Absence Notifications

When a student is unable to attend class due to emergency situations/extenuating circumstances (i.e., medical illness, hospitalization, death/bereavement, etc.), students should always notify their instructor of an absence in advance, or as soon as possible. In extenuating circumstances, an instructor may ask for documentation of an absence. Absence notifications are not an official excuse. They are provided on the student’s behalf to explain the circumstances surrounding an absence and to request that the instructor works with the student to complete missed coursework when appropriate. It is recommended that students work directly with their instructor and campus support staff for the following types of absences: 

• Military obligations: work with instructor and the Veterans Success Center 

• Legal obligations: work with instructor 

• Disability: work with Student Disability Services and instructor 

• Short-term hardship: work with instructor and Center for Student Advocacy 

• Religious holiday: work with instructor and Center for Student Advocacy 

• Extended hardship that requires long-term management: work with instructor and complete a 974-HELP referral form if additional support is needed. 
• Illness or injury absence: work with Student Health 

Final approval of all absences and missed work is determined by the instructor. 

The Office of the Dean of Students is available to assist a student or family member at any point during this process.

Academic Advising

Academic advising serves to develop and enrich students’ educational plans in ways that are consistent with their personal values, goals, and career plans—preparing them for a life of learning and leadership in a global society. Central to academic advising is providing guidance on the academic program requirements, policies and guidelines that impact a student’s academic journey.

Undergraduate students are assigned to professional advisors based on their major or exploratory track. Advising centers and designated offices in each college advise undergraduate students. The university does require advising for undergraduate students; please refer to the UTK Undergraduate Catalog for details on academic advising requirements for undergraduate students. Graduate students are advised via faculty advisors and/or graduate program directors associated with their discipline.

The student, not the advisor, bears the ultimate responsibility for educational planning, selecting courses, meeting course prerequisites, and adhering to policies and procedures. Assistance to students with academic problems or questions is provided by professors, advisors, department heads, and college deans. 

Detailed information for undergraduate students is available on the Undergraduate Academic Advising website. Graduate students should consult their program or the Graduate School for advising resources.

Academic Alert Statement

In the first year, undergraduate students are assigned an academic coach, a member of your Vol Success Team, to work with you to strengthen your academic progress, particularly if there are indications that current academic goals are in jeopardy. If you are struggling in a class and receive an academic alert, expect an e-mail, call, or text from your academic coach and be sure to respond promptly. 

Academic Evaluation

Academic performance is evaluated on academic requirements outlined by professors, departments, colleges and the university, and not on may expect their performance to be evaluated solely on an academic basis and not on opinions or conduct in matters unrelated to academic standards. Students are responsible for adhering to the guidelines each course in which they are enrolled as well as the requirements of their program and college. A student alleging unfair evaluation should follow the applicable process for academic appeal. Instructors are expected to make honest, professional judgments on the academic performance of students and to make clear to them the basis for academic evaluation used in their classes. For additional information, visit the Policy and Procedures page of the catalog. 

Academic Integrity

Study, preparation, and presentation should involve at all times the student’s own work, unless it has been clearly specified that work is to be a team effort. Academic honesty requires that the student present their own work in all academic projects, including tests, papers, homework, and class presentation. When incorporating the work of other scholars and writers into a project, the student must accurately cite the source of that work. For additional information see the Honor Statement on the Academic Policies and Procedures page of the current catalog or the UT Libraries site. See also the Student Code of Conduct.

Academic Second Opportunity

Academic Second Opportunity is designed to assist undergraduate students who were not successful in progressing toward a degree during a previous attendance at UT Knoxville but are now performing satisfactory work.

An undergraduate student may petition for Academic Second Opportunity upon meeting the following requirements: the student has re-enrolled following an absence from UT Knoxville of at least three full calendar years; the student’s previous academic record at the university was unsatisfactory (normally, below a C average); since readmission, the student has completed 15 or more graded hours, earning a 2.5 GPA or above.

See the Academic Second Opportunity statement on the Policy and Procedures page of the current catalog for complete information. The Academic Success Center also has an informational page on Dismissal Reinstatement.

Academic Standing, Probation & Dismissal

The university reviews student academic records at the end of each term to determine each student’s academic standing. Students who do not meet the GPA requirement for good standing at the undergraduate or graduate level receive a standing of academic probation or academic dismissal.

See the Academic Standing statement on the Academic Policies and Procedures page of the current catalog for complete information on standards and processes. The Academic Success Center also has an informational page on academic probation and dismissal for undergraduates.

