Florida State / Faculty Handbook / Section 7: Teaching and Student/Faculty Interactions

Section 7: Teaching and Student/Faculty Interactions

Introduction
Teaching
When Problems Arise
Undergraduate Advising Information and Resources
Student Resources
Graduate Student Resources

Introduction

The fundamental responsibilities of teaching include the instruction, evaluation and advisement of students. While faculty members may sometimes receive assistance, through appropriate University channels, in carrying out these activities, the primary responsibility for ensuring they are carried out appropriately rests with the faculty members.

Interactions with students can be both rewarding and challenging. This chapter provides general information about instruction, advising, the Academic Honor Policy, dealing with problem situations, and resources for students, in order to help faculty members enhance the rewards and minimize the challenges of their those interactions. More specific information regarding each of these topics is found in the Florida State University General Bulletin (http://registrar.fsu.edu/bulletin/undergrad/info/apdefault.htm), the Florida State University Graduate Bulletin (http://registrar.fsu.edu/bulletin/grad/apdefault.htm), and the Florida State University Student Handbook (http://registrar.fsu.edu/student_handbook/). Please note that the Florida State University Faculty Handbook is intended to be a general reference tool to familiarize faculty members with University policies and procedures. Links to appropriate policies (indicated either by bold text or by listing the site) are provided throughout the text.

Teaching

The following items have been chosen for inclusion in this section because they pertain to how faculty members fulfill their obligations toward students in a course. They have been placed in alphabetical order for ease of reference.

Absences (faculty)

In addition to teaching, faculty are required to perform both service and research activities. These activities will occasionally require an instructor to miss a class meeting. For an anticipated absence, such as religious holy day observance or for conference attendance that is approved in advance by the program or department chair, instructors should find an acceptable substitute for their classes or obtain the chair’s approval for an alternate means of making up the contact hours. For unanticipated absences such as illness or family emergency, instructors must notify the program or department chair or academic dean as soon as possible so that arrangements can be made regarding classes and other scheduled activities. Failure to notify the program or department chair of a missed class meeting or excessive absences from class obligations can result in disciplinary action.

Academic Calendar

The academic year consists of two semesters, each lasting approximately 15 weeks. Note that faculty contracts typically begin prior to the start of classes. Some instructors teach during the summer, which is divided into several semester scheduling options. A detailed calendar may be accessed in the appropriate Registration Guide on the Registrar’s Web site: http://registrar.fsu.edu/extended.htm.

Attendance (student)

The instructor decides what effect unexcused absences will have on grades and will explain class attendance and grading policies in writing at the beginning of each semester. Instructors must accommodate absences due to documented illness, deaths in the family and other documented crises, call to active military duty or jury duty, religious holy days, and official University activities and must do so in a way that does not arbitrarily penalize students who have a valid excuse. Consideration should also be given to students whose dependent children experience serious illness. All students are expected to abide by each instructor’s class attendance policy. Students must also provide advance notice of absences (when possible) as well as relevant documentation regarding absences to the instructor as soon as possible following the illness or event that led to an absence. Regardless of whether an absence is excused or unexcused, the student is responsible for making up all work that is missed. University-wide policy requires all students to attend the first class meeting of all classes for which they are registered. Students who do not attend the first class meeting of a course for which they are registered will be dropped from the course by the academic department that offers the course. In order to enforce this policy, instructors are required to take attendance at the first class meeting and report absences to the appropriate person in their department or school/college. For further information, consult the FSU General Bulletin at: http://registrar.fsu.edu/bulletin/undergrad/apdefault.htm. Please note that some colleges and special programs have more stringent requirements for class attendance. Also, see “Medical Excuses” in this chapter.

CLAST (College Level Academic Skills Test) Examination

The CLAST is required by Florida Statutes and Regulations of the State Board of Education for the receipt of the Associate in Arts degree and for admission to upper-division status in the state universities of Florida. Students are encouraged to take the CLAST as early as their second semester of enrollment and are normally expected to have successfully completed CLAST by the time they have completed 60 credit hours. Transfer students are not admitted directly to FSU baccalaureate degree programs without having completed CLAST.

The CLAST requires passing scores on four subtests of college-level verbal and quantitative skills, including Reading, Writing, Computation and Essay. A listing of the objectives covered in each subtest is available in the General Bulletin at: http://registrar.fsu.edu/bulletin/apdefault.htm . Faculty teaching Liberal Studies courses in Area I (Communication), Area II (History) and Area IV (Humanities) should be aware that at The Florida State University, those courses should help students develop the skills necessary for successful completion of the CLAST. The University has an institutional plan, coordinated by Undergraduate Studies, to ensure that students having difficulty with CLAST are provided guidance and academic support.

Copyrighted Materials

U.S. Copyright Law (http://www.copyright.gov/title17) protects the interests of those who create knowledge and works of art; faculty must comply with its requirements. Written permission must be obtained to place duplicated articles on reserve for longer than a semester at the library. Local copy centers will help obtain permission to duplicate articles that are submitted well in advance for inclusion in student course packets. Also, see “Copyright and Fair Use” in Section 6 of this Faculty Handbook.

Confidentiality of Student Records

The Family Educational and Privacy Rights Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) at: http://www.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html guarantees students access to their educational records and protects those records from unauthorized release to others. Faculty members may access student records only when they have a legitimate need to know the information, such as when serving in an advisory capacity. Faculty must not release confidential information to others. Because of the risk of identity theft and violation of student privacy law, grades must never be posted by complete social security number, and any records containing social security numbers must be protected carefully and must be shredded when discarded. The confidentiality of email is not protected; instructors must have students’ permission to email grade information. The password-protected course Web site system is the preferred way to communicate grades to students. The Registrar’s statement on FERPA rights is found at: http://registrar.fsu.edu/dir_class/spring/university_notices.htm.

