Academic - Calendar, Services, and Policies

2019-2020 Academic Calendar

Fall Term

Opening Faculty/Staff Conference	Tuesday, August 27
New Students Arrive	Wednesday, August 28
Opening Convocation	Sunday, September 1
Classes Begin	Monday, September 2
Family Weekend	Friday-Saturday, September 27-28
Homecoming	Friday-Saturday, October 11-12
Midterm	Wednesday, October 16
Fall Break	Thursday-Sunday, October 17-20
Thanksgiving Break	Wednesday-Sunday, Nov. 27-Dec. 1
Classes End	Friday, December 6
Final Examinations	Sunday-Friday, December 8-13

CentreTerm

Classes Begin	Tuesday, January 7
Founders Day Celebration	Wednesday, January 22
Classes End	Tuesday, January 28

Spring Term

Classes Begin	Wednesday, February 5
Midterm	Friday, March 20
Spring Break	Saturday-Sunday, March 21-29
Classes End	Tuesday, May 12
Final Examinations	Thursday-Wednesday, May 14-20
Commencement	Sunday, May 24

Academic Advising

The Assistant Dean for Advising assists with new student orientation, which includes summer mailings, proficiency and placement testing, and special programs for students during the Fall Term. All faculty (plus selected administrators) serve as academic advisors to students, and the Academic Advising Office coordinates the responsibilities of those advisors. Each student has a general advisor during the first-year and sophomore years, usually matched by interests, and then are assigned an advisor in a specific academic discipline once a major has been selected during the spring term of the sophomore year. Major declaration and any change of major is coordinated by the Assistant Dean for Advising. Students may request a change of major or minor at any time of the year except for the two weeks prior to course registration in the fall and spring.

The Assistant Dean for Advising works in a focused way with students who experience academic difficulty, particularly in the first two years at Centre. Special group and individual counseling is offered, and students are directed to target help sessions in particular subjects, to the Writing Center, and to the Center for Career & Professional Development.

Academic Honesty/Dishonesty

ACADEMIC HONESTY

A high standard of academic honesty is expected of students in all phases of academic work and college life. Academic dishonesty in any form is a fundamental offense against the integrity of the entire academic community and is always a threat to the standards of the College and to the standing of every student. In taking tests and examinations, doing homework or laboratory work, and writing papers, students are expected to perform with honor. In written and oral work for college courses, students will be held responsible for knowing the difference between proper and improper use of source materials. The improper use of source materials is plagiarism and, along with other breaches of academic integrity, is subject to disciplinary action. 

Plagiarism. Plagiarism occurs when the student does not use footnotes properly, quotes without quotation marks, quotes or paraphrases without indicating sources, hands in material as his or her own when it is not, or incurs a combination of these omissions or commissions in any academic exercise. All such behavior constitutes a theft of someone else’s ideas or words. All students will have a classroom discussion and an exercise on proper research, footnoting, and paraphrasing techniques during the early part of their academic career at Centre. Also, students who do not understand proper research techniques should feel free to ask their instructors. Proper footnoting procedures are explained in The Rules for Writers Handbook. Proper citation of sources is essential. Format of the citation is up to each individual professor and every student should carefully follow the guidelines specified.

Recent cases that have caused a great deal of concern have involved the persistent omission of quotation marks around quoted material, the persistent omission of footnotes, improper paraphrasing using material too similar to the original, and handing in another student’s work as one’s own. Of particular concern is inappropriate use of electronic resources.

Other Forms of Cheating. All students should realize that every faculty member is asked to create an atmosphere in the classroom in which the honest are protected. Tests, quizzes, and exams are monitored, many footnotes and sources are checked, and seating during exams is as spread out as possible. Students should never bring notes, texts, or special memory aids into a test, unless the instructor specifically permits this. Students who notice that a fellow student is cheating should feel empowered to tell the instructor. This should never be done lightly or without some degree of certainty. It is, however, important to protect the integrity of the entire class.

