Appendix 1: Code of Responsibilities and Rights of the Students of Midwestern University

Jump to section

The primary purpose of the mission of Midwestern University is the education of students in all of its programs, including. The University is a community of faculty, administration, and students. Each group exercises its own rights and responsibilities in furthering the total educational process of the University.

The following code enumerates the rights and responsibilities of the student segment of the Midwestern University community. It is written in the belief that student knowledge of the student role in this educational process will promote more effective student achievement.

This code and the accompanying bylaws are thus set forth to describe the general policies relating to student life and organizations at Midwestern University. These general policies are subject to the bylaws and faculty policies of Midwestern University.

Section One:

Title

This code is titled The Code of Responsibilities and Rights of the Students of Midwestern University. It is approved and authorized by the Board of Trustees of Midwestern University.

Section Two:

Definition and Basic Concepts

The Code of Responsibilities and Rights of the Students of Midwestern University is a part of each student’s educational commitment. The following definitions of terms are made for clarification.

The “University” refers to Midwestern University. The term includes the physical plant, the total educational program, students, faculty, employees, officers, and trustees.
A “student” is anyone who has matriculated at the University and has commenced classes. The term does not include an individual who has applied for admission to but has not enrolled in classes at the University, nor does it include alumni status.
The “faculty” constitutes those individuals appointed to the faculty by the President and Chief Executive Officer of the University.
A “student organization” is any group of students given recognition by the appropriate Student Senate and/or an individual college Student Council/Student Government Association and the administration.
Each “Student Senate” is a separate and independent student governance structure on each campus that oversees campus wide student clubs and/or organizations.
“Student Services” includes areas of student interest and involvement through which their academic, social, and professional goals can be achieved.
“University services” are the academic, business, administrative, professional, and public relations activities of the University. Included in this definition are activities carried out under the University’s auspices such as a clerkship/preceptorship at another institution.
“University programs” are those educational programs established by Midwestern University for biomedical science, cardiovascular perfusion, clinical psychology, dental, nurse anesthesia, optometry, osteopathic medical, pharmacy, physical therapy, physician assistant, public health, occupational therapy, speech language pathology, and veterinary medicine education.
“Academic freedom” is the right of faculty and students to freely study, discuss, investigate, and function within the academic disciplines.
“Requirements of the University” are those prerequisites for receipt of the degree of Doctor of Dental Medicine, Doctor of Nurse Anesthesia Practice, Doctor of Nursing Practice, Doctor of Optometry, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, Doctor of Pharmacy, Doctor of Physical Therapy, Doctor of Podiatric Medicine, Doctor of Psychology, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Master of Arts in Biomedical Sciences, Master of Biomedical Sciences, Masters of Medical Science in Physician Assistant Studies, Master of Occupational Therapy, Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology, Master of Science in Cardiovascular Science, Master of Science in Nurse Anesthesia, Masters of Science in Nursing, Masters of Public Health, Masters in Precision Medicine, Post Masters Certificate in Nursing: Adult and Gerontology Primary Care, that are delineated in the University catalog and in official pronouncements of the Board of Trustees, faculty, and administration. Such requirements may change as the need arises to ensure acceptability and respectability of the various degrees offered by the University.
A student is in "good academic standing" if they are meeting all of the stated academic requirements for their respective college.
“Academic Warning” is a status that is used as a formal notification to a student that they are performing at a substandard academic level and cautions the student that continued performance at this level may result in the student being placed on academic probation. Students on “academic warning” are ineligible to run for or hold student organizational offices, unless approved by the Dean of Students and their respective college dean through an appropriate formal written appeal process (see Student Elections section under the Policies category of the Student Handbook). Academic warning is not noted on the transcript.
A status of “Academic Probation” represents notice that continued inadequate academic performance might result in suspension or dismissal. Students who are on academic probation are ineligible to run for or hold student organizational offices, unless approved by the Dean of Students and their respective college dean through an appropriate formal written appeal process (see Student Elections section under the Policies category of the Student Handbook). All students need to be fully aware of their individual college’s academic policies regarding classifications of academic standing. Academic probation is not noted on the transcript.
“Professional standing” refers to a student’s professional behavior, conduct, and deportment. A student is in “good professional standing” if they are meeting all of the stated professional requirements for their respective college and the University.
"Disciplinary Warning" is a formal notification to a student that their professional behavior, conduct, and/or deportment is inappropriate and cautions the student that continued performance at this level may result in the student being placed on disciplinary probation. Students on "disciplinary warning" are ineligible to run for or hold student organizational offices, unless approved by the Dean of Students and their respective college dean through an appropriate formal written appeal process (see Student Elections section under the Policies category of the Student Handbook).
A status of “Disciplinary Probation” represents notice that continued inadequate professional performance might result in suspension or dismissal. Students who are on disciplinary probation are ineligible to run for or hold student organization offices (see Appendix 2, Section 2), unless approved by the Dean of Students and their respective college dean through an appropriate formal written appeal process (see Student Election section under the Policies category of the Student Handbook).
A status of “Suspension” means that a student is temporarily suspended from all activities (academic and non-academic) within the University, although the student retains their student status in their program and the University. A student may be suspended for academic or disciplinary reasons. Suspension is noted on the student’s transcript. The status of suspension may precede dismissal but is not a required status change prior to dismissal.
“Dismissal” is separation of the student from the University. After dismissal, the individual is no longer enrolled in their program, and has no relationship to the University.
A "Student Academic and Professionalism Incident Report Form" is non-disciplinary by definition but is used to formally document potential or minor violations of professional or academic misconduct. The documented form does not affect a student's "Good Standing” but does put them on notice that further academic or professional misconduct will lead to the submission of a formal written complaint and possible disciplinary actions, including academic/professional warnings or probations. The Student Academic and Professionalism Incident Report Form can be initiated and processed through the Dean of Student’s Office, through the Office of Safety and Security staff or through the particular student’s Program/College. Copies of the form are maintained in the Dean of Student’s office as well as the appropriate College Dean’s office.
"In Writing" refers to all forms of written communication including formal letters and emails, as well as formal written documents that are transmitted electronically, such as an attachment in an email.

