Academic Policies

Click here to learn more about FERPA at UNF

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords students certain rights with respect to their educational records. They are:

1. The right to inspect and review the student's education records within 45 days of the day the University receives a request for access. Students should submit to the registrar written requests that identify the record(s) they wish to inspect. The University official will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained by the University official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.
2. The right to request the amendment of the student's education records the student believes are inaccurate or misleading. Students may ask the University to amend a record they believe is inaccurate or misleading. They should write the University official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading. If the University decides not to amend the record as requested by the student, the University will notify the student of the decision and advise the student of his or her right to a hearing.
3. The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student's education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. One exception which permits disclosure without consent is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the University in an administrative, supervisory, academic or research, or support staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel and health staff); a person or company with whom the University has contracted (such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent); a person serving on the Board of Trustees; or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.
4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the University of North Florida to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is: Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW Washington, D.C. 20202

 Directory Information is defined as the following:

• Name
• Mailing address
• Telephone number
• Dates of attendance
• Admitted college / majors
• Degrees awarded
• Status (full or part-time)
• Classification (freshman, sophomore, etc.)
• Participation in officially recognized activities and sports
• Honors
• Weight / Height of athletes
• Student images, including photographs, videos, or any other media containing a student's image or likeness 

To prevent the release of your directory information:

• Log in to myWings
• Select Student under the left "My Resources" menu
  • If you are on a mobile device, select the Student tile
• Select the Banner Self Service button
• Under the "Student Services" tab, select Student Records
• Select Non-Disclosure Request

Click here to learn more about FERPA at UNF

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law which affords applicants and students certain rights with respect to their educational records. The intent of this law is to protect the privacy of students and their records. Visit the FERPA website for more information.

FERPA provides students the right to:

• Inspect and review their education records
• Request an amendment to their education records if they believe there is an inaccuracy
• Restrict any or all information from public access
• File a complaint with the Family Policy Compliance Office if they feel the University has failed to follow FERPA guidelines

FERPA provides precise guidelines regarding access to student information for parents, faculty and staff. Maintaining confidentiality of education records is everyone's responsibility.

Approved March 1, 2007 by the Faculty Association.

Students seeking variances from University academic policies and regulations may petition select policies. Submitting a petition does not guarantee that a particular policy will be waived as petitions are considered exceptions and are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Policies and Regulations That May Not Be Petitioned

The following items are considered variances from University academic policies, which may not be petitioned under any circumstances:

1. A student may not drop a course(s) after the add/drop deadline date. The student is fee liable and must withdraw.
2. A student may not request to withdraw from a course after grades are posted.
3. A student may not add a course(s) beyond the add/drop deadline as posted on the Academic Calendar.
4. A student may not request to extend the deadline to reinstate into classes from which the student has been removed due to non-payment of fees. The deadline is posted on the Academic Calendar.
5. A student may not request to change from audit to credit or credit to audit after the add/drop deadline.
6. A student may not request to extend a grade change deadline beyond 90 days from the end of the term that the grade was assigned.
7. A student may not request that grade forgiveness or term forgiveness be removed or exchanged once applied.
8. A student may not request to apply a previous attempt of a repeated course toward graduation requirements. The student's last attempt of a course will be the one used to determine degree completion.
9. A student may not request that original and/or repeated grades be excluded from GPA calculations without using grade forgiveness.
10. A student may not request that calculations for Latin Honors Distinction exclude forgiven attempts at courses. GPA calculations for Latin Honors are based on all credits earned at UNF.
11. A student may not request to receive a designation of Latin Honors for which the student does not meet the qualifications.
12. A student may not request release from suspension without approval from the appropriate academic officers. Reinstatement procedures vary by college.
13. A student may not request that academic probationary status be removed from an academic record for any given term in which the student was placed in that status.
14. A student may not petition grades and/or grade-related penalties. These are to be appealed under either the University's policy for Appealing Academic Misconduct Decisions or for Appealing Academic Grades Unrelated to Academic Misconduct.

Students may appeal a final course grade following the process described on the Dean of Students Academic Grade Appeals webpage. The process is governed by the Appealing Academic Grades policy (2.0340P). The process is administered through the Dean of Students Office in partnership with the University Academic Appeals Committee and Provost’s Office. For more information, see the UNF-UFF Collective Bargaining Agreement under Article 10, Academic Freedom and Responsibility.

View the Records and Registration Withdrawal Policies Webpage

View the Official Withdrawal Policy from Enrollment Services

Students are obligated to pay their tuition/fees and/or have financial aid pending by the fee payment deadline indicated on the Academic Calendar. Failure to pay fees may result in the cancellation of a student’s registration and removal of Canvas access.

