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STUDENTS’ RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
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Student Code of Conduct 11. Falsification, alteration or invention of information, including,
........................................................................................... but not limited to, any third party document used to apply for
The Student Code of Conduct of University of Phoenix supports financial aid, or lying during a University investigation.
the University's mission to provide access to higher education 12. Violation of the Student Code of Academic Integrity.
opportunities that enable students to develop the knowledge and
skills necessary to achieve their professional goals, improve the 13. Violation of the policy on Acceptable Use of University
productivity of their organizations, and provide leadership and Computing and Communication Resources for Students and
service to their communities. Faculty.
Students are expected to conduct themselves ethically, honestly, 14. Hazing (any action which recklessly or intentionally endangers
and with integrity as responsible members of the University's aca- the mental health or physical health or safety of a student for the
demic community. This requires the demonstration of mutual purpose of initiation or admission into or affiliation with any
respect and civility in academic and professional discourse. University-sanctioned organization).
A University is a marketplace of ideas and, in the search for truth, it
15. Violation of University regulations and policies (in addition to
is essential that freedom exists for contrary ideas to be expressed.
those regulations and policies covered by items 1-14 above).
Accordingly, students are expected to respect the rights and privi-
leges of others and to foster an environment conducive to learning. 16. Violation of federal, state, provincial, or local laws or
Students are accountable for their actions and are required to work regulations that impacts the University's educational environment.
independently, as well as collaboratively with teams, in achieving Student Code of Academic Integrity
learning goals and objectives.
University of Phoenix is an academic community whose funda-
By virtue of membership in the University's academic community, mental mission is the pursuit of intellectual growth. Achievement
students accept an obligation to abide by this Student Code of Con- of this mission is dependent upon the development of autonomous
duct. Conduct, either on or off-campus, that is determined to thought and respect for the ideas of others. Academic dishonesty
impair, interfere, or obstruct the opportunities of others to learn or threatens the integrity of individual students as well as the Univer-
that disrupts the mission, processes, or orderly functions of the sity’s academic community.
University will be deemed misconduct and shall be subject to
By virtue of membership in the University’s academic community,
appropriate disciplinary action.
students accept a responsibility and obligation to abide by this Stu-
Misconduct for which students are subject to disciplinary action dent Code of Academic Integrity, which is a part of the Student
includes, but is not limited to, the following enumerated violations: Code of Conduct. Academic integrity violations include all forms
1. Actions, oral statements, and written statements which threaten of academic dishonesty, including but not limited to the following:
or violate the personal safety of any member of the faculty, staff, or a. Plagiarism – Intentional or unintentional representation of
other students. another’s words or ideas as one’s own in an academic exercise.
2. Harassment, sexual or otherwise, that has the effect of creating a Examples of plagiarism include but are not limited to:
hostile or offensive educational environment for any student, • The exact copy of information from a source without proper
faculty, or staff member. citation and without use of quotation marks or block
quotation formatting. If any words or ideas used in a class
3. Stalking, persistently pursuing another person that has the effect
posting or assignment submission do not represent the
of imposing unwelcomed contact and/or communication.
student’s original words or ideas, the student must
4. Disruptive behavior that hinders or interferes with the distinguish them with quotation marks or a freestanding,
educational process. indented block quotation (for a quotation of 40 or more
5. Violation of any applicable professional codes of ethics or words), followed by the appropriate citation in accordance
conduct. with the Publication Manual of the American Psychological
Association. When a student copies information from a
6. Failure to promptly comply with any reasonable directive from source, he or she must acknowledge the source with
faculty or University officials. quotation marks or block quotes irrespective of whether or
7. Failure to cooperate in a University investigation. not the source has been formally published.
• Paraphrasing statements, paragraphs, or other bodies of
8. Carrying of weapons on campus, at campus-sanctioned events,
work without proper citation using someone else’s ideas,
or when meeting with campus personnel. (This policy is not
data, language, and/or arguments without
applicable to students who are law enforcement officers required
acknowledgement.
by law to carry firearms at all times).
• Presenting work as the student’s own that has been prepared
9. Using, dealing in, or being under the influence of alcohol or in whole or part by someone other than that particular
illegal drugs while in class, at campus-sanctioned events, or when student. This includes the purchase and/or sharing of work.
meeting with campus personnel. • Failure to properly cite and reference statistics, data, or other
10. Failure to maintain confidentiality and respect the privacy of sources of information that are used in one’s submission.
personal or professional information communicated about clients,
one's employer, other students or their employers.
