Academic Progress and Student Responsibility

Students may request a change of major through the Office of the Registrar. Students are advised to initiate the Change of Major Petition prior to registration for the upcoming semester. The petition requires the approval of the appropriate chairpersons or directors of both the former and the intended new department or school. The student will be required either to present a portfolio or to audition as part of the transfer review process. Please note that acceptance into a new major program within the University may be contingent upon the successful completion of the courses in which the student was enrolled at the time the application to make the change was submitted. Therefore, approval to change majors may be rescinded based on the result of that semester’s coursework.

After completion of a change of major, students are advised to review their degree program requirements with their new academic advisor, the department chair or school director, and the dean of the appropriate college.

Classroom Policies

Full participation is expected of all UArts students and is necessary to fully benefit from and succeed in the University’s programs of study. Absences from class may result in a lowered grade or an F in the course, depending on the attendance policies stated by the instructor on the course syllabus. It is the responsibility of the student to arrange with his/her instructor(s) to make up all missed work. Failure to do so will affect the student’s grade.

In the event that absences are the result of extraordinary, documented circumstances and are numerous enough that it is impossible for the student to qualify for advancement, the student may be advised to withdraw from the course. If the course is required for the degree, the student will also be required to repeat the course in a subsequent semester.

All students are expected to attend classes regularly and promptly, and for the duration of the scheduled instructional time. Individual instructors will decide the optimum time for taking attendance and may penalize for habitual lateness or absence. Repeated absences may result in a grade of “F” for a course.

Students who withdraw from a course or the University must do so through the Registrar’s Office. Non-attendance does not constitute an official withdrawal.

Undergraduate students who have not completed degree requirements within ten years from the date of initial matriculation may be subject to new degree requirements, which will be determined by the department chairperson and the Office of the Registrar on a case-by-case basis.

Every effort will be made to notify students of class cancellations prior to the start of class. In the absence of such notification and when the instructor is not present, students are expected to wait 10 minutes for an hour-long class/lesson and 15 minutes for those of longer duration. In the event the instructor fails to appear within the 10-15 minute waiting period, students are to report to the appropriate School Director’s or Department Chairperson’s office and may then leave without penalty.

Each student is responsible for observing all regulations in the UArts Course Catalog that may affect academic progress, financial obligations, relationships with University authorities, transferability of credits, acceptance of credits for graduation, and eligibility to graduate, as well as:

• Knowing regulations regarding withdrawals, refund deadlines, program changes, and academic policy;
• Registering each semester in accordance with the posted schedule (see Academic Calendar). Failure to register will result in a late registration fee; and
• Meeting any financial or academic requirements that have caused a hold to be placed on their student record. A student cannot officially register until clearance has been obtained from the Student Billing Office.

Academic advising at the University is designed to assist students in directing and completing their degree programs by providing guidance through contact with informed advisors and information available in various UArts publications. Students are expected to refer to the University Course Catalog and course bulletins for information on policies, procedures, and deadlines. Students are assigned a faculty advisor in their department and, when in doubt about any College or University regulation should seek advice from their academic advisor or the Office of the Registrar.

School Closings

Information about School Closings can be found in General Information. 

Use of Student-owned Technology

Information about use of student-owned technology can be found in the Digital Technology at UArts section.