Topic 1: Introduction

            Rule 6.3: Part-Time Students in Special Situations.

Topic 12: Repeated Courses

            Rule 17.4: Appeals.

Rule 1.1: Scope of Rules.

    (a) These regulations set forth the Academic Rules of Rutgers School of Law- Camden. These Rules apply to all students first enrolling in law school (whether at this institution or another ABA-accredited institution) in the Fall Semester, 1994, and later.

    (b) Students who enrolled in law school (whether at this institution or another ABA-accredited institution) prior to the Fall Semester, 1994, shall be governed by the Rules published in the Student Handbook, 1993-1994.

Rule 1.2: Ignorance No Excuse. Every member of the law school community covered by these Rules is responsible for complying with them. Ignorance is not an excuse.

Rule 1.3: "Academic Year" Defined. The term "academic year" is defined to mean a student's first two semesters completed in law school, and each pair of two semesters completed thereafter. Summer sessions are not considered as part of an academic year. No semester shall be considered as part of more than one academic year. A semester during which a student withdraws from all of his or her classes, or obtains a leave of absence, does not count as part of an academic year.

Rule 1.4: "Professor" Defined. The term "professor" as used in these Rules means an assistant professor, associate professor, professor or professor II, with a tenured or tenure-track appointment, adjunct professors, instructors (as defined in University Regulations), lecturers, the clinic staff attorney, the legal externship program director, and the legal research and writing program director.

Rule 1.5: "Senior" Defined. The term "senior" means a student who has completed two-thirds of his or her legal education. A student has completed two-thirds of his or her legal education if the student can graduate in two additional full-time semesters or three part-time semesters.

Rule 2.1: Requirements for Graduation. To be graduated, a student must be recommended for graduation by the Faculty. To be eligible to be recommended for graduation, a student must:

    (a) Earn 84 course credits in accord with the regulations of Topic 3 of these Rules;

    (b) Earn a cumulative grade-point average of C (2.0), computed in accord with the requirements of Topic 4 of these Rules;

    (c) Earn a C (2.0) average, computed in accord with the requirements of Topic 4, in the student's final academic year (or, in the case of a student graduating after an odd number of semesters, the student's final semester);

    (d) Meet the minimum and maximum time periods of Topic 5 of these Rules.;

    (e) Meet the curricular requirements of Topic 6 of these Rules; and
    
    (f) Comply with the writing requirement of Topic 7 of these Rules.

Rule 3.1: Courses Taken at This Law School.

    (a) All courses taken for credit and passed at this law school shall count towards the course credit requirement of Rule 2.1(a). Repeated courses shall count as specified in Rule 3.7.

    (b) To receive credit for courses taken at Rutgers, the student must be properly registered in accord with the requirements of Topic 15.

Rule 3.2: Credit for Transfer Students. A student who has transferred from another law school may apply towards graduation, subject to the limitation of Rule 3.4, only those courses successfully completed at another institution and approved by the Committee on Admissions for credit. Such approval shall be given when, in the Committee's judgement, it is warranted by the content of the course and the student's performance in it.

Rule 3.3: Students Taking Courses Elsewhere. A student may apply towards the course credit requirement credit for courses at other institutions (including summer sessions) and graduate courses to the extent allowed in Topic 14 and Rule 3.4.

Rule 3.4: Courses Taken Elsewhere. A student may not apply towards the course credit requirement more than 41 credits for courses taken at other institutions under Rules 3.2 and 3.3. This limitation applies to courses taken at other law schools (whether prior, simultaneous or subsequent to enrollment at this law school, and whether in summer sessions or otherwise) and to courses taken at graduate schools (whether or not as part of a joint degree program pursuant to Rule 14.2). All other provisions of these Rules that allow credit for courses taken elsewhere are subject to this limitation.

Rule 3.5: Non-Course Credit.

    (a) A student may apply towards the course credit requirements up to twelve non-course credits.

    (b) Non-course credits consist of Hunter Moot Court, Hunter Moot Court Board, Externship Program, Law Journal, Rutgers Journal of Law and Religion, Journal of Law and Urban Policy, Teaching Assistant for first-year, first semester legal research and writing, Moot Court I Board (teaching assistant for first-year, second semester moot court) and such extra-mural moot court programs and additional non-course activities as are approved by the Faculty for non-course credit and so designated in the law school catalog or semi-annual pre-registration materials.

    (c) Credit for a non-course activity shall be conferred on a pass/no credit basis (except for Teaching Assistant for first-year first-semester Legal Research and Writing, or Moot Court I Board, which shall be graded as a course) by the faculty advisor designated by the Dean for that activity. Each activity shall publish, as expeditiously as practicable after the adoption of these Rules, standards for conferring credit. Until an activity has published such standards, the standards in the Academic Rules (as they existed on July 1, 1994) shall continue to be effective.

    (d) A student may be dropped from a non-course activity if the faculty advisor determines that the student has missed an excessive number of required activities.

Rule 3.6: Duplication. Work performed in one course or activity for credit may not be duplicated to earn credit in another. Factors used in determining whether work is duplicative shall include the extent to which additional work was undertaken which justifies credit, and the extent of disclosure that the work had been previously used.

Rule 3.7: Repeated Courses. Courses repeated under Topic 12 are counted for credit only the last time taken and passed.

Rule 3.8: Class Attendance.

    (a) A student must attend regularly to receive credit for courses.

    (b) A professor may consider a student not to be attending regularly if the student misses a number of class hours exceeding the number of units for which the course is offered.

    (c) A professor shall excuse without penalty students who are absent because of religious observance and allow the make-up of work missed on account of such absence.

    (d) If a student is not attending regularly, the professor may exclude the student from the examination (or, in the case of a seminar, deny the student the opportunity to submit a seminar paper) in which case the student shall be awarded a grade of F.

    (e) Students may not register for a course which is scheduled in such a way that attendance at each and every class hour is impossible because of a conflict with another course or activity for which the student is registered.

Rule 3.9: Denial of Course Credit.

    (a) All course credit shall be denied for any academic year in which the student fails to earn a 2.0 average.

    (b) A student may petition the Committee on Scholastic Standing for restoration of course credit denied under (a) in either of the following situations:

        1. if the student is in good standing as defined in Rule 11.2.; or

        2. if the student has a 2.0 average in the student's most recent two semesters and restoration of course credit would give the student sufficient course credits to graduate.

