Student Life

Campus Policies - Safety and Security

Elizabethtown College Campus Security

Student ID cards

SCPS students are issued an Elizabethtown College ID Card by Campus Security.

ID cards are an official Elizabethtown College identification. College ID Cards include name, photo, student ID number, and validation information.

The College ID Card may be required for admission to College events and/or to check out resources from the library.

Drug and Smoke-Free Campus

School of Continuing and Professional Studies refers to the Elizabethtown College policies on being a drug-free, smoke-free campus.

Parking Information

Parking at Elizabethtown Campus

To register a car, students must provide the following information: make, model, year, color and tag number.  After 5:00 pm and on weekends, adult students may park in any legal space on campus, except those specifically designated for handicapped, visitors or marked Reserved. Students who will be here during the day should register their car with Campus Security and get a parking tag. Before 5:00 p.m. on weekdays, students may park in white-lined spaces only. These may be found in the Brown Lot (across from the lake on College Avenue) and the lots behind the Young Center and to the left of Leffler Chapel. The lot to the right of the Chapel is for staff only during the day. Vehicles parking in unlined paved areas, in “No Parking” areas, in Fire Lanes, in spots designated as “Reserved”, “Handicap”, “Service Vehicles” or vehicles parked on the grass will be ticketed.

Parking at Lancaster Theological Seminary

Student parking is provided at the Lancaster Theological Seminary. A parking pass is not needed.

Parking at HACC Lancaster Campus

Student parking is available nearby the East Building where SCPS classes are held.

Parking at the Lancaster Intermediate Unit

Students attending courses at Lancaster IU13 should park in the parking lot provided. A parking pass is not needed.

Parking at Dixon University Center

Student parking is provided at the Dixon University Center. A parking pass is not needed.

ECAlert – Elizabethtown Campus Alert System

Elizabethtown College has an EC Alert system.  This system is used to alert students of an emergency at any of our locations (Elizabethtown, Lancaster, and Harrisburg).  Closings due to inclement weather for the College will also be sent through this channel. All SCPS students will be placed in the system.  Students will receive a text notification when they are officially signed up.  If there is an emergency or a closing, students will receive an email, text message and/or phone call.   A test will be performed once in the fall and once in the spring semester.  You will be notified prior to any tests being done on the system.

For more information about the ECAlert System, please check out the Elizabethtown College website at http://www.etown.edu/offices/security/alert.aspx. 

SCPS Inclement Weather Policies

When it snows or when weather conditions become extreme, these procedures are in effect for SCPS students:

Unless otherwise indicated, Elizabethtown administrative and departmental offices will remain open.

If extreme weather occurs or is predicted, the Dean of the School will review the situation. The decision to cancel Monday through Thursday classes at any given site will be made by 3:00 pm. Saturday classes are held at the facilitator’s discretion.

Individual course cancellations or schedule changes (for any of our locations: Elizabethtown College, Lancaster Theological Seminary, Lancaster IU13, Dixon University Center) resulting from inclement weather will be posted on the SCPS website at www.etowndegrees.com. You may also call 1-800-877-2694 to check cancellation status; a recorded message will be placed on the voicemail when the office is closed.

If a class is cancelled due to inclement weather, it will be the facilitator’s responsibility to schedule a make-up session. A make-up class for a Weekend Intensive course will be determined for a time that is convenient to learners and faculty, meeting no later than nine days after the start of the course. Learners should contact both their advisor and facilitator if there is a conflict with a make-up class.

Student Confidentiality

Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)

The 1974 Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a federal law (20 U.S.C. 1232g) that protects the privacy of a student’s educational record. Specifically, the law offers the following protections and rights to students:

• annual notification of their FERPA rights and of what the College defines as Directory Information;
• the right to see the information in their academic record;
• the right to consent to disclosure of information in their academic record and the right to withhold information that is Directory Information;
• the right to seek to amend records and, in certain cases, append a statement to the record;
• the right to file a complaint with the Department of Education Compliance Office in Washington DC.

