University Policies and Procedures

Registration Policies and Procedures

All students must register by the last day to add classes for each semester. Students register on the web by accessing Gibson Online, which can be found via the University Registrar's website at www.registrar.tulane.edu. Gibson Online is a gateway to online services such as registration, grades, degree audit, myTulane, etc. This site also contains a link to the Schedule of Classes. Registration can also be accessed by logging directly into the Schedule of Classes. Summer and Fall semester course offerings are available in March and Spring semester courses are available in November. The schedule contains live data and reflects what courses are available at that moment in time. The convenience of registration on the web coupled with the delivery of tuition bills via email greatly reduces the time each student must spend on campus dealing with administrative details. Students, however, must know that by registering they assume full financial responsibility for keeping the University informed of any address changes so that bills may be delivered promptly.

Students should also be aware of the requirement to confirm attendance at the beginning of each semester. Notices will be emailed to all enrolled students when the confirmation option becomes available on GIBSON. In addition, they must consult the academic calendar on the University Registrar's webpage when adding or dropping courses once the term has begun. Failure to heed the dates set forth in the official calendar could result in academic or financial penalty.

Grade Grievance Procedure

Students who believe a grade to be incorrect should first consult with their instructor to address any discrepancies. If questions remain or the situation is unresolved, students seeking redress should follow the official grade grievance procedure.

Address Changes

All students should provide the registrar with an up-to-date local address. It is the responsibility of the student to keep the university notified of any change in local or permanent address. Many of the important documents that students need are now sent to them using the addresses they provide. These include: notices from Technology Services, bills (if requested via mail vs. email), and notices concerning academic action. It, therefore, is essential that any change in address be updated using the “Update Addresses and Phones” option found under Student Services via Gibson Online.

Expected Behavior at Tulane University

Tulane University expects and requires behavior compatible with its high standards of scholarship. By accepting admission to the university, a student accepts its regulations (i.e., Code of Academic Conduct, Code of Student Conduct) and acknowledges the right of the university to take disciplinary action, including suspension or expulsion, for conduct judged unsatisfactory or disruptive.

The integrity of Tulane University is based on the absolute honesty of the entire community in all academic endeavors. As part of the community, students have certain responsibilities regarding all independent work that forms the basis for the evaluation of their academic achievement. Students are expected to be familiar with these responsibilities at all times.

The scholarly community of the university depends on the willingness of both instructors and students to uphold the Code of Academic Conduct. When a violation of the Code of Academic Conduct is suspected, it is the duty of every member of the academic community who has evidence to take action. Students should take steps to uphold the Code of Academic Conduct by reporting any suspected offense to the instructor or the Honor Board. Students should under no circumstances tolerate any form of academic dishonesty.

Behavior Norms

Listed below are generally accepted guidelines for student behavior in classrooms, laboratories and studios. Instructors and schools may impose other expectations.

• Computers are to be used for class-related purposes only; instructors will specify when computers may not be used.
• Students and instructors will turn off all cell phones and electronic devices at the beginning of each class; these items will remain off for the duration of the class.
• Students and instructors are required to observe copyright laws.
• Students are responsible for checking their Tulane e-mail accounts daily when classes are in session.
• Instructors expect students to be punctual when arriving for classes and presentations; they also expect uninterrupted attendance for the duration of the class.
• Students submitting work late can expect, at the instructor's discretion, to have the work refused or to receive a grade penalty.
• Videotaping or recording a class requires the instructor's approval in advance.

Discipline

For all academic activities and disruptive behavior, the authority for control and discipline rests with the dean of Newcomb-Tulane College and the deans of the undergraduate schools. In all other areas, the vice president of student affairs is responsible for formulating appropriate procedures and regulations concerning student behavior and for the judicial consideration of violations. Students should refer to the Code of Student Conduct for a full description.

Code of Student Conduct

All students are bound by the code of student conduct that is administered by the Office of Student Affairs. The full text is available here.

General Policies

Tulane University is an Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity institution. Consequently, its policy of nondiscrimination includes recruitment, employment, admission retention and promotion of the most qualified students, faculty, and staff regardless of an individual's race, sex, color, religion, marital/ethnic origin, citizenship, marital status, sexual orientation, handicap, or veteran status. Tulane University does not discriminate in its provision of services and benefits or in its treatment of students, patients, and employees. Inquiries regarding this policy may be referred to the Office of Institutional Equity.

Tulane University is committed to a policy of compliance with Federal laws and regulations concerning nondiscrimination on the basis of race, sex, color, national/ethnic origin, religion, age handicap, or veteran status in educational or institutional programs and activities. Title VI and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the other similar legislation prohibit such discrimination.

Tulane University has implemented grievance procedures for faculty, staff, and students concerning cases of alleged discrimination, including those of alleged sexual harassment. It is the policy of the University that harassment on the basis of sex among employees constitutes an impermissible employment practice, which is subject to disciplinary action and shall not be tolerated. Complaints or confidential inquiries may be referred to the Office of Human Resources or the Office of Institutional Equity.

Sexual harassment involving students and university personnel or among students is equally impermissible and shall not be tolerated. The University is committed to providing an environment to study free of discrimination and sexual harassment.

Reporting the Complaint: It is not necessary to first confront the harasser prior to instituting a complaint under this policy. However, it is appropriate to promptly report a complaint so that a full and complete investigation is possible. Any person designated to receive complaints from students, employees, or faculty must notify the Office of Institutional Equity within twenty-four (24) hours of receiving a harassment complaint.

Complaints by students: A student who believes she or he has been harassed or is being harassed may report the alleged harassing behavior to any of the following individuals or agencies:

• Dean of the Newcomb-Tulane College, Dean of the school or Dean of Students (or person designated by same) with which complaining student is affiliated.
• Vice President for Student Affairs (or person designated by same), 504-865-5180
• Associate Dean for Student Affairs, Tulane University Health Sciences Center, 504-988-5668
• Office of Institutional Equity, 504-862-8083 or 504-247-1760
• Tulane University Department of Public Safety, 504-865-5381
• Tulane University Health Sciences Center Security Services, 504-988-5531
• Contact the Office of Institutional Equity for additional information about Tulane University's Equal Opportunity and Harassment Policies. Uptown Square Suite 105, 504-247-1760.

Tulane University complies with the provision of the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, which was enacted to protect the privacy of education records, to establish the right of students to inspect and review their education records, and to provide guidelines for the correction of inaccurate or misleading data. Students have the right to file complaints with the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) Office concerning alleged failures by the institution to comply with the Act. Information concerning the rights and protection under the Act, the types and locations of education records maintained and the procedure to be used by the institution for compliance with the provisions of the Act can be obtained from the following offices: Vice President for Student Affairs/Dean of Student Services (and Registrar's Office. Grievances or confidential inquiries concerning the Act may be referred to the Office of Institutional Equity.

It is the policy and practice of Tulane University to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act and all state and local requirements regarding individuals with disabilities. Under these laws, no qualified individual with a disability shall be denied access to, or participation in, services, programs, and activities of Tulane University. Accommodations are provided to those with documented disabilities through the Office of Disabilities Services. This office can be reached at (504) 862-8433.