Course-Related Policies and Resources for Undergraduate Students

UMD maintains a commitment to the principles of truth and academic honesty. Accordingly, the Code of Academic Integrity is designed to ensure that the principle of academic honesty is upheld. While all members of the University share this responsibility, the Code of Academic Integrity is designed so that special responsibility for upholding the principle of academic honesty lies with you as a student.

To promote academic honesty on campus you will be asked by your course instructors to write by hand and sign the following pledge on every examination, paper or other academic exercise. Writing this pledge will serve as a reminder of your commitment to academic integrity.

I pledge on my honor that I have not given or received any unauthorized assistance on this examination.

Failure to sign the pledge is not a violation of the Code of Academic Integrity, but neither is it a defense in case of violation of this Code. Students who do not sign the pledge will be given the opportunity to do so. Refusal to sign must be explained to the instructor. Signing or non-signing of the pledge will not be considered in grading or judicial procedures. Material submitted electronically should contain the pledge, submission implies signing the pledge. On examinations, no assistance is authorized unless given by or expressly allowed by the instructor. On other assignments, the pledge means that the assignment has been done without academic dishonesty, as defined below.

The pledge is a reminder that you as a University of Maryland student carry the primary responsibility for academic integrity. The meaningfulness of your degree depends on it. Academic dishonesty is a corrosive force in the academic life of a university. It jeopardizes the quality of education and depreciates the genuine achievements of others. All members of the University community-students, faculty, and staff share the responsibility and authority to challenge and make known acts of apparent academic dishonesty.

Code of Academic Integrity defines five major types of Academic Dishonesty:

CHEATING: fraud, deceit, or dishonesty in any academic course or exercise in an attempt to gain an unfair advantage and/or using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information, or study aids in any academic course or exercise.

FABRICATION: unauthorized falsification or invention of any information or citation in an academic course or exercise.

FACILITATING ACADEMIC DISHONESTY: knowingly helping or attempting to help another to violate any provision of this Code.

PLAGIARISM: representing the words or ideas of another as one's own in any academic course or exercise.

SELF-PLAGIARISM: the reuse of substantial identical or nearly identical portions of one's own work in multiple courses without prior permission from the current instructor or from each of the instructors if the work is being submitted for multiple courses in the same semester.

The Office of Student Conduct will contact you if you have been reported for a violation of the Code of Academic Integrity. Your course instructor may or may not mention the report to you. The instructor may not grade or record the grade of an assignment that is related to the report. Information about the resolution options are outlined in the University of Maryland Code of Academic Integrity. Note that the normal sanction for a violation is the grade of "XF" for the course.

University Policy
III-1.00(A) The University of Maryland Code of Academic Integrity (PDF)

Resources
Course Syllabi
Review carefully the syllabi for each of your academic courses. Look for specific instructions regarding expectations for academic integrity. For example: what are the guidelines for working in teams and for collaboration on class work and home work? What are the guidelines for citing sources? If you have questions, ask your professor about expectations.

Office of Student Conduct
For information on academic integrity, what to do if you are referred to the Honor Council by a faculty member, how to report an act of academic dishonesty, how to volunteer as a member of the Student Honor Council.

Undergraduate Writing Center
Help with avoiding plagiarism and guidelines to cite sources.

Libraries Reference Help with avoiding plagiarism and guidelines to cite sources.

Student Legal Aid Office
For answers to questions about legal proceedings and assistance with the disciplinary process.

The University does not limit access to information because of its content when it meets the standard of legality. The University's policy of freedom of expression applies to computing resources. Concomitant with free expression are personal obligations of each member of our community to use computing resources responsibly, ethically, and in a manner which accords both with the law and the rights of others. The University depends first upon a spirit of mutual respect and cooperation to create and maintain an open community of responsible users.

Prohibited behaviors include:

• Altering system software or hardware configurations without authorization; disrupting or interfering with the delivery or administration of IT resources.
• Attempting to access or accessing another's accounts, private files, e-mail messages, or intercepting network communication without the owner's permission except as appropriate to your job duties and in accordance with legitimate University purposes.
• Misrepresenting oneself as another individual in electronic communication.
• Installing, copying, distributing, or using digital content (including software, music, text, images, and video) in violation of copyright and/or software agreements or applicable federal and state law.
• Engaging in conduct that interferes with others’ use of shared IT resources.
• Using University IT resources for commercial or profitmaking purposes or to represent the interests of groups unaffiliated with the University or unassociated with the normal professional activities of faculty, staff or students without written authorization from the University.
• Ignoring individual departmental or unit lab and system policies, procedures, and protocols.
• Facilitating access to University IT resources by unauthorized users.
• Exposing sensitive or confidential information or disclosing any electronic information that one does not have the authority to disclose.
• Knowingly using IT resources for illegal activities. Criminal or illegal use may include obscenity, child pornography, threats, harassment, copyright infringement, University trademark infringement, defamation, theft, identity theft, and unauthorized access.

