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STUDENT CODE | No. 6-22 | Rev. 6-6-91 |
| 4-20-77 | |||
I. PURPOSE
A. The Weber State University Student Code is the summary document for the Student
Policy and Procedure Manual (SPPM). The Student Code will be distributed to all members of
the campus community and the SPPM will be incorporated into the Weber State University
Policy and Procedure Manual.
B. Weber State University recognizes students as adults pursuing their education and
cannot assume the responsibility of parents for the conduct of students. The underlying
goals of the Student Code and the SPPM are to: 1) contribute to the development of
appropriate individual and group behavior and 2) encourage responsible citizenship within
the campus community. The administration of student policies should be conducted in a
manner that will foster the ethical development and personal integrity of students and
promote an environment that is in accord with the overall educational mission of the
University.
II. PREFACE
A. Weber State University derives its legal authority from the State of Utah to provide
programs and services to students. This authorization, established by the State
Legislature, is administered by the Governor and delegated to the State Board of Regents,
the Weber State University Board of Trustees, and the Weber State University President.
The Weber State University President has the option of delegating specific elements of
University authority to various entities including University administrators, faculty,
staff and student governance systems. The administration of the campus Student Policy and
Procedure system and responsibility for supervision of students' due process rights has
been delegated to the Vice President for Student Services.
B. As members of the Weber State University academic community, students have
significant opportunities and special privileges, but they also assume the obligations
thereof. Students are responsible for becoming familiar with the policies and procedures
of Weber State University. Copies of the SPPM are available at the offices of the Vice
President for Student Services and the ASWSU.
III. STUDENT RIGHTS
A. Weber State University students retain and enjoy all rights guaranteed to citizens
by the Constitution and laws of the United States and the Constitution and laws of the
State of Utah. Examples of such rights include but are not limited to the following:
1. The right of reasonable access to University facilities and programs, and the right
to learn free from unlawful discrimination or other arbitrary and capricious treatment;
2. The right of free inquiry, expression, and assembly subject to constitutional
limitations regarding time, place, and manner;
3. The right to be secure in their persons, living quarters, papers, and effects
against unreasonable searches and seizures.
B. In addition to the foregoing, Weber State University will make reasonable efforts to
promote an environment which provides:
1. The right to form and operate an organized student government, within the guidelines
prescribed by the institution;
2. Student representation through ASWSU on University committees, councils,
commissions, and other formally constituted bodies that make general policy decisions
affecting students or that govern student activities and conduct;
3. Due process including a fair hearing in appropriate cases by a body which includes a
reasonable proportion of students;
4. Procedural safeguards and privacy with respect to testing for drugs and infectious
diseases;
5. The right to be reasonably informed about the full cost of tuition, activity fees,
lab fees, etc., and about available financial aid programs, their attendant obligations,
procedures, loan repayment schedules, consequences of non-payment, etc.;
6. The right to reasonably accurate and current advertising, recruitment, and
orientation efforts, including clear and specific written policies and information on
accepting credit from other institutions and possible acceptance of Weber State University
credit at other institutions;
7. The right of reasonable access to and the use of University services and programs
such as securing financial aid, counseling, academic advisement, career planning and
placement, library services, etc.;
8. The right to competent academic instruction and advisement such that students may:
a. Expect to complete the course work required for specific programs within a
reasonable period of time which is specified prior to enrollment, and with reasonable
scheduling options to meet program and institutional requirements as outlined in the
University catalog;
b. Inquire and be informed of course, program, major, or institutional requirements and
expect that such requirements will not be changed for students already enrolled in a
program without reasonable alternatives being provided;
c. Expect that courses offered will be comparable with their catalog descriptions, and
that reasonable attempts will be made to periodically offer all courses listed in the
catalog;
d. Expect that program changes will be well-planned, widely communicated, and will
incorporate an orderly transition from the old to the new;
e. Receive academic credit and/or academic degrees when all specified requirements have
been satisfied;
f. Receive appropriate credit or notations for work included in faculty publications or
other endeavors;
g. Expect instructors to conduct themselves ethically and professionally, in accordance
with University policies and directives and accepted professional standards;
h. Expect instructors when reasonably possible to provide a syllabus which outlines
course requirements and instructor availability, to be distributed the first week of
class;
i. Experience academic evaluation through orderly procedures and criteria, which are
announced within 14 calendar days of the first day of class and which are designed to
prevent prejudice and arbitrary judgment;
j. Inquire and be informed by instructors of sanctions they may impose in the different
courses they teach for the basic types of inappropriate behavior or academic dishonesty;
k. Have access to faculty members in formal classes, during scheduled office hours,
and/or by scheduling appointments;
l. Have the right of intellectual inquiry, including specifically the right to engage
in reasonable academic discussion and dissent within the framework of course material,
