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Student Handbook

Policies & Guidelines

As a member of the University community, you are entitled to certain rights and privileges. In the same light, you are obligated to follow certain rules and regulations set forth by Ohio State University, Ohio State ATI, and state and local laws. Take time to review the following policies and regulations. You are encouraged to refer to the following Web sites for more detailed information:

Important Policies, Procedures and Rules:
studentaffairs.osu.edu/resource_policies.asp

Financial Aid Web Page:
sfa.osu.edu

Disabilities Services:
www.ods.ohio-state.edu

University Rules
As a member of the University, you enjoy certain rights and privileges. Among these are the right to be free from a variety of forms of discrimination and sexual harassment, the right to discuss and exchange ideas, the right to be involved in University governance, and the right to privacy.

Privileges like these are accompanied by an obligation to live the rules and policies established for the orderly operation of the University. Degree requirements, rules against plagiarism and other forms of academic dishonesty, residence hall rules, financial aid eligibility requirements, and traffic and parking regulations are examples of the many rules that will govern your life. Copies of current rules may be obtained from the academic or administrative office associated with the subject matter of the rule.

The Code of Student Conduct is the set of rules that protect persons and property of the University community. Current information on the Code of Student Conduct and other University policies, rules, regulations, and procedures, including those listed below, may be obtained here.

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Plagiarism and Academic Misconduct
Academic Misconduct is any activity which tends to compromise the academic integrity of the University or subvert the educational process. Ohio State has a reputation for academic excellence. It is a reputation we are determined to maintain.

Plagiarism is the act of stealing the ideas and/or the expression of ideas of another and representing them as your own.

The most obvious form of plagiarism is copying someone else's work word-for-word, in whole or in part, without acknowledgment, whether that work is a magazine article, a portion of a book, a newspaper piece, another student's essay, or any other composition not your own.

Changing a few words of another's composition, omitting a few sentences, or changing word order or sentence structure does not constitute original composition and, therefore, is plagiarism.

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The Penalties
The University regards plagiarism as a very serious matter and deals with it appropriately. The penalties for plagiarism and other forms of academic misconduct are heavy and severe. All cases of plagiarism are turned over to the University Committee on Academic Misconduct to be investigated and, in cases where violation of the Code of Student Conduct is established, a penalty is imposed which may range from recommending an "E" in the course to dismissal from the University.

Assistance
If you, or someone you know, is being affected by violations of the Code of Conduct, please seek assistance. If you feel that the situation is threatening or an emergency, contact the University Police immediately (9-1-1). For further resolution of other problems:
Academic Concerns - Contact the Ohio State ATI Office of Academic Affairs
Housing - Contact the Ohio State ATI Housing Director
Other Areas - Contact the Assistant Director, or the OSU Police.

Computer Policies and Guidelines
Computer Plagiarism and Academic Misconduct
All aspects of plagiarism and academic misconduct apply equally to all computer usage. See the Code of Student Conduct.

Ethical Use of Software
Unauthorized reproduction of copyrighted software is both illegal and unethical. Students will be expected to follow laws governing the use of computer software, which is copyrighted and/or represents intellectual material. In addition to university action, individuals who copy software illegally are liable for fines and/or imprisonment.

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Policy Statement, The Office of Academic Computing
The following specific principles of computer and network systems operated under the direction of the Office of Academic Computing are applicable to all Ohio State students, faculty, staff and contract employees.
• Respect the privacy and rules governing the use of any information accessible through the computer system or network, even when that information is not securely protected.
• Respect the ownership of proprietary software. For example, do not make unauthorized copies of such software for your own use, even when the software is not physically protected against copying.
• Respect the finite capacity of the systems, and limit your own use so as not to interfere unreasonably with the activities of other users.
• Respect the procedures established to manage the use of the system.
• No installation of unauthorized software.
Those who cannot accept these standards of behavior may be denied access to the relevant computer systems and networks. Violators also may be subject to penalties under regulations of the University and under laws of the State of Ohio and/or the United States of America to the extent applicable.

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University Systems
University Systems is a repository of information in computerized data files for the Ohio State University. Any person who accesses data and resources through University Systems:
• is not to make or permit unauthorized use of any information in files maintained, stored or processed by University Systems;
• is not to seek personal benefit or to permit others to benefit personally by any confidential information or use of equipment which come to them by virtue of their work assignment;
• is not to exhibit or divulge the contents of any record or report to a person except in the conduct of their work assignment and in accordance with the University Systems' policy;
• is not to knowingly include or cause to be included in any record or report, a false, inaccurate, or misleading entry;
• is not to remove any office record (or copy) or report from the office where it is kept except in the performance of their duties;
• is not to operate any non-licensed software on any equipment;
• is not to aid, abet, or act in conspiracy with another to violate any part of this code; and,
• is to immediately report any violation of this code to their supervisor or the Dean Security Group.

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