Faculty and Professional Staff Handbook

Rights and Responsibilities for Members of the College
Three resources enumerate expectations for behavior as members of the college. They are: (1) The Bill of Rights and Responsibilities for Faculty, Students, Administrators, Staff, and College Council at Oswego; (2) the Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities and Conduct; and, (3) the Regulations and Procedures for Maintaining Public Order on Campuses of the State University of New York. These documents outline the requirements of the college so that it can insure academic freedom, freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, the right of due process, and the integrity of the educational enterprise in which all campus community members participate.

The Bill of Rights and Responsibilities for Faculty, Students, Administrators, Staff, and College Council at Oswego originated with the Student Services Council of Faculty Assembly, which adopted the document on February 7, 1972 following adoption by the Student Association Senate in the spring of 1971. The College Council endorsed the bill in the spring of 1972.

Members of the campus community have an obligation to fulfill the responsibilities incumbent upon all members of society, as well as the responsibilities of their particular roles within the academic community. All members have the obligation to respect:

1. The fundamental rights of others

2. The rights of others within the educational process

3. The rights of the institution

4. The rights of members to fair and equitable procedures for determining when and upon whom penalties for violation of campus regulations should be imposed.

The Bill of Rights applies to all members of the college community and is reprinted here:
1. Members of the campus community enjoy the same basic rights and are bound by the same responsibilities to respect the rights of others, as are all members of society.

Among the basic rights are freedom of speech, freedom of peaceful assembly and association, freedom of political beliefs, and freedom from personal force and violence, threats of violence, and malicious personal abuse.

Freedom of the press implies the right to freedom from censorship in campus newspapers and other media, and the concomitant obligation to adhere to the canons of responsible journalism.

It should be made clear in writings or broadcasts that editorial opinions are not necessarily those of the institution or its members.

The campus community, while having an active concern for the welfare of its student members, does not stand in loco parentis.

Each member of the campus has the right to organize his or her own personal life and behavior, so long as it does not violate the law or agreements voluntarily entered into and does not interfere with the rights of others or the educational process.

Admission to, employment by, and promotion within the campus shall accord with the provisions regarding discrimination in the law.

2. All members of the campus have other responsibilities and rights based upon the nature of the educational process and the requirements of tie search for truth and its free presentation. These rights and responsibilities include:

Obligation to respect the freedom to teach, to learn, and to conduct research and publish findings in the spirit of free inquiry. No research, the results of which are secret (except under conditions of national emergency) is to be conducted on campus.

Institutional censorship and individual or group suppression, active e or threatened, of the opinions of others are inconsistent with this freedom.

Academic freedom implies that the teacher has the right to determine the specific content of his/her course, within the established course definition, and the responsibility not to depart significantly from his/her area of competence or to divert significant time to material extraneous to the subject matter of his/her course.

Obligation not to interfere with the freedom of members of the campus to pursue normal academic and administrative activities, including freedom of movement.

Obligations not to infringe upon the right of all members of the campus to privacy in offices, laboratories, and dormitory rooms and in the keeping of personal papers, confidential records, and effects, subject only to the law and to conditions voluntarily entered into.

Campus records on its members shall contain only information that is reasonably related to the educational purpose or safety of the campus.

Obligation not to interfere with any member's freedom to hear and to study unpopular and controversial views on intellectual and public issues (subject only to the requirements for the use of institutional facilities). Right to identify oneself as a member of the campus community and a concurrent obligation not to speak or act on behalf of the institution without authorization.

Right to hold public meetings in which members participate, to post notices, subject only to the requirements for the use of institutional facilities, and to engage in peaceful, orderly demonstrations.

Reasonable and impartially applied rules, designed to reflect the educational purposes of the institution and to protect the safety of the campus, shall be established regulating time, place, and manner of such activities and allocating the use of facilities.

Right to recourse (under this bill of rights) if another member of the campus is negligent or irresponsible in performance of his or her responsibilities, or if another member of the campus represents the work of others as his or her own.

Right to be heard and considered at appropriate levels of the decision-making process about basic policy matters of direct concern when the levels are within the jurisdiction of this bill.

Members of the campus who have a continuing association with the institution and who have substantial authority and security have an especially strong obligation to maintain an environment conducive to respect for the rights of others and fulfillment of academic responsibilities. Tenured faculty are expected to maintain the highest standards in performance of their academic responsibilities.

3. The institution, and any division or agency that exercises direct or delegated authority for the institution, has rights and responsibilities of its own. The rights and responsibilities of the institution include:

• Right and obligation to provide an open forum for members of the campus to present and debate public issues.
• Right to prohibit individuals and groups who are not members of the campus from using its name, its finances, and its physical and operating facilities for commercial or political activities.
• Right to prohibit members of the campus community from using its name, finances, or physical and operating facilities for commercial activities.
• Right and obligation to provide, for members of the campus community, the use of meeting rooms under college regulations including use by political clubs when such meetings are for educational purposes. There is a concomitant right and obligation to prohibit use of its rooms by individual members or groups on a regular or prolonged basis as free headquarters for political campaigns, and to prohibit use of its name, its finances and its equipment and supplies for any political purpose at any time.
• Right and obligation to preserve law and order on campus, that is to protect the members of the campus and visitors to it from physical harm, threats of harm, or abuse; its property from damage and unauthorized use; and its academic and administrative processes from interruption.
• Right to require that persons on the campus produce appropriate identification, and state what connection, if any, they have with the campus.
• Right to set reasonable standards of conduct in order to safeguard the educational process and to provide for the safety of members of the campus and the institution's property.

Members of the campus community who choose to strike bear the responsibility of accepting penalties that may be levied in accordance with the law.

4. All members of the campus have a right to fair and equitable procedures, which shall determine the validity of charges of violation of campus regulations.

The procedure shall be structured to facilitate a reliable determination of the truth or falsity of charges based on substantive evidence, to provide fundamental fairness to the parties, and to be an effective instrument for the maintenance of order.

All members of the campus have a right to know in advance the range of penalties for violations of campus regulations. Definition of adequate cause for separation from the campus should be clearly formulated and made public.

Charges of minor infractions of regulations, penalized by small fines or reprimands which do not become part of permanent records, may be handled expeditiously by the appropriate individual or committee. Persons so penalized have the right to appeal.

In the case of charges of infractions of regulations which may lead to notation in permanent records, or to more serious penalties, such as suspension or expulsion, members of the campus have a right to formal procedures with adequate due process, including the right of appeal if the decision was not in accord with the standards of fundamental fairness.

Members of the campus charged or convicted of violations under law may be subject to campus sanctions for the same conduct, in accord with campus policies and procedures, when the conduct is in violation of a reasonable campus rule essential for the continuing protection of other members of the campus or for the safe guarding of the educational process.

The Discrimination Policy
SUNY Oswego is an academic community, which celebrates cultural diversity and supports the dignity of all individuals. One of the college's goals is to enhance the campus community's awareness and appreciation of the diversity of cultural experiences and relationship preferences, which are represented within the population of faculty, students, and staff. Ideally, each student will develop into an active citizen, capable of participating in a positive manner in a complex, pluralistic society.

The college has an obligation to protect the rights of all of its members while on the campus premises. Harassment and discrimination for reasons of race, gender, nationality, color, creed, sexual orientation, or differing abilities will not be tolerated in the campus environment. Students and staff should not expose others to threats of violence or any form of verbal or written abuse. All such actions by students are in violation of the Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities and Conduct and may result in disciplinary action. Staff members are referred to the Grievance Procedure for Review of Allegations of Discrimination for guidelines. Students or staff who have experienced acts of harassment or discrimination are encouraged to seek redress of grievances against faculty, staff, or peers by contacting the college's Affirmative Action Officer, Room 405 Culkin Hall, or by submitting a complaint through the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management, 201 Culkin Hall.

SUNY Oswego has issued non-discrimination policies, which protect members of the college -workforce and student population. Furthermore, since the institution is a state agency which receives both federal and state funding, discrimination toward students as well as employees on the basis of race, creed, color, national origin, age, sex, affectional orientation, or marital status is illegal and can be redressed through institutional procedures which conform to state and federal statutes [Federal Legislation: Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, 1973, Title VI, of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and Title VII as amended by the Equal Employment Opportunity Act of 1972, Title IX of the 1972 Education Amendments; and New York State Legislation: New York State Human Rights Law and Governor's Executive Order 40.1 (1980)].

