SSTTUUDDEENNTT HHAANNDDBBOOOOKK Pittsburgh Theological Seminary Student Handbook Students are responsible for knowing and understanding its contents. Revised: September 10, 2019 1 STUDENT HANDBOOK PTS PURPOSE ...................................................................................... 5 PTS COMMUNITY .............................................................................. 5 PTS MISSION ....................................................................................... 6 PTS VISION .......................................................................................... 6 PTS COMMUNITY STANDARDS OF COMMUNICATION AND CONDUCT .................................................................................. 7 PTS HOURS .......................................................................................... 8 COUNSELING SUPPORT…………………………………………….8 MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT……………………………………….8 I. ACADEMIC REGULATIONS AND PROCEDURES ................. 9 A. Residency Requirement .......................................................... 9 B. Student Classifications ........................................................... 9 C. Faculty Advisor ...................................................................... .9 D. Student Files ............................................................................ 9 E. Registration ............................................................................. 9 F. Types of Courses .................................................................. 10 G. Field Education ..................................................................... 12 H. Clinical Pastoral Education ................................................... 13 I. Papers, Examinations and Extensions ................................... 13 J. Grading System and WFAs .................................................. 14 K. Grade Point Average (GPA) ................................................. 15 L. Grade Point Average for Graduation ..................................... 15 M. Late Grades ........................................................................... 15 N. Auditing Classes .................................................................... 15 O. Transcript Requests ............................................................... 15 P. Satisfactory Academic Progress ............................................ 16 Q. Academic Honor ................................................................... 16 R. Academic Probation .......................................................... …16 S. Dismissal ............................................................................... 16 T. Academic Grievance Procedure ............................................ 17 U. Withdrawal from Classes and Class Attendance ................... 17 V. Re-Admission ........................................................................ 17 W. Change of Degree .................................................................. 18 X. Student Evaluation of Courses/Professors ............................. 18 Y. Prizes and Awards ................................................................. 18 Z. Cross Registration Among Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Theological Institutions ......................................................... 18 AA. Pittsburgh Council on Higher Education (PCHE) ................. 18 BB. Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) ......... 18 CC. Students with Special Needs/Disabilities .............................. 19 DD. Internet in the Classroom ...................................................... 19 EE. Recording Policy ................................................................... 19 FF. Transfer Credit Policy ............................................................ 20 II. LIBRARY .................................................................................... 22 III. ADMINISTRATION AND STUDENT SERVICES ................... 24 A. Dean of Students ................................................................... 24 B. Business Office ..................................................................... 24 1. Check Cashing ................................................................. 24 2. Check Request & Credit Balance Refund Policy ............. 24 2 3. Payment of Tuition, Rent, & Fees .................................... 24 C. Lockers .................................................................................. 25 D. Lost and Found ...................................................................... 25 E. Mail ....................................................................................... 25 F. E-Prologue (Campus Email) ................................................. 26 G. Counseling Services .............................................................. 26 H. People Finder......................................................................... 26 I. Early Childhood Care in the Pittsburgh Public Schools ........ 26 J. School-Age Children Educational Information .................... 26 K. Recreation on Campus .......................................................... 27 L. Tours ..................................................................................... 27 M. Campus Worship ................................................................... 27 N. Receptionist Services ............................................................ 27 O. Computer Lab ....................................................................... 27 P. Placement Office .................................................................. 27 IV. GENERAL SEMINARY INFORMATION ................................. 27 A. ID Cards ............................................................................... 27 B. Security and Safety ................................................................ 27 C. Scheduling Facilities and Events ........................................... 28 D. Snow Emergencies – Cancellation of Classes ...................... 29 V. CAMPUS FACILITIES ............................................................... 29 A. Housing ................................................................................. 29 1. Rooms .............................................................................. 29 2. Apartments ....................................................................... 29 B. Chapel and Attached Facilities .............................................. 29 C. Long Hall .............................................................................. 29 D. McNaugher Hall .................................................................... 29 VI. STUDENT HOUSING ................................................................. 30 A. Student Housing Assignment Policy ..................................... 31 B. Building Regulations ............................................................. 31 1. Accessibility ..................................................................... 31 2. Animals ............................................................................ 31 3. Apartments ....................................................................... 31 4. Emergencies ..................................................................... 31 5. Fire Alarms and Smoke Detectors ................................... 32 6. Garbage ............................................................................ 32 7. Residence Hall Kitchen .................................................... 32 8. Laundry ............................................................................ 32 9. Maintenance ..................................................................... 32 10. Maintenance Emergencies ............................................... 32 11. Moving and Storage of Goods ......................................... 32 12. Recycling ......................................................................... 32 13. Personal telephone and cable television ........................... 32 C. Parking and Traffic Regulations ............................................ 33 VII. OTHER SEMINARY POLICIES ................................................ 33 A. Non-Academic Regulations and Grievance Procedure ......... 33 B. Standard of Behavior ............................................................. 34 C. Inclusive Language ............................................................... 34 D. Cell Phones ............................................................................ 34 E. Solicitation ............................................................................ 34 F. Use of Seminary’s Name and Logo on Stationery, Publications and Websites ................................................... 34 3 G. Drug and Alcohol Policy ....................................................... 35 H. Weapons Policy ..................................................................... 36 I. Demonstration Policy ............................................................ 36 J. Annual Security Report and Crime Statistics ........................ 38 K. Smoking ................................................................................ 39 L. Pets ........................................................................................ 39 M. Church Education Materials and Equipment ......................... 39 N. Computer and Network Usage Guidelines ............................ 39 O. Professional Conduct Policy ................................................. 41 P. Financial Code of Conduct, Including Conflict of Interest and Whistleblower Policy ....................................................