Student & Scholar Rights

Please consult with the International Student & Scholar Center if you experience any situations affecting your rights and responsibilities, or if you have any questions or concerns about the information in this section.

At the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth

All members of our community have rights and responsibilities in how they interact with each other. As an international student or scholar here, you will share in these responsibilities and be able to exercise these rights. Some of them differ from the practices in your own country, because our laws and customs may be different.

Below are some important resources.  Related links are on the right-hand side of this page:

• The UMass Dartmouth Student Handbook is issued by the Office of Student Life, in the Division of Student Affairs. The Handbook is the University's official source of UMD policies, rules, regulations, and standards of conduct. Students are responsible for the information contained in the Handbook.
• Scholars should visit Human Resources for information about employee policies and procedures. Depending on your appointment provisions, some of these policies may not apply to you.  Please contact the Human Resources Office or your immediate supervisor if you have any questions.
• The first few pages of University's Graduate and Undergraduate Catalogs contain a number of statements about rights and responsibilities. Please read those statements (the links are below) and please feel free to contact the appropriate officials for assistance concerning any of these matters.
  • Statement of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action
  • Policy Against Intolerance
  • Statement on Cultural Diversity and Inclusion
  • Resolution in Support of Pluralism
  • Statement on Sexual Harassment  

University Links

• Student Handbook
• Human Resources Policies & Laws
• Undergraduate Catalog
• Graduate Catalog

In the United States

International students and scholars in the United States have the same civil rights and responsibilities as U.S. citizens and permanent residents.  You should be aware of your rights in certain legal situations.  The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) is a well-known organization with a long and distinguished history of working daily in courts, legislatures, and communities to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties that the Constitution and laws of the United States guarantee everyone in this country.

• No one has the right to search you, your home, or your possessions without just cause for suspicion. In order to enter and search your home, a police officer must have a Search Warrant granted to him by a judge.
• If you are arrested, you are not required to give the police officer any information. You have the right to legal counsel and the police officer should make these rights verbally known to you.
• You may not be refused housing, employment, or services because of your racial or ethnic background. Nor is it acceptable for you to discriminate against other people due to their race or ethnic origin.
• You may not be deported for committing a minor offense, such as theft, disturbing the peace, or for traffic violations. Deportation results from committing a major offense such as violent crimes and drug offenses. 

United States links

• American Civil Liberties Union
• Know Your Rights: What To Do If You're Stopped by Police, Immigration Agents, or the FBI
• Know Your Rights (Printable pocket version PDF)