Harassment of students based on sex/gender, racial/ethnic, or affectional orientation have serious negative implications for the college as well as for students. These forms of discrimination not only undermine the integrity and reputation of the institution, but also seriously erode a healthy civilized learning environment for all of its students. This college, therefore, recognizes and accepts its responsibility to provide a vehicle for review of incidents of alleged discrimination. A nonadversarial grievance procedure has been established to assist students in the investigation and resolution of discrimination complaints.

Any student has the right to discuss concerns regarding these forms of harassment with the Assistant to the President for Affirmative Action. Students alleging harassment against other students may also submit a complaint under the Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities and Conduct through the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs and Enrollment Management. If a student wishes to exercise his or her right to file a formal complaint alleging discrimination against an employee or peer at the college, his or her grievance will be channeled through the College at Oswego Discrimination Grievance Procedure for review. Filing a complaint with the college does not preclude a grievant from filing with outside enforcement agencies.

Grievances are filed with the Affirmative Action Officer who is available for confidential consultation, additional information, and the registering of complaints based on sex/gender, racial/ethnic, disability or affectional/sexual orientation harassment

Harassment may be overt or insidious. Harassment on the basis of sex is a violation of Section 703 of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Sexual/gender, racial/ethnic and affectional orientation harassment are forms of behavior identified by the college as improper, harmful, and intolerable. The following describes the three forms of discriminatory behavior of which students and staff on campus should be apprised. Each of these behaviors has the power to restrict, offend, oppress, alienate, and ultimately deny to those whom they target free access to educational benefits, opportunities, and a healthy academic climate.

Sexual/Gender Harassment
The following guidelines are based on Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Consistent with SUNY's policy to ensure fair treatment of all individuals, protection for students at SUNY Oswego is covered as well. Both employees and students alleging harassment may use the College at Oswego Discrimination Grievance Procedure for review of their allegations.

Under the May 1981 amended guidelines of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, sexual harassment is defined in terms of behavior either physical or verbal in nature as "Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature...when:

1. Submission to such conduct is made explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual's employment,

2. Submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for employment decisions affecting such individual, or

3. Such conduct has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with an individual's work performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working environment,"

Further, the college recognizes sexual harassment to include a wide range of behaviors from the actual coercing of sexual relations to the persistent forcing of sexual attentions, verbal or physical, on an unwilling recipient. Included under this general rubric is "gender" harassment, a much more elusive, but nonetheless, real, denigrating attitude toward the targeted individuals or groups. Although women are the most frequent victims of this harassment behavior, men and women feel the consequences of "gender" harassment and, therefore, these circumstances must be ameliorated by both sexes.

Racial/Ethnic Harassment
The College at Oswego prohibits any form of behavior that singles out an individual or group for the purpose of undermining their racial, cultural or religious heritage. The College at Oswego remains a campus committed to multi-cultural educational goals. These goals can only be attained in a racially and culturally integrated environment where civility transcends prejudice and cultural exchange serves to enhance the climate of an academic community.

Individuals who expose others to threats of violence, or verbal or written (e.g. graffiti) abuse on the basis of race, color, creed, or religion, are in direct conflict with the anti-racial/ethnic harassment policy of this college. In addition, such actions are in violation of the Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities and Conduct and may be subject to disciplinary action.

Affectional Orientation Harassment
The resolution adopted by the State University of New York Board of Trustees on October 26, 1983 is a reaffirmation of policy relating to access and fair treatment.

Resolved that it is the policy of the State University of New York and the expectation of the Board of Trustees that no discrimination against or harassment of individuals will occur on any of the campuses or in the programs or activities of the University. Consistent with this policy, the Board of' Trustees expects that all judgments about actions toward students and employees will be based on their qualifications, abilities, and performance. Attitudes, practices, and preferences of individuals that are essentially personal in nature, such as private expression of sexual orientation, are unrelated to performance and provide no basis for judgment.

The Board of Trustees expects all State University campuses to implement this policy of fair treatment.

Therefore, the College at Oswego alerts students and employees that redress may be sought if a violation of the aforementioned policy has occurred. Allegations of discrimination against individuals whose behavior has prevented a grievant from pursuing his or her employment or educational goals free of all irrelevant considerations shall be reviewed through toe College at Oswego Discrimination Grievance Procedure.