When a student hands in a take-home exam, a paper, a lab report, or to-be-graded homework, the assumption is that the work represents the student’s own effort unless other sources are acknowledged. Furthermore, it is expected that this work has been produced exclusively for the course in which it is submitted. Students should not use the same or substantially the same material in different courses without the prior approval of both instructors.

A student who helps another to cheat is also guilty of violating the principles of academic honesty. A committee appointed by the Student Government Association made the following clarifications about academic honesty: (1) Anyone acting in the role of tutor, either in a paid or voluntary capacity, may work on specific homework problems as long as these problems will not be used by the instructor for grading purposes. Students should clarify ambiguous situations such as lab write-ups and computer programs with the individual professor. (2) A proofreader may check for errors and misspellings. Also, proofreaders may check for problems in grammar, usage, diction, and agreement. The proofreader may place a check next to the error but not directly correct the mistake. In a general sense, the proofreader should feel free to discuss topics, ideas, and concepts in the paper. The reader may suggest alterations, but at no time may a proofreader actually write any phrase, sentence, or paragraph for another student.

Two other policy violations are treated as violations of academic dishonesty. They are defacing of library materials and abuses of the Convocation system. They are subject to disciplinary action by the Associate Dean and/or the Student Judiciary.

Each of the three elements of the academic community—students, faculty, and administrators— carries part of the responsibility for maintaining academic honesty. Each case of academic dishonesty, no matter how minor the infraction, must be reported to the Associate Dean of the College before a grade is determined.

The following general procedures have been established for the faculty and are spelled out in the Faculty Handbook:

• The instructor or a faculty colleague should actively monitor all exams, including makeup exams and exams given early, unless arrangements are made for proctoring through the Assistant Dean for Advising Office. Secretaries, student assistants, and other staff members should not be asked to give or monitor exams.
• Instructors should not leave the classroom during examinations.
• Students should bring to class only those materials necessary for taking the examination. All other books, notes, and materials should be left outside the classroom or in a common location within the room.
• Students should be separated and dispersed throughout the classroom as much as possible. If the instructor anticipates that the scheduled room will be too small to assure adequate dispersal, the Registrar should be informed so that alternate arrangements can be suggested.
• Students ordinarily should not be permitted to leave the classroom unless the exam is administered in sections. In other cases where it is clearly necessary for a student to leave the room, students should leave individually and the instructor should take reasonable precautions to prevent access to test materials.
• Instructors with multiple sections of the same course should make separate examinations.
• Students taking earlier exams or makeup exams should be given exams different from those given the regular class.
• Instructors should check footnotes and references. For internet references, instructors may use the software service Turnitin.com, which delivers a report listing internet sites containing material that corresponds to passages submitted by either a faculty member or a student. To this end, an instructor may require all students in a class to submit papers to an “electronic drop box” that is automatically forwarded to Turnitin.com.
• Instructors should vary topics of written assignments to minimize the use of previously written papers.
• Instructors should repeatedly emphasize the proper referencing of sources, recognizing that the style of referencing varies among academic disciplines.

ACADEMIC DISHONESTY

If the instructor has a concern about a student’s academic honesty, the Associate Dean must be notified. Students may report an instance of alleged academic dishonesty by filing a written account of the details with the instructor. The instructor should then send a copy of the account to the Associate Dean. The instructor and the Associate Dean will consult and decide on a proper course of action, which may include questioning the individual(s) involved or other witnesses to the incident. The following are reasons for alerting the Associate Dean to all suspicions of academic dishonesty:

• A centralized handling of all academic dishonesty cases has been deemed advisable for the sake of fairness and equitable treatment of all students.
• Any second offense of academic dishonesty will be automatically brought before the Student Judiciary. The Associate Dean keeps a file on all cases and will check to see if the student has been in difficulty before.
• The Associate Dean can consult with the instructor about ways of handling the situation.
• The Associate Dean can help evaluate the evidence.
• The Associate Dean will call in the student to meet with him or her and discuss the case. The instructor may wish to call the student first, but, although that is advisable, it is not mandatory.
• For first offenses, the Associate Dean will decide, based on the case in relationship to other cases, whether it must go to the Student Judiciary or not. It must be pointed out, however, that the instructor and the student have the right to go to the Judiciary independently of the Associate Dean’s decision.

