Scope of the Student Handbook

The Student Handbook applies to students, a group of students, or a student organization affiliated with the University. By voluntarily choosing to affiliate with Ohio Wesleyan University, all students accept the responsibility of representing the University and must comply with University policies.

The University’s authority shall generally include conduct which occurs on and off the University’s premises or which adversely affects members of the University community, the pursuit of the University mission, or its relationship with the surrounding community. Students and organizations are also subject to applicable local, state, and federal law. Criminal violations are also violations of University policy and are subject to action by the University.

The Student Handbook only applies to students, defined below.  The Student Handbook does not apply to incoming first year students or other individuals who have not enrolled at and attended credit-bearing courses at the University. Ohio Wesleyan University reserves the right to revoke admission or enrollment of those individuals prior to the first day of classes without engaging in the conduct process. Admission or enrollment may be revoked as a result of lack of academic progress, arrest or criminal conviction, disciplinary matters and/or other behavioral concerns that may violate University policy or that otherwise reflect poorly on the University.

The University reserves the right to investigate and resolve any report or incident in which a student is alleged to violate any of the principles or policies published by the University and/or local, state, or federal laws or policies, regardless of the location where the incident occurs. Students are expected to follow the policies and procedures of institutions that they may visit, including during international travel.

The University has the authority to hold a student accountable for policy violations occurring from the time of a student’s application for admission through the actual awarding of a degree, even if the conduct is not discovered until after a degree is awarded. This includes, but is not limited to:

• During the academic year.

• Before classes begin or after classes end.

• During time pursuing credit away from the campus.

• During periods between terms of actual enrollment.

• While on leave from the University.

• Occurring either on or off campus.

The online version of the Student Handbook is considered official. All students of Ohio Wesleyan University are responsible for knowing, understanding, and abiding by the terms of the Student Handbook.  Students are responsible for reading all communications sent to their OWU-issued email address by representatives of the University. This responsibility is limited to communications regarding University business and activities, and does not include items of a purely personal nature.

The University reserves the right to make changes to the Student Handbook at any time.  There may be circumstances in which the policies or procedures in the student handbook must be altered and/or modified on an interim basis due to emergency situations (i.e.: highly communicable disease outbreaks, safety and security needs etc).  In those circumstances, the University will notify students through their owu.edu emails and also post the modifications to the University’s website.  Students will be expected to know the modifications and adhere to any of the requirements.

Definitions

Student refers to an individual who is enrolled at and attending credit-bearing courses with the University and thereafter as long as the individual has a continuing educational interest in the University.  Incoming first year students or other individuals who have not enrolled at and attended credit-bearing courses with the University are not students. Furthermore, individuals attending pre-matriculation programs or events are not students, though they are expected to meet University standards and comply with University policies and procedures during their time on campus.

Guest refers to a current full or part time student at OWU who is not assigned as a resident of a particular room in question.

Visitor refers to an individual who is not a student at OWU who is visiting an OWU student.

Statement of Non-Discrimination

Ohio Wesleyan University does not discriminate against any person in employment or educational opportunities because of race, color, religion, age, ethnicity, national origin, national ancestry, sex, pregnancy, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, military service or veteran status, mental or physical disability, or genetic information.

The Student Handbook is maintained by the Director of Student Integrity and Community Standards.

Any comments, suggestions or corrections should be emailed to Emily Paetz (empaetz@owu.edu).