11. Student Academic Behavior

A. Academic Behavior Standards

1. Violations of student academic behavior standards on the undergraduate and graduate level include, but are not limited to, the following:
   • Cheating whereby non-permissible written, visual, electronic or oral assistance including that obtained from another student or another source is utilized on examinations, course assignments or projects. The unauthorized possession or use of examination or course related material shall also constitute cheating.
   • Plagiarism whereby another’s work is used or appropriated without any indication of the source, thereby attempting to convey the impression that such work is the student’s own.
   • A student who has assisted another in any of the aforementioned breach of standards shall be considered equally culpable.
   • Commercial Use of Academic Material: Selling notes, handouts, etc… without authorization or using them for any commercial purpose without the express written permission of the University and the Instructor is a violation of this rule.
   • The actions described here do not apply to alleged violations arriving from the production of theses or dissertations. Such alleged violations are handled by the Office of Graduate Studies as outlined in section B(6) below.

2. Academic Action
   Action by the instructor:
   • When an instructor becomes aware of an alleged violation of student academic behavior standards and before any academic action is taken, the instructor shall inform the student of the violation, citing the information on which the allegation is based. The instructor shall give the student the opportunity to respond in defense. If the instructor continues to believe a violation of academic behavior has occurred, the instructor in consultation with the unit head shall duly inform the student in writing of the academic action being taken and the reason for such action. Reports of the initial violation and the final academic action report shall also be sent to the Director of the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities (OSRR) or designee.
   • In response to an alleged violation of the student academic behavior standards, the instructor, along with the unit head, shall take appropriate measures ranging from counseling to an academic action (loss of credit in a specific assignment, examination or project; failure of the course) to a recommendation for disciplinary action forwarded to the Director of the OSRR or designee. If a student is found to have multiple infractions, OSRR may recommend additional action.
   • Should an alleged violation of academic behavior standards arise before the withdrawal deadline in a term, the instructor shall notify the unit head who will notify the registrar that the student shall not be withdrawn from the course in question. Only a written release from the instructor of the authorized party deciding a student appeal will permit withdrawal. However, if the student appeals the academic action and desires to withdraw from the course, the process shall be initiated by the student immediately in the normal University manner. Such withdrawal requests will be held in abeyance until a ruling on an appeal is obtained. If resolved in favor of the student, the withdrawal request will be processed at the time. The individual empowered to rule on the student appeal shall appropriately notify both the registrar and the Director of the OSRR or designee of the outcome.

3. Coordination of Academic and Disciplinary Action
   • When an instructor initiates academic action as the result of the student’s alleged violation of academic behavior standards, the academic action will be processed before any disciplinary action is sought. At the time of the final academic action report, the instructor can recommend, through the unit head and college dean or designee to the Director of the OSRR or designee, that disciplinary action should be pursued by means of the Student Conduct Review Process.
   • When information concerning an alleged violation of academic standards is received by the Director of the OSRR or designee from somewhere other than instructional sources (e.g. other students, University police, etc.), the Director or designee shall inform the dean or designee of the college in which the violation allegedly took place. The college dean or designee shall inform the unit head, who, in turn, will notify any affected instructor. The instructor, in consultation with the unit head, will then determine if an academic action is appropriate. At the time of the final academic action report, the instructor can recommend through the unit head and college dean or designee to the Director of the OSRR or designee, that disciplinary action should be pursued by means of the Student Conduct Review Process.
   • In the case of multiple or aggravated violations of academic behavior standards, the Director of the OSRR or designee shall initiate disciplinary action based on information contained in University records upon consultation with the college dean or designee.

B. Student Academic Appeals

1. Scope
   • This rule shall apply to undergraduate and graduate student appeals of the following:
     • Grades (typically limited to final grades) resulting from an instructor’s:
   • Alleged deviation from established and announced grading policy;
   • Alleged errors in application of grading procedures;
   • Alleged lowering of grades for non-academic reasons including discrimination.
     • Actions taken by an instructor pursuant to the provisions of the UCF policy on “Student Academic Behavior”
   • This rule shall also apply to undergraduate program requirements of departments, schools, or colleges.
   • Appeals of graduate programs actions or decisions by a faculty member, program, or college, including termination from an academic program, are discussed in the following section 6.
   • The professional judgment exercised by an instructor in assigning a specific grade or in conducting a class is excluded from the provisions of this rule except as noted above.

2. General Policy – The following assumptions are adopted: Students are entitled to a fair, prompt, and open resolution of complaints.
   • Faculty members and administrators are entitled to a fair, prompt, and open forum in defense of their action.
   • Students have access to published materials and student government representatives to help them become familiar with and understand procedures for handling complaints.
   • Faculty members and administrators have access to published materials and University staff to help them know and understand procedures through which charges against them will be addressed.
   • Resolution of student appeals should be made as speedily and informally as possible.
   • The University as an institution and its faculty are entitled to procedures that ensure the maintenance of academic standards.
   • The appropriate forum for discussion or alteration of academic matters is the academic unit responsible for these matters.

