California State University, Fresno

Policies

You are in the official 2012-2013 General Catalog
for California State University, Fresno.

Policies and Regulations

Photo of a student talking on a cell phone.

Privacy Rights of Students in Education Records

The federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (20 U.S.C. 1232g) and regulations adopted thereunder (34 C.F.R. 99) set out requirements designed to protect students' privacy in their records maintained by the campus. The statute and regulations govern access to certain student records maintained by the campus and the release of such records. The law provides that the campus must give students access to most records directly related to the student, and must also provide opportunity for a hearing to challenge the records if the student claims they are inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise inappropriate. The right to a hearing under this law does not include any right to challenge the appropriateness of a grade determined by the instructor.

The law generally requires the institution to receive a student's written consent before releasing personally identifiable data about the student. Fresno State has adopted a set of policies and procedures governing implementation of the statute and the regulations. Copies of these policies and procedures may be obtained at the Registrar's Office. Among the types of information included in the campus statement of policies and procedures are (1) the types of student records maintained and the information they contain, (2) the official responsible for maintaining each type of record, (3) the location of access lists indicating persons requesting or receiving information from the record, (4) policies for reviewing and expunging records, (5) student access rights to their records, (6) the procedures for challenging the content of student records, (7) the cost to be charged for reproducing copies of records, and (8) the right of the student to file a complaint with the Department of Education.

The campus must also conduct a periodic review of campus information management practices concerning student records at least every two years or more often as the need arises. The results of these reviews shall be forwarded to the chancellor by the president and shall include any changes deemed necessary.

The Department of Education has established an office and review board to investigate complaints and adjudicate violations. The designated office is Family Policy Compliance Office, U.S. Department of Education, 400 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20202-5920.

The campus is authorized under the Act to release public "directory information" concerning students. "Directory information" at California State University, Fresno may include the student's name; major field of study; participation of officially recognized activities and sports; weight and height of members of athletic teams; enrollment status; degrees, honors, and awards received; and the most recent educational institution attended. The above-designated information is subject to release by the campus at any time unless the campus has received prior written objection from the student specifying what information the student requests not be released. Written objections should be sent to the Registrar's Office.

For students employed in positions represented by CSU Bargaining Unit 11 only, "directory information" may also include address, department in which employed, telephone number, e-mail address, and status as a student employee (i.e. TA, GA, ISA) provided, however, such information may be considered "directory information" only for purposes of disclosure of the CSU Chancellor's Office to the Exclusive Representative of Bargaining Unit 11.

The campus is authorized to provide access to student records to campus officials and employees who have legitimate educational interests in such access. These persons have responsibilities in the campus's academic, administrative or service functions and have reason for accessing student records associated with their campus or other related academic responsibilities. Students' records may also be disclosed to other persons or organizations under certain conditions (e.g., as part of accreditation or program evaluation; in response to a court order or subpoena; in connection with financial aid; or to other institutions to which the student is transferring).

Use of Social Security Number. Applicants are required to include their correct Social Security numbers in designated places on applications for admission pursuant to the authority contained in Section 41201, Title 5, California Code of Regulations, Section 6109 of the Internal Revenue Code (26 U.S.C. 6109). The university uses the Social Security number to identify students and locate their records. The Social Security number is used to determine financial aid eligibility and disbursement and to identify the student's repayment of financial aid and other debts payable to the institution. Also, the Internal Revenue Service requires the university to file information returns that include the student's Social Security number and other information such as the amount paid for qualified tuition, related expenses, and interest on educational loans. This information is used by the IRS to help determine whether a student, or a person claiming a student as a dependent, may take a credit or deduction to reduce federal income taxes.

Taxpayers who claim Hope Scholarship or Lifetime Learning tax credit will be required to provide their name, address, and Taxpayer Identification Number to the campus.

Research on Human Subjects

California State University, Fresno has adopted provisions for the conduct of research that employs or influences humans. All research at the university must comply with these provisions. Students must familiarize themselves with the provisions by inquiring in the departmental offices or the office of the dean of their school.

