Dec 04, 2024  
Faculty Handbook 2024 - 2025 
    
Faculty Handbook 2024 - 2025

2.13 - Faculty Policies and Procedures with Legal Implications


Syllabus Requirements

University Policies or Statements to be Included in Syllabi

Academic Integrity Statement (Required)

Every KSU student is responsible for upholding the provisions of the Student Code of Conduct, as published in the Undergraduate and Graduate Catalogs. Section 5c of the Student Code of Conduct addresses the University’s policy on academic honesty, including provisions regarding plagiarism and cheating; unauthorized access to university materials; misrepresentation/falsification of university records or academic work; malicious removal, retention, or destruction of library materials; malicious/intentional misuse of computer facilities and/or services; and misuse of student identification cards. Incidents of alleged academic misconduct will be handled through the established procedures of the Department of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity (SCAI), which includes either an “informal” resolution by a faculty member, resulting in a grade adjustment, or a formal hearing procedure, which may subject a student to the Code of Conduct’s minimum one semester suspension requirement. See also https://www.kennesaw.edu/student-affairs/dean-of-students/department-student-conduct-academic-integrity/index.php.

Additional Legal Considerations

Protecting Students’ Privacy

Students have certain rights to privacy. These rights are mandated by federal policy. Leaving their work in an unsecured area such as outside your office door (unless agreed upon with each student) means that the students’ names, grades, and possibly, social security numbers are accessible to everyone. Additionally, research papers can be taken and used by other individuals. It is recommended that you permit students to retrieve their work from your office, if you don’t return it to them in class. Information should not be made public in any way in which a student’s grades, social security number, or other personal information may be identified.

Field Trips

Field trips offer students many educational opportunities and can be used by faculty to enhance courses. It is necessary to have advance clearance before scheduling and taking a class on a field trip. A letter giving pertinent information about the Kennesaw State sponsored field trip must be sent to the department chair and dean for insurance purposes. The purpose and an accurate listing of names of all who participated in the field trip must be submitted to the student success office. It is important that each student understand that it is the student’s responsibility to inform and clear a missed class with the student’s other instructors. The Office of the Registrar will not inform instructors of students who missed classes due to field trips. 

Faculty Liability

From time-to-time questions arise concerning the liability of faculty members for injuries to students engaged in laboratory work, physical education activities, on field trips, etc. Faculty members should inquire in advance about liability insurance and trip insurance with their professional societies or the appropriate official in the Office of Student Success.

Copyright Law

The Copyright Law of the United States (codified as Title 17 U.S.C.) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyright material. Teachers have latitude to copy materials, but within the “fair use” intent and should consider the effect of the copying on the sales of books and other materials. The Board of Regents provides comprehensive information on university policies and procedures with regard to copyright laws at https://www.usg.edu/copyright/.