(A)       Policy. The university reserves the right to change academic requirements, course specifications, the time of meetings of a class, and to drop or add any course from the "Schedule of Classes." These actions are normally taken when changes in certification or licensure standards mandate changes in academic requirements or in university programs, or when there is insufficient student demand or resources are unavailable; nevertheless, such changes should not be to the substantial disadvantage of a student during his/her continuous enrollment.

(B)       Academic requirements.

(1)       University orientation. All students entering with freshman standing (twenty-four semester hours and less) will be required to complete the university orientation course. University orientation begins during freshman week fall semester and just prior to the first week of classes spring semester. Transfer students entering with more than twenty-four semester hours may elect to take university orientation only during their first two semesters at Kent State University. Part-time students must complete university orientation before they attain sophomore standing.

(2)       Catalog in force.

(a)       Each student's academic requirements are based on the catalog which is in force during the student's first semester at Kent State University.

(b)       Students may elect to complete their work under the most recent catalog but must comply with all of the new requirements relevant to their program.

(c)        Students who transfer to another college or school within the university must meet the requirements of the catalog in force at the time of transfer.

(d)       Students who transfer to another university and return to Kent State University are readmitted under the catalog in force at the time of readmission.

(e)       Students who fail to complete twelve semester hours in two calendar years must satisfy the requirements of the most recent catalog.

(f)         Dismissed students are readmitted under the catalog in force at the time of readmission.

(g)       Questions concerning the catalog policy should be directed to the appropriate academic dean

(3)       Requirements sheets. The academic requirements for each student become binding when the student's requirement sheet has been prepared. If the catalog in force is changed, a new requirement sheet must be filed.

(C)       Course specifications. Course specifications such as title, credit hours, prerequisites, etc., are based on the current catalog. Changes in course specifications are intended to be instituted at one time. Courses are taught with the assumption that only one set of prerequisites are in effect. In the event that a change in prerequisite, for instance, would substantially disadvantage a continuously-enrolled student by unreasonably adding one or more courses to that student's degree requirements as specified in (B)(2) and/or (B)(3), dean's offices may authorize course substitutions, waiver(s), or some other appropriate alternative.

Effective: June 1, 2007

Prior Effective Dates: Prior to November 4, 1977, October

5, 1979, November 22, 1982, August 14, 1985, April 11,

1990