The Augustana Student Handbook is the official resource that defines the university's expectations for student life. These policies and practices allow us to collaboratively work alongside each other, respectfully respond to conflicts with one another and resolve violations of our Code of Student Conduct in ways that emphasize learning and personal accountability. Augustana expects students to become familiar with this important resource of information. The responsibility for understanding and following Augustana's policies and procedures, whether it is the Code of Student Conduct or the requirements for graduation, rests entirely on the student.
The Augustana University Student Handbook is maintained by the Dean of Students Office. The Student Handbook is the university's official notification of standards, rules, policies, values and responsibilities that characterize student life at Augustana. Students are expected to read, understand and comply with the provisions of the Student Handbook and to be guided by the spirit of the standards.
The contents of the Student Handbook supersede and revoke all prior statements of policy at Augustana concerning matters contained in student handbooks from previous years. If this student handbook does not address a matter of interest to you, or if you are uncertain about something after you have read the applicable policy or guideline, contact the Dean of Students Office for more information.
DISCLAIMER | No student handbook can anticipate every circumstance or question regarding university policies. On occasion, some (indirect) online links may take you to information published by other campus entities that cannot be guaranteed to be accurate. Accordingly, this publication is not intended to be a legally binding contract. Therefore, Augustana reserves the right to amend, supplement, interpret, rescind, or deviate from any policies or portions of the Student Handbook from time to time as it deems appropriate based on the facts and circumstances surrounding each situation, in its sole and absolute discretion. As changes to the Handbook are made during the course of an academic year, this website and all of its linked contents will serve as an essential resource for policies, procedures and resources.
Augustana University affirms its commitment to promote the goals of fairness and equity in all aspects of the educational enterprise. Augustana policies and procedures related to discrimination (age, race, sex, gender identity, nationality, etc.) are designed to promote principles of global human dignity with an emphasis on meaningful remedies, social justice, victim empowerment and advocacy, comprehensive investigation and prompt, humane, non-adversarial resolution of everything from bias incidents to stalking, to rape and intimate partner violence.
The policies presented here are subject to resolution using Augustana’s Equity Grievance Process. This process is based upon an Office for Civil Rights (OCR) compliant model. Augustana resolves discrimination complaints involving students, faculty and staff using a common policy and one centralized procedure.
The Equity Grievance Process is applicable regardless of the status of the parties involved, who may be members or non-members of the campus community, students, student organizations, faculty, administrators and/or staff.
Augustana University affirms its commitment to promote the goals of fairness and equity in all aspects of the educational enterprise.
Reports of discrimination, harassment and/or retaliation should be made promptly. There is no time limitation on the filing of grievances as long as the accused individual remains subject to the university’s jurisdiction.
Inquiries about these policies and related resolution processes may be made internally to:
Beth Elam, Associate Dean of Students (Title IX Coordinator)
Dean of Students Office, Mortenson Center #116,
Augustana University, 2001 S. Summit Avenue, Sioux Falls, SD 57197
Office: 605.274.4124, Email: beth.elam@augie.edu
Inquiries may be made externally to:
Office for Civil Rights (OCR), U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-1100
Customer Service Hotline: 800.421.3481
Email: OCR@ed.gov
Web: www.ed.gov/ocr
[1] Recent guidance from the U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights clarifies that sexual harassment includes all forms of sexual violence including sexual misconduct, exploitation, stalking and other related policies as defined in this publication.
[2] The University is continuing a review of its policies and resolution procedures to ensure that processes, protocols and resources are in compliance with guidance issued by the U.S. Department’s Office for Civil Rights. During this process, content appearing on this website supersedes all print documents and will serve as the essential resource for current practice.
[3] ATIXA 2020 ONE POLICY, TWO PROCEDURES MODEL. USE AND ADAPTATION OF THIS MODEL WITH CITATION TO ATIXA IS PERMITTED THROUGH A LIMITED LICENSE TO AUGUSTANA UNIVERSITY. ALL OTHER RIGHTS RESERVED. © 2020. ATIXA
[4] These policies and procedures will be reviewed and updated annually by the Title IX Coordinator and Deputy Coordinators. The Title IX Coordinator may make minor modifications to procedure that do not materially jeopardize the fairness owed to any party. However, the Title IX Coordinator may also vary procedures materially with notice (on the institutional website, with appropriate date of effect identified) upon determining that changes to law or regulation require policy or procedural alterations not reflected in this policy and procedure. Procedures in effect at the time of its implementation will apply. Policy in effect at the time of the offense will apply even if the policy is changed subsequently, unless the parties consent to be bound by the current policy. Date of last review: August 4, 2020.
