General Policy
As a comprehensive health sciences center, the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center’s (TTUHSC) mission is to enrich the lives of others by educating students to become collaborative healthcare professionals, providing excellent patient care, and advancing knowledge through innovative research.
TTUHSC’s strategic plan can be viewed at the following link: https://www.ttuhsc.edu/administration/strategic-plan.aspx
A university, like any community, must have regulations and/or standards by which its members abide and procedures by which its components function. The standards should provide order and an atmosphere conducive to intellectual and personal development. This Student Handbook, TTUHSC Operating Policies and Procedures, and the individual School’s catalogs/handbooks are intended to serve these purposes in the interest of all components of the TTUHSC.
The TTUHSC has a responsibility to maintain order within the university community and to discipline those who violate its standards, rules, and/or policies. Enrollment requires students to share this responsibility. Students agree to abide by the standards, rules and policies set forth in this Student Handbook, the TTUHSC Operating Policies and Procedures, the individual Schools’ catalogs/handbooks, and any other official University publications. Registered student organizations must also follow these standards, rules and policies.
The Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center reserves the right to change, modify, amend, or rescind, in whole or in part, the Student Handbook at any time without prior notice. The most recent Handbook supersedes all previous editions. See updates at www.ttuhsc.edu/student-affairs. The provisions of the Handbook do not constitute a contract, express or implied, between any student or faculty member and Texas Tech University System, TTUHSC, or the TTUHSC School of Medicine, School of Health Professions, Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy, School of Nursing, Julia Jones Matthews School of Population and Public Health, or the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.
Tobacco-Free Environment
As a health care institution, TTUHSC is committed to the establishment and enforcement of a tobacco-free environment. TTUHSC OP 10.19, Tobacco-Free Environment Policy, includes regulation and assessment.
According to the United States Surgeon General, tobacco use is the single largest preventable cause of premature death and disability. Tobacco users are at substantially increased risk for a number of cancers, cardiovascular disease, and lung disease. Environmental smoke can cause discomfort and disease in non-smokers. Institutions with smokers suffer from lost productivity, conflict, and plant deterioration.
Authority
The authority to enact and enforce regulations of the University is vested in the Texas Tech University System Board of Regents. The responsibility for enforcing regulations and imposing penalties is delegated to the Chancellor and/or the President of the University and any University official(s) the President designates. The Office of the Provost, in coordination with the Office of Student Affairs, is the principal designee for the administration of student conduct.
All references to the Chancellor and/or President of the University, the Provost or their designee shall be interpreted to include persons designated to act on behalf of these officials.
Policy on Non-Discrimination
The University brings together, in common pursuit of its educational goals, persons of many backgrounds and experiences. The University is committed to the principle that in no aspect of its programs shall there be differences in the treatment of persons because of sex, including pregnancy, race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, status as a protected veteran, or any other legally protected category class or characteristic, and that equal opportunity and access to facilities shall be available to all. The University is committed to providing educational programs, activities, facilities, or ser- vices that are free of unlawful discrimination. For more information, see TTUHSC OP 51.01, Equal Employment Opportunity Policy and Affirmative Action Program and TTUHSC OP 51.02, Non-Discrimination and Anti- Harassment Policy, and Part IV of the Student Handbook below.
University Name, Documents, and Records
The use by any person or organization of the University’s name, in connection with any program or activity, without the prior written permission of the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Institutional Advancement, or any unauthorized use of University documents, records or seal is prohibited. See TTUHSC OP 67.01, Publication Guidelines.
Definitions
- “Accused” is any student accused of violating the TTUHSC Code of Professional Conduct set forth in Part II of this Handbook. This term may also mean an accused registered student organization. If a registered student organization is alleged to have violated the Student Code, only one student from the organization may appear or act on behalf of the student organization (such as appearing before a Student Conduct Board or Student Conduct Administrator) for purposes of the Student Code.
- “Business Day” is a day in which the University normally carries on business or business operations, but excludes weekends and official University holidays.
