Your Rights and Responsibilities as a Student

As a student at the University of Kentucky, you are part of a community that values fairness, inclusion, and mutual respect. You are protected by rights that align with both state and federal constitutions – rights that support your freedom of expression, your right to privacy (including in your academic records), and your right to be free from discrimination and harassment. You also have the right to a free student press and to a fair and transparent process if you or your organization are involved in a student conduct matter.

These rights are integral to the University’s commitment to fostering a safe, healthy, and inclusive learning environment where all students can thrive. For a full list of your rights and the policies that support them, please visit the Student Conduct page.

Below are several key policies that students often encounter:

• Attendance Policy
  • Learn the difference between excused and unexcused absences and how they affect your standing in a course.
  • Review the policy on make-up work for excused absences.
  • Twenty Percent Rule: If you have excused absences that total more than 20 percent of required interactions, you may withdraw from a course or be awarded an incomplete.
• Plagiarism Policy
  • Students are expected to submit work that reflects their own original thinking, research, and writing. Plagiarism, cheating, or misuse of academic records violates university policy and can result in serious consequences.
  • All academic work, written or otherwise, submitted by students to their instructors or other academic supervisors is expected to be the result of their own thought, research, or self-expression.
• Generative AI Policy
  • The use of AI tools in coursework is at the discretion of your instructor. Policies will be outlined clearly in the syllabus. If you’re unsure about what is allowed, always ask before submitting your work, and be sure your use of AI aligns with both your professor’s expectations and the University’s academic honesty policies.
• Grade Grievances Policy
  • If you have a concern about a grade, start by speaking with your instructor. If needed, you may also reach out to your advisor, the Department Chair or director of undergraduate studies, and finally, the Academic Ombud. Each course syllabus will include information about the grade grievance process specific to that class.

Understanding these policies helps you make informed decisions and advocate for yourself as a student. When in doubt, ask questions – your professors, advisors, and university staff are here to help.