Rights and Responsibilities of Students
Loras College students have the right to live and learn in an environment that ensures their intellectual, personal and spiritual development. These rights are essential and will be protected against suppression. Reasoned dissent plays a vital role in the College, but freedoms cannot be protected or exercised in a college that lacks order and stability. Therefore, the purpose of the Student Handbook, and the Rights and Responsibilities of students incorporated within it, is to inform the student body that with rights associated with membership in the Loras Community come certain responsibilities. The recognition of both rights and responsibilities is part of the Catholic heritage of the College. As stated in the Pope John Paul XXIII’s encyclical Peace on Earth, “Those, therefore, who claim their own rights, yet altogether forget or neglect to carry out their respective duties, are people who build with one hand and destroy with the other.” It is this document of Rights and Responsibilities, along with the policies articulated in this Handbook that shape the expectations for the normal activities of the College. It is the intent of the College to ensure that students neither lose their rights nor escape their responsibilities as citizens. The Student Handbook codifies and clarifies specifically the rights and responsibilities for student members of this academic community.
General Expectations of Students
By enrolling at Loras College, the student accepts the responsibility for compliance with all local, state and federal laws and College policies. A student alleged to have engaged in any misconduct, be it academic or non-academic, shall have the right to a review of their conduct in accordance with procedures established by Loras College. The College expects students to show respect for the rights of others and for authority, to represent themselves truthfully and accurately at all times, to respect private and public property, to fulfill contractual obligations, including those which are financially made with the College, and to take responsibility for their own actions and the actions of their guests. Students will be accountable for their choices both on and off campus.
Definition of Student
“Student” means any person enrolled in courses offered by Loras College, including students taking correspondence courses, or taking course work through electronic means, (i.e. online learning techniques such as televised classes). Furthermore, individuals who are not currently attending Loras College remain subject to both academic and non-academic disciplinary action upon re-enrollment for conduct that occurred during any period of attendance.
College Disciplinary Authority
Loras College has full authority to promulgate policies and procedures governing the conduct of its students. Further, the College holds its students to a dual responsibility to both civil authorities for violations of municipal ordinances, the laws of Iowa and the United States and the code of conduct as stipulated in the Student Handbook.
As such, disciplinary action taken by Loras College may precede and be in addition to any penalty that may be imposed by civil/criminal authorities. Disciplinary action at the College will not be subject to challenge on the grounds that criminal charges involving the same incident have been dismissed or reduced.
Philosophy of Student Discipline
The foremost intent of College discipline is one of education. The College’s philosophy regarding student discipline is focused on encouraging the growth and development of students’ potential through the responsible practices of good, sound principles and relationships. This infers a need for the understanding of self-discipline and respect for the rights and privileges of others who are involved in the educational process and a commitment to protect the best interest of the campus community.
The College’s primary effort is directed toward corrective and preventative discipline, not simply punitive discipline. Emphasis is placed upon fair process and objectivity in order to ensure a fair hearing and giving the College’s standings as an institution of higher education. Analogies with civil or criminal legal systems often do not apply. At the same time, the College is concerned about the interests of persons bringing forth allegations of inappropriate conduct. At no time are arbitrary or capricious actions sanctioned in Loras College’s disciplinary structure. However, the College reserves the right to take necessary and appropriate action to protect the immediate safety and well -being of the campus community.
Disciplinary policies at Loras College are set forth in writing in order to give students general notice of prohibited conduct. They are not designed to define prohibited conduct in exhaustive terms.
Categories of Misconduct
Students will be held accountable for, and face possible disciplinary action, should their behavior fall into one of the following categories:
Academic Dishonesty and Misconduct
Behavior in which a deliberately fraudulent misrepresentation is employed in an attempt to gain undeserved intellectual credit, either for oneself or for another person. Students are required to actively protect their work against misuse by others (lending tests, projects, term papers). For more information about academic honesty and misconduct, please see the academic integrity policy in the Undergraduate Bulletin.
Non-Academic Misconduct
Misconduct that is not of an academic nature usually involving violations of law, College policies or accepted societal and professional norms.
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