Office Hour Policy

University Policy from Section 5.4 of the Faculty Handbook - Every full-time faculty member is required to be available seven (7) hours per week during the regular academic year to consult with students.  Requirements for part-time faculty will be prorated according to the number of hours taught.  Each department will maintain an office hours policy that establishes standards regarding a mix among formal office hours, meetings in other locations, and electronic communications appropriate for faculty members and curricula in that department.  A schedule indicating the times available for formal office hours, meetings in other locations, and electronic communications must be posted on the faculty member’s office door, listed on course syllabi, and provided to the departmental office at the beginning of each semester.  Electronic communication addresses, URLs, and/or phone numbers must be listed on course syllabi and also provided to the faculty member’s departmental office.  During the term of a summer session in which a faculty member teaches, office hours, expectations are half of those during the regular academic.

Departmental Policy (adopted September 15, 2006) - “Full-time faculty are to hold 4 hours per week in their office over at least two days, and that 3 hours be specified in some other way on the syllabus (e.g., email hours).  Such hours should also be posted on the faculty member’s door.” 
“Part-time faculty and GTAs maintain and post 2.5 hours per course, for up to 7 hours per week.”

Cell Phone Policy (preliminary)

If faculty see the need for a cell phone policy on their syllabi, they should use the following wording:

"All electronic entertainment devices are to be turned off during class.  With the exception of medically necessary assistive devices, approved emergency communications and warning devices operated by authorized law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, "first responders," or other emergency personnel, and cell phones registered with APPSTATE-ALERT, all personal electronic communications devices in the possession of students will be turned off during class.  Cell phones registered with APPSTATE-ALERT must be placed in vibrate or silent mode during class.  Failure to comply with this policy may result in disciplinary action.  Such action may, at the discretion of the instructor of record, include a warning, dismissal from class for the day of the infraction, a reduction in the grade for the class, or referral to the Office of Student Conduct.  No part of this policy is intended to conflict with established policies of Appalachian State University or a student's right to due process as stated in the Code of Student Conduct, the Student Handbook, the Appalachian State University Undergraduate Bulletin, or the Appalachian State University Graduate Bulletin."

Interim Religious Observance Policy
Appalachian State University
August 10, 2010

1.  Students must be allowed a minimum of two excused absences each academic year for religious observances. Students are responsible for requesting excused absences for religious observances required by the faith of a student.  Instructors are responsible for complying with this requirement.  In classes in which attendance is taken and/or penalties are applied for student absences, instructors must document their compliance with the religious observance policy by tracking student excused absences for religious observances.
2.  For purposes of this policy, the term “religious observances” shall include religious holidays or holy days or similar observances required by a student’s religion and that require absence from class.
3.  Students must be afforded the opportunity to make up tests or other work missed due to an excused absence for a religious observance.
4. Except in extraordinary circumstances, student requests for excused absences for religious observances must be submitted to instructors in writing no later than three weeks after the first class day of the term.
5.   This policy on excused absences for religious observances must be referenced on all course syllabi.
6.   This policy supersedes one part of Faculty Handbook section 5.5.1.1, which reads: “In addition, faculty members are encouraged to make reasonable accommodations for students requesting to miss class due to the observance of religious holidays.”
7.  This policy amplifies another part of Faculty Handbook section 5.5.1.1, which reads: “Faculty, at their discretion, may include class attendance as a criterion in determining a student's final grade in the course. On the first day of class, faculty must inform students of their class attendance policy and the effect of that policy on their final grade; both policies must be clearly stated in the class syllabus.”
8.   This policy also amplifies Faculty Handbook section 5.5.1.2, which reads: “A syllabus is to be prepared for each course and distributed at the first of the semester. The syllabus should include the following: an explanation of course goals and objectives, the name of the text and any other materials required of each student, the instructor's office hours, an explanation of how the grade is to be determined, and an explanation of any additional reading, papers, projects and examination which the instructor expects to give or assign.”

Academic Integrity Code


Appalachian’s policy on academic integrity allows a student and faculty member to work out sanctions for a first offense without a formal referral to the Office of Student Conduct. However, this policy works only if the process outlined in the Code is followed, which includes a record of the sanction submitted to the Office of Student Conduct on the appropriate form.

Please put a statement like the following on your syllabi or course web sites:


”As a community of learners at Appalachian State University, we must create an atmosphere of honesty, fairness, and responsibility, without which we cannot earn the trust and respect of each other. Furthermore, we recognize that academic dishonesty detracts from the value of an Appalachian degree. Therefore, we shall not tolerate lying, cheating, or stealing in any form and will oppose any instance of academic dishonesty.  This course will follow the provisions of the Academic Integrity Code, which can be found on the Office of Student Conduct Web Site:www.studentconduct.appstate.edu.” 


Academic integrity continues to be an important issue, especially given students’ various interpretations of intellectual property rights and the ease of downloading material from the Web. Here are some things you might do in your classes to promote academic integrity, in addition to a statement on your syllabi and course web sites:

1. Lead discussions about academic integrity during class.
2. Create multiple versions of quizzes and exams.
3. Provide a space for students to reaffirm the Academic Integrity Honor Pledge on assignments, quizzes and exams (“I pledge on my honor that I have not violated the Appalachian State University Academic Integrity Code”).
4. Use current events to illustrate, discuss and reaffirm the value of integrity.
5. Contact the Office of Student Conduct in all appropriate cases of academic dishonesty.

The forms for addressing academic integrity issues are located on the Student Conduct web site. For questions please contact Judy Haas, Director of the Office of Student Conduct, at extension 2704 or [email protected], or Michael Mayfield at extension 7660 or [email protected].



Accommodations for Students with Disabilities


The Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act require that institutions in higher education make reasonable accommodations for students with documented disabilities.  It is important for faculty members to understand what we are and are not obliged to do when providing accommodations for students, so please familiarize yourself with the ODS web site and contact the office if you have questions about a request for accommodation. Please respect students’ rights to confidentiality and privacy when discussing disability accommodations with them. If you have questions, please contact Maranda Maxey, Director of the Office of Disability Services, at extension 3056 or [email protected]. 

The Office of Disability Services recommends including the following text on syllabi and course web sites: 


”Appalachian State University is committed to making reasonable accommodations for individuals with documented qualifying disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. If you have a disability and may need reasonable accommodations in order to have equal access to the University’s courses, programs and activities, please contact the Office of Disability Services (828.262.3056 or www.ods.appstate.edu). Once registration is complete, individuals will meet with ODS staff to discuss eligibility and appropriate accommodations.”

Final Examinations
All scheduled examination periods will be met at the assigned time. A final examination period is provided at the end of each semester. After the schedule for examinations has been made (i.e., after the schedule has been officially announced in the Schedule of Classes for a given semester), an instructor may NOT change the date or time of an examination without permission of the departmental chair and dean. A class which meets at an hour not provided for in the Final Examination Schedule must arrange for an examination during THE EXAMINATION PERIOD at an hour convenient to members of the class and the instructor, and with the approval of the departmental chair. INSTRUCTORS DETERMINE HOW THEY WILL USE THE ASSIGNED PERIOD, BUT ALL SCHEDULED EXAMINATION PERIODS WILL BE MET AT THE ASSIGNED TIME. A student may take an examination outside of the scheduled time only by permission of the instructor of the course. Permission is granted only in case of emergency. A student who is absent from a final examination because of an emergency takes the make-up examination at the convenience of the instructor.