Rensselaer Hartford- Policies

Rensselaer's Hartford Campus is committed to protecting the rights of students and takes a humanitarian view of this disease.

Acts of Intolerance

We at Rensselaer's Hartford Campus take the strongest possible stand to publicly condemn racism, religious intolerance, sexism, and all acts of hatred or violence based on difference. Acts of intolerance are directly contrary to the mission of Rensselaer.

Each student will be treated equally with dignity and assured security in pursuit of his or her educational goals. Acts of violence, harassment, or degradation based on intolerance of race, gender, national or ethnic origin, sexual orientation, age, religion, or disability are inconsistent with the educational process and have no place at Rensselaer.

Rensselaer's Hartford Campus joins with members of the higher education community to promote pluralism and foster tolerance while encouraging a diverse student population.

Resolution and Hearing Procedure

Each member of the community is responsible for reporting any acts or practices that are contrary to the promotion of pluralism to the Acting Associate Dean for Student Services. The Associate Dean is responsible for a timely investigation of the alleged violation and implementation of the established grievance and hearing procedure as required. Penalties for students found in violation of this policy include dismissal from Rensselaer's Hartford Campus.

Academic Integrity

All members of the Rensselaer community are expected to assume responsibility for honor, honesty, and integrity in their academic work. Violators of a proper code of behavior are subject to the Grievance and Hearing Procedure described here. Penalties for students found in violation of this Policy include dismissal.

Definitions of Academic Dishonesty

Academic Fraud
Alteration of documentation relating to the grading process. For example, changing exam solutions to negotiate for a higher grade.
Collaboration
Deliberate facilitation of academic dishonesty in any form. For example, allowing another student to use one's previously submitted term paper.
Copying
Deliberately observing the paper of another student. For example, noting which alternative a student has circled on a multiple-choice examination.
Cribbing
Use or attempted use of prohibited materials, information, or study aids in an academic exercise. For example, using an unauthorized formula sheet during an examination.
Fabrication
Unauthorized falsification or invention of any information in an academic exercise. For example, use of purchased term papers.
Plagiarism
Representing the work or words of another as one's own through deliberate omission of acknowledgment or reference. For example, using sentences verbatim from a published source in a term paper without appropriate referencing.
Sabotage
Destruction of another student's work related to an academic exercise. For example, destroying a computer program developed by another student.
Substitution
Using a proxy, or acting as a proxy, in any academic exercise. For example, taking an exam for another student, or having a homework assignment done by someone else.

Note: The definitions and examples presented here are not to be construed as an exhaustive list. They are provided as samples of several types of academic dishonesty.

Affirmative Action

Rensselaer's Hartford Campus is an independent, nonsectarian, coeducational institution which admits qualified students without regard to gender, marital status, religion, race, color, nationality or ethnic origin, ancestry, age, sexual orientation, or disability.

Students who feel they have been subject to a form of discrimination contrary to the Affirmative Action policies have access to the formal grievance procedures.

First, the student should seek the assistance of the Acting Associate Dean for Student Services. If the student continues to feel there is an unresolved issue on a question of discrimination, the student may initiate the established Rensselaer's Hartford Campus grievance procedures. Further information on this process may be obtained from the Acting Associate Dean for Student Services.

Cancellation and Delayed Opening Policy

The decision to cancel classes or to delay opening the facilities is often very difficult.

We do our best to base the decision on the most current weather service information and predictions available. Our judgment is made on conditions in the Greater Hartford area at the time the decision is made. Since weather and road conditions often differ dramatically in our region, please use your own judgment to decide if you are able to arrive and return home from class safely during periods of inclement weather.

Emergency announcements will be aired at 2 p.m. on the day of the occurrence and by 6:30 a.m. for Saturday classes. They will also run on answering machines at the Hartford Campus (860) 548-2400 or (800) 433-4723 (press "6" for weather closing information), the Groton site (860) 449-8157, and be posted on our Web site: www.ewp.rpi.edu/hartford/webgen/closing. Additionally, the following radio and television stations will be notified:

WDRC (1360 AM/103 FM)
WFSB TV-3
WRCH (100.5 FM)
WKND (1480 AM)
WTYD/WNCL/WICH/WCTY (101 FM/1510 AM/97 FM)
WTIC (1080 AM/96.5 FM)
WVIT Channel 30
WZMX (93.7 FM)
WSUB/WQGN (98 AM/105 FM)

Please also note that these stations run announcements as a public service. Unfortunately, we cannot be responsible for their failure to broadcast our requests.

Persons with Disabilities

Rensselaer's Hartford Campus is committed to achieving equal educational opportunity and full participation for persons with disabilities. No qualified person will be excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or otherwise subjected to discrimination in any program or activity offered.

A physical or functional impairment is a disability only to the extent that it prevents participation in some valued experience, activity, or role. Rensselaer's Hartford Campus strives to accommodate persons with disabilities by attempting to provide full participation and integration, and taking care not to erect new barriers.

This plan is based on the principle of nondiscrimination for persons with disabilities in Connecticut higher education in areas related to employment, access to facilities, student programs, activities, and services.

Illegal Drugs and Alcohol Abuse

While Rensselaer's Hartford Campus has no intention of intruding into the private lives or conduct of its students, staff, or faculty, it expects that all constituents will be in a condition to meet their responsibilities and refrain from conduct that could adversely affect their performance. The goal is to maintain a working and learning environment that is free from the effects of alcohol, illegal drugs, and the misuse or abuse of legal substances including, but not limited to, prescription drugs.

The illegal use of drugs, sale or possession of narcotics and alcohol, and the influence of these substances on students is inconsistent with Rensselaer's Hartford Campus objectives and will not be tolerated.

Individuals who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol have the potential for interfering with their own safety and the safety of others. Therefore, such conditions will be proper cause for disciplinary action, including possible dismissal and/or notification of the appropriate law enforcement agency.

Drug Abuse
Rensselaer's Hartford Campus will not condone the illegal use, sale, or distribution of drugs on its premises. Rensselaer's Hartford Campus premises are considered to be all property, including its garage and parking lots in Hartford, and the facility in Groton . To insure the well-being of the staff, faculty, and students, any reported occurrences of illegal use, sale, or distribution will immediately be reported to the appropriate law enforcement agencies.

Alcohol Abuse
Rensselaer's Hartford Campus recognizes that alcoholism is a disease and a disability, and as part of its educational mission accepts the obligation to assist students afflicted with this illness in a fair, just, and effective manner.

Should there be sufficient evidence that deficiencies in performance in the classroom are related to alcoholism and seriously impact the actions of the student, it is the responsibility of the instructor to offer a student the opportunity for competent medical diagnosis and recommended treatment. Students will be counseled by the Acting Associate Dean for Student Services. Extreme care will be taken at every step of this process to preserve confidentiality and the reputation of the individual. Should the student refuse treatment, or should behavior continue to negatively impact performance or create a dangerous environment, disciplinary actions may be warranted.

If treatment is accepted, Rensselaer's Hartford Campus guarantees that as in the case of any illness or disability, neither the illness nor acceptance of treatment themselves will be cause for any adverse consequences.

The Acting Associate Dean for Student Services is responsible for implementation of this policy and for referring affected individuals to appropriate treatment sites.

Health Risks
Rensselaer's Hartford Campus believes that the better informed you are about the health risks associated with the use of illicit drugs and the abuse of alcohol, the more likely you are to avoid these substances altogether or to seek help if you become the victim of chemical dependence. Therefore, the following is a summary of the various health risks associated with alcohol abuse and use of specific types of drugs. This summary is not intended to be an exhaustive or final statement of all possible consequences of substance abuse, but rather is intended to increase your awareness of the grave risks involved in this kind of behavior.

Alcohol Use and Abuse
Alcohol is the most widely used and abused drug in the United States. Alcohol consumption has acute effects on the body and causes a number of marked changes in behavior. Even low doses significantly impair the judgment and coordination required to drive a car safely, increasing the likelihood that the driver will be involved in an accident. Low to moderate doses of alcohol also increase the incidence of a variety of aggressive acts, including spouse and child abuse, as well as dangerous risk-taking behavior. Moderate to high doses of alcohol cause marked impairments in higher mental functions, severely altering a person's ability to learn and remember information. Very high doses cause respiratory depression and death. If combined with other depressants of the central nervous system, lower doses of alcohol can be fatal.

Repeated use of alcohol can lead to physical and psychological dependence. Dependent persons who suddenly stop drinking are likely to suffer withdrawal symptoms, including severe anxiety, tremors, hallucinations, and convulsions. Alcohol withdrawal can be life-threatening. Long-term consumption of large quantities of alcohol, particularly when combined with poor nutrition, can also lead to permanent damage to vital organs such as the brain and the liver.

Mothers who drink alcohol during pregnancy may give birth to infants with fetal alcohol syndrome. These infants have irreversible physical abnormalities and mental retardation. In addition, research indicates that children of alcoholic parents have an increased risk of becoming alcoholics themselves.

Use of Illicit Drugs
Drugs interfere with the brain's ability to take in, sort, and synthesize information. They distort perception, which can lead users to harm themselves or others. Drug use also affects sensation and impairs memory. In addition to these general effects, specific health risks may be associated with particular types of drug use.

For further information about any of these issues, please contact Rebecca M. Danchak, Acting Associate Dean for Student Services, at (860) 548-2421 or (800) 433-4723, ext. 2421.

Drug Education Program
Rensselaer's Hartford Campus has adopted a drug education program for students and employees. The drug education program is required of all institutions of higher education participating in any federal financial assistance program, including those administered by the U.S. Department of Education. Since Rensselaer's Hartford Campus participates with Federal Family Education Loan Programs, we are mandated to comply.

We are concerned that drug abuse can take its toll on job performance and the safety and productivity of students and employees. Rensselaer's Hartford Campus is therefore committed to taking whatever steps are necessary to maintain a drug-free workforce.

We are dedicated to helping students and employees overcome any alcohol or drug abuse problems they may have, and we are prepared to provide confidential referral services to help those with drug abuse or other problems. If you think that you, or someone you know, has an alcohol or drug abuse problem, we urge you to use this program.

Rensselaer's Hartford Campus Drug Education Program requires annual distribution of this document. Other relevant documents are available in the Office of Admissions, Security Office, and in the Cole Library in Hartford. They are:

Furthermore, Rensselaer's Hartford Campus is required to review this program on a biennial basis and recommend changes as appropriate. We must also ensure that stated disciplinary sanctions are consistently enforced. A Committee has been appointed to monitor these activities and issue recommendations. The current members are: Paul J. Murphy, Manager, Operations and Facilities; Rebecca M. Danchak, Acting Associate Dean for Student Services; and John F. Gonyea, Financial Aid Officer.

Drug-Free Institution
Rensselaer's Hartford Campus is a drug-free environment. As such, the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs or alcohol by students or employees on our property or as part of any of our activities is prohibited.

Alcohol may not be part of any meeting, function, class session, or reception without the approval of the Vice President and Dean. In addition to violating policy, the liability issue to the institution is obvious, and in certain instances, such practices jeopardize the perception of our academic reputation.

A description of the applicable legal sanctions under local, state, or federal laws for the unlawful possession or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol is provided in the web version of Rensselaer's Hartford Campus Student Handbook. This version can be viewed at: www.ewp.rpi.edu/hartford/publications/handbook/current

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

Rensselaer's Hartford Campus complies with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974 (Section 438 of the General Education Provisions Act, Title IV of Public Law 90-247), as amended.

This Act provides that students attending any postsecondary educational institution which receives federal funds are entitled to have access to their educational records kept by the institution in order to inspect and review those records. Students are entitled to petition Rensselaer's Hartford Campus for the amendment or correction of any information in their educational records which they feel is inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of their privacy or other rights. Guidelines are also provided for the conduct of informal and formal hearings. A student may present evidence that the records are inaccurate and seek to have them amended or corrected. Rensselaer's Hartford Campus complies fully with provisions of the Act, limiting the disclosure of certain information contained in students’ educational records to the following circumstances:

As a public service, Rensselaer's Hartford Campus may disclose, without the student’s prior written consent, “directory information” available for public use and has designated, as is provided by the FERPA regulations, the following as directory information: the student’s name, address, telephone number, date and place of birth, major field of study, dates of attendance, degrees, honors, awards received, class year in school, and other educational institutions attended prior to enrollment at Rensselaer's Hartford Campus. A student may refuse to permit the designation as directory information of any or all of the personally identifiable information listed above. Such a request must be made in writing to the Office of the Registrar by the end of the second week of classes each term.

Copies of Rensselaer's Hartford Campus complete Statement of Policy and Procedures in Compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act may be obtained upon request from the Office of the Registrar.

After seeking correction through the internal grievance procedures specified in Rensselaer's Hartford Campus policy statement, a student who believes that Rensselaer's Hartford Campus has failed to comply with the provisions of this Act has the right to file a written complaint with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act Office, Department of Education, Room 3021, 400 Maryland Avenue, Washington, DC 20202.

General Academic Regulations

Students are expected to be familiar with Rensselaer's Hartford Campus academic regulations and the particular degree requirements.

An exception to the academic regulations may be granted when circumstances indicate that this is in the best interest of the student and his or her educational objectives. Such requests are reviewed individually, and the student should first consult with the appointed Faculty Advisor.

Students are urged to discuss problems affecting their educational program with the department Chair, or Faculty Advisor. The Acting Associate Dean for Student Services also welcomes such discussions.

Grievance and Hearing Procedure

Given the attributes of Rensselaer's Hartford Campus students, complaints, problems, and disputes can generally be resolved through individual discussions between those involved. When such negotiations prove unsatisfactory, a student or instructor may file a grievance.

A fair and timely resolution of grievances is important to both students and faculty. Therefore, the following procedure and approximate timetable have been established:

*An appeal to the Dean of the Hartford Campus requires a written letter explaining the reasons for the appeal. The Director of Admissions will provide a complete copy of all documents and decisions of the Faculty Committee on Academic Standing. The Dean reviews these materials along with the letter of appeal and provides a written decision to the individual appealing.

Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics

Federal law mandates institutions of higher education that receive federal funds must provide detailed information about crime statistics and plans for crime prevention.

The security of all members of the campus community is of vital concern to Rensselaer's Hartford Campus. This document contains information specific to Rensselaer's Hartford Campus but is not a direct response to the Clery Crime Awareness Law. The report provides students, employees, and interested individuals information on the security operations, building hours, and policies concerning drugs, alcohol, weapons, sexual assault, sexual harassment, and acts of intolerance. It includes crime prevention advice, the authority of campus security, policies concerning the reporting of any crimes which may occur on the campus, and crime statistics for the most recent three-year period.

The 2007 Campus Security Report with updated information in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act is available on our Web site at: www.ewp.rpi.edu/hartford/publications/camp_sec_reps/current as of October 1, 2007.

Rensselaer's Hartford Campus and Groton Site are totally smoke-free facilities.

Student Rights in the Classroom

Students have the right to be informed about the content and educational intent of a course, and about the procedures and standards by which they are to be evaluated.
Accordingly, at the beginning of each course, students should be provided with: