GOLLIS UNIVERSITY
ADMISSION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
DEPARTMENT OF ACADEMIC AND REGISTRAR
- Admission to Gollis University
Gollis University seeks to enroll students who can benefit from academic programs centered on small classes, a caring faculty and a safe, beautiful learning and living environment. Gollis offers two unique academic opportunities
1.1 Entrance Requirements and Procedures for Gollis University
Freshmen applicants for admission are evaluated on the following criteria:
- High School Transcripts
- Entrance Examination
- Class rank and grade point average (GPA)
- Recommendations and/or personal interviews, upon request
1.2 Recommended minimum academic criteria:
- Required preparation: Secondary School Leaving Certificate or equivalent (Algebra – 2 years, English – 4 years, Social Sciences – 2 years, Science – 2 years)
- High school trigonometry or pre-calculus is recommended for science, math, medicine, and Engineering majors
1.3 Application Procedures:
- First-time applicants
- Complete and sign the application for admission, and submit it in the Office of Admission and Student Records with the $25 nonrefundable application fee (30 for Medicine).
- Sign the transcript request form and give to the appropriate high school official.
- Take an entrance examination
- Applicants are accepted on a rolling basis and you will hear from us within two to three weeks after your application, high school record and test scores are received.
1.4 Admission Statuses
Regular Acceptance
Regular acceptance indicates that the student has been granted admission to Gollis University and is eligible to enroll in classes. Enrollment conditions may apply if the student does not meet the recommended minimum requirements.
2.0 Academic Information and Policies
Gollis University has established certain conditions to enrollment, to the number and level of courses required for a degree and other regulations governing the various majors and programs of the University. By becoming familiar with and adhering to these policies, a student can enhance the chance of successfully completing a degree and can add considerably to enjoyment of the University years. These Policies can be found in the library.
2.1 Unit of Credit
The unit of credit at Gollis University is the semester hour. The semester hour is generally earned through satisfactory participation in one period of lecture recitation or two periods of laboratory during each week of the semester. Courses in accelerated format have fewer instructional hours for the assigned credit hours. Nevertheless, students are responsible for the same learning outcomes as semester courses.
Ratio of class hours to clock hours: 1 class hour equal 50 minutes
15 class hours equal 1 credit hour.
2 lab hours equal 1 class hour.
3 clinical hours equal 1 class hour.
2.2 Student Course Load
A student is considered to be full time when registered for 12 or more credit hours per semester. Evening students are considered full-time when their load is 12 or more hours. The maximum allowable load is 19 credit hours during a particular semester, seven credits during the six-week summer session and four credits during a four-week intersession. A student on academic probation is limited to an academic load not to exceed 12 to 13 semester hour’s credit during a regular semester. A student may be permitted by the Dean of Academic Affairs, upon recommendation of the student’s academic advisor, to carry such extra credit hours. A student may be registered simultaneously at Gollis University and at another institution only with the approval of the Dean of Academic Affairs. The credit hours being obtained at the other institution are considered a part of the student’s maximum load. If the simultaneous registration has not been authorized, the transfer of credit from the other institution may be denied.
2.3 Student Classification
A student is classified by the University registrar as a sophomore when he/she has completed 36 credit hours with a cumulative grade point average of 2.5. If the student is enrolled in a course of study leading to a baccalaureate degree, he/she will be classified as a junior when he/she has completed 72 credit hours, and a senior with the completion of 108 credit hours. Further, classification as a junior requires that the student has fulfilled the writing requirement. Credit granted by examination or brought in as transfer is included in determining a student’s classification.
2.4 Computer Competency Requirement
The prevalence of computers in modern society has generated a need for some skill in using a computer. As Universities have a responsibility to provide sufficient resources and instruction to assure that their students achieve basic competency in using a computer, Gollis University students are required to demonstrate basic computer competency in order to graduate. The following will satisfy the Gollis University computer competency requirement:
- Achieving a grade of “C” or better in the introduction to Computer Science and Computer Applications courses.
2.5 Writing Requirement
All full-time students must register in either ENG 101 or ENG 102 and report writing courses until the writing requirement has been satisfied with a grade of “C” or better. Students are not permitted to postpone their composition classes as good writing skills are essential in subsequent courses.
