Classrooms & Community

This presentation is to help students better understand:

• Differences High School & University
• Professors & Expectations
• Academic Success Strategies
• General Responsibilities & University Policies:
  CSUN Speak, Cheating & Plagiarism, Student Conduct Code, Identity Theft, Sexual Assault Policy, Alcohol/Drug Policies, Hazing/Bullying/Cyber-Bulling and Reporting, Title IX, Emergency Operations Plan, and more.

What are the differences between High School & College?

Professors: 
 

• Are responsible for setting both the academic and behavioral standards for their course
• May ask a student to leave from class for disruptive behavior or disrespect
• Will provide students a SYLLABUS!
• Will set class standards (typically on syllabus) for:
  • General course timeline 
  • Cell phones/devices
  • Late or absence policies
  • Laptops/tablets
  • Engagement with class (participation)
  • Eating in class
  • Late or missing assignments

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Respecting the Classroom Setting:
Students should respect the classroom setting by following the SYLLABUS and meeting the Professor's expectations, particularly in the following areas: 

Devices
Phones/Laptops/Tablets, etc.
Punctuality
Arriving Late is disruptive
Attention
Eating/Side Conversations, etc.

Below are some classroom habits that will help lead to success: 

• Sit in the “T” Zone

• Take notes that work for you

• If you don’t understand – ASK

• If you can’t ask during class – attend Office Hours

• Get involved with class conversations / participate

• Be aware of deadlines:
  • Add/Drop
  • Change of program
  • Assignment due dates

Tips to protect yourself from Identity Theft:

• Secure your SSN#: CSUN will never ask you for your Social Security Number through email or over the phone
• Memorize your passwords: Never write them down or carry them with you
• Consider shredding documents
• Unauthorized charges: Watch your bank statements for unauthorized charges. If you see any suspicious activity, report it immediately

Yes… many universities/colleges are similar, but each is unique, so here are a few notes about how/why CSUN speaks:

• EMAIL: is the standardized way of CSUN Communicating with you.
• TITLES (Professor, etc.)
• Academic Advisors vs. University Counselors
• Colleges vs. University
• Major/Minor, Depts, Programs, Options, Specializations, Emphasis, etc.
• Students, Staff, Faculty, Administrators, Instructors, etc.
• CANVAS used by most, not by all

Student Conduct Code
Title V, California Code of Regulations, § 41301. Standards for Student Conduct

Notable issues surrounding the Student Conduct code include:

• Academic Dishonesty – Cheating and Plagiarism
• Hazing, Bullying
• Unauthorized Entry
• Substantial Disruption of Normal Operations
• Disorderly Conduct (lewd acts, indecent/obscene behavior, threats, etc.)
• Illegal drugs (use/distribution, etc.)
• Alcohol (use/public intoxication, etc.)
• Misuse of Resources

BOTH FORMS ARE NOT PERMISSABLE UNDER THE STUDENT CONDUCT CODE

Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drugs Policy:

“The manufacture, possession, distribution, sale or use of alcohol, illicit drugs or

drug related paraphernalia, and the misuse of legal pharmaceutical drugs on

campus, or off campus while on university business or participating in University sponsored functions, is prohibited.”

Many people believe that ALL college students drink alcohol; however, this is really not accurate, and according to the 2024 CSUN National College Health Assessment CSUN students are not engaging in alcohol as much as some may think. Here are more current CSUN statistics:

• 27.6% of CSUN students report have never used alcohol in their lifetime.
• 65.5% reported not drinking at all in the last two weeks.
• 1.3% report alcohol negatively impacting their academics in the past year.

If you are challenged by your own or someone else’s substance use and would like to speak to someone confidentially, please contact: Steve Silver, the alcohol and other drugs specialist at University Counseling Services at (818) 677 - 2366.

Students must comply with the requirements no later than the beginning of their second term of enrollment. If requirements are not met, it may result in the inability to enroll in classes.

For more detailed information: www.csun.edu/shc/immunizations

Call the Klotz Student Health Center (818) 677-3666 or visit csun.edu/shc to get more information on accessing Narcan training.

• Learn the signs of Alcohol Poisoning. You might save a life.
• Bystander effect:  Refers to cases in which individuals do not offer any means of help to a victim when other people are present.

Remember "MUST HELP"

• M - Mental Confusion
• U - Unresponsive
• S - Snoring/Gasping
• T - Throwing Up
   
• H - Help Hypothermia
• E - Erratic Breathing
• L - Loss of Consciousness
• P - Paleness/Blueness of Skin

Know what to do! Don't wait for all symptoms - just one can be deadly. Call 911 Immediately - Save a life!
IF YOU THINK THEY NEED HELP - THEY NEED HELP!

"AWARE - AWAKE - ALIVE"

Effective August 19, 2015, the use, sale, distribution or advertising of tobacco products, including cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos, vapes and e-cigarettes, and smokeless tobacco products is prohibited on the campus

www.csun.edu/clear-the-air 

Federal definition of hazing:
The term ‘hazing’ means any intentional, knowing, or reckless act committed by a person (whether individual or with others) against another person or persons regardless of the willingness of such other person or persons to participate, that is committed in the course of an initiation into, an affiliation with, or the maintenance of membership in, a student organization…

California Title V Code of Regulations: …any method “which is likely to cause physical harm, personal degradation or disgrace resulting in physical or mental harm...”

In other words:

Hazing is when someone does something harmful, risky, or humiliating to another person as part of joining or staying in a group—even if that person agrees to it.

Types of Hazing:

Psychological hazing; any action that is against accepted sorority & fraternity standards of conduct, behavior & good taste that is mental in nature and which ridicules, humiliates or embarrasses, or which confuses, frustrates or causes undue stress

Physical hazing: Anything that causes mental anguish or physical discomfort to the person.

Hazing happens along a spectrum that includes acts of intimidation, harassment and violence

Behaviors on the left side of the spectrum are considered humiliating and degrading; often normalized or minimized and referred to as “initiation” or “tradition”

Behaviors on the right side of spectrum include physical and sexual assault, alcohol poisoning, and other potentially life-threatening activities.

Trending on CSU campuses: The use of digital technologies – including social media, text messages, emails, or any online platform – to harass, threaten, embarrass, or target another person. Including:

• spreading rumors,
• sending threatening messages,
• sharing private or harmful content,
• engaging in repeated unwanted digital contact.

At CSUN, bullying is considered a violation of university policy and can lead to disciplinary action, especially when it occurs as part of student interactions, student organization activities, or university-affiliated communication platforms.

While hazing is traditionally thought of as physical or in-person actions during initiation rituals, bullying can be a modern form of hazing—especially when used to intimidate, isolate, or humiliate new or prospective members of student organizations.

Examples of bullying/cyber-bullying as hazing include:

• Group chats or social media posts that ridicule or target new members
• Coercive online challenges or "tasks" shared publicly
• Sharing photos or private information without consent as a means of control or embarrassment
• Threats or retaliation against someone who resists participation

1. Speak Up and Report It (Directly or Anonymously)
   Report hazing or any form of harassment to the offices listed below.
2. Preserve Evidence
   Save messages, Screenshots, emails, or any content related to the incident etc.
3. Seek Confidential Support
   If you’re not ready to make a formal report, confidential support is available through University Counseling Services (UCS)
4. Learn more and Get Involved
   Connect with various Departments, Offices, and Centers to learn more.

• Matador Involvement Center   (csun.edu/mic)
• Department of Police Services   (csun.edu/police)
• Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs & Dean of Students   (csun.edu/studentaffairs)
• Office of Equity and Compliance   (csun.edu/equity-and-compliance)

CSUN is committed to maintaining an inclusive community that values diversity and fosters mutual respect. All students have the right to participate fully in university programs and activities free from discrimination, harassment and retaliation. The University will not tolerate behavior that denigrates, humiliates, or stigmatizes individuals on the basis of age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity/expression, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, and veteran status.

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Title IX - Ending Sexual Violence & Relationship Abuse

• What Do I Do?
• Confidential Resources
• Medical Resources
• Reporting Options & Resources
• Terms Defined
• More information is provided in your New Student Handbook and resources/services can be found within the Office of Equity and Compliance

FAMILY RIGHTS PRIVACY EDUCATION ACT OF 1974 “FERPA”

Under FERPA a student has certain rights concerning their educational records.

• Allows students access to their educational records
• Gives students certain rights to consent to disclosures to their parties

Under FERPA the University, at its discretion, may release directory information such as:

• Student’s name, address, phone number, email address
• Student’s major, field of study, grade level, enrollment status, dates of attendance

Students who choose to prevent release of directory information may do so by

completing a Request of Confidentiality Hold on Student Records form in the Office of the Registrar

During an emergency, make sure to

• Call 911 from a campus phone or 818 - 677 - 2111 from a cell phone to report an emergency situation
• Listen carefully when staff and emergency personnel tell you what to do.
• Know the emergency location and content of the building evacuation maps, including the designated outside meeting areas for your classes
• Building evacuation maps are located near the elevators

Learn what to do in an emergency beforehand.

• Earthquake: Duck, cover, and hold on! Evacuation is not automatic in an earthquake. Always wait until the shaking has stopped before exiting the building.
• Fire: Immediately evacuate the building, know 2 exit routes from each classroom.
• Shelter in Place: If a Shelter in Place is ordered, STAY INSIDE. Close windows and doors, move to an interior room if possible. Shelter in Place may be ordered for hazardous materials events, severe weather, or certain violent incidents.
• Additional details about specific emergencies can be found on our website: http://csun.edu/emergency/emergency- desk-reference

UPDATE YOUR PERSONAL INFORMATION VISIT:

https://www.csun.edu/current-students/update-personal-information

This will allow you to update how you would like to receive information from CSUN about emergencies.

During a critical incident, there are many ways to find updates on the status of the campus (i.e. if the campus is closed, if classes have been cancelled, or other announcements). You can utilize any of the following methods and visit the emergency preparedness website for additional information sources

• Students & Community Toll Free # – 866-515-2786
• CSUN Facebook & Twitter/X  Accounts
• CSUN Police Services Account
• CSUN Radio Station: KCSN FM 88.5
• CSUN Campus Website & Emergency Management Page

For more information please refer to the Dept. of Police Services Emergency http://csun.edu/emergency/emergency-communications