Violation of these Guidelines may result in revocation of one's right to use the network, disciplinary action, and/or legal action.

Questions regarding the Student Guidelines for Network Computer Use or the Policy on the Acceptable Use of Information Technology Resources should be directed to the Division of Information Technology's Project NEThics at nethics@umd.edu or 30-405-8787.

Questions regarding Community Living and Residence Hall Rules should be directed to the Department of Resident Life's Coordinator for Rights and Responsibilities at 301-314-7598.

Questions regarding the Code of Student Conduct should be directed to the Office of Student Conduct at studentconduct@umd.edu

University Policy
X-1.00(A) University of Maryland Policy on Acceptable Use of Information Technology Resources (PDF)

Resources
Project NEThics oversees the Policy on the Acceptable Use of Information Technology and promotes the responsible use of information technology through user education and policy enforcement and consults with faculty, students, and staff on issues of legal and ethical use of computing resources, including interpretation of university policies.

Acceptable Use Information Technology FAQs

UMD policies protect student privacy.

In context of academic records:
The University of Maryland adheres to the policy of compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA):

• To permit students to inspect their educational records.
• To limit disclosure to others of personally identifiable information from education record without student's prior written consent.
• To provide students the opportunity to seek correction of their educational records where appropriate

FERPA is a Federal law that protects a student’s privacy interest in "education records." FERPA provides that educational institutions, such as postsecondary institutions, may disclose education records, or personally identifiable information from such records, only if an eligible student has provided prior written consent, except in several specified circumstances. Students alleging University noncompliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act may file a written complaint with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Office, United States Department of Education, 400 Maryland Ave. S.W., Washington, D.C. 20202-4605.

In context of social media:
The University of Maryland complies with the Annotated Code of Maryland, Education Article, Section 26-401 in relation to student social media privacy.

• Students may not be asked to identify on their personal social media in order to participate in class or submit assignments (such as sharing a Tweet or a public Facebook post)
• Students may be asked to use a Social Media account in an academic or career-based activity provided that:
1. The student has the option, at his or her own election, to complete the activity by using an existing Personal Social Media Account or by creating a generic (or alternative) Social Media account;
2. Students are not obligated to violate the terms of service of any Social Media account;
3. Use is limited to the academic or career-based activity;
4. The student is not required to provide Non-Public Access Information; and
5. The academic or career-based activity is designed and administered in a manner that is consistent with the University of Maryland, College Park Policy and Procedures on the Disclosure of Student Education Records (III-6.30[A]) and the University of Maryland Disability & Accessibility Policy and Procedures (VI-1.00[D]).

In context of consent to record:
The state of Maryland is one of 11 U.S. states that require two-party, or all-party, consent before it is permissible to record or otherwise intercept and/or capture communications (such as phone calls, in-person conversations, video conferences). This means that everyone participating in a conversation must give their consent before any communication is recorded. Maryland’s courts have found implied consent in cases where it is abundantly clear that an individual knew he/she was being recorded.

According to Maryland law, you will be asked to provide verbal and/or visual notification of recording at the beginning of any meeting or class to alert the participants that "this activity is being recorded." If you continue to participate after being notified that the activity is being recorded, their consent to recording is implied.

In the context of learning technologies:

• Certain student information and records are covered by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). UMD protects that information and records in accordance with FERPA and other applicable laws. The UMD Office of Procurement and Strategic Sourcing, in partnership with the Division of Information Technology (DIT) security team and the Registrar's office, makes sure that appropriate FERPA language, and language required by other applicable laws, is included as needed in any contract with a third-party information technology service provider signed on behalf of UMD (regardless of Division or College).
• Certain student information transmitted within ELMS-Canvas and exchanged with all third-party tools integrated with Canvas is treated as a student educational record, which is protected by FERPA.
• UMD’s third-party service providers are prohibited from using student data in any way except to carry out the contracted services. The information transmitted through these systems belongs to UMD and is governed under the UMD Policy on the Acceptable Use of Information Technology Resources that sets forth standards for responsible and acceptable use of UMD IT resources. These resources include computer systems, computer labs, applications, networks, software and files.

