Rush University Academic & University Policies

Academic Policies

Academic Honesty

Rush University students and faculty belong to an academic community with high scholarly standards and one that is committed to honesty and integrity in teaching, learning and research. Academic honesty violations are serious breaches of trust that hinder the success that the Rush academic community depends upon. The Rush University Academic Honesty Policy provides information on the types of behavior that violates​ this trust and the actions that will be taken to safeguard and restore it.

Academic honesty violations are counter to Rush’s I CARE core values of innovation, collaboration, accountability, respect and excellence. As essential as academic honesty is to the trust that is fundamental to the educational process, academic misconduct violates one of the most basic ethical principles of an academic community and will result in sanctions imposed under the university’s disciplinary system.

Examples of academic misconduct that would subject a student to disciplinary action include, but are not limited to​: ​​cheating; plagiarism; collusion; gaining or seeking unfair advantage in relation to any work submitted; helping others to gain an unfair advantage; removing examination materials from a secure examination area; the unauthorized downloading or copying of examinations that are given online; fabricating assigned academic work, including clinical assessments, and presenting them as authentic; facilitating academic dishonesty; and unauthorized examination behavior.

• Academic Misconduct refers to any academic behavior that is in violation of the policy.
• Plagiarism refers to any attempt by students to use the work, words or ideas of others without proper attribution, or any attempt to pass off the work, words or ideas of others as their own.  Such acts are considered plagiarism whether they occur intentionally. Acts of plagiarism include, but are not limited to:
  • Presenting any phrase or extracts verbatim without using quotation marks and without any reference to the author.
  • Paraphrasing all or part of an author’s work and presenting it without any, or with inadequate, reference to the author.
  • Copying or paraphrasing all or part of another student’s work or otherwise presenting another student’s work as their own.
• Collusion is an agreement or cooperation to cheat or deceive for a fraudulent purpose. Collusion applies to students (past, present and future) who intentionally cooperate to gain an unfair advantage in the gaining of an award, qualification or grade.
• Cheating is using unauthorized materials, including electronic devices, or obtaining unauthorized help from another person in any work submitted for academic credit.
• Fabrication is inventing information or citations in an academic or clinical exercise.
• Facilitating academic dishonesty is providing unauthorized material or information to another person.
• Unauthorized examination behavior is conversing with another person, passing or receiving material to/from another person or source or temporarily leaving an examination site to visit an unauthorized site or without permission.

Disciplinary Action

Disciplinary actions will be imposed by the program/college including but not limited to warning, probation, suspension or expulsion from the university on those members of the learning community who violate the Academic Honesty Policy.

Student Code of Conduct

Rush University provides outstanding health sciences education and conducts impactful research in a culture of inclusion, focused on the promotion and preservation of the health and well-being of our diverse communities.

All students enrolled at Rush University are expected to uphold the I CARE values of innovation, collaboration, accountability, respect and excellence.

The Rush University Student Code of Conduct sets the standards for expected professional behavior within the university and the medical center. Commitment to this code is a shared responsibility of all faculty, staff and students within the Rush University community to ensure the highest standards of behavior — whether in the classroom, the laboratory or in the clinical setting — and to ensure that education obtained at Rush provides a sound foundation for each student’s future success as an academic, scientific or health care professional.

The Student Code of Conduct provides the framework for how students should conduct themselves as members of the academic learning community. At Rush University, we value and support freedom of expression in a manner that is civil and respectful to others. 

Examples of conduct that would subject a student to disciplinary action include, but are not limited to the following:

• Obstruction or disruption of teaching, research, adminis­tration, clinical practice and community outreach or other university or medical center activities
• Falsification of student records, transcripts or financial aid forms or applications
• Theft of, or damage to, university or medical center property or the property of a member of the university or medical center community
• Threatened or physical abuse of any person, or action that threatens or endangers the safety of others
• Misrepresentation, falsification, alteration or misuse of university or medical center documents, records or identifica­tion, or research data
• Unauthorized use or entry of university or medical center facilities
• Conviction of a crime deemed serious enough to render the student unfit to pursue their profession
• Conduct that is inconsistent with the ethical code of the profession the student is preparing to enter
• Unlawful use or possession of controlled substances on the university or medical center campus
• Unauthorized possession or concealment of firearms or other weapons on the university or medical center premises at any time
• Attempting to gain access to another’s email or computer account, username or password
• Knowingly setting off false fire, safety or security alarm
• An accusation of student and/or faculty academic dishonesty or misconduct made in bad faith

Student Code of Conduct Violation Enforcement

Any violations of this Student Code of Conduct or suspicion of student or academic misconduct should be reported to the student’s college for further review in accordance with the procedures specified by the college. Each college will be expected to set standards for addressing Student Code of Conduct violations and cases of misconduct in a fair and consistent manner that best fits their respective student population.

Adherence to the Student Code of Conduct is required upon matriculation. The Student Code of Conduct may also be enforced for off-campus actions when the student is representing themselves as a member of the university.

Good Standing: A student who has upheld the guidelines of the Student Code of Conduct and has not been found in violation of the policy resulting in either probation, suspension or expulsion.

Student Conduct Sanctions

In determining appropriate sanctions when violations of the Student Code of Conduct occur, the college will use the current case as well as any past disciplinary infractions that were upheld. Disciplinary sanctions will be determined by reviewing the statements and interest of the complainant, the respondent and the impact that the infraction may have on the university community. The college will take into consideration the severity of the complaint, the safety of the respondent, university community and any other relevant factors when imposing sanction. The following list of sanctions is not considered an exhaustive list, but a guide to follow when determining the appropriate sanction for the violation. 

Warning: A written notification that a violation of the Student Code of Conduct occurred and that any further responsible finding of misconduct may result in more severe disciplinary action. A warning is noted for administrative purposes and is not considered a part of the student’s disciplinary record. In addition, a warning does not adversely affect a student’s standing.

Probation: A written notification of reprimand that the matter is serious and in violation of the Student Code of Conduct. Probation is for a designated period and may include more severe sanctions, if found responsible for additional violations of the Student Code of Conduct, including suspension or expulsion from the college. Notification of probation is considered a change in good standing status with the college/university and the student(s) may be restricted from participating in other college or university activities.

Loss of Privileges: Denial of the use of certain college facilities or the right to participate in certain activities, events, programs or to exercise certain privileges for a designated period. 

Restitution: A student may be required to make payment to an individual, the college or the university related to the misconduct for damage, destruction, defacement, theft or unauthorized use of property.

No Contact Restrictions: Are those set by the college administrator, university administrator and director of security that the party is restricted from having contact whether direct or indirect with a designated party. These restrictions may include indirect or direct contact such as email, texting, U.S. mail or any other contact via a third party.

Educational Requirements/Referrals: The college reserves the right to impose counseling or substance assessments or other required educational sanctions.

Suspension: The separation of a student from the college for a specified period, after which the student is eligible to return. The suspension letter will include all the conditions that must be met before a student is reconsidered for readmission.

Students who are on suspension may not participate in any college and/or university sponsored activities both on campus and offsite that are owned or operated by Rush University and Rush University Medical Center.

Expulsion: Expulsion is the permanent separation of the student from the college and their academic program, and all educational activities sanctioned by Rush University.

Student Complaint Policy

Rush University embraces a philosophy of respect and accountability as supported by the I CARE values (innovation, collaboration, accountability, respect and excellence). Rooted in these I CARE values, the Student Complaint Policies and Procedures are meant to balance a supportive and equitable process to assist students with submitting complaints. According to the Higher Learning Commission Institutional Records of Student Complaints (HLC, 2018), “An institution shall make available an account of the student complaints it has received, its processing of those complaints, and how that processing comports with the institution’s policies and procedures on the handling of grievances or complaints.”

To this end, the university strives to provide a seamless complaint process experience by making available to the student body a convenient online complaint submission process and a toll-free hotline phone number through the NAVEX Global Student Complaint Portal* (hereafter “Student Complaint Portal”). The Student Complaint Portal and Hotline offers students a confidential as well as an anonymous mechanism to submit their complaints.

The university’s Student Complaint Policies and Procedures should:

1. Provide clear instructions on how to submit a formal student complaint

2. Distinguish the various types of student complaints, (i.e., examples of academic versus non-academic complaints)

3. Provide a list of external agencies to report student complaints

*NAVEX Global is a third-party hosted resource with secured servers and is not hosted by Rush University.

*NAVEX Global is a third-party hosted resource with secured servers and is not hosted by Rush University.

Rush University endeavors to provide an environment where student concerns are addressed and resolved in a manner that fosters both respect and equality. The university encourages students to seek informal and formal procedures to allow students the flexibility to adjudicate their complaints, depending on the nature or seriousness of the complaint(s). No retaliation or reprisal shall be tolerated against a student for submitting, in good faith, a complaint either on an informal or formal basis.

All student complaint submissions will be kept confidential to the extent possible to provide thorough investigations, maintain campus safety and to ensure compliance with federal, state or local policies. Submission of complaints through the Student Complaint Portal are not meant to override any existing policies or procedures such as grade appeals, student professionalism code of conduct, Title IX, Discrimination and Harassment or any policy established by law or the university. The Student Complaint Portal is designed to work interdependently with existing student policies and procedures. Students are encouraged to file their complaint as soon as possible to ensure that all practical information is collected and available to resolve and improve the student’s experience.

Student Complaint Portal: Process of filing a complaint

1. When a student files a complaint through the Student Complaint Portal or through the Student Complaint toll-free call center, the student will receive a unique username and are asked to choose a password. Please see link to the Student Complaint Portal.
2. Students can return to the Student Complaint Portal again either by internet or telephone and access the original report to add more detail or answer questions posed by a university representative to further help resolve any open issues.
3. Once a complaint is filed through the Student Complaint Portal, the university will review or refer the complaint to determine the appropriate follow-up. At all times, the complaint will be kept confidential to the extent possible to allow for proper investigation. Only individuals with legitimate reasons will have access to the filed complaint.
4. If the student complaint is required to be referred to a specific contact person or process (i.e., Title IX or Grade Appeals), the student will be notified that the complaint has been referred to the appropriate area for further review and the complaint will be facilitated through that specific process. However, the student complaint ticket will remain open until the complaint has been finalized and closed.
5. If a decision is not rendered after progressing through the appropriate steps, leadership of the specific area will be notified for additional review unless an existing policy dictates a different course of action. Students also have the right to file a formal complaint with external accrediting or regulating agencies affiliated with Rush University if they believe that this matter was not resolved in earnest. Links to these accrediting and regulatory agencies are listed in this policy.
6. A submission of a formal student complaint can be anonymous or non-anonymous. Anonymous complaints will be investigated to the degree that the institution has enough information to proceed with an investigation.
7. All non-anonymous complaints should contain the following information:

• The student complainant should include their name, student identification number and contact information, including telephone number and email address, on the form.

