Academic Policies & Procedures

Academic Discipline Actions


To be in good academic standing, a student must have a term and cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0. At the end of each term Mary Schmidt, the Assistant Dean, reviews the transcripts of all students who show evidence of academic difficulty. The following disciplinary actions occur as appropriate:

Action Pending


Action Pending is assigned when a student's academic record for the term just concluded is incomplete and the student is in danger of completing the term with less than a 2.0 grade point average. During the fifth week of the student's next fall or winter term in residence when final grades have been reported or after incomplete grades have lapsed, another review occurs. If there is still incomplete work, or the grade point average is below a 2.0, the student is placed on Probation.

Probation


Probation is assigned when a student's term or half-term grade point average falls below 2.0 for the first time but not severely enough to justify dismissal. Probation is assigned regardless of the number of credits elected or whether the cumulative grade point average remains above a 2.0.

Probation Continued is assigned when a student on probation earns a term grade point average above a 2.0 but the cumulative grade point average remains below 2.0. Probation Continued may also be assigned if a probationary student has a term average of exactly 2.0 or slightly below 2.0, but Dean Schmidt feels that the student is making minimum progress toward fulfilling degree and program requirements.

Students on Probation must complete all courses by the end of the next subsequent term with a term grade point average greater than 2.0. Specific conditions for the next term in residence will be spelled out in the discipline notification letter from Dean Schmidt.

Students with academic problems are encouraged to meet with faculty, Dean Schmidt, or administrative staff in the Student Services Office to discuss strategies for improving their performance. All faculty and staff are eager to offer students support.

Record Clear


Record Clear officially confirms the removal of disciplinary action when a student has completed a probationary term with better than a 2.0 grade point average and a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or better.

Further Enrollment Withheld / Dismissal


Further Enrollment Withheld / Dismissal is an action taken:

• When a student's overall academic performance or performance during a single term indicates evidence of serious academic difficulty;
• For failure to make satisfactory progress toward a degree; or
• For any reason deemed sufficient under the academic discipline policies of the School of Art & Design.

When the action notification letter is sent in January after the winter term has begun, and the student is enrolled and attending classes, the student may continue the term. Satisfactory completion of the term will nullify the action. When the action notification letter is sent to the student at the conclusion of the winter term, the student will be required to withdraw from the subsequent fall term.

The School of Art & Design maintains a more liberal policy for freshmen than for other students because of first-year adjustment problems. As a general rule, unless there is a significant honor point deficit in the first term, freshmen are placed on probation and are permitted a second term of enrollment to improve their academic performance. Similarly, transfer students are given special consideration unless the first term shows marked inability to meet the academic standards of the School. However, there is no automatic, one-term probation period before a student may be dismissed from the School.

A student may appeal a dismissal action by written petition to, and appointment with, Dean Schmidt. The student should be prepared to discuss all circumstances that affected his or her past academic performance and suggest solutions for future successful performance. The appeal should be submitted at least four weeks prior to the term for which the student is requesting re-instatement. In reaching a decision, Dean Schmidt carefully considers the student's academic promise and any special circumstances that may have contributed to past unsatisfactory academic performance.


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Academic Honors and Awards

Angell Scholar


James B. Angell Scholars are students who earn all A+, A, or A- grades with a minimum 12 graded credits for two or more consecutive terms. All other grades must be P, S, or CR. Students can maintain standing as Angell Scholars with terms of fewer than 12 credits, as long as the grades are A+, A, A-, P, S, or CR. Angell Scholars are invited to attend the annual Honors Convocation; the distinction is posted on the student's transcript.

BFA Awards


At each School commencement, one or more graduating seniors receive BFA Awards and cash prizes. Members of the faculty nominate and vote for students who have demonstrated outstanding creativity and achievement, or have made special contributions to the School. Only students with a cumulative grade point average of at least 3.2 are eligible for this honor.

