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				General Policies
			Student Status Student’s Responsibility Classroom Responsibility Student Conduct Religious Observances University Closings UCF Employment Program of Study and Academic Performance Discrimination or Sexual or Racial Harassment Golden Rule Academic Grievance Procedure Grade System Traveling Scholars International Visiting Scholars Academic Common Market Scholars Linkage Agreements Proprietary and Confidential Information Patent and Invention Policy

Student Status

Students who are taking graduate classes may be classified in several ways. Those classifications are defined as:

Regular Graduate Student—a student who has been accepted into a graduate degree program with no conditions or provisions and is seeking a graduate degree.

Provisional Graduate Student—a degree-seeking student who does not meet Board of Education (BOE) criteria for grade point average or GRE/GMAT requirements, but for other reasons is accepted as a degree-seeking student by a program. Conditions will be attached to the admission that will have to be fulfilled in the first nine hours of a graduate program before the student can be made a Regular Graduate Student. Only 10 percent of all new students in any degree program may be Provisional. Provisional graduate students cannot receive graduate fellowships or tuition support.

Conditional Graduate Student—a degree-seeking student who meets BOE criteria for admission, but has not submitted all required documents. Conditions must be met by midterm of the first semester in order to register for future semester classes.

Restricted Graduate Student—a degree-seeking graduate student who meets BOE criteria, but does not meet program requirements to be accepted as a Regular Graduate Student. Restrictions will be attached to the admission that will have to be fulfilled before the student is made a Regular Graduate Student.

Nondegree-seeking Student—a student who has not been accepted into an academic program and is not seeking a graduate degree. Some students in this category are completing application requirements for a graduate program. Students who are allowed to take graduate courses in this category can only transfer nine credit hours into a graduate program.

Graduate Certificate Student—a student, either a degree-seeking graduate student or a nondegree-seeking student, enrolled in a graduate certificate program. Nondegree-seeking students enrolled in graduate certificate programs are not eligible for financial aid. If accepted into a graduate program, students in this status may, at the discretion of the program, transfer the credit hours from a graduate certificate program into a regular graduate program.

Student’s Responsibility

It is the student’s responsibility to keep informed of all rules, regulations, and procedures required for graduate studies. Graduate program regulations will not be waived or exceptions granted because students plead ignorance of the regulations or claim failure of the adviser to keep them informed.

Classroom Responsibility

Students are responsible for maintaining classroom decorum appropriate to the educational environment. When the conduct of a student or group of students varies from acceptable standards and becomes disruptive to normal classroom procedures, the instructor has the authority to remove the offending party from the room and refer the student to the Office of Student Conduct (SRC 155) for disciplinary action.

Student Conduct

Students are subject to federal and state laws and local ordinances as well as regulations prescribed by the University of Central Florida and the Florida Board of Education. The breach or violation of any of these laws or regulations may result in disciplinary action. Detailed conduct regulations and procedures are presented in The Golden Rule.

A person applying for admission to UCF who has declared an adjudication of a violation of conduct policies at a previous college or university or a violation of the law that resulted in probation, community service, a jail sentence, or the revocation or suspension of their driver’s license (including traffic violations that resulted in a fine of $200 or more) may have circumstances of the case reviewed by the Office of Student Conduct (SRC 155) to consider eligibility for admission.

Religious Observances

It is the policy of the University of Central Florida to reasonably accommodate the religious observances, practices, and beliefs of individuals in regard to admissions, class attendance, and the scheduling of examinations and work assignments. A student who desires to observe a religious holy day of his or her religious faith will notify all of his/her instructors and be excused from classes to observe the religious holy day.

The student will be held responsible for any material covered during the excused absence, but will be permitted a reasonable amount of time to complete any work missed. Where practicable, major examinations, major assignments, and university ceremonies will not be scheduled on a major religious holy day.

Students who are absent from academic or social activities because of religious observances will not be penalized. A student who believes that he/she has been unreasonably denied an educational benefit due to his/her religious belief or practices may seek redress in accordance with Rule 6C7-5.0031, Student Grievance Procedure, as listed in The Golden Rule.

