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Fall 2007 - Summer 2008
 
General Catalog Information:
Academic Regulations and Degree Requirements

Academic Regulations

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Table of Contents

• Introduction: Academic Regulations
• Student Responsibility
  • Student Identification Number
  • Identification Cards
  • Student E-mail Accounts
  • University Dates and Deadlines
  • Academic Advising
  • University Communication
  • International Students
  • Academic Policies
  • Academic Honesty and Disciplinary Policies
  • Maintenance of Individual Records
• Academic Honesty Policy
  • Article 1. General Provisions
  • Article 2. Preventive Practices
  • Article 3. Categories of Academic Dishonesty
  • Article 4. Sanctions
  • Article 5. Departmental Hearing
  • Article 6. College Hearing
  • Article 7. Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Appeal
  • Article 8. Records
• Academic Advising
• Student Classifications
  • Undergraduate
  • Law, Optometry, Pharmacy
  • Postbaccalaureate
  • Graduate
• Course Load
  • Undergraduate Full-time Status
  • Recommended Course Load
  • Maximum Course Load
  • Overload
• Grading System
  • Grade Assignment
  • Grade Explanations
  • Grade Point Average
  • Cumulative Grade Point Average
• Fulfillment of Grade Requirements for a Degree
• Academic Fresh Start for Current and Former Undergraduate Students
• Examinations
  • Within Semester Examinations
  • Final Examinations
• Final Grade Reports
• Scholastic Requirements
• Academic Notice, Academic Probation, and Suspension
• Readmission from Academic Suspension
• Dean's List
• Class Attendance
• Maintaining a Learning Environment
• Religious Holy Days
• Course Enrollment Restrictions
• Dropping Courses
  • Reinstatement
• Withdrawal
  • General Withdrawal
  • University Withdrawal
    1. Financial Withdrawal
    2. Financial Responsibility
    3. Medical Withdrawal
    4. Administrative Withdrawal
• Student Records
  • Change of Address
  • Change of Major
  • Change of Name
  • Confidentiality
  • Directory Information
  • Disclosure of Education Records
  • Procedure to Inspect Education Records
  • Procedure to Amend Education Records
  • Procedures for a Hearing Under FERPA
  • Custodians of Records
• Undergraduate Inter-Institutional Agreement
• Veterans and Dependents GI Bill

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Introduction: Academic Regulations

All students have the responsibility to become acquainted with the content of this catalog in order that they may, at all times, be informed and be in compliance with academic requirements, rules, and regulations in force at the University of Houston.

The university reserves the right to change the provisions of this catalog, including, but not limited to, degree requirements, course offerings, fees, and listings in the calendar as necessitated by university or legislative action.

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Student Responsibility

A responsible student is a successful student. At the University of Houston, students are expected to conduct themselves in a mature and responsible manner, respect the opinions, rights, and personal property of others, and meet their financial obligations. Students are responsible for seeking help and guidance from all of the resources that the university makes available to them. They are expected to be proactive and remain informed about university dates and deadlines, and understand academic and disciplinary policies. They are responsible for communication with their professors, advisors, and university staff, and the commitment to being organized and prepared to learn. Above all, our students are expected to strive for honesty and academic integrity throughout their period of study at the University of Houston.

Student Identification Number

All students at the University of Houston have been assigned a PeopleSoft ID number. For security purposes, students are required to use this university student ID number for all electronic and hard-copy forms/communication. The ID number can be found by going to My PeopleSoft.

Identification Cards

Persons on the premises of the University of Houston or utilizing its services may be required to furnish proof of identity when requested. Students are required to obtain and show proof of a valid university ID card and present it when requested to do so by a university official. Cougar1 Cards are available in room 279, University Center.

Student E-mail Accounts

It is mandatory that students obtain and activate a University of Houston e-mail address. Beginning in 2001, all students admitted to the university have been assigned an e-mail alias that points to the e-mail address first provided to UH when the student applied for admission (it is blank if one was not provided). E-mail messages addressed to the alias are automatically forwarded to the student's preferred e-mail account. This alias will be used to send official university information regarding billing, emergency closings, and/or information from the student's college and department. All students must check their University of Houston e-mail account on a regular basis. Students are also responsible for keeping their UH e-mail alias updated and pointed to the e-mail address they are currently using. Students who do not have an e-mail account or alias should request one from the university either online, or by going to the Information Technology Support Center service counter located in room 116, P.G. Hoffman Hall. For additional questions about the university e-mail account or alias, please contact the IT Support Center at 713-743-1411, or send e-mail to support@uh.edu.

University Dates and Deadlines

Students are responsible for knowing and adhering to all university and college dates and deadlines. Such dates and deadlines include those for registration, adding and dropping of courses, payment and refunds, and applying for graduation.

Academic Advising

Students are expected to meet with an advisor on a regular basis, preferably, prior to each registration period. This will help to ensure that the appropriate courses have been taken in the proper sequence and that all prerequisites have been met.

University Communication

University of Houston students must provide the correct local and permanent addresses, telephone numbers, and e-mail address to the Registrar's Office and to the department of their major. These offices must be notified immediately of any changes in student contact information. Official correspondence from the university is sent to the e-mail address, or in some cases, the mailing address last given to the Registrar's Office. If the student has moved and failed to correct his or her contact information, they will not be relieved of the responsibility on the grounds that the correspondence was not received.

International Students

International students are responsible for maintaining continuous contact with the International Students and Scholars Services Office (ISSSO). This office provides students with current information concerning SEVIS regulations in order to maintain their legal status. F-1 and J-1 students must maintain their full-time student status at the university and are expected to comply with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Department of State requirements regarding their lawful presence in the United States, as well as all university policies. In addition, UH student studying abroad must adhere to the same rules and responsibilities as those students at the university's main campus.

Academic Policies

Students are expected to know and abide by the university's academic policies and regulations. The University of Houston, however, reserves the right to change the provisions of both the Undergraduate and Graduate catalogs, as well as the listings in the Academic Calendar, as may be necessitated by university or legislative action. These change may include, but are not limited to, degree requirements, course offerings, fees, academic rules, and regulations. Earlier versions of the Undergraduate and Graduate catalogs are available in hard copy and archived online.

Academic Honesty and Disciplinary Policies

Specific policies regarding student life and academic honesty are available in the Dean of Students Office, located in the University Center. These policies are also published in the Student Handbook, available online and through the Dean of Students Office. Professors are responsible for the initial enforcement of academic honesty policies at UH, but the responsibility for enforcing student life policies rests with the Dean of Students, the campus police, and the University Hearing Board. Disciplinary records are confidential and are not released to anyone off campus without the student's written permission unless subpoenaed.

Maintenance of Individual Records

Students are responsible for the submission and verification of their own official university paperwork. They are expected to retain copies of all documents of registration and course adjustments, as well as any other university transactions. This will ensure a smooth resolution if any problems should arise regarding tuition and financial aid, housing, academic records, enrollment, and/or graduation. In order to protect student rights and records, it is the student's responsibility to provide original written consent if they wish to have their records released as per the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) regulations.

