POLICY NAME: AUD COUNCILS
POLICY CATEGORY: GENERAL POLICIES
POLICY STATEMENT:
The following summarizes the function of those Councils, which deliberate student affairs issues. The role and composition of each can be found in the Student Handbook.
Conduct Council
To investigate suspected violations of the AUD Code of Conduct, such as, but not limited to theft, harassment, verbal abuse, inappropriate public displays of affection, violent behavior, and not complying with the directives of university officials.
Grade Appeal Council
To investigate grade appeals.
Honor Council
To investigate suspected violations of the AUD Honor Code, such as, but not limited to cheating, plagiarism, and turning in papers purchased through online semester paper services.
POLICY NAME: AUD TECHNOLOGY USE POLICY
POLICY CATEGORY: GENERAL POLICIES
POLICY STATEMENT:
Information technology resources include all university-owned computers, peripherals, and related equipment and software; voice and data communications infrastructure, all other associated tools, instruments, and facilities; and the services that make use of any of these technology resources. Users are encouraged to use the university computing systems in an effective, efficient, ethical, and lawful manner.
AUD invests in technology resources in order to accomplish more effectively university-specific tasks, goals, and learning objectives. As expected in a contemporary environment, the presence of technology on campus is pervasive. University operating processes and procedures are nearly always computer-supported, and course syllabi more frequently than not reflect the imparting of technological learning outcomes and the use of technology in pedagogy.
Computer users at AUD are required to use proper social and professional etiquette when using the AUD systems. Use of the network implies consent for monitoring of traffic that is necessary for smooth administration of the resource. University computing resources shall not be used for purposes that could reasonably be expected to cause directly, or indirectly, excessive strain on computing systems or unwarranted and unsolicited interference with use of email or email systems.
AUD does not condone the use of inappropriate language and visuals when storing, replicating or transmitting messages by/to instructors, staff or students. The AUD computing facilities and network infrastructure is a distributed and shared environment. Improper behavior that could disrupt the computing resources may be ground for termination of access or other penalties deemed appropriate. Anyone accessing or utilizing university computer systems, related data files, and information shares the responsibility for the security, integrity, and confidentiality of information.
POLICY NAME: CAMPUS SECURITY/CRIME AND SAFETY PREVENTION PROGRAM
POLICY CATEGORY: GENERAL POLICIES
POLICY STATEMENT:
AUD is concerned about the safety and welfare of its students and employees. Therefore, AUD has implemented a security policy for the protection of students, staff and faculty. AUD maintains a log of all crimes committed and reported on its campus. Information is updated annually. Updated information for the prior calendar year is made available, upon request, to all continuing students, faculty and staff each year.
For emergency situations, students are asked to call the UNIVERSITY HOTLINE: 04 318 3500. A security guard will get in touch with the appropriate authority or university staff member for appropriate action.
POLICY NAME: CIVIL RIGHTS COMPLIANCE
POLICY CATEGORY: GENERAL POLICIES
POLICY STATEMENT:
AUD does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, age, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or handicap among qualified persons in the recruitment and admission of students, the operation of any of its educational programs and activities, and the recruitment and employment of faculty and staff. The university provides a means to ensure a prompt resolution of all matters regarding violations of the above policies and a means to ensure due process to all employees and students who believe that the university’s policy of non-discrimination is being violated or that they have been victims of sexual harassment.
POLICY NAME: CODE OF STUDENT CONDUCT
POLICY CATEGORY: GENERAL POLICIES
POLICY STATEMENT:
AUD is an academic community committed to the educational and personal growth of its students. Behavior that infringes upon rights, safety or privileges or that impedes the educational process is unacceptable and may lead to sanctions up to and including dismissal from the university. An explanation of violations of university regulations can be found in the AUD Student Handbook.
POLICY NAME: CONFLICT OF INTEREST CLAUSE
POLICY CATEGORY: GENERAL POLICIES
POLICY STATEMENT:
No Council member shall sit in review of any decision he or she previously rendered which comes before the Council for review. This imperative applies to situations where the Council’s decision is actually being challenged and applies in situations where there may be an appearance of impropriety for a Council member to review a decision based on either direct or indirect contact with the matter in question.