An education record is any record (with a few exceptions) maintained by the College that is directly related to a student. This record can contain a student’s name or information from which an individual student could be personally identified. Information in a student’s academic record is considered private and, in most cases, cannot be released to another individual unless the student provides prior written consent.

Here are several situations where information from an education record might be disclosed without prior written consent:

• The information is needed by a school official who has a legitimate education interest in the information.
• In an emergency, the institution believes that disclosure of certain information is necessary to protect the health or safety of the student or other persons.

Directory Information, as defined by Elizabethtown College, includes: name; enrollment status (e.g., undergraduate or graduate; part-time or full-time); campus e-mail address; home address; home/mobile telephone; date of birth; dates of attendance; class (e.g., sophomore, junior); field of study; degree; date of graduation; participation in college-sponsored activities; honors; awards; photographs; and most recently attended institution. Directory information would not normally be considered a violation of a person’s privacy if it was released.

Directory information is subject to public release without prior written consent unless the student completes the “Request for Non-Disclosure of Directory Information” form.

Non-directory information in the education record cannot be released to an outside person or organization without a student’s written consent.  Non-directory information may include biographical data and address information; the admissions application and supporting documents; the academic record, including class schedules, grade reports and transcripts; counseling records; disciplinary records; public information records; financial records; health records; placement credentials; campus security records. 

Non-Directory Information in the Educational Record cannot be released to an outside individual unless the student completes the “Authorization to Disclose Educational Record Information” form.

Student Responsibilities

School of Continuing and Professional Studies Expectations of Students

By enrolling in any course or program offered by the School, students acknowledge responsibility for understanding guidelines and policies in the School’s handbook and catalog. In addition, it is the student’s responsibility to ensure understanding of the information found on the approved program Checksheet, mailed with the admission offer. The checksheet outlines the specific requirements for each individual’s program and includes courses accepted in transfer from other institutions or any already completed at Elizabethtown College.

School of Continuing and Professional Studies Writing Expectations

The ability to write clearly and persuasively, in any number of settings and contexts ranging from the academic world to the business world, is a core learning outcome of the School’s unique blend of professional and liberal education. As such, its relevance and applicability spans all majors and courses offered by the School. All written course assignments should reflect this ability and will be evaluated with this core learning outcome in mind. Practically, this means that the elements of clear and persuasive writing, such as correct spelling, grammar and syntax, and effective organization, will be considered when grading written assignments for all courses regardless of the subject matter.

School of Continuing and Professional Studies Technology Expectations

The School expects students enrolled in courses to possess basic computer skills and to have reliable access to the Internet. All courses will make use of Canvas, our learning management system (LMS), for some or all course materials. It is recommended that students have a laptop or desktop with an up-to-date operating system and the newest version of at least two Internet browsers installed (Edge, Internet Explorer, Safari, Firefox, Chrome, Opera, etc.). Although useful for participating in courses on-the-go, mobile devices or tablets are not recommended as the primary way for students to participate in their courses. It is recommended that students use a computer on which they have permission to install and update browsers, plug-ins and software necessary for their courses.

Please consult the Elizabethtown College computer recommendations for students: http://www.etown.edu/offices/its/Computer_Specifications.aspx

Some courses may contain video, audio, web conferencing, and/or interactive multimedia as part of instructional materials or assignments. For this reason, it is recommended that students have access to a webcam, speakers and a microphone, or a headset.

Elizabethtown College offers Microsoft Office 365 free to all students. It is recommended that students make use of Office 365 for their courses by following the instructions found here: http://helpdesk.etown.edu/helpconsole2012/KB/default.aspx?pageid=student_microsoft_office

Email Communication & Computer Network Accounts

Our primary means of communication with our adult students is email.  During the application stage, SCPS staff will communicate with potential students using the email address provided on the application for admission.

