BOG Academics Rule 2.5 - Student Rights and Responsibilities
SECTION 1: PURPOSE & SCOPE.
1.1. This Rule sets forth the understanding that students at West Virginia University are entitled to certain academic rights and, in exchange, students shall fulfill certain academic responsibilities.
1.2. This Rule applies to all students at West Virginia University, including West Virginia University Institute of Technology and Potomac State College of West Virginia University.
SECTION 2: STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES.
2.1. Each student, by voluntarily accepting admission to the University or enrolling in a class or course of study offered by the University, accepts the academic requirements and criteria of the University. It is each student’s responsibility to independently fulfill course work and degree or certificate requirements and to know and meet criteria for satisfactory academic progress and completion of the degree program.
2.2 Each student shall conduct themselves in a manner which is fair, honest and consistent with the principles of academic integrity, particularly when undertaking coursework and research.
SECTION 3: STUDENT RIGHTS.
3.1 The Provost shall ensure that each student is entitled to the following academic rights:
3.1.1 Access to the Catalog. Each student shall have access to the college or university catalog or program brochure in which current academic program requirements are described (e.g., required courses, total credit requirements, time in residence requirements, special program requirements, minimum grade point average, probation standards, professional standards, etc.).
3.1.2 Class Syllabi. During the first week of classes, students have the right to receive from each instructor a syllabus with descriptions of content and requirements for any course in which the Student is enrolled (e.g., attendance expectations, special requirements, laboratory requirements including time, field trips and costs, grading standards and procedures, professional standards, etc.).
3.1.3 Feedback on Assignments.
3.1.3.1 Each student shall have the right to receive feedback on assignments in a timely manner, generally within ten (10) consecutive University instructional days of the instructor’s receipt of the work.
3.1.3.2 Each student shall be graded or have his or her performance evaluated solely upon performance in the course work as measured against established academic standards. Students shall not be evaluated prejudicially, capriciously, or arbitrarily. Each student shall have the right to appeal a final grade assigned in accordance with the policy and process of the college that offers the course.
3.1.4 Posted Grades.
3.1.4.1 Undergraduate Courses. During regular terms (fall and spring), students who are enrolled in Undergraduate Courses have the right to, at the minimum, a full range of grades posted mid-semester and final grades. All such grades shall be assigned by the course instructor. During all other terms, students have the right to, at the minimum, a posted final grade assigned by the course instructor.
3.1.4.1.1 Mid-semester grades may not always represent fifty (50%) completion of a particular course; rather, the instructor shall determine the meaning and value of a mid-semester grade for the course and shall explain the meaning and value in the course syllabus.
3.1.4.2 Graduate Courses. Students who are enrolled in Graduate Courses have the right to a posted final grade assigned by the course instructor.
3.1.5 Academic Integrity. The Provost shall provide clear guidance and assistance to students to ensure that they understand the requirement to maintain academic integrity and are aware that failure to maintain academic integrity constitutes academic dishonesty. The Provost shall administer a fair and consistent system for defining and responding to academic dishonesty, including establishing a range of outcomes for students determined to have committed academic dishonesty.
SECTION 4: DEFINITIONS.
4.1 “President” means the President of West Virginia University or his or her designee.
4.2 “Graduate Courses” means 500-level courses and above.
4.3 “Student” means, for purposes of this Rule, all persons enrolled in an Academic Program, as defined by BOG Academics Rule 2.2 – Program Creation and Review.
4.4 “Undergraduate Courses” means 100- to 400-level courses.
Section 5: DELEGATION.
5.1 The Board of Governors delegates to the President the authority to adopt additional internal policies and procedures to effectuate the implementation of this Board of Governors Rule or in furtherance of any other authority that the Board of Governors has specifically delegated to the President pursuant to this Rule. Any actions taken pursuant to this delegation must be consistent with the guidelines provided by this Rule.
SECTION 6: AUTHORITY.
6.1 W. Va. Code §18B-1-6, W. Va. Code § 18B-2A-4.
SECTION 7: SUPERSEDING PROVISIONS.
7.1 This Rule supersedes and replaces any Rule of the Higher Education Policy Commission which relates to the subject matter contained within this Rule. This Rule also repeals and supersedes WVU BOG Policy 15 – Student Academic Rights, which was first adopted on September 5, 2003, and any other internal academic policy or procedure which relates to the subject matter contained within this Rule.