University of Colorado Denver

CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT

STANDARDS OF CONDUCT FOR WHICH ACTION MAY BE TAKEN IF A VIOLATION OCCURS

Below you will find basic information about behaviors that are prohibited by the UC Denver Student Code of Conduct. Specific information about student rights, responsibilities, more details concerning prohibited behavior and the policies and procedures for adjudicating violations can be found on the UC Denver webpage or by contacting Larry Loften at the Office of Community Standards and Wellness.

The behaviors outlined below will not be tolerated, because they threaten the safety of individuals and violate the basic purpose of the university and the personal rights and freedoms of its members.

• Intentional obstruction, disruption or interference with teaching, research, disciplinary proceedings or other university activities
• Willful obstruction or interference with the freedom of movement of students, school officials, employees and invited guests to all university facilities.
• Physical abuse of any person on property.
• Verbal or physical harassment and/or hazing in all forms.
• Prohibited entry to or use of university facilities, defined as unauthorized entry or use of university property or facilities for illegal purposes or purposes detrimental to the university.
• Forgery, fraud (to include computer fraud), falsification, alteration or use of university documents, records or instruments of identification with intent to gain any advantage.
• Theft or damage to university property and the private property of students, university officials, employees and invited guests when such property is located upon or within ICB buildings or facilities. This includes the possession of known stolen property.
• Possession of firearms, explosives or other dangerous weapons or materials within or upon the grounds, buildings or any other facilities of the university.
• Sale, distribution, use, possession or manufacture of illegal drugs within or on the grounds, buildings or any other facilities of the university.

For a complete copy of the Code of Student Conduct and the policies and procedures related to the adjudication of violations please visit the Office of Community Standards and Wellness webpage.

Academic Honesty

A university’s reputation is built on a standing tradition of excellence and scholastic integrity. As members of the University of Colorado at Denver and Health Sciences Center academic community, faculty and students accept the responsibility to maintain the highest standards of intellectual honesty and ethical conduct in completing all forms of academic work at the university.

Forms of Academic Dishonesty

Students are expected to know, understand and comply with the ethical standards of the university. In addition, students have an obligation to inform the appropriate official of any acts of academic dishonesty by other students of the university. Academic dishonesty is defined as a student’s use of unauthorized assistance with intent to deceive an instructor or other such person who may be assigned to evaluate the student’s work in meeting course and degree requirements. Examples of academic dishonesty include, but are not limited to the following:

A. PLAGIARISM
Plagiarism is the use of another person’s distinctive ideas or words without acknowledgement. The incorporation of another person’s work into one’s own requires appropriate identification and acknowledgement, regardless of the means of appropriation. The following are considered to be forms of plagiarism when the source is not noted:

• Word-for-word copying of another person’s ideas or words
• The mosaic (the interspersing of one’s own words here and there while, in essence, copying another’s work)
• The paraphrase (the rewriting of another’s work, yet still using their fundamental idea or theory)
• Fabrication (inventing or counterfeiting sources)
• Submission of another’s work as one’s own
• Neglecting quotation marks on material that is otherwise acknowledged
• Acknowledgement is not necessary when the material used is common knowledge.

B. CHEATING
Cheating involves the possession, communication or use of information, materials, notes, study aids or other devices not authorized by the instructor in any academic exercise or communication with another person during such an exercise. Examples of cheating are:

• Copying from another’s paper or receiving unauthorized assistance from another during an academic exercise or in the submission of academic material
• Using a calculator when its use has been disallowed
• Collaborating with another student or students during an academic exercise without the consent of the instructor

C. FABRICATION AND FALSIFICATION
Fabrication involves inventing or counterfeiting information, i.e., creating results not obtained in a study or laboratory experiment. Falsification, on the other hand, involves the deliberate alteration or changing of results to suit one’s needs in an experiment or other academic exercise.

D. MULTIPLE SUBMISSIONS
This is the submission of academic work for which academic credit has already been earned, when such submission is made without instructor authorization.

