Updated 2023.
Academic Integrity
Cheating and other forms of academic dishonesty and misconduct run contrary to the purposes of higher education and will not be tolerated. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, plagiarism, copying answers or work done by another student (either on an exam or an assignment), allowing another student to copy from you, and using unauthorized materials during an exam. The governing Board of Regents policies can be found in BOR Policy 2:33 and BOR Policy 3:4.
No credit can be given for a dishonest assignment. A student found to have engaged in any form of academic dishonesty may, at the discretion of the instructor, be:
a. Given a zero for that assignment.
b. Allowed to rewrite and resubmit the assignment for credit.
c. Assigned a reduced grade for the course.
d. Dropped from the course.
e. Failed in the course.
Acceptable Use of Technology
Acceptable Use of Information Technology Resources: While Regental Institutions strive to provide access to computer labs and other technology, it is the student’s responsibility to ensure adequate access to the technology required for a course. This may include access to a computer (not Chromebooks, iPads, etc.), webcam, internet, adequate bandwidth, etc. While utilizing any of the information technology systems students, faculty and staff should observe all relevant laws, regulations, BOR Policy 7.1, and any institutional procedural requirements.
Emergency Alert Communication
In the event of an emergency arising on campus under BOR Policy 7:3, USD will notify the campus community via the Everbridge emergency alert system. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that their information is updated in the emergency alert system. The student’s cell phone will be automatically inserted if available and if not, their email address is loaded. Students can at any time update their information in the student alert system.
Freedom in Learning
Under Board of Regents and Regental Institutions policy, student academic performance may be evaluated solely on an academic basis, not on opinions or conduct in matters unrelated to academic standards. Discussion and debate are critical to education and professional development. Students should be free to take reasoned exception to the data or views offered in any course of study and to reserve judgment about matters of opinion, but they are responsible for learning the content of any course of study for which they are enrolled. While the exploration of controversial topics may be an important component of meeting the student learning outcomes in a course, no student will be compelled or directed to personally affirm, adopt, or adhere to any divisive concepts (as defined in SDCL 13-1-67). Students who believe that an academic evaluation reflects prejudiced or capricious consideration of student opinions or conduct unrelated to academic standards should contact their home institution to initiate a review of the evaluation.
ADA Statement
The University of South Dakota strives to ensure that physical resources, as well as information and communication technologies, are reasonably accessible to users to provide equal access to all. If you encounter any accessibility issues, you are encouraged to immediately contact the instructor of the course and the Office of Disability Services, which will work to resolve the issue as quickly as possible.
Any student who feels s/he may need academic accommodations or access accommodations based on the impact of a documented disability should contact and register with Disability Services during the first week of class or as soon as possible after the diagnosis of a disability. Disability Services is the official office to assist students through the process of disability verification and coordination of appropriate and reasonable accommodations. Students currently registered with Disability Services must obtain a new accommodation memo each semester.
Please note: if your home institution is not the institution you are enrolled at for a course (host institution), then you should contact your home institution’s Office of Disability services. The disability services at the home and host institution will work together to ensure your request is evaluated and responded.
Disability Services, The Commons Room 116
(605) 658-3745
Web Site: https://www.usd.edu/About/Departments-Offices-and-Resources/Disability-Services
Email: disabilityservices@usd.edu
Concern/Complaint Resolution Process
To resolve any concerns, complaints, or questions regarding a course experience, the student should initially attempt addressing issues of concern directly to the instructor or the appropriate decision maker as defined by the chart appended to the university’s academic appeal form. Together the student and the instructor should establish a timetable for resolving the issues of concern. If a student feels the conflict has not been resolved, the student should communicate this concern to the chair of the department offering the course. If questions or concerns remain, or if the instructor is the department chair, the student may contact the dean’s office for the college or school in which the course is offered.
