The University’s policies and procedures should be developed within the broadest possible participation of members of the academic community; that participation should rest on the basis and aims of the University’s philosophy and its stated objectives.

AIDS Policy

Should the need arise for supporting employees or students with AIDS (Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome), the University has adopted this policy, which is based upon a model developed by the American College Health Association. AIDS is a serious illness, a public health problem, and an immediate concern to the University community. AIDS is characterized by a defect in the natural immunity against disease. People who have AIDS are vulnerable to critical illnesses, which would not be a threat to anyone whose immune system was functioning normally.

AIDS is caused by a virus commonly called HIV. Presently there is no known cure or effective vaccine for either HIV or AIDS. However, the consensus of authoritative medical opinion, as reflected by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is that AIDS is not a readily communicable disease. There are no known cases of AIDS transmission by food, water, insects or casual contact socially or in the workplace; and no spread of the virus has been found within family groups in which one or more persons have been diagnosed with AIDS.

The current scientific understanding is that the AIDS virus is transmitted through an exchange of blood that occurs when a needle of an infected person is used by someone else, through a blood transfusion from an infected person, or through intimate contact involving the transfer of semen or vaginal fluids.

Considering current authoritative medical opinion, there is no basis for routinely excluding or dismissing employees or students because they have AIDS or HIV virus antibodies. The University will make a decision on any person known to have the virus on a case-by-case basis, with the help of medical advice.

Depending upon the medical circumstances of each situation, the University may regularly monitor or require the monitoring of the person’s medical condition, and may counsel the person on the nature of the disease and the importance of not engaging in behavior that could transmit the disease. The right to privacy of all individuals will be respected and protected, and the confidentiality of any records that may be required will be maintained. Because the virus is not transmitted by ordinary contact, it is neither necessary nor appropriate for the protection of roommates, classmates or employees to share with them any information regarding a student or employee with an AIDS related condition.  The University will comply with all federal and state laws and regulations, including those of the United States Public Health Service and the guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and the American College Health Association, which bear on the welfare of persons with AIDS or on the welfare of others within the Millikin community who may have contact with AIDS.  The University will continue to provide informational programs designed to acquaint the community with current information about AIDS and provide information focused on avoiding or minimizing the risks of transmission.

Anyone with questions about AIDS may contact the Dean of Student Development and/or  theMillikin / DMH Health Center.

Alcohol Policy

Bicycles and Rollerblades

A bicycle is a convenient form of transportation on campus as well as in the community, but it is necessary to secure bicycles with a strong case-hardened lock and tempered steel chain.  Please do not park a bicycle where it may be an inconvenience or hazard to others or where it interferes with access to a building in the event of a fire. Chain it securely to a bike rack.

For safety reasons, bicycles are not permitted in residence halls or other campus buildings.  For these same reasons, students are not to wear rollerblades inside any campus building at any time.

Campus Security Act

In 1990, Congress passed the Students Right to Know and Campus Security Act.  The Act was most recently amended in2008.  The Act requires colleges and universities to report annually the number of designated crimes that occur on or contiguous to campus.  The designated crimes and their definitions are:

Murder:  The willful killing of one human being by another.

Forcible Sex Offenses: Any sexual act directed against another person, forcibly or against that person’s will.  Includes forcible rape, forcible sodomy, sexual assault with an object, and forcible fondling.

Non-Forcible Sex Offenses: Unlawful, non-forcible sexual intercourse.  Includes incest and statutory rape.

Robbery:  The taking, or attempted taking, of anything of value from one person by another, in which the offender uses force or the threat of violence.

Aggravated Assault: An attack by one person upon another, in which the offender uses or displays a weapon in a threatening manner or the victim, suffers severe injury involving apparent broken bones, loss of teeth, possible internal injury, severe laceration, or loss of consciousness.

Burglary:  The unlawful entry into a building or other structure with the intent to commit a felony or a theft.

      Motor-Vehicle Theft: The theft of a motor vehicle, including automobiles, trucks, motorcycles, and mopeds.

Liquor-Law Violations: The violation of laws prohibiting the manufacture, sale, purchase, transportation, possession, or use of alcoholic beverages.   Does not include driving under the influence or drunkenness violations.

Drug-Law Violations: The violation of laws prohibiting the production, distribution, and/or use of certain controlled substances and the equipment needed to produce or use them.

Weapons-Law Violations: The violation of laws prohibiting the manufacture, sale, purchase, transportation, possession, concealment, or use of firearms, knives, explosives, or other deadly weapons.

      Manslaughter: The killing of another person through negligence.

Arson: To unlawfully and intentionally damage, or attempt to damage, any real or personal property by fire or incendiary device.

Hate Crimes: All the above and including intimidation, simple assault, and criminal damage to property

The Act also requires institutions to report the number of people referred for student conduct action for liquor, drug, and weapons law violations.

Computer Acceptable Use Policy and Policy on Information Technology Resources

Consensual Sexual Activities with Students

Given the fundamentally asymmetrical nature of the faculty-student relationship, voluntary consent by the student in an amorous relationship is suspect.  In addition to the possible sexual exploitation of the student involved, other students, staff, and faculty may be affected by such relationships.  Therefore, consensual sexual and amorous relationships will be considered unethical and are prohibited between a student and any member of the faculty or administrative staff who teaches, supervises, evaluates, or otherwise is in a position to exercise power or authority over the student.  Efforts by members of the faculty or administration staff to initiate these relationships are also prohibited.

