BUTLER UNIVERSITY Student Handbook 2011–2012 From the Vice President for Student Affairs Butler University strives to prepare graduates not simply to make a living, but to make a life of purpose. this is The Butler Way. Whether you are new to Butler University or are a familiar face on campus, I want you to know the quality of campus life is crucial to the success of a University. At Butler, the Division of Student Affairs strives to integrate our students’ educational experiences into a campus setting with opportunities, challenges and services that promote development as a total person. Learning happens in and out of the classroom. I encourage you to actively participate in Butler’s community of learning. With this goal in mind, the departments within the Division of Student Affairs focus on meeting the needs of students from the time you join this community through commencement – and beyond. Our staff seeks to maximize each student’s potential. As you build an academic foundation, we are here to help you apply that knowledge by discovering personal passions, strengths and opportunities for further development. I challenge you to connect with faculty, staff and fellow students, and most importantly, make good choices that reflect a balanced life. Embrace diversity and foster collaboration within the community as you prepare to take leadership roles after graduation. Butler University is a place where individuals take personal responsibility for their actions and show genuine concern for others. You will hear a great deal about Butler’s Community of Care which states: At Butler, we empower every person to engage in healthy behaviors, to support others in doing the same and to look out for one another. Our collective responsibility fosters a strong, healthy and connected community. As you know, the strength of a community hinges on the support of its members. Use the Student Handbook as a resource guide to campus. Take time to become familiar with what the University has to offer you and what is expected from you as a vital member of this community. The ultimate goal of student affairs is to send unique individuals into the world who are poised to make a positive contribution. Use your time as a Butler student to prepare for the day when you can transfer your learning into action. Remember at its heart, The Butler Way requires that we aspire every day to improve ourselves and those around us. Enjoy this year! Sincerely, Dr. Levester Johnson Vice president for student affairs TABLE OF CONTENTS INTRODUCTION ........................................................................... 1 HISTORY OF BUTLER UNIVERSITY ................................... 3 CAMPUS RESOURCES.................................................................6 ACADEMICS....................................................................................11 CAMPUS LIFE............................................................................... 32 RESIDENCE LIFE........................................................................61 GREEK LIFE................................................................................. 77 RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES........................................ 85 INTRODUCTION The student handbook is meant to serve as a map of the Butler University community — one compre- hensive guide covering a wide variety of topics. All Butler students are responsible for the University rules regulations, and policies that appear here. This document also contains important information about the Uni- versity‘s student conduct system. Students, faculty and staff alike are involved in the actual administration of this conduct system. Therefore, it is to your benefit to familiarize yourself with its content. While this student handbook is intended to be a fair summary of certain matters of interest to students, its readers should be aware that it is not a complete statement of all procedures, policies, rules and regulations of Butler University; as stated above, the University has the right to change without notice any procedures, policies or programs that appear in the student handbook; and the various colleges and departments of the University may have their own procedures and policies that apply to students. In addition, except where expressly noted herein, this student handbook is not, nor is it intended, to create a contract between any student and the University. The terms set forth in this student handbook do not create contractual or legal rights for students. Please note: For ease of reading, references to a single gender may appear in the student handbook when the reference may include men and women. Although we believe this document to be accurate at the date of publication, changes may occur. Various committees and officers of the University are responsible for the areas covered in the student handbook. The University, these committees and officers have the right to make changes in University regulations, policies, procedures and other matters as deemed appropriate, with or without notice to students. Updates and changes to University rules and policies that occur after July are likely to be noted on the Student Conduct website: www.butler.edu/student-conduct. The student handbook should serve as a general reference guide for most questions concerning But- ler University‘s policies, procedures, regulations and services. The handbook has been divided into the follow- ing general sections (Information and Resources, Academics, Campus Life, Residence Life, Greek Life and Rights and Responsibilities). Butler students wishing further information concerning the topics dealt with in the student handbook are encouraged to contact the office of the Vice President for Student Affairs in Atherton Union, room 200, and (317) 940-9570. Comments or concerns regarding the student handbook are welcome. If you have ideas for making this publication better in the years to come, do not hesitate to contact a student affairs staff member. The publication of the student handbook is made possible through the combined efforts of many people, particularly the staff members of the Division of Student Affairs. Special thanks are also provided to all of the editors that made the production of this book possible. Welcome to our community! 1 EQUAL OPPORTUNITY Butler University is committed to the principle of equal opportunity. It does not knowingly discriminate against any applicant, student or employee on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, race, color, age, religion or nationality/ethnicity. It attempts to make its programs equally accessible to all qualified applicants regard- less of physical or mental disability. This school is authorized under federal law to enroll non-immigrant alien students. DISCLAIMER OF LIABILITY Butler University disclaims liability for any injuries to or property damages suffered by a student regard- less of cause. This liability disclaimer is a matter of contract between the University and each student and it applies to, but is not limited to, the following: Any injury or damage sustained on property owned by or under the control of the University, its sub- sidiaries or affiliated institutions (such as classrooms, residential units, structures, buildings, public areas and grounds, vehicles, etc.); Any injury or damage incurred while attending a classroom or related activity, whether for credit or non-credit and regardless of cause; Any injury or damage suffered in an intercollegiate or intramural contest or event (athletic or other- wise) as a participant, spectator or other; this includes transportation to and from a contest or event; Any injury or damage resulting from fire, theft, the elements, roof leaks, mechanical failures or other cause; Any injury or damage as a result of any act or omission by any University personnel (faculty, staff, employee, officer, trustee), student or contractor. Students accept the foregoing disclaimer and agree, as a matter of contract, to be bound thereby upon admission, re-admission or continued enrollment at Butler University. The relationship between Butler and its students is non-custodial in nature and nothing in the student handbook shall be construed to place Butler in the position of being custodian, guardian or surrogate parent of any student or to otherwise establish any special relationship between the University and any student. Upon being admitted, a student is bound to follow all of the University‘s rules and regulations. Butler students who fail to read the student handbook will not be excused from compliance with the policies and requirements herein. Butler University may disseminate additional information and policies directly to stu- dents via their Butler e-mail account. It is imperative for students to read their e-mail. 2 HISTORY OF BUTLER UNIVERSITY Ahead of its time in higher education Six years before the Civil War, in 1855, two professors, a couple of assistant teachers and 20 students walked through the doors of North Western Christian University (later renamed Butler University) located at 13th Street and College Avenue. The University immediately began establishing precedents virtually unheard of in the world of academia: Women were admitted on an equal basis with men — a first for Indiana — and only the second uni- versity in the nation to do so. Butler admitted students representing all minorities, and has continued to do so throughout its histo- ry. The first in the state to allow its students, with parental consent, to choose subjects suited to their