AP: Section F - Student Rights and Responsibilities

5.00

Degree Requirements - Responsibility rests with the student to know the requirements of the program in which they are enrolled, and if a full-time student, to carry no fewer than 12 credit hours per semester.

5.01

Students are also responsible for meeting deadlines as these relate to academic procedural matters, e.g. add/drop, course selection, course withdrawal.

5.10

Course Requirements - The student is expected to fulfill course requirements as specified in course outlines.

5.20

Attendance Policy

Overview
Registration in a course assumes full participation, and students are expected to attend all class sessions regularly. Each instructor is responsible for defining what constitutes excessive absences within their course policies, as outlined in the syllabus.  A student’s absence does not obligate the faculty member to repeat course content and the student is responsible for completing any missed coursework.  Excessive absence, as defined by the instructor, may result in the cancellation of a student’s course registration.   If this occurs, the instructor will submit a request to the dean of the school responsible for the course, and a grade of "W" or "F" may be assigned.  Students have seven (7) calendar days from the date of notification to appeal the withdrawal in writing to the academic dean.

Excused Absences
Certain absences are considered excused when students are officially representing the university or when other valid circumstances apply. These include, but are not limited to:

• Religious Observances: In accordance with State Education Law Section 224-a, students who are absent due to religious beliefs must be excused and provided with an equivalent opportunity to make up missed coursework, exams, or registration requirements without additional fees or penalties.
• Military Obligations and Medical Treatment: Absences due to military duty, required training, or related medical treatment should be coordinated with the Office of Veteran Affairs. Faculty should not penalize students for such absences, though in some cases, withdrawal from a course may be advisable.
• Athletic Competitions: Students participating in official collegiate athletic events (games, matches, or competitions) are representing the university and will be granted excused absences. Practices are not considered excused.
• Field Trips and Field Experiences: Absences due to participation in field trips, field-based research, or other academic experiences required for another course are excused.
• Scientific Meetings and Conferences: Attendance at professional conferences, research symposia, or scientific meetings related to a student’s academic program qualifies as an excused absence.
• University-Sanctioned Club Events: Students attending events as official representatives of the university may receive excused absences. This applies to club activities where the student is competing or presenting on behalf of the institution.
• Mental or Physical Health Issues: Students are responsible for communicating with instructors if they miss classes due to short-term illness or injury. Every effort should be made to notify instructors before the missed class. A faculty member may request a physician’s note, but they cannot request medical information.
• Jury Duty: Students summoned for jury duty must provide proof of service to their instructors.

Students must notify instructors as early as possible regarding anticipated absences and provide any required documentation. If faculty require confirmation, they can refer to SharePoint for announcements or contact the club advisor or the faculty member.

Regardless of the reason for an absence, students are responsible for completing all missed coursework in a timely manner. Instructors are expected to provide reasonable opportunities for students to make up exams, assignments, or other required work due to excused absences.

Attendance in an online course is defined by active participation, such as submitting assignments, engaging in discussions, or completing assessments. This definition applies to determining initial attendance, last date of attendance, and excessive absences as outlined in the course syllabus.

5.27      

SUNY Cobleskill Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy - Student Al use in academic assignments is at the discretion of the instructor. Per academic freedom, instructors have the autonomy to prohibit AI use in their courses if they believe it is not conducive to learning outcomes. Instructors should specify whether AI tools are permitted, distinguish between generative or assistive AI, identify parameters for the extent of their use, and require the citation of AI-generated content. Course syllabi must include a statement on AI usage, whether permitted or prohibited, and the consequences for violations. Instructors permitting AI use should provide clear guidance on appropriate AI applications for each assignment.

If instructors choose to use an AI detection tool, the software must be supported or verified by SUNY Cobleskill to ensure compliance with FERP A, accessibility, and security requirements. Instructors are also responsible for reviewing the flagged content and should not be solely dependent on the detection tool when applying a grade or proceeding with an academic integrity violation.

Use of AI must align with, and violations will be processed following SUNY Cobleskill's Academic Integrity Policy (5.50). Any uncredited or improper use of AI-generated content constitutes academic dishonesty.

5.40

Advisor Consultation - Students are expected to consult with their advisors about academic matters, and obtain the signatures required on academic forms.

5.60

Expected Behavior in the Classroom - Students are expected to respect the educational environment as established by the faculty member. All individuals are expected to demonstrate respect for the rights and responsibilities of the faculty member and of each other.

