Student Rights and Responsibilities

As a dynamic, learning-centered, open-door educational institution, Lamar Institute of Technology (LIT) is committed to serving the educational needs and interests of our community. LIT values providing its students with equal access to College programming and information and providing for the reasonable use of the Institute's services and facilities. Towards that end, the College has established the below "Statement of Student Rights" and "Statement of Student Responsibilities" to educate and inform students about their rights and responsibilities as members of the LIT community.

Student Rights

As members of LIT's learning community, students are entitled to access to certain information, including, for example:

• LIT's admissions requirements.
• The types of degrees and certificates offered by LIT.
• The availability of career and personal development resources available.
• Course offerings and requirements.
• Class attendance and participation policies.
• Grading policies and procedures.
• Cost of attendance.
• Financial aid availability.
• How financial aid eligibility is determined.
• How financial aid is awarded.
• LIT and financial aid satisfactory academic progress requirements.
• LIT's refund policy.
• LIT's policies and procedures.
• The availability of academic and other support services.
• Availability of student activities.
• Campus crime statistics.
• Graduation rates.
• Job placement rates.
• Emergency procedures.
• LIT's operational hours.
• The availability of reasonable accommodations as provided under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Services Act of 1973.
• LIT's grievance procedures.

Freedom of Speech and Expression 

Lamar Institute of Technology recognizes that freedoms of expression, speech, and assembly are fundamental rights of all people and that such freedoms are central to the Institute's ability to achieve its educational mission. Students, faculty, staff, and members of the public have the right to assemble peaceably and to engage in expressive activities while on the LIT campus, including to listen to or observe the expressive activities of others.

The College recognizes and respects the rights guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Texas. The College does not discriminate on the basis of the political, religious, philosophical, ideological, or academic viewpoint expressed by any person in the enforcement or administration of these rules or otherwise. Refer to LIT Policies and Procedures for detailed information on LIT policies and procedures related to freedom of speech and expression.

Student Responsibilities

As members of LIT's teaching and learning community, students have a responsibility to:

• Read the LIT Catalog and Student Handbook.
• Become knowledgeable about LIT policies and procedures.
• Provide accurate information on LIT forms and update that information when necessary.
• Meet financial obligations to LIT.
• Attend regularly scheduled classes.
• Complete assignments and exams based upon course syllabus information.
• Participate in class.
• Fulfill one's academic responsibilities in an honest manner.
• Abide by LIT policies and procedures.
• Abide by the established computer use procedures.
• Be aware of academic and graduation requirements.
• Abide by the equipment usage policy.
• Meet published deadlines.
• Use best efforts to notify LIT if a condition exists that may violate a student's rights, or LIT policies, rules, standards, or procedures.
• Abide by State and federal laws.

Sexual Misconduct 

Texas State University System Sexual Misconduct Policy and Procedures

The Texas State University System (TSUS) and Lamar Institute of Technology (LIT) are firmly committed to creating and maintaining educational communities in which each individual is respected, appreciated, and valued. LIT's focus on tolerance, openness, and respect is key in providing every member of the LIT community with basic human dignity free from all forms of Sexual Misconduct, including Sexual Harassment, Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking. Any report of behavior that threatens our institutional values and breaches the TSUS Sexual Misconduct Policy shall be promptly investigated and remediated in accordance with principles of law, fairness, and equity to all Parties involved.

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in educational programs and activities. Sexual harassment of students or employees, which includes acts of sexual violence, is a form of sex discrimination prohibited by Title IX. LIT is committed to creating an environment free of harassment and discrimination.

Code of Conduct and Disciplinary Procedures

This Code of Student Conduct is applicable to any student currently enrolled; enrolled in the previous semester/session and eligible to enroll in the next consecutive semester/ session; or newly or re-admitted and eligible to enroll in the next semester/session. A student who withdraws from school is subject to disciplinary action for any conduct that occurred while the student met the aforementioned criteria. Students involved in misconduct that would subject them to disciplinary action while not enrolled may be required to appear before the Associate Vice President of Student Services or designee before being readmitted to the college. Refer to LIT Policy and Procedures for more detailed information concerning the Code of Conduct and disciplinary procedures.

Academic Dishonesty

In an attempt to clarify possible misunderstandings, LIT faculty and staff have developed some definitions and examples of two types of academic dishonestly: cheating and plagiarism. Cheating is defined as the giving or taking of information or material with the purpose of wrongfully aiding oneself or another person in academic work that is to be considered in determining a grade.

Plagiarism, or literary theft, is defined as appropriating the literary composition of another person, including the parts, passages, or language of that writing, and passing off the appropriate material as one's own. Plagiarism is the failure to give proper credit or citation to one's sources(s) of information. It includes the failure to use conventional methods of documentation for material quoted or paraphrased. Additionally, plagiarism includes allowing someone else to compose or rewrite an assignment for a student. Some examples of cheating and/or plagiarism include, but are not limited to, the following items:

1. Asking for or giving another student information during a test;
2. Copying answers from another student's paper or intentionally allowing someone to copy from one's own paper during a test;
3. Using materials prohibited by the instructor during a test;
4. Either impersonating another student during a test or having another person assume one's identity during a test.
5. Changing answers on a previously graded test in order to have a grade revised;
6. Stealing examination materials.
7. Copying material, either exactly or in essence, and not providing appropriate documentation;
8. Copying or falsifying a laboratory or clinical project/assignment, including computer programs, in either disk or hard copy form;
9. Allowing someone else to compose or rewrite a student's assignment;
10. Stealing, buying, selling, or otherwise providing research papers.

