CHAPTER TWENTY INSTITUTIONAL INTEGRITY
Rockhurst University is committed to the fair and ethical treatment of all people, to honesty in all of its relationships, to full disclosure, and to nondiscrimination in all endeavors. The University's quality academic programs, its human resource policies and practices, the way in which it treats its employees and students, its publications, and the nature of its relationships with external constituencies is evidence of this commitment. This is not to claim that the University's policies and practices are flawless or that individuals never err. Rather, it is to declare that the University is committed to and strives for integrity in all of its dealings and that it attempts to rectify any wrongs that occur. The University Has Developed Clear Ethical Policies and Procedures Major Rockhurst University policies were developed with input from faculty, staff, and students. They were sent to the University's attorney to be certain that they were in compliance with the law. The Faculty General Assembly approved most of the policies (and all of those affecting faculty or the academic life of students) and the Board of Trustees approved all of them. University policies are published in the following: Rockhurst University 2002-04 Catalog (to be referred to hereafter as Catalog), Course Schedule and Registration Guide (published each semester and to be referred to as Course Schedule), The Faculty Handbook, The Rockhurst University Student Handbook and Day Planner 2002 (to be referred to as Student Handbook), the Personnel Manual for Staff Employees (to be referred to as Personnel Manual), and the Rockhurst University Policies Manual (to be referred to as Policies Manual). All major policies are published in the Policies Manual. Policies affecting students are published in the Catalog, the Student Handbook, possibly the Course Schedule (depending upon the particular policy), and usually the Faculty Handbook. Policies affecting employees are published in the Personnel Manual and possibly in the Faculty Handbook. The major policies contained in the Personnel Manual are now online at the Human Resources intranet site (http://hr/hand.html). Page numbers for the location of policies in the Personnel Manual are not given as the manual was being revised at the time the self-study was written. If a policy is on the intranet site, it will be indicated as web site in this chapter.
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Diversity "Rockhurst University complies with all of the anti-discrimination statues and policies established by the United States and by the State of Missouri. In addition, the University actively recruits and invites qualified minority group and women candidates to apply for available openings." (Faculty Handbook, p. I-3, Personnel Manual, web site) While not specified in this statement of nondiscrimination, the University also welcomes as employees members of other religious groups as well as nonbelievers who understand and accept the mission of the University. The statement regarding the enrollment of students also clearly indicates that the University seeks diversity and will not discriminate on the basis of irrelevant characteristics or group memberships. This statement is so important to the nature of Rockhurst University that it will be quoted here in its entirety: Rockhurst University welcomes qualified students from diverse backgrounds and strives to maintain an atmosphere of respect and sensitivity toward the ultimate dignity of every person. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, disability or any other status protected by applicable law in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, and other school-administered programs. It is the policy of Rockhurst University to provide reasonable accommodations for students defined as disabled in Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1990. To ensure that students with disabilities are not denied equal access to the academic and nonacademic life of Rockhurst University, reasonable accommodations are provided. Students request accommodations through the Access Office, located in Massman Hall, Room 109, (816) 501-4856/4175. (Catalog, p. 49) In addition to the anti-discrimination policies, Rockhurst University also has an official diversity policy. This statement emphasizes that the University is committed to fostering a diverse community and to promoting greater awareness and sensitivity to issues of diversity, as this is an important part of educating "men and women for others." The statement calls upon all members of the Rockhurst community to demonstrate the highest standards in their interactions with people of all backgrounds and to actively display sensitivity to differences of race, gender, age, culture, religion, sexual orientation, disabilities, etc. (Catalog, pp. 51, 241) To encourage diversity, Rockhurst University has a tripartite diversity committee and a Director of Multicultural/ International Affairs who provides services to students and faculty. The University actively recruits and provides scholarships to qualified minority students. Student organizations include the Black Student Union and the Student Organization of Latinos. The five-year Title III grant that Rockhurst received in 1999 also supports multicultural education and diversity. It provides funding for faculty and course development in multiculturalism and for the development of a Diversity Learning
