1 TABLE OF CONTENTS President’s Message, Alma Mater 3 Honor Code, Mission 4 Assessment of Student Learning 4 Relationship Between Students & Concord University 6 Brief History of the University 7 Marsh Memorial Carillion, Town of Athens 8 CU Beckley Higher Education Center 8 Traditions, CU Civility Project 9 Affirmative Action & Equal Employment Opportunity 10 Concord University Title IX & Title IX Grievance Procedure 11 Student Services 14 Academic Services & Policies, Academic Integrity 33 Academic Advising 34 Weather Procedure 35 Policies Regarding Disbursement of Student Aid Funds to Students 37 Campus Conduct, Safety 41 State Regulations Students Should Know 43 Parking Regulations General Information 45 Campus Activities & Student Organizations, Going Greek 48 Organizations & Interest Clubs 50 Publications 57 Music 58 Student Activities/Campus Activities 58 Housing & Residence Life 63 Residence Hall Policies & Procedures 65 Visitation/Guests/Escort 70 Residence Hall Contract 71 Missing Student Protocol 80 Student Code of Conduct 84 Administrative Authority & the Hearing Boards 93 Procedures for Student Conduct Board 94 Expungement Policy, Concord University Board of Governors Policies 97 BOG Policy No. 37. Nondiscrimination, Sexual Misconduct 97 Sexual Violence 109 Protocol & Procedure for Serving Student with Disabilities 111 Campus Access Plan 113 Service and Assistance Animals 117 Grievance Procedure for Students with Disabilities 119 Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA) 121 Procedure Regarding Emergencies at Concord University 123 Concord University Tobacco Use, Faculty & Staff Directory 124 Emergency Numbers 125 Campus Map (ADA) 126 2 PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE To Concord University Students: Concord University is very proud to welcome you to our university community. With our excellent faculty and highly professional staff to assist you, Concord University will provide you with an excellent environment that enhances our great liberal arts education. We are looking forward helping you become a part of our culture, traditions, and values. Take advantage of every opportunity, not only within the classroom but also within the university community, to become an active citizen and student. Included within this handbook is information about our services, guidelines, and policies; I encourage you to read it carefully. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact our faculty or staff for assistance. Once again, welcome to Concord University. I wish you the best in your educational journey. Sincerely, Kendra Boggess Dr. Kendra Boggess CONCORD UNIVERSITY ALMA MATER Concord, we hail thee! Hats off to you! Ever you’ll find us loyal and true. Firm and undaunted always we’ll be; Hail to the school we love: here’s a toast to thee! School Colors: Maroon & Gray Official Mascot: Mountain Lion Handbook Disclaimer: Every effort is made to assure accuracy at the time of publication. However, Concord reserves the right to delete, change, or amend the information in this Handbook. It is the student’s responsibility to know and comply with current University policies. 3 CONCORD UNIVERSITY HONOR CODE As a member of the Concord University Community I will act with honesty and integrity in accordance with our fundamental principles, and I will respect myself and others while challenging them to do the same. THE MISSION OF CONCORD UNIVERSITY The mission of Concord University is to provide a quality liberal arts based education, to foster scholarly activities, and to serve the regional community. Concord University provides rigorous programs that prepare students to pursue various career options or graduate study. Concord’s graduate and undergraduate programs lead students to assume leadership and professional roles in a multicultural society and prepare students to face the challenges of globalization. Concord is committed to serving a diverse student body including traditional, non-traditional, local, national, and international students. While we incorporate a variety of educational approaches, our size and the caring dedication of our faculty, staff, and administration are the principal assurances of a quality educational opportunity at Concord University. As a learning community, Concord University is committed to furthering knowledge through professional development activities and programs, through research, and through the application, publication and appreciation of scholarly efforts. The primary purpose of Concord’s mission is academic; however, the service the University provides to the state, region, and world goes beyond the classroom. Concord University contributes to the quality of cultural and economic life through southern West Virginia through both public and private organizations and agencies and through extension of its support and assistance into the region it serves. Ultimately, Concord University measures its success by the fulfillment alumni find in their careers and throughout their lives. In the words of late President Joseph Franklin Marsh, Sr. Concord students, “Come to learn. Go to serve.” ASSESSMENT: ASSESSMENT OF STUDENT LEARNING The Concord University faculty has developed programs to assess the academic achievement of the University’s students. The assessment program is linked to the University’s mission and educational goals. Assessment at Concord has two important roles: institutional quality and accountability. To analyze and improve the quality of Concord’s education programs, the University uses various measures to assess student attainment. These assessment measures are used in the continuing evaluation of curricular and instructional decisions that are aimed at improving student learning outcomes. An integral part of the program is the assessment of 4 student learning in the major and the general studies programs. However, Concord strives to involve all educational support areas in the assessment process. All programs assess the learning environment and what changes might be made to maximize the learning experience. Assessment of student learning is ultimately the systematic collection, analysis, and use of information to improve student learning outcomes. EDUCATIONAL GOALS The educational programs of Concord University are designed to foster skills, knowledge, and attitudes applicable across a wide range of academic fields and professional careers in a culturally diverse, perpetually evolving global community. The General Studies Program provides opportunities to begin developing skills needed to address complex issues, to build a foundational knowledge base for lifelong learning, and to cultivate attitudes that promote personal and societal well-being and experiential enrichment. Building on the General Studies program, the baccalaureate degree programs provide opportunities for in-depth study in a student’s chosen field(s). Building on selected baccalaureate degree programs, the master’s degree programs provide opportunities for highly specialized research and professional development. Skills: Proficiency in interpreting data, integrating information, formulating ideas, thinking critically, and communicating with others, as demonstrated by the following competencies: 1. Effective inter-communication skills and literacy adapted as needed for the demands of various kinds of discourse: listening and speaking reading and writing non-verbal communication media and technological literacy 2. An ability to employ appropriate observational, logical, analytical, computational, creative, and critical thinking skills in problem solving. 3. An ability to employ appropriate methods and technologies for conducting empirical and scholarly research, to interpret research findings, and to use insights gained from such research as a basis for informed decision making. 4. An ability to analyze, synthesize, and integrate elements, information and ideas. 5. An ability to evaluate elements, information, and ideas on the basis of appropriate criteria. 6. An ability to apply and to transfer academic and experiential learning appropriately from one context to another. 7. An ability to learn and work effectively both independently and collaboratively. Knowledge: Familiarity with principles underlying academic discourse in various fields, as demonstrated by the following capabilities: 1. An ability to discern the reciprocal influences of environments, cultural beliefs and attitudes, and societal institutions and practices. 2. An awareness of the fundamental characteristics and properties of the physical universe. 3. An ability to interpret events and trends within historical contexts. 5 4. Acquaintance with principles underlying languages, for example, linguistic, mathematical, and computer-language systems. 5. A recognition of the complex interactions between organisms, including human beings, and their environments. 6. An awareness of the aesthetic principles, methods, materials, and media employed in artistic performance and the creation of works of art and literature. 7. Self-knowledge, including awareness of one’s own competencies, deficiencies, and optimal individual learning-style(s). Attitudes: Tendencies conducive to self-knowledge, personal growth and development, and responsible citizenship as demonstrated by the following: 1. Habitual reflection on ethical/moral implications of actions when weighing decisions and evaluating outcomes. 2. Exercise of responsible leadership including leadership by example and of responsible followership. 3. Respectful attentiveness to differing perspectives and