Baccalaureate Level
Full-time students at Lasell University with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher are eligible for special recognition at commencement.

Specific designations include:
cum laude: 3.5-3.69
magna cum laude: 3.7-3.89
summa cum laude: 3.90

Students must have completed all degree requirements prior to Commencement in order to be recognized at the Commencement ceremony. Once all degree requirements have been completed, specific designations earned will be entered into the students' permanent academic record.

Lasell Chair
The Lasell Chair is awarded annually to a student at the baccalaureate level. The award is based upon an extraordinary level of commitment to the Lasell University campus community throughout the recipient's Lasell career, as evidenced in the quality of service and participation, and in the cumulative, positive impact that his/her presence has had at the University.

Lasell University Academic Book Awards
At the end of each academic year, Academic Departments select graduating Seniors to be honored with an Academic Book Award. These awards (a gift of a book within each student's major) are given in recognition of a demonstrated commitment to excellence at Lasell University. The recipients are judged to be models for their fellow students in professional demeanor, academic achievement, maturity, perseverance, and collegiality. The Academic Book Awards are presented at a special ceremony held Commencement weekend.

Undergraduate Academic Integrity Policy

Students have a responsibility to maintain the highest level of academic integrity. They are expected to perform educational tasks with the highest moral and ethical conduct. Academic dishonesty, intentional or unintentional, is grounds for failure on any assignment or failure in the course, at the instructor’s discretion. Academic dishonesty is also grounds for suspension from the university at the discretion of the Provost and may be subject to appropriate legal investigation and prosecution.

Helping another student in an act of academic dishonesty constitutes an act of academic dishonesty.

Academic dishonesty may take the following forms:

Plagiarism: The act of taking or passing off another’s ideas, or writing, as one’s own; copying or paraphrasing another’s words without credit; buying or accepting work and presenting it as one’s own. Students bear the responsibility for demonstrating the evolution of original work.

Technologically produced work: The use of software of any kind to produce work that is not one’s own and is not presented as an enhancement of one’s original work is not permissible. Specifically, the use of multilingual machine translation services such Google Translate Systran or other software systems to translate text from one language to another is not allowed when completing assignments.

Copyright violations: The Copyright Law (Title 17 U.S. Code) protects electronic, print and other copyrighted materials. Any infringement of copyright is a violation of academic integrity. Electronic copyright infringement involves video, audio and computer materials and any other materials made electronically. Copying videos, cassettes or software, selling or disseminating programs without the owner’s permission, putting pirated software on the College computers or your computer is not permitted. As long as appropriate credit is given, making a copy of a small portion of a book or a portion of an article for use in your assignments is acceptable. The correct citation method for sources of ideas and information obtained electronically or in print is available in the library. The library has a copy of the complete Copyright Law for further reference.

Cheating: Dishonesty or deception in order to obtain some advantage or gain; e.g., stealing or receiving stolen examinations. Additional examples of cheating include, but are not limited to, submitting work produced for one course to fulfill the requirements in another, as well as submitting work that is or has been submitted by another student in the same or different course, unless approved by the current instructor.

Theft/Vandalism: Taking or defacing library materials or educational equipment such as a DVD, computer or software. Cutting pages out of a book or magazine or taking material out of the library and not checking it out is stealing.

Forgery: Signing another’s name to exams, forms, or other institutional documents.

Disciplinary Action 
Students who violate the Academic Integrity policy will be subject to one or more of the following disciplinary actions.

·       Warning

·       Temporary or permanent suspension of computer, network and/or library privileges

·       Academic suspension

·       Investigation and action taken in accordance with the appropriate student, faculty, or staff handbook

·       Investigation and/or prosecution by state or federal law enforcement agencies. Incidents of academic dishonesty are reported by the instructor in writing to Provost. The Notice of Academic Dishonesty that is filed by the instructor will remain in the Provost’s Office and will be destroyed when the student leaves the University. A student who wishes to appeal a charge must follow the process for ACADEMIC GRIEVANCE as described in the Lasell Student Handbook. A student who violates standards of University policy by taking or vandalizing library materials or educational equipment may be referred to the University judicial system as described in the Lasell Student Handbook.

Procedures to be followed in cases of suspected violations of the Academic Integrity Policy:

1. When an instructor has acquired evidence of an act of academic dishonesty, he or she should then make a concerted effort to contact and meet with the student to discuss the evidence and the consequences for course assessment. Ordinarily, evidence of academic dishonesty will result in failure on the assignment and sometimes in the course. The instructor makes a final determination after meeting with the student.

2. In the event of a documented act of academic dishonesty, following the meeting with the student the instructor should fill out the Notice of Academic Dishonesty form (available on MyLasell>Offices & Services>Academic Affairs>Academic Dishonesty), completing/modifying the underlined portions where relevant. It is then submitted with the supporting evidence to the Provost. The Provost will forward the Notice of Academic Dishonesty to the student's advisor.

3. If the instructor was unable to meet with as well as inform the student of the final decision, this should be indicated on the form (along with a brief explanation).

4. If the Provost receives a form that indicates the instructor was unable to meet with as well as inform the student of the final decision, it is the Provost’s responsibility to send written notice to the student of the charge, the instructor’s action, and the student’s options to contest the decision.

5. The student may initiate an appeal by following the Undergraduate Academic Grievance Process as described in the Lasell University Student Handbook.  This requires a student to write a letter of appeal and request a meeting with the Provost within seven calendar days of the initial meeting.  If the student fails to respond to the initial notice of policy violation within the deadline, the sanction may be imposed and the student will forfeit their right to appeal.

Academic Probation at Lasell University is designed to be educative and constructive; its purpose is to engage students more deliberately in the process of progressing academically. 

