University Policies
Affirmative Action and University of Pittsburgh Nondiscrimination Policy Statement
The University of Pittsburgh, as an educastional institution and as an employer, values equality of opportunity, human dignity, and racial/ethnic and cultural diversity. Accordingly, as fully explained in Policy 07-01-03, the University prohibits and will not enage in discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry,m sex, age, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, disability, or status as a veteran. The University also prohibits and will not engage in retaliation against any person who makes a claim of discrimination or harassment or who provides information in such an investigation. Further, the University will continue to take affirmative steps to support and advance these values consistent with the University’s mission. This policy applies to admissions, employment, access to and treatment in University programs and activities. This is a commitment made by the University and is in accordance with federal, state, and/or local laws and regulations.
For information on University equal opportunity and affirmative action programs, please contact: University of Pittsburgh, Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Cheryl Ruffin, Institutional Equity Manager, 4415 Fifth Avenue, 2nd Floor Webster Hall, Pittsburgh, PA 15260 (412) 648-7860.
For complete details on the University’s Nondiscrimination Policy, please refer to Policy 07-01-03. For information on how to file a complaint under this Policy, please refer to Procedure 07-01-03.
Computing Use Policy
Every member of the University community has two basic rights regarding computing: privacy and a fair share of resources. It is unethical for another person to violate these rights. All users, in turn, are expected to exercise common sense and decency with regard to the campus computing resources. Please read Ethical Guidelines for Computing, available in campus computing labs or online at http://technology.pitt.edu/security/compliance/acceptable-use.html for details.
Students are subject to the rules and regulations as described in the University of Pittsburgh Student Code of Conduct and the University of Pittsburgh at Titusville Student Handbook. Students should realize that any misuse of computing resources may result in the suspension of their computing privileges.
Drug-free Workplace/Drug-free Schools Policy
The University of Pittsburgh prohibits the unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, or use of a controlled substance on University property or as part of any University activity. Faculty, staff, and students of the University must also comply with the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania on the possession and consumption of alcohol.
Violation of this policy will result in disciplinary action within 30 days, including, but not limited to, a warning, written reprimand, suspension, dismissal, expulsion, and/or mandatory participation and successful completion of a drug abuse assistance or rehabilitation program approved by an appropriate health or law enforcement agency.
Any University employee paid from federally funded grants or contracts, or any student participating in any federally funded or Guaranteed Student Loan Program, must notify the University of any criminal drug statute conviction for a violation occurring at the University or while engaged in University activities.
Faculty-Student Relationship Policy
The University of Pittsburgh’s educational mission is promoted by professional relationships between faculty members and students. Relationships of an intimate nature (that is, sexual and/or romantic) compromise the integrity of a faculty-student relationship whenever the faculty member has a professional responsibility for the student. The University prohibits relationships between a faculty member and a student whose academic work, teaching, or research is being supervised or evaluated by the faculty member.
If an intimate relationship should exist or develop between a faculty member and a student, the University requires the faculty member to remove himself/herself from all supervisory, evaluative, and/or formal advisory roles with respect to the student.
Definition Note: In this policy, the definition of “faculty member” refers to anyone appointed by the University as a teacher, researcher, or academic administrator, including graduate and undergraduate students so appointed.
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
In compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, the University guarantees that students have the right to inspect all personally identifiable records maintained by the institution and may challenge the content and accuracy of those records through appropriate institutional procedure. It is further guaranteed by the University that student records containing personally identifiable information will not be released except as permitted by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act.
For more information, students may contact the Office of Student Services, 504 East Main Street, Titusville, PA 16354, or call 814-827-4431.
Harassment Policy
No University employee, student, or individual on University property may intentionally harass or abuse a person (physically or verbally) with the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with such person’s work or academic performance, or of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive work or academic environment.
