General Policies
Inclement Weather
Policy
Tennessee Technological University offices
will remain open during periods of inclement weather even
though classes may be canceled.
In accordance with TBR policy, faculty,
administrators and staff of TTU are expected to make every
reasonable effort to be at their work assignment on time,
taking into consideration the personal risk involved. Administrators
or staff employees who anticipate arriving late, or not arriving
at work at all, should notify their immediate supervisor of
this fact as soon as possible and request annual leave for
the period of absence. If faculty members must be absent from
assigned classes due to inclement weather, it is their responsibility
to notify the appropriate chairperson and/or dean.
If classes are not canceled despite
inclement weather, students are responsible for any academic
work they miss as a result of inclement weather. It is the
individual student’s responsibility to take the initiative
in making up any missed work, and it is the faculty member’s
responsibility to provide students a reasonable opportunity
to make up missed work.
In the off-campus offerings, the students
and faculty are all commuters. Furthermore, we have little
or no control over the safety precautions taken at the off-campus
sites. Thus, it is not unusual that such courses are canceled
because of snow and/or ice during the winter. The decision
to cancel classes will be made by the Vice President for Academic
Affairs in close consultation with the Vice President of Graduate
Studies and Extended Education and the coordinators of the
off-campus centers. The information will then be disseminated
as quickly as possible by media and voice mail (931) 372-NEWS.
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The School Year
Tennessee Technological University is
organized on the semester basis. When the term hour or credit
is used, it refers to a semester-hour credit. A semester hour
is one hour of class, recitation, or a two or more hours of
laboratory work, per week through one semester of approximately
fifteen weeks. Laboratory hours per credit are determined
by department or college.
The school year consists of two semesters
of approximately fifteen weeks each, and a summer term of
ten weeks with some courses offered in two five-week sessions.
The summer term is considered equivalent to other semesters
at Tennessee Technological University. The student on probation
in summer is subject to the regular probation stipulations,
including load and requirements for removing probation.
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Regulations
Change of Major
A student is admitted into a degree
program only upon a declaration of a major area of study.
This major area can be changed if the department of the original
major releases the student, if the department of the new major
is willing to accept the student, and if the change of major
is approved by the Associate Vice President for Research and
Graduate Studies. A student who wishes to change the major
should obtain appropriate forms from the Graduate School Office.
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Course Repetition Policy
Each college in which graduate programs are offered may permit
courses to be repeated, provided the cumulative repeat credit
does not exceed 9 semester hours. If the repetition is for
courses taken for graduate credit either before or after admission
to the Graduate School at Tennessee Technological University,
the grade on repeated work as well as the original grade will
be included in calculation of the quality point average and
in hours attempted. Credit used to satisfy the requirements
of one degree cannot be used to satisfy the requirements of
another degree.
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Permissible Loads
Nine credit hours per semester constitute
a minimum full load for a graduate student. During the Summer
Semester, six hours is considered full-time for a graduate
student. The maximum permissible load is 16 hours of credit
during the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters for students
not on a graduate assistantship. An overload of graduate credit
is not permitted in these semesters. Exceptions may be made
when a student audits courses or is taking undergraduate courses
concurrently with graduate courses. Students who are serving
as graduate assistants are limited to course loads appropriate
to the extent of their service. A full-time assistant may
not exceed 12 hours of credit per semester. In extenuating
circumstances, a full-time assistant may take up to 14 hours
per semester if approval is granted by the major advisor,
the departmental chairperson, and the Associate Vice President
for Research and Graduate Studies.
An international student must be a full-time
student at Tennessee Technological University August through
May. Each semester except summer, an international student
must earn a minimum of 9 credit hours if a Master's candidate
and 6 credit hours if a Ph.D. candidate.
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University Policies
Academic and Classroom
Conduct
The instructor has the primary responsibility for control
over classroom behavior and maintenance of academic integrity,
and can order the temporary removal or exclusion from the
classroom of any student engaged in disruptive conduct or
conduct violative of the general rules and regulations of
the institution. Extended or permanent exclusion from the
classroom or further disciplinary action can be effected only
through appropriate procedures of the institution.
Plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of academic dishonesty
are prohibited. Students found guilty of academic misconduct,
either directly or indirectly through participation or assistance,
are immediately responsible to the instructor of the class.
In addition to other possible disciplinary sanctions which
may be imposed through the regular institutional procedures
as a result of academic misconduct, the instructor has the
authority to assign an F or a zero for the exercise or examination,
or to assign an F in the course.
If the student believes that he or she has been erroneously
accused of academic misconduct, and if his or her final grade
has been lowered as a result, the student may appeal the case
through the appropriate institutional procedures.
The instructor shall send a copy of the charge to the Office
of the Vice President for Student Affairs. The student shall
have up to seven days to request a hearing by signing a "Request
for Hearing" form in the Office of the Vice President
for Student Affairs. The student waives his/her right to a
hearing by signing a "Waiver of Hearing" form or
by neglecting to sign a "Request for Hearing" form
within seven days.
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Drug Free Policy
The Tennessee Technological University community (Faculty,
Staff, and Students) complies with the policies and penalties
relative to controlled substances (illicit drugs) and alcohol,
as required by the Drug Free Workplace Act of 1988 and the
Drug Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989.
As an employee and/or student at Tennessee Technological University,
you are required to be knowledgeable of and comply with the
Drug Free Campus/Workplace Policy, the applicable provisions
of which are summarized below:
It is the policy of this institution that the unlawful manufacture,
distribution, possession, use, or abuse of alcohol and/or
illicit drugs on the Tennessee Technological University campus
or on property owned or controlled by the University is strictly
prohibited. All categories of employees and students are subject
to this policy and to applicable federal, state, and local
laws related to this matter. Additionally, any violation of
this policy will result in disciplinary actions as set forth
in the applicable sections of this policy.
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Judiciary Procedures
Judiciary procedures at the University do not constitute
legal actions, and the decisions are not to be equated with
verdicts reached by courts of law. These procedures simply
involve the fact-finding and decision-making processes of
an educational institution.
Detailed procedures for the disciplinary system are printed
in the ‘Disciplinary System Manual.’ Copies of
the manual are located in the Office of Student Affairs.
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Official Notice
A notice to report to any administrative office of the University
takes precedence over all noninstructional activities, and
must be answered immediately or, if received during a class,
as soon as the class is over. Failure to respond to such a
notice will require satisfactory explanation to the Administrative
Council before the student is allowed to continue in residence.
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Official Withdrawal From The
University
Students who desire to withdraw from the University before
the end of an academic term must make formal application for
withdrawal either in the Office of Student Affairs or Extended
Education at the time of withdrawal. Those who complete withdrawal
procedures will receive a grade of W in courses they are passing
and a grade of WF in courses they are failing if official
withdrawal is after the last date for dropping a course. Refunds
which may be due will depend upon the date of formal withdrawal.
Applications for withdrawal will not be considered if received
after final examinations begin in any term.
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Privacy Rights Of Students
On May 20, 1975, Tennessee Tech approved a statement of
policy that includes provisions for the release of information
about students and the rights of students and others to have
access to Tech's education records. The complete policy statement
of "Privacy Rights of Students" is available in
the Records and Registration Office and in the Student Handbook.
A student may obtain a transcript of his or her academic
records by making a written request to the Office of Records
and Registration, Tennessee Technological University, P. O.
Box 5026, Cookeville, Tennessee 38505 FAX (931) 372-6111.
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Student Responsibility
All students are required to have knowledge of rights, responsibilities,
and regulations pertaining to campus life which are published
in the Student Handbook. Each student is responsible
for maintaining communication with the University, by keeping
officials informed at all times of current address (including
zip code) and telephone number.
Students are responsible for the proper completion of their
academic programs; for familiarity with requirements of the
University Catalog; for maintaining the grade average required;
and for meeting all other degree requirements. A student may
receive counsel from an academic advisor; however, the final
responsibility remains that of the student.
The course offerings and requirements of the institution
are continually under examination and revision. This catalog
(bulletin) presents the offerings and requirements in effect
at the time of publication, but is no guarantee that they
will not be changed or revoked. However, adequate and reasonable
notice will be given to students affected by any changes.
