Section 7: Teaching and Student/Faculty Interactions

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.

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 interactions with students. More specific information regarding each of these topics is found in the Florida State University General Bulletin, the Florida State University Graduate Bulletin, and the Florida State University Online Student Policy Handbook. Please note that the Florida State University Faculty Handbook is intended to be a general reference 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.

The information in this section is divided into four parts: “Teaching,” which contains general information useful for instructors, “When Problems Arise,” which contains information about handling problems in accordance with university polices, “Undergraduate Advising Information and Resources,” and “Student Resources.”

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 are 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 student 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/calendar/.

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. Official University activities include official events at which the student is representing the University, such as athletic competitions and academic activities sponsored by a student’s academic department or college. Registered Student Organizations (RSO’s) and Greek Life activities are not considered official university activities. The current list of Registered Student Organizations can be found at: https://nolecentral.dsa.fsu.edu/organizations. 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 (if possible) 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: https://registrar.fsu.edu/bulletin/undergraduate/. Please note that some colleges and special programs have more stringent requirements for class attendance. Also, see “Medical Excuses” and “Military Short-Term Absence Accommodation Policy” in this chapter.

Center for the Advancement of Teaching

The Center for the Advancement of Teaching (CAT) seeks to recognize and cultivate learner-centered teaching throughout the university by providing support to faculty as they balance cutting-edge research with thoughtful teaching. We help you bring your innovative spirit and scholarly attention to bear upon the classroom setting, making student learning the object of our study. The Center provides a space for collegial exchange about teaching and learning, bringing together faculty at all levels and across disciplines, to hone their expertise in facilitating learning and to promote our collective project of providing our students with a preeminent education. Ultimately, the CAT promotes student success by supporting faculty in the important and difficult work of crafting transformative learning experiences, and by fostering a culture in which effective teaching is valued and rewarded.
 
Please contact the CAT at pro-teaching@fsu.edu or 850-645-2306.

Confidentiality of Student Records

The Family Educational and Privacy Rights Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) 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 wishing to communicate grades to students should do so through the University-authorized learning management system. Compliance with the Federal law is critical for the University operations. The University has a large number of secure and protected instructional resources to support faculty and department institutional activities. For this reason, faculty must consult with the Office of Distance Learning or the Registrar's Office prior to using a publicly available resource for posting class work, lectures, or other classroom activities that might inadvertently disclose protected information. If email communication concerning grades takes place, such communication should be sent to the official FSU student email account. Non-university email accounts such as Gmail, Yahoo, AOL, etc. should not be used to communicate protected student information. The Registrar’s statement on FERPA rights, along with other helpful information, is found at: https://registrar.fsu.edu/records/ferpa/.

Copyrighted Materials

U.S. Copyright Law 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 and consult with a reference librarian at Florida State University Libraries.

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.

Digital Studio

The Digital Studio (DS) provides support to students and faculty working individually or in groups on a variety of digital projects, such as designing a website, developing an electronic portfolio for a class, creating a blog, selecting images for a visual essay, adding voiceover to a presentation, or writing a script for a podcast. The DS has both Macs and PCs, and some of the software available in the DS includes Photoshop, InDesign, Windows Movie Maker, Apple's iMovie, and more. There are two Digital Studio locations on campus: Williams and Johnston.

Disabilities

The American with Disabilities Act (ADA) requires that reasonable accommodation be provided for individuals with documented disabilities. Students who are registered with the Office of Accessibility Services (OAS) are accommodated through the combined efforts of individual faculty members and the OAS. Instructors should not provide accommodations unless a student has provided a letter from the OAS. Each course syllabus is required to include information about how a student requests accommodations for a course. Please ensure that the current statement, as approved by the Faculty Senate Curriculum Committee, is included on each course syllabus, found at: https://facsenate.fsu.edu/Curriculum-Resources/syllabus-language.  

Distance Learning

Florida State University offers a wide array of courses through distance learning, some of which are part of entire degree programs available online. Instructors developing or teaching distance learning courses can find resources and support through the Office of Distance Learning. If a faculty member is assigned responsibility for generating or for substantially revising a distance learning course, the AOR will reflect a commensurate level of effort.

Evaluation of Teaching

The University evaluates teaching using the Student Perception of Courses and Instructors (SPCI) instrument. 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 5 students are enrolled. Administration for classes with lower enrollment is not encouraged due to anonymity concerns. Numeric aggregate results of the SPCI are public information and are available online. All other teaching evaluations are confidential.

Exam Retention

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. Exams administered during a course as well as other class work materials related to grades should be kept by the instructor until at least the end of the next semester. For more information, see the General Bulletin or the annual policy memo from the Office of Faculty Development and Advancement.

Final Exam Policy

The University Undergraduate Final Exam Policy states:

• The scheduling of a final examination at any time other than the regularly scheduled final examination period is a violation of University policy.
• Unless an exam is given during the final examination period, no test may be given during the last week of classes.
• Make-up exams are permitted for an undergraduate student when justified by illness, conflicting exams, three or more exams in a twenty-four-hour period, or for certain emergencies.

