PHILANDER SMITH COLLEGE STUDENT HANDBOOK 1 Revised July 2014 FORWARD This student handbook is a means of facilitating communication among the members of the college community. The materials contained in this book have been developed through a blending of ideas with students, faculty, staff, administrators, and alumni. The Student Handbook should serve as a source of necessary and useful information that will help students understand their privileges, rights, and responsibilities. It is expected to contribute significantly to the continued high level of cooperative and constructive relationships between students and the various departments of the college. Such relationships help develop positive and responsible leadership, citizenship, deepened loyalty, and promote high morale. All students, by accepting admission to Philander Smith College, agree to abide by all regulations and policies published in the Student Handbook, the College Catalog, college bulletins and other college publications, as well as federal, state, and local laws. In addition, students are expected to exercise appropriate taste and apply reasoning during their tenure at the College. Students are expected to respect the rights and welfare of all members of the college community and their guests. They recognize that a thoughtful and reasonable search for truth can be conducted only in an atmosphere that is free of intimidation and coercion. 2 Revised July 2014 WELCOME FROM THE PRESIDENT Dear Students: I am so glad that you are here! As a student, you will have access to a variety of student services and resources that are specifically designed to ensure that you reach your fullest potential. Please take a few minutes to become familiar with the various policies and procedures of the College. It should serve as a reference book that you review on occasion, as it will at least provide general guidelines, especially for your out-of-class experience. Here at Philander, you will find numerous faculty, administrators and friendly staff members that are eager to assist you in achieving your goals. We at PSC stand ready to serve you. Sincerely, Dr. Lloyd Hervey Interim President 3 Revised July 2014 WELCOME FROM THE VICE PRESIDENT OF STUDENT AFFAIRS Greetings Philanderians: On behalf of the Division of Student Affairs, it gives me great pleasure to welcome you to Philander Smith College. As you embark on this new journey, we are elated that you have chosen our institution to help you further your education and reach your professional goals. Whether you are beginning or continuing your education here, there are many opportunities for you to get engaged and stay connected. Our dynamic staff will make it a priority to ensure that your collegiate experience will be one that you shall never forget. We are dedicated to assisting you to transition to campus life and enhance your academic, leadership, social and personal development through our established programs and services. The contents of this student handbook are designed to provide information governing the participation in student events and activities, as well as our rules and guidelines for appropriate behavior. These guidelines were created with the highest expectations that the institution and students will work collaboratively to ensure that each of you are achieving the necessary skills as your pursue your degree. We encourage you to read, understand and ask questions regarding this information. This is presented as the official operational procedures and guidelines until they are replaced or modified by the Administration of Philander Smith College. This educational experience you are embarking on is what you make it! In order to get the total experience, we urge you to take full advantage of what we have to offer. We promise that if you get engaged and stay connected, you will have a successful journey at Philander Smith College. Sincerely, Kevin B. Hamilton, M.Ed. Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students 4 Revised July 2014 MISSION Philander Smith College is a small, privately supported, historically Black, four-year liberal arts institution related to the Board of Higher Education and Ministry of the United Methodist Church. The college offers four degrees: the Bachelor of Arts, the Bachelor of Science, the bachelor of business administration, and the bachelor of social work. The college’s mission is to graduate academically accomplished students, grounded as advocates for social justice, determined to change the world for the better. Philander Smith College, the only United Negro College Fund member institution in Arkansas, strives to provide a quality education for all regardless of race, religion, sex, national origin or ethnic background. HISTORY Founded in 1877, Philander Smith College is the result of the first attempt west of the Mississippi River to make education available to freedmen (former African American slaves). The forerunner of the college was Walden Seminary, named in honor of Dr. J.M. Walden, one of the originators and the first corresponding secretary of the Freedmen’s Aid Society. In 1882, Dr. G.W. Gray, president of Little Rock University, the institution for the Arkansas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church, met Mrs. Adeline Smith, widow of Mr. Philander Smith of Oak Park, Ill., while soliciting funds. The late Philander Smith had been a liberal donor to Asiatic Missions and had developed an interest in the work of the church in the South. In making her gift to Dr. Gray, Mrs. Smith designated $10,500 for Walden Seminary. The trustees accepted the gift and gave it special recognition by changing the name of the struggling Walden Seminary to Philander Smith College. A new site for the school had already been purchased at Eleventh and Izard Streets. The gift made by Mrs. Smith was a significant contribution toward the construction toward the construction of Budlong Hall, the first brick building on the new site. Philander Smith College was chartered as a four-year college on March 3, 1883. The first baccalaureate degree was conferred in 1888. The first president, the Rev. Thomas Mason, resigned in 1896. He was succeeded by a member of the faculty of the college, the Rev. James Monroe Cox, professor of ancient languages. Dr. Cox retired from the presidency of the college in 1924, and was succeeded by the Rev. George Collins Taylor, a graduate of the college. Dr. Taylor served as president from 1924 to 1936. In May 1936, Dr. Marquis LaFayette Harris succeeded Dr. Taylor as president. During the administration of Dr. Harris, the campus area was greatly enlarged. In July 1948 the site of the Little Rock Junior College, adjacent to the South end of Philander Smith’s campus, was 5 Revised July 2014 purchased. On March 30, 1949, after an extensive program of academic improvement, Philander Smith College was fully accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Dr. Harris was succeeded by Dr. Roosevelt David Crockett, a graduate of the institution, on June 1, 1961. Dr. Earnest Dixon, Philander Smith’s sixth president, took office Jan. 1, 1965. He was succeeded by Dr. Walter R. Hazzard, who took office as the seventh president of the college on July 1, 1969. Dr. Hazzard was succeeded by Dr. Grant S. Shockley who took office as the eighth president on Jan. 1, 1980. Dr. Shockley was succeeded by Dr. Hazo W. Carter, who was elected unanimously July 19, 1983 by the Board of Trustees, and took office Aug. 20, 1983. Dr. Carter resigned the presidency in August 1987. He was succeeded by Dr. Myer L. Titus, a 1954 graduate of the institution. Upon Dr. Titus’s retirement on June 30, 1998, Dr. Trudie Kibbe Reed was elected by the Board of Trustees in February 1998, becoming the eleventh and first female president of Philander Smith College. In the summer of 2004, Dr. Julius Scott was appointed by the Board of Trustees to serve as the interim president while the college completed a national search for the next president in the wake of Dr. Reed’s resignation. In October 2004, the Board announced the selection of Dr. Walter M. Kimbrough as the 12th president and he took office on Dec. 13, 2004. 6 Revised July 2014 Table of Contents FORWARD..................................................................................................................................... 2 WELCOME FROM THE PRESIDENT ......................................................................................... 3 WELCOME FROM THE VICE PRESIDENT OF STUDENT AFFAIRS.................................... 4 MISSION ........................................................................................................................................ 5 HISTORY ....................................................................................................................................... 5 ACADEMIC AFFAIRS ................................................................................................................ 13 VICE PRESIDENT FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS ...................................................................... 13 ACADEMIC GRIE VANCE POL ICY FOR STUDENTS ......................................................... 14 ACADEMIC ORGANIZATIONS................................................................................................ 14 ACADEMIC SUCCESS CENTER .............................................................................................. 14 ATHLETICS ................................................................................................................................