This catalog (bulletin) is not intended to state contractual
terms and does not constitute a contract between the student
and the institution. The University reserves the right to
make changes in rules and regulations concerning admission,
student conduct, degree requirements, and course descriptions
subject to the concurrence and approval of its governing authorities.
The institution reserves the right to make changes as required
in course offerings, curricula, academic policies, and other
rules and regulations affecting students to be effective whenever
determined by the institution. These changes will govern current
and formerly enrolled students. Enrollment of all students
is subject to these conditions.
The University provides the opportunity for students to
increase their knowledge by providing programs of instruction
in the various disciplines and programs through faculty who,
in the opinion of the University, are qualified for teaching
at the college level. The acquisition and retention of knowledge
by any student is, however, contingent upon the student's
desire and ability to learn and his or her application of
appropriate study techniques to any course or program. Thus,
the University must necessarily limit representation of student
preparedness in any field of study to that competency demonstrated
at that specific point in time at which appropriate academic
measurements were taken to certify course or program completion.
The regulations and policies established by the Graduate
School Executive Committee are intended to provide guidance
to faculty and students. Should an individual believe that
there is sufficient justification for an exception to any
requirement, written requests (with any suitable statements
or other supporting documents) may be submitted to the Associate
Vice President for Research and Graduate Studies for consideration
by the committee. The committee has regular meetings three
times during each semester of the academic year and once during
the summer.
The graduate catalog is a supplement to the undergraduate
catalog (general catalog) and is published to provide information
for graduate students, prospective graduate students, and
members of the faculty. Students enrolling for graduate study
at Tennessee Technological University are responsible not
only to the provisions of the graduate catalog but also to
the undergraduate catalog. Whenever a student's welfare or
progress may be impeded or impaired by any conflict of information
presented in the two publications, resolution of such conflict
will be determined by the appropriate standing committees
of the University. When a person is admitted to graduate study,
it is presumed that person accepts responsibility for learning
and observing the regulations and policies of the University;
therefore, ignorance of a regulation or policy does not constitute
a basis for waiving that regulation or policy. Graduate students
are subject to the usual procedures and regulations of the
University as listed in the undergraduate catalog, except
as they apply to undergraduate students only.
Tennessee Technological University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative
Action institution and is in compliance with Titles VI and
VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1974, Title IX of the Education
Amendments of 1972, the Age Discrimination Act of 1974, the
Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment
Act of 1974, and The Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990.
The University is nondiscriminatory on the basis of age, race,
color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status,
or status as a disabled veteran or veteran of the Vietnam
era. Inquiries or complaints concerning these policies should
be directed to Dr. Rachel Rader, Affirmative Action Officer,
in Derryberry Hall, Room 314D, (931) 372-3016.
Faculty members will endeavor to make necessary accommodations
for disabled persons in their courses. The Office of Disability
Services should be contacted as early as possible by a student
regarding assistance that may be needed for attendance at
the University.
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Unofficial
Withdrawal
Tennessee Technological University will, through forms of
documentation deemed acceptable by federal guidelines, determine
the date of unofficial withdrawal for any student who leaves
the University without officially withdrawing. In compliance
with federal guidelines this date will be used to calculate
the University’s financial liability to the federal
government in the recovery of funds.
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Use of Social Security Number
In accordance with the Privacy Act of 1974, applicants for
admission and enrolled students are advised that the requested
disclosure of their Social Security numbers is voluntary.
Students who do not provide the University with their Social
Security numbers will be assigned special nine-digit numbers.
This number or the Social Security number will be used: (a)
to identify such student records as applications for admission,
registration and course enrollment documents, grade reports,
transcript requests, certification requests, and permanent
academic records and (b) to determine eligibility, certify
school attendance, and report student status. Students are
notified, however, that only the Social Security number may
be used as an identifier for grants, loans, and other financial
aid programs according to federal regulations. The student’s
Social Security number will not be disclosed to individuals
or agencies outside Tennessee Technological University except
in accordance with the institutional policy on student records.
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