University Policies

Assembly

Students and organizations shall be free to examine and to discuss questions of interest to them and to express opinions publicly and privately. Students shall be free to support, by orderly means, causes which do not disrupt the operations of the institution as outlined in the Student Handbook. It is understood that in their public expressions or demonstrations, students or student organizations speak only for themselves and do not represent the views of the University.

Recognized student organizations shall be allowed to invite and to hear speakers of their own choosing in a closed meeting of the organization, but must take precautions to insure that invited speakers conduct themselves with decorum and do not advocate positions that are destructive to the mission and vision of the University.

Sponsorship of guest speakers does not imply approval or endorsement, either by the sponsoring group or by the institution. Student organizations shall be responsible for the orderly scheduling of facilities and for conducting the occasion in a manner appropriate to the academic community and good civil order. If contracts with the University are required for speakers or guests, they must be approved and signed by the Director of Student Engagement.

Comments and Complaint Procedures

The University and its staff strive to improve student services and welcome input regarding our policies and procedures. All student concerns or complaints should be written and directed to the appropriate division or departmental office. If said response does not adequately address a student’s concerns, the complainant is encouraged to contact the Vice President for Academic Affairs (Walker Hall 207, 479-979-1349) for academic concerns and the Dean of Students (Seay Student Center, Lower Level, 479-979-1322) for all other concerns.

All complaints/concerns should be accompanied by relevant documentation. The Vice President for Academic Affairs and/or Dean of Students will review the information with the appropriate area and will either respond personally to the complaint, or direct the appropriate member of the institution to respond directly to the student.

Directory Information

University of the Ozarks publishes, in various forms, directory information such as a student’s identification photograph, name, University email address, whether enrolled part-time or full-time, class, major, dates of attendance, degrees conferred, awards received, educational institutions attended, participation in officially recognized activities or athletic teams and weights and heights of athletic team members. In addition, Academic Honors are also considered “directory information” with regard to determining honor rolls, Dean’s lists, President’s lists, and graduation honors, all of which may be published. Transcripts of students’ academic records or student grade point averages may be released to the faculty advisers of officially recognized campus honor societies upon written request unless the student has filed an objection with the Registrar’s Office. Only faculty members and appropriate administrators have access rights to student records.

Students who do not wish to have such information released must notify the Office of Administrative Services. The Registrar facilitates the process for students who do not wish to have information released.

University of the Ozarks policy permits the release of information from a student’s educational record without written consent to University faculty, staff, and administration who are responsible for working with such records in registration, counseling, teaching, financial aid, tuition and fee payment, internship and other activity directly related to their official responsibilities on a “need to know” basis.

Disruptive Classroom Behavior Policy

Disruptive behavior is prohibited. Disruptive behavior includes but is not limited to conduct that interferes with or obstructs the teaching or learning process. Civil expression of disagreement with the course instructor, during times when the instructor permits discussion, is not itself disruptive behavior and is allowed.

Possible actions for disruptive behavior include, but are not limited to:

1. Temporary Removal of Student from Class or Other Educational Experience
   • When any student, acting individually or in concert with others, obstructs or disrupts, or attempts to obstruct or disrupt any teaching, or any other activity authorized to be discharged on behalf of the University or held on the University’s premises, the student may be asked to stop the disruptive behavior by an instructor or staff of the University. If the student continues, an instructor/staff member is authorized to tell the student to leave the area or classroom and, if the student will not leave, to call Public Safety. The instructor/staff should immediately call Public Safety (479-979-2020), if presented with an unsafe situation, threatening behavior, violence, knowledge of a crime, or in other appropriate circumstances.

2. Withdrawal of Student from Class or Other Educational Experience
   • When a student disrupts a class or other educational experience, or if the student’s behavior or lack of preparation is detrimental to the educational experience of others, or if the student is compromising the learning environment, the instructor may take action to withdraw the student from the class or educational experience as a result of this significant and/or repeated behavior. To do this, the instructor shall confer with their Academic Advisor, Vice President for Academic Affairs or Dean of Students.

3. Referral to Student Affairs
   • Instructors, faculty members, academic deans, and/or department chairs are also encouraged to report student conduct issues to the Office of Student Affairs. This reporting ensures that any other student code of conduct related behavior is appropriately addressed with the student.

Harassment or Discrimination

University of the Ozarks strives to establish and maintain a work and academic environment in which the dignity and worth of all members of the University community are respected; an environment which is characterized by equal employment, opportunity, academic freedom (freedom of inquiry and expression) and the absence of harassment and intimidation. Recognizing the value of using all available human resources, University of the Ozarks affords equal opportunity for students and in employment without regard to race, color, age, veteran status, gender, national origin, religion, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or presence of a disability. This non-discrimination policy applies to all aspects of educational and employment decisions, including recruitment, admission, hiring as well as retention, compensation, transfer and opportunities for advancement.