5.70

Grade Posting - Grades are available via Banner Web (see 7.10).

5.90

Academic Progress - Students are responsible for being aware of their academic progress/standing in courses.

6.00

The College is committed to the educational and social development of its students.

6.01

As members of the academic community, students are encouraged to develop the capacity for critical thinking and to engage in the pursuit of truth.

6.02

The College will provide positive opportunities and conditions to facilitate those freedoms which are essential to the learning and maturation process.

6.03

The College guarantees students freedom in inquiry, freedom of thought and discussion, and the right to due process in disciplinary proceedings. The student is also guaranteed freedom from College interference and restriction of extramural activities unless placed on probation.

6.04

The responsibility for ensuring these freedoms rests with the entire College community. Students should endeavor to exercise and defend these freedoms with maturity and responsibility.

6.10

Rights in the Classroom - Faculty should endeavor to provide an atmosphere in the classroom that facilitates free discussion, inquiry and expression. Students should be evaluated solely on the basis of academic standards, not on the students' opinions or conduct unrelated to academic standards.

6.11

Protection of Freedom of Expression - Students are responsible for learning the content of their courses of study, but they should be free to take reasoned exception to the data or views offered and to reserve judgment about matters of opinion.

6.12

Protection Against Improper Academic Evaluation - Students are responsible for maintaining standards of academic performance established by their professors, but they should have protection through orderly procedures against prejudiced or capricious academic evaluation.

6.13

Protection Against Improper Disclosure - Information about student views, beliefs and political associations which professors acquire in the course of their work as instructors, advisors and counselors should be considered confidential.

6.14

State law requires that any student in an institution of higher education who is unable to attend classes on a particular day or days because of their religious beliefs is to be excused from any examination or any study or work requirements. State law also stipulates that we have the responsibility to make available equivalent opportunities to make up work missed because of these absences and that students have the obligation to make up any work missed.

6.15

Recording Classes Policy - The purpose of this policy is to protect the intellectual property rights of faculty, staff, and students, ensure a respectful learning environment, and uphold academic integrity. Students are not permitted to record classroom lectures and discussions, in whole or in part, or for instruction provided in related spaces like laboratories (including field labs), studios, or online courses. This policy includes photographs, audio recordings, and audio-visual recordings, and applies in both in-person and online settings.

Exceptions. This policy shall not apply where:

1. An instructor provides prior written permission for a student or students to record classroom lectures and/or instruction.
2. A student has been granted a reasonable accommodation through the AccessABILITY Resource Center that allows the student to record classroom lectures and/or instruction. These resources may not be shared with others in the class without written permission from the instructor.

When permission is granted to record under one of the exceptions identified in this policy, or when recordings or other materials are made available to students by instructors, students may not copy and/or disseminate any portion of instructor or student-generated content (lectures, lecture slides, photos, screenshots, student assignments, presentations, class discussions, discussion board postings, etc.), including dissemination on the internet and social media platforms (especially for the purpose of bullying, humiliating, retribution, etc.), without prior written permission.

Violations of this policy will be processed consistent with Policy 5.50 (Academic Integrity).

Instructors may wish to audio or video record in-person or online class sessions so that students may be able to refer to the content after class or to provide an opportunity for students unable to attend class to view lectures and discussion material. If an instructor chooses to record a class session, they must communicate this to the students both verbally and in the course syllabus and obtain the written permission of all students in the class. If a student does not sign the permission to be recorded, the instructor must ensure the student is not included in the frame of the video.

Instructors may choose to give special consideration to student discussions. They may turn off recordings at certain points to protect student privacy and if they feel that recording might limit discussion, particularly if sensitive material is included in the discussion.

6.20

Grade Appeal - Students may appeal a final grade received in a course by providing written justification for a change of grade to the faculty member responsible for the course and a copy to the school dean responsible for the course. Grade appeals must be filed within forty-five (45) calendar days of the last day of classes for the semester in which the grade was received. Appeals must be submitted by the student not a third party (including family members of the student).

6.21

Appeals must be based on perceived discrepancies in the grading and evaluation system as described in the course outline given to students, computational error or error in data entry.

6.22

Faculty will provide a written response to the student within ten (10) calendar days of receipt of the appeal with a copy to the appropriate dean.

6.23

Students who cannot reach satisfactory resolution of the appeal with the faculty member may appeal to the dean of the school responsible for the course within fourteen (14) calendar days of the date of the faculty member's response.

