The Division of Student Affairs and Enrollment Management is committed to student success at UMKC.  We are here to help students define and achieve their goals as well as to find solutions to educational concerns. 

Scroll down for more information on:

• UMKC Emergency Alert System
• Intellectual Diversity
• Grade Appeals
• Discrimination and Sexual Harassment
• Violence Prevention and Response

UMKC Emergency Alert System

The University of Missouri System recently acquired an automated, rapid notification system to supplement the communication tools currently used to notify students, faculty and staff about campus emergencies and closings, as well as class cancellations due to inclement weather.  For more information and to register for the system, please visit the UMKC Alert! webpage. 

Additional Resources:

• Business Interruption Policy
• Class cancellations and campus closings due to inclement weather will also be listed on the UMKC homepage and provided to local media stations.
• You may also call the UMKC HelpLine at 816.235.2222 for voicemail updates. 

Intellectual Diversity

The University of Missouri-Kansas City respects the views and perspectives of all participants in the learning environment.  As such, the University welcomes intellectual pluralism and the free exchange of ideas in a non-confrontational environment.

If you feel that you have been treated unfairly on the basis of your personal beliefs or affiliations, please contact the UMKC HelpLine at helpline@umkc.edu or fill out this on-line form.  Please note that there is a grade appeal process for alleged capricious grading practices (see below).

Additional Resources:

• University of Missouri's Board of Curators response to Intellectual Pluralism.
• UMKC Faculty Senate statement on Academic Freedom.

Grade Appeals

Students are responsible for meeting the standards of academic performance established for each course in which they are enrolled. The establishment of the criteria for grades and the evaluation of student academic performance are the responsibilities of the instructor.  This grade appeal procedure is available only for the review of allegedly capricious grading and not for review of the instructor's evaluation of the student's academic performance.  Capricious grading, as that term is used here, comprises any of the following:

• The assignment of a grade to a particular student on some basis other than the performance in the course
• The assignment of a grade to a particular student according to more exacting or demanding standards than were applied to other students in the course (Note: Additional or different grading criteria may be applied to graduate students enrolled for graduate credit in 300- and 400-level courses.)
• The assignment of a grade by a substantial departure from the instructor's previously announced standards.

Appeal Procedures:

1. The student should first discuss the course grade fully with the instructor of the course. This must be done within six weeks after the beginning of the succeeding regular academic semester.
2. If the matter cannot be resolved by consultation with the instructor, the student should use the departmental grade-appeal procedure. Every academic unit (school, College or department) must have a set of appeal procedures that are to be made available to students on request. These procedures will specify the manner in which the departmental review of the challenged grade will be conducted.
3. If the matter is not resolved at the departmental level, an appeal can be made to the academic dean, in accordance with the school's or College's appeals process.
   The decision of the dean will be communicated to the student, the instructor and the department.
4. If the matter is not resolved within the school or College, the student may appeal to the chancellor or designated representative. This appeal must be made within 10 consecutive calendar days after notification of the decision of the dean.
5. The chancellor or designated representative shall review the full record of the case and appeal documents. At this level, the chancellor may appoint an ad hoc academic appeals committee to review the record and provide advice on the matter.
   The decision of the chancellor, or designated representative, is final and will be communicated to the student, the instructor, the department and the dean of the school or College.

Discrimination and Sexual Harassment 

The University of Missouri-Kansas City does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, status as a disabled veteran or a veteran of the Vietnam era, or gender identity.

If you feel you are a victim of discrimination or sexual harassment, please visit UMKC's Division of Diversity, Access and Equity to file a formal complaint.  The Director of Affirmative Action is Grace Hernandez, whose office is located in the Administrative Center, room 223. She can be reached at 816.235.1323 or hernandezgg@umkc.edu .

Additional Resources:

• Procedures for the Student Grievance Process (from the Collected Rules and Regulations)
• Brief overview for Making a Formal Complaint

UMKC Violence Prevention and Response

The UMKC Women's Center serves as a victim advocate to assist students, faculty, and staff in understanding various resources, policies, and procedures related to violence and safety at UMKC.  Women's Center staff are available to provide support and guidance for those experiencing sexual harassment or other forms of sexual violence.  For more information on our Violence Prevention and Response Project, please click here. 

UMKC's Violence Prevention Coordinator is available to discuss campus and community options, regardless of whether or not you choose to officially report an incident.  For advocacy and support issues, please contact Kristen Abell at abellk@umkc.edu or 816.235.5577.

UMKC Women's Center

108C Haag Hall

816.235.1638
umkcvprp@umkc.edu

www.umkc.edu/womenc