University Closings

In the event of some extraordinary event (such as a natural disaster or prolonged power outage), the President shall determine whether it is necessary to cancel classes and approve administrative leave for employees in affected areas. Department chairs, in consultation with their faculty and with the college dean, shall determine the effect on final examinations and other academic matters.

UCF Employment

Full-time graduate students may be offered the opportunity to work as graduate assistants. A full-time graduate student must take at least 9 credit hours each semester, with 12 hours being the maximum load. During the summer term, full-time is 6 credit hours and half-time is 3 credit hours. There are two exceptions to this policy: (1) For students in their last semester, a full-time load is whatever is required to finish the degree program. This is a one-time only exception to the general policy. (2) For doctoral students who have passed the candidacy exam and are registered for dissertation research (XXX 7980) hours only, full-time is 3 hours per semester until graduation. All graduate assistants (GTAs and GRAs) must work at least 10 hours per week, but not more than 20 hours per week. Students who want to work for hours in excess of 20 hours per week must complete an Excess Hours Form (see http://www.graduate.ucf.edu for form). Exceptions to this policy may be granted by the Office of Graduate Studies for compelling reasons.

Student FICA exemption—Graduate students who are enrolled at least part time (5 hours in spring/fall; 3 hours in summer) will be exempt from FICA/Medicare taxes during pay periods that overlap with the academic term and during breaks of less than five weeks. Breaks longer than five weeks where graduate students are employed but not enrolled will result in withholding FICA/Medicare taxes.

NOTE: International students with F-1 Visas are prohibited from working in excess of 20 hours per week during fall and spring semesters.

Program of Study and Academic Performance

A program of study is a listing of course work agreed to by the student and the degree program specifying course degree requirements. It must be established prior to enrollment in the second term for a full-time graduate student. For a graduate student carrying a reduced load, the establishment of a program of study may be delayed up to the registration for the ninth graduate semester hour. A Program of Study form (either a SASS audit or written form) can be obtained from the graduate program coordinator or graduate college coordinator. This form should be prepared and signed by the adviser and student, then given to the graduate program coordinator to be placed in the student’s permanent Filename. It must comply with the catalog current at the time it is proposed. The Program of Study, once established, cannot be altered solely due to poor academic performance by the student.

GPA in Program of Study

A graduate student’s GPA shall be calculated on only those courses specified on the individual’s Program of Study (not including required prerequisites). A minimum of a 3.0 GPA in the specified graduate program of study is required to maintain graduate student status and for graduation. The minimum 3.0 GPA in the graduate program of study required for graduation cannot be waived.

When a term GPA falls below 3.0, the graduate student may be placed on “Hold” and should not register for classes for the next semester until advising has taken place with the graduate program coordinator or academic adviser.

If the graduate GPA drops below 3.0 in a program of study, students will be changed to academic provisional status for a maximum of nine semester hours. If students have not attained an overall graduate GPA of 3.0 in the program of study at the end of the nine semester hours, they will be reverted to nondegree status. Students will not be allowed to enroll in graduate courses in that major and will be removed from courses currently being taken. (Students admitted on provisional status are similarly given 9 semester hours to attain a 3.0 GPA.) If a student wishes to appeal a change in status, an appeal should be Filenamed with the graduate program coordinator. (See “Academic Grievances” in the Policies section of the Graduate Catalog.)

No graduate-level courses with a grade of “D+” or lower are acceptable in a program of study or, following admission to degree-seeking status, on a SASS audit. In addition, only 4000-level courses or transfer courses with a grade of “B-” or higher are acceptable in the program of study. Once established, the program of study cannot be altered solely due to poor academic performance of the student.

Graduate students whose graduate GPA falls below 2.0 will be reverted to nondegree status.

NOTE: Individual graduate programs may have more stringent grade requirements. Students must abide by the academic performance standards of their graduate program.