For Full-Time Students 
Students in either the first or second semester of their first year who have a semester GPA of less than 2.0 will be placed on Academic Probation.

 All other students who have a semester or a cumulative GPA of less than 2.0 will be placed on Academic Probation. 

Any students who have not completed the English Writing requirement at the conclusion of their fourth semester at the University will be placed on academic probation. 

All students who have not completed their required math course (as determined by placement) with a grade of 2.0 or better, by the conclusion of their second semester will be placed on Academic Probation.

For Part-Time Students 
Matriculated part-time students are placed on probation if their GPA does not meet the same standards specified above for full-time students. The designation of class year for part-time students is based on the number of credits earned, comparable to those used to designate class year for full-time students. 

Academic Support for Students on Probation 
In order to return to Good Academic Standing, students on Academic Probation are required to meet with their academic advisor on a regular basis, as determined by the advisor in a meeting occurring no later than the first week of classes. Students on Academic Probation are also registered automatically for, and are required to regularly attend an academic support session in the Academic Achievement Center. 

At the conclusion of each semester, the Dean of Academic Success notifies all students not meeting Lasell University academic standards.

Satisfactory Academic Progress and Good Academic Standing  

For Full-Time Students
First year students are in Good Academic Standing after each of their first two semesters if a semester grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 is earned and a minimum of 12 credits is completed. 

All other students are in Good Academic Standing if a cumulative and semester grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 is earned and a minimum of 12 credits completed. 

All students must complete the six-credit Writing sequence with a grade of 2.0 or better in each course by the end of their fourth semester in order to remain in Good Academic Standing (or after earning 60 credits for part-time students). 

All students must complete a required math course (as determined by placement) with a grade of 2.0 or better, by the conclusion of their second semester to remain in Good Academic Standing (or after earning 30 credits for part-time students).

For Part-Time Students 
Matriculated part-time students are in Good Academic Standing if their GPA meets the same standards specified above for full time students. The designation of class year for part time students is based on the number of credits earned, comparable to those used to designate class year for full-time students. 

Students receiving Federal Financial Aid must also meet the Federal Satisfactory Academic Progress standards as defined here:

https://www.lasell.edu/tuition-and-aid/policies.html

For Full-Time Students

• At the end of each semester, first time, first year students with a semester GPA of less than 1.0 and all other students with a semester GPA of less than 1.3 will be placed on Academic Suspension for a minimum of one semester.
• At the end of each semester, students who have earned fewer than twelve credits (placed on Academic Warning) for each of two consecutive semesters will be placed on Academic Suspension for a minimum of one semester.
• At the end of each semester, students who have been placed on Academic Probation more than once within a four semester timeframe during their academic career at the University will be placed on Academic Suspension for a minimum of one semester.

For Part-Time Students

• At the end of each semester, matriculated students with a semester GPA of less than 1.3 will be suspended from the university for a minimum of one semester.
• At the end of each semester, students who have been placed on Academic Probation more than once in their academic career at the University will be placed on Academic Suspension for a minimum of one semester.

Returning to the University after Suspension

Following their first Academic Suspension, students wishing to return to the University are not eligible to do so until at least a period of one full semester has elapsed. Returning to the University requires a reapplication of admission to the Office of the Registrar. Students must provide evidence of their ability to succeed (for example, proof of progress at another institution) to be considered for readmission. In the event of a second suspension, students may reapply to the Office of the Registrar for return to the University after a period of at least one academic year has elapsed. Students must provide evidence of their ability to succeed at the University to be considered for readmission. Readmission following an Academic Suspension is never guaranteed; applications for readmission are reviewed by the Provost, who consults with a Committee convened for this purpose. 

Appealing Academic Standing Decision
Students may write a letter of appeal to the Provost. Guidelines and deadlines for an appeal are included in the letter of suspension. The Provost consults with staff and faculty in Student Affairs, Academic Affairs, and Enrollment Management when considering appeals. The decision of the Provost will be final.

Academic Warning at Lasell University is designed to be educative and constructive; its purpose is to heighten students' awareness of their progress towards graduation and encourage good decision making through the advising process.

Full time students who earn a semester grade point average higher than 2.0 but earn fewer than 12 credits for the current semester will be placed on Academic Warning. Students placed on warning for earning fewer than 12 credits for two consecutive semesters may be placed on Academic Suspension. Students with this standing are not in good academic standing, and are strongly encouraged to attend support sessions in the Academic Achievement Center and meet with their advisor frequently.

Students who are in good standing (have a grade point average higher than 2.0 with at least 12 earned credits) and who for the first time have failed to achieve the minimum grade for a required course in their major will receive a letter cautioning them about their lack of academic progress. It is strongly recommended that students receiving these letters attend academic support sessions in the Academic Achievement Center and meet with their advisor frequently.

Students who complete additional winter or summer session courses at Lasell University or at another institution and earn additional credits, may request that their status be reviewed for removal from Warning and return to Good Standing. The request must be made in writing to the Dean of Academic Success. 

PLEASE NOTE: These are the minimum requirements of the University. For example, normal progress toward a degree requires at least 15 credits per semester. Please check with your particular department and/or the Student Financial Planning Office to see if there are additional requirements or more stringent standards.

Restrictions for Students on Academic Warning/Probation

Students who are not in Good Academic Standing (on Academic Warning or Academic Probation) will receive notification from the University. Students who do not meet the criteria for return to Good Academic Standing the following semester may be suspended from the University.  Students (full and part-time) who are not in Good Academic Standing will be required to curtail their participation in the co-curricular life of the campus in the following ways:

• Students on Academic Probation may not register for more than 15 credits.
• Students not in Good Academic Standing are ineligible for Study Abroad.
• Students who are serving in an executive board position in a recognized student organization (i.e., whose names appear on the "Officer Roster" as submitted to the Office of Student Affairs) will be considered to be in a probationary status for that semester.
• Student organization officers may not remain on probationary status for two consecutive semesters.
• Students who are not in Good Academic Standing will not be permitted to stand as candidates for an executive board position in a student organization.
• Students who are not in Good Academic Standing may not participate as members of an intercollegiate athletic team (in keeping with NCAA regulations).

