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Marlboro College Handbook

Handbook

Academic Information

General Information
36

Financial Aid
48

Policy on Discrimination
53

Interim Policy on Harassment and Sexual Misconduct
55

Faculty
55

Staff
55

Appendix
77

Academic Information

Handbook » Academic Information

Academic Advising

Handbook » Academic Information » Academic Advising

Advising at Marlboro is central to the mission of the College: to "teach students to think clearly and to learn independently within a structured program of liberal studies." Its success depends on three important components: the student, the faculty advisor, and, in support of both, the Director of Advising.

Dedicated Hour

The Dedicated Hour is one of the advising mechanisms by which students and advisors meet on a regular basis on Wednesdays. Advising groups may discuss academic matters and issues of community import and/or engage in context-related activities. Advising groups contain students from each year, and coalesce around a general academic interest.

Responsibilities of the Student

The student's active participation in the advising relationship is crucial to the development and achievement of his or her educational goals. The responsibilities of the student are outlined below.

Responsibilities of the Advisor

The faculty advisor plays a vital role in the intellectual growth of the Marlboro student. The advisor is not only an experienced guide to the curriculum and the institution but is active in helping the student to set educational goals and to work toward meeting them. The advisor's help occurs in different ways at two distinct times during the student's undergraduate years: (1) in the first two years when the student is discovering new avenues of learning, sharpening skills, and building a foundation for advanced work; and (2) in the final two years when the student is on Plan, committed to a narrower and more focused study.

While the advisor is expected to introduce, inform, and offer advice, the most critical part of the advisor's role is to listen, discuss, challenge, assist, collaborate, and model activities that are a natural extension of teaching. The responsibilities of the advisor are listed below.

Responsibilities of the Director of Advising

The Director of Advising coordinates all aspects of academic advising, including:

Academic Credit

Handbook » Academic Information » Academic Credit

One academic credit corresponds to approximately 40 hours of work, inside and outside of class, over the appropriate time period.

Credit Load

The normal full-time course load is 15 credits. In order to meet the graduation requirement of 120 credits, a student must average 15 credits per semester over 4 years. The minimum allowable load for a full-time student is 12 credits per semester. Entering freshmen and students on academic probation may find a load of fewer than 15 credits advantageous, though signing up for just 12 credits has its own risks.

The maximum allowable load (without additional charge) is 18 credits of active work per semester. Students may register for more than 18 credits only by vote of the faculty. There is a fee for each credit in excess of 18, payable in advance (see Special Fees).

Class Standing

The following are the number of earned credits generally corresponding to a student's class standing:

Please note that class standing is also dependent upon Plan progress and credit distribution, as outlined elsewhere in the academic regulations (e.g., a student may have enough earned credits to qualify as a Senior 1 according to the above chart but not enough credits on Plan, so his/her status may actually be Junior 2). In addition, restrictions apply to credits transferred from other colleges, credits by examination, or credits earned through Advanced Placement or CLEP. (See also Credit Placement.)

Students receiving VA benefits must consult the Registrar to make sure they are in compliance with VA rules.

International students must consult with the Registrar's Office (currently overseeing international students' visas) to be sure they are in compliance with their visa status.

Dropping a Course

Students wishing to drop a course must submit to the Registrar the appropriate form (available outside the Registrar's Office or on the web; see Forms) signed by both the academic advisor and the faculty instructor. Students may drop a course up to 2 weeks (or posted date) after final course selection without the course appearing on the permanent record. Full-time students are not allowed to drop credits if doing so would bring them below full-time (12 credits) status at any point in the semester.

Withdrawing From a Course

If a student withdraws from a course after the deadline for dropping a course, a grade of WP (withdrew passing) or WF (withdrew failing) must be assigned by the instructor. Students must withdraw from a course by submitting completed paperwork to the Registrar, at least one week prior to the last day of classes to avoid receiving a letter grade (A-F). Full-time students are not allowed to drop credits if doing so would bring them below full-time (12 credits) status at any point in the semester.

Credits assigned to the course will still be counted in the total for the semester but will be considered inactive. Students are permitted a maximum of 18 credits of active course work. An extra charge will be assessed whenever a student is enrolled for more than 18 credits of active course work in a semester.

Adding a Course

Students wishing to add a course after final registration must submit to the Registrar, at least one week prior to the last day of classes, the appropriate form signed by both the academic advisor and the faculty instructor.

Changing Credits for a Course

Students may, with the consent of the instructor, increase or decrease the credits of a course, up to one week prior to the last day of classes, by submitting to the Registrar the appropriate form signed by both the academic advisor and the faculty instructor. Faculty reserve the right to change credits through the end of the semester. Other policies may apply for incompletes and in absentia work. Students are expected to maintain accurate registration schedules during the semester. Full-time students are not allowed to drop credits if doing so would bring them below full-time (12 credits) status at any point in the semester.

Course Repeats

Some courses build skills or change in ways that make them repeatable regardless of grades given. Official descriptions for such courses include the statement "May be repeated for additional credit."

For other courses, the following rules apply: 1) A student may repeat a course for credit, once only, if he/she has earned a grade of D or F. Both courses and their grades remain permanently on the transcript; however, the credits will be earned only in the course with the higher grade. 2) A course with a final grade of Permanent Incomplete (PI), WP or WF will count as one attempt and may be repeated only once for credit. 3) A student receiving an Unsatisfactory Plan grade may not enroll subsequently for the same or similar course if the initial U will convert to degree credits upon completion of the Plan.

Incompletes

Incomplete grades may be granted only by the Dean of Students (for medical reasons) or the Dean of the Faculty (for non-medical reasons).

A Medical Incomplete is granted only upon the recommendation of a member of the Medical Staff (doctor/nurse/counselor), or when, in the Dean of Students’ opinion, extraordinary circumstances prevent the student from completing required work within a normal grading period. It is the student's responsibility to consult with the Medical Staff and request a medical incomplete from the Dean of Students at the time of illness or as soon as possible thereafter. The Medical Staff will consult with the Dean of Students regarding the student's inability to perform his or her academic work. An Incomplete will not be granted upon the word of a non-Marlboro medical professional unless the condition is confirmed by the Marlboro Medical Staff.

A Non-Medical Incomplete may be granted by the Dean of Faculty if extraordinary circumstances make it impossible for a student to complete work on time. A family emergency or outside catastrophe beyond the control of the student may warrant an Incomplete. Incompletes are not granted in cases of time mismanagement or to relieve end-of-term pressures of credit overload.

In either case, the student must complete a form (obtained from the appropriate Dean or the Director of Advising) which outlines the work to be completed and a deadline for completion of the work. The form must be signed by the faculty member for the course, the appropriate Dean, Medical Staff (if a Medical Incomplete), and the student.

Work is to be completed as soon as possible so that the student and the faculty member do not carry an additional load of work into the following semester. Faculty members are asked to submit a grade to the Registrar as soon as the work is completed. If a final grade is not given by the date set for completion of the work, faculty members will be asked to submit a final grade. It is possible for the student to receive a Permanent Incomplete; further, in rare cases, a grade may be given for reduced credit.