Maximum Hours of Unsatisfactory Grades

A student may earn a maximum total of six semester hours of “C” (C+, C, C-) grades in the program of study. This does not imply that a course in which a student has received these grades cannot be repeated to provide a better grade. Both grades will be used in computing the GPA in the program of study. There is no forgiveness policy on graduate grades. Exceeding six semester hours of unsatisfactory grades (“C+” and below or unresolved “I” grades) in a specified graduate program of study is reason for reversion to nondegree status. The final program of study may not contain unresolved “I” grades.

Incomplete Grades

A grade of “I” (incomplete) is assigned by the instructor when a student is unable to complete a course due to extenuating circumstances, and when all requirements can clearly be completed in a short time following the close of regular classes.

The Registrar’s Office must be notified of the appropriate grade to be assigned no later than the date shown in the academic calendar of the term immediately following that in which the “I” was assigned. Failure to complete course requirements by that date may, at the discretion of the instructor, result in the assignment of an “F” grade, or a “U” grade for thesis, dissertation, or research report hours.

It is the student’s responsibility to arrange with the instructor for the changing of the “I” grade.

Grades of “I” awarded after Fall 1997 must be resolved within one calendar year or prior to graduation, whichever comes first. Incompletes in regular course work left unresolved will be changed to “F” if not changed in the allowed time period. A student may register for a course in which an “I” was received, but no repeat “R” action will be made on the permanent record. The exception to this is enrollment in thesis (XXX 6971) and dissertation (XXX 7980) hours where the incomplete grade will be allowed to continue until graduation. Incomplete grades cannot be used on the program of study. Students cannot receive an incomplete grade while supported on a UCF fellowship and continue to receive the fellowship.

Review of Academic Performance

The primary responsibility for monitoring academic performance standards rests with the degree program. However, the college and university may monitor a student’s progress and may revert any student to non-degree status if performance standards as specified by the program, college or university are not maintained. Satisfactory academic performance in a program also involves maintaining the standards of academic and professional integrity expected in a particular discipline or program. Failure to maintain these standards may result in termination of the student from the program.

A degree program may revert any graduate student to nondegree status at any time, when, in its judgment, the individual is deemed incapable of successfully performing at required standards of excellence. Once reversion to nondegree status has occurred, a student will not be allowed to enroll in graduate courses in that major and will be removed from courses currently being taken. If a student is reverted to nondegree status, reinstatement to graduate student status can occur only through a formal grievance process. (See Graduate Academic Grievance Procedure in the Golden Rule Handbook, http://www.ucf.edu/goldenrule.)

Discrimination or Sexual or Racial Harassment

In the conduct of its activities, the university will not tolerate prejudicial discrimination on the basis of gender, age, handicap, religion, or ethnicity. Sexual or racial harassment complaints should be made to the Office of Equal Opportunity and Employment and may be directed to other offices in accordance with campus policies.

Golden Rule

The Golden Rule is the university’s policy regarding nonacademic discipline of students and limited academic grievance procedures for graduate (grade appeals in individual courses, not including thesis and dissertation courses) and undergraduate students. Information concerning the Golden Rule can be found at http://www.ucf.edu/goldenrule.

Academic Grievance Procedure

The Office of Graduate Studies follows the procedures for academic grievances as outlined below. Academic matters are those involving instruction, research, or decisions involving instruction or affecting academic freedom.

The academic grievance procedure is designed to provide a fair means of dealing with graduate student complaints regarding a specific action or decision by a faculty member, program or college, including termination from an academic program. Academic misconduct complaints associated with sponsored research will invoke procedures outlined by the Office of Research.

Students who believe they have been treated unfairly may initiate a grievance. The procedure provides several levels of review, and at each level of review the participants are further removed and have a broader outlook than where the grievance originated. Procedures for initiating an academic grievance can be found in the Golden Rule at http://www.ucf.edu/goldenrule.