Branstorm Award


Freshmen in the top 5% of the their class who have earned 14 graded credits are eligible for this honor, administered by the Office of the Registrar. A book inscribed with a nameplate is presented to each student. Recipients of the Branstorm Award are invited to attend the annual University Honors Convocation; the distinction is posted on the student's transcript.

University Honors


Effective Winter Term 2000 University Honors replaced Class Honors. Students who earn a minimum of 14 credits in courses which include 12 credits elected on a graded basis (A thru E), and who earn a 3.5 grade point average are eligible for University Honors. This Honor will be awarded each full term of classes (Fall &Winter terms). This distinction is posted on a student's transcript by the Registrar's Office. Students who
receive this honor two consecutive terms will be invited to attend the annual Honors Convocation.

Dean's List


Dean's List honors are awarded both fall and winter terms to students who:

• Earn at least 12 graded credits
  
• Earn a grade point average of 3.50 or better

Dean's List honors are posted to the student's transcript, and the student receives a commendation letter from the Dean.

Graduation Honors


Candidates for the BFA degree are recognized for outstanding performance as follows:

Cum Laude 3.20-3.49 cumulative grade point average

Magna Cum Laude 3.50-3.74 cumulative gpa

Summa Cum Laude 3.75 or above cumulative GPA

These notations appear on  diplomas and  final transcripts with the degree posting.

Phi Beta Kappa


Phi Beta Kappa (PBK), founded in 1776, is the oldest scholastic society in America. School of Art & Design seniors with outstanding achievements in the liberal arts in other schools and colleges of the University of Michigan may be nominated for membership if they have earned at least 45 credits in Literature, Science and the Arts. The local chapter of PBK issues membership invitations, taking into account achievement in the liberal arts as indicated by a student's cumulative grade point average, numerical rank, and percentile rank. Letter grades reported for Pass/Fail courses are calculated into the grade point average for PBK.


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Academic Record


The Academic Record is the official cumulative record of courses, grades, and credits earned toward a degree. The degree is posted to this record once all requirements have been satisfied and the student has graduated. The Office of the University Registrar maintains academic records.

Students are responsible for enrolling in courses and completing credit hours required for their degree and must pay attention to the accuracy of their academic records. Students who believe there are errors in their academic records should contact Jane Hall, the School of Art & Design Registrar, or the University of Michigan Registrar's Office.

Some guidelines to remember:

• You may not receive credit for the same course twice.
• You must be registered for the correct section number to receive a grade.
• You must officially drop a course you do not attend or that is cancelled. Otherwise, it will remain on your record.
• After registering or dropping and adding courses, check your schedule for accuracy.

School of Art & Design Student Files are maintained for each active student in the Student Services Office. Student files contain admissions materials, test scores, a current academic transcript, memoranda, correspondence, and a comment card of informal notes from appointments with Student Services staff. Regarding access to student files, the School of Art & Design adheres to the Privacy Act as described below.

The Privacy Act


The following is a quote from the "Buckley Amendment" to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974: "Whenever a student has attained the age of eighteen years of age, or is attending an institution of post-secondary education, the rights accorded to and the consent required of the parent of the student shall thereafter only be accorded to and required of the eligible student." In effect, the law allows for inspection of the records by a student;

• Establishes an opportunity through a hearing for a student to challenge the contents of the records;
• Requires the permission of the student for release of the records; and
• Allows for maintenance of a record of all persons, including the student, who inspect the file.

Access to student files is restricted to University personnel. Persons outside the University, including parents and spouses, will receive information from student records only when authorized in writing by the student, or when special circumstances exist in which the Regents authorize disclosure.


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Appeals Process

The School of Art & Design Student Appeals Process provides student complainants, as well as faculty and staff respondents, with a just process to express opposing opinions and reach equitable decisions. In most cases, differences can be resolved through conversation between the parties involved, without mediation or intervention by others. Dean Schmidt is available to counsel students regarding strategies for resolving differences. Unresolved differences may be presented for the formal Appeals Process.

