Principles and Policies for Academic Excellence

Loyola University Chicago's English Language Learning Program (ELLP) 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 ELLP community in many ways.

The student also has responsibilities. In order to ensure that each student reaps the full benefits of the ELLP 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. Successful learning communities have mutually beneficial principles and policies. A student's participation in the English Language Learning Program classes will be viewed as an assent to the principles and policies described in this document. Likewise, ELLP Program Faculty and Staff will uphold the following principles and policies.

2. Successful learners are responsible, accountable and mature in accepting responsibility for their 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 her/his ability to engage in a rigorous academic program by successfully completing all courses in which s/he is registered. A test score alone does not measure a student's ability to engage in a course of study and succeed. Often, a student's ELLP instructors will be asked to evaluate a student's class performance based on class participation, completion of all assignments, and grade reports.

• Academic Integrity is expected of all students. Loyola University Chicago has strict policies on incidents of plagiarism. 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. Serious or repeated incidents of plagiarism could result in permanent expulsion from the university. 

3. Successful English language learners use English as often as possible. All languages possess beauty and merit. However, a student's choosing to enroll in Loyola's ELLP Program classes is evidence of her/his decision to develop proficiency in academic American English. Therefore, all students only communicate in English while in ELLP Program classes or other ELLP facilities, including halls, labs and offices, and even when speaking with others who share the same native language. Furthermore, ELLP Program students are expected to use English as they go about their daily lives in the Chicago community.

4. Successful ELLP Program students attend all class sessions, actively participate in class discussions, fulfill all assignments, and complete final exams and projects during the scheduled exam period. 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. To this end, the ELLP Program has instituted the following policies:

• 100% Attendance is expected of all students. If a student is absent due to illness or another serious situation, s/he must notify her/his instructor(s) via email or telephone as soon as possible. If the student does not contact her/his instructor(s) within an appropriate timeframe, the absence will automatically be considered unexcused. Students are always responsible for making up the work they have missed while away from class. Note to F-1 students: Students with excessive absences will be put out of status.
  • Excused Absences: An Excused Absence is absence caused by serious illness/injury, serious illness/injury of a close family member, or observance of a religious holiday not recognized by the university A maximum of 3 Excused Absences is allowed per semester during the academic year (1 per summer session). Students who have more than the maximum number of excused absences will receive a reduction of one full letter grade in the final course grade (e.g. "B" to a "C"). In the event a student is absent more than the maximum number allowed due to extreme circumstances, the student should contact the program director immediately. In such situations, the student may be required to submit official documentation regarding the absence (e.g. letter from doctor).
  • Unexcused Absences: Absences due to travel, tests, out-of-town guests and other non-essential activities are considered Unexcused Absences. Individual instructors may reduce a student's grade due to Unexcused Absences. A final grade of "F" will automatically be assigned to students with 3 or more Unexcused Absences in a class. Students who fail a course due to unexcused absences will not be invited to continue in the ESL Program in subsequent semesters.
  • Tardiness & Early Leaving: All students are expected to begin and end class at the scheduled time. A student is considered Tardy if s/he arrives after the first 5 minutes of class. Individual instructors may reduce a student's grade due to Tardiness or Early Leaving. 2 instances of Tardiness or Early Leaving will be counted as 1 Unexcused Absence.
•  Completion of Final Exams and Projects is expected of all students. Students should not plan to travel before the last day of Final Exams. Final Exams and Projects will be given according to the official university Final Exams schedule. Failure to complete Final Exams and Projects will result in automatic failure of the course(s).

5. Successful ELLP Program students make satisfactory academic progress. Loyola students are expected to be proficient in English. ELLP Program students are expected to maintain passing grades in all ELLP Program courses. ICAP and TOEFL/IELTS waiver students are required to maintain a minimum grade average of "B". Students who do not make satisfactory progress will be put on academic probation and may not be invited to continue in subsequent semesters.