Petitions of Graduation Requirements Procedures

Students have the responsibility to familiarize themselves with policies and procedures of the university, college, and program. Students are responsible for knowing the degree requirements and following the policies that govern the academic program. However, when unusual instances arise, making it appropriate for students to request exceptions of existing graduation requirements for graduate students, graduate students may petition the appropriate unit for an exception to this requirement. The procedures are:

• The graduate student completes a petition form (located at www.graduate.ucf.edu), specifying the requirement and the exception desired to the graduate program coordinator.
• The graduate program coordinator may ask the program graduate committee to examine the necessary information. The program graduate committee will recommend a response to the petition to the graduate program coordinator.
• The graduate program coordinator will consider the input of the program graduate committee and make a recommendation about the exception at this level. The graduate program coordinator will consider the input of the unit graduate committee and make a recommendation to the unit head about the grievance. The unit head will then make a final unit decision about the grievance at that level. If the exception requested is only a program requirement, then the petition decision is final at this level.
• Should the graduate student wish to appeal the decision of the program, either because the requirement is a college, school, or university requirement or further evidence is now available that would cause the program decision to be reconsidered, the student or program may request in writing to the college or school graduate coordinator (if this is the next most appropriate unit) or the Office of Graduate Studies (if this is the next most appropriate unit) that the petition be considered at this level. The college or school graduate coordinator may ask the college or school graduate committee to examine the information and consider the petition at a scheduled meeting. The college or school graduate committee will recommend a response to the petition to the college or school graduate coordinator.
• The college or school graduate coordinator will consider the input of the college or school graduate committee and make a recommendation about the exception at this level. The college graduate coordinator will consider the input of the college graduate committee and make a recommendation to the college dean about the grievance. The college dean will then make a final decision about the grievance at that level. If the exception requested is only a college, school, or program requirement, then the petition decision is final at this level.
• Should the graduate student wish to appeal the decision of the college or school either because the requirement is a college or university requirement or further evidence is now available that would cause the college or school decision to be reconsidered, the student may request consideration at the university level by submitting the petition form to the Vice Provost and Dean of Graduate Studies. The Vice Provost and Dean may ask the Appeals Subcommittee of the Graduate Council of the Faculty Senate to examine the information and consider the petition at a scheduled meeting.
• The Vice Provost and Dean of Graduate Studies will consider the input of the Appeals Subcommittee of the Graduate Council and make a final decision about the petition for the university.

Grade System

The university uses an alphabetic system to identify student grades and other actions regarding student progress or class attendance. This system, with a grade point equivalent per semester hour, is as follows:

Other Actions

*   “R” and “T” actions only apply to undergraduates.

The designation of “N” will be temporarily assigned by the Registrar’s Office only in the case when a grade has not been submitted by the faculty by the “grades due” deadline. The designator will be replaced by the earned letter grade at the earliest opportunity in the semester that immediately follows. The “N” designator may not be assigned by faculty.

A request for grade change will be considered only during the term immediately following the one in which the grade was assigned, except that grades assigned during the Spring semester may be changed during either the following Summer or Fall semester. Academic Actions do not change when an incomplete grade is completed nor when a course is repeated. A change in a grade must be approved by the Dean of the College. A grade will not be changed after a degree has been conferred.

Traveling Scholars

The university participates in the Board of Education Traveling Scholar Program (6C-6.07) enabling a graduate student to take advantage of special resources available on another campus but not available on the home campus; for example, special course offerings, research opportunities, unique laboratories, and library collections. A traveling scholar is a graduate student who, by mutual agreement of the appropriate academic authorities in both the sponsoring and hosting institutions, receives a waiver of admission requirements of the host institution and a guarantee of acceptance of earned resident credits by the sponsoring institution.

A traveling scholar must be recommended by his or her own graduate adviser, who will initiate a visiting arrangement with the appropriate faculty member of the host institution. After agreement by the student’s adviser and the faculty member at the host institution, graduate deans at both institutions will be fully informed by the adviser and have the authority to approve or disapprove the academic arrangement. A student will register at the host institution and will pay tuition and/or registration fees according to fee schedules established at that institution. The Traveling Scholar form, available in the department offices, must be used for documentation. This form must be completed by the student and approved by the Office of Graduate Studies before any course work can be taken.

