Student Rights and Responsibilities

For a complete listing of all University policies related to student rights and responsibilities, please see https://vcaf.uccs.edu/policies. This website includes policies of the entire CU system as well as UCCS-specific policies.

The Colorado General Assembly implemented the Student Bill of Rights (C.R.S. 23-1-125) to assure that students enrolled in public institutions of higher education have the following rights:

• A quality general education experience that develops competencies in reading, writing, mathematics, technology, and critical thinking through an integrated arts and science experience;
• Students should be able to complete their associate of arts and associate of science degree programs in no more than 60 credit hours or their baccalaureate programs in no more than 120 credit hours unless there are additional degree requirements recognized by the Commission;
• A student can sign a two-year or four-year graduation agreement that formalizes a plan for that student to obtain a degree in two or four years, unless there are additional degree requirements recognized by the Commission;
• Students have a right to clear and concise information concerning which courses must be completed successfully to complete their degrees;
• Students have a right to know which courses are transferable among the state public two-year and four-year institutions of higher education;
• Students, upon completion of core general education courses, regardless of the delivery method, should have those courses satisfy the core course requirements of all Colorado public institutions of higher education;
• Students have a right to know if courses from one or more public higher education institutions satisfy the students’ degree requirements;
• A student’s credit for the completion of the core requirements and core courses shall not expire for ten years from the date of initial enrollment and shall be transferable.

Students shall observe complete honesty in all academic matters to include course requirements, classroom activities, research, and scholarship.

Violations of the Code include, but are not limited to, taking or attempting to take any of the following actions: 

1. Committing the act of plagiarism - the use of distinctive ideas or words belonging to another person, without adequately acknowledging that person’s contribution. Plagiarism does not require an intention to plagiarize. If there is sufficient evidence of copying, use without acknowledgment, or submission of another’s work, plagiarism is committed, regardless of the student’s knowledge or lack thereof. Thus defined, plagiarism includes (but is not limited to) the following: 

(a) Copying phrases and/or sentences from a source without putting the material in quotation marks and/or adequate acknowledgement of the source. 

(b) Mosaic copying phrases and/or sentences from a source without putting the material in quotation marks and/or adequate acknowledgement of the source. 

(c) Using a source’s ideas, opinions or theories without adequate acknowledgement of the source. 

(d) Paraphrasing a source’s words, ideas, opinions, or theories without adequate acknowledgement of the source. 

(e) Using a source’s facts, statistics, or illustrative material without adequate acknowledgement of the source. 

(f) Submitting as one’s own work that is written or published by another author. 

Definitions:

A source is an individual, team, or unnamed author of some published or publicly presented or written piece of work. Sources can include other students. 

An author is the originator of some idea(s) or string of words, either a phrase or phrases or a sentence or sentences. 

A piece of work is published if it is (a) a book by some commercial or private press; (b) an article in a journal or magazine or newspaper (c) a working or professional paper of some recognized organization; (d) the content of a website; or (e) other technological forms of archiving not covered by (a) - (d). 

A piece of work is presented if it is: (a) a public oral presentation; (b) a radio/television/video/compact disc/digital video disc presentation; or (c) other technological forms of archiving not covered by (a) and (b). 

A piece of work is written if it is available either as a hard copy or an electronic copy. 

Acknowledgement of a source is providing correct bibliographical information, in an accepted disciplinary format, for phrases, sentences, ideas, opinions, theories, statistics, or illustrative material used from a source. 

Adequate acknowledgment is acknowledgment for each phrase, sentence, idea, opinion, theory, statistic, or illustrative material used from a source. Acknowledging a source once in a paper (or paragraph) and subsequently copying, mosaic copying, using or paraphrasing from that source without subsequent acknowledgment is plagiarism. 

Mosaic copying is copying in which certain words of some phrase and/or sentence from a source are changed in some way (deleted, replaced). 

Paraphrasing a source is the act of replacing some or most words in a phrase and/or sentence from a source with synonyms for those words. 

2. Using unauthorized materials or receiving unauthorized assistance during an examination or in connection with any work done for academic credit. Unauthorized materials include, but are not limited to, notes, textbooks, previous examinations, exhibits, experiments, papers or other supplementary items. 

3. Giving false or misleading information regarding an academic matter. 

4. Copying information from another student during an examination. 

5. Rendering unauthorized assistance to another student by knowingly permitting him or her to see or copy all or a portion of an examination or any work to be submitted for academic credit. 