Class Attendance
Unofficial Withdrawal
Academic Classification
- Freshman 0-27.99
- Sophomore 28-57.99
- Junior 58-89.99
- Senior 90 and higher
Academic Integrity
- Prohibited Conduct
- Plagiarism
- Using the exact language of someone else without the use of quotation marks and/or without giving proper credit to the author
- Rearranging another’s ideas or material and presenting them as though they are one’s original work without giving appropriate acknowledgment
- Submitting a document written by someone else as one’s own work
- Paying for or obtaining another’s work and submitting it as one’s own
- Giving or receiving answers to an exam
- Copying, with or without another person’s knowledge, during an exam
- Doing class assignments for someone else
- Submitting a paper that has been purchased from a commercial research firm or the web
- Fabricating items on a bibliography
- Obtaining an unauthorized copy of a test in advance of its scheduled administration
- Using unauthorized notes during an exam
- Collaborating with other students on assignments when it is not permitted
- Altering answers on a scored test and submitting it for a re-grade
- Accessing and altering records in a grade book
- Stealing class assignments from other students and submitting them as one’s own
- Fabricating laboratory or research data
- Destroying, stealing or sabotaging the work of other students
- Resubmitting a previously graded assignment for a different course
- Engaging in other conduct that a reasonable person would consider dishonesty relating to academic achievement, research results or academically related public service.
- Uploading assignments, tests, or any academic work product to any educational resource website such as Chegg.
Honor Code
Honor Pledge
Honor Board
Honor Code Rights and Responsibilities
Faculty Rights and Responsibilities:
- Faculty autonomy is to be safeguarded, as the work of the classroom is primarily the responsibility of faculty members.
- Faculty members will choose whether or not to proctor examinations.
- All faculty members will include statements that affirm the Honor Code in their syllabi. These statements will include descriptions of likely penalties. Uniform language will be provided for faculty members to use.
- The faculty members will include the Honor Pledge on every examination and on other assignments as deemed appropriate by the faculty member.
- The faculty member will contact in a timely manner any student who does not sign the Honor Pledge.
- The faculty member who brings forward evidence of instances of academic dishonesty will be responsible to testify if the case is forwarded to the Honor Board.
Student Rights and Responsibilities:
- Students shall have a right to due process. This shall include the right:
- to be informed of the nature of the violation,
- to a fair hearing of the evidence leading to a decision in the case, either by the professor involved or (at the discretion of the professor involved) by the Honor Board,
- to be accompanied to any hearing before the Honor Board by an advisor from the Augustana campus community,
- to request an appeal.
- Students will be expected to sign the Honor Pledge after each examination and on other assignments deemed appropriate by the faculty member.
- Students who do not sign the pledge will be contacted by the instructor in regard to the reason. Students who do not sign the Honor Pledge because they have observed dishonest behavior by other students will need to provide written testimony in the event that the case goes to a hearing before the Honor Board, but will not be obligated to testify in person and will also remain anonymous.
- Students found to be in violation of the Honor Code shall not be permitted to withdraw from the class in which the violation occurred.
Honor Code Determinations:
- A disciplinary warning is a written notice that the student has violated the Honor Code.
- If a disciplinary warning is issued, further violations will likely lead to disciplinary probation, suspension, or expulsion.
- Failure of the assignment or examination.
- Failure of the course.
- Disciplinary probation: a written reprimand for violation of the Honor Code. The probation specifies the period and conditions of the consequence. The written conditions shall also give the student notice of any consequences related to further violation of the Honor Code during the probationary period. If disciplinary probation is issued, further violations will likely lead to a suspension or expulsion.
- Recommendation to the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs to suspend from the University. A suspension is a separation of the student from Augustana for a definite period of time, after which the student is eligible to return. Conditions for readmission may be specified.
