Nomination/Approval Process: Anybody may identify a candidate for a posthumous degree, but such a suggestion must be made to the chair of the appropriate academic department for consideration and to begin the formal process. The student’s degree audit shall be obtained from the Registrar’s Office to verify progress toward degree completion. The academic department in which the student was enrolled will recommend the candidate for a posthumous degree in a formal written request to the Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA). The request must include the name and ID of the student, the degree, majors, minors, and concentrations, if applicable, to be awarded, and the recommended semester for degree conferral. The VPAA may choose to present this nomination to the Academic Policy and Affairs Council (APAC) for review/discussion. If supported by the VPAA, the VPAA will submit the recommendation to the university president for formal approval. If approved by the president: The VPAA will notify the registrar to begin the process for degree posting and commencement proceedings, if applicable. The President will inform the immediate family of the university’s decision and desire to recognize their student with this honor (this process should be kept confidential until and unless approved at all levels). If the family desires to represent the student and receive the diploma at a commencement ceremony, this must be relayed to the commencement coordinator for planning. Miscellaneous Details/Considerations: A posthumous degree will be printed in commencement programs within the appropriate college section. If the family chooses not to participate, this award may still be read during the ceremony (unless explicitly requested otherwise by the family). If the student had financial debt to the university, this debt will be waived. Exceptions to the aforementioned minimum requirements may be considered in special cases, with support of the academic department chair and VPAA and approval of the president. The statement "awarded posthumously" will be printed on the student’s academic record, but not on the diploma.

All VCSU classes must document compliance with credit hour requirements as based on the Carnegie Unit, wherein students are expected to perform two hours of work outside of class for each ‘in class’ hour, for a total of three hours a week for each credit.   Essentially, that means documenting at least 15 hours of “guided instruction”—the ‘in class’ time—and 30 hours of other coursework per credit in a semester (a two credit-class would need 30 hours in and 60 out, a three-credit class 45 hours in and 90 out, etc.). Since the Department of Education defines an hour as 50 minutes in all instances, a typical one-credit class would involve 750 minutes of guided instruction in a semester, and 1500 minutes of other coursework.    The table below outlines the number of minutes/hours required per credit hour:   Credit hours # of F2F meetings PER WEEK  # of F2F meetings per semester # of “out of class” hours required Total hours for the course 1 1—50 minutes 15 (750 minutes) 30 (1500 minutes) 45 (2250 minutes) 2 100 minutes 1500 minutes 60 hours 90 hours 3 150 minutes 2250 minutes 90 hours 135 hours 4 200 minutes 3000 minutes 120 Hours 180 Hours   In activity courses (for example, a lab class, or music ensemble) the number of hours/minutes per credit may increase, but should not be less than the number indicated above.    All syllabi will conform to current VCSU standards regarding syllabus checklists and/or any other relevant VCSU policies and procedures. In addition, each syllabus must include a statement of estimated time expectations for coursework in accordance with this policy to document the total number of hours spent on any particular class.   Faculty are encouraged to consult a course workload calculator, such as the one available online from Rice University, to accurately judge the time required for homework assignments.    In determining the time requirements of online classes: Guided instruction should be compared to class time in a face-to-face class—anything that students would do ‘in class’ would count as guided instruction and should constitute at least 1/3rd of the coursework.  Additional hours for homework (reading, written work, testing, research) should be outlined according to type of assignment/activity, in accordance to class type, and as measured against the DOE definitions above, presented in a format readily understandable to students. Sponsor: VCSU Faculty Senate Initially Approved: March 2015 Revised: Spring 2022

Policy An academic field trip is a course-related activity that serves educational purposes and occurs at a location other than the classroom or campus. These trips function as a complement to classroom and laboratory learning. Academic field trips are university-sponsored events and must conform to the procedures listed below. These procedures also apply to field trips for courses that are regularly taught outside of a classroom or at locations away from campus (e.g., field research). Sponsored by: Vice President for Academic Affairs Effective: Fall, 1986 Reviewed: Spring, 1990 Reviewed: Winter 1996 Revised: February 2018 Revised: November 2024

