Institute for the Psychological Sciences

The Institute is first and foremost an academic community. Students and faculty together engage in the discovery, analysis, application, development, and transmission of knowledge as it pertains to the psychological sciences. In order for this honorable pursuit to progress successfully, a firm commitment to academic integrity is required from all members of the intellectual community.

Academic integrity entails a respect and reverence for knowledge as a human good and for the whole academic process, by which that knowledge is pursued and transmitted. Specifically, it entails honesty in all one’s academic dealings. Students at the Institute for the Psychological Sciences therefore shall not engage in or tolerate acts of academic dishonesty. These acts include, but are not limited to, cheating, plagiarism, collusion, falsifying academic records, and any act or attempt to commit an act designed to give unfair academic advantage to the student (such as, but not limited to, submission of essentially the same written assignment for two courses without the prior permission of the instructor, providing false or misleading information in an effort to receive a postponement or an extension on a test, quiz, or other assignment).

Students shall acknowledge in appropriate fashion the contributions of others to their work where such acknowledgment is due. The submission of work for academic credit indicates that the work is the student’s own and that the work has been completed in accordance with the standards of his or her course or assigned project. At the beginning of each course, it is the responsibility of the instructor to provide students with a statement clarifying the application of the IPS academic integrity policy to his or her course.

In cases where a violation of academic integrity has been verified, the faculty member has the responsibility for determining the academic consequences, which may include assigning a failing grade for the assignment, exam, or course, or non- acceptance of the thesis or dissertation. The faculty member also may recommend a formal review of the violation by the Academic Dean, at which time the responsibility for determining the academic consequences will pass to the Academic Dean. Consequences can include probation from the Institute for a designated period of time, and in extreme cases, permanent dismissal from the Institute.

Students accused of a violation of academic integrity have the right to appeal the accusation and/or the imposed penalty. All such appeals are handled through the student grievance process administered through the Office of the Dean of Students.

Besides the teaching, research, and service common to all institutes of higher education, the Institute for the Psychological Sciences, as a Catholic institution, brings to the educational endeavor the inspiration and light of the Christian faith. Catholic insights, ideals and truths inform its scholarly and pedagogical activities in accordance with the proper nature and autonomy of these activities. Each faculty member is guaranteed academic freedom in this regard to pursue his or her respective discipline in accordance with the principles and proper methods of each discipline, and insofar as it is consistent with the common good of the Institute and its mission, and the normative teaching of the Roman Catholic Church.

IPS strives for an academic community that allows for an opportunity to support personal and scholarly development. Academic, personal, and scholarly advising and mentorship by both faculty and staff occur at various levels within the educational process at IPS. Academic advising, relative to curriculum, is conducted by the respective directors of the various academic programs (i.e., director of the Psy.D. Program or director of the M.S. Programs). Mentorship is an on-going process and occurs through formal and informal interactions with faculty, staff, and peers, who strive to provide a nurturing and supportive educational experience.

The Institute is deeply concerned about each student’s individual progress within its programs. Timely instructor input, feedback, and guidance benefits the student’s decision making and facilitates academic progress. To ensure adequate availability and accessibility of instructors, the Institute requires faculty members offering a course to hold a minimum of two office hours per week for each course taught. An instructor’s office hours will be distributed at the first class meeting and any changes to the office hours will be announced in class meetings.

To ensure equitable and effective use of both the student and instructor’s time, students are required to make an appointment when they would like to utilize an instructor’s office hours. Each instructor will inform the students during the first class meeting what process he or she wishes to maintain in scheduling appointments for office hours.

Course Grades

To ensure that grades are awarded with justice and on a uniform basis, all members of the faculty are required to make clear to their students at the beginning of each course the principles which they will employ in determining final grades. A clear statement of grading principles offered by the instructor is the student’s strict right and the instructor’s serious duty. The Institute allows instructors to define numerically what each grade requires as well as assign finer distinctions such as A-, B+, etc. On official transcripts, grade points will be reflected as follows:

Grade Grade Points

A 4.0

A 3.7

B+ 3.3

B 3.0

B- 2.7

C+ 2.3

C 2.0

C- 1.7

D 1.0

F 0.0

NC (No Credit Earned) None

INC (Incomplete) None

IP (In Process) None

W (Withdrawal) None

WP (Withdrawal Passing) None

WF (Withdrawal Failing) None

Incomplete

When a student has been assigned an Incomplete the student must complete all outstanding course requirements within three months following the end of the semester of registration for the course. Failure to complete all course requirements will result in the instructor awarding a grade based upon work completed. Students who receive financial aid and who carry a grade of Incomplete into a subsequent semester risk loss of financial aid for that semester. Carrying an Incomplete course grade reduces the student’s overall grade point average and lowers his/her credit hours attempted-to-completed ratio – either or both of which factors can create a failure to meet the financial aid requirements for Satisfactory Academic Progress.