Detailed copy of the Appeals Process (PDF ) To download Adobe Acrobat , click here.

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Attendance and Class Participation

The School of Art & Design has a clear and concise policy regarding attendance and class participation: regular attendance in all studio and academic courses is expected and required. The dynamics of a class and your ability to learn from a class are directly related to your participation, which requires regular attendance. Since courses in the School of Art & Design have a variety of structures, the instructor in the first week of class will present the specific attendance/participation requirements of each course to you in writing. In most courses, the instructor will take attendance regularly and will indicate that class participation counts for a specific portion of your grade.

In no case can you expect to earn a passing grade without regular attendance and class participation. Simply submitting projects, no matter what their quality, at mid-semester or at the end of the term will not result in a passing grade.


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Absences (Whom to Notify)

It is appropriate and courteous for you to notify your faculty in advance when you plan to be absent for a religious holiday or an event of personal importance. Likewise, when you have an unplanned absence for medical or personal reasons, offer an explanation to your faculty as soon as you return. In the case of an extended absence, contact Jane Hall by mail, email, or phone, and she will distribute a memo to your faculty including faculty in other academic units. Give Jane copies of official medical documents to be held in your academic file; she will distribute copies to faculty as appropriate.

In addition, attendance at the beginning of the term is crucial. Even though students may be officially registered for a course, if they have been absent without notification for the first two class periods, their spaces may be given to students on the waiting list. If your space in a course is given to another student, you must follow through and drop the course from your own record through Wolverine Access.


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BFA Degree Audits

In preparation for each registration, students receive a copy of a BFA Degree Audit Form and are encouraged to generate an unofficial transcript of their record so that they may check their progress toward satisfaction of degree requirements. Prior to registration, Jane Hall posts hours available for walk-ins to assist students who find errors in their record, or have difficulty completing their Degree Audit Form.

Each term, Jane Hall automatically completes a BFA Degree Audit Form for each student who applies for graduation. Students who have deficiencies that may delay their degree are notified as soon as possible.

Degree Audit form (PDF) To download Adobe Acrobat , click here.

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Class Standing

In order to complete the 128 credits required for a bachelor of fine arts degree in eight terms; students must average 16 credit hours per term. Federal guidelines for financial aid and University guidelines for academic progress, however, require a minimum of only 12 credits per term. At the University of Michigan, full-time undergraduate enrollment is defined as 12-18 credit hours per term; 6-9 credit hours in a half term. Students must obtain special permission from Mary Schmidt to register for additional credits. Registering for more than 18 credits incurs an additional tuition charge.

For the purposes of financial aid and registration appointments, the following number of credits earned toward a degree determines class standing:

Freshman 0 - 24 hours

Sophomore 25 - 54 hours

Junior 55 - 84 hours

Senior 85 hours or more


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Disabilities


If you have a learning or physical disability, the Office of Services for Students with Disabilities:

Offers selected student services which are not provided by other University offices or outside organizations. Services are free of charge.

Assists students in negotiating disability-related barriers to the pursuit of their education.

Strives to improve access to University programs, activities, and facilities for students with disabilities.

Promotes increased awareness of disability issues on campus.

For more information visit the office at G219 Angell Hall, phone 734.763.3000 or visit the web site at http://www.umich.edu/~sswd/ssd/index.html


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Documenting Your Work

It is important for artists to document their work. You will want to develop a portfolio of images for many eventualities, including applications for international study, internships and jobs, and for creating your own web site. Use your camera.


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Grades and Grading Policies

The term grade point average and the cumulative grade point average are computed at the end of each term and indicated on the academic record. The grade point average is computed by dividing Michigan Honor Points earned by the number of graded Michigan Semester Hours attempted. Courses completed at other colleges and universities are not calculated in the U-M grade point average.

Grades are valued per hour of credit as shown below:

Letter Grade Honor Points
A+ 4.0
A 4.0
A- 3.7
B+ 3.3
B 3.0
B- 2.7
C+ 2.3
C 2.0
C- 1.7
D+ 1.3
D 1.0
D- 0.7
E 0.0
NR/ED (unofficial drop) 0.0
I (Incomplete) 0.0

Until replaced by a passing grade, notations of I, NR or ED are computed into the term and cumulative grade point averages as if they were E grades.

The following grade notations do not affect grade point averages:

P (passed) credit, no honor points
F (failed) no credit, no honor points
(A grade of C- or better must be earned for a [P] pass.)
CR (credit) credit, no honor points
NC (no credit) no credit, no honor points
S (satisfactory) credit, no honor points
U (unsatisfactory) no credit, no honor points
(The School of Education uses the S/U symbols.)
W (official withdrawal) no credit, no honor points
VI (visitor/official audit) no credit, no honor points

Incomplete Grades


School of Art & Design students are expected to complete courses in the term in which the courses are taken. However, if the instructor agrees, an incomplete ("I") grade may be assigned when a student, for reasons beyond his or her control, is unable to complete the work of a course, the work completed is of passing quality, and the grade of incomplete provides no undue advantage to the student over other students. The student and instructor must agree to the amount of work needed to complete the course, and the work must be completed by the fourth week of the next term in residence. Students should exercise caution when attempting a course with incomplete work from a prerequisite for that course.

Grade Reports


Grades are available electronically using Wolverine Access or by telephone. For telephone grades, call 734.998.1645.

Detailed procedure for securing grades by telephone To download Adobe Acrobat , click here. (PDF)

Mid-Term Grade Reports


Faculty prepare mid-term reports during the seventh week of the fall and winter terms, identifying students who have potential academic problems such as excessive absences, incomplete assignments, or inadequate work. Jane Hall mails the mid-term report to the student.


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Graduation Procedure

The University of Michigan confers degrees in April, August and December, but graduation ceremonies are held in April and December only. Students who complete their degree requirements during the spring or summer half terms are listed as August graduates, but may participate in either the April or December commencement ceremonies. Commencement is a University-wide event held in Crisler Arena in December, or the Michigan Stadium in April. The School of Art & Design holds a recognition ceremony and reception in the A&A Building following the University ceremony.

Students must file a diploma application with Jane Hall during a senior meeting scheduled for the beginning of the term in which graduation is anticipated. August graduates who wish to participate in the April commencement ceremony should file their diploma applications at the beginning of the winter term. Only students who submit a graduation application form by the deadline will be listed in the Commencement Program. Students who submit diploma applications after the deadline, but before the last day of classes in the term of expected graduation, will still be considered for graduation. However, they will not be included in the Commencement Program. Jane Hall completes a BFA Degree Audit Form for all graduating students. Students who have deficiencies that may delay their degree are notified as soon as possible.


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Leaving the University

Students planning to be off-campus for a term(s) must notify Jane Hall, the School of Art & Design Registrar, and leave contact information.

Students who have registered for a term, but decide not to return to the University, must notify Jane Hall in writing, including email, or in person. A Disenrollment Memorandum must be filed. If the student does not notify the School before the first day of classes a disenrollment fee plus registration fees will be assessed.

Students who decide to terminate their enrollment during the course of a term should notify Jane Hall as soon as possible in writing, including email, or in person. A Withdrawal Notice, including the reason for withdrawing, must be filed. The student is responsible for processing the withdrawal form with appropriate University offices. Students withdrawing after classes begin but before the end of the drop/add period must pay term fees and a disenrollment fee. Students withdrawing after the drop/add deadline are liable for tuition charges. Any refund of fees is handled in accordance with University regulations.

Students who are away from the University for more than one full year must apply for readmission. Contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office, 1220 Student Activities Building, to obtain the readmission application. Readmission to Art & Design is automatic if students have left in good standing.


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Materials and Lab Fees

Art supplies should be purchased only after classes begin. Faculty provide supply lists during the first class. Local bookstores ask professors to provide a list of books and supplies well in advance so that the correct resources are on hand and identified by course.

