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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
A
ACAD AFF: Academic Affairs; the Provost has oversight for all academic programs, Admissions, Library, Registrar Office, and Student Affairs
Academic Advisor: Member of the faculty or a professional advisor who works with students to plan education and career pathways
Academic Dishonesty: Includes fabrication, cheating, plagiarism, and unauthorized collaboration
Academic Probation: Designation for students who have not achieved the required minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0, or who have received a failing grade (“F”) in two or more courses in the most recent semester
Accountable: To answer for and accept ownership of one’s action, words, or intent
ADA: Americans with Disabilities Act
ADMS: Admissions Office
Advertising: Includes flyers and posters as well as online community announcements
Alcohol Abuse: Possession and consumption of alcohol in any University building or on University premises; being in the presence of unauthorized alcohol on campus; underage drinking and/or public intoxication; sales/distribution of alcohol to minors
All Campus Account: Account that allows students to make purchases (without cash or credit cards) at the bookstore, pay for chemistry breakage, transcripts, or to transfer to purchase dining dollars; students can also transfer funds from their All Campus Account to the smaller stripe of their ID for washers/ dryers, copies in the Library, and the fax machine in the mail room; an account can be set up with an initial deposit of $100
ARC: Athletic Recreation Center
Arson: Attempting to or igniting a fire
Assault: A threat or an attempt to cause harm or injury to another person
AU: Audit; used in place of a grade for a class that was audited
Audit: A student registers to attend a class, with the written permission of the appropriate college dean, but does not take examinations and does not receive a grade for the course; the designation AU is entered on the student’s grade report for that course
B
Battery: The infliction of an injury or the unauthorized and unwanted touching that is coupled with a threat to cause harm or injury
BIOL: Biology; Department of Biological Sciences
Blue Book: A small notebook with soft blue cover that some professors require students to use when writing essay exams
Bulletin: Alumni magazine published by the University
Bullying: A type of harassment that is repeated, unwanted, offensive, and malicious behavior which undermines an individual or group through persistently negative attacks
C
Catalog: University Catalog contains general information about the University and a description of courses and requirements for all majors offered–available online
Catalog Year: Determines the set of degree requirements in force for a student’s major; corresponds to the academic year a student initially enrolls as a first-year (U1) student; catalog year starts with the fall term of each academic year
Cheating: Academic dishonesty; the act of or attempted act of deceiving or misrepresenting the acquisition of a skill or body of knowledge (i.e., copying, bringing unauthorized notes to an exam)
CHEM: Chemistry; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
CNTRL: Controller
COGS: College of Graduate Studies
Complainant: Any person who submits a charge alleging that a student(s) or student organization violated the Student Conduct Policy
Complicity: Attempting to engage in, soliciting another to engage in, or passively allowing another to engage in prohibited conduct under the Student Conduct Policy
Conduct Advisor: A University Community Member who may attend the Administrative Hearing and/or Conduct Hearing on behalf of the complainant or respondent; this individual can provide procedural advice and moral support to the person they were invited to support; this individual may speak only to the person they were invited to support, not on their behalf; the Conduct Advisor shall not be permitted to serve as legal counsel prior to, during, or after the hearing
Conduct Deactivation: A sanction for student misconduct; termination of a registered organization’s privileges for a period of time
Conduct Expulsion: A sanction for student misconduct; the student will no longer be enrolled at the University and all rights and privileges of being a student are revoked; a notation of the action generally becomes a permanent part of the student’s transcript
Conduct Hold: A block placed on the academic and/or financial records of a student for the purpose of preserving the status quo pending the outcome of proceedings, enforcing a sanction, or ensuring cooperation with the Student Conduct process; may prevent registration, the release of transcripts, and/or the awarding of a degree
Conduct Probation: A sanction for student misconduct; during the probation period (usually one to three semesters), the student is not allowed to participate in cocurricular activities
Conduct Suspension: A sanction for student misconduct; during this time (usually one or two semesters) a student is not eligible to enroll in classes; a notation of action may become part of the student’s permanent record or transcript
Consent: In relation to sexual conduct, an affirmative decision to engage in mutually acceptable sexual activity given by clear actions or words in each instance of sexual activity
Core Curriculum: A group of courses required of all students who complete a bachelor’s degree or first professional degree, regardless of major; the Core Curriculum only applies to students who entered the University as first-year students prior to the fall of 2007
Credit Hour: A unit of measure for college courses; courses vary in their number of credit hours because they vary in the amount of intellectual effort they require; the credit value for specific courses may be found in the University Catalog or on WebAdvisor
Cum Laude: Graduation honor; student must attain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.40
Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA): The average of grades from two or more semesters; equals the sum of the course quality points of all grades received at the University divided by the total number of course credits for courses receiving quality points
D
Dean: A dean is the top administrator in a college; “dean” is also a title given to a person who has University-wide responsibility for University functions, such as the Dean of Students
Debi-Cash: Campus ID card that acts as a debit card, enabling you to use photocopiers and residence hall washing machines without cash
Defamation: Making a harmful statement that impacts negatively on the reputation of a person
Department: An administrative unit at the University that offers classes and majors in a particular subject or discipline; also may refer to a unit that provides administrative service
Dining Dollars: Declining Balance Food Plan (in increments of $100) offered by Dining Services to off-campus and commuter students
DIN SERV: Dining Services
Discrimination: The failure to treat similarly situated people in the same way because of a bias or prejeduce
Disorderly Conduct: Behavior that is lewd, indecent, or a breach of peace; behavior that interferes with or obstructs the orderly process of the University or the surrounding community (e.g., excessive noise; inappropriate, loud, or disruptive behavior; and failure to maintain property)
Diversity: Embodies the recognition of human similarities and differences; see the Student Services section for more information
Drake the Devil: Campus mascot
Drop/Add: A period of time at the beginning of each semester when you can make changes to your class schedule; this is done through the Registrar’s Office or on WebAdvisor
Drug Abuse: Intentional use, possession, sale, transfer, or offer of any illegal or controlled drug for a nonmedical purpose; inappropriately providing care or prescribing medicine without the proper supervision, authority, or license
E
Elective: A course you can choose to take, as opposed to a required course
Emergency Call Box: Shortwave radio contact with Security; boxes are located throughout the University; you must press the button to speak and release it to hear Security’s response
Endangerment: Behavior or activities that endanger the safety or health of oneself or others
Entry Year: Calendar or catalog year a student starts at the University (e.g., fall 2009)
ESL: English as a Second Language
Experiential Education: Clerkship, residency, internship, or practicum required as part of some academic programs at the University (e.g., Pharmacy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Health Psychology)
Expulsion: See Conduct Expulsion
F
F: Failing; grade designation
Fabrication: Academic dishonesty; the presentation of information for a classroom assignment, exam, or lab procedure that is fictitious or falsified
Facebook: See Online Communities
FAC SERV: Department of Facilities Services
FAFSA: Free Application for Federal Student Aid; the form required for receiving most forms of financial aid
FERPA: Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act; establishes the privacy of student education records and the conditions under which records may be reviewed, released, or amended; this is sometimes referred to as the Buckley Amendment
FIN AID: Department of Financial Aid
G
General Education: Curricular requirements for all students in Catalog Year 2007 or later who are enrolled in a bachelor’s degree or first professional degree program, regardless of major
GH: Griffith Hall
Good Academic Standing: Maintenance of a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 and not more than one failing grade (“F”) in the most recent semester irrespective of cumulative GPA; individual academic programs may have higher standards
GPA: Grade Point Average; the average of numerical values for the grades you earned multiplied by the credit value of the courses
Grade Replacement: The option of electing to retake a maximum of two courses to replace the original grades in the calculation of the cumulative GPA; this option is limited to first-year students
Grade Report: The official listing of the grades you earned for each semester; includes your GPA and Cumulative GPA; this report is sent to your permanent address as listed with the Registrar’s Office
Graduating Class: Anticipated year of graduation based on standard length of a major program; e.g., PharmD major (6-year program) – student entering the University as a first-year (U1) student in fall 2009 would be a member of the graduating class of 2015
Greeks: Fraternities and sororities within the University; they identify themselves with Greek letters and some of the organizations have national affiliations; there are 14 fraternities/sororities on campus
Grievance: A complaint or allegation made by a student who feels that a University action (or lack of action) is unfair; is arbitrary, capricious or unjust; or does not comply with University policie
H
Harassment: A form of discrimination defined as unwelcome conduct directed toward an employee or student; for more information, see Discrimination and Harassment Policy, p. 16
Hazardous Material: As applies to the Hazardous Materials on Campus policy, any substance that is possessed and/or prepared for the purpose of producing a combustible reaction, detonation, or to create an unsafe environment in or on any property owned, managed, leased, or controlled by the University.
