UNIVERSITY REGULATIONS

Important Policies, Statements and Acts

Animals

With the exception of seeing eye dogs and the Institute of Criminal and Civil Investigation (ICCI) Dog Teams, animals are not permitted in residence halls or other university buildings. Animals should not be allowed to run at large on the campus and must be leashed at all times. Animals shall not be left unattended or secured to university property.

Assemblies and Gatherings

The university attempts to provide an atmosphere conducive for students to grow, prepare, study, learn, inquire, and develop. Consequently, any activity that distracts from that goal is discouraged.

The opportunity to assemble or gather in a group in a peaceful manner is granted to any member of the university family, but because of the degree of noise generated by large assemblies, certain restriction must apply.

1. All assembles, rallies, yard shows, block parties, outside sales, etc., must be approved by the Division for Student and Enrollment Services. Requests for outside assemblies must be made in writing to the Office of Student Activities and Leadership at least 72 hours prior to the event. Spontaneous assemblies are subject to disbursement, and persons responsible may be disciplined.

2. The approved assembly site is the common area in front of the Woolfolk Education Building. Other sites may be added as needed. Outside assemblies may not occur within 1000 feet of a classroom, office or administrative facility or in areas adjacent to a residence hall. A. D. Memorial.

3. Unusually loud or disturbing noise in or around buildings is prohibited.

4. Anyone identified loitering on campus will be cited for violating the University Loitering Policy, and reported to the Office of Student and Enrollment Services for appropriate action. Offenders will be subject to disciplinary action or suspension.

5. The PVAMU Department of Public Safety must be notified of large assemblies and gatherings so that the level of security may be assessed and appropriate number of officers assigned.

Drugs

The Texas House of Representatives and Senate passed bills H.R. 253 and S.R. 645 respectively, which establish a clear policy of prohibiting drugs on Texas college and university campuses. Prairie View A&M University has adopted the resolution on drugs, and is prepared to fully enforce the concept of a drug-free campus. Students are admonished that illegal drugs will not be tolerated. Illegal drugs include all controlled substances and other substances that are the object of an offensive under the Texas controlled Substance Act (Article 4476-15, Vernon’s Texas Civil Statutes). Any student found to be in violation of this order will be suspended from the University and is subject to sanctions commensurate with the offense and any aggravating and mitigating circumstance.

Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974

Different types of student records are maintained in various university offices and the chief administrators in each of these offices are responsible for confidentiality and appropriate business management of these records.

Generally, with certain exceptions, the law provides that current and former students have the right to review their records, request explanations concerning them, obtain copies and challenge records that they feel are inaccurate, misleading or otherwise inappropriate. The challenge procedure includes a full and fair opportunity for the student to present relevant evidence at a hearing. The law also provides that students may waive their rights of access to the confidential letters or recommendation and may also grant permission to release certain personally identifiable information to nonauthorized personnel.

The exceptions to this law, i.e., records not accessible to students, include educational personnel records in the possession of the author, records maintained for law enforcement purposes, employment records of non-students, records maintained by a physician, psychiatrist, psychologist or counselor, and financial records of a student’s parents.

The law also provides that, in addition to university employees having a “legitimate educational interest,” certain other governmental and quasi-governmental agencies and parents certifying that a student is carried as a dependant for income tax purposes may have access to student records.

The university may release “directory information” such as name, address, telephone listing, major field of study, classification, date and place of birth, activity and athletic participation, height and weight of athletic team members, degrees and awards received, etc., however, students may request that this information be withheld.

HIV and AIDS

Prairie View A&M University participates in the National Association for Equal Opportunity Employment in Higher Education’s Special Program on HIV and AIDS. This program allows the university to take advantage of numerous resources and interact with historically black colleges throughout the United States. There are several programs held periodically which serves to enlighten and enhance the educational information disseminated to students. These programs include World AIDS Day and National AIDS Week.

Educational programs are available for students through the Health Center, Counseling Services, and other special programs throughout the campus.

Lost, Found, Stolen, or Abandoned Property

Lost or found items should be reported to the University Police Department. Any item that is presumed stolen should be promptly reported to the University Department of Public Safety.