Academic Policies

Course Grading Scale

TurnItIn Similarity Score and Direct Quotes

TurnItIn Originality Checks will be conducted on every assignment that is turned in. If your Similarity Percentage is found to be above 20%, you will have to edit your paper to decrease that number. When you submit papers to the Assignments box, a TurnItIn Similarity score is automatically generated and should be visible to you. If your score is too high, you can edit and resubmit your papers until the Similarity score is acceptable. You don’t have to wait until your instructor alerts you. 

 Generally, a high Similarity Percentage means that you have not paraphrased correctly or have relied too heavily on copying sources (sentences, paragraphs) word-for-word. The consultants in the Regis library can help you with this, and you can also use web sources like the Purdue OWL website to learn how to write without risking plagiarism. 

 Keep in mind that even properly cited sources contribute to your Similarity score. If the direct quote is not absolutely mind-blowing and unique, paraphrase and cite appropriately in order to convey its meaning to your audience. The goal is for you to use your own academic voice in writing; therefore, your Similarity score may be no more than 20%.

Late Assignments/Assignment Revisions

 The following policy is in effect unless your professor has posted a late policy in Facilitator Notes section: Occasionally, work, health, and family obligations have priority over course work. If you experience these issues, please notify the facilitator in advance. If an assignment is due, please make every effort to submit your assignment on time. In the case of a negotiated absence or delay, assignments turned in by the agreed upon due date will receive full credit. If you have not negotiated with the facilitator, assignments turned in late will be graded, and then reduced by 25%, unless excused by Facilitator. Assignments will not be accepted later than one week after due date.

Attendance/ Participation

Student participation is essential. Students are responsible for all material covered in each week. Student interaction is central to the learning experience and imparts critical knowledge and skills to all concerned. If a student misses more than one week of class participation without prior faculty approval, the facilitator may assign a failing grade.

Grade of Incomplete

A grade of Incomplete or “I” denotes that the required work for the course is incomplete due to unforeseen circumstances. Unforeseen circumstances mean, for example, that an accident, an illness, a death, or a major life transition has occurred.

Requests for incompletes must be made in writing, using either the student’s Regis University or WorldClass email, to the faculty before the end of the term. The request should explain the unforeseen circumstances that have occurred

The faculty member will respond in writing, and this correspondence will serve as a contract between the student and the instructor regarding the completion of an incomplete grade for a course within the School for Professional Advancement.

Incompletes are granted at the discretion of the faculty. The student also must have completed 75% of the course with a passing grade in order to be eligible for an incomplete. The length of time and the remaining requirements to complete the course are determined by the instructor; however, the maximum length of time for completion is the end of the following term.

Communication Policy

In all courses, students are expected to follow the three R’s with regard to their online contributions:

1. Respect: When responding to other students’ posts, be respectful of those to whom you are responding regardless of how much you might disagree with them. Likewise, when posting material to which others will respond, be respectful to those who will respond to you. Phrase your contribution in a way that will encourage rather than discourage engagement. Do not insult, demean, or summarily dismiss the views of others. Although disagreement is likely and even expected, make sure that all disagreement remains constructive.
2. Relevance: Your contributions must be relevant to the question that’s being asked, the material that is being discussed, and the contributions of others to the same forum. Make sure that your contributions make a significant contribution to the discussion and are based upon evidence (either textual or philosophical). Do not proselytize.
3. Regularity: In addition to insuring that your posts are respectful and relevant, they should also be timely. Get involved as soon as the forum discussion opens and engage others. To promote diversity and the exchange of ideas, it is important that students post their initial post by the instructor recommended deadline, so the class can progress together and work through the weekly topic. Posting your initial post at the last-minute prevents a robust discussion and exchange of ideas. As Regis is committed to cultivating an inclusive and just campus (and online) environment, where diversity of expression and person are valued and celebrated within the Jesuit tradition,  all instructors reserve the right to delete any post that is not in keeping with Jesuit values of both Cura Personalis, which is a commitment to promoting human dignity and care for the mind, body and spirit of the person, as well as Men and Women for Others, a value that embodies a spirit of giving and providing service to those in need and standing with the poor and marginalized.