Student Life

Campus Policies - Safety and Security

Elizabethtown College Campus Security

Student ID cards

SGPS 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, and student ID number.

ID cards can be obtained at any time by visiting Campus Security.

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

Drug-Free Campus

The School of Graduate and Professional Studies refers to the Elizabethtown College policies on being a drug-free campus.

Parking Information

Parking at Elizabethtown Campus

After 5:00pm and on weekends, students may park in employee lots on campus. Students may never park in Lot 14 or spaces specifically designated for handicapped, visitors, or marked Reserved. SGPS students parking on campus during the day should register their car with Campus Security and display a parking detail. To register a car, students must submit a vehicle registration form on JayWeb and then pick up the parking decal at Campus Security. SGPS students are considered commuters and parking registration is $25 per academic year. Before 5:00pm on weekdays, students may park in any lot designated as a commuter lot in the Parking Regulations as found on the Campus Security website. Vehicles parking in unlined paved areas, in “No Parking” areas, in Fire Lanes, in spots designated as Reserved or Handicapped, “Service Vehicles” or vehicles in the grass will be ticketed.

ECAlert – Elizabethtown Campus Alert System

Elizabethtown College has an emergency notification system branded as EC Alert.  This system is used to alert students of an emergency and closings due to inclement weather. All SGPS students will be placed in the system upon enrollment. If there is an emergency, students will receive an email, text message, and phone call. If there is a closing due to inclement weather, students will receive an email and text message.  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 review the ECAlert webpage.

SGPS Inclement Weather Policies

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

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

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

Individual course cancellations or schedule changes for classes held at Elizabethtown College campus resulting from inclement weather will be posted on the SGPS website www.etown.edu/sgps.  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 ground class is cancelled due to inclement weather, it will be the faculty member’s responsibility to schedule a make-up session or hold a class online via Canvas. A make-up class for a Weekend Seminar 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 faculty member 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 appropriate 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 Graduate 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 Elizabethtown College Student Handbook and catalog. 

School of Graduate 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 span 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 Graduate 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 here.

Email Communication & Computer Network Accounts

Our primary means of communication with our students is email.  During the application stage, SGPS 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 do not miss any significant information.

SGPS 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. For address, phone and email changes, complete the Update Contact Information form in JayWeb. To change your name on your academic record, submit 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.

Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Title IX

The Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Title IX supports students with historically marginalized identities, educates the community about and celebrates identity, and addresses structural inequity. 

Working with students, faculty, staff and the greater community, the Office promotes a culture prioritizing individual worth and interconnectedness. Our mission is realized through events and activities exploring topics that include but not limited to race/ethnicity, gender and gender identity, sexual orientation, age, socioeconomic status, ability status, national origin and religion.

The Director for Title IX, Compliance Programs, and Intercultural Affairs leads the efforts of the Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Title IX, and is the Title IX Coordinator. For more information, visit https:www.etown.edu/offices/diversity/titleix/index.aspx. 

Student Complaint Procedures

General Student Feedback and Concerns

The Elizabethtown College School of Graduate 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 faculty.
• Give your feedback on the end-of-course evaluations.
• Complete the student satisfaction survey conducted every two years.
• Email any member of the SGPS staff.  Contact information is available at www.etown.edu/sgps.  Your concern will be directed to the appropriate person to address.
• Formal Complaint Procedures

Attempts to informally resolve concerns should occur within thirty (30) calendar days.  If the issue cannot be resolved by communication and/or negotiation to the student’s satisfaction through the informal process, the student may follow the formal process set forth below.

Formal Complaint Procedures

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.

Title IX Sexual Harassment, Bullying/Harassment, Bias Incidents and Other Student Conduct Allegations

All processes for complaints of Title IX Sexual Harassment, Bullying, Bias Incidents and other student conduct allegations are outlined in the Elizabethtown College Student Handbook.

Questions about the application of Title IX at Elizabethtown College should be directed to the Title IX Coordinator.

Nichole Gonzalez

Director of Title IV

Baugher Student Center 247

gonzaleznichole@etown.edu; 717-361-1179

or to the Office of Civil Rights, Department of Education, Washington D.C.

The Office for Civil Rights (OCR)

OCR@ed.gov; 800-421-3481

http://www.ed.gov/ocr

For additional information and resources, visit https://www.etown.edu/offices/diversity/index.aspx

Academics

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

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 Dean.

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.

For Students in Cases of Alleged Discrimination on the Basis of a Disability

Elizabethtown College policy and federal law prohibit discrimination on the basis of a disability. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 require that a grievance procedure be available to a student who wishes to contest an administrative or faculty decision regarding disability-related accommodations and/or issues. Any Elizabethtown College student who believes that she/he has been discriminated against on the basis of a disability or has been denied access or accommodations has the right to utilize this grievance procedure. This procedure is not intended to address issues for which other policies exist, such as appeals pertaining to grades.

