Florida International University 11200 S.W. Eighth Street Miami, Florida 33199 305.348.2000

Page Revised:  July 18, 2001

Contents:
5.10  Degrees Granted
5.11  Course Levels
5.12  Time Limits for Graduation
5.13  Final Course Examinations
5.14  Candidacy Examinations
5.15  Courses Taken at Other Institutions after Admission to FIU
5.16  Forgiveness Policy
5.17  Change or Correction of Grade
5.20  Definition of Major and Minor
5.21  Requirements for Majors
5.22  Two Majors Requirements
5.23  Requirements for Minors
5.24  Requirements for Certificate Programs
5.25  The Core Curriculum
5.30  Undergraduate Degree Requirements
5.31  Award of Associate of Arts Degree
5.32  Award of Initial Baccalaureate Degree
5.33  Award of Second Baccalaureate Degree
5.34  Award of Posthumous Baccalaureate Degree
5.35  Academic Honors
5.40  Participation in Commencement

5.10 DEGREES GRANTED  

Effective: June 29, 1994

PURPOSE
To state the type of degrees offered at the undergraduate level

AUTHORITY/SOURCE:
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

POLICY
The University awards at the undergraduate level the Associate in Arts, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, and professional degrees.

Degree requirements vary among programs. Consult the specific academic program for degree requirements.

5.11 COURSE LEVELS

Effective: June 29, 1994

PURPOSE
To state University policy concerning course levels for the undergraduate programs.

AUTHORITY/SOURCE:
Florida Administrative Code 6C8-3.019
Common Course Numbering Guidelines-Florida DOE
Council of Deans
University Registrar
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

POLICY
Per Florida Department of Education Common Course Numbering Guidelines, Undergraduate programs must consist of courses at the 1000 to 4000 levels. Courses designated 1XXX and 2XXX are considered lower division; those designated 3XXX and 4XXX are considered upper division.

Specific programs may permit 5000 level courses as electives in consultation with an advisor. Courses taken for an undergraduate degree cannot be applied to a graduate degree. Undergraduate courses must not have 5000 level courses as required courses.

PROCEDURE
All curriculum requests must be approved by the appropriate authorities.  

5.12 TIME LIMITS FOR GRADUATION

Effective: June 29, 1994

PURPOSE
To state University policy concerning time limits for earning an undergraduate degree.

AUTHORITY/SOURCE:
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Individual colleges and schools within the University.

POLICY
At the Undergraduate level there are no University-imposed time limit requirements for graduation. However, individual programs may impose their own time limits, subject to approval by the University Curriculum Committee, Undergraduate Council, and the Provost. If such requirements exist, they are specified in the catalog and the policies and procedures manuals for those programs.

PROCEDURE
See respective departments.

Effective: June 29, 1994

PURPOSE
To state the University guidelines for final course examinations.

AUTHORITY/SOURCE:
Florida Administrative Code 6C
Council of Deans
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

POLICY
Final course examinations will be given during the designated "finals week," usually the week following the last day of classes in the fall and spring semesters. Faculty must not replace the final exam during "finals week" with quizzes or exams during the last week of classes.

The summer semester does not have a final examination period and course examinations may be given at the discretion of the faculty member teaching the course.

PROCEDURE
Administer exams as stated.

  5.14 CANDIDACY EXAMINATIONS  

Effective: June 29, 1994

PURPOSE
To state University requirements with regard to candidacy examinations for undergraduate degrees.

AUTHORITY/SOURCE:
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Florida Administrative Code 6C8-3.011

POLICY
The University has no requirement for candidacy examinations at the Undergraduate level. However, individual programs may require comprehensive oral and/or written examinations, subject to approval by the Undergraduate Council, the University Curriculum Committee, and the Provost.

PROCEDURE
If appropriate, requirements are specified in the catalog and the policies and procedures manuals for those programs.

5.15 COURSES TAKEN AT OTHER INSTITUTIONS AFTER ADMISSION TO FIU  

Effective: June 29, 1994

PURPOSE
To state University requirements for accepting courses completed at other institutions after being admitted to the University.

