Policies and Procedures

Academic

Academic Probation and Retention Standards

For baccalaureate and certificate programs, students who fail during any semester to attain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) at or above the level indicated below for the credit hours attempted will be placed on academic probation for the subsequent semester (including summer session) of their enrollment. Any student on academic probation should meet with his/her academic advisor.

At the end of the semester of probation, a student who has failed to attain either the cumulative GPA standard or a 2.0 GPA for the semester will be suspended one major term (spring or fall semester). The summer semester does not count as a term of suspension. Re-enrolling at ETSU after being suspended one major term will require the completion of an application for readmission (http://admissions.etsu.edu/apply/readmitted.)  Enrolling at another institution during a period of academic suspension will result in being required to meet the transfer admission requirements for readmission to ETSU. On the second (or subsequent) suspension for failure to meet academic retention standards, the period of suspension is for two semesters or longer and requires that the appeal procedure for reinstatement be followed.
 

Appeal for Readmission Following Suspension

Where extenuating circumstances are established as primary factors relating to low grades, a student may petition to waive the period of suspension. This petition must describe the verifiable extenuating circumstances which may include illness as evidenced by medical documentation; personal problems, such as divorce or serious domestic problems; accidental injury; or other circumstances beyond the student’s control.
Upon receipt of (1) written petition, (2) a current academic transcript, and (3) any supporting documents, a preliminary decision will be made whether there are satisfactory extenuating circumstances to warrant a formal appeal hearing. If granted, the student will be notified of the time and place of the appeal hearing before representatives of the office of student affairs and the dean’s office of the student’s major area of study. If the appeal hearing is declined, the student may contact the academic dean in the college in which they are majoring for a review of the decision.

If credits earned at other regionally accredited institutions during a period of academic suspension from East Tennessee State University are found to be acceptable for transfer and, if such credits are sufficient to remove the student from academic probation, the student may be readmitted as a transfer student by the director of admissions.

Academic Advisement Policy and Procedures

Definition: Advisement at ETSU is a continuous, interactive process between an advisor and a student which facilitates the development and achievement of the student’s overall goals. Advisement is a distinct part of a student’s educational experience provided by ETSU as a service.

Responsibility Shared:

A successful relationship between an advisor and a student depends upon shared responsibility. The advisor and student responsibilities are outlined in the Academic Advisement Responsibilities guide. Advisors and others at ETSU provide mentoring, advice, referrals, and information to help students make wise, informed decisions. The relationship students develop with their advisors is important to their success at ETSU. Students should consult with their advisors each semester and especially before making decisions that may affect their academic progress and success. Discussions with the advisor may include: understanding degree requirements, dropping a class, withdrawing from ETSU, selecting courses, and exploring career options. Students are ultimately responsible for their academic decisions, including course selection, meeting prerequisites, and adhering to policies, procedures, and deadlines at ETSU. Additional resources and information are available on the Undergraduate Student Advisement website.

Future Students (Transfers and Freshmen):

During the summer, new students, both freshmen and transfers, and their guests are invited to the campus to share in an orientation to university life and to register early for fall semester classes. The orientation program is so important to a successful start that it is mandatory for students who live within a 250-mile radius of campus. At orientation, students will be introduced to campus, attend interest sessions, meet with an academic advisor, and leave campus with their class schedules completed.

Current ETSU Students:

Spring registration for returning ETSU students begins in early November. Summer and fall registration begins in early April. Students should be advised well before registration begins. Some departments may begin advising weeks before registration begins.

Advisement Required For Most Students:

Advisors are a personal link between the student and the university. Each student has an advisor and should confer with his/her advisor each semester. In fact, ETSU requires most students consult with an advisor before registering each semester. The following students must be advised before they are able to register each semester:

• Students who have less than 60 earned credits are required to meet with his/her advisor prior to registration.
• First-term-at-ETSU transfer students are required to meet with an advisor prior to registration for their first and second term of enrollment.
• Readmitted students are required to meet with an advisor prior to registration their first term back at ETSU.
• Students who have not declared a major or who are required to complete Developmental Studies courses (DSP) are required to see an advisor in the University Advisement Center located in the ARC located on the 2nd level of the D. P. Culp Center (423-439-5244).
  *Note: Students who are only required to take Developmental Studies Math courses will be advised by their major advisor.

These guidelines are the minimum advisement requirements. Some colleges and departments may have additional advisement requirements. Students should consult with their academic departments or advisors to determine their advisement requirements.

How to Find Your Advisor:

Students who have declared a major should see an advisor in that major. Students should contact the department of their major for information or contact the Advisement Resource Career Center (ARC) located on the 2nd level of the D.P. Culp Center 423-439-8650 for additional information. Quick reference advisor links are available below:

• Quick Reference Advisor Phone List
• Coordinator List
• Advisor List - complete listing of Undergraduate Advisors

 Additional Advisement Opportunities and Requirements:

Some students may have multiple advisors (major, minor, program, licensure) who will provide advisement in these areas. Students taking classes in Kingsport may contact the Kingsport Center for advisement information (423-392-8000). Other advisement or support areas include:

• Athletics (423)439-6439
• Adult, Commuter, and Transfer Services (ACTS) (423)439-5641)
• Advisement Resource Career Center (ARC) 423-439-8650
• Medical Professions Advisement (423-439-5602)
• Student Support Services (423-439-5396)
• Students who are pursuing secondary education licensure (grades 7-12) should contact the College of Education advisement department during their first semester at ETSU (423-439-7626).

Academic Advising Responsibilities

A guide for students and advisors relating to the advisor/advisee relationship and advising process.

Student Responsibilities

The student has the RESPONSIBILITY to:

• Learn the name and office location of his/her advisor early in his/her first semester at ETSU.
• Consult with his/her advisor on a regular basis each semester, especially prior to registration, when in academic difficulty, prior to changing minors or concentrations, prior to making changes in an approved schedule, or withdrawing from ETSU.
• Schedule and keep appointments with his/her advisor at appropriate times each semester and notify advisor prior to scheduled appointment if the student must reschedule.
• Seek assistance with the decisions to be made rather than expect the advisor to make the decisions.
• Be familiar with ETSU Policies and Procedures, major department’s website, and program sheets as well as the online undergraduate catalog.
• Update his/her contact information (address and phone numbers) in a timely manner using GoldLink.
• Activate and regularly check his/her campus email account (GoldMail).
• Know and observe academic deadlines as posted on the ETSU online calendar and in GoldLink.
• Follow through with appropriate action after the advising session and verify all GoldLink transactions, especially as related to adding or dropping classes.
• Seek reassignment to a new advisor if differences between the advisor and student should develop.

Advisor Responsibilities

The advisor has the RESPONSIBILITY to:

• Maintain adequate, posted office hours and appointment times for advisement.
• Keep all scheduled appointments and notify the student in advance if it is not possible to keep the scheduled appointment.
• Gain the necessary training to effectively advise, guide, and refer students to ETSU resources applicable to the student’s program of study.
• Use ETSU resources including online undergraduate catalog, departmental websites, general education, proficiency intensive, graduation, program, and licensure requirements to guide and refer students.
• Maintain a complete and accurate advisement record for each student in order to monitor progress toward goals and graduation requirements.
• Regularly check and respond to student emails in a timely manner.
• Refer students to the academic deadlines as posted on the ETSU online calendar and in GoldLink.
• Assist in the advisor reassignment process when applicable.
• Understand and comply with the mandates of the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 as Amended (FERPA).

Source: Advising Skills, Techniques & Resources, David S. Crockett, Editor (NACADA).

Admissions

Academic Fresh Start

Academic Fresh Start is a plan of academic forgiveness provided for students who have a record of poor academic performance. This program is designed to assist students by allowing calculation of grade point average and credit hours toward graduation to be based only on work completed after returning to college under the Academic Fresh Start policy. A period of no less than four years must have elapsed since the candidate was last enrolled in a higher education institution. A student may be granted an Academic Fresh Start only once.

Advanced Placement Credit

ETSU participates in the Advanced Placement Program of the College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB). Advanced Placement course participants who score 3, 4, or 5 on the CEEB Advanced Placement Tests will be awarded credit. A grade of ‘P’ for passed hours will be awarded in appropriate degree courses. A list of Advanced Placement examinations, minimum score requirements, ETSU courses fulfilled, and semester hours of credit is available in the Nontraditional Credit Guide, which can be obtained from the Office of Admissions. An official transcript of AP credit must be provided from the CEEB.

ACT/SAT Credit for Freshman English

Entering freshmen whose standard score on the English section of the ACT is 28 or better may request 3 hours credit for ENGL 1010  and may then enroll in ENGL 1020 .

Entering freshmen whose standard score on the Verbal section of the SAT is 630 or better may request 3 hours credit for ENGL 1010  and may then enroll in ENGL 1020 .

Requests for this credit should be directed to the Associate Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences in the ARC (D. P. Culp Center 222, 423-439-5248, FAX 423-439-8384, brownd@etsu.edu).

Note: The highest English/Verbal score will determine the student’s eligibility for this credit.