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Community. This includes funding for summer stipends, released time, travel funds, and the acquisition of resource materials. Access The University has an Access Committee and a Director of Access Services who took the initiative to learn the job and to make contacts in the broader community to help the University meet the federal regulations regarding services for students with disabilities. In 1999 the committee sponsored an accessibility audit of the campus and made recommendations prioritizing campus renovation projects to enhance access for persons with disabilities. The committee also hosted a regional A.D.A. consultant who provided input regarding needed policies. The committee has developed the necessary policies and procedures for the campus, and produced brochures and a web site to publicly announce services available through the Access Office. The University makes accommodations for students with physical, psychological, and learning disabilities. Most buildings, classrooms, restrooms, etc. are wheelchair accessible. Should a building not be accessible or should an elevator be out-of-order, classes will be relocated to accommodate a student with a disability. The Rockhurst University policy for employees with disabilities is contained in the Faculty Handbook (pp. VII-34, 35), Personnel Manual, and web site. Published Locations of Other Major Policy and Procedural Statements: Sexual Harassment - Faculty Handbook (p. VII-28), Personnel Manual, web site, Student Handbook (p.54) Academic Honesty - Catalog (pp. 31, 236), Faculty Handbook (pp. VII-1-4) Students' Rights Under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (F.E.R.P.A.) Catalog (pp. 49, 240), Class Schedule (p. 4), and Student Handbook (p.55) Final Grade Appeal - Catalog (pp.40, 230), Faculty Handbook (pp. VII-5-7) Academic Freedom - Faculty Handbook (pp. IV-7-8) Procedures for Responding to a Complaint of Prohibited Discrimination or Discriminatory Harassment - Faculty Handbook (pp. VII-7-10), Personnel Manual, web site Substance Abuse Policy - Faculty Handbook (p. VII-29), Personnel Manual, web site, Student Handbook (p.54)
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Faculty Tenure Policy and Appeal Procedures - Faculty Handbook (pp. IV-13-18) Student Misconduct - Student Handbook (pp. 32-39 and various pages between 40-55) Right of Free Assembly within the Rockhurst University Community - Faculty Handbook (p. VIII-11, 12) Guidelines for Copyright, Licenses, and Use of Computer Software and Databases Faculty Handbook (p. VII-11), Personnel Manual, web site Employee Grievance Procedures - Personnel Manual, web site Student Complaint Log The Vice-President for Student Development and Administration keeps a log of all written complaints that she receives from students. This log is available in the Resource Room. Integrity in Institutional Finances Rockhurst University has an outstanding record for fiscal accountability. Publications accurately reflect the cost of attending the University. The University publicly discloses audits and financial information upon request. Students are kept informed of tuition increases through letters from the President and the catalog. They are kept informed of financial aid policies and student housing through the Catalog, the Student Handbook, the Office of Financial Aid, an annual "housing packet," and letters sent to them and/or their families. The Director of Financial Aid monitors student loan rates and student loan default rates. The most recent student loan default rate was 2.4%. There has been a steady decline in the default rate since 1997 when it was 3.1%. Publications Rockhurst University takes care to ensure that all publications, videos, press releases, and the University's Web site accurately portray the University. The Rockhurst University 2002-04 Catalog provides prospective and current students with accurate information about tuition and fees, financial aid, admission and graduation requirements, major policies, programs, persistence/graduation rates (p. 51), course descriptions, a list of all full-time faculty members with academic credentials and dates of appointment and promotions, and a list of all adjunct faculty members with highest degree and degree
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granting institution listed. A major revision of the catalog occurs every two years. At that time an effort is made to eliminate courses that have not been offered for several years. The Rockhurst University Student Activity Planner and Handbook is published each year, although this does not usually involve major revisions other than dates for activities and changes in listings of personnel. It has had two major revisions since the 1993 accreditation visit. Significant changes include: changes in the section dealing with student behavioral expectations, changes in the way student discipline cases are handled, the addition of a section on sexual assault, and the addition of a section on discrimination. The book always reflects policy changes. If there are immediate changes during the course of the academic year, students are notified via the RDN (Rockhurst Daily News - a daily information sheet), a letter sent to them, and an addendum to the handbook. Beginning Fall 2002, the handbook is also available online. The Faculty Handbook underwent a major revision in March 2000. It is in the form of a loose-leaf notebook so pages can be easily replaced when changes occur. The Personnel