Dominican University Bulletin
STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT AND CIRCULATION (ACT OF OCTOBER 23,1962; SECTION 439, TITLE 39, UNITED STATES CODE) DOMINICAN UNIVERSITY, AN ILLINOIS CORPORATION, DOMINICAN UNIVERSITY, 7900 WEST DIVISION STREET, RIVER FOREST, IL 60305. BONDHOLDERS-U.S. GOVERNMENT. EDITOR, OFFICE OF THE UNIVERSITY REGISTRAR.
Student Responsibilities
The university bulletin and annual student handbook are available to all students. It is expected that students who enroll in the university will familiarize themselves with the Student Rights and Responsibilities and Due Process procedures that are found in the student handbook (additional copies are available online and from the office of the Dean of Students), and it is understood that they accept the terms and conditions stated in this bulletin. It is further understood that students will assume all responsibility for meeting necessary graduation requirements including but not limited to cumulative semester hours earned, major/minor, core, and GPA. Successful degree completion is the sole responsibility of the student. The university reserves the right to suspend or dismiss any student at any time when, in the judgment of university authorities, the general welfare demands such action.
Family Education Rights and Privacy Act of 1974
Notification of Rights under FERPA
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) affords students certain rights with respect to their education records. These rights include:
The right to inspect and review the student’s education records within 45 days of the day the university receives a request for access.
Students should submit to the Office of the Registrar written requests that identify the record(s) they wish to inspect. The university official will make arrangements for access and notify the student of the time and place where records may be inspected. If the records are not maintained by the university official to whom the request was submitted, that official shall advise the student of the correct official to whom the request should be addressed.
The right to request the amendment of the student’s education records that the student believes is inaccurate.
Students may ask the university to amend a record that they believe is inaccurate. They should write the university official responsible for the record, clearly identify the part of the record they want changed, and specify why it is inaccurate.
If the university decides not to amend the record as requested by the student, the university will notify the student of the decision and advise the student of his or her right to a hearing regarding the request for amendment. Additional information regarding the hearing procedures will be provided to the student when notified of the right to a hearing.
The right to consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in the student’s education records, except to the extent that FERPA authorizes disclosure without consent.
One exception, which permits disclosure without consent, is disclosure to school officials with legitimate educational interests. A school official is a person employed by the university in an administrative, supervisory, academic or research, or support staff position (including law enforcement unit personnel and health staff); a person or company with whom the university has contracted (such as an attorney, auditor, or collection agent); a person serving on the Board of Trustees; or a student serving on an official committee, such as a disciplinary or grievance committee, or assisting another school official in performing his or her tasks.
A school official has a legitimate educational interest if the official needs to review an education record in order to fulfill his or her professional responsibility.
The right to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Education concerning alleged failures by Dominican University to comply with the requirement of FERPA.
The name and address of the Office that administers FERPA are:
Family Policy Compliance Office
U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202-5920
Dominican University Notice for Directory Information
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), a federal law, requires that Dominican, with certain exceptions, obtain a student’s written consent prior to the disclosure of personally identifiable information from the student’s education records. FERPA permits institutions to identify certain items of information as “directory information.” This information may be released unless the student has indicated, in writing to the registrar that he or she does not wish this information released. Directory information, which is information that is generally not considered harmful or an invasion of privacy if released, can also be disclosed to outside organizations without prior written consent. Outside organizations include, but are not limited to, companies that manufacture class rings or publish yearbooks. Dominican has designated the following information as directory information:
- Student’s name
- Participation in officially recognized activities and sports
- Address (home, local, email)
- Telephone listings
- Weight and height of members of athletic teams
- Photograph/Video for university and other publications
- Degrees, honors, and awards received
- Date of birth
- Major field of study
- Dates of attendance
- Current enrollment status
- The most recent educational agency or institution attended
- Class level
- Anticipated graduation date
Statement of Institutional Policy
Dominican University, as an institution of higher education, maintains information, data, evaluations, and other records, generally referred to as “education records,” concerning its students. It is Dominican University’s policy to preserve the confidentiality of such records by limiting access to education records and by permitting students to review their own records and to correct or delete any inaccurate, misleading, or otherwise inappropriate data. Directory information may be made public without the consent of the student unless the student has requested in writing that the university not release such information without the student’s prior written consent. Information on what Dominican University has designated as directory information is available in the Dominican University Notice for Directory Information, available in this bulletin and on the university website.
Dominican University selects its students and administers all of its programs without discrimination as to race, creed, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, or national origin. In addition, Dominican University does not discriminate on the basis of disability, in accordance with section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (www.hhs.gov/ocr/504.html). Student organizations must be open to all students without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, ability, sexual orientation, or national origin.
Rights Reserved-While no revision of the schedule of courses in this bulletin is contemplated and the courses will be held if the enrollment justifies, the president and the officers of Dominican University reserve the right to change the scheduling, modality, credit, or content of the courses, the books used, the fees charged, and the requirements for admission as announced in this bulletin. The university also reserves the right to refuse to admit or readmit any student and to dismiss any student at any time should it be deemed necessary in the interest of the student or of the university.
Neither the university nor any of its officers shall be under any liability whatsoever in the exercise of its rights.
Student Complaints and Grievances
Dominican University provides several means by which student complaints and grievances may be addressed. In all cases, students are advised to put their complaints in writing and carefully document the events that led to the complaint or grievance.
- Complaints regarding discrimination or harassment:
Dominican University is committed to ensuring a just and humane campus wherein all community members have the capacity to thrive (Affirmation of Community Values). It is understood that the behavior of some community members may, at times, challenge the well-being of others. As such, the University has established a set of policies that identify the types of behaviors that are unacceptable and will not be tolerated. These policies address issues related to Title IX and gender, ADA and disability, race and bias, and other conduct.
To improve the university’s ability to foster a just and humane campus for all, the university community is asked to report incidents that violate university anti-discrimination and misconduct policies so that efforts can be made to end discriminatory and harassing conduct based on a protected characteristic, prevent its reoccurrence, and address its effects (Reporting Options).
You can also make a report the following ways:
- By email: make-a-report@dom.edu
- By phone: (708) 488-5300
- Or in person to: any DU employee, or to the Title IX Coordinator & Chief Diversity Officer
- Academic Appeals Process:
As stated in the Student Bulletin under Academic Regulations, any disagreement with regard to academic procedure, including individual cases of alleged violation of academic integrity and final grades, should be first taken up with the instructor. If this does not settle the matter satisfactorily, the matter should be taken up with the department chair, if appropriate. If the issue cannot be resolved at the department level, it should then be presented to the dean of the school in which the course was offered. If the issue is still not resolved, the student has the right to present the issue in writing to the committee of that dean’s college or school responsible for overseeing educational policies. The committee will request a written response from the instructor and may, at its discretion, seek further clarifications from the student, instructor, and/or dean. The committee will evaluate the student’s appeal and vote to approve or deny it. A written response will be sent directly to the student presenting the appeal, including grade adjustments if appropriate, with a copy to the faculty member. In the event of a successful appeal of an alleged violation of academic integrity, the original letter of notification from the instructor will be expunged from the dean’s file. Students wishing to file an appeal based on fall courses must do so no later than the end of the subsequent spring semester. Students wishing to file an appeal based on spring or summer courses must do so no later than the end of the subsequent fall semester.
- Allegations of misconduct by other students:
Filing an Incident Report
An alleged violation of the Student Code of Conduct can be filed by contacting the Dean of Students office, Residence Life, Security or completing the online Incident Report Form on the Dean of Students myDU page. You must be a member of the University community to complete the online form as a login is required. An Incident Report is reviewed by the Dean of Students, and his/her designee. If there is an alleged violation of the Student Code of Conduct a Conduct Hearing is scheduled as outlined in the Student Code of Conduct (page 7 of the Student Handbook.)
Office of the Dean of Students
Phone: (708) 524-6822
Email: ncollins@dom.edu
Residence Life
Phone: (708) 524-6217
Email: reslife@dom.edu
Campus Safety and Security
Phone: (708) 524-5999
Email: dusecurity@dom.edu
Appeals of student conduct recommendations and actions:
The procedure for appealing actions or recommendations stemming from a conduct board hearing can be found in the Student Code of Conduct.
- Other Complaints or Grievances
Grievances related to the provision of disability-related services:
Submit grievances related to the determination of eligibility for reasonable accommodations and/or the provision of disability-related services and/or accommodations through Student Disability Support Services: see the procedures outlined on the Student Disability Support Services Web site.
Issues related to computing services:
Concerns or issues about campus computing services can be submitted to the Office of Information Technology at http://support.dom.edu.
Library services:
Complaints concerning the Rebecca Crown Library reference services can be submitted via email to reference@dom.edu.
For complaints that do not fall into the categories above, the following procedure should be followed:
- Attempt to resolve the matter directly with the person against whom the complaint is directed.
- If a resolution is not reached, submit the complaint in writing to the person’s immediate supervisor. For a faculty member, this will usually be the department chair or program director. For a staff member, it will be the administrator to whom the staff member reports. If you are unsure whom to contact, call the Dean of Students Office for advice at (708) 524-6822. A staff member in that office will investigate the matter and work with you toward a resolution of your complaint.
- If you are not satisfied with the resolution, submit your complaint in writing to the next level supervisor (in the case of a faculty member, this will normally be a dean or associate/assistant dean in the college that the course and/or faculty member resides).
Your confidentiality will be protected within reason, but officials of the university may require access to your “educational record,” which includes most of the information that the university has about you. However, most people outside the university do not have access to your educational record without your written permission.
Except in certain emergency situations, we obtain your written permission before discussing your educational record with your parents. For more information on the confidentiality of student records, see the above section on FERPA.
It is very important for you to be completely honest throughout the process of filing a complaint; knowingly furnishing false information to a conduct board or to a conduct review officer, or to any other University official is a violation of the Student Code of Conduct.
Online students from out-of-state should attempt to resolve any issues or complaints with their schools.
Filing Complaints with Your State or Accrediting Agency
If an issue cannot be resolved by the university, you may file a complaint about Dominican University with the Illinois Board of Higher Education in compliance with U.S. Department of Education regulations. You may also contact our accrediting agency, the Higher Learning Commission (complaints@hlcommission.org).
Communications with the University
The post office address for Dominican University is 7900 West Division Street, River Forest, IL 60305.
The university telephone is (708) 366-2490.
Correspondence on matters listed here should be addressed as follows:
- General interests of the university: President
- Gifts and bequests: Vice President for University Advancement
- Academic affairs: Provost
- Requests for transcripts: Stars Connect
- Requests for catalogs, admission, and financial aid: University Registrar, Office of Admission and Financial Aid
- Student activities, general student welfare: Dean of Students
- Payment of bills: Stars Connect
- Alumnae/i activities: Director of Alumnae/i and Parent Relations
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