University Credit for Experiential Learning

Advanced Standing Credit

ETSU will review for possible credit courses earned from all institutions of higher education previously attended, advanced placement or other examinations, training provided by non-collegiate institutions, or experiential learning. Credit toward a degree will be directly accepted only from college-level institutions for courses that are substantially equivalent in nature, content, and level of credit offered by ETSU.

Consideration will be given to the appropriateness and applicability of the credit earned to the programs offered by ETSU, in light of the student’s educational goals.

Transfer credit earned from colleges accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (or corresponding agencies for other states and regions of the United States) will be considered for direct application toward a degree. The Office of Admissions will evaluate undergraduate credits for university-wide use. This evaluation will be made using historical precedent, current articulated program information, and/or review by the appropriate ETSU college dean and faculty.
Credit from courses completed at institutions not regionally accredited as described above, advanced placement or other examinations, training provided by non-collegiate institutions, or experiential learning will be reviewed according to the following.

Credit by Correspondence or Extension

Students may apply credit earned by correspondence or extension from regionally accredited institutions toward the completion of a degree at ETSU, provided that the hours earned by correspondence or extension or a combination of the two does not exceed 25% of the hours required for the degree.

Credit for Service in the Armed Services

ETSU will award credit for military training courses in the Armed Services of the United States as recommended by the American Council on Education in the publication Guide to the Evaluation of Educational Experiences in the Armed Services. Veterans may submit the following transcripts for consideration.
Army - Army/American Council on Education Registry Transcript (AARTS).
Navy/Marine - Sailors-Marine Corps American Council on Education Registry Transcript (SMART).
Air Force - Community College of the Air Force Transcript.
Coast Guard - Coast Guard Institute Education Transcript.

In addition to the forms mentioned above, an individual may submit a DD214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty, a DD295, or an official transcript from Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Education Support (DANTES) subject standardized tests administered by Education Testing Service or other official documentation of completion of military training. No credit is awarded for MOS, rates, and ratings. Military credit will not satisfy writing, oral communication, or using information technology proficiency requirements. Questions regarding military training credit should be referred to the Admissions Office.

Enrollment of Persons with Disabilities and Persons Over 60 Years of Age

Audit Enrollment -Persons suffering from a permanent disability which totally incapacitates them from employment, and persons 60 years of age or older may audit courses without the payment of regular course fees.
Credit Enrollment -Persons described above and persons 65 years of age or older may enroll for credit by payment of a service fee required to defray the cost of record keeping. Other fees and special course fees may be required.
Enrollment of such persons and persons 60 years of age or over is restricted to those who are domiciled in Tennessee and may be further limited or denied on an individual classroom basis according to space availability. Acceptable documentation of disability and age is required. Enrollment in classes offered through the James H. Quillen College of Medicine and the Bill Gatton College of Pharmacy is not included.

Milligan College/Emmanual/ETSU Agreement

Full-time students (12 credits or more) may take courses at Milligan College and Emmanual School of Religion. Courses taken through this agreement may be used for elective credit only. Students who wish to cross enroll under this plan may obtain additional information from the Office of the Registrar, Burgin E. Dossett Hall, Room 101.

Adding A Course 

A course(s) may be added through GoldLink prior to late registration without special permission, unless the course has reached the established maximum enrollment. To add any class that has reached the enrollment limit requires a departmental permit. During the late add period, students must complete the late add form and secure permission from the instructor, department chair, the dean of their major, and the registrar and this permission may be granted only with extenuating circumstances.

Dropping A Course

A course(s) may be dropped during the first eight calendar weeks of a regular semester. Courses dropped during the first two weeks will not appear on the student’s permanent record. Students who drop a course after the second full week of classes through the eighth calendar week will receive the grade of “W”. (During the summer session, or when courses do not conform to established term dates, this schedule is adjusted appropriately to fit the condensed time frames.) Consult the academic calendar for exact dates.

Developmental Studies courses cannot be dropped without written permission from the University Advisement Center located on the second level of the D. P. Culp Center. After the eighth week a student may not drop a course, except where verifiable, extenuating circumstances can be demonstrated. Verifiable extenuating circumstances are reasons beyond the control of the student, such as illness or accidental injury. Poor performance in a course is not an extenuating circumstance.

Students seeking permission for late drops must present a petition to the dean of the college or school in which they are majoring as of the beginning of the semester. Students whose majors are undecided must apply to the Office of Undergraduate Student Advisement located in the D. P. Culp University Center. If a late drop is approved, the student will receive a grade of “W” (Withdrawal) or “WF” (Withdrawn-Failing), as assigned by the instructor of the course.

A fee adjustment for drops will be processed beginning the first day of the term. When a student drops a course beginning the 15th day of classes, a Withdrawal (W) grade will appear on his/her transcript.

Dropping classes may negatively impact a student’s Lottery Scholarship or other financial aid, housing, graduate assistantship, athletic eligibility, or tuition scholarship and the student may owe a repayment. Please contact Financial Aid or the appropriate office before dropping any classes.

Auditing Courses

Students are permitted to enroll in regular university courses as auditors. Registration fees are the same for audit as for credit. Audit enrollment will not be considered part of the 12-hour minimum required for a full-time load but will be counted in determining overloads. Regular attendance is required. Unsatisfactory class attendance may result in a student’s administrative removal from a course. After the published “Last Day to Add a Course” students may not change their enrollment status in a course from credit to audit or from audit to credit.

Class Attendance Policy

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.

Absences Occasioned by University-Sponsored Activities

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. 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. 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 Student Affairs. However, it is not necessary to obtain permission for absences from the Office of Student Affairs, nor does this office inform the faculty members of the expected absences.

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. A student 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.

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 chair of the department and/or dean of the college or school in which the course was offered.

Class Load Policy

Fall and Spring Semesters Standard Load
The minimum course load for full-time undergraduate 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.

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).

Classification of Courses by Levels

All courses in the 1000 series are freshman courses, all in the 2000 series are sophomore courses, all in the 3000 series are junior courses, and all in the 4000 series are senior courses. All 4xx7 courses are for undergraduate credit, but may include students who are taking the class for graduate credit under a 5xx7 number. Graduate students shall be required to do specified work over and above that required of undergraduate students in these courses. All in the 5000, 6000, and 7000 series are graduate courses. Undergraduate students may not enroll in courses numbered higher than one year above their current classification. For example, a sophomore may enroll for junior courses, but may not enroll for senior courses. This policy does not apply in the College of Business and Technology, where 3000 and 4000 level courses are open only to juniors and seniors who have completed the appropriate course prerequisites. Enrollment in the 5000, 6000, and 7000 series is limited to graduate students. At least 70 percent of all courses taken in a master’s program must be in the 5000 series; at least one-half of all courses taken on the doctoral level must be in the 6000 and 7000 series.

Dean’s List

To qualify for the Dean’s List an undergraduate student must meet the following criteria for the term:

1. Earn no grade below ‘C’ in any course taken that term.
2. Pass a minimum of 12 credits (excluding audits, incompletes, repeats, pass/fail, and Developmental Studies courses).
3. Achieve a minimum GPA of 3.7000 for the term in applicable courses.

Declaring a Major

Undergraduate students must declare a major no later than the first term after they complete 60 semester credit hours. Transfer students who transfer more than 60 semester credit hours must declare a major by the end of their first semester at ETSU. This policy also applies to students in preprofessional programs. Students seeking a second bachelor’s degree must declare a major at the time of application.

Major, Area Concentration, and Minor

A “major” is the curriculum for a particular field of study a student wishes to pursue in earning a degree. The minimum number of credits for a major is 24, but the total varies according to the area. An “area” concentration” is a specialized area of study within a major. Most majors require a “minor.” A minor is a secondary area of study outside of the major program of study with a structured curriculum composed of at least 18 semester credit hours of which at least 9 hours must be at the 3000-level or above. Students should consult their catalog of record to determine the major and minor requirements for specific areas of study. They should meet regularly with an academic advisor in the major to select courses needed to complete a degree. Students should also meet with an advisor in their chosen minor department to ensure that the correct courses are chosen to complete the minor.

Grades

Early Semester Progress Reports (midterm grades) are used as an early indicator of academic progress in undergraduate level courses. Early Semester Progress Reports are available to undergraduate students in GoldLink around the 8th week of the fall and spring semesters. If the grades are unsatisfactory, students should use these grades to start conversations with their instructors and their academic advisors, and to seek tutoring and other campus resources to improve their grades.

Final Grades
ETSU provides grades to registered students online via GoldLink. Academic departments retain grade documentation for a period of one year. Student concerns regarding academic records will only be addressed within one academic year from the date when the grades in question were posted.

Grades

Grades that do not influence Grade Point Average:

Grade Appeal Process

* The right to have your concerns reviewed by an impartial third party.

