Tuition: Dismissal

Preface

SANS Technology Institute (STI), a graduate program, expects a greater level of commitment and responsibility from its graduate students than might be expected in an undergraduate program.

STI has the right to dismiss a student who is:

(1) Nonresponsive

If a student is unresponsive after STI has made reasonable efforts to contact the student, then STI can provide the student with notice that the student may be dismissed from the program and will not be eligible to reapply if the student does not contact STI within 30 days with an explanation.

• If the student submits a response within that time, then STI will review the student's explanation and make a determination. The student will be notified within 30 days after STI receives the explanation from the student. The notice will state either that the explanation is acceptable; or that the student is dismissed, the effective date of dismissal, and that the student has 30 days to appeal the dismissal.
• If the student does not provide a response within that time, then STI will send a notice to the student that the student is dismissed, the effective date of dismissal, and that the student has 30 days to appeal the dismissal
• Reasonable efforts in this section is defined as: at least two emails to student and at least one phone call to student.

(2) Not Making Reasonable Progress Through Requirements

Not making reasonable progress in taking courses, certification attempts, writing papers/projects, performing Community Project Requirements, and/or progressing per the goals in the student's outcome statement.

If the student is not making reasonable progress after discussions with the Dean of Students, then the Dean of Students will enlist the services of either the Department Chair or the President to have one of them reach out to the student. (On occasion, the Dean of Students may deem it reasonable in her opinion to ask another person such as a Director on the Board or other appropriate STI staff person to consult with a student). After that person reaches out to the student, if it still appears that the student is not making reasonable progress, then STI will send a notice to the student stating that the student may be dismissed from the program if the student does not submit a reasonable plan within 30 days. If the student submits a plan within that time, then STI will review the student's plan and make a determination. The student will be notified within 30 days after STI receives the plan from the student. The notice will state that the (1) plan is acceptable; or that (2) the student is dismissed, the effective date of the dismissal, and that the student has 30 days to appeal the dismissal.

[Note: Students have five years to complete the program after admittance; they generally are employed full-time; they are not on a set academic schedule such as semesters, etc. However, they need to make reasonable progress in the program. Their progress is evaluated and discussed with the student periodically throughout the time period they are in the program.]

(3) Not Making Adequate Academic Progress in Terms of Grades

For the purposes of this section, grades mean numeric grades and pass/fail grades.

Master's students must earn scores of 80 or higher in each course/certification and must have passing papers/projects in courses/certs that require papers/projects. Students also must pass each of the Community Project Requirements.

Note: Any failing score for a Community Project Requirement must be discussed by STI with the full time faculty committee before the score is awarded.

If the student is not making reasonable academic progress in terms of grades after discussions with the Dean of Students, then the Dean of Students will enlist the services of either the Department Chair or the President to have one of them reach out to the student. (On occasion, the Dean of Students may deem it reasonable in her opinion to ask a Course Advisor or Director on the Board or other appropriate STI staff person to consult with a student). After that person reaches out to the student, if it still appears that the student is not making reasonable progress toward raising his/her grade, then STI will send a notice to the student stating that the student may be dismissed from the program if the student does not raise his/her grade within a time to be explicitly stated. If the grade is not raised within that time, then STI will send a notice to the student stating that the student is dismissed, the effective date of the dismissal, and that the student has 30 days to appeal the dismissal.

In general, students are given a reasonable period of time within which to bring up the grade to passing level.

* If a student needs to retake a GIAC cert or resubmit a Gold paper in order to obtain a higher score, there likely is a fee imposed by GIAC. STI can charge a regrade fee for re-dos for submissions graded by STI; see the regrade fee page.

(4) Engaging in Illegal/Unacceptable Behavior

Engaging in illegal, or other unacceptable behavior as described in the student codes of conduct page and the student appeals page. STI will notify the student of the accusation, and the student will be given a reasonable time to respond in writing to the accusation. After reviewing the accusation and the response, STI will render a decision regarding the violation(s). In some cases, it will be deemed to merit a dismissal. If so, STI will notify the student of the dismissal, the effective date of the dismissal, and that the student has 30 days to appeal the dismissal.

(5) Emergency

In rare circumstances, STI may determine in its reasonable judgment that the situation requires an immediate dismissal without prior notice. As one example: the student's behavior is a danger to the student or others.

(6) Unusual Situations

There may be other unusual situations where a student is subject to dismissal.

Notice to Students Regarding Dismissal

In the field of information security, email communication is the standard method of notice. Notices to students will be sent to the student's email address. If it is clear to STI that the student is no longer at that email address, then STI will send the notice by certified mail. The notice will be sent by the STI Dean of Student Services, or the Department Chair, or the President.

• If it is possible for the student to correct the situation, then he/she will be given a statement about what must be done within a certain time to resolve the problem. If the student does not meet the requirements within that time, then he/she can be dismissed from the degree program; in which case the student will be given notification of the dismissal. That notice will state when the effective date of the dismissal, and that the student has 30 days to appeal the dismissal.
• If the situation is not subject to correction, the student will be notified of the dismissal, the effective date of the dismissal will be effective, and that the student has 30 days to appeal the dismissal.

No Refund of Fees: The application fee and library/media fee are NOT refundable. In general, there would be no fees to refund since students pay only for each course/cert attempt that the student undertakes, as opposed to paying for several courses up-front.

Appeal of Dismissal: Students may appeal their dismissal within 30 days of the notice of dismissal that is provided by STI to the student. The student should send a notice of appeal to info@sans.edu. The following are the persons or entities authorized to make a final decision on an appeal regarding dismissal: the STI President or the STI full-time faculty committee. The President or the STI full-time faculty committee will render a decision within 30 days of receiving student's notice. That decision will be final.

Other types of appeals: The above applies when the nature of the grievance is an appeal regarding dismissal. There are other appeal methods depending on the nature of the grievance. For those other types of grievances/appeals, see the appeals and grievances page.