Undergraduate Policies & Procedures

The following policies have been compiled by the School of STEM Faculty Council for use by students, staff, and faculty. These are included as a reference and can be linked to course syllabi.

Approved by School of STEM Faculty Council, September 22, 2024. Updates are continuously being implemented with approval from Faculty Council.

Page outline

Academics

Health & safety

Student support

Academics

Academic Integrity

Honesty and integrity are essential to the free exchange of ideas and knowledge at UW Bothell.

Course fees

The School of STEM seeks to provide a high-quality education for all students. Course fees supplement state-supported course offerings when needed to reach the primary learning objectives of a course, enhance learning, and provide in-depth experiences that are not otherwise possible. Rules governing course fees are outlined in UW Executive Order 44.

Revenue generated from course fees directly supports specific course offerings and pay for the following, as appropriate to each course:

  • Materials, supplies, equipment, and other tangible resources: Consumables (e.g., chemicals, disposable test tubes). Small durable items (e.g., beakers). New and replacement equipment (e.g., microscopes, instrumentation).
  • Set-Up, maintenance, and cleaning of tangible resources: Fair-share contributions toward set-up, maintenance (including repair), and cleaning of assets in labs.
  • Field trips: Non-personnel costs associated with field trips (e.g., UW vehicle charges, overnight meals and accommodations).
  • Technology: Costs associated with the use of technology to aid student learning (e.g., software licenses).
  • Non-Instructional Personnel Costs: This includes costs for lab coordinators and student lab assistants who directly support lab coordinators.

Grading

All students should refer to University of Washington Bothell policies on undergraduate grading, student education records, and academic standards.

Incomplete grades

According to University rules on incomplete grades:

… an incomplete is given only when the student has been in attendance and has done satisfactory work until within two weeks of the end of the quarter and has furnished proof satisfactory to the instructor that the work cannot be completed because of illness or other circumstances beyond the student’s control.

Grade appeal process

The School of STEM’s grade appeal conforms to the general UWB policy (read on the undergraduate grading page):

A student who believes he or she has been improperly graded first discusses the matter with the instructor. If the student is not satisfied with the instructor’s explanation, the student may submit a written appeal to the dean or director of the student’s academic unit (or their designee) with a copy of the appeal also to the instructor. The dean or director consults with the instructor to ensure that the evaluation of the student’s performance has not been arbitrary or capricious. Should the dean or director believe the instructor’s conduct to be arbitrary or capricious, and the instructor declines to revise the grade, the dean or director, with the approval of the voting members of his or her faculty, shall appoint an appropriate member, or members, of the faculty of that department, to evaluate the performance of the student and assign a grade. The Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs should be informed of this action.

  1. Instructor discussion. Make an appointment with your instructor to discuss the grade you received. Most appeals are resolved in this stage.
  2. Division chair discussion. If resolution is not achieved in the discussion with your instructor, the School of STEM has division chairs that act as the dean’s designees for grade appeals. Please send the appropriate division chair an email with a summary of the situation so far. They will gather information and mediate the appeal process. Visit our divisional faculty pages for division chair contact information:

How to address faculty

We encourage and appreciate students being able to interact closely with faculty and value faculty-student collaboration. It is also important to maintain an appropriately professional relationship. When addressing faculty, refer to them as Dr., Professor, or Mr./Ms./Mx. plus their surname unless asked to do otherwise.

Health & safety

Anxiety & depression

Anxiety and depression present a challenge for many students – know that you are not alone! You can reach out to any UW Bothell staff or faculty, and they can help you make an appointment at the Counseling Center. Counseling sessions are free of charge and confidential. You can also connect with the UWB CARE Team anytime.

If you are in danger of imminent self-harm, call the Suicide Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-8255.

Classroom emergency preparedness

Read the safety tips for detailed information on the following topics: active shooter, inclement weather, bomb threat, crime or violence, earthquake, fire, hazardous material spill, identity theft, lockdown, medical emergency, online safety, power outage, sexual assault, student in distress, suspicious mail, theft, pandemic flu, and extreme heat.

