Student Expectations

As a Liberty student, you have certain rights and responsibilities that you should be aware of as you use the University’s technological resources.

The Liberty University Student Honor Code applies to all Liberty University students (online undergraduate, online graduate, residential undergraduate, and residential graduate).

Any violation of this code may result in a grade of “F” for the course and possible further discipline as indicated in the above document. As a resource, you can review this presentation which discusses practical tips on how to avoid plagiarism.

• For Residential Undergraduate Students, please consult the Resident Undergraduate Attendance Policy.
• For Graduate Students, please consult the Graduate Attendance policy.
• For Online Students, please consult the Online Attendance policy.

You are expected to know how to navigate your course. For help in using Canvas, visit the Services/Support area. Tutorials, printable help documents, and FAQs are offered there.

While email may be utilized for casual communication, graded class discussions and group collaboration are conducted inside the discussion tool of your course. Since this also is the primary place for making impressions both socially and academically, create messages that convey you at your best. Proper netiquette can help you be successful. Netiquette, or network etiquette, refers to the generally accepted rules for considerate behavior in online communications. Some tips to keep in mind:

1. Spend time crafting your message. This is not a text-messaging environment for quick, abbreviated conversation; it is a place for the exchange of academic knowledge. Use words that contribute to this purpose in a professional, concise manner.
2. Check your words for correct spelling and grammar. Do not write in all capital letters: it’s rude. Be sparing with your use of font weights like bold, italics, and underline.
3. Basic courtesy goes a long way to a good online experience. Respond politely and promptly, be patient, and appreciate differences. No vulgar, sexist, racist, biased, or other objectionable language will be tolerated.
4. Valid criticism is acceptably expressed in the form of thoughtful alternatives. Do not insult or “flame” others.
5. Respect one another’s privacy. Do not share e-mail addresses without permission. Do not allow anyone from outside the course to access the discussions without the previous permission of the instructor and all other group members.
6. Be careful about sharing your own personal information, especially usernames and passwords.

As a Liberty student, you need to know and understand Liberty’s Copyright Guide provided by the Jerry Falwell Library.

Students with a documented disability may contact Liberty University’s Office of Disability Accommodation Support (ODAS) at ODAS@liberty.edu to make arrangements for academic accommodations.

• Residential Disability Accommodation Support
• Online Disability Accommodation Support

If a student desires to remove a course from his/her schedule once it has begun, it can be done either as a “drop” or as a “withdrawal.” The method of processing the request is based on the student’s attendance. A class can be dropped at any point prior to the start date of the course or once the course has begun up until the student attends the course.

Once a submission is made to LMS within the enrollment dates of the course, courses must be removed via withdrawal. To discuss the possible consequences of a withdrawal, contact Academic Advising at (855) 466-9218.

• For Residential Students, please consult the Residential Students – Adding and Dropping Courses and Residential Students – Withdrawing from Courses policies.
• For Online Students, please consult the Online Students – Adding and Dropping Courses and Online Students – Withdrawing from Courses policies.

Your instructor will communicate with you via your Liberty University email address and Canvas inbox. Use only that address when contacting your instructor or classmates and check your webmail and Canvas inbox frequently in order to stay abreast of news and progress within your course. Assignments are not to be submitted using email.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), as amended, is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records.  For more information on FERPA and how it protects you, refer to the Ferpa Policy.

Students are expected to submit tests and course work throughout the term and/or sub-term. Students who begin attendance, but then cease progressing toward the completion of the course will be assigned a grade of “FN.” If the student receives all FN’s in a sub-term, the student will be subject to the Unofficial Withdrawal Procedure which includes the reduction and/or return of all financial aid.  The student will also be subject to the Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy.

Students are encouraged to share prayer requests and life concerns with the professor in this class. Not only will the professor pray for and care for students but can guide students to appropriate University resources if desired.

However, in the event of a student’s disclosure, either verbally or in writing, of threat of serious or foreseeable harm to self or others, abuse or neglect of a minor, elderly or disabled person, victim or witness of a crime or sexual misconduct, or current involvement in criminal activity, the faculty, staff, administrator, or supervisor will take immediate action. This action may include, but is not limited to, immediate notification of appropriate state law enforcement or social services personnel, emergency contacts, notification of the appropriate program chair or dean, or notification to other appropriate University officials. All reported information is treated with discretion and respect and kept as private as possible.

To enable Liberty to respond effectively and to prevent future instances of Sexual Misconduct, certain Liberty employees and student-employees who are not Confidential Resources are designated as Responsible Employees. Review this webpage to learn more about the reporting obligations of Responsible Employees.