If your registration is cancelled, you will be dropped from all of your classes. To re-register, you must complete the entire Reinstatement procedure. Students must reinstate into all courses for which they registered at the close of add/drop week, unless the section is closed or the instructor does not approve the reinstatement request (written documentation required).

Instructions

To reinstate online, please follow the below step-by-step instructions.

• Log in to myWings
• Select Student under the left "My Resources" menu
  • If you are on a mobile device, select the Student tile
• Click the Banner Self Service button
• Select Registration under the "Student Services" tab
• Select Reinstatement

As noted above, by completing this procedure, you will automatically be reinstated into all courses for which you were registered at the close of add/drop. Sections closed for reaching maximum capacity will not be reinstated.

A $100 re-registration fee will be assessed, in addition to the $100 late payment fee assessed by Student Financial Services. Once you have been reinstated into your classes, you must pay/pend/defer fees the same day.

Read Full Degree Progression and Change Major Policy

The University of North Florida encourages timely completion of degrees for undergraduate students. Students who enter UNF as a first-time-in-college (FTIC) student are expected to complete an undergraduate degree of 120 credit hours within eight semesters if enrolled full-time. If the degree requires more than 120 credit hours, an additional semester may be required. Also, overseas study, certain internships, or co-op experiences may extend the time needed for degree completion. Students who transfer hours earned in high school through Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), dual enrollment, or other mechanisms, and those entering with prior college credits or an Associate of Arts degree should complete their degrees in a shorter time. 

General Questions

Does this policy apply to all undergraduate students or just those admitted as a first-time-in-college student?

The Degree Progression Policy applies to both first-time-in-college students and transfer students. The University recognizes that each student follows a unique path, but we require all students to remain diligent about their progress to degree completion. Moreover, the University is committed to providing students with the tools needed to monitor their progress. Students with specific questions should see their academic advisor.

Is there a deadline to have an exception approved to prevent a student from graduating under this policy?

Students who plan to extend their degree program should consult their academic advisor at least one term prior to their planned graduation term. Any student who plans to add additional programs of study or coursework outside of their original program of study will need to first determine how many additional terms will be necessary to complete the new program(s) and/or coursework.

The policy speaks to "flexibility." What does this mean?

Flexibility means that the University understands a student may have a legitimate reason to extend their program of study. In these cases, the University has the ability to approve a student's request to not graduate under the Degree Progression Policy.

Learn more about Excess Hours

Excess Hours Advisors FAQ

Students will not be allowed to earn credit for a non-repeatable course more than one time and will not be allowed to earn credit in two substantially equivalent courses.

If a student repeats a course for which s/he has already been awarded credit by UNF as transfer credit or institutional credit and the course is not designated as repeatable by UNF, the earned credits for only the last attempt will be counted toward the total hours for the baccalaureate degree program. 

If a student takes a course which has a description explicitly stating that s/he cannot receive credit for both it and another course for which UNF has awarded transfer credit or institutional credit, the earned credits for only the last attempt will be counted toward the total hours for the baccalaureate degree program.

Official Grade Forgiveness Policy

Undergraduate, degree-seeking students attempting their first baccalaureate degree may improve their grade point average by repeating a course and requesting that the repeated course and its corresponding grade be the one counted in all the student's applicable Grade Point Average calculations, as described in the Academic Average (Grade Point Average) Policy.

• Only two such requests are available to any student during his or her undergraduate UNF career.
• Grade forgiveness may not be used if term forgiveness has been implemented.
• The repeated course must be the same course as taken previously and must be completed at the University of North Florida. If the course is no longer offered at the University of North Florida or if its number has been changed but its content remained the same, the chair of the department or an appropriate designee of the college that houses the course is required to approve the substitution of another course.
• A student may not request grade forgiveness for a course that was initially taken elsewhere and repeated at UNF, nor may a course repeated at another institution be used for grade forgiveness for a course initially taken at UNF.
• Only the first recorded grade for a course will be forgiven. The most recent grade will be calculated in the GPA.
• Grades of X, U, I, W, WA, WC, WM, WR, WS, F and FA cannot be used to forgive a prior grade.
• Grade forgiveness requests will not be processed after graduation certification.
• This policy does not alter the permanent academic record; all attempts for a given course and all grades remain on the student's record. The earned hours associated with a forgiven course, however, are removed.
• Although both courses and grades appear on the student's permanent academic record, the grade for the forgiven course will not be calculated in any of the student's Grade Point Averages (See the Academic Average (Grade Point Average) policy). The original grades will be calculated for the Latin Honors GPA.
• Students may repeat courses without using the forgiveness policy. In this instance, both the original and the repeated grade(s) will be used in the calculation of all applicable grade point averages as stated in the Academic Average (Grade Point Average) Policy. However, earned credit for only the last attempt will apply toward graduation (please also see Repeat Hours and Excess Hours Calculation Policies).
• This policy reflects UNF grade point calculations only and does not affect the grade point calculation of outside agencies or other institutions who may use all grades, including repeated and forgiven grades, in their calculations of grade point averages.