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Academic Honesty Policy

Article 1. General Provisions

1.01 Rationale. The university can best function and accomplish its objectives in an atmosphere of high ethical standards. It expects and encourages all students, faculty and staff to contribute to such an atmosphere in every way possible and especially by observing all accepted principles of academic honesty. It is recognized, however, that a large university will include a few students who do not understand, appreciate, and practice these principles. As a consequence, alleged cases of academic dishonesty will inevitably occur, and students will be accused. The following procedures are designed to handle these cases in fairness to all concerned: the accused student, the faculty, and the university.

1.02 General Jurisdiction. Matters relating to academic honesty are within the general jurisdiction of the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost. Allegations of scientific misconduct against students engaged in research supported by funding from the university or other sources will be handled according to the University of Houston Ethical Conduct in Academic Research and Scholarship Policy (contact the Division of Research at 713-743-9222 for a paper copy or at www.research.uh.edu on the World Wide Web).

1.03 College with Jurisdiction. Specific jurisdiction in academic honesty matters rests in each school or college of the university. The school or college with jurisdiction is determined by the course in which dishonesty occurs. If the student involved majors in a college other than that offering the course, the college offering the course has jurisdiction, but the Dean of the student's major college will be informed. If the college with jurisdiction cannot be determined from the relationship between the alleged actions of a student or group of students and a particular course, then the Provost will designate which has jurisdiction.

1.04 Colleges to which the Policy Applies. The policy on academic honesty applies to all colleges within the university. However, any college may present to the Provost a code separate from this university policy. After approval by the Provost, and after such publication as the Provost shall direct, academic honesty matters over which that college has jurisdiction shall be governed by that code. Honor systems within the professional colleges are especially encouraged.

1.05 Questions Regarding Applicability of Policies. All questions regarding the applicability of college codes or university policy or special provisions of either shall be determined finally by the Provost.

1.06 Compass of Actions Taken Against Students. Actions taken against students are university-wide in their effect.

1.07 Faculty Responsibility. Faculty have the responsibility of reporting incidents of alleged academic dishonesty through their department chair to their Dean.

1.08 Student Responsibility. Students shall have the responsibility of reporting incidents of alleged academic dishonesty to the instructor involved, or to the appropriate authority if the alleged act is not associated with a specific class.

1.09 Purpose of Procedures. The purpose of these procedures is to provide for the orderly administration of the Academic Honesty Policy consistent with the principles of due process of law. Reasonable deviations from these procedures will not invalidate a decision or proceeding unless the Provost determines, upon written appeal from the accusing and/or accused parties, that it will result in prejudice to one or more of the parties involved.

1.10 Instructor Responsibility. Instructors shall have the responsibility of taking action with respect to incidents of alleged academic dishonesty in accord with this Academic Honesty Policy.

1.11 Definitions.

1.11.01 Class Day. Class days, for purposes of this policy, are defined as days the university is open and classes are meeting (excluding Saturdays).

1.11.02 Internal Use. Internal use defines who has access to a student's records. Records for internal use will be released only to University of Houston officials who have an educational need to know the information.

1.11.03 Permanent Record. Permanent record includes documents, forms, copies, reports, statements, tape recordings, etc. that are acquired while a student attends the University of Houston. The information is available to outside sources according to the procedures established by the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974.

1.11.04 Sanction. Sanction means the penalty assessed for a violation of the Academic Honesty Policy.

1.11.05 Instructor. Instructor refers to a faculty member, lecturer, teaching assistant, or teaching fellow in charge of the section in which an alleged violation of this Academic Honesty Policy has occurred. Such individuals will normally be the instructor of record of the course section in question. In instances where this is not the case, instances of alleged cheating should be reported to the supervisor (e.g., laboratory supervisor) of the instructor as well as the chair.

1.11.06 Chair. Chair refers either to the chair of the department responsible for the course in which an alleged violation of the academic honesty policy occurs or to his/her designated representative. If the college responsible for the course in question does not have individual departments, Chair as used below shall refer to the individual designated by the Dean of the college to act as hearing officer in academic honesty cases.

1.11.07 Dean. Dean refers to either the Dean of the college containing the department offering the course in which the alleged violation of the academic honesty policy occurs or to his/her designated representative (Hearing Officer).

1.11.08 Student. Student refers to any individual who has ever registered and paid (made a complete payment or has made at least one installment payment) for a course, or courses at the University of Houston. This definition would normally include undergraduates, graduates, postbaccalaureates, professional school students and individuals auditing courses.

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Article 2. Preventive Practices

2.01 Preventive Measures. Instructors can help students comply with the academic honesty policy by minimizing temptation to act dishonestly. Measures instructors should consider are:

1. Maintaining adequate security precautions in the preparation and handling of tests;
2. Structuring the type and sequence of examination questions so as to discourage dishonesty;
3. Providing ample room for proper spacing of students during examinations, if room is available;
   and
4. Monitoring examinations, especially in large classes and in classes where not all students are known to the instructor or the assistant;
5. Making clear to their students, in writing, what constitutes academic dishonesty, particularly in those classes where group activities (laboratory exercises, generation of field reports, etc.) are part of the instructional process;
6. Requiring students to show a picture ID and sign major assignments and exams;
7. Helping raise consciousness of the issue of academic honesty by asking students to sign an honor pledge in the first week of class and to write a short pledge in their own hand on their major assignments.

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Article 3. Categories of Academic Dishonesty

3.01 Application of the Academic Honesty Policy. This policy applies only to those acts of dishonesty performed while the student is enrolled in the university.

3.02 Academic Dishonesty Prohibited. 'Academic dishonesty' means employing a method or technique or engaging in conduct in an academic endeavor that the student knows or should know is not permitted by the university or a course instructor to fulfill academic requirements. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, the following:

1. Stealing, as theft of tests or grade books, from faculty offices or elsewhere; this includes the removal of items posted for use by the students.
2. Using 'crib notes,' as unauthorized use of notes or the like to aid in answering questions during an examination;
3. Securing another to take a test in the student's place; both the student taking the test for another and the student registered in the course are at fault;
4. Representing as one's own work the work of another without acknowledging the source (plagiarism). This would include submitting substantially identical laboratory reports or other materials in fulfillment of an assignment by two or more individuals, whether or not these used common data or other information, unless this has been specifically permitted by the instructor.
5. Changing answers or grades on a test that has been returned to a student in an attempt to claim instructor error;
6. Giving or receiving unauthorized aid during an examination, such as trading examinations, whispering answers, and passing notes, and using electronic devices to transmit or receive information.
7. Openly cheating in an examination, as copying from another's paper;
8. Using another's laboratory results as one's own, whether with or without the permission of the owner;
9. Falsifying results in laboratory experiments;
10. Mutilating or stealing library materials; misshelving materials with the intent to reduce accessibility to other students;
11. A student's failing to report to the instructor or department chair an incident which the student believes to be a violation of the academic honesty policy;
    and
12. Misrepresenting academic records or achievements as they pertain to course prerequisites or corequisites for the purpose of enrolling or remaining in a course for which one is not eligible.
13. Possessing wireless electronic devices capable of transmitting and/or receiving wireless signals in an exam room or possessing all types of cameras or other devices in an exam room that are capable of recording the exam, unless expressly permitted by the instructor in writing. Students seen with such devices will be charged with academic dishonesty.
14. Any other conduct which a reasonable person in the same or similar circumstances would recognize as dishonest or improper in an academic setting.

