Course Syllabus

Academic dishonesty by a student is defined as unethical activity associated with course work or grades. It includes, but is not limited to:

1. Giving or receiving unauthorized aid on examinations.
2. Giving or receiving unauthorized aid in the preparation of notebooks, themes, reports, papers or any other assignments.
3. Submitting the same work for more than one course without the instructor’s permission, and,
4. Plagiarism. Plagiarism is defined as using ideas or writings of another and claiming them as one’s own. Copying any material directly (be it the work of other students, professors, or colleagues) or copying information from print or electronic sources (including the internet or any text/other content generated by AI programs) without explicitly acknowledging the true source of the material or without the instructor’s permission is plagiarism. Plagiarism also includes paraphrasing other individuals’ ideas or concepts without acknowledging their work, or contribution, and
5. Unless otherwise stated by the instructor, exams, quizzes, and out of-class assignments are meant to be individual, rather than group, work. Hence, copying from other students’ quizzes or exams, as well as presenting as one’s own work an assignment prepared wholly or in part by another is in violation of academic honest.

The above guidelines do not preclude group study for exams, sharing of sources for research projects, or students discussing their ideas with other members of the class unless explicitly prohibited by the instructor.  Since the violation of academic honesty strikes at the heart of the education process, it is subject to the severest sanctions, up to and including receiving an “F” or “XF” (an “XF” indicates that “F” was the result of academic dishonest) for the entire class and dismissal from the university.

For a full copy of this policy see the Academic Integrity section of the Student Rights and ResponsibilitiesLinks to an external site. pageLinks to an external site..
Links to an external site.

No tests or major assignment(s), worth 10% or more of the final grade, shall be presented, assigned, given or be made due during the week prior to final examination week, unless identified in the course syllabus presented at the start of the semester.

Final course grades are to be awarded upon criteria communicated to the student at the beginning of the semester. Additional work after a final grade was submitted cannot be used to change the grade.

If you believe that an error has been made in the assignment or recording of a final grade, you should first confer with the instructor. If such a conference does not resolve the problem, a grade appeal form must be submitted to the head of the academic department that offers the course in question. This appeal form must be submitted no later than six weeks after the beginning of the fall or spring semester immediately following the semester in which the grade being appealed was received.

The appeal form is available online on the Registrar’s Office and Graduate School’s webpage under Forms.  

Incomplete grade may be assigned in rare instances when a student is unable to complete a course due to circumstances beyond his/her control. You must have completed a majority of the coursework to be eligible for this consideration. Unless granted an extension by the instructor, students have only one semester to complete the work. 

If you feel like you qualify for an Incomplete grade, you should visit with your instructor and not assume an IN grade will be assigned automatically. Please check with the Student Financial Assistance office for the impacts of an IN grades on Financial Aid.

For additional information, view the Grades and Grading System section of the Academic RegulationsLinks to an external site. webpage.

After the eighth week of the fall and spring semester, mid-semester “D” and “F” grades submitted by faculty are reported by the Office of the Registrar to the dean of the college in which you are majoring. All “D” and “F” grades submitted by faculty will be reported by the Registrar to you and your academic advisor through the on-line student information system (GUS). No mid-semester report of “D” and “F” grades are distributed for the summer session.  

Beginning the 12th week through the 16th week of full-term courses, individual courses cannot be dropped. A student who does not officially withdraw from a course or from the university will be assigned an “F” grade in the course or courses concerned. These “F” grades will be included in the computation of the GPA.  The dates for dropping courses that run fewer than sixteen weeks are proportionate to the length of the course (e.g. the last day to drop an eight week course would be the end of the sixth week). Consult your instructor or the Registrar’s Office for questions about a specific course. For students who wish to withdraw from all classes after the 12th week of the term, the instructor must assign a grade of W or F.

To drop a course after the 5th day of class or for clarification on drop/add policies, contact the Registrar’s Office, 103 Russ Hall, 620-235-4200 or registrar@pittstate.edu.

For additional information, view the Dropping a Course or Withdrawing from the University section of the Academic RegulationsLinks to an external site. webpage.

It is highly recommended that students have access to a computer to complete online and hybrid classes. While most tasks in Canvas can be completed on a mobile device, you need to have access to a computer for certain assignments or to use additional tools. Details can be found in the Student Computer Recommendations brochure. 

Pittsburg State recognizes the transformational values of out-of-class activities. Whether initiated or sponsored by faculty or other University representatives, these activities add value to our programs, whether academic, cultural, professional or athletic. While ideally none of these University-sponsored or sanctioned activities would interfere with classroom attendance and participation, it is inevitable that at times conflicts will occur.

For guidance in these situations, please see the Pitt State Policy on University-Sponsored Student ActivitiesLinks to an external site.. 

Library Services, whether in the Leonard H. Axe Library or the Kansas Technology Center Library, is committed to providing innovative and learner centered environments that will help students be successful, support the research and information needs of our campus and community library users, and enhance the University experience. Library Services offers one-on-one research assistance, print collections, online reference services, remote access to our databases, e-books and e-journals, digital archives, research guides, scanning, printing, a computer lab, and instruction programs to support the curriculum. 

For additional information, see the Library Services Guide or call 620-235-4879 or 620-235-4880. 

The Office for Student Accommodations provides support services to currently enrolled PSU students with disabilities which substantially impairs one or more major life activities. Disabled students may qualify for services that accommodate for their impairments and provide equal access to educational opportunity.

For additional information, view the Student Accommodations webpage or call 620-235-6578.

Support is available to all students in Student Success Programs. Academic Success Workshops are provided throughout the semester to allow student to enhance their academic skills. Topics include note-taking strategies, test preparation, time management, among many other options. Tutoring for select General Education and Pitt State Pathway courses is available. One-on-one academic success coaching can be scheduled to develop study plans and learn new strategies. Student-led study group support is also available when requested.  

Heather Eckstein, Assistant VP for Student Success Center
Telephone: 620-235-4265
Email: heckstein@pittstate.edu

Kati Karleskint, Director of Academic Advising
Telephone: 620-235-4184
Email: kkarleskint@pittstate.edu

Ashley Wadell, Director of First Year Programs
Telephone: 620-235-4951
Email: awadell@pittstate.edu

For additional information, view the Student Success Programs webpage.

Gorilla Geeks Help Desk is responsible for assisting students with various technology needs. Services available include help with GUS and GUS Passwords, PSU email, assistance with campus system problems and support of the campus wireless network.

In addition, they help with technology needs that are essential for academic success. Services include assistance with educational software packages used on campus including Microsoft OS, Office applications, basic Canvas support and other campus applications; help with many computer issues; wireless connectivity; and configuring new computers.

Gorilla Geeks Help Desk
Telephone: 620-235-4600
Email: Geeks@pittstate.edu

For more information, see the Information Technology webpage.

Tutoring programs related to general education classes are available. Whether you are studying for a test, writing a paper or preparing a presentation, tutors can help you sharpen your skills and increase your knowledge. If you are struggling with a class, then a tutor can help you get back on track. Use tutoring to get better grades! 

For more information, see the Tutoring Services webpage.

The Writing Center offers free writing consultations for students at any stage of the writing process for any writing project. Writing Center consultants are experienced writers who are committed to helping you achieve your writing goals. 

Dr. Janet Zepernick, Director
Writing Center Telephone: 620-235-4694

For more information, see the Writing Center Guide.