3.4.5 Academic Policies
The institution publishes academic policies that adhere to principles of good educational practice. These are disseminated to students, faculty, and other interested parties through publications that accurately represent the programs and services of the institution.
Judgement of Compliance:
Compliance
Narrative:
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) publishes and disseminates academic policies that adhere to principles of good educational practice. UTC follows sound practices in formulating, reviewing, approving, and disseminating its academic policies. They are published in Chapters 8 and 9 of the Undergraduate Catalog, the Graduate catalog (pp. 19-29), Student Handbook (pp. 4-10), and Faculty Handbook. Publications containing these policies are regularly updated in consultation with appropriate campus offices and entities. All of the publications are available online to students, faculty, and staff members. The Student Handbook is also available in print. In addition, academic policies are compiled and available in the Assistant General Counsel’s office, and many are available on the Academic Affairs webpage and the Records Office webpage.
In accordance with the Policy Creation, Review, and Revision Guidelines, academic policies are routinely reviewed by the appropriate faculty committees and administrative offices for relevance to the University Mission and conformity with standards as established by the UT Board of Trustees, Tennessee Higher Education Commission, the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and other accrediting organizations. In this way, the University ensures that it adheres to best professional practices in developing programs and academic policies and procedures. The Board of Trustees approves all major policy changes, such as the recent change in admission standards at UTC on June 17, 2009 (Page 13).
The Center for Distance Education facilitates the delivery of courses and educational programs through distance learning and alternative delivery methods. It serves in an advisory capacity to the provost regarding resources and proposals for online and hybrid courses or programs. The Center ensures compliance with Federal, State, and local regulations as well as the Guidelines for Distance and Correspondence Education of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.Documentation:
- Undergraduate Catalog: Academic Regulations
http://www.utc.edu/Administration/Records/UndergraduateCatalog0910/059_0910UGCatalog.php - Undergraduate Catalog: Degree and Graduation Requirements
http://www.utc.edu/Administration/Records/UndergraduateCatalog0910/059_0910UGCatalog.php - Graduate Catalog: General Regulations & Graduate Program Regulations, pp. 19-29
http://www.utc.edu/Administration/SACS/ComplianceReports/Documentation/CS345/GraduateCatalog-2009-10Pages19-29.pdf - Student Handbook: Academics, pp. 4-10
http://www.utc.edu/Administration/StudentDevelopment/handbook /academics.pdf - Faculty Handbook, Chapter 5, Faculty Responsibilities
http://www.utc.edu/Departments/fcouncil/FacultyHandbook/Ch5Handbook.pdf - Faculty Policies on Academic Affairs Web Page
http://www.utc.edu/Administration/AcademicAffairs/FacultyPolicies.php - Academic Policies on Records Office Website
http://www.utc.edu/Administration/Records/
- Policy Creation, Review, and Revision Guidelines
http://www.utc.edu/Administration/AcademicAffairs/documents/ PolicyCreationReviewRevisionGuidelines.doc - UT BOT meeting, June 17, 2009: approval of New Admission Standards
http://bot.tennessee.edu/minutes/06172009_boardmeetin.pdf - Center for Distance Education
- SACS Guidelines for Distance and Correspondence Education
http://www.sacscoc.org/pdf/Distance and correspondence policy final.pdf