University Policy
III-6.30(A) University of Maryland Policy and Procedures on the Disclosure of Student Education Records (PDF)

V-1.20(A) University of Maryland Policy on Student Social Media Privacy (PDF)

X-1.00(A) University of Maryland Policy on Acceptable Use of Information Technology Resources (PDF)

Resources
Office of the Registrar information on access to student records
TERP Family Rights and Privacy: information on parental access to student records
U.S. Department of Education FAQs on Photos and Videos under FERPA
Protecting Student Privacy and Personally Identifiable Information in UMD Audiovisual Recording Systems

The Code of Student Conduct will be enforced both on and off campus. The campus will prioritize the health and well-being of our campus. And, if necessary will invoke interim suspensions and suspensions for those who violate the Code.
The purpose of this policy is to set standards of conduct for all undergraduate and graduate students.

As a student you are responsible for upholding these standards -- both in class and online. A complete list of prohibited conduct as well as procedures for resolving allegations of misconduct may be found in the University of Maryland Code of Student Conduct. It is very important for you to familiarize yourself with the policies set forth by the University and be aware of the consequences of violating these policies.

Working in an online environment may seem different from attending a class in person. The expectations for student behavior and conduct remains the same. While working in an online environment students continue to have the right to express themselves and participate freely and continue to be expected to treat each other and instructors with courtesy and respect. The Code of Academic Integrity and the Honor Pledge apply to ALL academic assignments and exercises in the online environment.

Please report incidents to the Office of Student Conduct: Code of Student Conduct Incident Referral Form. Questions? E-mail: studentconduct@umd.edu

University Policy
V-1.00(B) University of Maryland Code of Student Conduct (PDF)

Resources
Office of Student Conduct
For information on academic integrity, what to do if you are referred to the Honor Council by a faculty member, how to report an act of academic dishonesty, how to volunteer as a member of the Student Honor Council.

Legal Aid Office

The University of Maryland Policy on Sexual Harassment & Other Sexual Misconduct prohibits a broad range of behaviors including, but not limited to, sexual harassment, sexual assault, stalking, and dating and domestic violence. The Sexual Misconduct Policy also prohibits retaliation against any individual who files a report or formal complaint or participates in an investigation under the Policy.

The Office of Civil Rights & Sexual Misconduct (OCRSM) responds to all complaints of sexual misconduct. To file a report, go to the OCRSM website and click “File a Report,” then complete the online sexual misconduct report form. For more information or assistance, please contact OCRSM by phone at 301-405-1142, or email titleixcoordinator@umd.edu. Walk-ins are also welcome, the OCRSM is located at 4200 Lehigh Rd, Susquehanna Hall 3101.

University Policy
VI-1.60(A) University of Maryland Sexual Misconduct Policy & Procedures (PDF)

Resources
Office of Civil Rights & Sexual Misconduct For information about the University's compliance with Title IX as well as other federal and state civil rights laws and regulations.
Summary of Sexual Misconduct Policy (PDF)
Supportive Measures (PDF) Infographic
Sexual Harassment & Other Sexual Misconduct Process (PDF) Diagram
Reporting Responsibilities for Supervisory Staff and Faculty
Office of Student Conduct
Use Anonymous Ask for a safe, anonymous space to ask about the Code of Academic Integrity, the Code of Student Conduct, or any conduct-related questions through the Office's.
Resident Life, Office of Rights & Responsibilities

Confidential Resources
A confidential resource keeps the information you share with them confidential and will not share your information with others. Staff at confidential spaces are not required to notify the Title IX coordinator of reports involving sexual misconduct.
CARE to Stop Violence, 24 hour call/text: 301-741-3442
University Counseling Center, 301-314-7651 (Also serves as After-Hours Crisis Support Line)
Campus Chaplains, 301-405-8450 or 301-314-9866
University Mental Health Services, 301-314-8106

The Non-Discrimination Policy prohibits discrimination and harassment on the basis of “protected classes.” Protected classes include: race, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, age, national origin, political affiliation, physical or mental disability, religion, protected veteran status, genetic information, and any other legally protected class. The Non-Discrimination Policy also prohibits retaliation against any individual who files a complaint or participates in an investigation under the Policy.