Purpose: To operationalize Valley City State University’s policy 480.01 Field Trip. Procedure: Valley City State University defines an academic field trip as: A faculty supervised activity An activity that is listed in the syllabus Travel that is a required part of a class Travel that occurs off-campus A course related activity Travel that includes an education purpose The duration may be during the class period or longer This definition does not include activities such as: Teacher preparation program activities Athletic activities Student organization activities Capstone activities Internships Field experience Other Practicum activities When practical, the site of the academic field trip should be visited in advance by the faculty member, to evaluate possible threats and risks and to minimize these through careful planning. Field trips must be described in the course syllabus, and faculty must discuss course expectations related to the field trip with students. In addition, the faculty member must discuss with students any risks associated with the activity of the field trip, expectations for behavior during the trip, and relevant emergency preparedness information. This discussion must be repeated no less than a week in advance of the trip. If special services are needed for students traveling with the field trip, the faculty member must contact Student Academic Services no less than 2 weeks before the travel dates. Faculty are required to complete the field trip request form (AA-22-2015) before commencing on a field trip with students. The form must be approved by the department chair and the VPAA’s office before travel begins. A funding source for all field trip expenses must be identified. If a state fleet vehicle is used for the field trip, the policies and procedures for use of state vehicles must be followed. Policies and procedures pertaining to use of state vehicles can be found at: https://www.library.nd.gov/statedocs/Transportation/fsmanual20100805.pdf https://ndus.edu/state-fleet-guide/

Special Topics Courses (x99)   Special Topics Courses are intended to provide an opportunity to offer classes in academic areas not covered in the regular course offerings of the University. These courses are numbered 199, 299, 399, or 499. A special topic course requires the completion and approval of the Special Course Approval form (AA-31).   A course using the x99 number must have a syllabus and documented “seat time” commensurate with the number of credit hours requested.  See V441.01 (Credit Hour Policy) for seat time expectations.     A special topics course requires direct instruction by the faculty member and regular class meetings.  These credits are included in faculty load/overload.   Catalog Courses offered to an individual or after the semester schedule is published   Use the regular number for a course that is in the course catalog and is being offered out of sequence for a single or several students, or for a course that is being scheduled after the semester schedule is published.  Use the Special Course Approval form (AA-31) to set up this course.   This course must have a syllabus and documented “seat time” commensurate with the number of credit hours established for the course.  See V441.01 for seat time expectations.   A catalog course requires direct instruction by the faculty member and regular class meetings.  These credits are included in faculty load/overload.     Independent Study Courses (x94)   Independent Study courses may be used to further an individual student’s competence in subject matter areas. These courses are numbered 194, 294, 394, 494, and require the completion and approval of the Special Course Approval form (AA-31).    A course using the x94 number must have a statement of the work to be completed and a careful review of the estimated time of study (reading, writing, researching) that matches the credit hours requested.  See V441.01 (Credit Hour Policy) for seat time equivalency expectations.  The  statement of work should be attached to Form AA-31 when it is submitted to the Registrar.   An independent study is overseen by a faculty member but does not require faculty-led instruction.  Therefore the credits are not included in faculty load/overload.     Sponsored by: Curriculum Committee  Reviewed: Winter 1996 Revised: Winter 2004 Revised: 2014 Revised: 2020 Revised: Spring 2022

