Skip to Main Content

Prohibition of Sexual Assault and Retaliation

The College of Law is committed to maintaining a work and educational environment that is free from sexual assault and retaliation.  Conduct that is inconsistent with this commitment will not be tolerated at any location, program, or other activity associated with the College of Law or UNT Dallas.  To this end, the UNT Dallas policy prohibiting sexual assault and retaliation applies to all students, faculty, staff, applicants for admission or employment, individuals and organizations conducting business on behalf of or for UNT Dallas or the College of Law, and visitors and participants at any location, program, or activity associated with the College of Law or UNT Dallas.  In addition, the College of Law may act under this policy when prohibited conduct that occurs off campus adversely affects or has a reasonable likelihood of adversely affecting the academic or work environment.

The full policy can be found at UNT Dallas Policy 16.005.

 

Student Complaints and Appeals

At the College of Law, the faculty, administration, and staff seek to provide a supportive and professional environment, with the goal of excellence in teaching and learning. The school welcomes student feedback about the educational program, services, and policies. The school also wants to ensure that students know about and have access to procedures for expressing or registering concerns, appeals, or complaints. Depending on the nature of a student’s concern or complaint, UNT Dallas or College of Law policies may provide a specific process for addressing that concern. When the concern or complaint does not fall within an existing procedure, students may use the process set out below.  The Law School will not retaliate in any manner against a student who files a complaint or appeal under any process, nor will it permit any faculty member, administrator, or student to do so.

Concerns or complaints about the College of Law that are outside the scope of any existing College of Law policy or procedure.

Many times, a concern can be resolved by speaking with the faculty member, administrator, or staff person involved. If informal resolution is unsuccessful or not feasible, the student should consult any policy that applies in the area. For instance, policies on financial aid, Code of Conduct, Honor Code, grades, and other areas contain details about appeals. At times, a student might seek deviation from, exception to, or appeal from the application of a policy on a matter.  Further, a student might have a concern or complaint relating to a matter that is not covered under a current policy.

Students should use the following process: Prepare a petition or complaint in writing; include date, student’s name, telephone number, and email address; provide as much detail as possible about the concern; and submit the complaint to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs  (if the matter is academic) or to the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs (if the matter is non- academic). The Associate or Assistant Dean or his or her designee will investigate the complaint in a timely manner, take appropriate action, and notify the student about the proposed resolution of the matter. If the student is not satisfied with the proposed resolution, the student may appeal the decision to the Dean of the College of Law; any such appeal must be filed in writing within five business days of the notification of the proposed resolution.

 

Complaints or concerns regarding discrimination or harassment of any type (including sexual harassment made against a College of Law or UNT Dallas student  faculty member  staff member  or other member of the College of Law or wider UNTD community).

  • Please refer to UNT Dallas Policy 16.002.

  • Contact: UNT Dallas College of Law Assistant Dean of Student Affairs, or, in the case of sexual harassment, Title IX Coordinator Office, UNT Dallas.

  • Report concerns or complaints relating to sexual assault or retaliation: Please refer to UNT Dallas Policy 16.005.

 

Complaints or concerns relating to requests for disability accommodation

 

Grade appeal

 

Complaints or concerns relating to the release of student information

 

Concerns or reports regarding the Code of Conduct

 

Concerns or reports relating to the Honor Code of the College of Law

 

Appeal of a decision relating to financial aid

 

Complaints relating to compliance with ABA Standards

ABA-accredited law schools are subject to the ABA standards for Approval of Law Schools. The UNT Dallas College of Law makes every effort to comply with ABA standards for addressing student complaints. A complaint is a communication in writing that seeks to bring to the attention of the law school a significant problem that directly implicates the school’s compliance with the Standards. The ABA standards may be found at: https://www.americanbar.org/groups/legal_education/resources/standards.html.

