GENERAL ACADEMIC REGULATIONS

ADVISING

Academic advising is a key part of every undergraduate’s experience at the University of Pittsburgh. Academic advisors help a student determine the appropriate academic path to further the student’s educational and career goals. To be a success, the advising process must work both ways: the advisor will be there to help when the student needs it, and the student must actively seek out an advisor for help. Before signing up for classes each term, students meet with their advisors. Though each school may have different advising requirements, students are generally required to meet with their advisor at least two times per term—for an advising appointment and a subsequent registration appointment. The online Schedule of Classes can be a useful advising tool (see www.pitt.edu/~srfsweb/crinpgcrsinfo.htm). Consult with the individual school for school-specific advising services.

ALLOWABLE CREDITS (CREDIT AND COURSE LIMITATIONS)

There are certain limitations on credits, other than those earned as part of regular undergraduate courses taken at the University, that may be applied toward a degree. Those limitations are detailed below.

Advanced Standing Credits

Each school determines whether and under what circumstances the advanced standing credits listed below will be awarded toward a University of Pittsburgh degree or certificate offered by the school. Contact the individual schools for details.

Transfer Credit

Credit may be earned at other accredited institutions and accepted for transfer to the University of Pittsburgh, subject to University policy and individual school requirements.

Advanced Placement

Credits may be earned toward a University of Pittsburgh degree or certificate through standardized examinations such as the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP), Occupational Competency, Excelsior College Examination Program, and Advanced Placement (AP) Exams. In addition, some schools give credit for the International Baccalaureate Higher-Level Examinations. Credit is given for the following AP Exam scores:

Advanced Placement Credit

• A score of four qualifies the student for CHEM 0710: Honors General Chemistry if he or she wishes, although students will not receive both AP credit and credit for CHEM 0710.

• Students will have to check with the department to determine credit or waiver.

• Students wishing to take German language courses must still take the German Placement Exam at their orientation session.

Credit by Examination

In some cases, students may earn credits toward a University of Pittsburgh degree or certificate by passing a course examination without registering for the course. Contact the individual department or school for information, as each sets its own policies as to the specific courses for which students may request credit by examination.

Career Development Courses

Noncredit, career development courses are not applicable to the bachelor’s degree but may be included among the requirements for certain professional certificates.

Cooperative Programs

The University has established some arrangements with industries that permit students to rotate four-month terms between the workplace and the classroom. These programs are administered by the School of Engineering and are available to engineering, computer science, and chemistry students. The experience normally starts in the sophomore or junior year. Students should contact their school or department to determine the maximum number of credits that may be earned toward their degree requirements through cooperative programs. Call 412-624-9826 for more information.

Duplication of Course Content

Students may not earn credit for courses that substantially duplicate the content of other courses for which they have already received credit.

Directed Reading and Research, Independent Study, Internships

Some schools offer individually designed study other than regular courses. Students are limited by the individual schools as to how many such independent study, directed reading, directed research, and internship credits can be counted among the required credits for the degree. Requirements and procedures may also differ. Contact school for details.

Directed Reading

The student undertakes a specified course of study comparable to a regular course under the direct supervision of a faculty member.

Directed Research

The student pursues a defined research project on campus under the guidance of a faculty member.

Independent Study

Independent study involves an independent program of study, research, or creative activity designed under specified conditions and is usually conducted off campus with less immediate direction by the sponsoring faculty member.

Internships

Some schools provide internship experiences appropriate to the student’s academic discipline. An internship is a supervised, work-related experience, either volunteer or compensated. It is intended to be a new experience, not an existing position in which the student is already working. Students will only get internship credit for a current employment situation that has been pre-approved as an internship by the relevant school or department.

English Language Institute Courses

Credit for certain English Language Institute courses may be applied toward the undergraduate degree. See school for details.

Enrollment in Graduate Courses

Undergraduate students with sufficient preparation are permitted to enroll in graduate courses, and credits earned may be counted toward the undergraduate degree following procedures determined by each school. Credits earned in graduate courses taken by an undergraduate student typically cannot be counted subsequently toward a graduate degree. Consult the appropriate graduate or professional school bulletin for rules governing transfer credits for graduate-level courses taken by an undergraduate student.

External Studies

The University External Studies Program (UESP) delivers courses to students who are unable to attend traditionally scheduled classes. Many of the course requirements can be completed at home at the student’s own pace using specially designed self-instructional course materials. Some schools limit the number of external study courses that can be applied toward the degree. For more details, see school sections of this bulletin or call UESP at 412-624-7210.

Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) Credits

Students may elect to participate in either the Air Force ROTC or Army ROTC Programs at the University of Pittsburgh or the Navy ROTC Program at Carnegie Mellon University. Contact individual schools to determine which credits earned in ROTC courses may be applied toward a degree. (For more information on ROTC, see the Special Academic Opportunities section of this bulletin.)

REGISTRATION

For additional registration information, visit the University registrar’s Web site at www.pitt.edu/~registrar.

Full-Time and Part-Time Study

Full-time study is defined as enrollment for 12 to 18 credits per term, and part-time study is defined as enrollment for one to 11 credits per term. Students are charged a flat tuition rate for full-time study in the fall and spring terms. For part-time students, tuition payment is on a per-credit basis. Students may exceed the 18-credit limit with written permission from the dean of their school, but they will be billed on a per-credit basis for each additional credit. University fees and other applicable charges are assessed on student statements. Some schools within the University may also apply academic limitations on the number of credits for which a student is permitted to enroll each term. For instance, students in the College of Arts and Sciences must get permission to enroll for more than 17 credits. During the summer term and summer sessions, all students (except co-op students who are doing an academic rotation) are billed on a per-credit basis regardless of the number of credits taken.

Registering for Classes

After being admitted to a school, students may register for classes after consultation with their academic advisor. The registration period for a term or session is published in the University’s Schedule of Classes, in course descriptions, on calendars (including the University’s Academic Calendar at www.pitt.edu/calendars.html), and in numerous other publications.

Many students have the convenience of processing their registration form online in their school or advisor’s office. Students may also process their registration form in the Registration Office, G-1 Thackeray Hall. Students are required to have the signature of their academic advisor on the registration form. The student’s signature on the registration form creates a financial obligation to the University of Pittsburgh. Once students have registered, they may view their class schedules online at http://student-info.pitt.edu.

Adding and Dropping Courses

Students may add and drop course(s) only during the add/drop period. The dates for the add/drop period are published in University publications, in the University’s Schedule of Classes, in course descriptions, on calendars (including the University’s Academic Calendar at www.pitt.edu/calendars.html), and in numerous other publications. Students not enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences and CAS students who are student athletes or participants in Student Support Services programs must have their academic advisor sign all add/drop forms. Students who no longer wish to remain enrolled in a course after the add/drop period has ended may withdraw from the course or resign from the University. See Monitored Withdrawal from a Course and Resigning from the University.

Cross-Registration

Cross-registration provides students with the opportunity to enroll in courses at member institutions of the Pittsburgh Council on Higher Education (PCHE). The designated colleges and universities at which undergraduate students may cross register include Carlow College, Carnegie Mellon University, Chatham College, Community College of Allegheny County, Duquesne University, La Roche College, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, Point Park College, and Robert Morris University. Only full-time students may cross-register. Students who cross-register do not pay tuition to the host institution; however, they are responsible for any additional fees associated with the course such as laboratory fees, books, and the like. Students normally may register for only one course off campus in a given term. The grades and credits earned at the host institution are transferred to the home school. The academic policies of the host institution prevail.

Cross-registration is only available in the fall and spring terms. During the summer, students may attend one of the above colleges as guest students, but they must pay that institution’s tuition and fees. Students are discouraged from cross-registering during their term of graduation to avoid any delays in the receipt of course credit needed to graduate. Students should meet with their advisor or a school representative before they cross-register. For more information on cross-registration, visit www.pchepa.org.

Monitored Withdrawal from a Course

After the add/drop period has ended, students may withdraw from a course that they no longer wish to attend by completing a Monitored Withdrawal Request form in the office of the school offering the course. Students must process the Monitored Withdrawal Request form within the first nine weeks of the term in the fall and spring. Because summer sessions vary in length, students should check the summer Schedule of Classes for those deadlines. Students should check with the school offering the course for the last day to submit a Monitored Withdrawal Request form. The grade W will appear on the student’s grade report and transcript. There is no financial adjustment to students’ tuition or fee obligations involved in withdrawing from courses, but withdrawing may jeopardize satisfactory academic progress, financial aid, and athletic eligibility.

Resigning from the University/Termination of Registration

If students decide to drop all of their courses after the add/drop period has ended and before 60 percent of the term or session has been completed, they must resign from the University for that term. Official resignation from the University requires students to contact the Student Appeals Office. Students have several options. They may resign in person, by mail, or by calling 412-624-7585, where students may leave a message 24 hours a day, including weekends and holidays. An R grade will appear on the student’s academic transcript for each course in the term of resignation. Tuition is prorated from the date of the student’s notification to the Student Appeals Office of the student’s desire to resign, unless 60 percent of the term has been completed, in which case there is no refund.

After the 60 percent point in time of the term or session has passed, students who wish to terminate their registration may process withdrawal from all classes only with the permission of their academic dean. If the reason for withdrawal is medical or psychological in nature, the academic dean may consult with the director of Student Health Service prior to making a determination. There is no financial adjustment associated with this procedure, which results in the assignment of W grades for the courses.

GRADING AND RECORDS

For additional grading and records information, visit the University registrar’s Web site at www.pitt.edu/~registrar.

QPA and GPA

Quality Point Average (QPA) and Grade Point Average (GPA) are numerical indications of a student’s academic achievement. QPA is the average of letter grades earned toward a degree. Undergraduates must have a 2.00 QPA in order to graduate from the University of Pittsburgh. GPA is the average of total letter grades earned.

Grading System

The University of Pittsburgh has a standard letter grade system (see Letter Grade Option). Some additional grading options are available in some courses as determined by the school and the instructor (see Grading Options below). Finally, students may choose to audit a course. Students complete Grade Option/Audit Request forms to request a grading option available in a particular course.

Grading Options

Individual schools may elect to offer a course with the following grade options:

Students may select a grade option for those courses that offer more than one option by submitting a Grade Option/Audit Request form by the established deadline to the school offering the course (generally four weeks from the start of the term, but check with the school for specific deadlines). If the student does not fill out a Grade Option/Audit Request form for a course in which more than one grade option is available, the default option (generally a letter grade) will automatically be selected.

The University’s letter grade system identified below will be followed without exception:

H/S/U Grade Option

Certain courses are offered on the H/S/U (Honors/Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory) grade option. Under this option, students earn an H if they do exceptional work (equivalent to an A- or higher under the letter grade system), an S if they do satisfactory work (equivalent to grades from a C up to a B+), or a U if they do unsatisfactory work (equivalent to a C- or lower). The H and S grades received under this option are counted toward graduation, but are not computed in the student’s QPA. The U grade is counted toward neither graduation nor the QPA.

S/N Grade Option

Certain courses are offered on the S/N (Satisfactory/Audit) grade option. This option was designed to encourage students to explore new and potentially difficult subjects without fear of the risks of failure. Under this option, a student who does satisfactory work (a grade of C or better) in a course receives the grade of S. If the student’s work is not satisfactory (a grade of C- or lower), the grade of N (for audit) is given. Courses for which an S is received are counted toward graduation, but are not computed in the QPA. Courses in which an N is received are counted toward neither graduation nor the QPA.

Other Grades: Incomplete, Withdraw, Resign

Upon a student’s completion of a course, one of the grades listed below may appear on the student’s transcript in lieu of one of the options selected by the student and/or instructor (the options are listed under Grading Options). None of these grades carries quality points:

G Grade

The G grade signifies unfinished course work due to extenuating personal circumstances. Students assigned G grades are required to complete course requirements no later than one year after the term or session in which the course was taken. Some schools have a shorter deadline for completion of G grades; see school for details.

Once the deadline has passed, the G grade will remain on the record, and the student will be required to reregister for the course if it is needed to fulfill requirements for graduation.

I Grade

The I grade signifies incomplete course work due to the nature of the course, clinical work, or incomplete research work in individual guidance courses or seminars.

R Grade

The R grade signifies that a student resigned from the University for the term. (See Resigning from the University for more information.)

W Grade

The W grade signifies that a student has withdrawn from a course. (See Monitored Withdrawal from a Course for more information.)

Z Grade

The Z grade indicates that an instructor has issued an invalid grade.

Auditing a Course

To audit a course, a student must register and pay tuition for the course. A Grade Option/Audit Request form must be submitted for undergraduate courses by the established deadline. Students who audit a course are given an N grade.

Repeating Courses

Students may elect to repeat a course, subject to the following stipulations. Students should check with their individual schools for other school-specific rules on repeating courses, including the need to submit appropriate forms.

• A sequence course may not be repeated for credit if the student passes a higher sequence course with a C or better grade.

• A student may not enroll in the same course at another institution and have that grade replace the original grade earned at the University.

• The original course and grade remain on the transcript; however, the grade and credits originally earned are not counted in the calculation of the QPA or GPA.

• The grade earned by repeating a course is used instead of the grade originally earned. W, R, or N grades reported for the repeated course will not be identified as a course repeat, and therefore the original grade earned will continue to be counted in the QPA. Incomplete grades (G and I) are not identified as repeated courses until the course work is completed.

• Students are only permitted to repeat a course twice. Any grade earned in the repeated course will be recorded on the academic transcript, even if it is lower than the original grade.

Changing Grades

The instructor of a course may change a student’s grade by submitting a Change of Grade Card. All grade changes require the authorization of the dean of the school from which the original grade was issued. Students can verify grade changes for the terms available online via the secure server at http://student-info.pitt.edu.

Grade Reports

At the end of each term, a grade report is prepared by the Office of the University Registrar and mailed to the student, provided that all charges have been paid. This report shows the total credits carried, the grade received in each course, and total quality points earned. Shortly after the term ends, students can also access their grades online via the secure server at http://student-info.pitt.edu.

Transcripts

An academic transcript serves as a permanent record of a student’s academic progress. The transcript is a cumulative record of the student’s QPA, as well as a record of the department, title, and grade for each course in which the student has enrolled and summary advanced standing information. Students may request an official transcript that bears the seal and signature of the University registrar. Currently enrolled students may also receive one unofficial copy of their transcript per term for personal use. Upon graduation, the transcript reflects a student’s degree and date, major, and, if applicable, honors, area of concentration, and minor.

Academic Record

The academic record is not an official University transcript, but a document containing a student’s complete University of Pittsburgh academic history. In addition to the information provided on the transcript, the academic record provides students and advisors with admission data, academic events, detailed advanced standing/placement/transfer credit information, and standardized test scores. Students with no outstanding financial obligations to the University can receive one free copy of their academic record each term in G-3 Thackeray Hall.

ACADEMIC STANDING

Undergraduate students’ academic standing is maintained and monitored each term by the school in which the student is enrolled. Students who are not on academic probation or academic suspension (i.e., students who maintain a cumulative quality point average of 2.00 or higher) are considered to be in good academic standing.

Dean’s List

Students whose grades indicate outstanding academic achievement are recognized on their school’s Dean’s List. The following schools have a Dean’s List:

• College of Arts and Sciences
• College of Business Administration
• School of Dental Medicine
• School of Engineering
• College of General Studies
• School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences
• School of Information Sciences
• School of Nursing

Other Academic Honors

Schools and programs may have additional ways of recognizing academic achievement by students, such as Phi Beta Kappa, Tau Beta Pi, or a Term Honor List. More information about these opportunities is available through the school.

Probation, Suspension, and Dismissal

Students who fail to make satisfactory progress may be subject to academic probation and/or suspension and dismissal. Students who have completed at least 12 quality point credits and whose QPA falls below 2.00 will be placed on academic probation by the dean of their school. After a certain period of time on academic probation (determined by the student’s school), a student is subject to academic suspension and restricted from registering for classes in that school. Details of the undergraduate school’s probation system are available through that school.

Effect on Financial Aid

Conditions for financial aid eligibility usually require students to complete a specified number of credits each year and maintain a specified quality point average (QPA: credits counting toward the degree). Questions about the effect of unsatisfactory academic standing on financial aid should be directed to the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid in Alumni Hall at 412-624-7488.

GRADUATION

Requirements for Graduation

Graduation requirements differ among schools. However, all schools require a minimum of 120 passing credits to graduate, as well as a QPA of at least 2.00. (See specific schools and programs for detailed graduation requirements.)

Application to Graduate

Students must file an application for graduation through their college or school. Generally, students must apply for graduation before the end of the term preceding the one during which they expect to complete all degree requirements. Each school establishes its own deadline by which students must apply for graduation. Students should check with their school for the deadline.

Graduation with Honors

Undergraduate members of a graduating class who have attained an outstanding scholastic record may be graduated with University honors. To be eligible, a student must complete at least 60 letter-graded credits at the University of Pittsburgh. All degree-related course work completed at the University is calculated in the quality point average. Receipt of University honors is based on having obtained the following quality point average at graduation:

The honor status achieved by a student will appear on the student’s official University transcript and diploma.

Each school may award undergraduate program honors based on the major QPA and other criteria, as determined by the school and department.

Commencement

Candidates for graduation are encouraged to appear in person at commencement, usually held the Sunday after the spring term ends. Although the degree is officially conferred at commencement, diplomas are mailed to graduates several weeks later.

STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The University has a number of official policies affecting students. For complete and current text on all University policies, please see www.pitt.edu/home/pp/pp_handbooks.html.

The information on the next few pages summarizes several key University-wide policies affecting undergraduate students, but students are also responsible for being cognizant of those University, school, and departmental regulations relevant to their programs of study.

Academic Integrity Policy

Students have the responsibility to be honest and to conduct themselves in an ethical manner while pursuing academic studies. Students have the right to be treated by faculty in a fair and conscientious manner in accordance with the ethical standards generally recognized within the academic community (as well as those recognized within the profession). Should a student be accused of a breach of academic integrity or have questions regarding faculty responsibilities, procedural safeguards including provisions of due process have been designed to protect student rights. These may be found in Guidelines on Academic Integrity: Student and Faculty Obligations and Hearing Procedures at www.pitt.edu/~provost/ai1.html.

Computing Use Policy

Every member of the University community has two basic rights regarding computing: privacy and a fair share of resources. It is unethical for another person to violate these rights. All users, in turn, are expected to exercise common sense and decency with regard to the campus computing resources. Please read Ethical Guidelines for Computing, available in campus computing labs or online at www.technology.pitt.edu/policies/ethics.html, for details.

Students are subject to the rules and regulations as described in the University of Pittsburgh Student Code of Conduct. Students should realize that any misuse of computing resources may result in the suspension of their computing privileges.

Student Code of Conduct

The Student Code of Conduct is an outline of the nonacademic rights and responsibilities of University students. The code defines offenses by and against students. A student or University official may file a complaint of violation of the Student Code of Conduct at the University Student Judicial System. For a copy of the code, please contact the judicial system office in 738 William Pitt Union at412-648-7918 or see www.osa.pitt.edu/usjs/code.html.

Judicial System

The Office of Judicial Affairs’ University Student Judicial System coordinates the Campus Judicial Board. It also receives, previews, and acts upon complaints of violations of the Student Code of Conduct. Its purpose is to provide due process and fair treatment in adjudicating charges filed for violations of the code. All complaints about nonacademic student behavior should be filed here.

Pitt Promise: A Commitment to Civility

The University of Pittsburgh is committed to the advancement of learning and service to society. This is best accomplished in an atmosphere of mutual respect and civility, self-restraint, concern for others, and academic integrity. Students are asked to accept the obligation to live by these common values and commit themselves to principles of behavior that contribute to a civil campus environment and to support this behavior in others. The Pitt Promise is online at www.osa.pitt.edu/lap/promise.html.

OTHER POLICIES

Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination Policy

The University of Pittsburgh, as an educational institution and as an employer, values equality of opportunity, human dignity, and racial/ethnic and cultural diversity. Accordingly, the University prohibits and will not engage in discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, disability, or status as a disabled veteran or a veteran of the Vietnam era. Further, the University will continue to take affirmative steps to support and advance these values consistent with the University’s mission. This policy applies to admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in University programs and activities, except where exempt by federal or state laws. (Note: ROTC programs discriminate against students on the basis of sexual orientation and therefore are not in compliance with the University’s nondiscrimination policy.) For complete policy, see www.pitt.edu/home/pp/policies/07/07-01-03.html.

AIDS Policy

The University of Pittsburgh does not discriminate against individuals who are diagnosed as HIV positive or as having AIDS.

The University recognizes that the health condition of individuals is personal and confidential. Reasonable precautions will be taken to protect information regarding the health condition of all members of the University community.

Based on medical evidence that indicates that there is no risk of transmitting HIV through casual contact in the classroom or circumstances involving only casual contact with others, the University will impose no undue restrictions on faculty, staff, or students who are infected with HIV. For complete text on this policy, see www.pitt.edu/home/pp/policies/06/06-01-01.html.

Drug-Free School and Workplace Policy

The University of Pittsburgh prohibits the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, or use of a controlled substance on University property or as part of any University activity. Faculty, staff, and students of the University must also comply with the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on the possession and consumption of alcohol.

Violation of this policy will result in disciplinary action within 30 days, including, but not limited to, a warning, written reprimand, suspension, dismissal, expulsion, and/or mandatory participation and successful completion of a drug abuse assistance or rehabilitation program approved by an appropriate health or law enforcement agency.