SAMPLE WAYS OF HANDLING NON-JUDICIARY, RELATIVELY MINOR PROBLEMS

• The student may convince both the instructor and the Associate Dean that no questionable activity has occurred. The case is dropped.
• The grade can be adjusted to reflect the presence of a problem on the paper, test, or assignment.
• The student can be asked to do the assignment again.
• The student can be asked to do a substitute assignment.
• The student can be warned, but told that another problem of this nature will be brought before the Student Judiciary.

If a student objects to any of these decisions, he/she may choose to take the case to the Student Judiciary for arbitration.

PROCEDURES AT ACADEMIC JUDICIARY HEARINGS

The Student Judiciary arbitrates serious cases. The Associate Dean of the College writes out the charges and requests a time for the hearing from the Chair of the Judiciary. Ordinarily, the instructor is asked to be present at the hearing to discuss the evidence and how conclusions were reached. The Judiciary will usually ask about the assignment. All of this occurs in the presence of the accused who is asked how he or she pleads at the beginning and is then asked to comment, respond, explain, question witnesses, and make a closing statement. The Associate Dean is also asked to make a closing statement. The accused must be present to receive the final decision. At the time the decision is rendered, the Student Judiciary shall indicate in writing a concise statement of the basis for its finding.

The final responsibility for determining the student’s grade in the course rests with the instructor, except in cases in which the Judiciary recommends a lowering or raising of the grade. In cases where a student is suspended as a result of a Judiciary recommendation, the grade of “U” shall be recorded for that course. Students who are asked to appear before the Student Judiciary will be given a written statement explaining their rights and will be told about the appeals process.

Students who believe that proper procedures were not followed, or who believe they received inordinate punishment, or were otherwise denied a fair hearing, may appeal to the Board of Review. The board should not retry the case or hear new evidence. If new evidence has appeared that could materially affect the decision, the case should be sent back to the Student Judiciary.

The student charged may appeal the Judiciary recommendation to the Board of Review in writing with reasons specified within 48 hours of the Student Judiciary’s decision. In the absence of an appeal, all Judiciary recommendations shall be forwarded to the deans for approval and implementation.

If cited to appear before the Student Judiciary, a student may not withdraw from the College before the completion of the judiciary process.

Enrollment Policies

Voluntary Withdrawal from the College

Any student deciding to withdraw from the College must complete an official withdrawal form and relinquish his or her student ID card in the Student Life Office. Failure to do so will result in a $30 withdrawal processing fee. Students who withdraw voluntarily sever their connection with the College and are denied access to campus housing and other facilities at the College. If the student withdraws from the College after the deadline to drop a course without an entry on the permanent record, the student's instructors will be required to report a “WP” or “WU” and an entry will be made on the student's record accordingly. Withdrawals from the College are not permitted during the final examination period. Any student not enrolled in successive terms, other than the summer term, is considered withdrawn from the College unless granted a leave of absence by the Associate Dean.

Medical Withdrawal from the College

Students who must withdraw for physical and/or mental health reasons must submit a timely written request to the Associate Dean. Requests should be submitted at the time the student intends to stop attending classes. A letter from an appropriate licensed physical or mental health professional must accompany the student's request for a medical withdrawal. The letter should provide sufficient detail regarding the student's diagnosis, current condition, and treatment requirements. If the medical withdrawal is granted by the Associate Dean, the student will receive grade of “W” in each of his or her current classes. NOTE: Partial medical withdrawals are not permitted (medical withdrawal from one or two courses while the student is permitted to continue in other courses).

