Student Conduct & Responsibilities

What we expect

To enhance the experience of all FIDM Students, we have established guidelines for student conduct, which are summarized below.

All students must conform to federal, state, and local laws. They must respect the rights of others and conduct themselves in a manner conducive to the educational mission of the college. Below are important policies, which FIDM must enforce in order to maintain a safe and compliant environment for all faculty, staff, and students.

Alcohol & Substance-Free Environment

FIDM is committed to providing a workplace and school environment free of alcohol, illegal drugs, un-prescribed drugs, or paraphernalia used for these substances. Violation of this policy may result in immediate dismissal from academic programs or college-related employment. In compliance with local ordinances, all FIDM campuses are non-smoking; smoking is only permitted outside of the building. Information on substance abuse programs, prevention awareness, and all other counseling services is available upon request and accessible on the FIDM Portal.

Download or view the Substance Abuse Prevention Program Brochure (PDF)

Academic Honesty

All academic work submitted by a student must be original work. Cheating or academic dishonesty includes, but is not limited to, all forms of giving or getting unauthorized help or using unauthorized materials on examinations and projects. Plagiarism, a form of cheating, involves obtaining or attempting to obtain academic credit by copying the words or ideas of another (from a book, magazine article, or website, for example) and passing them off as one's own without documentation – that is, without acknowledging the source with quotation marks, footnotes, and lists of works cited. Cheating and plagiarism are cause for formal counseling. Students who cheat or plagiarize will receive a "0" on the assignment and may be subject to further disciplinary action. Violations of the academic honesty policy are reported to the Coordinator of Student Affairs (LA) or the Education Department (SF, OC, SD).

Campus Conduct

FIDM is committed to a collegiate environment in which respect for others and proper comportment is demonstrated. Hateful language – including profanity, racial, gender, or religious slurs – is unlawful and in direct opposition to a proper education environment. FIDM promotes a professional environment free from hostility and will not tolerate harassing, bullying, intimidating, or threatening behavior or communication. Any violation will result in disciplinary action including suspension of services,and/or privileges, or dismissal.

Students are responsible for conducting themselves as professionals while in the classroom and on the campus. Eating and drinking are not permitted in FIDM's classrooms, halls, Library, or elevators. Excessive talking, rudeness or disruption of class will not be tolerated. Electronic devices (mp3 players, cellular phones, etc.) are considered disruptive and must be turned off during class time and in any environment in which other students are studying, researching, or gathering for educational purposes, unless permitted by an instructor or designated staff member.

Non-Discrimination and Sexual Harassment

FIDM is committed to providing a safe learning and working environment for students and employees that is free of all forms of discrimination, harassment, exploitation, or intimidation. In keeping with this commitment, FIDM maintains a strict policy prohibiting all forms of unlawful harassment based on race, religion, color, sex, age, national origin, handicap, veteran status, or any other characteristics or conditions protected by state or federal law. This policy applies to all FIDM staff, faculty, students, and agents. Sexual harassment is a form of discrimination that can undermine the foundation of trust and mutual respect that must prevail for the college to fulfill its educational mission. Every member of the campus community should be aware that the college strongly opposes discrimination and that such behavior is prohibited both by law and FIDM’s conduct policy. Violations of the non-discrimination policy or sexual harassment policy will not be tolerated and corrective action up to and including disqualification may be taken. For the complete policies or to file a complaint, information is available on the FIDM Portal (under the Sexual Harassment, Non-Discrimination Policy), Student Handbook, or College Catalog.

Campus Safety & Access

FIDM is committed to the safety of its students, faculty, and staff. Students are prohibited from bringing firearms onto any FIDM campus. Illegal weapons or threatening gestures with an object that can be used as a weapon will lead to immediate dismissal. Students are required to visibly wear their valid FIDM photo identification cards while on FIDM premises. Campus access is restricted to posted hours of operation. Please see FIDM Portal for hours of operation. The college restricts attendance in class sessions to those who are formally registered in the course. Only registered students are permitted in the classroom. Visitors are not allowed on campus unless for official business or when approved by an Administrator. All authorized visitors are required to check-in with the Security desk to obtain a guest/visitor pass. Students and faculty are not permitted to bring children on campus.