There is a bookstore conveniently located in the nearby Pierpont Commons. However, students indicate that, for art supplies, prices may be lower and the selection may be better in other stores such as Michigan Book & Supply, the Art Warehouse, Ulrich's, and art supply stores in Detroit such as Utrecht.

There are lab fees for the following areas: anatomy, figurative painting, fibers, graphic design, intaglio, life drawing, lithography, jewelry design and metalwork, photography, and sculpture. Fees cover the cost of materials provided by the School of Art & Design, but not covered by tuition. Specific lab fees vary depending on course requirements. A fee schedule is published in the University Schedule of Courses.

Most lab fees are billed with tuition, but some must be paid in person. In the latter case, lab fee payment forms are distributed in class, and are payable at the Cashier's Office in the LS&A Building or the Pierpont Commons. Students must turn in payment receipts to the instructor or lab demonstrator of the course to maintain enrollment. If lab fees are not paid by the end of the third week in a full term, additional administrative fees are assessed.


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Registration

In preparation for registration, the following materials are distributed to Art & Design student mailboxes:

A University Time Schedule

A one-page summary of degree requirements

An updated School of Art & Design Schedule

A BFA Degree Audit Form

Changes made to the A&D schedule between registration and the beginning of the term are posted on a bulletin board outside the Student Services Offices.

Students register on the web through Wolverine Access. A copy of the complete instructions for web registration is in Appendix P. CRISP (Computer Registration Involving Student Participation) appointment times are assigned to students according to class standing. Students receive their registration appointment by e-mail. They may also find their registration appointments through Wolverine Access.

Registration for continuing students occurs according to the following schedule:

For winter term-late November to early December

For spring, summer and fall terms-early April

Auditing Courses


The Audit grade option is not appropriate for studio courses. Students may audit lecture courses with the instructor's permission. An official audit obligates a student to attend classes regularly and complete course requirements. Regular tuition fees apply, and the course appears on the transcript with the notation VI (Visitor). There is no grade posted and the student does not earn credit.

Closed Courses


Students gain access to closed courses via on-line overrides. No Art & Design administrators authorize overrides for closed courses; only faculty may authorize overrides. Students should place their names on waiting lists during registration and attend the first classes. Faculty authorize overrides through communication to Brian Banks, who issues the on-line overrides and notifies students that they are clear to register for closed courses. Students should contact representatives in other academic units to inquire about the policies for enrolling in closed courses in those units.

Course Cancellations


The School of Art & Design may occasionally find it necessary to cancel scheduled courses, and reserves the right to cancel any course which has an enrollment of fewer than 10 students. Students will be notified regarding a cancelled course, and must proceed to drop the course through Wolverine Access to remove the course entry from their record.

Credit Hours


For a lecture course, one credit hour represents one hour of class time and two hours of preparation time per week for a full term (double the hours per week for a half term). For a studio course, one credit hour represents two hours per week in class plus additional outside work.

Dropping and Adding Courses


All students should finalize their registration by the third week of the full term (second week for a half term). Except in extraordinary circumstances, students may not drop or add courses or change modifiers after that time. Students must request exceptions by contacting Jane Hall, after approval by the instructor. The instructor must sign a drop/add election worksheet, Jane Hall stamps the form, and then the student must file the form with the University Registrar's Office. Courses dropped after the deadline are recorded with a "W" (Withdrawal) grade.

Non-attendance does not constitute withdrawal from a course. Students must drop courses through Wolverine Access to remove courses from their records.

Pass/Fail Grade Option


School of Art & Design students may elect courses on a pass/fail basis under the following conditions:

• Only juniors and seniors qualify. Freshmen and sophomores do not qualify.
  The grade point average must be 2.0 or above.
  
  
• Only non-School of Art & Design elective courses may be elected for pass/fail.
  Only one course per term may be chosen.
  
  
• Students may not change registration from graded to pass/fail after the drop/add deadline.
  