If a student feels they have been harassed or discriminated against, they should report the situation immediately. Student-to-student harassment should be reported to the Dean of Students. Harassment or discrimination by a University employee or faculty member should be reported to Human Resources. The Office of Student Life can serve as an advocate for a student reporting a complaint of harassment or discrimination against a student or employee.

Hazing

Hazing is defined as any action or situation which recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation or admission into, or affiliation with, any organization operating under sanction of the University; any brutality of a physical nature, such as whipping, beating or branding; forced calisthenics; exposure to the elements; forced consumption of any food, liquor, drug or other substance, or other forced physical activity which could adversely affect the physical health or safety of the individual. Hazing also includes any activity which would subject the individual to extreme mental stress, such as sleep deprivation, forced exclusion from social contact, forced conduct which could result in extreme embarrassment, or other forced activity which could adversely affect the mental health or dignity of the individual. Any activity; either on or off campus, such as these will be presumed to be a forced activity, the willingness of an individual to participate in such an activity notwithstanding.

Immunizations and Medical Information 

The University assumes no responsibility for student illnesses or accidents occurring either on campus or off campus. Therefore, the University strongly encourages students to obtain and maintain health, major medical, and accident insurance coverage through either a personal or family policy. Please note that in certain instances, HMO coverage may not be sufficient or accepted by local health and medical providers.

The University does not require full-time traditional undergraduate students to have hospital/medical insurance coverage through a school-sponsored plan. International students are required to participate in a school-sponsored insurance plan. Insurance coverage will be billed on a yearly basis through graduation.

University of the Ozarks, in compliance with Arkansas State Law (www.healthy.arkansas.gov/images/uploads/rules/ImmunizationRequirements.pdf) requires that all students provide proof of two Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) immunizations or an immunization exemption from the Arkansas Department of Health prior to attendance. Immunizations are requested during the admissions process and must be received by the 10th class day for students to remain in attendance. Any student that has received the first MMR will be considered ‘in progress’ and allowed to remain in attendance as long as the second MMR is completed 28 days after the first MMR. Any student that has not provided proof of immunization (complete or in progress) or exemption will be removed from classes on the 10th class day of the semester. Any ‘in progress’ student who does not provide proof of the second MMR by 28 days after the first MMR will be removed from classes. Students are responsible for providing immunization records to the Office of Admissions. Exemptions must be renewed by the Arkansas Department of Health yearly and submitted to the Office of Administrative Services.

Arkansas Department of Health Tuberculosis (TB) Regulations require that International Students from countries where TB is endemic are required to be tested for TB and receive treatment as determined by the Department of Health. All international students in attendance at Ozarks must be tested for TB, by the 10th class day, to remain in classes. Students may be required to complete additional testing or treatments as prescribed by the Department of Health, these students will be considered ‘in progress’. Any international student from a country that requires the TB test that does not provide negative TB test results or in progress testing or treatment by the 10th class day will be removed from classes and administratively withdrawn from the University. All students who are recommended for treatment must complete treatment to remain in classes. Students are responsible for providing TB testing information and results to the Office of Admissions.

Information Technology (IT)

The University provides network & Internet access to students in multiple free use labs on campus.  In addition, all traditional residence halls have wired and wireless network connections with Internet access for students who bring computers and other internet capable devices with them.

For any network or shared resource to continue to function, all users must show a level of mutual respect. For this reason, the University has IT policies in place to govern its computing environment. In general, policies are set to maximize the resources available to all users. Use of University systems is a privilege, not a right. It is each user’s responsibility to know and understand the current IT Policies.  Failure to comply with these policies may result in suspension of certain services, the suspension of your University account(s) and possible disciplinary action.

IT Policies can be found by visiting https://dnn.ozarks.edu/cs/Policies or contacting Information Technology at 479-979-1231.

Pets/Animals on University Premises 

Pets and domesticated animals are not permitted in university buildings and facilities but are welcome on our campus exterior grounds as long as they are leashed or tethered. Any disruption to normal activities caused by these visiting pets/animals will incur in a notice of immediate removal from the premises. Please refer to the University Emotional Support or Service Animal Policy for additional animal information.

Residency Policy

All new students to University of the Ozarks are required to live on-campus for their first two (2) academic years.

New students are required to live on-campus for this period of time because the University of the Ozarks is committed to the educational development of its students both in the classroom and in the residential facilities. Studies show that students who live on campus earn better grades are more involved in student organizations, and graduate at higher rates than students who live off-campus.

You are not required to live on-campus during your first two (2) academic years at University of the Ozarks if you meet any of the following criteria:

• You are at least 21 years old on the first day of the term.
• You are legally married (certified copy of marriage license required).
• You are currently serving on active duty in the military.
• You live and/or travel to class from a principal residence residing with a parent(s) or legal guardian(s) which is located within a thirty-(30) mile driving distance of the University of the Ozarks Campus. 

