Student Handbook

Academic institutions exist for the transmission of knowledge, the pursuit of truth, the development of students, and the general well-being of society. Free inquiry and free expression are indispensable to the attainment of these goals. As members of the academic community, students should be encouraged to develop critical judgment and to engage in sustained and independent search for truth.

Freedom to teach and freedom to learn are inseparable facets of academic freedom. The freedom to learn depends upon appropriate opportunities and conditions in the classroom, on the campus, and in the larger community. Students should exercise their freedom with responsibility.

The responsibility to secure and to respect general conditions conducive to the freedom to learn is shared by all members of the academic community. 

TAMIU is a part of TAMUS and is required to follow all System policies and procedures as set forth by TAMUS. https://www.tamus.edu/legal/policy/policy-and-regulation-library/

Students are expected at all times to recognize constituted authority, to conform to the ordinary rules of good conduct, to be truthful, to respect the rights of others, to protect private and public property, and to make the best use of their time toward an education.

1. A student has the right to participate in a free exchange of ideas. TAMIU encourages students to exercise their rights of freedom of speech, expression, petition, and peaceful assembly, as set forth in the Texas and United States Constitutions while imposing reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions on activities of expression and/or dissent.
2. Each student has the right to participate in all areas and activities of the University, free from any form of discrimination, including harassment, on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, or veteran status in accordance with applicable federal and state laws.
3. A student has the right to personal privacy except as otherwise provided by law, and students and University authorities will observe this alike.
4. Each student subject to disciplinary action arising from violations of the University Student Code of Conduct shall be assured of a fundamentally fair process. All student conduct hearings will be determined on a preponderance of the evidence standard.

1. A student has the responsibility to respect the rights and property of others, including other students, the faculty and the administration.
2. A student has the responsibility to be fully acquainted with the published University Student Code of Conduct and to comply with the Code and local, state and federal law.
3. A student has the responsibility to recognize that student actions reflect upon the individuals involved and upon the entire University community.

TAMIU is committed to providing an educational and work environment that is conducive to the personal and professional development of every student. TAMIU is responsible for providing an equal opportunity environment and is accountable for creating an atmosphere that values and nurtures community, respect and accessibility.

TAMIU is committed to serving the State’s students and citizens through education, leadership development, research and service. TAMIU does not discriminate or permit harassment or retaliation on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. 

TAMIU will investigate all grievances of discrimination, and retaliation in accordance with applicable laws, Texas A&M University System Policies and Regulations, University Rules and Procedures, and this Code.

Students are entitled to pursue an education free of improper interference. Any person who engages in improper interference or disruption is subject University disciplinary action and/or legal action.

The professor, in the classroom and in conference, will encourage free discussion, inquiry, and expression. Student performance will be evaluated solely on the basis of academic standards enumerated in the learning outcomes and objectives of a course or program and not on opinions or conduct in matters unrelated to those standards.

Protection of Freedom of Expression: Students are free to take reasoned exception to the data or views expressed in any course of study and to withhold judgment about matters of opinion, but they are responsible for learning the content of any course or program in which they are enrolled. 

Students have the right to be evaluated for their participation and work in the classroom in accordance with the parameters indicated in the course syllabus.  A syllabus will be provided online or in print to each student at the first-class meeting. In the event that the student believes that they have not been properly evaluated, the student may initiate an appeal as outlined in the TAMIU Faculty Handbook. An online version can be found by visiting: http://www.tamiu.edu/senate/handbook.shtml.

Protection Against Improper Disclosure: Information about student views, gender identity, sexual orientation, beliefs, and political associations, which professors acquire in the course of their work as instructors, advisors, and counselors should not be improperly disclosed. Judgments of ability and character may be provided under appropriate circumstances, normally with the knowledge and consent of the student.