- Recommendation to the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs to expel from the University. An expulsion is a permanent separation of the student from Augustana University.
Academic Probation/Dismissal Procedures
Credit Hours | GPA which results in dismissal/probation | GPA which results in probation |
0 – 27.99 | 0 – 1.49 | 1.50 – 1.70 |
28 – 57.99 | 0 – 1.59 | 1.60 – 1.80 |
58 – 89.99 | 0 – 1.69 | 1.70 – 1.90 |
90 and higher | 0 – 1.84 | 1.85 – 1.99 |
- Students who have been on probation for a semester, and do not raise their cumulative grade point average above the probation range may be dismissed from the University.
- The academic probation/dismissal status of students shall be in effect the first day of the term following the decision. For example, actions taken at the end of Fall Semester 2017 go into effect on the first day of Interim 2018. Actions taken at the end of Spring Semester 2018 go into effect the first day of Summer term 2018, or Fall Semester 2018 if the student is not enrolled in courses for summer.
- Student organizations have the ability to limit participation for those students on continued academic probation based on their Augustana grade point average and the student's academic standing. The faculty or staff leader of each organization will be responsible to communicate with the Registrar's Office to determine which students, if any, fail to meet the organizations by-laws.
- Students are restored to good standing at the end of any term (fall, interim, spring or summer) their cumulative grade point average exceeds the grade point average listed above.
- A student may petition a dismissal decision to the Academic Status Petition Committee. The Committee will normally consider such a request only after the student has been out of school for one semester.
- A student may petition to the Academic Status Petition Committee to be allowed to participate in the activities listed in the previous section 3 while on continued academic probation only under extraordinary circumstances.
- The student petition shall be submitted to the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs no later than 6 weeks prior to the beginning of the affected semester. The Committee will convene if petitions are submitted within 21 days after the status decisions are made. Each petition must contain:
- A statement about the circumstances that led to the dismissal/probation decision.
- A verifiable plan that details efforts to be taken that will prevent a reoccurrence of the problem. This plan will be written in conjunction with the student’s academic advisor.
- The student may request an appearance before the Academic Status Petition Committee.
Grading System
Grade | Quality Point |
A+ | 4.00 |
A | 4.00 |
A- | 3.70 |
B+ | 3.30 |
B | 3.00 |
B- | 2.70 |
C+ | 2.30 |
C | 2.00 |
C- | 1.70 |
D+ | 1.30 |
D | 1.00 |
D- | 0.70 |
F | 0.00 |
S/U: Satisfactory (C- and above); Unsatisfactory (D+ and below); no quality points (not used in calculation of GPA)
I: Incomplete
IP: Course in progress
VS: Indicated on the transcript for a successfully completed audit
VU: Indicated on the transcript of an unsuccessful audit
The grades of F, U, VS, and VU earn neither credit hours nor quality points
All repeated courses remain on the transcript with only the highest grade used in calculating the grade point average.
*CEEL, Student Teaching, and Practicum courses are always graded S/U, as are the departmental courses so designated in this catalog. Other participation courses (typically numbered 095-098), some Internships, and some Interim courses may be graded S/U. Students may also elect to have S/U grading applied to a maximum of two courses (8 credit hours) that are regularly graded A-F. Students choosing this option must notify the Registrar’s Office in writing by no later than the last day to drop a course with a W (see the academic calendar each semester).
In Progress Grades
- Independent Scholarship
- Internship
- Senior Seminar
- Independent Study
- Practicum
- Student Teaching
Incomplete Grades
Grade Review and Grade Changes
- Fall semester grade review requests – no later than mid-February
- Interim (January term) grade review requests – no later than mid-February
- Spring semester grade review requests – no later than mid-September
- Summer term grade review requests – no later than mid-September
Grade Appeals
- Fall semester grade review requests – no later than mid-February
- Interim (January term) grade review requests – no later than mid-February
- Spring semester grade review requests – no later than mid-September
- Summer term grade review requests – no later than mid-September
Academic Grievance Procedure
Transcript Audit
Academic Renewal
Late Registration
Withdrawal and Readmission
Non-Augustana Courses
Policies for Course Credits and Exemption Examinations
Advanced Placement
Automatic Placement for ACT or SAT Exams
College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
- Augustana uses the recommended score for awarding credit as contained in the CLEP Subject Examination Policy.