8. All complaints should contain the following information:

• The name of the alleged student, employee, faculty, department, etc., involved in the complaint
• A detailed written statement that describes the nature of the complaint, including the date, day, approximate time and location of the occurrence.
• The date of submission of the complaint will be documented in the Student Complaint Portal.

Informal Resolution

Students should begin the informal process by addressing their complaint directly with the staff, faculty or other students involved with the complaint. (Note: This requirement does not apply to alleged cases of harassment, violence, sexual misconduct, discrimination or situations that are governed by the university Academic Honesty Policy).

Formal Resolution

In the event the student is not able to resolve their complaint through informal means, the student should file a formal written complaint using the Student Complaint Portal or by reporting their complaint through the Hotline. The university will review all complaints submitted through the Student Complaint Portal.

*Academic Complaints (non-exhaustive)

Harassment and Discrimination

Rush University is committed to the principles of equal opportunity and promoting and maintaining an environment that emphasizes the dignity and worth of every member its community. Rush University strives to have an environment that is free from unlawful Sexual Harassment, discrimination, harassment, and related retaliation. Students should report these types of incidents to the Title IX Coordinator or Office of Institutional Equity and follow the procedures in Rush’s Prohibition against Sexual Harassment in Rush Programs and Activities (HR-A 2.00(A)) and Rush’s Prohibition against Discrimination, Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct (HR-A 2.00

Nancee B. Hofheimer

Title IX Coordinator

Rush University Medical Center

(312) 942-2104

Disruptive Conduct/Behavior Complaints Against Staff, Faculty and Other Students

The Code of Conduct sets the standards for expected professional behavior within the university and the medical center. Commitment to this Code is a shared responsibility of all faculty, staff and students within the Rush University community to ensure the highest standards of behavior-whether in the classroom, the laboratory, or in the clinical setting-and that education obtained at Rush provides a sound foundation for each student’s future success as an academic, scientific or health care professional. Violations of these standards are subject serious sanctions. Students witnessing this type of behavior are encouraged to file a complaint via the Student Complaint Portal.

State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA) Complaint Process

The State Authorization Reciprocity Agreements (SARA) provides a streamlined, reciprocity-based process for participating postsecondary institutions to gain approval to offer distance education in SARA member states. Institutions approved by their states to participate in SARA must be appropriately accredited and meet academic and financial requirements designed to protect and benefit students.

SARA member institutions are required to inform students of the SARA Complaint process. To comply with this requirement institutions must list the SARA complaint process on the institution’s website and in the institution’s catalog.

This requirement only applies to those complaints resulting from distance education courses, activities and operations provided by SARA-participating institutions to students in other SARA participating states. Complaints about a SARA institution’s in-state operations are to be handled under the state’s normal provisions, not those of SARA.

Complaints against an institution operating under SARA policies go first through the institution’s own procedures for resolution of grievances. Please note, SARA does not adjudicate complaints about grades or student conduct violations. Also, allegations of criminal offenses or alleged violations of a state’s general-purpose laws may be forwarded directly to the relevant state agencies.

If a student is not satisfied with the outcome of the complaint they made to their institution (except for complaints about grades or student conduct violations) they may appeal to SARA, within two years of the incident through the SARA Portal Entity in the home state of the institution against which the complaint was filed.

The student may appeal the institution’s decision to the SARA State Portal Entity listed below:

Nkechi Onwuameze, PhD
Assistant Director for Academic Affairs
Illinois SARA Coordinator
Illinois Board of Higher Education
1 N. Old State Capitol Plaza, Suite 333
Springfield, Illinois 62701-1377
217.557.7382
sara@ibhe.org

University Honor Code

The Rush University Honor Code is as follows:

I pledge that my academic, research and/or clinical work will be of the highest integrity. I shall neither give nor receive unauthorized aid; I shall not represent the work of others as my own; I shall not engage in scientific misconduct, and I shall treat all persons with the greatest respect and dignity, just as the ethical codes of Rush University Medical Center and my future profession demand.

I recognize that behaviors that impede learning or undermine academic, research and clinical evaluation - including but not limited to falsification, fabrication and plagiarism -are inconsistent with Rush University values and must be reported.

Implementation of the Honor Code

This Rush University Honor Code (from now on referred to as the “Code”) sets the standards for expected professional behavior within the university and the medical center. Commitment to this Code is a shared responsibility of all faculty, staff and students within the Rush University community to ensure the highest standards of behavior-whether in the classroom, the laboratory or in the clinical setting-and to ensure that education obtained at Rush provides a sound foundation for each student’s future success as an academic, scientific or health care professional.

Code Enforcement

Annually, all students have the opportunity to attest to their commitment of the Code during the completion of annual mandatory trainings within the learning management system. Any violations of this Code or suspicion of student or academic misconduct should be reported to the student’s college for further review in accordance with the procedures specified by that college. Each college will be expected to set standards for addressing Honor Code violations and cases of misconduct in a fair and consistent manner that best fits their respective student population. Students refusing to sign the Code attestation must submit a letter to their dean’s office explaining why. Adherence to the Code is required for matriculation, whether or not the document has been signed. The Code may also be enforced for off-campus actions when the student is representing themselves as a member of the university.

Demonstration

Rush University recognizes the importance of freedom of inquiry and the open exchange of ideas, including viewpoints that may not reflect majority opinions. This policy addresses free expression and peaceful demonstration by members of the Rush community, including faculty, staff, students and invited guests.

Rush is committed to supporting the rights of community members to engage in freedom of expression, including peaceful protests and orderly demonstrations. As an academic medical center serving the community, applicable Rush policies, as well as state and federal laws must be taken into consideration. The right of Rush community members to demonstrate may not disrupt university operations and may not interfere with the rights of others to engage in and benefit from the educational programs and services of the university or its affiliated hospitals. Accordingly, the following guidelines are in place:

• Community members may not prevent or obstruct the speech or expression of another community member. Provided, Rush Security or other university officials may act consistent with this policy to ensure the speech or other expression of community members is consistent with the guidelines in this policy.

• Community members may not interfere with the rights of others to participate or not participate in a university activity. No community member may employ force or violence, or constitute an immediate threat of force or violence, against persons or property.

• Community members may not claim to speak for or otherwise represent the university or the Rush system, unless officially sanctioned by the president or their designee.

• Community members may not engage in disruptive conduct that substantially prevents, impairs, or obstructs the operations of the university or the Rush system’s clinical mission, including but not limited to teaching, study, research, patient care, or administrative activities. No community member may use or occupy campus facilities so as to disrupt or impede such events or activities in a manner that deprives others of the benefit or enjoyment of the facility or activities. Space may be occupied only when assigned through established University procedures. Demonstrations may not impede the free flow of pedestrian or vehicular traffic, block thoroughfares, or obstruct the entry or exit points of campus buildings. Demonstrations must occur within the hours of normal operations of the facility or the space in which they occur (if applicable) unless prior approval is obtained. Placards, banners, and signs generally are allowed in accordance with Rush’s signage policies but may not be used in a manner that is dangerous or serves as an impediment to others.

• The role of Rush Security during a demonstration is to maximize the safety and security of community members as well as university property. When enforcing this policy, other Rush policies, or applicable law, Rush Security or other university officials may request community members to identify themselves and/or to relocate or leave a university location. If placards, banners, or signs are deemed to be dangerous or serve as an impediment to others, Rush Security or other university officials may request the community members carrying the placards, banners, or signs to move to a different location or remove their materials. When possible, participants will first be given a warning to leave or relocate or remove placards, banners, or signs unless a safety issue prevents that step and requires immediate action. Community members are expected to follow these requests.

• Community members participating in demonstrations are subject to other applicable university and Rush system policies, city ordinances, and state and federal law.

• While faculty and employees may attend and participate in demonstrations, they may not use Rush resources to support or endorse any cause or matter without prior approval. They must also follow applicable time and attendance processes for events taking place during working hours.

• This policy is not intended to preclude or dissuade any employee from engaging in activities protected by state or federal law, including the National Labor Relations Act.​

Advance Arrangements:

•  Students and/or student groups are encouraged to notify the Office of Student Life and ​​Engagement in advance of any demonstration. Advance notice allows the University to help ensure that the event takes place in a constructive and peaceful manner.  Community members are expected to follow applicable guidelines for seeking permission to use University space to conduct demonstrations. When conducting such events, student organizers are expected to promote a safe environment and, to the best of their ability, ensure participants adhere to the Student Code of Conduct (UAC0030). Faculty and staff must adhere to the Rush system’s Code of Conduct (HR-A 01.00) and Prohibition on Disruptive Conduct (HR-E 01.50).
  
  A student or student group planning a demonstration is required to submit an event request form to the Office of Student Life and Engagement no later than five (5) days before the event. If an external speaker is scheduled to attend the demonstration, they should complete a legal speaker agreement/contract following Rush legal requirements. A fully executed agreement should be in place prior to the event.
• For events occurring on city sidewalks and streets adjacent to the University, students should make appropriate arrangements to acquire city permits and should adhere to city ordinances and applicable state and federal law.
• Occasionally an invited speaker or event will raise a credible likelihood (based on prior incidents or communications of intent) that the speaker or event may prompt a demonstration or become the target of threats or violence. In these circumstances, community members planning an event are encouraged to notify the Office of Student Life and Engagement and/or Rush Security as soon as is feasible to consult and conduct a risk assessment.
• Community members planning an event may need additional security, especially if there is a possibility of protest or dissent. Rush Security will assess and determine the safety and security needs for the event. Their assessment may result in the presence of security officers, and processes such as bag-check, event ticketing, and other steps to maximize the safety of attendees and the broader community.