Credit Hour

In most undergraduate and graduate courses, one semester hour of student credit represents approximately 50 minutes of faculty-student contact per week, or two or more hours of regularly-scheduled laboratory, practice, directed independent study, or other formal course activity per week within the 15 weeks of scheduled class time per semester.

Disabilities

The Americans with Disabilities Act requires that reasonable accommodation be provided for individuals with documented physical and/or learning disabilities. Students who are registered with the Student Disability Resource Center (SDRC) are accommodated through the combined efforts of individual faculty members and the SDRC (http://www.disabilitycenter.fsu.edu/). Each course syllabus should include information about requesting accommodations. See sample syllabus approved by the Faculty Senate Curriculum Committee at http://facsenate.fsu.edu/ahpandada.html.

Distance Learning

The Florida State University offers a wide array of courses through distance learning, some of which are part of entire degree programs available online. Instructors teaching distance learning courses can find resources at: http://learningforlife.fsu.edu/online/resources/index.cfm.

Evaluation of Teaching

The University evaluates teaching using a combined instrument (SUSSAI/SPOT). Departments may also use additional methods of teaching evaluation, including peer evaluations and additional instruments. All instructors are required to have these evaluations administered during the last two weeks of each fall and spring semester for all classes in which at least 10 students are enrolled. Results of the SUSSAI section of the evaluation are public information and are available to students online at: http://wapps.oddl.fsu.edu/sussai/main.jsp and at Strozier Library. All other teaching evaluations are confidential.

Final Exam Policy

The University Undergraduate Final Exam Policy states:

Final examinations in all undergraduate courses are discretionary within any given department.
All students enrolled in an undergraduate course having a final examination, including graduating seniors and graduate students, are required to take the examination at the time scheduled.
The scheduling of a final examination or a test in lieu of a final examination at any time other than the regularly scheduled final examination period is a violation of University policy.
A test covering a portion of the semester’s work which is given in lieu of a final examination, sometimes called “a unit test,” must be given in the regularly scheduled final examination period.

The final exam schedule is published on the Registrar’s Web site at: http://registrar.fsu.edu/ and is based on the regular class meeting time or is a block examination in which all students in certain courses take final exams at the same time, regardless of class section. Exceptions to this schedule for individual students are made by the academic dean of the unit teaching the course (in response to a written request from the instructor). Exceptions to hold the entire undergraduate course exam at a time different from the published exam schedule are considered by the Undergraduate Policy Committee of the Faculty Senate, in response to a written request received at least three weeks in advance. If a final exam is given in a graduate course, the exam should follow the established final exam schedule unless clear arrangements are made with the students and the Registrar’s Office. Examination papers of students should be kept by faculty members for one year after the end of the semester. Faculty members leaving the University before the completion of that year must leave the examination papers in the departmental files. For more information, see the General Bulletin at: http://registrar.fsu.edu/bulletin/undergrad/info/acad_regs.htm - CourseExams or the annual policy memo from the Office of the Dean of the Faculties at: http://dof.fsu.edu/academics.htm.

Gordon Rule

This statewide rule (Section 1007.25 Florida Statutes) seeks to insure that all students have extensive graded writing assignments and at least two courses in college mathematics at the level of college algebra and above (or show equivalent course credit). The Florida State University has incorporated the requirements of this rule within the Liberal Studies Program. To satisfy the requirements of this rule, students must complete, with a grade of "C-" or better in each course, the Liberal Studies requirements in Area I (Communication: English Composition and Mathematics), Area II (History), and Area IV (Humanities). For more information, see http://registrar.fsu.edu/bulletin/.

Grades

The University employs a plus/minus grading system where grades earn the following quality point values:

A 4.00
A- 3.75
B+ 3.25
B 3.00
B- 2.75
C+ 2.25
C 2.00
C- 1.75
D+ 1.25
D 1.00
D- 0.75
F 0.00

Instructors must explain, in writing, an evaluation (grading) statement that will be used to determine grades in each course.

Final grades should be reported to the Registrar’s Office by the deadline set each semester and in accordance with the procedures that will be communicated by each academic department. “Incomplete” (“I”) grades should be recorded only in exceptional cases when a student, for documented reasons, has failed to complete a well-defined portion of a course, but was passing the course up until the time he or she failed to complete the work. Even under these circumstances, the authority for determining whether to grant an “Incomplete” rests with the instructor. Graduate Teaching Assistants must have approval from the supervising faculty member to grant an “Incomplete.” (One exception to this guideline occurs when an “Incomplete” is applied as a result of allegations of academic dishonesty that have not been resolved by the end of a semester.) Deans’ offices can often provide guidance to instructors regarding individual cases. Unless an extension of time is requested by the instructor, “Incomplete” grades turn into “Incomplete Expired” (computed as “F” or “U” grades, depending on the course grading format) at the end of the next semester in which the student is enrolled. For this reason, it is critical that faculty work closely with the student and with department staff regarding the clearance of an “Incomplete” grade.

Please see the General Bulletin sections on grading policies and grade appeals (http://registrar.fsu.edu/bulletin/undergrad/info/acad_regs.htm#GradingSystem) for more information.