Lasell University Attendance Policy
Students are expected to attend classes regularly, and attendance should be taken.  Faculty members should be advised that Federal financial aid regulations require determination of the last day of class attendance, and the Registrar needs to report this date.  It is therefore necessary for every instructor to keep track of attendance.  Reports of attendance are not required, and each instructor may employ whatever method of record-keeping best serves one's purpose.  

Class attendance is essential to meeting course objectives, and the University expects students to attend all class meetings. However, the University does not set specific guidelines regarding procedures and penalties for absences.  Instead, each instructor sets his/her/their own guidelines and determines successful completion of course requirements. Instructors distribute their specific course attendance policies as a part of the course syllabus during the first week of classes.  

It is the student's responsibility to communicate with the instructor as soon as the need to miss a class is known - that is, as far in advance of the class session as possible (e.g., athletes must provide instructors with game schedules at the beginning of the term). It is also the student's responsibility to make arrangements with the instructor to complete missed work or assignments as deemed appropriate by the instructor.  

University policy recognizes the following as excused absences: (1) observation of religious holidays, (2) participation in official college events such as games for participating athletes (practices are not legitimate reasons for missing class), (3) health crises and/or (4) military obligations. The instructor may require documentation from the student for approval of the excused absence.  Please note that the Lasell Office of Health Services does not provide notes, so documentation may not be requested from this office and must instead come from a physician.  

Absence from all or part of class for any reason does not relieve the student from the responsibility of completing course requirements and may adversely affect the student's final grade. Students should expect that excessive absences of any kind, excused or unexcused, will significantly impede progress and success in a given course. Instructors should contact the student's academic advisor as soon as attendance issues occur (via Starfish), who can then discuss available options such as tutoring to assist with the student's progress or course withdrawal.  It is the student's responsibility to communicate concerns, discuss progress and seek assistance from faculty, advisors, tutors, and disability support services as needed.  

Late Start Policy
Students and instructors are expected to arrive at their class by the official start-time of the class. In the event the instructor is delayed, students are required to wait a minimum of fifteen (15) minutes beyond the official start-time of the class before leaving.

Class Cancellation
In the event a class meeting must be cancelled, the instructor calls or sends and e-mail to the Registrar’s Office, and staff in the Registrar’s Office will send a text message and e-mail notice to students. Instructors need to communicate class meeting cancellations with their Dean prior to or simultaneously with their communication to the Registrar’s Office.

Policies regarding Core Curriculum courses include the following:

First Year Seminar: FYS103 or for Honors students, HON101 (3 credits)
Students are required to register for FYS103 or HON101 in their first semester at Lasell.

Writing: WRT101/102 (6 credits)
All incoming students must be enrolled in a Writing course in each of their first two semesters at Lasell University (allowing for exceptions based upon transfer credit). Students must receive a grade of "C" or higher in order to pass these courses.

Students who have not completed the Writing requirement at the conclusion of their third semester at the University are required to enroll in a course to complete that requirement in their fourth semester. The Registrar will place an enrollment hold on those students who do not do so, and adjust the student's schedule as necessary. Students who have not completed the Writing requirement at the conclusion of their fourth semester at the University will be placed on academic probation.

Quantitative Reasoning: by placement (6 credits)
The two-course sequence provides all students with a foundation in mathematical reasoning and problem-solving. The first course is determined by placement. Students are strongly encouraged to complete their first quantitative reasoning course in their first semester and are required to complete one by the end of their second semester. Students must earn a grade of "C" or higher to pass this foundational course. Each major designates an additional course to satisfy the second course in quantitative reasoning competency.

Students have the opportunity to earn transfer credit by examination in certain academic subjects through the College Level Examination Program (CLEP), the Advanced Placement Program (AP) and the ACT PEP: Regents College Examination. Refer to department-specific requirements and contact the Registrar’s Office for more information.

The University expects all students to take their final examinations on the dates and times scheduled. Students who need to take a final examination at a time other than the scheduled time must discuss this with their instructor before the date of the final examination. The University reserves the right to deny a student’s request for an alternate final examination schedule.

Bachelor Degree
A graduate of Lasell University on the undergraduate level receives the degree of Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science. Most degree programs at the University require 120 credits to graduate; out of these 120 credits, students must complete a minimum of 40 credits in the arts and sciences. In order to graduate, students must complete all of the requirements for their major, meet Lasell’s Core Curriculum competencies, and attain a cumulative GPA (grade point average) of 2.0 or higher. Lasell University allows a maximum of 90 transfer credits towards their degree requirements. Graduating students must complete their capstone courses at Lasell, which may include internships, and they must complete their last semester at Lasell. Specific requirements of the various degree programs are described under each major. 

Second Degree
A student can qualify for a second bachelor’s degree provided a minimum of forty-five (45) additional credits are earned at Lasell University and all requirements are completed in good standing. Students seeking a second bachelor’s degree are advised that financial aid is severely restricted.

Dual Degree
A student may earn two undergraduate degrees concurrently provided (a) all requirements for each degree are completed in good standing, and concurrently (b) all pertinent requirements of Lasell and the individual departments involved are completed successfully, and (c) both degrees are conferred concurrently.

