:: Instructor Resources
Important UT Policies
Policy on Accommodations
The Faculty Council’s Educational Policy Committee states, “Providing a quality educational experience for all students includes adapting the instructional environment to accommodate the educational needs of students with information about Services for Students with Disabilities through the course syllabus.”
At the beginning of the semester, students not enrolled in the regular day program this semester should notify UEX for any special accommodations that they may need. Students enrolled in the regular UT Austin day curriculum during this semester should contact the Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD) Office (471-6259 or 471-4641 TTY), which will prepare an appropriate letter to the instructor to guide you.
Policy on Absence for Religious Holidays
The UT General Information catalog for 2005-2006 states that “A student who is absent from a class or examination for the observance of a religious holy day should inform the instructor as far in advance of the absence as possible, so that arrangements can be made to complete an assignment within a reasonable time after the absence” (p.85). Notice must be given at least fourteen days prior to the classes scheduled on dates the student will be absent. For religious holy days that fall within the first two weeks of the semester, notice should be given on the first day of the semester.
Policy on Stating Method of Evaluation
The UT General Information catalog states that instructors are “required to make the methods of evaluation to be used known in writing before the end of the fourth class day” (p.71). However, since University Extension students may not receive refunds once the class begins, you must make this known through your syllabus before the class begins. Grade disputes can usually be avoided if the grading policies of a course are clearly conveyed to the students.
Policy on Availability of Classwork Materials
The General Information catalog states that written materials that are submitted to meet the requirements of a course “that are not returned to the student must be retained by the faculty member or the department for at least one long-session semester following the completion of the course” (p.87). UEX’s policy is to keep student work for one year. If you are leaving town, please assemble the materials and deliver them to the University Extension office in one box or bundle clearly marked with your name and the semester’s dates.
Policy on Final Exams
The UT Faculty Council has passed legislation on this. Here are the rules:
- You are under no obligation to give a final exam, but, if you do, it must be scheduled on the date listed on the calendar in the back of the Course Bulletin. No change in time from that printed in the Course Bulletin is permitted. An instructor with a compelling reason to change the time of an examination must obtain the approval of the Directors of University Extension before announcing an alternative examination procedure to the students. (Since our program can schedule final exams only during no-class days [the administration wants us to do it that way to avoid classroom conflicts with the main campus for final exam space], our students do take final exams on no-class days. This is different from the policy governing faculty teaching regular UT courses.)
- No substantial examinations may be given during the last class week. An examination counting for more than 30% of the final course grade is considered to be substantial.
- A faculty member is responsible for ensuring that final examinations for his or her courses are adequately staffed, that he or she is available for related questions and to resolve problems, and that final course grades are turned in on time. Unless a faculty member has received approval for travel under regular University policy (with the Director of University Extension), he or she must be available on campus during final examinations in his or her courses, or available in the Austin area and easily reachable by telephone or e-mail. The faculty member must remain in the Austin area until his or her grades are finalized. If a faculty member must travel during this time, he or she must include on the request for travel authorization how final examination matters will be handled and how he or she can be reached in case of an emergency.
