The University of Arizona Global Campus is responsible for creating and maintaining an environment that is conducive to the pursuit of learning and living and to the development of students as scholars and citizens. University policies are necessary to safeguard the mission of the University of Arizona Global Campus thus protecting the students' ability to learn without undue interference by others. If misconduct occurs, the University community must respond in ways that protect all members of the community.
All students are expected to make themselves familiar with the Student Community Standards (hereinafter referred to as Standards). Ignorance of these Standards, including behavioral expectations, specific prohibited conduct, or consequences for misconduct is not a defense to, nor grounds for, excusing violations of the Standards.
The following Standards are applicable to individuals during all periods of enrollment following the submission of an admissions application and including institutional breaks or approved Academic Leaves from the University. Please note that prospective students are also required to uphold the Standards. A prospective student who is found to have violated these Standards could be precluded from enrolling.
The University reserves the right to create, modify, or make changes to the Standards and conduct processes. The Standards and processes may also be extended and/or amended to apply to new and unanticipated situations that may arise.
Authority over Student Conduct
Students are charged with the responsibility of having read, and agreeing to abide by, the provisions of the Standards and the authority of the student conduct process. The Standards and the student conduct process apply to the conduct of individual students and University-affiliated student organizations. Because the Standards are based on shared values, they set a range of expectations for the University of Arizona Global Campus students no matter where or when their conduct may take place. Therefore, the Standards will apply to behaviors that take place at University-sponsored events, in online courses and may also apply off-campus, when the administration determines that the off-campus conduct affects a substantial University interest. A substantial University interest is defined to include any situation that is detrimental to the educational interests of the University.
The University of Arizona Global Campus may also extend its authority over misconduct that occurs prior to, but is not reported until after, the graduation of the offending student. Those who are aware of misconduct are encouraged to report it as quickly as possible to appropriate University officials at [email protected]
The Standards
The University of Arizona Global Campus is committed to fostering an environment that is conducive to academic inquiry, student development, student engagement, thoughtful study, and discourse. A community exists on the basis of shared values and principles that form our Standards. Members of the student community are expected to uphold these Standards.
Integrity
The University of Arizona Global Campus students exemplify honesty, integrity and a respect for truth in all of their dealings. Behavior that demonstrates a lapse of integrity includes, but is not limited to:
- Acts of academic dishonesty (as defined in this Catalog);
- Selling or otherwise providing course work, including exams, papers, and projects to third parties, which may be used for submission in fulfillment of any course or academic program requirement;
- Knowingly furnishing false, falsified, or forged information to any member of the University community, such as falsification or misuse of documents, accounts, records (including digital), identification, or financial instruments.
Community
The University of Arizona Global Campus students honor and value their community. Behavior that violates this value includes, but is not limited to:
- Sharing or taking passwords from others, including University issued email accounts, student portal, online learning platform, etc.;
- Misuse or unauthorized use of University or organizational names and images;
- Abuse of Technology Policies (as defined in this Catalog)
Fairness
The University of Arizona Global Campus students exemplify fair treatment of each other in their dealings and interactions. Behavior that violates this value includes, but is not limited to:
- Disruption of University operations, including obstruction of teaching, research, administration, other University activities, or other authorized non-University activities;
- Abuse, interference or failing to comply in University processes;
- Harassment (verbal or physical) and/or intimidation of a member of a University conduct body prior to, during, and/or after a University conduct proceeding;
- Failure to comply with the sanction(s) imposed by the University conduct system.
- Failure to comply with a legitimate, objectively reasonable, lawful request or direction by members of faculty and staff acting in accordance with their official duties. This includes but is not limited to, continuous and/or willful disobedience, or open persistent defiance of the authority of University officials.