How to Compute a GPA  

The grade point average (GPA) is computed as follows:

1. Grade Points earned in a course x Course credit hours = Grade points for course
2. Sum of grade points for all graded courses = Total grade points
3. Total grade points divided by all credit hours attempted = GPA

Example:

Incomplete Grades

A grade of “I” (incomplete) indicates that a student was passing the course at the end of the semester, but due to circumstances beyond the student’s control, was unable to complete the course requirement. It also indicates that the student has received consent from the instructor to complete the work for which an “I” is assigned. The “I” grade cannot be used to allow a student to do additional work to raise a deficient grade or to repeat a course. An “I” grade must be removed no later than one calendar year from the time the grade is awarded. An “I” grade not removed under the guidelines noted above will be converted to an “F.” When an “I” grade converts to an “F” after one calendar year, the GPA is adjusted retroactively; consequently, a student may be subject to dismissal without a probationary term. A student cannot withdraw from or drop a course after a grade of “I” has been assigned or after one year has elapsed. To remove an “I” grade, the student must complete the work independently and must not register for the course a second time or attend the same course at a later time in order to complete the course requirements. Incomplete grades are not removed until a new grade is recorded in the Office of the Registrar.

Repeating a Course 

The following regulations apply to repeating courses:

1. A course in which an undergraduate student has an ‘A’ , ‘A-‘, ‘B+’, ‘B’, ‘B-‘, or “I” grade may not be repeated.
2. If a course in which the student has a ‘C+’, ‘C’, ‘C-‘, ‘D+’, ‘D’, ‘D-’ or ‘F’ grade is repeated, only the most recent attempt (excluding ‘I’, ‘W’, or ‘WF’ grades) will be used in calculating the grade point average. However, all grades earned in the third and subsequent attempts will be used in calculating the summary line (grade point average).

Note: All courses attempted count in hours attempted and all attempts will continue to show on the record.

Pass/Fail Exploration Grading

The pass/fail (P/F) grading option allows qualified undergraduate students to explore, in a limited manner, their interests and abilities by receiving a pass or fail grade instead of a regular letter grade in a course. This section describes the P/F grading option available to individual students. The regulations cited here do not apply to the use of non-letter grades in entire courses.

Student Qualifications: Undergraduate students pursuing degrees must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 to take a course on a P/F basis. All ETSU credits plus any credits earned elsewhere and accepted by ETSU for transfer are counted when calculating the GPA for this purpose. There is no GPA requirement for undergraduate students not pursuing degrees. However, if a student later decides to pursue a degree, the GPA requirement then applies.

Courses Excluded and Included: Undergraduate students pursuing degrees may not take general education core courses or courses in the major or minor on a P/F basis. If a student changes majors or minors and a completed P/F course is then in the new major or minor, the student may petition the dean of the college or school offering the newly declared major or minor to have the original letter grade earned substituted for the previously earned P/F grade.

Undergraduate students not pursuing degrees may take any course P/F, to a maximum of 12 semester credit hours. However, courses taken at ETSU and graded P/F which are then brought into a degree program at ETSU are subject to the regulations governing students pursuing a degree.

Registration Process: Undergraduate students pursuing degrees or not pursuing degrees must request the P/F grading option at the time of registration. Students may register for no more than one P/F course in a semester. Registration for the P/F option in a course must be approved by the student’s department or college advisor, who must sign the drop/add form to certify review of qualifications and other applicable limitations.

Students may not request the P/F option for a course that is added after the first week of classes. The regular letter option cannot be changed to P/F, nor can the P/F grading be changed to regular grading after the first five days of the semester.

The instructor will not know the identity of students enrolled on a P/F basis and will record letter grades for all students, which the Office of the Registrar will convert to P/F. P/F courses may be repeated for regular letter grades.

Credit Hour Regulations: Undergraduate students pursuing degrees may count no more than 12 credit hours earned on a P/F basis at ETSU toward graduation. Courses with P/F grades cannot be applied toward a major or minor.

P/F graded courses will be counted as degree credit hours earned. Failing grades (F) are computed in the student’s GPA. Pass grades (P) are not computed in the GPA. P/F grades awarded for departmental challenge exams or other advanced standing examinations are not counted as credit hours earned.

Pre-Finals Week Policy

The following policy will apply only to undergraduate courses taught during the fall and spring semesters.
Activities pursued within the classroom during Pre-Finals Week shall be at the instructor’s discretion within the guidelines set forth in this policy as dictated by TBR regulations. Classes will continue to meet at their regularly scheduled time periods during the last week of formal classes. Under no circumstances will this week be used for final examinations. Exceptions shall be made for laboratories. It is recommended that at least some portion of the last week of classes be used as a review period, when appropriate. The scope and duration of such review will be determined by the instructor. Because communication between instructor and student is of utmost importance, faculty will strive to keep the student informed of his/her progress throughout the semester. This process will continue through the last week of classes as much as is possible for the instructor. Faculty will avoid unscheduled tests, quizzes, or other unscheduled work during this final week of class. Exceptions to this, of course, are make-up tests and make-up assignments.

Student Classification

Master’s Candidate (MS): A student who has been formally accepted to graduate school for the purpose of pursuing a master’s degree.

Specialist in Education Candidate (SED): A student who has been formally admitted to graduate school and the college of education for the purpose of pursing a specialist degree.

Doctoral Student, Early Stage (DE): A student formally admitted to a doctoral graduate program of study whose major academic endeavor consists of formal coursework directed toward fulfilling requirements for a doctorate.

Doctoral Candidate, Late Stage (DL): A doctoral graduate student who has passed the doctoral qualifying examination and whose principal academic endeavor consists of work toward completion of the doctoral dissertation.

Postdoctoral Student (PD): A student who has an awarded doctoral degree and is engaged in advanced academic study or specialty training beyond the doctoral degree.

Visiting Graduate Student (SPG): A formally enrolled graduate student from another institution whose coursework will be transferred back to the student’s home institution.

Graduate Non-Degree: A post-baccalaureate student who is not pursuing a graduate degree, is not a post-doctoral student, and is enrolled in graduate courses.

Undergraduate Special Student (SPU): A student who is not working toward a degree and is enrolled in undergraduate courses.

Visiting Undergraduate Student (SPU): An undergraduate student who is taking work to transfer to another school.

Student Proficiency in English

By the end of the freshman year, every student enrolled at ETSU is expected to have a command of the English language that is commensurate with the quality of speech and writing of educated adults.

Withdrawal Policy

Students may withdraw from all classes through the published last day to withdraw for a term. Students withdrawing from the university during the first two weeks of classes will not have those courses appear on their permanent records. Withdrawals from the university from the beginning of the third week through the end of the eighth week will be recorded with a grade of “W”. Withdrawals from the university after the eighth week will be recorded with “W” or “WF” at the discretion of the instructor. (W and WF grades do not influence the student’s grade point average.) (During the summer session or other shortened terms, this schedule is adjusted appropriately to fit the condensed time frame.) Consult the academic calendar for exact dates. All requests for withdrawal from the university must be received in the Office of the Registrar no later than the close of business hours two days before the last day of classes of any academic term. Under no circumstances will a student be permitted to withdraw from the university after that date. Students who do not withdraw by the official procedure will receive an “F” for each course. Withdrawing or dropping classes may negatively impact your Lottery Scholarship or other financial aid, housing, Graduate Assistantship, athletic eligibility, or tuition scholarship and you may owe a repayment. Please contact Financial Aid or the appropriate office before dropping any classes.

General

Abandoned Personal Property

All property not otherwise covered by Tennessee Law that is held by a Tennessee Board of Regents institution in its ordinary course of business, and which has remained unclaimed for more than one year, is presumed abandoned. If you have lost personal property on campus, please contact the University Center at 439-4286.

Under Tennessee law, the holder of presumed abandoned property must collect, hold, and maintain such property in protective temporary custody until it is transferred to the State Treasurer. A “holder” includes any person in possession of abandoned or unclaimed property or property that is held in the course of the holder’s business that has remained unclaimed by the owner for more than one year.

Each TBR institution must file a verified report with the State Treasurer on or before May 1 of each year which lists the presumed abandoned property in its possession since December 31 of the previous year.

If the holder has an address presumed to be accurate and the property is worth $50 or more, the holder must, within 120 days of filing the report with the State Treasurer, send written notice to the apparent owner at his/her last known address, informing him/her that holder is in possession of the property.

Tangible property should be held by the holder while the Treasurer reviews the report for 120 days after the report is received.

When the report is filed, any unclaimed funds or intangible property reported must be delivered to the State Treasurer, including all interest and dividends due on the day the property is paid or delivered.

Tangible property must be delivered within 120 days following submission of the report unless the holder has received notification to the contrary from the Treasurer.

Once the Treasurer receives the abandoned property, the former holder of such property is relieved of all liability to the extent of the value of the property so delivered. The Treasurer then takes steps to notify the apparent property owners of their possible ownership rights. This property is still presumed abandoned but remains in the protective custody of the Treasurer. Subsequent claims to the property are directed to the Treasurer.

Animals on Campus

This policy applies to animals classified as “pets” and “service animals” but does not apply to animals used for research purposes.

This policy does not apply to the living quarters and support buildings that are assigned to university employees as a part of their employment contract.

