Basic Code of Conduct
Claremont Graduate University is committed to maintaining a community and environment that promotes our educational mission of preparing a diverse group of outstanding individuals to assume leadership roles in the worldwide community through research, teaching, and practice in selected fields. Students, faculty, and staff are expected to respect the person and property of all constituents, and the educational and administrative processes and policies of Claremont Graduate University and The Claremont Colleges.
Violation of this basic code of conduct on the property of any of The Claremont Colleges or the Claremont University Consortium constitutes an offense against Claremont Graduate University and may result in disciplinary action up to and including dismissal.
Nondiscrimination Policy
Academic potential is the criterion Claremont Graduate University has traditionally applied in selecting students. Claremont Graduate University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, or disability in any of its policies, procedures, or practices, in compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. This nondiscrimination policy covers admission and access to, and treatment and employment in, the Graduate University’s programs and activities. The Graduate University recognizes its obligation to provide overall program accessibility throughout the campus for disabled persons. To request a copy of the grievance procedures covering discrimination complaints, or to request information regarding equal opportunity policies and the filing of grievances, contact the appropriate representative listed below.
Students:
James Whitaker
Vice President for Student Services and Dean of Students
Harper East, (909) 621-8965
Faculty and Staff:
Yi Feng
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Harper 122, (909) 621-8068
Inquiries regarding federal laws and regulations concerning nondiscrimination in education or the Graduate University’s compliance with those provisions also may be directed to:
Office for Civil Rights
U.S. Department of Education
Old Federal Building, 50 United Nations Plaza
San Francisco, CA 94102
Policy on AIDS and Nondiscrimination
Claremont Graduate University does not discriminate against any student, administrator, faculty, or staff who has, or is perceived to have, AIDS, AIDS-related complex (ARC), or HIV seropositive status. A copy of the full CGU policy statement regarding AIDS and nondiscrimination is available from the dean of students.
Sexual Assault Policy
It is the policy of Claremont Graduate University to ensure, to the fullest extent possible, that any student, faculty, or staff member who is a victim of sexual assault committed on the campus shall receive treatment, support, and information; and to encourage victims of sexual assault to make full use of these provisions.
CGU will not tolerate sexual assault, whether directed at males or females, or whether committed by a stranger or an acquaintance. CGU has an obligation to address the needs of the sexual assault victim as well as a responsibility to protect the other members of the campus community from potential sexual assaults. Referrals for treatment will be made and ongoing support will be offered to victims. To protect the privacy of the victim, confidentiality regarding the name of the victim will be maintained.
CGU will make the CGU community aware of any rapes or other sexual assaults by strangers on campus, and will judge the need for reporting acquaintance rapes to the community on a case-by-case basis. The University is legally obligated to report to the federal government the number of sexual assaults that occur on campus each year. In the case of a stranger rape, the location of the incident will be made known in order to determine if the area itself is hazardous and needs attention by the Physical Plant Department or increased security patrols. If, for reasons of safety, the campus community is to be notified of the occurrence of the assault, the victim will be informed prior to such notification. Members of the CGU community will be notified of assaults or rapes that occur on other Claremont Colleges campuses if the dean of students or the director of human resources receives that information. The victim or the campus individual first notified should immediately contact the appropriate representative listed below:
Students:
James Whitaker
Vice President for Student Services and Dean of Students
Harper East, (909) 621-8965
Faculty and Staff:
Brenda Leswick
Associate Vice President of Human Resources
Harper 118, (909) 621-8686
Sexual Harassment Policy
Claremont Graduate University is committed to creating and maintaining a community in which students, faculty, administration, and staff can work together in an atmosphere free from sexual harassment, while respecting individual roles. Every member of the CGU community should be aware that the Graduate University is strongly opposed to sexual harassment and that such behavior is prohibited by both federal and state law and by University policy. It is the intention of the Graduate University to prevent, correct, and, if necessary, discipline behavior that violates this policy. Sexual harassment is defined to mean any attempt to coerce an unwilling person into a sexual relationship, to subject a person to unwanted sexual attention, or to punish a refusal to comply.
All reports of sexual harassment will be promptly investigated and,where necessary, disciplinary action will be taken against an employee or student found guilty of sexual harassment. Filing of a complaint must be done within six months of the alleged occurrence.
