Academic Policies - General Requirements



Academic Policies - General Requirements

The following academic regulations apply to all students in the Stockbridge School of Agriculture. It is the responsibility of all students to adhere to them. All regulations require interpretation; however, students who feel that extenuating circumstances warrant an exception to any of the following regulations should discuss their situation with the Stockbridge School Director. The University's official Undergraduate Academic Policies, Undergraduate Rights & Responsibilities, are updated and issued each year to every student by the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and the Office of the Provost. All students are expected to familiarize themselves with the contents of this publication. Undergraduate Rights & Responsibilities can also be found at Undergraduate Rights & Responsibilities.

Classroom Civility and Respect

The University of Massachusetts Amherst strives to create an environment of academic freedom that fosters the personal and intellectual development of all community members. In order to do this, the University protects the rights of all students, faculty and staff to explore new ideas and to express their views. A necessary condition for these pursuits is an acceptance of the spirit of inquiry and a respect for diverse ideas and viewpoints. For true academic freedom to exist, this acceptance and respect must exist in both the overall campus environment and in the classroom.

Academic Honesty

All members of the University community must participate in the development of a climate conducive to academic honesty. While the faculty, because of their unique role in the educational process, have the responsibility of defining, encouraging, fostering, and upholding the ethic of academic honesty, students have the responsibility of conforming in all respects to that ethic. The Stockbridge School adheres to the policy of academic honesty as defined in Undergraduate Rights & Responsibilities.

Attendance

The attendance of students at all regularly scheduled classes is expected and may be required by individual instructors. Faculties have the right to require formal, written documentation from students who request to be excused from class due to illness or other reasons. State Law (Chapter 375, Acts of 1985), requires that the University excuse any student who is unable to attend classes or participate in any examination, study, or work requirement because of religious observance. Students have the right to make up examinations, study, or work requirements that they miss because of religious observance without any adverse or prejudicial effects. No fees may be charged to the student for the makeup exercise. The law also provides that such makeup work may not create an unreasonable burden upon the University. Students should inform their course instructors in writing of the days they will be absent as early in the semester as possible and always prior to the day(s) on which they will be absent for religious reason.

Withdrawing from School

Withdrawal can be either voluntary or administrative.

  • Voluntary withdrawal: a student who wishes to voluntarily withdraw from the university at any time must meet with the Director to discuss the process and re-admission if they intend to return. Student must provide a signed letter of Withdrawal.

  • Administrative withdrawal: students failing to meet their financial obligations to the university will be administratively withdrawn. Notification of administrative withdrawal will be sent by email and the student can see their withdrawn status in SPIRE. Students must resolve their outstanding financial obligations with the Bursar and then see the Director.

    The student will be unable to register or pre-register for any subsequent semester until the administrative withdrawal is resolved. Notification of administrative withdrawal will be sent through the mail.

Six-Semester Limit

A student shall be allowed no more than six semesters as a full-time student to complete all graduation requirements cited at the time the student entered. Continuation beyond this limit will be with the written approval of the Stockbridge Director.