The Office of Civil Rights & Sexual Misconduct (OCRSM) responds to all complaints of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation based on a protected class. To file a report, go to the OCRSM website, click “File a Report,” and then complete the online discrimination report form. For more information, call 301-405-1142, or email civilrights@umd.edu. Walk-ins are also welcome, the OCRSM is located at 4200 Lehigh Rd, Susquehanna Hall 3101.

University Policy
VI-1.00(B) University of Maryland Nondiscrimination Policy and Procedures (PDF)

Resources
Non-Discrimination Policy and Procedures Summary of Key Provisions
Office of Civil Rights and Sexual Misconduct (OCRSM)
Office of Diversity & Inclusion
Bias Incident Support Services
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) Equity Center
Nyumburu Cultural Center
Office of Multi-Ethnic Student Education (OMSE)

The University of Maryland promotes civility and respectful treatment among all members of its diverse campus community, and fosters the discovery and dissemination of knowledge through the free and open exchange of ideas. The University values and protects the intellectual and academic freedom, freedom of speech, and freedom of expression of all students, faculty, and staff. The University provides a welcoming and inclusive environment to enable all members of the University community to pursue their academic, personal, and professional goals. Threatening or intimidating conduct directed toward members of the University community that is motivated by their actual or perceived protected status interferes with these values and commitments, and is therefore prohibited.

The University prohibits threatening or intimidating acts motivated in whole or in part because of an individual or group’s actual or perceived protected status, including the following:

• Threats: Expressions of intent to commit an act or acts of physical violence to a particular individual or group of individuals or to cause damage to their property; or to engage in an act or acts which endangers the health and safety of another person.
• Intimidation: An act or acts that is intended to or that recklessly frightens or coerces and that places another person or persons in reasonable fear of imminent harm.

Protected status is defined in state and federal law as well as in the University of Maryland NonDiscrimination Policy and Procedures VI-1.00(B). The Code of Student Conduct V-1.00(B) addresses prohibited conduct by students, including the conduct outlined above.

Bias Incident Support Services (BISS) addresses hate-bias incidents targeting UMD students, faculty and staff. The program responds, educates and reports to the campus community about bias and its impact, and maintains the Bias Incident Response Protocol. The program is housed under the Office of Diversity & Inclusion. 301-405-2842, or biassupport@umd.edu. To report hate-bias incidents use the online Hate-Bias Incident Report Form.

University Policy
Policy VI-1.00(F) University of Maryland Policy on Threatening and Intimidating Conduct (PDF)

Resources
Bias Resources
Office of Diversity and Inclusion
Office of Civil Rights and Sexual Misconduct (OCRSM)
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) Equity Center
Nyumburu Cultural Center
Office of Multi-Ethnic Student Education (OMSE)

The University of Maryland is committed to maintaining a safe working, learning, and living environment for all members of the campus community. Violence, threats or other troubling behavior in the workplace have increasingly become a matter of national concern, and like all communities the University is mindful of the potential for such behaviors on our campus.

As a concerned community, it is our collective responsibility to report acts of intimidation or violence. Examples of Behaviors to Report:

• Any act of violence where a faculty or staff member hits, pushes, or otherwise physically assaults any member or guest of the University community.
• Any verbal threat that is intended to intimidate or threaten the safety of an individual, whether the threat is made in person, through another individual, over the phone, in the mail, or through e-mail or other social media.
• Unusual or menacing behavior, focused on a grudge, grievance or romantic interest in an individual, suggesting that the faculty or staff member is losing control.
• Acts, words, or gestures adversely affecting the safety and security of an individual, such as stalking or bullying.
• Damaging property owned by the University or by individuals.
• Possession of weapons on University property.

If you are subjected to, witness, or have reason to know of conduct that could be perceived as violent, threatening or otherwise troubling please report to the following:
To report conduct of university faculty, call the office of the Associate Provost for Faculty Affairs, email: faculty@umd.edu.
To report conduct of undergraduate students or teaching assistants use the Code of Student Conduct Incident Referral Form. E-mail:studentconduct@umd.edu
If you believe that you or others are in immediate danger, call 911 or the University Police Emergency at 301-405-3333.

University Policy
VII-11.00(A) University of Maryland Faculty and Staff Workplace Violence Reporting and Risk Assessment Procedures (PDF)

V-1.00(B) University of Maryland Code of Student Conduct (PDF)

Resources
Office of Student Conduct
Division of Student Affairs/Safety and Security
University of Maryland’s Department of Public Safety

The University of Maryland is committed to creating and maintaining a welcoming and inclusive educational, working, and living environment for people of all abilities. The University of Maryland is also committed to the principle that no qualified individual with a disability shall, on the basis of disability, be excluded from participation in or be denied the benefits of the services, programs, or activities of the University, or be subjected to discrimination. The University of Maryland provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals. Reasonable accommodations shall be made in a timely manner and on an individualized and flexible basis.

