University policies

The following University policies include details about course enrollment and withdrawal, incomplete grades, complaint procedures, student conduct, Flash Survey, and expectations for course accessibility and apply to students enrolled at Kent State University.

For a complete listing of university policies, please visit the Policy Register page on the Kent State University website. 

Course Enrollment and Withdrawal

University policy requires all students to be officially registered in each class they are attending. Students who are not officially registered for a course by published deadlines should not be attending classes and will not receive credit or a grade for the course. To determine the last dates to drop or withdraw from your course, follow the steps below:

  1. Visit the Kent State University Registrar
  2. Click on the "Schedule of Classes Search" button
  3. Search by Term
  4. Select "Detailed Class Search" option
  5. Find your course
  6. Click on the "Registration Deadline" link to view drop and withdrawal dates

Withdrawal information can be found on the Operation Policy and Procedure page from the Policy Registrar.  Consult with an advisor before making major changes to your enrollments.

Incomplete Grades

The administrative mark of IN (Incomplete) may be given to students who cannot complete the work due to extenuating circumstances.

Appropriate documentation is generally required to support the extenuating circumstance. The student must initiate the request for the Incomplete mark from the instructor, and it is the responsibility of the student to arrange to make up the incomplete work.

For a complete description of the Incomplete Grade Policy refer to Academic Policies – Grading Policies in the University Catalog.

Administrative Policy and Procedure for Student Academic Complaints

If a student has a complaint or grievance, the Student Ombuds is available to assist. First, review the matter with the instructor to resolve the issue immediately. If the matter is not resolved immediately, the student may discuss the matter with the departmental chairperson before lodging a formal complaint. The student may also consult with the Student Ombuds to achieve an informal resolution.

Please refer to the administrative policy for student complaints if you have further questions.

University use of Electronic mail

A university-assigned student e-mail account (username @ kent.edu) shall be an official university means of communication with all students at Kent State University. Students are responsible for all information sent via their university-assigned e-mail account. If a student chooses to forward information to their university e-mail account, he or she is responsible for all information, including attachments, sent to any other e-mail account. To stay current with university information, students are expected to check their official university e-mail account and other electronic communications frequently and consistently. Recognizing that some communications may be time-critical, the university recommends that electronic communications be checked minimally twice a week.

Please refer to the administrative policy regarding electronic communications for more information.

Student Conduct, Plagiarism, and Academic Integrity

Academic honesty and integrity are held to a high standard at Kent State University. The Kent State University Code of Student Conduct applies to all students. Students are subject to dismissal or suspension for violations of the code.

Students enrolled in the university, at all its campuses, are to perform their academic work according to standards set by faculty members, departments, schools, and colleges of the university; and cheating and plagiarism constitute fraudulent misrepresentation for which no credit can be given and for which appropriate sanctions are warranted and will be applied. For more information, please see Kent State University's policy regarding student cheating and plagiarism.

Students with Disabilities

Kent State University Policy for qualified students with disabilities requires that students with disabilities be provided reasonable accommodations to ensure their equal access to course content. If you have a documented disability and require accommodation, please get in touch with the instructor at the beginning of the term to make arrangements for any necessary adjustments. Please note that you must first verify your eligibility through Student Accessibility Services. If you require accommodations, please contact Student Accessibility Services by visiting the KSU Student Accessibility Services website.

Course Accessibility Statement

Kent State University works to support the provisions of General Standard 8, Accessibility in the Quality Matters Rubric. KSU online course design, development, and delivery support reasonable accommodation for all participants.

This course is delivered via a learning management system (LMS), Canvas. 

Canvas is committed to ensuring its products are inclusive and meet the diverse accessibility needs of its users. Canvas LMS strives for WCAG 2.1 Level A/AA and Section 508 conformance.  For more information on Canvas accessibility compliance, please visit the Canvas accessibility website.

Accessibility policies for other technologies used in many online courses are also available:

Kent State Online courses endeavor to include the following:

  1. LMS accessibility features and standards.
  2. Use of (X)HTML Alt attribute to convey appropriate descriptive information about graphic images.
  3. Appropriate color combinations that minimize color blindness effects.
  4. Appropriate font and font-size combinations to improve readability.
  5. Minimal use of bullets and/or charts for participants using screen readers.
  6. Transcripts and/or closed captions for audio and video learning materials.
  7. Transcripts and/or PowerPoint files for narrated slide presentations.

Students who require additional accommodations should contact Student Accessibility Services by visiting the Student Accessibility Services website.

Request for Religious Accommodation

The University welcomes individuals from all different faiths, philosophies, religious traditions, and other systems of belief, and supports their respective practices. In compliance with University policy and the Ohio Revised Code, the University permits students to request class absences for up to three (3) days, per term, in order to participate in organized activities conducted under the auspices of a religious denomination, church, or other religious or spiritual organization. Students will not be penalized as a result of any of these excused absences.

The request for excusal must be made, in writing, no later than fourteen (14) days after the first day of instruction in a particular course and include the date(s) of each proposed absence or request for alternative religious accommodation. The request must clearly state that the proposed absence is to participate in religious activities. The request must also provide the particular accommodation(s) you desire.

You will be notified by me if your request for accommodation is approved, or, if it is approved with modification. I will work with you in an effort to arrange a mutually agreeable alternative arrangement. For more information regarding this Policy you may contact the Student Ombuds (ombuds@kent.edu).

Visit the Office of the Provost Website for more information.

Flash Survey

It is a standard practice of Kent State University to distribute and administer to the learners the Flash Survey, a confidential and anonymous questionnaire after the course. The results will be forwarded to the Instructor only after the class and the submission of all grades. Please candidly and honestly describe your opinions of the strengths and weaknesses you experienced as a learner in the course.

For additional help, please contact the Online Support Team at onlinelearning@kent.edu. 

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