University of North Texas at Dallas College of Law General Catalog*

Catalog goes into effect at the beginning of the Fall 2018 semester.

Program requirements are subject to necessary corrections.

*Subject to change

About the Catalog

This catalog is an official bulletin of the UNT Dallas College of Law. It includes policies, regulations, procedures, and information in effect at the time of release.

The provisions of this catalog are intended to provide general information and do not constitute a contract, express or implied, between UNT Dallas College of Law and a student, an applicant for admission, or other individual. Although the catalog contains policies, regulations, procedures, and fees in effect at the time of publishing, information provided in this catalog is subject to change. The College of Law reserves the right to change any provision of this catalog at any time and without notice. Changes will become effective whenever determined by the appropriate College of Law official and may apply to both prospective students and those currently enrolled. Every effort will be made to keep students advised of any such changes. Information on such changes will be available in the Office of the Registrar. It is the responsibility of each student to be aware of College of Law rules, regulations, policies, and current graduation requirements for particular degree programs.

The online version of The University of North Texas at Dallas College of Law Catalog is the official version. The online catalog will be updated periodically and will contain all major policy changes that occur during the 2018-2019 catalog cycle. Although this catalog was prepared on the basis of the best information available at the time, and the information is updated regularly, users are cautioned about the following:

• Editorial, clerical, and programming errors may have occurred in the publication of this website, and The University of North Texas at Dallas College of Law assumes no responsibility for such errors.
• There is a lag time between approved changes and their publication on this website.

Students are held individually responsible for complying with all requirements of the rules and regulations of the University and the Board of Regents of The University of North Texas System. Failure to read and comply with policies, regulations, and procedures will not exempt a student from whatever penalties the student may incur.

Students are urged to read this catalog carefully. This catalog does not include all of the College of Law rules, regulations, and policies for which a student is responsible. Students also should consult other publications, such as the Student Handbook, the Honor Code, the Code of Student Conduct, and other specific policies or contracts. This catalog becomes effective on the first day of the fall term/semester, 2018.

The Policies of the UNT Dallas College of Law supersede any inconsistent information published in this catalog or any other College of Law publication. These are available on the College of Law’s website as well as on the UNT Dallas website.

If you have questions about catalog content or how to use the catalog, please contact the Office of the Registrar at the University of North Texas at Dallas College of Law.

Accreditation

American Bar Association

UNT Dallas College of Law is provisionally approved by the American Bar Association’s Council of the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar. Provisional accreditation is effective June 3, 2017. Graduates of a provisionally approved law school are considered by the ABA to be graduates of an ABA-approved law school and are eligible to sit for most state bar exams, including in the State of Texas.

The Accreditation Process

The national accrediting body for U.S. legal education is the Council of the American Bar Association’s Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar. The standards and process for accreditation are set out in the ABA Standards and Rules of Procedure for Approval of Law Schools. These standards and procedures, as administered by the Council, are aimed at ensuring the quality and professionalism of law schools.

The ABA requires a new law school to successfully complete its first academic year operating a full-time program of legal education before applying for provisional accreditation. The College of Law began its first academic year in fall 2014 and filed its application for provisional accreditation in fall 2015.  Graduates of a provisionally approved law school are considered by the ABA to be graduates of an ABA-approved law school and are eligible to sit for most state bar exams, including in the State of Texas.

Once a school gains provisional approval, it remains on provisional status for at least three years during which time it is monitored closely by the Council. Under the ABA Standards, a provisionally approved law school may apply for full approval no earlier than two years after receiving provisional approval and must obtain full approval within five years after receiving provisional approval.

Having received provisional approval, the College of Law will work hard to establish that it is in full compliance with the ABA Rules and Standards in order to become fully approved by the ABA. Of course, we cannot guarantee that the College of Law will achieve full approval by a particular date.

Our Commitment

The UNT Dallas College of Law will seek full approval according to the timeline and requirements of the ABA. Under the ABA Standards, a provisionally approved law school cannot apply for full approval for two years after it receives provisional approval and must obtain full approval prior to expiration of the five-year provisional approval status. This means the UNT Dallas College of Law may apply for full approval as early as June 2017 and as late as June 2021.   The Dean and administration of the UNT Dallas College of Law are committed to devoting the necessary resources, and in other respects, taking all appropriate steps to provide a program of legal education that will qualify for full approval by the ABA. The College of Law does not make any representation to any applicant that it will be fully approved by the ABA before the graduation of any matriculating student.

Questions concerning ABA accreditation may be directed to the Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar, American Bar Association, 321 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654 or call (312) 988-6738.

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

The UNT Dallas College of Law initially was a professional school of the UNT System. In July 2013, UNT Dallas received separate regional accreditation from the SACSCOC. In 2015, UNT Dallas College of Law and UNT Dallas gained SACSCOC approval to modify the scope of UNT Dallas to include the College of Law. September 1, 2015 is the effective date of the merger between UNT Dallas and the UNT Dallas College of Law. After the merger, UNT Dallas College of Law falls within the scope of the SACSCOC accreditation of UNT Dallas. Hence, UNT Dallas is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award baccalaureate, masters, and doctoral degrees. Contact SACSCOC at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call (404) 679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of The University of North Texas at Dallas.

Diversity and Equal Opportunity

The UNT Dallas College of Law seeks to create an atmosphere of openness and tolerance and to maintain work and education environments that offer equal opportunity. Individuals within the College of Law community are unified by the purposes of learning and professional development and by values of respect for human worth and dignity. The College of Law encourages and supports open discussion, rational resolution of conflict, and discussion and examination of values and ethics.

Discrimination and harassment based on individual differences such as race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or sexual orientation in its educational programs, activities, admission, or employment practices is inconsistent with the College of Law’s mission and educational goals. Harassment is defined as an unwelcome action directed at a person or group of persons because of race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or sexual orientation that adversely affects a term, condition, or privilege of the work or educational environment.  Individuals who work, study, live, and teach within this community are expected to refrain from behavior that threatens the freedom, safety, and respect deserved by every community member and to comply with federal and state equal opportunity laws and regulations. Such compliance is required by College of Law policy, and is a baseline from which our community works to assure fairness and equity to all who pursue their educational and professional goals here.

For further detail, please consult UNT Dallas Policy 5.002.

In accordance with PJ3A standard 509(b)(3) disclosure requirements, UNT Dallas Collage of Law does not offer conditional scholarships. “Conditional Scholarship” means any financial aid award, the retention of which is dependent upon the student maintaining a minimum grade point average or class standing, other than that ordinarily required to remain in good academic standing.

Tuition and Fee Payment

Credit card payments (MasterCard, Visa, American Express and Discover) and check payments may be made through self-service at the myLaw student portal. Tuition and fee payments also may be made by personal check, money order, or cashier’s check. The student identification number must be recorded on all check and money order payments made in person.

Bills are not mailed for registration. Account balances and schedule information may be obtained through self-service at the myLaw student portal.

Cash Payments

Cash payments are not accepted. Please do not mail cash payments.

Installment Payment Plan

The Texas Legislature has the authority to modify or eliminate installment payment of tuition at each regular or called legislative session.

The UNT Dallas College of Law provides for the payment of tuition and fees during the fall and spring terms/semesters through the following alternatives:

• Full payment of tuition and fees upon registration or by the payment deadline for early registration;

or

• Selection of the installment plan. By selecting the installment plan, the student understands that the installment plan is a contractual agreement and he or she agrees to make the installment payments by the due dates indicated.

Tuition and fees must be paid in full for each registration period or by the payment deadline for early registration. Tuition payment by installment is not offered during the summer.

Non-Refundable Fees for Tuition by Installment

• Handling fee: $20
  • A $20 non-refundable handling fee will be charged to the student’s account each semester the installment plan is selected.

A student who fails to make payment of tuition and fees (including any incidental fees) by the due date may be prohibited from registering for classes until full payment is made. A student who fails to make payment prior to the end of the semester/session may be denied credit for the work done that semester/session.

See the academic calendar for each semester for installment payment deadlines.

Student Financial Obligation Agreement

Each semester, prior to registering for classes, students are required to accept the Student Financial Obligation Agreement. For additional information, each student should check his or her online student portal.

Tuition and Fees Refund Policy

Fee Adjustments for Courses Dropped and Added

A student may drop courses during the first 12 class days of a fall or spring semester (first four class days of a summer session). However, between the 6th and 12th class days, students may only drop classes with permission of the Associate Dean. A student may add courses during the first 7 class days of a fall or spring semester. Full refunds will be given for courses dropped during these periods, provided the student remains enrolled in at least one class. Refunds will not be issued for withdrawn classes after the 12th class day (Census Day). Any credit balance on a student account as a result of dropping courses will not be refunded until after the Census Day. As of the first day of the semester, students may not use the drop/add process to drop all of their courses, but instead must go to the College of Law Associate Dean for Academic Affairs to initiate withdrawal or leave of absence.

Withdrawal from the College of Law

Once the College of Law has accepted payment for tuition and fees, a student is considered officially enrolled unless otherwise restricted from enrolling.

Stopping payment on a check for tuition and fees or allowing the check to be returned unpaid by the bank for any reason does not constitute official withdrawal. The withdrawal process is done in the office of the College of Law Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. A withdrawal form will be issued in the office of Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, explaining the process to withdraw from the College of Law. Failure to follow procedures for withdrawing from the College of Law may result in financial penalties and delays with future enrollment. Once a student registers, he or she is responsible for the total fees assessed regardless of whether the installment option is used. Refund percentages are applied to total fees assessed and not the amount paid. This means that students who withdraw before paying all installments may, in the event of withdrawal, still owe the College of Law.

