Academic Information

Academic Credit

Credit Earned at Carl Sandburg College

The unit of credit measure is the semester hour which approximates the effort expended in 50 minutes of class work and 100 minutes of study during each week of the semester.

Credits from Regionally Accredited Colleges or Universities

Students who have attended other colleges or universities may transfer credit to Carl Sandburg College according to the following conditions and on submission of official transcripts:

• The college or university previously attended must be accredited by an American Council on Education (ACE) approved accreditation association.
• Credit will be granted for courses in which a grade of “C” or better has been earned.
• Credit will also be awarded for courses in which a grade of “D” has been earned providing the student’s overall grade point average is a 2.0 or better unless otherwise stated by specific Carl Sandburg College program requirements.
• Only credit hours are transferable. Grades associated with the credit are not transferable nor are they included in computing the student’s cumulative grade point average at Carl Sandburg College.
• Note: Some programs in the college catalog may require all coursework with a “C” or better to graduate.
• Transfer credit will only be accepted for courses applicable to the student’s Carl Sandburg College program. Only courses applicable to the student’s Carl Sandburg College academic program are accepted in transfer. Should the student’s program change, the student may request a re-evaluation of previously earned credits.

Credits from Institutions That Are Nationally Accredited

• If applicable, per program evaluation, credit may be given for occupational coursework.
• Credit may not be given for 1.1 Baccalaureate credit from nationally accredited schools. Credit may be given as occupational credit per program evaluation.

Military Service Credit

Credit for three (3) semester hours of physical education and three (3) semester hours of health education credit will be awarded to members or former members of the U.S. Armed Forces who have completed six months or more of basic or recruit training and have been honorably discharged or have transferred to the reserve component (includes the Army, the Air National Guard, and the Coast Guard). To receive this credit, the student must submit a petition to the Admissions and Records Office along with separation papers (DD214).

Certain experiences in military service may be submitted to the Admissions and Records Office for evaluation. The recommendations contained in “A Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services” by the American Council on Education are used as a basis for such evaluations. For service members in the Army, Army National Guard, Marines, Navy, and Coast Guard, to request transcript for review for credit at Carl Sandburg College, please visit https:// jst.doded.mil. For service members in the Air Force, you may contact http://www.airuniversity.af.mil/Barnes/CCAF/ to request transcripts for review for credit.

Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (Dantes)/United States Armed Forces Institute (USAF)

Credit may be given for coursework applicable to a Carl Sandburg College curriculum, which was taken through the Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) or under the United States Armed Forces Institute (USAFI), provided the course is recommended by the American Council on Education. The student must submit official transcripts indicating satisfactory completion of the work to the Admissions and Records Office.

College Level Examination Program (CLEP)

The College recognizes undergraduate achievement as measured by both the general and subject examinations of the College Level Examination Program (CLEP). Scores may be submitted to the Admissions and Records Office for evaluation, and if the level of achievement is at or above the minimum standards and score levels established by the College, credit may be granted. Carl Sandburg College follows the guidelines of the American Council on Education in accepting CLEP credit. Students may earn up to 24 hours of credit from the general examinations of the College Level Examination Program in the areas of humanities, mathematics, natural sciences and social sciences. In addition, many of the CLEP subject examinations may be accepted for credit based upon the score recommendations of the American Council on Education.

Students should discuss the CLEP options with a Student Services counselor prior to registering for any of the examinations. Regardless of the number of hours earned through CLEP, the student must meet the College’s residency requirement for graduation.

Carl Sandburg College Proficiency Examinations

In accordance with state and federal legislation, as well as accreditation guidelines, Carl Sandburg College offers optional proficiency assessments to determine if a student has already obtained the knowledge and the skills taught in a particular course. Assessments are provided and evaluated prior to the student taking the course. Credit may also be given for previous training, awarded professional certificates, and/or awarded state or federal licenses and certificates. Awarding of credit is at the discretion of the department.

Advanced Placement Program

Carl Sandburg College will award credit for Advanced Placement (AP) exams based upon recommended scores determined by appropriate Sandburg academic departments. Any score of three (3) or better will be accepted as credit; however, the listed score will be required to meet the course equivalent. This program and associated tests are offered only in high schools. Students who have participated in the AP program may be eligible to receive credit and advanced placement on the basis of tests in certain subjects determined by Carl Sandburg College. Students wishing such credit or placement should request the College Entrance Examination Board to send their AP scored examinations to the Admissions and Records Office. Upon notification from the Registrar, students can then have any credit which was awarded placed upon their transcript.

