Accreditation & Consumer Information

The following list provides an overview — by topic — of the information that UT Martin and other U.S. institutions of higher education are required to provide to current and prospective students. The list provides links to other UTM websites that disclose specific information that is in compliance with The Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA), as amended by the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 (HEOA).  If you would like a paper copy of any of the information listed here or contained at one of the links, please contact the Division of Student Affairs at 731-881-7700.

This page contains information on the following topics:

1. Accreditation Information


2. Information on Academic Programs
1. Academic Programs
2. Standards for Satisfactory Academic Progress
3. Transfer of Credit Policy
4. Graduation Rates, Retention Rates & Diversity Statistics
3. Cost, Financial Assistance and Withdrawal Information
1. General Financial Assistance Information
2. Information Related to the Costs of Attending UTM , Including Tuition, Fees, Books, and Room and Board
3. Study Abroad and Title IV Aid
4. Information Related to UTM’s Refund Policy and/or Requirements for Withdrawal from the University
5. Requirement for Withdrawal from the University and Return of Title IV Financial Aid
6. Federal Student Financial Aid Penalties for Drug Law Violations
7. Athletic Program Participation Rates and Financial Support Data


4. Information on Post-Graduate Activities


5. Health and Safety Information
1. Vaccination Policy
2. Alcohol and Drug Policy and Support Resources
3. Crime Awareness and Campus Security Report (Clery Act Report)
4. Fire Safety Report
5. Missing Students Policy
6. Emergency Response and Evacuation Procedures


6. Other Information
1. Student Activities
2. Facilities/Services for Students with Disabilities
   
3. Student Records Policies/Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA)
   
4. Copyright Infringement Policies and Sanctions
   
5. College Navigator Website
   
6. Textbook Information
   
7. Teacher Preparation Program Report
   
8. Voter Registration Forms
   
9. Career and Placement Services Offered to Students During and After Enrollment
   
10. Articulation Agreements

7. Policy on Returning Title IV Aid
1. Requirements for Withdrawal from the University and Return of Title IV Financial Aid

1.  Accreditation Information

The University of Tennessee at Martin is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate and master's degrees. Contact the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of The University of Tennessee at Martin.

The University of Tennessee at Martin places great importance on achieving accreditation for eligible academic programs from their appropriate governing bodies. These programs are recognized as maintaining high standards that qualify graduates for the best job opportunities. UT Martin holds accreditation from the following agencies:

• the Accrediting Board for Engineering and Technology-Engineering Accreditation Commission
   (ABET) (http://www.abet.org/)
• the Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass Communications
   (ACEJ) (http://www2.ku.edu/~acejmc/)
• the American Chemical Society
   (ACS) (https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en.html)
• the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, AACSB International
   (AACSB) (http://www.aacsb.edu/)
• the Commission on Accreditation for Dietetics Education of the American Dietetic Association
   (CADE) (http://www.eatright.org/cade/)
• the Council for Accreditation of the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences
   (AAFCS) (http://www.aafcs.org/)
• the Council on Social Work Education
   (CSWE) (http://www.cswe.org/)
• the National Association of Schools of Music
   (NASM) (http://nasm.arts-accredit.org/)
• the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education
   (NCATE) (http://www.ncate.org/)
• the National League for Nursing Accrediting Commission.
   (NLN) (http://www.nln.org/)

If you would like to obtain or review documents describing accreditation, approval or licensing, please submit a request in writing to: Academic Affairs, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, 324 Hall Moody Administration Building, Martin TN, 38237

 

2. Information on Academic Programs

     a) Academic Programs (including faculty, facilities and plans to improve the academic programs)

