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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
A
AA, AB, AC: Alexandria Hall (Student Housing), 3 buildings
ACAD AFF: Academic Affairs; the Provost has oversight for all academic programs, Admissions, Library, Registrar Office, and Student Affairs
Academic Advisor: Member of the faculty or a professional advisor who works with students to plan education and career pathways
Academic Dishonesty: Includes fabrication, cheating, plagiarism, and unauthorized collaboration
Academic Probation : Students who have not achieved the required minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 or have received 2 or more failing grades.
Accountable: To answer for and accept ownership of one’s action, words, or intent
ADA: Americans with Disabilities Act
ADMS: Admissions Office
Advertising: Includes flyers and posters as well as online community announcements
AH: Alumni Hall
AIP: Academic Improvement Plan
Alcohol Abuse: Possession and consumption of alcohol in any University building or on University premises; being in the presence of unauthorized alcohol on campus; underage drinking and/or public intoxication; sales/distribution of alcohol to minors
All DCB Plan(s): Declining Balance meal plan offered by Dining Services to Alexandria and Gunter residents and off-campus and commuter students
ARC: Athletic Recreation Center
Arson: Attempting to or igniting a fire
Assault: A threat or an attempt to cause harm or injury to another person
AU: Audit; used in place of a grade for a class that was audited
Audit: A student registers to attend a class, with the written permission of the instructor and the appropriate college dean, and does not receive a grade for the course; the designation AU is entered on the student’s grade report for that course
B
Battery: The infliction of an injury or the unauthorized and unwanted touching that is coupled with a threat to cause harm or injury
BIOL: Biology; Department of Biological Sciences
Blue Book: A small notebook with soft blue cover that some professors require students to use when writing essay exams
Bulletin: Alumni magazine published by the University
Bullying: A type of harassment that is repeated, unwanted, offensive, and malicious behavior which undermines an individual or group through persistently negative attacks
C
Catalog: University Catalog contains general information about the University and a description of courses and requirements for all majors offered–available online
Catalog Year: Determines the set of degree requirements in effect for a student’s major; corresponds to the academic year a student initially enrolls as a first-year (U1) student; catalog year starts with the fall term of each academic year
Cheating: Academic dishonesty; the act of or attempted act of deceiving or misrepresenting the acquisition of a skill or body of knowledge (i.e., copying, bringing unauthorized notes to an exam)
CHEM: Chemistry; Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
CNTRL: Controller
COGS: College of Graduate Studies
Complainant: Any person who submits a charge alleging that a student(s) or student organization violated the Student Conduct Policy
Complicity: Attempting to engage in, soliciting another to engage in, or passively allowing another to engage in prohibited conduct under the Student Conduct Policy
Conduct Advisor: A University Community Member who may attend the Administrative Hearing and/or Conduct Hearing with the complainant or respondent; this individual can provide procedural advice and moral support to the person they were invited to support; this individual may speak only to the person they were invited to support, not on their behalf; the Conduct Advisor shall not be permitted to serve as legal counsel prior to, during, or after the hearing
Conduct Deactivation: A sanction for student misconduct; termination of a registered organization’s privileges for a period of time
Conduct Expulsion: A sanction for student misconduct; the student will no longer be enrolled at the University and all rights and privileges of being a student are revoked
Conduct Hold: A block placed on the academic and/or financial records of a student for the purpose of preserving the status quo pending the outcome of proceedings, enforcing a sanction, or ensuring cooperation with the Student Conduct process; may prevent registration, the release of transcripts, and/or the awarding of a degree
Conduct Probation: A sanction for student misconduct; during the probation period (usually one to three semesters), the student is not allowed to participate in cocurricular activities
Conduct Suspension: A sanction for student misconduct; during this time (usually one or two semesters) a student is not eligible to enroll in classes; a notation of action may become part of the student’s permanent record
Consent: In relation to sexual conduct, an affirmative decision to engage in mutually acceptable sexual activity given by clear actions or words in each instance of sexual activity
Core Curriculum: A group of courses required of all students who complete a bachelor’s degree or first professional degree, regardless of major; the Core Curriculum only applies to students who entered the University as first-year students prior to the fall of 2007
Credit Hour: A unit of measure for college courses; courses vary in their number of credit hours because they vary in the amount of intellectual effort they require; the credit value for specific courses may be found in the University Catalog or on WebAdvisor
Cum Laude: Graduation honor; undergraduate student must attain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.40
Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA): The numerical average of letter grades from all semesters or terms; equals the sum of the course quality points of all grades received at the University divided by the total number of course credits for courses receiving quality points, including F grades with 0 quality points
D
Dean: A dean is the top administrator in a college; “dean” is also a title given to a person who has University-wide responsibility for University functions, such as the Dean of Students
Defamation: Making a harmful statement that impacts negatively on the reputation of a person
Degree Audit: An online listing of the courses required for the student’s active program of study, including courses completed and planned (students can also select alternate programs of study when considering change of majors; Degree Audits are available on Web Advisor by selecting Program Evaluation)
Department: An administrative unit at the University that offers classes and majors in a particular subject or discipline; also may refer to a unit that provides administrative service
Devils Dollars: (Security and Campus Services ID card) – funds deposited into this Devils Dollars account can be used by students to make purchases or pay for services at many locations on campus.