Biliteracy Seal of Approval

The Illinois State Seal of Biliteracy posted to a student’s high school transcript will be evaluated as twelve (12) credit hours of foreign language coursework at Carl Sandburg College (levels 151, 152, and 251). Credit granted will be based on foreign language course equivalencies, or elective credit. Credit must be applied to the college transcript within three academic years of high school graduation.

International Baccalaureate Exam

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program is a challenging curriculum offered to high school students around the world between the ages of 16 to 19. The curriculum is designed to prepare high school students for the transition into advanced post-secondary coursework.

Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI)

Carl Sandburg College is a participant in the Illinois Articulation Initiative. The General Education Core Curriculum was incorporated into the Associate in Arts and Associate in Science degrees effective Summer 1998. Since completion of the Associate in Fine Arts (AFA) degrees does not complete the Illinois Transferable General Education Core Curriculum (IAI GECC), students will need to complete the general education requirements of the school to which they transfer. For further information about IAI, go to the Web site at www.itransfer.org.

The initiative includes public community colleges, public universities and some private colleges and universities in the state of Illinois. If you are considering attendance at a private college or university or an out-of-state institution, you should check with their transfer coordinator.

General Education Core Curriculum (GECC)

The GECC is made of statewide articulated courses that will be accepted for transfer by all participating colleges and universities in Illinois.

Students who complete Sandburg’s General Education requirements (37 credit hours across 5 academic disciplines, and a Human Relations course), will have a statement placed on their transcript indicating completion of the GECC. This is part of a transferrable degree and is not considered a certificate nor an industry-recognized credential.

The GECC provides an advantage for students who are undecided about their college plans, including where they want to continue their education and what field of study they wish to pursue.

IAI GECC Courses (Current and Future)

School Prefix/No.

Illinois Community Colleges Online

Illinois Community Colleges Online (ILCCO) is a consortium of Illinois community colleges working together to provide leadership, facilitate collaboration and share resources in online and technology-enhanced education. This program allows students to enroll in online courses at other Illinois community colleges while maintaining their Sandburg enrollment status. Students will participate in another college’s online course but will receive billing, financial aid and transcripts from Sandburg. Students can search for eligible ILCCO courses, by clicking on “Full Course Listings” on the Internet Course Exchange System (http:// ice.ilcco.net/) or go to “Online Learning” under “Academics” on the main Sandburg website. To enroll in an ILCCO course, students need to contact their counselor as early as possible prior to the beginning of a semester as the enrollment process takes time and is not guaranteed.

Records

Procedure to Inspect Education Records

Students may inspect and review their education records upon request to the appropriate record custodian. Students should submit to the record custodian a written request which identifies as precisely as possible the record or records he or she wishes to inspect. The record custodian will make the needed arrangements for access as promptly as possible and will notify the student of the time and place where the record(s) may be inspected. Access must be given in 45 days or less from the receipt of the request. When a record contains information about more than one student, the student may inspect and review only the records which relate to him or her.

Academic Record Appeal

In accordance with the provisions of the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA), students may appeal the accuracy of their permanent record (transcript). This right permits the student to appeal only the accuracy of the record which contains the grade; it does not permit the student to appeal the grade given by the instructor. (See “Framework for Addressing Student Concerns, Grievances, Sexual Harassment, and Discrimination” for information about appealing grades.)

Academic record appeals must be filed by the student with the Admissions and Records Office within 60 days of the closing of the academic term.

Policy on Program Guarantees

The educational programs offered through Carl Sandburg College are of the highest quality. The Board of Trustees directs the administration to develop guidelines that guarantee graduates the following:

1. Within proper circumstances, as articulated by the administration, transfer course work taken at Carl Sandburg College will be honored at educational institutions within the State of Illinois either as program requirements or as electives.
2. Within proper circumstances, graduates of occupational programs offered through Carl Sandburg College will have the appropriate mastery of entry level skills.