  
• Pass/fail courses earn credit but are not calculated in the grade point average.
  Instructors are not notified of pass/fail elections; they report letter grades for all students. The University Registrar's Office translates the letter grade to "P" or "F". Grades of "A" through "C-" are posted as "P"; grades of "D+" through "E" are posted as "F."
  
  

Requirement Substitution or Waiver

Students may submit requests for a substitution or waiver of degree requirements to Dean Schmidt. Waiver/Substitution Request Forms are available from the bins outside the Student Services Office.

Requirement Substitution or Waiver (PDF) To download Adobe Acrobat , click here.

Student Conduct

Students enrolled in the School of Art & Design are subject to University regulations concerning student affairs, conduct, and discipline. In the School of Art & Design, Mary Schmidt, the Assistant Dean, handles all matters related to student conduct. Academic misconduct includes but is not limited to the following behavior.

• Plagiarism: Submitting work including an essay, a design, an artwork, or a research project, which is not entirely the student's own work and is without standard attribution.
  
  
• Cheating: Using unauthorized notes, or study aids, or information from another student's paper on an examination; altering a graded work after it has been returned and then submitting the work for re-grading; submitting under one's own name work done by another.
  
  
• Double Submission of Work: Submitting or resubmitting substantially the same paper or art/design project for two or more courses in the same or different terms, without the approval of each instructor.
  
  
• Aiding and Abetting Dishonesty: Providing material or information to another student knowing it will be used improperly.
  
  
• Falsification of Records and Official Documents: Altering documents that affect academic records; forging signatures of authorization or falsifying information on an official academic document, election form, grade report, letter of permission, petition, or any document designed to meet or exempt a student from an established School or University academic regulation.

Transcripts

All official University of Michigan transcripts must be ordered through the University Registrar's Office (Room 1212 Pierpont Commons or G255 Angell Hall) or requested electronically through Wolverine Access. Students may also generate an unofficial record for themselves using Wolverine Access.


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Transfer/AP Credit

The Undergraduate Admissions Office, 3510 Student Activities Building (734.763.1074), evaluates and approves academic courses for transfer. Jane Hall evaluates studio art courses for approval by Mary Schmidt. An official evaluation is completed after all documents have been received. Your registration appointment for your next term is based upon the number of credits earned, so it is important to have all transfer credit processed and posted before registration begins.

The complete guidelines regarding transfer credit  (PDF) To download Adobe Acrobat , click here.

• Advanced Placement
  AP test scores in studio art courses are accepted for elective credit as follows: a score of 3 or 4 earns 2 credits, and a score of 5 earns 4 credits. The Undergraduate Admissions Office evaluates AP test scores in academic disciplines following guidelines set down by the appropriate University unit. Details of those guidelines may be found at http://www.admissions.umich.edu/apguidelines.htm

Bulletin Boards and display cases are located throughout the building. They are useful resources that bring you:

• A gallery of all the faculty, staff, and students in the School;
• Notices for internships, jobs, international study, exhibitions, conferences;
• Announcements for lectures and student meetings;
• Student-to-student announcements for the ASL, MSA and other student organizations;
• The School of Art & Design course schedule and related information; and

Forms and information documents of interest to students.


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Email

Faculty, staff, and students regularly communicate with one another through electronic mail. Although everyone's email is cluttered with junk mail these days, please pay serious attention to your electronic mailbox. You will receive information and will be asked to respond to questions sent to your email address from faculty, staff, and other students.

Email, on the other hand, does not satisfy all our communication needs. It's great for information dissemination and information gathering, but communications of a confrontational or sensitive nature should still be conducted face to face. Treat email with the same discretion as you would any written document. If you don't want it posted for the world to read, don't write it!


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Faculty Mailboxes

Faculty have mailboxes adjacent to the A&A Copy Center. Email messages and visits to faculty classrooms just before or just after their classes are the easiest ways to find faculty. A schedule of classes for the School of Art & Design remains posted outside the Student Services Office throughout the semester to assist with this effort.


