Classification of Students. In the regular session, undergraduate students who are registered for and attending 12 or more semester hours are classified as full-time students. Those who are registered for or attending fewer than 12 semester hours are classified as part-time students.

     All undergraduate students are also classified as either regular or special. Special students are those who are admitted under special circumstances and who are not candidates for degrees.

     Regular student are further classified as follows:

Freshmen        Students are classified as freshmen until they have earned 24
                         semester hours of credit.
Sophomores    Students are classified as sophomores when they have earned at
                         least 24 but fewer than 54 semester hours of credit.
Juniors            Students are classified as juniors when they have earned at least
                        54 but fewer than 87 semester hours of credit.
Seniors            Students are classified as seniors when they have earned at least
                        87 semester hours of credit.

     Registration. Registration of courses is done online via Wingspan (https://wingspan. Winthrop.edu). Registration for Fall semester begins in April and continues until the beginning of the semester.  Spring registration begins in November. In the summer session, which consists of several terms (units) starting at various times, registration occurs over an extended period which ends, for an individual term, on the first day of classes in that term. Continuing students are permitted and encouraged to register early for the upcoming semester. Newly admitted freshmen for a fall semester must attend one of the special orientation sessions offered during the summer in order to be able to register early for the fall. Consultation with an adviser prior to registration is required.

     Course Load. Regular Semester (Spring or Fall). While the normal course load for an undergraduate student is 15 to 17 hours per semester, a full-time course load may range from 12 to 18 hours. In determining course load, the student, with the assistance of a faculty adviser, should take into consideration high school performance, College Board scores, grade-point average, and the amount of time available to apply to the academic course work.

     A student with a cumulative grade-point average of 3.00 or higher may take a course overload of up to 21 hours.  A student with less than a 3.0 grade-point average must request approval for an overload from the Undergraduate Petitions Committee.

     Summer Session. An undergraduate student may not enroll for more than 4 hours in Maymester, or for more than 15 semester hours for the remainder of the summer sessions. Total hours taken during the summer may not exceed 18.

     Auditing Courses. Undergraduate students may audit a course with the permission of the instructor of the course, the department chair, and the academic dean on a space available basis. An auditor is not required to participate in any examination or graded course assignments. Participation in class activities and the class attendance policy is at the discretion of the instructor.

     Students have until the third day of the beginning of the fall and spring semesters and the first day of each summer session to select the audit option.

     Changes in Enrollment. Changes in enrollment, or student schedule changes, must be made before the end of the designated registration period.  Such changes include dropping or adding courses, changing sections, electing to Audit courses, and changing number of credits to be earned in a course (where applicable). Any change in enrollment may be done on Wingspan (wingspan.winthrop.edu) through the designated registration period.

     Repeating a Course. A student may repeat any course taken at Winthrop University or transferred to Winthrop, for which he/she did not earn a B or higher, or a grade of S. (This regulation does not apply to courses that may be repeated for additional credit.) Credit hours earned in a particular course taken at Winthrop will not be awarded more than one time, (unless the course has been approved for additional credit) and transfer credit for repeated courses will be forfeited.

     A student who enters Winthrop as a freshman is allowed a maximum of four repeated courses with grade exemption for any courses taken at Winthrop University for which he/she did not earn a B or higher, or a grade of S. Under this policy, the original grade earned in the course may be exempted from the calculation of the cumulative grade point average. Students who transfer to Winthrop with fewer than 40 semester hours of credit are also allowed the four course repeats with grade exemption, those with at least 40 and fewer than 70 are allowed three, those with at least 70 and fewer than 100 are allowed two, and those with 100 or more are allowed only one repeated course for which the original grade may be exempted from the cumulative grade point average.

     The repeat exemption will be automatically applied to courses as they are repeated up to the allowed number of repeat exemptions.  Receiving a grade of U in a repeated course will not replace a previous attempt’s grade, but will utilize one of the repeat exemptions.

     Withdrawal from Courses. Students are expected to follow the courses of study selected at the beginning of the semester or summer term. There may be instances, however, when the student wishes to withdraw from a course. The decision to withdraw from a course is the student's alone, but consultation with the adviser or academic dean and with the instructor is strongly recommended when such action is contemplated.

     Forms for withdrawing from courses after the end of the registration change period are available in the Registration Office. Withdrawal from a course may not occur during the last week of the course. If withdrawal is completed during the first 60% of the instructional days of a particular course, the grade of N is assigned, indicating no credit is awarded. Withdrawal from a course may not occur after 60% of the instructional days of the course have been completed, unless documented extenuating circumstances should warrant withdrawal from the course with the assignment of an N grade.  Documented extenuating circumstances include the following:  death of an immediate family member; traumatic and unforeseen circumstances which are considered beyond a student’s control; prolonged emotional instability, physical injury or illness which has resulted in the student’s inability to complete academic responsibilities; or a change in nonacademic employment beyond the student’s control.  Documentation of such circumstances must be definitive and must be presented along with a request for a withdrawal with the assignment of an N grade to the dean of enrollment management or his or her designee no later than the last day of classes for the course in question.

     Complete Withdrawal from Winthrop. Students who find it necessary to discontinue their college work during a semester or summer session should officially withdraw from the University. Students who wish to initiate the withdrawal process should go to the Office of teh Dean of Enrollment Management, 102 Tillman Hall.

     A student who withdraws before the course withdrawal date of the semester receives grades of N for all courses. If the withdrawal occurs in the second two-thirds of the semester, the student receives grades of F, N, U, or I, as the individual instructor deems appropriate.  A student may withdraw after the course withdrawal deadline with documented extenuating circumstances. Such circumstances include the following:  death of an immediate family member; traumatic and unforeseen circumstances which are considered beyond a student’s control; prolonged emotional instability, physical injury or illness which has resulted in the student’s inability to complete academic responsibilities; or a change in nonacademic employment beyond the student’s control.  Documentation of such circumstances must be definitive and must be presented along with a request for a withdrawal with the assignment of an N grade to the dean of enrollment management or his or her designee no later than the last day of classes for the semester in question.

     Failure to withdraw officially may seriously affect a student's eligibility for future readmission or for transfer to another institution.

     Academic Probation. Students on academic probation may not enroll in more than 15 semester hours while on probation. A student on academic probation whose semester grade-point average is 2.0 or higher is not suspended at the close of that semester even though the cumulative grade-point average remains below the minimum required for the classification. The student's status continues enrollment on academic probation.

     The student is removed from probation at the close of a semester in which the cumulative grade-point average meets the required minimum standard for his/her classification.

     Undergraduate special students are not subject to academic eligibility while in this classification.

     Credit awarded by examination and hours earned with a grade of S are used in determining classification but not in determining classification but not in determining the grade-point average.

     A student's eligibility in a given semester cannot be influenced by the change of a grade awarded in any semester prior to the previous semester, except in the removal of an incomplete grade.

     Academic Ineligibility. The undergraduate student should strive to maintain at least a 2.0 grade-point average for hours attempted at this institution, which is the minimum permitted for graduation. A student is subject to scholastic action (probation, suspension, or dismissal) any semester or summer session in which one or more semester hours are attempted. The combined summer sessions, called a summer term, are considered a unit equivalent to a semester. Students enrolled at Winthrop University must earn a minimum cumulative grade-point average in accordance with the eligibility schedule below in order to avoid being placed on academic probation.

Eligibility Schedule.

Class                 Cumulative Hours                 Minimum Cumulative
                                 Earned                                        GPA
Freshman                    0 to 23                                          1.75
Sophomore                 24 to 53                                        1.85
Junior                          54 to 86                                        2.0
Senior                         87 or more                                    2.0

Initial failure to meet the cumulative grade-point average according to the earned hours results in probation. A subsequent violation in the next semester or summer term results in suspension for the immediately succeeding regular academic semester and any intervening summer session. Students readmitted after suspension are considered on probation, and failure to meet the specified minimum cumulative grade-point average results in a second suspension for a full academic year (12 months). Readmission for a second time places the student on probation. Failure to achieve the specified minimum cumulative grade-point average after the second suspension results in permanent dismissal from the University.

     Credit earned at any other institution while a student is ineligible to enroll at Winthrop University cannot be applied to any degree at Winthrop University.

     Recourse for Academically Ineligible Students. If an academically ineligible student feels there are extenuating circumstances in his/her situation, special consideration may be asked of the Committee on Undergraduate Petitions. Procedures are as follows:

1. A typed petition from the student must be presented to the Registrar stating
    the specific extenuating circumstances (see Item 4 following) which prevented
    the student from succeeding in his/her course work. This petition must be
    accompanied by a physician's supporting statement or by other documentary
    evidence of extenuating circumstances. The petition must include the student's
    name, student number, address, major, class, telephone number, and
    adviser's name. A petition form is available in the Records Office.

2. The typed petition must be received by the Registrar at least one week before
    the beginning of the semester for which the student wishes to be readmitted.

3. The Registrar forwards the petition, along with all supporting documents, to
    the Petitions Committee.

4. Decisions are based only on extenuating circumstances such as illness, death
    in the family, or emergency military service.

5. Those who are readmitted by the committee are notified and are allowed to
    register for courses.

     General Appeal Procedure. Any undergraduate student may appeal for variations in the general education requirements and other University-wide academic regulations by submitting a typed petition to the committee on Undergraduate Petitions.

     Petitions may be accompanied by supporting statements or other documentary evidence which the student judges pertinent to the petition. Petitions should be addressed to the Committee on Undergraduate Petitions, c/o Registrar, and should include the student's name, student number, address, major, class, telephone number, and name of adviser. A petition form is available in the Records Office.

     To be considered at a regular monthly meeting, written petitions must be received by the Registrar at least one week prior to the published meeting date of the Petitions Committee.

     Academic Forgiveness. At the time of readmission, a student who has been absent for five calendar years or longer may choose to re-enter under the "academic forgiveness policy." Under this policy, all courses previously taken at Winthrop University are treated as if they were transfer credit from another institution for purposes of granting credit toward graduation and, as with transfer credit, the earlier courses are not used in computing the student's grade-point average. However, all earlier courses and the grades earned remain on the student's official transcript and are counted in computing eligibility for academic honors.

     The student must exercise or waive the "academic forgiveness" option at the time he/she is readmitted to Winthrop.

     Choice of Catalog. A regular undergraduate student may obtain a degree in accordance with the requirements set forth in the catalog in force at the time of the student's initial enrollment as a regular undergraduate student at Winthrop, provided that the student has not been absent from active enrollment for a continuous period of twelve months or more; or the student may elect to obtain a degree in accordance with the requirements of any catalog issued after initial enrollment, provided the student was enrolled as a regular undergraduate student in Winthrop at the time the catalog was issued and has not subsequently been absent from active enrollment for a continuous period of 12 months or more. When a student has been absent for a period of 12 months or more, he/she must fulfill the requirements of the catalog in force at the time of re-enrollment or a subsequent catalog in force during enrollments. In all cases, a student is restricted in choice to the requirements of a specific catalog and must graduate within a period of eight years from the date the catalog was issued to claim the rights of that catalog.

     If any course required in the catalog specified is not offered after the student specifying the catalog has accumulated 87 semester hours, the University reserves the right to substitute another course. In all cases, if a course has been officially dropped from the course offerings, the University provides a substitute course.

     Change of Degree or Program of Study. A student may change from one degree program or area of academic concentration to another, provided the prerequisites for admission to the new program are met and appropriate written approval is obtained.

     Teacher Licensure Requirements. Requirements for teacher licensure set by the South Carolina State Department of Education or other agencies may or may not be the same as degree requirements shown in this catalog. Students desiring licensure should consult with the appropriate agency early in their programs to determine any licensure requirements above and beyond degree requirements.

     All transient study credit is subject to the Winthrop University Transfer Credit Policy. (See "Undergraduate Transfer Credit Policy" in the Admissions chapter of the Undergraduate Catalog).

     Graduate Credit for Winthrop University Seniors. Winthrop seniors with an overall grade-point average at Winthrop of 3.00 or better may be permitted to take courses numbered 500-599 for graduate credit during their final semester of undergraduate work, provided the total course load (undergraduate and graduate) for that semester does not exceed 16 semester hours. The student may receive graduate credit for these courses only if the requirements for the baccalaureate degree are satisfactorily completed by the end of that same semester.

     Senior accounting students in their final term may take one 600 level accounting class if the student meets the following conditions: (A) Admitted provisionally to graduate studies for the MBA Accounting Option; (B) Limited to one 600 level accounting course; (C) 3.00 undergraduate grade-point average; and (D) Limited to maximum load of 16 semester hours.

     Undergraduate students who wish to take courses numbered 500-599 for graduate credit must first receive approval from the academic dean of the college in which they are majoring. Approval applications are available in the Graduate and Continuing Studies Office.

