Division of Academic Affairs

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Mission

Academic Affairs promotes excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service. The division fosters a student-centered learning environment grounded in a liberal education. Academic Affairs nurtures a community of learners committed to ethical behavior, intellectual curiosity, personal growth, accountability, and global involvement.

Institutional Student Learning Outcomes (ISLOs)

Written Communication - The development and clear expression of ideas in writing.
Critical Thinking - A habit of mind characterized by the comprehensive exploration of issues, ideas, artifacts, and events before accepting or formulating an opinion or conclusion.
Information Literacy - The ability to know when there is a need for information to be able to identify, locate, evaluate, and effectively and responsibly use and share that information for the problem at hand.
Quantitative Literacy - A “habit of mind,” competency, and comfort in working with numerical data.
Ethical Reasoning - The ability to reason about right and wrong conduct. Development of framework of values on which to base moral analysis.
Integrative Learning - An understanding and disposition that a student builds across the curriculum and co-curriculum, from making simple connections among ideas and experiences to synthesizing and transferring learning to new, complex situations within and beyond the campus.
*Ratified by the SSU Institutional Assessment Committee: January 2014

University Library

The Asa H. Gordon Library offers a variety of informational resources and services to the university community to serve both the research and academic needs of undergraduates, graduate students, faculty and staff.

The main library is centrally located within close proximity to all instructional buildings on campus. Access to the library is provided through two main ground level entrances. The east entrance is ADA accessible and is equipped with an entrance ramp and an automatic door. The library has both quiet and collaborative study spaces including 12 study rooms, 4 conference rooms and a presentation lab. Asa’s Café is located on the library’s first floor and is equipped with a microwave, tables, and snack machines. Students may use lockers located on the first and second floors to safely store their books, electronic devices, and other belongings.

Resources include over 100+ computers with internet access and printing capabilities in study and conference rooms, the reference area, and library classrooms. The library provides access to 10,000+ scholarly journals, magazines and newspaper titles; 300+ databases; 250,000+ eBooks; and 200,000+ hard copies of books. The library’s electronic catalog allows students to locate hard copies and electronic resources and to download full text of many electronic resources. Electronic resources are available 24/7/365. Materials located in the Special Collections must be used in the library; although full text of many of the Special Collections documents have been digitized and are available electronically in the SSU Digital Archives or Tiger Scholar Commons website.

A valid SSU ID or an official picture ID-such as a driver’s license-is needed to borrow materials at the SSU library and from any university system library as a walkup patron or through interlibrary loan. While daily overdue fines are not charged, fees are charged for lost materials and any materials not returned in 56 days. All fees must be paid in full in order for students to register for classes, receive grades, borrow library materials, or receive an official transcript.

In addition to its resources and collections, the library also offers research assistance at the reference/information desks or virtually using telephone, email, chat, or text messaging. In order for our patrons to have access to materials that are not owned by Savannah State, in addition to borrowing materials from University System of Georgia institutions, interlibrary loan is available from many other libraries across the nation at no cost. One of the most important services provided by the library is in-class instruction. In-class instruction is conducted by library faculty at the request of the teaching faculty to assist students in finding, evaluating, and citing information.

Library staff invite students and faculty to assess library services and resources. The results of surveys and other assessment methods are used to improve library operations and services.

Center for Student Success and Retention Programs and Services

Academic Advising and Faculty Mentoring

In accord with the tenets of the University System of Georgia’s Momentum Year, Savannah State University has designed work across the university to guide all new students to make purposeful choices, to develop a growth mindset, and to follow a set path to completion. Academic advising, the very first step in the actual collegiate experience, aims to provide students with the resources they need to be successful at Savannah State University while also providing comprehensive programming to support the needs of the student. To achieve the established level of success for that first year, academic advising will ensure students begin with a strong sense of direction, find their paths early-academically and career wise, and then build the force necessary to complete their course of study-in essence, gain the momentum they need to succeed.

Advising at Savannah State University will be organized into three general areas of responsibility: professional advisors, faculty mentors, and specialists. The Professional Advisors Handbook outlines the roles, responsibilities, and resources for professional advisors, sets the stage and outlines the policies and procedures for the work that will be performed by the Professional Advisors. The professional advisors are assigned to students for their entire academic career at Savannah State University to ensure a consistent appreciative advising experience across disciplines and majors.

As the primary academic support and advising unit for all students at Savannah State University, the Professional advisors will be responsible for advising through core curriculum, degree pre-requisites, and the program map. The advisors will work with the students in a number of areas related to the academic experience at Savannah State University, with a primary emphasis in advising and monitoring progress toward a degree of their selected academic program. Working hand-in-hand with academic deans and faculty mentors with curriculums, changes in degree programs, and graduation audits/checks, the Professional Advisors will continue to implement the Appreciative Advising model of advising students.

On the academic side, there will be Faculty Mentors and Specialists to ensure that those academic services that fall outside the purview of the Professional Advisors will be addressed accurately and timely. Faculty mentors serve as experts in the discipline who help shape students’ understanding of the academic and professional field. They are responsible for contextualizing the course content in the major with broader academic and professional goals. Faculty mentors will work in collaboration with professional advisors and provide referrals for course advisement and registration.

This new advising model assures the university that the professional advisors will give new students the springboard they need and overall, will assist in increasing Savannah State University’s rates for student retention, persistence, and degree completion. Students can visit their professional academic advisors in Hubert Technology Building A for additional information or to make an appointment.

First Year Experience

The First Year Experience (FYE) at Savannah State University builds a strong foundation for college success. The content of First Year Experience includes a wealth of information, resources, and support designed to help students become active learners and well-informed members of the University community. This course is required for first time full time students as part of the required curriculum.

Testing

The Testing Center in the Center for Student Success (CSS) coordinates, administers, and reports on various tests within the appropriate guidelines that support the academic and professional goals of our students and individuals in the community. The Testing Center administers various types of exams: college entrance, college placement, college credit by exams, major field, professional, and certification. Test proctoring services are available for students enrolled in fully online classes at Savannah State University and other colleges. The Testing Center is a member of the Georgia College Testing Association, subscribes to the National College Testing Association (NCTA) Professional Standards and Guidelines and serves as a certified NCTA Test Center. A comprehensive list of the services offered and other test center certifications are included on the official SSU Test Center’s website: www.savannahstate.edu/testing.

Tutorial Services

Peer and professional tutors are provided free of charge for all SSU students in learning support and core curriculum subjects. Tutors for higher level and major courses are also available in Biology, Chemistry, Accounting, Finance, and Statistics. Additional courses are added upon request from students and faculty. For more information or to make an appointment, call (912) 358-4476.

Learning Support Placement

Learning Support (LS) is a University System of Georgia program designed to strengthen the skill level of entering students in Mathematics and/or English (reading/writing) to promote academic success. There are multiple measures which determine Learning Support placement: high school curriculum and grades (official high school transcript), official SAT/or ACT test scores and/or placement test scores. The system approved placement test is the ACCUPLACER Test. Transfer students may be required to participate in LS in areas not exited at a prior USG institution if eligible. Institutional credit will be awarded for LS classes.

Center for Student Success and Retention (CSS)

The University System of Georgia Board of Regents designates Savannah State University as an access institution. Because of this designation, the University is charged with providing an opportunity for individuals to earn a college degree who may have difficulty entering college because of various cultural, psycho-social and socio-economic issues, which have been shown to have a direct impact on their level of educational ability to attain a college degree.

The Access to Success (A2S) mission, under the Center for Student Success, provides the academic service and advising support for students who have not met the traditional freshman admission criteria, such as ACT and SAT test scores. Access to Success supports student retention, persistence, and degree completion. Students who matriculate and successfully complete the core curriculum through Access to Success may earn an associate’s degree and receive continued support through completion of a bachelor’s degree.

The advisors work with students in a number of areas related to the academic experience at Savannah State University, with a primary emphasis in advising and monitoring progress toward a degree of their selected academic program. The advisors work hand-in-hand with academic deans and campus faculty advisors with curriculums, changes in degree programs, and graduation audits/checks.

The Center for Student Success and Retention provides comprehensive academic support classes, services and resources specifically designed to enhance student academic achievement and success. Resources provided include professional academic advisement and mentoring, academic coaching, testing, and tutoring services.

The Center for Student Success and Retention, in accordance with the University System of Georgia’s Momentum Year initiative will work to ensure that students begin their college careers by making a purposeful choice in a focus area or program. Advisors will help students to understand the benefits of developing an academic mindset and to adhere to the degree maps in the respective majors. All new students will be advised to complete the core requirements for English and math and to earn nine credits in their chosen degree area within the first year. These essential elements are designed to give students the impetus to move successfully to completion.

In addition, the Center for Student Success and Retention addresses college readiness through its involvement in the oversight of Savannah State University’s partnership with the Savannah Chatham County Public Schools’ Dual Enrolled program and the traditional dual enrollment programs for high school students taking college classes.

