SECTION F: STUDENT RELATED POLICIES
TABLE OF CONTENTS
F. STUDENT RELATED POLICIES
Student Rights and the Academic Process.
Academic Freedom of Students
Perceived Teaching Effectiveness of Faculty
Attendance at Initial Class Meetings
Changes of Grade and Student Grievances
Student Disciplinary Review Board
STUDENT RIGHTS AND THE ACADEMIC PROCESS
Academic Freedom of Students (Based on a statement developed by the AAUP)
Free inquiry and free expression are essential attributes of the community of scholars. As members of that community, students should be encouraged to develop the capacity for critical judgment and to engage in a sustained and independent search for truth. The freedom to learn depends upon appropriate opportunities and conditions in the classroom, on the campus, and in the larger community. The responsibility to secure and to respect general conditions conducive to the freedom to learn is shared by all members of the academic community. Students should endeavor to exercise their freedom with maturity and responsibility.
The professor should encourage free discussion, inquiry, and expression. Students should be evaluated solely on the basis of their academic performance, not on their opinions or conduct in matters unrelated to academic standards.
Students are responsible for learning thoroughly the content of any course of study, but they should be free to take reasoned exception to the data or views offered, and to reserve judgment about matters of opinion.
Students are responsible for maintaining standards of academic performance established by their professors, but they should have protection through orderly procedures against prejudiced or capricious academic evaluation.
Information about student views, beliefs, and political associations which professors acquire in the course of their work as instructors, advisors, and counselors should be considered confidential. Protection against improper disclosure is a serious professional obligation. Judgments of ability and character may be provided under appropriate circumstances.
The Classroom (Quoted from CSUDH Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook, August, 1986).
A. Rights and Responsibilities
1. CSUDH Academic Senate Resolution EPC 87-14 and PM 87-16 states that during the first week of classes an instructor is to distribute to the class members printed information about the course. This course information is to include at least the following items:*
1. The instructor's grading policy.
2. Required texts and other materials.
3. The availability of the instructor outside of class, including office hours and office telephone number.
In addition, it is recommended that the following items be part of the course information:
1. Prerequisites for the course.
2. Course goals, objectives and requirements
3. Attendance requirements
4. Policy on due dates and make-up work
5. Schedule of examinations.
The instructor is encouraged to distribute a syllabus appropriate for the level and nature of the course.* The instructor is to leave a copy of the course information and/or syllabus in the department office.
2. Students have the right to substantive preparation and presentation from the instructor appropriate to the course. Repeated failure of the instructor to meet his/her classes according to the established campus guidelines or lack of preparation are legitimate grounds for student complaints or grievances.
Recognizing that a professor has great freedom to structure the learning situations in the classroom, when the format of the class so warrants and the research undertaken is directly related to the subject matter of the course, students are expected to volunteer to participate as subjects on research studies as part of their learning experience. If a student refuses to volunteer, the professor will provide alternative learning experiences for that student. When an instructor wishes to use students in her/his own research, where this research is tangential or unrelated to course content, the instructor must clearly indicate to any students that their participation in such research is voluntary. In any case, research conducted at California State University, Dominguez Hills is expected to adhere to standards for use of human and animal subjects set forth by professional organizations such as the American Anthropological Association, the American Psychological Association, and the American Sociological Association.
The students are entitled to instructors who refrain from acts or conditions listed in Section 24306 of the Education Code, e.g., unprofessional or immoral conduct, dishonesty, incompetence, etc. Such acts or conditions may cause the University to take disciplinary action against the instructor under Chancellor's Executive Order No. 245.
3. The individual instructor controls the order and direction of a class and the scope and treatment of the subject matter, and the class must be free of distraction or disruption. Each student must respect the rights of others in the maintenance of classroom order and in the observance of basic courtesy. A student may be ordered to leave a class for cheating or when her/his behavior obstructs the regular activity of the class. The instructor, however, may not officially dis-enroll a student from a course as discipline without following the student disciplinary procedure.
B. Plagiarism
At the heart of any university are its efforts to encourage critical reading skills, effective communication, and, above all, intellectual honesty among its students. Thus, all academic work submitted by a student as her or his own should be in her or his own unique style, words, and form. When work is submitted that purports to be original, but actually is not, the student has committed plagiarism.