Libraries

The Florida State University Libraries support the university’s educational mission by providing a broad spectrum of learning resources and services to users on campus, by remote access, and at remote locations. Faculty members are encouraged to become familiar with the services, policies, and procedures of the University Libraries through their main Web site: http://www.lib.fsu.edu/. The Strozier Library is the main library and performs central services such as ordering of materials, cataloging, faculty reserves, local campus van courier services, and statistical reporting for many of the university libraries. Each of the various libraries in the FSU system maintains its own web page, which may be accessed through: http://www.lib.fsu.edu/. The libraries provide a number of services of special interest to faculty. These services include: the ordering of specific library materials; a 16-week loan period with renewal options; course reserves; information literacy instruction; interlibrary loan; recall of items; research resources; and general reference services.

Medical “Excuses”

Documentation regarding missing class because of illness must be provided by the student to the instructor in a timely manner. Instructors may further specify deadlines for documentation submission in their syllabi. The Thagard Student Health Center will issue a signed document attesting to the fact that the student received medical treatment at the Health Center. These documents, or other medical information submitted by the student, should be used by instructors in making decisions regarding whether an absence is excused but should not be construed as a “medical excuse.” Ultimately, the authority for deciding whether the documentation presented by the student justifies an excused absence rests with the instructor. Also see “Attendance (student)” in this chapter.

Office Hours

Every member of the teaching faculty is expected to post (in a conspicuous place) and to honor specific office hours during each semester in which he or she conducts classes. While department expectations vary, faculty members typically schedule at least one hour a week for each course taught.

Posting of Student Grades

The password-protected, web-based “Blackboard” System is the most secure method for posting student grades. Because of the risk of identify theft and violation of student privacy law, grades must never be posted by complete social security number, and any records containing social security numbers must be protected carefully and must be shredded when discarded. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) requires the student’s consent to public posting of his or her grades by name or other personal identifier, including a portion of the social security number. When posting grades of students by an identifier for students who have given such consent, the faculty member should not arrange the list in alphabetical order.

Religious Holy Days

Florida State University policy on observance of religious holy days provides that each student shall, on notifying his or her instructor in advance, be excused from class to observe a religious holy day of his or her faith. While the student will be held responsible for the material covered in his or her absence, each student shall be permitted a reasonable amount of time to make up the work missed. Instructors and University administrators shall in no way arbitrarily penalize students who are absent from academic and social activities because of religious holy day observance.

Syllabus

University policy requires that a course syllabus be distributed at the beginning of the semester that includes the written course objectives and an evaluation (grading) statement. This statement should indicate what procedures will be used to evaluate students and should make it possible to discern the approximate weight of each grade component. All syllabi should also include an Americans with Disabilities Act statement (see sample statement at: http://facsenate.fsu.edu/Curriculum-Forms/Policies or at http://www.disabilitycenter.fsu.edu/index.html); a statement regarding academic integrity (see the Academic Honor Policy in Appendix A of this Handbook or at http://facsenate.fsu.edu/Curriculum-Forms/Policies); and the attendance policy (if applicable). It is recommended that a faculty member include a statement of his/her policy and/or expectations regarding classroom conduct and missed work. Once the course has begun, no changes should be made to the syllabus that will substantially affect the implementation of the instructor’s grading [evaluation] statement.

Textbook Notification

The Board of Governors’ interpretation of the 2008 legislative HB 603 (2008-78 Laws of Florida) regarding textbook affordability and notification requires state universities to:

Post on their websites a list of textbooks required for each course not less than 30 days prior to the first day of class for each term; and
Include as part of the list the titles, all authors listed, publishers, edition numbers, copyright dates, published dates, and other information necessary to identify the specific textbooks required for the course.

Textbook Orders

In response to concerns expressed by students regarding the escalating price of textbooks, the Faculty Senate and the Dean of the Faculties Office urge all instructors and departments to:

Place orders for textbooks required for fall courses by mid-May or earlier; for spring courses by mid-September or earlier; and for summer courses by first of April or earlier;
Make decisions regarding adoption of new textbook editions very carefully. If there are no substantive changes in a new edition, consider staying with the current edition.

All textbook orders must be placed with the FSU Bookstore at least 30 days prior to the first day of class for each term, so that all required textbooks for each course can be listed on the FSU Bookstore website in compliance with this new posting requirement.

Textbook Use

Requiring the use of a textbook written by the instructor of the course, by a relative of the instructor, or by a team of authors that includes the instructor, is considered a conflict of interest when the potential royalty income exceeds $500 (Section 112.313, Florida Statutes). If a faculty member wishes to use a textbook under these circumstances and will receive more than $500 in one year from that use, he or she must request permission from the President in writing, through the Dean of the Faculties. The memo should include a justification of why the required text is the only one uniquely suited for use in the author’s class, as well as the number of students expected to enroll in the class.

Teaching Load

In 1971, the Florida Legislature enacted a statute requiring that “each full-time faculty member at any institution . . . who is paid wholly from state funds shall teach a minimum of 12 classroom contact hours per week,” providing, however, that any faculty member who is assigned by the departmental chair or other appropriate University administrator to certain other specific duties “shall teach a minimum number of classroom contact hours in proportion to 12 classroom hours per week as each especially assigned aforementioned duties and responsibilities bear to 12 classroom contact hours per week.” See “credit hour” explanation.

Deans and department chairs have considerable discretion in allocation of teaching responsibilities, which will vary widely. Various instructional responsibilities expected of a faculty member may include: teaching, departmental advising, departmental committee participation, and service.

