General University Policies

Classroom Responsibility

Students are responsible for maintaining classroom decorum appropriate to the educational environment. When the conduct of a student or group of students varies from acceptable standards and becomes disruptive to normal classroom procedures, the instructor has the authority to remove the offending party from the room and refer the student to the Office of Student Conduct (SRC 155) for disciplinary action.

Student Conduct

Students are subject to federal and state laws and local ordinances as well as regulations prescribed by the University of Central Florida and the Florida Board of Governors. The breach or violation of any of these laws or regulations may result in disciplinary action. Behavioral breaches of state law, UCF requirements, or program expectations are grounds for dismissal from the program of study and the university. Detailed conduct regulations and procedures are presented in The Golden Rule (www.goldenrule.sdes.ucf.edu).

A person applying for admission to UCF who has declared an adjudication of a violation of conduct policies at a previous college or university or a violation of the law that resulted in probation, community service, a jail sentence, or the revocation or suspension of their driver's license (including traffic violations that resulted in a fine of $200 or more) will have circumstances of the case reviewed by the Office of Student Conduct (SRC 155) to consider eligibility for admission.

Religious Observances

It is the policy of the University of Central Florida to reasonably accommodate the religious observances, practices, and beliefs of individuals in regard to admissions, class attendance, and the scheduling of examinations and work assignments. A student who desires to observe a religious holy day of his or her religious faith will notify all of his/her instructors and be excused from classes to observe the religious holy day.

The student will be held responsible for any material covered during the excused absence, but will be permitted a reasonable amount of time to complete any work missed. Where practicable, major examinations, major assignments, and university ceremonies will not be scheduled on a major religious holy day.

Students who are absent from academic or social activities because of religious observances will not be penalized. A student who believes that he/she has been unreasonably denied an educational benefit due to his/her religious belief or practices may seek redress under the Student Grievance Procedure, located in The Golden Rule.

University Closings

In the event of some extraordinary event (such as a natural disaster or prolonged power outage), the President shall determine whether it is necessary to cancel classes and approve administrative leave for employees in affected areas. Department chairs, in consultation with their faculty and with the college dean, shall determine the effect on final examinations and other academic matters.

Non-Discrimination Policy

The University of Central Florida values diversity in the campus community. Accordingly, discrimination on the basis of race, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital status, parental status, or veteran's status is prohibited.

Employees, students, or applicants for employment or admission may obtain further information on this policy, including grievance procedures, from the Equity Coordinator. The Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Programs is the campus Equity Coordinator responsible for concerns in all areas of discrimination. The office is located on the main campus, in Millican Hall 330, Orlando, FL 32816-0030. The phone number is 407-UCF-1EEO. Policies and guidelines are available online at http://pegasus.cc.ucf.edu/~eeo/.

Sexual Harrassment Policy

The University of Central Florida values diversity in the campus community. Accordingly, discrimination on the basis of race, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital status, parental status, or veteran's status is prohibited.

Sexual harassment, a form of sex discrimination, is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when:

• Submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual's employment or enrollment;
• Submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for employment or enrollment decisions affecting such individual; or
• Such conduct has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with an individual's work performance or enrollment, or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working or academic environment.

Sexual harassment is strictly prohibited. Occurrences will be dealt with in accordance with the guidelines above and university rules. Employees, students, or applicants for employment or admission may obtain further information on this policy, including grievance procedures, from the Equity Coordinator. The Director of the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Programs is the campus Equity Coordinator responsible for concerns in all areas of discrimination. The office is located on the main campus, in Millican Hall 330, Orlando, FL 32816-0030. The phone number is 407-UCF-1EEO. Policies and guidelines are available online at http://pegasus.cc.ucf.edu/~eeo/.

Golden Rule

The Golden Rule is the university's policy regarding nonacademic discipline of students and limited academic grievance procedures for graduate (grade appeals in individual courses, not including thesis and dissertation courses) and undergraduate students. Information concerning The Golden Rule can be found at www.goldenrule.sdes.ucf.edu/. Section 11, "Student Academic Behavior," addresses appeals of graduate program actions or decisions.

University Notices

Administrative Procedures Act Policy Statement

The University of Central Florida, under applicable rules of the Administrative Procedures Act, may change any of the announcements, information, policies, rules, regulations, or procedures set forth in this Graduate Catalog. The Graduate Catalog is published once a year and cannot always reflect new and modified regulations. Statements in this Graduate Catalog may not be regarded in the nature of binding obligations on the institution or the State of Florida. While every effort will be made to accommodate the curricular needs of students, limited resources may prevent the university from offering all required courses in each semester or in day and evening sections.

Students will be held accountable for the requirements, policies, and procedures described in this Graduate Catalog. Additional information or clarification of any policy or procedure may be obtained from the specified office.

Drug-Free Workplace/Drug-Free Schools Policy Statement

Standards of conduct and disciplinary sanctions will be imposed for the unlawful possession, misuse or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by UCF students and employees on UCF property or as part of any of its activities. The unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession or misuse of a controlled substance, prescription medication or the unlawful possession and use of alcohol is harmful and prohibited in and on UCF owned and controlled property or as part of any of its activities. Any UCF employee or student determined to have violated this policy shall be subject to disciplinary action for misconduct, action which may include termination/expulsion and referral for prosecution. No employee/student is to report to work/class or attend any university activity while under the influence of illegal drugs or alcohol. Violation of these policies by an employee/student will be reason for evaluation/treatment for drug/alcohol disorder and/or for disciplinary action up to and including termination/expulsion and/or referral for prosecution consistent with local, state and federal law.

Academic Behavior Standards

The University of Central Florida is committed to a policy of honesty in academic affairs. Examples of conduct for which students may be subject to academic and/or disciplinary penalties including expulsion are:

• Cheating, whereby non-permissible written, visual, or oral assistance including that obtained from another student is utilized on examinations, course assignments, or projects. The unauthorized possession or use of examination or course related material may also constitute cheating.
• Plagiarism, whereby another's work is deliberately used or appropriated without any indication of the source, thereby attempting to convey the impression that such work is the student's own. Any student failing to properly credit ideas or materials taken from another has plagiarized.
• Unauthorized assistance: communication to another through written, visual, or oral means. The presentation of material which has not been studied or learned, but rather was obtained solely through someone else's efforts and used as part of an examination, course assignment or project. The unauthorized possession or use of examination or course related material may also constitute cheating.
• Commercial Use of Academic Material: Selling notes, handouts, etc. without authorization or using them for any commercial purpose without the express written permission of the university and the Instructor is a violation of this rule.

NOTE: A student who has assisted another in any of the aforementioned breach of standards shall be considered equally culpable. In cases of cheating or plagiarism, the instructor may take appropriate academic action ranging from loss of credit for a specific assignment, examination, or project to removal from the course with a grade of "F." Additionally, the instructor may request disciplinary action through the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities as outlined in The Golden Rule.

Student Use of Technology

The University of Central Florida expects all students to have ready access to a personal computer and software appropriate to his or her field of study. Students can meet this expectation by purchasing or leasing a computer, sharing a computer with family or roommates, or using a UCF computer lab.

All UCF students should expect to use a personal computer in many university activities, including course work, accessing library information, registering for classes, and e-mailing correspondence to instructors or fellow students. In addition, many UCF courses require the use of the Internet.

The University of Central Florida has developed one of the nation's most advanced campus technology environments, and all UCF students are provided free e-mail accounts and Internet access.

Students wishing to acquire a personal computer are strongly advised to consider a laptop equipped with a wireless networking card. Recommended configurations can be found on the university's website at www.cstore.ucf.edu

Student Responsibility for University Communication

To communicate in a more expedient manner, UCF uses e-mail as the primary means of notifying students of important university business and information dealing with registration, deadlines, financial assistance, scholarships, tuition and fees, etc.

To avoid missing important communications from the university, students must ensure that the university has an up-to-date "preferred" e-mail address, as well as both permanent and mailing (local) addresses.

It is critical that students maintain and regularly check their preferred e-mail account for official announcements and notifications. Communications sent to an address on record will be deemed adequate notice. The university does not accept responsibility if official communication is rejected or fails to reach a student who has not notified the university of a change of preferred e-mail or postal mailing address.

Please ensure that your preferred e-mail address, as well as your permanent and mailing (local) addresses and telephone number, are current with the university at all times.

Students can update their contact information online at https://my.ucf.edu

Complaint Policy

The University of Central Florida supports the right of students to file grievances, lodge complaints, and make appeals in a safe environment free of fear, retaliation, or other adverse consequence. The university has a number of offices and committees that are responsible for implementing the institution's established procedures for addressing written academic and nonacademic student complaints.

In most cases, the recommended strategy for complaints of any nature is to ask the concerned individual to first contact the person or office most directly connected to the issue, unless there are compelling reasons not to do so. If the concerned individual does not want to contact a faculty or staff member directly, he or she begins with the next highest level of authority, which typically is the department chair or director. If the problem or complaint is unresolved or the individual is not satisfied with the resolution, he or she may file a written grievance or appeal. Specific procedures are included in specific sections of this catalog and the Golden Rule.

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