Eastern Connecticut State University Policies

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Eastern Connecticut State University

A. Civil and University Judicial Policies

When civil and University regulations are concurrently violated, both civil and University judicial procedures will be followed independently. To assist students in understanding disciplinary or legal situations, Student Affairs Officers are available for consultation.
 
B. Hearing Officer
 
1. The purpose of the hearing officer is to hear matters referred by members of the University community to determine:
    a) whether a violation has occurred or not,
    b) where a violation has occurred, imposing an appropriate sanction.
 
2. Professional staff from the University or the Office of Student Affairs may be designated as hearing officers. The officer shall meet as required for the purposes of training, hearing
cases, evaluation of the program and preparation of reports as required.
 
3. The hearing officer shall have original jurisdiction over all cases, except disputed parking tickets, which are heard by the Parking Appeal Board.
 
4. The judicial process shall be initiated in each case by the filing of a legibly written or typed, dated, signed and sealed Campus Hearing Complaint Form within 90 days of the date of occurrence. Copies of this form are available in the Office of Student Affairs and must be filed there.
 
5. Minor offenses that occur in the residential facilities may be heard by a panel of hearing officers consisting of students appointed by the Dean of Student Affairs or his/her designee.
 
6. The Office of Student Affairs may, at the discretion of the Dean, communicate to a student's parent(s) or their guardian any matter relating to the Disciplinary File of a student who is determined to be a dependent for IRS purposes.
 
7. All students who wish to inquire about their rights and responsibilities in the judicial process, should make an appointment with the coordinator of the student judicial system, Office of Student Affairs.
 
C. Judicial Appeal Process

1.The Dean of Student Affairs or designee shall serve as appeal officer. Appeal cases shall be heard only upon receipt of a valid written request. The right of appeal does not entitle a student to a full rehearing of the case. The appeal officer shall limit the review of a previous decision to the following three criteria:
    a) A question of due process. Did the hearing officer conduct him/herself in such a way that
        the accused did not have an opportunity to prepare and present a defense?
    b) A question of evidence. Was the evidence at the hearing substantial enough to justify a
        decision against the accused?
    c) A question of the sanction imposed. Was the sanction imposed in keeping with the gravity
        of the situation?
 
2. The appeal officer has the power to take any of the following actions:
    a) refuse to accept an appeal which does not meet the above stated criteria;
    b) accept the decision of the hearing officer and the sanction imposed;
    c) accept the decision of the hearing officer but reduce the sanction;
    d) reject the decision of the hearing officer and dismiss the case; or
    e) reject the decision of the hearing officer and schedule a new hearing.
 
3.The appeal officer may not increase a sanction previously imposed by a hearing officer.
 
4. The decision of the appeal officer shall be final.
 
D. Student On-Campus Housing - Entry and/or Search
 
1.The University regards the right to privacy as an essential freedom. Premises occupied by students shall not be entered without permission except for:

    a) Routine inspections, emergency repairs and/or routine maintenance. Such activities will
    not include searches, but are only for the purpose of inspection, maintenance and repair. A
    record of activities will be maintained and students may obtain information about work
    done from the Physical Plant Department.

    b) Entries authorized in advance by the President, Vice-President for Student Affairs, or
    Dean of Students in writing based upon reliable information that such entry is necessary for
    the purpose of removing items, including but not limited to weapons or other contraband,    
    which pose a threat to the health or safety of students, faculty, staff or visitors to the campus.
    The scope of any search conducted pursuant to this authorization shall extend no further
    than is necessary to secure and remove the item (s) posing the threat to health or safety and   
    specifically identified in the written authorization.

    c) Entries and searches conducted by duly authorized law enforcement officials under
    circumstances authorized by law.
 
E. Instructional Rights and Responsibilities

1. Each student is free to take reasonable exception to data and views presented in any course. Students are free from arbitrary dismissal from any course. The student's responsibility is to exercise freedom of expression within orderly procedures, and in a manner that reflects thought, scholarly analysis, and knowledge of the course material.

2. Each student has the right to be instructed by professors whose course materials are relevant to their disciplines and who maintain established standards for academic performance. Students have a right to professors who are adequately prepared for class, hold classes and examinations as scheduled, and are accessible for individual conferences. It is the responsibility of all instructors to define course content, standards and criteria for evaluation no later than the second meeting of each course. To promote optimum understanding, this information is best presented or confirmed in writing. For their part, students have the right and responsibility to ask questions regarding evaluation criteria and procedure. Each student has the right to see and have explained all evaluated course material.

3. Each student has the right to be evaluated entirely upon the basis of academic performance, including the attendance requirement, and not on opinion or conduct in matters not related to academic standards.
 