Change of Major
Students wishing to change their current major to a new major must initiate this change by speaking with their advisor; 
1.   If the decision is made to change a major, the student fills out the “Change of Major” form available on MyLasell. The form must include the signature of the current academic advisor and School Dean. 
2.   If approved, the student submits the form to the Center for Academic Advising, located in Brennan Library, which notifies the student of the change to the new major and assignment of a new advisor.  If the Dean does not approve the change of major, he/she/they then notifies the student and the student may request a change of major again in the next semester. 
3.   Upper-class students are assigned a new advisor after the change of major form is submitted to the Academic Advising Center.  First-year students changing majors anytime during the first year of university are not assigned a new advisor until the following academic year.

Students who have selected the undeclared option or who plan to declare a second major will follow the “Change of Major” procedure noted above with assistance from their advisor. (Please refer to the undeclared section for more information). Students wishing to declare a second major are strongly encouraged to declare one major initially and add the additional major no sooner than the second semester of the first year with the approval of the Program Chairs from both departments.

Minor Program of Study
A Minor provides students the opportunity to deepen their understanding and expertise in an additional area of study. A 2.0 [C] average must be maintained within a Minor program of study in order to receive the Minor, with some programs having additional earned-grade requirements. A Minor consists of a minimum of 15 credits, at least 50% of which must exist outside of the courses required for the student’s Major (i.e., course “required for the Major” or “additional Major requirements") or another declared Minor. If a course is listed as an option within a student’s Major requirements (or within another declared Minor), but is not taken to fulfill those requirements, it may be counted toward the Minor as one of the non-major electives. Hence, in five or six-course Minors, three or more courses must be drawn from non-major electives, and cannot be double counted for another Minor. Additionally, at least 50% of credits in a Minor must be taken at Lasell University.  After discussing the decision to declare a minor with their advisor, students may declare a Minor at any time by completing a “Declaration of Minor” form available on MyLasell, obtaining the advisor’s signature approval, and returning it to the Registrar’s Office.

Progress Toward the Degree
Students are expected to maintain satisfactory academic progress. Satisfactory academic progress is defined both by the number of credits successfully completed and the grade point average. In general, a full-time student is expected to complete all requirements within six years for a bachelor’s degree. A student with extenuating circumstances will be evaluated individually.

Full-time Status and Credit Load
Full-time students normally carry a course load of 15-18 credits per semester; a course load of 12 credits is considered full-time. Any student wishing to enroll in more than 18 credits must have the written permission of the Dean for their major, who consults with the academic advisor.

Students exceeding 18 credits will be charged for additional credit hours. Excess credit fees are not reduced or refunded for schedule changes made after the Add/Drop period.

International Certificate of Eligibility
International students must carry a minimum of 12 credits per semester to maintain their certificate of eligibility.

Application for Graduation
A student eligible for a degree must apply for graduation through the Office of the Registrar at least one full semester before they expect to complete all requirements for graduation. Failure to comply may result in a delay of receiving the degree by a semester.

Degrees are awarded three times a year -- in December, May, and August. Commencement exercises are held once a year in May.

Conditional Graduation
Students classified as conditional graduates may participate in the May commencement exercises. To be considered a candidate for conditional graduation a student must have: 
a)   attained a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0; and 
b)   be within one (1) course (maximum of 3-4 credits) of completing graduation requirements.

A student may petition to be a conditional graduate if the above requirements have been met. Approval must be granted by the Registrar and the Provost.

The student must complete the Conditional Graduation Contract (available in the Office of the Registrar) agreeing to the following: 
1.   Course must be approved in advance by the Registrar 
2.   Approved course must be taken at an accredited institution 
3.   Course must be completed by the end of August following commencement with a grade of “C” or better 
4.   An official transcript must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar following course completion

Students enrolled in a major whose final semester includes a summer session may also be eligible to petition for conditional graduate status provided institutional requirements (a) and (b) above have been met and they have only the required summer courses pending, as stated in this catalog.

The Conditional Graduation Contract must be signed and returned to the Office of the Registrar by May 1. Conditional graduates are not eligible for Latin honors recognition at commencement; if they are eligible after completing all required credits for graduation, this is so noted on their record.

Please note that a student may participate in only one commencement ceremony for a specific degree. Conditional graduates are not eligible to participate in a subsequent ceremony for the same degree.

A student experiencing medical or personal difficulties due to extenuating circumstances may request a Leave of Absence in writing from the Provost at any time during the semester for the remaining part of the semester. Students must be in good standing throughout the University. As with any change of status, a student should consult appropriate personnel including the academic advisor, the Office of Student Financial Planning, and Student Accounts to learn how a leave may impact the student’s return.

Before returning to the University after a Leave of Absence, the student must notify the Office of the Registrar in writing. If necessary, a written request can be made to the Provost to extend the Leave of Absence for one semester. The Provost will notify the student and the Registrar in writing of the decision to extend the leave within one week. If the Leave of Absence is granted under emergency conditions, a separate protocol for return is required by the University.

Good Academic Standing in the Major 
Requirements for Good Academic Standing may exist by individual academic program — including, but not limited to, minimum grades required in specific courses. Exceptions to the requirements for Good Academic Standing in the Major require the written approval of the  Dean.

Good Academic Standing in the Minor 
The student is in Good Academic Standing in a Minor when a cumulative 2.0 [C] GPA or better is earned within the Minor. Additional requirements for Good Academic Standing may exist by individual academic program — including, but not limited to, minimum grades required in specific courses. Exceptions to the requirements for Good Academic Standing in the Minor require the written approval of the Dean.

