STUDENT HANDBOOK
Sixth Edition 2010
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Sixth Edition 2010
TABLE OF CONTENTS
About this Handbook ..................................................................................................... 5
Introduction .................................................................................................................... 6
President’s Welcome .................................................................................................. 6
Mission ....................................................................................................................... 7
Accreditation .............................................................................................................. 8
Founder and president ................................................................................................ 8
Provost ........................................................................................................................ 9
Department Heads ...................................................................................................... 9
General Advisory Committee ..................................................................................... 9
Non-Discrimination Statement ................................................................................. 13
Diversity Statement .................................................................................................. 13
Disclaimer ................................................................................................................. 13
Community Standards .................................................................................................. 14
General Code of Conduct ......................................................................................... 14
Academic Code of Conduct ...................................................................................... 14
Terms of Use ............................................................................................................ 16
Disciplinary Actions, Suspensions, and Dismissals ................................................. 16
Disciplinary Procedure ............................................................................................. 17
Disciplinary Appeals ................................................................................................ 17
Academics .................................................................................................................... 18
Academic Calendar................................................................................................... 18
Academic Year 2009-2010.................................................................................... 18
Administrative Holidays ....................................................................................... 19
Orientation Courses .................................................................................................. 20
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Sixth Edition 2010
Skills for Online Learning ..................................................................................... 20
English Composition 1 .......................................................................................... 20
Undergraduate Programs .......................................................................................... 20
Business Administration ....................................................................................... 20
Computer Science ................................................................................................. 21
Pedgogical Approach ................................................................................................ 21
Academic Support .................................................................................................... 21
Study at University of the People ................................................................................ 22
The Term Schedule ................................................................................................... 22
The Study Process and Student Responsibilities ...................................................... 22
The Learning Guide .............................................................................................. 22
Reading Assignment ............................................................................................. 22
Participation .......................................................................................................... 23
The Classroom Forum ........................................................................................... 23
The Course Forum ................................................................................................. 23
Discussion Forum .................................................................................................. 23
Assignments .......................................................................................................... 24
Late Assignments .................................................................................................. 24
Learning Journal .................................................................................................... 24
Quizzes .................................................................................................................. 25
Reading Period and Final Examinations ............................................................... 25
Exam Retake ........................................................................................................ 25
Course Registration and Withdrawal ........................................................................... 26
Course Registration .................................................................................................. 26
Dropping and Withdrawing from Courses ............................................................... 26
Course Drop .......................................................................................................... 26
Course Withdrawal ................................................................................................ 27
Withdrawal from the University ........................................................................... 28
Leave of Absence .................................................................................................. 28
Term Deferral ........................................................................................................ 28
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Course Repeat ........................................................................................................... 29
Course Load .............................................................................................................. 30
Course Completion and Extension Policy ................................................................ 30
Criteria for Awarding Grades ................................................................................... 30
Study Hours ........................................................................................................... 31
The Grading System ................................................................................................. 31
Letter Grades ......................................................................................................... 31
Non-Letter Grades ................................................................................................. 32
Grade Point Average (GPA) ................................................................................. 32
Grade Appeals .......................................................................................................... 33
Academic Performance ................................................................................................ 34
Satisfactory Academic Progress ............................................................................... 34
Continuous Enrollment ............................................................................................. 35
Grievance Procedure .................................................................................................... 35
Tuition and Fees ........................................................................................................... 36
Student Affairs ............................................................................................................. 37
Student Records ........................................................................................................ 37
Privacy Statement .................................................................................................. 37
Official Transcripts ............................................................................................... 37
Ordering a Transcript ............................................................................................ 37
Student Support Resources ....................................................................................... 37
Disabilities ................................................................................................................ 38
Computing and Networking Resources ....................................................................... 38
Access to Learning Resources .................................................................................. 38
Course Forum Access............................................................................................ 38
Contact Information for Students .......................................................................... 38
Browser Requirements ............................................................................................. 39
Student Login Username and Password ................................................................... 39
Technical Support ..................................................................................................... 40
Contacts........................................................................................................................ 40
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Sixth Edition 2010
A BOUT THIS H ANDBOOK
This handbook is designed to provide students with a clear understanding of the
workings of University of the People — its processes, policies, guidelines and
regulations. It outlines what students can expect from the University and what the
University expects from students.
Inevitably, this means there are many “do’s and don’ts” listed within its content. This
is to ensure that the learning and working environment within the University is of
the highest possible standard at all times.
Hopefully all topics in the handbook have been addressed clearly and
unambiguously. If you are unclear on any matter, you should seek additional
guidance from Student Services (student.services@uopeople.org).
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Sixth Edition 2010
I NTRODUCTION
P RESIDENT ’ S W ELCOME
Welcome, students of University of the People. You are amongst the first to embark
on this unique journey; and, together with your instructors and peers you are the
future of global education. As a student body, you represent more than ninety
countries and—for the next several years—you will share a virtual classroom. We are
eager to witness the thoughts that transpire, the knowledge you will gain and the
path you will pioneer for many students to follow. This Student Handbook will serve
as a useful guide to a positive experience at UoPeople.
Education at UoPeople is based on three fundamental principles. The first is the
belief that access to higher education should be a right for all, not a privilege for the
few. The second is that improvement of the world begins with the individual. The
third is the effectiveness of peer learning facilitated by Instructors. This demands
that, as a student, you contribute, act responsibly and show respect for both your
instructors and classmates. The goal of UoPeople is not only to provide you with a
university-level education, but also to provide you with the building blocks to create
a better life, a better community and a better world.
As part of this ground-breaking initiative, we ask for your flexibility and patience as
we face challenges and build UoPeople to be a great academic institution. As with
any organization in its initial stages, there will be need for ongoing improvement, but
we are confident that the reward will be much greater than the hurdles. Success
ultimately depends upon your commitment to being an active participant in this
pioneering effort.
Good luck and much success,
Shai Reshef
Founder & President
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M ISSION
University of the People is dedicated to serving qualified students seeking a
University-education through on-line delivery, with programs applicable to the world
market; in doing so, the University will endeavor to provide high quality higher
education at a minimal cost to students from all over the world.
The mission of the University is grounded in the following five principles:
Opportunity University of the People is committed to opening the gates of higher
education to qualified students from all over the world. University of
the People is based on the belief that education at a minimal cost is a
basic right for all suitable applicants, not just for a privileged few.
Accessibility University of the People is committed to maximizing the accessibility
to a high quality, university level education by offering its programs
through distance learning and by making this opportunity broadly
affordable.
Community
University of the People affirms its commitment to be an inclusive
community by making its academic programs, educational services,
and employment opportunities available to all qualified individuals
from all over the world.
Integrity
University of the People strives to build an institutional culture
grounded in candor, transparency and best professional practices, and
expects all students, faculty, staff, administrators and volunteers to
uphold the highest standards of personal integrity, honesty and
responsibility.
Quality
University of the People is committed to providing a quality online
academic experience, suitable in its scope and depth to the challenges
of the 21st century. University of the People will assess and reevaluate every aspect of its academic model on an ongoing basis.
Additionally, University of the People expects its students to pursue
their studies diligently and with seriousness of purpose.
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A CCREDIT AT ION
At present, University of the People is not an accredited institution. The University is
in the process of preparing the necessary materials to apply for U.S. accreditation;
however, at this time no assurances can be given as to when, or if, accreditation
might be granted.