    (c) The Committee shall restore course credit if the Committee finds that restoration is appropriate given the student's academic record.

    (d) Restored credit may reflect only courses that were passed and not subsequently repeated.

    (e) Petitions for restoration of writing credit shall be subject to Rule 7.7.

Rule 3.10: Directed Research.

    (a) A student in good standing (as defined in Rule 11.2) who has earned more than 28 degree credits may undertake directed research in a semester or summer session. Such research shall be undertaken under the supervision of a professor. An adjunct professor with special qualifications in the subject matter of the research may serve as supervisor with the approval of the Dean. The supervising professor shall specify, at the time of registration, whether the research is being undertaken for one or two credits.

    (b) In deciding whether to supervise a directed research project, the professor may take into account all pertinent factors including, but not limited to, the nature of the topic, its relation to other offerings in the curriculum, the interests, background and abilities of the student, the student's academic record, and the student's ability to perform independent work. No professor is obligated to agree to supervise a senior research project. No professor may supervise more than five students in a single semester or summer session except with the permission of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.

    (c) Students may not register for more than one directed research project in any one semester or summer session, nor enroll in more than two directed research projects overall.

    (d) Directed research shall be graded by the supervising professor.

Rule 4.1: Grading System Effective Through Summer Session, 2001. Grades for terms up to and including the Summer Session, 2001, were given according to the following system:

                A+     (4.5)
                A     (4.0) - Outstanding
                B+     (3.5)
                B     (3.0) - Good
                C+     (2.5)
                C     (2.0) - Satisfactory
                D+     (1.5)
                D     (1.0) - Poor
                F     (0) - Failing

Rule 4.1A: Grading System In Effect Beginning Fall Semester, 2001.

    (a) Effective Fall Semester, 2001, grades shall be given according to the following system:

                A+     (4.33)
                A     (4.00) - Outstanding
                A-     (3.67)
                B+    (3.33)
                B     (3.00)- Good
                B-     (2.67)
                C+ (2.33)
                C (2.00)- Satisfactory
                C-     (1.67)
                D+ (1.33)
                D (1.00) - Poor
                F     (0) - Failing
                                            

    (b) Transcripts reflecting work done before the Fall Semester, 2001, and work done that semester or thereafter, shall refer to a clear and prominent statement that grades given before that time are weighted in accord with the previous grading system, the intention being that no grades given before the Fall Semester, 2001 be disparaged by adoption of the new grading system as to future semesters. The Dean shall require appropriate steps to make clear this intention and to clearly explain the change in grading system to potential employers, including those who list jobs on campus, those who interview on campus, judges to whom students apply for clerkships, and all other employers to whom students apply for positions.

Rule 4.2: Grades That do not Count in Determining a Student's Cumulative Average.

    (a) The following grades do not affect a student's cumulative average: N, S, U, INC, Pass, No Credit, TZ or W.

    (b) The grades listed in (a) are given under the following circumstances:

    1. N                Used when a student enrolls in or audits a course which extends over two semesters, but for which no course credit is granted in the first semester. Such a grade will be changed after the second semester in accord with Rule 8.5.

    2. Pass or No Credit        Used for pass/fail activities. It indicates whether credit has been granted for the course.

    3. S or U            Grading symbols used when students audit courses with
     (Satisfactory or         faculty permission under Rule 8.8.
     Unsatisfactory)            

    4. INC                Incomplete. Used when a student has been excused from taking the final examination or submitting a required paper. A student who has received such a grade is subject to the provisions of Topic 13.

    5. TZ                 TZ is a temporary grade that may be assigned to any Camden campus student who: (1) Never attended the course section for which he/she is registered; or (2) attended for a time and stopped without officially withdrawing. TZ grades will convert to an “F” in approximately six months if no grade change is processed under procedures prescribed by the Dean.

    6. W                Withdrawn without evaluation. This symbol is used when a student has withdrawn from a course after a semester's "Drop/Add" period and with permission of the proper authority under Topic 15.

    (c) Grades in courses taken elsewhere shall not be considered in calculating grade-point average.

Rule 4.3: Calculation of Grade-Point Average.

    (a) A student's grade-point average (whether cumulative, or for a semester, summer session, or academic year) shall be the numerical equivalent of his/her final grade (as weighted in accord with the grading system in effect when the course was taken) for each course taken at this law school graded on an A-F basis multiplied by the number of credit hours assigned to the course and divided by the total number of credit hours taken at this law school in courses graded on an A-F basis.

    (b) The calculation shall be carried to the fourth decimal place and then rounded off so as to be expressed in three decimal places as follows:

        1.    Whenever the fourth decimal is a five or more, the third decimal shall be increased by one.

        2.    Whenever the fourth decimal is a four or less, the third decimal shall not be altered.

Rule 5.1: Minimum and Maximum Time Periods The course of study for the J.D. must be completed no sooner than 24 months and not later than 84 months after a student has commenced law study at this law school or a law school from which this school has accepted transfer credit.

Rule 6.1: Required Courses for Full-Time Students. Full-time students shall take:

    (a) Civil Procedure, Contracts, Torts, and Legal Research and Writing in their first semester of enrollment;
        
    (b) Constitutional Law, Criminal Law, Property and Moot Court in their second semester of enrollment;

    (c) Professional Responsibility in the third or later semester of enrollment.

Passing grades in the courses listed in (a) through (d) shall be required for graduation.

Rule 6.2: Required Courses for Part-Time Students.

    Part-time students shall take:

    (a) Civil Procedure, Torts, and Legal Research and Writing in their first semester of enrollment:

    (b) Contracts, Property and Moot Court in their second semester of enrollment;

    (c) Constitutional Law and (effective in the Fall, 2004 semester) Criminal Law in their third semester of enrollment;

    (d) Criminal Law in their fourth semester of enrollment (effective through the Spring, 2003 semester);;

    (e) Professional Responsibility in their third or later semester of enrollment.

Passing grades in the courses listed in (a) through (e) shall be required for graduation.

Rule 6.3: Part-Time Students in Special Situations. The Associate Dean for Academic Affairs may vary the provisions of Rule 6.2 for a part-time student who demonstrates that he or she is unable to take courses according to the provisions of that Rule.

Rule 7.1: Required Writing Credit. A student must earn nine writing credits, as calculated under this Topic, as a condition of graduation.
.
Rule 7.2: Calculation of Writing Credit.

