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All members of the University community—students, faculty, staff, and administrative officers—are jointly involved in maintaining moral and social patterns of acceptable conduct. All students are expected to exhibit behavior which is indicative of good citizenship; when they fail to do so, they are expected to accept responsibility for conduct that may be incongruent with University community standards. The University reserves the right to discipline any student for violation of any rule, ordinance, or law, or for any conduct damaging to the University, by such means as it considers suitable, including dismissal.

Refer to the Michigan Tech Code of Community Conduct (available at http://www.sa.mtu.edu/dean/judicial/policies/code/), and to document links at the bottom of this page for more information on disciplinary procedures and specific policies.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity and honesty are central to a student’s education. Ethical conduct in an academic context will be carried forward into a student’s professional career. Academic honesty is essential to a community of scholars searching for and learning to seek the truth. Anything less than total commitment to honesty undermines the efforts of the entire academic community. Both students and faculty are responsible for insuring the academic integrity of the University.

In their academic work, students are expected to maintain personal academic integrity; to treat all academic exercises as work to be conducted without consultation or collaboration with others unless otherwise instructed; to ask faculty to clarify any aspects of permissible or expected cooperation on any assignment; and to report any cheating activity. Please note that use of “scoop” material (old exams) is prohibited unless specifically authorized by the instructor.

Students found guilty of academic dishonesty can receive a sanction ranging from academic integrity warning to expulsion.

Definitions of academic dishonesty, including plagiarism, cheating, fabrication, and facilitating academic dishonesty, can be found in the Academic Integrity Policy booklet. Copies of the policy can be obtained from the Office of Student Affairs and from chairs of academic departments or on the web at http://www.studentaffairs.mtu.edu/dean/judicial/policies/academic_integrity.html.

Computer Use Policy

Michigan Tech considers access to computer resources to be a privilege granted on the condition that each member of the University Community uses these resources responsibly, and in accord with professional and university standards. This section describes Michigan Tech’s computer resources, the responsibilities assumed by users of the system, the services provided to support and assist users, and professional and university standards that must be observed.

Computer and network facilities are provided for educational, research and administrative use. All access and use of University computing resources and services is presumed to be consistent with University rules and regulations, including University personnel policies, faculty and student codes of conduct and departmental policies and procedures. All use is also subject to the University’s Conflict of Interest and Intellectual Property policy and procedure. Use of Michigan Technological University’s computers and networks for non-Michigan Tech-related business purposes or personal gain without authorization is prohibited.

Individuals who are provided access to Michigan Tech's computer facilities and to the campus-wide communication network assume responsibility for appropriate use of these resources. The University expects individuals to be responsible in the use of computers and networks. Those who use wide-area networks (such as the Internet) to communicate with others or to connect to computers at other institutions are expected to abide by the rules of the remote systems and networks as well as those for Michigan Tech's systems. In addition to being a violation of University rules, certain computer misconduct is prohibited under Michigan Laws. Act 53 of the Public Acts of 1979 of the State of Michigan (as amended by Act 326 of 1996), states “An act to prohibit access to computers, computer systems, and computer networks for certain fraudulent purposes; to prohibit intentional and unauthorized access, alteration, damage, and destruction of computers, computer systems, computer networks, computer software programs, and data; and to prescribe penalties.” In addition, individuals may be held responsible for misuse which occurs by allowing their account to be accessed by a third party.

Individuals must consult their department System Administrator or other designated individual prior to any activity that might threaten the security or performance of University computers and networks. Failure to do so may result in disciplinary action. An individual who may have unintentionally or inadvertently participated in or caused such an event, must notify the System Administrator as soon as possible.

Michigan Tech computer and network facilities have tangible value. Consequently, attempts to circumvent accounting systems or to use the computer accounts of others will be treated as forms of attempted theft. Refer to http://www.cec.mtu.edu/cacsec/info/cup_approved.html.

FERPA

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords students certain rights with respect to their education records. Questions about FERPA may be directed to Michigan Technological University, Office of Student Records and Registration, 1400 Townsend Drive, Houghton, MI 49931-1295. The complete policy is available on the Office of Student Records and Registration website at http://www.admin.mtu.edu/em/services/policy/notification.php

Directory Information—Michigan Technological University, Houghton, Michigan, hereby by public notice, and in order to comply with Section 438 of Public Law 93-380 designates the following student information as public or “directory information”: student name, local address, telephone number, hometown, e-mail address, age, major field of study, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of athletic team members, attendance dates, degrees and awards received, and most recent previous school attended.

Withholding Disclosure—Currently enrolled students may withhold disclosure of the above information, except name and verification of enrollment status, under the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, by submitting written notification to the Office of Student Records and Registration within two weeks of the start of classes for any semester. Such notification will prevent disclosure to non-University personnel.

Records Request—Requests for review of a record other than grades should be made in writing to the Graduate School office.

Intellectual Property and Trademark Licensing

All graduate students are required by Board of Control policy to sign the Michigan Tech Proprietary Rights Agreement which establishes the ownership and disposition of intellectual property developed at Michigan Tech. The Office of Corporate Services provides assistance to inventors (including graduate student inventors) in the patenting, commercialization, and ultimate licensing of technologies developed at Michigan Tech. This assistance can involve direct support for patenting the technology and identification of potential commercialization partners or licensees. Invention Disclosures on any new technologies should be submitted to Corporate Services for review and possible patent application. In some cases, the rights will be returned to the inventor(s).

Corporate Services handles the licensing of Michigan Tech technologies (intellectual property) as well as logos/trademarks.

Corporate Services is also responsible for licensing the use of the Michigan Tech logo, which is a registered trademark. Any use of the Michigan Tech logo/trademark should first be approved by Corporate Services. The office maintains a list of licensed vendors who are authorized to use and reproduce the logo and a specification sheet of approved Michigan Tech logos. The office also handles the approval and licensing of new vendors and logo uses.

Michigan Residency

The governing board at each university in Michigan has the authority to determine residency classification guidelines for admission and tuition purposes. Therefore, residency guidelines may vary from school to school and are independent of guidelines used by other state authorities to determine residency for purposes such as income and property tax liability, driving and voting.

A resident student is defined as a student domiciled in the State of Michigan. Dependent students must have the same residency as their parents. Independent students must have a physical presence in Michigan. Students who enroll in the University as nonresidents shall be so classified throughout their attendance as students unless residency reclassification is granted. Continuously enrolled nonresident students are not eligible for reclassification.

Students who believe their residency status has changed since their first enrollment may seek an evaluation of their status. Contact the Office of Student Records and Registration—487-2319. Michigan Tech alumni who were Michigan residents as undergraduates will retain that residency status for tuition purposes, regardless of current address.

Scientific Misconduct Procedures

A major goal of the University is the furthering of research. The University upholds the scientific method in the conduct of research and is committed to the ethical conduct of research by its faculty, staff, and students.

A requirement of valid experimental observation or theoretical deduction is that the data and/or the conditions of obtaining the data and results can be verified, either by scrutiny of accurate records made at the time of experimentation or by repetition of the experiments or theoretical deduction.

Conduct inconsistent with the ethical conduct of research and which is considered scientific misconduct includes

• Serious deviation from commonly accepted practices in the scientific community in proposing, conducting or reporting research, such as fabrication, plagiarism, falsification, deception, misrepresentation, or arbitrary selection of data;
• Plagiarism or other appropriation of the work of another individual and presenting it as if it were one’s own or without credit to the originator as is required by commonly accepted practices in the scientific community;
• Material failure to comply with funding agency (federal, state, or private, and so on,) requirements that uniquely relate to the conduct of the research; and
• Retaliation against a person who, acting in good faith, has reported or provided information about suspected or alleged misconduct.

Faculty, staff, and students involved in scientific misconduct or false accusations of such conduct may be subject to University disciplinary procedures.

Possible University sanctions may include, but are not limited to, sending a letter of reprimand, setting special conditions on research activities, requiring special certifications or assurances of compliance, dismissal from degree programs and/or termination of employment. Any termination of employment shall occur in a manner consistent with existing applicable University policies on employment practices and academic tenure. The University may impose limitations or special reviews on the research activities or expenditures of affected individuals.

For further information, see appendix F of the Faculty Handbook at http://www.admin.mtu.edu/admin/prov/facbook/appf/fapp.htm.

Sex Discrimination / Sexual Harassment

Michigan Tech is committed to providing a fair and responsible environment for all of its students. Federal and state law prohibit discrimination in the use of educational facilities because of gender. Discriminatory treatment on the basis of one’s status as cited in the Michigan Tech Equal Opportunity statement  (see page 27) is prohibited. Title VII of the Civil Rights Act expressly prohibits sexual harassment. According to the Michigan Tech Sexual Harassment Policy, unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal and physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute sexual harassment when submission is either explicitly or implicitly a basis for academic advancement (e.g., for better grades, advancement in an academic program); or when submission or rejection affects the targeted person’s employment (e.g., their evaluation, advancement, salary); or when the conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with the targeted person’s work performance or learning environment; or when it creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work, academic, or residential living environment. For information on the University’s sexual discrimination policies, see the Michigan Tech Student Handbook, “Rules” section (Code of Conduct, Sexual Harassment, Sexual Misconduct) or contact the Office of Affirmative Programs—487-3310.

• Michigan Tech Policy on Sex Discrimination/Sexual Harassment
• Michigan Tech Policy on Discrimination/Harassment
• Michigan Tech Complaint Procedures

Michigan Tech's Sexual Misconduct Policy for students is found at http://www.sa.mtu.edu/dean/judicial/policies/sexual_misconduct.html

Substance Abuse

The University encourages and promotes an environment where healthy life-style choices can be made every day by the students, faculty, and staff. Students may take advantage of the substance abuse assessment and counseling available to them through Counseling Services. Michigan Tech is committed to following the guidelines of the Drug-Free Schools and Community Act of 1988. The Drug and Alcohol Policy may be found at.

Michigan Tech recognizes that substance abuse has a detrimental effect on the University’s goals and objectives. It affects the intellectual, social, physical, and moral growth and development of the individual and the campus community. To reduce the effects that substance abuse promotes, Michigan Tech expects each person to accept the responsibility for their own choices and behavior. The University will intervene in any substance abuse-related behaviors that have a negative effect on any segment of the University community or violate any city, state, or federal law. For more explicit information, refer to the brochure on Policy and Procedure Concerning Drugs and Alcohol, or the Michigan Tech Student Handbook.