Academic Rules and Regulations

Academic Regulations

Academic advising is an essential element of the educational process. The American University of Sharjah requires advisor-student conferences at least once per semester. Students are assigned academic advisors who help them in selecting their courses of study and in planning their schedules. Their advisors also approve their schedules each semester. However, students are responsible for selecting their courses, meeting course prerequisites and adhering to university policies and procedures. The advisor assists the student in obtaining a well-balanced education and in interpreting university policies and procedures. Students may also consult faculty members, department or program chairs, program coordinators and deans.

Student Responsibility

Students are responsible for their behavior, academic or otherwise, at the American University of Sharjah. The university expects that students, as mature members of the academic community, will adhere to the highest standards of personal and academic integrity and propriety. Students are expected to adhere to the laws of Sharjah and the UAE. Failure to do so may result in the immediate dismissal of the student.

All official university communications are distributed through the AUS-issued e-mail address. These are considered official notifications.

Students are responsible for checking their AUS email accounts and for responding to or acting upon messages accordingly. Students should keep their own records of all transactions with the university (e.g., registration schedules and forms, grade reports, payment records, etc.). It is also advisable to keep copies of all tests, digital files, papers and so forth submitted in fulfillment of course work.

Courses and Class Schedules

Every course in each discipline or field of study offered by the university is represented by a three-letter prefix followed by a number indicating the level of the course content. Below is an example:

BIO 230 Ecosystems Management (3-0-3)

In this example, BIO is the course prefix (which represents biology) and 230 is the course number. This particular course is a second-level course in biology (denoted by the 200 level). This course is more advanced than 100-level introductory courses such as BIO 103 Introduction to Life Sciences. The numbers in parentheses following the title of a course indicate the contact hours and course credit information. Below is another
example:

PHY 101 General Physics I (3-3-4)

In this example, the first digit in parentheses refers to the number of class contact hours per week the course requires (three contact hours), the second digit denotes the number of laboratory or practice hours required weekly (here also three hours), and the third digit refers to the number of credits the student will receive upon successfully completing the course (four credits).

The biology course above (BIO 230) has three contact hours per week, no lab or practice hours, and the student who successfully completes the course receives three credits. Courses are offered at the discretion of the department. Students should check with the respective academic departments for information on when courses will be offered. Certain courses also have prerequisites, co-requisites, prerequisites/concurrent and/or other criteria that are noted immediately following the course description listed in this catalog.

Course Value

All courses are valued in credits. Normally, each credit represents 50 minutes of class instruction per week each semester,120 to 180 minutes of laboratory experience per week each semester, or one or two 50-minute recitation sessions per week each semester.

Class Periods

Except for laboratory, workshop and specialized design and studio courses, classes ordinarily meet three days per week in 50-minute sessions or two days per week in 75-minute sessions. The university operates on a fiveday schedule from Saturday through Wednesday. The university is closed for the weekend on Thursday and Friday. Independent reading or research courses, study projects, internships, practicums and similar kinds of study opportunities meet according to the special arrangements of the college/ school, department or faculty members concerned.

Course Descriptions and Syllabi

Descriptions of courses currently in the university curriculum are listed by course subject and code by college/school in another section of this catalog. Nonrecurring topics courses are published each semester in the schedule of classes. Course syllabi are available from the individual course instructor, department or program offices. They include course goals and objectives, content and topics, instructional material and resources, the method of evaluation, the meeting time and place, credit hours and prerequisites.

Course Prerequisites

Many courses above the introductory level require a minimum background of knowledge, as indicated by prerequisite courses cited in individual course descriptions. Titles and numbers are those of the American University of Sharjah courses. Equivalent courses satisfactorily completed at other institutions may also meet prerequisite requirements by transfer credit. Students should consult the chair of the appropriate department for more information. In general, courses should be taken in an order of increasing difficulty. Credit may not be awarded for an introductory course after a more advanced course in that subject has been successfully completed. Students are responsible for having the required competence when entering a class. Courses for which a grade below C- was received do not satisfy prerequisite requirements.

Student Academic Load

A student admitted to and enrolled in a degree program usually registers for 15 to 19 credits each semester. The required minimum load for all students is 12 credits per semester, and the maximum load is 19 credits per semester. Under special circumstances, a student with a cumulative GPA of 3.25 or higher may secure the permission of his/her dean to register for up to 21 credits in any one semester. All credits exceeding 16 credits will require a supplemental fee. A student can register for up to seven credits (two courses) in the summer session.

The minimum graduation requirements for a bachelor’s degree vary from 120 to 172 credits depending on the program of study. Proposed study plans are provided in this catalog for each program. The degree programs have been designed to be completed in four years, except for architecture, which is a five-year program. However, some students may require additional time.

Freshman Academic Load

Freshmen are restricted to five courses to allow time for their adjustment to the learning environment of AUS. Exceptions must be approved by the dean. Freshman students enrolled in two or more preparatory courses (e.g., MTH 001, WRI 001, etc.) may register for up to 13 credits.

Official Class Standing

Cumulative Grade Point Average

In order to be considered in good standing, a student must maintain a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of at least 2.0 out of 4.0. A student must be in good standing to be eligible for graduation.

Residence Requirements

Candidates for the bachelor’s degree are expected to complete their last year in residence at the university. Transfer students must complete at least 50 percent of the required credits for a degree in residence at AUS. A minimum of 36 credits of 300- and/ or 400-level course work must be successfully completed in residence at AUS to obtain a bachelor’s degree.

Categories of Students

Full-Time Students

To be considered on full-time status, a student must carry a minimum course load of 12 credits per semester, with the normal load being 15. Under special circumstances, students may be allowed to drop below 12 credits.

Part-Time Students

Enrollment as a part-time student is restricted to the following:

• American University of Sharjah staff members who are pursuing a degree
  (approval of the employee’s director is required)
• Those who need fewer than 12 credits to complete an undergraduate degree
  (approval of the academic advisor is required)
• Those who are enrolled as auditing, nondegree or visiting students

Time Limit on Duration of Study

Regardless of the catalog by which the student’s academic career is governed, all degree requirements must be completed within eight years of admission to AUS as an undergraduate student, inclusive of any leave. A student in good academic standing is allowed no more than one semester of leave. A student who is out for two consecutive semesters must submit a new application for admission to the Office of Enrollment Management.

Grading System

The grade point average (GPA) is based on a four-point scale. The following grading system is used at the American University of Sharjah:

Grades not calculated in the grade point average are:

The quality points earned in a course are calculated by multiplying the grade point value of the letter grade by the number of credits the course is worth. The grade point average is calculated by dividing the sum of the quality points of the courses taken by their total credits. The grades obtained in non-credit courses are not included in the computation of a grade point average. Effective June 2004, only the last grade of the repeated course is counted in the calculation of the cumulative GPA. Credits for repeated courses are only counted once.

University Guidelines for Lateness and Attendance

Attendance and participation in all class, studio, workshop and labortory sessions are essential to the process of education at the American University of Sharjah. Students benefit from the lectures and discussions with their instructors and fellow students. For this reason, students are expected to attend class regularly. Lateness or absence hinders progress for the individual and the class and affects the student’s grade.

University guidelines for lateness and attendance are as follows:

• Any absence may affect the student’s grade.
• Instructors need not give substitute assignments or examinations to students who miss classes.
• Three occasions of lateness count as one absence. Lateness is defined by the individual instructor.
• Faculty members may automatically assign students a grade of F for excessive absence or no show. In the event a student misses 15 percent of the sessions in a class for any reason, the instructor may initiate withdrawal of the student from the course. Instructors are to keep attendance records and to draw students’ attention to attendance requirements noted in the course syllabus. The specific application of the attendance guidelines is at the instructor’s discretion.

