CNS 670: Parameters of Law in Student Affairs and Higher Education
Spring 2009

Catalog Description:

Survey of legal issues, cases, and concepts; the responsibilities of student affairs administrators to act within the law; and the rights of faculty, staff, and students in higher education.

Purpose of the Course:

This course provides an overview of legal issues and public policy as related to student affairs practice and higher education administration. The following topics will be emphasized: legal relationships between institutions and students, faculty, staff, and community; academic policies and contracts; regulatory issues, liability, and legal concepts and research.

Course Objectives:

Upon completion of the course students should be able to:

1. Discuss the American legal system as related to student affairs and higher education.
 
2. Explain the role of legal counsel in a college or university.
 
3. Describe the influence exerted by law on the relationships among faculty, students,
            staff, and institutions.

4. Understand how the rights of students are defined and protected by law.
 
5. Describe important legal concepts, sources, and cases.
 
6. Conduct basic legal research.
 
7. Develop administrative policies and procedures based on knowledge of the law,
regulations, and court decisions.

8. Demonstrate application of legal and ethical concepts in higher education decision-
            making.

9. Identify preventive strategies to avoid or prepare for legal action.

(1) Case/Issue Presentation.  Each member of the class will be placed into a small group for the purpose of developing a presentation over a case/issue assigned by the instructor. Presentations should be interesting, relevant, creative, involve the entire class to some extent, and last approximately one hour.

(2) Chapter Presentation. Each member of the class will be placed into a small group for the purpose of developing a presentation over chapter(s) from the textbook as assigned by the instructor.  Again, presentations should be interesting, relevant, creative, involve the entire class to some extent, and last approximately one hour.

(3) Group Research Paper.  Each member of the class will be placed into a small group for the purpose of developing a group research paper and presentation dealing with a legal issue assigned by the instructor. The paper/presentation should provide some background information, but should be primarily proactive; i.e., it should focus on implications/potential solutions instead of merely defining problems. A copy of the paper is to be posted to the appropriate Discussion Board on the Blackboard site for this course by the indicated due date and students in the course are expected to discuss it online.

(4) Reaction Papers.  Each student is required to write up to three reaction papers over various activities presented in class.  Specific questions which are to be addressed in each Reaction Paper will be provided at the time of the specific assignment.

(5) Contribution/Participation.  Each student is expected to contribute consistently, conscientiously and meaningfully to the course. As such, each student is expected to complete all assignments by their respective due dates and participate extensively in the class experience; i.e., attend all class sessions and be prepared to contribute meaningfully at those sessions. Each student is expected to read any assigned materials in depth prior to the class period in which they will be discussed. 

Grading:                                                         Grading Scale:                                                          
Case/Issue Presentation .......... 20%               90 ‑ 100% ..... A
Chapter Presentation ............... 20%               80 ‑  89% ...... B
Group Research Paper .............. 30%               70 ‑  79% ........ C
Reaction Papers .......................  20%               60 ‑  69% ........ D
Contribution/Participation ......... 10%               Below 60% ....... F    

                                          Total ................... 100% 

Academic Dishonesty Policy (See WKU Student Handbook)

An incident of academic dishonesty will lead to a failure on the assignment and possibly the course. Academic dishonesty in the form of plagiarism, cheating, or non-participation group work is not tolerated.

Plagiarism is not tolerated and will result in the grade of “F.” This represents ideas and interpretations taken from another source as one’s own work. Ideas paraphrased from another author must be attributed to that author and cited in any written presentation of such information. Refer to the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (5th ed.) for direction on proper citation formatting.

Plagiarism will result in an F grade for the entire course. WKU defines plagiarism as the following:

To represent ideas or interpretations take from another source as one’s own is plagiarism. Plagiarism is a serious offense. The academic work of students must be their own. Students must give the author(s) credit for any source material used. To lift content directly for a source without giving credit is a flagrant act. To present a borrowed passage after having changed a few words, even if the source is cited, is also plagiarism (Faculty Handbook, 17th Edition, p. 63).

Cheating is not tolerated and will result in the grade of “F.” No student shall receive or give assistance NOT authorized by the instructor. Cheating is discussed in the WKU Faculty Handbook as:

No student shall receive or give assistance not authorized by the instructor in taking an examination or in the preparation of an essay, laboratory report, problem assignment, or other project that is submitted for purposes of grade determination (Faculty Handbook, 17th Edition,
p. 63).

Non-participation in group work will not be tolerated. In-class and out-of-class group assignments are to be completed through group cooperation, problem-solving, and contribution of all members. Failure to participate or complete assigned tasks will affect your grade.

Student Disability Services
Students with disabilities who require accommodations (academic adjustments and/or auxiliary aids or services) for this course must contact the Office for Student Disability Services, Garrett Conference Center, Room 101. The OFSDS telephone number is (270)745-5004 V/TDD.

Instructor:
Aaron W. Hughey, EdD
Professor & Program Coordinator
Student Affairs in Higher Education

417-D TPH
Western Kentucky University
Bowling Green, KY  42101

Voice (270) 745-4849/4953
FAX (270) 745-5031

e-mail:  Aaron.Hughey@wku.edu