    (a) No more than five writing credits in any academic year may be counted towards the requirement for nine writing credits. No more than four writing credits in a summer session may be counted toward the requirement for writing credits.

    (b)The Committee on Academic Petitions may increase the academic year limits by one or two units in cases of substantial hardship.

    (c) Nothing in this Rule bars a student from taking as many writing credits in a year as the student chooses.
.
Rule 7.3: Courses Qualifying for Writing Credit.

    (a) The Dean shall designate each semester a list of the courses approved by the Dean for writing credit.

    (b) Courses conferring writing credits:

        (1) Are directly supervised by a professor or by a field supervisor as part of an externship program;

        (2) In the case of a course in which either two or three writing credits may be earned, require the student to complete individual or collaborative written work or works totaling at least twenty pages (excluding footnotes) in final draft that constitute a substantial portion of the basis for the final grade, and

        (3) Comply with other requirements prescribed by the Dean consistent with these Rules to assure a sound educational experience.

    (c) First-year courses (Civil Procedure, Constitutional Law, Contracts, Criminal Law, Legal Research and Writing, Moot Court, Property and Torts) may not qualify for writing credit.

    (d) A course may be offered for one writing credit so long as the student is rquired to complete individual or collaborative written work or works totaling at least ten pages (excluding footnotes).

    (e) A student earns writing credit for a course on the list referred to in (a) if the student earns course credit for the course and the professor certifies that the student has satisfactorily completed the course's writing components.

Rule 7.4: Number of Writing Credits.

    (a) The list of courses referred to in Rule 7.3(a) shall specify the number of writing credits which a student may earn for the course.

    (b) A student shall earn three writing credits for a course listed under Rule 7.3(a) if the opportunity to earn three writing credits for the course is limited to no more than twenty students. At the professor's discretion, the course may be made available to additional students to earn one or two writing credits. A student may earn three writing credits for a seminar within the meaning of Rule 15.8(a).

    (c) A student shall earn two writing credits for a course listed under Rule 7.3(a) if the course meets the requirements of Rule 7.3(b)2) but the student is not on the list for earning three writing credits.

    (d) A student shall earn one writing credit for a course that meets the requirements of Rule 7.3(e), but not 7.3(b)(2).

Rule 7.5: Writing Credit for Directed Research. Students receiving course credit for a directed research project referred to in Rule 3.10 shall receive a number of writing credits equal to the number of course credits for which the project was taken.

Rule 7.6: Writing Credit for Courses Taken Elsewhere. Courses taken while enrolled at another ABA-approved law school or taken as part of a dual-degree program in which the degree was earned for which course credit is allowed at this law school may be counted for writing credit with the permission of the Committee on Academic Petitions. Permission of the Committee must be obtained in advance in the case of a student visiting elsewhere under Topic 14.

Rule 7.7: Denial of Writing Credit.

    (a) All writing credit shall be denied for any academic year in which the student fails to earn a 2.0 average.

    (b) A student may petition the Committee on Scholastic Standing for restoration of writing credit denied under (a) in either of the following situations:

        1. if the student is in good standing as defined in Rule 11.2.; or

        2. if the student has a 2.0 average in the student's most recent two semesters and restoration of writing credit would give the student sufficient writing credits to graduate.

    (c) The Committee shall restore writing credit if the Committee finds that restoration is appropriate given the student's academic record.

    (d) Restored credit may reflect only courses that were passed and not subsequently repeated.

Rule 7.8: Waivers for Students Completing Part of Their Degree Requirements Elsewhere.

    (a) The Committee on Academic Petitions may waive the requirement for nine writing credits for students who (by reason of starting their legal education elsewhere, or by reason of visiting other institutions under Topic 14) complete part of their degree requirements elsewhere.

    (b) Such a waiver may be granted if the student shows that the student earned writing credit at this and other institutions to the extent possible and that application of the requirements of this Topic would cause unreasonable hardship.

    (c) The Committee may, in lieu of or in addition to waiving the required number of writing units, waive the academic year limits of Rule 7.2.

Rule 8.1: Full-Time and Part-Time Students.

    (a) Students, at the time of initial registration, shall designate themselves as either "full-time" or "part-time."

    (b) Any student seeking to designate himself or herself as full-time must certify that he or she is not working more than fifteen hours per week during the school year. Such certification must be renewed every semester. All students not so certifying will be considered part-time students. Students wishing to transfer from part-time to full-time status must similarly certify.

Rule 8.2: Course Loads for Part-Time Students.

    (a) Part-time students must enroll in at least eight course credits each semester, but may not enroll in more than eleven course credits.

    (b) A part-time student who needs less than eight course credits to fulfill the course credit requirements to graduate may enroll for less than eight course credits in a semester if the student is in good standing.

Rule 8.3: Course Loads for Full-Time Students. Full-time students must enroll in at least twelve credits each semester, but may not enroll in more than sixteen course credits. A full-time student may, however, enroll in seventeen course credits provided that at least one of those credits is a non-course credit as designated in Rule 3.5.

Rule 8.4: Non-Course Credit. A student may, subject to Rule 3.5, enroll in and participate in up to two non-course credit activities each semester, so long as

    (a) the two activities combined do not add up to more than five non-course credits in any one semester; and

    (b) the student is not simultaneously enrolled or participating in Law Journal and the Hunter Moot Court Board.

Rule 8.5: Allocation of Credit for Activities Extending Over More Than One Semester.

    (a) When a course or other credit program extends over two semesters, half of the credit shall be allocated to each semester for the purpose of compliance with this Topic.

    (b) Pending the completion of the second semester, a student enrolled in such a course shall receive a grade of N for the first semester. Such a grade carries no course credit. At the end of the second semester, a grade of Pass or No Credit shall be substituted.

Rule 8.6: Course Loads for Summer Sessions. Students certifying that they are not employed more than fifteen hours per week may enroll in up to eight course credits in summer session. All other students may enroll in up to five course credits.

Rule 8.7: Non-Matriculated Students. Non-matriculated students may, with the Dean's permission, take fewer than eight course credits in any semester.

Rule 8.8: Auditing Courses.

    (a) Students may, with the permission of the professor, enroll in a course as auditors.