Discrimination against individuals on the grounds of disability is prohibited. The University also strictly prohibits retaliation against persons arising in connection with the assertion of rights under this Policy.

Accessibility & Disability Service (ADS) facilitates reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals. For assistance in obtaining an accommodation, contact Accessibility and Disability Service at 301.314.7682, or adsfrontdesk@umd.edu. More information is available at counseling.umd.edu/ads/.

After receiving an Accommodations Letter from ADS, as a student you are expected to meet with each course instructor, to provide them with a copy of the Accommodations Letter and to obtain their signature on the Acknowledgement of Student Request form. You and your instructors will discuss a plan for how the accommodations will be implemented in the course throughout the semester. Specific details regarding the implementation of certain ADS approved accommodations agreed upon between you as the student and the individual course instructor must be documented on a Detailed Implementation Plan, signed by you and the instructor, and submitted to ADS. You as the student are responsible for submitting the signed copy of the Detailed Implementation Plan to ADS and retaining a copy for your records.

University Policy
VI-1.00(D) University of Maryland Disability & Accessibility Policy and Procedures (PDF)
Resources
Accessibility & Disability Service
Call 301-314-7682 or email at adsfrontdesk@umd.edu.

Office of Civil Rights & Sexual Misconduct
Where to file a complaint for students who believe that they have been denied reasonable accommodations.

The Excused Absence Policy is listed in full below.

Do's and Don'ts related to this policy:

• At the start of each semester: review the course schedules for all of your classes, including the Final Exam Schedule. If you know of an instance (for example religious observance) that will cause you to miss class or an exam, make an appointment to discuss the absence with your instructor BEFORE the end of the schedule adjustment period. Meet with your instructor in an office appointment; do not have this discussion in the classroom.
• Make every effort to come to class: course attendance is linked to learning and academic success.
• If you miss class or an assignment due date, inform your instructor as soon as possible.
• If you miss class or an assignment due date, collect documentation to support your absence – see details in the policy.
• If you miss class or an assignment due date as a result of an excused absence, meet with your instructor to discuss the appropriate academic accommodation.
• Do not provide false information to your course instructor; providing false information to University officials is prohibited under Part 9(h) of the Code of Student Conduct (V-1.00(B) University of Maryland Code of Student Conduct) and may result in disciplinary action.

I. Policy

An excused absence is an absence for which the student has the right to receive --and the instructor has the responsibility to provide-- academic accommodation.

Students are expected to take full responsibility for their own academic work and progress. Students, to progress satisfactorily, must meet all of the requirements of each course for which they are registered. Students are expected to attend classes regularly. Consistent attendance offers students the most effective opportunity to gain command of course concepts and materials. Excused absences must be requested promptly and must be supported by appropriate documentation.

Excused absences do not alter the academic requirements for the course. Students are responsible for information and material missed on the day of absence. Students are within reason entitled to receive any materials provided to the class during the absence. Students are responsible for making provision to determine what course material they have missed and for completing required exercises in a timely manner.

Events that justify an excused absence include:

• Religious observances
• Mandatory military obligation
• Illness of the student or illness of an immediate family member
• Participation in university activities at the request of university authorities
• Compelling circumstances beyond the student's control (e.g., death in the family, required court appearance)

Absences stemming from work duties other than military obligation (e.g., unexpected changes in shift assignments) and traffic/transit problems do not typically qualify for excused absence.

II. Notification and Documentation

To receive academic accommodation for an excused absence:

1. The student must notify the instructor in a timely manner. The notification should be provided either prior to the absence or as soon afterwards as possible. In the case of religious observances, athletic events, and planned absences known at the beginning of the semester, the student must inform the instructor during the schedule adjustment period. All other absences must be reported as soon as is practical.

2. The student must provide appropriate documentation of the absence. The documentation must be provided in writing to the instructor by the means specified in the syllabus.

1. For medically necessitated absences: Students may, one time per course per semester, provide a self-signed excuse as documentation of an absence from a single class (e.g., lecture, recitation, or laboratory session) that does not coincide with a major assessment or assignment due date. For all other medically necessitated absences, a course instructor may request that students provide documentation from a physician or the University Health Center to verify an absence. In cases where students are asked to provide verification, the course instructor may request the dates of treatment or the time frame that the student was unable to meet academic responsibilities, but may not request diagnostic information.


