KU POLICIES FREQUENTLY ASKED ABOUT
For a list of other KU policies, please visit the Office of the Provost web site and the University Governance web site.
Section 6. Academic Misconduct
2.6.1 Academic misconduct by a student shall include, but not be limited to,
disruption of classes; threatening an instructor or fellow student in an academic
setting; giving or receiving of unauthorized aid on examinations or in the preparation
of notebooks, themes, reports or other assignments; knowingly misrepresenting
the source of any academic work; unauthorized changing of grades; unauthorized
use of University approvals or forging of signatures; falsification of research
results; plagiarizing of another's work; violation of regulations or ethical
codes for the treatment of human and animal subjects; or otherwise acting dishonestly
in research.
Academic misconduct by an instructor shall include, but not be limited to, grading
student work by criteria other than academic performance, willful neglect in
the discharge of teaching duties, falsification of research results, plagiarizing
of another's work, violation of regulations or ethical codes for the treatment
of human and animal subjects, or otherwise acting dishonestly in research.
2.6.2 After consultation with the department chairperson, an instructor may,
with due notice to the student, treat as unsatisfactory (1) any student work
that is a product of academic misconduct, or (2) a student's performance for
a course when there are severe or repeated instances of academic misconduct
as defined in Section 2.6.1. If an instructor deems other sanctions for academic
misconduct by a student to be advisable, or if a student wishes to protest a
grade based upon work judged by an instructor to be a product of academic misconduct,
or if a faculty member is charged with academic misconduct in connection with
the assignment of a grade or otherwise, the case shall be reported to the Dean
of the College or School in which the course is offered and processed in accord
with applicable procedures.
2.6.3 If either party to a charge of academic misconduct or to a grade appeal
involving a charge of academic misconduct is dissatisfied with the unit level
resolution of the charge, he or she may seek review by the Judicial Board in
accordance with applicable procedures.
2.6.4 Every instructor shall make clear, at the beginning of each course, his
or her rules for the preparation of classroom assignments, collateral reading,
notebooks, or other outside work, in order that his or her students may not,
through ignorance, subject themselves to the charge of academic misconduct.
An instructor has the authority to set reasonable rules for classroom conduct.
When an instructor judges that a student's behavior is disruptive or obstructive
to learning, the instructor can request that the student leave the classroom.
Refusal to comply with a request to leave a classroom can itself be grounds
for a charge of academic misconduct.
University Senate Rules and Regulations
Page 9
August 2005
2.6.5 The following sanctions may be imposed upon a student or an instructor
for academic misconduct:
Admonition: An oral statement that his or her present actions constitute academic
misconduct.
Warning: An oral or written statement that continuation or repetition, within
a stated period, of actions that constitute academic misconduct may be the cause
for a more severe disciplinary sanction.
Censure: A written reprimand for actions that constitute academic misconduct.
Censure may include a written warning.
Other sanctions that may be imposed upon a student for academic misconduct are:
Reduction of Grade for specific work: Treating as unsatisfactory any work that
is a product of academic misconduct. Reduction of grade may include the assignment
of an F for that specific work.
Reduction of grade for the Course:
Reduction of grade may include the assignment of an F in the course.
Disciplinary Probation: Exclusion from participation in specified privileged
or extracurricular activities for a period not exceeding one school year. The
student's transcript will state that the student is on disciplinary probation
for academic misconduct. The statement will be permanent unless the student
applies to the University Provost for removal of the statement and the application
is granted.
Suspension from a specific course: An instructor may suspend a student from
the instructor's section of a course for academic misconduct. In cases involving
physical violence or disruptive behavior, the suspension should occur immediately.
In cases where a physical threat is made, the suspension should be reported
to the KU Police Department. During suspension, a student is not permitted to
withdraw, pending decision by the hearing committee. A suspended student may
complete work for the course only if reinstated. Conditions for re-instatement
to the course shall be stated by the instructor at the time of the suspension.