• A list of degrees, majors, and concentrations/options: http://www.utm.edu/_pdfs/UT%20Martin%20Catalog17-18.pdf#page=8
• UTM plans for improving its academic programs: http://www.utm.edu/departments/facsenate/index.php
• A map of UTM campus: http://www.utm.edu/campusmap.php
• A list of UTM faculty and staff: http://www.utm.edu/_pdfs/UT%20Martin%20Catalog17-18.pdf#page=565
• For additional information on UTM's academic programs, please contact: Academic Affairs,
  Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, 324 Hall Moody Administration Building, Martin, TN 38237

     b) Standards for Satisfactory Academic Process

• UTM's undergraduate standards for satisfactory academic progress: http://www.utm.edu/departments/finaid/policies.php#tabs-2
• UTM's graduate standards for making satisfactory academic progress: http://www.utm.edu/departments/finaid/policies.php#tabs-2
• For additional information on UTM's standards for satisfactory academic progress, please contact:
  Academic Affairs, Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, 324 Hall Moody Administration
  Building, Martin, TN 38237

      c) Transfer of Credit Policy

• UTM's transfer of credit policies for undergraduate students: https://www.utm.edu/departments/admissions/transfer_info.php
  
• UTM's transfer of credit policies for graduate students: https://www.utm.edu/departments/admissions/transfer_info.php
• UTM’s Transfer Equivalency Tables are available for viewing at the following link: http://www.utm.edu/departments/registrar/transfers.php
• For additional information about transfer of credit, please contact the Office of Academic Affairs, 324 Hall Moody Administration Building, Martin, TN 38238, (731) 881-7010.

       d) Graduation Rates, Retention Rates, Job Placement Rates, & Student Body Diversity Statistics

• Information of UTM's graduation rates: http://www.utm.edu/departments/irp/_pdfs/2016-2017/Fact Book - 2016-2017 - Six Year Graduation Rates.pdf
• Information of UTM's job placement rates: http://www.utm.edu/departments/irp/_pdfs/2015-2016/Job Placement Summer 2014 - Spring 2015 Baccalaureate Degree Recipients.pdf
• Information of UTM's retention rates and student body diversity: http://www.utm.edu/about/_pdfs/Diversity Retention Graduation Rates.pdf
• o For additional information on UTM's graduation rates, retention rates, job placement rates, and student body diversity, please contact: Career Planning and Development, University of Tennessee at Martin, 210 Boling University Center, Martin, TN 38238, (731) 881-7712.

3.  Cost, Financial Assistance and Withdrawal Information

     a) General Assistance Information

• The UTM Office of Student Financial Assistance (http://www.utm.edu/departments/finaid/) includes general information on financial assistance for students including information about the following: need-based and non-need-based federal, state, local, private, and institutional financial assistance programs available to students; eligibility requirements and procedures for applying for aid; criteria for selecting recipients and determining amount of award; methods and frequency of disbursements of aid; financial aid terms and conditions, including terms applicable to employment provided as part of a financial aid package; rights and responsibilities of students receiving Title IV, HEA loans; the availability of financial aid for study abroad programs; how financial aid is handled when students withdraw; and whom to contact for questions regarding financial aid.
• Information on graduate assistantships: http://www.utm.edu/departments/gradstudies/gradassists.php
• Information on initial loan counseling for student borrowers: https://studentloans.gov/myDirectLoan/index.action
• Information on exit counseling for student borrowers: https://studentloans.gov/myDirectLoan/index.action
• UTM’s Code of Conduct for Education Loans: http://www.nasfaa.org/mkt/about/Statement_of_Ethical_Principles.aspx
• For additional information on financial assistance, please contact UTM Office of Student Financial Assistance,
  205 Administration Bldg., University of Tennessee at Martin, Martin, TN 38238, (731) 881-7040.

     b) Information Related to the Costs of Attendance, Including Tuition, Fees, Books, and Room and Board

• http://www.utm.edu/departments/admissions/tuition.php
• http://www.utm.edu/departments/bursar/
• http://www.utm.edu/_pdfs/UT%20Martin%20Catalog17-18.pdf#page=47
• Net price calculator: http://www.utm.edu/departments/finaid/calculator.php
• For additional information on financial assistance, please contact: UTM Office of Student Financial Assistance,
  205 Administration Bldg., University of Tennessee at Martin, Martin, TN 38238, (731) 881-7040.

     c) Study Abroad and Title IV Aid

• Information on study abroad and Title IV financial aid: http://www.utm.edu/departments/cie/index.php
• For additional information on financial assistance, please contact: UTM Office of Student Financial Assistance,
  205 Administration Bldg., University of Tennessee at Martin, Martin, TN 38238, (731) 881-7040.

