School of Education and Human Services (SEHS)

Office of the Dean
444 David M. French Hall
(810) 766-6878
Fax: (810) 766-6891
http://www.umflint.edu/sehs

The School of Education and Human Services prepares students for careers in education and social work by offering degrees that blend a broad liberal education with preparation for professional roles.  Currently the School is comprised of the Department of Education, the Department of Social Work, the Early Childhood Development Center, and the Center for Educator Preparation. 

Mission Statement

The School of Education and Human Services is committed to advancing our local and global communities. In the University of Michigan-Flint tradition, we are dedicated to excellence in teaching and the growth of our students.  We value life-long learning, scholarship, student-centeredness and engaged citizenship.  Through personalized attention from dedicated faculty and staff who employ innovative and responsive practices, our students become leaders and change agents committed to promoting diversity, social justice and equity in their fields, professions, and communities.

Academic Regulations and Procedures

All regulations of the University of Michigan-Flint apply to students in the School of Education and Human Services. The student should note these regulations printed in earlier sections of this Catalog. Specific rules and regulations adopted by the faculty of the School of Education and Human Services are presented in the following sections.

Admission

Because of the varied nature of the programs offered through the School of Education and Human Services, admission procedures, as well as many other policies, are established by the individual departments. For information on these requirements and procedures, consult the departmental sections of this Catalog.

Course Load

A normal undergraduate program consists of approximately 15 credits in Fall and Winter semesters and 6 credits in Spring and Summer terms. Students may elect a maximum of 18 credits in Fall and Winter and 9 credits in Spring and Summer.  In exceptional cases, the Committee on Academic Standards may permit students of superior scholarship to elect more than the maximum number of credits. A student who is employed should limit the course load accordingly. Students working full time should expect to take less than a full time course load.

Advising System

The advising system is based on the premise that students are responsible for maintaining and recording their own progress. However, working closely with a departmental advisor assists students to effectively plan their courses of study. It is expected that students meet with their departmental advisor every semester throughout their program of study.

Grading System

The following grading system is used in the undergraduate School of Education and Human Services: A, excellent; B, good; C, fair; D, poor; E, failure; P, pass; F, fail; I, incomplete; N, no credit; W, officially withdrawn (without penalty). The following scale is used in calculating grade point averages:

Grade point averages are computed by dividing total honor points (course credits multiplied by course grade points) by total credits. The computation is limited to points and credits earned at the University of Michigan-Flint.

The report of I (Incomplete) may be made by the instructor if the student is passing but unable to complete the coursework within the specified time. An I may be made up while a student is not enrolled and must be made up by the end of the fifth week of the next semester in which a student is enrolled or one calendar year from when the I was given, whichever is first. If for sufficient reason the student cannot remove the incomplete by one of the above deadlines, the Dean of SEHS may grant an extension of the time upon request from the student and the instructor. It is the student’s responsibility to ask the instructor for an extension of time and file the required form with the Registrar prior to the deadline. Failure to make up the grade within the time allotted results in the I being automatically changed to a grade of E, F or N as applicable.

The grade N, which signifies neither credit nor grade point value, is used in some courses. For these courses the lowest grade for which credit is earned is one of the following: C, C-, D, D-. The use of this grading system in a course is indicated in course listings and in the course schedule and is announced at the beginning of these courses. Students should be aware that although N grades do not affect the grade point average, the accumulation of an excessive number of Ns is considered insufficient progress toward a degree. Therefore, N grades in excess of a total of nine credits at the University of Michigan-Flint are recorded as E, and are calculated into the grade point average.

The grade Y indicates “Work in Progress” and is therefore used only for courses designated to extend beyond a single semester. After completion of the work, the Y grade will be removed and replaced by an appropriate grade, or it may also be replaced by an (I) Incomplete.

