This step provides you with information to help you succeed in your studies at Troy University. Included are resources to help you be prepared for your first class, information on performance expectations, and useful administrative processes.
Resources:
Graduate students must recognize that graduate level work differs appreciably
from that of many undergraduate programs. While undergraduate students often find that their course of study requires they pass a definite number of courses that are part of a specific and rather inflexible curriculum, graduate students find that their programs are geared to meeting certain criteria.
The first of these criteria is that the graduate student should understand the ramifications of research as well as the manner in which it is conducted. In the context of graduate study, research - free of preconceived notions and receptive to new ideas - is systematic, thorough, critical, interpretative, and analytical. Such research attempts to collate and synthesize new patterns of meaning, to discover new truths, to correct past errors.
The second component of the graduate program requires that graduate students master their field of study. Such a mastery would entail a thorough grasp of the subject matter, bibliography, theory, and methodology related to the student's field of interest.
Finally, every graduate program must give the student the opportunity to demonstrate research skills, knowledge of the field, and their ability to contribute to the field of study. Thus, a person who wishes to do graduate level work must be prepared to pass examinations, both written and oral, to write coherent papers that reflect the results of research as defined above, and to participate in course projects.
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Attend and be prepared for every class. If business will prevent you from attending a particular class, discuss this with your instructor as soon as you are aware. If you know you will be gone prior to enrolling, get your instructors approval.
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Get to know your instructor, his/her expectations, communicate regularly through email, call when you have questions or problems.
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Determine your best time of the day for studying and schedule it.
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Don't cram for exams; study everyday.
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Get to know your classmates, join a study group, and get help in editing your papers.
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Use the Troy University Library services. This includes getting to know the Librarian, Mrs. Cornett. Her office is at the Bateman Library on Langley AFB. The local telephone number is (757) 865-7880, the toll free number is 888-241-0277, and the fax is 757-865-3295. Her email address is scornett@troy.edu.
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Obtain and use the Atlantic Region Library Resource Guide. This guide provides resource information for both the Norfolk and Washington sites.
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Use the Atlantic Region Electronic Library for your research.
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Use the resources available at the Troy University Writing Center.
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Set goals and write down a plan of action to reach them.
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Keep a daily "to do" list, prioritize and begin completing the most important things first.
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Accept and learn from mistakes.
Attendance Policy
Changes in Class Schedules
Dropping from Class
Withdrawal from Class
Appeal of Grades
In registering for classes at the university, graduate students accept responsibility for attending scheduled class meetings, completing assignments on time, and contributing to class discussion and exploration of ideas. Faculty members may levy academic penalties upon unexcused absences; however, such penalties for unexcused absences will be a part of each course syllabus and will be distributed to each class at the beginning of each term, and a copy filed in the departmental office.
Inclement Weather and Emergency Situations: Both faculty and students are responsible for meeting all assigned classes. In the event of inclement weather, faculty and students will be expected to attend classes as usual as long as they may do so without risking peril to themselves or to others. During periods of inclement weather,
faculty and students will not be penalized for absences dictated by perilous conditions. In severe cases of inclement weather or other emergency conditions, the Regional Director will announce cancellation of classes through the local and regional media as well as through the University’s web sites.
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The program of courses for which a student registers must bear the approval of his/her advisor and the appropriate Academic Dean. Changes in the class schedule are
not permitted after the close of the registration period. Registration for a course makes the student responsible for completing the course unless they officially withdraw from the course(s).
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Students who, for any reason, drop from class(es) before the semester begins MUST NOTIFY THE BUSINESS OFFICE OR SITE OFFICE IN WRITING TO DROP. Any student who fails to do so will be responsible for payment of tuition and will be charged with failing grades. Students who drop after classes begin must complete and process the Official Drop Form to protect their records and to qualify for partial refunds (refer to local policy). Exit Interviews are required for all withdrawals. Students who drop during any term after the last day to drop without academic penalty will be awarded the grade of DP (Drop Passing) or DF (Drop Failing). The DP grade will not affect a student’s grade point average; however, the grade of DF will be calculated as an F grade. Grade Status at the time of drop (still enrolled in at least one course)
1. Before Mid-Term: The symbol "DR" (drop) will be entered on the student’s record for each course and the hours will not be charged as attempted. See class schedule for exact date.
2. After Mid-term: With the exception of those who withdraw for documented reasons beyond their control, students who leave the university after the middle of the term will be assigned the symbol "DP" or "DF" for each course. Students who receive the "DF" will be charged with hours attempted in the overall grade point average. See class schedule for exact date.
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Students who, for any reason, withdraw from all classes before the semester begins
MUST NOTIFY THE SITE OFFICE IN WRITING TO WITHDRAW. Any student who fails to do so will be responsible for payment of tuition and will be charged with failing grades. Students who withdraw after classes begin must complete and process the Official Withdrawal Form to protect their records and to qualify for partial refunds (refer to local policy). Withdrawal forms are available in the Counseling Office, Adams Center 125 or your site office. Exit Interviews are required for all withdrawals. Students who withdraw during any term after the last day to withdraw without academic penalty will be awarded the grade of WP(Withdraw Passing) or WF (Withdraw Failing). The WP grade will not affect a student’s grade point average; however, the grade of WF will be calculated as an F grade.
Grade Status at the Time of Withdrawal (No longer enrolled in any courses.)
1. Before Mid-Term: The symbol "W" (withdrawal) will be entered on the student’s record for each course and the hours will not be charged as attempted. See class schedule for exact date.
2. After Mid-term: With the exception of those who withdraw for documented reasons beyond their control, students who leave the university after the middle of the term will be assigned the symbol "WP" or "WF" for each course. Students who receive the "WF" will be charged with hours attempted in the overall grade point average. See class schedule for exact date.
A student who contends that he or she received an invalid grade because of arbitrary, capricious, or unethical behavior on the part of a faculty member may, within one semester/term of the grade assignment, appeal the grade in writing to the chair of the department in which the grade was assigned. However, the student must first exhaust all discussion with the faculty member.
The student package should be sent to the Associate Regional Director for Academic Affairs. The Associate Director will meet with the faculty member and examine all claims and particulars. If the Associate Director supports the grade awarded, the issue is closed; and the Associate Director will so notify the student.
If the Associate Director cannot support the assigned grade, the college dean, the regional department chair, and faculty member will meet to seek a resolution. If no resolution can be reached, the college dean will empanel three faculty colleagues from the department and/or cognate disciplines to review the matter. The decision of this panel shall be final, and binding on all parties; however, should this panel of peer colleagues be unwilling or unable to reach consensus, the dean will so inform the Provost. The Provost, in turn, shall ask the chair of the Faculty Advisory Council to appoint from the council an ad hoc committee of three faculty members who will review the evidence and render a final decision which will be binding on all parties.
All appeals should be processed within two terms of the date a student petitions for grade review. It should be clear that throughout this process, allegations concerning the competence of a faculty member, the fairness of examinations, the difficulty of a course, or other matters of a purely academic nature will not be allowed.
