2022-2023 Catalog 
    
    Mar 28, 2024  
2022-2023 Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

General Policies-GCS


Student Information and Policies - SGCS


Student’s Responsibility

The student is responsible for thorough knowledge of all regulations and procedures as published in the University Catalog. Failure to read this publication and comply with the regulations does not exempt the student from this responsibility. Enrollment at Olivet Nazarene University implies an understanding of and willingness to abide by the academic and administrative regulations.

Candidates for graduation who complete a prescribed course of study within the program cycle’s sequence or who complete all degree requirements within one year from the final date of the program cycle are expected to meet the requirements for graduation in force at the time of enrollment. Students who fail to meet program time limits may be expected to meet the current program requirements, which may mean retaking one or more courses.

Olivet Nazarene University’s Responsibility

Olivet Nazarene University policy prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, sex, age, color, creed, national origin or ethnic origin, marital status, or disability in the recruitment and admission of students and in the operation of all university programs, activities, and services.

In compliance with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1989 and Drug-Free Schools and Campuses Amendment of 1989, Olivet Nazarene University clearly prohibits the unlawful possession, use, or distribution of drugs, alcohol, and unlawful substances by students and employees on University property or as any part of University activities.

Olivet Nazarene University is in compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, which is designed to protect the privacy of educational records. Details about the policy and procedures are available in the Office of the Registrar.

Questions or Assistance

For questions or assistance, please contact the university at 877.4.OLIVET or onlineadvising@olivet.edu.  

Change in Personal Information

Students should notify the Office of the Registrar in writing of any change of address, telephone number, or name.

Confidentiality of Student Records 

Olivet Nazarene University is the custodian of many types of student records and recognizes a duty to protect the confidentiality of information therein. Unless a student requests confidentiality in writing the first night of class, the University reserves the right to notify the general public of general information about students, such as address, telephone number, college major, classification, and graduation date, if applicable. All student records are available for official use to authorized personnel who demonstrate a need to have access to such records.

Students with Disabilities 

Since the passage of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which applies to all colleges whose students receive federal financial assistance, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, which applies to private entities that serve the public, students with disabilities are protected from discrimination by colleges and universities. In keeping with both the letter and the spirit of the law, most colleges and universities welcome the enrollment of “otherwise qualified” students with disabilities and make every effort to provide “reasonable accommodations” to meet the particular needs of these students.

Otherwise Qualified

As required by law students with disabilities, including students with learning disabilities, must demonstrate that they are “otherwise qualified” to successfully handle the rigor and pace of college-level learning. Demonstration of the “otherwise qualified” criterion for admission will include (1) appropriate documentation of the disability and (2) documentation of the ability to benefit from academic support services.

Students with documented disabilities should contact lss@olivet.edu to establish a review and start the process for possible accommodations.

Mental/Physical Health Support

At Olivet Nazarene University we recognize that the demands of graduate school can be experienced as an added pressure and this may evoke a heightened sensitivity to stressors. When this occurs, students are encouraged to tap into their available resources such as mental health providers, primary care providers, employee assistance programs, and the clergy. Your health and well-being are important to us. If you require a Leave of Absence for health reasons (physical or emotional), you should contact the Center for Academic Excellence (CAE) at cae@olivet.edu or (815) 939-5094.

Policy on Non-Students in Class 

Classrooms are for faculty, faculty-invited guests, and enrolled students only. Students are not allowed to bring guests, whether related or unrelated, to the classroom with them, and no exceptions will be made for children (including, but not limited to, children of instructors and of students) to remain in the classroom. Parents are responsible to make necessary provisions for their children to be cared for in a separate location than the class site. Students who bring children or other guests to class or the site location will be asked to leave and will receive an unexcused absence for that class. Special Note: Leaving children unattended in any university public area or site location, including empty classrooms, student lounges, campus lobbies, parking lots, etc. is prohibited. This policy does not apply to students with disabilities as described in the Students with Disabilities section.

Criminal Background Checks - GCS

Education Programs

Depending on the education program, some candidates for teacher licensure through programs under the purview of Olivet Nazarene University Educator Preparation Provider Unit are required to submit to a criminal background check by the State Police prior to their initial clinical experience in the schools. Most schools require completion of a successful background check for the safety and security of their students.

Placement in any clinical experience will be denied whether offenses and/or conviction occurred inside or outside the State for the following: first degree murder; any Class X felony; juvenile pimping; soliciting for a juvenile prostitute; exploitation of a child; obscenity; child pornography; possession of harmful material; criminal sexual assault; aggravated criminal sexual assault; criminal sexual abuse; aggravated criminal sexual abuse; offenses set forth in the Cannabis Control Act; and crimes defined in the Illinois Controlled Substances Act.

If a candidate does not successfully pass the criminal background check, they may petition, in writing, the program director for any review/appeal. If the appeal is denied, the candidate may continue to take courses, but will not be placed for clinical experiences/student teaching/internship. Thus, if the clinical experiences/student teaching/internship hours are not met, the candidate will not complete the program.

Nursing Programs

All prospective students entering the ABSN nursing program must submit to, and pass, a criminal background check per program policy. Students entering all other nursing programs (RN-BSN, RN-MSN, all MSN tracks) must submit to, and pass, a drug screen and criminal background check prior to entering practicum per program policy. Nursing applicants may obtain more information from an advisor at onlineadvising@olivet.edu or at 877.4.OLIVET.

Standards of Conduct 

Smoking and Alcohol Policy 

Olivet Nazarene University has established a smoke-free environment on campus. Smoking or other forms of tobacco and marijuana are prohibited at all Olivet and Graduate and Continuing Studies locations. Alcoholic beverages are also not permitted.  Refusal to comply may result in dismissal from the University.

Firearms 

The University prohibits all persons from carrying a handgun, firearm, chemical, explosive, or detonating device or other weapon of any kind on campus, in any classroom, or any space under the direction and control of Olivet Nazarene University, regardless of whether the person is licensed to carry the weapon, except as permitted by and in strict accordance with applicable state law.  Refusal to comply may result in dismissal from the University.

Illegal Substances 

Olivet Nazarene University, in agreement with civil laws, forbids the use, possession, or distribution of mood-altering chemicals including (but not limited to) amphetamine mixes, barbiturates, hallucinogens, cocaine, PCP, ecstasy, and LSD. Other dangerous and illegal substances are also forbidden. In addition, trafficking in chemicals results in immediate expulsion from the university.

Use of Profanity 

Students are expected to refrain from the use of profanity in all class locations. Refusal to comply may result in dismissal from the University.

Classroom Deportment & Confidentiality 

Students are expected to project a scholastic demeanor and to interactively respond to class activities, whether on ground or online.  Students, at all times, are expected to be respectful of their peers, the institution, its facilities, and its personnel. Demeaning comments, inappropriate or derogatory language, ethnic, racial, or gender-based comments, suggestions, or undercurrents will not be tolerated.  The university reserves the right to withdraw students who hinder the learning experience of their peers and/or violate this policy.

All posts to the discussion forums should be done so with discretion and sensitivity, while keeping content shared in strict confidence for use within the class context only.  Use prudence in sharing personal information about yourself or others so as not to cause problematic issues within or outside the workplace.

Appearance and Dress 

Students at all locations are expected to be accountable for maintaining a standard of dress designed to be in harmony with generally accepted guidelines for good taste and modesty. As an institution that adheres to Christian principles and seeks to maintain a relaxed, professional, educational environment, dress may be casual, but must appropriately support the adult, modest, professional atmosphere desired by the faculty and administration of the University. A faculty member may advise a student when his or her attire is considered to be inappropriate.

Title IX/Sexual Harassment Policy Statement

This policy supplements the University’s general Policy Against Discrimination, Harassment and Retaliation set forth above and addresses the requirements of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (“Title IX”). Title IX is a federal law that prohibits sex discrimination in federally funded education programs and activities. Title IX states as follows:

No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance.

Consistent with Title IX, the University prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex or gender in any University program or activity. Discrimination on the basis of sex (i.e., sex discrimination) includes sexual harassment, which, in turn, includes sexual assault and sexual violence. In addition, the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 requires colleges and universities to have particular policy statements and offer educational programming regarding domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking.

The University is committed to maintaining an environment that is free from all forms of sex discrimination and sexual harassment, including sexual assault and sexual violence. In keeping with this commitment, the University prohibits and does not tolerate sexual harassment against any member of the University community, including students, faculty or staff, by any member of the University community, or by contractors, consultants or vendors doing business with or providing services to the University. The University also prohibits and does not tolerate domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking against any member of the University community.

This Policy applies to on campus and off campus conduct, including online or electronic conduct, when the off campus conduct: (a) occurs during a College sponsored employment or education activity or program; (b) adversely impacts the education or employment of a member of the College community; or (c) otherwise threatens the health and/or safety of a member of the College community.

For additional information about Title IX policies, procedures, and resources, please visit Olivet’s Title IX webpage: https://www.olivet.edu/title-ix-compliance-and-services

Benner Library and Learning Resource Center - GCS   

Student Complaints 

A student with a serious complaint, may reference http://www.olivet.edu/federal-disclosures/ to view the student complaint policy.  Per federal and state regulations, if a student has exhausted all attempts to resolve the matter with the University, he or she may register a formal complaint with the Illinois Board of Higher Education (IBHE) at https://complaints.ibhe.org/.

The University has an exclusive proprietary trademark interest in its name, logos, and branding.  The University must ensure the continued viability of its valuable trademark rights and will not permit unauthorized use of its name or logos to dilute these rights.  No one may, without prior permission from the Office of Marketing, use the University’s name or logos for commercial purposes, on social media posts, or in any way that might confuse or mislead observers to attribute the use to the University.