Student Handbook 2015-2016
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STUDENT HANDBOOK 2015-2016 UNIVERSITY OF THE WEST Student Handbook 1 STUDENT HANDBOOK 2015-2016 TABLE OF CONTENTS About This Handbook President’s Welcome Introducing UWest Campus & Community Mission & Values Institutional Learning Outcomes Programs of Study Open Enrollment & Certificate Programs Student Affairs Message from Division of Student Affairs Meet the Student Affairs Team Student Life Residential Life Wellness Center Student Success Center Disability Services Career Services International Student Services F-1 Student Health Insurance Around Campus Library Computer Facilities Residence Halls Dining Hall Bookstore & Café Meditation Room Recreational Facilities Exercise Room Usage Pool & Spa Student Government UWest Student Government, Inc. Establishing New Student Clubs Student Resources 2 STUDENT HANDBOOK 2015-2016 Identification Cards (ID Cards) Driver License & California ID Mailboxes University Regulations & Policies University Commitment, Expectations, & Responsibilities Nondiscrimination & Harassment Policies Student Responsibilities & Obligations Standards & Codes for Student Behavior Student Rights Privacy Rights of Students Student Code of Conduct Student Grievance Student Grade Grievance Policy & Procedure Student Medical Leave of Absence Readmission Requirements After Medical Leave of Absence UWest Computer Use Policy Personal Computer Use on Campus Rules for Personal Notebook & Desktop Computer Use Pool Policy Visitor Access to Campus Policy Work-Study Policy Campus Security & Safety Procedures Emergencies Sexual Discrimination, Harassment, & Violence Sexual Assault Compliance with the ”Campus Sex Crimes Preventions Act” Residential Life Policies Residential Life Judicial Process Residential Amenities Community Resources Local Hospitals & Medical Centers Mental Health Centers Local Resources Restaurants, Supermarkets, & Other Retail Stores Public Transportation 3 STUDENT HANDBOOK 2015-2016 Important Local Addresses, Locations, & Attractions Handy Student Information Study Strategies Campus Directory Campus Map 4 STUDENT HANDBOOK 2015-2016 About This Handbook The Student Handbook contains important information about University of the West and the surrounding community. This information is not only essential to understanding school policies and student responsibilities, but it also explains how UWest can be of service to you. This handbook, however, does not address all policies, regulations, and available services affecting students at UWest. If students have questions or concerns not addressed in this handbook, it is their responsibility to consult the appropriate UWest staff member or to refer to the Academic Catalog, available online at www.uwest.edu. UWest students are responsible for making themselves familiar with university policies and procedures; ignorance of policies and procedures does not excuse any violation of them. In addition, students are reminded to read the Academic Catalog and semester schedules thoroughly. If you have any questions, please come to the Student Life Office for assistance. UWest reserves the right to change, without notice, its services, policies, and procedures. 5 STUDENT HANDBOOK 2015-2016 President’s Welcome At University of the West (UWest) we offer a unique blend of academic excellence and an opportunity for our students to develop their personal values in a learning community that is informed by Buddhist wisdom. As you pursue your studies with our talented faculty, you will be challenged in the classroom and outside the classroom to become the best person you can be. You will grow intellectually and personally as you pursue your chosen field of study. You will be encouraged to expand your store of knowledge, learn to think critically and to solve problems in the context of a values orientation that will guide your decisions and actions. UWest is a diverse community of students and faculty who freely share their cultures and encourage a breadth of understanding that will serve you well as you move into your chosen career. As our world grows closer through instant communication, rapid transportation, and economic and social interdependence, UWest provides a unique environment that bridges Eastern and Western traditions and practices. Our classes are small and we offer a highly personalized learning environment where faculty, students, and staff work closely to provide the experiences and support you need to prepare for both a rewarding and productive career and a rich and successful personal life. I encourage you to take advantage of our website, catalog, student handbook, and other resources to learn in detail the many opportunities for success that await you at University of the West. Stephen Morgan President 6 STUDENT HANDBOOK 2015-2016 Introducing UWest Welcome to University of the West, or UWest, as we say on campus. Founded in 1991 by Venerable Master Hsing Yun of the Fo Guang Shan order, UWest is a pioneering effort among Chinese and American Buddhists to establish a Buddhist-affiliated university dedicated to providing a quality education based on American standards and traditions. One of UWest’s aims is to foster mutual recognition and respect among diverse religious traditions and cultures. For the past two decades, the West has witnessed a strong interest in Buddhism. The university has responded to this interest by providing advanced education in Buddhist thought and practice and by preparing Buddhists for leadership in the West. The Institute of Chinese Buddhist Studies, the Digital Sanskrit Buddhist Canon Project, and the Center for the Study of Minority and Small Business have also been established to further this mission. Today, while continuing to fill a need in the Buddhist community, UWest serves students from all walks of life with our range of programs in religious studies, business, psychology, English, and general studies, including all, excluding none. Campus & Community UWest’s spacious and tranquil ten-acre campus is located on a hill with a panoramic view of the San Gabriel Valley and the San Gabriel Mountains. Nearby Whittier Narrows is a large regional park with recreation fields, walking and jogging trails, lakes, golf, and other activities. Southern California offers many opportunities for outside adventures including hiking, biking, camping, swimming, surfing, skiing, and more. The campus is located approximately 30 minutes from downtown Los Angeles and the cultural resources of that great city. Beach cities such as Santa Monica, Venice Beach, Newport Beach, and Malibu are all within driving distance of the campus. The campus is located in the city of Rosemead. The surrounding community offers a thriving economy with many restaurants, shopping areas, and entertainment opportunities in a culturally diverse environment. On-campus 7 STUDENT HANDBOOK 2015-2016 housing is available and convenient, especially for those students coming from out of state or other countries. Finding a residence off campus is also an option, as off-campus housing is abundant. Information regarding housing both on and off campus is available from the Office of Residential Life. 8 STUDENT HANDBOOK 2015-2016 Mission & Values University of the West’s mission is to provide a whole-person education in a context informed by Buddhist wisdom and values and to facilitate cultural understanding and appreciation between East and West. The values central to this mission are excellence, responsibility, compassion, peace, and harmony. Institutional Learning Outcomes To put the mission into action, the university community created four institutional learning outcomes. These are our learning goals students in all of our programs. Wisdom and Skillful Means Students are thoroughly prepared for academic and professional success. Self-Awareness Students are prepared to engage in an ongoing process of self-understanding that enables them to lead happy, purposeful lives characterized by healthy relationships to self and others. Liberation Students recognize the diversity and dignity of all beings and understand their own role in the pursuit of social justice. Interdependence Students possess a holistic understanding of global interdependence in order to cultivate compassionate thought, speech, and action in service to themselves, others, and the environment 9 STUDENT HANDBOOK 2015-2016 Programs of Study Bachelor’s Degrees Business Administration Bachelor of Arts 120 units Undergraduate Business Concentrations: • Accounting • Computer Information Systems • International Business • Marketing English Bachelor of Arts 120 units English Concentrations: • Literature • TESOL General Studies Bachelor of Arts 120 units Psychology Bachelor of Arts 120 units Master’s Degrees Buddhist Chaplaincy Master of Divinity 72 units Business Administration MBA 40 units MBA Concentrations: • Computer Information Systems • Finance • International Business • Nonprofit Organization Management Executive Master of Business Administration EMBA 34 units Psychology Marriage and Family Therapy Master of Arts 60 units Multicultural Counseling Master of Arts 42 units Religious Studies Master of Arts 36 units Doctoral Degrees Religious Studies Doctor of Philosophy 63 units Concentrations: 10 STUDENT HANDBOOK 2015-2016 • Buddhist Studies • Comparative Religious Studies Doctor of Theology (ThD) in Applied Buddhist Studies (pending WSCUC approval) Open Enrollment & Certificate Programs In addition to degree programs, UWest offers educational opportunities to individuals not interested in pursuing a degree. Students