OFFICE
OF STUDENT AFFAIRS
The Office of Student Affairs
coordinates student related programs and activities from pre-admission advising
and orientation to commencement. We work toward helping each student complete
his or her schooling as successfully and positively as possible. This means
that we're involved in many different things, such as:
(1) Publishing recruitment
materials, this Handbook, and more.
(2) Advising Student Organization and
any other recognized SAHS Student Professional organization.
(3) Managing a Health Careers
Opportunity Program (HCOP) initiative.
(4) Acting as your liaison for the
Office of Student Fiscal Planning and Management and The Office of the
Registrar.
(5) Conducting various on and
off-campus programs.
(6) Counseling.
(7) Maintaining the Student Learning
Support and Career Planning and Placement Service.
(8) Organizing the Student Orientation
Please come by our offices (2nd floor,
2.202) so we can get to know you, and you can get to know us. We seek the
students' assistance with many of our programs (such as SO and HCOP) as well as
provide assistance to students in many ways.
Counseling: The counseling function of
The Office of Student Affairs assists students to accomplish their personal
goals and develop a strong sense of self-confidence. The basic philosophy of
the professional counseling staff is that students should have personal,
social, and emotional support as they prepare for roles that will require new
personal and professional skills of them.
Toward this end, counseling and support
is offered on either a walk-in or appointment basis. Together, the counselor
and student assess the problem area and work out the best action to take. Along
with personal counseling we also offer a variety of workshops and seminars that
address students' concerns such as academic success, relation- ships,
nontraditional student issues, financial aid, stress, sexuality, eating
behaviors and time management. All SAHS students are eligible for assistance.
Counseling is also offered at the UTMB
Student/House Staff Counseling Center (discussed elsewhere in this Handbook).
Student Affairs staff will make referrals to the Center or other appropriate
sources (on and off campus) at the student's request. They will also see
students on a walk-in basis. The Counseling Center is located in Levin Hall,
3rd Floor, South Side. It also provides assistance to students with personal,
social, and emotional problems. They offer legal assistance a limited basis.
Hours are 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Appointments can be arranged through SAHS Office
of Student Affairs or by calling directly at 772-3148.
Student Learning Support Services: The
Office of Student Affairs has developed a Student Learning Support Services
which is committed to helping all students of the school become more
independent, self-confident, and efficient learners so that they will be better
able to meet the university's academic standards and attain their own
educational goals. The service assumes a preventive role and attempts to make
the campus environment more conducive to student success. Services which are
presently available are the presentation of workshops and discussion groups
which emphasize ways to improve study skills and test taking techniques,
individual and small group tutoring services for math, science, and other
Allied Health preparatory courses as well as several of the SAHS professional
courses, and assessment of study habits and attitudes, reading efficiency, and
time management.
CAREER PLANNING AND PLACEMENT
SERVICE
As a service of The Office of Student
Affairs, the Career Planning and Placement Service is available to all SAHS
students and alumni of SAHS to plan, review, and implement career goals. We are
concerned with assisting students throughout their career planning experience,
to explore practicum sites and to learn the fine art of effective job hunting.
We offer the following services and
programs at no cost to students and alumni:
Career Development and Job Search
Training offers seminars and clinics on job search skills and decision-making
for career choices covering such topics as:
Resume writing
Job hunting strategies
Interviewing
skills
Placement Service integrates comprehensive,
current job listings with information about employers and employment trends,
and sponsors an annual Job Fair. The employment market is in the process of
making a comeback for the allied health professionals. Bonus sign-ons are once again appearing for
hiring physician assistants, physical therapists and occupational therapists.
Data on Graduates tracks graduates to
determine employment location, salary levels, and career progression in allied
health fields. (The 1999 graduates' average starting salary was $41,000; 90%
remained in Texas; 55% were employed in hospitals.) Alumni serve as information
resources and as a support network.
OFFICE OF SAHS STUDENT ADMISSIONS
The role of The Office of SAHS
Student Admissions is to record and acknowledge receipt of completed
applications and to review applications for minimum requirements. The Director
for SAHS Student Admissions works with the respective admissions committees of
The School of Allied Health Sciences. Notification to applicants of the
School's action and preparation of files on those accepted for enrollment is
also handled through this office.
Consideration of applicants for
admission is conducted on a continuing basis and selection of applicants is
accomplished well in advance of the beginning date of the pro gram.
Special admission problems or
concerns arise from time to time that can only be answered by contacting the
school directly. If you have such questions, please feel free to write or call
409/772-3090. Once the admission process is complete, the student's file is
forwarded to UTMB Office of the Registrar, and the student, during his or her
course of study, should then contact that office directly regarding any general
questions.
OFFICE OF COMMUNITY AND ALUMNI
AFFAIRS (Office is currently not open)
The Office of Development and
Community & Alumni Affairs coordinates all activities that involve SAHS
graduates maintaining current addresses on as many of them possible. The Office
provides staff support for the school's Advisory Council and aids the council
in fund-raising and other endeavors in the school's behalf. For the past
several years the Office of Development and Community & Alumni Affairs has
conducted an annual phonathon using student callers to raise money for
scholarships and financial aid to students. In 1985, the Office sponsored the
first special fund-raising event, a 5-K walk and run, which netted $25,000 for
the endowed student scholarship fund. In 1996 the fun run crossed the Galveston
Bay causeway, the first foot race ever across the big bridge.
Since 1982, and Alumni
Association has operated to help alums stay in tough with each other, inform
them about changes and current activities at the school, and encourage their
participation in carrying out the school's mission. The Office of Development and
Community & Alumni Affairs helps the Alumni Association achieve the
following goals: (1) assist with student recruitment, (2) publish an Alumni
Newsletter, (3) select and recognize outstanding Alumni, (4) increase alumni
membership and participation in the association, (5) establish student
scholarships and loans, (6) develop continuing education opportunities, (7) set
up SAHS hospitality parties at professional meetings around the state, (8)
conduct career forums for students, and (9) involve current students in Alumni
Association activities. Graduating students receive a year's free membership in
the Association.
In addition to its development and
alumni support services, the Office of Development and Community & Alumni
Affairs keeps Galveston informed of the school's activities and works to
strengthen community ties. Student groups and individuals who wish to
participate in volunteer or fund-raising activities should check with the
Office in room 4.206 to learn about available opportunities. Community
involvement can enrich your stay in Galveston and enhance your academic and
extra-curricular achievement.
STUDENT CONDUCT AND DISCIPLINE
The UT System and its component
institutions have rules and regulations for the orderly and efficient conduct
of their business, and each student is charged with notice and knowledge of the
contents and provisions thereof.
All students are expected and
required to obey the law, to show respect for properly constituted authority,
and to observe correct standards of conduct. Any student who violates the
Regents' Rules is subject to discipline.
Please refer to the Regents' Rules,
Student Service and Activities, Sections 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 and 3.4, for specific
standards of conduct.
LEARNING RESOURCES CENTER
The Learning Resource Center (LRC)
supports the instructional and research missions of both the School of Allied
Health Sciences and the School of Nursing by facilitating independent and group
learning experiences. The LRC has acquired and maintains a well-rounded
collection of innovative media/multimedia teaching and learning resources
including computerized instructional software, video tapes, audio tapes, and
printed materials.
Located on the first floor of the
SAHS/SON building, the LRC provides students with two laboratories each one
containing twenty PC computer stations. These computers are available for
individual use or for classroom use. Class times scheduled in the labs are
posted on Monday of each week along with a notice of those times when both
computer labs have been reserved for classes at the same time. These computer
laboratories provide state-of-the-art educational materials including health
information system simulations, word-processing software. Students can access
TexSearch, Medline, and Clinical data bases as well s their UTMB e-mail box and
the Internet in these laboratories. Free dot matrix printing is available.
Laser printing is available at a nominal cost. A Computer Service Specialist is
available in the LRC to assist students using the computer labs. The LRC also
has a six station Macintosh laboratory, six group study rooms equipped with
slide and video projection hardware, and a room with individual study carrels
for ten students.
A constantly rotating set of print
materials including lecture notes, handouts, and articles is available in the
Reserve Section at the Front Desk. Students are asked to request reserve
materials using the course number and instructor's name and are required to
leave a student identification card at the Front Desk whenever using any of
these materials. Two copy machines provide copying services for a nominal fee.
These copy machines can be used to make transparencies also. Students wanting
to copy non-copyrighted audio tapes can use the two high speed audio tape
duplicators located just inside the front door of the LRC. Free duplication of
video taped lectures is available through the LRC Front Desk.
LRC hours are:
Monday-Thursday 8:00am-5:00pm
Friday 8:00am-5:00pm
(These hours may vary between semesters
and during the summertime. Any change in the hours is always posted by the LRC
entrance.)
LRC phone number: 409-772-3025
Students may reserve audio visual
equipment when it is to be used for a class project or a university-sponsored
activity within the SAHS/SON building. A request from needs to be completed
along with a co-signature from the appropriate faculty member approving the
request.
SCHOLASTICS
SAHS
GRADING SCALE
The Following Grading Scale is used for
undergraduate SAHS Letter Grades:
Letter Grade Numerical
Scale Grade
Scale
A 92-100
B 82-91
C 72-81
D 62-71
F 61-Below and
Fail
on a Pass-Fail
P Pass
on a Pass-Fail
GRADUATE GRADING SCALE
Letter Grade Numerical
Scale Grade
Scale
A 90-100
B 80-89
C 70-79
D 60-69
F 59-Below and
Fail
on a Pass-Fail
P Pass
on a Pass-Fail
COMMENCEMENT
An annual convocation is held at the
end of the Summer Sessions for the purpose of officially recognizing those who
have completed all degree and certificate requirements. All graduating students
are expected to attend. A December graduate is held for Physical
Therapy and Distance CLS students.
Should a student complete all required
studies at a time other than at the end of Summer Sessions the degree will be
dated to coincide with the end of the semester in which work is completed. The
degree will be conferred, in absentia, at the next Commencement. The student is
invited to attend and to participate at that Commencement; this is not
mandatory. Should a student complete all degree requirements, the diploma will
be awarded. The certificate will be held in abeyance until such time as the
student has satisfied those requisites. The date on the certificate will be
that of the day requirements are completed and may not necessarily coincide
with the end of a semester.
SCHOLASTIC PROBATION
The University of Texas School of
Allied Health Sciences at Galveston encourages and supports students in
accomplishing above average work. It is recognized however, that a student may
encounter difficulty from time to time. In such cases a student's advisor,
departmental chairperson and the Office of Student Affairs stand ready to
assist the student whenever and wherever possible. A student will be placed on
scholastic probation following completion of a semester, summer session or
summer term in which:
(1) a single grade of less than
"C"; or
(2) A GPA of less than 2.0.
A student is removed from scholastic
probation at the end of the following registration period when no grade below a
"C" is assigned, and a cumulative GPA of 2.0 is achieved. Should a
student fail to obtain a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better, but meet all other
criteria, they will be continued on scholastic probation for the next following
registration period at which time the cumulative GPA of 2.0 must be obtained or
the student will become subject to dismissal.
The department in which the student is
registered reserves the right to require the student to demonstrate acceptable
levels of achievement in specific skills, in order to be removed from
scholastic probation. In such case, the instructor, with the departmental
chairperson's approval, will produce for the student a written statement as the
extent of these special assignments. A copy of this statement will be forwarded
to the Dean's Office and to the Office of Student Affairs.
A full-time student on scholastic
probation will not be permitted to take less than twelve (12) semester hours
during a regular semester, nor less than six (6) semester hours during a summer
session except in unusual and extenuating circumstances and with written
approval of and under conditions prescribed by the students' departmental
chairperson and approved by the Associate Dean for Student Affairs.
As long as a student is enrolled in the
UT School of Allied Health Sciences at Galveston as a degree-seeking student,
he or she is considered to be in good standing toward meeting degree
requirements. Scholastic probation serves only as an official warning that the
student is moving toward unsatisfactory academic performance. Only with
dismissal would the School decree that the student has failed to satisfactorily
progress toward fulfilling degree requirements.
ACADEMIC HONORS
A full-time student who achieves a
G.P.A. of 3.5 or better for a semester is eligible for the Dean's List for that
semester.
Dean's Academic Achievement Award
for Part-Time Students
Only matriculated students who have
completed 12 hours of course work are initially eligible for this award.
Thereafter, students must complete at least two courses and/or six semester
hours within a semester, and achieve a G.P.A. of 3.5 or better for all course
work completed during the semester to receive the Dean's Academic Achievement
Award.
Academic Honors at Commencement
The Faculty of the School of Allied
Health Sciences has determined that exceptional scholarship will be recognized
at Commencement. Eligibility for graduation with academic honors is computed
only on the professional curriculum completed in The University of Texas School
of Allied Health Sciences at Galveston. Each discipline is allowed to graduate
a total of 15% of its class with Honors.
The distribution is:
Highest
Honors: top 2%
High
Honors: next 5%
Honors:
next 8%
In order to be eligible for
Honors in any discipline, a student must have a minimal cumulative G.P.A. of
3.5 or better. In addition, a student must have been on the Dean's List or
received the Dean's Academic Excellence Award for at least one semester. The
G.P.A. serves as the primary factor in determining eligibility for these
honors. However, other factors may be considered if a larger percentage of
students qualify than is permissible.
Diplomas of graduates earning the above
honors designations will bear a special seal indicating the appropriate honor.
SCHOLASTIC DISMISSAL
The University of Texas School of
Allied Health Sciences at Galveston through its faculty and appropriate
committees, reserves the discretionary right to suspend or dismiss any student
from the School for reasons of scholarship or aptitude.
A student becomes subject to dismissal
if:
(1) receives one "D" while on
scholastic probation;
(2) receives one "F" during
any given registration period (regardless of scholastic probation standing);
(3) receives less than a grade of
"C" in three (3) or more courses cumulatively over all registration
periods; or
(4) fails to remove scholastic
probation after two (2) consecutive registration periods.
Dismissal will occur upon the written
recommendation of the departmental chair-person and approval of the Gradings
and Promotion Committee of the UT School of Allied Health Sciences at Galveston
and Associate Dean for Student Affairs. Readmission to the School must be
recommended by the departmental chairperson and the Gradings and Promotion
Committee of the School, and approved by the Associate Dean for Student
Affairs.
FINAL EXAMINATION POLICY
Although the Faculty is urged to
establish a student evaluation process which assesses student performance
routinely throughout the semester, the Faculty has adopted a policy whereby a
final examination is optional at the discretion of the instructor. If a final
examination is given, all students, without exception, are required to take the
exami-nation unless a uniform exemption policy is announced to the class well
in advance of the examination date. Final examinations may be comprehensive and
may test any amount of information presented in the course. However, at no time
shall a final examination be weighted more than 40% of the final grade, without
having received approval of the Gradings and Promotion committee. Any
examination given in the final examination period will be defined as a final
examination.
For courses which extend over two semesters,
the instructor may examine the student on information presented in the
pre-ceding semester. The instructor must clearly state this to the class no
later than the beginning of the second semester.
So that time will be available for
study and review for final examinations, students are not expected to learn
significant new materials two class days immediately prior to the first day of
final examinations. Additionally, it is recommended that students not be
expected to deliver major projects on the two class days immediately prior to
the first day of final examinations.
For the Fall and Spring terms, the
final examination period is four days in length. Monday is a dead day on which
classes shall not be scheduled. Humanities and Basic Sciences and Core Courses
will be given priority for scheduling of examinations on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Thursday and Friday are designated for departmental examinations. Tuesday and
Wednesday may be used for departmental examinations at times when no Humanities
and Basic Sciences or Core Course examinations are scheduled. Scheduling of
final examinations is the responsibility of the departmental chairpersons and
division directors in collaboration with their Faculty. The final examination
schedule will be published by the departmental Chairpersons and division
directors midway through each period of instruction.
For Summer Terms I and II and when
periods of instruction do not comply with the published school calendar, the
individual departments and course instructors/ coordinators are responsible for
scheduling examinations. Although the length of the examination period may vary
from that stated above, other guidelines should be followed.
RE-EXAMINATION ON FINAL
EXAMINATION
Should a student fail the final
examination in a course but has at least a "C" average in the
coursework other than the final examination a request for a temporary delay of
the final course grade may be granted.
The student must realize that approval
for re-examination is entirely at the discretion of the instructor and all
re-examinations are subject to the following provisions:
1. The
student must have at least a "C" average on all work in the course
other that the final examination.
2. The
student's grade on the re- examination will be substituted for the original
final examination grade.
3. The
re-examination must be given at the earliest possible moment, at a time agreed
upon by the student and the instructor. In no event will the re-examination be
given later than the end of the registration period following the one in which
the course was taken. Absence from a re-examination will result in a grade of
"f" for the examination unless the student presents to the department
chair a satisfactory excuse for absence within one week after the
re-examination date.
