ACADEMIC RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF AU STUDENTS

Registration

Students are expected to meet the institutional requirements listed in the undergraduate catalog from their year of entry except as requirements are revised by the appropriate faculty committee. Students who interrupt their enrollment may be required to meet new institutional requirements listed in the catalog in effect at the year of their re-entry.

See the undergraduate catalog for other rights and responsibilities in regard to registration.

Instructional Responsibilities of Faculty

In order to maintain a proper rapport with the students, instructional faculty members should specify the obligations of the students and the obligations of the faculty member as they pertain to instructional performance.

1. Instructional faculty members shall present to their students, during the first week of classes, course syllabi which list:

1. course purposes and objectives
2. texts and materials to be used
3. specific requirements for the course
4. a description of the grading policy

It is recognized that occasionally some changes may have to be made due to the availability of new resources.

1. Instructors are asked to notify students at least one week prior to major exams. This procedure provides flexibility for instructors and insures ample preparation for students. The student body recognizes that unannounced quizzes are part of the professional academic freedom retained by every instructor.
2. Instructors shall recognize their professional obligation to administer tests on the announced day and shall make every effort to have other instructors serve as test proctors if they are to be absent on the scheduled day. Students assume the obligation of taking the test at the assigned time and should notify the instructor in advance if they will be unable to take the test at the assigned time. Instructors and students share a mutual understanding that legitimate emergencies may make compliance with the above terms impossible.
3. Instructors shall have a professional responsibility to attend each class session. Legitimate emergencies and planned absences which have been approved by the department chairperson are recognized as unavoidable interruptions in the course. Efforts shall be made to inform the class of planned absences.
4. Instructors shall make available to a student, on request, a letter grade midterm estimate before the expiration of the S/U option period.

Student Responsibilities

•  The student body recognizes and accepts a responsibility on the part of each student to maintain unquestionable academic integrity.

•  Academic misconduct is defined as the receipt or transmission of unauthorized aid on assignments and examinations, plagiarism, computer dishonesty, unauthorized use of examination materials, or other forms of dishonesty in academic affairs.

•  Students accused of academic misconduct may be brought to the Academic Integrity Board by the instructor involved and are subject to the penalties set forth in the Ashland University Student Handbook.

•  Students who register for a course accept responsibility to participate fully in the activities of that course and to be present at all regularly scheduled class periods. It is the responsibility of the student to make up any work missed.

Grievance Procedure

In cases where a student believes his or her academic rights have been violated, the student should, if possible, discuss the matter with the instructor involved. If the student wishes to appeal the case, the student must appeal to the department chairperson and then to the Dean and Academic Council, who may confer with the Provost.

Ashland University

College of Arts and Sciences Student Grade Appeal Process

(effective date: May, 2004)

Purpose

The College of Arts and Sciences seeks in the student grade appeal process to foster amicable and equitable resolution of disputes after a fair and impartial exploration of the facts. The purpose of the student grade appeal process is to provide the framework and method to resolve student complaints concerning a final course grade. A student grade appeal request can be considered when

•  a procedural error has been discovered in the evaluation or recording of a grade,

•  a grade has been assigned to a student on some basis other than performance in the course, or

•  a grade has been assigned which departs from the faculty member's standards written in the syllabus or in written amendments to the syllabus.

A grade appeal request will not be considered solely on a disagreement about the content or quality of a student's course work.

Note from AU catalog: “It is the responsibility of the students to report to the registrar any discrepancy on their grade reports within 60 days of the end of the grading period.”

Process

Step 1. A student with a complaint about his or her final course grade should first try to reach agreement with the faculty member concerned. This should be done not later than the second week of the semester following the term in which the disputed grade was awarded. The faculty member should respond within five business days.

Step 2. If the issue is not resolved at Step 1 or the faculty member does not respond within the specified timeframe, the student should meet with the faculty member's chairperson within five business days. The chair may request that the appeal be made in writing. After identifying which of the three grounds is the basis for the appeal of the grade, the chairperson will attempt to resolve the disagreement with both parties present. If the grade appeal concerns a course taught by the chairperson, the student may contact the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences who will select another faculty member to mediate. The chair should complete this step within ten business days of the student's meeting with the chair.