CSU Immunization Requirements

Entering CSU students are required to present proof of the following immunizations to the CSU campus they will be attending before the beginning of their first term of enrollment. Measles and Rubella: All new and readmitted students must provide proof of full immunization against measles and rubella prior to enrollment. Hepatitis B: All new students who will be 18 years of age or younger at the start of their first term at a CSU campus must provide proof of full immunization against Hepatitis B before enrolling. Full immunization against Hepatitis B consists of three timed doses of vaccine over a minimum 4 to 6 months period. Meningococcal Disease Information: Each incoming freshman who will be residing in on-campus housing will be required to return a form indicating that they have received information about meningococcal disease and the availability of the vaccine to prevent contracting the disease and indicating whether or not the student has chosen to receive the vaccination.

The above are not admission requirements, but are required of students as conditions of enrollment in CSU.

Students who need further details or have special circumstances may consult the Student Health Center, 559.278.2734.

Nondiscrimination Policy

Fresno State is committed to a program of equal opportunity for all. In accordance with state and federal law, Fresno State does not discriminate, or tolerate known instances of harassment, in the educational programs or activities it conducts on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, nationality, gender, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, religion, mental or physical disability, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, or special disabled veteran status, Vietnam-era veteran status or other covered veteran status. Discrimination and harassment is prohibited by federal and state laws including the California Equity in Higher Education Act, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Amendments Act of 2008, and the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, among other applicable state and federal laws.

Fresno State's Policy Statement (in the Equal Employment and Education Opportunity Plan and the Equal Opportunity Plan for Individuals with Disabilities, Disabled Veterans, Veterans of the Vietnam Era, and Other Eligible Veterans) addresses equal opportunity in employment, admissions, recruitment, financial aid, placement counseling, curricula, and housing for students. These are recognized by the university as basic to our equal opportunity goals.

Student and Student Applicant Complaints and Inquiries. A student or student applicant wishing to file a complaint under this nondiscrimination policy should review the procedure set forth in Executive Order 1074 www.calstate.edu/EO/EO-1074.html.

A student or student applicant with a complaint of, or inquiry concerning, discrimination, harassment, or violence on the basis of sex, gender, or sexual orientation, should contact Janice A. Parten, Title IX Coordinator and Associate Vice President for Human Resources, Joyal Administration Building, Room 211, 559.278.2364, who has been designated to coordinate the efforts of Fresno State to comply with all applicable federal and state laws prohibiting such discrimination against students, including student athletes. A student or student applicant may also contact the Office for Civil Rights, United States Department of Education, 50 Beale Street, Suite 7200, San Francisco, California 94105, 415.486.5555.

A student or student applicant with a complaint of discrimination or harassment not involving the protected status of sex, gender or sexual orientation, or an inquiry concerning such, should contact Brittany Grice, the DHR (Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation) Administrator.

Employee and Job Applicant Complaints and Inquiries. An employee or job applicant wishing to file a complaint should review the campus's "Policy on Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation" (G-25) and attached thereto Executive Orders 927 www.calstate.edu/eo/eo-927.html and 928 www.calstate.edu/eo/eo-928.doc.

Persons who are aggrieved may pursue a complaint or seek information by contacting Janice A. Parten, Associate Vice President for Human Resources, reviewer of staff, manager, and coach concerns, Joyal Administration Building, Room 211, 559.278.2364; or Dr. Michael Caldwell, Associate Vice President for Faculty Affairs and reviewer for faculty concerns, Haak Center, Henry Madden Library, Room 4142, 559.278.3027. An employee or job applicant may also contact the state Department of Fair Employment and Housing, 1277 E. Alluvial Ave., Suite 101, Fresno, CA 93720 , 559.244.4760; the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, 350 The Embarcadero, Suite 500, San Francisco CA 94105, 1.800.669.4000; or the Office for Civil Rights, United States Department of Education, 50 Beale Street, Suite 7200, San Francisco, California 94105, 415.486.5555.

Disability. Fresno State does not discriminate on the basis of mental or physical disability in its programs and activities, including admission and access. An employee, job applicant, student, or student applicant is entitled to a reasonable accommodation for his or her disability in accordance with state and federal law.

For employees and job applicants, the Associate Vice President for Human Resources coordinates efforts of Fresno State to comply with all relevant disability laws. Inquiries concerning compliance may be addressed to Janice A. Parten, Associate Vice President for Human Resources, Joyal Administration Building, Room 211, 559.278.2364.

A student with special needs as addressed by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) who needs an academic adjustment or accommodation should immediately notify the course instructor or Janice Brown, Director of Services for Students with Disabilities, 559.278.2811. Any complaints by a student about his/her academic adjustments or accommodations relating to a disability should be directed to Janice Brown, Director of Services for Students with Disabilities and should be filed with the pursuant to the Fresno State policy for complaints regarding disability accommodations.

Title IX-Sexual Discrimination, Sexual Harassment and Sexual Violence-Students and Student Applicants. Fresno State does not discriminate on the basis of sex, gender, or sexual orientation in its educational, academic, extracurricular or athletic programs or activities. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and certain other federal and state laws, prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex in all educational, academic, extracurricular and athletic programs and activities operated by the university (both on and off campus).This university is dedicated to providing equal opportunities to male and female students in all campus programs, including intercollegiate athletics, and carries out its educational mission in accordance with the California State University's (CSU) Title IX Notice of Nondiscrimination.

In the interests of preserving each student's right to learn and maintaining a safe and respectful educational atmosphere for all campus community members, it is important that each member be familiar with Fresno State's Title IX policies and know how to identify acts of sexual discrimination/harassment and sexual violence.

Title IX protects all people regardless of their gender or gender identity from sex discrimination, which includes sexual harassment and violence. Sexual harassment is unwelcome conduct of a sexual nature where such conduct is sufficiently severe, persistent or pervasive that its effect could be considered by a reasonable person in the shoes of the individual, and is in fact considered by the individual, as limiting the individual's ability to participate in or benefit from the services, activities or opportunities offered by the university. Sexual harassment also includes gender-based harassment even if those acts do not involve conduct of a sexual nature. An act of sexual violence is any physical sexual act perpetrated against an individual without consent or against an individual who is incapable of giving consent due to that individual's use of drugs, alcohol or disability, and constitutes sexual harassment. Please read the detailed definitions of sexual harassment and sexual violence set forth in Executive Orders 1072 and 1074, as well as the following:

Common Myths and Facts about the Causes of Sexual Violence
http://www.fresnostate.edu/hr/documents/CommonMythsandFactsabouttheCausesofSexualViolence-7-12-2012.pdf

Report An Incident of Sexual Discrimination/Harassment
http://www.fresnostate.edu/hr/documents/ReportanIncidentv22.pdf

Questions Regarding Investigative Process
http://www.fresnostate.edu/hr/documents/QUESTIONSABOUTTHEINVESTIGATIVEPROCESSb.pdf

What is Dating Violence or Domestic Violence
http://www.fresnostate.edu/hr/documents/WhatisDatingViolenceorDomesticViolence.pdf

Sexual Violence Prevention
http://www.fresnostate.edu/hr/documents/SexualViolencePrevention.pdf

Sexual Violence - Risk Reduction Tips
http://www.fresnostate.edu/hr/documents/SexualViolence-RiskReductionTips.pdf

Rape and Sexual Assault
http://www.fresnostate.edu/hr/documents/RapeandSexualAssault.pdf

Are You Being Stalked?
http://www.fresnostate.edu/hr/documents/AreYouBeingStalked.pdf

Additional Resources
http://www.fresnostate.edu/hr/documents/AdditionalResources.pdf

Executive Order 1074 prohibits acts of discrimination and harassment against students, including extended education students and student applicants, based on sex (including gender and sexual orientation), and other protected statuses, including age, disability, genetic information, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion and veteran status. It is the CSU system-wide policy that informs a university community member on what to do if he or she learns of an instance of sexual discrimination/harassment involving a Fresno State student, regardless of whether he or she was/is involved, as well as on the process which Fresno State follows to ensure timely and appropriate resolution of the matter, including taking interim steps to protect victims and whistleblowers from retaliation.