AUTHORITY/SOURCE:
Florida Administrative Code 6C
Council of Deans
University Registrar
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

POLICY
Following admission to the University, students may take courses at other institutions with the prior approval of the Chairperson of their department and their Academic Dean. For students not formally admitted to a major, approval of the Dean of Undergraduate Studies is required.

Limits on transfer credits are specified below:

The maximum lower division transfer credits is 60 semester hours of credit. (See Policy 2.50)

Additional transfer credits, not to exceed 30 semester hours of credit, may be accepted with departmental approval, if the credits were earned in verifiable, upper division courses at a four-year, accredited, post-secondary institution.

If the student changes major, the new department has the right to review, accept, or deny previously awarded transfer credits.

PROCEDURE
The Dean's office of the College or School in which the student is enrolled will evaluate the acceptability of all transfer credits.

Transfer credits will be applied only as appropriate to student's degree program.

5.16 FORGIVENESS POLICY

Effective: June 29, 1994

PURPOSE
To establish the standards for use of the forgiveness policy.

AUTHORITY/SOURCE:
Faculty Senate
Council of Deans
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
 
POLICY
The forgiveness policy is intended as a means by which students may improve their GPAs while attending FIU. Only the grade received on the last repeat is calculated in the GPA. All courses and grades earned are posted on the transcript and designated T for attempted and R for repeat. Undergraduate students may use the forgiveness policy a maximum of four times, ranging from repeating the same course four times to repeating four different courses once. The course must have the same prefix and number as the original course and must be repeated at FIU. A course taken for a letter grade must be repeated for a letter grade. The repeated course form will not be processed if the first or repeated grade is DR, DP, WI, WP, AU, NR, or EM.

PROCEDURE
A Repeated Course Form must be filed with the Office of the Registrar prior to graduation.

Note: Students who have used their four options under the forgiveness policy may still repeat courses, though all grades will be computed in the GPA. The course will count only once toward graduation unless it is specifically designated as repeatable (independent study, studio courses, etc.).

5.17 CHANGE OR CORRECTION OF GRADE

Effective: June 29, 1994

PURPOSE
To explain the policy on change or correction of grades

AUTHORITY/SOURCE:
Faculty Senate
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

POLICY
Once submitted, end-of-semester grades (except incompletes and NRs, which default at the end of two terms) are final. They are subject to change only through a Change of Grade form to correct an error in computation or transcribing, or where part of the student's work has been unintentionally overlooked.

PROCEDURE
Change of Grade forms are available in the Office of the Registrar and most departmental offices.

5.20 DEFINITION OF MAJOR AND MINOR  

Effective:   May 20, 1998
 
PURPOSE
To provide the definition of Major and Minor

AUTHORITY/SOURCE:
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

DEFINITION
A major is a concentration of course work in an approved academic discipline. This concentration of course work allows students to develop a significant degree of expertise in an area of study or discipline. In addition to a basic core of general education courses, a minimum of 30 semester credit hours is required in each major or baccalaureate program. The exact courses, credit requirements, prerequisites and electives for each major will vary, however. An outline of these requirements is included in the departmental program areas in the University catalog.

A minor is an arrangement of courses that enables a student to develop a secondary degree of expertise in an area of study in addition to his or her major academic program of study. To receive a minor, a student must also complete the requirements of a major or a baccalaureate degree from the university. In order to receive a minor, a student must complete a minimum of 15 semester credit hours.

5.21 REQUIREMENTS FOR MAJORS  

Effective: June 29, 1994

PURPOSE
To stipulate University requirements for a single academic major.

AUTHORITY/SOURCE:
Florida Administrative Code 6C8-3.011
Council of Deans
University Registrar
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

POLICY
The number of semester hour credits required for an academic major is specified by the faculty of each program and approved by the appropriate chairperson and dean. Approval is also required by the curriculum committee of the appropriate College and/or School, the University Curriculum Committee, the Faculty Senate, and the Vice-President for Academic Affairs. Generally, the number of credit hours is limited to fewer than 120, unless approved as an exception by the Board of Regents.

PROCEDURE
Requests must be submitted through the appropriate channels.

