Student Rights and Responsibilities

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.

Academic honesty and integrity are vital elements of a dynamic academic institution. The responsibility for ethical conduct rests with each individual member of the academic community—students, faculty, and staff.

UCCS has an ongoing commitment to maintain and encourage academic integrity. Therefore, the university has created a set of standards of academic honesty and procedures governing violations of these principles. Copies of the UCCS Academic Honor Code document may be obtained at the Kraemer Family Library, from the offices of the deans of the various schools/colleges, from the office of the Dean of Students, or from the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs.

Forms of Academic Dishonesty

1. Plagiarism—use of distinctive ideas or words belonging to another person, without adequately acknowledging that person’s contribution
2. Cheating—intentionally possessing, communicating, using, or attempting to use unauthorized (by the instructor) materials, information, notes, study aids, or other devices, in any academic exercise
3. Fabrication and Falsification—intentional and unauthorized alteration or invention of any information or citation in an academic exercise
4. Multiple Submission—submission of substantial portions of either written or oral academic work which has previously earned credit, when such submission is made without instructor authorization
5. Misuse of Academic Materials—intentionally or knowingly destroying, stealing, or making inaccessible, library or other academic resource material
6. Complicity in Academic Dishonesty—intentionally or knowingly contributing to the academic dishonesty of another

These examples of academic dishonesty shall not be construed to be comprehensive, and infractions will be dealt with on an individual basis. It is the obligation of each student to assist in the enforcement of academic standards; infractions— whether by students or faculty—should be first brought to the attention of the instructor.

Detailed instructions about reporting a suspected infraction; appealing an alleged infraction; and applying sanctions for infractions are outlined in the UCCS Academic Honor Code document. Questions about the academic honor code should be addressed to the Dean of Students, Main Hall, room 322, (719) 255-3258.

              Main Hall, Room 320
              (719) 255-3304

UCCS follows a policy of equal opportunity in education and employment. In pursuance of this policy, no campus department, unit, discipline, or employee shall discriminate against an individual or group on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, national origin, individual handicap or veteran status. This policy applies to all areas of the university affecting present and prospective students or employees.

The institution’s educational programs, activities, and services offered to students and/or employees are nondiscriminatory and consistent with State affirmative action guidelines, as well as with Federal laws and orders.

For information about these provisions on equity, discrimination, or fairness, as well as internal and external complaint procedures, contact the Affirmative Action Office.

For training in Diversity, Inclusiveness and Preventing Discrimination, or Preventing Sexual Harassment, contact the Affirmative Action Office, 255-3304.

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).

Annual Notice to Students: The University of Colorado complies fully with the provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974. The act was designed to protect the privacy of education records, to establish the right of students to inspect and review their education records in all offices, and to provide guidelines for the correction of inaccurate or misleading data through informal and formal hearings. Students also have the right to file complaints with the FERPA office concerning alleged failures by the institution to comply with the act.

Local guidelines explain in detail the procedures to be used by the institution for compliance with the provisions of the act. Copies of the guidelines can be found in the Admissions and Records Office.

The Admissions and Records Office has been designated by the institution to coordinate the inspection and review of student education records located in various university offices. Students wishing to review their education records must come to the Admissions and Records Office and present proper identification. All other records inquiries must be directed to the proper office, i.e., financial aid, bursar, etc.

Students may not inspect the following, as outlined by the act: financial information submitted by their parents, confidential letters that they have waived their rights to review, or education records containing information about more than one student, in which case the institution will permit access only to that part of the record that pertains to the inquiring student. Records that may be inspected include admissions, academic, and financial aid files, and cooperative education and placement records.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords students certain rights with respect to their education records. They are as follows:

1. The right to inspect and review education records within 45 days of the day the university receives their request for access. Students should submit to the registrar, dean, head of the academic department, or other appropriate official, written requests that identify the educational record(s) they wish to inspect. The university official will make arrangements for access and notify them of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained by the university official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise them of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.
2. The right to request the amendment of students’ education records that they believe are inaccurate or misleading. They may ask the university to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading. They should write the university official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading. If the university decides not to amend the record as requested by the student, the university will notify the student of their right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to them when notified of the right to a hearing.
3. The right to consent for disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in their education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent. One exception that permits disclosure without consent is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the university in an administrative, supervisory, academic, research, or support staff position (including law enforcement unit, personnel and health staff); a person or company with whom the university has contracted (such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent); a person serving on the Board of Regents; a student employee; or a student serving on an official committee, or one assisting another school official in performing his or her task. A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility. Upon request, the university discloses education records without consent to officials of another school in which a student seeks or intends to enroll.
4. The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by the university to comply with the requirements of FERPA. The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is:
   
   The Family Compliance Office
   U.S. Department of Education
   600 Independence Avenue, SW
   Washington, DC 20202-4605
   (202) 260-3887

The following items of student information have been designated by the University of Colorado as public or “directory” information: name, mailing and permanent addresses, telephone numbers, e-mail address, dates of attendance, registration status, class, previous educational institutions attended, major field of study, awards, honors, degree(s) conferred, past and present participation in officially recognized sports and activities, physical factors (height and weight) of athletes, prior schools attended, date and place of birth. Such information may be disclosed by the institution at its discretion.

                  Main Hall, Room 403
                  (719) 255-4324

Sexual Harassment Policy

UCCS is a collegial academic community whose mission requires an open learning and working environment that values and protects individual dignity. UCCS’ educational process is based upon mutual trust, freedom of inquiry, freedom of expression, and the absence of intimidation and exploitation.

As a place of work and study, UCCS must be free of inappropriate and disrespectful conduct and communication of a sexual nature, of sexual harassment, and of all forms of sexual intimidation and exploitation. Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute sexual harassment when submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual’s employment, living conditions and/or academic evaluation; when submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis of employment or academic decisions affecting such individual; or when such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonable interfering with an individual’s work or academic performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working or educational environment.

Any person who desires information, has questions about procedures, or feels that he/she may have been sexually harassed is encouraged to speak with the Sexual Harassment Officer. Copies of the university Policy on Sexual Harassment are available on the campus Web site, www. uccs.edu, from the campus Sexual Harassment Officer, and in most offices on campus.

Any individual who believes he/she has been discriminated against is encouraged to contact the Sexual Harassment and Discrimination Officer.

For training in Diversity, Inclusiveness and Preventing Discrimination, or Preventing Sexual Harassment, contact the Affirmative Action Office at (719) 255-3304.

             Dean of Students
             Main Hall, room 322
             (719) 255-3258

UCCS has established a 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 Standards of Conduct clearly state 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 Standards of Conduct apply 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 Student Conduct 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 www.uccs.edu/~dos/studentconduct/index.html. Allegations of any violations should be directed to the Office of Student Conduct for resolution.

Complaints

Any member of the university community may file a written complaint with the Office of Student Conduct alleging that a student has violated the Standards 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 Standards 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 Standards 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 issues should be directed to the Dean of Students Office.

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. Advice and assistance on appeal procedures are available from the Dean of Students, Room 322, Main Hall, (719) 255-3258. There is a one-year statute of limitations on appeals concerning financial matters.