Copyright Laws

The copyright law of the United States governs the making of photocopies. Students may reproduce one copy of an article from a periodical, newspaper or book, for no other purpose than personal study or research.

The library has two coin-operated photocopy machines which students may use. The cost is ten (10) cents per copy. Photocopies of microforms (microfilm or microfiche) of newspapers or periodicals may be obtained in the microform area. The same charge of ten (10) cents per copy is assessed. A coin change machine is also located on the upper level of the library.

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Provisional Admission Status

Students who are admitted to La Roche College on a provisional basis can be awarded financial aid for one semester. However, the student must have all information completed with the Admissions Office in order to receive financial aid for a second semester.

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Repeated Courses

Repeated courses can be used to determine full-time status within a particular term. They cannot, however, be counted toward successful academic progress for further aid consideration unless the course being repeated was previously failed.

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Developmental Courses

A student who is registered for at least six (6) degree seeking credits along with six (6) or more developmental credits may be considered full-time for all aid. However, a maximum of six (6) developmental credits per semester will be counted towards academic progress for the following year. A student can register for this developmental credit scenario for a maximum of two (2) semesters in order to continue receiving financial aid.

A student who is registered for nine (9) credits of developmental courses along with only three (3) credits of regular courses can receive all aid with the exception of PHEAA Grants. However, a maximum of six (6) credits of developmental courses can be considered when determining academic progress for the following year. A student can register for this developmental credit scenario for a maximum of two (2) semesters in order to continue to receive financial aid.

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Graduate Students Academic Progress Policy
for Financial Aid

Full-time graduate students must successfully complete eighteen (18) credits for every two terms of full-time enrollment in order to make academic progress. Graduate students are considered full-time when registered for nine (9) or more credits per term.

Part-time graduate students must successfully complete twelve (12) credits for every two (2) terms of part-time enrollment in order to make academic progress. Graduate students are considered part-time when registered for six (6) to eight (8) credits per term.

Generally speaking, graduate students may borrow a maximum of $18,500 through the Federal Stafford Loan Program for every two terms of enrollment. However, the maximum amount is ultimately determined by the cost of education for each loan term.

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College Refund Policy

La Roche College adheres to the federally mandated pro rata refund calculation for the first semester of first-time students at the college who withdraw within 60 percent of the term. All other student refunds for withdrawals will be calculated based on the La Roche College refund policy described in this handbook.

Withdrawal Distribution Policy
It is the policy of La Roche College to return student financial aid portions of refunds and repayments to the programs in the following order:

1. Unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loans
2. Subsidized Federal Stafford Loans
3. Federal Perkins Loans
4. Federal Plus Loans
5. Federal Pells Grant
6. Federal S.E.O.G.
7. PHEAA State Grants

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Grade Appeal Policy and Procedure

Students may seek review of a grade through a formal grade appeals process. A grade will be reviewed by the grade appeals committee on the basis of whether the grading procedure was effectively communicated to students at the beginning of the semester, and to determine whether the communicated grading procedure was followed.

To make such a determination, faculty may be asked by the grade appeal review committee to

•  Explain the basis or criteria for a grade

•  Demonstrate that the basis or criteria was communicated at the beginning of the semester, and

•  Demonstrate that the grading procedure was not indiscriminately applied.

The methodology faculty may use in teaching or grading will not be reviewed in the formal grade appeal process.

In the appeal proceedings, the burden of proof is on the student appellant to prove that a change of grade is the appropriate course of action in his or her case. Students may not use the grade appeal process to challenge college policy.

For the purpose of undergraduate student grade appeals, the grade appeal review committee comprises:

•  Three faculty members, plus two alternates named by the Deans of the Schools

•  A representative from the Administration named by the Deans;

•  The Vice President of the Student Government Association;

•  One undergraduate student (plus one alternate) elected by the Student Government Association

For the purpose of graduate student grade appeals, the committee comprises:

•  Three faculty members, plus two alternates named by the Deans of the Schools; at least one voting member must have regularly    taught in one of the graduate programs

•  A representative from the Administration named by the Deans;

•  Two graduate students. A pool of six graduate students will be selected by the Graduate Dean. Student and faculty alternately excuse two students each with the remaining two students serving on    the committee.