Manual is undergoing a major revision as this self-study is being written. The revision will be completed in the fall of 2002. The Policies/Procedures Manual received a major revision in 1999 and is updated as policies/procedures change. Transcripts Academic transcripts accurately and clearly reflect student achievement, the date of graduation, and the degree earned. A service activity transcript, compiled by the Center for Service Learning, is available for all students who have submitted the necessary documentation during their time at Rockhurst. The Office of Student Development provides a leadership transcript for students who are involved in cocurricular and extra-curricular activities. Accreditations (See Federal Compliance Section at end of this chapter.) Relationships with Other Institutions and Organizations Rockhurst University is an independent university, serving all creeds. It does not receive support from the Roman Catholic Church but does receive support from the Society of Jesus (Jesuits). As stated in the Faculty Handbook, p. I-2: The support of Rockhurst University by the Society of Jesus includes the Jesuits' colleagueship with faculty and staff, their special concern for students, their articulation of the University's Jesuit heritage and values, the preparation for University positions of Jesuits, some of whom will later serve the University, and the contributed services of the Jesuit faculty and administrators....
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The Jesuit religious community is adjacent to the Rockhurst campus. In matters internal to the Society of Jesus, all members of this community are subject to the Jesuit rector. In matters pertaining to the work of the University, Jesuits who serve as faculty or administrators in the University are subject to the appropriate University statutes, regulations and officials. Over the years, the gift of contributed services by the Jesuit faculty and administrators has been among the largest donations that the University has received. As the number of Jesuits has declined, this gift has also declined. In January 2002 a gift of $170,000 from the Jesuits was recorded. The bulk of this was designated for the scholarship fund. Until relatively recently the donation by the Jesuits went into unrestricted operating funds. In addition to the contributed services of the Jesuits, Rockhurst periodically receives donations from the Missouri Province of Jesuits. Rockhurst University and Research College of Nursing have a joint degree program that results in students receiving a single degree, the Bachelor of Science in Nursing, with a diploma that reads Research College of Nursing - Rockhurst University. Students take courses in the arts and sciences at Rockhurst University and nursing courses at Research College of Nursing. Although the two institutions are separate, faculty members serve on committees of the other and attend a number of common meetings and events. The Rockhurst-Research Joint Council for the Nursing Program includes faculty and administrators from each institution. The two institutions are required to adhere to all contracted agreements between them. The two governing boards have their own by-laws that delineate their roles. Conflict of interest relationships and exploitation of the boards are forbidden. In June 2001 Rockhurst University began offering the M.B.A. in Health Care Leadership in conjunction with the University of Health Sciences (U.H.S.), a local osteopathic medical school. Graduates of the program receive both a M.B.A. degree from Rockhurst University and a Doctor of Osteopathy degree from the University of Health Sciences. Unlike in the case of Research College of Nursing, there is no special relationship between Rockhurst and U.H.S., other than an agreement that enables osteopathic students to also pursue the M.B.A. degree. The departments of Communication Sciences and Disorders, Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy have contractual agreements with all clinical agencies and institutions to which their students are assigned. (Research College of Nursing has similar agreements on file for its students.) Agreements are also signed between the University and agencies/institutions that provide internships for students in other departments. Rockhurst University is affiliated with American Humanics, Inc. This program includes over eighty colleges and universities across the country and eighteen national nonprofit organizations. The American Humanics program prepares and certifies undergraduates for professional careers and leadership roles with nonprofit youth and human service organizations. The Human Service Agency Administration is Rockhurst's
