Student Handbook New England 2021–2022 TABLE OF CONTENTS Preface 4 I. Introduction 4 Prayers 4 Introduction 5 Notice 5 FACULTY AND STAFF 6 Faculty and Staff 7 II. Calendars and Schedules 10 Academic Calendar 10 Schedule of Examinations 11 Library Schedule 12 Chapel Schedule 12 Dining Room Meal Schedule 12 Coffee Shop Schedule 12 Academic Regulations 13 III. Academic Program 13 Attendance 13 Absences 13 Tardiness 13 Lecture and Concert Series 13 Books 13 Classroom Decorum 14 Don Rags 14 Laboratory 15 Writing Program 15 Freshman Writing Preceptorial 16 Algebra Enabling Exam and Preceptorial 16 Academic Accommodations 16 Academic Honesty 16 Plagiarism 17 IV. Satisfactory Academic Progress 18 Introduction 18 Grades 18 Reviewing Satisfactory Academic Progress 19 Repeating Coursework 19 Repeated Financial Aid 19 Procedures For Lodging Complaints or Appeals 19 Readmission 20 V. Student Records 21 Policies and Procedures for Student Academic Records 21 Complaints about Student Records 21 Privacy of a Student’s Educational Records 22 Transcripts 23 Parental Notification 24 Code of Conduct 25 VI. General Policies and Procedures 25 Introduction 25 Rules of Residence 25 Prefects 26 1 | P a g e Reporting Student Misconduct 26 Investigation of Misconduct and Notification 26 Student Discipline 26 Appeals of Student Discipline 27 VII. Campus Policies and Procedures 28 Campus Property 28 Alcohol and Drugs 28 Hazing 28 Dress 28 Parking and Traffic 29 Doors 29 Communications 29 VIII. Residence Halls 31 Residence Hall Visitation 31 Curfew 31 Sign Out 31 Quiet Hours 31 Theft 32 Care of Students’ Rooms 32 Care of the Lounges, Common Rooms, and Dorm Patios 32 Overnight Guests 32 Pets 33 Vacation 33 Accommodations 33 IX. Electronics 34 Electronic Texts 34 Cell Phones 34 Movies, Television, and Video Games 34 Computer Networks 34 Internet and Computer Services 34 Photocopying 35 Federal Copyright Laws 35 X. Safety and Security 37 Campus Security 37 Weapons 37 Safety Alert System 37 Fire Procedure 37 Medical Emergency Equipment 37 Campus Buildings and Student Services 38 XI. Gould Hall 38 Dining Room 38 Accommodations of Food Allergies 38 Guests 38 Bulletin Boards 38 Nurse’s Office 38 XII. East Hall 39 Student Mail 39 Maintenance Department 39 XIII. Kenarden Hall 39 Front Desk 39 Courier Service 39 2 | P a g e XIV. Psychological Services 40 Psychological Services 40 XV. Athletic and Recreational Facilities 40 Athletics and Recreation 40 Tracy Student Center and Coffee Shop 40 XVI. Library 40 Bookstore 41 Career Advisement Office 41 XVII. Dolben Auditorium 41 XVIII. Olivia Music Hall 42 Phillips Hall 42 Practice Rooms 42 Financial Information 43 XIX. Financial Information 43 Financial Requirements 43 Withdrawal and Refund Policy 43 Equity 45 XX. Thomas Aquinas College Policy Against Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation 45 Non-Discrimination Policy 45 Anti-Harassment Policy 45 Sexual Misconduct 45 Sexual Harassment 46 Complaints Regarding Discrimination and Harassment 47 Investigatory Process 47 Confidentiality 47 Retaliation 48 Reporting Sexual Assault 48 General Complaint Process 48 Disclosure 49 Massachusetts Anti-Hazing Statute 50 Appendix 52 XXI. FIRST DAY ASSIGNMENTS AND SEMINAR SCHEDULES 52 First Day Assignments Freshmen – Seniors 52 First Assignment for Music III 54 Problems for First Assignment for Mathematics IV 54 Freshman Seminar Reading Schedule 56 Sophomore Seminar Reading Schedule 57 Junior Seminar Reading Schedule 58 Senior Seminar Reading Schedule 61 3 | P a g e PREFACE I. Introduction PRAYERS Prayer of St. Thomas Aquinas NEFFABLE CREATOR, WHO out of the treasures of Thy wisdom hast appointed three I hierarchies of Angels and set them in admirable order high above the heavens, and hast disposed the divers portions of the universe in such marvelous array, Thou Who art called the True Source of Light and supereminent Principle of Wisdom, Be pleased to cast a beam of Thy radiance upon the darkness of my mind, And dispel from me the double darkness of sin and ignorance in which I have been born. HOU WHO makest eloquent the tongues of children, fashion my words and pour upon my T lips the grace of Thy protection. Grant me penetration to understand, Capacity to retain, Method and facility in study, Subtlety in interpretation, And abundant grace of expression. Order the beginning, direct the progress and perfect the achievement of my work, Thou Who art True God and Man and livest and reignest forever and ever. Amen. Prayer to the Holy Spirit COME HOLY SPIRIT, fill the hearts of the faithful and enkindle in them the fire of Thy love. V: Send forth Thy Spirit and they shall be created, R: And Thou shalt renew the face of the earth. Let us pray. O GOD, Who didst instruct the hearts of the faithful by the light of the Holy Spirit, grant us in that same Spirit to be truly wise, and ever to rejoice in His consolation. THROUGH CHRIST OUR LORD, Amen. 4 | P a g e INTRODUCTION Thomas Aquinas College is a four-year Catholic liberal arts college. It aims to produce a liberal education, an education that gives one “the ability,” as Aristotle says, “to judge almost all the branches of learning.” It is called “liberal” because only by attaining the truth, and escaping from error, is one able to live a truly free and fully human life. Because Thomas Aquinas College is a Catholic college, supernatural Truth is its ultimate object. It pursues this object with the explicit guidance of Christ and His Church, and under the patronage of the Church’s preeminent theologian, St. Thomas Aquinas. At the heart of the Thomas Aquinas College curriculum are the “great books,” the original works of the greatest minds, both ancient and modern. The great books explore the workings of the natural world, consider the most profound truths about the human person, and culminate in a contemplation of the greatest mysteries of God Himself. Hence, the curriculum is ordered toward theology as the highest science, and in a special way to the writings of St. Thomas Aquinas. To function well, every community requires practical principles to maintain order in the community, and to help it attain the common good toward which it aims. This handbook sets forth various practical principles that govern Thomas Aquinas College: rules and regulations, policies and procedures, calendars and schedules. They spring from many years of experience. Some of them derive from the College’s participation in the political community and, more importantly, its participation in the ecclesiastical community of the Catholic Church. The College is aware that rules and regulations are no substitute for mutual trust, good faith, and courtesy among students, faculty, and staff, and that they will not automatically guarantee willing compliance. A civilized community life, therefore, presupposes a love of the common good, and friendship, or good will, among its members. The College asks every student to reflect carefully upon the rules and regulations contained in this handbook, to take them to heart, and to willingly accept them as necessary, or suitable, for an orderly community life. The reward is the participation in a Catholic community of high intellectual purpose, to read and discuss the best that has ever been thought or written, to make progress on the road to wisdom under the light of faith, and to do so in the company of friends. One cannot overestimate the intellectual, moral, and spiritual good that one can derive from such an endeavor. NOTICE This Handbook is not and shall not be interpreted as a contract of any kind between the student and the College. While it does not anticipate doing so, the College reserves the right to change any provision or requirement during the student’s term of residence. By enrolling, a student and his parents recognize this right and agree to the policies set forth in this Handbook. Please read the policies on the following pages carefully. Parents should pay particular attention to the section on “Parental Notification.” 5 | P a g e THOMAS AQUINAS COLLEGE, NEW ENGLAND FACULTY AND STAFF Teaching Faculty – New England Michael A. Augros Josef C. Froula Taylor P. O’Neill Steven R. Cain Patrick M. Gardner Michael J. Rubin Peter R. W. Cross Margaret I. Hughes Paul K. Shields Sean B. Cunningham Thomas J. Kaiser Stephen F. Shivone Marco C. Emerson John M. McCarthy Administrative Faculty (in Santa Paula) President Vice President for Operations Michael F. McLean Mark R. Kretschmer Vice President for Advancement Director of Admissions Paul J. O’Reilly Jonathan P. Daly Vice President for Finance Librarian Dennis McCarthy Richena Curphey Director of Financial Aid General Counsel Gregory J. Becher John Quincy Masteller Administrative Faculty and Staff (in Northfield) Dean Director of East Coast Development Thomas J. Kaiser Patrick M. Ford Assistant to the Dean Associate Director of East Coast Development Andrea M. McCann Morgan Pirrall Assistant Dean for Student Affairs and Registrar Associate Director of Admissions Patrick M. Gardner John F. Jost Resident Directors Admissions Counselor Marie-Barbara E. O’Brien John K. Blewett Joseph Wiebersch Chaplains Campus Maintenance Manager Rev. Greg J. Markey Steven Wiggin Rev. Carlos M. Viego Executive Director of Food Services Maintenance Supervisors Tim Cosgrove Adam Beberwyck Sara Caughron Counselor College Nurse Richard W. Cross, PhD Nancy A. Faller, RN, MSN 6 | P a g e College Physician Human Resources Assistant Rebecca M. Worden, MD Amy L. Augros Choir Director Stephen Grimm For a listing of additional support staff, please see the list of Faculty and Staff for Thomas Aquinas College, California, found below. THOMAS AQUINAS COLLEGE, CALIFORNIA FACULTY AND STAFF Teaching Faculty Anthony P. Andres Katherine M. Gardner Christopher R. Oleson David F. Appleby John J. Goyette Paul J. O’Reilly J. John Baer David M. Grothoff David Quackenbush James N.