Student’s Bill of Rights

PREAMBLE

Academic institutions exist for the transmission of knowledge, the pursuit of truth, the development of students, and the general well-being of society. Free inquiry and free expression are indispensable to the attainment of these goals. As members of the academic community, students should be encouraged to develop the capacity for critical judgment and to engage in a sustained and independent search for truth. Institutional procedures for achieving these purposes may vary from campus to campus, but the minimal standards of academic freedom of student outlined below are essential to any community of scholars.

Freedom to teach and freedom to learn are inseparable facets of academic freedom. The freedom to learn depends upon appropriate opportunities and conditions in the classroom, on the campus, and in the large community. Students should exercise their freedom with responsibility.

The responsibility to secure and to respect general conditions conducive to the freedom to learn is shared by all members of the academic community. Tennessee Board of Regents institutions have developed policies and procedures which provide and safeguard this freedom. The purpose of this statement is to enumerate the essential provision for student's freedom to learn.

FREEDOM OF ACCESS TO HIGHER EDUCATION

The admissions policies of each Tennessee Board of Regents Institution are a matter of institutional choice, provided that each institution makes clear the characteristics and expectations of students which it considers relevant to success in the institution's program. Under no circumstances should a student be barred from admission to a particular institution on the basis of race. Thus, within the limits of its facilities, each institution should be open to all students who are qualified according to its admissions standards. The facilities and services of a TBR institution should be open to all of its enrolled students.

IN THE CLASSROOM

The professor in the classroom and in conference should encourage free discussion, inquiry, and expression. Student performance should be evaluated solely on an academic basis, not on opinions or conduct in matters unrelated to academic standards.

1. Protection of Freedom of Expression

Students should be free to take reasoned exception to the data or views offered in any course of study and to reserve judgment about matters of opinion, but they are responsible for learning the content of the course of study for which they are enrolled.

2. Protection Against Improper Academic Evaluation

Students should have protection through orderly procedures against prejudiced or capricious academic evaluation. At the same time, they are responsible for maintaining standards of academic performance established for each course in which they are enrolled.

3. Protection Against Improper Disclosure

Certain information about students is protected from public disclosure by federal and state laws. Protection against improper disclosure is a serious professional obligation. Judgments of ability and character may be provided under appropriate circumstances.

Students along with faculty, staff, and administrators are all members of the East Tennessee State University community. Inherent with such membership is the responsibility to conduct oneself reasonably to maintain a civil community which respects the rights of all individuals.

The student has certain rights guaranteed by the Federal and State Constitutions or statutorily created legislation including:

1. Freedom of inquiry, freedom of speech, and freedom of expression that is respectful or sensitive to the rights of individuals
2. The right to peaceably assemble, in accordance with federal, state, local, and ETSU regulations
3. Religious freedom and a clear division of church and state
4. Freedom from unreasonable search and/or seizure of person, or personal property
5. Freedom from discrimination or harassment on the basis of sex, age, race, color, religion, national origin, or other protected status
6. The right to privacy, including the maintenance of confidential records in accordance with provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 and 1975, qualified by the Tennessee Public Records Act
7. The right to due process

The Tennessee Board of Regents grants additional rights including:

1. The right to due process in disciplinary procedures of the university, including written notification of changes, an explanation of procedures, a hearing before an appropriate administrator or committee
2. The right to expeditious review of disciplinary sanctions upon appeal
3. The right to affiliate with officially registered student organizations if the membership requirements of those organizations have been met, and the right to seek to establish, through official procedures, additional student organizations of their choosing
4. The right to participate in the decision-making process of the university through the Student Government Association, other student governance organizations, and membership on university standing and advisory committees.

East Tennessee State University acknowledges that students have a legitimate expectation that:

1. Classes meet as scheduled, and begin and adjourn on time
2. Course requirements are clearly specified
3. The instructor is prepared for class and possesses both oral and written communication skills
4. Paper project grades and test results are received in a timely manner
5. Information about progress in course work is provided
6. The instructor is qualified to teach the subject matter

Additionally, students have the right to expect:

1. Accurate information concerning institutional services, regulations, policies and procedures, in published form
2. Representation in university governance system
3. Sound and accurate academic advice, information regarding courses required for graduation, and their schedule sequence
4. Reasonable notice of any changes in academic requirements or programs and assurance that such changes will not be made in a way that unduly impedes the academic progress of the student already enrolled
5. Flexibility in course scheduling (by dropping and adding) or withdrawing within university guidelines
6. Information about the various types of financial assistance available
7. Freedom to evaluate courses, programs and services, and provide input to appropriate segments of the campus administration

· Class Attendance Policy

1. General Statement of Policy

Class attendance is a contract between faculty and students. It is expected that a student will attend classes regularly and give the faculty member a reason for any absence. Failure to attend class regularly can affect students' grades and financial aid. East Tennessee State University does not specify a fixed number of class absences as university-wide policy, but each department within the university has the right to set a maximum number of absences (including absences due to university activities and illnesses) permitted during an academic term. Departmental class absence policy is subject to approval by the dean of the school/college. At the beginning of the course each faculty member must provide a written statement governing attendance policy (including laboratory/clinical sessions where applicable) for the course so that all students may be fully informed of their attendance responsibilities including penalties which may be imposed for failing to meet these responsibilities. If a student is not in attendance during the class meeting in which the class attendance policy is discussed, it is the student's responsibility to ascertain the policy in that class.

2. Absences Occasioned by University Sponsored Activities

2.1 For the purpose of this policy university sponsored activities include those activities sponsored either by a university department or by a student organization officially recognized by the university.

2.2 Absences occasioned by university sponsored activities must be excused by all faculty members as long as the number of absences does not exceed the number prescribed in an established and previously announced departmental policy and the faculty member has been informed in advance of the intended absence. An excused absence means only that students must be allowed a reasonable opportunity to complete all assignments and tests missed because of the excused absence. Under these circumstances, students must be allowed a reasonable opportunity to complete all assignments and tests missed because of these excused absences. It is the responsibility of the student and of the faculty or staff sponsor of the activity to inform the faculty member in charge of the course of the upcoming absence. This information should be provided by transmitting a Class Absence Authorization form to the faculty member. Class Absence Authorization forms can be obtained from the office of the Vice President for Student Affairs. However, it is not necessary to obtain permission for absences from the office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, nor does this office inform the faculty members of the expected absences.

3. Absences Due to Emergency, Special Circumstances or Illness

In the case of emergency (e.g., death in the family or illness) absence from the class may be excused, and the student allowed a reasonable opportunity to complete all assignments and tests missed. In such cases it is the responsibility of the student to explain the situation to the faculty member as soon as possible. The faculty member may require verification of the emergency situation or illness from the student. Students confined at home or in a hospital for an extended period of time should notify the faculty member from whose class he/she will be absent so that arrangements can be made for completion of assignments if feasible. Work-related absences must be verified in writing by the employer. The instructor should be given prior notification of work-related absences. The number of such absences may not exceed stated policy for the class and the student must make arrangements to complete missed assignments.

4. Appeal of the Faculty Member's Decision

If the student has evidence that a faculty member has not excused an absence which should have been excused within the guidelines stated above, the student can appeal the decision of the faculty member to the chairperson of the department and/or dean of the college or school in which the course was offered.

Class Load

Fall and Spring Semesters Standard Load

The minimum course load for full-time enrollment is twelve (12) semester hours. The normal (average) course load is sixteen (16) or seventeen (17) semester hours for full-time students. The maximum course load is nineteen (19) semester hours, unless permission for an overload is approved.

Overload

The academic advisor and the dean of the student's college/school must approve registration for an overload. Following completion of 45 semester hours, students with a cumulative 3.0 QPA may be approved for a load up to 21 semester hours. Graduating seniors who do not have quality point deficiencies may be approved to enroll for up to 21 semester hours in order to complete graduation requirements during that semester.

Probationary Load

Any student on academic probation at the time of registration may enroll for not more than thirteen (13) hours, including audits, except by approval of the student's advisor and college/school dean.

Regulated Enrollment Load

Any student admitted in the regulated category may enroll for not more than twelve (12) hours, until such time as they progress beyond that classification. Exceptions require approval of the student's advisor and college/school dean.

Summer Semester

The maximum course load for the summer semester is seventeen (17) hours, subject to the maximum for each session as follows:

Intersession, 3 semester hours; first 5-week session, 7 semester hours; second 5-week session, 7 semester hours.

Overloads in summer semester up to a maximum of twenty-one (21) semester hours must be approved by the academic advisor and the college/school dean.

Exceptions

Exceptions to the class load policy, as stated above, require approval of the academic advisor, college/school dean, and the vice president for academic affairs (or designee).

Student Complaint Policy and Procedure

East Tennessee State University is committed to maintaining a learning environment which promotes student academic excellence and personal development. Various departments on campus have written procedures which allow students to appeal action taken by the department which directly impact the student. If a student wishes to appeal a specific administrative decision he/she should contact the appropriate department and request an appeal form.

Students who have a concern about their academic advisement or other academic issues including an action based upon academic policy, procedures, or deadlines, should contact the Director of Undergraduate Student Advisement, P.O. Box 70291, Culp University Center.

Student concerns or complaints pertaining to the offices of Admissions, Financial Aid or the Registrar should contact the Vice Provost, P.O. Box 70731, Burgin Dossett Hall.

Students who have a general complaint pertaining to university policies, procedures, or personnel should provide a written statement outlining the nature of the complaint to the Dean of Students, P.O. Box 70725, Culp University Center.

Student complaints concerning sexual, racial, disability, and other harassment should be filed with the Director of Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action, P.O. Box 70734, Burgin Dossett Hall. When the charge of harassment is by one student against another student the complaint should be filed with the Dean of Students.

In every instance the appropriate individual will investigate the complaint, seek an equitable solution, and report back to the student in a timely manner.