Internship Entrance Requirements 
In keeping with the University’s core principle of connected learning, all academic programs require students to do an internship (other terms for the internship exist in some programs, e.g., “field experience,” “practicum,” etc.). In order to register for an internship, the student must:

1. Be in Good Academic Standing
2. Maintain a cumulative 2.0 [C] GPA or better within the Major [courses identified with major-field designator] taken prior to the internship
3. Meet any additional requirements as set by individual academic programs

Students should understand that this is a list of the University’s minimum entrance requirements  —  individual  programs  may  have  additional  requirements  including, but not limited to, minimum grades required in specific courses. Exceptions to any entrance requirements for the internship require the written approval of the Dean.

The following majors include a foreign language requirement: English, English with Secondary Education, Global Studies, History, History with Secondary Education, Psychology, and Sociology. Students in these majors must achieve a 200-level proficiency in a foreign language in order to graduate (with lower proficiency levels permitted in certain language areas).

All foreign language courses must be taken for a letter grade (cannot be taken pass/fail) and require a C or better for advancement to the next language level. Some students may demonstrate a 200-level proficiency without language coursework at Lasell; others may take an appropriate Foreign Language CLEP Examination for transfer credit. However, most students in majors with a foreign language requirement will need to complete four to twelve foreign language credits. Students in majors that include a foreign language requirement are advised to begin their foreign language study as early as possible.

Students will be allowed to take a military leave from the University without penalty. Students will receive a 100 percent tuition refund and a prorated refund of unused room and board fees (less any financial aid that may have been received for the term) upon presenting an original copy of their military orders for active duty to the Office of the Registrar. Alternatively, extension (INC) grades with no tuition reimbursement may be more appropriate when the call for active military duty comes near the end of the term.

Online Courses Policy

• Students must have their Academic Advisor's approval to register for online courses.

• • Full-time students enrolled in a minimum of six credits in face-to-face courses may enroll in an online course or courses during the fall or spring semester not to exceed a total of 18 credits for the semester. This provision does not apply to Lasell Works students enrolled in the second year of that program.

• Part-time students may enroll in one or more online courses not exceeding nine credits in total in any single semester.

Students not on Leave of Absence who separate from Lasell through suspension, withdrawal, graduation, or any other method are required to reapply for admission to the University by completing an Application for Readmission.  These applications are available through the Office of the Registrar.  While admission is not guaranteed, application is encouraged.

  Please note: Students who have left the University due to medical emergency situations should refer to the Student Handbook, Mental Health Emergencies Section, for necessary steps for return to Residence and the University.
  

Lasell University regulates access to and release of a student’s records in accordance with the provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974 as amended (PL 93-380, Section 438, The General Education Provisions Act). The purpose of the act is to protect the privacy of students regarding:
• the release of records, and
• access to records maintained by the institution.

In compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (the Buckley Amendment), Lasell University has committed itself to protecting the privacy rights of its students and to maintaining the confidentiality of its records. A copy of the law is available in the Registrar’s Office.

The following is a summary of the rights of students under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

Students’ Rights

1. Review and Inspection of Records
   Students have the right to review and inspect their educational records as defined in Section VII of the Policy within a reasonable time of a request to the Registrar’s Office. All requests to inspect records will be fulfilled within 45 days.  The University has an obligation to respond to reasonable requests from students for explanation of their education records.  If a student is unable to inspect personally their education record, the University is obligated to provide a copy of the record requested upon the payment of a copying fee.

2. Right to request an Amendment of Records
   A student has the right to request that the University amend education records which the student believes are inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of the privacy or other rights of the student. The University will decide whether or not to amend such records and so inform the student.

3. Rights to a Hearing to Challenge the Contents of Records
   A student has the right to challenge the contents of education records the student believes are inaccurate, misleading or in violation of the privacy or rights of the student. The hearing is conducted by the Provost. If the student prevails at the hearing, the student has the right to request an amendment to the record.  Should the student not prevail, the student may enter an explanation in the records setting forth the reason(s) for disagreeing with the hearing decision.

4. Right to Refuse Designation of Directory Information
   Lasell University considers the following as public information (described in the Policy as “directory information”): name, term, home and electronic address, campus address and mailbox number, telephone (home and cell) and voice mailbox number, date and place of birth, photograph, electronic portfolio (EPortfolio), major field of study, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates of attendance, program of enrollment, expected date of graduation, degrees and awards received, and most recent previous institutions attended by the student.  Some or all of this information may be published in directories such as a student directory, an electronic student directory, a sports program, the Lasell intranet (MyLasell), the Lasell University website, or other campus publications.

   A student has the right to refuse to permit the designation of any or all of the categories of personally identifiable information as directory information, except to school officials with legitimate educational interest and government agencies.  A  school official is defined as a person employed by the University in an administrative, supervisory, academic or research, or support staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel and health staff ); a person or company with whom the University has contracted as its agent to provide a service instead of using University employees or officials (such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent); a person serving on the Board of Trustees; or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks.  A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibilities for the University.

   If a student decides to withhold disclosure of directory information, a Request to Prevent Disclosure of Information needs to be completed within three days of their registration, which states the desire not to permit the designation of one or all of the categories of directory information.  The decision to withhold the disclosure of directory information remains in effect for one academic year and needs to be renewed annually, if so desired.

   With regard to external inquiries, the Registrar’s Office will verify directory information, unless advised to the contrary by the student as indicated above. “Verify” means to affirm or deny the correctness of the information.  The University will not provide corrections for inaccurate information.  All non-directory information, which is considered confidential, will not be released to outside inquiries without the express consent of the student except under the provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). However, the University will verify financial awards and release data for government agencies.

5. Right to file a Complaint
   Complaints regarding violations of the rights accorded students under this policy should be directed to the Registrar.  (Complaints failing resolution internally  may  be  filed  directly  with  the  Department  of  Education,  330 Independence Avenue, Washington, D.C. 20202.)

