COURSE SYLLABUS

School of Management
The University of Texas at Dallas

Course: AIM 6341.0G1 - Planning, Control & Performance Evaluation

Instructor: Professor Mary Beth Goodrich
Semester: Summer 2006
Course Dates: 5/15/06 – 7/31/06

Instructor Information
Instructor: Mary Beth Goodrich, CPA, CIA, CISA
Office Location: SOM 4.220
Office Hours: By appointment
WebCT: http://webct6.utdallas.edu (best way to contact me)
E-mail (Work): goodrich@utdallas.edu
Web Site: www.utdallas.edu/~goodrich
Work Number: (972) 883-4775 (office and voice mail – leave messages for me on this number)
Cell Number: (214) 282-2156 (for urgent matters / emergencies only)
Fax Number: (972) 883-6811
Teaching Assistant Ruma Aftab
Tuesday 4:00p.m. – 6:00p.m.
TA Office Hours Thursday 3:30p.m. - 5:30p.m.
TA E-mail Send through webCT
TA Office Location SM 4.230
TA Office Phone # (972) 883-4467

Course Information / Description

COURSE OBJECTIVES:
An understanding and appreciation of management accounting and particularly applying
planning, control and performance evaluation concepts to businesses is critical for any
professional in business. This course will apply these concepts to business and not-for-
profit organizations with a multi-national focus. Topics in this course will include
budgeting, performance evaluation, modern control methods, responsibility centers,
management compensation, transfer pricing and systems to support planning, control and
performance evaluation.

The main learning objectives are:

• Gain high level knowledge and application of planning, control, and performance
evaluation concepts to a variety of business structures.
• Application of concepts to individual and collaborative case-based learning exercises.
Course Prerequisites:
Prerequisite: AIM 6305 or instructor consent. Basic knowledge of financial and
managerial accounting is essential.

Course Materials
REQUIRED MATERIALS:
Textbook: Management Control Systems, 11th Edition, Irwin, 2003, Anthony / Govindarajan,
ISBN: 0-07-281931-6

Textbooks and some other bookstore materials can be ordered online through MBS
Direct Virtual Bookstore. They are also available in UTD Bookstore and Off-Campus
Books.

Technical Requirements
In addition to a confident level of computer and Internet literacy, certain minimum
technical requirement must be met to enable a successful learning experience. Please
review the important technical requirements and the web browser configuration
information.

Course Access and Navigation

This course is developed using a web course tool called WebCT. It is to be delivered
entirely online. You will be notified by email about the course access information at the
start of the course. You’ll need to have a UTD NetID and password (your UTD
Unix/Email ID and password) to access the course. If you have not used a UTD NetID
account yet, you can go to http://netid.utdallas.edu to initiate your account shortly
before or at the start of the semester. Your UTD NetID is your WebCT ID to be used
to log on to the UTD WebCT courses. For more information, please check out this NetID
FAQs page. The URL for the course login page is: http://webct.utdallas.edu. You can
login to the course whenever you want. You are required to meet any deadlines for the
assignments and exams and also any schedules for class activities or tasks the course
requires. You should login to the course site at least 3-4 times per week to check
all course updates, discussion board messages and so on. I strongly recommend
checking the course daily and reading ALL emails to you and ALL discussion
postings.

You’ll access “My WebCT” page after you login. The page lists all the courses in which
you’re registered. You can click the course title to access the course Home page which
displays several icon links. Clicking each icon link will take you to different subsidiary
pages containing the course content elements or built-in course tools. Some navigation
components such as the Navigation Bar with Course Menu on the left side, the Menu
Bar and the path link on the top and the Action Menu on the content page can help you
navigate within the course site.

To get started with a WebCT course, please see the Getting Started: Student WebCT
Orientation. For more information about WebCT tool usage, please see the WebCT’s
Student Help Index. Within the course site, you can always click HELP on the WebCT
Menu Bar to find information and answers. You can also check out the Orientation
Center to Online Learning and WebCT provided on WebCT’s web site. For more
WebCT information and its learning resources, visit http://www.webct.com.