Inappropriate Degree Usage

A student may not indicate they have earned a specific degree or certificate from Rush University until the following have been fulfilled:

• All degree or certificate requirements have been successfully completed
• Completed Degree Approval and Intent to Graduate forms have been submitted to the Office of the Registrar
• The official date of graduation for a particular term has been reached
• The degree or certificate has been officially conferred by the Office of the Registrar

A student who disregards this policy will be referred to the committee that addresses professional ethics violations for that student’s program or college.

Continuous Enrollment/Active Student Status

To maintain an active status, Rush University requires continuous enrollment in most of its academic programs from the time a student matriculates through a student’s graduation. Exemptions for the summer term only include Health Systems Management (residential track) majors. Students who are not officially enrolled each term or have not submitted a Petition for Leave of Absence or Voluntary Withdrawal form risk being administratively withdrawn from the University by the Office of the Registrar.

A student enrolled in a noncredit residency or academic enrichment program prior to receipt of a degree must be registered for their program’s continuous enrollment course to retain active student status.

Any degree- or certificate-seeking student not enrolling in a new course but needing to replace an outstanding incomplete grade must register for their program’s continuous enrollment course until the grade is satisfied.

A student who is auditing a course and is not allowed in other courses during the same term must register for their program’s continuous enrollment course to be charged appropriately.

Students who have completed all coursework in a program but require an external assessment to graduate may enroll in a specific section of continuous enrollment that does not have a tuition charge with approval from the program director or designee. In these instances, the college will request two separate sections of the continuous enrollment course for billing purposes (one section with a charge and one without) at the time the Scheduling Coordinator requests the course sections each term.

Enrollment will require that faculty consent be added in the self-service system (by the program director or their designee) before the student can enroll in the appropriate section. The college or division is responsible for notifying the student of which section of continuous enrollment they should add to their schedule.

Credit by Proficiency

A student who passes a proficiency examination at Rush University will earn academic credit toward the degree. Programs have the discretion to offer credit by proficiency (e.g., standardized examinations, such as ACT Proficiency Examination Program (PEP) Challenge or Advanced Placement (AP) exams) and/or achieved prior learning (such as Continuing Education Units). The medical degree program does not offer credit by proficiency.

Credit awarded by proficiency and/or achieved prior learning is based on documented equivalence with courses offered by the program. The minimum standards and format for demonstrating proficiency are determined by program faculty. Formats for demonstrating proficiency may include departmentally developed examinations, licensure/certification exams, portfolios and competency demonstrations.

Credit awarded by proficiency and/or achieved prior learning will equal the credit value of the course(s) as listed in the Rush University Catalog under which the student matriculated. Information that is posted on the transcript for approved credit is the prefix, number and title of the course, the credits awarded and grade of “K.”

Credit awarded by proficiency will appear on the transcript in the appropriate term the credit was earned. Credit for achieved prior learning will appear on the transcript in the student’s term of matriculation. Credit earned by these mechanisms will not be used in calculating the student’s grade-point average.

The student’s program reserves the right to assess a fee or partial tuition based on what the student would have been charged.

Bachelor’s degree candidates holding advanced certifications (as defined by their academic program) may receive credit by proficiency based on their advanced certification credential. An undergraduate student holding an advanced certification credential must complete their final 36 credit hours of coursework in residence at Rush University to graduate.

No more than one-third of the total number of required program credits may be granted to a graduate-level student as credit by proficiency.

Academic Credit

Academic credit is awarded to a student upon the successful completion of an approved instructional course or by the demonstration of competencies, proficiencies or fulfillment of learning outcomes equivalent to that provided by an approved instructional course.

One unit of academic credit is the measure of the total time commitment a typical student is expected to devote to learning per week of study.

Total time devoted to learning includes but is not limited to: classroom or faculty instruction in either a synchronous or asynchronous mode; time devoted to individual conferences with instructors; reading and completion of learning activities and assignments; posting in online discussion folders; performance demonstrations; examinations; work associated with completion of capstone assignments, thesis, or dissertations; laboratory work; clinical practica; or any other activity required of the student.

One hour of credit is an amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that reasonably approximates not less than one hour classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out of class student work each week for approximately 15 weeks for one semester or one trimester hour of credit or the equivalent of at least 37.5 hours of work for one semester or one trimester hour of credit. In this context, an hour of work is defined as 50 minutes.

Grade-Point Average

Transfer credits from institutions outside of Rush University are not included in the grade-point average, or GPA, calculation. Transfer credits internal to Rush University are included in the GPA calculation. Separate GPAs are calculated for a student’s undergraduate and graduate records. The GPA is calculated using all grades in courses that could count toward the program. 

The GPA is reset from 0.0 when a student successfully completes a program and matriculates into a new program at the graduate or professional level. Transcripts show the GPA for each term in which grade points are earned and show a cumulative GPA for all work taken at Rush University for each program degree level.

When a course is repeated, only the most recent attempt is computed in the GPA, though all grades will display on the transcript.

No grade points are assigned for work taken on a pass/no-pass basis, and therefore such work is not computed in the GPA. A GPA is not reported for medical students in Rush Medical College.

Undergraduate students who are required to enroll in courses that typically are taught at the graduate level will have these courses count toward their undergraduate programs of study; thus, the credits and grade points will be calculated as part of the undergraduate transcript.

Grade Report

Students can access their grade report/unofficial transcript via the Rush University Portal. Grade reports are not mailed to students. Copies of a student’s grade report are unofficial and intended for the student’s personal use and should not be accepted by another college/university in lieu of an official transcript.

Grading and Numbering System

Graduation and Commencement

Only Rush University students who are candidates for a degree may participate in the commencement ceremony. Certificate candidates are ineligible to participate in commencement. Although Rush University has established a degree conferral date for each term, the university has only one commencement ceremony. Commencement is the official ceremony honoring the graduates of the academic year. Graduation is the official date on which the student’s degree is conferred.

All degree seeking students are invited to participate in the commencement ceremony if they graduated or will graduate in:

• The fall or spring term immediately preceding the current academic year’s ceremony
• The summer term immediately following the current academic year’s ceremony

PhD students completing a dissertation must provide the title of their work to the Office of the Registrar by the published deadline to have that title included in the commencement program.

Participation in commencement or publication of a student’s name, academic credentials and dissertation/thesis title in the commencement program does not indicate that a degree has been officially conferred by Rush University.

Students must be registered for the term in which they graduate.

All students, including certificate seekers, who anticipate graduating must submit the Intent to Graduate form to the Office of the Registrar, via the Rush University Portal, by the published deadline or risk delayed graduation.

College program directors/coordinators are required to complete and submit the degree approval forms with all required signatures to the Office of the Registrar by the published deadline.

The student’s submission of the Intent to Graduate form signals that the student is ready to graduate; allows, only for purposes of the ceremony, the release of directory information restrictions enacted by the student through their signature on the Directory Information (FERPA) Restrictions form; permits release of the student’s name, physical address and email addresses to the external photography vendor with whom Rush contracts and to have the vendor place photographs of the student on its website; permits the University to publish the student’s picture in a picture composite; for medical students, permits publication of the student’s name, photograph, prior degrees and universities/colleges attended in the Rush Medical College yearbook; permits Rush University to print and/or announce the following:

• Student’s name as indicated on the Intent to Graduate form (or the student’s chosen name)
• Honors or awards received

The Degree Approval form must be submitted after all academic degree requirements are completed. These include the following:

• All program prerequisites, including general education requirements
• All courses required in the major program of study and completion of required cumulative credit hours
• Residency requirements
• Dissertation/thesis/project defense (if required)
• Submission of the dissertation/thesis to the Rush University Center for Academic Excellence (if applicable)
• Achievement of the minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 for undergraduate and 3.0 for graduate students (not applicable to Rush Medical College)

Awarding of Degrees

Rush University degrees are dated the last day of the term in which the degree requirements are completed. Degree requirements must be fully met before the next term officially begins; otherwise, the student will be required to register for the subsequent term and will graduate at the end of that term. The student’s diploma and other notification of degree conferrals will be held until a student’s financial obligation has been met. Outstanding financial obligations have no effect on the awarding of degrees.

Latin Honors

Candidates for the Bachelor of Science degree who have demonstrated academic excellence are honored at commencement by the Rush University faculty. Those earning a 3.40 to 3.59 cumulative grade-point average at Rush are awarded the Bachelor of Science degree cum laude; 3.60 to 3.79, magna cum laude; 3.80 to 4.00, summa cum laude. Only Rush University courses are calculated into the GPA.

Latin honors appear on the student’s transcript and diploma and are typically announced during graduation exercises, including the commencement ceremony and at college/departmental convocation/awards ceremonies. Latin honors also appear in the commencement ceremony program. Here, eligibility is as of the end of the fall term; prospective spring and summer graduates have their honors recalculated prior to their respective degree conferral dates.

Thesis/Dissertation/Scholarly Project Requirements for Graduation

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) candidates must complete a dissertation. The Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) program requires completion of a scholarly project. Some Master of Science (MS) programs, including Clinical Research and Integrated Biomedical Sciences, require a thesis to meet degree requirements. The thesis is optional for Clinical Nutrition and Speech-Language Pathology students.

Each thesis/dissertation/scholarly project must be original and cannot have been used to meet the requirement of any other degree, either at Rush University or any other university.

Each student will have a committee whose role is to ensure that the student’s thesis, dissertation or scholarly project is of high quality and meets the standards of the program and the university for originality, contribution to the field and scholarly presentation.

Review of a thesis/dissertation/scholarly project will follow the sequence of steps as described by each college, including the prescribed preparation manual for each degree.

Students must give a public presentation of the knowledge developed through the thesis, dissertation or scholarly project process to the academic community. Public presentation must precede the final approval by the student’s thesis, dissertation, or scholarly project’s committee.

A copy of the thesis or dissertation must be approved by the Center for Academic Excellence for conformance to publishing requirements and copyright compliance. Scholarly projects are not reviewed by the library.

Health and Immunization Requirements

All students present on the Rush University Medical Center campus at least once annually from Oct. 1 to Mar. 31 must be compliant with the influenza immunization program as defined by the Rush Infection Prevention and Control Department.

Program-specific health and immunization requirements are determined by each college and/or academic program:

• Students are notified at the time of admission by the college or program of the health and immunization requirements for matriculation into the university.
• Students must comply with annual health and immunization requirements.
• Students who do not submit the proper proof of fulfilled health and immunization requirements by the designated deadline will be prohibited from registering for the next term and may be disengaged from the program until these requirements are met. Late registration fees may apply.
• Students should be aware that clinical sites outside of Rush may have additional immunization requirements.

