STUDENT HANDBOOK & PLANNER 2016/2017 REVISED

1 STUDENT HANDBOOK & PLANNER2016/2017 REVISEDTHE TSU STUDENT HANDBOOK ConcerningStudent Affairs, Conduct and DisciplineOfTENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITYN ashville, Tennessee2016-2017 The STUDENT HANDBOOK is produced by the Division of STUDENT Affairs and represents the official statement of policy rules and regulations that direct STUDENT life at Tennessee State University. Do not throw this copy away. You will need it throughout your matriculation as a reference to every aspect of universityThe information in this book was supplied and approved by the and published event dates are subject to change.

2 Global Datebooks. Printed in China. All rights part of this publication may be Turnpike Rd, Suite 250 Southborough, MA 01772 (800) STUDENT HANDBOOK facilitates communication among the members of the university community. The materials for this university HANDBOOK have been created and developed over more than 70 years by students, faculty and staff members, various university organizations, and committees. The STUDENT HANDBOOK serves as a source of necessary and useful information that will help the students understand their privileges, rights, and responsibilities pertaining to STUDENT Affairs.

3 It will contribute significantly to the continued high level of cooperative and constructive relationships between students and the various departments of the university. These relationships help develop positive responsible leadership and citizenship, deepened loyalty, and heightened morale. Tennessee State University is proud to provide students with many opportunities to attend and participate in lecture series, theatrical events, parades, intercollegiate sports and a broad variety of educational and recreational activities.

4 All students who attend university events, including but not limited to sporting events, commencement, convocation, concerts, debates, lecture series, and other events, or who participate in university activities as an attendee, participant, or team member may be recorded, photographed or videotaped. By participating in or attending events, students give the university permission to use their image, likeness, and voice to publish the same in any form of publication, including but not limited to print, broadcast, electronic, video or Internet.

5 Such materials may be used for educational or commercial purposes without payment from Tennessee State University. THINK, WORK, SERVE As a land-grant institution, the mandate for Tennessee State University is instruction, research and public service. The university contributes to the advancement of all who seek its services and can profit from its broad educational programs. Tennessee State University stimulates its students and the citizens of Tennessee to reach their full potential through respect for inquiry and appreciation of their cultural traditions, imbues them with the desire to develop basic knowledge and skills that will enable them to succeed in an ever changing world, develops the leadership needed for the advancement of knowledge, and applies that knowledge toward the improvement of the quality of life for the citizens of our state and nation.

6 The objectives of Tennessee State University are represented in the university s motto: Think, Work, Serve. TRADITIONS AND TRADITIONAL EVENTS With each generation of students, some traditions fade away and others come into being. Each generation has the privilege and obligation of preserving or not preserving and of adding to traditions according to their interpretations of what is significant and what is essential to the heritage. It is with pride that the following traditions and traditional events are presented. Traditions The university colors, adopted many years ago by the students: reflex blue and white.

7 The seal of the university is one of its most cherished traditions. It is affixed to diplomas and other documents. It is displayed in a place of honor at the entrance to the Harold M. Love Learning Resource Center, bearing ensigns representing our dedication to growth, construction and learning with a hand holding a light above all and the motto Think, Work, Serve. It deserves respect at all times and is not to be walked upon. The university s logo combines a script acronym and cupola which proclaims the traditional and future elements in the school s heritage.

8 The university s charge, Enter to Learn, Go Forth to Serve, is inscribed over the proscenium arch of the Walter S. Davis Humanities is a memorable and respected tradition of the alumni association to induct the candidates for degrees into the association during the commencement ceremonies. Other traditional events are: Opening Convocations, Inauguration of the STUDENT Government Association President and Vice President; Miss TSU and Mr. TSU Coronation; Greek Show; Homecoming Week; John Merritt Classic; Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony; STUDENT Elections Week; Dr.

9 Martin Luther King, Jr. Convocation; Commencement Exercises; Founders Day and Academic Awards Day. 2 HISTORICAL STATEMENT The present-day Tennessee State University exists as a result of the merger on July 1, 1979, of the former Tennessee State University and the University of Tennessee at successive stages, Tennessee State University has developed from a normal school for Negroes to its current status. By virtue of a 1909 Act of the General Assembly, the Agricultural and Industrial State Normal School was created, along with two other normal schools in the State, and began serving students on June 19, 1912.

10 In 1922, the institution was raised to the status of four-year teachers college and was empowered to grant the bachelor s first degrees were granted in June 1924. During the same year, the institution became known as the Agricultural and Industrial State Normal College; and in 1927, Normal was dropped from the name of the General Assembly of 1941 authorized the State Board of Education to upgrade substantially the educational program of the College, which included the establishment of graduate studies leading to the master s degree.