Legal Issues Academic Due Process and Grievance Procedure   Undergraduate Final Course Grade Grievance Policy - The purpose of this policy is to provide a safeguard against an unfair final course grade. The policy guidelines are found in The Lowdown (the student handbook) and the USA Faculty Handbook. The process is recommended to provide a mechanism for exchange of information between student and instructor and to effect reconciliation without creating a climate of injury. Students wishing to grieve a final course grade should be referred to The Lowdown and the advisor should act in the best interest of the student.   Student Academic Conduct Policy - The University strives to set and maintain the highest standards of academic integrity. Any dishonesty related to academic work or records constitutes academic misconduct, including, but not limited to, activities such as giving or receiving unauthorized aid in tests and examinations, improperly obtaining a copy of an examination, plagiarism, misrepresentation of information, altering transcripts or University records. Such acts are subject to investigation and disciplinary action through appropriate University procedures. These procedures are outlined in The Lowdown and the Faculty Handbook and students should be advised to familiarize themselves with these procedures. Penalties may range from the loss of credit for a particular assignment to dismissal from the University. The advisor should instill in the student the importance of academic integrity and should serve as a role model in this area.   Note: A student may not drop a course in which a penalty grade (usually an "F") has been assigned for academic misconduct, or a course involved in the academic misconduct hearing or appeals process. Students should continue to attend and complete a course in which a charge of academic misconduct has been brought. If the student agrees to admit to the charges, accept the penalty, and not request a hearing or appeal, s(he) will not be required to complete the course, but may not drop it.