The University has established certain rules and regulations which are considered necessary to ensure order and protect individual freedoms in the campus community. These rules and regulations are applicable to student groups as well as individuals. For academic regulations, see the Academic Regulations section and college and school sections of this catalog.
Alleged violations of law or of university, residential, or living-group regulations are dealt with through the University's student judicial system which provides for a hearing before one of several judicial boards or an administrative hearing officer. The judicial system assures due process for any student accused of a violation, as well as for the accuser.
Sanctions for violations are shaped to fit the individual and relate as nearly as possible to the offense committed. Obviously, the seriousness of the violation and whether it was a first or subsequent offense will have a bearing on the type of sanction which is deemed appropriate. Typical sanctions for lesser offenses have ranged from verbal warnings to restriction and/or removal of activity privileges, while the range of sanctions for more serious violations may include disciplinary probation, suspension, and, in rare instances, expulsion from the University.
For more detailed information, refer to the Office of the Dean of Students, ARKU M-405, 575-5004, or contact the Judicial Coordinator in the same office.
Students who represent the University in any official capacity must meet the University eligibility requirements for participation in extra-curricular activities.
Frequently, students travel off-campus in order to represent the University. Some trips are made in University vehicles, some via commercial means, and others in private cars. The University's concern is that there be adequate protection for the student and that the University be protected from claims and liability which might arise from these occasions. In order to ensure such protection, the following will be observed as policy and regulations:
Official Representation
The University of Arkansas recognizes that a student travels as its official representative when, and only when, the following facts exist:
1. An administrative official having authority to do so authorizes a student or students to be "official University representatives" for the purpose of attending an event related to accomplishment of university educational purposes.
2. The University will benefit from the representation in a substantial manner.
3. The student or students travel by University vehicle or travel according to transportation selected for them and approved by the person authorizing the travel.
4. The student or students meet campus requirements for participating in extra-curricular activities.
5. Before leaving the campus, the student or students and accompanying faculty or staff member, if any, shall have registered according to the procedures outlined in these regulations. Students attending functions on their own initiative in the guise of being "from the University of Arkansas," the institution deriving benefit only from the resulting publicity, are not official University representatives.
Procedures for Establishing Students As
Official University Representatives
Because of the possibility of claims and liability arising from student travel, it is necessary that strict procedures be established concerning the dispatching of enrolled students off campus for University purposes. The following procedure, therefore, is established:
1. Secure authority from appropriate administrator of college division.
2. Register a reasonable time in advance of travel period. Copies of the completed form shall be forwarded to the Office of the Dean of Students, to the administrative official authorizing the travel, and to the deans of the colleges in which the students are enrolled.
3. The faculty sponsor shall properly inform student representatives of the responsibility of that status.
Travel Regulations
1. Students may travel on public carriers, in University fleet vehicles, or by private vehicle if it is covered by an insurance policy currently in effect and purchased by the owner of the vehicle. The registration form shall designate type of transportation, and, if a private automobile, information as to the extent to which that vehicle is insured.
2. In the event of accident, full disclosure should be made of name, address, registration number of vehicle, driver's license, and University status of individual involved, but liability should not be admitted because not all facts may be known at the moment. All vehicle laws in the state involved should be obeyed.
3. Students shall file reports with their administrative office and the Business Manager's office concerning any accidents, collisions, personal injury, or property damage to themselves or to others on returning to the campus. In privately owned vehicles, the owner should notify his insurance company immediately.
4. No student or students shall be allowed to operate University fleet vehicles on off-campus trips as defined here unless accompanied by a faculty or staff member.
5. When a University car is to be used for off-campus travel, the person to whom possession is delivered shall first display to Physical Plant officials a driver's license for himself or herself and for any of the passengers whom he or she will allow to drive during the trip.
The above rules are inapplicable in the following cases:
1. Students traveling under the aegis of the Department of Athletics as athletes. (However, the Department of Athletics shall file a schedule for each sport in advance with the Office of Student Services which lists date, class periods to be missed, and squad members.)
2. Riding in University-operated vehicles between portions of the campus located in the same city or its suburbs.
3. Off-campus trips organized, conducted, or sponsored by a student organization in its own interest. Such trips are not made on behalf of the University of Arkansas as official travel, and the University will accept no responsibility for any liability arising therefrom.
4. Dispatching of a student on an errand in a city where he or she is regularly enrolled. If the student is dispatched by a faculty or staff member who would derive benefit from the act, liability might be imputed to that faculty or staff member on the idea that the student was the agent of the teacher, and not of the University.
