Rights and Responsibilities
Rights and Responsibilities
- Sexual Harassment and Non-Discrimination Policies
- Complaint Procedures
- Policy on Secular and Religious Holidays
Office of the Ombudsman
113 Duhring Wing
(215) 898-8261
The Office of the Ombudsman is staffed by the University Ombudsman, a tenured faculty member (part-time), and an Associate Ombudsman (full-time). Students, faculty, staff, and administrators come in with a variety of problems - academic disputes, access to resources, use of authority, compensations equity, and interpersonal tensions. The office is concerned with safeguarding individual rights and promoting better channels of communication throughout the University. It is independent of all administrative offices. The Ombudsman is not an advocate for any one individual or group. He or she is an advocate for fairness, adherence to University regulations, due process, and personal responsibility. The Office supplements, but does not replace, any existing grievance mechanisms or modes of redress. It can and does recommend changes in the existing rules and practices when necessary. The overarching mission of the Office of the Ombudsman is to resolve issues of equity and justice at the University of Pennsylvania before the tensions of polarization escalate.
Academic Grievance Policy
A PennDesign student who wishes to register a grievance regarding the evaluation of his/her academic work or a matter related to the program or a course should discuss the matter with the instructor or the appropriate Department Chair. If the grievance is not addressed, the student may bring the issue to the School of Design Associate Dean in 102 Meyerson Hall.
Should the final grade in a course be disputed, students should follow the procedures outlined under 'Appeal of a Grade' .
Harassment and Non-Discrimination Policies
Sexual Harassment
The University regards such behavior, whether verbal or physical, as a violation of the standards of conduct required of all persons associated with the institution. Accordingly, those inflicting such behavior on others are subject to the full range of internal institutional disciplinary actions, including separation from the University. Likewise, acts of retaliation will be subject to the same range of disciplinary actions.
As noted in the Handbook for Faculty and Academic Administrators, Policies and Procedures, the Academic Bulletin, and other University publications, persons engaged in such harassment within the University setting are subject to the full range of internal institutional disciplinary actions, including separation from the institution. (Source: Almanac, Vol. 51, No. 24, March 15, 2005; http://www.upenn.edu/almanac/volumes/v51/n24/OR-shp.html)
The following University resources are available to members of the University community who seek information and counseling about University policies on sexual harassment, standards of behavior, informal and formal mechanisms for resolving complaints and resources for complainants and respondents.
- Office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Programs
- African American Resource Center
- PBH Employee Assistance Program
- Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Center
- Office of Staff and Labor Relations
- Office of the Ombudsman
- Division of Public Safety, Special Services
- Penn Women's Center
- Student Health Services
- Counseling and Psychological Services
- Office of the Vice Provost for University Life
Non-Discrimination Policy Statement
The University of Pennsylvania values diversity and seeks talented students, faculty and staff from diverse backgrounds. The University of Pennsylvania does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, or status as a Vietnam Era Veteran or disabled veteran in the administration of educational policies, programs or activities; admissions policies; scholarship and loan awards; athletic, or other University administered programs or employment. (Source: Affirmative Action Handbook; http://www.upenn.edu/affirm-action/oaanondisstate.html)
Complaint Procedures
Informal Complaint Procedure
Students may bring grievances regarding harassment, discrimination, academic or administrative matters to his/her department chair or coordinator, or directly to the Dean's Office. The School of Design's practice is to try and resolve the complaint at the department level. Department chairs and coordinators consult with the Dean's Office for guidance and advice when needed. Sensitive cases or complaints may come directly to the Dean's office for handling. If a matter remains unresolved, the Dean will appoint a fact finding body to review the case and make recommendations.
Formal Complaint
Harassment
When informal resolution is not chosen or is unsatisfactory, complainants are urged to use appropriate formal mechanisms as outlined in the University's harassment polices published in the Almanac, Vol. 51, No. 24, March 15, 2005; subparagraph III.C
Complaints by students of sexual harassment against a faculty or staff member may be made to the faculty member's department chair, a staff members supervisor, or to the Office of the Vice Provost for University Life. Grievances associated with sexual harassment in student employment may also fall within the purview of the Vice Provost for University Life.
A complaint of sexual harassment may be brought against a student by filing a complaint under the Charter of the University Student Judicial System.
Discrimination
Any student in the University who feels that he or she has been discriminated against by an individual or office acting for the University or that the University is not complying with the requirements of Title VI, Title IX, or the Rehabilitation Act, has a right to register a complaint and seek redress of his or her grievance. The student may take his/her complaint to:
Office of Affirmative Action
228 Sansom Place East
3600 Chestnut Street
215-898 6993 (voice)
http://www.upenn.edu/affirm-action/
Student Health Insurance
The University of Pennsylvania requires all full-time, dissertation and exchange students (enrolled for one or more semesters) to carry adequate health insurance. Students are required to either actively enroll in the Penn Student Insurance Plan (PSIP) or if you have alternative insurance, to request a waiver. Both of these actions must be done online every year. Students subject to this requirement who fail to waive or enroll online will be default enrolled. The coverage period is from August 15, 2009 to August 14, 2010.