These initial conditions are subject to review by the hearing committee. When
suspending a student, the instructor shall, before the next meeting of the course,
inform the chairperson of the department in which this course is offered. The
department chairperson shall notify the student in person or by certified mail
(postmarked on or before the day of the next class meeting) of the opportunity
to be heard on the suspension. The department chairperson shall also inform
the Dean of Students and other appropriate offices according to guidelines of
the academic unit involved. If the student requests a hearing, the appropriate
procedures (See Section 2.6.2) of the School or College, or at the department
level where feasible, shall be initiated within five working days. The suspension
will remain in effect pending review. Because this sanction places an immediate
burden upon the suspended student, the department is obligated to act promptly.
Options in such review include: reassignment of the student to another section
of the course; reinstatement of the student into the course; upholding the suspension.
In case of suspension through the end of the semester, a grade will be assigned
by the instructor, subject to review by the hearing committee.
Suspension: Immediate exclusion from all courses and other specified privileges
or activities for a definite period not to exceed two years, subject to review
by the hearing committee. The student's transcript will state that the student
is suspended for academic misconduct. The statement will be permanent unless
the student applies to the University Provost for removal of the statement and
the application is granted.
Expulsion: Termination of student status for an indefinite period. The conditions
of readmission, if any, shall be stated in the order of expulsion. The student's
transcript will state that the student is expelled for academic misconduct.
The statement will be permanent unless the student applies to the University
Provost for removal of the statement and the application is granted.
Other sanctions that may be imposed upon an instructor for academic misconduct
are:
Recommendation of Suspension: Recommendation to the Chancellor that an instructor
be excluded from teaching and other specified privileges or activities for a
definite period not to exceed two years.
University Senate Rules and Regulations
Page 10
Editorial Change, August 2005
Recommendation of Dismissal: Recommendation to the Chancellor that an instructor
be dismissed from the University staff for an indefinite period.
More than one sanction may be imposed upon a student or an instructor for the
same offense or offenses.
2.6.6 All sanctions of Reduction of Grade for Specific Work, Reduction of Grade
for the Course, Disciplinary Probation, Suspension from a Specific Course, Suspension,
and Expulsion that are applied by the College and the Schools or their designated
departments will be communicated to the Office of the Provost.
2.6.7 Students who receive a D or F in a course due to a finding of academic
misconduct by a unit, school, or Judicial Board hearing body may repeat the
course but are not eligible for the grade-replacement provisions of USRR 2.2.9.1
and 2.2.10.
CONSENTING
RELATIONSHIPS POLICY
The University of Kansas has a tradition of commitment to providing an academic
community environment that, without discrimination, fosters intellectual, professional
and personal growth. Central to the preservation of this environment is the
trust that should characterize all interactions among those working toward the
common goal of the institution, namely, our students, faculty, unclassified
staff, and classified personnel. This trust is put at risk when members of the
University community engage in consenting romantic or sexual relationships that
involve persons of unequal power, for example, administrator and faculty, faculty
and student, supervisor and employee. Because the University of Kansas strongly
disapproves of consenting relationships where a professional power differential
exists, this policy statement is being promulgated. A faculty member will always
be treated as having such a power differential if the student is in an educational
experience where the faculty member has authority to assign grades. The same
holds in other circumstances as well, for example, when a faculty member serves
on thesis, dissertation, or scholarship awards committees.
These principles also apply to administrators and supervisors in their relationships with students, faculty, unclassified staff, and classified personnel.
In the view of the University of Kansas, romantic or sexual relationships between persons of unequal power, even if consenting, are unwise and often contrary to professional ethics. Such a relationship tends to impair one's ability to make an objective judgement of the performance of the student or employee.
Those who choose to ignore these standards will stand responsible for their actions and risk the loss of support of the University community.
Decisions concerning grades, degrees, promotions, evaluations, merit increases, and awards must be made free from any trace of bias or favor. Such decisions come under a cloud when made by those who have an emotional relationship, beyond the purely professional or academic one, with those who benefit from those decisions. Even the mere appearance of bias may seriously disrupt the academic or work environment.