Respect
The University of Arizona Global Campus students show respect for each other, for property, and for the community. Behavior that violates this value includes, but is not limited to:
- Unwanted Contact which includes any means of contact that a student knows or should know is unwanted, is communicated direct to one or more specific students, faculty, or staff, constitutes severe and/or pervasive, and objectively offensive conduct;
- Threatening or causing physical harm, extreme verbal abuse, or any other conduct which threatens or endangers the health or safety of any person;
- All forms of discrimination, intimidation, discriminatory harassment, or violence (as defined in this Catalog).
Responsibility
The University of Arizona Global Campus students are given and accept a high level of responsibility as role models. Behavior that violates this value includes, but is not limited to:
- Allegations of violations of federal, state, or local laws which affect the interests of the University community;
- Assisting in the violation of University policies or public laws;
- Violation of other published rules or policies.
Hazing
All acts of hazing by any individual student and University registered student club or organization and any of its members or alumni are prohibited. Students are entitled to be treated with consideration and respect, and no individual may perform an act that is likely to cause physical or psychological harm or social ostracism to any other person within the University community. Accordingly, the following behavior is expressly forbidden as hazing when related to the admission, initiation, pledging, joining, or any other group-affiliation activity:
- Physical abuse, including but not limited to paddling, slapping, kicking, choking, scratching and exposure to extreme (i.e., cold or hot) water temperatures, the consumption of disgusting and/or dangerous concoctions, alcohol, or drugs;
- Causing excessive mental stress, including but not limited to placing prospective members of an organization or group in ambiguous situations which lead to confusion, emotional stress, or sleep deprivation;
- Extreme verbal abuse, including but not limited to persistent shouting, screaming, or use of derogatory, profane, or obscene language; or
- Subservience, including but not limited to any activity which promotes a class system within organizations or activities which facilitate inappropriate levels of authority over students.
This list is not exhaustive and any student or organization found to be involved in any hazing activity will face conduct action and may be subjected to expulsion from the University. Violation of this policy exists irrespective of the voluntary or consensual participation in the hazing activity by the person being hazed.
Conduct Process Overview
The conduct process exists to protect the interests of the community, and to intervene when student behavior is not in accordance with the Standards. Whenever a complaint is made for alleged misconduct or violation of the Standards, the Conduct Officer or designee will conduct an objective and timely investigation of the allegations.
Students should be aware that the student conduct process is different from criminal and civil court proceedings. Procedures and rights in student conduct processes are conducted with fairness to all, but do not include the same protections afforded by the courts.
Student Conduct Procedures
Conduct Investigation Procedures
A conduct investigation is conducted when a referral of an alleged violation is received by the Office of Student Conduct. Students may be required to complete a conduct investigation meeting. This is designed as a non-adversarial discussion and information gathering of the alleged report of concern with the student and an impartial Conduct Officer.
In a conduct investigation, an assigned Conduct Officer or designee will review the allegations and may engage in a conversation with associated parties indicated in the referral, including staff and faculty. The Conduct Officer will organize the information and facilitate a discussion with the individual parties to provide an overview of the conduct process, review the allegations of potential violations of the Standards or violations of academic integrity, ask questions pertinent to the investigation, and invite comments from each individual regarding their perspective. If a student is required to participate in a conduct investigation meeting, a communication will be sent outlining the discussion. The student will have an opportunity to review and respond to the communication to ensure that information discussed during the call was included.
After meeting with the individual parties associated with the referral, the Conduct Officer will complete a comprehensive review of all documentation and determine whether the alleged violations may require informal resolution through developmental sanctions, or make a referral to the Student Community Standards Committee for a formal hearing.
A conduct appointment is completed when a referral of a confirmed violation of Integrity is received by the Office of Student Conduct or a conduct investigation has determined that the alleged violation may require an information resolution or a referral to the Student Community Standards Committee. Students are required to complete a conduct appointment with their assigned Conduct Officer, or designee.
