Undergraduate Catalog 14-16

Accreditation and Policy

Accreditation and Policy

ACCREDITATION

Western Connecticut State University is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges, Inc., through its Commission on Institutions of Higher Education.

Inquiries regarding the accreditation status by the New England Association should be directed to the university’s administrative staff. Individuals may also contact the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education, New England Association of Schools and Colleges, 3 Burlington Woods Drive, Suite 100, Burlington, MA 01803-4531. Call (855) 886-3272, Fax (781) 425-1001 or email cihe@neasc.org.

Accreditation by the New England Association has reference to the institution as a whole. In addition, the university is accredited by the Connecticut Board of Regents for Higher Education.

Individual programs at the university are accredited by:

  • The Connecticut State Education Department
  • The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education
  • The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs
  • The National Association of Schools of Music
  • The American Chemical Society
  • The Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education
  • The Council on Social Work Education

RIGHTS RESERVED STATEMENT

Students attending Western Connecticut State University are required to familiarize themselves with this catalog. Primary responsibility for knowing and fulfilling all requirements rests with the individual student. The catalog in effect at the time of the student’s admission or readmission to a degree program governs degree requirements.

The Western Connecticut State University administration reserves the right, whenever advisable: (1) to change or modify its schedule of tuition and fees; (2) to withdraw, cancel, reschedule or modify any course, program of study, or degree or any requirement in connection with any of the foregoing.

NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY/AFFIRMATIVE ACTION
and MULTICULTURALISM STATEMENT 

Western Connecticut State University is an affirmative action/equal opportunity educator and employer, fully committed to the goal of providing equal opportunity and full participation in its educational programs, activities and employment without discrimination because of race, color, religious beliefs or association, sex, age, national origin, marital status, sexual orientation, physical disability, including but not limited to blindness, learning disability or mental retardation, past or present history of mental disorder, or prior conviction of a crime, in accordance with state and federal laws. To that end, this statement of policy has been put forth to ensure that no qualified person be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity of the university.

To file a discrimination complaint, or for inquiries concerning Western Connecticut State University’s Nondiscrimination Policy, Title IX and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and the Americans with Disabilities Act, contact Carolyn Lanier, Executive Assistant to the President/Chief Diversity Officer,  University Hall, Room 217, (203) 837-8277 or TTY (203) 837-8284.

Protection from Adverse Action

All individuals shall be free from all restraint, interference, coercion or reprisal on the part of their associates, supervisors and all others in making any complaint or appeal, in serving as a representative for a complaint, in appearing as a witness, or in seeking information. The above principles apply with equal force after a complaint has been resolved. Should these principles be violated, the facts shall be brought to the attention of the Chief Diversity Officer by the aggrieved party, his/her representative or any person affected. The Chief Diversity Officer shall bring all such situations to the attention of the President for confidential discussion, review, the potential for early proactive intervention and appropriate action.

Individuals are advised of their legal options to file complaints with the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division, and any other agencies, state, federal or local, that enforce laws concerning discrimination.

SEXUAL HARASSMENT POLICY

It is the policy of Western Connecticut State University, in keeping with efforts to establish an environment in which the dignity and worth of all members of the institutional community are respected, that sexual harassment of students and employees at Western Connecticut State University is unacceptable conduct and will not be tolerated. Sexual harassment may involve the behavior of a person of either sex against a person of the opposite or same sex when that behavior falls within the definition outlined.

Definition

Sexual harassment of employees and students at Western Connecticut State University is defined as any unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature, when:

A. Submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term of condition of an individual’s employment;

B. Submission to or rejection of such conduct is used as the basis for employment or academic decisions affecting the employee or student; or

C. Such conduct has the purpose or effect of substantially interfering with an employee’s or student’s work performance or educational experience, or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work or educational environment. In an academic setting, sexual harassment would also include any unwelcome sexual advances or requests for sexual favors or any conduct of a sexual nature when submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual might affect academic or personal decisions that are subject to the influence of the person making the proposal.

Sexual harassment is discrimination on the basis of sex and a violation of the Connecticut General Statutes, Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972. Additionally, unwanted physical contact with another person is a violation of the Connecticut General Statutes and may result in criminal prosecution.

Report Sexual Harassment

Carolyn Lanier, Executive Assistant to the President/Chief Diversity Officer, is responsible for overseeing sexual harassment matters and investigating complaints. To request a copy of the sexual harassment policy, complaint procedure and form, to discuss a sexual harassment concern, or to file a sexual harassment complaint, contact Ms. Lanier in University Hall Room 217 at (203) 837-8277.

Protection from Adverse Actions

All individuals shall be free from restraint, interference, coercion or reprisal on the part of their associates, supervisors and all others in making any complaint or appeal, in serving as a representative for a complaint, or in appearing as a witness or in seeking information. The above principles apply with equal force after a complaint has been resolved. Should these principles be violated, the facts shall be brought to the attention of the Chief Diversity Officer by the aggrieved party, his/her representative, or any person affected. The Chief Diversity Officer shall bring all such situations to the attention of the President for confidential discussion, review, the potential for early proactive intervention and appropriate action.

Individuals are advised of their legal options to file complaints with the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities, U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division and any other agencies, state, federal or local, that enforce laws concerning discrimination.

Confidential counseling is also available; contact Ms. Lanier at (203) 837-8277. 

ANNUAL SECURITY REPORT

Western Connecticut State University is committed to assisting all members of the WCSU community in providing for their own safety and security. In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act, the university compiles an Annual Campus Security Report, which can be downloaded at www.wcsu.edu/police/pdf/securityreport.pdf. The report may be requested from the Western Connecticut State University Police Department on Roberts Avenue at any time, day or night. A copy will be mailed upon request by calling (203) 837-9304.

Both the website and annual reports provide information about campus security and topics such as crime prevention, university police law enforcement authority and crime reporting procedures. Information also is provided about crime statistics for the previous three calendar years of reported crimes that occurred in both on-and off-campus facilities. This information is required by federal and state law and is provided by the university’s police department.

The Annual Fire Safety Report is available at www.wcsu.edu/efs/EHS/fireprevention.asp.