2020-2021 Academic Policies

Student Representation

The student body takes an active part in shaping policies of the school through elected student representatives on the school Executive Committee.

Official Publications

This Announcement of the Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science contains detailed information about the school, areas of study, degree programs, and course listings. The UCLA General Catalog, however, is the official and binding document for the guidance of students. UCLA students are responsible for complying with all rules, regulations, policies, and procedures described in the Catalog.

For rules and regulations on graduate study, see the Graduate Division website.

Grades

Grading Policy

Instructors should announce their complete grading policy in writing at the beginning of the term, along with the syllabus and other course information, and make that policy available on the course website. Once the policy is announced, it should be applied consistently for the entire term.

Grade Disputes

A student who believes that a grade has been given unfairly should first discuss the issue with the instructor of the course. If the dispute cannot be resolved between the student and the instructor, the student may refer the issue to the Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs, 6426 Boelter Hall.

The associate dean may form an ad hoc committee to review the complaint. The ad hoc committee members are recommended by the appropriate department chair and the associate dean. The student receives a copy of the ad hoc committee report as well as a copy of the associate dean’s recommendation. The student file will contain no reference to the dispute.

The associate dean informs the students of their rights with respect to complaints and appeals at UCLA.

Nondiscrimination

The University of California, in accordance with applicable federal and state laws and University policies, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity, pregnancy (including pregnancy, childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy and childbirth), physical or mental disability, medical condition (cancer-related or genetic characteristics), ancestry, marital status, age, sexual orientation, citizenship, or service in the uniformed services (including membership, application for membership, performance of service, application for service, or obligation for service in the uniformed services). The University also prohibits sexual harassment and harassment on any of the above bases. This nondiscrimination policy covers admission, access, and treatment in University programs and activities.

Students may grieve any action that they believe discriminates against them on the ground of race, color, national or ethnic origin, alienage, sex, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, veteran status, or perceived membership in any of these categories which results in injuries to the student by contacting the Office of the Dean of Students by email, or in person at 1104 Murphy Hall. Refer to UCLA Procedure 230.1, for more information and procedures.

Inquiries regarding University student-related nondiscrimination policies may be directed to the Office of the Dean of Students by email, in person at 1104 Murphy Hall, or by phone at 3108253871. An assistant dean is available at this office to support students who need information or assistance in filing a discrimination complaint.

In accordance with applicable federal and state laws and University policy, including Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and University of California policy PACAOS20 (Policy on Nondiscrimination), UCLA does not discriminate on the basis of physical or mental disability. Retaliation for participation in University procedures relating to complaints of discrimination is also prohibited. This nondiscrimination policy covers admission, access, and treatment in University programs and activities. UCLA is committed to prohibiting disabilitybased discrimination and harassment, and retaliation, performing a prompt and equitable investigation of complaints alleging discrimination, and properly remedying discrimination when it occurs. Examples of discrimination against students with disabilities include, but are not limited to: failure to engage with the student in a discussion of reasoning accommodations; failure to implement approved reasonable accommodations such as the provision of notes or extra time on tests; and exclusion of a qualified student from any course, course of study, or other educational program or activity because of the student’s disability. Disability-based harassment is conduct which is sufficiently severe, pervasive, or persistent so as to interfere with or limit an individual’s ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities, or opportunities offered by the University.

UCLA has issued Procedure 230.2: Student Grievances Regarding Violations of Anti-Discrimination Laws or University Policies on Discrimination on Basis of Disability. Students may grieve any action that they believe discriminates against them on the basis of disability by contacting the Office of the Dean of Students by email, or in person at 1104 Murphy Hall. Refer to procedure 230.2 for more information and procedures.

Title IX prohibits sex discrimination, including sexual harassment and sexual violence, in any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. Inquiries regarding the application of Title IX may be directed to the Title IX Office, 2255 Murphy Hall, 3102063417, or the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.

Harassment

Sexual Harassment

The University of California is committed to creating and maintaining a community where all persons who participate in University programs and activities can work and learn together in an atmosphere free from all forms of harassment, exploitation, or intimidation. Every member of the University community should be aware that the University is strongly opposed to sexual harassment and that such behavior is prohibited both by law and by the UC Policy on Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment (PDF, hereafter referred to as the SVSH Policy). The University will respond promptly and effectively to reports of sexual harassment and will take appropriate action to prevent, correct and, if necessary, discipline behavior that violates the SVSH Policy. See the Title IX sexual harassment prevention website.

Definitions

For detailed definitions of sexual harassment, refer to the SVSH Policy.

Complaint Resolution

An individual who believes that they have been sexually harassed may contact the Title IX director Mohammed Cato, 2255 Murphy Hall, 3102063417. If a student reports sexual harassment or sexual violence to a responsible employee, as defined under the SVSH Policy, the responsible employee must report it to the Title IX Director. Responsible employees include academic personnel, faculty members, and most other employees who are not defined as a confidential resource under the SVSH Policy.

