Academic Policies and Resources

The information below provides academic policy and resource information for all undergraduate courses:

Important Dates Related to Registration and Grading

Undergraduate Academic Policies

All Columbia College Chicago academic policies are available in the catalog.

Expectations for Online Course Sessions

Recording of all Columbia College Chicago courses is governed by Illinois law. The State of Illinois requires the consent of both parties for the recording of any conversation. Therefore, instructors should announce their intention to record any class discussions for the benefit of students participating remotely and give students the opportunity to contact them with questions or concerns. The instructor's announcement may be for an individual class session or included as a policy in the syllabus. Similarly, students should only record class sessions with the consent of the instructor.

If a student is given authorization to record any portion of a classroom session, that student understands that the recording is for the sole use of the individual student and may not be reproduced, sold, posted online, or otherwise distributed. A student does not have permission to reproduce or post the information on any social media (e.g., YouTube, FaceBook, etc.), or other public or private forum that would infringe on the privacy rights of others represented in the recording.

Guests and outside visitors should not join remote class sessions without the explicit consent of the instructor. In remote courses, students and teachers bring the virtual classroom into the privacy of their home or living situation. It is our collective responsibility to respect and protect each other’s privacy and any personal information that may be shared during a remote class session.  

Changing your Chosen Name, Pronouns, and Gender Identity in MyColumbia and Canvas

Students can change their chosen name, pronouns, and gender identity in the new MyColumbia. Begin by navigating to selfservice.colum.edu. Click your user name in the upper right of the screen, and select “User Profile.” Then choose, “Edit Personal Identity” below your profile image.

This will display a pop-up menu. Here, you can edit your chosen name and/or select your pronouns.

Click “Save” to finalize your changes.

Once you have saved your chosen name and pronouns in this system, they will also update (after a brief delay) in Canvas and other college systems.

Students with Disabilities Statement

Columbia seeks to maintain a supportive academic environment for students with disabilities. Students seeking accommodations for a disability must register with the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) office. To register for services, students should go to the SSD website to start the online application process. Once registered, every semester the student must request their accommodation letters through the SSD website.  Accommodation letters will be emailed to each instructor as directed by the student. Students are encouraged to request their accommodation letters at the beginning of the semester so that instructors are aware of their accommodation needs and they can be arranged in a timely manner. Accommodations begin when the letter is emailed to the instructor. Students with disabilities should contact SSD with any questions about services, including how to apply for services or request accommodation letters. They should visit the SSD website, contact SSD by email ssd@colum.edu or phone 312-369-8296, or visit SSD at 623 S. Wabash Avenue, Room 311. 

Mandatory Attendance Policy Statement (for undergraduate syllabi only)

Students are required to attend class regularly. Failure to attend class in the first two weeks of the term will negatively impact financial aid. If your professor reports that you failed to attend and participate in class during the add/drop period, a grade of NS (no-show) will be entered on your record for the course. Please note: You will still be charged tuition and fees for any course for which you receive a NS grade. For more information on non-attendance, please visit the  Columbia Central website.

Academic Progress Reports

During week 6 of the fall and spring terms, Columbia measures the academic progress of all undergraduate students. The academic progress report is meant to provide a sense of your performance at this point in time. For each course in which you are enrolled, your instructor will assign you one of the following academic progress reports:

While the academic progress report is not a final grade and will not affect your grade point average, it is a valuable indicator of your performance in the course to date. Columbia is committed to your success, and this process is important to understand your progress towards that success. If you are not meeting basic expectations, you will receive this progress report via email, and you are strongly encouraged to discuss course expectations with your instructor(s).

Student Government Association Statement

The Student Government Association (SGA) of Columbia represents the student voice and strives to construct a better union within the Columbia Community. SGA serves as the liaison between students and administration to improve the student experience, both inside and outside of the classroom. Through leadership and strong representation, our goal is to provide students with opportunities to grow academically, artistically, and professionally.

SGA consists of an Executive Branch, Legislative Branch, and Committees of the Senate. All students currently enrolled at Columbia are eligible to become a departmental, non-departmental senator, or general member. Annual programs include Meet SGA, Chair and Dean Town Halls, Senator Forum Weeks, and Let's Chat. For more information please attend weekly meetings Tuesdays from 5–6 p.m. at 916 S. Wabash Ave., The Loft, or visit the SGA website .

