Student Guide to Resources, Rights
and Responsibilities

III. E. General Student Policies

• Rights

  • Individual Rights, Disclosure of Information

    • Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

      • Each and every registered student of the University (hereafter “a student”) has the right to review his or her own educational records in compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974. The following materials may not be reviewed: private notations in the sole possession of one person, parents’ confidential statements, and psychiatric and other medical records. However, psychiatric and other medical records may be reviewed by a physician or other appropriate professional of the student’s choice.
      • A student has the right to place in his or her own educational records materials of an explanatory nature concerning any item held therein. Any such material shall bear a notation that it was placed in the file at the student’s request.
      • A student has the right to waive his or her right of access to any materials in his or her own educational records. No such waiver shall be effective unless it is made in writing. All materials collected during the time that such a waiver was in effect shall be exempt from access by the student during any future examination.
      • A student has the right to refuse access to his or her own educational records, or to any item contained therein, to any person or agency not authorized under the Act. Those who are authorized under the Act include school officials and faculty who have a legitimate educational interest, officials of other schools in which a student seeks to enroll, and certain federal and state educational agencies.
      • A student has the right to request that his or her own educational records be amended if they are inaccurate, misleading, or violate his or her privacy or other rights. If the request is denied, the student is entitled to a hearing according to established University procedures.
      • A complete text of the Act, as well as those Federal Regulations issued under the Act, is available for inspection in the office of the Registrar.

    • Student Right-To-Know Act

      In compliance with Title I - Section 103 of the Student Right-To-Know and Campus Security Act, as amended by the Higher Education Technical Amendments of 1991, the one-year persistence rate for first-time degree seeking students who entered La Salle University in Fall 2001 on a full-time basis was 89 percent. Inquiries pertaining to this information should be directed to the Office of the Registrar.

  • Curricular Standards

    • A student shall have the right to pursue any course of study available within the University, providing he or she can be accommodated within the program, meet the requirements for entering, and continue to meet the requirements in the program.
    • A student shall have the right to know at the beginning of each semester, ordinarily during the first week of class, the criteria to be used by the instructor in determining grades in each course.
    • A student shall have the right to see his or her own tests and other written material after grading, and the instructor shall have the duty to make this material available within a reasonable time.
    • Upon request, a student shall have the right to have his or her grade on such written material explained by the instructor. A request for such explanation must be made within one week after the written material, as graded, is made available to the student.
    • Final Grades. If a student believes that his or her final grade is the product of the instructor’s bias, whimsy, or caprice, rather than a judgment on the merits or demerits of his or her academic performance, the student must follow the procedure described in this subsection.
      • The student must initiate the complaint procedure within the first two weeks of the next regular semester.
      • After receiving an explanation from the instructor in the course, the student may make a formal complaint to the instructor, giving his or her reasons, in writing, for thinking that the grade was biased, whimsical, or capricious.
      • If dissatisfied with the explanation that has been given, the student may appeal to the head of the relevant department.
      • The student has a further appeal to the appropriate Academic Dean, who will:
        • request a written statement from the student which shall contain a complete and detailed exposition of the reasons for the student’s complaint. A response from the faculty member will then be requested; and
        • advise and assist the student in a further attempt to resolve the problem at the personal level.
      • If the student remains dissatisfied with the explanation, the student may initiate a formal appeal.
        • The faculty member who is accused of bias, whimsy, or caprice may elect one of two procedures. The faculty member may request that the Dean investigate the matter personally. In the alternative, the faculty member may request that a committee investigate the matter and read a judgment on the merits of the complaint. In either case, the burden of proof shall be upon the complainant. Neither adjudicating forum (Dean or Committee) shall substitute his or her or its academic judgment for that of the instructor; but shall investigate and adjudicate only the complaint of bias, whimsy, or caprice.
        • If a committee is to be established, the Dean shall appoint the committee, consisting of two students and three faculty members. Two of the faculty members shall, if possible, be from the department responsible for the subject in which the grade was given, and the third from some other discipline.
        • Should the designation of the review body (Dean or Committee) be delayed beyond a reasonable time, then the committee structure described in item (2) above will be convened and the question heard.
      • If it is found that the grade given was neither biased, whimsical, nor capricious, the case shall be dismissed. If it is found that the grade given was the product of bias, whimsy, or caprice, the review body (Dean or Committee) shall direct that a notation be entered on the student’s transcript that the grade “had been questioned for cause and the recommendation had been made that it be changed because of apparent bias, whimsy, or caprice.” The original grade, however, will remain a part of the transcript.
    • A student shall be promptly informed if he or she is placed on any form of academic censure.

  • Speech and Expression of Opinion

    • No student shall be penalized for the reasonable expression of any view which is relevant to the classroom discussion or written material.
    • A student participates in student organizations and activities in his or her own time, and by his or her own decision. No student shall be penalized for any such participation, but neither shall any student claim indulgence from academic obligations by virtue of such participation

  • Collective Rights

    • Students shall have the right, through their representatives, to participate with full privileges, together with faculty and administration, in the development of both University and departmental curricula through University Council and Academic and Department Committees and Boards.
    • Students shall have the right to express an opinion in decisions regarding the evaluation, tenure, and promotion of faculty and department heads. The University promises to listen to such opinion, if rendered in good faith. However, the University will not be bound by student opinion in such decisions nor will failure to secure such opinion constitute a ground for complaint by a faculty member who has not been rehired, promoted, given tenure, or made department head.
    • The University shall establish and adhere to nondiscriminatory policies of equal opportunity to all academic facets of the University.
  

• Academic Responsibilities of Registered Students

  • University Regulations

    Students are responsible for acquainting themselves with the academic regulations of the University as outlined in the Student Guide to Resources, Rights, and Responsibilities and the University Bulletins. Ignorance of the regulations does not excuse any student from their application.

  • Provision of Information

    Students are responsible for supplying standard information, when required by the University, on their own personal background and academic history, in a clear, complete, and accurate manner. Misrepresentation in this respect is a serious matter.

  • Curricular Standards

    • Students are responsible for meeting the requirements of class attendance, test dates, and assignment deadlines, and for proper behavior during classes.
    • Students are responsible for the integrity of their academic work. In this regard plagiarism is a serious violation. Plagiarism is defined as the presentation of the ideas of another as one’s own. Any use of another’s ideas without proper acknowledgement is plagiarism.

  • Speech and Expression

    In exercising the rights of freedom speech and expression, students should respect the sensitivities and the corresponding rights of others.

  • Collective Responsibilities

    Students are responsible for honoring the obligation they assume when accepting positions on collegiate committees and boards.

  

• Academic Integrity Policy

  • Purpose and mission, abstracted from the La Salle University mission statement:

    The central academic mission of La Salle University’s undergraduate programs is to maintain, as a foundation of all learning, a common, comprehensive liberal arts core which will challenge all students with courses that address the analytic process (philosophical and/or scientific); the communication process (oral and written; emitted and received); and, the historical, intellectual and creative growth of humanity. The purpose of graduate study at La Salle University is to enhance both practical and theoretical knowledge in order to augment and enrich professional competencies.  All programs are designed to prepare students for informed service and progressive leadership in their chosen fields.

    The mission of La Salle University underscores the importance of providing students with a values-based education that occurs in the context of an inter-faith educational community. As its basic purpose, the University promotes free search for truth by teaching students basic skills, knowledge and values that they will need to lead a life of dignity. Thus, it is through active engagement in learning that students’ personal, social, and religious values may take root and foster mature, value-driven attitudes and behavior. All students and faculty who choose to become part of the La Salle University community also have a moral or ethical obligation to pursue all forms of learning with integrity, dignity, and responsibility towards others.

