STUDENT SERVICES: Student Responsibilities
Personal Conduct
Each student is expected to be an example of proper conduct. This includes the student's attitudes, actions, appearance, and attire. The University's administration has the authority to take appropriate action through the Student Body Association or administrative disciplinary measures if this code of conduct is not adhered to. It is the policy of the University to prohibit smoking except in designated areas and prohibits unlawful possession or use of controlled substances or alcoholic beverages. Firearms possession anywhere on campus is STRICTLY PROHIBITED.
Code of Conduct
The disciplinary standards include rules and enforcement measures. These are the basic guidelines for conduct on the premises of the University, at any school sponsored activity and, under certain circumstances, behavior in the outside community.
At any time, the University reserves the right to exclude students whose conduct is deemed undesirable or prejudicial to the University community's best interest.
All amendments of the standards must be approved by the Dean in conjunction with the Board of Trustees. These standards are liable to amendment at any time with notices being posted on the campus bulletin boards and/or with the amendments prominently displayed in the quarterly CalUMS News, the campus newsletter.
The disciplinary standard described herein affords procedural fairness to the accused student and flexibility to the administration of the sanctions based on the individual circumstances of each case. Behavior resulting in disciplinary action may involve, but is not limited to, one or a combination of those listed below:
- Possession of alcoholic beverages on campus or school activities at any time.
- Intoxication of the student.
- No student will threaten another physically.
- Falsification of University documents, records, or identification
- Dishonesty in any form, including plagiarism, illegal copying of software, knowingly furnishing false information to the University
- Cheating or Compromising test materials.
- Removal of library materials without permission.
- Disruption of class or academic activities.
- Usage of abusive language to another student, instructor, or administrator.
- Theft or damage of University property or fellow student's property.
- Illegal use of intoxication with controlled substances.
- Physical assault for any reason except clear self-defense.
- Vandalism on University property.
- Conviction for a crime beyond normal traffic violations.
- Aiding and/or abetting in any of the above situations.
- Possession of firearms or illegal weapons as defined by state and federal guidelines.
- Violation of any state policies or regulations governing student relationship to the University.
Students accused of improper conduct shall be given adequate notice of the charges and an opportunity to present their case to an impartial appeals committee. Written notice of specific charge(s) made against a student shall be given at least 15 (fifteen) days before the student is to appear before the committee. While disciplinary action against a student is pending, the student's status does not change unless it is found that the student poses a significant threat to the University community. Hearings are private; the accused student is afforded the opportunity to rebut all charges. The University establishes the charges by a preponderance of the evidence. The student has the right to appeal the disciplinary actions to the Academic Dean, but on the grounds that fair procedure was not followed by the committee or that the evidence in the record does not justify the decision or the sanction. A record will be kept of the disciplinary action taken, and the basis for this decision. The disciplinary action taken may be reflected on the student's permanent record, as part of the disciplinary punishment. Disciplinary action invoked by the committee may involve, but is not limited to, one or a combination of the alternatives listed as follows:
Dismissal
Separation of the student from the University on a permanent basis.
Suspension
Separation of the student from the University for a specific length of time.
Probation
Status of the student indicating that the relationship with the University is tenuous and that the student's record will be reviewed periodically to determine suitability to remain enrolled. Specific limitations and restrictions on the student's privileges may accompany probation.
University policy stipulates that a student dismissed by disciplinary action, from either the University or a course, will not receive a refund of tuition or other fees. Students dismissed from the University for disciplinary reasons must exclude themselves from the University classes, activities, facilities, and buildings. Any exception must be approved by the President.
A student who is dismissed may reapply for admission after two quarter's separation.
Students who have not fulfilled their financial obligation to the University are in violation of the University contract. Said students may be denied the right to graduate, take examinations, receive degrees, and obtain or request transcripts of their grades.
Student Obligations
In order for students to remain in good standing at the University, they must:
- Maintain academic standards, attend classes, and meet all financial obligations.
- Be respectful in dealing with faculty, administrators, staff, and fellow students.
- Comply with the federal, state, and municipal laws of the United States as well as the rules and regulations of the University.
Additionally, international students must:
- Enroll in a minimum of twelve (12) units per quarter in the undergraduate program, and a minimum of eight (8) units per quarter in the graduate program
- Complete three consecutive quarters before being entitled to a one quarter leave of absence. Undergraduate students must complete a minimum of thirty six (36) units per year, and graduate students in the master's program must complete twenty four (24) units per year.
University Catalog
It is the responsibility of the student to be familiar with the information presented in this catalog and to know and observe all policies and procedures related to the program he/she is pursuing. Regulations will not be waived nor exceptions granted because a student pleads ignorance of these policies or procedures. While academic advisors will assist students in every way possible, the responsibility for following all policies and meeting all requirements and deadlines rests with the student. A student is expected to satisfy the requirements of the catalog in effect at the time he or she is admitted to, and begins course work in, a degree program. However, a student may elect to graduate under the catalog in force at the time of his/her graduation provided the student complies with all requirements of the later catalog.
Class Attendance
Regular and prompt attendance at all University classes is required. The instructor may assign extra work, require special examinations, or refuse to grant credit for a course if the number of absences is excessive. Students should ascertain the exact policy of each faculty member at the beginning of each course. Students must attend the first class meeting or they may be unofficially dropped by the instructor, resulting in a failing grade. Only registered students, University faculty and administrators, and guests invited by the instructor may attend classes. All others will be asked to leave.
Classroom Conduct
Instructors are responsible for presenting appropriate material for courses, and students are responsible for learning this material. Although it is a student's academic performance that is evaluated in determining grades, student conduct is important in the academic setting. Enrollment in a class may be terminated due to unsatisfactory student conduct, undue disrespect toward an instructor or administrator, or academic dishonesty. Each student is responsible for maintaining standards of academic performance established for each course in which he or she is enrolled.
Cheating and Plagiarism Policies
Cheating
Cheating is the act of obtaining or attempting to obtain credit for academic work by using dishonest means. Cheating at CalUMS includes but is not limited to:
- Copying, in part or whole, from another's examination, paper, mathematical analysis, research or creative project, or the like;
- Submitting as one's own work an examination, paper, mathematical analysis, research or creative project, or the like which has been purchased, borrowed, or stolen; or fabricated data;
- Consulting notes, sources, or materials, including use of electronic devices, not specifically authorized by the instructor during an examination;
- Employing a surrogate to take an examination, write a paper, do mathematical analysis, or complete, in part or wholly, an evaluation instrument;
- Falsification of or misrepresentation on class attendance or role sheets.
- Aiding or abetting any act that a reasonable person would conclude, when informed of the evidence, to be a dishonest means of obtaining or attempting to obtain credit for academic work; and
- Committing any act that a reasonable person would conclude, when informed of the evidence, to be dishonest means of obtaining or attempting to obtain credit for academic work.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the act of obtaining or attempting to obtain credit for academic work by representing the work of another as one's own without the necessary and appropriate acknowledgment. More specifically, plagiarism is:
The act of incorporating the ideas, words of sentences, paragraphs, or parts thereof without appropriate acknowledgment and representing the product as one's own work; and the act of representing another's intellectual work such as musical composition, computer program, photographs, painting, drawing, sculpture, or research or the like as one's own.
One or more academic sanctions may be imposed for cheating or plagiarism. The choice of action taken is guided by the extent to which the faculty member considers the cheating or plagiarism reflective of the student's lack of scholarship or lack of academic performance in the course. Academic sanctions include:
- A redoing of the examination, paper, mathematical analysis, research or creative project, or the like;
- A failing grade on the examination, paper, mathematical analysis, research or creative project, or the like;
- A specified reduction in the course grade;
- A failing grade in the course;
- Referral to the Academic Dean and/or the appropriate committee
Drug, Alcohol and Smoking Policies
It is the policy of the Board of Trustees that the learning environment be free of prohibited or controlled substances. Specifically all members of the University community, which includes administration, faculty, staff, students, and guests, abstain from the consumption/use of alcohol, narcotics, and/or misuse of prescription drugs while on University property and on any field trip sponsored as part of the instructional program. Violation of this policy could lead to suspension, expulsion, termination, and in the context of criminal activity, referral to law enforcement agencies. Employees and students having difficulties with addictive substances can seek confidential counseling from the Student Services Director for referrals to agencies providing assistance with alcohol or drug related problems.
It is the policy of CalUMS that smoking is prohibited in all University facilities. At the discretion of the administration, outside areas may be set aside within the University facilities to accommodate students, staff members, and faculty who smoke.
Violation of the smoking policy may result in suspension or termination of academic status or employment.
