Dean of Students

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New Student Orientation

Orientation eases the transition into the college student role, creates a foundation for academic success and helps to integrate new students into the UMA community. Orientations are offered on-site at all of UMA’s locations, including both campuses and most UMA centers or locations, as well as in an online format (ONSO). Students are invited to experience all orientation options; however, they are expected to complete the online orientation format.  Be sure to visit the orientation web page for detailed information on each orientation.

Student Handbook

At the start of each academic year, a revised student handbook is published on the Web for all students. A print version may be requested by contacting the Office of the Dean of Students. The student handbook contains key information not only on services for students, but on policies and procedures that exist within The University of Maine System. It is essential that students familiarize themselves with this resource and abide by these policies and standards.

Student Conduct: The dean oversees compliance with University policies and procedures designed to encourage respectful behavior and create an environment supportive of the educational mission of the University. The University of Maine System (UMS) Student Conduct Code [PDF] and the UMS Board of Trustees Student Conduct Policy are published in the UMA Student Handbook. Beyond that, there is a UMA Student Academic Integrity (AI) Code that details the procedures which apply in cases of suspected academic dishonesty. Associated with this AI Code is an AI Reporting Form (online form) used by faculty to formally document such incidents. Any questions regarding any of these policies or procedures should be directed to Kim Kenniston, Director of Residential Life, who acts as UMA’s student conduct officer.

Students interested in becoming members of the Student Conduct Committee, the board that adjudicates violations of the Student Conduct Code, should read the committee description and complete an online application.

Resolving Student Complaints: Despite intent, disagreements arise from time to time in the college environment. If a student has a complaint against an instructor (see Student Handbook, “Policies” tab: “Resolving Student Academic Complaints”) or a professional employee’s administrative action, he or she is encouraged to speak directly with that employee or their supervisor to pursue an informal resolution to the problem. Typically, this is the most efficient and effective way to resolve a complaint. Formal grievance procedures are reserved for unresolved complaints and are designed to give UMA students maximum opportunity to address their concern when conditions warrant. Students considering a formal grievance should review a copy of the appropriate grievance procedure (academic–see further below on this page–or professional/administrative) and must contact the Dean of Students Office for information and direction.

Housing Information

UMA is a commuter institution. However, UMA is excited to offer an opportunity for affordable housing to full-time students attending the Augusta campus, by providing a limited amount of student housing at Stevens Commons in Hallowell. On-campus housing is not currently available at the Bangor campus or any of our statewide UMA Centers. Please visit the’ housing webpage for more information and details.

Mediation: This office provides students with advice and assistance in conflict resolution.

Child Care: Students needing child care services can access statewide resources through DHHS’ Child and Family Services Office. The “Information for Parents” webpage not only provides valuable information on steps to choosing child care, paying for child care, and parent rights and responsibilities, but also on options/resources for finding child care centers and programs.

Campus Assessment Response Evaluation Team

The mission of the UMA Campus Assessment Response Evaluation Team (CARE) is to coordinate and implement policy development, education, and timely intervention in regard to students exhibiting signs of serious distress, or engaging in harmful or disruptive behavior. CARE is not a crisis or emergency response team, but provides a system for proactive intervention to student behaviors of concern in order to reduce disruption and facilitate a safe, respectful and productive learning and working environment.

STUDENT ACADEMIC GRIEVANCE POLICY

From 2021-2022 Student Handbook 

Students who plan to file a grievance must contact the dean of students, who serves as the student grievance officer, to discuss their options and obligations under this policy.  The dean of students may also provide information about alternate channels to resolve complaints.  Any questions regarding this policy should be addressed to the dean of students.  In the event of a conflict of interest for the dean of students, an alternate student grievance officer will be appointed by the provost.

This Policy and Procedure is designed to give a University of Maine at Augusta student the maximum opportunity to pursue a formal grievance procedure when conditions warrant.  Grievances under this policy are limited to allegations of failure of faculty to follow published course requirements or University policies, including perceptions of unfair or discriminatory behavior.  While this Policy and Procedure intends to ensure a fair process, it is not intended to interfere with the faculty prerogative to grade the substance of a student’s course work.  A grade, under normal circumstances, can be changed only by the faculty member who assigned the grade.

The following apply to all student academic grievances:

• Official University holidays and breaks between academic sessions do not count in the computation of deadlines.
• If the party being grieved does not adhere to the procedural time limits, the student may automatically proceed to the next step. However, the grievance process recognizes that faculty are typically not under contractual obligation during the summer. The grievance process may be postponed if deadlines fall within a period when the faculty member is not under contract. If extenuating circumstances prevent a faculty member from responding to a student grievance, that faculty member’s dean will appoint an alternate faculty member to represent them in the grievance process.
• If a student who intends to pursue a grievance does not adhere to the procedural time limits, their grievance is terminated.
• Exceptions to deadlines may be permitted by agreement of both parties.
• In the event of a grievance, a student may opt to have a person act in the capacity of a support person during this procedure (see dean of students for details).  No party shall be accompanied by legal counsel.
• The dean of students monitors compliance with all deadlines and procedures, therefore, must be copied on all documents pertinent to this procedure.
• If one party claims extenuating circumstances prevent adherence to the specifications of these procedures, the president of the Faculty Senate shall adjudicate the legitimacy of the extenuating circumstance.

The University assumes that at any given stage in the following procedures all parties will act in good faith and make sincere efforts to reach a fair and final resolution of the issue(s) in question.

Procedure: 

A.   A student must initiate a grievance regarding a course or academic action no later than 30 calendar days of the posting of the final course grade. The date of posting of the final grade is determined by the Registrar. To “initiate” means that the student must confirm in writing his/her intent to file a grievance with the dean of students.

B.  Within five business days of initiating the grievance, the student must discuss the matter of concern with the faculty member unless one of the parties is unwilling.  This step may be eliminated at the option of either party.

C.  If the grievance is not resolved by discussion, within ten business days he or she must submit in writing the details of the grievance with copies to the dean of students, faculty member and the faculty member’s immediate supervisor.

D.  Within ten business days of receiving the student’s detailed grievance document, the faculty member must respond in writing to the student with a copy to the faculty member’s immediate supervisor and dean of students. The faculty member must respond in specific terms to the grievance.

E.  To continue the grievance, within five business days from receipt of the faculty member’s written response to her/his grievance, the student must request in writing a meeting with the faculty member and the faculty member’s immediate supervisor. The meeting must be held within five business days of receipt of request.

F.  If the meeting outlined in step E does not resolve the grievance; the student must request within five business days that the president of the Faculty Senate convene an Ad Hoc Student Academic Grievance Committee to investigate the facts surrounding the grievance.

G. The president of the Faculty Senate will appoint an Ad Hoc Student Grievance Committee within five business days of receipt of the request.

• The Committee will consist of three members: one faculty member from the discipline in question (or as related as possible); one faculty member from a College other than that of the party being grieved; and one student designated by the Student Government Association.
• Both the student and faculty member may exercise one peremptory challenge and may challenge for cause any member of the Committee, the judgment in the matter of cause being made by the parliamentarian of the Faculty Senate.
• The Committee will strive to protect the interest of both parties and follow a fundamentally fair process.  If new information comes forward both parties of grievance have the opportunity to rebut it.

H.  Within ten business days of appointment, the Ad Hoc Student Grievance Committee will report its findings and recommendations to the student and faculty member concerned, the faculty member’s immediate supervisor, the provost, the president of the university, the president of the Faculty Senate, and the dean of students.

I.  The president of the university or designee can implement the report, reject it, or return it to the committee for further consideration.