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Article 4. Sanctions

4.01 Sanctions. The sanctions for confirmed breaches of this policy shall be commensurate with the nature of the offense and with the record of the student regarding any previous infractions. Sanctions may include, but are not limited to, a lowered grade, failure on the examination or assignment in question, failure in the course, probation, suspension from the university, expulsion from the university, or a combination of these.

4.02 Probation, Suspension, and Expulsion. The terms probation, suspension and expulsion as used herein refer to these sanctions only as they are imposed as a result of violations of this Academic Honesty Policy. All policies and procedures for the imposition and appeal of these sanctions are contained within this policy.

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Article 5. Departmental Hearing

5.01 Departmental Hearing. When an instructor has reasonable grounds to believe that a student has committed an act of academic dishonesty, the instructor shall notify the chair of the concerned department, in writing, within five class days of discovery. Students who believe they have observed an act of academic dishonesty shall report the incident to the instructor, as soon as possible, who shall report the incident in writing to the chair within five class days. In case waiver of a hearing is an option as provided in Article 5.04, the chair shall, within five class days of receiving the instructor's report, inform the accused in writing of the nature of the offense and recommended penalty, and ask the accused to select between the hearing and waiver options. If the chair has not received a response within 10 class days of the notification of these options, the chair shall, within the next five class days, schedule a departmental hearing. In case waiver of a hearing is not an option, the chair shall, within 10 class days of receiving the instructor's report, schedule a departmental hearing. To schedule a departmental hearing, the chair shall notify the instructor, the accused, and the accusing party, if other than the instructor, of the nature of the offense and the time and date of the hearing. Normally, the accused shall be notified by certified mail. Should any of the parties fail to appear, without good cause, at the departmental hearing, the chair may render a decision in their absence.

Both sides shall have an opportunity to present their cases during the above hearing. This may include the introduction of physical evidence as well as testimony from individuals who have knowledge of the circumstances. If either side intends to have individuals appear at the hearing for such testimony or as legal counsel, the chair must be notified at least three class days before the hearing. If either side will be advised by legal counsel, the hearing cannot be held with such counsel in attendance unless a representative from University of Houston legal counsel is also present. The chair shall render a decision within three class days after the hearing and forward copies of the decision to the student, instructor, and Dean of the college responsible for the course in which the alleged offense occurred. Both the accused student and the instructor have equal right of appeal if the decision of the chair is not acceptable. If a written appeal is not received by the Dean of the college within ten class days of the decision at the departmental level, the action recommended by the chair shall be implemented. A departmentally recommended penalty involving suspension or expulsion shall be reviewed in a college hearing unless such hearing is waived as provided in Article 5.05 below.

5.02 Colleges Without Departments. For colleges that do not have individual departments, the decision of the initial hearing officer designated by the Dean of the college shall constitute the equivalent of a departmental decision. Only if this decision is reviewed and upheld by the college by virtue of appeal or automatic review would a college decision be rendered. The hearing officer for the college appeal or review shall not be the initial hearing officer.

5.03 Group Violations of the Academic Honesty Policy. In instances where two or more students are alleged to be involved in the same infraction of the academic honesty policy, at the discretion of the chair, the case against the whole group will be dealt with at a single hearing. The facts common to all cases will be presented with all students allegedly involved in attendance. Each student shall be allowed to present his/her defense to the chair separately. If requested by the presenting student, such a defense shall be presented outside the hearing of the other students.

5.04 Waiver of Departmental Hearing. When notifying the chair of the alleged infraction, the faculty member shall have the option of suggesting, to the chair, a sanction for the alleged violation of the Academic Honesty Policy that would, if acceptable to the student, instructor, and chair, preclude a departmental hearing. Such sanctions would normally include reduced or zero credit for a test assignment, a grade of 'F' in a course, or other such agreed upon sanctions. Sanctions involving disciplinary probation or sanctions requiring a college level hearing cannot be used. In cases for which the instructor suggests a sanction so as to preclude the departmental hearing, the accused shall be notified, in writing, by the chair of the choice of: (1) acknowledging the alleged academic honesty violation, waiving the formal departmental hearing, and accepting the associated sanction; or (2) proceeding to a formal departmental hearing. Upon electing the waiver of a departmental hearing, the student's name will be placed on a list that is maintained, by the department, the Dean's office and the Provost's office, until graduation. Following graduation, the student can request that his/her name be removed from these lists. An agreement to settle an academic honesty infraction via a waiver of the formal departmental hearing will not result in any record being kept that is reflected on the student's transcript or his/her permanent record. The waiver of a departmental hearing process must be agreed to by the instructor, the student and the department chair. In the event that all three cannot agree to a waiver, the case must be moved to a formal departmental hearing. A student is eligible for a waiver only if he/she has no previous violations of the Academic Honesty Policy. A formal departmental hearing will be scheduled should a student fail to respond to written notifications concerning the alleged infraction of the academic honesty policy.

5.05 Waiver of Automatic College Hearing. If a student wishes to accept a departmentally recommended sanction of suspension or expulsion, he or she may submit a written waiver form to the Dean of the college no later than 10 class days after being notified of the departmental decision. The waiver form is issued from the Dean of Students Office only after the student has met with the Dean of Students (or his/her designated representative), who will ensure that the student is aware of his/her rights in the appeal process. The Dean shall then implement the departmental decision and notify the appropriate parties of the disposition of the case within five class days of receipt of the waiver request. The sanction is considered a college level decision.

5.06 Conflict of Interest. When faculty responsible for the implementation of the Academic Honesty Policy (Deans, chairs, or designated representatives) are themselves party to a case, they shall in no way participate in the administration of the policy. Such responsibilities shall pass to faculty and administrators not directly involved in the case.

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Article 6. College Hearing

6.01 College Hearing. If either the student or the instructor wishes to appeal the decision of the departmental chair, he or she must file a written request for a hearing with the Dean of the college within 10 class days of the department chair's decision. Within 10 class days of receipt of such a request the Dean will set a time, date and place for the hearing.

6.02 Duties of the Dean. It shall be the duty of the Dean to:

1. Select a college academic honesty panel;
2. Set and give notice of the time and place of the college hearing;

6.03 College Hearing Officer. The college hearing officer shall be appointed by the Dean. Normally the hearing officer will be appointed for a full academic year. Correspondence with the hearing officer should be addressed to the office of the Dean of the college.

6.04 Duties of the College Hearing Officer. It shall be the duty of the college hearing officer to:

1. Conduct the hearing in an orderly manner so that both sides are given an opportunity to state their case;
2. Rule on procedural matters;
3. Leave the hearing room during the panel's deliberations but remain available to answer questions on procedural matters;
   and
4. Prepare and submit one copy of the decision to the Dean and one copy to the Provost. The college hearing officer shall not take part in the vote or otherwise participate in the deliberations of the panel.