Students will not normally be permitted to drop a course needed to fulfill the writing requirement. Such a withdrawal will be considered only in the event of unusual circumstances (illness, injury or serious financial or personal problems) and can only be authorized by the Dean of Academic Affairs in consultation with the professor and the individual responsible for the writing laboratory.
2.6 Graduating Student Assessment
Each graduating student of Gollis University
, both at the associate and at the bachelor’s level, must complete an assessment questionnaire and academic profile evaluation prior to graduation. This assessment is considered a prerequisite to graduation and is made up of two components. The first segment is a brief program assessment questionnaire that allows the candidate for a degree the opportunity to evaluate the institution, its intellectual environment and the preparation that has been provided in the student’s major. The second component is an academic profile designed to test the student’s general academic knowledge and skills. Several test dates will be announced during the first weeks of each fall and spring semester and students may select any date, which is convenient–but must complete the assessments prior to receiving a degree. The University uses the results of both the program assessment and the academic evaluation as tools for the improvement of programming and services offered by the institution. All results of the assessment and profile examination will be held strictly confidential.
3.0 Registration Procedures
The registrar will publish registration dates for each semester or other terms. Students who have been admitted to the University are eligible to register for courses offered at the University subject to any conditions of admission, class size limitations and prerequisites established for particular courses.
All courses to be taken must be approved by the registrar. No credit will be awarded for any course, which a student might take without the approval of the registrar. Registration must be completed by the last day to register or add a class for credit as published in the catalog and class schedule booklet. No student will receive credit for any course in which he/she is not formally registered. Students who do not formally drop a course by the last day to drop a class without a grade will have their names carried on that class roll and will receive the grade of “F” for the course. Students are advised that it is their individual responsibility to make certain that his/her name has been properly added to or deleted from the class roll of any class scheduled or dropped after registration day.
3.1 Registration as Day/Evening “Cross-Over”
Under certain conditions, and with the written approval of the Dean of academic affairs, a student registered in one of the several “day” programs of Gollis University may be permitted to schedule one or more classes in the evening, modular program and vice versa if a seat is available. Under no circumstances however, will an evening student be permitted to register for classes offered during the day. Neither will a day student be permitted to take an evening course in less than regular modular format.
3.2 Registration for Internships
A student who wishes to register for an internship is advised to become thoroughly familiar with and to complete the process outlined in the University’s general regulations for internships. The student is advised that while registration for an internship may take place at any time in the calendar year when the University is open, the date on which an internship begins and ends may have important consequences for student load and financial aid. No student may begin an internship or register for credit for an internship after completion of the learning experience, or before completing all steps prescribed for registering for internships.
3.4 Withdrawing from the University
In all instances in which it is necessary to withdraw from the University—regardless of the reason—the student must notify the Office of the Registrar in writing. Any student withdrawing from the University must complete a withdrawal form and participate in an exit interview conducted by the Director of Student Affairs or designee. Forms are located in the Office of Admissions and Student Records.
Any currently enrolled student of the University who fails to register for the next regular semester of course work shall be considered withdrawn from the University. Any student considered to have withdrawn must be officially readmitted according to the procedures established through the Office of Admission.
4.0 Course Administration
It is the responsibility of the faculty member to supply to each student in each credit course that she/he teaches a copy of the syllabus for the course within the first week of class or 6 hours of class time, depending on class format. The syllabus will contain the following information at a minimum:
Course title and number of the course
Current semester
Name of the professor, office number and office hours
Prerequisites
Course description
Course goal
Course objectives
Teaching methods
Evaluation methods
The author, title, and publication dates of all required and recommended texts
Recommended websites and internet linkages
The listing of all major topics to be covered in the course
The listing of probable dates of all major examinations
The method of computing the course grade
The University’s policy on class attendance
Academic Honesty
5.0 Expectations of Gollis University for Students on Taught Programs
In order to get the best from your studies and achieve your goals, the University expect you to:
- Behave in an acceptable, respectful and considerate manner to fellow students, administrators and academic staff.
- Realize that being a full time students is equivalent to having full-time job requiring at least 35 hours per week self study in preparation for workshops, seminars, lectures and assessments.
- Attend and participate in lectures and tutorials
- Be punctual in attending classes.
- Turn off mobile phones to entering class
- Complete and hand in all assignments by appropriate deadlines.
- Ensure you do not breach the Gollis University Regulations with regard to cheating, plagiarism and ethical issues.