In a conduct appointment, the Conduct Officer will review all allegations of the violation of the Standard(s) in an in-depth conversation with the student. The Conduct Officer will ask questions regarding the student’s experience and perspective and the student will be responsible for submitting a written statement. Once the written statement has been received, the Conduct Officer will complete a comprehensive review of all documentation including the, severity of the offense, overall student conduct record, and applicable impact to the community and its members. The Conduct Officer may assign developmental sanctions, or make a referral to the Student Community Standards Committee for a formal hearing.
Referrals where the behavior is not a policy violation but does prove to be a persistent challenge despite instructional and advising efforts from faculty and staff may result in a developmental intervention. In the developmental intervention, the Conduct Officer, or designee, will engage in conversation to identify ways the student can move forward and connect them with resources to support success in their program.
Students have the right to request a formal hearing should they not agree with the outcome of any investigation or informal resolution. The Student Community Standards Committee is a neutral body consisting of faculty and senior level administrators at the University. By majority vote, they may support or change a decision, increase, decrease, or modify a sanction.
Formal Hearing Procedures
Cases where the Conduct Officer has determined that the factors are severe enough that suspension or expulsion is a possible consequence will require that the student meet with the Student Community Standards Committee for a formal hearing. Based on the preponderance of evidence (more likely than not), the Committee will decide on appropriate sanctions to be applied as a result of the behavior.
Sanctions
Sanctions may include, but are not limited to: formal written warning; educational projects (e.g. reflective papers, coaching sessions, modules, etc.); grade changes for academic dishonesty; suspension or expulsion.
Sanctions must be completed prior to resuming courses. Failure to satisfactorily complete the sanctions may be considered an additional violation.
Administrative Holds
If the student is referred to Student Conduct for a violation of the Standard(s) and does not engage with or declines to participate in Student Conduct processes, a hold may be placed on their account preventing registration for future courses, access to their transcripts, removal from future courses, and/or receiving financial aid disbursements.
Appeal
Students have the right to petition to appeal the outcome of a formal hearing that they participate in. To petition to appeal, students must complete the Petition to Appeal form and email the completed form to the Office of Student Conduct at [email protected] within seven (7) business days of receipt of their formal hearing outcome letter. In the petition to appeal, it is important that students substantiate one of the three basis for which an appeal should be granted. The three basis are: to consider new information unavailable during the original hearing that could be outcome determinative; to assess whether a material deviation from the written procedures unfairly impacted the hearing; or to decide if a sanction(s) is substantially disproportionate to the severity of the offence and/or cumulative conduct record of the student.
On appeal by any party to the complaint the Vice President of Student Affairs, Conduct Officer, designee, or the Standards Committee (by majority vote) may support or change a decision, increase, decrease, or modify a sanction. Outcomes from the appeal process are final.
Special Provisions
Advisor of Choice
Both the accuser and the accused will be provided with the same opportunities to have others present during any institutional disciplinary proceeding, including the opportunity to be accompanied to any related meeting or proceeding by the advisor of their choice. However, the advisor may only advise the student, and not otherwise participate in the proceedings.
Attempted Violations
In most circumstances, the University of Arizona Global Campus will treat attempts to commit any of the violations listed in the Standards as if those attempts had been completed.
University as Complainant
As necessary, the University of Arizona Global Campus reserves the right to initiate a complaint, to serve as complainant, and to initiate conduct proceedings without a formal complaint by the victim of misconduct.
False Reports
The University of Arizona Global Campus will not tolerate intentional false reporting of incidents. It is a violation of the Standards to make an intentionally false report of any policy violation, and it may also violate state criminal statutes and civil defamation laws.
Group Violations
When members of groups, individuals acting collusively, or members of an organization act in concert in violation of any policy, they may be held accountable as a group, and a hearing may proceed against the group as joint accused students. In any such action, however, determinations will be made with respect to the involvement of each accused individual.
Immunity for Victims
The University of Arizona Global Campus encourages the reporting of conduct code violations and crimes by victims. Sometimes, victims are hesitant to report to University officials because they fear that they themselves may be accused of policy violations, such as underage drinking at the time of the incident. It is in the best interests of this community that as many victims as possible choose to report to University officials. To encourage reporting, the University of Arizona Global Campus pursues a policy of offering victims of crimes amnesty from policy violations related to the incident.
