Administrative Policies and Procedures

Academic Grievance Procedure

When a student has an academic dispute with a faculty member over a grade, there are procedures that exist to resolve the complaint in the most satisfactory way for both the student and faculty member. If the complaint involves a final grade, the student must take the complaint to the faculty member no later than the first two weeks of the beginning of the following semester. This policy requires several steps to complete the process. For detailed information concerning the grievance policy visit UAR 112.02 at www.moreheadstate.edu/uar. The student grievance form can be found at www.moreheadstate.edu/academicprograms.

If you are unable to access the form electronically or need additional assistance contact Academic Programs at 606-783-2003.

Academic Honesty Policy

All students at Morehead State University are required to abide by accepted standards of academic honesty. Academic honesty includes doing one's own work, giving credit for the work of others, and using resources appropriately.

Guidelines for Dealing with Acts of Academic Dishonesty

If a faculty member suspects that a student is guilty of a breach of the standards and chooses to pursue disciplinary action through University channels, the faculty member should:

1. Hold a conference with the student to attempt to address the problem.
2. If the student is determined to be responsible, the faculty member should issue the sanction. The sanction may include failure of a particular assignment or exam, failure of a particular class, or any other appropriate disciplinary action.
3. If a sanction is imposed on the student, then the faculty member is expected to report in writing to the department chair the details of the incident, the results of the student/faculty member conference, and the sanction issued. A copy of this report should be forwarded to the appropriate college dean and to the assistant vice president/dean of students. (The assistant vice president/dean of students is responsible for maintaining and safeguarding all University discipline records and for ensuring their confidentiality. A central record of all acts of academic dishonesty and plagiarism ensures that a student will be held accountable for subsequent violations.)
4. If the assistant vice president/dean of students has previous violations of the code on file for particular student(s), this information is to be sent to the faculty member and department chair.
5. If the faculty member and department chair determine that the severity of the academic dishonesty or the fact or nature of previous violations by the same student(s) warrants further disciplinary action, a request for further action should be made in writing to the assistant vice president/dean of students. The assistant vice president/dean of students will review the submitted material and hold an investigative hearing with the student(s) involved. At this time, the assistant vice president/dean of students will determine if further disciplinary action is warranted.
6. The assistant vice president/dean of students will report, in writing, any additional disciplinary actions taken to the college dean, the department chair, the provost, the faculty member making the charges, and student(s) being charged.

Nothing in this policy shall prevent or prohibit the student(s) charged from making an appeal of the disciplinary action administered.

Academic Recovery Program

The Academic Recovery Program is designed to provide resources and services to students who fall below scholastic standing guidelines. Students in the program are required to participate in an academic workshop at the beginning of the semester, complete an action plan, submit progress forms, complete documented study/tutoring hours, and meet with a peer coach throughout the semester. Visit www.moreheadstate.edu/probation for additional information regarding the Academic Recovery Program. The Office of Academic Advising and Retention can be reached at 606-783-2084, 321 Allie Young Hall.

Sexual Harassment Policy

Morehead State University takes seriously the rights of the campus community to be free from sexual harassment in all forms. The Board of Regents has adopted a policy prohibiting sexual harassment across the University that applies to students and employees alike. PG-6 provides detailed procedures for the reporting, investigation, and resolution of all such complaints. Students and employees are urged to become familiar with the policy and to report harassment. To view the Sexual Harassment Policy, visit www.moreheadstate.edu/hr or contact Human Resources at 606-783-2097 to request an electronic or hard copy of the policy.

Students' Rights to Access Records

(Buckley Amendment - Public Law 93-380)

Morehead, Kentucky

This information is provided to notify all students of Morehead State University of the rights and restrictions regarding inspection and release of student records contained in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (Public Law 93-380) as amended.

Definitions

1. "Eligible student" means a student who is 18 years of age or is attending an institution of postsecondary education.
2. "Institution of postsecondary education" means an institution which provides education to students beyond the secondary school level. "Secondary school level" means the educational level (not beyond grade 12), at which secondary education is provided, as determined under state law.
3. "University officials" include any full- or part-time administrators, faculty and staff who are employed by the University, or other person, agency or organizational personnel appointed or contracted with to act on behalf of the University or to carry out the functions necessary to fulfill the purposes of the institution. In addition, students who are serving on a disciplinary board or committee are considered to be "University officials" for purposes of access to education records.
4. "Legitimate educational interest" is based upon a determination that access to the education records is appropriately needed by the "University official" to perform a responsibility, to evaluate a student, to obtain necessary information, to furnish necessary information or for other similar reasons.

I. Students' rights to inspection of records and review thereof:

1. Any student or former student of Morehead State University has the right to inspect and review any and all "official records, files and data directly related to" the student. The terms "official records, files and data" are defined as including, but not limited to:
   1. Identifying data
   2. Academic work completed
   3. Level of achievement (grades, standardized achievement test scores)
   4. Attendance data
   5. Scores on standardized intelligence, aptitude and psychological tests
   6. Interest inventory results
   7. Family background information
   8. Teacher or counselor ratings and observations
   9. Verified reports of serious or recurrent behavior problems
   10. Cumulative record folder
2. The institution is not required to make available to students confidential letters of recommendation placed in their files before Jan. 1, 1975.
3. Students do not have the right of access to records maintained by the University's law enforcement officials.
4. Procedures have been established by the University for granting the required access to the records within a reasonable time, not to exceed 45 days from the date of the request.
5. The University shall provide students an opportunity for a hearing to challenge the content of their records to ensure that the records are not inaccurate, misleading or otherwise in violation of the privacy or other rights of the student.

Informal Proceedings

Morehead State University may attempt to settle a dispute with the parent of a student or the eligible student regarding the content of the student's education records through informal meetings and discussions with the parent or eligible student.

Formal Proceedings

Upon the request of either party (the educational institution, the parent or eligible student), the right to a hearing is required. If a student, parent or educational institution requests a hearing, the vice president for student life or his/her designee shall make the necessary arrangements. The hearing will be established according to the procedure delineated by the University.

II. Restrictions on the release of student records

1. Morehead State University will not release records without written consent of the students except to:
   1. To other local educational officials, including teachers of local educational agencies who have legitimate educational interest;
   2. To officials of other schools or school systems in which the student intends to enroll, upon the condition that the student be notified of the transfer and receive a copy of the record desired, and have an opportunity to challenge the contents of the records;
   3. To authorized representatives of the Comptroller General of the United States, the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare, or an administrative head of an educational agency, in connection with an auditor evaluation of federally supported programs; or
   4. To parents of dependent students.
2. Morehead State University will not furnish personal records to anyone other than the described above unless:
   1. Written consent of the student is secured, specifying the records to be released, the reasons for the release, identifying the recipient of the records and furnishing copies of the materials to be released to the student; or
   2. The information is furnished in compliance with a judicial order or pursuant to a subpoena, upon condition that the student is notified of all such orders or subpoenas in advance of compliance therewith.

III. Provisions for students requesting access to records

The student or former student must file a certified and official request in writing to the registrar of the University for each review.

IV. Provisions for authorized personnel requesting access to records

1. Authorized personnel must provide positive identification and indicate reasons for each request for examination.
2. Authorized personnel who have legitimate educational interests may review students' records, showing cause.
3. Other persons must have specific approval in writing from the student for release of information. This approval must specify the limits (if any) of the request.

If you object to your directory information being released, contact the Division of Student Life, 211 ADUC, for more information.