Academic Calendar – Fall 2012 - Dakota State University

University Regulations & Policies
Note: Copyright 1987 EDUCOM AND ADAPSO, with permission in brochure to use in whole or in part, providing the source is
acknowledged.
Note: The EDUCOM Code, a statement of principle about intellectual property and the legal and ethical use of software, was
developed by the EDUCOM Software Initiative and intended for adaptation and use by individuals, colleges and universities.
Confidentiality of Student Records (see Privacy of Student Records in the most recent college catalog)
Dakota State University complies with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), as amended, regarding student
records. All educational records maintained by the University identifiable with an individual student (or former student) will be made
available to the student for inspection upon request except for the following: 1) financial records of parents (required for financial aid
purposes), 2) letters of recommendation submitted prior to January 1, 1975, and 3) letters of recommendation concerning admission
to an educational institution, application for employment, or receipt of an honor, where the student has signed a waiver of access. Not
considered as educational records (and therefore not accessible to the student) are personal notes of faculty and staff (provided they are
also not available to other persons) and records of physicians used in treatment of the student (provided they are not available to anyone
except those providing the treatment).
When students (or former students) appear at an office requesting access to any of their educational records, they must be able to
verify their identity. A member of the office staff must supervise the review of the contents of the records which will be accomplished
at the time of initial inquiry or no more than 45 days from the initial inquiry. Students may make notes regarding the contents, but no
materials may be removed from the records nor may the records be taken from the office. A copy of the material can usually be arranged
if requested. Documents submitted by or for students in support of their application for admission or for transfer credit may not be returned
to the students nor sent elsewhere.
The University is required to maintain a record (kept with each student’s educational records) which indicates all individuals and agencies
(other than those specified as having access without the student’s written consent) having obtained access to the student’s records.
Persons with access to confidential student information on the campus include those designated as appropriate by the administration
and may include, but is not limited to a student’s academic advisor, the Dean of the college, the Academic Vice President, the Vice
President of Student Services and Enrollment Services staff.
The University may release information without the student’s consent - 1) in connection with an emergency, if necessary, to protect
the health or safety of the student or other individuals. 2) disclosure of information from a student’s educational record to officials of other
institutions at which the student seeks or intends to enroll. 3) in response to a judicial order or lawfully issued subpoena, but generally
must notify the student before complying. Some exceptions exist.
FERPA permits, but does not require, disclosure of educational record information to parents or legal guardians in 2 instances -a.)The
student is their dependent for federal tax purposes. The institution must verify the student’s dependent status before releasing information.
b.) Information regarding any violation of law or an institutional rule or policy governing the use or possession of alcohol or a controlled
substance, if the institution has determined the student committed a disciplinary violation with respect to such use or possession and the
student is under the age of 21 at the time the violation or possession occurred.
DSU has two levels of directory information. 1) Publicly available directory information shall include a student’s name, grade level
or academic status (undergraduate, graduate or professional school), graduation date, diploma or degree, major field of study, and dates
of attendance. 2) Institutions may identify additional information as nonpublic directory information may not be distributed to public at
large without specific written permission of each individual student. Distribution through password-protected electronic means shall be
permitted so long as passwords are issued solely to students or institutional employees. a) At the university-level, nonpublic directory
information may include publicly available directory information plus the student’s official, university electronic mail address.
A student who believes that information contained in their educational records is inaccurate, misleading, or violates their rights may
request the institution to amend the records. Should the institution not agree, the student shall be provided the opportunity for a hearing
to review the question. Should the hearing decide against amending the record, the student may place a statement in his records commenting
on the information in question.
Disability Services
To receive accommodations for a disability at DSU students must:
1. Contact the Disability Services Office in the TC lower level by:
• Calling Keith Bundy, ADA Coordinator at 256-5121 or
• Completing the Disability Request Form available at www.departments.dsu.edu/disablity_services/Request_form.asp
• Returning the Disability Notification card that comes with our registration materials
2. Provide documentation of the disability. Mail or fax the information to Disability Services, 820 N. Washington Ave.,
Madison, SD 57042 or 605-256-5854. Here’s the kind of documentation we need. Students wishing accommodations need to
have their schools (or the qualified professional who tested them) forward copies of the student’s testing/diagnosis records.
These records should include:
• a specific diagnosis (with evidence of the current level of impairment);
• the scores ( and subtest scores) the student received on the academic achievement tests, aptitude/cognitive
ability tests, and information processing;
• a copy of their Individual Education Plan (IEP) with the accommodations the student is used to receiving (this
document alone is not sufficient to receive accommodations).
It is very important that students request accommodations and submit their documentation as soon as possible. Each student may
be required to submit medical or other diagnostic documentation of her/his disability and limitations and/or to participate in additional
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