Student Rights and Responsibilities

Campus Citizenship

Students of Touro University are expected to be considerate of all individuals at the University – fellow students, faculty, staff and administrators – and to help maintain a harmonious and supportive environment conducive to learning and the furtherance of academic pursuits. While specific regulations are listed on the following pages, it is expected that all members of the University community demonstrate respect for their colleagues, sensitivity to their needs, and tolerance for their ideas and views. Please cooperate with University officials by observing the rules and regulations of the college, and by exercising respect for University values and property.

Standards of Classroom Behavior

The faculty has primary responsibility for managing the classroom. Students who create a disruption in the classroom may be directed by the instructor to leave the class for the remainder of the class period. Behaviors defined as disruptive include persistently speaking without being recognized, using a cell phone in the class, eating in the classroom, interfering with the class by entering and leaving the room without authorization, carrying on private conversations, and refusing to follow the directions of the course instructor.

To ensure a clean and healthy environment for all students at the University, eating drinking and smoking are not permitted in any classroom, laboratory, or auditorium.

Students are strictly forbidden to bring pets or other animals into any facilities of the college, unless they have obtained specific authorization in advance from the dean of their division/school.

Additionally, please see Touro’s Policy on Weapons in the 2024 Annual Security & Fire Safety Report.

Acceptable Use Policy for Information Technology

The Acceptable Use Policy provides for users of the institutional technology resources, facilities, and/or equipment to act responsibly, to abide by Touro’s policies, and to respect the rights and privileges of other users. Each user of Touro technology resources is responsible for adhering to all legal and ethical requirements in accordance with the policies of Touro and applicable law.

All users of Touro technology resource users must submit, upon commencement of their relationship with Touro, or at another appropriate time, acknowledgement of the Acceptable Use Policy (AUP). In submitting the AUP Acknowledgement Form, each individual will be certifying that he/she has read and will comply with the AUP.

Students are urged to read the complete policy, which can be found at https://touro.app.box.com/v/AcceptableUsePolicy.

Internet Services and User-Generated Content Policy

As an educational institution, we recognize that these Internet-based services can support your academic and professional endeavors, but we are also aware that, if not used properly, they can be damaging. In both professional and institutional roles, students, faculty and staff should follow the same behavioral standards online as they should offline, and are responsible for anything they post to a social media site regardless of whether the site is private (such as a portal open to the Touro community only) or public. The same laws, professional expectations, and guidelines for interacting with students, parents, alumni, donors, media and other college agents apply online as apply offline.

Students are urged to read the complete policy, which can be found at https://touro.app.box.com/v/InternetService-UserGenContent.

Anti-Hazing Regulations

Touro University maintains a zero-tolerance policy toward hazing across all campuses and programs. Touro defines hazing as any act or situation that endangers a person’s mental, emotional, or physical well-being in connection with joining or maintaining membership in a group. This includes actions that cause embarrassment, harassment, or ridicule, as well as coerced consumption of substances or participation in degrading or harmful activities. Hazing, in any form, compromises a student’s safety and wellbeing and is against Touro’s mission and values.

Students are urged to read the complete policy, which can be found at https://www.touro.edu/students/policies/hazing/.

No Smoking Policy (including the use of electronic cigarettes or vapor devices)

Touro University recognizes the health, safety and benefits of smoke-free air and the special responsibility that it has to maintain an optimally healthy and safe environment for its faculty, students, employees and guests. Touro is committed to the promotion of good health, wellness and the prevention of disease and to comply with New York state law regarding smoking indoors. Out of respect and loyalty to the college and its mission, smoking is not permitted inside any campus building, any of our healthcare facilities where patient care is delivered or inside University vehicles. Violators are subject to disciplinary action. In addition, smoking materials shall not be sold or in any way distributed under the auspices of Touro University.