 

Bringing a complaint. A student who seeks to bring a complaint that directly implicates the school’s compliance with the Standards may do so by the following: (1) Complete and submit a written complaint form that sets forth with particularity the ABA standard or standards as to which the student has concerns about non-compliance; (2) Submit the form by email, in person, or by U.S. Mail to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.

 

Process after submitting: The Associate Dean for Academic Affairs or his or her designee shall respond to the complainant within three (3} business days to acknowledge receipt of the complaint.  Acknowledgement may be made by email, U.S. mail, or by personal delivery. Within two weeks of acknowledging the complaint, the Associate Dean or designee shall meet with the complainant or provide a written response to the substance of the complaint. The complainant should receive a response to the complaint during the meeting or in writing, informing the complainant about the steps that are being taken by the law school to investigate or address the complaint. If additional investigation is necessary, the complainant shall receive a substantive response within two weeks after the investigation has been concluded.

 

Appeal. After the complainant receives a substantive response, setting forth what action the law school will take regarding the complainant has the right to appeal the decision to the Dean of the College of Law. The decision of the Dean is final.

 

Maintaining a Record of the Complaint: The Law School will maintain a written copy of the complaint and the resolution of the complaint for eight (8) years from the date of the final resolution of the complaint.

 

Acceptable Use of Computers and Information Resources

The College of Law provides each of its students with accounts that permit use of the College of Law’s information resources-including computer resources and software for which the College of Law has obtained licenses. By using these information resources, students agree to abide by the policies and procedures of UNT Dallas as well as federal, state, and local laws. These policies and procedures include but are not limited to the UNT Dallas acceptable use policy; UNT Dallas policies against harassment, plagiarism, and unethical conduct; and federal, state, and local laws pertaining to theft, copyright infringement, insertion of viruses into computer systems, and other computer-related crimes. Use of information resources must be consistent with UNT Dallas and College of Law policies regarding plagiarism, unethical conduct, and harassment. Laws relating to the protection of intellectual property extend to the electronic environment. Unless specifically stated otherwise, users should assume that works communicated through the computer network are subject to all federal laws, state laws, and UNT Dallas policies relating to copyright, trademark, and intellectual property.

Use of the College of Law’s information resources and content transmitted through these resources may be subject to:

  • Review or disclosure in accordance with the Texas Public Information Act and other laws;

  • Administrative review of information resource usage for a security purpose or in regard to legal or compliance concerns;

  • Information resources maintenance;

  • Audits or other reviews necessary to protect the reasonable interests of the College of Law and other uses of information resources.

Unauthorized and impermissible use of College of Law information resources includes the following:

  • Sharing College of Law accounts, personal information numbers, passwords, or other identifiers issued to the user;

  • Unauthorized entry into a file, to use, read, or change the contents or for any other purpose;

  • Abuse of computer and information resources, including interruption of function or insertion of viruses; Use of College of Law computer resources for personal financial gain or a personal commercial purpose;

  • Unauthorized copying or transferring of files or data:

  • Unauthorized use of another’s identification and/or password;

  • Use of computing facilities to interfere with the work of another student, faculty member, or College of Law official;

  • Use of computing facilities to send obscene, abusive, harassing, or threatening messages;

  • Use of computing facilities to interfere with normal operations of the College of Law computing system;

  • Damaging or altering records or programs.

For  more detail, see Chapter 14 of UNT Dallas Policies.  

 

Alcohol or Substance Abuse

The College of Law is committed to maintaining an environment free from substance abuse by students and employees as well as complying with state and federal laws related to the unlawful possession or distribution of illicit drugs and/or alcohol.

UNT Dallas policies prohibit the illicit use, sale, attempted sale, conveyance, distribution, manufacture, cultivation, dispensation, purchase, attempted purchase, and possession of illegal drugs, intoxicants, or controlled substances, at any time and in any amount or in any manner.