Students with medical and/or religious exemptions will be required to adhere to state and hospital policies concerning infection control.

Rush University Influenza Vaccination Compliance

In following the Rush system Personnel Influenza Immunization Plan, OP-0358, all Rush University students are to be immunized against influenza annually as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (CDC/ACIP) and approved by Rush Infection Prevention and Control unless an exemption has been granted. 

Online-only students with no on-campus presence are generally exempt from this policy. However, students in online-only programs or any student who​ is approved for an exemption must follow the vaccination policy of any host site (including clinical or experiential rotations), which may require vaccination and proof thereof. Further, all students, including online learners, who anticipate a need to come to campus at any point must abide by the Influenza vaccination requirement set forth in this policy.

To keep the campus community safe and healthy, the university will continue to adhere to the public health guidelines that may include additional measures deemed appropriate. Students​​​​ should regularly check their Rush emails and University policies for any updates or follow-up communications.

Rush University students who have been vaccinated are not required to wear the designated influenza vaccination identifier on their student ID badge during the defined influenza season. Rush University students who are also Rush system employees, need to follow the policy and procedures outlined by Rush to maintain compliance of their employee status. The designed influenza vaccination identifier requirement is subject to change for Rush University students if there is a surge of cases and/or becomes a requirement mandated by the Rush system.

• Deadline: Influenza season typically occurs between Oct. 1 and March 31. The deadline for receiving the vaccine will be determined on an annual basis by Rush Infection Prevention and Control and will be communicated to students.
• Proof of vaccination: Proof of vaccination should be submitted using the college-specific immunization process. Students are required to submit proof of vaccination only by using their Rush ​University email account. General questions are to be submitted to student_health@rush.edu.
• Exemptions: Request for an exemption from the influenza vaccine must be submitted annually.

  • Medical Exemption: Exemption from the influenza vaccination requirement for medical contraindications may be requested by providing signed and dated documentation from the student’s health care provider indicating exemption from the influenza vaccine, the medical contraindication(s), and duration of the exemption. It is the student’s responsibility to submit this request. 

  • Religious Exemption: Exemption from the influenza vaccination based on a sincerely held religious belief may be requested by completing a written and signed application by the student detailing the student’s objection to immunization. The objection must set forth the specific religious beliefs that conflict with immunization. The religious objection may be personal and need not be directed by the tenets of an established religious organization. It is the student’s responsibility to submit this request. ​

  • For additional information about submitting a medical or religious exemption, contact student_health@rush.edu.

• Noncompliance: Rush students determined not in compliance with this policy will receive an email directly from Student Health, including their college representative(s), 24 hours or 1 business day after the compliance deadline. The student and college representative(s) will be notified that Student Health will be implementing the University’s Influenza Noncompliance Consequence Structure. Student and college representative(s) are notified of a registration hold placed on the student’s account, that will be removed upon compliance with the influenza vaccination requirement.

Incomplete Grades

The grade of incomplete (I) is given only when circumstances beyond the student’s control prevent completion of course requirements and the student has received permission to defer completion of these unmet course requirements from the course faculty.

A college or program may limit a student’s ability to register for additional coursework if there are incomplete grades on the student’s record. Students must be enrolled during the term in which course requirements are completed. Students enrolling only to complete requirements for a course in which a grade of incomplete was given must register for their program’s Continuous Enrollment course. Upon completion of the course requirements, the incomplete grade will be replaced by the final grade earned in the course.

A student receiving an incomplete grade in a course may not begin another course for which the incomplete course is a prerequisite. A student who fails to remove the incomplete grade within the specified time will receive a final grade of F or N in the course. It is the student’s responsibility to pursue the completion of an incomplete grade.

The timeframe for resolving the incomplete work is determined by the course faculty, not to exceed one year initially. Incomplete grade extensions may be granted if the original timeline to completing the work needs to be extended. This timeframe is in the discretion of the course faculty.

Additional college-specific policies may apply.

Deferred Designation Procedures (only used for select medical student coursework)

A Deferred designation is a temporary designation that may be recorded when a student did not meet the minimum required M1 or M2 course or required core clerkship performance standard after the first attempt and a reassessment is pending. In the Pre-clerkship phase (M1 and M2 years) the Deferred designation will only be applied to the first two courses in which the student fails to achieve the passing standard on their first attempt.

After a student has received a second Deferred designation, a student will receive a Fail for any subsequent course in which they do not meet the passing standard on the first attempt. In the clerkship phase, the designation of Deferred will only be applied to the first Clerkship in which the student fails to achieve the passing standard on the NBME subject examination. After a student has received a first Deferred designation, a student will receive a Fail for any subsequent clerkship in which they do not meet the passing standard on the first attempt of the NBME subject exam.

A student who receives a Deferred designation must complete the reassessment by the end of the academic year, with the following exceptions: 1. students taking a leave of absence, and 2. students with a Deferred designation for a clerkship taken during the spring term of the M3 year. Students with a Deferred designation during the M3 spring term will have until the end of the M4 summer term to remediate the Deferred designation.

If the student meets the minimum performance standard on the reassessment, the Deferred designation will be changed to a final grade of Pass. If the student fails to meet the minimum performance standard on the reassessment, the Deferred designation will be changed to a final grade of Fail.

Students who take a leave of absence with an outstanding Deferred designation will have one term after returning from leave to remediate the Deferred status. If the Deferred designation is not resolved by the end of the designated term, the designation will automatically be converted to a final grade of Fail.  

For students who take a leave of absence with an outstanding Deferred designation, and have a remediation plan that includes repeating coursework, the Deferred designation will be converted to an Incomplete grade until the remediation plan has been completed. At that time the Incomplete grade will be converted to a final grade of Pass or Fail.

Pass/No Pass Grading Option

Designated letter grade courses may be taken as pass/no pass based on approval by the course or program director. The pass/no-pass option is college- and course-specific, as is the proportion of courses that can be taken as pass/no pass. The decision to take a course for a pass/no-pass grade cannot be changed after the first Friday of a term.

Repeated Courses

Some courses, such as research and clinical, may be repeated. These are usually indicated in the course description. All grades and grade points are counted in the GPA for these courses. For all other courses that are repeated, only the most recent grade is counted in the GPA. Both the original course and the repeated course appear on the student’s transcript. Rush Medical College offers remediation opportunities for some courses; these attempts are reflected on the student’s transcript, along with the original course.

Room Reservations

The Office of the Registrar is responsible for assigning academic space, including classrooms, collaborative learning spaces, small group/conference rooms, lecture halls, auditoriums, ballrooms, and testing labs, in the Armour Academic Center and Triangle Office Building. Space is limited and priority is given to course-related activities.

To obtain space, the date and times of student events must first be approved by the Office of Student Life and Engagement and be sponsored by the organization’s faculty adviser or the Office of Student Life and Engagement.

Students-at-Large

Definitions

• Student-at-Large: Individuals who have not formally matriculated to a degree or certificate program, but who want to enroll in a course.
• Educational Assistance Benefits (EAB): Rush University System for Health offers tuition assistance to employees who want to take courses within Rush University. Eligibility is determined by Human Resources.

Policy

• Individuals who have not formally matriculated to a degree or certificate program, but who wish to enroll in a course, must apply by completing the Student-at-Large (SAL) application.
  • A new application is required every term.
  • Completing the application does not guarantee admission as a student-at-large. Each college determines which student-at-large applications are accepted or denied.
  • Representatives from each college will contact their applicants directly to communicate a decision.
  • The Office of the Registrar will administratively register all SAL students approved by their respective colleges. SALs are prohibited from self-registering.
• Rush Medical College courses for medical students and clinical courses from all colleges are not available to SALs.
  • The Dean’s Office may approve an individual student to take a clinical course in the case when a student is appealing their dismissal and needs to retake the clinical course to be readmitted to their program.
• A final, transcripted grade will be assigned to any course taken as a SAL. Prospective students are responsible for being academically prepared for requested courses.
• Current degree- and certificate-seeking students have enrollment priority over SALs. SALs may be removed from courses if degree- or certificate-seeking students need to enroll in them. Refunds will be issued if payment has already occurred.
• In general, a student may accumulate no more than 12 credit hours of academic credit as a SAL. These hours may be taken within one term or over a period of time.
  • In certain instances, the Dean’s Office may approve a student to enroll beyond the 12-credit maximum, such as when health system employees require advanced training to support the work of the organization.
• Credit earned as a SAL will not necessarily apply toward a Rush degree or certificate program if the individual is subsequently admitted to a degree or certificate program. This is at the discretion of the admitting program.
• Any incomplete (“I”) grade earned as a SAL will revert to a permanent failing grade (“F”) unless completed by the end of the next academic term. It is the student’s responsibility to pursue the completion of an incomplete grade.
• Each college determines the SAL application window for their courses being offered in a given term. Late applications will only be accepted if authorized by the Dean’s Office.
• If admitted and enrolled as a SAL, payment is due to the Student Business Office by the first Friday of the term.
• Rush employees seeking to use Educational Assistance Benefits (EAB) should apply for tuition assistance by the Human Resources-designated deadline.
• Students cannot be admitted to a Rush University degree or certificate program if they have a current probationary event as a SAL. Students who have already been admitted when a probationary event occurs will have their admission rescinded or be dismissed from the program. To be considered for admission, an applicant must be considered in good academic standing.

Transcripts from Previous Institutions

As a part of the admission application process, Rush University requires final and official transcripts from all accredited institutions of higher education that a student attended, whether or not a degree was earned.

Rush University requires an independent evaluation of foreign credentials and transcripts, such as by ECE and WES, when a student completed coursework or a degree outside of the United States or Canada. Non-medical school graduates and attendees from foreign institutions require course-by-course United States equivalency reports. Evaluations of other types will not be accepted. Applicants should not submit foreign transcripts in lieu of a foreign credential evaluation. International medical school graduates and attendees can provide proof of certification from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) in lieu of a course-by-course evaluation. 

Individuals who apply using a Centralized Application Service, or CAS, should submit their final and official transcripts and/or foreign credential evaluations directly to the CAS.

Individuals who are taking prerequisite or other coursework not listed on their CAS application need to submit their final and official transcripts to the Rush University Office of the Registrar. NursingCAS applicants should submit all final transcripts directly to the CAS system.