Adds, Drops, Withdrawals

Policies governing adding a class, dropping a class, and withdrawal from the university are included in the Enrollment section of the Academic Policies and Procedures page of the current catalog.

The periods for adding a class, dropping a class, or changing a grading option for each session are determined based on a percentage of the equivalent deadline for the full term. Exact dates are available on the One Stop academic and financial calendar. The One Stop site also includes processes for adding a class, dropping a class, and withdrawal from a class.

Adequate Preparation

With regard to learning in his or her respective courses, the student has the responsibility to seek information (which should be readily available from the instructor) as to necessary preparation for participation in the classroom activity. The instructor should provide specific information about the course objectives, nature of testing, and course requirements. The learning and integration of the course material are the student’s responsibility. Accordingly, the student should accept responsibility for adequate preparation for each class meeting, arriving for class able and willing to interact through classroom participation, testing, writing, in-class exercises, and other methods provided by the teacher. Basic to these activities is the need for the student to employ appropriate resources, as assigned by the instructor, such as textbooks, other supplies, and outside reading materials.

Undergraduate students seeking additional support preparing for courses should connect with their assigned academic coach.

Class Attendance & Eligibility

Academic success is built upon regular class attendance, and students are expected to attend all of their scheduled classes. A student who finds it necessary to miss class assumes responsibility for making up examinations, obtaining lecture notes, and otherwise compensating for what may have been missed.

It is the prerogative of the individual instructor to set the attendance requirements for a particular class. This means, for example, that an instructor in first-year composition may state in the syllabus how many absences are allowed before a student receives a grade of No Credit.

Only students who are properly registered for a course may attend it on a regular basis. Any other person in the classroom for special reasons must obtain the consent of the instructor.

See Class Attendance and Eligibility on the Academic Policies and Procedures page of the current catalog for complete information on class attendance, including guidelines for extenuating circumstances such as military orders, legal obligations, religious observances, extended illnesses, and participation in university-sponsored activities.

Freedom of Expression

Free and pertinent discussion is welcome at the university. Students should feel free to take reasoned exception to the data or views offered in any course of study and to reserve judgment about matters of opinion. They are responsible, however, for learning the content of any course of study for which they are enrolled. For additional information, please visit the university’s Free Speech website.

Grade Appeals

Undergraduate grade appeals begin with the Undergraduate Council and must be filed within 90 days of the final grade being issued. See the Grade Appeal Procedure section of the Academic Policies and Procedures page of the current catalog for a full description of the process and grounds for appeal.

Honor Statement

An essential feature of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, is a commitment to maintaining an atmosphere of intellectual integrity and academic honesty. As such the university utilizes an Honor Statement that reads, “As a student of the university, I pledge that I will neither knowingly give nor receive any inappropriate assistance in academic work, thus affirming my own personal commitment to honor and integrity.” See the Honor Statement on the Academic Policies and Procedures page of the current catalog for student and faculty responsibilities under the Honor Statement. See also Academic Integrity.

Observation of Deadlines

It is the student’s responsibility to be aware of and follow the enrollment and registration procedures provided by the university, including the timely completion of any academic advising required prior to registration. It is also the student’s responsibility to file forms for graduation based on information provided by the Degree Audit Report System and to observe other university and college deadlines. A calendar of academic and financial deadlines is available on the One Stop site.

Repeating Courses

Students who are struggling with a class should talk with their advisor before deciding whether to withdraw from and/or plan to repeat a class. Students with financial aid packages should also consult with One Stop prior to withdrawing from any courses as schedule changes can impact aid award eligibility, amounts or trigger repayments.

Generally, undergraduate courses can be repeated twice, for a total of three attempts per course, with grade replacement for up to three lower-division courses. For details and limits, see the Repeating Courses section of the Academic Policies and Procedures page of the current undergraduate catalog.

uTrack

Universal Tracking, or uTrack, is an academic monitoring system designed to help students stay on track for timely graduation. uTrack requirements only affect full-time degree-seeking students who first entered in fall 2013 or later. uTrack does not apply to transfer students who enter prior to fall 2015.

In order to remain on track for a major or exploratory area, students must complete minimum requirements for each tracking semester known as milestones. Milestones may include successful completion of specified courses and/or attainment of a minimum GPA. Students who are off track at the end of a tracking semester must meet with an advisor to develop a plan for getting back on track. Students who are off track for two consecutive semesters have a hold placed on their registration and must meet with a new advisor to select a new major that is better aligned with their abilities.

See the Office of the University Registrar website for details.