Florida Memorial University recognizes honesty and integrity as necessary to the academic purpose and function of the institution. The University, therefore, expects a high standard of individual honor in all academic endeavors from each student.
Academic dishonesty includes cheating, plagiarism, forgery, collusion, and credential misrepresentation. Students found guilty of academic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary action, including loss of credit, suspension, or immediate dismissal from the University.
Cheating - The use or attempt to use unauthorized materials, information, study aids, or computer-related information. This includes giving or receiving, offering or soliciting information on tests or written assignments, and/or using notes or books other than those explicitly permitted by the instructor during an examination.
Plagiarism - Representation of words, data, works, ideas, computer programs, or anything not generated in an authorized fashion properly cited as one’s own.
Forgery - Willful misrepresentation or altering of documents with intent to defraud. It is a crime punishable by law. Its most common occurrence among students includes, but is not limited to, the misrepresentation of signatures (especially that of an academic advisor) on official documents of the University or the attempt to cash checks that are not lawfully their own.
Collusion - Cooperation of student(s) with staff personnel in securing confidential information/material (tests, examinations, etc.); bribery by student(s) or staff personnel to change examination grades and or grade point average(s); cooperative efforts by students and student assistant(s) in gaining access to examinations or answers to examinations for distribution; and resubmission of term papers and/ or reports that have been submitted previously and graded, but have been secured and re-circulated among students.
Credential Misrepresentation - Use of untrue written statements regarding matters of fact in order to gain admission to or employment at Florida Memorial University. This also includes misstatements of fact, distribution of false printed material, and conduct manifestly intended to deceive or mislead.
Student Records
Florida Memorial University does not release student record information, except as permitted under the Buckley-Pell Amendment to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA).
Student records are confidential, and information which can identify a student will not be released to a third party unless authorized by the student. A record of all authorizations will be kept in the student’s file. Students may request, in writing, access to personal official records and may challenge the accuracy of records maintained by the University. The Office of the Registrar will respond to any request within ten working days.
Requests for official or unofficial Florida Memorial University transcripts are made in person to the Office of the Registrar or by the U.S. mail. Telephone requests will not be honored. Third party requests must include a signed release authorization from the student. The following information is necessary to process a transcript:
- Student name
- Student identification number or Social Security number
- Date of birth
- Dates of attendance
- Degree(s) obtained (if any).
The request must be signed and dated by the student the full address of the person or institution receiving the transcript. A $3.00 fee is required, in cash or money order for each copy of the transcript. Transcript requests should be addressed to:
Registrar’s Office
Florida Memorial University
15800 NW 42nd Ave.
Miami Gardens, FL 33054
Students negotiating with co-op employers who require grades should request a transcript in the usual manner and allow the usual time.
Rights granted to students under The Buckley-Pell Amendment to The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act Of 1974 (FERPA- Public Law 93-380)
To comply with the Buckley-Pell Amendment to the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, commonly called the Buckley Amendment, the administration of Florida Memorial University informs the students of their rights under this act. The law affords students rights of access to educational records and protects students from the release and disclosure of those records to third parties. Educational records are those records, files, and other materials that contain information directly related to a student’s academic progress, financial status, medical condition, etc., and are maintained by the university or a party acting on behalf of the university.
Educational Records
Educational records are defined as those records created to assist the offices of academic divisions, admission, business, evening degree program, financial aid, president, provost, registrar, student affairs and institutional research in their support of basic institutional objectives and any records identified by student name that contain personally identifiable information in any medium. Educational records, with the exception of those designated as directory information (described below), may not be released without the written consent of the student to any individual, agency, or organization other than the following authorized personnel or situations:
- Parents, if student is a dependent as defined by Section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1954.
- Florida Memorial University faculty and staff who have an educational interest in the student.
- Officials of other schools in which the student seeks to enroll (transcripts).
- Certain government agencies specified in legislation.
- An accrediting agency in carrying out its function.
- In emergency situations where the health or safety of the student or others is involved.
- Educational surveys where individual identification is withheld.
