Academic Affairs

I want to know more about:

Academic Calendar

Academic Integrity Policy

Academic Recognition

Academic Services

Academic Standing and Dismissal

Academic Warning

A student will receive an academic warning if their current semester GPA falls below a 2.0. Any student who receives an academic warning cannot enroll for more than 14 credit hours without receiving permission from the Coordinator of Academic Advising.

Academic Probation

A student will be placed on academic probation whenever any one of the following conditions happens:

The student’s cumulative GPA falls below a 2.0 based on a 4.0 scale. The student’s semester GPA for two consecutive semesters is less than 2.0 based on a 4.0 scale. The student is on semester trial as a new student.

Any student who is on academic probation cannot enroll for more than 14 credit hours without receiving permission from their advisor. The temporary grade of “I” or Incomplete, will not prevent a student from being placed on probation. Grades of “I” are not figured into the GPA.

Academic Dismissal

A student may be academically dismissed whenever any one of the following conditions is met: The student fails in 50% or more of the student’s credit hours in any semester. The Dean of Academic Affairs determines at the end of a probationary semester that academic performance does not warrant continuation. A student who is dismissed from KCAD for academic reasons, but who believes there are extenuating circumstances that warrant consideration, may appeal the dismissal in writing to the Dean of Academic Affairs, who the final appeal rests with.

Exemption to Academic Policy

The Dean of Academic Affairs will review your petition after your faculty advisor has submitted a statement on your behalf. Student Petition for an Exemption to Academic Policy

Grade Grievances

The assignment of grades is a faculty responsibility and only in exceptional circumstances is an original grade subject to change. If a student disagrees with an assigned grade, the student has recourse to seek resolution of that disagreement. The student has the burden of demonstrating the erroneousness of the original grade. An appeal for a grade change must be initiated no later than two weeks following the issuance of the grade.

To begin the process, the student must seek to resolve the dispute by discussing the grade with the instructor. This discussion must take place within two weeks of the issuance of the grade. In those circumstances in which the student can provide reasons that preclude such a discussion taking place, the grade appeal process begins with Step 2.
If the disagreement cannot be resolved through Step 1, the student shall provide the Dean of Academic Affairs with a written statement setting forth the justification for the requested change in grade, together with a copy of the course syllabus and work completed by the student in the course. This written statement must be submitted no later than one week following the meeting with the instructor.
The Dean of Academic Affairs will provide the instructor with a copy of the student’s written statement and ask that the instructor respond in writing within two weeks.
If unresolved the Dean of Academic Affairs will recommend that a Faculty Grievance Committee be convened. The Dean of Academic Affairs will name a committee of three faculty members. This committee shall function as an impartial body to gather information and to clarify issues.
Facilitated by the Dean of Academic Affairs, this committee will review the student’s work and the written statements of both the student and the instructor. At the committee’s discretion, the members may seek a meeting with the student and the instructor.
After carefully and confidentially weighing the issues, the committee will submit its recommendation to the Dean of Academic Affairs, who, in turn, will inform the student and the faculty member of the committee’s decision.

Incomplete Grades

Receiving a grade of incomplete (I) in a course indicates that a student has successfully completed a major portion of the course requirements, and should not re-register for the course. The grade of “I” is a temporary designation that is assigned for illness, injury, birth of a child, death of a family member, jury duty, or other necessary absences, generally beyond the control of the student, which prevents the student from completing the course requirements. Completion of at least 75% of course work at passing levels is required before an "I" grade is assigned.

The instructor must file the Incomplete Grade Form with the Coordinator of Academic Advising authorizing a grade of incomplete along with the requirements for completing the course. The student must make arrangements with the professor to complete all required work by the close of the following term, excluding summer. Instructors may require students to sign an agreement stipulating assignments and deadlines that must be met. Once the student completes the course requirements the professor must submit a grade change through Ferris 360 for approval and processing.

Incomplete grades that are not made up within the following term, excluding summer term, are changed to the grade of “F”, unless written authorization for a time extension from the instructor is received by the Dean of Academic Affairs. No time extensions will be given beyond one year after the close of the semester in which the “I” was received.

Advising

Campus Safety and Security

KCAD Campus Safety and Security

KCAD faculty, staff, and students are strongly encouraged to sign up to receive official emergency text alerts so they are the first to know about time-sensitive campus safety issues and closings due to weather or other disruptions.