The individual in authority bears the primary responsibility for any negative consequences resulting from an even apparently consenting romantic or sexual relationship. It is the student or the employee, not the instructor or supervisor, who is most at risk in these relationships. In particular, the respect and trust accorded a professor by a student, as well as the legitimate power exercised by the professor in giving grades, criticism, praise, recommendations for further study, future employment, etc., greatly diminish the student's actual freedom of choice, should sexual favors be added to the professor's demands. Although it is proper for a student to decline any personal relationship of this kind, a student may feel that few options are available when a professor asks for a date. If an employee's supervisor attempts to initiate a personal relationship, the employee may feel that his or her options are similarly limited. As a result, the degree of informed consent that exists within such a relationship is difficult to establish. Should a charge of sexual harassment follow, a claim of mutual consent may be difficult to sustain.
Commonly accepted standards of professional behavior and ethics require that faculty members not hold evaluative power over any student with whom they have a romantic or sexual relationship. Thus, faculty members should not initiate or accept such a relationship with a student over whom they have an evaluative role. Should such a relationship exist between a faculty member and a student, the faculty member must remove him/herself from the evaluation of the student's work. Failure to do so will be a violation of Article V, Section 4 of the Faculty Code of Conduct.
Similar proscription applies to administrators and supervisors in their relationships
with students and employees over whom they have an evaluative role. A supervisor
who is in a romantic or sexual relationship with another individual over whom
he or she has evaluative responsibility must remove himself or herself from
personnel decisions concerning that individual, such as appointment, retention,
promotion, discipline, tenure, or salary. Failure to do so will be a conflict
of interest.
Approved by Chancellor Gene A. Budig
February 1, 1994
EXAMINATIONS (from the University Senate Rules and Regulations)
Section 3. Final Examination Schedules
1.3.1 The Calendar Committee shall prepare and submit to the University Council for approval a schedule for final examinations for each semester, so that it may be included in the Official Timetable of Classes.
1.3.2. A Comprehensive Final Examination is defined as an examination that tests over class content covering the entire term. A Section Examination is defined as an examination that tests over class content covering a unit, section, topic or part of the term, but does not cover the entire content of the class.
Normally the last examination in a course - whether a comprehensive Final Examination or a Section Exam - is administered at the appointed time during the regularly scheduled final exam period. n An exam may be given during the last week of classes ONLY if it is a Section Exam preceding a Comprehensive Final Examination; this Comprehensive Final Examination must be administered at the appointed time during the regularly scheduled final exam period. If neither a Section Examination nor a Comprehensive Final Examination is to be given, the class is not required to meet at its appointed time during the regularly scheduled final examination period. The above does not apply to assignments such as projects, performances, or papers. These may be due or take place during the last week of regular classes.
Any exceptions to the above rules must be approved by the Calendar Committee. Petitions to the committee must be submitted at least three weeks before the last scheduled day of classes. Students' academic best interests shall be the criteria for the Calendar Committee's decisions on petitions.
Students should report violations of the above to the appropriate department head or dean, or to the Provost.
1.3.3 The instructor of a course shall decide whether a final examination is necessary unless the department in which a course is given (or the College or school, for courses, which are not listed in a department) makes that decision. Decisions by the department, the College, or school would normally relate to multisections or service courses. As early as possible in the course, the instructor shall inform the students of the function of the examination in determining the course grade.
1.3.4 Except for those excused in advance by the instructor, all students are required to take final examinations when prescribed. No student shall be obligated to take more than two (2) examinations on the same day. In the event that a student has three (3) or more final examinations scheduled on the same day, and wishes to take no fewer than two (2) final examinations on the same day, the student shall notify the instructor(s) from the highest numbered course(s) no later than two weeks before the last day of class to provide a make-up examination to be administered at a mutually acceptable time.