Calculation of tuition and fee refunds due to withdrawal are based on all charges the College of Law has assessed the student. Any credit balance on a student account as a result of officially withdrawing from the College of Law may be held for 30 days after the official withdrawal date. The reason for the delay is so that all charges may be totaled from various departments and applied to the refund.

Tuition and Fee Adjustments

Tuition and fee adjustments shall be made to students officially withdrawing from the University for charges listed below according to the following refund schedule:

Satisfactory Academic Progress

In institutions of higher education, students must maintain “satisfactory academic progress” (SAP) to remain eligible for financial aid from federal, state, institutional, and some private sources. In addition, the UNT Dallas College of Law expects students to make satisfactory academic progress toward the J.D. degree. The requirements of SAP supplement and do not supercede other academic policies, such as policies relating to probation and dismissal.

Timing and Requirements

Students will be evaluated with respect to SAP at the end of each semester. To maintain satisfactory academic progress at the College of Law, students must meet the following requirements. These requirements apply to all full-time and part-time students, whether or not the student is receiving financial aid:

• Minimum Cumulative GPA students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.
• Complete greater than two-thirds of cumulative attempted credits. Students must successfully complete greater than 66 percent of their cumulative attempted credits.
• Maximum time for completion of program. Students must complete their law degree requirements within 150 percent of the normal time to completion.

Failure to Meet SAP; Appeal Process

A student who fails to meet satisfactory academic progress is placed on financial aid suspension. A student on financial aid suspension is not eligible to receive financial aid unless the student successfully appeals the financial aid suspension.

A student may appeal his or her financial aid suspension on any of the following grounds: personal illness or injury; death of a relative; or other circumstances that affected the student’s ability to meet the requirements of satisfactory academic progress. To appeal the financial aid suspension, a student should obtain and complete the appeal form and materials, and submit them before June 1 (for summer term) or before August 1 (for fall term). The appeal form will be available on the website.

An appeal might be denied, granted, or granted upon the condition that the student will follow a specified academic plan. If the appeal is granted or granted with an academic plan condition, the student will receive a probationary term.

Academic Calendars, Policies and Procedures

Academic Calendars

The Registrar’s Office is committed to providing information for a seamless law school experience. Vital information such as the academic calendar, the registration and enrollment policies and information, and the class schedule come directly from the Registrar’s office.

Academic Standing

For students matriculating in 2014 or 2015: If a student who is on academic probation does not reach a cumulative GPA of 2.000 by the end of the next regular semester, the student will be academically dismissed.

For students matriculating in 2016 or after: If a student who is on academic probation does not reach a cumulative GPA of 2.300 by the end of the next regular semester, the student will be academically dismissed. (This does not apply to students who are academically dismissed under the provision for Academic Dismissal After First Semester.)

Dismissal after First Semester

After the first semester of the first-year of studies at the College of Law, any student (whether full-time or part-time) whose grade point average is less than 1.700 will be academically dismissed. This dismissal is final. There is no appeal of the dismissal, and the dismissal is not subject to any petition for an additional semester on probation. 

Academic Oversight

At the end of each semester, any student who is not on academic probation yet who has a cumulative grade point average in the bottom third of the class will be on Academic Oversight. A student on Academic Oversight is in good academic standing. The purpose of Academic Oversight is to serve as a mechanism to help ensure that students maximize their chances of improving academic success through appropriate resources.

A student on Academic Oversight must meet with an Academic Success Advisor for academic counseling and participate in the academic success plan resulting from the meeting. The plan may include, for instance, additional meetings with the Academic Success Advisor, one-on-one work with Academic Success faculty or staff, or activities aimed at enhancing skills and knowledge. If the student fails to comply with this academic counseling requirement, the student will not be allowed to register for the next term without the written approval of the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs. 

Academic Probation

At the end of any semester in which the student is not in good academic standing as set out under the subsection on Academic Standing, the student will be placed on academic probation. (This does not apply to students who are academically dismissed under the provision for Academic Dismissal After First Semester.) Any student who is on academic probation will meet with the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs or his or her designee. (Another member or members of the faculty, administration, or staff might also attend the meeting as appropriate.) The purpose of the meeting will be to develop an academic success plan to maximize the student’s chances of avoiding academic dismissal and improving academic success beyond that level.

Academic Dismissal

If a student who is on academic probation does not reach good academic standing by the end of the next regular semester, the student will be academically dismissed. (This does not apply to students who are academically dismissed under the provision for Academic Dismissal After First Semester). A student who is academically dismissed is not eligible to be enrolled in the College of Law. If a student is enrolled in one or more courses when dismissed, the Registrar will withdraw the student from the course(s).

A student who has received notice of academic dismissal may submit, to the Academic Standards Committee, a Petition for Eligibility to Continue on Probation.  Such a petition must be filed within thirty (30) calendar days after the student has received notice of academic dismissal.

Students should not assume or expect that the petition will be granted. This is not for punitive reasons, but because it is not fair or appropriate to allow students to continue a course of study in which they are not likely to be successful. A petition may be granted only if the student establishes the following: (1) that the student’s inability to remain academically eligible resulted from exceptional circumstances; (2) that the circumstances resulting in the student’s academic suspension have been remedied and will not prevent the student from attaining academic good standing; (3) that the student is capable of attaining good academic standing; and (4) that the student complied with the requirements of the academic success plan developed after probation. The Committee may set conditions for the student’s continued enrollment on probation, including reduction in course work and specific academic success programming.

A student’s petition must include supporting documentation, including but not limited to the student’s law school academic transcript for all semesters attended and any Academic Success Plan documents the student can obtain. The Academic standards Committee will likely review some or all of the petitioner’s Academic Success Plan documents, including in particular any documents showing whether the student complied with any Academic Success Plan. The petition should include the number of hours worked during each semester in attendance at the UNT Dallas College of Law. This listing of documents and information in support of a student’s petition is not exclusive. The student bears the burden to supply the Academic Standards Committee with documents and information sufficient to demonstrate the student meets the criteria to continue or resume his or her studies at the UNT Dallas College of law.  Upon receiving the petition, the Committee may request additional information.

A successful petition may result in one of the following:

• The student continues his or her studies on academic probation for an additional semester or for a period of time determined by the Committee. In such a case, the student will be required to retake all required courses in which the student received a grade of F.
• The student retakes all courses, including courses in which the student did not receive a grade of F.

In addition, the Academic Standards Committee may set conditions for the student’s continued enrollment, including reduction in course work and specific academic success programming.

The Committee may make its decision without personal appearance from the applicant.  The decision of the Committee is final and there is no appeal of its decision.

Re-Admission to the College of Law

If a student has been academically dismissed from the College of Law and seeks readmission to the College of Law, the student may not seek admission through the regular Admissions process. Rather, such a student may return to studies at the College of Law only by filing, with the Academic Standards Committee, a Petition for Re-Admission.  Students should not assume or expect that the petition will be granted. This is not for punitive reasons, but because it is not fair or appropriate to allow students to take a course of study in which they are not likely to be successful. A petition may be granted only if the student establishes the following: (1) that the student’s academic dismissal resulted from exceptional circumstances; (2) that the circumstances resulting in the student’s academic dismissal have been remedied and will not prevent the student from maintaining academic good standing; (3) that the student is capable of maintaining good academic standing; and (4) that the student complied with the requirements of the academic success plan during the time they were in law school.

A student’s petition must include supporting documentation, including but not limited to the student’s law school academic transcript for all semesters attended and any Academic Success Plan documents the student can obtain. The Academic Standards Committee will likely review some or all of the petitioner’s Academic Success Plan documents, including in particular any documents showing whether the student complied with any Academic Success Plan. The petition should include the number of hours worked during each semester in attendance at the UNT Dallas College of Law. This listing of documents and information in support of a student’s petition is not exclusive. The student bears the burden to supply the Academic Standards Committee with documents and information sufficient to demonstrate the student will succeed at the UNT Dallas College of Law.  Upon receiving the petition, the Committee may request additional information. If the petition is granted, the Committee may set conditions for the student’s enrollment, including limits on course hours and specific academic success programming.

The Committee may make its decision without personal appearance from the applicant. Before re-admission, however, the Committee must determine that the applicant has satisfied the then-current admission requirements for applicants who previously attended law school in adition to the requirements identified above. The Committee’s decision to readmit a studdent must be unanimous. The decision of the Committee is final and there is no appeal of its decision.

Attendance

Under College of Law policy and consistent with ABA Standards, the College of Law requires regular and punctual class attendance. Attendance will be taken in all classes.

Minimum Attendance Threshold 

Excused Absences

Pregnancy and Childbirth

An absence is excused when it is due to pregnancy or related conditions, including recovery from childbirth, for as long as the student’s doctor deems the absences to be medically necessary. When the student returns to school, she will be reinstated to the status she held when the leave began, which includes giving her the opportunity to make up any work missed. The College of Law may offer the student alternatives to making up missed work, such as retaking a semester, or allowing the student additional time in a program to continue at the same pace and finish at a later date, especially after longer periods of leave. The student should be allowed to choose from the alternatives presented by the professor as to how to make up the work.

The policies and practices of individual professors may not discriminate against pregnant students. For example, a professor may not refuse to allow a student to submit work after a deadline that she missed because of absences due to pregnancy or childbirth. Additionally, if the professor’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.

Exception

Students may seek an exception to or waiver of the minimum attendance threshold by submitting a request in writing to the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs. The Associate Dean may allow a waiver only after consultation with the course instructor and only for compelling and unusual circumstances.

Taking Classes outside the Enrolled Division

Transferring Between the Full-Time and Part-Time Division

When students enroll at the College of Law, they enter in either the full-time day division or the part-time evening division. This is the student’s “entering division.” After completion of the required course work in the first two academic semesters, students may apply to transfer from the part-time division to the full-time division or vice versa. In order to transfer, the student must complete the Divisional Transfer Form, with all necessary signatures, no less than two weeks prior to the end of the preceding term.

