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The material that follows includes a summary of the federal and state legal requirements and specific university policies related to nondiscrimination, harassment, hazing, alcohol and drug policies, safety and security measures and confidentiality of student records. For a copy of the complete policy statements or further information, please contact the appropriate office as indicated in each policy section.
Policy on Nondiscrimination and Affirmative Action
Bridgewater State University does not discriminate in admission to or access to, or treatment or employment in, any of its educational programs or activities, including scholarships, loans and athletics, on basis of race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, political belief or affiliation, or veteran status. The university complies with executive orders 11246 and 11375 as amended; the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended; the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1988; the Civil Rights Act of 1991; Title IX of the Higher Education Amendments of 1972 as amended; Sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990; Section 402 of the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974; and pertinent laws, regulations and executive orders; directives of the Board of Higher Education; the Boards of Trustees of the Massachusetts State Colleges and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts; and other applicable local, state and federal statutes.
Anyone believing that he or she has experienced discrimination and/or adverse treatment may register a complaint with the Office of Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disability Compliance, Boyden Hall, Room 206, Tel: 508.531.1241; the vice president for student affairs, Boyden Hall, Room 106, Tel: 508.531.1276, TTY 508.531.1384; or write to the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination (MCAD), Boston, MA.
For specific information regarding university policies related to racial harassment, sexual harassment or disabilities discrimination, please contact the Office of Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disability Compliance, the Office of Student Affairs or refer to the Bridgewater State University Student Handbook.
Campus Accessibility
It is the policy of Bridgewater State University to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and other applicable laws prohibiting discrimination on the basis of disability. The university is committed to providing equal and integrated access for individuals with disabilities to all the academic, social, cultural and recreational programs it offers.
Although the achievement of architectural and physical access is a work-in-progress, the university has accessible travel ways throughout most of the campus and offers accessible campus bus service. Most buildings are accessible with the use of ramps, lifts and elevators: Pope and Scott Halls are accessible on the main floor and elevators or lifts are available in Boyden Hall, Harrington Hall, Rondileau Campus Center, Maxwell Library, Science and Mathematics Center, Kelly Gymnasium, Moakley Center, Tinsley Center, East Campus Commons, East Hall, Hart Hall, Miles and DiNardo Halls, Woodward Hall, and Shea and Durgin Halls. Each campus parking lot has accessible parking.
The university continually works to improve campus accessibility. It has recently begun to undertake a number of construction projects and renovations that will affect the campus. These current and future projects, as well as any periodic work by the Town of Bridgewater, may temporarily impact or disrupt accessible travel routes, building accessibility and/or parking. In an effort to provide the community with as much information as possible regarding such disruptions, the Office of Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disability Compliance will promptly issue campus-wide e-mails to all students, faculty and staff concerning the disruptions and provide information regarding alternative modes of access.
While most of the university’s classrooms are physically accessible, students with disabilities are encouraged to plan their schedules to permit adequate travel time between classes. In order to ensure that a student’s accessibility needs are met, it is recommended that students contact the Disability Resources Office. The office is located in the Academic Achievement Center on the ground floor of the Maxwell Library and can be reach by telephone at 508.531.1214 or TTY at 508.531.6113, or email at Disability Resources@bridgew.edu.
The Office of Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disability Compliance is the designated office to provide information and coordinate all other services regarding physical access to the campus. Students, faculty, staff and guests with concerns or questions regarding campus accessibility may contact the Office of Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity/Disability Compliance, Boyden Hall, Room 206, 131 Summer Street, Bridgewater, MA 02325; Tel: 508.531.1241.
Confidentiality of Student Records
Bridgewater State University complies with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974 which governs access to and release of information contained in student educational records. Students have the right to review their educational records, request the amendment of their records if they believe that inaccuracies exist, and consent to disclosures of personally identifiable information contained in their records. Students also have the right to file written complaints with the U.S. Department of Education, Family Policy Compliance Office, concerning alleged violations of this act. Additional information regarding this act may be found in the Bridgewater State University Student Handbook and on the Web (www.bridgew.edu/registrar). For specific questions, please contact the Registrar’s Office, Boyden Hall, Room 003, Tel: 508.531.1231.
The Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act
Bridgewater State University complies with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, a federal law that requires colleges and universities across the United States to disclose information about crime on and around their campuses.
Annual Report
Colleges and universities have to publish an annual report every year by Oct. 1 that contains three years of campus crime statistics and also certain security policy statements including sexual assault policies, the law enforcement authority of campus police, and where students should go to report crimes. These statistics and policy statements may be found on the website of the Bridgewater State University Police Department (http://www.bridgew.edu/Police/stats.cfm).
Access to Timely Information
Colleges and universities are also required to provide “timely warnings” and a separate but more extensive public crime log. The university issues “Community Safety Alert Bulletins” whenever a major crime or other significant incident may potentially affect the safety or security of the campus community. The Bridgewater State University Police Department also maintains a daily police log that is accessible to the public.
Hazing
Hazing is unlawful in Massachusetts. Bridgewater State University supports the law. Hazing means “… any conduct or method of initiation into any student organization, whether on public or private property, which willfully or recklessly endangers the physical or mental health of any student or other person.” Any person who is a principal organizer or participant in the crime of hazing shall be punished by a fine of not more than $3,000 or by imprisonment in a house of correction for not more than one year, or by both such fine and imprisonment. Please refer to the Bridgewater State University Student Handbook for the complete university policy statement on hazing.