Leave of Absence from the College

A student in good standing may request a leave of absence from the College for a specified reason and for a specified academic term or terms (up to one year maximum) by petition to the Associate Dean of the College. The request for a leave of absence should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the beginning of the leave period. Students on leave must relinquish their student ID card at the Student Life Office and are denied access to campus housing and other facilities at the College. Failure to follow these instructions will result in the student's withdrawal from the College. Normally, readmission to the College is automatic at the end of the leave period, except in the case of students who enroll at another college or university during their leave. Such students must submit official transcripts with satisfactory grades and a “Statement of Eligibility to Continue or Return” form completed by an appropriate official at the host institution before they can enroll at the College (see “Application for Readmission” form available from the Registrar's office). Students taking courses elsewhere while on leave of absence should have their courses approved for transfer in advance through the Registrar's Office.

Involuntary Withdrawals and Leaves

If a leave of absence, withdrawal or exception to an academic or residential regulation is based upon medical or psychological factors, the Director of the Parsons Center for Student Health and Counseling and/or the Director of Residence Life/Coordinator of Health and Counseling Services and/or the Assistant Dean for Advising will be involved through the Offices of the Dean of Student Life and the Associate Dean of the College. The Directors and Assistant Dean will usually also be involved in the readmission of any student who is granted a medical or psychological leave or withdrawal. Either Director or the Assistant Dean may recommend to the Dean of Student Life and/or the Associate Dean of the College a mandatory leave or withdrawal for medical or psychological reasons if it would be in the best interest of the student or the College. This action may be taken if, in the opinion of either Director or the Assistant Dean, a student exhibits irresponsible or uncontrolled behavior, which creates or continues either unreasonable risk or clear and present danger to the physical or mental health of the student concerned or others. This mandatory leave or withdrawal will be implemented through the Office of the Dean of Student Life and/or the Associate Dean of the College and is subject to administrative appeal to the Dean of the College, if the student so chooses.

Students who miss more than one-third of a term’s class meetings may be required to withdraw from the College if the Associate Dean and the student’s instructors agree that the student will not be able to make-up missed work in the class.

Readmission to the College

Any former student may apply for readmission. Suspended students must wait one long term before applying for readmission. Applications for readmission are reviewed by the Academic Standards Committee or, in some cases, by the Associate Dean on behalf of the Committee. The College reserves the right to require sufficient documentation that the student is qualified and ready to resume full-time studies at the College. An on campus interview with the appropriate Dean or College counselor may be required. Applications for readmission are available in the Registrar's Office and on CentreNet. Readmission to the College is never automatic. A student will not be readmitted if required progress toward graduation is not feasible, or if continued separation is considered to be in the best interest of the student or the College. Students must return the completed application, along with all required materials, so that the Associate Dean receives it by November 30, December 30, or July 30 for Centre, spring or fall terms, respectively.

Students who were suspended for academic reasons or who withdrew under academic probation must demonstrate a clear understanding of the causes for their academic difficulties, must describe the activities they have undertaken to address and overcome the causes of their problems, and must submit an academic plan for the completion of their degree requirements. Suspended and probationary students who are readmitted will have academic stipulations placed on their continued enrollment at the College. Students suspended twice are rarely readmitted to the College. In the case of a voluntary withdrawal for medical/psychological reasons, or any administrative withdrawal related to a physical or mental health condition, the student must submit a written progress assessment from a treating health professional with the readmission application, describing the student's current condition and indicating that the student is ready to resume full-time studies at the College. The Associate Dean requires a release from the student to discuss current treatment and follow-up needs with the treating health professional. Readmission will not be granted if there is any doubt that the student can manage full-time course work or if the College is unable to provide or the student is unable to secure appropriate follow-up care.

Reinstatement of merit awards for readmitted students is not automatic. Students should check with the Financial Aid Office. In the case of suspended students and students who withdrew on academic probation, specific academic stipulations may condition the reinstatement of a merit award. Enrollment of readmitted students and of students returning from leave of absence is subject to clearance with the Finance Office to make certain that the student has no outstanding financial obligations to the College. In addition, the payment of a $300 nonrefundable deposit is to be made to the Finance Office.

Class Attendance

Class Attendance

Students are individually responsible for class attendance, but instructors may impose attendance requirements appropriate to any course. Instructors shall explain to students at the beginning of each course their expectations and grading policies with regard to attendance at class meetings. Instructors are also required by the College to keep an accurate record of each student's attendance, which will be available to the student, the faculty advisor, and the officers of the College. In addition, instructors will report at the end of each term the number of class sessions missed by each student. Instructors are also asked to report to the Assistant Dean the names of those students who are absent from class excessively, including those who are absent three consecutive times. 