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Student Directory

Students are responsible for submitting timely address change information. You can update your address electronically using Wolverine Access. The University of Michigan Student Directory, published each September, and the Student Locator Service (734.763.2330) depend upon local address information. Local addresses are used for some official communications.


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The Student Services Office maintains a database of enrolled students. In your mailbox each term, you will find a form requesting updated contact information. Please respond.
 

Student Mailboxes

Each student in the School of Art & Design has an individual mailbox in the painting/drawing corridor on the second floor of the A&A building. These mailboxes serve as a communication link between the School's administration, staff, faculty, other students, and you. You are expected to check your mailbox on a regular basis.


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Outside the Classroom

Exhibition Venues

The BFA Show:


Although participating in a BFA show is not a degree requirement, most students find the experience a valuable culmination of their work in the School of Art & Design. A senior meeting at the beginning of the winter term is the venue for information about the exhibit and for signing up to participate. All interested students should attend the meeting; attendance does not imply a commitment to have a BFA show, but it does assure that everyone has the necessary information.

After the general meeting, students who have committed to participating in the BFA Show form groups to work together on the show--organizing, hanging, and advertising. The School does not support other exhibitions for graduating seniors, however, students are free to plan their own exhibitions both on- and off-campus.

A detailed policy and procedure document for the BFA Show (PDF) To download Adobe Acrobat , click here.

Student Awards Exhibition


Each year, the School of Art & Design sponsors the Student Awards Exhibition-a juried exhibition open to all enrolled School of Art & Design undergraduates. Over $30,000 in prizes are awarded to students in all media. In early February, posters and e-mail messages announce the exhibition, rules, and submission dates. The awards are announced at a ceremony hosted by the Dean. Watch your email and mailboxes for announcements.

Awards are made possible through the generous support of alumni, friends, and parents. Following is a list of awards (Not all are awarded every year.):

Achievement Award
Anne R. Amendt Memorial Fund
The Ann Arbor Street Art Fair, Inc. Award
Arden Fate Memorial Award
Irene Bychinsky Bendler Award in Design
David Gach Memorial Award
Kristoffer M. Gillette Award
Heers Memorial Fund
Alice Elizabeth Kalom Award
Kiefer Award
William A. Lewis Watercolor Prize
Albert Mullen Award
Palazzola Memorial Endowment
Robert D. Richards Memorial Endowment
Stewart and Stewart Prize
Student Choice Award
Tagge Fund
Richard Wilt Memorial Fund Endowment

A copy of the guidelines for exhibition and submission form (PDF) To download Adobe Acrobat , click here.

Hallway Exhibitions


The hallways of the Art & Architecture Building are lined with display areas, an extensive venue for the display of student work. Faculty install students' artwork on a regular basis.

Installation Art


Increasingly students are extending class projects and exhibits to installations beyond hallway walls and display cases. The following guidelines apply for installations in the Art & Architecture Building and surrounding grounds:

Installations must be sponsored by School of Art & Design faculty, and approved by the Art & Architecture Building Manager, Helen Hoskins, for compliance with rules and regulations related to the use of the building or grounds.

Using the Installation Proposal Form, students first need to secure a faculty sponsor's signature and then the building manager's signature before undertaking an installation project. A copy of the form is in Appendix H.

The student's signature on this form indicates a contractual agreement to comply with the regulations regarding installation projects.

Return this completed form to Brian Banks in the School of Art & Design Student Services Office before commencing an installation. He will distribute copies to the faculty sponsor, the building manager, and the student; then file the original.

After removal of the installation, the student must pick up this original proposal form from Brian Banks and secure the building manager's final sign-off indicating restoration of the site to its original condition.

Dean Schmidt's signature clears the student's record of potential liability. Repair of building or grounds damage incurred by the installation is the responsibility of the student.

The School of Art & Design will remove work left beyond 24 hours of the installation's end date. Costs incurred will be the responsibility of the student.