As with other violations of student conduct, cheating and/or plagiarism may result in disciplinary action.

AI Statement

Lamar Institute of Technology (LIT) recognizes that recent advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI), such as ChatGPT, have changed the landscape of many career disciplines and will impact many students in and out of the classroom. To prepare students for their selected careers, LIT desires to guide students in the ethical use of these technologies and incorporate AI into classroom instruction and assignments appropriately. Appropriate use of these technologies is at the discretion of the instructor. Students are reminded that all submitted work must be their own original work unless otherwise specified. Students should contact their instructor with any questions as to the acceptable use of AI/ChatGPT in their courses.

Grievance Procedure

1. Students should first attempt to resolve grievances locally and informally through discussion with campus officials. Students should first discuss grievances with the campus individuals with whom they have an unresolved issue. If the issue remains unresolved, the student should discuss the unresolved issue with the immediate supervisor.
   1. For Academic issues: The student should first discuss the issue with the instructor, then the department chair, Dean of Instruction and finally the Provost/Vice President of Instruction.
   2. For Non-academic issues: The student should first discuss the issue with the campus individual they have an issue, then their immediate supervisor, Associate Vice President of Student Services and finally Provost/Vice President of Instruction.
2. Each official, upon receipt of an issue or concern, shall investigate the circumstances (to include interviews with the individuals involved where necessary) and shall attempt to resolve the problem. If unable to do so, the official will refer the matter to the next higher level of responsibility.
3. If the issue or concern is not settled at the departmental level within 10 working days, then the issue shall be referred in writing to a vice president. Regardless whether the unresolved issue is academic or non-academic in nature, the referral will be forwarded to the Provost/Vice President of Instruction.
4. The Provost/Vice President of Instruction will review the issue. If the issue remains unresolved, the vice president may recommend to the President the appointment of a Special Board to conduct a formal administrative hearing as the basis for final action by the President.
5. The basis on which a grade was awarded may not be challenged under this grievance procedure. The accuracy of recording the grade may, however, be challenged.

Campus Carry

Campus Carry Policy, (Texas Senate Bill 11)

Any person, who holds a valid license to carry a handgun, is permitted to carry a concealed handgun anywhere on Lamar Institute of Technology (LIT) campus, including buildings, unless prohibited by state or federal law, or LIT policy.

Gang-Free Zone

Texas Penal Code Section 71.028 establishes Gang-Free Zones. Lamar Institute of Technology, as an institution of higher education is considered a gang-free zone. The punishment for Engaging in Organized Criminal Activity through the commission or conspiracy to commit certain offenses (identified in Penal Code Section 71.02 (a)(1), (4), or (7)) is increased to the punishment prescribed for the next highest category of offense if the actor is seventeen years of age or older and it is shown beyond a reasonable doubt on the trial of the offense that the actor committed the offense at a location that was in, on, or within 1,000 feet of any premises owned, rented, or leased by an institution of higher education, or on a school bus.

Hazing

Lamar Institute of Technology shall not tolerate hazing, as defined below, at or on any LIT property or at any LIT-sponsored or affiliated event, either on or off campus.

1. Hazing means any action or situation which recklessly or intentionally endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of initiation or admission into or affiliation with any organization operating under the sanction of the Institute, hereafter referred to as "Institute organization." Hazing shall include, but not be limited to, any brutality of a physical nature, such as whipping, beating, branding, forced coalitionist, exposure to the elements, forced consumption of any food, liquor, drug, or other substance, or any other forced physical activity which could adversely affect the physical health or safety of the individual. Hazing shall include any activity which would subject the individual to extreme mental stress, such as sleep deprivation, forced exclusion from social contact, forced conduct which could result in extreme embarrassment, or any other forced activity which could adversely affect the mental health or dignity of the individual. For purposes of this rule, any activity as described above upon which the initiation or admission into or affiliation with a college organization is directly or indirectly conditioned shall be presumed to be a forced activity, the willingness of an individual to participate in such activity notwithstanding.
2. This rule shall apply to students and LIT organizations, including acting through other persons associated with an Institute organization who are not students.
3. Violations of this rule by individual students shall be enforced in accordance with the Institute's Disciplinary Policy.
4. Violations of this rule may subject an individual student to the following penalties: a. Minor violations disciplinary probation; and b. Major or repeated minor violations suspensions or dismissal.
5. Any LIT organization, as an organization or through any person associated with an Institute organization, which authorizes or participates in hazing in blatant disregard of his rule shall be penalized as follows: a. Minor violations probation from operation as an Institute organization; and b. Major or repeated violations suspension or rescission of the authority for such organization to operate on college property or operate under the sanction of the college. Organizational violations shall be handled by the AVP of Student Services. In addition, hazing may subject an individual or organization to criminal penalties under Texas law.
6. In determining whether a hazing violation is "minor" or "major" in scope, the primary consideration will be the presences of or potential for serious physical or emotional harm to the victim of the hazing.
7. All LIT organizations are required to include the above anti-hazing rule in the bylaws of such organization.

