DIVISION OF UNIVERSITY STUDIES: POLICIES

MISSION

University Studies (UNST) is the interdisciplinary general education curriculum of North Carolina Agricultural and State University and provides the intellectual foundation for the University’s degree-granting programs. Its goal is to provide students with a framework for critical inquiry that serves as a foundation for continuing academic development and life-long learning. Motivated by the principle that scholarship is best learned by the way it is practiced, University Studies applies discovery, inquiry, analysis, and application in the classroom to promote:

• broad-based critical-thinking skills,

• effective written and oral communication of ideas,

• appreciation for diverse cultures, and

• commitment to ongoing civic engagement and social responsibility.

Through coursework and co-curricular experiences, the University Studies core curriculum develops in students an understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of knowledge, encourages cross-disciplinary dialogue, and promotes the development of intentional learners who take responsibility for their learning.

• The Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr. Speaks on Critical Thinking

ACCREDITATION
The general education program is accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).

COURSE MATERIALS

Books
Serious scholarship requires procurement of essential course materials. Students will purchase all books and materials required for UNST courses within the first two weeks of the semester. Sharing of books thereafter is prohibited.

Clickers
Sharing of clickers is never appropriate and constitutes academic dishonesty. If you lose your clicker you are required to purchase another from the bookstore at full price.

Submitting Written Assignments

All written assignments in UNST courses will be turned in electronically via turnitin.com. Access to this web site will be given to you by the instructor. Turnitin compares your writing with virtually every reference that exists on the Internet, as well as a bank of student papers that has been submitted from all over the world. Its purpose is to help students learn the difference between proper citation and quotation of other authors’ work and plagiarism (copying others writing without citation). Students who do not own a PC will submit their work via one of the computer labs on campus. The URL for turnitin.com is: http://www.turnitin.org/static/home.html

You will go there and create a user profile using the following information:  

Timely Submission of Work

All assignments are due on the dates indicated in your syllabus. No late work will be accepted in any UNST courses. Exceptions will be made only in cases of documented medical or family emergency or religious observance. Please notify your professor by email before the assignment is due should an acceptable absence occur. Employment, child care or other academic pressures do not constitute a valid excuse for late work. There is no provision for additional papers or extra credit to substitute for missed course requirements.

Email Policy

Email sent to your instructors must originate from your NC A&T address. It must also contain your name, which class and section you are registered in, the subject of the email on the subject line, and be written in intelligible English (that means no text messaging abbreviations). We will not respond to emails that do not follow this format. Conversely, instructors will endeavor to answer your email within 48 hours of receipt.

ATTENDANCE POLICY

University Studies strives to professionalize its students; therefore, regular attendance and punctuality are mandatory in all UNST courses. Attendance will be taken at the beginning of each class. Tardiness will not be tolerated. Absent or tardy students are responsible for any missed class work, including any changes to the syllabus or assignments announced in class. In short, absences and tardiness can/will diminish your grade. If you suffer prolonged illness or misfortune, you should consider dropping the course. Persistent tardiness and failure to observe established classroom etiquette will lead to failure of the course. Student athletes must submit a schedule of days they will be absent within the first week of classes.

Students will automatically receive a final course grade of “F” for missing beyond the equivalent of two weeks of class:

• M, W, F Schedule: Six (6) unexcused absences

• T, R Schedule: Four (4) unexcused absences

• 1-Class Per Week Schedule: Two (2) unexcused absences

At half the allotted absences (three (3) absences for M, W, F schedule; two (2) for T, R schedule; and one (1) for 1-class per week schedule), students are required to meet with their instructor(s) for a mandatory one-on-one conference concerning his/her performance in class.

Absence or tardiness is only excused for emergency situations. Students are responsible for submitting acceptable documentation for the excused absence within one week of the absence. Examples of acceptable documentation include:

Required Documentation

• Verification of Illness: Requires signed statement of a physician or a duly authorized staff member of the Sebastian Health Center.

• Verification of Death: Requires signed statement from the Minister or Funeral Director.

• Verification of Participation in University-Related Activities: Requires signed statement/letter from the Office of the Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs.

• Verification of Other reasonable Circumstance (e.g., court appearance, family emergency, etc.): Requires a signed statement from an appropriate official (e.g., Court Official, parent or guardian, etc.).

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

Academic honesty is absolutely essential. Cheating, plagiarism, sharing of clickers or other academic misconduct will not be tolerated. If student(s) are caught cheating, he/she will not pass the course and will be subject to any and all penalties specified in the student honor code.

Educational Etiquette

All cell phones, pagers, and personal communication devices must be turned off for the duration of the class period.

There will be no eating or drinking in class (other than bottled water). Students will be respectful of their professor and colleagues. Any behavior that distracts (e.g., eating, talking while others are talking, etc.) or is disrespectful (e.g., personal attacks, studying for other courses during class, etc.) is unacceptable. Differences of opinion should be met with intellectual curiosity and rigor rather than insult, contumely, or discord.

Student success in this course depends upon the development of scholarly habits. Participation in class discussion and group work is mandatory. Collegial responsibility and respect are also compulsory.

Disabilities

Students with documented learning disabilities should identify themselves to their professor and present appropriate documentation during the first week of classes. Students who need developmental support should ask their professors for extra help or referral. All students should seek the support services of the Writing Center (A-309 General Classroom Building) and the Center for Student Success (312 Hodgin Hall).