Individuals who applied via CAS and did not have their degree conferred at the time of application must submit their final, official transcript, along with degree conferral information, to the Rush University Office of the Registrar. NursingCAS applicants should submit all final transcripts directly to the CAS system.

Non-CAS applicants must submit their official, final documents directly to the Rush University Office of the Registrar.

Rush University Transcripts

Copies of academic transcripts can be obtained at no cost to students. The transcript is released only with written consent of the student or as consistent with legal requirements. Transcripts will not be released when students have specific holds on their record.

Students may complete a transcript request form, which is available on the Office of the Registrar’s webpage or by writing to the Office of the Registrar, Rush University, 600 S. Paulina St., Suite 440, Chicago, IL 60612. Students can also fax requests to (312) 942-2310. The letter or fax must include the handwritten signature of the student.

Copies of transcripts issued to students will be stamped in red ink as “Issued to Student.” All transcripts bear the signature of the Rush University Registrar. Unofficial transcripts are not produced by the Office of the Registrar.

Transcript requests made by Rush Medical College students to support residency applications should be made to the Office of Medical Student Programs rather than to the Office of the Registrar. A Medical Student Performance Evaluation (MSPE) letter is included with these requests.

Transfer Credit

Important Definitions

• Transfer credit is defined as academic credit obtained by the student at another institution of higher learning that is deemed equivalent through a review process to credit earned through coursework taken at Rush University.

• Remedial credit is developmental coursework to help a student prepare to study at the college level. These courses are typically offered by community colleges in subject areas such as reading, math, or science.
• Corequisite remedial credit are courses that give additional support to a student taking a college-level reading, math, or English course.
• ​​​Continuing Education Units (CEUs) signify completion of non-credit programs and courses.

General Policies

Rush University will not accept:

• Transfer credit from non-accredited institutions
• Remedial credit from another institution
• CEUs for credit for a Rush program

Rush University may approve corequisite remedial credit for transfer toward undergraduate program elective prerequisites, but this credit is reviewed on a case-by-case basis. College-level credit is preferred.

Transfer credit is first reviewed by and subject to the approval of the student’s program, division, or college based on an evaluation of quality and equivalence. The program, division or college may place limits on the age of the coursework the student is requesting be transferred.

The Office of the Registrar administers this policy and ensures any approved credit meets the requirements of this policy. Except as otherwise specified in this policy, all transfer credit consideration requires the student to request a transfer using the formal petition to transfer credit process. This includes:

• Submission of a transfer of credit form for each individual course.
• Submission of a course syllabus for each individual course. When a course syllabus is not available, the student can provide a course description. More information may be necessary and is requested at the discretion of the student’s program, division, or college.
• Submission of an official academic transcript from the institution where the credit was earned. Transcripts provided as part of the student’s application for admission cannot be used for the purpose of transfer credit. Transcripts from foreign institutions must comply with the “Transcripts from Previous Institutions” policy.

Other general policies include:

• Only letter-graded courses are eligible for evaluation as transfer credit; pass/no-pass courses will not be considered.
• Undergraduate-level courses cannot be transferred to meet the requirements of a course taught at the graduate level.
• Transfer credits can only be applied to satisfy the degree requirements of one program. Once applied, they cannot be used a second time for a new degree program.
• Previously earned program credits at Rush University may only be used to satisfy the requirements of another program if they are at the same level (e.g. graduate) and if they meet the current curricular standards.
• The number of credits granted for a given course cannot exceed the number awarded for the course on the transcript of the school where the course was taken or the number earned for the corresponding course at Rush University. Credits earned on the quarter system will be converted into semester credits where applicable. A quarter credit is roughly equal to two-thirds of a semester credit.
• Course information (including grades) from transferred courses is not recorded on the student’s transcript; only the number of credits is recorded and added to the cumulative number of credits.

Undergraduate-Level Policies

• Rush University may accept up to 60 semester hours or equivalent of credit toward lower-level prerequisite course requirements. These courses are considered requisite requirements, are subject to change, and are published on each programmatic admissions page.
• Rush University will consider College Board Advanced Placement examination scores of 3 or higher for related coursework to satisfy lower-level prerequisite course requirements. Rush University will only consider official score reports sent directly from the College Board.
• Rush University will consider official International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Program credits with a minimum score of 4 or better. Official transcripts for this credit must be sent to Rush University directly from the IB organization. Course credit for only one course can be granted per IB score, and the credit awarded must fall into the appropriate requisite category for the applicant’s program of interest.
• At admission, the applicant’s course history will be formally reviewed by admissions and the Office of the Registrar.
  • Any courses already completed with documented acceptable grades will be transferred to Rush University without the applicant needing to supply additional documentation. To be considered documented, the student must have provided Rush University with an official transcript from the institution where the course was completed.
  • If the admitted applicant is missing any requisite coursework to attend Rush University at the time of the initial transcript review, they will need to request a transfer of that coursework using the formal petition to transfer credit process.
• Undergraduate courses must be completed with a “C” or better to be awarded credit. For schools that use a +/- grading system, grades of C- or better count toward this policy.
• A minimum of 36 credit hours of coursework must be taken in residence at Rush University to graduate.

Graduate-Level Policies

• For graduate-level programs, no more than one-third of the total number of required credits may be granted to a student in combined transfer credit and proficiency credit. See the policy on Credit by Proficiency or Achieved Prior Learning for more information about proficiency credit.
• All graduate-level transfer credit consideration requires the student to request a transfer using the formal petition to transfer the credit process.
• Graduate courses must be completed with a “B” or better to be awarded transfer credit. For schools that use a +/- grading system, grades of B- or better count toward this policy.

Enrollment

Enrollment Status Definitions

Students working toward a degree or certificate and who are enrolled at least half-time may be eligible for student financial assistance. These students may also be eligible to have their federal educational loans deferred. Students are considered full-time or half-time each term based on the below credit criteria. Rush University students must be registered for one of the enrollment statuses below during any academic term to maintain an active student status. Students who are enrolled in externships or clinical work for less than nine credit hours may be considered enrolled full-time for credit hour purposes regardless of the amount of clinical work that is expected per credit hour.

Reduced Credit Hours Requirements for Select Student Populations

A graduate student enrolling in dissertation, externship, audiology investigative project or thesis work has a reduced credit hour requirement to be considered full-time or half-time:

• Students registering in at least two credits of dissertation, externship, audiology investigative project or thesis coursework are considered full-time.
• Students registering in one credit of dissertation, externship, audiology investigative project or thesis coursework are considered half-time.

A medical student enrolling in the clinical bridge course has a reduced credit hour requirement to be considered full-time or half-time:

• Students registering in at least four credits of clinical bridge are considered full-time.
• Students registering in at least two credits of clinical bridge are considered half-time.

Individual graduate programs may set guidelines on research enrollments, including which academic milestones should be passed before enrollment in dissertation or thesis hours are permitted. Once students successfully defend their dissertation or thesis, no further research enrollments are necessary. Continuous enrollment may be needed thereafter if the student still has not met graduation requirements for their program.

Students with questions about their financial aid eligibility and enrollment status should contact the Office of Student Financial Aid.

Registration

Definitions

• Add Period: The add period starts on the first day of the term and ends on Day 7 of the term.
• Batch Registration: Administrative registration at the request of the student’s program, college or division
• Continuing Students: A Rush University degree- or certificate-seeking student not in their first term of study of their program.
• Drop Period: The drop period starts on the first day of the term and ends on the last day of week 13 of the term.
• New Students: A Rush University degree- or certificate-seeking student in their first term of study of their program.
• Regular ​​Registration Period: The regular registration period starts on the day registration opens and ends on the day before the term begins.
• Self-Registration: Student-initiated registration, either online via self-service or by submission of an Add/Drop Request form.
• Students-at-Large: Individuals who have not formally matriculated to a degree or certificate program, but who wish to enroll in a course.

Registration Policy

Students can only register for courses during the regular registration period or add period. Specific term regular registration periods and add period dates are published on the university academic calendar. Students will not be allowed to register for courses after the add period ends.

• New students are allowed to register during the regular registration period or add period without being assessed a late registration fee.
• Continuing students are expected to register during the regular registration period. Continuing students who register during the add period will be assessed a late registration fee.

Students who have registration holds will be prohibited from registering. Registration holds must be resolved prior to the end of the add period for the term in which a student needs to register. If a hold is not resolved by the end of the add period, a student will not be allowed to register for the term. Registration holds include:

• Financial holds (balance due after payment due date for a prior term or noncompliance with institutional loan-related requirements)
• Health & safety holds (missing/out-of-date immunizations and other health and safety-related requirements)
• Missing official transcripts from previous institutions attended
• Noncompliance with annual mandatory training modules
• Noncompliance with onboarding checklist requirements, including providing the university with an emergency contact

Registration is complete only when tuition and all other term charges are paid or when satisfactory payment arrangements have been made by the student. Tuition is always due in full by the first Friday of the term.

Classes are filled according to the following priority order:

• Continuing students
• New students
• Students-at-Large

Students can be registered by one of the following methods:

• Batch registration
• Self-registration

The Office of the Registrar will publish the typical registration method for each program on their public website.

Any student who wishes to be excluded from batch registration may opt out of batch registration on a per-term basis. Instructions for opting out will be provided by the Office of the Registrar when confirming a student’s enrollment via email.

If a student drops a course during the first seven days of the term, the course will not appear on their transcript. If a student drops a course on day 8 through the last day of week 13, the course will appear on their transcript with a grade of Withdrew (W).

• Note: Students in the clerkship phase of the Rush Medical College MD program may drop an individual course before the course begins, and it will not appear on their transcript. If a student has started the course and then drops the course between Day 1 and the end of week 13 of the course, it will appear on their transcript with a grade of Withdrew (W).

If a student drops any course after the end of week 13 of a term, they will be issued a final grade based on the coursework they have completed to that point.

No courses may be dropped after the last day of classes, during the final examination period, or after a final evaluation of the student has been delivered.

All scheduled coursework, including exams and assignments, must be submitted within the start and end date of the term. Students with extenuating circumstances who cannot finish all coursework during the term should be awarded a temporary grade of Incomplete (I). All work to resolve a grade of incomplete must be done by the student during a period of attendance. Students may not be required to make up incomplete work during term breaks or while otherwise not enrolled.

