W” as published in the academic calendar.
Students who cease attendance in registered classes and fail to turn in either the withdrawal form or the leave of absence request will receive the calculated final grades earned at the end of the semester.
Exceptions to the deadline will be considered upon appeal for medical or other documented emergencies and must be appealed to the Vice President for Academic Programs (104 Johnson Hall) to whom the student will provide documentation demonstrating her inability to withdraw by the designated deadline. Acceptable documents include, but are not limited to, medical records, a letter from a treating physician or counselor, or documentation of a family medical emergency.
A student who withdraws or receives an approved leave of absence from the College and lives on campus is expected to vacate her residence within 48 hours or through arrangement with Residence Life. She must also return her Meredith College laptop if one was issued during her attendance. If the student has appealed the drop deadline, the time to vacate her residence and return her laptop begins when the decision concerning her appeal is communicated to her.
A student who has withdrawn from the College must submit an application for re-admission to re-enter the College. A student who receives an approved leave of absence will remain an active student and does not need to reapply for readmission to return to the College if returning within one year of her approved leave.
Leave of Absence Eligibility
A currently enrolled student may request from the Office of the Registrar a leave of absence for up to one year without having to apply for readmission as long as she is in good academic, social, and financial standing at Meredith. See the College Catalogue. If a student should decide to take college work elsewhere while on leave, she must apply for off-campus credit through the Office of the Registrar at Meredith. A student on leave of absence who does not re-enroll within the allotted leave time will be officially withdrawn from the College. After any withdrawal or noncompliance with the leave policy, a student must follow the readmission procedure described in this section of the Handbook.
A student is in good academic standing if she will not be on academic probation at the end of the term in which she applies for the leave of absence. She is in good social standing if she is not on social probation and if there is no Honor Council case pending that would involve probation, suspension, or expulsion. To be in good financial standing, a student must have paid all tuition, fees, and other charges in the accounting office, and returns her laptop.
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