    (b) Courses in which the student is enrolled as an auditor are taken into account in determining whether the student has exceeded the maximum number of course credits which may be taken, but are not taken into account in determining whether the student has complied with the minimum number of course credits which must be taken in a semester.

    (c) Courses in which the student is enrolled as an auditor shall appear on the student's law school transcript, but no credit shall be given for such a course.

    (d) A student enrolled as an auditor need not take the final examination, but is responsible for all other work required of students in the course.

    (e) A student may be given either a grade of S (satisfactory) or U (unsatisfactory) for an audited course. If an audited course extends over two semesters, then the student shall receive a grade of N for the first semester. At the end of the second semester, a grade of S or U shall be substituted for the grade of N.

    (f) Nothing in this rule is intended to bar a student from attending a course, with the professor's permission, as an informal auditor.
    
Rule 8.9: Civil Practice Clinic and Externship. A student may not take Externship and Civil Practice Clinic simultaneously.

Rule 9.1: Basis for Grading.

    (a) Evaluation of student performance shall, in primary part, be based on written work, such as written examinations, research papers, drafting exercises, or briefs. In addition, student performance may be evaluated on demonstrated ability to investigate, counsel, interview, negotiate, litigate, and to perform other lawyering activities.

    (b) Each course shall include a written examination or examinations that count at least fifty percent (50%) of a student's grade. The foregoing sentence does not apply to seminars, practice courses, or other courses exempted by the Faculty.

    (c) Any requirements of a course in addition to or other than taking a final examination shall be announced during the first week of classes along with the anticipated weight of such requirements.

    (d) Any final examination shall be given at the date designated in the examination schedule (or, in the case of a take-home exam, due on the date on the examination schedule, except if announced otherwise by the professor in the first week).

Rule 9.2: Anonymous Grading. A professor shall submit grades by examination number in any course in which the grade is based in whole or part on an examination. The procedure for obtaining examination numbers shall be specified by the Administration. The identity of the individual corresponding to the exam number shall not be disclosed by the Administration until after grades have been submitted in all courses. No student shall reveal, directly or indirectly, his or her identity or that of any other student on an examination or other anonymously-graded activity.

Rule 9.3: Grading on the Basis of Papers or Presentations. If a course includes a final examination, grades for any required or optional papers, presentations or other requirements must be submitted in advance of the date of the final examination. Grades for the final examination shall be submitted anonymously. The Administration shall sum the scores, using the weights assigned by the professor, and shall return the summed scores, listed by exam number, to the professor for the assignment of grades.

Rule 9.4: Grading on the Basis of Class Participation.

    (a) A professor may base a grade in part on evaluation of class participation, provided notice is given by the professor during the first week of class of his or her intention to reserve the right to do so.

    (b) An evaluation for class participation may move the student's grade up or down by no more than one-half grade.

    (c) Since there is no grade between D and F, an evaluation of class participation may neither change what would otherwise be a grade of D to an F, nor change what would otherwise be a grade of F to a D.

    (d) If the course includes an examination or other anonymously-graded elements, any evaluation for class participation must be submitted before the anonymity of such elements has been lifted.

    (e) This rule applies only in courses in which a written examination or examinations count at least half (50%) of a student's grade. In all other courses, a professor may give such weight to class participation as seems appropriate, provided Rule 9.1 is complied with.

Rule 10.1: Exclusivity of This Procedure. Once a grade (other than an INC or a TZ) has been submitted by the professor, it may be changed only as provided in this Topic.

Rule 10.2: Procedure for Grade Changes. A student, with the concurrence of the professor, may request in writing that the Dean alter a grade. Such request may be granted only upon a demonstration that an arithmetical or other ministerial error (e.g. overlooking the existence of a bluebook) occurred in the course of grading.

Rule 11.1: Classification of Students. At the end of each semester, each student shall be classified as either:

    (a) in good standing;

    (b) on warning; or

    (c) re-admitted on probation.

Rule 11.2: Requirements to be Considered in Good Standing. The following students shall be considered to be in good standing:

    (a) Any student in his or her second semester of enrollment who has earned a 2.0 average in the first semester of enrollment;

    (b) Any student who, after attending for an even number of semesters, has earned a cumulative 2.0 average and a 2.0 average in his or her previous academic year;

    (c) Any student who has attended for an odd number of semesters greater than one if the student complied with (b) at the end of the student's most recent academic year and earned a 2.0 average in the student's most recent semester of enrollment.

Rule 11.3: Students on Warning.

    (a) A student shall be considered to be on warning if the student fails to earn a 2.0 average for the first semester of an academic year. Such a student may not enroll in the Civil Practice Clinic or the Externship Program, or serve on law school committees, and shall be subject to such additional limitations as may be imposed by the Committee on Scholastic Standing, either by rule or in individual cases, as deemed necessary or appropriate for the student's legal education.

    (b) At the end of the next semester of enrollment, the student shall be re- classified as either in good standing or as dismissed.

Rule 11.4: Students on Probation.

    (a) A student who earns less than a 2.0 average in an academic year shall be dismissed. Any re-admission shall be on probation.

    (b) If the student's average during the academic year for which the student was dismissed was 1.75 or better, and the student has not previously earned less than a 2.0 average for a year, the student shall be automatically re-admitted on probation.

    (c) If the student's average during the academic year for which the student was dismissed was less than 1.75, the student may be re-admitted only by petitioning the Committee on Scholastic Standing for re-admission on probation.

    (d) The Committee may grant such a petition if it finds that the student has demonstrated sufficient potential so that if re-admitted there would be substantial likelihood that the student would satisfactorily complete his or her law studies. In addition, the Committee may, in its discretion, consider whether and to what extent the student has complied with the Rules and Regulations of the law school. In deciding whether to grant such a petition, or a petition under Rule 11.8, the Committee shall consider all relevant facts shown by the student or otherwise presented to it. Relevant facts include those that bear on the student's aptitude, motivation for legal studies, or work habits, on any circumstances that have interfered with the student's performance in law school, on means that were available for ameliorating such circumstances, and on the likelihood that such circumstances will not exist in the future. The Committee may also consider the student's performance at the law school and in previous education, as well as the student's work history. The student has the burden of demonstrating all facts necessary to support a petition for re-admission.

    (e) A student on probation is subject to the same restrictions as a student on warning. The student shall also abide by such other restrictions as may be imposed, either by rule or in individual cases, by the Committee on Scholastic Standing as the Committee may consider appropriate or necessary for the student's legal education.