Please note: Unless and until UoPeople secures academic accreditation, courses
which students complete are unlikely to be accepted on a transfer basis at any other
academic institution. Upon receipt of accreditation, acceptance of course credits on
a transfer basis will be entirely at the discretion of the relevant institution.
F OUNDER
AND PRESIDENT
Mr. Shai Reshef is the Founder & President of University of the People, the world’s
first tuition-free online university, which he established following 20 years in the
field of international education.
From 1989 to 2005 Reshef served as Chairman of the Kidum Group, the largest forprofit educational services company based in Israel which was sold to Kaplan, Inc. in
2005. Between 2001 and 2004, while continuing as the Chairman of Kidum, Reshef
lived in the Netherlands where he chaired KIT eLearning, a subsidiary of Kidum, the
eLearning partner of the University of Liverpool and the first online university
outside of the United States. The Company was sold to Laureate in 2004.
In 2009, Reshef was named one of Fast Company’s “100 Most Creative People in
Business”, selected by OneWorld as one of its “People of 2009” and awarded a
fellowship by Ashoka. Reshef also joined the United Nations’ Global Alliance for
Information and Communication Technologies and Development (GAID) as a Highlevel Adviser.
An expert on innovations in education and the intersection of education and
technology, Reshef has spoken internationally at conferences including DLD: Digital,
Life, Design in Munich, Hacking Education in New York, the World Economic Forum
on the Middle East in Jordan, UNDESA-GAID Global Forum in Monterrey, Mexico,
and Fourth University Industry Council Symposium in Kolkata, India. He has also
lectured at Yale and Harvard. In March 2010, Reshef was the keynote speaker at
Google’s Higher Education Summit.
Reshef holds a B.A. in Political Science, magna cum laude, from Tel Aviv University
and an M.A. from the University of Michigan in Chinese Politics.
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P ROVOST
Dr. David H. Cohen was named University of the People Provost in December 2009
following a distinguished career as a neurobiologist and university administrator. Dr.
Cohen served as Provost at Northwestern University and, subsequently, as Vice
President and Dean of the Faculty for Arts & Sciences at Columbia University. He is
currently Vice President and Dean of the Faculty Emeritus for Arts and Sciences at
Columbia and Alan H. Kempner Professor Emeritus of Biological Sciences and
Professor Emeritus of Neuroscience in Psychiatry.
D EPARTMENT H EADS
Dr. Alexander Tuzhilin is the Chair of the Computer Science Department at
University of the People. Currently, he serves as Professor of Information Systems at
the New York University (NYU) Stern School of Business and has previously held
visiting positions at The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, Columbia
University and École Nationale Superieure des Telecommunications in Paris.
Dr. Russell S. Winer is the Chair of the Business Administration Department at
University of the People. He is the William Joyce Professor and Chair of the
Department of Marketing at the Stern School of Business, New York University. Dr.
Winer previously served on the faculties of Columbia University, Vanderbilt
University and the University of California at Berkeley.
Dr. Ruth Yakir, with over fifty years of experience in the field of education, is the
Associate Dean of General Studies at University of the People. She also currently
serves as the director of the Center for International Studies at Kibbutzim College of
Education, Technology and the Arts in Tel Aviv and chairs a “think tank” to propose
changes in teacher education curricula in the era of globalization.
G ENERAL A DV ISORY C OMMITTEE
University of the People is privileged to have the leadership of high-ranked
multinational figures from academic, commercial and public sectors, who advise on
various strategic and educational issues. Currently, the Advisory Committee is
comprised of the following members:
Ms. June Arunga - June Arunga is a founding partner and member of the board of
directors at Black Star Lines (BSL), a technology solution provider for cell-phone
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based payments and money transfers in Africa. She is also the founder and president
of Open Quest Media LLC in New York.
Professor Jack M. Balkin - Jack M. Balkin is Knight Professor of Constitutional Law
and the First Amendment at Yale Law School, the founder and director of Yale's
Information Society Project and the co-director of Yale's Law and Media Program.
Mr. Ryan Craig, J.D. - A leader in education, Ryan Craig, J.D. is the Founder and
President of Wellspring, the leading organization addressing the epidemic of
childhood obesity through educational programs, including college programs,
boarding schools, summer camps and after-school programs.
Professor Daniel Greenwood - Professor Daniel J. H. Greenwood serves as professor
of law at the Hofstra University School of Law. Previously, he was S.J. Quinney
Professor of Law at the University of Utah S.J. Quinney College Of Law.
Dr. Gabriel Hawawini - Gabriel Hawawini is the Henry Grunfeld Chaired Professor of
Investment Banking and former Dean of INSEAD (2000-2006), one of the world’s
leading and largest graduate business schools. He is currently Visiting Professor of
Finance at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
HV Jagadish is the Bernard A Galler Collegiate Professor of Electrical Engineering and
Computer Science at the University of Michigan and a Senior Scientific Director of
the National Center for Integrative Biomedical Informatics established by the
National Institutes of Health.
Ambassador M. Humayun Kabir - His Excellency M. Humayun Kabir has been the
Ambassador of the People's Republic of Bangladesh to the United States since July
2007. A career diplomat with the rank of Permanent Secretary to the Government,
Ambassador Kabir previously served as Bangladesh’s High Commissioner to Australia,
New Zealand and Fiji (2006-07), as well as Ambassador to Nepal (2003-06).
Dr. Abdul Waheed Khan - Dr. Abdul Waheed Khan, Ph.D., is the Assistant DirectorGeneral for Communication and Information at the United Nations Education,
Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). Prior to joining UNESCO, Dr. Khan
served as Vice-Chancellor of the Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) in
New Delhi, and the Founding Director and Professor of its Communications Division.
Dr. Mihai Nadin - Dr. Mihai Nadin made a name for himself as one of the first
proponents of integrating computers into the U.S. education system. Dr. Nadin has
served as Endowed Professor at the University of Texas at Dallas since 2004, and he
is also the founder & Director of anté, Institute for Research in Anticipatory Systems.
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Dr. Y.S. Rajan - A well-recognized authority in the field of technology development
and business management in India, Dr. Y.S. Rajan is Principal Adviser, Confederation
of Indian Industry (CII), and best known for co-authoring a best-selling book with
India’s former President Abdul Kalam: INDIA 2020: A Vision for the New Millennium.
Dr. David Wiley - Dr. David Wiley is Associate Professor of Instructional Psychology
and Technology at Brigham Young University, Chief Openness Officer of Flat World
Knowledge, and Founder of the Open High School of Utah.
Ms. Esther Wojcicki - Ms. Esther Wojcicki has been the Journalism & English teacher
at Palo Alto High School, Palo Alto, CA for the past 25 years. After building the
journalism program from a small group of 20 students in 1985 to one of the largest
in the nation including 350 students, Ms. Wojcicki was selected by the California
Commission on Teacher Credentialing as 2002 California Teacher of the Year.
Business Administration Advisory Committee
Chairperson: Dr. Russell S. Winer is the Chair of the Business Administration
Department at University of the People. He is the William Joyce Professor and Chair
of the Department of Marketing at the Stern School of Business, New York
University. Dr. Winer previously served on the faculties of Columbia University,
Vanderbilt University and the University of California at Berkeley.
