Navigating the NKU Semester Schedule: A Comprehensive Guide to Dates, Deadlines, and Policies

Understanding the Northern Kentucky University (NKU) semester schedule is crucial for students to effectively manage their academic journey. This guide provides a detailed overview of important dates, deadlines, and policies related to course registration, withdrawals, military leave, academic integrity, and more. It aims to clarify the regulations governing the fall and spring semesters, as well as those applicable to shorter courses, including summer sessions.

Key Dates and Deadlines: Add/Drop Periods

The online registration guide and online academic calendar are the primary sources for determining the specific dates when a student can add a course. When adding courses, students should be mindful of the course load policy, which sets allowable limits on the number of courses a student can take. Unless otherwise specified by an academic department, students generally do not need approval to add a course prior to the published last day to add. Similarly, students typically do not need approval to drop a course if the drop is initiated before the published deadline to drop, unless required by an academic department.

Course Withdrawal Policies

NKU has specific policies regarding withdrawing from courses, with different rules applying depending on the timing of the withdrawal. These policies are in place to ensure fairness and academic integrity.

Early Withdrawal (Weeks 1-3)

During the first three weeks (or equivalent for short courses) of the semester, official course withdrawals are not reflected on the student's transcript. This allows students to explore different courses without penalty early in the semester.

Withdrawal After Week 10 (Weeks 11-14)

Course withdrawals after the 10th week (or equivalent) are generally not allowed. However, in circumstances beyond the student's control, a "W" (Withdrawal) grade may be granted with the approval of the instructor, graduate program director, and the department chair or dean of the college in which the student's program is housed. This provision is intended to address unforeseen hardships that may impact a student's ability to complete a course.

Read also: UVA Programs and Deadlines

Complete Withdrawal from the University

If a student wishes to withdraw completely from the university after the midterm point, they must submit a late withdrawal form signed by the dean of the college where their program is housed. This ensures that the withdrawal is properly documented and that all relevant university offices are notified. Instructors will be informed of the withdrawal through revised class lists or final grade rosters provided by the Office of the University Registrar.

Retroactive Late Withdrawal

A retroactive late withdrawal from an individual course or from all courses after the last day of the semester is permitted only for circumstances beyond the student’s control. In cases where medical or employment reasons are the cause for withdrawal, explanatory documents from the physician or employer must be attached. Request for retroactive late withdrawal from a course solely because of poor performance will be denied. Approvals denied at any level (graduate program director, department chair, dean, VPGERO) will result in a denial of the withdrawal.

Military Absence Policy

Northern Kentucky University recognizes and appreciates the important contributions made by Active Duty, Reserve, National Guard, and ROTC military students in service to their country. To support these students, the university has adopted an Active Duty Military Absence option for absences longer than 14 days. The university also has developed a Short-Term Military Absence policy for absences that exceed the attendance policy for the course(s) or last up to two weeks during the fall and spring semesters.

Examples of Active Duty Military Absence include but are not limited to: individual or unit calls to active duty for deployment, natural disaster response, or receipt of military permanent change of station orders. Students must provide instructors with maximum advance notice of absences and provide copies of their official military documentation (paper, electronic orders, or a unit’s memorandum). It is the responsibility of the student to request the opportunity to complete missed work, and to complete coursework according to the terms mutually agreed upon between the instructor and the student.

The Certifying Official and Office of the University Registrar will collaborate together and obtain a copy of the official military documentation. The Certifying Official and the Office of the University Registrar will work with the student and instructor to ensure complete understanding of the policy and the impact of the policy on the academic record, All parties will be notified and provide assistance in completing the form if necessary.

Once the student is aware of call to duty, the student must discuss their circumstances with the Certifying Official located in the Office of the University Registrar. The student will be advised of the policy and given a Student Absence Due to Military Service form. If a withdrawal is under any consideration the student will immediately notify and collaborate with the instructor. After discussion with the instructor, the only viable option may be to withdraw from some or all classes. The student should see the Certifying Official in the Office of the University Registrar. The Certifying Official will collect a copy of the official military documentation and a completed Absence form.