3. Resolution of Student Appeals at Informal Level
   • All student academic appeals or wrongful academic action(s) by an instructor or administrator shall first be brought to the attention of the instructor of the course or administrator perpetuating the action. This action must be initiated within one semester of the alleged wrongful action or grade, or as soon thereafter as the student becomes aware of such action. The parties should attempt to resolve the problem in an expedient and satisfactory manner. If dissatisfied with the decision of the person whose action is being appealed, or if that person is not available, the student may continue to pursue an informal solution with the unit head or dean or designee of the college in which the action occurred.
   • The unit head or supervisor in consultation with the instructor or administrator should make every effort with the student to solve the problem. This resolution shall take place within 10 school days of the complaint being brought to the unit head or supervisor. At the time the unit head or supervisor notifies the student of this decision, the student should also be informed of the formal procedures for appeal, and that counsel for these procedures are available with the Student Government Association. The decision of the unit head or supervisor must be in writing.
   • When the instructor or university official is not available to discuss the problem, if at all possible, the resolution should wait until such time as the person whose action is being appealed can return to the campus, but no longer than one semester. If the unit head or college dean or designee determines that an emergency exists requiring that the problem must be solved prior to the availability of the instructor or official (e.g. in a case of probable delayed graduation), the unit head or dean or designee shall make every reasonable effort to inform the instructor or administrator of the situation. The person whose action is being appealed may elect to submit a written statement and to designate a faculty replacement to aid in solving the problem. If that person cannot be reached or does not elect to designate a replacement and the complaint must be dealt with promptly, then the unit head or dean or designee shall act on behalf of the instructor or administrator.

4. Resolution of Student Academic Appeals at the College Level
   • If not satisfied with the resolution of the complaint proposed by the unit head or supervisor, the student may proceed within 10 school days of receipt of the unit head’s or supervisor’s decision to file a written appeal with the office of the dean of the college in which the action occurred. The written appeal must clearly specify the action that the student perceives as wrong.
   • An assistant or associate dean in the college appropriate to the case will hear the appeal and render the opinion in 3 work weeks in writing or provide a reason why the deadline could not be met. If the student is not satisfied with the finding of this administrator, the student within 10 days may request an appeal to the student academic appeals committee.
   • The purpose of the student academic appeals committee is to determine the legitimacy of the awarded grade. In doing that, they are to suggest a resolution for the action. Before filing the complaint, the student should consult with Student Government Association’s Judicial Advisor or designee, who shall furnish advice to the student’s rights and responsibilities with respect to this policy. The written appeal shall include the basis of the original complaint, the dates when the instructor, unit head, administrator, or supervisor, met with the student to discuss the problem, and the suggested resolution at that time.
   • The Student Academic Appeals Committee
     • Each college shall establish a Student Academic Appeals Committee whenever required.
     • The committee shall be made up of at least three and no more than five tenured faculty members and an equal number of students.
     • Student members shall be selected by the dean of the college or designee from a panel of no less than thirty (30) students. This panel shall be appointed by the Vice President of Student Development and Enrollment Services from a list furnished for this purpose by the Student Body President.
     • Any member shall be challenged for cause by either party. The validity of such challenges shall be decided by the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities. If a challenge is upheld, the college dean or designee shall appoint a replacement from the college’s tenured faculty or the student panel.
   • The college dean or designee shall call the Student Academic Appeals Committee together for an arranged appeals date.
   • In conducting a formal review, the Student Academic Appeals Committee shall adhere to the following guidelines:
     • The time limits specified in the following review procedure may be extended by mutual agreement of the parties.
     • The student and the instructor or instructor’s replacement shall be permitted to have a non-lawyer representative appear with them before the committee if they so choose.
     • The committee shall not be officially convened to review the appeal until the faculty member involved, or replacement, has received a copy of the appeal or complaint and has had at least 5 school days to submit, if desired, any information. The student will be provided with a copy of any material submitted by the instructor at least 5 school days before the committee meets to review the case.
     • The committee should make every reasonable effort to meet for review of the case within 15 school days after receipt of the student’s written appeal and any information provided by the faculty member and/or chair.
     • The committee will function as an objective, fact finding body when examining all available and relevant information concerning the student’s appeal of academic action by the instructor. Such information shall include the student’s written appeal, written and/or oral information provided by the instructor, statements made by both parties before the committee, and any other information the committee may deem relevant.
     • The student and faculty member shall be invited to meet with the committee. Each shall be allowed adequate time to respond to the appeal and material as submitted, to any questions from committee members, and to present additional information needed to clarify the issues involved.
     • After meeting with both parties, the committee shall develop its recommendations by majority vote. The committee chair shall designate a member to record the committee's recommendations. These recommendations concerning the disposition of the case shall be submitted to the college dean.
   • The college dean shall render a decision within 10 school days of the conclusion of the committee hearing. Copies of the committee’s recommendation and the dean’s decision shall be made available to both parties concerned, to the provost, and all other involved parties and departments.

