Student Rights & Responsibilities

Student Rights

The Groupe ESLSCA Department of International Graduate Education students have the same rights and protections under the Constitution of France as other citizens and legal aliens residing in France.  Furthermore, Groupe ESLSCA is dedicated to maintaining a scholarly community which - as its central purpose - promotes the creation and dissemination of knowledge.  The Department seeks to maintain an environment where students have the following rights:

Expression: Students can freely examine and exchange diverse ideas inside and outside the classroom.

Assembly: Students can associate freely with other International Graduate Education students, as well as with other Groupe ESLSCA students, groups and organizations.

Education: Students have access to excellent faculty, academic technology, the University Library, and other resources necessary for the learning process.

Fair & equal treatment: Students have the right to be treated equally, fairly and with dignity, and can expect to participate fully in the Groupe ESLSCA without discrimination.

Information: Students have the right to be informed of the standards of performance and evaluation, and their modification, in all courses and academic programs on timely and accurate manner.

Safe environment: Students can function in their daily activities without concerns for personal safety.

Grievance process: Students have access to procedures for respectfully presenting and addressing their concerns and complaints.

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The exercise and preservation of students’ rights require a respect for the rights of all members of Groupe ESLSCA.  Students enrolling in ESLSCA assume an obligation to conduct themselves in a civil manner that is respectful to others, and compatible with Groupe ESLSCA’s function as an educational entity.  In order to fulfill its functions of gaining and sharing knowledge, Groupe ESLSCA has the authority and responsibility to exclude those who are disruptive of the educational process.

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Student Standards of Conduct

The ESLSCA International Graduate Education is an academic and social community dedicated to the creation and dissemination of knowledge.  Its members (faculty, students and administrators) are committed to promoting an environment of tolerance, civility and trust.  Students are, therefore, expected to uphold the Department’s standards of academic integrity, honest work and mutual respect.  They are expected to abide by the Groupe ESLSCA policies as well as to obey French law.

Any student who accepts admission to Groupe ESLSCA International Graduate Education commits to ethical conduct and a willingness to subscribe to, and be governed by, Groupe ESLSCA regulations.  Every student also acknowledges the right of Groupe ESLSCA to take disciplinary actions deemed appropriate for failure to abide by such regulations.

Before matriculating, each student shall sign a statement indicating acceptance of the provisions of the Groupe ESLSCA International Graduate Education regulations without reservation.

Groupe ESLSCA Department of International Graduate Education specifically prohibits the following forms of conduct:

Lying defined as communicating untruths in order to gain an unfair advantage.  Examples of lying are:

• Misrepresentation in applying for admission.

• Misrepresentation in applying for an internship or an employment.

Cheating defined as the use or attempting to use unauthorized materials, information or study aid in any academic exercise.  Examples of cheating are:

• Unauthorized use of notes, text or other aids during an examination.

• Copying from other student’s examination during an exam.

• Talking during an examination.

• Hiding notes in a calculator for use during an examination.

• Copying from other person’s – including a more senior student’s - research paper, case write-up, homework, computer disk, etc.

• Submitting the same paper for more than one course without the explicit permission of the instructor.

Fabrication defined as intentional and unauthorized falsification, misrepresentation, or invention of any information, data or citation in an academic exercise.  Examples of fabrication are:

• Making up the data for a research paper.

• Altering the results of a survey.

• Listing a citation for a source not used.

Plagiarism defined as the intentional representation of another person’s words, thoughts, or ideas as one’s own without providing proper documentation of source by way of a footnote or endnote.  Examples of plagiarism are:

• Word for word quotation from a source, including an electronic source.

• Paraphrase: using ideas of others in one’s own word.

• Representation of interviews, radio and television programs, etc.

Unauthorized collaboration defined as collaboration with other students in preparing an assignment when separate reports are submitted and sole authorship is claimed.

Participation in dishonest activities such as:

• Forgery, falsification, or fraudulent misuse of, or obtaining unauthorized access to, ESLSCA documents, computer files or systems, and credentials such as identification cards and transcripts.

• Damage to, or destruction, theft or other misuse of ESLSCA property or the property of another member of ESLSCA community.

• Misuse of the materials or facilities of the University Library.

• Unauthorized use of ESLSCA services, equipment, or facilities.

• Violation of rules for using information technology services and facilities (see Rules and Regulations on Computer Usage).

Uncivil Actions defined as behaviors disruptive to other members of Groupe ESLSCA.  Examples are: 

• Physical assault, coercion, harassment or intimidation of another person.

• Verbal abuse, intimidation or harassment of another person.

• Participation in or encouragement of any effort to disturb a class or other school functions.

• Smoking and eating in classrooms and other premises where it is explicitly forbidden.

• Receiving or sending cellular phone calls in classrooms and other premises where it is explicitly forbidden.

Facilitating Academic Dishonesty defined as intentional assistance to violate the provisions of this policy.  Examples include:

• Inaccurately listing another student as co-author of a paper, case write-up or project whereas the other person did not contribute.

• Sharing a take-home examination, homework assignment, case write-up, report, etc., with another student without expressed permission from the instructor.

• Taking an examination or writing a paper for another student.

• Unauthorized providing of material or information to another student.

In addition, any person having knowledge of any offense without reporting it shall be considered as accessory to the violation and subject to penalty.

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Procedures & Sanctions

If any member of the Groupe ESLSCA International Graduate Education believes that a violation of the above regulations has occurred, he or she is expected to bring the matter to the attention of the Director of International Graduate Education. 

In case of minor violations, the Director may impose one or both of the following two sanctions:

Admonition: An oral statement to a student that he or she is violating or has violated a specified rule.

Warning: A written notice to a student who has violated a specified rule, including the possibility of more severe disciplinary sanctions should another violation occur.

In cases of a severe violation or a repeated minor violation, the Director of International Graduate Education will refer the matter to the Academic Standards and Discipline Committee.  The Committee will investigate the matter and, consequently, will hold a formal hearing to which the accused student may be invited to participate.

In the event of a decision against a student, the Committee will determine the appropriate sanction and notify, in writing, to the student.   Sanctions are designed to promote the Department’s educational mission as well as deter similar conduct.  In cases of severe violation, the Committee may require that the conviction be noted on the academic transcript of the student.

The Academic Standards and Discipline Committee may impose one or more of the following sanctions for prohibited conduct:

Reprimand: A written notice for violation of the specified standards of conduct placed in the student’s record, including the possibility of more severe disciplinary sanctions should another violation occur.

Restitution: Compensation for loss, damage, or injury to the appropriate party in the form of service, money, or material replacement. Completion of a project specifically designed to help the student understand the deficiency of his/her conduct.

Service: Performance of tasks designed to benefit the community. Restriction from entering specific areas and/or all forms of contact with certain persons. Temporary exclusion from Groupe ESLSCA.  During the period of suspension, a student may not use any resources or facilities of Groupe ESLSCA nor participate in activities conducted by Groupe ESLSCA.

Expulsion: Permanent termination of student status.

Immediate Suspension

In extraordinary circumstances, the Director of International Graduate Education can immediately suspend the student pending a meeting of the Academic Standards and Discipline Committee.

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Use of Equipment

Groupe ESLSCA-International Graduate Education equipment, materials and supplies may not be used for personal purpose unrelated to the School’s mission or for commercial purposes.

Equipment may not be used by individuals and groups who are not part of Groupe ESLSCA without the prior approval of the Director of International Graduate Education.

Computer Usage

The Groupe ESLSCA International Graduate Education computer facilities including its computer lab serve to support classroom instruction and interpersonal communication of its members: students, faculty and the administration.  Class related activities take precedence over personal use of the computers.

The computer facilities may not be used for commercial purposes.  Playing of games and using chat rooms are prohibited.  Any individual who is not part of Groupe ESLSCA is not permitted to use the lab.  This includes guests of current students.

Groupe ESLSCA International Graduate Education students have priority access to its computer facilities.  At times when the demand for computers is high, students enrolled in other Groupe ESLSCA programs must discontinue their use of computer facilities.

The opening and closing times are posted in the computer lab or on the entrance door.  The lab may be closed at other times for maintenance.

At times when the demand for computers is high, a “sign in” system may be implemented. Everyone entering the lab must sign on the "sign in" sheet and sit at the corresponding numbered computer.  Users must sign out when leaving.  A 1-hour time limit will be placed on use of all computers.  This will ensure that students have fair access to computer facilities.  Students who have not signed in when entering the lab, will be required to leave the lab regardless of the actual length of time they have spent in the lab.

The computer lab serves as a shared study area, where noise must be kept to a minimum.  In consideration of other students working in the lab, students are expected to speak softly and limit conversation with others.  Students may not play music in the lab unless they use headphones.  For the protection of the lab equipment, absolutely no food and beverages are allowed in the lab.  The computer lab is a smoke-free zone.

ESLSCA enforces legal protections provided by copyright and licensing of computer programs and data.  Copying of any software from the computer lab is strictly prohibited.

Students must respect the integrity of the computing systems and facilities.  Downloading and saving any programs or files on any computer hard drive, and reconfiguring or deleting existing software are prohibited.  Users may create and save personal files to their assigned accounts or portable diskettes.

Students who want to connect their laptop computers to the network are required to obtain a separate IP address.

When students command a program to print a document, it may not immediately begin printing.  Users are expected to send only one job at a time, and wait until their previous document has finished printing up before sending another one.  Users are also expected to cut and paste in order to limit printing.

Inserting inkjet transparency sheets in to the printer is prohibited. 

Safety & Security

Students are expected to familiarize themselves with the rules and regulations on safety and security posted in each classroom.

Conduct in Classroom

Students are expected to respect the basic rules of order and courtesy in class.  Under no circumstances shall a student disturb the normal conduct of a class.  They are also expected to comply with all the prohibitions posted on classroom walls.

Official Notice Boards

Official bulletin boards outside Groupe ESLSCA Registrar’s Office and International Graduate Education Offices post all items of importance to students.  Students are expected to check these boards regularly for all up-to-date requirements and information.  

Changes of Address & Telephone Number

Students are required to notify ESLSCA International Graduate Education Office of a change of home (permanent) or local (current) mailing address, local fixed line and portable telephone numbers, and main email address within 3 days of such a change.

The students bear full responsibility for any consequences resulting from official ESLSCA communications not received due to an incorrect address.

Student Identification Cards

Students are issued Groupe ESLSCA student identification cards that they should carry at all times.  The cards are means of identification for library privileges and other ESLSCA functions and services available to them as students, as well as a means of access to many privileges and discounts offered by French public services and local businesses to students. 

The cards are not transferable, and fraudulent use may result in sanction.  Students should report the loss, theft or damage of their card immediately to the Groupe ESLSCA Registrar.  The cost of a replacement card is 30 euros.  

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