1.3.5 Within the guidelines established by these rules and regulations, the faculty of the College and each school of the University may establish regulations regarding the administration of final examinations, with due concern for students outside the College or school. (a) The faculty of the College and each school of the University may stipulate that if a final examination is required in a course offered in the school's curriculum, no other examination shall be given in that course in the week immediately preceding the period of final examinations. (b) The faculty of the College and each school of the University may allocate the decision-making responsibility for that stipulation in (a) supra to the faculty of each department within the College or school.
1.3.6 Each semester, the Calendar Committee shall make arrangements to inform students and faculty, through the Official Timetable of Classes, of the regulations governing final examinations and the appropriate procedures to be followed if questions arise about the application of the regulations. The Provost's Office shall remind faculty of these regulations by circulating copies each semester.
1.3.7 No university organization shall schedule events or meetings that require student participation during the final examination period, including Stop Day. Exceptions are allowed for local events or meetings that are scheduled on Saturday and up to 6:00 p.m. on Sunday. A committee that must meet during the final examination period to resolve an academic issue may meet only at a time mutually convenient to all members. No other exceptions allowed unless by explicit direction of the Chancellor.
1.3.8 Students with a verifiable medical crisis of a relative or friend may be excused from being present for the final examination. It is the responsibility of the student to initiate discussion with the instructor, prior to the examination/test if possible. The instructor and student shall attempt to come to a mutually agreeable method of making up the missed work.
Section 4. Examinations, Quizzes and Tests Other Than Final Examinations
1.4.1 Examinations and tests other than final examinations shall normally be given during regularly scheduled class or laboratory hours.
1.4.2 Examinations and tests other than final examinations may be given at times other than regular class hours when the time and place are approved by the Calendar Committee and published in advance in the Official Timetable of Classes. When such examinations conflict with a student's obligation to other regularly scheduled university classes the student shall be accorded the opportunity to take the examination or test at a time not in conflict with other regularly scheduled university classes. In the event of the cancellation of an examination due to an emergency, rescheduling of the examination shall be negotiated by the Senior Vice Provost for Academic Affairs with the affected unit.
1.4.3 Examinations and tests other than final examinations should not be scheduled in conflict with mandated religious observances. In order to ascertain in a given class if a scheduled examination conflicts with a mandated religious observance, at the beginning of the semester the instructor shall ask students who may be affected to identify themselves privately so that a make-up examination may be scheduled at a mutually acceptable time.
1.4.4 Students with a verifiable medical crisis of a relative or friend may
be excused from being present for scheduled examinations and tests. It is the
responsibility of the student to initiate discussion with the instructor, prior
to the examination/test if possible. The instructor and student shall come to
a mutually agreeable method of making up the missed work
GRADE APPEALS (from the University Senate Rules and Regulations)
Article II, Section 2.3.1-2.3.5.3
Section 3. Change of Grade
2.3.1 Unless the provisions of 2.3.2 obtain, no change in a grade shall be made after it is filed with the University Registrar except upon the written request of the faculty member in charge of the course with the approval of the chairperson of the department in which the course is given. Such a change may be made only if (1) the original grade resulted from an error, or (2) the original letter was I or P. In either case this change of letter shall not include the change to a W.
2.3.2 In the following exceptional cases a committee of at least three faculty members appointed by the chairperson of the department in which the course is given may review a student's work and assign the course grade:
2.3.2.1 When a faculty member who has been charged with and found guilty of sexual harassment or academic misconduct has assigned a grade to the student who has pressed charges.
2.3.2.2 When a clerical error is suspected in a course grade assigned by a faculty member who has become seriously ill and incapacitated or has died or whom the chairperson of the department in which the course is given cannot locate with due diligence.
2.3.2.3 When a student is found guilty of academic misconduct after the course grade has been assigned by a faculty member who has become seriously ill and incapacitated or has died or whom the chairperson of the department in which the course is given cannot locate with due diligence.
2.3.2.4 When there is procedural irregularity in the assignment of the course grade. However, in such a case, the grade shall be assigned in accordance with section 2.3.5.3 of the University Senate Rules and Regulations.
2.3.3 In the most extreme and unusual circumstances a student may petition to either:
a) withdraw from all the courses in which he/she was enrolled. In this case
a properly constituted committee from the school or College in which he/she
was enrolled may assign the letter W in all courses of that semester. The faculty
members (s) in charge of the course(s) need not be consulted. Or
b) if the student is asking for selective relief in a course in which he/she
was enrolled, a properly constituted committee from the school or College in
which the course was taken may assign, after consultation/concurrence with the
faculty member in charge of the course, the letter I, incomplete, or W, withdrawal.
If the incomplete is assigned, it is to be completed in the next semester in
which the student is enrolled at the University in accordance with University
Senate Rule 2.2.3.2. The work necessary to complete the course and remove the
incomplete is to be determined by the faculty member in charge of the course.
If the faculty member in charge of the course is unavailable or otherwise unable
to provide a regime of work to complete the course, the department will take
responsibility to determine the required work.
Each course is to be considered separately but the same committee may consider more than one course at the discretion of the dean of the school responsible for the course.
2.3.4. To insure uniform implementation of these procedures a) each school and the College will develop a written policy for the guidance of the committee and b) each school or College will adopt a uniform policy as to whether concurrence or only consultation is required. The policies are to be made available to faculty and student.
2.3.5 A student may initiate a grade appeal of a final course grade if he or she believes that there has been an improper application of the grading procedure announced for the course by the instructor.
2.3.5.1 Each academic unit within the University shall provide its members access to an exclusive procedure for appeal of a final course grade, which shall be the sole procedure available to such members at the unit level.
2.3.5.2 Such an appeal shall be made in accord with the procedures established by the unit under Article V, section 2 of the University Senate Rules and Regulations. To the extent that a grade appeal involves charges of improper application of grading procedures, the dispute shall be resolved under the applicable procedures for disputes involving improper application of grading procedure, and appeal to the Judicial Board shall be available in accordance with those procedures. To the extent that a grade appeal involves charges of academic misconduct, the dispute shall be resolved under the applicable procedures for disputes involving academic misconduct, and appeal to the Judicial Board shall be available in accordance with those procedures.
2.3.5.3 If the Judicial Board sustains the student's appeal, the grade shall be assigned in accordance with Section 2.3.2 of the University Senate Rules and Regulations.
For complete residency information see the University Registrar
From the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences: Retroactive Course Withdrawal Policy
A student may petition either 1) to withdraw from all courses for a previous
semester or 2) for selective relief in a course or courses from a previous semester.
For all requests, it is assumed that petitions will be granted only for the
most extreme and unusual circumstances. In both types of petition the academic
standards sub-committee of the Committee on Undergraduate Studies and Advising
(CUSA) will act on written requests. For selective relief in a course or courses,
the instructor(s) will serve as an ex-officio member of the committee.
Withdraw from all courses for a previous semester. The Committee will act on
written requests from undergraduate students in the College of Liberal Arts
and Sciences. If the request is approved, the committee will assign the letter
W for all courses. The faculty members in charge of the courses will not be
consulted.
Withdraw from one or more (but not all) courses from a previous semester or
semesters. The Committee will act on written requests from undergraduate students
petitioning to be withdrawn from courses offered by the College of Liberal Arts
and Sciences. The instructor of the course(s) will be invited to be an ex-officio
member of the committee for purposes of making the decision. In making its decision,
the committee will review the student's written petition and supporting documentation,
and the written comments and recommendation from the instructor of the course
or courses. The committee may decide to issue a letter of I (incomplete) instead
of W. If the I is assigned, the work necessary to complete the course and remove
the incomplete will be determined by the faculty member in charge of the course,
or the department in the absence of the instructor.
Retroactive Course Withdrawal Guidelines
The process for petitioning for retroactive withdrawal from a CLAS course or courses is established for the relief of students who encounter extreme and unusual circumstances which are beyond their control and which could not have been addressed during the term in which the course(s) was taken. All students inquiring about retroactive withdrawals are required to meet (either in person or by phone) with a staff member in CLAS Undergraduate Services, 109 Strong Hall (864-3500).
