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This website publishes administrative rules on their effective dates, as designated by the adopting state agencies, colleges, and universities.

Chapter 3357:15-13 | Academics

 
 
 
Rule
Rule 3357:15-13-01 | Instructional programs.
 

Instructional programs, certificates, and courses of study shall be developed and offered in accordance with the provisions of the Ohio department of higher education in the fulfillment of Stark state college.

(A) Associate degree programs. The Ohio department of higher education defines an associate degree as an award that requires completion of sixty semester credit hours. Per the Ohio department of higher education, each associate degree program should not exceed sixty-five semester credit hours unless it can be shown that the additional coursework is required to meet professional accreditation or licensing requirements. Programs requiring hours beyond the sixty-five-hour maximum in order to meet accreditation or licensing requirements are expected to align similarly to like programs at other two-year public institutions and shall not exceed seventy-three semester credit hours.

(1) Degree titles. Upon evidence of satisfactory completion of an approved program previously authorized by the Ohio department of higher education, the board of trustees may confer the following degrees:

(a) Associate of arts and associate of science degrees are designed for students wishing to complete the first two years of a bachelor's degree, as well as those desiring two years of a liberal arts education.

(b) Associate of applied business and associate of applied science degrees are awarded in recognition of successful completion of career technical education programs and prepare students for immediate employment upon graduation. The curricula for applied associate degree programs are described in terms of technical and non-technical studies. Non-technical studies include general education and courses that serve as a base for the technical field (sometimes referred to as applied general education or basic coursework). Non-technical studies should make up at least thirty semester hours of the degree.

(c) Associate of technical study degrees are awarded for successful completion of an individually planned program of study designed to respond to the need for specialized technical education. The program must have an area of concentration which is equivalent to at least thirty semester credit hours in technical studies and a clearly identifiable career objective. The area of concentration can either be formed by: type aa coherent combination of technical courses selectively drawn from two or more technical programs currently offered by the college to serve a career objective that would not be adequately addressed by one of the existing programs alone; or type bcourses completed or training received by a student at other institutions of higher education, career centers, or other educational enterprises judged by the institution to be of college level and for which the institution awards degree credit.

(2) Certificate. The Ohio department of higher education defines a certificate as a formal award certifying the satisfactory completion of an organized program of study at the postsecondary level. In accordance with the Ohio department of higher education, certificates are designed as building blocks toward future degrees and with the intent of articulating the program into the next degree. Students can earn general or technical certificates.

(a) General certificates require completion of an organized program of study and are classified by IPEDs as less than one year or at least one but less than two academic years.

(b) Technical certificates are designated as one year or less than one year.

(i) One year technical certificate: Certificates awarded by a post-secondary institution for the completion of an organized program of study in at least thirty semester credit hours, with the majority of the coursework completed in a prescribed technical area. While the certificates are designed to have value apart from a degree, these certificates should serve as building blocks to an associate degree. The technical certificate is designed for an occupation or specific employment opportunities. These certificates should prepare students for a valid occupational license or third-party industry certification, if available, related to the field of study.

(ii) Less than one year technical certificate: Certificates awarded by a post-secondary institution for the completion of an organized program of study in less than thirty semester credit hours that are designed for an occupation or specific employment opportunity. These certificates should prepare students for a valid occupational license or third-party industry certification, if available, related to the field of study.

(c) Non-credit instruction. A course or activity for which the student does not receive academic credit that applies to a degree, certificate or diploma.

(d) Contract training. Training offered to business, industry, health care facilities, and non-profit organization. Contract training services are convenient, cost effective, and customized to meet the unique needs of individual companies.

Last updated June 7, 2021 at 10:36 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3357.09
Amplifies: 3357.09
Prior Effective Dates: 6/25/2017
Rule 3357:15-13-02 | Registration deadline.
 

To encourage student success, the last day to register for classes is the last calendar day before the semester, term, or session is scheduled to begin. Students who fail to register by this date must follow the procedure outlined below.

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3357.09
Amplifies: 3357.09
Prior Effective Dates: 3/12/2015
Rule 3357:15-13-03 | Credit residency requirement.
 

Stark state students must meet credit residency requirements to complete a degree/certificate(s). The following credit residency requirements must be met:

(A) All degree requirements must be met by completing Stark state college courses or through equivalent transfer coursework.

(B) At least twenty semester hours in the degree program, at least fifteen semester hours in the one-year certificate, and at least one course in a career enhancement certificate must be completed at Stark state college. Exceptions to the credit residency requirement require approval from the appropriate program coordinator (if applicable) and department chair in consultation with the appropriate dean and provost.

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3357.09
Amplifies: 3357.09
Rule 3357:15-13-04 | Prerequisite.
 

A prerequisite is a course taken prior to another course(s) as designated by the academic department. Certain courses require that the student meet prerequisites in order to register for the course. The prerequisite course(s) are designated by the academic departments to assist the student in selecting appropriate course levels. The prerequisite(s) may be one or more courses, a minimum placement test score, or a minimum grade in a prerequisite course(s).

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3357
Amplifies: 3357
Rule 3357:15-13-05 | CO-REQUISITE.
 

A co-requisite is a course that must be taken at the same time as or prior to another course(s) as designated by the academic department. To ensure proper placement, co-requisites for all classes will be checked at the time of registration.

Last updated October 25, 2023 at 12:20 PM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3357:15
Amplifies: 3357:15
Rule 3357:15-13-06 | Course substitution.
 

For Ohio board of regents associate degree programs and one-year certificates, a course petition should be approved prior to the student's applying for graduation. Four courses is the maximum number of courses for substitution. Exceptions processed for Stark state college courses and transfer courses with equivalent classes do not count toward the four maximum substitutions.

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3357.09
Amplifies: 3357.09
Prior Effective Dates: 9/5/2015
Rule 3357:15-13-07 | Grading system.
 

Letter grades are used by the faculty member assigned to the course to indicate the student's performance. The grades shall be in accordance with the standards of expected achievement of the course and the college. The student's grade point average is computed by the following formula: total quality points earned divided by grade point average (GPA) earned hours. Programs requesting a variance from the established numerical range for each letter grade must follow the shared governance approval process outlined in rule 3357:15-13-38 of the Administrative Code (departmental academic policy).

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3357.09
Amplifies: 3357.09
Prior Effective Dates: 7/14/2016
Rule 3357:15-13-08 | Repeating a course.
 

When a student repeats a course, both grades will appear on the academic record, and the highest grade will be used in calculating the grade point average (GPA). Students may receive financial aid for repeating courses. However, if the student is retaking a previously passed course, financial aid can only be used for one repeat of that course. Any courses that are repeated will be used in the calculation of a student's satisfactory academic progress (SAP) status. Course grades from another institution will not replace a Stark state college grade nor will they be used in calculating the GPA.

Last updated June 3, 2024 at 8:35 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3357.09
Amplifies: 3357.09
Rule 3357:15-13-09 | Early alert.
 

Students not making satisfactory academic progress in a class will be sent an early alert notification on or before the completion of twenty-five per cent of the course.

Last updated June 6, 2022 at 9:36 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3357.09
Amplifies: 3357.09
Rule 3357:15-13-10 | GRADE INCOMPLETE.
 

The grade of incomplete (IN) may be given only if the student is currently attending the course, the student has completed seventy-five per cent of the semester and required work in a course and, based on that work, the student is earning a passing grade.

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3357:15
Amplifies: 3357:15
Rule 3357:15-13-11 | PRESIDENT'S LIST.
 

A president's list of the names of all eligible students who have achieved a grade point average of 4.0 for the semester will be posted on that semester's president's list.

Last updated June 16, 2021 at 8:52 PM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3357:15
Amplifies: 3357:15
Rule 3357:15-13-12 | DEAN'S LIST.
 

The names of all eligible students who achieved a grade point average of 3.50 - 3.99 for the semester will be posted on that semester's dean's list.

Last updated June 16, 2021 at 8:52 PM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3357:15
Amplifies: 3357:15
Rule 3357:15-13-13 | Academic Probation and Dismissal.
 