If you meet any of the criteria listed above and are interested in requesting a Residency Exemption, please complete Housing Exemption Form located on EagleNet. This form should be completed by the student and include any supporting documentation necessary. This form will be reviewed by the Office of Student Life located in the lower level of the Seay Student Center. Decisions will be communicated directly to the student via their University email account in a timely manner.

The University prefers exemptions be submitted 90 days prior to the start of each semester, but they must be submitted no later than 10 days prior to the start of the semester.

Sales and Solicitations

University policy prohibits individuals or organizations from soliciting contributions from the general public for University-related purposes without prior written approval from the Office of Advancement. University mailing lists, e.g., Board of Trustees, University Council, faculty, alumni, students or parents, may not be used to promote the sale of tickets, advertisements or merchandise of any kind without prior written approval from the Dean of Students.

Student Enterprise/Student-Run Businesses

Student entrepreneurial initiatives must not jeopardize the University’s tax-exempt status and must be approved the Vice President of Finance and Administration.

• University of the Ozarks receives tax exemptions as an educational institution, which can be jeopardized when individuals in the campus community operate a business enterprise on College premises. Campus-based activity, which can result in the distribution of profits to individuals, is inconsistent with the College’s tax-exempt status.
• Entrepreneurs shall not use their student status to compete unfairly with local merchants or campus services.
• Students are not to harass others, including their fellow students, in their commercial endeavors.
• Advertising within the residential community is not permitted unless approved through the University’s posting policy process.

Search and Seizure Policy

Students are reminded that the University of the Ozarks campus is the private property of the University. When the Office of Student Life professional staff reasonably suspects that prohibited items are contained among a student’s possessions, the student shall be required to make such possessions accessible. If a student refuses to give access to their possessions, the items in question may be confiscated for investigation and used in any disciplinary proceedings.

Under emergency circumstances, or when violations of civil or criminal law or university policies are in question, the Dean of Students or designee may authorize a search of student property on university premises. Reasonable effort will be made to have the student present during any search, and to inform the student of the reasons for the search and the objects or information sought. 

When the Office of Students Life professional staff reasonably suspects that prohibited items are contained among a student’s possessions, the student will be required to make such possessions accessible. If a student refuses to give access, the items in question may be confiscated. Furthermore, any student who refuses to give such access to their possessions may also be in further violation of the Student Code of Conduct. Items prohibited by law or University policy that are present in a student room will be confiscated and will not be returned to students. 

Furthermore, any student who refuses to give such access to their possessions may also be subject to the Student Code of Conduct.

Student Clubs and Organizations

University of the Ozarks supports a variety of student organizations intended to engage students outside the classroom.

1. All clubs and organizations on campus must register with the Office of Student Life in order to be recognized. Failure to be recognized will result in loss of ability to: 
   1. Receive institutional funding
   2. Access any University provided resources
   3. Reserve University spaces.
2. Students shall be free to organize and join clubs/organizations to promote their common interests and the mission of the University; however, all organizations must be registered with the University.
3. Each new club/organization wishing to organize and function on campus should contact the Director of Student Engagement to complete the registration process. Final approval for club/organization recognition is granted on behalf of the University by the Office of Student Life.
4. The membership, policies and actions of student clubs/organizations will be determined by vote of only those persons who are currently enrolled students, except where such determination is in conflict with University policy or regulations. Student clubs/organizations shall be subject to the same responsibilities and standards of conduct applied to students specifically as listed in the Student Handbook.
5. Each club/organization must have an on-campus advisor selected from University faculty or staff.
6. Primary Student Organization Leadership (President and Treasurer):
   1. Must be enrolled full-time as deemed by University or academic department guidelines
   2. Must maintain a minimum of a 2.5 GPA cumulative
   3. Must be in good standing with the University

University Name, Logo and Contracts 

The legal title “University of the Ozarks” is retained by the Board of Trustees for use by officially recognized University organizations and activities and may not be used without specific permission. Contracts cannot be signed or agreements made in the name of the University without authorization from the Office of Student Life or the Vice President of Finance and Administration. All uses of the University of the Ozarks logo and symbol must be approved by the Marketing department.

University Policy Statement

University of the Ozarks reserves the right to modify, alter, or change any program, regulation, or policy in this Student Handbook at any time.

The University reserves the right to adjust the University Policies as it determines necessary in order to assure fairness, order, efficiency or the physical and emotional security of individuals.

University Accreditation

University of the Ozarks is fully accredited by:

• Higher Learning Commission, 230 South LaSalle Street, Suite 7-500, Chicago, Illinois 60604-1411, 1.800.621.7440
• Arkansas State Department of Education.