Policies and Guidelines

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This section, Guidelines and Policies, includes many university policies developed by the Faculty Senate, and administrative faculty to promote fair treatment of students and support the standards established for student conduct by the Nevada System of Higher Education through the Board of Regents, to be carried out by all faculty and staff on campus. The administrative faculty in the Office of Student Conduct may address violations of one or more of these policies through the procedures established in the Student Code of Conduct (prior section) for the successful resolution of a compliant of student misconduct. Many of these policy statements and guidelines feature the contact information for the specific office, agency or administrator charged with the sponsorship of services related to the policy in question. For more information, please contact the Office of Student Conduct, (775) 784-4388.

Academic Standards

Introduction

Specific to the academic pursuits of students, the University of Nevada, Reno, believes the maintenance of academic standards is a joint responsibility of the students and faculty of the university. Freedoms to teach and to learn are dependent upon individual and collective conduct to permit the pursuit and exchange of knowledge and opinion. Faculty have the responsibility to create an atmosphere in which students may display their knowledge. This atmosphere includes an orderly testing room and sufficient safeguards to inhibit dishonesty. Students have the responsibility to rely on their knowledge and resources in the evaluation process. The trust developed in the maintenance of academic standards is necessary to the fair evaluation of all students.

Academic Standards:

Class Conduct: A student may be dropped from class at any time for negligence or misconduct, upon recommendation of the instructor and with approval of the college dean. Students may also be dropped for non-attendance upon indication of the instructor.

Subsection A: Definitions

Academic dishonesty is against university as well as the system community standards. Academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, the following:

Plagiarism: defined as submitting the language, ideas, thoughts or work of another as one’s own; or assisting in the act of plagiarism by allowing one’s work to be used in this fashion.

Cheating: defined as (1) obtaining or providing unauthorized information during an examination through verbal, visual or unauthorized use of books, notes, text and other materials; (2) obtaining or providing information concerning all or part of an examination prior to that examination; (3) taking an examination for another student, or arranging for another person to take an exam in one’s place; (4) altering or changing test answers after submittal for grading, grades after grades have been awarded, or other academic records once these are official.

Subsection B: Sanctions for Violation of Academic Standards

Sanctions for violations of university academic standards may include the following: (1) filing a final grade of “F”; (2) reducing the student’s final course grade one or two full grade points; (3) awarding a failing mark on the test or paper in question; (4) requiring the student to retake the test or resubmit the paper.

A student found responsible for violating this policy may not withdraw from the course in question. A student failed in a course due to academic dishonesty may not utilize the “repeat option” for that course. 

A student may also be subject to discipline for academic dishonesty pursuant to the provisions of the Board of Regents Code, Title 2, Chapter 6.

Subsection C: Academic Dishonesty Procedures

Procedure for Undergraduate Students

A faculty member who suspects an undergraduate student of academic dishonesty must notify the student of the charge and proposed sanction, in writing, no later than fifteen (15) calendar days after the alleged action or fifteen (15) calendar days after the last day of instruction, whichever comes first.

Notification must be hand delivered or sent by certified mail. A copy of the notification to the student must be sent to the Assistant Dean of Conduct. The student has ten (10) calendar days to appeal after receipt of the notification.

1. If the student admits guilt, or fails to appeal, the faculty member may impose an academic sanction commensurate with the offense. In addition, the Assistant Dean of Conduct may impose an appropriate disciplinary sanction.
a. If the student accepts the sanctions the matter is ended.
b. If the student appeals the sanction insofar as it affects the final grade, the grade appeal process may be invoked. Students may appeal a final grade by filing an Intent to Appeal a Grade form with the appropriate department chair within 10 college working days after the determination of the student’s responsibility for the academic integrity charge OR following the timeline in the Grade Appeal Process, whichever is appropriate. Students who do not file the proper forms within the specified deadline forfeit the right to appeal the grade. Students who wish to appeal a disciplinary sanction may do so through the Assistant Dean of Conduct. (If the alleged dishonesty occurs during the summer session and the student cannot be located, the appeals date will be extended to the last day of late registration in the next regular semester.)
2. If the student denies the charge, the student must state this, in writing, to the chair of the department within the ten (10) calendar days noted above. Within the next five calendar days, the chair must inform the faculty member, then refer the matter to the Assistant Dean of Conduct for a hearing by the Academic Integrity Board. The student shall be allowed at least ten (10) calendar days to prepare for a hearing; but this period may be waived by the student.
a. If the Academic Integrity Board determines the student to be responsible as charged, it may recommend disciplinary sanctions to the Assistant Dean of Conduct for implementation, if appropriate. In any case, the faculty member is so apprised and may then impose an academic sanction consistent with the offense. The student has no further appeal rights except of a sanction that affects a final grade as noted above.
b. If the Academic Integrity Board finds the student not responsible, the matter is closed.

Undergraduate Academic Integrity Board

1. The Academic Integrity Board shall consist of the following members with due consideration being given to possible conflict of interest:
   
   1. Two undergraduate students appointed from the ASUN Judicial Council,
   2. Two academic faculty members selected by the executive board of the Faculty Senate, and,
   3. A third faculty academic member selected by the provost, who will serve as chair of the board.
       
      To ensure the impartiality of the hearing board, members must be appointed from departments other than those in which the case originated and in which the accused student is majoring.
       
2. Empanelment Deadline – The board shall be impaneled by the Assistant Dean of Conduct and set a hearing date within 21 calendar days after the matter has been referred to the Assistant Dean of Conduct.
3. The hearing procedure is as follows:
   
   1. The accused student will be called to appear before the Academic Integrity Board by the Assistant Dean of Conduct. If the student wishes to be accompanied by an advisor or an attorney, the board must be notified at least 48 hours in advance. The faculty member shall also be present, and may be accompanied by an advisor, or by an attorney whenever the student chooses such counsel. Please see Section II for further information on advisors and attorneys.
   2. In the hearing, the chair will state the content of the report of alleged academic dishonesty and the specific charges made.
   3. The faculty member will appear before the board to present evidence against the student. The chair of the board may call other witnesses. The accused student and board members may cross-examine.
   4. The student will appear before the board to present evidence on his or her own behalf.
   5. The board members will then meet in closed session to make a final decision.
   6. If the student is found to be responsible as charged, the hearing board shall consult with the Assistant Dean of Conduct about any past record of academic misconduct.
   7. The hearing board then shall recommend appropriate disciplinary sanctions to the Assistant Dean of Conduct (if appropriate) and apprise the faculty member of its deliberations.

Procedure for Graduate Students

A faculty member who suspects a graduate student of academic dishonesty must inform the student, in writing, of the accusation and proposed sanction no later than fifteen (15) calendar days after the alleged action or fifteen (15) calendar days after the end of instruction, whichever comes first. Notification must be hand delivered or sent by certified mail. A copy of the notification to the student must be sent to the Assistant Dean of Conduct.

Within 10 calendar days of receipt of such action the student may file a request with the department chair for a review and possible mediation of the matter within 15 calendar days. If the student rejects the review by the chair and/or the outcome of mediation, the chair shall refer the matter to the Assistant Dean of Conduct for further appeal. The Assistant Dean of Conduct will be available to assist all parties in implementing the following appeal process.

1. Student may appeal the reviewed decision of the faculty member to the dean of the Graduate School. This appeal must be made in writing within 10 calendar days after the student has been informed in writing of the faculty member’s decision.
2. The dean may take any of the following actions:
   
   1. Resolve the conflict through mediation
   2. Dismiss the charge
   3. Uphold the faculty member’s decision in its entirety
   4. Impose a lesser sanction
   5. Impose a grater sanction.
      
      The dean’s action must be taken within 10 calendar days of receipt of the appeal.
       
3. The dean must inform the student in writing of any action taken within the above 10 calendar days. A student may appeal the dean’s decision to the provost. This appeal must be made in writing within 10 calendar days after the student received the decision in writing from the dean. This appeal shall be referred by the provost to the Academic Integrity Board, which shall be impaneled by the Assistant Dean of Conduct.
4. The Academic Integrity Board shall consist of the following members with due consideration being given to possible conflict of interest:
   
   1. Two graduate students appointed by the Graduate Student Association.
   2. Two academic faculty members selected by the executive board of the Faculty Senate.
   3. A third academic faculty member selected by the provost, who will serve as the chair of the board. To ensure impartiality of the hearing board, members must be appointed from departments other than those in which the case originated and in which the accused student is majoring. The board shall be impaneled and set a hearing date within 21 calendar days after the appeal is referred to the provost.
5. The hearing procedures for graduate students are the same as for undergraduate students, as stated above. The Academic Integrity Board must forward its findings and recommendations to the provost within 5 days of the hearing’s conclusion. The provost will review the case and inform the student and all other concerned parties of the final action taken within 15 calendar days of the hearing’s conclusion.

