Course Policies and Resources

All students at the University of Nebraska Kearney should be aware of the following university-wide course policies and resources.

Attendance Policy

Your instructor may have indicated on their syllabus an attendance policy specific to their class. If so, that is the policy with which you must comply. If no other policy is stated, the University-wide attendance policy will apply.

Undergraduate Student Attendance Policy

Graduate Student Attendance Policy

Academic Honesty Policy

Academic honesty is essential to the existence and integrity of an institution of higher education. The responsibility for maintaining that integrity is shared by all members of the academic community. To further serve this end, the University of Nebraska at Kearney has a policy relating to academic integrity.

Undergraduate Academic Integrity Policy

Graduate Academic Integrity Policy

Finals Week Policy

Finals at UNK will be scheduled Monday through Thursday during the last week of the semester.

Final examinations for full semester classes are to be given at the regularly scheduled examination time only as published on the Office of the University Registrar website policy (Final Exam Schedule).
During the week prior to Finals Week, the only examinations that may be given are laboratory practical examinations, make-up or repeat examinations, and self-paced examinations.
If a student is scheduled to take three or more final exams in one day during the finals week, the student has the following options take all final exams as scheduled; take the exam during the allotted day and time that is open for make-up examination or resolution of conflict, which is Thursday at 3:30 pm; or take the exam during Finals Week at an agreed-upon time worked out between the student and the instructor. Students seeking accommodation are responsible for notifying their instructor at least one week before the final exam period and providing documentation proving eligibility for accommodation.
Projects, papers, performances, and speeches scheduled for completion during the last week of classes must have been assigned in writing by the end of the eighth week of the semester. This refers to the project and its scope, not the topic.
Complaints about failure to follow the above outlined procedures should be made immediately to the faculty member. If the faculty member is not responsive to the student’s concerns, the appropriate department chair should be notified. If necessary, appeals can be filed with the dean of the college offering the course.
Any course not having an examination during Finals Week will meet under the direction of its instructor during the scheduled Finals Week time period for a continuation of regular class work.
The dean may grant exceptions to this policy on the basis of good and sufficient reasons submitted to the dean in writing.
Faculty should include a Finals Week Policy statement indicating that “The final exam will be administered in the time period scheduled during finals week in accordance with University policy (Final Exam Schedule).”

Mental Wellness

The UNK Counseling Center provides mental health services to support the academic success of students. The Counseling Center provides a full range of short-term professional mental health services.

Getting help is a smart and courageous thing to do. Contact the UNK Counseling Center at 308-865-8248 or visit their website for more information: https://www.unk.edu/offices/counseling_healthcare/counseling_care/index.php

Military and Veteran Services

Military and Veteran Services assist veterans, service members, and their dependents with education benefits and academic and supporting resources. They serve as a liaison between students and the Veterans Administration and branches of the military. Contact the UNK Military and Veteran Services office at 308-865-8677 or visit their website for more information: https://www.unk.edu/offices/financial_aid/veterans_services/index.php

Reporting Student Sexual Harassment, Sexual Violence or Sexual Assault

Reporting allegations of rape, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, sexual harassment, and stalking enables the University to promptly provide support to the impacted student(s), to take appropriate action to prevent a recurrence of such sexual misconduct, and to protect the campus community. Confidentiality will be respected to the greatest degree possible. Any student who believes they may be the victim of sexual misconduct is encouraged to report to one or more of the following resources:

Local Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault Advocacy Agency 308-237-2599
Campus Police (or Security) 308-865-8911
Title IX Coordinator 308-865-8655

Retaliation against the student making the report, whether by students or University employees, will not be tolerated.

Students with Disabilities

It is the policy of the University of Nebraska at Kearney to provide flexible and individualized reasonable accommodation to students with documented disabilities. To receive accommodation services for a disability, students must be registered with the UNK Disabilities Services for Students (DSS) office, 175 Memorial Student Affairs Building, 308-865-8214 or by email unkdso@unk.edu

Students Who are Pregnant

It is the policy of the University of Nebraska at Kearney to provide flexible and individualized reasonable accommodation to students who are pregnant. To receive accommodation services due to pregnancy, students must contact the Student Health office at 308-865-8218. The following links provide information for students and faculty regarding pregnancy rights. https://thepregnantscholar.org/title-ix-basics/

https://nwlc.org/resource/faq-pregnant-and-parenting-college-graduate-students-rights/

UNK Statement of Diversity & Inclusion

UNK stands in solidarity and unity with our students of color, our Latinx and international students, our LGBTQIA+ students, and students from other marginalized groups in opposition to racism and prejudice in any form, wherever it may exist. It is the job of institutions of higher education, indeed their duty, to provide a haven for the safe and meaningful exchange of ideas and to support peaceful disagreement and discussion. In our classes, we strive to maintain a positive learning environment based upon open communication and mutual respect. UNK does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or political affiliation. Respect for the diversity of our backgrounds and varied life experiences is essential to learning from our similarities as well as our differences. The following link provides resources and other information regarding D&I: https://www.unk.edu/about/equity-access-diversity.php