Academic Regulations

THE UNIVERSITY CATALOG is the official guide for students, faculty and staff at Tennessee Technological University. It contains admission requirements, registration procedures, academic regulations, descriptions of the major programs of study, student services and activities, a directory of the faculty and administrators, etc. Students are responsible for acquainting themselves with the information, and they should follow it carefully throughout their college career.

The Undergraduate Catalog is available online at www.tntech.edu/ugcat.   If you have any questions relating to academic regulations and procedures, please refer to the University Catalog.  

1. The Eagle Card. Every student receives the first Eagle Card (official TTU ID) free of charge.  

    Lost or stolen Eagle Cards may be replaced for a $10 fee.  If you live in the Residence Halls, 

    you must take your card to the Residential Life Office RUC Room 339, to be encoded with 

    dorm hall access.

    Eagle Cards may be used in the following areas:  Food Services, Mini Mart, Bookstore, The 

    Perch, Fitness Center.

    Your ID is also used for admission to many student activities, cashing checks, etc.  Students 

    must present this card upon request from any college official or be subject to disciplinary action.

2. Academic Advisement takes place prior to registration. Each student is assigned an academic 

    advisor who will assist in planning the program of study. The semester Schedule of Classes, 

    available in the Office of Records and Registration, provides detailed instructions for 

    registration. It’s helpful to have prepared a trial schedule prior to the appointment with the 

    academic advisor.

3. Class Attendance. Please refer to the Official University Catalog.

4. Retention Table. Please refer to the Official University Catalog.

    Readmission After Suspension. Please refer to the Official University Catalog.

    Appeal. Please refer to the Official University Catalog.

    Academic Development Program. Please refer to the Official University Catalog.

5. Course Syllabi and Grading Policy Statement.  A written course syllabus and grading 

    policy statement shall be prepared by faculty for each course offered, as a benefit for student 

    participation and expectations.  The syllabus and grading policy statement shall be submitted either 

    in writing to enrolled students during the first class period or posted on the web before the first class

    period. 

   The written course syllabus and grading policy 

    statement shall contain the following:

    (1) Instructor’s name, office number, and phone number.

    (2) Office hours.

    (3) Course discipline and title.

    (4) Prerequisites (if applicable).

    (5) Texts and References.

    (6) List of objectives

    (7) Major teaching methods (which might include, but would not be limited to: lectures, labs, 

         demonstrations,  discussion, reading, or written assignments).

    (8) Special instructional materials (which might include, but would not be limited to: lab 

          notebook, drafting equipment, knife, computer disks or programs, calculators, fees, etc.).

    (9) Topics to be covered.

    (10) Grading and evaluation procedures.

    (11) Expanded statement of the University plagiarism policy if appropriate.

    (12) Statement of attendance policy.

    (13) Any additional information the instructor may wish to include. A written course syllabus 

           and grading policy statement for each course shall be on file in the departmental office.

6. Tests and Examinations.  In accordance with accepted norms of academic freedom and 

    responsibility, Tennessee Technological University recognizes that primary responsibility for 

    the preparation, scope, security, and administration of examinations rests with the faculty.  

    The following guidelines are provided to address specific issues:

        (1) Exams should not be prepared, reproduced, or graded by student workers without the 

              express consent and direct supervision by appropriate faculty or staff.

        (2) Faculty should exercise discretion with respect to repetition of specific test materials to 

              avoid unfair advantage for students with access to previous exams.

        (3) Faculty are encouraged to be present during the administration of an exam.  If the 

              faculty member must be absent, he/she should arrange, if possible, for a colleague with 

              expertise in the content area to administer the exam.  Consultation is encouraged 

              between faculty and students who believe themselves to have been disadvantaged by 

              the absence of the faculty.

        (4) Faculty may, at their discretion, permit a student with an unusually demanding schedule 

              to take an exam at an alternate time.

        (5) Final examinations are to be held in all courses at the close of the semester in which the 

              courses are taught and are to be administered according to the schedule printed in the 

              Bulletin.  Departments retain the authority to exempt classes from this requirement.  

              For faculty members faced with unusual situations or the necessity of being away from 

              campus on official University business, examination schedules can be revised upon the

              recommendation of the departmental chairperson and approved by the academic dean 

              involved.  Special efforts should be made to avoid undue difficulties for students 

              affected by such changes.