Procedure: A formal grade appeals process involves multiple steps within a specific timetable.

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Audio-Visual Equipment

Audio visual equipment and material usage is coordinated as part of learning services. Students planning to use such equipment should check at the desk in Wright Library.

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Interlibrary Loans

Books and magazine articles needed for research and which are not available in the library may be requested from other libraries through the interlibrary loan service. Inquiries may be made at the circulation desk.

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Registar

Maintenance of Student Files
To ensure that student files are maintained by appropriate standards, the responsibility has been placed with director of the five key student file areas: Registrar’s Office, Finance, Financial Aid, Academic & Career Advising, and Residence Life. The filed materials are generally those that directly affect the student during his/her enrollment at La Roche College. These materials are
maintained in their entirety for five years following the student’s last semester of enrollment. From that point on, a file retention schedule is put into action. The retention schedule is governed by federal and state laws, college policy, and recommendations from professional organizations. In the Registrar’s Office, for example, students’ files are purged five years after the student has graduated or last attended. Only a few items are maintained on a permanent basis: transcripts, change of grade forms, any correspondence relating to change of grades or grade assignments, and any correspondence regarding Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
request, for amended file or official complaint.

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Student Concerns and Complaints

La Roche College is committed to treating students with respect, dignity and concern. Students can expect, therefore, to be treated fairly, and to have an avenue of appeal if fair treatment does not occur.

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Students Right to Privacy

NOTIFICATION OF RIGHTS UNDER THE FAMILY
EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS AND PRIVACY ACT

* The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day the college receives a request for access.

Students should submit written requests to the Registrar, identifying
record(s) they wish to inspect. The Registrar will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where the records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained in the Registrar’s Office, the student will be directed to the appropriate college administrator.

* The right to request amendment of the student’s education record.

Students may ask the college to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate or misleading. They should write to the college administrator responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed and specify why it is inaccurate or misleading. If the administrator makes the decision not to amend the record as requested by the student, the student will be notified and advised of his or her right to a hearing.

* The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.

One exception which permits disclosure without consent is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the college in an administrative, supervisory, academic, or support staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel and
health staff ); a person or company with whom the college has contracted (such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent); a person serving on the Board of Trustees; or a student serving on an official committee such as disciplinary or grievance or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks (work study). A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.

* The right to file a complaint with the U. S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by La Roche College to comply with the requirements of FERPA.

The name and address of the office that administers FERPA is:

Family Policy Compliance Office
U. S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-4605

In accordance with FERPA, La Roche College has designated the following information as “directory information,” which may be made available upon request without the student’s written permission:

Student’ s name, address and phone number

Date and place of birth

Major field of study

Participation in officially recognized activities or sports

Weight, height and physical condition of members of athletic teams

Dates of attendance

Degrees and awards received, including Dean’s List (not QPA)

Student’s photograph

Most recent previous education agency or institution attended.

This information may be routinely made public by the college unless the student informs the Registrar (PH229) in writing that any or all of the information designated should not be released without the student’s prior consent.

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Tutorial Services

Project Achievement/ACT 101 sponsors the College’s Tutorial Services program, which serves as an opportunity for enrichment and development for undergraduate students of all skill levels. Students who excel in a particular subject and who are approved by the faculty are trained in and employed through the peer tutor program. Professional tutors are also available to provide assistance in some subject areas.

Students who want help in mastering the subject matter of the college’s freshman and sophomore level courses may apply for short-term or long term tutoring assistance. Within the limitations of ACT 101 and college funding, these group and one-on-one tutoring services are provided free of charge. The Tutorial Services office is located within the Academic Enrichment Center on the lower level of the library in room WL 114.

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Supplemental Instruction

In addition to tutoring, La Roche College provides Supplemental Instruction (SI) to students who are enrolled in traditionally difficult freshman and sophomore level courses. SI provides regularly scheduled, out-of-class, peer facilitated review sessions which offer students an opportunity to discuss and process course information to increase their learning and improve their performance on exams and assignments. SI begins the first week of the term and provides academic assistance during the critical first six-week period of the class. Sessions are open to all students enrolled in the targeted courses and attendance at SI sessions is voluntary.

