Learn about policies that guide undergraduate life at University of Maryland Global Campus Europe.
Academic Integrity
Integrity in teaching and learning is a fundamental principle of a university. UMGC believes that all members of the university community share the responsibility for academic integrity as expressed in the University System of Maryland "Policy on Faculty, Student, and Institutional Rights and Responsibilities for Academic Integrity." This policy may be found in Section III, Academic Affairs, of the USM policies and procedures.
The definitions of academic dishonesty and the procedures for pursuing complaints of academic dishonesty are described in UMGC policy 150.25 Academic Dishonesty and Plagiarism.
Appealing a Grade
Procedures for appealing a grade are detailed in UMGC Policy 130.80, "Procedures for Review of Alleged Arbitrary and Capricious Grading."
Attendance
You are responsible for attending all classes and any related activities regularly and punctually. In some courses, faculty may base part of the final grade on class participation. Absence from class does not excuse you from missed coursework. You are responsible for obtaining detailed information about missed class sessions, including their content, activities covered, and any announcements or assignments. Failure to complete any required coursework may adversely affect your grade. Faculty are not expected to repeat material that you have missed because of your absence from class.
For an eight-week course, you should expect to spend about six hours per week in class discussion and activities (online and on-site) and two to three times that number of hours outside the class in study, assigned reading and preparation assignments. You are expected to achieve the same learning outcomes and do the same amount of work in an online course as you would in an on-site course. Active participation is required in all online courses, and you should expect to log in to your online courses several times a week.
Technology Use
Internet Access
UMGC is committed to ensuring that you acquire the level of fluency in information technology you need to participate actively in contemporary society and have access to up-to-date resources. You must be prepared to participate in asynchronous, computer-based class discussions, study groups, online database searches, course evaluations, and other online activities whether your course is held online or in a classroom.
You must therefore ensure that you have access to the Internet and have a current e-mail address. If you do not have Internet access through a home computer, you may use one at a UMGC computer lab, a university or public library, or another source. However, that source should be regularly available, and you may need to be able to submit assignments electronically.
The most current technical requirements.
Electronic File Sharing
Visit UMGC's computing resource policies and UMGC's computer use policy for information.
Code of Civility
To promote a positive, collegial atmosphere among students, faculty, and staff, UMGC has developed the following Code of Civility:
Respect
Treat all students, faculty, and staff with respect and in a professional and courteous manner at all times and in all communications, whether in person or in written communication (including e-mail).
Kindness
Refrain from using profanity, insults, or other disparaging remarks.
Truth
Endeavor to cite only the truth and not knowingly misrepresent, mischaracterize, or misquote information received from others.
Responsibility
Take responsibility for our own actions instead of blaming others.
Cooperation
Work together with other students, faculty, and staff in a spirit of cooperation toward our common goals of seeking and providing quality education.
Privacy
Strive to uphold the right to privacy and not talk about others.
Nondiscrimination
Respect the differences in people and their ideas and opinions and reject bigotry.
Code of Student Conduct
You are subject to the UMGC Policy 151.00, "Code of Student Conduct". Visit UMGC's Code of Student Conduct for more information.
Examinations
You are responsible for obtaining information about quizzes and examination schedules and policies.
Make-up examinations and tests may be given to students who for valid reasons are unable to take exams at the scheduled time. Faculty are not required to offer makeup examinations because of a student's absence unless the student can present evidence that it was caused by unavoidable circumstances or occurred on a religious holiday. In such cases, an examination may be rescheduled at the mutual convenience of you and the faculty member and must cover only the material for which you were originally responsible. Such a rescheduling must not cause a conflict with your other classes. If you must be absent from a course excessively, you should confer with the faculty member. If it is necessary to withdraw from the course, the student is responsible for completing the withdrawal (drop) through MyUMGC.
Nondiscrimination
UMGC is committed to ensuring that all individuals have equal access to programs, facilities, admission, and employment without regard to personal characteristics not related to ability, performance, or qualifications as determined by UMGC and/or University System of Maryland policy or by federal, state, or local authorities, in accordance UMGC Policy 40.30 Policy and Procedures on Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity, and Sexual Harassment.
Student Grievance Procedures
The procedures necessary to file a formal complaint concerning the actions of members of the UMGC faculty or administrative staff are detailed in UMGC Policy 130.70, Student Grievance Procedures.
Transfer of Credits Within UMGC
Transferring from one part of UMGC to another is simple and free. If you wish to transfer from UMGC Europe to UMGC Stateside or UMGC Asia, you need only complete the relocation request in MyUMGC.
Transfer of UMGC Credits to Another Institution
To have credits transferred which were earned through UMGC, you must obtain authoritative guidance from the destination institution (including other institutions in the University System of Maryland). Only the destination institution can answer specific questions about its own residency and degree requirements or about the applicability of UMGC courses to its curricula. Visit us for more information on the specific policies dealing with transfer students.
Writing Standards
It is UMGC policy that all courses, with the possible exception of mathematics courses, should involve some form of written work, and that writing standards should be uniform across the curriculum. To assist you in acquiring and improving the skills necessary to produce college-level written work, UMGC offers a sequence of writing courses with the designation WRTG. In addition, UMGC's Effective Writing Center provides advice and feedback on your writing assignments.
In general, writing assignments are graded according to four criteria: (i) organization, (ii) audience accommodation, (iii) grammar and word choice, and (iv) content. If outside sources are used, a fifth criterion is documentation of such sources.
In line with UMGC's standard grading methods (see Grading Methods section), a grade of A is given for outstanding writing, a grade of B for superior writing, a grade of C for good writing, and a grade of D for substandard writing.
Correct documentation of sources used in writing assignments is one topic covered in LIBS 150 Introduction to Research.