Owners of animals permitted on campus are responsible for ensuring that their animal’s wastes are properly removed from the grounds and disposed of in the trash or sanitary sewer. Modifications or exceptions will be made for persons with disabilities who are unable to comply with this requirement.

Pet Animals

No pets or animals of any nature shall be permitted in any university facility including residence facilities, provided that, if authorized in writing by the institution, fish in aquariums of a designated size may be allowed.

Requests for the use of animals for educational purposes, other than research or special events, i.e., cat and dog shows, etc., should be requested through the sponsor’s chain-of-authority to the Health and Safety Office.

Wild, except for indigenous populations, or exotic animals are forbidden on campus except by special permission of the Health and Safety Office and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.

Service Animals

To provide equal opportunity to disabled individuals to obtain employment, education, and services from the university, it is the policy of East Tennessee State University to allow and encourage disabled people to use service animals, subject to the conditions stated below.

The term “service animal” includes any animal that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. Typical tasks include guiding people with vision impairments, alerting individuals with hearing impairments, pulling a wheelchair, or retrieving items. A service animal may be a dog, monkey, or other animal.

A service animal is permitted in all classrooms, offices, hallways, dormitories, eating facilities, museums, theaters, sports areas, auditoriums, and other sites on campus, provided that:

1. The animal is in a harness or kept on a leash. However, service animals kept in good control by a disabled person need not be in a harness or on a leash when in a disabled student’s own housing facility or at an employee’s own work station. Other exceptions to this policy are made on a case by case basis.
2. The animal is adequately controlled so as to present no undue noise or disruption to others.
3. The animal creates no danger of infection, transmission of disease, or other health problems to people. (Note: A well-controlled service animal creates no more of a health risk than a person, so it should be allowed in any areas as humans without special clothing or extensive hygiene requirements).
4. If a service animal is used by a person living in a university dormitory and an assigned roommate objects to the presence of the animal, the university may reassign either the disabled person or the roommate, at the University’s option, to another room.

The university may, but is not required to, demand that a person desiring to use a service animal on the premises of East Tennessee State University provide reasonable proof that the individual is legally disabled and that the service animal is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability.

The university and university employees or agents assume no responsibility for controlling, keeping, feeding, or otherwise caring for any service animal. The university and its employees assume no legal responsibilities for any injury or damage caused by a service animal.

Job applicants and employees of the university shall not be discriminated against in any aspect of employment because of an individual’s use of a service animal in conformance with this policy. Allowing the use of a service animal shall, in most cases, be a reasonable accommodation that allows an applicant or employee to qualify for the job in question. However, if the use of the service animal substantially interferes with the performance of essential job tasks, the accommodation may be re-evaluated.

No employee, agent, representative, student, or other person affiliated with East Tennessee State University shall discriminate against an individual because of the use of a service animal in conformance with the requirements of this policy. No disabled person shall be prevented from entering, remaining, or using facilities of this university because of the use of a service animal, unless such use is not in conformance to the requirements of this policy.

Contact the Health & Safety Office for additional information.

Fee Refunds 

Students who are removed from university housing for disciplinary reasons or are suspended or expelled from the university are not eligible for a refund of housing fees or university tuition/fees.

Inclement Weather

East Tennessee State University and its branch campuses will remain open during periods of inclement weather even though classes may be canceled.

In accordance with TBR policy 5-01-01-11, at times it may be necessary for the University President to declare specific hours as emergency closing as the result of inclement weather or other emergency situations. In such cases, regular full-time and part-time ETSU employees on the active payroll who are scheduled to work during the declared times of closing will be granted time off from work with pay. Employees who are not scheduled to work will not be paid for the emergency closing. Employees who are required to work during periods of closure will be paid in accordance with the pay provisions of PPP-66, Emergency Closure, Compensation Rates.

If an emergency closing has not been declared due to inclement weather and an employee is prevented from reporting to work for his/her normally scheduled working hours, annual leave or leave without pay will be charged; or, the employee may be allowed, with institutional approval, to make up the time lost.
Regular part-time employees will be affected on a pro rata basis in each of the provisions listed above.
Faculty, administrators and staff of ETSU are expected to make every reasonable effort to be at their work assignment on time, taking into consideration the personal risk involved. Administrators or staff employees who anticipate arriving late, or not arriving at work at all, should notify their immediate supervisor of this fact as soon as possible and request annual leave for the period of absence. If faculty members must be absent from assigned classes due to inclement weather, it is their responsibility to notify the appropriate chair and/or dean.
Students are responsible for any academic work that they miss as a result of inclement weather. It is the individual student’s responsibility to take the initiative in making up any missed work, and it is the faculty’s responsibility to provide students a reasonable opportunity to make up missed work.

Students Terminated from University Employment

Policy Ensuring Due Process for Students Terminated from University Employment

Part-time university employment provides students with an opportunity to earn extra income while learning about personal responsibility and professionalism in the work place. Consistent with this educational objective and the university’s commitment to treat people with dignity and respect, students who are employed by ETSU on the Federal Work Study program, Academic Performance Scholarship Program, or the Regular Student Work Study Program and are terminated for cause have the right to appeal the decision to the next higher level of authority in the administrative hierarchy.
If the student appeals the decision the following procedures will be observed:

1. The student shall be advised of the reasons for his/her termination.
2. The student shall have the right to present a written appeal or to appeal in person to the next higher authority.
3. The student shall be advised in writing of the outcome of the appeal.

Health

Drug-Free Campus 

This policy applies to all East Tennessee State University (ETSU) employees, including faculty, and students in compliance with the provisions of the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 (41 U.S.C. 701, East Tennessee State University. seq.) and the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989 (20 U.S.C. 3171, East Tennessee State University. seq.). Moreover, this policy supersedes the Drug-Free Workplace policy promulgated March 13, 1989.

Below is a list of campus and community agencies which also provide referral, information, and/or counseling to students and/or employees:

Immunization Requirements

Failure to submit the appropriate documentation could prevent you from completing the class registration process or limit the number of hours in which you are able to enroll. The State of Tennessee requires all students to meet the following immunization requirements:

1. Proof that the student has received (2) MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) shots or physician signed documentation of immunity.
2. Proof that the student has received (2) Varicella (Chicken Pox) shots or physician signed documentation of immunity.
3. A Signed Waiver form acknowledging that the student is aware of the risk associated with Hepatitis B and Meningitis infections on a college campus.

Students under the age of 18 must provide a signed waiver that is signed by either a parent or legal guardian. http://www.etsu.edu/nursing/shserv/forms/hepameniwaiver.aspx
Students 18 and over will be able to complete this form online electronically when they attempt to register for classes the first time.

Exemptions:

1. New incoming students to ETSU who have received one MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) and one Varicella (chicken pox) vaccination may complete the One Semester Immunization Exemption Form and return it to the Registrar’s Office so they may be able to register for a full time class load. This can be done at orientation. http://www.etsu.edu/reg/documents/PDF/Immunization_form.pdf
2. Pregnant or Breastfeeding students may complete the Medical Waiver for Immunizations form accompanied with signed medical documentation and submitted to the Student Health Services for temporary exemption.
3. Students who are allergic or have medical conditions preventing them from receiving these vaccinations may complete the Medical Waiver for Immunizations form accompanied with signed medical documentation and submitted to the Student Health Services for exemption.
4. Students who are taking exclusive online and distance-learning courses only are exempt from the Varicella requirements, but must complete the Online Only Immunization Exemption form each semester and file it with the Registrar’s Office. http://www.etsu.edu/reg/documents/DOC/online_classes_ONLY_Immunization_Waiver.docx
5. Students who provide a signed written statement that their religious tenets and practices prohibit their receipt of any type of immunizations.
   http://www.etsu.edu/nursing/shserv/forms/religiousexemption.aspx

More information and contact information is through Student Health Services or on the website at:
http://www.etsu.edu/nursing/shserv/about/Immun_Requirements.aspx

International Students and Scholars-Insurance

In accordance with the TBR Policy on Admission (2:03:00:00), East Tennessee State University requires that all international, nonimmigrant students and scholars under the F, M, and J status maintain accident, illness, medical evacuation and repatriation insurance on themselves as a condition to their admission, enrollment, research duties, and employment at the university. Students under any of the J status category must also carry accident, illness, medical evacuation and repatriation insurance for spouses and dependents. Dependents of F-1 students must carry insurance if enrolled at the university. The following policy and procedures have been established:

1. In the letter of admission, in the I-20, and in the IAP-66, all international, nonimmigrant students and scholars will be informed of this requirement, of the extent of coverage required, which may vary slightly from year to year, and of the approximate cost to obtain the coverage.
2. All international, nonimmigrant students and scholars will be REQUIRED to enroll in the TBR Student Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan. The only exception to this requirement will be international, nonimmigrant students who have a scholarship that includes the purchase of an insurance policy on their behalf. This policy must meet or exceed the level of coverage provided to participants in the TBR’s Student/Scholar Health and Accident Insurance Plan.
3. The cost of enrollment in the TBR Student Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan will be added to the student’s cost for registration. Scholars, but not students, should complete an insurance enrollment form, and pay the premium directly to the university Business Office. Documented proof of government sponsored insurance must be provided to the international student advisor prior to registration.
4. Students will be covered for twelve months. Exception to this rule will be made in the case of international students who abandon their F, J or M status, by leaving the U.S., by changing to another nonimmigrant status, or by adjusting status to that of an immigrant.
5. Students under Practical Training will not be required to purchase the TBR coverage. Students under Practical Training, however, may purchase the TBR plan #3 during the period of training.
6. Once the insurance premium is paid, there will be no refunds.

