ACADEMIC INFORMATION

The primary source of information on academic rules is the University Catalog. For information on academic matters not discussed below, please see the catalog.

Academic Integrity & Dishonesty www.tamucc.edu/catalog/catalog05/undergraduate/general/general.html
It is expected that University students will demonstrate a high level of maturity, self-direction and ability to manage their own affairs. Students are viewed as individuals who possess the qualities of worth, dignity and the capacity for self-direction in personal behavior.

However, in the interest of other students and the University in maintaining these standards, the University reserves the right, through due process, to place on probation, suspend or dismiss any student who violates academic integrity and regulations by providing false or misleading or incomplete information to the University, by falsification of University records, by plagiarism, by classroom misdemeanor, or by academic dishonesty. Students are expected to obey federal, state, and local laws as well as the regulations of the University.

Should it become necessary to initiate disciplinary proceedings against a student attending this University, established guidelines for procedural due process will be followed.

University students are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the highest standards of academic honesty. Academic misconduct for which a student is subject to a penalty includes all forms of cheating, such as illicit possession of examinations or examination materials, forgery, or plagiarism. (Plagiarism is the presentation of the work of another as one's own work.)

Disciplinary action for academic misconduct is the responsibility of the faculty member assigned to the course. The faculty member is charged with assessing the gravity of any case of academic dishonesty, and with giving sanction to any student involved. Penalties that may be applied by the faculty member to individual cases of academic dishonesty include one or more of the following:

1. Written reprimand;
2. Requirement to re-do work in question;
3. Requirement to submit additional work;
4. Lowering of grade on work in question;
5. Assigning grade of "F" to work in question;
6. Assigning grade of "F" for course; and
7. Recommendation for more severe punishment, such as dismissal from the program or from the University.

If the faculty member determines that assigning a grade of "F" to the course is the appropriate penalty and this disciplinary action occurs prior to the deadline for dropping courses, the student forfeits his/her right to drop the course in question. If the faculty member recommends more severe punishment, such as dismissal from the program or from the University, the faculty member will notify the appropriate chair/college dean, who in turn will notify the Office of Student Affairs. If dismissal from the University is recommended, the Office of Student Affairs will follow its usual procedure for such cases. (As indicated in the Student Handbook and Code of Conduct, any nonacademic issues are referred to the Office of Student Affairs.)

The faculty member must file a record for each case of academic dishonesty, including a description of the disciplinary action taken and any materials involved, with his or her college dean, who will forward a copy to the Office of Student Affairs. The office of the academic dean of the college in which the offense took place will maintain records of all cases of academic dishonesty reported for a period of five years. The Office of Student Affairs will maintain records of such cases for a period of five years. The Office of Student Affairs will inform the Graduate Dean as appropriate.

Any student who has been penalized for academic dishonesty has the right to appeal the judgment or the penalty assessed. Students who wish to appeal an academic dishonesty decision should contact the Office of Student Affairs for guidance.

What classes do I need to take?
Academic Advising Services - Student Services Center ( Round Building ) 214 - 825-5931 - www.tamucc.edu/~aac/
Academic advising centers are housed in each college and staffed by full-time academic advisors. Undeclared/exploratory students and prospective transfer students are advised through the Academic Advising Transition Center (AATC). Full-time academic advisors are available to assist students with their educational plans, course selections, degree requirements and other academic matters. Academic advisors support students from the time of their initial enrollment to the successful attainment of their educational goals. Students should set an appointment with their academic advisors during their first semester. An additional feature of the academic advising program is the direct involvement of University faculty as career mentors. To locate your academic advisor and/or to find out more information about academic advising, please contact the Academic Advising Transition Center office or log on to S.A.I.L. and select My Academic Advisor.

