XIV. Other University Policies
A. Student Mailing Address:
All students are responsible for keeping the University informed of their current local mailing address. If a residence has not been established at the time of enrollment or if the student changes addresses during the semester, a change of address form must be completed in the Registrar's Office or students themselves can change their address on the web.
B. Official Announcements:
Official announcements are published in the Official Bulletins section of the Daily O'Collegian. Students are held responsible for regularly checking this section.
C. Definition of Fund Raising and Sales Solicitation:
For the purpose of this document, the terms “fund raising” and “solicitation of funds” will mean the solicitation of donations, the charging of admission, or the selling of products and services.
D. Solicitation on Campus:
Normally, solicitation can be divided into the following categories:
1. Housing: All solicitation in University recognized housing must have primary approval of the appropriate administrative heads (i.e., Residence Halls Coordinators, Fraternity and Sorority Affairs Manager, Assistant Director, Residential Life-University Apartments).
2. Student Organizations: Solicitation by recognized student organizations will follow these steps:
a. Obtain a solicitation permit from the Office of Campus Life.
b. Secure permission from the head of the department affected by the sale, if appropriate.
c. Sales solicitation to more than one campus group or residence must have the approval of all student groups and department heads which are affected by the sale. The scheduling of space and/or charges for space rental will be determined by the Director's Office of the Student Union and Residential Life.
No sales or solicitation may be conducted if such is in competition with products or services offered in the Student Union or in conflict with the covenants of the University bond requirements.
3. Private Enterprise: No private enterprise will be permitted to solicit business on University grounds, in academic buildings, or in University Physical Plant service facilities. The Student Union is available for such purpose.
In some cases, private enterprises will be allowed to engage in commercial activity outside of the Student Union, subject to the approval of the Director of Campus Life for University grounds or the Director of Residential Life for residential grounds.
Special permission or concession contracts may be granted for sales and solicitation from tables or space allocated for such in approved non-academic public spaces. A rental fee may be assessed by the University agency assigned responsibility for approving the solicitation space. Newspapers sold through wire racks will not be charged a rental-solicitation fee. Door-to-door sales to students’ rooms are not permitted at any time.
E. Charitable Fund Drives on Campus:
Solicitation of funds for charitable purposes involving the personnel of one college, one department, or one residence group, must be cleared in advance by the college dean, the department head, or the program coordinator. Solicitation involving broader segments of the student body must be cleared with the Director of Campus Life.
F. Distribution of Literature:
Distribution of handbills, pamphlets, etc., is a privilege granted primarily to students of recognized and registered organizations. All such literature must bear the name of the organization or responsible individual on the front page of the material distributed. Such material may be distributed only in those areas designated as distribution areas by the Office of Campus Life or residence hall coordinators, as appropriate. A copy of the literature to be distributed must be filed with the Office of Campus Life.
1. The privilege of distribution is available to all free student publications.
2. For buildings other than organized living units, the Director of Campus Life shall determine, after consultation with the administrative occupants, the places of distribution.
3. The establishment of self-service stands for the sale of student publications shall be permitted in the lobby of the Student Union without charge to the sponsoring department, agency, or group subject to scheduling procedures.
4. Free distribution and sale by students of student publications shall be permitted on the campus outside the confines of campus buildings subject only to such limitations as deemed necessary by the Office of Campus Life to prevent interference with the use of streets, sidewalks, and building entrances and as are consistent with established guidelines.
G. Extracurricular Use of University Facilities, Areas or Media for the Purpose of Expression:
A goal of the faculty, students, administration, staff, and Board of Regents, is for Oklahoma State University to be a superior educational center for the preservation, transmission, and discovery of knowledge. The mission of the University recognizes and protects free inquiry and free expression as indispensable components of the critical examination of philosophies and ideas. Accordingly, the Board of Regents has adopted a policy statement governing the use of University facilities, area, or media for the purpose of expression. A complete copy of this policy statement is annexed as “Appendix A” to this document.
