Code of Conduct

INTRODUCTION

The Code of Conduct at the Tourism Institute of East Africa (TIEA) establishes the expectations for student conduct in the institute community.  The Code, therefore, proscribes the types of behavior that adversely affect the institute community and the resulting actions that may be taken to educate students about behavioral expectations and to protect TIEA. This Code and its accompanying Rules & Regulations describe the process to be followed when a student has been charged with a violation of the Code. TIEA embraces and strives to uphold the freedoms of expression and speech guaranteed by the Constitution of the Republic of Uganda. TIEA has the right under appropriate circumstances to regulate the time, place, and manner of exercising these and other constitutionally protected rights. All students at the Tourism Institute of East Africa (TIEA) are responsible for conducting themselves in a manner that helps enhance an environment of learning in which the rights, dignity, worth, and freedom of each member of the academic community, administration, and management are respected.  Violations of TIEA’s policies, rules or regulations, or local law may result in a violation of the Code of Student Conduct and imposition of sanctions.

AUTHORITY FOR STUDENT DISCIPLINE

The Director and Management have the authority to establish procedures and impose disciplinary action on a student or student group/organization.  The Director may delegate such authority to the Institute Administrators, Management, or other officials.

DEFINITION OF MISCONDUCT

The definition of misconduct at TIEA is set forth in this Code in order to give students general notice of prohibited conduct and is not designed to define misconduct in exhaustive terms.

SCOPE

Locations Covered

The Code applies to conduct that occurs on TIEA  premises, at TIEA-sponsored activities, and to off-campus conduct that adversely affects the Institute community, its mission, programs, or the pursuit of its objectives. 

Persons Covered

The Code applies to all students as defined in the Procedures.  TIEA may initiate disciplinary action against a student alleged to have violated the Code or other applicable Institute policies, regulations or rules, or local law regardless of the actions taken by civil or criminal authorities or private litigants.

AIDING AND ABETTING

Aiding & Abetting

Aiding and abetting others to cheat or plagiarize is as detrimental to the scholarly community as engaging in the acts themselves.  Aiding and abetting others to cheat or plagiarize includes, but is not limited to, the following:

(a)  Giving unauthorized assistance to another or others during a test or evaluation;

(b)  Posing as another student in order to meet a course or graduation requirement;

(c)  Providing specific information about a recently given test, examination, or assignment to a student who thereby gains an unfair advantage in an academic evaluation;

(d)  Providing aid to another person, knowing such aid is expressly prohibited by the faculty member, in the research, preparation, creation, writing, performing, or publication of work to be submitted for academic evaluation;

(e)  Permitting one's academic work to be represented as the work of another; or

Cheating

Cheating is the giving, taking, or presenting of information or material by a student that unethically or fraudulently aids oneself or another person on any work which is to be considered in the determination of a grade or the completion of academic requirements or the enhancement of that student's record or academic career.  Cheating includes, but is not limited, to the following actions:

(a)  Copying from someone else's assignment, examination, or other academic exercises;

(b)  Possessing, buying, selling, removing, receiving, or using, at any time or in any manner not prescribed by the faculty member, any information related to an instrument of academic evaluation;

(c)  Using materials, equipment, or assistance in connection with an assignment, examination, or other academic exercises which have not been authorized by the faculty member, including but not limited to, notes, calculator, or other technology;

(d)  Obtaining or attempting to obtain, in a dishonest manner, any material relating to a student's academic work;

(e)  Working with another or others in completing an assignment, examination, or other academic exercises when the faculty member has required independent and unaided action;

(f)  Attempting to influence or change an academic evaluation, grade, or record by unfair means;

(g)  Permitting another individual to substitute for one's self in an academic evaluation;

(h)  Marking or submitting an examination or evaluation material in a manner designed to deceive the grading system;

(i)  Failing to comply with a specific condition of academic integrity which has been clearly announced in a particular course;

(j)  Submitting, without prior permission of the faculty member, any work by a student which has at any time been submitted in identical or similar form by that student in fulfillment of any other academic requirement at any institution;

(k)  Submitting of material in whole or part for academic evaluation that has been prepared by another individual(s);

(l)  Submitting data which have been altered or contrived in such a way as to be deliberately misleading; or

(m)  Providing false information to the institute in any manner to achieve an unfair advantage, enhance one’s record, or complete a requirement.

