ACADEMIC POLICIES
STUDENT RESPONSIBILTY AND CONDUCT

Detailed information with regard to student conduct is supplied in the Student Handbook and at orientation. In general, students are expected to conduct themselves in a manner which is socially acceptable and brings credit to themselves, the Institute and their chosen profession. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action or suspension in accordance with Institute policies.

Commonwealth Institute provides academic programs which are rigorous and challenging, consistent with other institutions of higher learning. Commonwealth Institute has established the following criteria to measure good standing, academic recognition, and satisfactory progress.

ATTENDANCE POLICY

Developing and maintaining a good class attendance record is an important facet of each student’s professional development. The Executive Director of the International Conference of Funeral Service Examining Boards has indicated that students having excellent class attendance will score better on the NBE. Each student is expected to attend all classes as scheduled, on time, and to remain in the classes for their full duration. The student also has the responsibility to complete assigned work, and be present for examinations at the time they are administered to entire class.

Commonwealth Institute’s attendance policies are based on class hours of absence accumulated during any academic quarter of study. Instructors check and record attendance in each class. To be counted present, the student must be in attendance for the entire period. Absences are not classified as excused or un-excused. The daily attendance is transferred weekly to the Master Attendance Record.

A student enrolled in the Associate of Applied Science Program who is absent for more than 20% of their scheduled classes in a quarter will have heir enrollment terminated.

Students in the Certificate of Funeral Directing program who are absent for more than 20% of the total clock hours in their program will have their enrollment terminated.

Students enrolled under various Veterans’ programs or other funding agencies will be required to meet the requirements for attendance of the sponsoring organization.

APPEAL PROCEDURE

A student may appeal an attendance termination. Documentation supporting medical or family emergencies must be submitted to the Dean of Academics of Commonwealth Institute within three business days of termination notification.

LEAVE OF ABSENCE

Leaves of absences may be granted in emergency situations and for military service obligation. Leave of absence may not exceed twelve school days, and only two leaves of absences are permitted during any consecutive 12 month period. A student requesting a leave of absence must do so in writing. The request must contain the specific start and return times, dates and reason for the requested leave. If a student fails to return from leave as scheduled, enrollment will be terminated and proper refund will be made in accordance with the refund policy of the Institute.

GRADING

The following grading system is used in determining the student’s level of achievement. All courses carry a specific number of quarter hour credits. A quarter hour shall be considered as the equivalent of one clock hour of lecture, or two hours of laboratory per week for an eleven-week period of instruction. A clock hour consists of one fifty -minute period. Students receive grade points according to the following system:

The grade of Incomplete may be given at the discretion of the course instructor. This temporary designation indicates the student completed all but a minor portion of the required work in the course. The student must complete the work and have the Incomplete removed from his/her grade record within ten calendar days of the end of the quarter or the grade will be changed to “F”.

If a subject in which a student has received an incomplete grade has been discontinued or is no longer offered at the time when the student returns, the student would have the following options:

1. A full refund for tuition charged for the discontinued course
2. The student would be offered at the same cost the course(s) from the current curriculum which most closely parallels the course content and credit hours(s) of the discontinued course.

To calculate the student’s Grade Point Average (GPA), add the total number of Grade Points earned and divide by the total number of hours taken, excluding credit hours with a grade of W, T, or P.

When a course is repeated, the grade point average will be determined as if the course were taken only once. The higher of the grades earned will take precedence.

GRADE REPORTS

Students are provided a report of academic progress at midterm and on completion of each quarter. An official transcript is issued to students upon graduation. Additional official transcripts are available upon written request from the student, and payment of the required fee. A student with an outstanding financial obligation to the college, or in default in federal student aid programs, will have transcript(s) withheld until the debt is paid.

ACADEMIC RECOGNITION

The Dean’s List is published each term to recognize full time students who have achieved a GPA at least 3.0 in that quarter and have received no failing grades.

Degrees and Certificates will be awarded with Honors to graduating students having a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0. Students with a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher will graduate with Honors and Distinction.

The recipient of the Chairman’s Award, the R.L. Waltrip Outstanding Achievement Award, is selected by the members of the graduating class whom they feel demonstrates the greatest professionalism and greatest promise for success.

SATISFACTORY ACADEMIC PROGRESS

Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service requires students to obtain a 2.0 cumulative grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) to graduate. A student should be making satisfactory progress toward the completion of his/her program of study. The student must be proceeding through the program at a pace allowing for completion within the maximum time of 1 ½ times the normal program length. The following cumulative grade point average will be used to determine academic progress.

0-20 quarter hours 1.6 cumulative GPA
21-40 quarter hours 1.7 cumulative GPA
41-60 quarter hours 1.8 cumulative GPA
61-80 quarter hours 1.9 cumulative GPA
81-97 quarter hours 2.0 cumulative GPA

ACADEMIC PROBATION

At the end of each quarter, student progress is evaluated. Academic probation is intended to warn a student that their performance is below the level of good standing. Students are placed on academic probation for the subsequent quarter by failing to maintain the 2.0 cumulative grade point average.