Examinations

Final and common examination schedules are published by the Office of the Registrar in advance of examination week. If a student is scheduled for more than two examinations in one day, or has a time conflict with common examinations, then the student must report to the Office of the Registrar by the end of week 11 to make the necessary adjustments to his/her schedule.

Incomplete Grades and Make-Up Examinations

The work for a course must be completed by the end of the final exam day for that course. No incomplete grade (I) is given as a final grade in any course unless there is a compelling medical or other such emergency certified in writing by a medical or other professional. In the case of unexcused incomplete work, an F grade is given for the missing work with the course grade computed accordingly. Only in exceptional cases (such as the emergencies noted above), with written approval of the instructor, chair and the dean, is a student allowed to make up incomplete work.

All incomplete work must be submitted before the end of the second full week of classes of the next regular semester. An I grade pending beyond this time limit will revert into an F grade. It is the responsibility of the student to find out from his/her professor the specific dates by which requirements must be fulfilled. The deadline for the instructor to submit incomplete grades for a course is within 72 hours after the date of the make-up period.

Placement on Academic Probation

All students are placed on academic probation at the end of a semester in which the cumulative GPA falls below C (2.0 CGPA). A full-time student on probation for the first time is allowed to carry a load of five courses with a maximum of 16 credits. A full-time student who is on a second consecutive probation may only register for four courses with a maximum of 13 credits. Thereafter, a student must be in good academic standing (CGPA of 2.0) to continue at AUS. Students in the Intensive English Program (IEP) will be placed on academic probation at the end of any semester in which their grade point average is\ below 2.0. IEP students on probation will have one semester in which to achieve a GPA (noncumulative) of 2.0 or higher. If they do so in the subsequent semester, they will be removed from academic probation. Failure to do so will result in dismissal from the program.

Removal of Probation and Dismissal

Probation will be removed at the end of any semester in which the student attains a cumulative GPA of 2.0. Students on probation are advised to repeat courses in which they have obtained failing grades. A student who fails to remove his/her probation by the end of the second semester on probation is academically dismissed and will not be allowed to continue as a student at AUS. Actions involving academic probation and dismissal are entered on the student’s permanent record.

Reinstatement

Any student who leaves AUS in good academic standing for one semester must submit a written request for reinstatement to the Office of the Registrar. The request should outline activities since leaving AUS that contribute to the student’s academic development. Courses taken at another institution during this interim period may not be transferable. Any student who leaves AUS for more than one semester must submit a new application for admission to the Office of Enrollment Management.

Repeating Courses

A student may repeat any course, pending seat availability, up to two times without the approval of the student’s academic dean. Students are allowed to repeat a preparatory course up to Sophomore I standing (less than 45 credits). Effective June 2004, only the last grade of the repeated course is counted in the calculation of the cumulative GPA.

Study Abroad

AUS offers students the opportunity to study abroad at other institutions and gain full AUS course credit. To study abroad, a student must have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 and have completed at least 59 credits (junior standing) of undergraduate courses in residence at AUS. Interested students must submit an AUS Study Abroad Program form available at the Office of the Registrar. Please visit the AUS website for more information.

Permanent Record

A permanent record reflecting the academic achievements of each student who registers at the university is maintained in the Office of the Registrar. Students are encouraged to periodically review their records online.

Students’ Privacy Rights

Students have the right to:

• inspect and review information contained in their educational records. The university is not required to provide (or allow the making of) copies of these documents.
• request changes or updates to their personal data.
• consent to disclosure, within the extent of UAE federal and local laws, personally identifiable information from education records.

Student Records

All transcripts and other documents submitted from other institutions are the property of the American University of Sharjah, and, as such become under the control of the Office of the Registrar. The university is not required to provide (or allow the making of) copies of these documents. Transcripts submitted to AUS for admission or credit transfer become the property of AUS and cannot be returned to the student or forwarded to other institutions.