Destruction or Removal of Academic Materials

The destruction or removal of academic materials denies access to and prevents the ability to develop the full potential of, scholarly resources.  Prohibited acts under this section include, but are not limited to, the following:

(a)  Removing or attempting to remove, destroy, steal, or make an inaccessible library or other academic material without authorization; or

(b)  Willfully damaging the academic work or efforts of another.

Plagiarism

Plagiarism is the use or close imitation of the language and thoughts of another and the representation of the other’s work as their own.  The act of submitting work for evaluation or to meet a requirement is regarded as assurance that the work is the result of the student's own thought and study, produced without assistance, and stated in that student's own words, except as quotation marks, references or footnotes acknowledge the use of other sources.  Any ideas or materials taken from another source for either written or oral use must be fully and correctly acknowledged.  Submission of work used previously must first be approved by the faculty member. 

Plagiarism includes, but is not limited, to the following actions:

(a)  Representing the work of others as his or her own; or

(b)  Submitting written materials without proper attribution or acknowledgment of the source.

SANCTIONS FOR ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT

a. Academic Integrity Probation

A student found responsible for academic misconduct will usually be placed on academic integrity probation for the remainder of the student’s academic career.  A student shall write a letter describing in detail how she/he was involved in cheating or academic misconduct. In addition, one or more of the sanctions listed below shall be imposed:

b.No Credit

No credit on the assignments, test, or academic exercise on which the violation occurred, and/or no credit for the course.

c. Suspension

The suspension is a separation from the Institute for a specified period of time.  While suspended, the student shall not participate in any Institute-sponsored activity. A disciplinary file indicating suspension will be maintained by the TIEA Management on the Student’s Academic File on a permanent basis. This will apply to a student(s) who was caught in a test, take-home assignment, and not on the final exams.

 d.Cancellation of  Academic Semester

The Disciplinary Committee that comprises: The Director, Principal, Academic Registrar, and two Heads of Departments or Lecturer may decide to cancel the Academic Semester where the student cheat. This will mean, a student will have to repeat the whole semester. This will apply to a student(s) who were caught cheating in the final exams.

e. Cancellation of  Exams and a Fine

Cancellation of Exams for the entire semester and a penality of UGX. 100,000 ( one hundred thousand Uganda shillings) per paper shall be paid to set new exams. New exams shall be set in 14days from the day the offense was committed or as may be determined by the Disciplinary Committee. This will apply to a student(s) who were caught cheating in the final exams.

f.Reduction in Grade

A reduction in grade on the assignment, examination, or academic exercise on which the violation occurred. This will apply to take-home assignments, tests, and other exercises.

 g. Expulsion

Expulsion may be imposed in the most severe cases of academic misconduct.  Expulsion is a recommendation that must be approved by the Director and is the permanent separation of the student from Tourism Institute of East Africa (TIEA) unless at a later date the Director concludes on the basis of the former student’s and/or parent/guardian/ sponsor’s petition and any supporting documentation that he or she should be approved for reinstatement at TIEA.  When expelled, the student shall no longer participate in any Institute-sponsored activity and will be trespassed from Institute premises.  A disciplinary file indicating expulsion will be maintained by TIEA management on a permanent basis and will result in a permanent transcript notation.  The student’s name will be included in the TIEA system database for suspended/expelled students.  Expulsion precludes enrollment at any TIEA constituent institution.

 NON-ACADEMIC MISCONDUCT

Behavior that is subject to disciplinary action under the Code includes alleged violations of government or local law that threaten the safety or well-being of the TIEA  community and any other behavior that adversely affects the Institute or its educational programs or mission.   Examples of behavior that will be subject to disciplinary action include:

 Alcohol Violations

(a)  Possession and/or consumption of alcoholic beverages by a person under the age of 18;

(b)  Possession or consumption of any alcohol beverage inside any Institute facility except on such occasions as designated by the Director;

(c)  Aiding and abetting the possession and/or consumption of alcoholic beverages by a person who is under the age of 18;

(d)  Consumption of any alcoholic beverages where it is not legally permissible to do so, regardless of age;

(e)  Any other violations of the TIEA Alcohol Policy; or

(f)  Conduct that could form the basis of any charge relating to a violation of  Uganda laws regarding the purchase, possession, manufacture, and consumption of alcoholic beverages or driving while under the influence.