class size, reasonable instructor availability, and other exigencies defined by the
institution;
m. Have the opportunity through course evaluation and/or access to the department chair
to assess the personal value of a course and make suggestions about its direction
including the opportunity to complete anonymous evaluations of both the instructor and the
instruction they have received;
n. Expect the observation of Academic Study (Dead) Week and other official University
programs;
o. Expect that the University or any of its departments will not require unreasonable
absences from classes in order to maintain extracurricular or academic scholarships and/or
positions;
p. Expect instructors to make reasonable efforts to allow students absent from class
while engaged in University approved activities to make up missed quizzes, exams, and/or
assignments or complete some comparable activity;
IV. STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES
A. Students at Weber State University assume the personal obligation to conduct
themselves in a manner which is compatible with the University's role as a public
institution of higher education. By enrolling at Weber State University, students agree to
maintain certain standards of conduct which, if violated, may result in the imposition of
sanctions or other forms of University discipline.
B. General categories of misconduct for which students may be subjected to University
discipline are listed below. Specific examples of such conduct are listed in the SPPM.
1. Conduct which violates federal, state, or local law;
2. Conduct which violates Weber State University rules or regulations;
3. Conduct which unreasonably disrupts, adversely affects, or otherwise interferes with
the lawful functions of the Institution, or the rights of any individual to pursue an
education at Weber State University;
4. Conduct which results in injury or damage to persons affiliated with the University
or property owned or controlled by the University.
C. As members of the Weber State University community, students shall avoid conduct
which violates the provisions of paragraph IV.B. above. Examples of such prohibited
conduct include but are not limited to the following:
1. Failing to respect the right of every person to be secure and protected from fear,
intimidation, harassment, hazing, and/or physical harm caused by the activities of groups
or individuals;
2. Sexual assault, sexual harassment, or any other non-consensual verbal or physical
sexual activity including the support or assistance of such activities;
3. Disorderly, lewd, indecent, defamatory, or obscene conduct or expression on
University-owned or controlled property or at University-sponsored or supervised functions
or events;
4. Participating in demonstrations, rallies, assemblies, performances, showings,
exhibits, pickets, etc. in violation of any law or University policy;
5. Distributing, publishing or posting materials, soliciting funds, selling items,
engaging in commercial activity, erecting structures, exhibiting items, displaying films
and videos, using official University insignias or materials, or participating in
performances and activities without proper authorization or not in accordance with
University policy;
6. Obstructing or disrupting teaching, research, administration, disciplinary
procedures, computing services, other University-sponsored activities, services or events,
including public service functions;
7. Deliberate interference with academic freedom and freedom of speech (including not
only classroom activities, but also interference with performances, exhibits, displays,
dissemination of information, demonstrations, or the freedom of any speaker invited by any
segment of the University community to express views);
8. Initiating or causing to be initiated any intentionally false report warning;
9. Leaving children unattended on University property or allowing them to create a
disruption on University property or at University-sponsored functions;
10. Failing to meet contractual obligations with the University;
11. Knowingly violating terms of any disciplinary sanction;
12. Intentionally furnishing false information, including false identification;
13. Forging, altering, misusing, or mutilating University documents, records,
identification, educational materials, or other University property;
14. Influencing or attempting to influence the academic or any University
administrative process through explicit or implied bribery, threats, sexual behavior,
etc.;
15. Theft or misappropriation of property, equipment, materials, services, or data;
16. Knowingly possessing stolen property, equipment, materials, services, or data;
17. Intentionally or recklessly destroying, defacing, vandalizing, damaging, or
misusing the property, equipment, materials, services, or data of the University or other
campus community members or aiding, abetting or contributing to such actions;
18. Unauthorized entry upon or use of University facilities, equipment, materials,
data, properties, or services;
19. Unauthorized possession or use of a key to any University facility;
20. Use, possession, or storage of any weapon, explosive device, or fireworks;
21. Unlawful use, possession, distribution, sale, manufacture, or possession for
purposes of distribution or sale of any controlled substance or illegal drug;
22. Sale, possession, manufacture, distribution, or consumption of alcoholic beverages
on the University campus;
23. Unauthorized sale, possession, manufacture, distribution, or consumption of
alcoholic beverages at any off-campus University-sponsored function or event;
24. Smoking in unauthorized locations on campus in violation of state law, University,
or public health regulations;
25. Aiding, abetting, or inciting others to commit any act prohibited by law or
University policy;
26. Violating University parking regulations or other misuse of a vehicle which
violates the law or University policy;
27. Refusing to respond to reasonable requests and directions from University or local
government officials while in the performance of their duties;
28. Any other violation of clearly stated proscriptions in any legal authority or any
published rule or regulation promulgated by any official, campus administrator, committee,
commission or council acting within the scope of their authority.