Learning Support Curriculum:

Learning Support placement exists as a co-requisite or supplement to college level courses. This co-requisite model includes the freshmen level course in the Area A class for English/or Math (e.g. ENGL 1101 , MATH 1001  or MATH 1111  or MATH 1401 ) along with a required Learning Support co-requisite course in English/or Math (ENGL 0999 , MATH 0996 , MATH 0997 , MATH 0999 ) (a fee is assessed for these courses) in which both classes must be taken together within the same semester until fulfilled. Fulfillment of the Learning Support requirement includes the passing of the Area A class with a “C” grade or better. Students who do not fulfill this requirement must re-enroll in both courses (as the co-requisite model) until the requirement is satisfied.

Students requiring remediation will be placed in non-credit bearing, co-requisite Learning Support courses that will provide “just-in-time” academic assistance while students are also enrolled in the gateway (collegiate) courses in mathematics or English. Savannah State University offers remediation as co-requisite support only, as research shows that even less prepared students have higher success rates in co-requisite support than in traditional forms of remediation.

Combined Reading and Writing Course

Reading and writing skills will be developed simultaneously in co-requisite support for ENGL 1101 - English Composition I . Mathematics skills will be developed in co-requisite support for MATH 1001 , MATH 1111 , and MATH 1401 .

Courses and Numbering

To reflect the changes in Learning Support delivery, new courses and course numbers have been developed for the co-requisite support course.

Co-requisite course numbers and titles:
CHEM 998 - Principles of Chemistry I Concept Development  (CHEM 1211 /CHEM 1211L )
ENGL 0999 - Composition Support I  (ENGL 1101 )
MATH 0996 - Support for Elementary Statistics  (MATH 1401 )
MATH 0997 - Support for Quantitative Reasoning  (MATH 1001 )
MATH 0999 - Support for College Algebra  (MATH 1111 )

Enrollment in Institutionally Required Learning Support Courses

Students who exceed the USG minimum requirements but are required by the institution to take Learning Support courses in order to prepare for core curriculum courses may, at the institution’s option, be exempted from any or all of the requirements specified in Section IV H. However, all such requirements imposed by the institution must be satisfied by the time the student has earned 30 credit hours or the student must enroll in course work that will satisfy the requirements every semester of enrollment until the requirements are satisfied. Institutions have the authority to limit accumulation of college-level credit to 20 hours.

Learning Support for Transfer Students

Students who complete course work and exit an area of Learning Support at any institution in the USG shall not be required to re-enter that area of Learning Support upon transfer to another USG institution. For students transferring from SACSCOC-accredited Technical College System of Georgia (TCSG) colleges, exit will be considered according to guidelines issued by the Executive Vice Chancellor and Chief Academic Officer of the USG.

Exiting Learning Support

To exit Learning Support, students must pass the collegiate-level course.

Withdrawal from Learning Support Courses

Students enrolled in gateway collegiate courses with co-requisite support may not withdraw from either course without withdrawing from both.

Attempts in Learning Support Courses

There are no limits on attempts in co-requisite Learning Support courses.

Learning Support Suspension

Students who have been suspended from the institution without completing Learning Support requirements may complete their Learning Support requirements and additional collegiate- level work at SACSCOC-accredited TCSG institutions during the year of suspension.

Learning Support Policies

Students may not accumulate more than 30 hours of degree credit while their Learning Support requirements remain unsatisfied. Students who have accumulated 30 credit hours and who have not successfully completed the required Learning Support courses must enroll only in their Learning Support classes until the LS requirements are successfully completed. Notification letters are mailed/ and e- mailed each semester to students informing them of their status.

All students enrolled in Learning Support (LS) courses are advised by professional advisors in A2S until they complete their Learning Support requirements and accumulate up to 60 hours of college credit.

Courses with Learning Support Co-requisites

1. Students who are required to enroll in co-requisite Learning Support courses are not permitted to enroll in credit courses that require the mastery of the content or the skills of the co-requisite courses.
2. Institutions shall inform students of those collegiate courses that have Learning Support prerequisites or co-requisites. The following core curriculum areas may require students to complete or exempt co-requisite Learning Support requirements.
   • Completion or exemption from co-requisite Learning Support English may be a prerequisite for Social, Natural, and Physical Science courses. (Additional areas for exit or exemption such as Learning Support Mathematics are at the discretion of the institution.)
   • Placement into or exemption from co-requisite Learning Support English is required for placement into ENGL 1101 .
   • Completion or exemption from co-requisite Learning Support English is required for placement into all other college-level English courses.
   • Placement into or exemption from co-requisite Learning Support mathematics is required for placement into MATH 1001 , MATH 1401  or MATH 1111 . Completion or exemption from co-requisite Learning Support Mathematics is required for placement into all other college level mathematics courses.
   • Completion or exemption from co-requisite Learning Support mathematics may be a prerequisite for physics and chemistry courses.
   • Any courses with prerequisite of any other college-level course would require exit or exemption from related Learning Support requirements.
   • It is recommended that courses such as music, art, and theater remain open for students with Learning Support requirements whenever possible.

Placement

The “default placement” for all students will be in an entry-level collegiate course with Corequisite Learning Support UNLESS students meet exemption criteria (for Corequisite Support) as outlined below in the sections on English and mathematics.

• Students who do not meet any exemption criteria may waive placement testing if they are willing to accept placement in Corequisite Learning Support at the highest level of credit intensity (the most credits) offered at the institution.
• All students must be made aware that they have the OPTION to take placement tests, which may place them directly into collegiate courses or in less credit intensive levels of Corequisite Learning Support. Students interested in taking placement tests should not be discouraged from doing so.
• When placement testing is needed, Next-Generation Accuplacer placement tests should be used. Placement testing with Next-Generation Accuplacer placement tests is described in more detail in the next section (8. Next-Generation Accuplacer Placement Tests).
• Exception: students wishing to enroll in MATH 1111 - College Algebra , (with or without Corequisite Learning Support), must take the mathematics placement test unless they have already met the criteria for direct placement into MATH 1111  or MATH 1111  with Corequisite Learning Support (see below).

English

All entering students will be enrolled in ENGL 1101 - English Composition I  and the Corequisite Learning Support course, ENGL 0999 - Composition Support I , unless they meet one of the exemption criteria listed below or are enrolled in a program for which ENGL 1101  is not required. If students enroll in programs that do not require ENGL 1101 , but they choose to take this course, standard assessment and placement rules will apply.

The exemption criteria below apply to the requirement to enroll in the Corequisite Learning Support course, not to the ENGL 1101  course requirement. Institutions may set higher exemption criteria. Students meeting any of the criteria on the list below may enroll in ENGL 1101  without the Corequisite Learning Support course, ENGL 0999 :

• Student already has credit for an Area A English course (must meet the minimum grade requirement for the course at the institution - which may be a “C” or higher).
• Student has an English Placement Index of 4230 or higher*
• Student has a final high school GPA (HSGPA - this is the same HSGPA that is used in calculation of the Freshman Index) of 3.1 or higher and has completed the Required High School Curriculum (RHSC) in English.
• Student has an ACT English or Reading score of 17 or higher.
• Student has an SAT Verbal/Critical Reading score of 430 or higher on the “old” SAT.
• Student has a score of 480 or higher on the “new” SAT Evidence-Based Reading 23 and Writing (EBRW) section.
• Student has a Classic Accuplacer Reading Comprehension score of 61 or higher AND an Accuplacer WritePlacer score of 4 or higher.
• Student has an Accuplacer Next-Generation Reading score of 237** or higher AND an Accuplacer WritePlacer score of 4 or higher.

* At the institution’s option, the English Placement Index (EPI) may continue to be used for students who have at least two of the following: 1) High school grade point average, 2) SAT or ACT scores, 3) Classic Accuplacer scores.
** Next-Generation Accuplacer Reading test scores may not be used to calculate the English Placement Index.

Mathematics

All entering students will be enrolled in one of three standard Area A college-level credit-bearing mathematics courses (MATH 1001 - Quantitative Reasoning , MATH 1401 - Elementary Statistics , or MATH 1111 - College Algebra ) and a Corequisite Learning Support course unless they meet one of the exemption criteria listed below or are enrolled in a program for which a mathematics course is not required. If students enroll in programs that do not require a mathematics course, but they choose to take a mathematics course, standard assessment and placement rules will apply.

Note that MATH 1111  has higher placement and exemption criteria than MATH 1001  and MATH 1401 .

The exemption criteria below apply to the requirement to enroll in a Corequisite Learning Support course, not to the college-level mathematics course requirement.

MATH 1001 - Quantitative Reasoning  and MATH 1401 - Elementary Statistics  

Students meeting any of the criteria on the list below may enroll in MATH 1001  or MATH 1401  without the corequisite Learning Support courses, MATH 0997  or MATH 0996 :

• Student already has credit for an Area A mathematics course (must meet the minimum grade requirement for the course at the institution - which may be a “C” or higher).
• Student has a Mathematics Placement Index of 1165 or higher. *
• Student has placed in Pre-Calculus or a higher mathematics course (e.g., College Trigonometry or some form of calculus).
• Student has a high school GPA (HSGPA - this is the same HSGPA that is used in calculation of the Freshman Index) of 3.2 or higher and has completed the Required High School Curriculum (RHSC) in mathematics.
• Student has an ACT Mathematics score of 17 or higher.
• Student has an SAT Mathematics score of 400 or higher on the “old” SAT.
• Student has an SAT Math section score of 440 or higher on the “new” SAT.
• Student has a Classic Accuplacer Elementary Algebra score of 67 or higher (for students who will take MATH 1001 , see below).
• Student has an Accuplacer Next-Generation Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra, and Statistics score of 258** or higher (for students who will take MATH 1111 , see below).

