A. General Policy
The mission of Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso (TTUHSC El Paso) is to improve the lives of people in our State and our community by focusing on the unique health care needs of socially and culturally diverse border populations through excellence in integrated education, research, and patient care.
A University, like any community, must have regulations and standards by which its members abide and procedures by which its components function. The standards should provide order and an atmosphere conducive to intellectual and personal development. This Student Handbook, the TTUHSC El Paso Operating Policies and Procedures, and the individual Schools’ catalogs and handbooks are intended to serve these purposes in the interest of all components of the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso.
The University has a responsibility to maintain order within the University community and to discipline those who violate its standards, rules, and policies. Enrollment at TTUHSC El Paso requires students to share in this responsibility. Students agree to abide by the standards, rules, and policies outlined in this Student Handbook, the TTUHSC El Paso Operating Policies and Procedures, and the individual Schools’ catalogs and any other official University publications. Registered student organizations are required to follow all of these standards, rules, and policies.
The Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center El Paso (TTUHSC El Paso or the University) reserves the right to change, modify, amend, or rescind, in whole or in part, this Handbook at any time without prior notice. This Handbook supersedes all previous editions. The provisions of this Handbook do not constitute a contract, expressed or implied, between any student or faculty member and Texas Tech University System, TTUHSC El Paso, Hunt School of Nursing (HSON), Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences (GSBS), Foster School of Medicine (FSOM), or Hunt School of Dental Medicine. (HSDM).
B. Authority
The authority to enact and enforce the regulations of the University is vested in the Texas Tech University System Board of Regents. The responsibility for enforcing regulations and imposing penalties is delegated to the Chancellor and/or the President of the University and any University officials the President designates.
All references to the Chancellor and/or President of the University and Vice President of Academic Affairs or Assistant Vice President for Student Services and Student Engagement (SSSE) or designee shall be interpreted to include persons designated to act on behalf of these officials.
C. Policy on Non-Discrimination
TTUHSC El Paso brings together, in common pursuit of its educational goals, person of many backgrounds and experiences, thus the University does not tolerate discrimination or harassment of any employee or applicant for employment because of sex, including pregnancy, race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, status as a protected veteran, or any other legally protected category, class, or characteristic. While sexual orientation and gender identity are not explicitly protected categories under state or federal law, it is the University’s policy not to discriminate in employment, admission, or use of programs, activities, facilities, or services on these bases. Employment actions, such as hiring, promotion, demotion, transfer, rate of pay or other forms of compensation, selection for training, and termination, shall not be made based on an employee’s protected status. Discriminatory behavior is prohibited regardless of how it is exhibited, whether verbally, in writing, or electronically displayed or conveyed.
Discriminatory behavior is prohibited by this policy, as well as by federal laws such as Title VII, which prohibits discrimination in employment, Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education program or activities, as well as the Equal Pay Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, Title II of the Genetic Information Non-Discrimination Act, and state laws such as Chapter 21 of the Texas Labor Code. The University expects all members of the University Community to comply with the law. For more information, see Texas Tech System Regulation 07.09, Texas Tech University System Regulation 07.10, HSCEP OP 51.01 Equal Employment Opportunity Policy and Affirmative Action Program, HSCEP 51.02, Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy and Complaint Procedure, and Part V of this Student Handbook.
D. University Name, Documents and Records
The use by any person or organization of the University’s name in connection with any program or activity, without the prior written permission of the TTUHSC El Paso Office of the Vice Chancellor for Institutional Advancement or designee, or any unauthorized use of University documents, records or seal is prohibited. See HSCEP OP 67.01, Publication Guidelines.
E. Clery Annual Security Report
In accordance with the guidelines established by TTUHSC El Paso, the Texas Tech Police Department, and pursuant to the federal law identified as the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, all currently enrolled students, campus employees and all prospective students and prospective employees are entitled to request and receive a copy of the Annual Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Report. The report contains statistics about certain specified crimes and related incidents that have been reported to the Texas Tech Police Department and other campus security authorities over the past three calendar years (2017, 2018 and 2019). All incidents contained within the report have either occurred on-campus, in off-campus buildings, or on or near property owned or controlled by TTUHSC El Paso. The report also contains policies and practices pertaining to campus security, crime reporting, alcohol and drugs, victims’ assistance programs, student discipline policies, campus resources, community safety alerts, crime prevention, access to campus facilities and properties as well as personal safety tips.
Annual reports can be accessed at https://elpaso.ttuhsc.edu/about/policies/annual-securityreport.aspx
To request a paper copy of this report, contact the Texas Tech Police Department by email at police@ttuhsc.edu or by phone at 915-215-7111 during normal business hours, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
For additional information also refer to HSCEP OP 76.40 Annual Crime Reporting Clery Act Compliance and related Texas Tech University System Regulation 07.05.
F. Drug and Alcohol Abuse Prevention Program
As per HSCEP OP 10.03 Alcohol and Illegal Drugs TTUHSC El Paso prohibits the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of alcohol and illegal drugs on TTUHSC El Paso property or as a part of any officially sponsored TTUHSC El Paso activities.
The Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989, 20 U.S.C.§ 7101 et seq., as amended, require that, as a condition of receiving funds or any other form of financial assistance under any federal program, an institution of higher education must adopt and implement a program designed to prevent the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of alcohol and illegal drugs by faculty, staff, and students. This OP also applies to residents. In addition to meeting the requirements of the federal law, TTUHSCEP also intends that this policy be part of a positive effort in alleviating alcohol abuse and other drug-related problems among members of the campus communities in all regional sites and components. Thus, the emphasis in program implementation will be on prevention, education, counseling, intervention, and treatment.
This policy is in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other TTUHSC El Paso policy. TTUHSC El Paso reserves the right to take disciplinary action against faculty, staff, residents, or students for violations under this or other applicable policies of TTUHSC El Paso.
All TTUHSC El Paso students are required to complete a drug and alcohol training program each year. Students are notified of the method to complete this training by the Office of Student Services and Student Engagement (SSSE) annually. In addition SSSE provides access to Student Counseling and Health Services. Please see https://elpaso.ttuhsc.edu/studentservices for more information and detailed schedules.
In addition, some TTUHSC El Paso students may be required to submit/complete any and all of the following tests or screening for the purposes of enrollment or clinical assignments:
For those required to submit drug screening view HSCEP OP 77.15 Working with Affiliated Entities - Student Drug Screenings for additional details.
For those required to submit criminal background checks should review HSCEP OP 10.20 Criminal Background Checks for Students, Residents and Trainees.
G. Tobacco-Free Environment
According to the United States Surgeon General, tobacco use is the single largest preventable cause of premature death and disability. Tobacco users are at substantially increased risk of developing smoking-related cancers, cardiovascular disease, and lung disease. Environmental smoke can cause discomfort and disease in non-smokers. Institutions with smokers suffer from lost productivity, conflict, and plant deterioration
As a health care institution, TTUHSC El Paso is committed to the establishment and enforcement of a healthier tobacco-free environment. HSCEP OP 10.19, Tobacco-Free Environment Policy, includes regulation and assessment.
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