  • What is academic integrity?

    Integrity is defined as “adherence to moral and ethical principles; uprightness, honesty, and sincerity.” The key to academic integrity is setting personal standards for oneself and living up to those standards each day. Routinely displaying honesty, responsibility, respect for others, and fairness will serve as a model of integrity to others, the campus community, region, state, and world. One who has integrity follows moral and ethical standards even when circumstances arise that challenge those standards.

    Trust is an essential trait of integrity. A lapse of trust negatively impacts our relationships with others. Who can trust someone who is dishonest or unfair? The act of learning is not a solitary venture and thus requires the scaffolding of a competent instructor or peer. Group work is rooted in trust. Team members must be able to trust that each person’s contributions will enhance the group effort and instructors must trust that each student is contributing his or her fair share.

    Thus, by becoming a member of La Salle University’s community the individual enters an academic world where distinguished faculty, dedicated staff, and students of great potential work collaboratively to achieve and learn from one another. It is only through a strong commitment to La Salle’s learning community that the student can live the moral and ethical principles that are supported and maintained by its mission. The faculty has a special responsibility to model appropriate academic integrity and to ensure that these policies are communicated, understood, and maintained at all times.

    Sources used

    • Academic Integrity - University of California, Davis
    • Making A Difference: The Strategic Plan for Duke University - Duke University
    • Webster’s New World Dictionary.

  • Why have an Academic Integrity Policy?

    All too frequently academic integrity and plagiarism policies are regarded as disciplinary tools employed to ferret out misconduct. It is important, then, to recognize the positive implications of such a policy for students, faculty, and the campus as a whole.

    • Fairness

      A policy that applies to all students and faculty can provide the reassurance that everyone on campus is held to the same ethical standards. Students can be confident that their attempts to present honest work are not undermined by the dishonest work of others. Faculty may find comfort in the knowledge that they are not alone in aggressively responding to instances of academic dishonesty. Rather, they are a part of a community endeavor to maintain high standards of integrity.

    • Benefits for students

      This policy provides a forum through which students can be educated about the nature of academic integrity. By discouraging “passive” methods of learning and research, the policy can create an atmosphere that promotes active understanding and engagement, thus encouraging students to develop intellectually.

    • Benefits for faculty

      The policy creates an optimal learning environment because it encourages mutual respect and high standards among all members of the classroom learning community. This enables faculty to fulfill course goals without the need for establishing individual academic integrity policies.

    • Benefits for the La Salle Community

      By promoting academic integrity and ethical behavior in the classroom, the policy helps to ensure an environment that fosters trust, mutual respect, and love of learning.

    • Sources used

      • La Salle University English Department Policy on Plagiarism and Academic Honesty.
      • La Salle University Graduate Psychology student handbook.
  

• Academic Dishonesty

  • "If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." -Isaac Newton

    Often, when we develop ideas, they are not free of the effects and influences of others’ previous findings, claims, and analyses. This suggests that much of the thinking that we do in a university setting is motivated, shaped, and focused in response to work that may have been published or stated by others.  Usually, our ideas evolve in response to reading others’ writings. We base research on earlier scholarship and communication with others (Citing Sources and Avoiding Plagiarism - Duke University). We give credit where credit is due. Therefore, we cite the intellectual contributions of others.

    Academic Dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, the following:

    • Cheating

      Cheating is the act of wrongly using or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information, study aids, or the ideas or work of another.  This includes giving or receiving unauthorized aid in the completion of such things as written assignments, quizzes, or tests. Submitting the same written work for two different courses qualifies as another form of cheating.

    • Plagiarism

      Plagiarism is the unacknowledged use of other people's ideas, both written and unwritten (Avoiding Plagiarism - National-Louis University). Scholarly authors generously acknowledge their debts to predecessors by carefully giving credit to each source. Whenever one draws on another’s work, one must specify what has been borrowed - whether facts, opinions, or quotations - and its source.  Using another person’s ideas or expressions in writing without acknowledging the source constitutes plagiarism. Derived from the Latin plagiarius ("kidnapper"), plagiarism refers to a form of intellectual theft. In short, to plagiarize is to give the impression that the author wrote or thought something that in fact was borrowed from someone else, and to do so is a violation of professional ethics. (Joseph Gibaldi, MLA Style Manual and Guide to Scholarly Publishing. 2nd ed., New York: MLA, 1998: 151).

      • Avoiding Plagiarism

        Since plagiarism can be a temptation for those students who are facing an imminent deadline, students can use the following procedures that may help to ensure a project is properly documented.

        • Make sure you understand the material you are using before incorporating it into your work.
        • Avoid relying too heavily on the ideas of others.
        • Make sure you know how to cite correctly. This includes Internet-based sources as well as traditional scholarly works.
        • Talk to a librarian and attend library instruction workshops.
        • Do not use Internet “paper mills.”

      • What must be referenced

        • Direct quotes.
        • Paraphrasing.
        • Ideas acquired via reading, conversation, or correspondence.
        • Statistics and data that are not yours.

    • Cooperative or Group Learning

      When group projects or cooperative learning activities require collaboration, students must understand clearly what is proper and improper cooperation and collaboration and how individuals are expected to contribute to the project (Strategies for Avoiding Plagiarism - Westmont College). If a group member plagiarizes, the entire group may be held accountable.  Concern about copying must be dealt with as soon as plagiarism is suspected. Related to plagiarism is the fact that some students may over-rely on other group members to do the majority of the work while they all receive the same mark (Designing Assessment Tasks to Minimize Plagiarism - University of Wollongong, Australia). To ensure fairness, faculty should develop a system of communication whereby students have an opportunity to express their concerns.

  

• Academic Integrity Violation Procedures

  Note: These procedures are designed to be flexible allowing for variations of academic misconduct among undergraduate, professional and continuing studies, and graduate students.

  • Stage 1: First Offense

    • When a faculty member suspects an academic integrity violation, the faculty member will discuss the suspected violation with the student.
    • If in the faculty member’s judgment an academic integrity violation has occurred, the faculty member will complete an Academic Dishonesty Report (“the Report”) within two weeks of making this determination.  (See “Academic Dishonesty Report Requirements” below.)  The faculty member will file the Report in the Office of the Dean of the school and the office of the Chairperson or Director (in the School of Nursing and Health Sciences) of the department in which the student is enrolled.  In the case of an undecided major, the Dean’s office will retain the copy intended for the Chairperson/Director of the student’s major and will distribute that copy when the student declares a major.  The Office of the Dean will provide a copy of the Report to the Student. 
    • The faculty member will contact the Dean to ascertain whether other Reports have been filed on this student. If no other Reports have been filed, the faculty member will continue with Stage 1 procedures. If other Reports have been filed, then the faculty member will follow procedures outlined in stage 2 or stage 3, as appropriate. 
    • After the above procedures have been followed, the faculty member may choose to impose one or more of the following sanctions on the student for a first offense violation. The choice of sanction will necessarily be matched to the level of the infraction in the faculty member’s judgment. 
      • Required participation in a designated academic integrity educational module.
      • A reduction in grade recorded for the assignment/test.
      • A zero recorded for the assignment/test.
      • An “F” grade may be given for the course after the faculty member has consulted with the Chairperson/Director of the faculty member’s department. In the case where the faculty member is the Chairperson/Director, consultation will take place with the designated person in the office of the Dean to whom the Chairperson/Director reports.
      • The faculty member may choose, after consulting with the Chairperson/Director of the department and Dean of the school in which the course is taught, to request from the Dean of the school in which the student is enrolled to convene a “consultation group” meeting (see “Consultation Group Process” below) to determine if additional action is appropriate.  The Chair/Director of the Department/Program in which the student is enrolled may also request the Dean to convene a “consultation group” or the Dean may initiate the process independently.

