Types of Rules and Regulations

The University has established several types of rules which govern the conduct of students and organized student groups, and which are described below.

UNIVERSITY ORDINANCES:

a. Apply to all individuals – students, employees, visitors on campus.
b. Final approval by the Board of Trustees.
c. Enforced by the MSU Police Department with the support of students, faculty, and administrative personnel.
d. Adjudicated through criminal court proceedings in the same manner as city ordinances or state laws.

(Although this book contains only selected ordinances, everyone is expected to comply with all University ordinances, which are available for reference at the Information Desk, Main Library, or at http://trustees.msu.edu/ordinances/).

GENERAL STUDENT REGULATIONS:

a. Apply to the conduct of all registered students and organizations.
b. Final approval by the University president.
c. Enforced by all students, faculty, and administrative personnel, with support of the Department of Police and Public Safety.
d. Adjudicated through University procedures.

STUDENT GROUP REGULATIONS:

a. Apply to those students specified in the regulation.
b. Final approval by the Vice President for Student Affairs and Services.
c. Enforced by students, faculty, and administrative personnel.
d. Adjudicated through University procedures.

ADMINISTRATIVE RULINGS:

a. Apply to those specified in the ruling.
b. Adopted by various offices of the University for implementing delegated administrative responsibility, usually after consultation with student-faculty advisory committees.
c. Enforced by administrative personnel in the respective offices, supported by students and faculty.
d. Adjudicated through administrative action.

ALL-UNIVERSITY POLICIES:

a. Apply to those specified in the policy.
b. Final approval by the Board of Trustees for carrying out major University responsibilities.
c. Enforced by students, faculty, and administrative personnel.
d. Adjudicated through administrative action, University procedures, or as provided in the policy.

In general, all-University policies and administrative rulings apply only to those individuals registered as students. Some, however, also apply to University employees. Where such is the case, mention is made of the fact immediately before the text of the policy or ruling.

ADDITIONAL REGULATIONS:

Students are, of course, expected to live in accordance with local, state, and national laws. The enforcement of such laws is the responsibility of the legal and judicial authorities duly established for that purpose. Conduct alleged to have violated both law and University regulations may be handled concurrently through the courts and University disciplinary proceedings. The complainant may choose whether to file criminal charges and/or an internal disciplinary complaint.

ARRANGEMENT OF THIS SECTION

The regulations which follow are arranged so as to list the General Student Regulations and University Housing Regulations first. All other regulations follow, arranged alphabetically by title. Each regulation includes, besides the text, an identification of type; a citation of approving agencies and date of final approval or most recent amendment; and a cross reference to other regulations on the same topic where applicable.

Note: All regulations, policies, administrative rulings and ordinances are subject to change.

Academic Honesty

Academic honesty is central to the educational process and acts of academic dishonesty are serious offenses within the University community. Suspension from the University could be the consequence for acts of academic dishonesty.

Students should be familiar with General Student Regulation 1.00 in Protection of Scholarship and Grades, and with the all-University policy on Integrity of Scholarship and Grades. In addition, it is important that students clearly understand the specific expectations of their individual instructors with regard to this important matter. The process for adjudicating cases of academic dishonesty is outlined in Article 7 Section IV of Student Rights and Responsibilities.