Academic Standing

Handbook » Academic Information » Academic Standing

Handbook » Academic Information

In order to be in good academic standing, a full-time student must earn at least 12 credits with grades of C- or better. (See also Credit Load.) A full-time student who earns 9-11 credits will be liable for probation. A full-time student earning fewer than 9 credits is liable for dismissal. (See also Academic Probation and Disciplinary Action.)

Academic Year

Handbook » Academic Information » Academic Year

Marlboro College follows a calendar of two semesters each year.

Bachelor's Degree

Handbook » Academic Information » Bachelor's Degree

Marlboro offers both the Bachelor of Arts and the Bachelor of Science degrees.

Graduation Requirements

World Studies Program Requirements

Students in the World Studies Program must fulfill the following requirements in addition to those above:

Transfer Credits

Transfer students receive credit for courses taken at accredited institutions when those courses correspond to courses offered at Marlboro, and when the student has earned a grade of C- or better. (See also Academic Credit.) WSP transfer students must meet all the curricular requirements of WSP; a student may apply to the Director of World Studies to have a requirement met with transfer credits.

Bachelor of Science Degree

The Bachelor of Science degree in the Natural Sciences has minimum requirements which include:

See: Master’s Degree.

Clear Writing Requirement

Handbook » Academic Information » Clear Writing Requirement

General Information: Clear writing both promotes and reflects clear thinking; it is thus a skill essential to a Marlboro education. The College therefore requires all students to show that they can write clear, well-argued and correct expository prose, to help them succeed in courses and tutorials and, ultimately, in the Plan of Concentration. Students meet this requirement by presenting to the Faculty a twenty- page portfolio within three semesters of matriculation, except as provided below.

The Clear Writing Program

The Clear Writing Program helps students develop the skills they need to meet the Clear Writing Requirement. Associated with the Program are the resources described below:

The English Committee is composed of the writing instructors and four other faculty members (one from each area of the curriculum). The committee

The Chair of the English Committee is a full-time writing instructor. At the end of each academic year, the full-time writing instructors, upon consultation with the English Committee (and, if necessary, with the Dean of Faculty), decide which of them will serve as Chair in the coming year.

The Chair oversees the Committee's administration of the Clear Writing Requirement regulations and, in association with the other writing instructors, coordinates the day-to-day operations of the Clear Writing Program. Further, the Chair attends to the administrative details surrounding

The Chair, upon consultation with the English Committee (and, when necessary, with the appropriate Dean), grants exceptions to the regulations governing the Clear Writing Requirement when individual cases warrant.

The Writing Instructors are faculty members whose primary academic responsibility is to teach courses that enable students to develop their writing skills. In addition to serving as permanent members of the English Committee, the Writing Instructors evaluate Placement Exams at the beginning of each semester and appoint, train, and oversee the Writing Tutors.

The Designated Writing Teachers are faculty members who teach Designated Writing Courses, thus enabling students to work on their writing skills in all areas of the curriculum. Generally, each division of the curriculum provides at least one Designated Writing Course per semester, but no faculty member is expected to teach more than one Designated Writing Course per year.

The Learning Resource Center provides information, workshops, and assistance to the college community in matters relating study skills, learning and teaching strategies, and learning styles. Accommodations granted under the ADA and Section 508 are made through the Dean of Students office. Students can receive regular academic support tutorials through the Learning Resources Center. These tutorials focus on the development of an effective writing process, strategies for managing large amounts of reading, and organizing time, materials, and ideas.

The Student Writing Tutors are Work-Study students of sophomore standing or above who are selected by the Writing Instructors and trained to help other students improve their writing. The Writing Tutors report to the Writing Instructors, with whom they meet periodically during the semester.

Procedures for Meeting the Clear Writing Requirement

  1. Orientation Week: the Writing Placement Examination

    During Orientation, all matriculating students take a mandatory writing placement examination. The English Committee, together with other members of the faculty, reads the examinations and gives the students a 'caret' mark which designates a recommendation.

    ^ (up caret): Student should contract for a Designated Writing Course (DWC) for first semester; Elements of Style (EoS) or Writing Seminar (WS) as second semester backup.

    > (side caret): Student should contract for either a DWC or WS the first semester; WS or EoS as a second semester backup.

    v (down caret): Student should contract for a WS the first semester; second semester backup should be WS and/or EoS.

    There are no exemptions from the Clear Writing Requirement. All students, no matter which caret they receive, must submit a portfolio for the Clear Writing Requirement by the end of their second semester of enrollment.

  2. The First Year: the Writing Courses

    Designated Writing Courses ("DWCs") are regular courses in a variety of disciplines in which students must write at least 20 pages per semester. It is assumed that students in designated writing courses will write several short papers over the course of the semester, so they can work with their teachers on whatever weaknesses affect their writing.

    Any course not already designated a writing course may be so designated for an individual student by arrangement with the instructor and the Chair of the English Committee.

    Until they are writing at Plan level, students who have passed the Clear Writing Requirement are expected to take one course requiring substantial and regular writing per semester between the time they meet the Requirement and the time at which they submit a Preliminary Plan Application.

    Writing Links are 4-credit writing courses that are linked to other courses in the curriculum (usually Designated Writing Courses). Students in writing links draw the content of their papers from their "linked" courses; in the writing link itself they work intensively on the writing of those papers. Students who contract for a writing seminar may fulfill the contract by taking a writing link and an associated DWC. Students taking writing links may also take Elements of Style or a second designated writing course during the same semester.

    Writing Seminars are 4-credit, topic-based courses designed for students who need to work intensively on their reading and writing skills in order to meet the Requirement. Students who contract for a writing seminar may also take a designated writing course during the same semester.

    Elements of Style is a 3- or 4-credit course that focuses on grammar and style. The course is designed for students who already have a grasp of the basic elements of argument and structure but who need to work further on style. Students taking Elements of Style may also take a designated writing course or a writing seminar in the same semester.

    Students will be admitted to writing seminars, writing links and Elements of Style in the first semester only if there is space. First preference in writing seminars and writing links goes to down carets, second preference goes to side carets.

  3. The Writing Contract and the Timetable for Submissions

    Once students have discussed their caret scores and the recommendations of the writing teachers with their advisors, they sign a Writing Contract that commits them to a strategy for meeting the writing requirement within three semesters. (See the sample Writing Contract). The Writing Contract indicates which type of writing course students will take in their first semester, and which "backup course" they she will take in the second.

    All students must submit a portfolio to the English Committee by the end of their second semester (see "Submission of a Portfolio," below); they are encouraged to submit a portfolio at the end of their first semester. Students who either

    1. do not submit a portfolio in their first semester, or
    2. submit a portfolio but do not pass the Clear Writing requirement in their first semester

    are expected to take the backup course for which they have contracted.

  4. Submission of a Portfolio

    A writing portfolio consists of twenty pages of expository writing assigned in Marlboro classes. (See Guidelines for Portfolio Submission below for details.)

    Full-time freshmen and sophomores are required to submit a writing portfolio for evaluation by the English Committee by the end of their second semester of full-time enrollment. Students are encouraged to submit a portfolio by the end of their first semester in order to better assess their strengths and weaknesses. Students should consult with their writing instructors and their academic advisors about submitting in their first semester.

