Student Rights

1. Students have a right to the best education which can be afforded them in keeping with the financial

    resources of the institution.

2. Students have the inherent right to optimum development, to reach their full potential as useful, 

    thoughtful, and self-reliant persons.

3. Students have the right to free inquiry, free thought, free choice, and free expression insofar as 

    these do not encroach upon the rights of others.

4. Students have the right to enroll in the University, hence no student is required to stay at Tech, and 

    the option to withdraw from school is available to the student at all times.

5. Students have the right of representation in student affairs through their official student 

    organizations and in University affairs  through their official student representatives.

6. Students are entitled to freedom from unreasonable search and/or seizure regarding their person, 

    their residence, and their personal property, and they are entitled to due process as provided by 

    the judiciary procedures of the University.

7. Students have the right to affiliate with officially registered campus organizations of their choice, 

    within the requirements of those  organizations relative to membership, and they have the right to 

    seek through official procedures to establish organizations of their  choosing so long as such are 

    not in conflict with the educational purposes of the University.

8. Students have the right, when interrogated and/or arrested by the University Police officials, to 

    remain silent, to be free from coercion, and to be advised of these rights.

9. Students have the right to enjoy the opportunities afforded by the University without discrimination 

    because of race, creed, national origin, age, disability or sex .

Parent or Guardian Responsibilities

1. It is the responsibility of the parents or guardians to become acquainted with the institution’s 

    regulations and advise the student to comply with the regulations in the interest of an orderly and 

    productive community.

2. In situations in which the student is involved with civil or criminal law, the parents, guardians or 

    duly appointed representatives assume the responsibility for representing the student in all cases.

Institutional Responsibilities

1. The institution has the responsibility of providing its students a program of quality education in 

    keeping with its financial resources: the institution also has the right, as well as the responsibility,

    to declare and enforce all policies deemed appropriate to the academic community by the 

    governing body, administration, and faculty.

2. The institution has the responsibility of stating clearly all policies and procedures governing 

    regulations which affect all students, but  the institution reserves the right to direct, manage, or 

    control any other situations which, in the opinion of the administrative officers, require 

    disciplinary action. The principle of institutional autonomy is fully recognized.

3. Although all members of the institution, both faculty and student, have the responsibility for 

    upholding the standards of the  institution, only the President of the institution, or his duly 

    appointed representative(s), has the right to suspend or exclude a student; and the President 

    shall reserve the right of concurrence or veto in all disciplinary matters.

4. The institution acknowledges its local responsibility and general concern with regard to health, 

    welfare, and safety of students.

5. In situations in which the student is involved with civil or criminal law, it is the responsibility of 

    the institution to arrange for notification  of the parent or guardian of the student. The institution 

    or its representative is not responsible for providing bail, money to cover fines, or otherwise 

    handling the situation for the student.

6. Any student convicted on charges of personal misconduct shall be subject to immediate 

    suspension provided a formal hearing has  been granted by University officials to confirm that 

    the student, was in fact, convicted.

Student Responsibilities

1. Students are responsible for the proper completion of their academic program, for familiarity 

    with all requirements of the University Catalog under which they intend to be graduated, for 

    maintaining the grade average required and for meeting all other degree  requirements. 

    Students are also responsible for determining how much non-academic work, if any, they should

    carry with a given class load in order to avoid excessive total work loads which would be 

    detrimental to their academic program. Their advisor will counsel with them but the final 

    responsibility remains that of the students.

2. Students are required to have knowledge of and observe all regulations pertaining to campus life

    and student deportment and to be  familiar with the information contained in University 

    publications.

3. Students are responsible for maintaining communication with the University by keeping 

    officials informed at all times of their current  address, including ZIP code and telephone 

    number.

4. The Legal Responsibility Act of 1971, found in Chapter 162 of the Public Acts of 1971, was 

    passed by the General Assembly of the State of Tennessee; it states “Notwithstanding any 

    laws to the contrary, any person who is eighteen (18) years of age or older shall have the same

    rights, duties and responsibilities as a person who is twenty-one (21) years of age or older.” 

    According to an interpretation by the University’s legal counsel, students eighteen years (18) of

    age or older can be prosecuted for the violations of laws regarding alcoholic beverages,

    drugs, bad checks, breach of contract, cohabitation, statutory rape, manslaughter, etc. 