E. MISUSE OF ACADEMIC MATERIALS
The misuse of academic materials includes but is not limited to the following:

• Stealing or destroying library or reference materials or computer programs
• Stealing or destroying another student’s notes or materials or having such materials in one’s possession without the owner’s permission
• Receiving assistance in locating or using sources of information in an assignment when such assistance has been forbidden by the instructor
• Illegitimate possession, disposition or use of examinations or answer keys to examinations
• Unauthorized alteration, forgery or falsification of academic records
• Unauthorized sale or purchase of examinations, papers or assignments

F. COMPLICITY IN ACADEMIC DISHONESTY
Complicity involves knowingly contributing to another’s acts of academic dishonesty.

Academic Probation and Suspension for Undergraduates

The University of Colorado Denver has a long established practice of handling academic probation and suspension. The current policy of recognizing only probation and suspension has not allowed for desired intervention and assistance to students who are under academic probation. Specifically, a student goes on academic probation only after his or her grades have been reviewed at the end of a semester. Thus, the student has already enrolled for the upcoming semester without any added advice or control from student advising. Experience has shown that a student is likely to experience a second semester in which he or she will perform below expectations. With current practices of suspension and probation, the student can be placed on probation after just one semester of attendance.

The policy establishes three levels of student status, good standing, probation, and suspension, which are consistent with current and past practices. However, within the colleges, students are classified as being either on probation or restricted probation. The two levels of probation allow for a student to 1) have an additional semester of probation before automatically being suspended, and 2) allow student advising a vehicle for intervention and assistance to the student to assist him or her in returning to good standing from academic probation.

• Academic Probation
• Student’s cumulative UC Denver GPA falls below 2.000 (individual colleges and schools may include 2.000 for major or school)
• Student notified via University e-mail of status.
• Advisor will place advising hold on student’s registration each and every term until their cumulative is raised to 2.000 or better.
• Academic Probation entails:
  • Communication via email with student’s academic advisor.
  • Advisor gives student Academic Success packet.
  • Student must complete packet and return it to academic advisor.
  • Advisor will review packet and discuss options and resources with student.
  • Student will be unable to register for term until the packet is completed and student has communicated with advisor.
  • Student will then be able to register as usual.
• Student must earn 2.300 semester GPA each and every semester, including summer term, regardless of number of credit hours attempted, until cumulative GPA is raised to 2.000 or better.
• Student has 5 attendance semesters or 30 credit hours to improve cumulative UC Denver GPA to 2.000
• Once cumulative GPA reaches 2.000 or better, student is considered in Good Academic Standing, and advising service indicators are no longer placed on student’s registration.
• If student fails to achieve 2.300 or better while on academic probation in any given semester, student is placed on “Restricted Probation” and notified via University e-mail
• Restricted Probation entails:
  • Conversation with student’s academic advisor.
  • Student is recommended to register for no more than 2 classes and/or 6 credit hours.
  • Student and advisor will determine best courses to take.
  • Students will register via Schedule Adjustment Form with advisor.
• Student must achieve 2.300 semester GPA.
• Student remains on Restricted Academic Probation until he/she achieves Good Standing or is suspended.

Academic Suspension

• Student fails to earn 2.300 semester GPA required during Restricted Academic Probation.
• Student is notified via e-mail when he/she is placed on Academic Suspension.
• Suspension entails:
  • Student is unable to attend UC Denver for 1 year/3 semesters (including summer term).
  • Student can either:
    • Attend another institution and demonstrate improved academic performance (minimum GPA at second institution must be 2.750).
    • Use the time off to directly address issues contributing to student’s academic difficulties.
• Student may petition the individual College’s appellate committee (or Undergraduate Experiences appellate committee) for readmission after the required suspension term. It is recommended that the student apply early to allow time for adequate review.
• Students MUST meet and document at least one of the following criteria:
• Attendance at another regionally accredited college/university wherein they completed a minimum of 12 credit hours transferable to their degree with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.750.
• Explanation of their previous academic difficulty and demonstration of what has changed, and how this will allow him/her to now achieve and maintain Good Academic Standing (including a semester GPA of at least 2.300 and a cumulative GPA of at least a 2.000).