    Full-time transfer students have the same rights and responsibilities regarding portfolio submission as entering freshman do. Students transferring as juniors or seniors, however, must submit a portfolio at the end of their first semester of enrollment, and every semester thereafter until they have met the requirement. Junior and Senior transfer students who do not meet the Clear Writing Requirement by the second semester of their senior year will not be allowed to work further on Plan until they meet the Clear Writing Requirement.

    Part-time freshmen and sophomores must submit a portfolio at the end of the first semester by which they have earned 30 Marlboro credits; they are urged to submit at the end of their first semester. Part-time students whose portfolio does not meet the Requirement in their first submission must submit a portfolio each semester thereafter; if they have not met the Requirement by the time they have accumulated 45 credits, they will be subject to discontinuance.

    Part-time junior and senior transfers must submit a portfolio at the end of the first semester by which they have earned 15 Marlboro credits; they are urged as well to submit at the end of their first semester. Part- time juniors and seniors who do not meet the requirement in their first submission must submit a portfolio each semester thereafter. Part-time juniors and seniors who do not meet the writing requirement by the time they have reached "Senior 2" status will not be allowed to work further on Plan until they meet the writing requirement.

    Students who submit portfolios as required but do not meet the Clear Writing Requirement by the end of their second semester (or, in the case of Junior and Senior transfers, by the end of their first semester) will be allowed to submit again at the end of the following semester.

  5. Guidelines for Portfolio Submission

    Portfolios that do not comply with these guidelines will be disqualified, and students submitting them in the second semester will not be allowed a third semester in which to meet the Requirement.

    Content

    • All papers submitted must be non-fiction, and all must have been written for Marlboro classes or tutorials.
    • If a paper has not yet been graded by a Marlboro instructor, its authenticity must be validated by the instructor's signature.
    • At least one essay must incorporate research. Research papers should show substantial consultation of at least three different sources (not including the primary text(s) the paper discusses); they should also exhibit standard bibliographical form: i.e., either footnotes or parenthetical
      • references, depending on the discipline, and a bibliography or list of works cited.

    Page Requirements

    • The portfolio must contain at least 20 full pages of text. Pages of footnotes, bibliography, or charts, are not counted in the total number of pages submitted. Pages must average at least 250 words each; hence, the entire submission must be at least 5,000 words.
    • A student may submit one 20-page paper or several essays. At least one of the essays submitted must exceed five full pages in length.

    Format

    • All the submitted essays must be placed in a folder (not an envelope). The front of the folder must clearly display the following information:
      • student's full name
      • student's home address
      • advisor's name
      • student's class standing (e.g., first semester freshman)
      • number of the submission (e.g., first submission to the English Committee)
    • All submissions must be printed in an appropriate typeface and dark print, double-spaced on 8 1/2 X 11 inch paper with 1-inch margins.
    • Each essay should be stapled in the upper left hand corner and the pages numbered.
    • Each essay must have a title page which displays, in addition to the title of the paper, the student's name, the course title, the course instructor's name, the date the paper was submitted to the instructor, and a brief description of the assignment.
    • Printed papers that have been neatly corrected in ink may be submitted; papers which would be difficult to read because of corrections should be reprinted. If there is any doubt, revise and reprint.
    • If the submitted essay is reprinted or rewritten, the student must clip it to the original, graded essay.

  6. Evaluation of Portfolios

    Portfolios are evaluated by the English Committee, with the assistance of other members of the faculty. No reader may evaluate portfolios that contain papers assigned in his/her class; the student's papers, therefore, must stand on their own as pieces which can be understood by an intelligent reader in any field. Each portfolio is evaluated by two readers; if evaluations differ, the portfolio is given to a third reader.

    One of the two readers for portfolios submitted by students who have not met the Clear Writing Requirement in the previous semester must be a member of the English Committee. All six members of the committee read portfolios of students subject to discontinuance before the recommendation to discontinue is made.

    Portfolio Scores

    The faculty readers each fill out a Writing Profile Evaluation of the portfolio in which they evaluate, on a scale of 1 to 4, the papers' rhetorical/conceptual strength, structure, grammar, syntax, punctuation, diction, and bibliographical accuracy. The scale appears below.

    1. Numerous, flagrant problems demonstrate need for immediate remedial study.
    2. The pattern of errors indicates that the writer has an uncertain grasp of indicated elements.
    3. The writing is fundamentally sound, but the pattern of problems suggests careless editing and/or breaches of formal precision.
    4. The papers demonstrate clear and consistent grasp of writing skills. There may be occasional errors in judgment, but overall the papers demonstrate a masterful command of both the subject and the writing.

    A score of 3.0 indicates the achievement of writing skills that will allow the student to continue successfully at Marlboro. A score of 3.5 or above indicates that the student is approaching the minimum level of expertise required for Plan.

    Results of the evaluation:

    Students who receive evaluations of 3.0 or higher on their portfolios have met the Requirement, but they should work on problems noted by their readers. These students should continue to take courses and tutorials that require them to write, so that they will not lose their skills as they progress toward Plan.

    Students who receive an evaluation below 3.0 on either a first- or second-semester submission must compile a new portfolio that demonstrates their writing progress; to this end, students must take the backup course for which they have contracted. These students are required to submit a portfolio by the end of the next semester.

    Second- and third-submission portfolios must contain a minimum of ten pages of writing from the current semester, and the writing included from previous submissions should show signs of substantial recent revision.

    English Discontinuance

    All students who have not received an evaluation of 3.0 or better on their portfolios by the end of their third semester are subject to discontinuance upon faculty vote, unless the English Committee, the academic advisor of the studen in question, the Dean of Faculty and the Director of Advising jointly recommends a fourth semester and the faculty approves the recommendation.

    Students will be discontinued automatically if

    a) they do not submit a portfolio at the end of their second semester;

    b) they submit a portfolio at the end of the second semester which is disqualified by the English Committee; or

    c) they do not fulfil the terms of their Writing Contracts and submit a failing portfolio at the end of their second semester.

    Exceptions will only be granted if the student receives a Dean's Excuse, and if that excuse is received by the English Committee BEFORE the portfolio due date. When students are notified of their discontinuance, they receive a Clear Writing Requirement Contract for reinstatement to help guide them through the reinstatement process. (See the sample Clear Writing Requirement Contract For Reinstatement.)

    In no case will a student be granted more than a total of four semesters to pass the Requirement.

Reapplying After English Discontinuance

As the Clear Writing Requirement Contract for Reinstatement indicates, after not less than three months and not more than two years from the date of discontinuance, students who have been discontinued and wish to be reinstated must submit a reinstatement portfolio that consists of ten pages of new writing to the English Committee for evaluation.

To produce their reinstatement portfolios, discontinlued students must enroll in a composition course at an accredited community college or college other than Marlboro. Academic credit may be transferred to Marlboro if a grade of C-or better has been earned.

The reinstatement portfolio may also be the product of a private tutorial taken with a faculty member of an accredited community college or college other than Marlboro.

Both the student and the instructor must sign the Contract For Reinstatement. The student's tutor or composition course instructor must also sign the cover page of each submission in the reinstatement portfolio.

If the English Committee judges the reinstatement portfolio to be of sufficient quality, the student must then take an on-campus writing evaluation to confirm the integrity of the submission. The Chair of the English Committee reads the writing evaluation.