Each student must remain continually aware of progress in meeting requirements for graduation. If there is any question about an individual record, the Registrar’s Office should be consulted. Each student must also be aware of deadlines set within each academic year that pertain to academic actions: these are identified in the Academic Calendar found in both the on-line Lasell Catalog and the on-line Student Handbook as well as email messages from the Registrar. Students are expected to activate their Lasell email accounts and to check them regularly, as  official notices from the administration and the faculty are sent by electronic mail.

Title II Section 207 of the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1998 requires states, as recipients of HEA funds, and all institutions with teacher preparation programs that enroll students receiving federal financial assistance to prepare annual reports on teacher preparation and licensing. In the academic year 2020-2021,  over 135 students were enrolled in Lasell's Massachusetts Department of Education approved teacher preparation program at the undergraduate and graduate level. Requirements for full practicum for teacher candidates include 35 hours per week for 14 weeks, for a minimum of 400 hours and the successful passing of the Professional Standards for Teachers Comprehensive Assessment of Performance (CAP) requirement by the state.

Mission Statement: Through connected learning and a culture of collaborative research-based practices, we prepare Lasell graduates to educate diverse students in today's classrooms.  We believe that we need to both teach and model the best practices in education in order for Lasell graduates to develop the skills, knowledge, and dispositions to effectively teach all students. With hands-on field experience, small class sizes that support one-on-one, student-teacher interaction, and experienced professors, a simulation teaching lab and pre-practicum experiences beginning your first year, Lasell's teacher preparation program offers a unique blend of theory and practice in the educational environment.

Lasell's passing rates on the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) are included in the Title II report. Over 96% of the graduates of our education licensure programs passed all portions of the exams across all majors (Early Childhood Education Pre-K-2^nd grade, Elementary Education 1-6^th grade, Elementary Education and Applied Mathematics 1-6^th grade, Secondary Education and English 8-12^th grade, and Secondary Education and History 8^-12th grade). Our approach to student success includes infusing test content into courses, providing seminars focused on test objectives and strategies, and using test results to strengthen the program.

Official copies of a student’s permanent academic record are issued by the Registrar’s Office. Transcript requests can be made here. (https://tsorder.studentclearinghouse.org/school/ficecode/00215800need)

Transcripts are mailed directly to the designated college or employer within two to four days. There is a $5.25 charge for transcripts to be mailed. Electronic transcripts are an additional $1.00.  Transcripts cannot be processed for students who have any outstanding financial obligation to the University.

Unofficial transcripts may be issued directly to the student provided the request is in writing. Please refer to the Registrar's Office link.

The Academic Grievance Process provides students with a mechanism to appeal faculty actions related to the process of instruction and evaluation of academic performance or other academic matters pertinent to the teacher-student relationship. In filing a grievance, it is understood that the student believes their interests as a student have been adversely affected by someone’s departure from or misinterpretation of existing academic policy. (The University reserves the right to establish academic standards and the necessary policies to support them. Consequently, there may be no academic grievance of the contents of published Academic Policies established by the University, including those of individual Academic Programs and individual instructors.)

A student wishing to alter or reverse any academic action must attempt to resolve the matter expeditiously. The student shall contact the faculty member within seven (7) calendar days of the action in question to schedule an appointment (in cases where the dispute is over a grade for an assignment or test, or a final course grade, “action in question” shall refer to the date of receipt of the grade). The student is expected to present their concerns and to weigh the faculty member’s response. If not resolved, the student may discuss the matter with the faculty member’s Dean. If no resolution is reached, the student may discuss the matter with the Provost. If the student’s complaint is with the Dean, then they may discuss the matter with Provost.

If the issue under dispute impacts the student’s ability to register for a course or courses in a subsequent semester, a determination of an exception to existing policy will be made by the Provost.

Grading System 
Grades submitted by the instructors are issued at the end of each semester and are represented by letters. Class promotion, graduation, honors, Good Academic Standing, Academic Probation and Suspension are based on a student’s grade point average (GPA). The GPA is computed by multiplying the number of semester hours of credit by the appropriate quality point value, and then dividing the sum of these products by the total number of semester hours of credit attempted. Students may take a specific course on a pass/fail basis with permission of the School Dean. (See also Pass/Fail Policy.)

INC means Incomplete 
IP means In Progress (used for courses that extend beyond the academic semester) 
W means Withdraw 
X means non-credit item completed (i.e., lab) 
LVP means Lasell Village participation 
AU means Audit 
NG means no grade was submitted by the faculty member
P/F means In Pass/Fail courses, P means Pass, and F means Fail 

Registration 
After scheduling courses with their academic advisors, students register with the Registrar’s Office each semester. Students who are already enrolled pre-register in April for the following Fall semester and in November for the following Spring semester. A student is officially registered for classes only after all financial obligations to the University have been met.

Add/Drop 
First-year students wishing to change a course must obtain their advisor’s approval through Self-Service. All other students may make changes online in Self-Service or in-person in the Registrar’s Office. This must be done prior to the end of the Add/Drop Period, which ends after the first week of classes during the Fall and Spring Semester, 72 hours after the start of the Summer Online Semesters, and 48 hours after the start of the Winter Online Semesters. Deadline dates are posted on the University Calendar. Students may not enter a class after the Add/Drop Period.

Course Withdrawal 
After the Add/Drop period a student may be allowed to withdraw from one or more courses until the end of the withdrawal period deadline date published on the University Calendar. A grade designation of “W” (withdrawn) will appear on the transcript if the withdrawal is recorded prior to the course withdrawal period deadline date. After that time, a student not attending a class receives an “F.” In consultation with their academic advisor, the student should review policies regarding fulltime status, academic standing, financial aid, athletic eligibility and international student visa status prior to submitting a course withdrawal. Course withdrawal forms are available from and must be returned to the Office of the Registrar.