  • Stage 2: Second Offense

    Follow 1 through 3 above and then proceed to step four below.

    • See Stage 1
    • See Stage 1
    • See Stage 1
    • After the above procedures have been followed, the faculty member may choose among the following sanctions or consider other options in consultation with the Chairperson/Director:
      • A zero for the assignment/test may be recorded.
      • An “F” grade may be given for the course after the faculty member has consulted with the Chairperson/Director of the faculty member’s department. In the case where the faculty member is the Chairperson/Director, consultation will take place with the designated person in the office of the Dean to whom the Chairperson/Director reports.
      • The faculty member may choose, after consulting with the Chairperson/Director of the department and the Dean of the school in which the course is taught to request the Dean of the school in which the student is enrolled to initiate a “consultation group” meeting (see “Consultation Group Process” below) to determine if additional action is appropriate.  The Chair/Director of the Department/Program in which the student is enrolled may also request the Dean to convene a “consultation group” or the Dean may initiate the process independently.

  • Stage 3: Third Offense

    Follow steps 1 through 3 identified in “Step I. First Offense,” and then proceed to step four below.

    • See Stage 1
    • See Stage 1
    • See Stage 1
    • Upon receiving the third Report, the Office of the Dean of the school in which the student is enrolled will convene a consultation group to discuss the cumulative impact of the student’s academic integrity violations. The Consultation Group Process is detailed below.

  • Consultation Group Process

    The faculty member who filed the Report or the student against whom the Report was filed may, after consulting with the Chairperson/Director’s of the faculty member’s Department, request a consultation group meeting by contacting the Dean of the School in which the student is enrolled.  The Dean of the school or the Chair/Director of the Department/Program in which the student is enrolled may also request a consultation group.  The contacted Dean will appoint a neutral party, typically a member of the faculty of the school, to confer with the student accused of having committed an academic integrity violation and the member of the faculty who brought the charge. This neutral party will gather information from the student, faculty member, and other relevant sources for the purpose of reporting this information to the consultation group. The consultation group will be composed of the following individuals:

    • Dean of the School (or designee) in which the course is taught.
    • Dean of the School (or designee) in which the student is enrolled.
    • Chairperson or Director (in the School of Nursing and Health Sciences) of the department in which the student is enrolled.
    • The Provost will appoint two additional academic administrators to attend this consultation group meeting to ensure continuity of policy implementation between schools. In the case of an academic integrity violation occurring in the same school in which the student is enrolled, the Provost will appoint an additional academic administrator to attend the consultation group meeting.
    • The Neutral Party is chosen by the Dean of the School in which the student is enrolled to present both sides of the case.  This individual will be able to participate in the group’s discussion but will have no vote.

    The consultation group meeting will convene within a reasonable amount of time (depending on circumstances, three or four weeks) after receiving notice.  If necessary, the Dean in which the course is taught may request an extension from the Provost.  Copies of the Report will be reviewed by consultation group members during this meeting. The neutral party chosen by the Dean will also provide an overview of information gathered from meetings with the student charged with the academic integrity violation, the faculty member who made the charge, and other relevant sources. Recommendations for further action will be made by this group by majority vote. However, any recommended sanction that would result in either a suspension or dismissal of the student from the University shall be referred to the University Discipline System for consideration pursuant to its procedures.

  • Academic Dishonesty Report Requirements

    The Academic Dishonesty Report (Report) will be written by the faculty member who has accused a student of an academic integrity violation.  The Report will be sent to the office of the Dean of the school and the office of the Chairperson or Director (in the School of Nursing and Health Sciences) of the department in which the student is enrolled. In the case of an undecided major, the Dean’s Office will also retain the copy intended for the Chairperson/Director of the student’s major and will distribute that copy when the student declares a major. The Office of the Dean will provide a copy of the report to the student. The Report should contain the following:

    • Date of the report, name of instructor, instructor’s department/school, name of student accused of committing the academic integrity violation, student’s major/school, date of the violation, and place of the violation.
    • A written summary of the incident, fully detailing the academic integrity violation.
    • Evidence of the academic integrity violation. In the case where other students have reported the academic violation to the instructor, the instructor will summarize these accusations and evidence gathered. In the case where the instructor has physical evidence of the violation, the evidence should be attached to the report.

    The faculty member will also write a chronology of actions taken so far in this process. If this case is a second (or subsequent) violation, the Dean (or designee) of the School in which the violation took place will complete this chronology.

  • Appeal Process

    Students accused of academic integrity violations are protected by certain rights and privileges described below.

    Individual Rights: Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (See section III. D. 1. a. i. of this guide), every registered student has the right to review his or her educational records, which in this case, include records pertaining to academic integrity violations. After reviewing his or her records, the student has a right to attach an explanatory note to academic integrity reports that are contained in that file. The student also has a right to request that his/her records be amended if they are inaccurate, misleading, or violate personal privacy or other rights. If the student’s request is denied, the student is entitled to a hearing according to established University procedures.

    • Appeal Procedure (for Stages 1 and 2 offenses):

      Note that the student charged with an academic integrity violation may, at any time during the process of being charged, make a request to the Dean of the school in which he/she is enrolled for referral of the case to the University Discipline System. The Dean, upon receiving this request will convene a consultation group meeting to consider this request. The consultation group meeting will follow the procedures outlined above prior to giving full consideration of the request.

      If the student believes that the charge of academic dishonesty or the sanctions imposed as a result of an alleged academic integrity violation are unfounded, unfair, or based on instructor bias, whimsy, or caprice and has not chosen to request that the case be referred to the University Discipline System:

      • The student may, within two weeks of the date of the Academic Dishonesty Report, file a written appeal with the instructor giving an alternative explanation for the charge.  The instructor will provide the student a written response to his/her appeal within two weeks of the date of the appeal. These written documents will be added to the student’s file that also contains the Academic Dishonesty Report.
      • If dissatisfied with the instructor’s decision, the student may appeal to the head of the relevant department who will consider the evidence presented in the Academic Dishonesty Report, the student’s written appeal, and the instructor’s written response to the appeal.  The department head will respond in writing to the student and instructor within two weeks of receiving all the evidence in the case.
      • If dissatisfied with the department head’s decision, the student may appeal to the Dean of the school that houses the student’s major.  Upon receiving this final appeal, the Dean of the school that houses the student’s major and the Dean of the school in which the course is taught, will convene a consultation group meeting following the procedures outlined above.