Informal Resolution

When a student wishes to contest an administrative or faculty decision regarding disability-related accommodations and/or issues, he or she should make every attempt to resolve the problem through informal discussions with the person claimed to be responsible for the contested decision or act. If the student is unable to resolve the issue directly with that person, the student should involve the college’s Director of Disability Services for advice or help in negotiating a solution. The student may also contact that person’s supervisor to assist in the informal resolution process.

Attempts to informally resolve the contested decision or act should occur within thirty (30) calendar days of the contested decision or act. If the issue cannot be resolved by communication, education, and/or negotiation to the student’s satisfaction through the informal process, the student may follow the formal process set forth below.

Formal Resolution

(1) The student may file in writing a formal grievance with the Dean of the School of Graduate and Professional Studies for academic or student life issues. The grievance statement should be as specific as possible regarding the decision or action(s) that precipitated the grievance (date, place, and people involved), efforts made to settle the matter informally, and the remedy sought.

(2) The Dean shall forward a copy of the grievance statement to all parties involved within one week of the receipt of the statement.  If necessary, the Dean will also provide a copy of the grievance statement to the Director of Disability Services who will be involved in resolution of the grievance as appropriate.

(3) The Dean shall investigate the matter set forth in the grievance statement. In conducting the investigation, the Dean may forward a copy of the grievance statement to the persons whose actions (or inactions) are the subject of the grievance and may request a written response to the grievance from appropriate individuals in the College. The Dean may also choose to interview witnesses, to meet with concerned parties, to receive oral or written presentations and to make other appropriate independent inquiry. Within thirty (30) calendar days of the filing of the statement, the Dean will make a decision on the merits of the student’s grievance and the appropriate resolution of the situation. If resolution is not possible within thirty (30) calendar days, the Dean shall inform the student of the reasons for delay.

(4) Copies of the decision made by the Dean  will be sent to the student, the student’s academic advisor, and the college’s Director of Disability Services. A copy may also be sent to other stakeholders whose actions (or inactions) are the subject of the grievance, as appropriate. In the event that the student is not satisfied with Dean’s resolution of the grievance, a written appeal may be made to the Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs within 5 calendar days of the student’s receipt of the resolution. The SVPAA’s resolution shall be final and binding*.

(5) A record of all formal grievances filed under this procedure will be maintained in the Office of the Dean.

* If you are dissatisfied with the formal resolution of the grievance procedures or want to use an alternative to the grievance procedures, you have the right to file a complaint directly with U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights.  Information assisting you with this process can be found at https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/index.html, or contact the Philadelphia office of the Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, Suite 515. The Wanamaker Building, 100 Penn Square East, Philadelphia, PA 19107-3323.  OCR.Philadelphia@ed.gov or 215-656-8541.

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 Graduate 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.

Virtual Education Complaint Process

Elizabethtown College School of Graduate and Professional Studies (SGPS) 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 Graduate 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 (SVPAA).

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

All SGPS students are subject to all policies and procedures outlined in the Elizabethtown College Student Handbook. Alleged violations of policies defined in the Student Handbook will be resolved consistent with procedures outlined in that document. 

Student Resources

Textbooks & the College Store

On the Elizabethtown College 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 on their website.

Course textbooks are available through the College Store. 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. Students may also utitlize the online buyback service through the college bookstore.

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.

The High Library, Elizabethtown College

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 100 searchable databases with lots of full-text articles, e-books, and other materials: http://www.etown.edu/library.  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 general and subject-specific databases simultaneously.
• Choose the “Databases & Articles” button to view an alphabetical list of all databases. The list includes a helpful description of each database’s content.
• 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, text, and online-chat during the workday, and via email and text on evenings and weekends.
• On-campus study space is also available for students and faculty to use through the “Reserve a Study Room” button.

The library’s schedule of hours is 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, see the lending policy on 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 SGPS students. Additional information and videos are found in JayWeb. Students can access Smarthinking through Canvas.

Disability Services

Elizabethtown College 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.

The Learning Zone in the Center for Student Success 

Learning Zone is part of the Elizabethtown College Center for Student Success. Our goal is to help students be academically successful, well rounded students. We offer tutoring for writing and specific courses, as well as assistance with study skills, test taking strategies and time management. While tutoring is a service available to all students, we do not guarantee tutor availability for every course taught.

Career Services 

Students are invited to attend career events hosted by Career Services throughout the academic year. A list of current events is maintained on the Career Services webpage; students should monitor regularly for updates and details.

Career Services staff members are available, remotely and in-person, to assist students and alumni withi all aspects of their career development including job searches, LinkedIn profiles, application materials, and interview preparation. Students are encouraged to utilize resources on the Career Services website for job search resources, advice, and samples. 

Job and internship opportunities are posted throughout Handshake. To access Handshake, please register using your etown.edu network account. Handshake uses a single sign-on that will prompt for your Etown network password.

Additionally, the School of Graduate and Professional Studies offers a 1 credit course: CD 1000 - Career Development for the Lifelong Learner  .