Academic Good Standing

To remain in good academic standing, students must maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0. A 3.0 grade point average is required to graduate. Cumulative grade point criteria do not apply until the student has completed six or more credits. The status of the student will be reviewed at the end of each semester by the Registrar who will refer students not meeting the required 3.0 GPA average to the Academic Dean and the respective director of the student’s program, which may lead to the development of a plan for remediation.

Academic Probation

In the event of failure to meet the above standard for good academic standing, a student will be placed on academic probation. Students placed on academic probation for two consecutive semesters will be subject to academic dismissal. Students affected by this policy may request exceptions to it policy by presenting a written description of their extenuating circumstances and their plan for re-establishment of good academic standing to the Academic Dean. Generally, the Academic Dean will consult with the appropriate program director and Department Chair prior to granting any exceptions. The student will be advised in writing of the Academic Dean’s decision, which will be final.

Clinical Skills Ratings

For courses that involve learning and demonstration of clinical skills, in addition to regular course grades, students will also receive ratings on attainment of specific aspects of clinical practice and skills. An example of the rating form is available in the Clinical Training Handbook.

The clinical courses at the master level include PSY 507, PSY 516, PSY 608, PSY 609, PSY 610, PSY 611, and PSY 613. Additional clinical ratings are made for clinical courses in the Psy.D. Program.

Clinical “At-Risk”/Termination/Due Process Policy

Graduation with a degree in clinical psychology requires more than adequate grades and scholarly ability. Students must reach adequate levels of competency in psychological assessment and psychotherapy, and possess the ability to exercise good clinical judgment, ethical reasoning, and professionalism. It is the solemn responsibility of the Institute to serve as a gatekeeper for the profession and to ensure that students who are unable to meet these standards be terminated from the program.

During each end-of-semester review of students, the Director of Clinical Training will bring to the attention of the faculty any feedback from instructors, and where applicable, externship and internship sites, which indicates that a student is significantly deficient in their professional development. In such cases the Director of Clinical Training will work with the appropriate course instructors and/or placement sites to develop a remediation plan which will include specific areas in which remediation is necessary, and the actions to be taken by the student and by the program to remediate deficiencies. It will also include criteria by which remediation success is to be judged and a time frame by which remediation must be completed. Such a remediation plan will be reviewed with the student.

When such a remediation plan is developed, the Director of Clinical Training and clinical faculty members, following consultation with relevant course instructors and/or placement supervisors, will determine whether the deficiencies are of a serious enough nature as to deem the student to be “at-risk” for termination from the program. If deemed to be “at-risk” the student will be formally notified of such status.

A student determined to be “at-risk” who fails to meet the remediation plan requirements in the designated time is eligible for termination from the program. In such cases, the Director of Clinical Training and clinical faculty members will deliberate and vote on whether or not to terminate the student from the program or alternatively to develop an additional plan for remediation. An affirmative vote to terminate by a simple majority of the current clinical faculty members will result in the student being dropped from the program. The student will be notified in writing of the decision.

In the case of a student who is not deemed to be “at-risk,” but who is placed on a remediation plan, and fails to successfully complete the requirements of their remediation plan in the designated time frame, may after the deliberation of the Director of Clinical Training and the clinical faculty be designated “at-risk.” In such cases the student will be formally notified of such status. The Director of Clinical Training and the clinical faculty will then revise the pre-existing remediation plan noting the requirements which remain unmet and establishing a new time frame for completion. If the student remains unable to meet the requirements of the revised remediation plan in the designated time frame, the Director of Clinical Training and clinical faculty members will deliberate and vote on whether or not to terminate the student from the program or alternatively to develop an additional plan for remediation. An affirmative vote to terminate by a simple majority of the current clinical faculty members will result in the student being dropped from the program. The student will be notified in writing of the decision.

