Article 11: Definitions and Acronyms
For the purposes of this document, the following definitions shall apply:
Academic Disciplinary Case: A case brought against a student accused of academic misconduct involving sanctions other than or in addition to a penalty grade.
Academic Misconduct: Instances of academic dishonesty, violations of professional standards, and falsification of academic records or records for admission to a department, school, or college. See also General Student Regulation 1.00, Scholarship and Grades; Integrity of Scholarships and Grades Policy.
Administrators: University employees who manage University budgets, direct work units, or formulate, evaluate, and/or administer University policy.
Advisor: A member of the student body, faculty, or staff of the University chosen by a party to assist in the preparation of a case.
ASMSU/Associated Students of Michigan State University: All-University undergraduate student governing body.
Associate Provost: Associate Provost for Undergraduate Education of Michigan State University or the Associate Provost’s designee.
Class Day: A day on which classes are held, including the days of Final Exam Week but excluding weekends.
Clear and Present Danger: An immediate and significant danger to the health or safety of persons or property.
COGS/Council of Graduate Students: All-University graduate student governing body.
Complainant: A member of the University community who initiates a proceeding against a student under this document.
Complaint: An allegation of a violation of University regulation, ordinance, or policy filed by a member of the University community against a student.
Dean of Graduate Studies: Dean of Graduate Studies of Michigan State University or the Graduate Dean’s designee.
Dean of Students: Dean of Students of Michigan State University or the Dean’s designee.
Direct discussion: Conversation in person, by phone, email, or other communication medium.
Faculty: All persons appointed by the University to the rank of professor, associate professor, assistant professor, or instructor, all persons appointed by the University as librarians, and all other University employees with approved titles in the academic personnel system whose duties involve instructional activities.
Falsification of Admission or Academic Records: Falsification of any record submitted for admission to the University or an academic unit of the University. Falsification of any record created, used, and/or maintained by the Office of the Registrar, the Office of Admissions, or academic units (e.g. colleges, departments, and schools).
Good Cause: Reasons including, but not limited to, circumstances outside of a party’s control, such as illness, death in the family, or a class conflict.
Graduate Student: A student enrolled in a master’s, doctoral, or educational specialist program or in a graduate non-degree program, including Lifelong Education.
Grievance: An allegation of rights violation, filed by a student, against a member of the University community.
Grievant: A student who initiates a proceeding against a member of the University community under this document.
Hearing Body: A hearing administrator or duly constituted judiciary as described in this document.
Jurisdiction: Official authority to make decisions and judgments under conditions specified herein (e.g., permissible bases for appeal, adherence to stated deadlines).
Living Group: A campus residence hall or residential complex, or a floor in such a residence hall or complex.
Major Governing Groups: The Greek Governing Boards, Student Housing Cooperative, Owen Graduate Association, RHA, and UACOR.
New Information: Relevant information or documents previously unavailable to a party although the party acted with due diligence to obtain such information.
Non-Academic Disciplinary Case: A case brought against a student accused of violating a General Student Regulation, University ordinance, or University policy.
Office of the Provost: The Provost of Michigan State University or the Provost’s designee.
Ombudsperson: The University Ombudsperson, a senior faculty member, executive manager, or other qualified person who assists members of the MSU community in resolving complaints or concerns confidentially, informally, impartially, and independently.
Penalty Grade: A grade assigned to a student by a faculty member based on a charge of academic misconduct.
Preponderance of the Evidence: Evidence that is more convincing, more credible, and of greater weight.
President: The President of Michigan State University or the President’s designee.
Professional Standards: Codes of expected professional conduct, sometimes referred to as honor codes.
Provost: The Provost of Michigan State University, the Office of the Provost, or a designee of the Provost.
Respondent: An individual or group against whom or which a complaint or grievance is filed.
RHA/Residence Halls Association: The residence halls governing body.
Semester Start Date: The first date in the semester on which the University opens its residence halls to student residents.
Staff: Employees of the University other than administrators or faculty.
Student: A student is a person enrolled or participating in a collegiate-level, University-sponsored program or course, regardless of program level; full-time or part-time status; credit, degree, or certificate awarded; location; or mode of instruction. A person remains a student until graduation or completion of the program, permanent dismissal, or non-attendance for three full, consecutive semesters (including summer semester). This definition includes a person who is on a leave of absence, withdraws, recess, or graduates after an alleged violation of student conduct policies.
UACOR/University Apartments Council of Residents.
UCSA/University Committee on Student Affairs.
Undergraduate: A student enrolled in a program leading to a bachelor’s degree or in an undergraduate non-degree program, including Lifelong Education.
University Community: All University students, Trustees, administrators, faculty, and staff.
Voice (limited voice): Authority to speak (authority to speak if and when granted by a hearing-body).
Vice President: Vice President for Student Affairs and Services of Michigan State University or the Vice President’s designee.
Written/in writing: In paper or electronic form.