POLICY NAME: DISCLOSURE
POLICY CATEGORY: GENERAL POLICIES
POLICY STATEMENT:
Students are encouraged to share personal experiences while participating in classes at AUD. However, students must be aware that should they disclose to any AUD faculty member or staff information that may cause harm to themselves or others. Faculty members and staff are required to report such information to the Deans, Associate Deans or Chairs, Provost and Chief Academic Officer, or President.
POLICY NAME: DRESS CODE
POLICY CATEGORY: GENERAL POLICIES
POLICY STATEMENT:
The American University in Dubai, in accordance with the laws of the U.A.E., adheres to specific guidelines regarding appropriate attire. As a result, students are expected to dress properly while on campus. Inappropriate attire will not be tolerated and violations are subject to disciplinary action.
Inappropriate attire is defined as, but not limited to:
• Tight or revealing clothing;
• Short shorts and micro-skirts;
• Low-cut tops or dresses;
• Sagging jeans or jeans with suggestive holes or markings;
• T-shirts with inappropriate logos or language;
• Midriff-baring, open-back or halter tops.
Details of the procedure are included in the AUD Student Handbook.
POLICY NAME: DRUG-FREE ENVIRONMENT
POLICY CATEGORY: GENERAL POLICIES
POLICY STATEMENT:
As a matter of rigorous policy, AUD prohibits the manufacture and unlawful possession, use, sale or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by students and employees on its property and at any university activity. Further information on the university’s policies can be found in the Student Handbook and on the AUD website. Any violation of these policies will result in appropriate disciplinary actions up to and including dismissal in the case of students and termination in the case of employees, even for a first offense. Violations of the law will also be referred to the appropriate law enforcement authorities. Students or employees may also be referred to abuse help centers. Information on the school’s drug-free awareness program and drug and alcohol abuse prevention program may be obtained from the Office of Student Affairs.
POLICY NAME: GENERAL STATEMENT OF PHILOSOPHY ON STUDENT CONDUCT
POLICY CATEGORY: GENERAL POLICIES
POLICY STATEMENT:
AUD believes strongly in promoting the development of personal and social responsibility and also believes in a humanistic approach to discipline conducive to academic pursuits; however, AUD recognizes that its responsibility for the protection of personal and institutional rights and property is a primary focus of the disciplinary process. The administration reserves the right to develop any policy or take any action(s) deemed appropriate to maintain the safety and wellbeing of any or all students. Policies and procedures on offenses related to persons, property, campus operations and welfare, health or safety can be found in the AUD Student Handbook
POLICY NAME: GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS
POLICY CATEGORY: GENERAL POLICIES
POLICY STATEMENT:
The American University in Dubai complies with all laws and regulations of the territorial jurisdiction in which its campus is located. Furthermore, as an American-accredited institution, AUD complies with the spirit of relevant United States legislation in so far as is possible/advisable given the cultural, historical, architectural, and legal contexts within which the university operates in the United Arab Emirates.
POLICY NAME: GRIEVANCE PROCESS
POLICY CATEGORY: GENERAL POLICIES
POLICY STATEMENT:
This process applies to all members of the AUD community. Specifically, it applies to all academic grievances, including those related to academic freedom, as well as to those related to administrative, interpersonal and other non-academic issues.
Grievance Officer
The Grievance Officer facilitates the resolution of grievances within the AUD community through the Grievance Process as outlined below. The Grievance Officer offers confidential, informal, independent, and neutral dispute resolution services by providing mediation, information, advice and referrals as appropriate.
Grievance Procedure
To resolve an issue,
POLICY NAME: HEALTH HISTORY
POLICY CATEGORY: GENERAL POLICIES
POLICY STATEMENT:
AUD prides itself in offering quality health services. To maintain our standards and fully address the health and medical needs of our students, the AUD Health Center requires that all AUD students submit the Student Health History Form (available at the AUD Health Center and online) to the Health Center. This Form must be endorsed by a physician.