     d)  Refund Policy

• Information on UTM's refund policy for undergraduate students: http://www.utm.edu/_pdfs/UT%20Martin%20Catalog17-18.pdf#page=52
• Information on UTM's refund policy for graduate students: http://www.utm.edu/_pdfs/UT%20Martin%20Catalog17-18.pdf#page=52
• For additional information on UTM's refund policy, please contact: Office of Business Affairs, 116 Administration Building, 554 University Street, University of Tennessee at Martin, Martin, TN 38238, (731) 881-7810.

     e) Requirements for Withdrawal from the University and Return of Title IV Financial Aid

• Information on the requirements and procedures for official withdrawal by undergraduate students and the
  return of Title IV financial aid: https://www.utm.edu/departments/finaid/refund.php
• Information on the requirements and procedures for official withdrawal by graduate students and the return of
  Title IV financial aid: https://www.utm.edu/departments/finaid/refund.php
• For additional information on the requirements and procedures for official withdrawal and return of Title IV financial aid, please contact the Office of Student Affairs at 731-881-7700.
• Information on the refund percentages for official withdrawals : https://www.utm.edu/departments/bursar/refunding.php

     f) Federal Student Financial Aid Penalties for Drug Law Violations

• Federal law provides that a student who has been convicted of an offense under any federal or state law involving the possession or sale of a controlled substance during a period of enrollment for which the student was receiving financial aid shall not be eligible to receive any federal or institutional grant, loan, or work assistance. The separate, written notice of the penalties for drug violations is provided to students upon enrollment.
• For additional information on federal student financial aid penalties for drug violations, please contact the UTM Office of Student Financial Assistance at (731) 881-7040.

     g)  Athletic Program Participation Rates and Financial Support Data

• In compliance with the Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act, information on men’s and women’s athletic programs at UTM is available here: http://www.utm.edu/about/_pdfs/EADA_Data(2016).pdf. The report includes the number of participants by gender for each team, operating and recruiting expenses, coaches’ salaries, revenues, and athletically related student aid. A copy of the report is also available online on the U.S. Department of Education Office of Postsecondary Education Equity in Athletics Disclosure: http://ope.ed.gov/athletics/
• To obtain a paper copy of the report, or to obtain additional information on athletic program participation rates
  and financial support, please contact the UTM Athletics Office: 1022 Elam Center, University of Tennessee at Martin, Martin, TN 38238(731) 881-7660.
• I.F.26 Completion/Graduation and Transfer-out Rates

4. Information on Post-Graduate Activities

• Information regarding post-graduate employment obtained by and further graduate studies pursued by undergraduate students: http://www.utm.edu/departments/success/counseling.php.  The information was prepared using information obtained annually from students who received a baccalaureate degree, offering a snapshot of their progress during the transition out of college.
• Introduction and Methodology for 2015 Senior Survey: http://www.utm.edu/about/_pdfs/Class of 2015 Senior Survey Report.pdf
• o For additional information on post-graduate activities, please contact: Career Planning and Development, University of Tennessee at Martin, 210 Boling University Center, Martin, TN 38238, (731) 881-7712.
• Near graduation (or if enrollment drops below 6 hours), student loan borrowers will be mailed a letter with information regarding Exit Loan Counseling to be completed at www.studentloans.gov

5. Health and Safety Information

      a) Vaccination Policy

• Information regarding UTM's vaccination policy: http://www.utm.edu/departments/shcs/
• For additional information on UTM's vaccination policy, please contact: Office of Student Health and Counseling Services, 609 Lee Street, University of Tennessee at Martin, Martin, TN 38238, Phone: (731) 881-7750.
  

     b)  Alcohol and Drug Policy and Support Resources 

• Faculty, Staff: http://www.utm.edu/webshare/consumer_docs/HR_drug_and_alcohol.pdf
• Students: http://www.utm.edu/studenthandbook/student_handbook.pdf
• Underage Drinking and Associated Responsibilities
  The Tennessee General Assembly recently passed new legislation regarding underage drinking and associated responsibilities. The law prohibits any resident, owner, or occupant of property (the social host) from allowing an underage adult to consume alcohol on such property. The legislation defines “underage adults” as those individuals who are at least eighteen (18) years of age but less than twenty-one (21) years of age.
   
