Disclaimer

Welcome

Welcome to employment at Mississippi State University. We are pleased that you have chosen to join an outstanding group of faculty and staff whose contributions are vital to the success of our institution. Each of you will become an important part of the team that works together to meet our mission of teaching, research, and service.

The university community looks forward to getting acquainted with you. We hope that your employment at MSU is fulfilling and that you will take advantage of the many opportunities to contribute and grow, both personally and professionally.

Our University

One State – One Team

• Mississippi State University was founded near Starkville, Mississippi, in 1878 as a land-grant institution dedicated to serving the people of the state and training its youth.

• The university has since emerged as one of the region’s and the nation’s premier research and service universities, but has never wavered from its primary mission. Excellence in undergraduate education remains foremost among the priorities of the state’s largest university.

• The university offers 181 bachelor’s, master’s, specialist, and doctoral degrees in 94 academic programs through the colleges of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Arts and Sciences, Architecture, Business and Industry, Education, Engineering, Forest Resources, and Veterinary Medicine. The academic calendar is based on fall and spring semesters and a 10-week summer term.

• The university adjoins the city of Starkville, with a population of about 22,000. MSU enrolls approximately 16,000 students, 20 percent of whom are graduate students; has about 1,000 faculty members and approximately 4,000 total full-time employees; has a total operating budget of more than $515 million; and has annual research expenditures of about $160 million.

• Starkville is a close-knit community that is extremely proud and supportive of its university, working hand-in-hand with Mississippi State to ensure that students are provided with the best possible atmosphere for learning.

• MSU is a member of the Southeastern Conference for intercollegiate athletics, offering six intercollegiate sports for men and eight for women.

• Approximately 25 percent of students live on campus, and a free shuttle bus system carries about 3,000 riders daily over four campus routes. The nearly 300 campus student organizations include 29 social fraternities and sororities, Army and Air Force ROTC, and a variety of intramural and club sports.

• The campus and adjacent agricultural research lands comprise about 4,000 acres.

• That big, handsome "dawg" you will see around campus is Bully, the MSU mascot.

KEY POLICIES AND PROCEDURES

It is the responsibility of each employee to become familiar with the policies that govern our institution. Please pay careful attention to the information that follows.

Harassment

A Respectful Place to Work and Learn

Mississippi State University fosters a campus environment that recognizes individual and cultural differences. The right of free expression and the open exchange of ideas and views are essential, especially in a learning environment. Mississippi State University vigorously upholds these freedoms. However, the value of free expression may be undermined by certain acts of harassment.

Harassment may result in the loss of self esteem for the victim and lead to the deterioration of a quality classroom, social or work environment. The MSU harassment policy establishes uniform guidelines and procedures for addressing all forms of harassment and applies to all students, faculty and staff.

The MSU policy on Harassment states:

• Harassment based upon race, color, religion, sex (including sexual harassment), national origin, age, disability or veteran status is a form of discrimination in violation of the law and will not be tolerated.

• Harassment based upon sexual orientation or group affiliation is prohibited by MSU policy and also will not be tolerated.

• Retaliation against any person complaining of harassment is prohibited by law or MSU policy and will not be tolerated.

Under the University's policy, prohibited harassment is defined as behavior that is uninvited, unwelcome, intimidating, and/or offensive and is directed at another person because of the individual’s:

sex, color, race, religion, national origin, age, disability,

veteran's status, or sexual orientation.

Harassment can take various forms. It may be:

Intent vs. Impact

It is important to understand that intent is not relevant in determining whether or not a behavior is considered harassment. All that matters is the impact of the behavior on the individual or the work or learning environment.

Regardless of intent, the behavior will be judged on its impact upon the work or learning environment. This fact is critically important. The statement, "I didn't mean anything by it," is not a valid defense for engaging in harassing behavior.

• All students, faculty and staff are expected to adhere to this university policy and will be held accountable for violating it.

• Mississippi State University will respond promptly to all complaints of harassment and retaliation.

• Violation of this policy can result in serious disciplinary action up to and including expulsion for students or discharge for employees

How Are Complaints Handled?

• The employee should discuss the unwelcome behavior with the alleged offender in person or in writing, or

• The employee can discuss the behavior with the immediate supervisor of the alleged offender, or

• The employee can discuss the behavior with their immediate supervisor. If the supervisor is also the alleged offender, the employee may go directly to their supervisor's supervisor, or unit head.

If the complaint cannot be resolved within the department, the employee, supervisor, or unit head may refer the complaint to the Office of Diversity and Equity Programs, the Provost, or Human Resources Management.

In some circumstances, the employee may not feel comfortable discussing the complaint in their unit. If so, they may contact one of the offices above.

The Supervisor's Responsibilities

If you supervise others, you are responsible for:

• Ensuring that all employees understand the harassment policy.

• Observing workplace behavior.

• Advising and counseling employees.

• Taking action on reported incidents.

• Setting an example and being a role model.

• Establishing guidelines for professional behavior.

If you have questions about the harassment policy or procedures for addressing a complaint of harassment or discrimination, contact the Office of Diversity and Equity Programs (662 325-2493) or Human Resources Management (662 325-3713).

Compliance

MSU complies with federal and state regulations, including, but not limited to:

• Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). If you need special accommodations at any time, please let your supervisor know.

• Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity. The University is committed to the principles of equal opportunity, affirmative action and diversity.

• Buckley Amendment, Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which covers release of student information.

• HIPAA, the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, which contains privacy requirements to protect personal health information.

• The Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act (GLBA), which requires universities to maintain an information security program for the protection of financial information

If your job duties give you access to employee, student, or financial records, be sure to become familiar with laws and policies that cover release and/or use of information

Drug-Free Campus

The unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensation, possession, or use of a controlled substance is prohibited in the workplace at Mississippi State University. Any employees determined to have violated this policy will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal.

Employees who report to work while under the influence of illegal drugs are in violation of this policy. If an employee's work performance and/or behavior indicates possible drug use or abuse, the employee's supervisor will refer the employee to the Department Human Resources Management for information and referral to available counseling/treatment programs. Violation of this policy shall result in mandatory evaluation or treatment for substance use/abuse or disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal.

Alcohol on Campus

The University prohibits the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol on University property or as part of any University activity.

Students or employees failing to observe the drug and alcohol policy will be subject to the imposition of sanctions by the University in accordance with established disciplinary action procedures.

For students, sanctions may include suspension or expulsion. For employees, sanctions may include separation of employment. In addition to University sanctions, any student or employee found in violation of the drug and alcohol policy may be referred to the appropriate authorities for prosecution.

Misuse of University Assets

The misuse of Mississippi State University (MSU) assets is a serious matter that affects compliance with the law as well as the honor and integrity of the institution. Therefore, all university employees are expected to avoid even the appearance of impropriety when fulfilling their responsibilities.

It is the policy of MSU to identify and promptly investigate any misuse of university assets or dishonest or fraudulent activities against MSU and, when appropriate, to pursue legal remedies.

MSU will take appropriate disciplinary and legal actions against employees and/or entities, including but not limited to restitution, forwarding information to the appropriate authorities for criminal prosecution, and possible termination of employment.

MSU policies are available online through the Office of Internal Audit.

Use of Computing and Network Resources

MSU's computing and network resources service a large number of faculty, students, staff, and others. All users have the responsibility to use the university computing and network resources in an effective, efficient, ethical, and lawful manner.

The Policy and Procedure for Use of Computing and Network Resources at Mississippi State University (ORP 01.12) addresses:

• Security - The user is responsible for correct and sufficient use of the tools each computer system provides for maintaining the security of stored information.

• Academic Freedom  - Free expression of ideas is central to the academic process. However, the University may remove any electronic information from its system under circumstances.

• Privacy - It is the policy of the University not to routinely monitor individual use of computing and network resources. However, users should be aware that their use of these resources may not be private...

• Inappropriate Usage - Computing and network resources should be used only in accord with the guidelines defined in policy and procedure.

• Personal Use - Incidental personal use of computing and network resources is permitted in accordance with OP 01.12.

• Sanctions - Violators of OP 01.12 who are University faculty, students, or staff are subject to the disciplinary procedures of the University.