Effective: June 29, 1994

PURPOSE
To state the minimum University requirements for concurrently completing two academic majors.

AUTHORITY/SOURCE:
Florida Administrative Code 6C8-3.011
Council of Deans
University Registrar
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

POLICY
An undergraduate student may concurrently fulfill the requirements of two academic majors provided the student has the permission of the department or school of each of the academic majors being sought. Upon successful completion of the requirements of both majors, one degree is awarded. If the student desires a second baccalaureate degree, the appropriate policies and procedures apply.

The two majors earned concurrently under one degree will be noted on the transcript and diploma.

PROCEDURE
The student must obtain the permission of the department or school of each of the academic majors being sought.

A Second Major Form must be filed with the Office of the Registrar to declare the two majors.

5.23 REQUIREMENTS FOR MINORS  

Effective: June 29, 1994

PURPOSE
To stipulate University requirements for academic minors

AUTHORITY/SOURCE:
Florida Administrative Code 6C
Council of Deans
University Registrar
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

POLICY
The number of semester hour credits required for an academic minor should be approximately one half of those required for a major in the same field, but not fewer than 12 semester hours of credit. The exact number of hours is specified by the faculty of each program, and approved by the appropriate chairperson and dean. Approval is also required by the curriculum committee of the appropriate College and/or School, the University Curriculum Committee, the Faculty Senate, and the Vice-President for Academic Affairs.

While a minor program is intended to enable students to develop some degree of expertise in one area of study, it may be interdisciplinary.

To receive a minor a student must complete the requirements for a baccalaureate degree concurrently.

The student's transcript shall indicate the minor for which the student has been certified.

PROCEDURE
Contact academic units.

5.24 REQUIREMENTS FOR CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS

Effective: June 29, 1994

PURPOSE
To stipulate University requirements for certificate programs.

AUTHORITY/SOURCE:
Florida Administrative Code 6C8-3.011
Council of Deans
University Registrar
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

POLICY
The University shall award two types of certificates: Academic Certificates and Professional Certificates.

ACADEMIC CERTIFICATE:
An academic certificate must be interdisciplinary to the greatest extent possible.

It may be awarded only to students who already have a baccalaureate degree, or conjointly with the award of a baccalaureate degree.

The certificate program must consist of a minimum of 18 semester hours of credit.

Each certificate program must have a coordinating committee that includes faculty members from at least two departments or units.

PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE
A professional certificate need not be interdisciplinary.
Professional schools and colleges determine the requirements for a professional certificate.
A professional certificate may be granted to a student who has not earned a baccalaureate degree.

PROCEDURE
Students must apply and be admitted into the professional certificate programs. Appropriate notations will be made on transcripts.

5.25 THE CORE CURRICULUM

Effective:  May 20, 1998

PURPOSE
To provide a planned general education program for students entering the university as freshmen or transfers with fewer than 36 credit hours.

AUTHORITY/SOURCE:
Florida Administrative Code
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

POLICY
The Core Curriculum includes 36 hours of course work selected from the following categories: Freshman Experience; English Composition; Mathematics; Physical and Biological Sciences with laboratories; Social Sciences; Arts or Modern Languages; Historical Foundations; Critical Inquiry; and Comparative Culture/Gender Studies.

Students who enter the university as freshmen or as transfers with fewer than 36 earned credit hours must complete the core curriculum.

PROCEDURE
Courses included in each category are proposed by the academic departments, approved by the Faculty Senate Undergraduate Council, and recommended to the Dean of Undergraduate Studies for inclusion in the Core.

5.30 UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

Effective: June 29, 1994

PURPOSE
To state the minimum requirements for awarding undergraduate degrees.