Each university retains its full right to accept or reject any student who wishes to study under its auspices. A traveling scholar will normally be limited to one term for a total of six credit hours taken as a traveling scholar at another institution.

A traveling scholar is not entitled to displacement allowance, mileage, or per diem payments. The home university, however, may at its option continue its financial support of the traveling scholar in the form of a fellowship or graduate assistantship with any work obligation to be discharged either at the home or at the host institution.

As part of the Traveling Scholars agreement, SUS institutions agree to accept one another’s entrance requirements and credits. All Traveling Scholars are required to submit the Student Health History and immunization requirements according to UCF and BOE policies. Credit is not automatically transferred into the graduate program of study. The student must request an official transcript be sent from the host institution to Office of Graduate Studies (Millican Hall 230, P.O. Box 160112, Orlando, FL 32816-0112; Phone 407-823-2766), and the graduate program coordinator must complete the Program of Study so that the credits can be entered into the student database. Credits earned at another institution while in Traveling Scholar status will be considered resident credits and are not counted as “transfer” credits under the “nine-hour” rule. These hours may count toward UCF residency requirements if prior approval is obtained. Graduate students are not allowed to be traveling scholars in their final, or graduation, term except by prior approval of the Office of Graduate Studies.

International Visiting Scholars

The following policy and procedures allow departments to invite international visitors to study or participate in research activities at UCF. These scholars will be designated as Visiting Scholars or Visiting Research Scholars. The policy is directed to those who do not wish to earn a degree, but who may audit courses in the post-baccalaureate, nondegree-seeking status for professional development and who normally have complete financial support provided by some outside agency. These visitors will have J-1 Exchange Scholar Visa status, limited to one year, which can be extended. J-1 visa holders must return to their home country; they may not request to remain in the United States. Visitors seeking degrees will use regular UCF admission procedures and must qualify for an I-20 Certificate of eligibility for an F-1 Student Visa.

Visitors participating in the international scholars program who are required to audit courses at UCF must fill out the UCF application for admission as a nondegree student and pay the $20 application fee. The deadline is about four (4) months before the beginning of a term. A faculty member, as Faculty Sponsor, must accept the responsibility for recommending, advising, and directing the activities of the scholar. The procedure for extending an invitation is as follows:

1. If financial support will be provided to the visiting scholar using university resources, then the approval of the university must be obtained on all correspondence with the visiting scholar. Written arrangements should be made with the Vice President for Research for financial support prior to invitations to visiting scholars.
   
   
2. The Department Chair will submit a recommendation to the Dean specifying the Faculty Sponsor, documenting anticipated activities, and providing the following information on the Visiting Scholar:
   
   
1. Date of birth
2. City and country of birth
3. Country of residence if different from country of birth
4. Place of work (academic institution, business firm, etc.)
5. Current position held in country of residence
6. Academic background
7. Professional experience
8. Source and amount of financial support (recommended honorarium, if any)
9. English proficiency
10. Dates of visit
11. Statement of how the Visiting Scholar will participate in research and what will be accomplished
12. Office space, equipment, etc. which will be required for scholar’s use
    
    
3. If arrangements are approved, the Dean will notify the Vice President for Research that the College is extending an invitation. The Chair’s recommendation will be included with the notification. These will be sent to Office of Graduate Studies so that the invitation and application may be placed in the visiting scholar’s official university Filename.
   
   
4. The Office of Graduate Studies will then forward copies of the information to the Office of International Student and Scholar Services. A copy of the recommendation will also be sent to the Director of International Student and Scholar Services asking that Form IAP-66 for the J-1 Visa be issued.
   