In the event that graduates fail to have course work transfer or fail to have entry level technical skills, an opportunity to repeat or take additional educational course work at Carl Sandburg College will be offered to the student with a full tuition and fee waiver. (Policy 3.21)

Grading

Grades

Grades are issued at the close of each academic term on a letter basis indicating quality of academic work. Grades issued by Carl Sandburg College are:

Grade Point Average

Grade point averages are calculated by dividing the number of grade points earned by the number of semester hours attempted.

The number of grade points for a given course is found by multiplying the grade point value (A = 4; B = 3; C = 2; D = 1; F = 0) by the number of semester hours which may be earned in the course.

Example:

(34 divided by 11 equals 3.09)

Grade Point Average (GPA) is 3.09

Carl Sandburg College Honors Program

The Carl Sandburg College Honors Program is designed for exceptional students who want to excel in college. Honors courses are intellectually challenging and involve considerable interaction among students and instructors. Certification as a Carl Sandburg College Honors Program graduate requires that students participate in 2 Honors courses and complete an Honors Project.

Eligibility

There are many ways to be eligible to apply for the Honors Program. Students may apply if they meet one of the following criteria:

• Earned a cumulative high school GPA of 3.5 or higher
• Graduated in the top 10% of the high school class
• Scored 25 or above on the ACT
• Received a combined score of 1000 on the SAT
• Completed 12 college transfer credits with a minimum of 3.25 GPA
• Are recommended by Sandburg instructor or counselor

Course Options

Honors courses are designed to help students learn and apply diverse concepts while stressing collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking. Students in the Honors Program must take 2 Honors classes and may select from the following choices:

• a class for honors credit
• an honors class
• the Honors Learning Community (usually offered each spring)

A Learning Community combines two different courses, which are team-taught by faculty who integrate content, assignments, and/or themes into both classes. The Honors Community fulfills the 2-course requirement for the Honors Program.

The Honors Project

An Honors Project is a component that goes above and beyond the normal rigors of traditional coursework. Although it is aligned with the topic of the Honors class, it is designed to challenge students outside of the classroom.

Examples of possible projects include:

• community service (accompanied by an in-depth paper)
• community activism (accompanied by an in-depth paper)
• a research paper
• a creative project applying course material to career/real-life circumstances

The Honors Certificate

Upon successful completion, the Honors Program offers an Honors Certificate. This award will be noted on the student’s transcript and the student will be recognized at Spring Commencement.

The requirements for the Honors Certificate are:

• A minimum GPA of 3.0 in both Honors classes
• A grade of “B” or better on Honors Project

Advantages of Honors Classes

• Friendly learning environment
• Challenging courses
• Independent study
• Honors scholarships
• Recognition on college transcripts

WIU General Honors Scholar

Through a new articulation agreement with Western Illinois University, students completing 12 hours of honors coursework at Carl Sandburg College may be eligible to transfer into the Centennial Honors College and graduate as a General Honors Scholar at WIU.

Academic Dishonesty

Students enrolling at Carl Sandburg College are responsible for learning what constitutes academic dishonesty. Carl Sandburg College defines the first three acts of academic dishonesty as proposed by Gary Pavela* (Kibler, et al, 1988, p. 1), the fourth is from Stony Brook University Library Research Guide** (SBU Library Research Guide, 2004).

Cheating - Intentionally using or attempting to use work that is not your own, unauthorized materials, information or study aids in any academic exercise. The term academic exercise includes all forms of work submitted for credit or hours.

Fabrication - The intentional and unauthorized falsification or invention of any information for citation in an academic exercise.

Facilitating academic dishonesty - Intentionally or knowingly helping or attempting to help another violate a provision of the institutional code of academic integrity.

Plagiarism - Presenting the words or ideas of someone else as your own without proper acknowledgement of the source.

The penalties for academic dishonesty may be severe. Students are advised to contact their instructors for policy clarification for a specific class.

*Kibler, et al, (1988) Academic Integrity and Student Development: Legal Issues and Policy Perspectives. North Carolina: College Administrative Publications, Inc.

**SBU Library Research Guide, (2004). Stony Brook University Libraries, February 11, 2008.

Transcripts

The Admissions and Records Office will make a copy of a student’s transcript (official academic or permanent record) when requested to do so. All requests for transcripts must be made in writing by the student. “Transcript Request” forms are available in the Admissions and Records Office or it may be filled out electronically by clicking the transcript request form link. No transcripts will be released without the written permission of the student. The College reserves the right to withhold transcripts of persons who have financial obligations with the College.