Students whose academic work must improve in order to earn the minimum grades required for graduation will be placed on academic probation. Students who do not show continued grade improvement will be dismissed from the college. Students who are dismissed may apply for readmission after their first or second dismissals. Students who are dismissed for the third time are not eligible for readmission.

Last updated June 7, 2021 at 10:36 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3357.09
Amplifies: 3357.09
Prior Effective Dates: 3/12/2015
Rule 3357:15-13-14 | Academic advising.
 

Stark state college recognizes that academic advising is crucial to student success and to the student's educational experience. Academic advisors, including full-time faculty and staff advisors, should have knowledge of the institution's educational and supporting resources. All new full-time faculty and staff advisors are required to complete the online advising training within the first semester of hire. Academic advising serves to develop a relationship with students to assist in exploration and declaration of a program of study consistent with their educational and career goals. Academic advising responsibilities include periodically evaluating a student's academic progress, attempting to resolve issues that may negatively impact the student's success, supporting the achievement of the student's academic and career goals by assisting the student in planning their academic schedules, and providing students with the needed connection to the various campus services.

The students' responsibilities include regularly meeting with an academic advisor to gain an understanding of academic performance standards applicable to their degree program(s), complying with academic policies and deadlines and accessing their Stark state college email for advisor messages and advising-related announcements.

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3357.09
Amplifies: 3357.09
Rule 3357:15-13-15 | Class attendance.
 

To ensure the commitment to student success, attendance must be taken in all classes, regardless of modality, starting with the first day of the class. Faculty may elect to relate course attendance to the course grading policy; the instructor's grading policy regarding attendance must be included in the course syllabus.

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3357
Amplifies: 3357
Rule 3357:15-13-16 | Academic withdrawal.
 

(A) A student may drop a class or all classes from the college before the end of the seventh calendar day (excluding holidays and emergency closings) of any academic period without academic penalty. Any changes made during this period will not become a part of the student's academic record. Students should refer to the posted refund schedule.

(B) Beginning with the eighth calendar day through the published withdrawal date, the college gives students an opportunity to withdraw from a class or all courses. It is the student's responsibility to withdraw by the published withdrawal date and to satisfy any financial obligations to the college. A student is officially withdrawn from a course once a signed, or electronically submitted, "Schedule Change" form has been submitted to the academics records/registrar's office. A grade of "W" will appear on the student's academic record.

(C) Beyond the published withdrawal date through the end of the last instructional day, a student with an emergency or extenuating circumstance may receive a grade of "W" only upon consultation with the instructor and approval from the department chair. Sufficient supporting documentation shall be provided by the student when making such a request.

(D) If a student is a financial aid recipient, it is strongly recommended the student consult with a financial aid representative to discuss ramifications of withdrawing.

Last updated June 7, 2021 at 10:36 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3357.09
Amplifies: 3357.09
Prior Effective Dates: 3/15/2019
Rule 3357:15-13-17 | Graduation requirements.
 

A student becomes eligible for an associate degree when the student has completed all the requirements of the program that the student is enrolled in based upon the catalog-in-force and change of major policy (rule 3357:15-13-28 of the Administrative Code) and as defined by the Ohio Department of Higher Education (ODHE). Students must also have a grade point average (GPA) of 2.00 or above in their technical major and a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or above. For programs that do not have technical concentration courses, no technical GPA is calculated. Based on accreditation standards, certain programs may require a higher technical and cumulative GPA. The credits transferred from other institutions must be in accordance with the transfer and articulation policy (rule 3357:15-13-25 of the Administrative Code) and may be used by a student toward completion of an associate degree at Stark state college. Coursework over ten years old is subject to review and acceptance by the chair of the department offering the course or the dean of that division. However, Stark state college will consider granting permission to a candidate under a catalog more than ten years old if the candidate has been enrolled continuously and the degree program has not changed appreciably.

Last updated July 30, 2021 at 7:27 PM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3357.09
Amplifies: 3357.09
Prior Effective Dates: 7/6/2018
Rule 3357:15-13-18 | ODHE-Approved One-Year Certificate and Other Certificate(s).
 

A student becomes eligible for an Ohio department of higher education (ODHE) one-year certificate or other certificate(s) when the student has completed all the requirements of the program that the student is enrolled in based upon the catalog-in-force and change of major policy (rule 3357:15-13-28 of the Administrative Code) and as defined by the ODHE. Students must also have a grade point average (GPA) of 2.00 or above in their technical courses(s) and a cumulative GPA of 2.00 or above. A maximum of fifteen semester hours of credit transferred from other institutions in accordance with articulation and transfer policy (rule 3357:15-13-25 of the Administrative Code) may be used toward the completion of an ODHE one-year certificate at Stark state college. Coursework over ten years old is subject to review and acceptance by the chair of the department offering the course or the dean of that division. However, Stark state college will consider granting permission to a certificate completer under a catalog more than ten years old if the candidate has been enrolled continuously and the certificate program has not changed appreciably. Students must complete at least three credit hours at Stark state college to receive a career enhancement certificate.

Last updated July 30, 2021 at 7:27 PM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3357.09
Amplifies: 3357.09
Prior Effective Dates: 7/6/2018, 6/3/2019
Rule 3357:15-13-19 | Academic honors.
 

Stark state college graduates who have achieved outstanding academic success will be recognized with academic honors. The college grants honors on the basis of the student's cumulative grade point average and/or the honors program requirements. To be eligible for the following academic honors, graduates in a declared major must meet the criteria indicated:

(A) High distinction: a cumulative grade point average of 3.80 to 4.0.

(B) Distinction: a cumulative grade point average of 3.40 to 3.79.

(C) Honors program graduate: a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.25 and admission to the honors program and fulfillment of the requirements as determined by the honors program committee.

Last updated July 30, 2021 at 7:27 PM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3357.09
Amplifies: 3357.09
Rule 3357:15-13-20 | Registration in excess of twenty-one credit hours.
 

(A) Students in good academic standing with no outstanding financial obligations to the college can register for twenty-one credit hours or less according to the dates and times published.

(B) Students wanting to take more than twenty-one credit hours must have a department chair or dean's signature and must register for those hours in the academic records/registrar's office.

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3357
Amplifies: 3357
Rule 3357:15-13-22 | Academic forgiveness.
 

Students who change their program of study or reapply for admission to the college and wish to improve their cumulative GPA may apply for academic forgiveness.

(A) General information

(1) Academic forgiveness applies only to courses formerly taken at Stark state college.

(2) Academic forgiveness does not take into account grades or credit hours for developmental courses.

(3) A student may only receive academic forgiveness once and it is not reversible.

(4) This policy will not apply to "F" grades received as a result of academic dishonesty. The academic records/registrar's office will check student files on all grades of "F."

(5) Academic forgiveness does not change a student's academic standing for the current term.

(6) Academic forgiveness will apply to courses that are inactive and cannot be retaken or do not apply to the current major.

(7) If a student's request is approved, grades of "D" or "F" in courses that are not required in the current program of study will be removed from the student's overall GPA. All courses and grades will remain on the student's official transcript and be designated with a special code for academic forgiveness.

(8) For students enrolled in secondary application programs, exceptions to the criteria must be approved by the provost in consultation with the registrar.

(B) Criteria

(1) The student must be seeking a degree/certificate from Stark state college. A student who has already graduated may not request academic forgiveness.

(2) The student must be enrolled in classes at Stark state college during the semester in which the academic forgiveness form is filed.

(3) The student must complete a minimum of twelve credit hours (not necessarily completed in any one semester) from Stark state college with a minimum GPA of 2.0 or better following the return to college or a change of major.

(4) Students must submit a "Change of Major" form if changing their major.

Last updated October 4, 2024 at 9:31 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3357.09
Amplifies: 3357.09
Prior Effective Dates: 7/6/2018
Rule 3357:15-13-23 | Academic field trips.
 

