Statements of Compliance

Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. Students have specific, protected rights regarding the release of such records or information contained therein. In compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and Louisiana College’s policy on the Disclosure of Educational Records, a student may grant the College the right to release confidential information such as grades, academic progress reports, class attendance records, financial aid, disciplinary actions, financial account information, to parent(s)/guardian(s)/spouse by completion of the “Student Consent to Release Confidential Information Form.” The release does not apply to information such as counseling and health records. A separate release is required to release or discuss health and counseling information. Authorization for release of other confidential information is valid as long as the student is enrolled at Louisiana College or until a written statement from the student cancels the request to release confidential information.

Disclosure of Educational Records

Louisiana College will disclose information from a student’s educational records only with the written consent of the student except in certain legally permissible situations, i.e., to college officials who have a legitimate educational interest in the records, to certain government or other public officials, and to parents of an eligible student who claim the student as a dependent for income tax purposes. However, information designated by Louisiana College for directory purposes, or the results of any disciplinary proceeding conducted by the College alleging a sex offense of the accused may be released without the student’s consent. Otherwise, to release information, the student must complete and sign a Student Consent to Release Confidential Information Form authorizing the release of confidential information. The form must be submitted in person to: Office of the Registrar, Alexandria Hall, Room 145 and/or Office of Student Development, Hixon Student Center, Room 214.

Directory Information

Louisiana College designates the following items as Directory Information: student name, address, telephone number, email address, date and place of birth, major field of study, participation in officially recognized activities and sports, weight and height of members of athletic teams, dates of attendance, degrees and awards/honors received, full or part-time enrollment status, most recent previous school attended, and photographs. The College may disclose any of those items without prior written consent, unless the student completes and submits to the Registrar’s Office the Request to Prevent Disclosure of Directory Information Form within the first two weeks of classes each semester.

Parental Disclosures without Written Consent

Under FERPA, when a student turns 18 years of age or enrolls at a postsecondary institution at any age, all parental FERPA rights are transferred to the student. However, FERPA does provide for some information to be shared by schools with parents or legal guardians without the student’s consent. Examples are: (1) disclosure of educational records if the student is a dependent for income tax purposes. This would apply to a student who was a dependent for the most recent tax year; (2) disclosure of educational records if a health or safety emergency involves their student; or (3) if the student is under age 21 and has violated any law or policy concerning the use or possession of alcohol or a controlled substance. Parents should discuss their intentions to obtain confidential information with their student whenever feasible.

Questions or complaints regarding FERPA rights should be directed to the Vice President for Academic Affairs or the Vice President for Student Development and Enrollment Management.

Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990

Louisiana College does not discriminate on the basis of disabilities in the operation of its programs. Classrooms, residence halls, auditoriums, and other public facilities provide accessibility or alternate locations and services for persons with physical disabilities.

Following acceptance for admission, a student who has a physical and/or learning disability that qualifies under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and who desires modifications or accommodations should contact the Director of the Student Success Center for information and guidance. This voluntary notification will be helpful in planning suitable accommodations and assuring satisfactory adjustments to the campus environment.

Special Services and Disabilities Accommodations

All students are measured by the same academic standards. Those students who have greater needs may contact the Student Success Center where extensive individualized tutoring is arranged. Assistance is provided with note taking, study skills, time management, research, paper writing, etc. Tapes of text are available. Tests accommodations within a distraction free environment and with extended time can be arranged. For more information, contact the Director of the Student Success Center.

Louisiana College is committed to following Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 as amended in 2008, and other applicable federal and state regulations and university policies which prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability. Under these laws, students with a documented disability have a right to receive reasonable accommodations. Students also have responsibilities under these laws.

Student Rights and Responsibilities

Students with disabilities have the right to:

• An equal opportunity to learn.
• An equal opportunity to participate in and benefit from the academic community.

Students with disabilities shall be responsible for:

• Registering with Student Success Center Special Services.
• Submitting documentation of a disability from a qualified and appropriate professional that demonstrates how the disability affects/impacts a particular delivery system, instructional method, or evaluation criteria when requesting accommodations.
• Completing a Student Success Center orientation prior to receiving accommodations.
• Requesting accommodations through the Student Success Center each semester in a timely manner.
• Meeting with faculty and other service providers to discuss accommodations as needed. Information about the disability is confidential.
• Notifying Student Success Center of any issues, concerns, or delays in receiving requested accommodations in a timely manner.
• Meeting and maintaining fundamental academic standards of the Louisiana College.

