Academic Honesty (Senate: 7/25/00, 7/27/04, 10/23/07; President: 2/5/01, 11/24/04, 11/29/07; Editorial Amendment: 8/01) Preamble The University in its quest for truth and knowledge embraces honesty and integrity. These fundamental values must not be compromised. The trust and respect among professors, students and the society need to be vigilantly protected. Cheating and  plagiarism can be neither justified nor condoned as this would destroy the ideals and purposes of higher education. Students enter the University to gain the knowledge and tools necessary for participation in society. Academic integrity is one foundation for a society based on trust and honesty. Therefore, the University takes seriously its responsibility for academic honesty. I.  Cheating At Cal State L. A., cheating is defined as the act of obtaining or attempting to obtain credit for academic work through the use of any dishonest, deceptive, or fraudulent means. The following examples are intended to be representative, but not all-inclusive: a) Examinations/Tests Administered by Faculty or the University Copying from another student's paper Employing signals to obtain answers from or provide answers to others Stealing or arranging for the theft of an examination Knowingly reviewing an unauthorized copy of an examination Using lecture notes or textbooks during an examination when prohibited Possessing crib notes at the location and during the time of the examination Having someone else take an examination in your place Feigning illness or telling falsehoods to avoid taking an examination at the scheduled time Claiming falsely that you took an examination at the scheduled time Storing and/or accessing course subject matter in a calculator, computer or recording device, without authorization from the instructor, when such instruments are otherwise permitted to be used during an examination period Utilizing calculators and/or other learning aids forbidden by the instructor Obtaining assistance in answering questions on a take-home examination, when such action is specifically prohibited Attempting to use or using bribery to obtain an undeserved grade Changing an answer on a graded test and claiming the student's response to the question was incorrectly marked wrong b) Papers/Reports, Laboratory/Homework Copying the work of other persons in whole or in part and claiming authorship Submitting a paper obtained from a any source that provides research/term papers Using a ghost writer to compose a paper and claiming authorship Claiming an assigned share of a team report, toward which insufficient or no contribution was made Lying about the reason for not submitting a report on time Pretending to have submitted a paper to an instructor Stealing another student's report and submitting it as one's own work Submitting the same term paper to two or more different instructors for credit in their courses without their prior permission Inventing, falsifying, or altering data for a research survey or laboratory experiment Misrepresenting the authorship of an experiment or exercise Depending upon others to complete laboratory assignments or homework when instructions call for independent work Sabotaging someone else's laboratory work or other exercise Fabricating bibliographic references II.  Plagiarism At Cal State L. A., plagiarism is defined as the act of using ideas, words, or work of another person or persons as if they were one's own, without giving proper credit to the original sources. The following examples of plagiarism are intended to be representative, but not all-inclusive: Failing to give credit via proper citations for others' ideas and concepts, data and information, statements and phrases, and/or interpretations and conclusions Failing to use quotation marks when quoting directly from another, whether it be a paragraph, a sentence, or a part thereof Paraphrasing the expressions of thought by others without appropriate quotation marks or attribution Assembling parts from various works and submitting the synthesis or single paper as one's own creation Representing another's artistic/scholarly works, such as musical compositions, computer programs, photographs, paintings, drawings, sculptures, or similar works as one's own III.  Misrepresentation Knowingly furnishing false academic information to a University official, faculty member, or campus office is subject to discipline for academic dishonesty. IV.  Collusion Any student who intentionally helps another student perform any of the above  acts of cheating, plagiarism or misrepresentation is subject to discipline for academic dishonesty. V.  Consequences and Sanctions Violations of academic honesty have a dual aspect, constituting both a breach of ethics and a form of academic non-performance.  Hence the consequences of violating this policy may fall into two categories.  Addressing the violation as an academic matter does not preclude the imposition of further administrative sanctions. Academic Consequences: Faculty have the right to establish the standards by which the academic performance of students will be evaluated, including the consequences of students not meeting some portion or all of the academic requirements of a course through acts of cheating, plagiarism, misrepresentation or collusion. These consequences may include but are not limited to assigning a lowered grade, zero or "F" on an individual assignment, or lowering the student's grade or assigning an "F" in the course.  Faculty may alternatively permit the student to repeat an assignment/test or complete and submit additional assignments. Furthermore, before these consequences can be effected, the faculty member must have verified instances of academic dishonesty by personal observation and/or documentation.   In such cases, if a student denies the charges, an instructor shall not assign a grade until the case is resolved or impose any other negative consequences.  