Teaching Improvement

The Center for Teaching and Learning (part of Academic and Professional Program Services) supports the FSU teaching community in pursuit of instructional excellence by providing a broad range of instructional support services designed for all types of teaching formats and provides special workshops for faculty members and Teaching Assistants. See http://learningforlife.fsu.edu/ctl/.

Test-scoring Services

Faculty and students may receive support for testing, evaluation, and scan reporting needs through The Center for Assessment and Testing. The Center also schedules and administers a variety of national, state, and course-related examinations. See http://learningforlife.fsu.edu/cat.

Web-based Course Resources

Course Web sites can be used to support on-campus or fully online courses through communication tools (including discussion boards, live chat, and e-mail) and the delivery of course materials. See https://campus.fsu.edu for more information.

When Problems Arise

The Florida State University has several policies and procedures in place that can help to resolve problems that arise in the academic environment. The Academic Honor Policy emphasizes the University’s values regarding academic integrity and outlines procedures for resolving cases of alleged dishonesty (cheating, plagiarism, etc.) that occur. The grade appeals policy handles students’ concerns about final grades in a course, and the Student Conduct Code helps faculty respond to inappropriate student conduct not directly related to the integrity of their academic work. The sexual harassment policy protects the rights of both faculty and students to an environment free of intimidation, and the general grievance process helps to resolve situations in which students allege that academic regulations and procedures outside the realms of grade appeals and academic integrity have been improperly applied. In specific instances, the Faculty Senate Student Academic Relations Committee (SARC) serves as the final arbiter for both general grievances and grade appeals.

Academic Honor Policy

See Appendix A or http://dof.fsu.edu/honorpolicy.htm.

Class Disruption

Students are expected to participate in class activities without causing disruption or infringing on the rights of others. They are also expected to comply with the reasonable order of any University official, including an instructor. Behavior that does not meet these standards can subject the student to charges under the Student Conduct Code (http://www.srr.fsu.edu/). Instructors may ask that students leave class when their behavior is disrupting the learning process. Instructors who have concerns about disruptive student behavior should contact the Dean of Students (644-2428 or http://deanofstudents.fsu.edu/). The FSU Police Department (911, 644-1234 or http://www.police.fsu.edu/) will respond directly to classroom situations at any time and should be called if an instructor believes that a class disruption might pose a risk to his or her safety or to the safety of students. The Student Situation Resolution Team coordinates communication and problem-solving efforts in situations involving distressed and distressing students whose behavior is causing concern to the University community. It may be accessed by contacting either the Dean of Students (http://deanofstudents.fsu.edu) or the Dean of the Faculties. (http://dof.fsu.edu)

Grade Appeals

The purpose of the grade appeals system is to afford an opportunity for an undergraduate or graduate student to appeal a final course grade under certain circumstances. Faculty judgment of students’ academic performance is inherent in the grading process and hence should not be overturned except when the student can show that the grade awarded represents a gross violation of the instructor’s own specified grading standards and therefore was awarded in an arbitrary, capricious, or discriminatory manner. The grading standards utilized during the grade appeals process are those that were contained in the instructor’s syllabus at the beginning of the semester. This system does not apply to preliminary or comprehensive exams or to thesis or dissertation defenses; these issues are reviewed by the Student Academic Relations Committee via the Dean of the Faculties.

Step 1. Within 30 calendar days following the date that final grades are made available to students, the student must contact the instructor in question to discuss the grade and attempt to resolve any differences. The student should document any attempts to contact the instructor to establish that the appeal was begun within this 30-day period. In the event that the instructor is not available, the student should provide that documentation to the instructor’s program or department chair. Either the student or the instructor may consult with the appropriate program or department chair during this process.

Step 2. If no resolution is reached within this 30-day period, after the student’s documented attempt, the student has an additional 15 calendar days to submit a written statement to the program or department chair. This statement must include an account of attempts to resolve the issue, as well as the evidence that forms the basis for the appeal.

Within 20 calendar days thereafter, the department or program chair will arrange for a meeting of a grade appeals screening committee composed of three students enrolled in the academic unit offering the course to review the appeal. Appropriate students who have no conflict of interest will be chosen to serve on this screening committee by a student organization associated with the program or department, if such an organization exists. If none exists or if members of such an organization are not available, the department or program chair will select appropriate students who have no conflict of interest. Both the student and the instructor may attend the meeting.

The role of the screening committee is solely to determine whether the student has presented sufficient evidence to warrant further review. Within five calendar days after this meeting, the screening committee will render its decision in writing (recommend/do not recommend further review) to the program or department chair, the student, and the instructor. A negative decision will end the appeal. A positive decision will trigger the next step in the process.

Step 3. Within 20 calendar days of a positive decision from the grade appeals screening committee, the program or department chair will appoint and arrange for a meeting of a grade appeals board. This board is composed of three faculty members and two students other than those who served on the screening committee.

The purpose of this board is to determine whether or not to uphold the final grade assigned by the instructor. The board will consider only the evidence provided by the student and the instructor in making the determination. Both the student and the instructor may attend the meeting.

The grade will be upheld unless the evidence shows that the grade was awarded in an arbitrary, capricious, or discriminatory manner, as a result of a gross violation of the instructor’s own grading standards. If the original grade is not upheld, the board will recommend that an alternative grade be assigned by the program or department chair.

If the student has evidence that this grade appeals process has deviated substantially from these established procedures, resulting in a biased decision, the student may consult with the Dean of the Faculties regarding referral to the Student Academic Relations Committee.

Grievances (Students on main campus)

The Student Academic Relations Committee has the authority to direct, through the Vice President for Academic Affairs, that corrective action be taken when justified.