- “Complainant” is a member of the University community who submits a complaint alleging that a student violated the Student Code. When a student believes that he or she has been a victim of another student’s misconduct, the student who believes that he or she has been a victim will have the same rights under the Student Code as are provided to the complainant, even if the victim is not acting as a complainant.
- “Complaint of Misconduct” or “Complaint” is a formal, written charge against a student(s) or student organization(s) alleging violation(s) of the Student Code(s). An anonymous report or a report by a person who is not a member of the University community shall not constitute a complaint of misconduct. However, such report may initiate an investigation and/or filing of a complaint of misconduct by an appropriate University official.
- “Conduct Board” - see definition for “Student Conduct Board” (item 23).
- “Disciplinary Good Standing” is defined as relating to a student not currently on disciplinary probation; or, a student, whose disciplinary suspension, dismissal, or conditions and/or restrictions imposed, if any, have been totally fulfilled in a timely manner.
- “Faculty member” is any person hired by the University to conduct classroom or teaching activities or who is otherwise considered by University to be a member of its faculty.
- “Flag” is the indicator placed on a student’s official record which may prevent registration and/or the issuance of a transcript until the student meets the requirements of the University office placing the indicator, as described herein and in the Schools’ catalogs.
- “May” is used in the permissive sense.
- “Member of the University Community” is any person who is an enrolled student, faculty, or staff member, University official, any other person employed by the University, volunteer (including high school students), or campus visitors.
- “Policy” refers to the written regulations, standards, and/or rules of the University as found in, but not limited to: the TTUHSC Student Handbook; School of Nursing Handbook and catalog; School of Medicine catalog; School of Health Professions catalog; Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy catalog; the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences Catalog; and/or the TTUHSC operating policies.
- “Department Chair” is the individual charged primarily with mentoring and guiding faculty, overseeing department administrative support, and serving as an interface between faculty and the administration of the School and TTUHSC. Matters of student misconduct and academic deficiency that are addressed from faculty/program directors, etc. are referred to the Department Chair, and if not resolved, referred to the appropriate student conduct administrator for each school.
- “Registered Student Organization” - see definition for “Student Organization” (item 26).
- “Religious Holy Day” is a holy day observed by a religion whose places of worship are exempt from property taxation under Texas Tax Code § 11.20. Religious Organizations. The term “Religious Holy Day” generally means a day on which the tenets of said religion prohibit class attendance or the completion of specific assignments on designated dates. See Texas Education Code § 51.911. Religious Holy Days.
- “Representative” is a University official authorized on a case-by-case basis by the Dean of each School to investigate and resolve alleged violations of the Code of Professional Conduct.
- “School” refers to the School of Medicine, School of Nursing, Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy, School of Health Professions, or Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.
- “Shall” is used in the imperative sense.
- “Sponsorship and/or Co-Sponsorship” is defined as minimally including, but not limited to, participation in planning, coordination and implementation directed by members of the sponsoring organizations.
- “State Law” exclusively refers to the State of Texas.
- “Student” refers to all persons taking courses at the University, either full-time or part-time, pursing undergraduate, graduate, or professional studies, specifically excluding School of Medicine House Staff. In addition, for purposes of Part II of this Handbook, persons who withdraw or on leave of absence after an alleged violation of the Code, who are not officially enrolled for a particular term, but who have a continuing relationship with the University, or who have been notified of their acceptance may be considered “students.”
- “Student Code” refers to the TTUHSC Code of Professional Conduct, which is set forth in Part II of this Handbook. Section D, Misconduct, applies to all students, while Section E, Other Professional and Ethical Standards, applies to students in certain TTUHSC Schools. A student must have applied for admission or be enrolled in the applicable School before a School’s provisions in Section E apply to the student.