A student may transfer for three reasons:

1. Elective: The student chooses to transfer divisions. A student may only use the Elective Transfer option once in his or her law school career.
2. Major Life Event: A recent major life event has affected the student’s ability to continue in the student’s entering division. This must be supported by the Descriptive Statement attached to the Divisional Transfer Form.
3. Administrative: If a student does not adhere to the requirements of the student’s division, the student may be transferred by administrative decision of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, with or without the student’s consent.

A student who transfers divisions must take all lockstep required courses in the same order as the student’s originally enrolled division, following the policy on prerequisites. The student must take each lockstep required course within one semester of when the student would have taken the course had he or she not transferred divisions. Lockstep required courses include the following courses: 

• Contracts
• Torts
• Civil Procedure I & II
• Criminal Law
• Property (or Property I and II)
• Legal Writing and Research (or Legal Writing I and II and Legal Research)
• Legal Methods
• Professionalism and Practice of Law
• Practice Foundations I: Interviewing and Counseling
• Practice Foundations II: Negotiation and Conflict Management
• Constitutional Law
• Capstone

Disability Accommodation

Eligibility

Requesting Disability Accommodation and/or Auxiliary Aids and Services

1. Students must submit a request for accommodation and/or auxiliary aids and services to the Assistant Dean of Students using the Disability Accommodation Request form. In addition, students must provide relevant and complete written documentation of a disability for which accommodation is requested, including:
2. A diagnostic statement from an appropriate professional identifying the disability, date of the current diagnostic evaluation, and the date of the original diagnosis.
3. A description of the current functional impact of the disability.
4. Treatments, medications, assistive devices, or services currently prescribed.
5. The relevant credentials of the diagnosing professional(s) such as medical specialty and professional licensure.

Guidelines and forms for completing documentation are available on the College of Law website.

1. Documentation Guidelines
2. Disability Accommodation Request form
3. Physical Disability Documentation form
4. ADD/ADHD Documentation form
5. Psychological Disability Documentation form
6. Documentation Requirements for Other Learning Disabilities

Determination

A determination of whether accommodations or auxiliary aids or services are appropriate will follow after an individual assessment of a student’s written documentation and a personal meeting with the student. Among the factors to be considered in determining appropriate accommodations or auxiliary aids and services are:

1. The nature of the student’s disability.
2. Accommodations, auxiliary aids, or services that have worked for the student in the past.
3. Whether the requested accommodation, auxiliary aids, or services will allow the student to effectively access and participate in the course or academic program.
4. Whether the requested accommodation, auxiliary aids, or services will alter the essential requirements of the course or program.

The College of Law is not required to alter or modify a course or academic program to the extent that it changes the fundamental nature of that course or program. Decisions regarding accommodations or auxiliary aids and services may require consultation with College of Law faculty or administrators to consider the fundamental nature of a course or academic program.

Notification

The student will be notified in writing of the status of the request and the proposed date for a final determination.

Accommodations or Auxiliary Aids and Services Requiring Cooperation of Faculty

Certain accommodations or use of auxiliary aids and services may require cooperation from a faculty member who teaches a class in which a student is enrolled.

As early as possible in a semester, a student who has been approved for accommodation or use of auxiliary aids and services should seek a confidential meeting with the faculty member to show the faculty member the written approval of the accommodation, aids, or services, and to make arrangements for implementation of the approved accommodation, auxiliary aid, or services. 

The faculty member may not disclose the student’s disability to any other student or faculty member without the consent of the student. Faculty members may not deny an approved accommodation without consulting the Assistant Dean of Students to consider alternate means to accommodate a student’s disability.

For more detail on Disability Accommodation, see UNT Dallas Policy 7.004.

Class Ranking

Classification of Students

Course Load

Maximum Course Load

Full-time Division

A student enrolled in the full-time division may not register for more than sixteen credit hours in a fall or spring semester or for more than nine credit hours in a summer session without permission of the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs. In accordance with ABA Standards, all students are prohibited from registering for coursework that exceeds 20 percent of the total credit hours required for graduation.

Part-time Division

A student enrolled in the part-time division may not register for more than twelve credit hours in a fall or spring semester or for more than seven credit hours in a summer session without permission of the Assistant Dean for Student Affairs. Permission will not be granted for a student enrolled in the part­ time division to register for more than thirteen credit hours in a fall or spring semester or for more than eight credit hours in a summer session.

Correction of Excessive Course Loads

A student who enrolls for more than the permissible number of hours will be withdrawn from a course or courses until his or her registration complies with the maximum load requirements. The choice of courses from which the student will be withdrawn is in the sole discretion of the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs. If the overload is not discovered until after grades have been given for the courses, the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs may withdraw the student from a sufficient number of courses in that semester or session to bring the course load into compliance.

Minimum Course Load 

Full-time Division

A student enrolled in the full-time division may not register for fewer than thirteen credit hours in a fall or spring semester, generally. A student enrolled in the full­ time division who wishes to enroll in between eight and twelve credit hours must obtain permission of the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs or his or her designee, but does not need to file a petition for the Reduction of Minimum Hours.

Part-time Division

A student enrolled in the part-time division may not register for fewer than eight credit hours in a fall or spring semester, generally.

Petition for the Reduction of Minimum Hours

A student wishing to enroll in fewer than eight credit hours in a fall or spring semester must submit a Petition for the Reduction of Minimum Hours to the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs or his or her designee. A petition will only be granted if there is a showing of extenuating circumstances. A student may only submit such a petition twice during the student’s tenure at UNT Dallas College of Law.

Distance Learning

No student may be permitted to count more than 15 credit hours from distance learning courses toward the J D degree, whether through courses taken at UNT Dallas College of Law or credits transferred from another institution. No student will be permitted to enroll in a distance learning course, or receive transfer credit from a distance learning course, until the student has accumulated at least 28 credit hours toward the JD degree. No student will be permitted to enroll in more than 6 credit hours of distance learning courses in a single term.

Credit for Non-Law Courses Taken Through the UNT System

With advance approval, students may enroll in up to two graduate courses in the UNT Dallas Graduate School or UNT Toulouse Graduate School for up to six credits toward law school graduation. Approval will be granted only if the student, through the exercise of due diligence, cannot take a course containing substantially the same subject matter at the College of Law. Alternatively, with advance approval, students may enroll in up to two undergraduate courses at UNT Dallas or UNT for up to six credits toward law school graduation. Approval will be granted only if the courses are (a) part of foreign language sequence for which credit is granted toward an undergraduate degree; or (b) computer science courses which meet the technological competency requirement. A maximum of six hours of credit toward the JD degree will be awarded for any non-law school courses taken through the UNT System. Although grades received in non-law school courses will not be computed in a student’s grade point average, the student must earn a “B” or higher in each course to receive credit. Students on academic probation are not eligible to take non-law school courses through the UNT System. Non-law school courses taken through the UNT System will count toward the maximum number of transfer credits allowed.

Transfer Credit for Visits to an ABA-Approved Law School

Students enrolled in the College of Law may seek the transfer of credit taken at an ABA-approved law school. The maximum credit that the College of Law may allow to be transferred is 30 hours of Semester Credit Hours. Any student who is considering taking coursework from an ABA-approved school and who anticipates seeking to transfer credit for that coursework must first receive pre-approval of the course or courses from the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs of the College of Law. In determining whether credit may be transferred for the coursework, two decisions will be made. One is whether the course(s) will receive transfer credit. The second is whether the course(s) will receive transfer credit as an elective course, or as a required course within College of Law’s curriculum. It is possible for a course to be approved for elective credit and yet not be approved as satisfying a particular required course.

In seeking pre-approval, students should provide, to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, a syllabus or detailed course description for each course for which they wish to receive credit. The syllabus or course description must contain sufficient information for the College of Law to determine content, grading basis, instructor, instructional minutes, method of instruction, and other details that the College of Law deems necessary to transfer credit for its program of study. The number of semester course hours that the College of Law will count for the course is generally based on the instructional minutes in the course.

Credit may be given for a course only if the student’s grade in the course meets or exceeds the minimum grade point average needed to graduate from UNT Dallas College of Law. Credit, when given, will be recorded as pass, and will not be included in the computation of the student’s College of Law grade point average. If a course for which transfer credit is sought was graded on a pass/fail basis, transfer credit may be given if that course is ordinarily taught as a pass-fail course at the school where the course was taken.

The Associate Dean for Academic Affairs will decide whether a course or courses transfer for credit, and if so whether for elective or required credit. On a regular basis, the Associate Dean shall notify the Academic standards Committee of decisions made relating to transfer credit. The Associate Dean may consult with the Academic standards Committee in relation to transfer credit decisions.

Credit from Study Abroad Programs

UNT Dallas College of Law students may participate in study abroad programs that are approved by the American Bar Association. Any student who is considering taking coursework from a study abroad program and who anticipates seeking to transfer credit for that coursework must first receive pre­ approval of the course or courses from the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. In determining whether credit may be transferred for a course in a study abroad program, two decisions will be made. One is whether the course will receive transfer credit. The second is whether the course will receive transfer credit as an elective course, or as a required course within College of Law’s curriculum. It is possible for a course to be approved for elective credit and yet not be approved as satisfying a particular required course. For example, a course on the “Estate System” might be approved for elective credit, yet is not likely to be counted as satisfying the required course for Wills, Trusts, and Estates at the College of Law.

In seeking pre-approval, students should provide, to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, a syllabus or detailed course description. The syllabus or course description must contain sufficient information for the College of Law to determine content, grading basis, instructor, instructional minutes, method of instruction, and other details that the College of Law deems necessary to transfer credit for its program of study. The number of semester course hours that the College of Law will count for the course is generally based on the instructional minutes in the course.

The College of Law will accept no more than a total of 8 hours of credit from a study abroad program. Credit may be given for a course taken in a study abroad course only if the student’s grade in the course meets or exceeds the minimum grade point average needed to graduate from UNT Dallas College of Law. The grade for the course in a study abroad program will be recorded as pass/fail on the UNT Dallas College of Law transcript, and will not be counted in the calculation of the student’s grade point average at the College of Law.

The Associate Dean for Academic Affairs will decide whether a course or courses transfer for credit, and if so whether for elective or required credit. On a regular basis, the Associate Dean shall notify the Academic Standards Committee of decisions made relating to transfer credit. The Associate Dean may consult with the Academic Standards Committee in relation to transfer credit decisions.

Transfer Students

It is the policy of the College of Law at this time to not accept students transferring from another law school, whether ABA approved or not.

Credit Hours

The “semester credit hour” is the unit of credit at the College of Law.  All credit-bearing courses or activities at the College of Law must meet the credit hour requirements set out in this policy. 

Contact hour requirement.  A traditionally delivered semester course should contain 15 weeks of instruction, plus a week for final examinations.   For instance, a three-SCH course should contain 15weeks of instruction (45 contact hours) plus a week for final examinations, so that such a course contains 45 to 48 contact hours depending on whether there is a final exam.  A course that includes fewer contact hours or is delivered in a shortened time period must receive formal, written approval in advance from the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.

Amount of work.  A semester credit hour is an amount of work that reasonably approximates:

1. Not less than one hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction and two hours of out-of-class student work per week for 15 weeks, or the equivalent amount of work over a different amount of time; or
2. At least an equivalent amount of work as required in subsection (1) for other credit-bearing academic activities as established by the College of Law, including simulation, fl81d placement, clinical, co-curricular, and other academic work leading to the award of credit hours.

For purposes of this definition, fifty minutes is sufficient to constitute one hour of classroom or direct faculty instruction, and an “hour• for out-of-class student work is sixty minutes. The College of Law may award credit hours for coursework that extends over any period of time, if the coursework entails no less than the minimum total amounts of classroom or direct faculty instruction and of-of-class student work specified in subsections (1) and (2), above.  For purposes of (1) and (2), the time may include time on final examination and midterm examinations, as well as other work.

The following are examples of work that satisfies this requirement:

Exam course: 42.5 hours per credit of time spent in class, preparing for class (reading or completing class assignments or assessments), and preparing for and taking exams.

Paper course: 42.5 hours per credit of time spent in class, preparing for class (reading or completing class assignments or assessments), and researching and writing the required paper(s).

Field placement or clinic: 42.5 hours per credit of time spent in class, performing fl81d placement or clinic work, preparing for class or completing class assignments (including any reflective papers), and preparing for and taking an exam, if applicable.

In order to comply with this policy, the Registrar: (1) will schedule Summer courses over an 8 week period of time in addition to the Final Exam period and all school holidays; and (2) in Fall and Spring semesters, will schedule enough course weeks such that the semester encompasses 15 of each day of the week, in addition to the exam period and all scheduled school holidays.

The College of Law will regularly monitor adherence to this policy, through methods such as ongoing curriculum review and assessment, the course approval process, and the ongoing management of the College of Law’s academic program.

Dean’s List and Graduation Honors

3.4            Cum laude

3.7            Magna cum laude

3.9            Summa cum laude

Examinations

Other than as stated in this policy, a student may not take a final examination or a midterm examination at a time other than the regularly scheduled time. Failure to take an examination on the regularly scheduled day, or on the day set for an exam that is rescheduled under this policy, will result in an “F” for the examination.

Rescheduling requests submitted before the start of the examination period.

A student may request to change an examination date to the next available date subsequent to the scheduled date under the following circumstances:

1. The student has an illness that is sufficiently severe to prevent the student from taking the exam at the scheduled time.  Medical documentation is required for any application of this provision.
2. The student experiences an unpreventable circumstance, such as severe illness or death in the immediate family that would cause the taking of the exam at the scheduled time to be a major personal hardship for the student. Medical or other appropriate documentation is required for any application of this provision. Work schedules, vacation plans, or travel arrangements do not qualify as a basis for rescheduling.

If a student seeks to reschedule an examination under any of these provisions, the student must submit his or her request to the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs (Dean Robinowich) by completing and submitting to an Exam Rescheduling Request Form. The request can be submitted in hard copy or via email. If the reason for the scheduling request is conflicting exams, the request must be submitted at least two weeks before the start of the exam period. If the reason for the request is illness or hardship, the request must be submitted as soon as practicable after the student becomes aware of the problem. If the Assistant Dean of student Affairs approves the request, he will notify the Office of the Registrar, which will work with the student on available alternatives.

If the request to take an exam at other than the scheduled time presents problems relating to delivering the same exam to the student as the other students will take, the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs will consult with the instructor who, in his or her discretion, may require the student to take a special final examination or submit a special paper. If this occurs, the instructor may, in his or her discretion, grade the examination or paper either on a credit/no credit basis or on the same numerical basis as the other exams or papers.

Rescheduling requests submitted after the start of the examination period.

A student may request to change an examination date during the examination period to the scheduled date under the following circumstances:

1. The student was ill on the examination day or on the day immediately preceding the examination, and presents medical documentation confirming the illness.
2. The student experienced an emergency (examples would be the death or severe illness of a close relative, or a car accident) on the examination day or immediately prior to the day, and presents satisfactory evidence of the emergency.

The student must submit his or her request to the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs by completing and submitting an Exam Rescheduling Request Form. The request should not be submitted to the professor or instructor in the course. If the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs approves the request, he will notify the Office of the Registrar, which will work with the student on available alternatives.

If the request to take an exam at other than the scheduled time presents problems relating to delivering the same exam to the student as the other students will take, the Assistant Dean of student Affairs will consult with the instructor who, in his or her discretion, may require the student to take a special final examination or submit a special paper. If this occurs, the instructor may, in his or her discretion, grade the examination or paper either on a credit/no credit basis or on the same numerical basis as the other exams or papers.

FERPA

Consent to Disclose Education Records

Directory Information

Disclosure of Education Records as Permitted without a Student’s Consent

Student Right to Inspect and Review Records

If a student submits a request for records to an administrator other than the one who maintains the record being sought, the administrator will advise the student of the correct administrator to whom the request should be addressed.

The College of Law will comply with all student requests to review and inspect records within 45 days of the date that the request is submitted to the appropriate records custodian. Students requesting access to their education records may be asked to verify their identity with a government issued photo identification, prior to inspection. Students seeking access either electronically or by telephone will be asked to verify their identity by providing information of specific individual relevance- not including a social security number.

Student Right to Request Amendment of Education Records

Graduation Requirements for Award of the J.D. Degree

1. Credit hour requirement. Students entering in 2014, 2015 or 2016 must complete no less than 88 semester credit hours. Students entering in 2017 and beyond must complete no less than 90 hours.
2. Residency requirement. Students must complete at least 53 hours in residence.
3. Completion of required courses. The required courses are listed in the current Academic Catalog.
4. Completion of the writing requirement, the skills requirement, the research requirement, the experiential requirement, and the practice-related technology requirement.
5. Maintain satisfactory academic progress.
6. Complete all requirements in no less than 24 months and in no more than 6 years after matriculating at the College of Law or at a law school from which the student has received transfer credit.The ABA Standards address the pace at which a student may complete his or her legal studies. Standard 304(c) requires that the course of study for a J.D. degree be completed “no earlier than 24 months and no later than 84 months after a student has commenced law study at the law school or a law school from which the school has accepted transfer credit.” The College of Law has adopted a maximum period of 6 years (72 months). In exceptional circumstances, the College of Law may extend this requirement but to no more than the maximum allowed by ABA Standard 304(c).

Grading and Withdrawal Policies

Grades and GPA Computation

The lowest passing grade is a D.

In addition, the COL uses the following grades:

Grade point average is calculated by dividing the total number of grade points by the total number of semester hours attempted. The grade point average is rounded to the third decimal. The number of semester hours attempted includes all courses with grades from A through F, and WF.

In general, letter grades will correspond to the following levels of achievement: A=Exemplary; B=Good; C=Fair; D=Poor; F=Failure. Because the grading scale includes “plus” and “minus” for A, B, and C, the use of plus or minus corresponds to a level of achievement deemed plus or minus the level just noted.

The College of Law has several non-credit bearing requirements; specifically the Community Engagement Requirement; the Mentorship Requirement; and the Practice-Related Technology Requirement. The faculty member or members responsible for overseeing these requirements will indicate whether or not a student has completed a requirement in a given semester, in a given year, or in its entirety, as applicable. The Office of the Registrar, through its processes and degree audit, will maintain tracking of student progress towards completing these requirements. If a student has not completed work or activities for the requirement at the end of a semester in which such work or activities must be completed, a hold will be placed on the student’s registration for the next semester.

Incomplete

A student may receive a grade of Incomplete for a course only during the last one-fourth of a term or semester and only if the student (1) is passing the course and (2) has justifiable and documented reason, beyond the control of the student (such as serious illness or military service), for not completing the work on schedule. The student must arrange with the faculty member to finish the course at a later date by completing specific requirements. These requirements must be listed on a Request for Grade of Incomplete form signed by the faculty member, student, and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs. A grade of I will default to F if the student does not complete the specified requirements within the stated time.

Pass-Fail Grading

The College of Law may designate certain courses as pass-fail. Any such courses will carry a pass-fail designation at the time of registration for the semester or other term. A credit-bearing course carrying a pass-fail designation will count for purposes of required hours or other requirements, but it will not be included in the calculation of GPA.