- Students may take these examinations either prior to or after enrolling at Augustana. Students who achieve the minimum passing score or higher will have the equivalent Augustana course noted on their transcript, with credit granted towards graduation requirements. When appropriate, they will also be excused from the corresponding course in the core requirements.
- Augustana is an “open” CLEP testing center making CLEP testing available to our students, high school students, and the general public.
Department Proficiency Exams
International Baccalaureate Exams
Life Experience Credit
Transfer Credit
Former Augustana Students
Veterans
Credit by Examination-Proficiency Examinations
Course Prerequisites
Course Cancellation
Repeating Courses
Transcripts
Exceptions to Academic Regulations
Academic Honors
Student Records/FERPA
- personal records kept by a member of the university staff that is not revealed to others and are kept in the sole possession of the staff member; and
- student employment records that relate exclusively to the student in the capacity of an employee; and
- records from the Campus Safety Department which are maintained solely for law enforcement purposes; and
- health records maintained by the counseling services, health services and other recognized health care professionals if those records are used solely for treatment and made available only to those persons providing treatment.
Request for Review
Limitations on Student Rights
- confidential letters and recommendations associated with admission, employment, or job placement if a student has signed a waiver or the receipt of an honorary recognition
- education records containing information about more than one student, in which case the University will permit access only to that part of the record pertaining to the inquiring student
- financial records of the student’s parents or guardians
Directory Information
Request to Withhold Disclosure
Challenge to Contents of Education Records
Air Force ROTC
Independent Learning Programs
- Independent Scholarship (Regular course number): With the permission of the department involved, a student may take any regularly offered course through independent scholarship.
- Independent Study (199, 299, 399 or 499): In cooperation with a faculty member, a student may create an independent study course on any academic topic. The student and faculty member will design the course objectives, reading assignments, course requirements, and means of evaluation.
- At the time of registration, the student must file a Declaration of Intent with the Registrar’s Office to engage in independent learning. This proposal must bear the approval of the academic advisor, the faculty project advisor, and the chairperson of the department in which the project will be carried out.
- The student must file an approved Course Proposal for Independent Learning with the Registrar’s Office no later than three weeks (4 days for Interim and Summer term projects) after the beginning of term during which the independent learning project is to begin. This proposal must bear the approval of the academic advisor, the faculty advisor, the chairperson of the department in which the study is to be carried out, and the Registrar.
- The student and the instructor who is to direct the independent learning project are responsible for the academic soundness of the proposal.
- With departmental approval, independent learning may be counted toward the major.
- Students planning to complete an independent learning project over more than one semester must enroll for the course at the time they receive formal approval for it. This enrollment may be considered as a part of the regular load or as an overload. If added as an overload, there will be an additional charge. Students who find that it is impossible to complete an independent learning project may withdraw from the course without grade penalty, but without refund of tuition.
Internships
- In contrast to independent learning, internships are centered around practical experiences; the action component is generally at least as important as reading and writing components. Since internships are designed to meet genuine needs in both public and private sectors of society, the projects must first earn the support of the sponsoring agency or individual before the registration process may be completed. An intern must normally have an on-site supervisor in addition to a faculty supervisor. The on-site supervisor will, almost without exception, be a permanent, full-time employee of the host organization.
- Under normal conditions, the student must file with the Registrar an approved Course Proposal for Internship Study no later than two weeks after the beginning of the semester during which the internship project is to begin (or 4 days for Interim or Summer term projects). This proposal must bear the approval of the academic advisor, the faculty project advisor, the chairperson of the department in which the study is to be carried out, and the Registrar.
- The student and the project advisor are responsible for the academic soundness of the proposal. All internship proposals will conform to the following guidelines:
- Internships should be available though not necessarily required in every department.
- Normally, only students with junior, senior or post-college standing will be eligible to take an internship.
- An internship involves a minimum of 40 hours of field experience for each credit hour earned.
- Internships require a minimum of two conferences with the faculty project director pre- and post-conferences. Ideally, there should be an additional conference for every credit hour more than one during the internship. The faculty project director must visit the internship site at least once (preferably twice) during the internship. If the internship is too distant from the campus to allow this, the following options are available:
- an adjunct professor near the site must be contracted to provide this site visitation and evaluation, or
- the faculty member may coordinate visits with the site supervisor through Skype, Facetime, etc.