Contact information for questions or concerns:
Department Chair: (insert name and email of department chair)
Dean or Associate Dean: (insert name and email of appropriate dean/associate dean)
Zoom Usage and Classroom Attendance
Classroom participation and in-person interaction are integral components of the education process for face-to-face and hybrid courses, and the university expects students enrolled in those courses to be physically present for scheduled in-person class sessions. The use of video delivery technology (Zoom) to supplement classroom instruction is at the discretion of the instructor, but students should not assume that it is universally available. Students should also not assume that participation via Zoom meets attendance requirements. For this course, Zoom access and attendance will be handled as follows: there is no Zoom option.
Students with a disability who wish to request an accommodation related to the classroom attendance requirement(s) must contact Disability Services to engage in the accommodation process.
University of South Dakota Title IX Statement
In compliance with Title IX, the University of South Dakota must provide a safe and equitable learning environment for all students. You have the right to protection from: dating violence, domestic violence, gender harassment, discrimination based on pregnancy and parental status, sexual assault/rape, sexual harassment, and stalking. Read more about your rights here. If you experience or witness any of this type of behavior, please report it to the Title IX Coordinator, JEAN MERKLE, 605-658-3665, Jean.Merkle@usd.edu. If you have any other concerns regarding a student such as: alcohol abuse, drug abuse, depression or suicide, please report these to the Dean of Students; MUC #218; 605-677-5331. Anonymous complaints can also be made using the Silent Witness Form. You can also get help through the Student Counseling Center at 605-677-5777. You can also get help from the Domestic Violence Safe Option Services located here in Vermillion. This is a confidential center that aids victims of sexual assault, domestic violence, and/or stalking. They have a 24 hour hotline at 605-624-5311. If you are not located in Vermillion, you can find your local services through the South Dakota Coalition Ending Domestic & Sexual Violence.
Grade Appeal
Under Board of Regents (Student Appeals for Academic Affairs Policy 2:9) and University policy (Student Academic Appeals), students have the right to appeal such matters as course grades and dismissal from a program. Students wishing to appeal an academic decision must use the appropriate appeal form. The form should be used only if informal discussion with the academic decision-maker does not produce a satisfactory resolution and the student wishes to pursue the matter further. Appeals must be initiated by the student through discussion with the individual responsible for the decision (i.e., the academic decision-maker/instructor) to question the decision and explain the basis for doing so. The student must have this discussion within 30 calendar days of being notified of the decision that is being appealed. If notification occurs within 15 calendar days before the end of a term, the discussion must occur at the latest within 15 calendar days of the start of the next term. If a student wishes to pursue the appeal following the discussion with the academic decision-maker, they should complete Step 2 of the appeal form and submit within 5 working days of the discussion a signed copy to the mediator designated on the form.
Statement on Recording of Lectures by Students
Lectures, presentations, and other course materials are protected intellectual property under South Dakota Board of Regents Policy. Accordingly, recording and disseminating lectures, presentations or course materials is strictly prohibited without the express permission of the faculty member or as the result of an approved disability accommodation through Disability Services. Violation of this prohibition may result in the student being subject to Student Conduct proceedings under SDBOR Policy 3:4.
Student Success Services and Supports
The USD Opportunity Center (https://www.usd.edu/About/Departments-Offices-and-Resources/Opportunity-Center) offers a central connection point for campus resources that are designed specifically for student success. The Opportunity Center staff is located in MUC 204 and can work with USD students in any location or online to guide you to any of the many student support services you need to navigate life at USD. To find resources on your own, Coyote One Stop (https://www.usd.edu/About/Departments-Offices-and-Resources/Coyote-One-Stop) lets you ask questions and browse a comprehensive service catalog for your informational and support needs.
For World Civilization Classes Only:
This class fulfills the following Goals of the South Dakota System General Education Requirements:
GOAL #4: Students will understand the diversity and complexity of the human experience through study of the arts and humanities
Student Learning Outcomes: As a result of taking courses meeting this goal, students will:
And at least one of the following:
Each course meeting this goal includes the following student learning outcomes: