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<p class="MsoNormal">Dear SSHA instructors,<o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:8.0pt">During remote instruction, this outreach focuses on timely information and resources, based on questions and topics of interest from SSHA faculty and graduate students. Special thanks to SSHA Assistant Dean (Student
and Instructional Services) Megan Topete and the School of Natural Sciences dean office for collaborating on this instructional policies and student support series. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:8.0pt">In these final few weeks of the fall 2020 semester, these are important details to share with you about:<o:p></o:p></p>
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<span style="font-family:"Palatino Linotype",serif">-</span><span style="font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">
</span>Final exams<o:p></o:p></p>
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<span style="font-family:"Palatino Linotype",serif">-</span><span style="font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">
</span>Important academic deadlines <o:p></o:p></p>
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<span style="font-family:"Palatino Linotype",serif">-</span><span style="font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">
</span>Requests for late withdraws (W) and Assigning "I" grades<o:p></o:p></p>
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<span style="font-family:"Palatino Linotype",serif">-</span><span style="font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">
</span>Academic integrity, process and resources<o:p></o:p></p>
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<span style="font-family:"Palatino Linotype",serif">-</span><span style="font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">
</span>Students of concern, policies and resources<o:p></o:p></p>
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<span style="font-family:"Palatino Linotype",serif">-</span><span style="font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">
</span>Student basic needs resources<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:8.0pt">Full details are in the attached outreach and also appended below. If you have any questions or student support needs<span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Arial",sans-serif">, please feel welcome to stay
in touch.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal">Anne<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:8.0pt"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Final Exams</span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%">Your courses may have scheduled final exams via the Registrar Office. If you are looking to provide flexibility to your students with managing time and technology access, some faculty have assigned
“expanded exam or project time” as an alternative to a synchronous exam time. A project or exam can be completed during the time of instruction (or the final exam period) within a time range, e.g. a day or several days as the time period, with associated reminders
about academic integrity expectations. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%">If you are administering a scheduled exam and would prefer this option, please connect with Instructional Services staff
<a href="mailto:ssha.curriculum@ucmerced.edu">ssha.curriculum@ucmerced.edu </a> to update information. Note: agreement from all students in your course is required if the exam time is being changed. Additional information can be found under
<a href="https://catalog.ucmerced.edu/content.php?catoid=17&navoid=1580&hl=%22final+exam%22&returnto=search#Examinations">
Final Exams in the UCM Catalog</a>.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:8.0pt"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Important Academic Deadlines for Students</span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%">As a reminder, students have option to select P/NP as a grade option through the last day of instruction. Guidance on this grade option emphasizes that this is an exception and an important decision
<a href="https://registrar.ucmerced.edu/policies/grades/updates-grading-options">
https://registrar.ucmerced.edu/policies/grades/updates-grading-options</a> In addition to talking with instructors about this option, students can also be encouraged to connect with their academic advisor:<o:p></o:p></p>
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<span style="font-family:"Courier New"">o</span><span style="font-size:7.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">
</span>For SSHA majors: <a href="https://ssha-advising.ucmerced.edu/meet-your-advisor">https://ssha-advising.ucmerced.edu/meet-your-advisor</a>
<o:p></o:p></p>
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<span style="font-family:"Courier New"">o</span><span style="font-size:7.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">
</span>For first-year students: <a href="https://bobcat-advising-center.ucmerced.edu/">
https://bobcat-advising-center.ucmerced.edu/</a> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:8.0pt">Other important academic deadlines include:<o:p></o:p></p>
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<span style="font-family:"Courier New"">o</span><span style="font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">
</span>December 11th: Last day of instruction <o:p></o:p></p>
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<span style="font-family:"Courier New"">o</span><span style="font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">
</span>December 22nd: Finals grades due (by 12:00pm!)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:8.0pt"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Late Withdraw Requests and Assigning Incomplete Grades</span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%">Any request to withdraw beginning in the eleventh week of instruction will only be considered under exceptional circumstances (illness or injury substantiated by a doctor’s note, recent death
in the immediate family or other circumstances of equal gravity), with both the signed approvals of the instructor of record and by the Dean's office of the School with which the student is affiliated.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%">A petition process exists for students who seek an exception to stated academic policies, procedures, and regulations. Approval for petitions will be granted by the appropriate deciding body
only in cases where extenuating circumstances are evident and can be substantiated. See
<a href="http://registrar.ucmerced.edu/policies/petition-academic-policy">registrar.ucmerced.edu/policies/petition-academic-policy</a> for additional information.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">An incomplete grade of “I” may be assigned when the instructor determines that a student’s work is of passing quality and represents a significant portion of the requirements for a final grade, but is incomplete for a good cause (which
may include current illness, serious personal problems, an accident, a recent death in the immediate family, a large and necessary increase in working hours or other situations of equal gravity).<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%">More information about assigning an "I" grade can be found here:
<o:p></o:p></p>
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<span style="font-family:"Courier New"">o</span><span style="font-size:7.0pt;line-height:106%;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">
</span><a href="https://catalog.ucmerced.edu/content.php?catoid=17&navoid=1581#Incomplete">https://catalog.ucmerced.edu/content.php?catoid=17&navoid=1581#Incomplete</a><o:p></o:p></p>
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<span style="font-family:"Courier New"">o</span><span style="font-size:7.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman",serif">
</span><a href="https://registrar.ucmerced.edu/policies/grades#I">https://registrar.ucmerced.edu/policies/grades#I</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:8.0pt"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Academic Integrity, Process and Resources</span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%">Academic integrity can be a nuanced topic; it helps to have clear guidelines for how academic work should be produced, or demonstrated in courses, and discussed actively with students as part
of a research university culture. Best practices on how to support these learning experiences is in “<a href="http://studentconduct.ucmerced.edu/sites/studentconduct.ucmerced.edu/files/page/documents/plagiarism_and_prevention_guide_for_faculty.pdf">An Instructor’s
Guide to Preventing and Reporting Plagiarism</a>.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%">If there is an issue of academic integrity,
<a href="http://studentconduct.ucmerced.edu/sites/studentconduct.ucmerced.edu/files/page/documents/academic_honesty_-_800.pdf">
Senate policy</a> is that an instructor discusses the issues with the student as part of due process and educational commitments. An instructor may decide if a violation occurred and if more than a warning, impose an academic sanction (i.e., reduced grade,
0 on the assignment or exam, retake, or F in the course). If there is an academic penalty,
<a href="http://studentconduct.ucmerced.edu/sites/studentconduct.ucmerced.edu/files/page/documents/faculty_report_form_for_academic_misconduct_2016_1.pdf">
a report form needs to be completed</a> in discussion with the student, with notification to a department chair, and then is filed with the SSHA Dean Office for shared records with the Office of Students’ Rights and Responsibilities. A report ensures communication
and due process; this report is not part of a student’s permanent record unless there is a comprehensive judicial process for significant cases.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:8.0pt;line-height:106%">If there are questions or additional help is needed with navigating the process, please feel encouraged to contact your department or the SSHA dean office.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:8.0pt"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt">Students of Concern</span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:8.0pt">You may have students who are demonstrating a sudden change in or concerning behavior, the following website provides helpful information:<span style="color:#0070C0">
<u><a href="https://studentaffairs.ucmerced.edu/dean-students">https://studentaffairs.ucmerced.edu/dean-students</a></u>
</span>or <a href="https://osrr.ucmerced.edu/"><span style="color:#0070C0">https://osrr.ucmerced.edu/</span></a><span style="color:#0070C0">.
</span>An important resource is the Student Response Team, which is a cross-section of experts on campus<span style="color:#323336"> “to address academic, physical, psychological, and safety risk indicators experienced by students to avoid a crisis.”</span>
Instructors have option to<span style="color:#0070C0"> </span><a href="https://studentaffairs.ucmerced.edu/dean-students/students-concern-form"><span style="color:#0070C0">complete a student of concern form</span></a><span style="color:#0070C0"> <<a href="https://studentaffairs.ucmerced.edu/dean-students/students-concern-form">https://studentaffairs.ucmerced.edu/dean-students/students-concern-form</a>>,
</span>describing observations for consideration, which can help this organize support and action plans. This process and support are available for undergraduate and graduate students.*All noted support and policy connect to registered students, whether on-campus
or elsewhere. *The Health Center and Counseling Services are open with daily services<a href="https://counseling.ucmerced.edu/"><span style="color:#0070C0"> https://counseling.ucmerced.edu/</span></a><span class="gmail-msohyperlink"><span style="color:#0070C0">.</span></span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:8.0pt"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;color:black">Student Basic Needs Resources</span></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:8.0pt"><span style="color:black">UC Merced continues to be committed to providing students with academic, personal, and career resources as they learn and engage remotely. Below are some Fall 2020 resources: </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:8.0pt"><span style="color:black">UC Merced’s Success Anywhere website provides a comprehensive list of resources to ensure students are informed, engaged, and well: </span><a href="https://success.ucmerced.edu/" target="_blank" title="https://success.ucmerced.edu/"><span style="color:#0070C0">https://success.ucmerced.edu/</span></a><span style="color:#0070C0">. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:8.0pt"><b><span style="color:black">Food
</span></b><span style="color:black">- Students experiencing difficulty affording groceries or accessing nutritious food may visit</span><a href="https://basicneeds.ucmerced.edu/" target="_blank" title="https://basicneeds.ucmerced.edu/covid-19-basic-needs-resources"> <span style="color:#0070C0">Basic
Needs</span> </a><span style="color:black">for a list of local and regional food-related resources or email </span><a href="mailto:Basicneed@ucmerced.edu" target="_blank"><span style="color:#0070C0">Basicneed@ucmerced.edu</span></a><span style="color:#0070C0">. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:8.0pt"><b><span style="color:black">Academic</span></b><span style="color:black"> - Students with academic, personal, and career-related questions may visit </span><a href="https://ssha-advising.ucmerced.edu/meet-your-advisor">SSHA
Advising</a> and the <a href="https://hire.ucmerced.edu/staff%3e">Center for Career & Professional Advancement</a> to
<span style="color:black">find resources and support options. </span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:8.0pt"><b><span style="color:black">Housing</span></b><span style="color:black"> - Students in need of temporary housing may request a meeting with the Dean of Students Office to discuss options. Students who are currently
homeless or living in a home environment that is abusive and/or violent may apply for on-campus housing at </span><a href="http://housing.ucmerced.edu/apply" target="_blank"><span style="color:#0070C0">housing.ucmerced.edu/apply</span></a><span style="color:#0070C0">.
</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:8.0pt"><b><span style="color:black">Finances
</span></b><span style="color:black">- If financial concerns surface, students may meet with a Financial Wellness Coordinator at </span><a href="https://basicneeds.ucmerced.edu/economic-support" target="_blank"><span style="color:#0070C0">https://basicneeds.ucmerced.edu/economic-support</span></a><span style="color:black"> to
engage in one-on-one financial wellness counseling. Additionally, the Dean of Students Office continues to provide emergency funds to students facing unexpected, unforeseen, and unavoidable emergency expenses surrounding situations such as accidents, illness,
homelessness, fire damage, or need for temporary housing. Currently enrolled students may apply for funds when they have exhausted all other financial resources (student loans, personal resources, and payment plans). </span><o:p></o:p></p>
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