Student FAQs

Yes, a student is generally entitled to view and obtain copies of her/his academic record through the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs. The process for obtaining records can be found at the following website: http://registrar.utah.edu/handbook/ferpa.php. (Last reviewed on Dec. 14, 2011)

No. The attorney is not entitled to attend the meeting. You may permit the employee or student, in your discretion, to bring a supportive person to the meeting (friend, spouse, parent, etc.). In many cases attorneys are entitled to attend University hearings but this does not apply to meetings between faculty and students or between an employee and his/her supervisor. Contact the Office of General Counsel if you have questions. (Last reviewed on Dec. 1, 2011)

The constitutional right of free speech may be exercised in any public space on the University of Utah campus. However, the University imposes reasonable time, place and manner restrictions on demonstrations and other free speech activities. Location restrictions include areas that are not public, such as offices, labs, classrooms and patient care facilities. Manner restrictions include requirements that free speech activities be orderly, peaceful, safe, and respectful of property and others' rights. The University prohibits demonstrations that interfere with traffic, facility accessibility, work, classes, housing or events. Camping is not allowed on University property for any reason, including demonstrations. University policies also provide special rules with regard to demonstrations near patient entrances to University health care facilities. Consult University Policy 1-007, Utah Administrative Code R805-3, and the Office of General Counsel with specific questions. (Last reviewed on Dec. 1, 2011)

Under the Due Process clause, University students generally have a right to expectation of continued education. In general, students should be aware of the University's expectations of them and made aware when their performance or conduct has put them on a path that may lead to suspension or dismissal. Such awareness can come through a variety of mechanisms such as the Student Code (Policy 6-400), student handbooks, course syllabi, or other written or verbal communications. When a proposed decision to suspend or terminate the educational process has been made, that process must be "careful and deliberate" and generally the student should be notified of the reasons for and have a chance to contest the decision. These rights are reflected in University of Utah Policy, particularly in the Student Code. Some exceptions may apply and the Office of General Counsel should be consulted for specific questions. (Last reviewed on Dec. 1, 2011)

Please contact the University of Utah Center for Disability & Access at 200 South Central Campus Drive, Room 162 (Olpin Union Building), or by telephone at (801) 581-5020. You may also wish to visit http://disability.utah.edu/. (Last reviewed on Dec. 14, 2011)

The Office of General Counsel's (OGC) client is the University, and OGC provides legal services and advice regarding the University's legal matters to University administrators responsible for those matters. OGC may provide legal advice and services to students regarding legal issues that affect their work for the University, such as publication copyright issues, but generally does not provide legal advice and services for personal matters. (Last reviewed on Dec. 14, 2011)

You should comply with the instructions you have received in connection with the call to service. You should consult your employment or academic supervisor immediately to make arrangements for any absence related to your jury duty. (Last reviewed on Dec. 14, 2011)

“As defined by University Rule 1-012: Discrimination Complaint Rule, Sexual or Gender-Based Harassment means conduct, on the basis of sex/gender, that:

1. An employee conditioning the provision of an aid, benefit, or service on an individual's participation in otherwise unwelcome sexual conduct;
2. Unwelcome conduct which a reasonable person would determine to be:
   1. so severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive that it effectively denies a person equal access to the University's Programs or Activities (Title IX); or
   2. sufficiently severe or pervasive that it has the purpose or effect of interfering with or creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment in a University Program or Activity (Title VII or University Policy); or
3. Conduct which constitutes Sexual Assault/Sex Offenses, Dating Violence, Domestic Violence or Stalking, as defined in Part II (these are forms of Sexual or Gender-Based Harassment).
   1. Sexual Assault/Sex Offenses mean any sexual act directed against another person, without Consent of the victim, including instances where the victim is incapable of giving Consent. Sexual Assault includes the following:
      1. Rape means the penetration, no matter how slight, of the vagina or anus, with any body part or object or oral penetration by a sex organ of another person, without the Consent of the victim. This offense includes the rape of either males or females.
      2. Fondling means the touching of the private body parts of another person for the purpose of sexual gratification, forcibly and/or against that person's will; or, not forcibly or against the person's will if the victim is incapable of giving Consent because of their youth or because of their temporary or permanent mental or physical incapacity.
      3. Incest means sexual intercourse between persons who are related to each other within the degrees wherein marriage is prohibited by law;
      4. Statutory rape means sexual intercourse with a person who is under the statutory age of Consent.
   2. Dating Violence means violence committed by a person who is or has been in a social relationship of a romantic or intimate nature with the victim. The existence of such a relationship shall be determined based on the reporting Party's statement and with consideration of the length of the relationship, the type of relationship, and the frequency of interaction between the persons involved in the relationship. Dating Violence includes, but is not limited to, sexual or physical abuse or the threat of such abuse. It does not include acts covered under the definition of Domestic Violence.
   3. Domestic Violence means acts constituting a felony or misdemeanor crime of violence committed by: a person who is a current or former spouse or intimate partner of the victim; a person with whom the victim shares a child in common; a person who is cohabitating with, or has cohabitated with, the victim as a spouse or intimate partner; a person similarly situated to a spouse of the victim under the domestic or family violence laws of the jurisdiction in which the crime of violence occurred; or, by any person if committed against an adult or youth victim who is protected from that person's acts under the domestic or family violence laws of the jurisdiction in which the crime of violence occurred.
4. The free and open discussion of issues or theories relating to sexuality or gender in an academic or professional setting, when appropriate to subject matter, will be presumed not to constitute Sexual or Gender-Based Harassment even if it offends or embarrasses an individual unless other factors are involved, such as targeting the discussion to an individual or carrying out the discussion in terms that are both patently unnecessary and gratuitously offensive.”

All instances of alleged or suspected sexual or gender-based harassment should be immediately reported to the Office of Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action, and Title IX located in Park Building Room 135 at (801) 581-8365.

The University of Utah is committed to an environment free of sexual or gender-based harassment for all students, employees, and participants. SeeUniversity Policy 1-012 and University Rule 1-012.

No.  The University has a non-retaliation policy under which all individuals who initiate or participate in an OEO/AA proceeding are protected, including witnesses who cooperate with an OEO/AA proceeding or individuals who make a request for disability accommodation.  If you feel as though action has been taken against you for having initiated or participated in an OEO/AA proceeding, you may file a complaint with the OEO/AA.

A list of community legal resources and services, including resources and legal clinics that help individuals obtain restraining orders or protective orders, is available here.

Yes.  The Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action (OEO/AA) offers training to any University-affiliated group or individual for department meetings, faculty meetings, student groups, and academic classes.  For more information, please contact the OEO/AA at (801) 581-8365.