91̽»¨

Each graduate student must meet the expectations listed in the 91̽»¨ Student Handbook. Every student should review the policies set forth therein. While the policies apply to all students, graduate students may be held to higher standards.

Registration

During your first semester of enrollment all graduate students must meet with their academic advisor prior to registration. Appointments with your advisor to review your Program of Study before registration are required. Prior to the close of the first term, your Program of Study must be completed and submitted to your program coordinator.

Because all University mailings are sent to local addresses, you should provide your local address as soon as it is available to either the Registrar’s Office, or Chubb Hall second floor, or the Graduate College, 220 Research and Technology Center. This information is critical for routine purposes (grade reports, class schedules, bills) as well as for emergencies.

Class Engagement (online) 

Online engagement is expected for all students in all classes. Situations where one might miss assignments or log on to the virtual learning environment (VLE) – e.g., Blackboard, should be resolved beforehand with the class instructor. Excessive absence as determined by the instructor may inhibit a student’s ability to successfully complete a course.

Student Code of Conduct Policy

The University has a clear responsibility in the area of student conduct to protect and promote the pursuit of the 91̽»¨ goals. Students are expected to obey federal, state, and local laws; in addition, they must abide by the rules and regulations of the University. The Student Code of Conduct sets forth those acts which constitute unacceptable conduct for graduate and undergraduate students of the University while on University-owned or controlled property. All alleged violations of the Student Code of Conduct may result in referral to the director of judiciaries. 

91̽»¨ has long celebrated its commitment to being an academic community. This legacy includes care, cooperation, and adherence to standards of behavior for all invited to be part of the community. For this community to flourish, the following expectations of behavior have been established:

• A residential university brings educational activity and living arrangements together as a coherent whole on campus. Given this close and constant interaction, the life of 91̽»¨ requires acceptance of responsible conduct by individuals in the community as a necessary condition for continued membership in the community.
• Students are expected to be responsible members of a diverse community and to honor and respect differences of culture, lifestyle, and religion.
• Academic integrity and honesty are basic values of the University. Students are expected to follow standards of academic integrity and honesty.
• The University community is an open forum involving the free exchange of ideas and opinions. For the exchange to occur, there must be a continuous acceptance of freedom of expression and civility in disagreement.

The Student Code of Conduct Policy and Procedure as described in the 91̽»¨ Student Handbook, provides the mechanism by which failure to meet these expectations will be addressed. Questions regarding the Code of Conduct can be referred to University Judiciaries.

The following acts are defined by The 91̽»¨ Board of Trustees to be unacceptable. A student who commits several offenses at one time will have one hearing. Please refer to the Office of Student Affairs for a thorough explanation of offenses and sanctions.

Code A Offenses. A student found to have violated any of the following regulations will be subject to a maximum sanction of expulsion, or any sanction not less than a reprimand. Being under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol does not diminish or excuse a violation of the Student Code of Conduct.

• Academic Misconduct
• Dishonesty
• Violation of Probation
• Disruption/Obstruction
• Civil Disturbance
• Mental or Bodily Harm
• Discrimination
• Destruction of Property
• Theft
• Possession of Stolen Property
• Aiding or Abetting
• Forcible Entry to Trespass
• False Report of Emergency
• Misuse or Abuse of Computers
• Possession of Dangerous Weapons or Materials
• Misuse of Safety Equipment
• Manufacture, Distribution, Sale, Offer for Sale, or Possession of Drugs or Narcotics
• Violation of Criminal Law

Code B Offenses. A student found to have violated any of the following regulations will be subject to a maximum sanction of disciplinary probation, or any sanction not less than a reprimand. Being under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol does not diminish or excuse a violation of the Student Code of Conduct.

• Disturbing the Peace
• Misuse of Identification
• Failure to Comply or Identify
• Aiding or Abetting
• Possession of Marijuana
• Unauthorized Use of Alcoholic Beverages
• Unauthorized Use of Property or Service
• Violation of Rules Regarding Residence

Academic Misconduct. As noted, all forms of academic misconduct are prohibited by the Student Code of Conduct. Academic misconduct refers to dishonesty in examinations (cheating), presenting the ideas or the writing of someone else as one's own (plagiarism), or knowingly furnishing false information to the University by forgery, alteration, or misuse of University documents, records, or identification. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, the following: permitting another student to plagiarize or cheat from your work, submitting an academic exercise (written work, printing, sculpture, computer program, etc.) that has been prepared whole or in part by another, acquiring improper knowledge of the contents of an exam, using unauthorized material during an exam, submitting the same paper in two different courses without knowledge and consent of professors, or submitting a forged grade change slip.

Sexual Harassment. Sexual harassment of students, faculty, and staff is prohibited at 91̽»¨. No male or female member of the 91̽»¨ community, including faculty, contract staff, classified staff, and students, may sexually harass any other member of the community. Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and thereby is illegal under law, as well as a violation of 91̽»¨ policy.

The 91̽»¨ sexual harassment policy defines sexual harassment as unwanted advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when:

• Submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of employment or of a student's status in a course, program or activity; or
• Submission to or rejection of such conduct is used as the basis for decisions affecting the individual; or
• Such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with the individual's work, performance or educational experience; or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment for work or learning.

All 91̽»¨ employees and students are responsible for compliance with this policy. All University supervisory personnel have an affirmative responsibility to discourage and eliminate conduct inconsistent with this policy. Please read Policy 03.004 and familiarize yourself with this policy.

Complaints may be received and investigated only by employees who have been authorized by the institution. The authorization will be given only to those individuals who have completed training provided by the staff of the Office of Affirmative Action. Any individual who is not authorized, but is approached about concerns or complaints regarding harassment, must direct the complaint to an authorized employee.

Sanctions. A student admitted to 91̽»¨ accepts the responsibility to conform to all 91̽»¨ rules and regulations. Proven failure to meet this obligation will justify appropriate disciplinary sanctions, including expulsion, suspension, disciplinary probation, or reprimand. Although the University will make every reasonable effort to make the rules and regulations available, students are responsible for becoming familiar with them.

Note: In any case, a hearing authority may impose a sanction less than that specified for a given code category.

Grievances. The Ombuds Office is a resource for informally resolving grievances and other issues of conflict. If you believe you have been unfairly treated in class, have trouble with your advisor, feel your problem has been ignored, or don't know where to turn for information, contact this office in Baker Center , Room 501 at 740-593-2627. The Ombuds Office can serve in many capacities, including acting as a mediator, facilitating discussion, advising you on how to write an effective letter, and helping bring your concern to appropriate authorities.

Student grievances regarding grades are addressed by the "Grade Appeals" policy listed in the "Academic Policies" section of the 91̽»¨ Student Handbook. If you need assistance in understanding the grade appeals process or in preparing a grade appeal, contact the Ombuds. The office will be able to be of greatest assistance if you make contact early in the process.