School of Management (SOM)

http://www.umflint.edu/som

• Mission of the School
• Admission to the DBA, MBA, MSA, MS and Certificate programs
• Part-Time Study
• Academic Regulations
• Grades and Scholastic Requirements
• Incomplete Work
• Pass/Fail Option (Credit without Grade)
• Appeals on Academic Matters
• SOM Academic Honor Code
• Recognition of Superior Scholarship
• General Business Major in AODC Format
• Business Internship Program
• Student Organizations
• Student Representation of School of Management Committees

2200 Riverfront
Phone: (810) 762-3160
http://www.umflint.edu/SOM

Interim Dean: Dr. Yener Kandogan
Associate Dean: Dr. Keith Kelley
Assistant to the Dean: Kristin Arntz
Director, Student Support Services: Dr. Brenda Harrison
Business Administrator: Amy Maynard
Academic Advisors: Anna Bennett Reed, Rachel Gutierrez and Tameka Shepard
Career Development Manager: Justin Skibin
Business Programs Recruiter: Tameka Shepard
Computer Specialist: Dominic Fusero
Faculty Administrative Assistant/Alumni Liaison: Anna Swartz

Established as a separate school in 1975, the School of Management has faculty members with extensive experience in working with business and government and in teaching management programs.

The School of Management is an AACSB-accredited professional school offering programs leading to the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), the Master of Business Administration (MBA), the Master of Science in Accounting (MSA), Master of Science in Leadership and Organizational Dynamics, and in Supply Chain Management (MS), and Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) degrees. 

Accreditation

School of Management business programs are accredited by AACSB International - The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (http://www.aacsb.edu).  The address of this accrediting body is: AACSB INTERNATIONAL, The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, 777 Harbour Island Blvd., Suite 750, Tampa, Florida, 33602-5730, http://www.AACSB.edu.) 

We provide innovative high-quality business programs to career-minded students seeking flexibility in their education. We transform our students’ lives and contribute to the economic development of their communities. We spur innovative thinking and action in our students; engage with businesses of our region; create intellectual contributions that impact business theory and practice; and operate in a sustainable manner that recognizes the importance of our diverse stakeholders.

Program Assessment

The School of Management participates in the University-wide effort to assess its academic programs. Information on assessment plans, including goals, methods and outcomes is available at http://www.umflint.edu/assessment.

Preparation for business careers requires a broadly based, balanced liberal education. University of Michigan-Flint programs emphasize an understanding of economic, social, political and cultural environments, coupled with the acquisition of requisite problem solving, decision making, and leadership skills. Business curricula strive for balance among knowledge, skills, and abilities applicable in the short term and those required for long-term personal and professional growth.

The Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) program prepares students for careers in accounting, entrepreneurship and innovation management, finance, international business, marketing, organizational behavior and human resource management, and operations and supply chain management, and for graduate studies in management, accounting, economics, finance, marketing, law, or related fields. The Master of Business Administration (MBA) program is designed for individuals who show high promise as managers. Structured to offer valuable support for its students’ next ten years in business, the MBA program provides a solid background for higher levels of responsibility and offers specializations in accounting, computer information systems, finance, health care management, international business, supply chain and operations management, marketing and innovation management, and organizational leadership. The Master of Science in Accounting (MSA) program serves the students who wish to fulfill the 150 hour education requirement to become a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) with comprehensive and focused set of advanced accounting courses. The Master of Science in Leadership and Organizational Dynamics (MS) program targets mid-level managers from the private and non-profit sectors for whom leadership and organizational knowledge and skills are necessary components of professional success and personal advancement in their respective industries. The Supply Chain Management Master of Science (MS) program is designed for individuals interested in pursuing a career in the growing supply chain management profession, in response to the reshoring of manufacturing in the US. The Graduate Certificate in Business is intended primarily for participants with degrees other than business who are interested in learning some of the basic concepts of business or are considering the eventual completion of an MBA. Post-Master’s Certificates are intended for individuals who are interested in learning more advanced concepts in accounting, finance, international business, marketing and organizational leadership. Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program prepares students to advance your career and increase your earning potential. The fully online DBA program focuses on strategy of the firm and enables the students to earn their degree on their own terms without disrupting their careers. For further information on the DBA, MBA, MSA, MS, the Graduate Certificate and Post-Master’s Certificate programs, see the Graduate Study section of this Catalog.