The final exam schedule is published on the Registrar’s Web site 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. Courses that utilize the Testing Center for a block exam, or which are limited to specific days and times because of seating and scheduling constraints, will take precedence in the case of final exam conflicts, and higher-enrollment classes will take precedence over lower-enrollment classes. The student is responsible for identifying such conflicts as early as possible, notifying all instructors in advance, and working with all instructors to resolve those conflicts. Conflicts not resolved at least one month in advance of the scheduled exam must be resolved by using the established make-up time. 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, including the use of the FSU Testing Center, 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.

Grade Appeals

See “Grade Appeals” under “When Problems Arise” later in this section.

Grades

The University employs a plus/minus grading system in which 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 in the process of determining grades in each course. See University Curriculum Committee guidelines at https://facsenate.fsu.edu/curriculum-resources.

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 they 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. When assigning an “Incomplete” grade, instructors must indicate the time frame for resolution of the grade as well as the default grade to be assigned if the student does not complete the work.  

For more information, see the General Bulletin sections on grading policies.

High School Dual Enrollment Program

Like many states across the nation, Florida has a High School Dual Enrollment (HSDE) program that offers high performing secondary students the option of taking college coursework that applies simultaneously to the high school diploma and the bachelor’s degree. Florida Statute dictates many of the program requirements, but additional participation criteria are outlined in the articulation agreements that FSU has signed with local school districts, private schools, and home education student families. Unlike other institutions, FSU offers HSDE courses exclusively on our own campuses – never at local high schools. The program has a list of recommended classes and a list of classes that HSDE students may not take. Students may take classes that are not on the recommended list as long as they are not restricted for some other reason.

The most current list is always available at the HSDE website: https://ace.fsu.edu/dual-enrollment. HSDE students must take face-to-face courses under normal university operations and circumstances. Online courses are outside the scope of our HSDE articulation agreements for both practical and philosophical reasons.

FSU enrolls fewer than 100 HSDE students across all of our campuses, so the population is extremely small and highly talented. Instructors will not be notified if a student is part of the HSDE program, so you may never know unless a student self-discloses that information. Our expectation at FSU is that HSDE students will be treated like any other student in terms of course requirements and grading. However, on occasion you may be asked to accept documentation regarding an absence or alternative final exam time on the basis of a documented high school sponsored activity such as state athletic competition or Model UN (i.e., similar to documented university sponsored activities). This provision is included in the articulation agreements as a guarantee to HSDE students, but you are welcome to contact Dr. Courtney Barry, Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Studies, if you have any questions. Dr. Barry may be reached at cbarry@fsu.edu.

It may be helpful to faculty to know about some of the other expectations made clear to HSDE students:

• University Policies. HSDE students are non-degree seeking students at FSU but accountable to all university policies including the Academic Honor Code and Student Code of Conduct.
• Academic Advising & Registration. HSDE students are admitted, oriented, and advised by faculty in the Academic Center for Excellence (ACE) in the Division of Undergraduate Studies. Due to the complex nature of selecting courses that apply to a future postsecondary institution and major (oftentimes undecided in high school), ACE faculty register HSDE students for their coursework.
• Academic Support Services. HSDE students have access to academic support services at FSU, including academic advising; libraries; accessibility services; and multiple learning centers that offer writing assistance, tutoring for selected courses, and study skills instruction. Students with disabilities must register with and provide relevant documentation to the Office of Accessibility Services, after which time they will be eligible to receive appropriate accommodations.
• Attendance. HSDE students are expected to attend all FSU classes and are discouraged from taking vacation days during a semester of enrollment. Students are notified that each faculty member sets attendance expectations in the course syllabus within the parameters of broader FSU policy. Dual enrollment students who have a legitimate high school sponsored activity that unavoidably conflicts with an examination or other assessment at FSU must provide documentation on school letterhead to the faculty member and to ACE in order to reschedule.
• Mature Course Content. Course materials and class discussions may reflect topics not typically included in secondary courses, which some parents may object to for minors. Faculty will not modify courses to accommodate variations in student age and/or maturity.
• Transportation. Dual enrollment students at FSU are responsible for their own transportation.
• Final Course Grades. The final course grade of a HSDE student will be recorded on the FSU transcript and sent to the local high school exactly as assigned and documented on an official FSU transcript. However, many of our local schools do not use +/- in their grading systems, which means the +/- will be stripped from the letter grade when placed on the high school transcript.

  For more information about HSDE, please visit https://ace.fsu.edu/dual-enrollment. Additionally, you may email us at ace@fsu.edu with questions or concerns about a student.

  Libraries

  University Libraries partner with faculty in research, creative activities, and teaching by providing a wide range of services, a wealth of resources, and professional expertise. Subject librarians are appointed to academic units to work with faculty to acquire necessary resources, consult on research and publishing, participate in courses, and collaborate on grants or research projects. Events, such as lectures, symposia, and receptions provide opportunities for faculty to share ideas and research and to connect with others across disciplines. 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: https://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, delivery of materials to faculty offices, a 16-week loan period with renewal options, course reserves, information literacy instruction, interlibrary loan, recall of items, research resources, a digital repository for faculty publications, and general reference services.