REMEDY OF ACADEMIC PROBATION

A student placed on probation for failing to maintain the 2.0 cumulative GPA may be allowed to progress to the next quarter of studies. Students who fail to achieve a cumulative 2.0 or higher GPA at the end of their second consecutive probationary quarter will have enrollment terminated. Tuition is charged to repeat failed courses.

ACADEMIC WARNING

Students who have failed a course but have an overall 2.0 cumulative GPA are placed in academic warning. Academic warning may be cleared by passing the next sequential course in the subject area or the comprehensive examination in the subject area. Students who fail to clear academic warning must repeat the failed course. Students failing general education course(s) will need to repeat the course(s).

ACADEMIC DISMISSSAL

Academic dismissal is incurred when it becomes unlikely that a student will achieve satisfactory academic progress. At the end of the first quarter, students with three or more “F’ or “W” course grades in any combination, or who earn a GPA of 1.0 or less will be dismissed for academic reasons. Student on academic probation for two quarters who fail to raise their GPA to a 2.0 will be dismissed for academic reasons. Students dismissed for academic reasons may apply for readmission into the first quarter in which grades of less than “C” were earned, after one quarter has passed since their termination for academic reasons. After readmission, if the student fails to raise his/her grade point average to 2.0 within that quarter, he/she will be dismissed and is not eligible for readmission.

MAKE-UP EXAMINATIONS

Students are expected to take all examinations as scheduled. Generally, make-up examinations for scheduled exams are not permitted. Refer to course syllabus for instructor’s policy on make-up examinations.

COMPHREHENSIVE EXAMINATIONS

At the end of the final quarter of specialized courses, comprehensive examinations will be given in subject areas covered on the National Board Examination. To be eligible for graduation, students must have an overall average of 75% on the comprehensive examinations. Students may be permitted one retake of the examination in subjects in which they scored less than 70%. Students not fulfilling this requirement are not eligible for graduation.

To be eligible for graduation students must complete the prescribed coursework, pass each course, achieve an overall 2.0 grade point average, complete the clinical embalming requirements set by the Institute within 30 days of graduation, satisfactorily complete the comprehensive examinations, and pay all financial obligations to the Institute 30 days prior to graduation.

GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

The Institute has established a grievance procedure to be used by students of Commonwealth to ensure their right to due process. This right to due process is administered without regard to race, creed, national origin, or sex.

The grievance must be submitted in writing to Commonwealth Institute within 30 days of the event. Failure to file any grievance within the specified time periods shall be deemed a waiver thereof.

The Dean or designee shall investigate the alleged grievance, and an attempt will be make to resolve the matter informally with the parties involved.

A member of Commonwealth’s Institute’s administration (President or Dean of Academics) shall serve as the hearing officer and may resolve the matter of alleged violation through an informal hearing. The legal rules of evidence do not apply at the informal hearing. Evidence that possesses probative value and is commonly accepted by reasonable people in the conduct of the affairs may be admitted. The student is presumed innocent of the alleged violation until the hearing officer is convinced by the evidence that the student is guilty of the violation. The hearing officer may impose one of more of the following penalties, if the student is found guilty of the of the violation: suspension of eligibility for extracurricular activities, letter of warning, suspension for up to the remainder of the current quarter, restitution for damages, denial of degree, or permanent severance from Commonwealth Institute.

A student is entitled to appeal the decision of the Dean or hearing officer of the informal hearing to the President of Commonwealth Institute. The President shall review the matter and render the final decision in a timely manner.

No reprisal of any kind will be taken by the Board, an administrator, or an employee of Commonwealth Institute against any person bringing a grievance under this procedure.

Grievances unresolved by Commonwealth Institute may be forwarded to the Texas Workforce commission, Proprietary Schools, 101 East 15 th Street , Austin , TX 78778-0001 , (512) 936-3100

STUDENT CONDUCT AND DRESS

Commonwealth Institute expects its students to be familiar with, and observe, the ordinary rules governing conduct of mature and responsible adults.

DRESS CODE

Funeral service is a conservative experience. Commonwealth Institute expects you to take pride in your personal appearance. Personal grooming and businesslike appearances are vital to each student’s success. For daily classes, business casual clothing which is in good taste is acceptable, as long as it does not cause a disruption in the educational environment. Hats and sunglasses are not permitted in the classroom. On days of field trips and guest speakers, students are expected to dress in the mode of contemporary funeral service practitioners: navy or black suits, white shirt or blouse, dark shoes, conservative ties, and avoid extreme hair styles.

STUDENT BEHAVIOR

Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service is a smoke-free environment. Food and beverages are permitted only in the student and faculty lounge, chewing gum is prohibited in the building. Conduct which adversely affects the student’s suitability as a member of the academic community includes but is not limited to the following:

-Harassment of student or employees of Commonwealth Institute, whether it be sexual, racial, ethnic, or any other type.

-Theft, defacing, damaging or destruction of Commonwealth Institute property. A student will be held responsible for the breakage or destruction of classroom and/or laboratory equipment he/she is using. Students are not permitted to sit on the writing surface of the desks, nor deface the desktops. Students are not to place their feet on the furniture in any area of the complex.