Dr. Gabriel Hawawini - Gabriel Hawawini is the Henry Grunfeld Chaired Professor of
Investment Banking and former Dean of INSEAD (2000-2006), one of the world’s
leading and largest graduate business schools. He is currently Visiting Professor of
Finance at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Dr. Indu Shahani is currently the Sheriff of Mumbai and the principal of HR College
of Commerce and Economics, Mumbai. She was previously Vice Principal of the
college and has 31 years of teaching experience in higher education at
undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
Computer Science Advisory Committee
Chairperson: Dr. Alexander Tuzhilin is the Chair of the Computer Science
Department at University of the People. Currently, he serves as Professor of
Information Systems at the New York University (NYU) Stern School of Business and
has previously held visiting positions at The Wharton School of the University of
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Pennsylvania, Columbia University
Telecommunications in Paris
and
École
Nationale
Superieure
des
Dr. Avi Silberschatz is the Sidney J. Weinberg Professor of Computer Science and the
Chair of the Computer Science Department at Yale University. Prior to joining Yale,
he was the Vice President of the Information Sciences Research Center at Bell
Laboratories, Murray Hill, New Jersey and chaired the Department of Computer
Sciences at the University of Texas at Austin
Professor Vincent Oria is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Computer and
Information Science at the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT).
Library Services Advisory Committee
Chairperson: Ms. Ilene Frank currently serves as the Director of Library Services at
University of the People. From 1974 to 2009, Ms. Frank was a reference librarian at
the University of South Florida (USF), where she retired with professor emerita
status.
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N ON -D ISCRIMINAT ION S TATEMENT
University of the People does not discriminate on any basis and is committed to
equality of opportunity. Discrimination is defined as (1) treating members of a
protected class less favorably because of their membership in that class or (2) having
a policy or practice that has a disproportionately adverse impact on protected class
members. University of the People will not engage in discrimination against any
person because of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, sexual
orientation including gender identity, and/or veteran status and will comply with all
federal and state non-discrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action laws,
orders and regulations. This non-discrimination policy applies to admissions,
employment, access to and treatment in the University programs and activities.
D IVERSIT Y S TATEMENT
University of the People is strongly committed to furthering the academic success
and the general development of a diverse and international student body.
University of the People works to promote a learning environment characterized by
inclusiveness, where we value awareness and understanding of each other’s
differences and similarities, and strive to treat all with dignity and respect.
Multiculturalism reflects our commitment to advancing the University’s mission to
be an inclusive community by making its academic programs, educational services,
and employment opportunities available to all qualified individuals around the
world.
D ISCLAIMER
On occasions, University of the People may be required to change its policies,
courses, schedules, programs offered and academic requirements.
Every effort has been made to ensure that this handbook is as accurate and up-todate as possible; however, we cannot guarantee it is error-free at all times. Any
changes that occur will be incorporated on a periodic basis within new editions of
the Student Handbook.
University of the People expects its students to familiarize themselves with the most
recent versions of any policies or procedures as they are published in the Student
Handbook.
University of the People expressly disclaims that this Handbook or any other similar
publication constitutes a contract. Having said that, according to the Enrollment
Agreement with University of the People, students are obliged to abide by the rules
and regulations set out in this Handbook, as may be amended from time-to-time.
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C OMMUNITY S TANDARDS
The way we conduct ourselves has a major impact on the quality of the university
experience for everyone. University of the People has a strict code of conduct,
designed to maintain the quality of this learning experience. We ask that you read
the following Code of Conduct carefully and act in accordance with it at all times.
G ENERAL C ODE
OF
C ONDUCT
University of the People strongly values freedom of expression and encourages
diverse viewpoints; at the same time, University of the People equally values
treating others with civility and respect and does not tolerate offensive or harassing
behavior. University students, faculty and staff should honor both these principles in
all areas of academic life, including electronic communications within the University
of the People community.
Students should act appropriately and not behave in a way that may be perceived as
offensive or inequitable. Students should show other students, university faculty,
staff, volunteers and administrators respect at all times. Harassment, threatening
behavior, or deliberate embarrassment of others will not be permitted and will be
considered to be a violation of the Code of Conduct and grounds for disciplinary
action.
Additionally, students must comply with University officials acting within the scope
of their employment responsibilities; failure to do so is a violation of the Code of
Conduct and grounds for disciplinary action. [The meaning of “Comply with
University officials” is unclear to me.]
A CADEM IC C ODE
OF
C ONDUCT
At University of the People, students are expected to work diligently and to maintain
the highest standards of academic integrity. All assignments, exams or other course
work submitted should be the student’s own work. While collaboration is a key
element to a positive UoPeople learning experience, it is critical that students
acknowledge any collaboration and its extent in all submitted course work.
Information and opinions drawn from any source (including the World Wide Web)
should be properly attributed to the relevant source, and students should learn and
use appropriate forms of citation and reference. In addition, a student may not
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submit the same or similar work for credit in more than one course. Any cheating is
unacceptable and is grounds for disciplinary action.
Examples of cheating include, but are not limited to:
•
•
•
•
•
Having someone, other than the named student, sit for an examination
instead of the named student
Unacknowledged and/or unauthorized collaboration in submitted course
work
Submitting a paper that was the result of someone else’s efforts but
represented as the submitter’s own work
Engaging in plagiarism, which is the unacknowledged use of another person's
work. Examples of plagiarism include: 1
o turning in someone else's work as your own
o copying words or ideas from a source without appropriate attribution
o failing to put a quotation in quotation marks
o giving incorrect information about the source of a quotation
The University considers cheating an exceedingly serious violation of its
Academic Code of Conduct. It undermines the values and beliefs that are
fundamental to academic life. The University retains the right to impose
severe disciplinary measures in proven cases of cheating and other forms of
academic dishonesty. These may include one or more of the following:
o Dismissal from the University
o Failing the particular assignment in which the student was
determined to have cheated or plagiarized.
o Failing the course (grade F) and requiring the student to retake the
course
o Other appropriate sanctions depending on the severity of the
violation.
All members of the academic community, including faculty, students and
administration, are expected to assist in maintaining the integrity of the University
and have the responsibility to report any incidents that violate academic honesty.
1
Please note that for academic purposes all materials must be properly cited, even if they appear to be public
domain, licensed for use without an obligation to grant attribution, or "open source". If you are unsure how to
correctly cite sources you wish to use, please seek guidance from your peers or instructors. Furthermore, the
obligation to grant proper citation applies whether the material is quoted verbatim (in which case, proper
quotation marks should be used) or paraphrased, or redrafted in the student's own words.
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Students encountering suspected cases of cheating should discreetly report them to
an Instructor. In no instances should allegations be made in a public forum. If
academic misconduct is suspected in a discussion forum posting, it should not be
mentioned in grading. Instead, the student should discreetly report the conduct to
his or her instructor and should not assign the student a grade.
T ERMS
OF
U SE
Given that University of the People does not provide Internet services for its
students, it does not have control over electronic communications submitted by
students from their personal computers.
To learn more about UoPeople’s Terms of Use, please visit our website at:
http://uopeople.org/TermofUse/tabid/313/Default.aspx.
D ISCIPLINARY A CTIONS , S USPENSIONS ,
AND
D ISMISSALS
University of the People expects its students to comply with all University policies
and regulations and to maintain satisfactory academic progress.