  Medical Visit Verifications

  Students absent from classes or examinations because of illness should contact their instructors in a timely manner. University Health Services (UHS) will issue a visit verification if requested by the student after receiving medical treatment at UHS. Students may also access their patient portal to provide a visit verification to their instructor. Such documentation will only be provided if seen at UHS by a Physician (MD, DO), Physician Assistant (PA) or Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP). Documentation will not be provided by UHS for illnesses or injuries retrospectively or for those that are not monitored by UHS practitioners. Some students may care for themselves at home when ill. At times, in order to prevent spread to others, UHS recommends that students isolate while they have symptoms (fever-free for 24 hours) and communicate with their instructors. The instructor, who will explain the evaluation (grading) statement at the beginning of the term, determines the effect of absences upon grades. Also, see “Attendance (student)” in this chapter.

  Military Short-Term Absence Accommodation Policy

  The University recognizes and appreciates the important contributions made in service of our country by Active Duty, Reserve, and National Guard members and their dependents. In order to accommodate those students and their dependents, University faculty and staff will provide these students the following options to accommodate unexpected training/drill, deployment, or change-of-station orders:

  • For any training/drill, deployment, or change-of-station orders: Students will attempt to make arrangements with instructors to maintain and/or make up classwork as needed and to assign grades as appropriate (including Incompletes, to be made up later). Registration for those courses in which instructors accommodate the absence will remain intact and tuition and mandatory fees will be assessed in full for those courses. Service members should provide instructors with maximum advance notice of absences, providing copies of training/drill, deployment, and/or change-of-station directives from the Military, Reserve, or National Guard.
  • Instructors must accommodate absences of up to two weeks in duration (or equivalent in summer) in accordance with paragraph 1.
  • When unable to make satisfactory arrangements with all instructors: Courses will be dropped and the tuition and mandatory fees for those courses will be refunded.
  • When unable to make arrangements with any instructors for unexpected orders requiring longer than a two-week absence: The student’s entire registration will be withdrawn or cancelled and 100% of the tuition and mandatory fees will be refunded.
  • Also see “Attendance (student)” in this chapter.

  Office Hours

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

  Posting of Student Grades

  The University-authorized learning management system is the most secure method for posting student grades. 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 Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) requires instructors to guard each student’s educational records carefully. See also “Confidentiality of Student Records” in this section.

  Religious Holy Days

  Florida State University policy on observance of religious holy days provides that each student shall, upon notifying their instructor as soon as possible upon receipt of the course syllabus, but no later than two weeks before the religious holy day observance, be excused from class to observe a religious holy day of their faith. While the student will be held responsible for the material covered in their 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. This resource will be helpful to instructors as they respond to students requesting to be absent: https://hds.harvard.edu/community-life/religious-and-spiritual-life/multifaith-calendar. For more information, see the General Bulletin.

  Student Retention and Success

  FSU is nationally recognized as a leader in student retention and success, a reputation that has been built over many years by fostering an environment in which every student is engaged, challenged, and supported to grow to their full potential. FSU’s retention and four-year graduation rates are ranked in the top 10 among public universities in the nation and are the highest in the State University System of Florida. Even more notable, FSU has eliminated disparities in retention and graduation rates among its diverse undergraduate population, of which nearly one-third are Pell-eligible or first-generation college students.

  Our six pillars to student success best articulate our collective and intentional efforts as a university:

  1. A Success Team Behind Every Student
  2. Learning Communities
  3. Enhanced Support for Teaching
  4. Experiential and Global Learning
  5. Leadership and Personal Development
  6. College to Career

  Your work as a faculty member is critical to our students’ learning and development. FSU is committed to providing life-changing learning opportunities for our students, as well as personalized interaction with faculty. Your mentorship and guidance of students may take many forms, such as:

  • designing and facilitating powerful learning experiences inside and outside of the classroom;
  • creating an inclusive and welcoming classroom environment in which all students can thrive;
  • teaching students how to be effective learners (i.e., how to read in the discipline, how to study effectively, etc.);
  • guiding students to develop their reasoning, communication, interpersonal skills, and other intellectual and personal competencies;
  • mentoring students on internship, career, or graduate school possibilities;
  • supervising students doing undergraduate research or honors in the major (thesis option);
  • incorporating elements of service learning into your courses;
  • connecting with first-generation college students during summer bridge or the regular academic year;
  • teaching an Honors or Living-Learning Community course section;
  • advising a student organization or honor society; or
  • reporting your concerns about a struggling student (academic concerns to Proactive Referral and Engagement and non-academic concerns to report.fsu.edu).

  If you are interested in learning more about any of these opportunities, you may contact deanofundergraduates@fsu.edu. For more information about FSU’s student success initiatives, visit the following sites: https://strategicplan.fsu.edu/student-success/initiative-d/ and https://undergrad.fsu.edu/.

  Syllabus

  University policy requires that a course syllabus be distributed at the beginning of the semester that includes the course number, title and description, credit hours, instructor contact information, written student learning 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; a statement regarding academic integrity (see the Academic Honor Policy in Appendix A of this Handbook), and the University attendance policy. It is recommended that a faculty member include a statement of his/her policy and/or expectations regarding classroom conduct and missed work, in addition to information about tutoring services available on campus. Once the course has begun, no changes should be made to the syllabus that will substantially affect the implementation of the instructor’s evaluation (grading) statement. For more information, see https://facsenate.fsu.edu/curriculum-resources.