Admission to the DBA, MBA, MSA, MS and Certificate Programs

Admission to either the DBA, the MBA, the MSA or MS programs is based on a review of the applicant’s job experience, as indicated by a resume; a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university as indicated by transcripts; personal statement; and letters of recommendation. All of the above are reviewed for admission to the Graduate Certificate in Business. Post-Master’s Certificate programs require MBA or equivalent degree. Complete descriptions of the DBA, the MBA, the MSA, the MS and the Certificate programs, including admission requirements, are presented under the Doctor of Business Administration, the Master of Business Administration Program, the Master of Science in Accounting Program, the Master of Science in Leadership and Organizational Dynamics Program, the Master of Science in Supply Chain Management and the Certificate Program sections in this Catalog, respectively. Contact the School of Management for additional information.

Academic Advising

The advising system is based on the premise that students are responsible for maintaining and recording their own progress. However, working closely with our advising staff keeps students on track with regard to prerequisites for later classes, the proper sequence in which to take classes, and which elective courses are most advantageous for your career goals. The School offers caseload advising based on students’ majors and programs. Please contact the office to find out your primary academic advisor, who will assist you throughout your studies at the University.

The School of Management Office is generally open from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. Students are encouraged to contact the office for information or appointments. The School also offers walk-in and online advising.

The School of Management provides flexible class scheduling. It is possible to complete the BBA degree requirements on a full- or part-time basis, with classes scheduled during day and evening hours and through online. School of Management courses also serve students with no imminent degree objective. Most non-candidate-for-degree (NCFD), also referred to as Lifelong Learning, students hold baccalaureate degrees and pursue management courses to enhance professional skills or prepare for graduate studies.

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

Grades are assigned by letters, some with + and - suffixes. In computing grade point averages, the following scale of grade equivalents is used by the School of Management undergraduate program:

Grades of P (Pass) and F (Fail) do not affect any grade point average. Of these, only the grade of P earns credit toward graduation.

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.

Cumulative grade point averages are computed by dividing the total number of honor points earned by the total number of credit hours attempted. Three cumulative grade point averages are important to business students. The first average includes all courses taken at the University of Michigan-Flint. The second average includes all business courses offered by the School of Management. The third average applies to all University of Michigan-Flint courses included in a student’s major area. Each of these averages must be maintained at 2.0 or higher for the student to be in good academic standing or to receive a degree.

BBA students are expected to maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.0 in any of the three areas for good academic standing. If the student’s deficient GPA should reach the minimum or better at the end of this probationary term, the student is said to be in good academic standing with all academic holds removed. However, if the deficient GPA should be the same or lower at the end of the probationary term, the student would be placed on the second level of probation (Up or Out), and allowed to register for courses only with advisor approval. The student will also be required to adhere to an Advising Contract. If at the end of the second consecutive probationary term, the student fails to improve the grade point average to the minimum, but has made significant progress, the student is placed on Continued Up or Out status for an additional semester. However, if the grade point average is the same or lower at the end of the second probationary term, the student may be academically dismissed from the University for one year. Students who are dismissed from the University may petition the School of Management Academic Review Committee for readmission. If the Committee grants the petition, they are readmitted on warning status.

Undergraduate Students:

The report of I (Incomplete) may be made by the instructor if the student is passing but unable to complete the coursework within the semester, the unfinished part of a student’s work is small and the extenuating circumstances have been explained. 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. A grade change must be submitted by the instructor to the Office of the Registrar by the stated deadline.

If for sufficient reason the student cannot complete by the deadline, the Dean 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 instructor will submit the extension form to the Dean’s Office for approval and submit to the Office of the Registrar before the initial five month deadline. Instructors should ensure they will be available to enter a grade at the extension’s end.

Submission of the grade change request within the deadline will result in the grade being changed to IA, IB, IC, etc as applicable. To denote the course was not completed at the end of the semester, the I remains on the transcript. Failure to make up the grade within the time allotted results in the I being changed to a grade of IE, IF or IN as applicable.

Deadlines for incomplete grades and extension requests is May 31.

Graduate students:

A student may receive a grade of Incomplete (“I”) only if the coursework remaining to be done by the end of the semester is small and the instructor approves an extension for completing the unfinished work.  The instructor must agree to this arrangement and determine a deadline for finishing the assigned work before a grade is assigned.  The notation of “I” remains a permanent part of the academic record. When coursework is completed to the satisfaction of the instructor, the grade will appear on the transcript as, for example, “IB+.”  The grade point average is based only on hours of coursework completed. 

This provision is used by the School of Management only for the Undergraduate Business Internship Experience courses. Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory are the only possible grades for the graduate Business Internship Experience course, MGT 595. Students may elect a limited number of pass/fail courses as non-business electives without concern for the effect on the cumulative grade point average.

Students who believe they have been unfairly affected by a policy or practice of the School of Management may request review of the matter in question.

