Definitions

• “The Chicago School”, “Chicago School”, “the school”, “the university”, or “institution” refers to The Chicago School, including its main campus, branch campuses, additional sites, and delivery modalities.

• “The Chicago School@XULA” refers to The Chicago School at Xavier University of Louisiana.

• “Regionally Accredited” refers to the list of approved institutional accrediting agencies, “regional accreditors”,  for institutions of higher education. They are: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), Higher Learning Commission (HLC), New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC‐CIHE) Commission on Institutions of Higher Education, Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU), Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC), and Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).

• “School premises” includes all buildings and/or grounds owned, leased, operated, controlled, or supervised by the institution (including adjacent streets and sidewalks).

• “Student” includes all persons taking courses from The Chicago School, both full-time and part-time. Persons who are not officially enrolled for a particular term/semester but who have a continuing relationship with the school are considered “students” under this definition.

  • “Active” is used to define a student who is in Academic and Financial Aid Good Standing, Academic and Financial Aid Warning, Academic and Financial Aid Probation, Pending Probation, or Pending Graduate status.

  • “Semester-based” describes a student enrolled in a course(s) that runs 15-weeks in the fall and spring semester and courses that run within two 8 week terms in a 15 week summer semester. 

  • “Term-based” describes a student enrolled in a course(s) that runs 8-weeks in the fall, spring, and summer semesters. 

• “School Official” is any administrator, faculty member, staff member, or other authorized individual of the school.

• “Policies” are defined as the written regulations of the institution as found in, but not limited to, the Academic Catalog and Student Handbook and on official school websites.

• “Academic Program Lead” is the individual who leads an academic program or department. This individual in this role may be the Division Chair, Department Chair, Program Chair, or Program Director.

Academic Program Types

An academic program is categorized based on the number of credit hours delivered via a specific modality. Academic program types are Distance Learning, On-Ground/Blended, and Hybrid.  

• Distance Learning Program. A “Distance Learning Program” is a credit bearing academic degree or certificate that is offered more than 50 percent and up to 100 percent remotely through an electronically mediated learning management system, which may include synchronous remote instruction using a video conferencing application (such as Zoom). Such a program may include a requirement for students to complete on-campus or residential periods (“residencies”) of 90 days or less. 
   
• On-Ground/Blended. An on-ground/blended program is one that delivers 50% or more of its credit hours in a physical classroom with all students gathered in the same room in person.  
   
• Hybrid. A hybrid program is one that delivers 67% or more of courses in an on-ground/blended (OGB) course type and at least 33% of courses in a remote (REM) course type.  

Course Types and Section Codes

• Remote (REM). A remote course is a course that delivers 100% of instruction using distance learning technology.  

• Executive (EXE). An executive course is a course that delivers 50% to 99% of instruction using distance learning technology.   

• On-Ground/Blended (OGB). An on-ground/blended course is a course that delivers at least 51% of instruction in a physical classroom.  

• Hybrid Flex (HYFL). A hybrid flex course is a course in which a student is permitted to regularly attend class through electronic mediation (e.g., Zoom.). Hybrid flex is a delivery modality option that may be available to students in an OGB program type.  

• Hybrid Flex Proctored (HYFL-P). A hybrid flex proctored course is a course in which a student is permitted to regularly attend class through electronic mediation (e.g., Zoom) from a Chicago School Campus Participating Location with an on-site, live proctor. Hybrid flex proctored is a delivery modality option that may be available to students in an OGB program type.   

  • Student Requirements: A student at the Campus Participating Location must attend every class session in person on campus. A student will participate in the class using classroom or personal technology which must be equipped with a camera and sufficient sound equipment to allow for high-fidelity exchange.   

  • Teaching Assistant Requirements: The Teaching Assistant at the Campus Participating Location is responsible for taking attendance and ensuring that the classroom technology is functional.  

  • Instructor Requirements: The instructor will appear on camera and ensure that whiteboard or slide presentations are viewable by a student at the Campus Participating Location. The course instructor must be able to identify each student visually and see when they are raising their hand or participating in an activity. The instructor must engage all students in all exercises and discussions that occur during class time. Necessary materials for participation in exercises will be provided in the Canvas course shell.  

  • Campus Dean or Campus Director Requirements: The Campus Dean or Campus Director at the Campus Participating Location is responsible for ensuring that the classroom is properly equipped, and that IT support is available for each class meeting throughout the term/semester. 

Course Section Code Suffixes

• Service Learning (-SL). A course with the suffix “-SL” contains elements of learning outside of the classroom and in the community. Service Learning is coordinated by Community Partnerships.

• Study Abroad (-SA). A course with the suffix “-SA” is a study abroad course offered within an academic department. Study Abroad is coordinated by the Office of Global Engagement.