* At the institution’s option, the Mathematics Placement Index (MPI) may continue to be used for students who have at least two of the following: 1) High school grade point average, 2) SAT or ACT scores, 3) Classic Accuplacer scores.
** Next-Generation Accuplacer scores may not be used to calculate Mathematics Placement Indices (MPI).

MATH 1111 - College Algebra  

Students who do not qualify for initial enrollment in MATH 1111  (with or without corequisite Learning Support) may enroll in MATH 1001  or MATH 1401  (with or without corequisite support) and may later enroll in MATH 1111  after successfully completing MATH 1001  or MATH 1401 .

Criteria for Placement into MATH 1111  with Corequisite Learning Support:

Students meeting any of the criteria on the list below may enroll in MATH 1111  with Corequisite support, MATH 0999 . (Institutions may set higher requirements to enroll in MATH 1111  with corequisite support.)

• Student has a Mathematics Placement Index of 1165 or higher. *
• Student has a high school GPA (HSGPA - this is the same HSGPA that is used in calculation of the Freshman Index) of 3.2 or higher and has completed the Required High School Curriculum (RHSC) in mathematics.
• Student has an ACT Mathematics score of 17 or higher. o Student has an SAT Mathematics score of 400 or higher on the “old” SAT.
• Student has an SAT Math section score of 440 or higher on the “new” SAT. o Student has a Classic Accuplacer Elementary Algebra score of 67 or higher.
• Student has an Accuplacer Next-Generation Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra, and Statistics score of 258** or higher.

Criteria for Direct Placement into MATH 1111 : Students meeting any of the criteria on the list below may enroll in MATH 1111  without the Corequisite Learning Support course, MATH 0999 .

• Student already has credit for an Area A mathematics course (must meet the minimum grade requirement for the course at the institution - which may be a “C” or higher).
• Student has a Mathematics Placement Index of 1265 or higher. *
• Student has placed in pre-calculus or a higher mathematics course (e.g., College Trigonometry or some form of calculus).
• Student has a high school GPA (HSGPA - this is the same HSGPA that is used in calculation of the Freshman Index) of 3.4 or higher and has completed the Required 25 High School Curriculum (RHSC) in mathematics.
• Student has an ACT Mathematics score of 20 or higher.
• Student has an SAT Mathematics score of 470 or higher on the “old” SAT.
• Student has an SAT Math section score of 510 or higher on the “new” SAT.
• Student has a Classic Accuplacer Elementary Algebra score of 79 or higher.
• Student has an Accuplacer Next-Generation Quantitative Reasoning, Algebra, and Statistics score of 266** or higher.

* At the institution’s option, the Mathematics Placement Index (MPI) may continue to be used for students who have at least two of the following: 1) High school grade point average, 2) SAT or ACT scores, 3) Classic Accuplacer scores.
** Next-Generation Accuplacer scores may not be used to calculate Mathematics Placement Indices (MPI).

Learning Support prerequisite for core courses is as follows:

Students must enroll in or exempt the corequisite Learning Support course in order to register for:

If a student passes (ENGL 1101 ) successfully with a grade of C or higher —– The next course is ENGL 1102  
If a student passes (MATH 1111 ) successfully with a grade of C or higher —– The next course is MATH 1113  (if major requires)
If a student passes (MATH 1001  or MATH 1401 ) successfully with a grade of C or higher —– The student has fulfilled the requirement for the major.

Grades in Learning Support Courses

The following grades defined in detail in BOR Policy 3.5 are approved for LS courses in English (reading/writing), and mathematics:

Grade Definition

Learning Support Attempts and Exit

• An attempt is defined as an institutional credit course in which a student receives any grade or symbol except “W” or “WM”.

USG-mandated Enrollment in Learning Support Courses

The following requirements apply to those students who have USG-mandated Learning Support requirements. Institutions are not required to apply them to students who exceed the USG requirements even though such students may have institutionally-mandated Learning Support requirements:

During each semester of enrollment, a student must first register for all required Learning Support courses before being allowed to register for other courses. This policy also applies to part-time students. Two exceptions are possible:

• In the event that a required Learning Support course is not available, a student may enroll in a course for degree credit if the student has met the course requirements, subject to the written approval of the president or designee.
• Students who have accumulated a maximum of 30 semester hours of college-level credit and have not successfully completed required Learning Support courses may enroll only in Learning Support courses until requirements are successfully completed. Students with transfer credit or credit earned in a certificate or prior degree program who are required to take Learning Support courses for their current degree objectives may earn up to 30 additional hours of college-level credit. After earning the additional hours, such students may enroll in Learning Support courses only. Institutions have the authority to limit accumulation of college-level credit to 20 hours.

Voluntary Enrollment in Learning Support Courses

1. Students who are required to take Learning Support courses in an area may not register as auditors in any Learning Support course in that area.
2. Students who are not required to take Learning Support courses in a disciplinary area may elect to enroll in Learning Support courses in a non-required area for institutional credit or on an audit basis. There is no limit on attempts for students who elect to enroll in corequisite Learning Support courses.

Learning Support Rules for Returning Students

1. Students who transfer into a USG institution without having exempted or completed Learning Support requirements in an area (i.e., English or mathematics) must be evaluated for Learning Support placement and placed according to the USG institution’s criteria for Learning Support placement.
2. Students who leave a USG school for any reason may be re-admitted without Learning Support requirements if they meet one of the following conditions:
   • Students have completed all Learning Support requirements at a SACSCOC TCSG institution and completion of Learning Support requirements is documented on their TCSG transcript.
   • Students have earned transferable credit at a regionally-accredited non-USG institution for ENGL 1101  or ENGL 1102  (for completion of the Learning Support English requirement) or an Area A mathematics course (for completion of the Learning Support Mathematics requirement). (USG receiving institutions will decide whether to grant Area A credit for courses taken elsewhere. Provided that native and transfer students are treated equally, institutions may impose additional reasonable expectations, such as a minimum grade of “C” in Area A courses.)
   • Students have completed Learning Support at another USG institution and completion of Learning Support requirements is documented on their transfer transcript.
3. Students who leave a USG school and return without having satisfied their Learning Support requirements in the interim may be readmitted to the college under the following conditions:
   • Students may take the ACCUPLACER Test and accept Learning Support placement according to a placement index calculated on the basis of ACCUPLACER Test alone.
   • Students in Learning Support who voluntarily leave a USG institution for periods of less than one calendar year will return to the level of Learning Support (corequisite) they were in immediately prior to their absence.
   • Time spent in Learning Support course work in a disciplinary area is cumulative within the USG.
   • Students who had completed requirements for corequisite Learning Support may reenter at the corequisite support level.
   • Students in Learning Support who voluntarily leave a USG institution for periods of one calendar year or more must be retested with the ACCUPLACER Test in any previously unsatisfied Learning Support area.
   • Students who have passed a Learning Support course prior to leaving, or at another USG institution, or at a TCSG institution will have their MPIs and/or EPIs recalculated based on ACCUPLACER Test only.
   • Students who have not successfully passed a Learning Support course prior to leaving, or at another USG institution, or at a TCSG institution will have their MPIs and/or EPIs recalculated based on all currently applicable information, including HSGPA (less than 6 years old) and SAT or ACT scores (less than 8 years old) and ACCUPLACER Test scores.
   • After testing, such students may be readmitted without a Learning Support requirement if they meet the institutional criteria for exemption.
   • Students who do not score high enough on the ACCUPLACER Test to exempt Learning Support may be placed in corequisite Learning Support, depending on institutional placement policies.
   • Students placed in corequisite Learning support may be readmitted if individual evaluation indicates that the student has a reasonable chance of success on readmission.
4. Students readmitted under this provision are subject to the 30-hour limit on college-level coursework and may not take credit work if they had earned 30 or more credit hours during their previous period(s) of enrollment and have not completed Learning Support requirements in the interim.
5. Completion of transferable Area A courses in English or mathematics from any institution will eliminate further Learning Support requirements in that area upon transfer back to a USG institution

Students with Special Needs

Students with documented learning disorders as defined in the USG Academic Affairs Handbook, Section 3.11.1., must fulfill all stated requirements, including placement testing (Accuplacer or system- approved alternate) and course requirements.

Appropriate course and testing accommodations should be made for students with sensory, mobility, or systemic disorders. Students must consult with Savannah State University’s Counseling and Disabilities Office for more information on documentation and approval process. Such students may be granted up to two additional semesters of LS upon review and approval. Documentation on such students will be maintained at the institution and summarized in the annual report on accommodations for students with disabilities.

Academic Renewal for Returning Students

Academic Renewal policy established by University System of Georgia allows Savannah State University degree-seeking undergraduate students who have experienced academic difficulty to have one opportunity to make a fresh start at Savannah State University after an absence of five consecutive calendar years.

Academic Renewal allows re-calculating GPA and credit hours toward graduation, based exclusively on work completed after returning to the University.