All health information is confidential. Only the following staff members have access (as needed): President, Executive Vice President, Provost and Chief Academic Officer, and Dean of Student Services. All student medical records are kept under a locked filing system, and they are not released to others without the written consent (Authorization of Health Information Release) of the student or his or her parents.
POLICY NAME: INTERRUPTION OF DEGREE PROGRESS
POLICY CATEGORY: GENERAL POLICIES
POLICY STATEMENT:
When a student interrupts progress towards completion of his or her degree for one calendar year or more, he or she must re-apply to the university in order to resume their studies. The application for re-admission will entail a review of the student’s record by the Office of Student Recruitment and Admissions which, in consultation with the Office of the Registrar, may require the student to fulfill (in all or in part) the degree requirements in effect at the time readmission is requested. These requirements may differ from those in effect at the time the student was first admitted to the university.
POLICY NAME: ONLINE STUDENT COMPLAINT SYSTEM
POLICY CATEGORY: GENERAL POLICIES
POLICY STATEMENT:
The Application
Students may file their complaint through an online application: https://complaints.aud.edu/ is accessible through the AUD website under the Student Portal section. The Student Complaint System is focused on providing feedback to problems/issues raised by AUD students.
Student Complaint Procedure
It is advised that students should first directly communicate with the person/department with whom they have a complaint. If the students still wish to formalize the complaint with the relevant academic or administrative head, then they can log into the Student Complaint System application and submit their complaint.
Once a complaint is submitted, the academic or administrative head receives a notification email prompting him or her to log into the application and follow up on the complaint.
Students will receive an update on the status of their complaint via email within 5 working days. If input is not received within this timeframe, students are requested to follow up with the Office of Institutional Effectiveness. The Student Complaint System is not relevant for grade or academic standing appeals.
In the event that the above procedure does not yield reasonable outcomes, students may consult the Grievance Officer by following the AUD Grievance Process described below.
POLICY NAME: PEOPLE OF DETERMINATION/DISABILITIES
POLICY CATEGORY: GENERAL POLICIES
POLICY STATEMENT:
Non-Discrimination Statement
AUD does not discriminate against individuals on the basis of physical or mental disability and is fully committed to providing reasonable accommodations, including appropriate auxiliary aids and services, to qualified individuals with a disability, unless providing such accommodations would result in an undue burden or fundamentally alter the nature of the relevant program, benefit, or service provided by AUD.
PEOPLE OF DETERMINATION
People of Determination Support Services
The American University in Dubai is committed to providing reasonable accommodations and equal access to university programs and activities for people of determination with documented disabilities. A reasonable accommodation is one that is consistent with academic standards of the university and does not require substantial course or program alteration. The Health Center welcomes and encourages students with disabilities to identify themselves and to seek access to needed accommodations.
To ensure that accommodations are provided in a timely fashion, AUD encourages students to submit their requests well in advance of the start of any coursework for which the accommodation is requested.
Accommodations for People of Determination
Academic support accommodations that are provided to people of determination are based on their condition’s limitations and specialist’s recommendations.
People of determination can suffer from a physical, mental, or learning impairment/condition or disability that affects his/her lifestyle, limits one or more major life activities, and requires special accommodations.
It is common knowledge that exposure to second-hand smoke from a variety of products, tobacco-based and non-, represents a significant health hazard. UAE Federal Law 15 prohibits the use of such products on the indoor premises of educational institutions.
In order to comply with UAE law and to promote a healthy environment, AUD strictly prohibits smoking, vaping, and other like-practices* (1) on its indoor premises in all buildings, and (2) outdoors on its campus, except in designated smoking areas.
*including but not limited to any lit cigarette, cigar, pipe, midwakh, dokha, bidi, electronic cigarette or any other smoking device, along with any form of smokeless or spit tobacco such as dip, chew or snuff.
Three areas on campus have been designated for smokers, equipped with benches and ashtrays: behind the School of Architecture, Art and Design building, behind the School of Business building, and adjacent to the School of Engineering building.