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If you have any problem with your UTD account or connection to the UTD WebCT
server, you may email: assist@utdallas.edu or call UTD computer help call center at:
972-883-2911. If you encounter any technical difficulties with the course, you can send
an email to gmbasupport@utdallas.edu.

Communications
WebCT course has built-in communication tools which will be used for course
interactions and communications. Some external communication tools such as regular
email may also be used during the semester.

Interaction with Instructor: Instructor will communicate with students mainly using the
Discussion board. Students may send personal concerns or questions to me using the
course Email tool. Instructor will reply to student emails or Discussion board messages
within 3 working days under normal circumstances.

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Student Assessment
You will be tested on the knowledge you are gaining from the textbook and all methods
of learning in webCT. I hope that you enjoy the flexibility that this on-line course will give
you to somewhat self-pace yourself, but with this in mind, you need to have discipline to
stay up with course work and what is expected. I look forward to getting to know you
better and please let me know any comments or questions you have.

I expect that you read all discussion postings, all course notes, view and listen to all
audio / PowerPoint presentations, and actively engage yourself in this course, such as
posting responses to discussion postings and posting any questions about the course
that are general in nature.

Your positive approach to this course, as to life in general, will enable you to get the
most out of the course. I hope you have a great semester! Remember, in anything you
do, have fun and you will get more out of it!

GRADE BREAK DOWN

Points
Posting of Introduction in 10
discussions during first week
Participation 60
Team Case Study Research, 100
Analysis, Presentation and
Facilitation
0 (or – or + points)
Teaming Evaluation Points
Test #1 100
Test #2 100
Cumulative Proctored Final Exam 100
(Test #3)
TOTAL POINTS 470

If you have the following points you will receive the assigned grade:

A 100 - 90% 470 – 423 points out of 470

B 89 – 80% 422 – 376 points out of 470
C 79 – 70% 377 – 329 points out of 470
F Below 69% Less than 329 points out of 470

You can check your grades by accessing “My Grades” icon on Student Tools page after
the grade for each assessment task is released. In addition to this, if the grade is for an
assignment, detail on your grade will be given in the assignments area.

Posting of Introduction
You must post your introduction during the first week. This is worth up to 10 points,
assuming you answer all the required information completely. If you post later than one
week, you will receive –5 points for up to one week late or -10 points (grade of 0) if later
than that.

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Participation
I expect that you read all discussion postings, all course notes, read and listen to all
audio / PowerPoint presentations, and actively engage yourself in this course, such as
posting responses to discussion postings, module postings and posting any questions
that you may have that are general in nature. Your active participation will have a direct
impact on your success in this course. You will be tested on the knowledge you are
gaining from the textbook and all methods of learning in webCT

Your active participation will have a direct impact on your success in this course and will
be graded as follows:

There are 3 Modules of the course. On each Module, you must have at least 2 value
added discussion postings related to the CASES (DISCUSSION CASES AND/OR TEAM
CASES) in the related GRADED MODULE POSTING sections. These must be posted
during the time frames specified on the syllabus and must be posted on DIFFERENT
DAYS and RELATED TO DIFFERENT CASES so you are demonstrating that you are
keeping up wi th the course throughout the semester, with at least one being a response
to the posting of another person. The number of discussion postings should not be
excessive and should be relevant to the course content (you can post more than 2 for
each Module). The grading for this will be up to 10 points for each value added posting
up to 20 points for each part.

Grading will be as follows:

Module 1: 20
Module 2: 20
Module 3: 20

NO LATE WORK WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR MODULE POSTINGS.

Team Case Study / Research, Analysis, Presentation and Facilitation

Groups will be organized at the beginning of the semester. Please sign-up for the team
you would like to be under the “Start Here!” section of the course titled “SIGN UP FOR
TEAMS HERE!”. Each group can also use the group area for file exchanges within the
group. Please click the WebCT Help menu on how to use the features of the group tool.
A private discussion forum will be set up on Discussions board for each group for team
communications (instructor also can view these).

NOTE: If you want to be on a team of 2, you need to communicate in me IN WRITING

(such as a webCT email) that you are committed to staying in this course. Otherwise,
teams of three or four will be assigned (to the extent possible.)