This process is not intended for the relief of students:
who did not pass the course
who forgot to withdraw from the course during the term
who were ignorant of the deadlines (these are printed in the Timetable of Classes
each semester)
who have changed to a major which does not require this course
who had assumed extracurricular or employment activities which restricted the
student's time for academic pursuit
who were ill or who suffered stress as the result of an accident, death, family
crisis, or other crisis early enough in the semester to have withdrawn during
the semester
Please read this information carefully before requesting a petition. Very few
exceptions are made for situations that do not conform to the criteria outlined
in the guidelines below.
Students must submit a written petition describing the circumstances which
have led the student to request a retroactive withdrawal. The petition must
include reasons why the student was not able to withdraw from the course(s)
during the term. In addition to the petition, the following documentation is
required:
Withdrawal based on illness (either of the student or of a family member) requires
professional documentation giving information as to the severity of the illness
and its effect on the student's academic performance, including the exact date
of the start of the illness and the date of the recovery.
Withdrawal based on a death requires documentation of the date of death in the
form of an obituary or program from the funeral service and information showing
the relationship between the student and the deceased.
Withdrawal based on lack of evaluation requires documentation from the instructor
verifying that no assignments, no papers, and no tests had been returned and
indicating the level of influence the instructor had in the student's decision
to remain in the class through the end of the term.
Withdrawal based on enrollment error requires documentation such as printed
records, correspondence, or a statement from the instructor to verify that either
the student never appeared in the class (thus supporting a claim of error in
the initial enrollment records) or that the student stopped attending the class
after a specific date (thus supporting a claim of having dropped the class prior
to the end of the term).
In the summer term, an undergraduate student may withdraw from any CLAS course
or courses by submitting a drop form up to and including the last day of class.
No petition is required.
From the University Senate Rules and Regulations (Under Section 3, Change of Grade)
2.3.3 In the most extreme and unusual circumstances a student may petition to either:
a) withdraw from all the courses in which he/she was enrolled. In this case
a properly constituted committee from the school or College in which he/she
was enrolled may assign the letter W in all courses of that semester. The faculty
members (s) in charge of the course(s) need not be consulted. Or
b) if the student is asking for selective relief in a course in which he/she
was enrolled, a properly constituted committee from the school or College in
which the course was taken may assign, after consultation/concurrence with the
faculty member in charge of the course, the letter I, incomplete, or W, withdrawal.
If the incomplete is assigned, it is to be completed in the next semester in
which the student is enrolled at the University in accordance with University
Senate Rule 2.2.3.2. The work necessary to complete the course and remove the
incomplete is to be determined by the faculty member in charge of the course.
If the faculty member in charge of the course is unavailable or otherwise unable
to provide a regime of work to complete the course, the department will take
responsibility to determine the required work.
Each course is to be considered separately but the same committee may consider more than one course at the discretion of the dean of the school responsible for the course.
2.3.4. To insure uniform implementation of these procedures a) each school and the College will develop a written policy for the guidance of the committee and b) each school or College will adopt a uniform policy as to whether concurrence or only consultation is required. The policies are to be made available to faculty and student.
For information on the sexual harassment policy please see the Department of Human Resources and Equal Opportunity website
WORKPLACE VIOLENCE POLICY(from the Department of Human Resources and Equal Opportunity)
The University of Kansas is committed to provide a safe and secure work place, free from threats and violence, for all those involved in the business of the University. Personal harassment, abusive behavior, and violence are not tolerated in our work place. The University fully supports the State of Kansas Workplace Violence Policy. The policy, which applies to all faculty, staff and student employees of the University, is printed below. The University has developed procedures for responding to situations of potential or actual violence.