  • Recommendations for Implementation of the Policy

    • An Academic Integrity educational module will be created by each School and a designated person from each School will be responsible for providing sessions for students committing academic integrity violations who have been referred by the faculty member for educational purposes.
    • A series of faculty workshops and discussions on the academic integrity policy will be instituted.  A review of the University Handbook and Student Guide to Rights and Responsibilities; literature on cheating; and the results of the survey conducted by Mike Rozkowski will be part of the agenda.  Handouts could include documents already in place in the School of Nursing and Health Sciences and other academic departments, such as the English Department, as well as policies noted in the Graduate Catalog, and other available information. Sessions should also include a discussion of the benefits of a consistent approach in the application of this policy.
    • An educational component will be added to new faculty orientations (for all full and part-time faculty). Information regarding the policies and procedures of this document will be made available for faculty to view on the Portal, which will also contain links to resources and other information regarding prevention and remedial strategies.
    • School and Departmental program meetings will occur to discuss issues of cheating/plagiarism and documented approaches in the literature to reduce cheating (for example, secure test environment, security of exams, issues with electronic equipment used by students to cheat and other measures such as “parallel form exams,” color coded exams, turnitin.com, etc). Opportunities will be available within and outside departments to discuss academic integrity issues among faculty.
    • In effort to ensure consistency, all full- and part-time faculty will be asked to place a reference to the academic integrity policy in all syllabi.
    • Students will be informed about the academic policy via:
      • The Undergraduate and Graduate catalogs
      • The Student Guide to Rights & Responsibilities.
      • Appropriate mylasalle Portal and Intranet sites.
      • Day ONE sessions for entering freshman and their families specifically designed to introduce the academic integrity policy and other policies involving student rights and responsibilities at La Salle.
      • Library Sessions for CSC 151.
      • FYO sessions.
      • Course syllabi.
      • Student Program Handbooks.

  • Useful Sources for Academic Integrity

    • For Students: How Not to Plagiarize – University of Toronto
    • For Instructors: Designing Assessment Tasks to Minimize Plagiarism - University of Wollongong, Australia
    • The Affirmation: Text and History of The Affirmation
  

• Policy on Research Misconduct: Allegation, Investigation and Reporting

  Each member of the La Salle University community has a responsibility to foster an environment which promotes intellectual honesty and integrity, and which does not tolerate misconduct in any aspect of research or scholarly endeavor. A copy of the complete Policy on Research Misconduct can be obtained from the Office of the Provost on the third floor of the Administration Center.

  

• Courses/Registration

  • Pre-Registration Procedure

    Pre-registration takes place during November and April each year. Complete information about the advisement process is mailed to each enrolled student prior to registration. Schedules of classes are available in the Registrar’s Office, as well as the office of the department chairs and on the Registrar’s web page (www.lasalle.edu/admin/registrar). All students are asked to speak with an academic advisor to receive the advisor approval code, which is necessary for pre-registration. In addition, any outstanding financial or disciplinary holds will prevent a student from rostering for classes for the next semester. Students are asked to see that these are cleared before pre-registration.

  • Change of Courses

    Until noon of the fifth day of each Fall and Spring semester, a student may make a change in his or her roster, provided that classes being added have not reached their capacity.

  • Repeated Courses

    Students are responsible for reporting to the Office of the Registrar any course in which the student is enrolled that is being repeated in any given semester. If a student repeats a course, only the higher grade is counted in the academic index. However, the previous grade(s) will remain on the academic record of the student. A student may not repeat a course more than once without permission from the dean.

  • Pass/Fail Option

    Students may take two free electives under a pass/fail option. If they indicate this option to the Registrar within three weeks after the course begins, the grade for the course will be recorded as S (Satisfactory) or U (Unsatisfactory). Such grades will not affect the cumulative index, but semester hours graded S will be counted toward the total required for graduation.

  • Course Withdrawal/Withdrawal from the University

    Under certain circumstances, the student who withdraws may receive a partial refund on his or her tuition. Information on terms and conditions is available in the catalog and on the student’s invoice. There are no exceptions to these terms and conditions. Additional inquiries on tuition refund may be directed to the Bursar’s Office. When withdrawing from the university, resident students must also complete an Application for Housing Contract Release and submit it to the Office of Administrative Services.

  • Graduation Application

    Students who will complete requirements for a degree in a given semester must make written application for graduation at the time specified by the Registrar.

  

• Address Change

  When there is a change in a student’s permanent home address or temporary local address, the Registrar’s Office should be notified immediately. Students not living at home with their parents or legal guardians or in University residence facilities, who have not provided their current off-campus address to the Registrar’s Office, will not be allowed to pre-register for classes in subsequent semesters until the address change is filed.

  

• Financial Delinquency

  A student who is financially delinquent forfeits the privilege of attending class and residing on campus. A student who is financially delinquent at the close of a term is not permitted to complete registration or housing renewal for a succeeding term unless his or her account is settled.

  

• Student Records

  As custodian of student records, the University assumes an implicit and justifiable trust. This trust involves the recognition that student records, both academic and personal, are confidential to the student and the institution. Accordingly, the University accepts responsibility for exercising effective care and concern in recording and disseminating information about students. Student records are released only to appropriate authorities within the University, except when the student has given his or her formal consent, or when the safety of the student and others and/or property is endangered.

  • Disciplinary Records

    Disciplinary Records are for internal use only and are not made available to persons outside the University except on formal written request of the student involved. Disciplinary information is not included on University transcripts. Intra-University use is at the discretion of the Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students, who may inform other officials in the institution of the student’s disciplinary status when necessary to the discharge of their official duties. The Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students assumes the responsibility of maintaining the confidentiality of disciplinary records and for destruction of such records. Disciplinary records are maintained for seven years after the student has graduated, withdrawn or from their date of last attendance at the University with the exception of cases in which a sanction of Suspension or Dismissal was imposed. The records of students Suspended from the University will be maintained for fourteen years after graduation, withdrawal or from their date of last attendance at the University. Records of students who have been dismissed are maintained permanently.

  • Access to Educational Records and Rights to Privacy

    Congress in 1974 enacted legislation - Public Law 93-380, commonly referred to as the Buckley Amendment – with the intention to protect students from having incorrect information contained in their school files, and also to limit those who may have access to their educational records. In compliance with the law, La Salle University is prepared to assist students who wish to review their records or who have questions about the law.

    Public Law 93-380 specifically requires that students and parents or guardians of dependent students be permitted to examine official University educational records which contain information used in making decisions or recommendations about students. These records include those normally maintained by the major department, academic dean, Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students, Registrar, and Business Offices. Each University office and department having such records has an established procedure for a student to review his or her official records and to challenge the accuracy of them. A STUDENT MUST MAKE A FORMAL REQUEST IN WRITING TO EXAMINE HIS OR HER RECORDS. Material may be permanently removed from a student’s file when the promulgator of the information and the student or when the results of a formal hearing called for this specific purpose direct this action, reaches a mutual agreement.

    Instructor’s notes, campus security records, psychiatric, psychological, and medical records, parents’ financial statements, and material to which the student has waived his or her right of access in writing are among the records exempted by the law from examination.

    Public law 93-380 also limits those who, outside the University, may have access to a student’s records. Except as provided by law, educational records may not be transmitted to individuals or agencies outside of the University without the student’s written consent. STUDENTS, THEREFORE, ARE EXPECTED TO GIVE WRITTEN PERMISSION WHEN REQUESTING THE UNIVERSITY TO FORWARD RECORDS TO OFF-CAMPUS PERSONS, AGENCIES, OR INSTITUTIONS. The law permits the University to release without permission such information as a student’s name, dates of attendance, major field, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, and degrees and awards received.