A student or student applicant who believes that he or she is a victim of harassment, including sexual harassment, or who has questions about the complaint procedure should contact Janice A. Parten, Title IX Coordinator and Associate Vice President for Human Resources, 559.278.2364.

Titles VII and IX-Sexual Harassment-Employees (including Student Assistants) and Job Applicants. (Complaints of student employees whose complaints arise out of their employment.) Discrimination on the basis of sex is prohibited by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act as well as Title IX of the Education Act. Sexual harassment is a violation of Section 703 of Title VII. Sexual harassment refers to the unwanted imposition of sexual attention usually in the context of a relationship of unequal power, rank, or status, as well as the use of one's position of authority in the university to bestow benefits or impose deprivations on another. This applies equally to all student assistants, staff, faculty, and managers at California State University, Fresno. Sexual harassment, or other harassment based on a person's "protected status," includes verbal, nonverbal, and/or physical conduct that has the intent or effect of unreasonable interference with individuals' or groups' education or work performance. This may also include actions that create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working environment. Both men and women can be the victims of sexual harassment or harassment based on a "protected status." See "Policy on Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation" (Policy G-25) and attached thereto Executive Orders 927 www.calstate.edu/eo/eo-927.html and 928 www.calstate.edu/eo/eo-928.doc. Students should follow the policies and procedures in Executive Orders 927 and 928 if they have a complaint that arises out of their status as an employee.

Inquiries concerning the application of these laws to programs and activities of California State University, Fresno may be referred to Janice A. Parten, the campus Title IX Coordinator and Associate Vice President for Human Resources, Joyal Administration Building, Room 211, 559.278.2364; the Director of Human Resources, Auxiliary Services, 4910 N. Chestnut, 559.278.0860; or Dr. Michael Caldwell, Associate Vice President for Faculty Affairs, Haak Center, Henry Madden Library, Room 4142, 559.278.3027; or the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, 50 Beale Street, Suite 7200, San Francisco, California 94105, (415.486.5555. Employees, including student assistants, and job applicants may find more detailed instructions on filing a complaint under these nondiscrimination laws and policies in the campus' "Policies and Procedures for Addressing Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation." (Policy G-25)

Retaliation. It is against federal and state law and university policy to retaliate against an individual who reports, opposes, or files a complaint of discrimination, harassment or retaliation, or who cooperates, participates or acts as a witness in a discrimination, harassment, or retaliation investigation or proceeding.

Definition of Student and Student Applicant. For the purpose of this non-discrimination statement, a "student" or "student applicant" is defined as an applicant for admission to Fresno State, an admitted student, an enrolled student, an extended education student, a student between academic terms, a graduate awaiting a degree and a student who withdraws from school while a disciplinary matter is pending.

Immigration Requirements for Licensure

The Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 (P.L. 104-193), also known as the Welfare Reform Act, includes provisions to eliminate eligibility for federal and state public benefits for certain categories of lawful immigrants as well as benefits for all illegal immigrants.

Students who will require a professional or commercial license provided by a local, state, or federal government agency in order to engage in an occupation for which the CSU may be training them must meet the immigration requirements of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act to achieve licensure. Information concerning these requirements is available from the Financial Aid Office 559.278.2182.

Student Body Fee

Procedure for the establishment or abolishment of a student body fee. The law governing the California State University provides that fees defined as mandatory, such as a student body association fee and a student body center fee, may be established. A student body association fee must be established upon a favorable vote of two-thirds of the students voting in an election held for this purpose (Education Code, Section 89300). The campus president may adjust the student body association fee only after the fee adjustment has been approved by a majority of students voting in a referendum established for that purpose. The required fee shall be subject to referendum at any time upon the presentation of a petition to the campus President containing the signatures of 10 percent of the regularly enrolled students at the University. Student body association fees support a variety of cultural and recreational programs, childcare centers, and special student support programs. A student body center fee may be established only after a fee referendum is held which approves by a two-thirds favorable vote the establishment of the fee (Education Code, Section 89304). Once bonds are issued, authority to set and adjust student body center fees is governed by provisions of the State University Revenue Bond Act of 1947, including, but not limited to, Education Code sections 90012, 90027, and 90068.

The process to establish and adjust other campus-based mandatory fees requires consideration by the campus fee advisory committee and a student referendum. The campus president may use alternate consultation mechanisms if he/she determines that a referendum is not the best mechanism to achieve appropriate and meaningful consultation. Results of the referendum and the fee committee review are advisory to the campus president. The president may adjust campus-based mandatory fees, but must request the Chancellor establish a new mandatory fee.

For more information or questions, please contact Financial Management/University Controller at 559.278.2764.

Student Conduct

Title 5, California Code of Regulations, § 41301. Standards for Student Conduct.

Campus Community Values. The university is committed to maintaining a safe and healthy living and learning environment for students, faculty, and staff. Each member of the campus community should choose behaviors that contribute toward this end. Students are expected to be good citizens and to engage in responsible behaviors that reflect well upon their university, to be civil to one another and to others in the campus community, and contribute positively to student and university life.

Grounds for Student Discipline. Student behavior that is not consistent with the Student Conduct Code is addressed through an educational process that is designed to promote safety and good citizenship and, when necessary, impose appropriate consequences. The following are the grounds upon which student discipline can be based:

1. Dishonesty, including the following:
a. Cheating, plagiarism, or other forms of academic dishonesty that are intended to gain unfair academic advantage.
b. Furnishing false information to a university official, faculty member, or campus office.
c. Forgery, alteration, or misuse of a university document, key, or identification instrument.
d. Misrepresenting one's self to be an authorized agent of the university or one of its auxiliaries.

2. Unauthorized entry into, presence in, use of, or misuse of university property.

3. Willful, material, and substantial disruption or obstruction of a university-related activity, or any on-campus activity.

4. Participating in an activity that substantially and materially disrupts the normal operations of the university or infringes on the rights of members of the university community.

5. Willful, material, and substantial obstruction of the free flow of pedestrian or other traffic, on or leading to campus property or an off-campus university-related activity.

6. Disorderly, lewd, indecent, or obscene behavior at a university related activity, or directed toward a member of the university community.

7. Conduct that threatens or endangers the health or safety of any person within or related to the university community, including physical abuse, threats, intimidation, harassment, or sexual misconduct.

8. Hazing, or conspiracy to haze. Hazing is defined as any method of initiation or pre-initiation into a student organization or student body, whether or not the organization or body is officially recognized by an educational institution, which is likely to cause serious bodily injury to any former, current, or prospective student of any school, community college, college, university, or other educational institution in this state (Penal Code 245.6), and in addition, any act likely to cause physical harm, personal degradation or disgrace resulting in physical or mental harm, to any former, current, or prospective student of any school, community college, college, university or other educational institution. The term "hazing" does not include customary athletic events or school sanctioned events.

Neither the express or implied consent of a victim of hazing, nor the lack of active participation in a particular hazing incident is a defense. Apathy or acquiescence in the presence of hazing is not a neutral act, and is also a violation of this section.

9. Use, possession, manufacture, or distribution of illegal drugs or drug-related paraphernalia (except as expressly permitted by law and university regulations), or the misuse of legal pharmaceutical drugs.

10. Use, possession, manufacture, or distribution of alcoholic beverages (except as expressly permitted by law and university regulations), or public intoxication while on campus or at a university-related activity.

11. Theft of property or services from the university community, or misappropriation of university resources.

12. Unauthorized destruction, or damage to, university property or other property in the university community.

13. Possession or misuse of firearms or guns, replicas, ammunition, explosives, fireworks, knives, other weapons, or dangerous chemicals (without the prior authorization of the campus president) on campus or at a university-related activity.

14. Unauthorized recording, dissemination, or publication of academic presentations (including handwritten notes) for a commercial purpose.