The purchase, consumption, and possession of alcoholic beverages in College of Law facilities shall in all respects comply with state laws and UNT Dallas policies. Failure to comply by any student will constitute grounds for disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion from the College of Law. A student who violates any state law related to use or possession of drugs or alcohol will be reported to the appropriate law enforcement agency.

Students may be required to participate in and satisfactorily complete an approved rehabilitation or assistance program. More details on the alcohol and substance abuse policy can be found in UNT Dallas Policy 7.011.

 

Compliance with Copyright Laws

Students, faculty, and staff at the UNT Dallas College of Law are expected to comply with federal copyright laws. Copyright is a form of protection provided by the laws of the United States to the authors of “original works of authorship.” A copyright belongs to the author of a work, unless the author grants the ownership in writing to someone else, such as the author’s publisher. The types of works that can be copyrighted include literary, musical, dramatic, choreographic, pictorial, graphic, sculptural, and architectural works; motion pictures and other audiovisual works; sound recordings; and electronic works, including computer chips, software, and some databases.

Lack of a copyright notice on a work does not mean the work is not protected by copyright. A copyright notice is not required under U.S. law. The use of the copyright notice is the responsibility of the copyright owner and does not require advance permission from, or registration with, the Copyright Office.

Anyone who makes unauthorized use of copyrighted material in a manner that violates the copyright owner’s exclusive rights (except for the limitations and exemptions allowed by law) is committing copyright infringement and may be subject to civil and criminal penalties as well as disciplinary action by the College of Law.

 

Free Speech

The UNT Dallas College of Law is a public institution of higher education, with its primary purpose to provide an environment for education and scholarship. College of Law facilities are reserved primarily to support the educational objectives and mission of the College of Law. The College of Law recognizes that the freedom to exchange ideas is an essential component of the educational process. Expressive activities promote debate and the sharing of ideas and substantially contribute to the marketplace of ideas that is the foundation of an educational institution. The College of Law protects the rights of students to engage in the free exchange of ideas, while promoting a safe learning environment and preventing interference with College of Law functions and activities. Expressive activity in College of Law facilities will not be limited based on content or based on the political, religious, or other affiliation of the speaker.

The College of Law facility may not be used in ways that would substantially disrupt or materially interfere with College of Law teaching, administration, or programs. Use of the College of Law facility by students or student organizations will be granted on a non-discriminatory basis, ensuring equal opportunity for all members of the College of Law community. Unless sponsored by a student organization, College of Law facilities are not available for use by individuals or groups not affiliated with the College of Law. More detail can be found in UNT Dallas Policy 7.009.

 

Identity Cards

The UNT Dallas College of Law Campus ID card (ID card) is required for access to campus classrooms, library, campus services and resources, events; in addition, it is required for student financial services assistance. The Campus ID must be in the student’s possession at all times while he or she is on the law school campus.

The Campus ID may not be used by any person other than the one to whom it is issued, and it must be surrendered on the request of any official of the College of Law. If an ID card is lost, another can be requested through the Office of Admissions during regular business hours.

 

No Tobacco Policy

No tobacco products may be consumed or used inside the UNT System Building, and the use of “e-cigarettes” is not allowed in the building.

 

Safety Warnings

All students, employees, and visitors are expected to follow directions as provided during any emergency, such as fire or severe weather. Alerts may be issued via the building’s public announcement system, email, text messages, and voice mail. Alternatively, if an alert occurs and no instructions are given, check posted instructions in all classrooms and office suites.

 

Student Email Account

UNT Dallas College of Law email serves as the official College of Law method for communicating with students. The College of Law email account will be used as a method for notifying students of dangerous or emergency situations occurring on campus, academic or financial responsibilities, and any other College of Law matters. It is the responsibility of the student to regularly check his or her UNT Dallas College of Law email.

 

Student Organizations

The College of Law recognizes the importance of student government and student organizations in the formation of students and in the mission of the College of Law.

