Academics and Regulations

Appeal of Academic Decisions

The University of Alaska appeals policies can be found in the Regents' Policy and University Regulation Part IX -- Student Affairs, Chapter 09.03, Student Dispute Resolution, available online at www.alaska.edu/bor/policy-regulations/.

Grade Error Policy

A grade other than an incomplete or deferred submitted by the instructor after a course is completed is the final grade and becomes part of the student's permanent academic record. A grade will not be changed unless the instructor made a legitimate error in calculating the grade. If an error has occurred, contact the instructor immediately. Grade error corrections must be received within 30 class days after the beginning of the next regular semester, and must be approved by the instructor's department head and dean. This is not an appeal of an academic decision.

Grade Appeals Policy

A student who wishes to appeal a faculty decision on a final grade must submit a grade appeal form, available at the Office of Admissions and the Registrar. There are only two valid reasons for appeal of a grade: (1) an error in calculation of the grade, or (2) arbitrary and capricious grading. Evidence of either must be documented for an appeal to be successful. Merely wanting a higher grade is not sufficient grounds to justify an appeal.

Appeals must be received on or before the 30th day of instruction of the next regular semester. By submitting a grade appeal, the student acknowledges that no additional mechanisms exist within the university for the review of the grade, and that the university's administration can not influence or affect the outcome of the review. A copy of the full procedure can be obtained at www.uaf.edu/reg/forms/ or through the Office of Admissions and the Registrar, the vice chancellor of students, the Academic Advising Center or any community campus office.

Academic Decisions Other Than Grades

Students who want to appeal an academic decision such as denial of admission, faculty-initiated withdrawal, dismissal from program or pass/fail decisions of a faculty committee on non-course examinations (such as qualifying, comprehensive or thesis examinations) must submit an appeal within 30 class days after the beginning of the next regular semester.

To appeal academic decisions, the student should first address the person who made the decision. Often problems can be resolved and misunderstandings cleared up through this step. If the student does not find the informal review decision acceptable, the student may initiate a formal appeal procedure. Formal appeals must be made in writing and must be received by the provost no later than 10 days after the student has learned the outcome of the informal review. The offices of the provost, university registrar, vice chancellor of students or dean of the graduate school (for graduate student issues) can give you advice and answers to questions about the process.

By submitting a request for a review, the student acknowledges that no additional mechanisms exist within the university for the review of the decision, and that the university's administration can not influence or affect the outcome of the review. For the detailed "Appeals Policy For Academic Decisions" go to www.uaf.edu/uafgov/faculty-senate/policies-procedures/appeals-policy-for-academ/.

Academic appeals advisor

The academic appeals advisor helps undergraduate students with the policies and procedures associated with grade appeals, appeals policy for academic decisions other than assignment of grades, academic petitions and financial aid satisfactory progress appeals.

The academic appeals advisor is a professional academic advisor in the Academic Advising Center. The academic appeals advisor helps students determine whether the appeal or petition is appropriate, reviews documentation relevant to the appeal or petition, and navigates the process for the appeal or petition submission. In the preceding sentence, "appropriate" does not refer to whether an appeal is likely to be successful, but rather whether the appeal falls within the purview of the grade or academic decisions appeal process. The academic appeals advisor does not guarantee the appeal or petition will be successful and will not comment on the likelihood of acceptance. Students are responsible for writing the appeal or petition, for gathering and recording relevant documentation, and for submitting the appeal or petition with the proper signatures.

Contact the Academic Advising Center at 907-474-6396.

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." This document can be found in the Division of Student Services. You are encouraged to read it carefully.

Most students adjust easily to the privileges and responsibilities of university citizenship. The university attempts to provide counsel for those who find the adjustment more difficult. UAF may terminate enrollment or take other necessary and appropriate action in cases where a student is unable or unwilling to assume the social responsibilities of citizenship in the university community.

Student Code of Conduct

UAF students are subject to the Student Code of Conduct. In accordance with board of regents policy 09.02.01, UAF will maintain an academic environment in which freedom to teach, conduct research, learn and administer the university is protected. Students will benefit from this environment by accepting responsibility for their role in the academic community. The principles of the student code are designed to encourage communication, foster academic integrity and defend freedoms of inquiry, discussion and expression across the university community.