15. Misuse of computer facilities or resources, including the following:
a. Unauthorized entry into a file, for any purpose.
b. Unauthorized transfer of a file.
c. Use of another's identification or password.
d. Use of computing facilities, campus network, or other resources to interfere with the work of another member of the university community.
e. Use of computing facilities and resources to send obscene or intimidating and abusive messages.
f. Use of computing facilities and resources to interfere with normal university operations.
g. Use of computing facilities and resources in violation of copyright laws.
h. Violation of a campus computer use policy.

16. Violation of any published university policy, rule, regulation, or presidential order.

17. Failure to comply with directions of, or interference with, any university official or any public safety officer while acting in the performance of his/her duties.

18. Any act chargeable as a violation of a federal, state, or local law that poses a substantial threat to the safety or well-being of members of the university community, to property within the university community, or which poses a significant threat of disruption or interference with university operations.

19. Violation of the Student Conduct Procedures, including the following:
a. Falsification, distortion, or misrepresentation of information related to a student discipline matter.
b. Disruption or interference with the orderly progress of a student discipline proceeding.
c. Initiation of a student discipline proceeding in bad faith.
d. Attempting to discourage another from participating in the student discipline matter.
e. Attempting to influence the impartiality of any participant in a student discipline matter.
f. Verbal or physical harassment or intimidation of any participant in a student discipline matter.
g. Failure to comply with the sanction(s) imposed under a student discipline proceeding.

20. Encouraging, permitting, or assisting another to do any act that could subject him or her to discipline.

Application of this Code. Sanctions for the conduct listed above can be imposed on applicants, enrolled students, students between academic terms, graduates awaiting degrees, and students who withdraw from school while a disciplinary matter is pending. Conduct that threatens the safety or security of the campus community, or substantially disrupts the functions or operation of the university, is within the jurisdiction of this article regardless of whether it occurs on or off campus. Nothing in this code may conflict with Education Code section 66301 that prohibits disciplinary action against students based on behavior protected by the First Amendment.

Procedures for Enforcing this Code. The chancellor shall adopt procedures to ensure students are afforded appropriate notice and an opportunity to be heard before the university imposes any sanction for a violation of the Student Conduct Code.

Summary of Civil and Criminal Penalties for Violation of Federal Copyright Laws. As referenced earlier in Section XXI, Student Conduct (15) (g), the penalties for copyright infringement include civil and criminal penalties. In general, anyone found liable for civil copyright infringement may be ordered to pay either actual damages or "statutory" damages affixed at not less than $750 and not more than $30,000 per work infringed. For "willful" infringement, a court may award up to $150,000 per work infringed. A court can, in its discretion, also assess costs and attorneys' fees. For details, see Title 17, United States Code, Sections 504, 505. Willful copyright infringement can also result in criminal penalties, including imprisonment of up to five years and fines of up to $250,000 per offense.

Disposition of Fees

Title 5, California Code of Regulations, § 41302. Disposition of Fees: Campus Emergency; Interim Suspension. The president of the campus may place on probation, suspend, or expel a student for one or more of the causes enumerated in Section 41301. No fees or tuition paid by or for such student for the semester, quarter, or summer session in which he or she is suspended or expelled shall be refunded. If the student is readmitted before the close of the semester, quarter, or summer session in which he or she is suspended, no additional tuition or fees shall be required of the student on account of the suspension.

During periods of campus emergency, as determined by the president of the individual campus, the president may, after consultation with the chancellor, place into immediate effect any emergency regulations, procedures, and other measures deemed necessary or appropriate to meet the emergency, safeguard persons and property, and maintain educational activities.

The president may immediately impose an interim suspension in all cases in which there is reasonable cause to believe that such an immediate suspension is required in order to protect lives or property and to insure the maintenance of order. A student so placed on interim suspension shall be given prompt notice of charges and the opportunity for a hearing within 10 days of the imposition of interim suspension. During the period of interim suspension, the student shall not, without prior written permission of the president or designated representative, enter any campus of the California State University other than to attend the hearing. Violation of any condition of interim suspension shall be grounds for expulsion.

