All CELCIS students must attend classes and make normal progress in learning English. You are responsible for knowing this policy. Keep in mind that CELCIS classes are participatory, and your success in each class will depend on your attendance and participation. If you do not understand, you must ask your instructors, the CELCIS Chair, or the Assistant Manager to explain it to you. If you do not understand the immigration effect of this policy, you must ask your immigration advisor.

• Absences are counted in class hours
• CELCIS requires at least 90% attendance over the course of a semester.
• All absences will be recorded, including those caused by medical, legal, or emergency reasons.
• Your instructors’ record of attendance is the official attendance record.
• Missing class time will have a negative effect on your final grade.
• If you miss more than 10% of your classes, you will receive an email notification from the CELCIS office and may be required to meet with the CELCIS chair or assistant manager.

If you reach 15 or more unexcused absences (class hours) in a class during fall, spring, summer I, or summer II, you will be considered in violation of the CELCIS Attendance Policy:

• You will receive an INITIAL violation notice from the CELCIS office. You must contact the assistant manager within 5 business days. If you believe the records are incorrect, you may appeal within the 5 business days.
• After confirming that the attendance record is accurate, a FINAL violation notice will be sent to you. At this time, students with F-1 or J-1 visas will be referred to the CELCIS immigration advisor.
• A violation of the CELCIS Attendance Policy may result in dismissal from the CELCIS program.

For students on F-1 and J-1 visas, with 15 or more unexcused absences (class hours) in a class, you may be deemed in violation of your immigration status.

• Your SEVIS record may be terminated and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security may be notified of your failure to attend class.
  • You must immediately make an appointment with the CELCIS immigration advisor to request a reinstatement.
  • You must go to classes while U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services make a decision on your application.
  • Your reinstatement might be approved or might be denied. If the application for reinstatement is denied, the student must leave the U.S. immediately.
  • If you do not file for reinstatement, U.S. Immigration will require you to leave the U.S. immediately.

Classes begin on the hour (9 a.m., 10 a.m., and 11 a.m.)  If you arrive late, you may miss in-class assignments, and your grade may be affected.  If you arrive more than 10 minutes late to class or if you miss more than 10 minutes of class at any other time, you may be marked absent for that class hour.  

All students (new and returning) who are unable to arrive on time should understand the following:

• You must notify the CELCIS Chair and receive permission to arrive late.
• Any arrival after the start date reflected on your I-20 or DS-2019 may result in being denied entry at the U.S. port of entry. It is advised for initial students to obtain a new initial I-20 from I3S reflecting a deferred start date to arrive late.
• Late arrival for any reason may have a negative effect on your progress during that semester.
• All students who begin classes after the start of the semester, for any reason, will be counted absent for the classes they have missed. This may affect grades.
• Instructors are not required to re-teach any material that is covered while you are absent, and instructors do not have to provide make-up tests or accept late assignments, etc. for the period that you are absent.

• Students who choose to leave before the end of the semester will be counted absent.
• Instructors are not required to pre-teach or re-teach any material that is covered while a student is absent, and instructors do not have to provide make-up tests or accept early or late assignments, etc. for the period that a student is absent.
• If a final assessment is given, students who are not in class during the final week of classes may not be allowed to take the assessment. Students cannot take the assessment early. This will affect class participation points and affect grades.
• Before you leave WMU, you must:
  • Make an appointment with the CELCIS immigration advisor and submit a Notification of Departure.
  • Be sure to take care of any financial obligations to the University, drop classes in the CELCIS office, and cancel health insurance.   

A student will be allowed up to five (5) consecutive absences (class hours) if there is a death in their immediate family (spouse, parent, child, grandparent, sibling, spouse’s parent, spouse’s grandparent, spouse’s sibling).  The student should provide the CELCIS office with a copy of a death certification or obituary and contact their teachers about their class work.  

If you have a serious illness or medical condition, you may be eligible for medical leave. You must provide the CELCIS Chair or Assistant Manager with documentation from a licensed medical doctor or clinical psychologist. The doctor’s note should specify dates and indicate the reason why you are unable to attend classes. Medical documentation should be submitted as soon as possible and will not be accepted after the last day of classes.

• If a student cannot maintain full-time enrollment due to an illness or medical condition, they should contact the International Student and Scholar Services office about submitting a Reduced Course Load request.
• Students on medical leave must complete all missed work according to the teachers’ policies.
• Students may be allowed up to a maximum of 14 consecutive class hours or 14 total class hours of approved leave for the semester (per class).
• In the case of pregnancy, women are eligible for medical leave with a doctor’s note at the time of birth or if complications occur. Fathers are eligible for up to 3 class hours of paternity medical leave at the time of birth.

NOTE: Medical leave is for serious illnesses or medical conditions, not for scheduled appointments. To avoid absences, students should try to schedule medical appointments outside of class time.  

It is University policy to permit students to fulfill obligations set aside by their faith. Students must let their instructors know that they will be missing class in advance. Students are responsible for completing all missed work according to the teachers’ policies and within a reasonable time frame. 

Students will be marked absent if they are not in class. To avoid grade penalties, students should try to schedule appointments outside of class time. This includes personal appointments, court appearances, driver's license exams, etc. 

You are responsible for contacting your teachers when you are absent. You are also responsible for doing all homework, quizzes, tests, and assessment according to the teachers' policies. No work can be submitted after the last day of classes for the semester for Speaking/Listening, Grammar/Communication, and Reading/Writing 2. No work may be submitted after mid-term for Reading/Writing 1. 

