Student Agreement

By registering at the College of Saint Benedict or Saint John's University, a student agrees to become familiar with and observe the policies, procedures and regulations presented in the catalog, student handbooks, the official class schedules and in other authorized documents of the colleges. Students also agree to comply with the directions of authorized college personnel.

Advisers are provided to assist students in planning their academic program. Advisers are not authorized to change established policy of the colleges. Students are solely responsible for assuring that their academic program complies with the policies of the colleges. Any advice which is at variance with established policy must be confirmed by the academic dean.

Catalog Applicability

Students must fulfill the general graduation requirements of the catalog in effect when they matriculate in the colleges. If those requirements later change, provision will be made in implementing the new requirements, or by specific exemption, to allow currently enrolled students to graduate in a timely fashion.

Students may choose to satisfy the specific academic major requirements of any catalog which is in effect during their years of study in the colleges. However, they must fulfill all of the requirements for the academic major in the catalog which they select.

Changes in policies or procedures which are only marginally related to degree requirements (such as grading or registration) apply to all enrolled students. Exceptions can only be granted by decision of the appropriate academic officer.

Student Right to Information

The College of Saint Benedict's and Saint John's University maintain an educational record for each student who is or has been enrolled at the colleges. In accordance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (PL 93-380, as amended) the following student rights are covered by the act and afforded to all students of the colleges:

1. The right to inspect and review information contained in the student's educational records.
2. The right to challenge the contents of their educational records.
3. The right to a hearing if the outcome of the challenge is unsatisfactory.
4. The right to submit an explanatory statement for inclusion in the educational record if the outcome of the hearing is unsatisfactory.
5. The right to prevent disclosure, with certain exception, of personally identifiable information.
6. The right to secure a copy of the institutional policy.
7. The right to file complaints with the Minnesota Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the College of Saint Benedict or Saint John's University to comply with the provisions of the act.

Each of these rights, with any limitations or exceptions, is explained in the institutional policy statement, a copy of which may be obtained from the registrar.

The College of Saint Benedict's and Saint John's University may provide directory information in accordance with the provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act without the written consent of the student unless the student requests in writing that such information not be disclosed (see below). The items listed below are designated as directory information and may be released for any purpose at the discretion of the colleges unless a request for non-disclosure is on file:

• Category I: Name, address, telephone number, dates of attendance, class.
• Category II: Previous institution(s) attended, major field of study, awards, honors, degree conferred.
• Category III: Past and present participation in officially recognized sports and activities, physical factors of athletes (height and weight), date and place of birth.

Although information regarding students' dorm and room numbers is designated as Directory Information, the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University generally do not provide such information publicly without the individual student's consent. One exception is disclosure to governmental entities to verify the residency of a student. Similarly, student email addresses are designated as Directory Information but are not generally provided except for the limited purpose of being disclosed to authorized users of the College's and University's internal network.

Students may withhold directory information by notifying the registrar, in writing, specifying the categories to be withheld, within 40 calendar days from the first scheduled day of class of each fall semester. The student is responsible for the consequences of withholding information. Regardless of the effect, the colleges assume no liability for honoring a student's request that such information be withheld. It will be assumed that the failure on the part of a student to request the withholding of specific categories of directory information indicates the student's approval of disclosure.

Any questions concerning the student's rights and responsibilities under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act should be referred to the registrar.

Extra Curricular Activities Policy

CSB and SJU Joint Policy on Extra-Curricular Activities and Academic Responsibilities

The College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University (CSB and SJU) recognize that a wide range of experiences contributes to the liberal education of a student and encourage students to seek extra-curricular activities that will enrich their college experience. At the same time, the two institutions uphold the primacy of the academic program. There is no necessary conflict between these two objectives.

When extra-curricular events are scheduled that conflict with academic programs, CSB and SJU expect the persons in charge of the extra-curricular event to remind the students of the priority of their academic responsibilities, students to make prior arrangements with the instructors, and faculty to make reasonable accommodations whenever possible.

The specific elements of this policy follow.

Student Responsibilities

1. Students are expected to complete all their academic responsibilities – to attend required classes and laboratories, complete class and laboratory assignments and meet all scheduled examinations.
2. Students who choose not to attend classes or other required academic exercises must realize the potentially serious consequences of their choice. For example, faculty members who include class participation in their evaluation of students’ performance would be justified in lowering their evaluation of those students who miss class.
3. Students should be aware that it may not be possible for instructors to schedule make-up exams or make-up assignments. In this matter the instructor’s decision prevails.

Institutional Philosophy and Responsibilities

1. CSB and SJU expect those faculty and/or staff members administering extra-curricular activities to develop an awareness of the critical dates of the academic calendar and avoid scheduling activities during examination periods and other special events whenever possible. If scheduled extra-curricular activities cause more than occasional conflicts with academic programs, then steps should be initiated to review the future of this extra-curricular activity. As part of the ongoing review of this policy, unresolved conflicts should be communicated to the designated CAPS Liaison for Extra-Curricular Activities.
2. In order to accommodate extra-curricular activities, the institutions encourage faculty members to avoid scheduling single-section classes in the 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. time period. In addition, faculty should refrain from rescheduling entire classes or laboratories without compelling academic reasons.

Rights Reserved by the Colleges

The College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University do not hold themselves bound to offer any course for which there is insufficient registration and reserve the right to withdraw any course described in this catalog.

The College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University reserve the right to terminate or modify program requirements, content and the sequence of program offerings from term to term for educational reasons which they deem sufficient to warrant such actions.

Further, the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University reserve the right to terminate programs from term to term for financial or other reasons which they determine warrant such action. The content, schedule, requirements and means of presentation of courses may be changed at any time by the College of Saint Benedict or Saint John's University for educational reasons which they determine are sufficient to warrant such action. Programs, services or other activities of the colleges may be terminated at any time due to reasons beyond the control of the colleges including, but not limited to, acts of God, natural disasters, destruction of premises, labor disturbances, governmental orders, financial insolvency or other reasons or circumstances beyond the control of the colleges.

The course descriptions in this catalog are based upon reasonable projections of faculty and faculty availability and appropriate curriculum considerations. The matters described are subject to change based upon changes in circumstances upon which these projections were based and as deemed necessary by the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John's University to fulfill their respective roles and missions.