Students who are readmitted re-enter Marlboro College for one conditional semester. At the end of that semester, they must submit a twenty page Clear Writing Requirement portfolio to the English Committee for review. (See Submission of a Portfolio.) The ten pages of new writing used in a student's reinstatement portfolio may not under any circumstances be used in the portfolio submitted to the English Committee for completion of the Clear Writing Requirement.

Students who remain discontinued for 2 years or longer will be considered withdrawn from the College. These students must apply to the College through the Dean of Faculty, who will consult with the English Committee. Students thus readmitted must follow the regular procedure for readmittance after discontinuance: i.e., submit ten pages of new writing, take an on-campus writing evaluation, and submit a 20-page portfolio at the end of the semester.

Credit Placement

Handbook » Academic Information » Credit Placement

Advanced Placement Examinations

The Advanced Placement Program, sponsored by the College Board and administered by Educational Testing Service, offers secondary school students the opportunity to participate in challenging college-level course work while still in high school. Marlboro College will grant up to 4 credits per exam for Advanced Placement Examinations with a score of 4 or 5. No more than 16 credits in total may be granted by Marlboro College for acceptable levels of performance on approved standardized examinations. Such credit may not apply towards the Plan of Concentration. Students should be aware that adding AP or other exam and transfer credits to their record will accelerate their progress toward Plan-related requirements. AP credits are awarded only at the beginning of any semester and generally only through the Sophomore 2 semester; no exam or transfer credits may be removed from the transcript once added.

CLEP (College Level Examination Program)

CLEP is a national program of credits by examination that allows students to obtain recognition for college-level achievement in Subject Examinations. Marlboro College grants 4 transfer credits for each qualifying exam, equivalent to one semester of work, if the score is equivalent to a grade B or better. A maximum of 8 transfer credits for CLEP examinations is allowed. For a list of examinations offered through CLEP, see their website: http//www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/clep/exams.html (Please note that CLEP no longer offers the General Examinations for English Composition, Humanities, Sciences/History, College Mathematics, and Natural Sciences.)

International Baccalaureate

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program is a rigorous course of study, leading to examinations. Marlboro College will award credit for higher level examinations with scores of 6 or 7. Each course will be awarded four credits.

Important: No more than 24 credits in total may be granted by Marlboro College for acceptable levels of performance on approved standardized examinations. Such credit may not apply towards the Plan of Concentration.

Transfer Credit

Transfer students receive credit for comparable liberal arts course at accredited institutions if they have received grades of C- or better. Approval by Marlboro faculty in the equivalent area may be necessary where there is any question about the equivalence of a course or the level of performance or about the suitability of the course to the Marlboro curriculum. Transfer students who have earned R.N.'s from accredited nursing schools with three-year programs will automatically be granted at least 30 credits, or one year's work, toward the Marlboro degree. All transfer students must earn at Marlboro at least one-quarter of the credits counted toward their graduation.

Junior transfer students, if their previous records permit, normally are encouraged to start a Plan of Concentration as soon as possible after enrollment at the College. However, a junior transfer whose record does not meet the standard Marlboro prerequisites for Plan would normally be expected to spend an extra semester or more at the College. Students who are transferring into the World Studies Program must consult with the Director of World Studies regarding transfer credit.

Deposits

Handbook » Academic Information » Deposits

The Enrollment Deposit described below is applied to a student’s account balance and does not represent additional fees.

A non-refundable Enrollment Deposit of $300 is payable by April 15 for returning students and May 1 for new students accepted before that date, or within 10 days for students who are accepted after that date. The Enrollment Deposit is credited toward the spring semester bill. Failure to deposit on or before the due date may result in the delay of a student’s financial aid award or jeopardize a campus housing assignment. A student may be administratively withdrawn if a deposit is not paid.

A returning student readmitted after May 1 or November 1, must pay an enrollment deposit within ten days of the reinstatement date. A student wishing to use all or part of a credit balance as an enrollment deposit for the following semester may do so by notifying the Office of Student Accounts in writing on or before the deposit due date.

A student who pays the enrollment deposit and is subsequently granted a leave of absence before August 1 is not entitled to a refund. The retained deposit is applied to the spring semester of the academic year in which the student returns. After August 1, the Dean of Faculty will grant a leave of absence only in cases of emergency and unforeseeable, personal, family or medical hardship. A student will be granted an official leave of absence after completing a change of status form and submitting the form to the Director of Academic Advising.

A student who pays the enrollment deposit and subsequently withdraws is entitled to a refund if the student notifies the Dean of Students on or before May 1. A student intending to officially withdraw is required to notify the Registrar’s Office and to arrange an exit interview with the Director of Academic Advising and the Associate Director of Financial Aid.

An additional non-refundable enrollment fee will be due when a student studies abroad. This fee shall not exceed $300.

Registration/Enrollment

College registration or enrollment and final course selection are essential processes for establishing status as a student at Marlboro College.

All new and returning students are expected to register at the College on the date specified in the academic calendar. Student enrollment takes place in the auditorium. The Associate Dean of Students Office issues room keys, photo IDs, and meal plan stickers. The Plant and Operations Office issues automobile registration. The Total Health Center will copy the student primary insurance information and issue a secondary insurance identification card.

On Registration/Enrollment Day or within 48 hours of arrival on campus, every student who brings a motor-propelled vehicle to College must register this vehicle with the Plant and Operations Office on the form provided. In addition, students must register any firearms by serial number with the Dean of Students Office as soon as the firearms are brought to the College.

Denial of Enrollment: The College reserves the right to deny enrollment to students who have not fulfilled their financial obligations to the College. Enrollment will also be denied to any international student without an appropriate student visa.

Students who have not satisfactorily enrolled by the final course registration date will not be allowed to attend courses, tutorials or other academic college related activities for the semester, or to earn credit for the semester.

Students are expected to consult with their academic advisors and formulate a plan of study within the first few days of the term. Complete course information must be listed on the Course Registration Form which must also be signed by the academic advisor. The form is filed with the Registrar no later than the published date for final course registration at the beginning of each semester. Certification as a student at Marlboro College occurs only after a Course Registration Form has been filed.

Disability Services

Handbook » Academic Information » Disability Services

Marlboro College encourages academically qualified students with disabilities to take advantage of its educational programs. The College is responsible for ensuring that courses, programs, services, jobs, activities and facilities are accessible and usable in the most integrated and appropriate settings. Section 504 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the American with Disabilities Act of 1990 maintain that no qualified individual with disabilities shall, solely on the basis of his or her disability, be excluded from participation in, be denied benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity in higher education.

Accommodations

It is the responsibility of the student to make the college aware of a documented disability and the need for accommodation(s). There must be evidence that the disability substantially limits one or more major life activities related to learning. To allow reasonable time for arranging services, the student should provide appropriate documentation of his or her disability to the College as soon as possible (preferably 4 weeks prior to the beginning of classes or the requested accommodation is needed.) Accommodations cannot be retroactive. Reasonable accommodations are provided to ensure that all students have equal access to the educational opportunities at Marlboro College.