Step 3. If the student or faculty member is unsatisfied with the decision that is made in Step 2, the student or faculty member may appeal in writing to the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences within ten business days of the completion of Step 2. The appellant should

•  obtain the Student Grade Appeal Form from the Office of the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, 210 A&H Building, and

•  complete and return the form with attachments, as appropriate, to the Office of the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Step 4. Within five business days of receipt of the appeal, the Dean will review the written appeal to determine whether criteria for a grade appeal exist . If criteria do not exist, the Dean will notify the student and the faculty member in writing explaining why the decision was made to deny the grade appeal. If the written appeal meets the criteria for a grade appeal, the Dean will promptly initiate an appropriate review process, informing the student and faculty member in writing of the procedures to be used.

Step 5. On completing the review process, the Dean will make the final determination and communicate the decision in writing to both the student and faculty member with a copy to the chairperson. If a grade change is warranted, the Dean will process a grade change form.

Step 6. If the student or faculty member is not satisfied with the fairness or thoroughness of the procedures used, he/she may appeal the decision to the Provost.

AIDS POLICY

The following guidelines reflect the University policy regarding prevention and/or treatment of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), and HIV infection.

The major purposes for these guidelines are: to preserve the dignity of members of the Ashland University community who have AIDS or test positive for HIV and to educate members of the University community about the risk of exposure to HIV

Ashland University Policy on AIDS and HIV:

1. Members of the University community who have AIDS or HIV are subject to the same policies and practices as other students with respect to health-related issues such as appropriate handling of medical information, public health reporting requirements, and participation in University services and programs. Students may obtain more information about applicable University and other policies from the University Student Health Center.
2. A positive HIV test will not be used to screen students or employees for admissions or employment and persons will not be routinely asked to respond to questions about the existence of AIDS, or positive HIV tests. However, the University encourages those who have a positive HIV test or AIDS to inform the Director of the Student Health Center to assure proper education and medical attention.
3. AIDS or HIV infection is believed to be transmitted only through intimate sexual contact or by the exposure to HIV infected blood or body fluids. Therefore, there is no known reason to isolate people with AIDS or HIV from casual interactions with others in residence halls, classroom or office situations, nor is there medical necessity for the institution to advise the general University community of the presence of a person who has AIDS, or is positive for HIV.
4. The Ashland University Student Health Center is familiar with sources for HIV testing and is able to refer students and employees who request such testing.
5. The major focus of the University community regarding HIV infection is most effectively directed toward educating all persons about the causes of AIDS, how HIV is contracted and methods to avoid infection and how to handle HIV exposure. Educational programs and materials are made available and provided to students and staff through the University Student Health Center and Personal Counseling Services.
6. If and when contagious disease prevails on campus, special precautions will be encouraged to protect the health of those persons with HIV diagnosis.

ALCOHOL/DRUG POLICY AND EDUCATION

In recognition of our leadership as an institution of higher education and in consideration of the present drinking age law, liability concerns, difficulties in supervision and the need for appropriate standards, Ashland University does not permit consumption or possession of alcohol or ''non alcohol" beer by students, faculty, or staff on Ashland University property. Students are expected to be responsible and will be held accountable for violations of this policy.

To assist students, Ashland University provides an alcohol education and counseling program. The campus judicial system, intended to be both educational and regulatory, is administered through Student Affairs. The present policy, created with the assistance of the Student Senate as directed by the Board of Trustees, shall be administered by Student Affairs with the help of Student Senate. The following is listed for further clarification:

1. In the event of alcohol violations, staff has the right to request student(s) immediately dispose of the alcoholic beverage/container and/or it may be confiscated.
2. For effective management and to avoid unnecessary confrontation, alcohol containers, including beer funnels, are not permitted on campus.
3. Alcohol beverages are prohibited at Ashland University athletic events (NCAA regulations). This includes: intercollegiate and intramural sporting/athletic events.
4. Ashland University does not condone or encourage off campus student events where alcohol is served and is not responsible or liable for these events.
5. No advertisements promoting the serving of alcohol beverages at off campus activities or establishments shall be displayed or distributed on campus.

Ashland University also upholds the applicable drug laws which relate to controlled substances. Ashland University seeks to promote and maintain a drug free campus. In addition, the federal law entitled "Drug Free Schools and Campuses Law'' requires all institutions to adopt and implement a program to prevent illicit use of drugs and the abuse of alcohol by students and employees.