Louisiana College is committed to student success; however, we do not require students to use accommodations nor will we provide them unless they are requested by the student. The student must take the lead in registering with Student Success Center Special Services and submitting requests for accommodations each semester.

Student Success Center
Louisiana College
P.O. Box 545
Pineville, LA 71359
Telephone: (318) 487-7629

Sexual Harassment Title IX

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 is a federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any education program or activity that receives federal funding. Title IX is a powerful tool for students who want to combat gender-based discrimination at school and on college campuses. Under Title IX, discrimination on the basis of sex can include sexual harassment, rape and sexual assault.

Title IX Coordinator’s Responsibilities

Louisiana College is committed to responsibly investigating all discrimination and harassment as outlined by Title IX. To do this, the Title IX Coordinator adheres to the following rubric:

Investigation: Thorough Reliable Impartial
Process: Prompt Effective Equitable
Remedy: End the discrimination
Prevent its Recurrence
Remedy the effects upon the victim & community

What is Sexual Harassment?

Louisiana College is committed to providing an environment that is free of sexual harassment. In keeping with this commitment, federal and state laws, and biblical standards, the university will not tolerate any form of sexual harassment.

Sexual harassment is defined as:

Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature, when:

• submission to such conduct is made either implicitly or explicitly a term or condition of an individual’s employment or status in a course, program or activity.
• submission or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for employment or education decisions affecting such individual; or such conduct has the purpose or effect of interfering with the individual’s work or educational performance; of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working and/or learning environment; or of interfering with one’s ability to participate in or benefit from an education program or activity.

Examples of Sexual Harassment

• Sexual advances, physical or implied, or direct propositions of a sexual nature.
• A pattern of conduct, which can be subtle in nature, that has sexual overtones and is intended to create or has the effect of creating discomfort and/or humiliating another.

What to Do

If the incident(s) involve sexual assault or rape, immediately contact the Pineville Police Dept., at 318-442-6603. Such crimes are also considered sexual harassment and as such may be reported under LC’s Policy on Harassment.

If you experience, observe, hear about, or believe someone has been sexually harassed in any way, you should make a report of the facts of the incident(s) in a timely manner:

• If the accused is a student, contact either the Title IX Coordinator or other reporting official listed on the back of this pamphlet. You may report to any administrator or faculty/staff member (coach, Student Life personnel, etc.) on campus and those persons will move the information where it needs to go.
• If the accused is a LC employee, please contact the Director of Human Resources at 318-487- 7051.

The College will not tolerate sexual harassment of its students and will investigate all allegations of sexual harassment. Where sexual harassment is found, steps will be taken to end it immediately. Students who, in good faith, report what they believe to be sexual harassment, or who cooperate in any investigation, will not be subject to retaliation. Any student who believes he/she has been the victim of retaliation for reporting sexual harassment or cooperating in an investigation should immediately contact the Title IX Coordinator.

What to Expect

Any student who is a victim of sexual harassment can request assistance from the Dean of Students. In dealing with sexual harassment and rape on campus, Louisiana College strongly encourages the full prosecution of all local, state and federal laws.

Victims should contact the Pineville Police Department by dialing 911 from a campus telephone. Victims may also choose to report the incident to Campus Security at 318-308-6505 or 7233 from a campus telephone. Louisiana College, in accordance with college policy, will file all necessary documents with the Pineville Police Department upon receiving a complaint of sexual assault.

Additional Resources

Rapides Regional Medical Center 318-769-3000
Family Justice Center of Central Louisiana 318-448-0884
A complete description of LC’s grievance procedure can be found in the LC Student Handbook.

Campus Contacts

Brittany Salloum—Title IX Coordinator 318-487-7502
Vincent Smith—Dean of Students 318-487-7135
Shannon Tassin—Director of Human Resources 318-487-7051
Caleb Funderburk—Director of Residence Life 318-487-7154
Chief Robertson—Director of Campus Security 318-487-7015
Dr. Cheryl Clark—Vice President of Academic Affairs 318-487-7955
Dr. Philip Caples—Dean, School of Missions and Ministries 318-487-7946
Dr. Marilyn Cooksey—Dean, School of Nursing and Allied Health 318-487-7127
Reni Mason—Athletic Director 318-487-7503
Janet Sanders—Coordinator of Health Services 318-487-7750
Leneil Mercer—College Counselor 318-487-7420

Policies Governing Conduct: Students Rights and Responsibilities

Conduct

The Louisiana College Code of Student Conduct exists to reinforce Christian values, to further community and individual responsibility, to insure personal safety, and to instill respect for the rights of others. The Code is based on the same biblical principles on which Louisiana College was originally founded. It is designed to be redemptive and to intentionally facilitate reconciliation between the offending student and the College community. Exceptions to this approach may occur when behavior is repetitive, self-destructive, hazardous to others, or involves a significant legal issue that the College is obligated to uphold.

Individual departments, groups, or organizations within the College may establish higher standards of student conduct. Each student is responsible for all applicable standards. Any sanctions imposed as a result of the violation of these higher standards are in addition to any sanctions imposed by the Office of Student Development. All students are required to respond immediately to any official request from a Louisiana College employee. Failure to respond may result in additional judicial charges and sanctions.

The Code applies to student conduct both on and off campus, and remains in effect for all students until they graduate or officially withdraw from the college, even when classes are not in session. Disciplinary guidelines are to be read broadly and are not designed to define potential violations in exhaustive terms. The Director of Residence Life will handle minor residence life issues or violations.

Academic Integrity

Because the primary purpose of Louisiana College is to be a community of learning and free inquiry and because the College seeks to create an environment that encourages the development of moral and ethical values, the College places the highest value on academic integrity and regards any act of academic dishonesty as a serious offense.

Academic dishonesty violates the bonds of intellectual, spiritual, and moral principles foundational to all knowledge. Furthermore, academic dishonesty may defraud those who eventually will depend upon the integrity of learning and scholarship. Academic integrity, therefore, must be the concern and the responsibility of all members of the college community students, faculty, staff, and administrators.

Academic integrity violations (Academic Dishonesty) encompass any acts that comprise or subvert the integrity of the educational or research process. These offenses include, but are not limited to plagiarism, misrepresentation, fabrication, cheating, stealing, impeding fair and equal access to the educational and research process, and misrepresenting or misusing one’s relationship with the College.

Students who evidence an unwillingness or inability to conduct themselves in accord with College standards and any other rules and regulations of the College, either on or off the campus, shall be subject to disciplinary action. Disciplinary expulsion, suspension, and probation may become a part of the permanent record.

All undergraduate students, graduate students, and students enrolled in distance education courses and programs must comply with the institutional policies governing academic and nonacademic conduct as outlined in the current issue of the Louisiana College Student Handbook. A copy of the handbook is available on the College website.

Student Complaints

The institution has adequate procedures for addressing written student complaints and is responsible for demonstrating that it follows those procedures when resolving student complaints. All polices and procedures are located in the online Student Handbook.

Louisiana College (LC) maintains and follows adequate procedures for addressing written student complaints and student appeals in a fair and professional manner. Such policies and procedures are available and applicable to every student enrolled in the College regardless of physical locality or learning modality. The College maintains policies and procedures for addressing student complaints in these three areas: academics, student affairs, and student conduct. Records pertaining to academic issues are maintained in a secure location in the Office of Academic Affairs and/or the Registrar’s Office, and records pertaining to non-academic issues are maintained in a secure location in the Office of Student Development.

Prior to all formal written complaints, Louisiana College encourages students to resolve concerns in an informal manner. LC aspires to provide an education and services of highest quality to its students and to provide equity and harmony in the application of College policies and procedures that reflect a Christ-centered approach to conflict. Such an example is found in Matthew chapter six which instructs individuals to seek resolution first with the person(s) to whom the offence was initiated. To that end, when a student has a complaint, resolution should be sought through informal communication with the appropriate instructor, dean, staff member, or administrative officer who may be able to help rectify or clarify the situation before a written complaint is initiated. If the issue is unresolved, students have the opportunity to file a formal written complaint. Students may file complaints or appeals concerning academic issues, grades, conduct violations, parking and traffic violations, financial aid, college refunds, and college records. The online Student Handbook details all policies and procedures to file complaints and appeals.