2. For all other absences students must provide verifiable documentation upon request (e.g., religious calendar, court summons, death announcement, etc.).

3. Providing false information to University officials is prohibited under Part 5(a) of the Code of Academic Integrity (III-1.00(A) or Part 9(h) of the Code of Student Conduct (V-1.00(B) University of Maryland Code of Student Conduct) and may result in disciplinary action.

III. Academic Accommodations

In keeping with the USM III-5.10 Policy Concerning the Scheduling of Academic Assignments on Dates of Religious Observance, "Students shall not be penalized because of observances of their religious holidays and shall be given an opportunity, whenever feasible, to make up within a reasonable time any academic assignment that is missed due to individual participation in religious observances." For all other excused absences, the student must be provided reasonable accommodation. The accommodation provided should, within reason, neither advantage nor disadvantage either the student or the rest of the class.

If the accommodation is a makeup assessment, it must be timely, at a time and place agreed upon by the instructor and student, cover the same material, and be at the same level of difficulty as the original assessment. In the event that a group of students requires the same makeup assessment, one time and place may be scheduled. The makeup assessment must not interfere with the student's regularly scheduled classes, and must be consistent with the V-1.00(A) University of Maryland Policy on the Conduct of Undergraduate Classes and Student Grievance Procedure. If makeup work is not feasible, an alternate accommodation for excused absences will be provided. Alternate accommodations will be according to the principles established by the unit offering the course.

Students who miss a substantial number of class sessions or course assignments should seek guidance from an academic advisor with respect to academic options. Extended absences stemming from active military duty are addressed in the USM V-7.00 Policy on Students who are called to Active Military Duty during a National or International Crisis or Conflict. Absences related to a student's disability are addressed in the VI-1.00(D) University of Maryland Disability & Accessibility Policy and Procedures.

IV. Appeals

Students who feel that they have unfairly been denied either excused absence or appropriate accommodation for an excused absence should first seek to resolve the disagreement with the course instructor. If the student and instructor are unable to find a mutually agreeable resolution, the student may file an appeal with the head of the administrative unit offering the class. In most cases this will be the Chair of the Department. In the case of non-departmentalized units and interdepartmental programs, this role will be taken by the Dean (or the Dean's designee). The unit head should use procedures similar to those specified in the III-1.20(B) University of Maryland Procedures for Review of Alleged Arbitrary and Capricious Grading – Undergraduate Students – but with clear indication that the appeal is with regard to excused absence, not arbitrary and capricious grading.

University Policy
V-100(G) University of Maryland Policy on Excused Absence (PDF)

Resources
Students who have concerns about a class should work directly with their instructor to resolve the issue. If they are unable to reach a resolution with the instructor, students may consult the Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUGS) in the department or unit that offers the course, who can provide assistance. DUGS are knowledgeable about policy and work closely with instructors in their unit to resolve concerns. If you need assistance, please see the list of DUGS to find the right person to contact. (Please note that the sheets are organized by college/school, noted in the bottom tabs.) If necessary, students may also contact the Dean's Office of your academic major.

Medical Excused Absence
Template for a self-signed note for medical excused absence.

UMD Undergraduate Catalog
Detailed information about UMD attendance and absences policies.

The University of Maryland Policy on the Conduct of Undergraduate Courses and Student Grievance Procedure sets the basic expectations for faculty and academic units in providing courses and academic programs that contribute to undergraduate education.

The policy outlines the expectations for an undergraduate course and provides a grievance procedure.

The following are considered to be reasonable expectations of faculty in conducting academic courses:

a. There shall be a complete course syllabus for the current term made available to students no later than the first day of class at the beginning of each undergraduate course. Any changes to the syllabus made after the first day of class must be announced and must be clearly represented with the date of the revision. The course syllabus will specify in general terms:

• Course description including course objectives
• Content and nature of assignments
• Schedule of major graded assessments (e.g., examinations and due dates for projects and papers)
• Examination and/or assessment procedures
• Mode of communication for excused absences
• Basis for determining final grades, including if the plus/minus grading system will be used and the relationship between in-class participation and the final course grade
• Reference to the Course Related Policies web page maintained by the Office of Undergraduate Studies.

