Office of Policy and Compliance

The Colorado State University Police Department (CSUPD) is a full service law enforcement agency and is responsible for handling such matters on and off University campuses. In addition, they provide other services such as the Campus Walk Along program, counseling and intervention, and background checks.

IN AN EMERGENCY, DIAL 911.

The University is required to collect sales tax on sales of all taxable retail services. All colleges, departments, agencies and other selling entities are required to collect applicable taxes. See the Financial Policy and Procedure Instructions Manual (Section C) for additional information.

By Vendors: Sales and solicitations are generally prohibited in University facilities, with certain exceptions. Non-approved vendors will not be authorized to (a) sell or solicit sale of products or services, (b) solicit donations, or (c) hand out or post advertising on campus except through regular sales outlets such as the Student Center Bookstore, LSC Flea Market, or other pre-approved venue. Costs of removal of unauthorized advertising and damages may be charged to the sponsoring group or individual.

By Student Organizations: Recognized University student organizations must be authorized by the Student Leadership Involvement and Community Engagement (SliCE) Office before soliciting students or groups for the purpose of selling food, merchandise or services or obtaining contributions on or off campus. Proceeds from sales must be used toward fulfilling the purposes of the sponsoring organizations. Food sales must be pre-approved by and coordinated with Environmental Health Services, and all applicable health and safety regulations must be strictly observed. Solicitation by individuals or non-University groups is prohibited, except through established University sales outlets.

See also: Freedom of Expression and Peaceful Assembly; Food Sales and Solicitations

The Center for Advising and Student Achievement (CASA) provides the following services for students:
• Academic advising for undeclared students, GUEST and Continuing Education students, and students exploring majors.
• Pre-professional advising for human and animal health careers, including chiropractic, dentistry, medicine, nursing, occupational therapy, optometry, pharmacy, physical therapy, physician assistant, podiatry and veterinary medicine.
• Orientation and Transition Programs for new students, including Preview Freshman Summer Orientation, Next Step Transfer Orientation, Ram Welcome, first year and transfer student mentoring, and second year student programs.
• Learning Communities including Key Academic, Key Service, and Key Plus.
• Outreach and support for identified populations to facilitate academic success.
• Coordination of Scholastic Standards, including advising for students on probation and appealing academic dismissal.
• Withdrawal from the University.

Note: Not all graduate and professional schools honor Fresh Start and will re-calculate a cumulative GPA using all grades on a transcript.

Students will be eligible to graduate with honors if they meet the GPA requirements after admittance through Fresh Start.

Fresh Start students must be in compliance with the financial aid “satisfactory progress policy” when applying for financial aid. If extenuating circumstances exist, an appeal with supporting documentation may be submitted. Visit with Student Financial Services.

See the policies linked below.

Colorado law (CRS section 42-4-237) mandates the use of seat belts for persons riding in the front seat of a vehicle. Colorado State University wholly supports this law, and all persons using University vehicles are required to comply.

When CSU provides a service for which the recipient is required to provide proof of identification, including the issuance of CSUID cards, CSU shall not accept, rely upon, or utilize an identification document unless it is a secure and verifiable document. "Secure and verifiable document" means a document issued by a state or federal jurisdiction or recognized by the United States government and that is verifiable by federal or state law enforcement, intelligence, or homeland security agencies. The matricula consular is not considered a "secure and verifiable" document.

An employee contemplating candidacy for elective political office or appointment to public office shall be subject to certain requirements and conditions of employment.

Senior citizens (age 55 and older) may visit Colorado State University resident instruction classes on a space available basis at no cost. You will find all of the procedures and regulations on the Senior Citizen Visitation Privilege page of the Registrar's Office website.

For information regarding adding Senior Citizen into a RamCT section, please see the RamCT website.

Colorado State University strives to create and maintain a work and study environment that is fair, humane, and responsible so that each member of the University community is treated with dignity and rewarded for such relevant considerations as ability and performance. Abusive treatment of individuals on a personal or stereotyped basis is contrary to the concepts of academic freedom and equal opportunity. Sexual harassment is one form of such abuse and cannot be tolerated.

Sexual harassment is also illegal. It is prohibited in the employment context by Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act and in the education context by Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972.

Therefore, this policy shall apply to all persons affiliated with the University, including its students and employees. Persons who violate this policy shall be subject to corrective action.

This policy supplants and supersedes all other policies and procedures related to issues of sexual harassment. For the complete policy, click the link below.

See also: Equal Opportunity; Retaliation; Student Sexual Harassment and Violence.

By statute, the Board of Governors of the Colorado State University System has authority to enter into contracts and agreements, purchase and sell real and personal property and interests therein, make and implement personnel decisions, and generally to control the funds and expenditures of the University. The Board has sub-delegated to the President of Colorado State University the authority to “approve and execute all contracts, agreements, grants, warrants, and other binding legal instruments presented in the name of the Board for the State of Colorado, which are either: (1) expressly approved by resolution of the Board, or; (2) usual, necessary, and appropriate to the normal operation of the institution and, within the budgeted expenditures as approved by the Board. The Institution Presidents may, in writing, authorize other administrators to negotiate and execute instruments so long as such authorization is limited to instruments which are usual, necessary and appropriate to the normal operations of the institution, and within the budgeted expenditures for the institution.” (State Board of Agriculture resolution dated December 8, 1987).

The President has in turn sub-delegated specific authority for certain types of contracts, agreements and instruments, as set forth in the Delegated Contract Signature Authority memorandum (also referred to as the “contract signature delegation chart”) linked below. These sub-delegations were approved by the President on December 6, 2010, and supersede all prior signature delegations. CSU Contracting Services is authorized to modify the signature delegation chart as required by Board resolution, further delegations by the President, or further sub-delegations by authorized Vice Presidents. The full memorandum approved by the President, along with the Signature Delegation chart, is accessible on the Contracting Services website. Note: Contracts containing "indemnification", "hold harmless" and similar clauses are generally prohibited and require a different review process. Contact the Office of Contracting Services for assistance.

In addition, the President has delegated certain Personnel Powers as authorized by the Board. Those delegations are set forth in the Delegated Personnel Authority memorandum, also linked below.

Finally, authority to sign worker's compensation settlement agreements has been delegated by the President as set forth in the Worker's Compensation Settlements memorandum linked below.

Contact:
For contract matters: Contracting Services: (970) 491-6166
For personnel matters: Human Resource Services: (970) 491-5793
For other instruments: Business and Financial Services: (970) 491-6023
For settlements and all other matters relating to authority to act: Office of the General Counsel: (970) 491-6270

The erection of signs on the grounds of the campus or on the exterior of campus buildings shall be in conformity with the campus graphics program and must be approved by the Physical Development Committee prior to installation. Signs that have not received approval will be removed.

1.  Smoking is prohibited in all University buildings and vehicles, including residence halls.
There are no exceptions to this policy.

2.  Smoking is prohibited within twenty-five (25) feet of any entrance, passageway, operable window, or ventilation system of any university building.

Failure to Comply:

Willful violations of this policy may lead to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment, or discipline pursuant to the Student Conduct Code.  Persons violating this policy may be subject to civil and criminal liability under applicable laws.  Persons violating this policy may also be removed from university property.

The use of social media websites is increasingly common for University departments, students and employees, and these communications tools have the potential to create a significant impact on organizational and professional reputations. Colorado State University has developed a policy to properly portray, promote and protect the institution and to assist CSU entities in creating and managing their social media accounts. The policy also provides suggestions on how to protect personal and professional reputations while using social media. This policy requires that:

• Officially-recognized CSU social media accounts and web pages be reviewed and approved through an application process.

• Each social media account will have responsible administrators assigned.

• Each officially-approved account must include a disclaimer statement, in the prescribed form, regarding content and opinions contained on the site.

• Inappropriate, offensive, injurious and illegal content may be removed by CSU employees identified as account administrators or at the direction of the Social Media Policy Staff.

• Best practices for social media accounts should be considered.

The complete Social Media Policy is linked below.

For more information on creating and using official CSU social media accounts, contact the Social Media staff in the Office of the Vice President for External Relations as follows:

Kimberly Sorensen
Department of Public Relations
(970) 491-0757
Kimberly.Sorensen@colostate.edu


If your unit is in need of an official unit identifier or if you would like help in creating an avatar/profile image for your social media account, contact:

Lindsay Connors
Division of External Relations
(970) 491-4179
Lindsay.Connors@colostate.edu

CSU permits disclosure of an employee or student's Social Security number only as authorized by law.

Social Security numbers of CSU employees constitute “personnel” information under the Colorado Open Records Act and cannot be released to anybody other than the persons to whom they relate, and, as may be necessary, their supervisors.

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (“FERPA”) prohibits recipients of federal funds, such as CSU, from disclosing the Social Security numbers of enrolled students except in certain circumstances. Colorado law, C.R.S. 23-5-127 also prohibits institutions of higher education from using a student's SSN (or part of student's SSN) as the student's primary identifier under most circumstances. CSU does not use SSNs as primary identifiers for students. See the link below for the IT Security Policy governing private information, including SSNs.

See also Red Flags.

For use of University facilities for public events such as concerts, etc., a special review and recommendation by the University Special Events Advisory Group (USEAG) is required.

The Colorado Student Bill of Rights focuses on various aspects of student academic life including advising, transferability of credits, and degree completion.

One particular segment of the Student Bill of Rights notes that a student may formalize a plan to obtain a degree in four years. Colorado State University supports this timeline for graduation by publishing advising guidelines under which a student may expect to graduate in four years and also publishes curriculum check sheets defining a common four-year course progression for each major. These check sheets and advising guidelines are available in each department office and in the Center for Advising and Student Achievement (CASA), Aylesworth Hall. There are some majors which a student may not be able to complete in four years because of additional degree requirements recognized by the Colorado Department of Higher Education.

Students called to active duty may follow prescribed policies in withdrawing from the University. Policies may be found in the Academic Faculty and Administrative Professional Manual (Section I.11), the Veterans’ Services Office, or the Office of the Registrar, Veterans' Benefits.

Colorado State University is committed to treating all students fairly and respectfully. The University’s policies that apply to students are published annually in the General Catalog, in addition to those found in other resources from individual departments and offices. 

When a student encounters a problem on campus that he/she does not know how to resolve, he/she should always try to work the problem out by first discussing it with those involved. Dealing with concerns in the most direct and honest fashion should always be the first step toward resolution. Many problems are resolved when a student makes an appointment with a faculty or staff member and calmly and honestly communicates their concerns.

 If however, an issue or problem still exists, a student may initiate a formal complaint in writing in accordance with this policy. For further information on filing a formal complaint, click on the policy link below.

The Student Conduct Code exists to notify students, faculty, and staff of the specific expectations Colorado State University holds related to student behavior and the rights and responsibilities that accompany being a student and participating in student clubs or organizations.

Colorado State University expects students to maintain standards of personal integrity that are in harmony with the educational goals of the institution and to assume responsibility of their actions; to observe national, state, and local laws, and University regulations; and to respect the rights, privileges, and property of other people.

Every student assumes personal responsibility for upholding standards reasonably imposed by Colorado State University relevant to its mission, processes and functions. Foundational principles of academic honesty, personal integrity, respect for diversity, civility, freedom from violence, and pursuit of lifestyles free of alcohol and drug abuse are examples of these standards.

All students are expected to be aware of the Student Conduct Code, and to conform their behavior to its requirements. The Code of Conduct may be viewed in its entirety by clicking the link below.

All newly admitted first-year students without previous college experience, who are single, under 21 years of age, and not living with their parents, are required to live their first two consecutive semesters in a residence hall. Credits taken concurrent with high school and/or credits attained through Advanced Placement (AP) do not apply toward living experience.

All residents are required to sign a contractual agreement that includes meals and is binding for the entire academic year. A more complete discussion of this topic can be found in the CSU General Catalog. Inquiries regarding this policy, including guidelines for requesting an exemption, should be directed to the Office of Housing and Dining Services.

Colorado State University expects students to maintain standards of personal integrity that are in harmony with the educational goals of the institution; to observe national, state, and local laws and University regulations; and to respect the rights, privileges, and property of other people. In order to protect the academic community and learning environment, all members of the campus community are expected to abide by the standards of academic honesty, personal integrity, respect for diversity, and pursuit of lifestyles free of alcohol and drug abuse. Students are not only members of the academic community; they are, additionally, members of the larger society and thus retain the rights, protection, guarantees, and responsibilities that are held by all citizens. A student is not immune from prosecution by local, state, or federal law enforcement agencies whether or not the University initiates disciplinary proceedings in a given situation.

The Colorado State University Student Conduct Code shall apply to conduct that occurs on University premises, University-sponsored programs or activities, and to off-campus conduct that adversely affects the University community, poses a threat to safety of person or property, or damages the institution’s reputation or relationship with the greater community. In addition, Colorado State University, in collaboration with the Fort Collins community, may respond to student violations of community-based laws and ordinances designed to protect civility and quality of life.

This Policy establishes the prohibition against students engaging in any form of sexual harassment, including sexual violence, in accordance with Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 and its implementing regulations. Additionally, this policy establishes campus reporting procedures and provides important information regarding campus resources that may be implicated by reports of sexual harassment of students, including sexual violence.

Students involved in departmental business may use University vehicles only when the following conditions are met:

1. The use is consistent with the policies of the University, including those listed in the brochure entitled, "Use of State-Owned Vehicles" available at Transportation Services,
2. use of the vehicle is approved in writing by an academic department head or administrative head of an administrative or academic-support unit. Approval may be handwritten on the IMO,
3. the student is currently enrolled at the University, and
4. signs are used on State automobiles whenever the use of the automobiles might be misunderstood. The signs should specify the purpose for which the automobiles are being used, such as a physical education ski class.

Supplemental Pay is compensation by the University beyond the established monthly base salary of an academic faculty member or administrative professional. Supplemental pay is intended for University activity that requires effort, either in degree or nature, in addition to that defined under the individual's appointment and their one hundred (100) percent effort distribution. Summer appointments for individuals with less than a twelve (12) month salary, whether by salaries or other stipends, do not constitute supplemental pay. It is the joint responsibility of the individual and his or her immediate supervisor to ensure that the individual is fulfilling primary job responsibilities, and the activities leading to supplemental pay shall in no way detract from the performance of his or her assigned responsibilities and one hundred (100) percent effort distribution. Except in extraordinary situations, all supplemental pay approval requests must be completed by the department/unit head and signed by the dean/supervisor before the activity commences.

A required form for requesting authorization for a supplemental pay assignment is linked below. For questions, please contact the Payroll Office in the Department of Human Resource Services at 970-491-MYHR (6947).