Use of Personal Electronic Devices in the Classroom: Twin Cities, Crookston, Morris, Rochester

• Updated: December 2009
• Primary Contact : Suzanne Bardouche: Belinda Cheung

1. University instructors may restrict or prohibit the use of personal electronic devices in his or her classroom, lab, or any other instructional setting. An instructor may allow students to use laptops or other devices for taking notes or class work.
2. Individual students may be directed to turn off personal electronic devices if the devices are not being used for class purposes. If the student does not comply, the student may be asked to leave the classroom.
3. In establishing restrictions, instructors must make reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities in working with the Office for Disabilities Services.
4. The default provision is that students are not permitted to record (whether audio or visual or both) any part of a class/lab/other session unless explicitly granted permission to do so by the instructor.
5. Students who fail to comply with an instructor's restrictions or prohibition will be subject to the provisions of Board of Regents Policy: Student Conduct Code or be asked to leave the class.

Exclusions

This policy is not applicable to the Duluth campus.

Using personal electronic devices in the classroom setting can hinder instruction and learning, not only for the student using the device but also for other students in the class. To this end, the University establishes the right of each faculty member to determine if and how personal electronic devices are allowed to be used in the classroom.

There are no definitions related to this policy.

There are no responsibilities related to this policy.

Can a faculty member restrict the use of electronic devices in the classroom?

Yes, individual faculty members can place restrictions on individual usage as well as class-wide usage.

What are types of personal electronic devices are covered under this policy?

While at the discretion of the instructor, personal electronic devices may include but are not limited to: laptop computers, cell phones, digital media players, tape recorders, and video recorders.

• Board of Regents Policy: Student Conduct Code

Amended:

December 2009 - Policy now applies to Crookston.

Amended:

April 2009 - Put in standard format. Added contacts.

Effective:

April 2009