Once an individual begins taking classes, an etown.edu email account and computer network account will be created. All College and School communications, including access to College systems and resources, will be through the etown.edu account.

It is important that you check your email daily so you will not miss any significant information.

SCPS students must be aware of the Elizabethtown College Information & Technology Services’ Acceptable Use Policy: http://www.etown.edu/offices/its/Policies.aspx

Reporting Changes of Personal Information

Any change of address, telephone number, alternate email address, name, or gender must be reported immediately so that we may update your record. Contact your advisor, complete the Update Contact Information form in JayWeb, or the Personal Identification Change Form through Registration and Records. Your information must be kept current so that there is no delay in receipt of information from the School. Changes of name, gender, social security number, etc. require legal documentation.

Student Complaint Procedures

General Student Feedback and Concerns

The Elizabethtown College School of Continuing and Professional Studies welcomes student feedback on the School’s academic programs and curriculum, your student experience, and/or the services provided to students.  Feedback can be submitted to the School through multiple channels:

• Contact your academic advisor.
• Offer feedback to your facilitator.
• Give your feedback on the end-of-course evaluations.
• Complete the student satisfaction survey conducted every two years.
• Email any member of the SCPS staff.  Contact information is available at www.etowndegrees.com.  Your concern will be directed to the appropriate person to address.
• Formal Complaint Procedures

If your concern is of a more serious nature or you believe you have been the victim of misconduct in any way, you may wish to file a formal complaint.  There are several avenues available to you to file a formal complaint, both internal and external.

Student Internal Complaint Process

Grade Appeal

If your complaint concerns a grade in a course, follow the Grade Appeal process located in the Academic Policies section.

Harassment, Bullying or Title IX

If your complaint concerns harassment, bullying or Title IX violations, follow the Harassment, Bullying or Title IX complaint process located in Student Conduct section.

Academics

If your complaint concerns a course or your academic program, contacting your facilitator would be your first step.  If you are unable to resolve your complaint through the facilitator or if this is not appropriate to the situation, contact the Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs.

Advising

If your complaint concerns academic advising, progress toward your degree, student services, etc., contacting your advisor would be your first step.  If you are unable to resolve your complaint through the advisor or if this is not appropriate to the situation, contact the Director of Student Services.

Other

If your complaint concerns any other area not covered by the above processes, contact your academic advisor who can assist you in determining your best course of action.

If, after following the outlined processes above, you want to request further review, you may contact the Dean of the School of Continuing and Professional Studies.

Student External Complaint Contact Information

PA Department of Education

The U.S. Department of Education requires institutions offering distance education to provide enrolled and prospective students with contact information of the state agency or agencies that handle complaints against postsecondary institutions offering distance learning within that state. Many of the outside agencies will require that all institutional procedures be followed before the concern will be considered. Before contacting one of these agencies, Elizabethtown College School of Continuing and Professional Studies encourages students to inform the College of their complaint first. We are eager to listen to you and resolve the issues.

Information regarding the Pennsylvania Department of Education’ student complaint process can be found on their website: http://www.education.pa.gov/Postsecondary-Adult/College%20and%20Career%20Education/Pages/Students-Complaints.aspx#tab-1.

Middle States Commission on Higher Education

Elizabethtown College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104. (267-284-5000) The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Students can review documents of accreditation by contacting the Registration and Records Office at 717-361-1409.  Students wishing to file a formal complaint against an institution of higher education in Pennsylvania can visit http://www.education.pa.gov/Postsecondary-Adult/College%20and%20Career%20Education/Pages/Students-Complaints.aspx#.VYxXhEZWJ49 for procedural information.

Distance Education Complaint Process

Elizabethtown College School of Continuing and Professional Studies (SCPS) strives at all times to provide the highest quality of service and the best student experience possible. In the event that you have a serious complaint against the College, we wish to make you aware of the appropriate processes to follow.