Transcript Evaluations

Official transcripts sent to Carl Sandburg College to be evaluated for transfer credit will be evaluated by program of choosing on admissions application. Results of transcript evaluation will be sent to current students mySandburg email only. For non current students transcript evaluation results will be sent via US mail. If your academic program changes after your initial choosing on application, please contact Angela Snow for a new evaluation for transfer credits. If you have further questions, please call Angela Snow at 309-341-5233 or asnow@sandburg.edu.

Academic Load

For purposes of certifying that a student is full-time academically, such student must be enrolled for at least 12 semester hours each semester and for at least six semester hours during a summer term. The normal academic load for students expecting to complete their degrees within a two-year period is 12-15 semester hours per term.

Classification of Student

Students are classified as follows:

Repeating Courses

A student may repeat a course. Only the higher grade will be computed in the grade point average. Grades received in all classes remain on the transcript. NOTE: Students planning to transfer to another college or university are cautioned that the receiving institution may use all grades earned in computing a grade point average for admission purposes. FINANCIAL AID: Financial aid rules vary on payment for repeats. Federal Pell grant will pay for a repeat of a W or F. Once the student has passed the course with a D or better, the Federal Pell grant will pay for one additional repeat of a course.

Auditing Courses

Students may audit courses. In such cases, grades of “T” will be assigned. This grade does not grant credit nor is it calculated in the grade point average. Students wishing to audit a class will be required to pay full tuition and fees for the class. Students will be admitted to classes on an audit basis on a space-available status only. Students enrolling for credit will be given registration priority over students desiring to audit a course. Students may register to audit a course only during Late Registration (after the class has begun). Students may change from “credit” to “audit” in a course from the first day of the class through the midterm date for that class. Students may, with permission from the instructor, change from “audit” to “credit” at any time prior to the midterm date for the class. Auditing students are expected to attend class but are not required to submit assignments or take examinations.

Class Attendance

Students are expected to attend all regularly scheduled classes and are responsible for fulfilling the requirements of each semester. Individual instructors may set class attendance requirements that they consider to be reasonable and that are consistent with the objectives of the course. Instructors may assign final grades based, in part, upon class attendance.

Attendance/No-Show Policy

Effective Spring 2011: Students who do not attend class during the first four days of the semester will be dropped from the class.

Carl Sandburg College has a mandatory attendance policy for all classes. Non-attendance during the first four days of the semester/class will result in the class being dropped from your schedule. For online and self-paced courses, this means participating in the week one discussion and/or e-mailing your instructor. If you are unable to attend due to an emergency or conflict of a serious nature, you must contact your instructor. If an instructor is not designated, you should contact the Retention Specialist at 309.341.5338. If you are dropped from a course and wish to re-enroll, you will need instructor permission. Instructors have the right to deny you re-enrollment if the course is full or if it would be too late to make up missed work. If you decide to drop the class, it is your responsibility to verify that the course has been officially dropped from your class schedule and fees adjusted prior to the end of the 100% refund period.

Withdrawal from Courses

1. Students may officially withdraw from classes until the Tuesday of the 14th week of a 16-week calendar. See the Academic Calendar for withdrawal dates for terms less than 16 weeks.
   
   Students who withdraw from classes prior to the first day or during the refund period may do so without notation on their permanent records (transcripts). After the refund period, students who withdraw from classes will receive a grade of “W” for those classes. This grade will not affect the grade point average. Refund dates* are noted under the Tuition section of the catalog and are listed in the term’s Class Schedule.
   
   To withdraw from a class, students must notify their Academic Advisor either in person, over the phone, through email or by completing a Class Schedule Change form of their intentions of withdrawing from any or all courses. The official date of withdrawal will be the date on which the form or letter is received by the Academic Advisor. Students who do not officially withdraw from a course will receive a grade of “F” for that course.
    
2. Instructor-Initiated Withdrawal: Instructors may withdraw students from classes at mid-term for non-attendance. Instructors may also drop students at mid-terms if the student’s progress is extremely poor preventing the student from passing the course. Instructor-initiated withdrawals will result in grades of “W”.
    
3. Administrative-Initiated Withdrawal: The administration may withdraw students from classes for emergency or disciplinary reasons after due process. These withdrawals will result in grades of “W”.
   