The University reserves the right to take disciplinary action in cases where a student:
•
•
•
•
•
Exhibits conduct that is determined to be detrimental to fellow students,
other individuals, or the University, as addressed in the Code of Conduct
sections above;
Fails to maintain satisfactory academic progress as addressed in the
Satisfactory Academic Progress section of this Student Handbook;
Provides false or inadequate documentation;
Fails to meet course participation standards; and/or
Fails to meet financial obligations to the University.
Disciplinary action may include, but is not limited, to the following:
•
•
•
•
Written warning from an Instructor or Student Services: The student is
warned that any additional violations of University of the People policies may
result in more serious disciplinary action.
Grade reduction and/or denial of course credit
Academic Probation
Suspension: The student is removed from the University for up to two years.
Academic privileges are also suspended during this time.
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•
Dismissal: Indicates the permanent termination of student status from the
University.
D ISCIPLINARY P ROCEDURE
Students should be assured that disciplinary sanctions will not be applied without
proper regard for due process. Formal review procedures have been instituted to
ensure adequate notice and hearing for all students subjected to the disciplinary
process.
Upon receiving a report of suspected misconduct, Student Services conducts a
preliminary investigation of the case and notifies the student of the report of
suspected misconduct together with the supporting evidence. The student will have
seven days after this notification to submit a response to Student Services.
If the preliminary investigation produces evidence indicating disciplinary action,
Student Services will initiate formal disciplinary proceedings by sending a written
charge to the Disciplinary Committee and to the student that explains the nature of
the alleged infraction, describes the evidence on which it is based, and identifies
possible disciplinary actions. After the Disciplinary Committee renders a decision,
Student Services will be notified thereof and will inform the student of the decision
in a timely way.
D ISCIPLINARY A PPEALS
Students may submit a written appeal of the disciplinary action to the Appeals
Committee within fourteen days of delivery of notification of the disciplinary action.
Upon receipt of the student’s appeal, the Appeals Committee will hold a meeting
and the student will be notified of the Committee’s decision in a timely fashion. The
Appeal Committee’s decision is final and binding.
If the student chooses not to appeal the disciplinary action within the required time
frame, the disciplinary action mandated by the Disciplinary Committee will become
final and binding.
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A CADEMICS
A CADEM IC C ALENDAR
Academic
Academic
2
2009-2010
Year
Calendar
2009-2010
Term 1
Term 2
Term 3
Term 4
Term 5
Jun 30, 2009
Sep 17, 2009
Dec 3, 2009
Feb 18, 2010
Apr 22, 2010
Jul 20, 2009
Oct 29, 2009
Jan 14, 2010
Mar 25, 2010
Jun 3, 2010
--- ----
Oct 8, 2009
Dec 24, 2009
Mar 4, 2010
May 13, 2010
--- ----
Oct 29, 2009
Jan 14, 2010
Mar 25, 2010
Jun 3, 2010
First day of Term
Sep 10, 2009
Nov 19, 2009
Feb 4, 2010
Apr 15, 2010
Jun 24, 2010
Last day - course Drop
Sep 17, 2009
Nov 26, 2009
Feb 11, 2010
Apr 22, 2010
Jul 1, 2010
Last
daywithdrawal
Sep 24, 2009
Dec 3, 2009
Feb 18, 2010
Apr 29, 2010
Jul 8, 2010
Final exam period starts
Nov 5, 2009
Jan 22, 2010
Apr 1, 2010
Jun 10, 2010
Aug 19, 2010
Final exam period ends
Nov 11, 2009
Jan 28, 2010
Apr 7, 2010
Jun 16, 2010
Aug 25, 2010
Last day of Term
Nov 18, 2009
Feb 3, 2010
Apr 14, 2010
Jun 23, 2010
Sep 1, 2010
Grades published
Nov 25, 2009
Feb 10, 2010
Apr 21, 2010
Jun 30, 2010
Sep 8, 2010
Admissions
to
the
University cut-off day 3
Notice of admission to
4
the University
Registration to courses
opens
Registration to courses
closes
course
2
University of the People reserves the right to make changes at any time.
Prospective students may apply for admission for any of the five terms throughout the school-year.
4
All accepted students are automatically registered into UoPeople’s two mandatory orientation
courses.
3
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Administrative Holidays
University of the People’s office is closed on the following holidays:
Please note: Studies will continue as scheduled.
Administrative
Holidays
Labor Day
Sep 7, 2009
Columbus Day
Oct 12, 2009
Veteran's Day
Nov 11, 2009
Thanksgiving
Begins
Thanksgiving
Ends
Recess
Recess
Nov 26, 2009
Nov 29, 2009
Winter Break Starts
Dec 24, 2009
Winter Break Ends
Jan 1, 2010
Martin Luther King Day
Jan 18, 2010
President’s Day
Memorial Day
Feb 15, 2010
May 31, 2010
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Sixth Edition 2010
O RIENTAT ION C OURSES
Before the core academic programs begin, two orientation courses are required –
Skills for Online Learning and English Composition 1. The purpose of these courses is
to ensure that the student is fully prepared for his/her studies at the University.
Skills for Online Learning
This course provides students with a basic introduction to the Virtual Learning
Environment (VLE) of University of the People. The course will guide the student
through the study process, including the workings of the forums and how peerassessment is managed online. Additionally, students are guided through common
computer applications representing the tools required for course assignments and
activities. A passing grade in this course is a prerequisite for continuing in University
of the People’s programs.
English Composition 1
Since all University of the People’s programs and courses are conducted in English, it
is vital that students have the necessary level of English proficiency to engage in their
studies at the University. The purpose of this course is to develop and enhance the
English reading and writing skills that are necessary for adequate performance at the
University. A passing grade in this course is a prerequisite for continuing in
University of the People’s programs.
U NDERGRADUATE P ROGRAMS
University of the People offers four undergraduate degree programs:




Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BS-BA)
Associate of Science in Business Administration (AS-BA)
Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (BS-CS)
Associate of Science in Computer Science (AS-CS)
Business Administration
Business Administration focuses on investigating how business theory works and
how it can be applied to solve real-world problems. Students are made aware of the
need for imaginative, innovative solutions to business problems that encompass
human needs and ethical objectives.
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Sixth Edition 2010
The Business Administration Bachelor’s degree program provides the students with
comprehensive knowledge concerning the foundations of business and how it can be
used to solve real-world problems. The program offers a strong, broad-based
education in the fundamentals of business policy and procedures enhanced by
studies
in
a
broad
spectrum
of
general
education
topics.
Computer Science
Computer Science focuses on investigating how computer software works and how it
can be used to solve real-world problems. The Computer Science Bachelor’s degree
program is designed to graduate a computer science professional with competency in
current computer technology. The diverse practical and theoretical knowledge
covered in the program includes programming and mathematics fundamentals,
software structure, information systems and operating systems. The program provides
preparation for a wide range of industries and careers in the computer industry, as
well as for graduate studies in a related field.
P EDGOGICAL A PPROACH
University of the People offers a unique learning experience that combines peerbased and collaborative learning, with information technologies and the Internet.
Taken together, this creates an affordable opportunity for universal access to quality
higher education with an innovative pedagogical model. The theory behind the
pedagogical model is that studying within communities is more motivating and
challenging than reading alone or listening to online lectures. The peer learning
methodology, with Intructor facilitation, stimulates students and offers them a
powerful platform to learn from one another.