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University of Phoenix, 2009-2010
b. Self-plagiarism, double dipping, or dovetailing – Submission of B. Investigation:
work that has been prepared for a different course without fair
1. Alleged violations of the Student Code of Conduct shall
citation of the original work and prior approval of faculty.
be investigated in a prompt and reasonable manner.
Students who submit assignments that were previously submitted
in another course are subject to the same consequences they would 2. The investigation shall gather relevant evidence,
face if they plagiarized these assignments. The use of one’s previ- including, but not limited to, pertinent documents and
ous work in an assignment requires prior approval from the cur- statements from witnesses.
rent faculty member and citation of the previous work. 3. While an alleged violation of the Student Code of
c. Fabrication – Falsification or invention of any information, cita- Conduct is being investigated, a student may be removed
tion, data, or document. from class, campus-sanctioned events, and other
This includes the invention or alteration of data or results, or rely- University functions after review and consultation with
ing on another source’s results in any assignment without proper Apollo Legal Services and/or the Office of Dispute
acknowledgement of that source. Fabrication includes citing Management.
sources that the student has not actually used or consulted.
C. Notification:
d. Unauthorized Assistance – Use of materials or information not
authorized by the faculty member to complete an academic exer- 1. A student who is charged with a violation of the Student
cise, or the completion of an academic exercise by someone other Code of Conduct shall be notified of the specific charge(s)
than the student. in writing by a Charging Letter sent via Certified Mail,
Students must rely upon their own abilities and refrain from Return Receipt Requested, or comparable means, and
obtaining assistance in any manner that faculty does not explicitly shall be given ten days to submit a written response to the
allow. This includes but is not limited to providing or receiving designated University official. (Note: If this is a drug and/
answers to an exam, use of faculty materials or answer keys, or a or alcohol related offense you must also notify the Office
student having someone take his or her exam. of Dispute Management.)
e. Copyright infringement - Acquisition or use of copyrighted 2. Failure of a student to respond to the Charging Letter
works without appropriate legal license or permission which shall result in suspension from the University following
includes peer-to-peer file sharing. completion of the current course if the student is then
Any unauthorized distribution of copyrighted material, including actively attending classes and is not subject to immediate
peer-to-peer file sharing, including illegal downloading or unau- suspension.
thorized distribution of copyrighted materials using the University 3. In those instances where the campus determines the
information technology system may subject a student to civil and conduct does not warrant a Charging Letter, it may choose
criminal liabilities. Refer to http://www.copyright.gov/title17/ to issue a Warning Letter and/or provide counseling to
92chap5.pdf for information on federal copyright infringement the student. Note: A Warning Letter is not appealable.
and remedies,
f. Misrepresentation – Falsely representing the student’s situation D. Student Response
to faculty when (1) justifying an absence or the need for a complete 1. A student response acknowledging guilt will be sent to
grade; or (2) requesting a makeup exam, a special due date, or the Campus Director of Academic Affairs, the Campus
extension of a syllabus or class deadline for submitting a course Director of Operations, the Registrar (only in violations
requirement. relating to student records) or their designee who will
g. Collusion – Helping or allowing another student to commit any determine the appropriate sanctions.
act of academic dishonesty.
2. A student response denying the charge(s) will follow the
Procedure for Processing Alleged Violations of the Student
committee process outlined below.
Code of Conduct:
A. Alleged Violations: E. Campus Committee:
1. An alleged violation of the Student Code of Conduct, 1. After the campus investigation is completed and the
unless related to student records, shall be forwarded in student has responded to the Charging Letter, a Campus
writing to the Campus Director of Academic Affairs, the Committee shall be convened to review the file and make
Campus Director of Operations, or their designee. findings and recommendations to the Campus Director of
Academic Affairs or the Campus Director of Operations (a
2. An alleged violation of the Student Code of Conduct that designee may be appointed if the Director has recused
relates to student records shall be forwarded in writing to himself/herself).
the Registrar.
2. The Campus Committee shall be chaired by a full-time
3. All alleged violations of the Student Code of Conduct campus administrator.
shall be subject to a fair and impartial process in
determining whether or not a violation has occurred.
4. An alleged violation of the Student Code of Conduct may
result in a warning or it may be subject to review by a
Campus Committee as described below.
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University of Phoenix, 2009-2010
STUDENTS’ RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
3. The Campus Committee composition shall be at least H. Decision:
three impartial individuals who have no prior
1. For campus cases, the Committee Chair delivers a
involvement with the student or the investigation: a
summary report, generally containing Findings of Fact,
campus administrator, a faculty member, and a student
Conclusions, and Recommendations, to the Campus
representative. (Note: Students who are subject to a
Director of Academic Affairs or the Campus Director of
professional code of conduct that applies to their
Operations (or designee), who has the ultimate authority
enrollment at the University shall have the composition of
to accept, reject, or modify the recommendations of the
their Campus Committee adjusted as necessary to comply
Campus Committee and render the decision.
with that code).
2. For Registrar cases, the Committee Chair delivers a
F. Registrar's Committee:
summary report, generally containing Findings of Fact,
1. After the Office of Compliance Management's Conclusions, and Recommendations, to the Registrar (or
investigation is completed and the student has responded designee), who has the ultimate authority to accept, reject,
to the Charging Letter, a Registrar's Committee shall be or modify the recommendations of the Registrar's
convened to review the file and make findings and Committee and render the decision.
recommendations to the Registrar (a designee may be 3. The decision shall be communicated to the student by the
appointed if the Registrar has recused himself/herself). decision maker. The decision shall be sent via Certified
2. The Registrar's Committee shall be chaired by an Mail, Return Receipt Requested, or comparable means.
Associate Registrar or Director from the Registrar's Office (Note: If this is a drug and/or alcohol related offense you
(or designee). must also notify the Office of Dispute Management.)
3. The Committee composition shall be at least three 4. In accordance with the requirements under the Higher
impartial individuals, who have no prior involvement Education Opportunity Act (HEOA), upon written
with the student or the investigation: an Associate request, the University of Phoenix will disclose to an
Registrar (or designee), Director or Operations Manager alleged victim of a crime of violence, or a non-forcible sex
from the Registrar’s Office or designee, a Director from offense , the results of any disciplinary hearing conducted
University Services (or designee), and the Director of by the institution against the student who is the alleged
Student Financial Aid programs or Director of Student perpetrator of the crime or offense. If the alleged victim is
Financial Accounting or Campus Director of Finance, as deceased as a result of the alleged crime or offense , the
appropriate. (Note: Students who are subject to a University of Phoenix will provide the results of the
professional code of conduct that applies to their disciplinary hearing to the victim's next of kin, if so
enrollment at the University shall have the composition of requested.
their Campus Committee adjusted as necessary to comply 5. In accordance with the requirements under the HEOA, in
with that code). cases of an alleged sex offense, both the accuser and the
G. Committee Process: accused will be informed of the committee determination
involving an alleged sex offense, including any sanction
1. Students shall be afforded the opportunity to address the
that is imposed.
Committee to make a statement in their defense. This may
be done via teleconference. I. Sanctions:
2. Students are not entitled to representation by an attorney 1. If a violation is found, disciplinary sanctions shall be
or any other third party at any point in the process. based on the seriousness of the situation and may include,
However, in accordance with the Higher Education but are not limited to, documented counseling by a
Opportunity Act (HEOA), in cases of an alleged sex University staff member, loss of academic credit, action
offense, the accuser and the accused are entitled to have plan (must be approved by the Office of Dispute
others present during the committee process. Management), suspension and/or expulsion.
3. Tape, digital, or other electronic recording of the 2. Students who are subject to professional codes of conduct
Committee Meeting is not permitted. that apply to their enrollment at the University shall be
4. The Committee members are given a "Case Packet" with sanctioned according to the requirements of the respective
all relevant information for the committee meeting, code.
including any written response received from the student. 3. A recommendation of expulsion by the decision maker
5. The Committee members sign a standard Confidentiality shall be reviewed by the Student Discipline Review
Statement for Committee Members and, after the Committee in the Office of Dispute Management and must
Committee's deliberations, the Case Packets are collected be endorsed before the campus communicates that
and destroyed in order to maintain confidentiality. sanction to the student.
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University of Phoenix, 2009-2010
J. Appeals:
1. In those instances where students are found to be in
violation of the Student Code of Conduct after receiving a
Charging Letter, they may appeal the decision to the
Student Discipline Review Committee (SDRC) in the
Office of Dispute Management (ODM) within ten days of
receiving the campus decision. The SDRC is usually
comprised of a senior manager from the University, a
Regional Director of Academic Affairs, and an Associate
or Assistant Dean from the accused student's college (or
their respective designee). The decision of the SDRC is
final and shall be communicated directly to the student
and the campus, except in the case of a decision by the
SDRC supporting a campus recommendation of expulsion
(see H.3. above).
2. If the sanction against the student is expulsion, the review
of the appeal shall be conducted by the Senior
Management Review Committee (SMRC) in the Office of
Dispute Management. The SMRC is usually comprised of
the Provost, the Vice President of University Services, and
the Dean of the accused student's college (or their
respective designee). The decision of the SMRC is final
and shall be communicated directly to the student and the
campus.
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