DIN SERV: Dining Services
Discrimination: The failure to treat similarly situated people in the same way because of a bias or prejudice
Disorderly Conduct: Behavior that is lewd, indecent, or a breach of peace; behavior that interferes with or obstructs the orderly process of the University or the surrounding community (e.g., excessive noise; inappropriate, loud, or disruptive behavior; and failure to maintain property)
Diversity: Embodies the recognition of human similarities and differences; see the Student Services section for more information
Drake the Devil: Campus mascot
Drop/Add: A period of time at the beginning of each semester when you can make changes to your class schedule; this is done through the Registrar’s Office or on WebAdvisor
Drug Abuse: Intentional use, possession, sale, transfer, or offer of any illegal or controlled drug for a nonmedical purpose; inappropriately providing care or prescribing medicine without the proper supervision, authority, or license
E
EAS: East Building (Annex)
Educational Plan: Ed Plan; used to select courses for the next term or terms to be reviewed by your academic advisor; required for first (U1) and second (U2) year undergraduate students
Elective: A course you can choose to take, as opposed to a required course
Emergency Call Box: Shortwave radio contact with Security; boxes are located throughout the University; you must press the button to speak and release it to hear Security’s response
Endangerment: Behavior or activities that endanger the safety or health of oneself or others
Entry Year: Calendar or catalog year a student starts at the University (e.g., fall 2009)
ESL: English as a Second Language
Experiential Education: Clerkship, residency, internship, or practicum required as part of some academic programs at the University (e.g., Pharmacy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Health Psychology)
Expulsion: See Conduct Expulsion
F
F: Failing; grade designation
Fabrication: Academic dishonesty; the presentation of information for a classroom assignment, exam, or lab procedure that is fictitious or falsified
Facebook: See Online Communities
FAC SERV: Department of Facilities Services
FAFSA: Free Application for Federal Student Aid; the form required for receiving most forms of financial aid
FERPA: Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act; establishes the privacy of student education records and the conditions under which records may be reviewed, released, or amended; this is sometimes referred to as the Buckley Amendment
FIN AID: Department of Financial Aid
FOC (or 4100): 4100 Chester Avenue Building
FOR (or 4140): 4140 Woodland Avenue Building
FOW (or 4101): 4101 Woodland Avenue Building (Mayes College)
G
General Education: Curricular requirements for all students in Catalog Year 2007 or later who are enrolled in a bachelor’s degree or first professional degree program, regardless of major. For more information see website: www.usciences.edu/generaleducation.
GLA: Glasser Hall
GO: Goodman Hall (Student Housing)
Good Academic Standing: Maintenance of a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 and not more than one failing grade (“F”) in the most recent semester irrespective of cumulative GPA; individual academic programs may have higher standards
GPA: Grade Point Average; the average of numerical values for the grades for one semester or term (i.e., summer); equals the sum of the course quality points of grades received at the University for that semester/term divided by the number of course credits for courses receiving letter grades, including F grades
Grade Replacement: The option of electing to retake a maximum of two courses to replace the original grades in the calculation of the cumulative GPA; this option is limited to first-year students
Grade Report: The official listing of the grades you earned for each semester; includes your GPA and Cumulative GPA; information is available online through WebAdvisor after faculty have submitted grades for the semester.