- Comply with any Gollis University and external regulations affecting your studies.
5.1 Teaching and Learning Pattern
Teaching of most courses offered by Gollis University involves a series of lectures and case studies and is aided by group discussions and presentations. The students are encouraged to research on different case studies, which are also given to them as homework.
5.2 Policies for Attendance
5.2.1 Class Attendance
The University requires Full class attendance from each student. Absence from the class will affect student’s final grade. 10% points is reserved for the attendance for each subject. Each student at Gollis University is responsible for attending classes. They are advised that the faculty member in each course in which the student is enrolled has the chief responsibility for monitoring and ensuring to the adherence of the attendance policy for the course. This policy shall appear in the course syllabus. The faculty shall refer to and discuss this policy at the beginning of the course. The faculty should warn any student whose excessive absences may pose a danger to satisfactory completion of the course. The faculty for each course is expected by the University to maintain an accurate record of each student’s class attendance. This record shall be available to the student, the faculty advisor and the officers of the University. The faculty member should give special consideration to students involved in University-sponsored activities. Each student is responsible for conferring with professors regarding participation in such activities. The student is advised that participation in University-sponsored activities shall not excuse the student from the completion of all course assignments required by the faculty for a satisfactory grade in the course.
The University requires Full class attendance from each student. Absence from the class will affect student’s final grade. 10% points is reserved for the attendance for each course. Each student at Gollis University is responsible for attending classes. They are advised that the faculty member in each course in which the student is enrolled has the chief responsibility for monitoring and ensuring to the adherence of the attendance policy for the course.
Students are expected to be punctual and professional at all times. Non attendance or expected lateness must be conveyed to the Gollis University in good time. Students who are absent from class because of illness notify their instructors as soon as possible and must provide a medical certificate if the absence is for more than two days. All class assignments remain the responsibility of the student and are not routinely excused because of illness.
In order for us to assess any problems in connection with individual student attendance, any student who arrives more than ten minutes late for their class is politely asked to come to the Student services reception desk to explain the reason for their lateness. Punctual arrival is important as a mark of respect to your instructor, to maintain the enthusiasm of the group and enable the teacher to deliver the class in the structured way as planned.
To reinforce the importance placed upon this aspect of a student’s performance, the academic board has decided that the following conditions be applied:
- Any student arriving more than ten minutes late for a class will be recorded as present, but late. This will be taken into consideration prior to issue of the results for that course, as mentioned above.
- Arrival more than twenty minutes after the scheduled class commencement will mean that the student will be recorded as `absent` for academic purposes.
Students involved in University-sponsored activities may be given special consideration. Each student is responsible for conferring with professors regarding participation in such activities. The student is advised that participation in University-sponsored activities shall not excuse the student from the completion of all course assignments required by the faculty for a satisfactory grade in the course.
5.2.2 Class Preparation & Participative Activities
- It is expected that all materials assigned will be dealt with by the student prior to the class meeting it is due. This is necessary to facilitate class discussion.
2. All students are expected to participate in class discussions. Your learning and that of your fellow students is facilitated by your active involvement and superior performance in the classroom.