In cases where an affirmative vote to terminate a student from the program is made, the student may appeal the decision to the Academic Dean. Such appeal must be made within 30 days following notification by the department of their termination from the program. The Academic Dean will consider the appeal and render his/her decision within 30 days of receipt of the student’s request for appeal. The Academic Dean’s decision will be final.

Examinations

Final examinations are scheduled during regular class hours of the final week each semester and on the last day of each summer session. In case of serious illness or emergency, arrangements may be made with the instructor to take an exam at another time. Postponement of a final examination beyond the last day of the semester or of the summer session requires the issuance of an Incomplete grade designation.

Papers

Students are expected to write all papers in a manner consistent with the expectations of the academic psychology community. Therefore, the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, 6th Edition (2010), should be utilized in all course requirements for term papers, as well as other professional writing. The student may access the Manual and associated resources in the library or see the following websites for assistance:
http://www.apastyle.org, http://www.wooster.edu/psychology/apa-crib.html

Class Attendance

All students, whether full-time, part-time or auditing, are required to attend all scheduled classes. Full-time and part-time students are required to complete all examinations and other requirements. Penalties may be imposed for a student who misses a class, unless the absence is due to serious and extenuating circumstances, and the student notifies the instructor in a timely manner.

Students who miss more than two classes for any cause in a semester are automatically dropped from the class. Students may appeal for an exception to this policy to the program director. The exemption shall be jointly granted by the instructor and the program director. If the appeal is granted, the student may still be subject to penalties and must develop a make-up plan acceptable to the instructor.

Class Cancellations or Emergency Closing

In the event of snow, ice, weather-related or other emergencies, students will be informed in the most expedient manner possible. When feasible, instructions will be provided to students via postings on bulletin boards, in student mailboxes, and/or announcements made in class. Instructions will also be available on the Institute telephone recording, 703-416-1441, ext. 456. The Institute also lists closings on www.wtop.com under “closings/delays.” Every effort will be made to post the announcement of class cancellations or an emergency closing on the Institute telephone recording by 7:00 a.m. on each day impacted by such emergencies.

Internet Use in the Classroom

While the internet is a valuable source of information that can facilitate the learning process, the faculty have found that in the classroom setting it is often a distraction to the important interpersonal activity and learning opportunities that occur there. Therefore, unless otherwise permitted in special cases by a faculty member, students in the classroom during an active class session are not permitted to connect to the internet.

Course Evaluation by Students

Near the end of each semester, students are expected to complete a written evaluation of each course. All evaluations are anonymous and confidentiality is maintained. Student honesty in evaluation of the courses is critical, since the results contribute to improving class design and presentation. Instructors do not have access to completed course evaluation information until after final grades are submitted.

Disability Support

In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) the Institute is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to any student who has a disability. Any student who has a documented disability may seek access to necessary accommodations by contacting the Enrollment Services Office.

In order to qualify for graduation, all coursework and curriculum requirements must be completed and all degree requirements met within the degree time limit and by the official graduation date. It is the responsibility of each student to successfully fulfill all of their degree requirements, as detailed in each respective program section of the catalog published at the time of their enrollment in the degree which they seek. In addition to the academic requirements, it is necessary for students to be cleared of all library obligations and to present a satisfactory clearance of financial accounts prior to graduation. Students who have not made satisfactory financial arrangements will not have access to any student services, including transcripts, degree verifications, diploma, transferred credits, or enrollment in courses or for another program.

The Institute confers degrees, upon the recommendation of the faculty and by the authority of the Board of Directors, three times a year: August, December, and May. Students whose degrees are conferred in August or December are encouraged to participate in the following annual May Commencement. Degree conferral and Commencement dates are posted in the Academic Calendar. The Graduation Fee covers all aspects of the degree completion process and will be applied to all student accounts of degree candidates, regardless of participation in the Commencement ceremony.

Students who are eligible for graduation (degree candidates) must submit an Application to Graduate form to the Registrar at the time of registration for their final semester to obtain a final degree audit and receive the approval of their respective program director. Materials related to the Commencement exercises, including schedules and orders of invitations and regalia, will be distributed approximately 90 days prior to the degree conferral date.

Participation in the Commencement ceremony is allowed only if all coursework and degree requirements have been completed prior to the event. However, because of the unique schedule of some internship and practicum/externship experiences, students who have completed all other degree requirements prior to the Commencement, except for outstanding internship or practicum/externship hours (which can be reasonably completed in the summer), may be eligible to walk at the Commencement with the approval of the Program Director and Registrar. This special participation does not signify degree conferral. Once all degree requirements have been completed with the successful conclusion of the internship or externship, degree conferral will occur in August.