Consensual sexual and amorous relationships between a student and any member of the faculty or administrative staff who is not in a position to exercise direct power or authority over that student (e.g., when the student is in a different school or department) may also be inappropriate because of a perception of power or influence.  Any member of the faculty or administrative staff who engages in such a relationship must accept responsibility for assuring that it does not result in a conflict of interest or raise other issues of professional ethics.  In cases of doubt, advice and counsel should be sought from the dean, department chair, or administrative supervisor.

Disclosure

Protection against improper disclosure of information is a serious professional obligation of faculty members and administrative staff, which should be balanced with their obligation to the individual student, the institution and society.  Faculty and staff members will be free to participate in such professional consultation with their colleagues as serves the welfare of the student.  Information may be provided concerning a student’s competence and fitness for a given task, including relevant judgments of character, to other persons within the University who have legitimate grounds for seeking information.  But free inquiry and free expression, which are vital to good education, may be jeopardized by indiscriminate disclosure of information about student’s attitudes, beliefs and political associates which may be acquired in the course of teaching, advising and counseling students.  For additional information, please refer to the Records Policy.

Drug Free Schools Act

Freedom of Access to the University

Freedom of Association

Grievance Policy

Students should appeal academic matters through their professors, department chairs, academic Deans, and the Vice President for Academic Affairs.  Non-academic appeals and grievances can be addressed through Student Development.

Guest Speaker Policy

Recognizing the fact that members of the academic community bring with them varied interests, Millikin University is determined to encourage free discussion on subjects of interest to members of our campus community.  It is essential that student organizations, recognized by the University, be free to select the persons they wish to invite as guest speakers with no restrictions designed directly or indirectly to control the viewpoints of the speakers other than those specified below.

The University sets down the following guidelines to insure the University against damage or interference with its overall educational program.

1.     The address of a guest speaker must not violate the restrictions on the freedom of speech that are imposed by law for public security.

2.     Views presented by guest speakers should be open to free discussion. Meetings addressed by guest speakers on subjects of public interest or concern, as distinct from properly private business of the organization, should be made known to the University community prior to the appearance.

3.     Scheduling of guest speakers on campus should be done as far in advance as possible. Dates and times should be cleared through the Office of Student Programs and Campus Scheduling. A minimum of two weeks should be allowed for this purpose.  Any contracts related to the speaking events must also be reviewed by the Director of Student Programs. Students may not sign contractual agreements.

4.     It is recommended that student organizations select guest speakers to promote the objectives of their organization; however the student organizations are expected to use their best efforts to avoid publicity or public controversy harmful to the University. If a guest speaker is harmful to the University, the said organization may be subject to a reevaluation of the recognized standing of the organization.

5.     No student organization should wish to present a speaker if reliable reports of the speaker’s address elsewhere demonstrates that the speaker resorts to accusations without supporting evidence or with false evidence, or that the speaker’s language is abusive, indecent, or productive of disorder rather than thought.

Millikin Name and Logo Use Policy

Student organizations may request approval to use the Millikin name, and/or Logo and/or names of campus facilities and/or organizations on any material. Written requests must be submitted to the Director of Student Programs and approved by the Marketing & Media Relations department before such materials are ordered or manufactured.

Noise Policy

Millikin University and affiliated group facilities are located in close proximity to other members of the Decatur community. The playing of stereos and/or loud speakers can be disturbing to our neighbors, particularly late at night. Representatives of organizations sponsoring social events are encouraged to notify neighbors of the events and to be sensitive to their privacy.  In order to maintain a desirable environment, all students are expected to respect the rights of their fellow students and the faculty by maintaining a reasonable limit on noise at all hours.

Any action deemed disruptive to the academic environment, to studying, classes, or the carrying forward of the University’s business or properly authorized and scheduled events, will constitute an invasion of the rights of students and faculty. This policy expects courtesy and cooperation at all times. Greater support will be given to those requesting reasonable quiet than those individuals being loud. Please refer to the following as examples of expectations.

Residence Halls

·  All students in University residence halls will observe quiet hours from 10 p.m. to 10 a.m., Sunday through Thursday and 12:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. on Friday and Saturday.

·    At no times are students allowed to play musical instruments in their rooms (with the exception of the Fine Arts LLC). This includes warming up on any instrument including vocal. Practice rooms are available for student use in the Perkinson Music Center.

·    At no time are students allowed to direct sound outside their room or place speakers in their windows.

Greek Chapters and/or Campus-Approved Apartments

·   All music at outdoor events must end by midnight.

·   At no time are students allowed to direct sound outside their room or place speakers in their windows.

Records Policy – FERPA, The Buckley Amendment

Residence Hall Policies & Procedures

Sexual Misconduct

Smoking Policy

All buildings at Millikin University are smoke-free. This includes private offices and all residence hall rooms and common areas.  Additionally, all University owned residence halls are smoke-free and tobacco-free. Smoking policies may vary in affiliated housing facilities.

Solicitation and Demonstration by Non-University Affiliated Individuals, Groups, or Organizations

Withdrawal From Millikin