    Tennessee Law states that it shall be unlawful for any person under the age of twenty one (21) 

    years to have in his or her possession alcoholic beverages for any purpose. Neither parents nor 

    University officials are expected or required to intervene in cases such as these. The student 

    will be held accountable and face the charges just as any other adult violator. Therefore, the 

    University reserves the right, through its authorized officials, to work with civil authorities in 

    reviewing such cases, and to exercise disciplinary sanctions, including interim suspension, 

    against the student charged with a misdemeanor or felony if at least one of the following 

    circumstances is present:

    a. If the accused admits guilt to the alleged violation in the presence of University officials.

    b. If the accused is deemed to be a threat to persons or property of the University. Such 

        determination is to be reached by a formal hearing before the University’s appropriate 

        disciplinary body. The University must provide all essentials as to date, place, and time for 

        this hearing in such a way that it is possible for the student to be present.

    c. If the accused refuses to appear at the aforementioned hearing, the individual forfeits his right 

        to same.  Even though the student is found “not guilty” of the charges by the civil courts in 

        cases of suspension or expulsion, he must appear before the appropriate disciplinary body 

        of the University to obtain clearance for readmission in good standing under current 

        University regulations.

Student Conduct and Disciplinary Sanctions

I. Institutional Policy Statement (0240-3-6.01)

    A. University students are citizens of the state, local and national governments, and of the 

         academic community, and are, therefore, expected to conduct themselves as law-abiding 

         members of the community at all times. Admission to an institution of higher education 

         carries with it special privileges and imposes special responsibilities apart from those rights 

         and duties enjoyed by nonstudents. In recognition of the special relationship that exists 

         between Tennessee Technological University and the academic community which it seeks 

         to serve, the Tennessee Board of Regents has authorized the President of the University to 

         take such action as may be necessary to maintain campus conditions and preserve the 

         integrity of the institution and its educational environment.

B. Pursuant to this authorization, the University has developed the following Regulations which are intended to govern student conduct on the Tennessee Tech campus. In addition, students are subject to all national, state, and local laws and ordinances. If a student’s violation of such laws or ordinances also adversely affects the institution’s pursuit of its educational objectives, the institution may enforce its own regulations regardless of any proceedings instituted by other authorities. Conversely, violation of any section of these Regulations may subject a student to disciplinary measures by the institution whether or not such conduct is simultaneously volatile of state, local, or national laws.

Disciplinary Offenses (0240-3-6.02)

(1) Generally, though appropriate due process procedures, institutional disciplinary measures shall be imposed for conduct which adversely affects the institution’s pursuit of its educational objectives, which violates or shows a disregard for the rights of other members of the academic community, or which endangers property or persons on institution or institution-controlled property.

(2) Individual or organizational misconduct which is subject to disciplinary sanction shall include but not be limited to the following examples:

(a) Conduct dangerous to others. Any conduct which constitutes a serious danger to any person’s health, safety or personal well-being, including any physical abuse or immediate threat of abuse;

(b) Sexual Assault. Any sexual act directed against another person, forcibly and/or against that person’s will; or not forcibly or against the person’s will where the victim is incapable of giving consent.

(c) Hazing. Hazing means any intentional or reckless act in Tennessee on or off the property of any higher education institution by one (1) student acting alone or with others, which is directed against any other student, that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of that student, or which induces or coerces a student to endanger such student’s mental or physical health or safety. Hazing does not include customary athletic events or similar contests or competitions, and is limited to those actions taken and situations created in connection with initiation into or affiliation with any organization.

(d) Disorderly Conduct. Any individual or group behavior which is abusive, obscene, lewd, indecent, violent, excessively noisy, disorderly, or which unreasonably disturbs other groups or individuals.

(e) Obstruction of or interference with institutional activities or facilities. Any intentional interference with or obstruction of any institutional activity, program, event, or facilities, include the following:

(1) Any unauthorized occupancy of institution or institutionally controlled facilities or blockage of access to or from such facilities.

(2) Interference with the right of any institution member or other authorized person to gain access to any institution or institutionally controlled activity, program, event or facilities.

(3) Any obstruction or delay of a campus security officer, fireman, or any institution official in the performance of his or her duty.

