Graduate School

Policies and Procedures

The policies and procedures posted herewith are current. For policies in effect previously, see the archived Graduate Bulletins.

Temple University is committed to a policy of EQUAL OPPORTUNITY for all in every aspect of its operations. The University has pledged not to discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, marital status, national or ethnic origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, genetic information, or veteran status. Policy 04.81.11: Policy on Preventing and Addressing Discrimination and Harassment extends to all educational, service, and employment programs of the University.

Several important general policies are highlighted below. All Graduate School policy and procedures and those for Temple University are accessible by clicking the appropriate link under "Connections."

Academic Honesty

Academic honesty and integrity constitute the root of the educational process at Temple University. Intellectual growth relies on the development of independent thought and respect for the thoughts of others. To foster this independence and respect, plagiarism and academic cheating are prohibited.

Plagiarism is the unacknowledged use of another individual's ideas, words, labor, or assistance. All coursework submitted by a student, including papers, examinations, laboratory reports, and oral presentations, is expected to be the individual effort of the student presenting the work. When it is not, that assistance must be reported to the instructor. If the work involves the consultation of other resources such as journals, books, or other media, those resources must be cited in the appropriate style. All other borrowed material, such as suggestions for organization, ideas, or actual language, must also be cited. Failure to cite any borrowed material, including information from the internet, constitutes plagiarism.

Academic cheating results when the general rules of academic work or the specific rules of individual courses are broken. It includes falsifying data; submitting, without the instructor's approval, work in one course that was done for another; helping others to plagiarize or cheat from one's own or another's work; or undertaking the work of another person.

The penalty for academic dishonesty can vary from a reprimand and receiving a failing grade for a particular assignment, to a failing grade in the course, to suspension or expulsion from the University. The penalty varies with the nature of the offense. Students who believe that they have been unfairly accused may appeal through their school/college's academic grievance procedure and, ultimately, to the Graduate Board if academic dismissal has occurred.

Academic Rights and Responsibilities

Temple University students who believe that instructors are introducing extraneous material into class discussions or that their grades are being affected by their opinions or views that are unrelated to a course’s subject matter can file a complaint under the University’s policy on academic rights and responsibilities. The full policy is 03.70.02: Student and Faculty Academic Rights and Responsibilities.

The policy encourages students to first discuss their concerns with their instructor. If a student is uncomfortable doing so, or if discussions with the instructor do not resolve the student’s concerns, an informal complaint can be made to the Student Ombudsperson for the student’s school/college. Unresolved complaints may be referred to the dean for handling in accordance with the school/college’s established grievance procedure. Final appeals will be determined by the Provost.

Equal Opportunity Compliance

Temple University’s equal opportunity/affirmative action program complies with federal regulations. The program has these inclusive objectives:

• Support the admission and successful participation of disadvantaged students, students with disabilities, and those for whom English is a second language.
• Employ and advance in employment qualified women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, Armed Forces service medal veterans, disabled veterans, recently separated veterans, and other protected veterans.

For more information or to review the Temple University Nondiscrimination, Equal Opportunity/ Affirmative Action Policy, see www.temple.edu/eoc/documents/EOAAPolicy.pdf. Additional information is found at www.temple.edu/eoc/.

Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault

Sexual harassment and sexual assault subvert the mission and work of Temple University, and can threaten the career, educational experience, and well-being of students, faculty, and staff. Temple University is committed to providing a learning and working environment that emphasizes the dignity and worth of every member of its community, free from discriminatory conduct. Sexual harassment and sexual assault, in any form or context, are inimical to this and will not be tolerated.

Information on the University's policies on sexual harassment and sexual assault, which include procedures for filing complaints, is available at www.temple.edu/eoc/sexualharassment.html.