University of Nebraska at Kearney
Academic Information

1994-96 UNK Undergraduate Catalo

Academic Regulations

Go directly to New Student Summer Orientation, Early Registration, Open Registration, Late Registration, Change of Schedule (Drop/ Add), Withdrawal from the University of Nebraska at Kearney, Student Load, Course Numbering, Graduate Division Courses, Student Classification, Student Attendance Policy Statement, Student Conduct Policy Statement, Academic Dishonesty Policy, Final Week Policy, or Bill of Rights.

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New Student Summer Orientation

Although UNK does not require participation, experience indicates that students and parents have found the program an excellent way to become acquainted with the University, and should make every effort to participate in the program. Descriptive information outlining the program, including a reservation form, is mailed to admitted students prior to the beginning of the summer program. Students unable to attend the Summer Orientation Program will register during the regularly scheduled fall registration dates.

Early Registration

Dates for Early Registration are published in the Class Schedule distributed each semester. Advance tuition payments are required to reserve class space.

Open Registration

For specific details regarding dates, locations, and procedures, students should refer directly to the appropriate Class Schedule published by the Office of the Registrar each semester and for the summer session.

Late Registration

Those who expect to enter UNK should carefully observe the days of registration as set forth in the appropriate Class Schedule, and register at the time indicated. Students registering late must pay a late registration fee. Special permission to enter a class late may be required, as published in the Class Schedule.

Change of Schedule (Drop/ Add)

Students MUST file an official change of schedule form and complete the procedure outlined above in order to change their registrations. Failure to attend class does NOT constitute a drop and does NOT cancel the student's registration or his/her obligation to pay all tuition and related fees for the course.

A student dropping a course after the first week of the semester and any time prior to the end of the ninth week of the semester (fourth week of an eight-week summer session course) will be awarded a "W."

The instructor's signature is required on the drop form. Forms are available at the Registrar's Office and, when completed, must be returned to the Registrar's Office. The "W" will appear on the student's grade report and transcript.

A "TF" (Technical Failure) will be reported if a student stops attending class and neither officially withdraws from the course prior to the appropriate deadline nor establishes, prior to the end of the term and to the satisfaction of the instructor, that extenuating circumstances prevented completion of the course. If the instructor determines that such extenuating circumstances were present, an "I" (incomplete) may be recorded on the student's grade report and transcript.

A student may not drop a course after the 9th week of the semester unless highly unusual, extenuating circumstances (beyond the student's control) are established to the satisfaction of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs (undergraduates) or the Graduate Dean (graduates).

A student may not withdraw from a course after the semester/session in which the course was taken has ended.

Withdrawal from the University of Nebraska at Kearney

The withdrawal form is available from the Student Affairs Office for the UNDERGRADUATE student and from the Graduate Office for the GRADUATE student. The same procedure and time deadline will be followed as that for dropping a course. The Student Affairs Office is located in the Memorial Student Affairs Building. The Graduate Office is located in Founders Hall.

The withdrawal form is available from the Office of Student Affairs for the undergraduate student and from the Office of Graduate Studies and Research for the graduate student. The same procedure and time deadline will be followed as that for dropping a course.

Students may not withdraw after the ninth week of the semester (fourth week of an eight-week summer session) unless extenuating circumstances (defined as circumstances occurring following the end of the ninth week and beyond the control of the student which in the judgment of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs in consultation with the instructors constitute appropriate cause for withdrawal without penalty) exist, in which case the student may receive a ÍWÎ.

A student may not withdraw from a class after the semester or session in which the class was taken has ended.The University reserves the right to exercise an administrative withdrawal. Administrative withdrawals may be initiated when a student's continued presence on the campus would constitute the potential for danger to self or others, or disruption of University community interests including teaching, administration or other University recognized activities.

Student Load

1. Twelve to sixteen credit hours each semester is considered a normal class load during the academic year for full-time undergraduate students. Up to eighteen credit hours may be taken by undergraduate students without petitioning for an over-load.

2. Undergraduate students wishing to carry more than eighteen hours must meet these requirements: (a) students requesting nineteen hours must have at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA; (b) students requesting more than twenty-one-hour loads must have a cumulative average of 3.2. Requests for exceptions to this policy must include the written approval of the student's faculty advisor. The Registrar must approve all requests to register for nineteen credit hours or more.

3. Nine credit hours each semester is considered a full-time load for graduate students during the academic year. Graduate students seeking a class load in excess of twelve credit hours shall obtain an over-load approval from the Graduate Office prior to registration. Requests for exceptions to this policy must be approved in writing by the student's faculty advisor and the Graduate Dean.

