Academic Policies and Procedures - University of Central Missouri

Faculty Guide Section II - 1
II. ACADEMIC POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
A. ACADEMIC HONESTY POLICY
Honesty in all endeavors is essential to the functioning of society. Honesty in the classroom among
students and between students and faculty is a matter that should concern everyone in the university
community. Indeed, academic honesty is one of the most important qualities influencing the character
and image of an educational institution. As higher education is challenged to improve the quality of its
programs, there is great value in emphasizing academic standards and integrity.
I. Honesty
A. University Responsibility: It is the university's responsibility to provide an educational process
that informs both students and faculty of their rights and responsibilities regarding such important
matters as cheating, plagiarism, and professional ethics. Most of what is considered unethical or
dishonest behavior can be avoided if faculty and students clearly understand both what constitutes
these practices and their consequences. The university community should also be aware of the
procedures to be followed should a breach of academic honesty occur.
B. Student Responsibilities. Students must be aware that the consequences of violating standards of
academic honesty are extremely serious and costly and may result in the loss of academic and career
opportunities. Students found to have committed violations against academic honesty face removal
from university classes and degree programs, and/or suspension from the university, while remaining
fully responsible for payment of current and any past due tuition and fees.
To that end, the following Procedures for Enforcement of the University's Academic Honesty Policy
shall be followed to ensure that constitutionally required due process safeguards are extended to an
accused student.
II. Procedures for Enforcement of Central Missouri's Academic Honesty Policy.
A. Defining Offenses Against Academic Honesty
A violation against academic honesty committed by a student is any act, which would deceive, cheat,
or defraud so as to promote or enhance one's academic standing. Academic dishonesty also includes
knowingly or actively assisting any person in the commission of an offense of academic dishonesty.
Examples of offenses against academic honesty include, but are not limited to, the following:
1. Plagiarism - Plagiarism is defined as the borrowing of ideas, opinions, examples, key words,
phrases, sentences, paragraphs, or even structure from another person's work, including work
written or produced by others without proper acknowledgment. "Work" is defined as theses,
drafts, completed essays, examinations, quizzes, projects, assignments, presentations, or any
other form of communication, be it on the Internet or in any other medium or media. "Proper
acknowledgment" is defined as the use of quotation marks or indenting plus documentation for
directly quoted work and specific, clearly articulated citation for paraphrased or otherwise
borrowed material.

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2. Cheating - Includes, but is not limited to, those activities where a student (either on campus or
on-line):
(a) obtains or attempts to obtain pre-knowledge content of an examination;
(b) copies someone else's work;
(c) works in a group when the student has been told to work individually;
(d) uses unauthorized reference material in an examination;
(e) has someone else take an examination.
(f) has someone else complete course work and/or an examination using a student’s secure log in
and pass code.
3. Breach of Standards of Professional Ethics - In certain degree programs, students will be
instructed on and provided with that particular profession's code of ethics (e.g. The American
Nurses Associations Code for Nurses). Under some circumstances, if a student is found to have
violated that professional code, that violation may be considered a breach of the Academic
Honesty Policy.
B. Reporting Violations of the Academic Honesty Policy (revised July 1998)
If a faculty member believes that a student has committed a violation of the Academic Honesty
Policy with regard to an examination or other assigned work (laboratory assignment, term paper,
etc.), the faculty member shall preserve any evidence (e.g. plagiarized article, examination or other
material) which substantiates that a violation has occurred. Within one week of the incident, the
faculty member will schedule a private conference with the student, advise him/her that the faculty
member believes a violation of this Policy occurred, and allow the student to provide his/her side of
the story or otherwise offer an explanation. Upon consideration of the information, if any, provided
by the student, the faculty member shall make an independent determination within five calendar
days whether a violation of the Academic Honesty Policy has occurred. If the faculty member is
unable, for whatever reason, to contact the student within a five-class day period, the incident will be
reported to the faculty member's department chair for further action.
(1) In the event the faculty member finds no violation of the Academic Honesty Policy has occurred,
the faculty member shall notify the student, in writing, of this finding.
(2) In the event the faculty member determines a violation of the Academic Honesty Policy has
occurred, he/she shall notify the student, within five class days, in writing, of this finding. The written
notification shall contain a statement of finding and shall specify the provision of the policy violated
and, consistent with the severity of the violation, shall indicate which of the following action(s)
he/she shall take:
a. Give the student an opportunity to resubmit the assignment or be retested to make up the
work or test where the violation occurred;
b. Assign a grade of "F" to the assignment or examination affected by the violation;
c. Assign a grade of "F" for the course;
d. Recommend to the Office of the Vice Provost for Student Experience and Engagement, and
the Dean of Graduate and Extended Studies if the student is enrolled for graduate credit,
that the student be disenrolled from class;

Faculty Guide Section II - 3
e. Recommend to the Department Chair and the Vice Provost for Student Experience and
Engagement, and the Dean of Graduate and Extended Studies if the student is enrolled for
graduate credit, that the student be removed from the degree program; or
f. Recommend to the Office of the Vice Provost for Student Experience and Engagement that
the student be suspended from the university.
(3) In the event the faculty member determines a violation of the Academic Honesty Policy has
occurred, the faculty member will provide the Office of the Vice Provost for Student Experience and
Engagement a copy of the written notice to the student, accompanied by a summary of all evidence.
The faculty member shall keep the evidence and a copy of all summaries and documentation on file
in the event the student wishes to appeal the faculty member's decision. The faculty member may
interview other students and members of the university community to ascertain the pertinent facts and
circumstances and may request written statements from them. However, anonymity of witnesses or
witness statements cannot be guaranteed.
(4) In the event that the student does not appeal the faculty member's decision within ten class days of
notification, the faculty member's decision shall become final and the recommended action shall take
place.
(5) A student charged with a violation of this policy shall not be barred from participating in and
attending classes, or from taking quizzes, tests and/or final examinations during the ten-day period
described in paragraph (4) (above) and/or during the appeal process.
C. Student Appeal Process
In the event a student charged with a violation of this policy disagrees with the faculty member's
decision and wishes to appeal, the student is responsible for notifying the appropriate parties where
he/she may be reached for purposes of appeal and must follow the following process:
Level 1 of The Appeal Process
Within five (5) class days of receipt of the faculty member's decision, the student should schedule a
meeting with the faculty member's department chair. The chair will review the faculty member's
documentation and evidence, review the circumstances with the student, and if possible, consult the
faculty member. The chair will determine within five (5) class days of the meeting an appropriate action
which may include, but is not limited to, endorsing, modifying, or overturning the faculty member's
original decision, or he/she may determine an alternate course of action.
The chair shall communicate his/her decision to the student, faculty member, and the Office of the Vice
Provost for Student Experience and Engagement, and prepare a report of the evidence and reasons for
making this decision.
Level 2 of The Appeal Process
In the event the student disagrees with the chair's actions, he/she may request a meeting with the college
dean, to be scheduled within five (5) class days of receipt of the chair's decision. The dean will discuss
the facts and circumstances of the violation with the student and other involved parties, on a collective
or individual basis depending on the circumstances. The dean may also interview witnesses and
undertake further investigative activities if he/she believes the circumstances merit further action. The
dean shall complete his/her meetings and investigation and issue a finding within fifteen (15) class days
of receipt of the student's appeal. In the event the dean is unable to accommodate this time frame, the