In cases where all or some of this information cannot be provided at the beginning of the course, an explanation of the delay and the basis of course development shall be provided.

b. There shall be a reasonable number of graded assessments or progress reports to permit evaluation of student performance throughout the course. These assessments shall be returned to the students in a timely manner. Faculty shall issue mid-term grades for undergraduate students when required, in accordance with III-6.00(B), University of Maryland Policy and Procedures Concerning Mid-Term Grades for Undergraduate Students.

c. Final examinations worth more than 10% of the course grade shall be administered during the final examination period when one is established and published by the Office of the University Registrar. Unit-level guidelines may require that specific courses administer final exams. When a final examination period is scheduled, no final examinations shall be administered on Reading Day or during the last week of classes, defined as the final seven calendar days of the semester ending on the “Last day of classes'' published in the academic calendar.

When a final examination is administered during finals week, no exams or alternative assessments worth more than 10% of the course grade may be due or administered during the last week of classes. If a course has no final examination administered during the final examination period, alternative end-of-semester assessments (e.g., term papers, final projects, presentations, performances, lab practicals) worth more than 10% of the course grade may be due during the last week of classes, if detailed expectations for the assessments are provided by the end of the ninth week of classes. Alternatively, these end-of-semester assessments may be due during the time scheduled for the final exam of the course during the final examination period, but they may not be due on Reading Day.

d. There shall be academic accommodations for students in accordance with University policies, including policies on disability and accessibility, excused absences, and sexual misconduct.

e. There shall be a reasonable opportunity for students to review papers and examinations, including the final examination or assessment, after evaluation by the instructor, while materials are reasonably current.

f. There shall be reasonable access to the instructor during announced regular office hours or by appointment.

g. There shall be regular attendance by assigned faculty unless such attendance is prevented by circumstances beyond the control of the faculty member.

h. There shall be reasonable adherence to the course syllabus.

i. There shall be reasonable adherence to the published academic calendar, campus schedules, and location of classes and examinations.

• Classes not specified in the schedules are to be arranged at a mutually agreeable time on campus, unless an off-campus location is clearly justified.
• Changes to final examination schedules and locations must be approved by the chair of the department, or the dean of the College, or the appropriate designee. However, final examinations or assessments may not be rescheduled to the final week of classes or to the Reading Day.
• No class meetings or required activities may be held on Reading Day. However, individual meetings and makeup exams may be scheduled at the explicit request of the student.

j. Faculty shall endeavor to maintain student privacy with respect to information shared in the course of the student-faculty relationship, subject to legal obligations to report certain information to state authorities and University officials, including child abuse and neglect and sexual misconduct.

k. There shall be public acknowledgement of significant student assistance in the preparation of materials, articles, books, devices and the like. Students retain their intellectual property rights as set forth in the University of Maryland Policy on Intellectual Property.

l. Assigned course materials should be readily available. Faculty must ensure that eligible students receive reasonable accommodations relative to their coursework in accordance with federal and state disability laws, subject to the University's disability and accessibility policies and procedures.

m. The instructor of record is responsible for the overall management of the course, including management of the aspects of the course and coursework delegated to teaching assistants and laboratory assistants.

Grievance Procedure:
If as a student in a course you have a concern or complaint relative to one of the expectations provided in the policy, the policy also describes the process for you to follow. The first step is to meet with your course instructor to share your concern and work with them to find a resolution. If the instructor is not reasonably available to discuss the matter, you as a student may present a grievance directly to the instructor's supervisor, department chair, or program director. In order to be considered timely under the procedures for Formal Resolution, a grievance must be submitted within twenty (20) working business days after the first day of instruction of the next regular semester.

University Policy
V-1.00(A) University of Maryland Policy on the Conduct of Undergraduate Courses and Student Grievance Procedure (PDF)

Resources
Testudo: Refer to the course listing — many courses will now also include a link to the course syllabus
Director of Undergraduate Studies (DUGS) in the department or unit that offers the course. (Please note that the sheets are organized by college/school, noted in the bottom tabs.) If necessary, students may also contact the Dean's Office of your academic major.
Undergraduate Student Ombudsperson for additional information on university policies and procedures.

The University has adopted email as the primary means for sending official communications to students. Academic advisors, faculty, and campus administrative offices use email to convey important information and time-sensitive notices. All enrolled students are provided a University email address. Students are responsible for keeping their email address up to date or for forwarding email to another address. Failure to check email, errors in forwarding email, and returned email due to mailbox full or user unknown will not excuse a student from missing announcements or deadlines.

