UPWARD BOUND 2013-2014 ACADEMIC YEAR HANDBOOK

UPWARD BOUND
2013-2014

ACADEMIC YEAR
HANDBOOK

Table of Contents
ETSU Upward Bound Staff . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Upward Bound Rules and Regulations . . . . .4
Academic Probation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Disciplinary Code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Attendance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Due Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Other Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
 

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UPWARD BOUND OFFICE STAFF 

Ronnie Gross 439-4002
Director

Kim Oaks-Blair 439-5241

Interim Assistant Director of Counseling Services

Chris Strode 439-6187
Upward Bound Project
Bridge Counselor

Julie Kumar 439-6188

Interim Assistant Director of Academic Services

Emily Grater 439-5899
Interim Educational Coordinator

Alison Williams 439-4003
Interim Assistant Director of Cultural
and Educational Activities

Tiffany Brown 439-4474
Educational Advisor

Jessi Nicely 439-5619
Educational Advisor

Teresa Carver 439-5619
Executive Aide

Fax Number: 439-4770

ETSU Mailing Address:

East Tennessee State University
TRIO Programs
PO Box 70714

Johnson City, TN 37614-0714

The Upward Bound Offices are located on the upper level of the D.P. Culp University Center.

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UPWARD BOUND RULES AND REGULATIONS

Student Rights and Responsibilities

As citizens of the United States, students are guaranteed certain rights and have corresponding
responsibilities. Parents, teachers, counselors, and administrators have a responsibility to protect
the rights of students while maintaining an educational atmosphere conducive to effective
learning. The concept of balancing the rights of the individual with the rights of society is as
valid in the educational community as in the larger community. There are special responsibilities
required of a citizen who is a student in a school program. These are:

1. To learn and observe the regulations of the program.

2. To respect the rights and individuality of other participants and staff members.

3. To refrain from libelous, slanderous remarks and obscenity in verbal and written expressions.

4. To dress and groom in a manner that meets reasonable standards of health, safety, and

cleanliness.

5. To be punctual and present for all activities.

6. To refrain from behavior that disrupts the educational process.

7. To attain the highest possible level of academic achievement.

8. To respect the reasonable exercise of authority by program administrators, teachers, and
counselors in maintaining discipline.

Behavior
Students are expected to conduct themselves in a well-behaved manner. While the

university would like students to feel at home during their time on campus, Upward Bounders are
still guests and should follow rules and regulations established by ETSU as well as Upward
Bound rules and regulations. Other university activities, in addition to the Upward Bound
classes, are taking place on the campus. Please refrain from excessive noise while in the hallways
and rooms of the Culp Center and any other university building. Any behavior that is deemed
unsafe to oneself or others will be addressed by the Director.

Classroom Behavior
Students are expected to come prepared and to be on time for all classes. Teachers will be

in charge of their classes and any behavior problems will be sent to the director of the program.
Students who are tardy will have a deduction in their stipends.

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Online Behavior
Students are expected to act in a considerate and responsible manner when accessing

network services and computer equipment on campus. The network is provided for students to
conduct research and communicate for the purpose of academic exploration. Online misconduct
including sending offensive messages or photos, harassment, plagiarism, and obscene language
are not permitted.

General Rules
The following are a generalized look at some of our rules:

- Fighting is not allowed under any circumstances. Anyone breaking this rule will be sent home
immediately.
- Profanity is not acceptable.
- Alcoholic beverages and illegal drugs are not permitted on campus at any time.
- Students are not allowed to have cars on campus unless they have permission from parent or
guardian.
- Possession of weapons and firearms is not permitted.
- Public displays of affection among students are not allowed.

ACADEMIC POLICY

In order to serve students who are on track for college enrollment, the following
academic standards will be enforced for all students in the ETSU Upward Bound program.
Students who fail to maintain a cumulative high school grade point average (GPA) of 2.3 on a
4.0 scale will work with UB staff to design a plan to improve his/her GPA in order to still be
permitted to fully participate in the Upward Bound program.

Students are responsible for getting Upward Bound staff their current GPA from their
respective schools each time grade cards are generated or when requested by Upward Bound
staff members. If you have questions about how the GPA is calculated, please see an Upward
Bound staff member.

DISCIPLINARY CODE
There are three types of disciplinary measures for Upward Bounders who break program
rules. These include the following:
1) Reduction of stipend;
2) Suspension; and
3) Expulsion from the program.

1. A student may lose his/her stipend for the following, but not limited to:
a. Missing class or activity;
b. Being tardy to class or activity, or leaving the Monday session early;
c. Missing the school visit or individualized conference with an Upward Bound staff
member or

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d. Lack of satisfactory participation.

2. A student may be suspended from the Upward Bound Program for a period of 2 days to 6
months by the Director for the following, but not limited to:

a. Excessive absences or tardiness;
b. Verbal abuse of participants, teachers, or Upward Bound staff members;
c. Disorderly conduct;
d. Academic reasons (see Academic Probation)
e. Lack of satisfactory academic progress toward the fulfillment of the requirements for
college admission;
f. Lack of academic effort and progress in Upward Bound classes.
3. A student may be expelled by the Director from the Upward
Bound program for the following, but not limited to :
a. Being caught with or being under the influence of drugs or alcohol;
b. Stealing;
c. Willfully destroying property;
d. Committing violence against any student, teacher, or Upward Bound staff member; or
e. Repeated minor offenses.

ATTENDANCE

Participation in Upward Bound is a commitment to academic success in high school and
college. Regular attendance is a crucial component of academic success; therefore, you are
expected to attend all Upward Bound classes and cultural/ educational activities.

Attendance Policies:
1. You must attend and participate in the each school visit and each Monday sessions to be
eligible to receive a full stipend.
2. Tardiness or early departure on class meeting days will result in loss of partial stipend.
3. When a student must be absent he/she must contact the Upward Bound office prior to the
Upward Bound session and give a reason for his/her absence or students must submit to
the program staff in writing the reason for the absence. (i.e. school related activity,
family emergency)
4. Students must attend ALL Upward Bound summer sessions unless they have extenuating
circumstances. This will be addressed on an individual basis by the Upward Bound staff.
5. Under special circumstances and with prior approval from UB staff, a student can only
miss only one summer session during his/her entire Upward Bound career.
6. Students who have two unexcused absences from school visits and/or Monday sessions
each semester could be suspended from the program.

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DUE PROCESS

A student may appeal any disciplinary decision which involves suspension or expulsion
by using the following procedures:

1. The student must put the appeal in writing to the Student Government Association
stating the facts from his/her point of view and the reason why he/she feels he/she should
be reinstated. The appeal must be given to an SGA member or Upward Bound staff
member within 48 hours during the summer or within 7 days during the academic year.
Letters of testimony from reliable witnesses or other valid documents (i.e. sport
schedules, doctor’s excuses, etc.) should accompany the appeal.

2. A hearing will be held before the SGA and the Upward Bound staff
within 48 hours of the notification of the appeal.

3. The student has a right to have witnesses testify. Witnesses against the
student may also be used. A recommendation will be made at the hearing.
Supporting documents such as attendance records, incident reports,
teacher evaluations, etc. can also be used at the hearing.

4. The Project Director may respond to the appeal in one of the following
manners:
a. Hear the case and concur with the disciplinary recommendation.
b. Hear the case and reduce the disciplinary recommendation.
c. Hear the case and void the disciplinary recommendation.

OTHER INFORMATION

Inclement Weather
If any target school that the UB program serves is out of school due to inclement weather

on a scheduled night session, the session is cancelled. If there is any doubt, please call 423-439-
5619.

Field Trips
Field trips are an integral part of the UB program and all participants are expected to

attend. While on field trips, students should remember they are representatives of their high
schools, their parents, their community, and ETSU. Any and all reports coming back to the
program from places visited are expected to be positive. The project staff is in charge while on
such activities. Students are responsible to them. On evenings when trips to cultural events are
planned, students are responsible for making transportation arrangements to the pick-up/drop-off
sites.

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Stipends
Stipends will be issued based on participation. The amount of the stipend will vary

depending on individual participation.

Transportation
Bus transportation will be provided for each night session. A bus will pick up students at

their high school at the scheduled times and transport students to ETSU campus. After class, the
bus will return students to their high school. It is the students' responsibility to have
transportation available to their home from the high school. In winter months, it will be dark, and
probably quite cold, by the time students are returned. Parents need to be prompt in picking their
student up. Refer to the bus schedule for pick-up and drop-off times. After the last class period,
students should report directly to their bus. Buses will not leave a school until all students have
obtained a ride home. Students may have their parents pick them up at ETSU. Students should
always let an UB staff member know where and when parents will pick them up.

Drive/Ride Permission
If students plan to drive or ride with someone else to UB classes and/or UB sponsored

activities, they must submit written permission from a parent/guardian. Forms are available in
the UB office if a student wishes to drive or ride with someone else. UB cannot be responsible
for students that do not notify the project staff in advance that they are receiving transportation
with or without parental permission.

Work
If a student chooses to work, he/she should make proper arrangements in order to attend

the UB Academic Sessions on the scheduled nights and any other UB scheduled
cultural/enrichment activities.

Medical Forms
All students should have a completed medical health form on file in our office. These

forms will be used in case of an emergency. We will always contact parents for any involved
medical or health problems that students encounter while attending UB meetings.

Website
www.ubetsu.org

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