The U.S. Department of Education requires institutions offering distance education to provide enrolled and prospective students with contact information of the state agency or agencies that handle complaints against postsecondary institutions offering distance learning within that state. Many of the outside agencies will require that all institutional procedures be followed before the concern will be considered. Before contacting one of these agencies, Elizabethtown College School of Continuing and Professional Studies encourages students to inform the College of their complaint first. We are eager to listen to you and resolve the issues.

For concerns or complaints not addressed or unresolved through the student complaint procedures above, please contact the Office of the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs.

If you are unable to resolve your complaint at any level within the College, you may contact one of the following agencies:

Pennsylvania Department of Education

Elizabethtown College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104. (267-284-5000) The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Students can review documents of accreditation by contacting the Registration and Records Office at 717-361-1409.  Students wishing to file a formal complaint against an institution of higher education in Pennsylvania can visit http://www.msche.org/?Nav1=About&Nav2=FAQ&Nav3=Question16 for procedural information.

Student Conduct

Harassment, Bullying, Bias-Related Incidents, and Title IX Policies

Elizabethtown College and the School of Continuing and Professional Studies abides by the following definitions:

Harassment:

Harassment as any behavior, verbal or physical, which creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive work or learning environment, particularly if questionable behavior is repeated and/or if it continues after the offending party is informed of the objectionable and/or inappropriate nature of the behavior, and which is based on individual characteristics including race, ethnicity, gender, age, disability, religion, marital status, ancestry, veteran status or any other legally protected status. This definition includes sexual harassment.

The totality of the circumstances of any given harassment incident must be carefully investigated, but prohibited harassment may take many forms. The most common examples include:

• Verbal harassment such as jokes, epithets, slurs, negative stereotyping, and unwelcome or patronizing remarks about an individual’s body, color, physical characteristics or appearance.
• Physical harassment such as physical interference with normal work, impeding or blocking movements, assault, unwelcome physical contact, staring at a person’s body, or threatening, intimidating or hostile acts that relate to a protected characteristic.
• Visual harassment such as offensive or obscene photographs, calendars, posters, e-mails, cards, cartoons, drawings and gestures, display of lewd objects, unwelcome notes or letters, or any written, electronic, or graphic material that denigrates or shows hostility or aversion toward an individual.

Bullying:

Bullying is unwelcome or unreasonable behavior that demeans, intimidates, or humiliates people either as individuals or as a group.  Bullying behavior is often persistent and part of a pattern, but it can also occur as a single incident.  It is usually carried out by an individual but can also be an aspect of group behavior.  Context is important in understanding bullying, particularly verbal communication.  There is a difference between friendly banter exchanged by colleagues and comments that are meant to be, or are taken as, demeaning.

Bias Related Incidents:

A bias-related incident is any deliberate act or attempt to injure, harm or harass an individual or group because of the person or group’s gender, race, color, religion, age, disability, veteran status, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, possession of a general education development certificate as compared to a high school diploma, or any other legally protected status or because the alleged perpetrator perceives that the other person or group has one or more of these characteristics. Such behavior includes acts or attempts that may pose physical or psychological harm or threat to individuals or groups.

A hate crime is a criminal offense against a person or property motivated in whole or part by an offender’s bias against a race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, ethnicity, national origin, disability, and gender identity.

Hate itself is not a crime—and the federal government is mindful of protecting freedom of speech and other civil liberties.

Bias related incidents and hate crimes both involve behavior that is motivated by bias. However, it is important to note the distinction between the two. Hate crimes include a definable crime, such as: threats of violence, property damage, personal injury and other illegal conduct. A hate crime is an infraction of the law and will be addressed accordingly.

A bias-related incident can be a violation of this policy but may not rise to the level of a hate crime, but all hate crimes are bias related-incidents.

Reporting, Investigating, and Resolving incidents of Harassment, Bullying, Bias, & Title IX

Reporting of an Incident:

All incidents should be reported in order to determine the level and type of offense, to support the affected person(s) or group, to mitigate subsequent incidents by raising awareness of the offense, to develop an educational response and to activate appropriate review and judicial processes when necessary to address individual or group behavior.