ALCOHOL - Policy for Sale, Service, Distribution or Use of Alcoholic Beverages

In order to provide a safe and healthy environment for students, to comply with federal, state and local law, and to support the academic mission of the university, the following policy for the sale, service, distribution and use of alcoholic beverages has been adopted. This policy applies, but is not limited to, the following: receptions, banquets, dinners, picnics, or any cultural or social activity. Advance request and approval from the associate vice president for Student Life Services to serve alcohol at an activity is required for all student organizations, campus departments and individuals as follows.

1. A request may be made for alcoholic beverages at any activity sponsored by a student organization on university property or on property occupied by a student organization where all participants in attendance are 21 years of age or older.
2. A request may also be made for alcoholic beverages at activities sponsored by campus departments or guests using university facilities. Approval of alcohol requests will take into consideration the nature of the activity, number of underage participants, value of alcohol to the purpose of the activity, and security measures in place.
3. Alcoholic beverages must not be served in association with academic classes (e.g. in-class celebrations after final exams).

For activities where alcohol is being requested, the following procedure must be followed:

1. All requests must be submitted to the associate vice president for Student Life Services at least 10 working days in advance of the activity.
2. The sponsoring organization must hire a Licensed Liquor Vendor (LLV), as approved by the City of Reno, to serve the alcohol.
3. A representative of the sponsoring organization or department must sign the request accepting responsibility for the activity as it pertains to the distribution and control of alcohol.

Upon approval of the activity, sponsoring organizations and individuals must comply with the following:

1. There must be adequate food and non-alcoholic beverages available at the activity.
2. Individuals who appear to be intoxicated at an activity will not be served alcohol.
3. The designated organizational representative will be expected to intervene with the intoxicated person to ensure the safety of the individual (e.g. provide a “safe ride” home; call a cab, etc. at the cost of the sponsoring organization).
4. Drinking alcoholic beverages cannot be the primary focus or purpose of the activity.
5. Promotional materials may not make reference to the availability of alcoholic beverages at the activity, may not be directed to an underage audience, and may not display any alcoholic beverage signs, emblems or insignia.
6. No activity shall include any form of “drinking contest”, “all you can drink” promotion, or encourage any form of rapid consumption of alcoholic beverage.
7. Alcoholic beverages will not be provided as part of a performance contract, nor will alcohol be used on-stage.

Violations of the Policy for Sale, Service, Distribution or Use of Alcoholic Beverages may result in penalties as follows:

1. Student organizational officers will be subject to sanctions outlined in the University of Nevada, Reno Student Code of Conduct.
2. Sanctions for student organizations may include, but are not limited to, warning, probation, denial of use of university facilities, and withdrawal of organization recognition.
3. University departmental representatives will be subject to sanctions as outlined in Chapter 6 of the Board of Regents Handbook.
4. Guests of the university will be subject to denial of future use of university facilities.

HAZING

Hazing has no place within a community of scholars. The Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) affirms its opposition to any form of hazing, as does the University of Nevada, Reno, community.

NSHE institutions advocate civility in society and an adherence to the fundamental principles of honesty, integrity, respect, fairness, development of the individual character, and sensitivity to the dignity of all persons. These principles should be fostered and nurtured in a broad spectrum of activities that yield social, intellectual and physical benefits. Therefore hazing of any nature is unacceptable at any public institution of higher education in the State of Nevada.

1. No member or alumnus of the NSHE community acting as an individual or part of a group shall conduct or condone hazing activities.
2. Hazing is defined as any method of initiation into or prerequisite to becoming a member of the community college or university community, or any group associated therewith, engaged in by an individual that intentionally or recklessly endangers another individual. Any activity upon which the initiation into or affiliation with an organization or group is directly or indirectly conditioned shall be presumed to be forced activity, the willingness of an individual to participate in such activity notwithstanding. Hazing may occur on or off the premises of the organization and/or educational institution. Hazing is most often seen as an initiation rite into a student organization or group, but may occur in other situations.
3. Hazing activities may include, but are not limited to:
   