In all cases the violation should be reported to the University Judicial Affairs Officer using the Academic Dishonesty Allegation form. Administrative Sanctions: In addition to academic consequences, the University can impose administrative sanctions. As stipulated in  Executive Order 970, Student Conduct Procedures, among other places, cheating, plagiarism, misrepresentation or collusion, in connection with an academic program or campus may warrant, but are not necessarily limited to, Expulsion Suspension Probation Withdrawal of a degree A lesser sanction Repeat offenders will receive particular consideration for administrative sanctions. VI. Reporting Procedures For the purposes of reporting allegations of academic dishonesty, the term "reporting party" includes probationary, tenured and temporary faculty, librarians, persons in academic administrative positions, counselors, coaches, and administrators of testing centers.  Teaching assistants, graduate assistants and staff should report allegations of academic dishonesty to their authorized  university supervisor.  Allegations shall be made against individual students rather than groups of students.  When a reporting party suspects that a student has committed an academically dishonest act, it is the reporting party's responsibility to take the following steps: 1.  The reporting party must first carefully consider the evidence of the apparent dishonesty. A perception, which is not supported by reasonable evidence, will not suffice. Examples (not necessarily comprehensive) of evidence sufficient to pursue action are: Documentation regarding the source of text which the student has used without proper attribution or has attempted to represent as his/her own work A demonstrably marked difference in the writing style of the student, as compared to his/her work on previous assignments Testimony from others regarding a student’s use of dishonest means to fulfill the assignment at hand Firsthand observation of the student engaging in a dishonest act, in a situation in which the student cannot effectively deny that the act took place Admission by the student that he or she undertook a dishonest act in fulfillment of the assignment at hand A suspicious degree of similarity in work done by different students Reporting parties are encouraged to discuss any perception of dishonesty and the evidentiary basis for an action with the University Judicial Affairs Officer prior to discussing perceptions of wrongdoing with the affected student. 2.  When satisfied that a reasonable evidentiary standard has been met and as soon as possible after discovering the alleged violation, the reporting party should arrange an office conference in order to inform the student of the allegations and of the due process rights (see the Academic Dishonesty Allegation form).  At the conference, the student should be informed of the supporting evidence and the consequences and procedures regarding academic dishonesty. 3.  Although the student may elect to make a decision at the office conference, the student shall be informed by the reporting party that he or she may have five (5) business days to inform the University Judicial Affairs Officer whether he or she agrees to the charges of academic dishonesty proposed by the reporting party or whether he or she requests a hearing. 4.  If the student agrees to the allegations of academic dishonesty, the Academic Dishonesty Allegation form signed by the student and the reporting party, will be filed with the University Judicial Affairs Officer for informational purposes. This information may be used for administrative sanctions. 5.  In cases when the student does not agree to the allegations of academic dishonesty, the student should sign the section of the Academic Dishonesty Allegation form requesting a hearing.  The form and all supporting documentation from both the student and the reporting party shall be forwarded to the Judicial Affairs Officer. All notes and discussions between the reporting party and the student will remain confidential as outlined in section 8 of this document. A report of academic dishonesty cannot be filed more than one year after discovery and no more than seven years after the alleged violation. The reporting party shall not assign a grade or score until the case is resolved or impose any other negative consequences. In cases where the student fails to attend the scheduled conference to discuss the alleged dishonesty, or when the alleged dishonesty is detected at the close of the quarter and the reporting party has not been successful in a good-faith effort to contact the student, an Academic Dishonesty Allegation form describing the alleged incident  and documents supporting the allegation shall be sent to both the student and the University Judicial Affairs Officer by the reporting party. The reporting party shall not assign a grade or score until the case is resolved or impose any other negative consequences. In cases where the reporting party cannot, for serious and compelling reasons, participate in any one or more parts of the above process, the department/division chair or school director shall represent the reporting party. Due Process: It is incumbent upon the academic community that students be assured of fair and equitable treatment. To that end, students have the right to due process and procedural safeguards, fair determination of facts, and sanctions justified by the evidence and appropriate to the seriousness of the offense. For purposes of this policy, the Academic Dishonesty Allegation form shall be the statement of charges against the student. If the student does not agree with the charges, he or she should so indicate on the Academic Dishonesty Allegation form.  Consequently, the University Judicial Affairs Officer will conduct an investigation of the charges and decide on their merit. The burden of proof lies with the reporting party. If the Judicial Affairs Officer determines that the charges have merit, he or she will determine the appropriate administrative sanctions and confirm the academic consequences proposed by the reporting party.  Except in extraordinary circumstances, the Judicial Affairs Officer will notify the reporting party in writing of the determination of the charges within 60 days.  Except in extraordinary circumstances, the Judicial Affairs Officer will notify the student in writing of the determination of the charges, the academic consequences, and the administrative sanctions within 60 days.  The student may appeal the determination, the academic consequences, or the administrative sanctions by requesting a hearing as described in E.O. 970. VII.  Finality of the Academic Dishonesty Process Once a determination of academic dishonesty has been made and notwithstanding any other University policy or regulation, a student does not have the right to file a grade grievance challenging a course grade on the grounds that the charges of academic dishonesty were unwarranted.  A student may pursue a grade grievance in a course in which an academic dishonesty charge was made provided that the grievance is based on issues other than the charges of academic dishonesty or if the allegation of academic dishonesty was not upheld. Notwithstanding any other University policy or regulation, and unless significant new evidence is discovered, the decision and findings of fact following a hearing, or the admission of cheating, plagiarism, misrepresentation, or collusion by a student, made in accord with this policy, shall be deemed conclusive as to any subsequent investigation or hearing arising from or relating to the same events. VIII. Confidentiality When a reporting party alleges an incident of cheating, plagiarism, misrepresentation or collusion that reporting party is expected to arrange an informal conference with the student, advise the student of the allegation(s) as well as supporting evidence thereof, and provide the student with a copy of the Academic Dishonesty Allegation form so that the student may become fully apprised of the allegation(s).  Regardless of the number of students involved, each student shall be met with individually. The student will also receive a copy of the University policy documents and procedures.  All parties to these and all subsequent deliberations regarding incidents of cheating, plagiarism, misrepresentation or collusion have the right to expect that such deliberations will occur in a setting of strictest confidentiality. Concomitant with this right of confidentiality is the obligation of all parties to refrain from any discussions of these issues regarding cheating, plagiarism, misrepresentation or collusion outside of the informal and formal conferences and meetings as outlined elsewhere in this document.  Confidentiality shall be maintained unless a legitimate need to know is established by the department/division chair or school director in order for the faculty to complete their responsibilities as University employees or in any legal action, and in a manner consistent with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) (Student Records Administration - 011, Sec 5.8) and any other applicable law.  The department/division chair or school director may consult with, or request documentation of a student's history of academic dishonesty from the Judicial Affairs Officer, and may apprise individual faculty of the student's history on a strict need to know basis.  Violators of this principle of confidentiality are themselves subject to university disciplinary action. In the matter of student records and according to Federal and State privacy laws, students have the right to protections against improper disclosure of personal information. However, it is permissible for transcripts of student academic records to contain information regarding a student's academic status including such disciplinary actions as suspension or expulsion. Being a temporary action, suspension may be expunged from the record upon the student's reinstatement. Threats/Retaliation: Any threats or acts of retaliation against any member of the faculty or staff as a consequence of implementing this policy on Academic Honesty will be cause for disciplinary action under section 41301, Title 5, California Code of Regulations, in addition to civil and criminal liabilities. VII.  Evaluation of Academic Performance Nothing in this policy is intended to limit a reporting party's ability to assign a grade to a student in a course based solely on the reporting party's individual determination of the extent to which the student achieved the objectives of the course whether or not the reporting party files a report regarding the student’s honesty. Student Grievance Procedures The procedures by which students may seek redress of grievances are detailed in Appendix G, "Student Grievance Procedures." Student Disciplinary Procedures The procedures governing hearings in matters of student discipline were established for The California State University by Chancellor's Executive Order 970 of February, 2006. These procedures are detailed in Appendix H, "Student Disciplinary Procedures." Use of Photographic Evidence in Discipline Hearings (Senate: 5/6/69; President 5/14/69) The determination of the appropriateness of photographic evidence in discipline hearings shall be considered a matter for the judgment of the committee or council charged to ascertain the facts in any discipline hearing. Access to Records of Individual Library Users (Senate: 4/21/71, 11/15/94; President 4/30/71, 3/3/95; Editorial Amendment:  9/99) Purpose. This policy is intended to protect individual users of the John F. Kennedy Memorial Library, California State University, Los Angeles, from improper disclosure or misuse of information about books charged to them and their use of the library. Modern library operations make it feasible for the library to accumulate extensive statistical information about library use, including data on borrowing patterns of different classes of users. Such information is extremely helpful in analyzing the effectiveness of the library's collections and services, in predicting future use patterns and users' needs, and in administrative