Peirce College Student Policy Handbook 2007-2008 Table of Contents GENERAL INFORMATION.....................................................................................................iii ACCREDITATION ..................................................................................................................... iv MISSION STATEMENT ............................................................................................................. v I. Academic..................................................................................................................................... 1 Academic Grievance ................................................................................................................. 1 Academic Honesty..................................................................................................................... 4 Academic Standing ................................................................................................................... 7 Academic Progress, Probation, and Dismissal....................................................................... 7 Attendance and Participation .................................................................................................. 9 Career Development Services and Cooperative Education ................................................ 10 Code of Student Conduct and Responsibility....................................................................... 11 Commencement Ceremony.................................................................................................... 20 Degree and Certificate Program Requirements for Graduation ....................................... 20 Graduation Honors................................................................................................................. 22 Course Audit............................................................................................................................ 23 Drop/Add ................................................................................................................................. 24 Withdrawal from Class .......................................................................................................... 26 Grading .................................................................................................................................... 27 International Students............................................................................................................ 30 Retention of Student Records ................................................................................................ 35 Student Disability Services..................................................................................................... 36 II. Academic Advising.................................................................................................................. 38 Average Student Course Load............................................................................................... 38 Credit for Prior Learning ...................................................................................................... 38 Evaluation of Transfer Credits ............................................................................................. 38 Advanced Placement (AP) Exams......................................................................................... 40 College Level Examination Program (CLEP) ..................................................................... 40 Defense Activity for Non-Traditional Educational Support (DANTES) Examinations.. 40 Credit by Examination........................................................................................................... 41 Credit for Work Experience and Portfolio Assessment...................................................... 42 Independent Study.................................................................................................................. 45 Prerequisite Courses............................................................................................................... 46 Course Repeat ......................................................................................................................... 47 III. Acceptable Usage of Computer Systems and Facilities ....................................................... 48 IV. Admissions ............................................................................................................................. 54 Computer / Internet Requirements for All Students........................................................... 55 Placement Policy ..................................................................................................................... 56 Re-Admittance......................................................................................................................... 57 V. Consumer Information............................................................................................................ 58 VI. Equal Opportunity ................................................................................................................. 60 Nondiscrimination................................................................................................................... 60 Prohibiting Harassment ......................................................................................................... 60 Prohibiting Retaliation ........................................................................................................... 61 Discrimination, Retaliation, or Harassment Advanced by Non-Employees ..................... 62 Social Relationships with Others Associated with Peirce College...................................... 62 Complaint Procedure.............................................................................................................. 62 Reasonable Accommodations ................................................................................................ 64 VII. Notification of Student Rights Under Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)....................................................................................................................................... 65 VIII. Financial Aid ...................................................................................................................... 68 Additional Funding Request for Financial Aid.................................................................... 68 Undergraduate Loan Certifications ...................................................................................... 69 Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) Standards............................................................... 70 Return of Title IV Funds Withdrawal ...................................Error! Bookmark not defined. IX. Health, Safety and Security of the Academic Environment................................................. 73 Alcohol and Illegal Drugs....................................................................................................... 73 Alcohol, Drug Use, and Legal Sanctions................................................................................... 75 Alcohol ..................................................................................................................................... 76 Illegal Drugs ............................................................................................................................ 77 Non-Violence ........................................................................................................................... 86 Security Searches .................................................................................................................... 89 Identification Cards................................................................................................................ 90 Visitors ..................................................................................................................................... 91 Reporting Policy Violations of Safety and Security............................................................. 91 Additional Security Measures................................................................................................ 92 X. Transcript Requests................................................................................................................. 93 XI. Tuition Payment..................................................................................................................... 94 GENERAL INFORMATION Peirce College 1420 Pine Street Philadelphia, PA 19102-4699 Phone: Local: 215-545-6400 Toll free: 1-888-GO-PEIRCE For Admissions, dial extension 9214. Fax: 215-670-9366 School Closing Numbers: Day: 164 Evening/Saturday/On Site: 2164 Listen to radio station KYW (1060 am) during inclement weather for school closing announcements. School closings are also announced on NBC 10 and Fox 29. E-mail: [email protected] World Wide Web: http://www.peirce.edu DISCLAIMER This Student Policy Handbook is not a contract and is for informational purposes only. The College reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to update, revise, amend, discontinue, withdraw, suspend, modify, interpret or make changes of any nature to this Student Policy Handbook as well as to any other policies, procedures or programs of the College including, without limitation, with respect to the College’s degree and non-degree academic programs of study, offerings and requirements,