- Internships include a reading assignment that bears upon the internship experience undertaken.
- Internships include a writing assignment that records the learning process (journal, log, observation report, etc.) as well as a summary paper that helps the intern reflect on the total internship experience in terms of anticipated and unanticipated learning outcomes.
- Grading for internships should be based on a written evaluative report from the field supervisor, faculty observations and/or conferences with the intern, and the quality of the written work submitted.
- S/U grading is permissible for internship experiences.
- Students must be in good academic standing to participate in internships.
- These guidelines are also intended to make sure that a student has acquired a sufficient background in knowledge and theory related to the internship experience to gain maximum benefit from it.
- Although students may receive pay during an internship experience (dependent upon departmental policy), an internship should be a new experience based on a definite educational goal. Thus, students should not obtain internship credit for what is a regular job, whether part- or full-time, that they have been in previous to the start of the internship. An exception might be made if students assume a new position or new responsibilities as part of the internship experience in their normal place of work.
- Some departments may charge fees for internships in addition to tuition.
- Although students may plan to complete an internship study project over more than one semester, they must enroll for the course at the time they received formal approval for it. This enrollment may be considered as one of their regularly required courses or as an overload. If added as an overload, they must pay the regular tuition charges for an additional course. If students find that it is impossible to complete an internship study project, they may withdraw from the course without penalty, but without refund of tuition.
- A structured practical learning experience designed to familiarize a student with the critical elements of the administrator’s position in relation to the development of the University.
- A research-oriented project that the university administrator or student has proposed. Possible areas include grant writing, marketing research, student development programs, financial analysis.
- A combination of the above.
Study Abroad and Off-Campus Programs
Financial Information
Payment of Account
A statement of account detailing 1) classes registered; 2) applicable charges for the semester, and 3) anticipated financial aid will be mailed to the student’s permanent address on file approximately four weeks prior to the start of each semester for all pre-registered students. Students may not register for or begin a new term of study unless their account is in good standing. Also, grades and transcripts may be withheld if a student’s account is not in good standing. Payments may be made by cash, check, money order, direct debit, VISA, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover. A finance charge of 1.25% per month is assessed on all balances carried forward.
University Payment Plan
A student may pay a semester charge in three monthly payments by remitting one-third of the total balance due prior to the start of the semester and paying the remainder in two equal payments in the following two months. A finance charge of 1.25% per month is assessed on all balances carried forward.
University ACH Payment Plan
A student may pay a semester charge with nine monthly debits to a checking/savings account for an annual fee of $75. The plan begins in August with no interest being charged on the plan amount. Information and authorization forms may be obtained from the Business Office.
The most current fee schedule can be found at www.augie.edu/student-accounts. If you have any questions regarding this schedule or need further assistance, contact the Business Office at businessoffice@augie.edu or 605.274.5239.
Withholding of Academic Transcripts
The University reserves the right to withhold academic transcripts and other college services until all accounts, including loan funds administered by the University, are paid in full or are current according to established repayment schedules.
Refund/Repayment Policy
The federal government has developed specific regulations and policies which must be followed in calculating refunds for students who withdraw from the University, either officially or unofficially. Charges and financial aid are prorated based on the length of time the student was enrolled. For more information, see the Refund/Repayment Policy page. Students who withdraw from the institution will have 100 percent of their tuition and fees refunded during the first calendar week of the term. Beginning with the eighth calendar day of the term, tuition will be recalculated on a prorated basis. Room and meal charges will be refunded on a prorated basis beginning with the first day of the term. Any financial aid credited to the student's account will also be adjusted. No refund is made after 60 percent of the term has passed. Students may apply for and, if eligible, receive assistance through financial aid programs offered by the university. Financial aid packages are tailored to recognize individual or family financial circumstances, merit, and special talents. Students are encouraged to discuss their educational financial planning with an admission or financial aid counselor.
Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards Relating to Financial Aid
Undergraduate | Graduate | ||
Credit Hours | Required GPA | Credit Hours | Required GPA |
0 – 27.99 credits | 1.50 | 0 thru completion | 3.00 |
28 – 57.99 credits | 1.75 | ||
58+ credits | 2.00 |
The pace requirement for both undergraduate and graduate students is 67%. This means the student must complete at least 67.0% of coursework attempted. Transfer hours accepted by the University are included in this calculation, both in the completed and the attempted hours. In addition, students who exceed 150% of the published program length will be ineligible for federal aid. For example, if a program requires 124 credit hours for completion, the maximum time frame for funding the student is up to 186 credit hours. This criterion is determined based on completed credit hours.
Campus housing at Augustana is intended to provide an atmosphere suitable for study and personal development. With the understanding that a large part of individual development occurs outside of the classroom, it is in the residence hall environment that a student may develop a high degree of self-growth, responsibility, self-discipline, and consideration for the rights of others. It is in this context that the following guidelines for responsible living are provided here.
Amnesty – Seeking assistance when faced with a matter of safety and security far outweighs the consequences of a policy violation. Therefore, no student seeking help for oneself or for others will be subject to disciplinary action directly related to an incident requiring assistance, provided the student acts in good faith and cooperates with university officials.
It is the responsibility of every student to be familiar with and to comply with the University’s Code of Student Conduct and with the community standards for housing that are presented below. Community standards are listed in alphabetical order.
The possession and use of alcoholic beverages on the premises of the University is prohibited. However, alcoholic beverage use is permitted in designated housing facilities (theme houses and apartments) when students are 21 years of age or older. Augustana’s policy is presented in detail in the Code of Student Conduct.
Pets are not permitted with the exception of small fish in an aquarium of 20 gallons or less. Service and approved Emotional Support Animals (ESA's) are permitted in University housing. ESA's are approved by the Office of Accessibility. Approval is contingent on adherence to Emotional Support Animal Guidelines provided by the Office of Student Engagement.
Bicycles can be kept in student rooms but are not permitted in hallways, lobbies or other common areas in residence halls. Exceptions must be approved. The University provides a designated storage area for bicycles during winter months.
The housing contract reserves a placement in campus housing for the entire academic year ending with the completion of spring semester (or summer session if enrolled in classes during June/July). Enrolled students who cancel their housing assignment after June 1, will be charged $500 (cancellation fee of $400 and forfeiture of the $100 housing deposit). Students enrolled in off-campus study abroad programs and non-local credit bearing experiences such as student teaching and internships are exempt from the cancellation fee. Exceptions may be considered for extenuating circumstances.
Access to wireless internet is available in most campus housing facilities. Areas without WiFi coverage are provided alternate access to the internet.
Students and guests are expected to apply a normal standard of academic integrity, polite conduct, respect for the rights and privacy of others, and adherence to state and federal laws when using the University's technology resources. Refer to the Code of Student Conduct for further information.
Food must be prepared in designated kitchens in each residence hall. Cooking in other areas is not permitted due to fire safety and pest concerns.
Use of electrical appliances in campus housing must comply with the following:
- All residence halls are supplied with approved microwave/refrigerators. Use of any microwave or refrigerator not supplied by Augustana is discouraged (refer to housing policy for personally-owned refrigerators).
- Appliances with exposed heating elements, space heaters, and halogen lamps are prohibited.
The following prohibited acts have the potential to threaten the safety of others. Policy violations will likely result in a $50 fine (minimum), plus repair/replacement costs where applicable. This policy is subject to city and state fire codes and violators may be referred to local authorities.
- Tampering with fire safety equipment such as extinguishers, smoke detectors, alarms and building fire exits.
- Possession and/or discharge of fireworks in campus housing or on campus grounds.
- Burning candles, incense and other actions involving an open flame.
- Other activities that create fire safety risk (overloaded outlets, daisy-chained extensions cords, unsafe electrical appliances or equipment) are prohibited.
- Failure to evacuate in the event of a fire alarm or to comply with the reasonable requests of a first responder.
In event of fire, pull fire alarm and call 911. Never assume someone else has called the fire department. Notify housing staff and Campus Safety immediately
Student rooms, dayrooms, lounges, and lobbies are furnished for comfort and accessibility of all students. Furniture must remian in designated areas at all times including student rooms.
Students may invite friends/relatives of the same gender to stay with them as guests for a maximum of two consecutive nights.