Rule 11.5: Denial of Course and Writing Credit. A student who earns less than a 2.0 average in an academic year does not earn either course or writing credit for the year. Such course or writing credit may be restored under Rule 3.9 and Rule 7.7.

Rule 11.6: Requirements After Readmission on Probation. A student who has been re-admitted on probation shall remain on probation for an academic year. Such a student must earn a 2.0 average within the next academic year and must, at the end of that year, have a cumulative average of 2.0. The provisions of Topic 12 (relating to repeated courses) shall apply to the calculation of the student's cumulative average. If a student meets both these conditions as of the end of the next academic year, the student shall be considered in good standing.

Rule 11.7: Graduation While on Probation. A student on probation may graduate at the end of one semester on probation provided that:

    (a) The student earns a 2.0 average in that semester;

    (b) The Committee on Scholastic Standing agrees, pursuant to Rules 3.9 and 7.7 to restore lost course and writing credit sufficient to render the student eligible for graduation; and

    (c) The student meets all other requirements for graduation.

Rule 11.8: Previously Dismissed Students. If a student fails more than once to earn a 2.0 average in an academic year, or if a student fails, following an academic year on probation, to attain a cumulative average of 2.0, the student shall be dismissed and a strong presumption shall apply against re-admission. The presumption is rebuttable by the student only by a strong showing of very exceptional circumstances. The student has the burden of demonstrating all facts necessary to support the showing.

Rule 11.9: Repeat Petitions..

    (a) A student who has been denied re-admission under this Topic may again petition the Committee after a waiting period of at least two academic semesters.

    (b) The Committee, in denying either an initial or repeated petition, may shorten the period in (a) to a semester, or lengthen it to a maximum of six semesters depending on the strength of the student's presentation and the reasons why the student's petition was denied

    (c) A student petition to be re-admitted prior to the expiration of the waiting period may be heard only if the student demonstrates in writing that the student's circumstances have changed so much that a new hearing is appropriate. The Committee need not hold a hearing on attempts to make such a demonstration.

    (d) This rule applies only to petitions that are heard after the date of adoption of this rule, March 10, 2004.

Rule 12.1: F's in Required Courses. A student who receives an F in a required course receives no credit for the course and must repeat the course in the next academic year.

Rule 12.2: D's in Required Courses. A student who receives a D in a required course may repeat the course in the next academic year.

Rule 12.3: Repeating Elective Courses. A student who receives an F or a D in an elective course may repeat the course.

Rule 12.4: Section Assignments. When a student repeats a course, the student's section assignment is at the discretion of the Administration. The student shall not be assigned to the same professor as the one who gave the original grade unless exigent circumstances exist.

Rule 12.5: Additional Repeated Courses. The Committee on Scholastic Standing may require that a student re-admitted on probation repeat additional courses if the Committee believes this to be in the best interest of the student's legal education.

Rule 12.6: Consequences of Repeating a Course.

    (a) When a student repeats a course in accord with this Topic, the student's cumulative average shall be calculated on the basis of the grade received when the course is repeated. The substituted grade shall not affect any lost writing or course credit for the semester in which the course was originally taken, or the student's average for the year in which the course was originally taken. The original grade shall not be taken into account in calculating the student's cumulative average, but shall continue to appear on the student's transcript.

    (b) A repeated course counts towards course or writing credit only the last time it is taken and passed.

Rule 13.1: Deadline for Completing Course Requirements. Except as allowed in this Topic, all course and seminar requirements must be completed by the end of the exam period for the term in which the course or seminar is taken.

Rule 13.2: Course Requirements Other Than Taking a Final Exam. In the case of requirements other than taking a final examination, the student may receive permission in writing from the professor to defer the fulfillment of such requirements for good cause. If a student does not receive such permission, the student will be considered to have earned an F for those requirements, and may be awarded an F for the course. If a student receives such permission, the grade of INC will be given. If the requirement has not been fulfilled within the student's next two semesters of enrollment (or such shorter time prescribed in writing by the professor), the student shall be considered to have earned an F for those requirements, and may be awarded an F for the course.

Rule 13.3: Course Requirement of Taking a Final Exam.

    (a) If the course requires the student to take and pass a final examination, the student may be excused in advance of the examination for good cause by the Dean of Students. If a student receives such permission, the grade of INC will be given.

    (b) "Good cause", as used in (a), means an incapacitating medical condition (as documented by a physician according to the requirements of the Dean of Students), family emergency or religious observance. The Administration may publish procedures for establishing "good cause."

    (c) A student who fails without excuse to take a final examination shall be considered to have earned an F on the examination, and may be given an F for the course.

Rule 13.4: Consequences of Grade of INC. When a student has received a grade of INC, the student's grade-point average will be calculated without the course and no course credit shall be given for the course.

Rule 13.5: Enrollment not Required to Make up Missed Requirements. A student may take deferred examinations or complete other course requirements excused from a previous semester in a semester in which that student is not enrolled.

Rule 13.6: Making up Missed Exams.

    (a) Unless other arrangements are made with the consent of the Dean of Students and the professor teaching the course, exams missed with an excuse shall be made up the next time the course is given, without regard to whether the course is being offered by the same professor.

    (b) The Dean of Students and the professor teaching the course may agree to allow a student, in lieu of taking the exam the next time the course is offered, to either:

        1. take the missed examination; or
        2. take a different examination; or
        3. take the examination the next time the professor offers the course if the course will be offered by that professor in the same or following academic year as the course in which the examination was missed.

    (c) In an appropriate case, the Dean of Students may allow a student who has missed an exam to withdraw from the course retroactively with a grade of W.

    (d) If the student had been scheduled to graduate at the end of the semester in which the examination is missed, the Dean of Students and the professor teaching the course shall allow the student to utilize one of the options in (b), or the Dean of Students shall allow the student, upon the student's request, to withdraw from the course retroactively with a grade of W.

Rule 13.7: Consequences of Not Making up the Exam.

    (a) If a student is enrolled in the school the next time the exam is given, and does not make up a missed exam at that time or beforehand, the grade of INC for the course shall convert into an F.

    (b) If the student is medically excused from the make-up, then the grade of INC shall not convert into an F, but the student shall not be permitted to enroll for further courses until the exam has been taken.

Rule 14.1: General Provisions.