Center for Student Success

33 Ida B. Wells, 1st Floor
312-369-7645
studentsuccess@colum.edu

The Center for Student Success is the First Stop for Academic, Financial, and Holistic Support. It houses the Academic Advisors, Financial Advisors, and many other support services in one space.

The Center for Student Success was created to support students as they navigate the Columbia experience by connecting them to professional resources on campus and removing obstacles on their way to graduation.

The Center offers several ways for students to find support and to engage with professional staff. Students can drop in for a quick consultation, schedule an appointment, attend a success workshop, or connect with staff online, via email, or phone.

The Career Center

618 S. Michigan Ave., Ground Floor
312-369-7280

The Career Center develops programs and services to provide Columbia students with self-knowledge, experience, and connections to industry in order to develop career confidence, enhance their employability, and pursue meaningful career-related experiences. Visit the Career Center to explore internships that are right for you.

Academic Center for Tutoring

33 E. Ida B. Wells Drive, Sixth floor
312-369-8130

The  Academic Center for Tutoring provides students from all disciplines, backgrounds, and levels of expertise the opportunity to develop diverse skills and strategies that will enhance their academic success within a safe and inclusive learning environment.

Tutors work collaboratively with students to produce knowledge through high-quality individual, small-group and large-group student-centered learning. Tutoring services are offered in writing, science, math, accounting and finance, foreign language, music theory, audio arts and acoustics, and software applications. Appointments are available for in-person and online tutoring.

Center for Student Wellbeing

623 S. Wabash Ave
Suite 303
Chicago, IL 60605
(312) 369-8700

The Center for Student Wellbeing offers a variety of rapid intervention mental health service options for students of the College, as well as a room that welcomes students needing decompression, resources, quiet, or access to sensory tools in a decompression space designed to engage wellness and resilience. Service offerings include a consultation line for campuswide requests for mental health support for students; a drop-in decompression space; group offerings; therapeutic case management; acute care; and short-term counseling. The College also offers 24/7, “in your pocket” mental health support through the TimelyCare app where students can request both one-time and ongoing therapy services at any hour from any device. The Center for Student Wellbeing seeks to engage students in relational, meaningful therapeutic care that positively impacts student mental health and access to broader community. The Center can support any student interested in seeking mental health resources in community in connecting with providers across Illinois, as well.

The Tech Bar

Student Center
754 S. Wabash, 1st Floor
M-Th, 8:30am-5pm, Fri 8:30am-3pm

The TechBar is your go-to resource for first-tier technology support at Columbia College Chicago. Students, faculty, and staff can get help with a wide range of technology questions through walk-in assistance or phone support. Our team is here to provide friendly, first-line support and help you find solutions quickly. If your issue requires specialized assistance, we'll connect you with the appropriate support team through TeamDynamix. For services outside the TechBar's scope, we'll help guide you to the right campus resource, including Academic Department Technology Support or Information Technology. Whether you need help troubleshooting a problem, accessing a service, or finding the right support resource, we're here to help.

Scholarship Finder

Explore the Schlarship Finder for information on internal and external scholarships.

Campus Charge Card Program

Visit the Student Financial Services site for information on the Campus Card Charge program coordinated by Student Financial Services. With the optional Campus Card Charge program, your Campus Card acts as a prepaid debit card. By adding funds to your Campus Card, you can purchase books, supplies, food, beverages, printing services and other consumables at campus locations that accept Campus Card funds.

Library

624 S. Michigan Ave., First Floor
312-369-7900

The Library serves students with resources and support for research, study, collaboration, fun, and information in all formats—books, ebooks, articles, primary sources, images, film, music, space, programs, technology, and equipment. Our specialized materials and services focus on what students need and want—textbook reserves, study rooms, collaborative technology, maker lab, 3D printer, light boxes, scanners, equipment checkout (cameras, camcorders, projectors) and research assistance by chat, text, email, phone, or in-person. For more information, visit the Library website.

Syllabus Design Guidelines

The course syllabus document should be posted as a pdf and available for download on the Canvas “Syllabus” page. The syllabus and Canvas course site should include the following course-specific information:

*The course calendar is intended to give the student guidance in what may be covered during the semester and will be followed as closely as possible. However, instructors reserve the right in their discretion to modify, supplement, and make changes as course needs arise.

The syllabus document should include a link to this Academic Policies and Resources page and other policy text or links as indicated in the College syllabus template(s).