Communicable disease prevention

Since 2020, we have all adapted to new and ever-changing expectations regarding masking and infectious disease prevention. Here are some things you can do to help prevent spread of disease, such as COVID-19, influenza, and the common cold:

  • Immunization can drastically reduce your chances of contracting many diseases.
  • Stay at home if you have signs and symptoms of an infection.
  • Wash your hands often.
  • Wear a high-quality and well-fitting mask when indoors and in close contact with others for prolonged periods.

Further information on COVID-19 practices and resources can be found at the COVID-19 Facts and Resources page.

Inclement weather

Check if the campus may be closed due to weather. Information on suspension of operations will be made public through the media, Facebook or Twitter. You can learn of campus operations status from the UW Bothell website or by calling the Campus Information Hotline 425-352-3333. You may also sign up with an alert system that will contact you via email or text message if classes are canceled. Class activities will be rescheduled as needed.

Surviving sexual & relationship violence

For survivors of sexual and relationship violence (“sexual misconduct” in the UW code), free on- and off-campus support is available, including confidential consultations with trained victim advocates and counselors at the Counseling Center.  For students who have been diagnosed with anxiety, PTSD, depression or other mental health conditions, accommodations may be available through the Disability Resources for Students (DRS) office.

Student support

Access & accommodations

Your experience in your classes is important to us. It is the policy and practice of the University of Washington to create inclusive and accessible learning environments consistent with federal and state law. If you have already established accommodations with Disability Resources for Students (DRS), activate your accommodations via MyDRS so we can discuss how they will be implemented in your course.

If you have not yet established services through DRS, but have a health condition or permanent disability that requires accommodations (conditions include but not limited to; mental health, attention-related, learning, vision, hearing, physical or health impacts), contact DRS directly to set up an Access Plan. DRS facilitates the interactive process that establishes reasonable accommodations. Contact the DRS office. 

Laboratory accommodations

If you require accommodations in the laboratory, including service animals, please contact the lab instructor as soon as possible and no later than the first week of the quarter to discuss your accommodations. If there are hazardous materials in the lab, you will be asked to provide personal protective equipment (PPE) for your service animal, including booties, Tyvek lab coat, and dog goggles.

Religious accommodations

Washington state law requires that UW develop a policy for accommodation of student absences or significant hardship due to reasons of faith or conscience, or for organized religious activities. The UW’s policy, including more information about how to request an accommodation, is available at the Religious Accommodations Policy Page. Accommodations must be requested within the first two weeks of the course using the Religious Accommodations Request Form.

Complaint & Grievance procedure

If you believe you have experienced unfair treatment, inappropriate behavior, or a substantive injustice, you can seek resolution and follow the School of STEM Complaint & Grievance procedure.

Parenting resources

Parenting students are encouraged to take advantage of the resources provided on campus. These resources include the Parent Union at UWB, the Childcare Assistance Program, on-campus Family Friendly Spaces, priority access at Bright Horizons Bothell and Bothell KinderCare, and back-up/sick care at one of these locations. On campus resources include lactation rooms and baby changing stations. To find more information about resources available to parenting students, go to this link.

Respect for diversity

Diverse backgrounds, embodiments and experiences are essential to the critical thinking endeavor at the heart of university education.  We encourage you to visit the Student Diversity Center.  In STEM and at UW Bothell, students are expected to:

  • Respect individual differences which may include, but are not limited to: age, cultural background, disability, ethnicity, family status, gender presentation, immigration status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, veteran status, and those who have experienced trauma.
  • Engage respectfully in discussion of diverse worldviews and ideologies embedded in course readings, presentations, and artifacts, including those course materials that are at odds with personal beliefs and values.

Veterans’ resources

We understand that the transition into civilian life can be challenging for our veteran students and provide resources for those needing guidance or assistance. This includes our Vet Corp Member through the WDVA/AmeriCorp and our Student Veterans Association (SVA). Contact the Veteran & Military Resources Office.

For those needing URGENT support, dial 988 and press 1 or visit www.veteranscrisisline.net.

Additional support services