Documentation

Documentation of a disability must follow these general guidelines:

  1. Documentation of the disability must be from an appropriate health care provider (e.g., physician, psychologist, psychiatrist).
  2. Documentation materials must be up-to-date (evaluation of disability must have occurred within the last 3 years), on official letterhead, and signed by the health care provider.
  3. Documentation must include the following items:
    • type of disability;
    • functional limitations that arise from the disability;
    • specific statement of the duration of the functional limitations, as well as any distance limitations;
    • suggested recommendations for effective reasonable accommodations in a college setting.
  4. The College reserves the right to judge the appropriateness, timeliness and source of the documentation materials.

Grievance Procedure

See Policy on Discrimination

Contact

Students requesting accommodations should contact Megan Littlehales, Coordinator of Disability Services

Fees and Billing

Handbook » Academic Information » Fees and Billing

The Office of Student Accounts issues bills to the mailing address provided by the student. As stated on the Billing Information Form, it is the policy of Marlboro College to deal directly with its students as adults. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 gives students the right to control disclosure of personally identifiable information contained in their education records. However, in the case of students who are claimed as dependents, the College has the right to consult with either parent. Only in rare cases, where questions regarding a bill remain unresolved, will the College exercise this right.

Bills for the fall semester are issued on or before June 15th; payment is due on or before July 15th. Bills for the spring semester are issued on or before October 31st; payment is due on or before November 30th. A late payment fee of $100 is charged if payment is received after the due date. Interest is charged on the unpaid balance at the maximum legal rate. We expect balances to be paid in full by the due date on the bill. Tuition is due in advance of each semester as noted above.

The bill for a full-time resident student for the fall 2008 semester consists of the following:

Tuition
$15,570.00
Activities fee
$90.00
Comprehensive health fee
$860.00*
Board (20 meals per week)
$2,030.00
Room
$2,490.00
TOTAL
$21,040.00

* The mandatory non-refundable comprehensive health fee includes a supplemental health policy and the health center usage fee. The policy provides coverage for an entire year beginning August 16 and remains effective until August 15 of the following year even if a student withdraws from the College. Students who enroll only in the spring semester are responsible for a prorated fee of $570; coverage remains in effect until August 15. J1 Visa students should refer to the Marlboro College Tuition Fees for 2008-2009 academic year for current comprehensive health fee price.

The bill for a full-time non-resident student includes tuition, comprehensive health fee, and activities fee.

Part-time students are assessed tuition fees per credit and are not eligible for campus housing. Part-time matriculated students pay $1,038 per credit, plus the student activities fee of $90. The comprehensive health fee is required if registered for at least 8 credits. Meal tickets are available in the student accounts office.

Students who register for at least 6 credits may be eligible for financial aid. Part-time non-matriculated students (not working for a degree) are charged $1,038 per credit.

Field Trips

Handbook » Academic Information » Field Trips

For additional information please see the Field Trips section of the International Opportunities website.

Marlboro encourages international field trips and supports efforts to develop them. All international group trips supported by College funds or staffed by College employees are Marlboro-sponsored trips and must be reviewed according to the process outlined below.

Credit for field trips may be awarded only by a regular faculty member or one who holds a continuing appointment, and should depend on the duration of the trip and activities pursued. In no case will a student earn more than 36 credits in one academic year without paying additional tuition. Students who have been enrolled for only one semester of an academic year will be charged additional tuition for any credits in excess of 18.

Trip organizers are encouraged to develop trips that are accessible and affordable to all members of the community. All trips must be self-supporting, paid for with a combination of participant fees and grant funds, where available.

Early in the planning process, trip leaders must prepare a budget in consultation with the Student Accounts office. Following the trip, an expense ledger and receipts must be submitted to the Student Accounts office.

Review Process

Marlboro-sponsored trips that send students to foreign countries go through a review process. The Dean of Faculty or Dean of Students, as appropriate, approves non-curricular components of trips with the assistance of the Committee for World Studies. (Trips of 4 days or less may be arranged with the approval of the Dean of Faculty for academic trips or the Dean of Students for non-academic trips. Proposed re-runs of trips that have been approved in the past with the same leaders need not be reviewed by the Committee but may be taken directly to the Dean of Faculty or Dean of Students for approval.)

It is the responsibility of the trip leader to provide the following to the Committee for World Studies at least 2 months before departure:

The Committee for World Studies reviews the materials and forwards comments to the trip leader and the Deans within 2 weeks of receiving the proposal. Either Dean may approve the proposal. Approval of a field trip destination does not signify that the College guarantees safe travel. Approval for field trips may be withdrawn should conditions in the destination deteriorate prior to departure.

Pre-Departure Orientation

All international trips must include a pre-departure orientation that includes:

  1. Group health and safety briefing with the Total Health Center (and individual session with each participant to review individual health concerns)
  2. Guidelines for functioning effectively and appropriately in the host culture
  3. State Department travel advisories and information about legal matters in which neither the U.S. government nor the College can intervene
  4. Review of logistics (departure and arrival times, packing list, map, telephone numbers, etc.)
  5. Required documentation (waiver of liability, emergency information, complete itinerary with in-country contacts, photocopies of passports and airline tickets).

The World Studies Office will arrange the orientation in cooperation with the trip leader and will provide all participants with CDC health information and State Department travel advisories for the destination. All participants are required to register with the US Embassy prior to the trip. This can be done on the web at https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/. Due to the Privacy Act participants must individually register. The World Studies office can assist those who need help. Every trip must leave a detailed itinerary with in-country contact phone numbers on file with the World Studies Office (which will distribute copies to the Dean of Faculty, Dean of Students, and receptionist). All participants must be covered by College insurance (or document equivalent coverage), participate in the health and safety orientation prior to departure, and sign a waiver of liability.

In-Country Trip Management

Trip leaders should report regularly (via email or telephone) to the College on the group’s progress. The World Studies Office can be a point of contact for family members with questions or concerns. All trips into wilderness and far from medical facilities must include a designated leader with a current First Aid/CPR or First Responder certificate.

Follow-Up

Trip leaders should prepare a report after the trip including suggestions for future trips to the region and in-country contacts who may be helpful. Reports should be filed in the World Studies Office.

Field Trips Within the United States

Protocols for domestic field trips are in development. Faculty intending to lead students on an academic or course-related trip of any length off-campus should consult the Dean of Faculty for guidance. College employees planning non-academic student trips should consult the Dean of Students. Any field trip in which Marlboro students are taken off-campus must be approved by one of the two Deans.

Fines

Handbook » Academic Information » Fines

Late Payment Fee: A fee of $100 is charged if payment is not received by the due date.

Late/Provisional Enrollment Fee: A fee of $100 is charged if a student fails to register on enrollment day.

Late Registration Fee: A fee of $100 is charged if a student fails to file their course registration with the Registrar's office by the deadline.

Late Motor Vehicle or Firearm Registration Fee: $25 plus $10 for each successive day, or portion thereof, after the appropriate deadline.

Return Check Charge: There is a $20.00 charge for each check returned by your bank.