Students who qualify for academic renewal must:

• Not have enrolled for credit in any courses, offered by academic/postsecondary institutions (accredited by one of the organizations recognized by Council on Postsecondary Education Association) for at least five years after the enrollment period subject to academic renewal;
• Be an undergraduate who was not awarded an associate or bachelor’s degree; and
• Request academic renewal status within two academic semesters of re-enrollment or within one calendar year, whichever comes first.

Academic Renewal Procedures and Implementation Issues

Course work, grades and academic standing earned prior to a five-year (or longer) separation period will remain on the transcript. In consideration of any course work completed after the period of separation, only Savannah State University course work and subsequent transfer work will be used in the calculation of the overall GPA. The overall GPA will be used for admission to programs/majors requiring a minimum grade point average. Academic credit for previously completed course work, including transfer course work, will be retained only for all courses in which an A, B, C, or S grade has been earned. Grades of A, B, C or S are not calculated in the academic renewal GPA but may be used toward degree completion.

Former Academic Assistance or Learning Support students may apply for academic renewal only if they successfully complete all Student Academic Assistance or Learning Support requirements before the commencement of the five years of absence.

Students who transfer from Savannah State University should recognize that the receiving institution is under no obligation to acknowledge the adjusted GPA. The receiving institution is expected to recognize only the cumulative GPA.

The academic renewal GPA will be used for determining academic standing and eligibility for graduation. All courses will be considered in the implementation of the Board of Regents’ Examination and College Preparatory Curriculum policy requirements. Academic renewal can be approved only once. Once academic renewal is requested and approved, it cannot be reversed. All courses will be considered for the determination of financial aid and/or veteran’s benefits. To earn a degree, students must meet Savannah State University’s graduation requirements. Students who have been granted academic renewal are not eligible for Latin honors recognition at graduation.

Residency/Tuition Classification

Definition of Legal Residence

Regents’ Policies Governing the Classification of Students for Tuition Purposes

The Board of Regents has adopted the following policies for the purposes of determining the tuition status of students: 4.3.2 Classification of Students for Tuition Purposes

• If a person is 18 years of age or older, he or she may register as an in-state student only upon showing that he or she has been a legal resident of Georgia for a period of at least 12 months immediately preceding the date of registration.
• Exceptions:
  • A student whose parent, spouse, or court-appointed guardian is a legal resident of the State of Georgia may register as a resident providing the parent, spouse, or guardian can provide proof of legal residency in the State of Georgia for at least 12 consecutive months immediately preceding the date of registration.
  • A student who previously held residency status in the State of Georgia but moved from the state then returned to the state in 12 or fewer months.
  • Students who are transferred to Georgia by an employer are not subject to the durational residency requirement.
• No emancipated minor or other person 18 years of age or older shall be deemed to have gained or acquired in-state status for tuition purposes while attending any educational institution in this state, in the absence of a clear demonstration that he or she has in fact established legal residence in this state.
• If a parent or legal guardian of a student changes his or her legal residence to another state following a period of legal residence in Georgia, the student may retain his or her classification as an in-state student as long as he or she remains continuously enrolled in the University System of Georgia, regardless of the status of his or her parent or legal guardian.
• In the event that a legal resident of Georgia is appointed by a court as guardian of a nonresident minor, such minor will be permitted to register as an in-state student providing the guardian can provide proof that he or she has been a resident of Georgia for the period of 12 months immediately preceding the date of the court appointment.
• Immigrants shall be classified as nonresident students, provided, however, that an immigrant who is living in this country under an immigration document permitting indefinite or permanent residence shall have the same privilege of qualifying for in-state tuition as a citizen of the United States.

An institution may waive out-of-state tuition and assess in-state tuition for:

• Academic Common Market. Students selected to participate in a program offered through the Academic Common Market.
• University System Employees and Dependents. Full-time employees of the University System, their spouses, and their dependent children;
• Full-Time School Employees. Full-time employees in the public schools of Georgia or of the Department of Technical and Adult Education, their spouses, and their dependent children. Teachers employed full-time on military bases in Georgia shall also qualify for this waiver (BOR Minutes, 1988-89);
• Career Consular Officials. Career consular officers, their spouses, and their dependent children who are citizens of the foreign nation that their consular office represents and who are stationed and living in Georgia under orders of their respective governments.
• Any Veteran, to include spouse and dependent child, excepting those assigned as students to USG System Institutions for educational purposes such as the “Army Green to Gold Program” who within 36 months of the military member leaving service is admitted to any USG College or University, is eligible to have Out of State tuition waived. The waiver continues as long as the student remains continuously enrolled (two consecutive semesters each year); for students utilizing VA benefits, the window is further expanded in order to improve access and affordability during transition. While the Choice Act of 2014 stipulates instate rates within 36 months of separation, USG institutions waive out-of-state tuition for any student enrolling within 120 months of separation/retirement and utilizing VA Educational Benefits. This generous timeline addresses transition success and once the student is enrolled, the waiver remains in effect as mentioned previously.
• Border State Residents. Residents out-of-state bordering the State of Georgia in which the reporting institution is located. These states include Florida, Alabama and South Carolina.
• Border County Residents. Residents of an out-of-state county bordering a Georgia county in which the reporting institution or a Board-approved external center of the University System is located.
• Students enrolled in University System institutions as part of Competitive Economic Development Projects. Students who are certified by the Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade as being part of a competitive economic development project;
• Students in Georgia-Based Corporations. Students who are employees of Georgia-based corporations or organizations that have contracted with the Board of Regents through University System institutions to provide out-of-state tuition differential waivers;
• Students in Pilot Programs. Students enrolled in special pilot programs approved by the Chancellor. The Chancellor shall evaluate institutional requests for such programs in light of good public policy and the best interests of students. If a pilot program is successful, the tuition program shall be presented to the Board for consideration;
• Students in ICAPP® Advantage programs. Any student participating in an ICAPP® Advantage program; and
• Direct Exchange Program Students. Any international student who enrolls in a University System institution as a participant in a direct exchange program that provides reciprocal benefits to University System students.
• Families Moving to Georgia. A dependent student who, as of the first day of term of enrollment, can provide documentation supporting that his or her supporting parent or court-appointed guardian has accepted full-time, self-sustaining employment and established domicile in the State of Georgia for reasons other than gaining the benefit of favorable tuition rates may qualify immediately for an out -of-state tuition differential waiver which will expire 12 months from the date the waiver was granted. An affected student may petition for residency status according to established procedures at the institution.
• For those currently serving, USG policy addresses access and affordability for this segment of the population. All military members, and families, assigned to or stationed in, Georgia have out-of-state waived. Additionally, any student using transferred GI Bill Education benefits from a currently serving military member have out of state tuition waived. The military member from which the benefit is derived does not have to be currently, or previously, assigned in Georgia.

Additional Resident Information

Individuals who enter Savannah State University as nonresident students but who wish later to qualify as legal residents must submit a Petition for Georgia Resident Classification, which can be obtained in the Office of the Registrar. Residence status is not changed automatically, and the burden of proof rests with students. Students are responsible for registering under the proper residence classification. Students classified as nonresidents who believe they are entitled to be reclassified as legal residents may petition the Registrar for a change in status. To avoid delay and inconvenience at registration, the petition must be filed no later than 60 working days prior to registration for the semester students are petitioning for in-state residence status.

Items to be included with Petition for Residency

• A notarized statement verifying employment during the last 12 months should indicate dates of employment. Statements on company letterhead do not have to be notarized.
• A copy of lease or deed showing residence during the last 12 months should be included. Leases or deeds in a name other than that of the student require a notarized statement of residence from the person holding the lease or deed.

Grading

The University uses letters to indicate quality of academic work. “A” is the highest grade; “D” is the lowest passing grade, except when a “C” is required. The grade “F” indicates a failure to meet the minimum requirements of a course. Grade distinctions and quality point values are:

*Indicates grades not included in calculation of grade point average

Grade Symbols

# (Academic Renewal) - Course grade not counted in computation of Grade Point Average and hours earned
% (Learning Support) - Course grade not counted in computation of Grade Point Average and hours earned
E (Course Repeated/Excluded) - Course grade excluded from grade point average and hours earned
I (Course Repeated/Included) - Course grade included in grade point average and hours earned
I (Incomplete) - This symbol indicates that students were doing satisfactory work, but, for non-academic reasons beyond their control, were unable to meet the requirements of the course. Students may remove the “I” by completing the remaining requirements within two semesters of residence. If course requirements are not satisfied within two semesters, a grade of “F” will be assigned and the student must retake the course to receive credit. Students are responsible for initiating the completion of requirements with the instructor.
V (Audit) - This symbol indicates permission to sit for a course without receiving quality points or a grade other than “V.” Students may not transfer from audit to credit or vice versa. Students may register on a credit basis for a course that has previously been
K (Credit) - This symbol indicates credit for the course via a credit by examination program approved by the faculty of the University. A “K” may be assigned for courses that have previously been audited if institutional procedures for credit by examination are followed.

Reporting of Grades

At mid-term and at the end of the semester, faculty members submit grade reports through self-service (PAWS). At the end of each semester, grades are provided to students electronically, which notes the grades and credit hours earned in each course in which they were enrolled, grade-point average for the semester, cumulative grade point average, and academic standing.