Inquiries regarding policy or procedures and sexual harassment complaints are to be brought to the attention of the appropriate official listed below:
Students:
James Whitaker
Vice President for Student Services and Dean of Students
Harper East, (909) 621-8965
Faculty:
Yi Feng
Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
Harper 122, (909) 621-8068
Staff:
Brenda Leswick
Associate Vice President of Human Resources
Harper 118, (909) 621-8686
Policy on Explosives, Firearms, and Other Weapons
Possession, use, or transportation of firearms or “deadly weapons” is prohibited on the property of Claremont Graduate University. According to the California State Penal Code, Section 626.9(b), any person who brings or possesses a firearm upon the grounds of, or within, a private institution is guilty of a felony, punishable by imprisonment in the state prison for one, two, or three years. In addition, law prohibits the use of firearms in Claremont, Los Angeles County, or in the western portion of San Bernardino County.
The state law, as well as Claremont Graduate University, prohibits bringing firecrackers or explosive materials of any kind onto any part of the campus or into the buildings. This includes combustibles in containers such as gasoline cans. Also, gasoline-powered scooters and motorcycles cannot be stored in Graduate University housing.
Illegal knives, switchblades, and other blades that violate California state laws are prohibited. BB guns, pellet rifles, and other weapons that propel projectiles also are prohibited and are not allowed on campus. If necessary, recreational items may be stored at the Campus Safety office.
Violation of this policy by any member of the community will result in confiscation of the weapon and may result in disciplinary action.
Demonstration and Response Policy
Demonstration Policy
The undergraduate Claremont Colleges, Pomona College, Scripps College,Claremont McKenna College,Harvey Mudd College, and Pitzer College, together with Claremont Graduate University,Keck Graduate Institute, and Claremont University Consortium (CUC), are all member institutions of the “Claremont Colleges.” Each of these member institutions respects the rights of free speech and peaceable assembly and supports their exercise. However, when the exercise of speech and assembly becomes disruptive or non-peaceable and infringes upon the rights of others, threatens property or public safety, or impedes the business of the member colleges or CUC, the individual colleges and CUC will act according to this policy.
Every institution in the consortium has instituted procedures for presenting and peaceably resolving disagreements about policies. Officials at the individual Claremont Colleges and CUC are willing to examine, discuss, and explain institutional policies to any member of The Claremont Colleges community. However, participation in a demonstration that is materially disruptive and non-peaceful or involves the substantial disorder or invasion of the rights of others on the property of any of The Claremont Colleges or of Claremont University Consortium or their affiliated institutions is prohibited.
Determination of when a demonstration or action is non-peaceful or disruptive may be difficult, but The Claremont Colleges individually and collectively subscribe to the general guidelines listed below.
Non-peaceful actions or demonstrations are those that endanger or injure, or threaten to endanger or injure, any person, or that damage or threaten to damage property.
Disruptive actions or demonstrations are those that restrict free movement on any of the campuses, or interfere with, or impede access to, regular activities or facilities of any of the colleges or CUC.
If an officer or designee of an affected college or CUC informs individuals in a given area that their collective actions are judged non-peaceful or disruptive and that they should disperse, individuals remaining may be charged, on their home campus, with a violation of this policy.
Any individual acting in a non-peaceful or disruptive manner, whether he or she is acting individually or within a group, may be charged on the basis of the individual’s or group’s behavior with a violation of this policy. Ignorance of this policy or lack of intent to violate this policy is not an acceptable justification for violating it. Lack of intent or lack of awareness of the existence of college or Consortium policy will not excuse violations. Charges will be brought at the home college of the accused.
Any president on his or her home campus, or designee, or the chief executive officer of CUC, or designee, on the property of CUC, is authorized to take action against any individual violating this policy. Actions may include arrest, or other legal action, or notice of disciplinary charges and will be handled through the home college’s disciplinary procedures. The presidents and the chief executive officer of CUC may delegate their authority to act.