   * Date is pro-rated based upon length of the term.

Important Note for Financial Aid Recipients

Students who withdraw or who receive instructor-initiated withdrawals from all of their courses prior to the 11th week of the semester and who received Federal Financial Aid (Pell Grant, SEOG, Direct Loans) to pay tuition, fees, books, or other institutional cost, will be responsible to repay part of the monies received. The College follows the federal requirements for Repayment of Title IV funds. A copy of this policy is available in the Financial Aid Office or the Business Office.

Records Policy

Procedure To Inspect Education Records- Students may inspect and review their education records upon request to the appropriate record custodian. Students should submit to the record custodian a written request which identifies as precisely as possible the record or records he or she wishes to inspect. The record custodian will make the needed arrangements for access as promptly as possible and will notify the student of the time and place where the record(s) may be inspected. Access must be given in 45 days or less from the receipt of the request. When a record contains information about more than one student, the student may inspect and review only the records which relate to him or her.

The College’s policy regarding student records is intended to comply fully with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974. This Act was designed to protect the privacy of educational records, to establish the right of students to inspect and review their educational records, and to provide guidelines for correction of inaccurate or misleading data through formal and informal hearings. Students also have the right to file complaints with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act Office, Department of Education, Washington, DC 20202, concerning the alleged failures of Carl Sandburg College to comply with the Act. Copies of the College policy are available in the Admissions and Records Office.

Carl Sandburg College designates the following categories of student information as public or “directory information”: student’s name, hometown, high school attended, full time, part time enrollment, approval candidacy for graduation, major field of study, enrollment status, dates of attendance, most recent education agency or institution attended degrees, honors, and awards received, height and weight of student athletes, participation in officially recognized activities and sports.

The above information may be disclosed by the institution for any purpose at its discretion. However, currently enrolled students may withhold disclosure of these items by notifying the Admissions and Records Office in writing within the first fourteen days of classes each semester. Request for non-disclosure must be made each semester.

Questions concerning the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act may be referred to the Admissions and Records Office.

Academic Notice & Separation Policy

Standards of Academic Progress

Students must maintain at minimum a 2.0 cumulative grade point average (GPA) and complete at least 67% of the courses in which they enroll to demonstrate academic progress. Students are strongly encouraged to select classes carefully so that they may complete their academic program requirements within the recommended guideline of 150% of their program’s length.

Academic Warning

Students will be placed on Academic Warning if their cumulative GPA falls below a 2.0 or if their cumulative completion rate of courses attempted drops below 67%. Students who are placed on Academic Warning must demonstrate progress towards degree completion during their next semester of enrollment by earning a semester GPA of 2.0 and a semester completion rate of 67%. Students who are placed on Academic Warning may continue to enroll in classes.

Academic Notice

Students previously placed on Academic Warning who fail to meet the Standards of Academic Progress will be placed on Academic Notice. Any student placed on Academic Notice must complete the next semester of enrollment with a 2.2 GPA and achieve a 75% semester completion rate to remain on Academic Notice. Students on Academic Notice and who meet the minimum GPA and completion requirements will be permitted to enroll in the upcoming semester even if the student’s cumulative GPA and cumulative completion rates remain below the required levels.

Students who have been placed on Academic Notice and who earn a semester GPA below a 2.2 and/or whose completion rate is below 75%, will be placed on Academic Notice II.

Academic Notice II

Students placed on Academic Notice ll are allowed one additional semester to improve their academic standing. Students who fail to make significant improvements may be suspended from the college for the following semester and must appeal to be permitted to enroll for future classes.

Students placed on Academic Notice II are required to schedule a meeting with their academic advisor to re-evaluate and to revise the student’s existing academic plan. Students placed on Academic Notice II will be restricted from enrolling in no more than 12 credit hours per semester. A registration restriction will be placed on the student’s account so that additional courses may not be added. Students on Academic Notice II must complete the semester with a 2.2 GPA and achieve a 75% semester completion rate to remain on Academic Notice II. Students on Academic Notice II and who meet the minimum GPA and completion requirements will be permitted to enroll in the upcoming semester even if the student’s cumulative GPA and cumulative completion rates remain below the required levels.

Students whose performance failed to improve will be placed on Academic Separation.

