Notice: Incomplete for Special Circumstances, Per-course

Please note that this policy is effective as of Nov. 14, 2012.

Columbia Southern University (CSU) recognizes students may encounter life situations that may impede academic progress toward degree completion. Students have the opportunity to request a standard course Incomplete (I) through the myCSU Student Portal. The Incomplete for Special Circumstances (ISC) is reserved for students who encounter an extenuating circumstance, through the duration of a course, which inhibits regular, on-time course completion. Under these circumstances, students may also elect to withdraw from the course if it is deemed circumstances may prevent successful course completion.  Academic and financial consequences should be noted for students who withdraw after week one of the course. Students planning to withdraw from any course should review the Course Drop/Withdrawal Policy. In addition, academic advisement should be sought to address all consequential actions prior to submitting the withdrawal request.  Students requesting consideration must meet all established qualifications for Incomplete for Special Circumstances approval.

The following are important facts concerning an Incomplete for Special Circumstances:

General Facts:

• An Incomplete, up to 120 days beyond the original course end date, is available upon qualification and approval. The Incomplete for Special Circumstances Committee will determine the appropriate amount of time granted upon approval.
• Successful course progress may be taken into consideration when granting the request.
• A maximum of two (2) Incompletes for Special Circumstances will be granted, upon approval, per calendar year. Students are not granted in excess of one (1) ISC per course.
• ISC requests are not automatically granted and require committee approval; the committee is appointed by the President and includes the course professor as a voting member.
• The decision to grant the request is based upon the student’s justified hardship.
• Relevant support documentation may be required to substantiate the hardship.
• Students approved for an Incomplete for Special Circumstances are not eligible to apply for a standard, paid Incomplete in the event additional time, beyond time already granted, is needed for course completion.
• There is no fee requirement for an Incomplete for Special Circumstances.

Academic Facts:

• Students approved for an Incomplete for Special Circumstances forfeit the option to withdraw from the course.
• A grade of “I” will be assigned to the course and may affect future course enrollments; please review the Course Load Policy for further clarification. In addition, the grade point average (GPA) and federal student aid (FSA) eligibility could be affected.
• Assignments not completed by the granted Incomplete period will be assigned a grade of zero (0); the final course grade is calculated utilizing the weighted score assigned to each course assignment.
• All course requirements must be satisfied within the allotted time period; additional time will not be granted.

The following qualifications have been established for an Incomplete for Special Circumstances application:

• A documented extenuating circumstance will occur or has occurred during the duration of the course which will inhibit or has inhibited regular, on-time course completion. Examples of such circumstances may include but are not limited to: forward deployment, medical circumstances or surgery, natural disaster, family emergency, death in the immediate family, or job relocation.
• The Incomplete for Special Circumstances  request should be submitted prior to the course end date.  Requests made after the end date will be considered on the basis of the circumstance.
• The Incomplete for Special Circumstances request should be accompanied by relevant support documentation substantiating the stated circumstance. Documentation must be dated and correlate with the hardship and time parameter in which the student is/was unable to complete coursework. Students should submit documentation within three (3) days of the request or notify specialcircumstances@columbiasouthern.edu of the date documentation will be available. The Special Circumstances Committee may request additional supporting documentation.  Students should report a quick response to requests for documentation to substantiate their circumstance at the time of the request.
• Required submission dates for all outstanding assignments are to be identified by the student when submitting the request.  Individual assignment deadlines must be spaced apart, weekly, to allow adequate study and submission time.

Students meeting required qualifications may request an Incomplete for Special Circumstances through submittal of the online Incomplete for Special Circumstances  request form.  Upon receipt of all documentation and individual assignment deadlines, the request will be sent to committee for a decision. Notification of the committee’s decision will be sent via email within five (5) business days of presentation before the committee.

All questions should be directed to the Student Services Department at 800.977.8449 ext. 6537, or by email at specialcircumstances@columbiasouthern.edu