Suggestions for communication with faculty:

• Use an informative subject line, for example: "UNIV555 student request for meeting."
  Naming the course in the subject line helps the faculty member scan/search their email for notes from students.
• Address the email note, for example: "Dear Dr. Smith."
  Naming the faculty member will indicate to whom you are addressing the message.
• Sign your message with a complete name and other important information.
  For example: "Your Name, UNIV555 student, youremail@umd.edu." Signing a message will help the faculty member identify you as a student in the class and provide the method to return a message to you.

UMD Official closures and delays are announced on the campus website at umd.edu and are sent to the campus community via alert emails.

Resources
Help Desk
For email account information and help with email.

UMD Alerts
Learn about UMD Alerts and how to edit your alert settings.

Copyright and Intellectual Property
Class lectures and other course materials are copyrighted and may not be reproduced for anything other than your personal use without the permission of the course instructor. Course materials are the property of the course instructor – do not sell them, do not post them on a website. Be aware that copyright infringements may be referred to the Office of Student Conduct.

As a student, you own the work that you create as part of your University academic and research activities. Full details and a few limitations are found within the policy.

University Policy
IV-3.20(A) University of Maryland Policy on Intellectual Property (PDF)

Resources
Office of Student Conduct

Course grades are determined by faculty in accordance with information found in the course syllabus. Mid-term grades are submitted for undergraduate students enrolled in their first year, enrolled in 100 and 200 level courses, and all student athletes. Mid-term grades are used to inform students of their performance in a course during roughly the first half of the semester; they are used for advising purposes and are not recorded on a student's academic transcript.

University Policy
III-6.00(B) University of Maryland Policy and Procedures Concerning Mid-Term Grades for Undergraduate Students (PDF)

Resources
Talk to your course instructor about any questions that you may have about course grades. It is very important that you keep track of your performance in your courses. If you have any questions about how work is graded, or how the final grade will be calculated, read the course syllabus and then ask your instructor. Do not wait until the last day of classes.

Any questions about course grades should first be addressed to the course instructor.

In the case of Final Course grades the University of Maryland has a procedure for you to follow if you believe that your final course grade was assigned on some basis other than performance, or that the grade was assigned according to unreasonable standards different from those which were applied to other students in the course, or that the grade was assigned in a manner that was a substantial, unreasonable, or unannounced departure from the instructor's previously articulated standards.

According to the policy the grade appeal must be filed within 20 working days after the first day of instruction of the next regular semester. The grade appeal procedure is outlined in the policy. Note that the policy encourages you to begin by attempting an informal resolution with your course instructor and/or the administrator of the academic unit offering the course.

If you have questions about this policy you may want to speak to your academic advisor or the Undergraduate Student Ombudsperson.

University Policy
III-1.20 (B) University of Maryland Procedures for Review of Alleged Arbitrary and Capricious Grading (Undergraduate Students) (PDF)

Resources

• Undergraduate Program Director in the department offering the course
  List of Academic Departments and Programs
• Undergraduate Student Ombudsperson
  Information on university policies and procedures.

Final exams are scheduled by the University, and the exam schedule is available for you to review.

Students may seek to reschedule final examinations so that they have no more than three examinations on any given day. It is the responsibility of the student to initiate the rescheduling or be responsible for taking the examination as originally scheduled. When rescheduling is desired, students should first contact their instructors (see Academic Deadlines). Students who encounter difficulty rescheduling examinations with their instructors are advised to contact the dean's office of their academic program for help. Faculty members are expected to accommodate students with legitimate rescheduling requests.

Students are strongly encouraged to check the final exam schedule before registering for courses. Exam schedules are based on, but not the same as, the start time of the lecture period for the individual class.

Student Feedback on Course Experiences: The University of Maryland sponsors an official course feedback system: Student Feedback on Course Experiences. As a student you have the opportunity to complete feedback surveys for your courses using this system. Your feedback has significant value to faculty, to departments and to other students.

Please take the time to complete feedback surveys using Course Experiences for all of your courses. Consider this opportunity to provide constructive and meaningful feedback to your course instructors and to the Department that hosts the course. Faculty sincerely value constructive suggestions.

Registered students are able to see course feedback results for scaled items if 70% or more of the students enrolled in that course section submitted their surveys. Student access to results is via ELMS; choose Course Exp. from the sidebar on the left edge of the screen.

University Policy
V-1.00(A) University of Maryland Policy on the Conduct of Undergraduate Courses and Student Grievance Procedure (PDF)

Resources
Final Exam Schedule
Student Feedback on Course Experiences