If a student is granted readmission they will be readmitted on Restricted Academic Probation. These students must meet the conditions of Restricted Academic Probation as described above.

• Subsequent Suspension
• Students on Suspension a second time may be readmitted to the University only by petition to the appellate committee.
• Students will only be considered for readmission if they have demonstrated significant improvement in academic performance at the college/university level.

CORE CURRICULUM

All undergraduate students at UC Denver’s ICB program must complete a 34-to-36-semester-hour core curriculum of general education course work. The UC Denver core curriculum was revised for the fall 2006 semester and is specifically designed as the foundation for academic success for the baccalaureate degree as well as for a lifetime of success.

The undergraduate core curriculum emphasizes intellectual competencies and provides optional choices to develop a skill base in the broad knowledge areas that make up the undergraduate curriculum. A detailed chart of faculty-approved core courses and college core requirements.

CORE CURRICULUM CHART

The following represents the UC Denver’s core curriculum as passed by the faculty in each of the undergraduate colleges, which became effective in fall 2006.

For help in selecting appropriate core courses, please see an academic advisor in your college.  The core curriculum is a total of 34-36 semester hours compiled in each of the four following areas:

• Intellectual Competencies (9-10 hours),
• Knowledge Areas (19-20 hours),
• Cultural Diversity (3 hours) and International Perspectives (3 hours). 

Notes

• Note 1: Intellectual competencies courses must earn a minimum letter grade of C- (1.7) to satisfy core curriculum requirements.
• Note 2: Students may not use courses in the discipline(s) defined by their major(s) to satisfy knowledge area requirements.
• Note 3: Cultural diversity courses are restricted, requiring junior-level standing or the consent of the instructor prior to registration.
• Note 4: A mathematic course taken to fulfill the biological and physical sciences, mathematics area, must be from the approved mathematics list excluding the course taken to fulfill the intellectual competencies requirement.
• Note 5: CLAS students whose major(s) fall outside of the traditional disciplines (e.g. international studies, individually structured) should contact the CLAS advising office for detailed information on core requirements.
• Note 6: Engineering majors should contact the College of Engineering and Applied Science advising office for detailed information on core requirements.

UC Denver Core Curriculum

11 courses, 34-36 credit hours

• Intellectual Competencies
• English Composition (2 Courses)
• Mathematics (1 Course)

Knowledge Areas

• Humanities and Arts (2 Courses)
• Behavioral and Social Sciences, (2 Courses)
• Biological and Physical Sciences, Mathematics, (2 Courses)
• International Perspectives (1 course)
• Cultural Diversity (1 course)

***Students should see an advisor and/or current catalog for a comprehensive list of core courses.

MINIMUM GRADE REQUIRED

The general education requirements combine specific requirements from the UC Denver core curriculum and CLAS graduation requirements.

A minimum grade of D- is required to satisfy the UC Denver Core Curriculum and CLAS Graduation Requirements with the exception of the following which must be satisfied with a minimum grade of C- (1.7):

• ENGL 1020
• ENGL 2030
• Math Competency requirement (MATH 1070)
• Communicative Skills requirement (CMMU 2101)

  Communication majors must receive a minimum grade of C- (1.7) in each UC-Denver communication course to receive credit in their major. 

  A minimum GPA of a 2.0 in all Communication courses taken at UC Denver is required to graduate.

  Economics majors must receive a minimum grade of C- (1.7) in each UC Denver economics course to receive credit toward the major.  One D- (.7) in an economics elective course is allowed. 

  A minimum GPA of  2.5 in all Economics courses taken at UC Denver is required to graduate. 

GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS

To receive a Bachelor of Arts degree from the College of Liberal Arts & Science from the University of Colorado Denver, a student must successfully complete the following:

• A minimum of 120 semester hours
• A minimum of 45 semester hours of upper division course work (3000 level or higher)
• A minimum 2.0 cumulative UC-Denver GPA
• Fulfillment of the Campus Core, CLAS Graduation Requirements and Major requirements
• Residency:  a minimum of 30 semester hour of UC-Denver CLAS credit, and 21 out of the last 30 semester hours at UC-Denver taking CLAS course work

To apply for graduation a student will be required to complete the following steps after being notified by their CLAS Academic Advisor, Sheryl Coffey (process subject to change):

• Complete the online Intent to Graduate form on the Registrar’s website
• Complete and return via email the Application for Graduation sent to you by your CLAS Academic Advisor, Sheryl Coffey (Sheryl.coffey@ucdenver.edu).