Transcripts

Students may obtain transcripts of their academic records from the Office of the Registrar. Transcripts will only be released with a signed request from the student concerned. The university will issue only complete transcripts, not parts of the student record. The university will not make copies of transcripts on file from other colleges or universities.

Names on Diplomas and Degrees

The names of AUS students on diplomas and degrees will be spelled in English exactly as they appear on their passports or identity cards. If a name on a passport or an identity card does not appear in English, then the spelling of the name will be printed according to the personal preference of the student concerned.

Graduation

Candidates for degrees file an Application for Graduation form in the Office of the Registrar during the registration period of the last expected term of study. Only after an application for graduation has been filed can the Office of the Registrar begin processing the necessary information for final certification for graduation. Only students who have successfully completed degree requirements and have no holds by the end of the term for which they have applied to graduate are certified for conferral of a degree. Degrees are conferred at the end of the semester in which requirements have been met. Conferral of the degree is noted on the permanent record of the graduate with the date of graduation. Students who fail to complete all degree requirements by the end of the term for which they apply to graduate need not reapply for graduation. Their previous application will be automatically forwarded to the following semester.

Participation in the Commencement Exercises

Normally, the university holds commencement exercises at the end of the spring semester. Students who have been certified for conferral of a degree in a previous semester or students registered at the 11th week for courses necessary to complete their degrees may participate in commencement at the end of that semester.

University Honors and Awards

Dean's List

The Office of the Registrar issues a dean's list of honor students at the end of each semester. To be placed on the dean's list, a student must

• Have registered and completed a minimum of 15 hours in the semester
• Have at least a 3.5 semester GPA
• Be in good academic standing
• Rank in the top ten percent of students in his/her college/school
• Have no failing grades in any of his/her courses during that semester
• Have no incomplete grades
• Have no disciplinary action against him/her

Graduation Honors

The university grants Latin honors at graduation. To be eligible for graduation honors, students must have achieved the requisite GPA. These are

Summa cum laude: 3.90 GPA
Magna cum laude: 3.70-3.89 GPA
Cum laude: 3.50-3.69 GPA

Latin honors are listed in the commencement program and on the students diploma and permanent record.

Student Petitions and Appeals

Petitions

Students may petition for exceptions to academic policies of the university.
Petitions are processed through the Office of the Registrar, and may require action by the Office of the Provost.

Appeal of a Grade

Students are entitled to objective, professional evaluation of their academic work and to fair, equitable treatment in the course of their academic relationships with members of the faculty. These criteria are observed by the members of the AUS faculty as a part of their professional responsibilities.

Students who believe they have a legitimate grievance may pursue the matter by consulting with the professor, department chair, and associate dean and/or dean of the college/school in which the course is offered. Each college/school may have its own internal method of dealing with these matters. Grade appeal requests to the college/school must be submitted no later than five working days after the last day of final examinations week.

After having exhausted these means to resolve the matter and having found the grievance still not reconciled, the student may file a petition with the Office of the Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs, setting forth a full, fair account of the incident or circumstances giving rise to the grievance. The student must clearly state the basis upon which the petition is submitted. Grade appeal requests to the Office of the Provost must be submitted no later than the end of the first day of orientation week of the following semester.

Appeal of Other Academic-Related Issues

In the event that a student wishes to discuss an issue pertaining to a course, instructor or other academic-related issues, the student may direct his/her concern to the chair of the department and/or dean of the college/school. If, in the judgment of the dean of the college/school, the grievance is of such gravity or its resolution would have such impact on the welfare of students generally or on the conduct of professional responsibilities in the university as to require even more formal safeguards for the aggrieved student and faculty member involved, the Provost shall refer the matter to the Academic Appeals Committee or prescribe an appropriate procedure consonant with the university’s mission. Academic appeals requests to the Office of the Provost must be submitted no later than the end of the first day of orientation week of the following semester.

