About the College The University of Virginia’s College at Wise, formerly Clinch Valley College of the University of Virginia, is the only four-year, state-supported college in far southwestern Virginia and is a division of the University of Virginia. Situated on 396 acres in Wise County, UVa-Wise is an incredible example of the determination and perseverance of southwestern Virginia citizens. Before the College was created, there were no public colleges in Virginia west of Radford. Higher education was simply out of reach for most residents of Virginia’s Appalachian Mountains. When local residents Fred B. Greear, William A. Thompson, Kenneth P. Asbury, affectionately known as the “Three Wise Men,” and others made their case to University of Virginia President Colgate Darden for establishing a college in Wise, the Commonwealth of Virginia supported the cause by offering $5,000 to open, staff, and operate the two-year school for the fi rst year. Local supporters donated over $6,000 to furnish and equip the classrooms. Wise County donated property and two sandstone buildings, remnants of the county poor farm, to house the fi rst classes. All of these events happened in the winter of 1954. In September of that same year, Clinch Valley College opened its doors to 100 freshmen. Many of the fi rst classes of graduates went on to the University and other senior institutions and became some of the region’s most successful professionals. As more graduates of the two-year college expressed their preference to stay closer to home to complete their baccalaureate degrees, the College began the process to become a senior institution. The College fi rst granted Bachelor of Arts degrees in June 1970. Bachelor of Science degrees were fi rst awarded in 1973. Bachelor of Science in Nursing degrees were fi rst awarded in 1996. From 1954 to 2014, the College has awarded 13,260 degrees and certifi cates. One of the most signifi cant events in the College’s history was the adoption of a new name. On July 1, 1999, following passage of legislation by the Virginia General Assembly, Clinch Valley College became The University of Virginia’s College at Wise. The small College - once nicknamed “Poor Farm University” - is now a vibrant senior institution. UVa- Wise is a member of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC) and recognized as a College of Distinction. In recent years, the College has experienced an expansive building program, the creation of new academic majors, and the recruitment of the next generation of talented faculty and staff. The liberal arts foundation emphasized at UVa-Wise prepares students for professional careers, graduate study, and lifelong learning. The College’s liberal arts foundation promotes the thoughtful development of the ideas, insights, values, competencies and behavior of an educated person. Small classes taught by faculty who focus on teaching excellence, creative and scholarly activities, and community service characterize its student-centered learning environment. Campus life provides a rich variety of cultural activities that broaden students’ perspectives on the world and its evolving global society. UVa-Wise offers undergraduate programs in the arts and sciences as well as undergraduate professional programs in business, software engineering, nursing, teacher education and other fi elds, all characterized by a strong liberal arts experience. i Accreditation and Memberships SACSCOC - The University of Virginia’s College at Wise is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award the baccalaureate degree. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of The University of Virginia’s College at Wise. ABET - Degree programs in computer science and software engineering are accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, http://www.abet.org. CCNE - The baccalaureate at The University of Virginia’s College at Wise is accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, One Dupont Circle NW, Suite 530, Washington, D.C. 20036, (202) 887-6791. TEAC - The University of Virginia’s College at Wise Teacher Education Program which is designed to prepare teachers for lives of professional excellence as educators and leaders is granted Accreditation by the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC) from June 2010 to June 2017. This accreditation certifi es that the forenamed professional education program has provided evidence that the program adheres to TEAC’s quality principles. UVa-Wise is a member of the Council of Public Liberal Arts Colleges (COPLAC) and recognized as a College of Distinction. Student Responsibility This Catalog is published for the purpose of providing information about UVa-Wise and its programs. Contents of this Catalog are subject