Students may report an incident to any staff member of the School of Continuing and Professional Studies over the phone, face to face, or in writing.

Confidentiality will be maintained throughout the investigation process to the extent practical and consistent with the School and College’s need to undertake a full and impartial investigation.

The College is required by law to issue a timely warning about hate crimes that present a continuing danger to the campus community and to disclose annual statistics about these crimes in the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report. Only general information, as opposed to personal or identifying details, will be disclosed in accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crimes Statistics Act.

Investigation and Resolution of an Incident of Harassment, Bullying, or Bias:

The Dean of the School of Continuing & Professional Studies, in consultation with staff members or College officials determined to be relevant and necessary to the nature of the incident, may conduct an investigation to better understand the issue and/or collect additional information. This investigation may include individual or group interviews, review of college files or other relevant information. The investigation may yield sufficient information to proceed with a resolution.

For complaints found to be unsubstantiated or a misunderstanding, resolution may involve no formal action but will attempt to resolve the matter to the satisfaction of the parties involved through mediation.

For complaints found to be warranted, the Dean will determine the resolution. Depending on the nature and seriousness of the incident, the Dean may consult with staff members, College Officials, or facilitators for recommendations on the resolution.

Resolutions may include disciplinary sanctions if the accused is a student (ranging from a formal warning, to a disciplinary notice, probation, suspension or dismissal) or initiation of performance review procedures, as specified in the Employee or Faculty Handbooks, if the accused is a staff member or facilitator.

Appeal Process for Student Disciplinary Sanctions:

The accused student(s) will have the alternative of accepting the resolution decision and/or sanction(s) or requesting to appeal the decision. Appeals must be submitted in writing within five (5) business days of the time of the decision. Appeals must be based on one or more of the following reasons; the appeal officer may decide not to consider an appeal if sufficient grounds have not been articulated for an appeal:

• There are new facts, unavailable at the time of the investigation that could reasonably be expected to change the original decision. The student must outline the source of new information, the name(s) of the individual(s) who can present this information, the reason(s) why this information was not available previously, and the reason(s) why this information may contribute to a different decision.
• There was a substantial violation of the student conduct procedures that may change the original decision. The student must include a citation of specific procedural error and how the correction of the error can contribute to a different decision.
• The sanction imposed is substantively disproportionate to the violation. The student must include specific information about why the sanction is deemed substantively disproportionate.

In the event of an appeal, the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs of Elizabethtown College will serve as the appeal officer.

Title IX:

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX) and its implementing regulations prohibit sex discrimination in educational programs and activities operated by recipients of Federal financial assistance. This prohibition encompasses discrimination based on a student’s gender identity, including discrimination based on a student’s transgender status.

Elizabethtown College is committed to providing a learning, working, and living environment that promotes personal integrity, civility, and mutual respect in an environment free of sex discrimination and sexual misconduct.

Sex discrimination violates an individual’s fundamental rights and personal dignity. Sex discrimination includes all forms of sexual and gender-based harassment, sexual misconduct, sexual violence, sexual assault, domestic violence, dating violence, stalking by students, employees or third parties against employees, students, or third parties.

The School for Continuing and Professional Studies refers to Elizabethtown College’s Title IX website for additional information and the Policy Regarding Sexual Harassment, Sexual Misconduct, Sexual Exploitation, Stalking, Dating Violence, and Domestic Violence. http://www.etown.edu/about/titleix/index.aspx

Elizabethtown College has designated a Title IX Coordinator for all matters related to sex discrimination at the College, and to coordinate the efforts of the College to comply with Title IX law.

Questions about the application of Title IX at Elizabethtown College should be directed to Dr. Hinton or to the Office of Civil Rights, Department of Education, Washington, D.C.

For additional information and resources, visit http://www.etown.edu/about/titleix/index.aspx.