    (a) Course credit for courses taken elsewhere (other than courses at a law school taken prior to being enrolled at this institution) is given only when:

        (1) The student obtains advance permission as required in this Topic; and

        (2) The student earns a C (2.0) or better (or the equivalent); and

        (3) the student submits an official transcript of the grades in those courses; and

        (4) the award of credit would be in accord with the ceiling established by Rule 3.4 and the requirements of this Topic.

    (b)    If advance permission as required in this Topic has not been received, the student may receive credit by demonstrating good cause to the Committee on Academic Petitions why it was not possible to obtain advance permission. A student not obtaining advance permission proceeds at his or her risk.

    (c)    All graduate courses taken while enrolled in this law school, whether or not for law school credit and whether or not as part of a joint degree program, count towards the restrictions on course credits of Rule 8.3 and in determining whether a student is subject to the restrictions on employment of Rule 8.1.

Rule 14.2: Dual-Degree Programs.

    (a) A student in good academic standing may pursue a dual-degree program if the student is admitted both by this law school and the graduate school at which the student wishes to pursue dual-degree studies.
    
    (b) Such a program may be pursued either through the programs published in the catalog or, with special permission of the Committee on Academic Petitions, on an individual basis. In deciding whether to grant permission, the Committee shall consider the likelihood of the student's success in such a program and the extent to which the graduate program is related to the study of law.

    (c) Such a program shall require the student to spend at the graduate school at least one year in residence, as defined by the graduate school. This does not apply to the dual-degree program with the School of Business-Camden.

    (d) A student in a dual-degree program may, if the degree is earned, apply towards the course credit requirements up to twelve course credits and apply towards the writing credit requirements two writing credits. If the degree is not earned, then the student may apply towards the course credit requirements only those credits permitted by Rule 14.3

    (e) The Committee on Academic Petitions shall specify, either by rule or by decision in individual cases, the graduate courses for which law school credit may be conferred. The Committee shall not approve credit for any course that substantially overlaps offerings of the law school.

    (f) To receive credit in an approved course, the student must receive a grade of C or better. In the case of the dual-degree program with the School of Public Policy, the student must receive a grade of B minus or better.

    (g) The Associate Dean for Academic Affairs shall be responsible for advising students engaged in dual-degree programs.

Rule 14.3: Graduate Credits Other Than in a Dual-degree Program.

    (a) Students who are not in an approved dual-degree program may apply towards the course credit requirements up to six course credits for graduate courses taken outside the law school, provided the Committee on Academic Petitions approves the enrollment in advance and that a grade of C is earned.

    (b) The Committee shall approve the enrollment if it finds that (1) the student is in good standing; (2) the course does not overlap with any law school course; and (3) the student demonstrates that taking the course is essential to his or her intellectual or practice objectives.

    (c) No credit shall be granted for graduate level courses completed prior to enrollment in the law school, or during any period for which the student had been dismissed. In no case under this Rule may a student receive course credit for units that are being applied to earn a degree elsewhere.

    (d) Nothing in this Rule is intended to bar students from enrolling in graduate- level courses other than for law school credit. Such enrollment shall be subject to the Rules of the graduate institution in which the student is enrolled.

Rule 14.4: Students Visiting Elsewhere.

    (a) A student in good standing may, with the advance permission of the Committee on Academic Petitions, take a summer session or one or more semesters at another ABA-accredited law school. The Committee shall grant such permission if it finds that granting the student permission is in the best interest of the student and this institution. The Committee may consider, among other factors, the nature of the course proposed to be taken, its relationship to the student's course of study at this school, the institution at which the course is offered, the student's academic record at this school, and the student's prior education.

    (b) A student visiting elsewhere must receive advance approval from the Committee on Academic Petitions for the student's proposed courses, and earn a C in each such course. The Committee shall approve the proposed courses unless (1) the courses overlap with courses previously taken; or (2) the courses would result in a violation of the Rules (including Rules relating to externships or non-course credit) that would have applied to the student were the student taking the courses at this law school.

    (c) In no instance may a student receive more than eight course credits for courses taken in a single summer, or receive credit in excess of the amount permitted by the ABA's Rules regarding the minimum number of class hours necessary to receive credit in a course.

Rule 14.5: Courses Taken Elsewhere.
    (a) A student in good standing may, with the advance permission of the Committee on Academic Petitions, take an elective course at another ABA-approved law school in a semester or summer session in which the student is enrolled at this law school. The Committee shall give permission if it finds that granting the student permission is in the best interest of the student and this institution. Credit shall be given only if the student earns a grade of C or higher. The Committee may consider, among other factors, the nature of the course proposed to be taken, its relationship to the student's course of study at this school, the institution at which the course is offered, the student's academic record at this school, and the student's prior education.

    (b) The Committee may permit a student in good standing or on warning to take a required course at another ABA-approved institution in a semester when that course is not offered at this institution if denying such permission would result in extraordinary hardship to the student and granting such permission is in the best interest of the student and this institution. Credit shall be given only if the student earns a grade of C or higher. The Committee may consider the factors in subparagraph (a) and may attach such conditions and limitations to such permission as it deems necessary. Such conditions and limitations shall assure the equivalence of any such course to required by Topic 6.

Rule 14.6: Writing Credit for Courses Taken Elsewhere. Credit towards the writing requirements of Topic 7 may be given for courses taken elsewhere to the extent allowed in that Topic.

Rule 14.7: Individual Study Abroad at Non-ABA Accredited Institutions.

    (a) A student may, with the advance permission of the Committee on Academic Petitions, receive credit for courses taken at a foreign institution that provides an academic program leading to a first degree in law.

    (b) The student must be in good academic standing, have completed one year of full- or part-time study of law, and demonstrate fluency in the language of instruction at the foreign institution.

    (c) The Committee shall grant permission to a student meeting the standards of (b) if it finds that:
        (1) the student's study fulfills the educational objectives defined in the Faculty Resolution of May 10, 1995, as amended,

        (2) the student's program of study accords with the provisions of these Rules and the requirements of the American Bar Association and the Association of American Law Schools,

        (3) the Committee has received written assurance from the foreign institution that the student's proposed educational objectives can be achieved at that institution, and

        (4) granting permission is in the best interest of the student and this institution. The Committee may consider, among other factors, the nature of the course proposed to be taken, its relationship to the student's course of study at this school, the institution at which the course is offered, the student's academic record at this school, and the student's prior education.

