Dec 07, 2024  
2017-2018 Student Handbook & University Policies 
    
2017-2018 Student Handbook & University Policies [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Student Complaint Procedures


Title IX

The mission of Life University is to empower each student with the education, skill and values needed for career success and life fulfillment based on a vitalistic philosophy. The University’s Undergraduate, Graduate and Professional programs—each one committed to excellence in teaching, learning, research and the overall student experience—offer a vision and the promise for a meaningful life, the proficiencies necessary to achieve optimum personal performance and the wisdom to become transformational leaders in an increasingly diverse, global and dynamic world. This commitment includes providing an educational employment and business environment free of sexual harassment.

Sexual harassment of students is illegal. A federal law, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX), prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, including sexual harassment, in education programs and activities. All public and private education institutions that receive any federal funds must comply with Title IX. Title IX protects students from harassment connected to any of the academic, education, extracurricular, athletic and other programs or activities of schools, regardless of the location. Title IX protects both male and female students from sexual harassment by any school employee, another student or a non-employee third party.

Any student with a complaint of discriminatory harassment should contact the Director of Student Conduct or the Title IX Coordinator in the Human Resources Department to make a complaint or obtain information about the procedure for handling such complaints.

Non-Academic Matters

Students with grievances relating to non-academic matters should confer with the Director of Student Conduct. The Director of Student Conduct will facilitate a review of the issue as it relates to Life University policy. The role of the Director of Student Conduct is to facilitate a resolution to each issue presented as well as ensure that each individual is treated fairly and in accordance with all Life University policies, procedures and standards of conduct. If a resolution cannot be achieved, the Director of Student Conduct may refer the student to the Human Resources Department to determine what additional steps may be available.

Academic Matters

Concerning academic questions or complaints, the student should first go to the instructor involved. If questions are not satisfactorily handled or the complaint adequately handled, the student should go to the instructor’s immediate supervisor (the assistant dean/division chair). The next step in the student complaint process is for the student to go to the associate dean of the college in which the student is enrolled, and then to the dean of the appropriate college if needs are not satisfactorily met through the associate dean. If students wish to appeal the decision of the dean, they should contact the Vice President for Academic Affairs. The Vice President for Academic Affairs will make the final decision.

Procedures for Institutional Sanctions

The rules and procedures for all offenses and disciplinary proceedings are defined in the Student Handbook. It is important to note that both the victim and the accused are afforded certain rights and that the list of references for counseling or any other assistance is available to both.

In cases of domestic violence and sexual offenses, Life University will make reasonable accommodations with regard to class schedules or living arrangements.