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student and other affected parties will be notified of this fact and the anticipated length of time needed to
render a decision. The dean will notify the student, faculty member, chair, and Vice Provost for Student
Experience and Engagement of his/her findings, and his/her intended course of action in writing.
Level 3 of The Appeal Process
If the student disagrees with the dean's decision, the student may request, within five (5) class days of
receipt of notification of the dean's decision, a meeting with the Provost. The Provost will consider all
the evidence on the record and shall decide, within ten (10) class days to take one of the following
actions:
(1) Uphold one or all of the previous decisions.
(2) Overturn the decisions outright and make an alternate resolution.
(3) Refer the matter to a university grievance committee. The Provost will appoint a committee of
two students and two faculty members to review the matter within fifteen class days of the
Provost's referral. The committee will make its recommendation to the Provost within five (5)
days of completing its work. In the event of a tie vote of the committee, the Provost shall cast
the deciding vote. The Provost shall immediately, upon receipt of the committee's
recommendation, notify the student of the grievance committee's decision in writing.
The Provost's decision is final and binding on all parties, and once communicated, shall be placed in full
force and effect immediately.
Questions concerning this policy or other issues related to academic honesty should be addressed to the
Office of the Provost or the Office of Student Experience and Engagement.
B. ACADEMIC ADVISEMENT
Academic advising is critical to the success, satisfaction, retention, and graduation of University of
Central Missouri students. Academic advising is an ongoing interactive process involving the student,
advisors, faculty, staff and the institution. The primary goal of academic advising is to aid students in
developing personal, professional, and career goals that are challenging, worthwhile, and realistic, and
planning degree completion programs that achieve these goals.
The University of Central Missouri utilizes a “split model” form of Academic Advisement. The
Gateway Advising and Major Exploration Center is staffed with professional advisors who serve new
transfer students that are undecided(Open Option students) about their major. All other students are
assigned to the college of their major for advising by professional and/or faculty academic advisors.
Students are required to see an advisor during freshman/ transfer student orientation. Students may
access their enrollment via MyCentral. An electronic degree audit is available on-line to each student
through their My Central account (under Student Services tab – UCM Student Records). Transfer
course equivalencies are established by the academic departments and available to students on-line as
well. Students may schedule an advisement appointment by contacting their appropriate Advising
Center.
Graduate students are advised solely by the assigned faculty advisor in their respective academic
departments. (updated June 2012)

Faculty Guide Section II - 5
C. COMMENCEMENT -- FACULTY ROLE
Faculty members are expected to participate in commencement activities. All faculty are encouraged to
participate in college/department receptions occurring with each commencement. Faculty are to attend a
commencement once a year. The academic processional, which is organized by colleges and
departments, requires full academic attire. Caps, gowns, and hoods may be purchased or rented through
the University Store.
D. FACULTY MEETINGS
In the fulfillment of their professional responsibilities, faculty members are expected to attend and
participate in university, college, school, department and other unit meetings. Such meetings are
important modes of communication and contribute significantly to internal decision-making and
understanding of policies at all administrative levels.
E. GRADUATE FACULTY
THE GRADUATE FACULTY ASSEMBLY
OF UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL MISSOURI
The Graduate Faculty Assembly is comprised of all members of the Graduate Faculty and the
Administrators assigned to Graduate Studies in the School of Graduate and Extended Studies. It
provides a forum for discussion of graduate education issues and elects members to the Graduate
Council and the Graduate Faculty Review Committee. Members of the Graduate Faculty are recognized
as associate or full members with differing rights and responsibilities. The qualifications for graduate
faculty status and application forms are located at:
http://www.ucmo.edu/graduate/faculty/facstat.cfm
THE GRADUATE COUNCIL
OF UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL MISSOURI
The Graduate Council serves as an administrative committee for the Provost/Chief Learning Officer and
a recommending body to the Dean of the School of Graduate and Extended Studies. It develops and
reviews University policies and procedures for graduate education; reviews and recommends graduate
curriculum; monitors the quality of graduate programs of the University; and advises the Dean of the
School of Graduate and Extended Studies on university, college, and department policies and procedures
as set forth in the Graduate Catalog. Members are elected by the Graduate Faculty Assembly. The
official charge and membership list are located on the Provost’s website at:
http://www.ucmo.edu/provost/committees/grad.cfm
THE GRADUATE FACULTY REVIEW COMMITTEE
The Graduate Faculty Review Committee serves to review initial and reappointment applications for
Full Graduate Faculty Status and the first level of review for appeals from faculty whose applications
were not approved by the department chair and/or dean of the academic unit. The committee serves as
the first level of review for appeals from faculty whose applications for Associate Graduate Faculty