5. Final Appeal
   • If dissatisfied with the college dean’s decision, the student may, within 10 school days, file a written request for review with the dean of undergraduate studies or the dean of graduate studies (depending upon the classification of the student) stating the basis for review and the resolution sought by the student.
   • Acting as the University President’s representative, the dean of undergraduate studies or the dean of graduate studies shall make a final decision on the matter within 10 school days of receipt of the student’s request for review. Copies of the dean’s written decision and the basis therefore shall be sent to the student, the college dean, the chair, the Director of the OSRR , the instructor involved (if any), and other involved parties.

6. Appeals of Graduate Program Actions or Decisions
   • Review of Academic Performance. The primary responsibility for monitoring academic performance standards rests with the degree program. However, the college and university may monitor a student’s progress and may revert any student to non-degree status if performance standards as specified by the program, college or university are not maintained. Satisfactory academic performance in a program also involves maintaining the standards of academic and professional integrity expected in a particular discipline or program. Failure to maintain these standards may result in termination of the student from the program.

     A degree program may revert any graduate student to non-degree status at any time, when, in its judgment, the individual is deemed incapable of successfully performing at required standards of excellence. Once reversion to non-degree status has occurred, a student will not be allowed to enroll in graduate courses in that major and will be removed from courses currently being taken. If a student is reverted to non-degree status, reinstatement to graduate student status can occur only through a formal grievance process. (See Academic Grievance Procedure in following section).

   • Academic Grievance Procedure. The Office of Graduate Studies follows the procedures for academic grievances as outlined below. Academic matters are those involving graduate instruction, graduate research, or decisions involving graduate instruction or affecting academic freedom of graduate students.

     The Appeals Subcommittee of the Graduate Council is the committee that has jurisdiction for issues involving graduate students enrolled for graduate credit, with the exclusion of the following:

     • grade appeals for individual courses (not thesis or dissertation requirements).
     • non-academic issues of a disciplinary nature

     Both of the above items (#i and #ii) are handled by the Golden Rule process for all students at UCF (see the appropriate sections above).

   • The Academic Grievance Procedure is designed to provide a fair means of dealing with graduate student complaints regarding a specific action or decision by a faculty member, program or college, including termination from an academic program. Academic misconduct complaints associated with sponsored research will invoke procedures determined by the Office of Research.
   • Students who believe they have been treated unfairly, with the previous exceptions, may initiate a grievance. The procedure provides several levels of review, and at each level of review the participants are further removed and have a broader outlook than where the grievance originated.
     1. The graduate student should discuss the matter within the academic unit of the grievance and attempt to resolve the grievance informally.
     2. If an informal resolution fails, the procedure is as follows:
        • The graduate student requesting consideration of a grievance, must state the nature of the grievance in writing to the graduate program coordinator, within one year of the date of the occurrence of the grievance. The statement should include a brief narrative of the grievance, the parties involved, and a statement of what remedy is requested.
        • The graduate program coordinator may ask the unit graduate committee responsible for hearing graduate student grievances to examine the necessary information. The unit graduate committee may invite the grievant as well as others who may provide useful information to a scheduled meeting to present arguments for the grievance. The unit graduate committee will recommend a response to the grievance to the graduate program coordinator.
        • The graduate program coordinator will consider the input of the unit graduate committee and make a recommendation to the unit head about the grievance. The unit head will then make a final unit decision about the grievance at that level.
        • Should the graduate student wish to appeal the decision of the unit head, the student or unit head may request in writing to the college graduate coordinator (if this is the next most appropriate unit) or the Office of Graduate Studies (if this is the next most appropriate unit) that the grievance be considered at this level. The college graduate coordinator may ask the college graduate committee to examine the information and consider the grievance at a scheduled meeting. The college graduate committee may request that the graduate student attend and present information and arguments about the grievance and invite others who may provide useful information to do the same. The college graduate committee will recommend a response to the grievance to the college graduate coordinator.
        • The college graduate coordinator will consider the input of the college graduate committee and make a recommendation to the college dean about the grievance. The college dean will then make a final decision about the grievance at that level.
        • Should the graduate student wish to appeal the decision of the college or unit (whichever is appropriate), the student may request in writing to the Vice Provost and Dean of Graduate Studies that the grievance be considered at the university level. The Vice Provost and Dean may ask the Appeals Subcommittee of the Graduate Council of the Faculty Senate to examine the information and consider the grievance at a scheduled meeting. The Appeals Subcommittee may request that the graduate student attend and present information and arguments about the grievance and invite others who may provide useful information to do the same. Graduate students who would like to invite advisors or others to the committee meeting may do so, but the advisor is only there to provide consultation with the student and not to participate in the committee meeting. The Appeals Subcommittee solicits information and then dismisses any invited parties to consider the recommendation that it will make, either at a continuation of the meeting or at a future meeting.
        • The Vice Provost and Dean of Graduate Studies will consider the input of the Appeals Subcommittee of the Graduate Council and make a final decision about the grievance for the university.