Graduating Class: Anticipated year of graduation based on standard length of a major program; e.g., PharmD major (6-year program) – student entering the University as a first-year (U1) student in fall 2009 would be a member of the graduating class of 2015
Greeks: Fraternities and sororities within the University; they identify themselves with Greek letters and some of the organizations have national affiliations; there are 15 fraternities/sororities on campus
GRI (or GH): Griffith Hall
Grievance: A complaint or allegation made by a student who feels that a University action (or lack of action) is unfair; is arbitrary, capricious or unjust; or does not comply with University policies
GU/GUN: Gunter Hall (Student Housing), Buildings A and B
H
Harassment: A form of discrimination defined as unwelcome conduct directed toward an employee or student; for more information, see Discrimination and Harassment
Hazardous Material: As applies to the Hazardous Materials on Campus policy, any substance that is possessed and/or prepared for the purpose of producing a combustible reaction, detonation, or to create an unsafe environment in or on any property owned, managed, leased, or controlled by the University.
Hazing: An act which endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student, or which destroys or removes public or private property, for the purpose of initiation, admission into, affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in a group, organization, or team
HEALTH: Student Health
HEALTH SCI: Health Sciences; Samson College of Health Sciences
Hearing Officer: Refers to the individual designated to coordinate and supervise a specific incident that will be processed under the Student Conduct Policy
Hold: A block goes on a student’s central record and prevents students from future registration, attending classes, receiving grades, etc.; holds can be placed as a result of unreturned health history forms, unpaid bills, library fines, academic problems, conduct sanctions, or other unmet obligations
Honor Society: a society for the recognition of scholarly achievement, especially of undergraduates; the University has seven honor societies on campus
HR: Department of Human Resources
HUM: Department of Humanities
I
I: Incomplete: grade designation
IGC: Inter-Greek Council
Incident: An event, action, or communication that is reported to the Office of Student Conduct as a potential violation of a University policy
Incomplete: Student has not fulfilled course requirements at the completion of the semester; a grade of I is assigned
INFO SCI: Department of Information Science
Inter-Greek Council: The governing body that oversees the Greek community of fraternities/sororities; consists of one representative from each organization as well as officers
Intimidating, Hostile, or Offensive Environment: Conduct that is severe or pervasive enough to create a work and/or learning environment that a reasonable person would consider intimidating, hostile, or offensive
IPHL: Industrial Pharmacy Lab, Griffith Hall Basement
IT: Department of Information Technology
K
KH: Kline Hall
L
Learning Outcome: A statement of what a student should be able to know, do, or value as a result of a learning experience, such as in an academic course or a cocurricular activity; a learning objective
LIB: J.W. England Library
Libel: A published false statement or representation that tends to expose another to disgrace
LOA: Leave of Absence; hiatus from academics; student may request a leave of absence when he or she will be unable to complete the current (and subsequent) semester (grounds include medical, personal, or financial reasons or military service)
M
Magna Cum Laude: Graduation honor; undergraduate student must attain a minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.60
MATH: Mathematics; Department of Mathematics, Physics, and Statistics
MCAS: Misher College of Arts and Sciences
MCN: Robert McNeil Graduate Study and Research Center
Meal Blocks: An arrangement with Dining Services that, for a specified fee, provides a certain number of meals for a student throughout the school year; there are several dining plans available; see Appendix B for details and costs
Mediation: A voluntary, confidential process in which an impartial third party assists people in finding a mutually acceptable solution to their conflict
Medical LOA: Medical Leave of Absence; hiatus from academics for a period of not more than one year when a student’s medical or psychological condition is deemed to significantly impair his or her ability to function successfully or safely in the academic environment
Minor: In academics, a selection of courses, usually with a common theme, that enables the student to develop a degree of formal expertise in an area outside of the student’s major
MySpace: See Online Communities
N
NCAA: National Collegiate Athletic Association; governs the administration of college athletic programs and student athletes; the University is in Division II
New-Member Orientation: Current politically correct term for initiation and pledging to a fraternity or sorority
New-Member Recruitment: Current politically correct term for “rush,” the Greek recruitment process
Not Responsible: As an outcome to a hearing, this means that the respondent did not violate the prohibited behavior in question
O