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Status are not approved by the Dean of the School of Graduate and Extended Studies. Members are
elected by the Graduate Faculty Assembly. The committee charge and membership list is located at:
http://www.ucmo.edu/graduate/gradfac/review.cfm
F. INSTRUCTIONAL PROCEDURES
1. Course Syllabi. Teaching faculty are expected to follow current course syllabi which are on file in
department offices and in the office of the appropriate college dean. It is the responsibility of the
department to ensure the program’s quality and learning goals are consistent across all sections of a
course, regardless of mode of delivery, location, instructor, or teaching arrangement (i.e., contractual
or consortial).
Faculty members will prepare syllabi for distribution in classes at the beginning of each semester
that include instructional procedures and guidelines. These guidelines should include an outline of
course content, expectations for student engagement, basic instructional procedures, course schedule,
assessment measures, grading policies and practices, attendance policies and related matters of
interest and concern.
When designing a course, it is particularly important that the amount of student engagement or work
in the course’s intended learning outcomes assigned by faculty and verified by evidence of student
achievement, is appropriate for the credit hours awarded.
A credit hour is an amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by
evidence of student achievement that is an institutionally-established equivalency that reasonably
approximates not less than: (1) one hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of
two hours of out-of-class student work each week for approximately fifteen weeks for one semester
hour of credit or the equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time; or (2) at least an
equivalent amount of work as required in (1) of this definition for other activities as established by
an institution, including laboratory work, internships, practica, studio work, and other academic
work leading toward the award of credit hours; or (3) institutionally established reasonable
equivalencies for the amount of work described above in paragraph (1) of this definition for the
credit hours awarded, as represented by verifiable student achievement of intended learning
outcomes.
2. Office Hours. Faculty members are to maintain a minimum of five scheduled office hours per
academic week and be generally available to students by appointment. A current schedule of classes
and office hours must be posted when the semester begins.
3. Classroom Control. Faculty members have the authority and the responsibility to control their
classes. Should a student disrupt class activities, the student should be asked to leave the classroom
and to schedule an appointment with the instructor to discuss the problem. If the student refuses to
leave the classroom, the instructor may dismiss the class and discuss the matter with his or her
department chair, both the college dean and the Student Experience and Engagement Office should
be notified. In the event of a serious classroom disruption requiring an immediate response, the
instructor should call the Department of Public Safety (Campus Police).
4. Examinations. Classroom instructors are expected to administer final examinations for each course
in accordance with the schedule published by the University.

Faculty Guide Section II - 7
Only in special cases are students granted permission to take an examination out of the scheduled
hours -- and then only with the approval of both the instructor of the class and the Vice Provost for
Student Experience and Engagement. A fee is charged for rescheduling final examinations and is
payable in the Revenue Office when the approval form (available in the Office for Student
Experience and Engagement) has been completed and before the examination is taken. Any student
who has three final examinations scheduled on one day may request permission to move one of these
to another day during the final examination period. There is no charge for this, but permission must
be obtained from the instructor of the class and the Vice Provost for Student Experience and
Engagement as described above.
5. Grades. Faculty members have the right and responsibility to grade the academic performance levels
of students in their classes. If the task is delegated to a graduate assistant or another staff member, the
faculty member of record remains responsible. In no instance may an undergraduate student be
allowed to assign recorded grades to peers.
Grades are submitted electronically in MyCentral. Mid-semeter grades are collected for fall and
spring semester beginning the sixth week of the semester and are due at noon on Tuesday of the
seventh week. Final semester grades are due at noon on the Tuesday after finals week. Grades for
first-half semester or for summer sessions may be reported in MyCentral at anytime, but grades are
all processed at the end of each semester. Faculty should watch for e-mail reminders from the
Registrar’s Office regarding grade deadlines.
The faculty member may change a recorded grade for up to a year using the Change Student Grade
form available in MyCentral. The department chair copied on this action. Grade changes older than
one year or performed by the Department Chair in the absence of a faculty member may be submitted
via e-mail to registrar@ucmo.edu. More information is available at
http://www.ucmo.edu/registrar/facstaff/changes.cfm.
If grades are publically posted, the instructor shall use randomly assigned numbers (not student
numbers) or some other anonymous method to be sure that only the individual receiving the grade
can identify it. (This restriction conforms to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, FERPA)
Use of any part of social security numbers is prohibited by law.
A grade of W is recorded as the final grade if the course is dropped during the withdrawal period
(i.e., the second through the 10 th week of the fall and spring semesters). A grade of W has no impact
on grade point average but is reflected on the transcript. “W” is the grade of choice when a student is
called away for military duty. Because of the vagaries of military assignments, students are best
served when they have the freedom to reenroll in a class when they want and not be bound by the
limitations of assigning a U grade which must be completed the following semester. (regardless of
enrollment)
After the published last day to drop a course, a student may receive a late withdrawal which must be
approved by the Registrar's Office. If the student is petitioning to withdraw from all courses, the
petition should be directed to the Office of Student Experience and Engagement. Late withdrawals
are by petition only and are only approved for documented, extenuating circumstances (e.g.,
hospitalization, death in the family) that prevented the student from completing the course(s). If a
late withdrawal petition is approved, a grade of LD will be assigned and the instructor will be
informed of the approval. A grade of LD will not impact the students grade point average, but will be
reflected on the transcript. (Revised July 5, 2012, Vice Provost Michael Grelle).

