Grades, Regulations & Records

Catalog Rights Policy

When determining the graduation requirements for a given student:

  • The student must meet all applicable degree requirements from their established catalog(s).
  • The student’s catalog year for institutional and baccalaureate core requirements is established by their first term of attendance (matriculation term) at Oregon State University as a degree-seeking student. For Degree Partnership Program students, the first term the student is admitted to OSU will be the matriculation term and will determine the catalog year for institutional and baccalaureate core requirements. The catalog year for college/major/option/minor requirements will be the same as all other OSU students.
  • The student’s catalog year for college/major/option/minor requirements is based on the date of declaration of the major/option/minor.
  • A student’s major and related option(s) must be in the same catalog year. If an option(s) is declared in an academic year subsequent to the catalog year associated with the major, the option(s) will be aligned with the catalog year of the major. If the option(s) did not exist in the catalog year of the major, the major will be updated to match the catalog year of the option(s). A second major and option(s) may be declared by the student for a catalog year which differs from the first major and option(s).
  • A student, in collaboration with an advisor, can also move their major/option/minor catalog year forward.
  • A student may not use a catalog that is more than ten years old. A student may petition their college's head advisor for an exception to use a catalog greater than ten years.
  • A student must be readmitted after not enrolling at OSU for four consecutive terms (not including summer terms). The current catalog for the readmission/matriculation date will become the catalog of record for graduation requirements. The Planned Educational Leave Program defined in AR 13.c  provides a mechanism for a student to keep their original catalog of record during a planned absence. If a program has been discontinued, students cannot expect to continue pursuit of that program.
  • Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information in the OSU academic catalog. However, Oregon State University may find it necessary to make changes in courses, curricula, or degree requirements. Students already admitted to a program in which such changes have been made will be reasonably accommodated, if feasible, to ensure their normal progress toward a degree. A student may, however, still be required to conform to changes in courses, curricula, or degree requirements as deemed necessary by Oregon State University. Additionally, the schedule of classes or catalog may change to reflect course modality, location, instructor or other changes based on current need and may do so at any time.

Important Academic Regulations

The grading system at OSU is outlined in three Academic Regulations: AR 17 (Grades), AR 18 (Alternative Grading Systems), and AR 19 (Grade Points). Student grades may be obtained via Beaver Hub or by requesting a transcript at no charge. Grades, GPA calculations, and academic standing are not complete and final prior to 8 a.m. on the Wednesday following the final exam week. Grades and GPAs appearing prior to that day may be incomplete.

OSU expects students to maintain satisfactory academic progress toward degree completion; academic standing rules are outlined in Academic Regulation 22. OSU’s attendance policy is outlined in Academic Regulation 14.

Other Limitations

Academic performance is not the sole criterion for admission to and continuation in certain courses and programs at the university, such as practicum courses and internships. The university may find it necessary to evaluate a person's background to determine their likelihood of maintaining standards of professional conduct that are necessary in the academic discipline or profession. An evaluation may take into consideration current performance, as well as past experiences and actions, that could affect a student's ability to perform in the particular course or program.

Student Conduct Regulations

Oregon State University aspires to stimulate a lasting attitude of civility, social responsibility and openness in our students as well as an appreciation for our values of accountability, diversity, respect, and truth. Consistent with that, all students enrolled at OSU are expected to follow student conduct regulations and university policies that have been developed to govern the behavior of students as well as members of the university community. These regulations and policies are formulated to guarantee each student's freedom to learn and to protect the fundamental rights of others. The assumption upon which these regulations are based is that all people must treat others with dignity and respect in order for scholarship to thrive. The regulations and procedures for disciplinary action and appeal are available on the OSU website. Violations of the regulations subject a student to appropriate disciplinary or judicial action. These regulations have been formulated by the Student Conduct Committee, the Student Activities Committee, the university administration, and the State Board of Higher Education.

Student Records – Right to Privacy

In compliance with the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, state law and OSU policy, students have certain rights with respect to their education records. These rights out outlined in OSU’s Notice to Students Regarding Privacy of Records.

Undergraduate Planned Educational Leave Program

Students may find that a planned interruption or pause in their regular, full-time education is needed. PELP is designed to enhance the prospect of successful completion of an academic program by allowing a student to arrange a voluntary absence that temporarily suspends their academic work for a period of time. For detailed information please refer to Academic Regulation 13.

