University of the People monitors students’ academic performance to ensure satisfactory progress toward a degree. All students are required to maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00. Review of Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) applies only to Degree Seeking Students.
Satisfactory Academic Progress (
SAP) is evaluated at the end of every term, and active students who earn a letter grade in a course, excluding “W” are notified in writing by the Office of Student Affairs of their academic standing within one month of every evaluation point. Students who withdraw from the institution during a term when they are issued a letter grade of A through F will receive a letter from the Dean of Student Affairs verifying their final academic standing at the time of their withdrawal from UoPeople; this will remain on permanent file with the University.
[1]
The University reserves the right to place students on Academic Warning, Academic Probation, Probation Continued, and Academic Suspension, and reserves the right to remove students from Academic Warning, Academic Probation, Probation Continued, and Academic Suspension based on their academic performance and degree program, notwithstanding the Academic Standards.
Good Standing
Students in the undergraduate program maintaining a minimum CGPA of 2.00 are in good standing.
Students in the MBA program maintaining a minimum CGPA of 2.50 are in good standing.
Academic Warning
Students in the undergraduate programs who had been in good standing in the previous term and whose minimum cumulative GPA drops to below 2.00 at the end of the current term are placed on Academic Warning. Students on Academic Warning who meet or exceed a 2.00 cumulative GPA during the subsequent term return to good standing.
Students in the MBA program who had been in good standing in the previous term and whose minimum cumulative GPA drops to below 2.50 at the end of the current term are placed on Academic Warning. Students on Academic Warning who meet or exceed a 2.50 cumulative GPA during the subsequent term return to good standing.
Students on Academic Warning are encouraged to be in contact with their personal Program Advisor.
Academic Probation
Students in the undergraduate programs who had been on Academic Warning in the previous term and whose minimum cumulative GPA continues to be below 2.00 at the end of the current term are placed on Academic Probation. Students on Academic Probation that meet or exceed a 2.00 cumulative GPA during the subsequent term return to good standing.
Students on Academic Probation are encouraged to be in contact with their personal Program Advisor.
Probation Continued
Students on Academic Probation who failed to achieve a CGPA of 2.00 at the end of the preceding term but who did earn a 2.00 GPA or better are placed on Probation Continued. They may stay on Probation Continued as long as they earn a minimum GPA of 2.00 in each subsequent term until their CGPA reaches a 2.00. If students on Probation Continued fail to achieve a 2.00 GPA, they are dismissed from the University.
Degree Seeking Students on Probation Continued are encouraged to be in contact with their personal Program Advisor.
Academic Dismissal
Students in the undergraduate programs who had been on Academic Probation or Probation Continued in the previous term and whose minimum cumulative GPA continues to be below 2.00 at the end of the current term, are dismissed from the University. In some cases, and at the sole discretion of the Dean of Student Affairs and the Student Affairs Committee, Degree Seeking Students only may instead be placed on Probation Continued status or Academic Suspension.
Students in the MBA program who had been on Academic Warning in the previous term and whose minimum cumulative GPA continues to be below 2.67 at the end of the current term, are dismissed from the University. In some cases, and at the sole discretion of the Dean of Student Affairs and the Student Affairs Committee, Degree Seeking Students only may instead be placed on Probation Continued status or Academic Suspension.
Academic Dismissal is a permanent separation from the University, and means a student may not enroll in any succeeding term unless given permission by the Student Affairs Committee pursuant to the appeals process.
Academic Dismissal and Suspension Appeals
Dismissal and suspension appeals are available only for Degree Seeking Students.
Students who have encountered unexpected or extenuating circumstances that significantly prevented them from completing their academic requirements are eligible to request reconsideration of the decision by submitting a written appeal to the Student Affairs Committee no later than thirty days from the suspension or dismissal notice. Students who do not request an appeal within the 30-day deadline forfeit their right to appeal.