Medical and Health Policy

It is the responsibility of all students to provide hospitalization insurance for themselves if they desire to have coverage in the event of an illness or in case of injury while attending the university. For those students not having protection under a family insurance plan or for those who want additional coverage, ETSU has arranged for a special student insurance policy. Information is available on the Student Health Services website.

Campus Smoking and Tobacco Use Policy

Effective August 11, 2008, ETSU is a Tobacco-Free Campus with smoking and all other tobacco usage permitted only in private vehicles. This policy applies to all university buildings/grounds; ETSU-affiliated off-campus locations and clinics; any buildings owned, leased, or rented by ETSU in all other areas; and ETSU facilities located on the campus of the James H. Quillen Veterans Affairs Medical Center at Mountain Home. Tobacco use is also prohibited in all state vehicles. This tobacco-free policy is in effect 24 hours a day year-round.

Background
The university promotes a healthy, sanitary environment free from tobacco smoke and tobacco-related debris. The ETSU community acknowledges that long-term health hazards may accrue to people who use tobacco products or who are subjected to second-hand smoke. The failure to address the use of tobacco products on campus would constitute a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Vocational Rehabilitation Act and Tennessee law.

Support
Understanding the addictive nature of tobacco products, ETSU will make every effort to assist those who may wish to stop using tobacco. The university offers current information about available resources via the Smoking Cessation Resources page.

Compliance
It is the responsibility of all members of the ETSU community to comply with this Tobacco-Free Campus Policy. Violations of the policy will be dealt with in a manner that is consistent with university procedures. There shall be no reprisals against anyone reporting violations of this policy.

Enforcement Policy

1. Violations to the tobacco free policy, particularly reoccurring violations, are to be reported to Public Safety 439-4480.
2. Any violator of the policy who refuses to comply or who becomes abusive toward the responsible party will be handled by Public Safety.

Personal Information and Records

Directory Information Procedures

ETSU contracts the publication of a directory which shows student names, addresses (e-mail, mailing, and campus box), major, and phone number. In addition, ETSU may release other “directory information.” Other “directory information” is defined as: enrollment status, dates of attendance, classification, previous institution(s) attended, awards, honors (includes Dean’s List), degrees conferred (including dates), and sports participation information.
If students prefer not to have these items released, they may fill out a form to prevent disclosure of this data. This form is available at the Office of the Registrar and must be submitted no later than the last day to add a course for the Fall term. A new form for non-disclosure must be completed each academic year. A form submitted the last term a student enrolls will remain in effect until the student re-enrolls.

Other records offices in the university may have other definitions of directory information. Please check the Pharmacy or Medicine web sites for specific information as to their definitions.

Electronic Mail

This policy was adopted by the Information Technology Governance Committee on February 17, 2009.

As email has become an integral part of the academic process, confidential information about ETSU students is being transmitted, including evaluations, grades, and financial information. Faculty, staff, and students must recognize that, although there is an expectation of privacy, unencrypted email is not a secure means of transmitting information. While this policy does not prohibit student information from being transmitted by email, caution must be exercised regarding the content of messages.

ETSU provides each student, faculty, and staff member with an official university-assigned email account. All official university communications will be sent to the university email address. Faculty, staff, and students may assume that official ETSU email is a valid communication mechanism. Therefore, the university has the right to send communications to students, faculty, and staff via email and the right to expect that those communications are received and read in a timely fashion. Since this is our primary method of communication, email should be checked at least daily. Although a student may choose to forward university email to an external email account, he or she is responsible for all information, including attachments. Revised 1/2009

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords students certain rights with respect to their education records. They are:

Parental Notification

The university will notify a parent or legal guardian of a student who is younger than 21 and is found guilty of a university disciplinary violation governing the use or possession of alcohol or drugs. Notification will occur when the university alcohol or drug offense is in violation of any federal, state, or local law, or of any rule or policy of the institution, except as prohibited by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

Safety and Security

Department of Public Safety 

The Department of Public Safety is responsible for campus security. The public safety office is located at the main entrance of the campus on University Parkway. The department is open 365 days per year and utilizes public safety officers to patrol campus by automobile and on foot 24 hours per day. A 24-hour dispatch service is also maintained.

Access to Campus

The campus and facilities of ETSU are governed by the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR), and are restricted to students, faculty, staff, guests, and invitees of the university, except when part or all of the campus, its buildings or facilities, are open to the general public for a designated time and purpose.

All persons on campus are subject to all rules and regulations of the university and the TBR which are applicable to the conduct of students on campus, and to all applicable federal and state laws and regulations. In addition, all persons who operate motor vehicles on campus agree by such operation to be subject to university and TBR rules, regulations, policies, and procedures on traffic and parking.

All persons on campus must provide adequate identification upon request to appropriate officials and security personnel of the university. Personnel and students of the university who refuse to provide such identification may be subject to disciplinary action, and other persons who refuse to provide such identification will be requested to leave the campus, and if they refuse, may be subject to lawful removal and prosecution.

Crime Reporting

The Department of Public Safety provides a crime prevention program entitled “Be Alert, Be Aware.” Through this program, students, staff, and faculty are encouraged to report any criminal or suspicious activity and are made aware of the need for each person to be responsible for his/her own security and the security of others. When a person files a complaint or applies for assistance, all pertinent information is obtained and is officially documented in an incident report. All incident reports are maintained on file in the public safety office. Reports are acted upon in a judicious manner consistent with departmental procedure. When criminal incidents occur that require multijurisdictional investigation, all applicable agencies are notified. Public safety officers have a close working relationship with the Johnson City Police Department, the Washington County Sheriff’s Department, federal agencies, and the First Judicial District Drug Task Force. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation receive monthly statistics from the Department of Public Safety concerning crimes on campus.

Criminal Actions

Police emergencies, fire emergencies, and requests for ambulance service can be reported by telephoning 439-4480 or 911; by using the direct emergency telephones placed across campus; or in person by stopping by the public safety office. Police non-emergencies can be reported by telephoning 439-6900.

Enforcement Authority

Public safety officers are commissioned pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated, 49-7-118, and the Tennessee Board of Regents (TBR) Policy No. 5:01:07:00. Commissioned public safety officers have all of the police powers necessary to enforce all state laws as well as rules and regulations of the TBR. They are also certified firemen and are first responders to any on-campus fire emergencies. Public safety officers may exercise their authority on all property or facilities owned, leased, or operated by the TBR and the university including any public roads or rights of way which are contiguous to or within the perimeter of such facilities or property.

The Johnson City Police Department furnishes the Department of Public Safety information concerning all offenses which occur off-campus at fraternity and sorority houses. The Department of Public Safety coordinates with the Johnson City Fire Department concerning all campus fires.

Pedestrian Safety Statement

The Department of Public Safety wishes to remind students and staff that bicycles, skate boards, scooters, and other similar vehicles or toys which are used on campus sidewalks or public through-fares must be operated in such a manner so as not to jeopardize the safety and well-being of pedestrians. The use of bicycles and other specified play vehicles is governed by state law. Violations of applicable statutes constitute a Class C misdemeanor.

Residence Hall Access

Students residing in the residence halls are required to follow the Student Housing Rules, Residence Hall Conduct and Disciplinary Sanctions (Residence Hall Student Handbook).

All residence halls with the exception of Buc Ridge, Buc Village, and Davis Apartments, which have outside doors, are secured 24 hours per day. Access is gained through main entrance doors equipped with a card reader which uses the student’s ID card to unlock the door.

The Department of Public Safety and the Office of Housing and Residence Life operate night patrol each night in the vicinity of the residence hall and residence hall parking lots. These individuals are not police officers but are equipped with two-way radios and have a uniform. Duties include checking for propped doors, checking locked doors, watching for any unusual event, and checking parking lots around the residence halls.

For additional information concerning safety on campus, contact the Department of Public Safety, 423-439-6900, the Office of Student Affairs, 423-439-4210, or the Office of Human Resources, 423-439-4457.

Security and the Maintenance of Campus Facilities

The Department of Public Safety conducts a survey of outdoor lighting several times a year. In the months of July and December buildings on the main campus and university buildings located on Veterans Administration property are surveyed for hazardous conditions. Monthly fire extinguisher inspections are performed in all buildings owned or leased by the university. In addition, public safety officers routinely report all hazardous, unsafe and potentially unsafe conditions found to exist on campus.