        (6) No examination or extensive assignments should be given during the week prior to final 

              examinations except (1) quizzes covering no more than a week’s worth of new material, 

              (2) major tests unanimously requested by the class, (3) approved final examinations, 

              and (4) evaluation in laboratories, independent study, or self-paced courses.  During 

              regular semesters, at least one day will intervene between the last class meeting day and 

              the first scheduled final examination for that class.

7.  Midterm Grades.  The University recognizes that early warnings are beneficial for students 

    having difficulty in a course.  We commend those faculty members who encourage individual or

    group help sessions and recommend tutorial laboratories.  We recommend that faculty members 

    structure and clearly define the grading system in order that students can determine by mid-term 

    their level of performance. We further recommend that faculty members, whenever possible, 

    contact students at mid-term who are performing poorly and offer assistance and suggestions 

    for improvement.  One component of the University’s efforts to improve retention involves the 

    implementation of a policy whereby all students having completed fewer than 30 hours of credit 

    will receive a “Freshman Progress Report” for the courses in which they are currently enrolled, 

    a copy of which will be sent to the student’s advisor.  A general outline of the proposed 

    procedure is shown below.

    (1) Each instructor is required to enter on the computer midterm progress reports for students 

          who have completed fewer than 30 semester hours of academic credit.  Check the 

          university calendar for Midterm Reporting dates in the Schedule of Classes Bulletin or on 

          the web at www.tntech.edu/www/admin/ugcat/calendar.html.  

    (2) Instructors will indicate whether the student’s progress at Midterm was satisfactory (S = A, 

          B, or C) or unsatisfactory (U = D or F).  It is assumed that each instructor will be readily 

          able to assess whether or not a student’s progress was satisfactory.  It is also assumed 

          that faculty advisors will make efforts to use this information to assist the student.  Midterm 

          Progress Reports or lack thereof may not be used as an issue in a grade appeal.

   (3) Students will be notified via campus email of the date they can access their Midterm Progress

          Reports.  Students can then view their progress reports by going to http://www.tntech.edu  

          and clicking on the Eagle Online-Apply Online-Grades link. 

   (4) Faculty Advisors can log into TTUMIS system to obtain an online report of their advisees 

          Midterm Progress Reports.  Printouts will also be distributed to the Departmental 

          Chairpersons and College Deans after Midterm Progress Reporting period is finalized.

          For more specific instructions or information concerning Midterm Progress Reporting, 

          please contact the Office of Records & Registration located in Derryberry Hall, Room 102.

8.  Plagiarism.  When you use (for example, quote or even summarize or paraphrase) someone 

          else’s media, words, data, ideas, or other works, you must cite your source.  You should be 

          especially careful to avoid plagiarizing Internet sources (for example, e-mail, chat rooms, 

          Web sites, or discussion groups).  It does not matter whether you borrow material from 

          print sources, from the Internet, from on-line data bases, or from interviews.  Failure to

          cite your source is plagiarism.  Students who plagiarize may receive an “F” or a “0” for the 

          assignment, or an “F" for the course.

9. Week Prior To Final Examinations.

    A. University-approved social and extracurricular activities should be curtailed.

    B. No examination or extensive assignments should be given during the week prior to final 

         examinations except as follows:

        (1) Quizzes covering no more than a week’s worth of new material.

        (2) Major tests unanimously requested by the class.

        (3) Approved final examinations.

        (4) Evaluation in laboratories, independent study, or self-paced courses.

    C. During regular semesters, at least one day should intervene between the last class meeting day

         and the first scheduled final examination for that class.

10. Grade Appeal Procedures.

      The grade appeal procedures represent the official policy for each faculty member.  These 

      procedures:

    A. Recognize the right of each student to receive a grade assigned upon a fair and unprejudiced 

         evaluation based on a method that is not arbitrary or capricious.

    B. Recognize the right of each student to review with the instructor all work used in the 

         evaluation.

    C. Provide any student who has evidence that a mistake has been made in calculating or 

         recording his or her grade or that his or her grade has been assigned based on arbitrary 

         or capricious deviation from the instructor’s stated grading policy the opportunity to seek 

         redress.

    D. Recognize the instructor’s right to assign a grade based on any method that is professionally 

         acceptable, submitted in writing to everyone in the class, and applied equally to all 

         members of the class.