Hazing: An act which endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student, or which destroys or removes public or private property, for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in a group, organization, or team
HEALTH: Student Health
HEALTH SCI: Health Sciences; Samson College of Health Sciences
Hearing Officer: Refers to the individual designated to coordinate and supervise a specific incident that will be processed under the Student Conduct Policy
Hold: A block goes on a student’s central record and prevents students from future registration, attending classes, receiving grades, etc.; holds can be placed as a result of unreturned health history forms, unpaid bills, library fines, academic problems, conduct sanctions, or other unmet obligations
Honor Society: a society for the recognition of scholarly achievement, especially of undergraduates; the University has six honor societies on campus; see p. 170
HR: Department of Human ResourcesHUM: Department of Humanities
I
I: Incomplete: grade designation
IGC: Inter-Greek Council
Incident: An event, action, or communication that is reported to the Office of Student Conduct as a potential violation of a University policy
Incomplete: Student has not fulfilled course requirements at the completion of the semester
INFO SCI: Department of Information Science
Inter-Greek Council: The governing body that oversees the Greek community of fraternities/sororities; consists of one representative from each organization as well as officers
Intimidating, Hostile, or Offensive Environment: Conduct that is severe or pervasive enough to create a work and/or learning environment that a reasonable person would consider intimidating, hostile, or offensive
IPHL: Industrial Pharmacy Lab, Griffith Hall Basement
IT: Department of Information Technology
L
Learning Outcome: A statement of what a student should be able to know, do, or value as a result of a learning experience, such as in an academic course or a cocurricular activity; a learning objective
Libel: A published false statement or representation that tends to expose another to disgrace
LOA: Leave of Absence; hiatus from academics; student may request a leave of absence when he or she will be unable to complete the current (and subsequent) semester (grounds include medical, personal, or financial reasons or military service)
LRC: Learning Resources Center located in Joseph W. England Library
M
Magna Cum Laude: Graduation honor; student must attain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.60
MATH: Mathematics; Department of Mathematics, Physics, and Statistics
MCAS: Misher College of Arts and Sciences
MCN: Robert McNeil Graduate Study and Research Center
Meal Blocks: An arrangement with Dining Services that, for a specified fee, provides a certain number of meals for a student throughout the school year; there are several dining plans available; see Appendix B for details and costs
Mediation: A voluntary, confidential process in which an impartial third party assists people in finding a mutually acceptable solution to their conflict
Medical LOA: Medical Leave of Absence; hiatus from academics for a period of not more than one year when a student’s medical or psychological condition is deemed to significantly impair his or her ability to function successfully or safely in the academic environment
Minor: In academics, a selection of courses, usually with a common theme, that enables the student to develop a degree of formal expertise in an area outside of the student’s major
MySpace: See Online Communities
N
NCAA: National Collegiate Athletic Association; governs the administration of college athletic programs and student athletes; the University is in Division II
New-Member Orientation: Current politically correct term for initiation and pledging to a fraternity or sorority
New-Member Recruitment: Current politically correct term for “rush,” the Greek recruitment process
Not Responsible: As an outcome to a hearing, this means that the respondent did not violate the prohibited behavior in question
O
Online Communities: Virtual communities (e.g., Facebook, MySpace) where students, faculty, and staff may send communications. See p. 26 for policy considerations
Orientation Leader: An upper-class student who has received a minimum of 14 hours of training in communication skills and the new student experience; he or she provides frequent and ongoing contact with incoming students to aid in the student’s adjustment to residential living, social relationships, study skills, and test taking; when necessary, the orientation leader will assist new students in gaining additional support from other resources such as their academic advisor, resident advisor, or counseling staff
OT: Occupational Therapy; Department of Occupational Therapy
P
