The role of the University of Alaska Anchorage is to encourage people of all ages to develop their skills and talents differently, according to individual abilities and interests, so that collectively they contribute to the continuum of democracy. University policies, procedures, and regulations are formulated to guarantee each student's freedom to learn and to protect the constitutional rights of others.
The concept of rights and freedoms, no matter how basic or widely accepted, carries with it corresponding responsibilities. Students, as well as other members of the University community, enjoy the same constitutional and civil rights guaranteed all citizens; at the same time, they are subject to the laws of the nation, the State of Alaska, and the local community. All members of the University community have a responsibility to protect and maintain an academic climate in which the freedom to learn is enjoyed by all. To this end, certain basic regulations and policies have been developed to govern the behavior of students as members of the University community.
Violations of the Student Code of Conduct are handled through the Dean of Students Office. Violations of federal, state, and/or local laws make a student subject to civil or criminal action in addition to disciplinary action by the University. Each student is responsible for knowing UAA policies, procedures and deadlines. Policies and regulations may be found in the University catalog, the student handbook, and in the Dean of Students Office, located in Student Union, room 204. Students may also obtain a copy of University of Alaska Board of Regents Policies and University Regulations on-line at: http://www.alaska.edu/bor.
Freedom of Expression
The rights of free speech and peaceable assembly are fundamental to the democratic process. The University supports the rights of students of the University community to express their views and opinions on actions or ideas, to associate freely with others, and to assemble peacefully.
Whether expressing themselves as individuals or in organized groups, members of the University community are expected to conduct themselves responsibly, according to law, and to respect the basic educational goals of the University. Accordingly, the University insists that free expression not violate the rights of others. Disruption of the educational processes and functions of the University, or violation of law, would constitute such a violation.
Freedom of Access
Within the limits of its resources, the University of Alaska Anchorage shall be open to all applicants who are qualified according to current enrollment and admission requirements. The University of Alaska Anchorage does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, Vietnam era or disabled veteran status, physical or mental disability, changes in marital status, pregnancy or parenthood in any of its policies, practices, or procedures. This includes, but is not limited to, admissions, employment, financial aid and educational services, programs and activities.
Freedom of Association
Students are free to associate to promote their common interests. They have the right to seek through official procedures establishment of organizations, so long as they are not in conflict with the educational purposes of the University. Students have the right to affiliate with officially registered campus organizations of their choice, within the membership requirements of those organizations.
Freedom from Unreasonable Search/Seizure
Students shall be free from unreasonable search and/or seizure regarding their person and their personal property. If a situation should occur in which a student is arrested by University police officers, that student has the right to remain silent, the right to be free of coercion, and the right to be advised of these rights.
Student Participation in Institutional Government
Students shall be free, individually and collectively, to express their views on issues of institutional policy and on matters of general interest to the student body. The student body shall have clearly defined means to participate in the formulation and application of institutional policy affecting academic and student affairs.
Maintaining a Positive Learning Environment
Members of the University community are responsible for modeling appropriate classroom behavior by limiting outside influences such as cell phones, pagers, children, guests, animals (other than approved service animals), etc., that could otherwise compromise the learning environment.
In order to evaluate student learning, grades are assigned by faculty to individual students that indicate achievement of course objectives. Student behaviors such as class attendance, class participation, completion of all assignments, and achievement of passing marks on all graded activities are the foundation for success of the student.
Class Attendance
Regular attendance and active participation are expected in all classes. Students are responsible for class work even if there are legitimate reasons for their absence. Unexcused absences may result in a student being withdrawn from the class or receiving a failing grade.
Official University Absences
Students participating in official intercollegiate activities on behalf of UAA, including but not limited to competition in athletics, forensics and performing arts, are responsible for making advance arrangements with faculty members to enable them to meet course requirements. Faculty members are encouraged to make reasonable accommodations for such students. In some cases accommodation may not be possible.
Student-Initiated Drop or Withdrawal
Students may drop a class according to the information found in the published class schedule each semester. After the last deadline for dropping a class, students may withdraw from the class through the twelfth (12) week of class (for all and spring semesters), prorated for shorter semesters. This will produce a designation “W” for the course on the student’s cumulative transcript.
Faculty-Initiated Drop or Withdrawal
A faculty member may initiate a drop or withdrawal from a class of a student who fails to meet published individual course requirements. A student who fails to attend class within the first seven (7) calendar days of the semester is also eligible for this action. Students who need to be excused from first-week attendance must contact the faculty member and receive permission before the first class meeting of the semester.
Campus Security Report
The Campus Security Report contains the UAA campus crime statistics for the three (3) most current years; campus security measures; crime reporting and alert procedures; crime prevention strategies and educational programs; the sexual offenses policy, complaint procedures, and disciplinary actions for violations of alcohol and other drug policies. The report is available on line at: http://www.uaa.alaska.edu/students/campussafety.cfm.
Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act
The Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act is a federal law that provides for the tracking of convicted sex offenders enrolled at or employed by institutions of higher education. The Act's intent is to extend the protections of sex offender registries to college campuses. Sex offenders, who already must register with the State of Alaska, as required by state law, must provide notice to the State that they are employed, carry on vocation at, or are a student at the University of Alaska Anchorage. Members of the campus community may obtain information concerning registered sex offenders from the Alaska Department of Public Safety through the following web site: www.dps.state.ak.us/sorweb/sorweb.aspx.
