Code of Conduct & Academic Policies

Academic Code of Conduct

Honesty, fairness, and trust are fundamental values upon which the University is founded. The academic conduct of students enrolled in the SMTD is governed by its rules and policies. Each member of the SMTD should realize that deception for the purposes of individual gain or convenience is an offense against the other members of the School and the University. Such dishonesty includes, but is not limited to the following:

Plagiarism

Submitting the work of another person as one’s own; stealing the ideas, data, or written work of others; copying the work of others without proper acknowledgment; or otherwise falsely taking credit.

Cheating

Using unauthorized notes, study aids, or information from another student or from another student’s paper or examination, including cheating on a computer-administered examination; altering graded work after it has been returned and submitting the work for re-grading; allowing another person to do one’s work and submitting the work as one’s own; or submitting one’s own work previously submitted for another course without fully revealing the circumstances to the instructor.

Aiding and Abetting Dishonesty

Providing material or information to another person with knowledge that it will be improperly used.

Dishonesty in Reporting the Results of Research

Misrepresenting data or information, or reporting false or misleading data or information including fabrication, improper adjustment of results, selective reporting for purposes of deception, omission of conflicting data for purposes of deception, or presenting information not gathered in accordance with appropriate methods for collecting or analyzing data, and failing to include an accurate account of the method by which the information was gathered or analyzed.

Falsification of Records and Official Documents

Altering documents affecting academic records; providing false information with intent to undermine the orderly functioning of the SMTD or the University; forging signatures or falsifying information on an official academic document, drop/add form, grade report, transcript, letter of permission, petition, or any document designed to meet or exempt a student from a regulation or procedure of the SMTD or the University, including making alterations after a document is signed.

Unauthorized or Malicious Interference or Tampering with Computer Property

Stealing, destroying, or tampering with the computer software, files, or data of others for purposes of academic gain or convenience.

When a complainant believes that academic dishonesty may have taken place, he or she should present the evidence to the Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs or the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies. The Dean will arrange for a hearing to determine whether the evidence is admissible. In the event that it is not, the case shall be dismissed.

If the evidence is admissible, the Hearing Board must determine whether the evidence is sufficient. In the event that it is not, the case shall be dismissed. If the evidence is sufficient, the defendant is adjudged guilty of the infraction and the Hearing Board must take such action as is appropriate.

Penalties for plagiarism, cheating, aiding and abetting dishonesty, dishonesty in reporting the results of research, falsification of records and official documents, and unauthorized or malicious interference or tampering with computer property are spelled out in the Manual of Procedures for Dealing with Infractions of the Code of Academic Conduct for the SMTD. This is available in the office of the Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs and the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies.

Non-Academic Code of Conduct

Students at the University of Michigan (U-M) expect members of their community to be responsible for their actions and to respect the rights of others. These expectations are not meant to limit students’ constitutional right to freedom of expression. The non-academic conduct of students enrolled in the SMTD is governed by the rules and policies of the University, which can be found through the Office of Student Conflict Resolution, Division of Student Affairs.

The University of Michigan (University) supports its educational mission by fostering a community based on civility, dignity, diversity, inclusivity, education, equality, freedom, honesty, and safety. Consistent with these values, the University is committed to providing a safe and non-discriminatory learning, living, and working environment for all members of the University community. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex or gender in any of its education or employment programs and activities.

The University prohibits sexual assault, sexual and gender-based harassment, intimate partner violence, stalking, retaliation, and violation of interim measures (collectively Prohibited Conduct). Prohibited Conduct is expressly forbidden and will not be tolerated at the University. It may also violate federal and state law.

The University adopts this Policy and Procedures on Student Sexual and Gender-Based Misconduct and Other Forms of Interpersonal Violence (Policy or Policy and Procedures) with a commitment to: (1) eliminating, preventing, and addressing the effects of Prohibited Conduct; (2) fostering an environment where all individuals are well-informed and supported in reporting Prohibited Conduct; (3) providing a fair and impartial process for all parties; and (4) identifying the standards by which violations of this Policy will be evaluated and disciplinary action may be imposed. University students who violate this Policy may face disciplinary action up to and including expulsion.

The Policy and Procedures sets forth how the University will proceed once it is made aware of possible Prohibited Conduct in keeping with our institutional values and to meet our legal obligations under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX); the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act), as amended by the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 (VAWA); and other applicable law.

The University strongly encourages the reporting of sexual misconduct. Confidential reports can be submitted HERE.

