Policies, Rights & Responsibilities

Table of Contents

• Policies
• Student Conduct and Discipline
• Participation in Associated Students Inc. and its Elective Process
• Fair and Impartial Hearing
• Confidentiality of Student Records
• Student Grievance Procedure
• Provisions for Victims/Survivors of Acts of Violence
• Student Responsibilities
• Personal Health Responsibilities

Policies [top]

Upon enrollment, CSU Channel Islands students are entitled to certain freedoms and/or rights provided the exercise thereof is accomplished in accordance with University policies and does not result in disruption or disturbance as elsewhere described in this Student Guidebook and other University rules and regulations.

Academic policies are developed through the Academic Senate while University administrative policies are developed through the President’s Council. For more information and to view policies, please see the 2009-2010 University Catalog or visit www.csuci.edu.

Changes in Rules and Policies

Although every effort has been made to assure the accuracy of the information in this guidebook, students and others who use this guidebook should note that laws, rules, and policies change from time to time and that these changes may alter the information contained in this publication. Changes may come in the form of statutes enacted by the Legislature, rules and policies adopted by the Board of Trustees of the California State University, by the Chancellor or designee of the California State University, or by the President or designee of the campus. It is not possible in a publication of this size to include all of the rules, policies and other information that pertain to students, the institution, and the California State University. More current or complete information may be obtained from the appropriate department, school, or administrative office. 

Nothing in this guidebook shall be construed as, operate as, or have the effect of an abridgment or a limitation of any rights, powers, or privileges of the Board of Trustees of the California State University, the Chancellor of the California State University, or the President of the campus. The Trustees, the Chancellor, and the President are authorized by law to adopt, amend, or repeal rules and policies which apply to students. This guidebook does not constitute a contract or the terms and conditions of a contract between the student and the institution or the California State University. The relationship of the student to the institution is one governed by statute, rules, and policy adopted by the Legislature, the Trustees, the Chancellor, the President and their duly authorized designees.

Student Conduct and Discipline [top]

(Refer to the Judicial Affairs section of this guidebook.)

Participation in Associated Students Inc. and its Elective Process [top]

Upon enrollment, students are entitled to participate in the Associated Students Inc. and its elective process.

Fair and Impartial Hearing [top]

These matters shall include, but are not limited to, disciplinary proceedings involving alleged violations of academic and non-academic rules and regulations.

Confidentiality of Student Records [top]

Each University office and agency, which generates, collects, and disseminates information on students, must follow the guidelines for confidentiality of those records in their possession. For further information, see the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) policy, which may be found in the 2009-2010 University Catalog or online at www.csuci.edu.

Student Grievance Procedure [top]

Students have the right to bring complaints regarding faculty or staff to the attention of the University.

If you have a complaint or problem, please follow these steps to resolution:

1. When the complaint involves faculty or staff in Academic Affairs, address the concern (in this order) to:
   1. the faculty member (first step)
   2. the program chair
   3. the Dean of the Faculty
   4. the Vice President for Academic Affairs
2. When the complaint involves an administrative offi ce or staff member, address the concern (in this order) to:
   1. the employee (first step)
   2. the employee’s supervisor (if not the director)
   3. the director of the department
   4. the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, the Dean of Students, or the Dean of Enrollment (whichever is applicable)
   5. the Vice President for Student Affairs or the Vice President for Academic Affairs

If your complaint is not resolved at the first step, please submit your complaint in writing. Please do not skip any of the steps outlined above or go directly to the Vice President or President without following the proper procedures.

Provisions for Victims/Survivors of Acts of Violence [top]

To ensure fairness to victims/survivors of acts of violence throughout the disciplinary process, the University has established the following provisions for victims/survivors:

• A provision for a victim/survivor to have a person of his/her choice accompany him/her throughout the judicial process. This person will act as a support person or counsel but will not represent the victim/survivor.
• A provision for the victim/survivor to submit a list of questions relating to the alleged incident prior to the hearing, that she/he feels the accused should be asked during the hearing process.
• A provision not to have his/her irrelevant past conduct, including sexual history, discussed during the hearing. The issue of irrelevancy shall be determined by the judicial officer or hearing officer.
• The opportunity to make a victim/survivor impact statement, and to suggest an appropriate penalty (to include appropriate compensation) if the accused is found in violation of the Student Code of Conduct.
• A provision to know the outcome of the judicial process after making a commitment to protect the confi dentiality for all persons involved.

Student Responsibilities [top]

The most basic responsibility of a student is to study and move forward in intellectual development while taking advantage of the many opportunities provided in a university environment for all around personal growth, development and maturation.

Students and organizations are responsible for the observation of all guidelines, rules and regulations of California State University Channel Islands. Compliance should follow awareness and understanding which helps fulfi ll the objectives of better university government as well as the identifi cation and acceptance of personal and social responsibilities.

Rights and freedoms in any environment are protected through exercised responsibilities and maintained through an established system for justice. The ideal balance of control for liberties is strongly weighted toward understanding and observing regulations as acts of individual responsibility not always because of agreement, but because compliance also serves the best interests of all and helps in the completion of identifi ed missions.

The University has compiled student governing information in this guidebook to help provide direction and awareness for the University community. It is each student’s responsibility to become aware of and learn the regulatory content and procedures for dealing with problems, which may arise in the course of educational events.

When University regulations are judged as not serving the best interests of all, the consideration for change should be introduced through appropriate channels. In the case of students, this will most often be Student Government or other student governing group(s).

Within the University, emphasis is placed on the development of each individual’s recognition and acceptance of personal and social responsibilities. Collegiality, civility and standards represent the University’s core values as well as its contribution to the well-being of society.

Personal Health Responsibilities [top]

Each student must assume a certain level of responsibility for his or her education and for the maintenance of health. Learning and education take place within a body. A drugged or mistreated body can neither absorb nor retain meaningful information.

The University has established regulations against the misuse of drugs and alcohol and has designated penalties for these violations (please refer to the University Policies found in the 2009-2010 University Catalog or online at www.csuci.edu for further information). These efforts minimally are to serve the best interest of the students at CSUCI; the maximum effort is to encourage students to develop a lifestyle free of drug abuse and to understand the connections between life, learning, and proper functioning of the integrated body and mind. A broad range of student services provided through the Division of Student Affairs are available to assist students in solving problems which negatively affect their performance. The Student Health and Counseling Center is designed to help students target health-related problems and fi nd solutions. The wellness concept encourages self-direction for a lifestyle, which addresses meaningful living, recognizes problems, initiates action, and promotes use of available services.