UAF requires students to conduct themselves honestly and responsibly, and to respect the rights of others. Conduct that unreasonably interferes with the learning environment or violates the rights of others is prohibited. Students and student organizations are responsible for ensuring that they and their guests comply with the code while on property owned or controlled by the university or at activities authorized by the university.

The university may initiate disciplinary action and impose disciplinary sanctions against any student or student organization found responsible for committing, attempting to commit or intentionally assisting in the commission of any of the following prohibited forms of conduct:

1. cheating, plagiarism or other forms of academic dishonesty
2. forgery, falsification, alteration or misuse of documents, funds or property
3. damage or destruction of property
4. theft of property or services
5. harassment
6. endangerment, assault or infliction of physical harm
7. disruptive or obstructive actions
8. misuse of firearms, explosives, weapons, dangerous devices or dangerous chemicals
9. failure to comply with university directives
10. misuse of alcohol or other intoxicants or drugs
11. violation of published university policies, regulations, rules or procedures
12. any other actions that result in unreasonable interference with the learning environment or the rights of others.

This list is not intended to define prohibited conduct in exhaustive terms, but rather offers examples as guidelines for acceptable and unacceptable behavior.

Honesty is a primary responsibility of yours and every other UAF student. The following are common guidelines regarding academic integrity:

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

Alleged violations of the Code of Conduct will be reviewed in accordance with procedures specified in regents policy, university regulations and UAF rules and procedures. For additional information and details about the Student Code of Conduct, contact the dean of students or visit www.alaska.edu/bor/.

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. Contact the dean of students for more information.

Information Release and FERPA

The Office of Admissions and the Registrar is responsible for keeping student education records. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, protects the privacy of education records, establishes the right of students to inspect and review their education records, and provides guidelines for the correction of inaccurate or misleading data through informal and formal hearings.

FERPA affords students certain rights with respect to their education records. They are:

1. The right to inspect and review the student's education records within 45 days of the day the university receives a request for access. Students should submit a written (letter or fax) request to the Office of Admissions and the Registrar that identifies the record(s) they wish to inspect. The registrar will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained by the Office of Admissions and the Registrar, registrar-designated staff will refer the student to the appropriate personnel or office to access the record.
2. The right to request the amendment of a record they believe is inaccurate or misleading. A student may ask the university to amend the student's education records if he/she believes they are inaccurate or misleading or otherwise in violation of the student's privacy or other rights. If the university decides not to amend the record as requested by the student, the university will notify the student of the decision and advise the student of his or her right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. If the university denies the amendment request after the hearing, the student is given the right to insert a statement in the education record.
3. The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student's education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. The university may release, without consent, certain directory information.

The university discloses education records without a student's written consent under the FERPA exception for disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person designated by the university to perform an assigned function on behalf of the university, including an individual employed by the university as an administrator, supervisor, instructor or administrative staff member (including law enforcement unit personnel and health staff) or a volunteer; a person or company with whom the institution has contracted to perform a service instead of using university employees (such as an auditor, attorney or other third party); a member of the board of regents; a government entity or any other entity with which a student is placed as part of his or her education; or a student serving on an official committee (such as a judicial or academic review committee or scholarship committee) or helping another university official perform his or her tasks. A university official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs the student's education record to perform work appropriate to his or her position.

Upon request, the university also discloses education records without consent to officials of another school in which a student seeks or intends to enroll, or where the student is already enrolled.

The following information is designated as directory information by the university:

1. Names of students
2. Dates of attendance at the university
3. Program/major field(s) of study
4. Degrees and certificates received including dates
5. Participation in officially recognized university activities
6. Academic and co-curricular awards, honors, and scholarships received and dates received
7. Weight and height of students on athletic teams
8. Students' email addresses
9. Hometown, city and state

Students may inform the Office of Admissions and the Registrar in writing that they do not give permission for the university to release their directory information, or they may submit the request through UAOnline at http://alaska.edu/uaonline. The request is valid until a subsequent request to release directory information is received in writing or through UAOnline.

Students have the right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the university to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is:

Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-5920

The University of Alaska Board of Regents' Policy and University Regulation (09.04.) regarding education records can be reviewed at www.alaska.edu/bor/policy-regulations/.

• Honors and Scholarships
  Names of students receiving awards or scholarships or who appear on the dean's list or chancellor's list are released to the media unless a student has requested that no directory information be released. Instructions for electing FERPA confidentiality are available at www.alaska.edu/studentservices/ferpa/elect/.