Rights and Responsibilities

STUDENT RIGHTS

Students of MEU are members of the academic community; therefore, they are expected to maintain and contribute to high standards of conduct, to cultivate lofty moral values, to confirm noble principles of character, and to adopt distinguished academic standards. Even though attendance at MEU is a privilege and not a right, students have certain guaranteed rights that include:

  • The right to learn. Students have the right to be clearly informed of what is reasonably expected from them in each course, the manner in which they will be assisted in the learning process, and how they will be evaluated on the basis of their scholastic performance as well as other relevant criteria.
  • The right to be free from discrimination or harassment. MEU upholds an academic environment for all its members, free from unlawful discrimination or harassment. Students, faculty, and staff must enjoy the academic environment so that they may be able to achieve high levels of learning, productivity, performance, and satisfaction.
  • The right to discuss, inquire, and express. Both inside and outside the classroom, members of MEU are encouraged to discuss, inquire, and express themselves in a free and responsible manner regarding issues, procedures, or matters of general interest.
  • The right to petition. Students advocating changes to MEU rules or procedures may channel their petitions through the Student Association or directly to the relevant MEU officer. Joint meetings between students and MEU personnel may then be held to discuss the petitioned issues.
  • Right to appeal. If students feel their rights have been violated, there is an established grievance procedure. Depending on the nature of the grievance, whether academic, financial, social, emotional, or work-related, the appropriate procedure must be followed.
  • The right for access to, and privacy in, academic records. Students have the right to inspect and review their official academic records. An official request should be made to the Office of the Registrar. A student's academic records are confidential unless a special release is written and signed by the student.
  • The right to associate with others. Students are free to organize and/or join campus clubs, committees, and associations that are consistent with MEU's policies. These organizations are open to all students without discrimination. Faculty/staff sponsors act as advisors/counselors to these student groups. The Student Handbook provides more details on the organization of clubs.
STUDENT RESPONSIBILITIES

In accordance with the above guaranteed rights, students are expected to fulfill certain responsibilities:

  • The responsibility to conduct themselves at all times in a manner that is orderly, honest, and consistent with the principles of MEU.
  • The responsibility to be respectful and protective of themselves and others, as well as Middle East University and its property. Indecent exposure, public display of affection, sexual immorality, and the possession of pornographic, obscene, and offensive literature are unacceptable.
  • The responsibility to respect the physical and emotional safety of self and others, as well as respect the need for acceptance and belonging. Violence, harassment of individuals or groups, theft, vandalism, and disruptive classroom behavior will not be tolerated.
  • The responsibility to attend classes, study, and complete assignments. Students need to maintain a high level of integrity, develop a strong work ethic, respect deadlines, and honor financial obligations. Honesty in all academic assignments is essential for success.
  • Use proper speech. Profane, vulgar, or abusive expressions do not solve problems. Peaceful means must be used to settle all disputes.
  • Conduct relationships with the opposite gender in a courteous manner as well as dress appropriately and modestly at all times.
  • Refrain from carrying firearms and dangerous weapons, from organizing and participating in on-campus unauthorized rallies and strikes, and from promoting personal political views.
  • Abstain from possessing, using, or distributing alcoholic beverages, tobacco, narcotics, and illegal drugs. The campus has been declared a drug- and smoke-free environment.
DISCIPLINARY ACTION

There are times when it is necessary for the University to discipline students who do not fulfill their responsibilities or breach policies and regulations pertaining to conduct. The response of the Student Affairs Committee may include:

  • Discourse with the student
  • Oral/written counsel
  • Oral/written warning
  • Probation
  • Banning from attending a certain class, entering the campus, or participating in an activity
  • Suspension for a definite time or until a specified condition is met
  • Withdrawal for one semester or more
  • Permanent dismissal from the University

The University reserves the right to dismiss students whose presence and lifestyle on campus and in University-related activities off-campus is considered unsuitable or damaging to the institution's values.

MOBILE PHONES

Students are not normally allowed to use mobile phones during classes or formal academic meetings. Unless explicit permission is given by the faculty member or event presider, phones must be turned off during classes, assemblies, and examinations. Failure to adhere to this may cause a temporary confiscation of the phone, and/or dismissal from the meeting place.

ACCOMMODATION FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

Students with disabilities are encouraged to contact the Office of the VP for Academic Administration. The student should provide written documentation of their disability and the Office for Academic Administration will work with the student to identify reasonable accommodations to the greatest extent possible without compromising the integrity of the academic program. The Office for Academic Administration will communicate those accommodations to the student's advisor, faculty dean, and course instructors.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT POLICY

MEU students and University personnel have the right to enjoy studying, working, and living on a campus free from hostile conduct, intimidation, and offensive behaviors. MEU will not tolerate any involvement by its students or personnel in activities that could be perceived as sexual harassment. Any physical or verbal conduct, like attempts to pressure someone for sexual favors, sex-oriented comments, teasing or jokes, unnecessary touching of an individual or display of offensive pictures, texts, or audio-visual materials is unacceptable.

If an MEU employee or a student is subjected to sexual harassment, or is aware of an incident of sexual harassment, it should immediately be reported to one of the MEU administrators, one of the dormitory deans, or a member of the Student Affairs Committee.

STUDENT GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE

Students are encouraged to solve all problems at the lowest possible organizational level. In the academic area, a student who feels that a faculty member has treated him or her unfairly is entitled to an impartial review of the complaint. The student must first appeal to the faculty member in question in an attempt to solve the problem in a spirit of cooperation. If a satisfactory solution to the grievance cannot be reached, the student may escalate the complaint to the academic advisor, the chairperson of the department, the relevant faculty dean, the vice president, the Academic Affairs Committee, and the president, step-by-step in that order.

When an appeal is made to the committee, the student has the right to choose one faculty or staff member to be on the committee. The student has the right to appear before the committee to briefly present the case in person. The student is required to provide to the committee, in advance, a written statement that clearly states the specific issue, the basis for dissatisfaction, and the outcome being requested.

Student grievances in non-academic areas follow a similar pattern via the immediate supervisor, the Dean for Student Life, supervising committee and finally the president.