A CADEM IC S UPPORT
The Instructors are central to the student support system. Each course will have an
Instructor educated and experienced in the relevant field of study. These Instructors
facilitate learning by monitoring students’ ongoing progress, participating in
discussion forums, and overseeing the assessment process.
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Sixth Edition 2010
S TUDY AT U NIVERSITY OF THE P EOPLE
T HE T ERM S CHEDULE
Courses take place over a ten-week term. Each term has eight weekly learning units,
one week for preparing for and taking the final exam, and one week of test
processing, final assessment and grade validation by the Instructors.
The Learning Week starts at midnight between Wednesday and Thursday and ends
on the following Wednesday. The weekly study units will be made available one
week at a time at the start of the new learning week. Students will always have
access to the reading material and the learning guide for the completed units.
Please note: All reference to time in the study process and schedule is according to
University of the People Time – (GMT-5 time zone).
T HE S TUDY P ROCESS
AND
S TUDENT R ESPONSIB ILIT IES
Students registered in the same course will be divided into sub-groups (classes) of
approximately twenty students each. Students will be expected to comply fully with
the instructions in the course syllabus and to participate actively in required
discussion forums by posting responses to questions and comments posted by
instructors and other students. It is especially important that students get in the
habit of seeking clarification from their fellow students on topics and issues they find
difficult.
Each learning unit is comprised of several elements, including a Learning Guide,
assignments, quizzes and discussion questions. Students should read the syllabus to
fully understand the components and requirements of every course.
The Learning Guide
The Learning Guide provides a framework directing the students through the study
material and tasks for that week. The Learning Guide includes instructions on how to
approach the weekly tasks. The guide might consist of a lecture intended to enrich
and update the existing reference material, or a list of further reading references
and activity sources, or a combination of both.
Reading Assignment
The reading assignments will be text-based, freely available electronic resources
such as open textbooks, articles, tutorials and links to open courseware, all with the
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proper licensing agreements allowing use of the materials. In some cases, there will
be optional links to animation, simulations and audio and video lectures that are
recommended to students should they have access to sufficient network connection.
Participation
A primary goal is to provide students with a learning experience that will assist them
in achieving their aspirations for both higher-education and a subsequent career. To
realize this goal, students must take a professional approach to their studies by being
present, active and involved. Research has shown that student attendance is directly
related to course success. Students who actively participate in both the required and
voluntary learning activities and assignments are more likely to succeed in their
studies.
The Classroom Forum
Studying takes place in small groups or classes of approximately twenty students.
The majority of the peer and collaborative learning will occur at this level. In this
forum, the students can discuss the course material with their classmates. It is
exclusively for use by students for the particular class and the course Instructor.
The Course Forum
In addition to the Class Forum, there is a larger, open Course Forum where all
students and Instructors in all groups of the course will participate in the discussion
of questions and issues related to the course.
Participation in the Classroom Forum and Course Forum is voluntary but highly
recommended.
Discussion Forum
Participation in the Discussion Forum is an integral part of the student’s learning
experience and grade. The minimum expectation for student involvement in the
Discussion Forum is outlined below:
•
Post an initial response to the ‘Discussion Question’ every week. Postings
and responses should be well thought out and researched and must consist
of the student’s own words or otherwise be appropriately cited with the
relevant sources, as discussed in the Academic Code of Conduct section.
•
Post a minimum of three comments per week in the discussion threads in the
Discussion Forum (e.g., providing constructive feedback to another student’s
posting and developing the discussion).
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Sixth Edition 2010
•
It is expected that students will participate in at least six out of the eight
discussion forums in a given term, subject to the course syllabus. Failure to
do so may result in a failing grade (“F”) for the course.
Assignments
All students should submit their assignments as described in the Learning Guide and
Course Syllabus. Assignments will generally be assessed by a number of the student’s
peers who will respond to a specific set of instructions regarding how, and according
to what criteria, to perform the assessment. The grade for the assignment will be
based on the average of the grades awarded by the peer assessors. Each student will
be required to fulfill their peer assessor responsibilities fairly, non-competitively and
professionally. . A component of each student’s overall grade for the course will be
based on his/her performance as an assessor.
Where relevant, solutions to the weekly assignment will be posted during the
subsequent weekly unit.
Late Assignments
University of the People does not accept late assignments. It is important that
students understand that missing a submission deadline precludes the possibility of
participating in the peer assessment process.
If a student feels that exceptional circumstances will prevent them from timely
submission of an assignment, he/she should contact their Instructor prior to the due
date. Students believing that exceptional circumstances have prevented them from
submitting an assignment on time should contact their Instructor. In exceptional
circumstances only, the instructor may allow a student to submit his or her
assignment after the submission deadline.
Learning Journal
Students are required to maintain a Learning Journal in which they record what they
have accomplished during the learning week. The Learning Journal forms part of the
formal final grade assessment and is intended to help students organize, consolidate
and record their thoughts, activities and accomplishments. It is also allows the
course Instructor to get a sense of how a student is progressing and what he/she has
done beyond the mandatory assignments.
Entries to the Learning Journal should be brief, direct sentences indicating:
•
When students have completed each step in the Learning Guide
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Sixth Edition 2010
•
•
•
A record of research for additional materials used in the student’s studies (the
Internet, libraries)
Any problems or unexpected events that occurred during the week
Any other noteworthy points
It is highly recommended that the entries to the Learning Journal be made on a daily
basis. The Learning Journal is evaluated at the end of the term by the Instructor and
it contributes to the final grade.
Quizzes
Students can evaluate their understanding of each unit topic by taking the self-quiz
and answering the true/false or multiple-choice questions. Upon submitting an
answer, the student receives immediate feedback regarding the correctness of the
answer and is given the opportunity to attempt the quiz multiple times. Unless
explicitly indicated in the course syllabus, the quizzes do not impact course grades,
but rather are available for students to gauge their own learning progress. They have
proven to be an important learning tool in preparation for the final examination.
Reading Period and Final Examinations
There is a Reading Period between the end of classes and the final examinations in
order to provide a period of up to six days during which students may prepare for
final examinations.
The assumption underlying the inclusion of a reading period is that no additional
assignments will; be required during that time. Students should use the reading
period in their own way to best prepare for the final examination.
Exam Retake
University of the People students are expected to manage their studies responsibly;
therefore, University of the People generally does not allow students to make up a
missed exam. Students believing that they are faced with exceptional circumstances,
however, may send an email to Student Services requesting permission to take a
make-up exam. The request must be made by the end of Week 9 of the term. The
decision whether to grant the request is left to the sole discretion of the Exam
Retake Committee, and is by no means guaranteed. Student Services will notify all
requesting students the Exam Retake Committee’s decision and will notify the
students whose request was granted the date of the make-up exam.
Students who receive permission to take the make-up exam will be responsible for
making themselves available for the exam, which will be offered in Week 10 of the
Term on a defined day for a 24 hour period. Students who fail to take the make-up
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exam will not have another opportunity to make up the exam and will accordingly
receive a failing grade for the exam.
C OURSE R EGISTRATION AND W ITHDRAWAL
C OURSE R EGISTRATION
Students are required to register for the courses online before the opening of each
term. While all students admitted to the University are automatically registered for
the two mandatory orientation courses, registration for other courses needs to be
done by the students by the course registration deadline, published in the Academic
Calendar.