  A resident may face criminal prosecution and University sanction if an underage adult consumes alcohol on his or her property which includes, but is not limited to, a residence hall room or apartment, fraternity or sorority affiliated housing, an off-campus house or apartment, or any other property owned or occupied by the individual. For additional information on UTM’s alcohol and drug policy and/or support resources, please contact: Office of Human Resources, 112 Administration Building, University of Tennessee at Martin, Martin, TN 38238, (731) 881-7845, and/or the Division of Student Affairs at 731-881-7700.

       c)  Crime Awareness and Campus Security Report (Clery Act Report)

• UTM security policies and annual security report, submitted annually to the U.S. Department of Education: http://www.utm.edu/departments/publicsafety/_pdfs/annual%20security%20fire%20report%202016.pdf
• UTM’s crime statistics for the past three years: http://www.utm.edu/departments/publicsafety/_pdfs/annual%20security%20fire%20report%202016.pdf
• For additional information on UTM’s annual Crime Awareness and Campus Security Report, or to obtain a paper copy of the report, please contact the Department of Public Safety at (731) 881-7777.
  

       d) Fire Safety Report

• For additional information on fire safety, or to obtain a paper copy of the annual fire safety report, please contact the Department of Public Safety at (731) 881-7777.

       e)  Missing Student Notification Policy

• UTM’s policy on notification of missing students in on-campus housing: http://www.utm.edu/departments/publicsafety/MissingStudent.php
• For additional information on missing students, please contact the Department of Public Safety at (731) 881-7777.

       f)  Emergency Response and Evacuation Procedures

• Information on whom to call in the event of an emergency: http://www.utm.edu/alerts/_pdfs/Emergency%20Response%20Plan%20-%20Revised%20Aug%202014.pdf
• A copy of UTM’s Emergency Response Plan: http://www.utm.edu/alerts/_pdfs/Emergency%20Response%20Plan%20-%20Revised%20Aug%202014.pdf
• For additional information on emergency response and evacuation procedures, please contact the Department of Public Safety at (731) 881-7777.

6.  Other Information

   a) Student Activities

• Information on student activities available at UTM: http://www.utm.edu/departments/studentlife/
• For additional information on student activities, please contact: the Office of Student Affairs at 731-881-7700.
  

b)  Facilities/Services Available to Students with Disabilities

• UTM is committed to providing equal access to its educational opportunities and facilities.  Information on facilities and/or services available to students with disabilities: http://www.utm.edu/departments/disabilities/, or you can contact the Office of Disabilities Services at (731) 881-7719.
  

  c) Student Records Policies / Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA)

• The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that gives students the right to review their education records, to request amendment of their records, to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information, and to file complaints with the U.S. Department of Education. Additional information on students’ rights under FERPA and/or UTM’s policies regarding student records: http://www.utm.edu/departments/registrar/ferpa.php. 
  
• For additional information on FERPA or student records policies, please contact the Office of Academic Records at (731) 881-7050.
  

  d)  Copyright Infringement Policies and Sanctions

• Information about UTM policies and sanctions related to copyright infringement and unauthorized peer-to-peer file sharing, including disciplinary action taken against students who engage in illegal downloading or unauthorized distribution of copyrighted materials using UTM information technology systems: http://www.utm.edu/about/peertopeer.php.
• The information also includes a notice that informs students that unauthorized distribution of copyrighted material may subject the students to civil and criminal liabilities. A summary of the penalties for violation of federal copyright laws is also provided.

e) College Navigator

• UTM’s College Navigator website, which provides a wide variety of information about UTM: http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?s=TN&zc=38238&zd=0&of=3&l=93&ct=1&ic=1&id=221768

   f) Textbook Information

• Detailed lists of required and recommended textbooks are made available on utm.bncollege.com under the Textbooks menu.
• You can also view materials for courses you are registered for by logging into myUTMartin Portal, going to Banner Self-Service, selecting Student Services, following Registration, clicking Order Textbooks Online, and finally selecting Go to Bookstore Website.