State University of New York at Oswego Policy and Procedures for Accommodating Individuals with Disabilities
SUNY Oswego is committed to accommodating the special needs of individuals with disabilities for providing equal access to all its programs and services as required by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990. This document establishes the policy and procedures for determining reasonable accommodations for students (matriculated and non-matriculated), employees and visitors to campus events, activities and programs. SUNY at Oswego has:

1. Established procedures to respond to requests for accommodations;

2. Established procedures to provide notice to interested parties of the existence oi a program of services, its location, identity of the person to contact to obtain information and services; and

3. Developed a program for the provision of services for students with disabilities.

Part I: Policy, Accessibility and Equal Opportunities

It is the policy of SUNY at Oswego, in compliance with Federal law (Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990), to provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. The institution and its employees shall comply with all applicable federal laws and regulations regarding reasonable accommodations necessary to ensure equal opportunity to qualified individuals with disabilities.

It is the policy of SUNY Oswego to make reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities on a case-by-case, flexible basis. Programs are expected to have the flexibility and capacity to provide reasonable accommodations when needs arise.

Otherwise qualified individuals with documented disabilities (as defined by applicable state and federal regulations), are eligible to request reasonable accommodations. The responsibility for initiating a request for accommodations lies with the individual with a disability. Every individual making a request for reasonable accommodations must provide sufficient documentation to support his or her request. Submitted documentation must be from an appropriate, qualified professional. In accordance with federal and state regulations, SUNY Oswego will treat disability-related information m a confidential manner.

Part II: Designated Campus Contacts for Individuals with Disabilities

A. Students with Disabilities

The office of Disability Services coordinates services for students with disabilities. The Coordinator of Services for Students with Disabilities (see III, E) collects student disability related documentation, evaluates requests from students for reasonable accommodations and coordinates appropriate services. Final determination as to the appropriateness of an accommodation to the university setting is evaluated on a case-by-case basis and rests with SUNY at Oswego. The Coordinator of Services for Students with Disabilities also assists faculty, staff and students with information and resources relating to disabilities and serves as a consultant for persons needing information or referrals to outside agencies or professionals.

B. Employees with Disabilities
The Director of Human Resources (see III, E) is the designated contact person for employees with disabilities requesting reasonable accommodations. The Director of Human Resources follows policy and procedures for employee requests for accommodations. (Procedures for Implementing Reasonable Accommodation in NYS Agencies and Facilities) The Director of Human Resources is available to assist faculty and staff in gaining a greater under;, landing ol the law and to clarify institutional obligations under the law to provide reasonable accommodations.

C. Campus Visitors
Programs, activities, and services include but are not limited to meetings, conferences, public events, public meetings, performances, social events, etc. Persons with disabilities visiting the campus should contact the designated departmental personnel conducting or coordinating specific activities, programs or events they will be attending. The designated departmental personnel conducting or coordinating the specific activity, program or event should consult with the ADA/504 Coordinator (see III, E) if they require assistance. Determination of how best to meet the needs of individual visitors with disabilities attending such activities shall be made on a case-by-case basis.

D. Event/Program Accessibility - Procedures for Sponsors
Designated individuals responsible for planning campus-sponsored events should adhere lo the procedures below in order to facilitate accessibility.

1. Whenever possible, events should be scheduled at physically accessible locations. When viewed in its entirety, programs and activities should be readily accessible, or made accessible, through reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities.

2. Publications, including but not limited to brochures, registration forms, press releases, and posters announcing public programs and events should include an accessibility statement. The inclusion of the following statement on announcements and publications places the responsibility of requesting needed auxiliary aids and services on participants, and provides departmental staff with advance notice should they need to arrange for any requested accommodations. Persons with disabilities, needing accommodations to attend this event, should contact (name/department) at (phone #) in advance.

3. A reasonable advance notice of at least 3 weeks should be given by anyone requesting accommodations. However, with the goal of providing access to and participation in all SUNY at Oswego programs, services and activities, every effort will be made to respond to requests for reasonable accommodations within a reasonable period.

