UCMS Student Policies

Length of terms:

Throughout the year, lessons will be offered in three terms: Spring, Summer, and Fall. The timing of these terms will somewhat follow the UTK Academic Calendar. Typically, each term will span about 14 weeks.

Registering for Lessons & Scheduling:

To register for lessons, all students must first complete the registration form. All fees for the term are due at the time of registration. Upon receival of payment, students will be connected with a teacher. Lesson dates & times will be scheduled at the convenience of the student & teacher.

Makeups/Closures/Refunds:

Students are expected to attend all scheduled lessons throughout the term. Though we sympathize with your busy schedule and daily issues that may occur, our teachers are not obligated to make up any lessons that are cancelled by the student. No adjustments in tuition will be given for student cancellations.

Though our teachers are not obligated to make-up student cancellations, some may choose to do so. If this is the case, and students must miss a lesson, the teacher should be contacted at least 24 hours before the scheduled lesson. Without at least a full day’s notice, for any reason, the lesson will not be made up.

Any lesson cancelled by the teacher will be made up. If the teacher must cancel the lesson, the student will be notified at least 24 hours in advance. The missed lesson may be made up by the following:

1. Adding additional time to future lessons (ex. Adding 15 minutes to the next two lessons)
2. Rescheduling the lesson for another day and time

If the University is closed due to weather or another emergency, the UCMS will be closed. In these instances, a make-up lesson will be arranged with no penalty to the student.

No refunds will be made after the second week of instruction. If a request for a refund is made before instruction begins, a full refund minus the student registration fee will be granted. If a student withdraws before the second week of instruction, the amount refunded will be prorated in addition to the registration fee.

Withdrawal:

When registering, students are reserving time and making a commitment for an entire term of lessons/classes. In the event of necessary withdrawal, refunds are not commonly granted. Refunds for withdrawals will only be granted for the most serious of reasons, and made at the sole discretion of the program director. Any withdrawal and/or refund request must be submitted in writing to the program director, and if approved, will take a minimum of four weeks to be processed.

Tardiness:

Students are expected to arrive to lessons on time. It is suggested that students arrive at the Natalie L. Haslam music center 5 – 10 minutes prior to the lesson start time. Regular tardiness may result in dismissal or termination of lessons.

Instruments:

All students are expected to provide their own instruments.

Parking:

The UCMS will not provide on-campus parking. There is no free parking at the University of Tennessee. Students who wish to park on campus may purchase a visitor parking pass; information on visitor parking permits can be found here.

Parents who wish to drop their students off may do so in Staff Lot 23, located behind the music building. Parents may then drive to a holding area for the remainder of the student’s lesson (up to 45 minutes), found in Circle Park. A map of campus and parking map may be found here.

Dismissal & Termination:

UCMS teachers reserve the right to discontinue or terminate lessons for student disciplinary reasons. All students are expected to behave with the highest respect to the School of Music facilities, UCMS teachers, and other UCMS students. UCMS teachers reserve the right to immediately end any lesson due to disciplinary problems of any student. Disciplinary infractions of any kind will be referred first to the parents, and, if continuing, to UCMS supervisors for disciplinary action. Disciplinary action may involve termination from the UCMS program.