General Absences

1. Excessive absences, that is, missing more than one-third of a term's total class meetings in one or more classes, are grounds for immediate suspension from the College.
2. Each instructor sets his/her own guidelines about absences. It is common courtesy to inform the instructor when a student knows he/she will miss a class and to ask for the assignment ahead of the absence. The instructor will not provide a private class or a makeup test. (Makeup tests can be arranged if you are sick. See absences related to illness.)
3. Prompt attendance at all classes is expected. The penalty for tardiness is left to the discretion of the instructor.
4. The faculty imposes no extraordinary penalties for absences from classes that meet immediately prior to or following College vacations or recesses. However, students are reminded that these class periods are integral parts of the term and are thus no less suitable for tests and other work than are other class periods throughout the term.
5. No student may, because of participation in College-sponsored activities, miss more than an hour of class time for each hour of academic credit assigned to a course (for example, three hours of class time in a three-hour course). In four-hour laboratory courses, students may miss three hours of class time and one laboratory session. Students participating in two intercollegiate sports in the same term may miss one additional class meeting, but not an additional laboratory session. This policy applies only to participation in varsity sports, and does not include non-traditional seasons. In the first two weeks of the term, the Athletic Director should send written notification to the Associate Dean and instructors of a student’s two-sport participation and the travel dates for all away contests in both sports. To be excused from any additional class meetings, a two-sport athlete may petition the Associate Dean, through the Athletic Director, at least one week in advance of the proposed absence. The Associate Dean will survey the student’s instructors to determine if the proposed absence could cause the student’s academic standing in any class to fall to a “marginal” or “unsatisfactory” level, in which case the student would not be allowed to miss any additional class. The Associate Dean may allow for the additional absence when the student’s academic standing is satisfactory and when any in-class assignment or exam can be made up. This absence policy for the two-sport athlete will also be applied in the event that an athletic team or individual qualifies for post-season competition (SAA, NCAA, or an approved sanctioned event). When a faculty or staff member sponsors an activity that will keep a student out of class, that activity must be approved in advance by the Associate Dean. If the activity is approved as officially excused, the Associate Dean’s Office will send the faculty a list of excused participants, but it is still the student’s responsibility to inform the instructor and make appropriate arrangements. An excuse is granted only if the student makes up lost work, obtains assignments for the next class meeting (and completes them), and/or turns in any work that was due on the missed class day. In addition, if the student misses an in-class assignment or exam, then the absence is not excused,  unless the professor agrees to arrange for a make-up. Instructors will not provide a private class following the absence. Participation in activities not sanctioned by the Associate Dean will be assessed by the instructor, who may excuse the absence if the situation warrants it.
6. The College recognizes the profound impact of grief in the life of our students. Those students who have experienced the death of a loved one must contact the Associate Dean immediately for an excused absence to attend funeral services. The Associate Dean will notify the appropriate College faculty and staff as requested by the student. Students remain responsible for making up any work missed during this time.
7. When a student misses class to observe a religious holiday, the student must notify both his or her instructors and the Associate Dean well in advance. The Associate Dean, in consultation with the College Chaplain, will determine if the absence merits an official College excuse. As is the case with all excused absences, the student must arrange with the professor to make up any work or assignments missed as a result of an excused religious observance.

Absences Related to Illness

Students missing more than one-third of a term's total class meetings in one or more classes for medical reasons may be required to take a medical withdrawal from the College.

In the event that a student misses class due to illness and will not miss a graded assignment or lab, it is the responsibility of that student to notify faculty prior to the missed class. If the student misses a class due to illness and will be missing an exam, other graded assignment, or lab, that student should contact the faculty member prior to the missed class and should seek medical attention prior to the missed class in order to obtain a medical excuse.

The following conditions qualify for a medical excuse.