   1. Any physical activity, such as whipping, beating, branding, forced calisthenics, exposure to the elements, forced consumption of food, liquor, drugs or other substance or any other brutal treatment or other forced physical activity that is likely to adversely affect the physical health of the person.
   2. Any situation which subjects the individual to extreme stress, such as sleep deprivation, forced exclusion from social contact, required participation in public stunts, or forced conduct which produces pain, physical discomfort, or adversely affects the mental health or dignity of an individual.
   3. Any expectations or commands that force individuals to engage in an illegal act and/or willful destruction or removal of public or private property.
4. Each institution within NSHE shall develop clear procedures for dealing with hazing, requirements for reporting hazing, clear reporting lines for infractions, investigation procedures, and potential discipline. Each institution shall apply a reasonable person standard, and the discipline shall be proportionate to the infraction. All disciplinary actions or sanctions shall be congruent with Chapter
   6 of the code and appropriate bylaws. Both individuals and organizations committing an offense under this anti-hazing policy may be found in violation and be subject to appropriate disciplinary sanctions.
5. An allegation of hazing, reporting of a suspicion that hazing may have occurred, or a request for an investigation of hazing may be initiated by anyone. Campus policies shall designate the appropriate place and method of reporting. Each campus is encouraged to develop an educational program about the serious danger and risk involved in any hazing activity and the subsequent harm that can occur to both the individual subjected to hazing and those engaged in hazing.
6. Each campus shall develop procedures and policies to report cases of hazing that fall under Nevada Revised Statutes.

To report an allegation of hazing, please contact the Office of Student Conduct, Clark Administration Building, Lake Level, 784-4388. All investigations of hazing and procedures for adjudication shall follow Section II of the University’s Student Code of Conduct.

SEXUAL ASSAULT

Sexual assault is defined as any sexual penetration against the will of the victim or under conditions in which the perpetrator knows or should know that the victim is mentally or physically incapable of resisting or understanding the nature of his conduct. Sexual assault is considered against another person’s will even if that person is: unconscious, asleep, drugged, intoxicated or mentally unstable.

Any student found responsible for acts of sexual assault within the university community will be subject to disciplinary action. A victim of sexual assault should report the incident and seek the appropriate attention (medical care, emotional support, disciplinary action) from the campus or community agencies offering resources (health care, counseling center, police department, student conduct, “Guarded By the Pack” sexual assault prevention program, the Reno Crisis Center and other agencies). A student need not officially report an incident in order to be provided assistance. Reports may be confidential, based upon the student’s desires.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT

It is the policy of the University of Nevada that the sexual harassment of students, employees and users of university facilities is unacceptable and prohibited. This stance is consistent with the university’s efforts to maintain equal educational opportunity, and nondiscrimination in programs, services and use of facilities.

As defined by Board of Regents Policy, Title 4, Chapter 8, Section 13, unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other visual, verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute sexual harassment when:

1. submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual’s employment or academic status;
2. submission to or rejection of the conduct is used as a basis for academic or employment decisions or evaluations, or permission to participate in an activity; or
3. the conduct has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with an individual’s academic or work performance, or of creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment in which to work or learn.

Sexual harassment may take many forms—subtle and indirect, or blatant an overt. For example,

• It may occur between individuals of the opposite sex or of the same sex.
• It may occur between students, between peers and/or co-workers, or between individuals in an unequal power relationship.
• It may be aimed at coercing an individual to participate in an unwanted sexual relationship or it may have the effect of causing an individual to change behavior or work performance.
• It may consist of repeated actions or may even arise from a single incident if sufficiently severe.
• It may also rise to the level of a criminal offense, such as battery or sexual assault.

Complaint Procedure

Complaints of sexual harassment must be filed within one hundred eighty (180) calendar days after the discovery of the alleged act of sexual harassment. The complaint should be filed with the supervisor, department chair, dean, affirmative action officer or the director of faculty human resources.

1. A student who believes that he or she has been subjected to sexual harassment by anyone is encouraged—but it is neither necessary nor required—to promptly tell the person that the conduct is unwelcome and ask the person to stop the conduct. A person who receives such a request must immediately comply with it and must not retaliate against the student for rejecting the conduct.
2. The student may also choose to file a complaint with his or her major department chair, who will in turn immediately contact one of the officials listed above.
3. If the student feels uncomfortable about discussing the incident with the department chair, the student should feel free to bypass the chair and file a complaint with one of the above officials or to any chair or dean, who will in turn immediately contact one of the officials listed above to forward the complaint, whether or not the complaint is in writing, to discuss it and/or to report the action taken. The chair or dean has a responsibility to act even if the individuals are not supervised by that chair or dean.

For a complete copy of the NSHE Policy on Sexual Harassment, please refer to Board of Regents Policy, Title 4, Chapter 8, Section 13.

USE OF MANZANITA LAKE

Any use of Manzanita Lake is prohibited, including, but not limited to swimming, diving, or any activity using rafts, boats or other floatation devices.

Any student found in violation of this policy will be sanctioned under the Student Code of Conduct.

