Student Rights and Responsibilities

Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
Berkeley’s student records policy complies with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). A copy of the College’s policy is available from the Advisement Department and in Blackboard.

Campus Security Report
A campus security report is distributed at least annually and is available upon request from the Student Development and Campus Life Department and in Blackboard.

Media Relations Consent
The Media Relations Department regularly publishes press releases and photos acknowledging the accomplishments of Berkeley students and staff. Such releases may include induction in honor societies, involvement in community service projects, individual recognition for academic and non-academic success, and graduation.

If students or staff do not wish to have their names and/or likenesses included in press releases or published materials, they must contact the Registrar or Dean of Advisement.

Affirmative Action
Berkeley’s Affirmative Action Plan is a set of specific and result-oriented procedures which, coupled with the College’s good faith efforts, ensure equal employment as well as equal student access to benefits and services.

The Plan objective is to ensure that all associates and students receive equal opportunity. The objective calls for a work and study environment free of discrimination in employment or student recruitment because of gender, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, age, ancestry, disability, civil union, marital, or veteran status.

Responsibility for affirmative action rests with all members of the College’s administration, as well as all those involved in recruitment, placement, hiring, supervision, or evaluation of other members of the College community. For further information, contact the Affirmative Action Officer at your campus whose name, address, and telephone number are included on the campus staff page of the Student Handbook.

Student Opportunity Policy
Berkeley’s policy is to provide student access to benefits and services of the College without regard to gender, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, age, ancestry, disability, civil union, marital, or veteran status. This commitment includes, but is not limited to, admissions, course offerings, financial aid, scholarships, student employment, internships, social and recreational programs, and student advisement and counseling. Berkeley’s facilities are designed to accommodate physically challenged students.

Services for Students with Disabilities
Berkeley College, in accordance with section 504 of the Americans with Disabilities Act, provides eligible students with documented disabilities equal education opportunities and participation. While students are expected to meet the College’s academic standards and requirements, the College encourages students with documented disabilities who seek accommodations to submit the documentation early in the application process so that the documentation may be assessed and interpreted and services arranged in a timely manner.

Sexual Harassment Policy
It is Berkeley’s policy to prohibit any act of sexual harassment on the part of faculty, administrative staff, or students. Any violation of this policy could result in termination of employment or enrollment. For general policy purposes, sexual harassment may be described as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other physical and expressive behaviors of a sexual nature.

Specific information about sexual assault prevention; the legal consequences of sex offenses; the College’s policies, counseling, and support services; and campus security procedures is available on Blackboard.

Grievance and Appeal Procedure
Grievances relating to academic matters (e.g., grade appeals) should be promptly presented to the appropriate faculty member, and then, if necessary, the Department Chairperson and finally, the Dean of the School relevant to the student's major. In all academic matters, including grade appeals, the decision of the Dean of the School relevant to the student's major is final.

Grievances relating to academic and financial aid probation and dismissal due to unsatisfactory academic progress are outlined under the Academic Probation and Appeal Procedure on page 81.

Grievances relating to the alleged denial of access to the benefits and services of the College as a result of discrimination on the basis of gender, race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, age, ancestry, disability, civil union, marital or veteran status should be presented in writing to the Affirmative Action Officer within 30 days of the alleged discrimination. The Affirmative Action Officer will review the written complaint and meet with the individual filing it. After reviewing all the facts and utilizing legal counsel, if appropriate, the Affirmative Action Officer will determine if corrective action is required. The student bringing the complaint will be promptly notified in writing of the determination. If corrective action is required, it will be initiated within 30 days of the determination of the grievance.

Grievances relating to a suspension or dismissal for non-academic reasons must be presented in writing to the Campus Operating Officer within ten school days of the effective date of the suspension/dismissal.

Any other grievance should be promptly presented in writing to the Campus Operating Officer.

If a student does not receive a satisfactory remedy for his or her grievance, the student may request further review by a Grievance Committee which consists of a member of the Executive Committee, the Chairperson of the Faculty Association, the Chairperson of the Student Services Committee, and two officers of the Student Government Association. The request for review by the Grievance Committee must be submitted in writing to the Associate Provost, Faculty Affairs.

The student will be advised of the date and time of the Grievance Committee meeting so that he or she may participate. The Committee will render its recommendation regarding the grievance within ten class days of its meeting. The student will be notified promptly of the Committee’s recommendation.

If a student wishes to appeal the decision of the Grievance Committee, he or she must submit a written request to the Associate Provost, Faculty Affairs within five days after being notified of the Committee’s decision. The Associate Provost, Faculty Affairs will notify the student of a final decision within five school days of the student’s appeal.

Conduct
Students are expected to abide by all public laws; to comply with the regulations and policies of the College; and to demonstrate a positive attitude, diligence, and courteous conduct toward instructors, staff, and fellow students.

The College reserves the right to dismiss or suspend students for conduct which impedes, destructs, or interferes with the orderly and continuous administration and operation of the College or any unit of the College.

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism
The principles of academic integrity encompass simple standards of honesty and truth. Each member of the College community has a responsibility to uphold standards and to take action when others violate them. Faculty members have an obligation to educate students about the standards of academic integrity and to report violations of these standards to the Student Development and Campus Life Department. Students are responsible for knowing what the standards are and for adhering to them. Students also should bring any violations of which they are aware to the attention of their instructors. Any breach of academic integrity is a serious offense that may result in disciplinary consequences.

Plagiarism is a violation of the integrity of the academic community. Representing someone else’s work as one’s own is a serious academic offense and may result in failure, suspension, or dismissal.

Recording Classroom Lectures or Discussions Policy
The recording of classroom lectures or discussions by students is strictly prohibited. Students in violation of the policy are subject to disciplinary action which could include suspension or dismissal from the College.

Student Electronic Information Policy
Berkeley’s computer systems and associated hardware and peripherals are to be used for educational purposes only. The use of computers and the Internet is a privilege which may be limited or revoked at any time. Computer usage may be monitored so students should not have an expectation of privacy. Students have a responsibility to use computers and the Internet ethically and lawfully (and with respect for their fellow students), and Berkeley reserves the right to report any suspected illegal activity to the appropriate authorities.

Any attempts to circumvent PC/Network security, damage or tamper with any of Berkeley’s electronic resources, including software, hardware, network infrastructure, virus propagating, and sustained high volume network traffic, may result in disciplinary action including immediate dismissal. Internet access is provided in all Berkeley College labs and residence hall rooms for educational purposes. The College has installed systems that attempt to block offensive material, and restrict access to other sites that have been known to monopolize network bandwidth, or violate copyright laws. The Student Electronic Usage Policy can be viewed at www.BerkeleyCollege.edu/policies.

Alcohol and Drug Abuse
Berkeley strictly prohibits the illegal possession, use, or distribution of drugs and alcohol by students on College property and at College-sponsored events. Any person found in violation of these rules is subject to all applicable legal action under local, state, and federal laws and will risk suspension or dismissal from the College. A copy of Berkeley’s policy is available from the Student Development and Campus Life Department and in Blackboard.

Weapons
Possession of weapons of any kind is strictly prohibited. Students in violation of the policy are subject to disciplinary action which could include suspension or dismissal from the College.

Student Dress Code
As part of its mission to prepare students for careers, Berkeley requires students to dress in a manner that will create a positive self-image. Inappropriately dressed students may not be permitted to attend classes. Students enrolled in College internships are required to follow the participating company’s dress code.

Immunization Requirement
New York and New Jersey State laws require that all students born after December 31, 1956, be immunized against measles, mumps, and rubella. In addition, the meningococcal meningitis vaccine is required for all students living in the residence halls at the Garret Mountain Campus. A certificate of immunization signed by a physician or healthcare provider must be submitted to the College prior to starting classes. A student health record from previously attended schools properly documenting the immunization history is also accepted as proof of immunity.

The certificate of immunization or health record must document two live doses of measles vaccine and one live dose each of mumps and rubella vaccine, or proof that the student had the disease. For Garret Mountain Campus resident students, the certificate of immunization or health record must show proof of immunization for meningitis.

Berkeley College complies with New York State regulations regarding the distribution of information about meningococcal meningitis and vaccination.

Hospitalization Insurance
State law in New Jersey requires that all full-time students have hospitalization insurance. Full-time students must verify their hospitalization insurance or obtain coverage prior to starting classes. Hospitalization insurance is available through the College.

Berkeley College Copyright Policy
Students must adhere to the Berkeley College Copyright Policy. A full copy of the policy can be found here.