EMERGENCY TEXT ALERT SIGN-UP / EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION UPDATE FORM

Emergency Contact Information

In the event of an emergency call 911. Then, notify the security personnel for the building where the emergency is taking place and the nature of the emergency.

Contact KCAD Security

17 Fountain St. NW building: 616.430.1794
Woodbridge N. Ferris Building: 616.350.3820

Cleary Act Compliance Policy

KCAD is committed to campus security and safety and recognizes this as an important issue in post-secondary education. The U.S. Department of Education adopted the Crime Awareness and Campus Security Act of 1990, commonly referred to as the Clery Act (Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act), to provide students nationwide with a safe environment in which to learn and keeping students, parents and employees well informed about campus security.

Ferris State University prepares this report to comply with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act, as amended by the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act. Included in this report are three (3) years of statistics for certain types of crimes that were reported to have occurred on campus, in or on off-campus buildings or property owned by the University, including but not limited to KCAD and public property within or immediately adjacent to the campus.

*KCAD will make the crime log for the most recent 60-day period open to public inspection during normal business hours. KCAD will make any portion of the log older than 60 days available within two business days of a request for public inspection. Viewing of the crime log will be available to the public at the Security Desk, 17 Fountain St., Grand Rapids, MI 49503.

Title IX

Title IX of the Education Amendment of 1972 prohibits discrimination based on gender. Sexual violence in all its forms is harassment based on gender and a violation of federal law under Title IX. KCAD has adopted specific procedures for ending discrimination, preventing its recurrence, and seeking to remedy the effects of the discrimination.

KCAD does not tolerate sexual violence in any form. Student and employee dignity policies demand all University community members to act with dignity and treat each other with respect. Sexual violence is a violation of the dignity and respect policies, as well as other policies and criminal law, and the University will pursue disciplinary action and sanctions against all employee and student perpetrators, up to and including termination of employment or dismissal from the University.

For full details regarding KCAD s Title IX policy and procedures, please see the Title IX section.

Commonly Used Forms

Consortium Students - KCAD Life Sciences and Pre-Medical Illustration Majors

Counseling and Disability Services

Counseling and Disability Services are located on the 7th floor of the 17 Fountain St. NW building. The Counseling Center provides confidential individual counseling, crisis intervention, and referrals to campus services and outside mental health agencies.

Request for Reasonable Accommodations

Students must register with the Counseling and Disability Services Office in order to make an accommodation request. Students will need to engage in a dialogue regarding their disability as experienced in the learning environment. Accommodation requests need to be made each semester while attending KCAD. Accommodation requests are reviewed by the Director of Counseling and Disability Services. Students have the option to appeal an accommodation decision by putting a request in writing to the Dean of Academic Affairs.

Self-Identification of Disability

Opportunity for self-identification as a person with a documented disability is available beginning with the initial application, during the enrollment period or at any time while attending KCAD. Each person must contact the Counseling and Disability Services Office to discuss eligibility and documentation requirements needed in order to arrange for reasonable accommodations.

Reporting Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities

KCAD of Ferris State University is an Equal Opportunity/ Affirmative Action employer. Under applicable laws, including Title IX, the Education Amendments of 1972 and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the university does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, physical or mental handicap or other prohibited matters in employment, educational programs or admissions. If you believe that a violation or potential violation of these state or federal non-discrimination laws has occurred, is occurring, or will occur, please notify the following:

Equal Opportunity Office within the Office of the General Counsel
McKessy House, Ferris State University
120 East Cedar Street
Big Rapids MI 49307-2202
231.591.2152

Credit Hour Calculations

Drop/Add and Withdrawals

Adding a Course

Students may add courses through the first four days of the semester via Ferris 360. Before adding a course, you must determine if there are seats available. If the course is full, you may request to be placed on the waitlist, but that does not guarantee you a seat in the course. It is a student's responsibility to accept waitlisted approvals in a timely manner if offered a seat. Please ensure there are funds or a payment plan in place for additional courses you may try to add.

Dropping a Course

Students are able to drop a course via Ferris 360, through the first four days of the semester for 100% tuition refund. After the fourth day, students must request to be dropped from the course. We encourage students to consider the implications of dropping a course and to seek guidance from both KCAD Academic Advising and Financial Services prior to dropping.