   
5. The Faculty Sponsor will then correspond with the visitor detailing the conditions of the visit, including whatever limited financial support and facilities will be provided and what is expected of the Scholar, with copies of this correspondence sent to the Office of International Student and Scholar Services and the Vice President for Research. The Scholar will be asked to write a brief report at the termination of the visit.

During each academic term of the visit, the Visiting Scholar may be required to audit one hour of XXX 6918, Directed Research, under the direction of the Faculty Sponsor and also may be permitted (or required) to audit regular courses. The Visiting Scholar will be admitted to post-baccalaureate status and will audit courses as directed and approved by the Faculty Sponsor. The Visiting Scholar will not be permitted to take courses for credit unless formally admitted to a degree program or upon written approval from the Dean of the college in which the student is studying.

The international visiting scholar will be appointed Visiting Research Scholar or Visiting Scholar in the College and may be given a modest honorarium. Such scholars will normally not be maintained on the College payroll, but are expected to have extended financial support.

Academic Common Market Scholars

The university is a participant in the Academic Common Market Program with other universities in the Southeast offering access to both undergraduate and graduate courses in selected fields. Arrangements can be made for certified Florida residents to earn a graduate degree at a participating university, and be treated as an in-state student at that university. This program can be used only when the field of study is not available in the home state and the participating institution approves. Students taking part in this program will have to apply and be accepted by a participating university, notifying that university of their planned attendance as an Academic Common Market Scholar. The participating universities are located in the following states:

Both Florida and Texas only participate at the graduate level. For further information, please contact the Office of Graduate Studies at 407-823-5815 (Millican Hall 230, P.O. Box 160112, Orlando, FL 32816-0112).

Linkage Agreements

The State of Florida has established various linkage agreements to assist in the development of stronger economic and social ties between Florida and strategic foreign countries. Linkage Institutes are set up throughout the state, and provide out-of-state tuition exemption to scholars from the foreign countries represented by the institutes. To participate in these exemptions, students must apply to the Linkage Institute for the country in which they reside to receive an out-of-state tuition award. Students participating are required to return home after their tenure of graduate study for a length of time equal to the exemption period. Each institute develops its own criteria for selection of students, and typically support the out-of-state fees for about 20 to 30 scholars a year. The institutes established in Florida are listed below with their contact persons. Information is available at http://oir.dos.state.fl.us/linkagegrant.html.

Florida-Brazil Institute

Hannah H. Covert, UF, 352-392-0375
Dr. Robert Vitale, Miami-Dade Community College, 305-237-2533

Florida-Canada Institute

Dr. Jean Kijek, UCF, 407-823-3647

Florida-Caribbean Institute

Eduardo Gamarra and Tammy Bowers, FIU, 305-348-2894
Dr. Donald Matthews, Daytona Beach Community College, 386-247-8131

Florida-China Institute

Dr. Henry O. K. Chen, UWF, 850-474-2665
Ms. Francine Arrington, Brevard Community College, 407-632-1111
Dr. Miriam B. Stamps, USF, 813-974-6205

Florida-Costa Rica Institute

Ms. Joan Cassels, FSU, 850-644-7823
Dr. Larry Reagan, Valencia Community College, 407-299-5000 ext. 3421

Florida-Eastern Europe Institute

Dr. Jean Kijek, UCF, 407-823-3647
Dr. Robert W. Westrick, Lake-Sumter Community College, 352-365-3523
Ms. Karen Levin, Lake-Sumter Community College, 352-323-3638

Florida-France Institute

Ms. Joan Cassels, FSU, 850-644-7823
Dr. Christine Probes, USF, 813-974-3104
Dr. Robert Vitale, Miami-Dade Community College, 305-237-2533

Florida-Israel Institute

Dr. William B. Stronge, FAU, 561-367-2833
Dr. William Greene, Broward Community College, 954-973-2206
Ms. Nancy Q. Rosen, FAU, 954-351-4150

Florida-Japan Institute

Dr. Mark Orr, USF, 813-974-9448
Ms. Shigeko Honda, UWF, 850-474-3108
Dr. Patricia Rowell, St. Petersburg Community College, 727-791-2474

