U of M policy statements
University e-mail policy
The University-assigned student e-mail account is the University’s official means of communication with all students. Students are responsible for all information sent to them via the University assigned e-mail account. If a student chooses to forward the University e-mail account, he or she is still responsible for all the information, including attachments, sent to the University e-mail account.
For information about setting up your e-mail account, contact Academic Distributed Computing Services (ADCS) at 612-301-HELP (4357).
Equal opportunity
The University of Minnesota is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, or sexual orientation.
In adhering to this policy, the University abides by the Minnesota Human Rights Act, Minnesota Statute Ch. 363; by the Federal Civil Rights Act, 42 U.S.C. 2000e; by the requirements of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; by Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; by the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990; by Executive Order 11246, as amended; by 38 U.S.C. 2012, the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act of 1972, as amended; and by other applicable statutes and regulations relating to equality of opportunity.
Inquiries regarding compliance may be directed to Julie Sweitzer, Director, Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action, University of Minnesota, 419 Morrill Hall, 100 Church Street S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455, 612-624-9547; e-mail: eoaa@umn.edu.
Disability access
The College of Education and Human Development provides reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities (physical, learning, health, etc.), which includes physical accessibility as well as necessary instructional modifications. Documentation of a student’s disability is required and should be on file at the University’s office of Disability Services (see contact information below). To the extent required by federal and state law, and with great sensitivity for confidentiality, the dean and/or appropriate college staff may have access to the information in order to determine the accommodations necessary to meet the needs of the student. For more information, contact Disability Services, 180 McNamara Alumni Center, 200 Oak Street S.E.; or call 612-626-1333, e-mail: ds@umn.edu.
Grievance policy
Students with grievance issues should direct questions to the University’s Student Conflict Resolution Center (SCRC), 211 Eddy Hall, 192 Pillsbury Drive S.E.; 612-624-7272; e-mail: sos@umn.edu.
SCRC can help students deal with University regulations and policies, misunderstandings between students and instructors or administrators, unfair treatment, and student conduct code violation accusations. SCRC provides a full range of services to students with campus-based complaints or concerns. An ombudsman helps students resolve problems informally. However, if your situation is not resolved, you may wish to file a formal grievance. An advocate is also available to assist students in formal grievance or disciplinary hearings.
Student conduct
Student Conduct Code booklet is available from the University’s office of Student Judicial Affairs. The full document presents the comprehensive institutional conduct code, including statements on scholastic dishonesty and falsification of records, as well as policy statements on sexual harassment and institutional commentary on consensual relationships. For more information, contact SJA, 2221 University Avenue S.E., Suite 123; 612-624-6073.
Access to educational records
In accordance with University of Minnesota Board of Regents’ policies on access to student records, information about a student generally may not be released to a third party without the student’s permission. (Exceptions under the law include state and federal educational and financial aid institutions.) Some student information—name, address, electronic (e-mail) address, telephone number, dates of enrollment and enrollment status (full-time, part-time, not enrolled, withdrawn and date of withdrawal), college and class, major, adviser, academic awards and honors received, and degrees earned—is considered public or directory information. Students may prevent the release of public information. To do so, they must notify the records office on their campus. Students have the right to review their educational records and to challenge the contents of those records. The University of Minnesota Board of Regents’ policy is available for review at 200 Fraser Hall, Minneapolis, and at records offices on other campuses of the University. Questions may be directed to the University’s Office of the Registrar, 200 Fraser Hall, 612-624-1111.
Sexual harassment policy
Sexual harassment undermines the University’s mission and threatens the careers of students, faculty, and staff. Sexual harassment is viewed as a violation of Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and is not tolerated at the University. Sexual harassment is defined as follows: “Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other 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 advancement, (2) submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for employment decision or academic decisions affecting such individual, (3) such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work or academic performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working or academic environment.”
Sexual harassment, as defined above, is a specific form of discrimination in which power inherent in a faculty member’s or supervisor’s relationship with his or her students or subordinates is unfairly exploited. While sexual harassment most often takes place in a situation of power differential between persons involved, this policy recognizes that sexual harassment may occur between persons of the same University status, i.e.: student-student, faculty-faculty, staff-staff. Consenting romantic and sexual relationships between faculty and student, or between supervisor and employee, while not expressly forbidden, are considered very unwise.
For more information, contact Julie Sweitzer, Director, Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action, University of Minnesota, 419 Morrill Hall, 100 Church Street S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455; 612-624-9547; e-mail: eoaa@umn.edu.
Smoke-free campus policy
Smoking is prohibited in all facilities and within 25 feet from building entrances at the University of Minnesota.
Immunization
Students born after 1956 who take more than one University class are required under Minnesota law to submit an Immunization Record form.
The form, which is sent along with the official University admission letter, must be filled out and returned to Boynton Health Service within 45 days of the first term of enrollment in order for students to continue registering for classes at the University. Complete instructions accompany the form.
Veterans certification
If you need certification in order to receive educational assistance from programs through the federal Department of Veterans Affairs, contact the University’s Veterans Certification Office, 200 Fraser Hall or call 612-625-8076. This office also reports grades to the VA and monitors course load for determining benefit levels. However, the Certification Office does not determine eligibility for assistance nor does it administer the transfer of money. You must contact the VA directly in order to discuss benefit options. For more information about veterans benefits and services, visit the VA Web site.
Revised October 2005