Inclusiveness and Non-Discrimination

The University of Colorado Denver is committed to enhancing the inclusiveness of its work force and its student body. Inclusiveness among students, faculty, staff and administrators is essential to educational excellence and to accomplishing UC Denver’s urban mission. Inclusiveness among faculty, staff and administrators provides role models and mentors for students, who will become leaders in academe and in the larger society, and ensures that a broad array of experiences and world views informs and shapes teaching, research, service and decision making at UC Denver.

Pursuant to Article 10, Laws of the University of Colorado Board of Regents, the university does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, creed, religion, sexual orientation or veteran status in admission and access to, and treatment and employment in, its educational programs and activities. The university takes action to increase ethnic, cultural and gender diversity, to employ qualified disabled individuals and to provide equal opportunity to all students and employees.

All students shall have the same fundamental rights to equal respect, due process and judgment of them based solely on factors demonstrably related to performance and expectations as students. All students share equally the obligations to perform their duties and exercise judgments of others in accordance with the basic standards of fairness, equity and inquiry that should always guide education.
Anti-Violence Policy

The University of Colorado Denver strives to maintain a campus free of and prohibits violent behavior, including but not limited to verbal and/or physical aggression, attack, threats, harassment, intimidation or other disruptive behavior in any form or by any media, which causes or could cause a reasonable person to fear physical harm by any individual(s) or group(s) against any person(s) and/or property.  This policy applies to academic, administrative, research and service departments, programs activities and/or services wherever university business is conducted, including extended studies and international locations.

Employees, students and visitors who engage in prohibited behavior shall be held accountable under university policy, as well as local, state and federal law.  Any employee or student who commits or threatens to commit violent behavior shall be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal or expulsion, as well as arrest and prosecution. Any visitor who commits or threatens to commit violent behavior shall be subject to exclusion from the campus, termination of business relationships and/or arrest and prosecution.

University Policy on Sexual Harassment

The University of Colorado is committed to maintaining a positive learning, working and living environment. In pursuit of these goals, the university will not tolerate acts of sexual harassment or related retaliation against or by any employee or student.

Sexual harassment: consists of interaction between individuals of the same or opposite sex that is characterized by unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when:

(1) submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual’s employment, living conditions and/or educational evaluation;

(2) submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for tangible employment or educational decisions affecting such individual; or

(3) such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work or academic performance or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive working or educational environment.

Hostile environment sexual harassment: (described in subpart (3) above) is unwelcome sexual conduct that is sufficiently severe or pervasive that it alters the conditions of education or employment and creates an environment that a reasonable person would find intimidating, hostile or offensive. The determination of whether an environment is “hostile” must be based on all of the circumstances. These circumstances could include the frequency of the conduct, its severity and whether it is threatening or humiliating.

Retaliatory Acts: It is a violation of this policy to engage in retaliatory acts against any employee or student who reports an incident of alleged sexual harassment or any employee or student who testifies, assists or participates in a proceeding, investigation or hearing relating to such allegation of sexual harassment.

The University of Colorado System Administrative Policy Statement (APS) on sexual harassment policy and procedures may be obtained from the UC Denver sexual harassment officer.

Drugs and Alcohol Policy

UC Denver recognizes the health risks associated with the use of illicit drugs and the abuse of alcohol and is committed to providing a drug-free educational and drug-free work-place that supports the research, teaching and service mission of the university. This UC Denver campus policy statement on drugs and alcohol is designed to address the university’s concerns about substance abuse and to ensure that the university community complies with the Federal Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 (the “Drug-Free Workplace Act”) and the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989 (the “Drug-Free Schools Act”). These acts require the university as a recipient of federal funds to take measures to combat the abuse of drugs and alcohol.  The continuation of federal financial support for our students, as well as our academic programs and academic support service programs is based upon compliance with these statutes and their regulations.