Grievance Procedure (Panama City Campus)

Students who allege that academic regulations and procedures have been improperly applied in specific instances may have their grievances addressed through the general academic appeals process. In this process, the student brings a complaint first to the instructor, then to the Panama City Associate Dean, and then to the Panama City Dean, stopping at the level at which the complaint is resolved. If no resolution is reached in Panama City, then the student will go to the department chair, and finally to the academic dean appropriate to the course involved, stopping at the level at which the complaint is resolved. If no resolution is reached, the student brings the complaint to the attention of the Dean of the Faculties for either resolution or referral to the Student Academic Relations Committee of the Faculty Senate. A graduate student whose complaint is unresolved must see the Dean of The Graduate School prior to meeting with the Dean of the Faculties. The Student Academic Relations Committee has the authority to direct, through the Vice President for Academic Affairs, that corrective action be taken when justified.

Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment is contrary to the University’s values and moral standards, which recognize the dignity and worth of each person, as well as a violation of federal and state laws and University rules and policies. Sexual harassment cannot and will not be tolerated by the The Florida State University, whether by faculty, students, or staff; or by others while on property owned by or under the control of the University. For more information about reporting sexual harassment, see http://www.auditservices.fsu.edu/sh/policy.html.

Student Academic Relations Committee

The Faculty Senate Committee on Student Academic Relations (SARC) hears appeals from students who allege that decisions about their academic work have been made improperly or unprofessionally in colleges or schools. The Committee is a last resort for grievances and does not rule on academic work itself, but on procedures and faculty actions that affect academic work or evaluations of work. Referral to SARC takes place through the Associate Dean of the Faculties (644-6876 or http://dof.fsu.edu/).

Student Conduct Code

The Student Conduct Code, which governs disruptive behavior in the classroom as well as other non-academic expectations for student conduct, can be found at: http://www.srr.fsu.edu/index.htm. The Student Conduct Code is implemented by the Office of Student Rights and Responsibilities, Dean of Students Department.

Undergraduate Advising Information and Resources

The following items may be of use to faculty in fulfilling their roles as academic advisors for undergraduate and graduate students. The list is arranged alphabetically for ease of reference. Also see the Undergraduate Advising Policy in Appendix B.

Advising Policy

See Appendix B.

C.A.R.E. Program

The Florida State University Center for Academic Retention and Enhancement, (CARE), is an academic support unit that assists the University in its outreach and support to undergraduate students who may be disadvantaged due to economic, educational or cultural circumstances. CARE provides programs and services that are targeted to first-generation college student and helps to facilitate those students’ preparation, recruitment, adjustment, retention and graduation from college. CARE implements programs and services for eligible entering freshman students, as well as for selected area middle and high school students with similar backgrounds and characteristics. See http://care.fsu.edu/.

Combined Degree Programs

The Combined Bachelor’s/Master’s Degree Programs provide academically talented students an opportunity to complete both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree. These programs allow recognition of certain graduate courses for both degrees.

Information on available programs, student application procedures, and procedures for departments wishing to develop combined programs is available at: http://www.gradstudies.fsu.edu/Academics-Research/Degree-Programs/Combined-Bachelors-Masters-Degree-Programs. Various departments also offer the possibility of combined master’s and doctoral degree programs. Interested students should contact the appropriate department chair or dean.

Degree Mapping

Each major course of study has a degree plan, or map, that includes a sample schedule leading to graduation within four years for full-time undergraduate students in nearly all majors. Each map identifies key courses and criteria, such as GPA, and a timetable for achieving these “milestones.” All milestones have been determined to be critical in a student’s progress toward graduation. Students failing to satisfy the milestones within the defined timetable are targeted for specialized advising and possible re-direction to a different major. Copies of the maps for each major are available at: www.academic-guide.fsu.edu.

Freshman Interest Groups

The FIG program, open to incoming freshmen, offers pre-packaged clusters of high-demand first-year courses. It assists students with their initial selection of liberal studies courses, helps them select courses that carry a common thread of interest, and connects them within small groups of like-minded students. More information is available at http://undergrad.fsu.edu/FIG/.

Graduation Checks

Undergraduate students who have earned 90 credit hours should initiate graduation checks with the Registrar’s Office and with their department or college. The Registrar’s Office (http://registrar.fsu.edu/) provides an overview of University requirements, and the department or college ensures that major and college/school requirements are met. Students who do not complete both graduation checks by the time they are close to graduating will have stops placed on their registration.

Students must also apply for a degree at the Registrar’s Office by the deadline listed on the Academic Calendar (http://registrar.fsu.edu/dir_class/apdefault.htm) for the term in which they wish to graduate.

Honors Program

The University Honors Office (http://honors.fsu.edu) houses two programs for many of the university’s most talented and motivated students:

University Honors Program

The University Honors Program is targeted at First Time in College (FTIC) students. Students in the Program have access to special Honors courses, priority registration, Honors housing, and Honors advising. Students in the Program can choose to pursue the University Honors Medallion, which is awarded upon the completion of 18 Honors credits and is noted on the transcript. The 18 Honors credits must include at least nine credits from Honors courses; however, the remainder of the credits can be earned from activities outside the classroom, including Honors DIS, non-credit Honors research activities, non-credit Honors community service activities, and Honors in the Major projects. These activities usually require a faculty sponsor. Standards for earning Honors credits in DIS and non-credit activities can be found in the Honors Program section of the General Bulletin (http://registrar.fsu.edu/bulletin/apdefault.htm).

