The ITMO University Student Code

The ITMO University Student Code (hereinafter Code, University) defines the moral and ethical principles as well as the code of conduct of of ITMO students in accordance with ITMO University’s values and mission.

With regard to the establishment of rights and obligations of students, liabilities, and the dispute resolution procedure (sections 3, 4, 5 of the Code), the Code is considered the University’s local regulation that establishes the internal code of conduct for students. Otherwise, nothing in the remaining part of the Code should be seen as binding in relation to students except if the rule or requirement is established by the legislation of the Russian Federation or the University’s internal policies and procedures.

The obligation to comply with the Code arises from a person’s acquisition of the status of an ITMO University student.

ITMO University’s mission is to open up new opportunities for harmonic development of valuable specialists and inspire them to solve global tasks.

ITMO University’s strategic goal is to generate new knowledge, markets, businesses, and navigate people in the world of information by ensuring the balance between the physical and virtual realities.

We teach:

• digital culture and digital ethics by forming competencies and skills that are essential for life and work in the digital world; we teach to work with big data and develop artificial intelligence technologies, paying heed to their role in the solution of socially significant tasks;
• entrepreneurial culture and competencies as a response to the uncertainty and challenges of the environment and a solution for nonconventional tasks; we teach to see positive experience in failures and not be afraid to risk leaving the boundaries of routine solutions; we develop creativity and entrepreneurship;
• analytical, critical and systemic thinking essential for navigating in the world of information and identifying its essential aspects for critical re-evaluation of reality and comprehension of differences between its physical and virtual manifestations.

Our University is personality-centered, so when choosing ITMO, it is most important that applicants, their parents (legal representatives), students, staff, and friends know and endorse its values:

Respect for the individual

We value individuality, and contribute to harmonic personal development, offering opportunities for self-fulfillment and development.

Integrity 

We are honest and fair towards ourselves, our work, the University, our colleagues and students. ITMO's reputation and values are more important than personal gain.

Academic freedom

We are free in information exchange, choice, development of our own ideas, and making decisions, and we understand the high personal responsibility that comes with that.

Openness

We are open to new ideas, people, changes; open for communication and collaboration.

Love

We love what we do, and we are ready and willing to change the world for the better.

ITMO University values, its fundamental nature, and its competencies make up the unique ITMO Code that facilitates the actualization of its mission: V+F+PS+SS.

ITMO Code can be presented as a formula that consists of interrelated elements:  V F PS SS, where V means values, F – fundamental, PS – professional skills, SS – soft skills.

Fundamental (F) involves two aspects: classical (mathematical, physical, engineering and technical fundamentals; systemic, analytical, critical and creative thinking) and additional  (digital culture and entrepreneurial culture and competencies, design thinking). Professional skills are defined with regard to the foci of ITMO’s structural units. Soft skills cover language and managerial competencies, emotional intelligence, and teamwork with the purpose of solving complex tasks.

Education is a collaborative activity involving a lecturer and a student, which results in the student getting professional competencies and soft skills. Students actively participate in the educational process, are  ready to work in  a team, show interest and initiative. Students strive to be responsible and organized.

Students are motivated, aim for practical success in education and self-education, as well as professional and personal growth.

