Graduation Requirements

In order to be considered a candidate for graduation, each student must satisfy the following minimal requirements:

1. Submit a completed Application for Graduation Form to the Office of the Registrar and Student Records by the due date for each semester; Applicants must also pay the required $25.00 graduation application fee online or at the University Cashier’s office.
2. Complete a minimum of 120 hours of which a minimum of 35 must be in residence at Voorhees University;
3. Have a minimum grade point average of 2.00;
4. Pass the English Proficiency Examination (EPE);
5. Complete 120 Experiential Learning (formerly Service Learning);
6. Pay all required fees, (i.e. graduation application, diploma fee, cap and gown fee);
7. Clear all indebtedness to the University;
8. Complete Career Planning Workshops;
9. Take a graduate/professional school admission test;
10. Satisfactorily complete Senior Thesis (as applicable);
11. Receive approval for graduation by the faculty and Board of Trustees.

A student who fails to receive approval for graduation has the right to appeal by utilizing the Academic Grievance Policy.

Graduation Honors

Students who maintain the following academic averages shall graduate with the following honors:

• Summa Cum Laude: A student whose cumulative grade point average is 3.8 to 4.0. Ninety (90) hours must be completed in residence.
• Magna Cum Laude: A student whose cumulative grade point average is 3.5 to 3.79. Ninety (90) hours must be completed in residence.
• Cum Laude: A student whose cumulative grade point average is 3.0 to 3.49. Ninety (90) hours must be completed in residence.

POLICY FOR COMPLIANCE WITH FEDERAL EDUCATION RIGHTS AND PRIVACY ACT OF 1974 (THE BUCKLEY AMENDMENT)

Service Learning /Experiential Learning

As a graduation requirement, students must complete 120 Service Learning hours. Anchored in the biblical reference proclaimed by our Founder, Elizabeth Evelyn Wright: Ebenezer, the Stone of Help, through Service Learning students are systemically immersed in the culture of helping through volunteerism, community service, experiential engagement, and guided career pathways. At Voorhees University, Service Learning is a process of involving students in community service activities combined with facilitated means for applying the experience to their academic and personal development. It is a form of experiential education aimed at enhancing and enriching student learning in the course material. When compared to other forms of experiential learning like internships and cooperative education, it is similar in that it is student-centered, hands-on and directly applicable to the curriculum.

The critical difference and distinguishing characteristic of service-learning is its reciprocal and balanced emphasis on both students learning and addressing real needs in local, national, and international communities. Course learning objectives are linked to meaningful human, safety, educational, and environmental needs that are co-determined with community partners and service recipients. Course materials such as lectures, readings, discussions, and reflection activities supplement the student service. In turn, the service experience is brought back to the classroom to enhance academic dialogue and student comprehension. Students work on real problems that make academic learning relevant while simultaneously enhancing their social skills, analytical ability, civic and ethical responsibility, self-efficacy, and career development. As an assurance for maintaining and enhancing the strong Voorhees tradition of student engagement in spiritual and cultural enrichment programming, the evaluation of students will include mandatory planning and participation in campus programming that will be evaluated through the identified Service Learning courses.

At Voorhees University, Service Learning will be incorporated into courses by offering students individual service opportunities with community agencies, or by creating project-based service activities for a group of students or for the entire class. The most meaningful service-learning activities are developed through partnership and dialogue between the University and the community organizations with whom our students serve. As a catalyst for Re-Imagining Voorhees University, indeed, Service Learning at Voorhees University truly represents the mantra, Changing Minds. Changing Lives.

Commencement

Commencement exercises are held following the close of the spring semester, and participation is open to students who have completed the degree requirements during the current academic year. Also, no degree will be conferred or released until all academic and financial requirements have been satisfied. Degrees for students who have completed requirements and who do not choose to participate in the ceremony must make arrangements with the Office of the Registrar and Student Records to receive their degree.

Family And Educational Rights And Privacy Act

The Family and Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 as Amended (FERPA) is a federal law that gives students certain rights with respect to their education records. These rights include:

1. The right to inspect and review their educational records.
   A student should submit a written request to the Office of the Registrar and Student Records. The records will be made available within 10 days of the written request.
2. The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the student believes are inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student’s privacy rights under FERPA.
   A student who wishes to have Voorhees University amend a record should write the official responsible for the record, clearly identify the details of what the student wants to be changed, and specify the reason for the change. If Voorhees University decides not to amend the record, the University will notify the student in writing of the decision and the student’s right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment.
3. The right to provide written consent before Voorhees University discloses personally identifiable information from the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.
   The right to refuse to permit the designation of any or all of the following categories of personally identifiable information as directory information, which is not subject to the above restrictions on disclosure: student’s full name, permanent address and telephone number, local address and telephone number, e-mail address, the student ID number, username, state of residence, date, and place of birth, marital status, academic class, class schedule and class roster, name of advisor, major field of study, including the University, division, department or program in which the student is enrolled, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates of attendance and graduation, degrees and honors and awards received including selection to a dean’s list or honorary organization and the grade point average of students selected, and the most previous educational institution attended. Photographic, video or electronic images of students taken and maintained by the University are also considered directory information.
   
   A student who does not want this information released must make a request in writing to the Office of the Registrar within two weeks after the first day of class. The request for non-disclosure must be filed each semester.
   
   Disclosure of Education Records in Health and Safety Emergencies If the University determines that there is an articulable and significant threat to the health or safety of a student or other individuals, FERPA allows disclosure of information from education records to appropriate parties whose knowledge of the information is necessary to protect the health and safety of the student or other individuals.
   
   “Articulable and significant threat” means that if a school official can explain why, based on all the information then available, he or she reasonably believes that a student poses a significant threat, such as a threat of substantial bodily harm, to any person, including the student, the University may disclose education records to any person whose knowledge of information from those records will assist in protecting a person from that threat.
   
   “Appropriate parties” include parents of the student; parents may be notified when there is a health or safety emergency involving their son or daughter.

FERPA permits the disclosure of education records without consent subject to certain requirements, which includes:

• School officials with legitimate educational interest;
• Other schools to which a student is transferring;
• Specified officials for audit or evaluation purposes;
• Appropriate parties in connection with financial aid to a student;
• Organizations conducting certain studies for or on behalf of the school;
• Accrediting organizations;
• To comply with a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena;
• Appropriate officials in cases of health and safety emergencies; and
• State and local authorities, within a juvenile justice system, pursuant to specific State law