Can someone help me? I need a tutor!
The Tutoring & Learning Center (TLC) - Bell Library 214 - 825-5933 - www.tamucc.edu/~tlcweb
The Tutoring and Learning Center (TLC), winner of the National Tutoring Association Excellence Award, is committed to providing academic support services to help you reach your educational goals and succeed in the university environment. The mission of TLC is to help students develop this skills necessary to be successful learners through the creation of a supportive learning environment that fosters intellectual growth. In the supportive environment of the TLC, students work collaboratively to achieve academic success by gaining an understanding of their learning styles and by mastering learning strategies. Our goal is to help unprepared students to prepare, prepared students to advance, and advanced students to excel.

S.A.I.L. Web Registration
Office of Admissions & Records - Student Services Center ( Round Building ) - 825-7245
www.tamucc.edu/~admiss/sailweb/index.html
S.A.I.L. (Student Academic Information Link) allows you to register for classes via phone or the web. You are eligible to use S.A.I.L. if you are a returning student with no registration restriction holds. To use S.A.I.L., you must know your Social Security number and PIN number (the default is your date of birth). Course and advisor information are available in the Class Schedule booklet and S.A.I.L. If you have a registration hold, contact the Office of Admissions and Records at 825-7024.

I need to add/drop a class!
Office of Admissions & Records - Student Services Center ( Round Building ) - 825-7024 - www.tamucc.edu/~admiss/index.htm
You can add/drop classes before school starts using S.A.I.L. registration. After S.A.I.L. registration closes, you need to visit the Office of Admissions and Records to add/drop courses. See the Class Schedule booklet for information about when you may use S.A.I.L. registration. After classes begin and you feel that you must drop a class, talk to your professor about it first. She/he may be able to give you some advice or words of encouragement. However, if you still wish to drop the class, you can formally drop the course by completing a registration form in the Office of Admissions and Records in the Student Services Center (Round Building). This must be done before the tenth week of classes in the fall and spring semesters and end of the third week during summer sessions. Remember, dropping a class may have implications on your financial aid. Ask before you drop!

Do I have to go to class?
Students are held responsible for class attendance and are advised that excessive absences may adversely affect their grades. Every instructor should make clear the policy on class attendance at the beginning of each course. If students are absent from class on approved university business (e.g., intercollegiate athletics competition/ travel, field trips, student research conferences, Board of Regents meetings), faculty members should count this as an excused absence and should not penalize the student for it. Students should be allowed to make up any required course work in advance or after their return to campus. Students are responsible for informing their instructors about the trip in advance so that the faculty members can make plans accordingly. If you have any doubt as to whether the activity in question is considered official university business, you should contact the Provost's Office.

What do I need to do if I want to appeal a grade?
Please refer to the following web sites listed below for updates changes regarding grade appeals rules and procedures.

Grade Appeals Rule: www.tamucc.edu/provost/university_rules/students/130299C2.htm

Grade Appeals Procedure: www.tamucc.edu/provost/university_rules/students130299C201.htm

If you believe that you have been given an unfair grade in a course, the first thing you should do is set an appointment with the instructor to discuss the matter informally. Most problems or complaints can be resolved through discussions between the student and the instructor. In those instances in which the problem cannot be resolved at this level, the student may follow the steps below.

1. Presentation of grievance to instructor (This step must be taken within fourteen calendar days after the beginning of the next term.)
2. Appeal to department chair or area coordinator .
3. Written appeal to the University Academic Standards Grievance Committee.
4. Preliminary review and advising by an ombudsman appointed by the Provost.
5. Submission of file by department chair to the chair of the University Academic Standards Grievance Committee.
6. Review of file by committee chair and submission of case to committee.
7. Proceedings of the University Academic Standards Grievance Committee. (Committee holds hearing, reviews data, presents findings to all parties, and makes recommendation to Provost.)
8. Decision by Provost.
9. Final appeal in writing to the Provost if student or instructor thinks appropriate procedures have not been followed.