Mission and Purpose Allen Memorial Library supports the discovery, evaluation, and creation of knowledge in a learner-centered environment. Support the university’s vision of delivering distinctive, learner-centered experiences Promote critical thinking, inquiry, and intellectual engagement Provide high-quality resources, information literacy instruction, and reference services to all members of the VCSU community, both on-campus and online Collect and promote a diverse array of learning materials and resources Serve as a student-focused destination for reference, research, collaboration, and study Library Hours The library building follows Valley City State University’s hours of operation, as well as additional evening and weekend hours during the academic year. Digital resources are always available via the library website. Library Users provided with full access to materials and services using their university-issued ID card. Emeritus staff and faculty are also automatically considered library patrons and do not need to apply for a card. Community members may use library resources and/or may elect to become a local library patron by applying for and receiving a community patron library card. Priority for resources and staff time is given to university users. Loan of Materials Materials will be loaned to patrons with a valid library card/university-issued ID. Library staff may request verification of patron information during the circulation process. Students Any student who is currently enrolled in at least one class taught under the auspices of Valley City State University is a student borrower. There are multiple collections of materials available for check out from Allen Memorial Library with a variety of loan periods. Every effort is made to inform borrowers of material due dates; however, it is ultimately the responsibility of the borrower to verify and adhere to due dates to prevent fines and fees from being issued. Faculty and Staff/Faculty and Staff Emeritus Faculty and staff employed at Valley City State University may borrow most library materials for one semester. Faculty and staff may renew materials at the end of fall semester but must return all materials at the end of the academic year. Community Members Valley City State issues community borrower library cards to residents of the city or county upon completion of a community borrower registration form and proof of current address. Community patrons are generally defined as permanent residents of Valley City or the surrounding area, or alumni of the university. Community patrons may have a shorter loan period than university-affiliated users. Upon check out, they will be notified of the due date, but are ultimately responsible for the timely return of materials. Allen Memorial Library reserves the right to revoke or refuse borrowing privileges for community users who violate library rules or policy. Overdue Materials The library will issue overdue courtesy notices. Fines may be charged for overdue items and items that remain unreturned are declared lost. After the item is declared lost, a bill for the cost of the item plus a non-refundable handling fee will be sent to the borrower and the Valley City State University Business Office for collection Borrowing privileges for a student or community member with an outstanding bill are suspended until the account is settled. Interlibrary Loan Interlibrary loan services are provided to university-affiliated patrons of the Allen Memorial Library to provide access to materials not owned by the library. Items may be requested from other libraries throughout North Dakota or the world. Most interlibrary loans are available to faculty, staff, and students at no charge when requests are made following approved procedures. If, however, the lending library charges a fee, that fee may be passed on to the patron. Course Reserves Faculty may place personal or library-owned materials on either physical or electronic course reserve at the library. The library will not collect or share data on the circulation or use of materials. Library Instruction Professional librarians offer information literacy instruction to help students gain information literacy skills necessary for life-long learning, and to help them complete research projects, term papers and class assignments. Information literacy instruction sessions are tailored to individual subjects and courses and must be scheduled in advance. Accessibility Allen Memorial Library is committed to providing equal access to information and services for all students, faculty, and staff members. We strive to provide an equitable experience for all individuals regardless of ability by following accessibility standards, responding to user feedback, and providing support and accommodations. Allen Memorial Library complies with VCSU policy statement V1203.01: Digital Accessibility. Computer Use The library contains a limited number of public access computers. Students, faculty, and staff of Valley City State University have priority in using these computers. All users must comply with the guidelines on computer and network usage set forth in Section 1201.2 of the Policies and Procedures of the North Dakota University System (NDUS) as well as the library rules for use. Library personnel reserve the right to restrict use of library computer equipment. Temporary guest wireless accounts are offered in conjunction with university technology services for campus visitors and community users. Users of guest wireless accounts must comply with both library and university system guidelines. Confidentiality of Library Records In accordance with North Dakota state law, Allen Memorial Library does not release information on library users or their use of information. North Dakota Century Code, Section 40-38-12, states: “Any record maintained or received by a library receiving public funds, which provides a library patron's name or information sufficient to identify a patron together with the subject about which the patron requested information, is considered private and is excepted from the public records disclosure requirements of section 44-04-18. These records may be released when required pursuant to a court order or a subpoena.” Purchase of Library Resources The primary objective in creating and maintaining the Allen Memorial Library collections is to support the learning and research objectives of the VCSU community. This is accomplished through selecting and purchasing materials relevant to the curriculum offered at VCSU, and the associated research and teaching activities that accompany that curriculum. A portion of the annual library budget is allocated for the purchase of physical and electronic resources related to each academic area of study. The final decision to purchase or subscribe is made by the Director and based on a variety of professional criteria, including but not limited to the following: availability of funds, professional reviews, applicability to curricular needs, expected usage data, cost effectiveness, and expected return on investment. Faculty suggestions for purchase of resources related to academic programs are given priority. Deselection of Library Materials The library withdraws materials from the collection on an ongoing basis as a part of the routine collection management procedures of the library. Decisions on deselection are made using professional collection development tools and procedures. Gifts to the Library The library accepts gifts of material and equipment that meet the library's collection development policy and reserves the right to dispose of or offer items to faculty and students which are not selected for addition to the collection. Sponsored by: Director of Library Services Reviewed: Winter 1996 Reviewed: February 2005 Number Change: October 2010 (formerly V480) Revised: March 2015, December 2021

