FEDERAL COMPLIANCE

The University offers courses on a semester basis (fall, spring, and multiple summer terms). Fall and spring semesters are each 16 weeks long and include fifteen weeks of instruction plus a week for final examinations. The number of class days per semester varies slightly because of variations in calendars across years. All credits are semester credits. A credit is equivalent to fifteen 50-minute class periods across a semester. Students are expected to prepare two to three hours outside of class for each academic credit. Transcripts document student progress in terms of semester credits.

All classes offered for credit use semester hours as the basis for measuring the student learning experience. The length of all programs has been approved by the University’s Board of Trustees and the Ohio Board of Regents and is consistent for standards for higher education elsewhere among comparable institutions.

The University charges instructional and general fees based upon a full-time (11 to 18 credit hours) flat rate and on a per credit hour basis for students enrolled for fewer than 11 credit hours per term. The fee structure is different for undergraduate and graduate students and for students at the main and Firelands campuses. Out of state students pay an additional nonresident surcharge. Additional mandatory fees include a registration fee each semester and a one-time application fee. Other charges that may be assessed include room and board and residence hall technology fees, automobile registration fees, special class and clinical lab fees, thesis and dissertation binding fees, excess credit fees, class audit and credit by examination fees, late charges, and service charges for overdue accounts. Summary information on fee rates is provided in the resource room [SF1], and is available from the Bursar’s Office web site [BO1]. All fees require the approval of the Board of Trustees. All units of the University adhere to these fee policies.

Admissions materials provide useful, current, and accurate information about tuition and fees. Catalogs, viewbooks, and other materials are typically published to cover more than one year; while they include material that is current when printed, readers are advised that rates may change and are directed to contact the Bursar’s Office for current information.

STUDENT LOAN DEFAULT RATES - COMPLIANCE WITH THE HIGHER EDUCATION REAUTHORIZATION ACT

The university’s official student loan default rate as reported by the U. S. Department of Education is 3.9%. This rate has declined over the past five years and is consistently lower than the national average. Additional information on default rates is available in the resource room [CD1].

The Office of Student Financial Aid has available upon request copies of U. S. Department of Education agreements, reports, audits, and other materials required for student financial aid administration.

ADVERTISING AND RECRUITMENT MATERIALS

The university’s undergraduate and graduate catalogs publicize the affiliation with the Commission using the correct language and include NCA’s address and telephone number.

PROFESSIONAL ACCREDITATION

A number of the university’s academic programs hold separate professional accreditation. A summary of these affiliations may be found in the Fact Book [FB1]. The most recent reports from professional accrediting agencies are available in the applicable deans’ offices. No accreditation body has taken adverse action against any of the university’s programs and all of the professional accreditations are in good standing.

REQUIREMENTS OF INSTITUTIONS HOLDING DUAL INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITATION

The University does not hold institutional affiliation with any institutional accrediting bodies other than NCA.

INSTITUTIONAL RECORDS OF STUDENT COMPLAINTS

The President’s Office maintains annual logs of student complaints sent to that office as well as to the offices of the Provost and the Vice President for Student Affairs. The logs detail the date that the complaint was received, the name of the student, the nature of the complaint, steps taken to resolve the situation, the final decision reached or action taken, and the name of the staff member handling the complaint. The logs for 2000-2001 and 2001-2002 are available in the resource room [LS1].

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