There are two types of Honors courses: Honors Seminars and stand-alone Honors sections of regularly listed courses. Most courses designated as Honors courses generally satisfy at least one university-wide requirement (such as liberal studies), are open to students from all majors, and are generally limited to 25 students. Honors Seminars are courses designed exclusively for University Honors Program students and are limited to 15 students.

Honors in the Major

This program, coordinated by the Honors Office in cooperation with academic departments, is intended to encourage talented juniors and seniors to undertake significant independent and original scholarship as part of the undergraduate experience in a framework similar to that of a thesis-based master’s degree program. Completion of the Honors in the Major Program is recognized by the distinction of graduating “With Honors,” as designated on the transcript. Honors thesis work is carried out by the student over a period of two or three semesters in collaboration with a Directing Professor and two or three other faculty members who serve on the student’s honors thesis committee. Committee members must be full-time tenured or tenure-track faculty. A visiting scholar may be included on the committee if approved by the Director of the University Honors Program. The Honors thesis project culminates with the defense before the honors thesis committee. Detailed information on procedures for initiating and completing the Honors in the Major Program can be found at the program Web site, http://honorsinthemajor.fsu.edu.

Learning Communities

Currently this “community of communities” includes seven such programs: Social Science & Public Affairs Living-Learning Community at Wildwood Hall, based in the College of Social Sciences; Bryan Hall Learning Community at Bryan Hall, based in the Division of Undergraduate Studies; “W.I.M.S.E.,” Women in Math, Science and Engineering at Cawthon Hall, based in the College of Arts and Sciences; Music Living-Learning Center at Cawthon Hall, based in the College of Music; Social Justice Living-Learning Community at Wildwood Hall, based in the Division of Student Affairs; Nursing Learning Community at Wildwood Hall, based in the College of Nursing; and Pre-Health Professions Learning Community at Reynolds Hall, based in the College of Human Sciences. Each program’s participants live in the same residence hall and also participate in an academic component (several programs have a weekly colloquium and several offer one or more 3-credit-hour courses). Each community introduces participants to what the University has to offer, including access to some of FSU’s most distinguished faculty members. Details are available at http://www.housing.fsu.edu/housing/ungrad/livlearnopp.html

Math Help Center

The FSU Math Help Center, located in 110 Milton Carothers Hall, is available as a resource to all FSU students needing help in the following math courses: MAT 0024, MAT 1033, MAC 1105, MAC 1114, MGF 1106, MGF 1107, MAC 1140, MAC 2233, and MAC 2311. Limited help is provided in the following courses: MAC 2312, MAC 2313, and MAD 2104. Help is also provided for the math section of the CLAST. Assistance is provided on problems in the text or on handouts that indicate help is permitted. No help is given for take-home exams or quizzes. For more information and current hours of operation, call 644-1222 or: http://www.math.fsu.edu/Academics/Undergraduate/HelpCenter.html.

National Fellowships

The Office of National Fellowships (ONF) assists undergraduates in preparing for competition for national awards such as the Rhodes, Marshall, Truman and Goldwater Scholarships. The office recruits and advises students interested in awards, from initial inquiry throughout the application process. Activities include maintaining up-to-date information about national fellowships and scholarships at both the undergraduate and graduate levels; administering undergraduate research and creativity awards to students preparing for national scholarship competitions; acting as institutional representative to the agencies sponsoring awards; and working with faculty, staff and students to raise awareness of opportunities and publicize student achievements. The Director also coordinates the work of faculty committees involved in the fellowship selection process and invites faculty participation in all phases of this process. See http://onf.fsu.edu.

Reading/Writing Center

The Reading/Writing Center (RWC), located in 222C Williams Building, is devoted to individualized instruction in reading and writing. Part of the Department of English, the Center serves Florida State University students at all levels and from all majors. Please see: http://writing.fsu.edu/rwc/.

SASS

The Student Academic Support System (SASS) is a computerized academic advising system which reads a student’s permanent academic record and processes the courses taken against the academic requirements for the student’s degree program, producing a report showing which requirements the student has satisfied and what is still needed in order for the student to complete work toward the degree. Reports are available through academic advisers or through the web under the Student Secure Information Menu. Faculty wishing to access SASS should contact Undergraduate Studies for clearance.

Second Bachelor’s Degree and Double Major

There is a difference between earning a second baccalaureate degree (two diplomas) and graduating with a second major (one diploma with both majors listed). Students may receive a second baccalaureate degree provided that the requirements for each major and minor as well as individual college requirements for both the first and the second degrees are satisfied and 30 semester hours in residence are completed, in addition to the hours required for the first degree. The additional 30 semester hours must be completed in residence after the completion of the requirements for the first degree. Hours earned by the student during the completion of the first baccalaureate degree, over and above those extra credit hours actually required for the first degree, may not be included in the 30 additional semester hours. There are no liberal studies or Florida CLAST requirements for the second degree. To obtain a second or double major, the student must meet all requirements of the college of the primary major but only the major requirements of the secondary major. For many students this can be completed within the 120 credit hour allotment. The primary major is listed first on the student database and determines the student’s division code and academic dean for the purposes of academic regulations. This means rules regarding student dismissal, reinstatement, and all general academic qualifications at the University are governed and enforced by the primary major and that major’s corresponding academic dean. Conflicts between primary and secondary major policies shall in all cases be resolved in favor of the primary major. Second major academic deans shall only be concerned with the student’s completion of all requirements, pre-requisites, etc., for the second major.