The UC Denver policy on drugs and alcohol prohibits the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession or use of any controlled substance (illicit drugs of any kind or amount) and the abuse of alcohol by students and employees on university property or as part of any of its activities. This prohibition covers any individual’s actions that are part of any university activities, including those occurring while on university property or in the conduct of university business away from the campus.

It is a violation of university policy for any member of the faculty, staff or student body to jeopardize the operation or interest of the university through the use of alcohol or drugs. Those individuals found to be in violation are engaged in serious misconduct and are subject to legal sanctions under local, state or federal law and are also subject to disciplinary action consistent with the Code of Student Conduct, the Faculty Handbook, applicable rules of the State Personnel System and the university’s Unclassified Staff Handbook. Sanctions that will be imposed by the university for employees who are found to be in violation of this policy may include requiring satisfactory participation in a substance abuse treatment, counseling or education program as a condition of continued employment, suspension or termination of employment and referral for prosecution.

WEB REGISTRATION AND STUDENT INFORMATION

ICB students can register and obtain information regarding their academic and financial records by accessing a secure site from the SMART link on the homepage. An assigned student I.D. and personal identification number (PIN) are required to access the registration or student record options.

Online registration allows students to check the availability of specific courses prior to their registration time and to search for available courses by department, course level, or meeting time. If registration in a course is denied, the web registration system will specify the reason.

Student information available online currently includes mailing address verification (or change), admission application status, financial aid information, schedule by semester, grades by semester, unofficial transcript, account balance, and degree audit (for some programs). Online payment is now available. For security reasons, none of the student information screens will display a student’s name or student number.

The catalog and Schedule Planner, as well as additional information regarding programs, faculty, courses, and policies, are available at the home page: www.ucdenver.edu.

ADD/DROP

Specific add/drop deadlines are announced in each semester’s academic calendar.

Students may add courses to their original registration during the first few days of classes, provided there is space available. Students may drop courses without approvals until Census Date. Tuition will not be charged. No record of the dropped course will appear on the student’s permanent record.

After Census Date, the instructor’s signature is required for all drops. The instructor’s signature and dean’s signature are required for all adds. No tuition adjustment will be made for drops.

After the middle of the semester, all schedule adjustments require a petition and special approval from the dean’s office.

Dropping all courses after Census Date requires an official withdrawal from the term. No tuition refunds are available.

PASS/FAIL PROCEDURE

Students who wish to register for a course on a pass/fail basis (or to revert from pass/fail to graded status) may do so only during the drop/add period.

Up to 16 semester hours of coursework may be taken on a pass/fail basis and credited toward the bachelor’s degree. Only 6 hours of coursework may be taken pass/fail in any given semester. Courses required for the core and required courses for the major generally cannot be taken pass/fail.

Instructors will not be informed of pass/fail registration. All students who register for a pass/fail appear on the regular class roster, and a normal letter grade is assigned by the professor. When grades are received in the Office of the Registrar, those registrations with a pass/fail designation are automatically converted by the grade application system. Grades of D- and above convert to grades of P. Courses taken as pass/fail will be included in hours toward graduation. Pass grades are not included in a student’s GPA. An F grade in a course taken pass/fail will be included in the GPA.

Pass/fail registration records are maintained by the Office of the Registrar.

Students who register for a course on a pass/fail basis may not later (after the drop/add period) decide to receive a letter grade.

Note: many other institutions will not accept a P grade for transfer credit.

WITHDRAWAL FROM THE UNIVERSITY

To withdraw from the University of Colorado Denver, students must drop all courses for the semester. Until Census Date, students must use the Web Registration and Student Information System to drop courses. Courses dropped during this period are not recorded on the student’s permanent record.

After Census Date through the middle of the term, students must submit a withdrawal form with the approval of the dean. Courses dropped during this period will be recorded on the student’s permanent record with a grade of W. Students seeking to withdraw after the middle of the term must petition the assistant/associate dean of their school or college.

A student who stops attending classes without officially withdrawing from the University will receive grades of F for all coursework during that term.