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academic component of this program. Although American Humanics certifies the program and also those Rockhurst graduates who fulfill the certification requirements, Rockhurst University administers the academic program, hires all faculty and administrators, and admits students to the program. The University of Missouri at Kansas City (U.M.K.C.) frequently requests that Rockhurst allow some of its students to live in Rockhurst's residence halls. In recent years Rockhurst has had approximately 75 vacant rooms, so it has always agreed to this request. U.M.K.C. students, mostly freshmen, are distributed throughout the residence system. Rockhurst students receive first choice for room locations and are not paired with U.M.K.C. students unless mutually requested. The number of U.M.K.C. students varies. In 2001-02 there were only eight, but in Fall 2002 there were 27. Many Rockhurst students have relationships with U.M.K.C. students through having attended the same high schools, their use of U.M.K.C.'s Swinney Recreation Center, and through a course exchange program. Over 150 Rockhurst students had Swinney memberships in 2001-02. Housing and Swinney membership agreements are between the student and the neighboring university, not between the two universities. Rockhurst University participates in the Kansas City Area Student Exchange Program. This is a standing exchange agreement between Rockhurst University and other regional institutions. It allows full-time students at one participating institution to take one additional course per semester at another participating institution without paying additional tuition. Courses taken at another institution do not violate Rockhurst's rule requiring that the last 30 hours be taken at Rockhurst. If an exchange course puts a student over the 18-hour full-time limit, there is no charge for the additional hours. (Catalog, pp. 14, 46) Although students occasionally take classes at Avila University or other local institutions, most course exchanges are between Rockhurst and U.M.K.C. with approximately 25 students from each university taking courses at the other in a typical year. The Rockhurst University Continuing Education Center, Inc. (R.U.C.E.C.), a subsidiary of Rockhurst University, owns National Seminars Group (N.S.G.), a national provider of adult continuing education. In June 2002 N.S.G. acquired the mailing list and intellectual property of Padgett-Thompson, a division of the American Management Association. The boards of both organizations and positions approved the acquisition. This positions N.S.G. as the nationwide leader in the seminar business. The economic benefit of N.S.G. to Rockhurst University was discussed in Chapter Fourteen. Rockhurst contracts with external sources for some services such as food service (Sodexho Marriott), the bookstore (Barnes and Noble), and printing services (Pitney Bowes Management Services). Student, faculty, and staff evaluations are considered when the contracts are due for renewal. Rockhurst University has partnerships with a number of organizations: Brush Creek Partners, Missouri Council on Economic Education, Saint Francis Xavier Parish and School, a number of high schools in the area, the Regional Consortium for
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Technology and Information Exchange, Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities, PeaceJam, and Association of Jesuit University Presses. Various types of agreements exist with each of these. One of the most important partnerships is with Saint Francis Xavier Parish and School (S.F.X.), an institution located on Troost Avenue across from Rockhurst University. (Troost Avenue has long been viewed as a dividing line between Whites and Blacks and between the relatively poor and the more affluent populations of Kansas City.) While Jesuits have always served as pastors of the church, the school was originally staffed by the Sisters of Charity, B.V.M., from Dubuque, Iowa. Rockhurst University, Rockhurst High School, and S.F.X. have recently entered into partnership to provide the Jesuit-based approach to elementary education. It is planned that eventually Kansas City will have a "seamless" Jesuit education from elementary school to the university. One of the first results of the collaborative efforts was the development of a model classroom at S.F.X. (first used in September 2002) that enables Rockhurst education majors and graduate students to observe classroom activities without disrupting the class through the use of observation windows. Plans are underway to immediately improve the school's "curb appeal" through improved landscaping, new paint, minor facilities' upgrades, and a general cleaning. Plans call for continued programmatic and physical enhancements throughout the next several years in order to reach a fully developed college-preparatory school. Another benefit of the partnership is that S.F.X. elementary school teachers will be allowed to take graduate education courses at Rockhurst University and their children will be allowed to take undergraduate courses with tuition waived. In return, S.F.X. will waive tuition for all Rockhurst University professors and staff who choose to enroll their children in the new elementary school's college-preparatory program. (The copy of Fish Tales, News from St. Francis Xavier that discusses this partnership is available in the Resource Room.) Relationships with the Neighborhood and the Community Rockhurst University makes every effort to be a good neighbor. Prior to constructing new buildings or expanding the campus, it holds meetings with the 49-63 Neighborhood Association and especially with those neighbors who will be most affected. To obtain additional property and to prevent problems with nearby neighbors, the University bought houses that were adjacent to the campus and paid significantly more than the appraised values. It also assisted the sellers in finding new homes and even in moving. The 49-63 Neighborhood Association and the local media praised Rockhurst for the way in which the purchase was handled. In 2002 the University opened a Community Center that is available for use by community groups and in which a literacy clinic and other Rockhurst programs are held.