Official Summons

An official summons takes precedence over other LIT activities of the student and should be answered promptly on the day and hour designated. Failure to heed an official summons may subject the student to serious disciplinary action.

Student Travel 

Lamar Institute of Technology sanctioned travel is defined as travel more than 25 miles away from campus, which occurs when any of the following applies:

• An LIT student organization or sponsored program plans to travel and the travel related event is representative of LIT.
• The travel is required by a student organization registered at LIT;
• A faculty or staff member serving in his or her official capacity super vises the travel; or
• Institutional, departmental or organizations resources are used (includes vehicles as well as financial resources).

Student travel must abide by requirements and guidelines established in LIT policies and procedures.

Pregnancy and Parenting Students' Support

Under Section 51.982 of the Texas Education Code, Title 3. Higher Education, Subtitle A. Higher Education in General, Chapter 51. Provisions Generally Applicable to Higher Education, Subchapter Z. Miscellaneous Provisions, LIT will "provide reasonable accommodations to a pregnant student, including accommodations that:

1. would be provided to a student with a temporary medical condition; or
2. are related to the health and safety of the student and the student's unborn child, such as allowing the student to maintain a safe distance from substances, areas, and activities known to be hazardous to pregnant women or unborn children."

Lamar Institute of Technology is committed to providing a welcoming learning environment for pregnant and parenting students through policies that protect academic rights guaranteed under federal and state law as stipulated in Policy 8.38  of LIT's Policy and Procedure Manual. Here's what you need to know:

• Accommodations: If you have a pregnancy-related impairment that is considered a disability under The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) you are entitled to reasonable support measures.
  • These support measures may include, but not limited to:
  • More frequent restroom breaks
  • Seating closer to the door
  • Larger desk
  • Provide a stool

Please contact our Coordinator of Special Populations for further questions on accommodations.

Coordinator of Special Populations

Office Location:

855 E. Lavaca St.

Beaumont, TX 77710

Eagle's Nest

Phone Number: (409) 257-0046

E-mail: specialpopulations@lit.edu

• Leave & Absences - Students must be allowed to take time off of school for pregnancy, childbirth, miscarriage, abortion and/or recovery for as long as their doctor says is medically necessary. That could mean a few absences for necessary medical appointments, or a longer leave of absence for a high-risk pregnancy or childbirth. This rule applies even if taking medically necessary leave would require an absence for longer than the school's leave policy ordinarily allows. Students cannot be penalized for taking leave and must be able to return to school in the same status they held before taking leave.

• Make Up Work - Professors may require you to complete missed assignments or other work to make up for missed participation, but the make-up work should be comparable with the work given to other students, not extra. When setting timelines for make-up or missed work, professors need to treat leave as leave; for example, assignment deadlines should not be the day you return. This means at least the same amount of time as other students, even beyond the semester schedule if necessary.

• Participation Grades/Credits - If a teacher's grading is based in part on class attendance or participation, the student should be allowed to earn the credits she missed so that she can be reinstated to the status she had before the leave.

• Doctor's Note - If your professor requires other students who have "excused" absences to provide a doctor's note, they can ask you to provide one as well. Be sure your doctor clearly states that the absence is/was medically necessary.

• Financial Aid - Taking leave may have an impact on your student loans, depending on your registration status during your time off. Schools cannot terminate or reduce merit or need-based scholarships because of pregnancy.

Be sure to meet with the financial aid office before taking any extended absence and ask about your financial aid status for details about your particular situation.

Financial Aid

Office Location:

855 E. Lavaca St.

Beaumont, TX 77710

Eagle's Nest

Phone Number: (409) 880-2137

E-mail: finaidoffice@lit.edu

• Admissions - Schools can't require a pregnant student to produce a doctor's note in order to stay in school or participate in activities, unless the same requirement to obtain a doctor's note applies to all students being treated by a doctor. Schools cannot presume that a pregnant student is unable to attend school or participate in school activities.

Employees, students, or associated third parties cannot discourage your participation in the school's programs.

• Breastfeeding - Lamar Institute of Technology is pleased to provide a Lactation Room in the Eagle's Nest to meet the needs of parents with babies. Lactation Rooms provide a private place to nurse, pump, bottle feed, and change a diaper.

If your class is scheduled when you need to nurse or pump, your absence should be excused, and you should not be penalized for your time away. This means your grade cannot be lowered due to poor attendance, you must be given the ability to make up any work missed, and you must be able to get the information you missed as well. You may need to provide a doctor's note stating that it is medically necessary for you to pump on a certain schedule.

• Report Discrimination - If you've experienced any discrimination due to pregnancy or parenting, you're encouraged to submit a report regardless of whether or not you would like to follow through with the grievance process. Be sure to contact the Special Populations Coordinator to report any discrimination.