Mid-term grade reports are required to help students identify their progress in classes and assist advisors in reaching out to at risk students.

Students can access grade information through self-service (PAWS).

Calculating the Cumulative Average

Determinations of scholastic standing are generally based upon a cumulative grade point average, which appears on student’s permanent record. The cumulative grade point average is calculated by dividing the total number of grade points or quality points earned in academic courses by the total number of academic credit hours attempted at Savannah State University. Credits by examination, credits that carry S/U grades, and credits specifically excluded by University policy are not used in computing the cumulative grade point average.

Repeating of Courses

Students may repeat courses in which grades D, F, or WF were earned. The highest grade will count in computing the grade point average for degree requirements. If the same grade is earned, the most recent grade will count in the grade point average calculations. Courses may be repeated any time before the first degree is awarded.

• Earned hours will be applied only once toward graduation requirements.
• It is recommended that students not repeat any courses for credit in which they have earned a grade of C or better.
• All attempted courses and grades will remain on the academic transcript. The previous attempts will be noted but excluded from GPA calculations.

Students who are planning to apply for admission to graduate school should take note that most graduate/professional schools recalculate GPAs based upon all courses that students have attempted during their college career. Thus, any repeated courses may include both grades in consideration for graduate school admission.

Transient Policy

Savannah State University students who are concurrently enrolled in courses for credit at another institution may not transfer such credit to Savannah State unless the appropriate dean or his designated representative gives written authorization.

Classification

Undergraduate students are classified based on earned academic credit hours as follows:

Freshman: 0-29 or less semester hours earned
Sophomore: 30-59 semester hours earned
Junior: 60-89 semester hours earned
Senior: 90 or more semester hours earned

Grade Changes

Once a grade has been reported to the Registrar, it can be changed only if one of the following conditions are met:

• The instructor presents to the dean of the college conclusive, documentary evidence that the grade was reported in error;
• The instructor follows the procedure of removal of an I (Incomplete) grade;
• The instructor follows the procedure of removal of an NR (Not Reported) grade;

Challenges by Students

Students who feel that they have received an unfair grade in any course should meet with the instructor within 7 calendar days of the first day of class of the next semester (excluding summer) in an effort to reach a resolution. If no satisfactory resolution is reached, students may, within 7 days after meeting with the instructor, challenge the grade by writing a letter of appeal to the chair of the department in which the course was offered. If the instructor is also the chair of the department, the appeal letter should be addressed to the dean of the College in which the course was offered. This procedure must be accomplished within 14 days of the first day of classes of that semester. If a resolution satisfactory to the student is not reached, the department chair or college dean may appoint a review committee (exclusive of the dean, department chair, and the instructor). The review committee, after hearing both the instructor and the student, submits its report and recommendation(s) to the chair, dean, or director of the division, who then submits the report and recommendation to the Vice President for Academic Affairs. Upon accepting a recommendation to change a grade or upon reversing a recommendation not to change a grade, the Vice President directs the Registrar to make the appropriate change. The Vice President or his designee shall communicate final decisions to students. In order for the department chair, dean, or director of the division to grant a hearing, students must present adequate evidence of unfair grading.

Transcripts

The transcript is considered the official document of record of a student’s grades while in attendance at the institution. In accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, as amended (FERPA), transcripts normally are issued only at the request of the student. This request can be made online. There is a fee of $4.00 per transcript. The institution has a legal right to deny a transcript if a student has indebtedness to the institution. The amount of indebtedness leading to this sanction will be determined by the Student Financial Services Office.

Good Standing, Academic Probation and Suspension

Policy on Academic Good Standing, Probation and Suspension Pertaining to Undergraduates

At the end of each semester, the Office of the Registrar computes cumulative institutional grade point averages in order to determine the academic standing of all students. Undergraduate students whose cumulative institutional grade point average at the end of any term will be considered in good standing based on the following minimum requirements:

Freshman (0-29 attempted hours) - 1.5 GPA and above
Sophomore (30-59 attempted hours) - 1.75 GPA and above
Junior and Senior (60+ attempted hours) - 2.0 and above

Academic Warning

Students who do not meet the minimum requirements will be placed on Academic Warning. This status is considered good standing for the purposes of enrollment. Students under Academic Warning will be able to continue enrollment during the next semester but are limited to 13 credit hours.

Academic Probation

Students on Academic Warning who do not meet the minimum institutional GPA requirements will be placed on Academic Probation.

This status is considered good standing for the purposes of enrollment. Students on Academic Probation will be able to continue enrollment during the next semester. Students on academic probation are expected to use their probationary semester to focus on their academic success and recover their academic progress. To assist students in achieving these goals, students on probation are subject to the following restrictions:

(1) Students on probation must meet with an advisor before the start of class to be advised on necessary schedule adjustments.

(2) Enrollment is limited to a maximum of 13 credit hours for the semester;

Additionally, students on academic probation will not be permitted to represent the University or hold office in any University organization.

Students who raise their cumulative institutional grade point average to 2.0 or higher at the end of their probationary semester will be removed from probation. A student on probation, who has earned the minimum GPA requirements for the semester, but has not achieved good standing (i.e. cumulative institutional GPA does not meet minimum standards), will remain on probation until the student meets the minimum cumulative institutional GPA requirement for academic good standing.

Academic Suspension

Students on Academic Probation who do not improve their GPA to meet the minimum cumulative institutional grade point average to remain in good standing will be subject to academic suspension.

Students suspended for the first time must sit out the next semester.

Students suspended for the second time must sit out the next two semesters.

Third suspension will be considered the final suspension and students may be subject to academic expulsion from the university.

Students who have been academically suspended from the University must complete a readmission application with the Registrar’s Office and appeal to Academic Affairs at the end of their suspension in order to return to the University. Such students must convincingly demonstrate readiness to assume academic responsibilities. The policy for satisfactory academic progress for financial aid purposes is not the same as the university academic standing policy. Students who are interested in receiving financial aid must also submit an Appeal for Financial Aid Suspension.

Recognition of Excellence in Scholarship

Persons who have not been subject to disciplinary action while earning superior grades and who have not incurred any academic deficiencies are eligible for honors status as indicated:

Honor Roll: Students who maintain a GPA of 3.0-3.49 while full time (12 hours) during a semester
Dean’s List: Students who maintain a GPA of 3.50-3.99 while full time (12 hours) during a semester
President’s List: Students who maintain a GPA of 4.0 while full time (12 hours) during a semester

Degree and Graduation Requirements

All candidates for a degree must file a formal application for graduation with the Registrar’s Office and pay the graduation application fee two semesters preceding their expected graduation date. The Registrar’s Office conducts an independent audit to ensure that all degree requirements have been satisfied.

Degrees will be awarded only to students who meet all degree requirements. Degrees are conferred formally at commencement exercises at the end of the Fall and Spring Semesters. Students who complete degree requirements in the Summer semester will be invited to participate in the Fall commencement ceremony. Summer degrees will be awarded and posted to the academic transcript at the end of the Summer semester.

All Undergraduates earning Associate or Baccalaureate degrees must meet the following requirements:

• Students must have a minimum of 60 semester hours to earn an Associate degree and 120 semester hours to earn a Bachelor degree. Students should check their specific program of study for total semester hour requirements.
• Students must have a cumulative institutional and overall GPA of 2.0
• Students must complete all course requirements for outstanding Incomplete (I) grades
• Students must submit all transcripts from other institutions they attended
• Students must meet the residency requirements for their degree: 25% of coursework must be taken at SSU for all degrees; 50% of the major must be taken at SSU for Bachelor degrees
• Students are requirement to satisfy all Board of Regents requirements, including legislative requirements and all Required High School Curriculum requirements
• Students must pass Core Area A courses with a grade of C or better. Students should refer to their specific program of study for other courses that require a grade of C or better.
• As conditions of graduation, the University and academic departments may require students to take additional competency tests appropriate to their programs of study. Information relative to these tests is available in the academic departments.

Graduation with Honors

Graduation with honors requires a minimum of sixty institutional credit hours. In addition, students who graduate with honors must attain the following grade-point averages:

Due to processing and final evaluation time constraints, Spring Semester grades for May and Fall Semester grades for December will not be used in computing the GPA for honors for the purposes of the commencement ceremony. After May and December final grades are processed, the GPA is rechecked for honors qualifications; the eligible honors designation will then be added to the student’s transcript and diploma.

Walk No Diploma Policy

Candidates for graduation may request to participate in the commencement ceremony scheduled one semester prior to completing degree requirements. The following are the minimum requirements to participate in commencement as a “walk no diploma” candidate:

• No more than 6 semester hours are needed to complete degree requirements in the semester following commencement.
• Graduation application must be submitted by the graduation application deadline of the commencement term.
• Minimum GPA of 2.0 for undergraduates (Associate/Bachelor degrees) and 3.0 for graduates (Master degrees)
• Registration for required classes needed in the following semester
• Approval from academic department

Candidates for graduation that do not meet the minimum requirements will be invited to participate in the commencement ceremony after completion of all degree requirements.