Academic Separation

Students placed on Academic Separation will be suspended from the college for one semester. A registration restriction will be placed on the student’s account to prevent any attempt to enroll while on Academic Separation which includes auditing of courses. Students who are placed on Academic Separation at the end of the spring semester, will be suspended for both the upcoming summer and fall semesters.

If there are extenuating circumstances, a student may appeal the Academic Separation decision. The student may complete the Academic Separation Appeal Form to be considered for reinstatement by the committee. The student is strongly encouraged to schedule a meeting with their academic advisor to develop an academic improvement plan to accompany the appeal form.

At the conclusion of the separation period, students may complete an appeal for re-enrollment privileges. Students who choose to appeal must meet with their academic advisor in order to review and revise his/ her academic plan and to complete the Academic Separation Appeal Form (ASAF). The student’s completed ASAF must include a detailed explanation of the changes that the student plans to make in order to satisfy the Standards of Academic Progress. This appeal will be submitted to the Student Services faculty committee for consideration.

If the ASAF appeal is granted, the student will be placed on Academic Notice II and must satisfy the requirements of that policy for the privilege of continued enrollment. The committee reserves the right to impose additional restrictions or conditions of reinstatement based on what they feel best supports the student’s academic success.

However, if the student’s appeal is denied, he/she may re-appeal if additional supporting documentation is available, if extenuating circumstances were a factor or after an appropriate time frame has passed as determined by the Student Services faculty committee.

Students who have been placed on Academic Separation for a second or subsequent semester or their appeal was denied by the Student Services faculty committee, may appeal to the Vice President of Academic Services or the Vice President of Student Services. Students who wish to pursue this option must notify the Dean of Student Success in writing of their intent to appeal. The student has the right to submit any additional supporting documentation if available to add to their previous appeal documentation. The decision of the Vice President is final. Further appeals will not be considered until the student can prove substantial academic progress from another institution. Substantial academic progress is defined as a minimum requirement of at least 12 degree/ certificate credit hours completed in two consecutive academic years with a minimum of a 2.25 grade point average

Academic Honors

A Dean’s List and Honors List are published after each semester to recognize the academic achievements of our full and part-time students. To qualify for these honors, all students must complete a minimum of 12 semester hours of college credit courses (developmental courses do not qualify). Full-time students have earned 12 or more college-level credit courses in a term. Part-time students have earned 6-11 college-level credit courses in a term.

Dean’s List

Full-time students who have earned a semester grade point average of 3.5 or better.

Part-Time Dean’s List

Part-time students who have earned a semester grade point average of 3.5.

Honors List

Full-time students who have earned a semester grade point average of 3.0 - 3.49.

Part-Time Honors List

Part-time students who have earned a semester grade point average of 3.0 - 3.49

Graduation Policies and Procedures

It is the responsibility of the student to know and to observe the requirements of his/her curriculum and the rules governing academic work. Although the advisor will attempt to help the student make wise decisions, the final responsibility for meeting the requirements for graduation rests with the student. If the student is currently enrolled at Carl Sandburg College, they can apply online to graduate under self-service.

Degree and certificate requirements stated in the Carl Sandburg College catalog will remain in effect for five academic years beginning with the student’s initial enrollment in a given academic program. If changes occur in graduation requirements subsequent to initial enrollment, the student may elect to graduate under the most recent degree or certificate requirements. If more than five years have passed since the student’s initial enrollment and the courses are still available, the student may continue their program requirements based on their entry year. If the courses in the student’s original program have been discontinued, the student must choose a more recent degree plan (within five years). Students who are pursuing a program with selective admission must be readmitted to the program and meet the requirements as determined by the certification of their field of study.

In addition to fulfilling the course requirements for individual academic programs as stated by the College, students who intend to graduate from Carl Sandburg College must meet these requirements:

1. File a petition for graduation in the Admissions and Records Office prior to the beginning of registration for their last semester of classes. Petition forms are available in the Admissions and Records Office.
2. Satisfy the minimum credit hour residence requirement.
3. Fulfill all financial obligations to the College.
4. Earn a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better for all courses which are applicable toward the degree or certificate.
5. There may be occasions when a student meets the criteria to graduate but has not completed a petition to graduate. Carl Sandburg College reserves the right to grant certificates or degrees to these students as qualifications are verified.
6. Results of the petition to graduate will be sent to current students mySandburg email only. If you are not a current student, and have submitted an application, results will be mailed to address on graduation application. If you have questions, please contact Angela Snow at 309-341-5233 or asnow@sandburg.edu.

