University Policies and Regulations

Alcoholic Beverages

Subd.1. Residence Halls. The possession and consumption of intoxicating liquor and non-intoxicating liquor is permitted in University residence halls where authorized by policies which have been approved by the President and the respective hall councils. The policies shall clearly specify areas, times, and circumstances under which possession and consumption is appropriate and they should fully protect the rights and needs of non-drinkers.

Subd.2. University Property. On University property other than residence halls, no person shall possess or consume any non-intoxicating or intoxicating liquor except in areas designated by the President in consultation with the campus Chancellor (where applicable), the Committee on Student Affairs of the campus and the Faculty Affairs Committee. Sale of non-intoxicating or intoxicating liquor is prohibited on the University campus.

Subd.3. Definitions. As used in this policy statement, the terms "intoxicating liquor" and "non-intoxicating liquor" shall have those meanings ascribed to them by the statutes of the state of Minnesota. The term "possession" does not include possession of intoxicating or non-intoxicating liquor contained in its original retail packaging with seal unbroken.

Subd.4. Enforcement.

A) Violation of this policy by a student shall be a violation of the Student Conduct Code. Violation of the policy by others shall be handled in the ways normally associated with violations by a member of that group on the campus.

B) Violation of the policy by any person during the course of an appropriately approved event, whether such event be open or closed to the general public, shall automatically revoke the license conferred by the ticket or invitation to such event and violators will be asked to leave the premises. Ushers and officers are instructed to refuse admission to ticket holders or other persons invited to such event if such person is intoxicated.

Subd.5. Effective.

A) This policy shall become effective Spring Quarter, 1974, throughout the University system.

B) This policy is not intended to nullify or change in any way any applicable law where such law is in force.

C) This policy does not prevent University governing units from prohibiting, restricting or conditioning the possession and consumption of intoxicating or non-intoxicating liquor in physical facilities within their jurisdiction.

D) Administrative decisions shall be reviewable upon proper application to the Board of Regents.
 
 

Summary of Academic Integrity & Student Disciplinary Procedures on the Morris Campus

The Academic Integrity Subcommittee of the Scholastic Committee has eight members, four faculty (one of whom serves as chair) and four students. In 1993 the Scholastic Committee agreed that at the beginning of each year, the Scholastic Committee chair would appoint the Academic Integrity Committee from among those members of the Scholastic Committee willing to serve. Because there are only four students on the Scholastic Committee all would probably be required to serve; there would be some choice among the faculty. The chair would also be appointed by the Scholastic Committee. Due process requires that the membership be identified early in the fall each year before an individual case might arise. Policies and procedures for the Academic Integrity system are covered in a separate document.

It is the college’s desire that questions of academic dishonesty be settled directly by the instructor and student(s) involved. Procedures specify that if the standards of academic integrity have been violated, the instructor should meet with the student(s) involved and, after informing the student(s) of the allegation and supporting evidence, attempt to reach an agreement regarding the veracity of the charges and whether a penalty is to be levied. If a decision is reached, the course instructor will prepare and submit a written report to the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs within seven days, presenting the details of the incident, evidence, and penalties imposed. A copy of the report will be provided to the student(s) in question; students have the right to file their own versions of the incident with the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, should they desire to do so. These reports will be maintained in a confidential University file. If an agreement between the student(s) and the instructor cannot be reached, the matter may be referred by either of the parties to the Committee on Academic Integrity for resolution.

The Student Behavior Committee is a subcommittee of the Student Services committee. The Student Behavior Committee is made up of three faculty, three students, and a representative appointed by the Chancellor who serves as secretary without a vote. Formal disciplinary action at UMM is the responsibility of the Student Behavior Committee. The Student Behavior Committee normally does not take action in cases involving violations of civil-law, except when such violations are clearly detrimental to the interests of the academic community.

The major objective of the formal disciplinary system at the University of Minnesota, Morris is the maintenance of standards of conduct and order commensurate with the educational goals of the institution. These procedures are concerned with assisting students in understanding and accepting the consequences of their behavior in relation to themselves and others. The procedures are designed to guarantee the rights of the accused and to protect the welfare of all members of the University community. The Regents affirm the right of students to equitable and prompt action on alleged violations of student conduct. In this regard it is expected that most complaints can be heard and settled informally. Under circumstances where these preferred methods fail to resolve the difficulty, formal disciplinary action with proper procedural safeguard will be taken by the Student Behavior Committee.

Advice or consultation regarding any matter of academic integrity or student conduct may be obtained from the chairperson of the appropriate committee or the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs. Detailed statements of policies and procedures regarding Academic Integrity and Student Disciplinary Action are available from the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs.