The College of Law has several non-credit-bearing requirements; specifically, the Community Engagement Requirement; the Mentorship Requirement; and the Practice-Related Technology Requirement. The faculty member or members responsible for overseeing these requirements will indicate whether a student has completed a requirement in a given semester, in a given year, or in its entirety, as applicable. The Office of the Registrar, through its processes and degree audit, will maintain ongoing tracking of student progress towards completing these requirements. If a student has not completed work or activities for the requirement at the end of a semester in which such work or activities must be completed, a hold will be placed on the student’s registration for the next semester.

Grade Changes and Appeals

Under UNT Dallas policy on grade appeals, students are encouraged to “resolve grade disputes through informal discussions with their faculty members and through a formal process only when necessary: As to formal process, only final grades may be appealed. The bases for appeal of a final grade are clerical or administrative error in calculating or assigning grade; grade not calculated in accordance with the grading criteria set out in the syllabus; or grade based on arbitrary or unlawful reason, including retaliation, harassment, or observance of religious holy days. Faculty members may not consider any request to re-evaluate the work. Under the policy, when a student wishes to appeal a final grade in a course, ·the student should first arrange a formal meeting with the instructor to discuss the student’s concern.” For more detail, see UNT Dallas Policy 7.007.

Segment Credit

To receive credit for completing a segment, a student must receive a passing grade on the assignment that provides the segment credit, whether or not the student receives a passing grade in the course providing the segment credit. Thus, it is possible for a student to receive a passing grade in a course but not receive credit for the segment(s) provided by the class. Alternatively, it is possible for a student to receive a failing grade in a course but receive credit for the segments provided by the course on which the student received a passing grade. The criteria for a passing grade on a segment assignment will be determined by the faculty member providing the grade for the segment assignment.

Exemptions from Course Requirements

In general, a student must receive a D or higher on all listed prerequisites prior to enrolling in a course. If a student wishes to enroll in a course in the same semester as one or more of the listed prerequisites for that course, the student must submit the Prerequisite Exemption Form. The final determination regarding the student’s request will be made by the instructor of the course requiring the prerequisite(s). Under no circumstances will permission be granted for a student to enroll in a course in a semester prior to the semester in which the student enrolls in the listed prerequisite(s).

Course Repeat Policy

RETAKING FAILED REQUIRED COURSES
A student who fails a course required for the J.D. degree must retake the course. Both the original failing grade and the new grade will count toward the student’s cumulative GPA. 

RETAKING FAILED ELECTIVE COURSES
A student who fails an elective course may retake the course, but only the original failing grade will count toward the student’s cumulative GPA. If the student passes the course, the student will be awarded the associated credit hours, but the new grade will not count toward the student’s semester or cumulative GPA.

RETAKING COURSES WITH A PASSING GRADE
A student may not retake any course in which the student has already received a passing grade.

Records, Registration and Enrollment Information

Registration Times

Registration times for each semester and session are set and published by the College of Law Registrar. A student who fails to register during the normal registration time for a semester will lose any priority in registration.

Adding Courses

Students may add classes during the first 4 days of the semester for fall and spring courses. For summer courses, the 3rd day of class is the last day of the period to add courses.

Auditing

Students currently enrolled at the UNT Dallas College of Law may audit a College of Law course if:

1. the student has completed his or her first year (if a full-time student) or second year (if a part-time student)
2. the professor approves; and 
3. if space is available as certified by the Registrar.

Auditing by a person other than a currently enrolled student is permissible only if the person has graduated from a J.D. program, and only if:

1. the professor and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs grant permission, and
2. space is available as certified by the Registrar.

The College of Law will publish the audit fee applicable for those not currently enrolled in the College of Law. Students currently enrolled in the College of Law receive priority over other law graduates as to any space available in the class to be audited.

Dropping and Withdrawing from Courses

No student who enters in the full-time division may drop required first-year courses or required third-semester courses. No student who enters in the part-time division may drop required first-year courses or required third or fourth semester courses. Other than the required courses just noted, students may drop a course before the •census date” without academic penalty or notation on the transcript. The census date is the 12th class day of a fall or spring semester, or the equivalent day of a summer session.

A student may drop a course after the census date only with approval from the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs. If a course is dropped after the census date but before the end of the first six weeks of the fall or spring semester (or the equivalent date in summer sessions), the student receives a grade of W. If a course is dropped after the end of the first six weeks of the fall or spring semester (or the equivalent date in summer sessions), the student receives a grade of W if the student was maintaining a passing grade in the course at the time of the drop; the student receives a grade of WF if the student was not maintaining a passing grade at the time of the drop. No student may seek to withdraw from a class after the date designated by the Registrar during the tenth week of class in the fall or spring semester (or the equivalent period in summer sessions).

The Registrar’s office will publish, for each semester of the academic year and summer sessions, the census dates and drop dates.

Voluntary Withdrawal

UNT Dallas Policy 7.006 covers voluntary withdrawal. Withdrawal is a formal process. If a student decides to withdraw during a semester or during a summer session, he or she must complete the formal withdrawal process in order to withdraw in academic good standing. Students considering withdrawal should consult with the Registrar to ascertain the specific steps. If a student is considering withdrawal and believes that he or she might return, the student should consider the option of a leave of absence.

Return after Voluntary Withdrawal

If a student withdraws in the first semester of law school and seeks to return, he or she must go through the admissions process with the applicants for admission. If a student withdraws after the first semester and seeks to return, the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs may approve the request to return. Factors bearing on whether the request will be granted include the reasons for withdrawal and the student’s level of academic success before the withdrawal.

Leave of Absence

Upon a proper request, a student may be allowed to take a leave of absence for reasons of finances, health, or other personal reasons. Students considering a leave of absence should consult with the Associate Dean for Academics. To receive a leave of absence, the student must complete a leave of absence request and the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs must approve it. The Associate Dean will advise the student about the conditions and timing by which return might be available. When a student is on a leave of absence and is considering returning to the College of Law, the student should contact the Registrar at least three (3) months before the registration period for the term in which the student plans to return.

Working While Enrolled

In order to ensure that all students have the opportunity to succeed in law school, students who enroll in the full-time division and who are working more than 20 hours per week in any semester or term must first meet with the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs at the start of any semester in which the student is working more than 20 hours per week.

Involuntary Medical Withdrawal

The College of Law is committed to providing a learning environment that is conducive for students to develop to their fullest potential. On rare occasions, the College of Law may be required to activate a systematic response, including involuntary medical withdrawal, to students who may be in crisis or whose mental, emotional, or psychological health condition may directly threaten the safety of the learning environment.    Through the creation of a collaborative interdisciplinary team, the College of Law and UNT Dallas will provide a caring, confidential program of identification, intervention, and response in order to provide students with the greatest chance for success and the College of Law community with the greatest level of protection. See UNT Dallas Policy 7.008

Additional Policies

Prohibition of Sexual Assault and Retaliation

The College of Law is committed to maintaining a work and educational environment that is free from sexual assault and retaliation.  Conduct that is inconsistent with this commitment will not be tolerated at any location, program, or other activity associated with the College of Law or UNT Dallas.  To this end, the UNT Dallas policy prohibiting sexual assault and retaliation applies to all students, faculty, staff, applicants for admission or employment, individuals and organizations conducting business on behalf of or for UNT Dallas or the College of Law, and visitors and participants at any location, program, or activity associated with the College of Law or UNT Dallas.  In addition, the College of Law may act under this policy when prohibited conduct that occurs off campus adversely affects or has a reasonable likelihood of adversely affecting the academic or work environment.

The full policy can be found at UNT Dallas Policy 5.038.

Student Complaints and Appeals

At the College of Law, the faculty, administration, and staff seek to provide a supportive and professional environment, with the goal of excellence in teaching and learning. The school welcomes student feedback about the educational program, services, and policies. The school also wants to ensure that students know about and have access to procedures for expressing or registering concerns, appeals, or complaints. Depending on the nature of a student’s concern or complaint, UNT Dallas or College of Law policies may provide a specific process for addressing that concern. When the concern or complaint does not fall within an existing procedure, students may use the process set out below.  The Law School will not retaliate in any manner against a student who files a complaint or appeal under any process, nor will it permit any faculty member, administrator, or student to do so.

Concerns or complaints about the College of Law that are outside the scope of any existing College of Law policy or procedure

Many times, a concern can be resolved by speaking with the faculty member, administrator, or staff person involved. If informal resolution is unsuccessful or not feasible, the student should consult any policy that applies in the area. For instance, policies on financial aid, Code of Conduct, Honor Code, grades, and other areas contain details about appeals. At times, a student might seek deviation from, exception to, or appeal from the application of a policy on a matter.  Further, a student might have a concern or complaint relating to a matter that is not covered under a current policy.

Students should use the following process: Prepare a petition or complaint in writing; include date, student’s name, telephone number, and email address; provide as much detail as possible about the concern; and submit the complaint to the Associate Dean for Academics  (if the matter is academic) or to the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs (if the matter is non- academic). The Associate or Assistant Dean or his or her designee will investigate the complaint in a timely manner, take appropriate action, and notify the student about the proposed resolution of the matter. If the student is not satisfied with the proposed resolution, the student may appeal the decision to the Dean of the College of Law; any such appeal must be filed in writing within five business days of the notification of the proposed resolution.

Complaints or concerns regarding discrimination or harassment of any type (including sexual harassment made against a College of Law or UNT Dallas student  faculty member  staff member  or other member of the College of Law or wider UNTD community).