Any University employee paid from federally funded grants or contracts, or any students participating in any federally funded or guaranteed Student Loan Program, must notify the University of any criminal drug statute conviction for a violation occurring at the University or while engaged in University activities. For more information, see www.pitt.edu/home/pp/policies/06/06-02-01.html.

Faculty-Student Relationships

The University’s educational mission is promoted by professional relationships between faculty members and students. Relationships of an intimate nature (that is, sexual and/or romantic) compromise the integrity of a faculty-student relationship whenever the faculty member has a professional responsibility for the student. The University prohibits intimate relationships between a faculty member and a student whose academic work, teaching, or research is being supervised or evaluated by the faculty member.

If an intimate relationship should exist or develop between a faculty member and a student, the University requires the faculty member to remove himself/herself from all supervisory, evaluative, and/or formal advisory roles with respect to the student.

Definition Note: In this policy, the definition of faculty member refers to anyone appointed by the University as a teacher, researcher, or academic administrator, including graduate and undergraduate students so appointed. For complete text on this policy, see www.pitt.edu/home/pp/policies/02/02-04-03.html.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

In compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, the University guarantees that students have the right to inspect all personally identifiable records maintained by the institution and may challenge the content and accuracy of those records through appropriate institutional procedures. It is further guaranteed by the University that student records containing personally identifiable information will not be released except as permitted by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. See www.pitt.edu/~registrar/frpapgferpa.htm for more information.

Harassment Policies

Harassment

No University employee, student, or individual on University property may intentionally harass or abuse a person (physically or verbally) with the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with such person’s work or academic performance, or of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work or academic environment.

Sexual Harassment

The University of Pittsburgh is committed to the maintenance of a community free from all forms of sexual harassment. Sexual harassment violates University policy as well as state, federal, and local laws. It is neither permitted nor condoned.

It is also a violation of the University of Pittsburgh’s policy against sexual harassment for any employee or student at the University of Pittsburgh to attempt in any way to retaliate against a person who makes a claim of sexual harassment. Any individual who, after thorough investigation and an informal or formal hearing, is found to have violated the University’s policy against sexual harassment will be subject to disciplinary action, including, but not limited to, reprimand, suspension, termination, or expulsion.

Any disciplinary action taken will depend upon the severity of the offense. For more information, see www.pitt.edu/~provost/har.html.

Immunization Policy

The University requires the immunization of all incoming freshmen against measles, mumps, and rubella as a condition of attendance at the University of Pittsburgh. Incoming freshmen must provide to the University Student Health Service documentation of immunization that includes the month, day, and year that the immunizations were administered. Completed immunization forms must be kept on file in the Student Health Service.

Exemptions may be granted based on a written statement from a physician that the immunization may be detrimental to the health of the student or on a student’s objection to immunization on religious grounds or on the basis of a strong moral or ethical conviction similar to a religious belief. However, if an outbreak of measles, mumps, or rubella occurs, the State Health Department may exclude from classes students who do not provide proof of immunity to these diseases. For more information, see www.pitt.edu/home/pp/policies/06/06-01-02.html.

Patent Policy

A University student, during his or her period of enrollment, may be responsible for new discoveries and inventions that could have commercial value and contribute to scientific, technological, social, and cultural progress. Those accomplishments should be patented in the best interest of the student, the University, the public, and the government. The University’s policy on patents determines the rights and obligations of the student and the University in any technology the student may invent while enrolled in the University. Details of this University policy are available from the Office of Technology Management or at www.pitt.edu/home/pp/policies/11/11-02-01.html.

Research Integrity

The University of Pittsburgh seeks excellence in the discovery and dissemination of knowledge. Excellence in scholarship requires all members of the University community to adhere strictly to the highest standards of integrity with regard to research, instruction, and evaluation. Research misconduct carries potential for serious harm to the University community, to the integrity of science, and to society as a whole. The University’s Research Integrity Policy is available online at www.pitt.edu/home/pp/policies/11/11-01-01.html.

Smoking Policy

Smoking is prohibited in all University-owned and leased facilities, including residence halls and off-campus housing facilities, and in all University vehicles, including motor pool vehicles, campus buses, and vans, with explicit limited exceptions described in University Policy 04-05-03. For complete policy text, see www.pitt.edu/home/pp/policies/04/04-05-03.html.

Student Service Holds Policy

Access to many student services including registration and receipt of grades may be delayed for a number of reasons ranging from financial liability to missing data. Complete information on this policy is available online at www.pitt.edu/home/pp/policies/09/09-04-09.html.