Academic Standards
To fulfill its primary mission of undergraduate education, Union College offers programs leading to associate and bachelor's degrees in a number of fields. In addition, during the 2004-2005 academic year, the college inaugurated its first graduate program, in physician assistant studies. Specialized academic information for that degree is found in the physician assistant section of the Division of Health Sciences.
Academic Policies are written to assist our student in completing their academic programs as efficiently as possible and to support them in managing their course work from semester to semester. Students may petition for exceptions to these policies.Forms for this purpose are available in the Records Office.
Integrity of Scholarship
The Union College community values high academic and ethical standards. Inspired by both Christian and scholarly principles, its students and faculty commit to exhibit integrity and truth in all academic endeavors, including the preparation of class assignments and taking examinations. Scholarship thus carries the broad expectation that no unauthorized aids were used. Specific dishonesty includes cheating on assignments or examinations, plagiarism (copying of others' published works), excessive revision by someone other than the student, unauthorized collaboration, forgery of signatures, fabrication or unauthorized use of data, and the misuse of copyrighted material.In addition to following personal honesty in creating their own work, students should refrain from suspicious behavior or allowing others to use their works in a dishonest manner. when allegations of academic dishonesty are substantiated beyond reasonable doubt, the consequences may range from receipt of a failing grade to dismissal form the course or even expulsion from the college.
Course syllabi spell out specific consequences of dishonesty as related to individual course. If a student and professor are unable to resolve an issue involving standards of integrity, the incident should be reported to the division chair and if necessary the Academic Dean.
Academic Advising
Beyond completing the course appropriate for a major, graduation involves meeting a variety of requirements and deadlines. To assist in meeting these challenges, each Union College student is appointed a faculty advisor. However, ultimate responsibility for planning the academic program and fulfilling graduation requirements lies with the student. Besides guiding course selection and general academic planning, advisor's assist a student's orientation to campus life and discuss broader personal concerns.