Investigation and Resolution of an Incident of Title IX:

All reports relating to sexual misconduct, sexual harassment, sexual exploitation, domestic violence, dating violence, and stalking will be referred to and reviewed by the Title IX Coordinator who oversees the college’s response.

Investigations and resolution proceedings will be conducted by professionals who receive annual training on issues related to sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, sexual exploitation, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, as well as how to conduct investigations and resolution proceedings that protect the safety of complainants and promote accountability.   The investigator may be an employee of the College or a third party retained by the College to conduct an investigation.

For further information, you can review the Policy Regarding Sexual Harassment, Sexual Misconduct, Sexual Exploitation, Stalking, Dating Violence and Domestic Violence Involving Student Respondents at http://catalog.etown.edu/content.php?catoid=11&navoid=547.

Investigations handled by the Office of the Title IX Coordinator will follow all investigation, resolution and appeal processes as outlined in the College Catalog located at http://catalog.etown.edu/content.php?catoid=11&navoid=547.

Student Support and Resources

Financial Aid

The accelerated sessions are offered in three 5-week (undergraduate) or two 8-week (graduate) “mini-terms” which comprise a semester.  Because of this, the determination of half-time status is different than traditional degree programs that operate on a fall/spring semester schedule. Undergraduate enrollment levels are determined by combining the credits taken in three separate 5-week sessions. Graduate enrollment levels will be determined by combining the credits taken in the two 8-week sessions.  The following are the credit minimum requirements for half-time and full-time enrollment by degree:

Undergraduate Programs (including associate and bachelor programs)

• Full-time status is a student taking 12 or more credits within the semester.
• Half-time status is a student taking at least 6 credits per semester.

Graduate Programs (effective fall 2014-15)

• Full-time status is a student taking 6 or more credits within the semester.
• Half-time status is a student taking at least 3 credits per semester. Applications for financial aid should be made well in advance of the semester in which study is to begin. Part-time undergraduate students must carry at least six credits per semester and be matriculated in an Associate’s or Bachelor’s degree program.

For information and questions, contact the Financial Aid Office at 717-361-1404 or finaid@etown.edu, or visit http://www.etowndegrees.com/admissions-aid/financial-aid.aspx.

Elizabethtown College is required to review your academic progress regularly to ensure your continued eligibility for Federal financial aid, as outlined in our Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policies and procedures. For information about SAP Standards at Elizabethtown College, and for the policies that are in effect for undergraduate and graduate students, visit the Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Standards webpage: http://www.etown.edu/offices/financial-aid/sap.aspx.

Tuition Payment:

Students are required to submit payment for tuition in full prior to the beginning of the session. Payment may be made online through Elizabethtown College Netpay, by credit card (a convenience fee will be charged), ACH/Electronic Check (No additional fees), cash (accepted at the Business Office), or check or money order, made payable to Elizabethtown College (mailed to the Business Office or delivered in person at the SCPS Elizabethtown College office). 

For information and questions, contact the Business Office at 717-361-1417 or businessoffice@etown.edu or visit their webpage. 

Veterans’ Benefits: 

Students who are using veterans’ benefits for tuition must contact the Veterans’ Certifying Official, Katharine Daniels at 717-361-3735 well in advance of the first class. Veterans attending the College for the first time should be prepared to pay their tuition for the first semester while awaiting reimbursement from the Veterans’ Administration. For more information on how to research Veterans’ Benefits, please see our Military Tuition Assistance & Veterans’ Benefits Information.

Deferred Payment Program:

School of Continuing and Professional Studies students who will be reimbursed by their employer after completing a course may be eligible for the deferred tuition payment program.

Deferred Payment Program Policy:

Payment is required within 30 days of the completion of the session. If payment is not received by the 30th day, the banking information or credit card listed on the deferred payment form will be charged for outstanding tuition and fee costs. A convenience fee of 2.75% of the total payment amount will be assessed for any credit card payment. If a credit card is declined, monthly finance charges of 1.5% on outstanding balances will be retroactively assessed to the first day of the session and a $50.00 late payment fee will be added to the student’s account.