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During the summer 2002, children and teens (grades two through ten) from two of the local neighborhood were offered free individual tutoring in reading and/or free participation in book discussion clubs. One hundred fifty neighborhood children participated in summer basketball camps that were funded by the Kauffman Foundation and staffed by Rockhurst employees and students. The University regularly sponsors a "Safe Trick and Treat" Halloween and other programs for neighborhood children. In a partnership with the Y.M.C.A. and the Community of Christ (formerly the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints), Rockhurst hosts a PeaceJam annually, whereby area high school students meet with a Nobel Peace Prize award winner. During the event, the students discuss global issues with the Nobel laureate and participate in community service projects. Rockhurst students serve as group leaders. Rockhurst University, in partnership with the Honeywell Corporation and the U.S. Department of Energy, annually hosts the Science Knowledge Bowl. Every spring over 900 high school students participate in this. Rockhurst University and Penn Valley Community College co-host the annual Science Olympiad, with the site of the competition alternating between the two campuses. The Olympiad includes both a junior high and a senior high division. About twenty teams in each division compete with a total of 500 students from forty schools participating. The Science Knowledge Bowl only tests knowledge of scientific facts, while the Science Olympiad tests knowledge of science facts (using an athletic/game show format), science processes (e.g., "Science Crime Busters" - students using chemicals in a lab setting to solve a crime), and science applications (e.g., "Robot Ramble" - students build a robot and use it to compete in a set of activities). The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders initiated the Central City Schools Project, which is funded through a two-year grant from the John W. and Effie E. Speas Memorial Foundation. The project provides on-site screening, evaluation, and therapy services to children enrolled in seven parochial schools located in the central city. These schools enroll children from their immediate neighborhoods. During the 2001-2002 school year, 68% of the students enrolled in these schools were members of a racial or ethnic minority. In addition, English was not the primary language in the home for a significant number of these children. The Department of Communication Sciences and Disorders also participates in "Discussions on Diversity", an inter-campus course offered in conjunction with Hampton University. Hampton University (Hampton, Virginia) has predominantly AfricanAmerican students. On-line discussions between the two universities allow students from diverse backgrounds to make connections with one another. It is hoped that these connections will diminish fears and discomfort that students may have about interacting with people from different backgrounds and may help to dispel negative stereotypes. To help establish relationships between the students, each was assigned to an inter-campus team. A series of activities was used to increase self-awareness and facilitate the partnerships. Team members worked together to analyze case studies utilizing each other's perspectives and knowledge. This program has been in existence since fall 2000.