- Students are responsible for notifying Campus Life staff that guests are staying overnight.
- Guests will comply with community standards for housing and the Code of Student Conduct.
- Augustana reserves the right to remove a guest from the premises if it is deemed to be in the interest of the health and safety of the campus community.
- Guest housing is not permitted during vacation periods when campus housing is closed and room availability and access is limited.
Students may visit members of the opposite sex in rooms, hallways, and community areas on residence hall floors between the the hours of 10 a.m. to 2 a.m.
- intervisitation hours may be revised (extend hours for dayrooms/lounges, reduce/restrict hour) on their floor. With guidance from the Office of Student Engagement, a majority of the floor's occupance must approve revisions to this policy.
Students are issued a room key and given ID card access to facility entrances. Key and card access is granted only to the student living in the designated housing assignment.
- Keys and cards may not be loaned or transferred to another.
- A lost key is replaced (temporarily and/or permanently) by contacting an area director or the Office of Student Engagement. Replacement of door locks are also authorized by the same office.
- ID cards are replaced by the Department of Campus Safety located in the Commons.
- University staff are only authorized to open a locked room for the assigned occupant.
- Duplication, altering, or using unauthorized keys is prohibited.
Lost keys for residence halls will result in a $75 lock change charge. Lost keys for apartments and theme houses, including exterior keys, will result in higher lock change charges; these charges may be in excess of $200. A lost student ID card or temporary swipe card will cost $15 to replace.
If a student is locked out of their residence hall room, they should contact:
Monday - Friday, 8 am- 5 pm: The Office of Student Engagement - 605.274.5215
After hours and weekends: Their building's Viking Advisor On Call - numbers posted in residence halls
Apartment and theme house residents should contact Campus Safety at 605.274.4014 for lockouts at any time of day.
These numbers can be found in common areas and posted in the lobby at the entrance of buildings.
Responses for Lockouts
- 1st Instance - Warning
- 2nd Instance - $5 fee
- 3rd Instance - $10 fee
- 4th Instance and Beyond - Conversation with Campus Life staff to include educational expectations or fee of up to $20.
The condition of the campus housing environment is everyone’s responsibility. Students are expected to report accident or maintenance situations requiring immediate attention. Housekeeping is provided in common areas and shared bathrooms. Students are responsible for maintaining the cleanliness of their assigned space and removing their trash to designated trash rooms or dumpsters.
Damage or excessive uncleanliness in dayrooms, bathrooms and common areas, is the responsibility of all students within the community. Community fines may be assessed for damages to property or facilities in these areas.
University staff perform cleaning of residence hall rooms, apartments and theme houses when the room/ unit is fully vacant. It is the responsibility of the current residents to maintain adequate cleanliness during their residency, including cleaning in preparation for new roommates. Excessive cleaning fees may be assessed to any student who does not prepare their space for incoming roommates.
In the event of a medical emergency, contact housing staff immediately or call Campus Safety at 605-274-4014. If the situation is life-threatening, call 911.
The completion of a housing agreement and/or completion of an application to live on campus entitles a student to one (1) bed space in a residence hall, theme house or apartment, as available. Bed spaces may be consolidated or filled at the discretion of the director of residence life or a designate.
City fire code limits the overnight occupancy in residence hall rooms and bedrooms in apartments and theme houses to a maximum of three (3) persons.
OPT Housing for International Students (Graduates)
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a temporary employment program related to an international student's major area of study. International students eligible for OPT may apply for campus housing on a space available basis. Eligibility for OPT housing is based upon the following requirements:
- Applicant must be in good conduct standing with the Dean of Students Office and in good residential standing with the Office of Student Engagement.
- Applicant must pay for housing for a the full semester (minimum) prior to move in.
- OPT participants found in violation of the Code of Student Conduct and/or Campus Life Community Standards may be subject to removal from campus housing.
- Housing is granted on a semester basis as space is available. No student may apply for OPT housing for more than one calendar year.
- It is the responsibility of the OPT participant to initiate communication of their housing plans (arrival and departure) with the Office of Student Engagement and the International Programs Office.
- An OPT participant who falls out of compliance with their program is subject to removal from campus housing.