-Inability or unwillingness to work in harmony with other students, faculty, and administration.

-Obstruction or disruption of teaching, research, administration, or other Commonwealth activities.

-Forgery, alteration, or misuse of Commonwealth Institute documents, records, or identification, theft, fraud, gambling, carrying weapons of any kind or explosives.

-Academic dishonesty, including but not limited to:

1. Looking on another student’s paper during a test or examination or communicating in any way with anyone other than the test administrator.
2. Accepting or providing unauthorized assistance in the preparation of assignments or taking of any tests and examinations.
3. Submitting as your own work essays, term papers, lab reports, or other projects which have been prepared by others.
4. Plagiarizing (presenting as one’s own ideas, data and/or works of another)

-Physical abuse of any person at Commonwealth sponsored, controlled, or supervised activities.

-Riotous behavior such as property destruction, disturbing the peace, or risking bodily injury to students or employees of Commonwealth Institute.

-Disorderly conduct, conducting or expressing oneself in a loud or lewd manner, indecent or obscene conduct or expression on campus or at Commonwealth sponsored or controlled activities.

-Failure to comply with directions of Commonwealth Institute officials acting in the performance of their duties.

-Conspiring to participate in hazing.

-Fireworks, firearms, ammunition, or weapons of any sort are prohibited at all activities sponsored or controlled by Commonwealth Institute.

-Conviction of a misdemeanor or felony which would jeopardize licensure as a funeral director and/or embalmer.

-Failure to comply with OSHA and/or EPA rules and regulations

-Unauthorized solicitation and contribution of literature or products.

-Physical and/or verbal threats by or to anyone while on Commonwealth Property.

A student charged with any of the aforementioned violations, and depending on the severity of the transgression, may by suspended by the President or Dean of Academics, pending a hearing on the charges as soon as is practical, when deemed in the best interest of Commonwealth Institute.

POLICY AGAINST HARASSMENT AND DISCRIMINATION

It is the policy of the Institute to maintain learning and working environment that is free from religious, racial, or sexual harassment and age discrimination. The Institute prohibits any form of religious, racial, or sexual harassment and age discrimination.

It shall be a violation of this policy for any student, teacher, administrator, third party (present on the premises) or other Institute personnel to harass a student, teacher, administrator, or other Institute personnel through conduct, or communication of a sexual nature or regarding religion, race, or age discrimination as defined by this policy.

It shall be a violation of this policy for any student, teacher, administrator, third party(present on the premises) or other Institute personnel to inflict, or attempt to inflict religious, racial, or sexual harassment or age discrimination upon any student, teacher, administrator, or other college personnel.

The Institute will act to investigate all complaints, formal or informal, verbal or written, of religious, racial or sexual harassment, or age discrimination, and to discipline or take appropriate action against any student, teacher, administrator, or other Institute personnel who is found to have violated this policy.

Telephone Calls

The office will not disturb scheduled classes unless the telephone call for the student is an emergency. Messages of an important nature will be posted on the door of the classroom.

JOB INFORMATION

Commonwealth Institute maintains a list of prospective employers concerning job positions for students and graduates, for both full and part-time employment. Additionally, prospective employers are invited to attend the Open house held at Commonwealth Institute approximately one month before each enrollment and conduct interviews at that time. Many requests for employment are filled each year. If you would like assistance in obtaining employment please send a one-page resume to Commonwealth Institute. Your resume will be maintained for thirty days and sent to prospective employers. Commonwealth Institute does not guarantee employment to any student or graduate, as this is a decision which must always be made between employer and prospective employee.

HOUSING

Commonwealth Institute does not provide on or off campus housing. Several apartment and townhouse complexes are located within the same office park as the campus of Commonwealth Institute. Current information on nearby housing is available by contacting the Registrar. In addition, the Houston area newspapers carry a comprehensive listing of available housing. Students must make their own arrangements for housing, and Commonwealth assumes no responsibility for any problems between landlord and student.

HEALTH

Students are encouraged to carry proof of insurance to facilitate hospitalization in the event of an emergency. Commonwealth Institute does not provide insurance or medical care for students. Health services are not provided by the Institute, however, medical assistance can be found at Memorial Northwest Hospital is located nearby at 710 FM 1960 West, Houston , TX 7790 (281) 440-1000.

Commonwealth Institute recognizes the importance of meeting the guidelines set forth by OSHA and the Center for Diseases Control (CDC) with regard to Universal Precautions, and the endeavors to comply with all regulations. These regulations are intended to keep individuals as safe as possible from infections resulting from the handling of remains. Therefore, all human remains shall be handled as if they were infectious cases, and Universal Precautions are to be practiced on all cases.

Students are advised to consult their personal physician concerning preventative vaccination and susceptibility testing. Ask your physician about the vaccine to protect the individual against infection by the Hepatitis B virus is available for individuals at risk of directly contacting blood or body fluids. This vaccine, administered prior to exposure to the virus, consists of a series of three injections given over a six-month period. Also please refer to the timeframe or sign a wavier for the HBV vaccination at the time of enrollment.