Grievance Procedures

Student Academic Grievance

The University of Minnesota Board of Regents adopted this policy on January 13, 1995. The policy is taken verbatim from the University of Minnesota’s Policy Library. UMM specific information appears in italics.

Section 1: Scope and Purpose
 

Subd. 1. Violation of Policy. This policy addresses academic grievances only. Academic grievances and complaints brought by students regarding the University’s provision of education and academic services affecting their role as students. Academic grievances must be based on a claimed violation of a University rule, policy, or established practice. This policy does not limit the University’s right to change rules, policies or practices.

Subd. 2. Not Applicable. This policy does not apply to conflicts connected with student employment (please refer to the Student Employment Handbook available from the Financial Aid Office) or actions taken under the Board of Regents policy, "Student Conduct." Also, complaints alleging violation of the University’s policies of sexual harassment and academic misconduct are not grievances under this policy. Such claims shall be referred to the appropriate office for investigation and review. Any complaint alleging discrimination in the University/student relationship, other than sexual harassment, may be filed either under this policy or with the Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action, but not both.

Subd. 3. Qualified Students. Students enrolled at any campus of the University of Minnesota may file academic grievances under this policy.

Subd. 4. Policy Goal. It is the goal of this policy to provide a simple and expeditious process, allowing for both informal and formal resolutions of conflicts. Resolutions may include student reinstatement or other corrective action for the benefit of the student, but may not award monetary compensation or take disciplinary action against any employee of the University.

Section 2: Informal Resolution

Subd. 1. Lowest Unit Level. The first step of any resolution should be at the lowest unit level, between the parties involved or the parties and an appropriate administrator. Students may wish to consult the Student Dispute Resolution Center or similar support services for advice and possible mediation. (For UMM students, this may include your faculty advisor, a trusted faculty or staff member, the Minority Student Program Office, Student Counseling or the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs.) If no informal resolution can be found at the lowest unit level, informal resolution may be sought at the collegiate level with the parties and higher level administrators. If the issue cannot be resolved informally, the complainant may move the case to the formal level.

Subd. 2. Judgments on Academic Performance. Grievances involving an instructor’s judgment in assigning a grade based on academic performance may be resolved only through the informal resolution procedures.

Subd. 1. Establishment of an Academic Grievance Officer and Committee.  Each collegiate unit and the Office of Student Affairs will have an academic grievance officer and Academic Grievance Committee. Members will be drawn from faculty, students and academic staff, as provided by the committee structure of the unit. The academic grievance officer of each collegiate unit will be a faculty member who holds no other administrative appointment. In the case of student affairs or other involved units without an established faculty, the grievance officer will be a member of that staff, with academic staff members drawn from the unit’s professional staff and with students and faculty drawn from throughout the University.

Subd. 2. Establishment of a University Academic Grievance Officer and Committee. There also will be a University Academic Grievance Committee and a University academic grievance office for grievances arising from the action of college deans or the vice presidents/chancellors of student affairs. The University academic grievance officer will serve as grievance officer for these matters. The university academic grievance office and the University Academic Grievance Committee will be appointed by the president in consultation with the appropriate appointing agencies and will be drawn from faculty, students and academic staff.

Subd. 3. Filing a Complaint. A complaint must be submitted in writing to the appropriate college grievance officer, identifying the student grievant, the respondent, individuals involved, the incident, the rule/policy/established practice claimed to be violated and a brief statement of the redress sought.

Subd. 4. Collegiate Unit. The grievance should be filed in the collegiate unit in which the incident is alleged to have occurred, which may not necessarily be the student’s own college. For graduate students, the appropriate unit is the Graduate School.

Subd. 5. Preliminary Resolution Procedure. The college academic grievance officer will meet with the student and individuals involved to determine whether a satisfactory resolution can be reached.  If this cannot be achieved, the grievance officer shall obtain a written answer from the respondent and refer the matter to a hearing panel of the Academic Grievance Committee.

Subd. 6. Hearing Panel. Hearing panels will be chaired by a faculty member and will have a minimum of three and, if determined necessary by the college grievance officer, a maximum of five members. On a panel of three, one will be a student. If membership exceeds three, it may include more than one student. In the case of grad/professional school complaints, the student members will be grad/professional school students. In the case of undergraduate complaints, the student members will be undergraduates.

Subd. 7. Hearing Panel Responsibilities. Hearing panels will review the evidence and hold hearing as necessary.  The panel will not substitute its judgment for that of those most closely acquainted with the field, but will base its recommendations on whether a rule, policy, or established practice was violated.  The panel will prepare a written report recommending a resolution of the matter and will send the report to the parties and to the dean of the collegiate unit for review and action.  If the dean does not accept the recommendation, the dean will provide a written explanation of any non-concurrence.

Subd. 8. Appeals. If any of the parties are not satisfied with the dean’s resolution of the grievance, they may appeal to the University Academic Grievance Committee. Based on the written appeal and response, this committee will determine whether there are sufficient grounds to hold an appeal hearing. The University Academic Grievance committee will not hear a case de novo, but rather will determine whether the parties have been afforded due process. The University Academic Grievance Committee will report its recommendations to the appropriate vice president, provost, or chancellor for review and action.  If the recommendation is not accepted, the Vice president, provost or chancellor will provide a written explanation of any non-concurrence. The decision of the appropriate vice president, provost, or chancellor is final and cannot be appealed.

a) All complaints must be filed within 30 calendar days after the incident being grieved occurred. A response to the complaint must be filed within 15 working days.

b) Deans and vice presidents must act upon the recommendations of committees within 30 calendar days. Appeals must be filed within 15 working days.

c) Time lines may be adjusted if there are compelling reasons for delay offered by any of the parties.

Racial/Ethnic Harassment

Acts of racial or ethnic harassment are incompatible with these commitments. Whenever complaints of harassment are filed, UMM will make every effort to protect the rights and concerns of both the complainant and the respondent.

At UMM, any person seeking assistance in either resolving or making a complaint in a matter of racial/ethnic harassment should contact the Office of Human Resources at 320-589-6021.  Students may also seek confidential assistance from Student Counseling at 320-589-6060.  Staff may also seek confidential assistance from the Employee Assistance Program: SCMC Life Center at 320-589-1313 or Prairie Counseling Center at 320-589-2222.

Sexual Harassment

It is the University’s goal to maintain a work environment free from sexual harassment.  The Regents Policy on Sexual Harassment applies to all members of the University community, i.e., any University of Minnesota faculty member, student, or staff member, or other individual engaged in any University activity or program.

"Sexual harassment" means unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and/or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when: (1) submission to such conduct is made wither explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual’s employment or academic advancement in any University activity or program; (2) submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis of employment or academic decisions affecting this individual in any University activity or program; or (3) such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work or academic performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working or academic environment in any University activity or program.

At UMM, any person seeking assistance in either resolving or making a complaint in a matter of sexual harassment should contact the Office of Human Resources at 320-589-6021.  Students may also seek confidential assistance from Student Counseling at 320-589-6060.  Staff may also seek confidential assistance from the Employee Assistance Program: SCMC Life Center at 320-589-1313 or Prairie Counseling Center at 320-589-2222.

Sexual Assault/Relationship Violence

Sexual assault and relationship violence are prohibited at the University of Minnesota. Sexual assault and relationship violence, including threats of sexual assault and related relationship violence, are attacks not only on a person's body, but also on the person's dignity, and are not tolerated. To foster a community free from sexual assault and relationship violence, the University provides reporting options, including the police department; victim/survivor assistance; internal mechanisms for discipline and dispute resolution; prevention training; and other related services. You can find more information at Sexual Assault/Relationship Violence.

Reason for Policy: As a University and as a community, we strive to assure the safety and respect the dignity of each student, staff, and faculty member. While the Board of Regents' Policy on Sexual Harassment prohibits conduct covered by this administrative policy, this policy establishes procedures for responding to incidents involving sexual assault and relationship violence. The commitment of the entire University community to this policy contributes to our goal of creating a campus free from sexual assault and from other violence that may occur within a personal, intimate relationship. 

Because reporting is the only way that action can be taken against an alleged violator of this policy, the University strongly encourages the reporting of sexual assault and relationship violence to appropriate officials. Timely reporting and a medical examination within 72 hours is critical in preserving evidence of sexual assault, and the ability to respond effectively, but a victim/survivor can report an incident at any time. 

The University provides an array of on campus services to victims/survivors, including confidential crisis intervention, health care, counseling, and related assistance, including changing academic programs and living situations (if requested and reasonably available). The University provides appropriate judicial/discipline processes that are supportive, fair, expedient, and respectful of the individual needs and rights of all involved, including privacy. The University provides a variety of educational programs and services to all members of the University community.

UMM Contacts 
For victim/survivor services, contact the Sexual Violence Response Center (24 hour helpline) at 1-800-854-9001 or Student Counseling (on campus/days)at (320) 589-6060.

To report a possible crime, contact Campus Police (320) 589-6000, on evenings/weekends, (320) 589-1155 or 911.

To report an alleged violation by a student, contact Student Affairs(320) 589-6013 or the Behavior Committee Secretary.

To report an alleged violation by an employee, contact the Office of Human Resources/Equal Opportunity at (320) 589-6021 or The Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action on the Twin Cities Campus (612) 624-9547.

For assistance if a residence hall student is involved, contact a Resident Advisor, Hall Director, or other Residential Life Staff at(320) 589-6475 or UMM Police.

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