Good Samaritan
The welfare of students in the University community is of paramount importance. At times, students on and off-campus may need assistance. The University of Arizona Global Campus encourages students to offer help and assistance to others in need. Sometimes, students are hesitant to offer assistance to others, for fear that they may get themselves in trouble. The University of Arizona Global Campus pursues a policy of immunity for students who offer help to others in need for any minor violations the Good Samaritan was involved in at the time.
Notification of Outcomes
The University will, upon written request, disclose to the alleged victim of a crime of violence (as that term is defined in Section 16 of Title 18, United States Code), or a non-forcible sex offense, the report on the results of any disciplinary proceeding conducted by such institution against a student who is the alleged perpetrator of such crime or offense. See also, Presentation of Investigation of Findings to the Parties under Reporting/Filing a Complaint for Title IX – Sexual Misconduct/Harassment section of this Catalog.
In the event that the alleged victim is deceased as a result of the crime or offense, the notification will be made to next of kin (upon written request).
Defenses
It has become common for students accused of policy violations to try to defend their actions with excuses, such as prescription drug interactions, self-defense, alcohol, etc. Defending actions is admitting to a policy violation. While a student’s defense will not excuse their actions, the University of Arizona Global Campus will take the legitimacy of their defense into consideration in addressing the proper sanction.
Miscellaneous Provisions
The Vice President of Student Affairs, or designee, is authorized to take other actions or to adopt other rules to protect university property and the safety and wellbeing of members of the university community and the public.
Emergency Administrative Leave
In situations requiring immediate action, and after consultation with concerned individuals (e.g., students, faculty, administrators, other staff members, internship, or student teaching supervisors, etc.), a Conduct Officer, or designee may place the student on an emergency administrative leave. Students placed on Emergency Administrative Leave are removed from all current and future courses.
Involuntary Leave
The University of Arizona Global Campus considers the safety and well-being of its students, faculty, and staff as a top priority. The Involuntary Leave policy is not intended to be a substitute for appropriate disciplinary action when discipline is warranted, but may be used in cases when regular disciplinary proceedings cannot or should not be used, and after attempts to encourage the student to initiate a Voluntary Leave have been exhausted. Involuntary Leave is available to protect the health and safety of the University Community and is not a penalty.
A student may be subjected to Involuntary Leave if there is evidence that the student’s continued attendance presents an unreasonable risk of harm to members of the University Community. The leave will endure for a pre-determined period, or until the student no longer poses an unreasonable risk of harm, at which time the leave will end and the student will be reinstated. Grounds for Involuntary Leave include representing a significant threat to the safety and/or health of members of the University Community
Appeal of Involuntary Leave after Evaluation or Emergency Administrative Leave
In situations where a student is involuntarily withdrawn as a result of either an Emergency Administrative Leave or as an action determined appropriate from the results of the assessment, a student shall be informed of their right to appeal the University’s decision regarding the Involuntary Leave.
The appeal shall be in writing and directed to the Vice President of Student Affairs, or designee and shall be received within ten (10) business days of the determination of the Involuntary Leave. Upon receipt of the appeal, Vice President of Student Affairs, or designee, shall set a hearing date no later than 15 business days after receipt of the appeal. The hearing shall be an informal proceeding and is not considered adversarial.
At the hearing, the student will be provided with the opportunity to review any evaluations utilized by the University in the determination to invoke the Involuntary Leave policy. The student will also be provided with the opportunity to present relevant information from their perspective. The student may be accompanied by a person acting as an advocate who may be a family member or friend or member of the University community. The Vice President of Student Affairs, or designee, will review all the information presented in the hearing and decide whether to uphold the involuntary leave of the student or consider readmission to the University.
