02.06 Academics
02.06.05 Change of Major
Changes in major must be requested through the Office of Academic Affairs and will be approved only on the recommendation of the relevant department(s).
02.06.08.02 Examinations
In classroom subjects, examinations and quizzes are given from time to time throughout the semester at the discretion of the instructor. Final examinations are scheduled at the end of each semester for most of these courses and have significant influence on final grades. All students must be available to take these examinations throughout the announced examination period. Special examinations for individual students at times other than those which are announced will be provided only under extraordinary circumstances, such as death or serious illness in the immediate family or significant professional opportunities. In such cases, the student must submit a written request for a special examination to the Office of Academic Affairs with an attached letter or document verifying the circumstances that will require his or her absence. This request must be submitted no less than seven days before the last day of classes except in emergency circumstances. The Dean of Academic Affairs will review such requests in consultation with the appropriate faculty members.
02.06.08.01 Juries
Assessments of the student's performance progress are required in many Eastman degree programs. One manner in which these assessments are made is through the performance jury. Most juries are conducted during jury week near the end of the spring semester. No classes or ensemble rehearsals are held during jury week. Students should contact their primary instructor or department faculty for details regarding their specific jury requirements.
Students who are seriously ill or who have other extenuating circumstances which preclude them from performing a jury must notify the Office of Academic Affairs and petition for an excused exception. If an excused exception is granted, students will receive a lesson grade of “NC” on their transcript for the semester. This grade will then be replaced by the appropriate letter grade when the jury is complete.
All other situations, including non-excused petitions and students who fail their jury, will be assigned the grade of “I” until the jury can be performed. The grade of “I” remains on the transcript along with the new final grade the student earns.
Undergraduate students also see 4.13.03.01 Jury Probation. Updated 8/10/09
02.06.09 Incomplete Grades
A grade of incomplete (I) will be assigned when a student, due to serious illness or other similar incapacitating circumstances, is unable to complete all course requirements within the prescribed period and receives the instructor's permission to complete certain requirements at a later date, not to extend beyond the end of the next academic session. (Summer session will be considered the next session only if the student is in attendance during the summer). Before the end of the examination period of the semester during which the "incomplete" is to be given, the student will negotiate with the instructor a mutually acceptable method for completing the class work, and an agreement signed by the student and the instructor outlining the agreed-upon method must be submitted to the Registrar. The instructor has the option of specifying an alternate grade, other than a failing grade, that will be awarded to the student if the remaining work is not submitted by the agreed upon date. If no alternate grade is specified, and if the student does not complete the outstanding work in the specified time, a failing grade will be recorded.
(Request for Incomplete Grade Form)
02.06.10 Academic Transcripts, Grade Reports, Diplomas
Academic Transcripts
Requests for official transcripts can be made by on-line via the Access Plus student system, or in writing to the Registrar's Office. Names and addresses of persons or offices to which the transcripts or statements are to be sent should be clearly indicated. Transcripts will not be issued for students who have not fulfilled all financial obligations to the University. Official transcripts issued for students who have been suspended or expelled will include a statement from the registrar indicating that the student has been suspended or dismissed.
Grade Reports
Student grade reports are available on-line at www.esm.rochester.edu as soon as grades are entered by the instructor or by the registrar's office. Net-ID and password (or University ID and PIN) are required to access the on-line account. Students who need a paper copy of their grade report for transfer or application to another school, for employment, tuition reimbursement, or other reasons, may request an official transcript from the Office of the Registrar.
Diplomas
Diplomas will be awarded to students who have completed all degree requirements and whose degree has been officially conferred by the University trustees. The student must complete the Degree Application form to notify the Registrar?s Office that they intend to graduate. If a student does not attend commencement ceremonies, the diploma can be mailed or made available for the student to pick up in person. Depending upon the time of year when the student completes their degree, diplomas may not be immediately available upon graduation. Replacement diplomas can be produced for a fee.