You will have the option to use webCT chat for team meetings. I will be happy to attend
a webCT chat with your team (actually I recommend it, at least once so I can see how
the team is doing and address any questions) if you prearrange the time with me.

Teaming Evaluation Form

The thing to remember is: 0 (zero) is a good score on this and means that you put forth
a full effort! Each individual must turn in a Teaming Evaluation Form when the Final
Team Project is turned in through webCT assignment functionality. Details on the
Teaming Evaluation Form can be found in Appendix A of the Syllabus.

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The form MUST be completed on you and all your team members and should include
effort on ALL group work. This form MUST be typed and you must provide responses to
all required information or points will be deducted from your Teaming Evaluation Form
score.

Your individual grade will be adjusted up or down based on teaming evaluation forms
completed on you and the instructor’s evaluation of your effort. All points (either + or -)
will be included in the Teaming Evaluation Points. A 0 is a good score for Teaming
Evaluation as that means you put forth a full effort and will receive full project points.

Tests
Test #1 and #2 will be timed, on-line exams. The on-line tests are open book and open
notes, but you need to prepare for them like they were closed book and closed notes
because they are timed exams. You can access online tests by clicking the Online
Tests icon and then clicking the available online test title links. Each on-line test is timed
and can only be accessed once within the scheduled time window. Please read the on-
screen instructions carefully before you click the Begin Test button. After each test is
graded and released for reviewing, you may go back to the tests page and click the
“View scores” button of the test to review your test results and any feedback from the
instructor.

If you do not take the exam during the specified testing window, you will receive a 0 on
the exam. If you have conflicts with the testing window, you need to let me know as
soon as possible BEFORE the testing window closes.

The Final Exam will be cumulative. It will be closed book, closed notes and will be
proctored. Details will follow as to time for the proctored final exam.

Self-Quizzes
There will be several self-quizzes available for you to take. These are not graded.
However, they must be taken by the due dates provided and will close up on the due
date. These are good to take as there are some questions from the quizzes will be
similar to ones you may see on the exams.

Scholastic Dishonesty
The University has policies and discipline procedures regarding scholastic dishonesty.
Detailed information is available on Scholastic Dishonesty web page. All students are
expected to maintain a high level of responsibility with respect to academic honesty.
Students who violate University rules on scholastic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary
penalties, including the possibility of failure in the course and/or dismissal from the
University. Since such dishonesty harms the individual, all students and the integrity of
the University, policies on scholastic dishonesty will be strictly enforced.

All students in the class are expected to behave in accordance with academic integrity.
Strict adherence to the Policy on Cheating as stated in the Regent’s Rules and
Regulations, Part One, Chapter VI, Section 3, Subsection 3.2, subdivision 3.22 is
expected. This policy reads:

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 Students are expected to be above reproach in all scholastic activities.
Students who engage in scholastic dishonesty are subject to
disciplinary penalties, including the possibility of failure in the course
and dismissal from the university. Scholastic dishonesty includes but is
not limited to cheating, plagiarism, collusion, the submission for credit of
any work or materials that are attributable in whole or in part to another
person, taking an examination for another person, any act designed to
give unfair advantage to a student or attempt to commit such acts.

Since this is an on-line course, academic dishonesty includes plagiarism, which also
includes any instance of having another person complete work on your behalf whether
this is tests, quizzes, or project related work or working with other students together on
exams. Academic dishonesty of any type, will NOT be tolerated in this class. All
instances of academic dishonesty (as noted above) will be referred to the Dean of
Students. To give you an idea of how this works, plagiarized materials turned in will be
sent to the Dean of Students Office with a minimum recommendation of negative points,
a grade of 0 on the assignment, or an F in the course. The Dean may also assess other
disciplinary penalties, which could include being suspended or expelled from school. I
use www.turnitin.com to evaluate plagiarism in submitted papers and refer all cases of
potential plagiarism to the Dean of Students.

PLEASE NOTE THAT IN MOST CIRCUMSTANCES OF PROVEN ACADEMIC

DISHONESTY, THE BEST OVERALL SEMESTER GRADE YOU CAN MAKE FOR
THIS COURSE WOULD BE A C.