D ROPPING
AND
W ITHDRAWING
FROM
C OURSES
Each program is made up of a number of different courses, both core and elective.
Students are responsible for managing their time at the University and balancing
their studies with their non-University commitments. There is, however, some
flexibility to enable students to manage their workload. There may be circumstances
and occasions when it is necessary for a student to change their University activities
by dropping a course or withdrawing from a course. Should a student need to do so,
they should understand the process and implications that are outlined in this
section.
Course Drop
Students may feel the need to drop a course for several reasons, such as if they have
taken on too great a workload. A student may drop a course during the first week of
the course session without academic penalty. A course drop during this time does
not appear on the student's transcript and does not affect grade point average
(GPA). Note: Please refer to the academic calendar year in order to verify the last
date for course drop.
A. A course drop applies to one course at a time and does not assume withdrawal
from the University. The student's official transcript does not reflect a timely
course drop. Students are responsible for executing course drops according to
the following process: A request to drop a course should be sent by e-mail to
Student Services (student.services@uopeople.org) and include:
•
•
•
Student’s full name (First and last name)
Student ID
Course name and number
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B. The student is responsible for making sure that the request was accepted, by
receiving a return mail from Student Services within three days from the date of
delivery. If no reply is received within three days, the student should contact
Student Services (student.services@uopeople.org)
Course Withdrawal
Course withdrawal refers to students formally withdrawing from the course roster
after the course drop period has passed but within the first five weeks of the session.
A withdrawal relates to only one course at a time and does not assume withdrawal
from the University. A course withdrawal differs from a course drop - it is reflected
on the student's official transcript and is included in attempted credits when
academic progress is monitored. Students should note the following:
A. A course withdrawal may be requested within the first five weeks of the course
session (please refer to the academic calendar in order to verify the last date for
course withdrawal).
B. Course withdrawal requests should be sent by e-mail to Student Services
(student.services@uopeople.org) and must include:
1. Student’s full name (First and last name)
2. Student ID
3. Course name and number
The student is responsible for making sure that the request was accepted by
receiving a return mail from Student Services within seven days from the date of
delivery. If no reply is received within seven days, the student should contact
Student Services (student.services@uopeople.org)
C. The following consequences apply to a student who withdraws from a course
within the first five weeks of the course session:
1. The student receives a grade of "W" for the course
2. The grade of "W" appears on the student's transcript
3. The grade of "W" does not affect GPA, but course credits are included in
attempted credits when monitoring academic progress
D. Students who do not participate in a course and whom neither drop nor
withdraw from the course will receive a failing grade ("F") on their transcript.
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Sixth Edition 2010
Withdrawal from the University
Students who wish to withdraw from the University should send an email to Student
Services (student.services@uopeople.org) requesting to withdraw from and
indicating their name and Student ID. Students submitting a request to withdraw
are asked to indicate their reason for withdrawing from the University in the email to
Student Services.
Students who have withdrawn but wish to return to study in the future will be
required to re-apply for admission and to pay the relevant application fees.
Leave of Absence
The University may grant, on a limited basis, a leave of absence to students when the
student is experiencing extenuating circumstances that prevent attendance and/or
challenge academic success. A request for a leave of absence must be made in
writing, and be e-mailed to Student Services (student.services@uopeople.org),
including:
a) Student’s full name (First and last name)
b) Student ID
c) Program name and registered courses
d) Reason for the request
e) Date of requested leave and the date of return
A leave of absence may only be from the first day of the following term, and
students cannot return from a leave of absence in the middle of a term. A leave of
absence cannot exceed 180 days within a twelve-month period, beginning on the
first day of the student’s initial leave of absence. Students who fail to return to class
by the end of their leave of absence will be withdrawn from the University.
The time granted for a student’s leave of absence will not count against the total
time allowed for the program completion. University of the People's decision to
grant or refuse a request for a leave of absence will be final and binding.
Term Deferral
Students may defer up to two terms each academic year without the University’s
approval. The period of deferral will count against the total time allowed for the
program completion.
Notification of Term Deferral should be sent by the student to Student Services
(student.services@uopeople.org) before the first day of the term for which the
student wishes to defer and shall include the following:
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Sixth Edition 2010
1.
2.
3.
4.
Student’s full name (First and last name)
Student ID
Program name and registered courses
Term of return
C OURSE R EPEAT
The University considers a grade of D- (60%) to be the minimum passing grade.
Students earning a grade below the minimum for a required course must repeat the
course in order to complete their program. Students earning a passing grade in a
given course are not permitted to retake the course.
Any single course may only be repeated once without special approval from Student
Services. If a student fails a course twice, he or she must send a request to Student
Services (student.services@uopeople.org)) for permission to repeat the course a
third time, should he or she choose to do so. The petition must include a detailed
explanation of the request and the special circumstances justifying repeating the
course for a third time. The University has the sole discretion to determine whether
the requesting student may retake the course for the third time.
Passing both Orientation Courses is a pre-requisite for further study at UoPeople; as
such, students failing one or both of the Orientation Courses twice, who do not
request and receive special permission from Student Services to repeat the course a
third time, may not continue with their studies at University of the People, and will
therefore be un-enrolled as UoPeople students.
Students earning a grade below the minimum for elective courses must make up the
missed credits, but are not required to repeat the same elective course.
When a course is repeated, the grade considered for credit and grade point average
(GPA) calculations will be the highest grade earned. Each course attempt appears on
the transcript and, for evaluation of satisfactory academic progress, all attempts are
considered.
Students wishing to retake a course they have failed must register for the course
during the registration period or after receiving the failing grade through the late
registration process.
For a course to be considered a repeat of a previous course, the student must
complete the same course, as defined by the title and course number. If a new
course has been designated by the University as the original course's equivalent, it
will be considered an identical course. If the University discontinues a particular
course, it will no longer be possible for the student to repeat the course.
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Sixth Edition 2010
C OURSE L OAD
Students who wish to register for more than two courses concurrently should submit
a request via email to Student Services (student.services@uopeople.org) and must
include:
1.
2.
3.
4.
Student’s full name (First and last name)
Student ID
Current courses and additional course name and number
Reason for taking the extra course
The student is responsible for ensuring the request was accepted by receiving a
return mail from Student Services within seven days from the date of delivery. If no
reply is received within seven days, the student should contact Student Services
(student.services@uopeople.org)
C OURSE C OMPLET ION
AND
E XTENSION P OLICY
Each course must be completed in the prescribed time for the individual term of
registration. Failure to complete a course within the allotted time frame will result in
a grade of F (Fail) being assigned.
Students receiving an F will be required to re-register and pay any necessary fees
again to retake the course.
In rare circumstances, students may request to receive the grade of Incomplete.
Incompletes will only be awarded in exceptional circumstances only (e.g.
documented medical situations), which will be left to the sole discretion of Student
Services. Students wishing to request an Incomplete for a course should send an email to Student Services (student.services@uopeople.org), explaining why they
believe they should be granted an Incomplete and any relevant supporting
documentation. Students receiving an Incomplete will be informed by Student
Services of the additional time they have to complete the course requirements.