Grades

Handbook » Academic Information » Grades

The College defines its grades as follows:

A = superb performance; unqualified recommendation for continued work in a particular field
B = average to good work; a qualified encouragement for continued work in a particular field
C = acceptable work
D = unsatisfactory work; credit given toward graduation requirements, but not toward the minimum of 12 credits needed for good standing at the end of each term;
F = failure, no credit
P = Pass: equivalent to a C- or better
S = Satisfactory progress (midterm or progress grade)
S- = Less than satisfactory progress (midterm or progress grade). S and S- are equivalent to C- or better.
U = Unsatisfactory (midterm or progress grade)
WD= Did not complete work after medical leave
WP= Withdrew from course passing
WF= Withdrew from course failing
AU = Audit
I = Incomplete; temporary grade granted by Dean of Faculty for extenuating circumstances or Dean of Students for medical reasons
NC = No credit; given in Brattleboro Music Center courses when the student fails to pay fees for lessons
* = see Senior Grades, below

Thus, an A in an introductory course is an unqualified recommendation that a student go on to intermediate or advanced courses in that field. An A on a Plan should indicate a teacher's willingness to write a letter of unqualified recommendation to a graduate school in that field. A student doing C work may do a Plan in that field if the Sponsor agrees, but he or she should be aware that his or her work will likely be undistinguished.

Uniformity of Grading

No faculty member may use a grading system different from that used by the rest of his or her colleagues, unless it has first won approval by means of faculty vote.

Changing a Grade

Grades may not be changed after the final faculty meeting of a term without written permission from the Dean of Faculty.

Junior Grades

During the first year on Plan standard grades (A-F) are given in courses and tutorials (see also Plan of Concentration).

Senior Grades

Seniors normally receive progress grades (S, S-, U) for Plan classes and tutorials taken in the two semesters of their senior year. These grades appear on a student's transcript until after the oral evaluation, at which point the Registrar replaces progress grades with asterisks (*) on the transcript. The "*" leads to a statement under the Final Plan Grade: "Applies to all senior year Plan courses and tutorials." U grades remain on the transcript and the student receives no credit for that course or tutorial, unless the student completes the relevant work before graduation. In that case, the faculty member responsible for that course or tutorial may change the U to an S or S- by submitting the appropriate form, by the final Faculty Meeting of the semester in which the student graduates. The progress grades of seniors who do not complete their Plans remain as S, S-, or U. For the purpose of transferring Marlboro credits for classes and tutorials with progress grades, S and S- are considered equivalent to C- or better.

Faculty sponsors, in consultation with teacher(s) of individual courses (if these are different people), may permit seniors to receive letter grades for courses on Plan taken either semester of the senior year. Courses that continue for more than one semester must receive the same treatment both semesters. The standard letter grade option is not available for Plan tutorials: senior Plan tutorials always receive progress grades. The deadline for submitting the signed form permitting a senior grade for a class coincides with the deadline for dropping a course. Standard grades remain on the transcript after the oral evaluation (i.e., they are not replaced with asterisks as with progress grades).

Seniors under the cumulative grading system who do not complete their Plan, will (for transfer purposes) receive an S or S- in courses they have completed at a satisfactory level.

Pass/Fail Option

After the first semester of the freshman year, a student may register on a pass/fail basis for up to two courses. These courses may not be taken in the same semester. The deadline for registering for a course on a Pass/Fail basis is two weeks after final registration.

This option is designed to encourage diversity and is available with the permission of the advisor. Advisors should grant such permission only in cases where the proposed course serves to introduce the student to new areas of study.

Final Plan Grades on the Transcript

Under the heading "Plan of Concentration Description and Evaluation" there will appear on the transcript: (1) a description of the Plan; (2) a listing of the individual parts of the Plan, along with the associated percentages and the individual grades assigned by the examining committee; and (3) the final or composite grade. (See also Grades under Plan of Concentration).

GPA

The College does not use grade-point averages, nor does it assign class rankings. Students required to compute the GPA for transfer or graduate school applications should use the following method:

Use assigned letter grades for freshman, sophomore, and junior years and for senior year non-Plan courses; use final Plan grade for Plan credits in the senior year, regardless of whether those courses/tutorials have letter grades or asterisks.

A detailed guide for computing your GPA ("how to Compute Your Grade Point Average") may be obtained from the Registrar's Office.

Reporting of Grades and Academic Status

Grades will be reported to the student. Upon the request of the student, grades will also be sent to parents and/or guardian. It is the student's responsibility to inform his or her parents of academic progress. However, parents or guardians of dependent students will be notified at midterm when a student is in danger of academic dismissal or English discontinuance and at the end of the semester whenever a student has been placed on academic probation, has been dismissed, discontinued, or is no longer on academic probation.

Evaluations of Student Work

Each instructor is responsible for seeing each of his or her students individually at least once a term, toward the end of the term, in order to evaluate the student's work. At the student's request, a summary of this evaluation may be placed in the student's folder.

Written evaluations of a student's work, in whole or in part, shall be made available to the Dean of Faculty's Office upon request of the Dean, student, or student's advisor. This evaluation may remain in the student file but will not be part of his or her transcript.

Auditing Courses

Students may register to audit a course only until two weeks after the final registration deadline. In order for an audit course to appear on the student's permanent record (grade of AU), the faculty member must indicate on the class roster that the student has attended throughout the term.

Deadline for Accepting Student Work

The deadline for the submission of grades will be 48 hours before the final faculty meeting. No faculty member may accept work for the determination of term grades after the final deadline. Work submitted after the final deadline may be considered in faculty discussions concerning action on student performance but may not be used as a basis for changing student grades. The establishment of a final deadline for the submission of work shall in no way abridge the right of faculty members to set deadlines prior to the final deadline or to impose penalties for late submission.

Internships/Field Study

Handbook » Academic Information » Internships/Field Study

Internships

An internship is defined as a job or volunteer position in an organization in one's field of study, with papers or projects that document learning. Internships provide valuable workplace skills that make one more employable after graduation.

Field Study

Field study is defined as independent research away from an academic setting, not necessarily in connection with an organization or job. The student may gather data or conduct interviews, for example. Both types of experience can add a valuable "real world" perspective on theoretical issues in a Plan of Concentration.

Like all education at Marlboro, emphasis is on the independent, self-designed aspect of the internship or field of study. In most cases, students leave campus for a semester in order to have a significant amount of time for learning in the field. (In some cases, a local internship may be incorporated into a Marlboro course with faculty approval.) Students are expected to find their own placements with advice from the Associate Director of World Studies, the Director of Career Development and faculty sponsors. The College maintains files of internship possibilities, reference materials, and copies of past internship proposals outside the World Studies Program (WSP) office (2nd floor of the Admissions Building). Resources are also available from the Career Development Office (1st floor of Mather). Two courses offered every semester, Finding an Internship and Designing Fieldwork, are open to all students and can help with the internship search and design process.

Because of the level of independence and self-motivation required, this option is recommended only for students on Plan. Arrangements for identifying a work site and getting faculty approval for independent research take a great deal of time—up to one year in some cases—so students should plan early if they are interested in doing off-campus research.

Internships and field study may be designed for any length of time and up to two semesters' worth of credit. Students who want academic credit for their internships or fieldwork must submit a written proposal to the faculty sponsor(s), who will evaluate the work and award credit. Instructions for registering and obtaining credit are available in the Registrar's Office.

Most students undertake internships while enrolled at Marlboro on Absentia #1 status. (See In Absentia under Change of Status).

Master's Degree

Handbook » Academic Information » Master's Degree

Although Marlboro College's facilities and resources are limited, our capacity for accommodating the individual interests of strong, independent students, and the particular interest and circumstances of some members of the faculty have occasionally made it reasonable for the College to offer a Master's degree. These regulations clarify the conditions and requirements under which Marlboro will grant a Master's degree.