Registration for Classes

Attendance at any Institute class is not permitted unless the person is registered for the class. For planning purposes, fall semester registration for returning students takes place in April of the preceding academic year and spring semester registration for returning students takes place in November of each year. Any student registering for courses outside of the published registration period are subject to a late registration fee.

Students must meet with their academic advisor prior to registering each semester and have the academic advisor sign the completed registration form. It is the option of each new student admitted to make an appointment with an academic advisor to plan a program prior to registering. Students whose accounts are not current will not be permitted to register for classes. Students registering for a course-for-credit or audit must register no later than the last day of the published add/drop period each semester.

Courses for Credit or Audit

Any student enrolled in an IPS program may choose to audit a course during registration for a semester, with the approval of their academic advisor and subject to the enrollment limitations listed below. Audit tuition is approximately one-half of the current regular tuition.

Certain master’s level courses may be taken on a course-for-credit or audit basis by non-degree seeking students holding an appropriate baccalaureate degree. Any non-degree person wishing to apply to register on a course-for-credit or audit basis must submit a completed application, official undergraduate and graduate (if applicable) transcript(s), and the required application fee ($35). Personal statements, GRE scores, letters of recommendation and interviews are not required. The application is reviewed and approved by the Department Chair and registration will be subject to the enrollment limitations that follow.

Students receiving permission to register course-for-credit or audit are not admitted nor guaranteed admission to a program; enrollment is subject to limitations of class size, with priority given to degree candidates and students enrolled for credit, any special requirements for auditing a particular class, the exclusion of auditors or non-degree students from a particular class or a given type of class, and prerequisites. In addition, only the following courses are eligible to be taken by non-degree students (unless special permission is received from the Department Chair and Academic Dean): PHT 502, PHT 535, PHT 614, PHT 633, PHT 635, PSY 500, PSY 503, PSY 504, PSY 605.

For students taking a course-for-credit or audit, attendance is required (see “Class Attendance”). Auditing students will not be obliged to complete any of the class requirements. No academic credit is awarded for auditing a course.

A student currently taking a course on an audit basis may petition through the Office of the Registrar to switch to a “course-for-credit” basis. Such petition must be presented to and approved prior to the commencement of the third scheduled week of classes. Students who have previously audited a class for which they later wish to receive credit may later enroll in the same course, for credit, by registering and paying the regular tuition. Students who have previously audited a class, and who are now taking the course for credit are required to complete the assignments for the course as outlined by the current syllabus for that class, including any requirements for class participation, papers, and examinations. The student may, however, petition the instructor and Academic Dean in writing for a modification of the class attendance requirement of the Institute.

Criteria for Transfer of Credit

Graduate credits are transferable from regionally accredited institutions and must have been completed within a period of six years prior to acceptance into the Institute’s programs. Exceptions to this policy may be granted for applicants who have been actively involved in the field in which the degree was earned on a continuous basis prior to admission. Extension, continuing education, or in-service courses that are not intended by the institution offering the courses as part of a degree program are not acceptable for transfer credit to the Institute. No graduate credit can be awarded for undergraduate level courses.

Students admitted to the M.S. Program in Clinical Psychology or General Psychology may transfer a maximum of nine credit hours. Students admitted to the Psy.D. Program may petition for the transfer of a maximum of 18 credit hours. All transfer courses must have been earned at a graduate-level program in a regionally accredited college or university.

Transfer of graduate credits earned at other institutions is not automatic. Only graduate credit for courses determined to be equivalent to courses offered at the Institute can be transferred for course credit. In addition, only courses for which a grade of B (3.0) or better is obtained will be considered for transfer.

Students should note that given the unique mission of the Institute, certain courses completed at other academic institutions may differ significantly in content, although a similar title is given to the course at both institutions. Therefore, the following courses typically are not eligible for transfer from another institution:

PHT 502 Philosophical and Theological Anthropology
PHT 535 The Catholic Vision of Spiritual Maturity
PHT 614 Practical Reasoning and Moral Character
PHT 633 Major World Philosophies and Religions
PHT 635 Theology of Marriage and Family
PSY 512 Law, Ethics, and Psychology
PSY 516 Basic Interviewing and Clinical Skills
PSY 609 Adult Psychotherapy
PSY 610 Child Psychotherapy
PSY 611 Marital Psychotherapy
PSY 724 Advanced Adult Psychotherapy
PSY 734 Advanced Child, Marriage, and Family Therapy I
PSY 735 Advanced Child, Marriage, and Family Therapy II
PSY 736 Child Psychopathology
PSY 836 Advanced Personality Assessment

Students wishing to apply for transfer of credit to the Institute must be enrolled in a degree program and must submit the appropriate transfer of credit form (obtained from the Registrar) to the Program Director prior to registering for their second semester of classes. This request will be reviewed by the Department Chair who will notify the student of the decision regarding the request.