Residency Requirement for Graduation

Associate Degree candidates must earn fifteen (15) of the required semester hours in residence at the College. Certificate candidates must earn one-third (1/3) of the required semester hours in residence at the College. Residency is defined as enrollment and completion of courses taught by Carl Sandburg College. Credit earned by other than coursework (i.e., examination, advanced placement, etc.) may not be counted as part of the residency requirement for either degrees or certificates.

Graduation Ceremony

Carl Sandburg College has two academic ceremonies per year in May to honor students who have applied to graduate for fall, spring, and summer. Once students apply to graduate, they will receive information from the registrar’s office on how to order cap and gowns, and additional graduation information such as graduation rehearsal, and graduation day etc.

The Carl Sandburg College Commencement ceremony is a time to recognize and celebrate the academic and co-curricular achievements of our students. Carl Sandburg College strives to provide a safe and respectful commencement ceremony for all participants. To achieve this goal, the College expects students and guests to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner that is respectful to all.

Students are expected to meet behavioral standards of conduct detailed in the Student Code of Conduct. Additional expectations include the following.

Graduation Apparel

The Carl Sandburg College Commencement ceremony is a time to recognize and celebrate the academic and co-curricular achievements of our students. Carl Sandburg College strives to provide a safe and respectful commencement ceremony for all participants. To achieve this goal, the College expects students and guests to conduct themselves in an appropriate manner that is respectful to all.

Students are expected to meet behavioral standards of conduct detailed in the Student Code of Conduct. Additional expectations include the following.

Carl Sandburg College will provide graduates with a cap and gown to be worn at the commencement ceremony. Any additional items worn with the graduation cap and gown must be approved items as listed below. The College reserves the right to ask graduates to remove any unapproved items or disallow participation in the commencement ceremony.

Registered student organizations through the Student Government Associations or college recognized programs may elect to wear a stole, medallion, or lapel pin with their graduation gown which recognizes the graduate’s membership of the group.

• Only registered student organizations/college-recognized programs that have met the requirements to become an organization/program can wear the stole, medallion, or lapel pin during the commencement ceremony.
• Carl Sandburg College will not purchase the stoles/medallions/lapel pins and will not reimburse students/organizations for expenses incurred. All fundraising activities must adhere to the College’s fundraising guidelines for student organizations and programs.
• The stoles must not be larger than 28 inches long from neck to end and 5 inches wide.
• The medallions must not be larger than 2 ½ inches in diameter.
• The stoles/medallions/lapel pins cannot contain any offensive language, offensive symbols, or any content that might be considered offensive, discriminatory, or an affiliation with hate groups. The College maintains the right to determine what might be considered as offensive, discriminatory, or representing an affiliation with hate groups.
• All stoles/medallions/lapel pins must be approved by the College prior to ordering to ensure they meet the size and content requirements.

Registered student organizations or college-recognized programs must submit a mock up of their stole/medallion/lapel pin to the Student Services office for approval no later than 30 days prior to commencement. Registered student organizations or college-recognized programs will be notified of the approval or denial within ten days of submission. For items that are denied, the registered student organization or college-recognized program can submit a revised version for reconsideration.

The College values student involvement in our student organizations; however, memberships to student organizations/programs will not be recognized in the graduation program nor announced with the graduate’s name. Only the student’s involvement in Phi Theta Kappa honorary, the achievement of graduation honors, or their status as a veteran will be recognized in the commencement ceremony and program.

Decoration of Caps

The decoration of graduation caps cannot contain any offensive language, offensive symbols, or any content that might be considered offensive, discriminatory, or an affiliation with hate groups. The College maintains the right to determine what might be considered as offensive, discriminatory, or representing an affiliation with hate groups.

Graduation Honors

Honors

Designation for graduates whose cumulative grade point average is within the 3.50-3.69 range.

High Honors

Designation for graduates whose cumulative grade point average is within the 3.70-3.89 range.

Highest Honors

Designation for graduates whose cumulative grade point average is within the 3.90-4.00 range.

Certification

Candidates for certification in specific fields (i.e., nursing, dental hygiene, etc.) are responsible for fulfilling any special accreditation or certification requirements of the State of Illinois.