University Policies

University Grading Scale

Attendance

Attendance is required on a weekly basis. Students are expected to view the online lectures in the week they are offered, and to log onto the site often enough to remain abreast of the communication on the Message Board as well as any Class News or information from the Professor. It is the responsibility of the student to be aware of everything happening in the class online.

Academic Honesty

Academic honesty is highly valued in Florida Tech's online courses. The student must always submit work that represents original words or ideas. If any words or ideas are used that do not represent those original words or ideas, the student must cite all relevant sources and provide a clear definition of the extent to which such sources were used. Words or ideas that require citation include, but are not limited to all hard copy or electronic publications, whether copyrighted or not, and all verbal or visual communication when the content of such communication clearly originates from an identifiable source. In the Florida Tech online course, all submissions to any public meeting bulletin board or private mailbox fall within the scope of words and ideas that require citations if used by someone other than the original author. Academic dishonesty in an online learning environment could involve:

• Having a tutor or friend complete a portion of the student's assignments
• Having a reviewer make extensive revisions to an assignment
• Copying work submitted by another student to another public class meeting
• Using information from online information services without proper citation

Any of these practices could result in charges of academic dishonesty. For the complete Florida Tech policy on academic dishonesty, cheating and plagiarism see the Florida Tech Student Handbook. http://www.fit.edu/studenthandbook

Students with Disabilities

Individuals with disabilities needing special accommodation(s) should contact Rachel Densler. She may be contacted by phone at (321) 674-8285 or by email at disabilityservices@fit.edu 

Title IX

The University is committed to providing a safe and positive online learning experience.

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 protects students from sex discrimination in education programs or activities receiving federal financial assistance. To learn more about Title IX, go to http://www.fit.edu/title-ix

To report a violation of sexual misconduct or gender discrimination, please contact Florida Tech’s Title IX Coordinator at: 321-674-7277. *Please note: as your professor, I am required to report any incidents to the Title IX Coordinator. The University will make all reasonable efforts to ensure privacy and to protect the confidentiality of complainant to the extent provided under applicable law.

Disaster Statement

School Closure:
Both Florida Tech and Bisk observe national holidays and students are not required to participate in classes on such days. In the case of an emergency closure of Florida Tech or Bisk, if classes are still able to operate, they will continue. In the rare case that the Learning Management System is unavailable for maintenance reasons, classes will resume as quickly as possible and students should check the Bisk website (www.floridatechonline.com) regularly for updates

Natural Disaster:
If a natural disaster impacts the Melbourne, Florida area all students should check the Florida Tech website www.fit.edu or call (800) 888-4348 for updates.
In the event that a natural disaster occurs near the student’s residence they should contact Customer Service at: 1-800-280-9718 at the soonest opportunity and inform them of the situation. They will make the appropriate contact to instructors. Final decisions on the appropriate timeline to complete course requirements are at the discretion of the instructor.

Smarthinking

SMARTHINKING's fundamental objectives are to engage and encourage students in active learning, as well as to enhance their motivation. Our tutors strive to help students develop successful learning skills, rather than simply "giving answers" or "doing homework" for them. In a professional and supportive environment, we focus on the power of human interaction and the use of technology to assist a student-centered tutoring process.
www.smarthinking.com

Course Withdrawal

You must withdraw using the Florida Tech's online student account system (PAWS). If you are a new student, PAWS access information will be provided prior to class start via your official Florida Tech email account. You have the prerogative of dropping a course until the end of the first week of classes without receiving a grade of "W". After the first week, a grade of "W" will be assigned up until the final published date for withdrawing (the last day of week six). That grade will be reflected on your transcript, but not calculated into your grade point average. Withdrawals after week six will result in a grade of "F". You are responsible for maintaining written evidence of all drops/withdrawals. Telephone and e-mail drops/withdrawals will not be accepted. Following is a table that clearly outlines Florida Tech's withdrawal and refund policies:

PAWS is accessible through the university portal ACCESS Florida Tech. To continue to the PAWS system click here (opens in new window)