6.24

In the event that the student feels that a satisfactory resolution has not been reached, they may forward their appeal in writing to the vice president for academic affairs within seven (7) calendar days of receipt of the school dean’s response.

6.25

The vice president for academic affairs will have the chairperson of the Academic Policies Committee convene a three (3) member review panel to make recommendations to the vice president for academic affairs. The decision of the vice president for academic affairs shall be final and not subject to further appeal. Notice will be sent to the student and the appropriate faculty member in writing.

6.26

Documentation of an appeal will be part of the academic record and therefore will be retained in adherence to SUNY and SUNY Cobleskill record of retention policies.

6.40

Withdrawal from Courses by Instructor: Appeal - (See Section 4.26)

6.50

Academic Student Complaints - If students have complaints relating to 1) AccessABILITY Resources 2) Bias 3) Discrimination 4) FERPA 5) Grade Appeals 6) Online Course or Online Course Delivery 7) Student Conduct and/or 8) Title IX (Sexual Harassment, Sexual Violence, Gender Discrimination), they should refer to the SUNY Cobleskill webpage for those resources.

The academic student complaints process is divided into two parts, Conflict Resolution and Administrative Course of Action.

In the conflict resolution stage, students first will seek a resolution that is limited to written or verbal conversations with the personnel, the department chair who oversees the individual about whom the complaint is being filed, and/or the relevant dean.

If students cannot reach a resolution to their satisfaction, students can move on to initiating an Administrative Course of Action. This stage includes a student's written complaint, an investigation into the incident by the relevant dean, and a determination by said dean. If unsatisfied with the decision, students also may appeal to the provost who, after receiving a recommendation from a review panel, makes a final decision on the matter.

The Conflict Resolution and Administrative Course of Action processes are detailed below.

Conflict Resolution

If students have a complaint/concern about personnel such as professors/instructors, advisors, professional advisors, and/or instructional support specialists, or a classroom environment/incident/situation, they are encouraged first to seek a resolution by communicating directly with that individual. If the issue cannot be resolved at that level, students should contact the department chair who oversees the individual about whom the complaint is being filed. If the issue cannot be resolved at the chair level, students should contact the relevant dean. If the student does not know who the chair is, the secretary of the dean's office can assist with that contact information. If students' academic complaints involve an instructor, and the instructor is also the department chair, the relevant dean may be contacted first.

In cases where students' academic complaints involve an advisor and a resolution cannot be made directly, students should go straight to the department chair. In cases where the advisor is also the department chair, students may consult with the relevant dean first.

Students should expect an acknowledgement from whomever they contact within one week. If they have not heard from an individual within this timeframe, students are encouraged to contact the next individual as outlined above.

When engaging in conflict resolution, students should initiate their complaints immediately following the incident or identification of the problem, but no later than 15 days after the last day of class during the semester in which the incident or problem occurred.

Administrative Course of Action

If a conflict resolution cannot be reached, students should advance to the administrative course of action stage by sending a written complaint that includes their name, contact information, description of the complaint, details of the direct communication with the individual and department chair (if applicable), specifics of the conflict resolution process, and desired outcome to the relevant dean. Subjects of the complaint also will receive a copy of the written complaint. Students who have not yet discussed their complaints through the conflict resolution process will be directed by the dean to do so before proceeding. Each student with a complaint must go through the Conflict Resolution and Administrative Course of Action individually.

Students should expect an acknowledgement from the dean within one week. The dean then will schedule a meeting with the student so the student has the opportunity to discuss the matter in more depth if necessary. Next, the dean will notify all other individuals referenced in the written complaint and schedule separate meetings with all parties involved, including with the subject of the complaint to allow for further discussions.

Following these meetings, the dean will investigate the complaint and reach a determination in writing that will be sent to all parties involved within thirty (30) calendar days from receipt of the written complaint.

If a student or the subject of the complaint is dissatisfied with the outcome, they may send a written appeal to the provost within five business days of receiving the determination from the dean. The written appeal should include the original written complaint, along with points of disagreement with the dean's decision.

The provost will have the chairperson of the Academic Policies Committee convene a review panel from volunteers across campus. For complaints against teaching faculty, the review panel will be comprised of 3-5 professors or instructors with continuing appointment. For complaints against professional staff, the review panel of 3-5 individuals will be comprised of professionals with permanent appointments and one professor or instructor with continuing appointment. The review panel members cannot be in the same department as the student or the subject of the complaint. The review panel will review all materials, interview all parties involved separately, including the subject of the complaint, and make a recommendation to the provost within two weeks of receipt of the provost's request.