   g) Teacher Preparation Program Report

• Data on the performance of UTM’s teacher preparation programs: http://www.utm.edu/departments/cehbs/TitleII.php.

   h) Voter Registration Forms

• To register to vote in Tennessee: http://sos.tn.gov/products/elections/register-vote.
• For information on registering to vote in another state: http://www.eac.gov/voter_resources/default.aspx

  i) Career and Placement Services Offered to Students During and After Enrollment

• Information on career and placement services offered to UTM students and UTM alumni: http://www.utm.edu/admin/catalog02/housing.htm#councel.

  j) Articulation Agreements
       We have articulation agreements with the following:

• Dyersburg State Community College
          Associate of Applied Science Degree in Early Childhood Education to Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood         Education(PreK-3 Licensure)
          Associate of Science in Teaching (K-6) to Bachelor Science in Education (Integrated Studies K-6)
          Dual Admission Partnership
  
• Jackson State Community College
        Use of their facilities to offer classes leading to UTM degree programs in:
                 Master of Science in Education
                 Master of Business Administration
                 Registered Nurse to Bachelor of Science in Nursing

• Pellissippi State Community College
        Management

• Nashville State Community College
        Education

7.  Policy on Returning Title IV Aid

   e) Requirements for Withdrawal from the University and Return of Title IV Financial Aid

• To officially withdraw from school, the student must log in to Banner Self-Service and submit the withdrawal application. The Perfect Forms application will be sent to the following offices for approval; Graduate Studies, Housing, Records, Financial Aid, and back to Records. Financial Aid will receive an email once it has been approved and ready to process, this will show the official withdrawal date.
• UTM is not an attendance taking school, so for those who unofficially withdraw the withdrawal date will be the last date of academic attendance as reported by the professor.
• The university does not issue formal leaves of absence.
• If a student is due a post-withdrawal disbursement, a letter is sent to the student offering the amount of disbursement that is not credited to the student’s account. This letter is mailed no later than 30 calendar days after the date the school determines the student withdrew. This letter will identify the type and amount of funds that make up the post-withdrawal disbursement. It also explains the student may decline all or a portion of those funds. The letter will inform the student that he or she has 14 calendar days from the date of the letter to accept this disbursement. With a timely and positive response from the student, the postwithdrawal disbursement is disbursed to the student’s account within 90 days of the date of the institution’s determination that the student withdrew. Without a timely response or with a negative response from the student, the post-withdrawal disbursement must be returned to the appropriate fund, if received.
• Once the we have the withdrawal date, the Banner system is used to determine the percentage of aid earned and unearned by the student. Using the Banner screen SFAWDRL we enter the date and term for the student, this will populate the RPATIVC screen in Banner and will calculate the institution’s portion to return, student’s return, post-withdrawal disbursement, and it will also show the number of days the student attended, and total days in the enrollment period. If the withdrawal date is after the student has completed 60% of the enrollment period, there will be no calculations processed. The enrollment period will include the first day of class through the last day of finals but will exclude breaks that are five consecutive days or more, such as spring break.
• The school will return the required amounts of unearned aid and it is the student’s responsibility to return any other funds in accordance with the terms of the loan, or grants in the case of an overpayment. All funds to be returned are returned no later than 30 days after the date the school determined the student withdrew.
• Returns must be credited to outstanding balances for the period of enrollment for which a return of funds is required in the following order:
  Unsubsidized Federal Stafford loans
  Subsidized Federal Stafford loans
  Unsubsidized Federal Direct Stafford loans
  Subsidized Federal Direct Stafford loans
  Federal Perkins loans
  Federal Plus loans received on behalf of the student
  Federal Direct Plus received on behalf of the student
  Federal Pell Grants
  FSEOG Program aid
  TEACH Grants
• Once the return has been processed a letter is mailed to the student that explains that there is an amount due to the institution, which aid was returned, based on the withdrawal date, and that the balance must be paid before they can register for any subsequent semesters. There is also an additional letter that is mailed that explains the refund calculation, Satisfactory Academic Progress, grace periods for loans, exit counseling for loans, and requirements to maintain the Tennessee Lottery Scholarship.