AUTHORITY/SOURCE:
Florida Administrative Code, 6C8-3.011
Council of Deans
University Registrar
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

POLICY
The University faculty recommends the granting of degrees. To receive an undergraduate degree from the University, a student must meet the minimum requirements set forth by the State University System (SUS) and the University. Additional requirements may be set by individual degree granting programs and are specified in the policies and procedures manual of each program and in the University Undergraduate Catalog. Minimum SUS and University requirements for degrees awarded by the University, the procedures to receive these degrees and, when applicable, the procedure to receive the corresponding diploma may be found in the following subsections:

5.31 Award of Associate of Arts Degree
5.32 Award of Initial Baccalaureate Degree
5.33 Award of Second Baccalaureate Degree
5.34 Award of Posthumous Baccalaureate Degree
5.35 Academic Honors

5.31 AWARD OF ASSOCIATE OF ARTS DEGREE

Effective: June 29, 1994

PURPOSE
To state the minimum University requirements for awarding, and procedures for receiving, an associate of arts degree.

AUTHORITY/SOURCE:
Florida Administrative Code, 6C8-3.011
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Council of Deans
Faculty Senate
University Registrar

POLICY
Certification:
Certification by the Dean of Undergraduate Studies that all requirements for the degree have been met.
Credit Hour and Residency Requirements:
Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of credit with the required grade point average, of which at least the last 20 hours of credit must be completed at the University. Exceptions must be made in advance by the Dean of Undergraduate Studies and may not exceed three semester hours of credit.
University Curriculum Requirements:
Completion of the Lower Division Core Curriculum.
Grade Point Average Requirements:
A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher for courses taken at the University.
State University System (SUS) Requirements:
Completion of the University's Core Curriculum requirements and presentation of passing scores on all four subtests of the College-Level Academic Skills Test (CLAST).
Other:
Students who receive an associate of arts degree and are not enrolled in at least one course at the University for the period of one year must apply for readmission to the University if they wish to obtain a baccalaureate degree. Students who do not intend to transfer to another university should not request an associate of arts degree. The degree will not be awarded after completion of the baccalaureate degree.

PROCEDURE
When a student has completed the requirements for an associate of arts degree and wishes to have it recorded on the student's grade transcript, the student must obtain an Application for Associate of Arts Degree from the Office of the Registrar, have it signed by the Director of the Academic Advising Center in the Office of Undergraduate Studies and return the signed Application to the Office of the Registrar.

The Office of the Registrar prepares all necessary forms and sends them to the Office of Undergraduate Studies for review and certification of completion. The Office of Undergraduate Studies will advise the Office of the Registrar whether or not all requirements have been met.

If all requirements have been met, the student's grade transcript will indicate that the student has been awarded an associate of arts degree. No diploma is given for an associate of arts degree. If the Office of Undergraduate Studies determines that all requirements for the degree have not been met, the application procedure must be repeated after successful completion of all requirements.

5.32 AWARD OF INITIAL BACCALAUREATE DEGREE  

Effective: June 29, 1994

PURPOSE
To state the minimum University requirements for awarding, and procedures for receiving, an initial baccalaureate degree.

AUTHORITY/SOURCE:
Florida Administrative Code 6C8-3.011
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Council of Deans
Faculty Senate
University Registrar

POLICY
Certification:
Verification of the faculty of the College or School and certification by the Dean of the academic unit that all the requirements of the degree being sought have been completed.

Credit Hour and Residency Requirements:
Successful completion of at least 120 semester hours of credit with the required grade point average; of which at least the last 30 semester hours of credit must be completed at the University. Exceptions must be made in advance by the appropriate Dean and may not exceed 6 semester hours of credit.

General Education Requirements:
Completion of the General Education Requirements or, in the case of students admitted with fewer than 48 semester hours of credit, the Core Curriculum.

Grade Point Average:
A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher for courses completed at the University, as well as achievement of any higher grade point averages Schools or Colleges may establish for major, core courses and/or course sequences. Refer to appropriate department's regulations for this information.

State University System (SUS) Requirements:
Completion of Core or General Education requirements in English and Mathematics as prescribed by the State Board of Education (Gordon Rule), presentation of passing scores on all four subtests of the College-Level Academic Skills Test (CLAST), and completion of the Foreign Language Requirement.

Date of Graduation:
The semester of graduation will be the semester in which the student applies and completes all the graduation requirements regardless of when the original application for graduation was filed. The official date will be the date of commencement.

PROCEDURE
In addition to meeting all requirements listed above for receipt of an initial baccalaureate degree, students must take the steps listed below to receive a diploma:

a) The student must obtain an Application for Graduation either from the Office of The Registrar or from the appropriate department/division office and have this application signed by the appropriate advisor. The student then submits the application to the Office of The Registrar which certifies the degree(s) and major(s) and/or minor(s) of the student.

b) The Office of the Registrar sends a Graduation Certification package containing the following items to the appropriate dean:

1) Application for Graduation. This application is necessary for a student to receive a diploma regardless of whether or not the student intends to be at the commencement ceremony.

2) General Education Form certifying that all general education requirements have been met, including CLAST and FLENT. This is not necessary for students who have already obtained an associate of arts degree from any public university or public community college in Florida.

3) Advisor's copy of Transcript of Grades

4) Certification for Graduation

c) At the Dean's office the following information is filled in:

1) Authorization for graduation must be signed by Department Head and Dean, indicating that graduation has been denied or is approved pending successful completion of any applicable courses.

2) A list of all current courses and courses for which the student has received an incomplete (IN) grade, that must be completed for graduation, and the required minimum grade for these courses.

3) Any additional requirements the student must meet in order to graduate.

d) Upon completion the white copies of all forms in this package should be returned by the Dean and received by the Office of The Registrar no later than the last day of classes for the term.

e) At the end of the term, the Office of the Registrar verifies that all courses listed as pending on the Certification for Graduation form have been completed with a satisfactory grade. Diplomas are mailed within six weeks following the month in which classes end.

Should the student fail to complete all required courses satisfactorily, the appropriate academic unit and the student will be informed the week after the last day of classes, during which period denial forms are mailed. In this case the student must reapply for graduation and for receipt of a diploma subject to subsequent satisfactory completion of all requirements for graduation.

5.33 AWARD OF SECOND BACCALAUREATE DEGREE  

Effective: June 29, 1994

PURPOSE
To state the minimum University requirements for awarding, and procedures for receiving, a second baccalaureate degree.

AUTHORITY/SOURCE:
Florida Administrative Code 6C8-3.011
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Council of Deans
Faculty Senate
University Registrar

POLICY
Certification:
Verification of the faculty of the College or School and certification by the Dean of the academic unit that all the requirements of the second degree being sought have been completed.

Credit Hour and Residency Requirements:
Successful completion of at least 30 semester hours of credit at Florida International University in addition to the requisite academic credit for the first baccalaureate degree.

Successful completion of any additional semester hours of credit, beyond the 30 mentioned above, which may be required for the major program of the degree being sought. This includes the achievement of any grade point average higher than the university grade point average, if required by the major program.

Grade Point Average:
A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 or higher for courses completed at the University, as well as achievement of any higher grade point averages Schools or Colleges may establish for major, core courses and/or course sequences. Refer to appropriate department's regulations for this information.

Other:
Student must obtain the permission of the department or division offering the major program for which the second degree is being sought.

A completed Second Major form must be filed with the Registrar's Office and the requirements for two majors must have been completed and certified by the appropriate academic units.

Date of Graduation:
The semester of graduation will be the semester in which the student applies and completes all the graduation requirements regardless of when the original application for graduation was filed. The official date will be the date of commencement.

PROCEDURE
In addition to meeting all requirements (listed above) for receipt of a second baccalaureate degree, students must take the steps listed below to receive a diploma:

a) The student must obtain an Application for Graduation either from the Office of The Registrar or from the appropriate department/division office and have this application

signed by the appropriate advisor. The Student then submits the application to the Office of the Registrar which certifies the degree(s) and major(s) of the student.

b) After the last day to drop a class in the semester the Office of the Registrar sends a Graduation Certification package containing the following items to the appropriate Dean:

1) Application for Graduation. This application is necessary for a student to receive a diploma regardless of whether or not the student intends to be at the commencement ceremony.

2) General Education Form certifying that all general education requirements have been met. This is not necessary for students who have already obtained an initial degree from Florida International University.

3) Advisor's copy of Transcript of Grades

4) Certification for Graduation

c) At the Dean's office the following information is filled in:

1) Authorization for graduation at bottom of Certification for Graduation must be signed by Department Head and Dean, indicating that graduation has been denied or is approved pending successful completion of courses indicated below.

2) A list of all current courses and courses for which the student has received an incomplete (IN) grade, that must be completed for graduation, and the minimum required grade for these courses.

3) Any additional requirements the student must meet in order to graduate.
 

d) Upon completion, the white copies of all forms in this package should be returned by the Dean and received by the Office of the Registrar no later than the last day of classes for the term.

e) At the end of the term, the Office of the Registrar verifies that all courses listed as pending on the Certification for Graduation form have been completed with a satisfactory grade. Diplomas are mailed within six weeks following the month in which classes end.

Should the student fail to complete all required courses satisfactorily, the appropriate academic unit and the student will be informed the week after the last day of classes, during which period, denial forms are mailed. In this case the student must reapply for graduation and for receipt of a diploma subject to subsequent satisfactory completion of all requirements for graduation.

5.34 AWARD OF POSTHUMOUS BACCALAUREATE DEGREE

Effective: June 29, 1994

PURPOSE
To state the minimum University requirements for awarding, and procedures for receiving, a posthumous baccalaureate degree.

AUTHORITY/SOURCE:
Florida Administrative Code 6C
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Council of Deans
Faculty Senate
University Registrar

POLICY
Generally, students must have achieved senior status, be in good standing at Florida International University, and must have met the Florida International University residency requirement.

PROCEDURE
The chairperson or faculty of the department, on their own initiative or upon request of the family, recommends a posthumous degree by forwarding a recommendation letter accompanied by the student's transcripts to the dean of the college or school. In those colleges or schools without departments, the dean who fills this function may himself initiate the process.

If approved, the dean's recommendation, with supporting documentation, is forwarded to the provost, who, if he agrees with the recommendation, notifies the Chancellor of the Board of Regents. The provost notifies the appropriate dean. The Office of the Registrar and the chairperson of the commencement committee are notified by the Office of the Provost that it is proper to award the degree at the next commencement ceremony.

5.35 ACADEMIC HONORS  

Effective: June 29, 1994

PURPOSE
To specify honors standings.

AUTHORITY/SOURCE:
Faculty Senate (Motion 12-35,36 4/7/92)
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

POLICY
To graduate with the below listed honors designations, a student must receive grade points in a minimum of 40 semester hours of credit at FIU.

Summa Cum Laude
Cumulative GPA of 3.900 and higher.
Magna Cum Laude
Cumulative GPA of 3.700 to 3.899.
Cum Laude
Cumulative GPA of 3.500 to 3.699.
Graduated through the University Honors Program

Successful completion of at least four University Honors Program approved 3-credit courses, including the senior honors requirement.

PROCEDURE
Processed automatically by the Office of the Registrar.

5.40 PARTICIPATION IN COMMENCEMENT  

Effective: June 29, 1994

PURPOSE
To state university policy regarding participation in commencement ceremonies and regarding procedures to participate in the ceremony.

AUTHORITY/SOURCE:
Florida Administrative Code 6C
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Council of Deans (Provost)
Faculty Senate (Academic Policy Committee)
University Registrar (Office of the Registrar)

POLICY
All students who intend to complete the requirements for a baccalaureate degree and are applying for graduation, are eligible to participate in commencement ceremonies. All students who have completed the requirements for a baccalaureate degree in the summer semester, are eligible to participate in the next scheduled commencement ceremonies. Because of space limitations, all students who wish to attend commencement exercises must comply with the registration requirements specified below.

PROCEDURE
All students who intend to complete the requirements for a baccalaureate degree and have applied for graduation in the appropriate semester will automatically receive a commencement letter. This letter contains information concerning commencement exercises, such as its date, location and the number of guests a student will be allowed to invite, and a registration card for commencement exercises in the appropriate semester. In the case of fall commencement all students who have completed requirements for graduation, and have applied for a baccalaureate degree diploma in the previous summer, will automatically receive a commencement letter for the fall commencement exercises and a registration card.

Recipients of an associate of arts degree may not participate in commencement ceremonies.

The registration card constitutes the student's application to participate in the commencement exercises. If a student wishes to participate, it should be returned to the Office of the Registrar by the deadline date.