Online Communities: Virtual communities (e.g., Facebook, Twitter) where students, faculty, and staff may send communications. See policy considerations
Orientation Leader: An upper-class student who has received a minimum of 14 hours of training in communication skills and the new student experience; he or she provides frequent and ongoing contact with incoming students to aid in the student’s adjustment to residential living, social relationships, study skills, and test taking; when necessary, the orientation leader will assist new students in gaining additional support from other resources such as their academic advisor, resident advisor, or counseling staff
OS: Osol Hall (Student Housing)
OT: Occupational Therapy; Department of Occupational Therapy
P
P: Pass; grade designation for a Pass/Fail course
Passing Grade: The grade required to pass a course; it is generally a “D-” or above; however, there are exceptions within majors
PCP: Philadelphia College of Pharmacy
PHARMACY: Doctor of Pharmacy program; Philadelphia College of Pharmacy
PHARM’CEUTS: Pharmaceutics; a division of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences
PHARM PRAC: Pharmacy Practice; Department of Pharmacy Practice/Pharmacy Administration
PHARM/TOX: Pharmacology/Toxicology; a division of the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences
PHYS ED: Physical Education; Department of Physical Education
PHYS THER: Physical Therapy; Department of Physical Therapy
Plagiarism: A form of academic dishonesty that consists of presenting, whether intentional or unintentional, the words or ideas of a source as if they are the student’s own words or ideas; this applies to unpublished and published material
PLUS: Parent Loans for Undergraduate Students – Federal program that allows parents of dependent students to borrow funds to assist in paying for students’ educational expenses
Prerequisite: A course that must be taken (and passed) before you can enroll in another course
Prescription: Student newspaper
President: The senior administrative officer of the University
Probation: See Conduct Probation and Academic Probation
PRG: Progress; a grade designation
Protected Class: Individuals or groups who are protected from discrimination and harassment by law; includes gender, pregnancy, age, disability, race, color, religion, creed, national origins, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, and gender identity
Provost: The Provost is the chief academic officer of the University; the person in this position has oversight for all academic programs, Admissions, Library, Registrar Office, and Student Affairs
Psychological Harassment: A behavior intended to cause distress through hostile, inappropriate and unwanted conduct, verbal comments, actions or gestures that affect an individual’s dignity, integrity, and/or self-image
PT: Physical Therapy; Department of Physical Therapy
PTC: Pharmacology/Toxicology Center
Q
Quality Point Value: The numeric value placed on letter grades earned in a course; values range from “0.0” for an “F” to “4.0” for an “A” and “A+”
Quorum: The number (usually a majority) of officers or members of a committee or organization that, when assembled, is legally competent to transact business
R
RA: Resident Advisor; upper-class students who live in the residence halls and help with challenges and problems of resident students; they have been trained and are employed by the Student Life staff within the Division of Student Affairs
RD: Resident Director; campus administrator who oversees a residence hall
Recitation: A smaller group section of a larger lecture where students have a more comfortable setting for discussion of class topics
Recruitment: See New-Member Recruitment
REG: Registrar’s Office
Registrar: University official responsible for maintaining the official academic records of students (e.g., transcripts and grades)
Registration: The process by which students enroll for classes each semester
Reparation: The act of making amends or giving satisfaction for a wrong; payment of damages
RES HALLS: Residence Halls
Respondent: Any student(s) or student organization accused of violating the Student Conduct Policy
Responsible: As an outcome to a hearing means that the respondent violated the prohibited behavior in question
Restitution: Making good of or giving an equivalent for damages; a disciplinary sanction
Retaliation: Occurs when adverse actions are imposed against individuals who have reported allegations of harassment or discrimination or have participated in a harassment or discrimination investigation
RH: Rosenberger Hall
ROTC: Reserve Officer Training Corps; a program for students who are interested in receiving a commission in the U.S. Armed Forces while actively pursuing a degree; at University of the Sciences, affiliations are available for students to participate in Army and Air Force ROTC programs
Rush: See New-Member Recruitment
S
SCHS: Samson College of Health Sciences
School Colors: Magenta and Gray
SEC: Department of Public Safety
Semester: The standard term of enrollment within the academic year (usually 15 weeks); the standard academic year consists of two semesters lasting from late August until early May
Service Learning: Strategy for cultivating a commitment to service through students’ participation in activities and/or segments of new or established academic courses