The appeal should include a clear description of the basis of the appeal, students’ reflections about their own academic difficulties at the University, and evidence of probable academic success if permitted to return to the University. Students should also submit any documentation of mitigating circumstances contributing to their poor academic performance.
All appeals should be sent to the Office of Student Services at
student.services@uopeople.edu and will be directed to the Student Affairs Committee. Once the appeal is submitted, students will receive a confirmation email within one week from the Office of Student Services and a final decision about the appeal within six weeks of their submission of the appeal. Decisions rendered by the Committee are final and binding.
When an appeal is granted or when the specified suspension period had ended, students may apply for reinstatement as a Degree Seeking Student by emailing the Office of Student Services at
student.services@uopeople.edu. If reinstated, students will be required to sign a contract for Improved Academic Performance with the Program Advising Office by the first day of the term of reinstatement or will not be permitted to return to their studies.
Dismissed students whose appeals are denied and who wish to return to their studies at UoPeople are required to apply for Academic Renewal after being out of residence from the University for a minimum of fifteen consecutive terms. Out of residence refers to the number of terms that a student has been inactive at the University— either unenrolled from the institution and/or enrolled at UoPeople without completing any course work in the intervening terms.
Click the 'next' arrow to your right or click here to move on to the next reading which is called 'Proctoring Requirement'.
[1] Students who are dismissed from the University for not meeting admissions requirements to a degree program will not receive notice of their academic standing at the end of the evaluation point, but it will be recorded in the student’s permanent file with the University.
Proctored Exams
University of the People students are required to successfully complete the required number of proctored exams prior to graduation according to their degree program. It is a condition of awarding a degree and diploma and students cannot graduate unless all required proctored exams are successfully completed.
How many proctored courses are required?
- Associate’s Degree students beginning their studies at UoPeople in Term 2 of the 2011-2012 academic year are required to complete at least five course final exams under the supervision of an approved proctor.
- Bachelor’s Degree students beginning their studies at UoPeople in Term 2 of the 2011-2012 academic year are required to complete at least eleven course final exams under the supervision of an approved proctor.
What happens if a student skips taking a proctored exam?
Students who do not take a proctored exam at the end of a course will be issued a failing grade in the course regardless of the student’s prior performance in the course.
Note that all University policies, including the Code of Academic Integrity, apply to proctored exams.
Proctor Requirements
It is the student’s sole responsibility to choose a proctor, and proctors must meet several requirements:
- be responsible adults, such as a local official, supervisor at work, librarian, or a religious figure, and be at least 21 years old;
- be willing to comply with policies and procedures to ensure the integrity of the exam process;
- have adequate and reliable access to the Internet, including email services;
- be available to be physically present with the student throughout the entire proctored exam.
Be advised that students cannot register themselves as their proctor, and the proctor cannot be a relative of the student, another student at UoPeople, or an applicant to UoPeople, nor can the proctor have a conflict of interest or have any vested interest in the student’s grade or performance on his/her exam. The University reserves the right to verify a proctor at any time, and students who assign proctors that do not meet the requirements will have their registration denied.
The proctor should be from the same locale as the student since, during the examination, they are required to be physically present in the same room as the student taking the exam. Students are also strictly prohibited from offering the proctor any payment or other benefit in return for the proctor’s willingness to supervise the exam.
Students may elect to pay ProctorU directly for its services, or they may select an approved third-party individual or organization offering proctoring services. Students should be aware that they will be responsible for any fees incurred for this service. The hiring of a third-party proctor is not required by UoPeople.
The University reserves the right to verify a proctor at any time.
What is Proctor U?
Proctor U provides an online proctoring service and students may elect to pay ProctorU directly for its services or they may select an approved third-party individual or organization offering proctoring services. Students should be aware that they will be responsible for any fees incurred for this service.
The hiring of a third-party proctor is not required by UoPeople.