4. The following restrictions govern student course loads for the twelve week summer session. Students may enroll in:

a. A maximum of 3 hours per each two week segment

b. A maximum of 6 hours per each four week segment.

c. A maximum of 12 hours per each eight week segment.

d. A maximum of no more than 15 undergraduate and 12 graduate hours during the twelve week summer session.

Approval for credit loads in excess of normal limits shall require a minimum 3.2 cumulative GPA, and shall be confirmed by written authorization from the appropriate faculty advisor, Academic Dean, Graduate Dean, or the Registrar's Office. All in all, a graduate student may earn no more than twelve hours of credit during the summer sessions.

Course Numbering

Lower Division Courses:

Freshman courses are numbered from 100 to 199.

Sophomore courses are numbered from 200 to 299.

Upper Division Courses:

Junior courses are numbered from 300 to 399.

Senior courses are numbered from 400 to 499.

Courses numbered lower then 100, e.g., Math 090, do not count toward degree programs.

A minimum of 40 semester hours of upper division credit is required for the bachelor's degree. Such 300/400 level courses are offered only by four-year colleges and universities.

Graduate Division Courses

Students must also meet all prerequisites of the graduate course and obtain the permission of the instructor to enroll. Graduate courses taken to complete requirements for the bachelor's degree may not be used subsequently to satisfy requirements for a graduate degree. However, graduate courses not applied on the baccalaureate degree may be applied toward a graduate degree. No more than 9 hours of graduate coursework may be completed prior to completion of the undergraduate degree.

Student Classification

Freshmen: - 0 to 27 credits

Sophomores: - 28 to 57 credits

Juniors: - 58 to 88 credits

Seniors: - 89-over

Graduate: - Students who have a bachelor's degree or higher.

Student Attendance Policy Statement

Participation in official University activities, personal emergencies, and religious observances are valid reasons for absence from classes. Instructors may request that such absences be verified by the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs. Students attending authorized off-campus functions or required activities shall be cleared through the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs. Lists of students excused for official University activities will be maintained in the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Office. Students are responsible for informing their instructors about their absence from class and for completing assignments given during their absence. No adverse or prejudicial effects shall result to any student with excused absences for official University activities.

Student Conduct Policy Statement

Academic Dishonesty Policy

1. Plagiarism, i.e., the intentional appropriation of the work, be it ideas or words, of another without crediting the source;

2. Unauthorized collaboration or use of external information during examinations;

3.Falsely obtaining, distributing, using, or receiving test materials or academic research materials;

4. Submitting examinations, themes, reports, drawings, laboratory notes, or other work as one's own when such work has been prepared by another person or copied from another person ( a student's name on a paper certifies that it is his/her work);

5. Assisting a fellow student in committing an act of cheating;

6. Improperly altering or inducing another to improperly alter any academic record.

In cases of accused academic dishonesty, the instructor shall attempt to discuss the matter with the student. If deemed necessary by either the instructor or the student, the matter may be brought to the attention of the following in succession: the instructor's department chairperson, the student's major advisor, the dean of the college in which the student is enrolled, and the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.

In cases where guilt is established or admitted, the instructor may take action as severe as giving the offending student a failing grade in the assignment or course or expelling the student from the class. The student has the right to appeal a failing grade through the grade appeal procedure. Further University disciplinary action, such as disciplinary probation, suspension, or expulsion from the University, may be recommended by the instructor through a written request to the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.

Graduate student policies may differ. See the Graduate Catalog.

Final Week Policy

1. Final examinations for full semester classes are to be given at the regularly scheduled examination time only, as published in the official Schedule of Classes, during Finals Week.

2. During the week prior to Finals Week, the only examinations that may be given are: laboratory practical examinations, make-up or repeat examinations, and self paced examinations.

3. Projects, papers, and speeches scheduled for completion during the last week of classes must have been assigned in writing by the end of the eighth week of the semester. This refers to the project and its scope, not the topic.

4. Complaints about failure to follow the above outlined procedures should be made immediately to the appropriate department chair, dean, or the Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs Office, if necessary.

5. Any course not having an examination during Finals Week will meet under the direction of its instructor during the scheduled (Finals Week) time period for a continuation of regular class work.

6. Exceptions to this policy may be granted be the Dean on the basis of good and sufficient reasons submitted to the Dean in writing.

Bill of Rights

The Student Bill of Rights protects students from arbitrary or capricious decisions by classroom instructors. The Bill of Rights provides procedures for investigations and hearings on student complaints regarding grades or other academic problems. For a complete copy of the Student Bill of Rights, see the Student Handbook.