Miscellaneous Information
2002-2003 Catalog
Absences on Holy Days
Students who wish to be excused from classes on religious holy days can file a written request in accordance with Section 51.911 of the Texas Education Code. The Office of the Registrar will provide a form that the student must file with each instructor in order to qualify for an excused absence. This request must be made within the first 15 days of the semester in which the absence will occur.A student who is excused under this procedure must take examinations and complete assignments scheduled for that day within a reasonable time after the absence. For information on rules and procedures, contact the Office of the Registrar.
AIDS, HIV and Hepatitis B Virus Policy
UT Southwestern Medical Center recognizes AIDS, human immunodeficiency virus and hepatitis B virus as serious public-health threats and is committed to encouraging an informed and educated response to issues and questions concerning AIDS, HIV and HBV. In furtherance of its commitment, the university has a policy that provides guidance in complying with statutes concerning AIDS, HIV and HBV. This policy addresses administrative policies; residence life; health education; testing for HIV or HBV infection; confidentiality of information relating to people with AIDS, HIV or HBV infection; and patient care. It is applicable to students, faculty and employees of UT Southwestern Medical Center.A complete copy of the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection and Hepatitis B Virus Policy is available in the deans' offices of each school, school libraries and most UT Southwestern departments.
The UT System has published educational material about methods of transmission and prevention of HIV infection and about related state laws, which is available to every UT System employee and student. Copies of this material and the educational pamphlet on HIV infection developed by the state Department of Health are available through Student Health Services and will be made available to all students upon request by telephoning UT Southwestern at 214-648-3320.
Campus Security
In accordance with the federal Student Right-to-Know and Campus Security Act, the university prepares and publishes an annual security report containing information about campus security policies and campus crime statistics and distributes it in campus mail to all current students and employees. Applicants for enrollment or employment may obtain a copy of the annual security report by writing to University Police, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390-9027.To report a campus emergency, dial 911. To contact University Police for nonemergency matters, dial 214-648-8311.
Exposure to Infectious and Environmental Hazards Policy
Contact with patients is an integral part of the medical education at UT Southwestern. Contact with patients may entail exposure to hazards, including exposure to patients with contagious diseases that can be transmitted to students and other health-care providers by way of airborne droplets or needle-puncture wounds involving infected body fluids. Examples of these diseases include tuberculosis, hepatitis B and AIDS.Although the risk of contracting serious illness from these hazards is very small, UT Southwestern seeks to reduce incidents of students' exposure to infectious diseases and environmental hazards. For example, students are required to obtain the hepatitis B vaccine prior to enrollment into medical school and receive a skin test for tuberculosis intermittently throughout medical school. Students receive training in proper blood-drawing techniques and patient-isolation policies prior to the intense clinical exposure in the third and fourth years of medical school. Students also receive a communication from Student Health Services outlining the proper course of action should a hazardous exposure occur. In addition, physicians are available to advise students and answer any questions through Student Health Services. The school reserves the right to restrict patient contact by a student believed to pose a risk to the health of patients.
Hazing
Hazing in state educational institutions is prohibited both by state law (Sections 37.151-.157 and 51.936, Texas Education Code), by the regents' Rules and Regulations (Part One, Chapter VI, Section 3.2) and by the UT Southwestern Handbook of Operating Procedures. The term "hazing" is defined broadly by statute to mean any intentional, knowing or reckless act occurring on or off the campus of an educational institution that endangers the mental or physical health or safety of a student for the purpose of pledging, being initiated into, affiliating with, holding office in or maintaining membership in any organization whose members are, or primarily include, students at an educational institution. Hazing with or without the consent of the student is prohibited, and violators are subject to criminal prosecution and to student disciplinary action by the institution.It is an offense not only to engage in hazing but also to encourage hazing, to recklessly permit hazing to occur, or to fail to report hazing that has occurred or is being planned. Any person reporting a specific incident involving a student to the dean or other appropriate official of the university is immune from criminal liability that might otherwise be incurred or imposed as a result of the report.
Inclement Weather Policy
UT Southwestern will remain open regardless of weather conditions. Students will need to use their own judgment with regard to personal safety; however, student responsibilities are not obviated by weather conditions.Institutional Completion or Graduation Rates
In accordance with the federal Student Right-to-Know and Campus Security Act, the university produces a report of the completion or graduation rates of certificate- or degree-seeking, full-time students entering the university and distributes this report by campus mail. It is readily available to all students. Any prospective student may, upon request, obtain a copy of the graduation report prior to enrolling or entering into any financial obligation by writing to the Office of the Registrar, UT Southwestern Medical Center, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, TX 75390-9096.Intellectual Property Policy
The Intellectual Property Policy of the UT System covers inventions, discoveries, trade secrets, technology and computer software developed by students employed by the university or who use university facilities. The university handles all legal and business matters involving protection and commercialization of the intellectual property. After costs are deducted, income from intellectual property is split 50-50 between UT Southwestern and the responsible student or students.Copies of the complete Intellectual Property Policy and disclosure forms can be obtained from the Office of the Vice President for Technology Development.
Internet Guidelines
These guidelines apply to all students communicating electronically on the university's Campus-Wide Area Network (CWAN) and other Internet-based resources, regardless of the location on campus or remote servers.- Publication of Web-based information that resides on university equipment must be approved by the Office of News and Publications.
- The Internet may not be used for commercial purposes.
- The Internet may not be used solely for personal purposes. (Personal use is acceptable only if such use is incidental to the performance of the user's responsibiliti es, i.e., student course work and any duties to the university.)
- Each student must act professionally in every respect when creating or using university resources for electronic communication.
Smoking Restrictions
Smoking on the campus of UT Southwestern Medical Center is restricted to a few specially designated areas. No smoking is allowed in any building.Solicitation Policy
In accordance with regents' Rules and Regulations, Part One, Chapter VI, Section 6, solicitation by registered organizations is permitted only under certain circumstances. Strict guidelines are enforced, and interested persons or organizations should contact the Office of Student and Alumni Affairs for approval. The university's campus facilities are not open for general public use.Transportation
Bicycles may be practical transportation for students living near the campus. Bicycles may be parked in designated spaces. Bicyclists not experienced at riding in traffic may want to consider some alternative forms of transportation.Students living any great distance from campus may find a car necessary. A permit must be obtained to park on campus. Car pools are encouraged and are given preference in the event of limited parking.
The Dallas Area Rapid Transit System offers bus and light rail service from various locations throughout the Metroplex. Schedules, maps and rate information may be obtained by writing to DART, Customer Assistance, P.O. Box 660163, Dallas, TX 75266-0163; by visiting their Web site at www.dart.org; or by calling 214-979-1111. DART administrative offices are located at 1401 Pacific Ave. in Dallas.
Use of University Name
The university seal, logo, and the names UT Southwestern Medical Center, The University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Southwestern Medical Center and Southwestern Medical School are registered trademarks of The University of Texas System.The seal and other registered trademarks may be used on commercial products only if licensed by the UT System, which restricts authorized use to products that will preserve the reputation of component institutions represented by the trademarks. UT System regulations on the commercial use of trademarks are stated in its Intellectual Property Policy. Students should consult the university's Office of the Vice President for Legal Affairs for information on permission for use, whether commercial or personal.
The seal and other registered trademarks may not be used in business names and/or logos. They may be used in a few other instances only with prior written consent of the president. Requests should be sent to the Office of the Vice President for Legal Affairs.