Absence Due To Religious Beliefs (Chapter 151C, 2B)
Any student in an educational or vocational training institution, other than a religious or denominational educational or vocational training institution, who is unable, because of his/her religious beliefs, to attend classes or to participate in any examination, study, or work requirement on a particular day shall be excused from any such examination or study or work requirement, and shall be provided with an opportunity to make up such examination, study, or work requirement which he/she may have missed because of such absence on any particular day; provided, however, that such makeup examination or work shall not create an unreasonable burden upon such school. No fees of any kind shall be charged by the institution for making available to the said student such opportunity. No adverse or prejudicial effect shall result to any student because of his/her availing him/herself to the provisions of this section of the Massachusetts General Laws.
Confidentiality of Student Records
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 is a federal statute which gives you permission to review your records and offers you the possibility of correcting errors which you may discover. Matriculated students who wish to view their files must complete a written request and allow two working days notice.
The college, according to the Act, may make public “Directory Information” about you, (e.g. name, address, date and place of birth, telephone listings, schools attended, degrees and awards received, major field of study, participation in officially recognized activities and the most previous educational agency or institution) unless you specifically request in writing that your prior consent be obtained. A request made by students to suppress from public distribution the above mentioned information is to be made in writing annually to the office not later than October 1 of each academic year.
Health Insurance Requirements
Chapter 15A of the Massachusetts General Laws mandates that every full or three-quarter time student in a public or private institution of higher education shall participate in a qualifying student health insurance program. The cost of the College student health insurance is payable upon registration for 6.75 or more credits through the Office of Graduate and Continuing Education. In order to avoid being assessed this state mandated insurance charge you must waive the fee by entering your medical insurance information online at: www.universityhealthplans.com. Also, in order to purchase health insurance through the university, you must be enrolled in at least three quarter time coursework for the semester.
Immunization Requirement
Massachusetts Law (Chapter 76-Section 15C) requires that all full-time college students (12 credits undergraduate and post baccalaureate students; 9 credits graduate per semester) present evidence that they are immunized against measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, and tetanus in order to register for classes. Tetanus/Diphtheria must be within 10 years. Full time students must present proof of at least one (of a series of three) Hepatitis B vaccination. If there is a question of immunization status according to the above information, please update your immunization. Please have the Immunization Form (available in the office or on the back of the Fall and Spring registration forms) completed by your physician and submitted to the Office of Graduate and Continuing Education before coming to register. In lieu of the immunization verification form, copies of medical records with dates may be submitted, documenting vaccination and/or immunity. If the immunization paperwork is not received within thirty (30) days of the start of classes, you will be dropped from all classes.
Non-Discrimination & Affirmative Action Policy
Westfield State University, both as an employer and as an educational system, is committed to providing a learning, working and living environment for all its students, employees and other members of the College Community which values the diverse backgrounds of all people. The University is committed to assuring that the Westfield State experience is one which challenges, empowers, supports and prepares people to live in, work in, and value our increasingly global and diverse world. Westfield State is committed to a policy of affirmative action in its educational programs, activities and employment practices. These commitments are actively pursued in all aspects of both campus and community relationships.
The University maintains and promotes a policy of non-discrimination on the basis of race, creed, religion, color, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, marital status or national origin. This policy incorporates by reference and where applicable, the requirements of Federal Executive Orders 11246 and 11375 as amended; and the Civil Rights Act of 1988; the Civil Rights Act of 1991; Title IX of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1974; and pertinent Laws, Regulations and Executive Orders; directives of the Higher Education Coordinating Council, the Board of Trustees of Westfield State University, and other applicable local, state and federal statutes.
Physically Challenged and Mobility Challenged Students
Physically and mobility challenged students should contact the Office of Graduate and Continuing Education in advance of the term in order to receive assistance in avoiding or solving any problems they may have with regard to parking, entering buildings, reaching classrooms, or seating arrangements within classrooms.
Policy Against Racism
The Massachusetts State Colleges have established a policy of unequivocal prohibition of all forms of racism within the nine College communities. This policy prohibits racism, anti-Semitism and ethnic or cultural intolerance. The policy prescribes all conditions and all actions or omissions including all acts of verbal harassment or abuse, which deny or have the effect of denying to anyone his/her rights to equality, dignity and security on the basis of his/her race, color, ethnicity, culture or religion. The policy reaffirms the doctrine of civility, appreciation for cultural/racial pluralism and the pre-eminence of individual human dignity as preconditions to the achievement of an academic community which recognizes and utilizes the resources of all persons.
Whenever it has been properly determined that a racial incident has occurred, the University will take prompt and corrective action including appropriate disciplinary action. In determining whether the alleged conduct constitutes racism, the University will look at the entire record and the circumstances, such as the nature of the conduct and the context in which the alleged incident occurred and will make a decision on a case-by-case basis. The University is committed to promoting, to the greatest degree possible, an environment free from racism. Any member of the college community who believes that she/he has been a victim of racism may initiate the informal claim or formal complaint procedures as outlined in the University’s Discrimination Complaint Procedures.
Sexual Harassment Policy
Westfield State University does not tolerate sexual harassment. Sexual harassment consists of unwelcome verbal, non-verbal and/or physical behavior of a sexual nature that has the effect of interfering with student employment, academic or other status, of creating an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment. It is a form of sex discrimination that was made illegal by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 as amended, and under Chapters 151B and 151C of the Massachusetts General Laws.
Any member of the College community who believes she/he has been a victim of sexual harassment may initiate informal or formal complaint procedures as outlined in the University’s Discrimination Complaint Procedures. Full text of the current Sexual Harassment Policy is available in the Graduate and Continuing Education Office, the Equal Employment Office, within the Student Handbook and on the University’s website http://www.westfield.ma.edu. Further information or advice may be obtained by contacting the Dean of the Office of Graduate and Continuing Education at 572-8805.
Smoking Law
The use of tobacco products will not be permitted on any university property or university leased property effective September 1, 2012
Student Conduct
In the interest of maintaining order on the campus and guaranteeing the broadest range of freedom to each member of the community, some regulations have been developed by students, faculty, and staff acting in concert. These regulations reasonably limit some activities and also proscribe certain behaviors which are harmful to the orderly operations of the University and the pursuit of itslegitimate goals. This includes the disruption of teaching, learning, research, administration, student activities, or other related support activities that are recognized as necessary to the lawful mission of the college. Violations of these regulations will be handled by the University student conduct procedure, which is established to resolve complaints of nonacademic student misconduct. The student conduct procedure is designed to protect due process rights and reach decisions that are in the best interest of both the student and the University. Students charged with misconduct are afforded the right to a written notice of charges, the right to a fair and impartial hearing, and the right of appeal.
The full text of student conduct regulations and student conduct procedures may be found online at: westfield.ma.edu/studenthandbook
Annual Security Report
The Westfield State University Annual Security Report can be found at https://www.westfield.ma.edu/images/uploads/public-safety/Annual_Security_Report_-_2019.pdf
Additional safety and fire information can be found on the Westfield State University Department of Public Safety website at:www.westfield.ma.edu/safety. Hard copies of all reports are available upon request by calling the Department of Public Safety at 413-572-5262
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