6. Obtaining prior knowledge of examination materials (including using copies of previous given examinations obtained from files maintained by various groups and organizations) in an unauthorized manner. 

7. Selling or giving to another student unauthorized copies of any portion of an examination. 

8. Using a commercially prepared paper or research project or submitting for academic credit any work completed by someone else. 

9. Falsifying or attempting to falsify class attendance records for oneself, or for someone else, or having another falsify attendance records on your behalf. 

10. Falsifying material relating to course registration or grades, either for oneself or for someone else. 

11. Falsifying reasons why a student did not attend a required class or take a scheduled exam. 

12. Taking an examination in place of another student. 

13. Making unauthorized changes in any reported grade or on an official academic report form. 

14. Falsifying scientific or other data submitted for academic credit. 

15. Collaborating in an unauthorized manner with one or more other students on an examination or any work submitted for academic credit. 

16. Using computing facilities or library resources in an academically dishonest manner. 

17. Falsifying evidence in connection with an academic ethics violation investigation, hearing or appeal. 

18. Attempting to intimidate a student, staff, or faculty member for the purpose of receiving an unearned grade or in an effort to prevent the reporting of an Academic Ethics Code violation. 

19. Accessing or altering any academic record by any means without authorization. 

20. Turning in same or similar work for multiple courses without permission from faculty to do such.

It is the responsibility of students to make sure they understand what types of conduct are authorized or unauthorized in each course. 

Any member of the University community who has reason to believe that a Code violation has taken place should immediately report the circumstances to the faculty member of the course involved or to the chair (unit head) of the department where the course is offered.

Detailed instructions about reporting a suspected infraction; appealing an alleged infraction; and applying sanctions for infractions are outlined in the UCCS Student Academic Ethics Policy. The policy can be found here. Questions about the student academic ethics code should be addressed to the student’s college’s dean’s office.

Students are expected to attend all meetings of classes for which they are registered, including the first and last scheduled meetings and the final examination period. Instructors hold the right and responsibility to establish attendance policies for their courses. Each instructor must inform all classes in writing at the beginning of each semester concerning his/her attendance policies.

If attendance affects course grades, students must be provided with explicit written information concerning that fact no later than the end of the first week of classes. Such information shall be specific with regard to the penalty incurred for each absence and the means, if any, to compensate for the absence.

It is recognized that there may be certain situations where the student may not be permitted to make up the absence(s). Students participating in University-sanctioned activities should consult with instructors prior to registration, but no later than the end of the first week of classes, to determine the class attendance policy. At this time, the student should provide the instructor with a schedule of planned absences, preferably signed by the University official directing the activity, in order to allow the instructor to evaluate and advise the student on the possible impact of the planned absences. In this case, the instructor will consider absences due to participation in approved University activities, as outlined above, to be excused absences, on par with those due to other unavoidable circumstances such as illness.

Faculty judge the validity of student absences from class and may require documentation for excused absences. For classes requiring mandatory attendance incompatible with the number of planned absences, students will be advised to register, if possible, during a semester in which they will not be participating in the University-sanctioned activity. As with any academic issue, students may exercise their right to appeal adverse attendance decisions. Should the instructor and student be unable to agree on appropriate accommodation under this policy, either party shall have the right to request mediation from (in this order) the department chair, the academic dean, and the vice chancellor for academic affairs.

No person who is convicted of a riot offense shall be enrolled in a state-supported institution of higher education for a period of twelve months following the date of conviction.

A student who is enrolled in a state-supported institution of higher education and who is convicted of a riot offense shall be immediately suspended from the institution upon the institution’s notification of such conviction for a period of twelve months following the date of conviction; except that if a student has been suspended prior to the date of conviction by the state-supported institution of higher education for the same riot activity, the twelve month suspension shall run from the start of the suspension imposed by the institution. Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit a state-supported institution of higher education from implementing its own policies and procedures for disciplinary actions, in addition to the suspension regarding students involved in riots stipulated above (Colorado Revised Statues, 23-5-124).

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) is a federal law that protects students’ educational records. FERPA affords students certain rights with respect to those records:

• The right to inspect and review their own education records.
• The right to seek amendment of incorrect educational records.
• The right to have some control over the disclosure of information from their educational record.

Directory Information

FERPA directory information is information contained in a student’s educational record that generally would not be considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if disclosed. Under current UCCS policy, the following information is designated as directory information:

1. Student name. If provided, a preferred name will be used when there is not a documented business or legal reason to provide a student’s primary name. Students may select a diploma name for graduation and commencement materials.
2. Campus email address, subject to the limitation below.
3. Dates of attendance.
4. Previous educational institutions attended.
5. School/college or division of enrollment.
6. Majors, minors and field of study.
7. Classification level (e.g., freshman, sophomore, graduate student).
8. University-recognized honors and awards.
9. Degree status (e.g., expected graduation date and/or conferral dates/terms).
10. Enrollment status.
11. Employment related to student status (e.g., teaching assistant, resident assistant or work-study) and dates positions held.
12. Participation in officially recognized activities/sports, including height and weight of athletes.
13. Photos and videos taken or maintained by the university.

Although these items are designated by the University of Colorado Colorado Springs as directory information, only a limited amount of this information is routinely disclosed by UCCS officials, and the University retains the discretion to refuse to disclose directory information if it believes such disclosure would be an infringement of student privacy rights. Disclosure of campus email addresses is limited to requestors who agree not to use the campus email addresses for solicitation.

UCCS may change the designation of directory information from time to time. You will be notified of changes through email publication.

Students may request that the University not disclose their directory information by submitting a Non-Release of Directory Information Request Form available on the Office of the Registrar Student Forms webpage. Contact the Office of the Registrar for additional information.

More information about FERPA is available on the UCCS Office of the Registrar FERPA webpage. If you have questions regarding your rights under FERPA, please contact the Office of the Registrar (registrar@uccs.edu or 719-255-3361).

Disposal of Student Educational Records (CU Records Retention Policy)

Information about individuals should be retained only so long as it is valid and useful. Those responsible for academic information have an obligation to destroy information when conditions under which it was collected no longer prevail.

Any document containing personally identifiable information must be disposed of properly through some means of confidential disposal.

The CU Records Retention Policy establishes the principles and processes for the retention and disposal of University records, outlines the roles and responsibilities associated with this process, and provides records retention schedules for the University.

For more information, visit the Office of Policy and Efficiency. If you need information on confidential disposal, please contact the Office of the Registrar (registrar@uccs.edu or 719-255-3361).

                  Main Hall, Suite 312
                  Laura Emmot, Associate Vice Chancellor of Institutional Equity and Title IX Coordinator
                  D: lemmot@uccs.edu 719-255-3725
                  Main: equity@uccs.edu 719-255-4324
                  Web: https://equity.uccs.edu

UCCS is committed to maintaining a positive learning, working, and living environment. As such, UCCS prohibits discrimination and harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, disability, creed, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, marital status, political affiliation, or political philosophy in admission and access to, and treatment and employment in, its educational programs and activities. OIE administers the University of Colorado (CU) Sexual Misconduct policy, the UCCS Discrimination and Harassment Policy, and the CU Conflict of Interest in Cases of Amorous Relationships Policy, (considered “Applicable Policies”). You may review OIE’s Resolution Procedures and the Applicable Policies here: https://equity.uccs.edu/

Sexual Misconduct

As a place of work and study, UCCS must be free of sexual misconduct. The university’s Sexual Misconduct, Intimate Partner Violence, and Stalking Policy (CU Administrative Policy Statement (APS) 5014), prohibits sexual misconduct prohibited by Title IX, as well as conduct that falls outside of Title IX’s jurisdiction. Specifically, this policy prohibits sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, Title IX stalking, stalking, sexual exploitation, Title IX hostile environment, sexual harassment hostile environment, Title IX quid pro quo sexual harassment, and quid pro quo sexual harassment. The policy also prohibits retaliation and other related violations as defined within the Policy. 

Protected Class Discrimination and Harassment

The Discrimination and Harassment Policy (UCCS 300-017) prohibits discrimination and harassment on the basis of protected-class status in admission and access to, and treatment and employment in, its educational programs and activities. For purposes of the policy, “protected classes” refers to race, color, national origin, sex, pregnancy, age, disability, creed, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, political affiliation, and political philosophy. The policy also prohibits retaliation and other related misconduct.

Reporting

Crimes should be reported to law enforcement. The UCCS Police Department can be reached at (719) 255-3111The OIE encourages individuals who experience prohibited conduct to report the matter to the OIE as soon as possible. All employees, including student employees, as designated by the Director of the OIE and Title IX Coordinator, are considered “responsible employees” and are required to report all incidents of known or suspected violations of the Applicable Policies. A responsible employee is anyone who (1) has the authority to hire, promote, discipline, evaluate, grade, formally advise or direct faculty, staff, or students; (2) has the authority to take action to redress prohibited conduct; or (3) has been given the duty of reporting incidents of sexual violence or any other misconduct by students to the Director of Institutional Equity or designee. This includes but is not limited to faculty, teaching assistants, resident advisors, coaches, and program directors. 

For more information on the services OIE provides, or to make a report please visit the OIE website at: https://equity.uccs.edu/

Supportive & Safety Measures, and Resolutions

The OIE will work with any party to evaluate and implement supportive and/or safety measures in response to a report. Additionally, parties will be informed of their options for resolution which can include informal or formal grievance or adjudication procedures. Parties found responsible for violating one or more of the Applicable Policies will be referred to the appropriate campus authority for disciplinary action and/or sanctions. Possible disciplinary action and/or sanctions include termination of employment, suspension, or expulsion. Please refer to the OIE Resolution Procedures for details.

          
UCCS has established a Student Code of Conduct to maintain the general welfare of the University community. The University strives to make the campus a place of study, work, and residence where people are treated with civility, respect, and courtesy. Admission to the University carries with it the expectation that students will be responsible members of the campus community. This includes respecting the personal safety and individual rights of all in the University community, acting in accordance with accepted standards of social behavior, and abiding by the regulations of the University and the laws of the city, state, and nation. The Code of Conduct clearly states the University’s expectations for student behavior.

Students are expected to become familiar with these standards and fully understand their responsibility as University community members.

Jurisdiction

The Code of Conduct applies to all students at UCCS, regardless of designation, program, or residence. These regulations apply primarily to misconduct on University premises; however, off-campus violations that may impact the University’s mission fall under the jurisdiction of the Office of the Dean of Students and may lead to disciplinary action. Students may be held accountable to both civil and criminal authorities as well as to the University, by breaking a law that also violates the University standards. Disciplinary action by the University will not be subject to challenge or postponement on the grounds that criminal charges involving the same incident have been dismissed, reduced, or are pending in any state or federal judicial system. In addition, the University can pursue disciplinary action if a student violates a standard of conduct and then withdraws from the University.

Standards

Standards of conduct help promote a safe and civilized campus environment. All students enrolled at UCCS are required to abide by these standards, or they will be subject to discipline. An attempt to commit an act prohibited by these standards, or attempts to aid, abet, or incite others to commit acts prohibited by these standards, are subject to discipline to the same extent as a completed act. Similar standards of conduct apply to other members of the University community - faculty, staff, and visitors.

Prohibited acts are enumerated at the Dean of Student’s webpage. Allegations of any violations should be directed to the Office of the Dean of Students for resolution.

Complaints

Any member of the University community may file a written complaint with the Office of the Dean of Students alleging that a student has violated the Code of Conduct. The complaint must include a statement of the facts describing the alleged violation. The Office will not accept anonymous complaints. The Office may also initiate charges. Upon receipt of a complaint, the Office decides whether there is substance to the complaint; whether the complaint falls within the jurisdiction of the Code of Conduct; and whether disciplinary proceedings should occur. In order to make this determination, the Office may need to gather additional information about the incident.

Rights and Responsibilities

The Code of Conduct document details the rights and responsibilities of students accused of misconduct as well as victims of alleged student misconduct.

Additional Information

Questions regarding behavioral or conduct issues should be directed to the Office of the Dean of Students, (719) 255-3091 or dos@uccs.edu .

Student Appeals

The University has established systematic procedures for students who believe that inappropriate decisions have been made that affect them. Academic issues (for example, graduation requirements or course grades) should be addressed to the office of the dean of the appropriate school/college. Appeals of administrative actions (for example, financial aid awards or parking tickets) should be directed to the office who made that decision. There is a one-year statute of limitations on appeals concerning financial matters.

Office of the Registrar
Main Hall 108
(719) 255-3361

If your legal residence is in El Paso County, you can vote in the upcoming election! To be eligible to register you must meet the following criteria:

• be 18 years of age or older at the time of the next election
• are a United States citizen
• are a Colorado resident and have lived in your current precinct for at least 30 days before the election
• are not serving a sentence (including parole) for a felony conviction

http://www.sos.state.co.us/pubs/elections/main.html