Title IX prohibits sex discrimination, including sexual harassment and sexual violence, in any education program or activity receiving federal financial assistance. Inquiries regarding Title IX may be directed to the Title IX Office, 2255 Murphy Hall, 3102063417, or the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.

Other Forms of Harassment

The University strives to create an environment that fosters the values of mutual respect and tolerance and is free from discrimination based on race, ethnicity, sex, religion, sexual orientation, disability, age, and other personal characteristics. Certainly harassment, in its many forms, works against those values and often corrodes a person’s sense of worth and interferes with one’s ability to participate in University programs or activities. While the University is committed to the free exchange of ideas and the full protection of free expression, the University also recognizes that words can be used in such a way that they no longer express an idea, but rather injure and intimidate, thus undermining the ability of individuals to participate in the University community. The University of California Policies Applying to Campus Activities, Organizations, and Students (hereafter referred to as Policies) presently prohibit a variety of conduct by students which, in certain contexts, may be regarded as harassment or intimidation.

For example, harassing expression which is accompanied by physical abuse, threats of violence, or conduct that threatens the health or safety of any person on University property or in connection with official University functions may subject an offending student to University discipline under the provisions of the Policies.

Similarly, harassing conduct, including symbolic expression, which also involves conduct resulting in damage to or destruction of any property of the University or property of others while on University premises may subject a student violator to University discipline under the provisions of Section 102.04 of the Policies.

Further, under specific circumstances described in Section 102.11 of the Policies, students may be subject to University discipline for misconduct which may consist solely of expression. Copies of these Policies are available in the Office of Student Conduct, 1104 Murphy Hall.

Complaint Resolution

One of the necessary measures in our efforts to assure an atmosphere of civility and mutual respect is the establishment of procedures which provide effective informal and formal mechanisms for those who believe that they have been victims of any of the above misconduct.

Many incidents of harassment and intimidation can be effectively resolved through informal means. For example, an individual may wish to confront the alleged offender immediately and firmly. An individual who chooses not to confront the alleged offender and who wishes help, advice, or information is urged to contact the Office of Student Conduct.

In addition to providing support for those who believe they have been victims of harassment, the Office of Student Conduct can help students to consider which of the available options is the most useful for the particular circumstances.

With regard to the Universitywide Student Conduct Harassment Policy, complainants should be aware that not all conduct which is offensive may be regarded as a violation of this Policy and may, in fact, be protected expression. Thus, the application of formal institutional discipline to such protected expression may not be legally permissible. Nevertheless, the University is committed to reviewing any complaint of harassing or intimidating conduct by a student and intervening on behalf of the complainant to the extent possible.

Disclosure of Student Records

To all students: Pursuant to the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), the California Information Practices Act, and the University of California Policies Applying to the Disclosure of Information from Student Records, students at UCLA have the right to (1) inspect and review records pertaining to themselves in their capacity as students, except as the right may be waived or qualified under federal and state laws and University policies, (2) have withheld from disclosure, absent their prior written consent for release, personally identifiable information from their student records, except as provided by federal and state laws and University policies, (3) inspect records maintained by UCLA of disclosures of personally identifiable information from their student records, (4) seek correction of their student records through a request to amend the records or, if such request is denied, through a hearing, and (5) file complaints with the U.S. Department of Education regarding alleged violations of the rights accorded them by FERPA.

UCLA, in accordance with federal and state laws and University policies, has designated the following categories of personally identifiable information as public information that UCLA may release and publish without the student’s prior consent: name, email address, telephone numbers, major field of study, dates of attendance, number of course units in which enrolled, degrees and honors received, the most recent previous educational institution attended, participation in officially recognized activities (including intercollegiate athletics); and the name, weight, and height of participants on intercollegiate athletic teams.

As a matter of practice, UCLA does not publish student telephone numbers in the campus electronic directory unless released by the student. The term public information in this policy is synonymous with the term directory information in FERPA.

Students who do not wish certain items (i.e., name, email address, telephone numbers, major field of study, dates of attendance, number of course units in which enrolled, and degrees and honors received) of this public information released and published may so indicate through MyUCLA. To restrict the release and publication of the additional items in the category of public information, complete the UCLA FERPA Restriction Request form available from the Registrar’s Office, 1113 Murphy Hall.

Student records that are the subject of federal and state laws and University policies may be maintained in a variety of UCLA offices, including the Registrar’s Office, Office of Student Conduct, Career Center, Graduate Division, External Affairs Department, and the offices of a student’s College or school and major department. Students are referred to the UCLA Campus Directory, which lists all the offices that may maintain student records, together with their campus address and telephone number. Students have the right to inspect their student records in any such office subject to the terms of federal and state laws and University policies. Inspection of student records maintained by the Registrar’s Office is by appointment only and must be arranged three working days in advance. Call 310-825-1091, option 6; or inquire at the Registrar’s Office, 1113 Murphy Hall.

A copy of the federal and state laws, University policies, and the print UCLA Telephone Directory may be inspected in the office of the Information Practices Coordinator, 500 UCLA Wilshire Center. Information concerning students’ hearing rights may be obtained from that office and from the Office of Student Conduct, 1104 Murphy Hall.