The following policies and statements are to be reflected in current syllabi.
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.
Printable PDF of the Complete Academic Code available on the Academic Integrity site
Disability Resources
Appalachian State University is committed to providing an inclusive experience, accessible learning environments and equal opportunity to individuals with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. Individuals needing reasonable accommodations should contact the Office of Disability Resources (828.262.3056 or odr.appstate.edu).
Attendance Policy
OP 2.3.5 Attendance and Absence Policies
OP 2.3.5.1 General Attendance Policy. Students are expected to attend every meeting of their classes and are responsible for any work missed in accordance with the instructor’s stated expectations on the course syllabus.
OP 2.3.5.2 Absences Due to Religious Observance. Instructors are required to make reasonable accommodations for students requesting to miss up to two (2) classes due to the observance of religious holidays. These absences will be excused, without penalty to the student, provided that the student has informed the instructor in the manner specified in the syllabus.
OP 2.3.5.3 Student Absences and Loss of Seat in a Course. A department may drop a student from a course if that student does not attend one of the first two (2) meetings of a class (or, the first meeting of any class that meets only one time per week). Further, if a student does not regularly attend a course, the instructor may request an administrative withdrawal grade to be assigned through the Registrar's Office.
OP 2.3.5.4 Class Attendance and Final Grades. Instructors may include class attendance as a criterion in determining a student's final grade in the course if students are informed of the class attendance policy and the impact of attendance on the final grade in the class syllabus.
OP 2.3.5.5 Student Health Services & Absences. Students will receive an automatic notification that they were seen in the M.S. Shook Student Health Service. Privacy regulations prohibit release of any information without the student's permission. The student, however, may share their health information including that they were seen, along with the automatic notification. The Student Health Service works with the Office of the Dean of Students for longer term medical absences (see OP 2.3.3.7).
OP 2.3.5.6 University-Sponsored Activity Absences. A student who expects to miss one or more class meetings because of participation in a University-sponsored activity must: 1. notify the instructor in advance of any absence and provide any official documentation requested by the instructor; 2. complete all work missed in advance or complete any compensatory assignment that may be required by the instructor; 3. maintain satisfactory progress in the course, including satisfactory attendance in the class if so required. In the event that a student anticipates that participation in a Universitysponsored activity will require missing more classes than the course policies permit, the student is required to discuss this matter with the instructor at the beginning of the term to determine if all required assignments can be completed successfully. If the above responsibilities are met, it is expected that the instructor will work with the student, when possible, to complete course work in whatever manner the instructor deems appropriate.
OP 2.3.5.7 Emergency Absences. When a student is unable to attend class due to hospitalization, death in the family, or other extenuating circumstances (as listed on this page), the student or the student's parents may contact the Dean of Students Office via this link to request that instructors be notified. This notification does not serve as an official excuse for class absence as only the instructor can make this determination.
Statement on Student Engagement with Courses
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.
Printable PDF of the Statement on Student Engagement with Courses (PDF, 48 KB)