  

• Identification Cards

  All students are photographed for an identification card when first entering the University. The ID is non-transferable (individuals who loan their ID to other students or to non-students are subject to disciplinary action) and is carried whenever on campus and presented upon request to University administrators, faculty, or campus security guards. The card verifies status as a student at La Salle and may therefore be required for admission to social or athletic events, for voting rights in student elections, and for other such events demanding evidence of student status. A valid ID is required to use the facilities of the Hayman Center. The ID is intended to last throughout the four years.

  

• Computer Usage

  All computer users must practice ethical behavior in computing activities. Abuse of computer access privileges is considered to be a serious matter. The computing resources are provided for the use of staff, faculty, and students who are currently enrolled in courses approved or designated as requiring computer resources. The privilege of use by a student is not transferable to another student, to an outside individual, or to an outside organization. The theft or other abuse of computer time or facilities is not different from the theft or abuse of other University property, and violators of the computing privilege will be subject to disciplinary action. This includes, but is not limited to:

  • unauthorized entry into a file, either to read or to change;
  • unauthorized transfer of files;
  • unauthorized entry into a network;
  • unauthorized use of another individual’s computer account;
  • use of computing facilities to interfere with the work of another student;
  • use of computing facilities to send obscene or abusive messages;
  • and, use of computing facilities for frivolous activities during times of high demand.

  Persons are to conduct themselves in a professional manner and to accomplish tasks as expeditiously as possible. For reasons of security the University retains the right to review programs and files stored on the University's computers. Computer services allocated to individuals through accounts on the campus networks should be respected by all as private and valuable property for academic pursuits. Users are responsible for their own user names and the security of their passwords. Use of the computing privilege to interfere with the normal operation of University computing systems or of any other system accessible through the University's system is prohibited and is subject to disciplinary action.

  

• Universal La Salle WWW Policies

  Pages must be date stamped to indicate when they were last modified. This protects the viewer from unknowingly using outdated data, and encourages the home page manager to keep things up to date.

  The use of images, recorded sounds, copyrighted materials, trade secrets and trademarks is subject to legal restriction. No one may use photographs, video clips, or sound clips or material which may be subject to copyright, trademark or trade secret restrictions without written permission of all parties, as applicable.

  The University was founded and is operated in accordance with the traditions of the Catholic Church and the Christian Brothers, with the intention to promulgate an education that is witness to the ministry of Christ. Publishing materials which are in violation of the commonly accepted standards of the La Salle community (e.g., racism, explicit sexual content, statements derogatory of the Catholic Church or Christian Brothers mission) is prohibited.

  • Violations of This Policy

    In the event that any home pages are discovered which violate any of the policies and guidelines outlined in this document, those pages will be immediately removed by the University without any hostility (any user of the La Salle network hereby releases the university from all such liability by their accessing of, or receipt of messages through, the La Salle network), and the violators shall be subject to disciplinary action, which may include revocation of university network-access privileges, exclusion or suspension of a student, or suspension or termination of employment for a staff member or faculty, in accordance with the terms of the Student Handbook, and the University Personnel Policy and University Handbook, respectively.

  

• Demonstrations

  University Council has adopted a policy that disciplinary action up to and including dismissal may be taken against any member of the University community who acts to prevent invited lecturers from speaking, disrupts University operations in the course of demonstrations, or obstructs and restrains other members of the academic community and campus visitors by physical force.

  The University recognizes that when an issue is of sufficient importance to require extraordinary measures to call attention to it, a demonstration may be deemed justifiable by an aggrieved or advocating sector of the University. When such is the case, the University insists that no demonstrating person or group shall abridge the rights of others in the regular conduct of the University’s affairs. At the same time, the University strives to maintain means for open and honest dialogue through normal channels of communication.

  

• Employment Policy

  La Salle University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment at the University because of race, color, religion, sex, age (40 and above), national origin, sexual orientation, marital status or handicap or disability which does not interfere with performance of essential job functions after reasonable accommodation, if any. This commitment extends to participation in all educational programs and activities of the University. The Affirmative Action Officer is responsible for the coordination of the University’s efforts to meet its obligations under the various nondiscrimination in employment laws. The phone number for the Affirmative Action Officer is 215.951.1014.

  

• Support Services for Students with Disabilities

  In compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the University is committed to providing support services and reasonable accommodation to otherwise qualified students with disabilities. Auxiliary aids and services, if required, include modification in examinations, note-takers, sign language, interpreters, tutoring, etc. Students requesting reasonable accommodations should contact the Affirmative Action Officer (Administration Center 102, 215.951.1014) at least two months before the start of the semester.

  

• Veterans

  Veterans attending under the benefits of the “Veterans Readjustment Act of 1966” are required to submit their “Certificate of Eligibility” to the Registrar’s Office. The Registrar’s Office will certify the Veteran’s enrollment and attendance for each term to the Veteran’s Administration. If the Veteran withdraws, and returns to the University at a later term, the Veteran must notify the Registrar’s Office in writing of the request to again be certified to the Veteran’s Administration. Veterans are required to satisfy their financial obligations to the University in the same manner as all other students.

  

• Smoking Policy

  Smoking is not permitted in any University building.

  

• University Alcohol and Other Drug Policy

  The abuse of alcohol or other drugs is considered a health care problem and is treated as such at La Salle University. For this statement, the term "abuse" refers to the consumption of alcohol or any illicit substance use in an irresponsible, potentially harmful or illegal manner, or as defined in the Student Guide to Rights and Responsibilities, during a student’s period of enrollment. This includes any consumption on campus, consumption at University sponsored activities and inappropriate behavior on campus while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

  • Federal, State, and City Sanctions Related to the Use, Possession, and Distribution of Alcohol and Drugs

    Federal law requires that students be informed of the sanctions that may be imposed if a student violates federal, state, or local laws regarding unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs or alcohol. The following are examples of illegal activities and the applicable legal sanctions.

    • Alcohol

      Under Pennsylvania law, a person under 21 years of age commits a summary offense if he or she attempts to or in actuality does (1) purchase, (2) consume, (3) possess, or (4) transport alcohol. Police must notify the parents of a minor charged with violating this law. If convicted, the minor’s driver’s license will be suspended. A second offense will yield a fine of up to $500.

      In addition, any person who intentionally provides alcohol to a minor will be convicted of a misdemeanor in the third degree, for which the fine will be at least $1,000 for the first offense, and $2,500 for any subsequent violations.

      The City of Philadelphia prohibits the consumption, carrying, or possession of an open container of alcoholic beverages in the public right-of-way or on private property without the expressed permission of the landowner or tenant. A person who commits a violation may be subject to a fine up to $300, as well as imprisonment for up to ten (10) days, if the fine together with costs, are not paid within ten (10) days.

    • Drugs

      Federal and state laws prohibit the possession, use, and distribution of illegal drugs. The sanctions for violating these laws may range from loss of financial aid to restriction of professional licenses upon graduation to mandatory imprisonment coupled with substantial fines. The sanctions for any given offense vary widely, depending on the nature of the offense, the type of drug involved, and the quantity of the drug involved.

      For instance, under federal law, simple possession of a controlled substance carries a penalty of imprisonment of no more than one year, plus a fine of an amount between $1,000 and $5,000. If the controlled substance contains a cocaine base and the amount exceeds five (5) grams, the offender will be imprisoned for no less than five (5) years and no more than twenty (20) years, or fined, or both.

      Also, under federal law, anyone who is at least 18 years old and who distributes drugs to anyone under 21 will be imprisoned and/or fined up to twice what is otherwise provided by law, with a MINIMUM prison sentence of one year.