4. You may wish to consult with the ADA/504 Coordinator regarding auxiliary aids and services, resources available, agency referral, and the determination of the appropriateness of accommodations.

Part III: Procedures for Accessing Accommodations

A. Requests for Accommodation

1. A request and determination of an accommodation is handled through the designated campus contact. Students with disabilities should contact the Coordinator of Services for Students with Disabilities, 312-3358. Employees should contact the Director of Human Resources, 312-2230, and all other requests should be directed to the office sponsoring the specific program or activity.

2. Individuals with disabilities may choose to self-disclose, to the appropriate campus contact, information about their disability at any time. However, in order to ensure sufficient time to coordinate auxiliary aids and services, it is the responsibility of the individual to make the request in a timely manner. If a request is made after a designated deadline, every effort will be made to accommodate the request. However, because many accommodations require early planning, it cannot be guaranteed that all requests for accommodations will be met. Untimely requests may result in delay, substitution, or denial of an accommodation.

3. The responsibility for requesting or initiating a request for accommodation lies with the individual with a disability. Students with off-campus program requirements such as an internship or student reaching placement are encouraged to request accommodations at least one semester prior to the semester they will be participating in the off-campus program.

4. Verification of a disability is required. It is the responsibility of the individual with a disability to provide documentation that supports her or his request for reasonable accommodation. Disability documentation must clearly indicate:

a) The existence of a disability (as defined by state and federal regulations),

b) That the disability substantially limits a major life activity, including a statement of the nature and extent of the limitations; and,

c) A statement of what accommodation(s) is/are recommended.

Specific guidelines for documentation of a disabling condition may be obtained from the Office of Disability Services.

5. Once a qualified individual with a disability has requested an accommodation, the designated campus contact will take steps to determine an appropriate accommodation. The appropriateness of an accommodation is often determined through a flexible, interactive process that involves the individual with a disability and the designated campus contact. Early consultation is essential whenever questions of compliance and/or funding for an accommodation are involved.

6. Final responsibility for selection of the most appropriate accommodation rests with the institution. (See Section III C, D, for appeal/grievance procedures).

B. Reasonable Accommodations

1. Factors to determine whether a requested accommodation is considered reasonable include:

a) The individual is "otherwise qualified"

b) The request does not fundamentally alter the essential elements of a program

c) The request does not create an undue financial or administrative burden

d) The request does not create a danger to others

e) The request is not of a "personal" nature

2. Students with disabilities will be expected to meet the academic and technical standards of a course or program with or without reasonable accommodations. The types of accommodations provided to individuals with disabilities may vary according to the nature of the disability and the physical environment or course content.

3. An employee with a disability must be able to perform the essential functions of his or her job with or without reasonable accommodations.

C. Appeal of Accommodation Determination

Employees, students, and visitors have an opportunity to appeal a decision regarding an accommodation. Appeals may be handled informally in a case review involving the person seeking accommodation(s), the designated campus contact and the appropriate faculty, administrator, or supervisor. If a mutually acceptable accommodation cannot be determined with the designated campus contact and relevant SUNY Oswego personnel, an internal complaint may be filed with the Affirmative Action Officer (see III, E).

D. Grievance Procedure

SUNY Oswego has adopted an internal grievance procedure for the provision of prompt and equitable resolution of complaints alleging discrimination. Individuals with a disability at SUNY Oswego, who consider themselves victims of discrimination based on a disability, may file a grievance with the Affirmative Action Officer. Procedures for students wishing to file a discrimination grievance are identified in the Oswego State University of New York Student Handbook, section on college policies, specifically under Discrimination and Filing Complaints. Additionally, procedures for employees and/or students wishing to file a complaint may also be obtained from the Affirmative Action Officer. The Affirmative Action Officer shall receive any complaint of alleged discrimination, shall assist the complainant in defining the charge, and shall provide the complainant with information regarding the options for filing internal complaints or external complaints through the federal Office of Civil Rights and/or the New York State Division of Human Rights.