Regulations for the Exam
- Students must identify a proctor during online registration for courses that require a proctor by entering the proctor’s first and last name, email address, telephone number, occupation, and place of residence. It is the student’s sole responsibility to inform the Office of Student Services of any changes to the proctor’s contact information.
- UoPeople reserves the right to verify a proctor at any time by contacting the proctor directly in order to validate his/her identity and to assure that the proctor meets all the requirements. If UoPeople rejects a proctor, the student will be notified accordingly and it will be the student’s sole responsibility to provide another proctor. Rejecting a proctor is at the sole discretion of UoPeople, and the University has no obligation to provide reasons for the decision.
- It is the student’s sole responsibility to coordinate the date, time, and location of the final exam with the proctor. The final exam period starts on Thursday, Week 9 of the term at 12:05 am UoPeople Time (GMT-5 time zone) and ends the following Sunday at 11:55 pm UoPeople Time (GMT-5 time zone). The proctored exam must be taken within this time period. UoPeople will send the proctor a reminder a week before the exam.
- Students are advised not to schedule an exam too close to the end of the final exam period in case there are technical problems or other unexpected issues. This will ensure that there is sufficient time to receive support if needed.
- A student will not be allowed to start a proctored exam without the presence of the proctor. Prior to starting the proctored exam, students must present to the proctor a government-issued ID which will be used to identify the student. Once the student is identified, the proctor must enter the exam code in the exam password field after the student has logged into the course area. The code will be provided to the proctor by the Office of Student Services a week prior to the beginning of the exam.
- It is the student’s sole responsibility to make sure that the proctor is available during the final exam period. A scheduling problem with the proctor will not be considered a legitimate reason for extending the exam or requesting a makeup exam.
This tutorial on how to submit your final exam can be helpful:
Assessment Fees
UoPeople is a non-profit academic institution but charges course assessment fees which apply to all students studying at the University. We've prepared some key points for you here to remember that all apply to students studying at the undergraduate level at UoPeople. There are separate Course Assessment Fees for graduate students at UoPeople.
- Assessment Fees apply to all students studying at the University.
- All Degree Seeking Students and all non-degree students are required to pay an Assessment Fee of $100 for every end of course assessment taken at the undergraduate level.
- (Non-degree students include all students studying in UoPeople Foundations, students enrolled in ENGL 0101 English Composition 1 to demonstrate English proficiency, students taking prerequisites to be admitted for graduate study, and any other student who is not in a degree program.)
- Graduate degree-seeking students and all non-degree students are required to pay a Assessment Fee of $200 per course at the University.
- (Non-degree students include all students studying in MBA Foundations, students enrolled in ENGL 0101 English Composition 1 to demonstrate English proficiency, students taking prerequisites to be admitted for graduate study, and any other student who is not in a degree program.)
- All applicants and/or students applying for academic renewal, including students who began their initial application to University of the People before August 27, 2012, are required to pay Assessment Fees.
- For students who need to repeat courses at UoPeople: course assessment fees are incurred for students repeating courses at UoPeople; students will need to pay an additional Course Assessment Fee for each course taken.
- Students who are applying to UoPeople for admission to a graduate level degree program who are completing prerequisite courses at the undergraduate level also pay a $100 Course Assessment fee per course required in addition to the MBA Foundations English course. All MBA Foundation Students taking the MBA Foundations English course are required to pay $100. All other courses taken at the graduate level have a cost of $200 per course.
The amount for Course Assessment Fees is reviewed annually by UoPeople, and students will be notified if there is a change no later than June 1st each year.
Students are encouraged to plan, anticipate, and budget for all Course Assessment Fees payments to avoid interruption of their academic schedule. Payments for Course Assessment Fees are due after the drop/withdrawal period is over (which is the end of the 4th week of the term) and before the end of the final exam period.
We cannot emphasize enough that UoPeople provides a fairly substantial window (just over 4 weeks long) for students to pay for their Course Assessment Fees. We therefore encourage you to highlight these dates on your personal calendars accordingly for each of the 5 terms throughout the academic year.