Course Evaluation
As required by UTD academic regulations, every student needs to do an evaluation for
each enrolled course at the end of the semester. An online instructional assessment
form will be made available for your confidential use. Please look for the course
evaluation link on the course Homepage towards the finishing of the course. Your
feedback and comments are greatly appreciated.

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Course Outline/Schedule
TOPICS AND SCHEDULE
NOTE: All assignment are due at 11:55pm CST (Central Standard Time)
on the date due.

This course outline should serve as your guideline for where you should be in the
completion of the materials for this course. Lectures, additional assignments (such as
individual assignments) and other information will be posted in webCT and it is your
responsibility to keep up with the material and submit materials as requested by the time
requested.

Topics Cases / Assignments

Unit Dates and Other Activities
Module 1 – The Management Control Environment
Discussion Postings must be completed from (May 15 – June 4)
1 5/15 – 5/21 Syllabus Post your Intros in
Discussion Area by
Overview of Planning, Control and May 22, 2006
Performance Evaluation and entire course
topics Sign-up for teams!

The Nature of Management Control and

Management Control Systems (Read Chapter
1)

Start to find 1-2 people you would like to work

with on the Team Case Presentation or I will
assign teams.

Discussion Cases: 1-2; 1-3

2 5/15 – 5/21 Understanding Strategies (Read Chapter 2) Finalize Team Names
and Finalize Team Case
Finalize teams for team case studies and Selection (top 4
presentations choices) and Obtain
Instructor Approval (-
Discussion Cases: 2-4 10 points if not
completed) due 5/21/06
3 5/22 – 5/28 Behavior in Organizations (Read Chapter 3) Potential Team
Case(s): 3-6, 4-2, 5-2
Discussion Cases: 3-4 due by 5/21/06

4 5/22 – 5/28 Responsibility Centers: Revenue and Expense Potential Team

Centers (Read Chapter 4) Case(s): 6-2, 7-1, 7-2
due by 5/28/06

5 5/29 – 6/4 Profit Centers (Read Chapter 5)

Discussion Cases: 5-1

6 5/29 – 6/4 Transfer Pricing (Read Chapter 6)

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 Discussion Cases: 6-5
7 5/29 – 6/4 Measuring and Controlling Assets Employed ALL Module 1 Self-
(Read Chapter 7) Quizzes must be taken
by 6/4/06!!!!
Discussion Cases: 7-7
6/5 – 6/12 Test #1 (Chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 all Part 1 Teaming
related discussion cases and student- Evaluations due on
presented cases) 6/5/06

Test due 6/12/06

Module 2 – The Management Control Process

Discussion Postings must be completed from (June 12 – July 2)
8 6/12 – 6/18 Topic #1: Strategic Planning (Read Chapter Potential Team
8) Case(s): 8-2; 9-1, 10-
Topic #2: Budget Preparation (Read Chapter 1, 10-3, 11-6 and 12-4
9) due on 6/14/06

9 6/19 – 6/25 Topic #1: Analyzing Performance Reports

(Read Chapter 10)

Topic #2: Performance Measurement (Read

Chapter 11)

10 6/26 – 7/2 Management Compensation (Read Chapter ALL Module 1 Self-

12) Quizzes must be taken
by 7/2/06!!!!
7/3 – 7/10 Test #2 (Chapters 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and all Part 2 Teaming
related discussion cases and student- Evaluations due on
presented cases) 7/3/06

Test due 7/10/06

Module 3 – Variations in Management Control
Discussion Postings must be completed from (July 10 – July 26)
11 7/10 – 7/16 Topic #1: Multinational Organizations (Read Potential Team
Chapter 15) Case(s): 15-1, 15-5,
13-4, 14-3, 14-5, 14-7,
Topic #2: Controls for Differentiated 16-1 due 7/12/06
Strategies (Read Chapter 13)

Topic #3: Service Organizations (Read

Chapter 14)

12 7/17 – 7/26 Management Control of Projects + Project

Appraisals (World Bank) (Read Chapter 16)

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7/27 – 7/31 Final Exam (cumulative, proctored final Part 3 Teaming
exam Evaluations due on
7/27/06

MUST be taken by
7/31!