More information concerning Supplemental Instruction is available from the SI supervisor in the Academic Enrichment Center on the lower level of the library in WL114.

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Veterans' Affairs

Enrollment verification for receipt of veterans’ benefits is completed by the registrar. The Veterans’ Affairs Office has been temporarily established in the Registrar’s Office to provide services to veterans and qualified dependents attending La Roche College. It is the responsibility of the individual student to notify the Veterans’ Affairs Office of his/her eligibility for benefits at the time of enrollment; this notification will facilitate the timely receipt of benefits. Persons qualified for any veterans’ program should contact the registrar, PH 229.

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The Writers’ Center

The La Roche College Writers’ Center is a place for all writers in the La Roche community to come and talk about their work. Its services are free and open to students in all classes, as well as to faculty and staff. The Writers’ Center can help writers to develop their ideas, structure their writings in ways appropriate to audience and purpose, write clear and effective prose, and identify and correct errors. We do not try to provide writers with unchanging models of “good writing”, as if all kinds of writing for any discipline are always the same. Instead, we help writers to determine the standards and expectations of the specific discourse community their writing addresses, how the features of the discipline they are studying are reflected in writing practices, and how to adapt prior writing strategies to current situations.

There are no grades, no homework, and no grammar drills at the Writers’ Center. Our consultants will confer with writers on what they are trying to get across in their writing, and what parts of that writing did or didn’t work to make their intended meanings clear. Writers can also come to the Center to generate ideas, to think aloud, and to plan a paper. It’s comfortable; it’s challenging, and it’s the place to come if you want to be a stronger writer. The Writer’s Center is located in WL114, or call ext 1230.

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Academic Policy

To maintain good academic standing, students must observe College regulations. The La Roche College catalog is the general reference for all academic policies and procedures. It is supplemented by additional notifications throughout the year. Students are responsible for knowing the policies and
procedures which concern their own academic progress.

Information concerning registration, grading, transcripts and other academic matters are contained in the college catalog, that can be found online.

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Good Standing

Students are in good academic standing at the College when their cumulative and semester quality point average is 2.0 or above.

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Not In Good Standing

Students are not in good academic standing at the College when their cumulative and/or semester quality point averages are below 2.00. Students not in good academic standing are required to work with a designated academic support advisor on strategies to enhance their academic performance. The Academic Standing Review Board carefully considers the individual circumstances of all students who are not in good standing and, at its discretion, may recommend that students not in good standing be subject to one of the following four categories of action: 1) Academic Warning; 2) Academic Probation; 3) Academic Suspension; or 4) Academic Dismissal.

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Academic Warning

Students whose cumulative quality point averages (QPAs) are 2.00 or above but whose semester QPAs are below 2.00 may be placed on academic warning for the subsequent fall or spring semester.

Any student placed on academic warning is required to work with a designated support advisor on strategies to improve his or her academic performance.

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Academic Probation

Full-time students whose cumulative quality point averages are below 2.00 (1.80 for freshmen) or who are subject to a second placement on academic warning may be placed on academic probation for their subsequent fall or spring semester of enrollment.

Any student placed on academic probation is required to work with a designated academic support advisor on strategies to enhance his/her academic performance. Any student placed on probation may be restricted to no more than 13 credits for his or her subsequent fall or spring semester of enrollment, and may be subject to other conditions as required by the academic support advisor or the Academic Standing Review Board.

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Academic Suspension

Any full-time student whose semester QPA is below 1.00 or who is subject to a second placement on academic probation may be immediately suspended from the College for the subsequent spring or fall semester. Suspension decisions are made by the Academic Standing Review Board.

Students who have been suspended will be assigned an academic support advisor with whom they will work to accomplish the prescribed strategies necessary for their reinstatement. Reinstatement of any student who has been suspended will be at the discretion of the Academic Standing Review Board based on consideration of the student’s written request for reinstatement and of the academic support advisor’s recommendations. Students reinstated from suspension will remain on academic probation during the semester of their re-enrollment.

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Academic Dismissal

Students may be dismissed from the college if they are subject to placement on academic probation for two consecutive semesters or fail to make progress after reinstatement to the college from suspension. Dismissal decisions are recommended by the Academic Standing Review Board to the Vice President for Academic Affairs. The Academic Standing Review Board will carefully consider the student’s total academic record prior to making a recommendation to dismiss.

