Temple University Undergraduate Bulletin
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Student Rights

Academic Rights and Responsibilities

Temple University students who believe that instructors are introducing extraneous material into class discussions or that their grades are being affected by their opinions or views that are unrelated to a course's subject matter can file a complaint under the University's policy on academic rights and responsibilities. The full policy can be found at http://policies.temple.edu/getdoc.asp?policy_no=03.70.02.

The policy encourages students to first discuss their concerns with their instructor. If a student is uncomfortable doing so, or if discussions with the instructor do not resolve the student's concerns, an informal complaint can be made to the Student Ombudsperson for the student's school or college. Unresolved complaints may be referred to the dean for handling in accordance with the school or college's established grievance procedure. Final appeals will be determined by the Provost.

Course Syllabus

Instructors are required to supply a detailed syllabus explaining course rules and expectations for courses in which you are enrolled. The content requirements for course syllabi are enumerated on the policy website.

Course and Teaching Evaluations (CATE)

Each course (with few exceptions) is required to employ a standard form for student evaluation of courses and teaching. Please fill out the CATE forms thoughtfully at the end of your course.

FERPA/Privacy Guidelines

As is required by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974, with certain exceptions, generally Temple University cannot disclose a student's education records without the written consent of a student or without proof by a parent that the student is dependent on his/her parents for federal income tax purposes.

FERPA provides the following rights for students and for the parents of dependent students, as described above, attending Temple University:

  • The right of a student, with minor limitations, to inspect and review his or her education records;
  • The right to request amendment of a student's education records to ensure that they are not inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise in violation of the student's privacy or other rights;
  • The right, with certain exceptions, to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student's education records;
  • The right to withhold public disclosure of any or all items of so-called "Directory Information" by written notification to the Office of the Dean of Students within two weeks after publication of this notice. Under current University policy, the item "Directory Information" includes a student's name, street address, e-mail address, confirmation of enrollment status (full-time/part-time), dates of attendance, degree received, awards received (e.g., Dean's List), major field of study, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, and weight and height of members of athletic teams.
  • The right to file a complaint with the United States Department of Education concerning the alleged failure of Temple University to comply with the requirements of FERPA and of the implementing regulations.

The procedures for exercising the above rights are explained in "Temple University's Policy Regarding Confidentiality of Student Records," copies of which are available in the office of the Dean of Students and on Temple’s website at http://policies.temple.edu/ferpa. Included in this Policy is a description of the types and locations of educational records maintained by the University.

If you or your parents' primary or home language is not English, upon your request, reasonable efforts will be made to provide you with a translated copy of this "Annual Notice," as well as with "Temple University's Guidelines Pertaining to Confidentiality of Student Records."

Please note that, in compliance with a 1997 federal statute designed to advance military recruiting, Temple may release dates of birth to the military unless the student notifies Temple that he or she wishes this information withheld.

FERPA Waiver: A student may consent to the release of information from education records to parents, guardians or other appropriate persons. The students may provide the University with their consent by completing the FERPA waiver on-line via OWLnet (http://owlnet.temple.edu).

Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA)

Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Section 504 of The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and Section 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1998, Temple University strives to make programs, activities and services accessible for persons with disabilities. Disability Resources and Services (DRS) is the department that facilitates access for students with disabilities at the University. Please see the Student Services section of the Bulletin for detailed information on Disability Resources and Services.

Protection from Discrimination and Harassment

Office of Multicultural Affairs

Sandra A. Foehl, Director, Affirmative Action Compliance and Investigation
Mitten Hall, Lower Level
215-204-7303/7335
Fax: 215-204-8052
www.temple.edu/omca

Equal Opportunity: Temple University is committed to a policy of equal opportunity for all in every aspect of its operations. The University has pledged not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, marital status, or disability. This policy extends to all educational, service, and employment programs of the University.

Affirmative Action at Temple has these inclusive objectives: To support the admission and successful participation of disadvantaged students, students with disabilities, and those for whom English is a second language; to employ and advance in employment qualified women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, veterans of the Vietnam era, special disabled veterans and other protected veterans.

Temple University's equal opportunity/affirmative action program complies with federal regulations. For more information or to review Temple's Affirmative Action Plan, contact the Office of Multicultural Affairs, Mitten Hall, Lower Level (phone: 215-204-7303).

