Stevens Policies
Conduct & Student Responsibilities
We ask that students act in a responsible and mature manner, taking the safety of oneself and others seriously. Stevens complies with government regulations for health and safety and we expect students to comply with all federal, state and local laws. The Undergraduate Student Handbook can be found online at https://www.stevens.edu/sites/stevens_edu/files/files/
Stevens_Undergraduate_Student_Handbook.pdf.
The legal age for consumption of alcoholic beverages in New Jersey is 21 years of age. No alcoholic beverages are permitted in residence halls where freshmen reside. Other resident students and guests may consume alcoholic beverages in private living units provided that such consumption meets the conditions listed below. Failure to adhere to the following regulations may result in the termination of the gathering and/or judicial action.
- Persons may not transport open containers of alcoholic beverages, nor may they consume alcoholic beverages in hallways, foyers, stairwells, bathrooms, in open air or public areas.
- No kegs, "beer balls" or other such containers are permitted on campus.
- No unauthorized distribution of alcoholic beverages or possession of alcoholic beverages for purposes of distribution on the Institute's premises or at Institute sponsored or supervised activities are permitted.
- Any event where alcoholic beverages are sold or where any charge or donation is made for admission to the event requires a special Alcoholic Beverage Commission permit, as well as registration and approval by the Institute. This permit may be obtained through the Office of Student Life.
- Drunken or disorderly behavior on property owned or controlled by the Institute or at functions sponsored or supervised by Stevens is not permitted.
Stevens Institute of Technology will not condone the use, sale or possession of illicit drugs or narcotics on the property of the Institute or on the property of any affiliated organization recognized by the Institute. No warnings will be issued. An infraction will subject the student to disciplinary action by the Institute in the form of probation, suspension or dismissal. In addition, the student may be subject to prosecution under federal, state and local law. Local, state, and federal laws which apply to illegal possession, use, or distribution of drugs and alcohol are fully enforced at Stevens Institute of Technology.
If a student violates the policy, he/she may be put on probation, be required to fulfill community service and, depending on severity and/or repetition, be suspended or expelled. If a student is suspended or expelled, no refund of tuition or fees paid will be granted.
Additional information about the drug and alcohol policy, or the drug and alcohol assistance program, is available from the Office of Student Life and in the Student Handbook on the website at https://www.stevens.edu/sites/stevens_edu/files/files/Stevens_Undergraduate_Student_Handbook.pdf.
Gender-based and Sexual Misconduct (Title IX)
Stevens is committed to maintaining a safe learning environment that is free of gender-based and sexual misconduct, including sexual violence, sexual harassment, relationship violence, and stalking. Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination based on sex in educational programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance. Sex discrimination under Title IX includes sexual harassment and sexual violence by employees, students or third parties. The University’s Policy on Gender-based and Sexual Misconduct can be found at: http://www.stevens.edu/titleix.
This Policy protects and applies to all students, faculty and staff at Stevens, as well as third-parties. It applies to conduct occurring on Stevens’ property or at University-sanctioned events or programs that take place off campus, including study abroad, internship programs and cooperative educational programs. The Policy also applies to off campus conduct that has an impact on a member of the Stevens’ community and implicates Stevens’ obligations under Title IX.
All members of the Stevens community are responsible for compliance with the Policy and are encouraged to immediately report misconduct covered by the Policy to the Title IX Coordinator or Deputy Title IX Coordinator whether it takes place on or off-campus. In addition, all faculty members and all staff members are required to immediately report allegations of misconduct to the Title IX Coordinator or Deputy Title IX Coordinator, regardless of whether the Complainant intends to make a report.
For more information or to make a report, you may contact Title IX Coordinator, Dr. Kristie Damell, Assistant Dean of Students, Phone: 201.216.5679, Email: kdamell@stevens.edu or Deputy Title IX Coordinator, Mark Samolewicz, Vice President for Human Resources, Phone: 201.216.5218, E-mail: Mark.Samolewicz@stevens.edu.
Stevens Institute of Technology endorses and adheres to New Jersey Statutes 2C:10-3 et seq., establishing "hazing" as a disorderly persons offense and "aggravated hazing" as a crime of the fourth degree. Both offenses are punishable by imprisonment and/or fine under New Jersey law.
All full-time Stevens students are required to have health insurance. Stevens Institute of Technology offers student health insurance and charges students for health insurance each year. The University waives the health insurance charge if an online insurance waiver process is completed. If the online waiver process is not completed by the published deadlines stated on the health insurance website, the insurance charge remains on the student's account. Information on the online waiver process can be found at www.universityhealthplans.com and then by clicking on Stevens Institute of Technology.
If a student is contemplating participation in a varsity sport, we strongly encourage him/her to enroll in the Stevens health insurance program. The base plan coordinates with other health insurance policies. Please review the current policy on-line at www.universityhealthplans.com by clicking on Stevens Institute of Technology. Students may obtain a copy of the athletic brochure from the Director of Athletics’ office in the Schaefer Center.