Dual Degrees and Double Major Graduation Requirements

Dual degrees are earned when a student satisfies all requirements for two different baccalaureate degrees (for example, B.A. and B.S.) within one or more colleges of Savannah State University.

A double major consists of two separate majors in the same baccalaureate degree (for example, B.S. with majors in Sociology and Political Science). A double major is earned when the student completes discipline-specific requirements for each of the majors and all requirements for the degree. Both Area Fs may be satisfied by meeting the requirements for the first major. However, all pre-requisite requirements for major courses must be completed.

2nd Degree Policy (Post Baccalaureate)

Students who have earned a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution may obtain a second baccalaureate degree from Savannah State University by completing the following requirements:

• Complete all major requirements listed for the chosen program of study.
• Earn at least 30 semester hours in residence at Savannah State University.
• Complete at least 39 semester hours of upper division work overall in addition to hours used towards the first baccalaureate degree.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the history and constitutions of the United States and of Georgia. Students who did not earned their first degree at a USG or TCSG school, must satisfy this requirement by taking the Georgia Government exam or taking both POLS 1101  and HIST 2111 /HIST 2112  

Minor

A minor area of study requires a minimum of 15 semester credit hours. At least 9 of these credit hours must be at the 3000 level or higher. Courses taken to satisfy Core Area A through E may not be counted as coursework in the minor. Students may add minors at any time prior to graduation. To be noted on the transcript, a minor must be declared at the time of graduation and noted on the graduation application.

Posthumous Degrees/Certificate of Attendance Policy and Procedures

1. This policy applies to all degree-granting colleges and units.
2. In appropriate situations, Savannah State University may honor a deceased student by granting a degree posthumously. By recommending a student for a posthumous degree, the department is agreeing to waive any remaining requirements for graduation. The University determines that a deceased student has completed sufficient coursework to earn a degree. This status will be reserved for those students who are in good standing, and who have made substantial progress toward their degrees. The procedure for granting a degree posthumously will be as follows:
   • The deceased student will be recommended for the honor as appropriate (associate/bachelor, or master degrees) by the Division of Academic Affairs taking into consideration the totality of circumstances, totally within the discretion of the Division of Academic Affairs. The request will be reviewed by the student’s major department
   • The student would have successfully completed 75% of an undergraduate degree, or 90% of a graduate degree and met the GPA requirements for that degree
   • At the time of death, the student had no disciplinary sanctions pending
   • The Office of Academic Affairs will determine if the student’s name may be included in the next commencement exercises and that the student’s family is notified of the granting of the degree
   • A student who did not meet the above requirements for a posthumous degree may be considered for a Certificate of Attendance.

Class Regulations

The University policy governing semester academic course load for full-time status is as follows:

Undergraduate Full Time Status: 12 credit hours
Maximum semester hour limit: 18 credit hours

In accordance with USG’s Momentum Year, students are generally expected to enroll in at least 15 hours per semester to remain on track to graduate with a bachelor’s degree in 4 years.

Overloads

Permission to enroll for more than 18 semester hours will be granted by the appropriate Dean to a student:

• with an average grade of “B” for full-time enrollment in the preceding semester, or
• with an overall grade-point average of 3.0 or
• requiring an extra course in one of the two semesters prior to graduation

No student will be allowed to register for more than 21 hours. A student who is on academic probation will not be permitted to register for more than 13 semester hours. Only the appropriate Dean may make exceptions to these limitations.

Special Policy for Limited Seating Classes

Certain classes, such as computer lab classes, with limited seating are governed by a more stringent attendance policy. In these cases, students must attend the first class session or notify the instructor immediately that they will be absent. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in the immediate removal (withdrawal) from the class. The seat may be reassigned. When circumstances prevent their attending the first session, students are responsible for notifying instructors or the administrative unit head (department chair or dean of the instructor’s college). Withdrawals may also impact financial aid classification if students’ academic load then falls below the required minimum.

Class Attendance

Savannah State University endeavors to provide optimum conditions for the intellectual growth and development of its students. With the exception of University approved activities, it is expected that students should attend and be punctual to their classes, laboratories, and scheduled class requirements. Students who are absent because of participation in approved University activities will be permitted to make up work missed during their absences, provided that no more than 15% of class hours per course per term are missed and that work is assigned for completion prior to the University sanctioned activity.

All matters related to student absences, including the make-up of work missed, are to be arranged between the student and the instructor. Instructors will publish their guidelines for handling absences in their syllabi. Students are obligated to adhere to the requirements of each course. Faculty members are encouraged to take into consideration religious holidays of the student’s faith, summons, jury duty, or similar compelling reasons for absences.

Verification of Attendance is required by faculty for all classes during the attendance verification period published on the academic calendar. Students will be dropped for non-attendance if reported as not attending during the attendance verification period.

Class Drop/Add Policy

Subsequent to registration, students may drop classes from, or add classes to, their schedules, without financial or academic penalty, until the last day of late registration (refer to the Academic Calendar for this date). All drops during this period will delete the class from the student’s schedule and release the student of any financial obligations corresponding to the class.

Subsequent to the late registration deadline, students may withdraw from a class until the last day of classes of the term. However, all withdrawals during this period will be assessed corresponding tuition and fees, a grade of W will be assigned for any class withdrawn by the deadline, and a grade of WF will be assigned for any class withdrawn after the deadline through the last day of classes.

Students desiring to drop or add classes should use self-service (PAWS).

Students will not be permitted to add classes to their schedules after the last day of late registration.

Withdrawing from the University

Savannah State is not obligated to drop students for failure to attend classes. It is the student’s obligation to drop classes, and students’ failure to officially drop a course prior to the end of the add/drop period could lead to financial and academic consequences.

After the late add/drop period and prior to the midterm, students may withdraw every class except the last class using the online registration process in PAWS. In order to withdraw the last class, an electronic withdrawal form must be submitted. Students will automatically receive a W, if they officially withdraw before the published deadline. For all academic dates, including add/drop period and withdrawal deadlines, please refer to the published academic calendar.

Types of withdrawals:

• Withdrawal before midterm
• Withdrawal after midterm
• Hardship withdrawals
• Military Withdrawal
• Administrative Withdrawals

Hardship Withdrawal from the University

Students may be granted hardship withdrawals when non-academic emergency situations occur which prevent them from completing their coursework (e.g., severe medical problems, traumatic events/circumstances that cause them to miss numerous classes).

Hardship withdrawals are subject to the following restrictions:

• Students are not eligible for hardship withdrawals in any course in which they have completed the course requirements (for example, taking the final exam or submitting the final project).
• Students must have supporting documents to receive a hardship withdrawal.
• Students must initiate an application for a hardship withdrawal no later than one academic year after the semester in which the courses were taken.
• Hardship status applies to all courses taken in a semester.

Military Withdrawal

A student who is on active duty or is a military reservist (including members of the National Guard) may withdraw from the University if called for active duty or reassignment. The student must officially withdraw and submit Official Orders to Active Duty to the Office of Academic Affairs within three (3) working weeks of actual receipt of said orders. The student is not eligible for a military withdrawal in any course in which the student has completed the course requirements (for example, taking the final exam or submitting the final paper) and/or a final grade has been assigned. Students who withdraw and receive a full tuition refund will receive a grade of “WM” (military withdrawal) for all courses from which the student has withdrawn.

Administrative Withdrawals

In the judgment of the authorized University officials, a student may be withdrawn from the university for non-academic reasons when it is determined that the student has demonstrated behavior that:

Poses a significant danger or threat of physical harm to self or to the person or property of others; or

Interferes with the rights and privileges of other members of the university community or with the exercise of any proper activities or functions of the university or its personnel.

Except in situations where the student is believed to be an imminent threat to self or others, as determined at the sole discretion of the University, a student shall, upon request, be accorded due process concerning his or her continued enrollment at the university. In situations involving an imminent threat, the student will be provided a hearing as soon as possible after the withdrawal occurs. The instructor will assign students who are non-academically withdrawn a grade of “W” or “WF” (depending on whether they have exceeded their maximum number of withdrawals allowed) if they are withdrawn before the semester midterm “W” and a “WF” if they are withdrawn after the midterm.

Students, who cease attending all classes without officially withdrawing, will be administratively withdrawn from the university. Upon submission of final grades for a term, instructors are required to indicate the last day of attendance for each failing grade (F) submitted. In compliance with Title IV regulations for unofficial withdrawals, students who have failing grades of “F” in all classes, and whose last date of attendance is the 50% point of the semester or below will be considered as unofficially withdrawn from the University and reported as such.

Access to Student Records

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, as amended (FERPA), which is designed to protect the students’ rights with regard to education records maintained by the institution, cover Savannah State University. Under the Act, students may inspect and review their own education records maintained by the institution and challenge the content of records (except grades which can only be challenged through the academic appeal procedure) on the grounds that they are inaccurate, misleading or in violation of privacy or other rights; and control disclosures from educational records with certain exceptions.

Savannah State University’s policy on “Access to Student Records” complies with the provisions of FERPA. A copy of this policy and a copy of a summary of the FERPA regulations may be obtained in the Office of the Registrar. Students also have the right to file complaints with the FERPA Office of the Department of Education, Washington, D.C., 20201.