Unauthorized Peer-to-Peer (P2P) File Sharing and Other Copyright Infringement

The university takes copyright infringement seriously. As set forth in the Acceptable Use of University Computing Resources
Policy, all students must abide by federal and state copyright laws when using university computing or network resources. The unauthorized publishing or use of copyrighted material on the university computer network is strictly prohibited and users are personally liable for the consequences of such unauthorized use. This specifically applies to Peer-to-Peer or P2P file-sharing of copyrighted music and movies. Students should be aware that by engaging in unauthorized sharing of copyrighted material, they not only violate university policy, but they may also be held criminally and civilly liable by federal and/or state authorities.

Under current copyright law, criminal cases of copyright violation carry a penalty of up to five (5) years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Civil penalties for copyright infringement include a minimum fine of $750 for each work. Oregon State University will subject students who violate this policy to discipline as appropriate. For a first-time violation of this copyright policy, students are required to pass a copyright quiz within 72 hours or else their network access is disabled. Repeated infringement is subject to disciplinary action by the office of Student Conduct and Community Standards, up to and including expulsion from the university.

The entire policy regarding Unauthorized Peer-to-Peer (P2P) File Sharing and Other Copyright Infringement is available online.

The following information is only for veterans, dependents, or active-duty students.

Progress Standards for Veteran Students

Programs at Oregon State University are approved for the use of VA benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill®, Dependents Educational Assistance, and Title 38 and Title 10 of the US Code, or benefits offered by the State of Oregon Department of Veteran Affairs. The university, through the Registrar’s Office, provides the certifying service to qualified students. The certifying official issues enrollment certification documents to the appropriate VA regional office and monitors students’ satisfactory progress for the VA. Any student receiving GI Bill® education benefits while attending Oregon State University is required to obtain transcripts from all previously attended schools and submit them to the school for review of prior credit.

OSU students who receive benefits from the Veterans Benefits Administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs are subject to the satisfactory progress standards as set forth in Chapter 38, U.S. Code sections 1674, 1724, 1775, and 1776, and to those defined by the university in Academic Regulation 22, Satisfactory Academic Standing:

  1. Oregon State University expects students to maintain satisfactory academic progress toward degree completion. At the conclusion of each term, grade-point averages are calculated and academic standings determined for students seeking a baccalaureate degree according to the criteria outlined below. Students whose standings evidence a lack of satisfactory progress will be warned of this condition and advised to seek help from their academic advisors. Any student who is not on Academic Warning, Academic Probation, or Academic Suspension is in good standing.
    1. Academic Warning: Students with a term GPA below 2.0 will be placed on Academic Warning.
    2. Academic Probation: Students who have attempted1 24 or more credits at OSU and have an OSU cumulative GPA below 2.0 will be placed on Academic Probation. Students who attain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better are removed from Academic Probation.
    3. Academic Suspension: Students who are on Academic Probation and have a subsequent term GPA below 2.0 will be placed on Academic Suspension. Academic Suspension is recorded on the student’s academic record. Students who are academically suspended are denied all the privileges of the institution and of all organizations in any way connected to it, including any university-recognized living group.
    4. Reinstatement to the University: Suspended students will be considered for reinstatement to the university after two years or completion of a minimum of 24 quarter credits of transferable college-level work at an accredited college or university, with a GPA of 2.5 or above.
  2. Students who are placed on probation by the university will be notified that they are on probation insofar as Veterans Affairs’ progress standards are concerned. If a student’s deficiency is not corrected and they subsequently are placed on academic suspension, the university will notify Veterans Affairs of their unsatisfactory progress.
  3. The university will recertify students who are suspended by the university and subsequently reinstated by the Academic Standing Committee.
  4. Students dismissed from the university for unsatisfactory conduct will be reported as making unsatisfactory progress. The university will recertify the student only upon rescission of the dismissal by the university.
®

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website

Options for Exemption from Nonresident Tuition (Veterans)

HB 2158 (2013) and HB 4021 (2014) Section 1. ORS 352.375

A public university listed in ORS 352.002 or community college shall charge an enrolled student who is not a resident of this state, and who is attending classes as an undergraduate or graduate at a public university or community college campus in this state, tuition and fees no greater than the resident rate if the student:

  • Served in the armed forces of the United States; and
  • Was relieved or discharged from that service with either an honorable discharge or a general discharge under honorable conditions; and
  • Undergraduate student newly enrolled after September 15, 2013, or graduate student newly enrolled after September 15, 2014, and
  • Provides proof that the student has established a physical presence in Oregon within 12 months of being enrolled at the public university or community college.

Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act (VACAA) of 2014 (38 U.S.C. 3679(c)), “Choice Act”, as updated.

The following individuals shall be charged the in-state rate, or otherwise considered a resident, for tuition and fees purposes:

  • Veterans who live in the state in which the institution of higher learning is located (regardless of their formal state of residence).
  • Anyone using transferred Post 9/11 GI Bill® (38 U.S.C. § 3319), or Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (38 U.S.C. § 3510), who lives in the state in which the institution of higher learning is located (regardless of their formal state of residence).
  • Anyone using Veteran Readiness and Employment benefits (38 U.S.C. § 3102) who lives in the state in which the institution of higher learning is located (regardless of their formal state of residence).
  • Anyone using benefits under the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship who lives in the state in which the institution of higher learning is located (regardless of their formal state of residence).

In-state tuition regulations updated August 1, 2022.

Choice Act eligible students will continue to receive in-state tuition rates after they have used all of their GI Bill® benefits or Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship benefits as long as the student remains continuously enrolled.  If there is a break in enrollment, or if the student changes their program of study after exhausting their VA educational benefits, they will no longer receive in-state tuition rates.

Veterans who do not qualify under the Choice Act will likely qualify under HB 2158 (2013) and HB 4021 (2014) section 1. ORS 352.375 or HB 2787 (see above).

Requests for in-state tuition under the programs outlined above must be received by the last day to drop with a 100% refund, as published in the Academic Calendar, to receive in-state tuition effective that term.

If you are a Veteran and need to apply for residency, you may need to complete a Residency Affidavit or the Exemption from Nonresident Tuition Veteran Form depending on your circumstances. Another helpful resource when applying for residency are the Instructions for Completing Residence Information Affidavit.

®

 GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website

Military and Veteran Resources Advisor

William Elfering, MVRA
Office of Student Life
Phone: 541-737-7662
Email: william.elfering@oregonstate.edu
Website: https://veterans.oregonstate.edu/

The Military and Veteran Resources Advisor (MVRA) advocates for student-veterans to receive targeted support in navigating campus resources and pursuing academic goals and advises about internal and external support programs. The MVRA collaborates with School Certifying Officials to counsel students and parents concerning eligibility and benefits available under various programs at the local, state, regional, and federal level. The MVRA maintains an informative Military and Veteran Resources website and corresponds with prospective, currently enrolled, and alumni student-veterans to provide them with the latest news on benefits, processes, and procedures from the Veterans Administration.

School Certifying Officials (SCO)

The School Certifying Officials certify the enrollment of veterans and eligible dependents at Oregon State University. All veterans and eligible dependents, whether new, returning, or transfer students, who expect to receive educational benefits from the Veterans Administration must notify the SCOs in the Office of the Registrar. For questions about benefits, contact veterans@oregonstate.edu

The School Certifying Officials also monitor and report to the Veterans Administration the Satisfactory Progress Standards for students who are receiving VA education benefits. See Progress Standards for Veteran Students above for more information.

Military Tuition Assistance Program

The School Certifying Officials (SCO) at Oregon State University are the direct points of contact for students using the Military Tuition Assistance Program. SCOs process students' tuition assistance authorizations and contracts and forward copies to OSU Business Affairs for billing the military branches. Depending on the branch of the military, requirements vary on how grades are reported. Grade reporting is done at the end of each academic term.

For questions about the Military Tuition Assistance Program, contact veterans@oregonstate.edu

Veteran and U.S. Military Service Recognition Cord

Oregon State University recognizes the significant contribution and sacrifices made by OSU students who are U.S. military servicemembers and veterans. Students may receive red, white, and blue Military Service Recognition Cords to be worn at commencement. Servicemembers and veterans may visit the Office of the Registrar in Kerr Administration Building during the month prior to commencement to request cords.