Sexual Harassment: Encompasses a continuum of unwelcome sexual advances or requests for sexual favors, such as verbal harassment, sexual assault, or rape
Sexual Misconduct: Any physical act of a sexual nature perpetrated against an individual without consent or when an individual is unable to freely give consent
SGA: Student Government Association; the elected leadership of the student body
SHAC: Student Health and Counseling
Short-Term LOA: Short-Term Leave of Absence; stop-out from academics for a period not to exceed 10 business days in the event of an immediate and significant health or family emergency
SOC SCI: Department of Social Sciences
Stalking: A form of harassment that involves ongoing and/or continual pestering of an individual, either in person, in written or electronic formats, or on the telephone
STC: McNeil Science and Technology Center
STUD AFF: Division of Student Affairs
Student Conduct Policy: A written code outlining student behavior to protect the rights and property of students and other members of the University community
Subsidized Loan: A loan where the government pays the interest while the student is in school and the principal is deferred (e.g., Stafford Loan)
Summa Cum Laude: Graduation honor; undergraduate students must attain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.80
Survivor: Term used instead of “victim” in describing someone who has experienced sexual and/or relationship violence
Suspension: See Conduct Suspension
Syllabus: A handout from your instructor, which may include some or all of the following: purpose of the course; prerequisites; instructor’s name, office hours, and telephone number; a schedule of reading and/or homework assignments; a schedule of tests; the instructor’s policy on attendance; learning outcomes; and the course grading policy
T
TA: Teaching Assistant; students who are hired by the University to help with teaching, research, and administrative responsibilities
TBA: To be announced
TBD: To be determined
Transcripts: A student’s educational record of completed courses with grades; maintained by the Registrar Office
Transfer Credit: Credits awarded by the University based on courses transferred from other colleges and universities; for the course to be eligible for transfer, the student must have attained a grade of “C” or better and the course must be comparable to an existing course at the University; the credits are applied toward degree requirements, but they do not carry grades and are not used to compute GPA
Tuition Management Systems (TMS): Tuition payment plan approved by the University where the amount due for both semesters is spread over 10 months, from July1 to April 1; special 12-month plan is available for students attending three semesters; there is a one-time service charge but no interest accrues on the balance due; information is available in the Student Accounts Office
Tutors: Available through Student Academic Support Services; these are upper-class students who have received training and have been recommended by faculty as having earned an “A” or a “B” in the specific course for which they are tutoring
U
Ultimate 700 Plan: Meal plan offered by Dining Services
University: University of the Sciences in Philadelphia
University Community Member: Any person who is a student, faculty member, staff, site coordinator, University official, contractor or vendor with a contract with the University, or any other person employed by the University; a person’s status in a particular situation shall be determined by the Office of Student Conduct
Unlawful Discrimination: Discrimination directed towards a person because they are a member of a Protected Class which results in an adverse employment or academic action
Unlawful Harassment: Harassment based on an individual’s membership in a Protected Class that is severe and/or pervasive
Unsubsidized Loan: A loan where the student pays or capitalizes the interest during the in-school period and the principal is deferred
W
W: Withdrew; grade designation that carries no point value and is not included in calculation of the GPA; student can officially withdraw (end enrollment) from a course after the Drop/Add period but before completion of the eighth week of the semester
WCR: Women’s Club Room, Whitecar Hall, Room 203
WDL (or 4500): 4500 Woodland Avenue Building
Weapons: Includes any device, instrument, material, or substance that under any circumstances is readily capable of causing death or injury
WebAdvisor: A Web interface that provides students with access to information stored in the University administrative database known as Colleague
WH: Whitecar HallWI: Wilson Student Center/Wilson Hall (Student Housing)
Withdrawal: The act of officially ending your enrollment in the University; a withdrawal must be approved by the college dean
Witness: Any person with information relevant to an incident
Work Study: Federally subsidized financial aid, which students qualify for on the basis of need; part of financial aid package offered to some students; students are hired to work and are paid an hourly rate from federal funds
Wrongful entry: Entering, attempting to enter, or remaining without authority or permission in any University office, residence hall room, University-sponsored event, or University premise |