applications. The library is aware of its responsibility to safeguard the confidentiality of information about any individual's use of the library. This responsibility includes but is not limited to the observance of the following guidelines. Procedures. The details of an individual's borrowing history will not be compiled unless legally required and will not be publicized, nor released to any individual or agency external to the library, nor released to unauthorized personnel within the library. This prohibition will not apply to the extent that it is necessary for the library to maintain records of delinquent borrowers and to transmit information about fines and other charges incurred by such borrowers to the University Financial Services Office for collection. However, such records will be maintained in confidence and will not be available to persons other than those involved in the assessment and collection of such charges. When, for administrative purposes, the library prepares analyses of the borrowing history of users, the names of persons involved in such studies will not be used. Circulation records that include identification of individual borrowers will not be accessible to any individual or agency external to the library nor to unauthorized personnel within the library. Once a borrowing transaction is completed, no records will be kept which will permit the circulation of history of library materials to be related to the identity of individual library users. Teacher Disclosure Policy (Senate: 3/18/65, 2/27/79; President: 5/27/65, 3/8/79)   When interrogated directly by prospective employers of any kind, or indirectly by the University's administrative officers on behalf of prospective employers, a professor can safely answer questions which the professor finds clearly concerned with the student's competence and fitness for the job. But questions relating to the student's political, religious, moral, sexual, or social beliefs, opinions, or activities may jeopardize the professor-student relationship and constitute an infringement of the student's academic freedom. The University will support any professor's decision not to respond to questions which that professor considers to be of this type.   To guard against the danger of putting their students in an unfavorable light, professors should preface each written questionnaire or oral interview with a brief pro forma statement explaining that the academic policy to which they subscribe precludes their answering certain types of questions, and that no presumptive inferences about individual students should be drawn because of their adherence to this established university policy. There should be no exceptions to the rule not to respond to such questions, even though an individual student might wish it. Personal expediency should not be permitted to override a principle which seeks to ensure the kind of intellectual climate in which unhampered inquiry and uninhibited learning can take place.   It is recommended that copies of such a statement be made available to professors for use, through their department/division/school offices. The text of such a statement might read: "It is my practice, in accordance with expressed university policy, not to answer questions relating to the student's political, religious, moral, sexual, or social beliefs, opinions, or activities because answering such questions tends to jeopardize the professor-student relationship and often constitutes an infringement of the student's academic freedom." Communications Code The regulations governing the publications and broadcasting activities subsidized by the Associated Students and affiliated with an instructional department/division/school of the University are detailed in Appendix I, "Communications Code." Instructional Television (Senate: 5/25/65; President: 6/14/65)   [Policy is under extensive revision; new policy will be included in a future supplement.] Recognition of Outstanding Achievement (Senate: 10/31/79; President: 12/5/79; Editorial Amendment:  9/99; 9/00)   Many achievements are best recognized at the college level and each college shall develop its own procedures. On special occasions such that recognition by the entire University is merited, recommendation of the person or persons to be honored shall be made to the Student  Policy Committee by any member of the university community. The nature of the achievement, the manner of its accomplishment, and its significance to the University should be included in the nomination. If the Committee concurs, the recommendation will be forwarded to the Executive Committee of the Academic Senate for appropriate action. (Approved by the President with the proviso that the policy apply only to currently enrolled or recently graduated students.) Field Trips In order to provide information to the University concerning the location of an instructor or a student in case of an emergency, and to protect the faculty member and the student in case of an accident, faculty members are asked to notify the dean's office, after approval by the department/division chair or school director, prior to leaving on such a trip. S-Factor Field Experience Courses  (Senate: 8/11/87; President: 7/25/88)   A minimum of three hours per week per unit is required of students earning credit in field experience courses. The Catalog description of each s-factor field experience course must contain a statement describing the required number of hours for that course. Division of Intercollegiate Athletics Code of Ethics for Student Athletes (Senate: 4/22/86; President: 6/25/86)   All men and women in the Cal State L.A. athletics program are student-athletes. Learning in both the classroom and the intercollegiate athletics program is necessary if emotional, social and intellectual as well as athletic growth is to occur. Each student's university experience ought to culminate in a degree in his or her chosen field of study. The intercollegiate athletics program at Cal State L.A. has as its goal the graduation of student-athletes as well as excellence in each sport. Participation in the Cal State L.A. athletics program is a privilege. Consequently, each student-athlete is expected to comply with all guidelines and policies. In addition to the National Collegiate Athletic association (NCAA), California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA), and University policies, the following standards of conduct must be observed:   1. Student-athletes shall perform to the best of their abilities both academically and athletically. 