If you are looking at the UoPeople Academic Calendar, please note the following two dates for each of the 5 terms: you may pay after the "Last Day - course withdrawal"for the term you are enrolled and you must pay before the "Final exam period ends" for the term you are studying. Those are the dates on the Academic Calendar to look for!
You may be asking how you can pay. Here's how:
Payment methods for Course Assessment Fees can be made as an online or offline payment with a PayPal account or as a guest for payments via credit card. All payments made offline with PayPal should be sent to Payments@uopeople.edu and a detailed note including the Student/Applicant ID, name, and type of payment should be included.
Offline payments can be made with Western Union Agent Location, Money Gram, Western Union Global Pay or cashier’s check.
All clarifications, questions, and requests for assistance regarding how to make payments should be directed to the Payments Office at
payments@uopeople.edu.
What happens if students do not pay the Course Assessment Fee within the time required:
If a student takes the final exam and the Course Assessment Fees is not paid by the end of the final exam period, a financial hold will be placed on the student’s file.
What exactly happens if a student is placed on financial hold?
In the event that a student is placed on a financial hold, (1) a student's course registrations for the upcoming term are cancelled and (2) a student cannot register for or to continue taking courses until all outstanding payments are made and the hold is removed.
What happens if a student has a financial hold but pays before the end of late registration?
If all outstanding balances for Course Assessment Fees are paid before the end of late registration, students can register for courses during late registration and continue with their studies.
But please note that course selection during late registration typically does not have a great selection of open seats for students wanting to register, so waiting to register during late registration should not be your first choice at all. Also, note that students who had previously registered for courses during the regular 3-week registration but did not pay their Course Assessment Fees in time do not get to necessarily re-register for the exact courses that they had registered for as those course spots will have already been canceled as soon as soon as the student is put on financial hold.
What happens if a student is trying to secure additional funding but cannot pay over an extended period of time?
Students may be on a financial hold for up to three terms. By the start of the fourth term if any outstanding payment is still due, the student will be administratively withdrawn from UoPeople. A student may request re-enrollment or reinstatement to the University, or apply for academic renewal, but only after any overdue payments are made in full.
What options are available to students who want to inquire about financial aid?
Students may review outstanding balances and payments due to the University inside the Student Portal. In the event that student cannot pay the Course Assessment Fees, they may request financial aid by contacting the Financial Aid Office at
financial.aid@uopeople.edu. In this case, students should apply for a leave of absence (LOA) from the University.
Registration Tips and Applying for a LOA
Inactivity Policy and Leave of Absence (LOA) Allowance
We want to be sure you understand UoPeople's policy on Inactivity first, and then you will better understand what is required if you plan to be an inactive at UoPeople during an upcoming term.
Inactivity Policy
UoPeople allows students to be inactive for up to three (3) consecutive terms but not inactive for more than three (3) terms in a given academic year (September to August). Under special circumstances such as military service, a student’s inactivity may be extended for a maximum of five years. Please note that in order to approve such a request, supporting documents must be sent.
What happens if you need to be inactive at UoPeople more than what is allowed by the University?
Students requiring an extended period of inactivity at UoPeople may wish to consider withdrawing from the University.
When are you considered inactive during a term?
Students are considered inactive during a term:
- with an approved leave of absence (LOA)
- when dropping and/or withdrawing and/or being granted an administrative course withdrawal from all classes
What happens if you know you cannot study at UoPeople during an upcoming term?
Students must apply for a leave of absence when they are not planning to study at UoPeople during in an upcoming term.
How do you apply for a Leave of Absence (LOA)?
Students not planning to register for classes during an upcoming term are required to request a leave of absence (LOA) via the Self-Services Portal using the
online form.
What is the deadline each term to apply for a LOA?
Students have until one (1) week before the term begins to make this request.
