Academic Policies
Principles and Policies for Academic Excellence
Loyola University Chicago's English as a Second Language (ESL) program is noted for assisting serious language learners in developing their skills in English as used in the United States. The program helps them prepare for academic work at U.S. colleges and universities and for professional careers. In order to accomplish this mission and to create and maintain an environment that promotes language learning, the following principles and policies have been established.
By becoming a member of this learning community, each student is participating in a program which has had a reputation for excellence and rigorous academic standards for more than 35 years. The faculty has years of experience and is dedicated to assisting all members of the ESL community in many ways.
The student also has responsibilities. In order to ensure that each student reaps the full benefits of the ESL program, everyone is required to abide by the principles and policies that have been established and are described in this statement; each student is responsible for reading all the information contained herein.
1. Members of a learning community should agree to common principles and policies. A student's participation in English as a Second Language classes will be viewed as an assent to the principles and policies described in this document.
2. A student must be responsible, accountable and mature in accepting responsibility for her/his education. In addition, a student's grades and course performance is essential in proving ability to succeed in other college programs. A member of the Loyola University Chicago community must demonstrate his/her ability to engage in a rigorous academic program by successfully completing all courses in which she/he is registered. A TOEFL score alone does not measure a student's ability to engage in a course of study and succeed. Often, a student's ESL instructors will be asked to evaluate a student's class performance based on class participation, completion of all assignments, and grade reports.
3. English learners should speak English. All languages possess beauty and merit. However, a student's choosing to enroll in Loyola's ESL classes is evidence of his/her decision to develop proficiency in American English. Therefore, all students should speak only English while in ESL classes or other ESL facilities, including halls, labs and offices, and even when speaking with others who share the same native language.
4. Attendance at all class sessions, participation in class discussions, completion of all assignments, and completion of the final exam during the scheduled exam period are required. Students are expected to attend all class sessions and to participate actively in class. It is in the interaction between the instructor and the student and also in the interaction among classmates that learning occurs. Therefore, students should note the following policies which instructors will follow:
- Course requirements and assignments are determined by the instructor in consultation with the ESL faculty. All assignments are given for a serious instructional purpose, and all coursework must be completed satisfactorily as the instructor requires before a student can receive a passing grade in a class.
- A student is expected to arrive at each class on time, to attend the complete class session, and to participate fully in class activities and discussions. Tardiness is unacceptable. Two instances of late arrival to class will equal one absence. Students' absences and tardies will be counted from the date of enrollment.
- Assignments must be completed on time and submitted when due. In special circumstances, an assignment may be submitted one day late if the instructor has given permission beforehand. Assignments which are more than one day late are not accepted.
- To avoid distractions and disturbances, cell phones, pagers, laptops and other electronic devices must be turned off during class.
- Attendance at all class sessions is required. If illness or serious circumstance causes a student to miss a class, it is the student's responsibility to inform the instructor by telephone or e-mail before class of her/his absence and to make up any missing work. A student who misses 10% of total class meetings will receive a reduction of one full letter grade in the final class grade (for example: from a "B-" to a "C-").
Limited flexibility in the absence policy may be exercised at the instructor's discretion, particularly in the case of religious holidays, participation in university-sponsored events, travel difficulties, and illness. Students should notify instructors of special circumstances.
A student who misses 20% of total class meetings should consider withdrawing from the class since receiving a passing grade is impossible. With the instructor's permission, such students may continue to attend, but only if this does not hinder the progress of other students in the class in any way and only if circumstances such as serious illness are present.
- The university has strict policies on incidents of plagiarism which are enforced by the ESL program. Plagiarism is a serious academic offense and, in cases of the use of copyrighted material, a legal offense. Incidents of plagiarism are reported to the dean of the college in which the student is enrolled and a note is placed in the student's file. The student receives an F on the assignment and may receive an F in the course, depending on the circumstances of the offense.
- Final examinations cannot be taken early. Students should not plan to travel before the last day of finals as published by the university. Class exams will only be given according to the official university schedule. Failure to take final exams will result in a grade of zero on the exam and a significant grade reduction for the course.
5. Learners must make satisfactory academic progress. A student must become proficient in English in order to succeed at Loyola.