2. Student-athletes shall contribute their best effort to the success of the team. 3. Student-athletes shall conduct themselves both on and off the field in a way which brings credit to the team, the athletics program, and the University. 4. Student-athletes shall abide by the letter as well as the spirit of University rules and regulations. 5. Student-athletes shall at all times respect and be courteous to all members of the University community and to visitors to the campus. 6. Student athletes shall exhibit dignity in manner and dress when representing the University. 7. Student-athletes shall neither physically abuse nor threaten another person nor abuse any university owned or controlled property, the property of fraternities and sororities, or property associated with any university sponsored functions. 8. Student-athletes shall not use, possess, or distribute any narcotics or dangerous drugs as designated by the NCAA (with the exception of the use of drugs prescribed by a licensed physician).   Violations of these rules or others governing student behavior (e.g. housing, student life) will be handled in accord with approved policy. Behavior which is not in accord with such rules may result in reduction of grants-in-aid, suspension, or expulsion from intercollegiate athletics participation. Disciplinary actions taken by the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics may be appealed to the University's Intercollegiate Athletics Board. Division of Intercollegiate Athletics Normal Progress Statement (Senate: 9/9/83, 6/3/86, 1/25/00; President: 10/21/83, 9/2/86, 4/4/00; Editorial Amendment: 8/01)   In order to be eligible for competition in intercollegiate athletics, student-athletes must earn units in courses acceptable toward a specific degree program at a minimum rate of 36 units between seasons of competition.  As prescribed by NCAA regulations, seventy-five percent of these units (27) must be earned in fall, winter, and spring quarters.  For students who have not declared a major, no more than one-third (12) of the yearly minimum number of units may be electives.  At least two-thirds (24) of the units must be in general education and required University courses.   For students who have declared a major, at least two-thirds (24) of the units must be in general education, required University, or major courses, and free elective courses up to 12 units annually are permitted only to the extent that the particular degree program accommodates them.  Repeated courses may be counted once for normal progress, unless repetition of the course for credit has been authorized in the University Catalog.  Repeated courses and incomplete courses, when completed, will be applied toward normal progress requirements in accordance with NCAA rules.   In the calculation of the required 24 unit major, general education, and required University courses, only courses in the primary major will be included.  Courses taken in a minor, a second major, and professional education courses will be considered elective.  In the freshman year only, students may count up to 18 units of satisfactorily completed precollegiate courses acceptable for any degree program.   Student-athletes who transfer from other institutions shall be subject to the above minimum academic progress schedule upon enrollment at Cal State, L.A.   A minimum overall collegiate grade point average of 2.0 and a minimum Cal State L.A. grade point average of 2.0 must be maintained at all times in order to remain eligible for competition.  A necessary condition for practice, as well as for competition, shall be enrollment in no fewer than 12 units of coursework, unless an official graduation check form indicates that the student-athlete needs fewer than 12 units to graduate.   Student athletes must formally declare a major by the beginning of the seventh quarter of collegiate enrollment.  Seventh quarter student-athletes will be declared eligible by the Faculty Athletics Representative only after receipt of: 1.  Evidence of the student-athlete's formally declared major. 2.  A copy of the student-athlete's department/division/school advisement form signed by the department/division/school advisor.   In the case of  fall sports that begin competition prior to mid-September, juniors and seniors who have not submitted this material will be ineligible for competition.   Student-athletes who change a major will be required to supply an updated advisement form to the Faculty Athletics Representative.  After a change of major, a student-athlete may meet the normal academic progress requirements if the units earned prior to the change are acceptable toward the degree previously sought, and the units earned from the time of the change are acceptable toward the new desired degree.   This means that changing a major is not a valid reason for failing to meet normal progress. Special Action Graduate Admission Policy (Senate: 10/25/83; President: 11/8/83; Editorial Amendment:  9/99, 9/00, 8/01)   Applicants who were in good standing at the last college attended but who do not meet the mandated admission requirements may petition for admission by special action if acceptable alternative evidence exists that the applicant possesses sufficient academic, professional and other potential pertinent to the applicant's proposed graduate objective.   Special action admission may be granted by the appropriate college graduate dean upon the recommendation of both the proposed major department/division/school and the college graduate studies committee.   