For more information contact Student Health Service, 215-746-3535, or visit their web site at:
http://www.vpul.upenn.edu/shs/insurance.php
Immunization Requirement
The University of Pennsylvania requires all incoming students to be immunized against certain diseases and to submit this information online. You also are required to fill out 2 personal health questionnaires and electronically sign a consent form. This is done through a secure website. Detailed information about these requirements and about the Penn Student Insurance Plan is available at the Student Health Service website:
http://www.vpul.upenn.edu/shs/immunization.php
Student Property
Work produced in courses at the School of Design is the property of the student. By participating in a course each student grants the School of Design a non-exclusive right and license to use, copy, distribute, display and perform such work in any and all media for educational, programmatic and/or promotional purposes. The School of Design will exercise care with respect to student-created materials submitted in conjunction with a course; however, the School of Design does not assume liability for their loss or damage.
Students with Disabilities
The University of Pennsylvania is committed to providing equal educational opportunities to all students, including students with disabilities. Penn does not discriminate against students with disabilities and provides reasonable accommodation to a student's known disability in order to afford that student an equal opportunity to participate in University-sponsored programs.
Services for students with disabilities are available in the Office of Student Disabilities Services in the Weingarten Learning Resource Center, located at 3702 Spruce Street, Suite 300 (Stouffer Commons). 215-573-9235 (Voice), 215-746-6320 (TDD), 215-746-6326 (Fax) E-mail: lrcmail@pobox.upenn.edu; http://www.vpul.upenn.edu/lrc/
Access to Student Records
The School of Design adheres to the University's guidelines pertaining to the confidentiality of student records. Access to student records is governed by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, also known as the Buckley Amendment. Under the University's Interpretation students have the right to inspect and review certain official records. Materials and records exempted by the Act are outlined in the University's confidentiality policy subparagraph II.C published in the PennBook. http://www.vpul.upenn.edu/osl/confiden.html
Official student records are available in the PennDesign Office of Records and Registration. Students desiring access to their record should make the request in writing to the School of Design Registrar. A student who has been granted permission to review his/her educational record and believes the information inaccurate or misleading may request to have the record amended. If after review the request is denied, the student is entitled to a hearing. If after the hearing the request is still denied the student has the right to add a statement to the file.
Student Directory
The Student Directory published by the University of Pennsylvania contains the following information for each student: name, local address, local phone, home address, school, expected year of degree, and (if applicable) code name of social fraternity.
Any student can withhold permission for the disclosure of directory information to the Penn community and public by updating their privacy settings via the PennPortal under "My Privacy Settings" http://medley.isc-seo.upenn.edu/penn_portal/portal.php
Policy on Secular and Religious Holidays
1. The University recognizes/observes the following secular holidays: Martin Luther King Day, Memorial Day, July 4, Thanksgiving and the day after, Labor Day, and New Year's Day.
2. The University also recognizes that there are several religious holidays that affect large numbers of University community members, including Christmas, Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, the first two days of Passover, and Good Friday. In consideration of their significance for many students, no examinations may be given and no assigned work may be required on these days. Students who observe these holidays will be given an opportunity to make up missed work in both laboratories and lecture courses. If an examination is given on the first class day after one of these holidays, it must not cover material introduced in class on that holiday. Faculty should realize that Jewish holidays begin at sundown on the evening before the published date of the holiday. Late afternoon exams should be avoided on these days. Also, no examinations may be held on Saturday or Sunday in the undergraduate schools unless they are also available on other days. Nor should seminars or other regular classes be scheduled on Saturdays or Sundays unless they are also available at other times.
3. The University recognizes that there are other holidays, both religious and secular, which are of importance to some individuals and groups on campus. Such occasions include, but are not limited to, Sukkot, the last two days of Passover, Shavuot, Shemini Atzerat and Simchat Torah, as well as Chinese New Year, the Muslim New Year, and the Islamic holidays Eid Al-Fitr and Eid Al-Adha. Students who wish to observe such holidays must inform their instructors within the first two weeks of each semester of their intent to observe the holiday even when the exact date of the holiday will not be known until later so that alternative arrangements convenient to both students and faculty can be made at the earliest opportunity. Students who make such arrangements will not be required to attend classes or take examinations on the designated days, and faculty must provide reasonable opportunities for such students to make up missed work and examinations. For this reason it is desirable that faculty inform students of all examination dates at the start of each semester. Exceptions to the requirement of a make-up examination must be approved in advance by the undergraduate dean of the school in which the course is offered.
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