1. Hospital admission as shown through appropriate documentation from the hospital.
2. Ill at home with a written excuse from the primary care physician’s office. Confirmation of an illness by the parent may be accepted by the Associate Dean in extenuating circumstances.
3. Evaluated at Parsons Center for Student Health and Counseling prior to the missed class and diagnosed with an illness severe enough to be confined to bed. Medical excuse notification will be sent to appropriate faculty members with the student’s written permission. A medical excuse is not appropriate for minor illnesses and will not be granted retroactively.

In the rare event that a student should need to be excused from a final exam due to illness, the College physician or physician assistant will communicate directly with the Associate Dean of the College before an exam can be rescheduled or an “incomplete” granted. 

If a student is leaving campus to go home because of illness, Parsons Center for Student Health and Counseling should be informed prior to departure. Information regarding medical withdrawal can be found under the Leave of Absence/Withdrawal from the College section of this catalog. 

 

Convocation Program and Requirements

Policy

All full-time students who attend Centre for the entire academic year are required to earn a total of 12 Convocation credits. Students who fulfill the requirement have one hour of “A” figured into their grade point average (GPA) and noted on their transcript. Students who fail to accumulate 12 Convocation credits will have one hour of “U” figured into their GPA and noted on their transcript. Students who are not enrolled on a full-time basis for the full academic year still may complete the requirement by accumulating 12 credits. However, they will not receive a “U” if they do not. (Note: Convocation credits are not credit hours and do not count toward the total number of credit hours necessary for graduation.)

To receive Convocation credit, students must 1) scan his/her own Centre College ID card at a Convocation station; 2) be seated before the program begins; 3) remain present throughout the full program; 4) scan his/her own Centre College ID card before leaving the event. Convocation credit can only be given if ID cards are accurately scanned in and out. Student ID cards may need to be replaced in the Student Life Office if the card does not register in the computer scanning system. It is the students’ responsibility to bring their Centre ID card to Convocations and to make sure the card scans accurately. This policy will be strictly enforced, and Convocation credit will not be given to students who arrive late or who leave early or whose cards do not work in the Convocation system.

Please note that seating may be limited for some events. It is wise to arrive early to all Convocations to ensure that your ID card is scanned and you have a seat. If all seats are taken, students may not be allowed to enter the Convocation event.

If a student is working a Convocation, including, but not limited to Norton Center employees and other student workers, he/she will not receive Convocation credit. Students directly involved with the performance event, including, but not limited to actors and singers, may receive Convocation credit. The Convocation Coordinator will work in conjunction with the appropriate faculty/staff member(s) to give credit to students.

Students who abuse the system by scanning a card for a person who is not present, or scanning multiple cards, or by behaving in violation of the stated policy will lose Convocation credit. Such deceit is considered a violation of academic honesty and the people involved are subject to disciplinary action by the Associate Dean or the Student Judiciary.

As members of an audience, students are expected to be attentive and demonstrate mature, polite, and civil behavior. Computers and books should not be brought to Convocations and cell phones should be turned off during the presentation. Students exhibiting inappropriate behavior will be told to leave by members of the audience, faculty, staff, or student Convocation workers and will not receive Convocation credit.

Convocation Credit

Most events given Convocation status are worth one credit. Special events, designated as campus-wide Convocations, are worth two credits. Any event worth more than one credit will be indicated as such in the Convocation Calendar. Normally, the Opening, Founders Day, and Honors Convocations are worth two credits.

Convocation credit is entered and maintained by computer. Students may check their Convocation credit status by going to the current students listing on Centre Net, and selecting Personal/Convocation Credit. The individual student is responsible for verifying the computer record’s accuracy and for notifying the Convocation Coordinator in the Dean’s Office within one week of the Convocation in question. Students are urged to check their Convocation credits frequently throughout the academic year. Make sure you plan ahead so that you earn the 12 required Convocation credits. You have ample opportunity to achieve the requirement with over 50 Convocation presentations a year. Students are encouraged to not wait until the end of the year to obtain the required 12 credits as unanticipated events may keep you from earning your 12 credits. Students may submit a written appeal within two weeks after spring term grades are available to the Convocation Committee Chair requesting changes in their Convocation grade. The petition must explain all the circumstances of why the student did not fulfill the 12 credit requirement. Exceptions to the requirements are rarely granted. There are over 50 Convocations during the year, and students are required to follow the letter of the policy and be very careful about monitoring Convocation credit.