 Computer and Network Abuse

(a)  Theft or misuse of the Institute’s computing resources

(b)  Unauthorized entry into or transfer of an electronic file;

(c)  Use of another person’s computing identification and/or password without authorization or permission;

(d)  Use of computing facilities to interfere with the work of another student, faculty member, or other TIEA employee;

(e)  Use of computing facilities to send obscene or harassing messages; or

(f)  Use of computing facilities to interfere with normal operations of the TIEA computing system.

 Creating a Safety Hazard

(a)  Creating a safety hazard, including but not limited to, starting or attempting to start a fire or failing to exit a building when the fire has started or

(b)  Tampering with or misusing fire and/or other life safety equipment

Damage to Property

Engaging in an act that intentionally or recklessly damages destroys, or defaces property of the institute or another.

Disorderly Conduct

(a)  Engaging in conduct that disrupts class including, but not limited to, the use of cell phones or other electronic devices for voice or text communication, unless permitted by the faculty member;

(b)  Participation in an on-campus or off-campus demonstration, riot, or activity that disrupts the normal operations of the Institute and/or infringes on the rights of other members of the TIEA community;

(c)  Leading or inciting others to disrupt scheduled and/or normal activities within any TIEA building or other TIEA premises;

(d)  Obstruction that unreasonably interferes with freedom of movement or safe passage, either pedestrian or vehicular, on TIEA premises;

(e)  Conduct that is lewd, disruptive, or indecent;

(f)  Engaging in conduct which disturbs the peace, order, or discipline at the Institute or TIEA -sponsored activity;

(g)  Any unauthorized use of electronic or other devices to make an audio or video record of any person without his/her prior knowledge, or without his/her consent when such a recording is likely to cause injury or distress; or

(h)  Disruption or obstruction of teaching, research, administration, Institute programs, operations, or other TIEA-sponsored activities, including public service functions, on or off TIEA  premises, or other non-TIEA activities when the act occurs on TIEA premises.

Drug Violations

(a)  Illegal possession or use of controlled substances

 (b)  Manufacturing, selling, or delivering any controlled substance or possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver any controlled substance;

(c)  Misuse of any legal pharmaceutical drugs;

(d)  Knowingly breathe or inhale any substance for the unlawful purpose of inducing a condition of intoxication; or

(e)  Possession of drug-related paraphernalia, including but not limited to, pipes, bongs, hookahs, and other water pipes.

Hazing

Causing or permitting a person, incident to initiation into or membership in a society, club, athletic team, or similar group or organization, to participate in any activity that subjects or is likely to subject that person or others to risks of physical injury, mental distress, or personal indignities, or which destroys or removes public or private property, whether or not such person has consented to participation in the activity.  Silent participation or acquiescence in the presence of hazing are not neutral acts; they are violations of this section.

Harassment

(a)  No student shall threaten, coerce, or intimidate another person or identifiable group of persons.

In determining whether student conduct violates these provisions, all relevant facts and circumstances shall be considered.  Care must be exercised in order to preserve freedoms of speech and expression, as articulated in current legal standards. 

Infliction or Threat of Bodily Harm

(a)  Inflicting physical injury upon another;

(b)  Placing another in fear of, or at risk of, physical injury or danger; or

(c)  Intentionally or recklessly acting in a manner that creates a substantial risk of bodily harm to another.

Providing False Information

(a)  Intentionally initiating or causing to be initiated any known false report, warning or threat of fire, explosion or other emergencies;

(b)  Forgery, alteration, or misuse of any TIEA document, records, or instrument of identification;

(c)  Furnishing false information, oral or written, to any TIEA official, faculty or staff member, or office; or

(d)  Possession or use of an instrument of identification that is not one’s own or is fictitious or altered.

Relationship Violence

Conduct arising out of a personal, intimate relationship that:

(a)  Inflicts physical injury upon another person; or

(b)  Places another in fear of, or at risk of, physical injury or danger.

Sexual Misconduct

Sexual Misconduct includes:

(a)  Sexual harassment may include, for example, unwelcome sexual advances and sexual favors.  Sexual harassment also includes acts of sexual violence.

(b)  Sexual Exploitation, which is taking sexual advantage of another person without consent, and includes, but is not limited to, causing or attempting to cause the incapacitation of another person in order to gain a sexual advantage over the other person; causing the prostitution of another person; recording, photographing or transmitting identifiable images of private sexual activity and/or the intimate parts (including genitalia, groin, breasts or buttocks) of another person; and allowing third parties to observe private sexual acts.

(c)  Sexual Contact (without consent), which is the deliberate touching of a person’s intimate parts (including genitalia, groin, breast or buttocks or clothing covering any of those areas); or the deliberate touching of another person with one’s intimate parts; or using force to cause a person to touch his/her own or another person’s intimate parts. 

(d)  Sexual Intercourse (without consent). or

(e) Retaliation (including threats, harassment, intimidation, coercion) against a person because he/she filed a complaint alleging sexual misconduct or participated in an investigation or proceeding involving charges of sexual misconduct.

Stalking

Engaging in a course of conduct directed at a specific person would cause a reasonable person to feel fear.   Stalking may include, for example, non-consensual communication, including in-person communication or contact, surveillance, telephone calls, voice messages, text messages, email messages, social networking site postings, instant messages, postings of pictures or information on websites, written letters, gifts or any other communications that are undesired and/or place another person in fear.

Theft

(a)  Stealing or attempting to steal another’s property, money, or services;

(b)  Knowingly possessing, purchasing, or exchanging stolen or embezzled property, money, or services;

(c)  Unauthorized use or access to private or confidential information in any medium; or

(d)  Unauthorized possession, duplication, or use of keys or card access to TIEA’s premises.

Trespass

Unauthorized entry to the Institute’s premises, including intruding upon, forcibly entering, or otherwise proceeding into unauthorized areas of the Institute’s premises or the residential space of another without permission.

Weapons

(a)  Illegal or unauthorized possession of weapons on the Institute premises or at TIEA-sponsored activities; or

(b)  Possession or use of weapons in any manner that harms, threatens, or causes fear to others.

Dress Code, Personal Groong , Hygiene, and Presentation

(a) All students are supposed to dress decently in corporate wear from Mondays-Thursdays and Casual Wear/dress down on Fridays.  Agreed upon dress code is as: 

i )Ladies:  Blouse/Dress, Skirt knee-level, Closed black shoes, wristwatch, well-kempt hair ( not colored) with a puff if it is long. Ear pins. 

ii) Gentlemen: Corporate Trousers, Shirts ( tucked-in), shoes with socks, wristwatch, well-kempt hair.

Students are supposed to come to TIEA when they are well-groomed and presentable.

SANCTIONS

Sanctions in this section result in the creation of a disciplinary file for individuals or groups. Misconduct that involves substantial theft or fraud, significant physical damage to property, sexual misconduct, relationship violence, and stalking, substantial physical, emotional or mental damage to persons, committed at least in part because of the victim’s membership in a protected class, or actions that create a substantial risk of bodily harm may result in suspension or expulsion from the Institute. One or more of the sanctions listed below may be imposed for any misconduct:

Written Warning

A Written Warning is a disciplinary reprimand that serves as notice that the continuation or repetition of prohibited conduct may be cause for additional disciplinary actions.

Disciplinary Probation

Disciplinary Probation is a pre-suspension status.  A student may be placed on disciplinary probation for a period no less than the remainder of the current semester up to the remainder of his or her academic career.  If found responsible for a violation while on disciplinary probation, a student may face more severe sanctions up to and including suspension or expulsion.

Suspension

The suspension is a separation from the Institute for a specified period of time after which the student may be eligible to return.  While suspended, the student shall not participate in any Institute-sponsored activity and will be trespassed from TIEA premises.  Exceptions to this trespass may be granted by the Director based on the written petition of the student and for good cause.  The student’s name will be included in the TIEA System database for suspended/expelled students.  In cases where the student will complete the graduation requirements during the current semester, the suspension is to take effect immediately. 

Expulsion

Expulsion is a recommendation that must be approved by the Director and is a permanent separation of the student from the Institute unless at a later date the Director concludes on the basis of the former student’s petition and any supporting documentation that he or she should be approved for reinstatement at TIEA.  When expelled, the student shall no longer participate in any TIEA-sponsored activity and will be trespassed from Institute premises.  A disciplinary letter indicating expulsion will be maintained permanently on a student’s file.

PHOTOS

TIEA has the right to take any photo of a student who has been enrolled for any course e.g. Diploma, Certificate, short course, workshop, seminar, exhibition, party, and use that photo on any media networks e.g. website, Twitter, Facebook, Whatsapp, banners, magazines, books, TV, newspapers and any other media for purposes of promoting, advertising and marketing  TIEA’s programs, activities. The photo(s) taken and used by TIEA shall not be nude or indecent.

Office hours:

08:30 AM – 04:30PM.    Monday – Friday.

All businesses must be conducted within the prescribed hours. Online and Distance learning students are advised to contact the office, lecturers, and/or any other staff within the prescribed hours above. No official correspondence shall be carried out over the weekend, public holidays unless otherwise agreed upon prior by both parties e.g. lecturer and student.

 Class Lectures

Morning:     08:30AM -10:30AM.

Afternoon:  11:00PM – 01:00PM.

TIEA management reserves the right to change the schedule without prior written notice.

Course Format:

A two-hour lecture per session is conducted daily from Monday – Friday. At the end of the final Semester, a mandatory study trip is organized for students. The evaluation will include course work (take Home Projects, Assignments, Presentations, Group work) and this carries 30% of the total marks. The final examination at the end of the semester will carry 70%.

NB. If a student misses out on doing and submitting their course work, they will not be allowed to sit for their final examination at the end of the semester.TIEA management reserves the right to change the course format without prior written notice.

Attendance

Class attendance and active participation in class are expected in order to demonstrate the achievement of course objectives. The student is responsible for all information, announcements, and changes in schedules, which are covered during class periods. Details concerning specific weekly assignments will be announced in class. Tardiness causes interruptions during class time and often results in missed announcements. Please make every effort to be in class and be on time.

An attendance book is available for students to sign their names, date, and time of arrival. It is the responsibility of the student to respond to the call for attendance.  At the end of the semester, a minimum class attendance of 60% shall be considered.

Classes begin ON TIME, once a student comes late even after one minute they shall not be allowed in class and will not be allowed to sign in a registrar for that session. If a student has another session, then they can wait.

Online and Distance learning students are expected to submit their work on time and are supposed to keep in touch with their respective lecturers and TIEA management.

Grade Determination:

Course work will be evaluated as follows:

Course work (Take-Home Assignment 10/10, Oral Evaluation 10/10 & Test 10/10) – 30/30

Final Examination at the end of a given Semester – 70/70

Total Score – 100%

NB. Study Tours are compulsory for students.

Assignments:

All homework submitted must be word-processed (if it is handwritten, it should be neat).

All work must be completed by the assigned time to be considered for full credit. All assignments are due at the beginning of the class period on a specific date. Any assignment turned in after the due date and time will have 5% taken off the total possible points. All assignments and projects are to be completed individually, except for group work that has been assigned by the lecturer. Students submitting identical assignments will receive a grade of “0”.

Fees for missing Tests & Final Exams

For any reason, once a student misses Gradable Tests, Take Home Assignments, Oral tests a fee of UGX. 15,000 per paper shall apply. And once a student misses the final exam a fee of UGX. 100,000 per paper shall apply. If the affected student did mean the above requirement(s), a given Course Unit shall be left blank on their transcript. The Management of TIEA reserves the right to revise the rates without written notice.

 Internship

All students are supposed to do a minimum of 3 months of internships after they complete their semesters. Students are expected to compile an internship report and submit it for grading. No student shall graduate without an internship report. Cabin Crew Students shall do their practicals in South Africa at South African Airlines facility and/or any other established and recognized institute that awards International Flight Attendants License and that is in partnership with TIEA.

 Institute Classroom Etiquette:

During class time, students are expected to:

Dress Code & Glomming:

NB. Failure to adhere to the guidelines would lead to a lecturer dismissing a student from attending a class (es)

Once a student fails to adhere to these rules and regulations, TIEA management reserves the right to: 

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NB. The Management of Tourism Institute of East Africa reserves the right to make changes and or add more articles to the Code of Conduct Manual without any prior written notice.