Students are not able to register in future sessions or receive official transcripts until their account is paid in full; eligibility for the deferred payment program may be denied for future courses as well. 

Required Documentation:

The following items must be submitted to the Business Office (see below) in order to participate in the Deferred Payment Program:

• A copy of your company’s reimbursement policy
• A letter from your employer verifying your eligibility for tuition reimbursement. The letter must be on company letterhead
• A completed Deferred Payment form with a valid credit card account or bank information included.

To protect students’ personally identifiable and confidential information, the Elizabethtown College Business Office has a secure upload site through which all Deferred Payment Program documentation can be uploaded. The link and log-in information is provided by your admission’s representative of academic advising coordinator.

Textbooks

Books for all locations and sessions are available through our online vendor, MBS Direct:  http://bookstore.mbsdirect.net/ETOWN.HTM. If you choose to order your books from a different vendor, it is your responsibility to ensure you have the correct book. Some customized books may not be available through other vendors.

Use of aid for textbooks

It is recommended that students pay for textbooks directly rather than using aid money. If it becomes necessary to withdraw during the refund eligibility period, or due to medical reasons, which allow for a pro-rated refund, federal regulations specify a Title IV Refund Formula be used in calculating the refund amount. That amount is then returned to the source of the aid funds, not the student. Cost of textbooks cannot be figured into that and students may owe money for the books. If students pay for the books up-front and then have excess aid funds left on account, that money will be refunded.

Textbook Buyback

Students may utilize the online buyback services provided by MBS Direct. MBS Direct staff also invites students to bring books to Elizabethtown Campus during the College’s buy-back week (usually during finals week of the Elizabethtown College full-semester day program). Hours for the College’s buy-back week are during the day; call the bookstore for information.

Library:

The High Library, Elizabethtown College Campus

The High Library, located on Elizabethtown campus, offers many resources for students.  The physical building houses books, DVDs, and journal and magazine subscriptions.  Study space is also available for students and faculty.  (Students may reserve group study rooms via an online reservation system: http://etown.libcal.com/reserve/reserveroom.)

The library’s homepage is a great place to start for all academic research, as the library subscribes to more than 70 searchable databases with lots of full-text articles, e-books, and other materials: http://www.etown.edu/library.  All off-campus users will be prompted to enter their Etown usernames and passwords in order to access the library’s online resources.  (Students should contact their academic advising coordinator if they cannot log in or access information.)

The library’s homepage features the following links and tools…

• Type a topic into the big QuickSearch box to search many databases (including the library’s collection of print books) simultaneously.
• Choose the “Databases & Articles” button to view an alphabetical list of all databases.  These general and subject-specific options are very popular with students:
  • Academic Search Complete—a large collection of articles in all subject areas
  • Atomic Learning—a series of tutorials and trainings on Microsoft Office, Appleworks, and other common programs
  • Business Source Complete—a collection of case studies, company profiles, and market research reports for major businesses
  • Criminal Justice Collection—a collection of articles relating to criminal justice, criminology, law enforcement, homeland security, and related subjects
  • Ebook Central—a collection of scholarly publications from university presses
  • EBSCOhost Ebook Collection—a collection of high-quality academic and popular titles
  • Hoovers Online—a series of company overviews with histories, competitor lists, and related industry details
  • LexisNexis Academic—a collection of international, national, and regional newspapers
  • Statista—a collection of statistical data from opinion-research polls, businesses, scientific and trade journals, and government agencies
• Use the “Journal Finder” tab to see if the library subscribes to a specific journal, magazine, or newspaper.  (Search by the publication’s title.)
• Choose the “Research Help” button to view tips and tutorials for starting any research project.
• Choose the “Ask a Librarian” button to submit questions and to find contact information for the library staff.  Students should not hesitate to reach out to the librarians for research assistance of any kind.  The librarians are reachable via phone, email and text during the workday, and via email and text on evenings and weekends.