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 APPENDIX A

AIM 6341 – Team Project Case Study Outline

Sign-up for the team doing the case you want to work on. This is first come, first
get. Select a team name. Let the Professor know as soon as possible what the team
case and team name are. The cases are combined as shown in the Sign-Up Sheets
mainly, to ensure good representation across the subject matter. If you do not sign-
up for a team, I will assign one to a team and topic in the areas where we need
coverage.

For the cases, complete the following.

1. Discuss the main points your case is dealing with.

2. Perform some research on how modern practice is applying these concepts.
For example: This can include how other current companies are applying the
subject matter.
3. Completely answer all the questions at the end of the case. (Spend the most
time on this – the whole team needs to work on this!).
4. Find creative ways to facilitate the discussions with the class. For example,
you could generate some questions for open communications with the class,
bring up other scenarios, etc.
5. Respond to any and all questions from class in a timely manner on the
discussion board.
6. You must have a bibliography. Bibliography and footnoting is mandatory.
Please follow the MLA standard. I recommend getting the MLA Handbook
or doing research to ensure compliance to this. Cite all works properly.
www.Turnitin.com is used for all submitted materials for plagiarism
purposes. Consult the plagiarism document on the webCT site. If you have
questions on what is proper, ask me!
7. You can use a PowerPoint presentation, Word Document, Excel spreadsheets
or whatever methods you feel are best for presenting your case results. You
will post the information in discussions and the whole team will facilitate the
“on-line” discussions.

Have fun with the subject matter and be creative – apply the knowledge you are
learning from ALL chapters of the text, not necessarily just the one you are doing
the case study from. I am looking for APPLICATION of the theories of the course.
To this end, please bring in your “real-life” experiences to compare and contrast
with the case. The more you can show the application of concepts to companies and
even your company, the better.

The below teaming evaluation form must be completed and submitted by the due
date and time as specified in the Syllabus (the same form will be attached in the
Assignments area of the course). In addition to losing points for late submission,

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points could be deducted for less than team effort or additional points could be
given for above and beyond effort.

Late submission points for the case materials will be deducted as follows:
Late by one day = -10 points
Late by two days = -20 points
Late by three days = -30 points
Late by four days or more = -40 points

Late submission points for late teaming evaluation forms will be deducted as
follows:
Late by one day = -10 points
Late by two days = -20 points
Late by three or more days = -30 points

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 Commonly asked questions on the Team Cases

What do I need to submit?

Ideally, you should start the discussions on your case earlier than the due date in the
syllabus, however, the case presentation ”team answer” must be submitted to the
instructor by the due date in the syllabus (sooner if you would like “free” feedback) by
posting it in YOUR TEAM’S DISCUSSIONS AREA. To make sure I receive what I need in
time, you can also webCT email it to me, too. Don’t forget that EACH student must turn
in the teaming evaluation form as specified on the syllabus. You will lose points for late
submissions on any of these items.

Should we do a PowerPoint, Word document or Excel spreadsheet for our case?

It is your decision. Think about what is the best way to transfer the information to the
class. I have had some students do PowerPoints with very detailed information in the
notes area and even a few teams that have done PowePoint with audio. Although a
PowerPoint with audio is not expected or required, it can be an effective method for
knowledge transfer using visual and audio learning.

I hate having slackers on my team. What should I do if I have a slacker on my

team?

This is one reason I do teaming evaluation forms for the projects (see below). Please let
me know specifically who has done what and I do take that into account in the grading.
You must do a forced ranking of everyone on the team, including yourself..

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 TEAMING EVALUATION FORM

This part of the team project is confidential. Explain the SPECIFIC work each person did and consider
contribution, quality, effort, time, flexibility, leadership, results, timely completion, knowledge, experience,
creativity, initiative, concern for team, delivering a quality product that flows well and is professional. I
will be looking at the scores from each team member to get an idea of the effort each person put towards
the project. If the scores for an individual are consistently low, this could amount to points being deducted
or a failing grade on the Team Project and other teamwork. Form MUST be typed and submitted through
webCT assignments.