Plagiarism is considered a gross violation of the University's academic and disciplinary standards. Plagiarism includes the following: copying of one person's work by another and claiming it as her or his own, false presentation of one's self as the author or creator of a work, falsely taking credit for another person's unique method of treatment or expression, falsely representing one's self as the source of ideas or expression, or the presentation of someone else's language, ideas, or works without giving that person due credit. It is not limited to written works. For example, one can plagiarize music compositions, photographs, works of art, choreography, computer programs, or any other creative effort.
Plagiarism is cause for formal University discipline and is justification for an instructor to assign a lower grade or a failing grade in the course in which the plagiarism is committed. In addition, the University may impose its own disciplinary measures.
C. Perceived Teaching Effectiveness of Faculty
1. Students' Role
Good teaching is recognized as a priority consideration in making faculty assignments to California State University, Dominguez Hills. Similarly, teaching effectiveness, along with scholarship and participation in University and community affairs, is a most important criterion in the subsequent reappointment, promotion, and tenure of faculty members. "Perceived Teaching Effectiveness" (PTE) forms are the instruments whereby students evaluate faculty performance. The part-time faculty are required to administer the forms in each class they teach. These PTE forms are distributed by Faculty Affairs through the office of the school/college dean on or by the thirteenth week of each semester and may be administered during a scheduled class hour or exam hour between (and including) the thirteenth week of class and the final examination period at the end of the semester.
Students have a RESPONSIBILITY to participate in this process of faculty evaluation. Sincere and objective appraisals by students are expected. Students have a RIGHT to expect that these PTE forms will be looked upon seriously and will serve both the purpose of faculty self-appraisal and faculty review for retention at the University.
2. Confidentiality
The procedures detailed for the administration and handling of PTE forms are designed to protect the students in their personal perceptions of the teaching effectiveness of faculty. The forms are to be administered by someone other than the instructor of the class and promptly sealed and routed according to instructions which accompany packets of PTE forms.
Students also have the RESPONSIBILITY to ensure that the PTE package is not in the faculty member's hands once the forms have been completed. A student is required to pick up the PTE forms from the class, place them in the PTE envelope provided and walk them to the ERC building and place them in the receptacle provided at the Circulation Desk. For off-campus classes different arrangements may be made with the Associate Vice President of Faculty Affairs.
If a student thinks her/his confidentiality has been violated, the incident should be reported to the Department Chair, the School/College Dean, the Vice President of Student Affairs or the Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs.
Attendance at Initial Class Meetings
(Reference: PM 84-12, 6/22/84)
Prior to the end of the second week of classes, a faculty member may, by following the appropriate procedures, initiate a formal drop of students who:
1) have not attended the first two class meetings (or the first meeting if the class meets only once a week), and
2) have not, by the end of the first week of classes, advised the faculty member (or the department chair, if no faculty member was assigned to the course in advance) that their absence is temporary.
It is the responsibility of the student to make certain that her/his drop has been officially recorded. Continued absence from the class may yield a grade of "U". Students who are in doubt as to whether or not a faculty member has dropped them from the class rolls should file their own drop from a class.
Disabled Student Services
(Reference: PM 83-03, 3/4/83 and ADA, 1990)
The law (specifically, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973), system policy, and common sense dictate that accommodations be made to allow students with disabilities to pursue their academic goals. In order to guide our actions in working with disabled students, the academic community has agreed to the following statement:
As we interpret the intent of the law, the role of faculty in relation to disabled students is to provide an opportunity for the student to demonstrate competency in a course. While for most students this will not affect current operating procedures, it will sometimes involve making necessary accommodations for a student with a given disability. However, regardless of what changes are made in course assignments, faculty are expected to evaluate the end products (tests, papers, presentations, etc.) against the same basic criteria as those used for other students, i.e., how well the student has demonstrated understanding of course content and achieved the course objectives.
The Disabled Student Services (DSS) office provides support services to students with disabilities which allow them to function in the classroom and assist students in becoming as independent, competent, and functional as possible. This requires that students receive realistic feedback on performance in the classroom and be in control of the personal resources they use. DSS provides advisement to faculty and students, and coordinates services for such things as time management, tutoring, and accommodating specific problems.