Immunization Policy
All incoming full-time students must submit proof of immunization as required against Measles (Rubella), German Measles (Rubella) and Mumps. Two doses of the MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) vaccine or a current MMR (within three years) satisfies the University of Pittsburgh immunization requirement; however, resident students must also provide proof of meningitis vaccine or sign a waiver. All full-time students must provide to the University Student Health Center a copy of their immunization record, that includes month, day, and year the immunizations were administered and the physician signature stamp must be on the record. Once received, it must be kept on file in the Student Health Center. A student may be granted a medical exemption from immunization based on health or religious beliefs. Incoming full-time students, who after receipt of notification by the University that their immunization records are incomplete and fail to provide proof of immunization or written request for exemption as described above, will be prohibited from registering for any classes and will not be assigned housing.
Students enrolled in the Nursing program have additional health screening requirements and immunization requirements. Contact the Office of the Nursing Program for more details.
Patent Policy
A University student, during his or her period of enrollment, may be responsible for new discoveries and inventions that could have commercial value and contribute to scientific, technological, social, and cultural progress. Those accomplishments should be patented in the best interest of the student, the University, the public, and the government. The University’s policy on patent rights and technology transfer determines the rights and obligations of the student and the University in any technology the student may invent while enrolled in the University. Details of the University policy are available from the Office of Technology Transfer and Intellectual Property.
Research Integrity
The University of Pittsburgh seeks excellence in the discovery and dissemination of knowledge. Excellence in scholarship requires all members of the University community to adhere strictly to the highest standards of integrity with regard to research, instruction, and evaluation. Research misconduct carries potential for serious harm to the University community, to the integrity of science, and to society as a whole.
Sexual Harassment Policy
The University of Pittsburgh is committed to the maintenance of a community free from all forms of sexual harassment. Sexual harassment violates University policy as well as state, federal, and local laws. It is neither permitted nor condoned.
It is also a violation of the University of Pittsburgh’s policy against sexual harassment for any employee or student at the University of Pittsburgh to attempt in any way to retaliate against a person who makes a claim of sexual harassment. For information regarding sexual harassment policy at the University of Pittsburgh, see http://www.cfo.pitt.edu/policies/documents/policy06-05-01web.pdf. Additional information and reporting options of sexual harassment and sexual assault are available at http://www.upt.pitt.edu/sexual-assault-awareness-and-prevention-0.
Smoking Policy
This policy is in compliance with University of Pittsburgh regulations effective February 1, 1991, “restricting smoking in University of Pittsburgh facilities at all campuses.”
Policy: Smoking is prohibited in all University owned and leased facilities, and in all University vehicles and has been revised to prohibit smoking within fifteen (15) feet of all University building primary entrances and Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) intake vents.
The Human Resources directive provides the following details:
“Primary entrances shall be defined as the common public access points to each building, and is not intended for doors exclusively designated as emergency exits only or as service entrances. Note: portions of loading docks that are under building cover and interior garages shall be considered as inside the building and smoking shall be prohibited.”
Contact the Affirmative Action Officer at 412-648-7860 for questions on the policy or its application.
Student Code of Conduct
The Student Code of Conduct is an outline of the non-academic rights and responsibilities of University students. The code defines offenses by and against students. A student or University official may file a complaint of violation of the the Student Code of Conduct in the Office of Student Affairs, located in Room 211 of the Frame-Westerberg Commons, 814-362-7651. A copy of the code is printed in the Student Handbook, published in August of each year, and available in the Office of the Assistant Executive Director.
University AIDS Policy
The University of Pittsburgh does not discriminate against individuals who are diagnosed as HIV positive or as having AIDS.
The University recognizes that the health condition of individuals is personal and confidential. Reasonable precautions will be taken to protect information regarding the health condition of all members of the University community.
Based on medical evidence that indicates that there is no risk of transmitting HIV through casual contact in the classroom or circumstances involving only casual contact with others, the University will impose no undue restrictions on faculty, staff, or students who are infected with HIV.
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