Withdrawal from a Course

Once the semester begins, a student may withdraw from a course and receive a grade of “W” through the ninth week of the fall and spring semesters, as indicated in the Schedule of Classes, or the equivalent time period if the class meets on a different schedule (i.e., double-paced summer semester course). After that date a grade of “W” may be given for a justifiable reason. Late withdrawal from a class without justifiable reason results in a “WF’ grade. “WF” has a grade point value of 0.0 and is used when computing the GPA. Neglecting to drop a class through the KCAD Academic Records Office results in an “F” grade.

Use the Course Withdrawal Form after the Drop/Add period on or before the last date to withdraw from a course. Non-attendance in a course is not considered a withdrawal. A failing grade (F) will be issued for any course that you do not attend and from which you fail to properly withdraw.

Medical Withdrawal

A student may initiate a Medical Withdrawal from the university by contacting Mary Kolenda in the KCAD Academic Records Office. A student must provide a written letter to Academic Records explaining the circumstances surrounding the need for a medical withdrawal and submit documentation from an appropriate medical professional substantiating the circumstances of the need for a medical withdrawal. This information will then be submitted to the Dean of Academic Affairs for consideration.

A Medical Withdrawal results in a student being withdrawn from all classes for either a part of a term/session or full semester. Medical Withdrawals will result in the grade of “MW”. Students who receive a Medical Withdrawal effective fall or spring semester, and wish to return to the university, must reapply for admission and financial aid

Total Withdrawal

Beginning the first day of the term, if a student decides to process a total withdrawal from the university (stop attending all classes), a withdrawal may be made in person by going to the Student Services Office or by emailing [email protected] asking for a total withdrawal, along with the date you last attended any class. If you stop attending classes, but do not officially withdraw from the university, grades of “F” will be recorded in all courses.

If you are considering a total withdrawal, please contact your Program Advisor or the Coordinator of Academic Advising, Carol Sloan

Class Withdrawal: Financial Aid and Tuition FAQs

Enrollment/Degree Verification

Enrollment Status

Excusing Students for University-Sponsored Functions

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

In accordance with the Michigan Freedom of Information Act, as amended (“FOIA”), the university takes appropriate action to implement the provisions of the FOIA to the extent that the FOIA is applicable to this university.

Certain Provisions of the FOIA

The FOIA provides that a public body may make reasonable rules necessary to protect its public records and to prevent excessive and unreasonable interference with the discharge of its functions, and that a public body establish and publish procedures for calculation of the cost for providing copies of public records under the FOIA.

Responsibility of the University

The President, or their designee, shall have the following responsibilities with respect to the FOIA:

The President is hereby vested with authority to make reasonable rules necessary to protect the public records of the university and to prevent excessive and unreasonable interference with the discharge of the functions of the university in the administration of the FOIA.
The President is vested with authority to establish and publish procedures for calculation of the costs of providing copies of public records under the FOIA, and to do all other things that may be necessary or appropriate to implement the FOIA to the extent that the FOIA is applicable to the university.
The President, or their designee, is given responsibility for denials under the Act.
The President, or their designee, is given responsibility for receiving and acting upon appeals from a final determination to deny all or a portion of a request under the FOIA. The President is vested with authority to establish and publish procedures, as needed, governing the receipt and acting upon such appeals. In a case where the final determination to deny all or a portion of a request under the FOIA was made by a designee of the President, an appeal from that determination shall be acted upon either by the President or by a designee other than the designee who made the determination which is the subject of the appeal.

Grades

Graduation Information

Guest Students

International Students

KCAD College Catalogs

Letter of Recommendation or Verbal Release of Confidential Information Waiver

Minors

MyDegree

Other Options for Earning Credit

Independent Study

An Independent Study provides students the opportunity to work on a body of experiences or specific course content that is not offered in a standing course listed in the College Catalog, independently under the guidance of a faculty member. In this case the student and faculty determine the course content, course outcomes, meeting times for consultation and evaluation sessions (minimum of one hour per week, required) outside of an existing scheduled course with the faculty. This offering is subject to agreement with a named faculty member (must be full-time term, tenured or tenure-track), submission of statement of purpose from the student, description of course content, course outcomes, syllabus, method of evaluation, program chair approval, and availability of college resources. A minimum 3.00 GPA and junior or senior standing are required.

Internships

KCAD’s Internship Program provides an opportunity for current students to receive credit for a work experience related to their program of study. To be eligible the student must carry a 3.00 GPA, be in junior or senior standing and have an open elective credit. Students may receive up to 9 credits depending on the number of hours worked, faculty approval, and upon completion of internship requirements. Students seeking internship opportunities must work with their respective program chairperson, to start the application process.