E. Disability Accommodations Resources

Questions or concerns regarding policy, services, or allegations of non-compliance should be directed to the designated campus contact:

The Disability Support Services Office, 155 Campus Center, 315-312-3358, fax 315-312-2943.  Americas with Disabilities Act (ADA)/504 Coordinator, Campus Center, 315-312-3358, Starr Knapp, starr.knapp@oswego.edu
Marta Santiago, Director of Human Resources, 410 Culkin Hall, 315-312-2230, marta.santiago@oswego.edu

Individuals who believe they have experienced discrimination on the basis of disability and have been unable to arrive at a mutually acceptable resolution with the designated campus contact and appropriate personnel may file a grievance with the Affirmative Action Officer. Individuals should contact: Marta Santiago, Director of Human Resources, 410 Culkin Hall, 315-312-2230, marta.santiago@oswego.edu

Drug Policy
It is the position of the State University of New York at Oswego that the use of alcohol and/or illegal possession or use of other drugs adversely affects the college community's pursuit of its educational objectives. Furthermore, as a state-supported institution, it is the responsibility of the college to uphold both state and federal laws. Therefore, the abuse of alcohol and/or the use, possession, or distribution of LSD and other hallucinogens, marijuana, hashish, cocaine, peyote, heroin, amphetamines, barbiturates, and similar substances, except under legal medical prescription, is prohibited on college premises.

College Policy on Use of Alcoholic Beverages
Alcoholic Beverage Policy (effective December 1, 1985). The use of alcoholic beverages is permissible on the SUNY Oswego campus by persons of New York State purchase age at approved events, in licensed facilities, and in individual residential living quarters. This policy applies to students, faculty, their recognized organizations, and all groups using college facilities and lakes into account federal, state, and local laws. The policy fully considers the customs and changing mores of the Oswego community. It recognizes that the full responsibility for student conduct and welfare has been placed with the College Council by authority of Section 356 of the New York State Education law, and that the use of alcohol by members of the student body, faculty, and staff on the Oswego campus is a matter of proper concern to the College Council. In the implementation of this policy, a standing committee representing students, faculty, and administration has been established to determine the appropriateness of alcoholic beverages. Within the context of authorized events, food and non-alcoholic beverages will be available when alcoholic beverages are served. Consult the policy for the specific details including its implementation.

College Policy Relative to Retired Professional Staff
The following is a listing of the policies developed by the college regarding retired professional staff:

1. Retired persons shall be given a professional staff identification card, which shall permit their taking advantage of various professional staff privileges,

2. An up-to-date list of retired persons, with current addresses, shall be maintained by the President's Office at all times.

3. Certain privileges are outlined in the personnel policies of State University relative to retired professional staff. Specific privileges to be accorded these individuals are as follows:

a) They shall have the right to make purchases through the College Bookstore.

b) They shall have all the privileges of regular professional staff members including admission to college events, special faculty rates, and the like.

c) They shall have library privileges.

d) They may attend all faculty meetings and other faculty affairs.

e) The President shall review the feasibility of making laboratory facilities, office space, and secretarial assistance available to retired professional staff members when requested.

f) Retired professional staff shall be provided with parking stickers upon request.

4. The Business Office shall apprise retired professional staff of any special provisions applicable to them.

5. The President shall designate a coordinator to implement policy relative to retired professional staff members. This duty will entail notifying persons of their privileges and of any changes in policy, which may occur.

Records Access
State University procedures, established pursuant to the Freedom of Information Law, give public access to certain categories of university records. These procedures provide for designation of a records access officer who, among other duties, is assigned the responsibilities of coordinating the institution's response to requests for access to records and making such records as are appropriate available for inspection. The College's records access officer is the SUNY Director of Public Affairs. The Public Affairs Office is located in room 210 of Culkin Hall, SUNY Oswego, Oswego, NY 13126. Requests for information may be filed in the Public Affairs Office during normal business hours. There, is a right of appeal to a denial of access to information.

College policies regarding access to student records comply fully with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). For information, see:

http://www.oswego.edu/administration/registrar/FERPA_guide.pdf

Computer Use
Unauthorized access or modification to campus computer systems, software, or data files is subject to loss of system privileges and/or disciplinary action pursued through the administration of the Code of Student Rights, Responsibilities and Conduct. Violation of state and federal laws may also result in legal prosecution.

Software and Intellectual Rights Respect for intellectual labor and creativity is vital to academic discourse and enterprise. This principle applies to works of all authors and publishers in all media. It encompasses respect for the right to acknowledgment, right to privacy, and right to determine the form, manner, and terms of publication and distribution.