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Academic Appeal and Procedure

Students may appeal an academic suspension or academic dismissal by submitting a letter to the Vice President for Academic Affairs within ten (10) days of receipt of notification.

The written appeal should fully describe the student’s reasons for review or dismissal. The description should address causes of poor performance, others who are aware of the causes, and specific steps toward improving. The Vice President for Academic Affairs, in consultation with the chairperson of the Academic Review Board, may then ask a subcommittee of the Academic Standing Review Board to consider the appeal based on the additional information provided by the student and also consultation with others familiar with the student’s case. The subcommittee will make a recommendation on the appeal for a decision by the Vice President for Academic Affairs. If the Vice President renders a decision in favor of the appeal, the student previously placed on academic suspension will be placed on academic probation and the student previously dismissed will be put either on academic suspension or on academic probation, based on the decision of the Vice President for Academic Affairs.

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Alcoholic Beverage Policy

Pennsylvania state law prohibits the purchase, use, possession, or serving of alcoholic beverages by individuals under twenty-one (21) years of age. Consumption of alcoholic beverages on the La Roche College campus is a privilege extended to persons over the age of twenty-one (21).

Events open to students and at which alcoholic beverages are to be served must be registered with the Director of College Activities. The event registration form must be completed and approved at least five business days prior to the event. Any publicity (flyers, poster, etc.) must be submitted for approval with the event registration form. Forms are available from the Director of College Activities. The serving or availability of alcoholic beverages may not be advertised or publicized.

Students who live in the residence halls and are twenty-one (21) years of age are able to possess and consume alcohol only in their suites. Violation of this policy could lead to suspension from the residence halls as well as the College. Resident students wishing to register social events should refer to the Residence Life section of the Student Handbook for more information. The host/hostess of such parties is responsible for ensuring that underage persons are not present.

Compliance with State Law
The Pennsylvania Liquor Statute and La Roche College policy prohibits the purchase, use, possession or service of alcoholic beverages by individuals under twenty-one (21) years of age. Consumption of alcoholic beverages on the La Roche College campus is a privilege accorded only to persons who are twenty-one (21) years of age or older and subject to the following restrictions:

A. Consumption of alcoholic beverages is only permitted in
student rooms by individuals who are twenty-one (21) or older.

B. Consumption of alcoholic beverages is strictly prohibited in common/public areas (e.g. lounges, hallways, parking lots, athletic fields and all public areas).

C. Alcoholic beverages must be transported in sealed,
unopened containers no larger than one quart or one liter.

D. All forms of keg beer are prohibited. In addition, empty kegs are prohibited on the campus.

E. La Roche College students are expected to assume total
responsibility for their own behavior and to comply with
both Pennsylvania State Law and La Roche College policies.
Unacceptable behavior which results from the misuse or abuse of alcohol will result in disciplinary action.

Alcohol Prohibited in Rooms of Underage Students
Alcoholic beverages are not permitted in rooms where all residents are under the age of twenty-one (21). The possession of any amount of alcohol in a room where only underage students reside constitutes a violation of College policy and Pennsylvania State Law.

Where there is a gathering in a room or suite of more than three (3) guests per resident and any amount of alcohol is present, that constitutes an “illegal party,” and every person present may be charged with a violation of the alcoholic
beverage policy.

NOTE: When there are cases involving consumption, possession or sale of alcoholic beverages by an individual who is under the age of twenty-one ( 21), there is the potential for prosecution through the local courts.

The College may notify the student’s parents or guardian when disciplinary action is taken as a result of alcoholic beverage policy violations.

Enforcement of the Alcoholic Beverage Policy
La Roche College is committed to addressing the problem of misuse and abuse of alcohol and will rigidly enforce the alcoholic beverage policy as stated above. Professional staff, campus security officers and student resident assistants are required to enforce the alcoholic beverage policy.

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Guest Policy

La Roche students are responsible for the actions of their guests and may be held accountable through the Campus Judicial System for the actions of their guests. A guest is defined as any invited or uninvited person who is in the presence of a La Roche student. The student acting as host is responsible for informing his/her guest of the College regulations and assumes full responsibility for a guest’s behavior. The host assumes financial responsibility for any damage charges that may occur as a result of the guest’s actions. (See“Guest” section of Residence Life).