Military Withdrawal Options

a. Withdraw from all classes with a 100% refund with the report date used as the effective withdrawal date.b. Certifying official will request the grade earned to date by the report date from each instructor, and that grade will be recorded by the official in the Office of the University Registrar.

Required reporting, outside of notifying Student Account Services, Financial Assistance and the instructors, includes notifying the VA Education Division for students using a GI Bill or VA Education Benefit. This will be done by the Certifying Official within 30 days of the withdrawal date. Late submissions can be accepted and processed. However, retroactive withdrawals cannot be processed more than 6 months from the “end of active duty” date. Any withdrawals not included on the Absence form, meaning submitted by the student using myNKU, will be processed in accordance with the dates published on the University’s Academic Calendar and may not be eligible for a refund. Appeals will be considered within 6 months of the “end of active duty” date.

Attendance and Participation

Attendance and participation policies are crucial aspects of the academic experience at NKU. Students should be aware of the regulations regarding class attendance and the potential consequences of non-attendance.

Non-Attendance Drops

A student who, without previous arrangement with the instructor or department, fails to attend the first class meeting of a given term may be dropped from the course. An instructor may drop a student for nonattendance only during the regular drop/add period of the term as defined by the academic calendar. A student may also be dropped from a course as a result of his or her disruptive classroom behavior. Drops may be initiated by graduate program directors. The drop may be initiated if the graduate program director is notified by the instructor that the student has not attended class during the first two class meetings of the semester.

If a student does not attend the first class meeting and has not contacted the instructor in advance to declare this absence, the instructor may drop the student for nonattendance. If the student does not log onto Canvas and access course materials or contact the instructor during the first week of classes, the instructor is compelled to drop this student for non-participation (i.e., nonattendance).

Classroom Participation

Classroom participation is essential to the educational process in many disciplines. If a portion of the final grade is dependent upon classroom participation, the instructor will make a statement to that effect in the course syllabus. The syllabus will be provided to students no later than the first week of classes. The university is required to return federal Title IV aid for students who have never attended a class for which they are registered.

Course Evaluations

Evaluations are an important means of gathering information about instructors and courses. The information submitted will be used for the enhancement of student learning opportunities. Evaluation periods begin 1 week prior to final exams for the 8-week courses or 2 weeks prior to final exams for a full-semester course. Students who do not complete the course evaluation and do not select “opt out” within the online evaluation instrument will incur a 2-week delay in viewing the course grade, obtaining an unofficial and official transcript, and running a degree audit. Student evaluations are strictly confidential, and results are not available to instructors until after final grades for the course are posted.

Registration Holds

Registration holds prevent students from registering for courses. They are most often established because the student is required to meet with his or her advisor prior to registering or because the student owes money to the university. Registration holds must be resolved before a student can register online via myNKU. The student can still search for courses and place them in the registration cart, but the student must contact the office that placed the hold and resolve the issue before being able to register. For advising and probation holds, the student should contact their graduate program director to make arrangements for release of these holds.

Transcripts and Diplomas

Transcripts of NKU coursework are available upon request. Students must request their official transcript through the National Student Clearinghouse. When NKU receives transcripts from another institution, the transcripts are considered property of NKU. NKU does not reproduce or copy transcripts received from any sending institutions.

The diploma, which documents that one has earned a degree, is issued and dated only after all graduation requirements are met. NKU awards electronic and paper degrees in May, August, and December. diploma address submitted at the time of application.

