Student & Faculty Code

Code of Conduct

The Department of Mechanical Engineering is committed to fostering excellence in our community of scholars and leaders. We recognize that diverse and inclusive teams are most likely to produce creative and impactful scholarship, and are eager to ensure that each member of our academic community is respected and valued for their unique contributions. This Code of Conduct upholds the department’s commitment to conduct graduate education according to the highest ethical and professional standards in compliance with all applicable University, state, and federal regulations

The department is committed to providing a safe, harassment-free environment for everyone. Harassment includes offensive comments or denigrating jokes related to nationality, gender, sexual orientation, disability, age, physical appearance, body size, race, religion, or veteran status; sexual images in public spaces; deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, harassing photography or recording; inappropriate physical contact; unwelcome sexual attention and harassment through social media.

The department is committed to an environment free of discrimination at all levels and one that is equitable, diverse, and inclusive.

All University faculty, staff, and students are expected to comply with the applicable anti-harassment, anti-discrimination, and scientific and professional ethics laws and policies in effect at the University of Utah and at the institutions where they may be visiting.

Report a Violation

Members of the University of Utah community who wish to report a violation of this Code of Conduct are encouraged to speak to or contact the appropriate administrator or Dean, including the Department Chair or Director of Graduate Studies, the Dean of the Graduate School, the Dean of Students, or the University’s Title IX coordinator.

Informal Dispute Resolution

Students should first attempt to resolve disputes with the party(ies) involved. If unable to resolve the issue on their own, students should next contact the department’s Director of Graduate Studies for conflict resolution. Students are also able to contact the Graduate School regarding complaints or concerns that cannot be resolved within the department (info@gradschool.utah.edu or 801.585.5529).

Formal Dispute Resolution

A student who engages in academic misconduct may be subject to academic sanctions including but not limited to a grade reduction, failing grade, probation, suspension or dismissal from the program or the University, or revocation of the student’s degree or certificate. However, if the student believes that academic sanction given by the faculty member is arbitrary or capricious, they should discuss the academic sanction with the faculty member and attempt to resolve the disagreement. If the student and faculty member are unable to resolve the disagreement, the student may appeal the academic sanction to the Academic Appeals and Misconduct Committee in the college. The student must submit their appeal to the college’s Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Dr. Sneha Kumar Kasera at kasera@cs.utah.edu.

A student who believes that an academic action taken in connection with academic performance requirements is arbitrary or capricious should discuss the academic action with the involved faculty member and attempt to resolve the disagreement. If unable to resolve the disagreement, the student may appeal the action to the department chair. If the student or the faculty member disagree with the department chair’s decision, they could appeal the decision to the Academic Appeals and Misconduct Committee by submitting their appeal to the college’s Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Dr. Sneha Kumar Kasera at kasera@cs.utah.edu.

Please refer to Policy 6-400: Code of Student Rights and Responsibilities for more details especially the timeline of the appeals process.

Title IX

The Office of Equal Opportunity And Affirmative Action (OEO/AA) is a professional resource dedicated to the University of Utah’s commitment to provide a fair and equitable environment for individuals to pursue their academic and professional endeavors and to equally access University programs.  In order to further this commitment, the OEO/AA is responsible for ensuring University practices and nondiscrimination policies are in full compliance with all federal, state and local anti-discrimination laws, and provide processes to fairly and effectively resolve complaints, provide reasonable accommodations, and to make appropriate corrections.  The OEO/AA acts as a point of contact with state and federal agencies that enforce anti-discrimination laws.  In addition, the OEO/AA assists the University in meeting its commitment to achieving a truly integrated and diverse work force by preparing the University’s Affirmative Action plans, monitoring and reporting on their effectiveness, and by acting as a resource for University department’s in their recruitment processes.

The Director of the OEO/AA, serves as the University’s Title IX Coordinator and is responsible to oversee the University’s response to reports and complaints that involve possible sex discrimination to monitor outcomes, identify and address any patterns, and assess effects on the campus climate so the University can address issues that affect the wider school community.

The Director of the OEO/AA serves as the University’s ADA/Section 504 Coordinator and is responsible to oversee the University’s efforts to comply with the ADA and Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act; to ensure that University programs and facilities are accessible for faculty, staff, and student employment, as well as for public access for University health care,  services, and programs; and to provide prompt and equitable processes for responding to requests for reasonable accommodations and for resolving complaints.