Tuition Refund Policy (excludes application fee)

If you need to withdraw from CELCIS during the first few days of class, tuition will be refunded.  The refund amount will be determined by the date the CELCIS office receives the refund request

CELCIS at Western Michigan University is authorized under Federal law to enroll nonimmigrant students. As an SEVP approved school, all CELCIS students who have F-1 or J-1 visas are required to enroll full-time during fall and spring semesters. Fall and Spring are mandatory semesters.

Summer Sessions

Summer I/summer II sessions are considered University break period for student enrollment. Students are not required to take CELCIS classes during the summer sessions. (This does not apply for new students whose first term of enrollment is summer).

However, CELCIS offers optional summer I/summer II classes. If you are receiving a financial scholarship by a sponsor, please follow their enrollment requirements for funding purposes. The CELCIS department recommends that students take summer semester classes. Taking long breaks may cause students to forget the English that they have learned.

All students who study during the Summer I session will be required to also study in the Summer II session.

If a new student receives a Summer I I-20, then by federal regulations, both summer sessions are mandatory enrollment periods. The student will not be eligible for vacation until the summer session the following year. 

New students have the option to begin in the Summer II term only if they have a Summer II I-20.  Students who begin in Summer II will not be eligible for a vacation period until the summer session the following year. Returning students will not be allowed to register for only summer II classes. 

New students will take a placement test to determine their English language level. After taking the placement test, attending International Student Orientation and confirming their consent to be registered, new students will be registered for CELCIS courses by the Assistant Manager.

Returning Student registration is scheduled mid-way through the previous semester. Students will be asked to complete an online Intent Form. This form lets CELCIS know student’s plans for the upcoming semester.

Students must resolve all holds. Students will not be registered for classes until their holds have been cleared.

Students who wish to study in the Western Michigan University CELCIS program on an F-2 visa (dependent) are permitted to study as a part-time enrolled student. This means that an F-2 student is only permitted to take up to three class hours per day. Four class hours is considered full-time enrollment. A student who begins CELCIS as a part-time enrolled student, returns to his/her home country to apply for an F-1 visa, and resumes his/her studies on an F-1 visa (student), will be required to take the placement test the next semester before starting classes. 

A CELCIS student will be allowed to re-take a CELCIS class that the student has already passed ONLY IF by not taking the class, the student will be under-enrolled and consequently go out of status. Approval from the CELCIS chair and the CELCIS immigration advisor is required. In addition, the student will bear the cost of retaking the already-passed class. 

CELCIS at Western Michigan University is authorized under Federal law to enroll nonimmigrant students. As an SEVP approved school, all CELCIS students who have F-1 or J-1 status are required to enroll full-time during fall and spring semesters.

Summer I and Summer II sessions are considered a University break period for student enrollment. Students are not required to take CELCIS classes during the summer sessions. (This does not apply for new students whose first term of enrollment is in summer).

If you are receiving a financial scholarship by a sponsor, please follow their enrollment requirements for funding purposes. The CELCIS department recommends that students take summer semester classes. Taking long breaks may cause students to forget the English that they have learned.

All students who study during the Summer I session will be required to also study in the Summer II session. If a new student receives a Summer I I-20, then by federal regulations, both summer sessions are mandatory enrollment periods and the student will not be eligible for vacation until the summer session the following year.

New students have the option to begin in the Summer II term if they have a Summer II I-20. Students who begin in Summer II will not be eligible for a vacation period until the summer session the following year. Returning students and Pathway students will not be allowed to register for only summer II classes.

• Oral evaluation—instructors interview student for three to five minutes.
• Writing test—timed writing sample on a given topic. Lasts approximately 25 minutes.
• Placement test—listening comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension. Lasts approximately 65 minutes.

You will be assigned to classes according to the results of your placement tests.

• Speaking/Listening class pretest—listening comprehension, speaking.
• Grammar/Communication class pretest—grammar, grammar test.
• Reading/Writing Class pretest—Reading comprehension, writing.

Instructors will determine if any students have demonstrated English proficiency ABOVE the level they are currently in. If it is decided that a student should be moved to a different level, the student will be notified by email to come to the office to pick up a new schedule.

Instructors and the CELCIS Chair will determine if any students have demonstrated they have been placed at a proficiency level above or below their current placement. If it is decided that a student should be moved to a different level, the student will be notified by email and sent a new class schedule.

If a student wants to request a change to their placement, they should follow these steps:

1. Talk to your teachers, the CELCIS Chair, or the CELCIS Assistant Manager about changing your level.
2. Fill out the “CELCIS Level Change Form” by printing it from this webpage or by picking one up in the CELCIS office. The form should be submitted within the first 3 days of the semester.
3. Submit the form to the CELCIS Chair or Assistant Manager.
4. Your placement test results and the pre-tests you took during the first week of classes will be reviewed and your instructors will be consulted about your skills.
5. A final decision will be made by the Chair before the “Last Day to Add/Drop” date on the Academic Calendar
6. You will be sent an email with the final decision and a new class schedule if applicable. 

If you do not attend the first 3 days of class, you are not eligible to request a level change

Changing sections (within the same level) is not permitted except in special circumstances:

1. If a student fails a class and is then placed in the same class with the same teacher the following semester, that student may request a section change.
2. If a student has a physical disability that requires a specific classroom building, that student may request a section change. However, the student needs to have a documented disability through the Disability Services for Students Office. The CELCIS office must receive these documents before any change will be considered. 
   
   While CELCIS makes an effort to accommodate student requests, it is not always possible or desirable to do so. To request a level change, please complete the Level Change Form.