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A number of other projects sponsored by Rockhurst University take place in the neighborhood bordering the University or in the larger community. In addition, residents of the neighborhood as well as those of the larger metropolitan area are invited to attend lectures and programs that are offered through the Center for Arts and Letters as well as campus athletic events. For almost 20 years Rockhurst University funded, along with the U.S. Small Business Administration and the State of Missouri, the Small Business Development Center. This is located adjacent to the main campus and provides seminars and consulting to aspiring entrepreneurs and small business owners. In 2002 Rockhurst decided to discontinue the funding as, due to changes in state funding, the cost to Rockhurst would have increased substantially. In 1999 Rockhurst University's Helzberg School of Management started the Center for Leadership to further benefit the community. The Center was launched with seed money donated by a graduate of the Rockhurst Executive Fellows Program and matched by a grant from the Kauffman Foundation. The center's brochure states: "The Center's mission is two-fold: (1) To assist leaders in attaining their aspirations for the world of work and for the greater community and (2) To assist corporation, non-profits and the government to achieve their most practical and noble visions." Third Party Comments In November 2002 Rockhurst University placed notices regarding the accreditation visit in the following publications: The Rockhurst Daily News (a daily information newsletter), The Kansas City Star, the Catholic Key (the Catholic newsletter in Missouri), the Wednesday Magazine (covers midtown and south Kansas City), and the Leaven (the Catholic newsletter in Kansas). A news release was sent to the Brush Creek Partners and the Southtown Council. Neither of these latter two publications accepts advertisements, so at the time this is being written, it is not known if anything will be published about the visit. The notices provided information regarding the purpose of the forthcoming visit, the dates of the visit, and Rockhurst's current accreditation status with the Higher Learning Commission. The public was invited to send comments about Rockhurst University directly to the Higher Learning Commission. Copies of the notices are available in the Resource Room. FEDERAL COMPLIANCE Credits and Program Length Rockhurst University awards semester credit hours for courses in which students receive grades of "D" or higher. Class periods are scheduled in fifty-minute periods or combinations equaling this. Typically one credit is awarded for a course meeting once a
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week over the course of a fifteen-week semester. Most courses meet for three or four fifty-minute periods during a week and thus are awarded three or four credit hours. Professional studies courses in the School of Graduate and Professional Studies meet somewhat less frequently than do courses in the other schools. These classes meet for three and a half or four hours (including breaks) once a week for either eight or sixteen weeks and are awarded three or four credits. The students in this program are more mature and are expected to complete more work independently outside of class. Tuition Tuition and fees are published in the Rockhurst University 2002-04 Catalog (pp. 16, 222) and in the Course Schedule and Registration Guide that is published each semester. Tuition is lower for evening classes (which includes all classes offered by the School of Professional Studies) since evening students use campus facilities less than do day students. Evening classes are those that begin after 4:00 p.m. Tuition discounts are offered to alumni and to undergraduate students who are age sixty and over. Tuition for graduate students in education is lower than that for graduate students in business or in the health fields. Rockhurst University views this as a contribution to the education of America's children. In addition, it is believed that since teachers salaries are lower than in the other fields and since employers rarely contribute towards the cost of tuition, teachers are less able to afford Rockhurst's tuition. The tuition is also lower for competitive reasons, since a number of area universities offer graduate education programs at much lower tuition than does Rockhurst. Institutional Compliance with the Higher Education Reauthorization Act Rockhurst University has had no program audits or departmental actions with respect to Title IV funds. The student loan default rate, never particularly high, has been declining in recent years. The default rates for recent years were: 1997 3.1% 1998 2.6% 1999 2.4% 2000 (2.4% is expected; the official rate will not be calculated until Fall 2002) Institution's Advertising and Recruitment Materials Rockhurst's publications were discussed previously in this chapter.
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Professional Accreditation The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association is the only accrediting body that accredits Rockhurst University as an institution. Although some academic programs are accredited by professional accrediting organizations (Rockhurst University 2002-04 Catalog, p.5), none of these programs include one-third or more of Rockhurst's students. Whenever an accrediting organization is mentioned in a publication, the organization's address and phone number is also provided. Conclusion An analysis of Rockhurst University's policies, procedures, publications and relationships show that Rockhurst University fulfills criterion five: "The institution demonstrates integrity in its practices and relationships." It also is in compliance with the requirements of the U. S. Department of Education.
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