D. In addition to the foregoing, as members of Weber State University academic
community, students shall:
1. Maintain academic standards including Institutional, School/ Departmental/Program,
and individual course standards;
2. Maintain academic ethics and honesty; to this end, the following activities are
specifically prohibited:
a. Cheating, which includes but is not limited to:
1) Copying from another student's test paper;
2) Using materials during a test not authorized by the person giving the test;
3) Collaborating with any other person during a test without authority;
4) Knowingly obtaining, using, buying, selling, transporting, or soliciting in whole or
in part the contents of any test, without authorization of the appropriate official;
5) Bribing any other person to obtain any test;
6) Soliciting or receiving unauthorized information about any test;
7) Substituting for another student or permitting any other person to substitute for
oneself to take a test.
b. Plagiarism, which is the unacknowledged (uncited) use of any other person or group's
ideas or work. This includes purchased or borrowed papers;
c. Collusion, which is the unauthorized collaboration with another person in preparing
work offered for credit;
d. Falsification, which is the intentional and unauthorized altering or inventing of
any information or citation in an academic exercise, activity, or record-keeping process;
e. Giving, selling or receiving unauthorized course or test information;
f. Using any unauthorized resource or aid in the preparation or completion of any
course work, exercise or activity;
g. Infringing on the copyright law of the United States which prohibits the making of
reproductions of copyrighted material except under certain specified conditions;
3. Obtain the instructor's permission before recording lectures;
4. Obtain the instructor's permission at least 24 hours before bringing any children
(including infants) into a classroom, workshop or laboratory setting. In the case of an
emergency, prior approval may be sought up to the beginning of the class or activity. If
the child becomes disruptive in any way during an approved visit, the responsible person
must remove the child immediately;
5. In the unannounced absence of an instructor, remain in the classroom at least 15
minutes from the class starting time unless notified otherwise;
6. Notify their instructors as far in advance as possible of any planned absence for
participation in University approved or requested group activities, and discuss the terms,
options, and possible outcomes of these absences with instructors;
7. Avoid unethical, wasteful, and/or inappropriate use of any computer system, library,
or other campus resource, and interference with the productivity of other users;
8. Misrepresentation of a research project or paper for other than its original,
intended usage.
E. Weber State University reserves the right to take appropriate action against any
individual or group which is found upon hearing to pose an unreasonable risk of harm to
the health, safety, or welfare of the University community.
V. STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS AND ACTIVITIES
A. Weber State University believes in student participation in the government of the
institution. As constituents of the academic community, students are encouraged
individually and collectively to express their views concerning policy to the
administration. The ASWSU constitution establishes the governing bodies for students of
the University by a delegation of authority through the President of the University.
B. Student organizations may be established within the University for any lawful
purpose. All organizations must register with the ASWSU. By virtue of registering as a
student organization, such organizations do not become official agencies of Weber State
University.