My Name
Team Name
(List Team Members in alphabetical order of last names, including yourself).
Score:
Above and beyond – A+ - went above and beyond in some way and deserves a score higher than the
majority of the team (explain why they deserve above and beyond status)
Full contributor – A - should get all the team points because they gave a fair effort (explain why they are a
full contributor)
Less than full - If less than a full contributor, say whether they gave a B, C, D or F effort and you give
support for why you scored them there - why they were not a full contributor.

Ranking: Rank each team member from 1 to X with 1 being overall the best team member (you MUST
rank yourself). Note: no person can have the same number!
Team Member’s Name Score of Team Ranking
Member
Team Member #1
Team Member #2
Team Member #3

Explain the SPECIFIC work (i.e. sections of the paper) that each person did on the project and the strengths
of each team member, INCLUDING you.

What did you like about the group work and did YOU and YOUR TEAM do that worked well?

What would YOU do to improve YOUR work and what could the TEAM have done better?

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Syllabus Addendum
Student Conduct & Discipline

The University of Texas System and The University of Texas at Dallas have rules and
regulations for the orderly and efficient conduct of their business. It is the responsibility
of each student and each student organization to be knowledgeable about the rules and
regulations which govern student conduct and activities. General information on student
conduct and discipline is contained in the UTD publication, A to Z Guide, which is
provided to all registered students each academic year.

The University of Texas at Dallas administers student discipline within the procedures of
recognized and established due process. Procedures are defined and described in the
Rules and Regulations, Board of Regents, The University of Texas System, Part 1,
Chapter VI, Section 3, and in Title V, Rules on Student Services and Activities of the
university’s Handbook of Operating Procedures. Copies of these rules and regulations
are available to students in the Office of the Dean of Students, where staff members are
available to assist students in interpreting the rules and regulations (SU 1.602, 972/883-
6391).

A student at the university neither loses the rights nor escapes the responsibilities of
citizenship. He or she is expected to obey federal, state, and local laws as well as the
Regents’ Rules, university regulations, and administrative rules. Students are subject to
discipline for violating the standards of conduct whether such conduct takes place on or
off campus, or whether civil or criminal penalties are also imposed for such conduct.

Academic Integrity

The faculty expects from its students a high level of responsibility and academic
honesty. Because the value of an academic degree depends upon the absolute integrity
of the work done by the student for that degree, it is imperative that a student
demonstrate a high standard of individual honor in his or her scholastic work.

Scholastic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, statements, acts or omissions
related to applications for enrollment or the award of a degree, and/or the submission as
one’s own work or material that is not one’s own. As a general rule, scholastic
dishonesty involves one of the following acts: cheating, plagiarism, collusion and/or
falsifying academic records. Students suspected of academic dishonesty are subject to
disciplinary proceedings.

Plagiarism, especially from the web, from portions of papers for other classes, and from
any other source is unacceptable and will be dealt with under the university’s policy on
plagiarism (see general catalog for details). This course will use the resources of
turnitin.com, which searches the web for possible plagiarism and is over 90% effective.

Email Use

The University of Texas at Dallas recognizes the value and efficiency of communication
between faculty/staff and students through electronic mail. At the same time, email

15
raises some issues concerning security and the identity of each individual in an email
exchange. The university encourages all official student email correspondence be sent
only to a student’s U.T. Dallas email address and that faculty and staff consider email
from students official only if it originates from a UTD student account. This allows the
university to maintain a high degree of confidence in the identity of all individual
corresponding and the security of the transmitted information. UTD furnishes each
student with a free email account that is to be used in all communication with university
personnel. The Department of Information Resources at U.T. Dallas provides a method
for students to have their U.T. Dallas mail forwarded to other accounts.

Withdrawal from Class

The administration of this institution has set deadlines for withdrawal of any college-level
courses. These dates and times are published in that semester's course catalog.
Administration procedures must be followed. It is the student's responsibility to handle
withdrawal requirements from any class. In other words, I cannot drop or withdraw any
student. You must do the proper paperwork to ensure that you will not receive a final
grade of "F" in a course if you choose not to attend the class once you are enrolled.

Student Grievance Procedures

Procedures for student grievances are found in Title V, Rules on Student Services and
Activities, of the university’s Handbook of Operating Procedures.

