Jackson State University -- Division of Student Life

ACADEMIC RECORDS POLICY
Jackson State University maintains a permanent academic record for each student enrolled. The Permanent Academic Record contains those grades received from course work completed at Jackson State University, along with any transfer of courses and credits from any other accredited institution of higher learning that is used by JSU to fulfill the degree requirements. All records are confidential. Academic records are considered property of the University. Opportunities are provided for students to inspect and to control the release of information contained in their records in accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974.

The purpose of FERPA is to afford certain rights to students concerning their education records. The primary rights afforded are the right to inspect and review the education records, the right to seek to have the records amended, and the right to have some control over the disclosure of information from those records. The Act applies to all education records maintained by JSU which are directly related to a student. Records containing a student's name, social security number, or other personally identifiable information are protected by FERPA.

The student must make a written request to have the academic record released. The academic record is generated and printed on transcript security paper which prevents duplicating or printing an official copy outside the Records Office. A nominal charge is assessed for the reproduction and distribution of a personal and/or official copy of the transcript.

CLASS ATTENDANCE POLICY

OBJECTIVE- To ensure that students attend all class sessions and activities, except in cases of extreme cause, to maximize their learning from the quality instructional experience afforded at the University.

STATEMENT- Students at Jackson State University must fully commit themselves to their program of study. One hundred percent (100%) punctual class attendance is expected of all students in all scheduled classes and activities. Instructors keep attendance records and any absence for which a student does not provide written official excuse is counted as an unexcused absence. Students must understand that even with an official excuse of absence, they (students) are responsible for the work required during their absence.

Students may be officially excused from class for attendance at University approved functions, provided the sponsor properly executes a Student Life Leave For, such excuses shall be accepted by the instructor. Students may also be officially excused by the Dean of their School or the Vice President for Academic Affairs for certain campus activities. Students must submit written documentation to Student Life to obtain official excuses for absences due to illness or other emergency situations.

Students who willfully miss class face serious consequences. After being absent three times in a 50-minute class, three hours in a class that meets longer than one hour, or one time immediately before or after scheduled recess/holiday, the instructor shall report the next unexcused absence to the Dean of University College for freshmen and sophomores and to the school dean and department chair for juniors and seniors. The dean/chair or designee will counsel with the student and in concert with the instructor, may require the student to complete complementary course assignments. If a student does not respond well to the counsel or with the assignments, the instructor may impose a grade penalty on the student. Unexcused absences that exceed the equivalency of six 50-minute sessions may lead to an “F” for the course. Students who do not maintain the minimum grade point average required for retention over two semesters are suspended from the University.

Students may be officially excused from class for attendance at University approved functions, provided the sponsor properly executes a Student Life Leave For, such excuses shall be accepted by the instructor. Students may also be officially excused by the Dean of their School or the Vice President for Academic Affairs for certain campus activities. Students must submit written documentation to Student Life to obtain official excuses for absences due to illness or other emergency situations.Students who willfully miss class face serious consequences. After being absent three times in a 50-minute class, three hours in a class that meets longer than one hour, or one time immediately before or after scheduled recess/holiday, the instructor shall report the next unexcused absence to the Dean of University College for freshmen and sophomores and to the school dean and department chair for juniors and seniors. The dean/chair or designee will counsel with the student and in concert with the instructor, may require the student to complete complementary course assignments. If a student does not respond well to the counsel or with the assignments, the instructor may impose a grade penalty on the student. Unexcused absences that exceed the equivalency of six 50-minute sessions may lead to an “F” for the course. Students who do not maintain the minimum grade point average required for retention over two semesters are suspended from the University.At the discretion of the school dean and with approval of the Office of Academic Affairs, there may be additional class attendance policies stipulated in school handbooks and other official school documents.

SPECIFICATIONS/PROCEDURES

Instructors must maintain attendance records and discuss and/or present students with a copy of the class attendance requirements at the beginning of the semester and summer session.
When, for any reason, students are absent from class, it is their responsibility to present to the instructor as soon as possible (and not later than five days from date of absence) an official excuse for their absence.
An official excuse for absence due to emergencies (e.g., illness, accidents, jury duty) may be obtained from the Dean of Student Services.
Faculty/staff who sponsor/coordinate functions for students who will miss class must execute a Student Life Leave Form and notify the instructor of such absences prior to the date of absence.
When students know in advance that they will be absent from class, instructors should be notified and arrangements made to secure assignments.