The University will respond to reports of sexual misconduct made to a non-confidential University employee. All reports will be reported to the U-M Title IX Coordinator in the Office for Institutional Equity. To access confidential assistance, students may contact a confidential reporting location. The University strongly encourages anyone who believes they experienced a sexual assault (or any other crime) to make a report to the University of Michigan Police Department.

SMTD undergraduate students are required to maintain a minimum term or cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.0. The Office of Academic and Student Affairs (OASA) runs a GPA report at the end of each semester to identify any student who may have fallen below the 2.0 GPA minimum. As a result, one of the following levels of academic discipline may be imposed:

Academic Probation

A student whose term or cumulative GPA is below 2.0 will be placed on Probation. Students on Probation must attain a 2.0 term or cumulative GPA during the next term of enrollment, or will otherwise be moved to Stringent Probation.

If the student on Probation shows significant improvement in grades without course withdrawals, but is still below a 2.0 GPA, “Continued Probation” will apply.

Stringent Probation

A student who is already on Probation whose term or cumulative remains below a 2.0 will be placed on Stringent Probation. Students on Stringent Probation must attain a 2.0 term or cumulative GPA during the next term of enrollment, or will otherwise be restricted from further enrollment at U-M.

If the student on Stringent Probation shows significant improvement in grades without course withdrawals, but is still below a 2.0 GPA, the academic status will be moved to Probation.

Not to Register (NTR)

A student on Stringent Probation whose term or cumulative GPA remains below a 2.0 and has not shown significant academic improvement without course withdrawals will be restricted from further enrollment at U-M.

Students who have been moved to NTR but wish to return to SMTD, will need to prove academic success (2.0 GPA or above) at a community college or outside university for two consecutive full terms with a minimum full time credit load (12 credits per term).

After completing outside studies, students wishing to return to SMTD must petition the major department and Council of Departmental Representatives (CDR) for consideration of reinstatement.

• Petitions must be submitted at least 6 weeks prior to the start of the term in which the student wishes to return and must include the following:
  • Information on the cause of initial academic struggle and how the student has resolved or is resolving those issues
  • Official transcript from the outside institution where the student has demonstrated academic success
  • Plan for course elections upon return
  • Letter from and SMTD academic advisor indicating they have met and discussed registration moving forward

Approval of reinstatement by the major department or CDR is not guaranteed. If denied, the student may appeal for reinstatement no less than one academic year later, and no more than one additional time; a new audition/interview may be required.

Students reinstated from NTR will return on Stringent Probation and must achieve a 2.0 term or cumulative GPA within the first term of enrollment.

Students reinstated from NTR will not be allowed to withdraw from any class after the third week in the semester of return. A full term medical withdrawal will be allowed as an exception. Students reinstated from NTR who do not achieve a 2.0 term or cumulative GPA within the semester of return, or who are placed on NTR for a second time within any term of enrollment will not be allowed to return to SMTD, but may apply to another school/college at U-M.

SMTD students may take a leave of absence for one full term (Fall or Winter) without applying for readmission. Students who are not enrolled for two or more consecutive terms may be required to reapply for admission, and in some cases, re-audition. The student’s degree department at the time of the leave of absence will determine approval for readmission.

Students interested in taking a leave of absence must contact the Office of Academic and Student Affairs (OASA).

Students who have not been enrolled for more than two consecutive terms must be readmitted to continue studies at SMTD. Former students should contact the Office of Academic and Student Affairs (OASA) to initiate the process of readmission. It may be determined that new application materials and an interview, portfolio, and/or audition will be required.

For undergraduate students, there is no time limit for completion of a degree, though students may be required to follow updated degree requirements if there have been significant curricular changes from the time of original enrollment.

Master of Music and Specialist students have six (6) years from the time of initial enrollment to complete all degree requirements. Any appeals to that time limit must be submitted to the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies.

Students who have not been enrolled due to restricted registration due to Academic Probation should see readmission procedures under “Academic Discipline and Probation”.

Students must complete core requirements of a degree in-residence at U-M. With the exception of transfer students who may have completed equivalent coursework to SMTD requirements, courses from outside institutions may only apply to elective credit and must be pre-approved from both the student’s home department and the Office of Academic and Student Affairs.

For undergraduate students, there is no time limit for completion of a degree, though students may be required to follow updated degree requirements if there have been significant curricular changes from the time of original enrollment.

Master of Music and Specialist students have six (6) years from the time of initial enrollment to complete all degree requirements. Any appeals to that time limit must be submitted to the Associate Dean for Graduate Studies.

Rackham students (MA, MFA, DMA, PhD) should contact the Rackham Office for information on time for completion related to their degree.