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
6.3 Student Absences From Class
6.3.1 General Attendance Policy
6.3.1.1 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.
6.3.1.2 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.
6.3.1.3 Syllabi for courses taught in the present and previous semester should be on file in the departmental offices and should be made available to students who request them. These syllabi would indicate the structure of courses as they are being or have been taught.
6.3.1.4 If a student does not regularly attend an audited course, the instructor may request an administrative withdrawal grade to be assigned. The instructor should provide documentation to the Registrar's Office with the recommendation.
6.3.1.5 The Student Health Services DOES NOT write medical excuses for students who miss a class for illness or injury. However, faculty may call Student Health Services at (828) 262-3100 to verify the day and time the student was seen. The nature of the student's illness or problem will not be divulged unless the student has signed the appropriate release of medical information.
6.3.1.6 Classes prior to a university break or a state holiday end with the student's last meeting time for the day preceding the break or holiday.
6.3.2 Attendance Policy Relating to Participation in University-Sponsored Activities
6.3.2.1 As an integral part of the academic program at Appalachian State University, the University sponsors and otherwise supports co-curricular programs, athletic programs, and other out-of-class activities such as field trips. Participation in such activities occasionally requires a student to miss one or more class meetings.
6.3.2.2 A student who expects to miss one or more class meetings because of participation in a University-sponsored activity has several responsibilities: the student (in person) will notify the instructor in advance of any absence; the student is expected to complete all work missed by making up the work in advance or by completing any compensatory assignment that may be required by the instructor; the student is expected to maintain satisfactory progress in the course; and the student (otherwise) is expected to maintain satisfactory attendance in the class if so required. In the event that a student anticipates that participation in a University-sponsored activity will require missing more than 10% of the class meetings, the student is required to discuss this matter with her or his instructor at the beginning of the semester and may be advised to drop the course.
6.3.2.3 If the above responsibilities are met, it is expected that the instructor will excuse the absence and permit the student to make up missed work in whatever manner the instructor deems appropriate.
6.3.3 Emergency Absences.
When a student is out of town and unable to return to campus due to hospitalization, death in the family, or other extenuating circumstances, the student or the student's parents may contact the Office of Student Development to request that professors be notified as to the reason for the absence. This notification is conveyed to the appropriate departmental office as a matter of information only and does not serve as an official excuse for class absence. Only individual faculty members make this determination, and documentation may be requested by the faculty members. The Office of Student Development does not provide this service when notification is received after the absence has occurred. Also, if a student is in town, that student is responsible for notifying the individual faculty members that she/he will be missing class.
Printable PDF of the Attendance Policy (PDF, 179 KB)
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)