George Fox University | Offices and Services | Student Life | Academic Affairs
Office of Academic AffairsIf you have any questions regarding academics and your pursuit of commitment and wisdom, get in touch with your academic advisor, the Office of Academic Affairs, or the Office of the Registrar. We have willing faculty and staff members ready to aid you in your journey. Attendance The university calendar provides instructional dates for teachers and students. You are expected to attend classes through the last day of each semester, unless a prolonged or continuing illness or an emergency situation exists. Do not make travel plans that begin before the end of finals week. Steps for Academic SuccessRead your syllabus. On the first day of class, professors typically hand out a syllabus, which outlines what you may expect from the course and what is expected of you. It is vital that you read the syllabus and use it as a reference throughout the semester. Remember that some professors may not go over the syllabus with you or remind you of due dates. Most professors assume you read the syllabus and will meet the deadlines listed (unless changes are announced in class). The best plan is to read the syllabus when you receive it, review it often, and ask for clarification of any assignments or deadlines you don't understand. Make exams and major projects your highest priority in scheduling. Don't assume you can make up a missed exam. Review the syllabus and adjust your schedule to make sure you can take all exams as scheduled. Note your finals schedule in your calendar at the beginning of each semester. If an emergency or illness arises, contact the professor as soon as possible and explain your circumstances. Read assignments before they're due. Many professors don't cover readings in class. Instead, they use them as the basis for discussion or as background for a lecture related to the reading. If you haven't read the assigned material, you'll have more difficulty following the class discussion. Also, you may be tested on reading material not discussed directly in class. If you have any questions, ask for explanations during class time, or make an appointment to discuss your questions privately. Get acquainted with some of your fellow students and form a study group. Sometimes it's more productive to study with others, and if you must miss a class, your study group can help you catch up. It is your responsibility to obtain any notes, information, and handouts you may have missed. Go to class and stay alert while you're there. One of the most important ways you can reduce your outside study time and show respect to both your professors and fellow classmates is to be there when class is in session. Paying attention in class helps you prepare for exams and understand material more effectively. Be on time. Latecomers interrupt lectures and create distractions. If you're late and need additional notes or a handout, wait until the end of class to get them. If you're not sure what the class is working on, quietly ask for assistance from a neighboring student. Honor professors' office hours. Office hours are listed on course syllabi, posted on professors' office doors, or available from administrative assistants in department offices. Many times you can arrange a special appointment right after a class. Think ahead while working with your advisor. Plan a rough draft of the courses you'll take in two or three semesters. Make sure both of you have a copy of your schedule. When it's time for preregistration, make an advising appointment at least a week before registration and have a draft schedule prepared when you go in for your appointment. When you meet with your advisor, always bring your academic planner with you. Make an appointment to see the professor as soon as possible if you receive a low or unsatisfactory grade on a paper or exam. Explain that you want to do better and ask the professor to review the paper or exam with you to help you understand your mistakes. Ask the professor if he or she will accept an early draft on the next paper. If the problem is with an exam, ask if you can discuss the results with the professor privately. To help you study more effectively for the next exam, contact other students to see if you can study with them. In addition, look into the learning resources on campus. Review "Steps for Academic Success." See the Undergraduate Catalog for the following academic subjects:
Office of the RegistrarThe registrar's office, located on the first floor of the Edward F. Stevens Center, maintains the official record of your university course work. Personnel in the registrar's office will help you with such processes as:
Course schedules, degree requirements, and frequently used forms are available on the Web at registrar.georgefox.edu. Students may access personal academic information at bruindata.georgefox.edu. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to Friday. Phone 503-554-2210. Academic HonestyIt is assumed that you and all other students at George Fox University will endeavor to be honest and of high integrity in all matters pertaining to your university life. A lack of respect and integrity is evidenced by cheating, fabricating, plagiarizing, misuse of keys and facilities, removing books and other property not one's own, defacing and altering property, and disrupting classes. Cheating is defined as intentionally using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information, or study aids in any academic exercise. It is assumed that whatever work you submit is your own work and is new work for that course. Fabrication is defined as intentional and unauthorized falsification or invention of any information or citation in an academic exercise or form. Plagiarism is defined as representing the words or ideas of another as one's own in any academic exercise. One who facilitates any of the above is equally responsible with the primary violator. Penalties may include restitution, an F on an individual paper or exam, loss of campus position or employment, an F for the course, disciplinary probation, suspension, or dismissal. The Office of Academic Affairs handles academic dishonesty issues in conjunction with the Office of Student Life. Student Financial ServicesStudent Financial Services coordinates services related to financial aid and student payment. The office is located on the first floor of the Edward F. Stevens Center. Financial Aid Students who apply for aid are sent an award letter indicating the forms of aid for which they qualify. The award notification must be signed and returned to Student Financial Services indicating the student's acceptance or rejection of the aid offered. Aid cannot be applied to the student's account until the signed award letter is returned to the office. Payment Students and their families may choose one of two payment options: the Semester Payment Plan, in which payment is due in full by Aug. 15, 2006 (Fall) and December 15, 2006 (Spring); or the Monthly Payment Plan, in which payments may be made over nine to 12 months based on the student/family-initiated start date of the plan. For the Monthly Payment Plan, students pay a $55 enrollment fee and the balance included in the payment plan (deferred balance) will be free of finance charges as long as the student/ family are current on their payments. Student Financial Services Staff
Students on financial aid are expected to maintain satisfactory academic progress to continue their eligibility for financial aid. Please refer to the Student Financial Services website or the catalog for more information on this. Students who drop courses need to be aware of the refund (removal of institutional charges and return of federal funds) policy. Please refer to the Student Financial Services Web site or the catalog for more information. |
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