    (d) The Committee shall not allow more than two students to receive credit in the same term for study at a single foreign institution.

    (e) If the Committee approves the petition, it shall, after consultation with the Dean, assign the student a full-time faculty member at this institution to effectively monitor the student's course of study, and to develop, in conjunction with the student, a plan that defines the educational objectives sought to be achieved by the student during the period of study abroad, and that specifies the methods to be employed in evaluating the Student's performance.

    (f) The student's selection of courses must be approved in advance by the Committee.

    (g) The student may receive up to 14 units of course credit for work undertaken under this Rule if all requirements of the American Bar Association and Association of American Law Schools are satisfied. Such course credit shall be awarded if the Committee finds, upon sufficient review of the student's written work, that his or her study has met its educational objectives and those of the parent school. Writing credit may be approved by the Committee to the extent consistent with the requirements of Topic 7.

    (h) All aspects of the student's program not governed by these Rules shall be controlled by the American Bar Association's Criteria for Approval of Individual Student Study Abroad for Academic Credit.

Rule 15.1: Registration.

    (a) A student may receive credit only for courses for which he or she is properly registered.

    (b) To be properly registered, a student must abide by the University's and law school's published procedures and pay all required fees and tuition.

    (c) Any course or seminar may carry with it requirements established by the professor that a student previously or simultaneously take another course. Except with the permission of the professor, no student may register in the course or seminar without having satisfied the prerequisites.

Rule 15.2: Changes in Course Load.

    (a) A student may add courses within the first week of classes.

    (b) A student may drop courses (other than courses that are required to be taken in a particular semester) within the first two weeks of classes.

    (c) After the first two weeks of classes, and prior to the last two weeks of classes, a student may drop courses with the permission of the Dean of Students. Any such courses shall appear on the student's transcript with the symbol W. If the student withdraws without permission, the student receives a grade of TZ, which shall change to an F six months from withdrawal unless a grade change is processed under procedures prescribed by the Dean.

Rule 15.3: Petitions for Leaves of Absence and Withdrawals.

    (a) A student may petition under this Topic for either a leave of absence or a withdrawal. Such a petition may be granted for good cause.

    (b) A leave of absence may be granted upon completion of one or more semesters at this law school. A leave of absence will be granted after the commencement of classes only under extraordinary circumstances.
    
    (c) A withdrawal may be granted after the commencement of classes. A withdrawal may be granted in or after the last two weeks of classes (in the case of a summer session, the last week of classes) under extraordinary circumstances.

Rule 15.4: Consequences of Leave of Absence and Withdrawal.

    (a) A leave of absence, if granted after the commencement of classes, shall retroactively cancel the student's registration for that semester and entitle the student to a refund of tuition. A student who has received a leave of absence during a semester shall be considered not to have been enrolled for that semester.

    (b) A withdrawal shall result in a grade of “W” in the student's courses, and entitle the student to a pro rata refund of tuition and fees to the extend prescribed by University regulations. A student who withdraws is considered to have been enrolled for the semester in which the withdrawal was taken.

Rule 15.5: Responsibility for Deciding on Petitions.

    (a) Petitions for withdrawal or leave of absence from students on warning or re- admitted on probation shall be decided upon by the Committee on Scholastic Standing.

    (b) All other petitions for withdrawal or leave of absence shall be decided upon by the Dean of Students.

    (c) The consent of the Dean of the law school is required for any withdrawal or leave of absence during or after the last two weeks of classes until the end of the semester, or during or after the last week of a summer session.

    (d) The decision-maker may impose such conditions on the withdrawal or leave of absence, or on the student's return to school following the withdrawal or leave of absence, as are appropriate.

Rule 15.6: Re-admission of Students Granted Withdrawals or Leaves of Absence.

    (a) If the petitioning student is in good academic standing, the Dean of Students may, in granting the petition, grant the student the right to re-enter within a specified period of time from the date of the leave. In no case may the right to re-enter extend beyond two years from the date of the leave.

    (b) If a student in good standing is not granted the right to re-enter, or wishes to re-enter after the expiration of the period for which the right to reenter applied, the student may re-enter only upon approval of the Committee on Admissions.              
    (c) If the petitioning student is on warning or re-admitted on probation, then the student may re-enter only upon approval of the Committee on Scholastic Standing.

    (d) If the petitioning student has not taken any examinations at this institution, then the student may re-enter only upon approval of the Committee on Admissions.

Rule 15.7: Repeat Petitions.

    (a) A student who has been denied re-admission under Rule 11.6(c) may again petition the Committee on Scholastic Standing after a waiting period of at least two academic semesters.

    (b) The Committee, in denying either an initial or repeated petition, may shorten the period in (a) to a semester, or lengthen it to a maximum of six semesters depending on the strength of the student's presentation and the reasons why the student's petition was denied

    (c) A student petition to be re-admitted prior to the expiration of the waiting period may be heard only if the student demonstrates in writing that the student's circumstances have changed so much that a new hearing is appropriate. The Committee need not hold a hearing on attempts to make such a demonstration.

    (d) This rule applies only to petitions that are heard after the date of adoption of this rule, March 10, 2004.

Rule 15.8: Enrollment Limits in Courses and Seminars.

    (a) No seminar shall contain more than fourteen students. In instances in which more than fourteen qualified students seek to enroll in a seminar, enrollment shall be by lottery under procedures published by the Associate Dean for Administration. Such procedures shall give priority to seniors who have not yet taken a seminar.

    (b) Enrollment in any course may be limited by authorization of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs in consultation with the faculty involved. The Associate Dean for Administration shall determine who shall be admitted to limited-enrollment courses.

    (c) Notwithstanding any other provision of these rules except for Rule 15.8(a), the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, with the consent of the instructor, may authorize an increase in the enrollment limit for a course. In cases where there is no rule or policy specifying an enrollment limits, the instructor may increase the enrollment limit at his/her discretion.

Rule 16.1: Dean's Scholars and Dean's List.

    (a) The Dean may designate the five percent of the students with the highest grade point averages in a semester as Dean's scholars. The Dean may designate the next twenty per cent of the students with the highest grade point averages in a semester as on the Dean's list.

    (b) The Dean may, in addition, establish a system of honors for first-year students (those who have earned 28 or fewer units of law school credit) with outstanding semester or year averages.