Student Academic Integrity Code

Academic integrity lies at the heart of intellectual life. As members of a diverse community committed to the advancement of knowledge, AUS affirms the importance of respecting the integrity of individual work. The Student Academic Integrity Code for the American University of Sharjah describes standards for academic conduct, students’ rights and responsibilities as members of an academic community and procedures for handling allegations of academic dishonesty. As an institution of higher learning, the American University of Sharjah views academic integrity as an educational as well as a judicial issue. The first obligation of a student is to pursue conscientiously the academic objectives that he/she has chosen. Accordingly, each student is required to conform to the regulations of the university, of the college/school in which he/she has enrolled and of the classes in which he/she is registered. It is further expected that all examinations, tests, papers and other assignments will be completed according to the standards set forth in this code. By registering as a student at the American University of Sharjah, all students acknowledge their awareness of the academic integrity code and university registration policies and procedures. At the beginning of the academic year, students will be asked to sign a statement agreeing to abide by the academic integrity code. Students are responsible for becoming familiar with their rights and responsibilities as defined by the academic integrity code and for understanding the requirements for their particular courses (regarding such issues as collaborative work, use of study aids or take-home examinations). Students are also responsible for learning the conventions of documentation and acknowledgment of sources required in academic discourse.

Definition of Academic Violations

Members of the academic community are expected to conduct themselves with integrity as a matter of course. Certain violations of ethical conduct relate specifically to academic integrity. Academic violations include, but are not limited to, the following:

Plagiarism

To plagiarize is to use the work, ideas, images or words of someone else without attribution. Plagiarism may involve using someone else’s wording—a distinctive name, a phrase, a sentence or an entire passage or essay—without using quotation marks. It may also involve misrepresenting the sources that were used. The issue of plagiarism applies to all student assignments.

Inappropriate Collaboration

Close collaboration on academic work requires acknowledgment. Inappropriate collaboration involves working with someone else in developing, organizing or revising a project (such as a paper, an oral presentation, a research or design project or a take-home examination) without acknowledging that person’s help. The use of unauthorized
assistance must be avoided in the production of all academic work. Specific policies regarding collaborative work, peer review, use of tutors and editing may vary among individual professors.

Inappropriate Proxy

Students must attend their own classes and be present for all examinations. Those impersonated and impersonators will be suspended or dismissed from the university.

Dishonesty in Examinations and Submitted Work

All academic work and materials submitted for assessment must be the sole original work of the student, unless otherwise directed by the instructor. Communication is not allowed between or among students, nor are students allowed to consult books, papers, study aids or notes without explicit permission. Cheating includes, but is not limited to, copying from another’s paper, giving unauthorized assistance, obtaining unauthorized advance knowledge of examination questions, and the use of mechanical or marking devices or procedures for the purpose of achieving false scores on machinegraded examinations. Specific policies regarding examinations may vary with individual professors. Students are prohibited from submitting any material prepared by or purchased from another person or company.

Work Completed for One Course and Submitted to Another

Students may not present the same work for more than one course. Under exceptional circumstances, faculty members may permit a significant piece of research to satisfy requirements in two courses. However, both professors must agree in advance to this arrangement. Students are reminded that when incorporating their own past research in current projects, they need to reference such previous work.

Deliberate Falsification of Data

Students may not deliberately falsify data or distort supporting documentation for coursework or other academic activity.

Interference with Other Students' Work

Students may not intentionally interfere with the work of others, such as sabotaging laboratory experiments, research or digital files, or by giving misleading information or disrupting class work.

Copyright Violations

Copyright laws must be observed. These laws govern practices such as making use of printed materials, duplicating computer software, duplicating images, photoduplicating copyrighted materials and reproducing audio-visual works. The academic integrity code prohibits theft and the unauthorized use of documents and requires adherence to the laws of Sharjah and the federal laws of the UAE.