Undergraduate Studies

The Division of Undergraduate Studies serves as the academic home for most freshmen and sophomores, monitors many statewide and university requirements for graduation, and sponsors several programs designed to promote academic success. Please see http://undergrad.fsu.edu/ for more information.

Student Resources

In their roles as instructors and advisors, faculty members sometimes need to refer students to various campus offices and programs. If this list does not contain the specific service needed in these circumstances, please consult the “Call Us—Directory of Problem Solvers,” search the Florida State University Web site (http://www.fsu.edu/) or call a related office for assistance.

Call Us — Directory of Problem Solvers

This online directory is designed to help faculty, staff, and students locate the correct contact person or office for the various academic programs and support services on campus. All of the offices and personnel listed in this directory offer support to students in their adjustment to life at the University. Please see: http://www.fsu.edu/directories/Solvers/.

Career Center

The mission of The Career Center is to: provide comprehensive career services; train career service practitioners; conduct life/career development research; and disseminate information about life/career services and issues to the university community, the nation, and the world. The Career Center has developed an effective, collaborative, interdepartmental array of career services for students and other university constituents. (See http://www.career.fsu.edu/index.html for more information.)

Center for Leadership and Civic Education

The Center for Leadership and Civic Education develops leadership skills through engaging students and faculty in community-based learning through service. The Center serves as the campus hub for linking students to service through both curricular and co-curricular experiences and for assisting faculty with strategies for connecting service to the curriculum. (See http://thecenter.fsu.edu/.)

Child Care

FSU Child Development Programs include four centers that serve the needs of FSU students, faculty, and staff. They are: Alumni Village Child Development Center, Educational Research Center for Child Development, Infant and Toddler Child Development Center, and Starlight Child Development Center. All were originally established to assist student parents in the care and education of their children so that they could attend classes as well as to provide “hands on” experience and training for various academic departments on the FSU campus. FSU Child Development Programs are governed by The Florida State University and are administered by University Housing. (See http://www.childcare.fsu.edu/.)

Counseling Center

The University Counseling Center provides support services that help each student grow and develop emotionally, interpersonally, and intellectually. All currently registered students are eligible for free services at the UCC. The UCC offers various counseling methods tailored to meet students’ individual needs. (See http://counseling.fsu.edu/.)

Dean of Students

The primary focus of the Office of the Dean of Students is to support the academic mission of The Florida State University and the Division of Student affairs by providing services, programs, resources and advocacy for the needs and interests of all students. Staff members provide educational opportunities for students to develop their values, decision-making skills, and leadership capabilities. The Dean of Students Department fulfills this mission through the following offices: First-Year Experience, Greek Life, Student Rights and Responsibilities, Withdrawal Services, Victim Advocate, Student Disability Resource Center, and Orientation. For more information, call 904-644-2428 or visit http://deanofstudents.fsu.edu/.

Financial Aid

The Florida State University’s Office of Student Financial Aid, located on the fourth floor of the University Center (suite A4400), exists to assist students in obtaining funding to reach their educational goals. Each year the FSU Office of Financial Aid awards and administers more than $160 million in financial aid to eligible students. These students receive aid in the form of scholarships, grants, work study, and loans. Scholarship information is available through the Financial Aid Web site http://financialaid.fsu.edu/.

Health Center

Thagard Student Health Center, staffed by a team of dedicated professionals, provides healthcare, prevention, education and outreach services to a diverse student population and eligible recipients in a safe and supportive environment. The Center also promotes campus wellness, encouraging healthy lifestyles and personal responsibility to enhance students’ capacity for reaching academic and personal goals. (See http://www.tshc.fsu.edu/.)

Housing

University Housing provides housing in the context of promoting positive student development and academic success for undergraduate and graduate students, including family housing. Several living-learning centers are operated in collaboration with academic units. (See http://www.housing.fsu.edu/.)

Multicultural Affairs

The Office of Multicultural Affairs, part of the Division of Student Affairs, facilitates the education of university members through programs and services that assist the community to become aware of, understand, and appreciate the various ethnicities and cultures on campus. In addition, the office offers culturally based education and social programs designed to increase awareness of cultural similarities and differences. (See http://oma.fsu.edu/)

Student Affairs

The Division of Student Affairs, which includes University Housing, the Dean of Students Department, Oglesby Union, Thagard Student Health Center, Student Counseling Center, and numerous other student services, is led by the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs. The Division of Student Affairs works closely with Academic Affairs to support the academic success of students. (See http://www.studentaffairs.fsu.edu/.)

Student Disability Resource Center (SDRC)

The Student Disability Resource Center offers an opportunity for students with disabilities to achieve their academic and personal goals. As the primary advocate on campus for students with disabilities, the SDRC works with faculty and staff to provide accommodations for the unique needs of students both in and out of the classroom. (See http://www.disabilitycenter.fsu.edu/.)

Student Government Association

The Student Government Association is comprised of elected and appointed representatives of the student body. Activity and Service (A&S) fees support various agencies and numerous student organizations. Faculty are encouraged to support student groups by serving as faculty advisors and participating in student activities.

Victim Advocate Program

The Victim Advocate Program provides advocacy to victims of crime. An advocate is on call 24 hours a day to respond to FSU students who are victimized, or any other person who is victimized on our campus. Services offered include emotional support, instructor notification, referrals, and educational programming for our campus community. (See: http://victimadvocate.fsu.edu/)

Graduate Student Resources

While many of the above services and resources serve both undergraduate and graduate students, the following is a listing of resources especially for students at the graduate level.