6.0 Grading System
In order to arrive at the student’s grade point average (GPA); the grades which the student has earned are assigned grade point values, known as “quality points.” Only quality points for course work taken at Gollis University are averaged for computing the GPA, except in cases for determining honors. Course work from institutions other than Gollis that is counted toward the degree is accepted only for credit to meet course requirements. Grades for courses at Gollis University and their corresponding standards and grade points are:
6.1 ASSESSMENT PROGRAM:
Your grade/mark for this Course will be based upon three forms of assessment, namely individual project, group presentation. The weighting of these forms of assessment will be as follows:
| Name | Number | Over all Marking |
| Quizzes | 3 quiz X 2.5 Marks | 10 Marks |
| Test | 2 Test | 10 Marks |
| Assignment ( Individual + group Assignment ) | 10 Marks | |
| Attendance | 10 Marks | |
| Final Exam | 60 Marks | |
| Total | 100% |
6.2 MARKING & GRADING SYSTEMS
The following marking & grading scale will apply for each subject:
F Below 50 (Fail) 0.00 Points
D 50-54 1.00 Points
C- 55-59 2.00 points
C 60-64 2.25 Points
C+ 65-69 2.50 Points
B- 70-74 2.75 Points
B 75-79 3.00 points
B+ 80-85 3.25 Points
A- 86-90 3.50 points
A 91-95 3.75 points
A+ 96-100 4.00 Points
- A Represents exceptionally high achievement as a result of aptitude, effort, and intellectual initiative. Grade points per credit hour 4
- B Represents a high achievement resultant from ability and effort. Grade points per credit hour 3
- C Represents average achievement. Grade points per credit hour 25
- D Represents the minimum passing grade in most classes. The student should be aware that a grade of “D” is not “satisfactory” completion of some courses required for a degree. Grade points per credit hour 1
- F Represents unsatisfactory performance and indicates failure in the course. A student receiving this grade can obtain credit in the course only by repeating the entire course in a subsequent term. An “F” is valued at zero credit hours and zero grade points 0
- P Represents a passing grade in a course taken on a pass-fail basis. A grade of “P” may earn credit but earns zero grade points 0
- L Represents a failing grade in a course taken on a pass-fail basis. A grade of “L” earns zero credit hours and zero grade points 0
- I represent a condition rather than a final grade. It signifies the state of being unfinished/incomplete. All “I” grades given will automatically be changed to “F” within 30 days of the end of the academic semester, intersession, module or term in which they were earned unless the required work has been satisfactorily completed. Any requests for exceptions to this regulation must be made in the form of a petition to the registrar and must receive the approval of the vice president for academic affairs. Typically, an “I” will only be given as a temporary grade for extenuating circumstances in the life of the affected student. Such extenuating circumstances include severe illness, death in the immediate family, and temporary physical disability. An “I” is used only in cases where one or two last assignments or test are not completed. An “I” carries zero credit and zero points 0
- AU Represents the successful completion of an audited class. No credit or grade reports are earned with a class audited nor can a student change his/her registration from audit to credit after the last day to register for credit. A student can change from credit to audit until the last date to drop a class without a failing grade; similarly, a change can be made from audit to credit until the last date to register or add a class for credit. An “AU” carries zero points. 0
6.3 Academic Honesty
Gollis University seeks to promote the highest standards of academic and personal integrity in all members of the campus community. All persons associated with the University’s academic community have a responsibility to establish, foster and maintain academic standards and values. In such an environment, academic dishonesty in any form cannot be tolerated. All members of the University community should report suspected acts of academic dishonesty according to the procedure stipulated below. Academic dishonesty is regarded as an act of fraud in which a student claims credit for the work or efforts of another without authorization, or uses unauthorized materials or fabricated information in any academic exercise. Academic dishonesty also includes forging academic documents, impeding or damaging the academic work of others, or assisting another in acts of academic dishonesty. Some forms of academic dishonesty can be categorized and defined as follows:
Cheating: Cheating is defined as using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information or study aids in any academic activity. Cheating includes, but is not limited to, wrongfully giving, taking or receiving aid on any academic exercise.
Fabrication: Fabrication is the falsification or invention of any information or citation in an academic exercise. Fabrication includes, but is not limited to, falsely citing a source that does not exist, knowingly citing a source incorrectly (e.g. improperly citing an article’s page numbers, volume number, etc.), and/or the falsification or improper manipulation of data of any kind.
Plagiarism: Plagiarism is any representation of the words or ideas of another as one’s own. A student who submits any exercise that uses someone else’s ideas, words, expressions or pattern of organization without properly citing/acknowledging the author, is guilty of plagiarism. Plagiarism also includes reproducing another’s work and submitting it as one’s own, whether it is an article, pages of a book, a paper from a friend, a file, or any other work. A student who has someone alter or revise work and then submits it as his/her own is also guilty of plagiarism. Although students may discuss assignments with each other and their professor, any work submitted to the professor should be done solely by the student who claims it as her own.
6.4 Withdrawing from a Course
The transcript will show no record of any course from which a student withdraws during the sanctioned drop/add period. A student officially withdrawing from regularly scheduled courses after the drop/add period, but not after the last date to drop a class, shall receive a grade of “W” for all courses. These grades are not computed in the GPA. A student who seeks to withdraw from course work in one or all courses after the last date to drop a class shall receive a grade of “F” in any or all such courses, unless good and sufficient reasons of health, accident or other personal extenuating circumstances as determined by the Vice President for Academic Affairs are demonstrated. In all such cases, and with the approval of the Vice President for Academic Affairs, the student may withdraw with a grade of “W”.