6.05 Academic Honesty Panel. The college academic honesty panel shall consist of two faculty members and three students. The panel will be selected by the college hearing officer from faculty and currently enrolled students of the college. The chair of the panel shall be a student appointed by the hearing officer.

6.06 The Dean of Students. The Dean of Students, or his or her designee, shall be required to attend all college hearings to serve as a university resource person. This individual shall not have a vote at a college hearing or be present during the deliberations of the panel. This individual shall not have a voice at a college hearing unless so requested by the panel or hearing officer.

6.07 Hearing Procedure.

1. The date of the hearing must be adhered to. Any delay must be approved by the hearing officer. Only documented, extenuating circumstances will be considered.
2. All parties shall notify the hearing officer in writing of the name, address, and telephone number of their witness(es) and counsel, if any, at least three class days prior to the date of the hearing.
3. The hearing shall be mechanically recorded. The parties involved may obtain a copy of the recording from the hearing officer at the expense of the requesting party.
4. All parties shall be afforded the opportunity for reasonable oral arguments and for presentation of witnesses and pertinent documentary evidence.
5. All parties shall have the right to advice of counsel of choice. This individual may attend the hearing but shall not directly participate in the hearing or enter into argument with the parties present. The case presented to the panel must be made by the accusing individual and the accused student. The chair to whom the accusation of a violation of the academic honesty policy was presented normally will attend the hearing and may serve as a witness. The instructor or other individuals who reported the alleged misconduct shall present the relevant evidence, including testimony by witnesses. The accused student shall then present his/her case, including testimony by witnesses. Neither party shall ask questions of or solicit testimony directly from the other party or its witnesses. Where it appears that there are matters of disputed fact, the hearing officer shall request the panel to ask appropriate questions of either or both parties and/or their respective witnesses so as to clarify the points in dispute.
6. The panel shall have the right to question any and all witnesses and to examine documentary evidence presented.
7. At the conclusion of the hearing, the panel shall meet in a closed session. A finding of guilt is accomplished by a vote of four out of five of the panel, and punishment has to be agreed to by three or more. Upon reaching a decision, the panel shall inform separately through the hearing officer all parties of its judgment, including the Dean of the college and the Provost.
8. The Dean shall notify the appropriate parties of the disposition of the case within five class days of receipt of the panel's judgment.

6.08 Group Violations of the Academic Honesty Policy. In instances where two or more students are alleged to be involved in the same infraction of the academic honesty policy, the case against the whole group will be heard by a single academic honesty panel. The facts common to all cases will be presented with all students allegedly involved in attendance. Each student shall be allowed to present his/her defense to the panel separately. If requested by the presenting student, such a defense shall be presented outside the hearing of the other students.

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Article 7. Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Appeal

7.01 Appeal of the Panel's Decision. Within five class days of the panel's decision, either party may file an appeal for review with the Provost or that officer designated by the Provost. The appeal shall be in writing and shall specifically address the issues to be reviewed.

7.02 Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Procedural Review. The Provost shall review the appeal within 10 class days of the receipt of the appeal. If either party has requested an appearance or is requested to appear by the Provost, then both parties must be informed. Since the case was heard by a peer group (Article 6.05), the intent of the Provost's review is not to modify the penalty nor to substitute the judgment of the Provost for that of the peer panel which heard the case, or hear new or additional facts on the case. The intent of this review is to ensure that the college hearing and judgment were not arbitrary, were not capricious or discriminatory, did not violate the due process of the accused, and did not violate the concepts of fair play to both parties. The Provost shall notify all parties of the decision within three class days of the completion of the review.

7.03 Actions Which the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost May Take.

1. The Provost may conclude that one or more of the basic concepts involved in a fair hearing at the college level were violated and return the case to the college for another hearing with a different panel in accordance with Article 6 and resubmission for Provost procedural review;
   or
2. If, in a rare case, the Provost feels that another hearing in the same college would not result in a fair hearing, the Provost may send the case to another college with the disciplinary expertise to hold a fair hearing, for a new hearing there in accordance with Article 6 and resubmission for Provost procedural review;
   or
3. If, in a rare case, the Provost independently feels that the penalty assessed in the college hearing is not commensurate with the offense, then he/she may send the case back to the college as described above;
   or
4. The Provost may approve the actions and conclusions of the college academic honesty panel and see that the judgment is enforced. The Provost procedural review is the final institutional step in matters of academic integrity.

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Article 8. Records

8.01 Not Guilty. If a student is found to be not guilty after the review process is completed, records concerning the matter shall not become a part of the student's permanent record.

8.02 Departmental Sanctions. If a student is found guilty in a departmental hearing and if the matter is not heard before the college academic honesty panel (i.e., is neither appealed nor automatically reviewed because of the penalty), the record of the proceedings and penalty will be maintained by the university for internal use only and will not become a part of the student's permanent record.

8.03 College Sanctions. If a student is found guilty by a college academic honesty panel or waives an automatic appeal, the disciplinary sanction becomes an irrevocable part of the student's permanent record. This record is not the same as the student's transcript (See Article 8.05 below).

8.04 Records. The Provost shall maintain a record of those students found guilty at any level, including those students who have elected a waiver of the departmental hearing (See Article 5.04).

8.05 Notations on a Student's Transcript. Action resulting in a student's suspension or probation for academic honesty policy violations will be entered on the student's transcript until the period of sanction has elapsed. When the sanction has elapsed, the student may petition the college placing the notation to remove the notation from the transcript. The request to remove the notation from the transcript is the student's responsibility.

The University of Houston Academic Honesty Policy also appears in each edition of the University of Houston Student Handbook (19.8 MB) published by the Dean of Students Office.

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Academic Advising

Academic advising is designed to help students make decisions about their educational and career goals. Faculty and staff in various colleges and departments are available to assist students who have chosen a major. Students who have not yet made a commitment to a major field will be assisted by the staff at Undergraduate Scholars at UH. Advising is viewed as an ongoing activity and not just as a schedule planning function. Students should schedule an appointment with an academic advisor before each semester to review their progress and to make plans for the future. Students are expected to become familiar with their program requirements so that they may exercise personal judgment and have a knowledge base for discussing concerns with an advisor.

Students who have been admitted to a particular college or department should seek advising from that college or department. Others should go to the Undergraduate Scholars at UH Academic Advising Center, 832-842-2100, 56 University Libraries, via the back entrance to M.D. Anderson Library, across from the University Center.

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Student Classifications

Undergraduate

Undergraduate students' classifications are based on the total number of semester hours earned at the University of Houston and accepted in transfer from other colleges and universities regardless of whether or not the courses involved are applicable to the major or degree plan. Credit awarded by examination and hours earned with a grade of S are counted in determining classification, but not in determining the grade point average.

Law, Optometry, Pharmacy

Special classifications are used for students majoring in the professional areas of law, optometry, and pharmacy.

Postbaccalaureate

The postbaccalaureate classification describes students who have degrees but are not enrolled in a formal graduate degree program. (See Graduate and Professional Studies catalog for details.)