1. The University’s educational activities are based on the principles of acknowledging the priority of education, ensuring the universal right for education, the impermissibility of discrimination in the field of education, freedom in choosing education with regards to a person’s affinities and needs, creating the conditions for self-fullfillment of every person, and free development of their abilities, ensuring the right for education throughout a person’s life in accordance with their needs, the adaptibility of the educational system with regards to a person’s the level of training, special needs, abilities and interests.
2. The University aims to create an environment that’s free from discrimination and prejudice, where all of the University students and staff members are respected and recognized despite their gender, nationality, ethnical and sociocultural background, religion, ideology, age, health, or any other factors.
3. Students use the University’s resources and the opportunities it offers for self-fulfillment as well as personal and professional growth. 
4.  Students are always ready to help those in need of support and help, assist international and younger students in adapting  to the academic, cultural and social environment.
5. Students respect an individual regardless of their psychological and physical development features, and are ready to exert tolerance and offer support in escorting students with disabilities at the University educational and sociocultural space and beyond its limits.
6. Students abide by the principles of business ethics, rules of politeness and sensitivity. Communication at the University is based on mutual respect, openness and honesty. Our students respect personal boundaries.
7. The University has no dress code (except for military training sessions at the Military Department’s training center). Students’ appearance has to be neat and tidy.
8. Students should treat the University’s property with care.
9. Students who reside in the University’s dormitories, have to comply with the principles of maintaining security and order in living spaces, and are responsible for creating and maintaining the living conditions that are aimed at upholding the balance between meeting individual and common needs.
10. Students endorse the principles of the rule of law, openness, collaboration, and inevitability of liability that are fundamental to the University’s corruption control policy.
11. Students are  aware of the negative influence of excessive drinking of alcohol on their health, studies, social, personal, and sport activities, and therefore don't support it. 
12.  Students are aware of the legal issues and health hazards associated with the intake of narcotics and psychotropic substances, as well as their counterparts, and are strongly against it.
13.  The University forms a culture of respect towards intellectual property rights as a stimulus for innovation and creativity. Students possess the right of authorship for the results of their intellectual activity. Students also possess personal non-property rights on such results of intellectual activity.
14. Students treat other people with respect, and acknowledge the differences in attitude, culture and background.
15. Students are aware of the consequences of their actions on the internet. All materials that are published online can be copied without their consent, which can lead to their free distribution, even if the original is deleted.
16. Students are  part of the University’s academic community. When speaking in public or on the internet, students do not speak on behalf of the University as a whole.
17. Students are aware of their responsibility to uphold the University’s positive image and business reputation.
18.  In the course of educational activities, students can get access to personal data, including personal data of the University staff and other students. The University creates the conditions for ensuring the protection of human rights and freedom when processing personal data, including the right to personal and family privacy.
19. The University aims to introduce remote formats of interacting with students, because this practice best suits the interests of students in the conditions of the developing digital environment. In this regard, students get access to various information resources of the University, including the University’s websites, desktop, mobile and web applications, e-mail services, and the University’s information system accessible at isu.ifmo.ru (hereinafter ISU).
20. Students endorse the principle of equal human and civil rights and freedoms for every person regardless of their gender, race, nationality, language, background, financial and employment status, place of residence, attitude towards religion, worldview, association with social organizations, as well as other factors.

Academic rights and liabilities

Students have the right for:

1. being provided with the essential conditions for receiving education with regard to their psychophysical development and health, including help from social specialists, psychological counselling, and free psychological, medical and pedagogical correction.
2.  freedom in what has to do with designing their individual learning track (choosing the essential content of their professional education) that would account for their needs, goals and interests. The individual learning track is designed by means of: 
   1. choosing a specialization;
   2. choosing subjects (including elective and optional subjects in accordance with the Regulation on the procedure of the development, implementation, and teaching elective and optional subjects (modules) of Bachelor’s and Master’s educational programs at ITMO University, Regulation on the procedure of teaching elective and optional subjects of PhD programs, and other of the University’s local rules and regulations), as well as choosing the format in which a subject is taught, in case various options are offered by the subject’s curriculum.
   3.  get credits for their educational results in accordance with the Regulation on the accreditation of results of students for completing subjects (modules), practical assignments, additional educational programs in other organizations that conduct educational activities (including international ones) at ITMO University, the Regulation on the accreditation procedure for results of previously completed subjects, courses, modules, research projects and internships at ITMO University for PhD students, the Regulation on the accreditation of educational results from completing other educational programs or at other educational organizations, and other local regulations of the University.
   4.  studying, in addition to subjects, courses, and modules of the chosen educational program, of any other subjects, courses, and modules taught at the University, as well as subjects, courses, and modules taught at other educational organizations, and simultaneously following several programs of general professional education.
3. changing the educational organization, educational program and\or specialization in accordance with the Regulation on the procedure for transfer/readmission of students of ITMO University, the Procedure for academic transfer, readmission and transfer from tuition-based to tuition-free education of persons studying on educational programs of higher education,  PhD programs for training research and pedagogical staff, and other local regulations of the University; choosing the topic of their research project and their research advisor.

4. getting education according to an individual learning track, including accelerated education, within the boundaries of their chosen educational program and in accordance with the Regulation on the procedure for the implementation of education according to an individual learning track, including accelerated education, at ITMO University, Regulation on the procedure for teaching according to individual learning tracks, including accelerated education, of persons studying on educational programs of higher education, PhD programs for training research and pedagogical staff at ITMO University, the Procedure for organization and implementation of educational activities according to individual learning tracks, including accelerated education on programs of secondary vocational education, and other local regulations of the University.