Please visit the above web sites for complete details regarding the Student Grade Appeal Rule and Procedure, including the responsibilities of the parties involved in the process and the number of days allowed for completing the steps in the process. For assistance and/or guidance in the grade appeal process, students may contact the Division of Student Affairs.

If you think your grade has been miscalculated or entered incorrectly, speak to your instructor. A grade change can only occur if there has been a miscalculation or incorrect recording of the grade or if a change has been ordered as the result of the grade appeal process. Refer to the academic catalog for more information about grade changes.

There's a mistake on my official academic transcript!
Office of Admissions & Records - Student Services Center ( Round Building ) - 825-7024 - www.tamucc.edu/~admiss/index.htm
If information pertaining to your official academic transcript is incorrect, you need to write a letter to the Director of Admissions and Records describing the error. The Director of Admissions and Records and any other pertinent academic personnel will investigate the issue. A response will be sent to you no later than 20 days after your letter is received.

What do I do if I suddenly cannot finish the semester?
Division of Student Affairs - UC 318 - 825-2612 - www.tamucc.edu/~students/
If you must stop attending classes during a semester due to a prolonged illness or a serious incapacitating injury, you may request a medical withdrawal. To request this provision, follow these steps:

1. Write a letter requesting a medical withdrawal to the Vice President for Student Affairs. The letter must describe and explain the reason that you are not able to complete the coursework for the semester.
2. Include written documentation from a competent authority (a physician, licensed psychologist, psychiatrist, etc.) with the letter.
3. When the appropriate documentation is received, the request will be forwarded to Dean’s Council. If the request is granted, the Office of Admissions and Records will be notified to withdraw you from all of your courses and set all grades for the current term to a nonpunitive mark of "W." The Office of Financial Assistance and Business Office are also notified, since there may be financial aid implications for withdrawing from the University.
4. The time limitation for use of this policy is the end of the next long semester from the time of the incident.

If you are able to complete the semester, but unforeseen events have caused you to miss just a few days of class, it is your responsibility to first contact your professors to make the necessary arrangements in order to make up missed class assignments. Please be aware that you may have to provide written documentation to verify the reason for your absence when you return. Ultimately, it is the professor's decision as to whether or not he or she will allow you to make up any class assignments. Should you need further assistance, please contact the Division of Student Affairs.

Can I request an incomplete in a class?
www.tamucc.edu/catalog/catalog05/undergraduate/general/grades.html
Sometimes, if the course content allows, faculty will allow you to get an incomplete (I) grade in a course if you have a valid reason. This means that your work in the course was satisfactory but incomplete. Missing work must be completed by the last day of the next regular (fall or spring) semester, unless the professor designates an earlier date for completion. Please be aware that if you don't finish the coursework on time, you could receive an F in the course. For details, see "Removing the Grade of Incomplete" in the catalog section titled "General Academic Policies and Regulations."

I'm in the military reserves - what if I get called to active duty?
Office of Admissions & Records - Student Services Center ( Round Building ) - 825-7024
If you get called to active duty during the middle of an academic semester, it is crucial that you notify the Office of Admissions and Records to withdraw from the University. Please contact 825-7024 as soon as you are called to active duty. For more information, see "Students Called to Active Duty" and "Removing Grade of Incomplete-Military (IM)" in the catalog section titled "General Academic Policies and Regulations."

I'm an international student - are there special requirements?
International Student Advising - Office of Admissions & Records - Student Services Center ( Round Building ) Room 102 - 825-2258 - www.tamucc.edu/~admiss/intl.html
International students are required to report to the International Student Advisor and Certification Officer located in the Office of Admissions and Records at the beginning of each semester to maintain accurate status and essential information. International students are also required to provide the Office of Admissions and Records with a permanent international address and a current U.S. address. The International Student Advisor helps students with forms and paperwork required for optional and curricular practical training, changes on I-20 forms, change of status, reinstatement, and major medical insurance requirements. International students are required to keep their local address current with both the University and INS.