P: Pass; grade designation for a Pass/Fail course
Passing Grade: The grade required to pass a course; it is generally a “D-” or above; however, there are exceptions within majors
PCP: Philadelphia College of Pharmacy
PHARMACY: Doctor of Pharmacy program; Philadelphia College of Pharmacy
PHARM’CEUTS: Pharmaceutics; a division of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences
PHARM PRAC: Pharmacy Practice; Department of Pharmacy Practice/Pharmacy Administration
PHARM/TOX: Pharmacology/Toxicology; a division of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences
PHYS ED: Physical Education; Department of Physical Education
PHYS THER: Physical Therapy; Department of Physical Therapy
Plagiarism: A form of academic dishonesty that consists of presenting, whether intentional or unintentional, the words or ideas of a source as if they are the student’s own words or ideas; this applies to unpublished and published material
PLUS: Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students – Federal program that allows parents of dependent students to borrow funds to assist in paying for students’ educational expenses
Prerequisite: A course that must be taken (and passed) before you can enroll in another course
President: The senior administrative officer of the University
Probation: See Conduct Probation
Protected Class: Individuals or groups who are protected from discrimination and harassment by law; includes gender, pregnancy, age, disability, race, color, religion, creed, national origins, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, and gender identity
Provost: The Provost is the chief academic officer of the University; the person in this position has oversight for all academic programs, Admissions, Library, Registrar Office, and Student Affairs
Psychological Harassment: A behavior intended to cause distress through hostile, inappropriate and unwanted conduct, verbal comments, actions or gestures that affect an individual’s dignity, integrity, and/or self-image
PT: Physical Therapy; Department of Physical Therapy
Q
Quality Point Value: The numeric value placed on letter grades earned in a course; values range from “0.0” for an “F” to “4.0” for an “A” and “A+”
Quorum: The number (usually a majority) of officers or members of a committee or organization that, when assembled, is legally competent to transact business
R
RA: Resident Advisor; upper-class students who live in the residence halls and help with challenges and problems of resident students; they have been trained and are employed by the Student Life staff within the Division of Student Affairs
RD: Resident Director; campus administrator who oversees a residence hall
Recitation: A smaller group section of a larger lecture where students have a more comfortable setting for discussion of class topics
Recruitment: See New-Member Recruitment
REG: Registrar’s Office
Registrar: University official who maintains the official records of students (e.g., transcripts and grades)
Registration: The process by which you enroll for classes each semester
Reparation: The act of making amends or giving satisfaction for a wrong; payment of damages
RES HALLS: Residence Halls
Respondent: Any student(s) or student organization accused of violating the Student Conduct Policy
Responsible: As an outcome to a hearing means that the respondent violated the prohibited behavior in question
Restitution: Making good of or giving an equivalent for damages; a disciplinary sanction
Retaliation: Occurs when adverse actions are imposed against individuals who have reported allegations of harassment or discrimination or have participated in a harassment or discrimination investigation
ROTC: Reserve Officer Training Corps; a program for students who are interested in receiving a commission in the U.S. Armed Forces while actively pursuing a degree; at University of the Sciences, affiliations are available for students to participate in Army and Air Force ROTC programs
Rush: See New-Member Recruitment
S
SASS: Student Academic Support Services
School Colors: Crimson and Gray
SEC: Department of Public Safety
Semester: The standard term of enrollment within the academic year (usually 15 weeks); the standard academic year consists of two semesters lasting from late August until early May
Service Learning: Strategy for cultivating a commitment to service through students’ participation in activities and/or segments of new or established academic courses
Sexual Harassment: Encompasses a continuum of unwelcome sexual advances or requests for sexual favors, such as verbal harassment, sexual assault, or rape
Sexual Misconduct: Any physical act of a sexual nature perpetrated against an individual without consent or when an individual is unable to freely give consent
SGA: Student Government Association; the elected leadership of the student body
