ACADEMIC POLICIES AND REGULATIONS 

The new students should become familiar with the academic policies and regulations found in the Courses of Study bulletin and in the Student Handbook. The following summarizes some information that is important to know.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is fundamental to the pursuit of free inquiry and the free ex­change of ideas. Intellectual honesty is an essential component of intellectual de­velopment. Trinity University expects that all members of its academic community will act with hon­esty and integrity in academic relationships and with consideration and concern for the academic community and its members. The academic integrity principle, broadly stated, means students have done or have prepared the work or research in or out of class that bears their names and that they give proper acknowledgment for the use of materials and sources. The policy on academic integrity has been developed to provide students and faculty with guidelines to determine what behaviors violate the academic in­tegrity prin­ciple and proce­dures for dealing with behaviors alleged to be in violation of the academic integrity principle. These procedures guarantee due process to all members involved in cases of alleged viola­tion of academic integrity and protect the rights of faculty and students involved in such cases. Details of the policy can be found in the Student Handbook.

Exceptions to Academic Policies

Certain individuals have responsibility for ruling on students' requests for exceptions to academic policy found in the Courses of Study bulletin. These include the Registrar, the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, the dean of the division in which a course is taught or, if cross-listed, the dean of the division in which the instructor of the class is appointed, or the dean of the division in which the student is majoring. Exceptions would involve such requests as registration in a class after the official last day to add a class, permission to take an overload, withdrawal from a class after date specified in University calendar, change of pass/fail status after date specified, among others. Please refer to the "Exceptions to Academic Policies" section of the Student Handbook.

Classroom Activities and Responsibilities

The Student Handbook has information on the academic environment, such as dismissal from class, student attendance, excused absences from class while representing the University, disruption of class, course outlines, final examinations, grading policies, and student evaluations of courses and faculty.

Classroom Attendance

Trinity expects regular class attendance by all students. Each instructor is expected to state an attendance policy in the course syllabus, and students should familiarize themselves with the attendance policy at the first meeting of the class. Instructors have the prerogative of informing the Registrar to drop or withdraw a student from a course for nonattendance. After the last date to withdraw, a student dismissed from the class roll for excessive absence will receive an F in the course.

Representation of the University by a Student

Any student who represents the University in any public manner as a member of a music or dramatic organization, delegate to any association meeting or convention, or as an officer of any of these organizations must be enrolled as a full-time student, must have a passing grade in at least 9 of these semester hours, and must have earned 9 semester hours of credit during the last semester attended. Candidates for the athletic squads must be accepted and registered students before they may compete in intercollegiate sports. Eligibility is carefully checked at the time of acceptance and reviewed at the end of each semester in the same manner as all other students, in accordance with NCAA regulations.

Policy Concerning Harassment

Trinity University is committed to the maintenance of an academic environment free of all forms of discrimination or coercion that adversely affect the working or learning environment. It is fitting that the University reaffirm this commitment, specifically as it pertains to sexual harassment or harassment relating to a person's race, sex, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, or physical condition. Details of the policy are in the Student Handbook.

Compliance Policy

Within published requirements for admission, Trinity University does not and will not discriminate in admission of students to study at the University, enrollment in classes, housing or use of facilities in the academic program because of race, color, religion, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, veteran or disabled veteran status.

Trinity University does not and will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, veteran or disabled veteran status. The University takes affirmative action to ensure that applicants are employed, and that employees are treated during employment, without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, age, marital status, national origin, disability, veteran or disabled veteran status. Such action includes, but is not limited to, employment, upgrading, demotion or transfer, recruitment or recruitment advertising, layoff or termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation, and selection for employment training, including apprenticeship. The Compliance Officer of the University is Linda Freeman Sendaula, Director of Personnel Services. Any questions or complaints relative to discrimination should be referred to the Office of Personnel Services.

The Section 504/American Disabilities Act Compliance Officer is the Associate Vice President for Fiscal Affairs. Any questions or complaints relative to facilities, services, and accessibility should be referred to the Office of Fiscal Affairs. The staff of Counseling & Career Services coordinates services for students with disabilities.

Security Policy Statement

Trinity University's campus security program is an ongoing process that includes the development and enforcement of regulations, procedures and practices to provide a reasonable level of security for property, information and for the personal safety of employees, students, and visitors.

Administrative and supervisory personnel are responsible for the incorporation of security principles and procedures in their respective areas of operations.

Each member of the faculty, staff, and student body is responsible for carrying out campus regulations, procedures, and practices and shall comply with federal, state, and local laws related to security matters while on the campus or in the course of representing or conducting University activities.

In compliance with the Crime Awareness and Security Act of 1990, additional  information regarding security policies and crime statistics is available from the Office of the Director of Campus Safety, Trinity University, (210) 999-8328.

Firearm Policy

The carrying or possession of any type of weapon or firearm on the premises of Trinity University ("Trinity") is strictly and absolutely prohibited. This prohibition expressly includes those persons licensed to carry concealed firearms (other than those who are licensed peace officers). For purposes of this policy, the premises of Trinity are defined as any property, building, or portion of a building or property that Trinity owns or occupies, whether on a temporary or permanent basis, and any off-site premises where Trinity is conducting any activity sponsored by Trinity. This includes all parking lots, parking areas, sidewalks and walkways, and all Trinity-owned-leased vehicles and equipment. Any person violating this policy will be required to leave Trinity's premises immediately. Any employee found to be in violation of this policy will be subject to discipline, including immediate termination. The only valid exceptions to this policy must be obtained in advance of coming on Trinity's premises while possessing a weapon or firearm and approved in writing by Trinity's President. No Trinity officer, faculty, or staff member has authority to grant verbal extensions to this policy.

Disability Services for Students

If students have a disability and will need accommodations, please contact Disability Services for Students (DSS) at (210) 999-7411 to request an application form. Submitting a completed application and written documentation of the disability by August 1 will allow DSS staff members time to evaluate the student's needs before classes begin. DSS is a component of Counseling & Career Services. Please direct questions to Dr. Jean Parks or Dr. Gary Neal.

Other policies and regulations

The Student Handbook contains the following: the Joint Statement on Rights and Freedoms of Students, Student Records, Code of Ethics/Computing, Standards of Conduct for Students, Drugs and Alcohol Standards and Services, Drug-free Workplace, AIDS and AIDS-related illness guidelines. There are also policies regarding campus sales and solicitation, posters and banners, residence halls, and regulations relating to dress, financial obligations, food, beverages, marriage, parties, safety and security, smoking, and visitation.