Credit for graduate level courses taken by postbaccalaureate students is awarded as undergraduate credit. The grade point average and minimum cumulative grade point average is calculated according to the above listing.

There are restrictions and limitations on the application of postbaccalaureate hours toward a graduate degree. All such hours must be approved by the degree-granting college and department.

Graduate

The university classifies a student as a graduate student when an admission application and the required credentials have been approved and the student has registered for classes as a graduate student at the University of Houston. All graduate students must go through the formal application process in order to obtain the graduate student classification.

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Course Load

Undergraduate Full-time Status

All undergraduate students who are registered for at least 12 semester hours during a fall or spring semester, eight semester hours during Summer II or III, and four semester hours during Summer I or IV are classified as carrying a full-time course load. Some agencies outside the university may set different guidelines for full-time status and satisfactory academic progress. Students should comply with such guidelines to the extent that they do not contradict university purposes and regulations. Selected colleges and departments may have more restrictive or more permissive policies than the university policies listed below.

Recommended Course Load

An undergraduate student should recognize that course work in college will require a significant amount of work outside the classroom--traditionally recommended at 2-3 hours for every hour in class. That ratio will vary with subject, but the underlying principle will not: being in college is a time-consuming activity. Any other commitments while enrolled in college courses should be balanced against the time required to attend to one's college classes and assignments.

Taking a recommended 3:1 ratio for the sake of illustration, a student carrying a 12 semester-hour course load should plan to devote an additional 36 hours per week to course-related work. That would represent a total recommended time commitment of 48 hours; 15 semester-hours would obligate one to perhaps 60 hours of work a week for satisfactory performance during the fall and spring semesters. These course demands need to be kept in mind when deciding whether to live on-campus or off-campus. Students living off-campus need to allow time in their schedule for commuting. Working students need to consider how many hours remain in the 168 hours of the week after deducting time for eating, sleeping, recreation, and other extracurricular activities.

Students who work while going to school should balance their work-related activities against the hours needed to study. Starting with a 15 semester-hour load, it is recommended that the total enrollment load in a fall or spring semester be reduced by one course (3 semester-hours) for every 12 hours of work.

First-time-in-college freshmen are encouraged to enroll in no more than 15 semester hours.

Maximum Course Load

The course load for undergraduate students is dependent on the curriculum for which they enroll. For those students who expect to complete the requirements for a bachelor's degree in about four years, the maximum undergraduate course load each fall or spring semester is as follows:

The maximum undergraduate course load for summer sessions, regardless of college or major, is as follows:

One-half of the hours in Summer II or III should be added to any Summer I or IV hours to determine total course load for Summer I or IV.

An undergraduate or postbaccalaureate student who is on Academic Probation or Academic Notice shall enroll in no more than 13 hours in a fall or spring semester for all majors except majors in the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences and Undergraduate Scholars at UH, both of which allow no more than 12 hours in a fall or spring semester. An undergraduate or postbaccalaureate student who is on Academic Probation or Academic Notice shall enroll in no more than 5 hours in Summer I or IV, or 10 hours in Summer II or III.

These totals include all courses for which students may enroll. Permission to take course loads above these maximums must be obtained in advance of registration from the dean of the college of the student's major.

Overload

No student may enroll in a course load exceeding the college's suggested course load for a specific semester as listed in the Maximum Course Load Table without prior written permission of the dean of the college of the student's major. Students who enroll in an overload without this permission may be dropped from selected courses at the discretion of the dean and may not receive a tuition refund.

To be considered for a course overload, the student must submit a petition to the dean and should meet the following criteria:

1. Have a 3.00 minimum grade point average in the preceding two summer sessions (minimum: 12 semester hours) or in the preceding fall or spring semester (minimum: 12 semester hours) at the university, or
2. Be in good academic standing in the college if in the last semester before graduation.

Students should consult the appropriate college section of the catalog for any additional conditions that must be met to qualify for an approved petition for an overload. A student must file the petition for overload prior to registration or add/drop.

The maximum overload permitted in any college by an approved petition is a load totaling 22 hours for a fall or spring semester, nine hours in a summer session I or IV, and 15 hours for any combination of summer enrollments.

Refer to the Graduate and Professional Studies catalog for information on graduate course overloads.

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Grading System

In the case of Foundations courses (ENGL 1300, MATH 1300, READ 1300), and Senior Honors Theses, an "in progress" grade may be awarded. (See Grade Explanations below for information about "in progress" grades).

Grade Assignment

Grades are awarded in courses in which students are officially enrolled after the last day to drop or withdraw from a course without receiving a grade. This date is indicated in the academic calendar for each enrollment period. The academic calendar is available on the Web at www.uh.edu/calendars.html.

Grade Explanations

1. Passing grades for which semester hours of credit are awarded are A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, D+, D, D-, and S. (Pharmacy students should refer to the College of Pharmacy section.)
   
   
2. The grades of S (satisfactory) and U (unsatisfactory) may be awarded in certain specified courses.
   
   
3. The temporary grade of I (incomplete) is a conditional and temporary grade given when students (a) are currently passing a course or (b) still have a reasonable chance of passing in the judgment of the instructor, but for non-academic reasons beyond their control have not completed a relatively small part of all requirements.
   
   Students are responsible for informing the instructor immediately of the reasons for not submitting an assignment on time or not taking an examination. Students should understand that the only way to have an I changed to a passing grade is to fulfill course requirements in accordance with the conditions specified by the instructor. Students must contact the instructor of the course in which they receive an I grade to make arrangements to complete the course requirements. Students must not re-register for the courses in which their grade is currently recorded as an I. Even when the conditions for fulfilling the course requirements include participation in all or part of the same course in another semester, the student must not re-register for the course. After the course work is completed, the instructor will submit a change of grade form to change the I grade to the grade earned. Both grades, the original I and the earned grade, will appear on the transcript
    
   The grade of I may not be changed to a grade of W, but may be changed only to another letter grade. As stated under Fulfillment of Grade Requirements for a Degree, all grades of I shall be computed as grades of F for purposes of calculating a student's cumulative grade point average for graduation.
   
   Should the student not complete the course in the time allotted (a maximum of one year), a grade of F will be assigned and used for purposes of calculating a student's cumulative grade point average for graduation and also for determining eligibility for graduation with honors (i.e., an I grade that becomes an F, even if associated with a course taken during the freshman or sophomore year, will be counted as part of the student's last sixty-six hours).
   
   
4. The grade of W is assigned to a course only after the last day to drop or withdraw without receiving a grade (four weeks after the first day of classes in a fall or spring semester), and before the final day to drop or withdraw (generally four weeks prior to the last day of classes in a fall or spring semester). Students are responsible for initiating action to drop or withdraw from classes. Students who fail to do so will be retained on the class rolls even though they may be absent for the remainder of the semester. In such instances a grade of F (or U in S/U graded courses) will be awarded unless the conditions for a grade of I have been met.
   
   
5. An in progress designation in place of a grade indicates that the student is proceeding satisfactorily but must re-enroll to obtain a final grade.
   