Security Information Report

East Tennessee State University makes available to prospective students and employees the ETSU Security Information Report. This annual report includes campus crime statistics for the three most recent calendar years and various campus policies concerning law enforcement, the reporting of criminal activity, and crime prevention programs. The ETSU Security Information Report is available upon request from East Tennessee State University Department of Public Safety, Box 70646, Johnson City, TN 37614-1702.

For additional information concerning safety on campus, contact the Department of Public Safety, 423-439-6900, the Office of Student Affairs, 423-439-4210, or the Office of Human Resources, 423-439-4457.

Sex Offender Registration

The federal Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act and the Tennessee College and University Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act of 2002 require that whenever a sex offender becomes employed, enrolls as a student, or volunteers at an institution of higher education in the state of Tennessee, he or she must complete or update the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) sexual offender registration/monitoring form and deliver it to TBI headquarters in Nashville. As defined in section 40-39-102 of the Tennessee Code, a “sexual offender” means a person who is, or has been, convicted in this state of committing a sexual offense or who is, or has been, convicted in another state or another country, or who is or has been convicted in a federal or military court, of committing an act which would have constituted a sexual offense if it had been committed in this state. A “sexual offender” means the commission of acts including but not limited to aggravated and statutory rape, sexual battery, sexual exploitation of a minor, aggravated prostitution, and kidnapping.
Both acts designate certain information concerning a registered sexual offender as public information and therefore amend and supersede the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and other federal and state laws that previously prohibited the disclosure of such personal information. Since the laws require the publication of information pertaining to sexual offenders employed, enrolled or volunteering at an educational institution, said publication does not constitute grounds for a grievance or complaint under institutional or Tennessee Board of Regents policies or procedures.

Sexual Assault Policy

East Tennessee State University is dedicated to maintaining an environment which is safe and supportive of its students and employees where relationships are built on honesty, integrity, and trust. Accordingly, ETSU prohibits sexual assault and rape as defined by state law. Actions which result in charges of sexual assault or rape under this policy will be subject to university disciplinary action. They also may subject a student to criminal and/or civil liability under state law.
Services
To appropriately address sexual violence, ETSU has developed OASIS (Outreach & Advocacy: Sexuality Information for Students), a program housed in the Counseling Center. OASIS provides comprehensive services including:

• Educational and prevention programs, awareness events and print and video resources addressing a variety of topics related to sexual violence and healthy relationships such as consent, bystander Intervention, men as allies, women’s empowerment, Take Back the Night and others;
• Sponsorship of Students Against Violence (SAVE), a student organization committed to ending sexual violence on campus and Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) trainings, free self-defense programming;
• Counseling and intervention services for those who have been assaulted or who have concerns regarding sexual violence;
• Referral to off-campus agencies that provide services for persons who have been sexually assaulted;
• Procedures for assisting persons who have been sexually assaulted in obtaining medical and counseling services;
• Procedures for assisting persons who have been sexually assaulted in pursuing criminal or civil action against their assailants;
• Support when persons who have been assaulted wish to pursue campus disciplinary action against the assailants.

What To Do If You Have Been Sexually Assaulted

1. Get to a safe place, one that is well-lit and where there are other people, preferably people you know and trust.
2. Do not bathe, douche, brush your teeth, chew gum, drink, change clothing or even comb your hair before seeking medical attention. It is only natural to want to do so, but you may be destroying physical evidence that could be needed later if you decide to pursue an investigation.
3. Call the police as soon as possible to report the assault. If you are on campus call ETSU Public Safety at 911 or 439-4480. If you are off campus and call 911, the local police will respond to your call. By calling the police you are reporting the crime and seeking the protection of the police. Reporting does not mean that you have to prosecute. See the following section for more reporting options.
4. If you wish, call a friend, family member or other trusted person to be with you. A counselor from the ETSU Counseling Center can accompany you to the hospital or police station - call 439-4841 during weekday hours, and after hours, the Counselor on Duty can be contacted through Public Safety - 439-4480. The counselor provides confidential emotional support and can also help you consider your reporting options and what to do next.
5. Get immediate medical attention. You may have sustained injuries or contracted a sexually transmitted infection; therefore, the sooner you seek medical attention, the better. The Student Health Clinic provides medical care during the hours of 8:00am - 4:00 pm, Monday - Friday. During non-business hours or for the purpose of evidence collection, the Johnson City Medical Center offers specially trained nurses (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners) through their emergency room to support you through the medical exam and administer a Physical Evidence Recovery Kit (PERK). Again, collecting the evidence does not mean you need to make any decision to prosecute.
6. Seek follow-up counseling. Whether or not you report the assault or prosecute, a trained counselor can help you deal with the emotional trauma of an assault. You may call the ETSU Counseling Center at 439-4841 and ask for an OASIS advocate. All counseling is completely confidential.

Dealing With The Aftermath: Survivor Assistance
University personnel will assist any student who is the victim of a sex offense in notifying law enforcement, in obtaining medical assistance, and in pursuing counseling. If a student requests a change in her/his academic or on-campus living situation, then the university will accommodate the student’s request if those changes are reasonably available.

University Disciplinary Procedures
There are several options available to a student who was assaulted by another student. In addition to bringing charges against the perpetrator in criminal or civil court, the survivor also may seek recourse through the university disciplinary process.
Sexual battery or rape, in addition to being a violation of state law, also is violation of ETSU Student Disciplinary Rules. If a survivor initiates campus disciplinary action, both the accuser and the accused will be informed of the following:

1. The accuser and the accused are entitled to the same opportunities to have others present during a hearing.
2. Both the accuser and the accused will be informed of the outcome of any institutional disciplinary hearing brought alleging a sex offense.

In order to bring charges of sexual battery or rape against another student, a student must initiate the judicial process by contacting the Associate Dean of Students or his designee at 439-6129. Refer to institutional disciplinary rules in the Policies and Procedures section of the catalog. If the accused student is found guilty of the alleged sex offense, suspension or expulsion from the university may occur.
 

The Accuser’s Rights

1. During the course of the disciplinary proceeding, accusers have the following rights:To meet with the appropriate judicial officer to discuss the disciplinary process.
2. To submit a written account of the alleged incident.
3. To be advised of the date, time, and location of the disciplinary hearing, and to request rescheduling of the hearing for a good cause.
4. To be accompanied by an advisor of the accuser’s choosing during the hearing process, although the advisor will not be permitted to speak for the accuser during the hearing.
5. To testify as a witness during the hearing.
6. To decline to testify, with the knowledge that such action could result in dismissal of the university’s charges for lack of evidence.
7. To submit a written impact statement to the hearing panel for consideration during the sanctioning phase of the disciplinary process.

Services

To appropriately address sexual violence, ETSU has developed OASIS (Outreach & Advocacy: Sexuality Information for Students), a program housed in the Counseling Center. OASIS provides comprehensive services including:
Educational and prevention programs, awareness events and print and video resources addressing a variety of topics related to sexual violence and healthy relationships such as consent, bystander Intervention, men as allies, women’s empowerment, Take Back the Night and others;

Sponsorship of Students Against Violence (SAVE), a student organization committed to ending sexual violence on campus and Rape Aggression Defense (RAD) trainings, free self-defense programming;

Counseling and intervention services for those who have been assaulted or who have concerns regarding sexual violence;

Referral to off-campus agencies that provide services for persons who have been sexually assaulted;

Procedures for assisting persons who have been sexually assaulted in obtaining medical and counseling services;

Procedures for assisting persons who have been sexually assaulted in pursuing criminal or civil action against their assailants;

Support when persons who have been assaulted wish to pursue campus disciplinary action against the assailants.

What To Do If You Have Been Sexually Assaulted

Get to a safe place, one that is well-lit and where there are other people, preferably people you know and trust.

Do not bathe, douche, brush your teeth, chew gum, drink, change clothing or even comb your hair before seeking medical attention. It is only natural to want to do so, but you may be destroying physical evidence that could be needed later if you decide to pursue an investigation.

Call the police as soon as possible to report the assault. If you are on campus call ETSU Public Safety at 911 or 439-4480. If you are off campus and call 911, the local police will respond to your call. By calling the police you are reporting the crime and seeking the protection of the police. Reporting does not mean that you have to prosecute. See the following section for more reporting options.

If you wish, call a friend, family member or other trusted person to be with you. A counselor from the ETSU Counseling Center can accompany you to the hospital or police station - call 439-4841 during weekday hours and, after hours, the Counselor on Duty can be contacted through Public Safety - 439-4480. The counselor provides confidential emotional support and can also help you consider your reporting options and what to do next.

Get immediate medical attention. You may have sustained injuries or contracted a sexually transmitted infection; therefore, the sooner you seek medical attention, the better. The Student Health Clinic provides medical care during the hours of 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., Monday - Friday. During non-business hours or for the purpose of evidence collection, the Johnson City Medical Center offers specially trained nurses (Sexual Assault Nurse Examiners) through their emergency room to support you through the medical exam and administer a Physical Evidence Recovery Kit (PERK). Again, collecting the evidence does not mean you need to make any decision to prosecute.