Consequences to Course Grades and Tuition or Other Fee Charges
If the Involuntary Leave policy is invoked, the student will normally receive “W” grades (withdraw grades) in all courses in which they are currently enrolled, and will be considered eligible for a tuition credit upon re-enrollment. Regular tuition charges and other applicable fees will be refunded per the tuition refund policies outlined in the Financial Information section of this Catalog, based on the student’s last date of attendance.
Academic or Title IV Fraud
The University of Arizona Global Campus students are expected to exemplify honesty, integrity and a respect for truth in all dealings. Fraudulent behavior, or attempts to commit fraudulent behavior, will not be tolerated. Behavior that demonstrates fraudulent activity includes, but is not limited, to:
- Knowingly furnishing false, falsified, or forged information to any member of the University Community, such as falsification or misuse of documents, accounts, records, identification or financial instruments;
- The inability of a student to demonstrate academic purpose or resolve concerns regarding identity or eligibility;
- Extreme cases of academic dishonesty at the discretion of the University, as defined in this Catalog; or
- Action or inaction by someone in collusion with a wrongdoer which fails to discourage a known and obvious violation of University policy or law.
When members of groups, individuals acting in collusion, or members of an organization act in concert in violation of this policy, they may be held accountable as a group. To prevent fraud, the Office of the Registrar may permanently deny an applicant’s admission to the University, or Student Affairs may, in lieu of Standards proceedings, impose individual and/or group sanctions up to and including immediate expulsion from the University, subject to appeal, upon a determination of student involvement in such behavior. Determinations will be made with respect to the involvement of each accused individual. In most circumstances, the University of Arizona Global Campus will treat attempts to commit any of the violations listed previously as if those attempts had been completed. The University reserves the right to refuse admission to any applicant whose behavior is deemed inappropriate.
Students suspected of academic or Title IV fraud will be placed on a finance and transcript hold. If the student is unresponsive, they will be unscheduled from future courses. For those students utilizing financial aid, this finance hold will prevent a financial aid disbursement until the issue is resolved through either the appeal process or through a Standards formal hearing. Students may be referred to the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) of the U.S. Department of Education for attempted fraud as deemed necessary by the University, or required by law.
University Student Alcohol Use Policy
All individuals must observe state and federal laws regarding the use, consumption, possession, and distribution of alcohol. The University strictly prohibits the unauthorized use, consumption, possession, and distribution of alcohol by any student, regardless of legal drinking age, at the University administrative offices, or at University sponsored events and activities. The University Sanctions section set forth below provide additional explanation of the institution’s disciplinary procedures for students who are found to be in violation of this policy.
Alcohol may be served at certain University events or functions and only to those persons of legal drinking age who can verify their age with identification as required by the state in which the event or function occurs. Written permission must be obtained from the Vice President of Student Affairs or designee to serve alcohol and any legally required alcohol permits obtained prior to the function.
University Student Drug Use Policy
The unlawful possession, use, sale, or distribution of illicit drugs is prohibited at University administrative offices, or at University-sponsored events and activities. Such substances include those drugs listed in the federal Controlled Substances Act. The Student Community Standards section in this Catalog provides additional explanation of the institution’s disciplinary procedures for students who are found to be in violation of this policy.
The facilities of the University of Arizona Global Campus are smoke and tobacco free. No smoking, chewing, or dipping is allowed inside any University facility. The University of Arizona Global Campus policy applies to all forms of tobacco and marijuana, including but not limited to paraphernalia, cigarettes, cigars, shisha, pipes, water pipes (hookah), electronic cigarettes, and all forms of smokeless tobacco and marijuana including, but not limited to chew, edibles, snus, snuff, sticks, strips, and orbs.
Identity
Identity theft can include any misrepresentation, theft, or misuse of a person’s identity for any purpose, including but not limited to, obtaining federal financial aid, other financial gain, or obtaining access to confidential information. Theft of another person’s identity, whether living or deceased, is not only a violation of the University of Arizona Global Campus policy, but may also constitute a criminal offense under federal and state law.