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When assigning a grade of “F” to a student, faculty are also to include the last date of class
attendance for the student. Reporting this date is required for the University to be in compliance with
federal financial aid regulations. If the student attended the entire semester and still earned a grade of
“F”, the date of the final exam for the course should be used as the last date of attendance. If the
student began a course but subsequently stopped attending, complete and submit an Early Alert form,
report the appropriate grade earned (typically an "F") and the last date the student attended class (or,
in the case of an on-line course, the last date the student "participated" in the class, as defined by the
University). In accordance with the University’s Enrollment Validation process, faculty are asked to
report students who are not in attendance at the first class meeting (online and mid-semester courses
are excluded from this process). However, if a student who never attended a class is inadvertently
not reported through the Enrollment Validation process, the student should be assigned a grade of “F”
and the first day of the semester should be reported as the last date of class attendance.
The "U" grade is intended for use only in extenuating circumstances beyond the student’s control in
the last few days of the semester. An instructor may report a semester mark of “U” when, for
justifiable reasons, the student was not able to complete the work of the course. During the next
semester the “U” becomes an “F” unless the requirements of the course have been satisfactorily
completed or the course is of an individualized nature, e.g., thesis, research report, or similar
investigation. The student should not re-enroll in the course, they simply make up the missing work
from the prior semester. When the student's work is completed within prescribed time limits, the
unfinished grade is replaced by a final grade by the instructor using the Change Student Grade form
available in MyCentral.
A student having more than one "U" grade is expected to reduce his/her course load accordingly in
order to complete the unfinished work. Students may finish only the portion of the class remaining,
they may not sit through an entire class again in order to complete a “U” grade. Students attending
the entire class must re-enroll and pay fees accordingly. It is the student’s responsibility to contact
his/her instructor concerning the removal of the “U” grade. Students will not be permitted to
graduate with a “U” on their record.
6. Grading System. The marking system used in evaluating a student's work is as shown in the catalog:
To view the grading system in the catalog, please use the following link:
http://www.ucmo.edu/academics/catalogs/. The information is located on page 18 in the Standards
and Regulations’ section.
7. Additional Costs for Courses. Some departments find it necessary to charge course fees to students
enrolled in specific courses. Students need to know any course fees before they enroll in a course.
Course fees are for measurable and recurring expenses not provided within the department’s
operating budget. Course fees can be requested only for items used by students in that class, not for
standard usage items that departments provide to faculty as part of usual teaching processes or for
items provided for by the technology fee. For types of fees, refer to the following web page -
http://www.ucmo.edu/provost/committees/documents/FeeCategories_9_25_09.pdf. The approval
and management processes for course fees and field trips would include:
a. The college dean and department chair or faculty member(s) in cooperation with the department
chair generates the request for a specific class indicating amount, type of fee group and
justification for the fee on a COURSE FEE REQUEST form. The form is located in the Chairs’
folder on the Q: drive. Requests are to be sent to the Provost’s Office by December 15 to be

Faculty Guide Section II - 9
effective for the following fall semester and by September 1 to be effective the following spring or
summer semester.
b. A committee comprised of one faculty representative from each college appointed by the Faculty
Senate, one College Dean, one Department Chair, two undergraduate students and one graduate
student consider the requests and vote to recommend approval or denial of each request. The Vice
Provost for Institutional Effectiveness and Assessment will chair the committee. One additional
member may be appointed at the discretion of the Provost.
c. Recommendations are sent to the Provost for approval. If a request is denied, the committee shall
notify the appropriate Department Chair of reasons for denial. Appeal of the committee’s decision
can be made to the Provost.
d. Communication of course fees will be through course syllabi, MyCentral and notation in the
General Catalog.
e. Charges for course fees/group expenses will be on the billing sent to students. Payment will be
collected directly through the Revenue Office. Students will pay the supplemental fees when they
pay the per-credit-hour instructional fees. If a student withdraws, the course fee/group expense
payment will be refunded at the same rate as his/her instructional fee. The collected revenue-will
be deposited in the departmental account and monies will be expended for the purposes shown in
the justification section of the request form.
(revised 10/4/05 Provost George Wilson)
8. Class Attendance. To be eligible to receive federal and state financial aid, students must have a
documented record of attendance in the classes for which they enroll. Registration for classes is, in
itself, not sufficient to prove attendance. A student who receives or otherwise benefits from federal or
state financial aid, but has no documented record of attendance in the class(es) for which (s)he is
enrolled, is not eligible to have received/benefited from the aid, and will be required to repay all the
federal and state assistance credited to his/her UCMO account for the semester Likewise, failure on
the part of faculty to perform due diligence with regard to verifying student attendance obligates the
University to repay all financial assistance that has been distributed to those students who never
attended classes but were not identified as absent until the end of the semester. Therefore, it is
essential that faculty participate in the Enrollment Validation Policy
(www.ucmo.edu/facstaff/documents/validation.pdf), maintain accurate and up to date attendance
data, and monitor students who are officially enrolled in their class.
The Enrollment Validation Policy requires faculty members to report those students who do not
attend the first day of class and have not notified the instructor of their intention to attend. The
Enrollment Validation Policy applies to all classes regardless of mode of delivery, i.e., face-to-face,
online, hybrid, week-end, and second half semester courses. Please note that this policy is not
enforced during the summer semester. Students who are reported as absent by the established
deadline will receive a warning e-mail and will have 24 hours to contact their instructor or the
Registrar’s Office if they wish to remain in the course. If the student does not take any action, they
will be dropped from the course with a full refund.
If a student stops attending a course after the first week, faculty should report their concern using the
Early Alert System in MyCentral. Early alert is managed by the Office of Student Experience and

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Engagement and by the department of Academic Enrichment. UCM does not have an administrative
drop policy to remove students from courses after the Enrollment Validation period.
Faculty members are expected to take attendance regularly. However, students who are not reported
as absent during the Enrollment Validation period (the first week of classes) and never attended a
course should receive an “F” grade. When reporting the grade, faculty should enter the first day of
classes for the semester as the last date of attendance for the student.
The new SEVIS (Student-Exchange Visitor Information System) database requires tighter monitoring
of the addresses and enrollment status of each international student within the United States. If an
international student is not attending class, please notify the International Center.
Class participation and attendance are essential for student success. The University has no provisions
whereby a student can enroll and receive credit at the University of Central Missouri without having
attended and/or participated in class. This principle applies to all courses for which credit is awarded
regardless of mode of delivery.
Students are expected to attend all lectures, seminars, laboratories, and fieldwork for each registered
class, and to complete all work assigned by the instructor for the course. Advance arrangements for
unavoidable absences should be made with the instructor whenever possible. When absent for three
days or more, a student may ask the Office of Student Experience and Engagement to send an
informational note to his/her instructors. Neither absence, nor notification of absence, relieves the
student of the responsibility for the fulfillment of all course requirements.
Make-up of course requirements missed because of extenuating circumstances shall be worked out
between the instructor and the student upon the student’s initiative. Instructors are required to allow
the student the opportunity to earn full credit for missed work when a student is absent because of
participation in approved university activities, university programs (that the student is required to
attend), or when absence has been verified by the Office of Student Experience and Engagement. A
student must contact his/her instructor on the first day the student returns to class. Instructors may
stipulate special attendance requirements in the course syllabus, whenever they do not conflict with
the student's right to make up missed work as described above.
When absent due to extenuating circumstances such as documented medical issues, a death in the
family, or military order, a student may ask the Office of Student Experience and Engagement to
verify the absence. If the absence is verified, the student will be provided a written electronic notice
which s/he may distribute to faculty. It is the responsibility of the student to make the request within
a reasonable time frame, distribute the documentation to faculty within two days of receiving it, and
to make arrangements with faculty to make up all missed work.
The University Health Center (UCH) does not provide medical excuses and/or Time-In Time-Out
slips to students for the purpose of being excused from class. When medically indicated, the health
center may recommend a student not attend class. Student Experience and Engagement will be
contacted by UHC staff to communicate the recommended absence to the student’s instructors.
9. Extended Studies. Faculty members teaching courses scheduled through the Office of Extended
Studies will continue to be evaluated as indicated. These evaluations will be conducted under the
direction of each department chair as indicated under "Faculty Evaluations." (refer to Faculty Guide,

Faculty Guide Section II - 11
Chapter Two (II) under F. Instructional Procedures, number 9. Evaluation of Instruction) A
department chair has the following choices concerning evaluation:
a. Not to evaluate based on the particular status of the faculty members involved.
b. Evaluation conducted by the department chair on the academic department's form.
c. Evaluation coordinated by Extended Campus on the academic department's form.
When evaluations are conducted by Extended Campus, they will be collected and forwarded to the
department chair and the college dean for utilization and filing.
12. Field Trips. At times, field trips are planned in conjunction with course assignments. Students in
classes for which such trips are planned are to be given sufficient notice to make necessary
arrangements for absence from the campus. Field trips may not be scheduled during final
examination periods nor can they be expressly required of students. Work or assignments missed in
other classes may be made up, although instructors are not required to provide tutoring and all
arrangements must be made in advance.
A list of participants should be filed in the department office before departure. Advance approval
may be obtained in those courses scheduling multiple field trips. All arrangements are subject to the
limitations of university liability coverage and must be approved by the appropriate department chair
or dean.
13. Textbook System Guidelines. Careful planning and campus-wide cooperation have provided the
Textbook System the process to offer UCM’s students appropriate textbooks to complement their
academic coursework. The University Store, an auxiliary enterprise, operates solely on income
derived from textbook rental fees and sales of textbooks, supplies, apparel, etc., to students.
The University Store is responsible for purchasing and distributing undergraduate and graduate
textbooks for all classes offered by UCM, including regular, on-campus classes and Extended
Campus offerings.
Textbook adoptions are generally identified as primary texts (50 percent of essential course material
is contained in the text) or as supplemental texts which include workbooks, study guides and other
reference items. Undergraduate, hardback textbooks may be eligible for inclusion in the university’s
textbook rental program. Supplemental and optional textbooks are offered for sale only. It is the
expectation that all materials (primary or secondary exts) required for a course will be thoroughly
utilized by the students (Revised July 5, 2012 Michael Grelle).
TEXTBOOK RENTAL POLICY
View The Board of Governors Policy on Central Missouri’s website at the following URL:
http://www.ucmo.edu/upo/index.cfm?pg=policy.cfm&upoID=4.1.050&key=Textbook
a. Textbook Rentals. The University Store distributes textbooks to undergraduate students for a per book
rental fee per semester. Characteristics of books in the rental system are:
(1) Hardback covers
(2) Primary source of information
(3) Retail price greater than $50.00

(4) Adoption period not less than 2 1/2 years (See Adoption Periods)
(5) Rental titles are adopted for all sections of a course
Faculty Guide Section II - 12
b. Textbook Sales. The University Store has the following items available for sale to UCM students:
(1) Hardback undergraduate textbooks with a retail price less than $50.00
(2) All graduate level textbooks
(3) Workbooks/study guides
(4) Paperback undergraduate textbooks (See Paperback Textbooks)
(5) Reference/supplemental textbooks requested for academic use
(6) Textbooks (hardback/paperback) that are published annually
(7) Textbooks for Extended Campus classes
(8) Custom published textbooks
c. Adoption Periods. Adopted textbooks will normally be used for a minimum of 2 1/2 years. A textbook
for a course should be changed when the current text is no longer available.
d. Paperback Textbooks. Occasionally, it may be possible to hard bind a paperback text when the text is
used at the 1000-2000 level or when the text is used for a class in the University Studies Program.
Academic departments should present a request and a copy of the text to be considered to University
Store as early as possible.
e. Course Packets and Copyright Permission. The University Store will request copyright permission
from publishers through the Copyright Clearance Center for course packets to be distributed to
students. The course packet, should be delivered to University Store not later than 60 days prior to the
start of each semester. Copies of Questions and Answers on Copyright for the Campus Community
are distributed annually through campus mail and are also available from the University Store,
University Printing Services and the Copy Center.
f. Change of Textbooks. The department in which the course resides must initiate textbook requests for
all undergraduate and graduate level texts. Faculty may submit textbook adoptions online at
www.ucmbookstore.com, via email (textbooks@ucmo.edu) or complete the Universal Textbook
Request Form. and mail it to University Store, University Union 128. Textbook adoption changes
are due:
Fall semester March 15
Spring semester October 1
Summer semester March 15
Academic departments are encouraged to adopt textbooks with copyrights that are not more than one
year old. Textbooks that have a copyright older than the current year will be used by the academic
department until their cost has been recovered through collected rental fees.
g. Books Out-of-Print/Edition. When a text is no longer in print or out of edition, the academic
department may:
(1) Choose an appropriate replacement text
(2) Request that University Store continue distribution of the text to the extent of its resources