Painting of rooms is not permitted in residence halls, apartments and theme houses.
The University is not liable for the loss of or damage to personal property and encourages students to seek rental insurance for personally owned items. Personal property left in campus housing will be considered abandoned property. The university will remove and donate these items as appropriate to the needs of local charities. Students may be held be responsible for costs to remove and/or store abandoned property. Whenever possible, students are encouraged to donate or recycle reusable items. A list of local non-profit agencies in need of donations can be obtained from the Office of Student Engagement.
Unless otherwise posted, quiet hours in residence halls are 10:00 p.m. to 10:00 a.m. Students are expected be respectful and courteous at all times regardless of quiet hours.
Refrigerators must comply with the following standards: Units must be rated for energy efficiency - may not use more than 1.5 amps, must be no larger than 4.0 cubic feet, and only one refrigerator allowed per room.
The University may exercise reasonable authority, including but not limited to searches of rooms and of personal property to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of individuals and property. Augustana also reserves the right to enter campus housing in the event of a facility maintenance issue or when a behavioral concern may constitute a violation of the Code of Conduct.
The following entry and search procedures represent general guidelines and shall not be interpreted as a rigid policy.
- Augustana personnel (hereafter referred to as staff) will identify themselves before entering a room, apartment or theme house.
- Staff are authorized to enter if the assigned occupants are either not present or if staff are refused entry.
- If possible, the purpose of the entry will be communicated to occupants.
- Staff are not authorized to enter locked rooms upon the request or benefit of another student.
- Rooms, apartments and houses are routinely entered during vacation periods for maintenance and security inspections (i.e. closed windows, locked doors, electrical appliances unplugged).
- Personal items that are prohibited or pose a real or potential threat to the safety, health or welfare of any person may be removed without the permission of the owner.
- Staff will seize illegal material however, the extent of the search will be in keeping with the factual information upon which the room entry and probable cause for the search was intended.
- Occupied premises will not be searched without authorization.Searches are authorized by the Dean of Students, Director of Campus Safety, or a designate. An authorization to search is based upon probable cause and will specify the reason for the search and the object or information sought.
- Evidence seized during a search may be used in student conduct hearings.
- No provision other than an emergency or threat to the safety, health or welfare of any person shall give university officials authority to consent to a search by law enforcement personnel without a court-issued warrant.
Residence halls are locked at all times. Outside entrances are not be be left ajar and students are advised to not give entry to any person who is not recognized as a member of the campus community; classmate, faculty or staff.
- Students and guests of students are expected to produce identification if requested by a staff member of Augustana University. Students must escort their guests within the building at all times.
Screens and Windows
Screens and windows may not be removed. Objects dropped or thrown be from windows and stairwells are prohibited.
Signs, fliers and posters may be posted on bulletin boards and designated spaces in hallways. Posting is not permitted on entry doors and glass partitions. Signs publicizing non-college business and events may be posted in the lobbies with the permission of the appropriate hall director.
Augustana is a tobacco-free campus. The use of tobacco products in or on University property is prohibited and includes: Cigarettes, cigars, pipes, all forms of smokeless tobacco, clove cigarettes and any other smoking devices that use tobacco, such as hookahs, or simulate the use of tobacco, such as electronic cigarettes.
Door-to-door solicitation is prohibited with the exception of approved on-campus organizations. Approval must be granted by the Office of Student Engagement.
- Off-campus organizations and businesses may leave informational fliers and advertisements with the Office of Student Engagement for distribution if the promotion is appropriate to the campus and congruent with the values of Augustana.
- Campus housing facilities may not be used for sales presentations.
Storage
The University does not provide storage in campus housing facilities.
Student Success
It is an expectation of the Department of Residence Life that all students living on campus are showing progress towards a successful completing of their college degree. Should a resident demonstrate an unwillingness or lack of desire to obtain this goal, the Department of Residence Life reserves the right to remove the student from housing.
Television
Cable television is available in student rooms in residence halls as an optional amenity. Students should contact Midco directly to set up a cable subscription for their room.
In the event of an approaching tornado or other severe weather conditions:
- Do not leave building.
- Do not pull fire alarm.
- Move to the lowest floor of the building.
- Sit in a central corridor covering your face with your arms.
- Stay away from windows.