Course Repeat Policy 
Students are permitted to repeat any course, on a one time only basis.  Students who fail to achieve the minimum required grade for a repeated course must meet with the Dean of Academic Success or their school dean to discuss actions necessary for continuing at Lasell.  The Registrar will place a stop on the student's account, which will remain until after the conference with the dean occurs. 

When a course is successfully repeated, the higher of the two grades will be computed into the GPA, and the lower of the two grades will be removed from the average. No additional credits will be counted toward graduation; however, the lower grade will remain on the permanent academic record. For additional restrictions, students need to review individual major requirements.

Incomplete Grades 
On rare occasions, a grade of Incomplete (INC) may be granted. Ultimately, the decision to grant a grade of Incomplete is at the discretion of the instructor; however, both the student and the instructor must sign the contract for completion before a grade of INC can be issued. An Incomplete should be issued only for extraordinary reasons. It is not appropriate to issue an Incomplete simply because a student has not performed well or has not completed required coursework. A copy of the contract must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar before the deadline for final grades. At this time, if no contract is submitted, the grade will be converted to an "F".  It is the responsibility of the student to initiate the request and to make all arrangements with the instructor for turning in late work.

• First Semester Incomplete grades must be made up by the first day of the spring semester with grade changes submitted 48 hours prior to the end of the Add/Drop period for the spring semester.
• Second semester Incomplete grades must be made up within four weeks following the end of examination week with grade changes submitted by the end of the fifth week following the end of examination week.
• Undergraduate Summer (I,II and Main) and Winter Session Incomplete grades  must be made up within four (4) weeks of the last day of classes, with grade changes submitted by the end of the fifth week following the last day of classes. 

By this deadline, the instructor will submit the student's updated final earned grade for the course to the Registrar. Otherwise, the grade will revert to the previously recorded grade on the INC Contract.

Grade Changes 
A final grade (excluding an Incomplete) may not be changed after submission of the grade by the instructor to the Registrar’s Office unless a clear and demonstrable mistake or miscalculation by the instructor is discovered. The submission of late or revised work by a student is not grounds for a legitimate change of grade, nor is the retaking of an examination. Changes to final grades cannot be made beyond one semester after the initial awarding of the grade. Changes to final grades require the approval of the Provost.

Pass/Fail Option 
A student at sophomore status or above may take up to two courses (six credits) total while at Lasell in a degree program on a Pass/Fail basis.  Courses that are only offered on a pass/fail basis are excluded from this two course (six credit) limit.  The following courses may not be taken Pass/Fail:

1. Any courses required for completion of the student's major, concentration within a major, or minor.
2. Any courses within the student's major, minor, Core Curriculum, or Honors Program that have a specific letter grade requirement or otherwise excluded by the academic department.
3. All Foreign Language courses.

A pass grade does not receive quality points and is not counted in determining the grade point average. A failing grade is equivalent to zero quality points and does count in the grade point average. Pass/Fails may not be changed to letter grades after the course is completed.

A student wishing to take a course on a Pass/Fail basis must have the approval of their advisor. Forms are available in the Registrar's office and must be completed and returned to the Registrar by the posted deadline.

Auditing 
With the approval of the instructor, students may register to audit a course by completing a Course Audit Form by the end of the Add/Drop period. The form is available in the Registrar’s Office. Audited courses are recorded on the transcript but no grade or credit is given.

Directed Study (Independent Study) 
Students may enroll in directed studies on a limited basis. Students interested in this option should obtain the required form from the Registrar’s Office. The completed form must be submitted within the first three weeks of the semester. Approval is normally restricted to pursuits that are not offered in existing courses and requires the approval and signature of the appropriate Dean. 

Transfer Credit Policy 
Lasell students who wish to receive academic credit for coursework taken at another institution must request approval from the University before registering for the course. Students who are considering this must complete the Transfer Credit Approval form at Lasell’s Office of the Registrar and obtain all necessary approvals before enrolling in the course.

If approved by Lasell, academic credit can be granted for coursework taken at another institution; however, grades for courses taken at other institutions are not calculated into a student’s grade point average. Only grades of C or better are acceptable for transfer credit.

Students wishing to transfer credits in science courses that span two semesters must submit grades for both semesters.

Students are required to complete 25% of their credits at Lasell University, the final semester of which must be at Lasell.  No more than 90 credits are accepted for transfer to the University.

Classification of Students 
Designation of class year for students entering the University in their freshman year is determined at the end of the Spring semester. Upper-class standing is determined by the total number of successfully completed credits. The following credits in semester hours are required for ranking in the upper three classes of the University: 

Sophomore Class:      30 Credits 
Junior Class:              60 Credits 
Senior Class:              90 Credits

Designation of class year for students transferring into the University or for students transferring into a new major, is based upon the above classifications; time to graduation, however, is determined by the number of major and University requirements remaining at the time of transfer. 
Students who take an overload of credits must consult the University’s extra credit policy to determine if there will be additional costs. (See section on Course Overload and Excess Credit.)

Dean’s List 
Each semester students who achieve a specific GPA will be placed on the Dean’s List. Dean’s List requirements are:

• The student must be full-time carrying 12 or more graded credits for the semester
• The student must have a semester GPA of 3.5 or higher
• The student is not allowed a course below 2.0 in the semester
• The student is not allowed any incompletes for the semester. If incompletes are made up in accordance with University policy, students who then qualify for the Dean’s List will have the notation entered into their permanent academic record

The  University Calendar is the official schedule for all courses, vacations, holidays, breaks, and final examinations. All students are expected to be in attendance and to take their final examinations as indicated on the University Calendar. Students who leave the campus before the official end of each semester, who return to the campus late after breaks, or who take additional “time off” during the semester do so at their own risk.