Grading Policy
C RITERIA
FOR
A WARDING G RADES
The University awards letter grades in recognition of academic performance in each
course. Grades are based upon peer assessments and the course Instructor’s
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academic judgment that the student has demonstrated a specified level of
performance based on objective and subjective evaluations. Students are graded
according to their individual performance in the course and not on a curve.
Criteria for awarding grades may include, but are not limited to: 5
1.
Quality of assignments and peer assessments
2.
Sufficient participation in the discussion forums (according to the
requirements laid out in the course syllabus) and the quality of the postings
3.
Performance on the final exam
4.
Maintenance of the Learning Journal
Study Hours
Students should expect to study a minimum of four hours per course credit per week
in order to successfully complete their studies at University of the People (i.e. a three
credit class should require a minimum of twelve hours of studying each week).
Students speaking English as a second language may find it necessary to study
additional hours in order to succeed in their studies.
T HE G RADING S YSTEM
Letter Grades
At the end of each course term, a letter grade will be given by the course Instructor
for the course, based on the student’s performance.
The University has established the following grading scale. All faculty members are
expected to comply with this scale:
5
Grade Scale
Grade Points
A+
98-100
4.33
A
93-97
4.00
A-
90-92
3.67
All of the grading criteria listed are subject to the specific course syllabus.
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Sixth Edition 2010
B+
88-89
3.33
B
83-87
3.0
B-
80-82
2.67
C+
78-79
2.33
C
73-77
2.00
C-
70-72
1.67
D+
68-69
1.33
D
63-67
1.00
D-
60-62
0.67
F
Under 60
0.00
The University considers a grade of D- (60%) to be the minimum passing grade. Any
student not achieving this minimum grade will be required to repeat the course in
order to complete the program. To learn more about repeating a course, please see
the section in the Student Handbook on Course Repeats.
Non-Letter Grades
•
•
Pass and Fail: Pass/Fail grades (P/F) will be given by the course Instructor for
some courses, including the University’s Orientation courses Skills for Online
Learning and English Composition 1.
Pass (P) indicates completion of the course duties with academic work equivalent
to a D- or above (60%).
Fail (F) indicates completion of the course duties with academic work earning
below a D- (less than 60%).
Pass and Fail grades are not included in the calculation of a student’s GPA.
Withdrawal (W): Withdrawal from a course within the withdrawal period is
reflected on the student's official transcript and is included in attempted credits
when monitoring satisfactory academic progress.
Grade Point Average (GPA)
All course credits in which a letter grade is received will factor into the student’s
Grade Point Average.
The grade-point average (GPA) is determined by dividing the number of grade points
earned by the number of units attempted. The total grade points earned for a course
equals the number of grade points assigned times the number of course units. For
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Sixth Edition 2010
example, if a student takes two three-unit courses and receives grades of A-, and a
C+, then the GPA for the term equals the total grade points ((3.67*3)+(2.33*3)+ =18)
divided by the total course units (6). The GPA is 3.0.
Students are required to have a minimum average of 2.0 (C) to complete a program.
G RADE A PPEALS
The University permits students to appeal a final grade if they feel it is unfair or
unjustified. As the initial step in the Grade Appeal Procedure, the student must
initiate an online discussion with his or her course Instructor. This must be done
within seven days of receiving the grade. This discussion is intended to provide the
Instructor an opportunity to explain the basis for the grade and to provide the
student with an opportunity to indicate possible errors or misjudgments in the
assignment of the grade. Frequently, a discussion with the course Instructor resolves
the appeal.
If the course Instructor agrees to change the grade, the course Instructor will
recommend the corrected grade to the Assistant Provost who will decide the matter.
If the discussion between the student and the Instructor does not resolve the issue
and if the student still believes that he or she has been assigned an unfair grade, the
student can initiate the formal Grade Appeal Procedure.
A student wishing to begin this procedure needs to complete a written Grade Appeal
Form that is available after grades are posted for each course in the Virtual Learning
Environment. The Grade Appeal Form must be submitted to Student Services no
later than fourteen days after the grade posting or it will not be accepted and the
grade will remain as originally recorded.
Grade appeals will be reviewed by the Grade Appeal Committee, which may
conclude that the assigned grade should stand, or that the grade was assigned
unfairly or unjustly, in which case the Committee will determine the appropriate
mechanism for awarding the final grade. Students submitting a Grade Appeal Form
will be informed in writing of the Grade Appeal Committee’s decision on their appeal
in a timely fashion. Decisions rendered by the Grade Appeals Committee are final
and binding. A record of the final decision and all related materials will become part
of the student’s official academic record.
Students appealing a grade should note the following:
(1) For a change in grade to be recommended, a student must make the case
that the grade originally assigned was unjustly or unfairly awarded.
(2) The Grade Appeal Committee reviewing the appeal will not place its
judgment over the Instructor except in clear cases.
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(3) The burden of proof in challenging a grade rests on the student.
A CADEMIC P ERFORMANCE
S AT ISFACTORY A CADEM IC P ROGRESS
Mechanisms have been put in place by the University to ensure that there is ongoing
monitoring of academic progress. Students will need to maintain satisfactory
progress toward completion of their overall program and should meet the following
criteria to ensure this:
•
•
•
All students must maintain at least a "C" average (2.0 GPA) to meet graduation
requirements.
All students must complete at least 67% of the total number of the credit hours
attempted with a minimum passing grade.
All students must complete their program within the maximum allowed time, as
described below.
Each student’s GPA and rate of progress will be reviewed at the end of each term to
determine whether the student has met the above-mentioned requirements of
satisfactory academic progress. Students will be placed on Academic Warning the
first term in which the GPA or the rate of progress falls below the values specified
above. If the student meets or exceeds the minimum standards of satisfactory
academic progress at the end of the second term, the student will be removed from
Academic Warning status.
If the student does not meet or exceed the minimum standards of satisfactory
academic progress by the end of the second term, the student will be placed on
Academic Probation. A student who raises their GPA and rate of progress at or above
the minimum standards of satisfactory academic progress by the third term will be
removed from Academic Probation and returned to regular status.
If the student fails to meet the minimum standards of academic progress for three
consecutive terms, the student will be dismissed from the University. The
notification of academic dismissal will be in writing. In addition, if at any point it can
be determined that it is mathematically impossible for the student to meet the
minimum requirements, the student will be dismissed from the University. The
notification of academic dismissal will be in writing. The University also reserves the
right to place a student on, or remove them from, academic warning and/or
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probation based on their academic performance, notwithstanding these published
standards.
C ONT INUOUS E NROLLMENT
In order to receive a degree, University of the People students must complete all
coursework within six years for a Bachelor’s Degree or three years for an Associate’s
Degree from the date of enrollment in their first course. To achieve this, the
University has established a continuous enrollment policy. To maintain continuous
enrollment status students must complete at least six courses per calendar year.
Continuous Enrollment is University of the People's equivalent of "full-time"
enrollment. If a student does not complete six courses in a calendar year, he or she
will not be continuously enrolled, and thus, will be “part-time”. If a student does not
successfully complete a minimum of three courses per calendar year he or she will
be un-enrolled from the University.
When calculating time elapsed for this policy, periods of suspension are to be
included as a period of study but periods of approved Leave of Absence are
excluded.
G RIEVANCE P ROCEDURE
University of the People does not discriminate in its educational or employment
programs, policies, practices, or procedures on the basis of race, color, sex, religion,
national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation including gender identity and
veteran status. In addition, harassment related to any of these areas is prohibited.