    An appeal of a grade shall progress as follows:

    Step One: The student must consult with the course instructor in an attempt to understand the 

                      instructor’s justification for the grade and to resolve the disagreement in an informal, 

                      cooperative atmosphere.  For fall semester grades, this consultation must occur by the end of the fifteenth class day of the suceeding spring semester. For spring and summer semester grades, the consultation must occur by the end of the fifteenth class day of the suceeding fall semeste.  Only if the instructor is 

                      on leave or no longer employed by the University may the student begin with Step 

                      Two.  The Student should be aware that the only valid basis for grade appeal 

                      beyond Step One is to establish that an instructor assigned a grade in a manner not 

                      in accordance with University policy. (See items C and D above).

    Step Two: If a resolution is not reached in Step One, the student may proceed to Step Two.  

                      Within five business days after consulting with the instructor, the student shall 

                      present the complaint in writing to the chair of the department in which the grade 

                      was assigned.  The written appeal shall state the student’s specific request (e.g., 

                      to change a final grade from F to C) and the grounds for the request.  Supporting 

                      evidence such as the course syllabus, policy sheet, and copies of graded 

                      assignments (when available) shall be included with the written appeal. 

                      The departmental chair should ensure that the requirements of Step One have been 

                      satisfied prior to acting on the appeal.  Within seven business days after receiving the

                      appeal and supporting evidence, the departmental chair shall meet jointly with the 

                      student and the instructor in an attempt to resolve the dispute. 

                      The chair may also consult separately with the student and the instructor.  If, in the 

                      opinion of the chair, the student’s appeal lacks merit, the chair shall so notify the 

                      student and the instructor in writing within three business days after the chair’s joint 

                      consultation with the student and the instructor.  If, in the opinion of the chair, the 

                      instructor assigned the grade in a manner not in accordance with University policy 

                      (See items C and D above), the chair shall recommend to the instructor in writing 

                      that the grade be changed.  The recommendation from the chair shall be made 

                      within three business days after the joint consultation withthe student and the 

                      instructor.  The instructor shall, within three business days after receiving the chair’s 

                      recommendation, provide a written response to the chair.  Within three business 

                      days after receiving the instructor’s written response, the chair shall communicate 

                      the status of the appeal to the student and the instructor.

    Step Three: If the appeal is not resolved in Step Two, the student may, within five business 

                      days after receiving the notification from the departmental chair, appeal to the dean 

                      of the college in which the course is taught.  The dean shall notify in writing the 

                      chair and the instructor that an appeal has been made to the dean’s level.  All 

                      documents submitted in Step Two, together with additional written statements from 

                      the student, the instructor, and the chair regarding the appeal as each sees it shall be 

                      transmitted to the dean. Within seven business days after receiving the appeal and 

                      supporting evidence, the dean shall meet in joint consultation with the student, the 

                      instructor, and the chair.  The dean may also consult separately with the student, the 

                      instructor, and the chair.  If the chair and the dean concur that the student’s request 

                      lacks merit, the appeal ends and the student has no further recourse under these 

                      procedures.  

                      The dean shall so inform the student, the instructor, and the chair in writing within 

                      three business days after the joint consultation with the student, the instructor, and 

                      the chair.  If, in the opinion of the dean, the instructor assigned the grade in a manner

                      not in accordance with University policy (See items C and D above), the dean shall 

                      recommend to the instructor in writing that the grade be changed.  The 

                      recommendation from the dean shall be made within three business days after the 

                      joint consultation with the student, the instructor, and the chair.  The instructor shall, 

                      within three business days after receiving the dean’s recommendation, provide a 

                      written response to the dean.  Within three business days after receiving the 

                      instructor’s decision, the dean shall communicate the status of the appeal to the 

                      student, the instructor,  and the chair.

    Step Four: If the appeal is not resolved or dismissed in Step Three, the student may appeal to 

                      the Vice President for Academic Affairs.  The appeal shall be made within five 

                      business days after the student receives notification from the dean in Step Three.  

                      The vice president shall notify the instructor, the chair, and the dean of the appeal.  

                      All documents submitted in Step Three shall be forwarded to the vice president. 