(f) Misuse of or damage to property. Any act of misuse, vandalism, malicious, or unwarranted damage or destruction, defacing, disfiguring or unauthorized use of property belonging to the institution including, but not limited to, fire alarms, fire equipment, elevators, telephones, institutions keys, library materials and/or safety devices; and any such act against a member of the institution, community, or a guest of the institution;

(g) Theft, misappropriation, unauthorized sale. Any act of theft, misappropriation, or unauthorized possession or sale of institution property or any such act against a member of the institution, community or a guest of the institution;

(h) Misuse of documents or identification cards. Any forgery, alteration of or unauthorized use of institution documents, forms, records, or identification cards, including the giving of any false information, or withholding of necessary information in connection with a student’s admission, enrollment or status in the institution;

(i) Weapons are not allowed on property owned or operated by Tennessee Tech. State law prescribes a maximum penalty of six (6) years imprisonment and a fine not to exceed $3,000 for having weapons on school property. Violation of this law is a felony. Even individuals with handgun permits may not bring handguns on property owned or operated by Tennessee Tech;

(j) Explosives fireworks, and flammable materials. The unauthorized possession, ignition or detonation of any object or article which could cause damage by fire or other means to persons or property or possession of any substance which could be considered to be and used as fireworks;

(k) Alcoholic beverages. The use and/or possession of alcoholic beverages on University owned or controlled property;

(l) Drugs. The unlawful possession or use of any drug or controlled substance (including any stimulant, depressant, narcotic, or hallucinogenic drug or substance, or marijuana), or sale or distribution of any such drug or controlled substance;

(m) Gambling. Gambling in any form;

(n)Financial irresponsibility. Failure to meet financial responsibilities to the institution promptly including, but not limited to knowingly passing a worthless check or money order in payment to the institution or to a member of the institution community acting in an official capacity;

(o) Unacceptable conduct in hearings. Any conduct at an institutional hearing involving contemptuous, disrespectful, or disorderly behavior, or giving the false testimony or other evidence at any hearing;

(p) Failure to cooperate with institutional officials. Failure to comply with directions of institutional officials acting in the performance of their duties;

(q) Entertaining members of the opposite sex. Entertaining members of the opposite sex 

              in a student’s room in the residence halls, except as provided for by the observance of 

              Open House and Residence Hall Visitation;

(r) Attempts and aiding and abetting the commission of offenses. Any attempt to commit 

             any of the foregoing offenses, or the aiding and abetting of the commission of any of the 

             foregoing offenses (an “attempt” to commit an offense is defined as the intention to 

             commit the offense coupled with the taking of some action toward its commission);

(s) Violations of state or federal laws. Any violation of state or federal laws or regulations 

             proscribing conduct or establishing offenses, which laws and regulations are incorporated

             herein by reference.

        (3)  Disciplinary action may be taken against a student for violations of the foregoing 

              regulations which occur on institutionally owned, leased, or otherwise controlled 

              property, or which occur off-campus when the conduct impairs, interferes with or 

              obstructs any institutional activity or the missions, processes and functions of the 

              institution.  In addition, disciplinary action may be taken on the basis of any conduct, 

              on or off-campus, which posses a substantial threat to persons or property within 

              the institutional community.

        (4)  For the purposes of these Regulations, a “student” shall mean any person who is 

              registered for study at the University for any academic period.  A person shall be 

              considered a student during any period which follows the end of an academic period 

              which the student has completed until the last day for registration for the next 

              succeeding regular academic period, and during any period while the student is under

              suspension from the institution.  

III. Academic and Classroom Conduct (0240-3-6.02)

(1) The instructor has the primary responsibility for control over classroom behavior and 

      maintenance of academic integrity, and can order the temporary removal or exclusion from the 

      classroom of any student engaged in disruptive conduct or conduct violative of the general

      rules and regulations of the institution. Extended or permanent exclusion from the classroom 

      or further disciplinary action can be affected only through appropriate procedures of the 

      institution.

(2) Plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of academic dishonesty are prohibited. Students guilty of

      academic misconduct either directly or indirectly through participation or assistance are 

      immediately responsible to the instructor of the class. In addition to other possible disciplinary 

      sanctions which may be imposed through the regular institutional procedures as a result of 

      academic misconduct and subsequent to the due process hearing, if requested by the student, 

      the instructor has the authority to assign an F or a zero for the exercise or examination, or to 

      assign an F in the course. 

(3) If the student believes that he or she has been erroneously accused of academic misconduct, 

      and if his or her final grade has been lowered as a result, the student may appeal the case 

      through the appropriate institutional procedures.