      Similarly, the Pennsylvania laws that prohibit the use, possession and distribution of drugs are also strict. In addition to fines and/or terms of imprisonment for violations of its drug laws, Pennsylvania recently enacted a forfeiture statute. Under this statute, someone arrested for violating state laws concerning the use, possession or distribution of drugs, is subject to seizure and forfeiture of all property used to accomplish the violation of Pennsylvania’s anti-drug laws.

    The University recognizes that the abuse of alcohol or other drugs has numerous long-term negative physical effects on persons who become addicted to these substances. Additionally, there are numerous other health risks associated with substance use/abuse which are common on a university campus. The abuse of alcohol and the resulting impaired judgment may result in vehicular accidents; injuries such as broken bones or burns; unsafe sex resulting in unwanted pregnancy or sexually transmitted disease; violence such as fights and date rapes; alcohol poisoning; aspiration of one’s vomit; and alcoholism.

    Consultation and diagnostic assessments are available through the Alcohol and Other Drug Program (AODP) which is located in the Student Counseling Center in McShain Hall. The Coordinator of the Alcohol and Other Drug Program (AODP) as well as an AODP counselor/educator are available to provide direct service to students and to act as liaisons with city, state, and federal resource agencies. The AODP professional staff can direct students and staff to resources for education, treatment, and/or counseling for drug and alcohol problems located both on and off campus. The Alcohol Awareness Project facilitated by the AODP Counselor serves as an alternative sanction to the fines in the disciplinary/judicial process.

    Community resources such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meet off campus. The Coordinator of Alcohol and Other Drug Education has developed a network of area resources for assessment, second opinions, in-hospital detoxification, outpatient treatment, 12-step programs, and other educational programming.

  • Controlled Substances

    La Salle University strives to maintain a campus that is free of the illegal possession, use, or distribution of controlled substances. Therefore, the unlawful manufacture, distribution, and dispensing of a controlled substance is absolutely prohibited on campus as is possession and/or use of any controlled substance or any paraphernalia associated with the use of controlled substances.

    When a student is judged to be guilty of illegal possession, use, or distribution of a controlled substance or of paraphernalia associated with such use, the University reserves the right to impose any of the following sanctions in accordance with established University disciplinary/judicial policies and procedures:

    • Issue a formal warning; notify parents/guardians of dependent students; impose conditions or sanctions such as fines and educational experiences; place the student on disciplinary probation; suspend the student’s housing contract and/or freedom to participate in specified University activities; suspend the student’s enrollment; dismiss the student from the University; and/or
    • Require the student to participate in a complete substance abuse assessment by qualified University staff and to comply with the recommendations from that assessment. Furthermore, the results of such an assessment may be reviewed by the Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students or a designee prior to the final adjudication of the disciplinary charges.

  • Alcoholic Beverages

    La Salle University encourages and seeks to maintain an academic environment in which individual rights are respected and the health, safety, and welfare of the total community is promoted. While individuals who fulfill the requirements prescribed by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania are free to choose to consume alcohol, only consumption in accordance with the following policies is permitted. The following policy, drawn from the Pennsylvania Crimes and Liquor Codes, governs the possession, sale, and consumption of alcoholic beverages on the University campus:

    No person less than twenty-one (21) years of age shall purchase, consume, possess, or transport or attempt to purchase, consume, possess, or transport any alcohol, liquor, or malt or brewed beverages on University property or at any University sponsored events. No student or University employee shall transfer or possess a registration card or other form of identification for the purpose of falsifying age to secure any alcohol, liquor, or malt or brewed beverages. Nor shall any student or University employee sell, furnish, allow to possess, or give any alcohol, liquor, or malt or brewed beverages, or permit any alcohol, liquor, or malt or brewed beverage to be sold, furnished, allowed to be possessed, or given to any person under twenty-one (21) years of age.

    The University does not prohibit the lawful possession or moderate consumption of alcoholic beverages by students twenty-one (21) years of age or older. This should not be interpreted to mean that the University encourages the use of alcoholic beverages. Furthermore, the University considers intoxication, disorderliness, or offensive behavior deriving from the use of alcoholic beverages to be subject to disciplinary action, regardless of the student’s age. The University prohibits unauthorized use of alcoholic beverages in the academic buildings, or in the public areas of residence units, the La Salle Union, other University controlled facilities, or at University sponsored functions on or off campus.

    The University strongly encourages students, faculty, and staff to understand the Pennsylvania Crimes and Liquor Codes and the substantial penalties that may result from the violation of this code, as well as relevant Philadelphia city ordinances.

    • Guidelines for the Individual Consumption of Alcohol

      A student who is 21 years of age or older may consume alcohol on campus only when such consumption does not interfere with the rights and privileges of other community members. For this policy, students under 21 years of age are considered minors. Students of legal age are permitted to drink alcohol only at registered events or in the privacy of residence hall rooms, apartments, or townhouses. Unauthorized consumption or possession (which includes bringing alcohol to any event) in any campus facility or location is not permitted. Confiscation of alcohol may occur for any alcohol-related offense. The specific guidelines for consumption of alcohol on the La Salle University premises are as follows.

      • Where alcohol is permitted, doors must be kept closed, since an open door causes a room to be considered a public area (Apartment stairways are considered public areas; townhouse stairways are not considered public areas).
      • When alcohol is present, the number of residents and guests may not exceed a total of eight (8) in a residence hall/quad/suite room and twelve (12) in an apartment/townhouse.
        
      • La Salle students will be held accountable for the behavior of their guests. This includes ensuring that minors do not consume alcohol and that alcohol is not carried from the room.
      • Kegs, beer balls, and grain alcohol are not permitted. If these items are observed, they will be confiscated and students will be subject to disciplinary action.
      • Only resident students of legal drinking age are permitted to transport or possess alcoholic beverages within residential facilities and only when it is registered with the University through the Security Desk Receptionists and where circumstances have not required University staff to limit or restrict alcohol possession/consumption (e.g. when facilities are closed for holidays or in the event of specific safety issues arising...) Alcohol must be sealed in its original packaging.
      • Individuals of legal drinking age may not consume alcohol in the presence of a minor, with the exception of one’s residence hall roommate; therefore, a minor is not permitted to be in the presence of alcoholic beverages unless it is being consumed solely by his/her roommate, who is of legal age, in their room/ apartment/townhouse.
      • Public intoxication, disorderliness, offensive behavior, or obvious abuse of alcohol on University owned or managed premises are prohibited regardless of age.
        
      • If a minor possesses alcoholic beverages, the beverage will be confiscated and the student will be subject to disciplinary charges.  University staff reserve the right to ask any individual to open their bags when attempting University owned property (SGRRR, Section D.21)
      • Persons providing alcoholic beverages to others or hosting the service of alcohol in their assigned living units assume responsibility for supervising the behavior of those persons and/or that environment.  The alcohol providers/hosts must work to insure the environment is safe, unlikely to lead to disruptive or dangerous behavior and respectful of community standards.
      • Minor students may not possess empty containers of alcoholic beverages, nor may these containers be displayed in the rooms of minor students.

    • University Alcohol Policy Sanctions

      Figure 1. Minimum Alcohol Policy Sanctions contains a summary of the minimum disciplinary sanctions for alcohol and alcohol-related violations. Each case will be handled on an individual basis; therefore, the Preliminary Hearing Officer may impose stricter sanctions than those listed in Figure 1. Minimum Alcohol Policy Sanctions. The Preliminary Hearing Officer is encouraged to use his or her discretion in mandating the Alcohol Awareness Project series and in increasing fines. No fine may reach more than the doubled amount of the minimum fine.