Because electronic information is volatile and easily reproduced, respect for the work and personal expression of others is especially critical in computer environments. Violations of authorial integrity, including plagiarism, invasion of privacy, unauthorized access, and trade secret and copyright violations, may be grounds for sanctions against members of the academic community. (Source: EDUCOM and ADAPSO).

Software Copyright Policy
It is the intent of SUNY Oswego to adhere to the provisions of copyright laws in the area of computer programs. Though there continues to be controversy regarding interpretation of those copyright laws, the following statements and procedures represent a sincere effort to operate legally. The college recognizes that computer software piracy is a major problem for the industry and that greater efforts must be made to prevent illegal copying or society will see a decrease in incentives for the development of good educational uses of computers. Therefore, in an effort to discourage violation of copyright laws and to prevent such illegal activities:

1. It is recommended that the ethical and practical problems caused by software piracy be taught in all classes involving the use of computers.

2. College employees will be expected to adhere to the provisions of Public Law 96-317, Section 7(b) that amends Section 117 of Title 17 of the United States Code to allow for the making of a back-up copy of a computer program. This states that "...it is not an infringement for the owner of a copy of a computer program to make or authorize the making of another copy or adaption of that computer program provided:

a) That such a new copy or adaption is created as an essential step in the utilization of the computer program in conjunction with a machine and that it is used in no other manner, or

b) That such a new copy and adaption is for archival purposes only and that all archival copies are
destroyed in the event that continued possession of the computer program by the rightful owner should cease."

3. When software is to be used on a disk sharing system, efforts will be made to secure this software from copying.

4. Illegal copies of copyrighted programs may not be made or used on college equipment.

5. No person shall use or cause to be used in the college's computer laboratory any software which does not fall into one of the following categories:

a) It is in the public domain.

b) It is covered by a licensing agreement with the software author(s), vendor, or developer, whichever is applicable.

c) It has been donated to the college and a written record of a bona fide contribution exists.

d) It has been purchased by the college and a record of a bona fide purchase exists.

e) It has been purchased by the user and a record of a bona fide purchase exists and can be produced by the user upon demand.

f) It has been written or developed by a college employee or student for the specific purpose of being used in an Oswego College computer laboratory or facility.

6. The employee or designated person in charge of each computing facility [or administrative officer (sj designated by the college administration] will be the person responsible for establishing and publishing a clear description of practices, which will enforce this policy.

Extraordinary Working Conditions
Employees who have reported for duty and because of extraordinary circumstances beyond their control, other than those related to weather conditions, arc directed to leave work, shall not be required to charge such directed absence against Live credits for that day. However, where extraordinary working conditions are present, such as excessive heat, cold, or power shutdowns, it is college policy, whenever possible, to reassign people to more comfortable areas. Should such conditions prevail in an area, the Office of Human Resources should be contacted immediately.

College Closing Due to Weather
Winter storms may cancel classes. Classes will proceed as scheduled unless official radio announcements of cancellation are made. The following radio stations have agreed to make the college's class cancellation announcements: WRVO (FM 89.9), WZOS (FM96), WNYO (FM 88.9) and WSGO/WGES (FM 105.5, AM 1440) in Oswego; WSYR/WYYY (AM570, FM 94.5) and WHEN (AM 620) in Syracuse; and WSCP (AM 1070, FM 101.7) in Pulaski.

When classes are cancelled, most employees and all commuting students should not come to campus. The college has no plans to close down entirely, no matter what the weather, if only to serve the 4,000 students who reside on campus. Employees who do take time off are required to charge their time, except for instructional faculty.

The public announcement of class cancellations only occurs when the entire campus of thousands of students and hundreds of faculty are affected. Individual class cancellations do not require radio broadcast across Central New York. Faculty members who need to cancel their own classes should contact their Department Chairs. They should not call the media to announce cancellation of individual classes because broadcast media will not accept class cancellation in announcements from unauthorized callers.

Faculty teaching classes off campus should follow the weather closing policy governing the class site and inform students accordingly (e.g., if Baldwinsville schools were closed that day, a college class scheduled at the middle school that evening is also canceled. A separate radio announcement is unnecessary.

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