Online Student Handbook

Policies, procedures and more to ensure your time at MSOE is a positive experience.

Policies and Procedures

Academic Policies

Policies relating to the classroom are found in MSOE's academic undergraduate and graduate catalogs. You can also find information and policies about disability services at the SAS website.

Behavior Policies

The Student Code of Conduct specifies the minimum level of conduct expected of every MSOE student. Furthermore, MSOE does not tolerate hazing. See our Hazing policy, based on the laws set by the State of Wisconsin stated in section 948.51 Wisconsin Hazing Laws. (Wisconsin State statute 948.51)

Review our Emergency Administrative Action policy to see what actions the university can take toward students who put the MSOE community at risk.

Residence Life Policies

The Residence Life Handbook covers policies related to life in MSOE's residence halls.

Substances Policies

MSOE strives to provide a safe and healthy campus environment for all employees, students and visitors. Review our Smoking policy.

The University reserves the right to notify parents/guardians of students who are found to be in violation of institutional policies and/or state statutes regarding underage possession or consumption of drugs or alcoholic beverages. See MSOE's policy regarding the use and consumption of alcoholic beverages by students and student groups. The Residence Life Handbook also includes policies on alcohol consumption in the residence halls.

Complaint Policy

MSOE seeks to respond to, and to resolve in a timely manner, all complaints by currently enrolled students. A complaint is a written expression of dissatisfaction or formal allegation against the university, its units, its employees (including faculty and staff), and/or its students. For all campus complaints (academic and non-academic) that the student cannot resolve informally with the parties involved, the student should follow the Student Complaint Process. The process includes the instructions, timelines, and official complaint form. Title IX-Sexual Misconduct complaints have their own process and is excluded from the procedure above.

Harassment Policy

MSOE intends to provide an environment free from all forms of harassment or intimidation based on age, race, gender, creed, color, disability, marital status, veteran’s status, national origin, ancestry or sexual orientation. Harassment may occur whenever unwelcome conduct, comments, teasing, joking or intimidation derived from any of these bases interferes with work or study or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment.

Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal, visual or physical conduct of a sexual nature also are serious violations of this policy and are prohibited. As a form of sex discrimination, sexual harassment is moreover prohibited by state and federal law – specifically, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. More detailed information as to actions and behaviors that might constitute “sexual harassment” can be obtained from the Student Life Office and/or the Human Resources Department.

Harassment, regardless of its basis, occurs whenever submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or a condition of an individual’s employment or academic progress, or whenever submission to or rejection of such conduct is used as the basis for employment or academic decisions. Any student, faculty or staff member who violates this policy will be subject to corrective action, which may include discipline up to and including termination of employment or expulsion.

Moreover, student involvement in such matters is of university concern whether it occurs on or off campus, and irrespective of any action or inaction by civil authorities. Whenever such student involvement comes to the attention of the university, the circumstances may render the student subject to suspension or expulsion.

We are aware that conduct, comments or behavior that might be offensive to some individuals might be considered inoffensive by others. Because of this, it is sometimes difficult for administrators, managers or supervisors to learn of and take effective action to halt harassment unless the affected individual alerts an administrator, manager or supervisor both to the occurrence and the fact that the conduct in question is offensive or unwanted.

With these considerations in mind, we make several options available under the Grievance Procedure (outlined in the previous section) to individuals who feel they are subject to harassment. Affected individuals should first approach the alleged harasser and ask him or her to cease the offensive activity. If this is not effective in stopping the harassment or if the individual feels uncomfortable raising the matter with the alleged harasser, the individual should report the conduct to one of the appropriate individuals identified in the Grievance Procedure. If an individual feels uncomfortable raising the matter with the individual identified in the Grievance Procedure, or if the matter is not resolved with that person and the problem persists, the affected individual is free to bring the matter to the attention of any of the other individuals identified in the Grievance Procedure.

We will make every effort to halt any harassment. This policy will not be effective, however, without the cooperation of all members of the MSOE community. Any individual who believes he/she has been subjected to harassment is strongly encouraged to bring this matter to the attention of MSOE promptly so that the problem may be confronted.

We treat all claims of harassment seriously. All claims will be investigated, and confidentiality will be maintained as much as possible during the investigation. If an investigation reveals that harassment has occurred, we will take immediate and appropriate corrective action reasonably designed to halt the harassment and prevent recurrences, which may include discipline, expulsion or discharge of the harasser.

Retaliating or discriminating against someone for complaining about harassment is prohibited.

Information Technology Policy

This policy provides users with clear guidance on the appropriate, safe, and legal way in which they can make use of information and IT equipment at MSOE. Users need to be aware of the compliance required with this policy and MSOE’s commitment to comply with requirements that all reasonable organizational and technical measures are taken to safeguard its data. What does the policy cover? Take a look at the Acceptable Use policy and Campus ID Card policy.

Religious Activities

MSOE encourages spiritual exploration and moral and ethical formation as desirable components of students’ personal growth and development. On the other hand, the university asserts every individual’s right to make spiritual choices freely, and to form religious associations without coercion or constraint. See our on-campus Religious Activities policy.

Fundraising for Student Groups

MSOE’s over 100 student groups may, upon formal approval, initiate and/or conduct fundraising activities. Check out the fundraising policy, which 1) defines the circumstances under which such activities may be undertaken and 2) provides information regarding how such activities must be conducted and administered.

Space and Room Reservation Policy

Groups and organizations at MSOE may have use of campus facilities at no charge, subject to available space. Check out our Room Reservations and Scheduling Software policy.

Student Travel Policy

In order to protect the safety and well being of the institution and its members, in an effort to align with the university’s overall mission, MSOE has adopted the following travel policy. View the MSOE Student Travel Policy.

Statement on Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS)

In our society, the identification of the presence of a life-threatening communicable disease such as AIDS may present a challenge in responding to both the community concerns and the individual’s circumstances. Should an AIDS case be reported at MSOE, our response will be based on compassion and concern for the welfare of the afflicted individual as well as on protecting the MSOE community. Although we do not know with certainty all of the causes of AIDS, current medical knowledge indicates that students or employees with any form of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection do not pose a health risk to other students or employees in an educational community as long as they avoid any direct interchange of bodily fluids. The mere diagnosis of AIDS, AIDS related complex (ARC), or AIDS virus antibodies is not, in itself, sufficient basis for the exclusion or dismissal of students or employees. Emotional and/or physical harassment of individuals suspected of being infected is not acceptable behavior at MSOE, and will be dealt with accordingly.

In any given instance, the university will proceed on a case-by-case basis, with the advice of medical professionals. The diagnosis of the condition, as with other medical information, is confidential. An important role of the university in this area is education. The university will continue to review, revise and present health education and awareness programs aimed at providing facts and dispelling misunderstandings on this subject.

International Student Health Insurance

This policy provides requirements and process for graduate and undergraduate international students studying at MSOE on F-1 or J-1 visas to procure or waive health insurance. View the MSOE International Student Health Insurance Policy.

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