Florida-Mexico Institute

Eduardo Gamarra and Tammy Bowers, FIU, 305-348-2894
Ana Maria Meyers and Rosalinda Collins, Polk Community College, 941-297-1010

Florida-West Africa Institute

Dr. Rose Glee and Ms. Agnes Coppin, FAMU, 850-599-3562
Dennis Gayle and Betty Flinchum, UNF, 904-620-1950
Dr. Brenda Simmons, Florida Community College at Jacksonville, 904-633-5895

Proprietary and Confidential Information

If thesis or dissertation work is supported by a contractual agreement with an outside sponsoring agency, and provision was made in the agreement to delay disclosure of the study’s results for the purpose of filing a patent or copyright, then this section describes procedures for handling the thesis/dissertation. (See also “Patent and Invention Policy” in the Graduate Catalog for explanations of rights associated with patents and copyrights.)

1. Only for those theses and dissertations where a prior written agreement was made with an outside sponsoring agency or where the university wishes to pursue a copyright/patent may publication of the thesis/dissertation be delayed. Review and delay of disclosure of the thesis/dissertation will normally not exceed one term.
2. The review by the outside sponsoring agency or by the university for the purpose of copyright or patent will follow the oral defense of the document. If it appears that the review process will delay certification of the degree or if the delay of disclosure is exercised, the certification process will be completed prior to deposit. The document will be held by the college or the Office of Graduate Studies and deposit in the Library will take place following the delay.
3. No graduate degree will be awarded when the thesis or research report, after a reasonable interval, is not available to the public. If material is sensitive, classified, or will be or has been patented, it may be placed in the Office of Graduate Studies for a specified period.
4. Contractual agreements that contain provisions for review and delay of disclosure shall be reviewed by the Vice President for Research, and exceptional cases shall be considered by the Graduate Council. Exceptional cases include a delay of disclosure for more than one year and/or review prior to the oral defense.
5. The student and the student’s Advisory Committee shall be informed of the possibility of the delay of disclosure at the time of appointment of the Advisory Committee.

Patent and Invention Policy

The “Patent and Invention Policy” for graduate students is included here in its entirety. Departments and colleges should discuss this policy with graduate students at orientations.

PREMISE: UCF has three fundamental responsibilities with regard to graduate student research. They are to (1) support an academic environment that stimulates the spirit of inquiry, (2) develop the intellectual property stemming from research, and to (3) disseminate the intellectual property to the general public. UCF owns the intellectual property developed using university resources. The graduate student as inventor will according to this policy share in the proceeds of the invention.

1. University Authority and Responsibilities: Department of Education (6C7-2.029 Copyrights and Patents, pp. 1461 and 1462) authorizes the university to take any action necessary to secure letters of patents, copyrights, and trademarks on any work produced by a graduate student’s research done in a thesis or dissertation, or in connection with dissertation problems.



2. Definitions: For the purposes of this policy the following definitions shall apply:



1. A work includes any copyrightable material (other than journal articles) such as printed material, computer software or databases, audio or visual materials, circuit diagrams, architectural and engineering drawings, lectures, musical or dramatic compositions, choreographic works, pictorial or graphic works, and sculptural works.
2. An Invention includes any discovery, invention, process, composition of matter, article of manufacture, know-how, design, model, technological development, strain, variety, culture of any organism, or portion, modification, translation, or extension of these items, and any mark used in connection with these items.
3. Instructional Technology Material includes motion pictures, film strips, photographic and other similar visual materials, live video and audio transmissions, computer programs, computer-assisted instructional course work, programmed exhibits, and combinations of the above materials, which were prepared or produced in whole or part by a graduate student, and which are used to assist or enhance instruction.
4. University Support includes the use of university funds, personnel, facilities, equipment, materials, or technological information, and includes such support provided by other public or private organizations when it is arranged, administered, and/or controlled by a university.
5. Student-generated Effort means that the ideas come from the graduate student alone outside the field or discipline for which the graduate student is employed by the university, the work was not made with the use of university support, and the university is not held responsible for any opinions expressed in the effort.
6. Research means the inquiry or examination in some field of knowledge undertaken to establish facts or principles that are true. Research, as used in this policy, does not include work done in an internship or coop setting where new knowledge in a field is not actively sought, but rather a setting that offers a real life experience for the graduate student.