   

Grade Point Average

Grade points are awarded as follows for each semester hour in which students receive a grade.

The grade point average is the quotient obtained by dividing the total number of grade points earned by the number of semester hours in which students receive a letter grade. Grades of S, U, I, and W are not assigned grade point values and are not used in the computation of the grade point average.

A change in grade (other than I, incomplete) will affect the academic status of the semester in which the grade was earned and all subsequent semesters. A change of grade from I will affect only the cumulative grade point average effective the semester the I is completed (or changed to F or U).

Decimals beyond two places are truncated, not rounded, in computing the grade point average.

Cumulative Grade Point Average

The cumulative grade point average is based upon all work taken at the University of Houston, including courses that are repeated, for which grade point values are assigned.

A repeated course, including courses repeated during a summer session, is equivalent to a new course both in the determination of classification and in computing the cumulative grade point average.

Students may not enroll in any course more than three times, including W, F, and I grades, without permission from the college of their major. When a course is repeated, only the most recent attempt will count toward satisfying degree requirements. This does not mean that the later course grade replaces earlier grades. All attempts will remain on the student's official transcript. This policy does not apply to courses listed in the catalog as repeatable (e.g. Selected Topics courses).

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Fulfillment of Grade Requirements for a Degree

The cumulative grade point average shall be used to determine the fulfillment of grade requirements with the following differences:

1. The grade of I shall be computed as F.
   
    
2. Upon approval by the dean of the college of the student's major, a maximum of six semester hours, eight in the case of laboratory courses, taken during the first 30 semester hours of undergraduate course work at the university may be eliminated from the computation. The College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics will not eliminate any semester hours of undergraduate course work from the computation of the graduation grade point average for a bachelor's degree.
   1. Neither these grades nor the courses for which they were awarded are removed from the student's official academic record.
   2. These eliminated courses shall not be used to fulfill any degree requirement.
   3. Grades may not be eliminated for courses subsequently repeated.
   4. These exceptions shall be used only to allow a student to achieve the minimum grade point average for graduation.

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Academic Fresh Start for Current and Former Undergraduate Students

Former or current University of Houston undergraduate students may elect under the university's Academic Fresh Start Program to have all academic course work completed at the University of Houston 10 or more years prior to the semester of election removed from consideration by the university and by the dean of the college of their major for any academic purpose. ¹ These purposes include but are not limited to determining their classification, academic standing, course prerequisites, degree requirements, grade point average, eligibility for graduation, and eligibility for honors. Students who elect this option cannot use any of the course work that has been removed from consideration for any academic purpose.

Courses that are removed from consideration under provisions of the Academic Fresh Start Program will not be removed from the student's academic record, but the student's UH transcript shall be annotated to identify the courses that have been removed from consideration.

Any academic probations and suspensions that resulted from course work removed from consideration under this program will not be counted in any future determination as to whether the student is placed on academic notice, academic probation, or academic suspension.

There may be implications for financial aid and veterans benefits for students enrolled under Academic Fresh Start. Students should contact these offices for more information.

Students may elect to use the provisions of this Academic Fresh Start Program only once at the University of Houston. Certain benefits of the state law pertaining to Academic Fresh Start do not apply to UH students. See an advisor for details.

Former and current undergraduate students may obtain more information on this Academic Fresh Start Program by contacting the dean of the college of their major or Undergraduate Scholars at UH.

For more information on the Academic Fresh Start Program for undergraduate transfer students, refer to Academic Fresh Start For Undergraduate Transfer Students in the Admissions, Advising, Orientation, and Registration section of this catalog.

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Examinations

Within Semester Examinations

Examinations in undergraduate courses within the semester shall be given during the scheduled time and day of the class as designated in the class listings. Any exception to this policy must be approved by the dean of the college and the Provost. All classroom and laboratory examinations are subject to this campus policy.

When it is known prior to the beginning of the semester that there will be examinations scheduled at times other than the regularly scheduled time period for the class and for which written approval has been obtained, such examinations shall be footnoted in the class listings.

When examinations are to be scheduled at times other than the regularly scheduled time period for the class and where written approval has been obtained, and in recognition of students' needs and responsibilities within and outside the university, written notification (e.g., course syllabus) shall be provided to the students during the drop/add period for the semester.

Final Examinations

Final examinations shall be given during the time and date designated in the class listings. Any exceptions to this policy must be approved in writing by the dean of the college and announced no later than the last day to drop a course.

In recognition of students' needs to prepare for final examinations, it is contrary to campus policy to assign previously unscheduled work in the form of tests, papers, or reports during the 14 calendar days prior to the examination period of each semester or five calendar days prior to the examination period of each summer session.

There shall be no required undergraduate class meetings, other than for final examination purposes, after the last day of classes. There shall be no final examinations during the reading period (see the Academic Calendar section of this catalog).

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Final Grade Reports

Grades are now available at the Web site at http://www.uh.edu under My PeopleSoft . Service is available for students to request a paper copy which will be sent to the student's mailing address as reflected in university records or students can print out a copy at the Web site.

Following final exams, students can use the Web site to check if their grades have been posted for the semester. Upon submission by instructor, grades are posted on a nightly basis.

Students are encouraged to contact the instructor of record or submit written requests to the department chair whenever questions arise concerning a grade received in a course. Students have 90 days after the posting of a grade to appeal.

Issues of grievance regarding grades, course requirements and classroom procedures can occur. The first and best source for resolving the problem is with the professor. The university expects most issues to be resolved amicably and informally with the professor. In the event that an informal resolution is not possible, students may file a written grievance on a General Petition Form, available in department and college offices, and at the Registrar's Office, 128 Welcome Center. These forms must be filed with the professor within 90 calendar days of the posting of the final grades for the course. Appeals may be considered at the following levels, as necessary: professor, departmental chair, college dean, senior vice president for academic affairs (or designated representative at all levels). Faculty are required to retain all evaluated student material not previously returned for a six month period after the end of the last class of the semester evaluated.

Because assigning a grade for evaluating a student's work performance involves the faculty's professional judgment and is an integral part of the faculty's teaching responsibilities, disagreement with an instructor concerning a grade or evaluation is not a justifiable grievance to be considered under this policy unless a violation of university, college, or department academic policies or procedures can be shown to have affected that grade or evaluation.

Please note that appeals for decisions in the following areas are guided by separate appeal or grievance policies and procedures: Affirmative Action, Academic Honesty, Student Life, and Financial Responsibility.

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Scholastic Requirements

Law, optometry, and pharmacy students should refer to the scholastic requirements specified in the appropriate college section of this catalog.

Undergraduate and postbaccalaureate students are expected to maintain a 2.00 (C) minimum cumulative grade point average, which is the minimum permitted for graduation. They are subject to scholastic action any semester or summer session in which one or more semester hours are attempted. The summer sessions are considered a unit equivalent to a semester.

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Academic Notice, Academic Probation, and Suspension

The standards below apply to all undergraduate and postbaccalaureate students enrolled. Students who entered under a previous catalog will be held to these standards.

1. Freshman students who earn less than a 2.00 grade point average in the first long semester (i.e., Fall or Spring) of enrollment at the University of Houston shall be placed on academic notice. All new students are encouraged to take 15 hours or less in their first semester at this university. Students on academic notice are not on academic probation and cannot be suspended. Students on academic notice must be advised by the Academic Advising Center of Undergraduate Scholars at UH and their major departments.
   
    
2. Students are placed on academic probation if their cumulative grade point average falls below 2.00. Freshman and sophomore students on academic probation are urged to seek advising in their major departments. They may also consult the advisors in the Academic Advising Center of Undergraduate Scholars at UH.
   
    
3. Students on academic probation whose semester or summer session grade point average is below 2.00 are placed on academic suspension at the close of that semester or summer session.
   
   
   1. The first academic suspension is for a period of at least one semester (fall or spring or summer).
      1. Students placed on academic suspension at the end of a fall semester are not eligible to re-enroll until the following summer.
      2. Students placed on academic suspension at the end of a spring semester are not eligible to re-enroll until the following fall.
      3. Students placed on academic suspension at the end of a summer session are not eligible to re-enroll until the following spring.
         
          
   2. The second academic suspension is for a period of at least 12 months.
      
       
   3. After their third academic suspension, students are ineligible to enroll at the University of Houston.
      
       
4. Students on academic probation whose cumulative grade point average is below 2.00 but whose semester or summer session grade point average is 2.00 or higher will remain on academic probation.
   
    
5. Students on academic probation will be removed from that status when their semester or summer session grade point average is 2.00 or higher and their cumulative grade point average is at or above 2.00.

Summer visiting students are not subject to academic probation or suspension while in that status. If, however, they are later admitted as regular students, the grades that they earned in their summer visiting status will be included in all subsequent calculations of their cumulative grade point average at the university.

Without regard to these regulations, the dean of a college may place on academic probation, retain on probation, or suspend any majors in that college whose academic records are deficient. The dean also may remove from academic probation or academic suspension any majors in the college whose academic progress warrants such action.

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Readmission from Academic Suspension

1. Only the dean of the college may readmit students on academic suspension from the University of Houston. Only the Director of Undergraduate Scholars at UH may readmit students who have not declared a major.
   
    
2. Readmission from academic suspension is neither automatic nor guaranteed. Students seeking readmission must submit to the dean of the college in which they wish to earn their degrees:
   1. A written petition justifying their readiness to resume their studies at the university.
      
       
   2. Transcripts showing at least a 2.00 grade point average on all college work completed elsewhere while on academic suspension from the University of Houston.
      
       
   3. Transcripts of all other completed college work.
      
       
   4. Former Undergraduate Scholars (undeclared majors) must submit their petition and transcripts to the Director of Undergraduate Scholars at UH.
      
       
3. Students seeking to change their majors from the college from which they were suspended to another college must submit a "change of major" request along with a petition for readmission from academic suspension to the college of the intended major.
   
    
4. Colleges may have additional policies and procedures pertaining to readmission from academic suspension; therefore, students seeking readmission should consult the appropriate college section in this catalog or request information from the office of the academic dean for specific college requirements.
    

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Dean's List

The Dean's List is compiled each semester by the colleges. To qualify for this recognition, undergraduate students must earn a 3.50 minimum grade point average (the grade of S is not counted) on nine or more semester hours completed during the semester (The Colleges of Architecture, Engineering, Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, and Natural Sciences and Mathematics require a 3.50 or better on a minimum of 12 semester hours). Students who earn a grade of I (except in a senior honors thesis course), D, F, or U during the semester are excluded from consideration for the Dean's List. Some colleges have additional requirements for the Dean's List. For information, consult the catalog for the college of major or contact the office of the dean.

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Class Attendance

Properly enrolled students are required to attend the first day of class. Failure to attend may result in the student being dropped from the class.

The university has no specific policy regarding the number of excused absences, but expects students to attend class regularly. Students whose absences are determined by their instructors to be excessive may be dropped from the course. Unavoidable absences should be reported to the instructor as soon as possible.

Absences caused by participation in a campus-sponsored activity are considered official if the sponsor of the activity has received approval from the appropriate university administrator. Students must make up the work missed even though the absences are official.

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Maintaining a Learning Environment

In order to respect the learning process and the dignity and rights of all persons, students and instructors are expected to maintain a classroom environment conducive to academic excellence. Students should deactivate cell phones, pagers, and other electronic devices likely to interrupt a class. Students anticipating possible emergencies should make the instructor aware of the situation beforehand. Disruptive behavior of any kind compromises the academic process and will not be tolerated.

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Religious Holy Days

The University of Houston respects the religious observances of students even though they may conflict with university class meetings, assignments, or examinations.

The University of Houston excuses a student from classes or other required activities, including examinations, for the observance of a religious holy day, including travel for that purpose.

A student whose absence is excused under this policy shall be treated consistently with the instructor's policies and procedures relating to other excused absences, except that no instructor's policy may deny the opportunity for make-up work, as described below.

Students are encouraged to inform instructors about upcoming religious holy days early in the semester to enable better planning and coordination of work assignments (and examinations).

Instructors are encouraged to announce reasonable time periods for make-up work (and exams) in the course syllabus and to make clear the consequences of a student's failure to meet such time requirements.

If a student and an instructor disagree about whether the absence is for the observance of a religious holy day, or if they disagree about whether the student has been given a reasonable time to complete any missed assignments or examinations, either the student or the instructor may appeal to the Office of Academic Program Management. All parties must abide by the decision of that office.

Eligible religions are those whose places of worship are exempt from property taxation. Copies of the state law are available in the offices of the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Dean of Students, and the A.D. Bruce Religion Center.

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Course Enrollment Restrictions

1. Freshmen who have fewer than 24 semester hours may not take a course on the 2000-level except when the actual prerequisites for the courses have been fulfilled. Sophomores may take 3000-level courses and juniors may take 4000-level courses when the prerequisites for the courses have been fulfilled.
   
    
2. Students are limited to a maximum of three enrollments in a specific 3000- or 4000-level course. An enrollment shall be defined as having occurred in any case in which a grade is awarded (including U, S, W, I, F, or any passing grade). This rule will not apply to courses that may be repeated for credit when topics vary.
   
    
3. Courses numbered 6000 or higher are normally limited to graduate students. Seniors and postbaccalaureate students may request permission from their department or college to enroll in these classes.

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Dropping Courses

Beginning in Fall semester 2007, all students (current, transfer, and first time in college students) will be allowed a total of 6 Ws (withdrawals). W's may be used at any time during their college career to drop a course up through the last day to drop a course or withdraw from all courses. When these 6 Ws have been used, the student must complete all subsequent courses. When a class which includes a lab (or recitation) is taken concurrently, the dropping of such a class and lab (or recitation) will count as one withdrawal if dropped simultaneously.

The last day to drop or withdraw from a course without receiving a grade is the Official Reporting Day (ORD). Please see the academic calendar for the exact date, www.uh.edu/academics/catalog/general/academic_calendar.html.