     The Permanent Record and Transcripts of Record. A permanent record of each student's courses, credits, and grades earned is maintained in the Records Office. Transcripts are provided, upon written request of the student. Transcripts are withheld from those students and former students who have unpaid accounts with the University.

     Class Attendance. Faculty are expected to meet all their scheduled class engagements. Faculty who expect to be absent from any of their classes should obtain permission from their department chair or dean. Emergency absence should be reported immediately to the department chair. Faculty who are absent because of illness should file a sick leave form with the department office.

     Hazardous Weather Conditions. It is the practice of Winthrop University to carry out its primary responsibility of providing instruction for students during regularly scheduled hours except in cases when extreme weather conditions make roads unsafe for travel. While Winthrop feels a responsibility to meet scheduled classes and maintain office support for those classes whenever possible, the University places the highest priority on the safety of its students, faculty, and staff.

     In instances of unsafe road and traveling conditions, the University notifies local media outlets in areas where Winthrop students and employees live if scheduled classes and activities of the University have changed. Students should use their local media and discretion in judging the safety of traveling to the University during periods of inclement weather.

     Meeting Times. Instructors are expected to meet their classes at the assigned times. Any changes in meeting times must have the approval of the department chair and the dean.

     Final Examinations for Undergraduate Courses. The form of the final examination is determined by the instructor. However, a final examination, or comparable evaluation, should be administered in all classes. The exam period may not exceed two and one-half hours. The times and places of final examinations are scheduled by the Registrar and faculty are expected to adhere to the scheduled times.

     The student and the instructor will be notified of a legitimate exam conflict if one or more of the following occurs: the student has more than one scheduled exam per period, the student has more than two examinations scheduled per day, or more than three examinations in four consecutive periods.

     Final Examinations for Graduate Courses. In 600-level courses, the class meets during examination week in the two and one-half hour period scheduled for an examination; it is left to the discretion of the instructor as to whether that period is spent in an examination or in other class activities considered more useful. In 500-level courses, graduate students, at the discretion of the instructor, follow the same procedures as undergraduate students with regard to final examinations.

     Temporary Rolls. On the first day of classes, temporary class rolls are available to the instructors, department chairs, and deans.  Instructors may also view their most up-to-date rolls via Wingspan for faculty at https://w4f.winthrop.edu.  If a student's name is not listed on the roll or there is a mistake in the listing, the instructor must call the student's attention to the matter. It is the student's responsibility to inform the Registration Office of the discrepancy.

     Permanent Rolls. Approximately three weeks after the beginning of classes, a permanent class roll is issued for each course and section. The permanent class roll is the official list of students enrolled for the course and section. An instructor must not permit a student to attend class unless the student is listed on the permanent roll. The Registration Office will notify the instructor of any names that should be officially added to or deleted from the permanent class roll. If a student's name is not included on the roll or if there is a mistake in the student's listing, the instructor must call the student's attention to the matter. It is the student's responsibility to notify the Registration Office of the discrepancy. If there are errors in the listing of the course (e.g., course title or instructor's name) the instructor should notify the department chair or dean. It is the responsibility of the dean to inform the Registration Office of the discrepancy.

     After Hours Entry into Academic Buildings. Although the academic buildings are made secure at closing hours in the evening and on holidays, it is recognized that students may have legitimate needs to enter these buildings.

     Students may be admitted to the academic buildings after normal class hours if their names appear on a roster supplied to the WU Police by their department chair or dean, and provided they have in their possession a permit issued by the WU Police. However, no student who is alone may be admitted to Sims or Thurmond (safety precautions require that the student be accompanied by someone who will remain in the building with the student).

     A student who enters an academic building with approval must not use this advantage to admit other students. Security officers are authorized to evacuate any building wherein there has been an abuse of the privilege extended to a student.

     Students granted admission to an academic building after hours are obligated to notify Public Safety at the time of departure.

     Food and Drink in Classrooms. Bringing food and drinks into class rooms is prohibited. Building coordinators will consider requests for exceptions to the ban for special events through department chairs or from other requesting student and academically related groups.

     Smoking in University Buildings. The South Carolina Clean Air Act states "smoking may be allowed in enclosed private offices and designated areas of employee break areas." This has been interpreted to mean that smoking will be allowed in private offices with doors closed; smoking will not be permitted in common areas of the buildings, in break rooms, in vending areas or in rest rooms unless designated by the occupants of that building as a smoking area. In those buildings with no designated smoking areas, persons desiring to use tobacco products must exit the building.