Faculty Guide Section II - 13
(3) Purchase remaining inventory for placement in the Reserve Room of the James C. Kirkpatrick
Library or for direct distribution to students.
h. Desk Copies. The University Store will be pleased to forward requests for desk/exam copies to
publishers on behalf of academic departments. However, University Store makes no assurance that
the request will be filled by the publisher.
When the publisher does not fill a desk copy request or when a duplicate copy is desired, academic
departments must provide for the purchase of desk copies and/or supplemental teaching aids within
their operating budgets. New or used copies may be ordered for academic department purchase at a
savings through University Store when publishers do not provide complimentary copies for instructor
use.
i. Opening of Additional Seats/Sections. Department chairs and program coordinators are requested to
notify University Store in advance of opening additional seats/sections so that University Store may
acquire additional texts.
j. Freedom of Choice. Faculty should note that a textbook need not be adopted for courses in which there
is not an appropriate text available. Please inform University Store if no textbook will be adopted.
k. Sale of Complimentary Textbooks. The Faculty Senate recognizes that the selling of complimentary
textbooks is unethical and requests that the practice be strongly discouraged.
l. Educational Development Program. The Educational Development Program, a fringe benefit for fulltime
faculty and staff, exempts participants from payment of incidental fees only. Educational
Development Program participants are responsible for the payment of textbook rental fees and/or the
purchase of textbooks.
m. University Store Discount Policy. The University Store has a wide range of merchandise for sale.
Upon presentation of the staff ID card, employee are given a 10% discount on all merchandise except
required textbooks, postage stamps, special orders, college rings, computer hardware and software,
and discounted merchandise. Department purchases enjoy a 20% discount off of normal retail prices,
with the same exceptions as listed for faculty and staff above.
14. Student Records: Access and Confidentiality.
University Procedures and Guidelines, “PROTOCOL FOR RESPONSES TO REQUESTS FOR INFORMATION
ABOUT STUDENTS”, URL: http://www.ucmo.edu/upo/guide/policy.cfm?upoID=studentrecords
Policy Implementing the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), URL:
http://www.ucmo.edu/rsearch/ir/ferpa.htm
15. Use of Mechanical Recording Devices in the Classroom. As the concept of academic freedom
assures the instructor's control over subject matter, content, methods, procedures and activities in
his/her classroom or laboratory, the Faculty Senate and the university administration approved the
following policy.

Faculty Guide Section II - 14
a. Students, observers or visitors of any description may not produce recordings, audiotapes or
videotapes of classroom or laboratory lectures, presentations, demonstrations or activities without
the express permission of the instructor involved.
b. In the event permission is obtained from the instructor to produce such recordings or tapes, the
recordings or tapes may not be employed for any purpose other than individual academic study
without the express written consent of the instructor involved.
c. Recordings or tapes of lectures, presentations, demonstrations or activities may not be sold or in
any way contracted to a third party without the express written consent of the instructor involved.
d. Violations of these rules shall be considered a violation of the University's Intellectual Property
Rights Policy:
View The Board of Governors Policy on Central Missouri’s website at the following URL
http://www.cmsu.edu/upo/bog/policy.cfm?upoID=3.1.020&key=intellectual%20property
G. EVALUATION OF FACULTY, DEPARTMENT CHAIRS, DEANS, AND THE PROVOST
1. Evaluation of Faculty
a. Evaluation of Teaching by Students
The University of Central Missouri uses multiple forms of faculty evaluation to improve courses;
present evidence for promotion, tenure, and potential merit pay; construct professional development
plans; and inform students of faculty qualifications.
To comply with Missouri statute, each faculty member at UCM shall be evaluated by students every
semester for each course taught using a set of standard questions approved by the Faculty Senate that is
administered via an online survey. The results are published on the university web site. This evaluation
information is NOT used in determination of retention, promotion or tenure of faculty members.
In addition to the evaluation required by Missouri statute, all faculty members who teach, including
those who offer courses through Extended Campus, shall be evaluated in each course, each semester, by
their students through a department and/or college instrument, regardless of mode of delivery. Faculty
members, their department chair, and college dean will have access to their student evaluations.
The University of Central Missouri Faculty Senate requires that departments utilize procedures which
ensure evaluator confidentiality during the distribution, completion, and analysis of faculty course
evaluations and that faculty will not receive course evaluation results until after final grades have been
submitted.
b. Evaluation of Faculty by Department Chairs
Faculty members shall be evaluated annually by their department chairs, relying on multiple means to
evaluate teaching, scholarship and service. The evaluation will include an assessment as to whether the
faculty member has met expectations in each of the three categories and result in a professional
development plan for the upcoming year. Faculty members review their evaluations with their

Faculty Guide Section II - 15
department chair to enhance their professional strengths and effectiveness and to plan achieving goals,
such as promotion and tenure.
Chairs evaluate first- and second-year faculty in preparation of making recommendations on
reappointment. After review with faculty, chairs forward the evaluations to the college dean, and these
evaluations, along with written recommendations for areas of improvement, are kept in the faculty
member’s department. A written rebuttal from the faculty member may also be kept in the file. These
rebuttals may be used for reference when an application for tenure or promotion is considered.
2. Evaluation of Department Chairs, Deans, and the Provost
In the fall of each year, Faculty will be given the opportunity to evaluate their department chair, their
dean, and the Provost. The results of these evaluative surveys, administered by the Office of
Institutional Research, will be shared with the person being evaluated and their immediate supervisor.
Individual responses are kept confidential with results reported in summary form. Comments written by
faculty are also presented in the summary report. Faculty should not present any information in their
comments that would allow their anonymity to be compromised. The Provost/Chief Learning Officer
will ensure these evaluations are conducted annually.
This evaluation process is to be used primarily for the purpose of improvement. However, each survey
contains a ‘vote of confidence question’ which asks faculty to indicate whether their chair, dean, or the
Provost should be retained. If 40% or more of the primary respondents submit a response of "not to
retain," a full review of the chair, dean, or the Provost shall be initiated by the appropriate supervisor.
For department chairs, all full-time faculty in the department are the primary respondents. For deans, all
full-time faculty and department chairs in the college are the primary respondents, and for the Provost,
the primary respondents are the department chairs and the deans. The process to be used for a full
review will be determined by the appropriate supervisor. To ensure the full reviews occur, if warranted,
the Office of Institutional Research will send to the Vice Provost for Institutional Effectiveness and
Assessment the summary results of the item pertaining to the vote of confidence for the primary
respondents. It will be the responsibility of the Vice Provost for Institutional Effectiveness and
Assessment to ensure full reviews take place should the trigger for such a review be met. The Vice
Provost will not be involved in any of the full reviews nor have access to any other survey responses or
comments, unless appointed by the supervisor to the review team.
2/6/2012 FS Motion 2011-2012-14
H. STUDENT ACADEMIC APPEAL PROCEDURES
The University of Central Missouri provides a procedure for students who feel aggrieved in their
relationship with the University, its policies, practices, procedures or its faculty and staff. This policy is
not for reviewing instances where a student has been accused of cheating, plagiarism or other academic
dishonesty. Also not covered by this policy are grievances based on discrimination. The types of
grievances to which this procedure applies are as follows:
1. Types of Grievances (Also printed in the Student Handbook)
a. Other than Grading:
1. Grievances against a faculty member concerning a course, class or other academically related
matters.