Zero Tolerance Behaviors that Compromise the Safety and Security of Bridgewater State University that will not be Tolerated
Student Conduct Code violations, such as those on the following list, may lead to a suspension or dismissal from Bridgewater State University once the determination of responsibility has been made. Immediate interim suspension pending a hearing will occur whenever the accused student is deemed a safety threat. Violations include but are not limited to:
arson
creating or false reporting of bombs
illegal drug possession and/or distribution
illegal occupation of a building
possession or discharge of illegal weapons
rape or other sexual assault
resisting arrest
destruction of property including electronic property medium
inciting a riot
stalking
driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
hate crimes
hazing
illegal alcohol distribution
murder
physical assault
threatening
tampering with fire safety equipment including pulling a false fire alarm
use of a false identification card or providing false identification to others
For information on the university Student Code of Conduct and Student Conduct process, please refer to the Bridgewater State University Student Handbook or contact the Office of Student Affairs, Boyden Hall, Room 106, Tel: 508.531.1276.
Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989
In compliance with the Drug-Free Schools and Communities Act Amendments of 1989, Bridgewater State University has adopted and implemented programs to prevent the unlawful possession, use or distribution of illicit drugs and alcohol by students and employees.
University policy prohibits the possession, consumption, storage or service of alcohol by students and/or their guests, except by persons 21 years of age or older who are in transit to (not being consumed, stored or served) or at approved or licensed locations, such as the Great Hill Student Apartments and within the limits of state and local laws and university policy.
The unlawful possession, use or distribution of illegal drugs on university property or at university activities is also prohibited. Sanctions are imposed by the university on students and employees who violate the university alcohol and drug policy.
For information on specific university policies pertaining to alcohol and illegal drugs, sanctions for violations of the alcohol and drug policy, campus resources and referral agencies, please refer to the Bridgewater State University Student Handbook or contact the Office of Student Affairs, Boyden Hall, Room 106, Tel: 508/531.1276; the Alcohol/Drug Program, Tillinghast Hall, Room 010, Tel: 508.531.2200; or the Office of Human Resources, Boyden Hall, Room 103, Tel: 508.531.1324.
Policy on Protection of Human Subjects in Research and the IACUC Animal Welfare Policy
For information on the Policy on Protection of Human Subjects in Research and the IACUC Animal Welfare Policy see www.bridgew.edu/sponproj/human_subj.cfm.
Tobacco-Free Policy
Policy Statement
Bridgewater State University prohibits smoking and tobacco use on all University property. University property includes, but is not limited to, university owned and leased buildings and facilities; university owned and leased vehicles; parking lots, building entrances and common areas. The university will fully implement this policy and all applicable laws, regulations and local ordinances.
Bridgewater State University reserves the right to initiate disciplinary procedures, up to and including termination for employees or expulsion for students, against any individual found to be in continuous violation of this policy.
Rationale for Policy
There is considerable evidence that concentrations of smoke are harmful to non-smokers, as well as smokers. Findings of the Surgeon General indicate that tobacco use in any form, active and passive, is a significant health hazard. Bridgewater State University has a responsibility to its employees and students to provide a safe and healthy environment. In its commitment to this, the university will be a tobacco-free campus effective September 1, 2011.
The Tobacco-Free Policy is intended to eliminate exposure to second-hand smoke, provide an environment supportive of tobacco-free lifestyles, eliminate the risk of accidental fire, eliminate the health risks associated with expectoration from smokeless tobacco, and eliminate the environmental impact of cigarette litter. It applies to all faculty, staff, students, visitors, customers, vendors, consultants, contractors and their employees.
Responsibility for Implementation & Enforcement
The Office of Human Resources will work collaboratively with the appropriate offices within the Division of Student Affairs, the university’s health and safety officer, established health and safety committees on campus, and the university’s Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provider to coordinate university efforts for policy notification, education, promotion, support and assessment to ensure successful implementation.
All campus constituents have a collective responsibility to promote the safety and health of the campus community and, therefore, share in the responsibility of policy compliance. Individuals observed using tobacco, in any form, are to be reminded in a professional and courteous manner of the university policy.
Voter Registration Act
(Massachusetts General Laws, Chapter 51, Sect. 42E) The law requires all universities to make available voter registration forms to all students enrolled in a degree or certificate program and physically in attendance at the institution. Massachusetts residents can obtain forms at the Campus Center Office and information booth or can request forms through a link on the Bridgewater State University Web page (www.bridgew.edu/handbook – click on Related Links). Out-of-state students who want to vote in their home state must use either a mail-in form supplied by an election official in the home state or the federal mail-in affidavit of voter registration. The latter may be obtained by writing or calling the Massachusetts Elections Division, Room 1705, McCormack Building, One Ashburton Place, Boston, MA 02108, 617.727.2828 or 1.800.462.8683; through the BSU website listed above; or through www.sec.state.ma.us/ele/eleifv/howreg.htm.
Student Right to Know – Disclosure of Institutional Graduation Rates
Bridgewater State University is pleased to provide the following information regarding our institution’s graduation rates. The information is provided in compliance with the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended.
During the fall semester of 2006, a cohort of 1,321 first-time, full-time, degree-seeking undergraduate students entered Bridgewater State University. After six years (as of Aug. 31, 2012), 54% of these students had graduated from our institution. The four-year average graduation rate (for fall 2003 through fall 2006 cohorts) is 53%.
The most updated information regarding the university’s graduation rates is available at www.bridgew.edu/depts/ir/AAG.pdf.
While reviewing this information, please bear in mind:
The graduation rate is based on students who completed the bachelor’s program within six years (150% of normal time).
The graduation rate does not include students who transferred to other higher education institutions or interrupted their course of study (e.g., students on leave, students who left school to serve in the armed forces, official church mission, or the foreign service of the federal government, or students who are deceased or permanently disabled and thus unable to return to school).
For specific questions regarding graduation rates, please contact the Office of Institutional Research, Boyden Hall, Room 201, Tel: 508.531.1704. |