Study Away

KCAD faculty lead study away programs that range in length from one to four weeks during the academic year. The study away programs have led KCAD groups to both domestic and international destinations. Typically, the programs offer two or three courses of intense study. KCAD study away programs may be eligible for financial aid. Students must meet with the Financial Aid Specialist to discuss their budget for a study away program. Past faculty led study away locations include England, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Nicaragua, Scotland, Spain and Sweden to name a few. Students can also consider full semester or full academic year study away options.

If you are interested in study away, see the Director of Student Engagement in the Activities and Resource Center. Students must be in good standing in order to participate in a study away program. A student that is required to leave a study away program early, due to a violation of the Code of Student Community Standards, will be responsible for the costs and may be in jeopardy of not receiving credit for the course(s) associated with the study away program.

Study at Another Institution

To guarantee that course work taken at another institution will be transferred and applied to KCAD BFA or BA requirements, a student must have prior written permission from the Dean of Academic Affairs. For the work to apply to the program of study, prior written approval of the program chairperson is required. Studio classes are transferred only after a portfolio presentation and approval. In addition, the Transfer Credit policy is also in effect for current KCAD students. All Michigan institutions of higher education honor attendance from students in good standing who are currently enrolled at other Michigan colleges and universities. If a student attends as a “guest” student, after having completed the appropriate form at the home Academic Records Office, the normal application process for that institution (including application form and fee) will be bypassed. Official transcripts are required for all course work that the student wishes to have evaluated for transfer.

Michigan Undergraduate Guest Application Form

Personal Information Changes

Within Ferris360, a student is able to make updates to an address or phone number using Self-Service Banner. Log-in using your Ferris account information.

Legal Name Change

If your legal name differs from the name on your student record, please complete the Legal Name Change Form and mail with required documentation to:

Ferris State University
Registrar's Office
Timme Center for Student Services,
201 South State Street,
Big Rapids MI 49307-2202

Preferred First Name Policy

Any KCAD community member may choose to identify themselves within the University with a Preferred Name (PFN) that differs from their legal name. A preferred name will appear instead of the person’s legal name in University systems and documents (i.e. class roster, University ID, diploma name) except where the use of the legal name is required by a University policy, business or legal need (i.e. financial aid records, transcripts, health records, IRS forms, W-2, I-9, social security forms).

The use of a preferred first name cannot be for the purpose of misrepresentation or fraud and any preferred name reasoned to be an attempt at misrepresentation, fraud or interpreted as offensive will be removed.

A student who wishes to designate a Preferred First Name may do so in the Personal Information section of the Student Academic Dashboard. Simply open Ferris360, search for Student Academic Dashboard and click on the search result, then click on Verify/Update Personal Information.

Please review our Preferred First Name FAQ's for guidance on some of the most common questions related to this policy.

Program Changes

Prospective Students

Registration

HOW TO REGISTER FOR CLASSES

Wait List

Some popular course sections will allow a student to join a waitlist after they are full. When a student signs up for a waitlist, they will receive an email notification if a seat opens up in the course. They will then be able to register for the course in Ferris360. Students will need to register for the course before the deadline listed in the email notification that they received.

How to Join a Waitlist

Maximum Loads

You may not take more than 18 credit hours per semester unless you obtain an exception from Academic Advising and the program chair in your major.

Holds

If you receive a "Hold" notice when you are trying to register, please note that not all holds prevent you from registering. Here are the various holds, and what they mean.

Address and Telephone Verification

For billing purposes, Student Financial Services must verify your phone number and address. This hold can be removed by updating your address and phone number in Ferris 360. This hold affects viewing grades and unofficial and official transcripts from being released.

Registration Hold – Past Due Account

A registration hold will be placed on your account when a past due balance exceeds the minimum threshold. This hold prevents registration and unofficial or official transcripts from being released. Please contact Student Financial Services at 616.259.1112 or [email protected] to discuss payment options or process a payment via e-bill in your Ferris360 account.

Laptop Receipt Hold

This means you need to submit a copy of your laptop receipt or a laptop waiver form to the Coordinator of Financial Aid and Student Business Services, Lori DeForest,. Copies of the Laptop Exception Form are available from Student Services, on the 7th floor of the 17 Fountain St. NW building.

