Section One

Purpose, Scope, Basis, and Definition of Terms

Purpose

ARTICLE 1

(1) The purpose of this Directive is to regulate the formation and operating principles of the Office for Diversity, Inclusion, and Coordination for Students with Disability.

Scope

ARTICLE 2

(1) This Directive covers the provisions regarding the establishment, duties, responsibilities, operation, and areas of activity of the Koç University Office for Diversity, Inclusion, and Coordination for Students with Disability within the scope of measures to be taken and activities to be carried out to ensure that students studying at Koç University do not encounter problems in academic and physical environments, and to ensure their equal and full participation in educational processes and social activities.

Basis

ARTICLE 3

(1) This Directive has been prepared based on Article 10 of the Constitution of the Republic of Turkey, and on Article 14 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which was signed by the Republic of Turkey on November 4, 1950 and ratified through Law Number 6366 dated March 10, 1954.

Definition of Terms

ARTICLE 4

(1) In this Directive, the terms shall be defined as below:

1. a) University: Koç University,
2. b) President: the President of Koç University,
3. c) Dean of Students: the Dean of Students at Koç University,

ç) Unit Coordinator: the Unit Coordinator of Koç University Office for Diversity, Inclusion, and Coordination for Students with Disability

1. d) Board of Directors: Koç University Board of Directors,
2. e) Unit: the Office for Diversity, Inclusion, and Coordination for Students with Disability established at Koç University,
3. f) Unit Members: the members of the Office for Diversity, Inclusion, and Coordination for Students with Disability established at Koç University,
4. g) Students: the students of Koç University,
5. h) Institutional Alternative Dispute Resolution Practices: this shall refer to all informal alternative dispute resolution methods other than arbitration, mediation, and conciliation.

ı) Discrimination: This shall refer to any form of differential attitude, situation, or treatment that prevents, hinders, or unjustifiably places a person in a disadvantaged position compared to others in comparable situations, based on criteria such as gender, race, color, language, religion, sect, belief, national origin, ethnic origin, sexual identity and orientation, philosophical and political views, social status, economic status, marital status, kinship, pregnancy, health condition, disability, age, and similar grounds, in relation to organized rights and freedoms.

Section Two

Organs and Administrative Structure of the Unit, Organs of the Unit

ARTICLE 5

(1) The administrative organs of the Unit are the Head of Unit, the Unit Coordinator, and the Board of Directors of the Unit. (The issue of restructuring)

The Head of Unit and Duties

ARTICLE 6

(1) The Dean of Students of the University shall preside over the Unit. If deemed necessary, the Head of Unit may appoint one of the members of the Board of Directors as an Assistant Head.

(2) The Head of Unit

1. a) Shall convene and preside over the Board of Directors of the Unit.
2. b) Shall ensure that services, work, and planning in the Unit are provided and developed in an orderly manner consistent with the objectives.
3. c) Shall approve the annual work program of the Unit, and within this framework, shall decide on the needs to be proposed to the Office of the President.

The Unit Coordinator and their Duties

ARTICLE 7

(1) The Unit coordinator appointed by the Dean of Students ensures collaboration between the Unit and Koç University’s Colleges/Institutes/Centers.

(2) The Unit Coordinator:

1. a) Shall represent the Unit,
2. b) Shall directly conduct all activities of the Unit or ensure this is done,
3. b) Shall determine the distribution of duties among Unit personnel,
4. c) Shall oversee that the Unit personnel conducts collaborative, orderly, and efficient work.

ç) Shall ensure that the annual work report of the Unit, draft work program for the subsequent year, and the Unit’s needs in this regard are presented to the Unit’s Board of Directors annually.

The Unit’s Board of Directors and their Duties

ARTICLE 8

(1) The Unit’s Board of Directors consists of the following members:

1. a) The Head of Unit,
2. b) At least 1 faculty member,
3. c) The Unit Coordinator,
4. e) A student member,

(2) The Head of the Unit shall lead the Board of Directors. The Head of Unit may decide to appoint consultants for Koç University’s Office for Students with Disability from outside the university.

(3) Board members are appointed by the President for a term of 1 year. Board members may be reappointed when their terms expire.

(4) The Board of Directors shall meet regularly at least once every semester, and when necessary, shall convene for extraordinary sessions at the call of the Head of Unit.

(5) The duties of the Board of Directors shall be as follows:

1. a) Evaluating complaints and inquiries made during the semester to contribute to the general strategic efforts.
2. c) Creating the Unit’s academic and social responsibility projects as well as long-term strategies.
3. d) Assessing the Unit’s annual activity report.

Unit Personnel

ARTICLE 9

(1) The personnel necessary for the operation of the Koç University Office for Diversity, Inclusion, and Coordination for Students with Disability, such as special education specialists, psychologists, and psychological counselors, as well as the unit budget, shall be provided by the Office of the President.

Section Three

The Scope of Activities, Duties, and Responsibilities of the Unit

ARTICLE 10

(1) Koç University’s Office of the Dean of Students shall conduct the activities listed below, as directed by the Unit coordinator, with the aim of ensuring equal access to facilities, services, and social activities for students at Koç University, as well as their full participation in the educational processes, and eliminating any discriminatory or inequality-related attitudes, situations, processes, and practices that may arise during their studies:

1. a) Receiving, documenting, and following up on student complaints and reports regarding unequal or discriminatory practices, attitudes, and situations, and informing relevant university units in the event that such practices, attitudes, and situations also constitute disciplinary offenses,
2. b) Coordinating with all other university units in proposing solutions regarding potential unequal or discriminatory practices and situations that students may encounter during their education,
3. c) Engaging in efforts to ensure that all students have equal and full access to all academic and social opportunities within the university, and generating solutions to this end,
4. d) Providing and supporting platforms that enable students to voice their needs and concerns,
5. e) Facilitating the provision of necessary information and updates to faculty members and administrative personnel regarding the activities and objectives of Office for Diversity, Inclusion, and Coordination for Students with Disability,
6. g) Providing an environment for social awareness and academic activities regarding the Ban on Discrimination and the approach of Diversity and Inclusion,

ğ) Mediating for the informal resolution of problems that may arise among students due to discrimination or contrary to the University’s Diversity and Inclusion policy, provided that they do not constitute a disciplinary offense, through institutional alternative dispute resolution practices,

1. h) Each year, the preparation of the report containing the annual activities and evaluations of Office for Diversity, Inclusion, and Coordination for Students with Disability, and its submission to the Board of Directors and subsequently to the Office of the President.

Miscellaneous and Final Provisions

Cases for which There Are No Provisions

Entering into Force       

ARTICLE 11

(1) This Directive shall enter into force on the date of its adoption by the Koç University Board of Directors.

Execution

ARTICLE 12

(1) The provisions of this Directive shall be enforced by the President of Koç University.