(A) A field trip is a course-related off-campus activity involving students that is organized by the instructor and the appropriate personnel of the visited destination. Field trips are intended to enrich the learning experiences of students and should be planned in a manner that assesses and manages risks for the students and for college employees. Practicums, clinicals, field experience, cooperative work experience, and directed practice are not considered academic field trips.

(B) If a field trip is a required class activity, care should be taken in selecting an accessible site for students with mobility or health concerns. If no accessible site is available, an alternate activity and related assignment must be available for students unable to participate in the field trip.

(C) All expenses incurred by students during field trips may not be paid by college funds.

(D) All student travelers are bound by the Stark state college policies and procedures manual including but not limited to the following policies of the Administrative Code:

(1) Anti-harassment (3357:15-14-13)

(2) Sexual assault (3357:15-14-15)

(3) Student code of conduct (3357:15-19-10)

(4) Travel and business entertainment expense (3357:15-14-10)

(5)

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3357:15
Amplifies: 3357:15
Rule 3357:15-13-24 | Continuing education unit (CEU).
 

Continuing education provides opportunities for personal enrichment, career advancement, transition back into the workplace, or exam preparation.

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3357:15
Amplifies: 3357:15
Prior Effective Dates: 3/12/2015
Rule 3357:15-13-25 | Transfer and articulation.
 

State of Ohio's transfer and articulation policy

Stark state college abides by the Ohio department of higher education Ohio articulation and transfer policy

[The Ohio articulation and transfer policy: the policy | Ohio higher ed: https://www.ohiohighered.org/transfer/policy]

Institutional transfer

The Ohio department of higher education in 1990, following a directive of the 118th Ohio General Assembly, developed the Ohio articulation and transfer policy to facilitate students' ability to transfer credits from one Ohio public college or university to another in order to avoid duplication of course requirements. A subsequent policy review and recommendations produced by the articulation and transfer advisory council in 2004, together with mandates from the 125th Ohio General Assembly in the form of Amended Substitute House Bill 95, have prompted improvements of the original policy. Additional legislation from the 125th Ohio General Assembly also initiated the development of a statewide system for articulation agreements among state institutions of higher education for transfer students pursuing teacher education programs.

Action by the 126th Ohio General Assembly led to the establishment of criteria, policies, and procedures for the transfer of technical courses completed through a career-technical education institution and standards for the awarding of college credit based on advanced placement (AP) test scores.

Legislation from the 130th Ohio General Assembly required public institutions of higher education to: use baseline standards and procedures in the granting of college credit for military training, experience, and coursework; establish an appeals process for resolving disputes over the awarding of credit for military experience; provide specific assistance and support to veterans and service members; adopt a common definition of a service member and veteran; and establish a credit articulation system in which adult graduates of public career-technical institutions who complete a nine hundred clock-hour program of study and obtain an industry-recognized credential approved by the chancellor shall receive thirty college technical credit hours toward a technical degree upon enrollment.

While all public colleges and universities are required to follow the Ohio articulation and transfer policy, independent colleges and universities in Ohio may or may not participate in the transfer policy. Therefore, students interested in transferring to independent institutions are encouraged to check with the college or university of their choice regarding transfer agreements. In support of improved articulation and transfer processes, the Ohio department of higher education has established an articulation and transfer clearinghouse to receive, annotate, and convey transcripts among public colleges and universities. This system is designed to provide standardized information and help colleges and universities reduce undesirable variability in the transfer credit evaluation process.

Please see the Ohio articulation and transfer policy for additional information and appendices: https://www.ohiohighered.org/transfer/policy.

Application of transfer and articulated credit

The policy distinguishes between the acceptance and application of transfer and articulated credit by the receiving institution to the student's chosen program. Transfer credits accepted by the receiving institution will be posted to the student's record and transcript. Students will receive transfer credit for all college-level courses they have passed and/or for articulated credit for prior learning successfully completed as delineated in the policy. From among the credits which have been posted to the student's record and appear on his or her transcript, the receiving institution, within the provisions of this policy, will determine how credits will or will not be applied toward degree requirements at the receiving institution as follows:

(A) Ohio transfer 36 (OT36): It is assumed that a common body of knowledge, comprised of a subset or the complete set of an institution's general education curriculum, can be found in the associate of arts, associate of science, and baccalaureate degree programs offered at various institutions. An OT36 can be drawn from this broader general education curriculum. Each institution has identified its OT36 according to the guidelines and learning outcomes appended. Students enrolled in applied degree programs may choose to go beyond their degree requirements to complete the entire OT36. Individuals who successfully complete the OT36 at one public institution of higher education in Ohio will be considered to have met the OT36 requirements of the receiving institution. Approved OT36 courses, when taken individually, are also guaranteed for transfer among public higher education institutions on a course-by-course basis and are to be applied to the OT36 of the receiving institution.

(B) Transfer assurance guides (TAGs): Discipline-specific guides, or pathway guarantees, have been developed and explained in the policy as advising tools, each containing selected courses from the existing Ohio transfer module, pre-major/beginning major courses (called TAG courses), advising notes, and foreign language requirement when appropriate. TAG courses are guaranteed to transfer and be applied to specific TAG-related degree/program requirements as equivalent courses.

(C) Career-technical assurance guides (CTAGs): Built upon a similar philosophy as the TAGs, CTAGs facilitate the award and transfer of college credit in technical courses/programs among public institutions of learning, including secondary and adult career-technical institutions, colleges, and universities.

(D) Military transfer assurance guides (MTAGs): College credit is guaranteed for service members with military training, experience, or coursework that is recognized by the american council on education (ACE) or a regionally accredited military institution, such as community college of the air force. Pathway guarantees (MTAGs) have been developed to ensure the applicability of equivalent courses toward specific degree and program requirements.

(E) Apprenticeship pathway programs: Technology-specific statewide articulation agreements in apprenticeship programs recognize non-traditional prior learning, for which college credit is awarded toward a technical associate degree.

(F) Prior learning assessment (PLA): Prior learning at the college-level that is acquired through means other than credit course enrollment (e.g., work experience, professional training, military training, or recognized examinations, certificates, and certifications) is assessed through a number of rigorous evaluation methods. Credit is awarded and applied within the scope of this policy. Credit transferred from public institutions is transferable on the same basis as if the credit had been earned through regular study at the awarding insitution. (See the definitions section of this policy, prior learning and prior learning assessment).

(G) Advanced placement (AP) exams: College credit is guaranteed for students who achieve an AP exam score of 3 or higher in accordance with the course alignment recommendations.

(H) College-level examination program (CLEP): College credit is guaranteed for students who achieve an established college-level examination program (CLEP) test score for exams that have been endorsed statewide as college level. Statewide faculty panels aligned CLEP exams to equivalent Ohio transfer 36 () and transfer assurance guide (TAG) courses, as appropriate. Specific endorsed alignments and scores for individual CLEP exams that are outlined in the college-level examination program (CLEP) endorsed alignment policies document are available on the Ohio department of higher education website at https://www.ohiohighered.org/transfer/clep.

(I) International baccalaureate (IB) exams: Each public institution of higher education in Ohio provides a policy including the minimum scores and course/credit alignments for awarding college credit for successfully completed international baccalaureate exams.

(J) One-year option: Adult learners are awarded technical course credit toward a general associate of technical studies degree for completing an occupational skills training program at an adult public career-technical education institution and the respective credential approved by the chancellor.

(K) Associate-to-baccalaureate degree pathways: An associate degree holder from an Ohio public institution of higher education is able to apply his or her associate degree toward a baccalaureate degree program in an equivalent field at any baccalaureate degree-granting public institution of higher education.

(L) Credit when it's due: Through the credit when it's due program, participating institutions collaborate to exchange the academic records of eligible transfer students to determine if their previously earned college credit is sufficient to be awarded an associate degree or certificate by applying credit before and/or after they began their current degree or certificate program.

(M) Application of credit to the major, minor, and field of concentration: Other than the Ohio transfer 36 (OT36), transfer assurance guides (TAGs), career-technical assurance guides (CTAGs), military transfer assurance guides (MTAGs), apprenticeship pathway programs, advanced placement (AP) exams, the one-year option, and the "2+2" programs, the application of credit for requirements in a specific academic major, minor, or field of concentration will be made on a course-by-course basis by the receiving institution.