Please note that benefits have limits and are paid on a Usual, Customary, and Reasonable (UCR) basis. Students are responsible for any unpaid balances. In addition, optional dental and vision plans are available. A description of these plans along with enrollment and payment procedures can be found at: www.universityhealthplans.com by clicking on Stevens Institute of Technology.
Stevens Institute of Technology stands committed to the principle of equality of opportunity in employment and in education. The University is committed to creating a campus climate that supports, nurtures, and rewards educational and career advancement on the basis of ability and performance. Accordingly, it is the policy of the University not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, national origin, nationality, citizenship status, age, ancestry, marital or domestic partnership or civil union status, familial status, affectional or sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, atypical cellular or blood trait, genetic information, pregnancy or pregnancy-related medical conditions, disability, protected military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by laws in its admissions policies, educational programs, scholarship and loan programs, athletics, activities, or employment policies.
The Institute is in compliance with Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and all other applicable federal and state laws and regulations relating to non-discrimination and affirmative action. Stevens is also in compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended. Under Title IX of the 1972 Education Amendments, Stevens (like all other educational institutions receiving federal financial assistance) is required to make public notification of its compliance with this law. For more information about compliance, please visit the website at: www.stevens.edu/titleix or direct inquiries to the Office of Student Life, Stevens Institute of Technology (201-216-5699).
Stevens Institute of Technology complies with the Family, Education Rights, and Privacy Act of 1974 as amended (the Buckley Amendment), which was designed to protect the privacy of educational records, to establish the rights of students to inspect and review their educational records, to provide guidelines for the correction of inaccuracies, and to limit disclosures of information from the records. Complete information regarding student rights, responsibilities of the Institute, copies of the Act, and rules and regulations for compliance with the Act may be obtained from the Student Service Center and the Registrar’s Office.
Stevens Institute of Technology has specified a smoke-free environment as mandatory in all areas within buildings on its campus, including the residence halls and fraternity and sorority houses. Thus, smoking in all buildings is prohibited at all times.
Any loss occasioned by damage to University property is charged to the student or students responsible, but if we do not know the students causing the damage, the costs may be assessed equally upon all members of the student body. The University reserves the right to exclude students at any time if their conduct or academic standing is regarded as undesirable, without assigning any further reason. In such cases, fees are not refunded or remitted in whole or in part, and neither the college nor any of its officers shall be under any liability for such exclusion.
Student Right-to-know & Campus Security Act
Stevens Institute of Technology is in compliance with the applicable sections of Public Law 101-542, commonly known as the Student Right-to-Know and Campus Security Act, as amended by Public Law 102-26, the Higher Education Technical Amendments of 1991. Inquiries for policies, statistics, and data as required by the Act can be obtained through the Office of Student Life or the Office of Campus Police. The full document, including Crime and Arrest Statistics, is available on the Stevens website in the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report.
Stevens Institute of Technology reserves the right to make changes at any time in the regulations, courses, and fees and matters of policy announced in this publication or any official publication of the Institute.
Honor System for Undergraduate Students
The Stevens Honor System is the rigorous ethical and moral code to which undergraduate students are held, and which seeks to ensure that all academic work is bona fide. This code was formally implemented in 1908 with the creation of the Stevens Honor System as well as its governing body, the Stevens Honor Board. This board is comprised of undergraduate students who are elected by their peers. They investigate all suspected breaches of academic integrity, and assign a penalty to students who either confess or are found to be guilty of an Honor System violation.
When investigating a case Honor Board members meet with the accused student, pertinent witnesses, and relevant faculty. The investigation culminates with one of three outcomes: either the case is dropped due insufficient evidence to support the suspicion, or the accused student confesses, or a hearing is held and the case is presented to a jury of the student’s peers (a randomly selected group of undergraduates).
The Honor System includes a two level appeals process. Any student who is dissatisfied with the penalty assigned by the Board after confessing or being found guilty by a jury may appeal to the Faculty Committee on Appeals for a reduced penalty. If unsuccessful, the student may submit a second and final appeal to the Provost or appointed designee.
The constitution and bylaws of the Honor System may be reviewed online at www.stevens.edu/honor.
Policy and Procedures Regarding Academic Integrity in Graduate Courses
This policy pertains to academic improprieties in graduate courses including, but not limited to, cheating on homework, cheating during in-class or take home examinations, and plagiarism. An instructor of a graduate course may elect to formally charge a student with committing an academic impropriety to the Dean of Graduate Academics or to adjudicate the issue personally.
If a complaint is made to the Dean of Graduate Academics, the Dean convenes the Graduate Academic Evaluation Board. The Board investigates the allegation, conducts a hearing and determines necessary actions. The accused may elect to be present at the hearing along with any witnesses he or she chooses. Appeals of the Board's decisions are first made to the Academic Appeals Committee and then, if necessary, to the Chief Academic Officer i.e. the Provost of the Institute. The Board, chosen from the Graduate Curriculum Committee, consists of a faculty member from each of the four schools.
If the instructor elects to adjudicate the issue personally, any appeal of the instructor's action is first made to the Graduate Academic Evaluation Board, and, if necessary, to the Academic Appeals Committee and then, if necessary, to the Provost. The decision of the Provost is final.