Complicity in Academic Dishonesty

Complicity in academic dishonesty consists of helping or attempting to help another person commit an act of academic dishonesty or willfully assisting another student in the violation of the academic code of integrity. Complicity in academic dishonesty is pre-meditated and intentional. This can include but is not limited to (1) doing work for another student; (2) designing or producing a project for another student; (3) willfully providing answers during an exam, test or quiz; (4) calling a student on a mobile phone while taking an exam and providing information; (5) providing a student with an advance copy of a test; (6) leaving inappropriate materials behind at the site of an exam or test; or (7) altering outcome results.

Adjudication of Academic Offenses

Jurisdiction

Academic cases resulting from alleged violations of the university’s academic integrity code are within the jurisdiction of either a faculty member or the dean of a college/school. All charges are brought through the university faculty. Faculty members or students wishing to bring charges should do so through the faculty member in whose course or academic activity the alleged code violation occurred. In the case of students bringing charges against other students, the student bringing the charge must identify himself or herself to the faculty member.

The Adjudication Process

One of two procedures may be followed in the adjudication process. The first grants authority to the faculty member to exercise discretion in those cases involving a students judgmental error rather than willful dishonesty. The second grants jurisdiction to the dean of the college/school in which the alleged violation has occurred.

1. Faculty Authority

If a faculty member is convinced that an alleged offense has resulted from an error in judgment on the student’s part rather than from purposeful dishonesty, the faculty member may decide to use the occasion for instructing the student on acceptable standards for academic work. In such cases, the faculty member may, for example, require the student to rewrite or correct the original assignment or to submit a substitute assignment. When faculty jurisdiction is exercised in the case of an unintentional violation of the Student Academic Integrity Code, the faculty member shall send written notification of the event to the dean (or appointed designee) of the college/ school in which the offense has occurred. That dean will then notify the student’s dean, if the student is enrolled in another college/school, that the offense has occurred. Through this process, the university can monitor multiple occurrences of such errors of judgment by particular students.

2. Administrative Jurisdiction
In all other circumstances, the following procedures will be observed:

• Faculty members reporting an allegation of dishonesty must do so within ten working days of the date of discovery of the alleged offense. The report should be supported by such documentation as is appropriate and delivered to the dean (or appointed designee).
• The dean (or appointed designee) will promptly notify the student of the charge and will arrange to discuss the charge with the student at a preliminary meeting. The dean (or appointed designee) will also notify the chair of the department or unit in which the offense occurred and the students dean (if the student is a member of another college/school) that an allegation has been made.
• At the preliminary meeting, the student will be presented with the charge and the evidence submitted by the faculty member. He/she will be advised of the procedures including his/her rights and given the opportunity to respond. The student may respond immediately or respond in writing within 10 days. The signed document will become additional evidence in the case. If the student fails to attend this preliminary meeting, the dean may proceed with the process as appropriate.
• Faculty members, at their discretion, may discuss the alleged case of dishonesty with the student before the case is adjudicated. However, faculty members are not to submit grades for the work in question or for the course until the case has been adjudicated. If the semester grades are due before the adjudication process is complete, a temporary grade of N will be assigned.
• When appropriate, the dean (or appointed designee) will gather additional evidence from the student, the complainant and other concerned parties before the adjudication process.
• After reviewing the charges and the evidence, the dean (or appointed designee) may dismiss the case or refer the case to the faculty member bringing the charge. For cases not dismissed or referred, the dean may assign a penalty. The dean may request a meeting with the student at any time.

Other Adjudication Issues

While the assignment of penalties is the province of the dean of the college/ school, the faculty member making the charge may recommend a grading penalty or other sanctions. If the student fails to attend the scheduled meeting, the date of which will be made known in advance to him/her, the college/school may hear the case in the student’s absence or move for a continuance. Legal counsel is not permitted at any point during the adjudication process. The standard of proof for any instance of academic dishonesty will be clear and convincing evidence.