3. Work(s)



1. Student-generated Effort — A work made solely by the graduate student, outside the field or discipline for which the graduate student is employed by the university, is the property of the graduate student, who has the right to determine the disposition of such work and the revenue derived from such work.
2. University-supported Efforts — If the work was not made solely in the course of student-generated efforts, the work is the property of the university, and the graduate student shall share in the proceeds therefrom.
3. Disclosure
1. Upon creation of a work that is potentially patentable, and prior to any publication, the graduate student shall disclose to the Vice President for Research, or representative, any work made in the course of university-supported efforts, together with an outline of the project and the conditions under which it was done.
2. The Vice President for Research, or representative, shall gather information to assess the relative equities of the graduate student and the university in the work.
3. Within sixty days after such disclosure, the Vice President for Research, or representative, will inform the graduate student whether the university seeks an interest in the work.
4. The graduate student and the university shall not commit any act which would tend to defeat the university’s or graduate student’s interest in the work and shall take any necessary steps to protect such interests.


4. Invention(s)



1. Student-generated Efforts
   All inventions made outside the field or discipline in which the graduate student is employed by the university and for which no university support has been used are the property of the graduate student.



2. University-supported Efforts
   An invention made in the field or discipline in which the graduate student is employed by the university, or receiving university support, is the property of the university and the graduate student shall share in the proceeds therefrom.



3. Disclosure



1. A graduate student shall fully and completely disclose to the Vice President for Research, or representative, all inventions which the graduate student may develop or discover while a graduate student of the university, together with an outline of the conditions under which it was done. With respect to inventions made during the course of approved outside employment, the graduate student may delay such disclosure, when necessary to protect the outside employer’s interest, until the decision has been made by the outside employer whether to seek a patent.
2. If the university wishes to assert its interest in the invention, the Vice President for Research, or representative, shall inform the graduate student within 120 days of the graduate student’s disclosure.
3. The division of proceeds generated by the licensing or assignment of an invention, shall be according to the established royalty division set forth in the patent policy of the university, pp. 1461-2, paragraph (c).
4. The graduate student and the university shall not commit any act which would tend to defeat the university’s or graduate student’s interest in the invention and shall take any necessary steps to protect such interests.



5. Release of Rights
   
   At any stage of making the patent applications, or in the commercial application of an invention, if it has not otherwise assigned to a third party the right to pursue its interests, the Vice President for Research, or representative, may elect to withdraw from further involvement in the protection or commercial application of the invention. At the request of the graduate student in such case, the university shall transfer the invention rights to the graduate student, in which case the invention shall be the graduate student’s property, and none of the costs incurred by the university or on its behalf shall be assessed against the graduate student.



6. University Policy



1. The university has a policy addressing the division of proceeds between graduate students and faculty when the research is done and results in a dissertation, Department of Education (6C7-2.029 Copyrights and Patents, pp. 1461 and 1462). The university also has a policy addressing the division of proceeds between faculty and the university. It is contained in the Patents and Copyrights Policy of the Office of Sponsored Research. This same division of royalties will apply in the disbursement of royalty income to graduate students, unless this has been negotiated in a contractual agreement at the start of research.
2. All research done by graduate students enrolled at the university for and with companies must have a contractual agreement negotiated at the start of that research.
3. The Graduate Studies Faculty and Staff Guide details when dissertation or thesis dissemination can be delayed because of patent concerns. This can only occur when a prior contractual agreement has been entered into including provisions for review and delay for dissertation purposes. (See “Proprietary and Confidential Information” in the Policies section of the Graduate Catalog.)