A grade once reported (with the exception of I or Y) may be changed only to correct a demonstrable error up to one calendar year after the end of the semester in which the grade was originally submitted and then only with the approval of the Dean.  Grade changes made and/or received after degrees have been conferred will not be processed as the records are closed.  Final grades are reported at the conclusion of each academic semester and become part of the official record of the student. Final grades are generally available on SIS within one week of the last day of the examination period.

Academic Standing

A student in the School of Education and Human Services is expected to maintain a grade point average consistent with the requirements prescribed by the department or program in which the student is enrolled.

The academic records of all students whose grade point averages fall below a 2.0 are reviewed at the end of each semester by the Academic Standards Committee. According to individual circumstances, students with deficient academic records may be placed on warning or required to withdraw. Students on warning must make substantial improvement during the following semester in order to continue in the program or department. While students may maintain university enrollment with a 2.0 grade point average, higher grade point averages are required for admission to, and completion of, programs offered in the School. Students should consult the specific grade point requirements of their programs noted in the departmental sections of the Catalog.

Undergraduate Incomplete Policy

The report of I (incomplete) may be made by the instructor if the student is passing but unable to complete the coursework within the specified time. An I may be made up while a student is not enrolled and must be made up within five months of the end of the semester in which the I was given. If for sufficient reason the student cannot complete by the deadline, the Dean of SEHS may grant an extension of the time upon request from the instructor. It is the student’s responsibility to ask the instructor for an extension of time. If agreeing, the faculty member will submit the extension form. (Faculty should ensure they will be available to enter a grade at the extension’s end.) Failure to make up the grade within the time allotted results in the I being automatically changed to a grade of IE, IF or IN as applicable.

Academic Integrity

The University of Michigan-Flint School of Education and Human Services, in preparing the next generation of educators and social workers, holds academic integrity to be integral to its mission and vision as an academic unit. Our unit also values honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility, and courage as key attributes leading to academic integrity (The International Center for Academic Integrity, 2013). The University Catalog, in “Student Rights and Responsibilities,” states that: “Intellectual integrity is the most fundamental value of an academic community. Students and faculty alike are expected to uphold the highest standards of honesty and integrity in their scholarship. No departure from the highest standards of intellectual integrity, whether by cheating, plagiarism, fabrication, falsification, or aiding and abetting dishonesty by another person, can be tolerated in a community of scholars. Such transgressions may result in action ranging from reduced grade or failure of a course, to expulsion from the University or revocation of degree.”

The University of Michigan-Flint has established a Code of Academic Conduct as well as a statement regarding the Procedural Rights of the Accused Student.  They are as follows:

Code of Academic Conduct 

As defined in the University Catalog, “The University, like all communities, functions best when its members treat one another with honesty, fairness, respect, and trust. Therefore, an individual should realize that deception for the purpose of individual gain is an offense against the members of the community. Such dishonesty includes:

• Plagiarism: taking credit for someone else’s work or ideas, submitting a piece of work (for example, an essay, research paper, assignment, laboratory report) which in part or in whole is not entirely the student’s own work without fully and accurately attributing those same portions to their correct source.
• Cheating: using unauthorized notes, or study aids, or information from another student or student’s paper on an examination; altering a graded work after it has been returned, then submitting the work for regrading; allowing another person to do one’s work, then submitting the work under one’s own name.
• Fabrication: fabricating data; selectively reporting or omitting conflicting data for deceptive purposes; presenting data in a piece of work when the data were not gathered in accordance with guidelines defining the appropriate methods of collecting or generating data; failing to include a substantially accurate account of the method by which the data were gathered or collected.
• Aiding and Abetting Dishonesty: providing material or information to another person when it should reasonably be expected that such action could result in these materials or information being used in a manner that would violate this code of academic integrity.
• Falsification of Records and Official Documents: altering documents affecting academic records; forging a signature of authorization or falsifying or omitting necessary information on an official academic document, election form, grade report, letter of permission, petition, or any document designed to meet or exempt a student from an established College or University academic regulation; falsification or unauthorized altering of information in any official academic computer file.
• Identity Theft: assuming another person’s identity or role through deception or without proper authorization. Communicating or acting under the guise, name, identification, email address, signature, or indicia of another person without proper authorization, or communicating under the rubric of an organization, entity, or unit that you do not have the authority to represent.
• Misrepresentation and Other Acts of Academic Dishonesty: fraudulently obtaining and/or using academic materials that would give oneself an unfair advantage over other students or would deceive the person evaluating one’s academic performance.
• Attempts: an attempt to commit an act prohibited by this code may be punished to the same extent as a completed violation.”