H. Gender Discrimination and Sexual Harassment:
It is the policy of Oklahoma State University (OSU) that unlawful gender discrimination in any form, including sexual harassment of faculty and staff, or other forms of gender discrimination as referenced by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. §2000e (Title VII), and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, 20 U.S.C. §1681 (Title IX), is prohibited in the workplace and in the recruitment, appointment, and advancement of employees. Gender discrimination of students, including sexual harassment, as referenced by Title IX, is prohibited in and out of the classroom and in the evaluation of students' academic or work performance. This policy is in keeping with the spirit and intent of various federal guidelines which address the issue of fair employment practices, ethical standards and enforcement procedures.
The University encourages victims to report instances of gender discrimination prohibited by Title IX or Title VII, including but not limited to, sexual assault or other sex offenses, either forcible or nonforcible in nature. In addition to internal grievance procedures, victims of criminal gender discrimination (e.g., sexual assault or harassment) are encouraged to file complaints or reports with campus police or local law enforcement agencies as soon as possible after the offense occurs in order to preserve evidence necessary to the proof of criminal offenses. The OSU Police Department is available to assist victims in filing reports with other law enforcement agencies.
All students, members of the faculty, and non-faculty staff personnel are required to comply with the policy and procedures outlined to address complaints about gender discrimination, sexual harassment and sexual assault. In addition to the procedures outlined in this policy statement, discrimination and harassment complaints may be filed with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (involving employment) or U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (involving education programs or activities). Any complaint of gender discrimination or sexual harassment filed under the University's policy shall be processed even if the complainant also files a complaint or suit with an outside agency, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights. Retaliation against anyone who makes a complaint or participates in the complaint process will not be tolerated.
The University will (1) respond to every complaint of gender discrimination, sexual harassment, or sexual assault reported, (2) take action to provide remedies when gender discrimination, sexual harassment, or sexual assault is discovered, (3) impose appropriate sanctions on offenders in a case-by-case manner, and (4) protect the privacy of all those involved to the extent it is possible. The above actions will apply to the extent permitted by law or where personal safety is not an issue.
Any individual who believes he/she may have experienced gender discrimination, including sexual harassment, or who believes that he/she has observed such actions taking place, may receive information and assistance regarding the University's policies and responsive processes from any of the following offices:
1. Director of Affirmative Action / Title IX Coordinator
408 Whitehurst Hall
405-744-5371
2. Student Judicial Affairs Coordinator
326 Student Union Building
405-744-5470
3. Vice President for Student Affairs
201 Whitehurst Hall
405-744-5328
4. System Senior Vice President
101D Whitehurst Hall
405-744-5627
If an apparent conflict of interest prevents use of the assistance of the above offices, the person complaining of gender discrimination, sexual harassment, or sexual assault may request assistance directly from the Office of the President, 107 Whitehurst Hall (405-744-6384).
The two University officials most directly involved in reviewing allegations of unlawful gender discrimination are:
The Title IX Coordinator for OSU, Dr. Carolyn Hernandez, Director of Affirmative Action/Ombudsperson, 408 Whitehurst, OSU, Stillwater, OK 74078, (405) 744-5371.
Ms. Tawny Taylor, Coordinator, Student Judicial Affairs, 326 Student Union, Stillwater, OK 74078, (405) 744-5470.
Copies of the University’s policy and procedures letters regarding gender discrimination, including, but not limited to, sexual harassment, may be found at Oklahoma State University Policy and Procedures Letter No. 1-0702, and in “Appendix B” annexed to this document.
I. Other Student Discrimination Grievances:
In addition to the prohibition of discrimination on the basis of gender (Section I, above) it is the policy of Oklahoma State University to provide equal opportunity to all students enrolled at the University without discrimination because of race, age, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, or qualified disability. Oklahoma State University students shall have available to them certain procedures for resolving complaints and grievances regarding alleged illegal discrimination as well as alleged arbitrary and/or unreasonable acts of discrimination, which may arise in areas related to admission or treatment while enrolled at the institution and non-academic complaints related to employees, campus living, and student life not otherwise covered by applicable University policy.
All students enrolled at the University who have a non-gender discrimination complaint related to an area as previously described that cannot be resolved informally between the parties involved, may request a hearing before a grievance committee which shall hear the alleged grievance and make recommendations to the appropriate vice president to resolve the complaint.
Formal student discrimination complaints will be filed with and administered by Student Judicial Affairs and will be resolved following due process procedures as described in Section IV (Disciplinary Responsibility) of Student Rights and Responsibilities Governing Student Behavior. Detailed informal and formal complaint procedures are available in the Office of Student Judicial Affairs and the Affirmative Action Office/Title IX Coordinator.
These grievance procedures neither supersede nor take precedence over established University procedures of due process for any and all matters related to Academic Appeals, Traffic Appeals, and Disciplinary Appeals. Approved by the Board of Regents, June 1998.
J. Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974
(Buckley Amendment):
Oklahoma State University provides students with all protection provided under the Family Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, also sometimes referred to as the “Buckley Amendments.” As part of these policy statements, students have the right to file with the Registrar's Office during the first two weeks of the fall semester, written requests not to release directory information pertaining to them. Directory information will be released by the Registrar until a specific request by a student is received asking that the information not be released. A complete statement of student rights under these laws and the University's declaration of what constitutes “directory information” can be found in “Appendix D” annexed to this document.
K. Equal Opportunity Policy:
Oklahoma State University, in compliance with Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order 11246 as amended, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1974 (Higher Education Act), the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, and other federal laws and regulations, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, or status as a veteran in any of its policies, practices, or procedures. This includes but is not limited to admissions, employment, financial aid, and student services.
L. Health and Immunization Responsibilities:
1. Students are responsible for compliance with the immunization policies set forth by the State of Oklahoma and the University.
a. All new students, regardless of entering classification or hours enrolled, are required to submit to OSU the Immunization and Health History form and supporting copies of immunizations. The form and details are available at: http://www.okstate.edu/UHS/immform/pdf
b. Students have the right to more information regarding immunizations. Supporting information can be found at the above website.
2. Students have the right to exercise a religious, moral or personal objection to the immunization policies of OSU and the State of Oklahoma. Objections must be submitted in writing using the Certificate of Exemption form found at the above-listed website.
3. In some circumstances, students may be directed by OSU physicians, their private physician or the Oklahoma State Department of Health to restrict their contact with other students or to not attend class. In those cases, University staff can work to coordinate absences with instructors, with the written permission of the student.
4. Students who choose to be treated at University Health Services are entitled to specific rights and responsibilities. These are defined at:
http://www.okstate.edu/UHS/uhsabout.htm
M. Drug Free School and Workplace Programs:
Oklahoma State University complies with the provisions of the federal Drug Free Workplace Act of 1989 and the Drug Free School and Communities Act Amendments of 1990. University policies adopted to implement these federal requirements provide for the possibility of serious disciplinary action in the event of alcohol abuse or illicit drug use on campus or in connection with University functions, or for mandatory referral to approved rehabilitation, assistance programs. Copies of the University's policy statements are annexed to this document as “Appendix E” (Drug Free Workplace Act) and “Appendix F” (Drug Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments).
N. Financial Aid Policies and Procedures:
Oklahoma State University complies with all federal laws and administrative regulations concerning the availability and disbursal of financial aid. A synopsis of the University policies and procedures affecting financial aid is annexed to this document as “Appendix G.”
O. Student Complaints Regarding Faculty or Nonfaculty Staff:
Students who believe that they have been unfairly treated by members of the faculty or nonfaculty staff of the University have the right to seek redress through several different procedural channels. Complaints about faculty conduct not related to grades are required to be processed as set forth in the [“Policy Statement To Govern Appointments, Tenure, Promotions, And Related Matters Of The Faculty Of Oklahoma State University.”] Academic grade appeals are required to be processed through the academic appeal process supervised by the Office of the Provost and Senior Vice President. Complaints about conduct by nonfaculty staff employees are required to be processed as set forth in the University Policy and Procedures Letters governing Classified and Administrative/Professional staff. Copies of these policies may be found in the University library, the Office of the Provost and Senior Vice President, or the Human Resources Office. In appropriate circumstances, students may be assisted by the University Office of Affirmative Action regarding understanding their rights to seek internal review of complaints.
P. No student organization or any person associated with any organization sanctioned or authorized by the governing board of any public or private school or institution of higher education in this state shall engage or participate in hazing. Complete information can be seen in Appendix H.
This document was approved by the Board of Regents, February 1993. Included are minor changes approved by Board of Regents Legal Counsel in July 1995, September 1996, September 1997, June 1998, August 1999, August 2000, July 2002, July 2003, July 2004, and August 2005.
Revisions approved by The Board of Regents, September, 2001, July, 2002.