(N) Treatment of upper- and lower-division credit: A course completed at one public institution of higher education and transferred to another will be applied to the student's degree objective in the same manner as its equivalent course at the receiving institution.

(O) Applied associate degrees: Applied degree graduates who transfer to an associate of arts (AA), associate of science (AS), or bachelor degree program typically must complete additional general education courses to satisfy the general education requirements. Individual OT36 courses completed will transfer and apply toward the OT36 of the receiving institution.

(P) Non-traditional credit and electives: Non-traditional credit transfers as an equivalent course(s) when available at the receiving institution. If there are no equivalent courses and the courses are not applicable to the TAG, CTAG, MTAG, OT36, general education requirements, or specific program requirements, such courses will transfer or articulate as free or general electives when they exist in a program.

Last updated October 4, 2024 at 9:31 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3357:09
Amplifies: 3357:09
Prior Effective Dates: 6/7/2021
Rule 3357:15-13-26 | Academic honesty and integrity.
 

Stark state college is committed to the development of each student to become a productive and responsible citizen who embraces the values of integrity, honesty, fairness, respect, and responsibility. Stark state college community strives to instill values and practices that uphold academic integrity and promotes ethical conduct in all academic work. Students enrolled in any college courses are subject to this policy. Conducts prohibited by this policy consist of all forms of academic dishonesty including, but not limited to, plagiarism, cheating, unauthorized assistance or collaboration, facilitating academic dishonesty, and fabrication and falsification. Any student who violates or assists another to violate the academic honesty and integrity policy, either deliberately or inadvertently, will be subject to disciplinary action.

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3357.09
Amplifies: 3357.09
Rule 3357:15-13-27 | Final grade appeal.
 

College grading policies reflect the quality of performance and achievement of competency by students who complete one or more courses. Students have the right to ask instructors for an explanation of any grade received. A final grade appeal should not be entered lightly by a student nor lightly dismissed by an instructor. It is the responsibility of the instructor to assign a final grade. Students may submit a formal grade appeal when they believe that a final grade is inaccurate.

Students have the responsibility of providing documentation that establishes sufficient grounds for changing a grade. Within this appeals procedure, course grades can only be changed by the instructor or in the final appeal stage by the provost and chief academic officer. If an instructor is no longer employed by the college or is not available, the department chair will assume responsibility for handling any necessary course of action regarding a student's appeal of a grade.

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3357:15
Amplifies: 3357:15
Prior Effective Dates: 3/12/2015
Rule 3357:15-13-28 | Catalog-in-force and change of major.
 

Upon initial enrollment to the college, the student will be placed in the current catalog-in-force of a student's intended major. Requirements to earn a degree or certificate are based initially on the catalog-in-force. However, the college reserves the right to change course offerings and academic requirements without notice. These changes should not be to the disadvantage of the students during their enrollment.

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3357
Amplifies: 3357
Prior Effective Dates: 3/14/2015
Rule 3357:15-13-29 | Course development and modality changes.
 

In support of the college's strategic goals of maintaining high value and maintaining student centeredness and accessibility, the college encourages the development of new courses and changes in modality.

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3357:15
Amplifies: 3357:15
Prior Effective Dates: 3/14/2015
Rule 3357:15-13-30 | E-learning.
 

All policies and procedures that apply to face-to-face courses apply to e-learning courses unless specifically excluded. Additionally, to prepare students for careers in our modern world, and in accordance with Stark state college's general learning outcomes (GLOs) regarding information literacy, Stark state college expects students to utilize technology in the classroom. Students may be required to use the college's learning management system (LMS), publisher-hosted system, application-specific software, and other technologies as part of their face-to-face courses. The following are specific policies that apply to e-learning:

Definitions: "Synchronous learning" is when classes are conducted either in-person or virtually at an assigned meeting time for both the instructor and the students. "Asynchronous learning" is when classes are conducted virtually with no assigned meeting time for the instructor and the students. Students will participate in class each week on their own schedule within a timeframe defined by the instructor and/or course calendar.

(A) E-learning courses must meet the same course objectives and core competencies as the equivalent face-to-face course.

(B) E-learning courses must meet the same quality standards as the equivalent face-to-face course.

(C) The college's standard course development process must be followed for e-learning courses. The course development agreement must be completed and approved by the department chair; dean of the division; the provost; and vice president of business, finance, and information technology before any course development is done.

(D) Web course delivery modalities are created by estarkstate and approved by the curriculum committee of the president's cabinet. The following modalities are currently in place:

(1) Web-enabled course (web 2)--Students attend class for approximately fifty per cent of the regularly scheduled class time. Students must physically attend on the dates and times listed in the class schedule. The remaining class time is replaced with asynchronoous online learning. This type of course offers the student the advantage of weekly face-to-face interaction with the instructor and classmates, while also offering the convenience of fewer visits to the college and the availability of course materials online. The course site may contain the syllabus, homework assignments, or handouts; and students may be required to utilize email, chat rooms, discussion boards, and/or web-based testing. Instructors may require proctored testing in-person at Stark state college or another testing facility or virtual proctoring using college-approved software. Web-enabled courses are identified with a w2 in the class schedule.

(2) Web-delivered course (web 3)--All classroom time is replaced with asynchronous online learning. This type of course is sometimes called an online or e-learning course. All instruction is conducted asynchronous online. Instructors may require proctored testing in-person at Stark state college or another testing facility or virtual proctoring using college-approved software. Web-delivered courses are identified with a w3 in the class schedule.

(3) Web-flex (web 4)--web 4 (w4) courses may combine diverse modalities of delivery and the use of technologies like live streaming software or other virtual learning options. Students may be required to physically attend classes and/or login to class on specific day(s) and time(s) and/or participate in asynchronous online learning. Date, time, financial, and technology requirements may vary by course. Students interested in taking a w4 course should review the course description and specific semester course attribute on mystarkstate or contact the department chair for additional details. Instructors may require proctored testing in-person at Stark state college or another instructor-approved testing facility or virtual proctoring using college-approved software. Web-flex courses are identified with a w4 in the class schedule and meet the following definitions:

(a) W4A all required synchronous online learning.

(b) W4B all synchronous online learning and on-campus attendance required.

(c) W4C majority required synchronous online with some asynchronous online learning.

(d) W4D majority required synchronous online with some on-campus attendance.

(e) W4E majority asynchronous online with a combination of on-campus attendance and/or synchronous online learning.

(f) W4F majority required on-campus attendance with some asynchronous online learning.

(g) W4G majority required on-campus attendance with some synchronous online learning.

(E) The college's approved learning management system will be used to deliver all face-to-face sections where applicable, web 2, web 3, and web 4 sections. The use of any other publisher-hosted software must be approved by the chair of the department, the director of estarkstate, and the academic dean of the division prior to the beginning of the semester to ensure compatibility with the college's approved LMS and accessibility for students.

(F) The course syllabus, which includes a master syllabus and a class syllabus, for an e-learning-delivered course will utilize the approved college course syllabus for that course with the inclusion of any e-learning-specific requirements for that course section. The course syllabus will be available to students on the first day of the class session. Students are required to satisfy the requirements outlined in the syllabus in order to take an e-learning course.

(G) Remote access to core student services including the admissions, registration, financial aid, advising, payment, tutoring, and testing processes must be provided for all fully online students.

Last updated June 7, 2021 at 10:38 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3357.09
Amplifies: 3357.09
Prior Effective Dates: 3/14/2015
Rule 3357:15-13-31 | Faculty training for web-based course.
 

(A) Instructors must complete all learning management system (LMS) training classes before utilizing the LMS in their course(s).

(B) Prior to teaching a web-based course (web 2, web 3, web 4), instructors must complete all current LMS training classes and the required course delivery training, which includes the expectations and best practices of teaching online at Stark state college.

