Suffolk University Common Syllabus Policies

In addition to the policies described in the syllabus you received from your instructor, the following policies apply to all students.

Credit Hour Requirements

Suffolk University follows the New England Commission of Higher Education's definition of a credit hour:

“...as an amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that is an institutional established equivalence that reasonably approximates not less than

1. One hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out of class student work each week for approximately fifteen weeks for one semester or trimester hour of credit, or ten to twelve weeks for one quarter hour of credit, or the equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time; or
2. At least an equivalent amount of work as required in paragraph (1) of this definition for other academic activities as established by the institution including laboratory work, internships, practica, studio work, and other academic work leading to the award of credit hours.”

Participation/Attendance Policy

Students are expected to attend all classes as attendance is an integral aspect of enhancing academic success. Requirements for attendance and class participation are established by the instructor in each course, but there are common policies covering absences for religious observance, student athletics, and jury duty that can be found in the Student Handbook.

Disability Accommodations

The Office of Disability Services (ODS) is committed to ensuring that students with disabilities have equal, effective, and meaningful access to all programs and opportunities at Suffolk University. With a student-centered approach, ODS fosters self-advocacy and self-determination, and promotes awareness that disability is an element of diversity. If you determine that you need formal, disability-related accommodations, it is very important that you register with the Office of Disability Services (located at 73 Tremont Street, 9^th floor, 617-573-8034) and notify your instructor of your eligibility for reasonable accommodations. For more information, email the Office of Disability Services or visit our page.

Academic Misconduct Policy

Suffolk University expects all students to be responsible individuals with high standards of conduct. Students are expected to practice ethical behavior in all learning environments and scenarios, including classrooms and laboratories, internships and practica, and study groups and academic teams. Cheating, plagiarism, unauthorized collaboration, use of technology, including artificial intelligence, in ways not authorized by the course's technology policy as outlined in the syllabus, self-plagiarism, fabrication or falsification of data, and other types of academic misconduct are treated as serious offenses that initiate a formal process of inquiry, one that may lead to disciplinary sanctions. Some cases of academic misconduct may be reviewed and resolved at the academic departmental level; other more egregious forms of academic misconduct necessitate a full review by the Academic Misconduct Committee (AMC).

Academic Complaints

A student who has a complaint about a grade on a single assignment or exam or concerning the faculty member teaching a course should first speak with or email the faculty member.  If the complaint is not resolved, then the student should bring the matter to the attention of the department chair or program director. If the complaint remains unresolved, then the matter should be brought to the attention of the academic dean’s office of the school in which the course is offered. The full policy can be found in the Student Handbook.

Confidential use of assignments for assessment purposes

Select assignments in this course may be used by our accreditation team for institutional assessment purposes and will be handled confidentially.

Video Camera Use

Faculty may encourage, but not require, students to turn on cameras when working remotely. Please recognize that WIFI strength or reluctance to show personal space are reasons that might cause a student to prefer to leave their camera off.

Cameras During Remote Exams

Exams are an exception to our video camera use policy that faculty may encourage but may not require students to turn on cameras when working remotely. Faculty may require students to make themselves visible on camera (including phone camera) while completing exams or equivalent activities. Faculty should exercise reasonable judgment in accommodating students who experience random internet access issues.

Recording Policy

Students are prohibited from making their own recording of their classes, by any means, unless the requesting student is registered with Disabilities Services and recording of class sessions is an approved accommodation.

In some cases, classes are recorded by the instructor as a service to students who may need to view the class later, due to illness. If this is your situation as a student, please communicate with the instructor. Owing to the potential for technical difficulties, however, there can be no guarantee that all classes will successfully be recorded. Although Zoom notifies all class participants when the class is being recorded, lecture capture in classrooms does not have any automated announcements. The recording may be paused by the instructor at any time. Recordings of classes are the intellectual property of the instructor.

Student Resources

Counseling, Health, & Wellness

A range of issues can cause barriers to learning, such as strained relationships, increased anxiety, health issues, alcohol/drug problems, feeling down, difficulty concentrating, lack of motivation or feeling ill. These concerns or other stressful events may lead to diminished academic performance or may reduce a student's ability to participate in daily activities. University Counseling, Health & Wellness resources are available to help students address these and other concerns. Students can learn more about Suffolk’s broad range of confidential counseling and medical services at the Counseling, Health, and Wellness Center.

Emergencies – help is available!

• For on-campus emergencies, call Suffolk University Police at 617-573-8111.
• For off-campus emergencies, call 911 or go to your nearest hospital emergency room.

Title IX

Suffolk University seeks to foster a campus environment that supports its educational mission and is committed to providing a safe learning, living, and working environment for all members of the University community that is free from all forms of Sexual Misconduct. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex or gender and this policy prohibits specific forms of behavior that violate Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”) and/or all other applicable state and federal laws. Students can learn more about this policy here.

Responsible Employees are not required to report to the Director of Title IX Compliance any disclosure of alleged prohibited conduct that is made by a University student or employee during or in connection with (1) public awareness events (e.g. “Take Back the Night,” candlelight vigils, protests, “survivor speak-outs” or other public forums in which students may disclose incidents of Sexual Misconduct), or (2) a student’s participation as a subject in a human subjects research protocol, climate surveys, classroom writing assignments or discussions. These disclosures do not provide notice to the University of Sexual Misconduct for purposes of triggering its obligation to investigate any particular incident(s); however, the University may provide information at such events, and to subjects of such research trials, and classrooms about students’ Title IX rights and about available University and community resources and support services.

Diversity & Inclusion

Center for Student Diversity & Inclusion is committed to serving students who hold historically marginalized identities and their allies. We provide an array of programs and educational opportunities to celebrate diversity and social justice. Contact us, visit 8^th floor of Sawyer, Room 828, or visit our website for more information.

Interfaith/Religious Life

The Interfaith Center unites the Suffolk community via: the University Chaplain; seasonal celebrations and ongoing programs and events; interfaith room where individuals and student groups of any religious tradition may gather; and two ablution areas. Contact us or visit the 8th floor of Sawyer for more information.

International Student Services

International Student Services Office (ISSO), a part of the Center for International Programs and Services, provides comprehensive support to international students regarding immigration status and DHS regulatory responsibilities. International students in F-1 or J-1 status are responsible for maintaining full-time enrollment (minimum of 12 units) every semester, they are allowed to take only 1 web class per semester, which can be count towards their full enrollment.  If they don’t maintain the full time enrollment their immigration status is at risk.  For more information, go to our website, call 617-573-8154, or email us.

Center for Learning and Academic Success

Tutoring helps you explore class content, study smarter, and learn in unique and accessible ways. Working with a peer tutor who has taken and excelled in your course will help you meet your academic goals and position yourself for even more success.

Peer tutors are undergraduate and graduate students who are trained by the CLAS staff. Tutors guide students by offering techniques and strategies to strengthen the learning experience in studio and academic courses. Tutoring is a free service available to matriculated students. Sessions are held weekly for one hour.

For more information on our tutoring program, please contact us by phone at 617-573-8034, visit our website or stop by our office in 73 Tremont, 9th Floor.