Student Rights and Responsibilities
2004-2006 Undergraduate Catalog | Catalogs

Student civil rights and freedom from discrimination

Roosevelt University has been committed from its inception to a policy of nondiscrimination. Roosevelt University does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, including sexual harassment, age, sexual orientation, marital status, unfavorable discharge from the military, handicap, or disability in its programs and activities.

The University will not tolerate any discrimination or harassment toward or by any community member. Any written, oral, physical, or visual communication that is demeaning, degrading, intimidating, or otherwise directed at a person or persons because of race, gender, sexual orientation, age, national or ethnic origin, citizenship, military status, religion, marital and/or parental status, mental or physical disability, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law will be considered a violation of this policy. Any person, or persons, who are found to have violated this policy may be subject to disciplinary action, up to, and including, suspension or expulsion.

Students who believe that they have been subject to discriminatory action or harassment, or believe that discriminatory action or conduct has taken place, are strongly encouraged to follow the procedure outlined in the Student Handbook for filing a grievance. The University strictly prohibits threats, intimidation, or retaliation of any kind against a person who reports a violation of this nondiscrimination policy or who cooperates with an investigation of alleged violation. Any such conduct will itself constitute a violation of this policy and may subject the offender(s) to disciplinary action.

A copy of these University policies and their implementing regulations is distributed to each student annually through the Student Handbook.

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act

In compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, Roosevelt University protects the rights of students in relation to the accuracy and privacy of their educational records. Roosevelt has established policies to prevent the release of protected information without the student’s consent.

Records kept by the Registrar’s Office and accessible to students are name, address (local, email, permanent, international), grades, academic transcript, transfer credit evaluation, credit by examination or experiential learning, and registration documents. Students must show a valid University ID or a valid photograph ID in order to review these documents. To initiate such a review, complete an Inquiry form. A dated copy of this form with the initials of the registrar’s staff person taking the form and the name of the person to whom it is being referred will be returned immediately to the student as confirmation of receipt.

Release Policy

The law permits certain categories of information to be designated as “directory information” and to be released without written consent, provided the student has been given specific opportunity to request that such information be withheld.

Directory information that will be released on request includes student’s name, major, dates of attendance, degree(s) awarded, and participation in activities.

Request to Withhold Release of Directory Information will apply to all directory information. A student who does not want such information to be disclosed must notify the associate vice president for enrollment services on or before the Friday of the second week of classes in each term. A request that directory information be withheld will be required each academic year.

Procedure to amend records

Students who believe that their academic records contain information that is inaccurate, misleading, or in violation of a student’s privacy or other rights should bring appropriate documentation to the registrar. The registrar will either agree and have the record corrected promptly or will inform the student of the decision not to amend the record as requested and of the student’s right to a hearing to challenge that record. If, after a hearing, the decision is made to amend the record, it will be amended promptly in writing. If the decision is made not to amend the record, the student will be informed of his/her right to place a statement in the record commenting on the contested information.

Student Right to Know and Campus Security Act

Roosevelt University complies with the Student Right to Know and Campus Security Act of 1990 which requires the publication and distribution of an Annual Security Report. At the Chicago campus, copies of this report are available at the Information Desk, Office of Admission, and Herman Crown Center. At the Schaumburg campus, the report is at the Information Desk.

Religious holidays

Roosevelt University respects the rights of students to observe major religious holidays and will make accommodations, upon request, for such observances. Students who wish to observe religious holidays must inform their instructors in writing within the first two weeks of each semester of their intent to observe the holiday so that alternative arrangements convenient to both students and faculty can be made at the earliest opportunity. Students who make such arrangements by the deadline will not be required to attend classes or take examinations on the designated days, and faculty must provide reasonable opportunities for such students to make up missed work and examinations. However, all work missed for such absences, including papers and examinations, must be made up. Students who do not arrange for excused absences by the deadline are not entitled to such accommodations.

Evaluation of instruction

Students are given an opportunity to evaluate programs and instructors at the end of each semester. If evaluation forms are not available in each class, they may be obtained in offices of the college deans.

Books

It is the responsibility of all students to purchase their books each term.

Student conduct and discipline

All students are required to abide by the rules, regulations, and principles of Roosevelt University as stated in the catalog; the student handbooks; and the constitutions of the board of trustees, the faculty, and the student government. Students are required to conduct themselves at all times and in all places with propriety. Conduct prejudicial to the interests of Roosevelt University may lead to disciplinary action, including suspension or dismissal.

Liability and Loss

Although the University exercises reasonable precaution, it can assume no responsibility for accidents that students may have while attending or participating in classroom or laboratory work or intramural or intercollegiate activities. Also, the University does not accept responsibility for any personal property lost, stolen, or misplaced.

Academic integrity

Understanding and abiding by the principles of academic integrity is the responsibility of every student at Roosevelt University. Violations of these principles undermine the student’s own learning and are unfair to other students who honor and follow them. There are many forms of academic dishonesty including plagiarism, unauthorized assistance, recycling of assigned work, and cheating on examinations. Extensive guidelines on academic integrity are available in the student handbooks, from the Office of Student Services, from advisors, instructors, and on the University website. Students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with these guidelines so that they may avoid committing a violation and incurring the consequences. Violations of academic integrity are taken very seriously at Roosevelt University, with consequences ranging from failing an assignment or a course to expulsion from the University.

Student academic grievance procedures

The grievance procedure is established for grievances relating to grades and to other academic concerns. The procedure involves both informal disposition and formal disposition through the Student Review Board. Students may not appeal the professional judgment exercised by an instructor in assigning a grade except under the following circumstances:

• Deviation in the instructor’s established and announced grading procedures.
• Error in application of grading procedures.
• Modification of grades for nonacademic reasons.
• Gross error in judgment by the instructor.

A detailed outline describing the grievance process is available in the Student Handbook or the Office of Student Services on both campuses.