(C) Prior to developing a web-based course (web 2, web 3, or web 4), instructors must complete all current the LMS training classes and the required course development training, which outline the quality matters standards as well as expectations and best practices of teaching online at Stark state college.

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3357.09
Amplifies: 3357.09
Rule 3357:15-13-32 | Required student orientation for web-based courses.
 

(A) Students enrolled in a web 2, web 3, or web 4 course for the first time must complete the required e-learning orientation course, succeeding online, found in the learning management system (LMS) home page before being given access to the course. This is a one-time orientation and will not be required for any subsequent web 2, web 3, or web 4 courses. Included in the orientation course is an e-learning student agreement form that the e-learning student must complete prior to gaining course access. It is recommended the student complete the orientation at least two days prior to the start of class.

(B) Faculty teaching classes which are not web 2, web 3 or web 4 will be responsible for orienting students enrolled in their classes on their intended use of the LMS.

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3357.09
Amplifies: 357.09
Prior Effective Dates: 3/14/2015
Rule 3357:15-13-33 | Proctored Testing.
 

(A) Proctored testing may be offered using the following options:

(1) In-person proctoring using the college's testing centers or an off-site location;

(2) Virtual proctored testing using college-approved testing software.

(B) Students enrolled in web 2, web 3, or web 4 courses who do not have access to a Stark state college (SSC) facility are required to obtain a proctor to administer tests. It is the responsibility of the student to secure an acceptable proctor, the testing location, and to pay any costs associated with the tests. SSC does not reimburse proctors for their time. Off-site test proctoring procedures for Stark state college students, web 3 off-site test proctoring information form, and off-site test proctoring agreement form for Stark state college students can be found on mystarkstate under the faculty/advisors tab and in the learning management system (LMS). If the instructor offers a virtual proctored testing option, the student will be responsible for the cost of any required equipment (e.g., a webcam) and other costs. Students will always have the option of in-person proctoring.

(C) Proctors may be any of the following:

(1) Education official, counselor or teacher at a two-year college, university, elementary, or secondary school

(2) Librarian

(3) Workplace education or staff director or human services training director

(4) Test administrator

(5) Education services officer (military) or any commissioned officer of higher rank than the student

(D) Proctors may not be:

(1) A current Stark state college student

(2) A relative of the student

(3) A resident of the same address as the student

(4) A personal friend of the student

(5) A direct supervisor of the student

(6) A co-worker of the student

(7) An employee of the student

(8) Anyone whose position or relationship may present a conflict of interest

(E) Virtual proctored testing requires:

(1) A PC-based computer or Mac

(2) Built-in or student-purchased webcam

(3) High-speed internet access

(4) College-provided software

(F) Chromebooks, tablets, and smartphones cannot be used for virtual proctored testing.

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3357.09
Amplifies: 3357.09
Prior Effective Dates: 3/14/2015
Rule 3357:15-13-34 | General copyright guidelines.
 

These guidelines are intended to assist the faculty, administration, staff, and students of Stark state college in understanding and complying with the Copyright Act of 1976 (Title 17, United States Code) and the Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998. While some areas of the copyright law are clear, there are some portions which remain open to legal and judicial interpretation. For this reason, these guidelines will be periodically updated.

(A) Definition of copyright. Copyright is the protection provided by the laws of the United States for "original works of authorship," including literary, dramatic, musical, architectural, cartographic, choreographic, pantomimic, pictorial, graphic, sculptural, sound recordings, architectural works, motion pictures, and other audiovisual creations. Duration of copyright varies depending on many variables including authorship, ownership, and type of work. "Copyright" literally means the right to copy, but has come to mean that body of exclusive rights granted by law to copyright owners for protection of their work which includes:

(1) The right to reproduce the copyrighted work.

(2) The right to prepare derivative works.

(3) The right to distribute copies of the copyrighted work to the public by sale or other transfer of ownership, or by rental, lease, or lending.

(4) The right to perform or display the copyrighted work publicly.

(B) Legal framework for copyright. Article I, Section 8, Constitution of the United States provides the basis for the concept of copyright. It states as follows: "The Congress shall have the power---To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries." The Copyright Act is found in Title 17 of the United States Code.

(C) Subject matter of copyright. Copyright protection exists for original works of authorship from the moment they are fixed in any tangible medium of expression, not known or later developed, from which the works can be perceived, reproduced, or otherwise communicated, either directly or with the aid of a machine or device. Copyright does not have to be visibly evident for an item to be protected under the Copyright Act. Copyright protection does not extend to any idea, procedure, process, system, method of operation, concept, principle, or discovery, regardless of the form in which it is described, explained, illustrated, or embodied in such work.

(D) Duration of copyright.

(1) For works created on or after January 1, 1978, copyright begins when the work is first fixed in a tangible medium of expression i.e., when it is first written down or recorded and extends through the life of the author plus seventy years. For a "joint work prepared by two or more authors who did not work for hire," the term lasts for seventy years after the last surviving author's death. For works made for hire and anonymous and pseudonymous works, the duration of copyright is 95 years from first publication or 120 years from creation, whichever is shorter.

(2) For works created prior to January 1, 1978, there are two safe ways to interpret copyrights:

(a) Treat any pre-1978 copyright the same way as works published on or after January 1, 1978: Life plus 70, 95, or 120 years, depending on the nature of authorship. However, the law specifies that in no case would copyright in a work in this category have expired before December 31, 2002. In addition, if a work in this category was published before that date, the term extends another 45 years, through the end of 2047, or

(b) Contact the publisher, if still in existence, or the U.S. copyright office to identify the copyright owner so that continued vitality to the copyright can be determined.

(E) Compliance with copyright law. No employee or agent of Stark state college shall knowingly infringe upon the copyrights of another.

(F) Permission. Employees shall seek and obtain the permission of the copyright owner prior to making use of copyrighted materials unless one of the following exemptions pertains:

(1) The work was never copyrighted. (This is often difficult to ascertain since recent amendments no longer make it mandatory to place the copyright notice on copyrighted works.)

(2) The copyright has expired. These works are part of the public domain and may be freely copied.

(3) The work lies in the public domain. Examples of works in the public domain are works which were never copyrighted, works where the copyright has expired, and works originally published by the U.S. government.

(4) The copying and/or distribution fall within "fair use."

(5) The copying and /or distribution fall under certain library or archive copying.

(G) Fair use. The only substantial exception to the rule that only copyright holders may distribute copyrighted material is the judicial doctrine of "fair use." Use of a copyrighted work "for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching (including multiple copies for classroom use), scholarship, or research" (17 USC 107) is generally considered fair use. Fair use does not extend to extensive quotations and may not adversely affect the commercial market for the work in question. In determining whether a work in a particular case constitutes fair use, the factors to be considered shall include the following:

(1) The purpose and character of the use, including whether such use is of a commercial nature or is for nonprofit educational purposes.

(2) The nature of the copyrighted work.

(3) The amount and substantiality of the portion used in relation to the copyrighted work as a whole.

(4) The effect of the use upon the potential market for or value of the copyrighted work.

(H) Obtaining permission or licenses. If use does not fall under "fair use," permission must be obtained. Repeated use or republication is not considered "fair use." Permission must be obtained or royalties must be paid for such use of copyrighted works. While the budget funds may be limited, the college does not condone any violation of law simply because that violation saves the taxpayers' money. Accordingly, a good faith effort must be made to obtain permission to use copyrighted material that falls outside of the doctrine of "fair use."

(I) Requests for permission. There are two ways to obtain permission to use copyrighted material. You may either contact the copyright holder directly, or you may use a rights clearinghouse. The permission process is not instantaneous. Allow one-three months for requests to be processed. Whether you are contacting a rights holder directly or using a clearinghouse, you will need to have the following information:

(1) Include an exact description/citation of the work to be used or copied: Title, author and/or editor, and edition of material to be duplicated including page numbers, chapters, and if possible a photocopy of the material to be duplicated.

(2) Include an exact description of what rights you are requesting, how you plan to use the work, the form of distribution (classroom, online class, newsletter, etc.), whether or not the material will be sold, and reproduction medium (photocopy, digital file, etc.).