All students, faculty, staff and visitors to the AUD campus are obligated to follow the above policy.
Enforcement
Those responsible for the enforcement and implementation of this policy among students are the security supervisor and staff, together with the dean of student affairs. Specifically, an Incident Report is filled out by the party who detects a violation. This report is filed with the Office of Student Affairs for record keeping purposes.
Disciplinary Action
All first-time offenders will be placed on Disciplinary Probation.
The following will result in a one-semester suspension from the university:
A second indoor offence
Three outdoor offences
Two outdoor offences + an indoor offence
Upon return from suspension, any additional offence will result in dismissal.
Students are urged not to test the administration’s resolve in enforcing this policy. It is rooted in UAE law and AUD’s objective of providing a safe, healthy environment.
(A similar policy has been inserted in the faculty handbook and staff manual.)
POLICY NAME: STUDENT RECORDS ACCESS AND RELEASE
POLICY CATEGORY: GENERAL POLICIES
POLICY STATEMENT:
The university has established a policy for the release of records containing information on students.
POLICY NAME: STUDENT RECORDS INTEGRITY
POLICY CATEGORY: GENERAL POLICIES
POLICY STATEMENT:
AUD practices the standard of developing and implementing effective management systems that ensure integrity, confidentiality, security and accurate interpretation of institutional records. As such, AUD has implemented policies and procedures to protect the security of the student records in our electronic database (CampusNexus), created adequate backup procedures, and updated procedures for approving grade changes. The integrity and confidentiality of student record information continues to be one of the highest priorities of the university.*
* AUD upholds the commitment to respect and protect the privacy of student information according to AUD policy and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974.
POLICY NAME: TRANSFER CREDIT FROM AUD TO OTHER COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
POLICY CATEGORY: GENERAL POLICIES
POLICY STATEMENT:
AUD neither implies nor guarantees that credits completed will be accepted by other institutions. Each institution has policies that govern the acceptance of credit from other institutions. Transfer of credit is a privilege granted by the institution to which a student may seek admission. Students seeking to transfer credits earned at AUD to other postsecondary institutions should contact the college or university to which they seek admission to inquire as to that institution’s policies on credit transfer and acceptance.
POLICY NAME: UNLAWFUL HARASSMENT
POLICY CATEGORY: GENERAL POLICIES
POLICY STATEMENT:
AUD is committed to the policy that all members of the university community, including its faculty, students, and staff, have the right to be free from unlawful discrimination in the form of sexual harassment by any other member of the university community. Should a student or staff member feel that he or she has been unlawfully harassed, they should immediately inform the Dean of Student Affairs (students) or supervisor (faculty/staff)*. Unlawful harassment refers to behavior that is not welcome, which is personally offensive or undesirable to the recipient. All students and employees must be allowed to work and study in an environment free from unsolicited and unwelcome sexual overtures and advances. Unlawful harassment undermines the employee/student/university relationship, and it will not be tolerated.
* of accused
POLICY NAME: USE OF AUD SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS
POLICY CATEGORY: GENERAL POLICIES
POLICY STATEMENT:
With social media, the AUD Community grows beyond the walls of the university to include the whole world. AUD’s Facebook®, Twitter®, LinkedIn®, Instagram®, and YouTube® profiles have been created to share news and events about the university and its community. It is important that we remain respectful of the environment in which we are in, mindful of other people and constructive in our day-to-day postings. The following guidelines will keep AUD’s social media profiles up to standard:
Posting comments: while feedback and criticism are always welcome, they need to be constructive. No political, religious, racist, commercial, sexual, alcohol and tobacco-related or potentially offensive content may be posted on AUD’s social media profiles. Material deemed offensive by the Administrators will immediately be deleted and the student will be blocked.
Advertising and Promotions (Anti-Spam): some promotions and advertising pertaining to the AUD Community may be welcome but requires the Administrators’ approval. Abuse on AUD’s social media profiles will be considered as spam and dealt with accordingly. Advertising and promotions deemed as spam by the Administrators will immediately be deleted and the person and/or company will be blocked.