Rule 16.2: Honors at Graduation.

    (a) The Faculty may recommend for honors those students whose grade averages place them within the top fifteen percent of their class and who have completed the whole of their law school careers at this law school.

    (b) Students who have completed at least two terms of their academic work at another law school and whose grade point averages, on the basis of their work at this institution place them within the top fifteen percent of their class, may be recommended for honors in addition to those recommended for honors under the preceding rule.

    (c) The Faculty may recommend students eligible for honors for high honors or highest honors.

Rule 16.3: Computation of Class Rank. Except as provided in this Topic, class rank shall not be computed for any purpose.

Rule 17.1: Composition. The Committee on Academic Petitions shall consist of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs and a member of the full-time tenured or tenure- track Faculty appointed by the Dean for a two-year term. The Dean of Students and the Academic Records Administrator shall serve as non-voting members of the Committee. The Dean shall designate the Chair of the Committee.

Rule 17.2: Jurisdiction.

    The Committee shall have authority to approve or deny:

    (a) petitions pursuant to Topic 14; and
    (b) petitions for waivers of the writing requirement to the extent allowed in Topic 7.

Rule 17.3: Procedures.

    (a) A quorum shall consist of at least two voting members of the Committee. The grant of any petition or request shall require the affirmative vote of two of the voting members of the Committee.

    (b) The Committee's procedures shall, to the extent feasible, provide for standard petition forms for students; for a centralized location where petitions are docketed; and for routine approval of non-controversial matters.

Rule 17.4: Appeals.

    (a) Decisions of the Committee are not appealable.

    (b) The Committee may, in its judgment, refer a matter to the full Faculty for decision when the Committee believes that the matter involves unusual policy issues.

Rule 17.5: Report to the Faculty. The Administration shall prepare, on behalf of the Committee, an annual report to the Faculty about the Committee's activities and policy issues regarding student petitions within the Committee's jurisdiction.

Rule 18.1: Composition. The Committee on Scholastic Standing shall consist of four members of the full-time tenured or tenure-track faculty appointed by the Dean and a student in good academic standing selected by the Student Bar Association. The Dean of Students and the Academic Records Administrator shall serve as non-voting members of the Committee. The Dean shall designate one of the faculty members as the Chair of the Committee.

Rule 18.2: Jurisdiction. The Committee shall have authority to:

    (a) grant or deny petitions for

        1. readmission on probation pursuant to Topic 11;

        2. restoration of course or writing credit pursuant to Rules 3.9, 5.3 and 7.7;

        3. requests for a leave of absence or withdrawal by students on warning or re-admitted on probation, or for readmission of such students who have been granted a leave or absence or withdrawal, pursuant to Topic 15.

    (b) exercise jurisdiction over students on warning or on probation;

    (c) recommend to the Faculty such changes in the law school Rules in the areas of scholastic standing, attendance, and conduct as the Committee deems advisable;

    (d) recommend to the Faculty a list of students to be awarded honors at graduation pursuant to Rule 16.2.

Rule 18.3: Procedures.

    (a) A quorum for Committee action shall consist of three-fourths (3/4) of the Committee membership. No recommendation shall be made, or petition granted, except with the approval of three members of the Committee.

    (b) All petitions to the Committee are legal documents affecting rights and interests and should be treated as such by both the petitioner and the Committee. Thus, they should succinctly set forth the relief prayed for; the grounds upon which the petition is based; a full statement of prior faculty action; and all relevant factual material which may be necessary in order that the Committee may make a proper determination.

    (c) All petitions shall be given serious consideration by the Committee. A student may personally appear before the Committee and may be represented by counsel or by a fellow student. A student who has filed a petition with the Committee shall receive written notice at least five (5) days prior to the meeting at which the petition will be considered.

    (d) All considerations of petitions by the Committee shall be confidential and no material submitted for consideration shall be disclosed without the knowledge and consent of the petitioner.

    (e) Students re-admitted on probation must, as a prerequisite to readmission, notify the Committee (or the chairperson) in writing that they are willing to abide by the conditions attached to their readmission. Such notice must be received by the Committee (or the chairperson) within the time specified in the communication notifying the student that he/she has been re-admitted, but in no event shall that time be less than seven (7) days after the mailing of such communication.

Rule 18.4: Appeals. Decisions of the Committee are final and are not appealable.

Rule 18.5: Report to the Faculty. The Administration shall prepare, on behalf of the Committee, an annual report to the Faculty about the Committee's activities and policy issues regarding petitions within the Committee's jurisdiction.

Rule 18.6: Repeat Petitions.

    (a) A student who has been denied re-admission under Topic 11 or 15 may again petition the Committee after a waiting period of at least two academic semesters.

    (b) The Committee, in denying either an initial or repeated petition, may shorten the period in (a) to a semester, or lengthen it to a maximum of six semesters depending on the strength of the student's presentation and the reasons why the student's petition was denied

    (c) A student petition to be re-admitted prior to the expiration of the waiting period may be heard only if the student demonstrates in writing that the student's circumstances have changed so much that a new hearing is appropriate. The Committee need not hold a hearing on attempts to make such a demonstration.

    (d) This rule applies only to petitions that are heard after the date of adoption of this rule, March 10, 2004.

Rule 19.1: Procedure in General. The Faculty may, by a majority vote of those qualified to vote under the Faculty's procedures, propose a change in the Rules at any regular or special faculty meeting. Such a change shall be made available for comments by interested students and Faculty, and shall not become final until adopted at a subsequent faculty meeting held not earlier than seven days later.

Rule 19.2: Exceptions. The Faculty may, upon a two-thirds vote, waive the procedure in Rule 19.1.

Rule 20.1: Effective Date. These Rules shall take effect July 1, 1995.

Rule 20.2: Credit Previously Earned. Course credits earned under the Rules, as in effect on June 30, 1995, shall be recognized under these Rules.

Rule 20.3: Omitted Provisions. Rules in effect on June 30, 1995, relating to the governance of faculty meetings and the composition of faculty committees shall remain in effect until action is taken by the Faculty.-

Rule 20.4: Interpretation. These rules are declaratory of the Rules in effect on June 30, 1995, except insofar as these Rules are expressly to the contrary. Administrative interpretation of the Rules in effect on June 30, 1995, shall be persuasive in interpreting these Rules, except insofar as these Rules are expressly to the contrary.