      In the case of an offense, the Preliminary Hearing Officer may waive the fine in lieu of a re-directive/educational sanction. Such sanctions for alcohol policy violations include, but are not limited to, alcohol-use assessments, attendance at the series of educational programs sponsored by the University Peer educators, the writing of research papers, or the planning and implementing of an alcohol-related educational program for the campus.

    • Alcohol Abuse

      There is a distinct difference between the responsible use of and the abuse of alcohol. The abuse of alcohol under any circumstances contradicts the values implicit in a La Salle education. The following is the definition of alcohol abuse for the La Salle University community.

      Alcohol abuse is the consumption of alcohol to the degree that a person’s judgment and/or physical responses are significantly impaired. Alcohol abuse does not excuse irresponsible action; rather, it compounds the seriousness of those actions. Areas of special concern are:

      • Violent acts against persons or property. These include vandalism (willful damage of personal or institutional property), fighting, assaults, and/or injuries resulting from irresponsible actions;
      • Drunkenness. This involves significant impairment of judgment and/or physical responses, including uncoordinated movements, speech difficulties, and/or inappropriate behavior for circumstances;
      • Contributing to alcohol abuse by another. This includes encouraging persons to overindulge, providing alcohol to a person who is already intoxicated, or possessing high proofed distilled spirits such as grain alcohol or liquor which is over 100 proof;
      • Medical emergencies. There are two types: (1) excessive consumption and (2) injury occurring while intoxicated.
  

• Policy Statement on Weapons and Other Dangerous Articles and Substances

  No student or visitor may keep, possess, display, transport, or use any offensive weapons; firearms; ammunition; gunpowder; gas or air powered rifles, guns, or pistols; fireworks; explosives; or other dangerous articles and substances in University buildings, on University property, or at University functions in off-campus settings. Realistic facsimiles of these items are also prohibited, with reasonable exceptions made, in consultation with the Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students, for theatrical productions and similar circumstances.

  “Offensive weapon” is defined as any bomb, grenade, machine gun, sawed-off shotgun with a barrel less than 18 inches, firearm specially made or specially adapted for concealment or silent discharge, any blackjack, sandbag, metal knuckles, dagger, knife, razor or cutting instrument, the blade of which is exposed in an automatic way by switch,push-button, spring mechanism or otherwise, or other implement for the infliction of serious bodily injury which serves no common lawful purpose.

  “Firearms” include any weapon which is designed to or may readily be converted to expel any projectile by the action of an explosive, or the frame or receiver of any such weapon. Normal laboratory materials are excluded from this policy when used in an academic laboratory setting to fulfill course requirements or conduct research authorized and supervised by faculty. Members of the Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) are authorized to store, transport, and use firearms when performing functions associated with their official duties. Active public law enforcement officers are authorized to store, transport, and use firearms when performing functions associated with their official duties or when attending class.

  

• Property Searches

  University employees may ask students to reveal the contents of book bags, etc. if there is probable cause to believe a violation of federal, state, or local laws or University regulations is occurring. If a student refuses to cooperate with such a request while entering a building or area, the student may be prohibited from entering with the article(s) in question. If a student refuses such a request while departing a building or area, the student may be detained with the article(s) in question for further investigation by University staff.

  

• Hazing

  Hazing activities in any form are prohibited. The University supports and will enforce the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Anti-hazing Law. This document defines hazing as “any action or situation which recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health of a student or which willfully destroys or removes public or private property for the purpose of initiation or admission into or affiliation with, or as a condition for continued membership in any organization operating under the sanction of or recognized as an organization by an institution of higher education. The term shall include, but not be limited to any brutality of a physical nature, such as whipping, beating, branding, forced calisthenics, exposure to the elements, forced consumption of any food, liquor, drug or other substance, or any other forced physical activity which could adversely affect the physical health and safety of the individual and shall include any activity which would subject the individual to extreme mental stress, such as sleep deprivation, forced exclusion from social contact, forced conduct which could result in extreme embarrassment, or any other forced activity which could adversely affect the mental health or dignity of the individual, or any willful destruction or removal of public or private property. For purposes of this definition, any activity as described in this definition upon which the initiation or admission into or affiliation with or continued membership in an organization is directly or indirectly conditioned shall be presumed to be “forced” activity, the willingness of an individual to participate in such activity notwithstanding.”

  La Salle University adheres to the College Fraternity Secretaries Association’s definition of hazing: “...any action taken or situation created, intentionally, whether on or off University or fraternity/sorority premises, to produce mental or physical discomfort, embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule. Such activities and situations include paddling in any form; creation of excessive fatigue; physical and psychological shock...or any other such activities...; wearing publicly apparel which is conspicuous and not normally in good taste; engaging in public stunts and buffoonery; morally degrading or humiliating games and activities; late work sessions which interfere with scholastic activities; and any other activities which are not consistent with fraternal law, ritual, or policy or the regulations and policies of the educational institution.” In case of violations individuals and/or the fraternity or sorority as a whole may be subject to disciplinary action.

  

• Activity Policies

  • Social/Service Fraternities & Sororities

    In addition to more than one hundred active student organizations, five local and national social/ service fraternities and four local and national social/service sororities are registered student organizations. For many students, participation in Greek organizations is a rewarding and fulfilling out-of-class activity. The Greek system provides special opportunities for leadership development, community service projects, building life-long friendships, and an increased sense of community, which often enhances a student’s experience as both an undergraduate and an alumni/alumnae.

    In order to support and assist the La Salle Greek community, the following regulations have been adopted, as the minimum standards required of all its member chapters.

    • Membership and participation in Greek letter organizations is open to full-time students and may not be denied based on race, religion, national origin, or physical handicap. Furthermore, the members of the La Salle Greek system advocate the elimination of all forms of discriminatory behavior through explicit statements in their individual chapter constitutions.
    • First semester freshmen may not pledge a fraternity/sorority or apply for associate status. Second semester freshmen who have earned twelve (12) or more credits with a 2.5 academic index are eligible to pledge and receive associate status. Students beyond the freshmen year may pledge/apply for associate status if their records are free of Academic Censure as determined by the Academic Deans.
    • In order to maintain active status in a sorority/fraternity, students must be in good academic standing, i.e., free of Academic Censure as determined by the Academic Deans.
    • Each semester all Greek organizations must submit to the Community Development Office a list of current executive board officers, active members, and pledge/associate members, along with a statement of any significant changes in their constitution or by-laws.
      • The list of executive board officers and active members is to be submitted before the start of Rush Week each semester.
      • The list of pledges/associates is to be submitted to the Coordinator of Leadership and New Student Programs by 4:30 p.m. on the Monday following each semester’s Rush Week. The Coordinator will determine eligibility to pledge. The Interfraternity-Sorority Council will sanction any group(s) failing to submit pledge/associate lists by the deadline by revoking the chapter’s privilege to pledge during the current semester or to rush during the following semester. The Interfraternity-Sorority Council will file charges against groups providing inaccurate or incomplete information.
      • The lists of active members and pledges/associates may be used by the Community Development Office or the Interfraternity-Sorority Council to calculate chapter and all-Greek academic indexes.
    • All student organizations are required to have a full-time member of the University faculty/administrative staff serve as their advisor. An organization whose advisor resigns for any reason will have until the completion of that semester (or the fall semester if the resignation occurs over the summer break) to locate a replacement. If a replacement is not located within the designated period, the organization will not be permitted to:
      • recruit, rush or pledge new members,
      • use University facilities for meetings or programs,
      • access their University Agency Account,
      • apply for program funding from the Activities Funding Board,
      • participate on the Interfraternity/Sorority Council,
      • participate in Greek Week programs,
      • nominate a member for the Dennis Dougherty Memorial Scholarship,
      • participate in University-wide programs, and
      • participate as an organization in intramural athletics.

      The Community Coordinator for Leadership Development is available to assist Greek organizations in acquiring a chapter advisor.

    • Each fraternity/sorority must establish and communicate to their members the penalties likely for violations of the University’s hazing policy.
    • Each fraternity/sorority must participate in the educational programs provided by the University concerning alcohol and other drug use and abuse.
    • Two representatives of each fraternity/sorority must participate in the Interfraternity-Sorority Council.
    • Student organizations funded by the University or the Activities Funding Board must be represented at a minimum of one-half of the leadership training programs offered each semester by the Student Affairs Area.

  • Academic Standing and Participation in Activities

    Students running for major offices or applying for appointment to University Committees must have a minimum cumulative index of 2.25 to be eligible and must maintain an index of at least 2.0 during the duration of their term. A minimum 2.25 cumulative index is required when standing for re-election or re-appointment. This policy applies to the following positions:

    • All S.G.A. appointees to University Committees.
    • All S.G.A. officers, all members of the Student Senate, and all other S.G.A. Executive Board members.
    • Editors-in-Chief and editorial staff of all University funded student publications.
    • All elected officers or committee chairs of student groups annually funded by the University.

    This policy is administered by the Senior Associate Dean of Students who will certify eligible candidates prior to election campaigns and/or appointment and at the beginning of each semester. The Senior Associate Dean of Students is the final judge of eligibility.

  • Participation in Intercollegiate Athletics

    To be eligible to represent the University as a participant in the intercollegiate athletics program, all student-athletes, managers, trainers, cheerleaders, and dance team members must be in good academic standing (Free of Academic Censure - as determined by the Academic Deans) during each season/semester of competition. Furthermore, all participants must be full-time (minimum of 12 credit hours) day division students and comply with applicable Atlantic 10 Conference and National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I eligibility and satisfactory progress requirements.

    This policy, as endorsed by the Athletic Committee (Spring, 1991), is administered by the NCAA Faculty Representative who will verify eligible participants at the beginning of each season/semester of competition. The NCAA Faculty Representative is the final judge of eligibility.

  • Standing for Election/Appointment

    A substantial time commitment often is required to fulfill the responsibilities of executive positions in annually funded organizations. In the interests of the officers and of the student organization(s), the Student Affairs Committee recommends that the following guidelines be considered:

    • students should hold more than one major position only with the support of the advisors of the organizations involved and/or the Senior Associate Dean of Students; and
    • students eligible to be officers who are also scheduled to student teach or to complete an internship or cooperative education experience are strongly encouraged to discuss the expectations of each responsibility with the organization advisor and the student teaching/internship/cooperative education supervisor before deciding whether to accept major leadership responsibilities during that semester(s).

    Executive positions normally include those of the president, vice-president, secretary, and treasurer or their equivalent roles.

  • Banner Policy

    Student organizations, academic and administrative departments, and individual students, faculty, and administrative staff wishing to hang banners from the balconies of the La Salle Union must secure authorization from the Director of Administrative Services. Approval will be based on the following criteria:

    • The banner must not be sexist, racist, or vulgar in content or in substantial opposition to the values and beliefs commonly held by the Christian-Catholic tradition in both its past and present expression. Content must comply with all applicable University policies. When symbols or unfamiliar acronyms are used, a statement of meaning must be filed with the Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Students.
    • Normally, a banner may hang for a period no longer than two (2) weeks. Banners may not hang during University-wide events, i.e. Family Weekend, Open House, Discover the Difference Personally, Alumni Reunions, except those advertising that particular event. Exceptions may be granted by the University officer sponsoring the program.
    • With the exception of banners promoting University-wide events, banners should be no larger than four (4) by six (6) feet. Approval will be based on content and not the physical appearance of the banner.
    • Normally, only five (5) banners may hang at one time. Exceptions may be granted for events involving multiple student organizations or academic/administrative departments. The La Salle Union Director reserves the right to assign space, i.e. Ballroom or Music Room.
    • When a University banner is hung, physical space must be compromised, not excluded, for it.

  • Leadership Development

    Student organizations funded by the University or the Activities Funding Board must be represented at a minimum of one-half of the leadership training programs offered each semester by Community Development. Appropriate representatives include Editors-in-Chief and editorial staff of all funded student publications, and all elected or appointed officers and committee chairs of student groups receiving funds from the University or the Funding Board (either annual budgets or Contingency and Travel funds).

  

• Facility Usage

  • Policies for Reservation of La Salle Union Facilities by Campus Groups

    • Whenever La Salle Union facilities are to be used for routine administrative, academic, or extra curricular purposes, a reservation must be secured from Administrative Services, La Salle Union 205. Reservation requests may be submitted on-line through mylasalle.
    • All reservations and related requests (room set up, special equipment, etc.) are tentative until confirmed in writing. This applies, as well, for reservation changes.
    • Reservations will be accepted on a first come, first served basis. The reservation staff reserves the right to assign space to be used for a meeting or function. When a request for a particular area is made, every effort will be made to honor the request.
    • Reservation requests and reservation changes must be submitted at least 48 hours in advance.
    • Those individuals or groups using facilities are expected to leave them in good order. Sponsoring groups are responsible for damages to facilities.
    • University regulations preclude regular use of La Salle Union facilities for classes, course seminars, labs, and other strictly class related meetings. Reservations of this type normally must be for academic facilities.
    • Recognized and registered student organizations and University offices and departments will not be charged for use of La Salle Union facilities; however, some personnel costs will be charged to sponsoring groups. Personnel costs may include such items as maintenance supervisor, security staff, janitorial staff, matron, electrical staff, etc. Personnel charges, if any, will be specified when the facility is requested, and the sponsor will sign an agreement for any expenses before confirmation will be given.

  • Procedures for Reservation of Facilities by Campus Groups

    • Requests for routine use of all La Salle Union facilities should be made to Administrative Services, La Salle Union 205.
    • Reservation requests may be submitted through myasalle to Administrative Services. Reservations requests in the next academic year will be accepted as of April 1 of the previous Spring Semester and will be filed in order according to the date of receipt.
    • Requests for routine meetings/functions in La Salle Union will be confirmed by the reservation staff. The confirmation process for the Fall Semester will begin on July 1 and the review of similar requests for the Spring Semester will begin on November 1. The sponsor of the event will be informed of the confirmation through the return of the appropriate copy of the reservation form.
    • In the case of duplicate requests for the same date and facility, the applicants will be notified of the conflict and provided alternate dates and/or facilities. The staff will attempt to resolve the conflict to the mutual satisfaction of the applicants. The revised requests will then be confirmed for each group. If a satisfactory resolution cannot be achieved, the La Salle Union Services Coordinator will assign the facilities and/or dates and inform the persons and groups involved.
    • Reservation requests received after June 30 or October 31 will be acted upon as received. Requests for previously reserved facilities will be accommodated with the most suitable alternate facility and/or date.
    • Questions regarding the facilities reservation procedures should be directed to Administrative Services, ext. 1370.