  Syllabi for each course section offered each semester should be kept on file within the department or unit for a minimum of two years or until the unit has determined the syllabus is obsolete. Each time a special topics course is offered a copy of the syllabus should be submitted to the Office of the Registrar.

  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 the 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.

  Testing Center

  Test scheduling priority is currently given to distance learning and high-enrollment face-to-face courses as well as other courses at high risk for academic dishonesty. The goal is to work toward limiting online proctoring to distance learning courses and courses where traditional proctoring options are limited.

  Test-scoring Services

  Faculty and students may receive information and support for assessing student performance, including assessment design and promoting academic integrity, through the Assessment and Testing unit of the Office of Distance Learning. It also offers Scanning Services for multiple-choice exams free of charge. The unit also schedules and administers a variety of national, state, and course‐related examinations.

  Textbook Notification

  The Board of Governors’ Regulation 8.003, Textbook and Instructional Materials Affordability, regarding textbook affordability and notification, requires state universities to:

  • Post on their websites a list of textbooks and instructional materials required for each course not less than 45 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.

  Florida State University is committed to improving education access and affordability through innovative approaches intended to reduce textbook and instructive material costs for students. For more information, see FSU Regulation 5.098, Textbook Adoption and Affordability.

  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, they must request permission from the President in writing, through the Vice President for Faculty Development and Advancement. 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. The request must be made well before the start of each year in which the faculty member wishes to use the textbook.

  Web-based Course Resources

  Course websites 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 or contact the Office of Distance Learning at 850-644-4635.

  Writing Requirement

  Skill in writing is not something that can be cultivated in a single pair of courses. Recognizing this, the State of Florida mandates that all undergraduates complete an additional six credit hours of coursework that emphasize college-level English language writing skills. Florida State University addresses this need through the E-Series courses and the “W” (State-Mandated Writing) courses. See http://liberalstudies.fsu.edu/curriculum.html for more information.

  When Problems Arise

  Florida State University has several policies and procedures in place that can help to resolve problems arising 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 System handles students’ concerns about final grades in a course, and the Student Conduct Code helps faculty members respond to inappropriate student conduct not directly related to the integrity of their academic work. The Anti-Sexual Misconduct 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 the procedures used to determine grade appeals in the colleges.

  Academic Honor Policy

  See Appendix A or https://www.fda.fsu.edu/academic-resources/academic-integrity-and-grievances/academic-honor-policy.

  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 directive 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. (See the Department of Student Conduct and Community Standards https://sccs.fsu.edu or call 850-644-5136.) Instructors may ask that students leave class immediately when their behavior is disrupting the learning process. Note that permanent removal from the course may not be determined by the instructor but may occur through either informal or formal means.

  Instructors who have concerns about disruptive student behavior should contact the Department of Student Support and Transitions (via https://report.fsu.edu, or at 850-644-2428). The FSU Police Department (911, 850-644-1234, or https://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 their safety or to the safety of students. The University has a comprehensive structure to address students of concern at varying levels of concern such as the Threat Assessment, Behavior Intervention, and Student Situation Resolution Team so faculty may file a report at https://report.fsu.edu or by contacting either the Department of Student Conduct and Community Standards (https://sccs.fsu.edu or 850-644-2428) or the Associate Vice President for Faculty Development and Advancement (https://fda.fsu.edu or 850-644-6876). Note that permanent removal from the course may not be determined by the instructor but may occur through either informal or formal means.

  Conflict of Interest in Graduate Student Supervision

  A supervisory committee’s judgments on the quality of a student’s thesis or dissertation should be independent, unbiased, and based solely on the academic merits of the work before them. Any other standard risks a breach of professional ethics or law and undermines the integrity of the process and those involved. Any personal, professional, or financial relation-ships (e.g. involving the major professor, supervisory committee members, and/or student) that may create the perception of bias in that process must be avoided. Immediate family members, domestic partners, and married couples are restricted from serving together on the same supervisory committee in any capacity as this could potentially lead to a perception of bias. For the purposes of this policy, immediate family members are defined as a parent, grandparent, spouse, sibling, child or grandchild by blood, adoption, or marriage. Exception requests for extenuating circumstances can be submitted by the unit’s academic dean to the Dean of the Graduate School for consideration. However, for doctoral supervisory committees, under no circumstances can a Committee Chair (or Co-Chair) and University Representative be immediate family members, domestic partners, or a married couple. The University Representative must be drawn from outside the student’s department (as well as outside the student’s degree program for interdisciplinary pro¬grams) must be a fully-tenured member of the faculty with Graduate Faculty Status (GFS) and should be free of conflicts of interest with other members of the supervisory committee. Financial conflicts of interest would not include the typical practice of hiring a student on a university assistantship in the home unit but would include the student being hired by the major professor’s private company.

  If any such conflict of interest exists, it should be reported by the department chair to the academic dean’s office of the student’s academic unit, who will evaluate the situation for potential harm and take appropriate action. If questions or irregularities arise that cannot be resolved within the academic unit, the  dean’s office should contact the Dean of the Graduate School or designee for resolution by submitting an exception request to the Graduate School.

  Implementation:

  Takes effect Fall 2020 for new thesis and doctoral admits.

  Grandfathering will be allowed for thesis and doctoral students (those admitted to candidacy) who currently have immediate family members, domestic partners, or married couples serving on the supervisory committee together, as long as it does not involve a Committee Chair (or Co-Chair) and University Representative for doctoral students.

  Sexual Relationships and Conflicts of Interest

  The following policy concerning conflicts of interest applies to students who are being supervised or evaluated by faculty as well as graduate students who are serving as teaching assistants and thus supervising or evaluating undergraduates.

  Sexual relationships between faculty members and students where a direct or indirect supervisory or evaluative relationship exists are fraught with the potential for exploitation. The respect and trust accorded a faculty member by a student, as well as the power exercised by the faculty member in a direct supervisory or evaluative role, make voluntary consent by the student suspect. In their relationships with students, faculty members are expected to be aware of their professional responsibilities and to avoid conflict of interest, favoritism, or bias.

  • When any direct supervisory or evaluative role exists, a consensual sexual relationship between a student and a faculty member is a conflict of interest.
  • Any situation of direct supervision or evaluation will be ended immediately when a consensual sexual relationship between a student and a faculty member exists.
  • Any such relationship must be disclosed to the faculty member’s supervisor immediately.
  • Direct supervision includes any type of evaluative role. Examples of direct supervision of the student include teaching the student’s class; serving as a thesis or dissertation director, instructor of record, member of the student’s thesis or dissertation committee, member of the student’s comprehensive or doctoral exam committee, or member of other committees where the focus is evaluation, or supervision of the student’s academic competence or the student’s assistantship.

  Indirect evaluative or supervisory authority includes any circumstance in which the faculty member holds institutional authority over, or has academic responsibility for, the student. Examples of indirect supervision of a student include the following:

  • Mentoring or advising;
  • Tutoring;
  • Participating in decisions regarding funding;
  • Providing recommendations; or
  • Serving as an advisor for a student organization

  In addition, faculty members may not serve in a direct teaching or supervisory role with students who are relatives. Exceptions may be approved by the Provost or designee and must include conditions to mitigate the possibility of real or perceived bias. For more information, see FSU BOT-UFF CBA 2022-2025, Article 19.

  Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, and Sexual Violence

  Discrimination based on membership in a protected group, sexual harassment, and sexual violence will not be tolerated by the University, whether by faculty, students, staff, or by others. For more information about reporting discrimination, sexual harassment, or sexual violence and related grievance procedures, consult the Anti-Sexual Misconduct Policy or the University’s Title IX Statement, or contact the Office of Equal Opportunity Compliance & Engagement Office (EOCE)  at 645-6519 or the Office of Title IX (for complaints against students) at 850-645-2741 or Know More (https://knowmore.fsu.edu). All University faculty and staff members must report every incident or complaint of sexual misconduct or discrimination to the Title IX Office through https://report.fsu.edu or at http://titleix.fsu.edu/.

  The University recognizes that disclosures may occur in an academic setting (i.e., as part of coursework, research, or creative activity submitted to an instructor in connection with a course assignment), or a research setting (i.e., during participation as a subject in an approved human subjects research protocol). Such disclosures will not be considered notice to the University for the purpose of triggering a mandatory report. Instructors, especially those whose assignments may elicit a disclosure, are encouraged to include a syllabus statement that clarifies when disclosures will or will not lead a mandatory report by the instructor. The University’s Institutional Review Board may, in appropriate cases, require researchers to provide similar information to research subjects.

  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 evaluation (grading) statement and therefore was awarded in an arbitrary, capricious, or discriminatory manner.  The evaluation (grading) statement utilized during the grade appeals process is the one 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 Faculty Senate Student Academic Relations Committee via the Office of Faculty Development and Advancement.

  Step 1.

  Within 15 class days (defined throughout the Grade Appeals System as Mondays through Fridays during regular fall, spring, and summer semesters, as noted in the FSU Academic Calendar maintained by the University Registrar. Class days are not dependent on whether an individual student has class on a particular day) 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 in order to establish that the appeal was begun within this 15-class-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.  It is expected that the student will first attempt to resolve the grade dispute with the instructor; however, either the student or the instructor may consult with the appropriate department chair, school director, or designee during this process.

  Step 2.

  If no resolution is reached within this 15-class-day period, after the student’s documented attempt, the student has an additional 10 class days to submit a written statement to the department chair, school director, or designee.  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 class days thereafter, the department chair, school director, or designee will set a date 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. These students should be either undergraduate or graduate students, depending on the enrollment status of the student challenging the grade. The meeting should occur within that 20-class-day period, if practicable. 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 chair, school director, or designee will select appropriate students who have no conflict of interest.  Both the student and the instructor may attend the meeting, as may the department chair, school director, or designee.

  The role of the screening committee is solely to determine whether the student has presented sufficient evidence to warrant further review.  Within five class days after this meeting, the screening committee will render its decision in writing (indicating that they recommend/do not recommend further review) to the department chair, school director, or designee; 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 15 class days of a positive decision from the grade appeals screening committee, the department chair, school director, or designee will appoint and arrange for a meeting of a grade appeals board.  The meeting should occur within that 15-class-day period, if practicable. The board is composed of three faculty members and two students other than those who served on the screening committee. These students should be either undergraduate or graduate students, depending on the enrollment status of the student challenging the grade.

  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.  The student; the instructor; and the department chair, school director, or designee 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 evaluation (grading) statement.  If the original grade is not upheld, the board will recommend that an alternative grade be assigned by the department chair, school director, or designee. 

  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 Office of Faculty Development and Advancement regarding referral to the Faculty Senate Student Academic Relations Committee.

  Grievances (Students on main 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 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 Associate Vice President for Faculty Development and Advancement for resolution and a determination regarding whether referral to the Student Academic Relations Committee of the Faculty Senate is appropriate. A graduate student whose complaint is unresolved must see the Dean of the Graduate School prior to meeting with the Associate Vice President for Faculty Development and Advancement.

  The Student Academic Relations Committee has the authority to recommend, through the Provost and Executive 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 Associate Vice President for Faculty Development and Advancement 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 Associate Vice President for Faculty Development and Advancement. The Student Academic Relations Committee has the authority to recommend, through the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, that corrective action be taken when justified.

  Reporting Troubling Situations

  The Department of Student Support and Transitions, Division of Student Affairs, oversees an online route for faculty members to raise issues of concern related to their students: https://report.fsu.edu. In addition to using the system to report instances of sexual misconduct, violations of the Student Conduct Code (for non-academic behaviors), and ADA issues, instructors may provide information about students who are exhibiting any academic, emotional, or physical behavior that concerns them. Reported classroom behavior issues are routed to the team composed of academic and student affairs administrators, law enforcement, and counselors/health care providers to ensure that students of concern receive the assistance they need to navigate the university environment with minimal disruption to themselves and others. Note that report.fsu.edu is not intended as a way to report emergencies. If you need to report an emergency, please call FSUPD at 850-644-1234 or 911.

  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 colleges and departments’ implementation of university policies as they relate to students’ academic work or evaluations of academic work. Referral to SARC takes place through the Associate Vice President for Faculty Development and Advancement (850-644-6876 or https://fda.fsu.edu).

  Student Conduct Code

  The Student Conduct Code governs disruptive behavior in the classroom as well as other non-academic expectations for student conduct. The Student Conduct Code is implemented by Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards, Division of Student Affairs. For more information, contact the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards at sccs@fsu.edu or 850-844-5136. Any alleged or suspected violation of the Student Conduct Code should be submitted to the office by making a written report at report.fsu.edu.

  Undergraduate Advising Information and Resources

  The following items may be of use to faculty members 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.

  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, family, or cultural circumstances. CARE provides programs and services that are targeted to first-generation college students and helps to facilitate those students’ preparation, recruitment, adjustment, retention, and graduation from college. CARE implements programs and services for eligible entering first-year students, as well as for selected middle and high school students with similar backgrounds. It also houses the Unconquered Scholars Program, which provides support to students who have experienced homelessness. CARE has been recognized nationally for its outstanding work.

  Combined Degree Pathway(s)

  The Combined Bachelor’s/Master’s Degree Pathway(s) 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 on the Graduate School website. Various departments also offer the possibility of combined master’s and doctoral degree programs. Interested students should contact the appropriate department chair’s or dean’s office, and faculty members interested in developing a combined degree option should contact the Office of Faculty Development and Advancement at 850-644-6876.

  Degree Mapping

  Each major course of study has an academic 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. Students are strongly encouraged to “take 15” credits each semester in order to make timely progress toward graduation.

  Freshman Interest Groups

  The FIG program, open to incoming first-year students, 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.

  Honors Program

  The University Honors Office houses two programs for many of the university’s most talented and motivated students: The University Honors Program and the Honors in the Major Program.

  University Honors Program

  The University Honors Program is available to 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, 0- or 1-credit Honors research activities (such as UROP), non-credit Honors community service activities, and Honors in the Major (HITM) projects. The Honors DIS and HITM projects 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.

  There are two types of Honors courses: Honors Seminars and stand-alone Honors sections of regularly listed courses. Most courses designated as Honors courses satisfy at least one Liberal Studies requirement, 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 19 students. Honors credit may also be earned by contracting with faculty to do an additional paper or project in non-Honors courses.

  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 (the HITM committee chair) and members of the student’s HITM committee. In addition to the director, the committee must include at least one other faculty member from within the student’s major department and a third faculty member from outside of the department. One other faculty member from within or outside the department may also serve.  The HITM thesis director and committee members should normally be full-time tenured or tenure-track faculty. However, Specialized Faculty are eligible to serve as a director/committee chair of an HITM thesis so long as they have a terminal degree in the field of study (which would be a Ph.D. for most academic programs) or have graduate faculty status. Otherwise, the Director of Honors will review the instructor’s CV and, if their professional expertise and experience is deemed central to the student’s thesis work, they may serve as co-director with one other committee member who is either in a tenured or tenure-earning position, who has graduate faculty status, or who has a terminal research degree in a relevant field. In units where there are no tenured or tenure-track faculty the committee may be comprised entirely of specialized faculty so long as the committee chair meets the standards above (terminal degree or graduate faculty status) and, whenever possible, at least one of the other two required members is in a tenure-track or tenured position. Consistent with policy in the Graduate Handbook, each committee member’s CV should show evidence of research-based scholarship and/or creative work resulting in peer-reviewed publications or equivalent work. Faculty with a courtesy appointment in a department at FSU may serve as a member of 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.