Response Policy
In the event of a non-peaceful or disruptive action on the property of any of The Claremont Colleges, CUC, or any of their affiliated offices or programs, the affected college or colleges or Claremont University Consortium will act according to the following procedures:
The president(s) of the college(s) where activities are disrupted or the chief executive officer of CUC, in the case of the property of CUC, will determine whether or not negotiation will take place with those involved in the demonstration or disruption. S/he will also determine the actions to be taken including, but not limited to, provisional or summary suspension or arrest. The president of the college may summarily suspend a student of his/her college violating this policy. However, the president of the college or the CEO of CUC will only have the authority to provisionally suspend a student representing one of the other Claremont Colleges— pending referral to the home campus disciplinary body.
The colleges and CUC agree that cases of student disruption or non-peaceful action normally will be treated as a violation of the student’s home campus conduct code and will be adjudicated by the normal disciplinary process at the student’s home college. Appropriate officials at the affected institution(s) may put disruptive or non-peaceful individuals on notice that they are in violation of this policy and file charges against them. Officials at the home campus agree to acknowledge requests for disciplinary action—including requests for suspension—and take action that is consistent with and/or allowed by disciplinary procedures at the home campus.
Officials at the other campuses will promptly provide assistance in identifying disruptive or non-peaceful individuals to the campus where the disruption occurs or to CUC.
All individuals who are engaged in disruptive or non-peaceful action will be notified that they are trespassing. Persons who continue to trespass after notification are subject to arrest (by a Peace Officer or by a Private Person as defined in California Penal Code Section 834). Individual Claremont Colleges and CUC may bill students or file civil suits to recover damages and costs.
While officials at affected colleges or CUC may temporarily revoke any or all student privileges or take steps to end disruptive or non-peaceful protests, the college at which the student is enrolled, and only that college, may adjudicate complaints and make final decisions about alleged violations of conduct, apart from those decisions made by a court of law.
Student Grievances
A grievance is defined as “a statement by a student that he/she has been wronged by either a failure to follow, or a breach, by Claremont Graduate University of its established policies and practices, which includes, but is not limited to: discrimination on the basis of race, color, creed, place of national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, or disability.”A“student” is anyone who was properly enrolled in Claremont Graduate University at the time the perceived wrong occurred. Complaints regarding faculty judgment of academic performance, which do not allege discrimination on any basis listed above, are not subject to a grievance procedure.
A formal complaint must be filed by the student within six months of the occurrence of the event deemed to be a grievance. A “complaint” is a formal statement of his/her grievance that a student files with the dean of students.
Inquiries regarding policy and procedures of the Graduate University, policy and procedures relating to The Claremont Colleges, and filing are to be directed to:
James Whitaker
Vice President for Student Services and Dean of Students
Harper East, (909) 621-8965
Intercampus Complaints
Complaints by a student, including alleged discrimination on any basis, relating to an individual affiliated with one of the other Claremont Colleges may be directed to:
James Whitaker
Vice President for Student Services and Dean of Students
Harper East, (909) 621-8965
When a Graduate University student is on the campus of another of The Claremont Colleges, he/she is expected to respect the regulations of that college as well as those of the Graduate University. If a student of another of The Claremont Colleges violates the regulations of the host college, judicial action may be brought against that student at his/her home college. The name of the student concerned, along with all pertinent information, will be sent to the dean of students of the college involved.
The administration of the host college may, at its own discretion, prohibit a student from coming onto its campus until judiciary action at the student’s home college is complete. Such a prohibition will be communicated to the student through his/her home college at the request of the host college.
Student Files: Privacy and Access (FERPA)
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974, also known as the Buckley Amendment, (a) establishes a postsecondary student’s general right to inspect and review his or her education records, and (b) generally prohibits outside parties from obtaining the information contained in such records without the student’s written consent. The law also provides several exceptions. For example, a student may not examine confidential letters and statements of recommendation that were placed in the files before January 1, 1975. Also, a student may choose to waive access to certain confidential recommendations placed in the file after that date.
The paragraphs below delineate the procedures under which Claremont Graduate University will meet the law’s requirements.