The Disabled Student Services will seldom, if ever, recommend waivers of course or major requirements for disabled students; but will rather work to find a legitimate accommodation. This will sometimes require alternative methods of teaching a course or alternative assignments. The Office of DSS will provide consultation with faculty on commercially available aids, technological advances, and techniques to surmount limitations of the disabling condition. But only the instructor will be able to design alternative assignments and accommodations which will provide the appropriate learning experience for the student.
Changes of Grade and Student Grievances
California State University, Dominguez Hills, to implement Chancellor's Executive Order No. 320, developed procedures to deal with the assignment of grades and grade appeals. This appeal procedure is to be read along with Order 320.
Please refer to PM 87-01 or the most recent edition of the Student Rights & Responsibilities Handbook for complete grievance and grade appeal procedures.
The Student Rights & Responsibilities Handbook, Volume 1 (Revised: 1990) gives a detailed account of grade appeal and grievance procedures. A grade change is permitted when a student can show clear evidence that a grade was clearly unfair, prejudiced, capricious, or the result of clerical error. The presumption is that grades assigned are correct until there is a clear demonstration otherwise. The burden of proof rests on the student who is grieving.
Normally, in order for a student to initiate a grievance or grade appeal, he or she must have met with the faculty member of record within one regular semester of the time the student knew or should have known of the problem or dispute. If the problem cannot be resolved informally the student can proceed with the formal grievance, following appropriate channels and timelines as described in the Student Rights & Responsibilities Handbook (Volume 1) (Revised 1990).
It is the policy of CSUDH to comply with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of a handicap or disability in all University programs and activities. A formal grievance related to discrimination is initiated by completing the "Section 504 Complaint Form," available in the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs. The completed form must be filed in a timely manner with the President's designated Affirmative Action Officer.
It is also the policy of CSUDH to comply with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any educational program or activity. A formal grievance is initiated by completing the "Title IX Complaint Form," available in the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs. The completed form must be filed in a timely manner with the President's designated Administrative Officer.
These appeal procedures may be reviewed and revised by the Academic Senate with concurrence of the President. Changes will be immediately posted in official copies of the procedures in the Offices of the Academic Senate, University President, Vice President of Student Affairs, Associate Vice President of Faculty Affairs, and Associated Students. Periodically, revisions will be sent to all faculty for inclusion into their copies of the Faculty Handbooks.
Faculty who have questions or concerns regarding changes of grade and student grievances should confer with the Associate Vice President of Faculty Affairs.
STUDENT DISCIPLINE
The Student Rights and Responsibilities Handbook includes a statement entitled "Standards of Conduct Expected of Students". If a faculty member thinks that a student's conduct is unacceptable and detrimental to the educational process, the faculty member should discuss the situation with the Vice President of Student Affairs. If appropriate, the Vice President will cause disciplinary action to be taken according to the procedures adopted by the Board of Trustees and issued as Chancellor's Executive Order No. 148, dated March 8, 1972.
Title V of the California Administrative Code specifies conduct which is cause for student disciplinary action. The pertinent excerpt appears below.
41301. Expulsion, Suspension, and Probation of Students. Following procedures consonant with due process established pursuant to Section 41304, any student of a campus may be expelled, suspended, placed on probation or given a lesser sanction for one or more of the following causes which must be campus related:
a. Cheating or plagiarism in connection with an academic program on campus.
b. Forgery, alteration or misuse of campus documents, records, or identification or knowingly furnishing false information to a campus.
c. Misrepresentation of oneself or of an organization to be an agent of a campus.
d. Obstruction or disruption, on or off campus property, of the campus educational process, administrative process, or other campus function.
e. Physical abuse on or off campus property of the person or property of any member of the campus community or of members of her or his family or the threat of such physical abuse.
f. Theft of, or non-accidental damage to, campus property, or property in the possession of, or owned by, a member of the campus community.
g. Unauthorized entry into, unauthorized use of, or misuse of campus property.
h. On campus property, the sale or knowing possession of dangerous drugs, restricted dangerous drugs, or narcotics as those terms are used in California statutes, except when lawfully prescribed pursuant to medical or dental care, or when lawfully permitted for the purpose of research, instruction or analysis.
