A Student Guide to Conduct and Discipline at the University of Texas at Tyler

Introduction

The University of Texas at Tyler is a proud community where students, faculty and staff work together in the pursuit of learning. Conduct consistent with the values of the UT Tyler community is expected of all. This guide introduces the conduct expected of the UT Tyler students and the discipline process used when violations of the code of conduct are alleged. This brochure is not intended as a complete statement of student conduct and discipline policies. For more information see Chapter VI of the University of Texas Board of Regents' Rules and Regulations, the UT Tyler Handbook of Operating Procedures and the UT Tyler Student Affairs Manual of Policies and Procedures.

Conduct Expected of Students

UT Tyler students are adults accountable for their own actions. The standards expected are not unreasonable or unduly burdensome for members of an academic community. In fact, most students never face any type of disciplinary action for conduct violations. However, the consequences for violating the standards of conduct can be severe, even including permanent expulsion from the university. It is in your best interest to understand the conduct expected of you.

By enrolling at UT Tyler, a student neither loses the rights nor escapes the responsibilities of citizenship. All students are expected and required to obey federal, state and local laws both on campus and off campus. Also expected is compliance with the Board of Regents' Rules and Regulations, with the University of Texas System and UT Tyler rules and regulations and with directives issued by an administrative official.

Examples of Prohibited Conduct

The following are examples of misconduct:

• The possession or use of alcoholic beverages on property and in buildings and facilities owned or controlled by UT Tyler without the permission of the President.
• The violation of state law relating to alcoholic beverages in UT Tyler student housing.
• The illegal use, possession and/or sale of a drug, narcotic, or drug paraphernalia on the UT Tyler campus.
• Possession or use of any explosive, firearm, imitation firearm, ammunition, hazardous chemical or weapon while on campus or on any property controlled by UT Tyler.
• Conduct that endangers the health or safety of any person or any property owned or controlled by UT Tyler.
• Refusal to identify himself or herself to an institutional representative, including UT Tyler Police, in response to a request.
• Disrupting or interfering with any teaching, educational, research, administrative, disciplinary, public service, public performance or other activity authorized to be conducted on campus.
• Defacing or destroying university property or the unauthorized use or possession of university property.
• Entering a lake or fountain located on campus or placing any material into a campus lake or fountain.
• Engaging in speech, either orally or in writing, that is directed to inciting or producing imminent lawless action.
• Engaging in hazing with or without the consent of the student, submitting to hazing, or failing to report first-hand knowledge of hazing.
• Violating any rule or regulation governing on-campus residential living.
• Engaging in sexual harassment or assault including physical contact of a sexual nature that is against one's will or without one's consent.
• Providing false testimony or other evidence at a disciplinary proceeding.
• Altering or assisting in the altering of any official record or submitting false information or omitting requested information that is required for record-keeping.
• Students must not copy or reproduce any copyrighted or licensed software or files, except as expressly permitted by the software license, must not use unauthorized copies on University-owned computers, and must not use software known to cause problems on UT Tyler computers.

Examples of Academic Dishonesty

Academic honesty is fundamental to the activities and principles of any university. All members of the UT Tyler community must be confident that each person's work has been responsibly and honorably acquired, developed and presented. The assumption that your work is a fair representation of your knowledge and skills forms the basis of institutional quality. If students obtain course grades by dishonest means, the value of the college experience and the college degree itself diminishes.

The UT Tyler community regards cheating as an extremely serious matter, and deals severely with those who violate the standards of academic integrity.

The following are examples of academic dishonesty:

• Copying from another person's test paper.
• During a test, possession of materials not authorized by the person administering the test. Such materials might include class notes, textbooks or "crib notes."
• Discussing the contents of an examination with another student who will take the examination or the divulging of examination contents to another when an instructor has allowed the exam to be kept by the student.
• Working with others in taking tests or preparing academic assignments when not authorized by the course instructor.
• Obtaining by any means another person's work and submitting that work as one's own. This includes the downloading of academic papers or the purchase of papers written by others from Internet sites that you then submit as your own work without reference to the original source.
• Falsifying research data, laboratory reports, and/or other academic work offered for credit.

Discipline

UT Tyler reserves the right to impose disciplinary action for a violation of university rules. Disciplinary procedures require the Dean of Student Affairs or his/her designee to investigate and impose penalty if appropriate. Students can request a formal hearing be held and may also request an appeal.

A student may be summoned by written request to meet with the Dean of Student Affairs to discuss allegations of misconduct. If the student fails to appear, the Dean may bar or cancel the student's enrollment or otherwise alter the status of the student until the student complies with the summons. The Dean may also impose interim discipline if the student's continuing presence poses a potential danger to persons or property. The Dean may also withhold grades, degrees or transcripts pending the completion of disciplinary procedures.

If a student is suspected of academic dishonesty, the classroom instructor may ask the student to meet with him or her to discuss the incident. A student may admit to allegations of academic dishonesty, waive the right to a hearing and accept penalties imposed by the instructor. The student may also deny all allegations and ask to see the Dean of Student Affairs.

An accused student may accept the decision of the Dean of Student Affairs or ask for a hearing before an impartial hearing officer appointed by the university. Witnesses may be called and evidence presented. The hearing officer will consider all evidence and make a decision. The decision of the hearing officer may be appealed to the President by either the student or the Dean of Student Affairs.

Disciplinary Penalties

The penalty assessed in a particular case will be dependent upon the nature of the conduct involved, the circumstances and conditions which existed at the time the student engaged in such conduct and the results which followed as a natural consequence of such conduct.

The following are examples of disciplinary penalties:

• Disciplinary probation which may include counseling, educational seminars or unpaid work assignments.
• Restitution or reimbursement for damages.
• Suspension of rights and privileges.
• Failing grade and/or cancellation of course credit.
• Withholding of grades, official transcript, and/or degree.
• Suspension from UT Tyler for a specified period of time.
• Expulsion from the university.
• Bar against future readmission to the university.
• Revocation of degree and withdrawal of diploma.