VI. FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION
A. Academic freedom, the free flow of ideas, the right to speak, and the right to hear
must be protected not only from censorship, but also from those committed to interfere
with free expression through acts of disruption. It is the responsibility of all members
of the campus community to refrain from conduct which interferes with free speech. The
University shall apply appropriate sanctions under proper procedural safeguards to those
who violate this obligation.
B. Members of the campus community shall have the right to freedom of speech and
assembly without prior restraint or censorship, subject only to constitutional guidelines
and clearly stated, reasonable, and nondiscriminatory rules and regulations regarding
time, place, and manner.
C. By virtue of regulating the exercise of free speech on the campus, the University,
unless expressly stated otherwise, does not sponsor or sanction the messages being stated
or the methods of speech being used. Nothing in these regulations shall be construed as
authorizing or condoning unlawful, defamatory or obscene exercises of speech rights
defined under these regulations and national, state or local laws.
VII. STUDENT RECORDS
A. The privacy and confidentiality of all student records shall be preserved. Official
student records shall be maintained only by members of the University staff employed for
that purpose. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, with which Weber
State University intends to comply, was designated to protect the privacy of education
records, to establish the right of students to inspect and review their education records,
and to provide guidelines for the correction of inaccurate or misleading data.
B. Students also have the right to file complaints with The Family Educational Rights
and Privacy Act Office (FERPA) concerning alleged failures by Weber State University to
comply with the Act. Questions regarding this Act and the related University policies may
be referred to the Dean of Student Administrative Services.
C. The complete listing of official student records, information regarding their
confidentiality, their access and the access and/or accuracy of the challenge/hearing
process, may be obtained from the office of the Dean of Student Administrative Services.
VIII. JURISDICTION
A. Procedures which foster dialogue and promote resolution between the immediate
parties involved in a dispute are encouraged; every effort should be made to resolve
disputes at the lowest possible level (i.e., individual, supervisor, department
chairperson, program director and/or dean). If resolution by these means is
unsatisfactory, formal departmental or school procedures, if available, should be
instituted and/or the office designated by the Vice President for Student Services should
be notified. Students are also encouraged to contact their elected ASWSU representatives,
if desired.
B. Procedures and hearings of all Weber State University bodies which have the
potential of sanctioning students or providing relief to students will follow guidelines
specified in the SPPM. Actions which seek compensation or redress from, or imposition of
sanctions on staff/ faculty members of Weber State University and/or its administrative
entities will follow guidelines and procedures outlined in the Weber State University
Policy and Procedures Manual.
C. Issues relating to admission, residence halls, academic requirements, eligibility,
residency, or parking violations are deferred to University venues especially designated
to handle such issues, and appeals from those bodies will be considered only on due
process grounds.
IX. PROCEDURES FOR HEARINGS
The goal of the hearing process is to provide for the prompt and fair resolution of all
grievances as they occur, so constructive educational and developmental relationships can
be maintained at Weber State University. Informal resolution of any dispute should be
attempted. If satisfactory resolution is not achieved through informal means, any party
involved in the dispute may request access to the hearing process. Formal resolution may
be sought from a college or departmental system or from the office designated by the Vice
President for Student Services. Appeals from those bodies will be considered only on due
process grounds.
X. SANCTIONS
A. Weber State University may impose one or more of the following sanctions:
1. Institutional Sanctions - warning, reprimand, probation, suspension from specific
privileges or services, interim suspension, prolonged suspension, expulsion;
2. Academic Sanctions - grade adjustment, loss of credit;
3. Monetary Sanctions - forfeiture, restitution, fines;
4. Personal Development Sanctions - requirement or recommendation for counseling,
specific courses, workshops;
5. Group Sanctions - warning, reprimand, probation, suspension of privileges,
revocation of "registered organization" status, group monetary and/or group
personal development sanctions;
B. When a sanction(s) is imposed, the individual/group will be informed by certified
mail of the specific sanction(s) and the appeals processes available within 14 days of the
decision.
XI. AMENDMENTS
A. Amendments to this Code may be proposed by the Board of Trustees, the President of
the University, the Faculty Senate, the ASWSU Senate, or by written petition signed by no
less than 250 members of the University community.
B. Ratification of proposed amendments will follow the process outlined in the SPPM.