The subject of the complaint and the student each may choose one advocate who is either a current member of the SUNY Cobleskill faculty or staff. The student has the option of choosing a current SUNY Cobleskill student as their advocate. The advocate's role is to provide support during the review panel interview.

After receiving the review panel's recommendation, the provost may investigate the matter further if necessary. The provost will inform all parties involved in writing regarding the outcome of the appeal within two weeks. The decision of the provost is final and not subject to further appeal.

If it is discovered that a student knowingly makes false complaints, accusations, or allegations during the Conflict Resolution or Administrative Course of Action processes, they will be in violation of Student Conduct Code #13 "Deliberate issuance of a false statement either orally or in writing to College officials." According to the Student Conduct Codes site, "Any violation of the Student Conduct Codes is strictly prohibited and may result in disciplinary action ranging from a warning letter to probation, suspension, or dismissal from the college."

6.60

Academic Appeals Process

Informal Resolution Process

The student must initiate the informal resolution within 10 business days of receiving the academic decision being appealed or within the first semester of matriculation for transfer credit appeals.  This may include final course grades (Policy 6.20), academic student complaints (Policy 6.50), academic integrity violations (Policy 5.5), academic standing (withdrawal; Policy 4.26), evaluation of transfer credits (Policy 2.65), and credit for prior learning (Policy 2.70).

1. The student emails the appropriate instructor, department chair, Office of the Registrar (Transfer Credit Appeal), or credit for prior learning coordinator using their SUNY Cobleskill email account. The appeal must be submitted by the student and not a third party. The message must include: the academic decision being appealed, the reason for concern, supporting documents, and the outcome the student seeks.
2. The faculty member or academic representative will respond within ten (10) business days to discuss the concern, review documentation, and attempt resolution. This may include scheduling a meeting to discuss the issue.  In the case of Transfer Credit Appeals, the Registrar will work with the Academic Dean and the appropriate department chair to review the courses being appealed.

If the concern is resolved at this stage, the appeal concludes.

If no resolution is achieved, or no response is received within 10 business days, the student may proceed to the formal appeal stage.

Formal Appeal

A formal appeal must be submitted within five (5) business days following the conclusion of the informal resolution process.  The student must submit to the Academic Dean the following: a cover letter explaining the grounds for appeal, relevant supporting material (e.g., syllabus, graded work, emails, evaluation criteria), and any institution form associated with the type of appeal (e.g. credit for prior learning).

The Dean will review the submission, contact the instructor or appropriate party to see if they have additional evidence they would like to submit, and issue a written decision within five business days. If the student is satisfied, the matter is closed.  If not, the student may request review by the Provost within five business days of the Dean’s decision.

Academic Review Board

When the Provost receives the appeal, they will request review by an Academic Review Board.  The appeal from the student must include a cover letter and relevant supporting material.  The Academic Dean will forward additional information from the instructor or appropriate personnel to the Provost.

The Academic Review Board will be assembled for each academic year by the Provost in consultation with the chair of the Academic Policies Committee.  This committee will be comprised of 6-8 faculty and staff, with 3-5 members assigned to each case to avoid conflicts of interest and for ease of scheduling.  For Academic Integrity appeals 1-2 student representatives will be added to maintain an odd number of review board members.  The students will be selected in consultation with the Student Government Association.  

The chair of the Academic Policies Committee will be responsible for convening each Academic Review Board to discuss the evidence, request additional evidence as needed, and vote on the outcome.  From the time of student submission, the Academic Review Board has 10 business days after receiving all materials to submit their findings to the Provost.  If additional time is needed (for scheduling needs), the student will be notified of the adjusted timeline.

The Provost will issue the final institutional determination in writing to the student and a record of the appeal will be filed in the Provost’s Office.  In the case of Transfer Credit and Credit for Prior Learning the completed appeals documentation will be forwarded to the Registrar’s Office for official recordkeeping. This decision is final and not subject to further institutional appeal.  The exception is for Transfer Credit Appeals; if a student is not satisfied with the Cobleskill decision, they can appeal to the SUNY Provost.  The appeal form and instructions are available at: http://system.suny.edu/academic-affairs/student-mobility/student-transfer-appeal-process/