Textbook Adoptions To provide the best possible service for our students, the bookstore and faculty must work together. Returning text adoptions in a timely manner is critical to best meeting the needs of our students. The VCSU Bookstore website will accept Spring textbook adoptions in early October each year, with adoption due at the end of October. Summer and Fall text book adoptions can be submitted on the VCSU Bookstore website in early March, with adoptions due by the end of March. In compliance with federal law regarding textbooks contained in the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-315), the institution will provide on its electronic course schedule and through a link to its bookstore's website, prior to course enrollment each semester for all required or recommended textbooks and supplemental material: The ISBN number and retail price, or if the ISBN number is not available then the author, title, publisher and copyright date. If such disclosure is not practical, then the designation “To Be Determined.” A reference will be made on any written course schedule to the information available on the electronic course schedule accessible through the institutional website and the internet address for the electronic course schedule. The institution will include through a link to its bookstore's website and electronic course schedule any of its policies or provisions for: Rental of textbooks; The purchase of used textbooks; Textbook repurchase or buy backs; and Alternative content delivery programs. VCSU will update policy to comply with any future federal mandates. For faculty information regarding the selection textbooks and other curriculum information, please refer to Policy V611.09. Desk Copies Desk Copies need to be ordered directly from the publisher by faculty or their assistants. Requests from faculty for desk copies are not accepted by the bookstore. In most cases, the bookstore can provide the contact information for a publisher if it cannot be located. Desk copies should be ordered early, so it is not necessary to borrow a copy from the bookstore. Sponsored by: Bookstore Manager  Reviewed: Winter 1996 Reviewed: Fall 2004 Number Change: October 2010 (formerly V481) Revised: 2014 Reviewed:  December 2019 Revised Spring 2022

V480.05 Copyright Compliance Policy:  Valley City State University faculty, staff, and students are required to comply with all U.S. copyright laws, including Title 17 U.S. Code, the United States Copyright Act, the Digital Millennium Copyright Act of 1998, and the Technology, Education, and Copyright Harmonization (TEACH) Act of 2002. Additionally, in accordance with NDUS Policy 1202.1 Acceptable Use of Information Technology Resources Policy: Users must “…Abide by all applicable copyright laws and observe intellectual property rights. Individuals are prohibited from using, copying, storing, or redistributing copyrighted material (i.e., digital music, movies, images, or electronic publications) or otherwise violating copyright or patent laws concerning computer software licenses or documentation.” Valley City State University students, faculty, and staff are responsible for making a good faith determination whether an intended use falls within specific or fair use exemptions in copyright law. When permission to use copyright material is required, that permission must be obtained prior to use of the copyrighted materials. For more information, guidelines, and best practices regarding copyright compliance, refer to the Allen Memorial Library Research Guide on Copyright at: https://libguides.library.vcsu.edu/copyright or the U.S. Copyright Office webpage at http://www.copyright.gov. Sponsored by: Director  for Library Services Established: 1976 Reviewed: Winter 1996 Number Change: October 2010 (formerly V481) Revised: February 2022