The Marlboro program for the Master's is designed to supplement and support the College's mission in undergraduate education, rather than to be an independent program in its own right. The steps outlined below are designed to enable those members of the faculty for whom working with Master's-level students would represent an opportunity for professional development to do so; these steps in no way confer an obligation upon any member of the faculty to offer Master's level study.

Program Regulations

  1. Applicants to the Marlboro Master's program must first write a letter of inquiry to the Dean of Faculty, stating their general interests and background and including a copy of their transcripts.

  2. Through consultation with the Dean of Faculty, the applicant must next find a Marlboro faculty sponsor and co-sponsor to serve on his or her Graduate Committee. The applicant must then submit transcripts, letters of recommendation, writing samples, proposed general course of study, and any other information deemed relevant by the faculty sponsors and the Dean of Faculty. After consulting with other faculty members in their area, the sponsors and the Dean may admit the applicant as a candidate.

  3. With the sponsors' aid and approval, the candidate must secure from outside the College a third Graduate Committee member, who is an expert in the proposed field of study and whose position or experience qualifies him or her to evaluate Master's- level work, and who is willing to serve as an Outside Examiner in the final evaluation of the candidate's work. The outside member of the Graduate Committee may change, with the approval of the sponsors and the Dean of Faculty, as appropriate to developments in the candidate's work.

  4. Preferably before study begins, but in any case no later than mid-term of the first term of study, the candidate, together with the sponsors, develops a detailed, coherent, and rigorous course of study, which the Committee certifies in writing as appropriate for Master's-level work. The sponsors circulate the proposed course of study among colleagues in their area or in any related area in which the candidate is likely to study, for comment.

  5. The candidate submits to the Curriculum Committee a description of the proposed course of study, including the field of study and area of the degree; a description of proposed courses, tutorials, and teaching; a description of the thesis and any major related papers; an overall statement of purpose; and supporting letters from the Graduate Committee, including the outside member.

    Letters from the Marlboro members of the Committee should comment not only on the appropriateness and feasibility of the course of study, but also upon their own professional interest in supervising it; the outside member should indicate in particular his or her own expected role. The Curriculum Committee reviews the proposal to insure its rigor and that it can be accomplished in a reasonable period, normally from one-and-a-half to three years.

  6. The proposal is then circulated to the faculty, for at least two weeks, with the supporting materials on file for interested faculty members. Faculty members may address comments or objections to the sponsors and the Dean of Faculty; if there are no unresolved objections to the proposal after two weeks, the proposal is considered accepted. Changes in the program of study must be reported to the Dean of Faculty; for major shifts in the program or a change of sponsor, the Dean may require resubmission and reapproval.

Program Requirements

Musical Instrument Instruction

Handbook » Academic Information » Musical Instrument Instruction

External Link: Brattleboro Music Center

Individual instruction in musical instruments (including voice) is provided by the Brattleboro Music Center (BMC) and the Vermont Jazz Center (VJC). Fees are paid directly to the Centers.

Full-time students may receive credit for music lessons taken at the Brattleboro Music Center and/or Vermont Jazz Center as long as they include the lessons as a Marlboro College Tutorial on the Course Registration Form. Exceptions for part-time students may be made by the Dean of Faculty.

If students wish to include BMC or VJC music study as part of the Plan of Concentration, they must secure approval in advance from College music faculty.

All academic regulations listed on the official Marlboro College web site, including those for Incompletes, apply to courses taken for credit at the BMC/VJC. If students wish to drop BMC lessons, they must submit drop slips to the Registrar by the posted deadline in effect for all courses. If lessons are dropped but no slip is submitted, the instructor will assign a grade of WP (withdrew passing) or WF (withdrew failing). Students must attend a minimum of nine (9) half-hour lessons, or the equivalent, to receive a passing grade.

The BMC/VJC will not submit grades to the College unless a student has paid for lessons. If no grade is submitted for this reason, the course will be entered on the permanent record with no credit ("NC") given.

A Plan student in music may be reimbursed for one credit per semester (typically one-half hour lesson per week) of private instrumental instruction by Marlboro if the following conditions are met:

  1. A major component of the student's Plan is in performance on that instrument with at least two recitals in the senior year;
  2. The instrumental instructor has been approved by the music department;
  3. The student has demonstrated a desire and ability to perform in previous years (through performances, concerts, etc.);
  4. Reimbursement is given retroactively. Reimbursement shall be given only after the student has successfully completed work each semester (C- or better).

Plan of Concentration

Handbook » Academic Information » Plan of Concentration

The Plan is a coherent program of study that may have multi-disciplinary components. The first year is normally devoted to courses which are preparatory to Project work. The Project is a major paper or set of papers based on library, laboratory or field research; a presentation in the performing or creative arts; or any other effort or combination of efforts appropriate to the focus for the Plan. It may also consist of a set of written examinations on clearly defined topics.

Credit and Residency Requirement

The Plan of Concentration consists of a minimum of 50 credits, not more than 8 of which may have been earned prior to the junior year.

Normally, students are expected to be in residence during the senior year, although sponsors may occasionally recommend a non residential term. Such terms must be approved by the Dean of Faculty. Students are required to register as full-time for the final senior semester.

Degree Field

The Degree Field indicates the area of concentration for Plan work. A Plan must demonstrate both breadth and depth in addressing a problem or set of problems, but it need not necessarily encompass the scope of a traditional major. Plans integrating two (or more) degree fields may generally be regarded as constituting a single interdisciplinary field rather than a "double major". However, each degree field listed requires a demonstrable engagement with that field's materials and methods.

Fields must be selected from the list of degree fields (see below) adopted by the Faculty. The degree field may be followed by descriptive sub fields, e.g., ART HISTORY/Renaissance Painting; BIOLOGY/Ornithology; HISTORY and LITERATURE /Shakespeare.

American Studies Languages
Anthropology Literature
Art History Mathematics
Astronomy Music
Biochemistry Painting
Biology Philosophy
Ceramics Photography
Chemistry Physics
Classics Political Science
Computer Science Religion
Cultural History Psychology
Dance Sculpture
Economics Sociology
Environmental Science Theater
Film/Video Studies Visual Arts
History Writing
Asian Studies  

In addition, World Studies Program students may select the following field:

Development Studies

The faculty member named first on the Plan application is the Plan sponsor of record for administrative purposes. It is appropriate to have co-sponsors if other faculty members make major contributions to the Plan. Visiting faculty and retired members of the faculty may serve as Plan sponsors only at the discretion of the Committee on the Faculty, which may consult with faculty members in related disciplines.

The first year of the Plan normally concentrates on course work in the area of the Plan, leading to a precise definition of the Project at the end of the junior year. The senior year is usually spent in tutorials and independent work necessary for the Project. All current rules for good standing, satisfactory progress and academic probation apply to Plan students.

Preliminary Application

This Application serves as the student's formal request for permission to embark on the first year of the Plan. The first year is normally devoted to courses which are preparatory to Project work.

The deadline for submission of the Preliminary Plan Application is before the end of the semester in which the student will have earned 55 credits or more.