Students admitted by special action to Master's degree programs will be admitted to conditionally classified graduate status and must complete specific prerequisites and a minimum of 14 units of qualifying courses specified by the major department/division/school and college graduate dean with a grade point average of 3.0 as specified under Requirements for Classified Graduate Standing in the University Catalog. Students admitted to non-degree programs must complete special requirements as designated by the major department/division/school and college graduate dean. Graduates of Unaccredited Institutions (Senate: 3/9/93, 10/11/94; President: 10/25/94, 3/3/95; Editorial Amendment: 9/00, 8/01)   A degree from an unaccredited college is not recognized for admission in postbaccalaureate or graduate standing. Graduates of such institutions may be admitted in undergraduate standing if course work is deemed acceptable and meets undergraduate admission requirements, and may be granted postbaccalaureate or graduate standing upon satisfaction of the following conditions:   Meet the minimum university, college, and department/division/school requirements for admission to classified graduate standing in a degree program.   Complete a minimum of four upper division courses (at least 14 quarter units), specified in advance by the proposed major department/division/school, with a grade point average of at least B (3.0). These courses may not be 500-level. Upon recommendation of the department/division/school and the college graduate dean, 400-level qualifying courses may be applied to the master's degree program.   Receive the written recommendation of the department/division/school in which the degree is sought and of the appropriate college graduate dean. An applicant with a bachelor's degree from an unaccredited institution and a master's degree from an accredited institution may be admitted as a regular postbaccalaureate or graduate student, assuming that all other requirements have been met and that appropriate approvals have occurred. Admission of  International (Visa) Undergraduate Students (Senate: 12/9/80, 8/5/86, 2/10/02; President: 3/5/81, 5/5/87, 5/19/04; Editorial Amendment: 8/01)   International (visa) students (and all others who are not permanent U.S. residents) will be admitted to Cal State L.A. only if they meet one of the following requirements: 1. Completion of two years of acceptable college work (84 quarter units or equivalent) with a minimum 2.4 grade point average as evaluated by the University (A=4.0), an acceptable course in English composition, speech, critical thinking, and mathematics with a minimum grade of C in each course, and a minimum 550 paper-based or 213 computer-based score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). 2. Graduation from a foreign high school where the language of instruction was not exclusively English, (with a minimum 3.0 grade point average/equivalent to a U.S. B average, as evaluated by the University), a minimum 2.4 grade point average in any college work attempted (as evaluated by the University), and a minimum 550 paper-based or 213 computer-based TOEFL score. The academic eligibility requirement for high school work is the same as for graduates of  high schools in California, although submission of ACT or SAT scores is not necessary, unless specifically requested by the University.   Foreign high school equivalencies will be determined by the University; or 3. Graduation from a foreign high school where the language of instruction was not exclusively English, (with a minimum 3.0 grade point average/equivalent to a U.S. B average, as evaluated by the University), and a minimum 550 paper-based or 213 computer-based TOEFL score. The academic eligibility requirement is the same as for graduates of  high schools in California, although submission of ACT or SAT scores is not necessary. Foreign high school equivalencies will be determined by the University.   The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required of all students, regardless of citizenship, who have not attended schools at the high school level or above for at least three full years of full-time study where English is the principal language of instruction.  The TOEFL exam may be taken as a paper exam or via computer.   The Admissions Office will consider variation from the stated minimum TOEFL score requirement only for those students who have a 3.0 grade point average as evaluated by the University and whose TOEFL score is not more than ten points below the stated minimum for the paper-based test, and not more than six points below the state minimum for the computer-based test. In exceptional cases the Director of Admissions and Records may waive the TOEFL requirement upon the recommendation of the applicants major department/division/school.   The Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS) requires F-1 visa undergraduate students to carry a minimum study load of 12 quarter units. International students must have advance proof of adequate financial resources, be in good health, and comply with all University and U.S. and BCIS regulations. The University international student adviser should be consulted for information on visas, housing and related matters.   Application forms for international students, available from the Admissions Office, should be filed at least six months before the beginning of the desired quarter of attendance. Policy on Training and Support for Student Computing (Senate: 2/22/94; President: 6/29/94)   It is University policy to encourage training and support for student computing and to promote computer literacy across all disciplines. Faculty are encouraged to integrate computing into the curriculum. Smoking (Senate: 7/31/73, 3/9/76, 11/22/88, 11/9/93; President: 8/13/73, 4/9/76, 1/19/89, 12/13/93)   For the health of all members of the university community, smoking is prohibited in California State University, Los Angeles buildings or leased space within buildings shared by others.