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Orientation

New students are given a full tour of the campus, after which students will be informed of the college’s academic policies, registration process, scholastic regulations, library hours, office hours, student organizations, student code of conduct, grievance policy and procedures, and other support services available to students.

Academic Counseling

The Office of the School Dean will serve as the academic advisor or it will assign a faculty member to counsel students concerning the details of their program. Students will receive notification of the name of their academic advisor prior to their registration in the program.

Student Body Association

The students of America Central University are organized in a Student Body Association, for the purpose of promoting the best interest of students and to create a spirit of cooperation.

This association also serves as the conduit through which students can input their ideas to the University for addressing students’’ needs and interests.

Officers of the university Student Association, elected by the student body for the term of one year, are:

• President
• Vice-President
• Secretary
• Treasurer

Standards of Conduct and Disciplinary Policy

This university shall take disciplinary action against a student who violates the standards of personal and ethical conduct. These standards include the following:

• Academic misconduct including, but not limited to plagiarism or cheating
• Fabrication: Falsification or invention of information concerning the student’s background
• Use or possession of alcoholic beverage, illegal drugs or dangerous weapon on campus
• Sexual harassment or misconduct
• Giving false statements to the university regarding application for admission
• Theft of university or personal property
• Unauthorized use of the university property
• Hazing
• Use of vulgar or abusive language to the faculty or staff; and
• Obstruction or disruption of the educational process on or off campus

Among those listed, an act of academic dishonesty is one of the most serious violations of the student code of conduct. Definitions of various forms of academic dishonesty are as follows:

• Plagiarism: Knowingly or intentionally presenting the ideas, words or work of another as one’s own.
• Cheating: Unauthorized use of study aids, examination files or receiving unauthorized assistance in any academic exercise.

The Ethical Conduct Committee of the university, composed of faculty representatives, administrators and a representative from the university Student Association, is entrusted with the task of determining the disciplinary action.

These actions shall be implemented immediately upon the findings of a violation by the Ethical Conduct Committee and include, but are not limited to:

• verbal reprimand
• written reprimand
• loss of credits
• property restitution
• temporary suspension or dismissal
• permanent dismissal

Notice of Student Rights

Students matriculated at America Central University are entitled to and are assured of the following rights:

• To receive quality educational services provided by the duly qualified and experienced faculty;
• To cancel enrollment and receive a full refund of the amount paid for tuition, fees and other instructional charges consistent with refund policies (less non-refundable fees), if notice of cancellation is delivered or mailed to the Registrar’s office prior to the posted deadline;
• To discontinue his or her academic program at any time and receive a prorated refund for the part of the course not taken in accordance with the refund policy stated in the school catalog;
• With a 24 hours notice to inspect and review his or her records during the normal business hours and seek correction of errors in the records through the established administrative procedures;
• To call for a hearing in accordance with the procedures established for the purpose of resolving all types of complaints and disputes; and
• To write to the state regulatory agency or accrediting agency to register complaints and seek fair and just remedial action.

Student Complaint Procedures

Students may direct all complaints to the Director of Student Affairs.

A student may lodge a complaint by communicating orally or in writing to any teacher, administrator, admissions personnel, or counselor. Faculty, administrator, or personnel who receive a complaint shall attempt to resolve all complaints that are related to his/her duties and transmit it as soon as possible to the Dean of the School.

If a student orally delivers the complaint and the complaint is not resolved either within a reasonable period or before the student again complains about the same matter, the student is recommended to submit the complaint to the Dean of the School in writing using the university’s complaint form. If the student provides a written complaint, the Dean of the School shall provide the student with a written response within 10 days of receiving the complaint, including a summary of university’s investigation and disposition of

it. If the complaint or relief requested by the student is rejected, the university shall provide the students with the reasons for the rejection.

The students’’ participation in the complaint procedure and the disposition of a student’s complaint shall not limit or waive any of the student’s other rights or remedies.

Grievance Resolution Policy and Procedures

It is the aim of the university to resolve all complaints, including but not limited to, grade disputes, alleged sexual harassment or any other form of complaint in a manner that is fair and just for all persons involved. The Grievance committee has been established for this purpose and is composed of representatives from faculty, administration and student government. The Dean of the university serves as the chair of the Grievance Committee.

All complaints against a faculty member or staff of the university, grade disputes, or requested disciplinary action against a university student must be in writing. When preparing a formal appeal to the Grievance Committee, the following information should be documented and submitted to the chair of the committee:

1. Nature of the complaint or dispute;
2. Date the alleged dispute or problem occurred;
3. Names of the individuals involved; and
4. Copies of all relevant documents.

All appeals, officially submitted to the Grievance Committee, will be administered as follows:

1. Date for hearing will be set within 30 calendar days from the date of the written grievance received by the committee, and
2. Within seven calendar days from the hearing, the Grievance Committee shall render a decision and forward it to the student via register mail.

If the ruling is not satisfactory to the student, he or she has the right to write to the Board of Trustees of the university within 15 calendar days from the date posted on the registered mail, which contained the Grievance Committee’s decision. The Board of Trustees shall render a decision within 30 calendar days from the date the appeal was received by the Board.

Campus Emergency Plan

In case of emergency, it is important to remain calm and to listen for instructions from personnel in charge, whether these are school personnel or an emergency response team. In all emergencies, someone should phone 911; if this is an emergency involving the whole school and is during regular office hours, someone in administration will make the call. If this is a personal emergency, such as a medical emergency, or after hours and the office is closed, the student or a capable friend or acquaintance should make the call to 911.

If you have not had a first aid course, you may want to familiarize yourself now with the first aid survival guide at the front of the white pages in the phone directory. It addresses a variety of medical emergencies and earthquake issues. When you dial 911, be prepared to tell the operator:

1. The phone number from which you are calling;
2. The address (555 Redondo Beach Blvd., Gardena – if you are on campus);
3. and any special directions of how to find the victim (i.e., the second floor library;
4. Describe the victim’s condition (i.e., unconscious, bleeding, burned, broken bones, etc.);
5. Describe what happened; how many are injured; what help is being given;
6. Give your name;
7. DO NOT HANG UP until the 911 operator tells you; they may have special questions.

Medical Emergency

All students are encouraged to maintain a medical insurance policy for themselves (and their families, if they are head of household) while studying at America Central University. A first aid kit is kept in the Registrar’s office for minor medical care. Students are encouraged to provide their own first aid supplies as they know their potential medical needs better than anyone. Students are encouraged to visit their own physicians as needed to prevent medical emergencies.

Fire

In case of fire or fire drill on the campus, all persons are to proceed quickly and calmly to the main parking lot toward Joe’s Parking (in front of the building).

Crime

While we have experienced very little crime at America Central University, the possibility is still very real. If you are the victim of a violent criminal act, or witness one, phone 911 immediately. Also report any crime to the administration offices at the earliest possible time. Students should use caution after leaving campus at night.

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