Academic Integrity

The principal objective of the Code of Academic Integrity is to promote an intellectual climate and support the academic integrity of the University of Vermont. Academic dishonesty is in direct contrast to ethical expectations of students and the educational mission of the University, and serves to devalue students’ education. As a result, the University takes all violations of academic dishonesty seriously. Outcomes for students found responsible for a violation are significant and can include a zero on an assignment, XF in a course, suspension, or dismissal. 

Each student is responsible for knowing and adhering to the Code of Academic Integrity. Please refer to the Code of Academic Integrity policy webpage for more detailed information.

It is the responsibility of the student to inform the instructor regarding the reason for absence or tardiness from class, and to discuss this with the instructor in advance whenever possible. The instructor has the right to require documentation in support of the student’s request for an absence from class and to determine the appropriate response (e.g., excused absence, deadline extension, substituted work). If an out-of-class exam or other activity (e.g., field trip, campus speaker or event, workshop) conflicts with a regularly scheduled class, the regularly scheduled class has priority. Any conflicts between student and instructor regarding this policy may be presented for resolution to the course department chair or college dean’s office.

When a student is unable to attend classes for reasons of health, bereavement, or required legal appearances (e.g., jury duty, citizenship hearing), the student should contact their academic dean’s office regarding support. An instructor may request through the appropriate dean’s office documentation to support a student’s request for an excused absence.

OUTSIDE-OF-CLASSROOM EXPECTATIONS OR REQUIREMENTS

There is clear value in academic activities, such as lectures, workshops, conferences, clinical rotations, service learning, field trips, or other educational opportunities that occur outside of the scheduled meeting pattern; however, faculty should be mindful of other student academic and non-academic responsibilities and ensure that students are advised of these requirements. In courses or programs of study that include an expectation or requirement for students to attend such activities outside of the standard meeting time (as defined in the SOC), and those activities are scored or applied to the final grade, the following apply:

1. These expectations or requirements should be made clear to the student prior to registration through the Expanded Section Description (ESD) and then detailed in the course syllabus and/or other materials distributed prior to, or during, the first week of class;
2. In cases where out-of-classroom activities conflict with other courses as outlined in the attendance policy above, the student’s regularly scheduled courses take precedent;
3. In the case of off-campus events, the academic unit should comply with the “Reasonable Accommodation” guidelines in UVM’s Accessibility policy (V.7.14.1/V. 4.32.1). If the location is not accessible to all students, an alternative or makeup activity must be made available.

Intercollegiate and Academic Competitions

Students who represent the University of Vermont in official intercollegiate varsity athletic or academic program-sponsored competitions should plan their schedules with special care, recognizing the primary importance of their academic responsibilities. It is the responsibility of the student to avoid signing up for a course or section whose scheduled meetings consistently conflict with the intercollegiate competition and travel schedule. If travel for such intercollegiate competition requires absences from a class, it is also the student’s responsibility to provide the instructor with documentation of anticipated absences and to meet with the instructor regarding the missed course work and instruction. Provided a student has submitted documentation for absences due to participation in official intercollegiate competitions, an instructor must excuse the absences and should provide reasonable assistance to the student concerning missed instruction, assignments, and exams, including final exams. Any conflicts between student and instructor may be presented for resolution to the course department chair or college dean’s office.

Religious Holidays

Religions may be practiced in many different ways, and can impact participation in classes variably. Students have the right to practice the religion of their choice. Each semester students should submit in writing to their instructors as early as possible and at least one week prior to their documented religious holiday the date(s) of the conflict or absence. Faculty must permit students who miss work or exams for the purpose of religious observance to make up this work. In addition, faculty and students are encouraged to review the Interfaith Calendar of holidays maintained by the UVM Interfaith Center to proactively plan course schedules and exam schedules.

Disenrollment

The instructor has the right to disenroll any student from a course if that student

1. does not meet the prerequisites of the course, or
2. fails to attend a scheduled course, or log into their course via at least one online platform used for the course, by the third instructional day of a semester or the second scheduled class session of a course, whichever comes later, unless the student has notified the instructor and has been excused.

To disenroll a student, the instructor must notify the registrar by the add/drop deadline. Upon such notification, the registrar shall remove the student’s name from the class list and the course from the student’s schedule. The student is responsible for determining whether they are enrolled in a class. Any conflicts between student and instructor may be presented for resolution to the course department chair or college dean’s office.

Classroom Code of Conduct

Faculty and students will at all times conduct themselves in a manner that serves to maintain, promote, and enhance the high quality academic environment of the University of Vermont. To this end, it is expected that all members of the learning community will adhere to the following guidelines:

1. Faculty and students will attend all regularly scheduled classes, except for those occasions warranting an excused absence under the University Attendance Policy (e.g., religious, athletic, and medical).
2. Students and faculty will arrive prepared for class and on time, and they will remain in class until the class is dismissed.

3. Students and faculty will not come to class under the influence of alcohol or other drugs, and students will abide by the behavioral standards listed in the Code of Student Conduct in the classroom.

4. Faculty and students will treat all members of the learning community with respect. Toward this end, they will promote academic discourse and the free exchange of ideas by listening with civil attention to comments made by all individuals and appropriately challenge one another through civil expression of disagreement, or otherwise respectful and constructive dialogue and the offering of original thoughts and responses pertinent to the subject matter or discussion.

5. Students and faculty will maintain an appropriate academic climate by refraining from all actions that substantially or repeatedly disrupt the learning environment, including the ability of the instructor to teach and the ability of other students to engage. Classroom disruption is further defined in the Code of Student Conduct.

6. Faculty and staff may ask a student to leave the classroom or other academic site on a temporary basis if classroom disruption occurs, and report the same to the Center for Student Conduct. More permanent removal requires consultation with their academic dean’s office and the Dean of Students, and compliance with applicable University policies and procedures.