Student allegations of discrimination are grounds for initiating a grievance
complaint.
University of the People will not subject students to unfair or retaliatory action as a
result of initiation of a grievance complaint. If informal grievance procedures such as
making a good faith effort to resolve the grievance with the individual(s) involved are
not satisfactory, the student may initiate formal grievance procedures by taking the
following
steps:
Step 1: The student is encouraged to resolve the problem informally with the faculty,
staff member or student involved.
Step 2: If Step 1 does not resolve the problem, the student may submit an official
grievance complaint to Student Services (student.services@uopeople.org) within
one month of the grievable action. Student Services will refer the matter to the
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Grievance Committee which will conduct a hearing and render a decision in writing
in a timely fashion.
Step 3: Students wishing to appeal a decision of the Grievance Committee may
submit a written appeal to the Appeals Committee within fourteen days of
notification of the decision. Upon receipt of the student’s appeal, the Appeals
Committee will convene and the student will be notified of the Committee’s decision
in a timely fashion. The Appeal Committee’s decision is final and binding.
T UITION AND F EES
Tuition
University of the People does not charge its students tuition. Applicants and
students will, however, be charged modest application and test administration fees
at some time in the future
Fees
All fees are waived until further notice.
Application fees and Test Administration fees will be waived at least until September
9, 2010. The following represents the estimated fee range to be implemented in the
future:
Application Fee: $50 (Residents of certain countries will receive financial aid in the
amount of $15 - $40) nonrefundable one-time fee
The nonrefundable Application fee is the amount that every applicant will be
required to pay in order to be considered for admission to University of the People.
The fee will be determined according the applicant’s country of residence. Applicants
from developing countries will pay the minimum fee and applicants from developed
countries will pay the maximum fee.
Test Administration Fee: $100.00 (Residents of certain countries will receive financial
aid in the amount of $30 - $90) nonrefundable fee per course
The Test Administration fee is a fee that every student will be required to pay. The
fee will be determined according to the student’s country of residence. Applicants
from developing countries will pay the minimum fee and applicants from developed
countries will pay the maximum fee. The Test Administration fee covers the ongoing
management of the grading processes of the final exam and is therefore levied and
collected in advance of the final exams each term per course.
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S TUDENT A FFAIRS
S TUDENT R ECORDS
Student Services provides support for students throughout their time at University of
the People and is responsible for maintaining student records.
Privacy Statement
University of the People maintains student records and is responsible for their
maintenance and release. This information includes, but is not limited to, social
security numbers (whenever applicable), personal and financial information,
academic transcripts, academic records at this University, e-mails, etc. To learn more
about
our
Privacy
Policy,
visit
UoPeople’s
website
at
http://www.uopeople.org/PrivacyStatement/tabid/314/Default.aspx.
Official Transcripts
A transcript is an official record of a student's entire tenure at University of the
People. It reflects all coursework and grades per term attended at the University.
Other information on the transcript includes:
•
•
•
Name as it appears in the University of the People records
Program in which the student is enrolled
G.P.A. and credits earned
Official transcripts are not free of charge, and payment may have to be made at the
time of order. Transcripts cannot be produced for anyone whose record has been
put on hold for an outstanding University obligation.
Ordering a Transcript
Enrolled students may order a transcript through (student.services@uopeople.org).
S TUDENT S UPPORT R ESOURCES
Student Services is dedicated to providing students with support in all areas of
UoPeople student life. You can access Student Services via e-mail at student.
services@uopeople.org. Please be sure to include the following information in the email:
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1. Your student ID number in the subject line of the email.
2. A brief description of your request / inquiry
D ISABILIT IES
University of the People is committed to equal opportunity in employment and
education for persons with disabilities, and complies with the requirements of the
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA).
University of the People aims to provide students who have disabilities with the
opportunity to participate fully in University life. Nonetheless, as a very young, newly
developed online institution, we are currently unable to provide many
accommodations that would make the University accessible to all disabled students.
By being a text-based tuition-free online university, however, University of the
People is accessible to many students who would not be able to study at a campusbased university.
If you suffer from any disability, please do not hesitate to contact us for further
information regarding our policy and capabilities for accommodation
C OMPUTING AND N ETWORKING R ESOURCES
A CCESS TO L EARNING R ESOURCES
University of the People recognizes the need to provide limited access to the Course
Forum and to other learning resources to persons other than students, alumni,
faculty, and staff.
Course Forum Access
For regulatory, accreditation, and other administrative purposes, the Course Forum
may be accessed and observed by persons other than students, faculty, and staff.
Access to the course forum will be authorized only after the review of such a request
and the determination that access is necessary and appropriate, does not infringe on
the activities of students and faculty, and does not threaten the academic integrity
of the course forum. Although the course forum is not open to public access, it is
neither a private nor confidential domain; neither students nor faculty should
assume privacy within the course forum.
Contact Information for Students
Students are responsible for keeping their contact information accurate and current.
Students’ contact information is the information they submitted upon initiating the
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application process. Students wishing to update any of their contact information
should contact student.services@uopeople.org and include:
1. Student’s full name (First and last name)
2. Student ID
3. Details to be updated
The primary form of official communication from University of the People is through
e-mail. Students are required to maintain active e-mail addresses and inform the
University of any Change of address according to the process described above. To
ensure receipt of important communications, students should make sure that spam
filters are set to receive e-mail from University of the People.
Students should note that any change of contact information on the Virtual Learning
Environment of UoPeople (VLE) on http://my.uopeople.org is not a formal change of
contact information.
B ROWSER R EQUIREMENTS
In order to study online you will need access to a computer with an Internet
connection as well as the ability to save documents and files.
You need a web browser to access www.uopeople.org. We recommend an up-todate, popular browser, such as Microsoft Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox or Google
Chrome as your standard web browser. Currently, University of the People is fully
compatible with Internet Explorer.
Should you encounter any difficulties while browsing, please confirm that:
1. The medium security level (default settings of MSIE) has been selected
2. Then change your web browser settings to;
a. Java: Enabled
b. Java Script: Enabled
c. Cookies: True
S TUDENT L OGIN U SERNAME AND P ASSWORD
Each student is assigned a designated username and password to log into the
University of the People Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) of the University. Please
contact Technical Support (support@uopeople.org) for assistance if any login
problems occur.
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Students’ usernames and passwords are vital for the security of a student’s work.
The responsibility for all activities carried out under a student’s username rests
solely with that student. Please ensure you keep your password secret and do not
give it to anyone else.
T ECHNICAL S UPPORT
Technical Support is available through e-mail at support@uopeople.org
Please include the following information into the e-mail along with your student ID
number (user name) so we can troubleshoot your issue:
1. Write a brief description about what you were doing (or trying to do) when
the error occurred.
2. Include any error message that you may have received or press the ‘print
screen’ (on the upper right corner of your keyboard) button, and copy and
paste the image into the body of the email.
3. Record the exact time (UoPeople time) that the error occurred.
C ONTACTS
If you have other questions, please e-mail:
Student Services: student.services@uopeople.org
Technical Support: support@uopeople.org
If you want to become a student at University of the People, please fill out our online
application at
https://www.uopeople.org/ADMISSIONS/ApplyNow/tabid/241/Default.aspx or
contact our Admissions Department at admissions@uopeople.org for more
information about the admissions process.
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