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ACADEMIC POLICY AND INFORMATION
Birmingham-Southern College Catalog 2016-2017
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Counseling and Health Services Office, along with appropriate documentation from a
certified professional with expertise in the assessment of the disability. The Coordinator
of Accessibility Services reviews the materials and passes along relevant information to
the student’s advisor and each instructor at the beginning of each term. The student is
responsible for discussing his or her needs with each instructor at the beginning of each
term, including those accommodations the student wishes to utilize as well as specific
arrangements for each accommodation. Birmingham-Southern College will provide all
reasonable accommodations to aid in a student’s academic success, but no
accommodation can fundamentally alter an academic course. Additionally, general
education requirements will not be waived.
Mid-Term Assessments
Approximately six weeks into each fall and spring term, faculty members assess the
progress of the students in their courses. First-year students receive mid-term assessments
regardless of their level of performance. Sophomore, junior, and senior students receive
mid-term assessments at the discretion of their instructor, particularly when their
performance in a course at midterm is the equivalent of a “C-” or lower. All students who
receive mid-term assessments are expected to consult personally with their advisor and, if
appropriate, with their professor in order to discuss particular problems and possible
solutions. Mid-term assessments are available on TheSIS. First-year students should meet
with their advisors about their mid-term assessments.
Final Examinations
Students are expected to take final examinations at regularly scheduled times. If a student
is unable to attend a scheduled examination because of illness or other serious cause, he
or she will be permitted to take a delayed examination if an acceptable excuse is
presented to the instructor of the course. When possible, the instructor’s permission to
take a delayed examination should be obtained prior to the time scheduled for the
examination. Students should not expect to take an exam early unless faced with
exceptional circumstances. It is the responsibility of the student to contact the course
instructor to make arrangements for taking any examination outside of the regularly
scheduled time.
GRADING SYSTEM
Definition of Grades
The system of grading, indicating the relative proficiency a student attains in various
courses, is as follows:
A
—
distinctive
A-
—
superior
B+
—
outstanding
B
—
very good