Full-Time Study

Full-time students must be admitted to the M.S. in Clinical Psychology, M.S. in General Psychology, or Psy.D. Program. A student in either M.S. Program is considered full-time if a minimum of nine credit hours of coursework is taken per semester. A Psy.D. Program student is considered full-time if the student is: a) enrolled in a minimum of nine credit hours per semester; b) enrolled in a minimum of six credit hours each semester and is enrolled in a practicum/externship; c) actively working on a dissertation (i.e., enrolled for dissertation credit hours); or d) engaged in a pre-doctoral internship.

Part-Time Study

Part-time students must be admitted to the M.S. Program in Clinical Psychology or M.S. Program in General Psychology. A student in either M.S. Program is considered part-time if enrolled for eight or fewer credit hours per semester. The Psy.D. Program is a full-time program.

Course-for-Credit

Certain master’s level courses may be taken on a course-for-credit basis by non-degree seeking students holding an appropriate baccalaureate degree. See Registration section above entitled “Course-for-Credit/Audit” for additional information about the courses available to be taken for credit by non-degree-seeking students and related policies.

Audit

Students can audit a master’s level course offered by the Institute as long as they have an appropriate baccalaureate degree. See Registration section above entitled “Course-for-Credit/Audit” for additional information about the courses available for audit and related policies.

Leave of Absence

Should a student enrolled in a degree program of the Institute find it necessary to interrupt active pursuit of their degree, he or she should discuss the need for a leave of absence with their academic advisor. Generally, a leave of absence is granted for good cause, and for a minimum of one academic semester, and limited to one calendar year. Requests will be considered prior to the beginning of an academic semester. For any request made during the academic semester, the grade assigned will follow the Institute’s withdrawal policy.

The right to make use of the Institute’s facilities is suspended while the leave of absence is in effect. The student who discontinues active enrollment in courses without being granted a leave of absence, or a student granted a leave of absence who does not return to active enrollment in courses at the close of the approved period of time, must apply for readmission to the degree program, and will be subject to the regulations and requirements then in force. In such cases, acceptance into the program is not guaranteed, and any courses taken prior to the interruption of enrollment may not count toward graduation if they were not completed within the time allowed for degree completion.

While Institute policy may allow students a leave of absence of up to one calendar year, students who take advantage of this policy may be required to begin repayment of Title IV federal loans. Students who are participating in Title IV federal financial aid programs may be granted a leave of absence of up to 180 days in a calendar year without entering repayment. Therefore, students receiving federal financial aid are required to receive counseling from the Financial Aid Office prior to being granted a leave of absence.

Withdrawal from the Institute

A withdrawal from the Institute is defined as dropping all registered courses or failure to enroll each semester prior to completing all requirements for graduation. To withdraw from the Institute at any time other than the close of the semester, students are required to consult their academic advisor and the Financial Aid Office, complete the Institute’s withdrawal procedure with the Registrar, and obtain written notification of withdrawal to be considered withdrawn. Discontinuation of class attendance or notification to an instructor of withdrawal does not constitute an official withdrawal from the Institute. Any student who withdraws from the Institute will be assigned a grade of Withdrawal (W), Withdrawal Passing (WP), or Withdrawal Failing (WF) as stated in the Institute’s course change policy. Refunds will be made in accordance with the Institute’s refund policy. In instances where the Institute’s withdrawal procedure is not completed, students will be responsible for the full payment of their accounts.

A student who withdraws from the Institute and wishes to continue coursework at the Institute must reapply for admission following all applicable procedures required and pay the appropriate re-application fees.

Student Records

The Institute maintains student records necessary for the educational guidance and/or welfare of students, for the orderly and efficient operation of the Institute, and as required by law. All information related to individual students will be treated in a confidential and professional manner. Student records are the property of the Institute but will be made available to appropriate parties in accordance with state and federal law. The Institute disseminates student information in accordance with applicable state and federal laws and the Institute’s own established procedures. IPS follows FERPA (The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (20 U.S.C. § 1232g; 34 CFR Part 99) which protects the privacy of student education records.