Seek follow-up counseling. Whether or not you report the assault or prosecute, a trained counselor can help you deal with the emotional trauma of an assault. You may call the ETSU Counseling Center at 439-4841 and ask for an OASIS advocate. All counseling is completely confidential.

Dealing With The Aftermath: Survivor Assistance

University personnel will assist any student who is the victim of a sex offense in notifying law enforcement, in obtaining medical assistance, and in pursuing counseling. If a student requests a change in her/his academic or on-campus living situation, then the university will accommodate the student’s request if those changes are reasonably available.

Sexual, Racial and Other Harassment
General Statement

It is against University policy to discriminate against any member of the University community on the basis of sex or race. Harassment based on sex or race is a form of discrimination.

These procedures may be utilized by any employee, applicant for employment, or student who believes he or she has been subjected to sexual or racial harassment. Former employees or students may file complaints concerning conduct which took place during the time of employment or enrollment, provided the complaint is filed in a timely manner, and the conduct has a reasonable connection to the University.

All faculty members, students and staff are subject to this policy. Any faculty member, student or staff found to have violated this policy by engaging in behavior constituting sexual or racial harassment will be subject to disciplinary action which may include dismissal, expulsion, or termination, or other appropriate sanction.

All faculty and staff members are required to cooperate with investigations of alleged sexual or racial harassment. Failure to cooperate may result in disciplinary action being taken up to and including termination. Students are also required to cooperate with these investigations; failure to do so may result in disciplinary action up to and including expulsion.

Sexual harassment and racial harassment have been held to constitute forms of discrimination prohibited by Title VI, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, and Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972. The University may be held liable pursuant to Title VI or Title VII and/or lose federal funds pursuant to Title IX for failure to properly investigate and remedy claims of sexual or racial harassment.

Sexual harassment in the working/educational environment:
Generally, sexual harassment may be defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when one of the following criteria is met:

• submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly as a term or condition of the individual’s employment or of the individual’s status in a program, course, or activity;
• submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as a basis for employment decisions, a criterion for evaluation, or a basis for academic or other decisions affecting such individual;
• such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work performance or educational experience, or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work or educational environment.

Not every act that might be offensive to an individual or a group will be considered harassment. Whether the alleged conduct constitutes sexual harassment depends upon the record as a whole and the totality of the circumstances, such as the nature of sexual advances in the context within which the alleged incident occurs. Harassment may not include verbal expressions or written material that is relevant and appropriately related to course subject matter or curriculum.

Please note that sexual assaults may be criminal acts and, as such, investigation and processing by the criminal justice system, local police, campus police, and/or crisis intervention centers may supersede or occur in addition to the process developed under this policy.

Racial Harassment:
Generally, racial harassment is defined as any person’s conduct which unreasonably interferes with an employee’s or student’s status or performance by creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working or educational environment. Harassment on the basis of race, color, ethnic or national origin includes offensive or demeaning treatment of an individual where such treatment is based on prejudiced stereotypes of a group to which that individual may belong. It includes, but is not limited to, objectionable epithets, threatened or actual physical harm or abuse, or other intimidating or insulting conduct directed against the individual because of his/her race, color, ethnic or national origin. Title VII requires employers to take prompt action when a person expresses a racially charged opinion in a way which abuses or offends a coworker.

Prohibited Conduct Retaliation
Retaliation is prohibited by the university. Retaliation may be defined as the seeking of revenge, reprisal or injury to another who has exercised the right to file a complaint or make a report of sexual or racial harassment, or has participated in an investigation into allegations of sexual or racial harassment.

Any retaliation against a person filing a complaint is strictly prohibited regardless of the outcome of the investigation and may, in itself, be grounds for disciplinary action.

Prohibited Conduct Other Forms:

Title VII also prohibits discrimination (and harassment) of individuals based on color, ethnicity, national origin, and religion. University policy prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation. Complaints of discrimination on these grounds may be filed with the University EEO/AA Officer and/or pursuant to the University’s grievance and complaint procedures. However, the procedure utilized for these complaints differs from the process used for sexual and racial harassment complaints.

Complaint Reporting
The University seeks to encourage the prompt reporting of sexual or racial harassment and its prompt resolution through University procedures. Where the charge of harassment is by one student against another student, the Associate Dean of Students, D.P. Culp University Center, will investigate and resolve the complaint in accordance with appropriate student procedures. Other charges not relating to complaints against students should be directed to the University Equal Employment/Affirmative Action Compliance Officer (hereinafter, EEO/AA Officer), 206 Dossett Hall, Administration Building. The EEO/AA Officer will investigate all charges and make recommendations to the president regarding their resolution, following the procedures set forth in this document.

Students, residents, and employees of the College of Medicine may contact the Assistant Dean, Women in Medicine, 003 VA Building 2. The Assistant Dean, Women in Medicine, will investigate in consultation with the EEO/AA office.

Protection of Rights
The following procedures are intended to protect the rights of the aggrieved party (hereinafter, ‘the Complainant’) as well as the party against whom the harassment complaint is lodged (hereinafter, ‘the Respondent’), as required by state and federal laws. Each complaint must be properly and promptly investigated and, when warranted, appropriate disciplinary action taken against the Respondent.

The ETSU Office of University Counsel (hereinafter, Legal Counsel) shall always be consulted prior to investigation. Legal Counsel will be kept informed during the investigation. In situations that require immediate action because of safety or other concerns, the university may take any administrative action which is appropriate; e.g., administrative leave with pay pending the outcome of the investigation. Students may be placed on interim suspension under the appropriate circumstances pending the outcome of the investigation. Legal Counsel must be contacted before any immediate action is taken.

Initiating a Complaint
Any current or former student, applicant for employment, current or former employee who believes he or she has been subjected to harassment at the university, or who believes that he/she has observed harassment taking place shall present the complaint to the designated EEO/AA Officer, the Associate Dean of Students, or Assistant Dean, Women in Medicine (hereinafter ‘the Investigator’), responsible for compliance with Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VI, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972.

Time Period for Filing a Complaint
Complaints must be brought within 365 days of the last incident of harassment. Complaints brought after that period will not be pursued absent extraordinary circumstances. The determination of whether the complaint was timely or whether extraordinary circumstances exist to extend the complaint period must be made in conjunction with Legal Counsel.

Every attempt will be made to obtain a written complaint from the Complainant. The complaint shall include the circumstances giving rise to the complaint, the dates of the alleged occurrences, and names of witnesses, if any. The complaint shall be signed by the Complainant. However, when the Complainant refuses to provide or sign a written complaint, the matter will still be investigated to the extent possible, and appropriate action taken. Complaints made anonymously or by a third party must also be investigated to the extent possible.

If the complaint does not rise to the level of harassment, the complaint may be dismissed without further investigation after consultation with Legal Counsel. The Complainant should be informed of other available processes such as the employee grievance/complaint process or a student non-academic complaint process.

Initiation of Investigation
Legal Counsel shall be notified of the complaint, whether written or verbal, as soon as possible after it is brought to the attention of the Investigator, and the investigation shall be conducted under the direction of Legal Counsel. All investigatory notes and documents shall be attorney work products. The Investigator shall notify the President that an investigation is being initiated.

When the Respondent is a student, the Vice Provost and Dean of Students or Associate Dean, Women in Medicine for medical students, will investigate in compliance with the procedures outlined in this policy. If a finding of a violation is made, any resulting disciplinary action will be undertaken in compliance with the university’s student disciplinary procedures.

When a student is involved as the Complainant, the Respondent, or an individual interviewed, all documentation referring to that student shall be subject to the provisions and protections of the Family Educational Records and Privacy Act (FERPA and Tennessee Code Annotated Section 10-7-504(a)(4), which require that certain student disciplinary records are subject to disclosure pursuant to a public records request.

Notification of Complaint
The Investigator shall notify the Respondent in writing within five (5) working days of receipt of the complaint. The Respondent shall respond in writing to the complaint within five (5) working days following the date of receipt of the Investigator’s notification.

If either the Complainant or the Respondent is a student, the Investigator should communicate the prohibition against disclosure of personally identifiable information with regard to the student, based on FERPA.

Contacts
Complaint by student against faculty member or staff, faculty member against staff; faculty member against faculty member or supervisor; or staff against faculty member, staff, supervisor or outside university vendor.
Affirmative Action Officer,
206 Dossett Hall, Administration Building (423) 439-4211

Complaint against students:
Associate Dean of Students, D.P. Culp University Center (423) 439-4210

Students, residents and employees of the College of Medicine may also contact:
Assistant Dean, Women in Medicine,
003 VA Building 2 (423) 439-8849
Other Contacts for Assistance

Psychological/Emotional Assistance and Support Services, Employees
Employee Assistance Program
(800) 308-4934

Psychological/Emotional Assistance and Support Services, Students
Counseling Center (423) 439-4841
For a complete copy of the university’s Policy On Sexual or Racial Harassment, contact the Office of Human Resources, room 311, Burgin Dossett Hall.