Many problems can be resolved by consultation with members of the faculty. This must be the initial step in all problems involving a faculty member. Any problem which is not resolved in this way may be appealed in writing to the Office of the Dean. Student appeals are reviewed by the appropriate Department Chair. If, after review, the issue remains unresolved, it may be appealed to the Dean and the Executive Committee. At this stage of the appeal, two students from the School of Management may be present in the discussion and resolution of the grievance, one designated by the appealing student and one designated by the Executive Committee. The students present do not vote. The decision of the Executive Committee shall be final.

In situations involving discrimination or sexual harassment charges, the student should consult with the Affirmative Action Coordinator or the Dean. Formal complaints must be filed with the Affirmative Action Coordinator. In those cases where discrimination or sexual harassment is alleged, findings of the Affirmative Action Coordinator are reported to the Dean and included as evidence to the Executive Committee in its review and rendering of a decision.

The initial step for an undergraduate student who seeks a review of a policy or practice not directly involving a faculty member is to ask (petition) for such a review by the Academic Review Committee; a graduate student should request a review by the Graduate Program Committee. If the issue is not satisfactorily resolved by the appropriate committee, the student may submit the issue to the Executive Committee by filing a written petition. Appeal to this committee is the final step in the appeal process for a student who requests a waiver of any school rule or policy.

The student’s petition should clearly indicate the request or grievance and provide supporting evidence relevant to the case; a prompt hearing and timely decision will follow. Details and petition forms are available from the School of Management main office.  Petition records will be stored securely for one calendar year, after which they will be shredded.

School of Management students and other students enrolled in School of Management courses are bound by the University’s Code of Academic Conduct that can be found under the “Student Rights and Responsibilities” section of the Catalog and the School of Management’s specific policies outlined below, along with the procedures and sanctions in cases of alleged academic misconduct. University-wide polices apply in non-academic or professional misconduct cases, which should be referred to Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs for further consideration. Please refer to the “Student Rights and Responsibilities” section of the Catalog for details of the proscribed conducts.

Any violation of the Code of Academic Conduct observed by a fellow student, faculty member or staff member is required to be reported promptly to the Dean. The report should be in writing unless the urgency of the matter warrants an immediate oral report, such as when someone’s safety is endangered. An initial oral report should be followed as soon as possible by a written report. Only if all suspected violations are reported can there be equity in application of the code across the entire student body.

A student who is accused of academic misconduct has the right to notice of the allegations of misconduct, 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.

An investigation will be conducted by the Dean. The accused student will promptly be informed in writing of this investigation, at which time the student may submit a written response to the charge. The accused student and the person reporting the alleged violation will be given 5 business days to submit evidence before the hearing to the Dean, who will provide copies to all involved persons before the hearing.

The hearing will be carried out by Academic Review Committee for cases involving an undergraduate student or by the Graduate Program Committee for cases involving a graduate student. The Dean will chair the Committee with no voting rights. The hearing will also include a student from the same program as the accused student. The Committee will hold a formal confidential hearing which will be recorded. At the hearing, the accused student, the person reporting the alleged violation, and other witnesses will be given the opportunity to present their point of view. The accused student may bring an advisor to serve in an advisory capacity. Advisors are not permitted to participate in the hearing process but are there only to observe and to provide advice to the student, as needed.

At the close of the hearing, the Committee will meet privately for confidential discussion. If the Committee determines that the student is responsible for the alleged violation, it is clear and convincing that a violation occurred based on the evidence presented at the hearing. The Dean will prepare a report with the Committee’s decision as to the student’s responsibility, including the basis of the conclusions, and the Committee’s decision on the appropriate sanctions. The report will be issued by the Dean within five to seven business days after the hearing. The outcome will be communicated to the student by email and the postal service. All email communications will be sent to the student’s University email account. All communications via the U.S. Postal Service will be sent to the student’s permanent and local addresses on record with the University Registrar. This will complete the process unless the student appeals the decision.

If the violation involves a course, the course instructor can impose an initial sanction including a grade change, pending consideration of the case by the appropriate committee. The following is a list of possible sanctions. A record of the sanctions imposed will be kept in the student’s files. Sanctions in the case of a violation may be one or a combination of the following:

• Educational project: Completion of a class, workshop of project to help the student understand why his or her behavior was inappropriate and/or how to avoid a future violation.
• Warning: Informing the student in writing that he/she has violated the code and that future violations will be dealt with severely. No copy of the warning shall be put on the student’s academic transcript.
• Grade change: A lowering of the student’s grade by giving 0 for the assignment.
• Failing the course.
• Transcript notation: To indicate that the student has violated the code for a second time and any future violations will be dealt with more severely. A copy of the reprimand shall be put on the student’s academic transcript.
• Disciplinary probation: Designation of a period of time during which the student will not be in good standing with the school. A record of the probationary period shall be put on the student’s academic transcript.
• Withholding a degree: Withholding of the student’s degree until stated sanction requirements have been met. There may be a deadline set for meeting the requirements which if not met, will result in the student’s loss of eligibility to receive the degree at any time in the future.
• Suspension: Temporary removal of the student from the program for a specific period effective by a date set by the hearing committee, which will be noted on the student’s academic transcript. There can be stipulated conditions for re-admission to the program as well as a time limit for meeting those stipulations.
• Expulsion: Permanent dismissal from the program, which will be noted on the student’s academic transcript, including the reason for expulsion.
• Rescinding a degree: Annulment of a degree previously awarded by the School of Management.

Within five business days of receiving the written notification of the Committee’s decision, the accused student or the person reporting the alleged violation may submit a written appeal of the decision and/or sanction to the Dean. Appeals must be based on at least one of the following assertions:

• There were violations of procedure that seriously compromised the process.
• The evidence clearly does not support the findings.
• The sanctions are excessive relative to the violation.
• There is new evidence not available at the time of hearing that may result in a change in the decision.

In considering the appeal, if the Dean determines that the student has submitted a valid appeal, the case will be referred to the Executive Committee for consideration. The Executive Committee will decide the appeal within 21 days. The decisions of the Executive Committee are final and no more appeals are possible.

Graduating seniors with cumulative grade point averages of at least 3.5 but less than 3.75 are recommended for the degree “with honors” and those with cumulative grade point averages of at least 3.75 are recommended for the degree “with high honors.” In computing averages, only courses taken at the University of Michigan-Flint are included, and only completed terms are counted.

Each year the faculty chooses outstanding students for special awards and academic honors provided by several professional organizations, corporate, and individual sponsors.

The School supports two honorary societies: Beta Alpha Psi and Beta Gamma Sigma. Beta Alpha Psi is a national scholastic and professional fraternity for Financial Information students and professionals. The primary objective of the fraternity is to encourage and give recognition to scholastic and professional excellence in the business information field. This includes promoting the study and practice of accounting, finance and information systems; providing opportunities for self-development, service and association among members and practicing professionals, and encouraging a sense of ethical, social, and public responsibility. Beta Gamma Sigma is the honor society serving business programs accredited by AACSB International - The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. Membership in Beta Gamma Sigma is the highest recognition a business student anywhere in the world can receive in a business program accredited by AACSB International.

Earning an online Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a major in general business is easier in the Accelerated Degree Completion format. That means accelerated, seven-week courses offered totally online asynchronously. A dedicated SOM advisor will work with you at every stage of your studies, starting with you getting credit for prior learning such as professional certifications to assisting with your program plans with two classes at a time, with six opportunities to start throughout the year. By studying General Business, you will receive an overview of many functions in the business world and explore how these functions interact, preparing you for a rewarding career in a variety of industries.

Additional information regarding AODC can be found here: https://www.umflint.edu/aodc-program/

The Business Internship Program (BIP) provides essential cooperative linkages between the business and education communities. The internship placements under this program are primarily arranged in direct consultations between School of Management faculty and staff and the employing organization. The internship activities are directly supervised by SOM faculty and staff in order to earn appropriate academic credit. The Business Internship Program offers participants many advantages, including:

• Professional business experience before graduation
• College credit based on academically-relevant work experience
• Potential for resume building
• Opportunity to test out a career choice
• Job training in a business setting
• Professional contacts in the field of business

In order to enroll in the program, students must consult with the School of Management Career Development Manager and meet the following criteria:

1. Admission into the BBA or MBA Program
2. Good academic standing (not on academic probation)
3. Minimum 2.50 grade point average in the BBA Program
4. Submission of contract and enrollment in one of the following internship courses, upon placement:  ACC 394, BUS 394, EIM 394, FIN 394, INB 394, MGT 394, MKT 394 or MGT 595.

Students in the School of Management are represented by student-run organizations which serve the specialized needs of persons interested in business and management: Beta Alpha Psi, Beta Gamma Sigma, Entrepreneurs’ Society, Financial Management Association, International Business Student Organization, Marketing Club, National Association of Black Accountants, Suppy Chain and Operations Management Association, and Society for Human Resource Management. Further information is available from officers of the organizations or from the School of Management main office.

Juniors and seniors currently registered for at least nine credits of course work and in good academic standing in the School of Management are eligible for service as student members on the Academic Review, Undergraduate Program, and Spring and Summer Interim Committees. Graduate students currently registered for at least six credits of course work and in good academic standing in the School of Management are eligible for service as student members on the Graduate Program Committee. Further information is available from the School of Management.

Programs

• Business Administration/Leadership and Organizational Dynamics (BBA/MS)