      NOTE: The instructor shall send a copy of the charge to the Office of the Vice President for 

      Student Affairs. The student shall have up to seven (7) days to request a hearing by signing a 

      “Request for Hearing” form in the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs. The 

      student waives his/her right to a hearing by signing a “Waiver of Hearing" form or by 

      neglecting to sign a “Request for Hearing” form within seven (7) days.

IV. Disciplinary Sanctions (0240-3-6.04)

(1)  Upon a determination that a student or organization has violated any of the rules, regulations or

      disciplinary offenses set forth in these Regulations, the following disciplinary sanctions may be 

      imposed, either singly or in combination, by the appropriate institution officials.  

(2)  Definition of sanctions.

    (a) Restitution. A student who has committed an offense against property may be required to 

         reimburse the institution or other owner for damage to or misappropriation of such property. 

         Any such payment in restitution shall be limited to actual cost of repair or replacement.

    (b) Warning.  The appropriate institutional official may notify the student that continuation or 

         repetition of specified conduct may be cause for other disciplinary action.

    (c) Reprimand. A written reprimand, or censure, may be given to any student or organization 

         whose conduct violates any part of these Regulations. A reprimand does not restrict the 

         student in any way, but does have important consequences. It signifies to the student that he 

         or she is, in effect, being given another chance to conduct himself or herself as a proper 

         member of the institution community, but that any further violation may result in more 

         serious penalties.

    (d) Restriction. A restriction upon a student’s or organization’s privileges for a period of time 

          may be imposed. This restriction may include for example, denial of a right to represent the 

          institution in any way, denial of use of facilities, parking privileges, participation in 

          extracurricular activities or restriction of organizational privileges.

    (e) Probation. Continued enrollment of a student on probation may be conditioned upon 

         adherence to these Regulations.  Any student placed on probation will be notified of such 

         in writing and will also be notified of the terms and length of the probation. Probation, may 

         include restrictions upon the extracurricular activities of a student. Any conduct in violation 

         of these Regulations while on probationary status may result in the imposition of a more 

         serious disciplinary sanction.

    (f) Suspension. If a student is suspended, he or she is separated from the institution for a stated 

         period of time with conditions of readmission stated in the notice of suspension.

    (g) Expulsion. Expulsion entails a permanent separation from the institution. The imposition of 

         this sanction is a permanent bar to the student’s readmission to the institution.

    (h) Interim or summary suspension. Though as a general rule, the status of a student accused 

         of violations of these Regulations should not be altered until a final determination has been 

         made in regard to the charges against him/her, summary suspension may be imposed upon a 

         finding by the appropriate institutional official that the continued presence of the accused on 

         campus constitutes an immediate threat to the physical safety and well being of the accused, 

         or of any other member of the institution, community, or its guest, destruction of property, or

         substantial disruption of classroom or other campus activities. In any case of immediate 

         suspension, the student shall be given an opportunity at the time of the decision or 

         immediately thereafter to contest the suspension, and if there are disputed issues of fact or 

         cause and effect, the student shall be provided a hearing on the suspension as soon as  

         possible.

(3) The President of the University is authorized, at his or her discretion, to subsequently convert 

      any sanction imposed to a lesser sanction, or to rescind any previous sanction in appropriate 

      cases.

(4)  General Rules Pertaining to Disciplinary Sanctions

    (a)  Disciplinary Probation and Suspension must be assigned for a definite period of time and 

          must be assigned to coincide with the academic semester in the University calendar.  All 

          sanctions must become effective immediately upon completion of all appellate procedures.

        1.  At a certain time within each academic semester, policy permits a council to recommend 

             a delay of the Suspension until the end of that term provided that continued enrollment is 

             not a danger to the University.

        2.  If it is the Council’s intent to assign a full semester of Disciplinary Probation and there are 

             only one or two weeks remaining in the present semester, generally the Probation will be 

             assigned for the remainder of the present semester and the next semester.

    (b)  If it is known that a student will not be enrolled during the next semester, e.g., Summer 

          Semester, then the Probation may be assigned for that semester plus an additional semester.

          A student, even though he is not enrolled at the University for the semester in question, may 

          be on Probation for that semester since he is still subject to certain regulations of the 

          University.

    (c)  Disciplinary Probation may involve loss of participation in extracurricular activities and/or 

          loss of certain awards, loans, etc. These added stipulations to the Probation should only be 

          assigned under very specific circumstances as described below.

        1.  If a student has engaged in a violation of University Regulations in order to obtain a loan 

             or an award or a scholarship, then the loss of those awards or monies may be part of the 

             recommended sanction.

        2.  The loss of participation in extracurricular activities should be assigned only when that 

             extracurricular activity was involved with or closely related to the infraction.

    (d)  Under present procedures, Disciplinary Probation does not require that a student report 

           periodically to any office of the University unless specifically requested to do so as a 

           condition of the Probation.  A Council assigning the sanction may consider the addition 

           of such a condition if the Probation is to run more than one term and if the Council feels 

           that the student would need a reminder and a reinforcement of the conditions of the 

           Probation period.

    (e)  With the exception of Disciplinary Probation, loss of privilege and restitution, the sanctions 

           are generally not repeatable.  For example, once a person has received a Disciplinary 

           Warning, he would probably not receive another Disciplinary Warning if he is involved in 

           additional violations.  Also, once a student is suspended from the University, if he returns 

           and is involved in a violation of regulations, then he could possibly receive a more severe

          sanction.  Loss of privilege and restitution as additions to other sanctions may be repeated 

           as often as necessary.

    (f)  Readmission Procedures for Students under Disciplinary Suspension.  Suspension is 

          assigned for a specified period of time and excludes the student from registration, class 

          attendance, residence on campus, and use of University facilities.  When the period of 

          suspension is terminated, the student is considered for registration in compliance with

          academic standards then in effect.

        1.  The student is required to submit an Application for Readmission form either in person 

             or by mail.

        2.  The student is required to submit a personal letter of application to the Dean of Students.  

             The letter shall include:

            (I)  reasons why he feels he should be reinstated;

            (II)  in detail, the nature of the individual’s activities since being separated from the 

                   University; and

            (III)  the reasons why the individual believes he would be able to abide by the rules and 

                    regulations of the University if he is permitted to re-enroll.

    (g)  If a student is found guilty of a charge, precedents (sanctions that have been assigned in 

          similar cases in the past) should be given considerable weight in assigning a sanction unless 

          there are very special circumstances that make the case different from those that have 

          received the precedent sanctions.

Student Due Process (024-3-6.05)

A.  Judiciary procedures at this University do not constitute legal actions, nor are the decisions to 

      be equated with verdicts reached by courts of law. These procedures simply involve the 

      fact-finding and decision-making processes of an educational institution. The scope of the 

      power of the judiciary bodies of this University is limited to that action necessary to control 

      conduct so as to insure the continuance of an academic environment. The basic need for 

      prompt and just decisions is supported by a process that provides for “fair play,” which is 

      the basic element of due process.

B.  Tennessee Technological University, in the implementation of Board approved policies and 

      regulations pertaining to discipline and conduct of students, shall insure the constitutional 

      rights of students, by affording a system of the constitutionally and legally sound procedures 

      which provide the protection of due process of law.

C.  In accordance with University policy governing discipline, the following minimal procedures 

      shall be observed:

    (1) The student shall be advised of the time and place of the hearing.

    (2) The student shall be advised of the breach of regulations of which he is charged.

    (3) The student shall be advised of the following rights:

        (A) The right to present his case.

        (B) The right to be accompanied by an advisor.

        (C) The right to call witnesses in his behalf.       

        (D) The right to confront witnesses against him.

    (4) The student shall be advised of the judiciary alternatives.

    (5) The student shall be advised of the method of appeal.

D.  In cases involving alleged sexual assault, both the accuser and the accused shall be informed 

      of the following:

    (1)  Both the accuser and the accused are entitled to the same opportunity to have others 

          present during a disciplinary proceeding; and,

    (2)  Both the accuser and the accused shall be informed of the outcome of any disciplinary 

           proceeding involving allegations of sexual assault.

University Disciplinary System

The Disciplinary System is a policy means of implementing adjudication procedures for any student accused of violating the Rules and Regulations which govern the behavior of all members of the University community. The Disciplinary System permits cases of alleged student misconduct, except for cases relating to academic and classroom misconduct, to be considered by the Dean of Students, the University Student Judicial Council, the University Judicial Council, or the Tennessee Uniform Administrative Procedures Act (TUAPA). Choice of hearing councils, other than the TUAPA, shall be assigned at the option of the student(s) except during periods when one council is not available: at which time the case(s) shall be referred to the available council by the Dean of Students. Note: A complete disciplinary manual is available for student perusal.

Code of Computing Practice

Computer resources at Tennessee Technological University are available to students, faculty, and staff for authorized use in a responsible, ethical, and equitable manner. It’s important that all users of the computing facilities con