Student Rights & Responsibilities

All students who are enrolled on any of the three University of Washington campuses (Tacoma, Seattle, or Bothell) are held accountable to the Student Conduct Code. The Student Conduct Code outlines both the expectations for behavior and the procedures for handling violations of the conduct code.

The University has also developed two companion policies, Student Governance Policy, Chapter 209 and Chapter 210, which explain how student conduct proceedings work and a student’s rights in the process.

• Chapter 209 – Academic misconduct, alcohol and drug violations, computer abuses, bullying and other prohibited conduct.
• Chapter 210 – Sexual assault, discriminatory and sexual harassment, intimate partner violence, stalking and other prohibited conduct.

Contact Office of Student Conduct & Academic Integrity for additional support.

Academic Misconduct

Admission to the University of Washington carries the expectation that students will conduct themselves as responsible members of the academic community. All students assume responsibility to observe standards of conduct that will contribute to the pursuit of academic goals and to the welfare of the academic community. This responsibility includes practicing high standards of academic and professional honesty and integrity, and complying with the rules, regulations, procedures, policies, standards of conduct, and orders of the university and its schools, colleges, and departments.

Behavioral Misconduct

Students must respect the rights, privileges, and property of other members of the academic community and visitors to the campus, and refrain from any conduct that would interfere with university functions or endanger the health, welfare, or safety of other persons. Students should be familiar with the Student Conduct Code.

Off-Campus Misconduct

The University shall have the authority to hold students accountable under the Student Conduct Code for certain off-campus behavior (i.e., behavior that does not occur on university premises or in the context of a university-sponsored event or activity) that directly affects an University interest, or has continuing adverse effects or may create a hostile environment on University premises or in the context of a University-sponsored program or activity.

Sexual Harassment Complaint Procedure

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is a federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, pregnant or parenting status, and LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer) identity. Sexual violence and harassment is a form of discrimination.

Students, staff and faculty members and other users of university services who have a concern or complaint regarding sexual harassment should contact the Title IX Office. The Title IX Office provides options for reporting sexual violence and harassment, and resources and support for victims of sexual violence and harassment.

Computer Use and Software Copyright Policy

All faculty, staff and students are responsible for using university computer resources in an ethical and legal manner. For example, it is not appropriate to share computer accounts or use them for commercial purposes, to send unwanted email, or to distribute copyrighted software, music or images. Those who do not follow the rules could lose their UW computing privileges. For detailed information, see the UW Information Technology website.

Release of Student Directory Information

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) protects the privacy of student educational records. However, the following information is considered public or directory information and may be released to anyone unless the student requests otherwise: name, street address, email address, telephone number, date of birth, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received, major and minor field(s) of studies, class, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, most recent previous educational agency or institution attended by the student, and for students who are members of intercollegiate athletic teams, weight and height.

If a student chooses not to authorize release of directory information, they can restrict this information using MyUW. Except under provisions of the USA Patriot Act of 2001 or a lawfully-issued subpoena, no information will be released on students who have restricted release of directory information, including degrees awarded and dates of attendance.

Currently enrolled students may submit a one-time request for their own education records to be provisioned to themselves. The one-time records request is submitted to the Office of the Registrar.

Complete details regarding FERPA and students’ rights concerning educational records are available from the Office of the Registrar.

Student Education Records

As a general rule, the University will not release a student’s education records to a third party without the written consent of the student. This includes tuition account information. The complete university policy on student education records and the location of such records may be found in the Washington Administrative Code under WAC 478-140-024.