Campus Policies

Outside Group Facility Use and Campus Space Policy

For all outside groups requesting any space at Transylvania: Facility Use Policy and Request Form for outside groups.

For requests regarding outdoor space at Transylvania: Any non-university individual or group wishing to reserve any outdoor space on campus must contact the Vice President for Marketing and Communications for approval. The Vice President of Marketing and Communications will confer with any department on campus that may be potentially affected by the request.

Individual or groups that are permitted to reserve outdoor space are responsible for any special set up and clean up. Property may not be damaged or defaced. Any damages incurred or cost for cleanup will be charged to the individual making the reservation. Signs and other materials must be stand alone, approved prior by VP for Marketing and Communications, and self- supporting (not stapled, taped, glued, or otherwise adhered to any university property). Writing on university property, even with washable chalk, is not permitted without express consent.

The University reserves the right to deny any request that is believed to be an inappropriate use of campus space.

Canvassing by Non-Transylvania Groups

Canvassing is defined in this policy as an activity undertaken to gain support for some purpose, but not to solicit money for any purpose (campaigns, charity, and commercial alike).

On the basis of this definition, non-Transylvania groups wishing to canvass students, faculty, and staff on the Transylvania University campus grounds must have prior permission from the Vice President of Marketing and Communications and/or the Communications Policy Committee, and may conduct their canvassing only on public/city streets and sidewalks.

Canvassing may not occur in the interior of campus or within buildings. Any canvassing, or direct contact with a target group of individuals must follow established guidelines of the University and be approved by the Vice President of Marketing and Communications and/or the Communications Policy Committee. Political candidates and/or their representatives may be invited to campus if approved by Vice President of Marketing and Communications and/or the Communications Policy Committee.

Free Speech and Demonstration Policy

The University endorses free speech and sharing of ideas and ideally this discourse is open and candid and characterized by mutual respect and civility. The University encourages a balanced approach in all communications and the inclusion of contrary points of view. One of the primary functions of a university is to discover and disseminate knowledge by means of research and teaching. To fulfill this function, a free interchange of ideas is necessary not only within the university but also with the larger society.

At Transylvania University, freedom of expression is vital to our shared goal of the pursuit of knowledge. Such freedom comes with a responsibility to welcome and promote this freedom for all, even in disagreement or opposition. The right of freedom of expression at the University includes peaceful activism and orderly demonstrations by members of the University community in designated areas. The designated area on campus for Transylvania community members is Alumni Plaza or an approved alternate space.

For both Transylvania community members and non-Transylvania community members, the University has long recognized that the right to demonstrate does not include the right to engage in conduct that disrupts the University’s operations or endangers the safety of others. Non-Transylvania groups wishing to protest may only do so on public sidewalks and are not permitted on University property. 

Disruptive conduct is any conduct that substantially obstructs, impairs, or interferes with: (i) teaching, study, research, or administration of the University; (ii) the authorized and other permissible use of University facilities, including meetings of University students, faculty, staff, administrators and/or guests; or (iii) the rights and privileges of other members of the University community. Disruptive conduct also includes, but is not limited to, (1) obstruction, impairment, or interference with University sponsored or authorized activities or facilities in a manner that is likely to or does deprive others of the benefit or enjoyment of the activity or facility and (2) use or threatened use of force against any member of the University community or his or her family that substantially and directly bears upon the member’s functions within the University. Any member of the University who engages in disruptive conduct will be subject to disciplinary action.

Media Access Policy

Photographing and Recording on Campus:  Transylvania University is a private university. Transylvania’s express permission and prior approval is required for any recording or photography on Transylvania-owned lands by:

• News professionals
• Professional or commercial photographers, videographers and filmmakers
• Campus visitors taking pictures or filming for commercial purposes or using a commercial or professional photographer or filmmaker
• Anyone taking wedding or portrait photography

Personal photos may be taken by students, parents, faculty, staff, alumni and other campus visitors so long as (i) they are used exclusively for personal non-commercial purposes, (ii) the taking of such photos is consistent with this policy, including the wedding and portrait photography policy and (iii) they do not interfere with the ongoing operations of the university. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the university reserves the right to prohibit any recording or photography on its lands for any reason, including if the recording or photography creates the potential for: (i) disruption of academic, research, business or student activities; (ii) damage to (or alteration of) university property, educational mission or reputation; (iii) inappropriate use of the Transylvania name, marks or image; (iv) disruption of traffic, parking or pedestrian pathways; (v) other safety hazards; or (vi) violations of the university’s privacy policies.

Consult our full media access policy for additional guidance on news-related recording and photography, sports event photography, wedding and portrait photography, and additional policies.

Drone and Unmanned Aircraft Policy

Download Transylvania’s drone and unmanned aircraft policy.

Weapons-Free Campus Policy

Transylvania University is a weapons-free campus. Employees, students and visitors are prohibited from possessing weapons anywhere while on university property (except where possession of a weapon is a requirement of an employee’s job). This includes carrying weapons on their person, in their clothing, a purse, backpack, locker, or in their office or campus living quarters. Weapons include dangerous instruments that can be used to inflict bodily harm upon individuals or cause damage to buildings. Examples of weapons include, but are not limited to, firearms, pistols, guns, BB guns, explosives, knives, fireworks, and anything that is not defined as a weapon but is used as a weapon in a dangerous, violent manner. In addition, based upon the risk presented, look-alike or replica weapons are also prohibited.

Tobacco-Free Campus Policy

In an effort to promote a healthier environment and to reduce second-hand smoke exposure, Transylvania University has adopted a policy that prohibits smoking in public indoor and outdoor areas of campus, where non-smokers cannot avoid smoke.

The policy includes:

• The use of all tobacco products both smoking and smokeless.
• All indoor and outdoor University owned areas.
• All University owned parking lots including smoking in personal vehicles.

The policy will be enforced 24-hours a day/seven days a week and applies to contractors, visitors, and other non-employees.

Alcohol Policy

Review Transylvania’s full alcohol policy.

Preferred Name Policy

Download Transylvania’s Legal and Preferred Name, Gender, Prefix & Pronoun Policy

Equity in Athletics Disclosure Report

The Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act requires that information about the University’s athletic program be available on request, including (a) University enrollment by gender; (b) a listing of varsity teams that participate in intercollegiate athletics, including (1) the number of participants by team, (2) the total operating expenses attributable to each team, (3) the gender of the head coach and assistant coaches and whether each coach is assigned on a full- or part-time basis; (c) the total amount spent on recruiting, separately reported for men’s and women’s teams overall; (d) the total annual revenues generated by men’s and women’s teams overall; and (e) the average annual salaries of head and assistant coaches of men’s and women’s teams overall.

Copyright

Transylvania’s copyright policy can be found on page 47 of the student handbook. Download Transylvania’s Student Hanbook.

Admission Policies for Admitted Students

Transylvania University reserves the right to rescind an offer of admission under any of the following circumstances:

• Failing to submit your official academic records by set deadlines.
• Negative changes in academic performance in courses listed as in-progress on the application for admission. For freshmen, this would likely be your senior year courses. For transfers, this would be any college courses ungraded at the time of your application.
• Unapproved schedule changes in courses listed as in-progress on the application for admission. For transfers, this could include dropping courses required for admission.
• Downward changes in level of rigor of your coursework listed as in-progress on your application for admission. For freshmen, this could include dropping advanced-level courses and replacing with regular-level courses.
• Disciplinary action taken against you by an educational institution, including but not limited to suspension and expulsion, at any time following the submission of your application until your first scheduled day of instruction at Transylvania University.
• If the University learns that an applicant has engaged in behavior prior to the first day of class that indicates a serious lack of judgment or integrity.
• Failing to report on your application disciplinary action taken against you by an educational institution at the time you submitted your application or, if applicable, at any time following the submission of your application until your first scheduled day of instruction at Transylvania University. Failure to report such disciplinary action may also lead to disciplinary action if discovered after you have begun instruction at the university.
• Your conviction of or being charged with a criminal offense at any time following the submission of your application until your scheduled first day of instruction at Transylvania.
• Failing to report any convictions of or pending charges for a criminal offense that have already occurred at the time you submitted your application or, if applicable, at any time following the submission of your application until your first scheduled day of instruction at Transylvania. Failure to report such convictions or charges may also lead to disciplinary action if discovered after you have begun instruction at the university.
• Withholding pertinent information requested on the application or giving false information, including failure to report all high school and/or collegiate credit.
• Providing falsified documents as part of the application materials.
• If any of these are discovered on or after the first day of instruction, dismissal can occur.

*Transylvania University has always provided all applicants an opportunity to explain a disciplinary infraction and carefully considers all contexts they provide. Participation in peaceful and lawful activism or protests would not be a reason for Transylvania University to deny or rescind an offer of admission.

We encourage students in jeopardy of rescission to be proactive and contact us as soon as possible.

Acceptable Use (IT)

Read Transylvania’s Information Technology Acceptable Use Policy

Data Access Privacy and Security Policy

Read Transylvania’s Data Access Priviacy and Security Policy

Hoverboard Policy

Due to concerns over the safety of hoverboards and other similar devices, Transylvania University has banned the use of these devices on campus. This includes classrooms, athletic facilities, residence halls and all other campus property.

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recently issued a warning concerning the potential danger of
using these devices.

All students, faculty, staff and visitors to campus must leave these devices at home or at another off-campus
location.