Teaching and Learning: Student Responsibilities
Effective: January 3, 2011
Version History: This policy was previously part of the former Teaching and Learning: Instructor and Student Responsibilities policy originally approved by EPC on April 14, 2010; approved by Campus Assembly November 9, 2010; revised by TLC March 12, 2014; approved by EVCAA May 6, 2014; revised by TLC November 19, 2014; revised by TLC 4-17-19; approved by EVCAA 5-22-19. Policy revised to include only student responsibility language from the 2019 policy and renamed Teaching and Learning: Student Responsibilities confirmed by UCC April 23, 2024, approved by EVCAA June 26, 2024. Policy review confirmed by UCC April 16, 2025; approved by EVCP June 20, 2025.
Policy Owner: Academic Affairs
Policy Contacts: Jennifer Mencl (undergraduate), Erik Brown (graduate)
UMD is committed to providing a positive, productive, safe, and inclusive learning environment for all students and instructors.
Teaching and learning at the university take place in a variety of educational settings including on-campus lecture halls and classrooms, laboratories, field sites, and online. Instructors and students have mutual responsibility to ensure that the environment in all of these settings supports teaching and learning, is respectful of the rights and freedoms of all members, and promotes a civil and open exchange of ideas.
Student Responsibilities
1. Promote a respectful teaching and learning environment
Students are responsible for conducting themselves in a manner that (a) is respectful of the instructor and other students in the classroom; (b) is civil in language, tone and behavior; and (c) is receptive to ideas and other points of view. The UMN Board of Regents Student Conduct Code describes the behavior expectations of students and applies to all UMN students: “Disruptive classroom conduct means engaging in behavior that substantially or repeatedly interrupts either the instructor’s ability to teach or student learning.” For example, making hostile, threatening, discriminatory or disparaging remarks toward or about the instructor, other members of the class or groups of people will not be tolerated. (Resources: Primary Student Conduct Procedures; Managing Concerning Student Behavior)
2. Use personal electronic devices appropriately in the classroom
Instructors determine if and the extent to which personal electronic devices (such as cell phones and laptops) are allowed in the classroom unless they have been approved as part of a University-authorized accommodation. Students may be directed to turn off personal electronic devices if the devices are not being used for class purposes. Students are not permitted to record any part of a class/lab/other session unless explicitly granted permission by the instructor (see UMD policy: Appropriate Student Use of Class Notes and Course Materials).
3. Meet course prerequisites
Students are responsible for meeting the course prerequisites prior to taking a course unless they have permission from the instructor (see UMD policy: Establishing, Enforcing, and Waiving Prerequisites).
4. Be aware of and meet all course requirements
Students are responsible for knowing the information contained in the syllabus, for meeting all course requirements, for observing all deadlines and examination times, and for knowing other course procedures as they become available.
5. Attend class
A. Students are expected to attend all meetings of their courses. However, students may be excused from classes for participation in religious observances, for approved University activities, and for other reasons in accordance with UMD’s Excused Absences and Makeup Work Policy. In accordance with the policy, students are expected to notify instructors as soon as possible about such absences and complete makeup work as assigned.
B. Students must attend the first class meeting of every course (e.g. lecture/lab/discussion/etc. and in-person/blended/online/remote) in which they are registered unless (a) they obtain approval from the instructor before the first meeting or (b) they provide notice to the instructor they must miss class in accordance with UMD’s Excused Absences and Makeup Work Policy. Otherwise, they may be administratively dropped from the class.
C. Students are responsible for being on time and prepared for all class sessions.
6. Maintain academic integrity
Students are responsible to know and abide by UMN Board of Regents Student Conduct Code: Scholastic Dishonesty and UMD's Student Academic Integrity policies. Students are required to do their own assigned work. When it is determined that a student has engaged in scholastic dishonesty, the instructor may impose an academic consequence (e.g., giving the student a grade of an "F" or an "N" for the assigned work and /or the course), and the student may face additional sanctions from the University.
7. Seek help and accommodation
A. Students are responsible for seeking academic help in a timely fashion.
B. Students who plan to utilize accommodations are responsible for working first with the appropriate UMD office (e.g., UMD Disability Resources, Office of Diversity and Inclusion) and then communicating with the instructor in a timely manner for accommodations to be properly implemented.
8. Respect intellectual property
Students may not distribute instructor-provided notes or other course materials, except to other members of the same class, during the same term, or with the express (written) consent of the instructor. Instructors have the right to impose additional restrictions on course materials in accordance with copyright and intellectual property law and policy. Students may not engage in the widespread distribution or sale of transcript-like notes or notes that are close to verbatim records of a lecture or presentation (see UMD policy: Appropriate Student Use of Class Notes and Course Materials).
9. Keep the classroom in good order
Keeping a classroom in good order includes taking away or disposing of everything one came in with, such as pop cans/bottles, food containers/wrappers, newspapers, etc. Students must also not deface or damage classrooms or classroom furniture or equipment. Students may be responsible for helping straighten up a classroom at the end of a class period, if requested to do so by the instructor (e.g., returning furniture to the original layout to ensure access for all students).
10. Seek permission for guests
Guests, including children, may not be brought to class without prior permission from the instructor.
11. Utilize the campus procedure for course-related complaints
Students who have a complaint about a course are instructed to follow the Student Academic Complaint Resolution Procedure.