                      Within seven business days after receiving the supporting documents, the vice 

                      president shall meet in joint consultation with the student, the instructor, the chair, 

                      and the dean.  The vice president may also consult separately with the student, 

                      the instructor, the chair, and the dean.  If, after reviewing the appeal and consulting 

                      with the parties involved, the vice president determines that the student’s appeal 

                      lacks merit, and if this opinion is in concurrence with at least one of the two 

                      administrators who previously heard the appeal, the appeal ends and the student 

                      has no further recourse under these procedures.  The student, the instructor, the 

                      chair, and the dean shall be so informed in writing within three business days after 

                      the joint consultation with the parties involved.  If the vice president determines 

                      that the student’s appeal lacks merit, and if this opinion differs from that of both 

                      administrators who previously heard the appeal, the vice president shall 

                      recommend to the president of the University that the appeal be submitted to the 

                      chair of the Academic Council, who will form a Grade Appeal Committee to 

                      address the case. (See Step Five).  The student, the instructor, the chair, and the 

                      dean shall be so informed in writing within five business days after the joint 

                      consultation with the parties involved. If, in the opinion of the vice president, the 

                      instructor assigned the grade in a manner not in accordance with University policy 

                      (See items C and D above), the vice president shall recommend to the instructor 

                      in writing that the grade be changed.  The recommendation from the vice 

                      president shall be made within three business days after the joint consultation with 

                      the student, the instructor, the chair, and the dean.  The instructor shall, within 

                      three business days after receiving the vice president’s recommendation, provide a

                      written response to the vice president.  Within five business days after receiving the 

                      instructor’s response, the vice president shall communicate in writing the status of 

                      the appeal to the student, the instructor, the chair, and the dean.  If the appeal is 

                      not resolved, the vice president shall recommend to the president of the University 

                      that the appeal be submitted to the chair of the Academic Council, who will form a 

                      Grade Appeal Committee to address the case. (See Step Five.)

        Step Five: If the president refers the appeal to the chair of the Academic Council, he or she 

                      shall do so within three business days after receiving the recommendation from the 

                      vice president.  The chair of the Academic Council shall appoint a Grade Appeal 

                      Committee.  This committee shall be composed of three members of the Academic 

                      Council not in the same department as the instructor involved in the grade appeal 

                      and two members of the Academic Council from the instructor’s department. If 

                      there are fewer than two representatives on the Academic Council from the 

                      instructor’s department, then the chair of the Academic Council shall appoint a 

                      faculty member or members from the department represented by the instructor 

                      involved in the appeal.  If the appeal involves the chair of the Academic Council, 

                      then the chair of the Administrative Council shall appoint the committee and serve 

                      as its chair;  otherwise, the chair of the Academic Council also chairs the Grade 

                      Appeal Committee.  The members of the committee should meet the approval of 

                      both the instructor and the student.  If an adequate number of acceptable 

                      committee members cannot be found, the Vice President for Academic Affairs 

                      shall appoint the committee.  The chair of the Grade Appeal Committee shall 

                      notify the student, the instructor, the departmental chair, the dean, and the Vice 

                      President for Academic Affairs that the appeal has been referred to the Grade 

                      Appeal Committee.  All materials from Step Four shall be forwarded to 

                      committee members.  The committee shall meet within seven business days after 

                      the chair of the Academic Council receives the appeal request and supporting 

                      evidence.  The instructor and the student shall be allowed to present their 

                      positions to the committee.  If the committee determines that the appeal lacks 

                      merit, the appeal ends and the student has no further recourse under these 

                      procedures.  The chair of the committee shall notify in writing the student, the 

                      instructor, the departmental chair, the dean, and the vice president of the 

                      committee’s decision.  If the committee determines that the instructor assigned 

                      the grade in a manner not in accordance with University policy (See items C and 

                      D above), the committee shall either approve the student’s request or modify it in 

                      accordance with the committee’s findings.  The committee chair shall notify the 

                      instructor in writing of the committee’s decision within three business days.  The 

                      instructor shall then have seven business days to respond to the committee’s 

                      decision.  If the committee’s decision is that the student’s grade should be 

                      changed and the instructor agrees to change the grade, he or she shall complete a 

                      Change of Grade Form and submit it to the Records Office.  If the instructor 

                      declines to change the grade, the chair of the Grade Appeal Committee shall 

                      communicate the committee’s decision and the instructor’s response to the president 

                      of the University, who shall, if he or she concurs with the decision of the Grade 

                      Appeal Committee, notify the Records Office that the grade is to be changed.  The 

                      chair of the Grade Appeal Committee shall notify in writing the student, the 

                      instructor, the departmental chair, the dean, and the Vice President for Academic 

                      Affairs of the disposition of the appeal.  If the instructor involved in a grade appeal 

                      is a departmental chair or dean, the student may, after fully complying with Step 

                      One, submit his or her written appeal directly to the Vice President for Academic

                      Affairs.  The vice president shall appoint an administrator to perform the grade 

                      appeal duties of the departmental chair or dean, as appropriate, and the appeal 

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