- In response to a judicial order.
- In a campus directory after the student has deletion options.
- In connection with financial aid.
Students may request, in writing, an opportunity to review their official educational records maintained by the university. Educational records excluded from student access are:
- Confidential letters and statements of recommendation which were placed in the record before January 1, 1975.
- Medical and psychological information.
- Private notes and procedural matters retained by the maker or substitutes.
- Financial records of parents or guardian.
Students may challenge any data in their educational record that is considered to be inaccurate or misleading. Student must submit the challenge in writing as stated below. For more information about educational records maintained by the university, students should contact the registrar.
Directory Information
The university may release directory information to parties having a legitimate interest in the information. Directory information consists of the following: student name, address, telephone listing, date and place of birth, major field of study, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of athletes, date of attendance, degrees and awards received and most recent previous educational agency or institution attended by the student. Mailing lists of Florida Memorial University students will not be provided outside the university community except to the U.S. Department of Defense for military recruiting purposes as required by the Solomon Amendment. Students who wish to exercise their rights under the law to refuse to permit release of any or all of the categories of personally identifiable information with respect to themselves must notify the registrar in writing, preferably before completion of registration for the first term of enrollment for that academic year.
Student Review of Records
To review his or her student records, a student must submit a written request to the registrar. Request forms for such a hearing and information about the procedures to be followed are available in the registrar’s office. Access will be made available within 45 days of receipt of the written request. Certified transcripts may be withheld if a student has not met all obligations to the university. After inspection of a record, the student has the right to challenge any material which may be inaccurate or misleading or which violates the student’s privacy. The student may do so by requesting the correction or deletion of such information in writing on the above listed form. This appeal may be handled in a formal meeting with the party or parties concerned or through a formal hearing procedure. Formal hearing procedures are as follows:
- The hearing shall be conducted and decided within a reasonable period of time following the request for a hearing.
- The hearing shall be conducted and the decision rendered by an institutional official or other party who does not have a direct interest in the outcome of the hearing.
- The student shall be offered a full and fair opportunity to present evidence relevant to the issues raised.
- The decision shall be rendered in writing within a reasonable period of time after the conclusion of the hearing.
Note: A hearing may not be convened to contest grades. The grade appeal procedures are listed in the Grade Appeal policy of the catalog.
Student’s Written Consent to Release Educational Records
Written consent by the student to release educational records to a third party must specify the records to be released and the recipient of such records. Request forms for the release of appropriate records are available in each office containing educational records.
Notification of Parents
Parents may obtain non-directory information (grades, GPA, etc.) only at the discretion of the institution and after it has determined that the child is legally their dependent. Florida Memorial University recognizes the importance of support and interest of parent and families of students in all areas of the college program. Students are encouraged to share information about their experience and programs with their families. In keeping with the philosophy, it is not Florida Memorial University’s policy to disclose non-directory information based solely on dependent status. Parents may also acquire non- directory information by obtaining and presenting a signed consent from their child.
Further information relating to the Buckley-Pell Amendment to the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) may be obtained by contacting the Registrar, Florida Memorial University, 15800 NW 42nd Avenue, Miami Gardens, Florida 33054.
Veterans Affairs
Florida Memorial University maintains a Veterans Affairs Office in the Office of the Registrar to assist veterans and dependents of veterans who are entitled to V.A. educational benefits under Chapter 30, 32, or Chapter 35 of Title 38, U.S. Code and Chapter 106, Title 10, USC.
Standards of Progress Policy for Veterans
Students are considered to be in good academic standing when their cumulative grade point average is a minimum of a 2.0. Florida Memorial University’s policies on academic warning, probation and suspension are based on the potentiality that students can overcome academic difficulty and make appropriate progress toward a degree.
Termination of Veterans Benefits
A student receiving Veterans Educational Benefits who is placed on academic warning must regain a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better at the end of the semester following the notification. If, at the end of this semester, the cumulative grade point average is below 2.0, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will be notified concerning termination of the student’s veterans educational benefits.
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