i. Knowing possession or use of explosives, dangerous chemicals or deadly weapons on campus property or at a campus function without prior authorization of the campus president.
j. Engaging in lewd, indecent, or obscene behavior on campus property or at a campus function.
k. Abusive behavior directed toward, or hazing of, a member of the campus community.
l. Violation of any order of a campus president, notice of which had been given prior to such violation and during the academic term in which the violation occurs, either by publication in the campus newspaper, or by posting on an official bulletin board designated for this purpose, and which order is not inconsistent with any of the other provisions of this Section.
m. Soliciting or assisting another to do any act which would subject a student to expulsion, suspension or probation pursuant to this section.
Student Disciplinary Review Board
Section lO(a) of Chancellor's Executive Order No. 148, which established the standard student disciplinary procedures for all institutions in The California State University system, provides that:
The President may establish a procedure whereby a committee of students, or students together with faculty, or students together with faculty and administrative personnel, shall, in such cases as the President may determine, review the recommendations of the Hearing Officer with respect to the discipline to be imposed, if any, and advise the President. Such committees, if established, shall be composed in such manner as the institution may determine. It shall not receive new evidence or argument, or conduct hearings, and its members shall be bound by the policy of confidentiality as stated in Section 9-1. If such a committee is established, the President shall forward a copy of the report of the Hearing Officer to the committee as soon as it is received, and the committee shall present its recommendations, if any, to the President within two working days of its receipt of the report.
The duties of the President under Executive Order 148 are delegated to the Vice President of Student Affairs.
Within the context of this provision, a student Disciplinary Review Board is established to review during the academic year all discipline cases in which a disciplinary report from a hearing officer comes to the Vice President of Student Affairs recommending that student be suspended or expelled from the University.
The Board will consist of five members who will be appointed by the University Vice President of Student Affairs. The terms will be for one year but members may be appointed to additional terms of service. The membership will be as follows:
1. Three student members of the Student Judiciary, selected by the Vice President in consultation with the Associated Students President;
2. A staff member of the University appointed by the Vice President of Student Affairs;
3. A faculty member recommended by the Academic Senate.
In some circumstances it may be necessary for members of the Board to disqualify themselves and not participate in reviewing cases in which they have been personally involved or in which their objectivity might reasonably be questioned; the remaining members of the Board will act on the case at hand. The Board can function with three members if one of them is either a staff or faculty representative. If such three members can not act within two working days of receipt of the report, the Vice President of Student Affairs will act without receiving a report.
The Vice President of Student Affairs will appoint the Chair of the Board. The Board will receive logistical and secretarial support, if needed, from the office of the Vice President of Student Affairs.
If the report from the disciplinary hearing recommends suspension or expulsion from the University, the following action will be taken.
1. The report will be referred to the Coordinator of Student Discipline who will reproduce five copies which will be given without comment to the Chairperson of the Board; and
2. The members of the Board will meet in closed session and be bound by the policy of confidentiality. Based upon the report, the Board will make a written recommendation to the Vice President of Student Affairs, with respect to the discipline to be imposed on the student, if any. The Board members may, if they are unable to agree, attach written dissents or minority views to their report to the Vice President. The Board's written report will be delivered to the Vice President's Office within two working days of having received the five copies from the Coordinator.
The University will proceed with student discipline cases during recesses, vacations and the summer without the participation of the Student Disciplinary Review Board.
Threats to Faculty and Staff
(Reference: PM 83-04, 3/3/83)
When a threat made to any faculty or staff member is reported, the person receiving the report will immediately contact the Campus Judicial Coordinator who, in consultation with the Vice President, Student Affairs, will take responsibility for coordinating the campus response and contacting the appropriate people who will respond as follows:
1. Public Safety
a. Run a background check on the person making the threat to determine if there is an arrest record and report findings to the Judicial Coordinator.
b. Contact the threatened person and offer services as appropriate.
(l) Escort to parking lot.
(2) Surveillance in building.
(3) Assistance in contacting local police to request extra surveillance of home.
c. In some cases, it may be appropriate to arrest the student and make a criminal charge.