The last day to drop or withdraw from a course with a grade of W will be the last day to drop a course for each semester (i.e. generally four weeks prior to the last class day of a fall or spring semester, generally six class days prior to the last class day of summer I, II, or IV, and generally three weeks prior to the last class day of summer III). Consult the academic calendar for specific dates, www.uh.edu/academics/catalog/general/academic_calendar.html.

Enrollment in a course may be terminated in any one of the following ways:

1. Undergraduate students who wish to drop a course must obtain the signature of the instructor.
   
    
2. An instructor may drop students for any one of the following reasons:
   1. Lack of prerequisites or corequisites for the course listed in the latest catalog, but only through the last day for dropping courses. Students who have not met the prerequisites will be dropped without a tuition refund if the drop date is after the refund date. (Students who enroll in a course for which they are not eligible and then remain in the course knowingly misrepresent their academic records or achievements as they pertain to course prerequisites or corequisites and are in violation of the university's academic honesty policy.)
      
       
   2. Excessive absences, but after the last day for dropping courses only with the approval of the dean of the college in which the course is being offered.
      
       
   3. Causes that tend to disrupt the academic process (except those actions involving academic honesty, which come under the jurisdiction of the academic honesty policy), but after the last day for dropping courses only with the approval of the dean of the college in which the course is being offered. Disruptive behavior includes the use of or the failure to deactivate cell phones, pagers, and other electronic devices likely to disrupt the classroom. Students may make timely appeal of charges through the office of the dean of the college in which the course is taught.
      
       
4. After the last day for dropping courses, undergraduate students may drop or be dropped by their instructor from a course with a W, as determined by the instructor, only with the approval of the dean of the college in which the course is offered and only for rare, urgent, substantiated, nonacademic reasons.

Students are expected to commit themselves to courses as early as possible in order to succeed in their courses.

The effective date recorded for termination of enrollment for all matters relating to University of Houston records will be the date the student drops the course through the Web site at www.uh.edu/peoplesoft/mypeoplesoft/ or the date the properly approved current enrollment change request form, written request, or drop report is received by the Registrar's Office, at the Welcome Center.

Students are responsible for verifying that they have been dropped from a course on the Web site at www.uh.edu/peoplesoft/mypeoplesoft/ or at the Registrar's Office in the Welcome Center. All F-1 and J-1 international students must see the International Student and Scholar Services Office before dropping courses. Business majors must also secure permission from the Office of Undergraduate Business Programs in the Bauer College of Business. Athletes must see the Assistant Director of Athletics before dropping courses.

Students may not receive a W for courses in which they have been found guilty of a violation of the Academic Honesty Policy. If a W is received prior to a guilty finding, the student will become liable for the Academic Honesty penalty, including F grades.

Students who find it necessary to request either a medical or administrative withdrawal from the university before the end of the semester will not have to use their Ws for withdrawal. Likewise, financial withdrawals will not be included in the number of Ws used.

Senate Bill 1231 provides that, except for several specific instances of good cause, undergraduate student who enrolled for the first time in a Texas college or university in Fall semester 2007 or after will be limited to a total of six (6) dropped courses during their entire undergraduate career.

SB 1231 applies to courses dropped at public institutions of higher education in Texas including community and technical college, health science centers that offer undergraduate programs, and universities.  Courses dropped at independent/private Texas institutions, or at colleges and universities in other states, should not be counted against the Texas public institution student's 6 drop limit.  Courses with separate lecture and lab/discussion section components for which coenrollment is required should be treated as a single course for purposes of the limitation.

Reinstatement

Students who are dropped by the instructor or who drop a course may, if extraordinary circumstances prevail, be reinstated by securing written permission from the instructor. The prescribed forms may be obtained in the Registrar's Office, 128 Welcome Center.

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Withdrawal

The term withdrawal applies to the dropping of all courses for which students are registered at the University of Houston, and it may be initiated by students.

General Withdrawal

In addition to following the procedure for dropping a course, students must return all library books and laboratory equipment and have their UH record clear in every respect. Students who wish to withdraw may do so through the Web site at www.uh.edu/peoplesoft/mypeoplesoft/ up to the last day to drop or withdraw without a grade or they may come to the Registrar's Office, 128 Welcome Center, or write:

University of Houston
Registrar's Office
102 E Cullen Building
Houston, TX 77204-2027

The recorded date for withdrawal will be the date:

1. the withdrawal is completed through the Web site or
2. the completed form is submitted to the Registrar's office, or
3. the letter requesting withdrawal is received.

Students whose enrollment in a course is terminated on or before the last day to drop or withdraw without receiving a grade (a date listed in the academic calendar and in the class listings) will not have courses appear on permanent records, and grades will not be assigned. When terminations are made after this date, the message and date of withdrawal will appear, grades of W and the courses will appear on the permanent records.

Students are responsible for initiating action to drop or withdraw from classes on or before the last day to drop a course. Students who fail to do so will be retained on the class rolls even though they may be absent for the remainder of the semester. In such instances grades of F (or U in S/U graded courses) will be given unless mitigating circumstances warrant grades of I (incomplete).

University Withdrawal

In addition to suspension for academic or disciplinary causes, students may be withdrawn by the university for medical or financial reasons.

1. Financial Withdrawal

   Students who make payment on their account with checks which are returned to the university for insufficient funds or who fail to pay by designated deadlines will be withdrawn from the university without refund. Students who are financially withdrawn after the last day to drop or withdraw without a grade will receive "W" or "F" grades only for the semester.
   
   Note: Students with two or more returned checks must make payment on their account by cash, cashier's check, money order, or credit card. No checks - personal or otherwise - will be accepted.

2. Financial Responsibility

   Students incur charges for a variety of services provided by the university. It is the expectation, as well as a condition of enrollment at the University of Houston, that students satisfy their financial responsibilities in a timely fashion. Individuals who fail to do so will incur the sanctions outlined in this section.
   
   Students who illegally enroll at the University of Houston by (a) failing to pay past due balances at any other University of Houston campus, (b) providing the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid with false information for purposes of obtaining financial assistance, or (c) presenting a check for enrollment expenses that is returned by the university's bank, will have 10 calendar days to legitimize their enrollment. The 10 days will begin on the date the university mails notification to the student specifying what action the student must take to correct existing deficiencies. Failure of a student to respond within the 10-day period to a notice of a returned check for the initial fee payment will result in the student being financially disenrolled from the university.
   
   Students who write or produce two bad checks (unless due to bank error) to the university for tuition and fees, or for any other university obligation, forfeit check-writing privileges for one year and must petition for future eligibility. This means that students must meet financial obligations by cash, cashier's check, money order, or credit card only. No personal checks from the student or anyone representing the student will be accepted.
   
   In addition, a student who has tendered to the university a check returned unpaid by the bank will be assessed a $20 service charge. Any time payment is not made by the due date indicated, a late fee will be assessed, and a financial stop placed on any balance of $10 or greater.
   
   Students who fail to make their first payment indicated on their initial fee bill will be canceled from their courses for non-payment and their records will reflect no enrollment. Students who make their initial payment then fail to make subsequent payment by the final payment deadline provided will be subject to the following sanctions: