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Academic Progress




Satisfactory Academic Progress

Vincennes University is required under Title IV of the Higher Education Amendments to define and administer standards of satisfactory academic progress for students receiving financial aid.
Recipients must maintain sufficient progress to assure successful completion of their educational objectives as measured by qualitative and quantitative standards.
 
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Qualitative and Quantitative Standards

After attempting 12 credits, students must earn a cumulative GPA of at least 1.8 and complete at least 60% of their cumulative attempted credit hours with passing grades.

After earning 30 quality hours, students must earn a cumulative GPA of at least 1.9 and complete at least 60% of their cumulative attempted credit hours with passing grades.

After earning 45 quality hours, students must earn a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 and complete at least 60% of their cumulative attempted credit hours with passing grades.

Students who do not meet these conditions will be placed on financial aid probation.
 
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Financial Aid Probation.

While students are on probation, they must finish 100% of all courses attempted with a semester GPA of at least 2.0. If they do not achieve this standard at the completion of their next semester of enrollment, they will be placed on financial aid suspension.

For this purpose an “earned F” counts as a finished course as does a grade of DE in a developmental reading course. Students “earn an F” when they stay in the course and try to pass but fail in this effort. In this case a student does not earn credits, and any Fs in non-developmental courses count in the GPA. Students who receive any grades of W, WN, WF, or I do not finish 100% of courses attempted. Courses attempted are those courses in which a student is enrolled after the first week of classes (add/drop week).

Students will receive a letter clearly stating these requirements, and they must sign and submit an acknowledgement that they understand their status and what they must do to avoid suspension of their
financial aid. While they are on probation, they will receive the financial aid for which they are eligible.
Thus, there is no appeal of probationary status.

Students will be removed from probation after they achieve at least (added: at least) the 60% completion rate and at least the minimum GPA relevant to the number of hours they have earned.
 
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Financial Aid Suspension.

Students who, while on financial aid probation, do not meet the semester GPA and completion standards stated above will have their financial aid suspended. Since this means they will not receive the
financial aid for which they would otherwise be eligible, they may appeal their suspension. If their appeal is granted, they will receive the financial aid for which they are eligible, but they will remain on financial aid probation.

If a grade of I during a semester of probation is the only reason students have been placed on financial aid suspension, after they submit proof that they have completed the course with a grade other
than W, WN, or WF, their financial aid will be reinstated as long as the changed grade enables them to meet the minimum semester GPA of 2.0.

To appeal financial aid suspension, students must be able to cite and document significant extenuating circumstances that prevented them from meeting the minimum semester requirements.
Significant extenuating circumstances include but are not limited to extended illness, a death in the family, or some other serious personal or familial situation. Examples of acceptable documentation
include death certificates, diagnostic statements from physicians, and written statements from a third party familiar with the situation. Appeals will not be granted unless significant extenuating circumstances can be documented.
 
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Maximum Time Frame.

U.S. Department of Education rules allow colleges and universities to provide federal financial aid for a maximum of up to 150% of the credits needed to complete an academic program. For example, students working toward a degree that requires 64 credits, may receive federal financial aid for attempting up to 96 credits (64+32), and students working toward a certificate of completion that requires 30 credits may receive federal financial aid for attempting up to 45 credits (30+15). Once students have surpassed these limits at the completion of a semester or summer term, they will be on financial aid suspension and will no longer be allowed to receive federal financial aid.

Notice that we must count credits attempted and not just credits successfully earned. We must count the credits for courses in which students receive a grade of F, W, WF, WN, DE, RD, or I. We must
also count the credits for all courses attempted at Vincennes University whether the courses meet degree requirements or not.

There are some exceptions that might make it possible for Vincennes University to provide federal financial aid for additional credits.
• The university may exclude up to 30 credits of developmental courses attempted.
• The university may exclude some credits that are transferred from another college or university. Specifically, transfer credits that do not meet any requirements for the degree or certificate toward which a student is working at Vincennes University may be excluded.
• The university may include credits attempted or earned more than five years ago if enrollment has not been continuous.
• For students who have already earned one degree or certificate from Vincennes University and are working on a second degree or certificate, credits that are unique to the first degree or certificate earned may be excluded. Purely elective courses are not unique to the first degree or certificate earned and will be counted toward the 150% maximum.

Since significant extenuating circumstances may contribute to a student’s failure to complete a degree or certificate program within the 150% maximum time frame, we will accept appeals of suspension of federal financial aid. To appeal financial aid suspension, students must be able to cite and document significant extenuating circumstances that prevented them from meeting the maximum time frame requirements. Significant extenuating circumstances include but are not limited to extended illness, a death in the family, or some other serious personal or familial situation. Examples of acceptable documentation include death certificates, birth certificates, diagnostic statements from physicians, and written statements from a non-family third party familiar with the situation. Appeals will not be granted unless significant extenuating circumstances can be documented.
 
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Returning students:

The financial aid award shown in your award notification assumes that you have met the standards of academic progress at the end of your last semester of attendance at Vincennes University.
 
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Kotter recertified as collegiate retailer

November 20, 2009


VINCENNES, IND. - Ronald L. Kotter, manager of Vincennes University’s Old Post Bookstore, recently completed the requirements to renew his Certified Collegiate Retailer (CCR) designation through the National Association of College Stores.  The CCR designation indicates skillful leadership, stewardship, and expertise in college store operations.

In addition to Kotter’s career experience in collegiate retailing, CCR designees must successfully complete a comprehensive examination that tests their fundamental knowledge of all areas of the collegiate retailing profession and their ability to apply that knowledge.  To successfully recertify for the designation, individuals complete a minimum of 60 hours of continuing education and professional development in the four years since initially earning the designation or from the date of the last renewal, as applicable.

More than 100 collegiate retailers have earned the CCR designation since its launch in fall 2004.

About NACS

Headquartered in Oberlin, Ohio, the National Association of College Stores is the professional trade association representing the $11 billion collegiate retailing industry.  NACS represents more than 3,100 collegiate retailers and approximately 1,100 associate members who supply books and other products to college stores.  NACS member stores daily serve America’s college students while supporting the academic missions of higher education institutions everywhere.  Additional information is available online at www.nacs.org.

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VU Christmas Gala Concert is Dec. 2

November 20, 2009

VINCENNES, IND. - The Vincennes University Music Department will present a Christmas Gala Concert on Dec. 2, 7:30 p.m. EST, in the Red Skelton Performing Arts Center Theatre.  The concert is free and the public is invited to attend.

The concert will showcase various Christmas songs in a variety of musical styles.  Featured groups include the VU Connection, Concert Band, Concert Choir, Brass Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, String Ensemble, Blues Ensemble, performances by VU faculty members, and more.

For more information, please contact Duane Chattin, Director of Public Information, at 812-888-4164 or dchattin@vinu.edu

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Lady Trailblazers 10th, Trailblazers 25th in NJCAA’s 1st hoops polls of season

November 18, 2009


COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The Vincennes Lady Trailblazers are No. 10 in the NJCAA's first Div. I Women's Basketball Poll of the season, which was released today.

The VU men were in a tie for 25th in the initial poll announced late Tuesday afternoon.

The 7-0 Lady Trailblazers had been ranked No. 13 in the pre-season poll. Gulf Coast - host of this weekend's Gulf Coast Classic in Panama City, Fla, in which the Lady Trailblazers will participate – tops the first regular-season poll. VU, after beating No. 14 Lincoln Trail 69-64 Tuesday, faces Gulf Coast Saturday, after taking on No. 22 Chipola on the tournament's first day.

Each of the event’s games will be carried live on the Gulf Coast Sports Network. The broadcasts can be heard by visiting the Gulf Coast Athletics Web site at www.gcathletics.com.

The Vincennes Trailblazers, 6-1 on the season, share the 25th slot in the rankings with the College of Southern Idaho. Central Florida Community College is the top-ranked team in the first poll. The Trailblazers defeated Lincoln Trail (ranked No. 23 in the first poll) 81-77 Tuesday night.

VU will host Southeastern Illinois at 7 p.m. Saturday at the P.E. Complex.

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Former VU Blazer Baseball Player Jason Clutter Making Way in Music


NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Jason Clutter's family moved from Elberfeld to Haubstadt when he was 10 and he discovered sports, especially baseball. He loved it so much that he worked hard enough to turn his God-given talent into a scholarship to pitch and play outfield at Vincennes University.

Clutter graduated in 2002 as one of the NJCAA's top closers and holding a degree in graphic design. He moved on to Oakland City and then spent part of summer 2003 in Italy playing baseball. Unfortunately, his shoulder gave out during his senior year with the Oaks and he would never play baseball again.

So Clutter looked to his other passion - country music, which until that time had been a way to pass time on baseball road trips. “I would sing on the bus on road trips during college and the team would join in," he said.

Music certainly became more than a hobby when Clutter started a local band and recorded seven original songs, two of which got fairly heavy play on Evansville market radio for almost two years. The band quickly grew from playing in front of about 20 people to crowds of about 200 per night.

Clutter has opened for 13 national acts and hopes to complete a new album for release in 2010.

**For more information, visit wwww.jasonclutter.com.

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WVUB radio receives state Community Involvement Award

November 19, 2009


VINCENNES, IND. - Vincennes University radio station Blazer 91.1 WVUB is the recipient of the “Community Involvement” award from the Indiana Broadcasters Association.  The award was presented Nov. 14 during the annual Spectrum Awards ceremonies in Indianapolis.

“I am very honored to have received this award for two reasons,” said Phillip Smith, general manager of WVUB.  “We were very happy to have been selected as Radio Station of the Year last year.  But this award has even more meaning.  This is recognition of service to our community.  Actually being concerned and involved in local events and activities is what broadcasting is all about, and being honored for that by your peers is the highest form of recognition.  Secondly, both VU and the VU Broadcasting Department were recognized and highlighted by broadcasters from throughout the state.”

According to the Indiana Broadcasters Association, the Spectrum Award recognizes broadcast excellence for outstanding achievement in broadcasting by radio and television stations throughout Indiana.  The competition was established to encourage the highest standards of reporting, community service, and production creativity.  It is the ultimate peer recognition for members of the broadcast industry in Indiana.

“When I travel throughout the state, I frequently encounter graduates of VU’s broadcasting program and they always speak highly of their preparation at VU.  Giving students the opportunity to be involved with award-winning stations such as WVUB is an important part of why our graduates achieve great success in this field.  I commend everyone associated with WVUB on receiving this honor,” said VU President Dick Helton.

WVUB Program Director Michael Woods said the award is a motivator for the station’s staff.  “The trophy shows the dedication of our staff and the acceptance of our listeners.  We promise not to let up, but to continue to deliver quality programming for the people of the Wabash valley.”

VU BROADCASTING

The VU Broadcasting Department prepares students for successful entry into radio, television, and allied career fields while earning a college degree. The program emphasizes hands-on, real-world experience for students, including many hours in VU broadcast studios and stations perfecting both on-air and behind-the-scenes technical skills.  VU’s public broadcast stations, WVUB and WVUT-TV, are the only ones in Indiana that are part of an academic broadcast program.

VINCENNES UNIVERSITY - Indiana’s First College

VU is state-supported with campuses in Vincennes and Jasper and additional sites such as the Indianapolis International Airport.  VU also offers instruction at military sites throughout the nation.

In addition to offering 200 associate degree and certificate programs, VU also offers bachelor’s degree programs in technology, homeland security, nursing, and secondary education programs in mathematics, science, and special education.

VU enrolls students from throughout Indiana, 26 other states, and 37 foreign countries.  Tuition and fees are the lowest among Indiana campuses with residence halls.  VU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Founded in 1801, VU is Indiana’s first college and is the only college in the nation founded by an individual who would later become President of the United States.  William Henry Harrison, the ninth U.S. President, founded VU while serving as governor of the Indiana Territory.  More information is available at www.vinu.edu.

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H1N1 vaccination clinic for VU students is Nov. 23

November 19, 2009


VINCENNES, IND. - An H1N1 vaccination clinic will be offered to Vincennes University students on Nov. 23 from 5:00-7:00 PM EST (or until all vaccine is given) in VU’s Beckes Student Union, Fort Sackville Room 1.

“We have a limited number of vaccinations and we must follow the priority guidelines set by the Center for Disease Control and the Indiana State Board of Health for administration of the vaccine.  We will be offering additional H1N1 vaccination clinics as soon as we receive additional doses from the County Board of Health,” said Peggy Milligan, coordinator of the VU Student Health Center.

Recommended initial priority groups include:  pregnant women, household/caregivers of babies under 6 months of age, healthcare and emergency medical services personnel, persons aged 6 months to 24 years, persons aged 25-64 who have high-risk medical conditions.

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VU Health Watch Wednesday Continues

 VU Health Watch Wednesday began with two e-text messages that provided H1N1 wellness tips and reminded subscribers to visit the VU Health Office web page

Updates will be posted each Wednesday (or sooner if the situation warrants).  The webpage includes links to the Center for Disease Control flu pages, preventative tips, and campus information. 

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