Statements of Policy - UMUC Europe

Policy Statements
Policy Statements
Responsibilities of UMUC
UMUC considers the following goals in designing and reviewing
the courses it offers. These goals are also considered in evaluating
the acceptability of courses presented for transfer of credit from
other institutions.
1. Presentation of material should conform to representations in
official publications, announcements, and advertisements, or
descriptions furnished to students before a course begins.
2. Students should be able to have regular contact with members
of the faculty.
3. Students should be able to participate in the process of
learning.
4. Students should have opportunities to interact with one
another.
5. Students are entitled to have their work evaluated on an
individual basis by faculty members.
Academic Integrity
Integrity in teaching and learning is a fundamental principle of a
university. UMUC believes that all members of the university
community share the responsibility for academic integrity.
At UMUC, faculty members are expected to establish classroom
environments conducive to the maintenance of academic integrity
by promptly giving students a complete syllabus describing the
course and its requirements, grading submitted work promptly
and adequately, and arranging appropriate testing conditions,
including having faculty members monitor examinations given
in face-to-face classes.
Students at UMUC are expected to conduct themselves in a
manner that will contribute to the maintenance of academic
integrity. Failure to maintain academic integrity (academic
dishonesty) may result in disciplinary action.
Academic dishonesty includes but is not limited to obtaining or
giving aid on an examination, having unauthorized prior
knowledge of an examination, doing work for another student,
and plagiarism.
Plagiarism is the presentation of another person’s idea or product
as one’s own. Plagiarism includes but is not limited to copying
verbatim all or part of another person’s work; using phrases, charts,
figures, illustrations, computer programs, or mathematical or
scientific solutions without citing the source; paraphrasing ideas,
conclusions, or research without citing the source; and using all
or part of a literary plot, poem, film, musical score, or other artistic
product without attributing the work to its creator.
Students can avoid unintentional plagiarism by carefully
following accepted scholarly practices. Notes taken for papers
and research projects should accurately record sources of material
to be cited, quoted, paraphrased, or summarized, and papers
should acknowledge those sources in footnotes.
UMUC’s policy on Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism can be
found in Appendix H.
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Attendance
Students are expected to attend classes regularly in order to master
course material. Being in class means interacting through alert
listening, careful note-taking, and active reflection. It means
participating in the effort to identify the central issues and
problems involved in the material under consideration. Being in
class means being an active participant.
Absences (whether excused or unexcused) do not alter what is
expected of students. All class work must be made up by
completing appropriate assignments specified by the faculty
member. Students should confer with the faculty member if they
know they will miss a class or classes. If students decide to withdraw
from a course, they must file an Application for Withdrawal at
the education center.
Faculty members who base a portion of the final grade upon class
participation and/or projects will inform their students at the
beginning of the term. In certain courses, especially speech, foreign
language, writing, and laboratory courses, classroom activities are
so essential that even minimal achievement is improbable or
impossible without regular attendance. It is the student’s
responsibility to be aware of deadlines for tests, papers, and
presentations.
Change of Address
Students who move during the term should not only leave a
forwarding address with the postal authorities but should also
notify the UMUC-Europe Office of the Registrar in Heidelberg
as soon as possible.
Code of Civility
To promote a positive, collegial atmosphere among students,
faculty, and staff, UMUC has developed the following Code of
Civility:
Respect
Treat all students, faculty, and staff with respect and in a
professional and courteous manner at all times and in all
communications, whether in person or in written communication
(including e-mail).
Kindness
Refrain from using profanity, insults, or other disparaging remarks.
Truth
Endeavor to cite only the truth and not knowingly misrepresent,
mischaracterize, or misquote information received from others.
Responsibility
Take responsibility for our own actions instead of blaming others.
Cooperation
Work together with other students, faculty, and staff in a spirit of
cooperation toward our common goals of seeking and providing
quality education.
Privacy
Strive to uphold the right to privacy and not talk about others.
Nondiscrimination
Respect the differences in people and their ideas and opinions
and reject bigotry.
2004-2005 Undergraduate Catalog