Springfield College Statements of Importance

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Official Communication

Students are ultimately responsible for using official Springfield College communication methods. Failure to use official Springfield College methods does not excuse students from the content that may be received through each method.

The official Springfield College communication methods are:

· Springfield College email system

· Springfield College campus mailbox

· Last address provided by students for official communication purposes

Identification Cards

All students are required to have a Springfield College identification (ID) card containing an assigned student identification number, which should be in their possession at all times. This card is used for identification purposes in accessing College buildings and grounds, using athletic and audiovisual equipment, borrowing material from Babson Library, attending College-sponsored events, and dining on the campus. The first Springfield College ID card is issued to a student at no charge. Replacements for lost or stolen ID cards will cost $35. Except on weekends or holidays, an ID card can be replaced within 24 hours.

Students should be prepared to show their ID card when requested to do so by residence life staff, public safety, and security personnel, faculty, staff, or administrators, and to access residence halls. Failure to surrender the ID card when requested will result in disciplinary action. The identification must be surrendered if a student withdraws from the College in order for that action to be processed.

Falsifying an identity or that of another person is against the law and will result in disciplinary action at Springfield College. Further, consistent with the College’s alcohol policy, falsifying an identification card or that of another student to obtain alcohol or to gain access to functions where alcoholic beverages are being served will lead to disciplinary action. This applies to all forms of identification including Springfield College ID card, driver’s license, liquor ID, or birth certificate.

Instant Communication Related to Emergencies

Springfield College provides an online service for instant communication as it relates to on-campus emergencies. This technology allows Springfield College to communicate with students through a campus-wide system that sends out texts, emails, and contacts a voice line when there is an emergency on campus such as severe weather alerts or a major crises. This information is intended to be used for emergency purposes as it relates to student safety. Though accounts will be actively maintained and updated based on enrollment/employment status with the College, individuals are asked to log into their emergency notification account and add additional contact information as soon as possible. For more information regarding this service and how to sign up, visit getrave.com/login/springfieldcollege or the Springfield College website. If you have further questions, please contact your residence hall staff or student affairs at ext. 3100.

Anti-discrimination Policy

Springfield College does not discriminate in its admissions or employment policies and practices on the basis or race, sex, sexual orientation, age, color, religion, national origin, gender, disability, or status as a veteran. Springfield College is committed to fostering multicultural diversity in its faculty, staff, and student body. Students who feel that they have been subjected to a form of discrimination are encouraged to contact the College’s 504 Coordinator, Deb Dickens, Director of Learning Support Services, 263 Alden Street, Hickory Hall Room 109, Springfield, MA. 01109; (413) 748-3747 (Voice/TTY), (413) 748-3725 (fax); email: ddickens@springfieldcollege.edu. When acts of discrimination or exclusion are discovered, steps are taken to remedy such practices.

504 Grievance Procedure

Springfield College strives to provide prompt and equitable resolution of complaints alleging action prohibited by pertinent federal, state, and local disability anti-discriminatory laws.

These procedures apply to discrimination on the basis of disability including: disagreement with the decisions made about accommodations; physical inaccessibility of a College program or activity; disability harassment; or any other form of discrimination on the basis of a disability or perception of a disability. A student may (1) attempt to resolve the matter informally or (2) immediately file a formal grievance, at the option of the student.

To resolve the matter informally, the student should first meet with the 504 coordinator and director of Learning Support Services, to see if the matter can be resolved. If the student has concerns about meeting with the coordinator, he or she can meet with the appropriate department head or dean of the division concerned, and that person will try to resolve the matter. If the coordinator or the appropriate department head or dean of the division concerned is not successful in quickly achieving a satisfactory resolution (that is, generally within seven calendar days), he or she will inform the student of his or her efforts and the student’s right to file a formal complaint.

If the student chooses to file a formal grievance, the following steps should be followed:

1. The student shall file a formal grievance within forty-five (45) calendar days after he/she becomes aware of the alleged violation or denial of accommodation. The student shall file the grievance in writing to 504 coordinator and director of Learning Support Services, 263 Alden Street, Hickory Hall, Room 109, Springfield, MA 01109; voice/TTY: (413) 748-3747, fax: (413) 748-3725; email: ddickens@springfieldcollege.edu The grievance shall be in writing and include the following:

• The grievant’s name, address, telephone number and email address
• A full description of the problem
• A description of what efforts have been made to resolve the issue informally
• A statement of the remedy requested

2. Within fourteen (14) calendar days of receipt, the coordinator or designee (hereinafter referred to as the “grievance officer”) shall read the complaint and conduct an investigation. In undertaking the investigation, the grievance officer may interview, consult with and/or request a written response to the issues raised in the grievance from any individual the grievance officer believes to have relevant information, including faculty, staff, and students. If necessary or requested, the grievance officer will hear testimony or receive written testimony from the student, relevant faculty or staff member(s) and other knowledgeable people. The student has the right to ask for testimony from any faculty or staff whom he/she deems relevant to the case.

3. After completing the investigation, the grievance officer shall report his/her conclusions and proposed disposition in writing to the grievant and all other relevant parties. This transmission will be expected within forty-five (45) calendar days of the filing of the formal complaint. The deadline may be extended for good cause (e.g., reasons related to breaks in the academic calendar). The final report may also be provided, where appropriate, to any College officer whose authority will be needed to carry out the proposed disposition or to determine whether any personnel action is appropriate.

4. The disposition proposed by the grievance officer will be put into effect promptly.

5. Within ten calendar days of the issuance of the final report, the grievant may appeal the grievance officer’s determination by filing a written request for review to the assistant vice president for academic affairs . The written request for review must specify the particular substantive and/or procedural basis for the appeal, and must be made on grounds other than general dissatisfaction with the proposed disposition. Furthermore, the appeal must be directed only to issues raised in the formal complaint as filed or to procedural errors in the conduct of the grievance procedure itself, and not to new issues.

If the grievance involves a decision that is being challenged, the review by the assistant vice president for academic affairs or designee usually will be limited to the following considerations:

· Were the proper facts and criteria brought to bear on the decision?

· Were improper or extraneous facts or criteria brought to bear that substantially affected the decision to the detriment of the grievant?

· Were there any procedural irregularities that substantially affected the outcome of the matter to the detriment of the grievant?

· Given the proper facts, criteria, and procedures, was the decision a reasonable one?

A copy of the assistant vice president for academic affairs’ written decision will be expected within 30 calendar days of the filing of the appeal and will be sent to the parties, the grievance officer and, if appropriate, to the College officer whose authority will be needed to carry out the disposition. The deadline may be extended by the assistant vice president for academic affairs for good cause (e.g., reasons related to breaks in the academic calendar). The decision of the assistant vice president for academic affairs on the appeal is final.