The library’s schedule of hours is also posted on the website: http://etown.libcal.com/.  Note that summer and holiday hours may vary.

Students who wish to check materials out of the library are first encouraged to obtain a College ID card from Campus Security.  Students without a current College ID should contact an academic advising coordinator prior to coming to campus.

Students may also take advantage of the library’s reciprocal borrowing agreements with other area institutions:

• ACLCP is an association of Pennsylvania college and university libraries that includes Franklin & Marshall College, Harrisburg Area Community College, Lebanon Valley College, Penn State Harrisburg, and York College.  Students may borrow books and other physical items from any ACLCP library listed here: http://www2.aclcp.org/?Members.  Note that students are required to present a valid College ID card in order to borrow materials from these institutions.  For more details, visit ACLCP’s web page: http://www2.aclcp.org/?Policy%20001.
•  
• PALCI is an association of college and university libraries in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, and West Virginia.  Students may borrow books and other physical items from many PALCI libraries as well.  Consult the “List of Participating Libraries” on PALCI’s On-Site Borrowing web page: http://www.palci.org/on-site-borrowing/.  Prior to traveling to another PALCI library, students should ask the Elizabethtown librarians to complete an Authorization Form (also on PALCI’s web page) that will grant permission to borrow materials.

Some local libraries, including those that belong to ACLCP and PALCI, offer on-site search access to several online resources and database subscriptions.  As these permissions are determined separately by each institution, students may contact individual libraries to investigate this option.

Smarthinking, Inc.

Smarthinking is a tutoring service that provides web-based tutoring 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Students can access live tutorials in accounting, math, business, writing, sciences, etc., as well as a full range of study resources, including writing manuals, sample problems, research tools, and study skills manuals. Smarthinking is not an answering or proofreading/editing service.

Smarthinking is FREE to SCPS students. Additional information and videos are found in JayWeb; students can request an account by contacting their academic advising coordinator.

Disability Services

The Elizabethtown College School of Continuing & Professional Studies is committed to providing equal access to all of its courses, programs and services for qualified students with disabilities in accordance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990.

The Office of Disability Services requires documentation from the treating health care provider about a student’s condition in order to establish the presence of a disability, gain an understanding of how the disability affects the students’ ability to function in a college setting, and make informed decisions about reasonable accommodations and adjustments. The Director of Disability Services reviews all requests for academic adjustments and accommodations.

For further clarification about policies for students with disabilities, students should contact their academic advising coordinator or Lynne Davies, Director of Disability Services, at 717-361-1227. For more information, please visit www.etown.edu/offices/disability.

Learning Services in the Center for Student Success 

Tutoring, writing consultation, study skills information, and other audio/video cassettes for improving academic performance are available in the Elizabethtown College Learning Services office on the Elizabethtown campus. An appointment may be necessary for writing consultation; there is a modest hourly charge for tutoring.

Career Services 

Students are invited to attend career and networking events hosted by Career Services throughout the academic year.  A list of current events is maintained on their webpage; students should monitor regularly for updates and details: http://www.etown.edu/offices/career/.

Students are encouraged to utilize resources on the Career Services website for job search resources, advice, and samples. Students may meet with staff for assistance with their job search planning as well.

Job and internship opportunities are posted through Jobs for Jays. To request an account in Jobs for Jays, contact your advisor or Career Services directly.

Additionally, the School for Continuing & Professional Studies offers a 1 credit course on Career Development for the Lifelong Learner.

The College Store

On the Elizabethtown campus, the College store is located in the Brossman Commons Campus Center. It carries various class and office supplies, convenience items, and College logo merchandise. Online shopping is also available at http://www.etown.edu/programs/college-store/.

NOTE: Textbooks for the School of Continuing and Professional Studies’ courses are NOT available through the College Store.