5.  transfer from tuition-based to tuition-free education in accordance with the ITMO University's provision on student transfers/readmission, the Procedure for academic transfer, readmission and transfer from tuition-based to tuition-free education of persons studying on educational programs of higher education,  PhD programs for training research and pedagogical staff, and other local regulations of the University.

6. participation in academic mobility contests in accordance with the Regulation on the international academic mobility of ITMO University students, in educational events and research internships in Russia and abroad.
7.  participation in scholarship contests depending on their educational format and the criteria of a scholarship program, getting other financial aid in accordance with the Regulations on stipends for ITMO University students, Regulation on stipends for students in need at ITMO University, as well as other local regulations that govern the procedure of awarding specific scholarships.
8.  Students are provided with measures of social support and encouragement in accordance with the procedures and on the grounds stipulated in the current legislation of the Russian Federation.
9. getting incentive for achievements in educational, athletic, sports, social, scientific, research and development, creative, experimental, and innovative activities.
10. participation in the ITMO.STUDENTS Student Council in accordance with the Regulation on ITMO University student council and acting for and on behalf of the University's students, actualization of student initiatives, participation in the management of the University in accordance with the University Charter.
11. creating a student club or joining an existing club in accordance with the Regulations on student clubs at ITMO University. Activities of student clubs can be aimed at intellectual, creative, social, physical, and professional development.
12. participation in public associations, including professional unions, established in accordance with the government of the Russian Federation, as well as creating public associations of students.
13. attending events that take place at the University and are not part of their curriculum.
14. Students have the opportunity to join sport clubs and participate in sports festivals and tournaments.
15. Students’ activities can be counted as credits for the completion of an educational program in accordance with the Regulation on the recognition of the results of extracurricular activities in the educational activities of ITMO University, as well as the Regulation on the recognition of results of scientific and technical creativity of ITMO University students.
16. putting forth proposals on infrastructural  development and business processes optimization. For the purpose of putting forth proposals, students can address the Student Services Office or University’s administration.
17. respect of human dignity, protection from all forms of physical and psychological violence, insults, protection of life and health.
18.  participation in research, technical, experimental, and innovative activities of the University, work at the University’s research laboratories under the guidance of its faculty, participation in research and development projects, participation in project teams, work as a staff member of the University’s administrative units, as a mentor, participation in the University’s acceleration project. Students can make the decision to defend their graduation thesis in the form of a business project (startup) in accordance with the Procedure of support and defense of business projects (startups) at ITMO University. 
19. use of the infrastructure of the University’s Yagodnoe sports and recreation center, and other cultural and sports facilities of the University.
20. an academic leave as well as maternity leave, a parental leave until their child reaches the age of three, in accordance with the Provision on the procedure and grounds for providing academic and maternity leave and the Regulation in the procedure of granting academic and other types of leave to students studying on educational programs of higher education – PhD programs for training research and pedagogical staff at ITMO University.
21.  Readmission  to the University in accordance with the Provision on student transfers/readmissions , the Procedure for transfer, reinstatement and transfer from tuition-based to tuition-free education of persons studying on educational programs of higher education – PhD programs for training research and pedagogical staff, and other local regulations of the University.
22.  getting a room at the University’s dormitories in accordance with the Regulations on the procedure for providing students accommodation in ITMO University housing facilities. 
23. deferment from the draft in accordance with the Federal Law dated 28.03.1998, № 53-FZ "On Military Duty and Military Service".
24. The University assists students with the essential documents for getting deferment from the draft and compliance with the legislation of the Russian Federation on military registration.
25. breaks –  planned breaks in the educational process for rest and other social activities in accordance with the educational schedule of the University.
26.  using library and information resources free of charge, in accordance with the ITMO Library Rules. 
27. combining study and work if that does not hinder the educational process and completion of the individual learning track.
28.  getting information on employment in the Russian Federation for their chosen profession, specialization and program tracks. Students can get such information at ITMO’s Career Center. 
29. appealing against University enactments.
30. enquiring about education at the University, including issues associated with the quality of the educational process. 
31.  Students can address their inquiries at the Center for Educational Management and Quality Assurance, the Student Services Office, their faculty, institute, cluster, and/or the University’s administration, as well as make use of the feedback form at student.itmo.ru, Questions and Proposals form at itmo.ru, or their personal page in ISU.

Students commit to:

1.  diligently pursue their educational program, meet the requirements of the curriculum (individual learning track), including: 
2.  Complete their interim assessment in accordance with the Regulation on interim assessment and repeat interim reassessment of ITMO University students, Regulation on the grading point  system used for interim assessment of ITMO University students, the Procedure for interim assessment of students on PhD programs for training research and pedagogical staff, the Regulation on interim assessment of students studying on ITMO University’s programs of secondary vocational education, and other local regulations of the University.
3.  complete state final examination in accordance with the Provision on graduation theses, the Regulation on the conduct of state final examination for PhD programs for training research and pedagogical staff, the Regulation for the conduct of the demonstration exam for the programs of secondary vocational education at ITMO University, and other local regulations of the University.
4. Take their interim or repeat interim exams, as well as state final examination themselves, without identity fraud;
5.  never submit forged and/or falsified documents to the University, as well as communicate inaccurate information;
6. attend study sessions and practical training in accordance with the schedule and the Regulation on the practical training of students studying on general educational programs of higher education, Regulation on the practical training of students studying in ITMO University’s PhD programs for training research and pedagogical staff, and other local regulations of ITMO University, conduct R&D projects in accordance with the Regulation on the procedure for the organization and conduct of research by students studying on general educational programs – PhD programs for training highly qualified personnel, applicants for a PhD degree and persons attached to research advisors for preparing theses for a PhD defense without pursuing PhD programs for training highly qualified personnel, and other local regulations of the University;
7.  attend physical education classes and sports with regard to their health condition and in accordance with the Regulation on courses in physical education and sports at ITMO University;
8. inform the University of valid excuses in case they miss study sessions, and submit the corresponding documents no more than three days after they’ve been issued;
9.  Eliminate academic backlog. Special committees are organized for the purpose of conducting interim reassessment in accordance with the Regulation on forming committees for repeat interim examination for ITMO University students;
10. comply with the requirements of ITMO University Charter, this Code, and other local regulations of the University on the issues of organization and conduct of educational activities;
11. pay for their living space at the dormitory and utilities in a timely manner, and comply with the terms of the lease agreement, as well as the Regulation on ITMO University campus.
12. treat the University’s property with care. It is forbidden to destroy, break, steal, and/or misappropriate the University’s property. In case of any material damage to the University’s property,  students have to reimburse it in accordance with the civil legislation of the Russian Federation.

Intellectual property

Students commit to:

1. comply with the requirements of the legislation of the Russian Federation and the University’s local rules and regulations when using intellectual property of the UNiversity and third parties;
2. never use in their educational activities and research such forms of student misconduct as plagiarism, paraphrasing, cheating, falsification of research results, misappropriation of the results of others, including commissioned or reimbursed ones;
3.  Cite works of other researchers in the volume justified by citation purpose, with a mandatory statement of the author’s name and citation source.
4. The independent nature of the completion of graduation theses is established in accordance with the Regulation on the verification on graduate theses of ITMO University students with the help of the Antiplagiat system, the independence in  the completion of dissertations of PhD students is established in accordance with the Regulation on the verification of the independence of the completion of dissertations of PhD students;
5. not to use the name, symbols, trademarks, and other labels of the University for commercial, advertising, and political purposes without getting the University’s written consent for such use in advance.

Communication culture and behavior

1. Students have the right of freedom of thought, conscience, information, right to freedom of opinion and expression.
2. When communicating with other people, as well as in public space, including on the internet, students are forbidden to:

• make violent, aggressive, offensive actions or statements;
• commit actions or make statements that discredit the honor, dignity and business reputation of the University, its faculty, administration, and other students;
• sexually harass others in any form, including evidently undesired advances, physical contact without mutual consent, sexually colored remarks, insinuations, gestures, orany other actions;
• use explicit language;
• spread information that cannot be spread without leading to criminal, civil, or administrative charges.  

Students commit to:

1. be respectful of the religious views, customs and feelings of others, and refrain from offending religious views and feelings of others, discourage disturbances, violence, and\or criminal acts; 
2. when communicating with the University’s faculty and officials or other students via email, adhere to business correspondence standards.

Students are forbidden to perform actions aimed at the incitement of hatred or enmity, as well as humiliation of human dignity on the grounds of their gender, race, nationality, language, background, attitude towards religion, affiliation with any social category, and are forbidden to promote extremist activities.

Dress code

Students are forbidden to:

1. wear outwear at the University buildings if the cloakrooms are open, wear cut-offs, tank tops, miniskirts, flip-flops.
2.  wear, at the University's territory and buildings, including dormitories, clothing with extremist patches or tags and/or slogans that incite ethnic or racial hatred, explicit images, explicit or offensive messages regardless of the language.

Students commit to adhere to the  common uniform when attending training sessions at the Military Department’s training center.

Anti-corruption policy

1. Students have the right to openly report any facts of corruption to the Center for Monitoring and Prevention of Legal Offenses, the Student Services Office, or the University’s administration via any means, including messages at anticorruption@itmo.ru.
2. Students commit to steer clear of any manifestations of corruption which is defined as giving or receiving a bribe or any other abuse of power or authority aimed at gaining benefit (money, valuables, services, etc.) for themselves or third parties.

Security and healthy lifestyle

Students commit to:

1. keep the University’s spaces and territory clean and tidy, and comply with safety and fire safety requirements;
2. omply with the requirements of the Regulation on access control and site security at ITMO University, to not give their pass card, including their electronic pass, to other people, as well as not use a pass issued to another person.
3.  be mindful of their health, and aim for moral, spiritual and physical development and self-fulfillment.

Within the University’s territory and at the University’s spaces, a students are forbidden to:

1. smoke, consume nicotine-containing products (including the use of electronic devices for their consumption), and/or smoke hookahs. 
2. produce, consume and store alcoholic beverages, except in cases of production and storage of alcoholic beverages as part of pursuing the University’s educational programs.
3. buy, store, make, handle, produce, sell, or consume narcotics and psychotropic substances, as well as their counterparts, and participate in the aforementioned activities.
4.  make (fabricate), use or distribute any kind of weapons and explosives.

Information security and protection of personal data

Students commit to:

1. when processing personal data they access  as part of their educational activities, comply with the legislation of the Russian Federation in this regard, as well as international agreements ratified by the Russian Federation, and  the University’s local regulations.
2.  when using the University’s information resources:
   1. provide strict confidentiality of access codes (passwords) to their personal pages, and be careful to keep them secret and not communicate to third parties; 
   2. ensure the essential level of information security and antivirus protection on the equipment (PCs, smartphones, and wearable devices) they use for accessing the University’s information resources;
   3.  immediately inform the University if their access codes (passwords) have been compromised, or there is reason to suspect so;
   4.  if they become aware of an  information security incident at the University, report it to the Student Services Office, members of their faculty, institute or cluster, and/or the University’s administration;
   5.  if students as part of their education acquire any restricted access information, including confidential information, or information that’s subject to non-disclosure agreements or protected by law, they have to comply with the existing legislation of the Russian Federation, the local regulations of the University, and the terms of the corresponding contracts and agreements when using such information. 
3.  Students are forbidden to gather personal data using  illegal methods, including technologies aimed at penetrating legally functioning means of data protection.
4.  Any actions performed via a student’s personal page in ITMO University’s information resources are deemed to be committed by this student. 

1. If students or staff witness any breach or failure to comply with the norms listed in the Code, University by-laws,, or the legislation of the Russian Federation, they can address the Student Services Office, the Center for Educational Management and Quality Assurance, or the University’s administration.
2. Students who have breached and/or failed to comply with the Code and/or other University by-laws can be subject to disciplinary action: notice, reprimand, or expulsion.
3. Disciplinary action is not taken against students with disabilities (various mental deficiencies), and to students at the time of illness, academic leave, maternity leave, and parental leave.
4. The severity of an offense, the reasons and circumstances in which it took place, a student’s behavior before the offense, their psychophysical and emotional state, as well as opinions of the boards of educators and parents are taken into account, when the disciplinary action is set. 

Regulations about the Procedure of Applying Disciplinary Measures upon ITMO University Students.

ITMO University has a Committee on dispute resolution between participants of the educational process.

Students have the right to address the Committee on dispute resolution between participants of the educational process with issues including:

1. appealing against disciplinary actions and their use against students;
2. resolving disputes between participants of the educational process on the issue of the enforcement of their right for education;
3. conflict of interest of an educator;
4. application of University by-laws.