Permanent Academic Record Dispute Process

All grades recorded become a permanent part of the student’s academic history. A student who believes a final grade has been miscalculated should ask the instructor to review the matter. If a grade change is warranted, the instructor should report this to the registrar. If the student is not satisfied with the instructor’s response, the student may submit a written request to the Academic Dean. The Academic Dean or his/her designee will then meet with the student and instructor, and will attempt to resolve the dispute about the grade. Failing such a resolution, the instructor’s grade will stand. No grade change will be accepted after 30 days from the end of the semester unless authorized by the Academic Dean. However, request for a grade change that will affect eligibility for graduation/academic honors/dismissal from the Institute must be made prior to these events respectively.

Students may repeat certain courses in order to improve their grade. In such cases where a course is retaken both grades will be reported on their transcript, but the higher of the two will be used for the purpose of calculating the grade point average. Basic and advanced clinical practice classes may not be retaken. Poor performance in such courses will be remediated through an individualized plan developed between the instructor, Director of Clinical Training, and the student. (See Clinical “At-Risk”/Termination/Due Process policy)

Transcripts

Official and unofficial academic transcripts are issued by the registrar to the student or directly to their designated third party. With a completed and signed Transcript Request Form (available in the Office of Enrollment Services or on the IPS Website), students may request a hard copy of their academic transcript. Academic transcripts cannot be transmitted electronically.

Due Process

It is the policy of the Institute to utilize due process in handling student grievances. It is also the policy of the Institute to utilize due process in disciplinary actions taken against students. See due process policy below.

In a Christian academic environment, every effort should be made to sustain a relationship of charity and cooperation between all members of the community. Occasionally, however, a student may have a grievance with a member of the faculty, staff, or fellow student/peer. The student with the grievance should endeavor first to meet with the other party to discuss the difficulty in an attempt to resolve the issue. If the student does not feel at ease approaching the individual, or is not satisfied with the results of such a meeting, he or she should consult the Dean of Students who will provide guidance as to what additional steps, if any, should be taken. If resolution is not reached at this informal level, the student may then wish to file a formal grievance. At any point in the process described herein, the student filing a grievance will always have the option to withdraw the grievance. The Institute has established the following Grievance Resolution Procedure for students to use for all aspects of their experience with academic, student, and other support services of the Institute.

Confidentiality

In the grievance resolution process, every reasonable effort will be made to protect the privacy of all parties. All records pertaining to the investigation and to the disposition of the grievance shall be maintained in sealed files in conformity with state and federal privacy requirements. Records of individuals involved or alleged to be involved in a grievance will be made available to officials of the Institute who have a need to know, and otherwise only in accordance with applicable state and federal laws and only to the extent required by law.

Resolution Procedures for Student Grievance with Faculty Member or Student/Peer

Student grievances directed to a member(s) of the faculty or student body (referred to herein as “the respondent”) will be handled as follows:

1) Filing a Grievance: The complainant shall file a written grievance with the Academic Dean. The complainant shall record with specificity the circumstances of his/her grievance.

2) Fact-Finding Committee: The Academic Dean will appoint a Fact-Finding Committee consisting of three faculty members. A Chair of the committee will be designated by the Academic Dean. If a conflict of interest or other valid reason prevents a committee member from serving, the Academic Dean shall select an alternate. The Academic Dean shall make every effort to ensure that a fair, impartial, and representative committee hears the matter.

3) Notification: The Academic Dean shall give the respondent written notification that a grievance has been filed, as well as a copy of the grievance. The respondent may file a written response with the Fact-Finding Committee Chair. The Academic Dean shall provide a copy of the response to the complainant.

4) Investigation: The following standards for investigation will be observed:
a) in conducting the investigation, the committee shall receive and review the grievance, the response, and other pertinent statements or documents;
b) the complainant and respondent shall be given the opportunity to respond to one another’s statements, and individually to present witnesses or concerned parties in conformity to the evidence presented; and,
c) the committee will interview witnesses and concerned parties individually and in conformity with privacy requirements, as it deems necessary.

