Summer 2023 Annual Notice to Students Various state and federal laws require Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) to provide information and notice to students on a variety of topics. It is the responsibility of the student(s) to be aware of and to abide by all approved policies, procedures, rules, and regulations set forth by The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents, posted on the System home page or disseminated through handbooks and manuals to all component campuses of The Texas A&M University System (TAMUS). Please take time to review this important information in its entirety. The following information is included in this notification: 1. STUDENT CONSUMER DISCLOSURE .................................................................................................................. 2 2. PRIVACY OF STUDENT RECORDS ....................................................................................................................... 2 3. STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES ......................................................................................................... 2 4. UNIVERSITY ANNUAL SECURITY AND FIRE SAFETY REPORT (CLERY REPORT) .....................................................2 5. EQUITY IN ATHLETICS DISCLOSURE ACT (EADA) ................................................................................................ 3 6. DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE PREVENTION PROGRAM (DAAPP)........................................................................3 7. PREVENTION OF SEXUAL ASSAULT AND ALCOHOL/DRUG ABUSE – ONLINE TRAINING FOR ALL STUDENTS .......3 8. CIVIL RIGHTS COMPLIANCE PROGRAM AND TITLE IX COORDINATOR CONTACT INFORMATION........................3 9. REPORTING RISK, FRAUD, WASTE, ABUSE, AND MISCONDUCT – “DO THE RIGHT THING!” ................................4 10. VOTER REGISTRATION .................................................................................................................................... 4 11. INFORMATION FOR CRIME VICTIMS ABOUT DISCIPLINARY HEARINGS............................................................4 12. NOTIFICATION OF PENALTY UNDER TEXAS LAW FOR MAKING FALSE ALARM OR FALSE REPORT OF EMERGENCY......................................................................................................................................................... 4 13. ACADEMIC RESPONSIBILITIES & COMMUNICATION ........................................................................................ 4 14. REPEATED COURSE FEES ................................................................................................................................. 5 15. CAMPUS SAFETY AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE ............................................................................................... 5 16. HAZING .......................................................................................................................................................... 5 Rev. June 2023
Page 2 of 5 1. STUDENT CONSUMER DISCLOSURE The Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965, as amended by the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) of 2008, requires institutions to notify students annually of their right to receive various consumer information items. A brief description of some of these items is included in this notice and TAMIU has dedicated a website to provide consumer information. It can be found at http://www.tamiu.edu/StudentConsumerInformation.shtml. 2. PRIVACY OF STUDENT RECORDS The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records and establishes the right of students to inspect and review their educational records and to provide guidelines. The law applies to all schools that receive funds under an applicable program of the U.S. Department of Education. TAMIU has established procedures relating to the accessibility of student information maintained in its offices. These procedures, including students’ opportunity to “opt out” of disclosing directory information, can be found at http://www.tamiu.edu/registrar/ferpa.shtml. To request a paper copy of these procedures, you may contact the Office of the University Registrar located in Room 121 of the Senator Judith Zaffirini Student Success Center (ZSC). You may also request a paper copy via email registrar@tamiu.edu, phone, 956.326.2250, or in writing: Texas A&M International University Office of the University Registrar 5201 University Boulevard, Senator Judith Zaffirini Student Success Center, Room 121 Laredo, Texas 78040-1900 3. STUDENT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES The TAMIU Student Handbook, which contains a description of the rights and responsibilities of all students enrolled, is posted on the University website for quick reference and easy access to students, faculty, and staff. For questions regarding student rules, please contact the Office of Student Conduct and Community Engagement at 956.326.2265. To access the Student Handbook, visit http://www.tamiu.edu/scce/studenthandbook.shtml. 4. UNIVERSITY ANNUAL SECURITY AND FIRE SAFETY REPORT (CLERY REPORT) TAMIU is committed to assisting all members of the University community, including prospective students and employees in providing for their own safety and security. The Annual Security and Fire Safety compliance document is available at the following website http://www.tamiu.edu/clery.pdf. The Report contains information regarding campus security and personal safety including topics such as: crime prevention; fire safety; University law enforcement authority; crime reporting policies; disciplinary procedures and other matters of importance related to security and safety on campus. The Report also contains information about crime statistics for the three previous calendar years concerning reported crimes that occur on campus; in certain off-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by TAMIU or a recognized student organization and on public property within or immediately adjacent to or accessible from the campus. Statistics of all reported fires occurring inside On-Campus Student Housing Facilities are also provided for the three most recent calendar years.