Installation Art Application form (PDF) To download Adobe Acrobat , click here.

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Funding for Special Projects

The School of Art & Design provides small funds to students for special projects and conference attendance, and support for international study. Requests for ordinary expenses, such as art supplies for classes, will be considered only when unexpected, extenuating financial circumstances apply. Pick up a Request for Funding Form outside the Student Services Office or print a PDF file found below. Submit the form to Wendy Dignan for consideration by a faculty committee.

A copy of the Request for Funding form (PDF) To download Adobe Acrobat , click here.

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Lectures

Attending lectures in the School of Art & Design -- and the rest of the University as well -- affords you glimpses into the biographies, educational backgrounds, careers, ideas, and aspirations of artists and scholars. Nowhere else can you spend an hour and gain insight into the possibilities for creating your own future careers. The Penny W. Stamps Visiting Artists Lecture Series presents artists, designers, critics, and other renowned figures of interest to the Art & Design community every Thursday at 5:00 pm. Plan to attend. In addition, ad hoc lectures, presentations, and performances are scheduled and announced through email.


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Letters of Recommendation

From time to time you will need letters of recommendation from faculty and administrators in the School of Art & Design and other members of the University community. Students who wish to request letters of recommendation must do so in writing at least two weeks in advance of the due date. Attached to your request should be a stamped, addressed envelope; documentation explaining the opportunity for which the recommendation is requested; and a copy of your transcript.


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Student Organizations

The Art Students' League (ASL)represents student views to the faculty and administration, and organizes periodic special events, trips, and social gatherings. There is an announced ASL meeting at the beginning of each academic year to recruit members, set the stage for the year, and establish an organizational structure for the group. Plan to be an active member of the student community; join the Art Students' League.

Industrial Design Society of America (IDSA) student chapter is sponsored by the national and professional organization located in Great Falls, VA. This student/faculty managed organization sponsors visiting lectures, field trips, and other activities. IDSA fosters discussion and exposure to people, places, and ideas that introduce industrial design students to professional practice and potential.

The American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) is the national organization for graphic designers. Membership in the AIGA student chapter provides an entrée into the local, regional, and national design communities. The chapter provides access to the organization's national design directory, regional portfolio reviews, web site, and conferences. In addition, the student chapter sponsors an annual student design exhibition, traveling exhibitions, and visiting speakers. Membership requires annual dues.

The Michigan Student Assembly (MSA)is the central student government at the University of Michigan, representing students from every school and college. MSA facilitates communications between students and the University administration, and advocates student issues and concerns. It distributes almost $200,000 per term to student groups. MSA represents student concerns and opinions to the Board of Regents. MSA is committed to protecting students' rights and is an important part of student involvement in the University's decision-making process. The School of Art & Design has one representative elected to the Michigan Student Assembly.

The Office of Academic Multicultural Initiatives (OAMI) works with various University units to create academic multicultural opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students. Some examples of multicultural programming supported by OAMI are:

The Annual Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Symposium: one of the largest and most comprehensive observances of Dr. King in the nation.

Student Academic Multicultural Initiatives (SAMI): designed to provide students and student organizations with a source of funds for activities.

King / Chavez / Parks Program (KCP): assists underrepresented students in post-secondary education to prepare for college.

Pathways to Student Success and Excellence Program (POSSE): a new program which supports pilot retention efforts.

Black Celebratory: provides a range of academic, cultural, and social programs for graduating seniors.


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Kate West, Associate Director of Communications, sends a weekly email calendar of events to all faculty, staff, and students listing lectures, openings, meetings, and other events of interest to the Art & Design community.


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Work-Study Jobs

Many Art & Design students have part-time jobs in the A&A Building and elsewhere at the University. Having a work-study grant makes such employment more likely. Typical work-study jobs in the School include gallery attendant, clerical assistant, copy center worker, lab monitor, etc. Check out electronic job postings at http://www.finaid.umich.edu/Employ/


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