Any of the following violations or charges may result in action ranging from a reduced grade, a failure of course, academic sanctions, and up to expulsion or revocation of a degree from the University.

Such violations or charges of academic dishonesty may be brought by an instructor, advisor, staff, or another student. However, a faculty member must initiate the procedure. The Department Chair may serve in this capacity for allegations of violations or charges brought by an advisor, staff, or another student.  For students who have a course-related grievance must follow the Student Academic Grievance procedure below.

Academic Misconduct Procedure

The School of Education and Human Services (SEHS) Academic Standards Committee has established a procedure for cases of academic misconduct initiated by faculty or lecturers. In any such case, it may be contested or not contested by the accused (the student). These guidelines intended to support faculty, lecturers, and academic advisors with handling such cases.

The following procedure should be used by faculty when resolving cases of academic misconduct:

Step 1.For all cases, the first step is a meeting between the instructor and the student. The first step in cases of alleged academic misconduct is a scheduled meeting between instructor and student within an expedited period after discovery.

1. Another faculty member must be present for this meeting.
2. Evidence must be presented to the student.

If the student does contest the charge of academic misconduct:

Step 2.Consultation with Department Chair*:

1. Instructor discusses pending misconduct action (e.g., failing grade; failing of course) with Department Chair. [See the University Catalog- “Students’ Rights and Responsibilities”- for a full list of possible actions.]
2. If recommended action is removal from the program or expulsion from the university, then a hearing is warranted (see Step 4 below).
3. Instructor completes SEHS Academic Standards’ Hearing Request Form, with recommendatio

Step 3.Consultation with ASC Committee:

1. The complainant (the instructor) and the respondent (the student) are invited to separate meetings of the ASC.
2. Evidence is shared and heard.
3. ASC determines if hearing is necessary or if resolution can be reached.

Step 4.Formal ASC Hearing (if deemed necessary):

1. A formal hearing, following established protocol, is held with the student and the instructor present. (See SEHS ASC Handbook for protocol.)
2. Academic misconduct decision is rendered by voting members of the Academic Standards Committee, including but not limited to upholding instructor decision and/or imposing academic sanctions with the University. The decision of the Academic Standards Committee is final.

Step 5.Notification to Student (Documentation):

1. Student is notified of decision on academic misconduct in writing (University email and certified mail) within an expedited period of time after the review or hearing.

If the student does not contest the charge of academic misconduct:

Step 2.Consultation with Department Chair*:

1. Instructor discusses pending misconduct action (e.g., failing grade; failing of course) with Department Chair within an expedited period after the initial meeting with student. [See the University Catalog- “Students’ Rights and Responsibilities”- for a full list of possible actions.]
2. If recommended action is removal from program or expulsion from the university, then a hearing is warranted (proceed to step 4 in contested case: “Formal ASC Hearing”).

Step 3.Notification to Student (Documentation):

1. Student is notified of decision on academic misconduct in writing (University email and certified mail) within an expedited period of time after the meeting with Department Chair.

The above processes, contested or uncontested charges, will complete within 45 business days after the initial discovery.

*If the Department Chair is the Instructor, the consultation step will be completed with the Chair of the SEHS Academic Standards Committee.

Additional Clarification to Above Procedures

It is important for all students should know that the University Catalog is their point of reference for information about their rights, responsibilities, and matters of procedure. 