F. Student Records and Disclosure
 
1. Eastern Connecticut State University is committed to compliance with federal and state legislation. Copies of appropriate legislation and the guidelines related to confidential records are available in the University library reserve section. The official transcript of academic records contains only information about academic status. Information from academic, disciplinary, medical and counseling files is not available to unauthorized persons on campus or to any person off campus without the written consent of the student involved, except under legal compulsion.

2. Academic records remain permanently on file in the Registrar's Office. ALL MEMBERS OF THE UNIVERSITY STAFF SHALL RESPECT CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION ABOUT STUDENTS WHICH THEY ACQUIRE IN THE COURSE OF THEIR WORK. Information about student views, beliefs, political associations and personal behavior which staff members acquire in the course of their work is considered confidential. Protection against improper disclosure is a professional obligation. Faculty or staff judgments of ability and character may be provided with the knowledge and consent of the student.

3. Students have the right to see their records in accordance with prevailing state and federal laws and guidelines.
 
G. Student Organizations and Facilities

1. Student organizations have the right to examine and discuss all questions of interest to them, to express opinions publicly and privately, to support causes
by orderly means, to organize public demonstrations and protest gatherings, and to exercise the right of petition. However, this does not give individuals or groups the right to deprive others of the opportunity to speak or be heard, to invade the property of others, to damage state property of others, to disrupt the regular and essential operation of the University, or otherwise interfere with the rights of others.

2. Subject to the control of the Board of Trustees and the authority of the Board delegates to the University President, students have the right to participate in the formation of University policy. General and specific responsibilities of the University governing bodies are explicitly outlined in their constitutions.

3. Students are allowed to invite and to hear any person or group of their choosing. Those routine procedures required by the University before an event is held are designed to insure that there is orderly scheduling of facilities and adequate preparation for the event and adequate security of individuals and University property. Sponsorship of guest speakers or groups does not necessarily imply approval or endorsement of the views expressed, either by the sponsoring group or the University.
 
H. Student Publications

1. Student publications are understood to be those financed by student fees and are free from censorship and advance approval of copy. Editors and managers are free to develop their own editorial policies and news coverage. An advisor serves as a resource to student staff in apprising them of copy which may result in any of the following charges: libel, indecency, undocumented allegations, attacks on personal integrity and/or harassment. The freedom of student editors entails corollary responsibilities to abide by the canons of responsible journalism. The respective staffs of student publications have responsibility for election and removal of their own editors.

2. Editors and managers of student publications shall be protected from arbitrary suspension or removal from their respective positions solely because of editorial policy or content.

3. All student publications shall explicitly state on their masthead or flags that the opinions therein expressed are not necessarily those of the University or the student body.
 
I. Campus Parking Appeal Board

1. The campus Parking Appeal Board hears appeals concerning parking tickets issued by campus police.

2. The campus Parking Appeal Board has five members. One is elected from each of the following: classified personnel, instructional faculty and the administrative faculty. The student government will elect two: one resident and one commuter student. The term of office is two years. The coordinator of the campus judicial system shall cause to be held all non-student elections in the fall term. Service on this Board begins with the beginning of the spring semester in each year.

3. The appeal process shall be initiated by filing a Campus Parking Appeal Form within 7 days of issue of ticket. Copies of this form are available at the University police department and should be completed and left there.
 
J. Coordination of the Student Judicial System

1.The Dean of Student Affairs shall appoint a coordinator to administer all activities covered by this document. The coordinator shall:
    a) administer the campus judicial system;
    b) see that the document is distributed to all members of the University community
        (students, faculty and staff);
    c) obtain nominations and conduct elections for officers as prescribed on the document;
    d) arrange for a briefing of new officers before they begin official duties;
    e) consult with students who request assistance when charged before the officer to answer
        questions and review details of charges;
    f) provide for adequate record keeping, insuring appropriate access to records when
        justified and
    g) assist the hearing officer in preparing reports as required.

2. The Dean of Student Affairs will initiate a review of this document at least every four years. When a formal review is undertaken the composition of the committee shall be:
- two students (one resident and one commuter) elected by the Student Senate;
- one instructional faculty member (president of University Senate or his/her designee);
- one classified staff member (nominated and appointed in the same manner as members of the campus hearing board);
- one administrative faculty member (vice president for the administrative affairs or his/her       designee);
- Dean of Student Affairs and one designee and coordinator (ex-officio); committee will elect its own chairperson.
 
K. Uniform Campus Crime Report; Public Act 90-259
The required uniform crime report for the campus is available upon request
from the Campus Police Department. Any individual requesting a copy may
receive one from the above office.
 
Website Design: Shawn McQuillan, Judicial Affairs Intern