(3) You must request and pay for, if applicable, each type of right you request. For example, if you are granted the right to use an image in a PowerPoint presentation, it doesn't mean you have the right to use that image in a paper you are writing unless you have also been granted that right.

(4) Whenever possible, requests for permission should be in writing.

(5) All requests shall identify the user as Stark state college.

(6) Permission to use copyrighted material must be in writing.

(7) Questions about copyright at Stark state college should be directed to the director of library services.

(J) Digital media and the Digital Millennium Copyright Act

(1) Copyright law applies to digital resources as well as to conventional paper works. Any distribution of copyrighted digital files--music, movies, text or software--is a violation of federal law. (See the policy on use of college computing resources, rule 3357:15-15-05 of the Administrative Code.) Placing media files in a location where they are available to other Internet users counts as distribution, as does providing copies to friends. It is also illegal to attempt to subvert copyright protection mechanisms (17 USC 1201). Willful infringement for commercial advantage or private gain constitutes a criminal offense.

(2) Stark state college encourages the use of legal online resources. A comprehensive list of legal sources for online content and downloading may be found through the "EDUCAUSE" website at: http://www.educause.edu/legalcontent.

(3) The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA), enacted in 1998, provides protection for copyrighted material in digital form. The DMCA requires that online service providers--including colleges and universities--follow a particular set of procedures in resolving copyright violation claims. Stark state college has implemented these DMCA-mandated procedures. (For more information, see report a copyright infringement below.) The college is also taking active measures to educate users about the provisions of copyright law and encourage compliance with it.

(K) The Technology, Education and Copyright Harmonization Act (TEACH) was signed into law in October 2002. The TEACH Act amends Sections 110(2) and 112 of the Copyright Act of 1976 to give instructors at accredited nonprofit educational institutions greater flexibility to use third party copyrighted works in online course delivery. The bill permits the display and performance of virtually all types of works during online instruction without the consent of the copyright owner, provided that:

(1) The online instructions at an eligible institution are mediated by an instructor;

(2) The transmission of the material is intended only for receipt by students enrolled in the course, regardless of where the students are physically located;

(3) The institution employs measures to prevent "retention of the work in accessible form by recipients of the transmission for longer than the class session;"

(4) The institution employs measures that limit the transmission of the material to students enrolled in the particular course and precludes unauthorized student retention and/or downstream redistribution "to the extent technologically feasible;" and

(5) use of the material is clearly for educational, not entertainment purposes.

(L) Penalties for copyright infringement

If it comes to the attention of the college that an individual is using Stark state college computer equipment and/or network access to violate copyright law, Stark state college will take action to stop such activities, including removing network access.

In addition, violations of copyright law can lead to criminal charges and civil penalties.

Report a copyright infringement

(1) To report copyright infringements on servers located at Stark state college, please notify:

Director of library services Stark state college 6200 Frank ave. NW North Canton, OH 44720 Phone: (330) 494-6170

(2) Director of library services is the agent designated under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, P.L. 105-304.

(3) Director of library services will comply with the "Notice and Take Down" provisions of the DMCA by removing the material in question and informing the individual user of the complaint. Users must file a counter-notice if they wish to make the material available again.

(M) Copyright and faculty ownership of intellectual property, compensation, royalties, and patents.

Copyright and faculty ownership of intellectual property is determined based on use of college resources as defined in this paragraph. Compensation for course/program development is based on category and level as identified in this paragraph.

(1) Category A: Employees shall have sole rights of ownership and disposition of copyrightable material and patents generated by their own individual initiative, provided there is no use of college personnel, facilities, or resources ("category A materials"). However, employees hereby grant the college a fully paid up, nonexclusive license to reproduce, distribute, display, or otherwise use category A materials for educational purposes only. The employee has sole rights to license category A materials and shall retain all royalties or profits therefrom.

(2) Category B: Employees and the college shall share the ownership and disposition of copyrightable material and patentable discoveries or inventions generated where there is approved use of college personnel or facilities ("category B materials"). College personnel or facilities include, but are not limited to, released time, administrative assistance, financial assistance (such as student workers), or college services, equipment, or building. Both parties must agree to any commercial licensing arrangement unless otherwise stated in the course/program development agreement. Division of royalties under these circumstances shall be seventy per cent to the employee and thirty per cent to the college unless other written agreements are made prior to the initiation of the work.

(3) Category C: Copyrights and patents developed from projects undertaken by an employee pursuant to an agreement with the college whereby the college commits substantial resources such as the use of other personnel, facilities, compensation, and release time ("category C materials"). Employee hereby assigns to college all rights and title, including all copyright rights, in any and all category C materials. The college has sole rights to license category C materials and shall retain all royalties and profits therefrom.

(4) Grants: Rights to copyrightable material and patents developed as a result of work supported partially or totally by an outside agency or sponsor through a contract or grant shall be disposed of in accordance with the terms of the contract or grant. Prior to the employee accepting sponsored research or developmental assignments, the college will be consulted and must approve the contract or grant and the details of the project, division of any resulting copyrights or patents, compensation, and the division of royalties.

(5) Employment of the author: In the case where the author is no longer employed at the college, the college retains the right to use the category B and category C course material and also grants the author the right for the author to use the work at another educational institution at which the author is employed so long as that institution is outside the extended service district of the college. The extended service district of the college is defined as Stark county, Summit county, and the adjacent surrounding counties. In the case where the author is no longer employed at the college, the commercial license for the material is defined by the category in the course/program development agreement.

(6) Compensation of the author: In consideration for the following, the author will develop the category B or category C course with any remuneration to be paid upon successful completion of the deliverable of the project.

(7) Transfer of Ownership of Copyright (See Title 17 United States Code, Section 204)

(a) Copyright must be deliberately transferred.

(b) Any transfer of ownership must be both in writing and signed.

(i) A unilaterally imposed institutional policy cannot legally take away the author's copyright ownership of work.

(ii) However, if the author has signed an employment contract yielding copyright to the work, or signed a faculty handbook indicating acceptance of the policies within, such a signed document could be interpreted as a contract and might constitute a valid transfer of rights.

Last updated June 5, 2023 at 8:48 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3357.09
Amplifies: 3357.09
Rule 3357:15-13-35 | Course syllabus.
 

Faculty in all credit courses must make available to students the standardized master syllabus and the class syllabus, electronic or hard copy, on the first day of a class session.

Last updated June 6, 2022 at 9:37 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3357.09
Amplifies: 3357.09
Prior Effective Dates: 6/25/2017
Rule 3357:15-13-36 | implementation of assessment.
 

All divisions and departments in the college are to participate in the outcomes assessment procedure. Assessments are to lead to improvements in programs and services.

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3357
Amplifies: 3357
Rule 3357:15-13-37 | Electronic recording of classroom activities.
 

The policy governs the electronic recording made by students, faculty, and staff in a classroom or other official academic setting. Electronic recording is not permitted unless explicit permission is granted and other students are notified. Students, except those who have an accommodation letter from disability support services (DSS), who would like to record a classroom lecture or activity or teaching sessions must obtain permission from the instructor prior to the recording. The instructor may choose to restrict or prohibit the electronic recordings of lectures and activities or teaching sessions except for those students who meet the eligibility criteria from DSS.

Last updated June 7, 2021 at 10:39 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3357.09
Amplifies: 3357.09
Rule 3357:15-13-38 | Departmental academic policy.
 

Academic departments may recommend specific departmental academic policies and procedures in such areas as grading, admissions criteria, co-requisites and prerequisites, and associate degree and certificate completion requirements based on accreditation and licensure/certification standards. Academic department policies cannot conflict with college-wide policies without board of trustees approval.

Last updated June 6, 2022 at 9:38 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3357.09
Amplifies: 3357.09
Prior Effective Dates: 9/5/2015, 6/25/2017
Rule 3357:15-13-39 | Length of programs, semesters and credit hours.
 