Page 3 of 5 If you would like to receive a hard copy of the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report, you can stop by the University Police Department, 5201 University Boulevard, Laredo, TX, 78041, or you may request a copy be mailed to you by calling 956.326.3310. 5. EQUITY IN ATHLETICS DISCLOSURE ACT (EADA) The Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act (EADA) requires co-educational institutions of postsecondary education that participate in a Title IV, federal student financial assistance program, and have an intercollegiate athletic program to prepare an annual report to the Department of Education on athletic participation, staffing, and revenues and expenses, by men's and women's teams. The EADA Reports are available at http://www.tamiu.edu/athleticcompliance/Equity.shtml. 6. DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE PREVENTION PROGRAM (DAAPP) In accordance with the Federal Government’s requirements of the Drug Free Schools and Community Act Amendments of 1989, TAMIU has adopted and implemented policies and programs designed to prevent drug and alcohol problems and reduce the likelihood of risky behavior associated with it. It is your right to know the University standards of conduct, legal sanctions, health-related issues, and resources available on and off campus. To access this Report and notice, please visit https://www.tamiu.edu/daapp/index.shtml. For additional resources, please visit https://www.campusdrugprevention.gov. If you would like to receive a copy of this, you can stop by the Office of Student Conduct and Community Engagement, 5201 University Boulevard, Student Center, Suite 226, Laredo, TX, 78045, or request that a copy be mailed to you by calling 956.326.2265. 7. PREVENTION OF SEXUAL ASSAULT AND ALCOHOL/DRUG ABUSE – Online Training for All Students TAMIU launched 3 innovative, interactive, and educational online training programs called Sexual Assault Prevention, AlcoholEdu, and Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention. We strongly advise students to promptly complete these 3 online trainings, as they are part of our comprehensive prevention program to educate our campus community. IMPORTANT: The Sexual Assault Prevention training is REQUIRED of ALL new TAMIU students (freshmen and transfers), and non-completion will result in a hold. For more information and instructions to complete the Sexual Assault Prevention training, please visit https://www.tamiu.edu/compliance/TitleIX/everfisexualassaultpreventiontraining.shtml. 8. CIVIL RIGHTS COMPLIANCE PROGRAM AND TITLE IX COORDINATOR CONTACT INFORMATION TAMIU does not discriminate or permit harassment against any individual on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, sexual orientation or gender identity in admissions, educational programs, or employment. If you would like to file a complaint relative to Title IX or any civil rights violation, please contact the TAMIU Director of Title IX & Civil Rights Compliance (Title IX Coordinator), Lorissa M. Cortez, 5201 University Boulevard, Killam Library Building 159B, Laredo, TX 78041, TitleIX@tamiu.edu, 956.326.2857; via our anonymous reporting website, Report It, at www.tamiu.edu/reportit; and/or the Office of Civil Rights (Dallas Office), U.S. Department of Education, 1999 Bryan Street, Suite 1620, Dallas, TX 75201-6810, 214.661.9600. Please visit https://www.tamiu.edu/compliance/Title%20IX.shtml.
Page 4 of 5 9. REPORTING RISK, FRAUD, WASTE, ABUSE, AND MISCONDUCT – “Do The Right Thing!” The Texas A&M University System is dedicated to adhering to the highest ethical standards and principles. If you have information suggestive of fraudulent, wasteful, or abusive activities, we want you to report it. Examples of reportable issues include fraud; misuse of resources or information; violations of safety rules; inappropriate conduct, harassment, or discrimination. We encourage you to report such issues through the Risk, Fraud & Misconduct Hotline, a telephone, and web-based reporting system. 1-888-501-3850 or select “file a report” at the top of the page at www.ethicspoint.com. The hotline is independently operated and available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Reports can be submitted anonymously and will be forwarded to the appropriate institution or agency official for action. 10. VOTER REGISTRATION TAMIU encourages all students to participate in the electoral process by registering to vote and voting in every election. You can download a Voter Registration Application at the Texas Secretary of State website available at http://www.sos.state.tx.us/elections/voter/reqvr.shtml. 11. INFORMATION FOR CRIME VICTIMS ABOUT DISCIPLINARY HEARINGS A student who has been a victim of a crime of violence is entitled to certain rights. Among these are the right to receive notice of administrative hearing outcomes, upon written request. To learn more about your student rights, please contact the Office of Student Conduct and Community Engagement at 956.326.2265 or visit Student Center 226. 