Release of Directory Information

Directory information will be treated as public information and generally will be available on all students and former students at the discretion of the University. Savannah State has defined Directory information to include the student’s name, major field of study, dates of attendance, degrees awarded, hometown, participation in recognized activities and sports, weight and height of athletic participants. Students, or parents of students who are under eighteen, may refuse to permit the release of any or all of the categories of directory information by submitting a written request to the Office of the Registrar.

Inquiries from news media about students or former students should be made to the Marketing and Communications department. Due to the unpredictable nature and immediacy of media inquiries, notice cannot be given of media releases (non-athletic).

Change of Address

Students are responsible for updating their address in PAWS. The mailing of notices to the last address on record constitutes official notification.

Student Academic Grievance Procedures

Original Jurisdiction

Academic Grievances should first be reported to the academic department. If the appeal cannot be resolved by the department, it will be escalated to the College. As the final authority on decisions about academic grievances, Academic Affairs will make any final decision needed.

Right of Appeal

Appeals shall be available to every student in an academic grievance proceeding against the University.

Appellate Procedure

When a decision of original jurisdiction has been rendered, the grievant shall have seven (7) working days to appeal this decision. All appeals shall be in writing and supporting documents must be presented to the dean of the college.

Within three (3) days, appellants shall be given, in writing, all charges upon which the original decision was based as well as all necessary information for the appellate hearing procedures. Appellants shall be guaranteed a speedy hearing, yet given adequate time to prepare their defense.

Jurisdiction of Appeal

The Vice President for Academic Affairs shall make the decision regarding all appeals. The Vice President shall have the prerogative of either creating a special committee or using an independent officer to assist in hearing the case.

Rights of Appellant

Grievant shall have the right to be present when all evidence is presented against them and all witnesses appear, have an advisor (non-lawyer) present to assist throughout the proceedings, cross-examine witnesses, present evidence by witness or affidavit, and present evidence by deposition when a witness is unable to appear.

Hearing Procedures

A record shall be kept of the entire proceedings, by either tape or stenographer. The hearing will commence by a reading of the charges and the decision of the department of original jurisdiction. Evidence will be presented to sustain the decision.

Disciplinary Interim Suspension

A student who has been summarily suspended after mid-term of the semester pursuant to the Savannah State University Student Conduct Code pending the outcome of a disciplinary hearing will not be eligible for withdrawal from the University until the final disposition of the case. Should the student be found guilty of violating the Student Conduct Code or plead “no contest”, the student will receive failing grades from the date of the summary suspension and forfeit the semester. Should the student be found not guilty, the Vice President for Student Affairs will provide written notification to the Vice President for Academic Affairs of the disposition. Should the student desire to withdraw, the Vice President for Academic Affairs will accept a petition from the student and grant an automatic withdrawal without penalty and forward the withdrawal approval to the appropriate offices.

Classification of Courses

Credit Course Description

Under each course title, there are three numbers, such as 3-0-3. The first number listed is the number of hours of lecture; the second number indicates the number of hours of laboratory; and the third number indicates the number of credit hours awarded for successful completion of the course.

Online Education

Online Education is to provide high quality learning and flexibility for our students, faculty, and staff. Brightspace/D2L may be used to access SSU eLearning and USG eCore courses. The Center for Teaching and Faculty Development provides training for faculty and assists with instructional design for future courses. All users have access to resolve issues and faculty can review available resources to aid in course development.

Online courses are taken exclusively over the Internet. There are no required on-campus meetings. Hybrid courses are held both on campus and online. They are traditional face-to-face courses in which some of the on-campus class meetings are replaced with online assignments. Web-enhanced courses are traditional face-to-face courses that are augmented by course websites. Unlike the class meetings for hybrid courses, the class meetings for web-enhanced courses are all scheduled on campus unless classes are redirected for special activities.

Code Category Description

• Entirely at a distance (E)
• Fully at a distance (F): All or nearly all of the class sessions are delivered via technology. The course does not require students to travel to a classroom for instruction; however, it might require students to travel to a site to attend an orientation or to take exams. (NOTE: This is generally equivalent to delivering more than 95 percent of sessions via technology.)
• Hybrid (H): Technology is used to deliver 50 percent or less of class sessions, but at least one class session is replaced by technology.
• Technology enhanced (T): Technology is used in delivering instruction to all students in the section, but no class sessions are replaced by technology.
• Null - No technology

Proctoring and Associated Fees

Savannah State University’s Testing Office provides free test proctoring services for Savannah State University online students who can attend specific testing sessions on campus at the Testing Office. Fees associated with Savannah State University’s Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) Online program are embedded in tuition costs. BBA Online students can also utilize Proctor U, an organization that offers online proctoring services. Students can take examinations online at anytime, anywhere in a secure testing environment. For information on Proctor U registration for BBA Online students, contact the College of Business Administration at 912.358.3389.

Savannah State University students enrolled in fully online courses (not in the BBA online program) and do not reside in the Savannah area and must complete a proctored examination could incur additional charges for proctoring.

Savannah State University students who enroll in eCore courses are required to pay proctoring fees (which vary by college) for each examination required.

The eCore website states that each eCore course requires at least one proctored exam that requires a proctoring fee. For more information about eCore, classes and requirements please visit: https://ecore.usg.edu/.

Military and Veterans Affairs

Veteran refers to any Active Duty, Reserve, National Guard or Military Dependent student using GI Bill Benefits to attend this University.

Savannah State University maintains a School Certifying Official in the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs under the Vice President of Enrollment Management. Their duties are to coordinate between various Department of Defense and Veterans Administration agencies and to assist all students who are eligible for Veteran’s Education Benefits.

Veterans wishing to attend Savannah State University under any of the educational benefit programs provided by public law should apply for admission.

Those who have never used their education benefits should apply for their Certificate of Eligibility (COE) at va.gov.

Those who have previously used GI Bill Benefits must obtain their Letter of Remaining Benefits (LORB) from the VA. This can be accomplished in several ways:

• Each time a student is Certified to the VA that they are using their GI BILL Benefits, the VA will send a LORB to the student outlining the number of months and days of benefits they have used and have remaining.
• Online through their E-Benefits account.
• Online at www.benefits.va.gov (tab through: Education and Training, For Students, Get Started Home and Submit a Question),
• Fax a request to (404) 929-3009
• Written request to “Department of Veterans Affairs, 1700 Clairmont Road, Decatur, Ga. 30033.

Those transferring to Savannah State who have used their GI BILL Benefits at other institutions must also submit a VA Form 22-1995 for Military or VA Form 22-5495 for Military Dependents to change their Place of Training or program of study. Upon notification by the Admissions Office of their acceptance to Savannah State University, the Veteran should contact the School Certifying Official for further instructions.

General Information

Use of VA Education Benefits (GI bill) is accomplished only by the request of the student. Each student desiring to use his or her benefits must submit a VA Enrollment Certification Request to the School Certifying Official each semester for the duration of their college career at Savannah State University. Any student who has received benefits from Savannah State and transfers to another Institute of Higher Learning must file a VA Form 22-1995 for Military or VA Form 22-5495 for Military Dependents with the School Certifying Official at the gaining institute to change the location of their supporting administrative unit.

GI bill Benefits may be combined with Active Duty or Reserve Tuition Assistance Benefits if desired.

Students exercising Chapter 30, 1606 or 1607 GI bill benefits must certify their continued attendance monthly either online at benefits.va.gov/GIBill/ or by telephone to the VA Regional Processing Office at 1-800-442-4551.

Students may only be certified for courses that apply to their formal and declared degree program, Students receiving benefits are required to notify the School Certifying Official whenever they drop or add a course of instruction or if there is a change in their degree program. Failure to do so may lead to an overpayment of benefits.

Repayment of any overpayment may be the responsibility of the student.

If a passing grade is received for a course of instruction, the course may not be recertified in order to receive a better grade. However, if a failing grade is received or if the grade does not meet the minimum requirements of the degree program, the course of instruction may be certified and repeated.

A normal, Full-Time academic load during fall or spring semesters is defined by the university as 12 semester hours for undergraduate and 9 hours for graduate students. The VA honors these parameters for payment of benefits. Undergraduate and graduate students carrying less than a full load will not be certified at Full-Time.

Veterans who can show proof of successful completion of introductory military training (Boot Camp or a Commissioning source) are awarded credit for the 4 hours of physical fitness training and First Year Experience. A student desiring to use their GI Bill Benefits must submit a request for that semester containing the following documents:

• VA Enrollment Certification Requrest Form
• VA Letter or Eligibility or VA Letter of Remaining Benefits (LORB)
• Student Schedule/Bill from their Account.

Reserve Officer Training Corps (Military Service Commissioning Opportunities)

Through the University’s Army, Naval and Coast Guard Reserve Officer Training Corp Programs, Savannah State University students can prepare for commissioned service as regular or reserve officers in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps or Coast Guard, commensurate with earning their degree. The Army and Naval ROTC Programs constitute an academic minor in military and naval science, respectively. For further information, contact Army ROTC at (912) 325-4270, or Navy ROTC at (912) 358-3095 or Coast Guard at (912) 447-0832.