Penalties

Students are advised that violations of the Student Academic Integrity Code will be treated seriously, with special attention given to repeat offenders.

1. In assigning a penalty, the dean will take into account both the seriousness of the offense and any particular circumstances involved.
2. After a second determination of guilt is established through formal review, a student may be suspended or dismissed.
3. Penalties for an academic offense may include one or more of the following:

   a. Resubmission of the work in question.

   b. Submission of additional work for the course in which the offense occurred.

   c. A lowered grade or loss of credit for the work found to be in violation of the integrity code.

   d. A failing grade of F or WF or denial of credit for the course in which the offense occurred. A notation of the academic integrity code violation will be entered on the students permanent record.

   e. Suspension for one or more academic terms, including the term in which the offense occurred. A notation of the academic integrity code violation will be entered on the students permanent record.

   f. Dismissal (for a specified term or permanently) from the university. A notation of the academic integrity code violation will be entered on the students permanent record.

4. Penalties (a)-(c) are levied by the dean hearing the case only with the concurrence of the faculty member bringing the charge. Penalties (d)-(f) are levied by the dean hearing the case only with the concurrence of the students dean. If consensus cannot be reached, the Provost or his/her representative will adjudicate
5. If the penalty levied is (e) or (f), the dean of the college or school to which the student belongs will take the appropriate academic action. Disciplinary actions (d)-(f) will become a permanent part of the students academic record, with appropriate notation indicating that there has been a violation of the Student Academic Integrity Code.
6. The student may not withdraw from a course in which an infraction has been found and a penalty applied. No refund or cancellation of tuition fees will be permitted in such cases.

Notifications and Appeals

The dean (or appointed designee) will notify the student in writing of the findings and, as appropriate, the assigned penalty. The faculty member bringing the charge will also be notified in writing of these results, as will the chair of the department in which the case occurred and the student’s dean if the student is enrolled in another college/school.

In cases concerning notation to the permanent record [penalties (d)–(f) in item 3 above], students will be notified in writing of their right of appeal. Appeals must be made in writing within five days of the date of notice. Appeals are limited to grounds of excessive sanction, improper procedure and unavailability of relevant evidence at the time of the original administrative or code review panel meeting.

Appeals will be reviewed by the Provost, who may consult the case’s written record, the appeal request and any person involved in the adjudication process. Following the review, the Provost may deny the appeal or may lower the sanction or remand the matter to the appropriate dean in the event of improper procedure or new evidence.

Suspension and Dismissal

• The decision as to whether suspension or dismissal is appropriate in a given instance will necessarily depend on the circumstances of each case and usually on the total academic record of the student involved.
• Suspension is effective for not lessthan the term in which the sanction is taken or for not more than one calendar year. The length of a suspension is to be specified preciselyat the time the action is taken. A student who is suspended is ordinarily entitled to resume studies in the same college/school at the conclusion of the period of suspension, provided he/she has satisfied all requirements imposed by the dean when the original action was implemented.
• Dismissal is a penalty invoked in cases of serious infractions of rules and regulations and when circumstances indicate that a student’s association with the university should be terminated in the interests of maintaining the standards of behavior and conduct normally expected in a university community. A student who has been dismissed but who has not been denied the privilege of returning to the university later may apply for readmission after the expiration of one calendar year. Action will be taken on the application after a total re-evaluation of the record and in accordance with the admission and readmission practices in effect at the time of application. A readmitted student is governed by the academic requirements in effect at the time of readmission. The calendar year that must elapse before an application for readmission may be considered is interpreted as beginning on the final day of the term during which the disciplinary action was taken.

Records of Disciplinary Actions

All records pertaining to student infringement of the code will be maintained for a period of five years after the student’s last registration at the American University of Sharjah. In the event that the penalties become part of the student’s permanent record, the record will be maintained indefinitely. These records are subject to university regulations concerning the confidentiality of student records. Upon written request, students have the right to inspect their records of violations of the code.