12. NOTIFICATION OF PENALTY under TEXAS LAW for MAKING FALSE ALARM or FALSE REPORT OF EMERGENCY Texas Education Code 51.219 requires universities to advise all incoming students that Texas Penal Code 42.06(b) provides that making a false alarm or report of an emergency involving a public institution or private institution of higher education is a state jail felony. A state jail felony is punishable by a fine of up to $10,000 and a jail term from 180 days to two years. 13. ACADEMIC RESPONSIBILITIES & COMMUNICATION Students are expected to familiarize themselves thoroughly with the regulations of the University, to accept responsibilities for course requirements for their degrees, and to make inquiries in case of doubt. It shall not be the University's responsibility should complications arise because of failure to follow regulations and requirements. Regulations will not be waived nor exceptions to requirements made on a plea of ignorance. Students, therefore, should become familiar with all the information related to their program of study contained in the online University Catalog or visit https://www.tamiu.edu/catalog/. Personal Announcements sent to students through TAMIU’s Blackboard Portal and TAMIU email are the official means of communicating course and University business with students and faculty –not U.S. Mail or other email addresses. Students and faculty must check Blackboard and their TAMIU email accounts regularly, if not daily. Not having seen an important TAMIU email or Blackboard message from a faculty member, chair, dean, or other University administrator is not accepted as an excuse for failure to take important action. Occasional timely messages from university service providers may also be delivered by email to students. In rare instances, personal student email accounts MAY be used for urgent notifications that may affect the student’s continued enrollment at the University.
Page 5 of 5 Students who change their home address while attending Texas A&M International University are expected to notify the Office of the University Registrar immediately. Changes in local address must also be made with the Office of the University Registrar. Address updates may be made via UCONNECT. Each student, by registering, enters some college or school of the University and, except as to conduct, is thereafter under its jurisdiction with regard to the student's program of study and degree requirements. Students should work directly with the person in their major department who is assigned the responsibility of supervising their program concerning course requirements and options, deficiencies, degree plan and special regulations. Requests to waive regulations and/or requirements should be directed in writing to the appropriate Chair and, in some cases, to the Dean of the College or School. 14. REPEATED COURSE FEES Repeated Course Fee (Non-Refundable) (Effective Fall 2007): SB1, General Appropriations Act, 79th Legislature, Regular Session, III-251, §49, limits formula funding for a course for which a student would generate formula funding for a third time. Students attempting a course for the third time will be charged an additional fee of $80.00 per semester credit hour. The following are exempt from the additional fee: developmental courses if within the 18-hour limit, hours for special topics and seminar courses which can be repeated, individual music lessons, music performance, ensembles, and studio art. 15. CAMPUS SAFETY AND EMERGENCY RESPONSE Please take a moment to acquaint yourself with the campus’ security provisions; in-room class phones, emergency alert pylons on campus and 24/7 on-campus Police Department, including Campus Security Escorts. Enroll in DustyALRT, TAMIU’s universal notification system that allows students, faculty and staff to be notified via text message, email or pager in the event of a campus emergency or closure, in order to receive emergency notifications: https://dustyalrt.tamiu.edu/welcome.aspx. You can view a full range of safety and security information, including the current Crime Awareness and Safety Report, here: http://www.tamiu.edu/adminis/police/safety.shtml. An Emergency Quick Reference Guide can be found here: http://www.tamiu.edu/adminis/safety/documents/EmergencyProceduresQuickReference.pdf. In the event of a campus evacuation, Evacuation Assembly Areas have been designated, visit https://www.tamiu.edu/adminis/safety/emergency-mgmt/emergency-assembly-areas.shtml. During an emergency, Building Evacuation Coordinators (BECs), wearing high-visibility vests, will lead the University community to the designated Evacuation Assembly Areas. Please visit https://www.tamiu.edu/adminis/safety/emergency-mgmt/building-emergency-coordinators.shtml. 16. HAZING TAMIU is committed to providing a safe educational environment for all students. TAMIU does not tolerate hazing by any group or individual affiliated with the University. Individual students and organizations are expected to abide by state law, System and University policies associated with the prohibition of hazing. Individuals engaging in hazing may be subject to university discipline, fines and/or criminal charges. If you are aware of hazing activities, Report It or contact the Office of the Student Orientation, Leadership, and Engagement at 956.326.2280. Please visit https://www.tamiu.edu/sole/hazing.shtml or https://www.tamiu.edu/reportit/.
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