Undergraduate Grievance Policy Changes

In 2016 the UMD Undergraduate Student Grievance Procedure was reviewed and revised to create the V-1.00(A) University of Maryland Policy on the Conduct of Undergraduate Courses and Student Grievance Procedure. Below is a summary of the changes:

The name of the policy was changed to give greater clarity to the information contained within the policy. The policy contains expectations of faculty and academic units in the conduct of academic courses and a grievance procedure for undergraduate students to follow if expectations have not been met.

UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND POLICY ON THE CONDUCT OF UNDERGRADUATE COURSES AND STUDENT GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

Expectations for syllabi were defined.

There shall be a complete course syllabus for the current term made available to students no later than the first day of class at the beginning of each undergraduate course. Any changes to the syllabus made after the first day of class must be announced and must be clearly represented with the date of the revision. The course syllabus will specify in general terms:

a course description including course objectives;
the content and nature of assignments;
the schedule of major graded assessments (e.g., examinations and due dates for projects and papers);
the examination and/or assessment procedures;
the mode of communication for excused absences;
the basis for determining final grades, including if the plus/minus grading system will be used and the relationship between in-class participation and the final course grade;
and reference to the list of course-related policies maintained by the Office of Undergraduate Studies.

Syllabi should now include a link to the Office of Undergraduate Studies Course Policies for Undergraduates page to replace the expectation that syllabi communicate University policy.

The syllabus will make reference to the list of course-related policies maintained by the Office of Undergraduate Studies.

Clarification regarding the availability of graded assessments in a course and the requirements for posting Mid-Term course grades.

There shall be a reasonable number of graded assessments or progress reports to permit evaluation of student performance throughout the course. These assessments shall be returned to the students in a timely manner. Faculty shall issue mid-term grades for undergraduate students when required, in accordance with the policy concerning Mid-Term Grades for Undergraduate Students.

Clarification regarding the Final Examination/assessment for each undergraduate course and the expectation to retain copies.

There shall be a final examination and/or assessment in every undergraduate course, unless written permission is granted by the unit head. Each faculty member shall retain, for one full semester (either fall or spring) after a course is ended, the students’ final assessments in the appropriate medium.

Clarification regarding the expectation for academic accommodations.

There shall be academic accommodations for students in accordance with University policies, including policies on disability and accessibility, excused absences, and sexual misconduct.

Clarification regarding opportunity for students to review graded work.

There shall be a reasonable opportunity for students to review papers and examinations, including the final examination or assessment, after evaluation by the instructor, while materials are reasonably current.

Clarification about adherence to the syllabus and to published academic calendars including information about Reading Day.

There shall be reasonable adherence to the course syllabus. There shall be reasonable adherence to the published academic calendar, campus schedules, and location of classes and examinations.

Classes not specified in the schedules are to be arranged at a mutually agreeable time on campus, unless an off-campus location is clearly justified.
Changes to final examination schedules and locations must be approved by the chair of the department or the dean of the College, or the appropriate designee. However, final examinations or assessments may not be rescheduled to the final week of classes or to Reading Day.
No class meetings or required activities may be held on Reading Day. However, individual meetings and makeup exams may be scheduled at the explicit request of the student.

Clarification on expectations to maintain student privacy, recognize student intellectual property rights and make course materials readily available.

Faculty shall endeavor to maintain student privacy with respect to information shared in the course of the student-faculty relationship, subject to legal obligations to report certain information to state authorities and University officials, including child abuse and neglect and sexual misconduct.

There shall be public acknowledgement of significant student assistance in the preparation of materials, articles, books, devices and the like. Students retain their intellectual property rights as set forth in the University of Maryland Policy on Intellectual Property.

Assigned course materials should be readily available. Faculty must ensure that eligible students receive reasonable accommodations relative to their coursework in accordance with federal and state disability laws, subject to the University’s disability and accessibility policies and procedures. See policy.

Clarification of the role of the instructor of record.

The instructor of record is responsible for the overall management of the course, including management of aspects of the course and coursework delegated to teaching assistants and laboratory assistants.

No changes regarding the expectations for faculty to be available to students in office hours and in class.

There shall be reasonable access to the instructor during announced regular office hours or by appointment.
There shall be regular attendance by assigned faculty unless such attendance is prevented by circumstances beyond the control of the faculty member.

No changes in the expectations for role of academic units in offering undergraduate programs.

The academic units (programs, departments, Colleges, Schools) in cooperation with the Office of the Dean for Undergraduate Studies and the Office of Admissions and the Registrar's Office shall, whenever possible, provide the following:

Accurate information on academic requirements through designated advisors and referral to other administrative staff and/or faculty for additional guidance.
Specific policies and procedures for the award of academic honors and awards, and impartial application thereof.
Equitable course registration in accordance with University policy and guidelines.

Grievance Procedure for undergraduate students has been streamlined and is outlined in the policy. As with other policies the first step is to attempt an informal resolution. Dates are provided to guide the timeliness of the grievance: a formal grievance must be submitted within twenty (20) business days after the first day of instruction of the next regular semester.

There are also changes to the University policy on Student Attendance. Click here for a summary of the changes.