International Education Center

The mission of the International Education Center (IEC) at Savannah State University is to promote and support efforts to internationalize the university’s curriculum and to expose students to our global society. The IEC provides a clearinghouse for information relative to international educational opportunities and programs for students, faculty and staff. It facilitates and supports faculty and student exchanges, study abroad programs, and research cooperatives with foreign institutions.

The university’s International Education Center (IEC) offers students access to study abroad opportunities in several countries. In the past, SSU faculty have hosted short-term study abroad programs to: Brazil, Costa Rica, Egypt, Ghana, Haiti, Nigeria, Liberia, India, China, Trinidad and Tobago, Vietnam and Thailand. As a part of the University System of Georgia’s European Council, students and faculty are welcome to join the conglomerate of state institutions traveling to places like Paris, London, Madrid, Scotland, and Ireland. Students can explore additional travel opportunities with other colleges and universities within the University System of Georgia as transient students.

The IEC also provides services to a growing number of international students from more than 40 countries. Students from around the world come to complete degrees at Savannah State. A number of students will begin their time at the university as a member of our English Language Institute and later transition to regular degree level programs. The center is designed to assist new international students with orientation, advisement, processing paperwork, as well as helping students adapt to cultural differences experienced while living in the United States. Our campus hosts students from a multitude of countries including: Ghana, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Ivory Coast, Brazil, The Bahamas, Antigua, United Kingdom, Ukraine, Columbia, Russia, Georgia, Canada, India, Jamaica, South Korea, and China.

In 2014, the International Education Center and the Chinese government launched The Confucius Institute on our campus. This institute promotes Chinese language and culture, allowing Savannah State University to expand these services to the City of Savannah and the region as a whole. Students and faculty have opportunities to travel to China to conduct research and increase their skills in Chinese language. United States business leaders benefit from the institute’s partnerships, utilizing programs designed to teach American industries how to do business with China. The business exchange hosts programs for Chinese investors interested in discovering investment opportunities in Savannah.

On January 28, 2019, Savannah State University went “Global,” as a member of the University System of Georgia’s system-wide consortia study abroad programs known as USG Goes Global! USG Goes Global is an administrative unit of the University System of Georgia (USG) that partners with USG institutions to provide quality, affordable, and impactful faculty-led study abroad experiences open to all USG undergraduate students. USG Goes Global offers an interesting mix of core and special topics courses in international locations, attractive to undergraduates at any stage of their academic career. Additionally, by leveraging the power of the entire university system, USG Goes Global will keep programs affordable, safe and manageable by using innovative technology, existing USG systems and proven study abroad best practices.

Approximately 30 years ago, the USG assisted in the creation of one study abroad program to London via the USG European World Regional Council. Currently the USG European and Asian World Regional Councils actively offer 10 study abroad programs that serve more than 300 USG students each summer. The USG World Regional Councils will continue to exist, as they always have to provide opportunities for both students and faculty to broaden their understanding of individual world regions by promoting activities that enrich teaching and research about these regions.

With the creation of USG Goes Global, the USG will take-on the administrative burden of running study abroad programs from the World Regional Councils, so that faculty can concentrate more on academic oversight and offering impactful experiences on the ground. Currently USG Goes Global is working to fold in the programs offered by the USG European World Regional Council and by 2020; we plan to incorporate the USG Asia World Regional Council programs. Going forward USG Goes Global plans to offer study abroad programs in all areas represented by the USG World Regional Councils, which include Europe and Asia, as well as Africa, Americas and Middle East.

The USG Goes Global program will utilize the USG created Intra-Georgia Registration Sharing System (INGRESS), a multi-institutional registration system, to facilitate enrollments and provide an electronic classroom for all faculty teaching on USG Goes Global programs. Additionally, in the same manner as other collaborative programs created by the USG, USG Goes Global will pay institutions a competitive rate for faculty teaching on our summer study abroad programs. In doing so, the USG will attract faculty across the entire USG and thereby provide both students and faculty with impactful experiences abroad.

For further information, contact the International Education Center (IEC) at (912) 358-4152.

The English Language Institute (ELI)

The English Language Institute is a program that is a non-credit program offered to international and immigrant student populations. Students who enroll in the English Language Institute take intensive classes in Listening/Speaking, Writing/Grammar, Reading, and Computer-Assisted Language Learning. Voice and Articulation and Cultural Enrichment are infused into the program as well. The Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) for the ELI are Grammar, Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking.

Honors Program

The Savannah State University Honors Program is designed to provide SSU’s exceptional and high-achieving students with innovative honors courses and enriching co-curricular activities as they embark on the path to becoming global leaders.

Honors at SSU provides for expansive collaborations between faculty and students who engage in service-learning activities within local, national, and global communities. The program supports and motivates students in the pursuit of their academic and professional goals such as study abroad /study away, international internships, research and service learning projects. Upon acceptance into the Honors Program students enjoy the following benefits:

• Residence among honors peers in Camille-Hubert Hall, a living-learning community.
• Program courses such as Honors Seminar, Honors designation and Honors Enhanced Opportunities.
• Program coordinators to refine academic plans and research agendas.
• Mentoring amongst the network of SSU’s globally, renowned alumni.
• Engaged service-learning projects laden with intrinsic value.
• Access to internships as well as study away and study abroad opportunities.

Located in Gardner Hall, the Honors Program at SSU is nurtured in an intellectually creative atmosphere for inquisitive and highly motivated scholars, who intend to extend their educational experiences beyond the scope of the traditional undergraduate curriculum.

Honors Program Scholarship Recipient Guidelines

The Honors Program Scholarship is a renewable, yearly commitment determined by the student’s ability to maintain a 3.4 grade point average (G.P.A.). Renewal of the scholarship is subject to the availability of funds. Scholarship allocations support tuition, room, board, books, and other mandatory on-campus fees. Scholarship allocation is dispersed equally among the fall and spring semesters. Allotments to student accounts occur after all other aid (i.e. Pell Grant, Hope Scholarship, etc.). The Honors Program scholarship is non-refundable.

Scholar Expectations

Students accepted into the SSU Honors Program are required to continuously matriculate while abiding by the policies of the Office of Financial Aid and its eligibility requirements (i.e. completing FAFSA paperwork by). Honors Program scholars are expected to graduate from Savannah State University within four years as socially conscious, global citizens, representing the SSU community while consistently displaying good character. A participant will be dismissed from the program for violating of the policies of the University System of Georgia and the Board of Regents, or those specified in the Savannah State University Student Code of Conduct (see Savannah State University’s Student Handbook and Code of Student Rights, Responsibility and Ethics).

State Legislative Requirement in History and Government

By State law, students who receive a diploma or certificate from a school supported by the State of Georgia must demonstrate proficiency in United States history and government and in Georgia history and government. Students at Savannah State University may demonstrate such proficiency by receiving credit in certain courses: United States and Georgia government POLS 1101  for United States and Georgia government; HIST 2111  or HIST 2112  for United State and Georgia history.

Major Curriculum

In addition to the required core curriculum, which is usually completed in the first two years of college attendance, students will select a major field of study that focuses attention during the second two years of study. Area F of the core curriculum (courses appropriate to the field of study) provides a foundation for the major field of study and should be completed prior to students’ undertaking major courses. Plans and requirements for the various major programs are detailed in the sections of this catalog, which describe the University’s three colleges.

Minor Curriculum

While students are all required to complete the core and a major curriculum, completing a minor program is an additional option. A minor consists of a set of 15-17 credit hours in a specific field of study. Some major programs require students to complete formal minor programs while others do not. Formal minor programs are established in a variety of fields. Requirements are listed in this catalog along with the departments sponsoring them. Informal minors may be developed by acquiring any set of 18 credit hours of upper-division course work in any field for which such work is offered. Students often find that completing a minor curriculum is a valuable professional asset for use in the highly competitive world following graduation.

SSU Core Curriculum Learning Outcomes (CCLOs)

Area A1: Communication Outcomes

Students produce well-organized written communication that meets conventional standards of composition and appropriately acknowledges the use of material from original sources.

Students demonstrate the ability to comprehend, analyze, and draw inferences from written texts.

Area A2: Quantitative Outcomes

Students demonstrate the ability to use mathematical information and concepts in verbal, numeric, graphical, and symbolic forms to solve problems.

Area B: Institutional Options

Students analyze and evaluate elements of arguments and create effective, well-reasoned responses, considering opposing views when appropriate.

Students analyze historical and cultural events that have shaped the Africana experience within the context of US and global history and culture.

Area C: Humanities and Fine Arts

Students effectively analyze the meaning and cultural significance of literary/philosophical texts or of works in the visual/performing arts.

Area D: Science and Technology

Students demonstrate a collegiate-level understanding of the nature of science and the scientific method and knowledge of fundamental concepts in one or more fields of science.

Area E: Social Sciences

Students critically analyze historical, economic, political, social, spatial, or psychological processes and how they contribute to the human experience.

Area I: US Perspectives

Students demonstrate collegiate-level knowledge and understanding of the history, culture, and politics of the United States.

Area II: Global Perspectives

Students demonstrate knowledge of political, social, economic, linguistic, or institutional developments and human diversity in global cultures.

Area III: Critical Thinking

Students analyze and evaluate elements of arguments and create effective, well-reasoned responses, considering opposing views when appropriate.

*Approved by the USG General Education Council: November2010