Some courses require faculty consent for a student to enroll. These permissions are managed by the course faculty in self-service.

In general, students must meet course requisites before they can enroll. Faculty who approve a waiver of a course requisite must manage this permission in self-service.

• Students who are enrolled under a waiver of a course requisite enroll at their own risk. Requisites are established on courses with the understanding that needed content might be missing to be successful in a course. A student who chooses to enroll with a waived requisite will not receive special consideration if they are not successful in the course.

Auditing a Course

A student wishing to attend a course without completing all the requirements for credit must register to audit the course with permission of the course and program directors. If space in class is limited, continuing and new students have priority.

Registration in a course cannot be changed from audit to credit or credit to audit after the first week of the term. A student who has audited a course may not apply for credit for that course later. Earning a grade and receiving credit for the course can only occur by enrolling in and paying for the course during the term it is offered.

Fees associated with auditing a course are listed in the Tuition and Fee Schedule.

Auditing of clinical courses is prohibited.

Auditing of courses with a laboratory component may be permitted with program director approval.

An auditing student:

• May participate in class discussion only at the invitation of the course director
• Is prohibited from taking examinations
• Is expected to attend class

An audited course will appear on the student’s transcript with the designation of AU upon successful completion; credit hours are not assigned. If the student does not attend the class, a grade of W will be assigned.

Rush Medical College does not allow students to audit courses for medical students except with the permission of Committee on Student Evaluation and Promotion (COSEP).

Independent Study

To register for an independent study course, the student’s program coordinator, adviser or program director will approve the proposed course and its objectives. The request to create the independent study course should be sent to University Scheduling and include the instructor/course director, course title, course description, number of credit hours and grading system.

Once the course is created, the Office of the Registrar will contact the student’s college to inform of the status of the course and the student’s registration status.

Students complete an independent study contract form, which is available on the Office of the Registrar’s webpage. The form is used to identify the objectives of the study and a plan to meet those objectives is described. This form should be completed and approved by the preceptor, department chair and the program director no later than the first day of the term in which the independent study is to be taken. The student’s preceptor keeps the contract.

Withdrawal and Leave of Absence

Administrative Withdrawal

Administrative withdrawal refers to a student’s permanent, university-initiated departure from the university without the expectation of the student’s return.

Rush University requires continuous enrollment in most of its programs from the time a student matriculates through a student’s graduation. Students are required to either be registered each term or on an approved leave of absence. If the student has decided to withdraw from Rush, voluntary withdrawal paperwork must be submitted to the Office of the Registrar before the voluntary withdrawal will become official.

A student who is not registered, on an approved leave of absence or who has not submitted paperwork to voluntarily withdraw will be administratively withdrawn from the university at the end of the term in which the student stopped attending. The administrative withdrawal is posted to the student’s transcript. Students wishing to return to Rush in the future need to apply for readmission.

Voluntary Withdrawal

Voluntary withdrawal refers to a student-initiated, permanent departure from the university without expectation of the student’s return.

After matriculation to Rush University, a student may not arbitrarily cease registration. All students are required to maintain continuous enrollment or risk administrative withdrawal due to unexplained nonregistration.

Any student withdrawing from the university must give formal notification by completing a petition for withdrawal or leave of absence form, which requires the student to obtain specific signatures. The Office of the Registrar is the designated office that a student must notify if withdrawing from the university. The petition for withdrawal or leave of absence form may be obtained from the Office of the Registrar or online. The date when the student begins the withdrawal process is the official date used in processing the form.

Withdrawal forms submitted during the current term for the next term or during a break period will use the day after the end of the current term as the official withdrawal date that will be used for processing the form.

A student may not withdraw from classes during the last three weeks of any term. A student who submits a voluntary withdrawal form during the last three weeks of the term will receive grades in the registered courses.

Official withdrawal from the university entitles a student to a tuition refund from the first through the fifth weeks of the term. No other fees are refundable. The lower refund percentage is valid beginning the next Monday at midnight.

Leave of Absence

After matriculation to Rush University, a student may not arbitrarily cease registration without notice and must petition for a leave of absence if they cannot attend a term but wish to remain enrolled in their academic program. A leave of absence is a temporary suspension of studies granted to an eligible student for whom an approved time limit has been set and a specific date of return established. Each degree has a time limit for completion.

The decision to include the LOA in calculating the time limits for completion of the degree is within the discretion of each program. The Office of the Registrar is the designated office that a student must notify if they wish to request a leave of absence from the institution. Students admitted conditionally and who have not met the conditions for full admission, may not apply for a leave of absence.

Leaves of absence are approved and granted for the term which the LOA is desired or otherwise as approved by the program. It is the student’s responsibility to communicate directly with their program regarding the disposition of the request for the LOA. Students who request a LOA may be displaced into a subsequent cohort, required to take a revised program of study upon return to the university or be delayed in their progression through the program based on availability of courses and/or clinical placements.

An approved Medical Leave of Absence may be generated by the student, or by the Dean’s Office and must be accompanied by documentation from the student’s health care provider and/or an independent evaluator must attest to the student’s inability to participate in the curriculum due to a medical condition. 

Students may be eligible for a LOA only after they have com­pleted and submitted the Petition for Leave of Absence signed by each college or program to the Office of the Registrar. The student’s failure to complete and submit the Petition for Leave of Absence form will make the student ineligible for any refunds and obligate him or her for the full term’s insurance charges. The date that the student begins the process of applying for a Leave of Absence is the official date that will be used in processing the form.

The day after the end of the current term will be the official date used in processing a LOA form submitted during the current term for the next term or during a break period.

A student who initiates a Petition for Leave of Absence form after the first week of the term and before the course withdrawal deadline will receive a withdrawal (“W”) grade on the transcript for any coursework.

No classes may be withdrawn during the last three weeks of any term. A student who initiates a Petition for Leave of Absence form on or after the Monday beginning the last three weeks of the term will receive grades in the courses for which he or she is registered and will be subject to an academic progression review based upon the assigned grades.

In general, the student is required to return by the approved date. If unable to return as agreed, the student is required to contact their adviser (College of Nursing students), program director (College of Health Sciences and Rush Medical College Translational Science students), or Office of Integrated Medical Education (Rush Medical College medical students) a minimum of two weeks prior to the beginning of the expected term of return (for medical students, a minimum of 90 days prior to the expected return date) and discuss the options open to them.

A request to extend a LOA is subject to the same review and approval process as the original. A new clearance form must be completed.

Students may take a voluntary leave of absence for up to three consecutive semesters (12 months) or three cumulative semesters if more than one leave is taken. In view of the nature and rigor of the academic program, it is the college’s expectation that students will not exceed three cumulative semesters of leave over the course of their time as a program participant, unless otherwise provided for by this policy.

Students who have exceeded three consecutive or cumulative semesters of leave ordinarily will be administratively withdrawn effective at the end of the third semester. Petitions may be granted to extend a leave for up to an additional three semesters. Students seeking an exception to the three-semester maximum must petition the program director in their college no later than the end of the third semester of leave.

Exceptions for the two-year LOA time limit

Students may request up to one additional year of LOA (third year) in specific approved situations. Examples of such circumstances include, but are not limited to:

• Pursuit of an additional degree, such as MBA, MPH, MPP, PhD, either at Rush University or another institution
• Research, including working with a research mentor at Rush University or another institution, or participating in a formal research program (such as the Medical Research Scholars Program at the NIH)
• Global Health Fellowships
• Medical Leave of Absence

Returning from a Leave of Absence

Students intending to return from an approved Leave of Absence must complete and submit the required Return from Leave of Absence form to the Registrar.

If the student is in a program that is batch registered, the Office of the Registrar will administratively register them when their program makes the request. If the student is in a program that requires self-registration, the student will need to enroll before the term begins to prevent late registration fees. It is the student’s responsibility to consult with their adviser/program director regarding required courses for the term of re-entry. Medical students in Rush Medical College should consult with the appropriate associate dean to determine required courses.

Students must satisfy the conditions of the LOA before re-entering and must comply with all policies, requirements and course sequences in effect at the time of re-entry.

Students returning from a LOA must register during the designated priority registration period. Registration outside of this period will result in a late registration fee.

Note that failure to follow the Leave of Absence guidelines and procedures outlined by University Registrar may result in the student’s administrative withdrawal from their program.

Students who do not return as specified in their LOA agreement, and who did not receive an approved extension, will be administratively withdrawn after one term of unapproved leave. This administrative withdrawal is posted to the student’s transcript. Re-admission after being administratively withdrawn requires a full re-application for admission including all fees and documents associated with application for admission.

Additional Requirements for Returning from a Medical Leave of Absence

When students are ready to return from an approved Medical Leave of Absence, they must submit clearance to return from their health care provider and/or an independent evaluator attesting to their ability to resume their studies and participate fully in the curriculum. Students intending to return from an approved Medical Leave of Absence must complete and submit the required forms to the Registrar no later than three (3) months prior to their return to the program.

Student Records

Name, Address and Phone Number Changes

Rush University requires that student academic records exist under the student’s legal name.

The Office of the Registrar maintains the current official listing of student names and addresses for Rush University. It is each student’s responsibility to keep the Office of the Registrar informed of changes.

Name changes require, at the time of the request, official documentation verifying the new name. Examples of official documentation verifying a new name include the following: Social Security card, government-issued ID (passport, driver’s license or state-issued photo ID) or court order.

Privacy and Confidentiality of Student Records and FERPA

Rush University takes seriously its commitment to protect the privacy of its students and their education records. In addition to upholding the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, or FERPA, Rush University has taken further steps to protect privacy by extending similar benefits afforded to enrolled students under FERPA to individuals who are applying for admission. If a specific privacy or confidentiality question is not answered in this text, please contact the Office of the Registrar.

Nothing in this policy may be construed to prohibit the university from disclosing information provided to the institution under the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act concerning sex offenders who are required to register.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA)

FERPA is a federal law designed to protect the privacy of students’ educational records. Educational records are those that contain information or documentation directly related to a student that is recorded in any way, including records produced by handwriting, computer, email, audio, video, etc. Educational records contain information directly related to a student and are maintained by Rush University or any party acting on its behalf.