University Sanctions

Note: Distribution of controlled substances in or near schools and colleges can result in penalties twice the regular penalties for the same offense in a court of law . Trafficking in drugs can result in forfeiture of property including: vehicles, money, or other property.

Ashland University does not permit consumption or possession of alcohol or containers on University property. In addition, it is a violation of the accessory policy to be in a room where alcohol is present or being consumed.

The unlawful use, possession, sale, manufacturing, or distribution of drugs and alcohol subjects any student to discipline pursuant to established University procedures and to sanctions up to and including suspension or dismissal from the University. Any student violating this policy or otherwise engaging in illegal conduct can also be referred for criminal prosecution.

SUPPORT AND RESOURCES

Description of Alcohol/Drug Treatment Programs

In an effort to prevent the illicit use of drugs and the abuse of alcohol by students and employees, Ashland University has in place procedures to facilitate drug/alcohol assessment and treatment. While treatment is not available on site, initial drug/alcohol counseling intervention is available via the Personal Counseling Services and/or the Student Health Center. If the need for additional services is indicated, further assessment/treatment is provided in cooperation with community resources. This includes both outpatient and inpatient services. All contacts are completely confidential.

CHALK POLICY

Please see the Chalk policy located in the Student Organization Resource Manual

CONTACTING CIVIL AUTHORITIES

Civil authorities are often contacted to assist in cases involving disorderly conduct, identification of non students and in the event of threat to property or life. Civil authorities are also contacted per student request.

HARASSMENT FREE ENVIRONMENT

Unwelcome sexual harassing or offensive conduct is prohibited. This policy applies to students, faculty, staff, and others on or off University property. Prohibited conduct includes but is not limited to:

•  Sexual flirtations, touching, advances, or propositions;

•  Sexually explicit language or gestures;

•  Sexually graphic or suggestive comments about an individual's dress or body;

•  Contributing to an offensive overall environment, including the use of vulgar language, the presence of sexually explicit photographs or other materials, and the telling of sexual jokes or stories.

•  Explicit or implicit threats or comments that an individual may be affected in a tangible way in exchange for engaging (or not engaging) in sexually-related conduct (quid pro quo).

If you believe that the actions or words of a member of the University community constitute unwelcome harassment of you or another, you have a responsibility to immediately report the suspected harassment to either of the following administrators: Sue Heimann, Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students, Student Center, Ext. 5304 or John Brandon, Director of Personnel, 302 Founders Hall, Ext. 5034.

Ashland University will investigate complaints of sexual harassment promptly and impartially. The University will not tolerate adverse treatment of students or other individuals because they report sexual harassment or provide information related to such complaints. While the University will protect the confidentiality of sexual harassment complaints to the extent possible, it also has a legal responsibility to formally investigate any and all complaints. Depending on the specific circumstances, it is the University's general practice that students who allege sexual harassment will be kept informed of the investigation process and the ultimate outcome of their complaint. Any individual who is found to have engaged in sexual harassment will be subject to appropriate corrective action up to and including dismissal.

   Ashland University also prohibits the use of racial or ethnic slurs and statements directed toward a person's religion, gender, sexual orientation or ethnic or national origin that are intended to demean or diminish that person and that have the effect of creating a hostile environment.

TORNADO EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

1. A tornado watch means that weather conditions could produce funnel cloud activity.
2. A tornado warning means a funnel cloud has been verified within the immediate vicinity.
3. In the event of a warning, a loud siren is activated in Ashland and further instructions will be issued to resident students by the Residence Life and Safety Service personnel. During a tornado warning students will not be permitted anywhere in the residential unit other than the designated shelter area.
4. Be prepared to:
   • go to the south or southwest corner of the basement (or first floor), away from windows.
   • if outside with no opportunity to escape, lie flat in a ditch or low depression.
   • avoid seeking shelter in any building with a wide, free span roof (i.e., Convocation Center, Physical Education Building, etc.).

VENDING MACHINE REFUNDS

If money is lost in the vending machines (i.e., candy, pop and juice, washer/dryer), refunds are given in the Gameroom, ground floor of the Hawkins-Conard Student Center. No more than $1.00 may be refunded at any time.