Claremont Graduate University currently maintains the following types of educational records that are directly related to its students:
(1) Office of Admission and Records Files. The registrar is responsible for maintaining files that contain official transcripts of work performed by CGU students at other institutions, official CGU transcripts, and copies of occasional letters written by faculty and administration along with student replies. These letters generally are about academic programs, examinations, fellowships, etc. In addition, there are records of students’ progress in their programs. Members of the faculty and administration have access to these files for use in student advisement. Also, the school’s transcript clerks have access to the files in order to maintain them and to provide authorized data to authorized persons.
(2) Department Files. Each department chair is responsible for maintaining files that contain essentially the same kinds of material as the Office of Admission and Records files. These separate files are maintained for the convenience of the departments and are used in advising students. Members of the faculty in each department and the department staff have access to these files.
(3) Credential Files. At the request of students, the Office of Career Management maintains files containing evaluations from faculty and staff of Claremont Graduate University and other institutions attended, confidential letters of recommendation written by referees for the benefit of the students, and papers that students have prepared themselves. In addition to the director, the staff of the Office of Career Management has access to these files to carry out the work of the office.
(4) Admissions Files. The Admissions staff is responsible for maintaining files that contain letters of recommendation for admission to the University, transcripts of work performed at other institutions, scores of examinations that may be required by various departments, and the student’s statement of purpose. All materials submitted become the property of the University. The admissions office staff and members of the admissions committees of the various departments also have access to these files for the purpose of carrying out the admissions function. After a student has been admitted to the University and actually registered for study here, these files are transferred to the Office of Admission and Records.
(5) Financial Aid Files. The Office of Student Financing is responsible for maintaining files that contain applications and award letters for all forms of federal and institutional aid, correspondence with lenders, loan-tracking documents, and information regarding awards from previous institutions. The staff of the Office of Student Financing has access to these files in order to process financial aid applications and advise students.
(6) Student Accounts Files. The Student Accounts Department is responsible for maintaining files that contain payment contracts, student and third-party payments, authorizations to charge or reverse charges, correspondence with the student and with third-party sponsors, collections information, and bankruptcy documentation. The staff of the Student Accounts Department, as well as members of the University’s administration, has access to these files in order to justify all data activity and remain compliant with auditors, as well as to advise students.
(7) Vice President for Student Services and Dean of Students’ Files. The vice president for student services and dean of students is responsible for maintaining files that contain background information and official documents about alleged student misconduct, disciplinary hearings, and student grievances. Information about student misconduct, alleged misconduct, and student grievances is considered to be confidential and is divulged on a strict “need-to-know” basis. The provost and vice president for academic affairs, the vice president for student services and dean of students, and their administrative staffs have access to the files for the purpose of conducting necessary investigation of charges, administering disciplinary or grievance hearings, and maintaining institutional records of such hearings. A copy of the policy regarding retention of these files is available from the vice president for student services and dean of students.
In addition to the persons named above, the administrators of the University—the president, provost and vice president for academic affairs, vice president for student services and dean of students, and vice provost—have access to all records directly related to CGU students. Graduate University faculty and staff, including school attorneys, may access student records in which they have a legitimate educational interest.
Students and former students should apply to the Office of Admission and Records if they wish to review any of their personal files. They will be asked to complete a form specifying which records they wish to see. The Office of Admission and Records will then collect the desired material so that the student or a person designated by the student may examine it in the presence of a representative of the University.
In no case will access be withheld more than 45 days after proper request has been made. If the student wishes, the University also will supply copies of material in the file at cost: 50 cents per page. If any material or document in the educational record of a student includes information on other students, the University will not supply the actual material or document. Instead, the University will provide only the specific information contained therein that directly relates to the student seeking access. In addition, no student may have access to (a) financial records of parents or any information contained therein; (b) confidential letters and statements of recommendation that were placed in any file before January 1, 1975; or (c) any confidential recommendations to which the student has properly waived the right of access.
After a student has reviewed the files requested, the University will respond to any reasonable request for explanation or interpretation of material that they contain.
A student who desires to have any material in the files altered or expunged on the ground that such material is inaccurate or misleading, or that it is being maintained in violation of his or her right to privacy or other rights, may obtain a hearing before a special committee upon submitting a written request to the dean of students. The special committee will be composed of representatives of the student body, faculty, and administration. At the hearing, the student will be afforded a full and fair opportunity to present evidence relevant to the issues raised. The committee’s decision will be made in writing within a reasonable period of time after the conclusion of the hearing. The committee’s conclusions may then be appealed by means of a complaint filed with the U.S. Department of Education.
Whether or not a student requests a hearing, and regardless of the outcome of any such hearing, the student may insert into his or her files a personal written explanation concerning any material the student believes is inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise inappropriate.
The privacy of student files is and will always be scrupulously safeguarded. Claremont Graduate University will make public without student consent only certain “directory information.” This information consists of a student’s name, e-mail address, major, field(s) of study, dates of attendance, and degrees or awards received. A student who prefers that such “directory information” not be made public must notify the Office of Admission and Records in writing prior to the last day to add courses for the semester. The request for nondisclosure remains in effect until rescinded by the student.
Except for “directory information” and except for certain parties listed in the act, the University will not release to outside parties any student’s files or information contained in such files unless prior written consent has been obtained from the student concerned. The outside parties excepted by the act generally consist of certain federal and state officials, accrediting organizations, and educational agencies who need the information for valid educational purposes. Also, the University is authorized to release information contained in student files in any emergency situation where the information is needed to protect the health or safety of the student or other persons.
A student (or applicant for admission) is permitted to waive access to confidential recommendations written on his or her behalf respecting (1) admission to any educational agency or institution; (2) an application for employment; or (3) the receipt of an honor or honorary recognition. In some cases, it may be in a student’s best interest to so waive the right because waiver may cause the recipient of a recommendation to feel it is more “honest” and hence more valid in its statements about the student. Any student who wishes to waive access to recommendations may do so on a form available from the Office of Admission and Records. On the form, the student also may ask to be notified of the names of all persons making confidential recommendations. In no case will waiver be required as a condition for admission to, receipt of financial aid from, or receipt of any other services or benefits from the University. Also, waivers will be void as to any recommendations used for purposes other than those for which they were specifically intended. The foregoing applies only to recommendations placed in files after January 1, 1975. As stated previously, both confidential letters and statements of recommendation,which were placed in the files before January 1, 1975, are not subject to student access. The Office of Career Management can supply detailed information to students who are concerned about their academic credential files.
A student who consents to release to outside parties any part of his or her file must do so in writing, personally signed and dated (e-mail will not be accepted). Such writing must specify the records to be released, the reasons for such release, and the names of the parties to whom such records may be released. A form for this purpose is available in the Office of Admission and Records. A student whose consent is required also may request a personal copy of the specific records in question.
The University maintains a record of all outside parties who have requested or obtained access to a student’s education records, and their specific interest in obtaining such access. This record of access will be available only to the student and to the previously named Graduate University officials who are responsible for maintaining the various files.
The University reserves the right to remove and destroy any material from any student’s files, except when a student has properly requested access to the files and has not yet been granted admission.
Academic Honesty
The ideal of academic honesty is crucial to the integrity of a college or university; conversely, academic dishonesty undermines the very basis upon which institutions of higher education are organized and function. All students at Claremont Graduate University are expected to meet the highest standards of honesty in the performance of their academic work. Toward that end, Standards of Academic Honesty and procedures to enforce these standards fairly are hereby adopted.
Standards of Academic Honesty
The Standards of Academic Honesty proscribe (but are not limited to) the giving or receiving of unauthorized help in examinations or other assignments, plagiarism and other unacknowledged or undocumented use of source material, and forgery.
Violations of Standards
A student shall be subject to discipline for any violation of the Standards of Academic Honesty.
Disciplinary Sanctions
Sanctions available would be those appropriate to the violations and will include, but not be limited to, any one of the following: an official reprimand; a requirement to repeat an assignment, an examination, or a course; a requirement to complete an alternative assignment or examination; a failing grade for an assignment, an examination, or a course; suspension; or expulsion from the Graduate University.
Committee on Academic Honesty (CAH)
A Committee on Academic Honesty (CAH) is established. Its primary purposes shall be, in accordance with the procedures outlined below, to receive and evaluate evidence of alleged violations of the Standards of Academic Honesty and to make recommendations for the disposition of cases involving alleged violations. The Committee shall also make recommendations to the provost of the Graduate University (hereafter, the provost) and to the faculty of the Graduate University for changes in standards and procedures, as it deems appropriate, and shall report annually to the faculty of the Graduate University.