[1]
Can students apply for a LOA after the term has already started if they dropped or withdrew from all their classes?
Students cannot apply for a leave of absence after the term begins, and do not need to apply for a leave of absence if they drop and/or withdraw and/or are granted an administrative course withdrawal from all courses during a term; it will be counted as an inactive term for the student.
What happens if a student does not register for classes for an upcoming term and also does not apply for a LOA?
Students who do not register for classes for an upcoming term and do not apply for a LOA are administratively withdrawn from UoPeople.
Special Instructions to Graduating Students on Applying for a LOA:
Before the end of the registration period during the term in which they will complete all requirements for the degree, students should apply for a LOA for the upcoming term and for each subsequent term until their degree is conferred by the University.
If you have questions about applying for a LOA, please contact your personal Program Advisor.
[1] The University reserves the right to request supporting documentation for any leave of absence. University of the People's decision to grant or refuse a request for a leave of absence will be final and binding.
We wanted to share a few final tips before you begin your courses next week:
(1) The Self-Services Portal is a very important 'place' at UoPeople. It's where you will:
a) register for courses
b) drop or withdraw from a course
c) apply for a Leave of Absence (LOA)
d) request to change majors
e) access your unofficial academic record (which is your unofficial UoPeople transcript)
f) access information useful to students like frequently asked questions about proctors etc.
The Self-Services Portal can be accessed through Moodle by entering your Student ID number and your password. Your password in Moodle and the Self-Services Portal is the same.
If you have any trouble accessing the Self-Services Portal contact your Program Advisor.
REMINDER:
AS YOU KNOW, YOU HAVE ALREADY BEEN REGISTERED FOR COURSES FOR YOUR FIRST TERM AT UOPEOPLE, BUT FOR ALL FUTURE TERMS, YOU WILL NEED TO REGISTER FOR CLASSES FOR THE UPCOMING TERM.
(2) Registration
After your first term at UoPeople, you will need to register for courses on your own.
There is a three week registration period during weeks 5, 6, and 7 of every term. For the specific dates, please refer to the UoPeople calendar. We recommend that you register early as courses fill up and close. So to get your best pick of courses for an upcoming term, we strongly recommend that you mark your calendar and register on the very first day!
Late Registration:
Note that there is a three day late registration period at the end of every term, but there is a very limited selection of courses offered during this time. It's best not to rely on picking courses during late registration.
If you have not yet updated all important dates for the term on your personal calendar, please get organized now which includes marking down the registration dates on your calendar so you can register early next term!
(3) What you need to do every term you are enrolled to avoid being administratively withdrawn:
Every term you are expected to either a) register for courses for the upcoming term or b) apply for a Leave of Absence (LOA) in the
Self-Services Portal.
If you are not planning to register for courses during an upcoming term you are required to request a leave of absence (LOA) via the Self-Services Portal using the
online form. You have until one (1) week before the term begins to make this request.
If you do neither (that is, you do not register for a course or apply for a LOA), you will be administratively withdrawn from the University.
It is your responsibility to let us know your plans.
(4) More about applying for a Leave of Absence (LOA)
You cannot apply for a LOA after the term begins, and you do not need to apply for a LOA if you drop, withdraw, and/or are granted an administrative course withdrawal from all courses during a term. However any time you drop or withdraw from all courses, note that the term will then be counted as an inactive term for you.
Students are encouraged to learn and comply with all LOA procedures; failure to comply with the LOA policy is grounds for University administrative actions including administrative withdrawal from UoPeople.
(5) How many terms/how often you can be Inactive (not take courses) at UoPeople
UoPeople allows students to be inactive for up to three terms, but not inactive for more than three terms in a given academic year (September to August).
Again, if you drop or withdraw from all your courses during a term, it will be considered an inactive term at UoPeople.
You have completed the readings in Module 3! Click the 'next' arrow to your right or
click here to move on to the Discussion Assignment.