The University recognizes the importance of protecting student privacy and reserves the right to request documentation to establish or verify any student’s identity at any time, for administrative and/or compliance purposes. Students are expected to provide documentation and are responsible for any cost associated with acquiring and submitting the documentation. Students may be administratively withdrawn for failure to provide documentation requested by University officials for the purpose of authenticating a student’s identity. The University may also deny or rescind admission to any student for failure to authenticate their identity, or for engaging in identity theft.
Students authorize their wireless operator to disclose their mobile number, name, address, email, network status, customer type, customer role, billing type, mobile device identifiers (IMSI and IMEI) and other subscriber and device details, if available, to the University of Arizona Global Campus and service providers for the duration of the business relationship, solely for identity verification and fraud avoidance. See our Privacy Policy for how the University treats student’s data.
Violations of Law
Violations of federal, state, and local laws are incorporated as offenses under the Standards. When an offense occurs over which the University has jurisdiction, the University conduct process will usually go forward notwithstanding any criminal charges that may arise from the same incident. Should a student withdraw from the University when criminal charges are made, it is the typical practice of the University to pursue investigation and resolution of conduct matters, regardless of the fact that the student has withdrawn.
When a student is accused, arrested, charged, or indicted for a violent or drug-related crime, the University may elect to take action against that student for violation of Standards, which incorporates alleged violations of local, state, and federal laws as Standards.
When it has reasonable cause to separate a student from the community, the University may separate a student via the Emergency Administrative Leave policy for a reasonable time pending the scheduling of a hearing for violation of Standards. The University reserves the right to exercise its authority of Emergency Administrative Leave suspension upon notification that a student is facing criminal investigation and/or charges. The University will permit a student who receives an Emergency Administrative Leave to request a meeting to show cause as to why an Emergency Administrative Leave is not merited. Regardless of the outcome of this meeting, the University may still proceed with the scheduling of a hearing.
When criminal charges are pending, the University may be delayed or prevented from conducting its own investigation, and moving forward with a hearing. In such cases, the University will delay its hearing until such time as it can conduct an internal investigation, or obtain from law enforcement sufficient information upon which to proceed.
Violation of Federal Copyright Laws
Any member of the University community who participates in the unauthorized distribution of copyrighted material, including peer-to-peer file sharing, may be subject to civil and criminal liabilities, in addition to sanctions imposed by the University. Penalties for violating federal copyright laws may include civil damages, costs and attorneys’ fees, injunctions, fines, and imprisonment. The following is a non-exhaustive list of specific penalties.
Summary of Civil and Criminal Penalties for Violation of Federal Copyright Laws
Copyright infringement is the act of exercising, without permission or legal authority, one or more of the exclusive rights granted to the copyright owner under Section 106 of the Copyright Act (Title 17 of the United States Code). These rights include the right to reproduce or distribute a copyrighted work. In the file-sharing context, downloading or uploading substantial parts of a copyrighted work without authority constitutes an infringement.
Penalties for copyright infringement include civil and criminal penalties. In general, anyone found liable for civil copyright infringement may be ordered to pay either actual damages or “statutory” damages affixed at not less than $750 and not more than $30,000 per work infringed. For “willful” infringement, a court may award up to $150,000 per work infringed. A court can, in its discretion, also assess costs and attorneys’ fees. For details, see Title 17, United States Code, Sections 504, 505.
Willful copyright infringement can also result in criminal penalties, including imprisonment of up to five years and fines of up to $250,000 per offense.
For more information, please see the website of the U.S. Copyright Office at www.copyright.gov, especially their FAQs at www.copyright.gov/help/faq.
Students who are found to have participated in the unauthorized distribution of copyrighted material and/or other forms of copyright infringement will be subject to an appropriate consequence in accordance with the Standards found in this Catalog.
Both the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA) maintain a list of legal alternatives for downloading. Please visit http://www.whymusicmatters.com/or http://www.mpaa.org/ for more information.