Responding to Hate Crimes and Bias-Related Incidents

Statement of Policy:
East Tennessee State University seeks to provide students, staff and faculty members with a safe and secure learning environment, free of crime and/or violations motivated by discrimination, sexual and other bias-related harassment. ETSU’s Institutional Policy Statement (0240-3-2-.01) specifically addresses student behavioral expectations: 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 each community at all times. Violation of university policy may subject the student to disciplinary action by the institution whether or not such conduct is simultaneously violative of state, local, or national laws.

To report a bias-related incident on the ETSU campus:

If the alleged incident involves a faculty or staff member or an individual not associated with the university, contact the Special Assistant to the President for Equity and Diversity/Affirmative Action Director at 439-4211, Room 206 Burgin Dossett Hall. If the alleged incident involves behavior by one student against another student contact the Associate Dean of Students at 439-4210 or stop by the Student Affairs Office on the third level of the Culp University Center.
Persons who are subsequently charged with violation of university policy or student rules will be subject to disciplinary action.
Steps to follow when you have knowledge of a bias-related incident:

1. Immediately document what happened. Complete a written statement and include as much detail as possible. Document where and when the incident occurred including information about the perpetrator(s). Write down the names of witnesses if applicable. Sign and date the document and provide it to the Special Assistant to the President for Equity and Diversity/Affirmative Action Director or the Associate Dean of Students and the responding Public Safety officer. Note: The targeted person(s) will be asked what role she/he would like to play in responding to the incident. A targeted person may feel uncomfortable about cooperating with an investigation due to fear of retaliation by the perpetrator(s). In all instances, the targeted person will be assured that her/his personal safety and security are important.
2. Retain any physical evidence of the incident, e.g., messages written on doors, physical objects, etc. and provide to the responding Public Safety officer. Request that the Public Safety officer take photographs/photocopies of any evidence.
3. All bias-related incident reports are confidential. Any personal information obtained during the investigation or disposition of the matter will be subject to disclosure only to the extent required by law.

Contact Additional Resources as Appropriate

Call one or more of the following resources as necessary to gain information assistance or support.
 

Student Conduct and Rights

Complaint Policy and Procedure for Students

East Tennessee State University is committed to respecting all members of the university community and providing fair treatment regarding complaints by students. The objective of the Student Complaint Policy and Procedure is to ensure that concerns and complaints of undergraduate or graduate students are addressed fairly and are resolved promptly. Complaints usually involve actions affecting students that are alleged to be unjust, inequitable, or create unnecessary hardship. A student may pursue this complaint procedure if he or she believes a problem is not governed by other complaint or appeal procedures at the university.  (Refer to Selected Appeal Policies. The Colleges of Medicine and Pharmacy have their own student complaint policies; complaints should be directed to appropriate personnel as identified by those colleges.

East Tennessee State University seeks to provide students, staff and faculty members with a safe and secure learning environment, free of crime and or violations motivated by discrimination, sexual and other bias-related harassment.  There are two important complaint policies not governed by the Student Complaint Policy and Procedure; Sexual, Racial, and Other Harassment and Hate Crimes and Bias-Related Incidents.  These types of complaints should be filed with the Special Assistant to the President for Equity and Diversity/Affirmative Action Director or, when a charge is by one student against another student, with the Dean of Students according to the procedures described in those policies.

Procedure

When a concern occurs, the student is encouraged to discuss it with the appropriate faculty member or administrator.  Often a resolution or an answer can be attained informally.  If an informal approach is neither successful nor advisable, the student should use the Student Complaint Policy and Procedure.  The procedure for filing student complaints governed by this policy is as follows:

Step 1:

To submit a complaint, a student must complete the official Student Complaint Form and send it via email attachment, within ten working days of the date of the initiating event, to the chair or director most directly involved (if the complaint is directed against the chair or director, it should be referred to the dean of the college or next level administrator). The chair or director will attempt to determine the validity of the complaint and, in the case of a valid complaint, seek resolution including administrative action. He or she will communicate his or her decision on the Student Complaint Form and make every effort to do so within ten working days from the conclusion of this process.

Step 2:

If a student wishes to appeal the decision made in Step 1, he or she must submit the Student Complaint Appeal Form A and the completed Student Complaint Form via email attachments to the appropriate dean or administrator within ten working days from the date of the decision. Undergraduate students submit the materials to the dean of the college where the issue(s) arose and graduate students submit to the Dean of the School of Graduate Studies. In the case of a complaint involving a director, the student submits materials to the next level administrator.
The student will be invited to discuss the complaint with that individual who will attempt to determine the validity of the complaint and, in the case of a valid complaint, seek resolution, including possible administrative action. He or she will communicate his or her decision on Student Complaint Appeal Form A and make every effort to inform the student within ten working days of the conclusion of the appeal.

Step 3:

If the student believes that he or she has not been afforded due process, the student must submit Student Complaint Appeal Form B together with Student Complaint Appeal Form A and the Student Complaint Form via email attachments to the vice president of the university division in which the complaint occurred within ten working days from the date of the decision. The vice president will make the final determination about the matter and communicate his or her decision on Student Complaint Appeal Form B and make every reasonable effort to submit his or her decision to the student within ten working days from the conclusion of this appeal. The determination will include reasons for the decision and direct a remedy, if any, to the student complaint.

Documentation

A record of all complaints and their resolution will be documented at each level of the review process by the appropriate administrator. Revised March 2009

Other Complaints

Students or prospective students who wish to file a complaint related to accreditation or regarding violations of state law not resolved at the institution may submit a Student Complaint Form to the Tennessee Board of Regents at 1415 Murfreesboro Road, Suite 340, Nashville Tennessee 37217, or by going on line and filing out the form electronically. Under Tennessee’s open records law, all or parts of complaints will generally be available for review upon request from a member of the public.

Accreditation
Complaints regarding accreditation should follow the ETSU Complaint Policy and Procedure for Students outlined above.

Complaints regarding accreditation can also be made by contacting the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia
30033-4097, telephone: 404-679-4500 (www.sacscoc.org).

State Law Violations
Complaints of Fraud, Waste, or Abuse may be made to ETSU or the Tennessee Board of Regents.

The ETSU process for reporting fraud, waste or abuse is available at http://www.etsu.edu/humanres/relations/campussecurity.aspx#reportingfraud

Complaints of fraud, waste or abuse may be made by email at reportfraud@tbr.edu or by calling the Tennessee Comptroller’s Hotline for Fraud, Waste and Abuse at 1-800-232-5454. 

Honor Code

East Tennessee State University is committed to developing the intellect and moral character of its students. To that end, all instances of plagiarism, cheating, and other forms of academic misconduct shall be punished in accord with Tennessee Board of Regents policy. Any knowledge of conduct of this nature should be reported to the proper authorities. Not reporting instances of academic misconduct represents a fundamental break with honor code policy and, although this offense is not punishable, reflects a callous disregard for yourself, your classmates, and your professors.

Information Technology Code of Ethics

Infringement of Intellectual Property Rights

Student Disciplinary Policies

Part 1   Institution Policy Statement
Part 2   Disciplinary Offenses
Part 3   Academic and Classroom Misconduct
Part 4   Disciplinary Sanctions
Part 5   Traffic and Parking
Part 6   Disciplinary Procedures

INSTITUTION POLICY STATEMENT

Disciplinary Offenses

Academic and Classroom Misconduct

Disciplinary Sanctions

Traffic and Parking

Disciplinary Procedures

 Misrepresentation of Academic Credentials

It is a Class A misdemeanor to misrepresent academic credentials. A person commits the offense of misrepresentation of academic credentials who, knowing that the statement is false and with the intent to secure employment at or admission to an institution of higher education in Tennessee, represents, orally or in writing that such person:

1. Has successfully completed the required coursework for and has been awarded one (1) or more degrees or diplomas from an accredited institution of higher education;
2. Has successfully completed the required coursework for and has been awarded one (1) or more degrees or diplomas from a particular institution of higher education; or
3. Has successfully completed the required coursework for and has been awarded one (1) or more degrees or diplomas in a particular field or specialty from an accredited institution of higher education.

Plagiarism Policy

Henry Campbell Black defines plagiarism as “The act of appropriating the literary composition of another, or parts of passages of his writing, or the ideas or language of the same, and passing them off as the product of one’s own mind” (Black’s Law Dictionary, West Publishing Company, St. Paul, Minnesota, 1968, p. 1308). In other words, plagiarism involves using someone else’s words or ideas without giving proper credit to the original author. Even if one does not copy the words exactly or even if one copies only a small part of someone else’s work, one must cite the name of the original author and provide a reference to that person’s work (e.g., title of work, year of publication, and name of publisher) using a format based on the publication manual of a nationally recognized scholarly association, such as the American Psychological Association or the Modern Language Association. One should enclose an exact quotation in quotation marks or indent the quotation, depending upon the style manual used. A page number or numbers must be cited for each quoted passage. Even if one does not use an author’s exact words, if one uses an author’s ideas one must provide documentation to give credit to the author. These standards apply to print and nonprint media and include the Internet.

Student Bill of Rights

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 coursework 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

Student Rights And Freedoms

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 students 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 larger community1. 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 provisions for students’ 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 any 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.