   Please refer to UNT Dallas Policies 5.001 and 5.001a.
Contact: UNT Dallas College of Law Assistant Dean of Student Affairs, or, in the case of sexual harassment, Title IX Coordinator Office, UNT Dallas.
 Report concerns or complaints relating to sexual assault or retaliation: Please refer to UNT Dallas Policy 5.038

Complaints or concerns relating to requests for disability accommodation
Please refer to UNT Dallas Policy 7.004.
Contact: College of Law Assistant Dean of student Affairs.

Grade appeal
Please refer to UNT Dallas Policy 7.007
Contact: Individuals described in the appeal process set out in 7.007.

Complaints or concerns relating to the release of student information
Please refer to UNT Dallas Policy 7.003.
Contact: Registrar, College of Law.

Concerns or reports regarding the Code of Conduct
Please refer to UNT Dallas Policy 7.001
Contact: College of Law Assistant Dean of student Affairs.

Concerns or reports relating to the Honor Code of the College of Law
Please refer to College of Law Honor Code: http://lawschool.untsystem.edu/sites/all/themes/untcolresponsive2b/pdfs/COL-Honor-Code_2014.pdf
To report potential Honor Code violations, contact the Assistant Dean of Student Affairs, Kevin Robinowich, or use the on-line portal.

Appeal of a decision relating to financial aid
Please refer to http://financialaid.unt.edu/sap
Contact: Office of Financial Aid, UNT Dallas College of Law

Complaints relating to compliance with ABA Standards

ABA-accredited law schools are subject to the ABA standards for Approval of Law Schools. The UNT Dallas College of Law makes every effort to comply with ABA standards for addressing student complaints. A complaint is a communication in writing that seeks to bring to the attention of the law school a significant problem that directly implicates the school’s compliance with the Standards. The ABA standards may be found at: https://www.americanbar.org/groups/legal_education/resources/standards.html

Bringing a complaint. A student who seeks to bring a complaint that directly implicates the school’s compliance with the Standards may do so by the following: (1) Complete and submit a written complaint form that sets forth with particularity the ABA standard or standards as to which the student has concerns about non-compliance; (2) Submit the form by email, in person, or by U.S. Mail to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs.

Process after submitting:  The Associate Dean of Academic Affairs or his or her designee shall respond to the complainant within three (3} business days to acknowledge receipt of the complaint.  Acknowledgement may be made by email, U.S. mail, or by personal delivery. Within two weeks of acknowledging the complaint, the Associate Dean or designee shall meet with the complainant or provide a written response to the substance of the complaint. The complainant should receive a response to the complaint during the meeting or in writing, informing the complainant about the steps that are being taken by the law school to investigate or address the complaint. If additional investigation is necessary, the complainant shall receive a substantive response within two weeks after the investigation has been concluded.

Appeal. After the complainant receives a substantive response, setting forth what action the law school will take regarding the complainant has the right to appeal the decision to the Dean of the College of Law. The decision of the Dean is final.

Maintaining a Record of the Complaint: The Law School will maintain a written copy of the complaint and the resolution of the complaint for eight (8) years from the date of the final resolution of the complaint.

Acceptable Use of Computers and Information Resources

The College of Law provides each of its students with accounts that permit use of the College of Law’s information resources-including computer resources and software for which the College of Law has obtained licenses. By using these information resources, students agree to abide by the policies and procedures of UNT Dallas as well as federal, state, and local laws. These policies and procedures include but are not limited to the UNT Dallas acceptable use policy; UNT Dallas policies against harassment, plagiarism, and unethical conduct; and federal, state, and local laws pertaining to theft, copyright infringement, insertion of viruses into computer systems, and other computer-related crimes. Use of information resources must be consistent with UNT Dallas and College of Law policies regarding plagiarism, unethical conduct, and harassment. Laws relating to the protection of intellectual property extend to the electronic environment. Unless specifically stated otherwise, users should assume that works communicated through the computer network are subject to all federal laws, state laws, and UNT Dallas policies relating to copyright, trademark, and intellectual property.

Use of the College of Law’s information resources and content transmitted through these resources may be subject to:

• Review or disclosure in accordance with the Texas Public Information Act and other laws;
• Administrative review of information resource usage for a security purpose or in regard to legal or compliance concerns;
• Information resources maintenance;
• Audits or other reviews necessary to protect the reasonable interests of the College of Law and other uses of information resources.

Unauthorized and impermissible use of College of Law information resources includes the following:

• Sharing College of Law accounts, personal information numbers, passwords, or other identifiers issued to the user;
• Unauthorized entry into a file, to use, read, or change the contents or for any other purpose;
• Abuse of computer and information resources, including interruption of function or insertion of viruses; Use of College of Law computer resources for personal financial gain or a personal commercial purpose;
• Unauthorized copying or transferring of files or data:
• Unauthorized use of another’s identification and/or password;
• Use of computing facilities to interfere with the work of another student, faculty member, or College of Law official;
• Use of computing facilities to send obscene, abusive, harassing, or threatening messages;
• Use of computing facilities to interfere with normal operations of the College of Law computing system;
• Damaging or altering records or programs.

For  more detail, see Chapter 14 of UNT Dallas Policies.  

Alcohol or Substance Abuse

The College of Law is committed to maintaining an environment free from substance abuse by students and employees as well as complying with state and federal laws related to the unlawful possession or distribution of illicit drugs and/or alcohol.

UNT Dallas policies prohibit the illicit use, sale, attempted sale, conveyance, distribution, manufacture, cultivation, dispensation, purchase, attempted purchase, and possession of illegal drugs, intoxicants, or controlled substances, at any time and in any amount or in any manner.

The purchase, consumption, and possession of alcoholic beverages in College of Law facilities shall in all respects comply with state laws and UNT Dallas policies. Failure to comply by any student will constitute grounds for disciplinary action, up to and including expulsion from the College of Law. A student who violates any state law related to use or possession of drugs or alcohol will be reported to the appropriate law enforcement agency.

Students may be required to participate in and satisfactorily complete an approved rehabilitation or assistance program. More details on the alcohol and substance abuse policy can be found in UNT Dallas Policy 7.011.

Compliance with Copyright Laws

Students, faculty, and staff at the UNT Dallas College of Law are expected to comply w h federal copyright laws. Copyright is a form of protection provided by the laws of the United States to the authors of “original works of authorship.” A copyright belongs to the author of a work, unless the author grants the ownership in writing to someone else, such as the author’s publisher. The types of works that can be copyrighted include literary, musical, dramatic, choreographic, pictorial, graphic, sculptural, and architectural works; motion pictures and other audiovisual works; sound recordings; and electronic works, including computer chips, software, and some databases.

Lack of a copyright notice on a work does not mean the work is not protected by copyright. A copyright notice is not required under U.S. law. The use of the copyright notice is the responsibility of the copyright owner and does not require advance permission from, or registration with, the Copyright Office.

Anyone who makes unauthorized use of copyrighted material in a manner that violates the copyright owner’s exclusive rights (except for the limitations and exemptions allowed by law) is committing copyright infringement and may be subject to civil and criminal penalties as well as disciplinary action by the College of Law.

Free Speech

The UNT Dallas College of Law is a public institution of higher education, with its primary purpose to provide an environment for education and scholarship. College of Law facilities are reserved primarily to support the educational objectives and mission of the College of Law. The College of Law recognizes that the freedom to exchange ideas is an essential component of the educational process. Expressive activities promote debate and the sharing of ideas and substantially contribute to the marketplace of ideas that is the foundation of an educational institution. The College of Law protects the rights of students to engage in the free exchange of ideas, while promoting a safe learning environment and preventing interference with College of Law functions and activities. Expressive activity in College of Law facilities will not be limited based on content or based on the political, religious, or other affiliation of the speaker.

The College of Law facility may not be used in ways that would substantially disrupt or materially interfere with College of Law teaching, administration, or programs. Use of the College of Law facility by students or student organizations will be granted on a non-discriminatory basis, ensuring equal opportunity for all members of the College of Law community. Unless sponsored by a student organization, College of Law facilities are not available for use by individuals or groups not affiliated with the College of Law. More detail can be found in UNT Dallas Policy 7.009.

Identity Cards

The UNT Dallas College of Law Campus ID card (ID card) is required for access to campus classrooms, library, campus services and resources, events; in addition, it is required for student financial services assistance. The Campus ID must be in the student’s possession at all times while he or she is on the law school campus.

The Campus ID may not be used by any person other than the one to whom it is issued, and it must be surrendered on the request of any official of the College of Law. If an ID card is lost, another can be requested through the Office of Admissions during regular business hours.

No Tobacco Policy

No tobacco products may be consumed or used inside the UNT System Building, and the use of “e-cigarettes” is not allowed in the building.

Safety Warnings

All students, employees, and visitors are expected to follow directions as provided during any emergency, such as fire or severe weather. Alerts may be issued via the building’s public announcement system, email, text messages, and voice mail. Alternatively, if an alert occurs and no instructions are given, check posted instructions in all classrooms and office suites.

Student Email Account

Student Organizations

Student Journals - The UNT Dallas Law Review

Timely Warnings

In accordance with the Jeane Clery Act, UNT Dallas will issue warnings to the university community, including the College of Law, of crimes that may present a serious or continuing threat to the university or college community in a manner that is timely and that will aid in the prevention of similar crimes. The timely warning will be issued using a combination of methods that allow for the prompt communication to the university community. Timely warnings will include sufficient information about the nature of the threat to allow members of the community to take protective action, unless law enforcement determines that publishing such information could possibly compromise law enforcement actions. For more detail, see UNT Dallas Policy 12.001.

Use of Rooms

When not in use for classes or college events, rooms may be reserved for group study or student meetings by completing the appropriate form available from the Registrar’s Office.

Honor Code Policy Statement

1. POLICY STATEMENT
   In its preamble to the Model Rules of Professional Responsibility, the American Bar Association states: “A lawyer, as a member of the legal profession, is a representative of clients, an officer of the legal system, and a public citizen having special responsibility for the quality of justice.” A legal education is the gateway to serving these roles as a lawyer, and a student’s legal education is itself a critical period in his or her professional formation. Thus, all students at the UNT Dallas College of Law are expected to abide by the high ethical and conduct standards needed to serve as representatives of clients, officers of the legal system, and public citizens with special responsibility for the quality of justice. In addition, Honor Code violations may adversely impact a student’s application for admission to the Bar of Texas and other states, because the Board of Law Examiners investigates the character and fitness of applicants to the Bar.
   
   These expectations are expressed in and put into operation through two avenues: the Honor Code, and the Code of Conduct. The Honor Code expresses the expectation that students will behave with academic integrity. The requirement of academic integrity means that a student  will not cheat, plagiarize, or falsify in any academic matter. The Code of Conduct expresses the expectation that all members of the UNT Dallas College of Law community will conduct themselves in a manner that demonstrates civility as well as respect for the dignity, rights, safety, and property of others.
   
   Because students, faculty, and administration have a vital interest in maintaining a community of academic integrity, all play a role in the administration and ongoing development of the Honor Code.
    
2. APPLICATION OF POLICY
   The Honor Code applies to all students at the UNT Dallas College of Law and to all academic matters.  Students are expected to maintain the principles of academic integrity and to conform to the requirements of this Honor Code upon application for admission to the College of Law through the award of their degree or such time as there is a formal termination of the student relationship with the College of Law. Violations of the Honor Code will continue to be considered even if a student withdraws from the College of Law or graduates from the College of Law during the review process.
    
3. DEFINITIONS
   1. Academic Matters. Any actions or activity related to a course or to satisfying the requirements for graduation, and any curricular and co-curricular activities connected to students’ academic and professional development including but not limited to moot court competitions, journals, externships and career services.
   2. College of Law (“COL”). The UNT Dallas College of Law.
   3. Honor Council. The entity trained to review alleged violations of the Honor Code and also to promote awareness of the Honor Code.
4. UNT DALLAS COLLEGE OF LAW HONOR COUNCIL
   1. The COL Honor Council is entrusted by the COL Community to administer the COL Honor Code and to promote awareness of and education about the Honor Code. The COL Honor Council regularly reviews the Honor Code and may adopt bylaws and publish guidelines and information that are consistent with and further the effectiveness of the Honor Code.
   2. The nine (9) member Honor Council includes the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, who will serve as chair of the Council, four (4) COL faculty members who will be appointed by the Dean of the College of Law, and four (4) students who will be appointed in the initial year of Honor Council operation by the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs but in all subsequent years will be selected and appointed by the officers of the COL Student Bar Association based on student applications and in accordance with procedures adopted by the COL Student Bar Association.
   3. Honor Council members will be appointed for a single academic term (August 1 through July 31), with faculty members permitted to serve consecutive appointments upon appointment by the Dean, and with and students permitted to serve consecutive appointments in accordance with procedures adopted by the COL Student Bar Association.
   4. Upon appointment, all members of the Honor Council must agree to abide by an oath of confidentiality modeled after the oath taken by members of the State Bar of Texas Attorney Grievance Committee, which states:
      1. “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute my duties as a member of the Honor Council of the UNT Dallas College of Law. I further solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will keep confidential all matters that come to my knowledge as a member of the Honor Council arising from or in connection with any Honor Code matter, unless permitted to disclose a matter in accordance with the Honor Code or unless ordered to do so.”
5. CATEGORIES OF ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT
   All students of the UNT Dallas College of Law shall behave with academic integrity. Cheating, plagiarizing, or falsifying in any academic matter is a violation of this standard and constitutes academic misconduct.
   
   The requirement of academic integrity has implications for the UNT Dallas College of Law community as well as for individual students.  Academic misconduct undermines the common bond of trust, fairness, and ethical behavior within the College of Law community. Thus, all members of the College of Law community are under an obligation to report academic misconduct.
   
   To a large extent, there is common understanding about what constitutes academic misconduct. Adults usually do not need a definition of cheating, plagiarizing, or falsifying to know whether they are engaging in that conduct. Yet some definitions, examples, and guidelines are useful to include in this Honor Code. First, these can have a signaling and reinforcing effect. Second, these can educate students in areas as to which there may be less common understanding, such as the relationship between paraphrasing and plagiarism. Third, it is important to describe violations of this Code in sufficient detail to prevent misunderstanding about the scope and effects of this Code.
   
   ​The COL Honor Code is not written with the specificity of a criminal statute, nor is it intended to cover every instance of potentially prohibited academic misconduct.  Students may be disciplined for the following types of academic misconduct.
   1. Cheating: An act of deception or misrepresentation by which a student could gain an unfair advantage in an academic matters. Examples include:
      1. Obtaining information about a test or assignment other than by the methods or within the boundaries that the instructor has permitted.
      2. Seeking to make research resources unavailable to other students, such as hiding or destroying books or sources.
      3. Seeking or receiving any unauthorized assistance, or providing any unauthorized assistance to another, in connection with tests or assignments.
      4. Submitting work for credit on one course that the student has already submitted for credit in another course, unless authorized by the instructor.
      5. Taking additional time beyond the time authorized to complete an assignment or exam.
      6. Collaborating in an unauthorized way. At the College of Law, a student’s work in curricular and co-curricular settings is often expected and in some cases required to be collaborative.  However, in other instances, a student will be required to work individually, without collaboration or assistance.  Unauthorized collaboration is collaboration that does not comply with the instructor’s requirements relating to receiving assistance for or collaborating with others.
   2. Plagiarism: Presenting as one’s own work any material obtained from another source, whatever the source - for instance text, Internet, digital materials, or materials prepared by other students. Intent is not required to constitute plagiarism; negligent plagiarism is a violation of the Honor Code. In general, obtaining and using materials from any source without proper attribution constitutes plagiarism. Whether plagiarism has occurred does not depend on the quantity of the material that is used. Plagiarism includes but is not limited to the following conduct:
      1. Verbatim copying another’s work without proper attribution (quotation marks and citation to sources).
      2. Slightly paraphrasing otherwise verbatim material, even if the source is cited, without indicating that the passage is basically taken verbatim from the source.
      3. Using another’s ideas or concepts without proper attribution.
      4. Mixing verbatim or slightly paraphrased content from multiple sources without proper attribution of the underlying source.
   3. Falsifying: Lying, fabricating facts or sources, or misrepresenting facts or sources; including but not limited to:
      1. Using a false excuse to avoid or be excused from an assignment or test.
      2. Falsely indicating the time at which an assignment is turned in.
      3. Falsifying the hours spent on an assignment or project when the number of hours spent is relevant to credit or grade awarded.
      4. Falsely indicating the presence of the student or another student for attendance in connection with any academic matter.
      5. Signing another student’s name or allowing one’s own name to be signed by another student in connection with any academic matter.
      6. Forging or altering student records or documents.
      7. Citing nonexistent authority or authority known not to support the proposition for which it is used.
      8. Aiding or abetting an act of academic misconduct. Assisting or aiding another to cheat, plagiarize or falsify, or participating in any effort to cover-up or hide a violation of the Honor Code.
6. COMMUNITY OBLIGATION TO REPORT VIOLATIONS
   The COL is committed to maintaining a culture of professionalism and mutual respect. All members of the COL should expect and insist on academic integrity from themselves and all members of the community. Failure to exercise academic integrity undermines the common bond of trust, fairness, and ethical behavior within the COL community. If any student observes conduct that he or she believes violates this Honor Code, the student has an obligation to speak to the faculty member or to the Honor Code Representative. All members of the COL community must also report violations of academic integrity committed by others.
    
7. SANCTIONS FOR ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT
   1. The Honor Code does not require a particular sanction for a particular violation of the Honor Code. Rather, the full range of sanctions set out below is available for an Honor Code violation. Which sanction or sanctions are proper in a given case depends on circumstances including:
      1. Flagrancy of the violation. Negligence or inadvertence is not, per se, a defense to an Honor Code violation, although negligent or inadvertent conduct sometimes will not constitute an Honor Code violation. The fact that conduct was negligent rather than intentional may mitigate a sanction; likewise, the fact that a student acted intentionally may be an aggravating factor.
      2. Harm to others.
      3. Self-reporting of a violation before knowing that anyone else would report the violation.
      4. Any other circumstances that, in the judgment of the Honor Code Hearing Panel, should be treated as aggravating or mitigating factors.
   2. Possible sanctions for violation of the Honor Code include:
      1. Written Reprimand.
      2. Educational Sanction.
         1. For Honor Code violations relating to a class or course credit, and with the concurrence of the instructor, an educational sanction may include:                             
            1. Change of course grade, including change to a failing grade.
            2. Disallowing credit for an academic assignment or test, with or without an opportunity to resubmit or re-take an assignment or test.
            3. Removing academic credit for a course.
         2. Failure to comply with the assignment may result in further discipline.
      3. Loss of Privileges. Includes removal from student organizations or denial of privilege to participate in COL activities.
      4. Probation. For a specified period of time and/or under specified conditions.
      5. Suspension. For a specified period of time or until compliance with specified conditions is documented.
      6. Expulsion.  Permanent separation from the COL.
8. PROCEDURES TO ADDRESS HONOR CODE VIOLATIONS
   1. Honor Code Representative. The Dean of the College of Law will designate a senior administrator or faculty member to serve as the Honor Code Representative (HCR). The HCR will conduct a preliminary investigation of reported Honor Code violations. The HCR will also maintain records of all reported violations of the Honor Code and will provide an annual summary of violations and sanctions.
   2. Reporting Honor Code Violations. Any member of the COL Community (faculty, student, staff or administrator) who has reasonable cause to believe that an Honor Code violation has occurred must report the violation to the HCR. Members of the COL faculty may also follow the procedures set forth in Section VIII.C. A written report to the HCR must include:
      1. The name of the reporting person.
      2. The date, time and location of the reported violation.
      3. A complete description of the alleged violation.
      4. Names of any potential witnesses or individuals with information related to the reported violation.
   3. Faculty Review of Possible Honor Code Violations. If a faculty member believes that a student in his or her class has violated the Honor Code, the faculty member may either meet with the student to discuss the alleged violation or report the violation directly to the HCR without meeting with the student.
      1. After meeting with the student:
         1. If there is reasonable cause to believe that an Honor Code violation has occurred, the faculty member must report the alleged violation to the HCR.  The report to the HCR is not a final conclusion that an Honor Code violation has occurred. The faculty report to the HCR must include:
            1. The name of the reporting faculty member.
            2. The date, time and location of the reported violation.
            3. A complete description of the alleged violation.
            4. Names of any potential witnesses or individuals with information related to the reported violation.
         2. If there is not reasonable cause to believe that an Honor Code violation has occurred, no further action will be taken by the faculty member.
      2. A direct faculty referral for HCR review must be submitted to the Office of the Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs and copied to the student.  The referral must include:
         1. A full description of the alleged violation of the Honor Code.
         2. A full summary of all information to be provided in response to the alleged violation, including information presented by the student to the HCR during the initial meeting if available.
   4. Preliminary Investigation of Honor Code violations by HCR. The HCR will investigate written reports of violations of the Honor Code to determine whether there is reasonable cause to believe that a violation of the Honor Code occurred. The HCR will notify the student who is the subject of a reported violation and require the student to respond within seven (7) calendar days of the date of the notice to schedule a meeting to review the allegations and to offer a response.
      
      ​If a student fails to respond timely, the HCR will refer the reported violation for immediate review by the Honor Council.
      1.  At a meeting with the student, the HCR will review the reported violation and any information developed through the HCR’s preliminary investigation.  The student will be offered the opportunity to respond and to offer additional information for consideration by the HCR.
      2. After the HCR concludes the preliminary investigation, if there is not sufficient information to provide reasonable cause to believe that a violation of the Honor Code occurred, the HCR will dismiss the reported violation.
      3. If the HCR finds reasonable cause to believe that a violation of the Honor Code has occurred, the HCR will meet with the student to discuss options available to the student to address the Honor Code violation, including:
         1. Entering an Agreed Disposition; or,
         2. Requesting referral to the Honor Council for final determination.
      4. A student must contact the HCR no more than (7) calendar days after the meeting to select an option to address the Honor Code violation. If the student fails to contact the HCR within seven (7) calendar days, the HCR will refer the reported violation to the Honor Council for final determination. The written referral to the HCR will include a full description of the alleged violation and a full summary of all information to be provided in response to the alleged violation, including information presented by the student to the HCR during the initial meeting if available.
   5. Agreed Disposition of Honor Code Violations.
      1. A student may resolve an Honor Code violation through an agreed disposition at any time during the Honor Code review process. An Agreed Disposition must be in writing and must include:
         1. An admission that the reported conduct constitutes a violation of the Honor Code.
         2. Waiver of the option for the Honor Council to consider the circumstances underlying the alleged violation of the Honor Code or to reach a final conclusion.
         3. Acknowledgement that the agreed disposition constitutes a finding that the student has violated the COL Honor Code and that the finding must be reported upon request on an application to sit for any bar exam.
      2. Records of an agreed disposition will be maintained permanently by the Dean of Students in accordance with the COL Student Records Policy, with nonconsensual disclosure limited as set forth in the policy.
   6. Review of Honor Code violations by the Honor Council. The Honor Council will review alleged violations of the Honor Code that are: directly referred by faculty; requested by a student after meeting with the HCR; or referred by the HCR due to lack of the student’s participation or cooperation in the review process.
      1. Upon receiving notice of a request for Honor Council review, the Chair of the Honor Council will appoint a five (5) member Honor Code Hearing Panel from among the members of the Honor Council.  No member of the Honor Council may be appointed to serve on a Hearing Panel for a matter on which the Honor Council member has a conflict of interest.  In addition to the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs or his or her designee, the Honor Code Hearing Panel must include:
         1. Two (2) students. If student members of the Honor Council are not available to serve on a panel within a reasonable period of time, the Dean of the College of Law may appoint substitute student members to the Hearing Panel in consultation with the President of the Student Bar Association.
         2. Two (2) members of the faculty. If faculty members of the Honor Council are not available to serve on a panel within a reasonable period of time, the Dean of the College of Law may appoint substitute faculty members.
      2. The Honor Council Hearing Panel is appointed on an as needed basis to:
         1. Collect and review information, and make final determinations related to alleged violations of the Honor Code.
         2. Determine appropriate sanctions based on violations of the Honor Code.
      3. The Honor Council Hearing Panel will select a chair from among the appointed faculty members or the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs (or his or her designee) to preside over the hearing and make all decisions related to procedure.
      4. As soon as practicable after receipt of the request for review, the Hearing Panel will notify the student, the faculty member, and HCR as appropriate about the date, time and place for the requested hearing.
   7. Agreed disposition once a Hearing Panel is Convened. Once a Hearing Panel has been convened, upon request of a student, the chair will convene a conference to include the student (and his or her representative), the HCR, and one student and one faculty member of the Hearing Panel to consider the possibility of an agreed disposition. An agreed disposition is subject to the requirements set forth in Section VIII.E., and any agreed disposition must be approved by the chair.
       
   8. Hearing Panel Procedures
      1. Standard of Proof. Evidence of a violation of the Honor Code must be proven through clear and convincing evidence.
      2. Record of Hearings. All Panel Hearings will be recorded electronically and the record will be maintained in the Office of the Dean of Students. The record will be made available to the student upon request and a copy will be provided on request at the cost of the student.
      3. Student Representation. Students are expected to represent themselves before the Hearing Panel. Students may be accompanied by counsel or another representative during the hearing; however the advisor or counsel may not participate in the hearing and may advise the student only during breaks. A student must notify the chair seven (7) days prior to a hearing if the student will be accompanied by counsel, so that an attorney from the University of North Texas System Office of General Counsel may also be present at the hearing.
      4. Notice of Witnesses and Exhibits. No fewer than five (5) days before the hearing begins, the HCR and student must submit the names of witnesses and documents to be presented at the hearing to the chair of the Hearing Panel and to each other. Information received by the HCR or student after all other information is exchanged may still be introduced during the hearing upon providing reasonable notice to the other party.
      5. Close hearing. Hearings are closed and the proceedings are confidential. Hearing Panel members and others participating in the hearing may not discuss the proceedings prior to final resolution.
      6. Oath. The chair of the hearing Panel will require all witnesses to take an oath to tell the truth.
      7. Opening and closing statements. Both the HCR and the student may offer opening and closing statements with the HCR going first and last in the order of presentation.
      8. Presentation of evidence.
         1. The HCR will present evidence and call witnesses followed by the student’s presentation of evidence and witnesses. The HCR and student may ask questions of any witnesses. The chair and Hearing Panel members may also ask questions of any witnesses including the HCR and the student.
         2. A student may elect not to present evidence or witnesses or to speak on the student’s own behalf.  The decision not to present evidence will not be construed as an admission of responsibility.
         3. Proceedings before the Hearing Panel are not bound by the formal rules of evidence. The chair will make determinations regarding the relevancy of evidence and may limit evidence that is redundant, prejudicial or irrelevant.
   9. Decision of the Hearing Panel. A decision of the Hearing Panel must be supported by at least four (4) of the five (5) members of the Hearing Panel. The Hearing Panel will issue a written decision at the conclusion of the hearing setting out its findings of fact related to the violation of the Honor Code, its determination related to the alleged violation of the Honor Code, and the appropriate sanction if a violation of the Honor Code is confirmed. Notice of the Hearing Panel’s decision will be provided to the student and the HCR within five (5) days.  A decision of the Hearing Panel is final unless a student appeals the decision within fourteen (14) days.
       
   10. Appeal of the Hearing Panel Decision.
       1. A student may appeal the decision of the Hearing Panel to the Dean of the College of Law on the limited grounds that the decision was:
          1. based on a clearly erroneous interpretation of the Honor Code;
          2. arbitrary and capricious; or
          3. grossly excessive in regard to the assigned sanction.
       2.  A student seeking appeal to the Dean must file a written notice of appeal with the Dean within fourteen (14) days of the decision of the Hearing Panel. The notice of appeal must describe the basis for the appeal and any supporting facts or analysis in support of the appeal.  A copy of the notice of appeal must also be provided to the HCR, who may also provide additional summary in support of the decision of the Hearing Panel.
       3. Upon review of the complete record and submissions by the student and the HCR, the Dean or a designee of the Dean may:
          1. affirm the Hearing Panel decision and provide notice to the student.
          2. recommend a different sanction, however the recommended sanction may not be more harsh than the sanction recommended by the Hearing Panel.
          3. remand the matter back to the Hearing Panel for further proceedings or collection of evidence as defined by the Dean, in which case the subsequent decision of the Hearing Panel will be subject to appeal in accordance with the normal process for review.
       4. The decision of the Dean or his or her designee is final.
9. Student Records. Any agreed disposition or final determination by the Hearing Panel of the Dean of the College of Law will be maintained in the student’s permanent academic file in accordance with the COL Student Records Policy.
    
10. Notices.  All notices provided in accordance with these procedures will be delivered confidentially to a student’s official secure COL email address. All procedural dates will be calculated based on the date when a notice is sent to the student’s official COL email address.

Student’s Rights, Responsibilities and Conduct