Faculty Guide Section II - 16
2. Grievances against a department or college (such as non-acceptance into an academic
program) if the department or college has no procedure of its own for processing such
grievances; if it does not, then the procedure provided herein may be utilized.
b. Final Course Grading:
Faculty members have the right and responsibility to grade the academic performance levels of
students in their classes. Furthermore, they are expected to prepare instructional procedures and
guidelines (i.e. syallabi) for distribution in classes at the beginning of each semester. These
guidelines should include an outline of course content, basic instructional procedures, grading
policies and practices, attendance policies and related matters of interest and concern.
This appeal procedure, as it relates to final course grades, is for use only in reviewing allegedly
capricious grading by the instructor, and not for reviewing the instructor's actual grading policies;
nor is it for challenging an assignment grade in relation to the judgment of the value of the work as
judged by the instructor.
Capricious grading is defined as follows:
(1) refusal to correct the miscalculation of the grievant's grade;
(2) the assignment of a grade to the grievant through an unwarranted departure from the
instructor's previously announced standards;
(3) the assignment of a grade to the grievant on some basis other than performance in the course;
(4) the assignment of a grade to the grievant by the unwarranted use of more exacting or
demanding standards than were used for other students in the course. (NOTE: Different grading
standards may be applied to graduate students enrolled in 4000 level courses, or to students
with disabilities whose performance may be impaired.)
If a student feels he or she has been graded unfairly, they should begin the grievance procedures as
described below beginning with Procedure – Level 1. Grievant has one (1) year from the date
final course grade is reported to file a grade appeal. At all levels the burden of proof as to the
allegations of the complaint shall rest upon the student. All proceedings hereunder are to be
closed and all files confidential.
2. Procedure
Level 1 - If the grievance involves an instructor, the grievant should attempt to resolve the matter
informally with the instructor within ten (10) class days of the occurrence of the grievance.
Level 2 - If an agreement cannot be reached, the grievant should submit a dated, written complaint to
the department chair within five (5) class days of his/her meeting with the instructor. The written
complaint shall state the following: the course in which the grade was received; the instructor
whose grade is being challenged; he semester in which the grade was received; specific facts
showing why the student considers the grade to be arbitrary and capricious; the relief sought; and
the signature, address and local telephone number of the student. The department chair will
review the circumstances, and attempt to arbitrate the matter. The department chair will then
prepare a summary report, which will include the decision and the action taken. A copy of this

Faculty Guide Section II - 17
report shall be retained by the department chair along with all other materials pertaining to the
case. A copy of this report shall be forwarded to the grievant and the instructor. This should be
completed within five (5) class days of the date of the complaint. A determination by the
department chair that the complaint is patently frivolous shall be stated in his/her report. (NOTE:
If the instructor involved is the department chair, Level 2 should be bypassed.)
Level 3 - If the matter is not resolved after the Level 2 decision to both parties' satisfaction, then a
written statement should be submitted to the college dean within five (5) class days of the final
decision at Level 2. This will initiate the college's grievance procedure, which will include either a
meeting with the dean or the activation of a college grievance committee to consider the
grievance. A report (like the one in Level 2) should be prepared and informational copies should
be sent to the department chair, the instructor and the grievant. This procedure should be
completed within five (5) class days of the date of the receipt of grievant’s written statement. The
grievant may request approval to be accompanied by a person of his or her choice at any meeting
when the grievant’s presence is required at Level 3. Grievant’s request to be accompanied by a
person of his or her choice shall be reviewed by the Dean or college grievance committee at Level
3. Grievant will be notified of the status of their request to be accompanied by a person of his or
her choice within two (2) class days. A determination by the dean that the complaint is patently
frivolous shall be stated in his/her report and shall be a final determination within this procedure
with no further appeal.
Level 4 - If the matter is still not resolved to all parties' satisfaction after the Level 3 decision, and so
long as the dean has not determined the complaint to be patently frivolous, then an appeal may be
made by directing a letter to the Provost stating the grounds for the appeal. This should be done
within five (5) class days of the date of the decision rendered in Level 3. The grievant may request
approval to be accompanied by a person of his or her choice at any meeting when the grievant’s
presence is required at Level 4. Grievant’s request to be accompanied by a person of his or her
choice shall be reviewed by the Provost at Level 4. Grievant will be notified of the status of the
request to be accompanied by a person of his or her choice within two (2) class days. The Provost
will then review the file in the matter and decide, within ten (10) class days to take one of the
following actions:
1. Uphold one or all of the previous decisions;
2. Overturn the decisions outright and make an alternate resolution; or
3. Refer the matter to a university grievance committee. The Provost will appoint a committee
of two students and two faculty members to review the matter within ten (10) class days from
the receipt of the letter directed to the Provost. The committee will make its recommendation
to the Provost within five (5) class days of completing its work. In the event of a tie vote of
the committee, the Provost shall cast the deciding vote. The Provost shall immediately, upon
receipt of the committee’s recommendation, notify the grievant in writing of the university
grievance committee’s decision. Copies of the decision shall be forwarded to the grievant,
and if applicable to the instructor, and to the college dean of the college involved.
The Provost’s decision is final and binding on all parties, and once communicated, shall be
placed in full force and effect immediately.
Questions concerning this procedure or other issues related to academic appeals should be addressed to
the Office of the Provost or the Office of Student Experience and Engagement. (4-28-08)