to change at any time and without notifi cation. Students are responsible for keeping themselves informed of current policies and procedures. While advisors are available to assist with course selection and registration, students are solely responsible for completing major and degree requirements. It is the responsibility of each student to be aware of and to meet the catalog requirements for graduation and to adhere to all rules, regulations and deadlines published in the catalog and in the student handbook. Students are required to participate in all student outcomes assessment activities as deemed appropriate by UVa-Wise. Equal Opportunity/Affi rmative Action The University of Virginia’s College at Wise does not discriminate in any of its programs, procedures, or practices against any person on the basis of age, citizenship, color, handicap, national origin, political affi liation, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or status as a disabled veteran or veteran of the Vietnam era. The College operates equal opportunity and affi rmative action programs for faculty, staff, and students. UVa-Wise is an Equal Opportunity/Affi rmative Action Employer. The Equal Opportunity/Affi rmative Action Offi ce (EO/AA Offi ce) is responsible for the enforcement of the College’s non-discrimination obligations. An applicant for admission or employment or any student or employee may fi le a discrimination complaint with Stephanie Perry, EO/AA Offi cer, Resource Center, One College Avenue, Wise, VA 24293, (276) 328-0240. Complaints are to be submitted in accordance with and are subject to the standards of the “University of Virginia Discrimination Complaint Procedures.” The Section 504 Coordinator is Whitney Wells, (276) 328-0177. The Title IX Coordinator is Tabitha Smith, Offi ce of Compliance and Conduct, 1 College Avenue, Wise, VA 24293; (276) 328-0131. Campus Security-Clery Act UVa-Wise is committed to helping the campus community provide for their own safety and security. The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report containing information on campus security and personal safety, including alerts, fi re safety, crime prevention tips, and crim statistics is available at www.uvawise. edu/ASR. A copy is available upon request by calling 276-328-0190 or 276-376-3451. ii Academic Calendar Dates subject to change. Please visit http://www.uvawise.edu/registrar/acad_cal for the most recent calendar. Fall Semester, 2016 Monday, August 22 Orientation/Registration/Payment of Fees Tuesday, August 23 Registration/Fall Convocation Wednesday, August 24 Classes Begin Wednesday, August 31 Students who have not paid will be dropped Wednesday, August 31 Last day to add a course Friday, September 9 Last day to drop fi rst 7-week courses Friday, October 7 Mid-semester grades due/First 7-week courses end Saturday, October 8 Fall Break begins/Residence halls close Sunday, October 16 Fall Break ends/Residence halls open Monday, October 17 Second 7-week courses begin Friday, October 21 Last day to withdraw from regular semester course/ Last day to add second 7-week course Wednesday, October 26 Last day to drop second 7-week course Wednesday, November 23 Residence halls close for Thanksgiving Break Sunday, November 27 Residence halls open Monday, November 28 Classes resume Friday, December 9 Last day of classes/December Graduates Recognition Day Monday, December 12 Examinations begin Friday, December 16 Examinations end Monday, December 19 Grades posted by noon/Student Grades visible in portal by Wednesday Spring Semester, 2017 Monday, January 9 Registration/Payment of Fees Tuesday, January 10 Classes begin Tuesday, January 17 Students who have not paid will be dropped Tuesday, January 17 Last day to add a course Friday, January 27 Last day to drop fi rst 7-week courses Friday, February 24 Mid-semester grades due/First 7-week courses end Saturday, February 25 Spring Break begins/Residence halls close Sunday, March 5 Spring Break ends/Residence halls open Monday, March 6 Second 7-week courses begin Friday, March 10 Last day to withdraw from regular semester course/ Last day to add second 7-week course Wednesday, March 15 Last day to drop second 7-week course Friday, April 28 Last day of classes Monday, May 1 Examinations begin Friday, May 5 Examinations end Saturday, May 6 Commencement Monday, May 8 Grades posted by noon/Student Grades visible in portal by Wednesday Summer College 2017 Summer College dates are pending approval. Please visit the registrar’s web page at http://www.uvawise.edu/registrar/acad_cal for the most recent information. iii Table of Contents About the College .....................................................................................................................................