Cheating and Plagiarism

Cheating. Cheating is the actual or attempted practice of fraudulent or deceptive acts for the purpose of improving a grade or obtaining course credit. Typically, such acts occur in relation to examinations. It is the intent of this definition that the term cheating not be limited to examinations situations only, but that it include any and all actions by a student that are intended to gain an unearned academic advantage by fraudulent or deceptive means.

Plagiarism. Plagiarism is a specific form of cheating that consists of the misuse of the published and/or unpublished works of others by misrepresenting the material so used as one's own work. Grade substitution shall not be applicable to courses for which the original grade was the result of a finding of academic dishonesty.

Credit Hour

As of July 1, 2011 federal law (600.2 and 600.4) requires all accredited institutions to comply with the federal definition of the credit hour. For all CSU degree programs and courses bearing academic credit, the "credit hour" is defined as "the amount of work represented in intended learning outcomes and verified by evidence of student achievement that is an institutionally established equivalency that reasonably approximates not less than

one hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and a minimum of two hours of out-of-class student work each week for approximately fifteen weeks for one semester or trimester hour of credit, or ten to twelve weeks for one quarter hour of credit, or the equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time; or
at least an equivalent amount of work as required in paragraph (1) of this definition for other academic activities as established by the institution, including laboratory work, internships, practica, studio work, and other academic work leading to the award of credit hours."

A credit hour is assumed to be a 50-minute period. In courses, in which "seat time" does not apply, a credit hour may be measured by an equivalent amount of work, as demonstrated by student achievement.

Career Placement Policy

The Career Services Office may furnish, upon request, information about the employment of students who graduate from programs or courses of study preparing students for a particular career field. Any such data provided must be in a form that does not allow for the identification of any individual student. This information may include data concerning the average starting salary collected from graduates of the campus or of the CSU system.

Safety Checklist

In case of an emergency, students can dial "911" from campus pay phones for assistance. Blue light/yellow light emergency phones provide a direct line to the police dispatcher. Practice safety measures: be aware of who is nearby, never open the door without checking who is there, have car keys in hand and check inside the car before entering, use well-traveled routes well-lighted areas, and keep outside doors locked. During hours of darkness, the University Police Department will provide an escort on campus or to a nearby residence upon request. For more information, see the Class Schedule.

Service Learning Policy

Education at California State University, Fresno includes the opportunity to serve the people of California. This is partially accomplished by the link of academic study to community service. Service-learning is a method by which students learn and develop through active participation in organized service, which is conducted in and meets the needs of the community. This service is integrated into and enhances the academic curriculum and provides students with structured opportunities for critical reflection on their service experience. It also enhances students' appreciation of themselves and societal and civic issues, as well as encourages students' commitment to be active citizens throughout their lives.

Reservation to Deny Admission

The university reserves the right to select its students and deny admission to the university or any of its programs as the university, in its sole discretion, determines appropriate, based on an applicant's suitability and the best interests of the university.

Smoking Policy

The university is a smoke-free campus except for officially posted designated smoking areas. In addition, the use of smokeless tobacco in any form shall not be permitted in any classroom or other enclosed building.The use of smokeless tobacco is strongly discouraged outdoors. More information and a current map of designated smoking areas are available online at www.csufresno.edu/smoking.

Student Complaint Procedure

The California State University takes very seriously complaints and concerns regarding the institution. If you have a complaint regarding the CSU, you may present your complaint as follows:

(1) If your complaint concerns CSU's compliance with academic program quality and accrediting standards, you may present your complaint to the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) at www.wascsenior.org/comments. WASC is the agency that accredits the CSU's academic program.

(2) If your complaint concerns an alleged violation by CSU of a state law, including laws prohibiting fraud and false advertising, you may present your claim to the campus president or designee at 559.278.2324. The president or designee will provide guidance on the appropriate campus process for addressing your particular issue.

If you believe that your complaint warrants further attention after you have exhausted all the steps outlined by the president or designee, or by WASC, you may file an appeal with the Associate Vice Chancellor, Academic Affairs at the CSU Chancellor's Office. This procedure should not be construed to limit any right that you may have to take civil or criminal legal action to resolve your complaint.

Changes in rules and policies statement
Catalog Home
University Home