GRADUATE CATALOG - The Petroleum Institute

Graduate Catalog | Academic Year 2013 – 2014Rules of ConductAcademic IntegrityThe faculty, administration, and students of the Petroleum Institute have a responsibility for establishing,maintaining, and fostering an understanding for and an appreciation of the principles of academic integrity.Instructors in all classes will clearly define where independent work is required and situations where groupwork is acceptable.In many cases, learning situations in and outside of class where students help each other are acceptable and in factwill be encouraged. However, in cases where the instructor defines that individual work is required, it is aviolation of academic integrity to offer help to or accept help from others or to use the work of others and claimthe work as one’s own. In any set of circumstances where the student is unsure of this policy, it is the student’sresponsibility to resolve this issue before the work is submitted for grading or the examination is taken.AttendanceClass attendance is an important component of the learning process. Accordingly, unexcused absences from classwill not be tolerated. Work missed due to unexcused absences, including homework, projects, quizzes, andexams, cannot easily be made up and may be assigned a score of zero.Excused absences from class may be allowed for off-campus students using the Petroleum Institute e-Learningsystem as well as under special circumstances such as, for medical reasons, or for personal or familyemergencies. In the case of absence due to a medical condition, the student is required to submit a physician’sreport to a counselor in order to obtain permission to make up any assignments that have been missed.Classroom DeportmentIn order to maintain a positive learning environment, rude, disruptive, and inconsiderate behavior by students inclass will not be tolerated. Students are required to be present and ready to begin class promptly on the hour,and should plan other activities and transit time between classes accordingly. Students who are chronically lateto class or disruptive in other ways are subject to removal from class following one warning by the instructor.Any work missed because of a student’s removal from class cannot be made up and will be assigned a score ofzero. Students who repeatedly disrupt are subject to permanent removal from the course following consultationwith the Provost.Electronic DevicesElectronic devices including mobile phones should be turned off when entering the Petroleum Institute academicfacilities. They are not to be used during class.Student ComplaintsThe Petroleum Institute is committed to providing fair and equitable treatment for all students. In the event that astudent develops concerns regarding his/her treatment at the Petroleum Institute, they are encouraged to godirectly to the Graduate School where they will be referred to a student counselor for assistance. The counselorwill recommend appropriate steps to deal with the issue. Some complaints are best handled with the studentcounselor acting as an advocate for the student and attempting to resolve the matter with the appropriateperson or body. On other occasions, students may be advised to talk with a given faculty member or aDepartment Chairman. Some issues where there is no immediate resolution may require the student toimplement a formal appeals process.Graduate Academic Appeals Committee (GAAC)Students who feel that a rule or regulation was applied unfairly may submit an appeal in writing. Appeals will beconsidered by the Graduate Academic Appeals Committee (GAAC). The appeal should be accompanied byrelevant evidence, such as a letter from a medical doctor or official documentation. When considering an appeal,the GAAC may take into consideration the student’s total academic record, attendance record or any otherinformation on file which will assist them in reaching a fair decision. Probation may not be appealed.Page 34