Students participating in Centre sponsored off-campus study programs receive Convocation credit as follows:

• Fall Term: six credits
• Spring Term: six credits
• Centre-Sponsored CentreTerm off-campus study programs or internship during CentreTerm: one credit

Students who participate in non-Centre study away programs may petition the Convocation Committee before the beginning of the Spring Term. The Convocation Committee will consider such requests on a case-by-case basis.

Convocation Programs

A schedule of Convocation events will be distributed at the beginning of each term and posted on the college calendar. Any change in the Convocation calendar will be posted in the CentreNeXT newsletter. Students should consult the CentreNeXT newsletter and the Centre College calendar on a weekly basis to see the most up-to-date Convocation information.

The College offers an extensive variety of guest lectures, plays, readings, films, and musical performances through its Convocation series, Norton Center for the Arts programs, and special events.

Each term, the Convocation Committee considers Convocation proposals submitted by students, faculty, and staff. Recommendations are submitted on a Convocation Proposal Form, available online at the Academic Affairs web-page. The Convocation Committee coordinates the selection of Convocations and is the final authority in all Convocation matters. The Committee consists of at least two students, two faculty members, three administration members, and the Convocation Coordinator. Questions about Convocation policies, procedures, credits, and requests for forms should be directed to the Convocation Coordinator in the Dean’s Office, Old Centre.

Registrar

www.centre.edu/registrar/

The Office of the Registrar maintains permanent student records, including the recording of grades on the student’s academic transcript. The office also coordinates all activities associated with course registration. Students may come to the office to register for classes, add and drop classes, receive permission to transfer courses, have their enrollment verified for various organizations such as insurance companies and financial aid entities, and have their academic record (transcript) sent to graduate and professional schools, employers, references, etc. Many of these services as well as important forms are also available on Centrenet.

The Office of the Registrar is located on the first floor of Wiseman Hall and is open Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 4:30 pm. Forms for requesting a variety of office services are readily available in the office. There is no charge for most services including transcript requests for regular service.

The Office of the Registrar maintains most biographical data on students. In particular, all address changes, including parent address changes, should be reported to the Office of the Registrar.

Finally, the Office of the Registrar is responsible for verifying student progress toward the degree, including tracking progress in completing general education and major/minor requirements. The Associate Registrar is specifically responsible for working with seniors and the graduation process. Students may come to the office at any time to check on their progress in meeting degree requirements.

Center for Career & Professional Development

The Center for Career & Professional Development (CCPD) supports students’ holistic development by helping them connect the dots between the knowledge and skills they are gaining both inside and outside the classroom to potential careers, enhancing their career and professional development through programming and services, and providing them with the tools and knowledge necessary for post-graduate success.

Engaging in the process of career development begins at the start of students’ first year. At Extended Orientation, students are given a Career Roadmap, a four-year guide to career success. The Roadmap provides students with concrete steps they can take to facilitate both career and professional development. To help guide students through the Roadmap and through this process, the CCPD assigns students, once they have declared a major, to career counselors by division (arts & humanities, social sciences, sciences & math), so that students can work with someone with specialized knowledge of their career field(s) of interest. There is also a career counselor dedicated to meeting specifically with students who are undeclared or undecided about their major. Career counselors can walk students through the entire career development process, from career exploration through applying for jobs or graduate schools. Along the way, career counselors can provide students with self-assessments, teach them how to research careers, help them locate and apply for internships or undergraduate research, assist with resume writing and interview preparation, teach students how to network and connect them with interested alumni through the Career Mentor Network, help hone their professionalism skills, and assist with locating and applying to post-graduate jobs and graduate schools. In addition, the CCPD offers numerous special events throughout each year, including Senior Celebration, Career Kick-Start, Career Chats, Emerging Professionals Series, on-campus employer information sessions and recruiting, and the Spotlight Career Fair.

