Section III. Definitions

Academic Misconduct
The term “classroom” as used in the Code includes, but is not restricted to, classrooms on or off campus, playing fields, and laboratories including UALR computer areas on or off campus, and field trips associated with class-related matters. Faculty and students share responsibility for maintaining a proper learning environment in the classroom. Faculty members shall establish fair and reasonable standards in such matters as attendance, seating arrangements, class decorum, submission of assigned work, regular and make-up examinations, and grading. Faculty members shall make their standards known to each class at the earliest opportunity. Students may not disturb normal classroom procedures by distracting or disruptive behavior. Students may not gain undue advantage over their classmates by deceptive or dishonest means.

Accused
Any alleged violator of a university regulation, a major governing group regulation, or a living unit regulation.

Accuser
A person or persons bringing charges against the accused.

Appeal
A proceeding by which a case is brought from a lower to a higher judicial committee or authority for re-examination, review, or rehearing.

Bar Against Re-enrollment
A bar (flag) against re-enrollment may be imposed by the appropriate university official against a student who fails to pay a debt owed to the university (in which case the flag terminates upon payment of bill), who fails to respond to a summons by the dean of students or designee to discuss an alleged violation of student misconduct, who fails to comply with any authorized sanction or who does not adhere to stipulations of a disciplinary sanction, or a withdrawal or an involuntary withdrawal for medical reasons pending the outcome of a psychiatric medical evaluation and clearance. The bar shall be removed upon notification of the appropriate university official to the Office of Records and Registration.

Behavior
Means compliance with the policies, rules, regulations, directives, resolutions, and memoranda approved or issued by the president or chancellor of the university, and local, state, and federal laws. For the purpose of this code or document, “behavior” and “behavioral standards” are used as having the same connotations.

Citation
A summons calling for an appearance at the Department of Public Safety or the Office of the Dean of Students. A UALR police officer may issue a citation if he or she has reasonable grounds to believe the person committed a minor violation of the Code or federal, state, and local laws. Failure to appear may result in a warrant for an arrest or a bar against re-enrollment.

Class Days
Sunday through Saturday when classes are in session. This does not include final exam periods or holidays.

Classroom
Includes, but is not restricted to, classrooms on or off campus, playing fields, laboratories including UALR computer areas on or off campus, and field trips associated with class-related matters.

Classroom Disruptions
Students may not disturb normal classroom procedures by distracting or disruptive behavior.

Confidentiality
Secrecy; security; communicated or disclosed only to authorized persons. Confidentiality means the ethical, moral, and often legal responsibility not to divulge personal information obtained in the course of a professional relationship, except:

  1. When necessary in the opinion of the university administrators or officials to prevent an individual’s serious injury to self or others.
  2. To an administrator, or instructor for use in carrying on the internal operations of the institution; and
  3. When ordered by a competent judicial authority to release (subpoena) such information.
  4. When allowed or required by federal, state, or local laws.

Contempt
Willful disobedience to or open disrespect of a judicial committee or officer acting in a judicial capacity.

Disciplinary Records
Disciplinary documents and records are maintained in the Office of the Dean of Students.

Flag
Administrative action which restricts a student’s ability to enroll in courses.

Group
Refers to students who have not yet complied with the formal requirements of the university student organization registration. (See Student Organization.)

Incident Report
Accompanies the Pre-hearing Information Form or letter. It is usually submitted by a person or persons with direct knowledge of an alleged violation, and it outlines in detail the violation(s) of regulation(s). This report may also include secondary or indirect knowledge of a case.

Implementation
The carrying out or fulfillment of the requirements for participation in the student judicial system.

Notification
Written notice of a pending or resultant judicial proceeding, which has been acknowledged in writing by a person or persons to whom the notice is directed.

Post-hearing Information Form/Letter
The form used by a judicial committee or administrative official to notify concerned parties of the results of a hearing and notice of appeal.

Pre-hearing Information Form/Letter
The form used by a judicial committee or administrative official to notify concerned parties of an impending hearing and give preliminary information.

Procedural Due Process
Articles which constitute a preamble to the university judicial system affording certain individual rights to both accused and accuser in a hearing. The main component of the definition of due process is fairness. Though this definition includes several legally required stipulations, i.e., notice, expeditiousness, hearing, etc., the specific manner in which fairness is carried out retains an element of judgment. The judicial committees are not, nor are they intended to function as, courts of law. This distinction is an important one to the viability of a judicial system that is part of an institution of higher education.

Regulations
Rules, policies, or laws by which conduct is ordered or governed.

Sanction
An action that gives binding force to a regulation and assists the student in reshaping behavior(s).

Student
For the purpose of this section “student” means any person who is registered for study in the university for the current academic period. A person shall be considered a student during any period which follows the end of the spring or fall semester which the student has completed until the last day for registration for the next succeeding semester, summer terms excluded, or any person accepted for admission or re-admission.

Student Organization
Means a group or association of at least five (5) students who have complied with the formal requirements for university student organization registration.

Unauthorized Presence
No person may be present in any class, lecture, laboratory period, orientation session, examination, or other instructional session, or in any room or office without the consent of an authorized university official, staff, or faculty member. A person shall be deemed present without consent in any of the above mentioned places if such person is not then enrolled and in good standing as a member of the instructional session or such person refuses to provide identification and refuses to leave on request of a person in charge. Any person found in violation of this regulation may be subject to disciplinary action.

University Document
Any written communication or record maintained by the university.

University Judiciary, Hearing, Appeal Committees and Boards
The university committees and boards are the Academic Integrity and Grievance Committee, Behavioral Standards Committee, Student Affairs Committee, College Panhellenic Council, National Pan-Hellenic Council, and Interfraternity Council Judicial Boards, and the University Judicial Appeals Committee. Their jurisdiction extends to students and student organizations charged with violations of campus behavioral standards, breaches of academic integrity, and dishonesty. The College Panhellenic, National Pan-Hellenic, and Interfraternity judiciary boards’ jurisdiction extends to group violations of sororities and fraternities charged with group violations of the Code or laws, disputes among Greek groups, and violations of bylaws and policies of the governing bodies.

University Premises or University-Related Premises
All land, buildings, facilities, and equipment owned, leased, on loan, or controlled by the university.

Violation
A breach, infringement, disobedience, or disrespect of a university regulation.

Witness
A person who saw or can give a first-hand account of an incident, or a person who testifies at a hearing.

Handbook