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Student Handbook

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.

Purpose of the Handbook

The University of Southern Indiana Student Handbook is the official source of the University's community standards and related policies and procedures. It provides an overview of University policies and procedures, departments and services relevant to all students, undergraduate and graduate.

The University reserves the right to make changes in the Student Handbook at any time. The handbook is formally reviewed and updated each summer. Suggestions and updates may be sent to deanofstudents@usi.edu for consideration in the next review process.

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Missing Student Notification

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

Sex Offender Registries

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

Student-Athletes Disciplinary Policies

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.

Information for Current Student Athletes