University Academic Policy

Policy on Academic Standing, Academic Misconduct and Resolving Student Grievances

Index of this page:



Academic Standing
A student who has been suspended or dismissed because of poor academic performance may appeal the action to the Dean of the Carlson School.


Academic Misconduct
The Conduct Code of the University of Minnesota details matters of scholastic dishonesty to include the following: submission of false records of academic achievement; cheating on assignments or examinations; plagiarizing; altering, forging or misusing a University academic record; taking, acquiring or using test materials without faculty permission; acting alone or in cooperation with another to falsify records or to obtain dishonestly grades, honors, awards, or professional endorsement.


A.  Procedures for responding to cases of academic misconduct

I.  A faculty or staff member who believes that a student in their course is guilty of scholastic misconduct should do the following:

  • Discuss with the student the nature of the offense and the student's response to it, and discipline the student in a manner consistent with the nature and severity of the offense (options might range from allowing the student to resubmit the assignment, to assigning zero credit for the assignment, to failing the student for the course).
  • Inform the student that the matter will also be referred to the director of the student's academic program for possible additional action.
  • Report the incident and the action taken to the relevant program director.
II.  The program director reviews the facts surrounding the offense and takes appropriate action. The action can range from verbal reprimand to dismissal from the academic program. The program director will inform the student of her/his right to review of this action by the school's Academic Review Committee (ARC). A full description of the ARC's functions and composition is presented below (see Appeals). Documentation of the action taken will be maintained in a file in the student's academic program office.

B.  Appeals

  • In cases involving academic misconduct, either party may appeal for a hearing by the Academic Review Committee. These cases will normally be brought to the committee after some disciplinary action by a faculty and/or program director. When individuals of more than one college are involved or when the misconduct alleged is not scholastic, the University's Campus Committee on Student Behavior assumes responsibility.
  • The request for such a hearing is made to the appropriate program director who notifies the ARC chairperson and forwards all relevant materials and supporting documents. The chairperson convenes the ARC to hear the case and accord due process to the parties involved.
  • The decision of the ARC may be appealed in turn by either party to the University's Campus Committee on Student Behavior. The process for carrying the appeal to the University level is outlined in a brochure entitled The Regent's Appeals Policy and the Twin Cities Campus Appeals Procedures, available in the program office.


Grievance Procedures


A.  Grading Complaints

  • Student appeals to the course instructor within 60 days of receipt of grade. Response from the instructor is required within 30 days.
  • If necessary, student contacts the MBT program director to review the complaint.
  • If the matter is not resolved satisfactorily the student may appeal to the school's Academic Review Committee. Response from the Committee is required within 30 days.

In situations where the grading dispute includes allegations of behavior in violation of the University's Equal Opportunity Statement (e.g., racial/ethnic discrimination, sexual harassment), the student should review the situation with the MBT program director. If the case is unresolved at that level, the student should bring the case to the University's Equal Opportunity Office in 419 Morrill Hall.


B.  Complaints Regarding Faculty Behavior, Course Content, Classroom Procedures
Instructors and teaching assistants are obligated to perform their duties without prejudicial behaviors, infringement of academic freedom, or failure of academic responsibility. Students with complaints should first bring their concerns to the person in question. If not resolved at this level, the student should bring the complaint to the MBT program director. If not resolved at this level, the student should contact the Office of the Dean of Carlson School of Management to obtain information regarding formally bringing the complaint to the School's Grievance Review Officer. The by-laws of the Carlson School constitution provide guidelines regarding process and procedures related to the grievance review process.


C.  Discrimination and Sexual Harassment
The MBT program is strongly committed to providing the student with a learning environment that is free of any form of discrimination or sexual harassment. The University of Minnesota is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, handicap, age, or veteran status.

Discrimination—Students should bring allegations of discrimination to the MBT program director. Charges unresolved at that level may be brought to the University's equal opportunity officer (419 Morrill Hall, 612/ 624-9547).

Sexual Harassment—Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when:

1) submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual's employment or academic advancement,

2) submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for employment decisions or academic decisions affecting the individual, or

3) such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's work or academic performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working or academic environment.

Students who witness or are the object of any violation of this sexual harassment policy are urged to contact the MBT program director or, if necessary, the University's sexual harassment officer at 419 Morrill Hall, 612/624-9547. For further information refer to the University of Minnesota Booklet entitled “Sexual Harassment.”


Carlson School Academic Review Committee

Purpose:
The Academic Review Committee is responsible for hearing unresolved cases involving allegations of scholastic dishonesty and complaints about grading.

Composition:
The ARC is composed of three faculty members from three different departments of the Carlson School and one student from each of Carlson School's degree programs. Only one student (the representative from the program involved) will participate in hearings. The Dean, as Chair of the committee, shall appoint one of the three faculty members. In cases involving one of the faculty members on committee, the Associate Dean for Academic Programs will appoint an alternate faculty member.

In its initial year, one faculty member should be appointed for a one-year term, one for a two-year term, and one for a three-year term. In following years, one new faculty member will be appointed each year for a three-year term. Students will serve for one-year terms and will be appointed by the Dean's office from nominees submitted by the student governing boards of the school's academic programs.