The Veterans Administration will not pay for repeated courses if the previous grade met academic standards. Students should direct questions to the Veterans Affairs Office in the Military and Veterans Resource Center.

Instructions for Completing a Grade Forgiveness

Students are encouraged to consult their academic advisor prior to completing a grade forgiveness to ensure this is the best course of action for the student.

• Log in to myWings
• Select Student under the left "My Resources" menu
  • If you are on a mobile device, select the Student tile
• Click the Banner Self Service button
• Under the "Student Resources" tab, select Online Forms
• Under the "Records and Registration" section, select Grade Forgiveness Request

Please read through the guidelines at the top of the form. When you are ready to begin your request, select Yes in the drop down menu and click Next.

Courses eligible for grade forgiveness will appear in a drop down menu. Select the course you want to forgive and click Next. You'll be prompted to review your information. Click Submit to complete your grade forgiveness.

Once the process is complete, you'll see a link to review your new GPA and the course that was forgiven; it will have an asterisk (*) beside the grade.

Please Note: If you have repeated a course during the current semester, the prior attempt will not be available for selection until seven days after grades post. 

Once you have used term forgiveness or two grade forgiveness requests, you will no longer be able to access the form. Once a forgiveness has been processed, it cannot be reversed. You will also not be able to access the form once you have graduated or once you have applied to graduate and the term has ended.

Punitive F grades, which appear as "FA" on the transcript, cannot be forgiven.

Undergraduate, degree-seeking students attempting their first baccalaureate degree may request term forgiveness for exactly one term at UNF.

• A student granted term forgiveness may not exercise grade forgiveness. Term forgiveness may not be used if grade forgiveness has been implemented.
• Requests will never be approved for the present term or for the immediately preceding term in which the student was enrolled.
• Students must complete at least one term at UNF after the term for which they are requesting forgiveness.
• This policy does not alter the permanent academic record; all courses attempted in the forgiven semester and related grades remain on the student's record. The earned hours associated with a forgiven term, however, are removed.
• Although courses and grades in the forgiven term appear on the student's permanent academic record, the grade for the courses in the forgiven term will not be calculated in any of the student's Grade Point Averages (See the Academic Average (Grade Point Average) Policy). The original grades will be calculated for the Latin Honors GPA. Using grade or term forgiveness will NOT improve your Latin Honors GPA.
• This policy reflects UNF grade point calculations only and does not affect the grade point calculation of outside agencies or other institutions who may use all grades, including repeated and forgiven grades, in their calculations of grade point averages.
• Graduating students who wish to utilize term forgiveness should contact the University Registrar via One-Stop Student Services to request special consideration. Term forgiveness must be requested prior to the date posted on the Academic Calendar for commencement.

Instructions for Completing a Term Forgiveness

Students must begin the term forgiveness process by consulting with their academic advisor to ensure this is the best course of action. 

After your academic advisor has initiated the process, follow the steps below.

• Log in to myWings
• Select Student under the left "My Resources" menu
  • If you are on a mobile device, select the Student tile
• Click the Banner Self Service button
• Under the "Student Resources" tab, select Online Forms
• Click on Requests that Need Action
• On the Term Forgiveness Request line, click on Approve and Submit listed under the Request Form column

Please read through the guidelines at the top of the form and verify the courses listed that will be affected. When you are ready to complete your request, select an action in the drop-down "Action" menu. Click Submit. 

Once the process is complete, you will see a link to review your new GPA.

Once you have used term forgiveness or two grade forgiveness requests, you will no longer be able to access the form. Once a forgiveness has been processed, it cannot be reversed. You will not be able to access the form once you have graduated or once you have applied to graduate and also if a term after the requested term has not been completed.

Current Term GPA

The current term GPA appears on the unofficial transcript after each term. The sum of quality points (grade points x credits) earned within the current term is divided by the number of UNF hours attempted that term (except those hours with grades of X, I, P, NR, W, WC, WD, WM and WS). The resulting quotient is the current term GPA. Example: 

The total of 29 grade points earned divided by 13 credits attempted equals 2.23 current term GPA.

Upper Level GPA

The sum of all UNF upper level quality points earned is divided by the number of all UNF upper level hours attempted (except those hours with grades of X, I, P, NR, W, WM, WS, WD and UNF hours repeated for which the grade forgiveness or term forgiveness policy was subsequently invoked). The resulting quotient is the upper level GPA.

Cumulative GPA

The cumulative GPA appears on the unofficial transcript after each term. The sum of all UNF quality points earned as of a particular term is divided by the number of all UNF hours attempted by the conclusion of that term (except those hours with grades of X, I, P, NR, W, WM, WS, WC, WD and UNF hours repeated for which the grade forgiveness or term forgiveness policy was subsequently invoked). The resulting quotient is the cumulative GPA.

