Appendix E: Student Responsibilities & Rights

Students are entitled to privacy, expression, non-discrimination, non-harassment and the opportunity to appeal, petition or contest university actions pursuant to the procedures referenced below and Appendix D (Code of Student Accountability).

Policy Responsibility

It is the responsibility of the student to become knowledgeable of and to observe all TU policies, regulations, and procedures. In no case will a waiver of requirements or an exception be granted because a student pleads ignorance of policy or regulation or asserts that information of specific requirements was not provided by an adviser or other TU authority. The student should become especially familiar with

  1. the regulations in this catalog,
  2. the section presenting requirements for the degree sought, and
  3. the offerings and requirements of the student’s major department.

Policy for graduate study, as stated in this current catalog, is in effect for all students admitted to a program for the current academic year, and under which the student operates through the term of their study toward completion of degree requirements (subject to the disclaimer in the next paragraph).

While the provisions of this catalog will ordinarily be applied as stated, the catalog and the information contained herein does not constitute a contract. Towson University reserves the right to change any provision listed in this catalog, including but not limited to academic requirements for graduation, without actual notice to individual students. Every effort will be made to keep students advised of any such changes. It is especially important to note that it is the individual student’s responsibility to keep apprised of current graduation requirements for the particular degree program.

Graduate Student Appeals Process for Academic Issues

Students shall have the opportunity: 1) to appeal their dismissal from Towson University; 2) to appeal grades; and 3) to petition for an exception from academic policies.

Information about the Graduate Student Appeals Process is available in the Academic Policies and Procedures section of the Graduate catalog. 

Student Complaints

In addition to the policies and procedures outlined in this academic catalog, the Code of Student Accountability, the Student Academic Integrity Policy, and the Policy Prohibiting Discrimination, TU has also established complaint procedures specifically relating to non-discrimination, sexual harassment and other sexual misconduct (Title IX), and ethics and compliance violations involving possible illegal, unethical, or improper conduct. For any matters not covered in the preceding links, students may also submit complaints directly to the Office of the Provost. 

If a student believes the complaint has not been resolved appropriately by TU, then a complaint to the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) should be filed within two years of the incident by following MHEC's Student Complaint Process.

The Middle States Commission on Higher Education process for complaints about an institution of higher education can be found on its Complaints webpage.

Complaints Procedures for Students Enrolled in Distance Education/Online Programs and Courses

After all internal TU complaint procedures are exhausted, students enrolled in a TU distance education/online program or course who reside in Maryland or another U.S. state (excluding California), the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin Islands may file a complaint about the distance education/online program or course with the Maryland Higher Education Commission. Students who reside in California while enrolled in a TU distance education/online program or course who wish to file a complaint about the distance education/online program or course should contact the California Department of Consumer Affairs.