Higher education plays a vital role in developing future leaders by providing students with educational opportunities both in and outside the classroom. As an institution of higher education, the University of Southern Indiana (USI) is a learning community dedicated to excellence. All USI students are presented with rights, privileges and opportunities when choosing to become a part of the USI community. In order for USI community members to live and learn in harmony, they must assume responsibility for their actions and respect the rights of others. Students, faculty, staff, and alumni make a commitment to furthering the mission of the University of Southern Indiana.
The University expects and requires all of its students, upon admission to the University, to develop, adhere to, and maintain high standards of scholarship and conduct. The Student Rights and Responsibilities: A Code of Student Behavior is the guiding document for USI community standards and outlines all rights and responsibilities afforded to USI students.
The University of Southern Indiana Student Handbook is an electronic source of the University's community standards and related policies and procedures. The links compiled here provide an overview of University policies and procedures, departments and services relevant to all students, undergraduate and graduate.
The University of Southern Indiana (USI) is committed to increasing access to higher education and supporting all students in their efforts to succeed. USI is also committed to fostering a safe environment in which all members of the University community can thrive. As a part of the admission process, the University asks a series of questions about applicants' criminal history as it relates to misdemeanor and felony convictions. Having a criminal history is not a bar to admission There is a process the applicant must follow to disclose their criminal history and to undergo review by the Dean of Students and the University CARE Team. The review process includes completing a Misdemeanor / Felony Report Follow-Up Questionnaire, available from the Dean of Students, and meeting with university officials before the enrollment process can proceed. Applicants may be deferred or denied admission if their membership in the University community would be inappropriate or they are under conditions of post-release supervision that make enrollment impracticable. Applicants with current and related legal cases that have not been fully adjudicated may have their admission decision deferred until the conclusion of these legal proceedings.
Being convicted of a felony or being a registered sex offender is not an absolute bar to admission. However, being a registered sex offender does prohibit a student from living in University provided housing. It is also University policy that individuals with past drug-related convictions will not be permitted to live in University-owned property like, but not limited to residence halls and student apartments.
Individuals previously admitted to the University who wish to re-enroll must disclose to the Dean of Students all felony and misdemeanor convictions that occurred since their last term of enrollment. Current students with new felony or violent misdemeanor convictions must report each conviction to the Dean of Students during the semester in which the conviction occurs.
Failure to disclose required information at the time of application, re-enrollment, or conviction may result in invalidation of application, immediate suspension or expulsion from the University.
The Misdemeanor/Felony Review Process may not result in a final determination of an applicant’s acceptance into a particular degree-granting program of the University. For example, some academic programs (like, but not limited to, certain health care programs) may have academic requirements that an applicant may not be eligible to meet based on their legal history. Please direct any related questions to the Department Chair of the specific academic program or major of your interest.
A copy of the decision and final notification concerning action on the application of a prospective student is sent to the appropriate University offices like, but not limited to, Admission, Graduate Studies, Registrar, Housing and Residence Life, Public Safety and/or the Counseling Center.
Questions and concerns regarding this policy should be directed to the Dean of Students. You may also contact the office by calling 812-464-1862.
Misdemeanor/Felony Review Process
The Dean of Students Office encourages students to contact their faculty members directly regarding their absences and other related issues at their earliest convenience. In emergency situations where students are unable to contact faculty members, or when students may not feel comfortable disclosing personal information to their faculty members, the Dean of Students Office (DOSO) may send a brief email (faculty notice) to faculty members notifying them that the student has contacted the Dean of Students Office and is being connected to the appropriate on and/or off-campus resources. The email will not provide the specifics of the situation, although the student is free to provide faculty with details. To have an email sent to faculty, students should fill out the "Faculty Notice Request form" or contact the Dean of Students Office in-person in University Center East room 1256, by phone at 812-464-1862, or via email at deanofstudents@usi.edu. Emergency situations might include serious illness or hospitalization, a serious accident, or a death in the family. Emergency situations do not include brief absences where a student is able to reach out to their faculty members about missed classes, assignments, quizzes, or exams, etc. The student will be copied on a Faculty Notice email, so they have a copy for their records. Faculty notices are intended to be informational and should not replace direct communication between students and their faculty members.
The Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 (effective August 14, 2008) requires any institution participating in a Title IV federal student financial aid program that maintains on-campus housing facilities to establish a missing student notification policy and related procedures.
If a member of the university community has reason to believe that a student, who resides in on-campus housing, is missing, they should immediately notify USI Public Safety at 812-492-7777. Public Safety will generate a missing person report and initiate an investigation. After investigating the report, should Public Safety determine that the student is missing and has been for more than 24 hours, Public Safety shall notify local law enforcement and the student’s emergency contact as soon as practicable and no later than 24 hours than the student is determined to be missing.
In addition to registering an emergency contact, students residing in on-campus housing have the option of identifying, confidentially an individual to be contacted by USI Public Safety in the event the student has been determined to be missing for more than 24 hours. If a student has identified such an individual, Public Safety will notify that individual as soon as practicable and no later than 24 hours after the student has been determined to be missing. A student who wishes to identify a confidential contact person may do so through the USI Housing and Residence Life housing application form. This confidential contact information will be accessible only by authorized university officials and law enforcement as appropriate. If the missing student is under the age of 18 and is not emancipated, Public Safety with notify the student’s parent or legal guardian, in addition to the student’s designated contact.
While students are under no obligation to notify the University, they plan to spend time away from their campus residence they are strongly encouraged to share information with family, friends, or housing staff when they do so.
This information is from the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report published by USI Public Safety
The Campus Sex Crimes Prevention Act of 2000 is a federal law that requires institutions of higher education to advise the campus community where information concerning registered sex offenders may be accessed. It requires sex offenders already required by state law to register in a state, to provide notice to each institution of higher education in that state, at which the person is employed, carries on a vocation, or is a student. The Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office is the designated law enforcement agency for the University of Southern Indiana.
Indiana Sex Offender Registry: Effective January 1, 2003, Zachary’s Law requires sheriff departments to jointly establish and maintain the Indiana Sheriffs' Sex and Violent Offender Registry to provide detailed information about individuals who register as sex or violent offenders in Indiana. The registry’s purpose is to inform the public about violent offenders who live, work, or study in Indiana. The Commonwealth of Kentucky and the State of Illinois sex offender websites are included with the National Sex Offender web site due to their close proximity with the University.
This information is from the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report published by USI Public Safety
As with all USI students, USI student-athletes are subject to the University of Southern Indiana’s Community Standards of behavior in addition to Athletics’ standards. In addition, their conduct is also subject to NCAA rules and regulations. Student-athletes are expected to know and abide by the University and NCAA standards of behavior. For more information, see the Associate Vice President and Director of Athletics.