Academic Integrity: Cheating and Plagiarism

NKU is dedicated to creating an environment conducive to the development of educated and intellectually curious people. Cheating and plagiarism are in opposition to this environment. Plagiarism is defined as using someone else’s thoughts and/or words and allowing other people to believe they are your own. It does not matter whether this is done intentionally or unintentionally. One is plagiarizing if one uses specific words, phrasing, or ideas of others without using quotation marks and citations. These examples of cheating and plagiarism are not meant to be exhaustive. NKU takes academic dishonesty very seriously. A student found responsible of cheating or plagiarism may be sanctioned to an oral or written reprimand, a grade reduction or an F in the course, examination or assignment or course, or can be recommended for suspension or expulsion from the University. Cheating and plagiarism will not be tolerated in any form. Any person reporting their accomplishments or relationship with NKU is expected to do so in a completely truthful manner. Misrepresentation of accomplishments may relate to, but is not limited to, grades, coursework, co-curricular activities, honors, certificates, and degrees. Anyone misrepresenting his or her work or accomplishments at NKU may be barred from future enrollment and graduation from NKU.

Program Changes

The colleges of the university reserve the right to change requirements. Program changes will become effective at the beginning of the next fall semester and are applicable only to new students and to readmitted students as stipulated elsewhere in this catalog under Catalog of Record. Changes in program requirements with any other effective date require the approval of the provost; such changes will become effective when posted in the Lucas Administrative Center, the University Center, the Student Union, the Office of Graduate Education (for graduate programs only), and in each academic building.

Technology and Online Learning

NKU uses Canvas, a web portal that offers easy access to course materials and the ability to communicate with instructors and classmates from one location. Canvas runs on Mac, Windows, Linux, and mobile device operating systems iOS and Android. Download the free Canvas App for use on your mobile device. An Internet connection is necessary to participate in discussions and assignments, access readings, transfer course work, and receive feedback from your instructional associate and/or professor. For web-based courses, students should have a basic working knowledge of computers and Internet use as well as access to a computer with a broadband (DSL, cable, satellite) Internet connection. At a minimum, you must have Microsoft Office 2003, XP, 2007 or OpenOffice. Microsoft Word is the standard word processing software, Microsoft Excel is the standard spreadsheet software, and Microsoft PowerPoint is the standard presentation software. Copying and pasting, along with attaching/uploading documents for assignment submission, will also be required. Microsoft Office 365 is the standard office productivity software utilized by faculty, students, and staff and is free for all students. The credits required for the following degree and certificate programs can be earned entirely online.

Student Rights and Responsibilities

The Community Standards & Student Rights (the Code) document is designed to ensure that Northern Kentucky University students shall enjoy intellectual freedom, fair and legal treatment, the freedom of speech both on and off campus, freedom of press, the right of peaceable assembly, the right to petition for redress of grievances, the right to a fair hearing of charges made against one, and the right to responsible participation in the university community. Rights imply responsibilities; therefore, members of the University community must show both initiative and restraint. The Code is designed neither to be exhaustive nor to encompass all possible relationships between students and the institution. This document is endorsed and approved by the Northern Kentucky University Board of Regents. The Code is not rigid nor unchangeable. It is incumbent upon students to be aware of University regulations. Ignorance of these regulations does not excuse students from adherence to them.

Graduate Honor Code

The purpose of the Honor Code is to establish standards of academic integrity for graduate students at the university and provide procedures that offer assurances of fundamental fairness to any student accused of violating the Honor Code. This document also provides a process for graduate students to appeal certain decisions to the Graduate Council. The procedures set forth in this document are specific to graduate students at the university. As Northern Kentucky University students, graduate students are also subject to the provisions of NKU’s Community Standards & Student Rights as adopted by the Board of Regents. Where provisions or procedures set forth in the two documents differ or conflict, this document will prevail in cases involving graduate students. Grade appeals that do not relate to consequences for violations of the Graduate Honor Code are covered by NKU’s Community Standards & Student Rights. It is incumbent upon graduate students to be aware of university regulations.

Student Records

Students may ask the university to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading. If the university decides not to amend the record as requested by the student, the university will notify the student of the decision and advise the student of his or her right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Disclosure without the student’s consent is permissible to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the university in an administrative, superviso…

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