Advising and Orientation

Graduate student advising is accomplished through the efforts of faculty in individual academic departments. Many academic units offer a department-specific orientation for their new students. Each fall and spring semester The Graduate School coordinates a university-wide graduate student orientation program. http://gradschool.fsu.edu/Events

Center for Teaching and Learning (APPS)

The Center supports the FSU teaching community in pursuit of instructional excellence by providing a broad range of instructional support services designed for all types of teaching formats and provides special workshops for Teaching Assistants.

Congress of Graduate Students

COGS is the representative government for all graduate, professional, and post-baccalaureate students at Florida State University. COGS promotes accessibility to education and funds graduate organizations that contribute to the professional development of graduate students at The Florida State University. COGS works closely with The Graduate School. See http://sga.fsu.edu/cogs.html.

Departmental Graduate Fellowships and Assistantships

Financial support is available to graduate students in the form of fellowships as well as teaching and research assistantships. In general, application deadlines for the following academic year occur early in January. Deadlines and eligibility requirements are available at http://www.gradstudies.fsu.edu/index.php/Funding-Awards. Students are urged to make specific inquiry to each program for information about both deadlines and eligibility.

Teaching Assistantships

Almost all departments offer teaching assistantships to aid the college or departmental teaching effort. Duties can range from serving as a grader to full responsibility for teaching a course. Such appointments depend on experience and training, and range in time commitment from 10 to 20 hours per week. Stipends vary from discipline to discipline, but each discipline attempts to be competitive in its area. Almost all assistants receive nine hours of tuition waivers each term in addition to the stipend. Students should contact the chair or director of graduate studies in the appropriate college or department for more information and application forms.

Research Assistantships

Departments that have been successful in gaining outside support through contracts and grants may employ graduate students as research assistants on research projects. Duties and stipends vary from program to program but each program attempts to offer competitive stipends. Research assistants also receive tuition waivers. These opportunities should be discussed with grant holders and with the chair or director of graduate studies in the department.

Application for a graduate assistantship should be made to the major department. Only students with regular graduate student status are eligible for graduate assistantships. Special and provisional students are ineligible. The stipend varies depending on the amount of service rendered, the nature of the service and the qualifications of the student. A new student whose application for an assistantship is under consideration must also complete an application for admission through the Office of Admissions in the usual manner. To remain eligible for an assistantship, a student must discharge the assigned duties satisfactorily as determined by the director of the program. A graduate student with less than a 3.0 cumulative grade point average is not allowed to continue more than one term as a graduate assistant. Graduate assistants may request a waiver of the out-of-state tuition and matriculation fees. Refer to “Tuition Waivers, Deferments, and Financial Arrangements” section of the Graduate Bulletin for details.

Dissertation Research Grants

The purpose of these awards is to assist doctoral students with expenses associated with research necessary to prepare the dissertation. Deadlines and eligibility requirements are available at http://gradschool.fsu.edu/Funding-Awards. Dissertation Research Grants are awarded each fall and spring semester. These funds are meant to cover expenses associated with research activities necessary for a high-quality dissertation. These may NOT be used to cover expenses all dissertation writers incur such as typing or word processing services, copying of the dissertation, editing services, etc. Funds may be used to purchase books, software, supplies necessary for research, travel, etc. Any Florida State University graduate student who has not previously received a Dissertation Research Grant, has been admitted to candidacy, and is actively engaged in research or creative activity in support of his/her dissertation, is eligible to apply for this grant. All awarded funds must be spent by the end of the fiscal year, and awardees will also need to provide a brief account of how the funds benefited their research project.

Further information about these grants may be found at http://gradschool.fsu.edu/Funding-Awards.

The Graduate School

The Graduate School provides assistance to graduate students in academic matters, offers advice on university-wide degree requirements, approves thesis and dissertation formats, and gives information about the availability of University-level assistantships, fellowships, and scholarships. For further information, see http://gradschool.fsu.edu/.

University-wide Graduate Fellowships and Assistantships

There are a variety of fellowships offered to graduate students through the University. Some require duties and some do not. For detailed information about additional Fellowship and Assistantship opportunities students should contact the individual school, college, or visit http://gradschool.fsu.edu/Funding-Awards/The-Office-of-Graduate-Fellowships-Awards.

McKnight Doctoral Fellowship Program

This program is for newly enrolling African American students and includes all academic disciplines except law, medicine, and most fields in education (doctoral students in mathematics and science education are eligible to apply). Students should contact The Graduate School, http://gradschool.fsu.edu/Funding-Awards/The-Office-of-Graduate-Fellowships-Awards, 408 Westcott Building, for further information.

Leslie N. Wilson-Delores Auzenne Fellowship for Minorites

This assistantship is available for all new or currently enrolled minority graduate students. (http://gradschool.fsu.edu/Funding-Awards/The-Office-of-Graduate-Fellowships-Awards) Nomination is through the department or college, but competition for these awards is on a university-wide basis. The stipend is a minimum of $5,000 per academic year, plus tuition waivers. Application forms are also available in The Graduate School, 408 Westcott, or from the director of graduate studies of the student’s program, or e-mail bculp@fsu.edu.

International Dissertation Semester Research Fellowship

These prestigious international fellowships for advanced doctoral students are offered by The Graduate School to facilitate research and timely completion of the doctoral degree that requires extended research time abroad. Recipients must enroll for a minimum of nine dissertation hours during the research semester. Recipients must conduct research abroad for the duration of the fellowship. The Office of Graduate Studies will provide a tuition waiver for the semester. Departments must submit completed International Dissertation Semester Research Fellowship application packets to The Graduate School.

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