Graduate School - Catalog of Studies - University of Arkansas

The Graduate School: Objectives, Regulations, Degrees
ACADEMIC PROBATION POLICY
FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS
Whenever a regularly admitted graduate student earns a cumulative
grade-point average below 2.85 on graded course work taken in
residence for graduate credit, he/she will be warned of the possibility
of academic dismissal. When a graduate student has accumulated a
minimum of 15 hours of graded course work taken in residence for
graduate credit with a cumulative grade-point average below 2.85,
and has received at least one warning, he/she will be academically
dismissed from the Graduate School. This policy is effective with
students entering the Graduate School in Fall 2002 or after. For the
policy in effect before that time, contact the Graduate School. If a
student is originally admitted prior to Fall 2002, but does not maintain
registration and applies for readmission after Fall 2002, the current
policy will apply. The student’s degree program may request that
the academic warning period be extended if the program can offer
extenuating circumstances as a rationale and is willing to provide a
plan of remediation for the student’s success.
Graduate teaching and research assistants and students on Lever,
Doctoral, Chancellor, Walton or other fellowships must maintain a
cumulative grade-point average of at least 2.85 on all course work
taken for graduate credit. If a student’s cumulative GPA falls below
2.85 on 6 or more hours of graduate work (one full-time semester),
notification will be sent to the student and his/her department. If the
CGPA is below 2.85 at the end of the next major semester (fall or
spring), the department will not be allowed to appoint the student to
an assistantship/fellowship until such time as his/her CGPA has been
raised to the required level. Note: Individual degree programs may
have more stringent requirements.
The Graduate School calculates the cumulative grade-point average
on all courses taken for graduate credit at the University of
Arkansas. Individual degree programs have the option to calculate
the cumulative grade-point average only for those graduate courses
taken in residence for the current degree. Consequently, individual
degree programs may academically dismiss students whose cumulative
grade point average on all graduate course work is above 2.85,
but whose work for the current degree is below 2.85. If a program
adopts this alternative policy, it must be so stated in the departmental
graduate student handbook and in the Graduate Catalog and must
apply to all graduate students in that program. When the program
anticipates dismissing a student whose cumulative grade-point average
is above 2.85, the program must notify the student, using the
same process as specified in the general probation policy and must
also notify the Graduate School. This policy is effective Fall 2003.
ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY
FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS
Scope, Implementation, and Review
The procedures contained in this policy pertain to graduate students
under the authority of the Graduate School. Master’s students in the
Graduate School of Business should contact their dean’s office for
policies pertaining to them. Law students should contact the School of
Law. Undergraduate students should refer to the Student Handbook.
Where policies contained herein conflict with those described for
undergraduate students in the Student Handbook, the policies contained
in this policy shall take precedence for graduate students.
For details of procedures for implementing this policy, contact the
Office of Community Standards and Student Ethics or the Graduate
School. This University policy does not preclude the implementation
by colleges or schools of more rigorous policies.
Academic Honesty
The University of Arkansas presents this policy as part of its effort
to maintain the integrity of its academic processes. Academic honesty
should be a concern of the entire University community, and a commitment
to it must involve students, faculty, staff, and administrators.
Students must understand what academic integrity is and what
the most common violations are. With that understanding, they must
commit themselves to the highest standards for their own, as well as
for their peers’, academic behavior.
Public support and encouragement by the faculty is a second critical
component necessary to strengthen academic integrity on campus.
Faculty members must be continually vigilant in the management
of their classes, their assignments, and their tests.
Finally, the administration of the University must present to the
students standards of academic integrity. Those standards must be
part of a publicly recognized, understood, and accepted set of policies
and procedures that can be applied consistently and fairly in
cases of academic dishonesty.
It is the responsibility of each student, faculty member, and administrator
to understand these policies. A lack of understanding is not
an adequate defense against a charge of academic dishonesty.
With regard to the application of this policy, the University assures
its support of faculty members and other employees of the University
who are acting in good faith in the course and scope of their employment
and in the performance of their official duties.
This policy is only a part of the University’s effort to promote
academic and research integrity in all aspects of its programs. By
necessity, this policy discusses only prohibited acts and a process
of applying sanctions. The ultimate goal, of course, is to provide an
atmosphere that will make superfluous the procedures and sanctions
that follow.
Definition of Terms
Academic dishonesty. Academic dishonesty involves acts that
may subvert or compromise the integrity of the educational or
research process at the University of Arkansas. Included is an act by
which a student gains or attempts to gain an academic advantage for
himself/herself or another by misrepresenting his/her or another’s
work or by interfering with the completion, submission, or evaluation
of work. Academic misconduct may include those acts defined
as research or scholarly misconduct. Allegations of research or
scholarly misconduct on the part of graduate students are subject to
this policy. However, such cases may also be reviewed under the
University’s Research Misconduct Policies and Procedures.
Academic/Research Misconduct. Academic and/or research
misconduct may include, but is not limited to, accomplishing
or attempting any of the following acts: (Note: Students should
be aware that theses and dissertations may be checked by the
Graduate School for academic dishonesty and plagiarism.)
• Altering grades or official records.
• Using any materials that are not authorized by the instructor for
use during an examination.
• Copying from or viewing another student’s work during an
examination.
• Collaborating during an examination with any other person by
giving or receiving information without specific permission of
the instructor.
• Stealing, buying, or otherwise obtaining information about an
examination not yet administered.
• Collaborating on laboratory work, take-home examinations,
homework, or other assigned work when instructed to work
independently.
• Substituting for another person or permitting any other person
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University of Arkansas, Fayetteville • Graduate Catalog