USE OF SKATEBOARDS AND ROLLERBLADES ON UNIVERSITY PROPERTY

It is the policy of the University of Nevada, Reno to prohibit the use of skateboards, rollerblades or similar types of equipment within university buildings. Faculty, staff, students or visitors using skateboards, rollerblades or similar types of equipment as a means of transportation shall be expected to exhibit due regard for the safety of pedestrians.

Unsupervised recreational use of skateboards, rollerblades or similar types of equipment on university property is prohibited. Organizers of any scheduled recreational event using such equipment shall file a valid certificate of insurance with the Scheduling Services office prior to the date of the event.

Individuals shall be held responsible for damage caused to university property as a result of the improper operation of skateboards, rollerblades or similar types of equipment on the university campus. Individuals shall be held responsible for injuries to themselves or others as a result of the improper operation of such equipment on university property.

Individuals are also subject to Reno Municipal Code, Section 6.06.020 as follows:

1. No person upon roller skates, roller blades, skateboards or riding in or by means of any coaster, toy vehicle or similar device, shall go upon any roadway except while crossing a street on a crosswalk and when so crossing such person shall be granted all the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to pedestrians. This section shall not apply upon any street while set aside as a play street as authorized by RMC 6.06.095.
2. It is unlawful for any person to use a skateboard, coaster, roller skates, roller blades, or any similar device upon any public property that is posted with reference to this section.
3. It is unlawful for any person, where such use is permitted, to use a skateboard, coaster, roller skates, roller blades, or any similar device in a careless, negligent, or dangerous manner on a street, sidewalk, or other public property within the city.

STANDARDS OF CONDUCT FOR THE USE OF UNIVERSITY COMPUTERS

Improper conduct regarding computer use at the university falls into three categories: (1) academic dishonesty; (2) disruption and destruction of computer facilities; and (3) violation of licenses and copyright agreements, university policy, and state or federal laws.

1. Academic Dishonesty
   Academic dishonesty is covered in Section IV of this code. Examples of this type of behavior regarding computers include, but are not limited to:
   
   1. Submitting another person’s programs, documentation or program results as your own work;
   2. Obtaining or attempting to obtain unauthorized access to information stored in electronic form;
   3. Submitting false results of a program’s output for a class assignment or falsifying the results of program execution for the purpose of improving a grade.
2. Disruption or Destruction of Computer Facilities
   The disruption or destruction of computer facilities is covered in Subsection B (18) of this code. Examples of this type of behavior include, but are not limited to:
   
   1. Damaging or stealing university-owned equipment or software;
   2. Causing the display of false system messages;
   3. Maliciously causing system slowdowns or rendering systems inoperable;
   4. Changing, removing or destroying (or attempting the same) any data stored electronically without proper authorization;
   5. Gaining or attempting to gain access to accounts without proper authorization;
   6. Putting viruses or worms into a system.
3. Violation of Licenses and Copyright Agreements
   Most software used on university computers is covered by copyright, license or nondisclosure agreements. Violation of these agreements puts the university and the individual in jeopardy of civil penalties. Examples of such violations include, but are not limited to:
   
   1. Making copies of copyrighted or licensed software without proper authorization;
   2. Using software in violation of copyright, license or non-disclosure agreements;
   3. Using university computers for unauthorized private or commercial purposes.

REGISTERED SEX OFFENDERS

All students, employees and guests of the University of Nevada, Reno who have been convicted of a sex crime as defined by NRS 179D.410 or crimes against children as defined by NRS 179D.210 must register with the University of Nevada Police Services, 784-4013, Student Services Building. Information on registered sex offenders who are students, employees or guests of the university may be obtained by contacting University Police Services at the number listed above.

RELIGIOUS HOLIDAY OBSERVATIONS

It is the policy of the NSHE to be sensitive to the religious obligations of its students. Any student missing classes, quizzes, examinations or any other class or lab work because of the observance of religious holidays shall, whenever possible, be given an opportunity during that semester to make up the missed work. The make up option will apply to the religious holiday absence only. It shall be the responsibility of the student to notify the instructor in writing, according to the policy of the institution offering the class, if the student intends to participate in a religious holiday which does not fall on state holidays or periods of class recess. This policy shall not apply in the event that administering the assignment at an alternate time would impose an undue hardship on the instructor or the institution, which could not reasonably have been avoided.

Any student who is denied a make-up option after appropriately notifying the instructor, shall have the right to appeal that decision through the normal appeal process in place at that institution.