9.1. ABSENCE
Failure to participate in a required interaction at or by a specified date and time. (See SR 5.2.5.1 and SR 5.2.5.2.) [US: 2/12/2018]
- * “Required interactions” (SR 5.1.7.3, SR 5.2.5.2, and SR 9.1) are interactions that, if not completed at or by their specified date and time, would penalize a student in a course. Interactions may include, but are not limited to, student engagement with other students (e.g., participating in an in-class or online discussion), engagement with the instructor (e.g., attending class), or engagement with an instructor’s proxy (e.g., attending a guest lecture or uploading a file to the course management system). [US: 2/12/2018]
9.2 ACADEMIC POLICY STATEMENTS
Statements that are applicable to all courses, such as policies on excused absences, religious observances, accommodations due to disability, non-discrimination and Title IX requirements, and academic integrity
[See 6.1.2 on documenting this information in a course syllabus.]
9.3 ACCREDITATION
The designation of an educational institution as being of acceptable quality in criteria of excellence established by a recognized accrediting agency or association. A recognized accrediting agency or association is an organization that sets up criteria for judging the quality of training offered by educational institutions, determines the extent to which institutions must meet these criteria, and issues a list of the institutions, courses or educational programs found to be of acceptable quality. Agency is the designation usually given to the accrediting organizations, that work in the professional and technical schools, and association is the usual designation for those that operate on a regional basis at the secondary and higher levels. Members voluntarily meet the criteria of membership as defined by the accrediting organization.
9.4 ADMINISTRATIVE REGULATIONS (AR)
Administrative Regulations are issued by the President to “provide interpretation and implementation of University-wide policies set forth by the Board of Trustees in these Governing Regulations and the Minutes of the Board of Trustees. Administrative Regulations promote the responsible and efficient administration of the University and the accomplishment of its goals.” (see GR XIII.B.2). References to Administrative Regulations are abbreviated with “AR.”
9.5 AUDITOR
One who enrolls for informational instruction only. Regular attendance at class or classes is expected without other participation and without credit.
9.6 BADGE
A badge program (either credit bearing or non-credit bearing) consists of two or more courses, but no more than four courses, which collectively provide one or more defined skill sets or competencies that can be useful to students/learner and employers. [US: 12/12/2022]
9.7 CLASSIFICATION
An undergraduate student's status in respect to progress toward the completion of the curriculum--freshman, sophomore, junior, senior--based on the number of hours or courses to their credit at the time of registration.
9.8 COURSE
A course is a unit of educational content with paced delivery to enrolled learners, which includes required interactions with the supervising credentialed instructor during a fixed period of time and that culminates in the instructor’s assessment of the learner’s attainment of specific learning outcomes. Courses may be credit-bearing courses or non-credit-bearing. [US: 5/1/2023]
9.9 EXCUSED ABSENCE
An absence that occurs for one of several approved reasons (SR 5.2.5.2.1) for which the student shall not be penalized (SR 5.2.5.2) provided the student supplies timely notification (SR 5.2.5.2.2) and appropriate verification (SR 5.2.5.2.1) to the Instructor of Record (SR 6.1.1).
9.10 FREE ELECTIVE
Designates those courses freely chosen by the student without restriction or control except that the course or courses must meet course standards as set by the University Senate.
9.11 FINAL EXAMINATION
A substantial examination, given at the conclusion of the course, based on the contents of the course and making a significant contribution to the determination of the final grade. [US: 4/28/86]
9.12 FINALS WEEK
For spring and fall semester, the period during the last Monday through Thursday of the semester, that is immediately preceded by two study days (i.e. "Reading Days") and a weekend (see SR 5.2.5.7.1). [US: 5/1/2023]
9.13 FULL-TIME UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT
For fee payment purposes, an undergraduate student who is carrying a minimum of 12 credit hours during a semester or the summer session
9.14 GOVERNING REGULATIONS (GR)
The Governing Regulations describe the composition, powers, and duties of the Board of Trustees of the University, within the limits set by the Federal and State Constitutions and the federal and state laws, and delineate the duties of the President and responsibilities of the University Senate, Staff Senate, Student Government Association, the educational units and their administrative officers. References to Governing Regulations are abbreviated with “GR.” (see GR II)
9.15 GRADUATION COMPOSITION AND COMMUNICATION REQUIREMENT (GCCR)
The Graduation Composition and Communication Requirement (GCCR) is an advanced course or series of courses that provide undergraduate students in undergraduate programs an intensive opportunity for a discipline-specific focus on composition and communication. This requirement is distinct from the UK Core Composition and Communication I and II requirements. US: 3/20/2023]
9.16 GRADE POINT AVERAGE (GPA)
See SR 5.1.8. The grade point average (GPA) is the ratio of the number of quality points gained to the number of credit hours (whether earned or not) in courses for which the grades of A, B, C, D, or E were conferred, excluding grades in developmental or remedial courses. [US: 3/9/98; US: 4/10/2000; US: 9/10/2001]
Credit hours are considered as earned only if a grade of A, B, C, D, P or S was conferred. [SREC: 12/8/2022]
9.17 GRADE POINTS
Same as “quality points” (SR 9.24). [SREC: 12/8/2022]
9.18 GRADUATE SCHOOL
The organizational unit of the University which offers an integrated program of advanced, specialized study beyond the bachelor's degree and usually toward a master's or doctoral degree.
