Policies and Procedures

Jump to: Substance Policies | Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act Policy | Grievance/Complaint Policy | Harassment Policy| Hazing Policy | Information Technology Policy | Parental Notification Policy | Psychological or Physical Evaluation of Health; Withdrawal for Psychological or Medical Reasons | Religious Activities Policy | Sales and Private Business Policy | Smoking Policy | Space and Room Reservation Policy | Statement on Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) | Student Travel Policy

Academic Policies

Policies relating to the classroom are found in MSOE's academic undergraduate and graduate catalogs. 

Student Code of Conduct

The Student Code of Conduct specifies the minimum level of conduct expected of every MSOE student.

Residence Life Policies

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

Parental Notification 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 alcoholic beverages.

Alcoholic Beverages and Consumption

As an academic community, MSOE has a priority interest in the wellness and safety of all its members. Additionally, MSOE believes that learning to make responsible decisions about the use of alcohol is a key developmental task for young adults in our society, and therefore is related to the educational mission of the university. See MSOE's policy regarding the use and consumption of alcoholic beverages by students and student groups.

Drug Policy

Smoking Policy

MSOE strives to provide a safe and healthy campus environment for all employees, students and visitors. Medical evidence clearly shows that smoking is harmful to the health of smokers. Research also indicates that secondhand smoke may be a health risk for nonsmokers. MSOE prohibits smoking in all buildings, parking facilities and college vehicles. In lieu of prohibiting smoking entirely on campus, MSOE has instead established designated smoking areas. All smoking must be confined to only designated smoking areas. Smoking anywhere else on campus is strictly prohibited.

Hazing Policy

MSOE does not tolerate hazing. Freedom from the humiliation and danger of hazing is guaranteed to every member of the university community.  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) 

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act Policy

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) Disclosure of Directory Information
Milwaukee School of Engineering designates certain student information as public or “Directory Information.” Such information may be disclosed by the university without written consent of the student at the discretion of the institution. Take a look at our FERPA policy.

Grievance/Complaint Policy

Grievance Procedure (Non-academic Area)
If a student has a complaint of unfair treatment in a nonacademic area that cannot be resolved with the staff or faculty member involved, he/she should contact the Vice President of Enrollment Management & Student Life/Dean of Students.

The University’s Director of Human Resources also may be consulted on matters pertaining to alleged unfair treatment because of race, gender, age, national origin, religion, disability or sexual orientation. Moreover, and in particular, each of the behaviors identified and defined as “harassment” and “sexual contact/assault” in the following policy statements is a violation of university policy and Article I, Section 8 (behavioral misconduct) of the Student Conduct Code. As such, each will result in appropriate institutional disciplinary action and also may subject the offender to civil action.

Any students who feel that they have been the object of such behaviors should contact the Vice President of Enrollment Management & Student Life/Dean of Students. Faculty who wish to file a complaint should contact their department chairperson or the Vice President of Academics.

Staff employees may file a complaint with their immediate supervisor or the division supervisor within their area. Any student or employee also may contact the director of human resources to file a complaint or receive additional information.

All complaints will be investigated in a prompt and thorough manner. During such investigations, the confidentiality of all parties will be respected to the extent that it does not interfere with the university’s obligation to conduct a thorough investigation and take corrective actions where appropriate and necessary.

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.