Academic Integrity Code
I. Introduction
Appalachian State University’s Academic Integrity Code is designed to create an atmosphere of trust, respect, fairness, honesty, and responsibility. The Academic Integrity Code outlines “user-friendly” procedures and mechanisms for resolving alleged violations of academic integrity. The Academic Integrity Code is the result of cooperation among Appalachian’s faculty, students, and administrators, and promotes a campus dialogue about academic integrity. All members of the Appalachian State University community are responsible for promoting an ethical learning environment.
II. The Academic Integrity Code
Students attending Appalachian State University agree to abide by the following Code:
Students will not lie, cheat, or steal to gain academic advantage.
Students will oppose every instance of academic dishonesty.
Students shall agree to abide by the Academic Integrity Code when submitting the admission application.
Disability Services
The Office of Disability Services recommends including the following text on course syllabi and course web sites:
"Appalachian State University is committed to making reasonable accommodations for individuals with documented qualifying disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. If you have a disability and may need reasonable accommodations in order to have equal access to the University’s courses, programs and activities, please contact the Office of Disability Services (828.262.3056 or www.ods.appstate.edu).Once registration is complete, individuals will meet with ODS staff to discuss eligibility and appropriate accommodations."
Attendance Policy
5.5.1.1 It is the policy of Appalachian State University that class attendance is an important part of a student's educational experience. Students are expected to attend every meeting of their classes and are responsible for class attendance. Since attendance policies vary from professor to professor, students should refer to the course syllabus for detailed information. Regardless of what reasons there may be for absence, students are accountable for all academic activities, and faculty may require special work or tests to make up for the missed class or classes.
In addition, faculty members are required to make reasonable accommodations for students requesting to miss class due to the observance of religious holidays. All ASU students are allowed a minimum of two absences per year for religious observances. Up to two absences for such observances will be excused, without penalty to the student, provided that the student has informed the instructor in the manner specified in the syllabus. Notice must be given by the student to the instructor before the absence occurs and no later than three weeks after the start of the semester in which the absence(s) will occur. Arrangements will be made to make up work missed by these religious observances, without penalty to the student. For the purposes of this policy, ASU defines the term “religious observance” to include religious holidays, holy days, or similar observances associated with a student’s faith that require absence from class.
Faculty, at their discretion, may include class attendance as a criterion in determining a student's final grade in the course. On the first day of class, faculty must inform students of their class attendance policy and the effect of that policy on their final grade; both policies must be clearly stated in the class syllabus
A student who does not attend a class during one of its first two meetings may, at the discretion of the academic department, lose her or his seat in that class. Further, if a class meets only one time per week - e.g., a laboratory or an evening class - the student must attend the FIRST meeting of that class or risk losing her or his seat.
Statement on Student Engagement with Courses
The following statement has been approved by the Faculty Senate and the Academic Policies and Procedures Committee.
In its mission statement, Appalachian State University aims at “providing undergraduate students a rigorous liberal education that emphasizes transferable skills and preparation for professional careers” as well as “maintaining a faculty whose members serve as excellent teachers and scholarly mentors for their students.” Such rigor means that the foremost activity of Appalachian students is an intense engagement with their courses. In practical terms, students should expect to spend two to three hours of studying for every hour of class time. Hence, a fifteen hour academic load might reasonably require between 30 and 45 hours per week of out-of-class work.
Classroom Cell Phone Policy
"All electronic entertainment devices are to be turned off during class. With the exception of medically necessary assistive devices, approved emergency communications and warning devices operated by authorized law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, "first responders," or other emergency personnel, and cell phones registered with APPSTATE-ALERT, all personal electronic communications devices in the possession of students will be turned off during class. Cell phones registered with APPSTATE-ALERT must be placed in vibrate or silent mode during class. Failure to comply with this policy may result in disciplinary action. Such action may, at the discretion of the instructor of record, include a warning, dismissal from class for the day of the infraction, a reduction in the grade for the class, or referral to the Office of Student Conduct. No part of this policy is intended to conflict with established policies of Appalachian State University or a student's right to due process as stated in the Code of Student Conduct, the Student Handbook, the Appalachian State University Undergraduate Bulletin, or the Appalachian State University Graduate Bulletin."
Interim Religious Observance Policy Appalachian State University
1. Students must be allowed a minimum of two excused absences each academic year for religious observances. Students are responsible for requesting excused absences for religious observances required by the faith of a student. Instructors are responsible for complying with this requirement. In classes in which attendance is taken and/or penalties are applied for student absences, instructors must document their compliance with the religious observance policy by tracking student excused absences for religious observances.
2. For purposes of this policy, the term “religious observances” shall include religious holidays or holy days or similar observances required by a student’s religion and that require absence from class.
3. Students must be afforded the opportunity to make up tests or other work missed due to an excused absence for a religious observance.
4. Except in extraordinary circumstances, student requests for excused absences for religious observances must be submitted to instructors in writing no later than three weeks after the first class day of the term.
5. This policy on excused absences for religious observances must be referenced on all course syllabi.
6. This policy supersedes one part of Faculty Handbook section 5.5.1.1, which reads: “In addition, faculty members are encouraged to make reasonable accommodations for students requesting to miss class due to the observance of religious holidays.”
7. This policy amplifies another part of Faculty Handbook section 5.5.1.1, which reads: “Faculty, at their discretion, may include class attendance as a criterion in determining a student's final grade in the course. On the first day of class, faculty must inform students of their class attendance policy and the effect of that policy on their final grade; both policies must be clearly stated in the class syllabus.”
8. This policy also amplifies Faculty Handbook section 5.5.1.2, which reads: “A syllabus is to be prepared for each course and distributed at the first of the semester. The syllabus should include the following: an explanation of course goals and objectives, the name of the text and any other materials required of each student, the instructor's office hours, an explanation of how the grade is to be determined, and an explanation of any additional reading, papers, projects and examination which the instructor expects to give or assign.”
For the entire code refer to http://studentconduct.appstate.edu/pagesmith/2
General Education Course Syllabus Statement
A degree from Appalachian State University begins with the General Education Program. This interdisciplinary curriculum provides a challenging, liberal education for all students throughout their undergraduate career. General Education provides the skills, knowledge, and habits of mind that prepare you for life – wherever it may take you.
General education at Appalachian is anchored in the ideals and practices of liberal education and aims to prepare students to fulfill the responsibilities and meet the challenges presented by a changing world. By engaging in the discovery, interpretation, and creation of knowledge throughout the undergraduate curriculum and becoming involved in educationally focused co-curricular activities, students learn to adapt to new environments, integrate knowledge from diverse sources, and continue learning throughout their lives.
For more information about General Education courses, Perspectives, and themes, please visit: http://generaleducation.appstate.edu