(A) Stark state college follows the Ohio department of higher education guidelines for the length of programs, semesters, and credit hours. The length of associate degree programs falls between a minimum of sixty credit hours and a maximum of sixty-five credit hours unless it can be shown that additional coursework is required to meet professional accreditation or licensing requirements. Programs requiring hours beyond the sixty-five credit hours maximum in order to meet accreditation or licensing requirements are expected to align similarly to like programs at other two-year public institutions, must have the permission of the provost and chief academic officer, and shall not exceed seventy-three semester credit hours. The length of a semester shall consist of no fewer than fifteen calendar weeks and no more than seventeen calendar weeks of instructional time. Term lengths at Stark state college in the fall semester and spring semester range from one week to sixteen weeks of instruction. Term lengths in the summer session range from one week to ten weeks of instruction.

(B) The number of credits which should be awarded for the completion of courses in associate degree programs is determined by the instructional arrangements as follows:

(1) Classroom: Classroom instruction is formalized instruction, conducted on-or off-campus, in which the instructor presents an educational experience to students, applying any combination of instructional methods.

(a) This definition is applicable only when the course organization requires that the instructor bear the primary responsibility for the instructional activity and is directly involved with all students in the class. Students will be expected to work on out-of-class assignments on a regular basis which, over the length of the course, would normally average two hours of out-of-class study for each hour of formal class activity. This out-of-class study shall not be counted as part of the classroom hour for credit.

(b) One hour of credit shall be awarded for each seven hundred fifty minutes of classroom instruction for a semester calendar

(2) Laboratory: Laboratory instruction is educational activity with students conducting experiments, perfecting skills, or practicing procedures under the direction of a faculty member.

(a) One hour of credit shall be awarded for a total of two thousand two hundrd fifty minutes laboratory instructional time for a semester calendar.

(b) If laboratory instruction is supplemented by out-of-class assignments which would normally average one hour of out-of-class study preparing for or following-up the laboratory experience, then one hour of credit shall be awarded for a total of one thousand five hundred minutes laboratory instructional time for a semester calendar.

(3) Clinical laboratory: Clinical laboratory instruction applies only to health technology programs, during which students are assigned to laboratory sections which meet at a health-related agency rather than in on-campus laboratory facilities. Clinical laboratory sessions provide a realistic environment for student learning. These laboratory hours should be directly supervised by regular faculty members, full-time or part-time, of the college.

Credit hours for the clinical laboratory experience will be awarded on the same basis as laboratory instruction.

(4) Directed practice: This definition applies primarily to programs in the health technologies, during which the student is assigned to practice experiences under constant supervision at an external agency. The student should receive individual instruction and critique in the performance of a particular function. Adjunct faculty, who may or may not be paid by the college, may be used for the direct supervision of students and for the delivery of part of the didactic phase of the experience.

(a) The faculty member coordinating the directed practice conducts at least one lecture session each week for participating students, provides the final grade for each student, and visits students at least once a week.

(b) One hour of credit shall be awarded for a total of four thousand five hundred minutes of directed practice instructional time for a semester calendar.

(5) Practicum: Practicum instruction is on or off-campus work experience, integrated with academic instruction. Students concurrently apply theoretical concepts to practical situations within an occupational field. To assure proper coordination of the experience, the practicum is coordinated by a faculty member who visits the student at least once biweekly, provides the final grade, and teaches at least one course on the campus.

(a) Each student who is enrolled in a practicum shall also be enrolled in an on-campus seminar.

(b) A maximum of nine semester credit hours or thirteen quarter credit hours may be earned in practicum, or any combination of practicum cooperative work experience, over the associate degree program. One hour of credit shall be awarded for a total of six thousand three hundred minutes practicum instructional time for a semester calendar.

(6) Cooperative work experience: A cooperative work experience is on or off-campus paid employment. It augments formal classroom instruction. The experience is coordinated by a faculty member of the college who visits the job site for a conference with the student and supervisor at least once during the semester, and assigns the course grade to the student after appropriate consultation with the supervisor/employer.

(a) Each student who is enrolled in cooperative work experience shall also enroll in an on-campus seminar.

(b) One hour of credit shall be awarded for a total of nine thousand minutes cooperative work experience instructional time for a semester calendar. A maximum of nine credit hours for a semester calendar may be earned in cooperative work experience, or any combination of cooperative work experience and practicum, over the associate degree program.

(7) Field experience: Field experience is planned, paid work activity that relates to an individual student's occupational objectives. With permission of a faculty advisor, the field experience replaces elective or required courses in a student's associate degree program. The experience is coordinated by a faculty member of the college who assists the student in planning the experience, visits the site of the experience for a conference with the student and his/her supervisor at least once during the semester, and assigns the course grade to the student after appropriate consultation with the employer/supervisor.

A maximum of nine credit hours for a semester calendar may be earned in field experience, or in any combination of field experience, cooperative education experience, and practicum over the associate degree program. One hour of credit shall be awarded for a total of ten thousand eight hundred minutes field experience instructional time for a semester calendar.

(8) Observation: Observation occurs when students participate in an educational experience as observers of practitioners representative of the occupational area. Students may participate at times in the actual work activity. Observation hours are coordinated by faculty members who receive reports from the students of their observational experiences and provide assessments of students' progress toward the achievement of the objectives of the experience.

One hour of credit shall be awarded for a total of thirteen thousand five hundred minutes observation instructional time for a semester calendar.

(9) Seminar: A seminar is a less formal educational experience than a classroom/lecture/discussion class. A relatively small number of students engage in discussions directed by a faculty member.

Credit is awarded for seminar hours on the same basis as that for the classroom hour discussed in this rule.

(10) Miscellaneous applications courses: Miscellaneous application courses are those for which extended periods of concentrated practice are required of the student subsequent to sessions of individualized instruction. Courses in applied music and journalism or courses of an independent study nature are examples.

One hour of credit shall be awarded for a total of six thousand three hundred minutes of instructional time for miscellaneous applications courses for a semester calendar.

(11) Studio course: Studio courses require little or no out-of-class study.

(a) One hour of credit shall be awarded for a total of two thousand two hundred fifty minutes of instructional time for a studio course for a semester calendar. If supplemented by out-of-class assignments which would normally average one hour of out-of-class study preparing for or following-up the studio experience, one hour of credit shall be awarded for a total of one thousand five hundred minutes instructional time for a semester calendar.

(b) Instructors who teach such courses have primary responsibility for assigning the work activity or skills objectives to the student and personally provide whatever instruction is required. In addition, the instructor periodically assesses the student's progress and assigns the final grade.

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3357
Amplifies: 3357
Rule 3357:15-13-40 | Student success seminar.
 

All new students and transfer students seeking a degree or certain certificates must take SSC101, a one-credit, one-contact hour student success seminar course that is standardized across all divisions, within the first fifteen earned credits.

Last updated June 5, 2023 at 8:51 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3357.09
Amplifies: 3357.09
Prior Effective Dates: 6/4/2018
Rule 3357:15-13-42 | Required new student orientation.
 

Required new student orientation provides foundational information about the campus policies, programs, systems, and services unique to Stark state college to help students succeed. All new students seeking a degree or certificate(s) complete new student orientation as part of the enrollment process, prior to the start of classes in their first term. Students with an existing degree from an accredited college will be encouraged to complete new student orientation.

Last updated June 7, 2021 at 11:31 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3357.09
Amplifies: 3357.09
Rule 3357:15-13-43 | Midterm Grade.
 

Midterm grades will be entered for students in every class in which they are enrolled. Students will be notified after all midterm grades have been posted. Students earning an F and failing to attend after the initial never attend deadline will be assessed a midterm grade of an F with the last date of attendance and will be administratively withdrawn.

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3357
Amplifies: 3357
Rule 3357:15-13-44 | "Teach out" statement for inactivated educational programs.
 

In the event that Stark state college should decide to inactivate a degree or certificate, the college will make every effort to "teach out" currently enrolled students to a maximum of two years. The college will inform the community that no additional students will be accepted into the program. Students who have not completed their programs will be advised by the department chair or program coordinator regarding suitable options including transfer to comparable programs. The college will offer the courses required for graduation to continuously enrolled program students at the time of inactivation until those students have been provided an opportunity to complete their degrees.

