Miami University Values Statement

Miami University is a scholarly community whose members believe that a liberal education is grounded in qualities of character as well as of intellect. We respect the dignity of other persons, the rights and property of others, and the right of others to hold disparate beliefs. We believe in honesty, integrity, and the importance of moral conduct. We defend the freedom of inquiry that is the heart of learning and combine that freedom with the exercise of judgment and the acceptance of personal responsibility.

Approved by Board of Trustees, February 8, 2002

University Statement Asserting Respect for Human Diversity

Miami University is a community dedicated to intellectual engagement. Our campuses consist of students, faculty, and staff from a variety of backgrounds and cultures. By living, working, studying, and teaching, we bring our unique viewpoints and life experiences together for the benefit of all. This inclusive learning environment, based upon an atmosphere of mutual respect and positive engagement, invites all campus citizens to explore how they think about knowledge, about themselves, and about how they see themselves in relation to others. Our intellectual and social development and daily education interactions, whether co curricular or classroom related, are greatly enriched by our acceptance of one another as members of the Miami University community. Through valuing our own diversity and the diversity of others, we seek to learn from one another, foster a sense of shared experience, and commit to making the University the intellectual home of us all.

We recognize that we must uphold and abide by University policies and procedures protecting individual rights and guiding democratic engagement. Any actions disregarding these policies and procedures, particularly those resulting in discrimination, harassment, or bigoted acts, will be challenged swiftly and collectively.

All who work, live, study, and teach in the Miami community must be committed to these principles of mutual respect and positive engagement, which are integral parts of Miami's focus, goals, and mission.

This revised statement was approved by Board of Trustees, June 25, 2004

Miami's Leadership Commitment and Values Framework

Vision Statement: To develop leadership potential in all students for the global and interdependent world of the future. Miami defines leadership as " a mutual influence relationship where people work together to improve or change something to their mutual benefit" (Joseph Rost, 1993).

Mission Statement: Our mission is to empower students in authoring their own character development and leadership journey. Students are encouraged to incorporate ten values for this journey.

• Be responsible for your actions
• Think critically and take time to reflect
• See potential within yourself
• Take purposeful risks and learn from success and/or failure
• Be flexible and open to change
• Understand and serve the needs of others
• Respect the dignity and potential of others
• Celebrate and embrace diversity
• Communicate directly, honestly, and with civility
• Support and challenge each other to live by these values

Miami University does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or veteran status in its education programs, activities or admissions as required by Title IX of the Education Amendment of 1972 as amended, Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended, Sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended, Age Discrimination Act of 1975 as amended, Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 as amended, and Ohio Revised Code 4112.02 as amended.

Any violations of this policy should be referred to the Office of Equity and Equal Opportunity, Hanna House, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio 45056, 513-529-7157 (TTY accessible).

The Student Handbook

2007-2008

Miami University

Oxford, Ohio

The rules and regulations, including the appendices, appearing in this handbook have been approved under the authority of the Miami University Board of Trustees and, therefore, constitute official University policy.

All students, as well as members of the faculty and administrative staff, should become familiar with the contents of this handbook.

Statement of Student Responsibility

This document brings together, for the information and convenience of both students and staff, the undergraduate academic regulations of the University, the student conduct regulations, and provisions for student government and the conduct of student affairs.

Insofar as the academic regulations are concerned, it is extremely important for every student and every member of the faculty to be familiar with these requirements. Every undergraduate enrolled in the University is presumably desirous of obtaining a degree. A student who is not making satisfactory progress toward this objective may not continue his or her enrollment.

In order to obtain a degree a student must meet the general requirements fixed by the Faculty Assembly, together with other requirements which are established by the six undergraduate academic divisions of the University: the College of Arts and Science, the Farmer School of Business, the School of Education and Allied Professions, the School of Engineering and Applied Science, the School of Fine Arts, and the School of Interdisciplinary Studies.

The burden of responsibility for fulfilling the University-wide academic requirements, together with divisional requirements, falls upon the individual student. Pleading ignorance or bad advising will not excuse a student from any regulation. Therefore, the student should become thoroughly familiar with any regulation in the requirements set forth in the program. The academic adviser will confer with a student about a desirable selection of courses. The Registrar will provide a record of grades earned each semester or summer term. It is still up to the student to know what the requirements are for the particular degree to which the student aspires, and make sure that he or she is in the process of fulfilling these requirements.

The student body of the University is an essential component of the academic community. The student body enjoys substantial privileges in controlling its own affairs within the framework of the educational objective of the University. Obviously, no conduct can be permitted which impairs the integrity of the University as an institution of higher education, or brings the University into general disrepute.

Just as all students are expected to fulfill the academic requirements of the University, they are likewise expected to fulfill the social obligations of residence within the academic community.

Thus, each student entering Miami accepts as a contractual obligation the responsibility of conforming to such regulations as may lawfully be promulgated under the authority of the Board of Trustees and should understand that failure to meet this obligation shall justify the imposition of such disciplinary sanctions as may be provided for, including but not limited to suspension, dismissal, or the imposition of reasonable fines. Each student has the obligation to become familiar with such regulations, and acknowledges that he or she may be held accountable for conduct in violation thereof even in the absence of such familiarity.

Accordingly, each student should be familiar with the standards of conduct that are expected at Miami University. These are the standards required by law, by good sense, and by the educational objectives of the University.

University policies and regulations are subject to continuous review by authorized agencies of the University community. Comments and criticisms may be directed to the University Senate or the Student Affairs Council.

A continuing review of non-academic regulations and policies governing students and student organizations will be made by a standing subcommittee of the Student Affairs Council, appointed by the chair. Any recommendation for revisions will then be considered by the full Student Affairs Council.

You are responsible for knowing about any changes in the policies set forth in this Student Handbook.

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