Social Work and Sociology Program Academic and Classroom Policies

The Social Work and Sociology programs seek to instill academic, professional and personal integrity in all of their students. It is the expectation of the Social Work and Sociology programs that all students will conform to the guidelines, policies, requirements, and regulations set forth in the Virginia Union University Student Handbook, University Catalog, website, and other official published guidelines and regulations as well as to all departmental policies. These policies are described below. TEXTBOOKS - Students are required to have access to textbooks and must bring them to class. CLASS ATTENDANCE POLICY - Attendance and punctuality are very important for success in an academic and professional setting. Students taking courses in the Social Work program are required to adhere to the following attendance and punctuality policies: - Students enrolled in classes that meet one (1) time per week are allowed a maximum of one (1) unexcused absence per semester. - Students enrolled in classes that meet two (2) times per week are allowed a maximum of two (2) unexcused absences per semester. - Students enrolled in classes that meet three (3) times per week are allowed a maximum of three (3) unexcused absences per semester. The accumulation of four or more unexcused absences may result in having the final course grade lowered by one full letter grade. Excessive unexcused absences will result in a grade of F and the student will be required to take the course during another semester. It is the students responsibility to provide documentation for any absences that are acceptable excused absences, including being away for University sponsored events, attending a funeral of a family member, being in the hospital, having an illness that has been documented by a health care professional who attests that the student could not attend class, or being required to appear in court. Attendance will be taken each class day at the beginning of class. TARDINESS POLICY - Students are expected to be in class on time. If a student is not present when attendance is taken, that student will be recorded absent. Two (2) tardies will be recorded as one (1) unexcused absence. A similar policy will be in place when a student leaves class early. Two (2) early departures will be the equivalent of one (1) unexcused absence. Students are expected to be present for the entire class. REPEATED COURSE WORK - Students may not take the same course more than two (2) times. LATE WORK - Assignments that are late will not be accepted. Assignments are due at the beginning of class and will be collected at that time. The only exception is if the student has an excused absence on the assignments due date. If a students assignment is late due to an excused absence, the student will have one (1) week from time the student returns to class to turn in the assignment. It is the students responsibility to provide documentation for the excused absence and to discuss with the instructor their intent regarding the assignment. Late assignments will be accepted only if the student has submitted the required documentation for the excused absence prior to submitting the assignment or with the assignment. EXTRA CREDIT WORK - Extra credit work will not be available. INCOMPLETES - Will be given only if a student can provide evidence of extreme circumstances. Such cases will be rare

CELL PHONE POLICY - Cell phone use is prohibited in the classroom. All cell phones and similar electronic devices must be turned off or set on vibrate during class. Text messaging is strictly prohibited during class. Violations of this policy may result in being asked to leave class and receiving an unexcused absence that day; having the cell phone confiscated by the instructor; or after repeated violations, being referred to the Office of Judicial Affairs. DRESS CODE - Dressing appropriately is considered a part of the learning process and is expected in a professional discipline such as social work. Virginia Union University has a prescribed dress code and some attire is inappropriate in certain settings at VUU. Students are prohibited from wearing the following items in the classroom: Pajamas, bathrobes, bras, lingerie, and boxer shorts as outer wear; Bedroom slippers; Trousers worn in a baggy fashion (mid-hip with undergarments revealed); Undershirts or appearing in class without a shirt, top or blouse; Du-rags and head rags for men and women ; Caps, hats and hoods for men and women ; Curlers, rollers, head rags, and other items used to groom the hair; Bodysuits, micro-mini skirts, midriff shirts, see-through blouses, low cut blouses, tight fitting tops and blouses, and/or other such attire that reveal cleavage; and Clothing, jewelry, hats or other garments or accessories with obscene or offensive language, gestures, or profanity All students will be expected to adhere to this dress code or be refused access to class. ACADEMIC DISHONESTY POLICY - Academic dishonesty is any form of giving, taking, or prescribing information or material by a student with intent to gain an unfair advantage in an academic evaluation. The most common forms of academic dishonesty include the following: Plagiarism: To use the words or ideas of others without proper attribution it may include failure to use quotation marks or incomplete citation of the sources used. Inappropriate Collaboration: To work with someone in developing, organizing, or revising a project without prior faculty approval. Cheating: To copy from anothers paper; give, or receive unauthorized assistance; obtain advance knowledge of questions; or use any unauthorized devices (such as cell phones). Dishonesty on Papers: to submit as ones own any material prepared by another person. Falsification of Data: To deliberately falsify data or documentation. Interfering with the Work of Other Students: To sabotage, disrupt, or intentionally obstruct another students work. Copyright Violations: To duplicate or reproduce print, audio-visual, and/or computer software without proper authorization. Any person who engages in academic dishonesty is subject to one of the following penalties: First offense The student will be awarded a grade of F points for the particular assignment involved. That is, the student will receive zero (0) points for that assignment. Second offense (in the same course), the student will receive an F in that course. Third offense The student will be referred to the Office of Student Integrity and Conduct for disciplinary action.

Social Work and Sociology Programs Academic and Classroom Policies My signature below certifies that I have read the document titled Social Work and Sociology Programs Academic and Classroom Policies. I have had a chance to ask and have answered any questions I might have. I understand the policies and penalties outlined in this document.

Printed Name: _________________________________________________ Signature: _____________________________________________________ Date: _________________________________________________________