6.5 Grade Reports
Grades are reported to the registrar at mid-term (deficiencies only) and at the end of each module, semester or term. Mid-term grades are not a part of the student’s permanent record. Grades are mailed to the student’s University address at the end of each semester or term.
6.6 Re-examination Policies
A student may sit for re-examination one time only to achieve the desired grade, subject to the following conditions:
- The student wishing to sit for a re-examination must do so within two weeks from the beginning of each semester to achieve better grades than what he/she earned the previous semester.
- Only the last grade will be used in the calculation of the student’s grade point average—even if it is lower than the previous attempt.
- The students are advised that they act swiftly and sit for the re-exams within the specified period to upgrade their lower academic standings otherwise they will not graduate with a failing grade in their record. Re-exams for a course, which a student have failed can only be taken at the beginning of the semester next to the one that the student have failed unless approval is obtained by the chairperson of the applicable program and the registrar of the University.
6.7 Filing of Grades
All grades at the University become official when they have been received by the Registrar from individual members of the faculty and have been duly recorded on the student’s official transcript. Once filed with the registrar in this manner, no grade may be changed except by petition from the faculty who instructed in the course and with the approval of the Vice President for Academic Affairs. Copies of official grade reports are sent to students at the end of each semester.
6.8 Final Examinations
Final examinations in the University are scheduled for two-hour periods during the last week of the semester. The dates for final exams are published in the Schedule of Academic Offerings and will be posted to the University notice boards.
6.9 President’s and Dean’s List
At the conclusion of each semester of each academic year, the president’s and dean’s list for superior academic achievements are issued. Students eligible for the president’s list must be classified as full time and must have achieved a minimum grade point average of 3.75 for the semester. Students eligible for the dean’s list must be classified as full time and must have achieved a minimum grade point average of 3.50 for the semester. Additionally, the student must have earned no grade below a “C” for the term and must have met those criteria exclusive of any general developmental studies.
APPENDEX 1
GOLLIS UNIVERSITY
“Gollis University Empowers its Students as Professional Leaders Committed to Making a Positive Difference”
SCHOOL OF MEDICINE AND HEALTH SCIENCES
[ S O M A H S ]
FACULTY OF MEDICINE ADMISSION CRITERIA
ENTRY ADMISSION
- The university determines the admission criteria of medical students which is subject to change.
- All admissions are made collectively by the Admission Committee.
- The admission to the programme will be based on students’ interest and her/his performance (scores) in the Somaliland Higher Education Entrance Certificate Examination, which is given at the end of the last year of Secondary school.
- Students should have grade A and B, particularly in Science, English and Mathematics classes.
- Students with grade A will be given priority, but all students should have a minimum of grade B from the Pre-Medical Semester in order to be accepted to the medical degree.
- Students must at all times be physically and mentally capable of completing the medical courses and subsequently practicing as a medical doctor.
- Assessment for physical fitness and mental illness is mandatory before admission if the need arises.
- Candidates, who, in the opinion of the Faculty, merit further consideration, may be called for an oral interview before the final selection is made.
IN ADDITION TO THIS REQUIREMENTS:
ENTRY EXAM:
All applicants shall be required to sit for an entry exam and should pass all of the following subjects:-
- English
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Math
ESSAY WRITING
All applicants shall be required to submit an essay on a topic or topics so determined by the Admission Committee of the Faculty of Medicine. The purpose of the essay, besides evaluating one’s writing skills and ability of formulating thoughts, is to have some sense of the candidate’s potential as a health service provider to the sick and disabled.
INTERVIEWS
Preselected students will normally be invited for an interview, which is conducted by the Admission Committee of the Faculty of Medicine. The main objective of the interview should only be for the sole purpose of assessing the following attributes of the candidates:
1) Academic standing: An interview shall seek to determine the candidate’s academic competitiveness plus communication skills.
2) Extra-curricular activity: An interview shall also look into the candidate’s records on extra-curricular activities and, if applicable, in job performances.
3) General awareness and sense of values: A candidate’s awareness of the community he/she lives in and the sense of values, sensitivities, and concerns he/she might have on social and cultural issues shall be assessed.
4) General physical/mental condition of the aspiring student: The candidate’s overall physical and mental status will be made without conducting a formal medical examination.