Total Institutional GPA

The total institutional GPA appears on the unofficial transcript after each term. The sum of all UNF quality points earned is divided by the number of all UNF hours attempted (except those hours with grades of X, I, P, NR, W, WM, WS, WD, WC and UNF hours repeated for which the grade forgiveness or term forgiveness policy was subsequently invoked). The resulting quotient is the total institutional GPA.

Total Transfer GPA

The total transfer GPA is calculated using those courses UNF considers transferable. The sum of quality points earned in transferable courses from other institutions is divided by the number of credit hours transferable from other institutions. The resulting quotient is the total transfer GPA.

Overall GPA

The overall GPA appears on the unofficial transcript after each term. The sum of all quality points earned at UNF and in transferable courses from other institutions is divided by the number of all UNF hours attempted (except those hours with grades of X, I, P, NR, W, WM, WS, WD, WC and UNF hours repeated for which the grade forgiveness or term forgiveness policy was subsequently invoked) plus the number of credit hours transferable from other institutions. The resulting quotient is the overall GPA.

Please remember that UNF does not round GPAs. Your GPA will be unrounded to the second decimal place. 

Students are required to attend the first class meeting of courses for which they registered. Registered students not attending the first day of the semester may be dropped from the course(s) at the discretion of the instructor. (Note: As this policy is optional, only some departments follow it.) Please drop your course if you will not be attending. Students who are unable to attend the first class meeting due to circumstances beyond their control must notify the instructor of the course prior to the first class meeting. Students who add courses or late-register during the add/drop period will not be dropped for non-attendance by the instructor during this period. 

Students are expected to attend all of their scheduled classes to satisfy all academic objectives as outlined by the instructor. Instructors may establish specific attendance requirements. These attendance requirements must be published in the course syllabus and disseminated at the first class meeting. It is the student's responsibility to give the instructor notice prior to any anticipated absence, and within a reasonable amount of time after an unanticipated absence. The instructor has the right to deal with individual cases of non-attendance and to determine the effect of absences upon grades.

In the event of absences due to participation in a University-sponsored activity, instructors must allow students the opportunity to make up work due during such absences. This applies even if the instructor's policy is to drop a low score. However, it is the student's responsibility to make prior arrangements with the instructor to hand in written materials (e.g., assignments, papers, and projects) and to reschedule any activities that would normally occur in class (e.g., quizzes, tests, presentations, and performances).

Instructors use a variety of means to determine the extent to which a student has met the objectives of a course. Students absent due to participation in University-sponsored activities can expect their course grades to be determined based on their performance on graded material and activities. There should not be any reduction in a student's final course grade simply because s/he was absent due to a University-sponsored activity.

For the purposes of this policy, a University-sponsored activity means any activity on or off campus which is initiated, aided, authorized, or supervised by the University, such as academic field/study trips, TLO activities, intercollegiate athletic events (competition and travel related to competition; does not include practice), official meetings of student government leaders, University programming and international travel. In case of a disagreement about whether an activity constitutes a University-sponsored activity, the Provost shall make the determination.

Students who have been dropped from a class roster for failure to pay fees or for any other reason may continue attendance until the reinstatement deadline, as published in the Academic Calendar.

Only those students who are enrolled in classes are permitted to attend class beyond the reinstatement period. Special guests may be permitted to attend specific class sessions with the permission of the instructor.

Non-attendance does not guarantee a student will be dropped from a course. The student is fee liable for all courses for which s/he is registered unless the student initiates a drop.

Learn how UNF determines Latin Honors.

* including more than 30 upper-level hours

You can access an official Enrollment Verification report after the Add/Drop period of each term from the Student Records section of your myWings Student Self Service.

A student must take a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester to be classified as full-time for undergraduate students, and nine credit hours for graduate students. As an undergraduate, one may not exceed a load of 20 credit hours (or 15 hours as a graduate student) without the permission of the appropriate academic dean, department chair, or their designee.

In terms of enrollment verification, UNF will certify full-time attendance to third-party agencies, if a student is enrolled in a minimum of 12 hours per semester (fall or spring). Enrollment Verification can be requested once the add/drop period has ended.

Click Here to View the Records and Registration Preferred Name and Pronouns Webpage

Click Here to View the "Preferred Name and Pronoun Use" Policy

Click Here to View the UNF ITS Email Policy

University provided email addresses will be the only officially recognized email address for all currently enrolled students and is the official method of communication with students. Students should check their UNF email regularly to ensure all important communications are received.

For information on how to access your email account, visit the Information Technology Services Microsoft 365 webpage.

For information on how to set-up your smart phone to sync with UNF email, please visit the Office 365 Mobile Device Set Up webpage.