Student Honor and Conduct Codes
The Bluefield State University Student Honor Code and Student Conduct Code provide extensive guidelines on conduct for students attending the college. Students in the Honors College are held to the high standards detailed by these codes and are expected to epitomize ethical and responsible conduct. Honors Scholars should generally value academic integrity, ethical conduct, diversity, and respect for others.
Any violations of these codes above for which Honors Scholars take responsibility or for which they are found to be responsible may be grounds for dismissal from the Honors College. This will be determined on a case-by-case basis by the Honors College Committee or, when required, in collaboration with the Office of Student Affairs. Any infractions of the above policies or codes that result in the Honors Scholar being formally censured, suspended from the University, or banned from the campus are grounds for immediate dismissal from the Honors College.
Probation and Dismissal Policies
Probation is meant to serve as a warning that Honors Scholars are in danger of being dismissed from the Honors College. While on probation, they will not lose any of the privileges extended to them as Honors Scholars. All Honors Scholars placed on probation are required to schedule a meeting with the Honors College Director to develop an action plan to improve their academic performance and/or other student conduct.
If an Honors Scholar’s cumulative GPA falls below the required minimum of 3.5, s/he will be placed on probation with the Honors College.
First-year Honors Scholars will not be placed on Honors probation during their first academic year at the College but will receive a warning email from the Director of Financial Aid and/or the Honors College Director if their cumulative GPA falls below 3.5. The probation period will be for one semester.
Honors Scholars will be removed from the probationary status once their GPA reaches a 3.5 again, that is after the probationary period. If, after the probationary period ends, a student’s cumulative GPA remains below 3.5, s/he will be dismissed from the Honors College.
Honors Scholars who fall below a 3.5 cumulative GPA and remain so for two subsequent full-time semesters will be dismissed from the Honors College.
Honors Scholars who do not take any Honors-enhanced classes for two consecutive semesters (including future semesters) and/or are off-track with their Honors requirements may be subject to probation and will be required to meet with the Honors Director to discuss future Honors coursework.
Honors Scholars who do not annually fulfill the extra-curricular enrichment program Honors Point requirements are subject to probation.
Honors Scholars who are placed on probation or dismissed will receive an e-mail from the Director of the Honors College providing further details and any applicable next steps.
Any Honors Scholar dismissed from the Honors College will be informed in writing by the Director of the Honors College.
An Honors Scholar who has been dismissed from the Honors College will not be allowed to enroll in Honors College courses and will not be eligible for Honors housing.
Appeals of dismissal decisions may be made, if desired, to an ad hoc three-person grievance subcommittee composed of two members of the Honors College Advisory Committee and one official from the Office of Student Affairs.
Honors Scholars must earn a 3.5 cumulative GPA at the time of graduation to complete the Honors College program with honorific designation on their diploma and transcript.
Withdrawal Policies
Honors Scholars who are withdrawn due to external medical emergencies (ex: months-long hospital care) may apply for reinstatement into the Honors College after meeting with the Honors College Director and devise a mutually agreed upon plan of study to complete the Honors requirements. Honors Scholars who do not complete this plan of study may be withdrawn permanently from the Honors College.
Honors Scholars who voluntarily wish to withdraw from the Honors College should contact the Director as well as complete the Honors College Exit Form.
Any Honors Scholar who has received the Honors scholarship and opts to withdraw voluntarily will not be required to repay the Honors scholarship. However, these Honors Scholars will not be eligible to receive the Honors College scholarship again in the future.
Completion Policies
For completion of the Honors College curriculum and honorific designation on their diploma, Honors Scholars must successfully complete all Honors College core courses with a B+ grade or higher starting from their program entry year (freshman or sophomore). Furthermore, they must annually complete all required Honors Points for extra-curricular enrichment. Before
graduation, they must also complete their Honors-Enhanced Course requirements, the Senior Honors Project, and the internship/study-abroad/service-learning project (as per the student’s advisor or academic program).
Failure to complete any of these requirements at the time of graduation will prohibit completion of the program and honorific designation.