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In Cases of IMMINENT PHYSICAL THREAT:
Dial 911
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In Cases of POTENTIAL THREAT:
8am - 5pm, Mon - Fri
864-4946
Ola Faucher
Director, Human Resources
ofaucher@ku.edu
Before 8am or After 5pm
864-5900
Public Safety Office
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THREAT ASSESSMENT TEAM:
The University has appointed a Threat Assessment Team to review situations of
threat, potential violence, or violence in the workplace that do not involve
immediate physical threat. If faculty, staff or student employees feel threatened
or if a potentially violent situation exists, they should contact Human Resources
as noted above. If you need to make such contact, please be sure to indicate
that the situation is one involving a workplace violence issue.
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THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS WEAPONS POLICY
The University prohibits students, employees, and visitors from possessing, carrying or using weapons on property owned by or under the control of the University. Violations of this policy may result in disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal of employees or expulsion of students. Violators also may be asked to leave University property, and if they refuse to do so, such refusal may constitute an unlawful trespass.
For the purpose of this policy, "weapons" means:
any object or device which is designed to expel bullet, shot or shell by the
action of an explosive;
any object or device which will, or may be readily converted to, expel bullet,
shot or shell by the action of an explosive or other propellant, and which has
any barrel with a bore of more than ½ inch in diameter; any pistol, revolver,
rifle, shotgun or other firearm of any nature; any explosive, incendiary or
poison gas (A) bomb, (B) mine, (C) grenade, or (D) rocket having a propellant
charge or more than four ounces, or (E) missile having an explosive or incendiary
charge of more than ¼ ounce; any incendiary or explosive material, liquid,
solid or mixture equipped with a fuse, wick or other detonating device; any
tear gas bomb or smoke bomb; however, personal self-defense items containing
mace or pepper spray shall not be deemed to be a weapon for the purposes of
this policy; or any knife, commonly referred to as a switch-blade, which has
a blade that opens automatically by hand pressure applied to a button, spring
or other device in the handle of the knife, or any knife having a blade that
opens or falls or is ejected into position by the force of gravity or by an
outward, downward or centrifugal thrust or movement; any straight-blade knife
of four inches or more such as a dagger, dirk, dangerous knife or stiletto;
except that an ordinary pocket knife with a blade no more than four inches in
length shall not be construed to be a weapon for the purposes of this policy.
This prohibition shall not apply to the performance of job duties by duly authorized
law enforcement officers or by other University employees who receive written
permission from the Provost to possess, carry or use weapons in the performance
of their duties. The forms for requesting permission are available from the
Department of Human Resources and available for download from this website.
STATE OF KANSAS WORKPLACE VIOLENCE POLICY
The safety and security of State of Kansas employees and customers are very important. Threats, threatening behavior, acts of violence, or any related conduct which disrupts another’s work performance or the organization’s ability to execute its mission will not be tolerated. Any person who makes threats, exhibits threatening behavior, or engages in violent acts on state-owned or leased property may be removed from the premises pending the outcome of an investigation. Threats, threatening behavior, or other acts of violence executed off state-owned or leased property but directed at state employees or members of the public while conducting official state business, is a violation of this policy. Off-site threats include but are not limited to threats made via the telephone, fax, electronic or conven-tional mail, or any other communication medium.
Violations of this policy will lead to disciplinary action that may include dismissal, arrest, and prosecution. In addition, if the source of such inappropriate behavior is a member of the public, the response may also include barring the person(s) from state-owned or leased premises, termination of business relationships with that individual, and/or prosecution of the person(s).
Employees are responsible for notifying the Director of Human Resources of any threats which they have witnessed, received, or have been told that another person has witnessed or received. Employees should also report any behavior they have witnessed which they regard as threatening or violent when that behavior is job-related or might be carried out on state-owned or leased property or in connection with state employment.
Each employee who receives a protective or restraining order which lists state-owned or leased premises as a protected area is required to provide the Director of Human Resources with a copy of such order.*
*For example, if an employee has received a restraining order prohibiting a former spouse from coming to the workplace, the employee should provide the HR Director a copy of the order.