This statement of policy and procedure is applicable in, but not limited to, the following cases, for example:
1. Travel by ROTC persons or groups, though not including summer camp travel while the student is not enrolled.
2. Travel by agricultural judging teams.
3. Travel by student performers representing fine arts (singers, debaters, etc.).
Sponsor
In order to guard the University against public criticism, all students or groups of students on an off-campus trips will be accompanied by a sponsor who shall assume responsibilities concerning the safety of students, their conduct, and for the end result that the University be well represented. Such a responsible person may become liable, due to his own negligence, for any person or persons injured. In addition, his acts may be attributed to or may reflect on the University where acts occur as a result of something within his general authority. The sponsor is responsible, as a University employee, to maintain reasonable order.
Student Conduct
Students away from the campus as University representatives are subject to disciplinary action by the University for breaches of conduct. The accompanying sponsor is authorized to maintain good order and good representation during the trip. Upon returning to the campus, disciplinary action of a penalizing nature may be instituted against students for misconduct during the trip.
Make up of Classes Missed While Representing the University
Students are sometimes away from the University during regularly scheduled classes to represent the University in a variety of activities--professional meetings, workshops, field trips, research activities, athletic events, debate competitions, judging events, fine arts events, etc. The University recognizes the value of these activities for personal development and as an educational opportunity. Instructors are encouraged to assist students in making up classwork (including lectures, laboratories, tests, etc.) missed because of these activities whenever possible. However, the instructor has the final responsibility to determine if it is feasible to make up the work. The following procedures establish a framework for communication between the student and instructor on this question.
Instructor's Responsibility
The instructor should determine the requirements for the course including tentative dates of tests, field trips, etc. together with a make-up policy and supporting rationale. This information should be communicated to the students at the first class meeting, if possible, but not later than the end of the drop-add period.
Student's Responsibility
Where possible, a student who anticipates a substantial amount of activity as a University representative during a particular semester should schedule courses and class times to minimize the conflict. The student should make the instructor aware of any planned absences as a University representative as soon as possible and request arrangements for make up of the work to be missed.
The student and instructor should confer to attempt to resolve any differences which grow out of (1) and (2) under Official Representation. The chairperson or area coordinator may be brought into the discussion, particularly if there is a potential need for additional resources or increased support for the instructor.
If the student questions the instructor's final decision the student has recourse through the student academic appeal structure.
I. It is important that individuals and groups in the University community respect others' rights by not creating noise disturbances on the campus or around residences. Whenever an event is scheduled, whether an amplified sound system is involved or not, the sponsoring organization must take into account the area being used and the potential for noise disturbance. The intent is not to deny access to speakers or other presentations where noice spill creates no problem; rather, "noise pollution" is the target of the regulations.
II. Those sponsors planning outdoor events are expected to consult with Campus Activities, ARKU 504, well in advance of the event for the purpose of compliance with the sound regulations. The sound regulations apply to outdoor campus events which may potentially cause noise disturbances regardless of whether or not amplified sound is used (i.e., pep rallies, outdoor music performances, etc.).
III. Outdoor events should be submitted to Campus Activities for approval using the Outdoor Event Registration form at least two weeks prior to the scheduled event. The event sponsor is expected to have a copy of the approved form in hand at their event.
IV. Outdoor events held on campus must abide by the following sound regulations, which prohibit unreasonable sound disturbance.
A. *A level of 70 decibels will be permitted in approved locations from 6:00 p.m. Sunday through 6:00 p.m. Friday.
B. *A level of 80 decibels will be permitted in approved locations from 6:00 p.m. Friday through 6:00 p.m. Sunday.
V. If complaints are registered, decibel levels will be measured by The University of Arkansas Police Department (UAPD) from the location of the activity as well as at the source of the complaint to assure compliance with approved levels. An attempt will be made to work cooperatively with the event sponsor in assuring approved sound levels. If cooperation does not occur, and if deemed appropriate by UAPD, the event may be terminated.
VI. During the week, (Sunday evening through Friday afternoon), sound systems may be used on campus and around University residences only between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m. With prior approval from the Physical Plant, sound systems are permitted during the week in the Greek Theatre, east of the flagpole on the lawn of Old Main, and in outdoor reservable spaces. The use of sound systems during the weekend must be terminated by 1:00 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Sound systems may be used on the Arkansas Union Bridge with prior approval from the Director of the Arkansas Union, ARKU M-423, and on the Union Mall with joint approval from the Physical Plant and the Arkansas Union.
VII. Any University of Arkansas student organization or living group seeking a variance from the sound regulations must submit its proposal for variance on the designated form to the Campus Activities Center. Campus Activities may either recommend modification of the request or else withhold action pending acceptance of such modification. If Campus Activities denies the variance request, the organization may appeal to the Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Services and Dean of Students.
VIII. City of Fayetteville Ordinance 96.02 applies to all events held on University property. It states, "No person shall unreasonably make, continue, or cause to be made or continued, any noise disturbance."
IX. Outdoor events organized by student organizations or living groups which could create noise disturbances on campus will not be approved after the last day of classes through the end of finals each fall and spring semester.
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