02.06.01 Academic Advising
Students are responsible for planning that ensures completion of all degree requirements as outlined in their program of study. The student is urged to seek advice on these matters from his/her assigned advisor(s). The name of each student's academic advisor is noted in the information packet distributed to the student during orientation. This information is also available from the Office of the Registrar. The Associate Dean of Graduate Studies, Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs, the student's major applied teacher, and/or the student's department chair also are available for counseling concerning various career opportunities, the student's professional aspirations, and ways in which the student's time at Eastman can be most productively used in preparation for professional life. New freshmen are required to attend a group advising session, or obtain their advisor's signature before registering for their first and second semesters of study. Undergraduate music education majors must also have their course selections approved by their advisor every semester until degree completion. (rev. 8/1/05)
02.06.02 Attendance
Attendance in classes is considered to be a crucial part of the learning process, and is required of all students. Attendance policies for courses and ensembles are determined and managed by the faculty and departments. Please refer to individual course syllabi and section 04.11 Absence Policy for further information.
02.06.03 Independent Studies
Student may seek approval to undertake a research or performance project for academic credit on an "independent study" basis. All such projects are similar in that they cannot be completed by the student as part of an existing class but could potentially be completed by the student working on an independent basis with guidance from a faculty advisor.
Permission to undertake an independent study project is a privilege granted to students who have demonstrated their ability to work with little supervision. The student wishing to undertake the project must develop a written proposal and secure approval of the proposal by the potential faculty advisor of the project. The proposal should be two or three pages long and, in developing it, the student may wish to consult with the potential faculty advisor about what it should contain (a bibliography, for example).
This proposal, as well as the completed Independent Study Course Proposal form must be reviewed and approved by the faculty advisor, chair of the department and the appropriate Dean (For undergraduates this would be Asst. Dean for Academic Affairs; for graduate students, the Assoc. Dean for Graduate Studies.) The appropriate Dean will determine if the number of credits associated with the independent study proposal is consistent with the rigor of the course. The project normally results in a paper or performance by the student. The actual registration will be made under the appropriate subject heading (ENG, HUM, TH) and numbered 290 (undergraduate), 490 (master?s), or 590 (doctoral). Normal tuition charges apply to independent studies.
Please note that an independent study is different from an internship or practicum. For practicum and internship information see course description for Arts Leadership 6ALC 290/290Z.
02.06.04 Secondary Lessons for Eastman Students
Secondary Lessons for Eastman Students Secondary lessons (1/2 hour lessons) are required by some degree programs at Eastman. Students with a curricular requirement will have first priority for enrollment in secondary studio lessons. Other students take secondary lessons as elective study; they may enroll for secondary lessons on one instrument or voice on a space-available basis if they have demonstrated intermediate skill level on the desired secondary instrument or voice, and have obtained the approval and signature of their advisor and the Office of Academic Affairs. Undergraduate students may take secondary piano lessons only if they have completed their piano class requirement. (Updated 9/25/09)
02.06.06 Courses at Other Schools within the University of Rochester
Eastman students are eligible to take courses at other divisions within the University of Rochester, provided the courses do not conflict with the student's obligations at Eastman and any applicable prerequisites have been satisfied. Students do not need to be enrolled in dual degree programs in order to broaden their studies in this manner; however, they should follow the registration policies and procedures set by the other School or College when registering for such courses.
Transportation to River Campus
Free University shuttle buses run frequently throughout the day between the Eastman School and the River Campus. Classes on the two campuses are on different schedules. Thus, it may be possible to leave a class on one campus and arrive on the other campus in time for the next class. Students should consult the bus schedule and plan their course selection carefully in order to allow for travel time between the two campuses. www.rochester.edu/parking/shuttle.htm.
02.06.07 Special Accommodations for Students with Disabilities
Students with medically documented disabilities who require special accommodations in their academic environment should contact the Student Life Office at least seven days prior to their arrival at Eastman to make appropriate arrangements. Students with disabilities are encouraged to assess their needs realistically, to take advantage of appropriate support, and to be clear and precise about gaining assistance. Additional information is available at the following website: www.rochester.edu/ada/index.html.
02.06.08 Assessments and Grading
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