Procedural Rights of the Accused Student. As defined in the University Catalog, “A student who is charged with academic dishonesty by an instructor, administrator, or another student may be assured that he/she has the right to a fair hearing of the charges and the evidence, the right to question witnesses, to invite witnesses on his/her behalf, and to introduce whatever other evidence may be relevant to the charge” (“Student Rights and Responsibilities”).

Only if the above steps fail to reach a conclusion, the process will then move to an appeal, which may include a hearing, but only if the student so demands. The student may be given a separate document describing hearing procedures. Before any such hearing, there should be a full investigation by the ad hoc appellate committee established in the step “Consultation with the ASC Committee” as stated previously, which should include full information and evidence disclosures by all parties. The main point of a consultation with the Academic Standards Committee should be for the ad hoc appellate committee to question witnesses and the involved parties. All statements are submitted in writing at this consultation step.

Appeal to the Academic Standards Committee

Students who believe that they are unreasonably affected by a policy of the School of Education and Human Services may appeal to the Academic Standards Committee. Petition forms are used to request rare exceptions in individual cases; information can be obtained from academic advisors or from the Office of the Dean, School of Education and Human Services. Petitions for the late addition of courses (after each semester’s 10th day) will not be heard by the Academic Standards Committee.

Changes in Academic Rules and Degree Requirements

1. Changes made in general degree requirements, including general education requirements and specific major and minor requirements go into effect the Fall semester following approval and apply to all students admitted to the University that term or thereafter.
2. Continuously enrolled students (those who are enrolled for classes at least one semester of each 12-month period are entitled to fulfill the requirements in effect the first semester in which they were admitted to the University. Students who reenroll are required to fulfill the requirements of the Catalog in effect on the date of reenrollment.  Students may elect to fulfill requirements in any subsequent Catalog. 
3. Exceptions to these guidelines may be granted in some circumstances, when approved by the governing faculty of the unit affected. If such an exception is approved, it is the responsibility of the department or program requesting the exception to publicize the approved changes by circulating the information to academic advisors and to students affected by the changes.

Student Academic Grievance Procedure

The general procedure for resolving student-initiated grievances in matters of dispute between student(s) and instructor(s) regarding classroom instruction, arbitrary and/or inconsistent application of classroom policies and procedures, including assignment of grades, shall be as described below. This procedure must begin at the instructor/department level and not with the SEHS Office of the Dean. (For any allegation of discrimination, see the section of discrimination under Student Rights Policy in this Catalog.)

1. Discussion with Instructor. The student will initiate discussion of the issue with the instructor in writing.  This discussion must be initiated within 14 calendar days of the occurrence of the issue (e.g., the return of a graded project) or, if occurring at the end of a semester or term, within the first 14 calendar days of the start of the next academic semester or term.
2. Discussion with Department Chair*. If the concern is not resolved in discussion with the instructor, the student may discuss the issue with the Department Chair who shall attempt to resolve the matter.  This discussion with the Chair is to be initiated within 14 calendar days  following the meeting with the instructor or, if occurring at the end of a semester or term, within the first 14 calendar days of the start of the next academic semester or term. (Note: when issues of jurisdiction arise, the SEHS Academic Standards Committee will determine jurisdiction.)

Appeal Process of Student Academic Grievance Procedure

a.     If the academic grievance is not resolved in discussion with the Department Chair*, the student may, within 14 calendar days following the meeting of that discussion, submit a written complaint to the Chair.

b.     Upon receipt of a written complaint, the Chair will form an ad hoc committee comprised of three SEHS faculty members: one member of the committee will be identified by the student, one member will be identified by the instructor, and a third member from, and identified by, the SEHS Academic Standards Committee.  A written response to the written complaint will be invited from the instructor.

c.     The decision of the ad hoc committee will be final and issued in writing to the student within 30 calendar days of the Chair’s receipt of the written complaint. 

*If the instructor is a Department Chair, then the student may discuss the issue with the Chair of the Academic Standards Committee.