Any student who does not have a Preliminary Plan Application on file by the end of the semester in which he or she has earned 55 credits must, in the next semester, submit with the registration form either a Preliminary Plan Application. The Application must be approved by the Dean of Faculty. Copies of the Preliminary Plan Application shall be circulated to all faculty two weeks prior to final approval by the Dean of Faculty so that faculty may register any misgivings.

Final Plan Application

The Final Plan Application specifically defines the Plan objective and the Project (see Forms, Final Plan Application). It lists work completed during junior year and work projected for senior year. The deadline for submission and distribution of the Final Plan Application is two semesters prior to the anticipated date of completion of the Plan. Applications submitted at the end of the semester must be distributed to the faculty no later than two weeks before the final faculty meeting. Students who fail to submit Final Plan Applications on time may be required to spend an extra semester at Marlboro before they can graduate.

The Application must first be approved by the Dean of Faculty. Copies of the Final Plan Application are then circulated to all faculty for final approval.

Work to be Evaluated & Proportional Weights

Technically, all work on Plan is subject to final evaluation. Typically, minor parts are not evaluated; they often provide essential background for the project or papers, which are evaluated. Major elements must be evaluated: for example, if a student takes three tutorials in Irish History but writes a thesis on the Tudors, an examination or paper (listed under Other Plan Components) should be written on some aspect of Irish History.

Percentages should be roughly consistent with the time spent on each element. The Plan Project is often weighted heavily because it is supported by several courses and tutorials that are not evaluated separately. The Project may be weighted between 15% and 75%, although any weight less that 25% or more than 50% requires written justification and permission from the Dean of Faculty. Although the Project may have separate elements, it is, by definition, a coherent effort that bears a single percentage weight and, upon evaluation, receives a single grade. At least one element must consist of formal written prose and must comprise at least 20% of the weighting. In addition, at least 20% of the material presented for evaluation must be in a form prepared by the student independently of faculty guidance, and all independent work must be available to the Outside Evaluator. Such independent work or examinations normally cover aspects of the major fields or subfields of study or areas of the Plan not addressed explicitly by the Project and supporting work. Independent work must be supported by coursework or tutorials taken on Plan.

Upon the recommendation of the Plan Sponsor, the Project may consist of a set of written examinations on a clearly defined topic or topics.

Percentage Weights must be made by the Friday before midterm faculty meeting of the final semester on Plan. Changes must be approved by the Dean of Faculty and Plan sponsor(s) and communicated by the student to the Registrar by this deadline. Clarifying changes in wording may be made after this deadline only as deemed appropriate by the Dean of Faculty in consultation with faculty sponsor(s). Students on extension are completing Plans already subject to final modification; no further substantive changes may be made.

Grades, Junior Year

Standard grades (A-F) are given in courses and tutorials.

Grades, Senior Year

Seniors normally receive progress grades (S, S-, U) for classes and tutorials taken in the two semesters of their senior year. These grades appear on a student's transcript until after the oral evaluation, at which point the Registrar replaces progress grades with asterisks (*) on the transcript. The "*" leads to a statement under the Final Plan Grade: "Applies to all senior year Plan courses and tutorials." The progress grades of seniors who do not complete their Plans remain as S, S-, or U. For the purpose of transferring Marlboro credits for classes and tutorials with progress grades, S and S- are considered equivalent to C- or better. Faculty sponsors, in consultation with teacher(s) of individual courses (if these are different people), may permit seniors to receive letter grades for courses on Plan taken either semester of the senior year. Plan Courses that continue for more than one semester must receive the same treatment both semesters. The grade option is not available for Plan tutorials: senior Plan tutorials always receive progress grades. The deadline for submitting the signed form permitting a senior a standard letter grade for a class coincides with the deadline for drops. Standard grades remain on the transcript after the oral evaluation (i.e., they are not replaced with asterisks as with progress grades).

Seniors under the cumulative grading system who do not complete their Plan will (for transfer purposes) receive a Pass in courses they have completed at a satisfactory level.

Tutorials with Non-Members of the Faculty

Students on Plan and their sponsor(s) may arrange for Plan-related tutorials with non-members of the faculty. The Plan sponsor is responsible for notifying the Registrar of such an arrangement at the start of each term, for the evaluation of the work, and for submitting grades. The student is responsible for any additional expenses incurred as a result of such work unless other arrangements are made in advance with the Dean of the Faculty in extraordinary cases.

Oral Evaluation

The Board of Evaluators consists of the Plan sponsor and co-sponsors, a second faculty member if there are no co-sponsors, and an outside evaluator. Marlboro faculty who participate in major portions of a Plan should be on the committee. The Dean of Faculty appoints an outside evaluator upon recommendation of the Plan sponsor; students are encouraged to suggest names of possible outside evaluators.

At least one week before the oral evaluation, the outside evaluator must have copies of all exams, papers, journals, etc., which are part of the Plan. The outside evaluator should have the opportunity to evaluate all elements of the Plan and must have the opportunity to evaluate at least 90% of Plan work and all work prepared independently of faculty guidance. However, when a student teaches, performs, or or gives a public lecture, the outside evaluator may not be available. Therefore, such elements with weightings of more than 10%, or which are included as independent work, must be documented in a form available to the entire community. For this reason such elements should not be included under work done independently of faculty guidance, as at least 20% of such work must be available to the outside evaluator. Weightings for a public lecture or class teaching must be kept to 10% or less. If such elements comprise more than 10%, special arrangements must be made with the Dean of Faculty. Exceptions to this rule may be granted by the Dean of Faculty, upon advice from the Curriculum Committee.

Honorarium for Outside Evaluator

The College pays a $300 honorarium to the outside evaluator upon receipt of an evaluation of the Plan and oral evaluation. This covers travel expenses. However, for outside examiners who must travel long distances or who must make a second trip to the College to view a performance or exhibit, there may be travel funds available. If the outside evaluator must stay overnight, such arrangements and their cost are the student's responsibility.

Duplication Costs

The College pays the cost of photocopies of the Plan paper for the library and outside evaluator. If copying is done off campus, the College will reimburse the student for these "free" copies to a maximum of 10 cents/page. Receipts showing number of pages copied, number of copies made of each page and cost must be presented to the Plant and Operations Office prior to reimbursement.

Written Evaluation

Plan sponsors and the outside evaluator must submit a written evaluation of the student's work to the Registrar as soon as possible after the oral exam. All written evaluations will be made available to the student and retained in his or her permanent file for future reference.

Senior Plan Written Assessment

Faculty members who have taught courses in the student's senior year but who do not sit on the Board of Examiners will submit a written assessment of the student's work to the Board of Examiners.

Copy of Plan Paper

All graduating students must submit to the Registrar a final printed copy and electronic copy of the Plan project (in appropriate medium) and other written Plan components. Submission of all other Plan components is strongly encouraged.

Honors

Honors are granted on an overall evaluation of the Plan, as follows:

A   = Highest Honors
A-  = High Honors
B+ = Honors

Plan Grade

Upon the Plan's completion, the evaluating board assigns a grade which covers the entire Plan. For the purpose of determining honors, this final grade supersedes all grades given in individual courses and tutorials over the entire two Plan years, whether these are standard letter grades (A-F) or cumulative grades.

Satisfactory Progress

It is assumed that the student will make satisfactory progress on Plan.