2001-2002 UAF Catalog

Graduate

As a UAF student, you're subject to the Honor Code. The university assumes that the integrity of each student and of the student body as a whole will be upheld. Honesty is a primary responsibility of you and every other UAF student. It is your responsibility to help maintain the integrity of the student community. UAF's Honor Code is as follows:

Students will not collaborate on any quizzes, in-class exams, or take-home exams that will contribute to their grade in a course, unless permission is granted by the instructor of the course. Only those materials permitted by the instructor may be used to assist in quizzes and examinations.
Students will not represent the work of others as their own. A student will attribute the source of information not original with himself or herself (direct quotes or paraphrases) in compositions, theses and other reports.
No work submitted for one course may be submitted for credit in another course without the explicit approval of both instructors.

Violations of the Honor Code will result in a failing grade for the assignment and, ordinarily, for the course in which the violation occurred. Moreover, violations of the Honor Code may result in suspension or expulsion.

Instructors can either deal with suspected violations of the Honor Code themselves or refer such matters to the University Disciplinary and Honor Code Committee (UDHCC). If the instructor believes that a student should be suspended or expelled from the university for an Honor Code violation, the instructor must request a hearing before the UDHCC. The UDHCC shall decide if the Honor Code has been violated. If it has not been violated, the instructor will evaluate the assignment according to his or her normal procedures. If it has been violated, the instructor will determine how this violation affects the student's grade for the course; the UDHCC will recommend to the dean of student services whether the student should be dismissed from UAF.

Student Behavioral Standards

Education at the university is conceived as training for citizenship as well as for personal self-improvement and development. Generally, UAF behavioral regulations are designed to help you work efficiently in courses and live responsibly in the campus environment. They are not designed to ignore your individuality but rather to encourage you to exercise self-discipline and accept your social responsibility. These regulations, in most instances, were developed jointly by staff and students. You should become familiar with campus policies and regulations as published in the student handbook.

Information Release

Access to Records

Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, you are entitled, as a UAF student, to review your records. Except for directory information, no personally identifiable information is disclosed to agencies outside UAF without the written permission of the student. Records are made available for legitimate UAF professional use on a need-to-know basis.

Directory Information

Directory information is disclosed to the public on a routine basis unless you request, in writing, to the university registrar that such information not be released. Forms to request that directory information not be released are available in the Office of the Registrar. You must complete this form each semester. No directory information is released during the first five working days of each semester. After that, information will be released when appropriate, unless you return the form to the Registrar's Office. The following is considered directory information:

Name
Address, telephone
Home address (permanent)
Weight and height of students on athletic teams
Date of birth
Dates of attendance and current class standing
Major field(s) of study
Degrees and awards received, including dates
Participation in officially recognized activities
Chancellor's List and Dean's List recognition each semester

Majors

As a graduate student, a change of major form may be used only when the areas of emphasis or the degree are within the same department (i.e., from an M.S. in biology to a Ph.D. in biology, or from an M.Ed. in curriculum development to an M.Ed. in educational leadership). If you wish to change to a program in different department, school or college (i.e., from an M.S. in civil engineering to an M.S. in biology), you must submit a new application for admission so that the credentials may be fully reviewed by the faculty responsible for the new degree program.

To be admitted to an interdisciplinary graduate degree program, you must have had a proposed research project accepted. If you make significant changes to the project or committee, you may have to reapply, if recommended by the advisory committee.

Exceptions to Degree Requirements

As a graduate student, you may request an exception to a degree requirement, policy, procedure, deadline, etc. in memorandum format, explaining the extenuating or unusual circumstances warranting the request. The request must be approved by your advisory committee, department head and dean and must be submitted to the Graduate School.

Students' Rights and Responsibilities

The university subscribes to principles of due process and fair hearings as specified in the "Joint Statement on Rights and Freedoms of Students." You are encouraged to familiarize yourself with this document, which can be found in the Office of Student Services.

Most students find it relatively easy to adjust to the privileges and responsibilities of university citizenship. For those who find this more difficult, the university attempts to provide needed counsel to help you gain insight and confidence in adjusting to your new environment. In some cases, if you are unable or unwilling to assume your social responsibilities as a citizen in the university community, the institution may terminate your enrollment or take whatever action is deemed necessary and appropriate.

Temporary Leave of Absence

If you wish to temporarily suspend studies while earning a graduate degree, you must obtain an approved leave of absence. If you fail to register for at least 6 credits in a school year (fall, spring or summer semester) or to obtain a leave of absence, you will be dropped from graduate study and will have to be reinstated before resuming graduate studies.