The Faculty Grievance Committee is charged with the responsibility of carrying out the duties of the Committee on Academic Honesty. In order to fulfill these duties and responsibilities, the Grievance Committee must, at the beginning of each academic year, identify two of its members who will serve, along with two graduate students recommended by the Graduate Student Council and a designated representative of the administration, as the Committee on Academic Honesty. If the Graduate Student Council fails to make a recommendation within a reasonable time, the provost will appoint students to the CAH.
Procedures
A faculty member who believes that a student has violated one or more of the Standards of Academic Honesty will promptly so inform the student and present the student with the reasons for this belief.
If, after learning the student’s response, the faculty member continues to believe that a violation has occurred, the faculty member shall proceed in one of two ways:
(1) If the faculty member deems the alleged violation to be minor, the faculty member may attempt to resolve the matter in a manner satisfactory to both the faculty member and the student. If the matter is so resolved, the faculty member shall report the matter and its resolution to the provost. If the student is not satisfied with the faculty member’s proposed disposition of the allegedly minor violation, the student may independently appeal the issue to the CAH.
If the faculty member deems the alleged violation to be more serious, the faculty member will refer the matter to the CAH, normally within two weeks, giving reasons for the faculty member’s belief that a violation has occurred. In that report, the faculty member may recommend a penalty.
(2) If a faculty member refers an alleged violation to the CAH, or if a student dissatisfied with the penalty imposed by a faculty member for an alleged minor violation appeals to the CAH, the CAH will promptly inform the student and the faculty member in writing, and will consult with them as to the necessity for or desirability of a hearing. If a hearing results from this consultation, the CAH will schedule one as soon as possible, normally within two weeks.
Following the hearing, or in the absence of one, the CAH will promptly decide whether the alleged violation has or has not occurred and will submit a written report of its findings to the provost, normally within two weeks. If it decides that a violation has occurred, the CAH will include in its report its recommendation of a penalty that it considers appropriate. This penalty may be the one recommended by the faculty member or some other penalty in conformity with disciplinary sanctions. The CAH will also transmit the relevant files to the Provost.
The provost will then review the case and decide whether to accept or reject the recommendation of the CAH, to modify it, or to remand the case to the CAH for further determinations. The provost will advise the student, the faculty member, and the CAH in writing of the action taken, normally within two weeks of receiving the case.
If the provost decides to impose a penalty (of whatever kind), the student,within a reasonable time,may appeal this decision to the president.
If the student appeals, the provost will promptly transmit the relevant file and the recommendation to the president. The president may concur in the decision of the provost, may choose to modify the decision, may dismiss the case, or may decide to remand the case to the CAH for further determinations. In all actions by the president but the last, the case will be considered closed.
General Requirements for Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
All students are expected to maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.000 in all coursework taken at Claremont Graduate University with no more than two incomplete courses at any time. In addition, doctoral students must show satisfactory progress in research and examinations as judged by the faculty in their academic program, and must make timely progress toward the degree as defined in the university’s “time requirements/time limit” policy as described in the Bulletin.
Failure to maintain the applicable minimum standard (3.000) may result in the student being placed on academic probation for the following semester by the faculty in their academic program. Students placed on probation who have not met the minimum standard by the end of the next semester are subject to dismissal from the university by the faculty in their academic program. Individual academic programs may require a higher grade point average and/or additional standards of progress. See academic sections of The Bulletin. Procedural details can be found at www.cgu.edu/sap.
Degree Revocation
If evidence arises that an academic degree was earned in violation of the Standards of Academic Honesty, a faculty member may recommend to the provost that the degree be revoked. The provost may then refer the matter to the CAH for its recommendation. If the CAH, after an appropriate hearing, recommends to the provost that the degree be revoked, the provost will forward his or her own recommendation to the Graduate University faculty, then to the president who, in turn, will forward his or her own recommendation to the Board of Fellows. The Board will have final authority in decisions regarding revocation of a degree.
Property Loss
The University does not assume responsibility for loss or damage to students’ personal property. Students should examine their own insurance policies and determine whether they cover the student’s belongings in Claremont. |