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3357.09
Amplifies: 3357.09
Prior Effective Dates: 3/27/2015
Rule 3357:15-13-45 | Military leave of absence and withdrawal.
 

In compliance with section 3332.20 of the Revised Code and House Bill 488, Stark state college will grant a student a military leave of absence or withdrawal from the college while a student is serving on active duty or participating in mandatory training. Eligible students include those currently serving (active duty), national guard, reserves, and inactive ready reserves.

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3357:15
Amplifies: 3357:15
Prior Effective Dates: 8/29/2015
Rule 3357:15-13-46 | Medical withdrawal policy.
 

In order to promote student success, if a student or immediate family member (as referenced in policy 3357:15-14-08 of the Administrative Code) experiences a serious illness, injury, or medical condition while the student is enrolled in Stark state, a student may petition to receive a medical withdrawal. When a licensed health care or mental health practitioner deems a withdrawal medically necessary, the student's petition for withdrawal must be submitted for all classes which have not been completed for the current semester, in addition to submitting through the normal refund policy (see policy 3357:15-18-09 of the Administrative Code) or the normal withdrawal procedure (see policy 3357:15-13-16 of the Administrative Code). The medical withdrawal policy covers both physical health and mental health conditions. Students may only submit two petitions while attending Stark state college; however, if the student has exceptional circumstances, as deemed so by the medical petition committee, an exception to the two-petition minimum may be considered.

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3357:15
Amplifies: 3357:15
Rule 3357:15-13-47 | Textbook selection.
 

In support of the college's strategic goals of academic excellence and fiscal stability and stewardship, stark state college requires the textbook selection process to meet the standards required of the course as determined by the department while selecting the best cost solution. The college expects all departments and faculty to select appropriate, high quality course materials that benefit the student's learning experience. The policy supports academic freedom and departmental autonomy for faculty making the textbook selections. This policy applies to the selection of textbooks and other instructional materials for use in courses offered by the college. Pursuant to section 133 of the Higher Education Opportunity Act, Stark state college is required to disclose, where practicable, on the college's bookstore webpage, the international standard book number and retail price information of required and recommended college textbooks and supplemental materials for each course listed in the institution's course schedule by the time that registration begins. If not practicable, the designation "to be determined" will be used until the information becomes available.

Last updated June 6, 2022 at 9:38 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3357.09
Amplifies: 3357.09
Rule 3357:15-13-48 | Freedom of expression and responsibilities.
 

The college believes that the right of expression is as necessary as the right of inquiry and that both must be preserved as essential to the pursuit and dissemination of knowledge and truth. Students, including student groups, have a fundamental constitutional right to free speech. The college is committed to giving students broad latitude to speak, write, listen, challenge, learn, and discuss any issue. The college is further committed to maintaining campus as a marketplace of ideas for all students and faculty in which the exchange of ideas is not to be suppressed because the ideas put forth are thought by some members of the college community to be offensive, unwise, indecent, disagreeable, conservative, liberal, traditional, radical, or wrong-headed; it is not the college's role to shield individuals from such speech or to use concerns about civility and mutual respect as justification for closing off the discussion of such speech. The college believes that it is for individual students and faculty to make judgments about ideas for themselves, and to act on those judgments not by seeking to suppress free speech, but by openly and vigorously contesting the ideas they oppose. The primary responsibility of faculty is to engage in honest, courageous, and persistent effort to search out and communicate the truth that lies in the areas of their competence.

Although all students and all faculty are free to state their own views about and contest the views expressed on campus, and to state their own views about and contest speakers who are invited to express their views on campus, they may not substantially obstruct or otherwise substantially interfere with the freedom of others to express views they reject or even loathe. To this end, the college has a responsibility to promote a lively and fearless freedom of debate and deliberation and protect that freedom. The college is committed to providing an atmosphere that is most conducive to speculation, experimentation, and creation by all students and all faculty, who shall always remain free to inquire, to study and to evaluate, and to gain new understanding.

Academic freedom is the right to engage in intellectual expression, on and off campus, without fear of censorship, retaliation, or sanctions. This right is essential to the longstanding goal of higher education to seek the truth by encompassing varying viewpoints. Academic freedom includes both the individual's and institution's responsibility to maintain academic standards and to encourage intellectual inquiry and integrity. Academic freedom of expression extends to all members of the academic community, subject to constitutional limits on expression that is defamatory, incites violence, discriminates, or harasses.

College employees are entitled to academic freedom and to pursue scholarly interests without fear of censure, discipline, or reprisal; but they are subject to the standards of professional conduct set forth in the policies and procedures manual. When college employees speak or write as citizens, they are free from college censorship or discipline; but their special position in the community imposes special obligations, as the public may judge the institution by their comments. Hence, employees are encouraged to be accurate at all times, exercise appropriate restraint, show respect for the opinions of others, and should indicate that they do not speak for the college.

College faculty members may present course content in their own scholarly manner. The college's design best practices established by the college, ethical standards of the discipline, and stark state college policies and procedures are subject to this policy and must be followed by faculty. Faculty members are free to discuss subject matter aligned with the approved course learning objectives. However, faculty members must refrain from persistently using a substantial portion of classroom instruction to introduce material that has no bearing on the subject matter of the course and/or which is outside the area(s) of their competence and training. Students will be graded only on the intellectual merits of their work. Academic freedom does not allow a faculty member to impel his or her opinions on students. Consequently, faculty members must assess student learning for mastery of course content, rather than a student's personal beliefs on a subject or a student's subjective decision to agree or disagree with a particular aspect of the material.

Nothing within this policy shall be interpreted as preventing the college from imposing measures under its policies and procedures that do not violate the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution or Article I, Sections 3 and 11 of the Ohio Constitution, such as: constitutional time, place and manner restrictions; reasonable and viewpoint-neutral restrictions in nonpublic forums; restricting the use of the college's property to protect the free speech rights of students and faculty members and preserve the use of the property for the advancement of the college's mission; prohibiting or limiting speech, expression, or assemblies that are not protected by the first amendment to the United States Constitution or Article 1, Sections 3 and 11 of the Ohio Constitution; and content restrictions on speech that are reasonably related to a legitimate pedagogical purpose, such as classroom rules enacted by faculty. Additionally, nothing in this policy shall give students the right to disrupt previously scheduled or reserved activities occurring in a traditional public form.

Last updated October 17, 2022 at 8:45 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3357:09
Amplifies: 3357.09
Prior Effective Dates: 5/29/2020
Rule 3357:15-13-49 | Testing your faith.
 

Stark state college supports the religious beliefs and practices of individual students. In compliance with section 3345.026 of the Revised Code, the college permits a student to be absent for up to three days each academic semester to take holidays for reasons of faith, religious or spiritual belief system, or to participate in organized activities conducted under the auspices of a religious denomination, church, or other religious or spiritual organization. The college will not impose an academic penalty as a result of a student being absent.

Students are required to notify their instructors no later than fourteen days after the first day of instruction in the course. Students must provide the instructor with written notice of the specific dates for which the student requests alternative accommodations.

Instructors will provide students with alternative accommodations with regard to examinations and other academic requirements missed due to an absence when a student's sincerely held religious belief or practice affects the student's ability to take an examination or meet an academic requirement.

The instructor must accept, without question, the sincerity of the student's religious or spiritual belief system. The instructor must keep requests for alternative accommodations confidential. The instructor must schedule a time and date for an alternative examination or other academic requirement, which may occur before or after the time and date the examination or other academic requirement was originally scheduled, and must do so without prejudicial effect.

A non-exhaustive list of major religious holidays or festivals for the next two academic years, as provided by the chancellor of higher education, is posted on the college's website. The list is non-exhaustive, and the list may not be used to deny accommodations to a student for a holiday or festival of the student's faith or religious or spiritual belief system that does not appear on the list.

Last updated April 3, 2023 at 8:44 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 3357.09
Amplifies: 3357.09