Online Student Handbook

Life at MSOE

Online student handbook, policies and procedures and more to ensure your time at MSOE is a positive experience.

Policies and Procedures

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

Use, Possession and/or Distribution of Controlled Substances

Standards of Conduct and Institutional Sanctions Regarding Alcohol and Illicit Drugs
The Student Conduct Code of MSOE specifies the minimum level of conduct expected of every student at the university. The policies and procedures given are those that students, faculty and administration have agreed upon to further the educational aims of the institution and to assist all students in the pursuit of their educational and personal development.

The MSOE community will not permit any of its members or nonmembers to violate the rights of any other member of the university community, or to create an environment that is not appropriate to an educational institution or residential campus community. Whenever that occurs, and regardless of the action or nonaction of civil authorities, action will be taken by the university whether or not an individual’s conduct has been influenced by the consumption of alcohol and/or use of other drugs.

Students are not to use, possess or distribute any state or federally controlled drug, including stimulants, depressants, hallucinogens, narcotics or cannabis on university premises or property owned or controlled by the university, except as authorized by law. 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. The full professional resources of the MSOE Counseling Services, Health Services and all other student personnel services are available to assist any student to meet problems related to involvement with controlled substances. The university strongly urges that full advantage be taken of these services. All contacts with Counseling Services are kept confidential, apart from all academic and other records.

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.

Complaint Policy

MSOE seeks to respond to, and to resolve in a timely manner, all complaints by currently enrolled students. A complaint is a written expression of dissatisfaction or formal allegation against the university, its units, its employees (including faculty and staff), and/or its students. For all campus complaints (academic and non-academic) that the student cannot resolve informally with the parties involved, the student should follow the Student Complaint Process. The process includes the instructions, timelines, and official complaint form. Title IX-Sexual Misconduct complaints have their own process and is excluded from the procedure above.

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.

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)

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 IT's Acceptable Use policy.

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.

Psychological or Physical Evaluation of Health; Withdrawal for Psychological or Medical Reasons

Standards and Procedures for Administrative Withdrawal on Psychological or Psychiatric Grounds
A student may be subject to administrative withdrawal from the university and/or from university housing if it is determined by the Director of Counseling Services, and when appropriate, in consultation with local mental health care institutions and/or agencies, that the student is suffering from a mental disorder as defined by the current American Psychiatric Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, and as a result of the mental disorder does the following:

Engages or threatens to engage in behavior that imposes a danger of causing harm to self or others; or
Engages, or threatens to engage in, behavior that would cause significant property damage, or which directly and substantially impedes the lawful activities of others.
- In such cases, the director of counseling services may recommend to the dean of students that in the best interest of the student and/or the campus community the student be administratively withdrawn from school.
- A student suffering from a mental disorder who is accused of a disciplinary violation will not be excused from the disciplinary process unless the student as a result of the mental disorder:
Lacks the capacity to respond to the charge;
Did not know the nature or wrongfulness of the conduct at the time of the offense. In such cases, the vice president for student life/dean of students may refer the student for evaluation by an independent licensed psychiatrist or psychologist chosen by the institution. Students referred for evaluation in accordance with this provision shall be so informed in writing.
The student’s withdrawal from the university must not adversely affect his/her academic standing and record.
At the request of the student or the director of counseling services, students subject to administrative withdrawal for psychological or psychiatric reasons shall be accorded an informal hearing before the vice president for student life/dean of students. This meeting shall consist of a review and explanation for this action with the student and/or parents or guardians of the student. The informal hearing shall be conversational and nonadversarial.
Readmission to the university after an administrative withdrawal for psychiatric or psychological reason must be requested in writing and approved by the director of counseling services and/or the vice president for student life or dean of students.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Milwaukee School of Engineering