Earning Credit and Making Progress in OPIE

The following policies, which apply to all students enrolled in OPIE courses, has been adopted because consistent attendance, practice, and making adequate progress is important for both effective language learning and for fulfilling the requirements of your visa.

Credit Policy

1. The official grades for an OPIE course are Credit (CR) and No Credit (NC).

2. A grade of ‘Credit’ is reported for a student who has attended and actively and positively participated in class at least 90% of the time AND completed at least 90% of out-of-class assignments on time.

3. A grade of ‘No Credit’ is reported for a student who has failed to attend and participate in at least 90% of all scheduled classes OR to complete at least 90% of out-of-class assignments on time.

4. If a student earns one ‘Credit’ (e.g. in attendance) and one ‘No Credit’ (e.g. in homework), the ‘No Credit’ will be reported.

5. Students who receive ‘No Credit’ (NC) at the end of the semester will be placed on Academic Probation and the ‘No Credit’ grade will appear on students’ permanent Ohio University academic transcripts.

6. Students who have already received one semester/quarter of ‘No Credit’ should not make travel plans to leave the United States at the end of each following semester until they officially know that they will not be receiving ‘No Credit’ for a second time.   This will be stated on the end-of-semester proficiency report.

7. Any student who receives ‘No-Credit’ for any two semesters/quarters will be dismissed from OPIE and Ohio University.

8. Dismissed students can transfer to another academic institution OR return to their home country.

Students who have transferred to another academic institution may re-apply to Ohio University after completing a minimum of 20 semester hours of classes and demonstrating a minimum 2.75 grade point average.

9. Note: Students who are active and positive participants are awake and are engaged with their instructors and their peers. This means that they are actively participating in whole class and group discussions. They work cooperatively with fellow classmates in pair work. During class time, they are concentrating on the subject matter of the class.  Additionally, their homework is completed in a thoughtful manner, well before the start of class. Examples of “inactive” behavior are sleeping in class, checking a cellphone during class, not interacting with peers and the instructor, and trying to complete homework just before the start of the class. These actions do not help students improve their English.

Late Homework

Students submitting late homework should not expect to receive credit for that particular assignment unless they have made prior arrangements with their instructor or have other extenuating circumstances (acceptable reasons). Late homework may be graded to determine student’s English proficiency even though credit is not given.  If a student has a problem with a homework assignment, she/he should contact the instructor before the assignment is due. Appropriate and timely communication with your instructor is important in all cases.

Lateness Policy

Students are expected to arrive to all classes on time.  For example, for an 8:35 a.m. class, a student should be in class and ready to study at 8:35. A tardy is defined as being five minutes late for class.   Three tardies equal one unexcused absence.  If a student attends less than 40 minutes of a 55-minute period, he or she will be counted absent for that hour.

OPIE Excused Absence Policy

Ohio University and OPIE expect students to attend their classes.  Attending 90% of your classes is an OPIE requirement to obtain Credit for the semester.  If you miss classes beyond the 90% requirement, it can only be for legitimate (excused) reasons by the University.  We call these “excused” absences.

These “excused” absences include illness, death in the immediate family, religious observances, and involvement in University-sponsored activities. Excused absences will be accepted and will NOT count towards “No Credit.”

However, due to immigration regulations and the intensive nature of your English courses, these excused absences cannot be for more than 3 days. For medical absences longer than 3 days, you are strongly advised to seek a medical leave.  For extended or frequent absences due to health issues or special circumstances, please consult with your OPIE advisor about your situation.

Medical Leave forms are available from International Student and Scholar Services.

Here are some important things to remember about being absent from class:

1.  You are required to notify your instructor as soon as possible and provide evidence (e.g. a doctor’s note, a note from your OU sports coach) to support the legitimacy of your absence.  You may also request that your instructor call Campus Care to verify hospitalization at O’Bleness Memorial Hospital.   For more information, see the “Class Attendance Policy” section in the OHIO Undergraduate Catalog: https://www.catalogs.ohio.edu/index.php?catoid=82
2.  For ALL absences, you are expected to complete as much of your missed homework as possible in a timely manner.  If multiple days of work have been missed, please meet with your instructor to arrange modified due dates.  In the event that you do not make up the homework in the specified amount of time and in an acceptable manner, you will receive “no credit” for those assignments.
3.  If you miss a test or a quiz due to an absence, instructors will not permit you to take the quiz or test.  Missing tests and quizzes will lower your grade.
4.  Ohio University and OPIE assume that, whenever possible, you will visit Campus Care or another doctor without missing class.
5.  Absences for reasons similar to these will NOT be excused:

• a) attending or spending additional time studying for another course.
• b) seeing an advisor, changing registration, or taking the TOEFL iBT.
• c) going to the bank, paying bills, taking a driving test, or meeting someone at the airport.

Lack of Progress and Dismissal

Students in OPIE are expected to make satisfactory progress in the development of their language skills.  At the end of each semester, students are expected to advance to the next level in the program (e.g., Intermediate to Advanced). No student may repeat a level more than twice. If a student fails to advance to a higher level (e.g., Intermediate to Advanced) after taking a level for the third time, he/she will be dismissed from OPIE and Ohio University. 

For students in Bridge studies (CS and Pathway), passing any class counts as making progress for the semester, even if the student fails and must repeat other classes taken that semester. However, students will not be permitted to take any class more than three times. A student who fails the same Bridge class three times will be dismissed from OPIE and Ohio University unless he/she has valid test scores that qualify him/her to advance.

Students who receive notice that they will be dismissed according to this policy may appeal the decision by submitting a Dismissal Appeal Form to the OPIE office by 12:00 p.m. on Friday of the University final exam week. This Statement of Appeal should describe any unusual circumstances that contributed to the student's lack of progress. OPIE will review the appeal and make a decision by 5:00 p.m. on Friday of the University final exam week (the same day). See your OPIE Advisor with any questions.

If a student is dismissed, he/she will need to return home or transfer his/her I-20 to another institution.