Discussion Assignment
Please read through this
example of a Discussion Assignment to give you a flavor for how Discussion Forums work. In many ways, they are similar to the way that the Course Forum has been working during Orientation. One person posts the answer to a question, and everyone joins in and comments. The total number of words you post is listed at the bottom of your post.
Please access the submission page for the Unit 3 Discussion Assignment on the main course homepage; it will be listed inside the Unit, or by clicking here.
Click the 'next' arrow to your right or click here to move on to the next step which is the Unit 3 assignment.
Unit 3 Assignment
What does it take to succeed as an online student? In general, successful online students are good independent learners who are disciplined about completing their coursework on their own. However, successful online students must also be comfortable with technology and communicating on the Internet with peers, instructors, and administrators.
Often, the number one mistake new students make is to think that obtaining a degree at the UoPeople will be, let's say, not so hard. This might be because people get the wrong impression of a tuition-free online university. However, you should absolutely expect your courses to be just as rigorous as any face-to-face course and possibly require even more time and commitment.
1. Please take the
Web Learning Survey from Stark State College. Although this is a very brief introduction, what did it say about you? Are you ready to take online courses?
2. Make a list of three things you are most excited about as you start your degree path at the UoPeople. Then, make another list of the three things you are most worried about. Keep these lists to refer back during your first term!
3. Remember, there are many departments and individuals working to facilitate your success as a student at the UoPeople! It's always best to be "proactive" about any concerns you may have. (Many students are instead "reactive," and wait until they are in trouble to ask for help!) Please review this
helpful list from Unit One that describes where you might want to go for assistance.
Please access the submission page for the Unit 3 Assignment on the main course homepage; it will be listed inside the Unit, or by clicking here.
Click the 'next' arrow to your right or click here to move on to the next step which is the Unit 3 learning journal.
Learning Journal
Learning Journal Question:
What do you think will be your biggest challenge in your first term as a student at UoPeople? Deciding between 1-2 courses, time management, learning how to cite another person's ideas in our writing? Something else? All the above?
You are welcome to think about and write the answer to this question on your own but during New Student Orientation (UoPeople Preview), you do not actually submit the Learning Journal in Moodle.
Please access the submission page for the Unit 3 Learning Journal on the main course homepage; it will be listed inside the Unit, or by clicking here.
Click the 'next' arrow to your right or click here to move on to the next step which is the Unit 3 Graded Quiz.
Graded Quiz
During regular UoPeople courses, all quizzes open at the start of each Unit and also close at the end of each week/Unit of study. Normally, you will see the following message as part of the Graded Quiz chapter of the Learning Guide during weeks 3 and 6, which is when Graded Quizzes are usually given:
The Graded Quiz will test your knowledge of all the materials learned thus far. The results of the quiz will count towards your final grade.
Please access the Graded Quiz on the main course homepage; it will be listed inside the Unit. After you click on it, the quiz’s introduction will inform you of any time or attempt limits in place.
Good luck!
Please note that despite its name, for the purposes of Orientation only, the Graded Quiz is not actually graded. Go ahead and take the Graded Quiz once you have reviewed all of Unit 3's readings and resources, and all previous materials as well. Be sure to complete the readings first; we promise you it'll help ensure you answer the quiz questions correctly!
Please access the Unit 3 Graded Quiz on the main course homepage; it will be listed inside the Unit, or by clicking here.
Click the 'next' arrow to your right or click here to move on to the next step which is the Unit 3 checklist.
Checklist
You have officially finished the Orientation Course! Read through this checklist to make sure that you have completed all of the necessary steps in Module 3.
Read the Learning Guide and Reading Assignments
Read the Discussion Assignment
Complete the Unit 3 Assignment
Complete the Learning Journal
Take the Graded Quiz
Now that you are done with the Orientation Course, please click here to take the New Student End of Orientation Questionnaire, or you can access it on the home page under Module 3!
Checklist Unit 3
Comments
Post a Comment