Satisfactory Academic Progress

Student Complaint Policy

Student Conduct

Transcripts and Diplomas

Transfer Students

Undergraduate Class Standing

Veterans

When applying for admission and at the beginning of each semester, students who are eligible for veterans benefits should complete and submit a Request for VA Certification form from the department of Veterans Affairs at Ferris State University (Big Rapids campus). The veteran is required to notify the university’s department of Veterans Affairs if there are any changes in enrollment, including drop/adds, and withdrawals (official or unofficial).

VETERAN'S CLASS REGISTRATION FORM

If the veteran is receiving veterans benefits, a 2.00 cumulative grade point average (GPA) must be maintained. Failure to maintain a 2.00 GPA will result in the veteran being placed on academic probation. If at the end of the next semester, the GPA is not raised to 2.00 or above, the veteran will no longer be certified for veterans
benefits from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and may be academically dismissed. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will be notified of the veteran’s failure to have academic probation removed and of any academic dismissal.

Any Veteran receiving a failing grade (F) for a course must report to KCAD’s Dean of Academic Affairs, in writing, the last date of attendance in that course for which the failing grade was issued within ten calendar days from the end of that course. Failure to report the last date of attendance in writing will result in the university informing the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs that the last date of attendance was the first class meeting for the course for which the failing grade was issued. This could result in an overpayment situation for the veteran on veterans benefits. The educational records of students receiving veterans benefits may be provided to authorized state and federal personnel with a legitimate educational interest, without prior consent from the student concerned. For additional information concerning veterans benefits, please contact the university’s department of Veterans Affairs or your regional Veterans Affairs office.

Withdrawal Due to Active Duty

Students called to active duty must complete a withdrawal form and submit it to the Dean of Academic Affairs with a copy of the military orders. Based on the Dean of Academic Affairs determination, a class withdrawal, which assigns a grade of “W” in the class will be processed. A letter will be mailed to the student with approval or denial of the Withdrawal Due to Active Duty Active requests. Active Duty Requests must be submitted within 30 calendar days of the last day of the semester.

Refund Due to Withdrawal from Active Military Duty

The term “active military duty” means active duty in the various branches of the United States military or State National Guard. A refund will be processed for only those registered courses in which credit has not been received. Upon receiving approval of withdrawal due to active military duty, the college will process a refund based on the criteria in this policy. All charges, such as emergency loans, library, etc. will be deducted in calculating the refund amount.

Refunds will be made payable to the student in the same proportion as payments were received to liquidate the charges. Amounts that have been provided by financial aid awards for tuition and fees are not refundable. However, such amounts will be returned to the respective financial aid account. This policy is not applicable to students who voluntarily enlist in the various branches of the military or the State National Guard. The Dean of Academic Affairs along with the Dean of Student Success or their designee must approve exceptions to this policy.

Connect with the Assistant Director of Veterans Services

Sean Allen
[email protected]
(231) 591-2022

Veteran Resource Center
805 Campus Drive, Suite 121
Big Rapids MI 49307
231.591.2022
[email protected]

See something that's missing? Send an email to [email protected] and let us know!

Academic Affairs

I want to know more about:

President's List

Dean's List

Academic Warning

Academic Probation

Academic Dismissal

Exemption to Academic Policy

Grade Grievances

Incomplete Grades

Connect with KCAD's Coordinator of Academic Advising

Commonly Used Advising Forms

Emergency Contact Information

Contact KCAD Security

Cleary Act Compliance Policy

Title IX

Request for Reasonable Accommodations

Self-Identification of Disability

Reporting Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities

Adding a Course

Dropping a Course

Withdrawal from a Course

Medical Withdrawal

Total Withdrawal

Full-time Undergraduate

Part-time Undergraduate

Full-time Graduate

Certain Provisions of the FOIA

Responsibility of the University

Grading System

Mid-Term Grades

Guest Students at KCAD

Guest Application for Another Institution

FSU Office of International Education

How to Access MyDegree

Independent Study

Internships

Study Away

Study at Another Institution

Legal Name Change

Preferred First Name Policy

Connect with KCAD Admissions

Wait List

Maximum Loads

Holds

Address and Telephone Verification

Registration Hold – Past Due Account

Laptop Receipt Hold

General Transfer Credit Policy

Freshman

Sophomore

Junior

Senior

Withdrawal Due to Active Duty

Refund Due to Withdrawal from Active Military Duty

Connect with the Assistant Director of Veterans Services

Contact

Kendall College of Art and Design