Course Policies

There are a number of policies that guide your SPH education. Many common policies are outlined in your syllabi and in your student guidebook. All University policies can be found in the University Policy Library. See below for quick links to the most referenced education policies.

Course Information & Policies

Grading and grade definitions

The University has two distinct grading scales: A-F and S-N. The Grading and Transcripts policy articulates the scales and definitions for these scales, as well as other transcript notations.

For more information: Grading and Transcripts: Crookston, Morris, Rochester, Twin Cities

Scholastic Dishonesty, Plagiarism, Cheating, etc.

You are expected to do your own academic work and cite sources as necessary. Failing to do so is scholastic dishonesty. Scholastic dishonesty means plagiarizing; cheating on assignments or examinations; engaging in unauthorized collaboration on academic work; taking, acquiring, or using test materials without faculty permission; submitting false or incomplete records of academic achievement; acting alone or in cooperation with another to falsify records or to obtain dishonestly grades, honors, awards, or professional endorsement; altering, forging, or misusing a University academic record; or fabricating or falsifying data, research procedures, or data analysis (As defined in the Student Conduct Code). When it is determined that a student has cheated, the student may be given an “F” or an “N” for the course, and may face additional sanctions from the University. For additional information, please see: Teaching and Learning: Instructor and Unit Responsibilities. For additional information, please see the Conduct Code Procedure documentation.

The Office for Community Standards has compiled a useful list of Frequently Asked Questions pertaining to scholastic dishonesty. If you have additional questions, please clarify with your instructor. Your instructor can respond to your specific questions regarding what would constitute scholastic dishonesty in the context of a particular class-e.g., whether collaboration on assignments is permitted, requirements and methods for citing sources, if electronic aids are permitted or prohibited during an exam.

For more information, please see the related policies:

Excused Absences and Makeup Work

Students will not be penalized for absence during the semester due to excused circumstances. Such circumstances include verified illness, participation in intercollegiate athletic events, subpoenas, jury duty, military service, bereavement, and religious observances. Such circumstances do not include voting in local, state, or national elections.

For complete information, please see Administrative Policy: Excused Absences and Makeup Work: Crookston, Morris, Rochester, Twin Cities.

Student Conduct

The University seeks an environment that promotes academic achievement and integrity, that is protective of free inquiry, and that serves the educational mission of the University. Similarly, the University seeks a community that is free from violence, threats, and intimidation; that is respectful of the rights, opportunities, and welfare of students, faculty, staff, and guests of the University; and that does not threaten the physical or mental health or safety of members of the University community.

As a student at the University you are expected to adhere to the Board of Regents Student Conduct Code. Note that the conduct code specifically addresses disruptive classroom conduct, saying “Disruption of the academic environment means engaging in behavior that substantially or repeatedly interrupts either the instructor’s ability to teach and/or a student’s ability to learn.”

For more information, please see these related policies:

Board of Regents Policy: Student Conduct Code
Administrative Policy: Teaching and Learning: Student Responsibilities (Crookston, Morris, Rochester, Twin Cities)

Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault, Stalking and Relationship Violence

The University prohibits sexual misconduct, and encourages anyone experiencing sexual misconduct to access resources for personal support and reporting. If you want to speak confidentially with someone about an experience of sexual misconduct, please contact a confidential resource on your campus. If you want to report sexual misconduct, or have questions about the University’s policies and procedures related to sexual misconduct, please contact your campus Title IX office or relevant policy contacts.

Instructors are required to share information they learn about possible sexual misconduct with the campus Title IX office that addresses these concerns. This allows a Title IX staff member to reach out to those who have experienced sexual misconduct to provide information about personal support resources and options for investigation. You may talk to instructors about concerns related to sexual misconduct, and they will provide support and keep the information you share private to the extent possible given their University role.

For more information, please see Administrative Policy: Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault, Stalking and Relationship Violence.

Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Equal Opportunity

The University provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs and facilities, without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, familial status, disability, public assistance status, membership or activity in a local commission created for the purpose of dealing with discrimination, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.

For more information, please consult Board of Regents Policy: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Equal Opportunity.

Discrimination

All University members are prohibited from engaging in, or assisting or abetting another’s engagement in, discrimination and related retaliation (collectively “prohibited conduct”). The University of Minnesota (the “University”) will take prompt and effective steps intended to end prohibited conduct; prevent its recurrence; and, as appropriate, remedy its effects. In order to foster an environment free from prohibited conduct, all University members are encouraged to take reasonable prudent actions to prevent, stop, and report all acts of prohibited conduct.

For more information, please see the Administrative Policy: Discrimination.

Disability Accommodations

The University of Minnesota is committed to creating learning environments that are inclusive and accessible to all students. If you are experiencing disability-related barriers to learning in your courses, the Disability Resource Center (DRC) is the office that collaborates with students to explore reasonable accommodations, tools, and resources.

If you are registered with the DRC and have a current accommodation letter please share your letter with your instructor as soon as possible so that you can discuss how your accommodations will be implemented in the course. The sooner your instructor knows about your disability access-needs, the more equipped they can be to facilitate accommodations. You may reach out to your instructor or your access consultant if you have any questions or concerns about your accommodations.
If you are not registered with the DRC and are experiencing or think you may be experiencing disability related to a mental health, attention, learning, chronic health, sensory, or physical condition, and would like to discuss accommodations and/or resources, please contact the DRC on our campus (e.g., Twin Cities campus – 612.626.1333).
If you have a short-term medical condition, such as a broken arm, your instructor may be able to assist in minimizing classroom barriers. In situations where additional assistance is needed, you should contact the DRC as noted above.

For additional information, please see the Board of Regents Policy: Disability Resources

Academic Freedom and Responsibility

Academic freedom is a cornerstone of the University. Within the scope and content of the course as defined by the instructor, it includes the freedom to discuss relevant matters in the classroom. Along with this freedom comes responsibility. Students are encouraged to develop the capacity for critical judgment and to engage in a sustained and independent search for truth. Students are free to take reasoned exception to the views offered in any course of study and to reserve judgment about matters of opinion, but they are responsible for learning the content of any course of study for which they are enrolled.*

Reports of concerns about academic freedom are taken seriously, and there are individuals and offices available for help. Contact the instructor, the Department Chair, your adviser, the associate dean of the college, or the Vice Provost for Faculty and Academic Affairs in the Office of the Provost.

* Language adapted from the American Association of University Professors “Joint Statement on Rights and Freedoms of Students.”

For more information, please see the Board of Regents Policy: Academic Freedom and Responsibility

Course-related Resources and Information for Students

Mental Health and Stress Management

As a student you may experience a range of issues that can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating and/or lack of motivation. These mental health concerns or stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance and may reduce your ability to participate in daily activities. University services are available to assist you. You can learn more about the broad range of confidential mental health services available on campus via the Student Mental Health Website. As an instructor/University community member, we care about the wellbeing of students. If health, safety, or mental health concerns are conveyed, we may consult with campus support offices to provide support and resources to a student.

Use of Personal Electronic Devices in the Classroom

The University establishes the right of each faculty member to determine if and how personal electronic devices are allowed to be used in the classroom.

Appropriate Student Use of Class Notes and Course Materials

Students may not distribute instructor-provided notes or other course materials, except to other members of the same class, during the same term, or with the express (written) consent of the instructor. Instructors have the right to impose additional restrictions on course materials in accordance with copyright and intellectual property law and policy. Students may not engage in the widespread distribution or sale of transcript-like notes or notes that are close to verbatim records of a lecture or presentation.

Dates and Deadlines

The following sites offer valuable information about University and academic dates and deadlines:

School of Public Health

Student Resources