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Non-discrimination Policy

La Roche College admits qualified students of any age, sex, race, religion, color, national and ethnic origin to all rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the College. The same policy is followed with respect to all employees, regardless of rank or classification. La Roche College does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, religion, color, disability, ethnic and national origin, in the administration of its educational policies and programs, admissions processes, scholarship and loan programs, employment practices, athletic and other College administrative programs.

La Roche’s non-discrimination policy is administered in accordance with Title IX of the 1972 Educational Amendments, and all other applicable federal and Pennsylvania statutes. All inquiries should be directed to the Director of Human Resources.

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Racial/Ethnic Harassment Policy

La Roche College admits qualified students of any sex, race, color, handicap, religion, national and ethnic origin or veteran status, to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the college. It does not discriminate in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletic and other College-administered programs.

The College is committed to serving a diversity of students by providing educational and extracurricular programs which will enhance their overall educational experience. The College is unalterably opposed to any form of harassment which is defined as any word, gesture, picture or symbol (verbal or written) that is commonly understood to convey hatred or contempt, or to demean, alarm or abuse an individual (or group) because of his/her sex, race, color, handicap, religion, sexual orientation or national and ethnic origin.

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Refund Policy

Tuition and fees are refunded according to the following schedule:

A. If a student officially withdraws prior to the end of the add
period for the semester, the school retains zero (0) percent.

B. If a student officially withdraws within eight (8) calendar
days after the end of the add period for the semester, the
school retains 50 percent.

C. If a student officially withdraws after eight (8) calendar days after the end of the add period, the school retains 100 percent.

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Services for Students with Disabilities

Reasonable accommodations and other appropriate assistance are provided to all students whose documented disabilities qualify them for services. Accommodations and assistance are provided as appropriate and consistent with the student’s disability or disabilities in an individualized manner while the student remains enrolled in regular courses in his or her chosen major. Some special equipment and materials are available to students who have certain sensory disabilities, but the College has no special programs or special classes for students with disabilities, taking instead the mainstreaming or inclusion approach.

Students requesting accommodations or other assistance due to a disability should contact the Assistant Dean for Project Achievement/Act 101 and the Student Success Program for an appointment to discuss their needs. Written documentation of Services for Students with Disabilities (continued) may be required prior to provision of requested accommodations. In order to help assure the highest quality of attention to their needs, students are encouraged to register their needs for accommodations or other assistance due to a disability with the Assistant Dean as far in advance of their intended enrollment as possible.

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Snow & Emergency Closing Policy

La Roche College will close or delay classes only in the event of a safety emergency or extreme weather conditions. In extreme weather conditions, closing or delaying opening includes canceling classes and events on campus as well as off-site.

Weekends
The procedure above is in effect Monday through Saturday (5:00 p.m). Events after 5:00 p.m. on Saturday are the responsibility of the sponsoring organization.

La Roche Weather Line
The La Roche Weather Line (412-536-1052) and e-mail have been established to provide updated information on closing, delays or canceling of classes at the college. An automated attendant provides the necessary information regarding changes in class schedule or cancellations.

Radio and TV Stations
The official notice radio and television station is:
KDKA 1020 AM & TV Channel 2.

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Smoke-Free Campus Policy

La Roche College, as an educational institution and in recognition of its responsibilities under the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s Clean Indoor Air Act, has developed the following tobacco-free policy to address the rights of employees, students and other constituents of the College. Programs designed to help eliminate smoking or dependence on tobacco-related products will be available to students through the campus counseling services.

The use of tobacco products is absolutely prohibited in all campus buildings, including rest rooms, in campus vehicles, parking lots, driveways, sidewalks and entrances to campus buildings (smoking within personal vehicles is the only exception). The quad area from the library to Bold Hall, including the parking lots, is totally tobacco-free. There are no smoking stations located in this quad. Smoking is permitted only in smoking stations located throughout the campus.

Individuals who do not comply with this policy may be subject to disciplinary action. A verbal notice will be given upon the first violation. Smoking is permitted only in designated areas which will be furnished with benches and receptacles with ash trays. “No Smoking” signs will be posted appropriately.

Although any member of the College community may remind a student or fellow employee about the non-smoking areas, the Public Safety Department is responsible for enforcement of the policy.

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Substance Abuse Awareness & Educational Programs

These programs are designed for the entire College community, with special emphasis on the needs of the student population. Intercollegiate student athletes are required to attend a specific number of programs. The College seeks external funding to supplement and implement alcohol and drug awareness education programs.

An annual evaluation of alcohol and drug awareness programs is conducted by the Dean of Student Life.

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Statement on Student Sexual Misconduct

La Roche College is a community of people dedicated to academic achievement and personal development. The College endorses and supports values developed in the Catholic tradition and recognizes that community living on campus demands commonly-accepted standards of conduct. Sexual misconduct is a violation of these standards.

For the purpose of this statement, sexual misconduct is generally defined as sexual intercourse or indecent conduct (i.e. touching of sexual or other intimate parts of a person for the purpose of arousing or gratifying sexual desire) which occurs on campus between individuals who are not married. Infractions of this statement will be considered violations of the college’s Student Code of Conduct and adjudicated accordingly. If, in the judgment of the Dean of Student Life (or designed), the situation so warrants, students may be dismissed from the College. To the extent that conduct in violation of this statement may also constitute a violation of Pennsylvania criminal statutes, students additionally may be subject to criminal sanctions.

The College encourages students to be aware of the medical and ethical consequences of sexual conduct. To the extent that sexual misconduct may also constitute sexual harassment, institutional regulations which specifically
address College policy in this area should be referenced.

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Sexual Harassment Policy

La Roche College does not tolerate any physical or verbal conduct on the part of any administrator, faculty, or staff member which constitutes sexual harassment of a student. For purposes of this policy, sexual harassment of a student will be defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when:

1. submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or
implicitly a term or condition of the student’s status in a
course, program or activity;

2. submission to or rejection of such conduct by a student is used as a basis for academic or other decisions affecting such student; or

3. such conduct has the purpose or effect of substantially
interfering with a student’s educational experience by creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive academic environment.

In determining whether the alleged conduct constitutes sexual harassment, the College will look at the record as a whole, and at the circumstances, such as the nature of the sexual advances and the context in which the alleged action violates these guidelines will be made from the facts on a case-by-case basis.

Students who believe that they have been subjected to sexual harassment will have recourse through the established student grievance procedure (below).

All employees of the College will be held accountable for compliance with this policy. Violations may lead to disciplinary action, including suspension or termination of employment.

Sexual Assault Policy
The La Roche College sexual assault policy has been developed to ensure that every measure is taken to provide a healthy and safe environment, the essence of which is intellectual honesty, trust, integrity and respect for one another. The College strives to develop a culture and environment consistent with this philosophy.

The aim of this policy is to create an awareness of sexual assault. The policy is intended to safeguard the rights of a victim by treating the individual with respect, by advising her/him of her/his rights and by supporting her/him through her/his ordeal. At the same time, the rights of due process of the alleged assailant are protected as stipulated in the student conduct code.

The sexual assault policy prohibits all forcible and no-forcible sex offenses. In Pennsylvania those offenses include rape, incest, aggravated indecent assault, spousal sexual assault, voluntary and involuntary deviate sexual intercourse and indecent assault.

The College’s sexual assault plan includes educational programming for prevention, training for first responders, and victim support services in the community and on campus. La Roche realizes the importance of education for preventing acts of sexual assault and focuses on programming which identifies precipitating factors such as alcohol, societal values, and peer pressure. Since a positive first response can set the stage for a victim’s healthy recovery, a key component of the program is training for Resident Assistants and security personnel. An integral part of the program is the availability of counseling and other support services in the community and on campus.

Procedures are established to ensure that the victim of a sexual assault is supported throughout the difficult experience. The process is intended to address the victim’s physical and mental well being and his/her legal rights and options. The assailant is advised of her/his rights of due process.

The College Judicial System has jurisdiction in matters related to violations of the sexual assault policy. All students have the right to use this system to address any perceived injustices caused by other students. The College may file charges against an alleged assailant without the support of the victim provided that there is corroborating evidence that an assault has occurred. In such cases, no pressure will be placed upon the victim to testify.

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Student Grievance Procedure

La Roche College affirms the right of students to due process when they feel that they have been unjustly treated by College faculty, administration or staff. These procedures were developed so that students may have an opportunity for due process in non-disciplinary matters such as disputes with administration, apparent arbitrary judgment and unjust or discriminatory treatment. Disciplinary matters, such as violations of College policy and state and federal laws, will be handled in accordance with the Campus Judicial System. Grade appeals are handled by using the Grade Appeal Procedure.

These procedures were formulated by members of the student body, faculty and administration to ensure the rights, integrity and position of both the student and the party involved in the alleged grievance. The College also affirms the right of the parties involved to defend their positions should they choose to do so.

The Grievance Procedure may not be used to challenge a College regulation or policy. It may, however, involve the application or administration of a policy to a particular group of students or to a particular student.

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Definition of Terms

Grievance: An incident in which a student feels he/she has not been fairly treated in a non-disciplinary matter.

Due process: To assure that each student is provided a fair hearing.

Review Committee Membership
The Student Grievance Review Committee membership is made up of the following College community representatives:

1. Three students elected by Student Government;

2. Two faculty representatives elected by the Academic Senate;

3. One Student Life staff member appointed by the Dean of
Student Life (serves as chairperson);

4. One Academic Affairs staff member appointed by the
Academic Dean;

5. One administrative staff member from the Finance or
Business Affairs offices appointed by the President.

This committee is formulated in the spring semester of each year. Members serve on the committee for the succeeding academic year and summer session.

If a member is not available to serve during the summer, an appointment will be made for that term by the appropriate person or governing body.

A quorum for the Student Grievance Review Committee is six (6); (two students, one faculty, one student affairs representative, one academic affairs representative, and one member of the business office staff ).

Procedures

1. If a student feels that he/she has a grievance(s), he/she must attempt to settle it by speaking to the faculty/staff member who is directly responsible for the grievance. This discussion must take place within ten (10) business days from the time the student becomes aware of the problem. The faculty/staff member who is directly responsible for the grievance must respond in writing to the student within five
(5) business days after the discussion has taken place.

2. If the student is dissatisfied with the results from step 1, the student will prepare a written appeal giving a clear and precise statement including the following:

A. A statement that the student has complied with step 1 above.

B. Specifics of the appeal.

C. Suggestions as to what the student would consider as fair resolution of the appeal, with supporting reason or reasons This appeal is made to the immediate supervisor of the faculty/staff member who is responsible for the grievance. duplicated copy of the appeal is sent to the appropriate line A officer at the same time. This appeal must be in writing and must be delivered within ten (10) business days of the
response from the person directly responsible for the grievance. The immediate supervisor must respond in writing to the student within five (5) business days after receiving the appeal. This procedure may continue, with the same time limitations, until the administrative officer has responded.

3. If the student is not satisfied with the outcome of steps 1 and

2, he/she may request a hearing before the review committee. This request is made in writing to the Dean of Students within ten (10) business days after receipt of the response from the administrative officer. The request is forwarded to the chairperson of the review committee.(See review committee composition for clarification). This request must include the nature of the grievance and a statement of the facts to be presented.

4. The student and the faculty/staff member who is directly
responsible for the grievance will then receive notification
of the date, time and place of the hearing, along with a list
of the persons serving on the review committee.

5. The student, as the person directly responsible for the
grievance, has the right to challenge for cause any member of the review committee; if the student, or the person directly
responsible for the grievance, can establish bias on the part
of the challenged member, the member may be excused.
The chairperson of the review committee shall rule on such
challenge and may confer with the membership of the committee (except the challenged member) in arriving at his/her decision. In cases where the chairperson is the member being challenged, the review committee will, by majority vote, decide whether or not the chairperson should be excused from the committee.

6. The faculty/staff member who is directly responsible for the grievance has the right to be present, testify and answer
questions should he/she choose to do so.

7. The review committee must respond to the student, in writing, within five (5) business days after the review committee hearing.

8. The results of the hearing are appealable to the President.
The student must appeal in writing within ten (10) business
days after receiving the results from the review committee.
The President must respond to the student within five (5)
business days. There is no appeal to the Board of Trustees.

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