Any student wishing to withdraw from all course work at the University should first meet with his,her or their academic advisor to explore the possible alternatives. If withdrawal is a student’s final decision, the student should complete a University Withdrawal Form that is available from the Office of the Registrar. A grade designation of “W” will be recorded for official withdrawals that occur prior to the course withdrawal period deadline date published on the University Calendar. After that time, a student not attending classes will receive grades of “F” for all courses. Grades will be determined based on the submission date of the University Withdrawal Form. An administrative withdrawal may be issued if warranted by circumstances.

Staff in the Registrar’s Office will assist in completing the process. The student will be asked to meet with various professional staff from Student Financial Planning, Student Accounts and Residential Life as part of the withdrawal process.

Students can find information about how withdrawal from the university impacts their student account and financial aid here.

Veterans Benefits

Lasell University's goal is to honor and support our service members both current and former as well as their families by providing the most comprehensive and caring experience possible while helping them to reach their educational, personal, and professional goals.

Lasell University is approved for the training of veterans and their dependents. Veterans or dependents eligible for assistance under the Veterans Administration programs should contact the Office of Student Financial Planning after they are matriculated (enrolled) into a degree program at Lasell and are ready to register for their classes. Disabled veterans should note that the university campus is designed so that the physically disabled have access to facilities.

Students who are receiving Veterans Affairs (VA) Benefits and have provided Lasell University the appropriate documentation will not have their student account placed on stop, will not be subject to late fees, or will not subject to any penalties related to outstanding balances, while awaiting payment from the VA. Penalties will not be restricted if a student owes additional payment beyond the amount of tuition and fees the VA will be paying.    

GI Bill
President Franklin Delano Roosevelt signed the original GI Bill ®  of Rights in 1944. Nearly 8 million World War II veterans employed its benefits to participate in an education or training program, and 2.4 million veterans had home loans backed by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. The GI Bill ® has been revamped over time to meet the changing needs of veterans. The most recent additions are the Chapter 33 Post-9/11 GI Bill ®  and the Yellow Ribbon program.

Lasell University has joined the Yellow Ribbon GI Education Enhancement Program and will offer veterans enrolling in the University up to $9,000 in grant money at the undergraduate level, and up to $3,000 at the graduate level annually while they pursue a degree at Lasell.Through the expanded GI Bill ® , the federal government will fund higher education for veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars at a rate equal to the tuition at public institutions within the state where the student is enrolled. In Massachusetts, that amount is less than $6,000.To get started and see if you qualify, start here http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/post911_gibill.asp

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.

Yellow Ribbon Grants

Yellow Ribbon Grants have been made available to veterans enrolling at Lasell University for more than five years. If a veteran or dependent of the veteran is eligible for 100% coverage under the Post 911 GI Bill ®, they will be considered a Yellow Ribbon recipient and qualify for funding from the University. 

• Veterans enrolling at Lasell can receive up to $9,000 in grant money at the undergraduate level per year
• Veterans enrolling at Lasell can receive up to $3,000 in grant money at the graduate level per year

Private institutions typically cost more than state colleges and universities, and Lasell University has made a commitment to make an education at the University as affordable as possible for veterans or for qualified dependent spouses or children. This funding may be offered in the form of merit scholarship or need based grants from institutional resources. The VA will match up to 50% of  the University's supplementary grants under the Yellow Ribbon program in addition to the funding from the Post 911 GI Bill ®.For veterans eligible under the Yellow Ribbon program, Lasell University's financial commitment to student veterans, combined with the government allowance, will enable eligible veterans to cover all but approximately $2,400 at the full time level of tuition and fees at the undergraduate level using grant money that does not need to be repaid. Students attending part time or in the graduate program will have slightly different costs.For more information and to see if you qualify, start here http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/yellow_ribbon.asp 

If you intend to use any military or veteran's benefits to pay for all or part of your educational expenses, please follow this link to complete this form.

If you plan on using Chapter 33 Post 911 benefits,  you will also need to request from the VA a Certificate of Eligibility and turn a copy in to the Office of Student Financial Planning prior to enrolling. If you are an active duty service member and plan on using Tuition Assistance to pay for your charges, you will need to have your classes approved by the branch of service you are enlisted with prior to registering each term. 

Contact Info & Links:

Veteran's Coordinator: Thomas Hunt, Associate Director, Student Financial Planning

Office location: O'Connor Hall, 2nd floor
Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Phone: 617-243-2227
Fax: 617-243-2326
Email: finaid@lasell.edu
Mailing address: 1844 Commonwealth Ave, Newton MA 02466

Certifying Officer: Greer Lezama, Office of the Registrar

Office location: Potter Hall, 1st floor
Office hours: Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Phone: 617-243-2133
Fax: 617-243-2326
Email: registrar@lasell.edu
Mailing address: 1844 Commonwealth Ave, Newton MA 02466

Veterans or active duty service members who are interested in determining what benefits are available to them or to their dependent spouse or children, should contact the United States Department of Veteran Affairs directly by calling 1-888-GIBILL-1 (888-442-4551) to get started or using one of the links below.

Useful Links:

http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/get_started.asp to get started comparing educational benefits
http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill/post911_gibill.asp  for information on the Post 9/11 GI Bill ®
www.mass.edu/veterans for Massachusetts residents
http://vabenefits.vba.va.gov/vonapp/main.asp for the Veteran's Educational Benefits Online Application system
http://www.mass.gov/veterans/utility/local-veterans-service-officers-3.html for Local Veteran Service Officers