FERPA protects the privacy of students’ educational records by setting strict instructions and limitations governing the release of information about students. Though FERPA contains exceptions for the release of directory information without a student’s prior written consent, students have the right to request that even directory information be withheld from disclosure to third parties.

Given the restrictions of FERPA, faculty and staff should assume all students must provide written consent that follows the format specified in FERPA before any educational records may be released to anyone other than the student. Without written consent, information cannot be released to any third party, including students’ parents, relatives and friends. Particularly sensitive information includes students’ Social Security numbers, race or ethnicity, gender, nationality, academic performance, disciplinary records, financial aid information and grades. 

Privacy During the Admissions Process

Rush University has chosen to take additional steps to protect a person’s privacy by extending to individuals who are applying for admission similar benefits afforded to enrolled students. This privacy protection covers all applicants and their application materials throughout the admissions process.

The application process exists between the applicant and a Rush University admissions office; therefore, any communication about candidates and their application status to parties beyond these entities is not acceptable unless school officials have a legitimate educational interest to know this information to fulfill their professional responsibilities. All those involved in the admissions process (e.g., admissions committee members, interviewers, admissions staff) must adhere to these guidelines.

Directory Information

Rush University may establish categories of information known as directory information and release this information without student consent, upon request. Rush University designates the following personally identifiable information contained in a student’s educational record as directory information:

• Student’s full name
• Address (local and permanent)
• Telephone number (local and permanent)
• Rush pager number (relevant to third- and fourth-year Rush Medical College students only)
• Rush email address
• Major and minor field(s) of study, including the college, division, department and/or program in which the student is enrolled
• Student’s classification (e.g., junior, senior) or by number referring to such
• Dates of attendance and graduation, and degrees received
• Date and place of birth
• Photograph or other electronic images*
• Honors and awards received
• Previous colleges/universities attended
• Degrees earned at previous colleges/universities
• Rush Medical College postgraduate appointment (program, institution and state)

Students may restrict the release of their directory information by completing and submitting the directory information restrictions form available on the Office of the Registrar’s webpage.

The decision to restrict directory information will apply to all requests from third parties (other than those who already have legal access to these data elements), including prospective employers. A student must formally rescind a restriction of directory information by submitting a subsequent directory information restrictions form.

* Rush University records both visually and audibly many campus events and daily activities, such as classes, commencement, convocations, student events and other public occasions. These images, as well as other information about students, are published (e.g., print media; Rush website) regularly as part of the university’s coverage of campus life and portrayal of the university to a variety of audiences. The university’s policy is to restrict the use of any photograph/electronic image to the representation, marketing or promotion of Rush activities only.

Annual Notification of Student Rights Under FERPA

Rush University notifies students annually of their rights under FERPA with respect to their educational records. These rights include the following:

1. The right to inspect and review the student’s educational records within 45 days of the day the university receives a request for access. If an educational record contains information about other students as well, the requesting student may inspect and review only their specific information.

Students should submit written requests that identify the record(s) they wish to inspect to the university registrar, dean, head of the academic department or another appropriate official. The university official will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place for record inspection. If the records are not maintained by the university official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.

The university may deny a request for copies of educational records when the requestor refuses to furnish proper identification and/or information required by the university.

2. The right to request amendment to an educational record the student believes is inaccurate.

Students may ask the university to amend a record they believe is inaccurate. They should write the university official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, specify why it is inaccurate and provide the accurate information. If the university decides not to amend the record as requested by the student, the university will notify the student of the decision and advise the student of their right to a hearing regarding the amendment request. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing.

3. The right to consent to disclosure of personally identifiable information contained in the education record, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.

One exception, which permits disclosure without consent, is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the university in an administrative, supervisory, academic, research or support staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel and health staff); a person or company with whom the university has contracted (such as an attorney, auditor or collection agent); a person serving on the Board of Trustees; or a student serving on an official committee (such as a disciplinary or grievance committee or assisting another school official in performing tasks). A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record to fulfill a professional responsibility

4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by Rush University to comply with the requirements of FERPA.

The following is the name and address of the office that administers FERPA:

Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Ave. SW
Washington, DC 20202

Commencement/Graduation Activities

Completion of the Intent to Graduate form signals a student is ready to graduate. By completing the form, the student is giving permission to the university to print the following information in any Rush graduation program and/or announce this information at any Rush graduation ceremony: the student’s name as indicated on the intent to graduate form, any honors or awards received, the Rush degree and major the student is earning, previous colleges/universities attended and degrees earned at those previous colleges/universities.

If a directory information restrictions form was previously submitted, the student’s submission of the Intent to Graduate form temporarily releases — for graduation ceremony/program purposes only — the directory information restrictions enacted by the student so that the information can be published in any Rush graduation program and/or announced at any Rush graduation ceremony.

In addition, the student’s submission permits Rush University to release the student’s name and address to the external photography vendor with whom Rush contracts and to have the vendor place graduation photographs of the student on its website. The student’s submission also allows the university to publish the student’s photo in a picture composite and the student’s image in a commencement ceremony DVD that is created and distributed.

The recording of the graduation ceremony could also appear on the Rush University website and/or social media sites, including but not limited to YouTube and Facebook. Finally, if the student is a medical student, the student’s signature permits publication of the student’s name, photograph, previous degrees earned and other information in the Rush Medical College yearbook.

If there are questions about how the information will be used for graduation or commencement purposes, please speak with the Office of the Registrar before submitting the intent to graduate form.

Educational Records

Rush University does not maintain educational records in one central office. Educational records are maintained in the Office of the Registrar and in the respective college and department offices. Other educational records are maintained in the Office of Student Financial Aid (financial aid information, student employment), Student Business Office (financial account payment information), Office of International Student Services and other offices. Questions regarding individual student records should be directed to the appropriate location.

Rush University will not issue copies of transcripts received from other institutions to anyone, including the student.

Deceased Student Records

Rush University may, upon the death of a student, release the student’s educational records to a third party. This is done at the sole discretion of Rush University.

Mailing Lists

Rush University does not release student directory information in mailing lists, except to comply with the federal Solomon Amendment.

Additional Questions

The Office of the Registrar is the compliance office for FERPA for Rush University. If there are additional questions, please contact the Office of the Registrar:

600 S. Paulina St., Suite 440
Chicago, IL 60612

(312) 942-5681
registrars_office@Rush.edu

Institutional Policies

Drug and Alcohol-Free Campus

Rush University and Rush University Medical Center (hereinafter, collectively referred to as Rush) comply with all state and federal regulations concerning drugs and alcohol. 

Violations of the Drug and Alcohol-Free Campus policy include, but are not limited to the following: unauthorized use, possession or sale of drugs, alcohol or other controlled substances on Rush premises, including the smoking or vaping of cannabis. For additional information, please see Rush’s Drug and Alcohol-Free Campus Policy HR-A 8.00.

Tobacco-Free Campus

Rush seeks to promote the health, safety and quality of life of all members of the Rush community. To that end, Rush is a smoke and tobacco-free campus. For additional information, please see Rush’s Tobacco-Free Work Environment Policy.

Diversity, Equal Opportunity and Inclusion

For over three decades, the Rush approach to equal opportunity, diversity and inclusion has not wavered. Our approach is that these are essential components of the best employment, educational and health care practices and must be furthered. This is a continuation of a policy that emanated from the hospital charters of 1865 and 1883 and the documents governing the establishment of Rush University in 1972.

In certain instances, the implementation of this policy and our goals in this area require the use of affirmative initiatives. At Rush, these initiatives are focused on strong recruitment, development and retention efforts-not on quotas-and these recruitment and programming efforts will be continued, consistent with federal, state and municipal guidelines.

Rush is committed to attracting students who will enable the student body to achieve the educational benefits of diversity and to providing services to all students, faculty and employees on a nondiscriminatory, equitable basis.

Discrimination or harassment against any member of the Rush community because of race, color, religion, national origin, creed, age, ancestry or disability as defined by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act, gender, gender identity and/or expression, marital or parental status, national origin, pregnancy, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other category or categories protected by federal or state law or local ordinance that excludes an individual from  participation, denies the individual the benefits of, treats the individual differently or otherwise adversely affects a term or condition of an individual’s employment, education, living environment or participation in a Rush program or activity. This includes failing to provide reasonable accommodation consistent with state and federal law to persons with disabilities.

Inquiries regarding discrimination or harassment should be directed to the Office of Institutional Equity at (312) 942-2104.

Additional resources may be found within the following university offices:

Office of Student Diversity and Community Engagement
Armour Academic Center
600 S. Paulina St., Suite 984B
Chicago, IL 60612

(312) 942-0725

Rush’s Prohibition against Discrimination, Harassment and Sexual Misconduct

Introduction

Rush is committed to the principles of equal opportunity and promoting and maintaining an environment that emphasizes the dignity and worth of every member of its community. Rush strives to have an environment that is free from Sexual Harassment. Rush complies with Title IX of the Higher Education Amendments of 1972 and its implementing regulations, which prohibit Sexual Harassment that occurs within Rush’s education programs or activities. Sexual Harassment includes Sex-Based Harassment, Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence and Stalking.

Rush has a legal duty to prevent and redress discrimination and harassment, as well as a moral and ethical duty to do so. Discrimination and harassment are contrary to Rush’s values, represent professionally and socially irresponsible behavior, and can damage the trust, influence and reputation of Rush as an academic medical center. Because Rush’s primary mission of furthering the public good through health care relies on maintaining public trust and confidence, it is essential that every member of the Rush community share in the responsibility for meeting our community’s conduct expectations. It is equally important that members of the Rush community appreciate the impact Prohibited Conduct can have on the academic medical center environment, and the need for serious consequences, such as termination of employment or expulsion from Rush, for substantiated violations of this policy.

Policy Statement

Rush strictly prohibits all forms of discrimination and harassment based on a protected personal characteristic against any member of the Rush community, including but not limited to students, non-employed or private providers, members of the faculty, all employees, applicants for admission or employment, patients, volunteers, guests and vendors (collectively “the Rush Community”). A protected personal characteristic includes an individual’s: race, sex, gender, color, religion, national origin (including shared ancestry and ethnic characteristics), language , age, ancestry, disability, marital or familial status, pregnancy, sexual orientation (including gender-related identity), military status, order of protection status, citizenship status, work authorization status, arrest or conviction record status, or any other categories protected by federal or state law, or local ordinance.

Reporting and Response Procedures 

This policy is administered by the Title IX Officers, who are members of Rush’s Office of Institutional Equity (OIE). OIE has exclusive jurisdiction to review, inquire into, and investigate reported violations of this policy. This policy addresses Rush’s obligations under relevant provisions of federal and state law, and local ordinance. Rush values the prompt and equitable inquiry into reports of Prohibited Conduct. Rush will not hesitate to take swift and strong action when an investigation concludes, by a preponderance of the evidence, that this policy was violated. Discrimination and harassment are not tolerated at Rush.

Every member of the Rush community is responsible for fostering an environment free from discrimination and harassment. All members of the Rush community are strongly encouraged to take reasonable actions to prevent or stop acts of Prohibited Conduct when possible. This may include directly intervening when safe to do so, enlisting the assistance of others, contacting law enforcement, or seeking assistance from a person in authority. Rush community members who choose to exercise this positive responsibility will be supported by Rush and protected from retaliation.

The policy can be found at Prohibition against Discrimination, Harassment and Sexual Misconduct

Resources

Reports about potential violations of this policy can be made through the Rush Hotline at (877) 787-4009 or via the Rush web reporting tool at Prohibition against Sexual Harassment in Rush Programs and Activities. 

For more information on this policy, and/or Rush’s response procedures, contact:

Hazing Policy

Rush University is committed to providing a safe campus environment for our students, faculty and staff. Hazing is strictly prohibited under this policy in accordance with applicable federal, state and local law. This policy applies to all students, student groups and student organizations at Rush University. This policy covers conduct occurring off Rush premises, including the virtual environment and off-campus events.

Definitions

• Hazing: Any intentional, knowing or reckless act committed by a person (whether individually or in concert with other persons) against another person or persons regardless of the willingness of such other person or persons to participate, that:
  • Is committed in the course of an initiation into, an affiliation with or the maintenance of membership in a student organization; and
  • Causes or creates a risk, above the reasonable risk encountered in the course of participation in the institution of higher education or the organization (such as the physical preparation necessary for participation in an athletic team), of physical or psychological injury including, but not limited to:
    • Whipping, beating, striking, electronic shocking, placing of a harmful substance on someone’s body or similar activity
    • Causing, coercing or otherwise inducing sleep deprivation, exposure to the elements, confinement in a small space, extreme calisthenics or other similar activity
    • Causing, coercing or otherwise inducing another person to consume food, liquid, alcohol, drugs or other substances
    • Causing, coercing or otherwise inducing another person to perform sexual acts
    • Any activity that places another person in reasonable fear of bodily harm through the use of threatening words or conduct
    • Any activity against another person that includes a criminal violation of local, state, tribal or federal law
    • Any activity that induces, causes or requires another person to perform a duty or task that involves a criminal violation of local, state, tribal or federal law
• Student Organization: An organization at an institution of higher education (such as a club, society, association or student government) in which two or more of the members are students enrolled at the institution of higher education, whether or not the organization is established or recognized by the institution.

Policy Statement

Hazing activities and conduct may also violate the Illinois Hazing Act, which carries criminal penalties.

Reporting an Issue

Any suspected violation of this policy should be reported via the Student Complaint Portal, Rush’s EthicsPoint Hotline or one of the following contact numbers:

• Student Complaint Portal: (833) 625-3778
• Rush Hotline: (877) 787-4009

Reports can be made anonymously. Reports of violations of this policy will be reviewed by the Office of Institutional Equity (OIE) in collaboration with the university as appropriate pursuant to OIE’s internal review process.

Violations of this policy may result in disciplinary action, including but not limited to suspension, expulsion, removal from a student organization and discipline up to and including termination of employment where applicable. Groups of students and student organizations, as well as their members and officers, may be held collectively and/or individually responsible for violations of this policy.

Education and Prevention

Rush is committed to providing training and programs related to hazing awareness and prevention. These initiatives may provide information related to applicable hazing policies, how to report suspected hazing incidents, the process used to investigate such incidents, information on applicable local, State and Tribal laws on hazing, primary prevention strategies intended to stop hazing before hazing occurs, information about ethical leadership and the promotion of strategies for building group cohesion instead of hazing.

Prohibition Against Retaliation

Rush strictly prohibits retaliation against any individual for reporting suspected or known violations of this policy. Any individuals who experience such retaliation should immediately report the conduct using the reporting mechanisms outlined in this policy.

University Student Refund Policy

Purpose/Introduction/Background

The Student Refund policy documents a student’s financial responsibility when deciding not to complete some or all their enrolled courses for a term. Students are eligible for a full refund of tuition when withdrawing prior to the start of the term. Students deciding to withdraw after the official start date of the term will be refunded according to the schedule shown below. Students are responsible for any tuition or fee balances due until such time they are formally notified by Rush University in writing of their withdrawal status.

Terms and Definitions

• Dismissal: A college-initiated permanent separation of the student from a program based on academic performance and/or violation of the code of conduct.
• Expulsion: The permanent separation of the student from the college, their academic program and all educational activities sanctioned by Rush University.
• Extenuating Circumstance: An event that is beyond the student’s control where the student must withdraw from a course or program (i.e., medical withdrawal).
• Leave of Absence (LOA): A temporary departure from studies at Rush University with an approved time limit and return date.
  • Approved Leave of Absence: An LOA that is student-initiated and college-approved.
  • Involuntary Leave of Absence: An LOA that is college-initiated when a student presents as a substantial risk of self-harm or harm to others or impedes activities within the campus community or the education process.
• Military Service: Military service refers to any fulltime military training ordered by an official authority at the federal, state or local levels of the United States.
• Withdrawal: A permanent departure from studies at Rush University without the expectation of return. A student who is withdrawn from the university must formally reapply to be considered for readmission.
  • Administrative Withdrawal: A withdrawal that is university-initiated.
  • Involuntary Withdrawal: A withdrawal that is college-initiated when the student presents as a substantial risk of self-harm or harm to others or impedes activities within the campus community or the education process.
  • Voluntary Withdrawal: A withdrawal that is student-initiated.
• Withdrawal from a Course (Course Drop): A student self-drops a course or completes and submits the add/drop form to withdraw from their course during the approved drop period.
• Suspension: The separation of a student from the college for a specified time, after which the student is eligible to return.

Policy Statement and Tuition Refund Schedule

General Tuition Refund Guidelines:

• Refunds are not granted for course(s) where the student has received a final grade.
• Refunds are not granted to students who are part of a current disciplinary hearing, have been suspended, dismissed, expelled or for other disciplinary reasons making them ineligible to further progress in their program of study.
• Refunds will not be granted where Rush University has augmented the delivery of course or program modality to ensure the safety and health of students.
• Leave of absence, military service or withdrawal from the university or from select courses entitles a student to a refund of tuition according to the schedule below.
• Rush University does not differentiate tuition rates for online or remote courses compared to courses that are offered onsite.
• When Rush University courses or programs of study must be converted to a remote modality to protect the public health and/or the safety and security of students, if all quality and accreditation standards are met, no refunds will be issued in accordance with this student refund policy.

Refunds are automatically initiated when a student officially drops their course during a refund period. To officially drop their course, a student must complete all required paperwork. This includes an Add/Drop Form or self-drop using Self-Service for an individual course drop, or a Petition for Withdrawal or Leave of Absence for an Approved Leave of Absence or Voluntary Withdrawal. Students are administratively dropped from courses when they are placed on an LOA or are withdrawn – the date of initiation of the LOA or withdrawal is the date used to determine the applicable tuition refund.

Students who request a Leave of Absence and wish to remain enrolled in the student health insurance plan throughout their Leave of Absence, will have the charges posted on the student account for the effective terms. Please see Rush University Student Health Insurance Policy for further detail.

Most course drops use the Traditional Tuition Refund Schedule shown below. Exceptions to this schedule are listed in the Alternate Refund Schedule section of this policy.

Traditional Tuition Refund Schedule

*Weeks are based on calendar days

Alternate Tuition Refund Schedule
(Only used for medical student summer courses in the M1 and M2 years)

*Weeks are based on calendar days

Student Refund Process

• A check or direct deposit for the refund amount, less any amount owed to the university for other charges, will be sent to the student.
• Refunds will be shown as credits on the student’s account.
• Refund checks are typically processed within two weeks and mailed to the student’s address listed in the official university student information system.

Active Military Service

Students called to active military service are entitled to receive a full refund of tuition and any adjustments to financial aid. Students who are called to active duty should include their military leave papers (including dates of military service) to the Office of the Registrar when submitting their Petition for Withdrawal or Leave of Absence.

Petition for Refund for Extenuating Circumstances

Students in good standing with the university and who wish to be considered for a higher tuition refund amount may file a Petition for Refund for Extenuating Circumstances to make the university aware of unique circumstances. All written refund appeals must be filed within 30 days of the course drop. Students who are part of an ongoing disciplinary hearing or who have been suspended, dismissed or expelled are ineligible to file a refund appeal.

Students requesting a refund for extenuating circumstances must provide documentation and submit the Petition for an Extenuating Circumstances Refund Form to the Office of the Registrar.

Examples of an Acceptable Extenuating Circumstance

• Injury or illness that significantly impacted the student’s ability to continue attending classes
• Death of an immediate family member (spouse/partner, parent, child, grandchild, sibling, or grandparent)

Examples of Documentation of an Extenuating Circumstance

• A signed statement from a licensed medical practitioner that documents the nature of the illness, including the beginning and ending period of the illness
• A copy of an official death certificate

All appeal decisions by the college are final.

Cancellation of Classes

Students will receive a full refund for courses that are cancelled.

Nonattendance in Courses

Students are required to officially withdraw from courses by completing the Add/Drop Request on the Office of the Registrar website or by self-dropping online within the designated refund period.  Failure to officially withdraw from courses does not entitle a student to a refund.

Non-Academic Fees

Student Health Insurance Refunds

Students enrolled in the university-sponsored student health insurance plan who voluntarily withdraw or are dismissed from course(s) or from the university are responsible for 100% of the insurance charge posted to their student account for that term unless they submit a waiver during the health insurance open enrollment and waiver period.   

Rush Medical College’s tuition and fees cover Student Health Insurance coverage during the period of active enrollment. Therefore, students are not eligible for any health insurance refunds nor are students required to pay any additional cost for insurance coverage. See Rush University Student Health Insurance Policy for further details.