     Evaluation and Grading. It is the responsibility of all faculty members at Winthrop to assign to all of their students fair grades based on evaluation relevant to the content and purpose of the course of study and, reasonably early in the semester, to inform students of the evaluation placed upon their work. Testing procedures are generally guided by the following principles: A number of evaluations of students' achievements should be made throughout any given semester. The instructor in each class is encouraged to base students' final grade on at least four major evaluations. The instructor may require a combination of one-hour test, written reports, oral reports, or appropriate performances on projects. Tests should be returned to students within a reasonable time. Students have a right to examine their own tests regularly in order to understand which items were answered incorrectly or inadequately.

     Grading System. Grades for courses taken for undergraduate credit are recorded as follows:

A - Excellent, achievement of distinction (4 quality points per
      semester hour).
B - Good, achievement above that required for graduation (3
      quality points per semester hour).
C - Fair, minimum achievement required for graduation (2 quality
      points per semester hour).
D - Poor, achievement at a level below that required for
      graduation; must be balanced by good or excellent work in
     other courses (1 quality point per semester hour).
F - Failure, unsatisfactory achievement (no quality points).
S - Satisfactory achievement (C level or above) on a course taken
      on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.
SH - Satisfactory Honors, used only for honors courses to indicate
         honors credit (A or B) taken on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory
         basis.
U - Unsatisfactory achievement (Honors Courses, C level or
       below; all others, D level or below) on a course taken on a
       satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.
N - No Grade, indicating the student withdrew from the course.
I - Incomplete, used only as a prefix to a letter grade. Assigning an
     incomplete grade indicates that, for a valid reason, the course
     has not been completed and that the instructor reserves the right
     to raise the grade if the incomplete work is completed within
     one year, or by an earlier date specified by the instructor. The
     grade to which I is prefixed is not used in computing the
     student's GPA until the I prefix is removed and indicates the
     grade earned if no further work is performed. It is the grade in
     the course unless and until changed by the instructor.

     Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory Option. Undergraduate students may elect to receive a satisfactory/unsatisfactory (S/U) grade on a total of four courses throughout their entire undergraduate curriculum, and are limited to electing no more than one S/U course per semester. Each of these courses will count for credit as does any other course; however, a satisfactory/unsatisfactory grade, recorded as S or U, will not be counted in computing the student's grade-point average. (The purpose of this option is to allow the student an opportunity to explore areas of interest outside the major and outside required courses without jeopardizing the grade-point average. Students are discouraged from choosing the S/U option for required courses or for courses in the major.) Students who are unclear above the appropriate application of the S/U option should consult their advisers.

      The four-course limit regarding the S/U option does not include those courses which are offered only on a S/U basis.

     A student must elect to utilize the S/U option within the first two weeks of a semester.

     Quality Points and Grade-Point Average. To remain in good academic standing, a student must maintain a certain standard of excellence. This standard is fixed by the quality-point system. The grade received on a course determines the number of quality points earned per semester hour. Total quality points for a course are calculated by multiplying hours earned by the point value for the grade earned.

     Semester Grade-Point Average. The semester grade-point average (GPA) is calculated by dividing quality points earned that semester by hours taken on a letter-grade basis during that semester.

     Cumulative Grade-Point Average. The cumulative grade-point average (GPA) is calculated by dividing total quality points by quality hours. Quality hours are all hours of credit taken at Winthrop on a letter-grade basis. Credits earned by examinations, credits transferred from other institutions, and credits for courses taken on satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis are not used in computing a student's cumulative grade-point average.

     In cases where undergraduates, with proper approval, transfer courses in to replace those taken at Winthrop, the original course grades continue to be included in the calculation of quality hours and cumulative grade-point average.

     Definitions:

          Gross Hours Taken. The sum of the total hours for which the student has been enrolled at Winthrop plus all hours accepted by Winthrop as transfer credit and all hours awarded by Winthrop as Credit by Examination.

          Quality Points. Semester Hours Earned times the value of the Grade: A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, F=0. All courses are counted in the semester summary of the semester in which they have been taken and in the cumulative summary.

      Multiple Evaluations on a Single Day. All evaluations which count 15% or more of a course grade shall be announced at least one week in advance of the date on which the evaluation is to take place or the date when the material is due. (For the purpose of this policy, an evaluation means an examination or quiz, either written or oral, class presentation, research paper, essay, project, or any other written material or performance on which the student's grade in the course is based.)

     When a student is assigned three or more in-class evaluations, each of which counts 15% or more of the course grade, on the same date, the student has a right to appeal to have the date of the third and subsequent evaluations changed. The process of appeal will begin with informal discussions initiated by the student with his/her instructors. The student's case may be substantiated by having each instructor complete the "Request for Change of Examination Date" form, which is available in the Registration Office.

     The earliest time of assignment of an evaluation (including date and class period) shall determine the two evaluations to be administered on the date in question. Third and subsequent evaluations will be given on another day if the student requests. The make-up date will be at a reasonable time prescribed by the instructor.

     The appeal must be completed by the student no later than three regular school days before the date on which the evaluations are scheduled to take place.

     Faculty members are urged to announce course evaluation dates as early in the semester as possible.

     Grade Reports. It is the responsibility of the instructor at the end of each semester and summer term to report final grades to the Registration Office, using the online grading system in Wingspan (https://w4f.winthrop.edu).

     After each semester and summer term, the instructor will receive a class roll for each of the courses he/she taught showing the grades assigned. He/she should check this for errors; and, if errors are detected, they should be reported by use of the grade change procedure. Such changes should be made within one month of the end of the semester or summer term.

     Change of Grade. A grade once reported may be changed only upon the recommendation of the instructor, with the approval of the dean of the college. The approval of the dean is not required to raise a grade with the prefix "I" if the change is made during the twelve-month period immediately following the assignment of the prefixed grade.

     Posting Grades. Grades for students in Winthrop University courses may be posted by faculty members, provided the following requirements are met:

1. Grades must be posted by a numerical or alphabetic code which
    is known only to the student and instructor. Grades cannot be
    posted by student name or by student social security number.

2. The student must give written permission for the grade to be
    posted. This can be done by a statement on the test paper or a
    written statement signed by the student.

Both requirements must be met before the grades can be posted.

     Student Attendance Policy. Students are expected to attend classes. Students should understand that they are responsible for the academic consequences of absence. In particular, the student is responsible for all requirements of the course regardless of absences.

     Instructors are not obligated to provide make-up opportunities for students who are absent. The instructor will be responsible for judging the adequacy of cause for absence, and will decide if a make-up will be provided

     The following attendance policy will be in effect unless the instructor specifies otherwise: If a student's absences in a course total 25 percent or more of the class meetings for the course, the student will receive a grade of N, F, or U, whichever is appropriate. If the student's enrollment in the course continues after the date for withdrawal with an automatic N, and if the student's level of achievement is equivalent to D or better (or S for a course taken on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis), the grade of N will be assigned; otherwise, the student will receive the grade of F (or U).

     The instructor may establish different attendance requirements for the course, after notifying the department chair in writing. The instructor will give each student a written statement of the attendance policy for that course during the first class meeting.

     The final examination meeting is not counted for attendance policy purposes.

     Audit Policy. Anyone admitted to Winthrop University may audit a course with the permission of the instructor, the department chair, and the academic dean. This authorization will be given only if there is space available in the class.

     The student is not required to participate in any examinations or graded course assignments. Participation in the class activities is at the discretion of the instructor. The attendance policy for a student auditing a course is also at the discretion of the instructor.

     Student Academic Misconduct Policy. The Student Handbook contains the Student Conduct Code which provides the community the University policy and guidelines for confronting cheating and other forms of student academic misconduct. The policy is very explicit in order to outline faculty responsibility, to facilitate confrontation and to uphold the instructor's right to grade. It also outlines an educationally sound process which preserves student rights and isolates instructors from allegations of arbitrary or capricious actions.

The policy, in part, states the following:

     Arrangements to purchase or rent academic regalia may be made through the bookstore, The Bookworm at Winthrop University.

    Annual Report of Faculty Member. This report is completed by the faculty member each year following instructions from the academic dean's office.

     Faculty Office Hours. Faculty members are required to maintain office hours and to post the hours on their respective office doors. Office hours shall be reported to the department chair and to the dean. While the number of office hours required is not fixed, it is assumed that each faculty member will maintain office hours each day which will be convenient and adequate for the students to arrange conferences pertaining to their work.

     Copyright Policy. It is the policy of Winthrop University to respect the ownership of all intellectual material protected by copyright laws. The University does not condone copying instead of purchasing copyrighted works where such copying would constitute an infringement under copyright law, but it does encourage faculty to exercise good judgment in serving the best interests of students in an efficient manner. It is the policy of Winthrop University that the user (faculty, staff, student or librarian) secure permission to copy whenever it is legally necessary. The University and its faculty, staff and students will make a conscientious effort to comply with these guidelines. The complete Winthrop University Copyright Policy is available in departmental and deans' offices.

     Intellectual Property Rights. The University has a policy and procedures regarding ownership of intellectual property produced by faculty and staff. Information is available in deans' offices.

     Privacy of Educational Records. Winthrop University policy regarding access to student records (such as grades, grade-point ratios, and class rank) is governed by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 as amended, commonly know as "The Buckley Amendment." Under this law, students have the right to inspect and challenge the accuracy of information contained in their Winthrop educational records.

     Also, these regulations restrict Winthrop to the release of certain records only to the student (current or former) and to certain other authorized school and government personnel, except with the student's prior written consent to release the records to another specified person. Without this consent to release the records to another specified person, Winthrop cannot release a student's records even to parents, except in one instance. Parents or guardians of a student may be given access to certain student records if the parents or guardians sign a statement in the Records Office and provide proof that they have claimed the student as a dependent on their last federal income tax return.

     Questions concerning Winthrop's policy for release of academic information should be directed to the Office of the Registrar, Tillman Hall. 

Protection of Human Subjects Guidelines. To comply with DHEW regulations on the Protection of Human Subjects (45 CFR 46 as amended), Winthrop has instituted Implementing Guidelines to assure that:

1. the rights and welfare of the human subjects involved are
    adequately protected,

2. the procedures used to obtain informed consent are adequate
    and appropriate, and,

3. the risks to the human subject are reasonable in relation to
    anticipated benefits to the subject by the importance of the
    knowledge to be gained.

     The Winthrop University Committee for the Protection of Human Subjects will review and approve biological, sociological, and behavioral projects which affect human subjects. The University also has incorporated the Declaration of Helsinki (adopted by the World Medical Association in 1964) and the Ethical Standards of Psychologists (copyrighted by the American Psychological Association, Inc., 1963) into the Implementing Guidelines.

     Humane Care and Use of Animals. The Winthrop University Committee on the Humane Care and Use of Animals has adopted the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals (DHEW [NIH] 78-23, rev. 1978 or succeeding editions) as the official guidelines for the University's animal facility. These guidelines ensure that the University remains in compliance with the Animal Welfare Act (7 U. S. C. 2131, et seq..).

     Research. Faculty members are encouraged to participate in research endeavors. Applications for support for research may be made by the faculty member with support of the department chair, academic dean, and administration. The administration of Winthrop University wishes to foster, encourage, and promote research and creative activity by members of the faculty.

     The University sponsors research, defined in the broadest sense, through the Research Council and Faculty Development Funds. Information about these programs is available from the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

     Grant proposals submitted for external funding must have the approval of the appropriate dean and be coordinated through the Grants Office. The Grants Office will provide word processing and editing services, aid in budget preparation, inform proper administration officials, and obtain necessary signatures. Drafts of proposals must be submitted to the Grants Office at least four weeks before the submission deadline.

     Sabbatical Leave. Sabbatical leave may be granted by the President of the University to a member of the faculty who holds the rank of Associate Professor or Professor as a recognition of excellent service and scholarly achievement. This leave is to be used for further professional development, which may involve research, formal study, or other pertinent activity which might enhance the competence of the faculty member. The faculty member on this leave may not undertake teaching or other gainful employment without the written permission of the President of the University.

     A sabbatical leave can be granted to a faculty member who has completed not less than six years of full-time service with the University and who has had at least six years of full-time service since any previous sabbatical leave. The approval of a sabbatical leave is dependent upon budgetary conditions and staffing support of the University.

     The sabbatical leave is granted on the condition that the faculty member agrees to return to Winthrop University for active service when the leave is ended. Upon the conclusion of the leave, the faculty member shall file follow-up report with his/her dean. At the conclusion of the leave, the faculty member is obligated to render service to the University for at least one contract year or to refund the money received in compensation from the University during the leave.

     Sabbatical leaves may be granted for the full contract year at half the stated salary or for one-half the contract year at full salary. The University reserves the right to make adjustments in the compensation awarded during leave.

     The candidate for sabbatical leave will make application to the President in writing, by way of the usual administrative channels. The application will be accompanied by a statement of purpose for which the leave is requested, together with any pertinent information which supports the application.

     Teaching Load. Teaching loads at Winthrop University vary among departments and within departments depending upon the nature of the courses being taught. Reduction in load may be made because of added administrative responsibilities or involvement in research, and appropriate teaching load reductions are made when conditions warrant.

     Unpaid Leave. A faculty member may request an unpaid leave through his/her Dean for approval by the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

TRAVEL

     The University encourages participation in off-campus professional activities by assisting in a limited way with travel expenses. At the same time, the professor must expect to share in this expense. Full remuneration for professional travel is highly unlikely, especially for meetings at great distances from the campus.

     Priorities for Approval of Request for Reimbursement for Travel

The following four categories of priorities are to be considered by department chair in approving requests for travel funds. Travel requests not falling in these categories will be given limited consideration.

     First Priority. The faculty member will represent the University on assignment by the President, read an original paper or report on research, serve as an officer of a professional organization and contribute in a major way to the program, or contribute in another major way to the program of a professional organization.

     Second Priority. The faculty member will serve on a panel of a professional program, or participate in regional or national committee planning sessions.

    Third Priority. The faculty member will chair a paper reading or other session of a professional organization or attend a state committee planning session.

     Fourth Priority. The faculty member will attend a professional meeting; no participation.

     Employees of the University must have advance approval for all official travel, as provided through the Travel Authorization procedures.

     The employee on official business is advised to show actual expenses for each trip, regardless of amount. The University can reimburse only that portion approved and permitted by State law, but the difference can be important in private tax computations. An official record of the difference is of mutual advantage to employee and University.

     Advance Payments. Payments to vendors for airline tickets and registration can be paid in advance. Meals which are stated separate from the registration cannot be prepaid. Advance payment may be requested by purchase order or check request voucher with the Travel Authorization form attached.

     In-Town (Rock Hill) Meals. Winthrop cannot reimburse employees or pay vendor invoices for employees' meals obtained within a ten-mile perimeter of Winthrop. This includes not only regular meals, but special coffees, picnics, and similar events, in addition to purchase of regular coffee supplies for departmental use.

     For complete rules and procedures on travel, consult the Controller's Office.

     Off-Campus Trips with Students. Faculty members wishing to take students off campus must have the permission of their chair or dean. Trip insurance is required when students are asked to use their own cars on University-authorized business, such as authorized field trips. This insurance provides protection for student drivers, should they be sued by fellow passengers in case of accidents. If a student drives a Winthrop vehicle, trip insurance is not required. As with all official travel, advance approval through Travel Request procedures is required.

     The trip insurance is requested by sending a list of the students who will be driving their personal automobiles, along with the names of the passengers in that automobile, to the dean. This list should include the times of departure and return, destinations, and the name of the department to which the premium cost is to be charged. The list should be submitted at least seven days prior to the start of the trip. The dean will approve and forward two copies of the list to Purchasing. One copy will be retained by Purchasing and the other will be forwarded to the appropriate insurance company.

PURCHASING

     All materials and special service acquisitions, including rentals, dues, subscriptions, membership fees, and miscellaneous contractual services, must be arranged through Purchasing so that evidence of institutional liability will exist. The University cannot accept responsibility for handling, delivery, or payment for items obtained through personal contacts with vendors.

     Requirements of the State of South Carolina relative to purchases place limitations on reimbursement following purchases made without a purchase order. As a consequence, purchases of material or special services such as developing of film should follow--not precede--a requisition submitted to the Winthrop University Purchasing Office. Anyone who makes a purchase with personal funds, no purchase order having been written, risks a denial of reimbursement. Additional information regarding purchasing policies and procedures may be obtained from the Director of Purchasing.

     For local purchases, departments should prepare requisitions at least fifteen days in advance of the date on which items are required. For out-of-town purchases, at least thirty days' advance notice is advisable to assure delivery on time. In requisitioning equipment and furniture, at least three months' delivery time should be anticipated. Catalogs and other literature pertaining to commodities are available to staff members for reference in the Purchasing Office.

     Risk Management Policy Statement. The following statement of University policy is in the Purchasing & Risk Management, User's Reference Manual, January 1994, published by WU Purchasing Services: