The General Laws of Massachusetts, Chapter 151C, Section 2B states the following: 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 religious beliefs, to attend classes or to participate in any examination, study, or work requirement, shall be provided with an opportunity to make up such examination, study, or work requirement which he may have missed because of such absence on any particular day; provided, however, that such makeup examination or work shall not create 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 effects shall result to any students who avail themselves of the provisions of the section.
Legal Matters
Student Absence Due To Religious Beliefs
Student Absence Due to Religious Beliefs
Confidentiality of Student Records
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (revised 1988, 1993) assures students the right to inspect and review all College records, files, and data directly related to them, with the exception of medical and psychiatric records, confidential recommendations submitted before January 1, 1975, records to which a student has waived the right of access, and financial records of the student's parents. The Privacy Act also prohibits the distribution of grades to parents or guardians without the prior consent of the student, or a statement of dependency from the parent when the student is a dependent under the criteria of the Internal Revenue Code.
The Privacy Act requires the College to respect the privacy of education records but provides the right to make public at its discretion, without prior authorization from the individual student, the following personally identifiable information: name of student, local and permanent addresses and telephone numbers, email address, class year, school or division of enrollment, major field of study, date and place of birth, dates of attendance at Western New England College, nature and dates of degrees, honors, and awards received, weight and height of student athletes, participation in officially recognized sports and activities, and high school and any institution of higher learning previously attended.
A student may limit the release of above information by submitting a written request to Student Administrative Services (SAS). Further details on the issue of privacy are also available at SAS.
Part of the federal omnibus drug legislation is the Drug-free Work Place Act of 1988. Under the provisions of this legislation, direct recipients of federal grants or contracts must certify that they will provide drug-free work places; individuals receiving funding directly from the federal government will also have to certify that their conduct will be drug-free. In the case of colleges and universities, the Department of Education has said individual Pell Grant recipients will have to certify that they are drug-free to receive their student aid awards.
If colleges and universities do not promote drug-free work places, drug-free awareness programs, or establish procedures for reporting violations, they are subject to sanctions including suspension of payments, suspension or termination of grants, or debarment, thus ineligible to receive grants or awards from a federal agency during the term of debarment.
Students applying for financial aid involving federal funding must certify that they are drug free, and that they will remain drug free, in order to receive such federally funded student aid awards. Appropriate forms for such certification are available in the Office of Student Administrative Services (SAS) of the College.
No fees of any kind shall be charged by the institution for making available to the said student such opportunity. No adverse or prejudicial effects shall result to any students who avail themselves of the provisions of this section.
Smoke-Free Environment
In accordance with the provisions of the Massachusetts Clean Indoor Air Act of 1988, the College has established smoking policies for the campus. All campus buildings are smoke free.
Selective Service Registration
All male students who have not served either on active military duty or are not members of the Reserves and/or national Guard, or are not citizens of specific Federated States or Trust Territories, within 30 days of their 18th birthday must register with Selective Service. Furthermore, under Federal Regulations, Subpart C-Statement of Educational Purpose and Selective Service Registration Status, Sections 668.31, .32 and .33, appropriate registration with Selective Service is necessary before receiving any funds under Title IV, Higher Education Act Programs. Until the student has filed the appropriate statement of Educational Purpose, he is ineligible to receive such funding, including Perkins Loans, Stafford Loans, Supplemental Loans, Pell Grants, College Work-Study, and similar federal program monies.
Non-Discrimination Policy
Western New England College is committed to the principle of equal opportunity in education and employment. The College does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, creed, national origin, age, religion, sexual orientation, veteran status, or disability in admission to, access to, treatment in, or employment in its programs and activities.
The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the College's nondiscrimination policies: Executive Director of Human Resources, Western New England College, 1215 Wilbraham Road, Springfield, MA 01119-2684. Inquiries concerning the application of nondiscrimination policies may also be referred to the Regional Director, Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, J.W. McCormack P.O.C.H., Room 222, Boston, MA 02109-4557.
Firearms Possession
The General Laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts prohibits the unauthorized possession of any firearm on the campus of any college or university within the Commonwealth. Students should be aware that the Commonwealth of Massachusetts strictly enforces its firearm laws. In Massachusetts, conviction for the illegal possession of a firearm carries a mandatory one-year jail sentence.
Hazing
Under Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 269, Sections 17, 18, and 19, any form of "hazing" is considered to be a criminal offense punishable by a fine and/or imprisonment. Furthermore, person who witness or have knowledge of hazing incidents and fail to report them are also subject to similar penalties.
Each Western New England College student organization, at the beginning of the academic year, and every student, at the time of registration, is provided with a copy of the Massachusetts General Laws concerning hazing. The officers of student clubs and organizations are required to sign a formal statement acknowledging receipt of such regulations and verifying their adherence to refrain from any harassment or activities which may service to cause embarrassment to prospective members, initiates, or pledges. Any student organization found to be involved in such hazing or harassment of members or prospective members will have its recognition immediately withdrawn and be require to disband. Individual organizers and participants in hazing will be subject to strong disciplinary action, including immediate dismissal from the College.
Immunizations and Health Record Requirements
The laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts require full-time students to present evidence of immunization against measles, mumps, rubella, diphtheria, tetanus, and hepatitis B.
All full-time students are required to provide a history and obtain a physical examination by a licensed health care provider within the previous 12 months. Immunizations, history, and physical examination must be submitted to Health Services and will be kept on file. No full-time student may continue beyond 30 days of the first day of class without the required verification.
The Health Services staff will administer required immunizations without charge if the Commonwealth is providing the immunizations. Physical examinations can be schedule with Health Services for a fee.
Sexual Harassment
It is the policy of the College to maintain a working and educational environment free from all forms of sexual harassment or intimidation. Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature are serious violations of College policy and will not be condoned or tolerated. Not only is sexual harassment a violation of College policy, but it may also violate federal and state laws.
Any employee or student who is subjected to sexual harassment or intimidation should immediately contact the Executive Director of Human Resources and CareerCenter, in the case of an employee, or the Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students, in the case of a student. All complaints of sexual harassment will be investigated promptly and confidentially. Any employee or student who violates this policy will be subject to appropriate disciplinary action up to and including dismissal from the College.