Photo ID Card
All students must carry an NJIT identification card while on campus. An ID card must be presented at the request of a university administrator, faculty member or public safety officer. Facilities, parking, building access, and services of the university require presentation of a valid university ID.
Students should obtain an ID card as soon as possible after registration is completed. Photographs for ID cards are taken throughout the semester in the Department of Public Safety, located in the parking facility. Dates and times to obtain an ID are posted at the Campus Center information desk. Proof of registration in the form of a tuition receipt or registrar's receipt is required to obtain an ID card. These receipts also will be accepted as NJIT identification until the ID card is issued. ID validation stickers are issued each semester and are available at the Department of Public Safety or the Campus Center information desk.
Lost or stolen IDs should be reported as soon as possible to the Department of Public Safety. A replacement for a lost card is obtained by paying a $25 charge at the bursar's office cashier's window in the Student Mall and presenting the receipt at the Department of Public Safety where the card will be reissued.
Property Loss and Damage
NJIT is not responsible for loss of property by fire or theft in its buildings or grounds. NJIT is not responsible for property damaged as the result of vandalism in its buildings or grounds.
Code of Professional Conduct
NJIT requires students to conduct themselves with decorum and to adhere to standards of ethical and professional behavior. NJIT has adopted, and requires all students to comply with, a Code of Professional Conduct. The policies and procedures governing this code are contained in a separate publication, the Student Handbook, and are deemed incorporated into this catalog. A copy of the handbook may be obtained from the Office of the Dean of Student Services or online at http://www.njit.edu/handbook/.
Anti-Discrimination Policy
New Jersey Institute of Technology reaffirms its commitment to a policy of non-discrimination on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, ethnic origin, handicap or veterans' status in its employment policies, educational programs and activities under university control.
Assuring a climate of equal opportunity is the direct responsibility of all levels of management. Administrative and supervisory personnel are required to comply with applicable government regulations and the affirmative action goals of the university. Among these are Executive Orders 11246 and 11375 (Affirmative action); the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Sex Discrimination); Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Americans with Disabilities Act (Non-discrimination on the Basis of Handicap); The New Jersey Law Against Discrimination, Title 10, Chapter 5, 10:5-1 to 10:5-28, NJ Revised Statutes, as amended; and the New Jersey Governor's Code of Fair Practices, Executive Order No. 21 (1965), as amended and Executive Order No. 39 (1991), "Prohibition in State Government of Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation."
Any reported act of discriminatory behavior will be investigated through the Office of the Dean of Student Services, the Office of Compliance and Community Relations, or Office of General Counsel and Employment Policy Relations.
Sexual Harassment Policy
It is the continuing objective of the university to offer a work and study environment to its employees and students that rewards career and educational goals based upon relevant factors such as ability and work performance. Sexual harassment of employees and students is unacceptable. It is a barrier to educational and professional development and contrary to law and university policy.
In accordance with the NJIT sexual harassment policy and procedures, persons found to have violated university policy will face investigation, managerial review and possible disciplinary action up to and including employment termination and or dismissal from the university (for students). For a full copy of the university's policy prohibiting sexual harassment, please contact the Office of General Counsel and/or the Office of Compliance and Community Relations.
Drug Abuse Prevention Program
New Jersey Institute of Technology prohibits the use of illegal drugs on its premises. University policy concerning possession and consumption of alcoholic beverages on campus subscribes to strict enforcement of the laws of the State of New Jersey, the County of Essex and the City of Newark. In addition, the policy stipulates that any consumption must occur within a responsible social framework wherein beverages are not the focus of the event.
Students with concerns about their own or someone else's use of drugs and/or alcohol can receive information and referral assistance from the Office of the Dean of Student Services, the Counseling Center, the office of Health Services, or the Stop-In Center. The Counseling Center professional staff provides assessment and counseling for some substance abuse problems, relapse prevention support for students in recovery, and referral to off-campus resources as needed. With limited exceptions, services of the Counseling Center are confidential. A full description of confidentiality exceptions is included in the Student Handbook. Questions about confidentiality may be discussed with professional staff prior to receiving services.
In addition, the university, through the Division of Student Services, offers a series of educational programs focused on the areas of drug and alcohol information and substance abuse prevention.
Drug-Free Workplace Policy
Student employees are subject to university policies regarding employment. New Jersey Institute of Technology is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace in compliance with applicable laws. The university is further committed both to rigorous enforcement of applicable laws and policies and to support for those trying to cope with drug-related problems. The unlawful possession, use, distribution, dispensation, sale, or manufacture of controlled substances is prohibited on university premises. Any NJIT employee determined to have violated this policy or engaged in drug-related problems that have an impact upon the workplace may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination. At the discretion of the university, any employee convicted of a drug offense involving the workplace shall be subject to employee discipline (up to and including termination) and/or required to satisfactorily complete a drug rehabilitation program as a condition of continued employment.
The illegal use of controlled substances can seriously injure the health of employees, adversely affect the performance of their responsibilities, and endanger the safety and well-being of fellow employees, students, and members of the general public. Therefore, the university urges employees engaged in the illegal use of controlled substances to seek professional advice and treatment. Anyone who is employed at NJIT who has a drug problem is encouraged to contact the director of the Employee Assistance Program (EAP), who will assist in obtaining available treatment. Employees engaged in contracts with the U.S. Department of Defense are additionally subject to Department of Defense requirements and may be required to submit to tests for the illegal use of controlled substances.