SHAC: Student Health and Counseling
Short-Term LOA: Short-Term Leave of Absence; stop-out from academics for a period not to exceed 10 business days in the event of an immediate and significant health or family emergency
SOC SCI: Department of Social Sciences
Stalking: A form of harassment that involves ongoing and/or continual pestering of an individual, either in person, in written or electronic formats, or on the telephone
STC: McNeil Science and Technology Center
STUD AFF: Division of Student Affairs
Student Conduct Policy: A written code outlining student behavior to protect the rights and property of students and other members of the University community
Subsidized Loan: A loan where the government pays the interest while the student is in school and the principal is deferred (e.g., Stafford Loan)
Summa Cum Laude: Graduation honor; student must attain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.80
Survivor: Term used instead of “victim” in describing someone who has experienced sexual and/or relationship violence
Suspension: See Conduct Suspension
Syllabus: A handout from your instructor, which may include some or all of the following: purpose of the course; prerequisites; instructor’s name, office hours, and telephone number; a schedule of reading and/or homework assignments; a schedule of tests; the instructor’s policy on attendance; learning outcomes; and the course grading policy
T
TA: Teaching Assistant; students who are hired by the University to help with teaching, research, and administrative responsibilities
TBA: To be announced
TEACH CERT: Teacher Certification Program; offered by the Department of Biological Sciences and the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Transcripts: A student’s educational record maintained by the Registrar Office
Transfer Credit: Credits awarded by the University based on courses transferred from other colleges and universities; for the course to be eligible for transfer, the student must have attained a grade of “C” or better and the course must be comparable to an existing course at the University; the credits are applied toward degree requirements, but they do not carry grades and are not used to compute GPA
Tuition Management Systems (TMS): Tuition payment plan approved by the University where the amount due for both semesters is spread over 10 months, from July1 to April 1; there is a one-time service charge but no interest accrues on the balance due; information is available in the Student Accounts Office
Tutors: Available through Student Academic Support Services; these are upper-class students who have received training and have been recommended by faculty as having earned an “A” or a “B” in the specific course for which they are tutoring
U
University: University of the Sciences in Philadelphia
University Community Member: Any person who is a student, faculty member, staff, site coordinator, University official, contractor or vendor with a contract with the University, or any other person employed by the University; a person’s status in a particular situation shall be determined by the Office of Student Conduct
Unlawful Discrimination: Discrimination directed towards a person because they are a member of a Protected Class which results in an adverse employment or academic action
Unlawful Harassment: Harassment based on an individual’s membership in a Protected Class that is severe and/or pervasive
Unsubsidized Loan: A loan where the student pays or capitalizes the interest during the in-school period and the principal is deferred
USP Prescription: Student newspaper
W
W: Withdrew; grade designation that carries no point value and is not included in calculation of the GPA; student can officially withdraw (end enrollment) from a course after the Drop/Add period but before completion of the eighth week of the semester
WCR: Women’s Club Room, Whitecar Hall, Room 203
Weapons: Includes any device, instrument, material, or substance that under any circumstances is readily capable of causing death or injury
WebAdvisor: A Web interface that provides students with access to information stored in the University administrative database known as Colleague (see p. 147 for details )
Withdrawal: The act of officially ending your enrollment in the University; a withdrawal must be approved by the college dean
Witness: Any person with information relevant to an incident
Work Study: Federally subsidized financial aid, which students qualify for on the basis of need; part of financial aid package offered to some students; students are hired to work and are paid an hourly rate from federal funds
Wrongful entry: Entering, attempting to enter, or remaining without authority or permission in any University office, residence hall room, University-sponsored event, or University premise |
