Academic Policies

Academic Honors

Scholastic honors: Students who demonstrate academic excellence are named to the FPU honor roll. Eligibility for the honor roll is determined by the courses for which the student has registered and the grades earned in those courses. The academic honors include: Dean’s Honor Roll, Honor Roll, and graduation honors. The criteria by which students are named to the honor roll is found in the FPU catalog.

Academic Integrity

(See the Academic Catalogue for complete details)

Everyone who participates in the educational process at FPU is expected to pursue honesty and integrity in all aspects of their academic work. Academic dishonesty is considered a serious offense because it violates the standards of the Christian educational community, jeopardizes the growth and learning of the individual, and is unfair to those who do their work with integrity. FPU defines academic dishonesty as:

  • Cheating – using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information or study aids.
  • Plagiarism- representing the writings, words or ideas of another as one’s own, or copying material from a resource without proper acknowledgment.
  • Sabotage – willfully damaging or impeding the academic work of another person.
  • Fabrication/falsification – altering or inventing any information or study aids. This includes falsification of academic records, forgery and modification of computer records without permission.
  • Aiding and abetting- helping or attempting to help another commit an act of academic dishonesty.

Cases of academic dishonesty are first handled between instructors and students. Depending upon the severity of the case, consequences may range from partial credit after work is redone to expulsion from the university. As in all situations where a member of the college violates the behavioral and academic expectations of the community, opportunity for restoration and restitution will be extended to those willing to work to correct the situation and reconcile with the college community.

Academic Probation

Please see current issue of the Academic Catalogue.

Academic Progress Statement

Fresno Pacific University is required by federal law to establish specific standards for measuring Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) for students receiving financial aid. As part of the university standards for Continued Enrollment (see FPU Catalogue), a student must meet the requirements of the FPU Catalog’s SAP policy to be eligible to receive federal, state and need-based institutional financial aid assistance and to register for classes. Scholarships and other awards may require students to meet higher standards. Veterans Affairs students have additional requirements. (Please refer to the current undergraduate catalog for more complete information.)

Administrative Withdraw Policy


Please see current issue of the Academic Catalogue.

Alpha Chi Honors Society


Fresno Pacific University sponsors the California Zeta Chapter of Alpha Chi. Alpha Chi is a general honor society that admits students from all academic disciplines. Membership is limited to the top 10 percent of an institution’s juniors and seniors,. Qualified students are initiated by invitation only and will have an opportunity to participate in regional and national conventions, scholarship programs and scholarly meetings and seminars. Fay Nielsen serves as faculty advisor to Alpha Chi. Please feel free contact them for additional information.

Appeal/Readmission

Students who have been disqualified from attendance may appeal to the Associate Dean of Student Success & Retention and seek readmission. Satisfactory achievement may need to be shown at another institution prior to applying for readmission. Students who leave while on probation or due to disqualification will be readmitted on probation so that adequate counseling may be provided.

Privacy Rights/FERPA

Student records are protected under the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, as amended. The university catalog describes directory information which is provided to the public unless the student places a restriction on such release. The complete policy is available in the Registrar’s Office.

Student and Faculty Dispute Resolution

Occasionally a student may find cause to question the action of a professor regarding requirements of a course, teaching effectiveness, comments made in a class that seem derogatory or inflammatory, criticism of the student, general performance, or sanctions given for academic dishonesty. Students should first discuss their concerns with the instructor. If the student and faculty member cannot resolve the issue satisfactorily or if the student does not feel comfortable speaking directly with the instructor, the student should consult with the Chair of the division in which the course is located, who will attempt to resolve the issue.  Decisions may be appealed to the dean of the appropriate school for a final resolution. 

In cases where the student’s instructor is the chair of the division in which the course is located, the student may direct their concerns to the dean in which the course is located.

Academic Catalogue Student and Faculty Dispute Resolution (In the event that there is a discrepancy between the Student Handbook and the Academic Catalogue, the Academic Catalogue will take precedence). 

Grade Appeals Process

In general, grades represent the faculty member's professional judgment of a student's performance in a course and as such, are final. However, students have the right to ask a faculty member for an explanation of any grade received. Students are encouraged to seek advice in matters of concern about grades from their faculty or academic advisor. Students may appeal a grade only when they perceive that a final grade was biased, arbitrary, or capricious in any of the following ways:

  • An obvious error in calculation.
  • The instructor has applied more exacting standards to the particular student.
  • The grade was given on some other basis than performance in the course.
  • The grade represents a substantial departure from the instructor's announced standards.

 In those instances, students may submit a Student Grade Change request.

Academic Catalogue Grade Reporting and Appeals  (In the event that there is a discrepancy between the Student Handbook and the Academic Catalogue, the Academic Catalogue will take precedence).