As a condition of employment, an employee of NJIT will notify his/her supervisor if he or she is convicted of a criminal drug offense involving the workplace within five days of the conviction. In the event any such conviction involves an employee working on a federal contract or grant, the university will notify the granting or contracting federal agency within 10 days of receiving notice of a conviction. A copy of this statement shall be given to all employees.
This statement and its requirements are promulgated in accordance with the requirements of the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 enacted by the United States Congress. The university will continue its efforts to maintain a drug-free environment by adhering to the above policy and by providing through the EAP and the offices of Human Resources, and Compliance and Training, ongoing drug awareness programs.
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
The Federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 gives students the right to inspect any educational records about them maintained by NJIT. Students have the right to a hearing to challenge the contents of these records, and also have the right to add to their records an explanation of information they challenge. Unless specifically exempted by the public law, NJIT is mandated to keep student records strictly confidential. The university registrar is responsible for student records. Educational records are defined as transcripts, admission files and registration forms. To review their files, students must contact the registrar, in writing, to specify the items they want to see. Student health records are maintained by the director of health services and may only be examined by a health professional chosen by the student.
Educational records defined by the public law must be made available within 45 days after a student requests to see them. A catalog of educational records kept by NJIT is available from the registrar. Exceptions to the right of inspection include financial aid records and records of institutional, supervisory, and administrative personnel, and ancillary educational personnel. For a nominal service fee, copies of these records may be made for students. The law further permits release of certain information involving disciplinary violations, including violations concerning alcohol or controlled substances of students under the age of 21.
Only those at NJIT acting in the student's interest are allowed access to student files, including personnel in the registrar's, admissions, student services, and finance offices; and academic personnel within the limitations of their need to know.
With the exceptions stated in the law, no one outside NJIT shall have access to a particular student's educational record without the written consent of the student, except in exceptional circumstances such as emergencies. Accrediting agencies carrying out their accrediting function and certain state and federal officials are permitted access. A record of, and reasons for, granting access will be kept by the university and will be available to the student.
The university, at its discretion, may provide directory information, in accordance with the provisions of the law including a student's name, address, telephone listing, date and place of birth, major field of study, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates of attendance, degrees and awards received, and the most recent previous educational agency or institution attended by the student. Students who desire directory information to be withheld should notify the registrar in writing within the first two weeks of initial registration.
Request for non-disclosure will be honored by the university for ONLY ONE ACADEMIC YEAR AT A TIME. Authorization to withhold directory information must be filed annually in the Office of the Registrar.
Students who disagree with an entry may challenge its accuracy with the Office of the Registrar. If this remedy fails, either NJIT or the student may request a formal appeal hearing. The law mandates that such hearings be held within 30 days of requests, and be conducted by a university official or other person with no direct interest in the outcome. Students will be given a full and fair opportunity to present relevant evidence and be represented by their own counsel.
Students may include a written statement in their file explaining a disputed entry following an unfavorable determination of an appeal. A written decision will be rendered within 15 working days after the hearing of an appeal.
Students who believe that they are treated unfairly or improperly and contrary to the provisions of the law may request, in writing, assistance from the provost of the university or the provost's designee. Students who believe that their rights have been abridged may file complaints with the appropriate federal agency.
Copyright Ownership
NJIT believes its role as an educational institution is best served by disclosing to the public all academic research, projects, theses and dissertations developed by students during the course of their studies or employment at the university.
Projects, theses and dissertations created by students shall be governed by the following provisions as outlined in NJIT's copyright policy under "Ownership and Disposition of Copyrightable Materials":
A. Copyright ownership of projects, theses and dissertations generated by research that is performed in whole or in part by the student with financial support in the form of wages, salaries, stipend, or grant from funds administered by the University shall be determined in accordance with the terms of the support agreement, or in the absence of such terms, shall become the property of the University.
B. Copyright ownership of projects, theses and dissertations generated by research performed in whole or in part utilizing equipment or facilities provided to the University under conditions that impose copyright restriction shall be determined in accordance with such restrictions.
C. Copyright in projects, theses and dissertations not within the provisions of Categories A and B of this policy shall be the property of the author. However, the student must, as a condition of a degree award, grant royalty-free permission to the University to reproduce and publicly distribute copies of the project, thesis or dissertation.
Requests for permission to publish Category A and B should be addressed to the Office of Intellectual Property.
For further information, call the Office of Intellectual Property, (973) 596-5825.
Ownership of Intellectual Property
In accordance with university policy, NJIT retains all right, title and interest to any and all intellectual property (i.e., inventions, discoveries, creative works, trade secrets and know-how) developed by NJIT students during the course of their studies or employment at the university or while using university facilities.
To protect against premature disclosure of an invention and/or publication of anything that may be of a proprietary nature, students must immediately report their intent to do so to the Office of Technology Development (see http://www.njit.edu/officetech/). Students must neither publish nor discuss proprietary information with anyone other than the Office of Technology Development or members of the University's Intellectual Property Committee. When a project, thesis or dissertation covers material that is potentially proprietary, both the student and the advisor must report the existence of such material to the Office of Graduate Studies and the Office of Technology Development; so that the University may expedite its review of such material and determine whether or not it is proprietary and should be protected under the University's guidelines for protecting its Intellectual Property. If necessary, the Office of Graduate Studies and the Office of Technology Development will take steps to sequester patentable material in archival documents such as theses and dissertations. If the University applies for a patent, the student will sign an appropriate assignment agreement. All income derived from such intellectual property will be shared between NJIT and the student in accordance with the University's published policy (see http://www.njit.edu/officetech/inventors/).
For further information, call the Office of Intellectual Property, (973) 596-5825.