- “Student Conduct Administrator” is the individual officially authorized by the Dean of each TTUHSC School to receive complaints and administer the School specific procedures outlined herein. The Student Conduct Administrator will provide technical assistance and support to the Student Conduct Board and may be present at the Student Conduct Board hearing, but will not be present during the Board’s deliberations. In any case in which the Student Conduct Administrator is the complainant, the Dean or designee of the applicable School will appoint an alternate to serve as Student Conduct Administrator for that case. For each School, appointments are made as follows, or as otherwise determined by the Dean:
- Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences - Assistant Dean
- School of Medicine - Student Conduct Administrator
- School of Nursing - Executive Associate Dean for Admissions, Enrollment Management and Student Affairs, Education Technology and Customer Support
- School of Health Professions - Associate Dean for Admissions and Student Affairs
- Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy: Academic violations - Associate Dean for Student Affairs and Admissions; professional violations - Associate Dean for Professional Affairs.
- Julia Jones Matthews School of Population and Public Health - Student Conduct Administrator
- “Student Conduct Board” or “Board” refers to persons authorized by the Dean of each School to determine whether a student has violated the Student Code and to recommend sanctions that may be imposed when a rules violation has been committed. All persons serving on the Student Conduct Board must acknowledge an ability to serve objectively and shall decline to serve if there is a conflict of interest or an appearance of a conflict of interest with either the accused or the complainant. When a person declines to serve because of a conflict of interest or appearance thereof, the Dean shall appoint another person with the same or similar faculty/student status as the person declining to serve.
- For the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, the Student Conduct Board shall be appointed by the Student Conduct Administrator as follows:
- One (1) Faculty member from the membership of the Graduate Council, who shall serve as Chair;
- Two (2) other faculty members from the membership of the Graduate Faculty; and,
- Two (2) graduate students from the School.
- For the School of Medicine, the Student Conduct Board shall be appointed by the Student Conduct Administrator as follows:
- Two (2) faculty members chosen by the Chair of the School Hearing Committee or designee;
- One (1) faculty member chosen by the Chair of the Student Affairs Committee or designee; and,
- Two (2) medical students, who will be chosen by the Chair of the Student Affairs Committee from a list of second, third, and fourth year students.
- The Board will elect one (1) of the faculty members as its Chair.
- For the School of Nursing, the Student Conduct Board shall be appointed by the Executive Associate Dean, who serves as the Student Conduct Administrator. Members are as follows:
- One (1) tenured faculty member, who will serve as Chair;
- Two (2) faculty members not directly involved with the complainant or the accused; and,
- Two (2) students not directly involved with the complaint or the accused.
- For the School of Health Professions, the Student Conduct Board shall be appointed by the Dean as follows:
- The Associate Dean for Admissions and Student Affairs serves as the Student Conduct Administrator and will appoint a Student Conduct Board comprised of the following:
- One (1) member of the SHP Office of the Dean who will serve as Chair;
- Two (2) faculty members not directly involved with the case; and
- Two (2) students not directly involved with the case.
- For the Jerry H. Hodge School of Pharmacy, the Student Conduct Board shall be the appropriate Honor Council members pursuant to the School of Pharmacy OP 77.27.
- For the Julia Jones Matthews School of Population and Public Health, the Student Conduct Board shall be appointed by the Dean as follows:
- One (1) tenured faculty member, who will serve as Chair;
- Two (2) faculty members not directly involved with the complainant or the accused; and
- Two (2) students not directly involved with the complaint or the accused.
- “Student Conduct Board Hearing” or “Hearing” refers to an administrative process whereby a student contests the facts upon which allegations of violations of the Student Code and/or sanctions resulting from an alleged violation(s) are based. At the hearing, information is presented to the Student Conduct Board in order to determine whether a student’s responsibility related to the alleged violation of the Student Code is valid and appropriate sanctions, if any.
- “Student Handbook” or “Handbook” refers to the TTUHSC Student Handbook.
- “Student Organization” refers to a group of students who have joined together for a common mission, purpose, or cause, and have submitted the requirements for Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center student organization registration.
- “University” means Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (inclusive of all regional sites and their components) or Texas Tech University System.
- “University Official” is any person employed by Texas Tech University System, Texas Tech University or Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center performing assigned administrative or professional responsibilities.
- “University Premises” includes all land, buildings, facilities, and other property in the possession of, or owned, used, or controlled by the University (including adjacent streets and sidewalks).
- “User” is any member of the University community who uses any University computing and/or networking resources.
- “Will” is used in the imperative sense.
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