Finally, the Center for Career & Professional Development has a wealth of information and resources on its website, including Handshake, our personal internship and job posting site.

Internships

Centre College understands that internships are essential in supporting successful careers after graduation. Aside from valuable real-world experience, internships let students try out careers, giving them the freedom to begin exploring their futures before graduation. An internship is a form of experiential learning that empowers students to integrate knowledge and theory learned throughout the curriculum with practical application and skills development in a professional setting. Centre offers internship opportunities to all students on a non-credit basis and during the junior and senior years on a credit basis.

An internship for credit can be completed during all academic terms as well as the summer and includes substantive academic work. The experience is guided by a member of the faculty and by a supervisor at the internship site with oversight by the CCPD. Students may earn two or three credits for their experiences based on hours worked. One-credit internships are also available in the summer. Students considering this type of internship must meet with their career counselor to discuss their options and internship requirements.

An alternate non-credit internship exists for students who want to gain additional insights into and experiences related to their potential career choice. This type of internship does not result in academic credit and is often completed during the summer. The CCPD can assist in finding these experiences.

Both types of internship can be valuable components of a student’s career development process, enabling them to make connections between the college experience and various career fields. Also, interested students may apply for funding (on a competitive basis) for internships taking place during the CentreTerm or the summer. More information can be found on the CCPD’s website.

Study Abroad Programs

As part of Centre’s commitment to promote cross-cultural awareness, we encourage students to study in a foreign culture as an integral part of their liberal arts education.  Last year 80% of Centre students studied off-campus once, 42% studied off-campus twice, and 20% studied off-campus 3 or more times, a statistic that puts Centre among the top three schools in the United States.

We have 15 residential semester-long programs (2 Domestic and 13 International) which include our three Flagships Centre-in-Strasbourg, Centre-in-the-Yucatan, and Centre-in-London.  Our other programs are Centre-in-England (Reading), Centre-in-Rose Bruford, Centre-in-Northern Ireland, Centre-in-Japan, Centre-in-China, Centre-in-Spain, Centre-in Germany, Centre-in- Bhutan, Centre-in-Glasgow, Centre-in-Marista, Centre-in-Washington, D.C., and Centre-In-New York.  Our New York, Washington D.C, China, and Bhutan programs also include Internships.

Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors can apply for one of our long-term programs in Strasbourg, France (Fall, Spring, or Summer), Merida, Mexico (Fall, CentreTerm, or Spring), England at the University of Reading (Fall) or London (Spring); Yamaguchi, Japan (Fall/CentreTerm), Scotland at the University of Glasgow (Spring), Shanghai, China (Fall), Spain (Spring), Regensburg, Germany (Spring/Summer) or Bhutan (Fall).  The costs for these programs are the same as on the Danville campus, although students pay their own airfare and a surcharge of $400 which includes the $25 Travel Medicine Clinic.  The Strasbourg program also has a $100 book fee.  A selection committee judges all applicants on the basis of academic and social maturity.

CentreTerm courses abroad.  During CentreTerm of 2020 Centre professors will offer specialized courses in Barbados, El Salvador, Fiji, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Japan, Merida, New Zealand, Palestine and Israel, Southern India, South Africa, Thailand and Myanmar,  These are not included in your tuition.

Additional semester opportunities.  Centre students may apply to spend a semester abroad as an exchange program with a major university in Northern Ireland or with the University of Marista in Merida, Mexico.  Centre also runs “study away” programs in Washington DC (fall or spring) and New York (fall) with students taking part in an internship and two or more courses.

Summer abroad options.  Centre is a member of the Kentucky Institute for International Studies (KIIS), which annually sponsors 24 (or more) low-cost summer courses all over the world.  Students earn three to six hours of Centre credit for these programs, which are popular among our students and are often led by our faculty. Centre’s own summer programs for the summer of 2019 were Barbados, Strasbourg, and Tahiti.  Many students also choose to complete international internships during the summer months.