Defacing FIDM Property

Any student who defaces, vandalizes, or destroys FIDM property (including but not limited to library materials, computers, elevators, restrooms, parking structure, etc.) will be dismissed from the college. All types of spray mount adhesive and spray paint are prohibited from being used on all FIDM campuses.

Solicitation/Distribution

The solicitation and distribution to students of non-FIDM materials and the use of the college facility for non-FIDM business purposes is prohibited. Posting flyers, pamphlets, posters, or other means of advertising on the walls or bulletin boards and selling products on campus is not allowed.

Preparation & Study

FIDM values the importance of learning, preparation, and study. It is the responsibility of the student to keep up with the assigned readings and homework and to manage his/her time. A minimum of two hours preparation for each hour in class is recommended for research and study time outside of class.

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)

FIDM requires students attending the college to make reasonable progress toward the completion of their educational objective. All students are expected to maintain a minimum 2.0 grade point average and complete a specified minimum number of units each quarter. Students who fail to meet FIDM’s Satisfactory Academic Progress requirements may lose their eligibility for financial aid and/or veterans benefits. Additional information is available from the Student Financial Services Department.

Updating Contact Information

It is the students' responsibility to provide current contact information to the college. Students can make the following changes:

Cell Phone and Email - can be updated on the FIDM Portal.
Address and Home Phone Number - can be updated by the following: Student Advisement Office, Financial Services Department, and the Education Department (SF, OC, SD).
Name Change - can be updated in the Financial Services Department by presenting a current California Driver License, a State Identification Card, or a Passport.

Student Technology Use Policy

Off Campus

In an effort to provide FIDM Students with a quality education which keeps pace with our rapidly changing world, we have found it essential to implement new technology standards for email, Internet, and access to a computer.

Email - All students should have an email account that they use on a regular basis. It is necessary to have an email account not only for maintaining contact with instructors, but also to maintain access to the FIDM Portal. All students are issues FIDM Email accounts.
Access to a Computer - We strongly recommend that students buy or have access to a personal computer. Having easy access will supplement their education, and the more proficient and comfortable they are on a computer, the better prepared they will be for the workforce.
Internet Access - Given the increasing use of the Internet as a source of information for research, class assignments, job-hunting, and personal enjoyment, we strongly encourage all students to have access to the Internet from home, in addition to access available at FIDM.

On Campus

FIDM/Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising has invested substantial assets in order to provide students with the most updated versions of technology software to help prepare students for their prospective industry. Students are expected to exercise good judgment to ensure that all of their electronic communications reflect the high ethical standards and convey mutual respect and civility. In accordance, the following terms and provisions state the Student Technology Use Policy for the college.

Students may not:

Advocate or encourage violence against any government, organization, group, individual, or property, or provide instruction, information, or assistance in causing or carrying out such violence, regardless of whether such activity is unlawful. Violations will be reported to the appropriate civil authorities.
Change FIDM computer or hardware system settings or disconnect, connect, or switch off any hardware from computers, including, but not limited to printers, projectors, or other FIDM technology resources.
Introduce or activate any viruses, worms, harmful code, and/or Trojan horses; evade spam filters to the FIDM network.
Use FIDM Email accounts, web-related content, or computer resources for personal gain, gambling activities, partisan political purposes, or with the intent of harming a particular individual.
Create, download, install, or store programs and software on FIDM systems.
Use FIDM network resources to send or post unsolicited messages or email, whether commercial or not:
1. to any recipients who have requested that messages not be sent to them.
2. to a large number of recipients, including users, newsgroups, or bulletin boards, at one time; send or post a message or email with deceptive, absent, or forged header or sender identification information.
3. resell FIDM's services, in whole or in part, to any entity or individual.
4. hold FIDM, or its affiliates to public scorn or ridicule.
Use the FIDM network or computer resources to play games, use non-FIDM chat-rooms, download, display, perform, send, receive, or store any content that is obscene, pornographic, lewd, or lascivious.
Have food or beverages near computer terminals or in the computer labs.
Search, read, copy, alter, or delete another person's files or use another person's user ID or password.
Transmit intimidating, harassing, threatening, discriminating messages, or forge electronic communication. Propagate chain letters or pyramid schemes, whether or not the recipient wishes to receive such mailings.
Communicate with their instructor via personal telephone number or email address, text messaging or any social media, including, but not limited to, Facebook, Myspace, Twitter, or LinkedIn.
Use the FIDM network or computer resources to plagiarize or reproduce copyrighted materials, trademarks, or other protected material in any electronic form without express written permission from the material's owner. This includes FIDM's trademarks, college logo, and seal.
Distribute or duplicate copyrighted software or programs without appropriate licensing agreements. Access, send, receive, display, perform, disclose, store, or execute any content:
1. in violation of any copyright, right of publicity, patent, trademark, service mark, trade name, trade secret, or other intellectual property right.
2. in violation of any applicable agreement, or
3. without authorization.
Use the FIDM network or computer resources to plagiarize or reproduce copyrighted materials, trademarks, or other protected material in any electronic form without express written permission from the material's owner. This includes FIDM's trademarks, college logo, and seal.

Violating this policy in whole or in part could result in restrictions to computer resources access or further disciplinary action by the college (such as dismissal from school) and/or criminal prosecution by appropriate legal authorities.

The computer labs are designated for students working on academic projects. Out of consideration for all students, recreational computer use is not allowed at busy times when students with academic work are waiting. Use of computers for recreational purposes is not permitted within the classroom when the class is in session.

For more detailed information, please visit the FIDM Portal at http://myfidm.fidm.edu. Recommended computer specifications by department can be found under the FIDM Resources tab.

FIDM Portal

The FIDM Portal website offers the following essential online tools, services, and information for students:

Web Registration
Student Message Center where students pick up messages from the FIDM staff
FIDM Email
Transcript Requests
Campus Event Calendar
Check Financial Clearance and Registration
Check what Financial Aid documents are due
Faculty and Staff Directory
Campus Hours
Tuition Payments

Students need a PIN number to register for their FIDM Portal account. A PIN number is given to each student upon acceptance into the college. Students have 90 days to register for an account before it expires. Once students register for an account, they will no longer need a PIN number. If the pin number has expired or is lost a new PIN may be requested through the FIDM Portal. If the 90-day registration period has expired students should see a Student Advisor.

FIDM Email

The FIDM web-based email system for students is provided by IBM SmartCloud™. Your email account username will in most cases be your first initial and last name. For example, Jane Doe’s username is jdoe, and her email account would therefore be jdoe@us.fidm.edu. This may be a different username than your FIDM Portal or eLearning username.

To log in to your FIDM Email:
1. Go to http://us.fidm.edu
2. Enter your FIDM Email address in the Address field
3. Enter your Password in the Password field.
4. Click the Log In button to sign in.

Note: If you don’t remember your password, click the Forgot password to reset your password and enter in your FIDM Email address. An email will be sent to your personal email account.

Forward your FIDM Email to your personal email account:
1. Log into your FIDM Email.
2. Click the Preferences tab at the top of the page.
3. Click the Forwarding link in the left menu.
4. Select “Forward all incoming messages to” and enter your personal email address.
5. Check the box next to “Save a copy to my inbox” to save a copy of all your emails in your FIDM Email account.
6. Click the Save button to save these changes to your account.
7. You will receive a confirmation email at your personal email account, follow the link in this email to activate forwarding.

For questions or support email admin@us.fidm.edu.