Faculty Guide Section II - 18
I. TEACHER/PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION GOVERNANCE AND PROCEDURES*
Definition of Terms
The Unit Head is the individual officially designated to provide leadership for the unit, with the
authority and responsibility for its overall administration and operation. At the University of Central
Missouri, that individual is the Dean of the College of Education.
The Professional Education Faculty (PEF) shall be the representative body of the Teacher Education
Program (TEP) for the entire University. The role of the PEF shall be to review, support and implement
the conceptual framework of the Teacher Education Program at the University of Central Missouri.
Membership in PEF shall include those individuals employed by UCM, including graduate teaching
assistants, who teach one or more courses in education pedagogy, provide services to candidates (e.g.,
advising), supervise clinical experiences, or administer some portion of the unit. Voting members shall
be full-time faculty and professional staff who are members of the PEF. At the request of the Unit Head,
department chairs identify members of the PEF in the fall of each year, using the qualifications above.
Voting membership in the PEF is required for all persons who serve on the Teacher Education Council.
The Teacher Education Council (TEC) is the Executive Board of the PEF and serves in an advisory
capacity to review and recommend on policy, programs, curricular, and programmatic assessment
matters related to the Teacher Education Program. The TEC serves the PEF and is representative of the
PEF. The TEC reports to the Dean of the College of Education in his/her capacity as the University's
official Unit Head.
*It is not the general practice to list the governance structure of individual units in the Faculty Guide.
However, teacher education impacts upon each of the academic units, and faculty throughout the
campus are affected by the teacher education governance structure. Thus, the materials are included
herein.
TEACHER EDUCATION COUNCIL: POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Definition of Terms
The Unit Head is the individual officially designated to provide leadership for the unit, with the
authority and responsibility for its overall administration and operation. At the University of Central
Missouri, that individual is the Dean of the College of Education.
The Professional Education Faculty (PEF) shall be the representative body of the Teacher Education
Program (TEP) for the entire University. The role of the PEF shall be to review, support and implement
the conceptual framework of the Teacher Education Program at the University of Central Missouri.
Membership in PEF shall include those individuals employed by UCM, including graduate teaching
assistants, who teach one or more courses in education pedagogy, provide services to candidates (e.g.,
advising), supervise clinical experiences, or administer some portion of the unit. Voting members shall
be full-time faculty and professional staff who are members of the PEF. At the request of the Dean,
department chairs identify members of the PEF in the fall of each year, using the qualifications above.
Voting membership in the PEF is required for all persons who serve on the Teacher Education Council.

Faculty Guide Section II - 19
The Teacher Education Council (TEC) is the Executive Board of the PEF and serves in an advisory
capacity to review and recommend on policy, programs, curricular, and programmatic assessment
matters related to the Teacher Education Program. The TEC serves the PEF and is representative of the
PEF. The TEC reports to the Dean of the College of Education in his/her capacity as the University's
official Unit Head.
*It is not the general practice to list the governance structure of individual units in the Faculty Guide.
However, teacher education impacts upon each of the academic units, and faculty throughout the
campus are affected by the teacher education governance structure. Thus, the materials are included
herein.
TEACHER EDUCATION COUNCIL: POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
Membership
The Teacher Education Council shall be comprised of 17 members. Ten are voting members, seven are
advisory (non-voting) members.
A. Faculty: ten faculty shall be elected to serve on the TEC.
1. Eligibility: All TEC members must be members of the Professional Education Faculty.
2. Term of Office: The term of office for elected members shall be three years. Terms shall be staggered.
No member may serve more than two consecutive terms. Any member who serves two consecutive
terms will be ineligible to serve for one year.
3. Representation:
a. Four members elected from the College of Education
b. Three members elected from the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
c. Three members elected from the College of Health, Science, and Technology
d. Seven non-voting members:
• Dean, College of Education
• Associate Dean, College of Education
• College of Education chairs (Career and Technology Education, Educational Foundations and
Literacy, Educational Leadership and Human Development, and Elementary and Early
Childhood Education)
• Director of Certification
Secretary: The Administrative Assistant to the Dean of the College of Education or a person designated
by the Dean shall serve as secretary for the TEC.
Policies
A. The Chair of the TEC is elected by the membership at the first regularly scheduled meeting of the
Fall Semester. The Dean of the College of Education is responsible for convening the initial fall
meeting.
B. The TEC meets through the summer semester, as needed.

Faculty Guide Section II - 20
C. Special meetings of the TEC may be called by the Dean or by written request of three members of the
TEC.
D. The TEC shall consider and make recommendations to the PEF on matters relating to the Teacher
Education Program (TEP) policy, procedures, and programmatic assessment. Specifically, the TEC
shall act on:
1. Admission to the Teacher Education Program, certification concerns, exit requirements, student
qualifications, student and programmatic assessment, or other matters relating to the TEP as determined
by the TEC or Dean.
2. All other matters go directly to the Dean.
E. Curriculum proposals related to TEP must be approved by department and college committees before
consideration by the TEC, Curriculum proposals approved by the TEC are forwarded to the Dean for
approval and then to appropriate curriculum review committees (Academic Program Review, Graduate
Council, and/or FS University Curriculum Committee.)
F. The Dean and the TEC communicate teaching performance and professional development
expectations of PEF members through their respective department chairs.
G. Each department chair will review teaching performance of PEF members in their respective
department for courses in the TEP and make documents available to the Dean and for accreditation
visits.
H. All final decision-making authority with respect to the unit shall rest with the dean, notwithstanding
the appeals review process noted in the Teacher Education Council Policies and Procedures.
I. The secretary of the TEC shall distribute the agenda two days prior to a meeting. Approved minutes of
meetings will be made available electronically to all Professional Education Faculty.
J. The Dean or designee will compile and report aggregated summative accreditation data on teacher
education candidates annually and, based on findings, will work with TEC to determine unit goals for
the next academic year.
Procedures
A. The Chair of the TEC shall place all items submitted by a member of the PEF on the TEC's agenda
unless the individual submitting the item requests or consents to the removal of the item from the
agenda.
B. The TEC has the authority to create ad hoc committees to focus on the directions, programs, and
perceived needs of professional education.
C. The rules contained in the current edition of Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the
TEC in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these policies
and procedures.

Faculty Guide Section II - 21
D. If a student appeals a decision related to (a) Admission to Teacher Education or (b) Permission to
Student Teach, the Director of Clinical Services and Certification considers the appeal. Appeals of the
action of the Director of Clinical Services and Certification go to the TEC, which considers the appeal.
Appeals of the action of the TEC go to the Dean who considers the appeal. Appeals of the action of the
Dean go to the Provost for review. The decision of the Provost is final. All other student appeals will
follow the process outlined in the Student Handbook. (updated May 2012)