In attempting to resolve any student grievance regarding grades, evaluations, or other

fulfillments of academic responsibility, it is the obligation of the student first to make a
serious effort to resolve the matter with the instructor, supervisor, administrator, or
committee with whom the grievance originates (hereafter called “the respondent”).
Individual faculty members retain primary responsibility for assigning grades and
evaluations. If the matter cannot be resolved at that level, the grievance must be
submitted in writing to the respondent with a copy of the respondent’s School Dean. If
the matter is not resolved by the written response provided by the respondent, the
student may submit a written appeal to the School Dean. If the grievance is not resolved
by the School Dean’s decision, the student may make a written appeal to the Dean of
Graduate or Undergraduate Education, and the deal will appoint and convene an
Academic Appeals Panel. The decision of the Academic Appeals Panel is final. The
results of the academic appeals process will be distributed to all involved parties.

Copies of these rules and regulations are available to students in the Office of the Dean
of Students, where staff members are available to assist students in interpreting the
rules and regulations.

Incomplete Grade Policy

As per university policy, incomplete grades will be granted only for work unavoidably
missed at the semester’s end and only if 70% of the course work has been completed.
An incomplete grade must be resolved within eight (8) weeks from the first day of the
subsequent long semester. If the required work to complete the course and to remove
the incomplete grade is not submitted by the specified deadline, the incomplete grade is
changed automatically to a grade of F.

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Disability Services

The goal of Disability Services is to provide students with disabilities educational

opportunities equal to those of their non-disabled peers. Disability Services is located in
room 1.610 in the Student Union. Office hours are Monday and Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to
6:30 p.m.; Tuesday and Wednesday, 8:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.; and Friday, 8:30 a.m. to
5:30 p.m.

The contact information for the Office of Disability Services is:

The University of Texas at Dallas, SU 22
PO Box 830688
Richardson, Texas 75083-0688
(972) 883-2098 (voice or TTY)

Essentially, the law requires that colleges and universities make those reasonable
adjustments necessary to eliminate discrimination on the basis of disability. For
example, it may be necessary to remove classroom prohibitions against tape recorders
or animals (in the case of dog guides) for students who are blind. Occasionally an
assignment requirement may be substituted (for example, a research paper versus an
oral presentation for a student who is hearing impaired). Classes enrolled students with
mobility impairments may have to be rescheduled in accessible facilities. The college or
university may need to provide special services such as registration, note-taking, or
mobility assistance.

It is the student’s responsibility to notify his or her professors of the need for such an
accommodation. Disability Services provides students with letters to present to faculty
members to verify that the student has a disability and needs accommodations.
Individuals requiring special accommodation should contact the professor after class or
during office hours.

Religious Holy Days

The University of Texas at Dallas will excuse a student from class or other required
activities for the travel to and observance of a religious holy day for a religion whose
places of worship are exempt from property tax under Section 11.20, Tax Code, Texas
Code Annotated.
The student is encouraged to notify the instructor or activity sponsor as soon as possible
regarding the absence, preferably in advance of the assignment. The student, so
excused, will be allowed to take the exam or complete the assignment within a
reasonable time after the absence: a period equal to the length of the absence, up to a
maximum of one week. A student who notifies the instructor and completes any missed
exam or assignment may not be penalized for the absence. A student who fails to
complete the exam or assignment within the prescribed period may receive a failing
grade for that exam or assignment.
If a student or an instructor disagrees about the nature of the absence [i.e., for the
purpose of observing a religious holy day] or if there is similar disagreement about
whether the student has been given a reasonable time to complete any missed
assignments or examinations, either the student or the instructor may request a ruling
from the chief executive officer of the institution, or his or her designee. The chief
executive officer or designee must take into account the legislative intent of TEC

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51.911(b), and the student and instructor will abide by the decision of the chief executive
officer or designee.

Off-Campus Instruction and Course Activities

Off-campus, out-of-state, and foreign instruction and activities are subject to state law
and University policies and procedures regarding travel and risk-related activities.
Information regarding these rules and regulations may be found at the website address
given below. Additional information is available from the office of the school dean.
(http://www.utdallas.edu/Business Affairs/Travel_Risk_Activities.htm)

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