- Class Attendance. Each student is expected to attend class regularly in order to achieve the maximum benefit from educational activities. The student is responsible for all classwork missed, regardless of the reasons for absence. Each instructor sets the standards of performance to be met by each student for each course in keeping with the standards and policies of SUNY and the institution, college, or academic unit. Expected performance is defined at the beginning of the course. The student’s performance in relation to the established standards shall determine the student’s grade in a course.
- Time Requirement for Courses. It is the policy of SUNY Poly for all courses offered to conform to the New York State Education Regulations requiring at least 15 hours of instruction and at least 30 hours of supplementary assignments for each semester credit hour awarded in lecture/discussion courses. For example, a four credit course requires at least four hours of instruction plus supplementary assignments requiring at least eight additional hours each week for the 15-week semester. Courses involving laboratories, independent studies, tutorials, or practicum experiences are required to have some combination of instruction, laboratory work, and/or supplementary assignments equaling at least 45 hours for each credit awarded.
- Repeating Courses. A student may repeat any course in which he or she has received a grade of “F.” Since no credit is earned for a course in which a grade of “F” has been received, the student must make up the credit deficiency. If a failed course is specifically required for the student’s academic program, the student must repeat the course. A student may repeat any course in which he or she has received a “D” or better. While the student receives credit for only one course attempt toward completion of the degree or program, both grades remain on his or her record; only the higher grade is used in computing the student’s cumulative GPA. Some programs may have additional repeat rules.
- Course Substitutions. The Dean of the college offering the student’s program may allow substitutions for a particular credit course required in a program or curriculum. The student’s advisor must formally recommend the substitution using an academic petition.
- Independent Study. Independent study projects are designed to provide matriculated students with the opportunity for a learning experience in a specific area of knowledge not provided by regular courses at SUNY Poly. They are not to be used in lieu of courses listed in the general catalog, nor are they to be considered guaranteed offerings; they are available to the student as facilities, faculty, time, and interest permit. Within these guidelines each academic unit defines its concept of independent study. Responsibility for planning, conducting, and reporting on an independent study project rests with the student. However, students are to seek the assistance of a faculty member in developing proposals. The student must submit a proposal to the faculty member specifying educational goals, proposed methods of evaluation, duration of the project, and the number of credit hours. The completed proposal is reviewed by the chairperson of the subject area. Registration for independent study can only occur after the proposal has been approved by that chairperson. Independent study courses cannot be added after the normal add date for the semester. A copy of the proposal must be filed with the Registrar when registering for the course. At the end of the study period, the faculty member will receive documentation of the results, assign an appropriate grade, and forward the grade with an abstract to the registrar. No more than sixteen (16) credit hours toward the undergraduate degree may be taken as independent study at SUNY Poly. Students must complete an Independent Study Authorization Form.
- Auditing Courses. Students must complete a Course Audit Registration Form for a course to be taken for audit. The form must be signed by the instructor of the course and the chairperson of the academic unit or Dean within which the course is offered. Students taking courses for audit may submit a Course Audit Form beginning the first day of classes but no later than the last day to add classes. Tuition and fees are not charged for audited courses and there will be no notation of these courses on the SUNY Poly transcript. NOTE: online and hybrid courses cannot be audited.
- Adding or Dropping a Course. A student may add or drop a course, without academic record, by completing the appropriate forms available in the Registrar’s Office and obtaining the required approvals in the first two weeks of the term (refer to the comprehensive academic calendar for appropriate dates). During the third through tenth week of the semester, any student dropping a course receives a “W” grade. After the tenth week of class, a letter grade A-F is assigned, or, for a course graded S/U, an S or U is assigned.
- Section Changes. Change of section is accomplished by the use of an add/drop form during the add/drop period.
- Students Unable to Register or Attend Classes on Certain Days Because of Religious Beliefs. The SUNY policy on attendance in class states: No person shall be expelled from or be refused admission as a student to an institution of higher education for the reason that the student is unable, because of religious beliefs, to register or attend classes or to participate in any examination, study, or work requirements on a particular day or days. Any student in an institution of higher education who is unable, because of religious beliefs, to attend classes on a particular day or days shall, because of such absence on the particular day or days, be excused from any examination or any study or work requirements. It shall be the responsibility of the faculty and of the administrative officials of each institution of higher education to make available to each student who is absent from school, because of religious beliefs, an equivalent opportunity to make up any examination, study, or work requirements which the student may have missed because of such absence on any particular day or days. No fees of any kind shall be charged by the institution for making available to said student such equivalent opportunity. If registration, classes, examinations, study, or work requirements or opportunity to register are held on Friday after four o’clock post meridian, or on Saturday, similar, or make-up classes, examinations, study, or work requirements shall be made available on other days, where it is possible and practicable to do so. No special fees shall be charged to the student for these classes, examinations, study, or work requirements held on other days. In effectuating the provisions of this section, it shall be the duty of the faculty and of the administrative officials of each institution of higher education to exercise the fullest measure of good faith. No adverse or prejudicial effects shall result to students because of their availing themselves of the provisions of this section. Any student who is aggrieved by the alleged failure of any faculty or administrative officials to comply in good faith with the provisions of this section, shall be entitled to maintain an action or proceeding in the supreme court of the county in which such institution of higher education is located for the enforcement of the student’s rights under this section.