9.19 MAJOR
A major is a primary area of study defined by a set of courses and/or credit-hour requirements within specified disciplines. Within degree programs, majors may be further defined by requirements in an area of emphasis, also known as an track (undergraduate), concentration (Master's) or specialization (doctoral). [US: 10/14/2002; 05/27/2012]
9.20 MASTER’S DEGREE
A master’s degree is an award that requires the successful completion of an academic program of at least 30 semester credit hours or the equivalent at the post-baccalaureate, graduate, or professional level. One type of master's degree, that includes the Master of Arts and Master of Science, is awarded for advanced scholarship, whereas a second type of master’s degree is awarded for completion of a professional program (definition accords with U.S. Dept. of Education, SACSCOC and KY CPE, see also 9.20). [US: 3/19/2018]
9.21 FIRST LANGUAGE
An individual's first acquired language of communication. [SREC: 11/20/87]
9.22 ONLINE PROGRAM DELIVERY
A formal policy designation attached to a Senate-approved degree program, certificate program, major, minor, track, concentration, or specialization that recognizes: (1) all of the associated instructional content is delivered fully online, and (2) the relevant faculty bodies support such designation. [US: 11/8/2021]
Some non-instructional program requirements (e.g., orientation and testing) may or may not be in-person. Online instruction is instruction via internet, satellite or wireless communication, and audio and video conferencing. [US: 11/8/2021]
9.23 PREP WEEK
Prep Week is defined as the last week of instruction of a semester and the last three days of instruction of a Summer Session or Winter Intersession. Prep Week is designed to help students prepare for their final exams, so certain instructional activities are restricted. (Additional restrictions apply to Reading Days.) (see SR 5.2.5.6)
9.24 PROFESSIONAL COLLEGE
The Colleges that home professional practice doctoral degrees (currently Law, Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing, Health Sciences, and Pharmacy). The colleges other than Law comprise the “Health Care Colleges.” [US: 3/19/2018]
9.25 PROFESSIONAL DEGREE
9.25.1 PROFESSIONAL MASTER’S DEGREE
A professional master’s degree program consists of two years of nonthesis academic training in a concentrated science, mathematics, technology or other area and contains a professional component that may include internships and cross-training in business, management, regulatory affairs, computer applications, and communications. The program is designed with the input of one or more employers. The educational content of these programs is as distinct from a graduate research/scholarship master’s as are professional practice doctorates (SR 9.20.29.25.2) distinct from research/scholarship doctorates. [US: 3/19/2018]
9.25.2 PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE DOCTORAL DEGREE
A professional practice doctoral degree is awarded upon completion of a program providing the knowledge and skills for the recognition, credential, or license required for professional practice. The total time to the degree, including both pre-professional and professional preparation, equals at least six full-time equivalent academic years. Some of these degrees were formerly classified as “first professional.” [US: 3/19/2018]
9.26 PROGRAM
A program is a series of courses that culminate in conferral of a credential, which could be described as a “program,” whether or not the credential has the same name as a currently transcripted UK credential (degree, certificate, badge, honor, or other credential(s)) as determined by Senate. [US: 5/1/2023]
9.26.1 ACADEMIC PROGRAM
The requirements leading to a degree or diploma.
* Academic activities are currently defined by AR 1:4.VI as “including those involving the degree and certificate programs, curriculum, instruction, research, service, extension, and outreach activities”.
9.27 QUALITY POINTS
The numerical values of letter grades (SR 5.1.1 and SR 10.4), used to calculate a GPA (SR 5.1.8). [SREC: 12/8/2022]
9.28 READING DAYS
Reading Days are defined as the last two days of Prep Week in a semester. There are no Reading Days during a Summer Session or Winter Intersession. There shall be no required interactions (SR 9.1) on Reading Days. (see SR 5.2.5.6)
9.29 RESIDENCE REQUIREMENT
A requirement for a degree which specifies the minimum period during which one must be registered in order to qualify for a degree. Residence is intended to provide an adequate contact with the University and its faculty for each student who is awarded a degree. (See SR 3.1.1)
9.30 REGULAR AND SUBSTANTIVE INTERACTIONS
All credit-bearing courses must support regular and substantive interaction (RSI) between the students and the instructor, regardless of the course’s delivery mode (e.g., in-person, hybrid, or online). Courses satisfy this requirement when course participants meet regularly as prescribed in SR 10.6, and the Instructor of Record substantively interacts with students in at least two of the following ways: provides direct instruction; assesses students’ learning; provides information or responds to students’ questions; and facilitates student discussions. Some exceptions allowed as per SACSCOC. [US: 12/13/2022]
9.31 SPECIAL EXAMINATION
An examination taken for credit for material mastered outside of class.
9.32 SUPPORTIVE ELECTIVE
Designates those areas within program requirements that are not specific requirements. The student may select from courses within the limits established by the major department and University requirements.
9.33 TERM
In reference to the academic University Calendar, “term” means collectively both Spring and Fall Semesters, the Winter Intersession and the Summer Session. [US: 2/11/2019] .
9.34 UNDERGRADUATE COLLEGE
A college that awards a bachelor's degree or an undergraduate University Honor.
9.35 UNIVERSITY SCHOLARS PROGRAM (USP)
The University Scholars Program allows a student to apply up to 12 credit hours used for one undergraduate degree towards one graduate degree. (see SR 3.1.1.8) [US: 4/10/2023]
9.36 UNSCHEDULED CAMPUS CLOSING
Defined as a period when the campus is closed for part or all of a day. [US: 5/2/2022] (see SR 5.2.5.2.1)