5) Fact-Finding Report: When, in the judgment of the Committee, the positions of the complainant and respondent have been equitably heard, the Committee shall submit a written Fact-Finding Report to the Academic Dean. The Fact-Finding Report shall contain the following:
a) a statement of the issues under review;
b) the position of the parties;
c) a finding of the results of the investigation;
d) conclusion as to whether there is probable cause to believe that the grievance is valid; and
e) recommendations for action(s) to be taken

The total time period for the investigation, from the filing of a written grievance to submission of the Fact-Finding Report to the Academic Dean shall not exceed ninety (90) calendar days.

The Chair of the Fact-Finding Committee will maintain all records of the grievance, including its conclusions and recommendations. These records shall be transferred to the Office of the Academic Dean at the time of disposition of the grievance. The records shall be maintained in conformity with state and federal privacy and disclosure requirements, policies and procedures.

Student Grievance Resolution Procedures Involving Staff

The same procedures as described for student grievances directed to faculty will be followed in the case of a student grievance directed to a staff member, with the following two exceptions:

a) the Vice President for Finance and Administration will serve in place of the Academic Dean; and,
b) the Fact-Finding Committee will be appointed from either staff or faculty of the Institute.

Disposition of the Grievance and Disciplinary Action

The Academic Dean will make the decision about action to be taken. The factual conclusions contained in the Fact-Finding Report shall be binding upon the Academic Dean for the purpose of this determination.

The Academic Dean will discuss the decision with the Chair of the Fact-Finding Committee, prior to taking action, if the action to be taken is different than that recommended by the Committee.

The Academic Dean will immediately notify the complainant and the respondent in writing of the disposition of the grievance once the decision has been made.

The decision of the Academic Dean will be made within ten (10) working days of the receipt of the Fact-Finding Report. The decision may be appealed in writing by either the complainant or the respondent to the President of the Institute; the appeal must be made no later than fifteen (15) working days from the date of the Academic Dean’s notification of the decision.

Retaliation Prohibited

The Institute strictly prohibits retaliation against a member of the Institute community who files a grievance, against whom a grievance is filed, or who otherwise is a participant in the grievance resolution procedure. Such retaliatory conduct includes, but is not limited to, decreasing an employee’s pay, reducing a student’s grade, or downgrading a person’s performance evaluation.

It is the policy of the Institute for the Psychological Sciences that no student should be subject to unsolicited, unwelcome, abusive, or offensive conduct of either a verbal or physical nature. Harassment refers to behavior that is not welcome, is personally offensive, interferes with efficiency or creates uneasiness. Examples of harassment include, but are not limited to: repeated offensive sexual flirtations, advances or propositions; continued or repeated verbal abuse of a racial nature; graphic, degrading, or demeaning ethnic comments about an individual or about his/her appearance; the display of sexually suggestive objects or pictures; or any other offensive or abusive verbal comments or physical contact. Further, students will not be subjected to third party harassment, which is defined as behavior that is personally offensive to an observing party. Students engaging in any act that harasses or discriminates against another person because of age, race, color, national or ethnic origin, gender, religion, marital status, or the presence of a disability, shall not be tolerated. Such conduct is specifically prohibited. Appropriate action will be taken by the Academic Dean in accordance with set policies and procedures.

The free expression of student opinion is an important part of education in a democratic society. Students’ verbal and written expression of opinion at the Institute is to be encouraged so long as it does not substantially disrupt the operation of the school. Students are, however, expressly prohibited from the use of vulgar and/or offensive terms, images, or behaviors.

Publications or other material written by students may be distributed on the Institute’s premises in accordance with procedures developed by the Academic Dean, which may be found in the Student Handbook. Such procedures may impose limits on the time, place, and manner of distribution including prior authorization for the distribution or circulation of printed material or the posting of such material at the Institute, subject also to building lease restrictions. Students responsible for the distribution of material, which leads to a substantial disruption of the Institute, interferes with its operations, contradicts the mission of the school, may be subject to disciplinary action. Non-students or non-employees of the Institute shall not distribute materials on IPS grounds.

Student publications produced as part of the IPS curriculum or with the support of the student body are intended to serve both as vehicles for instruction and student communication. As such, they should reflect respect for the Vision and the Mission of the Institute.

As policies evolve students will be informed by the Dean of Students who will disseminate these policies to the students through the Student Life and Concerns Committee (SLCC). The SLCC will then distribute the policy/ies to the student body and request feedback. This feedback will then be conveyed to the Dean of Students who will then consult with the faculty about any student concerns.