The Student Bar Organization (SBA) acts as a representative body on behalf of students to:

  • Provide a voice for students to the College of Law administration on matters of interest to students;

  • Encourage and promote interest in university affairs and activities;

  • Promote and develop activities that enrich the social, cultural, and academic life at the College of Law; and

  • Serve on College of Law committees as designated by College of Law policy or Regent Rule.

The SBA operates in accordance with a constitution and by-laws that establish equal membership and voting rights for every student enrolled at the College of Law.

A “student organization” means a group of College of Law students joined together in the pursuit of a common purpose. Such organizations must be open to all students without regard to race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status.

Student organizations must have the formal agreement of a full-time College of Law faculty or staff member to serve as an advisor. In addition, any student organization seeking the privileges of status as a College of Law “registered student organization must register annually with the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs.

Registering organizations must provide the following upon registering with the Assistant Dean of Student Affaris:

  • A list of all current members.

  • The names and contact information for all students holding leadership positions in the student organization. If such names are not available at the time of registration, they must be provided within ten (10) business days of their election to a leadership position.

  • A copy of the student organization’s current constitution and by-laws.

  • A copy of the student organization’s policy manual, if applicable.

  • The name of the full-time faculty or staff member who has formally agreed to serve as an advisor.

Registration does not imply College of Law endorsement of the viewpoints, objectives, or purposes of the student organization, and the College of Law assumes no responsibility for the content of programs or activities sponsored by a registered student organizations.

The president or equivalent student organization leader must be currently enrolled at the College of Law and must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 2.25. If the leader’s grade point average falls below 2.25, the leader will not be eligible to continue to serve in the leadership position.

Registered organizations must participate in student organization training sessions as required by the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs. The registration process will not be complete until this requirement has been met.

Registered organizations are entitled to the following privileges:

  • Opportunity to hold meetings in College of Law facilities at no cost other than those required under other College of Law policies.

  • Eligibility for funding through the Office of the Dean of students for qualifying uses related to promotion and operation of the student organization.

  • Access to College of Law student organization web resources and email at no cost, so long as the student organization acts in compliance with College of Law computer use policies.

  • Opportunity to schedule and present programs for the College of Law community through the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs .

  • Recognition in the annual publications of the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs.

Student organizations are subject to the requirements of the College of Law Code of Conduct, and violations of the Code may result in the withdrawal of privileges under the provisions of the Code.

More details on student government and student organizations can be found in UNT Dallas Policy 7.012.

 

Student Journals - The UNT Dallas Law Review

The UNT Dallas Law Review publishes two digital law journals: On the Cusp and Accessible Law. The content of both journals is available only online and is hosted by the UNT Digital Library.

On the Cusp publishes online articles of high value to practicing lawyers, especially on legal topics of interest to small and solo practitioners. On the Cusp will include articles written by external authors (practitioners, professors, and judges), as well as student-written articles.

Accessible Law is a multimedia journal that is published online.  Accessible Law is focused on producing content that explains laws and the legal system for the community at large. Accessible Law features four primary types of content: articles, columns, multimedia presentations, and forms.

To reflect the College of Law’s commitment to the important mission of both journals, and to draw on the faculty’s diverse practice and writing experience, The UNT Dallas Law Review will have a number of faculty advisers.

 

Timely Warnings

In accordance with the Jeane Clery Act, UNT Dallas will issue warnings to the university community, including the College of Law, of crimes that may present a serious or continuing threat to the university or college community in a manner that is timely and that will aid in the prevention of similar crimes. The timely warning will be issued using a combination of methods that allow for the prompt communication to the university community. Timely warnings will include sufficient information about the nature of the threat to allow members of the community to take protective action, unless law enforcement determines that publishing such information could possibly compromise law enforcement actions. For more detail, see UNT Dallas Policy 12.001.

 

Use of Rooms

When not in use for classes or college events, rooms may be reserved for group study or student meetings by completing the appropriate form available from the Registrar’s Office.