Asya W.

Student Rights & Responsibilities

Student Responsibilities

It is the student’s responsibility to be familiar with the information presented in the Catalog, and to know and observe all regulations and procedures relating to the program they are pursuing. In no case will a regulation be waived or an exception be granted because students plead ignorance of, or contend that they were not informed of the regulations and procedures included in the Catalog. Responsibility for following all policies and meeting all requirements and deadlines for degree programs rests with the student.

Admission Requirements from the current online catalog, in effect at the time of a student’s enrollment, are the official sources and permanent references governing the terms of a student’s enrollment. Students who fall out of continual enrollment may be subject to administrative withdrawal from the University. Students who re-enter after dismissal or withdrawal may be subject to re-entering the most current program version at the time of their re-entry. For additional information, please refer to the Denied Admissions policy.

Well-Being and Safety

The University is committed to providing students with an environment free of discrimination or harassment. Please see the University’s Code of Conduct for additional information. In addition, community resources exist to provide students with information and support relating to personal well-being and safety, such as:

Further, when requested by a victim, the University will facilitate changes in a victim’s transportation and working situations, in addition to academic and living situations, as reasonable and appropriate.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

The University takes seriously its obligations to provide disability services to qualified individuals as defined by Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and 2008.

Notice of Nondiscrimination and Section 504/ADA Coordinator

In accordance with the requirement of 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and Titles I and II [or Title III if a private school] of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) the University will not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities on the basis of disability in its services, programs, or activities. The University does not discriminate on the basis of disability in its hiring or employment practices and complies with all regulations promulgated by the U.S. Dept. of Education, the U.S. Dept. of Justice, and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

Students in need of accommodations are encouraged to contact [email protected]. Team members must notify the Director of Compensation, Benefits, and ADA on the Human Resources Team for accommodations at [email protected] If there is a concern of discrimination regarding accommodations, please contact:

Heather Tyrrell
ADA/504 Coordinator
[email protected]
(858) 642-8087

Title IX Notice of Non-Discrimination

Scope

The scope of this policy applies to all staff, faculty, third-parties conducting business on behalf of the University, and all students. The core purpose of this policy is the prohibition of all forms of discrimination. Sometimes, discrimination involves exclusion from or different treatment in activities, such as admission, or employment. Other times, discrimination takes the form of harassment or, in the case of sex-based discrimination, can encompass sexual harassment, sexual assault, stalking, sexual exploitation, dating violence or domestic violence.

The University adheres to all federal, state, and local civil rights laws prohibiting discrimination in employment and education. The University does not discriminate in its admissions practices, in its employment practices, or in its educational programs or activities on the basis of sex. As a University of federal financial assistance for education activities, the University is required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 to ensure that all of its education programs and activities do not discriminate on the basis of sex. Sex includes sex, sex stereotypes, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, and pregnancy or parenting status.

The University also prohibits retaliation against any person opposing discrimination or participating in any discrimination investigation or complaint process internal or external to the institution. Sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating and domestic violence, and stalking are forms of sex discrimination, which are prohibited under Title IX and by the University’s policy.

Any member of the community, guest, or visitor who acts to deny, deprive, or limit the educational, employment, residential, or social access, opportunities and/or benefits of any member of the University community on the basis of sex is in violation of the Title IX Policy.

Policy & Procedure

Any person may report sex discrimination (whether or not the person reporting is the person alleged to have experienced the conduct), by mail, by telephone, by video, or by email, using the contact information listed for the Title IX Coordinator (below). A report may be made at any time (including during non-business hours) by electronic email or by voicemail.

Questions regarding Title IX, including its application and/or concerns about noncompliance, should be directed to the Title IX Coordinator. For a complete copy of the policy or for more information, please  contact the Title IX Coordinator.

Who to Contact

Individuals who believe they have experienced sex discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation in violation of University policy should contact the following:

Title IX Coordinator

Heather Tyrrell, Regulatory Affairs
Office Location: Remote Employee
Mailing Address: 9388 Lightwave Avenue, San Diego, CA 92123
Telephone: (858) 642-8087 
Email: [email protected]

The University does not condone harassment or abusive behavior. Harassment, physical abuse, threatening comments, or intimidation of any person on University owned or controlled property or at University sponsored or supervised functions, or conduct which threatens or endangers the health or safety of any member of the University community or any other person or persons. Such conduct includes, but is not limited to stalking, cyber stalking, harassment, and retaliation as a result of complaints or alleged misconduct.

Report It

Notice or complaints of discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation may be made using any of the following options:

1) File a complaint with, or give verbal notice to, the Title IX Coordinator. Such a report may be made at any time (including during non-business hours) by using the telephone number or email address, or by mail to the office address, listed for the Title IX Coordinator or any other official listed.

Because reporting carries no obligation to initiate a formal response, and as the University respects Complainant requests to dismiss complaints unless there is a compelling threat to health and/or safety, the Complainant is largely in control and should not fear a loss of privacy by making a report that allows the University to discuss and/or provide supportive measures.

A Formal Complaint means a document submitted or signed by the Complainant or signed by the Title IX Coordinator alleging a policy violation by a Respondent and requesting that the University investigate the allegation(s). A complaint may be filed with the Title IX Coordinator by phone, by mail, or by electronic mail, by using the contact information in the section immediately above, or as described in this section. As used in this paragraph, the phrase “document filed by a Complainant” means a document or electronic submission (such as by electronic mail or through an online portal provided for this purpose by the University) that contains the Complainant’s physical or digital signature, or otherwise indicates that the Complainant is the person filing the complaint, and requests that the University investigate the allegations.

If notice is submitted in a form that does not meet this standard, the Title IX Coordinator will contact the Complainant to ensure that it is filed correctly.

Investigations

The University Title IX Coordinator maintains oversight for review and investigation of complaints of this nature. All investigations will adhere to practices set forth by Federal Guidelines.

Protection Against Retaliation

The University is committed to providing a workplace and educational environment, as well as other benefits, programs, and activities, that are free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. To ensure compliance with federal and state civil rights laws and regulations, and to affirm its commitment to promoting the goals of fairness and equity in all aspects of the educational program or activity, the University has developed internal policies and procedures that provide a prompt, fair, and impartial process for those involved in an allegation of discrimination or harassment on the basis of protected class status, and for allegations of retaliation. The University values and upholds the equal dignity of all members of its community and strives to balance the rights of the parties in the grievance process during what is often a difficult time for all those involved.

Privacy Statement

The University is committed to providing a workplace and educational environment, as well as other benefits, programs, and activities, that are free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. To ensure compliance with federal and state civil rights laws and regulations, and to affirm its commitment to promoting the goals of fairness and equity in all aspects of the educational program or activity, the University has developed internal policies and procedures that provide a prompt, fair, and impartial process for those involved in an allegation of discrimination or harassment on the basis of protected class status, and for allegations of retaliation. The University values and upholds the equal dignity of all members of its community and strives to balance the rights of the parties in the grievance process during what is often a difficult time for all those involved.

Student Educational Records

The University maintains student educational records, provides students access to their records, and keeps information contained in those records confidential as required by FERPA. The Act covers anyone who has enrolled at the University, including:

  • Active students currently enrolled in a program
  • Former students and alumni
  • Administrative team members, full-time faculty members, and part-time faculty members

When operating web sites, the University must take special measures to ensure the confidentiality of the information is protected. A privacy statement appears on the websites that explains what information the University may collect through our websites, why the University collects such information, how the information is protected, and the choices stakeholders have about how the University uses the information.

The University has the obligation to safeguard this information and to ensure the stakeholders are protected.

The University is required to keep Enrollment, Financial Aid and Disciplinary documents for up to five years and Transcript documentation indefinitely.

FERPA Rights

The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, as amended (“FERPA”) sets out requirements designed to afford students certain rights with respect to their education records. In addition, it puts limits on what information the University may disclose to third parties without receiving prior written consent from the student via a FERPA release form, an authorized signature on another document or a lawfully issued subpoena or judicial order.

The University Registrar’s office maintains student educational records, provides students access to their records, and keeps information contained in those records confidential as required by the Family Educational Rights to Privacy Act (FERPA). The Act covers anyone who is or has enrolled at the University.

Student Grievances

As of 3/1/2023 for all non-discriminatory student concerns with the University regarding an interaction with a staff or faculty member, policy/procedure preferences, or other concerns about their experience, the student may start the process with the Office of Student Affairs (OSA). Other resources to report a concern can be found on the Report an Incident or Concern page including any concerns around civil rights and discriminatory treatment, see Title IX. 

NOTE: Appeals of final grades must use the appeal process defined in “Appealing a Final Grade” in the University Catalog and Policy and Procedure Manual. Review carefully the directives on appeals as often the decisions of Deans in these matters are not grieve-able. Other appeals include but are not limited to: SAP, academic dismissal, administrative dismissal, and re-admission. Students should refer to the catalog for details on advancing these types of appeals.

California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE)

The BPPE exists to promote and protect the interests of students and consumers in California. Students may file a complaint with the California Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education. A complaint may be filed by writing (Complaint Form) or calling the Bureau’s Enforcement Section at the following address and telephone number:

Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education

2535 Capitol Oaks Drive, Suite 400
Sacramento, CA 95833

Telephone: (916) 431-6959
FAX: (916) 263-1897

www.bppe.ca.gov