Section Three:

Students’ Academic and Professional Responsibilities

To achieve and maintain a high standard of academic, professional, and social conduct.
To recognize the value and necessity for self-education as a vital adjunct to the University’s formal educational program and to work diligently to educate themselves to be competent professionals who can live up to the standards set by the chosen professional fields.
To be familiar with the Code of Responsibilities and Rights and its bylaws (Appendix 2).
To meet the requirements of the University’s degree programs.
To work towards the best possible public relations on behalf of the biomedical science, cardiovascular perfusion, clinical psychology, dental, nurse anesthesia, nursing, optometry, osteopathic medical, pharmacy, physical therapy, physician assistant, precision medicine, public health, occupational therapy, speech language pathology, and veterinary medicine professions and the University.
To help promote excellence in education, patient-oriented health care, and community services as provided by the University.
To exhibit personally the highest ethical and professional behavior and to work with others to promote similar behavior.
To serve on any University committees to which appointed with the understanding that such appointment requires accurate representation of the opinions of the entire student body to the committee.
It is recognized that every MWU student has the responsibility to behave in a manner that does not violate the rights and freedoms of others.
All MWU students enrolled in classes on the Downers Grove campus are subject to the laws of the State of Illinois and ordinances of the Village of Downers Grove. All MWU students enrolled in classes on the Glendale campus are subject to the laws of the State of Arizona and the ordinances of the City of Glendale. In addition, all students have the responsibility to comply with all rules and regulations of the University.

Section Four:

Students’ Rights

Every student shall have the following rights:

To pursue to completion the students’ chosen degree program, contingent upon satisfactory completion of requirements of the college. Commensurate with the students’ pursuit of their degree program shall be the following rights.
1. To be informed of academic progress.
2. To be notified of individual departmental course requirements as well as requirements for the chosen degree program. Each student is entitled to a statement of goals and objectives, evaluation methods, and schedules for each course, clinic, and clerkship/preceptorship.
3. To be informed by the University of any and all of its regulations and policies affecting student status. Any change in existing policy or institution of new policy shall be implemented only after publication through written or email communication. The notification should be sent in a timely manner, so students have sufficient time to react and comply.
To examine, seek corrections of, or prevent disclosure of personally identifiable information that is more fully set forth in the Guidelines for Access to and Disclosure of Educational Records Maintained by Midwestern University, adopted by the University pursuant to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974.
To exercise academic freedom as defined in paragraph I, Section One of this Appendix.
To be able to access this Code through the University Website.
To seek membership in any recognized student organization for which applicant meets membership criteria.
To petition the appropriate Student Senate or individual college Student Council/Student Government Association for recognition of any student group that: (1) furthers the goal of the institution (i.e., biomedical science, cardiovascular perfusion, clinical psychology, dental medicine, nurse anesthesia, optometry, nursing, occupational therapy, osteopathic medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy, physician assistant, public health, precision medicine, speech language pathology, and veterinary medicine education, and/or research), and (2) meets the requirements for recognition as a student organization established by the appropriate Student Senate or the individual college Student Council/Student Government Association, College and University. Recognized organizations shall have the right to meet in University facilities subject to University space constraints and scheduling. Requests for utilization of University space must be reasonable and cannot interfere with the primary educational goals of the University.
To be represented in the determination of University or college policy as it directly affects a student’s educational endeavor. There shall be student representation to the extent of one voting member on the following college standing committees: Curriculum Committee, Bioethics Committee, Library Committee, and the various class Liaison Committees. Students may be asked to serve on ad hoc and other college or program committees, such as the Self-Study Committee, or such committees as may be deemed appropriate.
To petition for relief of complaints/grievances as enumerated in Section One of the Student Bylaws, Appendix 2.
To be fairly and justly treated with the fundamental right to present the student's position when charged with any academic, social, personal, or professional misconduct (see Appendix 2, Section 2).
To elect representatives to the University Student Senate and to the individual college Student Council/Student Government Associations.

Section Five:

Sanctions

A student who is found to have engaged in improper conduct as defined in Appendix 2, Section Two of the accompanying Bylaws and Regulations shall be subject to disciplinary action by their respective Dean and the University following an investigation by the Dean of Students. Disciplinary actions may include but are not limited to: verbal or written reprimand, monetary fines or restitution of funds, academic or disciplinary warning/probation, dismissal from an elected or appointed office, termination of housing contract, temporary suspension, or permanent dismissal. Substantiated violations of academic misconduct involving such issues as cheating and/or plagiarism, or violations of Testing Center Policy typically result in a Course Director submitting zero credit for the exam or written assignment, besides the student being placed on a disciplinary status, including suspension and/or dismissal, as listed above. In addition, such violations preclude a student from being eligible for any form of retake/comprehensive re-examination, including if the zero results in a course/rotation failure.

Section Six:

Amendment of the Code of Rights and Responsibilities

Amendment of this code may be made either by the University Board of Trustees or by the Administrative Team with the approval of the President of the University. The Board of Trustees by virtue of its charter-granting power may amend this code by any appropriate legal method. To be adopted, such an amendment must be approved by the Deans of Students and the President of the University.