Discrimination: A student or employee who thinks he or she is being discriminated against or harassed because of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, national origin, disability, marital status or veteran status should contact the Office of Multicultural Affairs. It is this office's responsibility to help the student file a complaint through the appropriate grievance procedures and attempt to remedy any affirmative action or Title IX problem it discovers in the course of an investigation.

Sexual Harassment: Temple University is committed to providing a learning, working, and teaching environment that emphasizes the dignity and worth of every member of its community, free from discriminatory conduct. Sexual harassment in any form or context is inimical to this and will not be tolerated. Sexual harassment subverts the mission and the work of the University and can threaten the career, educational experience, and well-being of students, faculty, and staff.

The University recognizes that sexual harassment may occur regardless of the formal position or status of each person involved. Sexual harassment is especially offensive, however, when it occurs in relationships between teacher and student or between supervisor and subordinate. In those situations, sexual harassment exploits unfairly the power inherent in the position of the faculty member or supervisor.

Sexual harassment also constitutes a form of sex discrimination that is illegal under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Elementary/Secondary Education Act of 1972, and state law. In addition to any sanctions that may be imposed by the University for violation of this policy, a person who sexually harasses another person may be held personally liable to the victim and be subject to sanctions independent of those imposed by the University.

Persons who feel they have been the victim of sexual harassment may make a complaint to any Sexual Harassment Ombudsperson. For the names of the Sexual Harassment Ombudspersons designated in a specific school or college, contact the Dean's Office, the Office of Multicultural Affairs (www.temple.edu/omca), 215-204-7303/7335 or the Sexual Assault Counseling and Education Program (www.temple.edu/counseling/services.html#sace), 215-204-7276.

Students, faculty, and staff may bring a formal administrative complaint of sexual harassment by filing a written complaint directly with the University's Office of Multicultural Affairs and are not required, but are encouraged, to utilize informal resolution procedures before filing a formal complaint.

University policies on sexual assault and harassment, which include procedures for filing complaints, are available from the Office of Multicultural Affairs, Mitten Hall, Lower Level, 215-204-7303 or TTY: 215-204-6772.

Grievances

Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972 requires that each college or university establish due process for the resolution of academic grievances. Undergraduate students enrolled at Temple University have the right to appeal any academic or non-academic matter in which they feel they have been treated unfairly.

While each school and college at Temple University has established and adheres to its own grievance procedure, all have in common the following steps:

1. Students attempt resolution through discussion with the instructor.

2. Failing agreement, students present appeals to the Chair of the Department, specifying the nature of the grievance, the result of the previous discussion, and the resolution sought.

3. Failing agreement at the Department Chair level, students may appeal to the Office of the Dean of the College.

4. When appeals warrant review beyond the school or college, students, faculty members, or the dean's office may appeal to the Vice Provost for Undergraduate Studies.

Details that may vary from school to school include the involvement of a student-ombudsperson; the constitution of grievance hearing committees, which may be a part of either step two or three; and time limits, both for students' filing and for the administrative response.

Students should be advised that filing a formal grievance, that is, beyond the level of the instructor, is serious and should be avoided until all informal methods of adjudication have been used.

For further information on academic grievance procedures, students should inquire in their Dean's office or with an advisor or the student-ombudsperson in the relevant school. For non-academic grievances, further information is available in the Dean of Students' Office, 215-204-7188 or www.temple.edu/deanofstudents.

Instructor Office Hours

Full-time faculty are required to hold a minimum of three office hours per week and should schedule one hour immediately before or after one of the scheduled class meeting times for each course. Adjunct instructors are required to schedule one office hour per week for each class they teach and should schedule that hour either immediately before or after one of the scheduled class meeting times for that course. Make it a point to talk with your instructors about your academic work and progress.

Non-smoking Policy

Temple University is committed to providing a smoke-free environment for everyone at Temple.  All University facilities are designated as non-smoking.  In addition, all indoor Temple University-sponsored activities that take place in facilities not owned or operated by Temple University are smoke-free in those areas under Temple’s control.  This policy will be enforced according to established University policies and procedures.

Student Services Office Hours

All University offices directly serving students will maintain uniform business hours (8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

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