Bulletin - Disclaimers, Conventions and Definitions Relevant to this Bulletin and its Contents

All students are responsible for learning and following all policies, procedures and requirements published, in this Bulletin and elsewhere, by the University and by any relevant academic program in which they are enrolled. In no case will a policy, procedure or requirement be waived, nor will a variance be granted, nor will an appeal be entertained, because students plead ignorance or because they were not informed of a specific policy, procedure or requirement by an advisor, instructor or other University authority.

While the provisions of this Bulletin will ordinarily be applied as stated, Oglethorpe reserves the right to change any provision listed in this Bulletin, including but not limited to requirements for graduation, without actual notice to individual students. The University will make every effort to keep students advised of any such changes. Students must note especially their responsibility to keep apprised of current graduation requirements for their particular degree program.

1.2.1. Publishing Digital Editions of the Bulletin

The Bulletin undergoes a complete annual review and republishing (at https://oglethorpe.edu/academics/bulletin) in one or more digital formats. The intended useful lifespan of the Bulletin is the one academic year interval indicated in the Bulletin’s proper title. Thus, the intended useful lifespan of the current Bulletin is the totality of the 2024-2025 academic year. Hardcopy versions of the Bulletin will not ordinarily be made available.

1.2.2. Revising the Current Digital Edition of the Bulletin

The current digital edition of the Bulletin may be updated on an as-needed basis after original publication and before the end of the academic year to which it pertains. The revision number (if any), as well as the date on which the revision became effective, will be listed on the front page of the Bulletin. Previous, outdated Bulletin versions will continue to be archived at https://oglethorpe.edu/academics/bulletin and elsewhere.

1.2.3. Primacy and Official Nature of the Current PDF Edition of the Bulletin

The official Bulletin is the most recent digital edition which is published in PDF format at https://oglethorpe.edu/academics/bulletin. In all matters, the most recent digital edition of the Bulletin published in PDF format at https://oglethorpe.edu/academics/bulletin takes precedence over any and all other published materials of any nature, be they digital or hardcopy.

1.2.4. Absolute Expiration of the Lifetime of this Bulletin and all of its Revisions

While the intended useful lifespan of this Bulletin is one academic year, the absolute maximum lifetime of this Bulletin is seven academic years from the time it first takes effect. This time limit is the same regardless of the number and extent of subsequent revisions to the Bulletin. Thus, the Oglethorpe University Bulletin: 2024-2025 and all of its revisions will cease to be viable, functioning documents following the conclusion of the 2031-2032 academic year.

1.3.1.

By default, any new course or academic program, or any modification (including elimination) of an existing course or academic program, becomes effective at the outset of the academic year following that in which the associated proposal receives final faculty approval. This default timeline can be changed only if the proposal authorizing the new or modified course or academic program explicitly provides for an alternative timeline for implementation. The provost must authorize any alternative timeline and has the authority to veto any such alternative timeline even if it was approved by the faculty at large.

1.3.2.

By default, any new policy, procedure or requirement, or any modification (including elimination) of an existing policy, procedure or requirement, becomes effective immediately after the document authorizing said change is issued or receives final approval, whichever is appropriate. This default timeline can be changed only if the document proposing or authorizing the new or modified policy, procedure or requirement explicitly provides for an alternative timeline for implementation. The relevant vice president must authorize any alternative timeline and has the authority to veto any such alternative timeline.

Throughout this Bulletin the following definitions are in force.

Click here to view the subsections below in more detail:

• 1.4.1. Student
• 1.4.2. Academic Credit
• 1.4.3. Course
• 1.4.4. Semester
• 1.4.5. Session
• 1.4.6. Academic Year
• 1.4.7. Instructor
• 1.4.8. Instructor of Record
• 1.4.9. Academic Programs
• 1.4.10. Major
• 1.4.11. Minor
• 1.4.12. Track
• 1.4.13. Certificate
• 1.4.14. Concentration
• 1.4.15. Co-curricular Program
• 1.4.16. Policy
• 1.4.17. Procedures
• 1.4.18. Requirement
• 1.4.19. Complaint
• 1.4.20. Variance
• 1.4.21. Waiver
• 1.4.22. Appeal
• 1.4.23 Modality Definitions