  Learning Communities

  Currently this “community of communities” includes eight academic engagement programs geared primarily to first-year students and focuses on either shared academic interests, shared majors, or shared career paths. Program participants in a learning community live in the same residence hall and participate in an academic component designed by the faculty director of the community (several programs have a weekly colloquium and several offer one or more related 3-credit-hour courses). Each community introduces participants to a variety of the programs, resources, and expertise the University has to offer, including access to some of FSU’s most distinguished faculty members.

  National Fellowships

  The Office of National Fellowships (ONF) assists undergraduates in preparing for competition for national awards such as the Rhodes, Marshall, Truman, Fulbright, 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 the 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.

  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 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 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 are responsible for monitoring 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 first-year and sophomore students, monitors many statewide and university Liberal Studies requirements for graduation, and sponsors several programs designed to promote academic success. 

  Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program

  The Center for Undergraduate Research and Academic Engagement coordinates several programs that provide enrichment opportunities for undergraduate students, including the Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program, the Gap Year Fellows, the Global Scholars Program, and the Presidential Scholars Program.

  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 University website or call a related office for assistance.

  Campus Recreation

  “Find what moves you” with Campus Recreation. The department supports FSU students, faculty, and staff in their pursuit of lifelong wellness by providing a diverse array of high-quality recreational programs, services, and facilities through fitness, recreational sports, and outdoor adventures. Students and Leach Center members can hit the gym on their own, get a personal trainer, join a fitness class, take a swim, and more. They can also play to win, play for fun, and play year-round through our Intramural Sports and Sport Clubs programs. The Outdoor Recreation programs also create unique experiences on-campus, at the Rez Lakefront Park, and all across the southeast through our Outdoor Pursuits trips. Access to all Campus Recreation facilities is free for students. Faculty, staff, alumni, and affiliates may purchase monthly or annual memberships.

  Center for Leadership and Social Change

  The Center for Leadership and Social Change is the FSU student body’s source for leadership learning, service opportunities, and social justice education on Florida State's campus. 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. 

  Child Care

  FSU Child Development Programs include two centers that serve the needs of FSU students, faculty, and staff. They are: the FSU Children’s Center and the Infant and Toddler Child Development Center. Both 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 Florida State University and are administered by University Housing.

  Counseling and Psychological Services

  Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) provides support services that help each student grow and develop emotionally, interpersonally, and intellectually. All currently registered students that are assessed the Health Fee are eligible for services at CAPS, which offers various counseling methods tailored to meet students’ individual needs. Counseling & Psychological Services also offers a wide variety of presentations, workshops, and consultations services that address topics such as improving academic performance, increasing happiness and resilience, and resolving conflict.

  Department of Student Support and Transitions

  The primary focus of the Department of Student Support and Transitions is to support the academic mission of 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 Department of Student Support and Transitions fulfills this mission through the following offices: Case Management Services, Withdrawal Services, Victim Advocate Program, Office of Accessibility Services, and Investigations and Assessment. For more information, call 850-644-2428.

  Financial Aid

  The Florida State University’s Office of Student Financial Aid, located on the fourth floor of the University Center (suite A4400), assists students in obtaining funding to reach their educational goals. Students receive aid in the form of scholarships, grants, Federal work study, and loans. Scholarship information is available through the Financial Aid Web site.

  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.

  Office of Accessibility Services (OAS)

  The Office of Accessibility Services (OAS) 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 OAS works with faculty and staff to provide accommodations for the unique needs of students both in and out of the classroom.

  Student Affairs

  The Division of Student Affairs, which includes University Housing, the Department of Student Support and Transitions, Student Union, University Health Services, Counseling and Psychological Services, 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.

  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.

  Tutoring Services

  Free tutoring is available for a wide range of courses and topics at Florida State University, including help in those courses typically perceived by students as particularly rigorous. Tutoring provides targeted content review outside of the classroom for any enrolled student. For more information about free tutoring, visit https://ace.fsu.edu/tutoring. FSU tutoring options include:

  ACE Learning Studio

  In Johnston Ground (ground floor of WJB), the ACE Learning Studio provides appointment-based individual and group tutoring in a large number of subject areas. The Learning Studio also provides study rooms, collaborative learning technology, laptops for check out, study skills tutoring, and academic success workshops. Call 850-645-9151 or visit https://ace.fsu.edu for more information.

  ACE Tutoring @ Strozier

  This is a late-night, drop-in program that focuses on core courses within chemistry, math, and physics. It is located in Strozier Library across from Starbucks, and it operates Sunday through Thursday from 7pm to 11pm. This service is sponsored by the Fogg Trust and the Student Government Association. Visit https://lib.fsu.edu/tutoring for the most up-to-date information.

  Reading / Writing Center and Digital Studio

  Located in the Williams Building with sites in William Johnston and Strozier Library, the Reading-Writing Center (RWC) and Digital Studio (DS) provides individualized support for Florida State University students at all levels and from all departments. The center’s clients include a cross-section of the campus: for example, first-year students writing personal essays, upper level students writing term papers, seniors composing letters or applications for jobs and graduate schools, and graduate students working on theses and dissertations. Graduate and undergraduate consultants in the Reading-Writing Center, all of whom are trained in holistic, student-centered writing support, help fellow writers both strategically and with practical suggestions for the project in hand. From brainstorming, through drafting and revising, to that final polish, consultants act as both test audience and experienced commentators, talking with students about their goals and expectations, and offering both feedback and advice. In addition, RWC tutors can help hone analytical reading skills that are an essential prerequisite for writing in the academy. The Digital Studio, with locations in Williams and William Johnston, offers complementary support for students working on multimodal projects.

  Biology

  The Biology Major Study Center is staffed by teaching assistants in BSC2010 and BSC2011. Tutoring is provided in 1054 King Life Sciences Building for any student enrolled in one of these two courses. Tutoring in BSC1005 is available in 425 Carothers (in addition to the ACE Learning Studio and the Learning District).

  University Health Services

  University Health Services, 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 for Health Advocacy and Wellness (CHAW) also promotes campus wellness, encouraging healthy lifestyles and personal responsibility to enhance students’ capacity for reaching academic and personal goals. Visit https://uhs.fsu.edu for more information.

  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 others who are victimized on our campus. Services offered include emotional support, instructor notification, referrals, and educational programming for our campus community.

  24-hour line: 850-644-7161
  24/7 Text Line: 850-756-4320

  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; the Graduate School provides assistance on general academic matters. Many academic units offer a department-specific orientation for their new students. Each fall semester the Graduate School coordinates a university-wide graduate student orientation program.

  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 Florida State University. COGS works closely with the Graduate School. 

  Funding Resources

  Departmental Assistantships

  Financial support is available to graduate students in the form of teaching and research assistantships. Students are urged to make specific inquiries to each program for information regarding 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.

  Office of Graduate Fellowship and Awards - OGFA offers services that help students to navigate the external fellowship and awards funding process. These services include finding appropriate external fellowship opportunities, guidance throughout the application process from outlines to editing application drafts and preparing for interviews.

  University-wide Graduate Fellowships and Assistantships

  The Graduate School Administers a variety of fellowships offered to graduate students through the University. Some require duties and some do not. For detailed information regarding all Fellowship and Assistantship opportunities administered by the graduate school, please visit The Graduate School website. Listed below are funding opportunities that require faculty and departmental nominations and/or commitments.

  Office of Distance Learning

  The Office of Distance Learning supports students, instructors, and administrators in establishing and accessing high-quality online instruction.

  Office of Postdoctoral Affairs

  Part of the Florida State University's Graduate School, the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs serves as a central resource for all postdoctoral researchers as well as faculty and staff who work with postdoctoral researchers at FSU.

  Activities of the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs include:

  • Serves as an information repository and liaison among postdocs, faculty, administrators, and external organizations
  • Provides professional and career development programming and resources for postdocs
  • Facilitates community building and networking events
  • Advocates for postdoc inclusion in the activities of other campus organizations
  • Undertakes initiatives to increase visibility of postdocs
  • Advocates for resources and policies that enhance postdoctoral training

  The Graduate School

  The Graduate School provides assistance to graduate students and faculty on general academic matters and sponsors annual orientation programs for new graduate students and teaching assistants. These include offering advice on university-wide degree requirements, approving thesis and dissertation formats, and administering faculty and graduate student awards, university-level assistantships, fellowships, and scholarships.

  Faculty awards administered by the Graduate School

  Responsible Conduct of Research and Creativity & Professional Standards Award - The Graduate School and the Office of Research invites proposals for faculty and/or departments to develop and conduct educational components (e.g., courses, course-imbedded modules, workshops, seminars, discussion groups, brown bag gatherings) that provide training for graduate students, particularly doctoral students, in professional ethics and standards.

  Graduate Faculty Mentor Awards - The purpose of these awards is to honor faculty mentors whose dedication to graduate students and commitment to excellence in graduate education and mentoring have made a significant contribution to the quality of life and professional development of graduate students at Florida State University.

  Graduate Student awards administered by the Graduate School

  Dissertation Research Grant - The Dissertation Research Grant is a $750 award paid by the Graduate School to assist doctoral students with expenses associated with research necessary to prepare dissertations. Dissertation Research Grants are awarded each fall and spring semester. 

  Graduate Student Research and Creativity Awards - Sponsored annually by Florida State University's Graduate School and Office of Research, this awards program is designed to recognize the superior contributions of six graduate students to research and creative endeavors. 

  Graduate School Student Leadership Award - Sponsored annually by Florida State University’s Graduate School and the Congress of Graduate Students this award recognizes outstanding graduate student leaders who are making a positive difference in their scholarly/creative campus, and wider, communities.

  Outstanding Teaching Assistant Awards - Sponsored annually by the Florida State University’s Graduate School these awards recognize outstanding graduate student teaching assistants (TAs) for their distinguished contributions to student learning through excellence in instruction.